JP6770756B2 - Game system, computer programs and server devices used for it - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a game system or the like that provides a game that realizes a plurality of events including the user event by allowing the user to set the user event.

There is a game system that provides a game that realizes a plurality of events including the user event by allowing the user to set the user event. Such user events are often realized by operations by game system operators and the like. Specifically, the operator, etc. aggregates the play results for a specific period, and creates a ranking based on the aggregated results to perform the play for that specific period (the game itself may have the same content as normal). In many cases, it functions as. In addition, there is also known a system that provides a game in which an event corresponding to an option selected by a user is set (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2017-13175

When a user event is realized by an operation, such an operation generally includes an opportunity for the operator to decide whether or not to actually execute the event, so that the setting of the event is allowed freely. However, the operator can manage the quality and content of the user event. However, such an operation often takes a lot of time and effort to actually be realized as an event, such as collecting and totaling play results. Especially when a plurality of events are provided as a series of events, the burden becomes large. On the other hand, in the system of Patent Document 1, although the event to be actually played is selected by the user through the options, the event to be selected is prepared in advance, so that the degree of freedom of the event that can be set is low. Further, this system is not a configuration in which an event selected by the user is added to one of a series of events after the fact based on the intention of the user, the permission of the operator, and the like.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a game system or the like capable of setting a series of events including a user event ex post facto.

The game system of the present invention is a game system that provides a game that realizes a plurality of events including the user event by allowing the user to set a user event, and the user is based on the setting content of the user event. It is provided with a related setting means for setting a relation to two or more events including an event, and a ranking setting means for setting a ranking for the entire two or more events for each user based on information on the play status of each user. There is.

On the other hand, the computer program of the present invention is configured to make a computer connected to an input device and an output device used for playing the game function as each means of the above-mentioned game system. Further, the server device of the present invention is connected to the input device and the output device used for playing the game via a network, and functions as each means of the above-mentioned game system.

The figure which shows the schematic structure of the game system which concerns on one form of this invention. A functional block diagram showing the main parts of the control system of the game system. Explanatory drawing for explaining the game range of a quiz game. An explanatory diagram for explaining an outline of an example of an event service. The figure which shows an example of the structure of permission data. The figure which shows an example of the structure of the official event data. The figure which shows an example of the structure of a private event data. The flowchart which shows an example of the procedure of permission issuance processing. A flowchart showing an example of an event processing procedure. The flowchart which shows an example of the procedure of a log acquisition process.

Hereinafter, an example of the game system according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described. First, the overall configuration of the game system according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The game system 1 includes a center server 2 as a server device, a plurality of game machines 3 as client devices that can be connected to the center server 2 via a predetermined network 5, and a plurality of user terminal devices 4. The center server 2 is configured as one logical server device by combining the server units 2A, 2B, etc. as a plurality of computer devices. However, the center server 2 may be configured by a single server unit. Alternatively, the center server 2 may be logically configured by using cloud computing.

The game machine 3 is configured as a commercial (commercial) game machine that allows a user to play a game within a range corresponding to the play fee in exchange for payment of a predetermined play fee. This type of game machine 3 is sometimes called an arcade game machine. The game machine 3 is a computer device installed in a predetermined facility such as a store 6 for the main purpose of making a large number of users repeatedly play a game to generate profits. The game machine 3 is configured as a game machine for playing a so-called quiz game in which an answer is input to a question. The game machine 3 is not limited to the quiz game, and various games may be provided as appropriate.

The user terminal device 4 is a computer device that can be connected to a network and is used for personal use by the user. For example, a stationary or book-type personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC) 4a, or a mobile terminal device 4b such as a mobile phone (including a smartphone) is used as the user terminal device 4. In addition, various computer devices that can be connected to a network and are used for personal use of users, such as stationary home-use game machines, portable game machines, and portable tablet terminal devices, are used as the user terminal device 4. You can. By implementing various computer software, the user terminal device 4 can allow the user to enjoy various services provided by the center server 2.

The network 5 may be appropriately configured as long as the game machine 3 and the user terminal device 4 can be connected to the center server 2. As an example, the network 5 is configured to realize network communication using the TCP / IP protocol. Typically, the Internet 5A as a WAN and the LANs 5B and 5C connecting each of the center server 2 and the game machine 3 to the Internet 5A are connected via the router 5D. The user terminal device 4 is also connected to the Internet 5A with an appropriate configuration. A local server may be installed between the game machine 3 and the router 5D of the store 6, and the game machine 3 may be communicably connected to the center server 2 via the local server. The server units 2A, 2B ... Of the center server 2 may be connected to each other in place of LAN5C or additionally by WAN5A.

The center server 2 provides various game machine services to the game machine 3 or its users. The game console service includes an event service for setting an official event for the quiz game. Specifically, when the event service includes an event service for the game machine 3 provided to the game machine 3 and an event service for the user terminal device 4 provided to the user terminal device 4, the game machine service Includes event services for game console 3. Details of the event service will be described later.

The game machine service may include a service that receives user identification information from the game machine 3 and authenticates the user. It may also include a service that receives the play data of the authenticated user from the game machine 3 and saves it, or provides the play data to be saved to the game machine 3. Further, the game machine service is a service that distributes and updates the program or data of the game machine 3 via the network 5, and matches the users when a plurality of users play a common game via the network 5. It may include a matching service, a billing service that collects fees from users, and the like.

