JP2001300098A - Management method and management system of game- value - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a management method of a game-value in which method users can enjoy a new way of game-playing using effectively a game-value kept in a virtual game parlor by the users. SOLUTION: A predetermined memory storage device 15 stores information for determining the number of virtual medals which a user has kept in a virtual game parlor 1 in a network. The information stored by the memory storage device 15 is renewed such that the game value kept by the user in a virtual game parlor 1 be reduced according to the game value which the user obtains to play a game in a real game parlor 4.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game value management system in which a virtual game arcade provided on a network and a real game arcade have a certain relationship.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A service in which a virtual game arcade is set up on a homepage of the Internet and a virtual medal is issued to a user who accesses the homepage so that the user can enjoy a game like an actual game arcade is practical. Has been offered to. There is also provided a paid service in which a user is charged for a virtual medal purchase price as compensation for the use of the service.

[0003]

The service of operating a game arcade on a network is expected to greatly develop in the future with the spread of the network. It is expected that the types of gaming machines operated in the virtual gaming arcade will also be diversified in the same manner as in a real gaming arcade. However, some gaming machines return medals corresponding to game results to a user (player), such as a slot machine. When this type of gaming machine is installed in a virtual game arcade, so-called gambling can be established by exchanging medals earned by the user for currency and returning it to the user. And may be severely restricted in some areas. When such a restriction exists, the user has no choice but to use up the medals obtained in the virtual game hall in the virtual game hall. However, the stimulus received by the user in the virtual game hall may be inferior to that in the real game hall, and giving the user a chance to play the game may cause the user to lose interest in the virtual game hall early. There is.

[0004] Therefore, there has been proposed a service in which points are given according to the user's playing results in a virtual game arcade, and a prize corresponding to the accumulated points is delivered to the user using a home delivery service or the like. However, it takes a certain amount of time to select and send out the prize, which is troublesome for a person who operates a virtual game arcade.

[0005] The present invention provides a game value management method and management system in which a user can enjoy a novel way of playing that has not existed in the past by effectively utilizing the game value obtained by the user in a virtual game hall. The purpose is to:

[0006]

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described. In addition, in order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, reference numerals in the accompanying drawings are added in parentheses, but the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, information for specifying a game value kept by a user in a virtual game hall (1) on a network is stored in a predetermined storage device (15),
The storage device stores the game value that the user keeps in the virtual game hall in accordance with the game value acquired for the user to play the game in the real game hall (4). The above-described problem is solved by a game value management method of updating information to be updated.

According to the present invention, according to a game value acquired for a user to play a game at a real game place (for example, a game center, a game arcade, etc.),
The game value kept for the virtual playground is reduced. Therefore, the game value kept in the virtual game hall is consumed in the real game hall, thereby expanding the use of the game value acquired by the user in the virtual game hall. Therefore, the user can enjoy a novel way of playing that has not been available in the past. For example, a user who keeps a game value can continue to play in a virtual game hall as it is, or can go to a real game hall and enjoy a game in a different environment. In addition, even if a user who is not interested in a virtual game hall and uses the real game hall exclusively can obtain a game value at the real game hall, the virtual game hall is opened. Will use it. As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a game system full of attractiveness with a high degree of freedom for a user by giving a game value relevance between a virtual game space and a real game space. As long as the game value is kept at the virtual game hall, the user can play at the real game hall without cash. As a result, the number of visitors can be expected to increase in the actual game arcade.

In general, a game value is given to a user in consideration of a certain economic value in a real game space, but the game value kept by the user in a virtual game space is consumed in the real game space. In any case, the operator of the actual game arcade cannot recover the economic value from the user. This poses a problem when the virtual game space and the real game space are operated by different entities. Therefore, in a second aspect of the present invention, in the game value management method according to the first aspect, the virtual game hall (1) is operated with an economic value corresponding to the decrease in the kept game value. The entity (2) pays to the entity that operates the actual playground (4).

