JP5514292B2 - GAME MANAGEMENT DEVICE AND PROGRAM - Google Patents

Description

The present invention accepts the access through the network from the terminal device of each player receiving a game service, to a game management equipment and program for managing a game information of each player.

  Conventionally, a game system in which a player can receive various game services provided from the game server by connecting the terminal device (personal computer, mobile phone terminal, etc.) of the player to a game server installed on the Internet. There is.

  In recent years, the game system has been incorporated into a social networking service (SNS) system, which is a community-type service that promotes and supports connections between people, and is provided as one of the SNS services. Games are prevalent. In such a social game, players can interact with each other by communicating with other players who use the game service or communicating with fellow players. ing.

  In a conventional social game, in order to improve the friendship between fellows, for example, presenting items etc. to fellows, sending support messages, and cooperating with peers as an assistant in a battle-type game Thus, the player can acquire a predetermined point.

JP 2009-125329 A

  However, in the conventional configuration, each process such as sending a present to a friend ends only once, and thus it is not expected to maintain a long-term relationship between each other. For example, if you send a gift to a friend, but the partner does not return, there is a possibility that the relationship will be estranged. It was hard to say that it was well-structured.

  Therefore, in the case of providing a game service to the players, such as the social game, that places importance on the connection and exchange relationship between the players, each player can continuously be aware of the existence of the fellows, and the fellows are familiar with each other. It is desired to provide a game service that can improve the game.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and the object of the present invention is to provide a game service that allows each player to be more conscious of the existence of friends than before, and to further improve the friendship between friends. A game management device, a game management method, and a program.

  (1) A game management device according to an aspect of the present invention is a game management device that provides a game service for a game in which each player has a team composed of a plurality of characters including self-characters in a virtual space, Information of each character belonging to each player's team is stored in a storage device, character management means for managing characters for each player, fellow management means for managing friends for each player, and two players in a fellowship relationship In each of the opponent teams, a split character generating means for generating a split character that is a duplicate of each other's own character, and a split item of the player belonging to the player's fellow team, which is a special item given to the fellow by the player This item belongs to the team of the relevant fellow, with a self-enhancement item to strengthen the character. It includes a branch reinforcing means for improving the ability value of the branch character is a replica of the player of the self character, and.

  According to this configuration, the game management device is configured by an information processing device that can be connected to a network, such as a server. Examples of the game service provided to each player by the game management apparatus include services such as a social game that the players can play while cooperating with each other or communicating.

  The game service provided by the game management apparatus relates to a game in which each player has a team composed of a plurality of characters including self-characters in a virtual space. As an example of such a game, there is a sports game on the basis of various sports in which each player has a baseball team, a soccer team, or the like composed of a plurality of player characters including a self-character, and the team plays a game or the like. be able to. Alternatively, the game may be a battle game in which each player forms a command team with a plurality of characters including their own characters, and various games can be applied regardless of the game format and genre. The character management means of the game management device stores information on each character belonging to the team of each player in the storage device, and performs character management for each player.

  Moreover, this game management apparatus is provided with the friend management means which performs the friend management for every player.

  The game management device further includes a separate character generating means for generating a separate character that is a duplicate of each other's own character in each opponent team of two players in a fellowship. Here, the self-character duplication refers to duplication of attributes including the shape and ability value of the self-character. Thereby, if it is a friend, the other character which is a replication of one's own character (self character) mutually is automatically produced | generated in the other party's team, and is registered as a member of the team. This will be supplementarily described below with reference to FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b).

  FIG. 1A shows a friendship relationship between the players A to H whose game information is managed by the game management apparatus, and FIG. 1B shows the teams A to H of the players A to H. The character to which it belongs is shown. Here, the double arrows in FIGS. 1A and 1B indicate that the players at both ends of the double arrows are in a friendship relationship. As shown in FIG. 1B, the players A to H have their own characters A to H belonging to the teams A to H of the players A to H, respectively.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 1 (a), it is assumed that fellow players B, C, and D exist in a group A called a friend centered on a certain player A. At this time, as shown in FIG. 1 (b), a clone character A ', which is a duplicate of the player A's own character A, is generated in each of the teams B, C, D of the fellow players B, C, D. Self-characters B ′, C ′, and D ′ that are duplicates of the self-characters B, C, and D of the fellow players B, C, and D are also generated in the team A of the player A.

  Similarly, when there are fellow players A, E, F, G, and H in the group B, which is a friend who is centered on the player B, a clone character B ′ that is a duplicate of the player B's own character B is a friend. Players A, E, F, G, and H are generated in the teams A, E, F, G, and H, and the fellow players A, E, F, G, and H have their own characters A, E, F, and H. The clone characters A ′, E ′, F ′, G ′, and H ′, which are duplicates of G and H, are also generated in the team B of the player B.

  However, it is a case where attention is paid to the fellow relation in the same group that a self-recovery character is produced | generated between friends, and it is not produced | generated beyond a group. For example, the player C has a friendship relationship with the player A and belongs to the group A centering on the player A, but does not have a friendship relationship with the player B belonging to the same group A. C ′ is not generated in the team B of the player B. In other words, the range in which the character C ′ of the player C is generated is only within the range of the group centered on the player C in which the player C is building a friendship, and is not generated beyond that group. . Therefore, naturally, the substitute character C ′ of the player C is generated in the team of the fellow players E, F, G, and H of the group B (all of which are not affiliated with the player C) centering on the player B. There is nothing.

  In order to avoid complication of explanation, FIGS. 1A and 1B are simplified diagrams focusing only on the groups A and B centered on the players A and B, respectively. In the same manner for each group centered on all the players managed by the game server 1, each other's own character's self-characters are automatically automated within each other's team. Generated. Further, in FIG. 1B, for the sake of simplicity, only the player's own character and fellow character are shown as the characters belonging to each player's team. There may be other characters.

  As described above, in the present configuration, each other's own character's own character is automatically generated in the team of each player who is in a fellow relationship. As a result, each time the player plays the game, the player is always conscious of the existence of his / her friend indirectly through his / her fellow character belonging to his / her team. That is, this configuration enables continuous awareness of the existence of friends. In this way, each player is continuously aware of the existence of friends, so that each player can strengthen the connection and interaction between the friends in the game, and can improve each other's intimacy, The result is an increased interest and interest in the game. Therefore, this game management apparatus can provide a game service having continuity that does not get tired for the player.

  Furthermore, this game management apparatus belongs to the team of the fellow by the self-enhancement item for strengthening the player's alternate character belonging to the team of the player's fellow, which is a special item given to the friend by the player. The game apparatus further includes a device for enhancing the ability to improve the ability value of the character that is a duplicate of the player's own character. Thereby, for example, when a self-enhancement item is presented (presented) from the player A to the fellow player B, the self-enhancement item is stored in the storage device as an item owned by the fellow player B. With this part enhancement item, the ability value of the part character A ′ belonging to the team of the fellow player B, which is a duplicate of the player A's own character A, is improved and strengthened.

  As described above, in this configuration, the player can always present to his / her friend a reinforcement item that strengthens the character that is a duplicate of the self-character generated in the team of the friend. This gift improves the ability of the gifted character, so that it can contribute to improving the team strength of the fellow members of the gifted character. In this way, the player strengthens the character that should be said to be his or her own belonging to the fellow team in the form of presenting a fellowship enhancement item to the fellow and makes his or her own character more active in the fellow team. This makes it possible to contribute to fellow teams and deepen their fondness for fellow teams. On the other hand, for the player B, when the player A improves the ability value of the clone character A ′ with the clone enhancement item, the player B will be strengthened, so that gratitude for the player A is generated. As a result, the friendship toward the player A is strengthened.

  (2) In the above configuration, the ability enhancement item has no effect of improving the ability even if the player himself has it, and the ability is improved only when it is used by the player's own character who belongs to the fellow team of the player. It is preferable that it is a special item which produces the effect.

  According to the above configuration, unlike the normal item, the self-enhancement item has no effect of improving the ability even if the player himself has it, and is only used for his own character that belongs to the team of the player's friends. It is set as a special item (for example, a special bat, glove, etc. in a baseball game) that produces an effect of improving ability. Therefore, it is expected that a player who has acquired a self-enhanced item in the game will actively present it to his friends instead of taking it as his own. As a result, in this configuration, the present of the enhancement item is actively made among the fellows, and the mutual exchange of the fellows is actively performed, so that the closeness of each other can be further improved, and as a result, the game Revitalize the entire community.

  (3) In the above configuration, the character management means is a copy of the self character belonging to a team of all the fellow players of the player in conjunction with a change in the ability value of the player's own character. It is preferable to change the ability value of the character.

  According to this configuration, the ability value of the player's own character is always reflected as the ability value of the created character in each of the teams of all the players. Accordingly, if the ability value of a player's own character increases, all the other characters in the teams of all the friends belonging to the group centering on the player are linked (a copy of the player's own character). The ability value of the character who is) also increases. On the other hand, when the ability value of a player's own character falls, the ability values of all the other characters of the player character also fall.

  Thereby, a player raises his / her character and raises the ability value thereof, that is, contributes to the improvement of team strength of all the friends. Therefore, each player is expected to increase the ability value of the self-character by playing the game with feelings such as “Let's do our best for friends” or “Friends will be happy”. Awareness is fostered. In addition, when the ability value of the substitute character of the team of the fellow player rises in conjunction with the ability value of the self character, it is expected that the fellow player is also grateful to the player (brother) who has trained the self character, After all, friendship is fostered. That is, with this configuration, the friendship among the players who are in a friendship relationship can be effectively enhanced through the normal game play of self-character development by the player. Then, as the consciousness of the friends increases and the connections between the friends become stronger, the player further increases their interest and interest in the game.

  (4) In the above configuration, the game management device uses a value that is the same as or higher than the ability value of the self character, or a predetermined value or a predetermined percentage higher than the ability value of the self character, When there is a surrogate character having an ability value that exceeds the threshold, it is preferable to further include ability restriction means for restricting the ability value of the alternation character to the threshold.

  According to this configuration, a threshold is set based on the ability value of the player's own character (a value that is the same as the ability value of the player's own character or a value that is higher by a predetermined value or a predetermined percentage than the ability value of the own character is set as the threshold. ), The upper limit of the ability value of the fellow character in the team of the player is limited to the threshold value. For example, the ability value of the player A's own character A = 200, the ability value of the fellow character B ′ in the team of the player A = 300, the ability value of the substitute character C ′ = 100, and the threshold = 200 (self character A In this case, only the ability value of the character B ′ that exceeds the threshold value is limited to 200, which is the threshold value.

  Therefore, by generating a fellow character in the player's team, even if a character with a much higher ability value than the ability value of the player's own character joins the team, Since the upper limit of the value is limited to the threshold value, it can be avoided that the strength of the team does not match the player's game ability (acquisition level, etc.).

  By the way, even if a substitute character having an ability value slightly higher than the ability value of the self character is allowed in the team, the team strength does not become extremely different from the strength corresponding to the player's ability of the game. Thus, the threshold value is not limited to the same value as the ability value of the self character, and a value higher than the ability value of the self character by a predetermined value or a predetermined ratio can also be set as the threshold value.

  (5) In the above configuration, when the ability value of the character is improved, the game management device stores the ability improvement information representing the improvement of the ability value in the storage device, and each of the players belonging to the team of the player It is preferable that the information processing apparatus further includes ability improvement information management means for managing the ability improvement information of the clone character for each player. And the said character management means received the information which requests | requires to reflect the improvement part of the ability value of the said substitute character transmitted from the player's terminal device in the ability value of the replication origin self character of the said substitute character At this time, it is preferable to improve the ability value of the self-character that is the duplication source of the clone character based on the ability improvement information of the clone character of the player managed by the ability improvement information management means.

  According to this configuration, for example, when the player A improves the ability value of the fellow character B ′ in his / her team, the ability improvement information management means indicates the ability improvement indicating the improvement of the ability value of the substitute character B ′. Information is stored in a storage device and managed. Here, when the player A performs an operation for reflecting the improvement in the ability value of the clone character B ′ on the self-character B of the main body, the terminal device of the player A causes “the ability value of the clone character B ′” Is transmitted to the game management device as a request for reflecting the improved portion of the character in the ability value of the self-character B that is the copy source of the clone character B ′. Then, when the game management device receives the information from the terminal device of the player A, the character management means is based on the ability improvement information of the clone character B ′ of the team of the player A managed by the ability improvement information management means. Thus, the ability value of the self-character B that is the copy source of the clone character B ′ is improved.

  Thus, the player uses the fellow character automatically generated in his / her team in the game (for example, in the game mode, practice mode, training mode, etc.) to improve its ability value, The ability improvement can be contributed to the team strength improvement of the fellow in the form of reflecting in the fellow self-character that is the duplication source of the alternation character. In other words, the player can please his / her friends by improving the ability of the fellow characters in his / her team.

  As a way for players to please friends, gifts of items etc. are common, but in this configuration, the ability of fellow characters in the team is improved and the improvement is reflected in the fellow's own character You can please your friends in an unprecedented way. This expands the range of exchange methods that please friends.

  (6) In the above configuration, the game management device stores (d) ability improvement information representing the improvement of the ability value in the storage device when the ability value of the substitute character is improved, so that the player's team can Ability improvement information management means for managing the ability improvement information of each of the belonging characters belonging to each player, and (e) a predetermined number or more or a predetermined ratio of fellow players in a group centered on the players during a predetermined period. A group value calculating means for calculating a total value, an average value, or a maximum value of the group for the ability improvement of the parting character during the predetermined period when the ability value of the parting character of the player's own character is improved. Are preferably further provided. Then, the character management means reflects the total value, average value, or maximum value of the ability improvement group of the clone character calculated by the group value calculation means in the ability value of the self-character that is the copy source of the clone character. It is preferable to make it.

  According to this configuration, for example, a predetermined number of or more fellow players B, C, D,... When the condition that the ability of the other character A ′ is improved is satisfied, the total value, the average value, or the maximum value of the group A for the ability improvement of the relevant character A ′ during the predetermined period is calculated as a group value. It is calculated by the means, and the calculated value is automatically reflected in the ability value of the self-character A that is the copy source of the clone character A ′.

  Here, the “predetermined period” is a period in which the total value of the group is calculated, and is also a cycle in which the calculated total value of the group is automatically reflected in the ability value of the copy source self character. As the predetermined period, for example, an arbitrary period such as 5 days, 1 week (7 days), 10 days in the real world can be set. Further, regarding “a predetermined number or more or a predetermined percentage or more of fellow players in a group centered on players”, when “a predetermined number or more in a group” is set to “one or more”, 1 in the group during a predetermined period. If there is a fellow player who has improved the ability of the character, even if it is a person, the result will be reflected on the main character (replicating original character) as the total value of the group. In addition, by setting the predetermined number of people or the predetermined ratio in the group to an arbitrary value, the total value of the group, etc. is calculated only when a fellow player who has exceeded the set value has improved the ability of the characters in the predetermined period. In addition, automatic reflection processing to the copy source can be executed.

  With this configuration, the player uses the fellow character automatically generated in his / her team in the game (for example, in the game mode, practice mode, training mode, etc.) to improve its ability value. As a result, the ability improvement is reflected in the friend's own character, which can contribute to improving the team's team strength. In other words, the player can please his / her friends by improving the ability of the fellow characters in his / her team.

  In addition, with this configuration, if each player improves the ability value of a fellow character in his / her team, the game management device calculates a total value of the ability improvement group of the substitute character, and automatically Since it is reflected in the ability value of the duplication source self-character, each player does not need to perform an operation for reflecting the ability improvement of the substitute character on the duplication source character, and the operation on the player side is simplified. In particular, this configuration is suitable for game services such as social games that require strong ease and simplification of operations by players.

  (7) A game management method according to another aspect of the present invention is a game in a game management apparatus that provides a game service for a game in which each player has a team composed of a plurality of characters including self-characters in a virtual space. A character management step in which the game management device stores information on each character belonging to the team of each player in a storage device and performs character management for each player, and the game management device includes: A fellow character management step for performing a fellow character management, and a game character generating step for generating a character character that is a duplicate of each other's own character in each opponent team of two players in a fellow relation, The game management device is a special item given to a friend by a player. A step for enhancing the ability of a player character that is a replica of the player's own character belonging to the team of the relevant player to improve the ability value of the player character belonging to the team of the relevant player by using a part enhancement item for strengthening the player's own character belonging to the fellow player's team It is the structure equipped with these.

