JP6713726B2 - Server system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a server system for controlling the progress of a game in which each player participates using a player terminal.

In some video games, an event to which a privilege is given is set.
For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique of giving a privilege to a user whose position information indicated by a user terminal is within a predetermined range during an event period. In addition, Patent Document 2 discloses a technique in which a plurality of players cooperate with each other to devise a privilege provided when an event for defeating a common enemy is cleared.

JP, 2014-144349, A JP, 2014-140557, A

The event that occurs in the game is an important factor for enhancing the interest of the game, because it becomes a stimulus that changes the progress of the game. Naturally, the importance is further increased when the player is provided with a privilege in association with the event. The same is true regardless of whether the privilege given to the player works favorably or disadvantageously for the player.

The present invention has been devised for the purpose of providing a new event operation technology regarding an event to which a privilege is given and improving the enjoyment of the game.

A first invention for solving the above-mentioned problem is a server system for controlling the progress of a multiplayer game in which each player participates using a player terminal,
Event target determination means (for example, the control board 1150 in FIG. 1, the processing unit 200 in FIG. 14, the game management unit 204, the event target determination) that determines a player (hereinafter referred to as “event target”) targeted for a given game event. Part 210, steps S34 to S40, S52, S58 in FIG. 25, steps S156 to S168 in FIG. 27),
Event execution means (for example, the control board 1150 of FIG. 1, the processing unit 200 of FIG. 14, the game management unit 204, the event execution unit 220, and step S82 of FIG. 23) that executes the game event to the event target player. ,
End determination means for determining whether or not to end the game event (for example, control board 1150 in FIG. 1, processing unit 200 in FIG. 14, game management unit 204, end determination unit 230, step S200 in FIG. 24), Equipped with
When the end determination means makes a negative determination, the event target determination means redetermines the event target which is the player to be the target of the game event, and the event execution means makes a negative determination by the end determination means. In this case, the server system executes the game event targeting the re-determined event target player.

According to the first aspect of the invention, a new event operation such as an event of walking between a plurality of event targets or an event of moving between the start/occurrence to the end/disappearance. Technology can be realized.

A second invention is the server system according to the first invention, wherein the event target determining means determines the event target by using a given condition based on the number of the corresponding players.

According to the second aspect, the event target can be determined based on the number of players.

A third aspect of the invention is the server system according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein the event target determining means determines the event target using a given condition based on the activity index of the corresponding player.

The activity index can be an index value indicating the degree of excitement of the game in the event target and the superiority or inferiority of the event target with respect to other event targets. For example, the number of players involved in one event target, the frequency of operation input, the frequency of chats, the item purchase amount or purchase frequency (billing amount or billing frequency), item usage history, character level or equipment level, access rate, Parameters such as the length of play time can be appropriately combined and set according to the content of the game.

According to the third aspect, the event target can be determined according to the degree of excitement of the player and the like.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is such that the event executing means applies a positive benefit or a negative benefit, which is not a disadvantage in the progress of the game, to the event target player as a result of executing the game event. First means having means (for example, control board 1150 in FIG. 1, processing unit 200 in FIG. 14, game management unit 204, application control unit 222, initial event effect definition data 540 in FIG. 16, step S124 in FIG. 26). It is a server system of any of the third inventions.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, it is possible to operate an event that gives a benefit to the player and an event that gives a harm to the player.

A fifth aspect of the present invention is the server system according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, wherein when the application determining unit makes a negative determination, the application unit changes the degree of the privilege to be applied to a small amount and applies the privilege.

According to the fifth aspect, it is possible to operate so that the effect of the event gradually decreases while changing the event target.

A sixth invention is the server system according to the fourth or fifth invention, wherein the applying means applies the plus benefit or the minus benefit according to an activity index including at least the number of players who are the event target. is there.

According to the sixth aspect, a plus privilege or a minus privilege can be selected and applied according to the excitement of the game.

In a seventh aspect, the event target determining means determines the event target so as to satisfy a high activity level condition indicating that the activity target player has a high activity index, and the applying means sets the high activity level. A server system according to a sixth aspect of the present invention, wherein the negative privilege is applied when the event target is determined so as to satisfy a frequency condition.

According to the seventh invention, by giving a negative privilege to an event subject that is excessively excited or an event subject that is likely to upset the balance of the game unilaterally against other event subjects, The game balance can be adjusted so as to average out as a whole.

An eighth invention is the server system according to the seventh invention, wherein the event target determining means changes the high activity condition so as to lower the threshold value when the end determining means makes a negative determination.

According to the eighth invention, a negative privilege is given to the event target, but as the event target is changed, it is possible to operate so as to loosen the selection criterion for the event target.

In a ninth aspect, the event target determining means determines the event target so as to satisfy a low activity level condition indicating that the activity target player has a low activity index, and the applying means sets the low activity level. A server system according to a sixth aspect of the present invention, wherein the plus privilege is applied when the event target is determined so as to satisfy a frequency condition.

According to the ninth aspect, for example, it is possible to give a positive privilege to an event subject that is not yet excited, and excite the game.

A tenth invention is the server system according to the ninth invention, wherein the event target determining means changes the low activity condition so as to raise a threshold value when the end determining means makes a negative determination.

According to the tenth invention, a positive privilege is given to the event target, but as the event target is changed, it is possible to operate so as to tighten the selection criteria for the event target.

An eleventh invention is a game in which the progress of the game is controlled based on a position of the player (hereinafter, referred to as “player position”) in a game space which is a real space or a virtual space,
The event target determining means determines a position range in the game space (hereinafter referred to as “event target area”) that is a target of the game event, and determines a player located in the event target area as the event target. The server system according to any one of the first to tenth inventions.

A twelfth aspect of the invention is movement control means for moving the event target area when the event target determination means makes a negative determination by the end determination means (for example, the control board 1150 in FIG. 1, the processing unit in FIG. 14). The server system according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention includes a server 200, a game management unit 204, a movement control unit 212, and step S140 in FIG.

A thirteenth invention is the server system according to the twelfth invention, wherein the movement control means sets the event target area so as to move toward a given movement target.

According to any one of the eleventh to thirteenth inventions, it is possible to operate an “event that crosses the event target” based on the position of the player in the real world.

A fourteenth invention is a movement forecast control means (for example, a control board 1150 in FIG. 1, a processing section 200 in FIG. 14, a game management, which notifies the player of a movement forecast of the event target area moved by the movement control means. The server system according to the twelfth or thirteenth aspect of the invention, further including a section 204, a movement prediction control section 232, and step S190 in FIG. 27).

According to the fourteenth invention, it is possible to predict the movement of the event. Intentionally providing the player with location predictions for upcoming events gives the player the opportunity to move to follow the event. Therefore, the player can be guided to the moving target by using the event.

A fifteenth invention is that the event executing means changes the privilege applied to the player whose accumulated existence time or continuous existence time in the event target area controlled by the movement control means reaches a predetermined time. It is a server system according to any one of the twelfth to fourteenth inventions.

According to the fifteenth invention, it is possible to add variations to the benefits applied to the same event depending on how much the player has been involved in the event. Therefore, the interest of the game can be further improved.

A sixteenth invention is the server system according to any one of the eleventh to fifteenth inventions, wherein the event target determining means gradually changes the size of the event target area.

According to the sixteenth invention, it is possible to operate an event in which the size of the event target area is changed.

In a seventeenth aspect, the event executing means changes the privilege to be applied to a player, of the event target players, who has stayed at the same point for a long time and has reached a predetermined time. It is a server system of either invention.

According to the seventeenth invention, it is possible to apply a special privilege to a player who has stayed at the same point for a long time and has reached a predetermined time.

The figure which shows an example of a structure of a game system. The figure for demonstrating the concept of operation of "the event which crosses an event object candidate". The figure which shows the example of an event target candidate. The figure which shows the example of an event target candidate. The figure which shows the example of an event effect type. The figure which shows the example of setting of the application order of the event target according to event effect. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of movement by a movement characteristic “jump type” event (No. 1). FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of movement by a movement characteristic “jump type” event (No. 2). FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of movement by a movement characteristic “slide type” event (No. 1). FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of movement by a movement characteristic “slide type” event (No. 2). The figure for demonstrating the difference in the application degree of the event effect by the relative positional relationship of the player character in the event effect range. The figure which shows the example of the movement by the movement characteristic "unrelated type" event. The figure which shows the example of a screen regarding the movement forecast of an event. The functional block diagram which shows the function structural example of a server system. The figure which shows the example of the program and data which a server memory|storage part memorize|stores. The figure which shows the data structural example of event definition data. The figure which shows the data structural example of initial event effect definition data. The figure which shows the data structural example of the event effect definition data for after type switching. The figure which shows the data structural example of user management data. The figure which shows the data structural example of play data. The figure which shows the data structural example of event target candidate data. The figure which shows the data structural example of the generated event management data. The flowchart for demonstrating the flow of a process in a server system. The flowchart continued from FIG. The flowchart for demonstrating the flow of event generation processing. The flowchart for demonstrating the flow of an event effect application process. The flowchart for demonstrating the flow of an event movement process.

