JP2010131083A - Game system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game system where an entry to a network game is made by a group unit and a match is played by the group unit which has made the entry. <P>SOLUTION: In the game system GS, respective game machines GA and GB for executing a local game transmit game machine information of the present machine to a local server GA, the local server GA transmits two or more pieces of the received game machine information and a group matching request MR1 including a group ID to a center server CS, and the center server CS matches groups GR1 and GR2 corresponding to the at least two group matching requests MR1 and MR2 received during a prescribed matching period as opponents, and transmits a matching notice 40 indicating the matched result and a net server to the respective matched game machines GA, GB, GC and GD. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a game system in which a game is played between a plurality of game machines matched by a center server.

A game system in which the center server accepts entries from a plurality of game machines and matches each entered game machine as an opponent based on a predetermined condition is well known (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).
Japanese Patent No. 3811755 Japanese Patent No. 3899109

  However, in the conventional game system, each player is configured to enter the center server, and a plurality of players form one group, and can enter the network game in units of groups and play in the group. There is no such thing.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a game system that allows entry into a network game in units of groups and allows a match in units of entered groups.

  The present invention solves the above-described problems by the following means. In order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, reference numerals in the accompanying drawings are appended in parentheses, but the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment.

  The game system (GS) of the present invention includes a plurality of game machines (GA, GB, GC, GD) connected to each of a plurality of local networks (L1, L2), and each of the plurality of game machines and an open network. (N) and a center server (CS) that can communicate with each other, and each of the game machines can communicate with other game machines in another local network via the open network. A game system in which a local game is performed between the plurality of game machines, and a network battle game using the open network is performed between the plurality of game machines matched by the center server. At the start of the local game, the player A local function determining unit (25e) that determines whether or not the local server is a local server, and a local server unit that allows the local server to function as the local server when the local function determining unit determines the local server 25a), the local client unit (25b) that communicates with the local server unit to function as a local client that is a game client in the local game, and the matching notification transmitted from the center server. When a machine is shown as a net server that is a game server of the network battle game, when a matching notification is received from the net server unit (25c) that causes the machine to function as the net server and the center server, The network battle game A network client unit (25d) that functions as a network client that is a game client in the system, and the local client unit transmits game machine information including at least a game machine ID for identifying the own machine to the local server unit. The local server unit generates a group matching request including a plurality of received game machine information and a group ID that identifies a plurality of game machines that are transmission sources of the plurality of game machine information as one group, The network server transmits to the center server, and the net server unit battles between groups with a plurality of game machines associated with the group IDs included in the matching notification transmitted from the center server as one group. Control the progress of the network battle game, and The bar includes a group matching unit (11a) for matching a group corresponding to at least two group matching requests received during a predetermined matching period as an opponent, and a plurality of game machines matched by the group matching unit. A net server determination unit (11b) for determining the net server, net server information indicating a game machine determined as the net server, a group ID of a matched group, and a plurality of games corresponding to the group IDs The above-described problem is solved by including a matching notification unit (11c) that transmits a matching notification including game machine information of each machine to each of the plurality of game machines.

  According to the game system of the present invention, the local server unit transmits a group matching request for requesting matching as a group of game machine information of game machines participating in the local game, and the group matching unit of the center server The groups are matched as opponents, the net server determining unit determines a net server from a plurality of matched servers, and a matching notification indicating the matching result is transmitted to each game machine by the matching notification unit. In each game machine that has received the matching notification, it is only necessary to perform the same processing as that of a conventionally known game system in which the group battle of the group generated by the center server is realized. For example, information necessary for the network battle game is transmitted from each net client to the net server.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, a player who is playing a local game can enter the online battle game as one group, and the center server performs matching in units of groups. Group battles can be held as a group. Therefore, for example, two players who are acquainted can participate in a network-type battle game together as a group and play against other groups. Furthermore, since the player who is playing the local game is configured to be set as a group, the player can wait for the matching notification while playing the local game, even if the opponent group is not found. You can enjoy local games.

