Game system, computer program used therein, and control method

Abstract

To provide a game system capable of improving convenience of a user in the case that an arcade game machine to be a play target is selected from a plurality of arcade game machines.SOLUTION: A game system is connected, via a network, to a plurality of game units 3A, 3B as commercial game devices installed in a predetermined facility and another game machine 4 configured as a game device differing from the game units. So that one or more game units of the plurality of game units is presented as a selection candidate at target selection opportunity for selecting a game unit to be a play target of the game units, the game system selects the one or more game units and provides the game machine with information on the one or more game units so that the target selection opportunity is provided via the game machine.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a game system or the like that is connected via a network to a plurality of arcade game machines as commercial game devices installed in a given facility. [Background technology]

[0002] There is a game system that is connected to a plurality of arcade game machines via a network as commercial game devices installed in a specific facility. An online game system is known that uses such an arcade game machine that has a plurality of booths that are used individually by each player and a lottery field shared by the plurality of booths, and displays live images of the lottery field captured by a camera on a client device connected to the network (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2008-245869 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the system of Patent Document 1, game play is realized on a remote location via a client device. However, in the system of Patent Document 1, although there is an opportunity to select which booth to play on one game machine, the game machine to be played is limited to one, and there is no opportunity to select the game machine to be played. Even if the game machine to be played is selected from multiple game machines, it is not clear which game machine will be presented as an option at the selection opportunity. Therefore, there is room for improvement in the case where multiple game machines are available for play.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a game system etc. that can improve convenience for a user when selecting an arcade game machine to play from a plurality of arcade game machines. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The game system of the present invention is a game system connected via a network to a plurality of arcade game machines which are commercial game devices installed in a specified facility, and when another game machine configured as a game device separate from the plurality of arcade game machines is connected via the network, the game system comprises: an option extraction means for extracting some of the plurality of arcade game machines so that a portion of the plurality of arcade game machines is presented as selection candidates in a target selection opportunity for selecting an arcade game machine to be played from among the plurality of arcade game machines; and an information provision means for providing information of the portion of the center units to the other game machine so that the target selection opportunity is provided via the other game machine.

[0007] Furthermore, the computer program of the present invention is configured to cause a computer connected to the plurality of arcade game machines via the network to function as each of the means of the game system described above.

[0008] The control method of the present invention causes a computer incorporated in a game system connected via a network to a plurality of arcade game machines as commercial game devices installed in a specified facility, when another game machine configured as a game device separate from the plurality of arcade game machines is connected via the network, to execute a selection extraction procedure for extracting some of the plurality of arcade game machines so that the some of the arcade game machines are presented as selection candidates in a target selection opportunity for selecting an arcade game machine to be played from among the plurality of arcade game machines, and an information provision procedure for providing information of the some of the center units to the other game machine so that the target selection opportunity is provided via the other game machine. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a game system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] Overall view of the first game unit. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a center unit and a plurality of station units. [Figure 4] Schematic diagram of a lottery field. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 shows an example of a game screen of the basic game. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a game screen of a bingo game. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an overview of a connection service. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of each system built in a game system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a main part of a control system of the game system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the flow of a connection service according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a game screen of a connection service. [Figure 12]10 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure of a game request process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure of a game providing process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 14] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure of a progress providing process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 15] 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure for an increase calculation process. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an overview of each system built in a game system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram showing the main parts of a control system of a game system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the flow of a connection service according to a second embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of facility data. [Figure 20] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of connection destination data. [Figure 21] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of expense data. [Figure 22] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure of a game providing process according to a second embodiment. [Figure 23] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure of a progress providing process according to a second embodiment. [Figure 24] 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure for a cost calculation process. [Diagram 25] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an overview of each system built in a game system according to a third embodiment. [Figure 26] FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram showing the main parts of a control system of a game system according to a third embodiment. [Figure 27] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the flow of a connection service according to a third embodiment. [Figure 28] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a flow of a connection service according to a third embodiment when the load is high; [Figure 29] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of operational data OD. [Diagram 30] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure of a game request process according to a third embodiment. [Diagram 31] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure of a game providing process according to a third embodiment. [Diagram 32] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure of a progress providing process according to the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] An embodiment of the game system of the present invention will be described below. First, the overall configuration of the game system according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 1, the game system 1 includes a server 2. A game unit 3 and a game machine 4 are connected to the server 2 via a network NT.

[0011] The server 2 is configured as a logical server system in which a plurality of server units 2A, 2B, etc. (hereinafter, sometimes represented by reference symbol 2) are combined, for example. The server units 2 may be installed collectively at a specific location on the network NT, or may be installed in a distributed manner on the network NT using cloud computing to configure a so-called cloud-type server system. The network NT may be configured as appropriate as long as the game unit 3 and the game machine 4 can be communicatively connected to the server 2. For example, the network NT includes the Internet as a WAN, and various connection facilities or devices such as a LAN or an access point AP that connects each of the server 2, the game unit 3, and the game machine 4 to the Internet. Note that the network NT may appropriately include a case where it is configured only by a LAN, for example, a first form described later.

[0012] The game unit 3 and the game machine 4 are both game devices that provide games to users. The game machine 4 may include various game devices (computer devices) that provide games, but in the example of FIG. 1, an arcade game machine 4A, a mobile terminal device 4B, a portable tablet terminal device 4C, and a stationary or notebook type personal computer 4D are shown. The arcade game machine 4A is installed in a facility such as an amusement store, and is configured as a commercial (commercial) game machine (device) that allows users to play games in exchange for the collection (consumption) of a predetermined fee.

[0013] The mobile terminal device 4B, the portable tablet terminal device 4C, and the stationary or notebook personal computer 4D are all examples of computer devices that can be connected to a network and are provided for personal use by a user (used individually). This type of computer device is generally called a user terminal device. The user terminal device provides various services in conjunction with the execution of software (applications), including games. In other words, the user terminal device such as the mobile terminal device 4B functions as a game device for playing games in conjunction with the execution of a predetermined application. Such applications may be provided to the user terminal device as appropriate, for example, from the server 2 via the network NT, or may be provided via a storage medium or the like. In addition, various user terminal devices may be used as the game machine 4, without being limited to the mobile terminal device 4B, and for example, various computer devices that can be connected to a network and are provided for personal use by a user, such as a stationary home game machine, a portable game machine, and a portable tablet terminal device, may be used as the game machine 4. The game machine 4 is not limited to a configuration including multiple types of game machines such as the arcade game machine 4A and the mobile terminal device 4B, and may be configured as, for example, only one type of game machine.

[0014] On the other hand, the game unit 3 is a device formed by combining multiple types of game devices. These multiple types of game devices function as one game device as a whole. In other words, the game unit 3 is a game device for providing a game realized by combining multiple types of game devices. These multiple types of game devices may be appropriately combined to function as one game unit 3, for example, they may be combined to provide a first game and a second game that can be played when a special condition is satisfied in the first game. These multiple types of game devices, including such a case, are often combined to function as a game provider and a game destination, respectively. The game unit 3 may be composed of only one type, or may include multiple types of game units, but in the example of FIG. 1, it includes a first game unit 3A and a second game unit 3B. Both the first game unit 3A and the second game unit 3B include multiple types of game devices, and provide different games through them. The details of the game unit 3 will be described later using the first game unit 3A as an example.

[0015] The server 2 provides various unit services to the game unit 3 or its user. The unit services may include various services for the game unit 3 as appropriate, and include a connection service as an example. The connection service is a service that connects the game machine 4 to the game unit 3 via the network NT. Through such a connection, various services that the game unit 3 can realize may be provided to the game machine 4, and as an example, at least a part of the game provided by the game unit 3 is played. In other words, the connection service is a service that allows the game machine 4 to play the game of the game unit 3 via the network NT. The connection service will be described in detail later. Note that the unit services may also include, for example, a distribution service that distributes and updates the program or data of the game unit 3 (multiple types of game devices included therein) via the network NT, a service that receives user identification information and authenticates the user, a matching service that matches users when multiple users play a common game via the network NT, or a billing service that collects fees from users.

[0016] Similarly, the server 2 provides various services for game machines to the game machines 4 or their users via the network NT. The services for game machines may include various services for the game machines 4 as appropriate, but include the connection service described above. Note that, like the services for units, the services for game machines may also include, as appropriate, a distribution service that distributes and updates programs or data for the game units 3 (including multiple types of game devices) via the network NT, a service that receives user identification information and authenticates the user, a matching service that matches users together when multiple users play a common game via the network NT, or a billing service that collects fees from users.

[0017] Next, the game units 3 will be described in detail with reference to Figs. 2 to 6, taking the first game unit 3A as an example. The game unit 3 may be configured as appropriate by combining various game devices, and the first game unit 3A is one example. Fig. 2 is an overall view of the first game unit 3A. The first game unit 3A is configured as a type of commercial (commercial) game machine (so-called arcade game machine) that allows a user to play a game within a range corresponding to a predetermined play fee in exchange for the payment of the play fee.

[0018] The first game unit 3A may provide various games as appropriate and may be configured as appropriate according to the games provided, but in the example of FIG. 2, it is configured as a so-called medal game machine that uses medals as game media. The first game unit 3A includes a center unit CN and a plurality of station units ST arranged so as to surround the periphery of the center unit CN. The center unit CN and each station unit ST are both game devices, but each station unit ST functions as a destination of the game provided by the center unit CN. In other words, a user plays the game of the center unit CN through each station unit. The first game unit 3A is provided with a center monitor MO located above the center unit CN. The center monitor MO displays various images associated with the game provided by the first game unit 3A. For example, a liquid crystal display device is applied as the center monitor MO.

[0019] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the center unit CN and a plurality of station units ST. In the example of FIG. 3, a part of the exterior of the first game unit 3A is omitted for convenience of explanation. The center unit CN may be configured to provide an appropriate game, but in the example of FIG. 3, it is configured to provide a so-called roulette game as a center game. Specifically, the center unit CN is provided with a lottery mechanism LU for selecting at least one option from a plurality of options, a throw-in mechanism SU for throwing a ball B as a game object into the lottery mechanism LU, and a recovery mechanism (not shown) for recovering the ball B. The lottery mechanism LU is a roulette-type lottery mechanism in which the ball B is thrown into the lottery field LF, and the ball B enters a plurality of pockets 52 to which each option is respectively associated, thereby drawing a lottery for the option of the pocket 52 into which the ball B entered. For example, a plurality of colors (five colors: red, yellow, green, light blue, and blue) are set as the options, and are assigned to each pocket 52 in a predetermined order. In this embodiment, each color is assigned to three pockets 52. Each color corresponds to a plurality of types of attributes.

[0020] The lottery mechanism LU is provided with a lottery field LF where a lottery is performed, and a ball insertion port 51 into which the ball B supplied from the insertion mechanism SU is inserted. The lottery field LF is provided with a first lottery section 53 in which some of the pockets 52 (sometimes called pockets 52a) are arranged in the circumferential direction and are rotated around the axis line AX, a second lottery section 55 in which the remaining pockets 52 (sometimes called pockets 52b) and one or more guide passages 54 for guiding the ball B to the first lottery section 53 are arranged so as to surround the periphery of the first lottery section 53 and are rotated integrally with the first lottery section 53, a rotation field 56 as a rotation section located between the first lottery section 53 and the second lottery section 55 and rotated around the axis line AX in the opposite direction to the first lottery section 53 and the second lottery section 55, and a ball movement field 57 located so as to surround the periphery of the second lottery section 55.

[0021] On the other hand, each station unit ST functions as a game device for playing the roulette game provided by the center unit CN. That is, each station unit ST functions as a destination of the roulette game, and the user plays the roulette game through each station unit ST. Specifically, the station unit ST is provided with a medal insertion slot 61 for inserting medals, a monitor 62, a transparent touch panel 63 superimposed on the monitor 62, a card reader 65 for reading a card 64 owned by the user, and a medal payout outlet 66 for paying out medals. When a user inserts a medal into the medal insertion slot 61, it is counted as credit. Note that the medal counted as credit in the first game unit 3A (the inserted medal) may be consumable only in the first game unit 3A, but as an example, it is allowed to be paid out as a medal. In this case, the conversion rate between credits and medals may be set appropriately. Also, such a conversion rate may be uniform within the scope of the facility or the like, or may differ for each game device (type of game).

[0022] In each station unit ST, a game is provided in a range according to the consumption of credits. That is, a game is provided in exchange for the consumption (collection) of credits. As such a game, various games may be appropriately applied, for example, it may be the roulette game itself provided by the center unit CN. That is, each station unit ST may be configured as a device that accepts the insertion, withdrawal (payout), consumption, and payout of medals, and directly plays the roulette game of the center unit CN. Alternatively, it may provide another game (a game that proceeds independently of the roulette game) in which a special condition for providing the roulette game of the center unit CN is determined. In this way, each station unit ST may provide an appropriate game related to the roulette game, and as an example, a game that proceeds in relation to the roulette game (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a mini-game) is provided. Also, as such a mini-game, only one type of game may be provided in each station unit ST, but as an example, multiple types of games are provided, and the user can select the game to play.

[0023] Each station unit ST may provide an appropriate mini-game, and examples thereof include a bingo game, a block erasing game, and a digital pusher game. Each mini-game progresses according to a lottery result at the center unit CN. Operations for the mini-game are input via a touch panel 63. As an example, a liquid crystal display device is applied to the monitor 62. The monitor 62 and the touch panel 63 may be configured using well-known technology. A non-volatile storage medium (not shown) such as an IC chip or a magnetic stripe is provided on the card 64, and user identification information (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a card ID) unique to each card 64 is recorded on the medium. The card ID is used as information for identifying the user of the first game unit 3A.

[0024] The relationship between the roulette game and the mini-game will be further explained. Based on the result of the roulette (lottery) executed in the center unit CN, the mini-game proceeds in each station unit ST. In the roulette game (lottery) executed in the center unit CN, a ball B is inserted into the lottery field LF, and an option corresponding to the pocket 52 into which the ball B has entered is selected. In the roulette game, a predetermined number of balls B are set as a lottery unit, and the lottery for each lottery unit is repeated unless a predetermined end condition is met. As an example, three balls B are inserted into the lottery field LF in one lottery unit. One roulette game is from the start of the lottery to the end of the lottery when the end condition is met, and when the roulette game ends, a payout is awarded to the user according to the game result of the mini-game, and the next roulette game is executed.

[0025] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the lottery field LF. The pockets 52 provided in the lottery field LF include five color pockets 52p to 52t, namely, a red pocket 52p, a yellow pocket 52q, a green pocket 52r, a light blue pocket 52s, and a blue pocket 52t, an end pocket 52u that ends the lottery, and an invalid pocket 52v that invalidates the establishment of the end condition. The types associated with each pocket 52p to 52v correspond to multiple options. The number of these options may be arbitrary, but in the example of FIG. 4, the lottery field LF is provided with four color pockets 52p to 52t for each color, three end pockets 52u, and one invalid pocket 52v. The first lottery section 53 is provided with one color pocket 52p to 52t for each color and an invalid pocket 52v. The second drawing portion 55 is provided with three color pockets 52p to 52t for each color and three end pockets 52u. The pockets 52 are arranged in the circumferential direction so as to surround the first drawing portion 53, with the pockets 52 being divided into one type by three guide passages 54.

[0026] When the roulette game is started, the game progresses in units of drawings. Three balls B are inserted from the insertion mechanism SU into the lottery field LF in one unit of drawing, and each ball B falls into one of the pockets 52. For example, when the ball B falls into the color pockets 52p to 52t, the number of times the ball B has fallen is counted for each color, which affects the mini-game of the station unit ST. When the ball B falls into the end pocket 52u, the roulette game ends. The ending condition is set so that the ball B falls into the end pocket 52u. The ball B that has fallen into the pocket 52 is supplied to the insertion mechanism SU via an appropriate route.

[0027] Also, when the ball B enters the invalid pocket 52v, the roulette game enters a "special chance" state, and the end condition is invalid, that is, the roulette game continues even if the ball B enters the end pocket 52u. During the "special chance" state, the roulette game continues only once even if the ball B enters the end pocket 52u. If the ball B enters the invalid pocket 52v again during the "special chance" state, the payout for the mini-game in the station unit ST is doubled. The "special chance" is set in units of lottery. For example, the lottery for one lottery unit after the ball B enters the invalid pocket 52v is set as the "special chance" state. The number of lottery units that is set may be changed as appropriate. Also, when the "special chance" is entered, or when the ball B enters the invalid pocket 52v again during the "special chance" state, the timing of the ball B to be inserted in the lottery for the next lottery unit is determined by the user's operation in any one of the station units ST. Which station unit ST is given the right to decide the timing of the throw-in is decided by a lottery process, and the user is notified by display and / or sound. In the "special chance" state, the end pocket 52u is invalidated, so the user can throw in the ball B without hesitation, and if the ball B falls into a pocket 52 that is valuable to other users, the other users may be grateful, which can increase the user's sense of excitement. If the operation to specify the throw-in timing is not performed within a predetermined time after the decision is made in the station unit ST given the right to decide the throw-in timing, the ball B is automatically thrown in. The game settings of the lottery game, such as the type and number of color pockets, the number of end pockets 52u and invalid pockets 52v, the arrangement of the pockets 52, the ending conditions, the setting of the "special chance", etc., may be changed as appropriate.

