CN110636890A

CN110636890A - Game device, program, and game system

Info

Publication number: CN110636890A
Application number: CN201880030695.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 高桥诚
Original assignee: Co Wandai
Current assignee: Co Wandai; Bandai Co Ltd
Priority date: 2017-06-30
Filing date: 2018-04-02
Publication date: 2019-12-31
Also published as: JP2019010413A; WO2019003544A1; JP6673874B2

Abstract

Utilization of game content provided by multiple pieces of hardware is facilitated to keep players concerned. The game device executes a game of first game content whose progress is controlled by acquiring first game information from an item of a first category. The game device acquires at least player information on the second game content managed for each player from an item of a second category for executing a game of a second game content different from the first game content, and controls, in accordance with the game in which the first game content is executed, to change the second game information for performing progress control of the game of the second game content corresponding to the player information.

Description

Game device, program, and game system

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a game device, a program, and a game system, and more particularly to a game device that provides a game playing experience of a game based on information acquired from an article.

Background

Not only for business use and home use, but also for various kinds of game hardware, the same game title is developed in plural kinds of game hardware to provide different game contents. Such game contents are introduced into elements specific to the characteristics of the game hardware, for example, to provide different interesting experiences. For example, there are also game devices as follows: by reading the card with the code attached thereto, the user is provided with a game playing experience of a game in which a character corresponding to the card is present (patent document 1).

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese laid-open patent publication No. H06-154421

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

In addition, although in-game objects such as main characters and items of a plurality of game contents related to the same game title are common as described above, in reality, such as development of the game contents individually, game data (progress of the game) associated with a player is not basically shared between different hardware. Therefore, even if the player actively plays a game in the game content provided by a specific hardware and invests in the game content to achieve an ideal progress situation, the player does not enjoy the advantage based on the play history in the game content of the same title developed by other hardware.

In particular, in recent years, users of game contents tend to use general-purpose hardware having good portability, such as mobile phones, smartphones, and tablet computers, and interest elements experienced by the users tend to be limited. In other words, there is a possibility that: the utilization of game contents developed using other hardware may be reduced, thereby making it difficult for the user to keep a constant attention to the game title.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a game device, a program, and a game system that promote the use of game content provided by a plurality of pieces of hardware and keep a player concerned.

Means for solving the problems

In order to achieve the above object, a game device according to the present invention includes an execution unit that executes a game of a first game content whose progress is controlled by acquiring first game information from a first type of item, the game device including: a first acquisition unit that acquires first game information from an item of a first category; a second acquisition unit that acquires at least player information on a second game content managed per player from an item of a second category of a game for executing the second game content different from the first game content; and a first control unit that performs control to change second game information for performing progress control of the game of the second game content corresponding to the player information acquired by the second acquisition unit, in accordance with the game of the first game content executed by the execution unit.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

With this configuration, according to the present invention, it is possible to promote the use of game contents provided by a plurality of hardware, thereby making the player continuously pay attention to.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a system diagram showing a configuration of a game system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the game device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the portable game terminal 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the server 300 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a providing process executed in the game device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of various information according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

[ embodiment ]

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In one embodiment described below, an example in which the present invention is applied to the following game system as an example of the game system is described: the game system includes a game device configured to be able to acquire information from an article, and a portable game terminal configured to be able to execute a game different from a game of the game device. However, the present invention can be applied to any device capable of acquiring information from an article configured to be capable of executing a game.

The following is assumed: the first game content (casing content) provided in the game device of the present embodiment can be acquired from the following 2 items at the time of playing the game, but these 2 items are not necessarily required.

A game card as a first category of articles according to the present invention includes card information related to a content of a housing as first game information according to the present invention. By acquiring the card information of the game card, it is possible to control the progress of the game of the case content, for example, to make a game element (for example, a character) corresponding to the card appear in the game of the case content, and to set the game parameters of the game element as information attached to the game card.

In the following description, the first type of article is described as a game card, but the first type of article is not limited to a game card. The first category item may be an item configured to be able to acquire first game information including at least information for specifying the corresponding game element, and may be, for example, an object such as a hand, a toy body, or a key ring having the appearance of the game element (character or prop). In this case, the first game information may be acquired from a recording medium inside the shaped object or a part of the appearance of the shaped object such as painting, labeling, printing, and shape. The first type of article may be not only a shaped article but also any article such as a paper medium or a sticker other than a game card. In the present embodiment, first game information to which a first category of item is attached is described as follows: the first game information is converted into a one-dimensional or multi-dimensional pattern (code) by applying a predetermined conversion operation, and printed on the surface of the game card. The code of the game card is explained as follows: the first game information can be acquired by reading the code of the game card by a reader described later. However, the method of attaching the first game information to the game card is not limited to the method of attaching the first game information to the game card as visible information, and may be any method, such as attaching the first game information by printing with invisible ink, or recording the first game information on a recording medium such as an IC chip included in the game card to hold the first game information as data.

In the present embodiment, the following case is explained: in a game of the housing content executed by the game device, a game element that can be presented by using a game card related to a first category of articles is a character, and a picture (character image) of the corresponding character is attached to the game card. However, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to this, and the game card for specifying the game element of the shell content is not limited to one configured to be able to specify a character relating to the game of the shell content, and may be used to specify other game elements such as a prop and an engine effect.

Another type is a portable game terminal as a second type of article according to the present invention, the portable game terminal being configured to be capable of providing a game play experience of a game of a portable content by executing various processes of a second game content (portable content) which is a game content different from a first game content (casing content) providing the game play experience in a game device. In the present embodiment, the portable game terminal is not always in a state in which information acquisition is possible, and when the game device is caused to perform information acquisition, the state transitions to a state in which at least player information that is managed for each player with respect to portable content can be acquired. The state may be the following: for example, a one-dimensional or multi-dimensional pattern (code) converted by applying a predetermined conversion operation to player information is displayed on a display unit of the portable game terminal, and the player information can be acquired by reading the pattern (code) with a reader of the game device. Further, the following state is also possible: by playing back a sound signal containing a signal corresponding to the player information and outputting the sound, the player information can be acquired by being picked up by a microphone of the game device. The following states are also possible: by establishing a wired/wireless communication connection between the game device and the portable game terminal, it is possible to transmit and receive player information between the devices.

