JP2009213736A - Server system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the spoiling of reality in a game otherwise caused by unlimited use of virtual moneys. <P>SOLUTION: A store terminal 30 enables (1) the buying or selling of items to be utilized in games carried out at a game terminal 20 and (2) the charging of the virtual moneys to be used for the transaction of the items. The upper limit of the amount of the virtual moneys usable during an available period (for example, one day) is set per player according to (1) the cumulative frequency of playing game at the game terminal 20, (2) the level of each of player's characters and (3) the total amount of the purchase of the items at the store terminal 30. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a server system.

There is known a network game system in which game terminals are connected to a server system via a communication network. In a so-called arcade game in which a game terminal in this network game system is a business game device installed in a game center or the like, a game card used for game play is charged with electronic money (virtual money), and a game play fee The mechanism used for the settlement is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-85162

  By the way, when the virtual money charged in the game card is used for purchasing items that can be used in the game on the game terminal in addition to the game play fee, the following problems arise. In other words, even a player who has rarely played a game can charge a large amount of cash, purchase unlimited items, and strengthen player character equipment. The harmony of the network game may be disturbed, and the fun of the network game itself may be impaired. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to prevent the interest of a network game from being impaired by unlimited use of virtual money.

The first invention for solving the above-described problems is
A server system (for example, server system 40 in FIG. 1) that is connected to each game terminal (for example, game terminal 20 in FIG. 1) on which a player plays a game,
Individual information management means (for example, player DB 641 in FIG. 7) for performing player-specific communication with each game terminal and managing player-specific information including play history information (for example, player data 642 in FIG. 7) for each player; ,
Holding amount management means (for example, virtual money balance 642j in FIG. 7) for managing the holding amount of virtual money of each player;
A usage upper limit setting means (for example, a usage upper limit setting unit 621 in FIG. 6) for individually setting the usage upper limit of virtual money of each player in a predetermined unit period;
A purchase request signal including purchase player specific information is received from the game terminal or a content sales server (for example, the item trading server 70 in FIG. 1), and predetermined content usable in a game executed on the game terminal is received. Sales processing means for performing sales processing for selling with the virtual money based on the possession amount of the player managed by the possession amount management means and the use upper limit of the player set by the use upper limit setting means (For example, the item trading server 70 in FIG. 1);
Is a server system.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, in the server system that is communicatively connected to the game terminal, the player individual information including the play history information is managed for each player, the amount of virtual money held by each player is managed, and the game terminal The sales process of selling the predetermined content that can be used in the game executed in the above in virtual money is performed. In addition, each player has a virtual money usage upper limit for a predetermined unit period, and content sales are performed based on the player's virtual money holding amount and the set usage upper limit. Is called. That is, since the upper limit amount of virtual money is set, unlimited content purchase is prevented.

The second invention is the server system of the first invention,
The usage upper limit setting means is an individual information reference upper limit setting means (for example, FIG. 5) that sets the usage upper limit of the virtual money of the player based on the player individual information of the player managed by the individual information management means. 11 is a server system having 11 usage upper limit table 651).

  According to the second aspect, the upper limit amount of virtual money used by each player is set based on the player individual information of the player. Since the player individual information includes the play history information of the game play at the game terminal, the use upper limit amount of the virtual money is set in conjunction with the game play at the game terminal.

The third invention is the server system of the second invention,
The individual information management means manages the cumulative number of plays and / or the cumulative play time on the game terminal as one of the player individual information for each player,
The individual information reference upper limit setting means is means for setting the use upper limit based on the cumulative number of times of play and / or the cumulative play time managed by the individual information management means (for example, the upper limit of use table in FIG. 11). 651-1),
It is a server system.

  According to the third aspect of the invention, the cumulative number of plays and / or the cumulative play time on the game terminal is managed as one piece of player individual information, and the upper limit amount of virtual money used by each player is the cumulative number of plays of the player. And / or based on the cumulative play time. For example, the higher the cumulative play count or the longer the cumulative play time, the higher the virtual money usage upper limit is set, thereby encouraging the player to play the game on the game terminal and repeating the game play. Can be gradually increased.

The fourth invention is the server system of the second or third invention,
The individual information management means manages a play level (for example, the “player character level” in the embodiment) for each player as one of the player individual information,
The individual information reference upper limit setting means includes a play level reference upper limit setting means (for example, a use upper limit table 651-3 in FIG. 11) that sets the use upper limit based on the play level.
It is a server system.

  According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the play level is managed for each player as one piece of player individual information, and the virtual money usage upper limit for each player is set based on the play level of the player. For example, the higher the play level is, the higher the virtual money usage upper limit is set, thereby encouraging the player to play the game on the game terminal, and gradually increasing the play upper limit as the play level increases. It is possible to set an upper limit of usage that makes sense, such as increasing the cost.

A fifth invention is the server system of any one of the first to fourth inventions,
The use upper limit setting means sets a sales performance reference upper limit for setting the virtual money usage upper limit for the player based on the number and / or sales amount of the predetermined content sold by the sales processing means for the player. This is a server system having setting means (for example, an upper limit usage amount table 651-2 in FIG. 11).

  According to the fifth aspect, the number and / or sales amount of the predetermined content sold is managed for each player, and the upper limit amount of virtual money used by the player is based on the number / sales amount of the predetermined content. Is set. For example, the larger the number of predetermined contents or the higher the sales amount, the higher the use upper limit amount of the virtual money can be set to prompt the player to purchase the content.

