Abstract: A plurality of regions are set for a target, and target information for specifying information relating to a second movable object, which is set to be moveable toward a first movable object for each region, is stored. The game controller judges, in response to the operation of the operator, in which region the first movable object, at an arrival position, which has started movement from the reference position, is located, refers to the target information, and arranges the second movable object in a virtual space based on the information relating to the second movable object corresponding to the region in which the first movable object is located.

Abstract: A dart game apparatus includes an image display body which displays an image of a target; a panel body, which has a plurality of holes each with a cross-sectional size substantially the same as that of an end of a soft dart, which is also formed, extending toward each hole, with an inclined surface in a ridge taken as a border between adjacent holes. A coordinate detecting body is disposed on a front surface of the panel body and detects coordinates of the position of the soft dart, the end of which is inserted into any of the plurality of holes. The coordinate detecting body has at least four rims, in which so as to correspond to the four rims two pairs of a light-emitting sensor section and a light-receiving sensor section for detecting light emitted by the light-emitting sensor section are provided respectively on the rims arranged face-to-face in parallel.

Abstract: A game control program includes a coordinates receiving step for receiving coordinates in a virtual apace, coordinates being input by a player, a course generating step for generating a course according to the coordinates input by the player, along which course a character moves in the virtual space, a course segment setting step for dividing said course into a plurality of segments, a geographical feature setting step for setting geographical features of each of the segments according to geographical position of each of the segments in the virtual space, an event setting step for setting events occurring on each of the segments according to a predetermined random factor, and a character moving step for moving the character in a direction substantially along the segment. A game control machine includes corresponding means.

Abstract: A collective system for billing management of each game machine installed in shops or the like via communication network. A limit is set to the usable number, while the game machine is ensured continuous use as long as it is properly used and the billing is carried out regularly during the continuous use on a pay-per-use basis. The play count is counted up every time one game is played, and when the play count has reached or exceeded a count limit, the use of the game machine is restricted. The game machine is connected to a billing server via a communication network. The billing server includes a count limit renewing unit which renews the count limit of the game machine that has transmitted billing information, and transmits the new count limit back to the game machine every time the billing server receives the billing information from the game machine.

Abstract: In a game machine, image display not giving the player a feeling of oddness or disadvantage during game progress even if a non-display at a physical distance is present between different display screen areas. The game machine executes program for controlling image display of first and second display screens on both sides of a non-display area. To move an object from the first to the second display screen and display it there. The movement angle and movement speed are calculated at the display coordinate position of the object displayed on the first display screen, and the movement distance which the object moves through the non-display area from the movement angle is determined. Further, a preset additional distance corresponding to the object to the movement distance is added to use it as a virtual movement distance. The object on the second display screen is displayed when the time required for the object to move the virtual movement distance has elapsed.

Abstract: A game machine which uses play items such as cards and which enables the player to play a game seriously and to concentrate in the game so as to win over the opponent is provided according to the present invention. The game machine controls the progress of a game based on data read out from the play items, and issues a new play item for each game played. The game machine includes means for setting a game fee at a discount rate in accordance with the number of previous consecutive wins for the player to try a next post-victory bonus game after winning one game, and means for determining the number of games played based on the outcome (win or loss) of the player's previous games and for issuing new play items collectively to the player by the number corresponding to the determined number of games played.

Abstract: A control program for an action game according to the present invention in which one of a plurality of characters moving in a game space is selected to be an attack target, in response to an operation of a game player, comprises: a selectable candidate object judging step of judging each of said plurality of characters as to whether or not it is a selectable candidate object which is qualified to be an attack target and which is in position relationship which could be selected as an attack target, a selection order deciding step of deciding an order of selecting those of said plurality of selectable candidate objects, which have been judged by the selectable candidate object judging step; and an attack target changing step of selecting, based on the selection order decided by the selection order deciding step, one of said plurality of characters as an attack target and sequentially changing the attack target in response to an attack target changing operation by the game player.

Abstract: At the beginning of a game, the re-sortie gauge 100 is displayed in the cost gauge 90 displayed on the display unit 8. This re-sortie gauge 100 is displayed in, for example, a horizontal blue bar, and indicates the reserve cost given to the player at the time with its overall length. This reserve cost is a predetermined numerical value, and is given equally to each player. Accordingly, the same reserve cost is automatically given irrespective of whether the player is experienced or a beginner. For example, if a versus game starts and the player's own unit is attacked by an opponent unit and destroyed, the display length is reduced by subtracting the cost value of the destroyed unit from the re-sortie gauge 100. While the remaining level of the re-sortie gauge 100 is being displayed, control is performed so as to cause the destroyed unit to sortie again.

Abstract: In a game where a character is moved at a high speed to a goal along a path that is set in a virtual three-dimensional space, an operation mistake is better prevented in a movement operation of the character. A plurality of paths where the character moves are set in parallel in the virtual three-dimensional space. Game control means includes path information storing means for storing a coordinate position and a directional vector that are given to each point of a sequence of points arranged in each of the paths. Additionally, the position coordinate of the character moving in one of the paths is calculated based on the information stored in the path information storing means.

