JP5265794B1 - GAME CONTROL DEVICE, GAME CONTROL METHOD, PROGRAM, GAME SYSTEM - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided are a game control device, a game control method, a program, and a game system that can realize a highly social game even when position information of a communication terminal is used.
An acquisition means for acquiring position information indicating the position of a user's communication terminal; a detection means for detecting a communication terminal of another user existing within a predetermined range from the position indicated by the acquired position information; The association means for associating the user with the other user based on information related to a predetermined operation input, and when the user and the other user are associated with each other, Providing means for granting a privilege to at least one of the users.
[Selection] Figure 7

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for controlling execution of a game by a user.

  In recent years, a so-called social game (Social) executed by a game application created on the basis of an operating environment such as an API (Application Programming Interface) that operates on a web browser in a social networking service (SNS) by a specific service provider. Game) is popular. It can be said that the social game is a kind of online game that is played while communicating among an unspecified number of users. If a user can connect to the Internet and has a communication terminal equipped with a web browser, the user can enjoy a social game regardless of time and place.

  As an example of the above-described social game, a digital card game (Dragon Collection (registered trademark)) disclosed in Non-Patent Document 1 is known. In this known digital card game, a menu for performing a quest process in which a user searches various areas and acquires a new card or item is provided. One of the features of such a social game is that it has a richer communication function for interacting with users than a conventional online game. In social games, for example, in addition to cooperative play with other users (friends), information exchange by communicating with friends such as greetings and contacts with friends, gifts of items on the game with friends or items An exchange has been made.

  In addition, a game that uses position information of a communication terminal using a communication terminal equipped with a GPS (Global Positioning System) function is known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a game configured such that a user can acquire items on the game by moving a predetermined area in the real world while carrying a communication terminal equipped with a GPS function. Yes.

App STYLE Vol.2 (East Press, Inc.), pages 26-27

JP 2002-273034 A

  The game described in Patent Document 1 is a game in which a user can acquire a virtual item by moving a predetermined area in the real world with a portable terminal equipped with a GPS function. However, it is merely capable of recognizing whether or not an item has been acquired, has little game development, and cannot realize a highly social game.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described viewpoints, and provides a game control device, a game control method, a program, and a game system that can realize a highly social game even when position information of a communication terminal is used. The purpose is to do.

A first aspect of the present invention is a game control device.
The game control device
Obtaining means for obtaining position information indicating the position of the user's communication terminal;
Detection means for detecting communication terminals of other users existing within a predetermined range from the position indicated in the acquired position information;
An association means for associating the user with the other user based on information on a predetermined operation input;
When the user and the other user are associated with each other, the granting unit that grants a privilege to at least one of the users associated with each other;
Is provided.

Here, the “information relating to the predetermined operation input” is not limited to information obtained by directly inputting an operation to the game control device. For example, an operation input to an external device accessible to the game control device It may be information obtained by doing so.
The “privilege” may be a point or item on the game or an advantageous effect on the game. Furthermore, the “item” may be, for example, a recovery drug that recovers the character's parameters or points, a drug that increases the character's ability, or a weapon or armor used by the character. Good. Furthermore, the “advantageous effect on the game” may be, for example, that the parameter of an item that the user holds in the game may be increased, or that the user can obtain a special item. In addition, the “advantageous effect on the game” may be an adjustment of the setting so as to facilitate the progress of the scenario in the game. For example, the points on the game to be consumed according to the user's operation The consumption may be reduced more than usual, or the points to be consumed may be available. In addition, what is necessary is just to make it possible to acquire a bigger point than the point when the structure which can acquire the point consumed by making a friend is already provided. Furthermore, the “advantageous effect on the game” may be an adjustment of the setting on the game so that the game can be advantageously promoted indirectly. For example, the user can acquire a special item. An event may be generated, or a probability that the parameter of the item is significantly increased may be increased.

In this game control device, when a user's communication terminal existing within a predetermined range from the current position of his / her communication terminal is detected, the user can relate to another user (become a friend). Become. Here, the predetermined range may be, for example, a stadium where a baseball game, soccer game, American football game, or the like is performed. Further, it may be a game center, a racetrack, a concert hall, or other predetermined event venue. Thus, each user who is related in a specific place can raise friendship by generating affinity for each other by sharing the time and place. Thereby, since the exchange between users can be accelerated | stimulated, the social property of a game can be improved. In addition, it is possible to construct an incentive system for a user to visit a stadium, an event venue, or the like.
As described above, a user who plays a game is motivated to actually go to a stadium or the like, for example, to become a friend with another user who will also exist in the same stadium. For this reason, unlike conventional games in which users do not know where or where each other is in the real world, social relationships can be further enhanced because a friendship is built while sharing time and place. .

In the game control device, the detecting means may detect a communication terminal of another user existing in the predetermined area when the position is included in the predetermined area.
Here, the “predetermined area” may be, for example, an area where a real world event simulated in a game is performed. Specifically, in the case of a baseball game, a baseball game (event) is performed. In the case of a soccer game, it may be a soccer field where a soccer game (event) is held, and in the case of a music game, music performance (event) It may be a concert hall or the like. The “predetermined area” can be arbitrarily set regardless of whether or not it is an area related to a game. For example, a game facility such as a game center, a store that sells games, or an exhibition hall that displays games. It may be a local division such as “Akasaka 9-chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo”.
In this game control device, when a communication terminal of another user existing in a predetermined area is detected, the user can relate to another user (become a friend). In this case, each related user can raise friendship by generating a sense of familiarity by sharing time and place. In addition, when each user exists in the predetermined area with a predetermined purpose, it is possible to further enhance fellowship awareness by having a common purpose. Thereby, since the exchange between users can be further promoted, the social nature of the game can be further enhanced.

In the above-described game control device, the granting unit reduces the privilege as the elapsed time from the end time of a predetermined event performed in the predetermined region until the association unit acquires information on the operation input becomes longer. May be.
For example, when a user makes a friend (associates) based on an application made to another user while a predetermined event is being performed, a privilege of a predetermined value is given. When the event is over, the later the timing of the application, the fewer the benefits granted when both of them become friends. This allows each user to become a companion during the event to gain many benefits (eg, many points, high value items, more advantageous game effects, etc.), or Be motivated to be associated (associated) with other users as soon as possible. Thereby, even if the operation for becoming a friend is difficult during the event execution, it is possible to become a friend after that, so that it is possible to provide a configuration in consideration of user convenience.
On the other hand, as the time passes after the end of the event, the benefits are reduced, so this configuration can suppress the situation of forgetting the operation to become a friend by awareness of the user, the activity of the game community Can contribute to If a predetermined time (for example, 6 hours) elapses, the information of the friends who have been in the predetermined area (for example, the stadium) may be deleted. In this case, the friend application for the user who was in the same stadium is limited to 6 hours after the match is over. In this way, by limiting the time limit of the fellow application, the motivation of the fellow application can be given to the user, and unnecessary data that is not used can be deleted from the server. In addition, limitation of said friend application is an example, For example, you may make it make it the deadline of friend application until 24:00 on the day of a game.

In the game control apparatus, the granting unit decreases the privilege as the position of the communication terminal of the user when the correlating unit acquires information on the operation input is further away from the outer edge of the predetermined area. May be.
For example, when a user becomes a friend with (associates with) another user based on the communication terminal of the other user detected in the predetermined area, a privilege of a predetermined value is provided. If the user is present, it is conceivable that the user only detects other users who are fellow candidates in the predetermined area, and makes an application at a location away from the predetermined area in order to obtain the privilege. Such an action is not preferable in realizing a highly social game based on sharing time and place.
According to this game control device, for example, as the position of the user's communication terminal at the time of application is further away from the outer edge of the predetermined area, the privilege given to other users becomes less. Become. Thereby, each user is motivated to stay within a predetermined area and apply for many benefits (eg, more points, higher value items, more advantageous game effects, etc.). Attached. Therefore, said action can be suppressed and a highly social game can be realized.

