JP2006506120A - Method and apparatus for providing online game - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an online role playing game (on-line role playing game) having a method in which a large number of users operate their characters in an online virtual world and proceed to the independent server. The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing an online game that allows an online game to be enjoyed between gamers belonging to the game player. The online game providing system includes a client unit, an online game server unit that provides a central role for online games, and a network unit that connects the client unit and the game server unit. The game server unit is again a general server unit and a connected server. It consists of parts. The general server unit is a server that provides a normal online game, and the linked server unit is a server that provides an exchange with a general server that provides an independent virtual world. Through the connection server, the user can interact with users belonging to other servers and enjoy a battle game.

Description

The present invention relates to an online game device, and more particularly, a large number of users operate their characters (hereinafter referred to as user characters) in an online virtual world (hereinafter referred to as virtual world) to advance the game. The present invention relates to an on-line role playing game device.

In a conventional online role-playing game, each user operates his / her character in the virtual world provided by the game server, and is provided in the virtual world regardless of other user characters or user operations. By interacting with (NPC: Non-Playing Character), the game can be advanced. Here, the NPC includes, for example, a “monster” that must be confronted by the user character in order to clear the game. On the other hand, the user can generate one or more own characters in the virtual space, and can develop the ability of the characters by playing in the virtual world. Here, the character's ability means the social class (for example, commoner, knight, castle owner, etc.), property (various items such as cyber money, weapons, etc.) possessed by the user character in the virtual world. The activity ability is determined in the virtual world according to the ability of the user character.

Such online games are different from battle net games that allow users to meet each other and play games online (for example, Starcraft developed and sold by Blizzard). There are features. In other words, a game through a battle net is similar to an online game in that a plurality of users can enjoy a game at the same time through an online game. There is a difference from online games in that there is no continuity. That is, in the online game unlike the battle net game, the ability of the user character in the virtual world is determined based on the result of the game played by the user so far, and such ability is maintained without losing the information. Therefore, the game has continuity.

In a conventional online game, the number of users that can be accommodated in one server is limited to a certain level depending on the capacity of the server. When the number of online game users exceeds a certain number, a plurality of servers share the users and provide Internet games. A virtual world provided by one server is completely independent of a virtual world provided by other servers, and each virtual world provided by a plurality of servers is parallel to each other.
Virtual World). Therefore, in the conventional online game, there is a problem that even users who enjoy the same online game cannot enjoy the game by meeting each other in a virtual world between users belonging to different servers. However, as the number of users increases, the user wants to check his / her position in the virtual world (that is, his / her ability in the virtual world). Although there is a strong desire to confirm the position of the user in the provided virtual world, the conventional online game system has a problem that the user's desire cannot be satisfied.

However, in order to solve such problems, it is not possible to provide connection between servers. The virtual world provided by each server is a world that is isolated from other virtual worlds and has a unique political, economic, and social balance. This is because the order between the virtual worlds may be broken in an instant if allowed.

On the other hand, a conventional online game has introduced a system (PvP system: Player vs Player system) for performing battles or confrontation between user characters. The PvP system has been functioning as an advantage that increases the realism of the game and induces the user to actively participate in the game. However, recently, there has been a problem that the order of the virtual world is disturbed, such as a specific user deliberately looting an item of another user's character by exploiting the PvP system. In addition, in order to easily improve the ability of the user character, the user has problems such as purchasing items of other user characters in the real world instead of growing his own character in the virtual world. Thus, an opinion has been raised that the PvP system must be limited to some extent. However, since the restriction on the PvP system has the result of depriving the user character of freedom of action in the virtual world, the essence of the Internet game of advancing the game by the interaction of the user character is impaired. Problems occur.

The present invention is intended to solve the above-described problems of the conventional online game, and can provide an exchange between users belonging to an independent virtual world by each server. It is an object of the present invention to provide a new type of online game providing method and system that can eliminate the side effects while making the best use of the game.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a game apparatus that provides user interaction between servers but does not affect the ability of the user character in the virtual world to which the server belongs.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a game server system capable of classifying the abilities of user characters belonging to an independent virtual world into a plurality of levels and providing exchanges between users at the same level. .

