JP2002292140A - Multi-participant type game providing device, program for multi-participant type game providing process, and recording medium for program thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make game participants join a game or retire from the game at their convenient time when a multi-participant type game is provided to users of a plurality of operation terminal units through a communication network. SOLUTION: A storage means which stores game participation applicants and game performing ability information owned by them is prepared. Then, while this multi-participant type game is being advanced, if game participants cannot continue the game, new game participants with the same number as the game participants which cannot continue the game, having an equivalent game performing ability to them, are extracted from game participation applicants registered in the storage means, and they are joined to the game. Thus, the game can be performed to the end while keeping a level of the game contents. Also, an early start of the game can be made possible for users who newly want to start the game by providing the change for the participation by using the storage means.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a multi-participant type game providing apparatus for providing a multi-participant type game to users of a plurality of operation terminals via a communication network such as an IP communication network. Regarding the multi-participant type game providing processing program used for realizing the participant type game providing apparatus and the recording medium on which the multi-participant type game providing processing program is recorded, particularly, the game participant A multi-participant-type game providing apparatus that enables a player to join or leave the game at a good time, a multi-participant-type game providing processing program used for realizing the multi-participant-type game providing apparatus, The present invention relates to a recording medium on which a multi-participant game provision processing program is recorded.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a service providing server provides a multi-participant game to users of a plurality of operation terminals via an IP communication network.

Conventionally, when a multi-player game is provided in such a form, if one or more of the game participants cannot continue the game, the game in progress is stopped. Or, the game is suspended until the game participant who cannot be continued returns.

[0004] From now on, a game participant who wishes to restart the game has to wait until the game participant who has become unable to continue returns.

[0005] Conventionally, when providing a multi-participant game in such a form, the game is started after the members of the game are arranged.

[0006] From now on, the user who wants to start the game has to wait until the timing when all the game members are present and a new game starts.

[0007]

As described above, according to the prior art, in a multi-participant game via a communication network such as an IP communication network progressed by a plurality of participants, one or a plurality of participants can be used. If the game cannot be continued, there is a problem that the game cannot be continued.

There is a problem that the new participant must wait until the conditions for starting a new game are met.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and is directed to providing a multi-player game to a plurality of operation terminal users through a communication network such as an IP communication network. It is another object of the present invention to provide a technique for providing a new multi-participant game that enables a game participant to leave the game or participate in the game at his own convenience.

[0010]

In order to achieve this object, a multi-participant type game providing apparatus according to the present invention manages a multi-participant type game and includes a plurality of operation terminals operated by game participants. When adopting a configuration in which the game of the multi-participant type game is advanced by exchanging, a storage means for storing the game participation applicant and the game execution ability information possessed by them, Or, a detecting means for detecting whether or not a notification that the game cannot be continued is issued from a plurality of game participants, and, when the detecting means detects the issuance of the notification that the game cannot be continued, the game in progress is paused. A specific means for specifying the same number of game participants who cannot continue the game and having the same game execution ability by referring to the stopping means to be stopped and the information stored in the storage means. And, in the new game participants specific to the game who wish to participate in the specific means, configured to and a resumption means to resume the game, which was temporarily stopped.

In order to achieve this object, a multi-participant type game providing apparatus of the present invention downloads a multi-participant type game to a plurality of operation terminals operated by a game participant, When a configuration is adopted in which a game of the multi-participant type game is advanced by exchanging between operation terminals, a storage means for storing a game participation applicant and game execution ability information possessed by them, Detecting means for detecting whether or not a notification of game continuation is issued from one or more game participants during the game; and Identifying means for identifying, by referring to the information to be stored, the same number of game participants who cannot continue the game and having the same game execution ability, and identifying means To the operation terminal of the game participant who wish to identify and configured with a transmitting means for transmitting the game information necessary to execute the game being paused.

In the multi-participant type game providing apparatus of the present invention configured as described above, the storage means for storing the game participation applicants and the game execution ability information possessed by them is prepared, and the ongoing multi-participant type If one or more game participants are unable to continue the game in the type game, the same number of game participants who cannot And a new game participant having the same game execution ability is extracted and processed to participate in the game.

As described above, according to the present invention, the level of the content of the game is maintained even when one or more game participants cannot continue the game in the ongoing multi-player game. The game can be completed as it is.

According to the present invention, an early start of the game can be realized by giving a user who wants to start a new game a chance to participate using the above-mentioned storage means.

