JP2003144759A - Server, control program of server, and recording medium recording program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To promote a user to continuously use a network game service and to suppress transfer to another service. SOLUTION: This server determines a period satisfying prescribed conditions related to each user accessing to a server and using the service. When multiple periods are determined, this server totals the length of the respective periods. When the determined length of the period or its total time exceeds a prescribed time, a parameter provided to the user related to the game service is changed. When the parameter is changed, the game progressing states or the service contents to the user are changed so as to become incentive to continue the game.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a server which provides a game service via a network, and a control program which controls such a system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, network games have been attracting attention as networks become faster. A user uses a home-use game machine having a communication function to access a server such as a game maker to use a game service. Thereby, a plurality of users in different places can enjoy the game together in one virtual space.

[0003]

The network game service is usually operated by a usage fee paid by the user. Therefore, how long the service provider can continue to use the service is an extremely important issue for the service provider.

It goes without saying that the game itself must be interesting in order for the user to use the service for a long period of time. However, in an environment where new products are provided every day for both hardware and software, it is undeniable that users who are attracted by novelty may switch to new services one after another. Therefore, in addition to the fun of the game itself, some measures are required to keep the user using the service.

Therefore, the present invention solves the above problems by providing a server for providing a network game service with a new function for urging the user to continue using the service.

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention relates to a server that provides a game service via a network, and relates to each user who accesses the server. According to the determination means for determining the period in which the predetermined condition is satisfied, and the game service provided to the user according to the length of the period determined by the determination means as the period in which the predetermined condition is satisfied. And a parameter changing unit for changing the value of the first parameter.

Further, the control program of the present invention is a program for controlling the above-mentioned server, and a period in which a predetermined condition for the user is satisfied for each user who is accessing the server. The value of the first parameter related to the game service provided to the user is changed in accordance with the determination process for determining the period and the length of the period determined as the period in which the predetermined condition is satisfied by the determination process. It is characterized in that the parameter changing process is executed.

At this time, the "length of the period" may be the total of the lengths of a plurality of periods determined as a period in which a predetermined condition is satisfied. For example, each time the period is discriminated, the length of the period may be cumulatively recorded and the parameter may be changed according to the time.

The "predetermined condition" is, for example, a condition that limits the number of users who play a game with the user. Alternatively, the condition of the value of the second parameter relating to the game service provided to the user may be satisfied. In this case, the second parameter is the first
It may be the same as or different from the parameter. Alternatively, the predetermined condition may be a condition that the actual date and / or time when the user is accessing the server should be satisfied. In addition to this, it is possible to set arbitrary conditions related to the user.

The "first parameter" is, for example, a parameter for controlling the progress of the game played by the user. It may also be a parameter that controls the distribution of information from the server to the user. Alternatively, it may be a parameter for controlling information exchange (communication between users) performed by the user and another user via the server. Besides, all parameters related to the game service provided by the server to the user can be used as the first parameter.

Further, it is preferable that the information on the length of the period is stored in a predetermined storage medium. At this time, this storage medium may be a storage medium provided in the server or a storage medium provided in a terminal operated by the user.

The computer-readable recording medium of the present invention is a recording medium in which the above server control program is recorded.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Some preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First Embodiment Before describing the embodiments of the present invention, an outline of a network game will be described first. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a form of providing a network game service. The network game service is provided by a server computer (server 2) managed by a game company or the like. The server 2 is composed of one or a plurality of computers connected to the network 1 such as the Internet. A user of a network game service (hereinafter referred to as a user) is a home game device equipped with a communication function, a personal computer, a mobile phone,
The user terminals 3A to 3F such as portable information terminals are operated to access the server 2 via the network 1 to play a game. The network 1 is any means for connecting the terminal 3 and the server 2, and may be wired or wireless.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration necessary for providing a network game service. As shown in this figure, the server 2 has at least C
It includes a PU 4, a RAM 5, a communication control unit 6, an input / output control unit 7, and a system bus 8 connecting them. The communication control unit 6 is connected to the network 1 and controls communication with the user's terminal 3 or communication with another server (not shown) constituting the network system. A hard disk 9 is connected to the input / output control unit 7. The server control program for controlling the network game is stored in the hard disk 9 or other external storage device (not shown), loaded into the RAM 5 via the input / output control unit 7 and the system bus 8 when the system is started, and executed by the CPU 4. To be done.