In order to achieve the above-described object, an online game providing apparatus according to the present invention is an apparatus that provides an online game by linking a plurality of online game providing servers that provide independent virtual spaces,
a. Means to allow connection from the user;
b. Means for receiving information on the user character from a server storing information on the user character of the user permitted to connect;
c. Means for repeating steps a and b for a plurality of users;
d. Means for providing an online game between user characters of the plurality of users.

In order to achieve the above-described object, the online game providing method according to the present invention is a method for providing an online game by linking a plurality of online game providing servers each providing an independent virtual space,
a. Allowing the connection from the user;
b. Receiving information on the user character from a server storing information on the user character of the user permitted to connect; and
c. Repeating the steps a and b for a plurality of users;
d. Providing an online game between user characters of the plurality of users.

In order to achieve the above-described object, a recording medium according to the present invention is a recording medium that can be read by a computer that provides an online game in conjunction with a plurality of online game providing servers that provide independent virtual spaces,
a. Allowing the connection from the user;
b. Receiving information on the user character from a server storing information on the user character of the user permitted to connect; and
c. Repeating the steps a and b for a plurality of users;
d. A computer-readable recording medium recording a program for causing a computer to execute the step of providing an online game among user characters of the plurality of users.

According to the present invention, it is possible for user characters existing in an independent virtual world to exchange and advance a game through the virtual world provided by the linked server. Therefore, the user can enjoy the game with other users in more various environments. In addition, since the result of the game through the linked server does not affect the ability of the user character in the individual server at all, the user has no burden of damaging the character that has been grown for a long period of time. You can proceed with the game without it. Accordingly, it is possible to enjoy the confrontation between the user and the user without burden, and by providing such a confrontation place between the users, the side effects of the PvP game shown in each individual server can be reduced. .

According to the present invention, a basic online game provided by each server that provides an independent virtual world is provided, and at the same time, an independent server is connected to perform an online game between users belonging to each independent server. Can be provided. An online game between users belonging to independent servers is based on a team battle, and has a battle game between teams or a mode in which each team battles with an NPC. In order to balance the strength of the fighting teams, a plurality of game channels classified according to the ability of the player's character are provided, and a certain penalty may be added. Therefore, according to the configuration of the present invention, a user belonging to an independent server can enjoy an online game, and can confirm the position of his / her character in the virtual world. And since the result of the online game according to the present invention has no influence on the ability of the character in each individual server to which the user character belongs, the sense of burden that the ability and item of the character that the user has nurtured will be lost. In addition, it is possible to enjoy the peculiarities of the PvP game, and to solve various problems caused by PvP in each independent virtual space. The technical configuration of the present invention that provides a new form of online game by connecting independent servers in this way can be applied to “Linigi” produced and operated by NC Software, for example. Those skilled in the art can easily apply to other forms of online games.

Hereinafter, an online game management method and management apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of an online game providing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The system 100 roughly comprises a plurality of clients 1a-1n used for online game connection of game users, and an online game server unit 5 that provides a central role of online games. Here, the plurality of clients 1a-1n and the online game server unit 5 are connected through a network that can support protocols used in games, such as the Internet, LAN, wireless network, telephone network, and the like.

Each client corresponds to, for example, a game client provided in a personal computer. A game player connects to the game server 5 through each client 1a-1n, and transmits the command which operates a user character to the server 5 side. The plurality of clients 1a-1n are connected to the game server unit 5 through the network 3, and the game server unit 5 includes general servers 501a-501n and linked servers 503a-503n. The general servers 501a to 501n are servers that provide normal online games, and manage independent virtual worlds. Each of the general servers can usually provide simultaneous connections of thousands of users, providing the same virtual world to the connected users. The user can only see the virtual world provided by the server to which the user belongs, and cannot experience the virtual world provided by other servers.

The linked servers 503a to 503n are servers that provide exchanges with the general servers 501a to 501n that provide independent virtual worlds. Through the linked server, the user interacts with users belonging to other servers, or plays a battle. You will be able to enjoy the game.

