JP2013056193A - Game server, game system, game management method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game server in which a game element capable of improving power in a multiplayer game is expanded than ever before to achieve a game having an increased excitement and enjoyment further.SOLUTION: The game server includes: a player existence determination means 66 for determining whether a player exists in a predetermined area (such as a baseball field) in the real world at a predetermined time slot; a power enhancement information generation means 67 for generating power enhancement information for enhancing the power at a play of the multiplayer game, when the player existence determination means 66 determines that the player exists in the predetermined area at the predetermined time period; and a download means 68 for downloading the power enhancement information generated by the power enhancement information generation means 67 to a terminal device of the player.

Description

  The present invention relates to a game server, a game system, a game management method, and a program for managing information about players.

  In recent years, a game system that realizes a game in which a plurality of players battle each other via the Internet or a single player battles against a computer is popular. In addition, there are some which receive a signal from a GPS (Global Positioning System) satellite, acquire current position information, and use this for a game (for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).

  Such games include various games such as baseball, soccer, martial arts, and car racing. In such a game, the player usually advances the game by operating a character displayed on the screen of a game machine (or a personal computer or the like). Among such games, there is a game in which the player's own strength in the battle game is improved when the player achieves a certain result in the battle game, such as when the player wins the battle. In this way, by improving the strength of the battle game, the interest of the game is enhanced.

JP 2002-273034 A JP 2004-261217 A

  However, in the conventional game system, the strength can be improved only when a character operation is performed by the player and a certain result is achieved in the battle game. That is, the improvement of the strength in the battle game depends only on the skill, operation amount, or operation time of the player's character operation, and a new development in this respect is desired.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to realize a more interesting game by expanding game elements that can improve strength in a battle game. To do.

  (1) A game server according to one aspect of the present invention is a game server that is communicably connected to a terminal device of a player capable of playing a battle game, and the player enters a predetermined area of the real world in a predetermined time zone. A player presence / absence determination unit that determines whether or not the player is present and a player's presence / absence determination unit determine the strength in the case of executing the battle game when the player determines that the player exists in the predetermined area during the predetermined time period. The strength improvement information generating means for generating strength improvement information for improvement, and the strength improvement information generated by the strength improvement information generation means can be moved to the terminal device of the player or the terminal device. Distribution means for distributing to a communication device.

  According to said structure, the diversification of the means for improving the fighting power of the team and character which competes can be aimed at, and the interestingness which is not in the past can be provided. In other words, conventionally, the means for improving the strength depends on the operation amount or operation time of the player's character operation, or is limited to a case where a certain result (win or the like) is achieved in the battle game. However, in this configuration, the game player is given an opportunity to improve the strength of the team or character by actually going to a predetermined area in the real world. Specifically, for example, in the case of a baseball game, the player's terminal device or the terminal device receives the strength improvement information so that the player can enjoy the merit of improving the strength by going to a predetermined baseball field in the real world. The strength improvement information is distributed to a movable communication device.

  This will be described in sequence according to the above-described configuration. The strength improvement information for improving the strength when the battle game is executed in the in-game battle area is delivered to the player's terminal device directly or via the communication device. (Management unit). The game server that generates and distributes the strength improvement information includes a player presence / absence determination unit that determines whether or not the player exists in a predetermined area of the real world in a predetermined time period. The strength improvement information is generated when it is determined that the player exists in the predetermined area in the predetermined time zone. Thereby, for example, when a player goes to a baseball game in a predetermined baseball field in the real world (by going to a predetermined area at a predetermined time during which a baseball game is played), the game is played in the in-game battle area. Sometimes it is possible to receive distribution of strength improvement information for improving strength.

  As described above, according to the present configuration, a strong link between the real world and the game can be obtained by extending the means for improving the strength of teams and characters previously limited only in the game to the real world. Is born, and it is possible to provide an unprecedented game characteristic that can be provided with an unprecedented fun. In addition, the more the player goes to a predetermined area in the real world (baseball field in the above example), the more the player can improve his / her strength and the higher the chance of winning. Therefore, since the player can increase the number of chances by his / her own intention, it becomes possible to enjoy a completely new way of enjoying that is not possible in the past, and a highly entertaining game can be realized.

  (2) In the above-described configuration, the strength improvement information generated by the strength improvement information generation means includes information on a plurality of options having different strength improvement contents. It is preferable to increase the number of options as the number of times or the frequency of visiting the predetermined area increases.

  According to the above configuration, for example, in a baseball game, “(1) improve the ability of all the characters that make up the team uniformly by 5%”, “(2) appoint a special character (helper) with a predetermined high ability”, “(3) Improvement of team level (upgrading the entire team)”, “(4) Improving the ability of three characters by 15% by arbitrary (selection) of players”, “(5) Battery (pitcher and catcher) The player can select from a plurality of choices such as “Improve only the character's ability by 20%”, “(6) The player selects one of the attack ability and the defense ability, and the selected ability is improved by 10% for all player characters”. Can select the content of strength improvement. Also, for example, when the player first visits the real world baseball field, a part of the options (1) to (6) (for example, only (1) to (3)) can be selected. It is also possible to increase the number of selectable options as the number of times (or frequency) the player walks to the baseball field increases. In the case of this strength improvement information mode, the player can be given the right to select the strength improvement content (decision right), so the interest can be enhanced.

  (3) In the configuration of (1) or (2), the player presence / absence determining means receives the current position information and current time information of the player from the terminal device or the communication device, and the received current position information and It is preferable to determine whether or not the player exists in the predetermined area in the predetermined time zone based on the current time information.

  According to the above configuration, when the player carries the terminal device or the communication device and visits the predetermined area in the predetermined time zone, the player presence / absence determination means can detect the current position information received from the terminal device or the communication device (for example, In order to determine whether or not the player exists in the predetermined area in the predetermined time zone based on the latitude and longitude information by GPS positioning) and the current time information, whether or not the player exists in the predetermined area in the predetermined time zone is determined. A configuration that allows easy and reliable determination can be realized.

  (4) In the configuration of (1) or (2), the player presence determination means receives presence fact information indicating the fact that the player exists in a predetermined area in a predetermined time zone from the terminal device or the communication device. It is preferable to determine whether or not the player exists in the predetermined area in the predetermined time zone based on the received existence fact information.

  According to said structure, if a player carries a terminal device or a communication apparatus and goes to a predetermined area in a predetermined time slot | zone, the said player presence determination means will be based on the presence fact information received from the terminal device or the communication apparatus. Then, it is determined whether or not the player exists in the predetermined area during the predetermined time period. Here, the existence fact information is information indicating the fact that the player exists in the predetermined area in a predetermined time zone. For example, the image cannot be captured, acquired or confirmed unless the player goes to the predetermined area in the real world in the predetermined time zone. , Image information, barcode information, or character / number / symbol information such as secret words and passwords. Thereby, the structure which can determine easily and reliably whether a player exists in a predetermined area in a predetermined time slot | zone can be implement | achieved.

  (5) A game system according to one aspect of the present invention is a game system including a terminal device of a player capable of playing a battle game and a management unit connected to be communicable with the terminal device. When the player exists in the predetermined area in the predetermined time zone by the player presence determining means for determining whether or not the player exists in the predetermined area in the real world and the player presence determining means. When judged, the strength improvement information generating means for generating strength improvement information for improving the strength in the case of executing the battle game, and the strength improvement information generated by the strength improvement information generating means Distribution means for delivering the strength improvement information to the terminal device or a communication device capable of moving to the terminal device, the terminal device comprising the strength improvement information. Based on, and a strength improvement means for improving the strength.

  (6) In the configuration of the game system, it is preferable that the terminal device displays the strength improvement information on a screen and confirms whether or not the strength improvement information is used with a player.

  The terminal device displays the strength improvement information distributed from the game server, for example, as a strength improvement card. Thereby, the player recognizes that he can enjoy the merit of improving his / her strength. The strength improvement information is not limited to being displayed on the screen as a strength improvement card, and the player may recognize that the strength improvement information has been received by other screen display. For example, a symbol having a shape such as a ball or a bat It may be a display, a character string or a symbol, or a combination thereof. Since the terminal device confirms with the player whether or not the strength improvement information is used, the player can determine when the strength is to be improved.

  (7) In the configuration of (5) or (6), the player presence / absence determining means receives the current position information and current time information of the player from the terminal device or the communication device, and the received current position information and It is preferable to determine whether or not the player exists in the predetermined area in the predetermined time zone based on the current time information.

  (8) In the configuration of (5) or (6), the player presence determination means receives presence fact information indicating the fact that the player exists in a predetermined area during a predetermined time period from the terminal device or the communication device. It is preferable to determine whether or not the player exists in the predetermined area in the predetermined time zone based on the received existence fact information.

  (9) A game management method according to one aspect of the present invention is a game management method of a game server that is communicably connected to a terminal device of a player capable of playing a battle game. According to the player existence determination step in which the game server determines whether or not it exists in a predetermined area in the world, and the game server determines that the player exists in the predetermined area in the predetermined time zone by the player existence determination step. The strength improvement information generating step for generating strength improvement information for improving the strength in the case of executing the battle game, and the game server, the strength improvement information generated by the strength improvement information generation step, A distribution step of distributing the strength improvement information to the terminal device of the player or the communication device capable of moving to the terminal device; And Nde.

  (10) A program according to one aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to operate as a game server that is communicably connected to a terminal device of a player capable of playing a battle game. When it is determined by the player presence / absence determining means for determining whether or not the player exists in a predetermined area in the real world during the predetermined time zone, and the player presence / absence determining means determines that the player exists in the predetermined area during the predetermined time zone. In addition, strength improvement information generating means for generating strength improvement information for improving the strength in the case of executing a battle game, the strength improvement information generated by the strength improvement information generation means, the terminal device of the player or the Pro for causing the terminal device to function as a distribution means for distributing the strength improvement information to a movable communication device It is a lamb.

  It is possible to diversify the means for improving the fighting power of teams and characters that play against each other, and to provide an unprecedented fun. In other words, conventionally, the means for improving the strength depends on the operation amount or operation time of the player's character operation, or is limited to a case where a certain result (win or the like) is achieved in the battle game. However, in this configuration, the game player is given an opportunity to improve the strength of the team or character by actually going to a predetermined area in the real world. For this reason, a strong link between the real world and the game is born, and it is possible to provide an unprecedented novel game characteristic and realize a very interesting game.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the whole structure of the game system which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the game server which comprises the game system which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the terminal device which comprises the game system which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is a functional block diagram of the control part of the game server which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is a functional block diagram of the control part in the terminal device which comprises the game system which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the other example of another whole structure of the game system which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the screen transition in the terminal device which comprises the game system which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the screen transition in the terminal device which comprises the game system which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the main operation | movement of the game system which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the game operation | movement in the terminal device which comprises the game system which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the other example of another whole structure of the game system which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is a functional block diagram of the communication apparatus which comprises the game system which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is a functional block diagram of the terminal device which comprises the game system which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the other example of another whole structure of the game system which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is a functional block diagram of the communication apparatus which comprises the game system which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is a functional block diagram of the terminal device which comprises the game system which concerns on one embodiment of this invention.

