JP2008061927A - Server system, program and information storing medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve an inconvenience occurring when a plurality of players play a network game by matching game devices installed in the same installing place inside a game parlor or the like. <P>SOLUTION: In a game system 1, in an intra-parlor match mode allowing a player to play a match game against other players inside the same parlor, the number of player's terminals 30 installed in the parlor is set as the number of players (the number of match game players) allowed to play the match game inside the parlor. The terminals 30 of the number inside the parlor can be matched so that the match game players of the number are matched against one another. When the number of the matching terminals 30 is smaller than that of the match game players, computer-controlled players (COM players) of a number equal to the shortage in the number of players are added to the participating players to establish the matching. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a server system or the like that performs matching processing for communicating with each of a plurality of player terminals and matching the player terminals.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a network game in which a plurality of game devices and a game server are connected via a communication network and a game is enjoyed by sharing the same game space among players is known as one form of game. In a network game, a game server combines (matching) a plurality of arbitrary players from an unspecified number of players, and executes a game between the combined players (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2006-43091 A

  In a store such as a game center where a plurality of arcade game devices are installed, by applying such a network game, in-store battles against other players in the same store, or all stores including the store It is possible to enjoy a communication battle game such as a nationwide battle against other players. In this conventional online battle game, the number of players to be played is generally fixed to a fixed number (for example, 8 players). For example, in the case of a communication battle game in which each of eight players operates a racing car and runs on the same course to compete for the arrival order and the running time, if the number of players is less than eight, the computer-controlled player Normally, the racing car is automatically controlled by computer control, and it is usual to control the race so that eight players compete for the race in a pseudo manner. In national competitions and the like, players cannot directly see each other, so even if some of the opponents are computer-controlled players, it is not unnatural.

  However, there is a problem in situations where it is possible to visually recognize whether or not the opponent player actually exists, such as in-store competition. That is, since the number of players to play is a fixed number, if the number of installed game devices does not reach the fixed number, the number of player terminals on which the number of players who should have participated in the battle game is installed. Will always be replenished with computer-controlled players. For this reason, the number of player terminals that can be visually recognized does not match the number of players that are supposed to be playing in the store, and the number of player terminals that are installed is not natural. If you just want to play a match, it was impossible. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances.

The first invention for solving the above-described problems is
A server system (for example, the server 10 in FIGS. 1 and 11) that performs communication with each of a plurality of player terminals and performs matching processing for matching players,
Storage means (for example, installation terminal data 223 in FIG. 11) for storing a correspondence relationship between each player terminal and an installation site where the player terminal is installed;
Receiving means (for example, the player management unit 121 in FIG. 11) that receives from the player terminal a start request signal for communication play within the same installation site that is a multi-person communication play between player terminals installed at the same installation site;
Determining the number of players that can be played simultaneously for each installation site, based on the number of player terminals stored in the storage means in association with the installation site, for determining the number of players that can play simultaneously in the same installation site. Means (for example, the matching control unit 122 in FIG. 11);
The upper limit of the number of participating players in the same-site communication play at the installation location of the player terminal accepted by the accepting means is set as the simultaneously playable number of people determined by the simultaneous playable number determining means of the accepted player terminal. Matching processing means (for example, the matching control unit 122 in FIG. 1) for performing matching processing between player terminals installed in the installation site;
Is a server system.

The tenth aspect of the invention is
Matching process for matching players to a computer system that is connected to each of a plurality of player terminals and includes a storage unit that stores a correspondence relationship between each player terminal and a place where the player terminal is installed. A program (for example, the matching control program 212 in FIG. 11) for realizing a function as a server system for performing
Accepting means (for example, step F1 in FIG. 28) for receiving from the player terminal a start request signal for communication play within the same installation site, which is a multi-person communication play between player terminals installed at the same installation site;
Determining the number of players that can be played simultaneously for each installation site, based on the number of player terminals stored in the storage means in association with the installation site, for determining the number of players that can play simultaneously in the same installation site. Means (for example, H15 in FIG. 30, step J15 in FIG. 31),
The upper limit of the number of participating players in the same-site communication play at the installation location of the player terminal accepted by the accepting means is set as the simultaneously playable number of people determined by the simultaneous playable number determining means of the accepted player terminal. Matching processing means (for example, step H19 in FIG. 30) for performing matching processing between player terminals installed in the installation site;
As a program for causing the computer system to function.

  According to the first or tenth aspect of the present invention, a start request signal for the same in-site communication play is received from the player terminal, and the upper limit of the number of participating players in the same in-site communication play at the received installation location of the player terminal is A server system in which the player terminals installed in the installation site are matched as the number of simultaneously playable players determined based on the number of player terminals installed in the installation site is realized. That is, the upper limit of the number of players participating in the same installation site communication play is determined based on the number of player terminals installed in the installation site, and the player terminals installed in the installation site are matched. For example, if the number of players that can play simultaneously in the same installation site communication play is equal to the number of player terminals installed in the installation site, the player is set so that the upper limit of the number of participating players in the same installation site communication play is equal to the installation number. The terminal is matched. This avoids an unnatural state in which the number of players participating in the same installation site communication play exceeds the number of player terminals installed in the installation site.

The second invention is the server system of the first invention,
The simultaneous playable number determining means is configured such that the number of player terminals stored in the storage means in association with the same installation site as the player terminal received by the receiving means is equal to or less than a predetermined maximum number of simultaneously playable players. In this case, if the number exceeds the maximum number of players that can play simultaneously, the maximum number of players that can play simultaneously is determined as the number of players that can play simultaneously.

  According to the second aspect of the invention, the number of player terminals stored in association with the same installation site as the player terminal that has received the request for starting communication play within the same installation site is equal to or less than a predetermined maximum number of simultaneous playable players. In this case, when the number exceeds the maximum number of simultaneously playable persons, the maximum number of simultaneously playable persons is determined as the number of simultaneously playable persons. That is, the player terminals in the installation site are matched so that the number of participating players in the same installation site communication play does not exceed a predetermined maximum number of simultaneous playable players.

The third invention is the server system of the first or second invention,
The player terminal is an apparatus that has a plurality of play modes including the same in-site communication play, and executes game play in a play mode selected by a player's selection operation from the play modes.
Situation grasping means (for example, in FIG. 11) that performs predetermined communication with the player terminal and grasps a game play situation including at least whether the player terminal is playing a game and which play mode is being played. A player management unit 121);
The simultaneous playable number determining means is further playing a game by the number of player terminals stored in the storage means in association with the installation site, and the situation grasping means of the player terminals. This is a server system that determines the number of players who can play simultaneously in the same installation site in the same installation site based on the determined number of player terminals.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, based on the number of player terminals installed at the installation site and the number of player terminals that are determined to be playing a game among the player terminals, the same at the installation site. The number of persons who can play the communication within the installation site simultaneously is determined. For example, among the player terminals installed at the installation site, if the number of players equal to the number of player terminals that are playing the game is the number of players that can be played simultaneously in the same installation site communication play at the installation site, the game is being played. The number of players equal to the number of player terminals is the upper limit of the number of players participating in the same in-site communication play. As a result, a natural communication play in the same installation place where a player who is playing the game is participating in the installation place is realized.

The fourth invention is the program of any one of the first to third inventions,
The player terminal is an apparatus that has a plurality of play modes including the same in-site communication play, and executes game play in a play mode selected by a player's selection operation from the play modes.
Disabling signal for transmitting a signal for disabling the selection operation of the same in-site communication play to a player terminal having one player terminal stored in the storage means in association with one installation location This is a server system including transmission means (for example, the player management unit 121 in FIG. 11; step F7 in FIG. 28).

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the player terminal is a device that executes a game play in a play mode selected by the player among a plurality of play modes including the same in-site communication play. A signal that disables the selection operation of the communication play within the same installation site is transmitted to the player terminal having one installed player terminal. In other words, in an installation site where only one player is installed, it is impossible to execute a communication play within the same installation site. This avoids an unnatural state where a communication play within the same installation site is performed even though the installation site has only one player terminal.

A fifth invention is the server system of any one of the first to fourth inventions,
COM player determining means (for example, FIG. 11) that determines the number of computer controlled players whose number of player terminals matched by the matching processing means is less than the simultaneously playable number determining means determined by the simultaneous playable number determining means. Matching control unit 122; steps G13 to G15 in FIG. 29;
Matching result transmitting means (for example, the matching control unit 122 in FIG. 11) that transmits the matching processing result and the data of the computer controlled player determined by the COM player determining means to each player terminal matched by the matching processing means. Step G17) of FIG. 29;
Is a server system.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, computer control players whose number of matched player terminals is less than the number of simultaneously playable players are determined, and the matching process result and determination are determined for each matched player terminal. The computer control character data thus transmitted is transmitted. In other words, when the number of matched player terminals is less than the number of players that can be played simultaneously, the computer control players corresponding to the number of players that are less than that number are added as participating players, and the same in-site communication play is performed with the maximum number of participating players. Is called. Thereby, the same in-site communication play is always realized in which the number of players that can be played simultaneously determined based on the number of player terminals installed in the installation place participates. In addition, the player terminals that have requested the same in-site communication play have at least an insufficient number of computer-controlled players participating to quickly match the player terminals for performing the same in-site communication play in the installation place. It becomes possible.

