JP2007301075A - Game managing unit - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game managing unit which enables players to enjoy online games regardless of time slots of playing by the players. <P>SOLUTION: The online games connectable are managed by sorting out many playable kinds of games into a plurality of game machines in terms of charging systems. Participation request signals for requesting the participation in online games is received from game machines, each reception time is acquired and the combination of game machines available for the participation in the online games are determined out of the game machines from which the participation request signals are received. At this point, the determination of the game machines is made according to each reception time of the participation request signal so that the combination of the game machines falls in either of the combination of one group of game machines or the combination of more than one groups of game machines and game data necessary for the progress of the online games involved are transmitted to or received from the game machines determined. Likewise, the combination of game machines corresponding to the time zones is determined. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a game management apparatus that connects game machines connected to each other so that data communication is possible, and executes the same game on each game machine.

  In recent years, with the spread of networks, so-called online games, in which game players or arcade game machines, etc., play against each other or cooperate with each other through the network, have become popular. This online game is played between players who requested participation in an online game from a game machine within a predetermined time. Generally, an online game is charged between game machines with the same charging method (for example, monthly fee). The game is played between home-use game machines with a fee system, between arcade game machines that deposit money for each game, and the like. For this reason, for example, in the case of a battle-type online game played between home-use game machines, the time for playing the game differs for each player, so there is only one player participating in the online game depending on the time of day. A case will occur. In such a case, for example, as described in Patent Document 1, an online game can be played even if the opponent is a computer and only one player participates.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-164272 (see FIG. 7)

  However, in the game system of Patent Document 1, when there is only one participating player, the player will play against the computer, so there is no meaning for the player to bother to play an online game through the network. End up. This may drastically reduce the original interest of online games, which leads to a decrease in profits on the side of providing online games.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a game management device that allows an online game to be played by the player without reducing the original interest of the online game, regardless of the time period during which the player plays. .

Means and effects for solving the problems

  In order to achieve the above-described object, the present invention is configured such that a plurality of types of game machines capable of playing an online game in which a plurality of people can participate are connected via a network so that data can be transmitted and received. A game management apparatus that classifies and manages a plurality of game machine groups, a signal receiving means for receiving a game participation request signal for requesting participation in an online game from the game machine, and a time at which the game participation request signal is received. Time-measuring means for timing, combination determining means for determining a combination of game machines to participate in an online game from among game machines that have transmitted the game participation request signal received within the prescribed time, and the determined game machine Game data transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving game data necessary for the progress of the online game. The game machine is determined so that the combination of the game machines is one of a combination of game machines of one game machine group or a combination of game machines of a plurality of game machine groups according to the time spent It is characterized by.

  According to this configuration, a combination of game machines to participate in an online game is a combination of game machines of one game machine group or a combination of game machines of a plurality of game machine groups depending on the time zone. It has become. In other words, a player who intends to participate in an online game with one game machine differs from a player who is playing an online game with a game machine of the same game machine group, depending on the playing time zone. There is a case of playing with a player who is playing with a game machine of the game machine group. As a result, depending on the time of day, even if there is no player who wants to participate in the online game in the same game machine group, it becomes possible to play an online game with a player of another game machine group. There is a case. Therefore, the player can enjoy the online game regardless of the time, and can reduce the risk of a decrease in profits for the online game provider.

  In addition, the game machine group of the present invention is classified according to an online game charging method.

  According to this configuration, depending on the time of day, for example, a player of an arcade game machine and a player of a home game machine having different charging methods may be able to play the same online game.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Game system)
The game management device 1 according to the present embodiment is suitably used for a game system for playing a game played via a communication line, a so-called online game. As shown in FIG. 2, in addition to the game management device 1, the game system 100 is installed in a data communication network 2 such as the Internet, a game center such as a game center, which is spread all over the world including Japan. It includes an arcade game machine 3, a home game machine 4, a personal computer 5, and the like.