As an embodiment to which the present invention is applied, an example in which an event for granting a privilege is operated in a multiplayer online game will be described.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a game system according to this embodiment. The game system of the present embodiment includes a server system 1100 capable of mutual data communication by connecting to the communication line 9, and a user terminal 1500 having a function of acquiring position information.

The communication line 9 means a communication path capable of data communication. That is, the communication line 9 includes a dedicated line (dedicated cable) for direct connection, a LAN (Local Area Network) such as Ethernet (registered trademark), a communication network such as a telephone communication network, a cable network, and the Internet. It means that the communication method may be wired/wireless.

The server system 1100 mounts a control board 1150. On the control board 1150, various microprocessors such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1151, a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) and a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), various IC memories 1152 such as VRAM, RAM and ROM, and a communication device 1153 are mounted. Has been done. Note that part or all of the control board 1150 may be realized by an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (field-programmable gate array), or a SoC (System on a Chip).

Then, the server system 1100 performs arithmetic processing on the control board 1150 based on a predetermined program and data, and thereby 1) a user management function relating to user registration and the like, and 2) a player who is a user plays a game on the user terminal 1500. To realize a game management function of providing data necessary for playing, and 3) an online shopping function of selling various items available in the game to users online. That is, the video game in this embodiment is realized as a kind of client/server type online game.

Although the server system 1100 is described as a single unit, it may have a configuration in which a plurality of blade servers that share respective functions are mounted and mutually connected via an internal bus so that data communication is possible. Alternatively, a configuration may be adopted in which a plurality of independent servers installed at distant locations are made to function as the server system 1100 as a whole by performing data communication via the communication line 9.

The user terminals 1500 (1500a, 1500b,...) Are computers used individually by the users who are players for game play, and are computers that can access the server system 1100 via the communication line 9 and execute online games. Is.

The user terminal 1500 is equipped with a position measurement module 1555 and can acquire position coordinates using a known positioning system.
The position measurement module 1555 can receive a signal provided from the position measurement system and output position measurement information at a predetermined cycle (for example, every one second). In this embodiment, GPS is used as the position measurement system. Therefore, the position measurement module 1555 can use a known “GPS module”, “GPS receiver”, or the like. The “position measurement information” includes positioning date/time (UTC: Coordinated Universal Time), position coordinates (latitude/longitude), and the like. The system used for position measurement is not limited to GPS, and other satellite navigation systems such as Galileo may be used. Alternatively, a position measurement system using a wireless LAN or a base station of a mobile phone may be used. Further, the position measurement may be replaced by receiving a signal from the host station of the short-range wireless communication and specifying that the host station is located within the communication range of the host station.

The form of the user terminal 1500 is not particularly limited. For example, it may be a device classified into a smartphone, a portable game device, a tablet computer, a wearable computer, or the like.

By the way, the server system 1100 of the present embodiment has a feature of event operation that has not existed in the past. The first is an "event walking across event target candidates", the second is an "event moving in the game space regardless of the event target candidates", and the third is an "event movement forecast".

[Explanation of event operation]
FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the concept of the operation of “an event that crosses event target candidates”.
In the conventional event management method, the application target of an event is limited to one event target whose start (occurrence) to end (disappearance) are fixed. For example, in MMORPG, when an enemy encounter event occurs at a certain party, the event is targeted to the same party until a predetermined event extinguishing condition (event ending condition: defeating an enemy or annihilating the party) is satisfied. Will continue. Then, when the event end condition is satisfied, the event ends/disappears. That is, one event is executed/applied only to one application target (party in this example).

However, the event of the present embodiment is operated so as to cross a plurality of event target candidates from the start (occurrence) until the event extinction condition is satisfied. That is, a plurality of event target candidates A, event target candidates B,... Are recognized in the game, and the event application targets are set between the start/occurrence (t1) and the end/disappearance (t3) of the event. Controlled as if moving.

The event target candidate is a set including a plurality of players detected in the game space.
For example, as shown in FIG. 3, in the present embodiment, a plurality of players 3 (3a, 3b,...) Can execute the MMORPG by operating the player characters 4 (4a, 4b,... ), respectively. In the MMORPG, a set or group of parties including a plurality of player characters 4 (4a, 4b,...) Can be set as event target candidates.

In order to be recognized and detected as an event target candidate, it is not always necessary to confirm the intention of group formation between players or to perform a separate registration procedure as in the case of an RPG party. Those that are created by the circumstances and the aspect that happened to be there without any agreement may be candidates for the event. It should be noted that one player character 4 may be a single unit, or may itself be a team or unit including a plurality of characters.

Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, in the present embodiment, a position information utilization type in which the player character 4 is positioned at a position in the game space (virtual space) corresponding to the position in the real world detected by the user terminal 1500 is used. The game can be executed. Specifically, the player 3 is registered by being divided into a plurality of powers, and it is possible to execute a battle battle game in which the powers of the base 7 set in the game space are associated with the landmarks 8 in the real world. is there. In the battle battle game, the player character 4 included in a predetermined range with the position of the base 7 as a reference point is detected as an event target candidate for each base 7.

As shown in FIG. 5(1), each event may be a “benefit-type event” in which a plus benefit that produces a beneficial effect for the player is applied or given, or as shown in FIG. 5(2). It may be a “disaster type event” in which a negative privilege that produces a disadvantageous effect for the player is applied/granted. Of course, the setting of the benefit-type/disaster-type event type is not limited to fixed, and there may be a case where the event type changes from the event occurrence to the event disappearance.

The “event effect”, which is the effect of the event on the player, that is, the content of the privilege can be appropriately set according to the game content.
For example, taking RPG (see FIG. 3) as an example of a plus privilege, the hit points (HP) of the player character 4 are recovered, the winning probability of the item giving lottery is increased, the rarity of the appearing item is improved, and the enemy character is 6 may be temporarily delayed, the status of the enemy character 6 may be abnormal, or the like. On the contrary, as an example of the negative benefit, the status abnormality of the player character 4, occurrence of the enemy character 6's aggression, decrease of item drop rate, decrease of appearance item rarity, etc. can be considered.
In the case of a fighting battle game (see FIG. 4), paying attention to the side that defends the base 7, the positive benefits are that the self-repairing power of the base 7 is improved, the attack hit rate of the attacking power is reduced, and the defending side Appearance of reinforcement NPCs, etc. can be set. As a negative benefit, forced damage to the base 7 due to the occurrence of the earthquake, an increase in the attack hit rate of the attacking power, the appearance of the attacking reinforcement NPC, and the like can be set.

Then, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5C, the degree of application of such an event effect is appropriately adjusted. In the present embodiment, as the number of times (number of changes) of walking the event target candidate and the moving distance increase, or the life of the event decreases, the change is made smaller stepwise. In other words, it can be said that the effect is weakened as the life of the event is shortened, and the privilege is controlled to be poor. The illustrated example shows an example in which the event effect is gradually reduced, but it may be continuously reduced.
Of course, the change in the degree of application of the event effect is not limited to a decrease, and may be an increasing type or a repeating type.

An event moves to the next event target candidate when the execution history of the event satisfies a given “movement permission condition”.
The “movement permission condition” can be set as appropriate. For example, if the event effect is “recovery of hit points”, the cumulative value of hit points recovered in the currently targeted event target candidate can be set as the movement permission condition. More specifically, when the cumulative value reaches a threshold determined according to the number of movements or a threshold determined according to the number of movements, the event moves to the next event target candidate. In addition, if the event effect is “grant of item”, it may be a case where the total number of items given in the event target candidate reaches a given threshold. In addition, “no setting” is effective as the movement permission condition. In this case, since there is no reason to keep the event as the currently targeted event target candidate, the event continues to move.