Similarly, the center server 2 provides various Web services to the user of the user terminal device 4 via the network 5. When the event service includes the event service for the user terminal device 4, the Web service includes the event service for the user terminal device 4. The Web service is a game information service that provides various information about the game provided by the game machine 3, a distribution service that distributes various data or software (including updates of data and the like) to each user terminal device 4. It may include services such as a community service that provides a place for interaction such as information transmission, exchange, and sharing by users, and a service that assigns a user ID for identifying each user.

Next, a main part of the control system of the game system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. First, the center server 2 is provided with a game service management unit 21 and a storage unit 23 as data storage means. The game service management unit 21 is a logical device realized by a combination of computer hardware (including a CPU and a memory as an internal storage device necessary for its operation) of the center server 2 and software. The storage unit 23 is an external storage device realized by a storage unit including a non-volatile storage medium (computer-readable storage medium) such as a hard disk array. The storage unit 23 may be configured to hold all the data on one storage unit, or may be configured to distribute and store the data in a plurality of storage units. The storage unit 23 records the computer program PG1 as software for making the computer hardware resource of the center server 2 function as the game service management unit 21. Various data are also recorded in the storage unit 23, and FIG. 2 shows the permission data 51 and the official event data ED1. Details of the permission data 51 and the official event data ED1 will be described later.

The game service management unit 21 provides the above-mentioned game machine service to the game machine 3. The game service management unit 21 is further provided with an event providing unit 24 as a logical device. The event providing unit 24 provides various processes for realizing the event service. Such various processes include the processes to be performed on the server side among the event processes for managing the official event. In addition, the event providing unit 24 also executes a log acquisition process for operating the official event and a permission issuing process for adding a new official event as various such processes. The procedures for event processing, log acquisition processing, and permission issuance processing will be described later.

Next, the game machine 3 is provided with a game control unit 31 and a storage unit 32 as storage means. The game control unit 31 is a logical device realized by a combination of the hardware of the game machine 3 (including the CPU and the memory as its internal storage device) and the computer program PG2 as the software. The game control unit 31 executes various arithmetic controls necessary for the progress of the game, and also executes various processes necessary for enjoying the game machine service provided by the game service management unit 21 of the center server 2. .. The game control unit 31 is provided with a game providing unit 33 as a further logical device. The game providing unit 33 also executes processing necessary for realizing various events in cooperation with the event providing unit 24 of the center server 2.

The storage unit 32 is an external storage device realized by a storage unit including a non-volatile storage medium (computer-readable storage medium) such as a hard disk or a semiconductor storage device. Various data are recorded in the storage unit 32 together with the above-mentioned program PG2, and the event data ED is shown in FIG. The event data ED is data for managing various events set in the quiz game. The event data ED includes the official event data ED1 provided by the center server 2 and the private event data ED2. Details of the private event data ED2 will be described later together with the official event data ED1.

In addition, game data is also recorded in the storage unit 32. The game data includes various data necessary for the user to play a predetermined quiz game according to the program PG2. Specifically, the game data includes various data such as a quiz to be given to the user and quiz data for managing the answer. Further, the game data may include the above-mentioned play data. The play data is data for inheriting the play results (past achievements) up to the previous time from the next time onward, or for inheriting the setting contents unique to each user. However, these illustrations are omitted.

The game machine 3 is provided with various input / output devices such as an input device 36 that outputs a signal corresponding to the user's operation, a display device 37 as an output device for presenting a game screen or the like to the user, and a card reader 38. .. The card reader 38 is a device for reading a unique card ID for each card recorded on the card 39 possessed by the user. The card 39 may be used for user authentication, fee collection, and the like.

Next, the details of the quiz game event and the event service will be described. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the game range of the quiz game. As shown in FIG. 3, the game range of the quiz game includes a normal play mode and an event mode. The normal play mode is a mode in which a quiz game is normally played. On the other hand, the event mode is a mode for providing various events. Here, an event means a competition (competition) in which a plurality of users participate and compete for the result of a quiz game. The event may allow the participation of not only individual users but also group-based users. In addition, the event is not limited to the tournament, but various events (events) appropriately given to the normal play range such as a game range for a limited time, a game range including a special character, or a game range to which a special privilege is given. ) May be included.

The event mode includes official event OE and private event PE as multiple events. The private event PE is an event appropriately set by the user of each game machine 3, the operator of the store 6, or the like. The private event PE may be shared not only with the user who set it (including the operator of the store 6) but also with other users among a plurality of users who use the game system 1, and set it. It may be provided only to the user. Each user terminal device 4 or each game machine 3 may be used for setting the private event PE. Further, the private event PE may be set with a privilege (for example, a physical privilege such as a figure, a complimentary ticket at the store 6, etc.) given by each user, each operator, or the like.

On the other hand, the official event OE is an event shared by a plurality of users who play the quiz game. In addition, the play status of the official event OE is managed by the operator of the center server 2 (hereinafter, may be referred to as a server administrator). As a result, in the official event OE, the play status is often ranked by the server administrator, and a predetermined privilege is given according to the result. Further, as such a predetermined privilege, a privilege used in the quiz game (for example, an item for the quiz game) is often given. The official event OE includes the qualifying event OE1 and the main event OE2 as a special event. The main event OE2 is a special event in which participation is permitted when the participation conditions are met. Participation conditions include the achievements of the qualifying event OE1 as a requirement. Specifically, the participation condition is that the points (which may change according to the value of the prize) given to the winners (winners, runners-up, special prizes, etc.) of the qualifying event are equal to or higher than the predetermined values. May be satisfied if In addition, such points may be awarded through a plurality of qualifying events OE1 (hereinafter, may be referred to as a series of qualifying events OE1). Then, in the qualifying event OE1, participation in the main event OE2 may be used as a predetermined privilege through such points.