  (8) A program according to yet another aspect of the present invention operates as a game management device that provides a game service for a game in which each player has a team composed of a plurality of characters including a self character in a virtual space. For managing a character for each player by storing information of each character belonging to the team of each player in a storage device, and a fellow management unit for managing a fellow for each player , In each opponent team of two players in a fellowship, a separate character generating means for generating a separate character that is a duplicate of each other's own character, a special item given to the fellow by the player, Strong power to strengthen the character of the player belonging to the team The item belonging to the team of the companion, is intended to function as, other self reinforcing means for improving the ability value of the branch character is a replica of the self character of the player.

  According to the present invention, each player can be more conscious of the existence of friends than before, and the friends can further improve each other's intimacy. As a result, each player strengthens the connection and interaction between friends in the game, and further increases the interest and interest in the game, and provides a highly entertaining game service with continuity that does not get tired for the player. it can.

It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the generation | occurrence | production operation | movement of the surrender character based on this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structural example of the game system which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of a game management apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of a terminal device. It is a functional block diagram which shows an example of a functional structure of a game management apparatus. It is a functional block diagram which shows an example of a functional structure of a game information management means. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the game information which a game information management means preserve | saves and manages in a database server. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the information regarding the friend of each player which a friend information storage part memorize | stores. It is explanatory drawing which shows the other example of the information regarding the friend of each player which a friend information storage part memorize | stores. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the information of the character which belongs to the team of the player which a character information storage part memorize | stores. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the generation | occurrence | production operation | movement of the substitute character by a game management apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the received message information which a message memory | storage part memorize | stores. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a buddy list screen. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the information regarding the tweet message which a message memory | storage part memorize | stores. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a main screen. It is a flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of a game system. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a game progress process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a clone character production | generation process. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a screen for alert | reporting that the fellow character of the fellow was produced | generated in the team of a player. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a team member display screen. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the link process of the ability value of a self character and a substitute character. It is a functional block diagram which shows the other example of a functional structure of a game management apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the restriction | limiting process of the ability value with respect to a substitute character. It is a functional block diagram which shows the other example of a functional structure of a game management apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the reinforcement | strengthening process of the parting character by a part enhancement item. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the information of the part enhancement item which a part enhancement means memorize | stores in a memory | storage device. It is a functional block diagram which shows the other example of a functional structure of a game management apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the capability improvement information which a capability improvement information storage part memorize | stores. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process of the game server which reflects the ability improvement part of a substitute character on a self-character. It is a functional block diagram which shows the other example of a functional structure of a game management apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the other example of the process of the game server which reflects the ability improvement part of a substitute character on a self-character.

  Hereinafter, a game management device, a game management method, and a program according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Outline of the game system]
FIG. 2 shows a configuration example of a game system in which a game management device according to an embodiment of the present invention is incorporated. As shown in the figure, this game system includes a game server 1 installed on a network 4 such as the Internet, a database server 2 connected to be communicable with the game server 1, and a game server via the network 4. 1 and the terminal device 3 of each player that can be communicably connected.

  The network 4 of the present embodiment is not limited to the Internet. For example, a dedicated line, a public network, or the like can be used as long as the game server 1 and the terminal device 3 of each player can be connected to each other. It may be a line (telephone line, mobile communication line, etc.), wired LAN (Local Area Network), wireless LAN, or the like, or a combination of the Internet and these.

  In this example of the game system, a game management device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a game server 1 and a database server 2. The game server 1 receives access from the terminal device 3 of each player who receives the game service via the network 4 and stores and manages game information of each player in the database server 2 (storage device). A game service is provided via the network 4.

  In the present embodiment, an example of providing a so-called browser game in which a game can be played by a web browser installed in the terminal device 3 of each player will be described as one form of game service provided by the game server 1. In the service form for providing the browser game, it is not necessary to download or install software dedicated to the game to the terminal device 3 of the player, and the player can easily play the game server anywhere as long as the terminal device 3 can be connected to the network 4. The game service provided from 1 can be enjoyed.

  In this game system, a program (application software) for a browser game is installed in the game server 1, and the game server 1 performs arithmetic processing and data for progressing the game in accordance with an input operation on the terminal device 3 of each player. Execute the process. Then, the game server 1 updates the game information of each player in the database server 2 based on the execution result of the arithmetic processing and the like, and web page information for displaying the execution result on the screen of the terminal device 3 of the player. (Game screen data) is transmitted to the terminal device 3 of each player.

  The terminal device 3 of each player is equipped with a web browser having a website browsing function as a user agent so that the web page information transmitted from the game server 1 can be displayed on the screen of the terminal device 3. It has become. Examples of the terminal device 3 include a mobile phone terminal, a PHS (Personal Handy-phone System) terminal, a personal digital assistant (PDA), and a smartphone that is a mobile terminal in which a mobile phone and a mobile information terminal are integrated. Various terminals that can be connected to the game server 1 via the network 4 and receive a game service, such as a personal computer or a tablet computer, can be applied.

  In addition, the game provided in the present embodiment has a so-called social game element that allows a player to play while communicating with other players receiving game services. For example, by incorporating the game server 1 and the database server 2 of the present embodiment into a social networking service (SNS) system, a game system that provides a social game service as one of the SNS services can be obtained. As described above, the game service can be provided to the player by the game system operating on the SNS platform, but the game server 1 and the database server 2 can be constructed as independent game systems without being incorporated in the SNS system. Good.

  In this game system, each player can establish a special relationship of “friends” with one or more other players who are receiving game services. And the player who made the friend can enjoy the various merit mentioned later. As one form for one player to become a friend with another player, one of the two players makes a friend application to the other player via the game server 1, and the player who has received the friend application The friend application made between both players and the operation of the approval of approving becoming a friend via the game server 1 are mentioned. And the game server 1 memorize | stores in the database server 2 the information of the fellow player who belongs to the group called the "companion" centering on each player, and performs the fellow management for every player. Details of this friend application, its approval, and friend management by the game server 1 will be described later.

  In the present embodiment, the game service provided by the game server 1 to each player targets a game in which each player has a team composed of a plurality of characters including self-characters in a virtual space. For example, a player can compete for ranking by performing a team battle with another player's team or by improving the ability of the character of his team.

  And the game server 1 of this Embodiment has the characteristic structure which produces | generates the clone character of each other's own character in the team of each player in a fellow relation. Thereby, if it is a friend, the other character which is a replication of one's own character (self character) mutually is automatically produced | generated in the other party's team, and is registered as a member of the team. For example, as shown in FIG. 1A, it is assumed that there are players B, C, and D who are in a friendship relationship in a group A called a friend who is centered on a certain player A. At this time, as shown in FIG. 1 (b), in each team B, C, D of all of the players A (players B, C, D), a masquerade character that is a duplicate of the player A's own character A A ′ is generated and registered as a member of each team. Conversely, the clone characters B ′, C ′, and D ′, which are duplicates of the self-characters B, C, and D of the players B, C, and D, are also generated and registered as team members in the team A of the player A.

  According to the characteristic configuration of the present embodiment, since each team member includes a parting character that is a duplicate of the other party's own character, each player is allowed to You will always be aware of your peers indirectly through the character. In this way, since each player is continuously aware of the existence of friends, each player can strengthen the connection and exchange between friends in the game, and can further improve each other's intimacy. Will increase your interest and interest in the game. Therefore, this game system can provide a game service having continuity that does not get tired for the player.

  The details of the configuration of the game management device according to the present embodiment will be described below, in which each player can continuously be aware of the existence of friends as described above, and the friendship between the friends can be improved. In the following description, for example, “another character A ′, which is a duplicate of the player A ’s own character A”, may be simply described as “another character A ′ of the player A”.

[Configuration of game management device]
As described above, in the present embodiment, the game management device includes the game server 1 and the database server 2. FIG. 3 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the game server 1. As shown in the figure, the game server 1 mainly includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12 and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13 as a main storage device, and an auxiliary storage device 14. The communication control unit 15 and the input / output control unit 16 are connected to each other via a bus line 17 including an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, and the like. Note that an interface circuit is interposed between the bus line 17 and each component as necessary, but the illustration of the interface circuit is omitted here.

  The CPU 11 interprets and executes instructions of application software such as system software and game programs, and controls the game server 1 as a whole. The ROM 12 stores a program and the like necessary for basic operation control of the game management device 1. The RAM 13 stores various programs and data, and secures a work area for the CPU 11.

  The auxiliary storage device 14 is a storage device that stores application software such as a game program, various data, and the like. For example, a hard disk drive can be used as the auxiliary storage device 14. The program according to the present embodiment for causing the game server 1 (computer) to operate as a game management device is also stored in the auxiliary storage device 14, and the program is transferred from the auxiliary storage device 14 to the bus line when the game server 1 is started. 17 is loaded into the RAM 13 via the CPU 17 and executed by the CPU 11.

  The communication control unit 15 includes a communication interface 15 a connected to the network 4, and controls communication with each player's terminal device 3 via the network 4. The communication control unit 15 also controls communication with a server (not shown) connected to the network 4. For example, when it is set as the system configuration which incorporated the game server 1 in SNS, the communication control part 15 of the game server 1 controls communication with the SNS server which is not illustrated via the network 4. FIG.

  The input / output control unit 16 is connected to the database server 2 in a communicable manner, and is a database interface that performs input / output control when the CPU 11 executes reading / writing of data (records) with respect to the database server 2.

  The database server 2 includes a large-capacity hard disk device having a RAID (Redundant Arrays of Inexpensive Disks) configuration, for example, as a storage device having an area for storing game information of each player managed by the game server 1. The database server 2 stores, for example, various game information (player name, level, in-game points, possessed items, etc.) of each player in association with identification information (player ID) that uniquely identifies each player. It can be constructed as a database, an object database, an object relational database, or the like.

  In the present embodiment, an example in which the game management device is configured by the game server 1 and the database server 2 is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the game server 1 can have the function of the database server 2 and the game management device can be configured only by the game server 1. Further, the game server 1 can be configured as a plurality of servers by distributing the functions of the game server 1 to a plurality of servers. For example, when a player operates the terminal device 3 to access the game server 1, an authentication server having an authentication function for determining whether the player is a legitimate user is provided separately from the main server of the game server 1, The game server 1 may be composed of a main server and an authentication server. As another configuration example, a billing management server that performs billing management when a player purchases an item to be billed in a game is provided separately from the main server of the game server 1, and the main server, authentication server, and billing management The game server 1 may be configured by a server.

In addition, when the number of players using this game service reaches several hundred thousand, millions, or more, it is required to construct a server system that can withstand huge accesses from the terminal device 3 of many players. Therefore, by providing a plurality of game servers 1 on the network 4 for redundancy (multiplexing), a load distribution type system configuration may be adopted. In this case, it is desirable to provide a load balancer for adjusting the load among the plurality of game servers 1.
Next, the configuration of the terminal device 3 of the player who accesses the game server 1 according to the present embodiment and receives a game service will be described.

[Configuration of terminal device]
As the terminal device 3 operated by the player, various terminals having a website browsing function such as a mobile phone terminal and a smartphone can be applied as described above. In the present embodiment, a mobile phone terminal is exemplified. The configuration will be described. Note that the terminal device 3 other than the mobile phone terminal is also basically required for playing a game such as displaying a game screen using a website browsing function or performing an input operation for executing the game. The configuration is the same as that of the mobile phone terminal.

  A mobile phone terminal having a website browsing function or the like is also called a feature phone or a smart phone, and FIG. 4 shows a configuration example thereof. As shown in the figure, the terminal device 3 mainly includes a CPU 31, a ROM 32 and a RAM 33 as main storage devices, an image processing unit 34, a display unit 35, a sound processing unit 36, and an audio input unit 37. , An audio output unit 38, an auxiliary storage device 39, an operation input unit 40, and a communication control unit 41. The components 31 to 34, 36 and 39 to 41 are connected to each other via a bus line 42. Has been. An interface circuit is interposed between the bus line 42 and each component as necessary, but the interface circuit is not shown here.

  The CPU 31 interprets and executes instructions of various programs including the web browser, and controls the entire terminal device 3. The ROM 32 stores a program and the like necessary for basic operation control of the terminal device 3. The RAM 33 stores various programs and data loaded from the ROM 32 or the auxiliary storage device 39, and secures a work area for the CPU 31. A web browser that displays game screen data described in HTML or the like is stored in the ROM 32 or the auxiliary storage device 39, loaded into the RAM 33, and executed by the CPU 31. Various plug-in software for extending the browser function of the web browser may be stored in the ROM 32 or the auxiliary storage device 39 together with the web browser.

  The image processing unit 34 drives the display unit 35 based on an image display command from the CPU 31 and displays an image on the screen of the display unit 35. Various known display devices such as a liquid crystal display and an organic LE (Electro-Luminescence) display can be applied to the display unit 35.

  The sound processing unit 36 converts an analog audio signal into a digital audio signal when audio is input from the audio input unit 37, generates an analog audio signal based on a sound generation instruction from the CPU 31, and outputs it to the audio output unit 38. Output. The voice input unit 37 includes a microphone built in the terminal device 3 and is used for telephone communication or recording. The voice output unit 38 is composed of a speaker that outputs a reception speaker at the time of telephone communication and a telephone ringtone or a sound effect at the time of game execution.

  The auxiliary storage device 39 is a storage device that stores various programs and data. As the auxiliary storage device 39, for example, a flash memory drive or the like can be used as the internal memory of the mobile phone terminal, and a memory card reader / writer or the like can be used as the external memory of the mobile phone terminal.

  The operation input unit 40 receives an operation input from the player and outputs an input signal corresponding to the operation input to the CPU 31 via the bus line 42. Examples of the operation input unit 40 include physical buttons such as a direction instruction button, a determination button, and an alphanumeric character input button provided on the main body of the terminal device 3. Further, in the case of the terminal device 3 in which the display unit 35 is configured as a so-called touch screen by mounting a touch panel (contact input type interface) on the screen of the display unit 35, the touch panel also becomes the operation input unit 40.

  The communication control unit 41 includes a communication interface 41a, and has a communication control function for performing data communication during game operation and the like, a communication control function for transmitting and receiving voice data as a mobile phone terminal, and the like. Here, for the communication control function for data communication, for example, a wireless LAN connection function, an Internet connection function via a wireless LAN or a cellular phone network, a predetermined frequency band (for example, a 2.4 GHz frequency band) is used. Includes short-range wireless communication functions. The communication control unit 41 transmits a connection signal for connecting the game apparatus 1 to a wireless LAN, the Internet, or the like based on a command from the CPU 31 and receives information transmitted from the communication partner side and supplies it to the CPU 31. To do.

  In addition, the terminal device 3 may include a GPS (Global Positioning System) signal receiving circuit, an imaging device (camera) such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor, a triaxial acceleration sensor, and the like. For example, GPS position information may be used in the game.

  In the terminal device 3 configured as described above, a player who wants to receive a game service performs an operation of starting a web browser and accessing a game site managed by the game server 1. When this access is authenticated by the game server 1, the communication control unit 41 of the terminal device 3 receives game screen data described in HTML or the like transmitted from the game server 1, and the CPU 31 executes the web browser. A game screen is displayed on the display unit 35. Here, the player selects and inputs selectable button objects and hyperlinks displayed on the game screen by operating the operation input unit 40. In response to this selection input, the game server 1 advances the game and transmits new game screen data to the terminal device 3. Then, this new game screen is displayed on the display unit 35 of the terminal device 3, and hereinafter, similarly, the player can select a button object or the like that can be selected on the game screen displayed on the display unit 35 by an operation. A game provided by the game server 1 can be played.

[Functional configuration of game management device]
Next, main functions of the game management device (game server 1 and database server 2) configured as described above will be described. FIG. 5 is a main functional block diagram of the game management device.

  The game management apparatus mainly includes game information management means 51, fellow management means 52, character management means 53, alternate character generation means 54, authentication means 55, access management means 56, game progress means 57, notification means 58 and message transmission. Means 59 are provided. Each of these means 51 to 59 is realized by the CPU 11 of the game server 1 executing the program according to the present embodiment.