On the other hand, the user terminal 3 has at least a CPU
10, RAM 11, communication controller 12, input / output controller 1
3, an operation input control unit 14, a display output control unit 15, and a system bus 16 connecting them. The communication control unit 12 is connected to the network 1 and controls the exchange of programs and data with the server 2. The input / output control unit 13 also controls reading of data from recording media such as a CD-ROM, a DVD 18, a memory card 19 and a hard disk 20, and writing of data into these recording media.

The operation input control unit 14 controls user input from an input device externally connected to the user terminal 3 or an input unit provided in the main body of the user terminal 3. For example, when the user terminal 3 is a home-use game machine, an input from the controller 17 is accepted as shown in FIG. If the terminal 3 is a personal computer, it accepts input from a keyboard, a mouse, or the like. On the other hand, when the user terminal 3 is a mobile phone or a mobile information terminal, the input from the operation button provided on the main body is accepted. The received input is transmitted to the CPU 10 via the data bus 16.

The display output unit 15 controls the display of the image output by the game control program on the screen 21. In addition,
The display screen 21 is an externally connected device such as a TV or a display when the user terminal 3 is a home game device or a personal computer, and is provided in each terminal when the terminal 3 is a mobile phone or a portable game device. It is a screen.

The control program on the user terminal 3 side necessary for playing the network game is a CD-ROM or a DV.
It may be provided by D18 or may be provided by downloading from the server 2. In any case, the control program loaded into the terminal 3 is RA
It is loaded into M11 and executed by the CPU 10.

The hardware configuration described above is only the minimum configuration necessary for implementing the present invention. The server 2 may be a single server computer or a plurality of computers having an equivalent configuration, and the hard disk 9 may be used to improve system reliability.
May be multiplexed. The user terminal 3 may also be provided with a dedicated processor, VRAM, or the like for speeding up image processing, in addition to the above-mentioned components.

As described above, the network game progresses when the control program on the user terminal 3 side and the control program on the server 2 side exchange data via the network 1. However, since the feature of the network game is that a plurality of users in different places can enjoy the game together in one virtual space, the data communication is not always performed on a one-to-one basis. In the case of n, the communication becomes n: 1.

For example, a user A who operates the terminal 3A shown in FIG. 1, a user B who operates the terminal 3B, a user C who operates the terminal 3C, and a user D who operates the terminal 3D form a party to form a role-playing game. The case of playing a game will be described. On the display screens of the terminals 3A to 3D, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, the character 22A operated by the user A and the character 22 operated by the user B are displayed.
B, a character 22C operated by the user C, and a character 22D operated by the user D are displayed. The operation signal input by the user A is transferred from the terminal 3A to the server 2, and the server 2 controls the movement of the character 22A based on the operation signal. After that, the server 2 delivers the information regarding the motion of the character 22A to the terminals 3A to 3D. Thereby, the users B, C, and D can recognize the operation performed by the user A as the motion of the character 22A in the screen. In this way, users A to D can enjoy the role playing game in the same virtual space. Although the rules of the games such as a martial arts type game and a battle puzzle type game provided by the server are different, the same control method enables a plurality of users to compete at the same time.

The configuration of the hardware and software necessary to realize the network game has been described above. Among these, the feature of the present invention resides mainly in the control program executed on the server 2 side. The control program of the present invention is a control program executed on the server 2 side. Therefore, the processing of the control program of the server 2 will be described below.

FIG. 4 is a time chart for explaining the function of the server to be realized by the control program in the present embodiment. Four users access the server and use the game service. It shows the time zone in which it was done. The users A, B, C and D shown in FIG.
We are partying in a role-playing game as explained in. On the first day, users A, B, C, and D are all 2
The game is played by accessing the server 2 for 120 minutes from 1:00 to 23:00. On the second day, user A and user C have 60 minutes from 21:00 to 22:00 and user D has 21 minutes.
The game service was used for 30 minutes from time until 21:30, but User B did not. On the third day, users A and D have 120 minutes from 21:00 to 23:00, user B has 90 minutes from 21:30 to 23:00, and user C has 21 minutes.
I've been playing the game for 90 minutes from time to 22:30.
In this case, the four people played the game together for 120 minutes from 21:00 to 23:00 on the first day and 21 minutes on the third day.
60 minutes from half past 22:30.