A sixth invention is the server system of any one of the first to fifth inventions,
The usage upper limit setting means is a server system having a usage total reference upper limit setting means for setting a virtual money usage upper limit for the player based on a virtual money usage total for a predetermined period of the player. .

  According to the sixth aspect of the invention, the upper limit amount of virtual money used by each player is set based on the total amount of virtual money used during a predetermined period of the player. For example, by setting the virtual money usage upper limit amount higher as the total usage amount in a predetermined period is higher, the player can be encouraged to use virtual money including content purchase.

A seventh invention is the server system of any one of the first to sixth inventions,
The usage upper limit setting means is a server system that sets, for each player, an upper limit for each usage purpose in which the purpose of use of virtual money is predetermined as the usage upper limit.

  According to the seventh aspect of the invention, as the use upper limit amount of the virtual money for each player, the upper limit amount for each use purpose in which the use purpose of the virtual money is predetermined is set. As a result, the usage upper limit can be set differently depending on the purpose of use of the virtual money.

The eighth invention is the server system of the seventh invention,
The use upper limit setting means has at least 1) a game play upper limit as a cumulative use upper limit of virtual money amount deducted for each game play at the game terminal, and 2) as the use purpose upper limit. A content purchase upper limit that is the upper limit of the predetermined content that can be purchased by the sales processing by the sales processing means is set for each player,
The sales processing means performs the sales processing based on the upper limit for content purchase.
It is a server system.

  According to the eighth invention, 1) the upper limit for game play and 2) the upper limit for content purchase are set as the upper limit for each purpose of use of virtual money, and based on the upper limit for content purchase, Content sales processing is performed. Thus, for example, 1) the upper limit for game play is not set as an upper limit (or set as infinity), and 2) the upper limit is set for the upper limit for content purchase. In addition, it is possible to set an appropriate upper limit of virtual money usage.

A ninth invention is the server system of any one of the first to eighth inventions,
It further comprises team management means (for example, team DB 661 in FIG. 17) for managing each team in association with the belonging player and the team performance information of the team.
The use upper limit setting means sets a team performance standard setting means (for example, a team performance standard setting means for setting the upper limit of use of the player belonging to each team based on team performance information managed by the team management means of the team to which the team belongs. , And a use upper limit table 651B) of FIG.
It is a server system.

  According to the ninth aspect, each team is managed in association with the team performance information, and the upper limit of use of the player to which each team belongs is set based on the team performance information of the team to which the team belongs. As a result, for example, a team element that gives a sense of solidarity between game play companions is added, such as setting the upper limit of virtual money usage of each player of the team according to the results of game play as a whole team Therefore, new interest can be added to the network game.

  According to the present invention, in the server system that is communicatively connected to the game terminal, the upper limit amount of virtual money used in a predetermined unit period is set for each player, and the virtual money holding amount of the player is set. Based on the upper limit of use, a sales process is performed in which predetermined content that can be used in a game executed on the game terminal is sold with virtual money. That is, since the upper limit amount of virtual money is set, unlimited content purchase is prevented.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following, a case where the present invention is applied to a network game system will be described, but embodiments to which the present invention can be applied are not limited thereto.

[System configuration]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a game system 1 in the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the game system 1 is a network game system including a game terminal 20, a store terminal 30, a server system 40, and a player terminal 90. The game terminal 20, the store terminal 30, and the server system 40 are communicably connected via a communication line N1. The server system 40 and the player terminal 90 are communicably connected via a communication line N2. Here, the communication lines N1 and N2 mean communication paths 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 communication lines N1 and N2 may be different communication networks or the same communication network.

  The game terminal 20 is a terminal device that is installed in a store such as a game center, which is a facility, for a player to play a game, and is realized by, for example, a business game device. In the present embodiment, a fighting battle game is performed on the game terminal 20. In this fighting battle game, it is possible to enjoy interpersonal battles against other players and CPU battles against CPU-controlled characters (CPU characters).

  Also, in the game system 1 of the present embodiment, the game card 10 is owned and registered in the game system 1 so that play data such as player characters and items held can be held, which game at which store The terminal 20 can also enjoy a game play using its own original player character. Of course, the game play can be performed without using the game card 10. Here, the game card 10 is provided to the player in advance by sales or the like, and is realized by, for example, an IC card incorporating an IC chip in which a unique card ID is stored.

  The store terminal 30 is a terminal device that is installed in the store together with the game terminal 20 and provides a service related to game play on the game terminal 20 to the player. Specifically, (1) buying and selling items and (2) charging virtual money (virtual currency) are performed for players registered in the game system 1.

  In “item buying and selling”, an item used in a game on the game terminal 20 is purchased or an unnecessary item is sold. There are two types of item sales: (1) item purchase at a virtual store operated by a game operating company, and (2) item sales (transactions) with other players. Here, the “item” is content that can be used in the game on the game terminal 20, for example, equipment such as weapons and armor that the player character equips, accessories for decoration, and tools such as herbs for restoring physical strength. Etc. Item sales are performed using virtual money. That is, an unnecessary item is converted into virtual money (sale), or a desired item is acquired (purchased) from another player or virtual store in exchange for a predetermined amount of virtual money.

