JP7184859B2 - Multiplayer game session management method and management system - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates generally to multiplayer games, and more particularly to methods relating to game sessions of multiplayer games. Additionally, the present disclosure relates to a system for managing game sessions of multiplayer games. Additionally, the present disclosure also relates to devices suitable for use in the above systems.

background

A multiplayer game is a game in which multiple players play together, eg, against each other. A problem faced in multiplayer games is matching multiple players together in some meaning full manner. Meaningful manners refer to situations in which a player within a game session has at least one characteristic feature. Here, this property is general or nearly general. Examples of these characteristics include player skill, game level, skill level, and player best score. As an example, it may be desirable to match only players who are within a level of a particular game.

Currently, matching in multiplayer games is done on a server system, which has information about the characteristics of the players of the game. Players crowd into clusters of different skill levels. For a given player, matching is performed within his/her cluster. This matching is performed by connecting players who are online at a predetermined time and who have indicated their intention to start the game.

The problem with this approach is that some players may have to wait too long to find other players if the cluster size is too small. On the other hand, if the cluster size is too large, some players may not be matched with players having skill levels close to theirs.

Summary

The present disclosure aims to provide an improved method for managing game sessions in multiplayer games.

The present disclosure also aims to provide an improved system for managing game sessions of multiplayer games.

A further object of the present disclosure is to at least partially overcome at least some of the problems of the prior art as discussed above.

In a first aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method for managing game sessions of a multiplayer game. The method is
- receiving a request from a first party to initiate a game session of a multiplayer game;
- associating the first party with a first category of players of the multiplayer game;
- determining the number of players in the first category;
- sending an invite to at least one second party associated with the first category if the number of players included in the first category is less than a threshold;
- receiving a request to join a game session of the multiplayer game from the at least one second party associated with the first category;
- starting a game session of the multiplayer game by accepting the request from the first party;
• adding said at least one second party to said game session of said multiplayer game.

In a second aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a system for managing game sessions of a multiplayer game. This system is
- receiving a request from a first party to initiate a game session of said multiplayer game;
- associating the first party with a first category of players of the multiplayer game;
- determining the number of players in the first category;
- sending an invite to at least one second party associated with the first category if the number of players included in the first category is less than a threshold;
- receiving a request to join a game session of the multiplayer game from the at least one second party associated with the first category;
- starting a game session of the multiplayer game by accepting the request from the first party;
• adding said at least one second party to said game session of said multiplayer game.

In a third aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure comprise a memory storing instructions, a processor coupled to said memory, a display coupled to said processor, and a communication interface coupled to said processor. a device comprising: wherein the processor executes the instructions to
- using the communication interface to receive, via a push notification message, first data indicative of an invitation to join a game session of a multiplayer game;
- parsing the first data to display the invitation on the display;
- determining from user input whether the user accepts the invitation and joins the game session of the multiplayer game;
• starting the multiplayer game stored in the memory if the user accepts the invitation and joins the game session of the multiplayer game.

Additional aspects, advantages, features and objects of the present disclosure will be made apparent from the accompanying drawings and detailed description of the illustrative embodiments. These shall be interpreted in conjunction with the claims that follow.

Of course, the features of the present disclosure may be combined in various ways without departing from the scope of disclosure defined in the appended claims.

The foregoing general description and the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments will be better understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. For the purpose of explaining the present disclosure, the drawings illustrate exemplary configurations of the present disclosure. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the specific methods and instrumentalities described herein. Also, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the drawings are not drawn to scale. Identical components are indicated by identical numbers wherever possible.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the following drawings.
1 is a drawing showing a network environment; Here, a system for managing game sessions of a multiplayer game is implemented according to embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 illustrates an example data flow when a game session of a multiplayer game is managed in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; FIG. FIG. 2 illustrates an example data flow when a game session of a multiplayer game is managed in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; FIG. Figures 4A-4D illustrate various combinations of devices according to embodiments of the present disclosure; 4B and 4C together illustrate steps of a method for managing a game session of a multiplayer game according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 4A and 4C together illustrate steps of a method for managing a game session of a multiplayer game according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 4A and 4B together illustrate steps of a method for managing a game session of a multiplayer game according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

In the accompanying drawings, underlined numbers are used to represent the item at or adjacent to which the number appears. A non-underlined number is associated with the item identified by the line connecting the number. If the number is not underlined and written with an arrow, the number is used to identify the generic item that the arrow points to.