As described above, according to the present invention, when participating in a multi-player game provided via a communication network, a user can leave the game at his or her own convenience, or Will be able to participate.

[0016]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail according to embodiments.

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 shows a system configuration for realizing a first embodiment of the present invention.

The system shown in FIG. 1 includes a database 2 for registering user data, a service providing server 1 for performing a process of providing a multi-player game, and a plurality of servers operated by a user as a game participant. Operation terminal 4 ~
6 and a communication network 3 for connecting between the service providing server 1 and the operation terminals 4 to 6.

As shown in FIG. 2, the database 2 provided in the service providing server 1 includes the IP addresses of the operation terminals 4 to 6 operated by the game applicants and the multi-participant type possessed by the game applicants. Game execution capability information (expressed by past scores, etc.) for the game, a flag indicating whether or not the candidate to participate in the game is currently participating in a multi-player game, Manages various attribute information.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a processing flow executed by the service providing server 1, and FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of a processing flow executed by the operation terminal 5.

The processing flow shown in FIG. 3 is to be executed by a program developed in the service providing server 1, and this program can be provided by being recorded on a recording medium such as a semiconductor memory. You can do it. The process flow shown in FIG. 4 is to be executed by a program developed on the operation terminal 5, and this program can be provided by being recorded on a recording medium such as a semiconductor memory. It is.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described in accordance with these processing flows with reference to a time chart shown in FIG.

Here, in the first embodiment, the service providing server 1 directly manages the multi-participant type game, and a user who becomes a game participant exchanges with the service providing server 1 via the operation terminal. As a result, the player participates in the multi-player game.

In this time chart and the processing flow, it is assumed that the user operating the operation terminal 4 leaves the game in the middle, and that the user operating the operation terminal 6 participates in the game in the middle. It is assumed that the user operating the operation terminal 5 continues the game as it is.

When the user of the operation terminal 4 and the user of the operation terminal 5 are playing a multi-player game provided by the service providing server 1 and the user of the operation terminal 4 is leaving, the operation terminal 4 transmits a game continuation impossible notification (sig11) to the service providing server 1, as shown in the time chart of FIG.

As shown in the processing flow of FIG. 3, when the service providing server 1 receives the game continuation impossible notification (sig11) from the operation terminal 4 (S11), the operation terminal playing a game with the operation terminal 4 5, a suspension notification (sig1
2) is transmitted (S12).

As shown in the processing flow of FIG. 4, when receiving the temporary stop notification (sig12) from the service providing server 1 (S51), the operation terminal 5 shifts to the temporary stop state (S52).

On the other hand, as shown in the processing flow of FIG. 3, the service providing server 1 notifies the operation terminal 5 of the temporary stop notification (si
At the same time (or after) g12) is transmitted, a new participant inquiry (sig13) is transmitted to the database 2 (S1).
3) Yes.

As shown in the time chart of FIG. 5, when the database 2 receives this new participant inquiry (sig13) from the service providing server 1, the database 2 has the ability suitable for the level of the game and participates in the game. When a desired user is searched for and a corresponding user is found, the selected operation terminal 6 is notified to the service providing server 1 by an inquiry response (sig14), and no corresponding user is found. In this case, this is notified by an inquiry response (sig14).

When the service providing server 1 receives this inquiry response (sig14) from the database 2 (S14, S110), as shown in the processing flow of FIG. 3, if the response is that there is a corresponding user desiring to participate. In (S14), a game start notification (sig15) is transmitted to the operation terminal 6 operated by the user desiring to participate (S15).

As shown in the time chart of FIG. 5, the operation terminal 6 receives the game start notification (sig15) from the service providing server 1, and if the game can be started, the service providing server 1 In response to the match start response (si
g16), and if it is not possible to start the match, a match start impossible response is sent to the service providing server 1.

As shown in the processing flow of FIG. 3, when the service providing server 1 receives the game start impossible response from the operation terminal 6 (S16), the service providing server 1 sends a new participant inquiry to the database 2 again. It transmits (S13) and repeats the same operation as before. On the other hand, when the game start response (sig16) is received from the operation terminal 6 (S17), a game restart notification (sig17) is transmitted to the operation terminal 5 (S18), and the game shifts to the game restart state (S18). S19).

Then, as shown in the processing flow of FIG. 4, when receiving the game restart notification (sig17) from the service providing server 1 (S53), the operation terminal 5 shifts to the game restart state (S54).

