Abstract:
A game performing method for executing a given sports game which is proceeded by performing match-ups by a plurality of teams arranged for every game owning a plurality of player characters a plurality of times during a virtual competition period, involves varying a value of a team parameter provided for each of the teams according to how a game is proceeding; determining a change-intended team, of which configuration of owned player characters is to be changed by addition and/or release of player characters, among the plurality of teams; judging approval or disapproval of a change of a configuration of owned player characters of the change-intended team based on the current value of the team parameter of the change-intended team; and changing the configuration of the owned player characters of the change-intended team, when it is judged that the change is approved.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     This invention relates to game performing method for executing a given sports game. 
     Among video games implemented by a device such as a computer, there are known sports games in which a plurality of groups possessing a plurality of player characters play a plurality of games as a team during a virtual competition period. The “competition period” herein refers to a period during which the teams play the games to win the championship based on a predetermined schedule. Examples of such games are baseball games, in which a plurality of teams play official games during the virtual pennant race period (official game period; competition period), and soccer games in which a plurality of club teams play league games. 
     These official game type (pennant race type) sports games feature events to change the configurations of player characters belonging to the groups, as in the real sports world. Examples of such events include the so-called “trade” or “transfer,” in which groups exchange a player character with another player character or money, and “foreign player acquirement” or “scout,” in which a new player character is added to a group through a contract or persuasion. 
     In an example of such games, a scouting character (corresponding to a scout man) is operated by the game player to move on a predetermined map. A scouting event occurs to the group when the scouting character comes across another character, and the scout is determined to be a success or failure based on the play results of a mini-game in the event (see, for example, JP-Tokukai-2000-167244A; for all claims). 
     In another example, the success or failure of a scout for a player character to a group is determined based on the results of a persuasion in the game, in which the game player makes a selection of words for scouting while imagining (reading) the personality of the player character (see, for example, JP-Tokukai-2001-276433A; for all claims). 
     In still another example, a player character released from a group is brought to an auction, in which bids are made, and each group uses its virtual funds to acquire the player character (see, for example, JP-Tokukai-2002-263367A; for all claims). 
     The game player manages a group, changes the configuration of player characters of the group through events such as scouts and trades, and increases its strength by changing the team arrangement for official games, thereby advantageously proceeding with the game. 
     In the real professional sports world, configuration changes of the players such as by a trade are often carried out as an appropriate event during the competition period in response to the relative strengths of groups so that each group can increase its total strength. As a result of the configuration changes of the players such as by a trade, a variety of effects and functions are brought about, such as balancing strengths between groups, raising the morale of players of a group, and realizing a characteristic team arrangement, thereby enhancing the appeal of the official games. 
     In the conventional virtual sports games, however, events such as a trade occur most exclusively for a group controlled by the game player, and do not occur at all for the other groups that participate in the official games or, even when these events occur, just occur on a simple basis or at random. Therefore, events such as a trade that occur in the game are merely exchanges of player characters irrelevant to the relative strengths of groups, and the potential functions and effects of configuration changes of the player characters could not have been achieved in the game. Particularly in the reality-oriented games, this has been a great disadvantage, obstructing the achievement of augmented reality throughout the game. 
     SUMMARY 
     This invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and has an object of realizing configuration changes of player characters of groups which are made based on the determination on circumstances of the game that change as the game proceeds, thereby enhancing the appeal of the game. 
     A first aspect relates to a game performing method for executing a given sports game which proceeds by performing match-ups of a plurality of teams arranged for every game by each of a plurality of groups owning a plurality of player characters a plurality of times during a virtual competition period. In the method of the first aspect, a value of a group parameter provided for each of the groups is varied according to a proceeding of a game. A change-intended group, of which configuration of owned player characters is to be changed by addition and/or release thereof, is determined among the plurality of groups. Approval or disapproval of a change of a configuration of the player characters of the change-intended group is judged based on the value of the group parameter of the change-intended group at the moment. The configuration of the player characters of the change-intended group is changed when it is judged that the change is approved. 
     A second aspect relates to a game device for executing a given sports game which proceeds by performing match-ups of a plurality of teams arranged for every game by each of a plurality of groups owning a plurality of player characters a plurality of times during a virtual competition period. The game device includes a group parameter varying section for varying a value of a group parameter provided for each of the groups according to a proceeding of the game, a change-intended group determining section for determining a change-intended group, of which configuration of owned player characters is to be changed by addition and/or release thereof, among the plurality of groups, a change approval/disapproval judging section for judging approval or disapproval of a change of a configuration of owned player characters of the change-intended group based on the value of the group parameter of the change-intended group at the moment, and a player character configuration changing section for changing the configuration of the player characters of the change-intended group, when it is judged that the change is approved. 
     The “competition period” herein refers to a period which players play the games to win the championship according to a predetermined schedule. 
     According to the method of the first aspect and the device of the second aspect, group parameters set for each group can be varied according to the proceeding of the game. Furthermore, based on the group parameter values, the approval or disapproval of a configuration change of the player characters of a group can be determined. That is, the approval or disapproval of a configuration change of the player characters of the group can be issued with more realistic conditions according to the state of the group, with respect to not only the group operated by the game player but also the other groups operated by the computer. Thus, a variety of potential effects and functions that a configuration change of the player characters of a group have originally, the change performed by a trade or the like, can be brought out. Thereby the game can be more realistic and more attractive. 
     The “game information” herein is equivalent to a program used in a game device or the like for computer processing. 
     In the method of the first aspect a plurality of games may be selected from un-played games, and a value of a group parameter of a group having played the selected game may be varied based on a match-up result content of the selected game. 
     According to the above-described method, it is possible to obtain the same effect as those by the method in accordance with the first aspect. Further, several of un-played games can be selected as special games, and the group parameter values of the group having participated in the game can be varied based on the game results of such special games. That is, the several games significantly affect the group parameter values of the group. Thus, in order to proceed with the game more advantageously, it is required to arrange the team with more emphasis on the special games selected by the game selecting section for good game results, and, as a result, well-planned team arrangement (so-called “player rotation”) should be taken into consideration, thereby increasing the depth and reality of the game. 
     In the method of the first aspect, a game plan during the competition period may be set before the competition period, and a virtual special event game may be set. The special event game may be set as the special event. 
     According to the above-described method, it is possible to obtain the same effect as those by the method in accordance with the first aspect. Further, the game plan setting section can set virtual special event games. Examples of special event games may be a game broadcasted on TV, an exhibition game, and a game inspected by the owner. 
     In the real sports world, special event games are more important games than usual games because these games are effective to show the group&#39;s potential to a wider public. Thus, virtual special event games can be set in the game, and the group parameter values are changed according to the game results of such special event games, thereby giving more reality to the world of the game. 
     For setting the special event game, in the method of the first aspect, a virtual point of the set special event games may be calculated based on a match-up result content of the set special event game, and a value of a group parameter of a group having played the set special event game is varied based on the calculated virtual point. 
     In the above-described method, it is possible to obtain the same effect as those by the method in accordance with the first aspect. Further, it is possible to calculate a virtual point based on the results and contents of a game. Examples of the virtual point may be a virtual TV rating if the special event game is a game broadcasted on TV, or a bonus if a game is inspected by the owner. 
     Since the virtual point may have a tendency to become larger in the case of the so-called “good game,” in which the game contents are impressive, for example, the virtual point can be an index suitable for showing the group&#39;s potential. Thus, the calculation of virtual points can increase the importance of virtual special event games, and variations in the group parameter values based on the TV ratings can add depth and reality to the world of the game. 
     In the method of the first aspect each of the player characters may be provided with a popularity parameter showing the popularity thereof, beforehand, andat least the value of the popularity parameter of a player character having participated in the set special event game may be used as the match-up result content of the set special event game. A release-intended player character may be selected from the owned player characters of the change-intended group, based on at least the value of the popularity parameter. The approval or disapproval of release of the selected release-intended player character may be judged based on the value of the group parameter of the change-intended group at the moment. The configuration of owned player characters of the change-intended group may be changed by releasing the selected release-intended player character, when it is judged that the release is approvable. 
     According to the above-described method, it is possible to obtain the same effect as those by the method in accordance with the first aspect. Further, the appearance of a popular player character (player with a high popularity parameter value) contributes to the virtual point. If the virtual point of a game in which a player character with a high popularity parameter value shows in the lineup is larger than that of a game in which the player character did not show, for example, that can reflect the tendency in the real world also in the game. 