The order in which the events travel across the event target candidates, that is, the “application order” is determined based on the activity status and superiority or inferiority of the player in each event target candidate.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the activity index f is calculated for each of the event target candidate A, the event target candidate B,.... The activity index f is calculated by a function having a parameter value related to the event target candidate as a variable, and represents the degree of excitement of the game in the event target candidate and the superiority or inferiority of the event target candidate with other event target candidates.

The “parameter value related to the event target candidate” is, for example, the number of players or the number of player characters 4 related to the event target candidate, the frequency of operation input by the player, the number of chats between the players, and the item usage amount. , A charge amount and a charge frequency for item purchase during play, a play time (accumulation of the elapsed time from the start of battle with the enemy character 6 in the case of the RPG), a level of the player character 4 related to the event target candidate , The type and number of equipment of the player character 4 related to the event target candidate, the access rate of the player related to the event target candidate, the number of friends, and the like.

The activity index f is set to have a larger value as the parameter values thereof increase. In the illustrated example, the activity index f rises in a proportional function, but it may have an exponential characteristic or a logarithmic characteristic. The weighting for each parameter value can be appropriately set according to the game content. In this embodiment, the highest weight is given to the number of players or the number of player characters 4 related to the event target candidate.

The order of walking the event target candidates based on the activity index f depends on the event type. In the case of “benefit type event”, the event target candidate having a small activity index f is prioritized. In other words, the events come in order from the event target candidates that should make the event more exciting. On the contrary, in the case of “disaster type event”, the event target candidate having the large activity index f is prioritized. In other words, the events come in order from the event target candidates that should calm the excitement of the event.

There are "jump type" and "slide type" patterns in which an event moves across event candidate candidates.

In the case of a jump-type event, as shown in FIG. 7(1)→FIG. 7(2)→FIG. 8(3)→FIG. 8(4), event target candidates (base 7 (7a , 7b,...)) discontinuously. When the activity index f is the same, the distance L (L1 and L2 in the drawing) from the current event target candidate to the next event target candidate is compared, and the closer one is preferentially moved. If you want to visually represent the event itself (semi-transparent dome in the example shown), you can use a teleport type that apparently moves momentarily, or gradually disappears at the source and conversely at the destination. It may be a transit type that gradually appears.

In the case of a slide-type event, as shown in FIGS. 9 to 10, the route 10 is set based on the activity index f, and the event continuously moves along the route.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9(1), the base 7a of the highest application order based on the activity index f (first application order in the example in the figure) is set as the occurrence position of the event, and the highest application order. The route 10 is set with the base 7e at the lower level (fifth in the order of application in the example in the drawing) as the movement target position. Then, as shown in FIG. 9(1)→FIG. 9(2)→FIG. 10(3)→FIG. 10(4), the event occurs at the start point of the route 10 and moves toward the end point of the route 10 to the route 10. Start moving along.

In the route 10, if the starting point is the generation position and the ending point is the movement target position, the route 10 can be appropriately set during that time. For example, the starting point and the ending point may be connected by a straight line. In this embodiment, based on the straight line route, the straight line route is changed to a curved line route or a polygonal line route based on the positions of the other bases 7c and 7d existing around the straight line route. Specifically, it is set as a spline curve passing between the bases 7c and 7d or passing through both bases or a polygonal line corresponding thereto. If it is set to pass between the bases 7c and 7d, event target candidates other than the base 7a at the generation position and the base 7e at the movement target position will have the event effect if the event arrives depending on the setting of the route 10. If it does not reach, the event effect will not be reached.

The route 10 may be fixedly set according to the situation at the time of event occurrence, or if the predetermined “route update condition” is satisfied from the event occurrence to the disappearance, the route 10 is decided according to the situation at that time. May be dynamically reconfigured.

The "route update condition" can be appropriately determined in relation to the event end condition.
The event end condition (event extinction condition) of the present embodiment can be appropriately set according to the game content. For example, 1) exhaustion of available time, that is, life, 2) number of movements and movement distances, 3) cumulative event effects, 4) number of players who received event effects, 5) winning by a random lottery that is performed periodically. is there.

Therefore, more specifically, 6) winning by random lottery processing at the time when 50% of the available time has elapsed, 7) cumulative event effect (for example, recovered hit point cumulative value, total number of granted items, etc.) is a predetermined criterion. A value (for example, 50 to 70%) has been reached, 8) the number of players who have received the event effect has reached a predetermined reference value, and the like can be set as appropriate.

Further, in the present embodiment, the “event effect range”, which is the area to which the event is applied, can be set for each event, separately from the event type. The event effect range 12 is shown in a dome shape in FIGS. 8 to 10.

Then, depending on the relative positional relationship between the event effect range 12 and the player character 4, it is possible to set the strength of the event effect. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the closer to the center P of the event effect range 12, the higher the degree of application of the event effect (expressed by the number of coins given in the figure), and the farther away it can be set to a lower value. Of course, the reverse is also possible. The relationship of attenuation or amplification of the event effect is not limited to the proportional/inverse proportional relationship as shown in the figure, but can be set as appropriate such as exponential relationship, hyperbolic relationship, stepwise attenuation/amplification, and repetition of increase/decrease.

In the jump type event, the center P of the event effect range 12 is the same as the representative point of the event target candidate. The representative point may be fixed or non-fixed. In the case of a raid that captures a common enemy character 6 in RPG or the like, the position of the enemy character 6 may be set as the representative point and the representative point position may be changed according to the change in the position. In a battle battle game that goes around the base 7, the position of the representative point=base 7 may be fixed. The barycentric position of the position coordinates of the plurality of player characters 4 belonging to the event target candidate may be used.

In a slide-type event, the event itself moves along the route 10, so the actual influence changes depending on the relative position relationship between the center P of the event effect range 12 and the player character 4 that receives the event effect. It will be.

Note that the setting of the event effect range 12 is not essential, and “none” or “infinity” meaning an infinite effect range can be set. In that case, the same degree of event effect is applied to the player characters 4 included in the event target candidates that the event has reached, regardless of the positional relationship. In a game in which the real-world position information detected by the user terminal 1500 is reflected in the position of the player character 4 in the game space, when the player 3 is substantially within the event effect range 12, an event is generated. The effect will be applied.

Further, the size and shape of the event effect range 12 may be fixed from the event occurrence to the disappearance depending on the intention of causing the event in the game, or may be changed in the middle. In the present embodiment, the change is made based on the event type of the event and the execution history of the event (that is, the result of the action and effect).

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the concept of operation of “an event that moves in the game space regardless of the event target candidate”. The "walking event across event target candidates" explained so far is determined by the event target candidate, but the "event moving in the game space regardless of the event target candidate" literally moves regardless of the event target. To do. This is called an "unrelated event".

The "unrelated event" can be said to be a variant of the sliding event. That is, both the benefit type and the disaster type can exist, but the feature regarding the movement is similar to the slide type event in that the type moves along the route 10. However, the route 10 of the unrelated event is set regardless of the existence of the event target candidate.

Therefore, regardless of whether or not the player character 4 is included in any of the event target candidates, if the player character 4 is located within the event effect range 12 of the moving unrelated event, it is affected by the event effect.

It should be noted that the route 10 is not limited to being fixed as in the case of the slide type event, and the route 10 can be dynamically reset when the route update condition is satisfied. In addition, as for the irrelevant event, the benefit type/disaster type event type setting may be reset when a predetermined “route update condition” is satisfied.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a movement forecast of an event.
In the present embodiment, when operating the “event that moves across the event target candidates” and the “event that moves in the game space regardless of the event target candidates”, it is possible to provide the player with a forecast of the “moving event”. .. This is called “event movement forecast”.

The movement forecast of the event is executed when the generated event is a slide type or an unrelated type.
Specifically, the user terminal 1500 displays the forecast screen W28 in a pop-up display or in response to a predetermined forecast screen display operation. On the forecast screen W28, a map of the game space or the real space corresponding to the game space is displayed (the illustrated example corresponds to the latter), and the current position of the target event on the map, the route 10, and the future. The predicted position of and is displayed.

[Description of functional configuration]
FIG. 14 is a functional block diagram showing a functional configuration example of the server system 1100 according to this embodiment. The server system 1100 according to this embodiment includes an operation input unit 100, a processing unit 200, an image display unit 392, a communication unit 394, and a storage unit 500.

The operation input unit 100 is means for inputting various operations for managing the server system 1100. For example, a keyboard.