Detailed description of the embodiment

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and how they may be implemented are now detailed. While several ways of carrying out the disclosure of the present application have been described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other embodiments of carrying out or performing the disclosure of the present application are possible.
[Glossary]

A brief explanation of terms used throughout this application is provided below.

The term "multiplayer game" generally refers to a game in which multiple players play together in real time or near real time. For example, a multiplayer game may be a competitive game. In this case, multiple players play against each other in real time or near real time.

The term "game session" generally means a given session of a multiplayer game. Here, multiple players participate in a given session and play a multiplayer game in real time or near real time.

The term "leaderboard" generally refers to a multiplayer game scoreboard. According to embodiments disclosed herein, the leaderboard for a given multiplayer game includes the names of the players of the given multiplayer game and their ranking. Further optionally, the leaderboard may include the player's individual best and/or current scores.

The term "game server" generally refers to a server that provides multiplayer game services to multiple parties (ie, clients).

The term "party" generally means a client associated with a player of a multiplayer game.

The term "server" generally refers to an application, program, process, or device in a client/server relationship that responds to requests for information or services by other applications, programs, processes, or devices (clients) over a communications network. means. The term "server" also includes software. This software makes it possible to provide information or services.

The term "client" generally refers to an application, program, process, or device in a client/server relationship that requests information or services from another application, program, process, or device (client) over a communications network. means. Importantly, the terms "client" and "server" are relative, as one application may be a client for one application and a server for another. The term "client" also includes software. This software enables a connection between a server and any requesting application, program, process, device, such as a File Transfer Protocol (FTP) client.

The terms "connected" or "coupled" and other related terms are used interchangeably and need not be limited to the direct meaning of connection or coupling. do not have. For example, two devices can be connected directly or through one or more intervening media or devices. As another example, devices can be connected so that they can communicate with each other without sharing a physical connection with each other. Based on the disclosure of the application presented herein, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that connections and couplings can exist in a variety of ways with respect to the above definitions.

The terms "first," "second," and similar terms are used herein to distinguish between elements, without implying order, quantity, or importance. Furthermore, the term "a" is not meant to be limiting in quantity, but means that there is at least one referenced item.

"In an embodiment," "according to an embodiment," or similar phrases generally indicate that the particular feature, structure, or characteristic following the phrase is included in at least one embodiment disclosed herein; , are meant to be included in multiple embodiments disclosed herein. Importantly, these phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.

If the specification states that a component or feature "may include, may include, may include" or "may include, may include, may include", etc., The component does not necessarily have to be included or have that feature.
[Embodiments disclosed in the present application]

In a first aspect, embodiments disclosed herein provide a method for managing game sessions of a multiplayer game. The method is
- receiving a request from a first party to initiate a game session of a multiplayer game;
- associating the first party with a first category of players of the multiplayer game;
- determining the number of players in the first category;
- sending an invite to at least one second party associated with the first category if the number of players included in the first category is less than a threshold;
- receiving a request to join a game session of the multiplayer game from the at least one second party associated with the first category;
- starting a game session of the multiplayer game by accepting the request from the first party;
- adding the at least one second party to the game session of the multiplayer game;
including.

According to embodiments disclosed herein, the above method is performed by a game server. Here, the game server provides multiplayer game services to multiple parties. The plurality of parties includes the first party and the at least one second party.