     In the configuration change of player characters of a group, since the player character to be released may be selected based on the popularity parameter value, a player character with a low popularity parameter value can be selectively released for a possible acquirement of a player character with a higher popularity parameter value that can contribute to the TV audience rating, and to the group parameter values of the group. Thus, it is possible to increase the total strength of a group by an event such as a trade. 
     In the method of the first aspect, each of the player characters may be provided with a popularity parameter showing the popularity thereof, beforehand, and at least the value of the popularity parameter of a player character having participated in the set special event game may be used as the match-up result content of the set special event game. An addition-intended player character may be selected based on at least the value of the popularity parameter. The approval or disapproval of addition of the selected addition-intended player character may be judged based on the value of the group parameter of the change-intended group at the moment. The configuration of owned player characters of the change-intended group may be changed by adding the selected addition-intended player character, when it is judged that the addition is approvable. 
     According to the above-described method, it is possible to obtain the same effect as those by the method in accordance with the first aspect. Further, the player character to be added to a group can be selected based on the popularity parameter value in the configuration change of player characters of the group. 
     If the virtual point of a game in which a player character with a high popularity parameter value shows in the lineup is larger than that of a game in which the player character did not show, for example, the addition of a player character with a high popularity parameter value to a group and the participation of the player character in a special event game can increase the virtual point and group parameter values of the group. Thus, it is possible to increase the total strength of a group by an event such as a trade. 
     In the method of the first aspect, the group parameter includes at least an average value of the virtual point of games played by the group. The average value of the virtual point of each of the group may be calculated and updated each time the virtual point is calculated. A change-intended group may be determined based on at least the average value of the virtual point of each of the groups. 
     According to the above-described method, it is possible to obtain the same effect as those by the method in accordance with the first aspect. Further, the average of the virtual points of games played by a group can be managed as a part of the group parameters. Since the virtual points can be an index suitable for showing the group&#39;s potential and popularity, the average value of the virtual points indicates the group&#39;s averaged potential and popularity. The selection of a change-intended group based on the virtual point average value can be arranged so that a group with a low potential or popularity is selected with more priority to change its configuration of the player characters, for example, thereby reinforcing the strength of or recovering the popularity of the group. That is, a trade in the game can have the same object and effect as those of a trade in the real world, thereby giving more depth and reality to the game. 
     In the method of the first aspect, the determining the change-intended group includes determining a change-intended group based on the value of the group parameter of each of the groups. 
     According to the above-described method, it is possible to obtain the same effect as those by the method in accordance with the first aspect. Further, it is possible to determine a group subjected to a configuration change of its player characters according to the state of the group. Thus, a configuration change of player characters of a group, such as a trade, can be carried out in the same state as in the real world. 
     In the method of the first aspect, each of the player characters is provided with an attribute, beforehand. The change-intended group may be determined based on the number of owned player characters that are provided with a predetermined particular attribute. 
     According to the above-described method, it is possible to obtain the same effect as those by the method in accordance with the first aspect. Further, a configuration change of player characters of a group can be made based on the number of player characters of the group that have a particular attribute. 
     Such an attribute may be set as appropriate, and may include nationality, sex, age, popularity, fielding position, or the like of a player character. If a limitation is imposed on the number of player characters of a group that have a particular attribute, the disparity in strength between groups can be restricted, thereby balancing the strengths of groups. Alternatively, the number of limitations or the attribute of player characters subjected to a limitation can be varied for each group, thereby intentionally adding a characteristic to each group or changing the difficulty level of the game. 
     In the method of the first aspect, the group parameter includes at least a virtual fund owned by a group. The player character belonging to none of the groups and provided with an acquirement money amount may be generated, and the approval or the disapproval of the change of a configuration of the player characters may be judged based on the acquirement money amount of the non-belonged player character and the amount of the virtual fund of the change-intended group at the moment, when the generated non-belonged player character is added as a change of the owned player characters. 
     According to the above-described method, it is possible to obtain the same effect as those by the method in accordance with the first aspect. Further, a non-belonged player character that belongs to none of the groups can be generated beside predetermined player characters, which allows the addition of a new player character to provide variation in a configuration change of the player characters. Setting parameters of a generated player character at random, for example, can create a player character with an unpredictable characteristic to participate in the game. 
     A group can change its configuration of the player characters by the addition of a non-belonged player character to the group with the use of a virtual fund provided for each group, as in the real world, in which a group makes a contract with a new player to call in from outside, thereby adding more reality to the game. The virtual fund is the amount of currency in the game world possessed by a group, and its unit may be the amount of money, number of points, number of items, or an imaginary unit. 
     In the method of the first aspect two groups may be determined among the plurality of groups as change-intended group. The approval or disapproval of a trade may be judged between part of the player characters of one group and part of the player characters of the other group, among the two determined change-intended group. The trade of player characters may be executed to change the configuration of the player characters of each of the two determined change-intended groups, when it is judged that the addition is approvable. 
     According to the above-described method, it is possible to obtain the same effect as those by the method in accordance with the first aspect. Further, two change-intended groups can be determined automatically, and the trade of the player characters can be performed between the groups. Hence, the displacement of the player characters between groups can be performed even during the competition period. 
     In the method of the first aspect, a frequency of the determining of the change-intended group may be varied according to the proceeding of the game. 
     According to the above-described method, it is possible to obtain the same effect as those by the method in accordance with the first aspect. Further, trades can be produced with different frequencies as the game proceeds. By setting the frequency in the latter half of the season higher than that in the first half, for example, it is possible to reproduce the state as seen in the real world also in the game, in which trades are less often made at the start of the season compared to near the end of it, when groups make more trades for the purpose of reinforcing their strengths after making strategy analyses. 
     In the method of the first aspect, a ranking of each of the plurality of groups may be determined according to each of game results as necessary during the competition period. The change-intended group may be determined based on the determined ranking. 
     According to the above-described method, it is possible to obtain the same effect as those by the method in accordance with the first aspect. Further, a configuration change of player characters of a group can be made according to the group&#39;s ranking in the official games. If a group with a lower ranking is more likely to be determined as a change-intended group than a group with a higher ranking, that can reproduce also in the game the state in which a weak group changes its configuration of the player characters for the reinforcement of its strength, thereby enhancing the reality of the game. 
     In the method of the first aspect, the change-intended group may be changed before or after the competition period. 
     According to the above-described method, it is possible to obtain the same effect as those by the method in accordance with the first aspect. Further, it is possible in the game world to carry out a transfer of a player before or after the season, during which official games are played, as in the real world. 
     According to a third aspect, a storage medium has information recorded thereon, when the information is loaded onto an operating device, the information making the operating device execute the method as described above. 
     Hereupon, various types of IC memories, a CD-ROM, DVD, MO, memory card, memory cassette, and hard disk correspond to this storage medium. It is possible to obtain the same effect as those by the method in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention, by making the operating device load the information stored in such storage medium to process the operation. 
     According to a fourth aspect, a data signal embodied in a carrier wave, comprises information used for executing the method as described above. 
     According to a fifth aspect, a program makes the operating device execute the method as described above, when the program is loaded onto an operating device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinafter and the accompanying drawing given by way of illustration only. However, these are not intended as a definition of the limits of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram showing an example of a home game unit to which the present invention is applied; 
         FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B  are diagrams for describing the conceptual configuration of a team according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a diagram showing an example of the game schedule and TV broadcasted dates during the official game period, and corresponding to a screen displaying the game schedule to which the game player can refer to at any time during the game; 
         FIG. 5A  is a diagram showing an example of the calculation formula of a TV rating, and  FIG. 5B  is a diagram showing an example of TV rating setting information to which the TV rating calculating section refers in the calculation; 
         FIG. 6A  and  FIG. 6B  are diagrams showing an example of the player information according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  is a diagram showing an example of the team information according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 8  is a diagram showing an example of the baseball game setting information according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 9  is a diagram showing an example of the negotiation contents information according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 10  is a flowchart for describing the entire process of changing the configuration of player characters of a team; 
         FIG. 11  is a flowchart for describing the negotiation contents setting process according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 12  is a flowchart for describing the negotiation contents setting process according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 13  is a flowchart for describing the negotiation contents setting process according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 14  is a flowchart for describing the player configuration changing process according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 15A  to  FIG. 15D  shows examples of game screens in the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 16  shows an example of the hardware configuration for implementing the home game unit according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 17  shows an example of the exterior of an arcade game unit to which the present invention is applied; 
         FIG. 18  is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration according to the second embodiment; 
         FIG. 19  shows an example of the manager parameters; 
         FIG. 20  is a flowchart for describing the negotiation contents setting process according to the second embodiment; 
         FIG. 21  is a flowchart for describing the negotiation contents setting process according to the second embodiment; 
         FIG. 22  is a flowchart for describing the negotiation contents setting process according to the second embodiment; and 
         FIG. 23  is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration according to the third embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be explained with reference to the drawings. However, the scope of the invention is not limited to the illustrated figures. 