The processing unit 200 is realized by, for example, a microprocessor such as a CPU or GPU, or an electronic component such as an IC memory, and controls input/output of data with each functional unit including the operation input unit 100 and the storage unit 500. Then, various arithmetic processes are executed on the basis of a predetermined program or data, an operation input signal from the operation input unit 100, or data received from a user terminal such as the user terminal 1500 to integrally perform the operation of the server system 1100. Control. In the example of FIG. 1, the control board 1150 corresponds to this.

The processing unit 200 of this embodiment includes a user management unit 202, a game management unit 204, an image generation unit 292, and a communication control unit 294. Of course, functional units other than these may be included as appropriate.

The user management unit 202 performs processing related to the user registration procedure and registration management processing of various data associated with registered users. For example, 1) a process of issuing a unique user ID to a user who has undergone a predetermined registration procedure, 2) a process of linking electronic payment media, 3) setting of an electronic payment account, an account using cash or a credit card. It may be possible to perform payment processing to, 4) payment processing such as payment of play consideration, and 5) storage management of payment history. In the configuration in which the player character is registered in the card ID of a separately obtained entity game card (so-called trading card) and can be used in the game, the game card registration procedure process may be further performed.

The game management unit 204 performs various processes related to the progress control of the game for each game play.
Since the present embodiment is a client-server type online game, the game management unit 204 receives an execution request from the user terminal 1500, activates the game of the present embodiment, and communicates with the user terminal 1500. Performs control to provide the data required for play. That is, the game preparation and the game progress control are performed. Then, along with them, various data necessary for controlling the game play is stored in the storage unit 500. If the game is executed in the PvP format, the game management unit 204 may include an opponent matching function.

The game management unit 204 includes an event target determination unit 210, an event execution unit 220, an end determination unit 230, a movement forecast control unit 232, an event type switching unit 234, and a clock unit 236.

The event target determination unit 210 determines a player (event target) targeted for a given game event. Then, when the game event continues without ending, the event target which is the player to be the target of the next game event is re-determined. For re-determination, for events that give negative benefits, lower the threshold of high activity condition that the next event target should meet than when determining the previous event target, and for events that give positive benefits the next event Raise the threshold of the low activity condition that the target should satisfy compared to the previous event target determination. In the present embodiment, the activity index f is calculated for each event adaptation target, and in the case of a disaster event to which a negative benefit is given, the application order is set in descending order of the activity index f, and the benefit event may be a positive benefit. For example, the application order is set in ascending order of the activity index f, and the target of the next event is determined according to the application order.

In addition, the event target determination unit 210 determines a position range in the game space that is a target of the game event, and determines a player located within the range as an event target. In the present embodiment, the event target candidate is determined based on a range from a reference point (e.g., the base 7 of the battle battle game) provided in the game space, and the event occurrence candidate is determined. It is realized by setting and changing the event effect range 12 of.

The event target determining unit 210 also includes a movement control unit 212.
The movement control unit 212 sets a position at which the event is initially arranged and a given movement target position and moves from the initial arrangement position toward the movement target position when the game event continues without ending. The movement control for moving the event and the target area of the event (event effect range 12; see FIG. 9) is performed. In the present embodiment, the setting of the route 10 relating to the movement of the slide movement type event and the unrelated event and the movement control along the route 10 correspond to this.

The movement control unit 212 further includes a moving speed changing unit 214, a size changing unit 216, and a moving direction changing unit 218.

The moving speed changing unit 214 changes the moving speed of the event target area. In the present embodiment, it is realized by repeatedly setting the moving speeds of the slide moving type event and the unrelated type event so that the moving speed of the slide moving type event and the irrelevant type event decrease as the remaining life decreases, so to speak, whenever the time elapses, the number of movements, or the moving distance increases. To be done.

The size changing unit 216 gradually changes the size of the event target area. In the present embodiment, the event effect range 12 of the slide movement type event and the unrelated type event is repeatedly reset every time the time elapsed from the occurrence, the number of movements, the movement distance, etc., so that the range becomes smaller as the remaining life decreases. It is realized by doing.

The moving direction changing unit 218 determines and changes the moving direction of the event target area. In the present embodiment, when the slide movement type event and the irrelevant type event have the execution history of the event (history of the event effect; for example, the total number of granted items, the total amount of recovered hit points, etc.) satisfies the route update condition. This is realized by resetting the route 10.

The event execution unit 220 executes a game event for the event target player. Then, when the game event has continued without ending, the game event is executed for the reset event target player. The execution of the game event corresponds to the application of the event effect to the player character 4 of the currently targeted event target candidate in the present embodiment. That is, the hit points of the player character 4 are restored or items are added. The positive privilege corresponds to the application of the event effect by the benefit type event, and the negative privilege corresponds to the application of the event effect by the disaster type event.

In addition, the event execution unit 220 of the present embodiment applies a plus benefit that is not a disadvantage in the progress of the game or a minus benefit that is a disadvantage to the player who is the event target as a result of executing the game event. Have.

When the game event continues without ending, the application control unit 222 changes the degree of the privilege to be applied to a small amount according to the activity index f including at least the number of players who are the event target and applies the privilege. You can Specifically, if a high activity condition indicating that the activity index f of the event target player is high is satisfied, a negative privilege is given, and a low activity condition indicating that the activity index f is low is satisfied. In some cases, a plus privilege can be given.
In the present embodiment, the benefit type event preferentially moves from the event target candidate having the low activity index f to give a positive benefit, and the disaster type event preferentially moves from the event target candidate having the high activity index f. It is realized by giving negative benefits.

The end determination unit 230 determines whether to end the game event.
In this embodiment, the end/disappearance of an event that has occurred is determined. In addition, it is determined whether the generated event continues to apply the event effect or moves to another event target candidate.

The movement prediction control unit 232 controls the movement prediction of the event target area to the player. In the present embodiment, it is realized by display control of the forecast screen W28 (see FIG. 13).

The event type switching unit 234 switches and sets the type of the game event from a plurality of types including at least a type that gives a plus benefit and a type that gives a minus benefit as a result of executing the game event. In the present embodiment, the slide movement type event and the irrelevant type event are realized by the benefit type/disaster type resetting performed when the execution history of the event satisfies the switching activation condition.

The "switching activation condition" can be appropriately set according to the game content.
For example, if the number of player characters 4 and the number of players belonging to the currently positioned event target candidate, or the activity index f is a condition, if the number of player characters 4 or players does not satisfy the switching activation condition, It is possible to set that the positive privilege is applied to the event candidate located and the negative privilege is applied when the switching activation condition is satisfied.
Further, assuming that the benefit-type event is the target, if the execution history of the event to be referred to is the “total number of items given”, the excess reference value can be the switching activation condition. In this case, when it is determined that the players have been over-served, the event type is changed to the disaster type. If you change to a disaster type and set the minus benefit as "delete item", you can collect items that behave excessively.

The clock unit 236 executes processing relating to time measurement such as current date and time, elapsed time, and timer.

The image generation unit 292 is realized by, for example, a processor such as a GPU or a digital signal processor (DSP), a program such as a video signal IC, a video codec, an IC memory for a drawing frame such as a frame buffer, or the like. Then, the image generation unit 292 generates data for displaying the image of the game screen on the user terminal 1500 based on the processing result by the game management unit 204. Further, it also generates an image necessary for system management and outputs an image signal to the image display unit 392.

The image display unit 392 displays various images for system management based on the image signal input from the image generation unit 292. For example, it can be realized by an image display device such as a flat panel display, a cathode ray tube (CRT), a projector, or a head mounted display.

The communication control unit 294 executes data processing related to data communication and realizes data exchange with an external device via the communication unit 394.

The communication unit 394 connects to the communication line 9 to realize communication. For example, it is realized by a wireless communication device, a modem, a TA (terminal adapter), a jack of a wired communication cable, a control circuit, or the like. In the example of FIG. 1, the communication device 1153 corresponds.

The storage unit 500 stores a program for causing the processing unit 200 to realize various functions, various data, and the like. Further, it is used as a work area of the processing unit 200, and temporarily stores the calculation result executed by the processing unit 200 according to various programs. Such a function is realized by, for example, an IC memory such as a RAM or a ROM, a magnetic disk such as a hard disk, an optical disk such as a CD-ROM or a DVD, or an online storage. In the example of FIG. 1, a storage medium such as the IC memory 1152 or a hard disk corresponds to this.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of programs and data stored in the storage unit 500 according to the present embodiment.
The storage unit 500 stores in advance a system program 501, a server program 502, a distribution client program 503, and title-specific game initialization data 510. The storage unit 500 also stores user management data 600 and play data 700 as data that is sequentially generated and updated. Furthermore, in addition, information such as a timer and counter for clocking, various flags, and the like can be stored as appropriate.