[0028] Meanwhile, in each station unit ST, multiple types of mini-games are provided. A user selects one or more mini-games, bets (consumes) credits, and receives a payout according to the result of a lottery by the center unit CN. In each station unit ST, a user can play multiple mini-games in parallel. A game screen of the mini-game is displayed on the monitor 62. The mini-game selected by the user is displayed on the game screen in a divided or switchable manner.

[0029] As an example of a mini-game, a basic game in which the colors selected by the lottery mechanism LU are counted for each color and a payout is awarded to the user according to the number of selected colors will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a game screen 100a of the basic game. In the basic game, a user bets credits on the color he or she predicts. A predetermined odds is set for each color, and as the number of selected colors increases, the payout also increases. As an example, each color is represented by a potted plant 71p to 71t, and when the required number of balls B is reached, flowers of the corresponding color bloom and a payout is awarded. The potted plants 71p to 71t of each color display a target number 72 of balls B for which a payout is awarded, and a payout 73 according to the target number 72. In the game screen 100a of FIG. 5, three yellows are selected by the lottery mechanism LU, and since the target number 72 is reached, flowers bloom in the yellow potted plant 71q and the payout acquired is displayed. The target number 72 may be appropriately changed. Furthermore, when the target number 72 displayed on the game screen 100a is reached, the next target number may be displayed.

[0030] In addition, the station unit ST provides a bingo game as an example of another mini-game. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a game screen 100b of the bingo game. In the bingo game, a game is played using a bingo card 111 having a total of nine squares of three rows and three columns of squares 110 corresponding to options selected by the lottery mechanism LU. The game screen 100b displays the bingo card 111, a next bingo card 111a, and an odds table 112. The squares 110 include squares 110p-110t corresponding to the color pockets 52p-52t, a square 110u corresponding to the end pocket 52u, a square 110v corresponding to the invalid pocket 52v, and a free square 110w that is set to be valid from the beginning. Nine squares are randomly selected from these squares 110p-110w and arranged on the bingo card 111. In the lottery mechanism LU, the square 110 corresponding to the pocket 52 into which the ball B fell is activated, and when three squares forming a vertical, horizontal or diagonal line are activated, a bingo is achieved.

[0031] When at least one bingo is established, the bingo card 111 currently being played is used up, and the next bingo card 111a is dealt, and the bingo game proceeds in the same manner. The bingo game continues until the roulette game ends, and a payout is awarded to the user according to the number of bingos established at the end of the roulette game. One bingo card 111 corresponds to one stage, and when it is changed to the next bingo card 111a, it corresponds to a new stage. In addition, when all lines are simultaneously activated on one bingo card 111, an all-line bonus is awarded to the user. In addition, the lottery mechanism LU may enter the same type, for example, the same color pocket 52 multiple times. In this case, the squares 110 of the next bingo card 111a may be changed to be advantageous for the game progress. For example, one of the squares of the next bingo card 111a may be changed to the squares 110 of the same color as the color selected by the lottery mechanism LU. As the number of squares of the same type increases, it becomes easier to establish a bingo, and the user's expectation of a payout can be increased. Also, the squares 110 of the next bingo card 111a may be changed to be advantageous for the game progress, on the condition that the ball B lands in a pocket 52 of a specific color. In this case, the color of the pocket 52 that the ball B must land in is displayed, and even if the color does not exist on the current bingo card 111a, it is possible to increase the expectation that the ball B will land in that color.

[0032] In addition to the above-mentioned two mini-games, the station unit ST may provide a game that progresses according to the lottery result of the lottery mechanism LU as appropriate. For example, a block erasing game in which blocks of a selected color are erased in a game area where blocks corresponding to each option of the lottery mechanism LU are spread out, and new blocks are added in the number of erased blocks, or a digital pusher game in which a predetermined number of medals are supplied to a pusher field according to a selected color may be provided. The rules of each game may be set as appropriate. Also, various well-known games may be applied as the mini-games.

[0033] Next, an overview of the connection service will be described with reference to FIG. 7. As described above, the connection service is a service for allowing the game machine 4 to play a game of the game unit 3 via the network NT. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the overview of the connection service. The example of FIG. 7 shows a case where a first game unit 3A is applied as an example of the game unit 3. In this case, as shown in FIG. 7, the connection service is a service for allowing the game machine 4 to function as one of the station units ST of the first game unit 3A via the server 2. In this case, the game machine 4, such as the arcade game machine 4A or the mobile terminal device 4B, provides a mini-game using the above-mentioned roulette game through the connection service.

[0034] The connection service may be configured to allow the game machine 4 to play the game of the game unit 3 as appropriate, but as an example, the game machine 4 is configured to function as one of the station units ST in this way, and the number of station units ST provided in the first game unit 3A is expanded. For this reason, the game machine 4 may include a single station unit ST (independent from the center unit CN), another station unit ST of the first game unit 3A, and even a station unit of the second game unit 3B (a station unit of a different type of game unit 3) as appropriate. When the station unit of the second game unit 3B (in the example of FIG. 7, the second game unit 3B is shown as the game machine 4, but in reality, it is the station unit) is used as the game machine 4, the second game unit 3B, the center unit and multiple station units provided therein, and the station unit among those station units that functions as the game machine 4 function as another game unit, another center unit, multiple station units, and a game machine, respectively, of the present invention.

[0035] Next, the configuration of the game system 1 for providing the connection service will be described. The game units 3 may be installed in various locations as appropriate, as well as the game machines 4. In the game system 1, various systems may be appropriately constructed to provide the connection service according to the installation form or type of such game units 3 and game machines 4. Such a system may be one system or multiple systems. Below, the configuration of the game system 1 for providing the connection service will be described for each form. Note that, for convenience of explanation, the configuration of the game system 1 will be described for each form below, but the game system 1 may be configured by appropriately combining each of these forms.

[0036] (First form) A game system 1A according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 8 to 15. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an overview of each system constructed in the game system 1A according to the first embodiment in order to provide a connection service. The game system 1 is configured as the game system 1A according to the first embodiment when the game unit 3 and the game machine 4 are installed in the same facility. For this reason, as shown in Fig. 8, in the game system 1A according to the first embodiment, the game unit 3 and the game machine 4 are both installed in the same facility SA. Various facilities may be appropriately used as the facility SA, but an amusement facility is used as an example. That is, in the game system 1A according to the first embodiment, the game unit 3 and the game machine 4 are both installed in the same facility SA so that they are used repeatedly by many users and profitably. In such a facility SA, a user terminal device such as a stationary or notebook type personal computer 4D may be installed as the game machine 4, but it is common for an arcade game machine 4A to be installed. For this reason, the following will describe a case in which the arcade game machine 4A is installed as the game machine 4 in the facility SA.

[0037] Any number of arcade game machines 4A may be installed in the facility SA, but one arcade game machine 4A is shown in the example of Fig. 8. Similarly, any number of various game units 3 may be installed in the facility SA, but the example of Fig. 8 shows one each of two different types of first game unit 3A and second game unit 3B.

[0038] In addition, in the game system 1A according to the first embodiment, an arcade system 10 and an account management system 20 are constructed on the server 2 in order to provide a connection service. These systems 10 and 20 are systems that are realized by appropriately utilizing the server unit 2 included in the server 2. These arcade systems 10 and account management systems 20 may be installed in appropriate locations according to the convenience of management (including operation) or games, and may be installed in locations separate from the facility SA so as to be connected to the game units 3, etc. via a WAN, or may be installed in separate locations, but in the example of FIG. 8, all are installed in the same facility SA as the game units 3, etc. In addition, these arcade systems 10 and account management systems 20 may be provided for each type of game device (or type of game), such as the first game unit 3A, the second game unit 3B, or the game machine 4, but in the example of FIG. 8, one arcade system 10 and one account management system 20 are shown corresponding to one facility SA so as to be common to all game units 3, etc. regardless of the type of game device. In addition, the game unit 3 and the game machine 4 may access the account management system 20 via the arcade system 10, but in the example of FIG. 8, they access the account management system 20 directly without going through the arcade system 10.

[0039] The arcade system 10 is constructed as a system that uses, for example, an arcade server unit 2A and an arcade database DB1 to provide unit services or game machine services to users who use a first game unit 3A, a second game unit 3B, and an arcade game machine 4A. The arcade database DB1 is a server unit 2 for recording various data related to unit services or game machine services. The arcade server unit 2A is a server unit 2 that executes various processes for providing unit services or game machine services to the first game unit 3A, etc., while using the arcade server unit 2A and the arcade database DB1. The arcade system 10 uses such an arcade server unit 2A and the arcade database DB1 to provide a connection service as one of the unit services and game machine services.

[0040] The account management system 20 is constructed as a system for managing an account for each user. In such an account, various values ​​owned by each user may be managed, and as an example, a medal possession amount that electronically indicates the number of medals owned is managed. The credits are exchanged into medals according to the conversion rate as described above, and the medals may be managed as a medal possession amount. Alternatively, the credits may be directly converted into a medal possession amount according to the conversion rate. The accounts of the account management system 20 may be used appropriately, but may be provided for each of the first game unit 3A, the second game unit 3B, and the arcade game machine 4A when the conversion rate differs depending on the game device. Specifically, for example, when the conversion rate differs depending on the game device, the credits cannot be carried over from the first game unit 3A to the second game unit 3B, and the credits are required to be settled for each game unit 3 (payout as medals, conversion into medal possession amount, etc.). The medal possession amount may be paid out as medals appropriately.

[0041] The account management system 20 realizes account management, for example, by using an account management server unit 2B and an account management database DB2. The account management database DB2 is a server unit 2 for recording various data related to account management. The account management server unit 2B is a server unit 2 that executes various processes for realizing account management while using the account management database DB2. The account management system 20 may realize management of accounts (amount of medals owned) as appropriate, but as an example, it manages each user's account via a card ID recorded on a card 64.

[0042] In addition, when the credits are settled (paid out as medals) for each game device, the account management system 20 may be omitted. In addition, various computer devices may be used as the server unit 2 as appropriate, for example, the game unit 3 (at least one of the center unit CN and the station unit ST) or the game machine 4 may be used. For this reason, a computer device other than the game unit 3 may function as the server unit 2A for the arcade, the arcade database DB1, the server unit 2B for account management, and the database DB2 for account management. As an example, the game unit 3 functions as these server units 2A, DB1, 2B, and DB2 (including a case where the game unit 3 and the like perform multiple roles as appropriate, such as a case where the center unit CN serves as the server unit 2A for the arcade and the arcade database DB1). In the following, as an example, such a case, that is, a case where the game unit 3 and the like (including both a unit installed to provide a game to a user and a unit installed without the premise of providing a game to a user) functions as the arcade system 10 and the account management system 20 will be described.

[0043] Next, the configuration of the main part of the control system related to the connection service in the game system 1A according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram showing the main part of the control system of the game system 1A according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, the arcade system 10 is provided with a control unit 11 and a storage unit 12. The storage unit 12 is configured by a storage unit including a non-volatile storage medium (computer-readable storage medium) such as a hard disk array. The storage unit 12 stores a program (computer program) PG1 to be referred to by the control unit 11 and system data SD. The control unit 11 is configured using computer hardware resources (e.g., CPU) of one or more server units 2. Various logical devices related to the connection service can be configured in the control unit 11 by a combination of the hardware resources constituting the control unit 11 and the program PG1, but in the example of FIG. 9, a connection control unit 13 and a data management unit 14 are provided.

[0044] The connection control unit 13 is a logical device that performs various processes related to the connection service. Such processes include processes of referring to an account managed by the account management system 20, determining the connection destination of the game machine 4, and providing (feeding back) the game results of the game unit 3 to the game machine 4. Specifically, the connection control unit 13 executes a game providing process and a progress providing process according to the first mode as an example of such processes. The details of the procedures of the game providing process and the progress providing process according to the first mode will be described later.

[0045] The data management unit 14 is a logical device that performs various processes for managing the system data SD. The system data SD may include various data necessary for providing a connection service as appropriate, but the example of FIG. 9 shows video data MD. The video data MD is well-known data for displaying video (moving images). Such video may include various types of video as appropriate, and as an example, includes video from a camera CA provided in a center unit CN described below. Such video data MD corresponding to the results of shooting by the camera CA is acquired by the data management unit 14 from the center unit CN as appropriate, and is saved as part of the system data SD. As an example, the data management unit 14 executes various processes for managing (saving, updating, discarding, etc.) this video data MD.

[0046] Similarly, the arcade game machine 4A is provided with a control unit 41 and a storage unit 42. The storage unit 42 is configured with a storage unit including a non-volatile storage medium (computer-readable storage medium) such as a hard disk array. The storage unit 42 stores a program (computer program) PG2 to be referenced by the control unit 41, and game data GD. The control unit 41 is configured using computer hardware resources (e.g., a CPU) of the arcade game machine 4A. Various logical devices related to the connection service can be configured in the control unit 41 by combining the hardware resources constituting the control unit 41 with the program PG2, and in the example of FIG. 9, a progress control unit 43 and a data management unit 44 are provided.

[0047] The progress control unit 43 is a logical device that performs various processes related to the progress of the game provided by the arcade game machine 4A. Such games include mini-games provided via a connection service (games that progress using a roulette game provided by the center unit CN). In order to realize such mini-games, the progress control unit 43 executes, for example, a game request process and an increase calculation process. The details of the procedures of the game request process and the increase calculation process will be described later.

[0048] The data management unit 44 is a logical device that performs various processes for managing the game data GD. The game data GD may include various data necessary for providing a game, such as image data for displaying various images or audio data for reproducing various sounds, as appropriate, but the example of FIG. 9 shows account data AD and video data MD. The account data AD is data for managing the card ID and the account (amount of medals owned) of each user for each station unit ST. The account data AD is data recorded and managed in the account management system 20, but is appropriately acquired by the data management unit 44 as necessary and is stored as part of the game data GD for updating credits, etc. The video data MD is as described above. The video data MD is appropriately acquired by the data management unit 44 from the arcade system 10 and is stored as part of the game data GD. As an example, the data management unit 44 executes various processes for managing (saving, updating, discarding, etc.) the account data AD and the video data MD.

[0049] In addition, the arcade game machine 4A may be appropriately provided with various output devices and input devices that are provided in commercial game machines. For example, such input devices include well-known mechanisms for inserting medals, such as a medal insertion slot and a medal payout port, and a reader for reading card ID information recorded on the card 64. Similarly, the arcade game machine 4A is provided with well-known output devices and input devices, such as a monitor for playing games such as mini-games, and a touch panel. However, these are not shown in FIG. 9.

[0050] On the other hand, the first game unit 3A is provided with the above-mentioned center unit CN, station unit ST, and monitor (center monitor) MO. The monitor MO is a well-known display device as described above. The center unit CN is provided with a camera CA as an imaging means, a control unit 31, and a storage unit 32. The camera CA is a well-known optical device for imaging the progress of the roulette game provided by the center unit CN. The camera CA may be used as appropriate or may be omitted, but as an example, it may be used to provide the progress (including the result) of the roulette game to the arcade game machine 4A in the connection service. For this reason, the camera CA is installed in the center unit CN (not limited to the center unit CN, and may be any of the first game units 3A) so as to include the lottery field LF in its imaging range.

[0051] The storage unit 32 is configured by a storage unit including a non-volatile storage medium (computer-readable storage medium) such as a hard disk array. The storage unit 32 stores computer programs to be referenced by the control unit 31 and various data. The control unit 31 is configured using computer hardware resources (e.g., a CPU) of the center unit CN. In the control unit 31, various logical devices related to the connection service can be configured by combining the hardware resources constituting the control unit 31 with the computer programs stored in the storage unit 32, and in the example of FIG. 9, a game control unit 33 is provided.

[0052] The game control unit 33 is a logical device for realizing various processes required for providing the roulette game. Such processes include well-known processes for realizing the above-mentioned insertion of the ball B, etc. In addition, such processes also include similar processes in the case where the roulette game is provided to the arcade game machine 4A through a connection service. For example, the game control unit 33 executes a progress providing process as an example of such a process. The game control unit 33 may appropriately realize the progress providing process, but as an example, it realizes it in cooperation with the connection control unit 13 of the arcade system 10.

[0053] The station unit ST is provided with a control unit 34 and a storage unit 35. The storage unit 35 is configured by a storage unit including a non-volatile storage medium (computer-readable storage medium) such as a hard disk array. The storage unit 35 stores computer programs to be referred to by the control unit 34 and various data. The control unit 34 is configured by utilizing computer hardware resources (e.g., a CPU) of the station unit ST. The control unit 34 may be configured with various logical devices related to the connection service by combining the hardware resources constituting the control unit 34 with the computer programs stored in the storage unit 35, and in the example of FIG. 9, a progress control unit 36 ​​is provided. The progress control unit 36 ​​is a logical device for realizing various processes required for providing a mini-game. Such processes may include various well-known processes, but when the station unit ST functions as the arcade game machine 4A, the same processes as those executed by the progress control unit 43 of the arcade game machine 4A are included. The first game unit 3A (or the center unit CN and the station unit ST) may be provided with other well-known input devices or output devices that are provided in commercial game devices. In the example of Fig. 9, the configuration of the center unit CN of the first game unit 3A is shown as a representative of the game units 3, but the center unit of the second game unit 3B also has a similar configuration.