In the present embodiment, depending on the length of time that the four users play the game together, each user is given some kind of privilege related to the game. The total time of playing together is stored in the hard disk 9 of the server 2 in FIG. 2 and is cumulatively summed up every time playing is performed.

For example, suppose that the first privilege is given when the time of playing together reaches 3 hours, and further privilege is given every additional hour, in the example of FIG. 4,
The total amount of time four users have played together is 120
Minutes + 60 minutes is 180 minutes (3 hours), and user A,
B, C and D can receive benefits for 3 hours.

Here, the privilege may be any privilege as long as it is related to the game and can be an incentive for the user to play the game. In addition to the benefits that change the progress of the game, it may be benefits that enhance the services that accompany the game. As services associated with the game, for example, information distribution from the system to users, provision of communication functions between users, and the like can be considered.

As a privilege for changing the progress of the game, for example, in the case of a role playing game,
It is possible to give a rare item to the character of the user. Here, rare items include not only items that are usually difficult to obtain, but also custom-made items. That is, as a privilege, a right to specially order an item having a shape and function desired by the user or an item with the user's name may be given. Further, money used in the game may be given as a privilege. It is conceivable that the amount of money will increase, or that the interest rate when depositing in a bank in the game space will improve.

Items may be weapons / armor, tools, money, etc. that can be used immediately, but items that cannot be used immediately may also be used. For example, a drug that exerts its value as a remedy only after causing a chemical reaction with another drug can be considered. In addition, there are items that have no value when given, but will increase in value in the future or with continued use. For example, when the occupation of the character operated by the user is a kabayaki shop or a yakitori shop, it is conceivable to use a secret sauce as a privilege.

Other than the item, a privilege of giving the character a special ability can be considered. What is a special ability?
For example, a human character can fly in the sky, dive into the sea, and have a powerful destructive power without weapons. Instead of giving a new ability, it may be a privilege that allows you to show the potential that you could not show before. Also, it may be a privilege that the ability that is originally provided is further enhanced.

The special ability is, so to speak, the action ability of the character, but in addition to this, the ability to grow can be considered as a privilege. For example, benefits such as aging the age of the character of the user or doubling the growth speed of the character can be considered. The experience value that can be acquired in each battle may be set higher than that of other characters. In addition, it can be a privilege to increase the credibility of the character. For example,
It is a privilege that the character of the user can easily obtain a loan at a bank in the game space or can use a facility of membership system.

In addition to giving something to the character,
The privilege that the character encounters a special scene may be considered. For example, a special event that does not normally occur is generated in the game space. For example, when the character enters or leaves a restaurant or other store in the game space, a service that only regular customers can receive is provided. Alternatively, a privilege of arranging a treasure box that is visible only to the user and invisible to other users in the game space may be considered. The flow of time may be accelerated only within the game space in which the character exists.

Further, a privilege of giving a predetermined authority to the user can be considered. For example, with the privilege of giving the user the authority to clone his or her own character, or the authority to freely set the level and ability parameters of the character when a new character is created including the clone. is there. In the case of a network game, a character brought up by a user comes into contact not only with that user but also with the eyes of other users. As a result, another user may want the same character. If the character can be cloned and the level can be freely set, it is possible to make, transfer, and sell the exact same character. Alternatively, it may be transferred in an unfinished state instead of being completely the same, and the transferred partner may enjoy the fun of raising the character.

Further, it is possible to consider the privilege of increasing the selection of setting values of parameters other than the character level and ability. In a network game, when creating a new character, the character's appearance, character, occupation, goal, etc. are selected from a list. Therefore, making it possible to select a profession that cannot be selected by other users can be an incentive to continue the game.

The right to enter a specific dungeon in the game space may be given as a privilege. Alternatively, the privilege to set up a private area (for example, a secret base) in the game space can be a privilege. In this case, the larger the number of people playing together, the more secret bases may be held. In addition, the secret base built as the first privilege is set so that only characters belonging to the same party can enter, and as a privilege of the next stage, the authority to invite other characters to the secret base is given. It is also possible to give the user some kind of relevance as an incentive to continue the game.

Further, a method of giving a privilege with a time limit as a privilege can be considered. For example, the secret base is made invisible to users other than the users who play with it at the beginning of construction. However, in the event of a change of ground such as an earthquake or an accident in the game space, the secret base collapses so that other users can see it. In the case of such a privilege that can be received only for a certain period, a user who once enjoyed having a secret base has a high possibility of continuing the game after the secret base disappears and having the secret base again. For this reason, it is an effective way to get them to play for a long time.