In the game control device, the association unit may associate the user with the other user within a predetermined period after the communication terminal of the other user is detected.
According to this game control device, even when the user cannot become a friend (associate) with another user at the time when the communication terminal of the other user is detected, until the predetermined period elapses. During this period, an opportunity to become friends with the other user can be obtained. For this reason, since the opportunity to interact with other users can be increased, the social property can be improved.

In the game control apparatus, the granting unit varies the privilege according to an elapsed time from when the communication terminal of the other user is detected until the user and the other user are related to each other. Also good.
According to this game control device, for example, the longer the elapsed time from when a communication terminal of another user is detected until the user is associated with the other user, the more it is given to at least one of the users. In order to obtain a high value score, each user can obtain a high score, for example, if the number of points is reduced (for example, the amount of points, the value of an item, or the effect on a game is reduced). Motivated to become friends (relevant) as soon as possible. Thereby, the further improvement of social property can be expected.

A second aspect of the present invention is a game control method in a game control device,
Obtaining position information indicating the position of the user's communication terminal;
Detecting a communication terminal of another user existing within a predetermined range from the position indicated in the acquired position information;
Associating the user with the other user based on information about a predetermined operation input;
When the user and the other user are related, a step of granting a privilege to at least one of the users related to each other;
Is provided.

A third aspect of the present invention provides a computer for controlling the execution of a game.
A function of acquiring position information indicating the position of the user's communication terminal;
A function of detecting communication terminals of other users existing within a predetermined range from the position indicated in the acquired position information;
Based on information related to a predetermined operation input, at least one of a function that associates the user with another user, and a user that is associated with each other when the user is associated with the other user The function of granting benefits to users of
It is a program for realizing.

  The computer may be a network server, a large computer, or the like, for example. Further, this program may be stored in a computer-readable information storage medium such as a DVD-ROM or a CD-ROM.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is a game system including a communication terminal and a server accessed from the communication terminal,
Obtaining means for obtaining position information indicating the position of the user's communication terminal;
Detection means for detecting communication terminals of other users existing within a predetermined range from the position indicated in the acquired position information;
An association means for associating the user with the other user based on information on a predetermined operation input;
When the user and the other user are associated with each other, the granting unit that grants a privilege to at least one of the users associated with each other;
Any one of the communication terminal and the server is provided with each means.

  The communication terminal may be, for example, a mobile terminal, a smartphone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a personal computer, a television receiver having a bidirectional communication function, a game device with a communication function, or the like.

  According to the game control device, the game control method, the program, and the game system of the present invention, a highly social game can be realized even when the position information of the communication terminal is used.

The figure which shows the basic composition of the game system of embodiment. The figure which shows the example of the external appearance of the communication terminal of embodiment. The block diagram which shows the structure of the communication terminal of embodiment. The block diagram which shows the structure of the game server of embodiment. The block diagram which shows the structure of the database server of embodiment. The figure which shows the structural example of the user database contained in a database server. The functional block diagram for demonstrating the function to play main roles with the game control apparatus of embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the display screen of the communication terminal which displays a top page. The figure which illustrates a series of web pages displayed on a user's communication terminal in a friend application process. The sequence chart which shows an example of the main processes of the game control apparatus of embodiment. The figure which shows the structural example of present position data. The figure which shows the structural example of a friend candidate list. The sequence chart which shows an example of the main processes of the game control apparatus of embodiment. The figure for demonstrating the example of a setting of the privilege provided to a user in the modification 1. FIG. The figure for demonstrating the example of a setting of the privilege provided to a user in the modification 2. FIG. The figure for demonstrating the example of a setting of the privilege provided to a user in the modification 4. FIG. The figure which shows the structural example of each function in each of a communication terminal and a game server.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.

(1) Configuration of Game System FIG. 1 shows a system configuration example of a game system according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the game system includes communication terminals 10a, 10b, 10c,... That can be connected to a communication network NW (network) such as the Internet, a game server 20 connected to the communication network NW, The database server 30 is configured. Each of the communication terminals 10a, 10b, 10c,... Is a terminal operated by an individual user, for example, a mobile terminal, a smartphone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a personal computer, a television having a bidirectional communication function. A communication terminal such as a John receiver (including a so-called multi-function smart TV). In the following description, when referring to the communication terminals 10a, 10b, 10c,.
In this game system, the game server 20 is configured to be able to communicate with the communication terminal 10 that is a client, and provides a gaming service to the communication terminal 10. The game server 20 is mounted with an application operable on a web browser as a game application. The database server 30 stores various information to be described later in executing the game, and is connected to the game server 20 by, for example, a wire for reading and writing the information.
The communication terminal 10 includes a web browser capable of displaying a web page provided by the game server 20, and the user operates the communication terminal 10 on the web page to execute a game.

  Although not shown in FIG. 1, an authentication server for authenticating the user of each communication terminal 10 may be provided separately from the game server 20. Further, when a plurality of game servers 20 are provided in order to accept access from many communication terminals 10, a load balancer for adjusting a load between the plurality of game servers 20 may be provided. The game server 20 may be configured as a single server device, but may be configured as a plurality of server devices having distributed functions.

(2) Configuration of Communication Terminal The communication terminal 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the appearance of the communication terminal 10, and FIG. 2A illustrates a button input type communication terminal such as a foldable mobile terminal (mobile phone), for example. ) Exemplifies a communication terminal of a touch panel input method such as a smartphone. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the communication terminal 10.
As shown in FIG. 3, the communication terminal 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, an image processing unit 14, an instruction input unit 15, a display unit 16, A wireless communication interface unit 17 and a GPS (Global Positioning System) positioning unit 18 are provided, and a bus 19 for transmitting control signals or data signals between the respective units is provided.

The CPU 11 loads the web browser in the ROM 12 into the RAM 13 and executes it. The CPU 11 then displays data for displaying a web page from the game server 20 via the wireless communication interface unit 17 based on appropriate designation of a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) input to the user by the instruction input unit 15 or the like. That is, data of an object such as an HTML (HyperText Markup Language) document and an image associated with the document (hereinafter, collectively referred to as “HTML data” as appropriate) is acquired via the wireless communication interface unit 17. Then, the HTML data is interpreted. The communication terminal 10 may be mounted with various plug-ins for extending the browser function of the web browser.
In acquiring the HTML data, the CPU 11 sends an access request message including a user ID (user identification information) registered in advance or a user ID input via the instruction input unit 15 via the wireless communication interface unit 17. To the game server 20.

  The web browser displays the web page provided from the game server 20 on the display unit 16 based on the acquired HTML data via the image processing unit 14. When the user selects a hyperlink or menu on the web page by operating the instruction input unit 15, the web browser transmits new HTML data for displaying the web page according to the selection. (That is, update of the web page) is requested to the game server 20.

  The image processing unit 14 displays a web page on the display unit 16 based on display image data provided from the CPU 11 as an analysis result of HTML data. The display unit 16 is, for example, an LCD (Liquid Cristal Display) monitor including thin film transistors arranged in a pixel unit in a matrix, and drives the thin film transistors based on the display image data to display the image of the web page on the display screen 16a. To display.

  When the communication terminal 10 is a button input type communication terminal (shown in FIG. 2A), the instruction input unit 15 includes a plurality of instruction input buttons such as a direction instruction button and a decision button for accepting a user operation input. And a button group 15b including a plurality of instruction input buttons such as a numeric keypad, and includes an interface circuit for recognizing pressing (operation) input of each button and outputting it to the CPU 11. For example, the direction instruction button is provided to instruct the CPU 11 to scroll and display the web page displayed on the display unit 16. The determination button instructs the CPU 11 that the user selects one hyperlink or menu that is actively displayed (for example, highlighted) when, for example, a plurality of hyperlinks or menus are displayed on a web page. To be provided. When the communication terminal 10 is configured by a small portable terminal, these buttons are provided on the front surface of the communication terminal 10 so that the user can easily operate (click) with the thumb while holding the communication terminal 10 with one hand. It is preferable to arrange | position. In the example shown in FIG. 2A, the button group 15b is arranged below the button group 15a, and a plurality of instruction inputs in which “0” to “9”, “*”, and “#” (numeric keys) are written. Includes buttons.