In the present embodiment, the description is made assuming that the portable game terminal does not have information contributing to the progress of the game of the housing content, but the practice of the present invention is not limited to this, and the game of the housing content may be a game in which progress control is performed based on information acquired from the portable game terminal.

In the following description, the following description is assumed to be made: the portable game terminal as the second category of articles is a general-purpose communication terminal such as a portable phone, a smartphone, and a tablet terminal, which has a communication function with an external device and can be used for various purposes, but the implementation of the present invention is not limited to this. The second type of article may be an article configured to be able to execute a game of portable content (second game content) different from the housing content (first game content) executed by the game device, and may be, for example, a game-dedicated terminal configured to be able to play only a game of the second game content, a toy body having an execution function of a game of the second game content, or the like.

In the present embodiment, the case content and the portable content are different game contents related to the same game title, but the practice of the present invention is not limited to this. The game content that provides a game play experience by the game device 100 and the portable game terminal 200 may be, for example, a game content that is provided for different hardware for each game title having a relationship, such as a game content that is subjected to a joint plan between contents, a so-called derivative content such as a derivative content, or the like. Further, the term "game content" may refer to game contents having no relevance but different game titles configured to enable a common player ID to be used for player management, for example.

Structure of Game System

Here, a system configuration of a game system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 1. As shown, the game system is configured to: the game device 100, the portable game terminal 200, and the server 300 can communicate with each other via the network 400. In the following description, components that realize the same functions as those of the game device 100 in the portable game terminal 200 and the server 300 are distinguished by attaching prefix characters for "portable" and "server", respectively.

Structure of game device 100

First, the functional configuration of the game device 100 will be described with reference to the block diagram of fig. 2.

The control unit 101 is, for example, a CPU, and controls the operation of each block included in the game device 100. Specifically, the control unit 101 reads out an operation program of each block recorded in the recording medium 102, for example, and controls the operation of each block by expanding and executing the operation program in the memory 103.

The recording medium 102 is a recording device capable of permanently holding data, such as a nonvolatile memory or an HDD. The recording medium 102 stores, in addition to the operation programs of the respective blocks included in the game device 100, information such as parameters necessary for the operation of the respective blocks, and various kinds of graphic data used in the game of the shell content executed by the game device 100. The memory 103 is a storage device for temporarily storing data, such as a volatile memory. The memory 103 is used not only as an expansion area for the operation program of each block but also as a storage area for temporarily storing data and the like output during the operation of each block.

The payout detecting unit 104 detects that payout of the value is performed in the game apparatus 100. For example, payment of the consideration can be determined by detecting the input of a predetermined amount of coins or equivalent medals to the coin input port, completion of the settlement processing based on communication with a chip related to predetermined electronic money, or the like. The game device 100 of the present embodiment is explained as follows: the start of providing the service related to the experience of the housing content accompanied with the provision of the game card to the player is started based on the payment of the value, but the payment of the value is not a necessary condition and the service may be started based on a prescribed start instruction.

When playing a game provided by the game device 100 of the present embodiment, the acquisition unit 105 acquires information from the game card and the portable game terminal 200 via the first reader 120 and the second reader 130. The first reader 120 and the second reader 130 are provided in such a manner as to be assembled in the same housing as the game apparatus 100 or detachably attached to the outside of the game apparatus 100. The first reader 120 and the second reader 130 are each configured to be capable of acquiring information from a game card or the portable game terminal 200, and each outputs information acquired from a corresponding article upon receiving placement of the article to the acquisition unit 105. In this case, predetermined data conversion processing or the like may be performed to convert information (card information or player information) acquired from the game card or the portable game terminal 200 into a format suitable for use in each process in the game device 100. While the first reader 120 and the second reader 130 are controlled to be in a state in which information can be acquired from the corresponding article, for example, detection that the article is placed on a predetermined portion, identification of the article, or information acquisition from the article is performed by applying predetermined image processing to an image obtained by imaging.

In the present embodiment, the game card has, for example, card information having a data structure as shown in fig. 6 (a), and the first reader 120 acquires the card information when the game card is placed on a predetermined placement portion. As shown in the figure, the card information is configured to include a character ID 602 for identifying a character of the case content corresponding to the card in association with a card ID 601 for uniquely identifying the game card. Further, the following case is explained: when the portable game terminal 200 is in a state in which information acquisition is possible, the player information acquired from the portable game terminal 200 by the second reader 130 has at least a player ID used for identifying a player in a game of portable content.

In the present embodiment, although the description is given by using the reader as the device that directly acquires information from the game card and the portable game terminal 200, the reader may be a device that has a writing (information writing) function in addition to a reading (information reading) function. In this case, the game card and the portable game terminal each have a storage medium built therein, which is configured to hold and rewrite information.

As shown in fig. 1, the game device 100 of the present embodiment is explained in the following manner: the first reader 120 and the second reader 130 are disposed at different positions on the operation panel, and information acquisition is performed in different manners at the respective positions. However, in the implementation of the present invention, it is not essential that the first reader 120 and the second reader 130 are separately provided and the manner of acquiring information is different, and the first reader 120 and the second reader 130 may be constituted by the same reader.

The character DB106 is a database for managing information (character information) on each character which is determined to be present in advance in the game of the shell content. In the game of the housing content provided by the game device 100 of the present embodiment, a plurality of characters can be present in the game related to 1 play. As shown in fig. 6 (b), for example, the character information for managing 1 character includes drawing information 612, sound data 613, and a progress parameter 614 in association with a character ID 611 for uniquely specifying the character, wherein the drawing information 612 includes graphic data and the like used for generating a screen when the character is played in a game of housing contents, the sound data 613 is used for sound presentation in the same manner, and the progress parameter 614 describes the inherent abilities of the physical strength (durability), the attack strength, the defense strength, the number of movements (japanese language), and the special skills in addition to the name, the attribute, and the like of the character. The progress parameter 614 is information to be referred to in a game of shell contents for presenting characters, and progress control of the provided game is performed by using the information.