In addition to the above, the privilege to use the extended function of the network game can be considered. For example, a function is added that allows the user to check what is being done by another character in a place distant from the character that he / she operates (away in the game space) on the screen. Alternatively, a map search function of the game space may be added to easily search where and what is in the game space.
Further, it may be a function of seeing the future image of one's own character, a function of freely setting the content of the adventure, or the like. Alternatively, the game rules may be relaxed so that the task given in the game space can be cleared more easily than other users.

Next, as an example in which information is distributed from the system to the user as a privilege, it is conceivable to provide a distribution service of news or advertisement as a privilege. The information to be distributed may be a hidden rule, a strategy, an introduction of a character bred by the user, item sales information, and the like. Alternatively, the information collected from the users may be subjected to processing such as ranking and then distributed.

Further, as an example in which the inter-user communication function is used as a privilege, for example, a privilege that allows news and advertisements to be distributed among users can be considered. Alternatively, it may be possible to enable communication by image and sound with a user who is playing the game together (a user who is in a remote place in the physical space). That is,
As part of the network game service, it will provide functions equivalent to those of the Internet phone and videophone.

As services associated with the game, BGM that can be selected and services that increase the types of sound effects can be considered.

Although the description has been centered on the role-playing game, other types of games such as a puzzle game and a sports simulation game may be given a privilege according to the game. For example, in a puzzle game in which the game is over if it fails three times, it is possible to make it possible to fail four times or to increase the number of balls in the pinball game by one. Alternatively, in a martial arts game or a golf game, a gallery around the character operated by the player, a privilege to increase the number of cheering groups, and the like can be considered. Further, it may be a privilege that a fan club of the character is formed and the newsletter is distributed to other players.

The specific example of the contents of the privilege has been described above. It should be noted that all of the above-mentioned grants are executed by changing a predetermined parameter related to the game service provided to the user. The predetermined parameters are
Specifically, the parameters are as follows.

First, the privilege that changes the progress of the game played by the user (the above-mentioned items, ability grant, encounter scene change, user authority grant, game extension function provision, etc.).
In the case of adding, the control parameters used for controlling the progress of the game, such as the parameters that define the item owned by the character and the parameters that control the scene switching, may be changed.

In addition, when various information distribution services to users (news, advertisement distribution, etc.) are given as a privilege, necessity of information distribution, type of information to be distributed, distribution time, number of times, etc. are controlled. Change the parameters.

Alternatively, in the case where the information exchange service between users (the above-mentioned news mutual distribution, image / voice communication, etc.) is given as a privilege, whether information can be exchanged, the type of information that can be exchanged (image, voice, etc.), It suffices to change the parameters that control the other users who can exchange information.

As a result, that user can enjoy playing different from other users and can receive different services, which is an incentive to continue the game.

The parameters to be changed may be managed on the server 2 side or on the user's terminal 3 side. In a network game, some programs and parameters for controlling the game are held on the user's game device side, and the game may be controlled while the game device side program and the server 2 side program cooperate with each other. The parameter managed on the game device side is a parameter held on the game device side in such a case, and in such a case, the server 2 sends a control signal for instructing the game device to change the parameter. Change its parameters by sending.

The processing of the control program on the server 2 side for granting the privilege will be described below. FIG. 5 shows the server 2.
3 is a flowchart showing a part related to the grant of the privilege in the process of the control program of FIG. The process shown in the flowchart is a process executed for each user. If the user interrupted the game, the process ends.

The user accesses the server 2 through the terminal 3 and inputs the registration ID, password, etc. to enter the game. When the entry is completed, the control program first acquires the number of participants in the party in step S101. The number of party participants is the number of users who are actually participating in the play among the party members registered in advance. The system can determine which user is playing the game by requesting the user for an entry procedure. Therefore, the number of participants in the party can be obtained by searching for the user who is playing the game based on the registration information of the party member.

Next, in step S102, the number of participants in the party is determined. In the present embodiment, the first privilege is given when the time spent playing with four or more people reaches three hours, so if it is determined that the number of party participants is four or more, the time at that time is determined in step S103. Is acquired as the condition achievement time. If it is determined that there are less than four people, the time is not acquired.