  The game information management means 51 accumulates and manages game information of each player in the database server 2. The item of game information managed by the game information management means 51 differs depending on the content of the game service that the game server 1 provides to the player. As described above, the present embodiment targets a game in which each player has a team composed of a plurality of characters including a self character in the virtual space. As an example of such a game, there can be mentioned sports games based on various sports in which teams such as baseball, soccer, American football, basketball and volleyball play a game. Or, a battle game where multiple characters form a command team and infiltrate and attack the enemy territory, and a role-playing game where multiple characters team up and complete various missions A variety of games, regardless of game format or genre, such as a breeding game where multiple characters cultivate plants and animals while cooperating in a team and other various role playing games, breeding games, simulation games, etc. be able to. As an example, in the present embodiment, the case where the game server 1 provides a baseball game as a game service will be described below.

  In the baseball game of the present embodiment, the player's own character becomes the captain of the player's team, and competing for ranking by competing with other teams according to the fellow character and other player characters that are team members. it can. Also, the player can acquire items (bats, gloves, spikes, etc.) that can improve the ability of the player's own character as the game progresses, or improve the ability of the characters in the team. It is possible to enjoy the game aiming at making a stronger team by further enhancing the team power by synthesizing.

  In such a baseball game, the game information management means 51 for managing the game information of each player, as shown in FIG. 6, is a player information storage unit 51a, a level information storage unit 51b, an owned point storage unit 51c, and an owned coin storage. 51d, owned item storage unit 51e, game result storage unit 51f, ranking storage unit 51g, privilege information storage unit 51h, and the like. FIG. 7 shows an example of game information of each player (in this example, one player ID = “000001”) stored and managed in the database server 2 by the storage units 51a to 51h of the game information management means 51. Game information).

  The player information storage unit 51a associates a player ID uniquely identifying each player with player information relating to each player such as a login ID, password, player name (nickname used in the game, etc.), team name, and the like. Each ID is stored in a predetermined storage area of the database server 2. Here, the login ID and the password are used for login authentication when each player accesses the game server 1 by operating the terminal device 3. The player name and the team name are arbitrary information set by the player when the player registers as a member for receiving the game service or when the game is executed for the first time. The player name and team name are displayed on the game screen as necessary.

  The level information storage unit 51b stores level information such as the player level and the league level in a predetermined storage area of the database server 2 for each player ID in association with the player ID. In the baseball game, for example, experience values are accumulated as the player advances the game, and the level of the player is increased when the experience value reaches a certain amount. In this baseball game, for example, there are a plurality of leagues of different levels, and each player's team belongs to one of the leagues, and a game (tournament) in which a game is automatically played with a team of another player in the league. (League Battles and League Battles) (automatic battle mode). In addition, the league level to which the player's team belongs changes according to the results of the tournament. The level information storage unit 51b stores the player level and the league level in association with the player ID.

  The owned point storage unit 51c stores various points (including values corresponding to points) owned by the player in the game in a predetermined storage area of the database server 2 for each player ID in association with the player ID. To do. In this game, there are various game modes, and various points can be acquired and the acquired points can be used according to the game mode.

  As shown in FIG. 7, examples of points include physical strength points, stamina points, strengthening points, currency points, etc., in addition to the above-described experience values. The physical strength points are used in the “practice mode” in which the player's own character practices while consuming the physical strength points (selecting the practice command button to advance the game). The stamina points are used in the “match mode” in which a team of other players is designated to play an individual match. The stamina point is positioned as the stamina of the starting pitcher required for playing a match. Consumed by doing. For example, health points and stamina points consumed and reduced during the game can be recovered over time (for example, one point is recovered every 3 minutes), or the experience value reaches a certain amount. It is possible to recover by raising the player's level.

  The currency points are points that can be earned by the player when, for example, a practice command button is selected in the practice mode. These currency points are positioned as in-game currency, and can be used when purchasing various items at a store (shop) virtually provided in the game. The enhancement points are used in an “item synthesis mode” in which items are strengthened by synthesizing items owned by the player, and are points consumed by performing the synthesis. This strengthening point can be acquired by the player interacting with friends or other players (for example, sending a message or presenting an item or the like). Alternatively, the strengthening points can be acquired by executing the practice mode or the game mode described later.

  The owned coin storage unit 51e associates the player ID with the coin owned by the player in the game (in-game currency different from the currency points) for each player ID in a predetermined storage area of the database server 2. To remember. This coin is necessary, for example, when acquiring an item to be charged.

  The owned item storage unit 51e stores information on items acquired by the player in the game in a predetermined storage area of the database server 2 for each player ID in association with the player ID. As an example of the item, there is an ability improvement item that improves the ability of the character by equipping the character in the team. Specific examples of this ability improvement item include baseball tools (bats, gloves, spikes, helmets, catcher masks, catcher protectors, etc.), accessories (necklaces, wristbands, etc.), uniforms, and the like. For example, bat items include a plurality of types of bats that differ in the ability to improve a character's ability and the degree of rareness (rare value). Similarly, there are multiple types of other skill improvement items such as gloves and spikes. Therefore, identification information (item ID) for uniquely identifying each item is set in the item, and the game server 1 manages each item by the item ID. Then, the owned item storage unit 51 e stores the item ID of the item owned by the player in a predetermined storage area of the database server 2 in association with the player ID.

  In addition, the database server 2 has an item database in which item image data, item names, initial values of item parameters (values before being strengthened by item composition), and the like are stored in association with item IDs. Based on the item ID stored in the possessed item storage unit 51e, the game information management unit 51 can acquire image data of an item corresponding to the item ID.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, parameters such as “item strength” and “durability” are set in the above-mentioned ability improvement item. The item power parameter is a value representing the degree to which the ability of the character is improved by mounting the item on the character in the team. For example, the item power takes a value of 0 to 999, and the greater the value, the higher the character's ability improvement effect. The item power parameter may be divided into an attack item power for improving the attack power of the character and a defense item power for improving the defense power.

  The durability parameter of the ability improvement item is a numerical value of the concept of durability (or deterioration) that deteriorates and breaks if the ability improvement item such as baseball equipment is used in a game (competition with other teams). It is. For example, the durability takes a value of 0 to 100. When this value is 100, the durability is the highest, and as this value decreases, the durability decreases, and when this value becomes 0, the item breaks (item Or the item itself disappears). For example, the degree (decrease amount or rate of decrease) in the durability of the ability-improving items used in the game can be constant for each game, or the game server 1 can randomly determine the random number using a random number. It can also be different for each. In addition, even if items with high durability (hard to break) and items with low durability (easy to break) are provided, and the degree of decrease in durability (decrease amount or rate of reduction) differs between them Good.

  The above-mentioned ability improvement item is effective when equipped on a character in the team. As shown in FIG. 7, the character equipped with the item is associated with the item ID of the ability improvement item. Character ID (equipment character ID) is stored by the owned item storage unit 51e. When the player acquires the item (when the owned item storage unit 51e stores the item ID in association with the player ID), the game server 1 automatically applies a proper character to the character for improving the ability improvement item. Is equipped (by storing the equipment character ID in association with the item ID), a special operation by the player can be made unnecessary. Further, the player can set or change the character to which the ability improvement item is worn by operating the terminal device 3.

  “Other items” other than the ability improvement items include recovery items. The recovery item is an item that recovers the above-mentioned physical strength points and / or stamina points consumed and reduced during the game to the maximum value instantly without waiting for the passage of time. For example, the recovery item can be acquired by consuming and purchasing the coin or satisfying a predetermined bonus condition in the game.

  The game result storage unit 51f associates a player ID with a game ID for uniquely identifying a game in which a player's team has played against another player's team, and a predetermined storage area of the database server 2 for each player ID. To remember. Here, the game uniquely specified by the game ID includes a game of an individual game performed by the player specifying an opponent and a game of a tournament game or a league game automatically performed by the game server 1.

  Further, the database server 2 is associated with the game ID, the game date and time (the real world game start or end time), the player ID of the winning team, the player ID of the defeated team, the battle score, the winning pitcher character, A game database is stored in which information about game results such as a loser pitcher character, a player character who has made a home run, and game critical information is stored. And the game information management means 51 can acquire the information regarding the game result corresponding to the said game ID from a game database based on the game ID which the game result memory | storage part 51f has memorize | stored.

  The ranking storage unit 51g associates the player ID with ranking information such as the ranking in the league to which the player belongs based on the results of tournament matches or league matches that are automatically performed, for each player ID in a predetermined storage area of the database server 2. To remember.

  The privilege information storage unit 51h stores information on the privilege given to the player in a predetermined storage area of the database server 2 for each player ID in association with the player ID. As an example of the privilege, there is a bonus point given to a player who accesses the game server 1 continuously for a predetermined number of days (for example, 5 days). FIG. 7 shows an example in which 200 points of enhancement points are given to the player as bonuses as bonus points.

  Next, the fellow management means 52 shown in FIG. 5 will be described. The friend management means 52 has a function of storing information of fellow players belonging to a group called a friend centered on each player in the database server 2 (storage device), and performing friend management for each player. In addition, the group here shows the group of one's own friend seen from the viewpoint of one player to the last, and each player which comprises these groups does not belong only to this group. Each player also has a group of “friends” centered on him / her. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1 (a), when attention is paid to the player A, the player A has a group A centering on the player A while forming a friendship with the players B, C, and D. When attention is paid to B, the player B has a group B centered on the player B by forming a friendship with the players A, E, F, G, and H, respectively. The fellow management means 52 includes a fellow information storage unit 52a.

  FIG. 8A shows an example of information related to each player's friends, which is stored and managed in the database server 2 by the friend information storage unit 52a. The fellow information storage unit 52a receives the information on the limit number of fellows, the player IDs of fellow players who are already in a peer relationship, the player IDs of players who are applying for peers, and fellow applications in association with the player IDs. Is stored in a predetermined storage area of the database server 2 for each player ID. In the example of FIG. 8A, information about a friend for one player with player ID = “000001” is shown, the number of friends is limited to 20, the number of fellow players of the player is 10, and players who are applying for friends. Has received one friend application, but there are no unapproved players.

  In the baseball game of the present embodiment, bonus points are awarded to both players who have become friends by making friends (for example, the maximum value of the physical strength points and stamina points may be increased by a predetermined point). it can). Moreover, the said reinforcement | strengthening point can be acquired by having a game in cooperation with a friend's player, or performing an exchange of an item present and a support message between friends, and having exchange with a friend. In addition, the number of ability improvement items such as the baseball tools that can be used increases as the number of friends increases, and the game specification allows the game to proceed advantageously. Thus, by giving the player the advantage of creating a friend in the game, the creation of the friend is promoted. However, for each player, a limit number of friends (upper limit number of people who can make friends) according to the degree of progress of the game is set, and the friend information storage unit 52a associates the player ID with the limit number of friends. Is remembered. For example, the limit number of friends is set to increase as the level of the player increases. Thereby, in order to make more friends and make the game advantageous, the player is given a motivation to continuously advance the game and improve the level.

  In the present embodiment, in order for two players to become friends, either one of both players makes a friend application to the other player via the game server 1. As an operation example of this friend application, first, a player who wants to make a friend performs an operation of listing target candidates of friend candidates on the screen of the terminal device 3. In response to the operation by the player, the game server 1 transmits screen data listing the candidates for the fellow candidates, so that a screen on which a plurality of fellow candidates are listed is displayed on the terminal device 3 of the player. Here, the player confirms the player level, the league level, and the like of the target person listed on the screen, selects a player who wants to be a friend, and performs a friend application operation.

  For example, consider a case where a player A with a player ID = “000001” performs a friend application operation on a player B with a player ID = “000002”. As shown in FIG. 8A, in response to this operation, the friend information storage unit 52a of the game server 1 corresponds to the player ID of the player A = “000001” as the game information of the player A who has applied for the friend. In addition, the player ID = “000002” of the player B who is the applicant is stored as the “player ID being applied”.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9A, the fellow information storage unit 52a makes a fellow application in association with the player ID of the player B = “000002” as the game information of the player B who is the applicant. The player ID of player A = “000001” is stored as “unapproved player ID”. Then, the game server 1 notifies the player A that a friend application has been made when the terminal device 3 of the player B logs in to the game server 1.

  Then, the player B who has received the friend application confirms the information such as the player level and the league level of the player A received from the game server 1 on the screen of the terminal device 3 and decides whether to approve or reject as a friend. Perform the operation to select. Here, when the player B performs an operation of approving as a friend, the friend management means 52 of the game server 1 establishes a friendship relationship between the player A and the player B in response to this operation, and both players A and B are established. Register as a friend. That is, as shown in FIG. 8B, as the game information of the player A, the player ID of the player A = “000001” is associated with the player ID of the player A = “000002”, and the “friend player ID” And the player ID of the player B is deleted from the “pending player ID”.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9B, the fellow information storage unit 52a associates the player ID of the player B = “000002” with the player ID = “000001” of the player A as the “companion player ID”. The player ID of the player A is deleted from the “unapproved player ID”. Then, when the terminal device 3 of the player A logs in to the game server 1, the game server 1 notifies the player B that the friend has been approved.

  Next, the character management means 53 shown in FIG. 5 will be described. The character management means 53 has a function of storing character information belonging to each player's team in the database server 2 (storage device) and performing character management for each player. The character management means 53 includes a character information storage unit 53a.

  The character information storage unit 53a stores information on characters belonging to the player's team in a predetermined storage area of the database server 2 for each player ID in association with the player ID. FIGS. 10A and 10B show an example of information on characters belonging to a team of players, which is stored and managed in the database server 2 by the character information storage unit 53a. In the example of FIG. 10A, the information of the character for one player with the player ID = “000001” is shown. In the example of FIG. 10B, the characters of one player with the player ID = “000002” are shown. Information is shown respectively. Examples of character information stored in the character information storage unit 53a include identification information (character ID) for uniquely identifying a character, a character type, and an ability value indicating the height of the ability of the character (for example, attack power And defense ability) and regular player flags. When the character information storage unit 53a stores character information such as a character ID in association with the player ID, the character is generated and registered in the team of the player with the player ID.

  Further, the database server 2 has a character database in which character image data, character names, and the like are stored in association with the character ID, and the character management unit 53 stores the character information storage unit 53a. Based on the character ID, the image data of the character corresponding to the character ID can be acquired.

  In the game of the present embodiment, there are self characters, fellow characters and other characters as characters belonging to the player's team, and the character type is information for identifying them. In the examples of FIGS. 10A and 10B, the type = “0” is the self character, the type = “1” is the other character, and the type = “2” is the other character.

  The self character is a character that is a substitute for the player in the game, and is registered by the character management means 53 when the player plays the game for the first time after registering use of the game service. For example, when the player plays a game for the first time, the player can operate the terminal device 3 to set his / her own character's bag, hat, uniform design, and the like. In addition to being registered in the character database, the character ID of the self character is stored in the character information storage unit 53a in association with the player ID, so that the self character is registered in the team of the player. In the present embodiment, the player's own character belongs to the team in the position of the player's team captain.

  The registration of the fellow character is realized by the character generation means 54 shown in FIG. This character generation means 54 stores the information of the character that is a duplicate of each player's own character in the character management means 53 as a character belonging to each team of all the players of the player, Each player's team has a function of generating and registering a substitute character of each other's own character.

  The surrogate character generating means 54 of the present embodiment associates the character ID and type information with the player ID of the player's companion as character information that is a duplicate of the player's own character. Is stored and is stored and registered as a character belonging to a team of fellow players. This will be described below with reference to FIGS. 10 (a) and 10 (b).

  When the player A with the player ID = “000001” shown in FIG. 10A and the player B with the player ID = “000002” shown in FIG. 10B become friends, a duplicate of the player A's own character A Is generated in the team B of the player B, and a clone character B ′, which is a duplicate of the player B's own character B, is generated in the team A of the player A. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10B, the player ID of the player B = “000002” is associated with the character ID = “000001” of the clone character A ′, and the type representing the clone character = “1”. Further, the same value as the ability value of the self-character A (attack power = 200, defense power = 250) is stored in the character information storage unit 53a, so that the alternate character A ′ of the player A is in the team B of the player B. Generated. At the same time, as shown in FIG. 10A, in association with the player ID of player A = “000001”, the character ID = “000002” of the clone character B ′, the type = “1” representing the clone character, and the self character The same value as the ability value of B (attack power = 180, defense power = 150) is stored in the character information storage unit 53a, so that a substitute character B ′ of the player B is generated in the team A of the player A. .