  The present invention relates to a game system for causing a computer to implement a game in which a player operates a character displayed on a screen, a control method for the game system, and a program. A game system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[Overview of network game system]
In this game system, the player operates the character displayed on the screen to execute the game, and can improve the strength in the battle game. The game element that can improve this strength is an extremely important element in enhancing the interest of the game. If the game element can be expanded further than before, a more interesting game system will be realized. it can. Therefore, in this game system, the game player goes to a predetermined area in the real world with a game element that can improve the strength that has been dependent only on the skill, operation amount, or operation time of the character operation of the game player so far. This is possible. For example, in the case of a sports game, it is possible for the game player to have an opportunity to improve his / her own strength in the game by going to a real-world sports stadium (for example, a baseball stadium for a baseball game). And

  That is, in this game system, if a game player visits a predetermined area in the real world (for example, a baseball field during a baseball game in the real world) during a predetermined time, You can get an opportunity to improve your own strength in the game.

  In this game system, a predetermined area in the real world is linked to an in-game battle area, and if the game player visits the predetermined area in the real world in a predetermined time zone, then the player will When a battle game is executed in the in-game battle area corresponding to the area, the player's own strength is improved and the winning rate can be improved as compared to before going to the predetermined area in the real world.

  There are various types of games that can be realized by this game system. In this embodiment, a baseball game will be described as an example. A baseball game is a game in which general baseball rules are applied to compete for scores. For example, when the first team selected by the player A who operates the terminal device A of the game system and the second team selected by the player B of the terminal device B play, the pitcher character operated by the player A selects the ball object. The player hits the ball object thrown by the batter character operated by the player B. In addition, the fielder character operated by the player A catches or throws the ball object after the hit, and the runner character operated by the player B performs the scolding. In this way, in the baseball game, general baseball rules are applied, and player A and player B compete for scores while changing the offense and defense. It is also possible for one player to execute a baseball game by automatic control by a CPU based on an AI program (Artificial Intelligence Program).

  An example of improving the player's own strength on the game is to improve the ability of the character operated by the player. In particular, in a battle game between teams organized by a plurality of characters, such as a baseball game, the ability of all or part of the characters constituting the team is improved, or a special character having a predetermined high ability is used. By incorporating it into the team, you can improve your strength.

With regard to the ability of a character to improve strength, examples of the ability of a character in a baseball game are a ball speed representing the pitcher's ability, ball control power, stamina, etc. if the character is a pitcher, and a fielder if the character is a fielder. These are batting power, running power, defensive power, etc. For example, characters that subdivide their abilities are subdivided into straight (straight ball) control force and change ball control force, and hitting power is divided into long hitting force and meat hitting force. You may increase all or part of your ability to improve your strength.
Hereinafter, the configuration of the game system will be described in detail.

[Overall configuration of game system]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of the game system 100. The game system 100 includes a game server 101 (management unit) and a terminal device 102 that is communicably connected to the game server 101.

  The player plays a game by operating a character displayed on the screen by image display means (described later) of the terminal device 102. The terminal device 102 operated by the player is configured by a known home game machine, portable game machine, portable information terminal, cellular phone, personal computer, or the like.

  In the game system 100, each terminal device 102 is given a terminal ID for uniquely identifying each terminal device 102. Further, each player who operates each terminal device 102 is given a player ID for identifying each player. The game server 101 manages information related to each terminal device 102 and each player by transmitting and receiving data to and from each terminal device 102 in association with the identification information (terminal ID and player ID). To do.

  The game server 101 and the terminal device 102 are connected to be communicable with each other by combining one or a plurality of communication paths such as a mobile communication line, a public line, a dedicated line, a LAN, and the Internet.

  The configurations of the game server 101 and the terminal device 102 in the game system 100 will be described in detail below.

[Configuration of each device in the game system]
As shown in FIG. 3, the terminal device 102 includes a control unit 10 a, a display image processing unit 20 a, an audio reproduction unit 30 a, an external input / output control unit 40 a, and a communication unit 50 a, which are connected to each other by a bus 5. Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 10 a controls the overall operation of the terminal device 102, and an information processing unit (CPU) that performs various information processing in addition to processing related to the overall progress of the game and image display processing. 11a, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 12a for temporarily storing information in the middle of processing, and a ROM 13a in which various programs are stored in advance, and these are connected to each other via a bus 5. .

  The ROM 13a stores operation system (OS) program data, game data including image data, audio data, and various program data. Examples of the image data recorded in the ROM 13a include data such as a player character (a pitcher character, a batter character, a fielder character, a runner character), a background image, images of various operation screens and setting screens, and the like. The image data of the player character and the like is composed of a required number of polygons constituting them so that three-dimensional drawing is possible.

  The CPU 11a reads out image data, audio data, control program data, game program data, and the like from the ROM 13a based on an operating system recorded in the built-in or removable ROM 13a. Part or all of the read data is held on the RAM 12a. Thereafter, the CPU 11a performs various data processing based on the control program and various data (image data including display object polygons, textures, other character images, audio data, etc.) stored on the RAM 12a.

  The data processing includes calculation processing in a three-dimensional space, position conversion calculation processing from a three-dimensional space to a pseudo three-dimensional space, light source calculation processing, image and sound data generation processing, and the like. It is.

  Of various data stored in the ROM 13a, data that can be stored in a removable recording medium may be readable by various drive units such as a hard disk drive, an optical disk drive, a flexible disk drive, and a cassette medium reader. In this case, as a recording medium, for example, a hard disk, an optical disk (CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, UMD, etc.), a flexible disk, a semiconductor memory, a ROM cassette, or a cartridge for a home video game apparatus can be used.

  The display image processing unit 20a includes an interface circuit, a D / A converter (Digital-To-Analog converter), and the like. In accordance with an image display instruction from the CPU 11a, image data written in the RAM 12a, image data read from the ROM 13a, etc. Is displayed on a monitor 21a such as a liquid crystal display.

  The voice output unit 30a generates voice messages, sound effects, music data, and the like to be generated in the course of the game according to instructions from the CPU 11a, and outputs them to the speaker 31a.

  The external input / output control unit 40a includes an interface circuit and the like, and is between the control unit 10a and the input operation unit 41a, between the control unit 10a and the card reader / writer 42a, or between the control unit 10a and a GPS positioning unit 43a described later. Data input / output control with For example, the external input / output control unit 40a converts an operation detection signal input from the input operation unit 41a into a digital signal that can be processed by the control unit 10a. The input operation unit 41a includes a keyboard, a mouse, a controller / button for a home video game device, and an imaging device (camera) for inputting image information, for the player to input various operation commands.

  The communication unit 50a includes a communication information interface circuit, a communication modem, and the like, and transmits / receives various data to / from the game server 101 and other opponent terminal devices 102 via a communication path such as the Internet. Is to do.

  Next, the configuration of the game server 101 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the game server 101 is a computer including a server control unit 10c and a server communication unit 50c.

  The server control unit 10c controls the overall operation of the game server 101. An information processing unit (CPU) 160, a RAM 170 that temporarily stores information during processing, a predetermined program, and the like are stored in advance. ROM 180 and an auxiliary storage unit 190 such as a hard disk device or an optical disk device. The operation system (OS), various programs, and various setting data recorded in the ROM 180 and the auxiliary storage unit 190 are loaded on the RAM 170, and the programs on the RAM 170 are sequentially executed by the CPU 160, whereby various functions of the game server 101 are performed. Is realized.

  The server communication unit 50c includes a communication information interface circuit, a communication modem, and the like, and transmits and receives various data to and from the information providing server 102 and each terminal device 102 via a communication path such as the Internet.

  Next, functional configurations of the game server 101 and the terminal device 102 will be described below. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the server control unit 10 c in the game server 101. FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of the control unit 10 a in the terminal device 102.

  First, main functions of the game server 101 will be described. The game server 101 includes a login authentication function, a player presence / absence determination function, a strength improvement information generation function, a strength improvement information distribution function, and the like.

  The login authentication function is a function for performing login authentication by determining whether each user has access qualifications when each user operates each terminal device 102 to log in to the game server 101. For example, in the case of a game of membership system online service, membership authentication is performed.

  The player presence / absence determining function is a function for determining whether or not the player exists in the baseball field (predetermined area) during a time zone (predetermined time zone) in which a real-world baseball game is played. This function is realized by communication between the terminal device 102 that the player brings to the baseball field in the real world and the game server 101. Details of this function will be described later.

  The strength improvement information generation function is a case where a battle game is executed in an in-game battle area (in-game baseball stadium) corresponding to a predetermined area in the real world (a baseball field in the case of a baseball game) where the player actually visited This is a function for generating strength improvement information for improving strength.

  The strength improvement information distribution function is a function for distributing the strength improvement information generated by the above strength improvement information generation function to the terminal device 102 of the player. Details of a configuration for realizing each of these functions will be described later.

  In addition, the game server 101 may include a matching function, a battle management function, a capability evaluation level (virtual rank, reward, honor, grade, etc.) management function, and the like as other functions. The matching function is a function for determining a combination of opponents from a match request terminal group made up of a plurality of terminal devices 102 requesting a match via the Internet. With the battle management function, when a battle game is being executed between a plurality of terminal devices 102, the communication status of each terminal device 102 is checked until the battle game is ended, and whether or not the battle is ongoing is managed. It is a function to do. The ability evaluation level management function determines the ability evaluation level (virtual rank, reward, honor, grade, etc.) to be given to each player by cumulatively evaluating the game results of each player to date, This is a function for managing the capability evaluation level in association with identification information (terminal ID or player ID) of each terminal device 102. Further, the game server 101 may have a function of calculating the global ranking, the national ranking, or the ranking within a specific region based on the ability evaluation level of each player.

  Note that the login authentication function, the player presence / absence determination function, the attribute change information generation function, the attribute change information distribution function, the matching function, the battle management function, and the ability evaluation level management function are realized somewhere in the game system 100. Therefore, the game server 101 is not necessarily realized. For example, a part of these functions can be separated and realized as a plurality of function-distributed servers. In the present embodiment, for convenience, a configuration example will be described in which the game server 101 has all these functions, and the game server 101 performs unified management.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the server control unit 10 c of the game server 101 includes login management means 61, player information storage means 65, player presence / absence determination means 66, strength improvement information generation means 67, and distribution means 68.

  The login management unit 61 receives identification information (personal information such as a terminal ID and a player ID) of each terminal device 102 when each player operates each terminal device 102 to log in to the game server 101. The login management means 61 accepts the login of each player by collating the terminal ID and the player ID based on the player information stored in the player information storage means 65, and implements the above-described login authentication function. .