After that, the control program performs a normal game progress control process of receiving an operation input of each user, controlling the movement of the character according to the operation input, and delivering the changed image to the terminal of each user. Since this is the same as the conventional control program, illustration is omitted.

Here, in a network game, other users may enter and join a party while the game is in progress, and conversely, a user who is playing the game may interrupt the game and leave the party. There is also. That is, the number of parties participating in the party may change during the progress control of the game.

The control program of the present embodiment monitors changes in the number of party participants during the progress control of the game.
The monitoring method is a method of executing the same processing as that of step 101 at regular time intervals, or a game progress control from another program that accepts a user entry when another user has made an entry or interruption. Although a method of notifying the control program that performs the change of the number of people can be considered, any method can be used as long as the change of the number of people can be detected.

Step S104 is a step of determining whether or not the number of people has changed, and the direction and degree of the change. While there is no change in the number of people (for example, from 12:00 to 23:00 on the first day of the time chart shown in FIG. 4), the game proceeds as usual. Further, when the number of participants in the party is determined to be less than 4 in step S102 and the number of participants is changed in step S104, but the number of participants is still less than 4 as well, the game proceeds as it is. Similarly, if it is determined in step S102 that there are four or more people, and the number of people is still four or more even if the number of people changes, the game proceeds as it is.

However, if it is determined in step S102 that the number of participants in the party is less than four, and the number of participants changes to four or more, the time at that point is acquired as the condition achievement time in step S105. For example, a case like the third day of the time chart shown in FIG. When the user A enters at 21:00, the number of parties participating in the party is 3, but the number has changed to 4 at 21:30. In this case, the process of the control program for controlling the progress of the game based on the operation input of the user A proceeds from step S104 to step S105.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S102 that the number of participants in the party is four or more, and the number of participants changes to less than four, the time at that point is acquired as the condition unachieved time in step S106. For example,
In the case of the third day in FIG. 4, the number of participants in the party is 4 when the user B enters at 21:30.
The number of party participants has changed from 4 to 3 due to the user C interrupting the game at 2:30. In this case, the process of the control program for controlling the progress of the game based on the operation input of the user B proceeds from step S104 to step S106.

Thus, steps S104 and S105
By the combination of step S106 and step S106, it is possible to determine, for each user, the period during which the user is playing together by four or more people.

The control program then proceeds to step S10.
At 7, calculate the total amount of time that the user has played with four people. The total time calculated last time is calculated by the server 2
It is stored in the hard disk 9 of. However, the storage location for the total time may be the hard disk 9 of the server 2, the hard disk 20 of the terminal 3 of each user A, B, C, D, or the memory card 19 set in the terminal. Therefore, in step S107, the total time saved is read from the hard disk 9 or the like, and the time obtained by subtracting the condition achievement time from the condition unachieved time is cumulatively added to that time.

In step S108, the total time is determined, and if the total time is 3 hours or more, in step S109, a predetermined parameter relating to the game service provided to the user is changed. That is, the privilege as described above is given to the user. The rewritten parameter affects the subsequent game progress or service, and the user can enjoy different play or receive different service from other users.

The total time calculated in step S107 is stored in the hard disk 9 or the storage medium of the user's terminal 3 side in step S110.

Thereafter, if it is detected in step S104 that the number of persons has increased to four or more, step S10 is performed.
If the condition achievement time is acquired in 5 and the number of persons changes from 4 or more to less than 4 people, the condition unachieved time is acquired in step S106, and the difference time between the condition unachieved time and the condition achieved time is calculated by the hard disk 9 Accumulated in total time stored in. If it is determined in step S108 that the total time has reached the next stage, step S10
At 9, the user is granted additional benefits.

As described above, the present embodiment is a mode in which the period in which four or more users are playing together is determined and the privilege is given according to the length of the period.
According to this mode, the user can receive more benefits as the period in which four or more people play together is longer, so it is expected that the users will invite each other to participate in the play. In such an environment, even if there is a user who intends to cancel the game service, there is a high possibility that it will be stopped by another user, and transfer to another service can be suppressed.

Further, when a friend who normally plays together stops the game for some reason, in the conventional case, the remaining friends are often the only players who continue playing. However, according to the present embodiment, it is expected that the remaining users will attract new users to the game in order to play with four or more people, and the effect of acquiring new users can be expected.

