Patent Publication Number: US-2023146517-A1

Title: Non-transitory storage medium having stored therein information processing program, information processing apparatus, information system, and information processing method

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This nonprovisional application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-181532 filed with the Japan Patent Office on Nov. 5, 2021, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. The entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a non-transitory storage medium having stored therein, an information processing program, an information processing apparatus, an information processing system, and an information processing method for performing information processing relating to the output of a music piece in a game in which a plurality of players participate. 
     BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY 
     In the past, background music (BGM) has been used in games, and games in which a music piece is selected and output in accordance with the game situation are known. In this way, the music piece is selected and output in accordance with the game situation. In this way, when trying to output music piece according to the game situation, it was necessary to create many pieces of music in advance when trying to prepare music pieces for various game situations (see, for example, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQq22oYMTFo, which was valid at the time of the basic Japanese application but is no longer valid as of the filing date of this application, but similar content can be found at &lt;https://youtu.be/YaKojDXwWGw&gt; as of the filing date of this application). 
     One of the purposes of the present technology is to provide an information processing program, an information processing device, an information processing system, and an information processing method that can output a variety of BGM according to game situations. 
     A non-transitory storage medium in one aspect has stored therein an information processing program, the information processing program causes the computer to function as: a competitive game execution unit configured to execute a competitive game in which a plurality of players participate; a determining unit configured to determine at least one player among the plurality of players who satisfies a predetermined condition relating to the competitive game during the progress of the competitive game; and a music output unit configured to output, during the progress of the competitive game, a first music piece associated with a player satisfying the predetermined conditions and output, after the first music piece, a second music piece to be selected regardless of a player satisfying the predetermined conditions, wherein the music output unit is configured to, when a player satisfying the predetermined condition is replaced during the progress of the game, cause the first music piece associated with the player newly satisfying the predetermined condition to be output, and after the first music piece, cause a second music piece different from the second music piece included in a music piece that was output before the player was replaced. 
     According to this configuration, the BGM is changed each time a player who satisfies the predetermined conditions for a competitive game is replaced, so that the BGM can be output in accordance with the game situation. The player can feel the change in the progress of the game by the change of the BGM. Furthermore, according to the above configuration, as BGM, after outputting the first music piece associated with a player who satisfies the predetermined conditions for a competitive game, the second music piece, which is selected regardless of the player, is output, and the second music piece is changed each time a player who satisfies the predetermined conditions is replaced. Therefore, it is possible to provide a variety of BGM without having to create many music pieces to be used as BGM. 
     The information processing program stored in the non-transitory storage medium described above may further be configured to cause the computer to function as an evaluation unit configured to evaluate a plurality of players in the competitive game, and the determination unit may be configured to determine a player with the highest evaluation among the plurality of players as the player satisfying a predetermined condition for the competitive game during the progress of the competitive game. 
     According to this configuration, the BGM is changed each time the player with the highest evaluation is switched, so that the player can know that the player with the highest evaluation has switched by the change of BGM. 
     The evaluation unit may be configured to calculate a score of the competitive game for each of the plurality of players from time to time, and the determination unit may be configured to determine a player with the highest score among the plurality of players as the player satisfying the predetermined conditions for the competitive game during the progress of the competitive game. 
     According to this configuration, the BGM is chanced each time the player with the highest score switches, so that the player can know that the player with the highest score has switched by the change of the BGM. 
     The music output unit may configured to repeatedly output music pieces corresponding to the replacement of a player who satisfies the predetermined condition until the competitive game is finished. 
     According to this configuration, the above effect can be maintained until the game ends. 
     The music output unit may be configured to associate at least one of the plurality of first music pieces with each of the plurality of players at a predetermined timing at least until the competitive game is played. 
     According to this configuration, the first music piece to be associated with each player can be determined prior to the start of the competitive game. 
     Each of the plurality of players may be associated with a different first music piece from each other. 
     According to this configuration, since when a player becomes a player who satisfies the predetermined conditions, the BGM including the first music piece associated with himself/herself is output differently from other players, the player who himself herself a player satisfying the predetermined conditions can show off by BGM that he/she has become a player who meets the predetermined conditions. 
     The game execution unit may be configured to display an image that can identify players who satisfy the predetermined conditions on a display device. 
     According to this configuration, the user can effectively recognize that the progress of the game has changed by the image as well as the BGM. 
     The music output unit may be configured to cause a third music piece to be output instead of outputting the first music piece when two or more of the plurality of players satisfy the predetermined conditions. 
     According to this configuration, when more than one player satisfies the predetermined conditions, the third music piece can be output to indicate that more than one player satisfies the predetermined conditions. 
     The music output unit may be configured to repeatedly outputs the second music piece until a player satisfying the predetermined condition is replaced. 
     According to this configuration, the first music piece can be used as the intro music and the second piece of music can be output repeatedly. 