[0010] In this manner, the operator of the actual game arcade can collectively collect the economic value as a value obtained by assigning the game value to each of the plurality of users from the virtual game arcade operator. Therefore, the risk can be reduced as compared with collecting the economic value from each user individually. The operator of the virtual game hall may adjust the so-called payout rate in the virtual game hall so that an appropriate profit can be obtained even if the economic value paid for the real game hall is subtracted. In a virtual gaming arcade, the payout rate can be managed more easily and reliably in a target range than in a real gaming arcade.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a storage device (15) for storing information for specifying a game value kept by a user in a virtual game place (1) on a network, and a real game place ( In 4), the information stored in the storage device is updated such that the game value kept by the user in the virtual game hall decreases according to the game value acquired for the user to play a game. An information updating device (14);
The above-mentioned problem is solved by a game value management system provided with a game value.

According to this management system, similar to the management method of the first aspect, the degree of freedom for the user is given by giving the relevance of the game value between the virtual game space and the real game space. A game system full of high appeal can be provided.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the game value management system according to the third aspect, information for confirming the game value kept by the user is presented based on the information stored in the storage device. A terminal device (40) is provided in the actual game hall (4).

According to the present invention, the operator of the actual game hall can check the game value kept by the user at the real game hall. Thereby, the provision of the game value can be managed so that the operator of the actual game hall does not provide the user with the game value beyond the kept range. The user may be able to check the kept game value, in which case it is possible to determine how much game value the user can use in the actual game hall.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the game value management system according to the fourth aspect, the terminal device (40).
Also functions as an input device for receiving an input of information for specifying the game value obtained for the user to play a game, and the information updating device (14) is configured to perform an operation based on the information input from the input device. And the storage device (15)
Update the information stored by. With this configuration, an appropriate amount of game value can be used in the actual game hall while the operator or user of the real game hall checks the game value keep state on the terminal device.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the game value management system according to the third aspect, the input device (40) for receiving an input of information for specifying the game value acquired by the user to play the game. ) Is installed in the actual game arcade (4), and the information updating device (14) updates information stored in the storage device with reference to the information input from the input device.

Therefore, by inputting information from a real game hall, it is possible to play a game value desired to be used in the real game hall from the game value kept by the user.

The game value management system according to the present invention includes a storage device (15) for storing information for specifying a game value kept by a user in a virtual game hall (1) on a network; The user is a real playground (4)
An input device (40) for receiving input of information for specifying a game value desired to be acquired in order to play a game,
A game value providing device (41) that replaces a game value corresponding to the information input from the input device with a medium that symbolizes the game value and provides the user with the game value, and a game value provided to the user. In response, the information updating device (1) updates the information stored in the storage device so that the game value kept by the user in the virtual game hall decreases.
4).

In the present invention, the game value is a concept meaning a value required as a value for playing a game in a predetermined range on a gaming machine. The game value is symbolized by a predetermined medium. As the medium, a physical medium such as a medal, a coin, and a token is used. The game value may be symbolized using electronic information such as the frequency and points recorded on a storage medium such as an IC card as a medium.

According to the present invention, there is provided a management method for enabling a game to be played in a real game hall (4) based on a game value obtained by a user in a virtual game hall (1), or a virtual game hall (1).
May be configured as a management method that provides interchangeability between the symbol of the game value used in the game and the symbol of the game value used in the actual game hall (4).

[0021]

FIG. 1 shows the relationship between a virtual medal game center operated by the present invention and a contract location. The virtual medal game center 1 is a virtual game arcade managed by the service provider 2 on a network such as the Internet, where virtual medals are used as means for symbolizing the game value. Less than,
The contents of the system will be described with reference to arrows A to E in FIG.