Throughout this disclosure, the term "first party" means a client associated with a player of a multiplayer game. This player is making a request to start a new game session. On the other hand, the term "at least one second party" means at least one client associated with at least one multiplayer game player to whom the invitation is sent. In the following, the player who generated the request to start the game session is referred to as the "initiating player" and the at least one player to whom the invitation is sent is referred to as the "receiving player".

The first party and the at least one second party are associated with the same category of players of the multiplayer game, namely the first category of players. According to embodiments disclosed herein, a first category is a category in which the first party and at least one second party have substantially similar skill levels related to multiplayer gaming. Optionally, in this case skill level refers to the multiplayer leaderboard. Additionally or alternatively, a category may refer to a group of players at the same stage or level of a multiplayer game. Additionally or alternatively, a category may refer to a group of players playing in the same group as the player. The same group is, for example, a team or players of players from the same location (country, region, continent) or from the same demography (gender, age). Additionally or alternatively, a category may refer to players having the same or similar gaming devices. Additionally or alternatively, a category may refer to players within a game who have the same or similar resources. Resources are available in-game credits, available tools, weapons, assets, progress levels of game objects, and so on.

According to embodiments disclosed herein, the first category includes players with ranks within a predetermined range relative to the initiating player's rank. As a result, the first category will have both higher ranked players and lower ranked players than the initiating player. Optionally, in this case, the first category includes players whose position on the leaderboard is within the range "xy" to "x+y". Here, "x" is the ranking of the starting player, and "y" is a natural number such as 5, 10, 15, and the like. For example, if the starting player's rank (x) is 30 and y is 10, then the first category includes players with ranks 20-40. The number of players in the first category is twenty. Alternatively, for example, if the starting player's rank (x) is 1 and y is 9, then the first category includes players with ranks 2-10. The number of players in the first category is nine.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the first category includes players belonging to a particular subscription type to multiplayer games. Optionally, in such a case, the number of players included in the first category is the number of players belonging to a particular type of subscription.

If the number of players in the first category is less than the threshold, the players may not be able to find other players to play the multiplayer game within the desired waiting time. Therefore, in order to increase the probability that the initiating player will find at least one player with whom to play a multiplayer game, an invitation is sent to at least one player in the first category.

According to embodiments disclosed herein, the method further includes sending a further invitation to the players included in the first category if a request to join is not received from the at least one second party within a second predetermined time period. Including sending.

Optionally, in this case, invitations may be sent to multiple parties associated with the first category. Optionally, in this case, invitations may be sent to all parties associated with the first category.

Further, according to embodiments disclosed herein, invitations are sent using push notification technology. Optionally, in this case the invitation is sent via a push notification message or the like. Here, in this push notification message, if the receiving player clicks on the push notification message or otherwise selects to start the game application, the receiving player's game device will start the multiplayer game application (hereinafter referred to as " It contains information that can start a game application. For example, the invitation can be sent using the APN (Apple Push Notification) service provided by Apple Inc. (Apple is a registered trademark).

Note that the game application does not need to be running on the receiving player's gaming device when the push notification message is received, as the game application can be activated by the push notification message itself. be. In other words, the game application need not be active at the time the push notification message is received.

Further, according to embodiments disclosed herein, the method includes determining a threshold based on a probability that at least one first party will participate in the multiplayer game within the first predetermined time period. For example, the first predetermined time period may be a waiting time of 15 seconds, 10 seconds, 5 seconds, or less, 30 seconds, 60 seconds, or more. In some embodiments, the probability that at least one party will join is the number of players in the first category, the average time players start a new game session, and the waiting time required for at least one party to join. is a function of

In other words, if the probability of at least one party joining is greater than a predetermined threshold, no invitation need be sent. For example, the predetermined threshold may be 0.95.