  The login management means 61 includes a current position information receiving unit 62, a current time information receiving unit 63, and an existence fact information receiving unit 64. The current position information receiving unit 62 receives the current position information transmitted from the terminal device 102 after the login authentication is performed, and outputs the current position information to the player existence determination unit 66. The current time information receiving unit 63 receives the current time information transmitted from the terminal device 102 after the login authentication is performed, and outputs the current time information to the player existence determination unit 66. The presence fact information receiving unit 64 receives the presence fact information transmitted from the terminal device 102 after the login authentication is performed, and outputs the presence fact information to the player presence determination means 66.

  Here, the current position information is information indicating the current position (latitude and longitude) of the terminal device 102 of the player. The current time information is information indicating the time at which the player's terminal device 102 acquired the current position information. Based on the current position information and current time information, the player carrying the terminal device 102 can recognize the actual location and time.

  The existence fact information is a fact that a player carrying the terminal device 102 exists in a baseball field (predetermined area) during a time zone (predetermined time zone) in which a real-world baseball game is played. It is information to show. Specific examples include image information, bar code information, secret characters and numbers such as passwords and passwords, etc. that cannot be captured, captured or confirmed without going to the baseball field during the time of a real-world baseball game. Symbol information and the like.

  In addition, in this Embodiment, although the game server 101 has illustrated the structure which comprises all the present location information receiving parts 62, the present time information receiving part 63, and the existence fact information receiving part 64, among these, A configuration including only the current position information receiving unit 62 and the current time information receiving unit 63 or a configuration including only the existence fact information receiving unit 64 may be used.

  Based on the current position information and the current time information, the player presence / absence determination means 66 is present at a predetermined baseball field during a time when the player carrying the terminal device 102 is playing a real-world baseball game. Judge whether to do. That is, the player presence / absence determining means 66 stores game time zone information and baseball field area information in which a real-world baseball game is being held in a predetermined storage area in advance, and the game time zone information and baseball field area By comparing the information with the current position information and the current time information received from the terminal device 102, it is possible to determine whether or not the player is present on the baseball field during the time when the real-world baseball game is being played. It is like that. The above game time zone information and baseball field area information are input to the game server 101 and stored in a predetermined storage area after the baseball game schedule in the real world is determined and before the game starts. ing.

  For example, in a baseball game having 12 in-game battle areas (in-game stadium in a virtual space) linked to a baseball stadium of 12 baseball teams in Japanese professional baseball, Information on the baseball game time zone and baseball field area information to be held in the real world is input to the game server 101 and stored in a predetermined storage area. Similarly, in a baseball game having 30 in-game competition areas linked to the home ground baseball field of the 30 baseball teams in the major league, a real-world baseball game held at the baseball field of the home base of the 30 baseball teams. Game time zone information and baseball field area information are input and stored in the game server 101.

  The player presence / absence determining means 66 of the present embodiment is arranged such that a player carrying the terminal device 102 enters a predetermined baseball field at some point included in a time zone in which a real-world baseball game is held. If the presence can be confirmed, it can be determined that the player exists in the baseball field during the game time zone. In this case, if the terminal device 102 logs in the game server 101 only once and transmits the current position information and current time information to the game server 101 only once, the player presence / absence determination means 66 causes the player to play baseball during the game time zone. It can be determined whether or not it exists in the field.

  As a variation of the determination condition of the player presence / absence determination means 66, on the condition that the player exists in the baseball field from the start of the real-world baseball game (or from the predetermined time after the game starts) to the end of the game. , It may be determined that the player exists in the baseball field during the match time period. In this case, if the terminal device 102 logs in to the game server 101, the login state is continued until the end of the game, and the current position information and the current time information are periodically transmitted to the game server 101. 66 can determine whether or not the player exists in the baseball field during the match time period (until the end of the match). Alternatively, the terminal device 102 logs into the game server 101 at the start of the game (or within a predetermined time after the game starts), transmits the current position information and current time information to the game server 101, and then temporarily cancels the login state and ends the game. If the current position information and the current time information are transmitted to the game server 101 again by logging in to the game server 101 again at a time (or within a predetermined time after the game is finished), the player presence / absence determination means 66 allows the player to It can be determined whether or not it exists in the baseball field (until the end of the game).

  Also, the player presence / absence judging means 66 is based on the above-mentioned existence fact information (image information, barcode information, character / number / symbol information, etc.), and the player carrying the terminal device 102 plays a baseball game in the real world. It is determined whether or not the player exists in the baseball stadium during the time zone where the game is held. That is, the player presence / absence determination means 66 stores in advance a fact information for each baseball game in the real world in a predetermined storage area, and the presence fact information stored in advance and the presence fact received from the terminal device 102. By comparing with the information, it is possible for the player to determine whether or not the player exists in the baseball field during a time zone in which a real-world baseball game is being played. The existence fact information for each baseball game is input to the game server 101 and stored in a predetermined storage area after the baseball game schedule in the real world is determined and before the start of the game. Yes.

  The player presence / absence determination means 66 outputs the determination result to the strength improvement information generation means 67 and the distribution means 68 when it is determined that the player exists in a predetermined baseball field during a time zone in which a real-world baseball game is played. To do. In addition, the player presence / absence determination unit 66 also outputs information of the terminal device 102 of the player who is the distribution destination to the distribution unit 68.

  When the player presence / absence determination unit 66 determines that the player is present in a predetermined baseball field during the time when the real-world baseball game is being played, the strength improvement information generation unit 67 Strength improvement information is generated for improving the strength when a battle game is executed in the battle area (in-game stadium). Therefore, the strength improvement information includes information (ball field ID) for identifying the baseball field where the player has visited.

  The strength improvement information generation unit 67 includes a strength improvement information storage unit 67a that stores the generated strength improvement information in association with player identification information (terminal ID or player ID). Then, the strength improvement information generation unit 67 outputs the strength improvement information stored in the strength improvement information storage unit 67 a to the distribution unit 68.

  The distribution means 68 distributes the strength improvement information to the terminal device 102 of the player that is determined to be present on the baseball field during the time zone in which the real-world baseball game is being played by the player existence determination means 66.

  As the strength improvement information generated by the strength improvement information generation means 67 and distributed by the distribution means 68 to the terminal device 102, there are mainly two modes. One is the mode that contains strength improvement content that whether advance what strength improvement in strength improvement information itself that is distributed from the game server 101 to the terminal device 102 is made. For example, “Improving the abilities of all the characters that make up a team by a predetermined rate (for example, 5%)”, “The abilities of some of the characters that make up a team (for example, battery) are set to a predetermined rate (for example, 20%) Specific strength improvement content such as “improve only” or “a special character (helper) having a predetermined high ability can be appointed” is included in the strength improvement information. In this case, the terminal device 102 that receives the strength improvement information reflects the strength improvement content uniquely specified by the game server 101 in accordance with the strength improvement information.

  As another aspect of the strength improvement information, instead of including the strength improvement contents that the game server 101 uniquely specifies in advance in the strength improvement information, the strength improvement information for improving the strength is used as a trigger (permission information). A mode is conceivable in which the terminal device 102 that receives the strength improvement information causes the player to select arbitrary strength improvement content from a plurality of options with different strength enhancement details. For example, “(1) Improve the ability of all the characters that make up a team uniformly 5%”, “(2) Appoint a special character (helper) with a predetermined high ability”, “(3) Improve the team level (team Overall rank up) ”,“ (4) Arbitrary (selection) of the players to improve the abilities of the three characters by 15% ”,“ (5) Improve only the abilities of the battery (pitcher and catcher) characters by 20% ”, The player can select the strength improvement content from a plurality of options such as “(6) The player selects one of the attack ability and the defense ability and the selected ability is improved by 10% for all player characters”. Also, for example, when the player first visits the real world baseball field, a part of the options (1) to (6) (for example, only (1) to (3)) can be selected. It is also possible to increase the number of selectable options as the number of times (or frequency) the player walks to the baseball field increases. In this case, the strength improvement information includes information on selectable options. In the case of this strength improvement information mode, the player can be given the right to select the strength improvement content (decision right), so the interest can be enhanced. In the present embodiment, an explanation will be given focusing on an aspect in which a player can be given the right to select content for improving strength.

  In the form of distribution to the terminal device 102 of the player by the distribution means 68, the terminal device of the player on the stadium immediately after the real-world baseball game ends and the strength improvement information generation means 67 generates the strength improvement information. A mode in which the distribution means 68 distributes the strength improvement information to 102 can be considered. For example, when the terminal device 102 has an e-mail (or mobile phone mail) receiving function, the distribution unit 68 may transmit the strength improvement information to the player's terminal device 102 as an attached file such as an e-mail. Alternatively, the distribution unit 68 notifies the player's terminal device 102 that the strength improvement information has been generated by e-mail or the like, and if the player who has received the notification logs into the game server 101 by operating the terminal device 102, the distribution unit 68 The form may be such that the strength improvement information is distributed from the means 68 to the terminal device 102.

  Alternatively, when the player's terminal device 102 is logged in to the end of the game for the presence / absence determination by the player presence / absence determination means 66 (or the player's terminal device 102 is played in the game at the end of the game or within a predetermined time after the game ends) In the case of login connection to the server 101), the distribution unit 68 may distribute the strength improvement information to the terminal device 102 in the login state.

  Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 6, the player's terminal device is provided via a strength improvement information distribution terminal 105 installed at a predetermined location (for example, near the entrance / exit of the baseball field) in the baseball field where the player has visited. The strength improvement information may be distributed to 102. Alternatively, the player is provided via a strength improvement information distribution terminal 105 installed in a predetermined place outside the baseball field where the player has visited (for example, a game center in an area (such as a municipality) where the baseball field is located). The strength improvement information may be distributed to the terminal device 102. In the distribution of the strength improvement information via the distribution terminal 105, the game server 101 and the distribution terminal 105 are connected so as to communicate with each other, and the strength improvement information is distributed between the game server 101 and the terminal device 102. The distribution terminal 105 relays. In this case, the game server 101 and the distribution terminal 105 are connected so as to be able to communicate with each other by combining one or a plurality of communication paths such as the Internet, a public line, a dedicated line, and a LAN. In this case, since the terminal device 102 and the distribution terminal 105 can communicate at a short distance, they are connected by, for example, infrared communication, communication by USB connection, communication by wired LAN or wireless LAN, or the like. Can do.

  It is not necessary for the distribution means 68 to distribute the strength improvement information to the terminal device 102 of the player immediately after the end of the baseball game in the real world (immediately after the generation of the strength improvement information). That is, after the strength improvement information is generated, the distribution means 68 can distribute the strength improvement information to the player's terminal device 102 when the player logs in the terminal device 102 to the game server 101 at an arbitrary timing. . In this case, the game server 101 stores the generated strength improvement information in association with the player identification information (terminal ID and player ID) in the strength improvement information storage unit 67a, and the strength until the distribution of the strength improvement information is completed. Save and manage improvement information. In this case, if a player who can acquire strength improvement information does not log in and connect the terminal device 102 to the game server 101 for a long period of time, the game server 101 may have to store and manage the strength improvement information for a long period of time. Therefore, a predetermined time limit may be set in the storage period of the strength improvement information.