     First Embodiment 
     Description will be made in detail of a first embodiment according to the present invention with reference to  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 17 . In this embodiment, a baseball game is exemplified in which a club possessing a plurality of players arranges a team which repeatedly plays games over an official game period. The official game period herein refers to a competition period, corresponding to the so-called “pennant race period” or “championship season.” That is, the official game period is a virtual period which the players play the games to win the championship during a predetermined schedule. 
     Note that the present invention is not only applicable to a baseball game, but also to a game such as a soccer, basketball, volleyball, or hockey game, in which a club possessing a plurality of players arranges a team which repeatedly plays games over an official game period. 
     [Description of Configuration] 
       FIG. 1  is a diagram showing an example of a home game unit to which the present invention is applied. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the home game unit  1200  has game controllers  1202  and a main unit  1210 , and is connected to a display  1220  equipped with a speaker  1222 . 
     The game information required to execute the game, such as a game program and initial data, is stored in the information storage medium detachable from the main unit  1210 , for example, a CD-ROM  1212 , an IC memory  1214 , and a memory card  1216 . Alternatively, the game information is obtained from an external device through a communication device  1218  which is equipped on the main unit  1210  and connected to a communication line  1230 . The communication line  1230  refers to a communication channel which allows data transmission and reception. In other words, the communication line  1230  may be a dedicated line (dedicated cable) for direct connection, a LAN through Ethernet (registered trademark) or the like, and a communication network such as a telephone network, a cable network, or the Internet, whether its communication method is wired or wireless. 
     The main unit  1210  is equipped with a processing unit such as a CPU, and a reader for the information storage medium such as the IC memory  1214  and CD-ROM  1212 . The main unit executes various game processing based on the game information read from the CD-ROM  1212  or the like and operation signals inputted from the game controller  1202 , displays game screens on the display  1220 , and outputs game sounds from the speaker  1222 . 
     The game player operates a direction key  1204 , a button switch  1206 , and the like provided on the game controller  1202  while watching the game screens shown on the display  1220  to enjoy playing the baseball game. In this embodiment, the direction key  1204  is operated to select a player character to be the subject of a trade and the condition of the trade, and the push switch  1206  is operated to input the decision or the cancellation, for example. 
     [Description of Summary of Game] 
     In the baseball game in this embodiment, six teams play one hundred and thirty (130) games in total against one another over the official game period set within one year in the game world to win the so-called “pennant race.” The game player selects any one of the six teams as the game player&#39;s team. The game player arranges a team from the player characters of the group (the same meaning as the player character belonging to the group, which may be hereinafter referred to as “possessed player” as appropriate) to play a game against a team played by the computer (or by another game player). During the game, the game player can input a variety of operations of pitching, fielding, base-running, batting, and the like to enjoy the baseball game. 
       FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B  are diagrams for describing the conceptual configuration of a team in this embodiment. As shown in the diagram, the player characters of each team  2  include domestic players  4  and foreign players  6  having different attributes, on which a domestic players quota and a foreign players quota are set, respectively, to limit the maximum number of players that can be in the roster. In the diagram, the foreign players quota is 4. The information of each team  2  contains team parameter  11  for the team. 
     The configuration of the player characters for each team can be changed even during the official game period. The change in the configuration of the player characters is performed in a “trade” event, in which two teams exchange their domestic players, and in a “foreign player acquirement negotiation” event, in which a team pays virtual contract money to acquire a foreign player that does not belong to any of the teams. In the present specification, the removal of a player character from the configuration is referred to as “to release” or “to delete from the registration,” and the addition to the configuration is referred to as “to acquire” or “to register” as appropriate. 
     A “trade” event in this embodiment occurs with random timing during the official game period. A team with a lower ranking in the pennant race is more likely to be selected as one of the two teams that make a trade. 
     A “foreign player acquirement negotiation” event in this embodiment occurs during the official game period to a team with “team parameters,” as parameters set for each team, falling short of a predetermined condition. It also occurs at random during the official game period. 
     The team parameters are parameters set for each team, and vary depending on the results of games played in the pennant race. The team parameters in this embodiment include, for example, the team&#39;s ranking in the pennant race, the virtual TV rating average value corresponding to the team&#39;s popularity, and the number of registered foreign players of the team (the number of foreign players). Team parameters are determined to fall short of a predetermined condition when the TV rating average value does not satisfy a predetermined condition, or when the number of registered foreign players is less than its maximum, for example. A trade will serve to enhance recovery of the team&#39;s lowered popularity in the former case, or will serve as a reinforcement of the team&#39;s strength in the latter case. 
     That is, in this embodiment, events such as a “trade” and a “foreign player acquirement negotiation,” which involve changing the configuration of player characters of a team, occur according to the state of each team (team parameters), which changes as the game proceeds. In this way, a more real pennant race can be materialized as in the actual professional baseball world, in which teams make a trade and acquire a foreign player even during the official game period to increase the team&#39;s strength. 
     [Description of Function Block] 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of this embodiment. As shown in the drawing, the home game unit  1200  is provided with an operation input section  10  for inputting operations from the game player, a processing section  20  for processing operations to control the unit and the game, an image displaying section  30  for outputting game screens to be displayed, a sound output section  40  for outputting game sounds to be sounded, a communication section  50 , and a storage section  70  for storing a variety of programs and data. 
     The operation input section  10  functions by section of a button switch, lever, dial, mouse, keyboard, or other various sensors, is inputted operations by a player, and outputs operation input signals to the processing section  20 . In this embodiment, the game controllers  1202  correspond to this operation input section. 
     The processing section  20  controls the whole of the home game unit  1200  as well as executing various computing processes such as game computing. The functions thereof are implemented by hardware such as a CPU (CISC type and RISC type) or an ASIC (gate array), and the related control programs. The processing unit, such as the CPU, equipped with the main unit  1210  in  FIG. 1  corresponds to this processing section. 
     The processing section  20  includes a game computing section  22  serving for mainly game computing, the image generating section  24  for generating the image signals to display the game screens based on various data obtained from the processes executed by the game computing section  22 , and the sound generating section  26  for generating game sounds to be output as sound effects or BGM. 
     The game computing section  22  executes various game processing based on the signals inputted through the operation input section  10 , or the program and data loaded from the storage section  70 . As the game processing, for example, arranging objects in a virtual space, controlling motions of objects of player characters based on signals inputted from the operation input section  10 , computing paths of pitched and batted balls, crossing detection for objects (hit check), calculating the batting results, calculating the game results (records), arranging view points, determining view directions or the like, are performed. 
     The game computing section  22  in this embodiment includes: (1) a parameter varying section  220  for varying parameters set for each team and player character according to the progress and play results of the game; (2) a change-intended team determining section  221  for selecting a team which can change its configuration of the player characters as a change-intended team; (3) a changes contents setting section  222  for determining the contents of the configuration change of the team selected as the change-intended team based on its team parameters; (4) a players configuration changing section  223  for carrying out the process of changing the configuration of the player characters; (5) a baseball game plan setting section  224  for setting the schedule of games during the official game period and for setting several of the games as special event games which are held on virtual TV broadcast dates; (6) a TV rating calculating section  225  for calculating a virtual TV audience rating, which is a virtual point determined based on the results of a game held on the TV broadcast date; and (7) a money reward calculating section  226  for calculating a virtual money reward based on the calculated TV rating. 
     The parameter varying section  220  varies team parameters set for each team and player parameters set for each player character according to the progress and play results of the game. As examples of the team parameters, the ranking in the pennant race (pennant ranking), the number of registered foreign players, the TV rating average value, and the fund of the team may be used. 
     The TV rating average value is the average value of TV ratings calculated by the TV rating calculating section  225 , and is an index of the team&#39;s popularity. The fund is the total amount of cash rewards which have already been received by the team. As examples of the player parameters, the playing record and the name value of the player character may be used. The name value is determined according to the playing record of the player character, and is an index of the player character&#39;s popularity. 
     The change-intended team determining section  221  has functions of: (1) determining a team with its team parameters falling short of a predetermined condition as the change-intended team; and (2) automatically selecting two teams which make a trade as the change-intended teams. 
