Game machine apparatus and method with enhanced time-related display of pokemon-type characters

• US 6,251,010 B1
• Filed: 05/18/2000
• Issued: 06/26/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Game Freak, Inc., Creatures, Inc. (Nintendo Company Limited), Nintendo Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Game Freak, Inc., Creatures, Inc. (Nintendo Company Limited), Nintendo Company Limited
• Inventors: Ishihara, Tsunekazu, Tajiri, Satoshi
• Primary Examiner(s): ONEILL, MICHAEL W
• Application Number:
  US09/573,200
• Time in Patent Office: 404 Days
• Field of Search: 463/1, 463/23, 463/29, 463/30, 463/31, 463/43, 273/148.03
• US Class Current: 463/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/34 using peer-to-peer connections
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/44 involving timing of operations, e.g. performing an action within a time slot
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/5378 for displaying an additional top view, e.g. radar screens or maps using two or more virtual cameras concurrently A63F13/5252
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/58 by computing conditions of game characters, e.g. stamina, strength, motivation or energy level
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/822 Strategy games; Role-playing games A63F13/825, A63F13/828 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/825 Fostering virtual characters
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/833 Hand-to-hand fighting, e.g. martial arts competition A63F13/837 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/92 Video game devices specially adapted to be hand-held while playing
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/95 Storage media specially adapted for storing game information, e.g. video game cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/204 the platform being a handheld device
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/206 Game information storage, e.g. cartridges, CD ROM's, DVD's, smart cards
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/307 for displaying an additional window with a view from the top of the game field, e.g. radar screen
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/408 Peer to peer connection
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/638 according to the timing of operation or a time limit
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/65 for computing the condition of a game character
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8029 Fighting without shooting
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8058 Virtual breeding, e.g. tamagotchi
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/807 Role playing or strategy games

Abstract

A game machine of a type that a player object is moved on a map to encounter with a character includes a program storage storing a game program, a clock at least clocking a time, an operation device for operating the player object, and an image processor for varying a display image based on the operation of the operation device. The game program storage stores a program for varying an appearance condition of the character appearing on the game map based on time information of the clock.

Claims

1. A game machine for executing a game program of a type having an associated display wherein a player object is moved within a displayed territory to encounter a character, comprising:

a program storage for storing a game program;

a clock for generating time related information;

an operation control member actuated by a player for controlling the display of a player object; and

a processor for executing said program to vary a displayed image based on the operation of said operation control member, wherein

said game program storage stores a program for evaluating a time related criteria using said time related information, and for varying the likelihood for a character to appear on the game display in a portion of said territory based at least in part on the evaluation of said time related criteria.

2. The game machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said game program storage stores a program in which the likelihood for a character to appear on the game display is set at a predetermined probability based on the evaluation of said time related criteria.

3. The game machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said territory is represented by a displayed map and wherein said game program storage stores a program in which a type of the character appearing at a location on the game map is set to vary depending on a time range based on the time related information from said clock.

4. The game machine as claimed in claim 2, further comprising:

a first random number generator for generating a first random number;

a first comparator for comparing data related to the likelihood of a character appearing with said first random number; and

wherein said processor is operable to perform character appearance processing when said data related to the likelihood of a character appearing has a predetermined relationship with said first random number.

5. The game machine as claimed in claim 4, further comprising:

a second random number generator for generating a second random number;

a second comparator for comparing a plurality of character pointers each indicating a different value with said second random number; and

wherein said processor is operable to control the display of a character indicated by any of the character pointers having a predetermined relationship with said second random number.

6. The game machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein

said character is an imaginary creature distinguishable by sex, and

said game program storage stores a program in which, when the same type creatures having different sex are coupled and kept in a same region in said territory, and in which a child inheriting properties of the both sexes of the creature type is set to be born after a predetermined elapsed time.

7. A storage medium in which a game program is stored for controlling a game machine having an associated display, wherein a player object is moved within a territory to encounter a character,

said game program controlling said game machine to perform the operations comprising the steps of:

generating time related information;

detecting operation of a control member by a player to control movement of the player object;

varying a displayed image based on said detected movement of the player object;

evaluating a time-related criteria using said time related information;

varying the likelihood for a character to appear on the game display in a portion of the territory based at least in part on the evaluation of said time-related criteria.

8. A method of operating a game machine having an associated display wherein a player object is moved within a territory to encounter a character, comprising the steps of:

generating time related information;

controlling movement of the player object in response to actuation of an operation control member;

varying a displayed image based on detected movement of the player object;

evaluating a time-related criteria using said time related information;

varying the likelihood for a character to appear on the game display in a portion of the territory based at least in part on the evaluation of said time-related criteria.

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein said step of varying the likelihood includes the step of storing data relating to a predetermined probability based on the time related information.

10. A method according to claim 8, wherein said territory is represented by a displayed map and further including the step of storing data relating to the type of character appearing at a location on the game map to vary based on the time related information.

11. A method according to claim 8, further including the steps of

generating a first random number;

comparing data related to the likelihood of a character appearing with said first random number; and

displaying said character when said data related to the likelihood of a character appearing has a predetermined relationship with said first random number.

12. A method according to claim 11, further including the steps of

generating a second random number;

comparing a plurality of character pointers each indicating a different value with said second random number; and

controlling the display on said game map of a character indicated by any of the character pointers having a predetermined relationship with said second random number.

13. A method according to claim 8, wherein said character is an imaginary creature distinguishable by sex, and further including the steps of

associating a pair of same type creatures having different sex,

keeping said pair in a same region of said game map,

storing data relating to a child of said pair inheriting properties of the both sexes of the creature type of said pair;

and

scheduling said child to be born based on a predetermined elapsed time.