  Next, main functions of the terminal device 102 will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 10 a of the terminal device 102 includes a position information acquisition unit 75, a time information acquisition unit 76, an existence fact information input unit 77, an information transmission unit 78, a strength improvement information reception unit 79, and a selection unit 80. , A force management means 81, a battle area management means 88, an image display means 91, an ability setting means 93, and a character action control means 94.

  The position information acquisition means 75 acquires current position information (latitude and longitude information of the current position) input from a GPS positioning unit 43a (see FIG. 3) that receives and measures a positioning radio signal from a GPS satellite. The time information acquisition unit 76 acquires the time when the position information acquisition unit 75 has acquired the current position information as current time information based on a clock built in the terminal device 102. The current position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit 75 and the current time information acquired by the time information acquisition unit 76 are output to the information transmission unit 78.

  Incidentally, some imaging devices (cameras) with a GPS positioning function have a function of adding GPS positioning information and imaging time information of a location where the image is taken to imaging data. In the case of the terminal device 102 having such an imaging device, if the player captures an image with the imaging device in a baseball field in the real world (the imaging target may be arbitrary), when the imaging data is acquired, GPS positioning information as position information and imaging time information as current time information can also be acquired. Therefore, imaging data to which GPS positioning information and imaging time information are added can be used as data including current position information and current time information.

  In the present embodiment, the position information acquisition unit 75 uses GPS positioning to acquire the current position information (latitude and longitude information of the current position). However, the present invention is not limited to this. Absent. For example, when the terminal device 102 is provided with a wireless telephone function (cellular phone function or PHS (Personal Handy-phone System) function), the base station identification information of the wireless telephone base station may be used as the current position information. it can. That is, each base station of a mobile phone or PHS is arranged in a cell shape with a predetermined communication area, and the terminal device 102 is included in the communication area of the base station with the base station identification information received from each base station. Can be found. Therefore, although the accuracy as the current position information is lower than the latitude and longitude information by GPS positioning, the base station identification information can be used as the current position information.

  For example, when the terminal device 102 is provided with a wireless LAN communication function such as Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity, a registered trademark of Wi-Fi Alliance), a wireless communication master (wireless LAN access point or router) Identification information (for example, MAC (Media Access Control) address or IP (Internet Protocol) address) can be used as the current position information. That is, a wireless communication master device (one or a plurality of wireless LAN access points or routers, etc.) that makes the baseball field area almost wireless communication range is installed in the real world baseball field, and the player connects the terminal device 102 to the wireless LAN. When accessing a wireless communication master such as an access point, the terminal device 102 is configured to acquire identification information of the wireless communication master as current position information. In this case, since the terminal device 102 is present in the communication area of the wireless communication parent device (that is, in the real-world baseball field) with the acquired identification information of the wireless communication parent device, the wireless communication parent device is identified. Information can be used as current position information.

  The existence fact information input means 77 is the above-described existence fact information (time zone in which a real-world baseball game is being played) by an input operation unit 41a (see FIG. 3) such as an imaging device (camera) or a game controller / button. Image information, bar code information, or character / number / symbol information such as secret words and passwords, etc., which cannot be captured, acquired or confirmed without going to the baseball field. The existence fact information input by the existence fact information input unit 77 is output to the information transmission unit 78.

  In the present embodiment, the terminal device 102 has a configuration including all of the position information acquisition unit 75, the time information acquisition unit 76, and the existence fact information input unit 77. Of these, the position information A configuration including only the acquisition unit 75 and the time information acquisition unit 76 or a configuration including only the existence fact information input unit 77 may be used.

  The existence fact information such as image information, barcode information, character / number / symbol information, etc., can be transferred to the baseball field if a player who has acquired it at the baseball field in the real world transfers it to another player. There is a possibility that it can be obtained even by other non-players. Therefore, the configuration using the position information acquisition unit 75 and the time information acquisition unit 76 is more preferable than the configuration using the existence fact information input unit 77.

  For example, even if the existence fact information acquired by the player at the baseball stadium in the real world is transferred to another player who has not visited the baseball stadium, the existence fact information can be almost invalidated by obtaining at the baseball stadium. It is conceivable to change the existence fact information that can be made at predetermined time intervals (for example, every minute) and to set an expiration date on the obtained existence fact information. As a configuration example for realizing this, a wireless communication master device (one or a plurality of wireless LAN access points or routers, etc.) having a baseball stadium area almost in a wireless communication range is installed in a real world baseball stadium, and a player If the terminal device 102 is accessed to a wireless LAN access point or the like, a configuration is conceivable in which presence fact information that changes every predetermined time can be acquired from a presence fact information generation unit connected to the wireless LAN access point or the like. In this case, the existence fact information generation unit and the game server 101 are time-synchronized, and both generate the existence fact information while changing the existence fact information every predetermined time using the same algorithm.

  In addition, by connecting a wireless LAN access point or the like installed in the above-described real-world baseball field to the game server 101 via the Internet or the like, the game server 101 can be used directly by the player to enter the baseball field during the game time zone. It can be determined whether or not it exists. That is, the terminal device 102 of the player who has logged in to the game server 101 via a wireless LAN access point or the like installed in the baseball stadium is naturally present in the baseball stadium, and the login time is within the game time zone. For example, it can be determined that the player carrying the terminal device 102 exists in the baseball field during the game time zone.

  The information transmission means 78 transmits the current position information acquired by the position information acquisition means 75, the current time information acquired by the time information acquisition means 76, and the presence fact information input by the presence fact information input means 77 to the game server 101. To do.

  The strength improvement information receiving means 79 receives the strength improvement information distributed from the game server 101 and stores the strength improvement information in a storage area of a non-volatile storage medium such as a hard disk or a memory card.

  When the strength improvement information receiving means 79 receives the strength improvement information, the selection means 80 executes a selection process for causing the player to select any strength improvement content from among a plurality of options having different strength enhancement details. An example of this selection process is shown in FIG. FIG. 8 shows a transition example of each screen of (a) to (c).

  As will be described later, when the strength improvement information distributed from the game server 101 is received, first, the strength improvement card 21 is displayed on the screen of the terminal device 102 as shown in FIG. Thus, the player recognizes that he can enjoy the advantage of improving his / her strength. Here, an example in which the strength improvement information is displayed on the screen as the strength improvement card 21 is shown, but the player may recognize that the strength improvement information has been received by other screen display, for example, a ball, a bat, etc. It may be a symbol display in the shape of, a character string or a symbol, or a combination thereof. Thereafter, as will also be described later, on the condition that the same stadium as the player actually visited is selected in the game, as shown in FIG. Is displayed. By performing predetermined button operations, pointing device operations, and the like on the screen on which the plurality of options 23 are displayed, the player can select any content for improving the strength. In the screen of (a) on which a plurality of options 23 are displayed, for example, if “helper recruitment” is selected, the screen transitions to screen (b) in the figure, and the profile of the assistant (special character with high ability) is displayed. It can be confirmed. A more detailed description of each screen in FIG. 8 will be described later.

  In this way, the player can enjoy only the strength improvement content selected by the selection means 80. That is, only the strength improvement content selected by the selection means 80 is valid, and the strength improvement content is stored in the strength improvement content storage unit 83 of the strength management means 81.

  By the way, if the player goes to a plurality of different baseball fields, it is possible to acquire the strength improvement information of the in-game battle area corresponding to each baseball field. Also, if the player visits the same baseball field many times on different days, it is possible to acquire a plurality of pieces of strength improvement information of the in-game battle area corresponding to the same baseball field. When a plurality of pieces of strength improvement information for the same in-game battle area are acquired, the strength improvement is added. As will be described later, even if a time limit is set for the strength improvement period based on the strength improvement information, if the user goes to the same baseball field a plurality of times within the time limit, it is possible to increase the strength. That is, the strength improvement content stored in the strength improvement content storage unit 83 may be plural.

  In the present embodiment, the strength improvement information is used as a trigger (permission information), and the terminal device 102 that receives the strength improvement information receives any strength improvement content from the plurality of options with different strength improvement details. Although a configuration in which selected, in a manner that contains the strength of what advance what strength improvement in strength improvement information itself that is distributed from the game server 101 to the terminal device 102 is made improvement content as described above In some cases, the selection means 80 can be omitted.

  The strength management means 81 includes a character information storage unit 82, a strength improvement content storage unit 83, a character ability change unit 84, a changed character information storage unit 85, a special character generation unit 86, and a time limit management unit 87. ing.

  The character information storage unit 82 is associated with identification information (character ID) for uniquely identifying each character in the game, and each character's image information, each character's profile information, and each character's ability value (the character is a pitcher). If there is a character such as ball speed, ball control, stamina, or if the character is a fielder, the ability values such as batting power, running power, defensive power, etc.) are stored in a storage area of a nonvolatile storage medium such as a hard disk or memory card To do. In addition, the character information storage unit 82 can manage by setting a capability change flag (1-bit information) for a character whose capability has been improved based on the strength improvement information.

  The strength improvement content storage unit 83 associates the strength improvement content selected by the selecting means 80 with a stadium ID that identifies the baseball field where the player has visited, and stores it in a nonvolatile memory such as a hard disk or a memory card. Store in the storage area of the medium. This strength improvement content is activated by selecting an in-game battle area (in-game baseball stadium) corresponding to the baseball stadium where the player actually went and watched the game when the game was executed. Accordingly, the character ability changing unit 84 or the special character generating unit 86 performs the following process for improving the strength.

  The character ability changing unit 84, based on the strength improvement contents when the selection means 80 selects the strength improvement contents for improving all or a part of the abilities of the characters constituting the team by a predetermined ratio. Change the ability value of the target character.

  As described above, when the player goes to the same baseball field many times on different days and acquires a plurality of pieces of strength improvement information for the same in-game battle area, When changing all or part of the abilities by adding a plurality of times, the character ability changing unit 84 gradually decreases the amount of change or rate of change of the ability value of the target character according to the number of changes (number of additions). It is desirable to make it. As a specific example, in the case of the first change (that is, no addition), the change amount or change rate of the ability value is applied as it is, and in the case of the second change, the change amount or change rate is reduced to 80%. (For example, if “Improve all the abilities of all the characters that make up a team by 5% uniformly”, apply 5% improvement for the first change, and add 4% to it for the second change.) . In the case of the third change, the change rate is reduced to 60% and applied (in the case of the above example, 3% is added). Hereinafter, similarly, in the case of the nth change (n is a natural number of 5 or less), the change amount or change rate of the character's ability value is reduced to {100−20 × (n−1)}% and applied. The application of the change after the sixth time is applied by reducing it uniformly to 10%. This is just an example, and the amount of change in the ability value or rate of change of the character can be arbitrarily set. As a result, when the player repeatedly visits the same baseball field and acquires a plurality of pieces of strength improvement information of the in-game battle area corresponding to the baseball field, the ability improvement of all or part of the character is performed a plurality of times. Even when applied by adding, it is possible to prevent the team strength from protruding unnaturally and maintain the balance of the entire game. As a result, for example, when players play against each other via a network, if the team strength becomes too prominent, it becomes a one-sided game, and there may be a problem that unfairness is born. The occurrence of the situation can be avoided in advance.