  For example, the group matching unit may determine whether the group matching request is a group matching request when the group matching unit includes a plurality of game machine IDs, or the net server unit may perform group matching. Information indicating a request may be set in the group matching request. The group ID included in the group matching request may be issued as appropriate by the local server unit or may be identification information uniquely associated with the local network. Moreover, by including a play history etc. in game machine information, a group matching part may determine the group used as an opponent based on game machine information. The local game may be a game that can be played by a plurality of games, and may not be a battle game.

  The local network is a network that is used only by a limited node (for example, a game machine) such as an in-store LAN or an in-house LAN, and the open network is a network that does not limit the connected nodes such as the Internet. . As the functions of the local server unit and the local client unit for proceeding with the local game in the game machine, the well-known functions of the server unit and the client unit of the game machine in the local game may be adopted. In addition, each function of the game server unit and the game client unit in the game machine for proceeding with the network battle game is also well known in which a network battle game is performed with one game machine serving as a server among a plurality of game machines to fight against. What is necessary is just to employ | adopt the function of the server part and client part of a game machine in a network game system.

  Note that the communication between the local server unit and the local client unit includes data transmission / reception performed between the local server unit and the local client unit in a game machine in which both units function. The communication between the net server unit and the net client unit includes data transmission / reception performed between the net server unit and the net client unit in a game machine in which both units function.

  The local network of the present invention may be an in-store LAN, and the group ID may be a store ID that identifies each store. Thereby, it is possible to realize a battle between stores as a group in the store.

The game machine information includes player information regarding a player who operates the corresponding game machine, and the game machine includes a store table in which the store ID and the store name are associated with each other,
When the player information acquisition unit (20) that acquires player information regarding the player who operates the player's own device and the matching notification are received, the player information and the store name are obtained based on the game machine information included in the matching notification. You may have a battle group notification part (25f) displayed on the game screen of the said local game as a battle group. Thus, the opponent information can be notified before the online battle game, and for example, when the player name is included in the player information, the real sense can be enhanced by displaying the player name. The player information is acquired by the player information acquisition unit. The player information is input directly to the player information acquisition unit via a keyboard or the like, and the player information held on a card or the like is used as the player information. There is a configuration in which reading is performed through an acquisition unit.

  The battle group notifying unit may stop the function of the local client unit and end the local game after displaying the battle group. Thereby, even if the local game is in the middle, the network battle game can be started immediately after receiving the matching notification.

  As described above, according to the present invention, a game machine as a local client in a local game is caused to transmit its own game machine information to a local server, and the game machine as a local server receives a plurality of received game machine information and A group matching request including a group ID is transmitted to the center server, and the center server is matched with at least two groups corresponding to the group matching requests received during a predetermined matching period as opponents, and the matching result and the net server By sending a matching notification indicating “” to each game machine, it is possible to provide a game system that allows entry into a network game in units of groups and allows competition in units of entered groups.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the game system GS of the present invention. The game system GS of this embodiment includes a center server CS and a plurality of game machines GA, GB, GC, GD. The center server CS and each game machine GA, GB, GC, GD can communicate via the Internet N. The game machine GA and game machine GB are provided in the store SP1 and can communicate via the store LANL1, and the game machine GC and game machine GD are provided in the store SP2 and can communicate via the store LANL2. Each of the game machines GA, GB, GC, and GD is operated by each of the players PA, PB, PC, and PD.

  Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to distinguish the game machines GA to GD, it is referred to as “game machine G”, and when it is not necessary to distinguish the players PA to PD, it is referred to as player P. When it is not necessary to distinguish between the stores SP1 and SP2, it is referred to as “store SP”, and when it is not necessary to distinguish between the stores LANL1 and L2, it is referred to as “store LAN”. The store SP may be provided with a store server, and the game machine G and the center server CS may communicate with each other via the store server.

  Each game machine G is given a game machine ID for identifying each game machine G in the store SP, and each shop SP is also given a shop ID for identifying each shop SP. . In the game system GS, for example, a local soccer game is provided as a local game between the game machines G in the same store SP, and for example, a network soccer game is provided as a network-type battle game between the game machines G in other stores SP. . Hereinafter, a soccer game as a network-type battle game is referred to as a “net battle game”, and a local game and a net battle game are collectively referred to as a “game”.

