Network game system, game apparatus, storage medium and game control method

1. A network game system that comprises a server and a plurality of game apparatuses, wherein

each of the plurality of game apparatuses comprises:

a first data sending module configured to send, to the server, first data according to progress of a game, the first data being information about a hindrance object that hinders the progress of the game;

a data acquisition module configured to acquire, from the server, second data that is based on a total of the first data from the plurality of game apparatuses; and

an appearance change module configured to change an appearance of an object that appears in the game based on the second data that is acquired by the data acquisition module;

the server comprises:

a data reception module configured to receive the first data sent by the first data sending module of each of the game apparatuses;

a totaling module configured to total the amount that the progress of the game is hindered based on the first data received by the data reception module; and

a second data sending module configured to send, to the game apparatuses, the second data that is totaled by the totaling module; and

the appearance change module of each of the game apparatuses is configured to change the appearance of the hindrance object according to the amount that the progress of the game is hindered.

2. A network game system according to claim 1 , wherein the appearance change module of each of the game apparatuses is configured to change the appearance of the hindrance object when the amount that the progress of the game is hindered is equal to or more than a predetermined value.

3. A network game system according to claim 1 , wherein the appearance change module of each of the game apparatuses is configured to vary the change in the appearance of the hindrance object such that the degree of the change in the appearance of the hindrance object becomes larger as the amount that the progress of the game is hindered becomes larger.

4. A network game system according to claim 3 , wherein the appearance change module of each of the game apparatuses is configured to change the appearance of the hindrance object in multiple stages.

5. A network game system according to claim 1 , wherein a plurality of hindrance objects hinder the progress of the game, and wherein the appearance change module of each of the game apparatuses is configured to change the appearance of the hindrance objects according to the number of the hindrance objects that hinder the progress of the game.

6. A network game system according to claim 1 , wherein each game apparatus further comprises an image data storing module that is configured to store image data corresponding to images before and after the appearance of the object is changed.

7. A network game system according to claim 1 , wherein each game apparatus further comprises a sound change module configured to change a sound concerning an object that appears in the game based on the second data that is acquired by the data acquisition module thereof.

8. A network game system according to claim 1 , wherein the game is a local game that is executed in the respective game apparatuses.

9. A network game system according to claim 1 , wherein the first data sending module of each of the game apparatuses is configured to send the first data to the server at a predetermined timing during the game.

10. A network game system according to claim 1 , wherein the data acquisition module of each of the game apparatuses is configured to acquire the second data from the server at a time of starting the game.

11. A network game system according to claim 1 , wherein the totaling module is configured to subtotal the amount that the progress of the game is hindered for each unit time period that is shorter than a predetermined time period, and to total subtotals other than the amount that is being subtotaled when the second data is requested from the game apparatus.

12. A game apparatus, comprising:

a first data sending module configured to send, to a server, first data according to progress of a game, the first data being information about a hindrance object that hinders the progress of the game;

a data acquisition module configured to acquire, from the server, second data that is based on a total of first data from a plurality of game apparatuses, the server comprising (a) a data reception module configured to receive the first data sent by the first data sending module of each of the game apparatuses in the plurality of game apparatuses, (b) a totaling module configured to total the amount that the progress of the game is hindered based on the first data received by the data reception module, and (c) a second data sending module configured to send, to the game apparatuses in the plurality of game apparatuses, the second data that is totaled by the totaling module; and

an appearance change module configured to change an appearance of an object that appears in the game based on the second data that is acquired by the data acquisition module,

wherein the appearance change module of the game apparatus is configured to change the appearance of the hindrance object according to the amount that the progress of the game is hindered.

13. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing a game program to be executed by a game apparatus, wherein the game program causes a computer of the game apparatus to execute functionality comprising:

sending, to a server, first data according to progress of a game, the first data being information about a hindrance object that hinders the progress of the game;

acquiring, from the server, second data that is based on a total of first data from a plurality of game apparatuses, the server being configured to (a) receive the first data sent from each of the game apparatuses in the plurality of game apparatuses, (b) total the amount that the progress of the game is hindered based on the first data received, and (c) send, to the game apparatuses in the plurality of game apparatuses, the second data that is totaled; and

changing the appearance of the hindrance object according to the amount that the progress of the game is hindered.

14. A game control method that a computer of a game apparatus performs, the method comprising:

(a) sending to a server first data according to progress of a game, the first data being information about a hindrance object that hinders the progress of the game;

(b) acquiring from the server second data that is based on a total of first data from a plurality of game apparatuses, the server being configured to (i) receive the first data sent by the first data from each of the game apparatuses in the plurality of game apparatuses, (ii) total the amount that the progress of the game is hindered based on the first data received, and (iii) send, to the game apparatuses in the plurality of game apparatuses, the second data that is totaled; and

(c) changing an appearance of an object that appears in the game based on the second data that is acquired in (b) such that the appearance of the hindrance object is changed according to the amount that the progress of the game is hindered.

15. A network game system, comprising:

a server; and

a plurality of game-playing apparatuses, each game-playing apparatus comprising processing resources including at least one processor, the processing resources being configured to control the respective game-playing apparatuses to at least:

execute an instance of a game;

generate, for output and in accordance with execution of the instance of the game, a game screen including a representation of an obstacle; and

transmit, to the server, first data indicative of a number of times the obstacle is unsuccessfully encountered;

wherein the server includes executable program logic configured to at least:

receive the first data transmitted from the game-playing apparatuses;

aggregate, as second data, a statistic related to the number of times the obstacle is unsuccessfully encountered in executing the instances of the game, based on the received first data; and

transmit, to the game-playing apparatuses, the second data; and

wherein the processing resources are further configured to control the respective game-playing apparatuses to at least:

receive the second data from the server; and

generate, for output and in accordance with execution of the instance of the game, an updated game screen including an altered representation of the obstacle, the altered representation of the obstacle being based on the second data received from the server and being at least visually indicative of a level of difficulty associated with the obstacle.

16. A network game system according to claim 15 , wherein the obstacle has a pre-programmed ability that remains constant, despite its representation being altered over time.

17. A network game system according to claim 15 , wherein the processing resources are further configured to control the respective game-playing apparatuses to at least generate, for output and in accordance with execution of the instance of the game, updated game screens including sequentially altered representations of the obstacle, the sequentially altered representations corresponding to the second data meeting or exceeding successive predefined thresholds over time.

18. A network game system according to claim 15 , wherein the obstacle is an enemy character in, or structural feature of, the game.

19. A network game system according to claim 15 , wherein the statistic is a count.

20. A network game system according to claim 1 , wherein the second data corresponds to a numerical statistic computed by the server.

21. A network game system according to claim 1 , wherein first data further represents an unsuccessful encounter with the hindrance object.

22. A network game system according to claim 1 , wherein appearance changes visually indicate difficulty levels.

23. A network game system according to claim 1 , wherein an appearance change to the hindrance object is not accompanied by a change to an ability of the hindrance object.