  In “charging of virtual money”, cash is converted (converted) into virtual money used in the above item purchase and sale. Specifically, when the player inserts (deposits) cash (for example, 100 [yen]) at the store terminal 30, this cash is virtual money (for example, 2 [G / yen]) at a predetermined exchange rate (for example, 2 [G / yen]). 200 [G]) and added to the virtual money held by the player. The virtual money owned by the player is managed by the server system 40 in association with the game card 10 owned by the player. Therefore, the player can use the virtual money held at any store terminal 30 in any store.

  The server system 40 is installed and managed on the management company side of the game system 1 and is realized by a known server computer. The server system 40 includes a game server 50, a player management server 60, and an item trading server 70. These servers may be configured as independent server systems, or some of them may be configured as the same server system.

  The game server 50 performs various game processes necessary for a network game such as a data load process and a save process for game play in the game terminal 20. Further, in the interpersonal battle, a matching process is performed for combining the players who are competing, and the matched game terminals 20 are connected to perform a fighting battle.

  The player management server 60 manages registered players of the game system 1. That is, for each registered player, the history of game play at the game terminal 20, the items held, the virtual money, and the like are managed in association with the game card 10 owned.

  The item trading server 70 manages the buying and selling of items at the store terminal 30. There are two types of item trading methods: “item buying and selling between players” and “item buying at a virtual store”. In “item buying and selling between players”, item buying and selling between two players is mediated, for example, in an auction format. In “item purchase at a virtual store”, a game operating company operates a virtual store and sells items to players.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the flow of data between the servers constituting the server system 40. As shown in the figure, the game terminal 20 implements game play by communicating with the game server 50. At this time, the game server 50 acquires the player data managed by the player management server 60, and performs game control based on the acquired player data (mainly, player character and item data).

  The store terminal 30 realizes charging of virtual money by communicating with the player management server 60. At this time, the player management server 60 controls charging of virtual money based on the managed player data (mainly virtual money data).

  Moreover, in the shop terminal 30, item trading is realized by communicating with the item trading server 70. At this time, the item trading server 70 acquires player data managed by the player management server 60 and controls item trading based on the acquired player data (mainly virtual money and item data).

  Returning to FIG. 1, the player terminal 90 is a terminal device for the player to receive a service provided from the server system 40, and is, for example, a mobile phone or a PC owned by the player. Specifically, the player terminal 90 browses player data of the player managed by the player management server 60 by starting a browser program and accessing a homepage established by a game operating company. Can do.

[First Embodiment]
A first embodiment of the game system 1 configured as described above will be described.

[Game terminal]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the game terminal 20. According to the figure, the game terminal 20 functionally includes an operation input unit 211, a card reader / writer 212, a processing unit 220, an image display unit 213, a sound output unit 214, and a communication unit 215. The coin detection unit 216 and the storage unit 230 are provided.

  The operation input unit 211 receives an operation instruction from the player and outputs an operation signal corresponding to the operation to the processing unit 220. This function is realized by, for example, a button switch, a lever, a mouse, a keyboard, a touch panel, and various sensors.

  The card reader / writer 212 reads card data recorded on the inserted game card 10, outputs the read data to the processing unit 220, and in accordance with a write instruction from the processing unit 220, the card data of the game card 10 Update.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of the data structure of the card data 12 recorded on the game card 10. According to the figure, the card data 12 includes a card ID 12a of the game card 10, a player ID 12b and a player name 12c of the owned player, and player character data 12d. The player character data 12d includes data such as the character ID, character name, level, experience value, possessed item, customized appearance and personality of the player character.

  Based on the program and data read from the storage unit 230, the operation signal input from the operation input unit 211, the data read by the card reader / writer 212, and the like, the processing unit 220 controls the entire game terminal 20 and the game. Various arithmetic processes such as progress and image generation are performed. This function is realized by, for example, a CPU (CISC type or RISC type), an ASIC (gate array or the like) arithmetic unit or its control program. The processing unit 220 mainly includes a game calculation unit 221 that performs calculation processing related to game execution, an image generation unit 223 that generates a game image based on various data obtained by the processing of the game calculation unit 221, and And a sound generator 224 that generates game sounds such as sound effects and BGM.

  The game calculation unit 221 performs a game process according to the game program 231 and executes a fighting battle game. In this game process, the processing unit 220 reads the card data 12 recorded on the inserted game card 10 and requests player data from the game server 50 together with the card ID and player ID included in the read card data 12. To do. Then, based on the player data received from the game server 50, a battle process in which a player character and an enemy character (player characters and CPU characters of other players) battle each other is executed. When the battle ends, the battle result is displayed on the image display unit 213, and the card data 12 of the game card 10 is updated and discharged.

  Based on the image signal from the image generation unit 223, the image display unit 213 displays a game screen while redrawing an image of one frame every 1/60 seconds, for example. This function is realized by a display device such as a CRT, LCD, ELD, or PDP. The sound output unit 214 outputs game sounds such as BGM and sound effects based on the sound signal from the sound generation unit 224. This function is realized by a speaker, for example.

  The communication unit 215 is connected to the communication line N1 in accordance with a control signal from the processing unit 220, and performs data communication with an external device (mainly, the other game terminal 20 or the game server 50). This function is realized by a wireless communication module, TA, router, wired communication cable jack, control circuit, and the like. The coin detection unit 216 detects the type and number of coins (coins) inserted as game consideration and outputs a detection signal to the processing unit 220.