For purposes of explanation, an exemplary threshold determination method is considered here. It will be appreciated that a new game session of a multiplayer game can only be initiated if two or more players have indicated that they would like to play the multiplayer game. In the examples shown in the drawings, the following will be appreciated.
(i) Player "G ₀ " indicates a desire to play a multiplayer game. That is, it creates a request to start a new game session for a multiplayer game.
(ii) “n” is the number of other players _“ G ₁ ”, “G ₂ ” _, .
(iii) "t1" is the time at which at least one other player also indicates a desire to play a multiplayer game with a probability of "p1=1". That is, at least one other player is guaranteed to join the game session within time "t1".
(iv) “p2” is the probability that player “G ₀ ” will wait until time “t2” for at least one other player to join the game session.
(v) "p3" is the probability that a given player will join the game session by time "t2". p3=t2/t1.

Given the number of other players "n", the probability that at least one other player will join the game session by time "t2" can be calculated as p3*n.
p3×n

The probability that at least one other player will join the game session by time "t2" is given by player " _G0 " that at least one other player joins the game session by time "t2". It should be equal to or greater than the waiting probability. So the number of other players in the category can be calculated as follows.
p3×n≧p2
n≧p2/p3=p2/(t2/t1)=p2×t1/t2

As in the example, when the time "t1" is 100 seconds, the time "t2" is 15 seconds, and the probability "p2" is 0.9, the threshold is 6 (=0.9×100/15=6). That is, at least 6 other players are required to achieve the expected wait time of 15 seconds. In such cases, if the category contains less than 6 players, an invite is sent.

As another example, if time "t1" is 100 seconds, time "t2" is 5 seconds, and probability "p2" is 0.9, the threshold is 18 (=0.9*100/5). That is, at least 18 other players are required to achieve the expected wait time of 5 seconds. In such cases, if the category contains less than 18 players, an invite is sent.

Optionally, time "t1" and probability "p2" are determined based on multiplayer game statistics. Statistics and the like may be collected by the game server. For example, statistical data may be collected for a predetermined number of recent game sessions of a multiplayer game. For other examples, statistical data may be collected for game sessions that begin and/or end within a predetermined period of time.

It should be noted here that the above calculations are performed for a two-player game. In the case of a three-player game, a new game session can only be started if there are three or more players who indicate that they want to play the game. In the case of an N-player game, a new game session can only start when there are N or more players who have indicated that they want to play the game.

Further, according to embodiments disclosed herein, the method further comprises at least one of the second categories associated with the second category if a join request from the at least one second party is not received within the second predetermined time. Further including sending an invitation to the one third party.

The second category is different than the first category. Optionally, the number of players included in the second category is greater than the number of players included in the first category. This increases the likelihood of the initiating player finding at least one player to play a multiplayer game with.

For example, a second category may include players whose position on the leaderboard is within the range of "xz" to "x+z". Here, "z" is a larger natural number than "y". In this case, the second category is a superset of the first category.

For illustration purposes, an exemplary implementation of the above method according to the embodiments disclosed herein is now considered. The game devices of players A and B now have the same multiplayer game game application installed. In order for players A and B to be able to play a multiplayer game together in real-time or near real-time, both players A and B start a game application on their respective gaming devices and their gaming devices play the same game. Must be connected within a session.

