JP2003186816A - Server device for online game system, chat management method, chat management program, recording medium with chat management program recorded thereon - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable members of a specific group to have a private chat each other, or to chat closely on subjects common only to the members of the group in relation to a game. <P>SOLUTION: A client terminal of player A transmits a message to a server of zone α (step C71). The server of zone α transmits the message to a client terminal of player B in the same group (step Z71). The server of zone αtransmits the message also to a world server (step Z72). The world server transmits the message from the player A to the server of zone β (step W71). Receiving the message, the server of zone β transmits the message from player A to a client terminal of player C and a client terminal of player D in the same group with the player A in the same zone (step Z73). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a server device for an online game system, a chat management method, a chat management program, and a recording medium recording the chat management program.

[0003]

[Prior art]

In recent years, a number of network-compatible video games (online games) have been increasing in which a plurality of players participate at the same time by using a network to compete or play together. In this online game, a plurality of terminals operated by each player,
The game server group is connected via a network, and communication is performed between the terminal and the game server group. The game server group includes a server to which a plurality of video game machines are connected so that players can find a partner to play with. This server may be called a lobby server because it provides a virtual lobby for players to gather and communicate.

When the video game machine is connected to the lobby server, a screen representing a virtual "lobby" is displayed on the display device of the video game machine. On this lobby screen, the player character of the player and the characters of other players connected to the lobby server are displayed. Players can chat, which allows them to interact with other players and to find someone to play the game with.

[0006]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

However, in the conventional chat via the lobby server, an unspecified number of players can participate in the chat. Therefore, it is not possible for members of a specific group to chat privately or to intimately chat about topics common only to members of the group.

The present invention has been made in view of such conventional problems, and relates to a game in which members of a specific group have private chats with each other or a topic common only to members of the group. Another object of the present invention is to provide a server device for an online game system, a chat management method, a chat management program, and a recording medium having the chat management program recorded therein, which enables intimate chat.

[0009]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, in the present invention as set forth in claim 1, a game is played between players who are connected to a plurality of client devices via a network and operate each client device. An online game server device that enables chat between players, and the client device has acquired a specific item used in the game in response to a request from the client device. As a condition,
Group forming means for forming a group storage area and information for indicating the client device are stored in the group storage area, and a specific item used in the game is displayed in response to a request from another client device. If a message is transmitted from the storage control unit that stores the information indicating the other client device and the client device indicated by the information stored in the group storage area on condition that the message is acquired, the group storage area And a sending means for sending the message to another client device indicated by the information stored in.

Therefore, it is possible to chat by sending and receiving a message only between the client devices that have acquired the predetermined item and requested to belong to the group. Moreover, as long as you have acquired a specific item used in the game, you can relate to the game and chat with members of a certain group in private chat or topics common to only members of the group. You will be able to chat intimately.

The invention according to claim 2 further comprises a deleting means for deleting the information indicating the client device from the group area in response to a request from the client device. Therefore, it is possible to leave the group freely.

According to the third aspect of the invention, the game is played between the players who are connected to the plurality of client devices via the network to operate the client devices, and the game is played between the players. A chat management method using an online game server device that enables chat, wherein the client device acquires a specific item used in the game in response to a request from the client device. A group forming step of forming a group storage area, and storing information indicating the client device in the group storage area and using the same in the game in response to a request from another client device. If you have acquired the specific item, the other client device Storage control step of storing the information, and when the message is transmitted from the client device indicated by the information stored in the group storage area, the message is transmitted to another client apparatus indicated by the information stored in the group storage area. Is transmitted.

Further, the invention according to claim 4 further includes a deleting step of deleting information indicating the client device from the group area in response to a request from the client device.

Therefore, according to the invention described in claims 3 and 4, it is possible to obtain the same effect as the invention described in claims 1 and 2 by causing the computer to execute the processing in the described steps. . Therefore, by executing the described processing steps by using hardware such as a general-purpose computer, the chat management technique of the present invention can be easily implemented by these hardware.