     More specifically, in the former case, the change-intended team determining section  221  selects as the change-intended team a team with its TV rating average value lower than a predetermined TV rating value or a team with the number of registered foreign players less than its foreign players quota, for example, to allow acquiring a foreign player. In the latter case, the change-intended team determining section  221  divides the official game period into a first half and a latter half, for example, and arranges that events occur with a predetermined probability (5%, for example) in the first half, and that events occur with a higher probability (8%, for example) in the latter half. In the selection of two change-intended teams, a team with a lower ranking in the pennant race is selected with a higher probability, and a team with a higher ranking is selected with a lower probability. 
     The changes contents setting section  222  decides, for the team selected as the change-intended team by the change-intended team determining section  221 , the contents of the configuration change of the player characters, that is, the contents of the “trade” and “foreign player acquirement negotiation,” and determines whether the configuration change succeeds or fails (corresponding to the success or failure of the trade or foreign player acquirement negotiation). 
     More specifically, in the case that only one team is selected as the change-intended team, that is, the change-intended team determining section  221  determines that its team parameters fall short of a predetermined condition, the team carries out an acquirement of a foreign player. That is, if the change-intended team already has the full number of registered foreign players to the maximum of its foreign player registration quota, the player character with the lowest name value of the player parameters is automatically released to make room available in the foreign players quota. If there is room available in the foreign player registration quota, a player character to be acquired is selected among non-belonged foreign players. At this time, if the change-intended team is the game player&#39;s team, the game player makes an input to select the foreign player to be acquired. 
     Then, if the fund of the team is more than the acquired money (corresponding to the contract money) set in advance for each foreign player, it is determined that the negotiation goes through, that is, the acquirement goes through, and, to the contrary, if the fund is less than the acquired money, it is determined that the negotiation does not go through, that is, the acquirement does not go through. 
     In the case that two teams are selected as the change-intended teams, that is, selected by the change-intended team determining section  221  as teams which make a trade, player characters as trade personnel are selected to carry out the so-called trade process. 
     More specifically, first, the number of player characters to be traded (one to one, plural to plural, for example) is determined at random. When the number of players to be traded is determined, player characters to be released by the trade (trade personnel) are selected. The determined number of player characters (hereinafter referred to as “first trade-intended players”) are first selected from one of the teams, with a higher probability as the player character&#39;s name value is lower. The same number of player characters (hereinafter referred to as “second trade-intended players”) are then selected from the other team, of which fielding positions are the same as, and of which name values are generally equivalent to those of the first trade-intended players. If the second trade-intended players can be successfully selected, it is determined that the negotiation goes through, that is, the trade goes through. On the contrary, if the second trade-intended characters cannot be selected because, for example, player characters corresponding to the first trade-intended players do not exist, it is determined that the negotiation does not go through, that is, the trade does not go through. 
     The players configuration changing section  223  changes the configuration of player characters of the team and changes to which team the player characters subjected to the change belong, according to the change contents of the negotiation that is determined to go through by the changes contents setting section  222 . 
     The baseball game plan setting section  224  sets the schedule of games before the official game period starts, and sets several of the games as held on virtual TV broadcast dates.  FIG. 4  shows an example of the game schedule and TV broadcast dates during the official game period in this embodiment, corresponding to a screen showing the game schedule to which the game player can refer to any time during the game. As shown in the drawing, the calendar displays a team  1  against which the game player&#39;s team plays a game, and a camera mark  5  indicating that the date with the mark is a TV broadcast date. At the lower section of the screen is shown a list  7  of games held on the date selected by a selector  3 . 
     In the drawing, the screen shows that, for example, the game player&#39;s team has a game against the team B on April 2, which is not a TV broadcast date. It also shows that the game player&#39;s team has a game against the team D on April 19, which is a TV broadcast date. It can also show the results of games that have already been finished, and, if a TV broadcast date is selected by the selector  3 , show a TV rating  9 . In the drawing, the TV rating  9  is “0.0%” since the game on April 19 has not yet been played. 
     The TV rating calculating section  225  calculates a virtual TV rating based on the game results of a game held on a virtual TV on-air date set by the baseball game plan setting section  224 .  FIG. 5A  shows an example of the calculation formula, and  FIG. 5B  shows an example of TV rating setting information  738  to which the TV rating calculating section  225  refers in the calculation. 
     The TV rating in this embodiment is calculated according to the game results or the game contents of a game held on a TV broadcast date. That is, the TV rating is determined as the total sum of basic TV ranking additional values ( 738   a  to  738   d ), which are shown in  FIG. 5B , multiplied by each of baseball game contents correction values ( 738   e  to  738   h ). 
     The basic TV rating additional values are set in advance as the number of wins and losses of the games, the team&#39;s ranking, and the day of the week of the TV broadcast date, for example. The baseball game contents correction values are set in advance as the number of innings of 1 score difference, the number of changes of leads in the game, the type of the game-ending homerun, and the number of entries by player characters with higher name values, for example. As a result, if teams with high rankings play a close, thus dramatic and impressive game with many upsets on a day of the week on which the game draw more viewers, the game produces a high TV rating. The entry of a player character with a high popularity also produces a high TV ranking. 
     The contents of elements, the additional values and the correction values may be set as appropriate. 
     The cash reward calculating section  226  calculates a virtual cash reward in response to the value of the TV rating calculated by the TV rating calculating section  225 . The total sum of cash rewards that have been already paid to a team is the “fund” as one of the team parameters. The fund of a team is virtual money obtainable in the game, and serves, in this embodiment, as virtual contract money for a foreign player. That is, in order to acquire a foreign player, the team&#39;s fund (total sum of cash rewards) needs to have reached the “acquired money,” which is set in advance for each foreign player, corresponding to the desired amount of contract money. Relation for calculating a cash reward from a TV rating may be set as appropriate. 
     The functions of the image generating section  24  are implemented by the processing unit such as the CPU or DSP, the control program and the IC memory for image frames such as a frame buffer. The image generating section  24  executes a geometry conversion process and a shading process based on the results computed by the game computing section  22 , and generates the 3D CG images for displaying the game screen. Furthermore, the image generating section  24  also combines images with the 3D CG images. Then, the image generating section  24  outputs the image signals of the generated game images to the image displaying section  30 . 
     The sound generating section  26 , which is implemented by a processing unit such as a CPU or DSP and its control program, generates sounds used in the game such as sound effect and BGM, and outputs the sound signals to the sound output section  40 . 
     The image displaying section  30  is designed to display the game screen by refreshing a screen of one frame per 1/60 second, for instance, based on the image signals from the image generating section  24 . The image displaying section  30  is implemented by hardware such as a CRT, LCD, ELD, PDP or HMD. The display  1220  in the example of  FIG. 1  corresponds to this section. 
     The sound output section  40  outputs game sounds including sound effects and BGM based on the sound signals generated the sound generating section  26 . The speaker  1222  in the example of  FIG. 1  corresponds to this section. 
     The communication section  50  connects with a communication line to transmit and receive data to and from an external device. The communication section  50  is implemented by, for example, a module of, for example, Bluetooth (REGISTERED TRADEMARK) or IrDA, modem, TA, communication cable jack, and control circuit. The communication device  1218  in  FIG. 1  corresponds to this section. Information such as protocol used in the communication by the communication section  50  is stored in the storage section  70 , for example, to be read as necessary. 
     The storage section  70  stores a system program (not shown) which implements various functions of permitting the processing section  20  to synthetically control the home game unit  1200 , game information  72  including the program and data required for it to execute the game. The functions of the storage section  70  are implemented by an information storage medium such as various types of IC memories, a hard disc, CD-ROM, DVD and MO. The CD-ROM  1212 , the IC memory  1214 , and the memory card  1216  equipped with the main unit in  FIG. 1  correspond to this information storage medium. 
     Game information  72  includes programs and data to permit the processing section  20  to function as the game computing section  22 . 
     The programs include a parameter varying program  720  for permitting the processing section  20  to function as the parameter varying section  220 , a change-intended team determining program  721  for permitting it to function as the change-intended team determining section  221 , a changes contents setting program  722  for permitting it to function as the changes contents setting section  222 , a players configuration changing program  723  for permitting it to function as the players configuration changing section  223 , a baseball game plan setting program  724  for permitting it to function as the baseball game plan setting section  224 , a TV rating calculating program  725  for permitting it to function as the TV rating calculating section  225 , and a cash reward calculating program  726  for permitting it to function as the cash reward calculating section  226 . 
     The data include stage information  730 , player information  732 , team information  734 , baseball game setting information  736 , TV rating setting information  738 , cash reward setting information  740 , date counter  742 , and negotiation contents information  744 . Although not shown in the drawing, the data also include a variety of information used during a baseball game in progress, such as the number of the inning, top and bottom of the inning, count of balls and strikes, batting order, and data for replay. 
