JP2013111483A - Game control device, program, game control method, and game control system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game control device, program, game control method, and game control system allowing a player to efficiently advance a game by simple operation.SOLUTION: The game control method of a game server 20 is as follows. First, a plurality of menus to which a plurality of functions to be executed in a game to consume the player's points on the game as the respective functions are executed are assigned are displayed in a communication terminal device 10. Any one function of the functions to be executed with the points is selected from among the plurality of functions according to the priority set in advance in the game. The selected function is assigned to a prescribed instruction input button, or assigned to a prescribed position in the plurality of menus. The display mode of the menu to which the selected function is assigned is changed. Then, the selected function is executed as the instruction input button to which the function is assigned is operated or as the position to which the function is assigned is specified.

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for displaying a menu displayed on a screen during game execution.

  In recent years, a so-called social game (Social) executed by a game application created on the basis of an operating environment such as an API (Application Programming Interface) that operates on a web browser in a social networking service (SNS) by a specific service provider. Game) is popular. It can be said that the social game is a kind of online game that is played while communicating among an unspecified number of players. If the player can connect to the Internet and includes a communication terminal equipped with a web browser, the player can enjoy a social game regardless of time and place. One of the features of the above-described social game is that it has a richer communication function for interaction between players than the conventional online game. In social games, for example, in addition to cooperative play with other players (companies), information exchange by communicating with friends such as greetings and contacts with friends, gifts of items on the game with friends or items An exchange has been made.

  In the above-described social game, in order to present an option for prompting the player to perform a desired function, a display unit that allows the player to visually recognize a plurality of menus to which each of a plurality of functions provided in the game is assigned. Is known to be displayed. For example, Non-Patent Document 1 describes a social game (Sengoku Collection (registered trademark)) in which menus such as “quest”, “battle”, “card composition”, and “gacha” are displayed. When one of the menus is selected by the player, a function (or process) corresponding to the selected menu is executed. “Gacha” is an expression that is conventionally used as an item lottery function that can randomly obtain items that can be used in the game.

App STYLE Vol.5 (East Press, November 15, 2011), 94 pages

  By the way, the game may be configured to depend on the points on the game of the player as to whether or not each function of the plurality of menus presented to the player can be executed. In this case, when the function assigned to the menu selected by the player cannot be executed by the player's points on the game, the player needs to redo the menu selection, and the operability for the player is poor. In addition, when a player can execute a plurality of functions according to points on the game, for example, when the player is not familiar with the contents of the game, it is not immediately known which function should be selected from the plurality of functions. There are times when it is difficult to advance the game efficiently.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described viewpoints, and provides a game control device, a program, a game control method, and a game control system that enable a player to efficiently advance a game with a simple operation. Objective.

The first aspect of the present invention is:
Display means for displaying, on the display unit, a plurality of menus to which each of a plurality of functions executed in the game and each of the plurality of functions for which points on the game of the player are consumed as each function is executed;
Function selecting means for selecting any one of the functions that can be executed by the points among the plurality of functions according to a priority set in advance in the game;
Setting means for assigning the function selected by the function selecting means to a predetermined instruction input button;
Changing means for changing a display form of a menu to which the function selected by the function selecting means is assigned,
The game control apparatus is characterized in that the function selected by the function selecting means is executed by operating an instruction input button assigned by the setting means.

In this game control device, a function on the game selected according to a priority set in advance in the game is assigned to a predetermined instruction input button. Therefore, the player is configured to execute any one of a plurality of functions by operating the same instruction input button. The priority can be set arbitrarily. For example, by setting the priority in advance so that the player can smoothly advance the game, the player can smoothly advance the game only by operating the same instruction input button. That is, according to this game control apparatus, the player can efficiently advance the game with a simple operation without performing a complicated operation.
Moreover, according to this game control apparatus, the display mode of the menu assigned to the selected function is changed. Therefore, the player can recognize the function executed by the operation while operating the same instruction input button.

The second aspect of the present invention is:
Display means for displaying, on the display unit, a plurality of menus to which each of a plurality of functions executed in the game and each of the plurality of functions for which points on the game of the player are consumed as each function is executed;
Function selecting means for selecting any one of the functions that can be executed by the points among the plurality of functions according to a priority set in advance in the game;
Setting means for assigning the function selected by the function selection means to a predetermined position in a plurality of menus;
Changing means for changing a display form of a menu to which the function selected by the function selecting means is assigned,
The game control device is characterized in that the function selected by the function selecting means is executed by instructing the position assigned by the setting means.

In this game control device, a function on the game selected according to a priority set in advance in the game is assigned to a predetermined position in a plurality of menus. Therefore, the player is configured to execute any one of a plurality of functions by indicating the same position in a plurality of menus. The priority can be set arbitrarily. For example, by setting the priority in advance so that the player can smoothly advance the game, the player can smoothly advance the game only by indicating the same position in a plurality of menus. That is, according to this game control apparatus, the player can efficiently advance the game with a simple operation without performing a complicated operation.
Moreover, according to this game control apparatus, the display mode of the menu assigned to the selected function is changed. Therefore, the player can recognize the function executed by the instruction operation while indicating the same position.

  The “function executed in the game” may include execution of a command, an event, a mini game, and the like. “Point” may include money held by the player and virtual currency available to the player in the game.

In the game control device, the changing means may display a predetermined mark at a position associated with a menu to which the function selected by the function selecting means is assigned.
The player can easily recognize the menu whose display mode has been changed by visually recognizing the predetermined mark. When the selected function is assigned to a predetermined instruction input button, a preferable example of the predetermined mark is a character, a number, a symbol, a code, an indicia, a mark, a design, or the like that specifies the instruction input button. Thereby, the player can immediately recognize the instruction input button to be operated. For example, when the instruction input button is “5 keys” of the numeric keys, the predetermined mark may be a numeral “5”.
The display position of the predetermined mark may be an arbitrary position within the display area when the menu is displayed with the predetermined display area on the display unit, or a position near the outside of the display area. It is not limited to this. If the display position of the mark is a position associated with the menu, the display position of the mark may not be close to the menu position.