(A) A user 3 accesses a virtual medal game center (hereinafter, sometimes abbreviated as a center) 1 through a network, purchases a desired number of virtual medals, and stores a virtual medal in the center 1. You can play with various gaming machines. When the user 3 inserts a virtual medal into a virtual gaming machine, a gaming service is provided within a range corresponding to a gaming value represented by the medal. When the user 3 achieves a score of a predetermined level or more in the game, a virtual medal is paid out to the user 3 according to the score. If the score is lower than the predetermined level, the medal will be forfeited. The medal left by the user 3 is kept in the center 1. “Keep” refers to the act of the user depositing medals at the center 1 in preparation for the next and subsequent games.

(B) When the user purchases a medal at the center 1, the service provider 2 collects a price corresponding to the purchased number from the user 3. The user 3 who can use the center 1 is limited to members who have contracted with the service provider 2, and a registration fee may be collected from each user 3 at regular intervals (for example, every month) in addition to the medal sales price. .

(C) The user 3 can exchange the virtual medal kept at the center 1 with a real medal used as a means of symbolizing the game value at the contract location 4 and use the medal for the game. . The contract location 4 is the service provider 2
Is an actual game arcade (eg, a game center) operated by a different business entity.

(D) In the contract location 4, the user
To check the number of medals kept, and lend the desired number of medals to the user 3. The exchange ratio between the virtual medal kept in the center 1 and the real medal used in the contract location 4 may be 1: 1 or another ratio may be adopted. The number of medals kept at the center 1 is reduced according to the actual exchange amount of medals.
Although FIG. 1 shows a single contract location 4, a large number of contract locations 4 are actually incorporated in the system of the present invention.

(E) When the user 3 exchanges a virtual medal for a real medal in the contract location 4, the contract location 4
Then, the user 3 cannot collect the medal price. Therefore, the service provider 2 pays the contract location 4 for the medal according to the result of the user 3 exchanging the medal.

According to the above-described system, the operator of the contract location 4 can collectively collect the sales price of medals from the service provider 2 to each user 3. It can reduce the risk than collecting it. The service provider 2 sets the payout rate (user 3) in the center 1 so that an appropriate profit can be obtained even if the payout of the medal price for the contract location 4 is deducted.
The ratio of the number of medals to be paid back to the user 3 to the number of medals used for the game may be adjusted. The center 1 is a virtual game hall, and its payout rate can be managed more easily and surely within a desired range than that of a real game hall. It is extremely difficult for the user 3 to bring a fake medal into the center 1. Therefore, the security of the operation of the center 1 is extremely high.

According to the system described above, the user 3 can enjoy a game by exchanging medals obtained at the center 1 with real medals at the contract location 4 which is a real game hall and enjoy the game. Can be provided. The user 3 who has played in the virtual game hall can continue to play in the center 1 as it is, or can go out to the contract location 4 and enjoy a game in a different environment. Further, the user 3 who does not show interest in the virtual game hall and exclusively uses the real game hall can easily enjoy the game using the center 1 if medals can be exchanged. As described above, according to the present system, a game system full of attractiveness with a high degree of freedom for the user 3 can be provided by giving a relationship of game value between the virtual game space and the real game space. .

Further, as long as the medal is kept in the center 1, the user 3 can play at the locations 4 in various places without having cash. As a result, the number of visitors can be expected to increase at the contract location 4. In the contract location 4, gaming machines that can use real medals exchanged from virtual medals may be limited to a desired range. For example, the same gaming machine may be installed in the center 1 and the contract location 4, and medals may be exchanged only between them.

The system shown in FIG. 1 can be constructed by using various networks. FIG. 2 shows an example of a specific system configuration. In this system,
Service provider 2 is a network (service provider network)
And a virtual medal game center 1 in a game server 11 provided on the network 10.
Is constructed. For example, the game server 11 is configured as a WWW server, and the homepage is configured such that when a user accesses a specific homepage in the game server 11 using a browser, the game center 1 appears on the browser. A network 12 is provided with a firewall 12 and a WWW server 1 behind the firewall 12.
3, customer management server 14, customer database server 15
Etc. are provided.