     The music output unit may be configured to increase a output speed of at least one of the first music piece and the second music piece to be output when the progress of the competitive game reaches a predetermined progress status. 
     According to this configuration, the player can know by the BGM that the progress of the competitive game has reached a predetermined progress status. 
     The music output unit may be configured to cause a plurality of second music pieces to be switched and output according to a predetermined order each time a player satisfying the predetermined conditions is replaced. 
     According to this configuration, the second music piece is output in order each time a player satisfying the predetermined condition is replaced. 
     The number of selectable second music piece is less than the maximum number of players who can participate in the competitive game. 
     According to this configuration, a variety of BGM can be output with a relatively small number of music pieces. 
     The first music piece is shorter than the second music piece. 
     According to this configuration, the first piece of music prepared for each player can be short, and this allows a variety of BGM to be output while reducing the burden of BGM creation. 
     The competitive game may be: a quiz game; a puzzle game; a racing game in which the evaluation is determined according to a speed of goal time or a distance traveled within a predetermined time; or a baffle game in whim the evaluation is determined according to damage points corresponding to attacks by other players or hit points corresponding to attacks on other players, and the predetermined condition used for determination of the determination unit may be a condition related to the evaluation. In the quiz game, each player&#39;s evaluation may be determined according to at least one of the following: the correctness of answers of the plurality of players; the speed of the answers; the number of correct answers within a predetermined time period; and the points earned within a predetermined time period. In the puzzle game, each player&#39;s evaluation may be determined according to at least one of the following: a speed of clear times of the each player; the number of clear times within a predetermined time period; and points earned within a predetermined time period. 
     According to this configuration, in each competitive game, the BGM can be switched according to the evaluation of the player. 
     An information processing apparatus in one aspect comprises: a competitive game execution unit configured to execute a competitive game in which a plurality of players participate; a determining unit configured to determine at least one player among the plurality of players who satisfies a predetermined condition relating to the competitive game during the progress of the competitive game; and a music output unit configured to output, during the progress of the competitive game, a first music piece associated with a player satisfying the predetermined conditions and output, after the first music piece, a second music piece to be selected regardless of a player satisfying the predetermined conditions, wherein the music output unit is configured to, when a player satisfying the predetermined condition is replaced during the progress of the game, cause the first music piece associated with the player newly satisfying the predetermined condition to be output, and after the first music piece, cause a second music piece different from the second music piece included in a music piece that was output before the player was replaced. 
     According to this configuration, the BGM is changed each time a player who satisfies the predetermined conditions for a competitive game is replaced, so that the BGM can be output in accordance with the game situation. The player can feel the change in the progress of the game by the change of the BGM. Furthermore, according to the above configuration, as BGM, after outputting the first music piece associated with a player who satisfies the predetermined conditions for a competitive game, the second music piece, which is selected regardless of the player, is output, and the second music piece is changed each time a player who satisfies the predetermined conditions is replaced. Therefore, it is possible to provide a variety of BGM without having to create many music pieces to be used as BGM. 
     The information processing apparatus may further comprise an evaluation unit configured to cause the computer to function as an evaluation unit configured to evaluate a plurality of players in the competitive game, wherein the determination unit may be configured to determine a player with the highest evaluation among the plurality of players as the player satisfying a predetermined condition for the competitive game during the progress of the competitive game. 
     The evaluation unit may be configured to calculate a score of the competitive game for each of the plurality of players from time to time, and the determination unit may be configured to determine a player with the highest score among the plurality of players as the player satisfying the predetermined conditions for the competitive game during the progress of the competitive game. 
     The music output unit may be configured to repeatedly output music pieces corresponding to the replacement of a player who satisfies the predetermined condition until the competitive game is finished. 
     An information processing system in one aspect comprises: a competitive game execution unit configured to execute a competitive game in which a plurality of players participate; a determining unit configured to determine at least one player among the plurality of players who satisfies a predetermined condition relating to the competitive game during the progress of the competitive game; and a music output unit configured to output, during the progress of the competitive game, a first music piece associated with a player satisfying the predetermined conditions and output, after the first music piece, a second music piece to be selected regardless of a player satisfying the predetermined conditions, wherein the music output unit is configured to, when a player satisfying the predetermined condition is replaced during the progress of the game, cause the first music piece associated with the player newly satisfying the predetermined condition to be output, and after the first music piece, cause a second music piece different from the second music piece included in a music piece that was output before the player was replaced. 
     According to this configuration, the BGM is changed each time a player who satisfies the predetermined conditions for a competitive game is replaced, so that the BGM can be output in accordance with the game situation. The player can feel the change in the progress of the game by the change of the BGM. Furthermore, according to the above configuration, as BGM, after outputting the first music piece associated with a player who satisfies the predetermined conditions for a competitive game, the second music piece, which is selected regardless of the player, is output, and the second music piece is changed each time a player who satisfies the predetermined conditions is replaced. Therefore, it is possible to provide a variety of BGM without having to create many music pieces to be used as BGM. 