  As another method, it is possible to prevent the team strength from unnaturally protruding even by setting an upper limit on the number of times of extra addition when all or part of the character's ability improvement is added a plurality of times. .

  Further, as described later, when a time limit (for example, a one-week time limit) is provided in the strength improvement period based on the strength improvement information, the number of times that a player can visit the same baseball field several times within the time limit is substantially An upper limit is generated, and the team strength can be prevented from protruding unnaturally.

  The changed character information storage unit 85 stores the character ability value changed by the character ability changing unit 84 in a storage area of a nonvolatile storage medium such as a hard disk or a memory card in association with the character ID. The changed character information storage unit 85 also stores the number of times the ability value has been changed by the character ability changing unit 84 (or the number of times the ability value has been increased).

  The special character generation unit 86 generates a special character based on the strength improvement content when the strength improvement content indicating that a special character (assistant) having a predetermined high ability can be appointed is selected by the selection means 80. . By using this special character (assistant) as a team member by the player, the team strength can be indirectly improved.

  As described above, when the player visits the same baseball field many times on different days and acquires a plurality of pieces of strength improvement information for the same in-game battle area, a plurality of special character generation units 86 are provided. When the special character is generated a plurality of times based on the strength improvement information, it is desirable that the special character generation unit 86 gradually decrease the ability value of the special character to be generated as the number of generations increases. For example, when the ability value of the special character that is generated first is “25”, the ability value of the special character that is generated the second time is “23”, and the ability value of the special character that is generated the third time is “21”. To do. This is only an example, and the degree of gradual decrease in the ability value of the special character can be set arbitrarily. Thus, even when the player visits the same baseball field many times and acquires a plurality of pieces of strength improvement information of the in-game battle area corresponding to the baseball field, even if the special character is generated a plurality of times, the team strength Can be prevented from protruding unnaturally, and the balance of the entire game can be maintained.

  In addition, if there are a large number of special characters having a predetermined high ability in the team, the team strength will protrude unnaturally, so the number of special characters is limited to a predetermined number (for example, three). It is desirable.

  The deadline management unit 87 performs deadline management that enables the improvement of the strength based on the strength improvement information only within a predetermined period after receiving the strength improvement information from the game server 101. Alternatively, the time limit management unit 87 performs time limit management for validating the strength improvement based on the strength improvement information only within a predetermined period after the strength is first improved in the game based on the strength improvement information. That is, the beginning of the period during which the strength can be improved may be either when the strength improvement information is received or when the strength improvement based on the strength improvement information is enabled in the game. As described above, since a time limit is set for improving the strength, the player can carry the game with an advantageous strength within the time limit, and the win rate will be improved as a result of performing many games. . If you win in a competitive game, you will be able to improve your strength by developing your team (character development), increase your ability evaluation level (virtual rank, reward, honor, grade, etc.), and rank (national ranking, etc.) In a game system that rises, if you play many games within the deadline for improving your strength, you will be able to develop effective teams and improve your ability evaluation level and ranking. A game system having an unprecedented interest can be realized.

  Moreover, the time limit management part 87 can also restrict | limit the number of the battle | competition games which enable the improvement of strength to the predetermined number (for example, 10 games) within the time limit which makes the improvement of the strength based on the strength improvement information effective. . In this case, even if it is within the expiration date of the strength improvement, if the number of competitive games reaches the limit, the effectiveness of the strength improvement is lost. By watching the baseball field in the real world once while giving the player the motivation to actively play the game within the time limit by limiting the number of effective fighting games with an expiration date in this way The merit obtained in the above can be limited to an appropriate predetermined range.

  In the case where the expiration date is not provided for the strength improvement based on the strength improvement information, the time limit management unit 87 can be omitted.

  The strength improvement information receiving means 79, the selection means 80, and the strength management means 81 constitute the strength improvement means of the present invention.

  The battle area management means 88 includes a battle area information storage unit 89 and a battle area selection unit 90, and manages a plurality of in-game battle areas that can be used in the game. The battle area information storage unit 89 is associated with identification information (ballpark ID) that uniquely identifies a game battle area (ball game stadium) corresponding to a predetermined baseball field in the real world, and images of each game battle area. Information or the like is stored in a predetermined storage area. For example, the battle area information storage unit 89 includes image information of 12 in-game battle areas corresponding to the home ground of 12 teams in Japanese professional baseball, or 30 in-game battle areas corresponding to the home ground of 30 teams in the major league. Etc. are remembered.

  In addition, the battle area information storage unit 89 can manage by setting a strength up flag (1-bit information) for a battle area in the game in which the strength can be improved based on the strength improvement information. That is, when the battle area management means 88 receives the strength improvement information from the game server 101 and the strength can be improved, the battle area management means 88 sets the strength increase flag of the target in-game battle area, while the deadline management unit 87. The strength up flag is cleared for the in-game battle area that has been managed and has passed the deadline for improving the strength.

  When the game is started, the battle area selection unit 90 performs a selection process for causing the player to select an arbitrary in-game battle area from among the plurality of in-game battle areas stored in the battle area information storage unit 89. . When the player starts the game, as shown in FIG. 7A, the battle area selection unit 90 sends a message for notifying that the player has acquired a card capable of improving his / her strength to the terminal device 102. Display on the screen.

Here, the description will be made on the assumption that the screen of FIG. 7A is displayed at the start of the game. However, in an actual game, a button for confirming whether the strength can be improved and without confirming whether the strength can be improved. A button for directly entering the game may be provided so as to be selectable, and the screen shown in FIG. 7A may be changed only when the strength improvement possibility confirmation button is pressed. In that case, if the player cannot improve the strength (that is, if the player has not acquired the strength improvement card described later), the fact is displayed on the screen (for example, “You have not acquired the strength improvement card. “)” May be entered into the game as it is.
Next, when the player presses the button 22, selection is possible as shown in the screen (b) in FIG.

A list of reduced stadium images 31 in the in-game battle area (in-game stadium) is displayed on the screen of the terminal device 102. On this screen, the player can select an arbitrary in-game battle area by performing a predetermined button operation, pointing device operation, or the like. At this time, the reduced strength stadium image 31 of the in-game battle area corresponding to the baseball field in the real world that the player has recently watched is displayed with the strength improvement explicit symbol 32, and the player himself / herself visits the baseball field. As a result, it is possible to easily grasp the in-game battle area where the strength can be improved.

  The screen (b) in FIG. 7 shows an example in which 12 in-game stadiums from A stadium to L stadium can be selected. Each of these in-game stadiums (A stadium to L stadium) corresponds to a real-world baseball stadium.

  In addition, when a player visits the same baseball field many times on different days and acquires a plurality of pieces of strength improvement information for the same in-game stadium, the same number of times the strength improvement information is acquired. By displaying a number of strength improvement explicit symbols 32 on the reduced stadium image 31 of the in-game stadium, the player may be able to confirm the number of times of watching (that is, the number of times of improvement in strength). Note that the deadline for displaying the strength improvement explicit symbol 32 may be, for example, only seven days from the day the player watched the game (including the current day) (the strength improvement explicit symbol 32 disappears after seven days). And this 7th day is equivalent to the deadline for improving the strength described later. Therefore, it is necessary for the player to play the game by effectively using seven days from the day of watching the stadium. For example, even if a game is played on the 7th day after watching a stadium, it is only the same day that it is possible to play with the ability improved. Of course, the time limit is not limited to seven days. It may be 14 days for service to the player, or more limited to 3 days.

  On the screen (b) in FIG. 7, for example, when the player selects “A stadium” capable of improving the strength and presses the enter button 33, the screen transitions to the screen (c) in FIG. 7. The image of “A stadium”, the fact that it is possible to enjoy the merit of improving the strength, the time limit for improving the strength, and the like can be confirmed. In this screen (c), if the player performs an operation of pressing the return button 34, it is possible to return to the previous screen (b) and to redo the selection of the in-game stadium.

  Further, when the player performs an operation of pressing the enter button 35 on the screen (c) in FIG. 7, the terminal device 102 determines whether or not the acquired strength improvement card 21 is used, for example, as shown in the screen (d). You may make it perform the display to confirm. Thus, if there is a limit on the number of battles that are effective for improving the strength within the time limit for effective improvement of the strength, the player determines which game within the time limit should improve the strength. become able to. The number of competitive games can be, for example, 10 games. Also in this screen (d), if the player performs an operation of pressing the return button 36, the previous screen (c) can be returned, and if the return button 34 is further pressed in the screen (c), the screen (b) It is also possible to redo the selection of the in-game stadium.

  In the screen (d) in FIG. 7, when the player performs an operation of pressing the YES button 37, the in-game stadium selected by the player (here, the A stadium) becomes a target for improving the strength, and this is used to select the in-game battle area. The selection process is complete. Next, as shown in FIG. 8 to be described later, more specific content of capacity improvement is determined. On the screen (d), when the player presses the NO button 38, the in-game stadium selected by the player (here, the A stadium) is not a target for improving the strength.

  By the way, in the screen (b) in FIG. 7, when the player selects an in-game stadium where the strength cannot be improved (for example, “B stadium”) and presses the enter button 33, the screen (c) Although the image of the in-game stadium is displayed, the effect that the merit of improving the strength can be enjoyed and the time limit for improving the strength are not displayed. In this case, if the player presses the enter button 35 on the screen (c), the selection process of the in-game battle area is completed without transition to the screen (d).

  The image display unit 91 controls the display image processing unit 20a (see FIG. 3) based on the character information managed by the strength management unit 81 and the in-game battle area information managed by the battle area management unit 88. Then, the character and the in-game battle area are displayed on the screen (monitor 21a) of the terminal device 102. Further, the image display means 91 displays various screen images as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 on the monitor 21 a of the terminal device 102.

  The ability setting means 93 sets the ability of the player character by loading the ability value (ability value such as batting power) of the player character on the RAM 12a and causing the CPU 11a to recognize it when executing the game. The character action control means 94 controls the action of the player character during the game execution based on the ability of the player character recognized by the CPU 11a.

  Next, an outline of the operation of the game system 100 according to the present embodiment will be described using the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

  The flowchart of FIG. 9 shows an operation example when the player carrying the terminal device 102 visits the baseball field in the real world and logs into the game server 101 at the baseball field.

  A player who visits a predetermined baseball field during a time zone in which a real-world baseball game is played operates the terminal device 102 to make a login request to the game server 101 (S11). At this time, the game server 101 performs login authentication and accepts login of the terminal device 102 of the player (S21).

  Thereafter, the terminal device 102 acquires current position information (latitude and longitude information) by the position information acquisition unit 75 (S12), and acquires current time information by the time information acquisition unit 76 (S13). Note that the existence fact information may be input by the existence fact information input means 77 instead of acquiring the current position information and the current time information.