The presentation control unit 107 is responsible for controlling presentation of various information to the player in the game device 100. The game device 100 of the present embodiment is explained as follows: it is needless to say that the display unit 140 for displaying images (game screen, menu screen, etc.) and the audio output unit 150 for outputting audio are provided as means for presenting various information to the player, but the means for presenting information is not limited to these, and may be replaced or added.

The presentation control unit 107 includes a drawing device such as a GPU, for example, and performs predetermined drawing processing when generating a screen to be displayed on the display unit 140. Specifically, the presentation control unit 107 performs appropriate arithmetic processing on a necessary drawing object based on processing and commands given by the control unit 101 during operation of the game device 100 (during game play or during a standby state), thereby drawing a screen. The generated screen is output to the display unit 140, and displayed in a predetermined display area, thereby being presented to the player, and the display unit 140 is a display device in the same housing as the game device 100 or a display device detachably connected to the outside of the game device 100.

The presentation control unit 107 includes a circuit for outputting and amplifying an audio signal, such as a sound card and an amplifier, and performs a predetermined process when generating audio to be output from the audio output unit 150. Specifically, the presentation control unit 107 determines sound data to be simultaneously output, for example, based on sound data recorded in advance in the recording medium 102, and converts (D/a converts) the sound data into an electric sound signal to output the electric sound signal to the sound output unit 150, thereby outputting the sound. The audio output unit 150 may be a predetermined speaker or the like, and outputs an audio wave based on the input audio signal.

The supply control unit 108 controls supply of various items to be performed in the game device 100. The game device 100 of the present embodiment is configured to be able to provide 2 types of items, that is, a game card and a toy body as a third type of item according to the present invention, and is configured to be able to provide items of different types from the card providing unit 160 and the toy body providing unit 170, respectively.

The provision control unit 108 controls the card providing unit 160 so that it generally provides 1 game card for 1 play of the housing contents based on the payment of the value. The game card provided by the game device 100 of the present embodiment is provided before the start of a game sequence for executing a predetermined game (a game link for operating an operation character) related to the casing content, for example, in response to the payment of a price, and predetermined (fixed) information is attached to each game card regardless of the play content of the game related to the casing content. The card supply unit 160 is, for example, a card issuing device (japanese: カードディスペンサ), and may have the following configuration: the game machine has a not-shown container for vertically stacking game cards, and a mechanism for feeding out 1 game card held at the lowermost part of the container in accordance with a supply command from the supply control unit 108. In the case where the card supply unit 160 is built in the same housing as the game device 100, the supplied game card may be supplied to the player by being guided to an ejection port 161 (see fig. 1) accessible from the outside of the game device 100. The game card provided by the game device 100 of the present embodiment is an off-the-shelf card that is printed in advance, and the design of the character image, parameters, and the like printed on the card surface is fixed, and all the cards are formed in the same shape and the same size.

On the other hand, the provision control unit 108 controls the toy body providing unit 170 to provide 1 toy body according to the play content of the game for the game of the casing content executed according to the payout of the price. The toy body provided by the game device 100 of the present embodiment is, for example, a toy body related to the contents of the casing, such as a key ring or a hand of a character or a prop, and is accommodated in the accommodating portion of the toy body providing portion 170 in a state of being enclosed in a container (japanese: カプセル). The toy body providing unit 170 includes an operation unit 171 (see fig. 1), and when the delivery mechanism is driven by operating the operation unit 171, the container (toy body) is provided from the storage unit to the player. Whether or not the operation unit 171 is operable is controlled by the supply control unit 108, and the operation unit 171 is normally in an inoperable state (operation locked state) and is controlled to be operable for a predetermined period of time (operation free state) when a supply condition of the toy body is satisfied. In the present embodiment, for the sake of simplicity, the description will be made assuming that the toy body is configured so that information cannot be acquired by the game device 100. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it goes without saying that information relating to the contents of the housing may be attached to the toy body, or the toy body may be configured to be able to record the information and acquire the information to change the game play experience or the like provided by the game device 100.

The operation input unit 109 is, for example, a user interface provided in the game device 100, such as an operation member for direction input, an operation member for determination input, and various sensors. When detecting that an operation input to the operation member is performed, the operation input unit 109 outputs a control signal corresponding to the operation input to the control unit 101. In the present embodiment, the game device 100 is described as including various interfaces as physical operation members, but may include a touch input detection sensor or the like for detecting a touch input performed on the screen of the display unit 140, for example.

The communication unit 110 is a communication interface with an external device included in the game device 100. The communication unit 110 can be connected to an external device via a network 400 (wired or wireless) such as a communication network such as the internet or a cable connecting devices, and can transmit and receive data. The communication unit 110 converts information input as a transmission target into data of a predetermined format, for example, and transmits the data to an external device such as a server via the network 400. Further, when receiving information from an external device via the network 400, the communication unit 110 decodes the information and stores the information in the memory 103. The game device 100 according to the present embodiment is configured to be able to receive program data obtained by encapsulating a program of the casing content from an external device via the communication unit 110. When the program data is received together with a program update request via the communication unit 110, the control unit 101 can update the program currently stored in the casing content of the recording medium 102 using the received program data in accordance with the update request. In addition, for example, when program data recorded in a recording medium is inserted into an optical drive or the like, not shown, included in the game device, the update processing of the program of the casing content may be automatically executed, or when a start command is issued by the administrator after the insertion, the update processing of the program of the casing content may be executed.

Structure of portable game terminal 200

Next, the functional configuration of the portable game terminal 200 will be described with reference to the block diagram of fig. 3.