A sixth invention is the server system of any one of the first to fifth inventions,
The same on-site communication play is a game play in which a given number of players repeatedly wins an online battle game and competes for victory.
Based on the number of simultaneously playable players determined by the simultaneous playable player number determining unit and / or the number of player terminals matched by the matching processing unit, the number of remaining players who determine the number of remaining players for each of the communication games is determined. Number determining means (for example, the game management unit 123 in FIG. 11; step K3 in FIG. 32);
Game result receiving means (for example, game management unit 123 in FIG. 11; step K11 in FIG. 32) for receiving the game result of each communication battle game in the same in-site communication play from the player terminal;
Based on the received game result and the number of remaining players determined by the remaining player number determining means, the remaining player determining means (for example, the game management unit 123 of FIG. 11; Step L1) in FIG.
Result transmitting means (for example, the game management unit 123 in FIG. 11; step K25 in FIG. 32, step L3 in FIG. 33) for transmitting the determination result of the remaining player determination means to each player terminal that has received the game result;
Is a server system.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the same in-site communication play is a game play in which a predetermined number of players win and repeat a communication battle game to compete for victory, and the determined number of players that can be played simultaneously, and / or Based on the number of matched player terminals, the number of remaining players in each communication battle game is determined, and the game result of each communication battle game in the same in-site communication play received from the player terminal and the determined number of remaining players Based on the above, the remaining player of each communication battle game is determined.

The seventh invention is the server system of the fifth invention,
The same on-site communication play is a game play in which a given number of players repeatedly wins an online battle game and competes for victory.
Based on the number of simultaneously playable players determined by the simultaneous playable player number determining unit and / or the number of player terminals matched by the matching processing unit, the number of remaining players who determine the number of remaining players for each of the communication games is determined. Number determining means (for example, the game management unit 123 in FIG. 11; step K3 in FIG. 32);
Game result receiving means (for example, game management unit 123 in FIG. 11; step K11 in FIG. 32) for receiving the game result of each communication battle game in the same in-site communication play from the player terminal;
Computer control based on the received game result and the number of remaining players determined by the remaining player number determining means, so that a majority of the remaining computer-controlled players determined by the COM player determining means are defeated. A remaining player determining means (for example, the game management unit 123 in FIG. 11; step K15 in FIG. 32) for determining a remaining player in each online battle game including the player;
A result transmission unit (for example, the game management unit 123 in FIG. 11; step L3 in FIG. 33) that transmits the determination result of the remaining player determination unit to each player terminal that has received the game result;
Is a server system.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the same in-site communication play is a game play in which a predetermined number of players win the repeated online battle game to compete for the victory, and the determined number of simultaneously playable players and / or Based on the number of matched player terminals, the number of remaining players in each communication battle game is determined, and the game result of each communication battle game in the same in-site communication play received from the player terminal and the determined number of remaining players Based on the above, the remaining players in each online battle game including the computer-controlled player are determined so that the majority of the remaining computer-controlled players are eliminated.

The eighth invention is the server system of the sixth or seventh invention,
Each communication battle game of each time is determined by being selected from a plurality of types of games,
Based on the number of simultaneously playable players determined by the simultaneous playable player number determining means and / or the number of player terminals matched by the matching processing means, the remaining winning players determined by the remaining player determining means , A selection right grant signal transmitting means for selecting a player and transmitting a selection right grant signal for prompting selection of the type of the next online competitive game to the player terminal of the selected player (for example, the game management unit in FIG. 11) 123; Step L9) of FIG.
Next game determination means for determining a next communication battle game from the plurality of types of games in accordance with a game type selection signal transmitted from the player terminal to which the selection right grant signal has been transmitted by the selection right grant signal transmission means ( For example, the game management unit 123 in FIG. 11; step L13 in FIG.
Next game information transmission means (for example, the game management unit in FIG. 11) that transmits information indicating that a communication battle is to be performed in the determined next communication battle game to the player terminal of each remaining player determined by the remaining player determination unit. 123; Step L13) of FIG.
Is a server system.

  According to the eighth aspect of the invention, the communication battle game of each game play that is the same in-site communication play is selected and determined from a plurality of types of games, and the determined number of simultaneously playable players And / or a selection right that selects one player from the remaining players determined based on the number of matched player terminals and prompts the player terminal of the selected player to select the type of the next online competitive game. The next communication battle is determined from a plurality of types of games according to the game type selection signal transmitted from the player terminal to which the grant signal is transmitted and the selection right grant signal is transmitted. Information indicating that a communication battle is to be performed is transmitted to the player terminal of each determined remaining player. That is, in each repeated online battle game, the type of game selected by one player selected from the remaining players is played as the next online battle game.

In addition, the ninth invention,
Storage means for storing the corresponding relationship between the installation site where each of the plurality of player terminals is installed and the player terminal, and the number of player terminals installed at the installation site where the player terminal is installed individually for each player terminal A number-of-units transmission means for transmitting the same, a reception means for receiving a start request signal for communication play in the same installation site, which is a multi-person communication play between player terminals installed in the same installation site, and the reception means A player terminal (for example, FIG. 1) capable of communicating with a server system (for example, the server 10 in FIG. 1), which includes a matching processing means for performing a matching process for matching the player terminals installed in the same installation site. 1 player terminal 30),
Number receiving means for receiving the number of player terminals installed at the installation site where the player terminal is installed transmitted from the number transmitting means of the server system (for example, communication unit 360 in FIG. 6; step in FIG. 23) A7)
When the number of units received by the number receiving means is two or more, all options of a plurality of play modes including the same in-site communication play are displayed so as to be selectable. Play mode option display control means (for example, the game calculation unit 331 in FIG. 6; steps A9 to A11 in FIG. 23) for displaying selectable play mode options other than the same in-site communication play;
When the play mode selected by the player from the options displayed by the play mode option display control means is the same in-site communication play, the start request signal for the same in-site communication play is sent to the server system. And a play execution means (for example, the game shown in FIG. 6) that executes the same intra-site communication play and executes a play process predetermined according to the play mode when the play mode is other play mode. Calculation unit 331; steps A13 to A19) of FIG.
Is a player terminal.

The eleventh invention
Storage means for storing the corresponding relationship between the installation site where each of the plurality of player terminals is installed and the player terminal, and the number of player terminals installed at the installation site where the player terminal is installed individually for each player terminal A number-of-units transmission means for transmitting the same, a reception means for receiving a start request signal for communication play in the same installation site, which is a multi-person communication play between player terminals installed in the same installation site, and the reception means A computer serving as a player terminal capable of communicating with a server system including a matching processing means for performing a matching process for matching a player terminal installed in the same installation site that is received,
Number-of-units receiving means for receiving the number of player terminals installed at the installation site where the player terminal is installed transmitted from the number-of-servers transmitting means of the server system;
When the number of units received by the number receiving means is two or more, all options of a plurality of play modes including the same in-site communication play are displayed so as to be selectable. Play mode option display control means for displaying selectable play mode options other than in-site communication play,
When the play mode selected by the player from the options displayed by the play mode option display control means is the same in-site communication play, the start request signal for the same in-site communication play is sent to the server system. Play execution means for executing the play processing predetermined in accordance with the play mode when the same play in the same installation site is executed and the other play mode is executed,
As a program (for example, the game program 410 in FIG. 6).

  According to the ninth or eleventh invention, in the player terminal that can communicate with the server system, the number of player terminals received from the server system and installed at the installation site where the player terminal is installed is two. In the case of the above, all the options of a plurality of play modes including the communication play in the same installation site are displayed so as to be selectable. In the case of one, the play mode options other than the communication play in the same installation site are selected. Displayed as selectable. When the play mode selected by the player is the same in-site communication play, the same in-site communication play start request signal is transmitted to the server system, and the same in-site communication play is executed. In other words, in an installation site where only one player is installed, it is impossible to execute a communication play within the same installation site. This avoids an unnatural state where a communication play within the same installation site is performed even though the installation site has only one player terminal.

  The twelfth invention is a computer-readable information storage medium (for example, the storage unit 200 in FIG. 11) storing the program of the tenth or eleventh invention.

  Here, the information storage medium is a storage medium such as a hard disk, an MO, a CD-ROM, a DVD, a memory card, or an IC memory that can be read by a computer. Therefore, according to the twelfth aspect, the same effect as that of the tenth or eleventh aspect can be obtained by causing the computer to read the information stored in the information storage medium and executing the arithmetic processing. .

  According to the present invention, the start request signal for the same in-site communication play is received from the player terminal, and the upper limit of the number of players participating in the same in-site communication play in the received installation location of the player terminal is set in the installation place. As the number of simultaneously playable players determined based on the number of player terminals, the player terminals installed at the installation site are matched. That is, the upper limit of the number of players participating in the same installation site communication play is determined based on the number of player terminals installed in the installation site, and the player terminals installed in the installation site are matched. For example, if the number of players that can play simultaneously in the same installation site communication play is equal to the number of player terminals installed in the installation site, the player is set so that the upper limit of the number of participating players in the same installation site communication play is equal to the installation number. The terminal is matched. This avoids an unnatural state in which the number of players participating in the same installation site communication play exceeds the number of player terminals installed in the installation site.

  Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following, a game system for realizing a communication battle game between a plurality of player terminals will be described. However, embodiments to which the present invention can be applied are not limited to this.

[Game system configuration]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a game system 1 in the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the game system 1 is configured by connecting a server 10 and a plurality of player terminals 30 to a communication line N. Here, the communication line N means a communication path through which data can be exchanged. That is, the communication line N is meant to include a communication network such as a telephone communication network, a cable network, and the Internet in addition to a dedicated line (dedicated cable) for direct connection and a LAN using Ethernet (registered trademark). The communication method may be wired / wireless.

  The server 10 is a server system configured by a known server computer, and is installed on the game maker side, for example, and comprehensively controls the game system 1. Specifically, a game server such as a matching process for combining the player terminals 30 to be played from the player terminals 30 connected to the server 10 and a management process for a communication battle game performed between the player terminals 30 combined by the matching process. The processing for realizing the function is performed. The server 10 may be configured by a plurality of server computers.

  The player terminal 30 is a terminal device for a player to play a game. For example, the player terminal 30 is a business game device installed in each store such as a game center. The player terminal 30 is connected to the communication line N and has a function for transmitting and receiving data to and from the server 10 and other player terminals 30. The player terminal 30 accesses the server 10 and logs in to the server 10. And based on the result of the matching process by the server 10, the process for implement | achieving the communication battle game between the other player terminals 30 is performed.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of installation of the player terminal 30 in a store. According to the figure, a plurality of player terminals 30 are installed side by side in the same store as the same installation site.

  In the present embodiment, the player terminal 30 includes a chair 31 and an operation table 32. A keyboard 33 and a mouse 34 for inputting game operations are arranged on the operation console 32, and a display panel 35 provided with a display 36 for displaying a game screen on the front. A touch panel is integrally formed on the display 36 over the entire display area. The touch panel detects the touch operation position in units of dots constituting the display 36, for example, based on a detection principle such as a pressure-sensitive type, an optical type, an electrostatic type, and an electromagnetic induction type. The player can perform various operation inputs by touch operations on the display 36 with an attached touch pen or fingers.

  Speakers 37 for outputting sound effects and game sounds such as BGM are arranged on both sides of the upper part of the display board 35 and inserted into the lower left part of the display board 35. A card reader 38 for reading data recorded on the game card is provided. The game card is provided in advance to the player by sales or the like, and is realized by, for example, a magnetic card in which data such as a unique card ID is recorded on the magnetic tape portion. The card reader 38 reads data such as a card ID recorded on the game card.

  In addition, a system board on which a CPU, an image generation IC, a sound generation IC, and the like are mounted is built in the operation console 32, and the CPU reads programs and data read from a memory on the system board, a keyboard 33, Based on an operation signal or the like input from the mouse 34, the online battle game of the present embodiment is executed.

[Game Overview]
In the present embodiment, a plurality of types of games can be executed on each player terminal 30. Then, the same type of game is executed on each of the player terminals 30 matched by the server 10 and the game results are competed, thereby realizing a communication battle game between the player terminals 30.

  In addition, as play modes that can be executed in each player terminal 30, there are a “match mode” for playing against other players and a “training mode” for not playing matches with other players. The “match mode” further includes an “in-store match mode” for playing against players in the same store and a “national match mode” for playing against players in all stores.

  Specifically, on the player terminal 30, first, a play mode selection screen for selecting a play mode is displayed on the display 36. FIG. 3A shows an example of the play mode selection screen. According to the figure, on the play mode selection screen, “training mode”, “in-store battle mode”, and “national battle mode” are displayed as choices as playable play modes. However, in the case of a store where only one player terminal 30 is installed, there is no player that can compete in the same store, so the “in-store battle mode” cannot be played. In this case, as shown in FIG. 5B, only “training mode” and “national battle mode” are displayed as options on the play mode selection screen, and the “in-store battle mode” option is not displayed. When a play mode is selected on this play mode selection screen, a game in the selected play mode is started.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the game screen. This figure shows a case where “in-store battle mode” is selected as the play mode and a game of “four-character idiom” is being played as the game type. In this “four-character idiom” game, as a problem, one character of any four-character idiom is hidden and displayed, and the player answers by inputting the hidden character by handwriting. A plurality of questions are presented one after another, and compete for the number of correctly answered questions within the time limit.

  According to the figure, the game screen is composed of a player list area AR1 on the left side and a question area AR2 on the right side. The player list area AR1 displays a list of images and player names of players (matching players) that play against the player (hereinafter referred to as “the player”) playing on the player terminal 30. In addition, among the opponent players, the image and the player name of the player are displayed larger than the other players at the top. In the question area AR2, a four-word phrase is displayed as a problem in the upper part, and an answer area is formed in the lower part. The player inputs an answer to the displayed problem in the answer area.

  When the game is over, a battle result screen is displayed in which the game results of each player who has played are tabulated. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a battle result screen. According to the figure, the ranking based on the superiority or inferiority of the game results of each player who competed is displayed as a list in the ranking format on the competition result screen as the competition result MS1. In the match result MS1, images and players of each player are displayed in a list, and the player name and image of the player are displayed larger than those of other players. In addition, a message MS2 indicating whether or not the player is the remaining player is displayed along with the number of remaining players (the number of remaining players) among the players who have competed.

  The communication battle game according to the present embodiment is performed in a remaining game system in which a battle between players is performed a plurality of times (specifically, three times), and a player with a higher game result wins for each battle. Specifically, in the first match (first round), the player with the highest 2/3 of the battle results among all the players who have played is the remaining player and proceeds to the next match (second round). The lower third player loses in the first round. In the subsequent second round, the players who have won the first round face each other. Then, the player with the higher half of the battle results wins and becomes the remaining player and proceeds to the final battle (third round), and the lower half of the player loses in the second round. In the final battle (3rd round), the players who have won the 2nd round battled, and the player with the 1st place battle result becomes the winning player in the online battle game.

  For example, when 15 players play a battle, in the first round, out of 15 players, the top 10 players (that is, the first to 10th place players) are the remaining players and the second round. Then, the lower five players (that is, the 11th to 15th players) lose in the first round. In the 2nd round, the 10 players who won the 1st round faced each other, and the result of the battle is the top 1/2 player (that is, the 1st to 5th place player), the remaining player and proceeding to the 3rd round, The lower half players (ie, the 6th to 10th players) lose in the second round. Then, in the third round, the five players who have won the second round face each other, and the player who has the first place as the result of the battle becomes the winning player of the communication battle game by the fifteen players.

  In addition, the number of players that play in the battle mode (the number of battle players) is determined as follows. That is, in the “in-store battle mode”, the number equal to the number of player terminals 30 installed in the store is the number of battle players. In the case of the “National Battle Mode”, a predetermined number (for example, 15 players) is the number of battle players.

[Configuration of player terminal]
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the player terminal 30. According to the figure, the player terminal 30 functionally includes an operation input unit 310, a card reading unit 320, a processing unit 330, an image display unit 340, a sound output unit 350, a communication unit 360, The storage unit 400 is provided.

  The operation input unit 310 receives an operation input by the player and outputs an operation signal corresponding to the operation to the processing unit 330. This function is realized by, for example, a button switch, lever, dial, mouse, keyboard, touch panel, various sensors, and the like. In FIG. 2, this corresponds to a touch panel formed integrally with the keyboard 33, the mouse 34, and the display 36.

  The card reading unit 320 reads data such as a card ID recorded on the inserted game card, and outputs the read data to the processing unit 330. In FIG. 2, the card reader 38 corresponds to this.

  The processing unit 330 performs various arithmetic processes such as overall control of the player terminal 30, game progress, and image generation. This function is realized by, for example, a processor such as a CPU (CISC type, RISC type) or DSP, an arithmetic device such as an ASIC (gate array or the like), or a control program thereof. In FIG. 2, the CPU mounted on the system board corresponds to this. The processing unit 330 mainly includes a game calculation unit 331 that performs calculation processing related to game execution, an image generation unit 332 that generates a game image based on various types of data obtained by the processing of the game calculation unit 331, And a sound generation unit 333 that generates game sounds such as sound effects and BGM.

  The game calculation unit 331 is based on an operation signal input from the operation input unit 310, data received from an external device (mainly the server 10) via the communication unit 360, a program or data read from the storage unit 400, or the like. Various game processes. In this embodiment, a communication battle game according to the game program 410 is executed.

  Specifically, when the card ID read from the game card is input from the card reading unit 320, the game calculation unit 331, together with the input card ID and the terminal ID of the player terminal 30, A start request is transmitted to the server 10. Here, the terminal ID of the player terminal 30 is stored as terminal ID data 421.

  Then, it receives the player data transmitted from the server 10 and the number of player terminals 30 installed in the store where the player terminal 30 is installed (the number of installed terminals).

  The received player data is stored as player data 423. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the player data 423. As shown in FIG. According to the figure, the player data 423 stores a card ID 423a, a player name 423b, a player image 423c, and a play history 423d.