The event service includes a formalization service for turning a private event PE into an official event. The formalization service also includes a service for registering the private event PE as the qualifying event OE1. That is, the event service includes a service for turning a private event PE into a qualifying event. Then, the private event PE may function as the qualifying event OE1 through such a service. In such a case, even if it is a private event PE, points that are required for participation conditions will be given. That is, such a private event PE is inevitably shared not only with the user U who set it, but also with other users who use the game machine 3 of the A store 6. Further, in this case, the private event PE converted into a qualifying event functions as a user event of the present invention, and a series of qualifying event OE1 including such a private event PE (qualifying event) functions as two or more events of the present invention. ..

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an outline of an example of an event service when the private event PE functions as a service for converting into a qualifying event. The example of FIG. 4 shows a case where a private event PE called “A store tournament” set by user U of store A 6 is converted into a qualifying event (official event) (functions as qualifying event OE1). In this case, as shown in FIG. 4, the event service includes an application process and a formalization process.

The application process is a process for applying to the center server 2 (or the server administrator) for the private event PE to be converted into a qualifying event. In the application process, first, the user U transmits the holding information of the “A store tournament” to the center server 2 via the user terminal device 4 (step S1). This event information includes the event name (event name), event grade (event level), event date and time (may be the event period), number of participants, competition format (for example, tournament or league match), and venue (A store 6). Or, the information of each game machine 3 etc. of the store A 6) may be included. Further, such transmission may be realized through a dedicated website (not shown) for inputting event information. In this case, such transmission functions as at least a part of the event service for the user terminal device 4. The application may be made through documents. Further, the transmission (application) of the event information may be executed through the game machine 3. In this case, the game machine 3 may provide an application screen (not shown) dedicated to the application instead of the dedicated website. In addition, the holding information may differ from the information required for setting the private event PE, or may be common. The user terminal device 4 when the transmission of the event information is executed via the user terminal device 4, or the game machine 3 when the transmission of the event information is executed via the game machine 3 functions as the setting terminal of the present invention.

After sending the event information, if the event information meets the permission conditions, the center server 2 (or the server administrator) sends the application information to the store 6 at the venue, that is, the operator of store A 6 in the application process. It is transmitted (step S2). When the operator of store A 6 acquires the application information, it determines whether or not to approve the official event of the private event PE based on the application information, and the judgment result (approval result) is used as the center server 2 (or server). It is sent to (may be an administrator) (step S3). These transmissions may be executed through a dedicated website as in the application, or may be executed through the game machine 3. Alternatively, if the e-mail address of the operator of the center server 2 or the A store 6 is managed by various devices such as the center server 2 or the game machine 3, the e-mail may be executed.

When the approval result is obtained from the A store 6, the center server 2 (or the server administrator may be) transmits the approval result to the user U (applicant) in the application process (step S4). This transmission will be disapproved if it is not approved (rejected) through the transmission of permission information that allows the private event PE to be applied for to be a qualifying event if the official event conversion is approved. Each is executed through the transmission of the indicated information. Specifically, when the official event conversion is approved, the center server 2 issues an authentication code indicating permission for the qualifying event conversion as permission information, and transmits the authentication code to the user terminal device 4. The issuance of the authentication code is executed based on the permission data 51 that associates the event information while uniquely managing the authentication code. Further, the transmission of the authentication code may be executed through a dedicated website, or may be realized through an email when the event information includes the email address of the user U (applicant). Such transmission functions as at least a part of the event service for the user terminal device 4 when realized through a dedicated website or E-MAIL.

The transmission of permission (permission information such as an authentication code) may be realized by mail through documents. In addition, the permission conditions may include the approval of the operator of store A 6 in the requirements. That is, the permission condition may be satisfied when approved by the operator of the A store 6. In this case, the permission conditions include the first requirement based on the relevant information and the second requirement based on the approval result, the procedure of step S2 is executed when the first requirement is satisfied, and the step when the second requirement is satisfied. The procedure of S4 may be executed.

On the other hand, the formalization process is a process for actually setting the private event PE, which is permitted to be a qualifying event, as the qualifying event OE1. The formalization process identifies the game machine 3 that actually provides the qualifying event OE1 that has changed from the private event PE so that the private event PE actually functions as the qualifying event OE1, and assigns the private event PE to the game machine 3. It is executed to provide the information necessary for making a preliminary event. Specifically, in the formalization process, the authentication code is first input to the game machine 3 by the user U (which may be the operator of store A 6) who has received the authentication code (permission information) (step S5). That is, the authentication code is provided to the game machine 3 by the user U. When the game machine 3 acquires the authentication code, it transmits it to the center server 2 (step S6).

On the other hand, when the center server 2 acquires the authentication code from the game machine 3, it transmits the information necessary for actually converting the private event PE into a qualifying event (official event) to the game machine 3 (step S7). Specifically, the center server 2 first acquires the holding information of the private event PE related to the authentication code acquired from the game machine 3 while referring to the permission data 51. After that, the center server 2 adds the qualifying event OE1 corresponding to the acquired holding information to the official event data ED1. Then, the center server 2 transmits the added official event data ED1 to the game machine 3 (the game machine 3 that has sent the authentication code) as information necessary for converting the private event PE into a qualifying event (official event). When the private event PE is converted into a qualifying event as a part of the series of qualifying events OE1, the association with the series of qualifying events OE1 may be set through the official event data ED1. That is, the center server 2 generates official event data ED1 so that the private event PE to be applied for functions as a series of qualifying event OE1 in step S7, and transmits such official event data ED1 to the game machine 3. Good. In addition, information for functioning as a series of qualifying events OE1 (information for designating a series of qualifying events OE1 and the like) may be included in the holding information. Alternatively, the private event PE may be automatically distributed to a series of qualifying events OE1 based on various information such as the holding period, scale, and location, and the result may function as such information. Then, such holding information (designated information and information on various conditions included in the holding information) functions as the setting content of the present invention.