[0054] Next, referring to FIG. 10, the flow of the connection service according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the flow of the connection service according to the first embodiment. The example of FIG. 10 shows a case where the first game unit 3A out of the first game unit 3A and the second game unit 3B is used for the connection service (provision of a game to the arcade game machine 4A). In this case, as shown in FIG. 10, the connection service according to the first embodiment includes steps F1 to F4. In the example of FIG. 10, the second game unit 3B and the account management system 20, which are not directly related to the steps in the figure, are shown in gray. However, the account data AD may be appropriately transmitted and received between the game unit 3 and the account management system 20 and updated, which may be appropriately realized by a well-known process. For this reason, the connection service may include these steps as appropriate, but these steps are omitted in FIG. 10.

[0055] Specifically, in the connection service according to the first embodiment, first, the arcade game machine 4A installed in the facility SA requests the arcade system 10 to play a game provided by the game unit 3 (F1). This request may be executed appropriately in response to various operations, and as an example, is executed in response to an operation to desire to play a game of the game unit 3. Such an operation also includes an operation to select either the first game unit 3A or the second game unit 3B included in the facility SA (an individual game unit 3 may be selected, or when multiple first game units 3A, etc. are arranged, only the type of the first game unit 3A, etc. may be selected).

[0056] On the other hand, when a request is made from the arcade game machine 4A to play the first game unit 3A, in other words to play the roulette game provided by the center unit CN, the arcade system 10 first identifies the target game unit 3A. The arcade system 10 may realize this identification as appropriate, for example, through data that manages the connection destination (address) of each game unit 3, but as an example, it is realized through broadcast (a method of transmitting data to all devices connected to the same network).

[0057] Specifically, the arcade system 10 transmits data requesting a response (address) from the first game unit 3A to all devices in the same network, and identifies the device from which the response was received as the first game unit 3A. When only the type of game is selected as the target of play, such as one of the multiple first game units 3A or one of the multiple second game units 3B, a specific first game unit 3A is identified from the multiple first game units 3A according to appropriate conditions (for example, the number of players and the load of each first game unit 3A). Then, the arcade system 10 instructs the identified first game unit 3A to provide a roulette game to the arcade game machine 4A (F2). When only the type of game is selected in the selection opportunity of this example, the same type of first game unit 3A and the specific first game unit 3A function as the same type of arcade game machine and the specific arcade game machine of the present invention, respectively. Note that, in order to reduce the load on the network NT, etc., the identification of the first game unit 3A etc. by broadcasting may be limited to, for example, when the game unit 3 etc. is started, or at a predetermined interval thereafter, rather than for each play request. In this case, the arcade system 10 may specify the target game unit 3A based on the identification result at such a predetermined interval.

[0058] When the arcade system 10 instructs the provision of the roulette game, the first game unit 3A (center unit CN) starts providing the roulette game as described above. Then, the progress of the roulette game (lottery status including lottery results) is appropriately transmitted to the arcade system 10 (F3). This progress may or may not include the photographing results of the camera CA. For example, when the arcade game machine 4A is installed near the first game unit 3A (when the progress of the roulette game is visible), or when the game provided by the center unit CN is a video game, the progress may not include the photographing results of the camera CA. Alternatively, when the roulette game does not have a lottery mechanism using a physical ball B but executes a lottery using a game screen (the roulette game is configured as a so-called video game), the camera CA may be omitted, and the progress may not include the photographing results of the camera CA. Below, as an example, a case where the progress is transmitted so as to include the photographing results of the camera CA will be described. For example, such progress status may be transmitted regardless of the relative positions of the arcade game machine 4A and the first game unit 3A, or may be transmitted when it is determined that they are a predetermined distance or more apart (when the progress of the roulette game cannot be seen).

[0059] When the arcade system 10 acquires the progress of the game from the first game unit 3A (center unit CN), it generates a game screen for providing a mini-game based on the progress of the game. The game screen may be generated by the arcade game machine 4A based on the progress of the game, but as an example, it is generated by the arcade system 10. When multiple types of game units 3 are prepared, it is necessary to generate game screens according to the types. Therefore, when the game screen is generated by the arcade game machine 4A, the load on the arcade game machine 4A increases. Or, when an update occurs to the game screen, an update is required for each arcade game machine 4A. The same applies when a new game needs to be provided, such as when a new type of game unit 3 is added. When the game screen is generated by the arcade system 10, not only can the load on the arcade game machine 4A be suppressed, but also the target of the update can be limited to the arcade system 10, so that an efficient update can be realized.

[0060] When the arcade system 10 generates a game screen, it transmits the game screen to the arcade game machine 4A so that the game screen is displayed on the monitor 45 of the arcade game machine 4A (F4). In addition, when the lottery is completed, the lottery result is also presented through this game screen. In this case, when an increase in credit occurs, the amount of increase may be calculated in the arcade system 10, and the game screen may be generated so as to include the presentation of the amount of increase, but as an example, it is calculated in the arcade game machine 4A. For this reason, when the lottery is completed, the arcade system 10 transmits the game screen together with information on the lottery result (including information necessary for calculating the amount of increase, i.e., the amount of medals to be paid out) to the arcade game machine 4A. Then, the arcade game machine 4A calculates the amount of increase based on the lottery result, and actually realizes the increase through updating the remaining amount of credit. As an example, the connection service according to the first embodiment is realized by such a procedure.

[0061] Next, with reference to FIG. 11, a game screen displayed on the monitor 45 of the arcade game machine 4A in the connection service will be described. FIG. 11 is a diagram that shows a schematic example of a game screen (hereinafter, may be referred to as a game screen of the connection service) displayed on the monitor 45 of the arcade game machine 4A. The example of FIG. 11 shows a case where a basic game is provided as a mini-game. In this case, as shown in FIG. 11, a game screen 100c of the connection service includes a mini-game area 91 and a roulette game area 92. The mini-game area 91 is an area for playing the mini-game. To realize such a play, a game screen 100a of the basic game is displayed in the mini-game area 91.

[0062] On the other hand, the roulette game area 92 is an area for displaying the progress of the roulette game. The display of the progress of the roulette game may be realized appropriately, for example, by only presenting the lottery result (information on the pocket 52 in which the ball B has fallen), but as an example, it is realized by presenting the photographing result of the camera CA photographing the lottery field LF so that the progress of the roulette game can be grasped at any time. Therefore, the roulette game area 92 displays a field image LFI corresponding to the photographing result of the lottery field LF. As an example, a mini-game using the roulette game of the center unit CN is provided in the arcade game machine 4A through the game screen 100c of such a connection service.

[0063] Next, with reference to Fig. 12 to Fig. 15, the game request process, the game providing process according to the first embodiment, the progress providing process according to the first embodiment, and the increase calculation process will be described. The game request process is a process for the game machine 4 to request playing of the game of the game unit 3, in other words, use of a connection service. An appropriate game device may be used as the game machine 4, and since the station unit of the second game unit 3B may be used, the arcade game machine 4A may include such a station unit. The example of Fig. 12 shows the game request process when the station unit of the second game unit 3B functions as the arcade game machine 4A.

[0064] The progress control unit 43 (when the station unit functions as the game machine 4, the station unit has the same configuration as the game machine 4 in the example of FIG. 9) of the arcade game machine 4A (station unit of the second game unit 3B) starts the game request process of FIG. 12 when a start condition is satisfied (for example, when an operation for wanting to play the game unit 3 is executed by the user), and first provides a selection opportunity for selecting the game to be played, in other words, the type of game unit 3 to be played (step S101). This selection opportunity may be provided so that the options are limited to the game units 3 installed in the same facility SA as the arcade game machine 4A, or may be provided so that all types of game units 3 playable through the connection service are presented as options without such limitation.

[0065] Next, the progress control unit 43 acquires the selection result at the selection opportunity (step S102). Next, the progress control unit 43 judges whether the acquired selection result corresponds to its own center unit or to a center unit of another game unit 3 (for example, the center unit CN of the first game unit 3A, or the center unit of another second game unit 3B) (step S103). Whether it corresponds to its own center unit CN may be appropriately judged, but as an example, it is realized by using a unique device ID (if there are multiple devices of the same type, IDs that differ even between the same devices) for each game device such as the first game unit 3A, the second game unit 3B, and the arcade game machine 4A. If the selection result corresponds to its own center unit, the progress control unit 43 instructs its own center unit (the center unit of the second game unit 3B) to start playing the game (step S104).

[0066] On the other hand, if the selection result acquired in step S102 is not the own center unit, the progress control unit 43 requests the arcade system 10 to play the other game unit 3 (provide a connection service) so that the center unit of the other game unit 3 provides a game to the arcade game machine 4A instead of the own center unit (step S103). This request also includes the selection result in step S102. After this request, the progress control unit 43 ends the current game request process. This allows play (connection service) according to the selection result at the selection opportunity to be realized.

[0067] When all types of game units 3 are presented as options in the selection opportunity regardless of the type of game unit 3 installed in the facility SA, the arcade system 10 may determine whether or not the game unit 3 can be played. When a game unit 3 not installed in the facility SA is selected in the selection opportunity, an error (information indicating that the game unit cannot be played) may be transmitted from the arcade system 10 in response to a request to play. When a game unit other than a station unit of another game unit 3, such as an independent station unit, is used as the arcade game machine 4A, steps S103 and S104 may be omitted.

[0068] The game providing process is a process for providing the game of the game unit 3 to the game machine 4 when the game machine 4 requests the arcade system 10 to play the game unit 3. When the game machine 4 requests the game machine 3 to play, the connection control unit 13 starts the game providing process of Fig. 13 and first acquires the request (step S201). This request includes information on the selection result at the selection opportunity (the game unit 3 selected by the user as the game unit to be played).

[0069] Next, the connection control unit 13 determines a game unit 3 (substantially a center unit CN) that provides a play corresponding to the acquired request (step S202). This determination is realized by using broadcast technology as an example, as described above. Also, when only the type indicating the first game unit 3A is specified in the selection opportunity and multiple first game units 3A are installed in the same facility SA, an appropriate first game unit 3A may be determined as the play target according to a predetermined rule. Such a predetermined rule may be appropriate, and for example, when the position of each first game unit 3A in the facility SA is specified, the first game unit 3A located closest based on the positional relationship between each first game unit 3A and the arcade game machine 4A that has requested the play may be determined as the play target. Alternatively, the play target may be determined appropriately according to the number of players already playing in each first game unit 3A, or the load associated therewith.

[0070] Note that, when all types of game units 3 are presented as options in the selection opportunity regardless of the type of game unit 3 installed in the facility SA, and a game unit 3 not installed in the facility SA (an unplayable game unit 3) is selected, the connection control unit 13 determines in step S202 that it is unplayable, and transmits this information to the game machine 4. In this case, the connection control unit 13 skips the subsequent processes and ends the current game providing process.

[0071] Next, the connection control unit 13 instructs the game unit 3 determined in step S202 to provide a game (step S203), so that the game unit 3 (center unit CN) actually starts providing a game for the game machine 4. After this instruction, the connection control unit 13 ends this game providing process. As a result, the game unit 3 (center unit CN) actually starts providing a game in response to a request from the game machine 4.

[0072] The progress providing process is a process for providing the game progress in the game unit 3 to the game machine 4. The game progress may be provided appropriately, and for example, only the lottery result may be provided to the game machine 4 as the progress status. In this case, the lottery result may be provided through an appropriate game screen drawn on the game machine 4. In addition, such a game screen may or may not include the result of shooting by the camera CA of the game unit 3. In addition, whether or not the game screen includes the result of shooting may be determined depending on the positional relationship between the game machine 4 and the game unit 3 (for example, whether or not the game machine 4 is located within a predetermined range, such as a range in which the game unit 3 can be seen from the game machine 4). In this way, the game progress can be provided in various ways, and the example of FIG. 14 shows the progress providing process in the case where the game progress is provided to the game machine 4 through the game screen 100c of the connection service. In the example of Figure 14, the processing mainly performed by the progress control unit 43 of the game machine 4 is shown as the game machine 4, the processing mainly performed by the connection control unit 13 of the arcade system 10 is shown as the arcade system 10, and the processing mainly performed by the game control unit 33 of the center unit CN is shown as the center unit CN.

[0073] When the center unit CN starts providing the game after receiving an instruction to provide the game from the arcade system 10 through the game providing process of Fig. 13, the center unit CN starts the progress providing process of Fig. 14 and first provides the progress status to the arcade system 10 (step S301). The center unit CN may provide the progress status to the arcade system 10 as appropriate, and as an example, provides the progress status including the photographed result of the camera CA. Also, when the ball B enters the pocket 52, the center unit CN provides the progress status to the arcade system 10 including information on the result (lottery result).

[0074] Next, the center unit CN determines whether or not a termination condition for ending the roulette game is satisfied in the progress status in step S301 (step S302). Various conditions may be appropriately adopted as the termination condition, but as an example, when the ball B enters the end pocket 52u as described above, the termination condition is satisfied and the roulette game ends. For this reason, the center unit CN determines whether or not the ball B has entered the end pocket 52u in step S302. If the ball B has not entered the end pocket 52u, that is, if the termination condition is not satisfied, the center unit CN returns to step S301 and repeatedly executes the process of step S301 (progress status provision) at a predetermined cycle until the termination condition is satisfied.

[0075] On the other hand, when the ball B enters the end pocket 52u, that is, when the end condition is satisfied, the center unit CN provides end information to the arcade system 10 (step S303). The end information is information indicating the end of the roulette game, but may include various information necessary for the subsequent processing as appropriate. For example, when a payout of medals (increase in credits) occurs as a result of the roulette game and the calculation of the payout amount is executed by the game machine 4 or the like, the end information includes appropriate information necessary for the calculation of the payout amount. Then, the center unit CN ends the current progress providing processing after sending the end information.

[0076] When the arcade system 10 is provided with the progress status information or the end information from the center unit CN, the arcade system 10 starts the progress providing process of FIG. 14 and first acquires the information (step S401). Similarly, in step S401, the arcade system 10 queries the game machine 4 and acquires the user's operation information (information on the play action performed by the user) within a predetermined range (for example, the range from the previous process to the current process) from the game machine 4. Next, the arcade system 10 generates a game screen based on the information acquired in step S401. Specifically, the arcade system 10 generates (draws) a game screen 100c of the connection service based on the progress status information. If the end information is acquired in step S401, the arcade system 10 may generate an appropriate game screen based on the end information, and as an example, generates a game screen 100c of the connection service that appropriately includes the end information. In addition, the game screen 100c of the connection service that includes such end information may include a result screen (not shown) that shows the game result, etc. Next, the arcade system 10 transmits the game screen 100c generated in step S402 to the game machine 4. If the end information has been acquired, the arcade system 10 transmits the end information together with the game screen 100c (more specifically, image data for displaying the game screen 100c) to the game machine 4. Then, after this transmission, the arcade system 10 terminates the current progress providing process.

[0077] When the game screen 100c (more specifically, image data for displaying the game screen 100c) is transmitted from the arcade system 10, the game machine 4 starts the progress providing process of FIG. 14 and first acquires the game screen 100c (step S501). Next, the game machine 4 displays the acquired game screen 100c on the monitor 45 (step S502). In this case, if the game machine 4 is already displaying the game screen 100c, it refreshes (updates) the existing game screen 100c to the currently acquired game screen 100c. Then, after displaying such a game screen 100c, the game machine 4 ends the current progress providing process.

[0078] 14, the progress of the game provided by the center unit CN (game unit 3) is provided to the game machine 4 through the game screen 100c. In other words, the mini-game is played on the game machine 4 through the provision of such game screen 100c. As a result, the game machine 4 functions in the same manner as the station unit ST of the game unit 3, and the station unit ST is added to the game unit 3. On the other hand, the generation of the game screen 100c of the connection service is executed not by the game machine 4 but by the arcade system 10. Therefore, when the game machine 4 functions in the same manner as the station unit ST, the role (processing) of the station unit ST is realized by the arcade system 10.

[0079] The increase calculation process is a process for calculating the amount of increase in credits when the increase in credits occurs as a game result of the game unit 3. The amount of increase may be calculated in the arcade system 10 as described above, but as an example, it is calculated in the game machine 4. FIG. 15 shows an example of the procedure of the increase calculation process in such a case. In this case, when the end information is acquired in step S501 in FIG. 14, the progress control unit 43 starts the increase amount calculation process in FIG. 15, and first determines whether or not an increase in credits occurs based on the end information (step S601). If no increase in credits occurs, the progress control unit 43 proceeds to the process of step S605.

[0080] On the other hand, if an increase in credits occurs, the progress control unit 43 calculates the amount of increase based on the end information (step S602). Next, the progress control unit 43 presents the calculated amount of increase to the user (step S603). This presentation may be realized appropriately, and may be realized via a game screen for presenting the amount of increase generated by the arcade system 10 or the game machine 4, but as an example, it is realized by arranging (popping up) a presentation area for displaying the amount of increase on the game screen 100c of the connection service.

[0081] Next, the progress control unit 43 reflects the increase calculated in step S602 in the remaining amount of credits (step S604). For example, when the remaining amount of credits is displayed on the screen of the game machine 4, the progress control unit 43 reflects the increase in the remaining amount.

[0082] On the other hand, when it is determined in step S601 that no increase in credits occurs, or after the process of step S604, the progress control unit 43 ends the current play of the game unit 3 (step S605). This end may be realized appropriately, for example, by displaying an appropriate end screen or the like, but in any case, includes the end of the display of the game screen 100c of the connection service. Then, after this end, the progress control unit 43 ends the current increase calculation process. As a result, when an increase in credits occurs as a game result of the game unit 3, the amount of the increase is calculated in the game machine 4 and is actually awarded to the user. After this reflection, or when no increase in credits occurs, the play of the game unit 3 ends.