The game server 11 is a firewall 12
And is open to the outside through the Internet 20. However, the use of the center 1 on the game server 11 is limited to only the user 3 who has completed the predetermined registration. The registration of the user 3 is performed by storing personal information such as the name, address, telephone number, and credit card number of the user 3
This is done by the service provider acquiring the report from the company and registering the personal information in the customer database server 15. Center 1 for registered user 3
An ID and a password for using are issued. These IDs and passwords are also stored in the customer database server 15
Registered in. It should be noted that within a range that does not overlap with other users, I
D may be selected by the user 3 or the password may be determined by the user 3.

Further, the customer database server 15 records various data necessary for operating the game center 1 on the game server 11. For example, information such as the access history of the user 3 to the center 1 and the number of medals kept by the user 3 at the center 1 are recorded in association with the user 3 ID. Data indicating the results of the user 3 replacing medals kept at the center 1 with real medals at the contract location 4 are also recorded in the customer database server 15. The data indicating the performance includes at least information for specifying the exchanged contract location 4.

The customer management server 14 is installed to manage various information on the user 3. For example, the billing of the usage fee for each user 3 is managed by the customer management server 14. The customer database server 15 distributes necessary data in response to a request from the game server 11, the customer management server 14, or the like.

The user 3 and the contract location 4 are each a terminal 3
Holds 0,40. Each of the terminals 30 and 40 accesses a NAS (network access server) 22 installed in a network (ISP network) 21 provided by a provider through a public network 23 such as a telephone line or an ISDN line, and performs a predetermined authentication procedure. By connecting to the Internet 20, it is possible to access the network 10 of the service provider 2 via the Internet 20. Services on the network 10 that can be used by the user terminal 30 and the location terminal 40 through the Internet 20 are each limited to a predetermined range. For example, only the virtual medal game center 1 provided by the game server 11 can be used from the user terminal 30, and only certain services provided by the customer management server 14 can be used from the location terminal 40. Personal computers are typically used for the user terminals 30 and 40, but other various information terminals that can be connected to the Internet 20 can be selected. A mobile communication terminal such as a mobile phone may be used for the user terminal 30. The location terminal 40 may use, for example, a personal computer used by the operator (operator) of the contract location 4 for managing the location 4.
In the present embodiment, only the person who has the operation authority has the location terminal 4
It is assumed that 0 can be operated.

FIGS. 3 to 5 are flowcharts showing an example of processing executed when a predetermined service is provided to the user terminal 30 or the location terminal 40 in the above system.

FIG. 3 shows processing executed when the user 3 accesses the game server 11 from the terminal 30 to use the virtual medal game center 1. In this case, first, processing related to user authentication is performed between the user terminal 30 and the game server 11 (step S1).
For example, in response to the access from the user terminal 30, the game server 11 requests the transmission of the ID and the password, and in response, the user terminal 30 transmits the ID and the password. Then, the game server 11 refers to the database of the customer database server 15. To determine whether the access is from the correct user. When the game server 11 authenticates as a correct user, the processing from step S2 is continued, and when the game server 11 does not authenticate as a correct user, access from the user terminal 30 is denied.

In step S2, the game server 11 requests the user terminal 30 to purchase a virtual medal.
In response to this, when the user 3 inputs the number of tokens purchased to the terminal 30, the number of tokens
1 is notified (step S3). Game server 11
Transmits the number of medals purchased together with the ID of the user 3 to the customer management server 14, and the customer management server 14 updates the charging data for the user 3 based on the provided information (step S4).

The game server 11 sets the number of medals purchased by the user 3 as the number of medals possessed by the user 3 in the center 1 (step S5). That is, entry to the center 1 is permitted (step S6). This allows the user 3 to play in the game center 1.

In the same way as the handling of medals in an actual game arcade, in order for the user 3 to play a game at the center 1, the user 3 needs to insert a number of medals corresponding to the number of gaming machines into the gaming machine. Then, the medals are confiscated or paid out according to the results achieved by the user 3 in the game. As a result, the number of medals held by the user 3 changes. These processes are appropriately performed between the game server 11 and the user terminal 30. When the user has no more medals, the user 3 can additionally purchase medals in the same procedure as in FIG.