  The storage unit 230 stores a system program for realizing various functions for causing the processing unit 220 to control the game terminal 20 in an integrated manner, a program and data for realizing various functions in the present embodiment, and the like. Are used as a work area of the processing unit 220, and temporarily store calculation results executed by the processing unit 220 according to various programs, input data from the operation input unit 211, and the like. This function is realized by, for example, various IC memories, hard disks, MO, ROM, RAM, and the like. In the present embodiment, the game unit 231 is stored in the storage unit 230, and the terminal ID 232 of the game terminal 20 and the store ID 233 of the installation store are stored.

[Store terminal]
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the store terminal 30. According to the figure, the store terminal 30 functionally includes an operation input unit 311, a card reader / writer 312, a processing unit 320, an image display unit 313, a sound output unit 314, and a communication unit 315. The cash input unit 316 and the storage unit 330 are provided.

  The operation input unit 311 receives an operation instruction from the player and outputs an operation signal corresponding to the operation to the processing unit 320. This function is realized by, for example, a button switch, a lever, a mouse, a keyboard, a touch panel, and various sensors.

  The card reader / writer 312 reads the card data recorded on the inserted game card 10, outputs the read data to the processing unit 320, and the card data of the game card 10 in accordance with a write instruction from the processing unit 320. 12 is updated.

  The processing unit 320 is a program or data stored in the storage unit 330, an operation signal input from the operation input unit 311, or an external device (mainly the player management server 60 or the item trading server 70) via the communication unit 315. The overall control of the store terminal 30 is performed based on the data received from. This function is realized, for example, by an arithmetic device such as a CPU (CISC type or RISC type), ASIC (gate array, etc.) or a control program thereof. In the present embodiment, the processing unit 320 includes a charge management unit 321 and an item sales management unit 322, and performs store processing according to the store program 331.

  The charge management unit 321 communicates with the player management server 60 to control charging of virtual money. Specifically, the player data is requested from the player management server 60 together with the card ID and player ID included in the card data 12 read from the inserted game card 10, and the player data is based on the received player data. Display the virtual money balance (held amount). Then, when cash is inserted, the amount of money to be charged (the amount of money for charging) is transmitted to the player management server 60 together with the charge request, and when the charge result is received from the player management server 60, the player's based on the received charge result. The virtual money balance is updated and displayed.

  The item trade management unit 322 controls the item trade by communicating with the item trade server 70. Specifically, according to the selection instruction of the player input from the operation input unit 311, the item sale type (“item sale between players” or “item purchase at a virtual store”) is selected.

  If “Buy and sell items between players” is selected, and if an item is purchased, the desired sales price is displayed in a list of items that are desired to be sold by other players, and the item selected by the player and its desired purchase price. Is sent to the item trading server 70. Then, the purchase result received from the item trading server 70 is displayed. If the item is sold, a sales request notification including the item to be sold and the desired sales price among the items held by the player is transmitted to the item trading server 70. Then, the sales result received from the item trading server 70 is displayed.

  If “Purchase item at virtual store” is selected, the items provided by the virtual store are listed together with their prices. Then, a purchase notification including the item selected by the player is transmitted to the item trading server 70, and the purchase result received from the item trading server 70 is displayed.

  The image display unit 313 displays a display screen based on the image signal from the processing unit 320. This function is realized by a display device such as a CRT, LCD, ELD, or PDP. The sound output unit 314 outputs sound based on the sound signal from the processing unit 320. This function is realized by a speaker, for example.

  The communication unit 315 is connected to the communication line N1 according to a control signal from the processing unit 320, and performs data communication with external devices (mainly, the player management server 60 and the item trading server 70). This function is realized by a wireless communication module, TA, router, wired communication cable jack, control circuit, and the like. The cash input unit 316 detects the type and number of banknotes and coins input for charging, and outputs the detection result to the processing unit 320.

  The storage unit 330 stores a system program for realizing various functions for causing the processing unit 320 to control the store terminal 30 in an integrated manner, a program and data for realizing various functions in the present embodiment, and the like. , Which is used as a work area of the processing unit 320, temporarily stores calculation results executed by the processing unit 320 according to various programs, input data from the operation input unit 311, and the like. This function is realized by, for example, various IC memories, hard disks, MO, ROM, RAM, and the like. In the present embodiment, a store program 331 is stored in the storage unit 330, and a terminal ID 332 of the store terminal 30 and a store ID 333 of the installed store are stored.

[Player management server]
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the player management server 60. As shown in the figure, the player management server 60 is functionally configured to include an operation unit 611, a processing unit 620, a display unit 612, a communication unit 613, and a storage unit 630.

  The operation unit 611 receives an operation instruction from the administrator of the player management server 60 and outputs an operation signal corresponding to the operation instruction to the processing unit 620. This function is realized by, for example, a button switch, lever, keyboard, mouse, touch panel, various sensors, and the like.

  The processing unit 620 receives a program or data stored in the storage unit 630, an operation signal input from the operation unit 611, or an external device (mainly, the store terminal 30 or the game server 50) via the communication unit 613. Based on the data and the like, overall control of the player management server 60 is performed. This function is realized by, for example, a CPU (CISC type or RISC type), an ASIC (gate array or the like) arithmetic unit or its control program.