The system program 501 is a basic program for realizing a basic input/output function as a computer by being read and executed by the processing unit 200.

The server program 502 is a program for adding the functions of the user management unit 202 and the game management unit 204 to the processing unit 200.

The distribution client program 503 is a program executed by the user terminal 1500 to execute a game. The distribution client program 503 may be realized as a dedicated program, for example. Alternatively, if the game of the present embodiment is realized as a web game, a web technology that actively controls screen display by using Java (registered trademark) or CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) together with HTML based on a web browser. Alternatively, it may be realized by using a plug-in such as Adobe (registered trademark) Flash. Of course, other methods may be used.

The title-specific game initial setting data 510 is prepared for each game title of the multiplayer online game provided by the server system 1100, and stores various initial setting data necessary for executing each game. Some of them may be used for distribution to the user terminal 1500.

One title-specific game initialization data 510 includes a game title 511, event target candidate requirements 513, and event definition data 520. Of course, data other than these can be included as appropriate.

The event target candidate requirement 513 defines a condition to be satisfied in order to be regarded as an event target candidate in the game. For example, in the battle battle game using the base 7, the range in the game space or the real space based on the base 7 and the position of the base is set. In RPG, a party (team), a raid boss, a landmark in the game space, a range in the game space starting from the landmark, a detection range (for example, a range of 100 m in the game space), and the number of player characters 4, Etc. can be set.

The event definition data 520 stores various data defining a game event that can occur in the game.
As shown in FIG. 16, for example, one piece of event definition data 520 includes an event type ID 521, an event generation condition 522, an event disappearance condition 523, an event effect type setting 524, a movement characteristic type setting 526, and an initial event effect. A range 528, a movement permission condition 530, a route change condition 532, a switching activation condition 534, an event effect giving unit 538, initial event effect definition data 540, and event effect definition data 550 after type switching are included. .. Of course, data other than these can be included as appropriate.

The event generation condition 522 defines a situation in which the event should be newly generated.
The parameters describing the conditions can be set appropriately according to the game content.
For example, the date and time, the day of the week, the number of participating players, the activity index f, the use of a predetermined item, the game situation, and the like can be appropriately set alone or in combination. More specifically, for example, by setting the average value or distribution of the activity index f calculated for each player, the degree of excitement of the entire game can be used as a condition. In the case of a battle battle game at the base 7, the average value or distribution of the number of players in a predetermined range around the base 7 may be set.

The event extinguishing condition 523 defines a condition for ending/disappearing the event. The same parameters as the event generation condition 522 can be used. For example, a predetermined time has elapsed from the occurrence, a predetermined number of movements have been performed since the occurrence, a predetermined distance in the game space has been moved from the occurrence, and the cumulative result of event effects such as the total number of items added. -It is possible to set appropriately such as reaching the end point.

The event effect type setting 524 is a setting regarding the characteristic of the event effect. In this embodiment, either a benefit type or a disaster type is set.

The movement characteristic type setting 526 indicates the movement characteristic setting of the event. In the present embodiment, any of jump type/slide type/irrelevant type is set.

The initial event effect range 528 is an initial setting value of a range in the game space coordinate system to which the event effect is applied. "No setting" meaning "infinite range" or "infinity" can also be set.

The route change condition 532 is a condition that is applied only when the movement characteristic type setting 526 is set to the slide type or the irrelevant type, and defines the timing for resetting the route 10 (see FIG. 9). For the jump type, a value that means “no setting” (for example, NULL) is set. For example, if the route change condition 532 is set to the elapsed time from the occurrence or the moving distance, the waiting player is surprised by an unexpected course change based on the event movement forecast (see FIG. 13). be able to. If you set a timer as a condition, you will have the opportunity to change the route periodically after it occurs. In this case, it is possible to match the route 10 with an event having a relatively long life to the situation of event target candidates that change every moment.

The switching activation condition 534 defines the timing for changing the event effect type setting 524 and the movement characteristic type setting 526 set when the event occurs. The same content as the route change condition 532 may be used. When a value that means "no setting" is set, the event type of the event is fixed from occurrence to disappearance.
For example, if a condition (long stay condition) is set by combining the number of player characters 4 who have long stayed in the event effect range 12 and the length of time that they have long stayed in the event, "chase" even if it is a benefit-type event. When there are a large number of players, it is possible to change the event type into a disaster type and give a surprise without notice.

The event effect giving unit 538 defines a unit for giving an event effect of the event. In the present embodiment, one or more of the three, the NPC (non-player character) such as the player character 4, the enemy character 6, and the game space itself, is set according to the purpose of the event and the content of the event effect. ..

The initial event effect definition data 540 is data that defines the event effect and the content of a privilege of the event that are applied when the event occurs. For example, as shown in FIG. 17, the standard event effect definition data 542 and the The 1st special event effect definition data 544 and the 2nd special event effect definition data 546 are included.

The standard event effect definition data 542 is data that defines a standard event effect, and is prepared for each event effect and each privilege content. One standard event effect definition data 542 stores the selection condition that is the condition for selecting the definition data, the application start condition, and the privilege content in association with each other. Of course, data other than these can also be stored as appropriate.

The selection condition can be appropriately set according to the content of the game, and is defined by a single or a combination of a plurality of conditions. The selection conditions in this embodiment include 1) elapsed time condition, 2) number of movements condition, 3) movement distance condition, 4) activity index range condition, and 5) relative position condition.

The elapsed time condition is a condition regarding the elapsed time from the event occurrence. By adjusting the conditions and the privilege contents, the contents of the privilege may be reduced or decreased as the elapsed time from the occurrence of the event, and conversely the privilege contents may be improved or increased. Features can be represented.

The movement count condition is a condition regarding the movement count from the event occurrence.
The moving distance condition is a condition regarding the moving distance from the event occurrence.
These conditions also adjust the privilege contents in the same manner as the elapsed time condition, so that the privilege contents decrease or decrease as the event crosses the event target candidates or moves, on the contrary, the privilege contents are changed. The characteristics of the event can be expressed as improving or increasing.

The activity index range condition is a condition regarding the activity index f of the event target candidate and/or the event target player character 4 to which the event is applied. If the event is a boon event, the activity index range condition corresponds to the low activity condition, and if the event is a disaster event, the activity index range condition corresponds to the high activity condition.

The relative position condition is a condition of the relative position between the reference point of the event effect range 12 and the player character 4 to be the event target. For example, it is defined by the coordinate difference range of the game space coordinate system. If the relative position condition is set to "none", the privilege can be given regardless of the relative position relationship.

The application start condition defines a condition to be satisfied in order to apply the event effect of the definition data. For example, "not applied" will be set for an effect that is applied only once at the event or a privilege that can only be given once. If the event effect is applied repeatedly and cyclically while in the event effect range 12, "elapsed time from the previous application" is set. Further, if there is a variation in the expression of the event effect, it may be “winning in the lottery process”.

In addition, conditions other than these can be appropriately included in the selection conditions. For example, it is possible to include conditions relating to the charging frequency, the charging amount, the number of times of charging, etc. based on the charging history of the player. In addition, conditions regarding the player level, the number of friends in a game having friend registration specifications, and the like can be appropriately included.

The privilege content is the content of the event effect, and indicates what kind of privilege is given. As long as it is within the event effect range 12, it may be a privilege that is periodically given, or “none” can be set as the privilege content.

Therefore, by preparing the standard event effect definition data 542 for each different activity index range, the privilege applied according to the event target candidate to which the event is applied and the degree of excitement of the game of the player character 4 is provided. Can be changed.

Further, even in the same activity index range, by defining privilege contents for different relative position conditions, it becomes possible to grant different privileges depending on where in the event effect range 12 the player character 4 is. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the closer the distance between the center reference point of the event effect range 12 and the player character 4 is, the more positive and negative the privilege is set.

The first special event effect definition data 544 and the second special event effect definition data 546 are prepared for each special benefit given under special conditions in the event, and are applied in preference to the standard event effect definition data 542. It

One piece of the first special event effect definition data 544 includes a cumulative existence time range and a relative position condition which are selection conditions in the definition data, and privilege contents.
The cumulative existence time range is one of the selection conditions that should be satisfied for the definition data to be applied, and is a condition of how long it has been cumulatively existing in the event effect range 12 of the event. Therefore, by appropriately setting the cumulative existence time range, for example, for a player who tried to stay in the event effect range 12 many times by chasing the event, even if it is a disaster type event, it is special. It is possible to reward the effort by giving a plus privilege or a minus privilege that is lower than other players.