    In the present invention, when a local game is played by the player PA and the player PB in the store SP1 and a local game is played by the player PC and the player PD in the store SP2, the player GR and the player PB group GR1 and the player Provided is a net battle game in which a group battle is possible between a PC and a group GR2 of players PD. Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to distinguish the groups GR1 and GR2, they are referred to as “group GR”.

  A schematic configuration of hardware of the center server CS will be described with reference to FIG. The center server CS includes a server communication unit 10 for communicating with the game machine G, and a server control unit 11 that controls the operation of the center server CS. The server control unit 11 includes a CPU and a server storage area 12 necessary for its operation, and functions as a computer. The server storage area 12 stores a program for operating the center server CS, and the server control unit 11 mainly operates as a group matching unit 11a, a net server unit 11b, and a matching notification by operating the program. It functions as the part 11c.

  A schematic configuration of the hardware of the game machine G will be described with reference to FIG. The game machine G includes an operation input unit 20 that receives operations of the player P, a monitor 21 that displays a game screen and various messages, a speaker 22 that outputs game sound effects, and other game machines in the store SP. Control the operation of the game machine G, the local communication unit 23 for communicating with the G, the game machine communication unit 24 for communicating with the game machine G of the other store SP or the center server CS via the Internet N And a game machine control unit 25.

  The game machine control unit 25 includes a CPU and a game machine storage area 26 necessary for its operation, and functions as a computer. In the game machine storage area 26, a program for operating the game machine G is stored, and the game machine control unit 25 is mainly operated by the local server unit 25a, the local client unit 25b, the network by operating the program. It functions as a server unit 25c, a net client unit 25d, a local function determination unit 25e, and a battle group communication unit 25f. In the game machine storage area 26, in addition to the program, for example, a game machine ID of the own machine, a shop ID in which the own machine is provided, a store table in which all shop IDs and store names are associated, and the like. Data is stored.

 The group GR1 composed of the game machine GA and the game machine GB and the group GR2 composed of the game machine GC and the game machine GD are determined as opponents in the online battle game by the center server CS, and the online battle game is played. An outline of the processing procedure up to this point will be described with reference to FIGS. Since the same processing is performed in each of the groups GR1 and GR2, the group GR1 will be mainly described. The game machine GA and game machine GB are determined as opponents in the local matching process in the store SP1. In addition, any one game machine G is determined as a local server in the local game by the local matching process. The local matching process may be a conventionally known process for determining an opponent when a game is played between game machines in a store. Details of the local matching processing of this embodiment will be described later.

  Hereinafter, a case where the game machine GA is determined as a local server will be described. The game machine GA determined as a local server functions as a game server for local games by causing the local server unit 25a to function. Hereinafter, the game machine GA that functions as the local server unit 25a is referred to as a local server GA. When the local server GA is determined in the local matching process, player information regarding the player PB such as the game machine ID of the game machine GB and the nickname of the player PB is transmitted from the game machine GB to the local server GA as game machine information.

  The player information may be information input from the keyboard or the like to the game machine G by each player P when starting the local game, or from the player card of each player P to the game machine G via a card reader. It may be information to be read. Thereby, the keyboard and card reader as the operation input unit 20 function as a player information acquisition unit.

  The local server GA that has received the game machine information from another game machine GB generates group data 30 related to the group GR1 based on the received game machine information and its own game machine information, and a group matching request including the group data 30 MR1 is transmitted to the center server CS. As shown in FIG. 5, the group data 30 included in the matching request MR1 of the present embodiment includes a store ID 31 of the store SP1 as a group ID and two game machines GA and GA corresponding to the group GR1. The game machine IDs 32a and 32b and the player information 33a and 33b of the players PA and PB that operate the game machines GA and GB are included.

  When the group data 30 is transmitted to the center server CS, a local game using the local server GA as a game server is started between the game machine GA and the game machine GB. The function of the local server GA may be the function of a game server in a conventionally known local game system in which a battle game is played between game machines in the store. For example, the local server GA acquires operation information of each player PA, PB from the local client unit 25b of each game machine GA, GB, and updates the game situation according to the operation. The updated game situation is transmitted from the local server GA to the local client part 25b of each game machine GA, GB, and the local client part 25b of each game machine GA, GB depends on the game situation acquired from the center server CS, For example, the game screen is updated.