  In addition, the game calculation unit 331 determines a play mode that can be played on the player terminal 30 based on the received number of installed terminals. That is, if the number of installed terminals is “2” or more, it is determined that all three modes of “training mode”, “in-store battle mode” and “national battle mode” can be played, and if the number of installed terminals is “1”. For example, it is determined that two modes of “training mode” and “national battle mode” can be played. Then, a play mode selection screen using the play mode determined to be playable as an option is displayed on the image display unit 340, for example, as shown in FIG. Then, when the play mode selected by the player is input from the operation input unit 310, processing according to the selected play mode is performed.

  That is, if the “training mode” is selected, the game is executed a predetermined number of times (for example, three times). Specifically, a game type selection screen in which the type of game that can be executed is displayed as an option is displayed on the image display unit 340 each time.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the game type selection screen. According to the figure, the game type selection screen lists a plurality of types of game types that can be executed on the player terminal 30 as options.

  When the game type selected by the player on the game type selection screen is input from the operation input unit 310 from the operation input unit 310, the game calculation unit 331 executes the input type of game. When the game ends, the game result is displayed on, for example, the image display unit 340. When a predetermined number of times (specifically, three times) of the game is finished, the game results of each time are collectively transmitted to the server 10 as play data, and the “training mode” is finished.

  If “in-store battle mode” is selected as the play mode, the game calculation unit 331 transmits a request for in-store matching to the server 10 and the matching transmitted from the server 10 in response to the request. Receive the result. Here, as a matching result, data relating to each player (matching player) to be played is transmitted. The received matching result is stored as matching result data 424.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of the matching result data 424. According to the figure, the matching result data 424 stores the battle mode 424a and the number of battle players 424b, and stores the player name 424c and the player image 424d in association with each other. Yes. The opponent player includes the player.

  Then, a match with another matched player is repeated a predetermined number of times (specifically, a maximum of 3 times). That is, in the first battle (first round), the type of game transmitted from the server 10 is received, and the received type of game is executed. At this time, a list of opponent players based on the matching result data 424 is displayed on the game screen, for example, as shown in FIG. When the game ends, the game result (for example, score) is transmitted to the server 10.

  Next, the battle result transmitted from the server 10 is received. Here, data indicating whether or not each player is a winning player is transmitted together with data ranking each battle player based on the game result. The game calculation unit 331 determines whether or not the player is the remaining player based on the received battle result. Then, a battle result screen based on the received battle result and the determination result is displayed on the image display unit 340, for example, as shown in FIG.

  The received battle results of each battle are stored as individual battle result data 425. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of the individual battle result data 425. According to the figure, the individual battle result data 425 stores a ranking 425a, a player name 425b, a game result 425c, and a remaining winning flag 425d in association with each battle. The remaining winning flag 425d is a flag that indicates whether or not the corresponding player is the remaining player in the match. If the player is the remaining player, “1” is stored. “0” is stored. The individual battle result data 425 stores data up to the end of the battle, and data about the battle is added each time the battle is completed.

  After that, if the game calculation unit 331 determines that the player has won and is not a remaining player (that is, a lost player), the “in-store battle mode” is terminated at that time. On the other hand, if it is determined that the player is the remaining player, the next battle (second round) is performed in the same manner. At this time, if a request for selecting a game type in the next battle is received, which is transmitted from the server 10, a game type selection screen that displays an executable game type as an option is displayed on the image display unit 340. Display. Then, the game type selected by the player and input from the operation input unit 310 is transmitted to the server 10. If the player is the remaining player in the second round, the last match (third round) is performed in the same manner. When the third round is over, the “in-store battle mode” is finished.

  On the other hand, if “National Battle Mode” is selected as the play mode, the game calculation unit 331 requests the server 10 for a nationwide matching request, and displays the matching result transmitted from the server 10 in response to the request. Receive. Then, based on the received matching result, similarly to the “in-store battle mode”, the battle with other matched players is repeated a predetermined number of times (specifically, a maximum of 3 times).

  In FIG. 6, the image generation unit 332 generates a game image for displaying the game screen based on the calculation result by the game calculation unit 331, and outputs an image signal of the generated image to the image display unit 340. Based on the image signal from the image generation unit 332, the image display unit 340 displays the game screen while redrawing the screen of one frame every 1/60 seconds, for example. This function is realized by hardware such as CRT, LCD, ELD, PDP, and HMD. In FIG. 2, the display 36 corresponds to this.

  The sound generation unit 333 generates game sounds such as sound effects and BGM used during the game, and outputs the generated game sound signal to the sound output unit 350. The sound output unit 350 outputs game sounds such as BGM and sound effects based on the sound signal from the sound generation unit 333. This function is realized by, for example, a speaker. In FIG. 2, the speaker 37 corresponds to this.

  The communication unit 360 is connected to the communication line N in accordance with a control signal from the processing unit 330 and performs data communication with an external device (mainly the server 10). This function is realized by a wireless communication module, a wired communication cable jack, a control circuit, or the like.

  The storage unit 400 stores a system program for realizing various functions for causing the processing unit 330 to control the player terminal 30 in an integrated manner, a program and data necessary for executing a game, and the like. 330 is used as a work area, and temporarily stores calculation results executed by the processing unit 330 according to various programs, input data input from the operation input unit 310, and the like. This function is realized by, for example, various IC memories, hard disks, CD-ROMs, DVDs, MOs, RAMs, VRAMs, and the like. In FIG. 2, this is the memory on the system board.

  In the present embodiment, the storage unit 400 stores a game program 410 for causing the processing unit 330 to function as the game calculation unit 331 as a program, and as data, terminal ID data 421, question data 422, Player data 423, matching result data 424, and individual battle result data 425 are stored.

  The game program 410 includes a standby mini game program 411. The waiting mini game program 411 is a program for realizing a waiting mini game to be played by a player during a waiting time after a matching request is transmitted to the server 10 until a matching result corresponding to the request is received. It is.

  The question data 422 is data used for a plurality of types of games that can be executed on the player terminal 30, and specifically includes data of a plurality of questions that are set for each type of game.

[Server configuration]
FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the server 10. According to the figure, the server 10 functionally includes an operation unit 110, a processing unit 120, a display unit 130, a communication unit 140, and a storage unit 200.

  The operation unit 110 receives an operation instruction input by the administrator of the server 10 and outputs an operation signal corresponding to the operation to the processing unit 120. This function is realized by, for example, a button switch, lever, dial, mouse, keyboard, touch panel, various sensors, and the like.

  The processing unit 120 is based on programs and data stored in the storage unit 200, operation signals input from the operation unit 110, data received from an external device (mainly the player terminal 30) via the communication unit 140, and the like. Thus, overall control of the server 10 is performed. This function is realized by, for example, an arithmetic device such as a CPU (CISC type, RISC type), ASIC (gate array, etc.) or a control program thereof. In the present embodiment, the processing unit 120 includes a player management unit 121, a matching control unit 122, and a game management unit 123.

  The player management unit 121 manages players registered in the game system 1 and game cards provided to the players. Data relating to the game card is stored in the card data 222. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of the data configuration of the card data 222. According to the figure, card data 222 is prepared for each issued game card, and the corresponding card ID 222a, registered player name 222b, password 222c, player image 222d, play history 222e, Is stored.

  Further, the player management unit 121 manages the installation status of the player terminal 30 in each store and the game play status in each installed player terminal 30. The installation status of each player terminal 30 is stored in the installation terminal data 223, and the game play status is stored in the game play status data 224.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of the data configuration of the installation terminal data 223. According to the figure, the installed terminal data 223 includes, for each store 223a, the terminal ID 223b of the player terminal 30 installed in the store, the communication address 223c, and the number of player terminals 30 installed in the store. It is stored in association with a certain number of terminals 223d.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of the game play situation data 224. According to the figure, the game play status data 224 stores, for each store 224a, the terminal ID 224b of each player terminal 30 installed in the store and the game play status 224c in association with each other. The game play situation 224c stores whether or not a game play is being performed, and if so, its play mode.

  The matching control unit 122 performs matching processing for combining players to be played. Specifically, a matching room for combining players is established. The matching room is opened for in-store competition and domestic competition, and the matching room for in-store competition is opened for each store. When a matching request is received from the player terminal 30, the player playing on the player terminal 30 is allowed to participate in the matching room according to the request, thereby realizing matching according to the battle mode requested by each player. . That is, when matching for a national battle is requested, the player joins the matching room for the national battle, and when matching for the in-store battle is requested, the player terminal 30 that has transmitted the request is installed. Participate in a matching room for the store.

  Each matching room is set with the number of players to be played, which is the number of players to be played, and the set number of players is matched. The number of battle players is determined according to the battle mode and the store. That is, for the matching room for in-store battle, the number of players equal to the number of player terminals 30 installed in the store is set as the number of battle players. For example, when 13 player terminals 30 are installed in the store A, the number of fighting players in the matching room for in-store fighting in the store A is set to “13”. That is, in the in-store competition at the store A, 13 players will compete. On the other hand, in a matching room for nationwide battles, a predetermined number of players (for example, 15 people) is set as the number of battle players. That is, in the national battle, the same number of players always play.