An exemplary operational loop includes the following steps.
Step 1: A first player starts a game application on his/her gaming device and indicates a desire to play a multiplayer game. In response, a request to start a new game session of the multiplayer game is sent to the game server.
Step 2: The game server associates the first player with a first category of players and searches for other online players included in the first category. Other players are players belonging to the first category who have indicated that they want to play a multiplayer game. If no online player is found, step 3 is executed. On the other hand, if at least one online player is found, the game server initiates a new game session of the multiplayer game and joins the first player and the at least one online player to the new game. Add to session.
Step 3: The game server determines whether the number of players included in the first category is less than the threshold. If it is determined that the number of players included in the first category is equal to or greater than the threshold, step 4 is executed. On the other hand, if it is determined that the number of players included in the first category is less than the threshold, step 5 is executed.
Step 4: The game server waits for a first predetermined time. If none of the players in the first category indicate a desire to play a multiplayer game within a first predetermined time period, the game server considers the first player and the second category of players. and repeat step 2 for the second category of players.
Step 5: The game server sends a request to the push notification server to send an invitation to at least one second player included in the first category.
Step 6: The push notification server then sends an invitation to at least one second player included in the first category.
Step 7: if at least one second player has indicated that they want to play against the first player in the multiplayer game, a request to join the game session of the multiplayer game is sent to the game server; Step 8 is executed. If no request to join is received from at least one second player within a second predetermined time period, the game server associates the first player with a second category of players and selects a second category of players. Repeat step 2 for the category.
Step 8: The first player and the at least one second player are connected in the same game session such that the first player's gaming device and the at least one second player's gaming device are connected to: It will be possible to play against each other on the multiplayer game. Game sessions are synchronized through the game server.
Step 9: After the multiplayer game ends, the multiplayer game leaderboard is updated. Optionally, this step may update the relative standings of the first player and the at least one second player.

In a second aspect, embodiments disclosed herein provide a system for managing game sessions of a multiplayer game. This system is
- receiving a request to start a game session of a multiplayer game from a first party;
- associating the first party with a first category of players of the multiplayer game;
- determining the number of players in the first category;
- sending an invite to at least one second party associated with the first category if the number of players in the first category is below a threshold;
- receiving a request to join a game session of the multiplayer game from the at least one second party associated with the first party;
- starting a game session of the multiplayer game by accepting the request from the first party;
- adding the at least one second party to the game session of the multiplayer game; and a game server configured to:

A game server provides multiplayer game services to multiple parties. These parties include a first party and at least one second party.

The first party and the at least one second party are associated with the same category of players of the multiplayer game, namely the first category of players. According to embodiments disclosed herein, a first category is a category in which the first party and at least one second party have substantially similar skill levels related to multiplayer gaming. Optionally, the skill level is taken from the multiplayer game leaderboard. Here, the leaderboards are stored in the game server's database associated with the game server.

Optionally, the game server is further configured to send invitations to multiple parties associated with the first category. Further optionally, the game server is configured to send invites to all parties associated with the first category.

Further, according to embodiments disclosed herein, the game server is configured to send the invite via the push notification server. Optionally, in this case the invitation is sent as a push notification message. Here, the push notification message includes a gaming device associated with at least one second party if the at least one second party chooses to start the gaming application, such as by clicking on the push notification message. contains information that can start a multiplayer game application.

Further, according to embodiments disclosed herein, the game server is further configured to determine the threshold based on the probability that at least one party will participate in the multiplayer game within the first predetermined time period. Here, the time is counted on the game server. Alternatively, the threshold may be a predetermined number. The predetermined number may be stored on the game server. Optionally, the threshold may be adjusted from time to time.

According to embodiments disclosed herein, the game server further generates at least one second party associated with the second category if a join request from at least one second party is not received within a second predetermined time period. It is configured to send invitations to 3 parties.

For illustration purposes, an exemplary environment is considered here. Here, a system for managing game sessions of a multiplayer game is implemented according to embodiments disclosed herein. An exemplary environment is described in FIG. 1 for further discussion below.

An exemplary environment includes a plurality of game devices associated with a plurality of players, a game server, a database of game servers associated with the game server, a push notification server, and a communication network.

The game server is connected to and communicates with the game device and the push notification server via a communication network. A communication network may be a collection of individual networks or interconnected to function as a single larger network. Individual networks, etc. may be wired, wireless, or a combination of wired and wireless. Examples of the above networks include LAN (Local Area Network), WAN (Wide Area Network), MAN (Metropolitan Area Network), WLAN (Wireless LAN), WWAN (Wireless WAN), WMAN (Wireless MAN), Internet , 2G communication networks, 3G communication networks, 4G communication networks, WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) networks, short range wireless networks such as Bluetooth®, but not limited thereto.