  When the communication terminal 10 is a touch panel input type communication terminal (shown in FIG. 2B), the instruction input unit 15 accepts touch panel type input mainly by touching the display screen 16a with a fingertip or a pen. The touch panel input method may be a known method such as a capacitance method. As shown in FIG. 2B, the button group 15a may be provided even when the communication terminal 10 is a touch panel input method.

  For example, when the communication terminal 10 is a portable terminal, the menu selection operation on the web page displayed on the communication terminal 10 is selected by pressing the direction instruction button and selecting by pressing the enter button. This is done by confirming the selected menu. Further, for example, when the communication terminal 10 is a touch panel input method, the selection operation is performed by instructing (touch operation) a menu position on the display screen 16a on which the web page is displayed with a finger or a pen.

The GPS positioning unit 18 measures the current position of the communication terminal 10 by receiving a positioning radio signal from a GPS satellite. For example, when receiving a position information transmission request message from the game server 20, the CPU 11 causes the GPS positioning unit 18 to measure the current position of the communication terminal 10, and the position information obtained by the positioning of the GPS positioning unit 18. (Including latitude, longitude, positioning time, etc.) is stored in a storage device such as the RAM 13. For example, the CPU 11 may cause the GPS positioning unit 18 to measure the current position of the communication terminal 10 when a predetermined operation input is performed by the user or at a predetermined cycle.
When the CPU 11 receives the position information transmission request message from the game server 20 via the wireless communication interface unit 17, the CPU 11 corresponds the position information stored in the storage device to the user ID (or terminal identification information unique to the communication terminal 10). In addition, the data is transmitted to the game server 20 via the wireless communication interface unit 17.

(3) Configuration of Game Server The configuration of the game server 20 will be described with reference to FIG.
The game server 20 manages a game website including a plurality of hierarchical web pages, for example, and provides a game web service to the communication terminal 10. As shown in FIG. 4, the game server 20 includes a CPU 21, a ROM 22, a RAM 23, a database (DB) access unit 24, and a wireless communication interface unit 25, for transmitting control signals or data signals between the units. Bus 26 is provided. In addition, the game server 20 can take the same structure as a general-purpose web server regarding hardware.

The ROM 22 stores an application program that provides a service for displaying an object such as an HTML document or an image (displaying a web page) to the web browser of the communication terminal 10 that is a client. The ROM 22 stores various data referred to by the CPU 21 in addition to the application program.
The CPU 21 loads the game program in the ROM 22 to the RAM 23 and executes it, and performs various processes via the wireless communication interface unit 25.

For example, the CPU 21 transmits HTML data to the communication terminal 10 via the wireless communication interface unit 25. In addition, when the game server 20 performs the authentication process of the user of the communication terminal 10, the CPU 21 performs the authentication process.
The CPU 21 performs processing according to the hyperlink or menu selected by the user on the web page displayed on the communication terminal 10. The processing includes, for example, transmission of new HTML data, arithmetic processing in the game server 20 or data processing.
The database access unit 24 is an interface when the CPU 21 reads / writes data from / to the database server 30.

(4) Configuration of Database Server The database server 30 can be realized by a general-purpose storage such as a large-capacity hard disk device or a device such as RAID (Redundant Arrays of Inexpensive Disks). Each database in the database server 30 is configured to be able to read and write data from the CPU 21 via the database access unit 24 of the game server 20.
FIG. 5 shows an example of the configuration of the database server 30. As shown in FIG. 5, the database server 30 includes a user database 31 and a game database 32.

The type of game realized by the game server 20 of the present embodiment is not particularly limited, but in the following, as an example of a game realized by the game server 20 for convenience of description of the embodiment, a baseball digital format Pick up a card game.
In a baseball-style digital card game, a user collects player cards corresponding to baseball players to create his own team, play baseball against other users' teams, or play a baseball league game for each skill level. A game that is structured to fight. Baseball-style digital card games include a scout process that searches for player cards to create their own team, a lottery process that allows them to obtain player cards by lottery, or two or more player cards. A strengthening process or the like is provided to increase the ability of a specific player card.
Each function implemented in the baseball digital card game will be described later.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of a user database 31 applied in the above-described baseball format digital card game. In this example, the user database 31 includes, for each user ID (user identification information), a user name / display image, a team, a skill level, an action point, an operation point, an enhancement point, an ale point, a player number, a fellow user ID, It contains information about each item of possessed card image data and retained card parameters. Information included in the user database 31 can be updated sequentially by the game server 20.

In the following description, the user ID included in the user database 31 or data for each user name (to be described later) specifying the user is generically referred to as user data. The data of each item constituting the user data is as follows.
User name / display image A user name and a display image that are displayed to identify the user on the communication terminal 10 when the game is executed. The user name is text of a predetermined length or less that is designated in advance by the user, and the display image is, for example, an avatar image that is selected in advance by the user. The user name is a name that identifies the user on the network environment (or game community) provided by the game server 20.
-Team In the above-mentioned baseball-format digital card game, the team specified by the user at the time of user registration. In this game, for example, a P league consisting of 6 teams of P1 to P6 and a Q league consisting of 6 teams of Q1 to Q6 are provided, and the user selects one of these 12 teams at the time of user registration To do.
Skill level This is data indicating the skill level of the user on the game. For example, it is a level value in the range from Lv1 (level 1) to Lv100 (level 100). For example, the skill level is sequentially increased by continuously performing scout processing in the game.
-Action point In the baseball-type digital card game, for example, it is a point necessary for performing a game scout by the user. The action point is a value that decreases by performing scouting and recovers (increases) each time a predetermined time elapses.
-Management point In the baseball-type digital card game, for example, it is a point necessary for a user to play a game match. The management point is a value that is reduced by a battle with another user or the like and is recovered (increased) every time a predetermined time elapses.
Strengthening point In the baseball digital card game, for example, it is a point necessary for strengthening a player card by a user. The strengthening point is a value that is reduced by strengthening the player card and is recovered (increased) every time the player wins a battle with another user or a predetermined time elapses.
-Ale Point In the baseball-format digital card game, it is a point that the user acquires by sending a cheer message to a fellow user.
-Number of players This is the number of player cards held by the user. The number of players is increased or decreased by the execution of scout processing and strengthening processing. The maximum number of players (for example, 60) is defined in advance.
・ Friend's user ID
This is data of another user ID that is a friend of the target user ID.
-Image data of possession card In the case of the above-mentioned baseball format digital card game, the image data of the possession card is data including an image of the player card possessed by the user.
-Owned card parameter The owned card parameter includes data indicating the ability value of the player card held by the user. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, ability values such as “batting force”, “running ability”, and “defense ability” may be included as parameter items. In the example of FIG. 6, the capability value is a value in the range of 0 to 1000, and the higher the capability value is, the higher the capability is. In FIG. 6, “batting force”, “running ability”, and “defense ability” are illustrated as items as indicators of ability, but if the player is a pitcher, other items such as “ball speed”, “ball control” It is good also as "power", "stamina", etc.
The parameter of the player card may include “rare degree”. Here, the “rare degree” is a value indicating the degree of rarity value of the player card, and the higher the value is, the lower the probability of appearing in the game is set. In the present embodiment, the rarity is expressed in five stages of 1 to 5, and the rarity of the player card corresponding to a player with outstanding technical ability or a popular player is set high.
The player card data also includes the team (any of P1 to P6, Q1 to Q6), position (pitcher, catcher, first baser, left winger, etc.), the degree of influence the player card has on the game (typically (Positive influence degree) etc. may be included.

  Returning to FIG. 5, the game database 32 stores and updates information on game settings executed by the game server 20 and information on game results (game results) based on access from the game server 20. Information related to game results may include various information depending on the nature of the game. For example, in the case of a baseball-format digital card game, information on game results includes results of matches between different user IDs (scores, etc.), results of league battles between a plurality of user IDs of specific skill levels ( Score, ranking, etc.).

