Namco Limited

Hajime Nakatani

Masamichi Abe

Yutaka Konoe

Yoshihito Saito

Koichi Tashiro

Takashi Sano

Mamoru Ikezawa

Kosei Matsuura

An information storage device stores number-of-times-played information, total-playing-time information, and game-setting information, so that this information is retained after a games machine has been switched off. A game computation section performs game computations on the basis of manipulation information from the manipulation section, game-setting information that is stored in the information storage device, and a given program. An image synthesis section synthesizes a game image on the basis of results of these game computations. When a power detection section detects that power has been turned on, a read section reads information from the information storage device, then an information updating section updates the number-of-times-played information and total-playing-time information each time the game is played and also updates the game-setting information when the number of times played or the like exceeds a given number. After a given period of time has elapsed, a new game character appears for the player to select.

Game apparatus, image synthesizing method, and data storage medium

A multi-player type video game playing system permits a plurality of players to play and enjoy a game within the common game space. The video game has a cylinder-shaped screen; a plurality of projectors arranged and allocated to project a game scene continuously extending around the entire circumference of the cylindrical screen; a plurality of players' operating sections arranged radially toward the screen; and an image processor for computing a game scene to be projected onto the screen in accordance with input signals from the players' operating sections and a predetermined game program. The image signals representative of the computed game scene are supplied to the projectors to form the game scene continuously extending around the entire circumference of the screen, whereby any one of the players can face and observe a transversely widened game scene covering the entire field of view for that player such that all the players can enjoy the game with increased reality.

Multi-player type video game playing system

Growing community of inventors

Yokohama, Japan

Hajime Nakatani