Game apparatus, game system, and storing medium storing game program in which display is divided between players

Abstract

A game apparatus that includes a CPU and in which a plurality of players participate and play a game on a display screen displayed on a common display device. A display area is divided by the number of participating players, and the divided areas are allotted to each player. In addition, an evaluating value is set according to a superiority or inferiority situation of a play content of each player, a size of the divided areas are changed based on the evaluating value, and the display screen in correspondence with a change of the divided areas is generated and displayed. Furthermore, when there is a player who reaches game-over, the display area is re-divided by the number of remaining players.

1 . An apparatus connectable to an external, shared display device, wherein:
 the apparatus is a part of an information processing system;   a plurality of controllers manipulable by respective users is in operable communication with the apparatus, at least one said controller being a portable unit that is operable by a respective user to independently operate an individual software application thereon in connection with an individual display device integral therewith when disconnected from the apparatus;   the apparatus and the plurality of controllers are configured to exchange data so that a shared software application is operable by the users;   a main screen of the shared software application is to be displayed on the shared display device, the main screen being divided into a number of sections equal to the number of users operating the shared software application; and   each said portable unit is configured to display on the individual display device thereof an individual screen of the shared software application when the portable unit is being used as a controller for the shared software application, the individual screen including data that is specific for the user using the portable unit and not being shared with other users.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sections are equally sized for the users when the shared software application is initiated. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the sections are resizable over time. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the sections are resized in response to further users beginning to use the shared software application after the shared software application is initiated. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the sections are resized in response to users ceasing to use the shared software application after the shared software application is initiated. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the section of a user who terminates his/her participation in the shared software application is to be removed from the main screen. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein an area designed for the user who has terminated his/her participation in the shared software application is reallocated to any remaining users. 
     
     
         8 . A portable unit that is a part of an information processing system, wherein:
 the portable unit is connected to a console device that, in turn, is connectable to an external, shared display device;   a plurality of controllers manipulable by respective users is in operable communication with the console in forming the information processing system;   the portable unit is usable as one of said controllers and also is separately operable by a respective user to independently operate an individual software application thereon in connection with an individual display device integral therewith when disconnected from the console device;   the console device and the plurality of controllers, including the portable unit, are configured to exchange data so that a shared software application is operable by the users;   a main screen of the shared software application is to be displayed on the shared display device, the main screen being divided into a number of sections equal to the number of users using the shared software application; and   the portable unit is configured to display on the individual display device thereof an individual screen of the shared software application when the portable unit is being used as a controller for the shared software application, the individual screen including data that is specific for the user using the portable unit and not being shared with other users.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the sections are equally sized for the users when the shared software application is initiated. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the sections are resizable over time. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the sections are resized in response to further users beginning to use the shared software application after the shared software application is initiated. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the sections are resized in response to users ceasing to use the shared software application after the shared software application is initiated. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the section of a user who terminates his/her participation in the shared software application is to be removed from the main screen. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein an area designed for the user who has terminated his/her participation in the shared software application is reallocated to any remaining users. 
     
     
         15 . A non-transitory computer readable storage medium tangibly storing a program executable by an information processing system comprising a first electronic computing device connectable to a shared display device, and a plurality of controllers manipulable by respective users, the plurality of controllers being in operable communication with the first electronic computing device, at least one said controller being a portable electronic device that is operable by a respective user to independently operate an individual software application thereon in connection with an individual display device associated therewith when disconnected from the first electronic computing device, the program causing the system to at least:
 cause data to be exchanged data between the first electronic computing device and the plurality of controllers;   display a main screen of the shared software application on the shared display device, the main screen being divided into a number of sections equal to the number of users using the shared software application, the sections being adjustable in both size and number based on existing users terminating their participation in shared software application and new users starting to participate in the shared software application; and   display an individual screen of the shared software application on the individual display device of each said portable electronic device connected to the system when the portable electronic device is being used as a controller for the shared software application, the individual screen including data that is customized for the user using the respective portable software application.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the sections are equally sized for the users when the shared software application is initiated. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the section of a user who terminates his/her participation in the shared software application is to be removed from the main screen. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein an area designed for the user who has terminated his/her participation in the shared software application is reallocated to any remaining users. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein each said individual display device is integral with its associated portable electronic device. 
     
     
         20 . An apparatus connectable to an external, shared display device, wherein:
 the apparatus is a part of a game system;   a plurality of controllers manipulable by respective game players is in operable communication with the apparatus, at least one said controller being a portable game unit that is operable by a respective game player to independently play an individual game thereon in connection with an individual display device associated therewith when disconnected from the apparatus;   the apparatus and the plurality of controllers are configured to exchange data so that a shared game is playable by the game players;   a main game screen of the shared game is to be displayed on the shared display device, the main game screen being divided into a number of sections equal to the number of game players playing the shared game, the sections being resizable and/or removable based on how well or how poorly the game players are doing compared to one another; and   each said portable game unit is configured to display on the individual display device thereof an individual game screen of the shared game when the portable game unit is being used as a controller for the shared game, the individual game screen including data that is specific for the game player using the portable game unit and not being shared with other game players.