  In the present embodiment, the processing unit 620 includes a usage upper limit setting unit 621 and manages players registered in the game system 1 by the player DB 641.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of the player DB 641. As illustrated in FIG. According to the figure, the player DB 641 is composed of a plurality of player data 642 for each registered player. The player data 642 includes a player ID 642a and a player name 642b of the corresponding player, a card ID 642c of the game card 10 owned, player character data 642d, virtual money data 642i, possessed item data 643, and play history data 644. Item sales history data 645 and item purchase history data 646 are stored. The player character data 642d stores a character ID 642e of the player character, a character name 642f, a level 642g, and an experience value 642h. The virtual money data 642i stores a current virtual money balance 642j, a usage upper limit 642k for the target period (for example, today), and a usage amount 642l for the target period (for example, today).

  The play history data 644 is a game play history of the player. FIG. 8 shows an example of the data structure of the play history data 644. According to the figure, the play history data 644 stores the game play date / time 644a, the store 644b, and the result 644c in association with each other. The play result 644c is an opponent, winning or losing.

  The item sales history data 645 is an item sales history of the player. FIG. 9 shows an example of the data structure of the item sales history data 645. According to the figure, the item sales history data 645 associates the item sales date and time 645a, the store 645b, the sold item 645c, the amount 645d, and the sales partner 645e with respect to each of the item sales performed. Stored.

  The item purchase history data 646 is an item purchase history of the player. FIG. 10 shows an example of the data configuration of the item purchase history data 646. According to the figure, the item purchase history data 646 correlates each item purchase made with the date and time 646a of the item purchase, the store 646b, the purchased item 646c, the amount 646d, and the purchase partner 646e. Stored. The purchase partner 646e is a sales player if the item sale type is “item sale between players”, and is the virtual store if “item purchase in a virtual store”.

  The usage upper limit setting unit 621 sets the usage upper limit of virtual money per unit period (for example, one day) for each player. Specifically, based on (1) cumulative number of plays, (2) total item purchase, and (3) player character level, the use upper limit table 651 is referred to and the virtual money use upper limit is changed. .

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of the usage upper limit table 651. According to the figure, the usage upper limit table 651 includes a table 651-1 that defines a usage upper limit for the number of plays, a table 651-2 that defines a usage upper limit for the total purchase amount of items, and a player. And a table 651-3 that defines the upper limit of use for the character level. The table 651-1 stores the accumulated play count 651 a and the virtual money use upper limit 651 b per unit period (for example, one day) in association with each other. In the figure, it is determined that the upper limit of use becomes higher as the cumulative number of plays increases. The table 651-2 stores an item purchase total amount 651 c and a virtual money usage upper limit 651 d per unit period (for example, one day) in association with each other. In the figure, it is determined that the upper limit of use of virtual money increases as the total item purchase amount increases. The table 651-3 stores a player character level 651e and a virtual money use upper limit 651f per unit period (for example, one day) in association with each other. In the figure, the higher the level is, the higher the upper limit of use of virtual money is.

  That is, the upper limit usage amount setting unit 621 refers to the play history data 644 of the corresponding player data 642 for each player and calculates the cumulative number of times played so far. Next, the use upper limit table 651-1 is referred to, and the use upper limit amount of virtual money corresponding to the calculated cumulative number of play times is determined. If the determined use upper limit is higher than the current use upper limit, the determined use upper limit is updated as a new use upper limit for the player.

  In addition, the item purchase history data 646 is referenced to calculate the total item purchase so far. Next, with reference to the use upper limit table 651-2, the use upper limit of virtual money corresponding to the calculated item purchase total is determined. If the determined use upper limit is higher than the current use upper limit, the determined use upper limit is updated as a new use upper limit for the player.

  Further, the upper limit amount of virtual money corresponding to the level of the player character is determined with reference to the upper limit amount table 651-3. If the determined use upper limit is higher than the current use upper limit, the determined use upper limit is updated as a new use upper limit for the player.

  Returning to FIG. 6, the display unit 612 displays a display screen based on the display signal from the processing unit 620. This function is realized by a display device such as a CRT, LCD, ELD, or PDP. The communication unit 613 is connected to the communication lines N1 and N2 according to a control signal from the processing unit 620, and performs data communication with an external device (for example, the store terminal 30 or the game server 50). This function is realized by a wireless communication module, TA, router, wired communication cable jack, control circuit, and the like.

  The storage unit 630 stores a system program for causing the processing unit 620 to control the player management server 60 in an integrated manner, a program and data for realizing various functions in the present embodiment, and the operation of the processing unit 620. It is used as an area, and temporarily stores calculation results executed by the processing unit 620 according to various programs, input data from the operation unit 611, and the like. This function is realized by, for example, an IC memory, hard disk, MO, RAM, VRAM, CD-ROM, or the like. In the present embodiment, the storage unit 630 stores a player management program 631 as a program, and stores a player DB 641 and a use upper limit table 651 as data.

[Process flow]
(A) Game Processing FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining game processing executed between the game terminal 20 and the game server 50. In the figure, processing on the game terminal 20 is shown on the left side, and processing on the game server 50 is shown on the right side.