When the official event data ED1 is acquired from the center server 2, the game machine 3 displays the official event OE included in the event mode based on the acquired official event data ED1 (step S8). This official event data ED1 also officially includes the private event PE for which a qualifying event has been applied as an official event OE. Therefore, the official event OE is displayed so as to include the qualifying event OE1 called "A store tournament". As a result, "A store tournament" is selected and functions as the official event OE. That is, the "A store tournament" is actually provided as the qualifying event OE1 (qualifying event).

The game machine 3 may update the contents of the private event data ED2 with the acquisition of the official event data ED1. Specifically, the game machine 3 displays the contents of the private event data ED2 so as to delete the private event PE corresponding to the "A store tournament" based on the user's deletion instruction or the information contained in the official event data ED1. You may update. In this case, "A store tournament" disappears from the display of the private event PE due to the official event. In other words, "A store tournament" is deleted from the target of the private event PE as if it moved from the private event PE to the official event OE. In addition, various rewards (privileges) may be given to the setter of the private event PE or the applicant who applied for the official event of the private event PE in order to promote such setting. Such a reward may be given at an appropriate time such as at the time of setting (or at the time of application), at the time of holding, or at the time of permission.

Further, when the official event OE is carried out, the game machine 3 provides the log (various achievements) of the official event to the center server 2 (step S9). The log information is information necessary for realizing the official event OE. Specifically, the log information includes information on the play status of the official event OE (for example, the number of points earned for the main event OE2). Then, the center server 2 manages the result of the official event OE based on the log information, and provides (shares to each user) the information of the play record to each user terminal device 4 as a part of the Web service. You can. If the private event PE has been turned into an official event, this log will also include log information for that private event PE. That is, the center server 2 may manage or provide the result so as to include the play status of the private event PE that has been converted into a qualifying event. Specifically, the center server 2 sets a ranking (ranking) for each user based on the play status (for example, the status of giving points) of the entire series of qualifying events OE1 including such a private event PE. Whether or not to participate in the main event OE2 may be determined according to the ranking result. In such a case, the procedures of steps S6 to S7 and S9 of the formulation process function as an event service for the game machine. As an example, the event service is provided in this way.

In addition, each user may participate only in a part of a series of qualifying events OE1. In this case, the ranking of the entire series of qualifying events OE1 may be performed based on a part of the achievements, and whether or not to participate in the main event OE2 may be determined. Further, when the event service is used by the operator of the store 6, steps S1 and S4 may be executed for the store 6 (game machine 3, user terminal device 4 for the operator, etc.). In this case, the steps S2 and S3 may be omitted. In addition, when ID information that identifies the setter such as a user ID that identifies each user or an operator ID that identifies the operator of each store 6 is required when setting a private event, such ID information is used. Based on this, the application target or non-application target of the official event may be determined. Specifically, for example, when the setter of the private event is a specific user certified by the operator of the store 6 or the server administrator based on the reliability, the private event is automatically performed based on the ID information. It may be determined as an application target for an official event, and the official event may be promoted according to the procedure of the event service. On the other hand, private event setting and official event conversion (providing event service) may be executed at the same time. That is, the setting of the private event may be executed as a part of the event service through, for example, a dedicated website. In such a case, the event service may specify the type of event to be set (for example, a private event or an official event). Alternatively, all private events may be subject to the application process, etc. so that they are all official events. That is, the event that is actually executed as a private event does not have to exist. Further, not only log information but also other information may be used to determine the play result of the official event OE such as ranking. Specifically, the operator of the store 6 sends additional information about the play status of the event (for example, information on the actual winning result, etc.) to the server administrator, and the play result is confirmed by taking this additional information into consideration. May be good. Such additional information includes, for example, when the achievement (for example, winning result) cannot be specified only by the log information, in other words, when the holding information does not include the battle format information, or when the placement of each user in the tournament, etc., the center server 2 It may be used when the player does not manage the detailed information of the battle format.

Further, the game machine 3 may provide play status information (so-called log) to the center server 2 only for the official event OE, and not only such an official event but also the play status related to a normal game. Information may also be provided to the center server 2. That is, the log information provided by the game machine 3 to the center server 2 may include log information other than the play status of the official event OE, such as information on the play status of a normal game. The structure of the log related to the normal game may be the same as or different from the log related to the official event OE. That is, the items constituting the log related to the normal game may be the same as the items constituting the log related to the official event OE, or may be different. When these are the same items, they may be distinguished only by the type in the header or the like. Alternatively, if these items are different, some may be different or all may be different. If some of them are different, some items may exist in only one of them, or both may contain items that are different from each other. Specifically, the log data for managing the log of the official event OE may include a dedicated data item (additional data) that does not exist in the log data for managing the log related to the normal game.

Next, the details of the permission data 51, the official event data ED1, and the private event data ED2 will be described. The permission data 51 is data for uniquely managing the permission information. Specifically, the permission data 51 is a set of records in which the permission information is uniquely described. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the permission data 51. As shown in FIG. 5, the permission data 51 includes a permission record 51R that associates the permission information unique to each private event PE with the corresponding private event PE. The permission record 51R includes information of "permission", "event ID", and "details".