On the contrary, if you think that trying to stay in the event effect range 12 many times after chasing the event is considered as an "undesirable act" for the benefit, you only give a benefit that is lower than other players. Can set the privilege content to "none" so that no further privilege is granted.

One piece of the second special event effect definition data 546 includes a continuous existence time range and a relative position condition which are selection conditions in the definition data, and privilege contents. The definition data differs from the first special event effect definition data 544 in that the continuous existence time is used as a condition to which the definition data is applied.

By appropriately setting the continuous existence time range and the relative position condition, for example, even for the same disaster-type event, a player who endeavored to continue to stay near the center of the event effect range 12 has only a minus benefit that is less than the standard. It is possible not to be granted.
On the other hand, in the case of a bounty-type event, for the player who has made an effort to stay near the center of the event effect range 12, the privilege contents are accelerated according to the length of the continuous stay. It can also be set to. In other words, it is possible to give a special privilege to a player who has stayed at the same point for a long time and has reached a predetermined time.

Alternatively, if the continuous existence time range is set to be short, the definition data is preferentially applied first when the player character 4 enters the event effect range 12, and a large privilege is given, and after the continuous existence time range is exceeded, the standard is applied. The event effect definition data 542 may be applied to provide a small privilege in detail, and a temporal change pattern of a privilege may be generated.

The post-type switching event effect definition data 550 is definition data of the event effect applied after the event type is changed, and for example, as shown in FIG. 18, the standard event effect definition data 552 and the first special event. The effect definition data 554 and the second special event effect definition data 556 are included.

The standard event effect definition data 552, the first special event effect definition data 554, and the second special event effect definition data 556 are the standard event effect definition data 542, the first special event effect definition data 544, and the second special event effect definition data 544, respectively. The data structure is the same as the special event effect definition data 546, but the definition content is different.

Returning to FIG. 15, the user management data 600 is prepared for each user registered as a player of the online game provided by the server system 1100.
One piece of user management data 600 is, for example, as shown in FIG. 19, a user ID 601, a user terminal ID 602, title-based save data 604 storing data describing the progress of the game up to the latest play, and login history. It includes data 606, billing history data 608, and friends list 610. Of course, data other than these can also be stored as appropriate.

Returning to FIG. 15, the play data 700 is game play management data that is prepared for each game title being executed and stores various data that describes the progress of the game.
As shown in FIG. 20, for example, one piece of play data 700 includes a game title 701, a start date/time 703, player management data 710 prepared for each participating player, event target candidate data 730, and event management data 750 that has occurred. And, including. Of course, data other than these can be included as appropriate.

One player management data 710 includes a user ID 711 indicating a player, an operation input history 713, a position coordinate history 715, and play status data 720.

The operation input history 713 stores the content of the operation input input on the user terminal 1500 in time series in association with the input time.

The position coordinate history 715 stores the position information detected by the user terminal 1500 in time series in association with the detection time.

The play status data 720 stores information on the play status unique to the player.
For example, 1) a unique player character ID 721, 2) a player character type 722 indicating a character type of the player character 4, and 3) a player character position coordinate history that stores the position of the player character 4 in the game space in time series. 723, and. By referring to the player character position coordinate history 723, it is possible to know whether or not the player character 4 is within the event effect range 12, how many times the player character 4 has entered and exited, and how long the player character 4 has been continuously.

In addition, the play situation data 720 includes 4) a player character ability parameter value list 724 including information such as ability parameter values and equipment of the player character 4, 5) acquired item history 725, and 6) from the start to the end of use of the item. And a usage item history 726 for storing the times in time series.

Of course, the play situation data 720 can also appropriately store other data. For example, various kinds of information necessary for displaying the player character 4 on the game screen and operating it can be included.

The event target candidate data 730 is created when an event target candidate (see FIG. 2) that satisfies the event target candidate requirement 513 (see FIG. 15) is detected, and is deleted when the event target candidate requirement 513 is not satisfied. As shown in FIG. 21, one piece of event target candidate data 730 includes a unique event target candidate ID 731, reference position coordinates 733 of the event target candidate, a belonging player character ID list 735, and an activity index history 737. ..

In the case of a battle battle game using the base 7 (see FIG. 4), the reference position coordinates 733 of the event target candidates are set to the position coordinates of the base 7 in the game space. In the case of an RPG raid, the position coordinates of the enemy character 6 (see FIG. 3) in the game space may be used, and in the case of an RPG party, the position of the player character 4 serving as a leader may be used. The center position coordinates of the set of player characters 4 may be used. Of course, the reference position coordinates 733 can also be set to “no setting”.

The activity index history 737 stores the activity index f calculated for the event target candidate and/or the activity index f calculated for each player included in the event target candidate in time series.

Returning to FIG. 20, the generated event management data 750 is created for the event when the event starts/occurs, and is deleted when the event ends/disappears. One generated event management data 750 is, for example, as shown in FIG. 22, an event type ID 751, an occurrence date/time 752, an event type 753, an event target candidate-specific activity index list 754, and an event target candidate-specific application order. A list 755, route data 756, an event effect range 760, a current event target ID 761, a position coordinate history 762, a moving speed history 763, an elapsed time 770 from the event occurrence, and a number of movements 771 from the event occurrence. , A movement distance 772 from the occurrence of an event, an event effect application history 773, a next event target selection threshold 780, and an avoidance condition 781. Of course, data other than these can be included as appropriate.

The event type 753 indicates the current event type of the event. Initially, it is copied from the event effect type setting 524 and the movement characteristic type setting 526 of the event definition data 520 (see FIG. 16).

The application target candidate application order list 755 is a list of application orders (order in which the event comes) determined from the activity index f for each event target candidate and the relative positional relationship. When the event occurs, the initial application order is determined, and the occurrence position of the event is determined. After that, it is updated as appropriate.

The route data 756 is used when the event is a slide event or an unrelated event, and stores data defining the route 10 (see FIGS. 9 and 12). In the case of a jump-type event, a predetermined value indicating unset (for example, NULL) is set.

The event effect range 760 stores data representing the shape and size of the latest event effect range 12 (see FIGS. 9 and 12). At the time of occurrence, the initial event effect range 528 of the event definition data 520 is copied (see FIG. 16).

The current event target ID 761 is used when the event is a jump-type event, and indicates which event target candidate the current event is currently located in or is applied to.
Specifically, any event target candidate ID 731 (see FIG. 21) is stored.

The position coordinate history 762 stores the position coordinates of the event in the game space in time series in a predetermined cycle.
The moving speed history 763 is used in a slide type or an unrelated type, and stores the moving speed of the event in the game space in a time series in a predetermined cycle. In the jump type, a value (NULL) meaning unused is set.

The event effect application history 773 is history data indicating how many event effects have been applied and exhibited since the event occurred. For example, the application timing, the identification information of the application target, and the application amount are stored in association with each other. The “applied amount” mentioned here corresponds to the value of the recovered hit points when the privilege is the recovery of hit points, and the number of the granted items when the privilege is the grant of items.

The next event target selection threshold value 780 is used when the event is a jump type, and stores a threshold value for selecting an event target candidate to which the event is applied next.

The avoidance condition 781 defines a condition for exempting or reducing the effect of the event. This event is used when the event is a disaster type event. In the disaster type event, the initial setting is "equipment (use) one amulet item", and change according to the usage status of the amulet item of the player character 4 during the game. To be done. A predetermined value (for example, NULL) indicating unset is set in the benefit-type event.

[Description of operation]
Next, the operation of the server system 1100 will be described.
23 to 24 are flowcharts for explaining the flow of processing in the server system 1100. The processing flow described here is implemented by the server system 1100 executing the server program 502. It should be noted that each player has already completed user registration, all game titles that can be provided by the server system 1100 have been started, and the user can log in/out freely.

When the server system 1100 detects the logged-in user, it participates in the desired game (step S2). That is, the player management data 710 of the user is created in the play data 700 of the game title 701 desired by the user. Thereafter, the operation input history 713 by the user, the position coordinate history 715, and the play status data 720 are sequentially updated (see FIG. 20).

On the contrary, when the user who logged out is detected, the server system 1100 deletes the player management data 710 of the user and leaves the game (step S4).

Next, the server system 1100 executes loop A for each game title being executed (steps S10 to S210; FIG. 24).