(5) Overview of Functions in Game Control Device In the present embodiment, the game control device is configured by the game server 20 and the database server 30. In the following, with reference to FIG. 7, the functions realized by the game control device of the present embodiment will be described by taking as an example the case where the above-described baseball-format digital card game (hereinafter simply referred to as “game”) is applied. I will explain. FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram for explaining functions that play a main role in the game control apparatus of the present embodiment.
In the functional block diagram of FIG. 7, the registration means 51, the acquisition means 53, the detection means 54, and the provision means 55 correspond to the main configuration of the present invention. Other means are not necessarily indispensable structures, but they are structures for making the present invention more preferable.
In the following description, menus, marks, and the like displayed on the web page displayed on the communication terminal 10 are arranged at desired positions on the web page, and are menus visually recognized on the communication terminal 10. The position on the display screen of the mark and the like can be changed by scrolling the web page by the user's direction instruction button or touch panel operation.

The registration unit 51 has a function of recognizing a user request based on an appropriate operation input to the communication terminal 10 on a web page provided to the communication terminal 10, for example, and performing a registration process (user registration).
The function of the registration means 51 is implement | achieved as follows, for example. The CPU 21 of the game server 20 receives a registration request message from the communication terminal 10 via the wireless communication interface unit 25. The registration request message is automatically generated by a predetermined operation (for example, a predetermined menu selection operation, text input, etc.) on the communication terminal 10 on the web page provided from the game server 20. May be configured. The registration request message may include information (for example, terminal identification information, IP address, e-mail address, etc.) for specifying the transmission source communication terminal 10, or the service provider whose user is already the same. If other games are used, the user ID may be included.
When the CPU 21 receives the registration request message and the registration request message does not include the user ID, the CPU 21 issues a new user ID and performs registration processing of the user ID, and then the registration processing is completed. Is sent to the communication terminal 10. When the CPU 21 receives the registration request message and the registration request message includes a user ID, the CPU 21 performs registration processing of the user ID, and then transmits a registration completion message indicating that the registration processing is completed to the communication terminal. 10 to send.
When the registration is completed, the CPU 21 stores user data for a new user ID in which predetermined default data is described in the user database 31.

The game progress means 52 advances the game by transmitting HTML data for sequentially updating web pages displayed on the communication terminal 10 in response to a user operation on the communication terminal 10. As described above, a baseball digital card game is provided with the following processing in order to advance the game.
・ Scout processing:
This is a process of searching for player cards in order to build up their own team. Executing a scout consumes action points, but increases reinforcement points.
・ Strengthening process:
It is a process of increasing the ability of a specific player card by merging two or more player cards by consuming reinforcement points. In this case, the ability of a specific player card increases, but the player card used for integration disappears. That is, the number of players is reduced by the number of player cards used for integration.
・ Game processing:
This is a process of playing a baseball game with another user's team. Management points will be consumed by playing the game, but if you win the game, the points will increase. As a result of the match, for example, the total values of the parameters of a plurality of player cards held by two users who are opponents are compared, and the user with the larger total value has a higher probability (for example, a range of 60 to 90%) It may be determined to win with a predetermined probability).
・ Lottery processing:
It is a process of consuming an ale point and obtaining a player card by lottery.
・ Order processing:
This is a process for the user to change the order of a player card, to replace a player card with a copy, and the like.
・ Buddy application processing:
This is a process for a user to apply to another user to become a friend. Details of the fellow application process will be described later.
In the game of this embodiment, the action points and the management points are recovered (increased) by one point each time a predetermined time (for example, 3 minutes) elapses, for example.

  In realizing the game progression means 52, the CPU 21 of the game server 20 assigns in advance any process for advancing the game to each menu displayed on the web page. Then, when the menu on the web page is selected in the communication terminal 10, the CPU 21 receives information about the selected menu from the communication terminal 10, and is assigned to the selected menu based on the received information. Execute the process.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the game progress means 52 causes the communication terminal 10 to display a plurality of menus each assigned a plurality of processes executed in the game. Specifically, the CPU 21 generates HTML data for displaying a web page including a plurality of menus, and transmits the HTML data to the communication terminal 10. As described above, in the game, points on the game are consumed as the scout process, the strengthening process, the game process, and the lottery process are executed.

An example of the top page of the game displayed on the communication terminal 10 by the game progress means 52 is shown in FIG. This top page is composed of web pages corresponding to individual user IDs. The top page illustrated in FIG. 8 includes a user name display area, a player image display area, and a menu display area in addition to the user name and team text.
In the user data display area, skill level, action point, management point, strengthening point, yell point, number of players, and data of each item of fellows included in the user data of the target user ID (see FIG. 6) are displayed. Area. It should be noted that in the items displayed in the user data display area, the point or number written in the X / Y format is that X is the point or number held by the user, and Y is the maximum value of the point or number. Indicates that there is. For example, if the number of players is written as “40/60”, it indicates that the number of players held by the user is 40 and the maximum number of players that can be held is 60.
The player image display area is an area in which image data of a player card previously selected by the user is displayed.
The menu display area includes “Scout” and “Strengthen” as basic menus corresponding to a plurality of processes (scout process, reinforcement process, game process, lottery process, order process, friend application process) provided in a baseball-style digital card game. ”,“ Game ”,“ lottery ”,“ order ”,“ friend application ”menus m1 to m6 are displayed. That is, a plurality of menus to which a plurality of processes executed in the game are assigned are respectively arranged at predetermined positions on the web page displayed on the communication terminal 10. Note that the order process is a process of executing an exchange of player card orders, replacement with a reserved player card, or the like under the instruction of the user.
The game advancing means 52 executes a process according to the user's selection operation for the menu displayed on the communication terminal 10. Preferably, when each process is executed, each process is executed hierarchically such that a new web page including a plurality of menus subdivided for each process is displayed.

  For example, when the top page shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the communication terminal 10 of the user, the function of the game progress means 52 is realized as follows. The CPU 21 of the game server 20 accesses the user database 31 via the database access unit 24, and reads the data of each item included in the user data display area and the player card image data to be displayed in the player image display area. Next, the CPU 21 generates HTML data so that the top page shown in FIG. 8 is configured, and transmits it to the communication terminal 10. The generated HTML data is different for each user (that is, for each user ID). The communication terminal 10 interprets the received HTML data and displays the top page image on the display unit 16 (display screen 16a).

[Buddy Application Processing]
A friend application process is a process for a user to apply with respect to another user so that it may become a friend. In the game of the present embodiment, when a user becomes a friend with another user existing within a predetermined range from the current position of the user (that is, the current position of the communication terminal 10 carried by the user), a privilege is given to both of them. It has come to be. Hereinafter, a case where the user is present in a baseball field (stadium) where a baseball game is held and becomes a friend with another user present in the stadium will be described as an example.

The flow of the game in the friend application process will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 9, a case where a user who makes a friend application (a user who is a friend application source) is “KNM” (hereinafter referred to as user: KNM) is shown as an example. Steps S1 to S3 in FIG. 9 sequentially show examples of web pages displayed on the user communication terminal 10 in the friend application process.
First, when the user: KNM performs the selection operation of the menu m6 on the top page illustrated in FIG. 8, the web page shown in step S1 of FIG. 9 is displayed on the communication terminal 10 of the user: KNM. The web page shown in step S1 includes a message prompting to become a friend with another user near the user: KNM, a menu m10 for searching (detecting) another user as a friend candidate, and the like.

  Here, when the menu m10 is selected and operated when the user: KNM is present in the stadium where the baseball game is being played, the fellow candidates present in the stadium are displayed as shown in step S2 of FIG. Updated to a web page that displays a list of In the web page shown in step S2, a display area for displaying the user names and display images of the fellow candidates in a selectable manner is provided for each fellow candidate. User: KNM arbitrarily selects a user (a friend application destination user) who wants to be a friend among the displayed friend candidates. Here, the case where the user of the friend application destination is “ABC” (hereinafter referred to as user: ABC) is shown as an example.

When the user: KNM selects the user: ABC on the web page shown in step S2, the web page shown in step S3 of FIG. 9 is displayed on the communication terminal 10 of the user: ABC. Here, the timing at which the web page shown in step S3 is displayed on the communication terminal 10, for example, when the user: ABC is playing the game, is almost the same as the timing at which the user: KNM selects the user: ABC. If the user: ABC does not play the game, the timing at which the user: ABC has started playing the game may be used.
In the web page shown in step S3, in order to select whether to receive a friend request, a display image of the friend application source user (user: KNM), a message indicating that the friend application from the user has arrived, and Menus m11, m12, and the like. The user: ABC selects whether or not to receive a fellow application from the user: KNM.