In the game control apparatus, the changing means may highlight a menu to which the function selected by the function selecting means is assigned.
The player can recognize the selected function quickly and clearly by visually recognizing the highlighted menu. The highlighted display mode can be arbitrarily selected. For example, the display of the menu may blink, the display size of the menu may be larger than usual, or the color of the menu may be changed.

In the above-described game control device, the amount of points consumed by the execution of the plurality of functions and / or the types of the points may be different for each function.
Especially in the case of a game in which the amount and / or type of points on the player's game varies depending on the function, the player can execute the function assigned to any of the multiple menus depending on the points on the game. It is difficult to predict whether the function is to be executed, or it is difficult to know which function should be executed when a plurality of functions can be executed. This game control device is particularly suitable for the above-described game because it can be executed according to the points on the game of the player and recommends a menu to be selected by the player according to the priority on the game.

  In the game control device, the first function of the plurality of functions is a function of executing the play of the plurality of segments, and a point consumption amount associated with the execution of the play is different for each segment, The function selection means can be executed by the point when the function to be selected according to the priority is the first function and the segment to be played by the player cannot be played by the point. The first function may be selected as selecting another segment and executing play of the selected segment.

  When the first function on the game is configured by the play of a plurality of segments, and the amount of points consumed by the execution of the play differs for each segment, the player's game is included in the first function. Depending on the points above, there may be a mix of playable segments and non-executable segments. Here, when the play of the segment currently being played cannot be executed due to the player's points on the game, the player may need to perform an operation of executing the play of the executable segment. Conventionally, this operation is inconvenient for the player because it requires an operation of searching for an executable segment one by one and selecting one segment from the executable segments. On the other hand, in this game control device, play of another segment (one segment other than the segment to be played currently) that can be executed by the player's points on the game is automatically selected as the first function. Therefore, the operability of the player when one function on the game is configured by playing a plurality of segments is improved.

  In the above-described game control device, each of the plurality of segments may be configured to be a play target in order along the progress of the game. At this time, the segment to be played for the player is the segment in which the game has progressed most. In this case, the player can play other segments that have already been played in the past if the most advanced segment cannot be played at the point on the game.

  In the game control apparatus, the function selecting means may select a segment that consumes the least amount of points for execution from the plurality of segments as the other segment. Thereby, when the first function is selected and executed, there is an advantage for the player that the amount of points consumed on the game can be suppressed as much as possible.

In the game control device, the first function further includes a function of calculating a degree of achievement of play for each segment according to a degree of execution of play of each segment. The other segment may be selected based on.
Thereby, when the first function is selected and the first function is executed, the player executes play of a desired segment according to the achievement level of each segment on his game. Can do. In addition, selection of the segment according to the value of achievement may be performed suitably. For example, when the segment having the lowest achievement level is set to be selected, it is possible for the player to raise the level of the segment having the lowest achievement level. If the segment with the highest achievement level is selected, the player already has a high achievement level of, for example, 100% (that is, the achievement level that clears the segment). And a sense of accomplishment can be obtained for the player.
The achievement level is a value indicating the degree of progress of the player's play in a specific segment, or a value indicating the level of achievement of a mission on the game imposed on the player in the specific segment.

In the game control device, when the first function is selected to execute the play of the other segment, the setting means sets the first function to a predetermined different from the predetermined instruction input button. Assigned to a second instruction input button or assigned to a predetermined second position different from the predetermined position in a plurality of menus, and the second instruction input button is operated, or the second position May be executed, the first function may be executed.
In this game control device, the first function is executed when a segment to be played is selected as the first function and when a segment other than the segment is selected as the first function. The position of the instruction input button for performing the operation or the position of the menu for executing the first function is changed. Therefore, when the first function is recommended, the player can easily recognize whether the execution target of the first function is the segment to be played now.

A third aspect of the present invention is a program for controlling execution of a game,
A procedure for displaying a plurality of menus, each of which is assigned to each of a plurality of functions executed in the game and each of the plurality of functions for which points on the game of the player are consumed as each function is executed;
A procedure of selecting any one of the plurality of functions that can be executed by the points according to a priority set in advance in the game;
Assigning the function selected by the selecting procedure to a predetermined instruction input button;
A procedure for changing a display form of a menu to which the function selected by the selecting procedure is assigned;
A procedure for executing the function selected by the selecting procedure by operating the instruction input button assigned by the assigning procedure;
Is a program for causing a computer to execute.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is a program for controlling execution of a game,
A procedure for displaying a plurality of menus, each of which is assigned to each of a plurality of functions executed in the game and each of the plurality of functions for which points on the game of the player are consumed as each function is executed;
A procedure of selecting any one of the plurality of functions that can be executed by the points according to a priority set in advance in the game;
Assigning the function selected by the selecting procedure to a predetermined position in a plurality of menus;
A procedure for changing a display form of a menu to which the function selected by the selecting procedure is assigned;
A procedure for executing the function selected by the selecting procedure by indicating the position assigned by the assigning procedure;
Is a program for causing a computer to execute.

  The computer may be a network server, a large computer, or the like, for example. Further, this program may be stored in a computer-readable information storage medium such as a DVD-ROM or a CD-ROM.

A fifth aspect of the present invention is a game control method for controlling execution of a game,
Displaying a plurality of menus, each of which is assigned to each of a plurality of functions executed in the game and each of the plurality of functions for which points on the game of the player are consumed as each function is executed,
Selecting one of the plurality of functions among the functions executable by the points according to a priority set in advance in the game;
Assigning a function selected by the selecting step to a predetermined instruction input button;
Changing a display form of a menu to which the function selected by the selecting step is assigned;
Executing the function selected by the selecting step by operating the instruction input button assigned by the assigning step;
including.