Embodiment 2 In the following embodiment, a period in which a value of a predetermined parameter relating to a game service satisfies a predetermined condition is determined, and a privilege according to the length of the period is given to the user. It is a form to be given to. The predetermined parameter related to the game service is, for example, a parameter related to the progress control of the game played by the user or a parameter for managing the content of the service provided to the user, and is the same as the parameter rewritten for granting the privilege. It may be a parameter or a different parameter. Note that the hardware configuration of the system may be the same as that of the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the function of the server in the present embodiment, and represents a scene in which a character operated by a user is having a conversation with a character operated by another user. In this system, the period during which a conversation is being performed is determined, and when the conversation time exceeds 20 minutes, the user privilege is given. At this time, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, the conversation time 23 and the remaining time 24 until the next privilege can be given may be displayed at the lower right of the display screen of the user's terminal.

Further, the server of the present embodiment gives a privilege according to the conversation time to the user, while penalizing the user when the character operated by the user does not have a conversation for three days or more. impose.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the processing of the control program in this embodiment. When the user accesses the server 2 through the terminal 3 and enters the game, the control program sets the conversation end date and time and the current date and time when the character operated by the user last had a conversation with another character. get.

Next, in step S202, it is determined based on the current date and time and the conversation end date and time whether the period in which the character operated by the user does not have a conversation is three days or more. If you have not talked for more than 3 days, step S
At 203, the age of the character of the user is decreased by one. That is, the ability acquired by growth is made unusable by reverse growth.

In the present embodiment, the determination is made based on the period from the date and time when the character operated by the user ends the conversation to the date and time when the next conversation starts, but the conversation starts at the end. The determination may be performed based on the period from the date and time when the process was started to the date and time when the process is next started or the period obtained by another method.

After that, the control program receives the operation input of each user, controls the movement of the character according to the operation input, and carries out a normal game progress control process of delivering the changed image to the terminal of each user. In the present embodiment, in the course of this game progress control processing, it is monitored whether or not the character is having a conversation. Since the control of the conversation between the characters is performed as a part of the game progress control, the start and the end of the conversation can be detected based on the change of the control parameter held by each character or the control parameter used for the scene switching. .

When it is determined in step S204 that the conversation is started during the progress control of the game, step S20
In 5, the conversation start time is acquired. After that, if it is determined in step S204 that the conversation ends, the conversation end time is acquired in step S206. That is, it is possible to determine the period during which the conversation has been performed by the combination of steps S204, S205, and S206. The conversation end time is stored together with the date in the hard disk 9 or the storage medium of the user's terminal 3 side, and is updated each time a conversation is conducted. In step S201 described above, the conversation end date and time is acquired by reading the information stored here.

Next, in step S207, the total time during which the character operated by the user is having a conversation is calculated. The determination of the total time is performed in step S208, and if the total time is 20 minutes or more, the value of a predetermined parameter related to the game service provided to the user is changed in step S209.
That is, the privilege is given to the player. The total time calculated in step S207 is equal to
In 10, the hard disk 9 or the storage medium on the user's terminal 3 side is saved.

In the case of the present embodiment, the user can obtain a privilege according to the conversation time by having a conversation with another user through the character. This not only encourages the user to continue playing the game, but is also expected to expand the circle of communication. In this case, since it is possible to expect that the user who has thought about the transfer to another service will be stranded by another user, it is easy to prevent the transfer to another service.

Further, in the present embodiment, if the character is not allowed to have a conversation for a long time, a penalty is given. Therefore, in order to avoid the penalty, the user regularly enters a game and talks with his character. Therefore, it is possible to increase the frequency with which the user uses the service.

Although the conversation time has been described as an example, for example, the time when the character is moving on an airship, the time when work such as digging is performed, and the event is held in the game space. You may add the privilege according to the total time by adding up the time which participated. Any state of the character that changes as the game progresses can be recognized based on the value of the control parameter. Similarly, for example, all management information such as registration contents of game services,
It can be recognized as the value of the management parameter. In this way, the present embodiment discriminates the period in which the value of the parameter satisfies a predetermined condition based on the values of all the parameters related to the user, and gives the privilege according to the length of the period. It is given to the user, and the types of parameters are not limited.