"Permission" is permission information indicating permission to make an official event. Specifically, in "permission", information indicating an authentication code is described as permission information. A unique number having a predetermined number of digits may be described as information indicating such an authentication code. The "event ID" is information indicating a unique event ID for each official event in order to identify each official event. "Details" is information indicating the details of the official event corresponding to the "event ID". In the "details", the above-mentioned holding information (information provided at the time of application) may be described as information indicating the details of the official event. In the permission record 51R, such information is recorded in association with each other.

The official event data ED1 is data for managing each official event OE of the quiz game. The official event data ED1 is a set of records that define each official event OE. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the official event data ED1. As shown in FIG. 6, the official event data ED1 includes an official event record RS1 that associates each official event OE with its details. The official event record RS1 contains information on "event ID", "details", "approval scope", "type", and "related". The "event ID" and "details" are the same information as the permission data 51.

On the other hand, the "approval range" is information indicating the range in which the official event is approved. Specifically, the "approval range" includes a housing ID indicating a game machine 3 that has been permitted to be an official event through transmission of permission information (a unique ID for each game machine 3 to identify each game machine 3). (If permitted in units of stores 6, information on store IDs for identifying each store 6 may be described). In the case of an official event OE set by the server administrator of the center server 2 (which is provided as an official event OE from the beginning), the same information as the venue information included in the "details" information is "approved". It may be described in "range", or the information of "approval range" may be omitted. The "type" is information indicating the type of the official event corresponding to the "event ID". As the "type" information, information indicating the main event OE2, the qualifying event OE1, or the private event PE (formalized from the private event PE) may be used. “Relationship” is information indicating the relation between each event. “Related” is information that associates each qualifying event OE1 (including a private event PE converted into a qualifying event) that functions as a series of qualifying event OE1 (for example, a unique ID or number for each series of qualifying event OE1). May be described. In the official event record RS1, such information is recorded in association with each other. When the corresponding private event PE is deleted from the private event data ED2 due to the official event, the official event data ED1 uses the information of the "private ID" described later in order to identify such a private event PE. It may be included. Further, the information indicating the applicant (may be the setter) of the holding information included in the "details" (for example, the user ID in the case of a user, the operator ID in the case of the operator of the store 6, etc.) is the user identification of the present invention. Functions as information. Then, the official event data ED1 functions as the event data of the present invention by including this information so as to be associated with the private event PE via the “event ID” or the like.

The private event data ED2 is data for managing the private event PE of the quiz game. The private event data ED2 is a set of records that define each private event PE. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the private event data ED2. As shown in FIG. 7, the private event data ED2 includes a private event record RS2 that associates each private event PE with its details. The private event record RS2 contains "private ID" and "details" information. “Details” is the same information as the official event data ED1. The "private ID" is information indicating a unique private ID for each private event PE in order to identify each private event PE. In the private event record RS2, such information is recorded in association with each other.

The official event record RS1 including the "type" information indicating the private event PE may function as the private event record RS2. That is, the private event data ED2 may function as a part of the official event data ED1. In this case, the event ID information may be described in the "private ID". That is, as the information of the "event ID" (or "private ID"), the information of the event ID that uniquely manages all the events so as to identify not only each private event PE but also each official event OE may be used. Further, the private event data ED2 may be managed by the center server 2 as well as the official event data ED1. Further, these private event data ED2 and official event data ED1 do not have to be provided to the game machine 3. That is, the private event PE and the official event OE are centrally managed by the center server 2, and the game machine 3 does not have to recognize them. In this case, the official event OE etc. is announced through e-mail, website, etc. without going through the game machine 3, and the center server 2 goes to the game machine 3 to obtain the log information corresponding to the holding period, etc. OE and the like may be realized.

Next, the procedures of the permission issuing process, the event process, and the log acquisition process executed by the event providing unit 24 or the game providing unit 33 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10. The permission issuance process is a process for issuing permission information based on an application for turning a private event PE into an official event. When the event information to be applied for is acquired (or may be a predetermined cycle after acquisition), the event providing unit 24 starts the permission issuance process shown in FIG. 8, and the private event PE corresponding to the acquired event information is the permission condition. It is determined whether or not the condition is satisfied (step S101). Even if the permission conditions are met when the holding conditions of the private event PE meet the predetermined conditions (for example, when all the items are properly entered, or when the participation scale, participation period, etc. are specified) Alternatively, it may be satisfied when an operation indicating permission by the operator based on the event information is executed for the private event PE. In addition, when the permission conditions include the first condition and the second condition, the first condition is satisfied based on such holding conditions, and the second condition is satisfied when the approval for the official event is received from the store 6. You can do it. Then, the permission condition may be satisfied when both the first condition and the second condition are satisfied. If the private event PE does not satisfy the permission condition based on these, the event providing unit 24 skips the subsequent processing and ends the current processing.

On the other hand, when the private event PE satisfies the permission condition, the event providing unit 24 issues the permission information to the private event PE that satisfies the permission condition (step S102). More specifically, the event providing unit 24 newly issues a unique authentication code as the permission information to the private event PE while referring to the permission data 51. Subsequently, the event providing unit 24 transmits the issued permission information (for example, a newly issued authentication code) to the applicant (step S103). This transmission may be executed through E-MAIL (for example, it may be included in the event information) or through a dedicated website (for example, notification by posting on a dedicated website). Then, the event providing unit 24 ends this processing after transmitting the permission information. As a result, it is determined whether or not the official event can be made based on the permission conditions, and when the official event is permitted, the permission information indicating the permission is issued and sent to the applicant. More specifically, steps S1 and S4 in the application process of the example of FIG. 4 are realized.