Below, the structure of the clients 1a-1n and the server part 5 is demonstrated in detail with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the clients 1a-1n in FIG. The clients 1a to 1n are generated by providing an online game program, for example, on a user's personal computer. As shown in FIG. 2, the clients 1a to 1n include a game client 210 that processes commands from the user and the server 5 in association with the progress of the game, an update client 220 that is responsible for updating the user's game program, and A communication module 230 that exchanges data with the server unit 5 through the network 3 is included.

The game client 210 has a plurality of functions that must be performed on the user's computer in order to proceed with the game (receiving necessary information from the server, reconfiguring the user screen, receiving user input, and It is a part for performing the communication function etc.).

The update client 220 is responsible for receiving game update information from the server 5 and updating the game client 210. For example, a new virtual world, a new character, and a new item that did not exist at the time of purchase of the game can be added, but if information regarding the display of such a character and the virtual world is received from the server 5, The update client 220 updates the game client 210 so that the game client 210 can interpret such new information.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a process in which a game program is updated by the update server 310 (not shown in the server unit 5 of FIG. 1) and the update client 220 in charge of program update. When the user starts a game, the update client 220 is activated first and connected to the update server 310 before the game client 210 is activated and connected to the server 5. The update client 220 receives the time stamp (time) of the last file received from the server 5.
(stamp) is sent to the update server 310 side. The update server 310 determines which game file should be sent to the client side using this time stamp, and transfers them. That is, a file that is newly upgraded after the game program on the user side is updated last time is transferred from the server to the client side. The update client 220 receives all the necessary files and places them on the user computer so that the game client 210 can recognize the new file. When such an update process is completed, the game client 210 interprets a command from the server 5 regarding a new virtual world or a character and performs an appropriate operation.

The communication module 230 is a part for communicating through the Internet, and all communication with the server is performed through the communication module 230. That is, the user's input is transmitted to the server side, and information from the server side is transmitted to the game client through the communication module 230. The communication module according to an embodiment of the present invention supports a TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) protocol.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the general servers 501a-501n and linked servers 503a-503n according to the present invention. Each of the general servers 501a-501n and the linked servers 503a-503n includes a game management main module, an NPC module, an NPC DB, a game management DB, an authentication module, and a user DB. However, in the general server 501 and the linked server 503, the information stored in each DB and the function of each module are completely different. Below, after describing the components of the general servers 501a-501n, the components of the linked servers 503a-503n will be described.

The NPC module 430 is responsible for NPC generation, control, management, and the like according to predetermined rules, and the NPC DB 435 stores various information related to NPC. For example, general information related to NPC such as the role of each NPC, possible attack patterns, related items, and shapes, and information related to the number, type, position, etc. of active NPCs correspond to this. In one embodiment of the present invention, in order to increase the speed of progress of the game, information on the currently activated NPC is stored on a server memory that is not a file or DB.

In the game management DB 445, various data related to the progress of the game (for example, information on the environment in the game, user character, information on the current position of the user character in the game environment, points of each character (capability value) ) And owned items) are stored. When the game is over, the game management DB 445 of the general servers 501a to 501n stores information on the virtual world changed according to the result of the game, and the player can proceed with the game in the virtual world having continuity. it can.

The user DB 455 stores various information of users belonging to the server, and the authentication module 460 receives the input of ID and password from the user when the user connects to the server, and the connected user is legally registered. It is used to check whether the user is a user. Since the general servers 501a to 501n provide independent virtual worlds, only the personal information of the users managed by the general servers 501a to 501n is stored in the user DB 455 and managed.

The game management main module 420 performs the role of operating the entire game in conjunction with the client 1. Since the general servers 501a to 501n are independent of each other, each game management module 420 is involved only in the game management in the server to which it belongs.

Next, the configuration of the linked servers 503a-503n will be described. The linked server 503 provides a virtual world in which user characters belonging to different servers can meet each other and enjoy an online game. Therefore, the information stored in the database, the operation mode of the game management main module, and the like of the general servers 501a-501n It shows a completely different situation. However, the NPC module 430 and the NPC DB 435 perform almost the same function as the general server 503. The NPC provided through the linked server 503 can be completely different from that of the general server 501, but the NPC of the general server can be used as it is in conjunction with the NPC module and NPC DB of the general server.