[0083] As described above, according to the first embodiment, in response to a request from a game machine 4 other than the game unit 3, the game of the game unit 3 is provided to the game machine 4 so that the game of the game unit 3 is played separately from the station unit of the game unit 3. Specifically, for example, when a request is made to play the first game unit 3A, the roulette game of the center unit CN provided in the first game unit 3A (in other words, a mini-game using the roulette game) is provided to the game machine 4 so that the roulette game is played separately from the station unit ST. This allows the game machine 4 other than the first game unit 3A to function as a station unit ST added to the first game unit 3A. As a result, the number of station units ST corresponding to one first game unit 3A can be increased by using the game machine 4, which in turn increases the number of users and the frequency of play.

[0084] For example, when the station unit of the existing second game unit 3B is utilized as the arcade game machine 4A, the above-mentioned effects can be obtained while suppressing the cost of purchasing a new station unit ST. Furthermore, when a game of another game unit 3 is provided as one of a plurality of mini-games that can be played simultaneously in parallel in the game unit 3, the range of games that can be played in each game unit 3 can be expanded. This can improve the appeal of each game unit 3. As a result, these can also increase the number of users and the frequency of play.

[0085] Furthermore, the exchange rate (rules) between credits and medals often differs depending on the game machine 4 (type of game) and the facility SA in which it is installed. Therefore, when the increased amount of credits is calculated in the game machine 4 and paid out as medals in that game machine 4, rules specific to the game machine 4, such as the exchange rate, can be reflected in the payout.

[0086] In the first form, the connection control unit 13 of the arcade system 10 functions as the game providing means and the progress providing means of the present invention by executing the procedures in Fig. 13 and Fig. 14. Specifically, the connection control unit 13 functions as the game providing means by executing the procedures in step S203 in Fig. 13, and as the progress providing means of the present invention by executing step S403 in Fig. 14.

[0087] (Second Form) Next, a game system 1B according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 16 to 25. In the following, components common to the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals in Figs. 16 to 25, and description thereof will be omitted. Fig. 16 is a diagram showing an overview of each system constructed in the game system 1B according to the second embodiment in order to provide a connection service. The game system 1 is configured as the game system 1B according to the second embodiment when the game unit 3 and the game machine 4 are installed in separate facilities.

[0088] Specifically, as shown in Fig. 16, in the game system 1B according to the second embodiment, the game unit 3 and the game machine 4 are installed in a first facility SA1 and a second facility SA2, respectively. The first facility SA1 and the second facility SA2 may be any suitable facility as long as they are configured as separate facilities, but it is preferable that at least the second facility SA2 is a facility that can be freely used by multiple users so that the game machine 4 can be used by multiple users, and as an example, the second facility SA2 is configured as an amusement facility. For this reason, the following will describe a case where an arcade game machine 4A is installed in the facility SA as the game machine 4.

[0089] On the other hand, the first facility SA1 may be a facility where the use by users is restricted (including a closed facility that cannot be used at all), in which case the installation of a station unit (for example, the station unit ST of the first game unit 3A) may be omitted, and only a center unit (for example, the center unit CN of the first game unit 3A) may be installed. Then, only a connection service for the game machine 4 may be provided through such a center unit CN. Thus, unlike the second facility SA2, the first facility SA1 may be various facilities including a closed facility, but as an example, the first facility SA1 is also configured as an amusement facility (an amusement facility different from the second facility SA2). In the following, when the first facility SA1 and the second facility SA2 are not distinguished from each other, they may be referred to as facility SA. Note that the game machine 4 may also be installed in the first facility SA1, or the game unit 3 may also be installed in the second facility SA2, but in those cases, for example, they are configured in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

[0090] Furthermore, in game system 1B of the second embodiment, compared to game system 1A of the first embodiment, a Web system 80 is added as a system constructed on server 2, and a first arcade system 10A and a second arcade system 10B are provided as systems corresponding to arcade system 10, and a first account management system 20A and a second account management system 20B are provided as systems corresponding to account management system 20. These systems 70, 10A, 10B, 20A, 20B are also systems realized by appropriately utilizing server unit 2 included in server 2.

[0091] As in the first embodiment, these systems 70, 10A, 10B, 20A, and 20B may be installed in appropriate locations depending on the convenience of management, etc., but in the example of Fig. 16, the first arcade system 10A and the first account management system 20A are installed in the first facility SA1, and the second arcade system 10B and the second account management system 20B are installed in the second facility SA2. The first arcade system 10A and the first account management system 20A correspond to the arcade system 10 and the account management system 20 in the first facility SA1, and the second arcade system 10B and the second account management system 20B correspond to the arcade system 10 and the account management system 20 in the second facility SA2. On the other hand, the Web system 80 is installed outside the first facility SA1 and the second facility SA2 so as to be connected to the first arcade system 10A and the second arcade system 10B via the network NT as a WAN. In addition, the game unit 3 and the game machine 4 may access each account management system 20A, 20B as appropriate. For example, as in the example of Figure 8, if it is the first facility SA1, they directly access the first account management system 20A, and if it is the second facility SA2, they directly access the second account management system 20B, but in the example of Figure 16, these are omitted from the illustration for ease of explanation.

[0092] The first arcade system 10A and the second arcade system 10B both play the same role as the arcade system 10, but the first arcade system 10A corresponds to the game devices (game units 3, etc.) installed in the first facility SA1, and the second arcade system 10B corresponds to the game devices (game machines 4, etc.) installed in the second facility. In other words, in the game system 1B according to the second embodiment, an arcade system 10 is provided for each facility SA. The first arcade system 10A and the second arcade system 10B differ from each other in the scope of service provided (first facility SA1 or second facility SA2). The same applies to the first account management system 20A and the second account management system 20B. For example, when only the game units 3 are installed in the first facility SA1 and only the game machines 4 are installed in the second facility SA2, the first arcade system 10A may take on the role of providing services for the units, and the second arcade system 10B may take on the role of providing services for the game machines among the roles (processing) of the arcade system 10. In other words, the arcade system 10 may be composed of the first arcade system 10A and the second arcade system 10B.

[0093] The first arcade system 10A is constructed as a system that uses, for example, an arcade server unit 2A and an arcade database DB1 to provide unit services and the like to users who use the first game unit 3A and the second game unit 3B and the like. The arcade database DB1 is a server unit 2 for recording various data related to the unit services and the like. The arcade server unit 2A is a server unit 2 that executes various processes for providing unit services and the like to the first game unit 3A and the like while using the arcade database DB1. The first arcade system 10A provides a connection service to the first game unit 3A and the second game unit 3B and the like as one of the unit services and the like while using such an arcade server unit 2A and arcade database DB1.

[0094] On the other hand, the second arcade system 10B is constructed as a system that uses, for example, an arcade server unit 2C and an arcade database DB3 to provide game machine services and the like to users who use the arcade game machines 4A and the like. The arcade database DB3 is a server unit 2 for recording various data related to game machine services and the like. The arcade server unit 2C is a server unit 2 that executes various processes for providing game machine services to the arcade game machines 4A and the like while using the arcade database DB3. The second arcade system 10B uses such an arcade server unit 2C and arcade database DB3 to provide a connection service to the arcade game machines 4A and the like as one of the game machine services and the like.

[0095] The same applies to the first account management system 20A and the second account management system 20B. Specifically, the first account management system 20A uses a server unit 2B for account management, and the second account management system 20B uses a server unit 2E for account management, and each realizes account management in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Furthermore, for example, if the first facility SA1 is a closed facility and use of the game units 3 by users is not expected, the first account management system 20A may be omitted.

[0096] Furthermore, Web system 80 is constructed as a system that exists between first arcade system 10A and second arcade system 10B and assists in the transmission and reception of various data and the like to be executed between first arcade system 10A and second arcade system 10B in the connection service. For this reason, Web system 80 is connected to first arcade system 10A and second arcade system 10B so as to be able to transmit and receive various data and the like.

[0097] The Web system 80 realizes the assistance of transmission and reception of the above-mentioned data, for example, by using a server unit 2D for Web services and a database DB4 for Web services. The database DB4 for Web services is a server unit 2 for recording various data related to the assistance of transmission and reception. The server unit 2D for Web services is a server unit 2 that executes various processes for realizing the assistance of transmission and reception while using the database DB4 for Web services. The Web system 80 realizes the assistance of transmission and reception of data, etc. between the first arcade system 10A and the second arcade system 10B in the connection service while using such a server unit 2D for Web services and a database DB4 for Web services.

[0098] Next, the configuration of the main part of the control system related to the connection service in the game system 1B according to the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 17 is a functional block diagram showing the main part of the control system of the game system 1B according to the second embodiment. In the game system 1B according to the second embodiment, the provision of the play of the game unit 3 to the arcade game machine 4A of the other facility SA may be provided in exchange for a fee (corresponding to the usage fee of the game unit 3 to be paid to the first facility SA1 separately from the consumption of credits for play) to the other facility SA (for example, the second facility SA2), or may be provided free of charge without such a fee (consumption of credits for play is required). In other words, the second facility SA2 may or may not pay a usage fee (compensation) to the first facility SA1 in association with the play of the game unit 3 of the first facility SA1, but the example of FIG. 17 shows an example of a functional block diagram in the case where such a usage fee (cost) is paid. Note that the arcade game machine 4A and the first game unit 3A have the same configuration as the example of FIG. 9, and therefore the configuration is omitted in the example of FIG. 17. Also, although the configuration of the second arcade system 10B is omitted, the second arcade system 10B also has a similar configuration to the first arcade system 10A.

[0099] As shown in Fig. 17, a Web system 80 is provided with a control unit 81 and a storage unit 82. The storage unit 82 is configured with a storage unit including a non-volatile storage medium (computer-readable storage medium) such as a hard disk array. A program (computer program) PG3 to be referenced by the control unit 81 and system data 83 are stored in the storage unit 82. The control unit 81 is configured using computer hardware resources (e.g., CPUs) of one or more server units 2. Various logical devices related to connection services can be configured in the control unit 81 by combining the hardware resources constituting the control unit 81 with the program PG3, but in the example of Fig. 17, a connection management unit 84 and a data management unit 85 are provided.

[0100] The connection management unit 84 is a logical device that performs various processes related to the assistance of transmission and reception of data between the first arcade system 10A and the second arcade system 10B. Such processes include processes for determining the facility SA in which the game unit 3 is installed and for identifying the arcade system 10 (e.g., the first arcade system 10A, etc.) that provides the unit service to the facility SA. For example, the connection management unit 84 performs a game providing process according to the second form, a progress providing process according to the second form, and a cost calculation process as an example of such processes. The connection management unit 84 may perform these processes appropriately, and may perform them alone or in cooperation with other systems as appropriate. As an example, the connection management unit 84 performs the game providing process and progress providing process according to the second form in cooperation with the connection control units 13 of the first arcade system 10A and the second arcade system 10B, and the game control unit 33 of the center unit CN. The details of the procedures of the game providing process according to the second form, the progress providing process according to the second form, and the cost calculation process will be described later.

[0101] The data management unit 85 is a logical device that performs various processes for managing the system data 83. The system data 83 may include various data necessary for providing a connection service as appropriate, and in the example of FIG. 17, facility data FD, connection destination data CD, and cost data PD are shown. The facility data FD is data for managing the game units 3 installed in each facility SA. The connection destination data CD is data for managing the arcade system 10 (e.g., the first arcade system 10A, etc.) corresponding to each facility SA. The cost data PD is data for managing the cost (usage fee) to be paid to the facility SA in which the game unit 3 is installed in association with the play of the game unit 3. As an example, the data management unit 85 executes various processes for managing the facility data FD, connection destination data CD, and cost data PD. As an example, such processes include a cost calculation process. The data management unit 85 may appropriately realize the cost calculation process, and as an example, realizes the cost calculation process using the cost data PD. The details of the procedure of the cost calculation process will be described later. The facility data FD, the connection destination data CD, and the cost data PD will also be described in detail later.

[0102] Next, the flow of the connection service according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 18. FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the flow of the connection service according to the second embodiment. The example of FIG. 18 shows a case where, as in the example of FIG. 10, the first game unit 3A out of the first game unit 3A and the second game unit 3B is used for the connection service (providing a game to the arcade game machine 4A). In this case, as shown in FIG. 18, compared with the flow of the connection service according to the first embodiment in the example of FIG. 10, the connection service according to the second embodiment adds a step F5. Also, in the connection service according to the second embodiment, the step F2 includes steps F2A to F2C, and the step F4 includes steps F4A to F4C. In the example of FIG. 10, the second game unit 3B and the like that are not directly related to the steps in the figure are shown in gray.

[0103] Specifically, as in the example of FIG. 10, the arcade game machine 4A requests the arcade system 10 to play a game unit 3 (F1), and the request is directed to the second arcade system 10B corresponding to the second facility SA2 in which the arcade game machine 4A is installed. When the second arcade system 10B receives the request, it transmits the request to the Web system 80 (F2A). When the Web system 80 receives the request, it determines the game unit 3 that is the target of the request (the game unit 3 for which the arcade game machine 4A wishes to provide a game). The Web system 80 may perform this determination as appropriate, but as an example, it performs the determination by referring to the facility data FD and the connection destination data CD.

[0104] Specifically, the Web system 80 first refers to the facility data FD to identify the facility SA (first facility SA1) in which the game unit 3 to be requested is installed. Next, the Web system 80 refers to the connection destination data CD to identify the arcade system 10 (first arcade system 10A) corresponding to the identified facility SA (first facility SA1) and the address of the arcade system 10. Then, the Web system 80 identifies the game unit 3 to be requested (first game unit 3A) among the game units installed in the facility SA corresponding to the identified arcade system 10. After this identification, the Web system 80 transmits the request for the arcade game machine 4A acquired via the second arcade system 10B to the identified arcade system 10, i.e., the first arcade system 10A (F2B).

[0105] On the other hand, when the first arcade system 10A acquires a request from the arcade game machine 4A via the Web system 80, it identifies the first game unit 3A corresponding to the request, and instructs the identified first game unit 3A to provide a roulette game to the arcade game machine 4A (F2C). The first arcade system 10A may realize this identification, etc. in the same manner as the procedure F2 in the example of Fig. 10, and in this case, the procedure F2C corresponds to the procedure F2 in the example of Fig. 10.

[0106] When the first arcade system 10A instructs the first game unit 3A (center unit CN) to provide the roulette game, the first game unit 3A starts providing the roulette game and transmits the progress status to the arcade system 10 as appropriate (F3), the transmission destination being the first arcade system 10A. When the first arcade system 10A acquires the progress status, the first arcade system 10A generates a game screen 100c of the connection service based on the information on the progress status in the same manner as in the procedure of F4 in the example of FIG. 10, and transmits the game screen 100c (image data) to the Web system 80 (F4A). The generation of the game screen 100c based on the progress status may be executed by an appropriate system, for example, by the second arcade system 10B, the Web system 80, or the first game unit 3A (center unit CN, or station unit ST), but as an example, it is executed by the first arcade system 10A in this manner.

[0107] On the other hand, when the game screen 100c is acquired, the Web system 80 transmits information on the progress to the second arcade system 10B (F4B). In this case, the Web system 80 may appropriately identify the second arcade system 10B, for example, by referring to the facility data FD and the connection destination data CD as in the procedure in F2B, but as an example, when a request from the arcade game machine 4A is acquired via the second arcade system 10B, information on the second arcade system 10B from which the request was acquired is stored, and the Web system 80 identifies the second arcade system 10B by referring to the stored information.

[0108] In addition, when the second arcade system 10B acquires the game screen 100c (image data) via the Web system 80, it transmits the game screen 100c to the arcade game machine 4A so that the game screen 100c is displayed on the monitor 45 of the arcade game machine 4A (F4C).

[0109] Meanwhile, the Web system 80 calculates the usage fee for the first game unit 3A, i.e., the fee to be paid from the second facility SA2 to the first facility SA1, based on the fee data PD at an appropriate period (for example, at the end of each month) (F5). The calculated usage fee may be used as appropriate for settling (billing or collecting) the usage fee, and the settlement may be performed by an appropriate system or the like, but is performed by the Web system 80 as an example. This settlement (including offsetting with various expenses) may be realized by a well-known process. As an example, compared to the flow of FIG. 10 (the flow of the connection service according to the first embodiment), the connection service according to the second embodiment adds these steps.

[0110] Next, the facility data FD, the connection destination data CD, and the cost data PD will be described in detail. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the facility data FD. The facility data FD may include appropriate information necessary for managing each facility SA, but the example of FIG. 19 shows only a part of such information related to the connection service. In this case, as shown in FIG. 19, the facility data FD includes a facility record FDR for managing the game units 3 installed in each facility SA. In addition, in order to realize such management, the facility record FDR includes information on "facility ID", "location", "device ID", "type", and "position". In the facility record FDR, these pieces of information are recorded so as to be mutually associated with each other.

[0111] "Facility ID" is information indicating a unique facility ID for each facility SA in order to identify each facility SA. For example, a first facility SA1 and a second facility SA2 are assigned different facility IDs in order to distinguish them from each other. "Location" is information indicating the location where each facility SA is located. Various types of information indicating the location of each facility SA may be appropriately described in "Location", but as an example, information indicating an address is described as location information.