  According to the figure, in the game terminal 20, when the game card 10 is inserted (step A1) and a predetermined game value is inserted (step A3), the card data recorded on the inserted game card 10 Is read. Then, a request for player data is transmitted to the player management server 60 together with the card ID and player ID included in the read card data and the terminal ID of the game terminal 20 (step A5).

  Then, in response to this request, the game server 50 requests player data 642 corresponding to the player management server 60 (step B1). In response to this request, player data transmitted from the player management server 60 is received (step B3), and the received player data is transmitted to the game terminal 20 (step B5).

  Thereafter, a battle process is executed by performing communication between the game terminal 20 and the game server 50 (steps A7 and B7). When the battle process ends, the game terminal 20 displays the battle result (step A9), updates the card data recorded on the game card 10 (step A11), and discharges the game card (step A13). In addition, the game server 50 transmits a play notification to the player management server 60 (step B9). The game process is performed in this way.

(B) Store Processing FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating store processing at the store terminal 30. According to the figure, when the game card 10 is inserted (Step C1), the store terminal 30 reads the card data recorded on the inserted game card 10, and the card ID or the like contained in the read card data A player data request is transmitted to the player management server 60 together with the player ID and the terminal ID of the store terminal 30 (step C3). Next, player data transmitted from the player management server 60 in response to this request is received (step C5).

  If “charge of virtual money” is performed (step C7: YES), the virtual money balance of the player is displayed based on the received player data 642 (step C9). Next, when cash is inserted (step C11), a charge notification including the inserted amount (charge amount) is transmitted to the player management server 60 (step C13). Also, the amount obtained by subtracting the amount of money (charge amount) from the virtual money balance is updated and displayed as a new virtual money balance (step C15).

  If “item buying / selling” is performed (step C17: YES), the virtual money balance of the player is displayed based on the received player data (step C19). Further, the current usable amount is calculated by subtracting the today's usage amount from the today's virtual money usage upper limit amount, and the calculated usable amount is displayed (step C21).

  If the item is to be purchased (step C23: YES), the price of the item to be purchased is compared with the current available amount of virtual money and the virtual money balance. As a result, if the item price is less than or equal to the usable amount and less than or equal to the virtual money balance (step C25: YES), communication with the item trading server 70 is performed to perform an item purchase process for purchasing the item ( Step C27). Next, an amount obtained by subtracting the price (purchase amount) of the purchased item from the currently available amount of virtual money is updated as a new available amount (step C29). Also, the virtual money balance is updated by subtracting the price (purchase amount) of the purchased item from the virtual money balance (step C33).

  On the other hand, if the price of the item to be purchased exceeds the current usable amount of virtual money or exceeds the virtual money balance (step C25: NO), it exceeds the upper limit of use or the balance is insufficient. A message indicating that the purchase is impossible is displayed (step C35).

  If the item is to be sold (step C23: NO), communication with the item buying / selling server 70 is performed, and a sale process for selling the owned item to another player is performed (step C31). Then, the virtual money balance is updated by adding the price (sales amount) of the item sold to the current virtual money balance (step C33).

  Subsequently, the card data of the game card 10 is updated (step C37), and the game card 10 is discharged (step C39). Then, it returns to step C1 and repeats the same process.

(C) Player Management Processing FIG. 14 is a flowchart of player management processing in the player management server 60. According to the figure, if player data is requested from the game server 50 (step D1: YES), the player data 642 of the corresponding player is transmitted to the game server 50 (step D3).

  If a play notification is received from the game server 50 (step D5: YES), the play history of the corresponding player is updated based on the received play notification (step D7). Next, it is determined whether or not the use upper limit amount of virtual money according to the cumulative number of times of play of the player is higher than the current use upper limit amount. If so (step D9: YES), the use upper limit amount of the player is accumulated. It changes to the use upper limit amount according to the number of times of play (step D11). Further, it is determined whether or not the usage upper limit of virtual money according to the level of the player character of the player is higher than the current usage upper limit, and if so (step D13: YES), the usage upper limit of the player is set as follows. The usage upper limit is changed according to the level of the player character (step D15).

  If player data is requested from the store terminal 30 (step D17: YES), the player data 642 of the corresponding player is transmitted to the store terminal 30 (step D19). If a charge notification is received from the store terminal 30 (step D21: YES), the charge amount is added to the virtual money balance of the corresponding player and updated based on the received charge notification (step D23).

  Also, if an item sale notification is received from the item sale server 70 (step D25: YES), based on the received item sale notification, the virtual money balance, owned items, and items of the corresponding player (sales player and purchase player) Trading history is updated (step D27). Then, it is determined whether or not the use upper limit amount of virtual money corresponding to the total purchase amount of items of the purchased player is higher than the current use upper limit amount (step D29: YES). Is updated to the upper limit of use according to the total item purchase (step D31). Then, it returns to step D1 and repeats the same process.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment will be described. Note that in the second embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is simplified or omitted. In the above-described first embodiment, for each player, the upper limit of use amount of the virtual money of the player is set based on the play history and item sale history of the player. However, in the second embodiment, the player belongs. Based on the results of each team, the upper limit amount of virtual money used by each player belonging to the team is set.

[Player management server]
FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the player management server 60B in the second embodiment. As shown in the drawing, the player management server 60B functionally includes an operation unit 611, a processing unit 620B, a display unit 612, a communication unit 613, and a storage unit 630B.