Further, the longer the conversation time is, the more benefits are received. For example, the benefits are increased until the conversation time reaches a predetermined time, but the conversation is continued beyond the predetermined time. On the contrary, the ability value of the character may be lowered. This is to prevent dealing with the same character only, and to recommend that it be associated with various characters. Alternatively, the character having a conversation only with the villain character may be lowered in the credibility when the conversation time exceeds a predetermined time. As described above, by appropriately combining the negative benefits, it is possible to prevent the service from becoming monotonous.

Embodiment 3. FIG. The following embodiment is a form in which a user gives a privilege according to a play time when he / she plays a game on his / her birthday. The hardware configuration of the system may be the same as that in the first embodiment, and the description will not be repeated.

Unlike the number of parties participating in the first embodiment and the parameters of the second embodiment, the fact that the day the game is played is the user's birthday. The fact that the user plays over midnight in the middle of the night Unless you do, there is no change on the way. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the state change during the game progress control is not monitored, and only the date and time when the user starts playing and the date and time when the user finishes playing are acquired.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the processing of the control program in this embodiment. When the user accesses the server 2 through the terminal 3 and enters the game, the entry acceptance date and time is acquired in step S301, and the acceptance date of the entry is compared with the previously registered birthday of the user in step S302. It When it is determined in step S302 that the day is the player's birthday, the entry reception time is set as the play start time in step S303. After that, a normal game progress control process is executed.

When the game interruption operation is performed by the user, the date and time when the play interruption operation is performed are acquired in step S304. Next, in step S305, it is determined whether that day is the user's birthday.
If the day when the interruption operation was performed is the birthday of the user, the time of the interruption operation is set to the play interruption time in step S306.

Then, in step S307, the total time is read from the hard disk 9 and the total time is calculated. When both the play start time and the play interruption time are set, the time obtained by subtracting the start time from the end time is added to the total time read from the hard disk. If only the start time is set, 24
The time minus the start time is added to the total time.
When only the end time is set, the time obtained by subtracting 0:00 from the end time is added to the total time. Thereby, even when the user plays the game for two days, it is possible to obtain only the play time of the birthday.

In step S308, step S307
It is determined whether or not the total time obtained by the calculation of exceeds the specified time. In this embodiment, if the user plays for more than one hour on his birthday,
In step S309, the privilege is given to the user. The total time is stored in the hard disk 9 in step S310.

It should be noted that a privilege is provided according to the playing time such as the date when the user makes a user registration to the network game service, the birthday of the character operated by the user, or some anniversary set in the game story. You may On children's day, a service is also conceivable in which a user under the age of 10 is provided with a privilege according to the play time.

Since this embodiment is intended for the case where there is no state change during the game progress, or for the case where the change occurs within once, it is easy to monitor the state change. Therefore, in addition to the effect of attracting the user to the game as in the first and second embodiments, there is an advantage that the structure of the control program can be simplified. Other embodiments.

Although the three embodiments have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and a period in which a predetermined condition for the user is satisfied is determined, and It includes all forms of giving a user some privilege according to the length of the period.

The predetermined condition relating to the user may be, for example, the actual weather on the day when the user played the game, the biorhythm of the user, the sea is full, the sunrise / sunset, the stock price, etc., in addition to the above-mentioned examples. In the case of a stand-alone game device, the game system cannot acquire information such as actual weather unless input by the user. However, in the case of a server, since it is connected to a network such as the Internet, it is possible to obtain such information from another server connected to the network. For example, weather, full dry, sunrise, etc. can be obtained from a server of the Japan Meteorological Agency, and stock price information can be obtained from a server of a securities company. Thereby, for example, when the occupation of the character operated by a certain user is a securities man,
It is also possible to realize a system in which the privilege according to the play time is given to the user while the stock price of a certain existing company is equal to or higher than a predetermined amount. These forms can be realized by a flow similar to that of the control program of FIG. 5 of the first embodiment and by making the determination process of step S104 a determination process based on information acquired from another server.

As described above, by partially linking the game world with the actual world, the game may progress in an unexpected direction, and the game can be made deeper.

Further, a form in which the connection form of the user is set as a predetermined condition is also conceivable. For example, if the model of the terminal 3, the manufacturer, the manufacturing number, the connection provider when the user connects to the network, the access point, the connection telephone company, the connection location (domestic or overseas), etc.
It is conceivable that the privilege is given according to the connection time. Such a form can be realized by the same flow as the control program of FIG. 8 of the third embodiment.