  Note that the online game of the present embodiment is a game in which a plurality of players play or cooperate, for example, a card game, a battle game, a simulation game, and the like, and the types of online games are particularly limited. It is not a thing.

(game machine)
The arcade game machine 3, the home game machine 4, and the personal computer 5 are game machines that can participate in online games by charging, and exist in various regions in Japan, as well as in Europe and Middle East regions. Also, it exists outside the North American region and the like, and is connected to the game management device 1 via the data communication network 2.

  Each of the game machines in the game machine groups 3, 4, and 5 is not particularly illustrated, but includes a CPU (Central Processor Unit) of an arithmetic processing unit, a ROM (Read Only Memory) for storing a program, an ID code described later, A control device composed of a RAM (Random Access Memory) that temporarily stores various data during the game, a storage medium such as a CD-ROM or a dedicated ROM cassette and its reading device, and an image displayed on the screen according to the game program Game management via an image data storage unit for storing image data, input means composed of a dedicated controller or keyboard, monitor devices such as CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) and LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and data communication network 2 A communication device such as a modem for communicating with the device 1 is configured.

  Each of the game machines 3, 4, and 5 configured as described above has a participation request signal and an ID code for requesting the game management device 1 to participate in an online game, input data input from an input unit, and the like. Are transmitted via the data communication network 2 and various game data and the like necessary for the progress of the game are received from the game management device 1.

  In the present embodiment, game progress processing of an online game is performed by the game management device 1, and the game played on each game machine 3, 4, 5 is game data transmitted from the game management device 1. To proceed based on In addition, each game machine in the present embodiment is not limited to the above, and may be any terminal device that allows the player to access the game management device 1 via the data communication network 2, and may be a mobile phone, PDA ( It may be configured to include various terminal devices such as a personal digital assistant.

(Game management device)
The game management device 1 is a server to which the game machines 3, 4, and 5 are connected via the data communication network 2, and transmits and receives game data and the like to and from the game machines 3, 4, and 5. In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, the game management device 1 classifies and manages the connected game machines 3, 4, and 5 for each country. Specifically, the game management device 1 manages a game machine existing in Japan as a Japanese game machine group 60 and a game machine existing in the United States as an American domestic game machine group 70.

  Furthermore, game machine groups in each country are further classified by model and managed as a plurality of game machine groups. Specifically, the game machines 3, 4, and 5 have different charging methods when participating in an online game. The arcade game machine 3 can participate in the online game by charging for each game, and the home game machine 4 can participate in the online game by paying a monthly fee. The personal computer 5 can participate in an online game free of charge when purchasing online game software. Then, the game management device 1 classifies these game machines for each billing system, and as shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of arcade game machines 3 are used as arcade game machines 30 and a plurality of home game machines 4 are used for home use. A game machine group 40 and a plurality of personal computers 5 are managed as a single personal computer group 50.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the game management device 1 includes a CPU 11, a ROM 12, a RAM 13, a communication device 14, a storage device 15, and an internal clock 16 connected to a data bus 16. The CPU 11 executes various processes according to a program stored in the ROM 12, for example, a processing routine shown in FIG. The ROM 12 stores a program executed by the CPU 11 such as a game program. The RAM 13 temporarily stores various information used for executing each program. Specifically, the RAM 13 stores input data, a participation request signal, an ID code, and the like transmitted from the connected game machines 3, 4, and 5. The communication device 14 enables game data and the like to be transmitted / received to / from each game machine via the data communication network 2. The storage device 15 is composed of a rewritable nonvolatile memory, and stores each table shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 to be described later. Further, the internal clock 16 can grasp the time of each country, and when the game management apparatus 1 receives the participation request signal, the time corresponding to the country in which the game machine that transmitted the participation request signal is installed is provided. Can be grasped.

  The game management device 1 generates a group (hereinafter referred to as a game group) by combining a plurality of game machines that have requested participation in an online game within a predetermined time, and the game machines in the generated game group Online games are being played between. Such combinations include a combination constituted by game machines in one game machine group and a combination constituted by game machines in a plurality of game machine groups according to the time zone. Specific operations of the game management apparatus 1 regarding these combination methods will be described later.