  The processing unit 620B includes a use upper limit setting unit 621B, manages the registered players of the game system 1 by the player DB 641B, and manages the team (group) formed by one or more registered players by the team DB 661.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of the player DB 641B. According to the figure, the player DB 641B is composed of a plurality of player data 642B for each registered player. The player data 642B includes the player ID 642a and player name 642b of the player, the card ID 642c of the game card 10 owned, the team ID 642m and team name 642n of the team to which the player belongs, player character data 642d, virtual money data 642i, and possession. Item data 643, play history data 644, item sales history data 645, and item purchase history data 646 are stored.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of the team DB 661. According to the figure, the team DB 661 is composed of a plurality of team data 662 for each formed team. The team data 662 stores a team ID 662a and a team name 662b of the corresponding team, a player 662c belonging to the team, accumulated play count data 663, and accumulated item purchase total amount data 664. The accumulated play count data 663 stores an individual accumulated play count 663b in association with each player belonging to the team 663a. The sum of the individual cumulative play counts of each player belongs to the team cumulative play count, which is the cumulative play count as a team. The accumulated item purchase total amount data 664 stores the individual item purchase total number 664b in association with each player belonging to the team 664a. The sum of the individual item purchase totals of each player belongs to the team item purchase total which is the total item purchase as a team.

  The usage upper limit setting unit 621B refers to the usage upper limit table 651B for each player based on the team accumulated play count and the team accumulated item purchase total of the team to which the player belongs, for a target period (for example, Per day) to set the upper limit amount of virtual money used.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of the usage upper limit table 651B. According to the figure, the usage upper limit table 651B includes a table 651-4 that defines the virtual money usage upper limit for the number of plays, and a table 651- that defines the virtual money usage upper limit for the item purchase amount. 5 and the like. The table 651-4 stores the team cumulative play count 651g and the virtual money usage upper limit 651h in association with each other. In the figure, it is determined that the upper limit amount of use of virtual money increases as the number of times of team cumulative play increases. The table 651-5 stores the team item purchase total amount 651i and the virtual money usage upper limit 651j in association with each other. In the figure, it is determined that the upper limit amount of use of virtual money increases as the total purchase amount of team items increases.

  That is, for each team, the maximum usage amount setting unit 621B refers to the play history data 644 of the player data 642B of all the players belonging to the team, and calculates the individual cumulative number of plays so far for each of the players belonging to the team. To do. Subsequently, the calculated individual cumulative play counts of the respective belonging players are added to calculate the team cumulative play count so far for the team. Next, with reference to the use upper limit table 651-4, the use upper limit amount of virtual money corresponding to the calculated team cumulative play count is determined. If the determined use upper limit is higher than the current use upper limit for each of the players belonging to the player, the determined use upper limit is updated as a new use upper limit for the player.

  For each team, the total purchase amount of individual items so far for each affiliated player is calculated with reference to the item purchase history data 646 of the player data 642B of each affiliated player of the team. Subsequently, the total individual item purchase amount of each of the belonging players calculated is added to calculate the total team item purchase amount of the team. Next, with reference to the use upper limit table 651-5, the use upper limit amount of virtual money corresponding to the calculated total purchase amount of team items is determined. If the determined use upper limit is higher than the current use upper limit for each of the players belonging to the player, the determined use upper limit is updated as a new use upper limit for the player.

[Process flow]
(A) Player Management Processing FIG. 19 is a flowchart of player management processing in the player management server 60B. According to the figure, if player data is requested from the game server 50 (step D1: YES), the player data 642B of the corresponding player is transmitted to the game server 50 (step D3: YES).

  If a play notification is received from the game server 50 (step D5: YES), the player history of the corresponding player is updated based on the received play notification (step D7). Next, the team cumulative play count of the team to which the player belongs is updated to a value obtained by adding “1” (step E9), and the upper limit amount of virtual money corresponding to the updated team cumulative play count is determined. If the determined use upper limit of virtual money is higher than the current use upper limit of the player (step E11: YES), the use upper limit of virtual money of each player belonging to the same team as the player is It changes to the use upper limit according to the number of times of team cumulative play (step E13).

  If player data is requested from the store terminal 30 (step D17: YES), the player data 642B of the corresponding player is transmitted to the store terminal 30 (step D19). If a charge notification is received from the store terminal 30 (step D21: YES), the charge amount is added to the virtual money balance of the corresponding player and updated based on the received charge notification (step D23).

  Further, if an item sales notification is received from the store terminal 30 (step D25: YES), based on the received item sales notification, the virtual money balance, owned items, and items of the corresponding player (sales player and purchased player) Trading history is updated (step D27). Next, the total purchase amount of the team item of the team to which the purchase player belongs is updated to a value obtained by adding the purchase amount of the current item (step E29), and the upper limit of virtual money usage corresponding to the updated total purchase amount of the team item is set. to decide. Then, it is determined whether the determined use upper limit of virtual money is higher than the current use upper limit of the purchased player. If it is higher (step E31: YES), each player belonging to the same team as the purchased player is determined. The usage upper limit of virtual money is updated to the usage upper limit according to the total purchase amount of the team items (step E33). Then, it returns to step D1 and repeats the same process.

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

(A) Play Consideration For example, the play consideration (play fee) at the game terminal 20 may be paid with virtual money. In this case, the usage upper limit amount may be set separately for each of (1) game play and (2) item purchase / purchase as the purpose of use of virtual money. For example, (1) the upper limit of use in game play is not set (unlimited), and (2) the upper limit of use is set only for item sales.