A sixth aspect of the present invention is a game control method for controlling execution of a game,
Displaying a plurality of menus, each of which is assigned to each of a plurality of functions executed in the game and each of the plurality of functions for which points on the game of the player are consumed as each function is executed,
Selecting one of the plurality of functions among the functions executable by the points according to a priority set in advance in the game;
Assigning the function selected by the selecting step to a predetermined position in a plurality of menus;
Changing a display form of a menu to which the function selected by the selecting step is assigned;
Executing the function selected by the selecting step by indicating the position assigned by the assigning step;
including.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication terminal that is operated by a player, and a server device that is connected to the communication terminal via a network and controls game execution in association with player-specific player identification information. Including a game control system.
In the game control system, the server device
A plurality of menus assigned to each of a plurality of functions executed in the game and each of which is consumed by the player as the function is executed are displayed on the display unit of the communication terminal. Display means;
Function selecting means for selecting any one of the functions that can be executed by the points among the plurality of functions according to a priority set in advance in the game;
Setting means for assigning the function selected by the function selecting means to a predetermined instruction input button;
Changing means for changing a display form of a menu to which the function selected by the function selecting means is assigned,
The function selected by the function selecting means is executed by operating the instruction input button assigned by the setting means.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication terminal that is operated by a player, and a server device that is connected to the communication terminal via a network and controls execution of the game in association with player-specific player identification information. Including a game control system.
In the game control system, the server device
A plurality of menus assigned to each of a plurality of functions executed in the game and each of which is consumed by the player as the function is executed are displayed on the display unit of the communication terminal. Display means;
Function selecting means for selecting any one of the functions that can be executed by the points among the plurality of functions according to a priority set in advance in the game;
Setting means for assigning the function selected by the function selection means to a predetermined position in a plurality of menus;
Changing means for changing a display form of a menu to which the function selected by the function selecting means is assigned,
The function selected by the function selecting unit is executed by designating the position assigned by the setting unit.

  According to the game control device, the program, the game control method, and the game control system of the present invention, the player can efficiently advance the game with a simple operation.

The figure which shows the basic composition of the game system of embodiment. The figure which shows the example of the external appearance of the communication terminal of embodiment. The block diagram which shows the structure of the communication terminal of embodiment. The block diagram which shows the structure of the game server of embodiment. The block diagram which shows the structure of the database server of embodiment. The figure which shows the structural example of the player database contained in a database server. The functional block diagram for demonstrating the function to play main roles with the game control apparatus of embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the display screen of the communication terminal which displays a top page. The figure which shows an example of the display screen of a communication terminal when a player performs a scout function. The figure which shows an example of the display screen of a communication terminal when a player performs a scout function. The figure which shows an example of the display screen of a communication terminal when a player performs the reinforcement | strengthening function. The figure which shows an example of the display screen of a communication terminal when a player performs the reinforcement | strengthening function. The figure which shows an example of the display screen of a communication terminal when a player performs a game function. The figure which shows an example of the display screen of a communication terminal when a player performs a lottery function. The figure which shows an example of variation factors, such as the point of the example of the game in embodiment. The figure which shows the example of a change of the display form of the menu in a communication terminal. The figure which shows the example of a change of the display form of the menu in a communication terminal. The flowchart which shows an example of the main processes of the game server of embodiment. The figure which shows the modification of embodiment about the display form of a menu. The figure which shows the modification of embodiment about the display form of a menu. The figure which shows the modification of embodiment about the display form of a menu. The flowchart which shows the modification of the main processes of the game server of embodiment. The figure which shows the modification of embodiment about the display form of a menu. The flowchart which shows the modification of the main processes of the game server of embodiment.

(1) Configuration of Game System FIG. 1 shows a system configuration example of a game system according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the game system includes communication terminals 10a, 10b, 10c,... That can be connected to a communication network NW (network) such as the Internet, a game server 20 connected to the communication network NW, The database server 30 is configured. Each of the communication terminals 10a, 10b, 10c,... Is a terminal operated by an individual player, for example, a mobile terminal, a smartphone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a personal computer, a television having a bidirectional communication function. A communication terminal such as a John receiver (including a so-called multi-function smart TV). In the following description, when referring to the communication terminals 10a, 10b, 10c,. In this game system, an application operable on a web browser is installed in the game server 20 as a game application.
The communication terminal 10 includes a web browser capable of displaying a web page provided by the game server 20, and a player operates the communication terminal 10 on the web page to execute a game. The database server 30 stores various information to be described later in executing the game, and is connected to the game server 20 by, for example, a wire for reading and writing the information.

Although not shown in FIG. 1, an authentication server for authenticating the player of each communication terminal 10 may be provided separately from the game server 20. Further, when a plurality of game servers 20 are provided in order to accept access from many communication terminals 10, a load balancer for adjusting a load between the plurality of game servers 20 may be provided. The game server 20 may be configured as a single server device, but may be configured as a plurality of server devices having distributed functions.
The database server 30 stores various information to be described later in executing the game, and is connected to the game server 20 by, for example, a wire for reading and writing the information.

(2) Configuration of Communication Terminal The communication terminal 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the appearance of the communication terminal 10, and FIG. 2A illustrates a button input type communication terminal such as a foldable mobile terminal (mobile phone), for example. ) Exemplifies a communication terminal of a touch panel input method such as a smartphone. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the communication terminal 10.
As shown in FIG. 3, the communication terminal 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, an image processing unit 14, an instruction input unit 15, a display unit 16, A wireless communication interface unit 17 serving as a signal transmission / reception unit is provided, and a bus 18 for transmitting a control signal or a data signal between the units is provided.

The CPU 11 loads the web browser in the ROM 12 into the RAM 13 and executes it. The CPU 11 then displays data for displaying a web page from the game server 20 via the wireless communication interface unit 17 based on an appropriate designation of a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) input to the player by the instruction input unit 15 or the like. That is, data of an object such as an HTML (HyperText Markup Language) document and an image associated with the document (hereinafter, collectively referred to as “HTML data” as appropriate) is acquired via the wireless communication interface unit 17. The HTML data is interpreted. The communication terminal 10 may be mounted with various plug-ins for extending the browser function of the web browser.
In acquiring HTML data, the CPU 11 sends an access request message including a player ID (player identification information) registered in advance or a player ID input via the instruction input unit 15 via the wireless communication interface unit 17. To the game server 20.