According to the invention of claim 5, the game is played between the players who are connected to the plurality of client devices via the network to operate the client devices, and the game is played between the players. A chat management program for causing a computer to execute processing for managing chat, provided that the client device has acquired a specific item used in the game in response to a request from the client device. A group forming procedure for forming a group storage area,
Information indicating the client device is stored in the group storage area, and a specific item used in the game is acquired in response to a request from another client device. Storage control procedure for storing information indicating the client device, and when a message is transmitted from the client device indicated by the information stored in the group storage area, another client indicated by the information stored in the group storage area Causing the computer to perform a sending procedure for sending the message to the device.

Further, according to the invention of claim 6, in response to a request from the client device, the computer is further caused to execute a deletion procedure for deleting the information indicating the client device from the group area.

Therefore, according to the invention described in claims 5 and 6, it is possible to obtain the same effect as that of the invention described in claims 1 and 2 by the computer executing the processing in accordance with the program.

According to the invention of claim 7, a plurality of client devices are connected via a network to allow a game to be played between the players operating each client device, and the game to be played between the players. A recording medium recording a chat management program for causing a computer to execute a process of managing chat, the client device acquiring a specific item used in the game in response to a request from the client device. The group forming procedure for forming a group storage area, and storing the information indicating the client device in the group storage area and using it in the game in response to a request from another client device. Other specific clients, provided they have acquired the specific item Storage control procedure for storing information indicating a client device, and when a message is transmitted from the client device indicated by the information stored in the group storage area, another client device indicated by the information stored in the group storage area And a transmission procedure for transmitting the message.

Further, in the invention according to claim 8, a deletion procedure for deleting the information indicating the client device from the group area in response to a request from the client device is further recorded.

Therefore, according to the invention described in claims 7 and 8, the same effect as the invention described in claims 1 and 2 can be obtained by causing the computer to read the program recorded in the recording medium. It will be possible.

[0022]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to an online game providing system in which a plurality of players use a server on a network to play a game.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a system for providing an online game according to the present invention. On the network 200, the client terminal 10 for use by the server-side online game providing device 1 and a plurality of client-side players (players A to D ...).
1 to 104 ... Are connected. As the client terminals 101 to 104, a game device including a game console main body, a television receiver, and an operation controller is used.
The present invention is not limited to this, and a personal computer (PC) connected to a system line or a wireless mobile terminal may be used as long as it has a computer capable of executing a program.

The online game providing device 1 is a device for providing a competition place for a plurality of players A to D to compete in a predetermined game. The online game providing device 1 includes a lobby server 2, a world server 3 and a zone α.
Server 4, zone β server 5, and cache server 6
It has and. The world server 3 not only executes the processing according to the flowchart described later,
It is also a server that executes processing for managing the server 4 and the zone β server 5.

FIG. 2 shows client terminals 101-104.
3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of FIG. As illustrated, the client terminal 1 includes a control unit 8, an HDD (Hard Disk) 9, and a RAM (Random Ac) that are connected to each other via a bus 7.
cess Memory) 10, sound processing unit 11, graphic processing unit 12, DVD / CD-ROM drive 13, communication interface 14, and interface unit 15
Is equipped with.

The control unit 8 includes a CPU (Central Processing).
Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), etc.,
Boot programs and OS (Oper
RAM1 based on basic programs such as atingSystem)
The programs stored in 0 are sequentially executed to perform processing for advancing the game. The control unit 8 also controls the operation of each unit in the main body of the game machine. The HDD 9 stores a game program and data imported from the outside via the communication interface 14 and the network 200.

The RAM 10 is used as a main memory of the game and stores programs and data transferred from the DVD / CD-ROM 18 and necessary for the progress of the game. The RAM 10 is also used as a work area when the program is executed. The sound processing unit 11 performs a process for reproducing sound data such as BGM (Back Ground Music) and sound effects according to the progress state of the game according to an instruction from the control unit 8 and outputs it as an audio signal.