  On the other hand, in the store SP2, processing similar to that performed between the game machine GA and the game machine GB is performed between the game machine GC and the game machine GD. When the game machine GD is determined to be a local server, a group matching request MR2 including group data 30 ′ regarding the group GR2 is transmitted from the local server GD to the center server CS. As shown in FIG. 5, the group data 30 ′ included in the matching request MR2 includes a store ID 31 ′ of the store SP2 as a group ID and 2 corresponding to the game machine GC and the game machine GD constituting the group GR2. One game machine ID 32c, 32d and player information 33c, 33d of each player PC, PD are included. Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to distinguish the game machine IDs 32a to 32d, it is referred to as a game machine ID 32, and when it is not necessary to distinguish the player information 33a to 33d, it is referred to as player information 33.

  On the other hand, server matching processing is performed in the center server CS. In the server matching process, first, a matching request from the game machine G is accepted during an entry time of a predetermined time in order to match an opponent in the online battle game. The matching request received by the center server CS includes the group matching request for requesting matching in units of groups as described above and the single matching request for requesting matching by a single player alone. The single matching request may be generated by the same processing as the matching request in the conventionally known game system. The group matching request and the single matching request are collectively referred to as “matching request”.

  For example, when the plurality of game machine IDs 32 are included in the matching request, the center server CS determines the group matching request MR. When the group matching request MR1 is received, it is associated with another group matching request MR2, and the groups GR1 and GR2 corresponding to the group matching requests MR1 and MR2 are determined as opponents. Further, the center server CS determines a net server by using one game machine GA as a game server in the net battle game based on a predetermined condition from among the matched four game machines GA to GD. For example, the local server that has transmitted the group matching request MR first may be determined as a net server. Hereinafter, a case where the game machine GA is determined to be a net server will be described.

  When the net server is determined, the center server CS generates a matching notification 40. As shown in FIG. 5, group data 30 of group GR1, group data 30 ′ of group GR2, and net server information 41, which is information indicating a net server, are set in the matching notification 40 of this embodiment. The generated matching notification is transmitted to each of the game machines GA to GD included in the matched groups GR1 and GR2.

  In each game machine G that has received the matching notification 40, an online battle preparation process is performed. In the online match preparation process, first, based on the received matching notification 40, a message indicating that matching with the group GR of another store SP is displayed on the game screen of the local game. For example, in the game machine GA, the store name is specified from the store ID 31 ′ of the opponent group data 30 ′ included in the matching notification 40, and the nicknames of the opponent players PC and PD are specified from the player information 33 c and 33 d. Then, a matching message is displayed on the monitor 21, “Mr. XXX and Mr. YYYY of the XX store have been determined as opponents”. Similarly, in each game machine GB, GC, GD, a matching message based on the received matching notification 40 is displayed.

  In this embodiment, in each game machine G, a matching message is displayed, the local game is interrupted, and a net battle game is performed. On the other hand, if no opponent is found in the server matching process and matching is not performed, the local game is played until the game ends. Moreover, each game machine G can specify by the net server information 41 that the net server unit 25c of the game machine GA is a net server. Hereinafter, the game machine GA functioning as a net server is referred to as a “net server GA”.

  Upon receiving the matching notification 40, each game machine G causes the network client unit 25d to function, and transmits net game data required by the net server to the net server GA when executing the battle game. Then, when the start notification of the online battle game is transmitted from the net server GA to each game machine G, the online battle game is started on each game machine G. During the online battle game, the net server unit 25c of the game machine GA functions as a game server in the online battle game, and the net client unit 25d of each game machine G including the game machine GA functions as a game client of the online battle game. Each function may employ the functions of a game server and a game client for realizing a group battle in a conventionally known network game.

  For example, the net client unit 25d of each game machine G transmits operation information to the net server GA according to the operation of the player P. The net server GA updates the game situation based on the operation information of each player P, and transmits the game situation to the net client unit 25d of each game machine G. The network client unit 25d of the game machine G that has received the game situation updates the game situation of the own machine. Further, the net server GA adds the scores acquired by each of the game machines GA and GB to set the score of the group GR1, and adds the scores acquired by each of the game machines GC and GD to the group. It is managed as a score of GR2, and the victory or defeat between groups is determined.