  The web browser displays the web page provided from the game server 20 on the display unit 16 based on the acquired HTML data via the image processing unit 14. Further, when the player selects a hyperlink or menu on the web page by operating the instruction input unit 15, the web browser transmits new HTML data for displaying the web page according to the selection. (That is, update of the web page) is requested to the game server 20.

  The image processing unit 14 displays a web page on the display unit 16 based on display image data provided from the CPU 11 as an analysis result of HTML data. The display unit 16 is, for example, an LCD (Liquid Cristal Display) monitor including thin film transistors arranged in a pixel unit in a matrix, and drives the thin film transistors based on the display image data to display the image of the web page on the display screen 16a. To display.

  When the communication terminal 10 is a button input type communication terminal (FIG. 2A), the instruction input unit 15 includes a plurality of instruction input buttons such as a direction instruction button and a decision button for accepting an operation input of the player. The button group 15 b includes a button group 15 a and a plurality of instruction input buttons such as a numeric keypad, and includes an interface circuit for recognizing a pressing (operation) input of each button and outputting it to the CPU 11. For example, the direction instruction button is provided to instruct the CPU 11 to scroll and display the web page displayed on the display unit 16. The determination button instructs the CPU 11 that the player selects one hyperlink or menu that is actively displayed (for example, highlighted) when, for example, a plurality of hyperlinks or menus are displayed on a web page. To be provided. When the communication terminal 10 is constituted by a small portable terminal, these buttons are provided on the front surface of the communication terminal 10 so that the player can easily operate (click) with the thumb while holding the communication terminal 10 with one hand. It is preferable to arrange | position. In the example shown in FIG. 2A, the button group 15b is arranged below the button group 15a, and a plurality of instruction inputs in which “0” to “9”, “*”, and “#” (numeric keys) are written. Includes buttons.

  When the communication terminal 10 is a touch panel input type communication terminal (FIG. 2B), the instruction input unit 15 mainly accepts touch panel type input by touching the display screen 16a with a fingertip or a pen. The touch panel input method may be a known method such as a capacitance method. As shown in FIG. 2B, the button group 15a may be provided even when the communication terminal 10 is a touch panel input method.

  For example, when the communication terminal 10 is a portable terminal, the menu selection operation on the web page displayed on the communication terminal 10 is selected by pressing the direction instruction button and selecting by pressing the enter button. This is done by confirming the selected menu. Further, for example, when the communication terminal 10 is a touch panel input method, the selection operation is performed by instructing (touch operation) a menu position on the display screen 16a on which the web page is displayed with a finger or a pen.

(3) Configuration of Game Server The configuration of the game server 20 will be described with reference to FIG.
The game server 20 manages a game website including a plurality of hierarchical web pages, for example, and provides a game web service to the communication terminal 10. As shown in FIG. 4, the game server 20 includes a CPU 21, a ROM 22, a RAM 23, a database (DB) access unit 24, and a wireless communication interface unit 25, for transmitting control signals or data signals between the units. Bus 26 is provided. In addition, the game server 20 can take the same structure as a general-purpose web server regarding hardware.

The ROM 22 stores an application program that provides a service for displaying an object such as an HTML document or an image (displaying a web page) to the web browser of the communication terminal 10 that is a client. The ROM 22 stores various data referred to by the CPU 21 in addition to the application program.
The CPU 21 loads the game program in the ROM 22 to the RAM 23 and executes it, and performs various processes via the wireless communication interface unit 25.

For example, the CPU 21 transmits HTML data to the communication terminal 10 via the wireless communication interface unit 25. In addition, when the game server 20 performs the authentication process of the player of the communication terminal 10, the CPU 21 performs the authentication process.
The CPU 21 performs processing according to the hyperlink or menu selected by the player on the web page displayed on the communication terminal 10 via the communication interface unit. The processing includes, for example, transmission of new HTML data, arithmetic processing in the game server 20 or data processing.
The database access unit 24 is an interface when the CPU 21 reads / writes data from / to the database server 30.

(4) Configuration of Database Server The database server 30 can be realized by a general-purpose storage such as a large-capacity hard disk device or a device such as RAID (Redundant Arrays of Inexpensive Disks). Each database in the database server 30 is configured to be able to read and write data from the CPU 21 via the database access unit 24 of the game server 20.
FIG. 5 shows an example of the configuration of the database server 30. As shown in FIG. 5, the database server 30 includes a player database 31 and a game result database 32.

The type of game realized by the game server 20 of the present embodiment is not particularly limited, but in the following, as an example of a game realized by the game server 20 for convenience of description of the embodiment, a baseball digital format Pick up a card game.
In a baseball-format digital card game, a player collects player cards corresponding to baseball players (player characters to be described later) to create his own team and play baseball against other players' teams, or for each skill level. It is a game that is configured to play a baseball league game. Baseball-style digital card games include a scout function for searching for player cards in order to build up their own team, a lottery function that allows player cards to be obtained by lottery, or two players (player characters) ) Is integrated to enhance the ability of one player.
Each function implemented in the baseball digital card game will be described later.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of the player database 31 applied in the above-described baseball format digital card game. In this example, the player database 31 displays a display name / display image, a skill level, an action point, an operation point, an enhancement point, an ale point, the number of players, a coin possessed, and a fellow player ID for each player ID (player identification information). , Information about each item of possession item and character data. Information included in the player database 31 can be sequentially updated by the game server 20.