  Next, each table stored in the storage device 15 of the game management device 1 will be described.

(ID code conversion table)
The ID code conversion table in FIG. 4 is referred to when specifying the game machine that has transmitted the participation request signal. The ID code is assigned to each game machine and is transmitted from each game machine to the game management apparatus 1 together with a participation request signal. In the game management apparatus 1, an ID code is registered in advance in this table. When the ID code is received, the game machine that transmitted the participation request signal by referring to this table, that is, participation in the online game It is possible to identify the game machine that is requesting.

  Specifically, this table has an “ID code” column, a “location country” column, a “game machine group” column, a “game model” column, and a “user / store name” column. In the “ID code” column, an ID code transmitted from each game machine is stored. The “location country” column and the “game machine group” column store the country to which the game machine that transmitted the ID code belongs and the game machine group. The “game model” column stores the model of the game machine, and the “user / store name” column stores the name of the user of the player who plays the game machine or the store where the game machine is installed. For example, when the ID code “A0002” is received from the game machine, the game machine is an “arcade game machine” installed in “× store” belonging to “business game machine group” in “Japan”. Can be specified. When the ID code “A0860” is received from the game machine, the game machine can be identified as a “personal computer” owned by the user “Curo” who belongs to the “personal computer group” in “Japan”.

(Target game machine group determination table)
The target game machine group determination table in FIG. 5 is referred to when determining which game machine group of the game machine group that has transmitted the participation request signal is combined to generate a game group. Note that this target game machine group determination table is set for each country, and the table of FIG. 5 is used for a Japanese game machine group.

  The target game machine group determination table has a “time zone” column and a “game model” column. The “time zone” column is divided into “0 to 2 o'clock”, “2 o'clock to 10 o'clock”, “10 o'clock to 14 o'clock”, “14 o'clock to 18 o'clock”, and “18 o'clock to 24 o'clock”. The time zone is stored, and the “game model” column is divided into “game model” columns for each model, and each divided “game machine” column has a game machine group corresponding to each time zone. Stored.

  Note that “−” in the figure means that the game hall is not open during business hours, and no participation request signal is transmitted from the arcade game machine 3. The “all-purpose game machine group” in the figure includes not only the game machine group of the domestic game machine group but also the game machine group of other countries. It means “home game machine group” and “computer group”. That is, a player who intends to participate in an online game with the arcade game machine 3 can play online games with the players of the arcade game machine 3 all over the world regardless of the time zone. In the following description, the game machine group stored in the “game model” column is referred to as a target game machine group.

  For example, when an arcade game machine 3 existing in Japan transmits a participation request signal at 11:00, the game management device 1 replaces the arcade game machine 3 that has transmitted the participation request signal with a group of arcade game machines 30 worldwide. A game group is generated in combination with a game machine that has transmitted a participation request signal to the home game machine group 40 and the personal computer group 50 of the domestic game machine group.

  In addition, when the home game machine 4 existing in Japan transmits a participation request signal at 3 o'clock, the game management device 1 uses the home game machine 4 that has transmitted the participation request signal as a home game of a domestic game machine group. A game group is generated in combination with the game machine which has transmitted the participation request signal in the machine group 40 and the personal computer group 50.

  An online game is generally played between players playing on the same arcade game machine installed in the same game machine group, for example, in each game center. For this reason, depending on the time of day, there are few players in the game center, and there may be no player who intends to participate in an online game. In such a case, if there is no other player, not only the fun of the online game is drastically reduced, but also the profit on the side providing the online game may be reduced. Therefore, as described above, by allowing participation in an online game from a plurality of game machine groups according to the time zone, the player can enjoy the online game regardless of the time, and the online game can be played. In some cases, the provider can reduce the risk of a decrease in revenue.

  Next, the operation of the CPU 11 of the game management device 1 will be described. In the following description, it is assumed that the game machines 3, 4, and 5 that transmit the participation request signal are game machines in the Japanese game machine group.