On the other hand, when the service providing server 1 receives the inquiry response (sig14) from the database 2 (S14, S110), as shown in the processing flow of FIG. Is transmitted (S110), a stop / hold notification is transmitted to the operation terminal 5 (S111).

As shown in the processing flow of FIG. 4, the operation terminal 5 receives the suspension / suspension notification from the service providing server 1 (S55). A stop response is transmitted to the providing server 1 (S56), and the state shifts to the stop state (S57).
Then, the operation is terminated (S58).

Then, as shown in the processing flow of FIG. 3, when the service providing server 1 receives this stop response from the operation terminal 5 (S112), it shifts to the stop state (S11).
3) Then, the operation related to the match is ended (S
114).

On the other hand, as shown in the processing flow of FIG. 4, when the operation terminal 5 wishes to suspend the match when receiving the suspension / suspension notification from the service providing server 1 (S55), Then, a hold response is transmitted to the service providing server 1 (S59), and the state shifts to the hold state (S51).
0).

Then, as shown in the processing flow of FIG. 3, when the service providing server 1 receives this hold response from the operation terminal 5 (S115), it shifts to the hold state (S11).
6) The game is saved as it is.

As described above, in the first embodiment,
The service providing server 1 directly manages a multi-participant game, and a user who becomes a game participant exchanges with the service providing server 1 via an operation terminal to participate in a game of a multi-participant game. When adopting the configuration, even if one or more game participants become unable to continue the game, the game can be played to the end while maintaining the level of the game content.

[Second Embodiment] FIG. 6 shows a system configuration for realizing a second embodiment of the present invention.

The system shown in this figure is provided with a service providing server 1 ′ having a database 2 ′ for registering user data and performing a process of providing a multi-player game,
A plurality of operation terminals 4 'to 6' operated by a user who is a game participant, a service providing server 1 ', and an operation terminal 4'
And 6 'to the communication network 3'.

As shown in FIG. 2, the database 2 'attached to the service providing server 1' has the IP addresses of the operation terminals 4 'to 6' operated by the game participation applicant and the game participation applicant. Game performance information (expressed by past scores, etc.) for multi-player games,
It manages a flag indicating whether the game applicant is currently participating in the multi-player game and various attribute information of the game applicant.

FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of a processing flow executed by the service providing server 1 ′, and FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of a processing flow executed by the operation terminal 5 ′.

The processing flow shown in FIG. 7 is to be executed by a program developed on the service providing server 1 ', and this program is to be provided after being recorded on a recording medium such as a semiconductor memory. Can be done. The processing flow shown in FIG. 8 is to be executed by a program developed on the operation terminal 5 ′, and this program can be provided by being recorded on a recording medium such as a semiconductor memory. Things.

Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described in accordance with these processing flows with reference to a time chart shown in FIG.

Here, in the second embodiment, the service providing server 1 ′ downloads the game information of the multi-participant game to the operation terminal, and the user exchanges the game information between the operation terminals, thereby You will participate in a multi-player game.

Also, in this time chart and processing flow, it is assumed that the user operating the operation terminal 4 'leaves the game in the middle, and that the user operating the operation terminal 6' participates in the game in the middle. Then, it is assumed that the user operating the operation terminal 5 ′ continues the game as it is.

When the user of the operation terminal 4 ′ and the user of the operation terminal 5 ′ are playing a game provided by the service providing server 1 ′ and the user of the operation terminal 4 ′ is leaving, the operation terminal 4 ′ As shown in the time chart of FIG. 9, 4 'transmits a temporary stop notification (sig11') to the operation terminal 5 ', and at the same time, transmits a continuation impossible notification (sig12') to the service providing server 1 '.

As shown in the processing flow of FIG. 8, the operation terminal 5 'sends the temporary stop notification (sig11') from the operation terminal 4 '.
Is received (S51 ′), the state shifts to the paused state (S5).
2 ').

On the other hand, as shown in the processing flow of FIG. 7, when the service providing server 1 'receives the continuation impossible notification (sig12') from the operation terminal 4 '(S11'), the service providing server 1 'sends the database 2' to the database 2 '. Sends a new participant inquiry (sig13 ') (S1
2 ').