     An information processing method in one aspect comprises: executing a competitive game in which a plurality of players participate; determining at least one player among the plurality of players who satisfies a predetermined condition relating to the competitive game during the progress of the competitive game; and outputting, during the progress of the competitive game, a first music piece associated with a player satisfying the predetermined conditions and output, after the first music piece, a second music piece to be selected regardless of a player satisfying the predetermined conditions, wherein the outputting is configured to, when a player satisfying the predetermined condition is replaced during the progress of the game, cause the first music piece associated with the player newly satisfying the predetermined condition to be output, and after the first music piece, cause a second music piece different from the second music piece included in a music piece that was output before the player was replaced. 
     According to this configuration, the BGM is changed each time a player who satisfies the predetermined conditions for a competitive game is replaced, so that the BGM can be output in accordance with the game situation. The player can feel the change in the progress of the game by the change of the BGM. Furthermore, according to the above configuration, as BGM, after outputting the first music piece associated with a player who satisfies the predetermined conditions for a competitive game, the second music piece, which is selected regardless of the player, is output, and the second music piece is changed each time a player who satisfies the predetermined conditions is replaced. Therefore, it is possible to provide a variety of BGM without having to create many music pieces to be used as BGM. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a block diagram of the information processing system, in the first embodiment; 
         FIG.  2    shows an example of the display screen of the information processing system in the first embodiment; 
         FIG.  3    shows a data structure of data stored in a memory device in the first embodiment; 
         FIG.  4    illustrates the composition of the music files of the first embodiment; 
         FIG.  5    shows a transition of an output music file after a game starts in the first embodiment; 
         FIG.  6    is a flowchart of an information processing method in the first embodiment; 
         FIG.  7    is a flowchart of the output step of the music file of the information processing method in the first embodiment; 
         FIG.  8    shows the data structure of the data stored in the memory device in the second embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF NON-LIMITING EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS 
     The game systems in embodiments of the present technology are described below with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below are examples of the implementation of the present technology, and the present technology is not limited to the specific configurations described below. In implementing the present technology, specific configurations according to the embodiments may be adopted as appropriate. 
     In the embodiments described below, a person who operates a gaming device and plays a game is called a user, and a user recognized in a game is called a player. The player may appear as a character on the game screen, or the user who operates the gaming device and plays the game may be treated as a player in the game. Objects (vehicles, airplanes, etc.) operated by the user may also be considered as players. 
     First Embodiment 
       FIG.  1    is a block diagram of the information processing system in the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the information processing system is configured as a gaming device that performs processing related to games. In this embodiment, the gaming device  100  executes, among other things, a competitive game in which multiple players participate. The gaming device  100  is equipped with a memory device  110 , an information processing device  120 , an input device  130 , a display device  140  and an audio output device  150 . 
     The input device  130  is a device by which a user participating in a competitive game makes inputs. The input device  130  may be a touch panel or a controller equipped with physical operation buttons and operation levers. The input device  130  may be integrally configured with the information processing device  120 , etc., or it may be a device separate from the information processing device  120 . 
     For example, the input device  130  may be a single touch. panel integrally configured with the display device  140 . In this case, a plurality of users participating in a competitive game may play the game by performing touch input to predetermined areas of this single touch panel. For example, the input device  130  may be controllers provided for each user and separate from the gaming device itself, including the information processing unit  120 . In this case, each controller can communicate with the main unit of the gaming device including the information processing unit  120  wirelessly or by wire, and the controllers can receive operation inputs such as button operations from the user, generate operation signals indicating the received operation inputs, and transmits it to the main unit of the gaming device. The main unit of the gaming device receives operation signals from each controller. 
     The memory device  110  is a non-volatile memory device, e.g., ROM. The memory device  110  contains a music data file (hereinafter simply referred to as a “music file”) that is output during a game as BGM along with various information for executing the game. 
     The information processing unit  120  performs information processing for executing a competitive game and for outputting a the music as BGM. The information processing device  120  executes the game program as an information processing program of this embodiment to progress the game in response to the input from the input device  130 . To supply the gaming device  100  with the game program, the gaming device  100  may read it from a portable non-transitory storage medium such as a cartridge or download it via a communication network. 
     The information processing unit  120  is equipped with a processor, memory, and various interfaces, and the processor executes the game program using the memory to play the game based on the operation signals from the input device  130 , displays the results of the game on the display device  140 , and outputs a music piece corresponding to the results of the game on the audio output device  150 . In this embodiment, the information processing device  120  provides multiple types of competitive games that can be played by multiple players. 
     The display device  140  is a display showing a display screen generated by the information processing device  120 . The audio output device  150  is a device that outputs a music piece by playing a specified music file. The audio output device  150  outputs a music piece by playing a music file selected by the information processing unit  120  according to the game to be played during a competitive game. The music output during the competitive game is particularly referred to as background music (BGM). 