     The stage information  730  includes, for example, information on objects (modeling data, texture data, displaying position setting, and sound data such as sound effects, for example), which are used to display in a virtual space, a stage and items used in the baseball game, such as a stadium, a count display, spectators, a ball and a bat. 
       FIG. 6A  and  FIG. 6B  show an example of the player information  732  in this embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 6A , the player information  732  includes information on each of the player characters having different attributes, namely domestic players  732 - 1  and foreign players  732 - 2 , related to and stored for each of them. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6B , examples of the player information  732  on one player character include player identification information  732   a  (or player&#39;s name), belonged team  732   b , display model, motion data, initial setting values of parameters (“1” to “5,” for example), and season values updated as the game proceeds. In this embodiment, the player information  732  particularly includes name value  732   c  (“0” to “100,” for example), which shows the player character&#39;s popularity, and acquired money  732   d . Domestic players  732 - 1  also have similar information related to and stored for each of them. 
     The team information  734  is provided for each team, and stores team parameters and identification information of player characters of the team. 
       FIG. 7  shows an example of the team information  734  in this embodiment. As shown in the drawing, the team information  734  includes team identification information  734   a , team parameters such as TV rating average value  734   b , fund  734   c  and number of foreign players  734   d , team player information  734   e , and pennant ranking  734   j , mutually related and stored therein. The TV rating average value  734   b  is the average value of past TV ratings set by the TV rating calculating section  225 , corresponding to an index of the team&#39;s popularity. The team player information  734   e  includes registered domestic player identification information  734   f , which shows the domestic players registered on the team, and registered foreign player identification information  734   g , which shows the foreign players registered on the team. When the players configuration changing section  223  changes the configuration of player characters of a team, the character information  734   e  is updated as appropriate. 
       FIG. 8  shows an example of the baseball game setting information  736  in this embodiment. The baseball game setting information  736  includes date  736   a , day of the week  736   b , broadcast date flag  736   c , match-up combination  736   d , and match-up result information  736   e , mutually related and stored therein. 
     The date  736   a , day of the week  736   b , and broadcast date flag  736   c  are set by the baseball game plan setting section  224 . The date  736   a  and day of the week  736   b  are set corresponding to the virtual calendar during the official game period. The broadcast date flag  736   c  shows whether or not the date is set as a TV broadcast date by the baseball game plan setting section  224 . The match-up combination  736   d  stores the team identification information of pairs of opposing teams. The match-up result information  736   e  stores, for example, score, TV rating, and amount of the acquired cash reward. The match-up result information  736   e  may include data for displaying replay pictures. 
     The TV rating setting information  738  stores the settings of the basic TV rating additional values and baseball game contents correction values, which are set in advance for calculating a TV rating. The TV rating calculating section  225  calculates a TV rating with reference to the TV rating setting information  738 . Preferably a plurality of sets of TV rating setting information  738  are provided, for example, one for the pennant race and another for the championship, in which the winners of respective leagues in the pennant race play games, and the set for the latter is arranged to provide a higher TV rating, thereby enhancing the reality of the game. 
     The cash reward setting information  740  stores information (table data, coefficients, and correction values, for example), which is set in advance for calculating a cash reward according to the TV rating. The cash reward calculating section  226  calculates a cash reward with reference to the cash reward setting information  740 . 
       FIG. 9  shows an example of the negotiation contents information  744  in this embodiment. The negotiation contents information  744  stores information on the changes contents set by the changes contents setting section  222  for managing a trade or foreign player acquirement negotiation. The negotiation contents information  744  stores, for example, change-intended team identification information  744   a , which shows a team subjected to a foreign player acquirement or trade, change-intended player identification information  744   b , which shows a player character subjected to the acquirement or trade, success or failure flag  744   c , which shows whether the negotiation is a success or failure, and negotiation starting date  744   d , on which the virtual negotiation is started. The players configuration changing section  223  carries out a configuration change of the player characters according to the contents of the trade or foreign player acquirement, if a predetermined number of days have elapsed from its negotiation starting date stored in the negotiation contents information  744  and if its success or failure flag is “1,” which represents a success. 
     [Description of Process Flow] 
     Then, description will be made of a flow of the process of changing the configuration of player characters of a team (“trade” and “foreign player acquirement negotiation”) in this embodiment with reference to  FIG. 10  to  FIG. 14 . This process is implemented by the processing section  20 , which reads from the game information  72  and executes the parameter varying program  720 , the change-intended team determining program  721 , the changes contents setting program  722 , the players configuration setting program  723 , the baseball game plan setting program  724 , the TV rating calculating program  725 , the cash reward calculating program  726 , and, not to mention, the game program. 
     [1. Entire Flow] 
       FIG. 10  is a flowchart for describing the entire process of changing the configuration of player characters of the game player&#39;s team in this embodiment. The game player&#39;s team refers to the team operated by the game player, which has been selected by the game player among the six teams. The teams other than the game player&#39;s team are controlled by the computer. 
     In the drawing, first, the baseball game plan setting section  224  sets the schedule of baseball games during the official game period on the game world calendar, and sets a predetermined number of TV broadcast dates among the set baseball games (step S 2 ). The TV broadcast dates may be selected at random from the baseball games held each month, for example. The set information is stored as the baseball game setting information  736 . At this time, the game computing section  22  sets the date counter  742  to January 1 or to the first day of the official game period, for example, as an initial state. 
     The game computing section  22  refers to the baseball game setting information  736 , and, if there exists any baseball game set on the date (step S 4 ; Yes), executes the set baseball game (step S 6 ). That is, if there exists a baseball game for the game player&#39;s team, the baseball game is played by the game player&#39;s team and a computer team, as in the conventional baseball games. If there exists a baseball game to be played by two computer teams, the game computing section  22  controls (computer control) both the teams to execute the baseball game. 
     When the baseball game is over, the game computing section  22  stores the baseball game results in the match-up result information  736   e  of the baseball game setting information  736  (step S 8 ). Based on the baseball game results, the parameter varying section  220  updates the team parameters such as pennant ranking (step S 10 ). 
     The game computing section  22  refers to the baseball game setting information  736  to determine whether or not the date is set as a TV broadcast date (step S 12 ). If the date is set as a TV broadcast date (step S 12 ; Yes), all the teams having a game are subjected to the process below (loop  1 ; step  14  to step  26 ). 
     That is, the TV rating calculating section  225  refers to the contents of the match-up result information  736   e  to calculate the TV rating according to the TV rating setting information  738  (step S 16 ). The calculated TV rating is stored in the match-up result information  736   e  (step S 18 ), and the TV rating average value  734   b  of the teams that have matched in the baseball game is updated (step S 20 ). 
     The cash reward calculating section  226  calculates the cash reward according to the cash reward setting information  740  with reference to the TV rating stored in the match-up result information  736   e  (step S 22 ), and adds the calculated cash reward to the fund  734   c  of the teams that have matched in the baseball game (step S 24 ). 
     When loop  1  is executed for all the teams having a baseball game on the date, the negotiation contents setting process is then executed (step S 30 ). The change-intended team determining section  221  selects a change-intended team which can change the configuration of its player characters, and the changes contents setting section  222  determines the contents of a change of the player characters of the selected team by a trade or foreign player acquirement. The information on the contents of the change of the player characters is registered in the negotiation contents information  744 . 
     The players configuration changing section  223  then executes the player configuration changing process, in which the players configuration changing section  223  searches the contents of changes of the players (contents of “trade” and “foreign player acquirement negotiation”) registered in the negotiation contents information  744 , and, if any change is found with a predetermined number of days having elapsed from the negotiation starting date in the game world time, implements the contents of the found change sequentially to change the configuration of the player characters (step S 32 ). The implemented “trade” or “foreign player acquirement negotiation” is deleted from the registration in the negotiation contents information  744 . 
     When the changes of the configuration of the player characters are complete, the game computing section  22  determines whether or not the official game period has ended. If the official game period has not ended (step S 34 ; No), the date counter is increased by a day (step S 36 ) to return to step  2 . If the official game period has ended (step S 34 ; Yes), it is determined that the pennant race is over to end the game. 
     As in the conventional baseball games, it may be arranged that, if the game player&#39;s team is at the top of the pennant race when the game is over, the game player&#39;s team plays games in the championship race against the team that has won in another league. 
     [2. Flow of Negotiation Contents Setting Process] 
       FIG. 11  to  FIG. 13  are flowcharts for describing the negotiation contents setting process in this embodiment. 