(Game management process)
The game management apparatus 1 apparently executes the game management processing routine shown in FIG. 6 in parallel with other control programs. In this management processing routine, first, it is determined whether a participation request signal has been received from the connected game machines 3, 4, 5 (S1). If the participation request signal has not been received (S1: NO), S1 is repeatedly executed. When a participation request signal is received from the game machine 3/4/5 (S1: YES), an ID code transmitted together with the participation request signal is acquired and the current time is acquired (S2). Specifically, by acquiring the ID code, the country of the game machine that transmitted the ID code can be specified by the table of FIG. And the present time of the country where it is located is acquired.

  Next, the game machine that has transmitted the participation request signal is identified based on the ID code acquired in S2, and it is determined whether or not the game machine is the arcade game machine 3 (S3). When the game machine that has transmitted the participation request signal is the arcade game machine 3 (S3: YES), an arcade game machine game group determination process described later is executed to determine a game machine to participate in the online game, and Generate (S4). Thereafter, the process proceeds to S8.

  If the game machine that transmitted the participation request signal is not the arcade game machine 3 (S3: NO), it is next determined whether or not the game machine that transmitted the participation request signal is the home game machine 4 (S5). When the game machine that has transmitted the participation request signal is the home game machine 4 (S5: YES), a game group determination process for home game machines described later is executed to determine a game machine to participate in the online game, and the game A group is generated (S6). Then, the process proceeds to S8. If the game machine that transmitted the participation request signal is not the home game machine 4 (S5: NO), that is, if the game machine that transmitted the participation request signal is the personal computer 5, the personal computer game group determination process described later is performed. Execute, determine a game machine to participate in the online game, and generate a game group. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S8.

  When the process proceeds to S8, communication between the determined game machines is established in S4, S6, or S7 (S8). And game data etc. are transmitted / received with respect to these game machines (S9), it is determined whether the game was complete | finished (S10), and when it is not complete | finished (S10: NO), S9 is repeated. When the game is over (S10: YES), the communication between the game machines is interrupted (S11), and the process returns to S1.

(Game group decision processing for arcade game machines)
Next, a game group determination process for an arcade game machine will be described. The game management device 1 executes the processing routine shown in FIG. 7, and determines whether or not the current time acquired in S2 is “10:00 to 14:00” (A1). When the current time is “10 o'clock to 14 o'clock” (A1: YES), based on the table of FIG. 5, all the arcade game machines, that is, the arcade game machines around the world, and in Japan The game machine which is transmitting the participation request signal from the home game machine group and the personal computer group of the game machine group is searched (A2). Then, it is determined whether a game machine to participate in the online game has been determined (A3). When the game machine to participate in the online game is determined (A3: YES), specifically, when the number of game machines that can participate in the online game is determined, this routine is terminated, and the processing routine of FIG. Return.

  When the game machine to participate in the online game has not been determined (A3: NO), specifically, when the number of game machines that can participate in the online game has not transmitted the participation request signal, the predetermined time It is determined whether or not (A4). The predetermined time is, for example, the time since the previous game group was generated, the time since the first participation request signal was received, or the like. If the predetermined time has not elapsed (A4: NO), the process returns to A2, and a participation request signal is transmitted again from all the arcade game machines, the domestic game machines of the domestic game machines, and the PCs. Search for game consoles. When the predetermined time has elapsed (A4: YES), since there are not enough game machines requesting participation in the online game, the remaining opponents (or cooperating players) are determined as computers (A5). ), This routine is terminated.

  When A2 is repeated within a predetermined time, if the time changes within the predetermined time, specifically, the time when the participation request signal is received is 13:58 and the predetermined time A2 is being repeated. Even if it is past 14 o'clock, the target of the game machine group for searching for the game machine does not change. By doing so, it is possible to reduce the risk of complicated processing steps such as changing the target of the game machine group to search for game machines during the process of determining the combination of game machines.