  Thereafter, the terminal device 102 transmits the acquired current position information and current time information to the game server 101 by the information transmitting unit 78 (S14). At this time, the game server 101 receives the current position information and the current time information (S22), and the player carrying the terminal device 102 is in a predetermined baseball field during a time when a real-world baseball game is being played. (S23). Here, if the game server 101 determines that the player does not exist at the predetermined baseball field during the baseball game, the process is terminated at this point and the connection with the terminal device 102 is disconnected. In this case, however, the following description will be continued assuming that it is determined that the player is present at the predetermined baseball field during the baseball game.

  Thereafter, the game server 101 generates strength improvement information including the baseball field ID of the baseball field where the player has visited (S24). Then, the game server 101 distributes the generated strength improvement information to the terminal device 102 (S25). At this time, the terminal device 102 receives the strength improvement information (S15). As described above, the fact that this strength improvement information has been received indicates that the player has acquired the strength improvement card 21 as shown in the screen (a) in FIG. It can be recognized by the effect display. Thus, the player can recognize that he / she can enjoy the merit of improving his / her strength by visiting the baseball field in the real world.

  Next, as described with reference to FIGS. 7B to 7D, the player can improve the specific strength on the condition that he / she uses the same stadium as the stadium where he / she actually visited in the game. Although it is possible to move on to the step, this point of improving the strength will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the player selects arbitrary content for improving the strength on the screen (a) in FIG. 8 (S16). On this screen (a), there are four different strength enhancements: “Team level improvement (5%)”, “Attack ability improvement (10%)”, “Defensive ability improvement (10%)”, and “Assistant recruitment”. An example is shown in which options 23 are displayed as a list. Here, “Team level improvement (5%)” is the content of the strength improvement that improves the ability value of all the characters that make up the team (all ability values of attack ability, defensive ability and running ability) uniformly by 5%. Yes, “attack ability improvement (10%)” is a content of improving the strength to improve only the attack ability of all the characters that make up the team by 10% uniformly, and “defensive ability improvement (10%)” constitutes the team. The content of improving the strength is to improve only 10% of the defensive ability of all the characters, and “helper recruitment” is the content of strength improvement that a special character (helper) having a predetermined high ability can be appointed. Note that the screen (a) in FIG. 8 exemplifies four representative strength improvement content options 23, but other strength improvement content may be used, and the number of options is not limited to four. .

  If the player selects any content for improving the strength on the screen (a) in FIG. 8 and presses the decision button 24, the screen transitions to the screen (b) or the screen (c). For example, when “use assistant” is selected, the screen transits to the screen (b), and the image photograph 25 and profile 26 of the assistant (special character) can be confirmed. For example, as an assistant, a special character that simulates a former star player who has been active in the past in the real world can be applied. In addition, if the player performs an operation of pressing the return button 27 on the screen (b), it is possible to return to the previous screen (a), and it is possible to re-select the strength improvement content. Further, if the player performs an operation of pressing the enter button 28 on the screen (b), the terminal device 102 performs an effect display as shown in, for example, the screen (c) in FIG. Let the player recognize that it was confirmed.

  On the screen (a), the player selects one of “improvement of team level (5%)”, “improvement of attack ability (10%)”, and “improvement of defensive ability (10%)” and decide button 24 If the operation of pressing is performed, the strength improvement content selected by the player is confirmed, and the screen transitions directly to the screen (c) without going through the screen (b). Alternatively, if the player selects any strength improvement content on the screen (a) and presses the decision button 24, a confirmation screen similar to the screen (b) is displayed, and if the player presses the decision button on the confirmation screen. You may make it transition to a screen (c), the strength improvement content is decided.

  When the strength improvement content selection process is performed as described above and the specific strength improvement content selected by the player is confirmed, the terminal device 102 stores the strength improvement content in the strength improvement content storage unit 83 (S17). ).

  In the screen (c) in FIG. 8, if the player performs an operation of pressing the next button 29, the game can be continued. In addition, if the player performs an operation of pressing the end button 30 on any one of the screens (a) to (c) in FIG. 8, it is not reflected in the flowchart in FIG. After the process is completed, the routine of the flowchart is set to END.

  In the above description, the operation for causing the player to select arbitrary strength improvement contents from a plurality of options having different strength improvement contents on the terminal device 102 side that has received the strength improvement information, using the strength improvement information as a trigger (permission information). the has been described, there is the game server 101 specifies the strength improvement content, contains strength improvement content that whether advance what strength improvement is made to the strength improvement information itself to be distributed to the terminal device 102 If so, S16 is omitted. In this case, on the screen (d) in FIG. 7, the strength improvement contents designated by the game server 101 are also shown together with the strength improvement card 21, and the screen (a) in FIG. Does not transition. Further, when the strength improvement content designated by the game server 101 is “use assistant”, an image photograph or 3D image of the assistant (special character) may be displayed instead of the strength improvement card 21.

  Next, an outline of the baseball game will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the start button of the baseball game is pressed on the terminal device 102, the game program is loaded and stored in the RAM 12a from the ROM 13a or the recording medium storing the game program (S31). At this time, various basic game data necessary for executing the baseball game are also loaded and stored in the RAM 12a from the ROM 13a or the recording medium (S31). As a result, the game program and the basic game data are recognized by the CPU 11a of the terminal device 102. Here, as basic game data, data relating to various images for a three-dimensional game space (for example, image data of a game stadium, image data of each player character, image data of various objects, etc.) and a three-dimensional game Position coordinate data for arranging data related to various images for the space in the three-dimensional game space is included.

  Next, the CPU 11a of the terminal device 102 executes a game program based on the basic game data stored in the RAM 12a (S32). Normally, when a baseball game program is started, an initial screen is displayed on the monitor 21a, and various settings for executing the baseball game are possible. For example, when there are a plurality of play modes in the baseball game, a play mode selection screen for selecting the play mode is displayed on the monitor 21a. In the play mode selection screen, the player can select the play mode by operating the input operation unit 41a (S33). The play mode includes, for example, a manager play mode in which players gather player characters, form their own team, and play in a managerial position, or 12 teams (or 30 teams in the case of games targeting the major leagues) Select a specific team from a match mode to enjoy a match of one game, select a specific team from 12 teams, play a pennant race, play a baseball as a player character A growth experience mode for experiencing games is available. Here, the following explanation is continued assuming that the director play mode is selected.

After the manager play mode is selected, the player makes various settings necessary for the mode (S34). In the case of this embodiment, the player selects a player character and makes a setting for configuring his / her team.
Next, the player selects an in-game battle area (in-game stadium) (S35).

  In the case of the present embodiment, on the screen (b) in FIG. 7, a strength improvement explicit symbol 32 is displayed on the reduced stadium image 31 of the in-game stadium corresponding to the real-world baseball stadium that the player has recently watched. Thus, it is possible to easily grasp the in-game stadium where the player can improve his / her strength by visiting the baseball stadium and watching the game.

  When an in-game stadium for strength improvement is selected in the in-game battle area selection process of S35 (YES in S36), the strength management means 81 (see FIG. 5) of the terminal device 102 is stored in the strength improvement content storage unit 83. The stored strength improvement content for the in-game stadium is activated, and the strength improvement processing corresponding to the strength improvement content is performed (S37). That is, when the strength improvement content is to improve all or a part of the abilities of the characters constituting the team by a predetermined ratio, the character capability change unit 84 determines the capability of the target character based on the strength improvement content. By changing the value, team strength can be improved. Further, when the strength improvement content can use a special character (assistant), the special character generation unit 86 generates a special character based on the strength improvement content and can use the special character as a team member. By doing so, team strength can be improved.

  Thereafter, the game is started and various events are executed by the CPU 11a of the terminal device 102 (S38). The various events executed here include, for example, an event in which the player character or the like is automatically controlled by the CPU 11a based on the AI program, or a player character or the like manually controlled by the player based on the input signal from the input operation unit 41a. There are events to be done. In any event, when the strength is improved, the motion of the character is controlled based on the ability value of the character reflecting the strength improvement content. By improving this strength, it is possible to carry out a game that is advantageous to the player, and as a result, the winning percentage is improved.

  And if a player wins a game, a well-known technique can be applied and it can also be made to improve own team strength. In this case, effective improvement of team strength can be achieved by the player actively playing the game during a period in which the strength is improved and the winning rate is consequently improved.

  Thereafter, the CPU 11a determines whether or not the manager play mode has ended (S39). When the mode ends (YES in S39), a selection screen for selecting whether or not to end the baseball game is displayed on the monitor 21a. Is done. If the player operates the input operation unit 41a to select the end of the baseball game (YES in S40), the CPU 11a executes a process for ending the baseball game, and the game result is stored in a nonvolatile memory such as a hard disk or a memory card. (S41). On the other hand, if the player operates the input operation unit 41a and selects to continue the baseball game (NO in S40), the process proceeds to S33 and a play mode selection screen is displayed.

[Other configuration examples of the game system]
Next, a configuration example of a game system different from the configuration shown in FIG. 1 will be described below with reference to FIGS. In addition, about the structure similar to the structure shown in FIG. 1 etc., the same reference number is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The configuration shown in FIG. 1 is based on the premise that the player carries the terminal device 102 to the baseball field in the real world, so that the terminal device 102 includes a portable (small) home game machine, a notebook, and the like. A portable information terminal such as a type, book type or pad type personal computer, PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), or a mobile phone, PHS, or smart phone capable of executing a game application can be suitably used. On the other hand, when a stationary home game machine or a desktop personal computer that is not suitable for carrying is applied as a terminal device, it is desirable to apply the configuration of the game system 200 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the game system 200 includes a game server 101, a terminal device 202, and a communication device 203 that is communicably connected to the game server 101.

  As the terminal device 202, not only the above-described stationary home-use game machines and desktop personal computers, but also portable (small) home-use game machines, notebook-type, book-type or pad-type personal computers, PDAs and other portable devices. An information terminal or the like can also be applied.

  It is desirable that the communication device 203 be carried by the player and easily taken to a predetermined baseball field in the real world. Examples of the communication device 203 include a mobile phone, a PHS (Personal Handy-phone System) terminal, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile phone, a smartphone in which a PHS and a mobile information terminal are integrated. The communication device 203 has a configuration capable of moving the strength improvement information received from the game server 101 to the terminal device 202.

  The game server 101 and the communication device 203 are connected so as to be able to communicate with each other by combining one or a plurality of communication paths such as a mobile communication line, a public line, a dedicated line, a LAN, and the Internet.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the communication device 203 includes, in addition to the already-explained position information acquisition means 75, time information acquisition means 76, existence fact information input means 77, information transmission means 78, and strength improvement information reception means 79. A strength improvement information storage unit 95 and strength improvement information transfer means 96 are provided.

  In the present embodiment, the communication device 203 is illustrated as having a configuration including all of the location information acquisition means 75, the time information acquisition means 76, and the existence fact information input means 77. Of these, the location information A configuration including only the acquisition unit 75 and the time information acquisition unit 76 or a configuration including only the existence fact information input unit 77 may be used.