     First, the change-intended team determining section  221  refers to the TV rating average values  734   b  of the teams, and searches for a team of which TV rating average value  734   b  is less than a predetermined reference value (3%, for example) (step S 102 ). The change-intended team determining section  221  defines any found team as a change-intended team (step S 104 ), judging that the team&#39;s popularity has become lower and that a change in the configuration of foreign players of the team would be required to enhance recovery of its popularity. 
     If the change-intended team is the game player&#39;s team (step S 106 ; Yes), the changes contents setting section  222  allows displaying a picture in which the game player selects to or not to execute a change in the configuration of foreign players (foreign player acquisition) (step S 108 ). 
     If the game player selects to execute a foreign player acquisition (step S 110 ; Yes), it is determined whether or not the number of foreign players of the change-intended team has reached its foreigners registration quota (step S 112 ). 
     If the foreigners registration quota is reached (step S 112 ; Yes), the foreign players that are registered in the registered foreign player identification information  734   g  are displayed so as to be selectable (step S 114 ). When the game player has made an input of selection, the changes contents setting section  222  determines the player character to be released according to the operation input (step S 116 ), and the players configuration changing section  223  deletes the selected player character from the registration in the registered foreign player identification information  734   g  to store “0”, which represents that the foreign player does not belong to any teams, to information relating to the belonged team  732   b  for the foreign player character (step S 118 ). 
     The changes contents setting section  222  searches the player information  732  to allow displaying a list of non-belonged foreign players so as to be selectable (step S 120 ). When the game player has made an input of selection, the changes contents setting section  222  determines the acquirement-intended foreign player according to the operation input (step S 122 ). 
     On the other hand, if the change-intended team is a team operated by the computer (step S 106 ; No), the changes contents setting section  222  searches for a player character with the lowest name value  732   c  among the foreign players of (registered on) the team (step S 124 ), and the players configuration changing section  223  deletes the player character from the registration (step S 126 ). 
     The changes contents setting section  222  searches for a predetermined number of ( 10 , for example) foreign players with highest name values  732   c  among non-belonged foreign players in the player information  732  (step S 128 ), and selects a player character from the foreign players at random (step S 130 ). 
     When the foreign player desired to be acquired is selected, a comparison is made between the fund  734   c  of the change-intended team and the acquired money  732   d  of the selected foreign player. If the fund  734   c  exceeds the acquired money  732   d  (step S 132 ; Yes), the changes contents setting section  222  judges the success of the negotiation, that is, the success of the acquirement (step S 134 ), and registers in the negotiation contents information  744  information on the negotiation contents to set the success or failure flag  744   c  to “1 (negotiation succeeded)” (step S 138 ). If the fund  734   c  does not exceed the acquired money  732   d  (step S 132 ; No), the changes contents setting section  222  judges the failure of the negotiation, that is, the failure of the acquirement (step S 136 ), and registers in the negotiation contents information  744  information on the negotiation contents to set the success or failure flag  744   c  to “0 (negotiation failed)” (step S 138 ). 
     Then, in  FIG. 12 , the change-intended team determining section  221  searches for a team of which number of foreign players  734   d  has not reached the foreign players quota “4” (step S 140 ), and defines any found team as a change-intended team (step S 142 ). 
     If the change-intended team is the game player&#39;s team (step S 144 ; Yes), the changes contents setting section  222  allows displaying a screen in which the game player selects to or not to execute a change in the configuration of foreign players (foreign player acquisition) (step S 146 ). 
     If the game player selects to execute a foreign player acquisition (step S 148 ; Yes), the changes contents setting section  222  searches the player information  732  to allow displaying a list of non-belonged foreign players so as to be selectable (step S 150 ). When the game player has made an input of selection, the changes contents setting section  222  determines the acquirement-intended foreign player according to the operation input (step S 152 ). 
     If the change-intended team is a team operated by the computer (step S 144 ; No), the changes contents setting section  222  searches for a predetermined number of ( 10 , for example) foreign players with highest name values  732   c  among non-belonged foreign players in the player information  732  (step S 154 ), and selects a player character from the foreign players at random (step S 156 ). 
     When the foreign player desired to be acquired is selected, a comparison is made between the fund  734   c  of the change-intended team and the acquired money  732   d  of the selected foreign player. If the fund  734   c  exceeds the acquired money  732   d  (step S 158 ; Yes), the changes contents setting section  222  judges the success of the negotiation, that is, the success of the acquirement (step S 160 ), and registers in the negotiation contents information  744  information on the negotiation contents to set the success or failure flag  744   c  to “1 (negotiation succeeded)” (step S 164 ). If the fund  734   c  does not exceed the acquired money  732   d  (step S 158 ; No), the changes contents setting section  222  judges the failure of the negotiation, that is, the failure of the acquirement (step S 162 ), and registers in the negotiation contents information  744  information on the negotiation contents to set the success or failure flag  744   c  to “0 (negotiation failed)” (step S 164 ). 
     Then, in  FIG. 13 , the change-intended team determining section  221  determines whether or not a trade is generated at random with a predetermined probability (step S 170 ). Specifically, a random number is generated so as to generate a trade with a probability of 5% in the first half of the competition period, and with a probability of 3% in the latter half of the competition period, for example. 
     If a trade is generated (step S 172 ; Yes), the change-intended team determining section  221  determines two teams that make a trade according to the rankings in the pennant race (step S 174 ). Specifically, a random number is generated for each team in sequence so as to determine whether or not the team is selected with a probability according to its ranking in the pennant race, until two teams are selected as trading teams, for example. The probability in the selection is set in advance to be lower (5%, for example) for a team with a higher ranking, and to be higher (35%, for example) for a team with a lower ranking. 
     When two teams are selected as the trading teams, the changes contents setting section  222  selects a player character to be released in the trade (first trade-intended player) from the team other than the game player&#39;s team (step S 176 ). Specifically, the domestic players registered in the registered domestic player identification information  734   f  of the team are ranked according to their name values  732   c , and a player character with a low name value and ranked in the lowest rank is selected at random, for example. 
     If the other team as a trading partner is the game player&#39;s team (step S 178 ; Yes), the changes contents setting section  222  allows displaying a screen which informs the game player that a trade is offered and which allows the game player to select to or not to accept the trade (step S 180 ). 
     If the game player makes an input to accept the trade (step S 182 ; Yes), the changes contents setting section  222  allows displaying the fielding position and rank of the name value  732   c  of the player character already selected (first trade-intended player) (step S 184 ). The list of the domestic players registered in the registered domestic player identification information  734   f  is displayed so as to be selectable, to allow the game player to select a player character to be traded (second trade-intended player) or to select to cancel the trade (step S 186 ). 
     If the other team as a trading partner is not the game player&#39;s team (step S 178 ; No), the changes contents setting section  221  searches for a player character generally at the same level as the player character already selected (first trade-intended player) (step S 188 ). Specifically, a player character with the same fielding position as and generally in the same rank as the parameters of the player character already selected to be traded is searched for from the domestic players registered in the registered domestic player identification information  734   f  of the team, for example. If any player characters are found (step S 190 ; Yes), a player character is selected at random from the found player characters (step S 192 ). 
     The changes contents setting section  222  judges whether or not the negotiation goes through (step S 194 ). 
     If the game player does not select a second trade-intended player, or if a second trade-intended player equivalent to the first trade-intended player is not selected from the team operated by the computer (step S 194 ; No), the changes contents setting section  222  judges the failure of the negotiation, that is, the configuration of the player characters cannot be changed (step S 196 ), and registers in the negotiation contents information  744  information on the negotiation contents to set the success or failure flag  744   c  to “0 (negotiation failed)” (step S 198 ). 
     If a second trade-intended player is selected (step S 194 ; Yes), the changes contents setting section  222  judges the success of the negotiation, that is, the configuration of the player characters can be changed (step S 197 ), and registers in the negotiation contents information  744  information on the negotiation contents to set the success or failure flag  744   c  to “1 (negotiation succeeded)” (step S 198 ). 
     [3. Flow of Player Configuration Changing Process] 
       FIG. 14  is a flowchart for describing the player configuration changing process in this embodiment. 
     As shown in the drawing, the players configuration changing section  223  refers to the negotiation contents information  744  (step S 202 ), and compares the negotiation starting dates  744   d  of the registered foreign player acquirement negotiations or trades with the present date in the game world to search for a negotiation or trade with a predetermined number of days having elapsed from the negotiation starting date (step S 204 ). 
     According to the contents of any found foreign player acquirement negotiation or trade, the configuration of player characters of the team in the change-intended team identification information  744   a  is changed. 