When the user: ABC selects the menu m11 on the web page shown in step S3 (receives a friend application), the web page shown in step S4 in FIG. 9 is displayed on the communication terminal 10 of the user: KNM. . The web page shown in step S4 includes a message indicating that the user: KNM has become a friend with the user: ABC, a message indicating that a privilege has been granted because the friend has been created, and the like.
On the other hand, when the user: ABC selects the menu m11 on the web page shown in step S3 (that is, receives a friend application), the web page shown in step S5 in FIG. 9 is displayed on the communication terminal 10 of the user: ABC. Is displayed. The web page shown in step S5 includes a message indicating that user: ABC has become a friend with user: KNM, a message indicating that a privilege has been granted because the friend has been created, and the like.
The privilege to be given can be arbitrarily set on the game. For example, the privilege may be a certain amount of ale points or strengthening points, may be a player card with a high degree of rarity, or may increase the ability value of the player card.

Below, the function of each means which performs a friend application process is demonstrated.
The acquisition unit 53 has a function of acquiring position information indicating the current position (position) of the user's communication terminal 10. The function of the acquisition means 53 is implement | achieved as follows with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a sequence chart illustrating an example of processing for realizing the function of the acquisition unit 53.

First, when the user selects any one of the menus m1 to m6 on the top page shown in FIG. 8, the CPU 11 of the communication terminal 10 transmits an HTML data transmission request message for displaying the web page to the wireless page. It transmits to the game server 20 via the communication interface part 17 (step S100).
On the other hand, when the CPU 21 of the game server 20 receives the HTML data transmission request message via the wireless communication interface unit 25, the CPU 21 transmits the position information transmission request message to the communication terminal 10 via the wireless communication interface unit 25. (Step S102).
When receiving the position information transmission request message, the CPU 11 of the communication terminal 10 causes the GPS positioning unit 18 to measure the current position of the communication terminal 10 (step S104). Then, the CPU 11 transmits the position information obtained by the positioning by the GPS positioning unit 18 to the game server 20 in association with the user ID (step S106).
When receiving the position information, the CPU 21 of the game server 20 records the position information in the current position data in the user database 31 (step S108). FIG. 11 shows a configuration example of the current position data. As shown in FIG. 11, the current position data is provided for each of a plurality of users (user IDs). The current position data is data in which position information acquisition date and time (positioning time included in the position information) and latitude and longitude included in the position information are described for each acquisition of position information. And CPU21 produces | generates the HTML data for displaying the web page according to the menu which the user selected, and transmits to communication terminal 10 address (step S110).

  In the above sequence chart, the CPU 21 of the game server 20 transmits a position information transmission request message when any of the menus m1 to m6 is selected on the top page shown in FIG. However, this is not the case. For example, the CPU 21 of the game server 20 presets a menu for transmitting a position information transmission request message (for example, the position information transmission request message is transmitted only when the menu m6 is selected). Alternatively, the position information transmission request message may be transmitted every time the number of selections of the menus m1 to m6 reaches a predetermined number (for example, five times). Further, the CPU 21 of the game server 20 may transmit a position information transmission request message, for example, when receiving a transmission request message of HTML data for displaying the top page shown in FIG. When a predetermined authentication process (for example, login authentication or the like) is performed with the terminal 10, a position information transmission request message may be transmitted.

The detection means 54 has a function of detecting the communication terminals 10 of fellow candidates (other users) existing within a predetermined range from the current position (position) of the communication terminal 10 indicated by the position information acquired by the acquisition means 53. . Here, the predetermined range may be, for example, a stadium where a baseball game, soccer game, American football game, or the like is performed. Further, it may be a game center, a racetrack, a concert hall, or other predetermined event venue. Further, it may be indicated by a distance such as within 100 m.
Moreover, the detection means 54 may be provided with the function to detect the communication terminal 10 of the fellow candidate (other users) which exists in a stadium, when the present position of the communication terminal 10 is contained in a stadium (predetermined area | region). .
Here, in this embodiment, the stadium is described as an example of the “predetermined area” of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to this. The “predetermined area” may be, for example, an area where a real world event simulated in a game is performed. Specifically, in the case of a soccer game, a soccer field where a soccer game (event) is performed In the case of a music game, it may be a concert hall where music performance (event) is performed. The “predetermined area” can be arbitrarily set regardless of whether or not it is an area related to a game. For example, a game facility such as a game center, a store that sells games, or an exhibition hall that displays games. It may be a local division such as “Akasaka 9-chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo”.

The function of the detection means 54 is realizable as follows.
When the menu m6 is selected and operated on the top page shown in FIG. 8, the CPU 21 of the game server 20 generates HTML data for displaying the web page shown in step S <b> 1 in FIG. 9 and transmits it to the communication terminal 10. To do.
Next, when the menu m10 is selected and operated on the web page shown in step S1 of FIG. 9, the CPU 21 performs a baseball game on the communication terminal 10 of the user who performed the selection operation (the user of the fellow application source). It is determined whether or not it exists in the stadium. Specifically, the CPU 21 accesses the user database 31 and refers to the current position data corresponding to the user ID of the user who is the friend application source. Then, the CPU 21 determines whether the latitude and longitude of the latest position information (that is, the position information recorded when the menu m6 is selected and operated) among the position information recorded in the current position data is included in the stadium. And whether or not the acquisition date and time of the latest position information is included in the baseball game time. Note that the latitude and longitude of the outer edge of the stadium may be recorded in the game database 32. Information such as baseball game time may be sequentially recorded in the game database 32.
When it is determined that the latest position information latitude and longitude are included in the stadium, and the acquisition date and time of the latest position information is included in the baseball game time, that is, the communication terminal 10 of the user who is the friend application source, When it is determined that the baseball game is present in the stadium, the CPU 21 detects the communication terminal 10 of the fellow candidate existing in the stadium.
Moreover, CPU21 detects the communication terminal 10 of the fellow candidate who exists in the predetermined range (for example, 100m) from the communication terminal 10 of the user of a fellow application origin, when the communication terminal 10 of the user of a fellow application origin does not exist in a stadium. To do.

When detecting the communication terminal 10 of the fellow candidate existing in the stadium, the CPU 21 accesses the user database 31 and refers to the current position data corresponding to the user ID of each user. Then, the CPU 21 selects a user among the users whose latitude and longitude of the latest position information of the current position data are included in the stadium and whose acquisition date and time of the latest position information is included within a predetermined time. Extract as Here, the starting point of the predetermined time may be, for example, the acquisition date and time of the latest position information recorded in the current position data of the user of the fellow application source. Thereby, the communication terminal 10 of the fellow candidate which exists in the stadium at the same time as the user of the fellow application source can be detected.
Moreover, when the communication terminal 10 of the user who is the friend application source does not exist in the stadium, the CPU 21 among the users, the current position of the communication terminal 10 (latitude and longitude of the latest position information of the current position data) and the friend A user whose distance from the current position of the communication terminal 10 of the application source user is within a predetermined range (for example, 100 m) and whose acquisition date and time of the latest position information of the current position data is included within a predetermined time is selected as a fellow candidate. Extract as

When detecting the fellow candidate, the CPU 21 records the fellow candidate user ID and the fellow candidate request date and time (date and time when the menu m10 is selected and operated) in the fellow candidate list in the user database 31. FIG. 12 shows a configuration example of the friend candidate list. As illustrated in FIG. 12, the fellow candidate list is data in which a fellow candidate request date and a fellow candidate user ID are described for each of a plurality of users (user IDs).
Moreover, CPU21 produces | generates the HTML data for displaying the web page shown to FIG.9 S2, and transmits to communication terminal 10 addressed | directed. In this case, the CPU 21 acquires a user name, a display image, and the like corresponding to the fellow candidate user ID from the user data, and generates HTML data so that the fellow candidate user name, the display image, and the like are included in the web page.