When the user 3 ends the game at the center 1, the end is notified from the user terminal 30 to the game server 11 as shown in FIG. 4 (step S11). In response to this, the game server 11 requests the customer management server 14 to add the number of medals held by the user 3 at the time of termination to the number of keeps of the user 3 (step S1).
2). Upon receiving the request, the customer management server 14 changes the number of medals corresponding to the ID of the user 3.

When the user 3 exchanges medals kept in the center 1 with medals distributed in the contract location 4, the contract location 4 accesses the network 10 and stores the number of medals kept by the user 3 in the center 1. You need to know. FIG. 5 shows the terminal 40 of the contract location 4 in such a case.
4 shows a procedure of a process for confirming the number of medals performed between the server and the customer management server 14.

User information (for example, I) for allowing a person having the operation authority of the location terminal 40 (hereinafter, referred to as an operator for convenience) to specify the user 3 to the location terminal 40.
When D) is input, the location terminal 40 transmits the information to the customer management server 14 (step S31). In response, the customer management server 14 refers to the data of the customer database server 15 and receives the given user information. Is searched for the number of medals kept by the user 3 at the center 1 (step S32). Then, the number of keeps is notified to the location terminal 40 (step S33). The notified number of keeps is displayed on the monitor screen of the location terminal 40, for example. However, if there is no data corresponding to the given user information, it notifies that there is no corresponding data.

The operator of the location terminal 40 notifies the user 3 of the notified number of keeps, and the user 3 informs the operator of the number of medals (desired number) to be used in the contract location 4 based on the number of keeps. The operator lends the desired number of medals to the user 3 so that the user 3 can play at the contract location 4. When the operator inputs the number of medals lent to the user 3 to the location terminal 40, the location terminal 40 notifies the customer management server 14 of the number (step S34). The customer management server 14 updates the data in the customer database server 15 so as to reduce the number of keeps by the notified desired number (step S3).
5) The data specifying the medal exchange results in the contract location 4 is also updated. As described above, the user 3 can play a game by exchanging the medals obtained at the center 1 for the medals of the contract location 4. At the center 1, the number of medals kept by the user 3 is reduced according to the exchanged number. It is.

FIG. 5 shows the processing when the medal of the center 1 and the medal of the contract location 4 are exchanged 1: 1. If the exchange ratio is not 1: 1, the center 1
Since the number of medals kept in the location does not match the number of medals that can be exchanged at the location 4, at least one of the location terminal 40 and the customer management server 14 corrects the number according to the exchange ratio of both. It is necessary to perform processing such as display. The number of medals in the center 1 and the number of medals in the contract location 4 may be converted into a common unit, and the converted data may be exchanged between the two.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above,
Various modifications are possible. For example, if the location terminal 40 can be operated by the user 3 and the user 3 himself / herself inputs an ID, a password, and a desired number of exchanged medals, the desired number of medals may be lent out. As shown by the imaginary line in FIG. 2, the function of the location terminal 40 is added to the medal lending machine (machine for paying out the number of medals corresponding to the inserted currency) 41 installed in the contract location 4, The medal lending machine 41 may allow the user 3 to purchase medals or exchange virtual medals kept at the center 1 with real medals. The location terminal 40 and the medal lending machine 41 may be incorporated in the gaming machine of the location 4.

The user terminal 30 stores the number of virtual medals kept in an appropriate recording medium (for example, a semiconductor memory such as an IC card), and the user 3 brings it to the contract location 4 and causes the location terminal 40 to read it. Thus, the number of medals to be kept by the user 3 may be specified by the contract location 4.

The medal acquired by the user in the contract location 4 is notified to the customer management server 14 and the number of medals kept in the center 1 is increased so that the medal in the contract location 4 can be exchanged for the medal in the center 1. You may.