The portable control unit 201 is, for example, a CPU, and controls the operation of each block included in the portable game terminal 200. Specifically, the portable control unit 201 reads out, for example, an operation program of each block recorded in the portable recording medium 202 and an application program related to portable content, and develops and executes the operation program in the portable memory 203, thereby controlling the operation of each block. As described above, the portable game terminal 200 of the present embodiment is a general-purpose communication terminal, and provides a game play of portable content to a player by installing and starting an application related to the portable content.

The portable recording medium 202 is a recording device capable of permanently holding data, such as a nonvolatile memory or an HDD. The portable recording medium 202 records information such as parameters necessary for the operation of each block, in addition to the operation program of each block and the application program related to the portable content, which the portable game terminal 200 has. The portable recording medium 202 records player information used for player authentication and saving/loading of progress status when using portable content. The portable memory 203 is a storage device for temporarily storing data, such as a volatile memory. The portable memory 203 is used not only as an expansion area for the operation program and the application program of each block, but also as a storage area for temporarily storing data and the like output during the operation of each block.

The portable presentation control unit 204 is responsible for controlling presentation of various information to the player in the portable game terminal 200. The following description will be given of the portable game terminal 200 of the present embodiment: it is needless to say that the player can be replaced or added with a unit for presenting various information, which is not limited to the above, as the unit for presenting information, and the portable display unit 240 for displaying images (game screen, menu screen, etc.) and the portable sound output unit 250 for outputting sound. The presentation control using the portable display unit 240 and the portable audio output unit 250 may be the same as the presentation control described for the presentation control unit 107 of the game device 100, and the description thereof will be omitted.

The portable operation input unit 205 is a user interface including various sensors such as a touch input detection sensor, and operation members such as a power button and a function button, which are included in the portable game terminal 200. When detecting that an operation input is made to each user interface, the portable operation input unit 205 outputs a control signal corresponding to the operation input to the portable control unit 201.

The portable communication unit 210 is a communication interface with an external device included in the portable game terminal 200. The portable communication unit 210 can be connected to an external device via the network 400, and can transmit and receive data. The portable communication unit 210 converts information input as a transmission target into data of a predetermined format, for example, and transmits the data to an external device such as a server via the network 400. When receiving information from an external device via the network 400, for example, the portable communication unit 210 decodes the information and stores the decoded information in the portable memory 203. The portable game terminal 200 of the present embodiment is configured to be able to download and install a desired application program from a predetermined application server via the portable communication unit 210. In the present embodiment, the following case is explained: the portable presentation control unit 204 causes the portable display unit 240 to display the code that can be read by the second reader 130, and the second reader 130 reads the code, thereby transmitting the player information to the game device 100. However, the player information may be transmitted to the game device 100 by directly or indirectly communicating with the game device 100 through the portable communication unit 210.

Structure of server 300

Next, the functional configuration of the server 300 will be described with reference to the block diagram of fig. 4. Further, although the server 300 of the present embodiment is described as performing information management of each player using the shell content, information management of each player using the portable content, and management of game data related to the play of the portable content by each player collectively by the server 300, the implementation of the present invention is not limited to this, and various kinds of management may be implemented by being distributed to 2 or more devices.

The server control unit 301 is, for example, a CPU, and controls the operation of each block included in the server 300. Specifically, the server control unit 301 controls the operation of each block by reading out an operation program of each block recorded in the server recording medium 302, for example, and expanding and executing the program in the server memory 303.

The server recording medium 302 is a recording device capable of permanently holding data, such as a nonvolatile memory or an HDD. The server recording medium 302 stores information such as parameters necessary for the operation of each block, in addition to the operation program of each block included in the server 300. The server memory 303 is a storage device for temporarily storing data, such as a volatile memory. The server memory 303 is used not only as an expansion area for the operation program of each block but also as a storage area for temporarily storing data and the like output during the operation of each block.

The player DB 304 is a database that manages information (player-related information) other than the progress status of the game for each player with respect to the shell content and the portable content. In the present embodiment, for simplicity, the following description is assumed: the shell content and the portable content can be played using common player information, and the player DB 304 manages player-related information having a data structure shown in fig. 6 (c) for each player. As shown in the figure, in the player-related information, casing content usage information 622 indicating the usage status of the casing content by the player and portable content usage information 623 indicating the usage status of the portable content by the player are managed in association with a player ID 621 for identifying the player.

The casing content utilization information 622 may contain, for example, at least any one of the following: the number of times the player played the game of the housing content, the number of times the player played the game of the housing content in the same game device 100 (the number of times the player played in each of the plurality of game devices 100 provided), the number of times the player paid a consideration for the play of the game of the housing content, the total amount of consideration the player paid for the play of the game of the housing content, and the total number of game cards provided to the player.

The portable content utilization information 623 may include, for example, at least one of the following: the number of plays of the game of the portable content that the player has played, the number of days that the player continuously plays the game of the portable content, the in-game conditions that the player has achieved by playing the game of the portable content, the number of times the player has paid for the portable content, and the total amount of fees the player has paid for the portable content.

The game DB 305 is a database that manages, for each player, information (portable game information) on the progress of a game of portable content played by the player. The portable game information is transferred to the portable game terminal 200 when an application of the portable content is started in the portable game terminal 200, and the portable game information is updated and shared with the portable game terminal 200 when a predetermined process is executed in the application. As shown in fig. 6 (d), for example, in the portable game information, owned character information 632, owned item information 633, and a below-described special awarding flag 634 are managed in association with a player ID 631 for identifying a player, the owned character information 632 being used for managing a character that the player acquires at the time of playing a portable content and becomes usable (owned state); possession prop information 633 is used to manage props that are similarly acquired and thus made available for use; the special awarding flag 634 indicates whether or not a special (logical type, true awarded state) is awarded which is advantageous for the progress of the game of the portable content described later.