In the friend application process, the registration means 51 has a function of associating a user with another user based on information related to a predetermined operation input. Here, the “information relating to the predetermined operation input” is not limited to information obtained by directly inputting an operation to the game control device. For example, an operation input to an external device accessible to the game control device It may be information obtained by doing so. In addition, in this embodiment, it is synonymous that the user ID is in a friend relationship and that the corresponding user is in a friend relationship. Here, the registration means 51 is an example of the “association means” in the present invention.
The function of the registration means 51 in the fellow application process can be realized as follows. In the web page shown in step S <b> 2 of FIG. 9, when a user (a friend application user) selects another user (a friend application destination user) who wants to become a friend (a predetermined operation input), the CPU 21 of the game server 20 A friend application message specifying a user ID (or a corresponding user name) to be a friend is accepted from the communication terminal 10 of the friend application source user. Transmission of this friend application message is preset as a function of a web page provided to the user's communication terminal 10. Note that a plurality of fellow application destination users may be selected.
When the CPU 21 accepts the friend application message, the CPU 21 receives the friend application based on the other user ID to the communication terminal 10 corresponding to the user ID at the timing when the access is based on the user ID included in the friend application message ( HTML data for displaying a web page (web page shown in step S3 of FIG. 9) for requesting whether or not to reply is transmitted. In the web page shown in step S3 of FIG. 9, if the approval message for approving the friend application is returned by selecting the menu m11 (predetermined operation input), the CPU 21 registers both as friends. Specifically, the CPU 21 writes the data in the “mate” portion (see FIG. 6) of the user data of the two corresponding user IDs in the user database 31.

Note that the registration unit 51 may set an upper limit on the number of users related as friends among other users detected in the stadium. For example, in the case where an upper limit is set for the number of friends, the user is a fellow user who has already been registered in order to obtain a privilege (this will be described later) that is granted when the user becomes a friend. It is conceivable that the other user detected in the stadium is registered as a new friend by canceling the friend relationship with the user (deleting the user ID of the user of the friend from the “mate” part of the user data). If such an action is easily performed, the necessity of forming a close friendship between fellow users becomes scarce, and there is a possibility that the social property cannot be improved.
Therefore, by setting an upper limit on the number of users associated with each other, the above-described action can be suppressed.
In this case, every time a user is associated with another user detected in the stadium, the CPU 21 counts the number of other associated users, and the number of other users is a predetermined number (for example, 3 people). ) May not be performed after that.
On the other hand, the registration means 51 does not need to limit the number of users related as friends among other users detected in the stadium. For example, when an upper limit is set for the number of friends, the upper limit may be raised or eliminated.

The granting unit 55 has a function of granting a privilege to at least one of the fellow users when the user and another user are associated (associated).
Here, “giving a privilege to a user” means that information relating to a privilege (eg, points, items, etc.) is associated with the user ID of the user in a predetermined storage device (eg, the user database 31). It may be memorized. The predetermined storage device may be provided in the game server 20, for example, or may be provided in the user's communication terminal 10 or the like.
The “privilege” may be a point or item on the game or an advantageous effect on the game. Furthermore, the “item” may be, for example, a recovery drug that recovers the character's parameters or points, a drug that increases the character's ability, or a weapon or armor used by the character. Good. Furthermore, the “advantageous effect on the game” may be, for example, that the ability value of the player card that the user holds in the game may be increased, or that the user can obtain a special item. . In addition, the “advantageous effect on the game” may be to adjust the setting so as to facilitate the progress of the scenario in the game, for example, various points on the game that are consumed according to the user's operation. The consumption of (action points, management points, reinforcement points, ale points) may be reduced more than usual, or the user may be able to obtain the various points described above. In addition, what is necessary is just to make it possible to acquire a bigger point than the point when the structure which can acquire the point consumed by making a friend is already provided. Furthermore, the “advantageous effect on the game” may be an adjustment of the setting on the game so that the game can be indirectly advantageous, for example, an event that allows the user to acquire a special item May be generated, or the probability that the ability value of the player card significantly increases in the strengthening process may be increased.

The function of the provision means 55 is realizable as follows. In addition, it is assumed that the content of the privilege granted to the user is recorded in the ROM 22 in advance. When the CPU 21 of the game server 20 recognizes that the selection operation of the menu m11 has been performed on the web page shown in step S3 of FIG. 9, a process of giving a privilege to each of the users associated with each other as friends. I do. In addition, the process which provides a privilege may be a process which associates the user ID of the user used as grant object, and the point and item provided. For example, when giving strengthening points given as a privilege to the user, the CPU 21 may perform a process of rewriting the strengthening points in the user data of the user ID of the user to be given (a process of adding the given points).
And CPU21 produces | generates the HTML data for displaying the web page shown to FIG.9 S4, and transmits to the communication terminal 10 addressed to the friend application origin user. Moreover, CPU21 produces | generates the HTML data for displaying the web page shown to FIG.9 S5, and transmits to the communication terminal 10 addressed to the friend application destination user.
In addition, in this embodiment, although the case where a privilege is provided with respect to each of the users mutually related as a friend is explained, the user who performed the friend application, or the other who received the friend application (approved) You may give a privilege only to either one of these users.

(6) Sequence of main processes of game control apparatus of this embodiment Next, an example of a sequence of main processes performed by the game control apparatus of this embodiment will be described with reference to the sequence chart of FIG. The sequence chart of FIG. 13 is a process mainly executed by the registration unit 51, the detection unit 54, and the provision unit 55. Here, a case where the user of the friend application source is the user: KNM and the user of the friend application destination is the user: ABC will be described as an example.

First, the CPU 21 of the game server 20 generates HTML data for displaying the web page shown in step S1 of FIG. 9 when the user: KNM selects and operates the menu m6 on the top page shown in FIG. , User: transmits to the communication terminal 10 of KNM.
Next, when the menu m10 is selected and operated on the web page shown in step S1 of FIG. 9, the CPU 11 of the communication terminal 10 of the user: KNM sends a friend candidate request message for requesting a friend candidate to the wireless communication interface unit. 17 to the game server 20 (step S200). On the other hand, when receiving the friend candidate request message, the CPU 21 of the game server 20 detects the communication terminal 10 of another user (step S202). Here, when the communication terminal 10 of the user: KNM exists in the stadium where the baseball game is being performed, the CPU 21 detects the communication terminal 10 of the fellow candidate existing in the stadium. Moreover, when the communication terminal 10 of user: KNM does not exist in a stadium, CPU21 detects the communication terminal 10 of the fellow candidate who exists in the predetermined range (for example, 100m) from the communication terminal 10 of user: KNM.

Next, the CPU 21 records the detected friend candidate user ID and friend candidate request date and time in the friend candidate list (step S204). And CPU21 produces | generates the HTML data for displaying the web page shown to step S2 of FIG. 9, and transmits to the communication terminal 10 addressed to user: KNM (step S206).
In the web page shown in step S <b> 2 of FIG. 9, when the user: KNM selects the user: ABC as the friend application destination user, the CPU 11 of the communication terminal 10 of the user: KNM transmits a friend application message to the game server 20. (Step S208). On the other hand, when the CPU 21 of the game server 20 receives the friend application message, the communication terminal 10 corresponding to the user ID is accessed at the timing when there is an access based on the user ID (user: user ID of ABC) included in the friend application message. A web page for requesting to return whether or not to accept (approve) a friend application based on another user ID (user: KNM user ID) (web page shown in step S3 in FIG. 9) HTML data for displaying is transmitted (step S210).

  When the user: ABC selects and operates the menu m11 on the web page shown in step S3 of FIG. 9, the CPU 11 of the communication terminal 10 of the user: ABC transmits an approval message for approving the fellow application to the game server 20 (step S212). When receiving the approval message, the CPU 21 of the game server 20 registers both the user: KNM and the user: ABC as friends. Specifically, the CPU 21 writes the data in the “mate” portion (see FIG. 6) of the user data of the corresponding two user IDs in the user database 31 (step S214).