In the following description, the player ID included in the player database 31 or data for each display name (to be described later) that identifies the player is generically referred to as player data. The data of each item constituting the player data is as follows.
Display name / display image A display name and a display image that are displayed to identify the player on the communication terminal 10 when the game is executed. The display name is text of a predetermined length or less specified in advance by the player, and the display image is, for example, an avatar image selected in advance by the player. The display name is a name that identifies the player on the network environment (or game community) provided by the game server 20.
Skill level Data indicating the skill level of the player on the game. For example, it is a level value in a range from Lv1 (level 1) to Lv100 (level 100).
-Action point In the baseball-format digital card game, for example, it is a point necessary for scouting the game by the player corresponding to the player ID. The action point is a value that decreases by performing scouting and recovers (increases) each time a predetermined time elapses.
-Management point In the baseball-format digital card game, for example, it is a point necessary for playing a game match by a player corresponding to the player ID. The management point is a value that is reduced by a battle with another player or the like and recovered (increased) every time a predetermined time elapses.
Strengthening point In the baseball-format digital card game, for example, it is a point necessary for strengthening the player character (integration processing described later) by the player corresponding to the player ID. The strengthening point is a value that is reduced by strengthening the player character and is recovered (increased) every time a battle with another player is won or a predetermined time elapses.
-Ale Point In the baseball-format digital card game, it is a point acquired by a player by sending a cheer message to a fellow player.
-Number of players This is the number of player cards held by the player. The number of players increases or decreases depending on the execution of the scout function and the enhancement function. The maximum number of players (for example, 60) is defined in advance.
-Owned coin This is the possessed amount of virtual currency (coin) on the game that is required when the player corresponding to the player ID uses the pay function on the game. The possessed coins are consumed (reduced) when the player uses a pay function on the game, and the player pays actual money to the service provider or the like by a predetermined method, and increases according to the amount paid.
-Associates Data of other player IDs that are friends of the target player ID.
-Owned item In the case of the above-mentioned baseball-format digital card game, the owned item is data including an image of a player card held by a player corresponding to the target player ID.
Character data is data including player character information about the game. The player character may include various types of information depending on the nature of the game. For example, in the case of a baseball digital card game, the player character means a player on the game that corresponds to the player card on a one-to-one basis. The player character information is information in which the ability value (ability parameter) of the player character (player) is described for each item. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, each ability value such as “batting force”, “running ability”, “defense ability”, and the like may be included as items. When the player acquires the player ID, the character data includes predetermined default data.

  Returning to FIG. 5, the game result database 32 stores and updates information related to the game result executed by the game server 20 based on the access from the game server 20. Information related to game results may include various information depending on the nature of the game. For example, in the case of a baseball-format digital card game, information on game results includes the results of matches between different player IDs (scores, etc.), and results of league battles between a plurality of player IDs at specific skill levels ( Score, ranking, etc.).

(5) Overview of Functions in Game Control Device In the present embodiment, the game control device is configured by the game server 20 and the database server 30. In the following, functions implemented by the game control device of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 7, taking as an example the case where the above-described baseball-style digital card game is applied. FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram for explaining functions that play a main role in the game control apparatus of the present embodiment.
In the following description, menus, marks and the like displayed on the web page displayed on the communication terminal 10 are arranged at desired positions on the web page, and are menus visually recognized on the communication terminal 10. The position of the mark on the display screen can be changed by scrolling the web page by the player's direction instruction button.

For example, the registration unit 51 recognizes a player's request based on an appropriate operation input to the communication terminal 10 on a web page provided to the communication terminal 10 and performs a registration process. The registration means 51 in this case is executed as follows, for example. The CPU 21 of the game server 20 receives a registration request message from the communication terminal 10 via the wireless communication interface unit 25. The registration request message is automatically generated by a predetermined operation (for example, a predetermined menu selection operation, text input, etc.) on the communication terminal 10 on the web page provided from the game server 20. May be configured. The registration request message may include information (for example, an IP address, an email address, etc.) for specifying the communication terminal 10 that is the transmission source, or the player has already played another game by the same service provider. If used, the player ID may be included.
When the CPU 21 receives the registration request message and does not include a player ID in the registration request message, the CPU 21 issues a new player ID and performs registration processing of the player ID, and then the registration processing is completed. Is sent to the communication terminal 10. When the CPU 21 receives the registration request message and includes a player ID in the registration request message, the CPU 21 performs registration processing of the player ID, and then transmits a registration completion message indicating that the registration processing is completed. 10 to send.
When the registration is completed, the CPU 21 determines a player for a new player ID in which predetermined default data (the specified initial value is described as character data without any friends or possessed items at the time of registration). Data is stored in the player database 31.

The registration unit 51 may also register the player ID in association with another player ID triggered by an application based on the player ID. That is, the registration unit 51 registers another player ID as a “mate” with an application based on the player ID as a trigger. In the following description, it is synonymous that the player ID has a friend relationship and that the corresponding player has a friend relationship.
The registration means 51 in this case is executed as follows, for example. The CPU 21 of the game server 20 applies an application message (application) specifying a player ID (or a corresponding display name) to be a friend from the communication terminal 10 of the player corresponding to a certain player ID via the wireless communication interface unit 25. Accept. The transmission of the application message is set in advance as a function of a web page provided to the communication terminal 10 of the player. When receiving the application message, the CPU 21 approves an application based on another player ID to the communication terminal 10 corresponding to the player ID at the timing when there is an access based on the player ID included in the application message. HTML data for displaying a web page for requesting the reply is transmitted. If it is replied that the application is approved, the CPU 21 registers both as friends. Specifically, the CPU 21 writes data in the “mate” portion (see FIG. 6) of the player data of the corresponding two player IDs in the player database 31.

The game advancing means 52 advances the game by transmitting HTML data for sequentially updating web pages displayed on the communication terminal 10 in response to the player's operation on the communication terminal 10. As described above, in the example of a baseball-type digital card game (hereinafter simply abbreviated as “game”), the following functions are provided to advance the game.
・ Scout function: Function to search for player cards to build up one's team ・ Enhancement function: Function to integrate two or more players to increase the ability of one player ・ Game function: Team of other players And baseball fighting and lottery functions: A function that allows you to obtain player cards by lottery

As shown in FIG. 7, the game progress means 52 includes a game function display means 521, a scout execution means 522, a reinforcement execution means 523, a game execution means 524, and a lottery execution means 525. The scout execution means 522, the reinforcement execution means 523, the game execution means 524, and the lottery execution means 525 each execute a scout function, an enhancement function, a game function, and a lottery function in the game.
In executing the game progress means 52, the CPU 21 of the game server 20 assigns in advance any function for progressing the game to each menu displayed on the web page. Then, when the menu on the web page is selected in the communication terminal 10, the CPU 21 receives information about the selected menu from the communication terminal 10, and is assigned to the selected menu based on the received information. Execute the function.