Here, in the owned character information 632, each character that is in the owned state may include, for example, game parameters 642 indicating various parameters of the character in the game such as physical strength, attack power, and defense power, and the number of character owners 643 indicating the number of the same character owned by the player, in association with the character ID 641 of the character. Similarly, for each item that is in the owned state, the owned item information 633 may include, in association with the item ID 651 of the item, an item owned number 652 indicating the number of items owned by the player.

The server communication unit 310 is a communication interface with an external device included in the server 300. The server communication unit 310 can be connected to an external device via a network 400 (wired or wireless) and can transmit and receive data, where the network 400 may be a communication network such as the internet or a cable connecting devices. The server communication unit 310 converts information input as a transmission target into data of a predetermined format, for example, and transmits the data to an external device such as the game device 100 or the portable game terminal 200 via the network 400. Further, for example, when receiving information from an external device via the network 400, the server communication unit 310 decodes the information and stores the information in the server memory 303.

[ PROVISION OF INTEREST CONCERNING ACCESSORY ACCESSED BASED ON PLAYER INFORMATION ]

Next, various elements of interest provided to the player by acquiring player information from the portable game terminal 200 at the time of playing the shell content in the game system of the present embodiment will be described.

Provision according to utilization of game contents of case

When the second reader 130 of the game device 100 acquires the player information from the portable game terminal 200 and plays the game of the housing content, the portable game information relating to the portable content played by the player is changed according to the usage state of the housing content as a reward for the game play. The change made at this time may be at least one of information of game elements of the portable content and information of the special awarded to the player included in the portable game information, and in the present embodiment, at least one of the owned character information 632, owned item information 633, and special awarding flag 634 in the portable game information is changed.

For example, when the owned character information 632 is changed, at least one of the game parameters 642 of the character in the owned state and the number 643 of character owners may be increased to make the progress of the game of the portable content favorable, or a character not in the owned state may be newly set in the owned state. The same applies to owned property information 633. Alternatively, for example, the special awarding flag 634 may be set to true to change the special awarding flag so that the progress of the next predetermined number of times of the game play of the portable content is advantageous.

After such a change (that is, after the play of the shell content performed by paying the price in the game device 100 and acquiring the player information from the portable game terminal 200 is completed), when the play of the portable content is performed in the portable game terminal 200, the portable control unit 201 performs the progress control of the game based on the changed portable game terminal 200.

The following is assumed to be explained: the change of the portable game information is performed based on the shell content use information 622 of the player-related information, and is performed based on the updated shell content use information 622 that is updated after a predetermined game (match game) of the shell content is completed or during the game (or during or after the game play experience). However, the implementation of the present invention is not limited thereto, and may be controlled as follows: the portable game information is changed only based on the case where the player information is acquired in the game device 100 and the game is played with the contents of the case. In this case, the information on the use status of the housing content in the game device 100 may not be managed for each player.

Provision based on utilization of portable contents

In the present embodiment, the playing experience of the shell content provided by the game device 100 is differentiated according to the usage state of the portable content, so that the player is promoted to use both the portable content and the shell content. This change is performed by referring to the portable content usage information 623 of the player-related information, and is basically performed to ensure a game play experience of ideal shell content for a player who uses portable content frequently and a player who invests in portable content positively. In other words, it may be possible to realize, for example, by adjusting game parameters of a character to be used or the like so as to make progress of a game of the shell content by acquiring player information advantageous, for example, in the case where card providing conditions such as: the number of times of playing the game of the portable content managed in the portable content usage information 623 of the player-related information is equal to or greater than a predetermined number of times, the number of days of continuously playing the game of the portable content is equal to or greater than a predetermined number of days, a predetermined in-game condition is fulfilled in the playing of the portable content, the number of times of paying for the portable content is equal to or greater than a predetermined number of times, and the total amount of paying is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount. Further, for example, the adjustment conditions may be determined in a hierarchical manner such that the more the number of times, the total amount, and the like, the more advantageous the adjustment conditions are.

Further, since the game device 100 of the present embodiment has the game card and the function of providing a toy, it can be controlled to provide these items according to the usage state of the portable content. That is, for example, the following configuration may be adopted: in addition to the game cards that are normally provided in accordance with the payment of the value, the game cards according to the usage status of the portable content are provided without the payment of the value being a requirement, so that even if a player who plays only the portable content without playing the casing content provides an ideal game playing experience when playing the casing content in the game device 100. Alternatively, the following may be configured: when the portable content usage information 623 of the player-related information acquired in association with the player information satisfies the game card provision condition, a game card according to the usage status of the portable content is provided.

In addition, the following control can be performed for the toy body: in a normal game play, the game body is provided when the game content of the game of the shell content satisfies the game body providing condition, but in a game play performed by acquiring player information, the game body is provided regardless of the game content when the usage state of the portable content satisfies the separately determined game body providing condition. In this case, since the game card is provided without fail in the normal game play experience of the shell content performed without acquiring the player information, and the game body is provided only when the conditions are satisfied according to the game play content, the provision condition of the game body based on the portable content utilization information 623 may be determined to be more difficult to achieve than the game card, for example, on the premise that the provision condition of the game card is satisfied.

Providing treatment

Next, a specific process of the providing process performed when providing the game play experience of the housing content in the game device 100 of the game system of the present embodiment having such a configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart of fig. 5. The control unit 101 reads out a corresponding processing program stored in the recording medium 102, for example, and expands and executes the program in the memory 103, thereby realizing processing corresponding to the flowchart. The following is assumed to be explained: for example, the present providing process is started when the payout detection unit 104 detects that the payout of the price is made while the game apparatus 100 is in the standby state.

In S501, the supply control unit 108 controls the card supply unit 160 to supply the game card for the payment of the consideration related to the start of the present supply process under the control of the control unit 101. Further, the control unit 101 causes the presentation control unit 107 to notify that the game card is provided when the game card is provided.

