JP2000005435A - Game device and information storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] In a game in which a later player can enter at least one game space in which a preceding player is playing a given game, the number of elements involved with others is increased, and all players are multiplayer. To provide a game device and an information storage medium that allow a user to enjoy a game. A game device capable of executing a multiplayer game. Entry processing unit 144 that performs processing for a subsequent player to enter at least one game space in which a preceding player is playing a given game.
And a game calculation unit 148 for the subsequent player and the starting player to play a given game in the same game space. The entry processing unit 144 includes a game start position determination unit 145 that determines a game start position of a later player based on a game situation of a preceding player, and a game start that performs processing of starting a game of a later player from the determined game start position. And a processing unit 146.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game apparatus and an information storage medium in which a later player can enter at least one game space in which a preceding player is playing a given game.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A game device for playing a multiplayer game by connecting a plurality of game devices via a communication line or the like has been put to practical use, and a plurality of players play in a common game space. It is very popular as a game that you can enjoy. In such a multi-player game system, conventionally, a system has been adopted in which players who have entered within a predetermined entry time simultaneously start a game. Therefore, when the game has already been started, it was not possible to join the game from the middle.

However, in recent years, a game device has been developed which employs an all-time entry system in which a later player can enter the game space played by a preceding player at any time and play in a common game space. Have been done.

[0004] For example, when an all-time entry system is adopted in a racing game, a later player enters at an arbitrary time in a game space in which a preceding player is already racing and enters a race with the preceding player. It can be carried out.

When such an all-time entry system is employed, each player car starts a race at a different timing. However, since the start point is fixed to one place in the conventional game apparatus, when the later player car starts, the earlier player car often progresses considerably earlier.

[0006] In such a case, even when playing in the same game space, the later player car and the earlier player car remain forever separated and the game ends without entanglement. In this case, even if the player participates in the multiplayer game, the later player cannot enjoy the fun of the multiplayer game.

For example, when an all-time entry system is employed in a fighting game, a later player enters the game space in which a preceding player has already competed at any time and competes with the preceding player. Can be performed.

However, assuming that the entry position of the late player is fixed, if the enemies happen to be close together by chance, the late player may be killed as soon as he enters. Further, when the entry position of the late player is far from the main battlefield when the game field is large, a time loss from entry to reaching the main battlefield increases.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to allow a later player to enter at least one game space in which a preceding player is playing a given game. In a good game,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a game device and an information storage medium in which elements of entanglement with others are increased and all players can enjoy a multiplayer game.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a game device capable of executing a multi-player game, in which a later player enters at least one game space in which a preceding player is playing a given game. And a game calculation means for the late player and the starting player to play a given game in the same game space, wherein the entry processing means is based on the game situation of the preceding player. Game start position determining means for determining a game start position of a player; and game start processing means for performing a process of starting a game of a later player from the game start position determined by the game start position determining means. I do.

Here, the multi-player game is
A game in which a plurality of players can play a game simultaneously in the same game space.

A method of sharing a game space by a plurality of players may be a case where a multi-player game is formed on a single board, or a plurality of game boards may be connected by a communication line or the like to transmit and receive data. It may be performed. In the latter case, the respective game boards may independently perform the game calculation of the multi-player game, or the master machine and the slave machine may be configured so that the slave machine receives the calculation result of the master machine. .

According to the present invention, a late player can enter at least one game space in which at least one game space is being played by a preceding player, and the preceding player and the late player can play in the same game space. Here, the number of game spaces is not necessarily limited to one.

The game situation of the preceding player includes, for example, a position, a running distance, and the like of the preceding player in a racing game or the like. Further, in a battle game or the like, the information includes, for example, the arrangement of the game character of the preceding player, the position of the main battlefield, and the like.

The game start position means, for example, the position in the game space where the player's game character exists at the start of the game.

If the game start position is fixed at one position, the position of the preceding player and the position of the subsequent player are too far apart, and in many cases, the entanglement with other players, which is an interesting feature of the multiplayer game, does not occur.

