System and method for playing a music video game with a drum system game controller
A system and method for playing a multi-player music video game with a drum system video game controller is provided. In one embodiment, the invention relates to a method for providing a drum solo with a music based multi-player video game. In another embodiment, the invention relates to a system for providing analog input from one or more drum sensors used in game play associated with a music based multi-player video game. In yet another embodiment, the invention relates to a method for preventing interference between the one or more drum sensors. In one embodiment, the invention relates to a method for mapping digital information indicative of input to a video game controller in a first form to information in a second form, the second form conforming to a protocol for inputs to a video game console executing a music based multi-player video game.
1. A method of operating a video game console for providing a drum solo mode with a music based multi-player video game, the method comprising:
displaying a suggestion of at least one song having a drum solo portion;
displaying, on a display, images indicative of a venue including at least one drum and a drummer;
displaying, on the display, instructions for playing the at least one song on a drum system game controller, the drum system game controller comprising a plurality of drum head shaped pads and sensors for detecting strikes to the pads;
generating audio indicative of the song at a first volume;
at approximately a time when the drum solo portion is to be played:
changing the images indicative of the venue,
generating audio indicative of the song at a second volume, where the second volume is lower than the first volume,
generating audio indicative of a crowd cheering, and
displaying images indicative of the crowd cheering;
receiving information indicative of strikes to the pads of the drum system game controller;
determining, based on the information indicative of strikes to the pads of the drum system game controller, a score; and
displaying the score.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
at approximately the time when the drum solo portion is to be played:
pausing the audio indicative of the song;
dimming at least one light of the display;
focusing a viewpoint of the display on the drummer;
focusing at least one light of the display on the drummer; and
returning the audio indicative of the song when a predetermined period of time for the solo has expired.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the drum system controller further comprises two cymbal pads, the method further comprising enabling a score multiplier mode when the information indicative of drum play indicates that both cymbals pads were struck at approximately the same time.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising entering the drum solo mode based on a predetermined characteristic comprising a sequence of drum strikes at a predetermined time during a song.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising exiting the drum solo mode based on a sequence of drum strikes at a predetermined time during a song.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
commanding display of instructions for playing the drum solo portion; and
generating audio not based on a user compliance with the instructions.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising generating multiple sounds based on a single strike of a drum.
8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising displaying a second drummer.