  Server matching processing performed in the center server CS will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. The server matching process is executed by the server control unit 11. First, the entry time of the online competitive game is started in step S100, and then, in step S110, it is determined whether or not the entry time is over. When a predetermined time set as the entry time has elapsed, it is determined that the entry time has ended. When a negative determination is made in step S110, the process proceeds to step S120, and a matching request reception waiting state is entered.

  When a matching request is received, the process proceeds to step S130, where the received matching request is registered in the matching candidate storage area, and then the process returns to step S110. The matching candidate storage area is provided in the server storage area 12, for example. When an affirmative determination is made in step S110, the process proceeds to the matching execution process in step S140. In the matching execution processing, processing is performed so that the groups entered in the group become opponents and the players entered as single players become opponents. The matching execution process will be described later. When the matching execution process ends, the server matching process ends.

  The matching execution process will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, in step S200, it is determined whether or not there is an unprocessed matching request by referring to the matching candidate storage area. When a negative determination is made in step S200, it means that all matching request processing has been performed, and the matching execution processing is terminated. On the other hand, when a positive determination is made in step S200, the process proceeds to step S205. In step S205, it is determined whether the matching request to be processed is a group matching request. As described above, a group matching request is determined when a plurality of game machine IDs 32 are included.

  When step S205 is affirmed, the process proceeds to step S210 to determine whether another group matching request is registered in the matching candidate storage area. When a positive determination is made in step S210, the process proceeds to step S220, and the group GR corresponding to the two group matching requests is determined as the opponent. Thereby, the server control unit 11 functions as the group matching 11a. After the opponent is determined, in step S225, the game machine G functioning as a net server is determined from the matched game machines GA to GD. Thereby, the server control unit 11 functions as the net server determination unit 11b. Then, it progresses to step S230 and the matching notification 40 is produced | generated. The data included in the matching notification 40 is as shown in FIG. When the matching notification 40 is generated, the process proceeds to step S270. If a negative determination is made in step S210, the process returns to step S200 to process the next matching request without continuing the process of the group matching request to be processed.

  When a negative determination is made in step S205, it means that the matching request to be processed is a single matching request, so the process proceeds to step S240, and whether or not another single matching request is registered in the matching candidate storage area. Is judged. When a positive determination is made in step S240, the process proceeds to step S250, and players corresponding to the two single matching requests are determined as opponents. When the opponent is determined in step S250, a game machine functioning as a net server is determined in step S255. Subsequently, the process proceeds to step S260, and a matching notification 40 'is generated. The data included in the matching notification 40 ′ in this case is the same data as the matching notification 40 when the group GR is matched, but the game machine ID 32 and the player information 33 corresponding to the store IDs 30 and 30 ′ are respectively One by one. When the matching notification 40 ′ is generated, the process proceeds to step S270.

  In step S270, the matching notifications 40 and 40 ′ generated in step S230 or step S260 are transmitted to each game machine G corresponding to the matching notifications 40 and 40 ′. Then, after sending the matching notifications 40 and 40 ', the process returns to step S200. Through step S230 and step S270, the server control unit 11 functions as the matching notification unit 11c. On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in step S240, the processing returns to step S200 to process the next matching request without continuing the processing related to the matching request. As described above, in this embodiment, no particular processing is performed on the game machine ID corresponding to the matching request that has not been matched.

  Game machine processing performed by the game machine G that transmits the group matching request MR will be described with reference to FIGS. The game machine process is executed by the game machine control unit 25. First, the processing from when a predetermined local game start operation is performed by the player P on the game machine G until the local game is started will be described according to the flowchart shown in FIG. To do. First, in step S300, it is determined whether or not a battle request has been received from another game machine GB in the store SP1. If a negative determination is made, the process proceeds to step S310, and a battle request is broadcast at the store LANL1. The battle request includes at least the game machine ID 32a of the own machine GA.