  The game function display means 521 causes the communication terminal 10 to display a plurality of menus each assigned a plurality of functions executed in the game. Specifically, the CPU 21 generates HTML data for displaying a web page including a plurality of menus, and transmits the HTML data to the communication terminal 10. As will be described later, in the game, points on the game are consumed as the scout function, the strengthening function, the game function, and the lottery function are executed.

An example of the game top page displayed on the communication terminal 10 by the game function display means 521 is shown in FIG. This top page is composed of web pages corresponding to individual player IDs. The top page illustrated in FIG. 8 includes a player data display area, a player image display area, and a basic menu display area.
In the player data display area, skill level, action point, management point, strengthening point, yell point, number of players, and data of each item (see FIG. 6) included in the player data of the target player ID are displayed. Area. It should be noted that in the items displayed in the player data display area, the point or number written in the X / Y format is that X is the point or number held by the player, and Y is the maximum value of the point or number. Indicates that there is. For example, if the number of players is described as “40/60”, it indicates that the number of players held by the player is 40 and the maximum number of players that can be held is 60.
The player image display area is a player card at a predetermined position included in the player data of the target player ID (for example, the player card of the player character corresponding to the main hitter of the team, or the player character first ordered in the player data) Is a region in which image data of a player card corresponding to is displayed.
The basic menu display area is a basic menu corresponding to multiple functions (scout function, enhancement function, game function, lottery function, order function) provided in a baseball-style digital card game. This is an area where menus m1 to m5 of “game”, “lottery”, and “order” are displayed. That is, a plurality of menus to which a plurality of functions executed in the game are assigned are respectively arranged at predetermined positions on the web page displayed on the communication terminal 10. Note that the order function is a function for executing a change of the order of the player character, a replacement with a reserved player character, or the like under the instruction of the player.

  For example, when the top page shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the communication terminal 10 of the player, the game function display means 521 is realized as follows. The CPU 21 of the game server 20 accesses the user database 31 via the database access unit 24, and reads the data of each item included in the player data display area and the player card image data to be displayed in the player image display area. Next, the CPU 21 generates HTML data so that the top page shown in FIG. 8 is configured, and transmits it to the communication terminal 10. The generated HTML data is different for each player (that is, for each player ID). The communication terminal 10 interprets the received HTML data and displays the top page image on the display unit 16 (display screen 16a).

  The scout execution means 522, the reinforcement execution means 523, the game execution means 524, and the lottery execution means 525 are respectively a scout function, an enhancement function, a game function, and a match operation according to the player's selection operation for the menu displayed on the communication terminal 10. Each function of the lottery function is executed. Preferably, when each function is executed, each function is executed hierarchically such that a new web page including a plurality of menus subdivided for each function is displayed.

[Scout function]
As described above, the scout execution means 522 executes the scout function that allows the player to search for player cards in order to build up his / her team.
9 and 10 show examples of web pages displayed on the communication terminal 10 when the scout function is executed. FIG. 9 is a display example of a web page when the scout menu is selected and operated on the top page. FIG. 10 is a display example of a web page when the menu m11 displayed as “to area list” on the screen shown in FIG. 9 is selected and operated.

  In the web page illustrated in FIG. 9, the Japan map divided into a plurality of regions (areas) is displayed in the display region 100 with the area to be searched highlighted. In this scout function, the player is provided with a menu labeled “Search” provided for each area to be searched (in the example of FIG. 9, area 9 (subareas 9-1, 9-2,...)). Select m10. With this operation as a trigger, a search process for an area to be searched is performed, and when a player is excavated, the player card of the player is displayed in the display area 102. At this time, every time the menu m10 is selected and a search process is performed, the value of “search rate” (%) displayed in the display area 101 increases. The display area 101 displays the value of the action force required for one search process (“5” in the example of FIG. 9). For each search process, the action points are reduced by the value of the displayed action force, and a certain amount of reinforcement points are increased. In the scout execution means 522, every time the search process is performed, the CPU 21 accesses the player database 31 and updates the action point and enhancement point values of the target player ID.

  In the search process, when the CPU 21 of the game server 20 recognizes the selection operation for the menu m10, the CPU 21 performs a lottery with a predetermined or random probability from a plurality of players provided in advance for the scout. When the CPU 21 obtains (excavates) a player by lottery, the CPU 21 accesses the player database 31 and adds the data of the newly discovered player to the data of the target player ID. Is increased by one. Furthermore, CPU21 produces | generates the HTML data for displaying the player card of the excavated player in the display area 102, and transmits to communication terminal 10 addressed | directed. The HTML data is configured such that search rate data in the display area 101 is updated. When the selection operation for the menu m10 by the player is repeatedly performed and the search rate of all the sub-areas 9-1, 9-2,... Reaches 100% in FIG. The subject moves to the next area (in this case, area 10). As will be described later, even when the search rate reaches 100%, the maximum number of players that can be displayed in the display area 102 (four in the sub-area 9-1 in FIG. 9) is excavated. It is not always possible.

In the scout function, the action power required for one search process differs for each area to be searched. That is, the amount of action points that are reduced (consumed) in one search process is different for each area to be searched.
In the scout function, the action points decrease each time the selection operation is performed on the menu m10. Therefore, when the top page is displayed immediately after the scout function is executed, the action points displayed on the top page are It will be displayed reduced than before the scout function was executed. The action points are recovered (increased) by one point each time a predetermined time (for example, 3 minutes) elapses, for example.

As shown in FIG. 10, in the scout function, a web page that allows an overview of the search results of each area that the player has already played (that is, searched) is displayed by the selection operation of the menu m11 by the player. In the display area 110, the “complete rate” for each area is displayed. The “complete rate” (achievement level) is a value indicating the ratio of the number of types of players actually excavated to the maximum number of types of players that can be excavated in each area. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 9, when the area 9 is composed of three subareas of the areas 9-1, 9-2, and 9-3, a maximum of four players (4 types of player cards) in each subarea. Can be excavated, 12 players (12 player cards) can be excavated in the entire area 9. At this time, when the number of excavated players is 6 in the entire area 9, the complete rate is 50%.
In the example shown in FIG. 10, the player indicates that the area 9 is the most advanced area in the game scout function. In FIG. 10, the player can search for the selected area again by selecting and operating an area where the complete rate is not 100% among the other areas already played (areas 1 to 8). It is configured as follows.