[0112] The "device ID" is information indicating a device ID for identifying devices installed in each facility SA. These devices include the game unit 3 and the game machine 4. In addition, in the case of the game unit 3, the device ID may be uniquely assigned to each of the center unit CN and the station unit ST, but as an example, the device ID is uniquely assigned to each game unit 3. Specifically, the first game unit 3A and the second game unit 3B are each assigned a different device ID. In addition, when there are multiple first game units 3A, each first game unit 3A is also assigned a different device ID. In addition, when multiple arcade game machines 4A are installed, the device ID is uniquely assigned to each arcade game machine 4A. The "type" is information indicating the type of each device. For example, the first game unit 3A and the second game unit 3B are different types of game units 3 that provide different games from each other, so information indicating the different types is described in the "type". Information indicating the different types between the game machine 4 and the game unit 3 is also described in the "type".

[0113] "Location" is information indicating the location where each game unit 3 (or arcade game machine 4A) is placed in each facility SA. Various information indicating the location of each game unit 3 may be described appropriately in "location", and as an example, information indicating each section when each facility SA is divided into predetermined ranges is described. The "location" information may be used appropriately, and is used to determine the positional relationship when, for example, in response to a connection service request from an arcade game machine 4A in the facility SA, it is determined whether or not to distribute the video of the camera CA depending on the positional relationship between the arcade game machine 4A and the game unit 3 that is the request target. Therefore, if such a determination is not performed, the "location" information may be omitted. When the "location" information is used to determine the positional relationship, the "location" information corresponding to the game machine 4 and the "location" information corresponding to the game unit 3 function as the game machine position information and the unit position information of the present invention, respectively. Whether or not to distribute the video of the camera CA may be determined based on whether or not it is within the same facility SA, in which case the address of the game machine 4 and the address of the game unit 3 in the network NT may function as the game machine location information and the unit location information of the present invention, respectively. The facility data FD is not limited to these pieces of information, and may include various pieces of information as appropriate depending on the contents of the connection service or the convenience of management. Alternatively, some of the above information, such as the "location" information, may be omitted as appropriate.

[0114] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the connection destination data CD. The connection destination data CD may include appropriate information necessary for managing the connection destination of each arcade system 10, but the example of FIG. 20 shows only a part of such information related to the connection service. In this case, as shown in FIG. 20, the connection destination data CD includes a connection destination record CDR for managing the connection destination (address) of each arcade system 10 corresponding to each facility SA. In addition, the connection destination record CDR includes information on "facility ID", "system ID", and "address" in order to realize such management. In the connection destination record CDR, these pieces of information are recorded so as to be mutually associated.

[0115] The "facility ID" is information indicating the facility ID described above. The "system ID" is information indicating a unique system ID for each arcade system 10 in order to identify each arcade system 10. For example, the first arcade system 10A and the second arcade system 10B are assigned different system IDs. The "address" is information indicating the address (connection destination) of each arcade system 10. Various information capable of identifying the connection destination of each arcade system 10 may be appropriately described as the address in the "address", and as an example, an IP address uniquely assigned in the network NT is described. Note that the connection destination data CD is not limited to these pieces of information, and may appropriately include various pieces of information depending on the contents of the connection service or the convenience of management. Alternatively, some of the above information may be appropriately omitted.

[0116] FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the cost data PD. The cost data PD may include appropriate information necessary for calculating various costs, but the example of FIG. 21 shows only a part of such information related to the calculation of the usage fee (cost) of the game unit 3. The usage fee may be calculated according to an appropriate logic, and may be calculated as a per-use fee obtained by accumulating a predetermined fee according to the number of times of use or the time of use, or may be calculated as a fixed amount regardless of the number of times of use. In this way, the cost associated with the use of the game unit 3 may be calculated appropriately according to various logics, but as an example, it is calculated according to the cumulative amount of the credit granted (increased amount) in a predetermined period. The example of FIG. 21 shows an example of the cost data PD when the usage fee is calculated based on such a cumulative amount. In this case, as shown in FIG. 21, the cost data PD includes a cost record PDR for managing the amount of credit granted (increased amount) for each facility SA. In addition, the cost record PDR includes information on the "facility ID", "provider", "date and time", "card ID", and "amount granted" in order to realize such management.

[0117] The “facility ID” is information indicating the above-mentioned facility ID. The “facility ID” describes the facility ID of the facility SA where the game machine 4 used to play the game unit 3 is installed. The “provider” is information indicating the facility SA of the provider that provided the game machine 4 with the play of the game unit 3. The “provider” may describe appropriate information indicating such a provider facility SA, and as an example, the facility ID information is described. The “date and time” is information indicating the date and time when the game unit 3 was played via the game machine 4. The “card ID” is information indicating the card ID of the card 64 used in the play of the game unit 3 via the game machine 4. In other words, the “card ID” is information for identifying (specifying) the user who played the game unit 3 via the game machine 4. The “granted amount” is information indicating the granted amount of credits (increased amount of credits) generated in the play of the game unit 3 via the game machine 4. In the expense record PDR, these pieces of information are recorded so as to be mutually associated. The expense data PD is not limited to these pieces of information, and may include various pieces of information as appropriate according to the calculation logic of the usage fee, etc. Alternatively, some of the above information may be omitted as appropriate.

[0118] Next, with reference to Figs. 22 to 24, a game providing process according to the second embodiment, a progress providing process according to the second embodiment, and a cost calculation process will be described. The game providing process according to the second embodiment is a process for providing a game of the game unit 3 to the game machine 4 when a request to play the game unit 3 is made from the game machine 4 in the connection service according to the second embodiment. Moreover, the example of Fig. 22 shows the game providing process according to the second embodiment in the case where a game unit 3 is also installed in the second facility SA2 and the game unit 3 is also used as a target of the connection service. Note that, in the examples of Figs. 22 and 23, the process mainly executed by the connection control unit 13 of the first arcade system 10A is shown as the first arcade system 10A, the process mainly executed by the connection control unit 13 of the second arcade system 10B is shown as the second arcade system 10B, and the process mainly executed by the connection management unit 84 of the Web system 80 is shown as the Web system 80. Furthermore, in the example of Fig. 25, the process mainly executed by the game control unit 33 of the center unit CN is shown as the center unit CN.

[0119] When a request to play the game unit 3 is made by the game machine 4, the second arcade system 10B starts the game providing process of FIG. 23, and first acquires the request (step S201) as in the example of FIG. 13. This request includes information on the selection result in the selection opportunity (the game unit 3 selected by the user as the game unit to be played). In addition, in the selection opportunity in the second form, an opportunity to select a facility SA is added. Such a selection opportunity may be realized appropriately, but may be realized in the same way as the facility selection opportunity and unit selection opportunity in the third form described below, as an example.

[0120] Next, the second arcade system 10B determines whether the requested game unit 3 is installed in the same facility SA (e.g., the second facility SA2) (step S211). This determination is made based on the selection result of the facility SA included in the selection result. If the requested game unit 3 is installed in the same facility SA (step S211: Yes), the second arcade system 10B identifies the game unit 3 as in the example of FIG. 13 (step S202), instructs the provision of a game (step S203), and terminates the current game provision process after the instruction.

[0121] On the other hand, if the requested game unit 3 is not installed in the same facility SA (step S211: No), the second arcade system 10B requests the Web system 80 to provide a game (step S212). When the second arcade system 10B requests the Web system 80 to provide a game, the Web system 80 starts the game providing process of Fig. 22 and first acquires the request (step S701).

[0122] Next, the Web system 80 determines the arcade system 10 corresponding to the facility SA in which the requested game unit 3 is installed (step S702). This determination is realized based on the facility data FD and the connection destination data CD, as an example, as described above. For example, if the arcade game machine 4A is requesting to play the first game unit 3A in the first facility SA1, the Web system 80 refers to the facility data FD and the connection destination data CD, first identifies the first facility SA1 in which the first game unit 3A is installed, and then determines the first arcade system 10A corresponding to the first facility SA1.

[0123] Next, the Web system 80 judges whether the first arcade system 10A and the first game unit 3A judged in step S702 are available to provide play (step S703). This judgment may be appropriately made based on various conditions for provision, for example, the connection state of the game machine 4 or the network NT of the facility SA, the level of the user, etc., if play conditions are set for playing the game, the conditions, or the time period, etc., if the facility SA, etc., allows or disallows connection from the outside, may be determined according to the time period, etc. In this way, whether or not the game can be provided may be appropriately judged, but as an example, it is judged that the game cannot be provided when a predetermined number or more of game machines 4 are connected from the outside to the same game unit 3. For this reason, the Web system 80 first inquires about the number of connections to the arcade system 10 (for example, the first arcade system 10A) of the facility SA in which the game unit 3 requested as a play target is installed. Then, it is judged that the game cannot be provided when a predetermined number or more of game machines 4 are already connected, and that the game can be provided when less than the predetermined number of game machines 4 are connected.

[0124] Next, the Web system 80 transmits the determination result of step S703 (yes / no) to the second arcade system 10B (step S704). If the determination result of step S704 is yes, after transmitting step S704, the Web system 80 requests the first arcade system 10A determined in step S702 to provide the game (step S706), and ends the current game providing process. Alternatively, if the determination result of step S704 is no, after transmitting step S704, the Web system 80 skips the subsequent processes and ends the current game providing process. In this example, the information on the determination result transmitted by the Web system 80 in step S703 functions as yes / no information of the present invention.

[0125] When the determination result is transmitted from the Web system 80, the second arcade system 10B transmits the determination result to the game machine 4 so that the result is presented on the game machine 4 (step S213). For example, if the determination result indicates that the game cannot be provided, an error or the like may be displayed so that the game request process is provided again on the game machine 4. After such transmission, the second arcade system 10B ends the current game providing process.

[0126] On the other hand, when a request to provide a game is made from the Web system 80, the first arcade system 10A starts the game providing process of FIG. 22 and first acquires the request (step S801). Next, the first arcade system 10A identifies the game unit 3 (first game unit 3A) corresponding to the request. This identification may be performed as appropriate, but as an example, it is performed in the same manner as in step S202. Next, the first arcade system 10A instructs the identified first game unit 3A to provide a game (step S803). This instruction may also be performed as appropriate, but as an example, it is performed in the same manner as in step S203. Then, after this instruction, the first arcade system 10A ends the current game providing process.

[0127] 22, in the connection service according to the second embodiment, the game unit 3 (center unit CN) actually starts providing a game in response to a request from the game machine 4. More specifically, in response to a request to play for a game unit 3 installed in a facility SA different from the facility SA in which the game machine 4 is installed, the game unit 3 actually starts providing a game. In other words, play by the game unit 3 across the facility SA is realized.

[0128] The progress providing process according to the second embodiment is a process for providing the game progress in the game unit 3 to the game machine 4 in the connection service according to the second embodiment. As described above, the game progress may be appropriately provided in various ways, but the example of FIG. 23 shows the progress providing process according to the second embodiment in the case where the game progress is provided to the game machine 4 through the game screen 100c of the connection service, similar to the example of FIG. 14. In this case, when an instruction to provide the game is received from the first arcade system 10A through the game providing process of FIG. 22 and provision of the game is started, the center unit CN starts the progress providing process of FIG. 23 and executes the processes of steps S301 to S303, similar to the example of FIG. 14. Then, the center unit CN ends this progress providing process after the process of step S303.

[0129] Similarly, when the first arcade system 10A is provided with information on the progress status from the center unit CN through the process of step S301, or when the first arcade system 10A is provided with end information from the center unit CN through the process of step S303, the first arcade system 10A starts the progress providing process of Fig. 23, and executes the processes of steps S401 to S403 as in the example of Fig. 14. However, the destination of the game screen 100c in step S403 is changed from the game machine 4 in the example of Fig. 14 to the Web system 80. Also, the inquiry to the game machine 4 and the acquisition of operation information in step S401 are realized via the Web system 80. Then, the first arcade system 10A ends the current progress providing process after step S403.

[0130] On the other hand, when the Web system 80 acquires the game screen 100c (image data) from the first arcade system 10A through the process of step S403, it starts the progress providing process of FIG. 23 and first acquires the game screen 100c (step S901). Next, the Web system 80 determines the destination of the acquired game screen 100c (step S902). This determination may be realized appropriately, and may be realized based on the facility data FD and the connection destination data CD as described above, but as an example, it is realized based on the information of the transmission source of the instruction to provide the game that was saved when the instruction to provide the game was given. In addition, this information of the transmission source may be managed appropriately, but as an example, it is erased after the end information is sent to the transmission source. In the example of FIG. 23, the Web system 80 determines the second arcade system 10B corresponding to the first facility SA1 (the facility SA where the game machine 4 that requested to play the game is installed) as the transmission destination. Next, the Web system 80 transmits the game screen 100c acquired in step S901 to the determined destination (the second arcade system 10B) (step S903). After this transmission, the Web system 80 ends this progress providing process.

[0131] Furthermore, when the game screen 100c (image data) is transmitted from the Web system 80, the game machine 4 starts the progress providing process of FIG. 23, and executes the processes of step S501 (however, the acquisition source is changed to the Web system 80) and step S502 as in the example of FIG. 14. Then, after the process of step S502, the game machine 4 ends this progress providing process. As a result, in the connection service according to the second form, the game machine 4 realizes the play of the mini-game through the provision of the game screen 100c. More specifically, in the game machine 4 installed in the second facility SA2, the play of the first game unit 3A installed in the first facility SA1, which is different from the second facility SA2, is realized. In other words, the game machine 4 in the other second facility SA2 functions as one of the station units ST of the first game unit 3A installed in the first facility SA1. In addition, if it is determined in step S211 of the game provision processing in Figure 22 that the game machine 4 and the first game unit 3A are installed in the same facility SA, the second arcade system 10B may realize the progress provision processing by executing the processing of steps S401 to S403 in the same manner as the arcade system 10 in the example of Figure 14.

[0132] The cost calculation process is a process for calculating the cost associated with the provision of a game when the game unit 3 provides a game to a game machine 4 in another facility SA. Such a cost may be calculated appropriately based on various information, and may be calculated each time such an increase in credits occurs based on information on the increase amount obtained from the game machine 4. In this case, the game machine 4 determines whether the game unit 3 in which the current credit is provided (increased) is installed in the same facility SA or not, and if it is not the same facility SA, information on the amount of the credit provided may be obtained, for example, via the second arcade system 10B and used for the calculation. Alternatively, such a cost may be calculated in the second arcade system 10B or in the game machine 4. In this way, the cost associated with the use of the game unit 3 may be calculated appropriately, but the example of FIG. 24 shows an example of the procedure of the cost calculation process in the case where such a cost is calculated based on the cost data PD at a predetermined cycle (for example, at the end of each month). In this case, the data management unit 85 repeatedly starts the cost calculation process of FIG. 24 at a predetermined cycle and first obtains the latest cost data PD (step S1001). The expense data PD may be updated as appropriate each time credit is granted, and the updating may be performed in an appropriate system, etc., but as an example, the Web system 80 obtains information on the increase amount from the game machine 4 and executes it.

[0133] Next, the data management unit 85 determines the amount of credits to be awarded for which a fee should be collected, in other words, the cumulative amount of credits awarded in the play of the game units 3 of the other facilities SA via the game machines 4 (step S1002). This determination may be performed as appropriate, but as an example, it is performed based on the cost data PD. Specifically, the data management unit 85 first refers to the "facility ID" and "provider" of the cost data PD acquired in step S1001, and identifies the cost record PDR corresponding to the play across the facilities SA. Next, the data management unit 85 refers to the "date and time" and "amount awarded" and calculates the cumulative amount of the amount awarded corresponding to the current calculation period (as an example, from after the previous calculation to immediately before processing) in the identified cost record PDR. Then, the data management unit 85 determines the calculated cumulative amount as the cumulative amount of the current target. Note that whether or not a play crosses facility SA is not limited to the case where the provider and the destination facility SA are different, that is, physically different facility SAs, and it may be determined that the play does not cross facility SA if, for example, it is between multiple facility SAs operated by the same operator. In other words, the range of the same facility SA may be set as an appropriate range, such as the range of facility SAs in the same series, so that no usage fee for the game unit 3 is incurred within the same series.

[0134] Next, the data management unit 85 calculates the fee to be paid as the usage fee for the game unit 3 based on the accumulated amount determined in step S1002 (step S1003). Such a fee may be calculated as a pay-per-use amount obtained by multiplying a predetermined fee by the number of uses regardless of the amount of the grant as described above, or may be calculated as a fixed amount regardless of the number of uses. Similarly, the grant of credits may be granted to the user from the facility SA where the game unit 3 is installed (for example, the first facility SA1 in the example of FIG. 18) or from the facility SA where the game machine 4 is installed (for example, the second facility SA2 in the example of FIG. 18). However, if the amount of credit consumed is accumulated little by little when the game unit 3 is used, such as in a progressive jackpot game, and the accumulated amount is granted as an increase in credits, a disadvantage may occur to the provider of the game (the first facility SA1 in the example of FIG. 18). For this reason, the usage fee is calculated based on the accumulated amount of the grant, as an example. The data management unit 85 may calculate the fee appropriately based on the accumulated amount, but as an example, the fee is calculated by multiplying the accumulated amount by a predetermined coefficient. This coefficient may be a fixed value, or may be a variable value according to the value (exchange rate) of the medals when the value (exchange rate) differs for each facility SA. In this way, the coefficient may be an appropriate value, but as an example, the data management unit 85 uses a fixed value and calculates the cost by multiplying the fixed value coefficient by the granted amount. After this calculation, the data management unit 85 ends the current cost calculation process. Note that this calculation result may be used appropriately for the settlement of the cost as described above. Alternatively, it may be managed by appropriate data including the cost data PD for such processing.