     Specifically, in the case of a foreign player acquirement negotiation (step S 206 ; Yes), for example, if the success or failure flag  744   c  stored is “1,” which indicates that the negotiation goes through (step S 208 ; Yes), the team identification information of the negotiation partner is stored in the belonged team  732   b  of the foreign player in the change-intended player identification information  744   b  registered in the negotiation contents information  744  (step S 210 ), and the player identification information of the foreign player is registered in the registered foreign player identification information  734   g  of the team in the change-intended team identification information  744   a  (step S 212 ). The players configuration changing section  223  allows displaying on the game screen the success of the acquirement of the foreign player (step S 214 ). 
     If the success or failure flag  744   c  stored is “0,” which indicates that the negotiation does not go through (step S 208 ; No), the players configuration changing section  223  allows displaying on the game screen the failure of the acquirement of the foreign player (step S 215 ). 
     In the case of a trade of player characters between teams (step S 206 ; No), for example, if the success or failure flag  744   c  stored is “1,” which indicates that the negotiation goes through (step S 216 ; Yes), the registered domestic player identification information  734   f  of each team and the belonged team  732   b  of the player information  732  are changed so that the two trade-intended teams exchange their trade-intended players (step S 218 ). The players configuration changing section  223  allows displaying on the game screen the success of the trade (step S 220 ). 
     If the success or failure flag  744   c  stored is “0,” which indicates that the negotiation does not go through (step S 216 ; No), the registered domestic player identification information  734   f  and the belonged team  732   b  of the player information  732  are not changed, and the players configuration changing section  223  allows displaying on the game screen the failure of the trade (step S 222 ). 
     As a result of the processing above, events such as a trade and foreign player acquirement negotiation can be carried out in response to the state of the teams even during the pennant race, thereby enhancing the reality and appeal of the game. 
       FIG. 15A  to  FIG. 15D  show examples of game screens in this embodiment, showing examples of the screens concerning a foreign player acquirement negotiation.  FIG. 15A  is a game screen corresponding to step  108  in the negotiation contents setting process. The game screen displays a message “Popularity of your team is flagging. Acquire a foreign player as a popularity-recovering plan,” for example, and also displays choices of whether or not to acquire a foreign player so as to be selectable. 
       FIG. 15B  is a game screen corresponding to step  120  in the negotiation contents setting process. The game screen displays an at-a-glance chart  80  showing non-belonged foreign players together with their parameters. Note that the at-a-glance chart  80  does not show the acquired money  732   d  in this embodiment. The game player takes into consideration the amount of team&#39;s fund available and the foreign players&#39; parameters by reference to a fund displaying field  82  to select one player character, in the case of the drawing. Since the acquired money  732   d  of each player is not known at this time, the game player selects a foreign player so that the acquired money  732   d  of the selected foreign player will not exceed the fund of the game player&#39;s team, bearing in mind that the values of the foreign players&#39; parameters are more or less proportional to their amount of acquired money, for example. In other words, price negotiation is executed. 
       FIG. 15C  and  FIG. 15D  are game screens corresponding to step  214  and step  215 , respectively, in the player configuration changing process. The success or failure of a foreign player acquirement negotiation is informed on the game screen. If the acquired money  732   d  of the foreign player selected by the game player does not exceed the fund of the game player&#39;s team, the game screen of  FIG. 15C  is displayed, and if it does, the game screen of  FIG. 15D  is displayed. 
     [Hardware Configuration] 
     Descriptions will be next made of a hardware construction which could implement the functions of the home game unit  1200 . 
       FIG. 16  is a diagram showing an example of the hardware construction according to the embodiment of the present invention. The home game unit  1200  has a CPU  1000 , a ROM  1002 , a RAM  1004 , a data storage medium  1006 , a sound generation IC  1008 , an image generating IC  1010 , and I/O ports  1012  and  1014 . They are connected to each other via a system bus  1016  so as to input/output data. 
     The CPU  1000  corresponds to the processing section  40  in  FIG. 3 , and performs total control of the home game unit  1200  and various data processes, according to a program stored in the data storage medium  1006 , a system program stored in the ROM  1002 , the operation input signals inputted through the control device  1022  or the like. 
     The ROM  1002 , the RAM  1004  and the data storage medium  1006  correspond to the storage section  70  in  FIG. 3 . The ROM  1002  corresponds to the IC memory implemented in the main unit  1210  in  FIG. 1 , and stores programs and data such as the system program or the like related to the control of the main unit  1210 . The RAM  1004  is a storage section used as a work area of the CPU  1000 . The RAM  1004  stores, for example, given contents in the ROM  1002  or the data storage medium  1006 , results computed by the CPU  1000  and the like. The data storage medium  1006  corresponds to the CD-ROM  1212 , the IC memory  1214  and the memory card  1216  in  FIG. 1 . The functions of the data storage medium  1006  could be implemented by an IC memory card, a hard disc unit detachable from the main unit, MO or the like. Furthermore, the data storage medium  1006  stores data stored in the ROM  1002 , and loads the data to use, as needed. 
     The sound generation IC  1008  is an integrated circuit designed to generate game sounds such as sound effects and BGM based on the data stored in the data storage medium  1006  or the ROM  1002 . The generated game sounds are output from a speaker  1020 . The speaker  1020  corresponds to the sound output section  40  in  FIG. 3  or the speaker  1222  in  FIG. 1 . 
     The image generating IC  1010  is an integrated circuit designed to generate pixel information for outputting images to a display  1018 . The image generating IC  1010  corresponds to the image generating section  24  in  FIG. 3 . The display  1018  corresponds to the image displaying section  30  in  FIG. 3  or the display  1220  in  FIG. 1 . 
     The I/O port  1012  connects to a control device  1022 . The I/O port  1014  connects to a communication device  1024 . 
     The control device  1022  corresponds to the operation input section  10  in  FIG. 3 , or the game controllers  1202  in  FIG. 1 . The control device  1022  is designed to permit a player to input various operation data 
     The communication device  1024  is designed to input/output various information to be used in the game unit to/from an external device. It connects to another game device in order to transmit/receive information required for the game program. It also transmits/receives the game program information via a communication line. The communication device  1024  corresponds to the communication section  50  in  FIG. 3  or the communication device  1218  in  FIG. 1 . 
     Software execution with the CPU  1000  or a general-purpose DSP may also be allowed for processes which could be executed by the sound generating IC  1008  or the image generating IC  1010 . 
     The present invention applies not only to the home game unit  1200  shown in  FIG. 1 , but also to various devices including an arcade game device, a mobile game device, a general-purpose computer such as a personal computer, a large-sized attraction device in which many players can participate, or the like. 
       FIG. 17  shows an example of the exterior of an arcade game unit  1300  to which the present invention is applied, for example. As shown in the drawing, an arcade game unit  1300  is provided with a display  1302  for displaying game pictures, a speaker  1304  for outputting sound effects and BGM in the game, a joystick  1306  for inputting vertical and horizontal operations, push buttons  1308 , and a control unit  1320  for integrally controlling the arcade game unit  1300  by computer processing to execute a given game. 
     The control unit  1320  is equipped with a processing unit such as a CPU, and a ROM  1322  in which game programs and data are stored that are required to control the arcade game unit  1300  and to execute the game. The CPU mounted on the control unit  1320  reads from the ROM  1322  as appropriate and computes the programs and data to execute a variety of processes. 
     The game player operates the joystick  1306  and push buttons  1308  while watching the game pictures displayed on the display  1302  to enjoy playing the game. 
     It should be understood that the application of the present invention is not limited to games to be executed on a stand-alone device, but the present invention may be applied to those called network games. Examples of the system configuration designed to implement a network game are as follows: (1) configuration having a home PC or home game system as a game terminal to be connected to a server via a wired/wireless communication line such as the Internet or a dedicated line network; (2) configuration connecting multiple game terminals to each other via a communication line without a server; (3) configuration connecting multiple game terminals via a communication line, one of which functions as a server; and (4) configuration physically linking multiple game terminals with each other to serve as a single system (e.g. arcade game system). 
     Second Embodiment 
     Description will be made of a second embodiment to which the present invention is applied with reference to  FIG. 18  to  FIG. 22 . This embodiment is characterized by a virtual manager provided for each team, according to the parameters of which a player character is selected in a trade or foreign player acquirement negotiation. Note that this embodiment can be implemented basically by the same constituent elements as those in the first embodiment, to which the same reference numerals and symbols are affixed and of which description will be omitted as appropriate. 
     [Description of Function Block] 
       FIG. 18  is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of this embodiment. As shown in the drawing, the team information  734  includes manager type  734   h , and the game information  72  includes manager parameters  747  for each manager type. 