  Each matching room is set with a predetermined reception limit time (for example, 40 seconds) for accepting participation of players in the room. When the reception limit time elapses from the time when the room is opened, the participation of the player in the room is closed, and matching is established with the players participating in the room at that time.

  At this time, if the number of players participating in the room (the number of participating players) is insufficient for the set number of fighting players, an insufficient number of computer-controlled players (hereinafter referred to as “COM players”) is added. Thus, the matching with the set number of fighting players is realized. That is, some matched players may be included in the matched players.

  Here, data relating to the COM player is stored in the COM player data 221. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of the COM player data 221. As illustrated in FIG. According to the figure, the COM player data 221 stores a COM player name 221a and a COM player image 221b in association with each of the prepared COM players.

  Furthermore, even when the elapsed time from the time of opening the matching room has not reached the reception limit time, the matching control unit 122 will participate in the room at that time when the number of participating players reaches a predetermined number. The deadline and matching are established.

  Specifically, for a matching room for in-store competition, when the number of participating players reaches the number of competing players set in the room, even if the reception limit time has not been reached, the player to the room at that time The participation is closed, and matching is established with the participating players. In this case, the matched player does not include the COM player.

  On the other hand, matching is performed so that a predetermined number or more of COM players are included in the matching room for national competition. That is, the number of players obtained by subtracting at least the number of included COM players from the set number of fighting players is set as the number of players that can participate in the room (number of players that can participate). When the number of participating players reaches the number of players that can participate, the participation of players in the room is closed at that time, even if the reception limit time has not been reached. Then, by adding the number of COM players that is less than the number of competing players for which the number of participating players is set to the participating players, matching with the number of competing players is established.

  For example, when “15” is set as the number of fighting players and matching is performed so that at least “5” COM players are included, the number of players that can participate is set to “10 (= 15-5)”. Is done. Then, when the number of participating players reaches 10, the participation of the room is closed, and “5” COM players are added to the “10” participating players, thereby setting “the number of competing players”. Matching by “15 players” is established.

  Data regarding the matching room is stored in the matching room data 231. The matching room data 231 includes in-store battle room data 232 that is data related to an in-store match room, and national battle room data 234 that is data related to a nationwide match room.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of the in-store competition room data 232. According to the figure, in-store competition room data 232 is generated for each store, and stores the corresponding store name 232a and store room data 233 which is data related to the matching room for the store. The store room data 233 is generated for each open matching room for the store. The room ID 233a, the reception flag 233b, the opening time 233c, the number of players 233d, the number of players 233e, and the current participation The number of people 233f is stored, and for each player currently participating, a player name 233g, a card ID 233h, a terminal ID 233i, and a communication address 233j are stored in association with each other.

  The acceptance flag 233b is a flag that indicates whether or not the player's participation in the room is accepted. Specifically, “1” is stored if the participation is accepted, and “0” is stored if the participation is not accepted (that is, the participation is closed). Here, among the established matching rooms for each store, at most one room accepts the participation of the player for each store.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of the data configuration of the nationwide battle room data 234. According to the figure, the national battle room data 234 is generated for each national match room that has been opened, and the room ID 234a, the reception flag 234b, the opening time 234c, the number of battle players 234d, and the participation The possible number of people 234e and the current number of participants 234f are stored, and for each player currently participating, a player name 234g, a card ID 234h, a terminal ID 234i, and a communication address 234j are stored in association with each other. Yes. Here, among the matching rooms for national competition, a maximum of one room accepts participation of the player, and the other rooms are rooms that have already been closed and matching has been established.

  The matching room is deleted when the communication battle game between the players matched in the room ends. In other words, the data corresponding to the matching room where the online battle game has ended is deleted from the matching room data 231.

  In addition, data regarding the established matching is stored in the matching data 235. The matching data 235 includes in-store match data 236 that is data related to in-store match and national match data 238 that is data related to nation-wide match.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of the in-store competition matching data 236. According to the figure, the in-store matching data 236 is generated for each store, and stores the corresponding store name 236a and store matching data 237 related to the matching for the store. The store matching data 237 is generated for each matching established in the store and stores the matching ID 237a, the number of battle players 237b, the number of COM players 237c, and the current number of battles 237d. For each player, a player name 237e, a card ID 237f, a terminal ID 237g, and a communication address 237h are stored in association with each other.

  The number of COM players 237c is the number of COM players included in the players who are matched and will play. Among the players to be played, the COM player stores a value “* COM” indicating that it is a COM player in the corresponding card ID 237f, terminal ID 237g, and communication address 237h items. The number of battles 237d is data indicating the degree of progress of the communication battle game by the matched player. Specifically, the number of battles currently performed (that is, “1”, “2” or “3” ") Is stored. As the number of battles 237d, “0” indicating that a battle has not yet been performed is stored at the time of establishment of matching.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of the nationwide match data 238. According to the figure, the nationwide match data 238 is generated for each established nationwide match, and the matching ID 238a, the number of battle players 238b, the number of COM players 238c, and the current number of battles 238d And a player name 238e, a card ID 238f, a terminal ID 238g, and a communication address 238h are stored in association with each other for each matched player.

  The game management unit 123 manages a communication battle game between players matched by the matching control unit 122. Specifically, the number of remaining players for each battle is determined from the number of matched players (the number of battle players). Then, a predetermined number of battles (specifically, three times) are repeatedly performed between the matched players so that the remaining number of players determined in each battle can be won.

  That is, in the first battle (first game), the type of game to be executed is randomly determined from among a plurality of types of games prepared in advance. Next, the determined game type is distributed (transmitted) to the player terminal 30 of each battle player (specifically, the player terminal 30 of each player excluding the COM player among the battle players), and the game of that type is executed. Let Then, the game results transmitted from these player terminals 30 are received, and the opponent players are ranked based on the received game results.

  Here, the game result received from each player terminal 30 is the game result of each player excluding the COM player among the competitive players, and does not include the game result of the COM player. For this reason, if a COM player is not included in the battle player, each battle player is ranked according to the superiority or inferiority of the received game result. On the other hand, if the fighting players include COM players, the ranking of the respective fighting players is performed so that the majority of the included COM players are eliminated.

  20 and 21 are diagrams for explaining ranking of each player when a COM player is included. FIGS. 20 and 21 show a case where “15” players including “5” COM players are played against each other, and “10” are left out of them. In addition, the game result is a score (score), and the rank is competed according to the magnitude of the score. It is assumed that the game results of each of the “10 players” excluding the COM player have already been received.

  First, as shown in FIG. 20A, each player (players 1 to 10) other than the COM player is temporarily ranked based on the received game result of the player.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, the number of COM players to be left behind (the number of remaining COM players to win) and the number of COM players to be lost are determined so that a majority of COM players (COM players 1 to 5) are defeated. To do. For example, in FIG. 5B, among the “5” COM players, the majority “3” is defeated, and “2” is won. Note that the number of COM players to be defeated may be a majority, so it may be “4” or “5”.

  Next, based on the determined number of remaining COM players, a player who is allowed to remain and a player who is defeated are determined from the temporarily ranked players. That is, the number obtained by subtracting the number of remaining COM players from the determined number of remaining players is set as the number of players that can be left among the temporarily ranked players. Then, from the top of the tentative rank, the players corresponding to the number of the players are won as remaining players, and the other players are determined as lost players.

  For example, in FIG. 21A, the number of remaining players is “10”, and the determined number of remaining COM players is “2”. Therefore, among the temporarily ranked players, “8 (= 10-2)” players are left to win. That is, the first to eighth players are the remaining players, and the ninth and lower players are the losers.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 21A, the game result of each COM player is determined. In other words, the game result of the top player to be eliminated among the provisionally ranked players is set as a threshold value for separating the remaining winning / losing of the player. Then, among the COM players, a game result better than this threshold is set for a COM player that can be won, and a game result equal to or worse than this threshold is set for a COM player to be eliminated.

  For example, in FIG. 9A, the score “15” of “player 9”, which is the top player to be defeated among the temporarily ranked players, is set as the threshold value. Among the “5” COM players, the “2” COM players that are allowed to win are set with a score higher than the threshold “15”, and the “3” COM players that are to be defeated are set. The score below this threshold “15” is set.

  When the game result of each COM player is determined, as shown in FIG. 5B, ranking of each player including the COM player is performed based on the game result of each player.

  When all of the opponent players including the COM player are ranked, the player with the number of remaining winning players determined from the first place is determined as the remaining player and the remaining players are determined as the losing players. Then, the data ranking each player and the data indicating whether each player is a winning player are distributed to the player terminal 30 of each battle player as a battle result.

  Next, the remaining winning players are used as players to play in the next battle (second round), and the battle between the players is performed in the same manner as in the first round. At this time, the lowest player except the COM player among the remaining players is determined, and a selection request for selecting the type of game in the next battle is transmitted to the player terminal 30 of the player. When the game type transmitted from the player terminal 30 in response to the request is received, the game type is set to the type of game to be executed in the second round, and distributed to the player terminal 30 of each player to be played. Let the game of that kind be played.