  In this way, when a fellowship relationship is established between the two players, the clone character generating means 54 automatically generates a clone character of each other's own character in each team of the two players. This process of the character generation means 54 is performed every time a friendship is established between players. For example, when the player A becomes a friend with the player C, the alternate character A ′ of the player A is generated in the team C of the player C, and at the same time, the alternate character C ′ of the player C is the team A of the player A. Generated within.

  In this way, as a result of the automatic generation of the character of each player in the opponent team in the fellowship, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the character A ′ of the player A becomes the player A Are generated in each of the teams B, C, and D of the fellow players B, C, and D in the group A, and the characters B ′, C ′, and D ′ of the fellow players B, C, and D are also generated. And generated in the team A of the player A. Similarly, a substitute character B ′ of the player B is generated in each of the teams A, E, F, G, H of the fellow players A, E, F, G, H in the group B centering on the player B. In addition, the player characters A ′, E ′, F ′, G ′, H ′, which are duplicates of the self-characters A, E, F, G, H of the fellow players A, E, F, G, H, Generated in Team B.

  It is to be noted that the self-separation characters are generated between the peers when attention is paid to the fellow relations within the same group, and they are not generated beyond the group. For example, the player C has a friendship relationship with the player A and belongs to the group A centering on the player A, but does not have a friendship relationship with the player B belonging to the same group A. C ′ is not generated in the team B of the player B. In other words, the range in which the character C ′ of the player C is generated is only within the range of the group C centering on the player C in which the player C itself is building a friendship relationship. Not generated. Therefore, naturally, the substitute character C ′ of the player C is generated in the team of the fellow players E, F, G, and H of the group B (all of which are not affiliated with the player C) centering on the player B. There is nothing.

  However, as shown in FIG. 11A, for example, when the player C becomes a friend with the player H, the clone character C ′ of the player C is included in the team H of the player H as shown in FIG. Is generated. This is also because the player H is incorporated in the group C centered on the player C in which the player C itself is building a friendship. In this case, since the other characters are mutually generated in the opponent team of the fellows, of course, the player H's character H ′ is also generated in the team C of the player C. This is because when the player H changes his / her viewpoint and pays attention to the player H, the player C is incorporated in a group centering on the player H in which the player H himself / her owns a friendship. The result.

  The other characters of the type = “2” are original player characters prepared in advance in the game server 1 and can be acquired by the player at the start of the game and during the game. In this embodiment, a fellow character is automatically registered as a team member of the player. However, when no fellow member is created, such as immediately after the start of the game, the fellow character is not present in the team. Therefore, when each player plays a game for the first time so that a team battle is possible even when no friends are made, the game server 1 assigns, for example, eight player characters (the above-mentioned other characters) to random numbers or the like. And registered as a team member of the player (the character ID of the determined player character is stored in the character information storage unit 53a in association with the player ID of the player).

  In the present embodiment, the character ID is matched with the player ID for the self-character of the type = “0” and the clone character of the type = “1”. For example, a self-character with player ID = “000001” is a character with character ID = “000001” and type = “0”. The alternate character with player ID = “000001” is a character with character ID = “000001” and type = “1”. Since the character ID and the player ID are matched in this way, the CPU 11 (character management means 53) of the game server 1 does not have a table for associating the character ID with the player ID, but only from the character ID. The player (player ID) corresponding to can be recognized.

  The character ID and the player ID are not limited to match, and a table for associating the character ID and the player ID may be provided to make the character ID and the player ID different. Alternatively, the information bit of the character ID may be constituted by “player ID bit” + “type bit”, and in this case, the character ID is determined from the character ID alone without the table for associating the character ID with the player ID. Can be recognized. For example, the most significant 2 bits or the least significant 2 bits of the information bits of the character ID can be used as the “type bit” and the “player ID bit” added thereto can be used as the character ID.

  FIGS. 10A and 10B show an example in which attack power and defense power are set as the ability values of the character. In the baseball game, the attacking power represents high striking power and running power, and the defensive power represents high defensive power and pitcher power. The capability item is not limited to this example, and can be increased or decreased. For example, prescribed initial values (for example, attack power 100 and defense power 100) are set as the ability values of the self character immediately after the game starts. The ability value of the self character increases, for example, when the player completes a mission in the practice mode or battles with another team in the match mode. Further, for example, when the player's own character has practiced for a predetermined number of days (for example, 10 days) (that is, when the player's terminal device 3 has not accessed the game server 1 for a predetermined number of days), the ability value of the player's own character is It may be lowered by a predetermined value or a predetermined rate. When the ability value of the player's own character rises or falls, the character management means 53 updates the ability value stored in the character information storage unit 53a.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the character management means 53 is linked to the change of the ability value of the player's own character, and the character of the other character that is a duplicate of the player's own character belonging to the team of all the fellow players of the player. The ability value is changed. In other words, the ability value of the clone character always reflects the ability value of the character of the copy source body. Therefore, if the ability value of a player's own character (main body character) increases, all the characters in the teams of all the friends belonging to the group centered on the player are linked to this. The ability value also increases. On the other hand, when the ability value of a player's own character falls, the ability values of all the other characters of the player character also fall.

  The regular player flags shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B are, among the characters belonging to the player's team, regular players who participate in a match with another player's team, or a record other than the regular player. This is a flag for determining whether or not the player is a player. When this flag is “1”, it indicates that the player is registered as a regular player character. The player can arbitrarily select a regular player from the characters in his / her team by operating the terminal device 3. The number of characters that can be set as a regular player is, for example, 9 to 15 people. For example, a player who has eight or more friends (that is, eight or more fellow character characters exist in the team) can select a regular player only from the self character and the fellow character. Further, the player can include the original player character of type = 2 in the regular player in addition to the self-character and the fellow character. In particular, a player with less than 8 friends has a team configuration in which the original player character of type = 2 is included in the regular player, but even a player with 8 or more friends has the team configuration. It is possible. In addition, the player can select a regular player only from the own character and the original player character of type = 2 regardless of the number of friends.

  Further, the player can set the position and batting order of the regular player. Information on the position and batting order is not shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, but is stored in association with the character ID registered in the team. The setting of the regular player, the position, and the batting order may be performed automatically by the game server 1 or may be performed manually by the player operating the terminal device 3. For example, in order to simplify the operation by the player, the regular player, the position and the batting order are automatically set by the game server 1 by default, and the terminal device 3 is operated only when the player wants to change these settings. By doing so, the setting may be changed.

  Next, the authentication means 55 shown in FIG. 5 will be described. When a player who wants to receive a game service operates the terminal device 3 to access (log in) the game server 1, the authentication means 55 determines whether or not the player has a game participation qualification and performs login authentication. . As an example of this authentication, there is authentication based on a login ID and a password associated with a player ID. For example, when a player uses the game service for the first time, a login ID (any alphanumeric character, mail address, etc.) and a password are registered in the game server 1 as member information. Then, at the next login to the game server 1, the player operates the terminal device 3 to transmit the login ID and password to the game server 1. At this time, the authentication means 55 of the game server 1 determines whether or not the login ID and password combination received from the terminal device 3 of the player has been registered, and performs login authentication.

  When the game system is incorporated into the SNS system, the SNS member registration information (login ID and password) may be used as the registration information for receiving the game service of the game system. For example, when the player's terminal device 3 is logged in to the SNS server, when the game site managed by the game server 1 is first accessed, the player's login ID and password are automatically input from the SNS server to the game server 1. The game service may be registered for use without registering the login ID and password again.

  In addition, the individual identification number of the mobile phone terminal that is the terminal device 3 (a mobile phone terminal different from the phone number is uniquely specified) so that the time and effort for inputting the login ID and password each time the player accesses the game server 1 can be omitted. Or a unique ID of the contractor (ID for uniquely identifying the contractor of the mobile phone terminal, which is not changed as long as the contractor is the same even if the model is changed) You may perform authentication using. That is, when the player registers the member by operating the mobile phone terminal, the game server 1 acquires the individual identification number or the contractor specific ID included in the data transmitted from the mobile phone terminal, and the login ID and password At the same time, the individual identification number or the contractor unique ID is also stored in the database server 2 in association with the player ID. When receiving an access request from the mobile phone terminal, the authentication unit 55 performs login authentication by determining whether the individual identification number or the contractor unique ID has been registered. Thereby, when accessing the game server 1, the player can log in without inputting the login ID and password.

  In addition, as another method that can omit the trouble of inputting the login ID and the password each time the player accesses the game server 1, there is a method of using HTTP cookie information (hereinafter referred to as cookie). That is, when the player operates the terminal device 3 to register as a member, the game server 1 issues individual identification information corresponding to the login ID and password and registers it in the database server 2, and the individual identification information is used as a cookie. It transmits to the terminal device 3. At this time, the browser of the terminal device 3 stores the received cookie in the terminal device 3. When accessing the game server 1 from the next time, the browser of the terminal device 3 transmits a Cookie to the game server 1 together with the page browsing request, so that the authentication means 55 receives the access request from the mobile phone terminal. Can perform login authentication by determining whether or not the individual identification number of the cookie has been registered.

  Next, the access management means 56 will be described. The access management means 56 stores access information of each player to the game server 1 in the database server 2 (storage device) and manages access for each player. Here, the access information is information such as the access history of each player, the number of daily accesses in the real world, and the presence / absence of access in each day in the real world. The access information of each player is used, for example, when a privilege is given to a player who has accessed the game server 1 for a predetermined number of days.

  Next, the game progress means 57 will be described. The game progress means 57 executes the game in accordance with the operation of the terminal device 3 by the player, generates game screen data corresponding to the execution result, and transmits the game screen data to the terminal device 3. It has a function to advance the game by displaying a game screen according to the game. As shown in FIG. 5, the game progress means 57 includes a game execution means 57a, a game screen generation means 57b, and a game screen transmission means 57c.

  When the game screen is displayed by the web browser of the terminal device 3 of the player, when the player performs an operation of selecting a selectable button object or hyperlink on the game screen, a request for the game screen corresponding to the operation is performed. Is transmitted to the game server 1 by the web browser of the terminal device 3. In the game server 1 that has received this request, the game execution means 57a executes the game by reading the game information of the player in response to the request and performing calculations and data processing.

  For example, taking as an example a case where the player has performed an operation of playing against another player's team in the battle mode, the game execution means 57a has the character information of both teams corresponding to the player IDs of both players who are playing the battle. (Character information of regular players participating in the game) is read from the database server 2. And the game execution means 57a performs the calculation which determines a win / loss based on the ability value etc. of the character of the regular player of both teams. As an example of the calculation of this win / loss decision, the player with the higher total ability value of the regular players of both teams may be the winning team, or the team with the higher total ability value will win the probability of winning. The winning team may be obtained by probability calculation by increasing the value. Moreover, the game execution means 57a performs the calculation which determines whether various effect productions which affect a win / loss are generated based on the combination of the character which comprises a team before the calculation which determines a win / loss. Also good.

  The game screen generation unit 57b generates game screen data composed of, for example, HTML data in accordance with the execution result by the game execution unit 57a. The HTML data may include image data such as characters read from the database server 2. In addition, a script (program) that is operated by a plug-in of the web browser of the terminal device 3 may be embedded in the HTML data.

  The game screen transmission unit 57c transmits the game screen data (HTML data or the like) generated by the game screen generation unit 57b to the terminal device 3 of the player as a response to the game screen request. In the terminal device 3 of the player that has received the game screen data, the game screen is displayed on the display unit 35 by the web browser.

  Next, the notification means 58 will be described. When the fellow means is established between the two players and the other character's own character is generated in the respective teams of the two players, the notification means 58 sends the opponent's split to each terminal device 3 of both players. It has a function of notifying that a character has newly joined the team.

  Next, the message transmission means 59 will be described. The message transmission means 59 has a function of receiving a message addressed to another player transmitted from the terminal device 3 of each player and transmitting the message to the other player. The message transmission unit 59 includes a message storage unit 59a.

  FIG. 12 shows an example of information related to a received message that the message storage unit 59a stores and manages in the database server 2. The message storage unit 59a associates with the player ID of the receiving player who has received the message, information relating to the message such as the sending player ID, the message content, and the transmission date and time for each player ID of the receiving player. The data is stored in a predetermined storage area of the database server 2. The example of FIG. 12 shows information related to the received message for one receiving player with player ID = “000002”, and the player receives “Thank you for the present!” From the player with player ID = “000001”, and the player ID. The message “Good morning! Let's do our best this week's event!” Is received from the player with “000038”, and the message “Thank you for this week!” From the player with the player ID = “000145”.

  Here, an example of an operation in which a player sends a message to his / her fellow player will be described. FIG. 13A shows an example of a friend list screen displayed on the terminal device 3 of the player based on the screen data transmitted from the game server 1. This buddy list screen is a screen that is displayed when, for example, the player operates the terminal device 3 to select “buddy menu” in the main screen. On this buddy list screen, information of buddy players who are in a buddy relationship with the player is listed and displayed. Note that information about fellow players that cannot be displayed on the screen can be displayed as a separate screen by scrolling the screen or requesting the game server 1 for the second and subsequent pages of the peer list.

  In this friend list screen, an information display area for each friend player listed is provided. In each information display area, game information 81 of the friend player (player name, team name, player level, friend's level). The number of people, the league level, etc.), an avatar 82 which is a separate character of the player, a self-character 83 of the player, and an object called a support button 84 are also displayed. The player can support his / her fellow player by selecting the support button 84. For example, when the player pushes the support button 84 to support the fellow player, a predetermined strengthening point is given to the player, and the friendship between the player and the fellow player is improved. Further, the player can not only support the fellow player but can also send a message as described below.

  When the support button 84 is selected by an operation on the terminal device 3 by the player, the operation is transmitted from the terminal device 3 to the game server 1. Thereafter, from the game server 1, for example, data on a message input screen illustrated in FIG. 13B is transmitted to the terminal device 3, and the message input screen is displayed on the terminal device 3. On this message input screen, for example, a text or the like indicating that a fellow player (player B in the example of FIG. 13B) has been supported is displayed, and a message input area 85 and a send button 86 are displayed. Objects are also displayed. Then, the player operates the terminal device 3 to input an arbitrary message in the message input area 85 and selects the transmission button 86, whereby a message addressed to the fellow player is transmitted from the terminal device 3 to the game server 1. The FIG. 13B shows an example in which the player inputs the message “Thank you for the present!”. In consideration of the storage capacity in the database server 2, there may be a restriction (for example, within 30 full-width characters) on characters that can be input in the message input area 85.

  The message input screen also displays a hyperlink 87 for transitioning to the page of the fellow player (player B in this example). By selecting this link, details of the game information of the fellow player are described. Displayed pages. In addition, a hyperlink 88 for transitioning to the buddy list and a hyperlink 89 for transitioning to the main screen are also displayed on the message input screen. By selecting these links, a buddy list or main screen is displayed. You can come back.

  When a message is transmitted from the terminal device 3 by the player's operation on this message input screen, in the game server 1, the message storage unit 59 a of the message transmission means 59 receives the message addressed to the fellow player received from the terminal device 3. The data is stored in the database server 2 in association with the player ID of the fellow player (see FIG. 12). Then, when the terminal device 3 of the fellow player accesses the game server 1, the message transmission means 59 of the game server 1 transmits screen data for displaying a message, a transmission source player name, a transmission time, and the like to the terminal device 3. To do. Thus, a message or the like is displayed on the terminal device 3 of the player who has received this screen data, and the message received from another friend can be confirmed on the screen.

  As described above, in the game system according to the present embodiment, friends can communicate with each other at any time using the communication tool illustrated in FIGS. 13 (a) and 13 (b). .

  In the examples of FIGS. 13 (a) and 13 (b), an example of sending a message to a friend of a player has been described. be able to. For example, cheering or a message can be sent to other players who are not friends listed on the friend candidate list screen (not shown) by the same operation as that of the friends.

  Further, the message transmission means 59 of the present embodiment receives a message (hereinafter referred to as “tweet message”) transmitted from the terminal device 3 of the player without designating the destination player, and receives the message. It has a function to transmit to all the fellow players of the player. FIG. 14 shows an example of information related to a tweet message that is stored and managed in the database server 2 by the message storage unit 59a of the message transmission unit 59. This message storage unit 59a associates with the identification information (message ID) that uniquely identifies the tweet message of each player, and stores information related to the tweet message such as the player ID of the transmission source, the content of the message, and the transmission date and time. 2 in a predetermined storage area. In FIG. 14, from the player with the player ID = “000001”, “Today is a good weather!”, From the player with the player ID = “000003”, “Today I got up early!”, From the player with the player ID = “000002” This shows an example of receiving each tweet message that “baseball is fun and unbearable!”.