  On the other hand, when the current time is not “10:00 to 14:00” (A1: NO), that is, when the current time is “0 to 2 o'clock” or “14:00 to 24:00”, The game machine (specifically, the arcade game machine 3) that is transmitting the participation request signal is searched for (A6). Then, it is determined whether or not the arcade game machine 3 to participate in the online game has been determined (A7). When the arcade game machine 3 to participate in the online game is determined (A7: YES), this routine is terminated and the processing routine of FIG. 6 is returned to.

  When the arcade game machine 3 to participate in the online game has not been determined (A7: NO), it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed (A8). If the predetermined time has not elapsed (A8: NO), the process returns to A6, and the arcade game machine 3 that is transmitting the participation request signal is searched again from all the arcade game machine groups. When the predetermined time has elapsed (A8: YES), since there are not enough arcade game machines 3 requesting participation in the online game, the remaining opponents (or cooperating players) are determined as computers. (A5) This routine is terminated.

(Game group decision processing for home game machines)
Next, a game group determination process for home game machines will be described. The game management device 1 executes the processing routine shown in FIG. 8, and determines whether or not the current time acquired in S2 is “18-2 o'clock” (B1). When the current time is “18-2 o'clock” (B1: YES), a participation request signal is transmitted from the domestic game machine group of the domestic game machine group based on the table of FIG. The home game machine 4 is searched (B2). Then, it is determined whether or not the home game machine 4 to participate in the online game has been determined (B3). When the home game machine 4 to participate in the online game is determined (B3: YES), this routine is terminated and the process routine returns to FIG.

  When the home game machine 4 to participate in the online game has not been determined (B3: NO), it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed (B4). If the predetermined time has not elapsed (B4: NO), the process returns to B2, and again, a game machine that transmits a participation request signal from the group of home game machines (specifically, the home game machine 4). ) When the predetermined time has elapsed (B4: YES), since there are not enough game machines 4 that can request participation in the online game, the remaining opponents (or cooperative players) are determined as computers. (B5), and this routine ends.

  On the other hand, when the current time is not “18-2 o'clock” (B1: NO), it is determined whether the current time is “10: 00-14: 00” (B6). When the current time is “10:00 to 14:00” (B6: YES), a participation request signal is transmitted from the game machines for all business use, the game machines for home use in the game machines in Japan, and the PCs. A game machine is searched (B7). Then, it is determined whether a game machine to participate in the online game has been determined (B8). When a game machine to participate in the online game is determined (B8: YES), this routine is terminated and the process routine returns to FIG.

  When the game machine to participate in the online game has not been determined (B8: NO), it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed (B9). If the predetermined time has not elapsed (B9: NO), the process returns to B7, and a participation request signal is transmitted again from the all-use game machine group, the domestic game machine group of the domestic game machine group, and the personal computer group. Search for game consoles. When the predetermined time has elapsed (B9: YES), since there are not enough game machines requesting participation in the online game, the remaining opponents (or cooperating players) are determined as computers (B5). ), This routine is terminated.

  If the current time is not “10:00 to 14:00” (B6: NO), that is, if the current time is “2 to 10:00” or “14:00 to 18:00”, the domestic game machine group The game machines transmitting the participation request signal from the home game machine group and the personal computer group are searched (B10). Then, it is determined whether a game machine to participate in the online game has been determined (B11). When a game machine to participate in the online game is determined (B11: YES), this routine is terminated and the process routine of FIG. 6 is returned to. When the game machine to participate in the online game has not been determined (B11: NO), it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed (B12). If the predetermined time has not elapsed (B12: NO), the process returns to B10, and the game machine that transmits the participation request signal is searched again from the domestic game machine group and the personal computer group of the Japanese game machine group. When the predetermined time has elapsed (B12: YES), since there are not enough game machines requesting participation in the online game, the remaining opponents (or cooperating players) are determined as computers (B5). ), This routine is terminated.