  When the CPU 21 of the game server 20 recognizes that the selection operation of the menu m11 has been performed on the web page shown in step S3 of FIG. 9, a process of giving a privilege to each of the user: KNM and the user: ABC. This is performed (step S216). And CPU21 of the game server 20 produces | generates the HTML data for displaying the web page shown to FIG.9 S4, and transmits to the communication terminal 10 address of user: KNM. Moreover, CPU21 of the game server 20 produces | generates the HTML data for displaying the web page shown to FIG.9 S5, and transmits to the communication terminal 10 address of user: ABC.

As described above, according to the game control device of the embodiment, when a user's communication terminal 10 existing within a predetermined range from the current position of his / her communication terminal 10 is detected, the user is a friend candidate and a friend. It becomes possible to become. In this case, each user who became a friend can raise friend consciousness by having a close feeling mutually by sharing time and place. Thereby, since the exchange between users can be accelerated | stimulated, the social property of a game can be improved. In addition, it is possible to construct an incentive system for a user to visit a stadium, an event venue, or the like.
Moreover, when a user and another user become friends, at least one of the users who become friends can obtain points or items on the game or advantageous effects on the game as a privilege. it can. Thereby, in order to obtain this privilege, the user who plays the game is motivated to actually go to a stadium, for example, and become friends with other users who will also exist in the same stadium. For this reason, unlike conventional games in which users do not know where or where each other is in the real world, social relationships can be further enhanced because a friendship is built while sharing time and place. .

Further, according to the game control device of the embodiment, when the communication terminal 10 of another user existing in the stadium is detected, the user can become a friend with another user. In this case, each user who became a friend can raise friend consciousness by having a close feeling mutually by sharing time and place. Each user is considered to be present in the stadium for watching a baseball game (predetermined purpose). For this reason, having a common purpose can further enhance fellowship. Thereby, since the exchange between users can be further promoted, the social nature of the game can be further enhanced.
Moreover, according to the game control apparatus of embodiment, since possibility that a user will acquire a privilege will increase by visiting the stadium where the baseball game is being performed, it will be motivated to visit the stadium.

(7) Modification (7-1) Modification 1
In the above-described embodiment, the granting means 55 obtains the friend application message (information related to the operation input) from the end time of the baseball game (predetermined event) performed in the stadium (predetermined area). As the elapsed time to do becomes longer, the benefits may be reduced.
For example, when a user joins (associates with) a user based on an application made to another user during a baseball game, a privilege of a predetermined value is given. When the baseball game is over, as the timing of application for a friend is delayed, the benefits granted when both of them become friends are reduced. This allows each user to become a companion during a baseball game to gain many benefits (e.g., many points, high value items, advantageous game effects, etc.) Or, it is motivated to become a friend (associated) with other users as soon as possible. Thereby, even if the operation for becoming a friend is difficult during a baseball game, it is possible to become a friend after that, so that it is possible to provide a configuration that takes into account the convenience of the user.
On the other hand, after the baseball game is over, as the time elapses, the benefits are reduced, so this configuration can suppress the situation of forgetting the operation to become a companion by awareness of the user, It can contribute to the activation of the game community.

The function of the provision means 55 in this modification is implement | achieved as follows. For example, the CPU 21 of the game server 20 may store setting data configured based on the setting example illustrated in FIG. In the setting example shown in FIG. 14, the longer the elapsed time from the end of the baseball game to the friend application (CPU 21 receives the friend application message from the friend application source user), The amount of points given to at least one user, the item value, or the game effect is set to be reduced. Here, if a predetermined time (for example, 6 hours) elapses, the friend information may be deleted. In this case, the friend application for the user who was in the same stadium is limited to 6 hours after the match is over. In this way, by limiting the time limit of the fellow application, the motivation of the fellow application can be given to the user, and unnecessary data that is not used can be deleted from the server. In addition, limitation of said friend application is an example, For example, you may make it make it the deadline of friend application until 24:00 on the day of a game.
Further, the CPU 21 may record the end time (end time) of the baseball game in the game database 32.
CPU21 will receive the friend application message from the communication terminal 10 of the friend application origin user in step S208 of the sequence chart shown in FIG. 13, and elapsed time based on the date and time when the friend application message was received and the end time of the baseball game And the content of the privilege may be determined according to the elapsed time set in the setting data.
In addition, a privilege may be provided to both the user of a friend application origin, and the user of a friend application destination, and may be provided to any one user.

(7-2) Modification 2
In the above embodiment, the granting means 55 is configured such that the current position (position) of the communication terminal 10 of the user of the fellow application source when the registration means 51 (association means) acquires the peer application message (information regarding operation input). As the distance from the outer edge of the predetermined area increases, the benefits may be reduced.
For example, when a user becomes a friend (associated) with another user based on the communication terminal of the other user detected in the game center (predetermined area), a privilege of a predetermined value is given. In order to obtain the privilege, it is conceivable that the user only detects other users who are fellow candidates in the game center and makes an application at a place away from the game center. Such an action is not preferable in realizing a highly social game based on sharing time and place.
According to this game control device, for example, the privilege that is given when the user becomes a friend with another user is increased as the current position of the communication terminal 10 of the user at the time of application is further away from the outer edge of the game center. Less. Thereby, each user is motivated to stay in the game center and make an application in order to obtain many benefits (for example, many points, high-value items, advantageous effects on the game, etc.). Therefore, said action can be suppressed and a highly social game can be realized.

The function of the provision means 55 in this modification is implement | achieved as follows. For example, the CPU 21 of the game server 20 may store setting data configured based on the setting example illustrated in FIG. In the setting example shown in FIG. 15, the outer edge of the stadium (predetermined area) and the friend application source when the friend application user makes a friend application (the CPU 21 receives a friend application message from the friend application user). The longer the distance from the user's communication terminal 10 is, the lower the amount of points given to at least one of the users, the value of the item, or the effect on the game is reduced. ing. In addition, an upper limit may be provided for the above distance, and it may be restricted so that a friend application cannot be made when the distance is greater than a predetermined distance (for example, 50 km or more).
The CPU 21 sends a position information transmission request to the friend application source at each timing of receiving the friend candidate request message in step S200 of the sequence chart shown in FIG. 13 and receiving the friend application message in step S208. To the communication terminal 10 of the user. And when the present position of the communication terminal 10 of the user of the friend application source when the friend terminal communication terminal 10 is detected exists in the stadium, the CPU 21 is based on the position information obtained at each timing. The distance between the outer edge of the stadium and the position of the communication terminal 10 of the user of the friend application source when the user of the friend application source makes a friend application, and the content of the privilege according to the distance set in the setting data Can be determined.
In addition, a privilege may be provided to both the user of a friend application origin, and the user of a friend application destination, and may be provided to any one user.

(7-3) Modification 3
In the said embodiment, the registration means 51 (association means) may relate the user of a fellow application origin, and another user within a predetermined period after the communication terminal 10 of another user is detected.
According to the present modification, even when the user cannot become a friend (associate) with another user at the time when the communication terminal 10 of the other user is detected, until the predetermined period elapses. During this period, an opportunity to become friends with the other user can be obtained. For this reason, social property can be improved.
The function of the registration means 51 in this modification is implement | achieved as follows. For example, the CPU 21 of the game server 20 holds the fellow candidate list recorded in step S204 of the sequence chart shown in FIG. 13 for a predetermined period (for example, three days), and holds the fellow candidates until the predetermined period elapses. The web page shown in step S2 of FIG. 9 may be displayed based on the list. In this case, it becomes possible to make a friend application for the fellow candidate for a predetermined period after the communication terminal 10 of the fellow candidate user is detected.

(7-4) Modification 4
In the above-described embodiment, the granting unit 55 is at least one of the users according to the elapsed time from when the communication terminal 10 of the other user is detected until the user and the other user become friends (associated). You may vary the privilege given to a user.
For example, the longer the elapsed time from when a communication terminal of another user is detected until the user is associated with the other user, the more points are given to at least one user or the value of the item Or, if configured to reduce gaming effects, each user will be companion with other users to get more points, higher value items, more advantageous gaming effects It is motivated to do this as soon as possible. Thereby, the further improvement of social property can be expected.