According to the present invention, when the later player enters the game space where the preceding player is playing a game, the starting position of the game of the later player is determined based on the game situation of the preceding player. For this reason, the game start position of the subsequent player can be determined so that the entanglement between the preceding player and the subsequent player easily occurs. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a game device in which all players, including players who have participated late, can enjoy the multiplayer game, and the players can be more satisfied.

Note that a plurality of preceding players may be provided. In this case, the game start position determining means may determine the game start position based on the game situation of at least one preceding player.

When there are a plurality of preceding players, the game condition changing means may change the game conditions based on an average game result of the plurality of preceding players.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the game start position determining means determines the game start position of the game character of the later player based on the arrangement of the game character of the preceding player in the game space.

The arrangement of the preceding player includes, for example, the position and direction of the preceding player.

The game character is, for example, a player car in a racing game or the like, or a player character or the like operated by the player in a battle game or the like.

For example, in a racing game or the like, if the distance between the preceding player and the player car is too large, there is a problem that the entanglement between the preceding player car and the subsequent player car is less likely to occur.

In a battle game, for example, when a late player enters the game from a location where enemy game characters are densely crowded, he or she will be killed as soon as he or she enters the game, and will be placed too far from the main battlefield. If you participate in the battle from, there will be a problem that a time loss will occur before going to the main battlefield.

According to the present invention, it is possible to determine an optimal start position that does not cause the above-mentioned problem, based on the arrangement of the game character of the preceding player.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the game start position determining means determines a game start position of a later player from a plurality of preset game start points.

According to the present invention, a game start position of a later player is determined from a plurality of game start points set in advance. For this reason, a plurality of candidate game start points can be set or selected in accordance with the terrain, the arrangement of the objects, and the like. Therefore, it is possible to provide a game device capable of setting a more natural game start point by previously arranging an object in a game effect at the game start point.

The present invention is also a game device for performing a racing game, wherein the game start position determining means determines a start point which is a game start position of a later player based on a running position of a preceding player car, The game start processing means performs a process of starting a player car of a later player from the start point.

In a racing game, for example, it is preferable to provide a starting point for a player car of a later player behind a player car at the tail of a preceding player. In this way, the later player can participate in the game without giving the preceding player a sense of discomfort.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a game device that allows a player who has participated late to enjoy a race involving a preceding player.

According to the present invention, there is provided a game device for playing a battle game, wherein the game start position determination means determines a participation position which is a game start position of a later player based on a battle position of a game character of a preceding player. The game start processing means performs a process of causing a game character of a later player to enter the battle position from the participation position.

In a fighting game, if the entry position is fixed, and if enemies happen to be densely around it, the late player may be killed as soon as he enters. Also,
If the game field is wide and the entry position of the late player is far from the main battlefield, the time loss from entry to reaching the main battlefield increases. Therefore, it is preferable to enter the battle from a point slightly away from the main battlefield but not so far.

According to the present invention, there is provided a game apparatus in which a late player can start a game from an optimal battle position, because the late player's battle position is determined based on the battle position of the preceding player's game character. can do.

The present invention is also an information storage medium for executing a multi-player game, and executes a process for a subsequent player to enter at least one game space in which a preceding player is playing a given game. Entry processing information to be performed, and game calculation information for the subsequent player and the starting player to perform a given game in the same game space, and the entry processing information is based on the game situation of the preceding player, It is characterized by including game start position determination information for determining a start position, and game start processing information for performing a process of starting a game of a later player from the determined game start position.

Further, in the present invention, the game start position determination information includes information for determining the game start position of the game character of the later player based on the arrangement of the game character of the preceding player in the game space. And

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the game start position determination information includes information for determining a game start position of a later player from a plurality of preset game start points.

According to the present invention, there is also provided an information storage medium for performing a racing game, wherein the game start position determination information includes a start point which is a game start position of a later player based on a running position of a preceding player car. The game start processing information includes information for performing a process of starting a player car of a later player from the start point.

The present invention is also an information storage medium for playing a battle game, wherein the game start position determination information is
Based on the battle position of the game character of the preceding player, the game start information of the later player includes information for determining the entry position, and the game start processing information includes:
It is characterized by including information for performing a process of causing a game character of a later player to enter from the entry position.