In S502, the control unit 101 determines whether or not player information is acquired for the present game play. First, the control unit 101 causes the presentation control unit 107 to present a notification indicating that player information can be acquired from the portable game terminal 200, and controls the second reader 130 to be in a state in which information acquisition is possible. Then, the control unit 101 determines whether or not the second reader 130 has acquired the player information within a predetermined period of time, or whether or not an operation input to skip acquisition of the player information has been made, thereby determining the present step. The control unit 101 shifts the process to S503 when determining that the player information is acquired for the current play, and shifts the process to S506 when determining that the player information is not acquired.

In the present embodiment, the following case is explained: by starting an application of the portable content in the portable game terminal 200 and performing a predetermined operation input in the application, a code of player information used for utilizing the portable content is displayed on the portable display unit 240, and the portable game terminal 200 is brought into a state in which the second reader 130 can acquire information. But practice of the invention is not limited thereto. For example, in a system in which player information used for using portable content is also used for service use in another application, such an operation may be performed by a dedicated application for managing player information. In addition, unique identification information attached to an IC chip or the like included in the portable game terminal 200 may be substituted as the player information.

In S503, the control unit 101 transmits the player ID included in the player information to the communication unit 110, and transmits the player ID to the server 300 together with a request for acquiring player-related information. Then, when receiving the player-related information corresponding to the player ID from the server 300, the control unit 101 proceeds to S504.

In S504, the control unit 101 refers to the portable content usage information 623 of the received player-related information to determine whether or not the game card provision condition is satisfied. The control unit 101 shifts the process to S505 when determining that the game card providing condition is satisfied, and shifts the process to S506 when determining that the game card providing condition is not satisfied.

In S505, the presentation control unit 107 controls the card supply unit 160 to supply the game card under the control of the control unit 101. When the game card is provided, the control unit 101 causes the presentation control unit 107 to notify that the game card is provided, based on the usage status of the portable content in the portable game terminal 200.

In S506, the control unit 101 determines the opponent character to be present in the current game play. The following is assumed: the game of the shell content provided by the game device 100 of the present embodiment is a match game that is played between a Player Character (Player team) whose action is controlled based on the operation of the Player and an opponent Character that is present in the game as a Non-Player Character (NPC). The number of players to be presented in the match-up game is predetermined for each of the player characters and the opponent characters, and in this step, the control unit 101 determines a required number of opponent characters, and adds the information for the match-up game related to the opponent characters to the opponent character management table stored in the memory 103. The determination of the opponent character may be performed based on an operation input for selecting any one of the tasks (quest) associated with the opponent character, or may be performed based on information on a lottery process, for example, a game play progress status of the case content managed in association with the player information, or a game play progress status of the player recorded in another recording medium, without the operation input.

The information of 1 record for managing 1 character in the opponent character management table and the use character management table described later may be configured in the same manner as the character information, and necessary information may be acquired from the character DB106 based on the character ID of the decided opponent character and stored.

In S507, the control unit 101 executes a registration process of registering a character used by a player present in the match-up game in the current play. The first reader 120 is caused to sequentially acquire card information of game cards related to characters that the player wishes to play as a player team, thereby performing registration processing. Therefore, in this step, the control unit 101 controls the first reader 120 to be in a state in which information acquisition is possible for a predetermined period. In the registration process, in the case where the acquisition section 105 detects, for example, a new game card, the acquisition section 105 acquires an image in which a code attached to the card is captured, and applies a prescribed analysis process, thereby acquiring card information. Then, the control unit 101 acquires the corresponding character information from the character DB106 based on the character ID 602 of the acquired card information, thereby configuring 1 record of information, and additionally stores the information in the use character management table of the memory 103. At this time, if the player related information exists in the memory 103, for example, the control unit 101 may change and add the progress parameter of the registered character based on the portable content usage information 623 of the player related information.

In S508, the control unit 101 determines whether the registration of the use character has ended. The end of the registration of the use character may be determined based on detection of an operation input concerning the end of the registration by the player and the end of the registration of the upper limit number of use characters. The control unit 101 shifts the process to S509 when determining that the registration of the use character has been completed, and returns the process to S507 when determining that the registration has not been completed. Here, the following processing may be performed: when the number of used characters registered at the time of the registration is finished does not satisfy the predetermined number, the number of used characters is set to the predetermined number by selecting characters lent in relation to the present match-up game by a lottery process or the like and adding information of the characters to the used character management table.

In S509, the control unit 101 starts a game process of the casing content relating to the registered match game in which the user character and the opponent character are present. More specifically, the control unit 101 refers to the use character management table and the opponent character management table, and starts the game process for performing the progress control based on the progress parameter 614 of each character.

The battle game provided by the game device 100 of the present embodiment is terminated on the condition that: when the predetermined number of rounds is completed, or as a result of the action of the character on the scene, all of the characters of the user character and the opponent character become unable to act (for example, the total physical strength is 0).

In S510, the control unit 101 determines whether or not the end condition of the battle game is satisfied. The control unit 101 shifts the process to S511 when determining that the end condition of the match game is satisfied, and repeats the process of this step until the end condition is satisfied when determining that the end condition of the match game is not satisfied.

In S511, the control unit 101 determines whether or not the result of the game processing performed satisfies the provision condition of the game body for the game content. The control unit 101 shifts the process to S512 when determining that the play content of the executed match game satisfies the provision condition for the play body, and shifts the process to S513 when determining that the provision condition for the play body is not satisfied.

In S512, the presentation control unit 107 controls the toy body providing unit 170 to be able to provide the toy body under the control of the control unit 101. Specifically, the presentation control unit 107 sets the operation unit 171 from the operation-locked state to the operation-free state, and controls the toy body providing unit 170 to: when the operation unit 171 is operated, a predetermined feed mechanism is driven to supply the toy body from the storage unit. In addition, when the object is provided, the control unit 101 causes the presentation control unit 107 to notify that the object is provided, based on the play content of the present match-up game. As described above, the time period for which the operation-free state is set to the predetermined period, and after the period has elapsed, the presentation controller 107 returns the operation unit 171 to the operation-locked state again. After a predetermined period of time has elapsed, the control unit 101 shifts the process to S513.