The communication module 410 also provides communication with the clients 1a-1n and the general servers 501a-501n via the network.

The game management DB 445 of the linked servers 503a to 503n stores various information related to game progress and game results. The game management DB 445 in progress of the game operates almost the same as that of the general server. However, unlike the general servers 501a-501n, the linked servers 503a-503n do not provide a continuous virtual world, but users belonging to the general servers 501a-501n compete with each other for their own character abilities. Since the main purpose is to provide a meeting place that can be seen, the information stored in the game management DB 445 is deleted at the end of the game, and only information on the level of each user's battle and win / loss is stored continuously. Managed.

The user DB 455 and the authentication module 460 of the linked servers 503a to 503n must be able to connect to all users registered in the general server 501 and provide a game between these users. Manage information about. The linked servers 503a to 503n can store and manage all user information registered in the general servers 501a to 501n in their own user DB 455, but are linked to the individual user DBs of the general servers 501a to 501n. User information can also be managed through. That is, if the ID and password are received from the user, it can be determined whether the authentication module 460 is a valid user by using the information stored in the user DB 455. It is also possible to transfer to the servers 501a-501n and check whether the user is a valid user through the authentication module 460 of the general servers 501a-501n.

The game management main module 420 of the linked servers 503a to 503n performs a role of managing the entire game in the linked servers 503a to 503n. However, unlike the general server 501, the game management module 420 of the connection servers 503a to 503n must provide connection between the general servers 501a to 501n. Therefore, not only the clients 1a to 1n but also the general server 501a- 501n also works through the network. When the game through the linked servers 503a-503n starts, the game management main module 420 of the linked servers 503a-503n is linked with the game management main module of the general servers 501a-501n to transmit the character information of the users who participated in the game. Request. In response to such a request, the game management main module of the general servers 501a-501n searches its own game management DB and transfers the character information of the corresponding user to the game management main module 420 of the connection server 503a-503n. The game administration main module 420 of the servers 503a-503n stores the user character information in its own game administration DB 445. And if the information of the user character is transmitted from the general servers 501a-501n, the function of determining the level of the game that each user can participate in according to the ability of the user character is also performed. Will be described in detail later.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a game progress process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

For example, if the user executes the game program on his computer, the clients 1a-1n are connected to the linked servers 503a-503n (S10). When the connection between the clients 1a-1n and the linked servers 503a-503n is established, the update client 220 first connects to the update server 310 and receives the updated program elements (S15). When the update process is completed, the game client 210 and the linked servers 503a-503n are connected, and the linked servers 503a-503n request user authentication (S20). When the user inputs an ID and password in the user authentication request, the authentication module 460 searches the user DB 455 to confirm whether the user is a legally registered user. If the user is found to be a legitimate user, the user is allowed to connect to the game. The user connected to the linked servers 503a-503n selects the general servers 501a-501n storing his / her user character and the character used by the user (S25). If there is a user's selection, the game administration main module 420 of the connection server 503a-503n will interlock | cooperate with the game administration main module 420 of the selected general server 501a-501n, and will receive applicable user character information. The received character information is stored in the game management DB 445 of the linked servers 503a-503n. At this time, the game administration main module 420 evaluates the received ability of the user character and stores it together. Such ability of the user character is used to adjust the fairness of the game in the channel selection stage of the user.

After the selection of the user character is completed, the user selects a virtual world channel in which he / she enters (S30). FIG. 6 shows the channel selection process in more detail. Since the channel is uniformly divided according to the ability of the user character, the user can enjoy the game in a virtual world that matches the ability of the user's own character. Since the linked servers 503a to 503n provide a place for encounter between user characters grown on the general servers 501a to 501n having completely independent virtual worlds, the user characters connected to the linked servers 503a to 503n. Their abilities are not known to each other and cannot be balanced and are mixed. However, by providing a channel that is classified according to the ability of the character, the user can enjoy the game in a new virtual world in which the ability of the user character is combined. When selecting a channel of a higher grade than the ability of the user character of the user, the possibility that the user has to play a game with a character having an ability higher than that of the user is increased. On the other hand, if you select a channel with a lower grade than your user character's ability, you are more likely to have to play with a character that is less capable than you, so there is a certain penalty for such users. (For example, lowering the motion speed of the user character).