  Here, an example of an operation in which the player transmits a tweet message to the game server 1 will be described. FIG. 15 shows an example of a main screen displayed on the terminal device 3 of the player based on the screen data transmitted from the game server 1. The main screen is provided with a message input area 100 for the player to input a tweet message. When the player inputs an arbitrary tweet message (for example, a short message of 30 characters or less) into the message input area 100 and presses the send button 101, information on the tweet message is transmitted from the terminal device 3 to the game server 1. As shown in FIG. 14, information related to the tweet message is stored in the message storage unit 59a.

  For example, the tweet message transmitted by the player A is sent from the message transmission means 59 of the game server 1 to the tweet message of the player A when the terminal device 3 of the fellow player belonging to the group centered on the player A accesses the game server 1. Is transmitted from the database server 2 and screen data for displaying the tweet message is transmitted to the terminal device 3. Thereby, the tweet message of the player A is displayed on the terminal device 3 of the player who has received the screen data. When there are a plurality of tweet messages of player A having different transmission times, for example, only the latest tweet message or only the most recent predetermined number of tweet messages are extracted and displayed by the message transmission means 59.

  Thus, the message transmission means 59 automatically transmits the tweet message of the player A to the terminal device 3 of the player A's fellow player. Therefore, if the player A is a fellow player, a special operation is performed. You can see it without cost. On the other hand, even a player who is not in a friendship relationship with the player A can see a tweet message of the player A by performing an operation to display a screen on which information related to the player A is described.

  According to the configuration for transmitting a tweet message according to the present embodiment, the player can notify the message to all of his / her friends by a simple operation. That is, normally, when a player transmits a message to his / her friend, a transmission operation is required for each member. However, when the number of friends is large, it takes a lot of time and effort for the player to send a message to each of the friends. On the other hand, in this configuration, the message transmission means 59 transmits the message to the terminal devices 3 of all the fellow players of the player only by performing an operation in which the player transmits the message to the game server 1 only once. Therefore, the player can notify the message to all of his / her friends with one operation, and the player can easily perform the operation. In particular, this configuration is suitable for game services such as social games that require strong ease of operation by players.

  By the way, in the above description, the fellow information of each player managed by the fellow management means 52, the character information belonging to the team of each player managed by the character management means 53, and the access management means 56 are managed. For convenience, the access information of each player and the information related to the message managed by the message transmission means 59 are described separately from the various information managed by the game information management means 51. It is included in the game information managed by the game server 1.

[Game system operation]
In the above configuration, an example of the operation of the game system according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 16 shows a basic flow of processing of the terminal device 3 and the game server 1 when the player operates the terminal device 3 to access the game server 1 to receive a game service.

  When the player receives the game service, first, the web browser is activated by operating the operation input unit 40 of the terminal device 3 (S11). Thereafter, the player performs an operation of accessing a game site managed by the game server 1, and thereby an access request is transmitted from the terminal device 3 to the game server 1 (S12). At this time, the game server 1 performs login authentication for access from the terminal device 3 (S21), and confirms that the access is from a player who is registered for use of the game service. Thereafter, the game server 1 transmits main screen data described in HTML or the like to the terminal device 3 (S22). In the terminal device 3 that has received the main screen data, the web browser interprets the data and displays the main screen on the display unit 35 (S13).

  As illustrated in FIG. 15, the main screen is provided with an area 110 for displaying a plurality of characters belonging to the player's team. The area 110 is provided on the top side of the main screen, for example, and creates an atmosphere in which the team members of the player gather at the baseball ground, which is a virtual game space, and practice and play with the player's own character. For example, the characters displayed in this area 110 may be selected at random from a predetermined number (eight in the example of FIG. 15) among the characters belonging to the player's team. Instead, it is desirable to preferentially select fellow characters belonging to the team of players. In this way, by providing the area 110 for displaying the fellow character in the main screen that is displayed each time the player starts the game, the player is actively given an opportunity to recognize the existence of the fellow through the fellow character. Can be produced.

  In addition, in the area 110, a player name of the friend (such as a nickname used in the game) may be displayed together with the substitute character of the friend. Further, in the area 110, the words spoken by the character may be displayed as text in a speech display format or the like so that the character speaks to the player or team member in a pseudo manner. In the example of FIG. 15, three characters are displayed in a speech display format, with the words “I got up early today!”, “I gave you a present!” And “Let's practice!” Yes. As a text (sentence) displayed as a word uttered by the character, a message addressed to the player or a tweet message transmitted to the game server 1 by a friend of the player can be used. Then, in the area 110, a substitute character of a fellow player who has transmitted a message addressed to the player or a tweet message (a fellow player who has transmitted a new message in time) can be preferentially selected and displayed. . The message addressed to the player or the tweet message can be confirmed in an area where messages other than the area 110 are displayed, but these latest messages are displayed in the area 110 provided on the top side of the main screen. By doing so, the player can immediately confirm the new message in a pseudo-speaked form from the fellow player's alternate character, and will be aware of the exchange with the fellow each time the main screen is displayed and the game is started. . Here, the top side of the main screen refers to a region of the main screen where all or part of the region can be displayed on the display unit 35 of the terminal device 3 without scrolling the main screen.

  As another example of the text (sentence) displayed as a word uttered by the character displayed in the area 110, it can correspond to the movement of the fellow player in the latest game. For example, when a fellow player presents an item or the like to the player, a speech-type text “I gave it!” Is displayed in the area 110 like a word spoken by a substitute character of the fellow player. To. As a result, the player immediately recognizes that the present has been received from the fellow player in a pseudo-speaking manner from the alternate character of the fellow player displayed in the area 110 provided on the top side of the main screen. Yes, every time you start the game with the main screen displayed, you will be aware of your interaction with your friends. Further, for example, when the fellow player increases the ability value of the self-character by executing the practice mode or the like (when the ability value of the substitute character of the fellow player increases thereby), “the ability value has increased!” A speech-type text such as “I've improved my skills!” Or “I ’m good!” May be displayed in the area 110 like words spoken by the fellow player's alternate character.

  The main screen is provided with an area 111 for displaying an image of the player's own character and an image of an item such as a baseball tool attached to the player's own character. In the present embodiment, the player's own character is the captain of the team and is displayed in the captain display field of the main screen. Also, game information 112 of the player is displayed on the main screen. The game information 112 includes, for example, the player level, player name, physical strength point, strengthening point, currency point, self-character ability value (attack and defense), stamina point, durability of the item being worn, and the like. included. In addition, in the team display field of the main screen, the player team summary information 113 is also displayed. The team summary information 113 includes, for example, team attack power, team defense power, the current number of team members, and the like.

  Furthermore, on this main screen, by operating the direction keys of the terminal device 3 and scrolling the screen, a game mode selection button (not shown), various menu buttons, fellow movement information, messages from other players, etc. Various objects and information are displayed.

  Here, when the player performs an operation of selecting an object such as a selectable button or a hyperlink displayed on the screen, a screen request corresponding to the operation is transmitted from the terminal device 3 to the game server 1 (S14). ). Receiving this request, the game server 1 executes arithmetic processing and data processing according to the player's operation to execute the game (S23), and transmits game screen data reflecting the execution result to the terminal device 3 (S24). ). And in the terminal device 3 which received screen data, a web browser interprets the said data and displays a game screen on the display part 35 (S15).

  Thereafter, the above-described S14 and S15 are repeated in the terminal device 3 of the player, and the above-described S23 and S24 are repeated in the game server 1, whereby the selectable buttons displayed on the screen of the terminal device 3 Etc., the game screen of the terminal device 3 is switched one after another and the game can be advanced.

  Thereafter, when the player operates the terminal device 3 to close the game screen (S16), the game server 1 performs logout processing (S25). For example, when the player closes the web browser, the game server 1 performs logout processing after a session timeout.

  By the way, in this game system, even when the player logs out from the game server 1, the game server 1 side can read the game information of the player and advance the game. For example, another logged-in player may start a battle (individual battle) against a team of logged-out players, and the game progress means 57 of the game server 1 determines whether the player is logged in. Regardless of whether or not, the game information of each player is read from the database server 2 and the battle is executed, and the game information of each player is updated to reflect the execution result. In the automatic battle mode, the game progress means 57 of the game server 1 reads out the game information of each player from the database server 2 and automatically plays a tournament game or a league game without the player operating the terminal device 3. Run. Thus, the result of the battle executed when the player is logged out from the game server 1 can be confirmed on the screen when the player accesses the game server 1 thereafter.

[Operation of game management device]
Next, a more detailed operation example of the game management device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 17 and 18. FIG. 17 shows the flow of processing of the game server 1 targeting a certain player, and the same processing is performed for each player managed by the game server 1.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the authentication means 54 of the game server 1 receives the access request from the terminal device 3 of the player (YES in S31), or the login ID / password transmitted from the terminal device 3 or the mobile phone Based on the individual identification number of the terminal or the like, login authentication is performed to determine whether or not to permit access (S32). Here, when access is not permitted (NO in S32), the game server 1 transmits screen data for prompting registration of use of the game service to the terminal device 3 (S33). On the other hand, when access is permitted (YES in S32), the access management means 55 stores the player's access information (S34).

  And the game server 1 transmits main screen data to the terminal device 3 of the player who permitted access (S35). Thereafter, when a screen request corresponding to the game operation of the player transmitted from the terminal device 3 of the player is received (YES in S36), the game executing means 52a performs arithmetic processing and data processing corresponding to the screen request. The game is executed (S37).

  Thereafter, the game server 1 determines whether or not the game information of the player needs to be updated by executing the game (S38). If the game server 1 needs to be updated (YES in S38), it is stored in the database server 2. The game information of the player is updated (S39). For example, when the game operation of the player is an operation of performing an individual battle with another player, as a result of the execution of the battle, the game result information and the game information of the player such as stamina points are updated. . On the other hand, for example, when the game operation of the player is an operation for confirming the result of an automatic competition, the game execution process corresponding to the operation is only data processing for reading out the result information of the competition from the database server 2. There is no change in the game information of the player before and after the processing, and therefore it is not necessary to update the game information of the player (NO in S38).

  Thereafter, the game screen generation means 52b generates game screen data reflecting the game execution result (S40), and the game screen transmission means 52c transmits the game screen data to the terminal device 3 of the player (S41). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the terminal device 3 of the player has logged out (S42), and the game proceeds by repeating the processes of S36 to S41 until the terminal device 3 logs out.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 18, a surrogate character generation process in the game server 1 will be described. Here, as an example, the operation of the game server 1 when the player A (player ID = “000001”) makes a friend application to the player B (player ID = “000002”) and the player B approves the friend application. explain.

  The fellow management means 52 of the game server 1 determines whether or not a fellow relation has been established between the two players (S51). When the player B approves the friend application received from the player A and the friendship relationship is established between the players A and B (YES in S51), the alternation character generating means 54 is included in the team B of the approved player B. A substitute character A 'of the player A's own character A who has applied for a friend is generated (S52). More specifically, when the player B operates the terminal device 3 to approve a friend, information on the operation is transmitted to the game server 1. In the game server 1, based on the friend approval operation data received by the player B from the terminal device 3, the friend management means 52 determines that a friendship relationship has been established between the players A and B (YES in S 51). At this time, as shown in FIG. 10 (b), the clone character generation means 54 associates the player ID of player B = “000002” with the character ID = “000001” of the clone character A ′ of player A, The character information storage unit 53a stores the same value as the character type = “1” and the ability value of the self-character A (attack power = 200, defense power = 250), so that the player A ’s character A ′ can be obtained. It is generated and registered in the team B of the player B (S52).

  Next, the notification means 58 of the game server 1 transmits screen data indicating that the player A's character A 'has been generated in the player B's team B to the player B's terminal device 3, and the player character A'. Of joining to Team B (S53). For example, the screen illustrated in FIG. 19 is displayed on the display unit 35 of the terminal device 3 of the player B that has received the screen data. In the screen of FIG. 19, for example, an image 121 of the player A's character A ′ is displayed together with a notice from the game server 1 that “Player A has joined the team of player B”. Is displayed. Further, on the screen of FIG. 19, for example, a greeting of the alternation character A ′, “Player A who is indebted from today. In addition, the ability value (attack and defense) 122 of the character A ′ is also displayed. Thus, the player B can recognize that the player A's character A ′ has newly joined the team B immediately after becoming a friend of the player A. In addition, the screen of FIG. 19 includes a hyperlink 123 for transitioning to the page of the fellow player (player B in this example), a hyperlink 124 for transitioning to the team member list screen, and a hyperlink for transitioning to the main screen. A link 125 or the like may be displayed.

  Similarly to S52, the clone character generating means 54 also generates a clone character B 'of the player B's own character B who has approved it, in the team A of the player A who has applied for a friend (S54). As a result, in the teams of both players A and B that are in a fellowship relationship, each other's own characters are automatically generated from each other.

  Thereafter, if there is an access from the terminal device 3 of the player A to the game server 1 (YES in S55), the notification means 58 causes the player B's alternate character B 'to be in the team A of the player A in the same manner as S53. The screen data indicating that it has been generated is transmitted to the terminal device 3 of the player A, and the participation of the clone character B ′ to the team A is notified (S56). That is, when the player B approves the friend, since the terminal device 3 of the player B is in a state of accessing the game server 1, the notification processing by the notification means 58 for the player B (S53 described above) However, the terminal device 3 of the player A who applied for the friend when the player B approved the friend does not necessarily access the game server 1. Therefore, when the player A accesses the game server 1 from the terminal device 3 (YES in S55), a notification process (S56) by the notification unit 58 is executed. Thus, when the player A first accesses the game server 1 after becoming a friend with the player B, the player A can recognize that the substitute character B ′ of the player B has newly joined the team A.

  In the above description, the processing of the game server 1 when the friendship relationship between the players A and B is established has been described, but the game server 1 is shown in the flowchart of FIG. 18 every time the friendship relationship is established between the players. The illustrated process is executed, and a self-character character of each other is generated in each team of both players in a fellowship. Therefore, a surrogate character that is a duplicate of each player's own character is registered as a character belonging to each team of all the fellow players of the player. For example, as shown in FIG. 1A, when the player A becomes a friend with both the player B and the players C and D, as shown in FIG. Players B, C, and D are generated in the teams B, C, and D, respectively. Players B, C, and D's alternate characters B ′, C ′, and D ′ are also generated in the player A ’s team A. The

  As a result of each other's own character's split character being generated in the team of each player who is in a fellow relationship as described above, the player always recognizes his / her fellow split character while playing the game. become. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 15, each time the player starts the game, a fellow character is displayed in the area 110 of the main screen that is first displayed on the display unit 35 of the terminal device 3. Further, when the player selects a predetermined button or hyperlink on the main screen, data on the team member display screen illustrated in FIG. 20 is transmitted from the game server 1 and the team member can be confirmed.

  The team member display screen of FIG. 20 also includes an area 130 for displaying a plurality of characters belonging to the player's team at the top of the screen. As the characters displayed in this area 130, a predetermined number (eight people in the example of FIG. 20) of the characters belonging to the player's team can be selected at random, but can be selected at random. Instead, it is desirable that a fellow character belonging to the player's team is selected with priority over other characters. In addition, when the number of fellow character characters exceeds a predetermined number that is the upper limit that can be displayed in the area 130, a predetermined number of fellow character characters are randomly selected each time the team member display screen is displayed. May be displayed in the area 130. Alternatively, a fellow character that is not currently displayed in the area 130 may be preferentially displayed next time.

  Further, on the team member display screen, following the area 130, for example, according to the order of the team order currently set, information 131 of individual characters (for example, a character's defensive position and name) and an image of the character are displayed. 132 etc. are displayed. When the character is a fellow character, for example, the tweet message 133 of the fellow is displayed as text in a balloon form. When the character is a fellow character, a “send message” button 134 and a “send present” button 135 are also displayed. By selecting these buttons 134 and 135 (or hyperlinks), You can deepen your exchange by sending messages and gifts to your fellow characters. In addition, by selecting a “see more” button 136 (or hyperlink), information such as the ability value of the character and the equipped item can be confirmed on a separate screen. Note that information on characters that cannot be displayed on the screen can be displayed as a separate screen by scrolling the screen or requesting the game server 1 for the second and subsequent pages of the team member display screen.