In S513, the control unit 101 updates the player related information based on the current play of the casing content. More specifically, the control unit 101 changes the casing content utilization information 622 of the player-related information to reflect the current game play state, transmits the information to the communication unit 110, and transmits the information to the server 300 together with an update request to update the information.

In S514, the control unit 101 determines whether or not the player information is acquired during the current game play. The control unit 101 shifts the process to S515 when determining that the player information is acquired during the current game play, and shifts the process to S519 when determining that the player information is not acquired.

In S515, the control unit 101 refers to the portable content usage information 623 of the player-related information received in S503, and determines whether or not the provision condition of the toy body is satisfied. The control unit 101 shifts the process to S516 when determining that the portable content usage information 623 satisfies the provision condition for the toy body, and shifts the process to S517 when determining that the provision condition for the toy body is not satisfied.

In S516, the presentation control unit 107 controls the toy body providing unit 170 to be able to provide the toy body under the control of the control unit 101. Similarly to S512, the presentation control unit 107 performs state control so that the operation unit 171 is in an operation-free state for a predetermined period, and when the toy body is provided, the control unit 101 causes the presentation control unit 107 to notify that the toy body is provided based on the usage status of the portable content. After a predetermined period of time has elapsed, the control unit 101 shifts the process to S517.

In S517, the control unit 101 determines whether or not the casing content usage information 622 reflecting the play of the current casing content satisfies a condition predetermined as a condition for updating the portable game information on the player. The control unit 101 shifts the process to S518 when determining that the casing content utilization information 622 satisfies the condition for updating the portable game information, and shifts the process to S519 when determining that the condition for updating the portable game information is not satisfied.

In S518, the control unit 101 updates the portable game information on the player based on the shell content usage information 622 reflecting the play of the current shell content. The control unit 101 determines the update content of the portable game information, transmits the player ID and information indicating the update content to the communication unit 110, and transmits the player ID and information together with an update request to the server 300 to update the game information. In the present embodiment, the update content is determined in the game device 100 and transmitted to the server 300, but the implementation of the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the update request may be transmitted only with the player ID, and the server control unit 301 may determine and update the update content for the portable game information matching the game DB 305. The portable game information updated in this step is in a state in which the progress of the game of the portable content in the portable game terminal 200 is more favorable than before the update.

In S519, the control unit 101 executes various processes related to the end of providing the present game play experience, and completes the present providing process. The processing may include, for example, presentation of a game result by the presentation control unit 107 and transition processing to a standby state.

As described above, according to the game device of the present embodiment, it is possible to promote the use of game contents provided by a plurality of pieces of hardware, and it is possible to keep the player concerned. More specifically, by acquiring the play information for the play of the portable content at the time of the play of the shell content in the game device 100 and updating the portable game information related to the portable content associated with the player information to a state in which the progress of the game is favorable in accordance with the progress of the play of the shell content, it is possible to increase the interest of the portable content and to provide the player with the interest elements provided by the game device 100, thereby increasing the interest in the content and continuing the interest.

Further, by providing an article that can favorably advance the play of the shell content or a rare article according to the usage state of the portable content, it is possible to optimally guide the player who mainly uses the portable content to the play of the shell content. Conversely, since a player who mainly uses the contents of the housing is expected to obtain an item, the player can also optimally guide the game play to the portable contents. Therefore, players who use both contents can be expanded, and the players can keep their attention on the contents.

In the present embodiment, the following case is explained: the portable game information related to the portable content is managed by the server 300, and when the game device 100 uses the shell content using the player information, the portable game information related to the portable content is updated based on a request from the game device 100 to the server 300, but the embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the update may be performed by transmitting information for update from the game device 100 to the portable game terminal 200 and then transmitting the information from the portable game terminal 200 to the server 300. In addition, when the portable game terminal 200 is a device that does not have a function of connecting to the network 400, such as a dedicated game terminal or a game body, for example, the portable game information is not managed by the server 300 but is managed by the portable game terminal 200 itself. In this case, after the game is played with the housing content, information for updating the portable game information may be transmitted from the game device 100 to the portable game terminal 200 (near field communication between devices, or recognition of a code presented on the display unit 140 using the portable game terminal 200), and the portable control unit 201 may update the portable game information based on the information, thereby realizing the update.

In the present embodiment, the following case is explained: player information is acquired from portable game terminal 200 when the housing content in game device 100 is used, and player-related information corresponding to the player information is additionally received from server 300 for various determinations. But practice of the invention is not limited thereto. The player information may be configured to include information included in the player-related information (at least the portable content use information 623), and in this case, the game device 100 may acquire the player information from the portable game terminal 200 when the shell content is used, and may provide an interest element according to the use state of the portable content without acquiring the information from the server 300.

Similarly, the player information may include the portable game information, or the player information may be acquired when the housing content is used, and after the play of the housing content is provided, the control unit 101 may change the portable game information and return the game to the portable game terminal 200.

Therefore, in the implementation of the present invention, information need not be managed separately by the portable game terminal 200 and the server 300, and can be implemented only between the game device 100 and the portable game terminal 200.

In the present embodiment, the supply timing of the article in the game device 100 is exemplified, but the supply timing of the article is not limited to this in the practice of the present invention. In the present embodiment, although the provided game card is an off-the-shelf card, in a method of performing so-called on-demand printing, which is configured such that, for example, the game device 100 has a printing device such as a printer to enable printing of a game card according to the play content of a game, the game card provided in accordance with the payment of a price may be provided after the end of a competing game. On the other hand, since the game card provided according to the usage state of the portable content is a card capable of specifying the content regardless of the play content of the housing content, it may be provided before the start of the match-up game as in the above-described embodiment, may be provided during the match-up game, or may be provided after the end of the match-up game as in the case of a game card provided according to the payment of a price. In this case, as the game card provided according to the use status of the portable content, a game card based on the use status and the portable game information, such as a game card corresponding to the game element in the owned state, may be provided, thereby increasing interest. Further, the timing of providing the toy body provided by the toy body providing unit 170 according to the usage status of the portable content may not be a predetermined period after the end of the match-up game, and may be set in the middle of the match-up game according to the performance of the match-up game, for example.