The graphic processing unit 12 performs three-dimensional graphic processing according to an instruction from the control unit 8 and generates image data according to the progress state of the game. Further, the graphic processing unit 12 adds a predetermined synchronization signal to the generated image data and outputs it as a video signal to the display device 19.

The DVD / CD-ROM drive 13 drives the DVD / CD-ROM 18 set in the main body of the game machine according to the instruction from the control section 8 to drive the DVD / CD-ROM.
The programs and data stored in the ROM 18 are transferred to the RAM 10 via the bus 7. The communication interface 14 is an external network 200 via a communication line.
Is connected to the external network 200 and performs processing for exchanging programs and data with the external network 200 according to an instruction from the control unit 8.

A removable input unit (controller) 16 and a memory card 17 are connected to the interface unit 15. The interface unit 15 controls data exchange between the input unit (controller) 16 and the memory card 17, and the control unit 8 and the RAM 10. The input unit (controller) 16 includes various keys and buttons. When the player operates these keys and buttons, necessary inputs for the progress of the game, such as a movement instruction and an operation instruction to the player character, or message data at the time of chat is input. Further, the memory card 17 saves data indicating the progress of the game and the like.

The DVD / CD-ROM 18 stores programs and data (game programs and programs shown in flowcharts described later) necessary for the progress of the game. The DVD / CD-ROM 18 is a DVD / CD-
It is driven by the ROM drive 13 to read out stored programs and data. DVD / CD-R
The programs and data read from the OM18 are DV
RA from the D / CD-ROM drive 13 via the bus 7
Transferred to M10.

The display device 19 includes a graphic processing unit 12
Image that corresponds to the video signal from the CRT (Ca
thode Ray Tube) and other display screens. Usually, a television receiver is used as the display device 19.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the various servers 2-6. As shown, each server 2-6
Are control units 22 and R connected to each other via a bus 21.
The AM 23, the HDD 24, the DVD / CD-ROM drive 25, the communication interface 26, and the interface unit 15 are provided.

The control unit 22 comprises a CPU 8, a ROM, etc., and a boot program and an OS stored in the ROM.
Based on basic programs such as (Operating System)
The programs stored in the AM 23 are sequentially executed to perform the processing required for each server and the processing shown in the flowcharts described later. The control unit 22 controls the operation of each unit of the server. The RAM 23 is used as a main memory in the game and stores programs and data transferred from the DVD / CD-ROM 27 and necessary for the progress of the game. The RAM 23 is also used as a work area during program execution.

The HDD 24 has a communication interface 2
6 and the data acquired from the outside via the network 200 are stored. DVD / CD-ROM drive 2
5 drives the DVD / CD-ROM 27 set in the server according to the instruction from the control unit 22,
The programs and data stored in the D-ROM 27 are transferred to the RAM 23 via the bus 21.

The communication interface 26 is connected to the external network 200 via a communication line, and in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 22, the external network 20.
Performs processing for exchanging programs and data with 0.

Next, the operation of this embodiment having the above configuration will be described with reference to the flow charts shown in FIGS.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a processing procedure when the client obtains (purchases) items used in the game (some items are required for chat). Any of the client terminals 101 to 10
4. For example, the client terminal 101 executes an item purchase request process in response to an operation on the input unit 16 of the player A (step C1), and sends a purchase request indicating the type of item input as a purchase request to the zone α server. 4 or zone β server 5.

Upon receipt of this purchase request, the zone α server 4 or zone β server 5 carries out a purchase process (step Z1). Then, in the item list for each player provided in the RAM 23, the item to be purchased indicated by the purchase list is added to the item list of the player A, and the item list is updated (step Z2). Further, the updated item list is transmitted to the client terminal 101 of the player A (step Z3).

The client terminal 101 of player A is
The RAM 10 receives the transmitted item list.
Stored in a predetermined area of the display device 19
Is displayed (step C2). Therefore, by visually recognizing the item list displayed on the display device 19, the player A can know that he / she has purchased the item requested by the player A.