[0039]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

1. FIG. 1 shows an example of a connection between game devices.

In this embodiment, a plurality of independent game devices 10-1, 10-2, 10-3, 10-4, 10-5, and 10-6 are connected in a loop, for example. And the game device 1
Each of 0-1 to 10-6 transmits / receives data regarding a shared game space to / from another game device via the transmission line 12. In the present embodiment, the data is transmitted so as to go around the transmission line 12 in a clockwise direction.

Each of the game devices 10-1 to 10-6 has
It is configured so that a single player type game can be played independently.

2. Configuration of Game Device FIG. 2 shows an example of a functional block diagram of the game device.

The operation section 120 is used by a player to input operation data, and its function can be realized by hardware such as a lever, a button, a steering wheel, an accelerator, and a brake in a racing game.

The information storage medium 130 stores information such as programs and data, and its function is realized by hardware such as ROM, CDROM, hard disk, game cassette, IC card, MO, FD, and DVD. it can. In the information storage medium 130, various information for realizing the present embodiment (information for transmitting and receiving data, a late player enters an at least one game space where a preceding player is playing a given game) (Hereinafter referred to as all-time entry), and information for the later player and the preceding player to play a given game in the same game space) are stored. The information stored in the information storage medium 130 is at least one of a program code, image information, sound information, shape information of a display object, table data, list data, player information, and the like for performing the processing of the present embodiment. Is included.

The processing unit 140 controls the entire game device,
It performs various kinds of processing such as instruction of instructions to each block in the game device and game calculation, and the function thereof is a CPU.
(CISC type, RISC type), ASIC (gate array, etc.). Here, the processing unit 140 operates based on player operation data input from the operation unit 120 via the I / O port 124, programs and data from the information storage medium 130, and the like. The processing unit 140 performs various processes using the work memory 158 as a work area.

The processing section 140 includes a transmission / reception processing section 142, an entry processing section 144, and a game calculation section 148.

Here, the transmission / reception processing unit 142 performs processing for transmitting / receiving data to / from another game device. For example, writing transmission data to the buffer memory 180,
Read the received data from the buffer memory 180,
Processing such as issuing various instructions for transmission and reception to the communication control unit 170 is performed.

The entry processing section 144 performs a process for a subsequent player to enter at least one game space in which a preceding player is playing a game.

The entry processing section 144 includes a game start position determination section 145 for determining the game start position of the later player based on the game situation of the preceding player, and a later player based on the game start position determined by the game start position determination section 145. And a game start processing unit 146 that performs a process of starting the game.

The game calculation unit 146 performs a game calculation so that the new player and the first player play a given game in the same game space.

The work memory 158 serves as a work area for the processing section 140, the image generation section 160, the sound generation section 164, the communication control section 170 and the like, and its functions can be realized by hardware such as a RAM.

The image generating section 160 generates various images according to an instruction from the processing section 140 and the like, and
The function is the ASI for image generation.
It can be realized by hardware such as C, CPU, DSP and a given program (image generation program).

The sound generation unit 164 generates various sounds in accordance with instructions from the processing unit 140 and outputs the generated sounds to the sound output unit 166. The function of the sound generation unit 164 is as follows.
It can be realized by hardware such as a CPU and a DSP and a given program (sound generation program).

The communication control section 170 performs various kinds of control for communication, and has a function of a communication ASIC,
It can be realized by hardware such as a CPU or a given program (communication program).

The buffer memory 180 temporarily stores received data and transmitted data.
It can be realized by hardware such as AM. Here, buffer memory 180 has a transmission-only area 182 and a transmission / reception area 184.

The data received from the preceding game device is I
The data is written to the transmission / reception area 184 via the / O port 172 and the communication control unit 170. If the received data is not necessary for the game device, the data is transmitted from the transmission / reception area 182 to the subsequent game device via the communication control unit 170 and the I / O port 172 as it is. On the other hand, if necessary, the received data is read by the processing unit 140 and written to the work memory 158. Then, after a given process is performed by the processing unit 140 or the like, the data is written to the transmission-only area 182 as transmission data, and transmitted to the subsequent game device via the communication control unit 170 and the I / O port 172.