[ other embodiments ]

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The game device according to the present invention can also be realized by a program that causes a computer to function as the game device. The program can be provided and distributed by being recorded in a computer-readable recording medium or by an electrical communication line.

Description of the reference numerals

100: a game device; 200: a portable game terminal; 101: a control unit; 102: a recording medium; 103: a memory; 104: a payment detection section; 105: an acquisition unit; 106: a role DB; 107: a presentation control section; 108: providing a control part; 109: an operation input unit; 110: a communication unit; 120: a first reader; 130: a second reader; 140: a display unit; 150: a sound output unit; 160: a card supply section; 170: a toy body providing section; 171: an operation unit.

Claims

1. A game device having an execution unit that executes a game of a first game content whose progress is controlled by acquiring first game information from an item of a first category, the game device comprising:

a first acquisition unit that acquires the first game information from the item of the first category;

a second acquisition unit that acquires at least player information on a second game content managed per player from an item of a second category of a game for executing the second game content different from the first game content; and

and a first control unit that performs control to change second game information for performing progress control of the game of the second game content corresponding to the player information acquired by the second acquisition unit, in accordance with the game in which the first game content is executed by the execution unit.

2. Gaming apparatus according to claim 1,

the first control means controls at least one of information on game elements of the second game content and information on a special game given to a player, which are included in the second game information, to be changed.

3. Gaming apparatus according to claim 2,

the change of the second game information by the first control unit includes at least one of the following changes: setting a game parameter of a game element of the second game content in a usable state in the item of the second category to a state in which a game favorably progresses; setting a game element of the second game content that is not in an available state among the second category of items to an available state; and awarding a special ceremony that favorably progresses the game of the second game content in the second category of items.

4. Game apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,

the first control unit changes the second game information by causing the second type of article to acquire information for changing the second game information.

5. Game apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,

the second game information is managed in an external device different from the second category of items,

the first control unit changes the second game information by transmitting a change request of the second game information to the external device.

6. Game apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,

the first control means controls to change the second game information when the player information or the player-related information managed in association with the player information satisfies a predetermined condition when the game of the first game content is executed.

7. Game apparatus according to claim 6,

the game device further includes:

a detection unit that detects payment of the price; and

a first providing unit that provides the first category of items,

the execution unit executes a game of the first game content in accordance with the detection of the payment of the price by the detection unit,

the first providing unit provides the first category of items according to the payment of the price detected by the detecting unit.

8. Game apparatus according to claim 7,

the player information or the player-related information includes information on a utilization status of the first game content by the player, the information on the utilization status of the first game content being updated during or after execution of the game of the first game content by the execution unit according to the payout of the consideration,

the first control means controls to change the second game information when the information on the usage status of the first game content satisfies the predetermined condition.

9. Gaming apparatus according to claim 8,

the usage status of the first game content includes at least any one of the following usage statuses: a number of plays of a game of the first game content by a player; a number of times of play of a game of the first game content by a player in the same game device; a number of payouts of a player's consideration related to the play of the game of the first game content; a payout amount of a player's consideration related to the play of the game of the first game content; and a total number of items of the first category provided to the player.

10. Game apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 9,

the player information or the player related information includes information of a utilization state of the second game content by a player,

the game device further includes a second control unit that controls an operation of the game device based on information on a usage status of the second game content.

11. Gaming apparatus according to claim 10,

the second control unit controls the execution unit to make the progress of the game of the first game content different based on the information of the utilization state of the second game content.

12. Game apparatus according to claim 10 or 11,

the second control unit controls the first providing unit not to provide the item of the first category on condition that payment of the price is necessary, in a case where a utilization condition of the second game content satisfies a first providing condition relating to provision of the item.

13. Gaming apparatus according to claim 12,

the game device further includes a second providing unit that provides a third category of items different from the first category of items and the second category of items without a requirement for payment of a price, based on the play content of the game of the first game content,

the second control unit controls the second providing unit to provide the third category of item independently of the play content of the game of the first game content, in a case where a utilization status of the second game content satisfies a second providing condition related to item provision.

14. Gaming apparatus according to claim 13,

the second provision condition is premised on the first provision condition being satisfied.

15. Game apparatus according to claim 13 or 14,

the second supply unit is configured to have an operation unit, and supply the third type of article in accordance with the operation performed on the operation unit,

the second control means controls the second providing means to provide the third category of item by controlling the operation unit to be operable when the usage status of the second game content satisfies the second providing condition and during execution of the game of the first game content by the execution means in accordance with payout of the consideration or for a predetermined period after completion of execution of the game of the first game content.

16. Game apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 15,

the first category of items and the third category of items are configured to be able to be provided by the game device, while the second category of items is not provided by the game device.

17. Gaming apparatus according to any of claims 10 to 16,

the usage status of the second game content includes at least any one of the following usage statuses: a number of plays of a game of the second game content by the player; a number of days that the player continues playing the game of the second game content; an in-game condition achieved by a player through play of the second game content; the number of times of payment made by the player for the second game content; and a total amount of payment made by the player for the second game content.

18. A program for causing a computer to function as each unit of the game device according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

19. A game system comprising a game device having a first execution unit that executes a game of a first game content whose progress is controlled by acquiring first game information from an item of a first category and an item of a second category having a second execution unit that executes a game of a second game content different from the first game content,

the game device comprises:

a second acquisition unit that acquires, from the item of the second category, at least player information on the second game content managed on a per-player basis; and

a control unit that performs control to change second game information for progress control of the game of the second game content corresponding to the player information acquired by the second acquisition unit, in accordance with the game in which the first game content is executed by the first execution unit,

when the second game information is changed by the control means, the second execution means performs progress control of the game of the second game content using the changed second game information.