  The strength improvement information storage unit 95 stores the strength improvement information received from the game server 101 by the strength improvement information receiving means 79 in the memory. The strength improvement information transfer unit 96 has a function of transferring the strength improvement information stored in the strength improvement information storage unit 95 to the terminal device 202. For example, when the strength improvement information is transferred to the communication device 203 by infrared communication or communication by USB connection, the strength improvement information transfer means 96 can be configured by infrared communication means or the like. Further, when the strength improvement information is transferred to the communication device 203 via a storage medium such as an SD card, the strength improvement information transfer means 96 can be configured by a medium recording means such as an SD card writer.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the terminal device 202 includes position information acquisition means 75, time information acquisition means 76, existence fact information input means 77, information transmission means 78, and strength improvement from the components of the terminal apparatus 102 shown in FIG. The information receiving means 79 is omitted, and a strength improvement information receiving means 97 is added. The strength improvement information receiving unit 97 has a function of receiving strength improvement information transferred via the strength improvement information transfer unit 96 of the communication device 203. For example, when the strength improvement information is received by infrared communication or communication by USB connection, the strength improvement information receiving means 97 can be configured by infrared communication means or the like. Further, when the strength improvement information is received via a storage medium such as an SD card, the strength improvement information receiving means 97 can be constituted by a medium reproducing means such as an SD card reader.

  According to the above configuration, the function of transmitting current position information, current time information, and existence fact information from the real world baseball field to the game server 101 and the function of receiving strength improvement information from the game server 101 are The communication device 203 is separated from the terminal device 202 to be executed. Thus, since the player only needs to carry the communication device 203 and go to the baseball field in the real world, even if the terminal device 202 is relatively large and is inconvenient to carry, the game system 200 according to the present embodiment can be used. It can be easily realized.

  Next, a game system 300 that is a modification of the game system 200 shown in FIGS. 11 to 13 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 14 to 16. In addition, about the structure similar to the structure shown in FIG. 1 etc., the same reference number is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the game system 300 includes a game server 101, a terminal device 302, and a communication device 303 (communication terminal) connected to the game server 101 so as to be communicable.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the communication device 303 includes position information acquisition means 75, time information acquisition means 76, existence fact information input means 77, and information transmission means 78 that have already been described. In the figure, the communication apparatus 303 includes a configuration including all of the location information acquisition means 75, the time information acquisition means 76, and the existence fact information input means 77. Of these, the location information acquisition means 75 and A configuration including only the time information acquisition unit 76 or a configuration including only the existence fact information input unit 77 may be used.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 16, the terminal device 202 includes a position information acquisition unit 75, a time information acquisition unit 76, an existence fact information input unit 77, and an information transmission unit 78 from the components of the terminal device 102 shown in FIG. The configuration is omitted.

  According to the above configuration, the function of transmitting current position information, current time information, and existence fact information from the real-world baseball field to the game server 101 is realized in the communication device 303 separated from the terminal device 302 that executes the baseball game. doing. Thus, since the player only has to carry the communication device 303 to the baseball field in the real world, even if it is inconvenient to carry the terminal device 302 because the terminal device 302 is relatively large, the game system 300 of the present embodiment can be used. It can be easily realized.

  In the case of the configuration of the game system 300, the strength improvement information distributed from the game server 101 is received by the terminal device 302, so that the player can place the terminal device 302 from the baseball field in the real world at home or the like. After returning to, the terminal device 302 is operated to log in to the game server 101 and receive the strength improvement information.

  As described above, the game system 100, 200, or 300 according to the present embodiment communicates with the terminal device 102, 203, or 303 in which the player operates the character displayed on the screen to execute the game, and the terminal device. It is a game system including a management unit that can be connected. The game server 101 as a management unit includes a player presence / absence determination unit 66 that determines whether or not the player exists in a predetermined area in the real world corresponding to the in-game battle area, and the in-game The player is present in the predetermined area in the predetermined time zone by the strength improvement information generating means 67 for generating the strength improvement information for improving the strength when the competitive game is executed in the battle area, and the player presence / absence determining means 66. Then, when it is determined, a distribution means 68 for distributing the strength improvement information to the terminal device of the player or the communication device capable of moving the strength improvement information to the terminal device. Here, the predetermined area refers to a predetermined baseball field in the real world if it is a baseball game exemplified in the present embodiment. The baseball field is an area including a ground where an actual world player plays a game and a spectator seat where a spectator (including a game player) can watch, and the predetermined area includes the ground and The whole baseball stadium including the audience seats.

  In addition, in a stadium where the number of people who can enter is insufficient, a special area may be prepared around the stadium for spectators who cannot enter, and in such a special area the monitor can be watched. The predetermined area can include a stadium and a predetermined place around the stadium (the special area or the like).

  The game system 100, 200, or 300 according to the present embodiment depends only on the character operation skill, operation amount, or operation time of the game player so far, and has been limited to a case where a certain result is achieved in a battle game. The game element that can improve the game performance is expanded as compared with the conventional game elements, and the strength of the game can be improved by allowing the game player to actually visit a baseball field or stadium in the real world. That is, when a battle game is played in an in-game battle area corresponding to a predetermined area in the real world where the player has come, the privilege of improving the strength can be enjoyed. As a result, a strong link between the real world and the game is born, and it is possible to provide an unprecedented level of fun and provide a novel game characteristic. In addition, the more players go to the real world baseball stadium and stadium, the more the fighting power is improved and the chances of improving the winning percentage increase. Therefore, since the player can increase the number of chances by his / her own intention, it becomes possible to enjoy a completely new way of enjoying that is not possible in the past, and a highly entertaining game system can be realized.

  In addition, since there is a time limit for improving the strength, the player can play many games within the time limit, so that many games can be played with advantageous strength, resulting in an improvement in the winning percentage. , Can improve the development of effective team strength, and get the opportunity to acquire high rank and ranking. Therefore, the player can enjoy the merit of improving the strength of the in-game team by going to the real-world baseball field, and since the merit is limited, the game must be actively played within that period. It is possible to realize a game system having unprecedented interest.

  As described above, since the function of the game server 101 only needs to be realized somewhere in the game system 100, 200, 300, it can also be realized as a plurality of function-distributed servers. Further, a system configuration in which one or a plurality of small computers in the network game system 100 have some or all of the functions of the game server 101 is possible.

  In the game systems 100, 200, and 300 according to the present embodiment, various computer-readable programs executed by the game server 101, the terminal devices 102, 202, and 302, and the communication devices 203 and 303 are a hard disk and an optical disc (CD-ROM). , DVD-ROM, UMD, etc.), flexible disk, semiconductor memory, ROM cassette, or a computer-readable recording medium such as a cartridge for a home video game device. Is read and executed. The means for providing various programs to the game server, the terminal device, and the communication device is not limited to the recording medium described above, and can be performed via the Internet. For example, in the case where download is possible via the Internet from a homepage provided by a company that manages the network game, the game progress program or the like may be directly downloaded from the homepage and executed.

  In the present embodiment, a baseball game played by a team composed of a plurality of characters has been described as an example, but an individual game between individual characters (for example, a one-on-one battle of a tennis game or a martial arts game) ) Game.

  In this embodiment, a baseball game has been mainly described as an example of the game. However, the applicable game is not limited to this, and a predetermined area in the real world and an in-game battle area are linked. It can be applied to various games that can be played. For example, the present invention can be similarly applied to games such as soccer, tennis, various martial arts, horse racing, and car racing.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as an example of strength improvement based on strength improvement information, description has been made on the improvement of the ability of the character and the use of the special character, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an attack that can be used in the game or Other forms of strength improvement such as acquisition of special items for defense may be used. In particular, in a battle game between teams composed of a plurality of characters, if the number of team members is not determined as in a baseball game, by increasing the number of characters constituting the team, You may take the form which improves strength.

  (1) A game system according to one aspect of the present invention includes a terminal device in which a player operates a character in an in-game battle area displayed on a screen by an image display unit, and executes the battle game; A game system comprising a management unit communicably connected, wherein the management unit determines whether or not the player exists in a predetermined area in the real world corresponding to the in-game battle area in a predetermined time zone. When the player presence / absence determination means and the player presence / absence determination means determine that the player is present in the predetermined area during the predetermined time period, a battle game is performed in the in-game battle area corresponding to the predetermined area. Generated by the strength improvement information generating means for generating strength improvement information for improving the strength when executing the power, and the strength improvement information generating means Distribution means for distributing the strength improvement information to the terminal device of the player or a communication device capable of moving the strength improvement information to the terminal device, wherein the terminal device is placed in the in-game battle area. When a competitive game is performed, a strength improvement means for improving the strength based on the strength improvement information is provided.

  According to said structure, the diversification of the means for improving the fighting power of the team and character which competes can be aimed at, and the interestingness which is not in the past can be provided. In other words, conventionally, the means for improving the strength depends on the operation amount or operation time of the player's character operation, or is limited to a case where a certain result (win or the like) is achieved in the battle game. However, in this configuration, the game player is given an opportunity to improve the strength of the team or character by actually going to a predetermined area in the real world. Specifically, in the case of a baseball game, for example, when the player goes to a predetermined baseball field in the real world, the player plays a battle game in an in-game battle area (a predetermined area in the virtual world) corresponding to the baseball field. If you do, you will be able to enjoy the benefits of improved strength.

  This will be described in sequence according to the above configuration. A terminal device that executes a battle game by operating a character in an in-game battle area displayed on the screen has a function of improving the strength based on the strength improvement information. It has a game element that can improve its strength. Here, the strength improvement information for improving the strength when the battle game is executed in the in-game battle area is generated in the management unit and distributed to the terminal device of the player directly or via the communication device. The The management unit that generates and distributes the strength improvement information includes a player presence / absence determination unit that determines whether or not the player exists in a predetermined area in the real world corresponding to the in-game battle area in a predetermined time zone. The player's presence / absence determination means generates strength improvement information when it is determined that the player exists in a predetermined area in a predetermined time zone. Thereby, for example, when a player goes to a baseball game in a predetermined baseball field in the real world (by going to a predetermined area at a predetermined time when a baseball game is played), the player goes to the baseball game. When playing a game in the in-game battle area corresponding to the baseball field, it is possible to receive distribution of strength improvement information for improving the strength.

  As described above, according to the present configuration, a strong link between the real world and the game can be obtained by extending the means for improving the strength of teams and characters previously limited only in the game to the real world. Is born, and it is possible to provide an unprecedented game characteristic that can be provided with an unprecedented fun. In addition, the more the player goes to a predetermined area in the real world (baseball field in the above example), the more the player can improve his / her strength and the higher the chance of winning. Therefore, since the player can increase the number of chances by his / her own intention, it becomes possible to enjoy a completely new way of enjoying that is not possible in the past, and a highly entertaining game system can be realized.

  (2) In the above configuration, the strength improvement means improves the strength only within a predetermined period after receiving the strength improvement information from the distribution means or after first improving the strength based on the strength improvement information. It is preferable to improve the strength based on information.