3. Operation of the present embodiment A case where the present embodiment is applied to a racing game device will be described.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of determining a starting position of a later player in a racing game that allows all-time entry. Reference numeral 300 denotes a racing course provided in the game space.
Numerals 1 to 310-11 indicate the positions of the player cars of the preceding players. In FIG. 3, a plurality of start points S1 to S4 are set.

According to the present invention, the start position of the later player's player car is determined to be one of the plurality of start points S1 to S4 based on the traveling position of the preceding player's player car. For example, in the case of starting from the point where entanglement with the player's car of the other player is most likely to occur, the start point S1 where the preceding player's cars are densely determined is determined as the start position.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of a starting point in a racing game in which all-time entry is possible.

In order to more naturally produce the start of the player car of the later player, as shown in FIG. 4, lead-in lines 320-1 to 320-4 are provided from this course.
The start points S′1 to S′4 may be set there.

In this manner, in the situation as shown in FIG. 3, for example, the starting point of the player car of the later player starts from S'1. That is, the player car of the late player appears in the game space in such a manner as to join the course from the drop-in line. Because of this, unlike late-stage player cars suddenly appearing on the course,
A natural start without discomfort can be produced.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation example of determining the start position of the later player by the method of determining the start position described in FIGS.

It is determined whether there is an entry of a new player in the game space where all-time entry is possible,
If not, the process in the attract mode is performed (step S1).
0, S15). If a new player has entered, it is first determined whether there is a preceding player who has already played a game in the same game space (step S10,
S20). If there is no preceding player, a process for starting the player car of the entry player from the normal start position is performed (step S30).

If there is a preceding player, the traveling position information of the preceding player car is obtained (step S40), and the most densely located point of the preceding player car is calculated based on the traveling position information of the preceding player car. (Step S
50).

Then, the start point closest to the dense point is determined as the start position of the subsequent player car (step S60), and the process of starting the player car of the subsequent player from the determined start position is performed (step S60).
70).

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining another example of the determination of the start position of the later player in a racing game that allows all-time entry. 6 in FIG.
00 is a racing course, and 420-1 to 420-
Reference numeral 4 denotes the position of the preceding player's racing car that started at the same time, and reference numeral 410 denotes a normal start point.

In such a case, when a player who participates in the race with a delay starts participating in the race from the normal start point 410, the player cars 420-1 to 420-42 of the starting players
There will be a large difference from 0-4. Therefore, it is preferable to set the start point 430 of the later player car behind the player car 420-4 running at the end of the preceding player's player car, and to start the later player car therefrom. In this case, a method may be used in which a start point that satisfies the condition of being behind the player car running at the rear end is selected and determined from a plurality of preset start points. Further, a method may be used in which a position behind a player car running at the rear end by a predetermined distance is calculated, and a start point is set there in real time.

In this manner, the later player car can easily catch up with the preceding player car. Further, since the later player car participates in the race from behind the preceding player car, the later player can enter the race without giving the preceding player a sense of incongruity.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation example of determining the start position of the later player by the method of determining the start position described in FIG.

It is determined whether there is a new player entry in the game space where all-time entry is possible,
If not, the process in the attract mode is performed (step S1).
10, S115). If a new player has entered, it is first determined whether there is a preceding player who has already played a game in the same game space (step S11).
0, S120). If there is no preceding player, a process of starting the player car of the entered player from the normal start position is performed (step S13).
0).

If there is a preceding player, the traveling position information of the preceding player car is obtained (step S140),
Based on the traveling position information of the preceding player car, a rearward predetermined position of the last preceding player car is calculated, and the start position is determined there (step S150). Then, a process of starting the player car of the later player from the determined start position is performed (step S160).

The method of determining the start position described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5 is suitable for setting the start position in a circuit-type course, and the method of determining the start position described with reference to FIGS. Suitable for the course. Thus, it is preferable to determine the optimum start position according to the type of the course.