When the database 2 'receives the new participant inquiry (sig13') from the service providing server 1 ', as shown in the time chart of FIG. 9, the database 2' has the ability suitable for the level of the game, and If you search for a user who wants to participate in a match and find that user,
The selected operation terminal 6 'is notified to the service providing server 1' by an inquiry response (sig14 '). If the corresponding user is not found, an inquiry response (sig14') is made.
ig14 ').

When the service providing server 1 'receives the inquiry response (sig14') from the database 2 '(S13', S19 ') as shown in the processing flow of FIG. 7, there is a corresponding user who wants to participate. (S1)
3 ′) includes an operation terminal 6 ′ operated by the user who wants to participate.
Then, a game start notification and game information (sig15 ') necessary for executing the game of the game are transmitted (S14').

As shown in the time chart of FIG. 9, the operation terminal 6 'transmits the game start notification and the game information (sig15') necessary for executing the game of the game from the service providing server 1 '. Upon receipt, if the match can be started, a match start response (sig16 ') is transmitted to the service providing server 1', and if the match cannot be started, the service providing server 1 'is sent. 'Send a response that the game cannot be started.

As shown in the processing flow of FIG. 7, when the service providing server 1 'receives the game start impossible response from the operation terminal 6' (S16 '), the service providing server 1' sends a new request to the database 2 'again. Send a participant inquiry (S12 '),
Repeat the same operation as before. On the other hand, when the game start response (sig16 ') is received from the operation terminal 6' (S17 '), the operation is terminated (S18').

Then, as shown in the time chart of FIG. 9, when the operation terminal 6 'transmits a match start response (sig16') to the service providing server 1 ', the operation terminal 5' is simultaneously operated. ', A match restart notification match start response (sig17') is sent to '.

As shown in the processing flow of FIG. 8, when the operation terminal 5 'receives the game restart notification game start response (sig17') from the operation terminal 6 '(S53'), the operation terminal 5 'restarts the game (S54). ').

On the other hand, as shown in the processing flow of FIG. 7, when the service providing server 1 'receives the inquiry response (sig14') from the database 2 '(S13', S19 '),
If the response is that there is no corresponding user who wants to participate (S19 '), the operation terminal 5'
A hold notification is transmitted (S110 ').

As shown in the processing flow of FIG. 8, when the operation terminal 5 'receives the suspension / suspension notification from the service providing server 1' (S55 '), the operation terminal 5' suspends the game and requests termination. Transmits a suspension response to the service providing server 1 '(S56') and shifts to the suspension state (S56).
57 '), and then the operation is terminated (S58').

Then, the service providing server 1 ′
As shown in the processing flow of (1), when the suspension response is received from the operation terminal 5 '(S111'), the state shifts to the suspension state (S111).
112 '), and then the operation related to the match is terminated (S113').

On the other hand, as shown in the processing flow of FIG. 8, the operation terminal 5 'desires to suspend the game when receiving the suspension / suspension notification from the service providing server 1' (S55 '). In this case, a hold response is transmitted to the service providing server 1 '(S59'), and the state shifts to the hold state (S59 ').
510 ').

Then, the service providing server 1 ′
As shown in the processing flow, when the hold response is received from the operation terminal 5 ′ (S114 ′), the state shifts to the hold state (S114).
115 ') and the match is saved as is.

As described above, in the second embodiment,
The service providing server 1 downloads the game information of the multi-participant game to the operation terminal, and the user who becomes the game participant exchanges between the operation terminals to participate in the multi-player game. When adopting the configuration, even if one or more game participants become unable to continue the game, the game can be played to the end while maintaining the level of the game content.

[0063]

As described above, according to the present invention,
During the course of a multi-player game in which a plurality of game participants participate in the game via a communication network, even if one or more game participants cannot continue the game, The game can be performed to the end while maintaining the level.

According to the present invention, an opportunity to participate in a game can be given by registering the database in a database for managing game applicants. Therefore, for a user who wants to start a new game, The game can be started early.

As described above, according to the present invention, in a multi-participant game via a communication network in which the convenience of the participants is not uniform, the game participants can use their own convenience. Sometimes it is possible to leave the game or participate in the game, so that the serviceability and convenience of the multi-player game can be significantly improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a system configuration for realizing a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an embodiment of a data structure of a database.

FIG. 3 is an embodiment of a processing flow executed by a service providing server.

FIG. 4 is an embodiment of a processing flow executed by the operation terminal.

FIG. 5 is a time chart of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a system configuration for realizing the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an exemplary embodiment of a processing flow executed by a service providing server.