  In addition, the player sets / changes the team order while checking the fellow character belonging to his / her team in the team order setting screen (not shown), or equips the fellow character in the item equipment screen (not shown). By setting and changing items such as baseball equipment, you can also create your own team to your liking.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, each character's own character is automatically generated in the team of each player who is in a fellowship. As a result, each time the player plays a game, the player is always conscious of the existence of his / her friend indirectly through his / her fellow character belonging to his / her team. That is, the configuration of the present embodiment enables continuous awareness of the existence of friends. In this way, each player is continuously aware of the existence of friends, so that each player can strengthen the connection and interaction between the friends in the game, and can improve each other's intimacy, The result is an increased interest and interest in the game. Therefore, the game server 1 can provide a game service having continuity that does not get tired for the player.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 21, a description will be given of the process of interlocking the ability values of the self character and the clone character by the game server 1 of the present embodiment. FIG. 21 shows the flow of processing of the game server 1 when the ability value of a player's own character changes. Similar processing is performed for each player managed by the game server 1. Done.

  The character management means 53 of the game server 1 determines whether or not the ability value of the player's own character has changed (S61). As described above, the ability value of the self-character increases as the self-character is nurtured, for example, when the player completes a mission in the practice mode or battles with another team in the match mode. Further, for example, when the state in which the terminal device 3 of the player does not access the game server 1 continues for a predetermined number of days (for example, 10 days), the ability value of the self character decreases.

  In this embodiment, the character's ability value can be improved with an item by equipping the character with an item such as a baseball tool to enhance the character. Reinforcement does not change the character's base ability value, but differs from the case where the character's ability value (base ability value that does not depend on the presence of item equipment) improves in practice mode, game mode, etc. It is. Therefore, the determination of the presence / absence of the change in the ability value of the self-character in S61 refers to a change in the ability value as a base that does not depend on the presence / absence of item equipment.

  Here, when the ability value of the player's own character has changed (increased or lowered) (YES in S61), the character management means 53 has an attack power that is the ability value of the own character stored in the character information storage unit 53a. Update the defense information (see FIG. 10A) (S62). Furthermore, the character management means 53 reflects the ability value of the player's own character in the ability value of the character that is a duplicate of the player's own character belonging to the team of the player's fellow player (S63). That is, the character management means 53 makes the ability value of the clone character stored in the character information storage unit 53a coincide with the updated ability value of the self character that is the copy source of the clone character. The process of S63 is executed on the character of the team of all the fellow players of the player whose ability value of the self character has changed. When the process of S63 is executed for all of the self-character characters (YES in S64), the ability value interlocking process between the self-character and the self-character ends.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the character management means 53 is a copy of the self character belonging to the team of all the fellow players of the player in conjunction with the change in the ability value of the player's own character. The ability value of the character is changed. Thereby, the ability value of the player's own character is always reflected as the ability value of the created character in each team of all the players of the player. Therefore, since the player raises his / her ability value by raising his / her own character or the like, that is, it contributes to the improvement of the team power of all the friends. "It is expected to play games with the feeling that" friends will be pleased "and to foster self-characters, and the player's friendship is fostered. In addition, when the ability value of the substitute character of the team of the fellow player rises in conjunction with the ability value of the self character, it is expected that the fellow player is also grateful to the player (brother) who has trained the self character, After all, friendship is fostered. That is, with this configuration, the friendship among the players who are in a friendship relationship can be effectively enhanced through the normal game play of self-character development by the player.

[Another configuration example of the game management device]
When a fellow character is generated in a player's team, and a player character whose ability value is much higher than the player's own character joins the team, the player's game ability (acquisition level, etc.) Therefore, a configuration for avoiding this will be described below with reference to the functional block diagram of FIG. In addition, about the structure similar to the structure shown in previous drawing (FIGS. 1-21), the same member number is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted suitably.

  The game server 1 (game management apparatus) according to the present embodiment further includes a capability limiting unit 60 in addition to the units 51 to 59 shown in FIG. The capability limiting means 60 is realized by the CPU 11 of the game server 1 executing the program according to the present embodiment.

  The ability limiting means 60 uses a value that is the same as or higher than the ability value of the self character by a predetermined value or a predetermined percentage as a threshold value, and the player's team has an ability value that exceeds the threshold value. When there is a character, it has a function of limiting the ability value of the clone character to a threshold value. For example, when “threshold = the ability value of the self-character” is set and there is a fellow character that has an ability value higher than the ability value of the self-character in the player's team, the ability value of the player character is set to the player's ability value. It is limited to the ability value of the self character (this example will be described below).

  In addition, in the structure which can strengthen a character with an item equipment like this Embodiment, the ability value of the fellow character who becomes a restriction | limiting object is an ability value used as the base irrespective of the presence or absence of item equipment.

  For example, the ability value restriction process for the character by the ability restriction means 60 is executed when the team strength is calculated based on the ability values of the characters belonging to the player's team. This processing example will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. FIG. 23 shows a process flow of the game server 1 for a certain player, and the same process is performed for each player managed by the game server 1.

  First, the ability limiting means 60 of the game server 1 determines whether or not the ability value of a fellow character belonging to the team of the player exceeds a threshold value (= the ability value of the self character) (S71). Here, when the ability value of the masquerade character exceeds the ability value of the self-character (YES in S71), the ability restriction means 60 restricts the ability value of the masquerade character to the ability value of the self-character that is a threshold value. (S72). As a specific example, the ability value of the player's own character is attack power = 200 and defense power = 250, and the skill value of a fellow character belonging to the player's team is attack power = 300 and defense power. In the case of = 3000, the ability value of the fellow character is limited to attack power = 200 and defense power = 250. As another example, the ability value of the player's own character is attack power = 200 and defense power = 250, and the skill value of a fellow character belonging to the player's team is attack power = 300 and defense power. In the case of = 230, the ability values of the fellow characters are attack power = 200 and defense power = 230, and only the ability value of the attack power is limited. When there are a plurality of items of ability values (attack power, defense power) as in the present embodiment, each item can be restricted. After the process of S72, the process proceeds to S73 described later.

  On the other hand, if the ability value of the character is equal to or less than the ability value of the self character (NO in S71), the process proceeds to S73 without any restriction on the ability value of the relevant character. S73 is a determination for a loop process that causes the above-described processes of S71 and S72 to be executed for all the characters in the player's team. Then, when the processes of S71 and S72 are executed for all the surrender characters in the player's team (YES in S73), the game server 1 determines whether or not the character's ability value in the player's team or the like When the ability value of the character is restricted, a team strength value is calculated (based on the ability value after the restriction) (S74).

  In addition, when calculating the team strength only for the characters of the regular players in the team, the above-described processing of S71 and S72 is not executed for all the substitute characters in the team, but set as a regular player. The above-described processing of S71 and S72 may be executed only for the surviving character.

  In the above, when the threshold value is the ability value of the player's own character, and there is a fellow character that has an ability value that is slightly higher than the ability value (= threshold value) of the player's own character, The example in which the ability value of the character is limited to the ability value of the player's own character has been described, but even if a character with a slightly higher ability value than the ability value of the player's own character is allowed in the team, There will be no team strength that deviates from the strength that matches your ability. For example, when a threshold value is a value that is higher by a predetermined value (for example, 20) or a predetermined ratio (for example, 10%) than the ability value of the self character, and there is a surrogate character that exceeds the threshold in the team, The capability value may be limited to a threshold value.

  As a specific example, when the ability value of the player's own character is attack power = 200 and defense power = 250, the attack power threshold = 200 × 1.1 = 220, the defense power threshold = 250 × 1.1 = 275. At this time, for example, if the ability values of the characters in the team are attack power = 210 and defense power = 270, the ability value of the character is larger than the ability value of the self character but is below the threshold value. The ability value is not limited. Further, for example, when the ability values of the characters in the team are attack power = 300 and defense power = 300, the skill values of the character characters are limited to threshold values (attack power = 220 and defense power = 275). The

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the threshold value is a value that is the same as the ability value of the self character or that is higher than the ability value of the self character by a predetermined value or by a predetermined ratio. When there is a fellow character in the player's team that has an ability value that exceeds the threshold value, the ability value of the character character is limited to the threshold value. As a result, a fellow character is generated in the player's team, so that even if a character with a much higher ability value than the ability value of the player's own character joins the team, Since the ability value is limited to the threshold value, it can be avoided that the strength of the team does not match the player's game ability (acquisition level, etc.).

[Another configuration example of the game management device]
Next, the player can give a friend a bonus item (for example, a special bat, glove, etc.) that strengthens the character that is a duplicate of the self-character generated in the team of the friend. The configuration will be described below with reference to the functional block diagram of FIG. In addition, about the structure similar to the structure shown in above-mentioned drawing (FIGS. 1-23), the same member number is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted suitably. The present configuration can be applied to any of the game servers 1 illustrated in FIG. 5 or FIG. 22 described above, or to the game server 1 described later. An example in which the present configuration is applied to the game server 1 of FIG. Will be described.

  The game server 1 (game management apparatus) according to the present embodiment further includes a part enhancement means 61 in addition to the means 51 to 59 shown in FIG. This alternation enhancement means 61 is realized by the CPU 11 of the game server 1 executing the program according to the present embodiment.

  The self-enhancement item is a kind of ability improvement item that improves the ability value of the character, but unlike the normal ability improvement item, there is no effect of improving the ability (improvement of ability value) even if the player has it. A special item (special bat, glove, etc.) that produces an effect of improving the ability only when it is used (equipped) by the player's fellow character. For example, a player enhancement item acquired by the player A in the game causes an effect of improving the ability only to the player A's owner character A ′, and for any character in the team A of the player A However, it does not show the effect of capacity improvement. Since the player A's alternation character A 'is generated in the team of fellow players who are in a friendship relationship with the player A, the player A presents the alternation item to the fellow player, so that the alternation character A' Strengthening items are equipped to improve the ability of the character A ′.

  This self-enhancement item can be acquired, for example, by satisfying a predetermined condition while the player advances the game. As an example, each time a practice mode mission is executed, a lottery enhancement item lottery process is performed in the game server 1 with a predetermined probability. Like that. Moreover, you may enable it to acquire a self-enhancement item by consuming the point and coin which a player has, and purchasing a self-enhancement item. And a player can present the acquired self-enhancement item at any time to a fellow player in a fellowship.

  When a player performs an operation of presenting a part enhancement item to a fellow player, information on the part enhancement item presented to the fellow player is transmitted to the game server 1 from the terminal device 3 of the player. The self-enhancement means 61 of the game server 1 receives the information of the self-enhancement item sent from the terminal device 3 of the player and is given to the fellow player, and the item owned by the fellow player of the received information of the self-enhancement item In the database server 2 (storage device), and has a function to improve the ability value of the character that is a duplicate of the player's own character belonging to the team of the fellow player by the power enhancement item. .

  Next, an example of a process for strengthening a character by using a power enhancement item will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. When the self-enhancement means 61 of the game server 1 receives the information of the self-enhancement item sent from the terminal device 3 of the player and is given to the fellow player (YES in S81), the information of the self-enhancement item is sent to the fellow The data is stored in the database server 2 as an item owned by the player (S82). For example, the part enhancement means 61 is a part enhancement item (item ID = “0100”) given to the fellow player B (player ID = “000002”) from the terminal device 3 of the player A (player ID = “000001”). When the information is received, as shown in FIG. 26, the item ID of the alternation enhancement item is stored in a predetermined storage area of the database server 2 in association with the player ID of the fellow player B.

  Further, the alternation strengthening means 61 equips the alternation character A ′ of the player A in the team B of the fellow player B who received the present with the alternation enhancement item (S83). For example, as shown in FIG. 26, the part enhancement means 61 stores the character ID = “000001” of the part character A ′ as the equipment character ID in association with the item ID = “0100” of the part enhancement item. Since the self-enhancement item presented to the companion from the player A can be equipped only to the self-character A ′ of the player A, the self-enhancement means 61 automatically equips the self-enhancement item to the self-character A ′. It has become.

  Then, the part enhancement means 61 improves the ability value of the part character equipped with the part enhancement item based on the part enhancement item (S84). For example, parameters such as “item strength” and “durability” are set for the item for enhancing the item, as in the case of the normal item for improving the ability, and the ability of the character for the item is determined according to the item strength parameter of the item for enhancing the item. The value will be improved. The effect of improving the ability value of the character is continued until the durability parameter of the character enhancement item used in the game (competition with other teams) becomes zero.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the player can always present to the companion a self-enhancement item that strengthens the self-character that is a duplicate of the self-character generated in the companion team. Yes. This gift improves the ability of the recipient character, so that it can contribute to the improvement of the overall strength of the team of the fellow members to whom the owner character belongs. In this way, the player strengthens the character that should be said to be his or her own belonging to the fellow team in the form of presenting a fellowship enhancement item to the fellow and makes his or her own character more active in the fellow team. This makes it possible to contribute to fellow teams and deepen their fondness for fellow teams.

  Further, as described above, unlike the normal item, the self-enhancement item has no effect of improving the ability even if the player himself has it, and the effect of the ability improvement is not used until the player's fellow character has his own character. Is set as a special item. Therefore, it is expected that a player who has acquired a self-enhanced item in the game will actively present it to his friends instead of taking it as his own. Thereby, in this Embodiment, the present of a self-enhancement item is actively performed among friends, and exchange of friends comes to be performed actively, and it can improve each other's closeness more, In this way, the entire game community can be activated.

[Another configuration example of the game management device]
Next, the player can improve the ability value of the fellow character in his / her team and reflect the improved ability value of the duplicate character in the ability value of the duplication source self character. The configuration that enables this will be described below with reference to the functional block diagram of FIG. In addition, the same member number is attached | subjected about the structure similar to the structure shown in previous drawing (FIGS. 1-26), and the description is abbreviate | omitted suitably. Although this configuration can be applied to any of the game servers 1 illustrated in FIG. 5, FIG. 22, or FIG. 24, an example in which this configuration is applied to the game server 1 of FIG. 5 will be described below.

  The game server 1 (game management device) according to the present embodiment, in addition to the means 51 to 59 shown in FIG. Is further provided with ability improvement information management means 62 for managing the ability improvement information of each of the characters that belong to the player's team for each player. This capability improvement information management means 62 is realized by the CPU 11 of the game server 1 executing the program according to the present embodiment.

  For example, in the game mode, when the player A uses the character B ′ of the fellow player B belonging to his / her team A as a regular player in the game, the ability value of the character B ′ (based on the item equipment is not used). (Capability value) can be improved. Further, for example, in the practice mode, when the player A participates in the practice with the substitute character B ′ of the fellow player B belonging to his / her team A (when the self character A and the substitute character B ′ practice jointly) ), The ability value of the character B ′ can be improved. Further, for example, in the character training mode, the player A can train the player character B ′ of the fellow player B belonging to the team A to improve the ability value of the player character B ′. Also good. Not limited to this, the player can improve the ability value of the fellow character belonging to his / her team in the course of the game by playing the game.

  The capability improvement information management means 62 includes a capability improvement information storage unit 62a. FIG. 28 shows an example of the ability improvement information representing the improvement of the ability value of the character that is stored in the database server 2 by the ability improvement information storage unit 62a. In the example of FIG. 28, a storage example of ability improvement information for one player A of the player A with player ID = “000001” is shown. The character information storage unit 53a stores the character ID of the substitute character and the ability improvement information (the ability improvement of the attack power and the ability improvement of the defense power) in association with the player ID. For example, when the player A improves the ability value of the clone character B ′ with the character ID = “000002” by “attack power + 20” and “defense power + 20”, the information shown in FIG. 28 is stored in the database server 2. .

  In the present embodiment, the improvement in the ability value of the clone character whose ability has been improved by the player is stocked (stored) without being added to the ability value before the ability improvement of the clone character. By this operation, it is reflected on the main body character (the self-character that is the duplication source of the alternate character). That is, the improvement in the ability value of the character that has been improved by the player can be transferred to the ability value of the main character according to the intention of the player.