Examples of game devices include mobile phones, smart phones, MIDs (Mobile Internet Devices), tablet computers, UMPCs (Ultra-Mobile Personal Computers), phablet computers, PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), web pads, personal computers, portable Personal computers, notebook computers, desktop computers, NAS (Network-Attached Storage) devices, PC-mounted large touch screens, interactive entertainment devices (game consoles, TV sets, STBs (sets and set-top boxes), etc.) but not limited to this. Some examples of gaming devices include iPhones, iPads, Android terminals, Android tablet terminals, Windows terminals, Windows tablet terminals, (these include registered trademarks), but are not limited to:

A game server provides multiplayer gaming services to clients associated with gaming devices. A gaming device has a multiplayer game game application (ie, client) installed on the gaming device. Here, the game application is configured to communicate with the game server. The game server coordinates and synchronizes the game applications running on the players' gaming devices. Players play games together by competing against each other.

In addition, the game server stores information related to the rules of the multiplayer game and other information related to the game in the game server's database. Optionally, other game-related information includes multiplayer game leaderboards. In addition, optionally, other game-related information may include player credit information, player score, status of game being played, progress of game being played, level of game being played by player, any one or more of skills and/or associated timestamps.

Additionally, the game server uses the push notification service provided by the push notification server when the invitation is requested to be sent. Optionally, in this case the game server defines the communication content of the invitation.

In a third aspect, embodiments disclosed herein comprise a memory storing instructions, a processor coupled to the memory, a display coupled to the processor, and a communication interface coupled to the processor. Provide equipment. wherein the processor executes the instructions to
- using the communication interface to receive, via a push notification message, first data indicating an invitation to join a game session of a multiplayer game;
- parsing the first data to display the invitation on the display;
- determining from user input whether the user has accepted an invitation to join a game session of said multiplayer game;
- starting the multiplayer game stored in the memory if the user accepts an invitation to join a game session of the multiplayer game;
configured to do

Examples of devices include mobile phones, smart phones, MIDs (Mobile Internet Devices), tablet computers, UMPCs (Ultra-Mobile Personal Computers), phablet computers, PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), web pads, personal computers, portable personal computers. , notebook computers, desktop computers, NAS (Network-Attached Storage) devices, PC-mounted large touch screens, interactive entertainment devices (game machines, TV sets, STBs (sets and Set-Top Boxes), etc.) , but not limited to. Some examples of devices include iPhones, iPads, Android terminals, Android tablet terminals, Windows terminals, Windows ) tablets (these include registered trademarks), including but not limited to;

Further, an exemplary apparatus is described in conjunction with FIG. 3, as detailed below. Devices include, but are not limited to, computer hardware such as memory, processors, displays and other input/output (I/O) devices, communication interfaces, and power supplies.

A power supply provides power to the various components of the device. The power source may include, for example, rechargeable batteries.

Optionally, memory includes fixed memory, removable memory, and combinations thereof. Examples of fixed memory include random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, hard drives, and the like. Examples of removable memory include flash memory cards, memory sticks, smart cards, and the like.

A game application is stored in the memory and the processor is operable to execute the game application. When a game application is run on the processor, a GUI (graphical user interface) is generated and displayed on the display.

The input/output device facilitates the user's input interface. Optionally, the input/output device is configured to detect user input associated with moving a pointer object, clicking or tapping a pointer object, or swiping a touch-sensitive object covering the GUI. may be

In one embodiment, the display is a touch-sensitive display screen operable to provide a user input interface. A touch-sensitive display is operable to receive tactile input from a user. These haptic inputs include, for example, clicking, tapping, pointing, moving, pressing, and/or swiping with a touch-sensitive object such as a finger or pen.

Additionally, alternatively, or optionally, input/output devices include mice, keyboards, joysticks, and the like. They are operable to receive input associated with clicking, pointing and/or moving pointer objects on the GUI.

Further optionally, the input/output device may include a speaker for providing audio output to the user, and a microphone for receiving audio input from the user.