  According to said structure, since it has a time limit about strength improvement, a player is given a sense of tension and motivation. That is, as a player, by playing many games within this time limit, many games can be played with advantageous power, resulting in an improvement in the winning rate, and thus improving the ability of teams and characters. Can be done efficiently. For example, if you win in a competitive game, you can improve your strength by nurturing characters, increase your ability evaluation level (virtual rank, reward, honor, grade, etc.), or increase your ranking (national ranking, etc.) In the system, if a large number of games are played within the time limit for improving the strength, it is possible to effectively train characters and improve the ability evaluation level / ranking. Therefore, the player can enjoy the merit of improving his / her strength by going to a predetermined area in the real world, and since the merit is limited, there is a motivation to actively play the game within that period. At the same time, a game system having an unprecedented interest can be realized. In addition, for game companies that provide games, it is possible for players to actively play games to expand the chances of income from purchases of time-related or time-related billing income and items. There is an advantage that profit can be improved.

  (3) Said structure WHEREIN: It is preferable that the said strength improvement means restrict | limits the number of the battle games which make effective the improvement of the strength based on the said strength improvement information to a predetermined number.

  According to said structure, even if it is within the expiration date of strength improvement, if the number of competitive games reaches a predetermined number (for example, 10 games), the effectiveness of strength improvement will be lost. In this way, by giving an expiration date and limiting the number of effective matches, the player has been motivated to play games within the time limit, but has visited a predetermined area in the real world. The merit obtained by can be limited to a reasonable predetermined range.

  (4) In the above configuration, when the strength improvement means receives strength improvement information from the management unit, the strength improvement means causes the player to select any strength improvement content from among a plurality of options having different strength improvements. It is preferable that the strength is improved by the strength improvement content selected by the selection means.

  According to said structure, the structure which gave the authority which selects the content of the strength improvement based on strength improvement information to a player is realizable. Thus, the player can select, for example, the strength improvement content that matches the strategy he / she thinks while comparing the plurality of strength improvement content prepared as options. In this way, by providing a degree of freedom in selecting the content for improving the strength, the game can be deepened and the interest of the game is enhanced.

  (5) In the above configuration, the battle game is a game in which teams composed of a plurality of characters battle each other, and the strength improvement means is predetermined as a character constituting the team based on the strength improvement information. It is preferable to generate a special character having the ability value.

  As an example of improving the strength based on the strength improvement information, there is a form in which the strength is directly improved by improving the ability value of the character, but in particular a team battle game in which teams composed of a plurality of characters battle each other In the above, the team ability can be indirectly improved by generating a special character having a predetermined ability value as described above and allowing the player to use the special character as a team member. In the form of improving the strength using such special characters, the team strength can be effectively improved only by the ability management of the special characters without performing the ability management for improving the ability of each of the plurality of characters constituting the team. Figured. In addition, for the player, it becomes possible to formulate a strategy that considers how to use the generated special character, so that the game becomes deeper and the interest is enhanced.

  (6) In the above configuration, the terminal device or the communication device may include a position information acquisition unit that acquires current position information, a time information acquisition unit that acquires current time information, and the current position information and current time information. Information transmitting means for transmitting to the player presence / absence determining means of the management unit, wherein the player presence / absence determining means is based on the current position information and current time information received from the terminal device or the communication device. It is preferable to determine whether or not the predetermined area exists in a predetermined time zone.

  According to said structure, if a player carries a terminal device or a communication apparatus and goes to a predetermined area in a predetermined time slot | zone, a terminal device or a communication apparatus will be present position information (for example, latitude and longitude information by GPS positioning) and Since the current time information is acquired and transmitted to the player presence determination means of the management unit, it is possible to realize a configuration in which the management unit can easily and reliably determine whether or not the player exists in the predetermined area during the predetermined time zone.

  (7) In the above configuration, the terminal device or the communication device includes presence fact information input means for inputting presence fact information indicating a fact that a player exists in a predetermined area in a predetermined time zone, and the presence fact information. Information transmitting means for transmitting the presence fact information input by the input means to a player presence determination means of the management unit, wherein the player presence determination means is received from the terminal device or the communication device. It is preferable to determine whether or not the player exists in the predetermined area during the predetermined time period.

  According to the above configuration, if a player carries a terminal device or a communication device and visits a predetermined area in a predetermined time zone and inputs presence fact information from the presence fact information input means of the terminal device or communication device, Existence fact information is transmitted from the terminal device or the communication device to the player presence determination means of the management unit. Here, the existence fact information is information indicating the fact that the player exists in the predetermined area in a predetermined time zone. For example, the image cannot be captured, acquired or confirmed unless the player goes to the predetermined area in the real world in the predetermined time zone. , Image information, barcode information, or character / number / symbol information such as secret words and passwords. Thereby, the structure which a management part can judge easily and reliably whether a player exists in a predetermined area in a predetermined time slot | zone is realizable.

  (8) A method for controlling a game system according to another aspect of the present invention includes a terminal device that operates a character in a battle area in a game that is displayed on a screen by a player, and communicates with the terminal device. A control method for a game system comprising a management unit that is operatively connected, wherein the management unit determines whether a player exists in a predetermined area in the real world corresponding to the in-game battle area in a predetermined time zone. In the game corresponding to the predetermined area when the player is determined to be present in the predetermined area in the predetermined time zone by the player existence determining step and the player existence determining step in which the management unit determines whether or not Strength improvement information generation step in which the management unit generates strength improvement information for improving the strength when a battle game is executed in the battle area. A distribution step in which the management unit distributes the strength improvement information generated in the strength improvement information generation step to the terminal device of the player or a communication device capable of moving the strength improvement information to the terminal device; However, when a battle game is performed in the in-game battle area, the terminal device includes a strength improvement step for improving the strength based on the strength improvement information.

  (9) A program according to still another aspect of the present invention is connected to a terminal device in which a player operates a character in an in-game battle area displayed on the screen to execute a battle game, and to be communicable with the terminal device. A player included in a game system including a management unit that causes the management unit to determine whether the player exists in a predetermined area in the real world corresponding to the in-game battle area in a predetermined time period When it is determined by the presence / absence determination function and the player presence / absence determination function that the player is present in the predetermined area during the predetermined time period, a battle game is executed in the in-game battle area corresponding to the predetermined area. Strength improvement information generation function for generating the strength improvement information for improving the strength of the case in the management unit, and the strength improvement information generation A distribution function for distributing the strength improvement information generated by the function from the management unit to the terminal device of the player or a communication device capable of moving the strength improvement information to the terminal device; When a battle game is played in a battle area, the terminal device is made to realize a strength improvement function for improving strength based on the strength improvement information.

10a control unit 10c server control unit 61 login management unit 62 current position information receiving unit 63 current time information receiving unit 64 presence fact information receiving unit 65 player information storage unit 66 player existence determination unit 67 strength improvement information generation unit 68 distribution unit 75 position Information acquisition means 76 Time information acquisition means 77 Existence fact information input means 78 Information transmission means 79 Strength improvement information reception means (strength improvement means)
80 selection means (strength improvement means)
81 Strength management means (Strength improvement means)
82 Character information storage unit 83 Strength improvement content storage unit 84 Character capability change unit 85 Changed character information storage unit 86 Special character generation unit 87 Time limit management unit 88 Battle area management means 89 Battle area information storage unit 90 Battle area selection unit 91 Image display Means 93 Ability setting means 94 Character motion control means 95 Strength improvement information storage unit 96 Strength improvement information transfer means 97 Strength improvement information reception means 100 Game system 101 Game server 102 Terminal device 200 Game system 202 Terminal device 203 Communication device 300 Game system 302 Terminal device 303 Communication device

Claims (10)

A game server that is communicably connected to a terminal device of a player capable of playing a battle game,
Player presence determination means for determining whether or not the player exists in a predetermined area of the real world in a predetermined time zone;
Strength improvement information generation for generating strength improvement information for improving the strength in the case of executing a battle game when the player presence / absence determination means determines that the player exists in the predetermined area during the predetermined time period Means,
Distribution means for delivering the strength improvement information generated by the strength improvement information generation means to the terminal device of the player or a communication device capable of moving the strength improvement information to the terminal device. A game server. The strength improvement information generated by the strength improvement information generation means includes information on a plurality of options with different strength improvement contents,
2. The game server according to claim 1, wherein the strength improvement information generation unit increases the number of options as the number of times or the frequency of the player moving to the predetermined area increases.   The player presence / absence judging means receives the current position information and current time information of the player from the terminal device or the communication device, and the player is in the predetermined time zone based on the received current position information and the current time information. The game server according to claim 1, wherein it is determined whether or not it exists in the predetermined area.   The player presence / absence determining means receives presence fact information indicating the fact that the player exists in a predetermined area in a predetermined time zone from the terminal device or the communication device, and based on the received presence fact information, the player The game server according to claim 1, wherein it is determined whether or not the predetermined area exists in a time zone. A game system comprising a terminal device of a player capable of playing a battle game and a management unit connected to be communicable with the terminal device,
The management unit
Player presence determination means for determining whether or not the player exists in a predetermined area of the real world in a predetermined time zone;
Strength improvement information generation for generating strength improvement information for improving the strength in the case of executing a battle game when the player presence / absence determination means determines that the player exists in the predetermined area during the predetermined time period Means,
Distribution means for distributing the strength improvement information generated by the strength improvement information generation means to the terminal device of the player or a communication device capable of moving the strength improvement information to the terminal device;
With
The terminal device
A game system comprising a strength improvement means for improving strength based on the strength improvement information.   The game system according to claim 5, wherein the terminal device displays the strength improvement information on a screen and confirms whether or not the strength improvement information is used with a player.   The player presence / absence judging means receives the current position information and current time information of the player from the terminal device or the communication device, and the player is in the predetermined time zone based on the received current position information and the current time information. 7. The game system according to claim 5, wherein it is determined whether or not the predetermined area is present.   The player presence / absence determining means receives presence fact information indicating the fact that the player exists in a predetermined area in a predetermined time zone from the terminal device or the communication device, and based on the received presence fact information, the player The game system according to claim 5, wherein it is determined whether or not the predetermined area exists in a time zone. A game management method of a game server that is communicably connected to a terminal device of a player capable of playing a battle game,
A player presence determination step in which the game server determines whether or not the player exists in a predetermined area of the real world in a predetermined time period;
When the game server determines that the player is present in the predetermined area during the predetermined time period by the player existence determination step, the game server generates strength improvement information for improving the strength when the competitive game is executed. Strength improvement information generation step,
A game server including a distribution step of distributing the strength improvement information generated by the strength improvement information generation step to the terminal device of the player or a communication device capable of moving the strength improvement information to the terminal device. Management method. A program for operating a computer as a game server that is communicably connected to a terminal device of a player capable of a battle game,
The computer,
A player presence / absence determining means for determining whether or not the player exists in a predetermined area of the real world in a predetermined time zone;
Strength improvement information generation for generating strength improvement information for improving the strength in the case of executing a battle game when the player presence / absence determination means determines that the player exists in the predetermined area during the predetermined time period means,
Distribution means for distributing the strength improvement information generated by the strength improvement information generation means to the terminal device of the player or a communication device capable of moving the strength improvement information to the terminal device;
Program to function as.

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