Here, the item on the game for enabling the chat in the present embodiment is referred to as "LINKSHELL". Therefore,
If player A wants to chat,
This can be obtained (purchased) by requesting the purchase of "link shell" as an item. Also,
In the following description, it is assumed that the player A has obtained the "link shell" by the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for adding a subname and a color to the "link shell" obtained by the player A. The client terminal 101 is
In response to an operation on the input unit 16 of the player A, a name as a subname is input (step C11),
The designated color is input (step C12), and if there is a determination operation, the name and the designated color are transmitted to the zone α server 4 or the zone β server 5 (step C13). The zone α server 4 or the zone β server 5 receives the name and the designated color, and when this is newly active, issues a group make to the world server 3 to instruct the creation of a group including the player A ( (Transmission) (step Z11).

The world server 3 that has received this group make creates a group including the player A, and R
A group link list (group storage area) of the group is created in the AM 23 (step W11). At this time, the information of the client terminal 101 requesting the creation of the group is recorded in the group link list. Next, the ID of the group (group ID) is issued and sent to the zone α server 4 or the zone β server 5 (step W12).

Receiving this, the zone α server 4 or the zone β server 5 writes the group ID in the item list of the player A as information of the "link shell" item, and updates the item list (step Z12).
Further, the updated item list is transmitted to the client terminal 101 of the player A (step Z13).

The client terminal 101 of player A is
The RAM 10 receives the transmitted item list.
The item list stored in the predetermined area is updated and is displayed on the display device 19 (step C14). Therefore, by visually recognizing the item list displayed on the display device 19, the player A can know the group ID of the group in which the player A is the leader.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing a processing procedure when another player joins the group created in step W11 in the flow chart of FIG. For example, the client terminal 102 is the player B
In response to the operation on the input unit 16 of, the “link shell” already acquired from the item list is selected as the item equipped by the character (player character) in the game operated by the player B (step C21).
Then, if there is a determination operation, the zone α server 4 or the zone β that the “link shell” is determined as the item equipped by the player character of the player B is determined.
Notify the server 5 (step C22). Upon receiving the item selection determination notification from player B, zone α server 4 or zone β server 5 issues (transmits) a join group for joining player B to the group to world server 3 (step Z21).

Upon receiving this group join, the world server 3 joins the player B to the group link list in the RAM 23 showing the constituent players of the group in order to join the player B to the group, and the group link list is created. It updates and sends this updated group link list to the zone α server 4 or the zone β server 5 (step W21).

Zone α server 4 or zone β server 5
In response to this, the group link list is added to the item list of player B, and "link shell" item information in the item list is updated (step Z22). If there are other members (for example, player A, player C, player D) belonging to the group, the group list in the item list of the member (player) is updated (step Z
23). Then, the updated item list is transmitted to the client terminal of the player whose item list has been updated (step Z24).

The client terminal of the player belonging to the group receives the transmitted item list, updates the item list stored in the predetermined area of the RAM 10, and displays it on the display device 19. (Step C23). Therefore, by visually recognizing the item list displayed on the display device 19, the players belonging to the group can know the change of the group member and the current group member.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the above-mentioned processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 when a player belonging to a group leaves the group. For example, the client terminal 102 selects “link shell” from the item list as an item to be removed from the items equipped by the character (player character) in the game operated by the player B in response to the operation on the input unit 16 of the player B. Is selected (step C3
1).

Then, if there is a determination operation, the zone α server 4 or zone β server 5 is notified that the "link shell" has been determined as an item to be removed from the equipment by the player character of the player B (step C3).
2). The zone α server 4 or zone β server 5 receives the notification of the item selection decision from the player B, updates the “link shell” item information of the player B, and deactivates it (step Z31). A good buy for withdrawal is issued (transmitted) to the world server 3 (step Z32).

World server 3 that received this goodbye
In order to remove the player B from the group, the player B is deleted from the group link list in the RAM 23, the group link list is updated, and the updated group link list is stored in the zone α server 4 or the zone β server 5. Send (step W31).