This form not only allows the network game service provider to attract users for a long period of time, but also serves as an advertisement when a connection provider or a telephone company acquires users. That is, a plurality of affiliated companies involved in the network game can simultaneously make a profit, and its economic effect is great.

[0090]

According to the server and the control program of the present invention, for each user, the period in which the predetermined condition for the user is satisfied is determined, and the parameters related to the game are set according to the length of the period. By making the change, the user is given some privilege as an incentive to continue the game, so that the user can be prevented from transferring to another service and the continued use of the game service can be promoted.

In particular, if the user can obtain a privilege by continuing to be in a state of being entangled with another user for a long period of time, such as playing together with a large number of people or having a conversation with the character of another user, communication between users can be improved. When the circle expands and a user who thinks about the transfer to another service appears, it can be expected to be held by another user, which leads to the stable securing of the user.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a form of providing a network game.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration necessary for providing a network game service.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a screen of a network game.

FIG. 4 is a time chart for explaining the functions of the server according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing of a control program according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing functions of a server according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing processing of a control program according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing processing of a control program according to the third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 network, 2 servers, 3 terminals, 8,
16 system buses, 9, 20 hard disks, 1
8 CD-ROM, DVD, etc. 19 memory card, 22 user operated characters, 23 total time display, 24 remaining time display.

Claims (23)

[Claims] 1. A server which provides a game service via a network, and which determines, for each user who is accessing the server, a period in which a predetermined condition for the user is satisfied, A parameter changing unit that changes the value of the first parameter related to the game service provided to the user according to the length of the period determined as the period in which the predetermined condition is satisfied by the determining unit. A server characterized by that. 2. The length of the period is the sum of the lengths of a plurality of periods determined by the determination means as a period in which the predetermined condition is satisfied. server. 3. The server according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition is a condition that limits the number of users who play a game with the user. 4. The server according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition is a condition that a value of a second parameter related to a game service provided to the user should be satisfied. 5. The predetermined condition is a condition that the actual date and / or time when the user is accessing the server should be satisfied, according to any one of claims 1 to 4. server. 6. The server according to claim 1, wherein the first parameter is a parameter for controlling progress of a game played by the user. 7. The server according to claim 1, wherein the first parameter is a parameter for controlling information distribution from the server to the user. 8. The server according to claim 1, wherein the first parameter is a parameter for controlling information exchange between the user and another user via the server. . 9. The server according to claim 1, further comprising period storage means for storing information on the length of the period in a predetermined storage medium. 10. The server according to claim 9, wherein the predetermined storage medium is a storage medium provided in the server. 11. The server according to claim 9, wherein the predetermined storage medium is a storage medium provided in a terminal operated by the user. 12. A program for controlling a server that provides a game service via a network, wherein the server satisfies predetermined conditions for each user who is accessing the server. The value of the first parameter related to the game service provided to the user is determined according to the determination process for determining the period and the length of the period determined as the period in which the predetermined condition is satisfied by the determination process. A control program for executing a parameter changing process for changing. 13. The length of the period is the sum of the lengths of a plurality of periods determined by the determination process as a period in which the predetermined condition is satisfied. Control program. 14. The control program according to claim 12, wherein the predetermined condition is a condition that limits the number of users who play a game with the user. 15. The predetermined condition is a condition that a value of a second parameter relating to a game service provided to the user should be satisfied.
The control program according to any one of 1. 16. The predetermined condition is a condition that the actual date and / or time when the user is accessing the server should be satisfied.
16. The control program according to any one of 1 to 15. 17. The control program according to claim 12, wherein the first parameter is a parameter for controlling progress of a game played by the user. 18. The control program according to claim 12, wherein the first parameter is a parameter for controlling information distribution from the server to the user. 19. The control according to claim 12, wherein the first parameter is a parameter for controlling information exchange between the user and another user via the server. program. 20. The control program according to claim 12, further comprising causing the server to execute a period saving process of storing the information on the length of the period in a predetermined storage medium. . 21. The predetermined storage medium is a storage medium provided in the server.
The described control program. 22. The control program according to claim 20, wherein the predetermined storage medium is a storage medium provided in a terminal operated by the user. 23. A computer-readable recording medium in which the control program according to any one of claims 12 to 22 is recorded.