  When the game result transmitted from each player terminal 30 is received, ranking of each battle player is performed based on the received game result. Here, the ranking of each player when the opponent player includes a COM player is the same as in the first round described above. Next, among the fighting players, the remaining number of players determined from the top is regarded as the remaining player, and the remaining half of the players are regarded as the lost players. Then, the battle result of the battle is distributed to the player terminal 30 of each battle player.

  Subsequently, the remaining winning players are used as the players that will play in the final battle (3rd round), and the battle between the players is performed in the same way as in the 2nd round. When the game results transmitted from each player terminal 30 are received, the respective players are ranked based on the received game results, and the first player is set as the winning player. Thereafter, the communication battle game is ended.

  The battle results of each battle are stored in the battle result data 225. FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of the battle result data 225. According to the figure, the battle result data 225 is generated for each established match, and stores a matching ID 225 and battle-specific data 226 for each battle. However, the data 226 for each battle stores data up to the battle ended at the present time, and data for the battle is added every time each battle ends.

  Of the battle-specific data 226, the battle-specific data 226 for each battle (the first and second rounds) excluding the last battle includes the type 226a of the game played in the battle and the number of remaining players 226b in the battle. In addition, for each player who has played, a player name 226d, a terminal ID 226e, a game result 226f, and a remaining winning flag 226g are stored in association with each other for each rank 226c. The remaining winning flag 226g is a flag indicating whether or not the corresponding player is a remaining remaining player, and stores “1” if it is a remaining player and “0” if it is not a remaining player.

  Further, the battle-specific data 226 for the last battle (third round) stores the game type 226a, and for each player battling, the player name 226d, the terminal ID 226e, and the game result for each rank 226c. 226f is stored in association with each other.

  In FIG. 11, the display unit 130 displays a display screen based on the image signal from the processing unit 120. This function is realized by hardware such as CRT, LCD, ELD, PDP, and HMD.

  The communication unit 140 is connected to the communication line N according to a control signal from the processing unit 120, and performs data communication with an external device (for example, the player terminal 30). This function is realized by a wireless communication module, TA, a wired communication cable jack, a control circuit, and the like.

  The storage unit 200 stores a system program for realizing various functions for causing the processing unit 120 to control the server 10 in an integrated manner, a program and data for realizing various functions in the present embodiment, and the like. It is used as a work area of the processing unit 120, and temporarily stores calculation results executed by the processing unit 120 according to various programs, input data input from the operation unit 110, and the like. This function is realized by, for example, various IC memories, hard disks, CD-ROMs, DVDs, MOs, RAMs, VRAMs, and the like.

  In the present embodiment, the storage unit 200 includes, as programs, a player management program 211 for causing the processing unit 120 to function as the player management unit 121, a matching control program 212 for causing the processing unit 120 to function as the matching control unit 122, and a game management unit. A game management program 213 for causing the program to function as 123 is stored. Further, COM data 221, card data 222, installation terminal data 223, game play situation data 224, matching room data 231, matching data 235, and battle result data 225 are stored as data. .

[Flow of processing in player terminal]
FIG. 23 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of the communication battle game process executed in the player terminal 30. This process is realized by the game calculation unit 331 executing the game program 410.

  According to the figure, the game calculation unit 331 determines whether or not a game card has been inserted into the card reading unit 320, and if it has been inserted (step A1: YES), it has been read by the card reading unit 320. A game start request is transmitted to the server 10 together with the card ID recorded on the game card and the terminal ID of the terminal (step A3). Then, the player data transmitted from the server 10 is received (step A5), and the number of installed player terminals 30 (number of installed terminals) in the store where the terminal is installed is received (step A7).

  Then, the game calculation unit 331 determines a play mode that can be played from the received number of installed terminals (step A9), and displays a play mode selection screen that displays the play mode determined to be playable as an option on the image display unit 340. It is displayed (step A11). Then, the selected play mode is determined, and if the “training mode” is selected (step A13: training), then the training process is performed (step A15).

  FIG. 24 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of the training process. According to the figure, the game calculation unit 331 sets the game execution count m to an initial value “1” (step B1). Next, the type of game to be executed is determined (step B3), and the determined type of game is executed (step B5). When the game is over, the game result is displayed (step B7).

Subsequently, the current game execution count m is determined. If it is not “3” indicating the final game (step B9: NO), the execution count m is updated to a value obtained by adding “1” (step B22). Return to B3. If the execution number m is “3” (step B9: YES), the game results for three times are transmitted to the server 10 as play data (step B13).
When the above processing is performed, the game calculation unit 331 ends the training processing and ends the “training mode”.

  In FIG. 23, when “in-store battle mode” is selected as the play mode (step A13: in-store), the game calculation unit 331 subsequently performs in-store battle processing (step A17).

  FIG. 25 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of the in-store battle process. According to the figure, the game calculation unit 331 transmits an in-store matching request to the server 10 together with the card ID read from the inserted game card and the terminal ID of the terminal (step C1). Further, the execution of the standby mini game is started (step C3). When the matching result transmitted from the server 10 is received (step C5: YES), the standby mini game being executed is terminated (step C7), and then the individual battle game process based on the received matching result is performed. Perform (Step C9).

  FIG. 26 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of the individual battle game process. According to the figure, the game calculation unit 331 receives the type of game to be executed transmitted from the server 10 (step D1), and executes the received type of game (step D3). And when the said game is complete | finished, the game result is transmitted to the server 10 (step D5). Next, the battle result transmitted from the server 10 is received (step D7), and a battle result screen displaying the received battle result is displayed on the image display unit 340 (step D9).

  Further, the game calculation unit 331 determines whether or not the battle is over based on the received battle result. That is, when the last battle (third round) is completed, or when the player is a losing player, it is determined that the battle is over. If it is determined that the battle has not ended (step D11: NO), it is determined whether or not a request for selecting the type of game of the next battle is received from the server 10, and if not received (step S11). D13: NO), the process returns to step D1. On the other hand, if a game type selection request is received (step D13: YES), a game type selection screen in which the types of executable games are displayed as options is displayed on the image display unit 340 (step D15). Then, the selected game type is transmitted to the server 10 (step D17). Thereafter, the process returns to step D1.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the battle has ended (step D11: YES), for example, a battle end effect is displayed such as displaying a battle end screen displaying the results of each battle (step D19).
If the above process is performed, the game calculating part 331 will complete | finish an individual competitive game process.

  In FIG. 25, when the individual battle game process is ended, the game calculation unit 331 ends the in-store battle process and ends the “in-store battle mode”.

  In FIG. 23, if “Nationwide Battle Mode” is selected as the play mode (Step A13: Nationwide), the game calculation unit 331 subsequently performs a nationwide battle process (Step A19).

  FIG. 27 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of the national battle process. According to the figure, the game calculation unit 331 transmits a nationwide matching request to the server 10 together with the card ID read from the inserted game card and the terminal ID of the terminal (step E1). Further, the execution of the standby mini game is started (step E3). When the matching result transmitted from the server 10 is received (step E5: YES), the running standby mini-game is terminated (step E7), and then the individual battle game process based on the received matching result ( (See FIG. 26) (step E9). When the individual battle game process ends, the game calculation unit 331 ends the national battle process and ends the “national battle mode”.

  In FIG. 23, when the process according to the selected play mode is ended, the game calculation unit 331 ends the communication battle game process.

[Processing flow on the server]
The server 10 executes (A) player management processing, (B) matching processing, and (C) game management processing in parallel at any time.

  FIG. 28 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of (A) player management processing. This process is realized by the player management unit 121 executing the player management program 211.

  According to the figure, the player management unit 121 determines whether or not a game start request is received from the player terminal 30, and if received (step F1: YES), it corresponds to the card ID received together with the request. The player data to be transmitted is transmitted to the player terminal 30 (step F3). Further, the store (installed store) where the player terminal 30 of the received terminal ID is installed is determined with reference to the installed terminal data 223 (step F5), and the player terminal 30 installed in the determined installed store is determined. The number (number of installed terminals) is transmitted to the player terminal 30 (step F7).

Further, the player management unit 121 determines whether or not play data has been received from the player terminal 30. If received (step F9: YES), the player management unit 121 records the play history of the corresponding player based on the received play data. Update (step F11).
If the above process is performed, it will return to step F1.

  FIG. 29 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of (B) matching processing. This process is realized by the matching control unit 122 executing the matching control program 212.

  According to the figure, the matching control unit 122 determines whether or not an in-store matching request has been received from the player terminal 30, and if received (step G1: YES), subsequently performs an in-store matching process. (Step G3).

  FIG. 30 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of the in-store matching process. According to the figure, the matching control unit 122 refers to the installation terminal data 223 to determine the store (installed store) where the player terminal 30 that is the transmission source of the received in-store matching request is installed (step). H1). Then, referring to the matching data 235, it is determined whether or not there is a matching room for the determined store that currently accepts the participation of the player.

  If there is (step H3: YES), the player of the player terminal 30 of the transmission source is allowed to participate in the room (step H5). As a result, it is determined whether or not the current number of participants in the room has reached the maximum number of participants (step H7: YES), and matching of the room is performed with the participating players. Established, matching data 237 for the established matching store is generated and added to the in-store matching data 236 for the corresponding store (step H9). Then, the matching result is distributed to each matched player terminal 30 (step H11).