    After that, in step S320, the apparatus enters a waiting state for receiving game machine information from another game machine G. For example, the game machine information transmitted from the game machine GB includes a game machine ID 32b of the game machine GB and player information 33b of the player PB. When the game machine information is received from the game machine GB, the process proceeds to step S325, and the own machine is set as a local server. That is, the local server unit 25a and the local client unit 25b of the own device GA are activated, and the local client unit 25b of the own device GA and the local client unit 25b of the game machine GB are set as transmission destinations of the game client.

  In the game machine GA in which the local server unit 25a and the local client unit 25b are activated, the local server unit 25a performs steps S330 and S340, and the local client unit 25b performs steps S365 and S370. In step S330, a group matching request MR1 is generated and the group matching request MR1 is transmitted to the center server CS. The data included in the group matching request MR1 is as described above (FIG. 5).

  When the group matching request MR1 is transmitted, the process proceeds to step S340, a local game start notification is transmitted to the game client unit 25b of each game machine GA, GB, and then the local game is started in step S350. In the local game in this case, the local server unit 25a of the game machine GA functions as a game server, and the local client unit 25b of the game machine GA and the local client unit 25b of the game machine GB function as a game client. On the other hand, when the result in step S300 is affirmative, the battle request is transmitted from the other game machine GB first, and the battle request is received. The process proceeds to step S360, and the local client unit 25b of the own machine GA is set. Start up and set the game machine GB as a local server. The local client unit 25b of the game machine GB executes subsequent steps S365 and S370.

  In step S365, game machine information including the game machine I32aD of the own machine GA and the player information 33a is transmitted to the local server GB. Subsequently, in step S370, the system waits for reception of a local game start notification from the local server GB. When the local game start notification is received, the process proceeds to step S350 to start the local game. In the local game in this case, the local server unit 25a of the game machine GB functions as a game server, and the local client unit 25b of the game machine GB and the local client unit 25b of the game machine GA function as a game client.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the game machine G that has transmitted the battle request first is determined as the local server. In step S300 to step S325 and step S360, either one of the game machine GA and the game machine GB is determined as a local server, and the opponent is matched, which corresponds to the above-described local matching process. The game control unit 25 functions as the local function determination unit 25e.

  A game machine process from the start of the local game on each game machine G to the start of the online battle game will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, in step S400, it is determined whether or not the matching notification 40 has been received from the center server CS. When an affirmative determination is made in step S400, the process proceeds to step S405, where the above-described matching message is generated based on the matching notification 40 and displayed on the monitor 21. Thereby, the game machine control unit 25 functions as the battle group notification unit 24f. Subsequently, in step S410, it is determined with reference to the net server information 41 of the matching notification 40 whether or not the own machine G is a net server.

  When an affirmative determination is made in step S410, the process proceeds to step S415 to start the own server server 25c and the client client unit 25d, set the player machine G as a network server, and each game machine G Is set as a net client. Then, the following steps S420 and S425 are executed by the net server unit 25c, and steps S435 and S440 are executed by the net client unit 25d.

  In step S420, the network game data is received from the game machine G of another store SP and the game machine G of the same store SP. Thereafter, a net battle start process is performed in step S425. In the net battle start process, information regarding the player P of each game machine G is set as a net server, and a net battle start notification is transmitted to the net client unit 25d of each game machine G. Thereafter, the online battle game is started. In the net battle game in this case, the net server unit 25c of the own device G functions as a game server, and the net client unit 25d of the own device G functions as a game client.

  If a negative determination is made in step S410, it means that the own machine G is not a net server, the process proceeds to step S430, and the game machine G indicated in the net server information 41 is set as a net server. The net client unit 25d is activated. The network client unit 25d of the own machine G executes Step S435 and Step S440. In step S435, the network game data is transmitted to the network server, and then the process proceeds to step S440 to enter a state of waiting for reception of the online battle start notification. Then, when a net battle start notification is received, the net battle game is started. In the net battle game in this case, the net client unit 25d of the own machine G functions as a game client.