In the present invention, the medal is used as a means for symbolizing the game value in both the virtual medal game center 1 and the contract location 4, but the game value may be symbolized using various media. The game value does not necessarily have to be represented by a physical medium. For example, in the contract location 4, a storage medium such as an IC card in which the number of times corresponding to the game price paid by the user 3 is recorded is issued to the user 3, and the storage medium is set in the gaming machine by the user 3 to play a game. It is possible, and the frequency may be increased or decreased according to the result of the game. In this case, the frequency recorded in the storage medium within the range of the number of medals kept at the center 1 can be added at the contract location 4, and the number of medals kept at the center 1 can be changed according to the added amount. You can reduce it.
That is, in this case, the electronic information recorded on the storage medium such as the IC card functions as a means for symbolizing the game value in the contract location 4. The electronic information symbolizing the game value is not limited to what is called a frequency, and various names can be set.

The present invention is not limited to providing services to the user 3 and the contract location 4 using the Internet, but it is also possible to operate a virtual game arcade using various networks and to provide a service required for the contract location. Information may be notified.

[0050]

As described above, according to the present invention, by giving a relationship between game values between a virtual game space and a real game space, it is possible to provide a user with a high degree of freedom. We can provide an overflowing gaming system.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the concept of the system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example in which the system of FIG. 1 is configured on a specific network.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing when purchasing a virtual medal in the system of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing when a user ends a game in a virtual game center in the system of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing executed when the contract location operator pays out a medal kept at a virtual game center to the user in the system of FIG. 2;

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Virtual medal game center (virtual game hall) 2 Service provider (subject who runs a virtual game hall) 3 User 4 Contract location (real game hall) 10 Service provider network 11 Game server 12 Firewall 13 WWW server 14 Customer management server (information updating device) 15 Customer database server (storage device) 20 Internet 23 Public network 30 User terminal 40 Location terminal (terminal device, input device) 41 Medal lending machine (game value giving device)

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A method for storing information for specifying a game value kept by a user in a virtual game hall on a network in a predetermined storage device so that the user can play a game in a real game hall. A game value management method comprising: updating information stored in the storage device so that a game value kept by the user in the virtual game hall decreases according to a game value to be acquired. 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein an economic value corresponding to the decrease in the kept game value is paid from an entity that operates the virtual game hall to an entity that operates the real game hall. 1. The game value management method according to 1. 3. A storage device for storing information for specifying a game value kept by a user at a virtual game hall on a network, and a storage device for acquiring the user to play a game at a real game hall. An information updating device that updates information stored in the storage device so that a game value kept by the user in the virtual game hall decreases according to the game value. Value management system. 4. A terminal device for presenting information for confirming a game value kept by the user based on information stored in the storage device, is provided in the actual game hall. 3. The game value management system according to 3. 5. The terminal device also functions as an input device for receiving input of information for specifying the game value, which the user obtains for playing a game, and wherein the information updating device receives the information from the input device. The system according to claim 4, wherein the information stored in the storage device is updated based on the input information. 6. An input device for receiving an input of information for specifying the game value obtained by the user to play a game is installed in the actual game arcade, and the information updating device is provided from the input device. The system according to claim 3, wherein the information stored in the storage device is updated with reference to the input information. 7. A storage device for storing information for specifying a game value kept by a user in a virtual game hall on a network, and acquiring the information in order for the user to play a game in a real game hall. An input device that receives input of information for specifying a desired game value; and a game value corresponding to the information input from the input device is replaced with a medium symbolizing the game value and is provided to the user. A game value providing device, and an information update that updates information stored in the storage device so that a game value kept by the user in the virtual game space decreases according to a game value given to the user. A game value management system comprising: a device; 8. A game value management method, wherein a game can be played in a real game hall based on a game value acquired by a user in a virtual game hall. 9. A game value management characterized in that a symbol is provided between a symbol of a game value used in a virtual game hall and a symbol of a game value used in a real game hall. Method.