     The information processing device  120  includes a competitive game execution unit  121 , an evaluation unit  122 , a determination unit  123 , and a music output unit  124 . Each of these elements is a function realized by the information processing unit  120  executing the game program. 
     The competitive game execution unit  121  executes information processing for a competitive game. The competitive game execution unit  121  executes a competitive game according to the game program based on operation signals from the input device  140 , and display screen reflecting the results is output to the display device  140 . 
       FIG.  2    shows an example of a display screen of the information processing system in the first embodiment. Display screen D 1  is shown on display device  140 . The example in  FIG.  2    is an example of a display screen for a puzzle game. In this example, the maximum number of multiple players who can participate in the competitive game is 4, and 4 participants (1P-4P) are participating. In other examples, the maximum number of players may be set to 5 or more. 
     The display screen D 1  shows avatars A 1 P to A 4 P for each player, and puzzle panels PP 1 -PP 4  are displayed corresponding to each player. The puzzle game consists of multiple rounds, and at the end of each round, each player is awarded points reflecting the result of that round, which is the player&#39;s score. In the example shown in  FIG.  2   , player 1P has got 21 points, player 2P has got 30 points, player 3P has got 48 points, and player 4P has got 32 points. 
     The display screen D 1  further has an indicator IND that shows the status of the competitive game. The indicator IND shows the current points earned (score) in indicator form, and at a glance, it can be seen which player has got the highest score, i.e., which player is the top player. In this competitive game, the player who gets the predetermined number of points (100 points in this example) first wins. Therefore, during the game, the player with the most points is the top (leader) player. In the indicator IND, the points earned by each player are indicated by an indicator where the avatar image of each player advances on the rail by the distance corresponding to the points earned, and the top player is also indicated. In addition to or instead of this, the top player may be indicated directly. For example, the top player may be marked, or the top player&#39;s avatar image may flash, or other means may be used to indicate who the top player is. 
     In each round of the puzzle game, the evaluation unit  122  awards points to each player according to the game results of that round, and calculates the accumulated points (score). In a puzzle game, more points are awarded to the player who completes the puzzle more quickly. 
     The determination unit  123  determines which of the multiple players participating in the competitive game satisfies the conditions. As an example, in this embodiment, the determination unit  123  determines the player with the highest accumulated points calculated by the evaluation unit  122  as the top player (hereinafter referred to as the “top player”). In other words, the condition under which the determination unit  123  determines one player from multiple players is that the cumulative points calculated by the evaluation unit  122  is the highest among the plurality of players. 
     After the determination by the determination unit  123 , the music output unit  124  selects a music file identified by the process described below from among the music files stored in the memory device  110 , and directs the audio output device  150  to output the music file as BGM. 
       FIG.  3    shows the data structure of the data stored in the memory device in the first embodiment. The memory device  110  stores music files for draw (BGM_Draw)  310 , music files of X group  320 , and music files for Y group  330  as music data files for BGM. The music files of X group  320  includes a first music piece (BGM_01_X)  321 , a second music piece (BGM_02_X)  322 , a third music file (BGM_03_X)  323 , and a fourth music file (BGM_04_X)  324 . The music files of Y group includes a first music piece (BGM_01_Y)  331 , a second music piece (BGM_02_Y)  332 , a third music file (BGM_03_Y)  333 , and a fourth music file (BGM_04_Y)  334 . 
     Here, each of the music files included in the X group  320  in this embodiment is one music file, but the music file is composed of music data including at least the first music piece and the second music piece each of the music files includes a first music piece that is associated with each player and a second music piece that is not associated with each player. 
       FIG.  4    illustrates the composition of the music files of the first embodiment. In  FIG.  4   , a music file belonging to the X group  320  and associated with player 1P (BGM_01_X)  321  is shown, but other music files belonging to the X group  320  and Y group  330  have the same structure. As shown in  FIG.  4   , the music file (BGM_01_X)  321  is a file of music configured such that a first intro (INTORO_01) as the first music piece associated with the player IP is output, and after that the first main BGM (BGM_X) as the second music piece is output. 
     Similarly to the music file (BGM_01_X)  321  in  FIG.  4   , the music file (BGM_02_X)  322  is a file of music configured such that the second intro (INTORO_02) as the first music piece associated with the player 2P is output, and after that the first main BGM (BGM_X) as the second music piece is output. The same applies to the music file (BGM_03_X)  323  and the music file (BGM_04_X)  324 . In other words, in the X group  320 , in each music file, the first music piece is different for each player, but the second music piece that follows it is common. 