[0135] According to the procedure of Fig. 24, when a game unit 3 is played via a game machine 4 of another facility SA, a usage fee for that play is calculated. More specifically, a usage fee according to the amount of credits awarded as a game result is calculated as the cost (compensation) for that play. Then, such a fee is appropriately used for settlement with the facility SA in which the game unit 3 is installed. In other words, such a fee is calculated and used as a payment to the facility SA in which the game unit 3 is installed.

[0136] As described above, according to the second embodiment, it is possible to realize play of the game units 3 across the facilities SA. For example, when an event is held in which group matches are played between the facilities SA, if the number of station units ST (which may include game machines 4 functioning as station units ST) provided in the first game unit 3A (which may be one or more) is not sufficient for the number of group matches, the game units 4 in the other facilities SA can be made to function as the station units ST. Therefore, even if the number of station units ST provided in the same facility SA is not sufficient for the number of groups, participation in such an event can be realized by using the game machines 4 in the other facilities SA. As a result, it is possible to achieve not only the same effect as the first embodiment, but also an increase in the number of users and an increase in the frequency of play compared to the first embodiment. Furthermore, if payment (collection) of a usage fee (consideration) is required for the use of the game units 3 provided in the other facilities SA, it is possible to increase the revenue of the other facilities SA through such payment.

[0137] In the second form, the connection control unit 13 of the second arcade system 10B functions as the game providing means and the progress providing means of the present invention by executing the procedure of Fig. 22 and the procedure of Fig. 23. Specifically, the connection control unit 13 functions as the game providing means by executing the procedure of step S212 of Fig. 22, and as the progress providing means of the present invention by executing step S502 of Fig. 23. Furthermore, the connection control unit 13 of the second arcade system 10B functions as the facility determining means and the object identifying means of the present invention by executing the procedure of Fig. 22. Specifically, the connection control unit 13 functions as the facility determining means by executing the procedure of step S211 of Fig. 22, and as the object identifying means by executing the procedure of step S202 of Fig. 22.

[0138] Alternatively, the connection management unit 84 of the Web system 80 functions as the game providing means and the progress providing means of the present invention by executing the procedure of FIG. 22 and the procedure of FIG. 23. Specifically, the connection management unit 84 functions as the game providing means of the present invention by executing the procedure of step S706 of FIG. 22, and as the progress providing means of the present invention by executing the procedure of step S903 of FIG. 23. Similarly, the data management unit 85 of the Web system 80 functions as the value calculation means of the present invention by executing the procedure of step S1003 of FIG. 24. Also, the connection management unit 84 of the Web system 80 functions as the provision determination means and the possibility providing means of the present invention by executing the procedure of FIG. 22. Specifically, the connection management unit 84 functions as the provision determination means by executing the procedure of step S703 of FIG. 22, and as the possibility providing means by executing the procedure of step S704 of FIG. 22.

[0139] (Third Form) Next, a game system 1C according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 25 to 32. In the following, the same reference numerals are used in Figs. 25 to 32 to designate the same components as those in the first or second embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted. Fig. 25 is a diagram showing an outline of each system constructed in the game system 1C according to the third embodiment in order to provide a connection service. The game system 1 is configured as the game system 1C according to the third embodiment when a user terminal device such as a mobile terminal device 4B is used as the game machine 4. In the following, a case where a mobile terminal device 4B is used as an example of a user terminal device will be described. Note that when the user terminal device is installed in the facility SA as an arcade game machine 4A, it may be configured in the same manner as in the first embodiment or the second embodiment. In addition, the user terminal device may be used in the facility SA by being carried by a user located in the facility SA. Furthermore, the arcade game machine 4A such as a station unit may function as the mobile terminal device 4B.

[0140] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 25, the game unit 3 is installed in the facility SA in the game system 1C according to the third embodiment. However, the facility SA may be a facility where the use by users is restricted (including a closed facility that cannot be used at all) as in the second embodiment. Also, the installation of the station unit may be omitted and only a center unit may be installed. Then, only a connection service for the game machine 4 may be provided through such a center unit. In this way, the facility SA may be various kinds of facilities including a closed facility, but as an example, it is configured as an amusement facility as in the first embodiment.

[0141] On the other hand, in a game system 1C according to a third embodiment, a mobile terminal device 4B (an example of a user terminal device) is used as an example of a game machine 4. The mobile terminal device 4B requests to play a game unit 3 from any location that can connect to the network NT. In order to provide a connection service to such a mobile terminal device 4B, a Web system 80 and a Web account system 90 are constructed in the game system 1C according to the third embodiment. The Web system 80 and the Web account system 90 are appropriately realized by using a server unit 2 included in the server 2, similar to the first embodiment and the like.

[0142] The Web system 80 functions as a system for providing a connection service to the mobile terminal device 4B. The Web system 80 may be configured as a system separate from the Web system 80 of the second embodiment, but is configured in the same manner as the Web system 80 of the second embodiment, for example. Specifically, the database DB4 for Web services is a server unit 2 for recording various data related to the connection service for the mobile terminal device 4B. The server unit 2D for Web services is a server unit 2 that executes various processes for realizing the connection service for the mobile terminal device 4B while using the database DB4 for Web services. The Web system 80 realizes the connection service for the mobile terminal device 4B while using the server unit 2D for Web services and the database DB4 for Web services.

[0143] On the other hand, the Web account system 90 is a system constructed separately from the account management system 20 in order to perform account management for the Web system 80. The Web account system 90 performs account management for the Web system 80 while utilizing a server unit 2F for Web accounts and a database DB5 for Web accounts. The database DB5 for Web accounts is a server unit 2 for recording various data related to account management for the Web system 80. The server unit 2F for Web accounts is a server unit 2 that performs various processes for realizing account management for the Web system 80 while utilizing the database DB5 for Web accounts. The Web account system 90 realizes account management for the Web system 80 while utilizing such a server unit 2F for Web accounts and a database DB5 for Web accounts.

[0144] Next, the configuration of the main part of the control system related to the connection service in the game system 1C according to the third embodiment will be described. Fig. 26 is a functional block diagram showing the main part of the control system of the game system 1C according to the third embodiment. Note that the mobile terminal device 4B (game machine 4), the arcade system 10, and the game unit 3 have the same configuration as in the example of Fig. 9, so the configuration is omitted in the example of Fig. 26.

[0145] As shown in FIG. 26, in the Web system 80 according to the third embodiment, compared to the example of FIG. 17, operational data OD is added to the system data 83. The operational data OD is data for managing the game units 3 in operation. The operational data OD may be used as appropriate, but as an example, it is used to present candidates for game units 3 to be played to the mobile terminal device 4B. In addition, the connection management unit 84 appropriately executes various processes for realizing the connection service, and such processes include a game providing process and a progress providing process according to the third embodiment. The details of the procedures of the game providing process and the progress providing process according to the third embodiment, and the details of the operational data OD will be described later.

[0146] The mobile terminal device 4B executes various processes related to the connection service in the same manner as the game machine 4. Such processes include a process of requesting the connection service (playing the game unit 3). Such processes may be appropriately realized through the progress control unit 43 in the same manner as the second embodiment, and may be realized through the game request process of the example of FIG. 12, for example, and are realized so as to present candidates for game units 3 to be played based on the operation data OD as an example. For this reason, the progress control unit 43 of the mobile terminal device 4B executes a game request process according to a third embodiment as an example of such processes. The procedure of the game request process according to the third embodiment will be described in detail later.

[0147] The Web account system 90 is provided with a control unit 95 and a storage unit 96. The storage unit 96 is configured with a storage unit including a non-volatile storage medium (computer-readable storage medium) such as a hard disk array. The storage unit 96 stores a program (computer program) PG4 to be referenced by the control unit 95, and system data 97. The control unit 95 is configured using computer hardware resources (e.g., CPU) of one or more server units 2. Various logical devices related to the connection service can be configured in the control unit 95 by combining the hardware resources constituting the control unit 95 with the program PG4, and in the example of FIG. 26, a data management unit 98 is provided.

[0148] The data management unit 98 is a logical device that performs various processes for managing the system data 97. The system data 97 may include various data necessary for providing a connection service as appropriate, and in the example of FIG. 26, includes the Web account data WD. The Web account data WD is data for managing the amount of Web medals (having a value different from the amount of medals owned managed by the account data AD) consumed or increased by the mobile terminal device 4B. The Web account data WD is configured as data separate from the account data AD in order to manage an account separate from the account data AD. The data management unit 98 executes various processes for managing such Web account data WD. Such processes include well-known processes for increasing or decreasing an account (amount of Web medals owned) managed by the Web account data WD according to the play status of the mobile terminal device 4B in order to realize play of the game unit 3 without going through the account management system 20.

[0149] Next, the flow of the connection service according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 27. FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the flow of the connection service according to the third embodiment. The example of FIG. 27 shows a case where, as in the example of FIG. 10, the first game unit 3A out of the first game unit 3A and the second game unit 3B is used for the connection service (providing a game to the arcade game machine 4A). In this case, as shown in FIG. 27, in the connection service according to the first embodiment, compared to the flow of the connection service according to the first embodiment in the example of FIG. 10, the procedure of F1 includes F1A to F1C, the procedure of F2 includes F2B and F2C, and the procedure of F4 includes F4A and F4C. Among these procedures, the procedures of F2B and F2C and the procedures of F4A and F4C are realized in the same manner as in the second embodiment, as an example. In the example of FIG. 27, the second game unit 3B and the like that are not directly related to the procedures in the figure are shown in gray. Also, in the third embodiment, management of the amount of Web medals owned (which are appropriately converted into credits for playing the game unit 3) is executed in the Web account system 90 instead of the account management system 20. For this reason, instead of the account data AD, Web account data WD is appropriately transmitted and received between the Web system 80 and the Web account system 90 and updated, etc., but since these may be realized by well-known procedures, they are omitted in the example of FIG.

[0150] Meanwhile, the steps F1A to F1C are executed as follows. Specifically, when an operation for playing a game unit 3 is input, the arcade game machine 4A first requests the Web system 80 for a list to be presented as selection candidates at the selection opportunity (F1A). At the selection opportunity, appropriate game units 3 may be presented as options, for example, all game units 3 that support the connection service regardless of whether they are in operation or not may be presented as options, or game units that are installed in the facility SA and turned on for the first time may be presented as options. In this way, appropriate targets may be presented as options at the selection opportunity, and as an example, game units that are in operation at the time of the request among all game units 3 (game units 3 that are turned on) are presented as options. In other words, at the selection opportunity, options are limited to some of the game units 3 that are in operation, and only these are presented as options. For this reason, when a list is requested from the arcade game machine 4A, the Web system 80 transmits the operation data OD as such a list to the arcade game machine 4A (F1B).

[0151] On the other hand, when the arcade game machine 4A acquires the operation data OD from the Web system 80, it provides a selection opportunity. This selection opportunity may be realized as described above as appropriate, and includes, as an example, a facility selection opportunity and a unit selection opportunity. The facility selection opportunity is a selection opportunity for selecting a facility SA in which to play the game unit 3. The unit selection opportunity is a selection opportunity for selecting a game unit 3 to be played (which may be a specific one, or may be a type such as the first game unit 3A. Alternatively, multiple game units 3 may be played at the same time, in which case multiple game units 3 may be selected as the game units to be played) among the game units 3 installed in each facility SA. These facility selection opportunities and unit selection opportunities may be provided as appropriate, and are realized, as an example, through a facility selection screen 200 and a unit selection screen 210.

[0152] The facility selection screen 200 includes facility options 201. The facility options 201 function as options corresponding to each facility SA (for example, positions where a touch operation should be performed when a touch panel is provided as an input device). An appropriate number of facility options 201 may be displayed on the facility selection screen 200 according to the number of facility SAs to be selected, and five facility options 201 corresponding to facility SAs "A" to "E" are displayed in the example of FIG. 28. Similarly, the unit selection screen 210 includes unit options 211. The unit options 211 function as options corresponding to each game unit installed in each facility SA (facility SA selected on the facility selection screen 200). An appropriate number of unit options 211 may be displayed on the unit selection screen 210 according to the type and number of game units 3 installed in each facility SA, and two unit options 211 corresponding to the first game unit 3A and the second game unit 3B are displayed in the example of FIG. 28.

[0153] The arcade game machine 4A sequentially provides a facility selection opportunity and a unit selection opportunity through the facility selection screen 200 and the unit selection screen 210, and then requests the Web system 80 to play a game (F1C). This request includes the selection results on the facility selection screen 200 and the unit selection screen 210. As an example, the connection service according to the third embodiment is realized in this way. In this example, the first game unit 3A and the arcade game machine 4A function as the arcade game machine and another game machine of the present invention, respectively. Also, the unit selection opportunity and the first game unit 3A selected therein function as the target selection opportunity and the arcade game machine to be played, respectively. Furthermore, the game unit 3 in operation presented as an option on the unit selection screen 210 and the game unit 3 not in operation not presented therein function as a part of the arcade game machines and the remaining arcade game machines of the present invention, respectively. Similarly, the facility SA selected in the facility selection opportunity functions as the selected facility of the present invention.

[0154] In addition, in the game system 1C according to the third embodiment, mobile terminal devices 4B (user terminal devices) are used as the game machines 4, but since there are as many such mobile terminal devices 4B as there are users, there will be a large number of mobile terminal devices 4B connected to one game unit 3 or to the arcade system 10 corresponding to that game unit 3, and this may result in a high load on those arcade systems 10. For this reason, in the connection service according to the third embodiment, a flow for high load is prepared in addition to the flow in the example of Fig. 27 (hereinafter, normal flow), and the flow for high load may be applied.

[0155] FIG. 28 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the flow of the connection service according to the third embodiment when the load is high. As shown in FIG. 28, compared with the example of FIG. 27, the arcade system 10 includes a first arcade system 10A and a second arcade system 10B. The first arcade system 10A and the second arcade system 10B share and execute the role of the arcade system 10 in the example of FIG. 27. The first arcade system 10A and the second arcade system 10B may be constructed on the server 2 as appropriate, but as an example, they are constructed in the same manner as in the second embodiment. More specifically, in the example of FIG. 27, for the sake of convenience of explanation, only one arcade system 10 corresponding to one facility SA is shown, but in the third embodiment, multiple facility SAs may be prepared and multiple arcade systems 10 corresponding to them may be constructed, and two of them function as the first arcade system 10A and the second arcade system 10B, respectively. For example, when the connection service is applied to only one facility SA, a dedicated system (not providing services to the facility SA) that functions as the second arcade system 10B during high loads may be provided separately.

[0156] Also, in accordance with the division of roles of the arcade system 10, in the flow during high load, the procedure of F4C includes procedures F4C1 to F4C3 compared to the normal flow. Specifically, in the normal flow, when the progress status is transmitted from the first game unit 3A (F3), the arcade system 10 generates a game screen 100c of the connection service based on the information on the progress status, as in the first form, and transmits the game screen 100c (image data) to the Web system 80 (F4A). On the other hand, in the flow during high load, after acquiring the progress status from the first game unit 3A, the first arcade system 10A transmits the information on the progress status as it is to the Web system 80 without generating the game screen 100c (F4A).

[0157] When the progress status information is acquired, the Web system 80 determines the arcade system 10 that should be responsible for generating the game screen 100c. Specifically, the Web system 80 accesses each of the multiple arcade systems 10 corresponding to the multiple facilities SA, for example, determines their loads, and determines the arcade system 10 with a relatively low load according to the load as the arcade system 10 that should be responsible for generating the game screen 100c. In the example of FIG. 29, the second arcade system 10B is determined as the arcade system 10 with a relatively low load. Then, the Web system 80 transmits the progress status information acquired from the first arcade system 10A to the second arcade system 10B (F4C1).

[0158] When the second arcade system 10B acquires the information on the progress from the Web system 80, it generates a game screen 100c of the connection service based on the information on the progress. Then, the second arcade system 10B transmits the generated game screen 100c (image data) to the Web system 80 (F4C2). Furthermore, when the Web system 80 acquires the game screen 100c from the second arcade system 10B, it transmits the game screen 100c to the mobile terminal device 4B so that the game screen 100c is displayed on the monitor 45 of the mobile terminal device 4B (F4C). During high load, the connection service is realized according to a flow during high load that is different from the normal flow as an example. In this example, the first arcade system 10A and the second arcade system 10B function as one arcade system and another arcade system of the present invention, respectively.

[0159] The flow during high load is not limited to the third embodiment, and may be applied to the connection service of the second embodiment, for example. In that case, the first game unit 3A, the first arcade system 10A, and the second arcade system 10B, which are requested to play, function as one game unit, one unit system, and another unit system of the present invention, respectively. Also, the first arcade system 10A and the second arcade system 10B function as a multiple unit system of the present invention.