When a channel is selected, the game moves to a waiting room for selection of a game system (S35). FIG. 7 is a drawing showing the operation in the waiting room. In the waiting room, it is possible to open a room where it is possible to interact with other users connected to the linked servers 503a to 503n, or to join a room that has already been opened. If the team is formed and the game system is determined after discussion with other users, the user moves to the game stage (S40), and the game proceeds (S45). Various game modes are provided in the present invention, which will be described later in detail.

While the game is in progress, the game client 210 receives the user's input and transmits it to the server 5 through the communication module 230, and the server 5 can interpret this and perform appropriate processing corresponding to the user's input. Thus, a predetermined command is transmitted to all the clients 1a-1n connected to the server, and the client 1a-1n updates the game screen according to the command. For example, if the user clicks on a monster that is another user character or NPC acting as an enemy army in the virtual world with the mouse, the game client 210 interprets the information and transmits it to the server 5. The game management main module 420 senses the fact that the user has clicked on another user character or monster that is an enemy army, and sends a command to the game client 210 so that the user character can take an attacking action. The game client 210 interprets a command from the game management main module 420 of the server 5 and displays an action of the user character attacking another user character or monster that is an enemy army on the client computer screen. At the same time, the game management main module 420 of the server 5 informs all clients 1a-1n to which the user character to be attacked belongs, so that the same screen can be displayed.

The display of the screen related to the NPC is performed by the NPC module 430 and the NPC DB 435. The NPC module 430 generates an NPC according to a command from the game management module 420 or a predetermined rule, and controls the NPC by an action specified by the NPC module (for example, an action of kicking with a foot, an action of swinging an arm, etc.). Control is performed so that the user character can earn points or items when the disappears. If the NPC module informs the game management main module 420 of information related to the operation of the specific NPC, the main module 420 relates to the operation of the NPC to all game clients 210 having user characters in the coordinates where the corresponding NPC can be seen. When the information is transferred, the game client 210 interprets the command from the server 5 and displays the operation of the NPC on the screen. For this purpose, the main module 420 manages information on where each user character and NPC is located in the virtual world.

As described above, the example of the game progress by the linkage between the client 1a-1n and the server 5 has been described. However, the embodiment of such a game has various forms depending on the roles of the client 1a-1n and the server unit 5. Can do. In the example of the game described above, the server 5 makes most of the decisions related to the progress of the game, and the clients 1a-1n perform the role of updating the user screen according to the command of the server 5. In such a configuration, after storing various graphic data and programs necessary for displaying the game screen in the user's computer or the like, the client 1a-1n uses the information stored in accordance with the instructions of the server 5 to display the game screen. indicate. Accordingly, only the order of commands defining the coordinates and actions of the user character is transmitted and received through the network connecting the actual clients 1a-1n and the server 5.

For example, when the virtual world includes forests, bridges, caves, etc., graphic information relating to such surrounding environment is stored in the user computer, and the client 1a-1n interprets a command from the server 5. The game proceeds by reading and displaying graphic information necessary for the position and movement of the user character. Actually, the game player's command (for example, mouse click of the user character) is transmitted to the server 5 through the game client 210 and interpreted by the server 5, and then transmitted to the game client 210 again. Although the character is displayed, the process of transmitting user input, interpretation, and command is performed in a short time through the network 3, so that the user does not feel unnaturalness in operating the user character. become.

Thus, in order to share roles between the clients 1a-1n and the server 5, the server 5 and the clients 1a-1n must have information on the same virtual game environment. Then, the coordinates of all user characters in the virtual world are continuously updated by the client 1a-1n and the server 5 by the input of the client 1a-1n. In addition, since the server side generally has information on the positions and appearances of all user characters and monsters, which information is displayed on the user's screen (ie, the user's field of view) for each user. Determine what must be done and inform each user's game client of this. In this way, the server 5 has all the information input by the user in relation to the game and all the information related to the game management, and in order to instruct the display of the clients 1a-1n, The user can proceed with the game in the same virtual world.