     Each of the music files in Y group  330  in this embodiment is also a single music file, and each music file contains at least a first music piece associated with each player and a second music piece that is not associated with each player. For example, the music file (BGM_01_Y)  331  is a file of music configured such that: the first intro (INTORO_01) as the first music piece associated with player 1P is output, and after that, the second main BGM (BGM_Y) as the second music piece is output; the second intro (INTORO_01) as the first music piece associated with player 1P is output, and after that, the second main BGM (BGM_Y) as the second music piece is output. The same applies to the music file (BGM_03_Y)  333  and the music file (BGM_04_Y)  334 . In other words, also in Y group  330 , the first music piece in each music file is different for each player, but the second music piece that follows it is common. In addition, the first music piece prepared for each player in Y group  330  is the same as the first music piece prepared for each player in X group  330 . 
     In addition, the music file (BGM_Draw)  310  is a third music file that is different from the music of any of the music files. 
     The first music piece, which is associated with each player, is a short music and serves as an introduction when the music is switched. The second music piece, which is not associated with each player, is longer than the first music piece and functions as BGM while the game is in progress after the output of the first music piece. In other words, in order to prepare the music files to be stored in the memory device  110 , four types of short music (first music piece) associated with each player have been created, and two types of second music piece have been created as the main BGM music following the intro. Furthermore, a music is created for use when multiple players have the same highest score. Thus, the music files created by the combination of the first music piece associated with each player and the second music piece not associated with a player are the multiple music files (BGM_01_X)  321 , etc. as illustrated in  FIG.  4   . By creating multiple music files in this manner, as well as preparing music files when multiple players have the same highest score, and adjusting the order of output, a variety of BGM can be output even when a relatively small number of first and second music piece have been created. 
       FIG.  5    shows the transition of the output music files after the game starts in the first embodiment. When a game starts, the music output unit  124  causes the audio output device  150  to start outputting music files. Since all players are tied (0 points) at the start of the game, the music output unit  124  outputs the music file of the third music file that should be output when multiple players are tied for the top position (BGM_Draw)  310  is output. If, as the game progresses (e.g., at the timing when the first round ends), one of the players becomes the sole top player, the music output unit  124  receives a specification of the solo top player from the determination unit  123 , select a music file corresponding to the solo top player, and directs the audio output unit  150  to output the music file. 
     At this time, at first, the music output unit  124  outputs the music files  321 - 314  of the X group  320  (i.e., BGM_01_X, BGM_02_X, BGM_03_X, BGM_04_X), depending on who the sole top player is. Although it is acceptable to select one of the music files from any of the music files in Y group  330  according to who the single top player is, for the sake of convenience, in this embodiment, at the timing when the change of the player with the top score occurs for the first time, priority is given to the output of the music file included in the X group. If multiple players are tied for the top score, the music output unit  124  continues to select (BGM_Draw)  310 . 
     If the game progresses further (e.g., at the timing when the second round is finished) and the top player is replaced, the music output unit  124  receives the designation of the player who has replaced and become the top player from the determination unit  123 , selects the music file corresponding to the player who has become the top player, and directs the audio output device  150  to output the music file to be output to the audio output device  150 . 
     At this time, the music output unit  124  selects any of the music files  331 - 334  (that is, BGM_01_Y, BGM_02_Y BGM_03_Y, and BGM_04_Y) in the Y group  330 , which includes the second music piece which is different from the second music piece being played before changing the top player, depending on who the sole top player is. If multiple players are tied for the no position, the music output unit  124  selects the music file (BGM_Draw)  310 . 
     When the game progresses further (e.g., at the timing when the third round is finished) and the top player is replaced, the music output unit  124  receives the designation of the player who has replaced and become the top player from the determination unit  123 , selects the music file corresponding to the player who has become the top player, and directs the audio output device  150  to output the music file to be output to the audio output device  150 . 
     At this time, the music output unit  124  selects any of the music files  321 - 324  (that is, BGM_01_X, BGM_02_X BGM_03_X, and BGM_04_X) in the X group  320 , which includes the second music piece which is different from the second music piece being played before changing the top player, depending on who the sole top player is. If multiple players are tied for the top position, the music output unit  124  selects the music file (BGM_Draw)  310 . 
     Thus, each time the top player (highest score among multiple players) changes, the music file to be output is switched so that the second music piece to be output is different. In this embodiment, the music files are selected alternately from X Group  320  and Y Group  330 , and the second music piece in the music file is different between X group  320  and Y group  330 . In this way, each time the top player changes, the music files to be output are switched so that the second music piece included in the music files to be output is different. In other words, the music output unit  124  switches the music file to be output so that each time the top player changes, two types of the second music piece (the second music piece used in the X group  320  and the second music piece used in the Y group  330 ) are included in the music file to be output in a predetermined order and have them, output. Furthermore, among the music files included in the selected group, the music file including the first music piece corresponding to the player who became the top player is selected as appropriate and output. The music output unit  124  continues this process until the end of the competitive game. 