  For example, when the player A improves the ability value of the substitute character B ′ of the fellow player B belonging to his / her team A, the improvement of the ability value is determined by the operation of the terminal device 3 of the player A. It is reflected in the self-character B that is the copy source of B ′. In other words, an improvement in the character's ability value is presented from player A to player B. If the ability value of the self-character B of the fellow player B is improved in this way, the ability values of all the characters B ′ that are duplicates of the self-character B are also improved accordingly, and as a result, the player A The ability value of the character B ′ in the team A is also improved. In other words, the ability improvement of the stocked character is reflected in the character through the improvement of the ability of the self-character that is the duplication source of the character.

  When the player performs an operation for reflecting the improvement in the ability value of the clone character on the character of the main body, the terminal device 3 of the player receives the improvement in the ability value of the clone character from the self-character of the clone character's copy source. Information requesting to be reflected in the ability value (hereinafter referred to as “capability improvement reflection request”) is transmitted to the game server 1. When the character management means 53 of the present embodiment receives a request for reflecting an improvement in the ability of a substitute character transmitted from the terminal device 3 of the player, the character of the player managed by the ability improvement information management means 62 Based on the ability improvement information of the character, it has a function of improving the ability value of the self-character that is the copy source of the clone character.

  Next, an example of processing of the game server 1 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. When the player improves the ability value of a fellow character belonging to his / her team in the course of the game (S91), the ability improvement information management means 62 of the game server 1 stores the improvement of the ability value in the storage device. And stocked (S92). For example, as illustrated in FIG. 28, the character ID and the ability improvement information of the clone character are stored in a predetermined storage area of the database server 2 in association with the player ID of the player. The processes of S91 and S92 are repeatedly executed until the game server 1 receives the ability improvement reflection request.

  Here, for example, when the player A performs an operation of reflecting the improvement of the ability value of the substitute character B ′ on the self-character B of the main body, the ability improvement reflection request is sent from the terminal device 3 of the player A to the game server 1. Shall be sent to When the game server 1 receives this ability improvement reflection request (YES in S93), the character management means 53 provides the ability improvement information of the player character's team B character managed by the ability improvement information management means 62. Based on the above, the ability value of the self-character B that is the copy source of the clone character B ′ is improved (S94). That is, the character management means 53 adds the improvement of the ability value of the character B ′ improved by the player A to the ability value of the player B's own character B stored in the character information storage unit 53a, The improvement in the ability value is reflected in the self-character B of the main body. Thereafter, the ability improvement information (the ability improvement stock that has been stocked) of the substitute character B ′ of the team of player A managed by the ability improvement information management means 62 is initialized (S95).

  Then, in conjunction with the increase in the ability value of the player B's own character B in the process of S94, the character management means 53 sends the ability value of the player B's own character B to the team of the player B's fellow players. It is reflected in the ability value of the clone character B ′, which is a duplicate of the self character B to which it belongs (S96). The process of S96 is performed on the character B ′ of the team of all the fellow players of the player B. When the process of S95 is executed for all the character B '(YES in S97), the process returns to S91 and the processes of S91 to S97 are repeated.

  Then, after the improvement in the ability value of the character B ′ improved by the player A is reflected in the player B's own character B, when the terminal device 3 of the player B first accesses the game server 1, the game server 1 The first notifying unit 58 notifies the terminal device 3 of the player B by transmitting screen data indicating that “the player A who is a friend has improved the ability value of the player character B”. Thereby, the player B can recognize that the fellow player A contributed to the ability improvement of the self-character B.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when the player improves the ability value of the character, the ability improvement information management unit 62 stores the ability improvement information indicating the improvement of the ability value of the clone character in the storage device. . When the game server 1 receives a request for reflecting an improvement in the ability of a substitute character from the terminal device 3 of the player, the character management means 53 is an ability of the player character that is managed by the ability improvement information management means 62. Based on the improvement information, the ability value of the self-character that is the duplication source of the clone character is improved. As a result, the player uses the fellow character automatically generated by his / her team in the game mode or the practice mode to improve the ability value, and reflects the ability improvement in the fellow self character. In this way, you can contribute to improving the team strength of your friends. That is, the player can please his / her friend through the improvement of the ability of the fellow character.

  Presents such as items are generally used as a way for players to please their friends, but in this embodiment, the ability of the fellow characters to grow through games, practice, training, etc., and improve their abilities. You can please your friends in an unconventional way of reflecting the minutes on your friends' self-characters. Thereby, the range of the exchange method which pleases a friend spreads compared with the past (the choice of the exchange method which pleases a friend increases more than before).

  By the way, in the present embodiment, when the player improves the ability value of the character in his / her team, the improvement in the ability value is not added to the ability value before the ability improvement of the relevant character. However, it is not limited to this. That is, when the player improves the ability value of the character in his / her team, the improvement in the ability value may be directly added as the ability value of the character. In this way, even if the improvement in the ability value of the character is directly added as the ability value of the character, the player can use the improvement in the ability value of the character as described above. Can be reflected.

[Another configuration example of the game management device]
In the above description, the improvement in the ability value of the character that has been improved by the player can be reflected in the ability value of the copy-source self character by the player's intention (by the player operating the terminal device 3). The configuration described above has been described. In the following, the configuration in which the improvement in the ability value of the player character improved by the player can be automatically reflected in the ability value of the original character of the duplication source. This will be described with reference to the functional block diagram of FIG. In addition, the same member number is attached | subjected about the structure similar to the structure shown in previous drawing (FIGS. 1-29), and the description is abbreviate | omitted suitably. Although this configuration can be applied to any of the game servers 1 illustrated in FIG. 5, FIG. 22, or FIG. 24, an example in which this configuration is applied to the game server 1 of FIG. 5 will be described below.

  The game server 1 (game management apparatus) according to the present embodiment further includes the above-described ability improvement information management means 62 (see FIG. 27) and group value calculation means 63 in addition to the means 51 to 59 shown in FIG. I have. The group value calculation means 63 is realized by the CPU 11 of the game server 1 executing the program according to the present embodiment.

  The group value calculation means 63 is configured so that, during a predetermined period, when a predetermined number of or more fellow players in the group centered on the players improve the ability of the player's own character, the predetermined period It has a function of calculating the total value, average value, or maximum value of the group for improving the ability of the character in the middle. Then, the character management means 53 of the present embodiment uses the total value, average value, or maximum value of the group for improving the ability of the substitute character calculated by the group value calculation means 63 as the self-character of the clone character's copy source. It has a function to reflect in the ability value.

  For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1A, it is assumed that there are fellow players B, C, and D in a group A centering on the player A. As shown in FIG. 1B, each of the teams B, C, D of the fellow players B, C, D belongs to the player A's alternate character A ′, and the fellow players B, C, D are The ability value of the character A ′ in the own team can be improved. Here, when a predetermined number or more or a predetermined ratio of the fellow players B, C, D in the group A improves the ability value of the character A ′ during the predetermined period, the character A ′ of the character A ′ during the predetermined period is improved. The total value, average value, or maximum value of the group A for the performance improvement is calculated by the group value calculation means 63, and the calculated value is automatically reflected on the self-character A that is the copy source of the clone character A ′.

  The predetermined period is a period in which the total value of the group is calculated, and is also a period in which the calculated total value of the group is automatically reflected in the ability value of the copy source self character. As the predetermined period, for example, an arbitrary period such as 5 days in the real world, 1 week (7 days), or 10 days can be set. In the present embodiment, an example in which the predetermined period is 7 days in the real world will be described below. explain. For example, every week, 7 days from Monday to Sunday can be set as a predetermined period, and the total value of the group for the improvement of the ability value of the alternate character during the period of 7 days is the improvement of the ability of the self-character of the copy source. It can be automatically reflected as minutes.

  Further, regarding the above-mentioned “a predetermined number or more or a predetermined ratio or more of fellow players in a group centered on players”, when one or more predetermined number of people in the group is one or more, the ability of a separate character in the group If there is a fellow player who has improved the result, the result is reflected on the main character (the original character of the duplication source) as the total value of the group or the like. In addition, by setting the predetermined number of people or the predetermined ratio in the group to an arbitrary value, the total value of the group is obtained only when a fellow player who is equal to or more than the set value has improved the ability of the character in the predetermined period (7 days). Etc. and automatic reflection processing to the copy source can be executed. In the present embodiment, the case where the predetermined number or more in the group is one or more will be described below.

  In addition, regarding the “total value, average value, or maximum value of a group for improving the ability of a surrogate character” calculated by the group value calculation means 63, when the total value of the group is applied, the number of groups (that is, the number of friends) ) Increases, the calculated value tends to increase. A player who makes more friends has an advantage that the value reflected in the ability value of the own character increases. Therefore, each player is given a motivation to make many friends. By the way, if the total value of the group becomes too large, there is a possibility that the balance with the improvement of the ability value of the own character (character development) realized by the player himself executing the game may be lost. In order to prevent the total value of the group from becoming too large, it is desirable to give consideration to the game design, such as keeping the amount of improvement in the ability of the substitute characters through games, practice, and training low. When the average value or maximum value of the group is applied, the calculated value does not become as large as the total value of the group. In the present embodiment, the case where the value calculated by the group value calculation means 63 is the total value of the group will be described below.

  An example of processing of the game server 1 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. When the player improves the ability value of a fellow character belonging to his / her team in the course of the game (S91), the ability improvement information management means 62 of the game server 1 stores the improvement of the ability value in the storage device. And stocked (S92). At this time, the improvement in the ability value of the clone character whose ability is improved by the player is stocked without being added to the ability value before the ability improvement of the clone character. The processes of S91 and S92 are the same as those of S91 and S92 shown in FIG. 29, and are repeatedly executed until a predetermined period of seven days elapses.

  If seven days, which is a predetermined period, have elapsed (for example, every Monday at midnight) (YES in S101), the process proceeds to S102 to S109. About S102-S109, the flow of the process of the game server 1 targeted for one certain player is shown, and the same process is repeatedly performed with respect to each player which the game server 1 manages. become.

  In S102, the game server 1 determines whether or not a friend exists in the processing target player. If no player has made any friends (NO in S102), the process returns to S91 without executing the subsequent processing. On the other hand, when one or more friends exist in the player (YES in S102), it is determined whether or not one or more of the friends in the group centering on the player has improved the ability value of the player's character. (S103). Here, in the case where there is no friend who has improved the ability value of the player character in the player group (NO in S103), the process returns to S91 without executing the subsequent processing. On the other hand, when one or more of the friends in the player's group are improving the ability value of the player's alternate character (YES in S103), the group value calculation means 63 is the last seven days (Monday) that is the predetermined period. (-Sunday), the total value of the group for the ability improvement of the player's surrogate character is calculated (S104).

  After that, the character management means 53 reflects the total value of the ability improvement group of the substitute character calculated by the group value calculation means 63 in the ability value of the player's own character that is the copy source of the substitute character (S105). . Thereafter, the ability improvement information (capacity improvement stocked) of the character in the team of the player's companion managed by the ability improvement information management means 62 is initialized (S106).

  Then, in conjunction with the increase in the ability value of the player's own character in the process of S105, the character management means 53 determines the ability value of the player's own character by copying the player's own character belonging to the team of fellow players. This is reflected in the ability value of a certain character (S107). The process of S107 is executed on the character of the team of all the fellow players of the player. When the process of S107 is executed for all the character characters (YES in S108), the automatic reflection process for the ability improvement for one player is completed. The steps S102 to S108 are repeated until they are executed for all players managed by the game server 1, and when the steps S102 to S108 are executed for all players (YES in S109), the process returns to S91. .

  Then, after the total value of the group is reflected on the player's own character as described above, when the player's terminal device 3 first accesses the game server 1, the notification means 58 of the game server 1 The device 3 is notified by transmitting screen data indicating that “the friend has improved the ability value of the self-character”. Thereby, the player can recognize that the friend contributed to the ability improvement of the self character.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when a predetermined number or more or a predetermined ratio of fellow players in a group centering on the players improve the ability of the player's own character's own character during the predetermined period The total value, average value, or maximum value of the group for the ability improvement of the clone character during the predetermined period is calculated, and the calculated value is automatically set as the ability value of the self-character that is the copy source of the clone character. It has been reflected. Thus, if each player uses the fellow character automatically generated by his / her team in the game mode or the practice mode to improve the ability value, the game server 1 can improve the ability of the substitute character. Since the total value of the group is calculated and automatically reflected in the ability value of the self-character of the duplication source, there is no need for the player to perform an operation for reflecting the ability improvement of the clone character in the duplication source character. The operation on the player side can be simplified. In particular, this configuration is suitable for game services such as social games that require strong ease and simplification of operations by players.

  By the way, in this embodiment, when each player improves the ability value of the character in his / her team, the improvement in the ability value is added to the ability value before the ability improvement of the relevant character. There is no stock, but it is not limited to this. That is, when each player improves the ability value of the character in his / her team, the improvement in the ability value may be directly added as the ability value of the character. In this way, even when the improvement in the ability value of the character is directly added as the ability value of the relevant character, the game server 1 adds up the group of the ability improvement of the character as described above. The value or the like can be calculated and reflected in the ability value of the self-character that is the duplication source of the alternate character.

[Other Embodiments]
In the above-described embodiment, the game execution program is installed on the game server 1 side, and the game server 1 executes arithmetic processing and data processing for progressing the game in response to an input operation on the terminal device 3 of each player. And although the application example to the game system which a game progresses by transmitting the screen data reflecting the execution result to the terminal device 3 was demonstrated, it is not limited to this. For example, the game server 1 manages game information such as player character information, owned item information, friend information, and message information, and provides game services such as message exchanges and privilege grants between players in the game. On the other hand, the game execution processing for advancing the game can basically be applied to a game system that is performed on the terminal device side of the player.

  That is, the present invention can also be applied to a game system in which part or all of the game execution program is downloaded or installed on the terminal device side of the player and the game execution processing is performed also on the terminal device. Therefore, as the terminal device of the player, various devices that can be connected to a game server (game management device) via a network and receive a game service can be applied. The above-described mobile phone terminal, PHS terminal, mobile information In addition to a terminal (PDA), a smartphone, a personal computer, and a tablet computer, a home video game device having a network connection function (a game configured by connecting a home video game machine to a home television) Device), a portable game-dedicated device, and the like are also applicable.

  The computer-readable program according to the present embodiment is recorded on various computer-readable recording media such as a hard disk, an optical disk (CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, etc.), a flexible disk, a semiconductor memory, and the like. Is executed by the CPU 11 of the game server 1. The means for providing the program to the game server 1 is not limited to the recording medium described above, and can be performed via a communication network such as the Internet.

  (1) A game management device according to one aspect of the present invention receives access from a terminal device of each player via a network and manages game information of each player, and each player includes a plurality of self-characters in a virtual space. A game management device that provides a game service for a game having a team of characters to each player via the network, and (a) stores information on each character belonging to each player's team Character management means for storing characters and managing characters for each player, and (b) information for each fellow player who belongs to a group centered on each player, stored in the storage device, and associate management for each player And (c) information on the character that is a duplicate of the player's own character. Is stored in the character management means as a character belonging to each team of all the fellow players of the player, and a split character of each other's own character is generated in the team of each player in the fellow relation And a character generation means.

  According to this configuration, the present game management device provides game services to each player via the network while receiving access from the terminal device of each player via the network and managing game information of each player. For example, it is configured by an information processing apparatus that can be connected to a network such as a server. Examples of the game service provided to each player by the game management apparatus include services such as a social game that the players can play while cooperating with each other or communicating.

  The game service provided by the game management apparatus relates to a game in which each player has a team composed of a plurality of characters including self-characters in a virtual space. As an example of such a game, there is a sports game on the basis of various sports in which each player has a baseball team, a soccer team, or the like composed of a plurality of player characters including a self-character, and the team plays a game or the like. be able to. Alternatively, the game may be a battle game in which each player forms a command team with a plurality of characters including their own characters, and various games can be applied regardless of the game format and genre. The character management means of the game management device stores information on each character belonging to the team of each player in the storage device, and performs character management for each player.

  Moreover, this game management apparatus is provided with the fellow management means which performs the fellow management for every player, and memorize | stores in the memory | storage device the information of each fellow player who belongs to the group called "a fellow" centering on each player. And manage. In addition, the group here shows the group of one's own friend seen from the viewpoint of one player to the last, and each player which comprises these groups does not belong only to this group. Each player also has a group of “friends” centered on him / her.