[Enhanced function]
As described above, the strengthening execution means 523 executes a strengthening function that unifies two or more players and increases the ability of a specific player (player character). In this game, a certain amount of reinforcement points are required for the player to execute the enhancement function.
This integration process may be performed as follows, for example. A player character (a remaining player character specified by the player) to be strengthened is referred to as player A, and a player character that is integrated with player A and disappears is referred to as player B. In this case, in the integration process, the CPU 21 adds a certain ratio of the player B's batting power, running power, and defensive ability values to the player A's batting power, running force, and defensive ability values. Thus, the ability value of a new player A may be calculated. By this integration process, the characteristics of player B's ability are reflected in player A.
After the integration process, the CPU 21 accesses the player database 31 after the integration process, deletes the player B data from the target player ID data, and decreases the value of the number of players by one. Then, the reinforcement point of the target player ID is decreased by a predetermined amount. The strengthening points are increased by executing the scout function, selling the scouted player card (releasing it), or executing the game function described below.

A display example on the communication terminal 10 regarding the player character integration process will be described with reference to FIGS. 11A and 11B. 11A and 11B are display examples displayed in series according to operations on the communication terminal 10.
For example, when the CPU 21 of the game server 20 recognizes that the menu m2 is selected on the web page of FIG. 8, HTML data for displaying a web page that prompts selection of a plurality of player characters to be integrated is displayed. Transmit to the communication terminal 10. One example of the web page displayed first at this time is a list of strengthening designated players (player characters to be strengthened), as shown in FIG. 11A (a), so that the strengthening designated player can be selected by a selection operation. It is configured. When the strengthening designated player is selected, a list of players to be integrated (disappearing player characters) is displayed as shown in FIG. 11A (b). The web page shown in FIG. 11A (b) is configured so that players to be integrated can be selected by a selection operation. FIG. 11B (a) is a confirmation screen, and shows an example in which player A is selected as the strengthening designated player and player B is selected as the player to be integrated. Here, when an operation of selecting the menu “enhance” is performed, the selection result is notified to the game server 20. The CPU 21 of the game server 20 calculates a new ability value of the player A based on the received selection result, and accesses the player database 31 to delete the data of the player B from the target player ID data. To do. The CPU 21 transmits HTML data including a value indicating the degree of increase in the new capability value to the communication terminal 10. By receiving the HTML data, the communication terminal 10 causes the selected player A card and player B card to overlap and merge as shown in FIGS. 11B (b) and 11B (c). An effect display is performed so that only is displayed. As shown in FIG. 11B (c), it is preferable to quantitatively display the degree of increase in the ability value of the player A to be strengthened (132% in the example of FIG. 11B (c)).

[Game function]
As described above, the game execution means 524 executes a game function for playing a baseball game with another player's team. In the following description, “a battle between players” is synonymous with “a battle between player characters” which means a battle between player characters corresponding to player cards held by the player.
In this game, management points are required to execute the game function, and strengthening points can be obtained by winning the game. That is, the value of the management point and the reinforcement point corresponding to the player ID can be changed by executing the game function. The management points required (consumed) in one game are values determined by the order formed by the team of players. The player can use the order function to rearrange the players that the player wants to participate in the game from among the players (player characters) possessed by the player, but the consumption of management points depends on the data of a predetermined number of players that want to participate in the game. It is determined. For example, a cost required for one game is assigned in advance to each player, and the total cost of a predetermined number of players who want to participate in the game becomes the management point. The predetermined number of players is, for example, a total of 17 players, including 11 fielders (9 starting players: including 1 designated hitter, 2 substitutes) and 6 pitchers (3 starting players, 2 relays, 1 holding down). You may be a player. Since the amount of management points consumed in one game depends on the order of the team of the players, it is determined whether or not the game can be executed with the management points held at the stage of selecting and operating the menu m3 on the top page. It is difficult for the player to judge. In addition, players other than a predetermined number of players who want to participate in the game are reserved players. A player who is in the game cannot participate in the game, but the cost of the player is not added to the consumption of management points.
The management points are recovered (increased) by one point each time a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute) elapses, for example.

The game execution means 524 is realized as follows, for example. When the selection operation of the menu m3 (see FIG. 8) is performed on the top page of the communication terminal 10 of the player corresponding to a certain player ID and the selection result is received, the CPU 21 of the game server 20 selects the opponent of the player ID. The player ID is randomly determined from the other player IDs included in the player database 31. At this time, it is preferable that the skill levels of the player IDs that compete are the same.
When the opponent is determined, the CPU 21 transmits HTML data for displaying a web page for notifying the opponent to the communication terminal 10. In executing the match, the CPU 21 accesses the player database 31 of the database server 30 via the database access unit 24, and when the management point of the target player ID is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount required for the execution of the match, The predetermined amount is decreased from the management point, and the character data associated with the two player IDs as the opponents is read out. And CPU21 performs the battle | competition between player characters based on the read character data.

  As a method for determining the winning or losing of the battle, any method can be adopted as long as the ability value of the player character affects the winning or losing. For example, the ability values of the player characters associated with the two player IDs that are opponents are compared, and the player character having a larger ability value has a higher probability (for example, a predetermined probability within a range of 60 to 90%). You may set it to win. The win rate may be higher as the difference in ability values is larger. At this time, as shown in FIG. 6, when there are a plurality of items of ability values, predetermined weighting (for example, in the example of FIG. 6, “batting force” is 0.3 and “running force” is 0. .3, “defense power” is set to a weight of 0.4, etc.), and a comprehensive ability value can be calculated and used as a comparison target.