On the other hand, if there is no matching room for the store accepting participation (step H3: NO), the matching control unit 122 newly opens a matching room for the store, and the player terminal in the opened room. Thirty players are allowed to participate, and store room data 233 for the room is generated and added to the corresponding in-store battle room data 232 (step H13). Further, the number of installed terminals in the store where the player terminal 30 is installed is determined with reference to the installed terminal data 223, and a number equal to the determined number is set as the number of players in the room and the number of players who can participate ( Step H15).
When the above processing is performed, the matching control unit 122 ends the in-store matching processing.

  When the in-store matching process is completed, the matching control unit 122 determines whether or not a nationwide matching request is received from the player terminal 30, and if received (step G5: YES), subsequently performs the nationwide matching process. (Step G7).

  FIG. 31 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of the nationwide matching process. According to the figure, the matching control unit 122 refers to the matching data 235 to determine whether there is a matching room for the whole country that currently accepts player participation. If there is (step J1: YES), the player of the player terminal 30 that has transmitted the received nationwide matching request is allowed to participate in the room (step J3).

  As a result, it is determined whether or not the current number of participants in the room has reached the number of players who can participate. If the number of participants has reached (step J5: YES), the player whose number of participants is not enough for the number of opponent players. The number is judged (step J7). Then, the room matching is established between the participating players and the calculated number of COM players, and matching data 238 for the nationwide match of the established matching is generated (step J9). Thereafter, the matching result is distributed to each matched player terminal 30 (step J11).

On the other hand, if there is no nationwide matching room accepting player participation (step J1: NO), the matching control unit 122 newly opens a nationwide matching room, and the player is placed in the established room. The player of the terminal 30 is allowed to participate, and the room data 234 for nationwide battle for the room is generated (step J13). Further, the number of players in the room and the number of players who can participate are set to a predetermined number (step J15),
When the above processing is performed, the matching control unit 122 ends the nationwide matching processing.

In FIG. 29, when the nationwide matching process is completed, the matching control unit 122 performs a loop A process for each matching room that accepts the participation of the player. In loop A, the matching data 235 is referred to, and it is determined whether or not a predetermined reception limit time has elapsed from the opening time of the room. If it has elapsed (step G9: YES), the player of the room to the room is determined. Participation is closed (step G11). Next, the number of players whose current number of participants in the room is less than the number of competing players is calculated (step G13), and the matching of the room is established between the participating players and the calculated number of player COM players. Matching store matching data 237 or nationwide matching data 238 for the matching is generated (step G15). Then, the matching result is distributed to each matched player terminal 30 (step G17). Loop A is performed in this way.
Then, when the processing of the loop A for all the matching rooms for which the participation of the player is accepted is completed, the process returns to step G1.

  FIG. 32 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of (C) game management processing. This process is realized by the game management unit 123 executing the game management program 213.

  According to the figure, the game management unit 123 refers to the matching data 235 and performs a process of loop B for each established matching. In loop B, the current number n of matches in the matching is determined. If “0” (step K1: “0”), the number of remaining players in each match is determined from the number of matching players in the matching (step S1). K3). Next, the type of game to be executed in the first match (first round) is determined, for example, at random (step K5), and the determined game type is distributed to each of the matched player terminals 30 (step K7). . Then, the number n of matching matches is set to “1” (step K9).

  On the other hand, if the current number n of battles is “1” or more (step K1: “1” or more), the game management unit 123 receives the game results of the current battle from all the matching player terminals 30. Determine whether or not. If received (step K11: YES), it is determined whether or not the player played in the current battle includes a COM player (step K13: YES). The game result of each COM player is determined so that the majority of them are defeated (step K15).

  Next, ranking is performed based on the game results of each of the players that have played (step K17). Thereafter, if the current number of battles n is “1” or “2” (step K19: YES), the game management unit 123 performs post-match processing (step K21).

  FIG. 33 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of post-match processing. According to the figure, the game management unit 123 determines that the players up to the ranking of the number of remaining players determined from the first place among the players played in the current battle are the remaining players (step L1). Then, the battle result is distributed to the player terminal 30 of each player who has played the battle (step L3).

Next, the determined remaining winning player is set as a player to play in the next battle (step L5). Then, the lowest player except the COM player is determined among the players to be played (step L7), and a request for selecting the next game type is transmitted to the player terminal 30 of the determined player (step L9). When the type of game transmitted from the player terminal 30 is received (step L11), the received game type is set as the type of game to be executed in the next battle, and each player to play in the next battle. Distribute to the player terminal 30 (step L13). Thereafter, the number n of matching matches is updated to a value obtained by adding “1” (step L15).
If the above process is performed, the game management part 123 will complete | finish a post-fighting process.

  On the other hand, if the current number of battles n is “3” (step K19: NO), the game management unit 123 determines the first player among the players played in the current battle and determines that player as the winning player. (Step K23). Then, the battle result of the current battle is distributed to the player terminal 30 of each player played in the current battle (step K25). Next, the communication battle game by the matching is ended (step K27), and the matching room corresponding to the matching is deleted (step K29). Also, the play history of each matched player is updated based on the match result of each match (step K31).

  Loop B is performed in this way. Then, when the processing of loop B for all of the established matches is completed, the process returns to the beginning of the game management processing.

[Action / Effect]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the “in-store battle mode” in which the player battles with other players in the same store, the number of player terminals 30 installed in the store matches the number of players in the store battle (match The number of players) is set, and the player terminals 30 in the store are matched so that players of this number of opponents will play. This avoids an unnatural state in which the number of players competing in the in-store competition exceeds the number of player terminals 30 installed in the store.

  Moreover, since the time restriction is provided for the establishment of matching for each store, the matching is established quickly. Further, at this time, if the number of matched player terminals 30 is not enough for the number of competing players, the computer control players (COM players) for the insufficient number of players are added to the participating players for matching. Established. As a result, an in-store battle is always realized in which the number of players equal to the number of installed player terminals 30 in the store competes.

[Modification]
It should be noted that the applicable embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

(A) Number of Players For example, in the above-described embodiment, the number of players to be played in the in-store battle (the number of battle players) is the number of player terminals 30 installed in the store, but this is less than the number of players installed. Alternatively, the number of players may be large.

  Further, the number of fighting players may be determined according to the game play status of each player terminal 30 based on the game play status data 224. Specifically, for example, among the player terminals 30 installed in the store, the number of player terminals 30 that are playing a game may be used as the number of fighting players, or the number of player terminals 30 installed in the store The number obtained by subtracting the number of player terminals 30 that are playing a game from the above may be used as the number of battle players.

  In the case of an in-store battle, an upper limit may be set for the number of battle players. Specifically, when the number of installed player terminals 30 in one store is equal to or less than a predetermined number (for example, 15), the installed number is set as the number of in-store battle players in the store, and the installed number is predetermined. If the number exceeds the number, the number of players is set equal to the predetermined number (that is, 15 players).

(B) Remaining Winners In the embodiment described above, the number of remaining players in each battle is determined according to the number of competing players. This is determined according to the number of COM players included in the number of competing players. It may be decided. Specifically, for example, the determination may be made based on the number of players excluding the COM player from the players to be played.

(C) COM Player Loss In the above-described embodiment, the majority of COM players included in the players to be competed is defeated in each match, but the number of COM players to be defeated may not be this. For example, a predetermined number or more (for example, one or more) of COM players may be eliminated, or the number of COM players to be eliminated may not be limited.

(D) Determination of play mode in which play is possible In the above-described embodiment, the number of player terminals 30 installed in the store where the player terminal 30 received from the server 10 is installed in the player terminal 30 (number of terminals installed). The play mode that can be played on the player terminal 30 is determined based on the above, but the server 10 may determine and transmit the play mode to each player terminal 30. Specifically, when the server 10 receives a game start request from the player terminal 30, the server 10 determines from the number of installed player terminals 30 (the number of installed terminals) in the store where the player terminal 30 that has made the request is installed. A play mode that can be played on the player terminal 30 is determined, and the determination result is transmitted to the player terminal 30. Then, the player terminal 30 displays a play mode selection screen with the play mode determined to be playable as an option according to the determination result received from the server 10.

(E) Installation Site In the above-described embodiment, the installation site where the player terminal 30 is installed is a store. However, this may be each floor in the store or an area including a plurality of stores. Also good.

(F) Player Terminal In the above-described embodiment, the player terminal 30 is a business game device, but may be another game device such as a portable game machine having a communication function. In this case, for example, a predetermined communicable range centering on a wireless communication base installed in various places in the city may be set as the installation site. Alternatively, the maximum number of players that can simultaneously communicate at the wireless communication base may be used as a battle player.