       FIG. 19  shows an example of the manager parameters in this embodiment. The manager parameters  747  correspond to the team arrangement and team management policy of the virtual manager. In this embodiment, the manager parameters  747  include fielding position when active  747   a , demanded extra hitting power  747   b , demanded safe hitting power  747   c , demanded running power  747   d , demanded starting power  747   e , and demanded relief power  747   f , for example. The manager_parameters  747  may also include a predetermined thinking routine concerning strategies of, for example, utilization of players, bunting, and hit-and-run play. 
     The fielding position when active  747   a  is the fielding position of the virtual manager when active, and arranges that a player character of the same fielding position is selected with a higher probability in the negotiation setting process. 
     The demanded extra hitting power  747   b , demanded safe hitting power  747   c , and demanded running power  747   d  correspond to the tendencies in quality required of fielders, that is, a player character satisfying these requirements is selected with priority. For example, if the demanded extra hitting power  747   b  is “4 and above” and the demanded safe hitting power  747   c  is “1 and above” in their comparison, the manager has a tendency to think much of long hits rather than the batting average. If the parameters have the opposite relation, the manager has a tendency to gain points step by step with a high batting average, rather than to gain points by long hits. 
     The demanded starting power  747   e  and demanded relief power  747   f  show the tendencies in quality required of pitchers, that is, a player character satisfying these requirements is selected with priority. For example, if the demanded starting power  747   e  is large and the demanded relief power  747   f  is small in their comparison, the manager has a tendency to think much of starting pitchers, and if opposite, the manager has a tendency to think much of relief pitchers. 
     The game player&#39;s team is not provided with a virtual manager, since the game player itself serves as the manager in command. 
     [Description of Process Flow] 
       FIG. 20  to  FIG. 22  are flowcharts for describing the changes contents setting processing in this embodiment. Note that steps different from those in the first embodiment are affixed with numerals in the 300s. 
     As shown in  FIG. 20 , in the changes contents setting processing in this embodiment, the players configuration changing section  223  refers to the demanded parameter values for foreign players based on the manager parameters  747  of the team in the selection of a foreign player (step S 300 ). Foreign players with parameters satisfying such demands are searched for (step S 302 ), and, if any player characters satisfying the demands are found (step S 304 ; Yes), a foreign player is selected at random from the found player characters (step S 306 ). On the other hand, if any player character with parameters satisfying the demands is not found (step S 304 ; No), the negotiation is cancelled. 
     In  FIG. 21 , likewise, the players configuration changing section  223  refers to the demanded parameter values for foreign players based on the manager parameters  747  of the team in the selection of a foreign player (step S 310 ). Foreign players with parameters satisfying such demands are searched for (step S 312 ), and, if any player characters satisfying the demands are found (step S 314 ; Yes), a foreign player is selected at random from the found player characters (step S 316 ). On the other hand, if any player character with parameters satisfying the demands is not found (step S 314 ; No), the negotiation is cancelled. 
     In  FIG. 22 , in the selection of trade-intended player characters, the demanded parameter values for domestic players are referred to based on the manager parameters  747  of the team other than the game player&#39;s team (step S 320 ). The player information  732  of the player characters registered in the registered domestic player identification information  734   f  of the team is referred to, the player characters with parameters satisfying such demands are removed from the objects of the selection (step S 322 ), and a player character is selected from the other domestic players (step S 324 ). 
     Likewise, in the selection of a second trade-intended player from a team operated by the computer, the demanded parameter values for domestic players are referred to based on the manager parameters  747  (step S 326 ) before step  176 , the player information  732  of the player characters registered in the registered domestic player identification information  734   f  of the team is referred to, and the player characters with parameters satisfying such demands are removed from the objects of the selection (step S 328 ). 
     In this way, according to the arrangement that a virtual manager is provided to reflect its characteristic in the configuration change of player characters of the team, each team controlled by the computer can be gradually characterized over trades and foreign player acquirement negotiations. Thus, the game player can play games against teams with more distinct characteristics as the game proceeds, thereby increasing the enjoyment in the game play. 
     Third Embodiment 
     Description will be made of a third embodiment to which the present invention is applied with reference to  FIG. 23 . This embodiment is characterized by a function of automatically generating non-belonged, unregistered foreign players. Note that this embodiment can be implemented basically by the same constituent elements as those in the first and the second embodiment, to which the same reference numerals and symbols are affixed and of which description will be omitted as appropriate. 
     [Description of Function Block] 
       FIG. 23  is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of this embodiment. As shown in the drawing, the game computing section  22  in this embodiment includes a character generating section  227  and a scouting section  228 . The game information  72  includes a character generating program  727  for permitting the processing section  20  to function as the character generating section  227 , and a scouting program  728  for permitting it to function as the scouting section  228 . 
     The character generating section  227  generates a non-belonged, unregistered foreign player to be added to the player information  732 . More specifically, a player list may be provided in advance that includes player identification information  732   a  and player&#39;s names related thereto, and, each time a new foreign player is to be generated, one may be selected at random from the player list and the parameters of the selected player identification information  732   a  may be set at random to be added to the player information  732 . In this embodiment, the character generating section  227  generates 1 to 3 new characters for every predetermined period of time (2 months, for example) in the game world. Alternatively, the character generating section  227  may generate characters a predetermined number of times with random timing during the official game period. 
     In this way, the character generating section  227  creates new foreign players other than the prearranged foreign players, thereby allowing the acquirement of a completely new foreign player as if the player was scouted from a foreign baseball league. In this embodiment, additionally, since the parameters of a newly generated foreign player are set at random, there may happen to appear an all-round player character or a player character with a particular specialty, thereby adding unpredictability to the game. 
     When the game player sets in advance the conditions of a foreign player desired to be acquired, the scouting section  228  regularly searches the player information  732  to judge whether or not any non-belonged foreign player satisfying such conditions exists. If a foreign player satisfying such conditions is found, the game player is informed on the game screen that a desired foreign player exists. That is, the game player can use a virtual scouter by the scouting section  228 , thereby the operability of the game can be increased. This is especially effective if the character generating section  227  generates foreign players with random timing. 
     The conditions set in advance by the game player, which are used by the scouting section  228  as the search conditions, are temporarily stored in the game information  72  as scout condition information  748 . In the same manner as the manager parameters  747  in the second embodiment, for example, the contents of the scout condition information  748  may include the fielding position when active  747   a , demanded extra hitting power  747   b , demanded safe hitting power  747   c , demanded running power  747   d , demanded starting power  747   e , and demanded relief power  747   f.    
     [Description of Modification] 
     Note that the present invention is not limited to the first to third preferable embodiments described above, and that its constituent elements may be added, omitted, or modified as appropriate within the scope of the invention. 
     Although a configuration change of player characters of a team can be made during the official game period in the embodiments above, it may be arranged that it can be made before or after the official game period (competition period), that is, in the off-season, for example. During the off-season, the changes contents setting processing and player configuration changing process are executed when a predetermined operation is made, for example. At this time, the parameter values at the end of the last official game period are used as the team parameters. 
     Although the player configuration changing process is arranged so that a trade or foreign player acquirement negotiation with a predetermined number of days having elapsed from the negotiation starting date is brought into execution (reflected in the game), such conditions may be omitted. 
     Although a trade is described as an exchange of a player character for another player character, the so-called “money trade,” which is an exchange of a player character for money, may also be possible. 
     The acquired money  732   d  is set in advance also for domestic players, for example. In step  174 , a player character desired to be acquired is selected as a first trade-intended player from the domestic players of the team as a trading partner. If the releasing team is the game player&#39;s team, the game player selects to or not to accept the trade, and if the releasing team is a computer team, the decision is made at random. 
     When the trade is accepted, a comparison is made between the fund  734   c  of the team desiring the acquirement and the acquired money  732   d  of the selected player character. If the fund  734   c  exceeds the acquired money  732   d , the changes contents setting section  222  judges the success of the negotiation, that is, the success of the acquirement, and registers in the negotiation contents information  744  the identification information of the player character and information on the negotiation contents to set the success or failure flag  744   c  to “1 (negotiation succeeded).” 
     To the contrary, if the fund  734   c  does not exceed the acquired money  732   d , the changes contents setting section  222  judges the failure of the negotiation, that is, the failure of the acquirement, and registers in the negotiation contents information  744  information on the negotiation contents to set the success or failure flag  744   c  to “0 (negotiation failed)” (see step  158  to step  164 ). When the negotiation goes through, the players configuration changing section  223  transfers the change-intended player from the releasing team to the acquiring team, and transfers the acquired money from the fund  734   c  of the acquiring team to that of the releasing team. 
     The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. Tokugan 2003-067374 filed on Mar. 12, 2003 including specification, claims, drawings and summary are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.