When the game is over, the character score and ranking are calculated according to the game result (S50). Such information is stored in the game management DB 445 by the game management main module 420 and managed with continuity even after the game ends. When the game is over, the game moves to the standby room screen (S50), but the user forms a team again, purchases items, etc., and prepares for the next game or participates in other games. If no more games are desired, the game is completely terminated.

Depending on the result of the game, the user character may die or lose his ability such as items that he has carefully nurtured, but the game in the virtual world provided by the linked servers (503a-503n) The result has no effect on the user ability in the individual servers (501a-501n) to which the user character originally belongs.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in the game system selection step S35 of FIG. 5, the user may select various types such as Death Match, Honor Match, or Quest Battle. A game system can be selected.
(I) Deathmatch is the most common game method, and it is a competition that fights until the opponent team is annihilated. A death match is basically divided into two teams. When the game starts, a mark that can distinguish the enemy army from our army is displayed on the user character. If the character dies, the user cannot take any action until the end of the current competition, and can only view the competition that is in progress.
(Ii) Honor match is a game system for competing with the symbolic symbols of both teams such as flags or emblems. The Honor Match is divided into two teams and the team that destroys or deprives the opponent's emblem first wins. The symbol of honor that is the target of attack and defense has a certain amount of energy, and the game ends when the energy of the symbol becomes zero due to the attack of the opponent team. Since the winning condition of the Honor Match is destruction of the symbolic object, even if the character falls down during the competition, it can be restored and participate in the competition again if a certain time has passed.
(Iii) The quest battle is not a confrontation between user characters, but has a form in which a monster battles. This competition system is divided into two teams and the competition is progressed, and each team passes the same route where the same monsters are arranged or different routes with similar difficulty, first passing the route. Team will win.

In all the above three game forms, many users form a team, so even if the team consists of users who enter the game through the same channel, the strength of both teams may not be balanced. obtain. Therefore, in order to balance the objective strength of both teams, a certain penalty can be added to a team with excellent strength. For example, in the case of a quest battle, it is possible to set different monster abilities arranged on the route that each team must pass depending on the team strength and to make the route lengths different. In the case of the honor match, the energy initially assigned to the symbolic object can be different, and in the case of the death match, the speed of each user character of the team having the dominant objective strength can be reduced by a predetermined amount. Various other methods can be used to balance the strength of both teams.

The three game modes are not a team battle, but can be a 1: 1 battle or a 1: team battle.

Users who participate in the game are ranked. A basic score is automatically given to a game player who has once connected to the connection server (503), and a score to be added or subtracted according to the result of the game, and the ranking of the user is determined based on these scores. . The user's ranking is posted on the user's bulletin board, and all users participating in the game can inquire about the ranking.

The rank can be determined in various forms, but “same level ranking”, which is a rank between users having the same character ability based on character information, the same server (general server) It is possible to provide “same server ranking” that is a ranking among users belonging to the same channel, “same channel ranking” that is a ranking between users who have entered through the same channel, and the like. .

These orders can be continuously updated in real time, and can be periodically updated in a certain period.