     If the output of the music file is completed before the top player has switched, the music output unit  124  causes the audio output device  150  to repeatedly output the music file. However, when repeatedly outputting the music file, the music output unit  124  specifies the position in the music file where the second music piece starts so that only the second music piece is repeatedly output. As a result, the first music piece associated with the top player is output at the timing when the top player is switched, and the second music piece is repeatedly output thereafter. 
     When the game is nearing its end, the music output unit  124  instructs the audio output device  150  to increase the output speed (tempo) of the music file. Specifically, if the competitive game ends when one of the players has obtained the predetermined target points (e.g., 100 points), the music output unit  124  may speed up the output speed of the music file when either player has earned a predetermined number of points (e.g., 80 points) or more. In the case where the game ends when the predetermined game time (e.g., 2 minutes) elapses, the music output unit  124  may speed up the output of the music file when the predetermined time (e.g., 1 minute and 40 seconds) from the start of the game elapses. When the game ends after a predetermined number of scheduled rounds (e.g., 5 rounds), the music output unit  124  may speed up the output of the music file when the number of rounds that have already ended reaches the predetermined number of rounds (e.g., 4 rounds). 
     The first music piece is assigned to each player participating in the competitive game before the competitive game starts. The first music piece may be assigned to each player in the order of entry into the competitive game. The first music piece may also be assigned to each player by each player&#39;s own selection. In this case, the same first music piece may or may not be allowed to be assigned to multiple players in duplicate. Furthermore, the first music piece may be randomly assigned to each player. The assignment of the first music piece to each player is stored in the music output unit  124 . 
       FIG.  6    is a flowchart of the information processing method in the first embodiment. When a competitive game is started by the competitive game execution unit  121 , the music output unit  142  reads out the music file (BGM_Draw)  310 , which is to be output when multiple players are tied for the top position, from the memory device  110  and output it to the audio output unit  150 , and the audio output unit  150  outputs this music file (step S 51 ). 
     The evaluation unit  122  evaluates the game results of each player in the competitive game, grants points to each player according to the game rules of the competitive game, and calculates the accumulated points granted (step S 52 ). The determination unit  123  determines the player with the highest accumulated points calculated by the evaluation unit  122  to be the top player satisfying the condition (step S 53 ). 
     The music output unit  124  determines whether or not the game satisfies the predetermined conditions for judging whether near the end of the game (e.g., the highest score is above a predetermined point, the elapsed time is above a predetermined time, the number of rounds conducted is above a predetermined number of rounds, etc.) (step S 54 ). If the predetermined conditions for judging whether near the end are met (YES in step S 54 ), the music output unit  124  instructs the audio output unit  150  to increase the speed of the output (Step S 55 ). Next, the competitive game execution unit  121  determines whether the game has ended (step S 56 ), and if the game has ended (YES in step S 56 ), the process ends. 
     If the game does not meet the predetermined conditions for judging whether near the end (NO in step S 54 ), or if the game meets the predetermined conditions for judging whether near the end but the competitive game has not yet ended (NO in step S 56 ), the determination unit  123  determines whether or not the top player has been replaced based on the accumulated points of each player calculated by evaluation unit  122  (step S 57 ). 
     If the evaluation unit  123  determines that the top player has not been replaced (in step S 57  NO), the process returns to step S 52 , where the evaluation unit  122  evaluates the game player is evaluated according to the results. If the top player has been replaced (YES in step S 57 ), the music output unit  124  determines whether the top player is alone or multiple players are tied for the top position (step S 58 ). 
     If the top player is alone (YES in step S 58 ), the music out; unit  124  executes the process for changing the music file to be output. In changing the music file, as described above, the music file is changed so that the first music piece included in the newly output music file is the first music piece associated with the player who becomes the new top player, and the second music piece included in the newly output music file is different from the second music piece that was output before the top player was replaced. In this embodiment, when changing the music file to be output, the music file associated with the player who newly becomes the top player is selected from the music files included in a group different from the group that includes the music file that was output before the top player was replaced (step S 59 ). 
     Here, as described above, for example, the music files included in the X group  320  include a common second music piece (BGM_X), and the music files included in the Y group  330  include a common second music piece (BGM_Y). Therefore, when the music file that was output before the top player was changed is included in X group  320 , by changing a group which includes the music file to be output next from X group  320  to Y group  330 , the second music piece (BGM_X) included in the music file that was output before the top player was changed will be changed to a different type of second music piece (BGM_Y) than that included in the music file that was output before the top player was changed. Also, when the music file that was output before the top player was changed is included in Y group  330 , by changing a group which includes the music file to be output next from Y group  330  to X group  320 , the second music piece (BGM_Y) included in the music file that was output before the top player was changed will be changed to a different type of second music piece (BGM_X) than that included in the music file that was output before the top player was changed. 
     Then, the music output unit  124  selects a music file according to who the top player is from the plurality of music files included in the selected group (step S 59 ). The music output unit  124  directs the audio output device  150  to output the music file selected by the above process (step S 60 ). At this time, if an increase in the tempo of output is indicated in step S 55 , the audio output device  150  outputs the specified music file is output at an up-tempo. 