The function of the provision means 55 in this modification is implement | achieved as follows. For example, the CPU 21 of the game server 20 may store the setting data configured based on the setting example illustrated in FIG. In the setting example illustrated in FIG. 16, the longer the elapsed time from when the communication terminal 10 of another user is detected until the user and the other user become friends (registered as a friend), the friend becomes more friend. The amount of points given to at least one of the users, the item value, or the game effect is sometimes reduced.
The CPU 21 stores the date and time when another user's communication terminal 10 is detected in a storage device such as the RAM 23 in the process of step S202 of the sequence chart shown in FIG. And CPU21 calculates | requires elapsed time based on the date which received the approval message, and the date memorize | stored in memory | storage devices, such as RAM23, if an approval message is received from the communication terminal 10 of the user of a friend application destination in step S212, What is necessary is just to determine the content of privilege according to the elapsed time set to the data for a setting.
In addition, a privilege may be provided to both the user of a friend application origin, and the user of a friend application destination, and may be provided to any one user.
In addition, the longer the elapsed time until a user and another user become friends, the greater the amount of points given to at least one of the users, the item value, or the game effect when becoming a friend. (Or higher) may be set.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described in detail, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment. In addition, it goes without saying that each embodiment may be variously improved and changed without departing from the gist of the present invention.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the user and the communication terminal 10 have a one-to-one relationship has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the user may use another communication terminal (for example, a communication terminal that is shared and used by a plurality of users) different from the communication terminal owned by the user. That is, in the above-described embodiment, since the current position data is managed in association with the user ID, the position information measured by the other communication terminal even when the user uses another communication terminal. Can be associated with the user ID of the user to recognize the current position of the user.

For example, although the GPS positioning part 18 of the communication terminal 10 has shown the structural example which acquires the positional information on the communication terminal 10 in embodiment mentioned above, it is not limited to this.
For example, when the communication terminal 10 has a wireless telephone function (cellular phone function or PHS (Personal Handy-phone System) function), the base station identification information of the wireless telephone base station is used as the position information of the communication terminal 10. You can also. That is, each base station of a mobile phone or a PHS is arranged in a cell shape with a predetermined communication area, and based on the base station identification information received from each base station, It can be recognized that the communication terminal 100 exists. In this case, the base station identification information can be used as the position information, although the accuracy as the position information is lower than when the GPS positioning unit 18 is used.

  Further, for example, when the communication terminal 10 has a wireless LAN communication function such as Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity, registered trademark), identification information (for example, MAC) of the wireless communication master (wireless LAN access point or router, etc.) (Media Access Control) address or IP (Internet Protocol) address) can also be used as position information. That is, a wireless communication master device (one or a plurality of wireless LAN access points or routers) having a predetermined area as a wireless communication range is installed, and the user uses the communication terminal 10 as a wireless communication master device such as a wireless LAN access point. When accessing the communication terminal 10, the communication terminal 10 is configured to acquire the identification information of the wireless communication master as position information. In this case, the game server 20 can recognize that the communication terminal 10 exists in the communication area of the wireless communication parent device based on the acquired identification information of the wireless communication parent device. Can be used as position information.

Further, for example, when the imaging device (camera) is mounted on the communication terminal 10, the acquisition unit 53 uses, as position information, image information or barcode information that cannot be captured unless the user exists at a predetermined location. You may get it. Further, the acquisition unit 53 may acquire, as position information, character / number / symbol information such as secret words and passwords that cannot be confirmed unless the user exists in a predetermined place.
Note that image information or the like that cannot be captured or confirmed unless the user exists at a predetermined location may be transferred to another user by the user who acquired the image information or the like. In this case, it becomes possible for another user who does not exist at the predetermined location to obtain the image information and the like, so that it is difficult to acquire the accurate current position of the communication terminal 10.
Therefore, the image information that can be captured or confirmed at a predetermined location may be changed every predetermined time (for example, every minute), and an expiration date may be provided for the captured image information or the like. In this case, a wireless communication master unit (one or a plurality of wireless LAN access points or routers) including an information generation unit that generates image information or the like that changes at predetermined time intervals and having an area including a predetermined location as a wireless communication range. If the user accesses the communication terminal 10 to a wireless LAN access point or the like, image information that changes every predetermined time can be acquired from an information generation unit connected to the wireless LAN access point or the like. May be. In order to realize this configuration, the information generation unit and the game server 20 are time-synchronized, and it is preferable that both generate the image information and the like while changing the image information every predetermined time using the same algorithm.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a social game has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in a so-called online game system in which a server device placed on a network and a home online game machine are connected, it goes without saying that the progress of the game by each user can be controlled as in the above-described embodiment.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the game server 20 and the database server 30 on the network are configured to realize the functions of the registration unit 51, the acquisition unit 53, the detection unit 54, and the grant unit 55. I can't. All these means may be configured to be realized by the communication terminal 10, or, for example, as shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B, at least a part of the means may be realized by the communication terminal 10. . Since the communication terminal 10 and the game server 20 can have substantially the same hardware configuration, each function can be realized by the communication terminal 10 as described in the above embodiment. At the end of the game, the communication terminal 10 transmits data about the game result to the game server 20, and the game server 20 records the received game result data in the game database 32 in association with the user. Good.

10: Communication terminal 11 ... CPU
12 ... ROM
13 ... RAM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14 ... Image processing part 15 ... Instruction input part 16 ... Display part 17 ... Wireless communication interface part 18 ... GPS positioning part 19 ... Bus 20 ... Game server 21 ... CPU
22 ... ROM
23 ... RAM
24 ... Database access unit 25 ... Wireless communication interface unit 26 ... Bus 30 ... Database server 31 ... User database 32 ... Game database 51 ... Registration means 52 ... Game progress means 53 ... Acquisition means 54 ... Detection means 55 ... Grant means

Claims (9)

Obtaining means for obtaining position information indicating the position of the user's communication terminal;
Detection means for detecting communication terminals of other users existing within a predetermined range from the position indicated in the acquired position information;
An association means for associating the user with the other user based on information on a predetermined operation input;
When the user and the other user are associated with each other, the granting unit that grants a privilege to at least one of the users associated with each other;
A game control device comprising: The detection means detects a communication terminal of another user existing in the predetermined area when the position is included in the predetermined area.
The game control apparatus according to claim 1. The granting unit reduces the privilege as the elapsed time from the end time of a predetermined event performed in the predetermined region until the correlating unit acquires information on the operation input becomes longer.
The game control apparatus according to claim 2. The granting unit reduces the privilege as the position of the user's communication terminal when the correlating unit acquires information on the operation input is further away from the outer edge of the predetermined region.
The game control apparatus according to claim 2 or 3. The association means relates the user and the other user within a predetermined period after the communication terminal of the other user is detected.
The game control apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-4. The granting unit varies the privilege according to an elapsed time from when the communication terminal of the other user is detected until the user and the other user are related to each other.
The game control device according to claim 1. A game control method in a game control device, comprising:
Obtaining position information indicating the position of the user's communication terminal;
Detecting a communication terminal of another user existing within a predetermined range from the position indicated in the acquired position information;
Associating the user with the other user based on information about a predetermined operation input;
When the user and the other user are related, a step of granting a privilege to at least one of the users related to each other;
A game control method comprising: To control the execution of the game, on the computer,
A function of acquiring position information indicating the position of the user's communication terminal;
A function of detecting communication terminals of other users existing within a predetermined range from the position indicated in the acquired position information;
Based on information related to a predetermined operation input, at least one of a function that associates the user with another user, and a user that is associated with each other when the user is associated with the other user The function of granting benefits to users of
A program to realize A game system including a communication terminal and a server accessed from the communication terminal,
Obtaining means for obtaining position information indicating the position of the user's communication terminal;
Detection means for detecting communication terminals of other users existing within a predetermined range from the position indicated in the acquired position information;
An association means for associating the user with the other user based on information on a predetermined operation input;
When the user and the other user are associated with each other, the granting unit that grants a privilege to at least one of the users associated with each other;
Each of the means is provided in either the communication terminal or the server,
Game system.

Images