In the loop A, the server system 1100 first refers to the event candidate candidate requirement 513 (see FIG. 15) of the title-specific game initialization data 510 of the game to be processed in the loop A and refers to the existing event candidate data 730 (see FIG. 20). , FIG. 21), the data of the event target candidate that does not satisfy the requirement is deleted, and the registration is deleted/disassembled (step S12).

Next, a set of player characters 4 satisfying the same requirement, that is, an event target candidate is detected (step S14). Then, if the detected event target candidate is not registered, new event target candidate data 730 is generated (step S16), and if the detected event target candidate is registered, the event target candidate data 730 The information is updated (step S18).

Next, the server system 1100 refers to each event definition data 520 (see FIG. 16) of the game to be processed in the loop A and searches for an event that satisfies the event occurrence condition 522 (step S20), If an event satisfying the conditions has not occurred (YES in step S22), the server system 1100 executes event generation processing (step S24).

FIG. 25 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of event generation processing.
In the process, the server system 1100 calculates the activity index f of all event target candidates (step S34). If the event effect type setting 524 of the event to be generated is a benefit type (YES in step S36), the server system 1100 sets the application order to the event target candidates in the ascending order of the activity index f (step S38).

More specifically,
Step [1]: Select one of the event target candidates having the lowest activity index f to set the first rank in the application order, and set the value of the activity index f to the next event target selection threshold 780. ..
Step [2]: If there is an event target candidate having the same activity index f as the next event target selection threshold value 780, the application order is assigned to the event target candidate in the previous application order from the position closer to the game space.
Step [3]: When there is no event target candidate having the same activity index f as the next event target selection threshold value 780, an event target candidate higher than the threshold value is extracted, and an event target candidate in the previous application order is stored in the game space. The application order is allocated from the closer position, and the next event target selection threshold value 780 is updated with the activity index f of the event target candidate that is allocated last.
Hereinafter, the procedure [2] to the procedure [3] are repeated until all the event target candidates or the application order reaches a predetermined number.

If the event to be generated is a disaster type (NO in step S36), the server system 1100 sets the application order to the event target candidates in descending order of the activity index f (step S40).

More specifically,
Step [4]: Select one of the event target candidates having the highest activity index f, set the application order first, and set the value of the activity index f to the next event target selection threshold 780. ..
Step [5]: If there is an event target candidate having the same activity index f as the next event target selection threshold value 780, the application order is assigned to the event target candidate in the previous application order from the position closer to the game space.
Step [6]: When there is no event target candidate having the same activity index f as the next event target selection threshold value 780, the event target candidate lower than the threshold value is extracted, and the event space candidate in the previous application order is stored in the game space. The application order is allocated from the closer position, and the next event target selection threshold value 780 is updated with the activity index f of the event target candidate that is allocated last.
Hereinafter, steps [5] to [6] are repeated until all the event target candidates or the application order reaches a predetermined number.

Next, if the movement characteristic type setting 526 (see FIG. 16) of the event to be generated is a jump type (YES in step S50), the server system 1100 causes the event to be generated for the event target candidate having the first application priority. (Step S52).

In the generated event management data 750 (see FIG. 22) of the jump type event, the route data 756 stores “NULL”, and the current event target ID 761 stores the event target candidate ID 731 of the event target candidate ranked first in the application order ( See FIG. 21). The event effect range 760 is copied from the initial event effect range 528 (see FIG. 16). The position coordinate history 762 stores the reference position coordinates 733 of the first event target candidate in the order of application, and the moving speed history 763 stores “NULL”. Further, since it is just after the occurrence, the elapsed time 770 since the event occurrence, the number of movements 771 since the event occurrence, the movement distance 772 since the event occurrence, and the event effect application history 773 are each set to “0”.

If the event to be generated is a slide type (YES in step S54), the server system 1100 sets the event target candidate of the first place in the application order as the starting point and the event target candidate of the lowest order in the application order as the end point (FIG. 9). (Reference) is set (step S56), and an event is generated at the start point of the route 10 (step S58).

In the generated event management data 750 (see FIG. 22) of the slide type event, the route data 756 stores the definition data of the route 10, and the current event target ID 761 is the event target event that is the starting point of the route 10. The target candidate ID 731 is stored. The event effect range 760 is copied from the initial event effect range 528 (see FIG. 16). The position coordinate history 762 stores the reference position coordinates 733 of the event target candidate ranked first in the application order, and the moving speed history 763 stores a predetermined initial value. Further, since it is just after the occurrence, the elapsed time 770 since the event occurrence, the number of movements 771 since the event occurrence, the movement distance 772 since the event occurrence, and the event effect application history 773 are each set to “0”.

On the other hand, if the event to be generated is an unrelated type (NO in step S54), the server system 1100 randomly sets the route 10 (see FIG. 12) in the game space (step S60), and the event is set at the start point of the route. Is generated (step S62).

Returning to FIG. 23, next, the server system 1100 executes loop B for each of the events that have already occurred, and exerts the effect of each event (steps S80 to S208; FIG. 24).

In loop B, the server system 1100 executes event effect application processing (step S82).

FIG. 26 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of event effect application processing.
In the same process, the server system 1100 first confirms the event effect type of the event to be processed in loop B. If it is a disaster-type event (YES in step S100), the achievement rate of disaster countermeasures for exempting or reducing the event effect of the disaster-type event is investigated (step S102). In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the disaster countermeasure effect is enhanced according to the number of equipped predetermined amulet items. Therefore, the ratio of equipping all the player characters 4 with the number of amulet items indicated by the avoidance condition 781 (see FIG. 22) is obtained. By the way, the initial value of the avoidance condition 781 set when the event occurs is “1”.

If the penetration rate is equal to or higher than the predetermined reference value (YES in step S104), the server system 1100 raises the difficulty level of disaster countermeasures (step S106). Specifically, the value of the essential equipment number of the amulet item necessary for avoiding or reducing the disaster, that is, the value of the avoidance condition 781 is increased by "1".

Next, the server system 1100 sets, for example, all the player characters 4 to the loop C for all the event effect imparting units 538 (see FIG. 16) located in the event effect range 12 of the processing target event of the loop B. Is executed (steps S120 to S138).

In loop C, first, it is determined whether the event type 753 (see FIG. 22) of the processing target event of loop B has been changed from the initial setting or has been switched (step S122).
If the event type is not switched with the initial setting (YES in step S122), the server system 1100 gives the event effect assignment of the processing target of loop C from the initial event effect definition data 540 (see FIG. 17). One of the definition data whose unit satisfies the selection condition is selected (step S124).
If the event type has been switched (NO in step S122), the event effect imparting unit to be processed in loop C selects the selection condition from the event effect definition data for type switching 550 (see FIG. 18). Any of the definition data to be satisfied is selected (step S126).

Next, the server system 1100 determines whether the application start condition of the event effect definition data selected in step S124 or S126 is satisfied (step S128).

If the application start condition is satisfied (YES in step S128), the processing target event of loop B is a disaster event (YES in step S130), and the event effect imparting unit of processing target of loop C is a disaster countermeasure. If it has been achieved (YES in step S132), the server system 1100 exempts or reduces the event effect (negative benefit in this case) of the event effect definition data selected in step S124 or step S126 (reduces damage). ) Is applied (step S134), and the loop C is ended (step S138).

If the application start condition is satisfied, but the process target event of loop B is a benefit-type event (NO in step S130), or the event effect providing unit of the process target of loop C has achieved disaster countermeasures. If not (NO in step S132), the server system 1100 applies the event effect of the event effect definition data selected in step S124 or step S126 as it is (step S136), and ends the loop C (step S138).

After executing the loop C for all the event effect applying units, the server system 1100 ends the event effect applying process.

Returning to FIG. 23, the server system 1100 executes the event movement process for the process target event of loop B (step S140).

FIG. 27 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of event movement processing.
In the same process, if the movement characteristic of the process target event of loop B is jump type (YES in step S150), the server system 1100 determines whether the event satisfies the event movement permission condition (step S152).

The event movement permission condition can be set as appropriate according to the game content and the intention of providing the event, but it is appropriate to assume that the event target candidate that the event is currently target has exerted some event effect. is there. For example, it is preferable to apply the event effect to a predetermined ratio (for example, 50% or more) of the event effect giving unit (for example, the player character 4 belonging to the event target candidate). Whether or not the event movement permission condition is satisfied can be determined by referring to the event effect application history 773 (see FIG. 22) of the event.