(PC game group decision process)
Next, a personal computer game group determination process will be described. The game management device 1 executes the processing routine shown in FIG. 9, and determines whether or not the current time acquired in S2 is “18:00 to 2 o'clock” (C1). When the current time is “18:00 to 2 o'clock” (C1: YES), based on the table of FIG. 5, a game machine that transmits a participation request signal from a group of computers (specifically, PC 5) is searched (C2). Then, it is determined whether or not the personal computer 5 to participate in the online game has been determined (C3). When the personal computer 5 to participate in the online game is determined (C3: YES), this routine is terminated and the process routine of FIG. 6 is returned to.

  When the personal computer 5 to participate in the online game has not been determined (C3: NO), it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has passed (C4). If the predetermined time has not elapsed (C4: NO), the process returns to C2, and the personal computer 5 transmitting the participation request signal is again searched from the personal computer group. When the predetermined time has elapsed (C4: YES), since there are not enough personal computers 5 requesting participation in the online game, the remaining opponents (or cooperating players) are determined as computers (C5). ), This routine is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the current time is not “18:00 to 2 o'clock” (C1: NO), it is determined whether or not the current time is “10:00 to 14:00” (C6). When the current time is “10:00 to 14:00” (C6: YES), a game in which a participation request signal is transmitted from a game machine group for all businesses, a game machine group for domestic game machines, and a PC group. The machine is searched (C7). Then, it is determined whether or not a game machine to participate in the online game has been determined (C8). When a game machine to participate in the online game is determined (C8: YES), this routine is terminated and the process routine of FIG. 6 is returned to.

  When the game machine to participate in the online game has not been determined (C8: NO), it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has passed (C9). If the predetermined time has not elapsed (C9: NO), the process returns to C7, and a participation request signal is transmitted again from the all-use game machine group, the domestic game machine group of the Japanese game machine group, and the personal computer group. Search for game consoles. When the predetermined time has elapsed (C9: YES), since there are not enough game machines requesting participation in the online game, the remaining opponents (or cooperating players) are determined as computers (C5). ), This routine is terminated.

  If the current time is not “10:00 to 14:00” (C6: NO), that is, if the current time is “2 to 10:00” or “14:00 to 18:00”, the domestic game machine group The game machine which is transmitting the participation request signal from the home game machine group and the personal computer group is searched (C10). Then, it is determined whether a game machine to participate in the online game has been determined (C11). When a game machine to participate in the online game is determined (C11: YES), this routine is terminated and the process routine returns to FIG. When the game machine to participate in the online game has not been determined (C11: NO), it is determined whether a predetermined time has passed (C12). If the predetermined time has not elapsed (C12: NO), the process returns to C10, and again searches for a game machine that transmits a participation request signal from the domestic game machine group and the personal computer group of the Japanese game machine group. When the predetermined time has elapsed (C12: YES), since there are not enough game machines requesting participation in the online game, the remaining opponents (or cooperating players) are determined as computers (C5). ), This routine is terminated.

(Outline of this embodiment)
As described above, according to the present embodiment, a plurality of types of game machines (for example, arcade game machine 3, home-use game machine 4, and personal computer 5) capable of playing an online game in which a plurality of people can participate are connected to a network (for example, , Connected via a data communication network 2) so that data can be transmitted and received, and the plurality of types of game machines are classified into a plurality of game machine groups (for example, a game machine group 30 for business use, home use). A game management device (for example, game management device 1) that is classified and managed as a game machine group 40 or a personal computer group 50), and that receives a game participation request signal for requesting participation in an online game from the game machine Means (for example, the CPU 11 or the communication device 14), time measuring means (for example, the CPU 11 or the internal clock 16) for measuring the time when the game participation request signal is received, A combination determining means (for example, CPU 11) for determining a combination of game machines to participate in an online game from among the game machines that have transmitted the game participation request signal received within a fixed time, and online to the determined game machine Game data transmission / reception means (for example, the CPU 11 or the communication device 14) that transmits / receives game data necessary for the progress of the game. The game machine is determined so as to be either one of a combination of game machines in the game machine group or a combination of game machines in a plurality of game machine groups.