     Next, the process returns to the step S 52 , the evaluation unit  122  evaluates the plurality of players based on the game results. 
       FIG.  7    is a flowchart of the output step of the music file of the information processing method in the first embodiment. The flowchart of  FIG.  7    is executed as a subroutine of step S 60  in  FIG.  6   . The music output unit  124  first determines whether the output of the music file is the first output after switching the music file (step S 61 ). If it is the first output, the music file which includes the first music piece associated with the top player and the second music piece designated regardless of the top player, and selected by the process of step S 59  is output from the beginning (step S 62 ). Then, the music output unit  124  determines whether the output of the music file has been completed (output to the end) (step S 63 ). 
     If the output of the music file is not finished, the process returns to step S 60  in  FIG.  6   . If the music piece has finished (YES in step S 63 ), the music output unit  124  output the music file selected in step S 62  from a predetermined time when the second music piece starts (the first music pieces) (step S 64 ), and the process returns to step S 63 , the music output unit  124  determines whether or not the output of the music file has been completed. 
     As described above, according to the gaming device  100  in this embodiment, the first music pieces that serves as an introduction for each of the four players are created, and two types of second music pieces that serve as BGM are created, and by combining them, eight types of music files can be prepared. When the top player is changed, a music file including the first music piece associated with the top player as an intro is output, so that the players can recognize who has switched to the top position by the intro, and since a music file containing a different main BGM (second music piece) than that before the switch is output following the introduction, the players can recognize that the game phase has changed (the top player has been switched). In particular, in this embodiment, a smaller number of second music pieces are created than the maximum number of players who can participate in a competitive game, and multiple groups are created for each music file containing a common second music piece. 
     Second Embodiment 
     In the first embodiment, the music files each comprising a combination of the first music piece and the second music piece was stored in the memory device  110 . However, music files of the first music piece and music files of the second music piece may be stored in the memory device  110  as separate files. 
       FIG.  8    shows the data structure of the data stored in the memory device in the second embodiment. The memory device  110  stores music files (intro files)  710  of the intro music, which is the first music piece associated with each player and a music file (main BGM (main BGM file)  720  of main BGM, which is the second music piece, A music file (INTRO_01)  711 , a music file (INTRO_02)  712 , a music file (INTRO_03)  713 , and a music file (INTRO_04)  714 , which are the first music pieces, are stored as the intro files  710 , and a music file (BGM_Draw)  721 , a music file (BGM_X)  722 , and a music file (BGM_Y), which are the second music pieces, are stored as the main BGM file  720 . 
     The music output unit  124  instructs the audio output device  150  to output audio according to the determination result in the determination unit  123 , At this time, if multiple players are tied for the top position, the music output unit  124 , as in the first embodiment, instructs to output the music file (BGM_Draw)  721 . If any player is the top player alone, the music output unit  124  selects the intro music associated with that player from the intro files  710 , and also selects the music file (BGM_X)  722  or the music file (BGM_Y)  723  from the main BGM files  720  and instructs the audio output unit  150  to output it. 
     Each time the top player is replaced and gives new instructions to the audio output device  150 , the music output unit  124  changes the main BGM file, In other words, if the music file (BGM_X)  722  is output as the main BGM file first then the music output unit  124  instructs to output the music file (BGM_Y)  723  as the next main BGM file, and if the music file (BGM_Y)  723  is output as the main BGM file first, then the music output unit  124  instructs to output the music file (BGM_X) as the next main BGM file. 
     The audio output device  150  outputs the specified music file from the music output unit  124 . At this time, the audio output device  150  outputs the music file (BGM_X)  722  as the BGM file repeatedly when multiple players have tied for the top position and the music file (BGM_X)  721  is directed. In addition, when one of the players becomes the sole top player, and one of the intro music files and one of the main BGM music files (either BGM_X or BGM_Y) are indicated, the audio output device  150  output the intro music file first and then output the main BGM music file, and after that, output the main BGM music file repeatedly until the player at the top is replaced. 
     Variant 
     In the above embodiments, as described above, two types of the second music pieces, which are the main BGM, are prepared, and they are output alternately each time the top player is replaced, whereas an experiment has shown that users do not have the impression that the same BGM is repeated every other time, but rather that the phase has changed. Therefore, it is sufficient to prepare two types of second music piece. However, three or more types of second music piece may be used. When more than three types of second music pieces are used, the second music piece to be output may be selected randomly. Furthermore, even in this case, the restriction that a different group be selected than before the switchover may be established. 