[0160] Next, details of the operation data OD will be described. Fig. 29 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the operation data OD. The operation data OD may include appropriate information necessary for managing the operation of each device installed in each facility SA, but the example in Fig. 29 shows only a part of such information related to the connection service. In this case, as shown in Fig. 29, the operation data OD includes an operation record ODR for managing the operation status of each device installed in each facility SA. Furthermore, in order to realize such management, the operation record ODR includes information on "facility ID", "device", and "operation status".

[0161] The "facility ID" and the "device ID" are information indicating the facility ID and the device ID, respectively. The "operational state" is information indicating whether each device (for example, each first game unit 3A or each second game unit 3B, etc.) is in operation or not. For example, information indicating that the device is in operation is written in the "operational state" for a game unit 3 in operation (a game unit 3 that is powered on), and information indicating that the device is not in operation (a state in which the device is not in operation) is written in the "operational state" for a game unit 3 that is not in operation (a game unit 3 that is not powered on). In the operation record ODR, these pieces of information are recorded so as to be mutually associated. In this example, the information on the operational state written in the "operational state" functions as information on the operational status of the present invention. The operational data OD is not limited to these pieces of information, and may include various pieces of information as appropriate depending on the contents of the connection service or the convenience of management. Alternatively, a part of the above-mentioned information may be omitted as appropriate. The operational data OD may also function as a part of the facility data FD.

[0162] Next, a game request process according to the third embodiment, a game providing process according to the third embodiment, and a progress providing process according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 30 to 32. The game request process according to the third embodiment is a process for the mobile terminal device 4B to request playing of a game through a selection opportunity that presents limited options for game units in operation. The facility selection screen 200 and the unit selection screen 210 may be generated (rendered) in the Web system 80, and these screens 200, 210 (image data) may be transmitted to the mobile terminal device 4B, but the example in Fig. 30 shows the game request process when they are generated in the mobile terminal device 4B.

[0163] In the example of Fig. 30, the process mainly executed by the progress control unit 43 of the mobile terminal device 4B is shown as the mobile terminal device 4B, and the process mainly executed by the connection management unit 84 of the Web system 80 is shown as the Web system 80. Figs. 31 and 32 are similar, but further show the process mainly executed by the connection control unit 13 of the first arcade system 10A as the first arcade system 10A, the process mainly executed by the connection control unit 13 of the second arcade system 10B as the second arcade system 10B, and the process mainly executed by the game control unit 33 of the center unit CN as the center unit CN.

[0164] When the start condition is satisfied in the mobile terminal device 4B (for example, when the user executes an operation to play the game unit 3), the progress control unit 43 starts the game request process of FIG. 30 and first requests the Web system 80 for a list of options to be presented in the selection opportunity (step S121). In the selection opportunity, as described above, the game unit 3 in operation is presented as an option as an example. For this reason, when the Web system 80 receives the request, it starts the game request process of FIG. 30 and first obtains the latest operation data OD (step S1101). In addition, the Web system 80 may transmit the obtained operation data OD to the mobile terminal device 4B as it is, but as an example, it extracts only the game unit 3 in operation based on the information on the "operational state" of the obtained operation data OD and generates operation data OD limited to the extracted game unit 3. Alternatively, the Web system 80 may send appropriate list data, such as text data in which only the game unit 3 in operation is extracted, instead of the operation data OD. Then, the Web system 80 transmits the generated operation data OD to the mobile terminal device 4B (step S1102). The operational data OD may be updated appropriately through well-known processing. For example, the update may be based on a signal from the game unit 3 transmitted when the power is turned on, or the Web system 80 may detect the connection of each game unit 3 to the network NT and update the data at any time.

[0165] On the other hand, when the mobile terminal device 4B acquires the operation data OD from the Web system 80, it provides a facility selection opportunity (step S122). The facility selection opportunity is provided through the facility selection screen 200 as described above. For this reason, the mobile terminal device 4B generates the facility selection screen 200 based on the information on the "facility" in the operation data OD in step S122, and displays it on the monitor 45. Next, the mobile terminal device 4B provides a unit selection opportunity (step S123). The unit selection opportunity is provided through the unit selection screen 210 as described above. For this reason, the mobile terminal device 4B generates the unit selection screen 210 based on the information on the "facility" and "operation status" in the operation data OD in step S123, and displays it on the monitor 45. More specifically, the unit selection screen 210 is generated and presented, which includes only the game units 3 that are in operation as unit options 211, among the game units 3 installed in the facility SA selected on the facility selection screen 200. However, since the game units 3 in the operation data OD have already been limited to the game units 3 in operation by the Web system 80, the mobile terminal device 4B may present a unit selection screen 210 including all game units 3 associated with the facility SA selected in the operation data OD as unit option options 211. Then, the mobile terminal device 4B requests a game from the Web system 80 based on the selection result in step S123 (step S124).

[0166] When the Web system 80 receives a game request from the mobile terminal device 4B, it determines whether the game unit 3 selected as the play target in the request is available for play (step S1103). This determination may be appropriately made based on various conditions for provision, but as an example, it is determined that the game unit 3 cannot be provided when a predetermined number or more of mobile terminal devices 4B are connected from outside to the same game unit 3. For this reason, the Web system 80 first inquires about the number of connections to the arcade system 10 of the facility SA in which the game unit 3 requested as the play target is installed. Then, if a predetermined number or more of mobile terminal devices 4B are already connected, it is determined that the game unit 3 cannot be provided, and if less than the predetermined number of mobile terminal devices 4B are connected, it is determined that the game unit 3 can be provided.

[0167] Next, the Web system 80 transmits the determination result of step S1103 (yes / no) to the mobile terminal device 4B (step S1104). If the determination result of step S1103 is that the game cannot be provided, the Web system 80 returns to the process of step S1103 and waits for another game request from the mobile terminal device 4B. On the other hand, if the determination result of step S1103 is that the game can be provided, the Web system 80 ends this game request process after transmitting step S1104. In this example, the information on the determination result transmitted by the Web system 80 in step S1103 functions as the yes / no information of the present invention.

[0168] On the other hand, when the mobile terminal device 4B obtains the determination result from the Web system 80, it determines whether the determination result is available or unavailable, that is, whether the game unit 3 corresponding to the selection result of step S123 can provide a game (step S125). If the determination result is negative, that is, if the game unit 3 corresponding to the selection result of step S123 cannot provide a game, the mobile terminal device 4B returns to step S123 and provides the process from step S123 onwards again. On the other hand, if the determination result of step S125 is positive, that is, if the game unit 3 corresponding to the selection result of step S123 can provide a game, the mobile terminal device 4B ends this game request process. As a result, a facility selection opportunity and a unit selection opportunity are provided for the game unit 3 to be played to be selected from options limited to the game units 3 in operation. In addition, it is determined whether the game unit 3 selected in these selection opportunities can actually provide a game, and if it cannot provide a game, another unit selection opportunity is given. On the other hand, if it can provide a game, a request is made to provide a game to the game unit 3 corresponding to the selection result.

[0169] The game providing process according to the third embodiment is a process for providing a game of the game unit 3 to a game machine 4 when a request to play the game unit 3 is made from the game machine 4 in the connection service according to the third embodiment. In the example of Fig. 31, the processes common to the game providing process according to the second embodiment are denoted by the same step symbols as in the example of Fig. 22, and description thereof will be omitted. Specifically, compared to the procedure in the example of Fig. 22, in the game providing process of Fig. 31, a process of step S711 is added to the process of the Web system 80.

[0170] Specifically, after processing step S702, the Web system 80 determines the load state of the arcade system 10 determined in step S702 (step S711). The load state may be determined as appropriate, but as an example, it is determined based on the sharing conditions. For example, the load of the arcade system 10 increases according to the number of connections of the mobile terminal devices 4B. For this reason, the sharing conditions may include the number of connections of the mobile terminal devices 4B (whether or not it is equal to or greater than a certain number that is less than a predetermined number for determining whether or not to provide). However, the load of the arcade system 10 may also increase based on other processing. For this reason, the sharing conditions are satisfied when it is determined that the load of the arcade system 10 is equal to or greater than a predetermined number.

[0171] Specifically, the Web system 80, for example, connects to the arcade system 10 and determines the current load. Then, it determines whether the load is equal to or greater than a predetermined number (whether the sharing condition is satisfied). In the game providing process according to the third embodiment, such a procedure is added compared to the procedure in the example of FIG. 22. Then, if the sharing condition is satisfied, the instruction in step S703 may include an instruction that generation of the game screen 100c is not required. As a result, the game unit 3 starts providing the game in response to a request from the mobile terminal device 4B, and the load of the arcade system 10 corresponding to the game unit 3 is also determined. Note that the load determination may be performed in the arcade system 10, in which case the process in step S711 may be omitted.

[0172] The progress providing process according to the third embodiment is a process for providing the game progress in the game unit 3 to the game machine 4 in the connection service according to the third embodiment. As described above, the game progress may be provided in various ways as appropriate, but the example of FIG. 32 shows the progress providing process according to the third embodiment in the case where the game progress is provided to the game machine 4 through the game screen 100c of the connection service, similar to the example of FIG. 14. The example of FIG. 32 also shows the progress providing process when the Web system 80 determines that the first arcade system 10A is in a high load state in the game providing process of FIG. 31, in other words, the progress providing process in the flow during high load. Note that in the case of the normal flow, it may be realized by the progress providing process similar to the example of FIG. 23 (however, the transmission destination in step S903 of FIG. 23 is changed from the second arcade system 10B to the mobile terminal device 4B).

[0173] When the center unit CN starts providing the game upon receiving an instruction to provide the game from the first arcade system 10A through the game providing process of Fig. 31, it starts the progress providing process of Fig. 32 and executes the processes of steps S301 to S303 similarly to the progress providing process according to the second form in the example of Fig. 23. Then, the center unit CN ends this progress providing process after the process of step S303.

[0174] Also, when the first arcade system 10A is provided with information on the progress from the center unit CN through the process of step S301, or when the first arcade system 10A is provided with end information from the center unit CN through the process of step S303, the first arcade system 10A starts the progress providing process of FIG. 32 and executes the process of step S401 as in the example of FIG. 23. Next, the first arcade system 10A transmits the acquired information to the Web system 80 (step S411). When the load is determined in the first arcade system 10A, the first arcade system 10A may determine its own load state (whether or not it can generate the game screen 100c) before step S411, and if it cannot generate the game screen 100c by itself, proceed to the process of step S411. When it can generate the game screen 100c by itself, the first arcade system 10A may subsequently execute the processes of steps S402 and S403 as in FIG. 23, as described above.

[0175] On the other hand, when the information is transmitted from the first arcade system 10A, the Web system 80 starts the progress providing process of FIG. 32 and first acquires the information (step S911). Next, the Web system 80 determines the arcade system 10 that is responsible for generating the game screen 100c (step S912). Specifically, the Web system 80 determines the arcade system 10 with a low load state in step S912 as the bearer that is responsible for generating the game screen 100c. In the example of FIG. 32, the second arcade system 10B is determined as such a bearer. Next, the Web system 80 transmits the information acquired in step S911 to the bearer (second arcade system 10B) determined in step S912. This transmission includes an instruction to generate the game screen 100c.

[0176] On the other hand, when the second arcade system 10B acquires information from the Web system 80, it generates a game screen 100c (step S511) and transmits the generated game screen 100c to the Web system 80 (step S512). The processes of steps S511 and S512 are realized in the same manner as the processes of steps S402 and S403 in the example of FIG. 23. After the transmission, the second arcade system 10B ends the current progress providing process. In this example, the process of generating the game screen 100c in step S511 functions as a part of the process of the present invention.

[0177] Furthermore, when the game screen 100c (image data) is transmitted from the second arcade system 10B, the Web system 80 acquires the game screen 100c (step S914). Next, the Web system 80 transmits the game screen 100c to the mobile terminal device 4B so that the game screen 100c is displayed on the monitor 45 of the mobile terminal device 4B (step S915). As an example, these may be realized in the same manner as the processes of steps S501 and S502 in FIG. 22. Then, after the transmission, the Web system 80 ends the current progress providing process. As a result, in the connection service according to the third embodiment, the mini-game is played on the mobile terminal device 4B through the provision of the game screen 100c. More specifically, the mini-game is played on the mobile terminal device 4B along the flow of the high load time in the connection service according to the third embodiment. In this example, the game screen 100c (image data) functions as the result of the process of the present invention.

[0178] As described above, according to the third embodiment, a facility selection opportunity for selecting a facility SA to play from among a plurality of facility SAs, and a unit selection opportunity for selecting a game unit 3 to be played from among a plurality of game units 3 installed in the facility SA are provided. In addition, the options presented in the unit selection opportunity are limited to a portion of the game units 3 in operation, rather than all game units 3. This can improve the user's convenience when a game unit 3 to be played is selected from a plurality of game units 3, compared to a case where all game units 3, including game units 3 that cannot be played, are presented as options.

[0179] Furthermore, when a user terminal device such as a mobile terminal device 4B is used as a game machine 4, one game unit 3 or many game machines 4 are connected to the same facility SA, and the load on the one game unit 3 or the arcade system 10 that handles the processing of the game unit 3 may become too high. On the other hand, in the third form, in addition to the normal flow, a flow during high load that is applied during such high load is prepared. In the flow during high load, the processing for generating the game screen 100c that should be executed by such a high-load arcade system 10 is executed by another arcade system 10. In other words, part of the processing that should be executed by the high-load arcade system 10 is shared by the other arcade system 10. This allows the processing load generated in the high-load arcade system 10 to be distributed to the other arcade systems 10.

[0180] In the third embodiment, the connection control unit 13 of the first arcade system 10A functions as the game providing means and the progress providing means of the present invention by executing the procedure of FIG. 31 and the procedure of FIG. 32. Specifically, the connection control unit 13 functions as the game providing means by executing the procedure of step S203 of FIG. 31, and functions as the progress providing means of the present invention by executing step S411 of FIG. 32. Alternatively, the connection management unit 84 of the Web system 80 functions as the game providing means and the progress providing means of the present invention by executing the procedure of FIG. 31 and the procedure of FIG. 32. Specifically, the connection management unit 84 functions as the game providing means of the present invention by executing the procedure of step S703 of FIG. 31, and functions as the progress providing means of the present invention by executing the procedure of step S915 of FIG. Also, the connection management unit 84 of the Web system 80 functions as the load determining means of the present invention by executing the procedure of step S711 of FIG. 31. Similarly, the connection management unit 84 of the Web system 80 functions as the system determination unit of the present invention by executing the procedure of step S912 in FIG.

[0181] Furthermore, the connection management unit 84 of the Web system 80 functions as the process providing means and result acquiring means of the present invention by executing the procedure of Fig. 32. Specifically, the connection management unit 84 functions as the process providing means by executing the procedure of step S913, and as the result acquiring means by executing the procedure of step S914. Also, the connection management unit 84 of the Web system 80 functions as the option extracting means, the information providing means, the provision determining means, and the yes / no providing means by executing the procedure of Fig. 30. Specifically, the connection management unit 84 functions as the option extracting means by executing the procedure of step S1101 of Fig. 30, as the information providing means by executing the procedure of step S1102 of Fig. 30, as the provision determining means by executing the procedure of step S1103 of Fig. 30, and as the yes / no providing means by executing the procedure of step S1104 of Fig. 30.

[0182] The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and may be embodied in various modified or altered forms. For example, the role (various processes, etc.) of the arcade system 10 (including the first arcade system 10A and the second arcade system 10B) in the above-mentioned embodiments may be performed in whole or in part by other systems such as the game machine 4, the center unit CN (game unit 3), or the Web system 80. The same applies to the role of the Web system 80. That is, the game system of the present invention may include various systems (including devices such as the game machine 4) as appropriate, and these may perform all or in part of the above-mentioned roles as appropriate. As a result, for example, only the arcade system 10, only the first arcade system 10A, only the second arcade system 10B, or the Web system 80 may function as the game system of the present invention, or only the game machine 4 or other appropriate systems such as the center unit CN (game unit 3) may function as the game system of the present invention. Of course, the present invention may be realized by an appropriate combination of them.

[0183] Various aspects of the present invention derived from the above-mentioned embodiments and modifications will be described below. In the following description, to facilitate understanding of each aspect of the present invention, corresponding components shown in the accompanying drawings are written in parentheses, but the present invention is not limited to the illustrated forms.

[0184] The game system of the present invention is a game system (1) connected via a network (NT) to a plurality of arcade game machines (3) as commercial game devices installed in a specified facility (SA), and when another game machine (4) configured as a game device separate from the plurality of arcade game machines is connected via the network (NT), the game system is equipped with: a selection option extraction means (84) for extracting some of the plurality of arcade game machines so that a portion of the plurality of arcade game machines is presented as selection candidates in a target selection opportunity for selecting an arcade game machine to be played from among the plurality of arcade game machines; and an information provision means (84) for providing information of the portion of the center units to the other game machine so that the target selection opportunity is provided via the other game machine.

[0185] According to the present invention, a target selection opportunity is provided for selecting a target arcade game machine from among a plurality of arcade game machines, but the options presented in the target selection opportunity are limited to some of the arcade game machines. This improves user convenience when a target arcade game machine is selected from among the plurality of arcade game machines, compared to when all of the plurality of arcade game machines are presented as options.

[0186] The part of the arcade game machines may be extracted appropriately. For example, appropriate arcade game machines such as arcade game machines confirmed to be installed in the facility, arcade game machines currently turned on (or confirmed to be connected to a network), etc. may be extracted as the part of the arcade game machines. Specifically, for example, in one aspect of the game system of the present invention, the option extraction means may extract the operating center units based on information on the operation status for determining whether each arcade game machine is operating or not, such that the operating arcade game machines among the plurality of center units function as the part of the arcade game machines, and the non-operating arcade game machines function as the remaining arcade game machines that are not presented as the selection candidates in the target selection opportunity.