In addition, the event processing is a process for providing a private event PE that is permitted to be an official event as an official event OE. More specifically, private event PEs that are allowed to be official events are managed as official event OEs through event processing. The left side of the example of FIG. 9 shows the processing of the game providing unit 33 of the game machine 3, and the right side shows the processing of the event providing unit 24 of the center server 2.

When the approval operation is executed to approve that the private event PE that is permitted to be officially evented is actually provided as the official event OE, the game providing unit 33 starts the event processing shown in FIG. 9 and first acquires the permission information. (Step S201). More specifically, the game providing unit 33 acquires the information of the authentication code corresponding to the private event PE as the permission information. The authentication code information may be obtained from the input result when the approval operation includes the input operation of the authentication code. Alternatively, if the authentication code information (permission information) is directly provided to the game machine 3, such as when the application is executed through the game machine 3, the provision result (acquisition result) is provided. May be obtained from. Subsequently, the game providing unit 33 transmits the acquired permission information to the center server 2 (step S202).

When the event providing unit 24 of the center server 2 acquires the permission information, the event processing of FIG. 9 is started, and first, the data is updated so as to reflect the acquired permission information (step S301). Specifically, the event providing unit 24 updates the official event data ED1 so as to add the official event record RS1 corresponding to the acquired permission information. This addition provides the same quiz game for the store 6 as the permission information is transmitted from one game machine 3 for the store 6 when the target of the official event OE is the unit for the store 6. It may be executed on all game machines 3), or may be executed in units of each game machine 3. Further, the event providing unit 24 may realize this addition by acquiring the holding information while referring to the permission data 51 based on the permission information. Further, by including the "related" information in the official event data ED1, such additions may serve as an association to function as a series of qualifying events OE1. That is, in step S301, the event providing unit 24 sets the relation to the private event PE so as to function as a series of qualifying event OE1 by adding the official event record RS1 including the "related" information based on the designated information. You can. Subsequently, the event providing unit 24 transmits the updated data to the game machine 3 (step S302). Specifically, the event providing unit 24 transmits the latest official event data ED1 including the official event record RS1 corresponding to the acquired permission information to the game machine 3. Then, the event providing unit 24 finishes this process after transmitting the latest official event data ED1 to the game machine 3.

On the other hand, when the game providing unit 33 of the game machine 3 acquires the latest official event data ED1, the data is updated (step S203). Specifically, the game providing unit 33 updates the official event data ED1 so as to replace the existing official event data ED1 with the latest official event data ED1 acquired. In addition, when the corresponding private event PE is deleted from the private event data ED2 due to the official event, the game providing unit 33 updates the official event data ED1 and deletes the corresponding private event PE so as to delete the private event data. ED2 may be updated. Alternatively, when the private event data ED2 is managed by the center server 2, such deletion may be updated and transmitted by the center server 2 together with the update and transmission of the official event data ED1. Then, the game providing unit 33 may update the private event data ED2 to the latest one at the same time as updating the official event data ED1 in step S203. The game providing unit 33 finishes this process after updating the data in step S203. As a result, the private event PE that is permitted to be an official event is actually managed and provided as an official event OE. Also, when associated with another qualifying event OE1, such a private event PE is provided as one of a series of qualifying events OE1. More specifically, the formulation steps corresponding to steps S6 to S8 in the example of FIG. 4 are realized.

On the other hand, the log acquisition process is a process for managing the log information of the official event OE. The example of FIG. 10 shows a case where the result of the official event OE is shared with each user terminal device 4 based on the log information. Further, the example of FIG. 10 shows a case where the center server 2 side acquires a log (detailed information on the event results such as play results) in each game machine 3 of the store 6 where the official event OE is held in a predetermined cycle. ing. The log may be transmitted from the game machine 3 side to the center server 2 at an appropriate time after the event ends. In this case, steps S401 to S402 in the example of FIG. 10 may be omitted.

In a predetermined cycle, the event providing unit 24 starts the log acquisition process of FIG. 10 and first acquires the official event data ED1 (step S401). Subsequently, the event providing unit 24 identifies a target for acquiring log information (step S402). Specifically, the event providing unit 24 identifies each game machine 3 that actually holds the official event OE based on the information of the "approval range" (or the venue included in the "details") of the official event data ED1. .. Next, the event providing unit 24 acquires a log related to the corresponding official event OE from each of the specified game machines 3 (step S403). Further, when the event providing unit 24 acquires the log information from each game machine 3, the event providing unit 24 generates related information related to each official event OE (step S404). The related information is information that should be shared with each user through the Web service as information about each official event OE (for example, ranking of winners, number of points earned by each participant, etc.). Further, in the case of a series of qualifying events OE1, the related information may include information on the play status such as the winning status as a whole. That is, in step S403, the event providing unit 24 may generate a ranking of each user in each official event OE, or may generate a ranking of each user in the entire series of qualifying events OE1. Then, the event providing unit 24 provides the created related information to each user as a part of the Web service, and finishes this process. As a result, the log related to the official event is acquired by the center server 2 and shared with each user as a part of the Web service. That is, the log information of the private event PE that has been converted into a qualifying event is also automatically acquired, and the play status of such a private event PE is also given to each user as related information (for example, ranking information in the entire series of qualifying events OE1). Be shared. Further, such acquisition is limited to the game machine 3 (providing the authentication code) that is permitted to hold the official event OE that has changed from the private event PE. More specifically, the formulation step corresponding to step S9 in the example of FIG. 4 is realized.