  On the other hand, when a negative determination is made in step S400, the process proceeds to step S445 to determine whether or not the local game is over. If it is not the end of the game, the process returns to step S400, and if it is the end of the game, the process proceeds to step S450 and a game end process of the local game is performed. In this game end process, for example, the winning and losing are determined by comparing the scores of the game machine GA and the game machine GB that have played in the store SP1. As described above, when the matching notification is not received, the local game is executed until the end.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and may be implemented in various forms. For example, if the local game is configured to be executed between three or more players, the number of players included in the group GR, that is, the number of players who perform the local game may be plural. If the game is a net battle game configured to be possible, the group GR of three pairs may be matched by the group matching unit of the center server CS. Furthermore, when the net battle game is configured so that the number of players constituting each group may not be constant, the number of players included in the group matched by the center server CS may not be the same. . The group GR may be configured such that a local server gives a group ID for identifying each group, with a plurality of game machines G on which a local game is executed as a group instead of a store unit.

  For identification of the group matching request, for example, information indicating that a group is requested as an opponent may be added to the matching request. When net game data is included in the game machine information, transmission / reception of net game data before the start of the online battle game may not be performed. Player information such as a nickname is registered in the center server CS, the player data is included in the group data as player information, the registered player information based on the player ID is specified in the center server CS, and the player information is stored. You may comprise so that it may set to a matching notification. The local game and the online game may not be a soccer game.

The figure which shows an example of a structure of the game system of this invention. The figure which shows schematic structure of the hardware of the central server shown in FIG. The figure which shows schematic structure of a hardware in the game machine shown in FIG. The sequence diagram which shows the outline of the procedure of the process performed between a center server and each game machine. The figure which shows the data structure of a matching request | requirement and a matching notification. The flowchart which shows the flow of the process performed in a server matching process. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing performed in the matching execution processing shown in FIG. The flowchart which shows the flow of the process performed by a game machine process. The flowchart which shows the continuation of the game machine process shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

GS game system CS center server GA, GB, GC, GD, G game machine SP1, SP2, SP store GR1, GR2, GR group 11a group matching unit 11b net server determination unit 11c matching communication unit 25a local server unit 25b local client unit 25c Net server part 25d Net client part

Claims (4)

A plurality of game machines connected to each of a plurality of local networks, and a center server capable of communicating with each of the plurality of game machines via an open network are provided, and each of the game machines is connected via the open network. Communication with other game machines in another local network, a local game is played between a plurality of game machines in the local network, and the open network is connected between a plurality of game machines matched by the center server. A game system in which a network battle game is used,
Each game machine is
A local function determining unit that determines whether or not the local machine is a local server that is a game server in the local game at the start of the local game;
When determined as the local server in the local function determination unit, a local server unit that causes the device to function as the local server;
A local client unit that communicates with the local server unit to cause the device to function as a local client that is a game client in the local game;
In the matching notification transmitted from the center server, when the own device is indicated as a net server that is a game server of the network battle game, a net server unit that causes the own device to function as the net server;
When receiving a matching notification from the center server, and having a network client unit that functions as a network client that is a game client in the network battle game,
The local client unit
Transmitting game machine information including at least a game machine ID for identifying the own machine to the local server unit;
The local server unit is
Generate a group matching request including a plurality of received game machine information and a group ID for identifying a plurality of game machines that are transmission sources of the plurality of game machine information as one group, and transmit the group matching request to the center server.
The net server unit controls the progress of the network battle game in which a plurality of game machines associated with the group IDs included in the matching notification transmitted from the center server are grouped into one group. And
The center server is
A group matching unit that matches a group corresponding to at least two of the group matching requests received during a predetermined matching period as an opponent;
A net server determining unit that determines the net server from a plurality of game machines matched by the group matching unit;
A matching notification including net server information indicating a game machine determined as the net server, a group ID of a matched group, and game machine information of a plurality of game machines corresponding to each group ID, A game system, comprising: a matching notification unit that transmits to each of a plurality of game machines.   The game system according to claim 1, wherein the local network is an in-store LAN, and the group ID is a store ID for identifying each store. The game machine information includes player information related to a player who operates the corresponding game machine,
The game machine
A store table in which the store ID is associated with a store name;
A player information acquisition unit for acquiring player information relating to a player operating the own device;
When receiving the matching notification, based on the game machine information included in the matching notification, the game information of the local game is displayed on the game screen of the local game with the player information and the store name as a battle group. The game system according to claim 2. The battle group notification unit
The game system according to claim 3, wherein after displaying the battle group, at least a function of the local client unit is stopped to end the local game.

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