[0187] The result of selection in the target selection opportunity may be used as appropriate. For example, one aspect of the game system of the present invention may include a provision determination means (84) for determining whether or not the target arcade game machine as the target arcade game machine can provide a game when the target arcade game machine is selected in the target selection opportunity, a game provision means (13, 84) for making the other game machine provide the game via the target arcade game machine when the target arcade game machine can provide the game, and a possibility provision means (84) for providing possibility information indicating whether or not the game can be provided to the other game machine when the target arcade game machine cannot provide the game, so that the target selection opportunity is provided again via the other game machine.

[0188] Furthermore, the multiple arcade game machines may be installed in one facility or multiple facilities. When the arcade game machines are installed in multiple facilities, an opportunity to select the facility may or may not be provided. For example, as one aspect of the game system of the present invention, when multiple facilities (SA1, SA2) are prepared as the facilities and the multiple arcade game machines are installed in the multiple facilities, a facility providing means (84) may be provided to provide information on the multiple facilities to the other game machine so that a facility selection opportunity to select a facility to play from among the multiple facilities is provided via the other game machine.

[0189] The arcade game machine and the other game machine may be any suitable game machine as long as they are different from each other. For example, the other game machine may be a user terminal device such as a mobile terminal device or a tablet, or may be a commercial game device (so-called arcade game machine) different from the arcade game machine. The same applies to the arcade game machine. The arcade game machine may also be a game unit in which a center unit and a plurality of station units that function as game destinations of the center unit are provided. Furthermore, when there are a plurality of types of game units, the station units of other game units (which may be the same type or different types) may be used as the other game machine. For this reason, the other game machine may be appropriately installed according to the type of these game devices. For example, the other game machine may be installed in the same facility as the arcade game machine, or may be installed in a facility of a different type from the arcade game machine. For example, the arcade game machine may be installed in a closed facility where users cannot freely enter (in other words, a facility where the game unit cannot be directly played), or may be installed in a facility used by a plurality of users (for example, a facility similar to the game machine). In this case, the separate game machine may be installed in a facility used by multiple users (a facility similar to the arcade game machine). The separate game machine may be installed in the same facility as the arcade game machine, or in a different facility. When the game unit is installed in a facility different from the game machine, the operators of those facilities may be the same or different. When the separate game machine and the arcade game machine are installed in the same facility, play on the arcade game machine may be treated in the same way as when it is installed in another facility, or may be treated specially.

[0190] Specifically, for example, in a mode in which a facility selection opportunity is provided, when the other game machine is installed in one of the multiple facilities, the system includes a facility determination means (13) for determining whether the other game machine is installed in a selected facility selected in the facility selection opportunity, and a target identification means (13) for identifying a specific arcade game machine capable of providing the target arcade game among the same type of arcade games when the other game machine is installed in the selected facility and the selected facility has an arcade game of the same type as the target arcade game, and the provision determination means may omit the determination of whether the game can be provided when the specific arcade game machine functions as the target arcade game machine. Also, in one mode of the game system of the present invention, at least one of a game unit (3A) provided with a center unit (CN) providing a center game and multiple station units (ST) each functioning as a provision destination of the center game, and the center unit may function as at least a part of the multiple arcade game machines.

[0191] The process for providing a game to another game machine may be implemented as appropriate. For example, it may be executed in another game machine, or in an arcade game machine. Alternatively, when various devices are interposed between the game machine and the arcade game machine, it may be executed in such devices. Furthermore, such processes may be appropriately shared between these game machines. For example, as one aspect of the game system of the present invention, when the game system is connected to the plurality of arcade systems via the network so as to be connected to the plurality of arcade game machines via a plurality of arcade systems (10A, 10B) provided corresponding to the plurality of arcade game machines, respectively, a load determination means (84) for determining the processing load of one arcade system (10A) as the arcade system corresponding to the arcade game machine to be played, and a system determination means (84) for determining another arcade system to which a part of the processing to be executed by the one arcade system to provide a game is to be shared by another arcade system (10B) when the processing load of the one arcade system satisfies a sharing condition. In this case, the processing load generated in the one arcade system can be distributed to the other arcade system.

[0192] The arcade game machine may provide various games as appropriate. For example, the arcade game machine may provide games that involve physical game media, or may provide so-called video games that do not involve such game media. Specifically, for example, in one aspect of the game system of the present invention, each arcade game machine may be configured to provide a game in exchange for the collection of a game medium, so that the game can be played via the game medium.

[0193] Furthermore, the computer programs (PG1, PG3) of the present invention are configured to cause a computer connected to the multiple arcade game machines via the network to function as each of the means of the game system described above.

[0194] The control method of the present invention causes a computer incorporated in a game system (1) connected via a network (NT) to a plurality of arcade game machines (3) as commercial game machines installed in a specified facility (SA), when another game machine (3) configured as a game machine different from the plurality of arcade game machines is connected via the network (NT), to execute a selection extraction procedure for extracting some of the plurality of arcade game machines so that the some of the arcade game machines are presented as selection candidates in a target selection opportunity for selecting an arcade game machine to be played from among the plurality of arcade game machines, and an information provision procedure for providing information of the some of the center units to the other game machine so that the target selection opportunity is provided via the other game machine. The game system of the present invention can be realized by executing the computer program or control method of the present invention.

[0195] (Reference example) In the system of Patent Document 1, game play in a remote location is realized via a client device. However, in the system of Patent Document 1, the client device merely uses one of the game machine booths from a remote location. Therefore, even if it is possible to play from a remote location, the number of game machine booths is limited. As a result, although the system of Patent Document 1 can use many devices such as user terminal devices as client devices, it does not fully utilize many of these devices.

[0196] Therefore, the reference example has an object to provide a game system etc. that can cause a game machine other than a game unit to function as a station unit added to the game unit.

[0197] The game system of the reference example is a game system (10, 80) connected via a network (NT) to a game unit (3A) having a center unit (CN) that provides a center game and a plurality of station units (ST) each functioning as a destination for providing the center game, and is installed in a facility (SA) so as to be used by a plurality of users. When a request to play the game unit is made from a game machine (4) connected via the network (NT) as a game device separate from the game unit, the game system is equipped with game providing means (13, 84) that causes the center unit to provide the center game for the game machine, and progress providing means (13, 84) that provides progress information regarding the progress of the center game to the game machine so that the center game can be played in the game machine separately from the plurality of station units.

[0198] According to the reference example, in response to a request from a game machine other than the game unit, a center game of the game unit is provided to the game machine so that it can be played separately from a plurality of station units. This allows the game machine other than the game unit to function as a station unit added to the game unit. As a result, the number of station units corresponding to one center unit can be increased by using the game machine, which in turn increases the number of users and the frequency of play.

[0199] The game machine may be any suitable game device as long as it is a game device separate from the game unit. For example, the game machine may be a user terminal device such as a mobile terminal device or a tablet, or may be a commercial game device (so-called arcade game machine) separate from the game unit. Furthermore, when there are multiple types of game units, a station unit of another game unit (which may be the same type or a different type) may be used as the game machine. Specifically, for example, in one aspect of the game system of the reference example, the game machine may function as one of the multiple other station units in another game unit (3B) in which another center unit providing a center game separate from the center game and multiple station units separate from the multiple station units are provided. In this aspect, the game providing means may cause the center unit to provide the center game so that the game unit provides the center game instead of the other game unit when the game unit is selected in a unit selection opportunity provided via the game machine to select either the other game unit or the game unit.

[0200] The progress (play) of the center game may be provided to the game machine as appropriate. For example, when the game unit and the game machine are located relatively close to each other and the progress of the center unit can be seen from the position of the game machine, only the result of the game may be provided to the game machine as the progress status. Alternatively, when the center game is configured as a lottery game including a plurality of lotteries, only the lottery result of each lottery (an appropriate partial range) may be provided to the game machine as the progress status. On the other hand, an image taken by an appropriate photographing means (for example, a camera) may be provided to the game machine as the progress status from time to time. Such an image may be provided only when the positional relationship between the game unit and the game machine is such that the progress cannot be visually observed (or when the game machine is not far away, but cannot be visually observed due to an obstacle or the like), for example, when the game machine is away from the game unit, or may be provided every time regardless of the positional relationship. The image taken by the photographing means in this manner may be provided under appropriate conditions. For example, in one aspect of the game system of the reference example, the center unit may be provided with a photographing means (CA) for photographing the progress of the center game, and the progress providing means may provide the progress information including the photographing results to the game machines so that the progress of the center game is provided through the photographing results of the photographing means. Also, in this aspect, the progress providing means may provide the progress information including the photographing results to the game machines when it is determined that the game machines are located a predetermined distance or more away from the center unit based on game machine position information (FD) indicating the position of the game machines and unit position information (FD) indicating the position of the center unit.

[0201] In a mode in which the photographing results (images) by the photographing means are provided to a game machine, the process for providing the photographing results to the game machine (processing using the photographing results is generally more likely to be a heavy load than processing that simply handles numerical values) may be implemented as appropriate. For example, it may be executed in the game machine, or in a device other than the game machine. Furthermore, such processing may be appropriately shared between these game machines or other devices. For example, as one reference example of utilizing the photographing results, a mode may be adopted in which, when connected to the multiple unit systems via the network so as to be connected to the multiple game units via multiple unit systems (10A, 10B) provided to correspond to the multiple game units (3) respectively as the game units, a load determination means (84) determines the processing load of a unit system (10A) corresponding to a game unit (3A) requested to be played by the game machine, a processing providing means (84) provides information necessary for the processing to another unit system so that, when the processing load of the one unit system satisfies a sharing condition, a part of the processing to be executed by the one unit system to provide the photographing results is shared by a unit system (10B) other than the one unit system, and a result acquisition means (84) acquires the results of the processing from the other unit system, and the progress providing means provides the progress information to the game machine so as to include the results of the processing shared by the other unit system. In this case, the processing load imposed on one unit system can be distributed to other unit systems.

[0202] The game units may be installed as appropriate. For example, they may be installed in the same facility as the game machines, or in a different type of facility from the game machines. For example, a closed facility that users cannot freely enter (in other words, a facility where the game units cannot be played directly) may be adopted as such a different type of facility. Alternatively, the game units may be installed in a facility used by multiple users (for example, a facility similar to the game machines). The game units may be installed in the same facility as the game machines, or in a different facility. When the game units are installed in a facility different from the game machines, the operators of those facilities may be the same or different. Then, a usage amount (amount of payment) may or may not be required for playing the game units via the game machines. For example, as one aspect of the game system of the reference example, when the game units are installed in a facility different from the game machines, an aspect may be adopted in which a payment calculation means (85) is provided for calculating a payment to be paid to the different facility in association with the provision of the center game to the game machines. In this case, a payment of a payment is required for the use of the game units installed in the different facilities. This can increase the profits of the different facilities.

[0203] Any suitable game may be provided as the center game. For example, a game involving a physical game medium may be provided as the center game, or a so-called video game without involving such a game medium may be provided. For example, in one aspect of the game system of the reference example, the game units may be configured to be played via the game medium by providing a center game via the center unit in exchange for game media collected via each station unit and the game machine.

[0204] When a game that generates a payout of game media is provided as a center game, the payout amount may be calculated appropriately. For example, such a payout amount may be calculated in the game unit or in the game machine. Alternatively, when various devices are interposed between the game unit and the game machine, the payout amount may be calculated in such devices. For example, in a mode in which a center game uses game media, when the center unit provides the center game so that the center unit pays out the game media, the progress providing means may provide the game machine with the progress information including information necessary for calculating the payout amount so that the payout amount of the game media associated with the result of the center game is calculated in the game machine. Game media are often exchanged for various values ​​such as money, and the exchange rate (rules) often differ depending on the game machine and the facility in which it is installed. When the payout amount is calculated in the game machine, rules specific to the game machine, such as the exchange rate, can be reflected in the payout amount.

[0205] Moreover, the computer programs (PG1, PG3) of the reference examples are configured to cause a computer connected to the game unit via the network to function as each of the means of the game system described above.

[0206] The control method of the reference example causes a computer (11, 81) incorporated in a game system (10, 80) connected via a network (NT) to a game unit (3A) having a center unit (CN) that provides a center game and a plurality of station units (ST) each functioning as a destination of the center game to execute a game providing procedure for causing the center unit to provide the center game for a game machine (4) that is installed in a facility (SA) for use by a plurality of users and connected via the network (NT) as a game device separate from the game unit when the game machine requests play of the game unit, and a progress providing procedure for providing progress information regarding the progress of the center game to the game machine so that the center game can be played separately from the plurality of station units in the game machine. The game system of the reference example can be realized by executing the computer program or control method of the reference example. [Explanation of symbols]

[0207] 3 Game unit (arcade game machine) 4. Gaming consoles 10 Arcade System (Game System) 11 Control unit (computer) 13 Connection control unit (game providing means, progress providing means, facility discrimination means, target identification means) 80 Web system (game system) 81 Control Unit (Computer) 84 connection management unit (game providing means, progress providing means, load determining means, processing providing means, result acquisition means, compensation calculation means, option extraction means, information providing means, provision determining means, availability providing means, system determining means) CN Center Unit NT Network SA Facility ST Station Unit

Claims

1. A game system connected via a network to a plurality of arcade game machines as commercial game devices installed in a predetermined facility, comprising: a selection option extraction means for extracting a part of the plurality of arcade game machines so that, when another game machine configured as a game device separate from the plurality of arcade game machines is connected via a network, the part of the plurality of arcade game machines is presented as selection candidates in a target selection opportunity for selecting an arcade game machine to be played from among the plurality of arcade game machines; an information providing means for providing information about the part of the arcade game machines to the other game machine so that the object selection opportunity is provided via the other game machine; Equipped with The option extraction means extracts, based on information on operating status for determining whether each arcade game machine is turned on, arcade game machines among the plurality of arcade game machines that are turned on function as the part of the arcade game machines, and arcade game machines that are not turned on function as the remaining arcade game machines that are not presented as the selection candidates in the target selection opportunity, in the game system.

2. a provision determination means for determining whether or not the target arcade game machine as the target arcade game machine to be played can provide a game when the target arcade game machine is selected in the target selection opportunity; a game providing means for causing the other game machine to provide the game via the target arcade game machine when the target arcade game machine is capable of providing the game; a game selection providing means for providing information indicating whether the game can be provided to the other game machine so that the target selection opportunity is provided again via the other game machine when the target arcade game machine is unable to provide the game; The game system of claim 1 .

3. 3. The game system according to claim 2, further comprising a facility providing means for providing information on the plurality of facilities to the other game machine so that, when a plurality of facilities are provided as the facility and the plurality of arcade game machines are installed in the plurality of facilities, a facility selection opportunity for selecting a facility to be played from among the plurality of facilities is provided via the other game machine.

4. a facility determination means for determining, when the different gaming machine is installed in any one of the plurality of facilities, whether or not the different gaming machine is installed in a selected facility that is a facility selected in the facility selection opportunity; a target specifying means for specifying, when the other game machine is installed in the selected facility and the selected facility has the same type of arcade game machine as the target arcade game machine, a specific arcade game machine capable of providing the game among the same type of arcade game machines; Equipped with 4. The game system according to claim 3, wherein said provision determining means omits determining whether or not said game can be provided when said specific arcade game machine functions as said target arcade game machine.

5. a load determining means for determining a processing load of one arcade system corresponding to the arcade game machine to be played when the arcade game machine is connected to the plurality of arcade systems via the network so as to be connected to the plurality of arcade game machines via the plurality of arcade systems provided corresponding to the plurality of arcade game machines, respectively; a system discrimination means for discriminating an arcade system to which a part of the processing to be executed by the one arcade system for providing a game should be shared, when the processing load of the one arcade system satisfies a sharing condition, so that the part of the processing to be executed by the one arcade system for providing a game is shared by another arcade system other than the one arcade system; The game system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising:

6. 6. The game system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of a center unit providing a center game and a plurality of station units each functioning as a destination of the center game is provided as at least a part of the plurality of arcade game machines, and at least one of the game unit and the center unit functions as a game unit.

7. 7. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein each arcade game machine is configured to be played via a gaming medium by offering a game in exchange for collection of the gaming medium.

8. A computer program configured to cause a computer connected to the plurality of arcade game machines via the network to function as each of the means of the game system according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. A computer incorporated in a game system connected via a network to a plurality of arcade game machines as commercial game devices installed in a specified facility, a selection selection step of selecting a part of the plurality of arcade game machines so that the part of the plurality of arcade game machines is presented as a selection candidate in a target selection opportunity for selecting an arcade game machine to be played from among the plurality of arcade game machines when another game machine configured as a game device separate from the plurality of arcade game machines is connected via a network; an information providing step of providing information about the part of the arcade game machines to the other game machine so that the object selection opportunity is provided via the other game machine; Run the command, The option extraction step is a control method in which, based on information on operating status for determining whether each arcade game machine is turned on, an arcade game machine that is turned on among the plurality of arcade game machines functions as one of the arcade game machines, and an arcade game machine that is not turned on functions as the remaining arcade game machine that is not presented as a selection candidate in the target selection opportunity.

Images