     In addition, in the above embodiments, a music file (BGM_Draw) is prepared as the BGM when multiple players are tied for the top position, and the music file is output in case where multiple players are tied for the top position including the period from the start of the competitive game until the sole top player is determined, whereas it is not necessary to prepare the BGM for the case where multiple players are tied for the top position. In this case, for example, at the start of the game, in the first embodiment, the output may begin at the start of the second music piece in either X Group  320  or Y Group  330 , and once one of the players becomes the sole top player, repeat output of the second music piece may continue according to the flow shown in  FIG.  7    until another player becomes the sole top player, including cases where multiple players are tied for the top position. 
     In the above embodiments, an example in which the competitive game is a puzzle game is described, but the competitive game may be a quiz game, a racing game, a battle game, etc., other than a puzzle game. In the case of a puzzle game, as described above, the evaluation unit  122  determines the evaluation according to at least one of the following: how fast the multiple players clear time, the number of clears within a predetermined time, or the points earned within a predetermined time. In the case of a quiz game, the evaluation unit  122  determines the evaluation of each player according to at least one of the following: the correctness of the multiple players&#39; answers, thee speed of the answers, the number of correct answers within a predetermined time, and the points earned within a predetermined time. In the case of a racing game, the evaluation unit  122  determines the evaluation according to the speed of the goal time or the distance traveled within a predetermined time. In the case of a battle game, the evaluation unit  122  determines the rating according to the damage points from attacks from other players or the hit points from attacks on other players. The determination unit  123  determines that the player with the highest evaluation by the evaluation unit  122  is the player who satisfies the predetermined conditions. 
     The competitive game does not have to be a game in which a plurality of players play against each other, but may be a game in which a plurality of players play against a common opponent. In this case, the evaluation unit  122  may evaluate the degree of contribution to win against the opponent for each player, and the determination unit  123  may determine the player with the highest degree of contribution to be the player who satisfies the condition. For example, in the case of a game in which multiple players cooperate to battle an enemy character, the determination unit  123  may determine that the player who inflicts the most damage to the enemy character is the player who satisfies the condition. 
     Furthermore, in a competitive game, some players may be players controlled by the competitive game processing unit  121 . For example, if player 1P is the only player controlled by the user, and players 2P-4P may be players who participate in a competitive game under the control of the competitive game processing unit  121 . The competitive game may also be conducted by less than the maximum number of players who can participate (e.g., 2 or 3 players in the above embodiment where the maximum number of players who can participate is 4). 
     In the above embodiment, the determination unit  123  determines the player with the highest evaluation by the evaluation unit  122  to be the player who satisfies the condition. However, the criteria for determination by the determination unit  123  are not limited to this. For example, the determination unit  123  may determine the player with the lowest evaluation by the evaluation unit  122  to be the player who satisfies the condition. 
     For example, if a competitive game consists of multiple rounds of games and a rule is set that the lowest ranked player is eliminated in each round and the player who survives to the end is the winner, since attention is paid to which player is the lowest ranked, it is effective that the determination unit  123  changes the music file to be output each time the lowest ranked player is replaced. 
     The determination unit  123  may also determine that a player whose score increase is greater than a predetermined value is a player who satisfies the condition. In the case where the competitive game consists of multiple rounds, the determination unit  123  may determine, at the end of each round, the player who had the highest score in the immediately preceding round as the player who satisfies the condition. 
     In the above embodiment, the first music piece is the intro music, and the second music piece, which is the main BGM music, is output after the first music piece. However, the first music piece and the second music piece may be output simultaneously. For example, if one of the first and second tracks is a piano track and the other is a drum track, multiple first tracks and multiple second tracks can be created and combined to provide a variety of tracks. The first music piece may also be called a sound effect, jingle, sound logo, etc. 
     In the above embodiment, a first music piece is associated with each player, and when the top player is replaced, the first music piece associated with the top player is output, followed by the second music piece, but instead of the first music piece, an effect for the second piece may be associated with each player. This effect may be, for example, a tone of the second music piece (piano sound, electronic organ sound, flute sound, etc.). 
     Although the first music piece is associated with each player in the above embodiments, the first music piece may not be fixedly used for each player. For example, the first music piece may be switched in the same manner as the second music piece is a predetermined order or randomly as the top player is replaced. 
     In the above embodiment, one first music piece was assigned and associated with each player, but multiple first music pieces may be associated with one player, and when that player becomes the top player, the first piece may be selected from the multiple first pieces associated with that player in order or at random and output. 
     The gaming device  100  of the above embodiment may consist of a dedicated gaming device capable of executing various games by selecting game software, or it may be a general-purpose computer that has game execution functions by executing a game program. 
     Each element as an information processing system may be integrally configured as a gaming device  100 , or some elements may be connected through a communication network. For example, multiple users may participate in a competitive game online via a communication network. In this case, a gaming system as the information processing system can consist of the plurality of gaming devices. In this case, the information processing unit  120  of each gaming device  100  of multiple users online performs the above process and synchronizes with the other gaming devices  100  via a communication network. Alternatively, any one of the plurality of gaming devices  10  may serve as a host machine, and the above processing may be performed by the information processing unit  120  of the host machine.