  Further, the game management device stores the information of the character that is a duplicate of each player's own character in the character management means as a character belonging to each team of all the fellow players of the player, and has a fellow relationship. Each player's team is provided with a separate character generating means for generating a separate character of each other's own character. Here, the self-character duplication refers to duplication of attributes including the shape and ability value of the self-character. Thereby, if it is a friend, the other character which is a replication of one's own character (self character) mutually is automatically produced | generated in the other party's team, and is registered as a member of the team. This will be supplementarily described below with reference to FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b).

  FIG. 1A shows a friendship relationship between the players A to H whose game information is managed by the game management apparatus, and FIG. 1B shows the teams A to H of the players A to H. The character to which it belongs is shown. Here, the double arrows in FIGS. 1A and 1B indicate that the players at both ends of the double arrows are in a friendship relationship. As shown in FIG. 1B, the players A to H have their own characters A to H belonging to the teams A to H of the players A to H, respectively.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 1 (a), it is assumed that fellow players B, C, and D exist in a group A called a friend centered on a certain player A. At this time, as shown in FIG. 1 (b), a clone character A ', which is a duplicate of the player A's own character A, is generated in each of the teams B, C, D of the fellow players B, C, D. Self-characters B ′, C ′, and D ′ that are duplicates of the self-characters B, C, and D of the fellow players B, C, and D are also generated in the team A of the player A.

  Similarly, when there are fellow players A, E, F, G, and H in the group B, which is a friend who is centered on the player B, a clone character B ′ that is a duplicate of the player B's own character B is a friend. Players A, E, F, G, and H are generated in the teams A, E, F, G, and H, and the fellow players A, E, F, G, and H have their own characters A, E, F, and H. The clone characters A ′, E ′, F ′, G ′, and H ′, which are duplicates of G and H, are also generated in the team B of the player B.

  However, it is a case where attention is paid to the fellow relation in the same group that a self-recovery character is produced | generated between friends, and it is not produced | generated beyond a group. For example, the player C has a friendship relationship with the player A and belongs to the group A centering on the player A, but does not have a friendship relationship with the player B belonging to the same group A. C ′ is not generated in the team B of the player B. In other words, the range in which the character C ′ of the player C is generated is only within the range of the group centered on the player C in which the player C is building a friendship, and is not generated beyond that group. . Therefore, naturally, the substitute character C ′ of the player C is generated in the team of the fellow players E, F, G, and H of the group B (all of which are not affiliated with the player C) centering on the player B. There is nothing.

  In order to avoid complication of explanation, FIGS. 1A and 1B are simplified diagrams focusing only on the groups A and B centered on the players A and B, respectively. In the same manner for each group centered on all the players managed by the game server 1, each other's own character's self-characters are automatically automated within each other's team. Generated. Further, in FIG. 1B, for the sake of simplicity, only the player's own character and fellow character are shown as the characters belonging to each player's team. There may be other characters.

  As described above, in the present configuration, each other's own character's own character is automatically generated in the team of each player who is in a fellow relationship. As a result, each time the player plays the game, the player is always conscious of the existence of his / her friend indirectly through his / her fellow character belonging to his / her team. That is, this configuration enables continuous awareness of the existence of friends. In this way, each player is continuously aware of the existence of friends, so that each player can strengthen the connection and interaction between the friends in the game, and can improve each other's intimacy, The result is an increased interest and interest in the game. Therefore, this game management apparatus can provide a game service having continuity that does not get tired for the player.

  (2) In the above configuration, the character management means is a copy of the self character belonging to a team of all the fellow players of the player in conjunction with a change in the ability value of the self character of the player. It is preferable to change the ability value of the character.

  According to this configuration, the ability value of the player's own character is always reflected as the ability value of the created character in each of the teams of all the players. Accordingly, if the ability value of a player's own character increases, all the other characters in the teams of all the friends belonging to the group centering on the player are linked (a copy of the player's own character). The ability value of the character who is) also increases. On the other hand, when the ability value of a player's own character falls, the ability values of all the other characters of the player character also fall.

  Thereby, a player raises his / her character and raises the ability value thereof, that is, contributes to the improvement of team strength of all the friends. Therefore, each player is expected to increase the ability value of the self-character by playing the game with feelings such as “Let's do our best for friends” or “Friends will be happy”. Awareness is fostered. In addition, when the ability value of the substitute character of the team of the fellow player rises in conjunction with the ability value of the self character, it is expected that the fellow player is also grateful to the player (brother) who has trained the self character, After all, friendship is fostered. That is, with this configuration, the friendship among the players who are in a friendship relationship can be effectively enhanced through the normal game play of self-character development by the player. Then, as the consciousness of the friends increases and the connections between the friends become stronger, the player further increases their interest and interest in the game.

  (3) In the above configuration, the game management device uses a value that is the same as or higher than the ability value of the self-character or a predetermined value or a predetermined percentage higher than the ability value of the self-character, When there is a surrogate character having an ability value that exceeds the threshold, it is preferable to further include ability restriction means for restricting the ability value of the alternation character to the threshold.

  According to this configuration, a threshold is set based on the ability value of the player's own character (a value that is the same as the ability value of the player's own character or a value that is higher by a predetermined value or a predetermined percentage than the ability value of the own character is set as the threshold. ), The upper limit of the ability value of the fellow character in the team of the player is limited to the threshold value. For example, the ability value of the player A's own character A = 200, the ability value of the fellow character B ′ in the team of the player A = 300, the ability value of the substitute character C ′ = 100, and the threshold = 200 (self character A In this case, only the ability value of the character B ′ that exceeds the threshold value is limited to 200, which is the threshold value.

  Therefore, by generating a fellow character in the player's team, even if a character with a much higher ability value than the ability value of the player's own character joins the team, Since the upper limit of the value is limited to the threshold value, it can be avoided that the strength of the team does not match the player's game ability (acquisition level, etc.).

  By the way, even if a substitute character having an ability value slightly higher than the ability value of the self character is allowed in the team, the team strength does not become extremely different from the strength corresponding to the player's ability of the game. Thus, the threshold value is not limited to the same value as the ability value of the self character, and a value higher than the ability value of the self character by a predetermined value or a predetermined ratio can also be set as the threshold value.

  (4) In the above configuration, the game management device receives information on a part enhancement item sent from the terminal device of the player and is given to the fellow player, and the fellow player receives the received information on the part enhancement item. A self-enhancement unit that stores in the storage device as an owned item and improves the ability value of a self-character that is a duplicate of the player's own character belonging to the team of the fellow player by the self-enhancement item It is preferable to provide.

  According to this configuration, for example, when a self-enhancement item is presented (presented) from the player A to the fellow player B, information on the self-enhancement item presented to the fellow player B is displayed from the terminal device of the player A. When transmitted to the management device and the game management device receives the information on the part enhancement item, the part enhancement item is stored in the storage device as an item owned by the fellow player B. This ability enhancement item improves and strengthens the ability value of the identification character A ′ that is a copy of the player A's own player A's own character A belonging to the team of the fellow player B.

  As described above, in this configuration, the player can always present to his / her friend a reinforcement item that strengthens the character that is a duplicate of the self-character generated in the team of the friend. This gift improves the ability of the gifted character, so that it can contribute to improving the team strength of the fellow members of the gifted character. In this way, the player strengthens the character that should be said to be his or her own belonging to the fellow team in the form of presenting a fellowship enhancement item to the fellow and makes his or her own character more active in the fellow team. This makes it possible to contribute to fellow teams and deepen their fondness for fellow teams. On the other hand, for the player B, when the player A improves the ability value of the clone character A ′ with the clone enhancement item, the player B will be strengthened, so that gratitude for the player A is generated. As a result, the friendship toward the player A is strengthened.

  Also, unlike the normal item, the self-enhancement item does not have any effect of improving the ability even if the player has it. It is set as a special item that occurs (for example, a special bat, glove, etc. in a baseball game). Therefore, it is expected that a player who has acquired a self-enhanced item in the game will actively present it to his friends instead of taking it as his own. As a result, in this configuration, the present of the enhancement item is actively made among the fellows, and the mutual exchange of the fellows is actively performed, so that the closeness of each other can be further improved, and as a result, the game Revitalize the entire community.

  (5) In the above configuration, when the ability value of the character is improved, the game management device stores the ability improvement information representing the improvement of the ability value in the storage device, and each of the players belonging to the team of the player It is preferable that the information processing apparatus further includes ability improvement information management means for managing the ability improvement information of the clone character for each player. And the said character management means received the information which requests | requires to reflect the improvement part of the ability value of the said substitute character transmitted from the player's terminal device in the ability value of the replication origin self character of the said substitute character At this time, it is preferable to improve the ability value of the self-character that is the duplication source of the clone character based on the ability improvement information of the clone character of the player managed by the ability improvement information management means.

  According to this configuration, for example, when the player A improves the ability value of the fellow character B ′ in his / her team, the ability improvement information management means indicates the ability improvement indicating the improvement of the ability value of the substitute character B ′. Information is stored in a storage device and managed. Here, when the player A performs an operation for reflecting the improvement in the ability value of the clone character B ′ on the self-character B of the main body, the terminal device of the player A causes “the ability value of the clone character B ′” Is transmitted to the game management device as a request for reflecting the improved portion of the character in the ability value of the self-character B that is the copy source of the clone character B ′. Then, when the game management device receives the information from the terminal device of the player A, the character management means is based on the ability improvement information of the clone character B ′ of the team of the player A managed by the ability improvement information management means. Thus, the ability value of the self-character B that is the copy source of the clone character B ′ is improved.

  Thus, the player uses the fellow character automatically generated in his / her team in the game (for example, in the game mode, practice mode, training mode, etc.) to improve its ability value, The ability improvement can be contributed to the team strength improvement of the fellow in the form of reflecting in the fellow self-character that is the duplication source of the alternation character. In other words, the player can please his / her friends by improving the ability of the fellow characters in his / her team.

  As a way for players to please friends, gifts of items etc. are common, but in this configuration, the ability of fellow characters in the team is improved and the improvement is reflected in the fellow's own character You can please your friends in an unprecedented way. This expands the range of exchange methods that please friends.

  (6) In the above configuration, the game management device stores (d) ability improvement information representing the improvement of the ability value in the storage device when the ability value of the substitute character is improved, so that the player's team can Ability improvement information management means for managing the ability improvement information of each of the belonging characters belonging to each player, and (e) a predetermined number or more or a predetermined ratio of fellow players in a group centered on the players during a predetermined period. A group value calculating means for calculating a total value, an average value, or a maximum value of the group for the ability improvement of the parting character during the predetermined period when the ability value of the parting character of the player's own character is improved. Are preferably further provided. Then, the character management means reflects the total value, average value, or maximum value of the ability improvement group of the clone character calculated by the group value calculation means in the ability value of the self-character that is the copy source of the clone character. It is preferable to make it.

  According to this configuration, for example, a predetermined number of or more fellow players B, C, D,... When the condition that the ability of the other character A ′ is improved is satisfied, the total value, the average value, or the maximum value of the group A for the ability improvement of the relevant character A ′ during the predetermined period is calculated as a group value. It is calculated by the means, and the calculated value is automatically reflected in the ability value of the self-character A that is the copy source of the clone character A ′.

  Here, the “predetermined period” is a period in which the total value of the group is calculated, and is also a cycle in which the calculated total value of the group is automatically reflected in the ability value of the copy source self character. As the predetermined period, for example, an arbitrary period such as 5 days, 1 week (7 days), 10 days in the real world can be set. Further, regarding “a predetermined number or more or a predetermined percentage or more of fellow players in a group centered on players”, when “a predetermined number or more in a group” is set to “one or more”, 1 in the group during a predetermined period. If there is a fellow player who has improved the ability of the character, even if it is a person, the result will be reflected on the main character (replicating original character) as the total value of the group. In addition, by setting the predetermined number of people or the predetermined ratio in the group to an arbitrary value, the total value of the group, etc. is calculated only when a fellow player who has exceeded the set value has improved the ability of the characters in the predetermined period. In addition, automatic reflection processing to the copy source can be executed.

  With this configuration, the player uses the fellow character automatically generated in his / her team in the game (for example, in the game mode, practice mode, training mode, etc.) to improve its ability value. As a result, the ability improvement is reflected in the friend's own character, which can contribute to improving the team's team strength. In other words, the player can please his / her friends by improving the ability of the fellow characters in his / her team.

  In addition, with this configuration, if each player improves the ability value of a fellow character in his / her team, the game management device calculates a total value of the ability improvement group of the substitute character, and automatically Since it is reflected in the ability value of the duplication source self-character, each player does not need to perform an operation for reflecting the ability improvement of the substitute character on the duplication source character, and the operation on the player side is simplified. In particular, this configuration is suitable for game services such as social games that require strong ease and simplification of operations by players.

  (7) In a game management method according to another aspect of the present invention, each player receives access from a terminal device via a network and manages game information of each player. A game management method in a game management device for providing a game service for a game having a team composed of a plurality of characters to each player via the network, wherein (f) the game management device A character management step of storing information of each character belonging to the team in a storage device to perform character management for each player, and (g) the game management device has a friendship relationship belonging to a group centered on each player. Friend management that stores information of each fellow player in the storage device and performs fellow management for each player And (h) the game management device stores, in the character management step, information on a separate character that is a copy of the player's own character as a character belonging to the team of all the players of the player. And a parting character generation step of generating a parting character of each other's own character in the team of each player in the fellowship.

  (8) A program according to still another aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to operate as the game management device, and causes the computer to function as each unit included in the game management device. belongs to.

1 Game server (game management device)
2 Database server (game management device)
3 Terminal device 4 Network 11 CPU
12 ROM
13 RAM
14 Auxiliary storage device 15 Communication control unit 51 Game information management unit 52 Associate management unit 52a Associate information storage unit 53 Character management unit 53a Character information storage unit 54 Self-character generation unit 56 Access management unit 57 Game progress unit 58 Notification unit 59 Message transmission Means 60 Capacity restriction means 61 Self-enhancement means 62 Ability improvement information management means 62a

Claims (6)

A game management device for providing a game service for a game in which each player has a team composed of a plurality of characters including a self-character in a virtual space,
Character management means for storing information on each character belonging to each player's team in a storage device and performing character management for each player;
Friend management means for managing friends for each player;
A character creation means for generating a character that is a duplicate of each other's own character in each opponent team of two players in a fellowship,
Alter ego Ri special items der was given to the fellow from the player, can not be used for character belonging to the team of the player himself, and, not also be used to the player other than the alter ego character of the character belonging to the team of the fellow A game management device comprising: an enhancement item for improving an ability value of an alternate character, which is a copy of the player's own character, belonging to the fellow team by an enhancement item. The character management means changes the ability value of the clone character, which is a duplicate of the player character belonging to the team of all the fellow players of the player, in conjunction with the change of the ability value of the player's own character. The game management device according to claim 1 . A case in which there is a surrogate character having an ability value exceeding the threshold value in the player's team, with a threshold value equal to or higher than the ability value of the self character by a predetermined value or by a predetermined ratio. , game management device according to the ability value of the branch character in claim 1 or 2, further comprising a capacity limiting means for limiting to the threshold. When the ability value of the character is improved, ability improvement information representing the improvement of the ability value is stored in a storage device, and the ability improvement information of each of the character characters belonging to the player's team is managed for each player. Further equipped with ability improvement information management means,
When the character management means receives the information transmitted from the terminal device of the player and requesting that the improvement of the ability value of the clone character be reflected in the ability value of the copy source self character, based on the capacity improvement information alter ego character of the player that the capacity improvement information management means manages, any one of claims 1 to improve the ability value of the copy source self character of the branch character 3 The game management device described in 1. When the ability value of the character is improved, ability improvement information representing the improvement of the ability value is stored in a storage device, and the ability improvement information of each of the character characters belonging to the player's team is managed for each player. Ability improvement information management means,
When a predetermined number or more or a predetermined percentage or more of the fellow players in the group centering on the players during the predetermined period improve the ability value of the player's own character's own character, A group value calculation means for calculating a total value, an average value, or a maximum value of the group for the capacity improvement,
The character management means reflects the total value, the average value, or the maximum value of the ability improvement group of the clone character calculated by the group value calculation means to the ability value of the self-character that is the copy source of the clone character. Item 4. The game management device according to any one of Items 1 to 3 . A program for causing a computer to operate as the game management device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the program causes the computer to function as each unit included in the game management device.

Images