The schematic structure figure of the game system in an embodiment. The example of installation of the player terminal in a store. An example of the play mode selection screen in a player terminal. An example of the game screen in a player terminal. An example of the battle result screen in a player terminal. The functional block diagram of a player terminal. The data structural example of player data. An example of a game type selection screen. The data structural example of matching result data. The data structural example of individual battle result data. The function block diagram of a server. An example of the data structure of card data. The data structural example of installation terminal data. The data structural example of game play status data. The data structural example of COM player data. The data structural example of the room data for in-store competition. Example of data structure of room data for national competition. The data structural example of the matching data for in-store battles. Data configuration example of matching data for national competition. Explanatory drawing of ranking of each player in case a COM player is included in the played players. Explanatory drawing of ranking of each player in case a COM player is included in the played players. The data structural example of battle result data. The flow chart of communication game processing in a player terminal. The flowchart of the training process performed during a communication battle | competition game process. The flowchart of the battle | competition battle process performed during a communication battle | competition game process. The battle game process figure performed during the battle | competition battle process and a national battle process. The flowchart of the national battle process performed during a communication battle game process. The flowchart of the player management process in a server. The flowchart of the matching process in a server. The flowchart of the in-store matching process performed during a matching process. The flowchart of the national matching process performed during a matching process. The flowchart of the game management process in a server. The flowchart of the battle | competition process performed during a game management process.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Game system N Communication line 10 Server 120 Processing part 121 Player management part 122 Matching control part 123 Game management part 140 Communication part 200 Storage part 211 Player management program 212 Matching control program 213 Game management program 221 COM player data 222 Card data 223 Installation Terminal data 224 Game play status data 225 Match result data 231 Matching room data 235 Matching data 30 Player terminal 310 Operation input unit 320 Card reading unit 330 Processing unit 331 Game calculation unit 340 Image display unit 360 Communication unit 400 Storage unit 410 Game program 421 Terminal ID data 422 Questions data 423 Player data 424 Matching result data 425 Individual match result data Data

Claims (12)

A server system that performs communication with each of a plurality of player terminals and performs matching processing for matching players,
Storage means for storing a correspondence relationship between each player terminal and an installation place where the player terminal is installed;
Accepting means for accepting from the player terminal a start request signal for communication play within the same installation site, which is a multi-person communication play between player terminals installed at the same installation site;
Determining the number of players that can be played simultaneously for each installation site, based on the number of player terminals stored in the storage means in association with the installation site, for determining the number of players that can play simultaneously in the same installation site. Means,
The upper limit of the number of participating players in the same-site communication play at the installation location of the player terminal accepted by the accepting means is set as the simultaneously playable number of people determined by the simultaneous playable number determining means of the accepted player terminal. Matching processing means for performing matching processing between player terminals installed at the installation site;
Server system with   The simultaneous playable number determining means is configured such that the number of player terminals stored in the storage means in association with the same installation site as the player terminal received by the receiving means is equal to or less than a predetermined maximum number of simultaneously playable players. 2. The server system according to claim 1, wherein the server number is determined as the number of simultaneously playable persons when the number of simultaneous play exceeds the maximum number of simultaneously playable persons. The player terminal is an apparatus that has a plurality of play modes including the same in-site communication play, and executes game play in a play mode selected by a player's selection operation from the play modes.
It further comprises a situation grasping means for performing predetermined communication with the player terminal and grasping at least a game play situation including whether or not the player terminal is playing a game.
The simultaneous playable number determining means is further playing a game by the number of player terminals stored in the storage means in association with the installation site, and the situation grasping means of the player terminals. The server system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the number of players that can play simultaneously in the same installation site communication play at the installation site is determined based on the grasped number of player terminals. The player terminal is an apparatus that has a plurality of play modes including the same in-site communication play, and executes game play in a play mode selected by a player's selection operation from the play modes.
Disabling signal for transmitting a signal for disabling the selection operation of the same in-site communication play to a player terminal having one player terminal stored in the storage means in association with one installation location The server system as described in any one of Claims 1-3 provided with the transmission means. COM player determining means for determining the number of computer-controlled players whose number of player terminals matched by the matching processing means is less than the number of simultaneously playable persons determined by the simultaneously playable person number determining means;
Matching result transmitting means for transmitting the matching processing result and the data of the computer controlled player determined by the COM player determining means to each player terminal matched by the matching processing means;
The server system as described in any one of Claims 1-4 provided with these. The same on-site communication play is a game play in which a given number of players repeatedly wins an online battle game and competes for victory.
Based on the number of simultaneously playable players determined by the simultaneous playable player number determining unit and / or the number of player terminals matched by the matching processing unit, the number of remaining players who determine the number of remaining players for each of the communication games is determined. Number determining means;
Game result receiving means for receiving a game result of each communication battle game in the same on-site communication play from a player terminal;
Based on the received game result and the number of remaining players determined by the remaining player number determining unit, a remaining player determining unit that determines a remaining player of each communication battle game;
Result transmitting means for transmitting the determination result of the remaining player determining means to each player terminal that has received the game result;
The server system as described in any one of Claims 1-5 provided with these. The same on-site communication play is a game play in which a given number of players repeatedly wins an online battle game and competes for victory.
Based on the number of simultaneously playable players determined by the simultaneous playable player number determining unit and / or the number of player terminals matched by the matching processing unit, the number of remaining players who determine the number of remaining players for each of the communication games is determined. Number determining means;
Game result receiving means for receiving a game result of each communication battle game in the same on-site communication play from a player terminal;
Computer control based on the received game result and the number of remaining players determined by the remaining player number determining means, so that a majority of the remaining computer-controlled players determined by the COM player determining means are defeated. A remaining player determination means for determining a remaining player of each online battle game including the player;
Result transmitting means for transmitting the determination result of the remaining player determining means to each player terminal that has received the game result;
The server system according to claim 5, comprising: Each communication battle game of each time is determined by being selected from a plurality of types of games,
Based on the number of simultaneously playable players determined by the simultaneous playable player number determining means and / or the number of player terminals matched by the matching processing means, the remaining winning players determined by the remaining player determining means Selection right giving signal transmitting means for selecting one player and sending a selection right granting signal for prompting selection of the type of the next online competitive game to the player terminal of the selected player;
A next game determining means for determining a next communication battle game from the plurality of types of games in accordance with a game type selection signal transmitted from the player terminal to which the selection right grant signal has been transmitted by the selection right grant signal transmitting means; ,
Next game information transmission means for transmitting information indicating that a communication battle is to be performed in the determined next communication battle game to a player terminal of each remaining player determined by the remaining player determination unit;
The server system according to claim 6 or 7, comprising: Storage means for storing the corresponding relationship between the installation site where each of the plurality of player terminals is installed and the player terminal, and the number of player terminals installed at the installation site where the player terminal is installed individually for each player terminal A number-of-units transmission means for transmitting the same, a reception means for receiving a start request signal for communication play in the same installation site, which is a multi-person communication play between player terminals installed in the same installation site, and the reception means A player terminal communicable with a server system comprising a matching processing means for performing a matching process for matching a player terminal installed in the same installation site,
A number receiving means for receiving the number of player terminals installed at the installation site where the player terminal transmitted from the number transmitting means of the server system is installed;
When the number of units received by the number receiving means is two or more, all options of a plurality of play modes including the same in-site communication play are displayed so as to be selectable. Play mode option display control means for displaying selectable play mode options other than in-site communication play, and
When the play mode selected by the player from the options displayed by the play mode option display control means is the same in-site communication play, the start request signal for the same in-site communication play is sent to the server system. A play execution means for executing the communication processing within the same installation site and executing a play process predetermined according to the play mode when the play mode is other play mode;
A player terminal comprising: Matching process for matching players to a computer system that is connected to each of a plurality of player terminals and includes a storage unit that stores a correspondence relationship between each player terminal and a place where the player terminal is installed. A program for realizing a function as a server system for performing
Accepting means for receiving from the player terminal a start request signal for communication play within the same installation site, which is a multi-person communication play between player terminals installed at the same installation site;
Determining the number of players that can be played simultaneously for each installation site, based on the number of player terminals stored in the storage means in association with the installation site, for determining the number of players that can play simultaneously in the same installation site. means,
The upper limit of the number of participating players in the same-site communication play at the installation location of the player terminal accepted by the accepting means is set as the simultaneously playable number of people determined by the simultaneous playable number determining means of the accepted player terminal. Matching processing means for performing matching processing between player terminals installed in the installation site;
A program for causing the computer system to function as Storage means for storing the corresponding relationship between the installation site where each of the plurality of player terminals is installed and the player terminal, and the number of player terminals installed at the installation site where the player terminal is installed individually for each player terminal A number-of-units transmission means for transmitting the same, a reception means for receiving a start request signal for communication play in the same installation site, which is a multi-person communication play between player terminals installed in the same installation site, and the reception means A computer serving as a player terminal capable of communicating with a server system including a matching processing means for performing a matching process for matching a player terminal installed in the same installation site that is received,
Number-of-units receiving means for receiving the number of player terminals installed at the installation site where the player terminal is installed transmitted from the number-of-servers transmitting means of the server system;
When the number of units received by the number receiving means is two or more, all options of a plurality of play modes including the same in-site communication play are displayed so as to be selectable. Play mode option display control means for displaying selectable play mode options other than in-site communication play,
When the play mode selected by the player from the options displayed by the play mode option display control means is the same in-site communication play, the start request signal for the same in-site communication play is sent to the server system. Play execution means for executing the play processing predetermined in accordance with the play mode when the same play in the same installation site is executed and the other play mode is executed,
Program to function as.   A computer-readable information storage medium storing the program according to claim 10 or 11.

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