As described above, according to this form, the private event PE can be made into an official event through the event service. Specifically, the center server 2 acquires the log information necessary for sharing the play status of the private event PE as the official event OE on condition that the permission information (authentication code) based on the permission conditions is issued. Thereby, the acquisition of the log information necessary for sharing the private event PE can be limited to the case where the permission information is issued, that is, the formalization of the private event PE is permitted. That is, for example, the result of giving points for functioning as the qualifying event OE1 and the like, sharing of the play status in the private event PE with other users, in other words, the permission information when the private event PE actually functions as the official event OE. Can be restricted when is issued.

Further, when such a private event PE is applied for by a user who plays the game, the store 6 functioning as the venue of the private event PE is given an opportunity for approval. Then, the provider of the official event data ED1 (including the official event record RS1 corresponding to such a private event PE) for making the private event PE function as the official event OE is the game machine 3 that actually acquired the permission information. Limited to. Further, if such official event data ED1 does not exist, the private event PE is not displayed or provided as an official event OE. That is, after the provision of such official event data ED1, the private event PE is actually provided as the official event OE, and the log information is also acquired. As a result, the operator of the store 6 that holds the private event PE is actually set up by whether or not the permission information is used (for example, whether or not it is actually transmitted to the center server 2 via the game machine 3). It is possible to give an opportunity to decide whether or not to provide the event PE as an official event OE. That is, the case where the private event PE actually functions as the official event OE can be further limited to the case where it is approved by the operator of the store 6. As a result, it is possible to limit the conversion of an inappropriate private event PE into an official event, for example, when the holding period overlaps with other official event OEs, or when the holding scale (number of participants or period) is not sufficient.

Further, through such an event service, a private event PE turned into a qualifying event is set as a part of a series of qualifying events OE1. Specifically, a series of qualifying event OE1 including the private event PE is associated based on the holding information of such a private event PE, and each user is ranked in the entire series of qualifying event OE1. That is, not only the qualifying event OE1 prepared in advance, but also the private event PE set after the fact is provided as a series of qualifying event OE1 to be ranked. Thereby, a series of qualifying event OE1 including such a private event PE can be set after the fact. More specifically, for example, to function as a part of the ex post facto after a series of qualifying events OE1 has been set, or another new series of qualifying after an existing series of qualifying events OE1 has been set. A series of qualifying event OE1s including such private event PEs can be set up so that event OE1s are added. As a result, it is possible to reduce the time and effort of the store 6 operator and the server administrator as compared with the case where such a private event PE is realized by the operation, that is, the play status is aggregated by the operation. Further, even when the private event PE is set with a high degree of freedom, a series of qualifying event OE1 including such a private event PE can be set after the fact. That is, it is possible to allow the private event PE arbitrarily defined by the user to be added to the series of qualifying events OE1.

Furthermore, since the private event PE can function as an official event OE through such an event service, more official event OEs can be provided as compared with the case where such a private event PE is not provided. More specifically, through such a private event PE, for example, more qualifying event OE1 can be provided. As a result, the achievements of the private event PE can be utilized as a part of the participation conditions for the main event OE2, so that the main event event is based on more achievements than when such a private event PE is not provided. Whether or not to participate in OE2 can be determined. As a result, it is possible to more appropriately determine whether or not to participate. It is also possible to improve the attractiveness of the private event PE. Further, when such information related to the private event PE is shared with other users through the Web service, the play status (results) of the private event PE such as the ranking and the status of giving points can be set for each user terminal device. It can be shared with other users via 4. As a result, the user's interest in the private event PE can be further improved.

In the above embodiment, the event providing unit 24 of the center server 2 functions as an example of the related setting means of the present invention by executing the routine S301 of FIG. Further, the event providing unit 24 of the center server 2 functions as an example of the ranking setting means of the present invention by executing the routine S404 of FIG. On the other hand, the storage unit 23 of the center server 2 functions as the data storage means of the present invention by storing the official event data ED1.

The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned form, and may be carried out in a form in which appropriate modifications or changes are made. For example, in the above form, the game machine 3 is configured as an arcade game machine. However, the game machine 3 is not limited to the game machine configured as an arcade game machine. As the game machine 3, the user terminal device 4 or the like may function. Further, the game machine 3 may be configured as a game device that virtually operates on a server such as the center server 2 while using the user terminal device 4 or the like as a remote input / output device. On the other hand, the game machine 3 may function as the center server 2. That is, the game machine 3 may execute all or part of the roles (various processes, etc.) of the center server 2 in the above-described form. Alternatively, the center server 2 may be omitted, and the game machine 3 may function as the game system 1.

Further, in the above-described form, the private event PE is turned into an official event when the permission conditions are satisfied and the permission information is issued. However, the present invention is not limited to such a form. For example, issuance of such permission information may be omitted. That is, the opportunity of permission by the server administrator and the opportunity of approval by the operator of the store 6 are omitted, and when the private event PE is set, it may function as an official event OE unconditionally.

Various aspects of the present invention derived from each of the above-described embodiments and modifications are described below. In the following description, in order to facilitate understanding of each aspect of the present invention, the corresponding members shown in the accompanying drawings are added in parentheses, whereby the present invention is limited to the illustrated form. It's not a thing.