FIG. 8 is an embodiment of a processing flow executed by the operation terminal.

FIG. 9 is a time chart of the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Service providing server 2 Database 3 Communication network 4-6 Operation terminal 1 'Service providing server 2' Database 3 'Communication network 4'-6' Operation terminal

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C001 AA17 BB00 BB01 BB02 BB07 CB00 CB01 CB08

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A multi-participant type game providing apparatus for managing a multi-participant type game and exchanging with a plurality of operation terminals operated by game participants to progress a game of the multi-participant type game. Means for storing game participation applicants and game execution ability information possessed by them, and detecting whether or not one or more game participants have issued a notification that the game cannot be continued during the game. Means for suspending a game in progress when the issuance of the game continuation impossible notification is detected, and a game participant unable to continue the game by referring to the stored information. Means for identifying the same number of game applicants having the same game execution ability, and resuming the paused game by making the identified game applicants new game participants Further comprising a stage, multi-participant game providing apparatus characterized. 2. Downloading a multi-player game to a plurality of operation terminals operated by a game participant and exchanging the multi-player game between the operation terminals to progress the multi-player game. In the multi-participant type game providing device, means for storing game participation applicants and game execution ability information possessed by them, and notification that the game cannot be continued from one or more game participants during the game progression Means for detecting whether or not the game has been issued, and when the issuance of the game continuation impossible notification is detected, by referring to the stored information, the same number of game participants as the game continuation cannot be performed, Means for identifying a game participation applicant having the same game execution ability, and an operation terminal of the game participation applicant identified above,
Means for transmitting game information necessary for executing a paused game, a multi-participant type game providing apparatus. 3. A multi-participant game in which a multi-participant game is managed and exchanged with a plurality of operation terminals operated by a game participant to progress a game of the multi-participant game. A program for providing processing, which detects whether or not one or more game participants have issued a notification that the game cannot be continued during the progress of the game, and issuance of the game non-continuation notice. Is detected, a game participant who cannot continue the game is accessed by accessing the processing for temporarily stopping the game in progress and the storage means for storing the game applicants and their game execution ability information. A process of identifying the same number of game participation applicants having the same game execution ability as the above, and making the identified game participation applicant a new game participant and resuming the paused game. Multi-party game providing processing program for executing the processing to the computer. 4. A game of the multi-participant-type game is progressed by downloading a multi-participant-type game to a plurality of operation terminals operated by a game participant and exchanging between the operation terminals. A multi-participant-type game providing processing program for performing processing, a processing of detecting whether or not a notification that a game cannot be continued has been issued from one or more game participants during the progress of the game, If the issuance of the game continuation notification is detected, the same number of game participants who cannot continue the game can be accessed by accessing the storage means for storing the game participation applicants and the game execution ability information possessed by them. , And a process of identifying a game participation applicant having the same game execution ability; and
A program for a multi-participant type game providing process for causing a computer to execute a process of transmitting game information necessary for executing a paused game. 5. A multi-participant game in which a multi-participant game is managed and exchanged with a plurality of operation terminals operated by a game participant to progress a game of the multi-participant game. A recording medium on which a program for providing processing is recorded, wherein processing for detecting whether or not a notification indicating that the game cannot be continued is issued by one or more game participants during the progress of the game; and If the issuance of the impossibility notice is detected, the process of temporarily stopping the game in progress and the storage means for storing the game applicants and the game execution ability information possessed by the game are prevented from continuing. A process of identifying the same number of possible game participants as those having the same game execution ability as the new game participants, Multiple participant type game provides processing program of the recording medium in which the recording program for executing the processing to resume the game, which was sealed on the computer. 6. A game of the multi-participant type game is progressed by downloading a multi-participant type game to a plurality of operation terminals operated by a game participant and exchanging between the operation terminals. A recording medium storing a multi-participant type game providing processing program for performing processing, wherein whether or not a notification that a game cannot be continued is issued by one or more game participants during the progress of the game. Detecting the game and, when the issuance of the game continuation notification is detected, accessing the storage means for storing the game participation applicants and the game execution ability information possessed by the game, so that the game continuation impossible A process of identifying the same number of game applicants as the number of participants and having the same game execution ability; and
A recording medium for a multi-participant type game providing processing program which stores a program for causing a computer to execute a process of transmitting game information necessary for executing a paused game.