  According to this configuration, a combination of game machines to participate in an online game is a combination of game machines of one game machine group or a combination of game machines of a plurality of game machine groups depending on the time zone. It has become. In other words, a player who intends to participate in an online game with one game machine differs from a player who is playing an online game with a game machine of the same game machine group, depending on the playing time zone. There is a case of playing with a player who is playing with a game machine of the game machine group. As a result, depending on the time of day, even if there is no player who wants to participate in the online game in the same game machine group, it becomes possible to play an online game with a player of another game machine group. There is a case. Therefore, the player can enjoy the online game regardless of the time, and can reduce the risk of a decrease in profits for the online game provider.

  In addition, the game machine group according to the present embodiment is configured to be classified according to the online game charging method.

  According to this configuration, depending on the time of day, for example, a player of an arcade game machine and a player of a home game machine having different charging methods may be able to play the same online game.

  The embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but only specific examples have been illustrated, and the present invention is not particularly limited. Specific configurations and the like can be appropriately changed in design. Further, the actions and effects described in the embodiments of the invention only list the most preferable actions and effects resulting from the present invention, and the actions and effects according to the present invention are described in the embodiments of the present invention. It is not limited to what was done.

  For example, each game machine group is classified according to the country where it is installed and managed as a game machine group in Japan, etc., but it is divided into groups for each game model regardless of the country where it is installed. May be managed. In this case, the probability that an online game can be played not by a computer but by players is not only higher, but a common game can be played with players from other countries. May increase. In connection with this, the profit of an online game provider may improve.

  Further, a game management device may be installed for each country, and the game management devices may be connected to be communicable. In this case, management of the game machine may be facilitated. Furthermore, as described above, the game machine for playing an online game is not limited to the game machine of the present embodiment, and it is possible to participate in such an online game with a mobile phone that has been rapidly spreading in recent years. Good. Furthermore, the method of classifying the game machines may not be the difference in the charging method, and may be another classification method.

  Further, in this embodiment, the target of the game equipment for searching for the game machine is determined according to the time when the participation request signal is received, but the time is limited to the time zone described in the table of FIG. It is only necessary to set a time when the number of players participating in the online game is small (expected) in each country. Specifically, the connection status from each game machine may be stored, and the time when there are few participating players may be determined from the connection status of the previous day. As described above, by setting the time based on the statistics of the previous day, it may be possible to cause the players to play an online game with a higher probability than with a computer.

It is explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of a game system. It is explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of a game system. It is a block diagram of a game management device. It is explanatory drawing of an ID code conversion table. It is explanatory drawing of the object game machine group determination table. It is a flowchart of a game management processing routine. It is a flowchart of a game group determination processing routine for an arcade game machine. It is a flowchart of a game group determination processing routine for home game machines. It is a flowchart of the game group determination process routine for personal computers.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Game management apparatus 2 Data communication network 3 Arcade game machine 4 Home game machine 5 Personal computer 30 Commercial game machine group 40 Home game machine group 50 Personal computer group 100 Game system

Claims (2)

A game in which multiple types of game machines capable of playing online games that can be participated by multiple people are connected via a network so that data can be transmitted and received, and the multiple types of game machines are classified into a plurality of game machine groups and managed by model. A management device,
Signal receiving means for receiving a game participation request signal for requesting participation in the online game from the game machine;
Timing means for timing the time when the game participation request signal is received;
Combination determining means for determining a combination of the game machines to participate in the online game from among the game machines that have transmitted the game participation request signal received within a specified time;
Game data transmitting / receiving means for transmitting / receiving game data necessary for the progress of the online game to the determined game machine;
The combination determining means includes
In accordance with the time counted by the time measuring means, the combination of the game machines is either a combination consisting of game machines of one game machine group or a combination consisting of game machines of a plurality of game machine groups. A game management device for determining the game machine. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the game machine group is classified according to a charging method of the online game.

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