Next, a case where the present embodiment is applied to a competitive game device will be described.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an example of the determination of the entry position of the late player in a competitive game in which all-time entry is possible. 8 represents a game field. As shown in FIG. 8, the game field 500 is divided into areas F1 to F9. E1 to E9 are entry points provided in each area, and the game character of each player can participate in a battle performed on the game field from these entry points.

Reference numerals 510-1 to 510-4 denote the positions (positions and directions) of the game characters of the preceding player belonging to the team A. Reference numerals 520-1 to 520-4 denote the game characters of the preceding player belonging to the team B. The arrangement (position and direction) is shown.

In this battle game apparatus, two teams, team A and team B, are configured to fight against the enemy by ally. When starting the game, the player selects which team to participate in.

By the way, in the conventional battle game, the entry point is fixed at one place. Therefore, if there are many enemy game characters around the entry point when the late player enters the war,
Late players may be killed at the same time they enter the war. For example, this is a case where the game character is arranged as shown in FIG. 8 and the entry point is E1. If the entry point is far away from the main battlefield at the time of entry into the late player, the time required to reach the main battlefield is a time loss. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, there is a case where the main battlefield is F1 and the entry point is E9.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is determined to which area the main battlefield belongs from the arrangement of the game characters of the preceding player, and the game character of the late player can enter from the entry point of the area closest to the main battlefield. I have to.

For example, in the case of FIG. 8, the main battlefield F1 is avoided, and the entry points E2, E4, E5 of any one of the areas F2, F4, F5 which are the areas closest to F1.
Is selected from

When there are a plurality of candidates, the game device may randomly select one of the entry points E2, E4, and E5 to determine one entry point. Before starting the game, a screen (entry point selection screen) that shows the arrangement of the game characters and the arrangement of the entry points as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed, and the subsequent player decides which entry point to select. You may make it do. With this configuration, it is possible to provide a game device having a game element in which the player can select an entry point that is advantageous to the player.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation example of determining an entry point in a battle game.

It is determined whether there is a new player entry in the game space where all-time entry is possible,
If not, the process in the attract mode is performed (step S2).
10, S215). When a new player has entered, it is first determined whether there is a preceding player who has already played the game (steps S210 and S220). If there is no preceding player, a process of causing the player character of the entered player to enter the battle from a normal entry point is performed (step S230).

If there is a preceding player, the arrangement information of the game character of the preceding player is obtained (step S240). Then, it determines where the main battlefield is based on the arrangement information of the preceding game character, and picks up an entry point in an area closest to the main battlefield area (step S250).

Then, an entry point selection screen for the player to select a desired entry point from the picked up entry points is displayed (step S260). Based on the enemy placement and entry point position displayed on the entry point selection screen,
When the player selects and inputs an entry point that is considered to be most advantageous to the player (step S270), a process of causing the game character of the later player to enter from the selected entry point is performed (step S28).
0).

The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, but can be variously modified.

In the present embodiment, a case where there is one game space where all-time entry is possible has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, there may be a case where there are a plurality of game spaces where all-time entry is possible, and a player enters one of the game spaces.

Further, in the present embodiment, the closed course as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6 has been described as an example, and the case of determining the start position has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a course connecting two points and ending there may be used.

The conditions for determining the start position are not limited to the example described in the present embodiment.

In this embodiment, a plurality of entry points set in advance in the battle game are
The case where the position of participation is determined is described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a point calculated by calculation from an arbitrary point on the game field may be determined as an entry point.

The conditions for determining the position of participation are not limited to the example described in the present embodiment.

Further, in the present embodiment, a case has been described as an example where each of the game devices constituting the game system individually performs the process of changing the game conditions. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, first, one of the game devices becomes a master device, the master device performs a game condition change or other game calculation process, and instructs the result to another game device, and the other game device follows the instruction of the master device. A configuration for playing a game may be used.

Further, for example, the connection form of the game device in the present invention is not limited to the ring type shown in FIG.
For example, a star shape as shown in FIG.
The present invention is also applicable to the case of a bus type as shown in FIG. An information storage medium containing information for transmitting and receiving data, changing game conditions and other game calculation processing,
For example, it may be provided to the master (host).