Then, if the event movement permission condition is not satisfied (NO in step S152), the event movement process ends.
If the event movement permission condition is satisfied (YES in step S152), the server system 1100 performs the adjustment process of the event effect range 12 (see FIG. 9) (step S154). In the present embodiment, the range is reduced when any of the elapsed time 770 from the event occurrence, the number of movements 771 from the event occurrence, and the movement distance 772 from the event occurrence increases. Of course, the adjustment is not limited to the reduction of the same range, but may be enlarged on the contrary.

Next, the server system 1100 recalculates and updates the activity index f of all event target candidates (step S156), and sets the activity index f of the event target candidate currently targeted by the process target event of loop B, The next event target selection threshold value 780 is set (step S158).

Next, if the event effect type of the event is a benefit type (Y benefit type in step S160), the server system 1100 targets an event target candidate with an activity index f equal to or higher than the next event target selection threshold 780. The application order is reset (step S162). Then, the event is moved to the event target candidate of the application semi-first place (step S164), and the event moving process is ended.

If the event effect type is a disaster type (disaster type in step S160), the server system 1100 resets the application order for the event target candidate having the same activity index as the next event target selection threshold 780 or a lower activity index. Yes (step S166). Then, the event is moved to the event target candidate ranked first in the application order (step S168), and the event moving process ends.

Returning to step S150, when the movement characteristic of the processing target event of loop B is a slide type or an unrelated type (NO in step S150), the server system 1100 adjusts the movement speed of the event (step S180). And the adjustment process of the event effect range 12 (step S182).

In the moving speed adjustment processing, the moving speed is changed when any one of the elapsed time 770 from the event occurrence, the number of movements 771 from the event occurrence, and the moving distance 772 from the event occurrence increases. Of course, the adjustment is not limited to deceleration, but may be accelerated on the contrary.

Next, the server system 1100 determines whether the process target event of loop B satisfies the route change condition 532 (see FIG. 16). Then, if the condition is satisfied (YES in step S184), the route 10 is reset (step S186).
Specifically, the activity index f is updated for all the event target candidates, and is reset as in the case where the route 10 is set first. For the irrelevant type, the end point may be reset at random.

Next, the server system 1100 moves the process target event of loop B toward the end point rather than the current position at the moving speed adjusted in step S180 (step S188). Then, the event forecast notification processing for displaying the forecast screen W28 on the user terminal 1500 is performed (step S190), and the event movement processing ends.

Moving to FIG. 24, next, the server system 1100 determines whether the processing target event of the loop B satisfies the event extinction condition 523 (see FIG. 16). If it satisfies (YES in step S200), the event management data 750 in which the event has occurred is deleted and deleted (step S202).

Next, the server system 1100 determines whether the processing target event of loop B satisfies the switching activation condition 534 (see FIG. 16). If it is satisfied (YES in step S204), the event effect type is reversed (step S206). That is, the event type 753 of the generated event management data 750 (see FIG. 22) is changed to a disaster type if it is a benefit type, or a benefit type if it is a disaster type. The movement characteristics do not have to be changed.

Then, the server system 1100 ends the loop B to the event currently processed (step S208).
When the loop B has been executed for all the remaining events that have not disappeared at present, the loop A for the game currently being processed is ended (step S210), and the process returns to step S2 (see FIG. 23).

As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to perform three unconventional event operations, that is, an event that crosses event target candidates, an event that moves in the game space regardless of event target candidates, and an event movement forecast. It is possible to improve the interest of.

[Modification]
The example of the embodiment to which the present invention is applied has been described above, but the embodiment to which the present invention is applicable is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and appropriate addition, omission, and modification of the constituent elements can be performed.

For example, in the above embodiment, the shape of the event effect range 12 (see FIG. 9) is illustrated as a dome shape, but the shape can be set appropriately. A cylinder, a cube, a quadrangular pyramid, or the like can be set as appropriate. Setting differently for each event type is preferable because the player who looks at the forecast screen W28 can know the event type at a glance.

Further, in the above embodiment, the server system 1100 has all the functions of the game management unit 204, but a part of the functions may be performed by the user terminal 1500.

3... player 4... player character 7... base 10... route 12... event effect range 200... processing unit 202... user management unit 204... game management unit 210... event target determining unit 212... movement control unit 214... moving speed changing unit 216 ...Size change unit 218...Movement direction change unit 220...Event execution unit 222...Application control unit 230...End determination unit 232...Movement prediction control unit 234...Event type switching unit 500...Storage unit 502...Server program 510...Game by title Initial setting data
511... Game title
513... Candidate requirements for event 520... Event definition data
521... Event type ID
522... Event occurrence condition
523... Event extinction condition
524... Event effect type setting
526... Movement characteristic type setting
528... Initial event effect range
532... Route change condition
534... Switching activation condition
538... Event effect giving unit
540... Initial event effect definition data
542... Standard event effect definition data
544... First special event effect definition data
546... Second special event effect definition data
550... Event effect definition data for after type switching 600... User management data 700... Play data
701... Game title
710... Player management data
713... Operation input history
715... Position coordinate history
720... Play status data 730... Event target candidate data
733... Reference position coordinates
735... Player character ID list belonging
737...Activity index history 750...Event management data that has occurred
751... Event type ID
752...Date and time of occurrence
753... Event type
754... Activity index list by event candidate
755... Application order list by event candidate
756... Route data
760...Event effect range
761... Current event target ID
762... Position coordinate history
763... Movement speed history
770... Elapsed time since event occurrence
771...Number of movements from vent occurrence
772... Moving distance from vent occurrence
773... Event effect application history
780... Next event target selection threshold
781... Avoidance condition
782... Effect application start flag 1100... Server system 1150... Control board 1500... User terminal 1555... Position measurement module

Claims (11)

A server system for controlling the progress of a multiplayer game in which each player participates using a player terminal having a positioning function ,
In the game, the position in the real space and the position in the game space correspond to each other, and the position of the player in the game space corresponding to the position of the player measured by the positioning function (hereinafter referred to as “player position”). Is a game that uses position information that is controlled based on
A position range (hereinafter referred to as “event target area”) in the game space that is a target of a given game event is determined, and a player located in the event target area is set as a player who is the target of the game event (hereinafter, “event”). Event target determining means for determining as "target"),
Event executing means for executing the game event to the event target player;
End determination means for determining whether to end the game event,
Equipped with
The event target determining means determines a movement target position of the event target area based on the number of players having the player position within each position range of the event target candidates, which is a plurality of position ranges set in the game space. set, has a movement control means for moving the event target area to the movement target position, if the determination of the end determining unit is not affirmative, the event target area after the movement of moving the event target area redetermined the player positioned within the event object,
The event executing means executes the game event targeting the re-determined event target player when the determination of the end determining means is not a positive determination,
By displaying on the map of the game space the current position of the event target area and the future predicted position of the event target area based on the movement control by the movement control means on the player terminal, the event target is displayed. Movement forecast control means for informing the player of a movement forecast of the area,
Further equipped with,
Server system. As a result of executing the game event, the event executing means has an applying means for applying, to the player who is the event target, a positive privilege that is not a disadvantage in the progress of the game or a negative privilege that is a disadvantage.
The server system according to claim 1 . When the end judging means makes a negative judgment, the applying means changes the degree of the privilege to be applied to a small degree and applies the privilege.
The server system according to claim 2 . The applying means applies the plus benefit or the minus benefit in accordance with an activity index including at least the number of players who are the event target,
The server system according to claim 2 or 3 . The event target determination means determines the event target so as to satisfy a high activity level condition indicating that the activity target player has a high activity index,
The applying means applies the negative privilege when the event target is determined so as to satisfy the high activity condition,
The server system according to claim 4 . The event target determining means changes the high activity condition so as to lower the threshold value when a negative determination is made by the end determining means,
The server system according to claim 5 . The event target determining means determines the event target so as to satisfy a low activity level condition indicating that the activity target player has a low activity index;
The applying means applies the plus privilege when the event target is determined to satisfy the low activity condition,
The server system according to claim 4 . The event target determining unit changes the low activity condition so as to increase a threshold value when a negative determination is made by the end determining unit,
The server system according to claim 7 . The event executing means changes a privilege to be applied to a player whose accumulated existence time or continuous existence time in the event target area controlled by the movement control means reaches a predetermined time,
The server system according to any one of claims 1-8. The event target determining means gradually changes the size of the event target area,
The server system according to any one of claims 1-9. The event executing means changes a privilege to be applied to a player who has stayed at the same location for a long time and has reached a predetermined time among the players targeted for the event.
The server system according to any one of claims 1-10.

Images