Zone α server 4 or zone β server 5
In response to this, if there is already a member in the group, player B is deleted from the item list of the member (player) (step Z33). Then, the deleted item list is transmitted to the client terminals of the players belonging to the group (step Z3).
3).

The client terminal of the player belonging to the group receives the transmitted item list, updates the item list stored in the predetermined area of the RAM 10, and displays it on the display device 19. (Step C33). Therefore, by visually recognizing the item list displayed on the display device 19, the players belonging to the group can know the change of the group member and the current group member.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing a processing procedure for creating an item called "pearl" which is a child item for the parent item when "link shell" is the parent item. For example, client terminal 1
The player 01 selects the currently active “link shell” item (“link shell” for which the process belonging to the group has been executed) in response to the operation on the input unit 16 of the player A (step C31). Then, if there is a determination operation, the zone A server 4 or zone β server 5 is notified that the player A has determined the “link shell” (step C32). Upon receiving the notification from the player A, the zone α server 4 or the zone β server 5 checks the authority of this “link shell” item, and if it can be created, duplicates the “link shell” item and After creating a "pearl" item and updating the item list of the player A (step 42), it is transmitted to the client terminal 101 of the player A (step Z42).

The client terminal 101 of player A is
The RAM 10 receives the transmitted item list.
The item list stored in the predetermined area is updated and displayed on the display device 19 (step C43). Therefore, by visually recognizing the item list displayed on the display device 19, the player A can know that the child item “pearl” has been created.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure when the client terminal of each player acquires the link shell list. The world server 3 has, for example, 10
Information for 5000 people is regularly transmitted at minute intervals. The cache server 6 stores the information of all the clients (players), and updates the information of the clients every time the information is transmitted from the world server 3 (step CA1).

Then, one of the client terminals is
The currently active "link shell" item is selected in accordance with the operation of the input unit 16 by the player (step C).
31). Then, the search by the group ID is transmitted to the cache server 6 (step C52). Based on the group ID, the cache server 6 that has received the search searches for a client (player) belonging to the group of the group ID (CA53) and sends the list of the members to the client terminal of the player (step Z).
53).

The client terminal 101 of player A is
The transmitted list of members is received and displayed on the display device 19 (step C53). Therefore, by visually recognizing the list of members displayed on the display device 19, each player can know the members who belong to the same group.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when a specific member changes the authority of another member. Any one of the client terminals selects one of the members according to the operation of the input unit 16 by the player, and sends it to the zone α server 4 or the zone β server 5 (step C61). Zone α server 4 or zone β
The server 5 checks the authority of this member's "link shell" item and notifies the world server 3 (step Z61). The world server 3 changes the authority of the member (step W61) and notifies the client terminal via the zone α server 4 or the zone β server 5,
The client terminal receives the authority change of this member (step C62).

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing a processing procedure for chatting. The client terminal 101 of the player A transmits a message for chatting to the zone α server 4 (step C71). The zone α server 4 sends the RAM 2 of the zone α server 4 to the members of the same group as the player A in the same zone.
Based on the list in the zone stored in No. 3, the message from player A is transmitted to the client terminal 101 of player B, for example (step Z71). Also,
The zone α server 4 may send a message from the player A to the world server 3 because there is a possibility that members of the same group may be present in another zone (step Z72).

The world server 3 is a server that also executes the processing for managing the zone α server 4 and the zone β server 5 as described above. Therefore, since it is known that there are members of the same group in the zone β, the message from the player A is transmitted to the zone β server 5 (step W71). The zone β server 5 that has received this, for the members of the same group as the player A in the same zone, based on the list in the zone stored in the RAM 23 of the zone α server 4, for example, the client terminal 103 of the player C. Then, the message from the player A is transmitted to the client terminal 104 of the player D (step Z73).

Therefore, if the player A and the players B, C, and D are in the same group, the player A
Is sent to all other members B, C, D. That is, a message from another member in the same group is sent to all the other members of the group, which allows chat only by members belonging to a specific group.