The game system of the present invention is a game system (1) that provides a game that realizes a plurality of events (PE, OE) including the user event by allowing the user to set a user event (PE). The related setting means (24) that sets the relation to two or more events (OE1) including the user event based on the setting contents of the user event, and the two or more events based on the information of the play status of each user. It is provided with a ranking setting means (24) for setting an overall ranking for each user.

According to the present invention, two or more events are associated so as to include such a user event based on the setting contents of the user event, and each user is ranked in the whole of the two or more events. That is, not only the event prepared in advance but also the user event set after the fact is provided as one of the series of events to be ranked. This makes it possible to set a series of events including user events after the fact. Specifically, the user event is ex post facto functioning, for example, as part of a set of events after it has been set, or as part of another new set of events after an existing set of events has been set. Can be made to. As a result, it is possible to reduce the time and effort of the operator as compared with the case where such a user event is realized by operation. Further, even when the user event is set with a high degree of freedom, a series of events including such a user event can be set after the fact. That is, it is possible to allow an event arbitrarily defined by the user to be added to a series of events.

User events may be set by a specific user or by any user. Also, when set by any user, each such user may or may not be managed. For example, in one aspect of the game system of the present invention, when the user event is set by each user, the user identification corresponding to the user who set the user event among the user identification information for identifying each user. A data storage means (23) for storing event data (ED1) described so as to associate information with the user event may be further provided.

Rankings may be used for various purposes. For example, rankings may be used solely for ranking purposes, or various perks (eg, game-related or non-game-related perks, electronic or physical perks, or electronic It may be used to grant tangible benefits including benefits or intangible benefits such as various rights). Specifically, for example, in one aspect of the game system of the present invention, the ranking setting means may set the ranking so that a predetermined privilege is given according to the ranking. Further, in this aspect, the ranking setting means uses the ranking as the participation condition when the plurality of events include a special event (OE2) in which participation is permitted based on the participation condition. The ranking may be set so that permission to participate in a special event functions as the predetermined privilege. In this case, the play status of the user event can be utilized as a part of the participation condition for the special event. As a result, it is possible to determine whether or not to participate in a special event based on more play situations than when such an event is not used, so that it is possible to determine whether or not to participate more appropriately. it can. As a result, the attractiveness of user events can also be improved.

The game as described above may be provided directly by the game system or indirectly via the game machine. That is, one game machine that provides the above-mentioned game may function as the game system of the present invention, and the game system of the present invention is connected to the game machine that provides the above-mentioned game. May be good. Specifically, for example, in one aspect of the game system of the present invention, when the ranking setting means is provided via a game machine (3) connected via a network (5), the game is provided. The ranking may be set based on the information of the play situation acquired from the game machine. When the game is provided via the game machine, the above-mentioned concept of the user includes not only the user of the game machine (the person who plays the game) but also the operator (administrator) of the game machine. May be included.

User events may be set in various ways. For example, when a game machine is connected via a network, it may be set via the game machine, and when a user terminal device is connected via a network, it is connected via the user terminal device. May be done. That is, the user event may be set via various setting terminals such as these game machines or user terminal devices that can set the user event. Specifically, for example, in one aspect of the game system of the present invention, the related setting means sets the user event via the setting terminal (3, 4) connected via the network (5). If so, the association may be set for the two or more events so as to include the user event. In this case, the above-mentioned concept of a user may include a user of such a setting terminal.

On the other hand, the computer program of the present invention causes the computer (24) connected to the input device (36) and the output device (37) used for playing the game to function as each means of the above-mentioned game system. It is composed. Further, the server device (2) of the present invention is connected to the input device (36) and the output device (37) used for playing the game via the network (5), and is used as each means of the above-mentioned game system. It works. The game system of the present invention can be realized through the computer program or the server device of the present invention.

1 Game system 2 Center server 3 Game machine 4 User terminal device 5 Network 23 Storage unit (data storage means)
24 Event provider (computer, related setting means, ranking setting means)
36 Input device 37 Display device (output device)
PE private event (user event)
OE1 Series of qualifying events (two or more events)
OE2 main event (special event)
ED1 Official Event Data (Event Data)

Claims (6)

A game system that provides a game that realizes a plurality of events including the user event by allowing the user to set the user event.
A related setting means for setting a relation to two or more events including the user event based on the setting contents of the user event, and
A ranking setting means for setting a ranking limited to the two or more events for each user in the entire two or more events based on the information of the play status of each user.
Equipped with a,
The ranking setting means sets the ranking so that a predetermined privilege is given according to the ranking.
When the plurality of events include a special event that is permitted to participate based on the participation condition, the ranking setting means can obtain permission to participate in the special event by using the ranking as the participation condition. The ranking is set so as to function as the predetermined privilege, and the ranking is set.
The two or more events are game systems that function as qualifiers for participating in the special event through the participation conditions . When the user event is set by each user, the user identification information corresponding to the user who set the user event among the user identification information for identifying each user is described so as to be associated with the user event. The game system according to claim 1, further comprising a data storage means for storing the event data. The claim that the ranking setting means sets the ranking based on the information of the play situation acquired from the game machine when the game is provided via the game machine connected via the network. The game system according to 1 or 2 . The related setting means sets the relation to the two or more events so as to include the user event when the user event is set via the setting terminal connected via the network. ~ The game system according to any one of 3 . A computer program configured to cause a computer connected to an input device and an output device used for playing a game to function as each means of the game system according to any one of claims 1 to 4 . A server device that is connected to an input device and an output device used for playing a game via a network and functions as each means of the game system according to any one of claims 1 to 4 .

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