Although the present invention has been described based on the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and is within the scope described in the following claims unless departing from the spirit of the present invention. Various modifications and corrections are possible. Specifically, the present invention can include various embodiments as follows.
(1) In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the game through the linked servers 503a to 503n does not provide a continuous game, but in other embodiments, information on the user character is stored after the end of the competition. Can also provide a continuous game. In this case, the user can select not only the general servers 501a to 501n but also the user characters stored in the linked servers 503a to 503n. For this reason, updated information of the user character such as items acquired by the user character in the game provided by the linked servers 503a to 503n is stored in the game management DB 445 of the linked servers 503a to 503n.
(2) In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, most of the control related to the game progress is performed by the game management module 420 of the server, but most of the functions can be transferred to the client and implemented. In this case, each linked server 503a-503n only serves to link the user on the network, and various information related to the game progress is generated by each client and all other clients participating in the game. Broadcast to. For example, when the A user character attacks the B user character, the A user client generates a command related to the display of such an operation from the server 5 side as in the preferred embodiment. Broadcast to other users who participated in the game. Each client that receives such a command interprets the command and displays it appropriately. In such a modified embodiment, the connection servers 503a-503n perform only the function of connecting the users at the start of the game and recording the user's competition results after the competition.
(3) The linked servers 503a to 503n and the general servers 501a to 501n can be implemented by one server. In the case of the client program, the general server 501a-501n and the linked server 503a-503n connection program can be produced by a single program, or can be separately produced by a separate program.
(4) In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the user selects the server to which his / her character belongs, but the user does not select a character and uses the connected servers 503a to 503n connected to the connected server. It is possible to find the user information, find the server storing the user character based on the user information, and read the user character automatically. When a certain user possesses a plurality of characters on a plurality of servers, all the corresponding user characters are called to the linked servers 503a-503n, and one of them is selected.

1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of an online game providing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a client in FIG. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the process in which a game program is updated by the update client. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a connection server in FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining an online game providing method according to an embodiment of the present invention; 6 is a detailed diagram illustrating a channel selection process in FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an operation in a waiting room in FIG. 5.

Claims (14)

A method of providing an online game by linking a plurality of online game providing servers each providing an independent virtual space,
a. Allowing the connection from the user;
b. Receiving information on the user character from a server storing information on the user character of the user permitted to connect; and
c. Repeating the steps a and b for a plurality of users;
d. An online game providing method comprising providing an online game between user characters of the plurality of users. Step b above
A step of inputting a selection of a server including its own user character among the plurality of servers from the user;
The online game providing method according to claim 1, further comprising: receiving information about a user character from the selected server. Step b above
Interpreting user information of users allowed to connect, and
Interpreting a server storing a user character allowed to be connected based on the read user information;
The online game providing method according to claim 1, further comprising receiving user information from the interpreted server. The step (d) includes a step of inputting one of a plurality of game channels classified according to the ability of the user character from the plurality of users. Online game provision method. 5. The online game providing method according to claim 4, further comprising a step of adding a predetermined penalty to a corresponding user character when there is an input from a user who has selected a channel lower than the capability of the user character. The online game providing method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the step d includes a step of selecting one game among a plurality of games from the plurality of users. 5. The online game providing method according to claim 4, wherein the step d further comprises a step of forming a team among the plurality of users. 8. The online game providing method according to claim 7, wherein the step d further includes a step of adding a predetermined penalty to a team having an average strength of the user character in order to balance the strength of the strength between the teams. An apparatus for providing an online game by linking a plurality of online game providing servers that provide independent virtual spaces,
a. Means to allow connection from the user;
b. Means for receiving information on the user character from a server storing information on the user character of the user permitted to connect;
c. Means for repeating steps a and b for a plurality of users;
d. An online game providing device comprising means for providing an online game between user characters of the plurality of users. The means b is
Means for receiving an input of selection of a server including the user character of the plurality of servers from the user;
The online game providing device according to claim 9, further comprising means for receiving information on a user character from the selected server. 11. The means d according to any one of claims 9 and 10, wherein the means d further includes means for inputting one of a plurality of game channels classified according to the ability of the user character from the plurality of users. The online game providing apparatus according to the description. A computer-readable recording medium that provides an online game in conjunction with a plurality of online game providing servers that provide independent virtual spaces,
a. Allowing the connection from the user;
b. Receiving information on the user character from a server storing information on the user character of the user permitted to connect; and
c. Repeating the steps a and b for a plurality of users;
d. A computer-readable recording medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute the step of providing an online game between user characters of the plurality of users. Step b above
A step of inputting a selection of a server including its own user character among the plurality of servers from the user;
The recording medium according to claim 12, which can be read out by a computer in which a program that is a step of receiving information on a user character from the selected server is recorded. 14. The step d can be read by a computer recording a program comprising a step of inputting one of a plurality of game channels classified according to the ability of a user character from the plurality of users. The recording medium as described in any one of these.

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