Additionally, the communication interface allows the processor to communicate with the game server, such as via a communication network. The communication interface may also enable the processor to receive push notification messages related to invitations to join a game session of the multiplayer game.

Detailed description of the drawing

Referring now specifically to the drawings using reference numerals, FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a network environment 100 . Here, a system for managing game sessions of a multiplayer game is implemented according to embodiments disclosed herein.

Network environment 100 includes multiple gaming devices associated with multiple players. The plurality of game devices are described as game device 102a, game device 102b, and game device 102c (hereinafter collectively referred to as game devices 102). The network environment 100 further includes a game server 104 , a database of game servers 106 associated with the game server 104 , a push notification server 108 , and a communication network 110 .

FIG. 1 is merely an example, which should not unduly limit the scope of the claims herein. The specific symbols and the like for network environment 100 are provided as an example, and network environment 100 may be defined as a specific number, type, or arrangement of game devices, game servers, game server databases, push notification servers, and communication networks. not be understood as limiting to Those skilled in the art will appreciate many variations, substitutions and alterations of the embodiments disclosed herein.

2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating an example of data flow when a game session of a multiplayer game is managed according to embodiments disclosed herein.

A player associated with gaming device 202 (hereinafter referred to as an “initiating player”) initiates a game application for a multiplayer game on gaming device 202 . It then initiates a request to start a new game session of the multiplayer game. As a result, in step S2.1, the game device 202 sends a request to the game server 204 via the communication network 206. FIG.

At step S2.2, the game server 204 associates the initiating player with the category using information stored in the game server's database 208 .

At step S2.3, the game server 204 searches for other online players included in the category. (Actually, the other player who is online is also the player initiating the request to start a new game session. Matching players.) If no players are found online during the search, the game server 204 determines whether the number of players in the first category is less than a threshold. If it is determined that the number of players in the first category is less than the threshold, step S2.4 is executed.

At step S2.4, the game server 204 sends a request to the push notification server 210 to send an invitation to at least one other player in the category. Thereafter, at step S2.5, the push notification server 210 sends an invitation over the communication network 206 to the gaming device 212 associated with at least one other player (hereinafter referred to as the "recipient player"). do.

At step S2.6, the receiving player accepts the invitation. The game device 212 then sends a join request to the game server 204 at step S2.7.

At step S2.8, the game server 204 starts a new game session of the multiplayer game and adds the initiating player and the receiving player to the new game session. The game server 204 synchronizes game sessions.

When the game session ends, the game server 204 updates the information stored in the game server database 208 (step S2.9).

FIG. 2 is merely an example, which should not unduly limit the scope of the claims herein. Those skilled in the art will appreciate many variations, substitutions and alterations of the embodiments disclosed herein.

FIG. 3 is a drawing showing various combinations of devices 300 according to embodiments disclosed herein. Device 300 includes, but is not limited to, memory 302 , computer hardware such as processor 304 , display 306 and other input/output (I/O) devices 308 , communication interface 310 and power supply 312 .

FIG. 3 is merely an example, which should not unduly limit the scope of the claims herein. The specific symbols, etc. of device 300 are provided by way of example and should not be understood as limiting device 300 to any particular number, type, module and/or arrangement of components of device 300 . Those skilled in the art will appreciate many variations, substitutions and alterations of the embodiments disclosed herein. For example, device 300 may be implemented as gaming devices 102, 202, 212, and vice versa.

4A-4C are diagrams that summarize the steps of a method for managing a game session of a multiplayer game according to embodiments disclosed herein. The method is described as a series of steps in a logical flow diagram. This logical flow diagram represents a sequence of steps that can be implemented in hardware, software, and combinations thereof.

At step 402, a game server receives a request from a first party to initiate a game session for a multiplayer game.

At step 404, the game server associates the first party with a first category of players of the multiplayer game.