Further, the case where a plurality of game devices are connected is not limited to the case where a close game device is connected, but may be a case where a remote game device is connected.

The configuration of the game apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the one shown in FIG. 2, and various modifications can be made. The present invention can be applied to various game apparatuses capable of all-time entry.

The present invention also relates to a home game device, a business game device, a simulator, a large attraction device in which a large number of players participate, a personal computer,
The present invention can be applied to various game devices such as a multimedia terminal and a system board for generating a game image.

[0098]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a connection configuration of a game device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an example of a functional block diagram of the game device of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of determining a starting position of a later player in a racing game that allows all-time entry.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a start point in a racing game that allows all-time entry.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of determining a start position of a later player by the method of determining a start position described in FIGS.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining another example of determining a start position of a later player in a racing game that allows all-time entry.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation example of determining a start position of a later player by the method of determining a start position described in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an example of determining a participating position of a later player in a competitive game in which all-time entry is possible.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of determining an entry point in a battle game.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are diagrams showing examples of various connection forms of the game device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10-1 to 10-6 Game device 12 Transmission line 120 Operation unit 124 I / O port 130 Information storage medium 140 Processing unit 142 Transmission / reception processing unit 144 Entry processing unit 145 Game start position determination unit 146 Game start processing unit 148 Game calculation unit 158 Work memory 160 Image generation unit 162 Display unit 164 Sound generation unit 166 Sound output unit 170 Communication control unit 172 I / O port 180 Buffer memory 182 Transmission-only area 184 Transmission / reception area

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A game device capable of executing a multi-player game, wherein at least one of the preceding players is playing a given game
Entry processing means for performing a process for a later player to enter one game space; and game calculation means for performing a given game in the same game space by the later player and the starting player; Means for determining a game start position of the later player based on the game situation of the preceding player; and performing a process of starting a game of the later player from the game start position determined by the game start position determining means. A game device comprising: a game start processing unit. 2. The game according to claim 1, wherein the game start position determining means determines the game start position of the game character of the later player based on the arrangement of the game character of the preceding player in the game space. apparatus. 3. The game device according to claim 1, wherein the game start position determining means determines a game start position of a later player from a plurality of game start points set in advance. . 4. The game according to claim 1, wherein the game is a racing game, and the game start position determining means is a game start position of a later player based on a running position of a preceding player car. A game device, wherein a start point is determined, and the game start processing means performs a process of starting a player car of a later player from the start point. 5. The game according to claim 1, wherein the game is a battle game, and the game start position determining means determines a game start position of a later player based on a battle position of a game character of a preceding player. The game device, wherein the game start processing means performs a process of causing a game character of a later player to participate in the war from the war position. 6. An information storage medium for executing a multi-player game, wherein at least one of the preceding players playing a given game.
The entry processing includes entry processing information for performing a process for a later player to enter into one game space, and game calculation information for performing a given game in the same game space by the later player and the starting player. The information includes game start position determination information that determines the game start position of the later player based on the game situation of the preceding player, and game start processing information that performs a process of starting the game of the later player from the determined game start position. An information storage medium characterized by the above-mentioned. 7. The game start position determination information according to claim 6, wherein the game start position determination information includes information for determining the game start position of the game character of the later player based on the arrangement of the game character of the preceding player in the game space. An information storage medium characterized by the following. 8. The game start position determination information according to claim 6, wherein the game start position determination information includes information for determining a game start position of a later player from a plurality of game start points set in advance. Characteristic information storage medium. 9. The game according to claim 6, wherein the game is a racing game, and the game start position determination information is a game start position of a later player based on a running position of a preceding player car. An information storage medium including information for determining a start point, wherein the game start processing information includes information for performing processing for starting a player car of a later player from the start point. 10. The game according to claim 6, wherein the game is a battle game, and the game start position determination information is based on a battle position of a game character of a preceding player. An information storage medium, comprising: information for determining a participating position, wherein the game start processing information includes information for performing a process for causing a game character of a later player to enter the participating position from the participating position.