Abstract: A game machine is provided with a target, a CRT, a card reader and a cash-box on a front face. A player inserts his own ID card into the card reader. The CRT displays information concerning a game and has a function of a game display when a game adopting darts is executed. A target is both a target hit by an arrow and also a tool by which players obtain points, areas or numerals by arrow throwing. A button is provided on the game machine for “Player Change” of the darts, which is used as an operation input switch for a control unit (100).

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention includes processes for detecting an event input, inputted as an operation signal, and determining sound characteristic information and sound effects corresponding to the event input, obtaining a first sound source position coordinates information in which a location where an event occurred in a virtual space is taken, determining a propagation mode of a sound to be produced corresponding to the event input in the virtual space based on sound characteristics information and the first sound source position coordinates information, determining a second sound source position coordinates information indicating a position of a sound source on the radar image based on the first sound source position coordinates information, and displaying a sound wave image indicating a propagation mode of the sound effect on the radar image based on the propagation mode of the sound and the second sound source position coordinates information.

Abstract: In order to provide a toy that increases the commercial value of the toy, imparts fresh wonderment and intellectual excitement to the user, and employs a simple structure with a suppressed number of parts, thus making it possible to reduce manufacturing costs and the number of manufacturing processes, the toy (1) comprises: an external component (2), provided with a hole (10) on the lower portion thereof, that maintains a substantially spherical shape and is provided with a housing space formed on the interior thereof; a lower component (3) disposed such that it can move between the inside and the outside of the housing space through the hole (10), and is disposed such that, when inside the housing space, the lower surface thereof aligns with the surface of the external component (2) and the toy (1) forms a substantially spherical shape; a locking means; a magnetic body disposed inside the lower component (3); and an elastic component.

Abstract: Provided are a program and an information processing apparatus for controlling execution of a ball sports simulation game that can provide for a player sensations similar to those experienced when actually playing the sports.

Abstract: A server is connected via a network to a plurality of information terminals in which predetermined application programs are executed. When the predetermined application programs are executed, the information terminals notify the server of member identifiers that identify the users. The server generates program identification numbers identifying the predetermined application programs stored in the plurality of information terminals, correlates the program identification numbers with the member identifiers, and manages each application program (program identification number manager). Then, the server verifies whether the program identification numbers transmitted from the information terminals at the time the predetermined application programs are started match program identification numbers managed in the server.

Abstract: A background image acquisition technique is disclosed for acquiring a background image that is required for calculating a background difference in a video game that uses an input image supplied by a camera while enabling command input through image recognition of a player image. The background image acquisition technique involves compositing a button item for responding to an operation of a player with a portion of an image captured by the camera which captured image includes a player image representing the posture of the player, displaying the composite image on a monitor screen, guiding the player into position such that the player image is accommodated within said portion of the captured image, and acquiring an image of a region of the captured image other than said portion as the background image.

Abstract: By means of an image drawing program stored in a storage medium readable by an image processing system, the corresponding image processing system and the corresponding image drawing method, shadows are drawn for a plurality of characters, without imposing a large load on the processor, by referencing a shadow created in advance, and using the shadow for other characters to draw numerous humanoid shadows for display on one screen.

Abstract: A system and method for transmitting messages among terminals with increasing uncertainty. According to one embodiment, players in a game exchange text messages via wireless computing devices. A first player selects from among a menu of fixed phrases and inserts words within the phrase to complete a message. When the message is received at a second wireless computing device, the message may be degraded by, for example, by removing one or more words or reducing a reliability rating. As the message is passed to third and subsequent wireless computer devices, the message can be further degraded. By degrading the message, the curiosity of a player can be peaked, thus resulting in more engaging game play.

Abstract: In a video game device which performs a video game wherein a game character or unit moves through a plurality of paths including a plurality of branch points according to an instruction of a player, a first movement control unit displays branch-direction indications enabling the player to select one of a plurality of first branch directions at a branch point on a path in the video game, so that a selected one of the plurality of first branch directions is received from the player. A second movement control unit displays preceding-branch-direction indications enabling the player to select, in advance, one of a plurality of second branch directions at a branch point on a following path in the selected first branch direction, so that a selected one of the plurality of second branch directions is received from the player.

Abstract: To enabling actions that meet even diversified display patterns such as a prize hooked on a prize drop hole. An article housing section for storing articles, an article capturing section for capturing an article in the article housing section, lifting means for moving the article capturing section up and down, control means for controlling the movement of the article capturing section by the lifting means, and detection means for detecting that the article capturing section being moved downward by the lifting means strikes against any object including the article in the article housing section are provided. The control means performs control for operating the lifting means to continue to move the article capturing section downward even after the control means receives a detection signal from the detection means, and after the continued downward movement, stopping the downward movement of the article capturing section.

Abstract: A virtual image generation apparatus comprising shape data memory for storing shape data pertaining to obstacles and the like, position data specifier for specifying position data for the subjects, overlap determiner for determining, on the basis of shape data and position data, whether or not physical objects located between a visual point and a subject should overlap and be visible from the visual point, and image generator for generating virtual images wherein physical objects are processed by prescribed show-through processing (mesh processing, translucent processing, or the like) when it is determined that an overlapping state exists. Accurate overlap determinations can be made using a vector that extends from the visual point towards an object and a vector that extends from an obstacle towards the object, and mesh processing or other show-through processing used to produce a suitable display of the subject obscured by a physical object.