(B) Setting of Usage Upper Limit In the above-described embodiment, the usage upper limit of virtual money is set according to the total purchase amount of items (see the usage upper limit table 651 in FIG. 11). It may be set according to the total number of items purchased. For example, as the total number of purchases increases, the usage upper limit of virtual money is set higher.

  In addition, the use upper limit amount of virtual money may be set according to the total use amount of virtual money including not only the total purchase amount of items but also the use amount for other purposes of use. Another usage purpose is, for example, a play fee in the game terminal 20. In this case, for example, the use upper limit of virtual money is set higher as the total use amount is higher.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the upper limit amount of virtual money used is set according to the cumulative number of times of game play (see the upper limit amount table 651 of FIG. 11). It is also possible to set it. For example, the longer the accumulated play time is set, the higher the upper limit amount of virtual money used. In this case, for example, in the game server 50, the time when the battle process was performed by communicating with the game terminal 20 (step B7 in FIG. 12), that is, the time when the fighting battle was performed at the game terminal 20 was measured and measured. The play time is included in the play notification and transmitted to the player management server 60. Then, the player management server 60 manages the play history of each player including the play time of each game play. Alternatively, the time for performing the battle process at the game terminal 20 (step A9 in FIG. 12) may be measured, and the measured play time may be transmitted to the game server 50.

(C) Content In the above-described embodiment, the content that can be used in the game executed on the game terminal 20 is “item”. However, the content may be other than this. For example, in addition to information useful for the progress of the game such as hints of actions to be taken by the player character during the game, data such as images of characters related to the game, music during the game, and sound generated by the characters may be used.

(D) Type of game In the above-described embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a fighting battle game has been described. However, the present invention can be applied to any other game such as a car racing game or a quiz game.

The block diagram of a game system. Explanatory drawing of the flow of the data between each server of a server system. The function block diagram of the player management server in 1st Embodiment. An example of the data structure of card data. The functional block diagram of a shop terminal. The function block diagram of a player management server. The data structural example of player DB. The data structural example of play history data. Data structure example of item sales history data. The data structural example of item purchase history data. The data structural example of a usage amount limit table. The flowchart of a game process. Free chart of store processing. The flowchart of a player management process. The function block diagram of the player management server in 2nd Embodiment. The data structural example of player DB. Data structure example of team DB. The data structural example of a usage amount limit table. The flowchart of a player management process.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Game system 10 Game card | curd, 12 card data 20 Game terminal 30 Store terminal 40 Server system 50 Game server 60 Player management server 70 Item trading server 90 Player terminal N1, N2 communication line

Claims (9)

A server system in which a player communicates with each game terminal that plays a game,
Individual information management means for performing predetermined communication with each game terminal and managing player individual information including play history information for each player;
Holding amount management means for managing the holding amount of virtual money of each player;
A usage upper limit setting means for setting the usage upper limit of virtual money of each player in a predetermined unit period individually;
A sales process of receiving a purchase request signal including specific information of a purchased player from the game terminal or the content sales server, and selling a predetermined content usable in a game executed on the game terminal with the virtual money, Sales processing means for performing based on the possessed amount of the player managed by the retained amount management means and the use upper limit of the player set by the use upper limit setting means;
Server system with   The said usage upper limit setting means has an individual information reference upper limit setting means for setting a usage upper limit of virtual money of the player based on player individual information of the player managed by the individual information management means. The server system according to 1. The individual information management means manages the cumulative number of plays and / or the cumulative play time on the game terminal as one of the player individual information for each player,
The individual information reference upper limit setting means includes means for setting the use upper limit based on the cumulative number of plays and / or the cumulative play time managed by the individual information management means.
The server system according to claim 2. The individual information management means manages a play level for each player as one of the player individual information,
The individual information reference upper limit setting means includes a play level reference upper limit setting means for setting the use upper limit based on the play level.
The server system according to claim 2 or 3.   The use upper limit setting means sets a sales performance reference upper limit for setting the virtual money usage upper limit for the player based on the number and / or sales amount of the predetermined content sold by the sales processing means for the player. The server system as described in any one of Claims 1-4 which has a setting means.   The usage upper limit setting means includes usage total reference upper limit setting means for setting a virtual money usage upper limit for the player based on a virtual money usage total for a predetermined period of the player. The server system according to any one of 5.   7. The use amount setting unit according to claim 1, wherein the use upper limit setting unit sets, for each player, an upper limit for each use purpose in which a purpose of use of virtual money is predetermined as the use upper limit. Server system. The use upper limit setting means has at least 1) a game play upper limit as a cumulative use upper limit of virtual money amount deducted for each game play at the game terminal, and 2) as the use purpose upper limit. A content purchase upper limit that is the upper limit of the predetermined content that can be purchased by the sales processing by the sales processing means is set for each player,
The sales processing means performs the sales processing based on the upper limit for content purchase.
The server system according to claim 7. It further comprises team management means for managing each team in association with the player belonging to the team and team performance information of the team,
The use upper limit setting means has a team performance standard setting means for setting the use upper limit of the player to which each team belongs based on team performance information managed by the team management means of the team to which the team belongs. ,
The server system as described in any one of Claims 1-8.

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