At step 406, the game server searches for parties that are online and associated with the first category. If the above search finds at least one party that is online, step 408 is executed. At step 408, the game server initiates a new game session of the multiplayer game and adds the first party and at least one online party to the new game session.

In step 406, if no party is found online, step 410 is performed.

At step 410, the game server determines whether the number of players in the first category is less than a threshold. If it is determined that the number of players in the first category is greater than or equal to the threshold, step 412 is executed.

At step 412, the game server waits a first predetermined time. If any party has indicated their intention to participate, step 408 is executed. If no player in the first category has indicated a desire to play a multiplayer game within the first predetermined time period, step 414 is executed.

At step 414, the game server associates the first party with another category of players and performs step 406 again for this other category.

At step 410, if it is determined that the number of players in the first category is less than the threshold, then step 416 is performed. At step 416, the game server sends a request to the push notification server to send an invitation to at least one second party in the first category.

At step 418, the push notification server sends an invite to at least one second party associated with the first category.

At step 420, the game server determines whether it has received a request to join a multiplayer game game session from at least one second party within a second predetermined time period. If the game server receives the join request, step 422 is executed. At step 422, the game server starts a new game session and adds the first party and at least one second party to the new game session.

If no request to join from the second party is received within the second predetermined time, step 424 is executed. At step 424, the game server associates the first party with a second category of players and performs step 406 again for this second category.

Steps 402-424 are merely exemplary and other options may be provided. That is, one or more steps may be added, one or more steps removed, or one or more steps performed in a different order, without departing from the scope of the appended claims. can be done.

Modifications of the embodiments disclosed in the present application as described above are possible without departing from the scope of the disclosure defined in the appended claims. The terms "include," "comprise," "incorporate," "consist of," "have," "is," and the like used to describe and claim the disclosure of this application are to be interpreted without limitation. There may be items, parts, elements, etc. that are not explicitly stated. Singular references should also be construed as relating to the plural.

Claims (10)

A method of managing a game session for a multiplayer game, comprising:
receiving a request from a first party to initiate a game session of the multiplayer game;
associating the first party with a first category of players of the multiplayer game;
determining the number of online players included in the first category;
sending an invitation to at least one second party associated with the first category if the number of online players included in the first category is less than a threshold;
receiving a request to join a game session of the multiplayer game from the at least one second party associated with the first category;
initiating a game session of the multiplayer game by accepting the request from the first party;
adding the at least one second party to the game session of the multiplayer game;
wherein said threshold is determined based on a probability that said player will wait for at least one other player to join said game session during a waiting period. The management method according to claim 1, wherein said first category relates to location, said location means either a country or a continent, and said second party is in the same location as said first party. . The management method according to claim 1, wherein said first category relates to gender or age, and said second party has the same gender or age as said first party. 2. The management method of claim 1, wherein the first category relates to game devices, and the second party has the same or similar game devices as the first party. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first category relates to resources, and the resources mean available tools, weapons, assets, and the second party has the same or similar resources as the first party. Described management method. further comprising sending an invitation to at least one third party associated with a second category if said request from said at least one second party is not received within a second predetermined time period. Item 6. The management method according to any one of items 2 to 5. 7. A management method according to any preceding claim, wherein the invitation is sent using push notification technology. The threshold is calculated as p2*t1/t2, where:
t1 is the time at which at least one other player is expected to reliably join the game session;
t2 is the waiting time, expecting at least one other player to join the game session;
p2 is the probability that the player will wait for at least one other player to join the game session during the waiting time;
The management method according to any one of claims 1 to 7. A game session management system for a multiplayer game, comprising processing means and storage means, said storage means storing program instructions which, when executed by said processing means, cause said management system to: A management system configured to perform the method of any of claims 1-8 . 9. A computer program for a management system of a game session of a multiplayer game, said computer program, when executed by said management system's processing means, providing said management system with a program according to any one of claims 1 to 8 . A computer program comprising program instructions configured to cause the method to be performed.

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