[0065]

【The invention's effect】

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to chat by sending and receiving a message only between client devices that have acquired a predetermined item and requested to belong to a group. In addition, because it is a condition that you have acquired a specific item used in the game, it is related to the game, a specific group is a private chat between members, or a topic common only to members of the group. About, it becomes possible to chat intimately.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a client terminal.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a server.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when a client acquires an item used in a game.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for adding a subname and a color to a “link shell”.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when another player joins a group.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when leaving a group.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for creating a child item for a parent item.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for acquiring a link shell list.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when a specific member changes the authority of another member.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for chatting.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Online game providing device 2 Lobby server 3 world server 4 Zone α server 5 Zone β server 6 cache server 7 buses 8 control unit 8 CPU 9 HDD 10 RAM 11 Sound processing section 12 Graphic processing unit 14 Communication interface 15 Interface section 16 Input section 17 memory card 19 Display 21 bus 22 Control unit 23 RAM 24 HDD 26 Communication interface 42 steps 53 CA 101 client terminal 102 client terminal 103 client terminal 104 client terminal 200 networks

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An online game server device that is connected to a plurality of client devices via a network to allow a game between players operating each client device to proceed and chat between the players. A group forming unit that forms a group storage area on the condition that the client device has acquired a specific item used in the game in response to a request from the client device; Information indicating the client device is stored in the storage area, and a specific item used in the game is acquired in response to a request from another client device, and the other client device is acquired. Storage control means for storing information indicating the device, and storage in the group storage area When a message is transmitted from the client device indicated by the stored information, a transmission means for transmitting the message to another client device indicated by the information stored in the group storage area is provided. System server device. 2. The server device for an online game system according to claim 1, further comprising a deleting unit that deletes information indicating the client device from the group area in response to a request from the client device. 3. An online game server device connected to a plurality of client devices via a network to allow a game to be played between players operating each client device and chat between the players. A chat management method used, wherein a group forming a group storage area is provided on condition that the client device has acquired a specific item used in the game in response to a request from the client device. Forming step, and storing the information indicating the client device in the group storage area and obtaining a specific item used in the game in response to a request from another client device As a storage control step for storing information indicating the other client device. And, when a message is transmitted from the client device indicated by the information stored in the group storage area, a transmission step of transmitting the message to another client device indicated by the information stored in the group storage area. A chat management method characterized by including. 4. The chat management method according to claim 3, further comprising a deleting step of deleting information indicating the client device from the group area in response to a request from the client device. 5. A chat which is connected to a plurality of client devices via a network to allow a computer to execute a process of managing a chat between the players while advancing a game between the players operating each client device. A group forming procedure for forming a group storage area on condition that the client device has acquired a specific item used in the game in response to a request from the client device. , The group storage area is stored with information indicating the client device, and a specific item used in the game is acquired in response to a request from another client device. A storage control procedure for storing information indicating another client device; When a message is transmitted from the client device indicated by the information stored in the group storage area, a transmission procedure for transmitting the message to another client device indicated by the information stored in the group storage area is executed on the computer. A chat management program characterized by 6. The chat management program according to claim 5, further comprising causing a computer to execute a deletion procedure for deleting information indicating the client device from the group area in response to a request from the client device. 7. A chat which is connected to a plurality of client devices via a network to allow a computer to execute processing for managing a chat between the players while advancing a game between the players operating each client device. A recording medium recording a management program, which forms a group storage area on condition that the client device has acquired a specific item used in the game in response to a request from the client device. Group forming procedure, and storing information indicating the client device in the group storage area, and acquiring a specific item used in the game in response to a request from another client device. On condition that the information indicating the other client device is stored. A control procedure and, when a message is transmitted from the client device indicated by the information stored in the group storage area, a transmission procedure of transmitting the message to another client apparatus indicated by the information stored in the group storage area , A recording medium having a chat management program recorded therein. 8. The chat management program according to claim 7, further comprising a deletion procedure for deleting information indicating the client device from the group area in response to a request from the client device. recoding media.