When the CPU 21 determines the battle result of the battle of the player character associated with the two player IDs as the opponents, the CPU 21 displays HTML data for displaying a web page including the battle results as the two player IDs of the opponents. To the player's communication terminal 10. Then, the communication terminal 10 interprets the HTML data received from the game server 20 and displays an image including the battle result on the display unit 16. After determining the battle result, the CPU 21 performs a process of writing details of the battle result in the game result database 32 via the database access unit 24.
Since the time from when the player selects the menu m3 on the top page illustrated in FIG. 8 until the web page including the battle result is displayed is extremely short (for example, several seconds), the player The result of the battle can be known in a very short period of time with only a simple operation. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a web page displayed by executing the game function. The web page in FIG. 12A is a page that prompts an instruction to start a game after determining an opponent, and displays a planned value (7 points in the figure) of management points after the game is executed. In the web page of FIG. 12B, for example, a game result including a score or the like is displayed. If the game is won, the player can obtain a certain amount of reinforcement points.

  If it is set so that the management points are greatly reduced by executing one game function, the player must execute the next game without waiting for recovery of the management points (for example, the passage of time). However, “recovery medicine” may be provided as an item for immediately recovering the action points and management points of the player. For example, the recovery drug may be set so that the player can receive it at random timing from the service provider, or may be set so that it can be received from the fellow player in a present form. In this case, the action point and the management point are immediately recovered to the maximum value by the player using the acquired recovery medicine. As a result, the player can continuously execute the game function and the scout function, so that the game can be advanced in a shorter time than other players who do not use the recovery medicine. Become.

[Lottery function]
As described above, the lottery execution means 525 executes a lottery function that makes it possible to obtain a player card by lottery. The lottery function is preferably executed through an effect of taking out (drawing) one player card from the lottery box. The player cards that appear by lottery are basically random, but the probability that a player card (so-called rare card) of a player with outstanding technical ability or a popular player will appear in the lottery is set very low. The lottery function includes “a lottery by an ale point” in which a player card is drawn in exchange for a predetermined amount of ale points, and “a lottery by a coin” in which a lottery is advantageously performed by the player by charging the player.

  In this game, the player can register his / her friends. The maximum value of the number of friends that can be registered may be determined in advance. Network services are provided that allow exchanges on the network, such as message exchanges, game item presents or item exchanges, and sending (cheering) ale to other players. The Players can obtain a certain amount of Yale points by sending Yale to fellow players, and can perform “Lottery with Yale Points” as a free lottery to draw a player card in exchange for a predetermined amount of Yale Points .

  FIG. 13 is a display example of a web page that is displayed when the menu m4 (see FIG. 8) on the web page displayed on the communication terminal 10 is selected and prompts the player to execute a lottery with an ale point. In the web page shown in FIG. 13, the ale points (owned ale points) possessed by the player and the ale points necessary for one lottery are displayed. In the page of FIG. 13, a lottery process is executed by selecting and operating a menu labeled “Lottery”. A lottery process can take various methods. For example, a method of selecting one player card at random from each of a plurality of player cards to be drawn can be adopted. In this method, the probability (appearance probability) that each player card is selected is substantially the same. Further, it is possible to adopt a method in which an appearance probability or a range of appearance probabilities is determined in advance for each of a plurality of player cards to be selected, and one player card is selected according to the appearance probability. In the lottery process, the CPU 21 of the game server 20 performs a lottery process from a plurality of player cards provided in advance for a lottery by an ale point, determines a player card, and displays the player card in the display area 102. Are transmitted to the communication terminal 10.

  In the lottery execution means 525, the following processing is performed. After the lottery process, the CPU 21 accesses the player database 31 and decreases the ale point of the target player ID by a predetermined amount. Further, when the player card is drawn by lottery, the CPU 21 adds the player (player character) data drawn by lottery from the target player ID data, and increases the value of the number of players by one.

The main functions (scout function, reinforcement function, game function, and lottery function) of the game progress means 52 have been described above.
Whether or not the game progress means 52 can further execute a function (a scout function, a strengthening function, a game function, and a lottery function) according to the menu selected by the player based on each point or the number of players held by the player. If the function corresponding to the selected menu cannot be executed, a page including text for notifying the player that the function cannot be executed is displayed on the communication terminal 10. For example, when the scout function is to be executed for an area where the action power of “5” is required for one search process, when the action point of the player is “3”, the scout function cannot be executed. “Your power is insufficient. Your power will recover by 1 every 3 minutes. Let's wait slowly.” At this time, the CPU 21 of the game server 20 accesses the user database 31, performs a comparison process between the action point data of the player and the action power (predetermined value) required for the area to be searched, and executes the scout function. Judgment is made.

  As described above, in this game, the action points, management points, strengthening points, yell points, and the number of players displayed in the player data display area of FIG. 8 are the scout function, strengthening function, game function, and lottery function. It can vary depending on the execution of each function. FIG. 14 shows a list of action points, management points, reinforcement points, ale points, and factors for increasing and decreasing the number of players in this game. Note that the amount of points consumed by the execution of the above functions may be set separately or may be different.

  The game advancing means 52 is a factor that is not caused by the execution of each function of the scout function, the strengthening function, the game function, and the lottery function among the increasing factors and decreasing factors shown in FIG. 14 (elapsed time, use of recovery drugs, friends Renewal processing of each point is performed on sales of the player ale and player card (described later). In the game progress means 52, for example, when increasing an action point with the passage of time, a timer built in the CPU 21 is operated, and when a predetermined time (for example, 3 minutes) elapses, the user database 31 is accessed and the action point is increased. Increment the value of point.

  In addition, although the amount of increase and decrease (consumption) of points according to the execution of the scout function, the enhancement function, the game function, and the lottery function are default values, the values differ depending on the situation in the game of the player. Good. For example, as described above, in the scout function, when the required action power is different for each area to be searched, the amount of action points consumed by the execution of the scout function varies depending on the degree of progress of the game of the player. . For example, in the scout function of this game, the action power required for one search process is set to increase as the game progresses as area 1, area 2,.

Referring to FIG. 7 again, the game function selection means 53 is associated with the player ID among a plurality of functions (a scout function, a strengthening function, a game function, a lottery function, and an order function) provided in the game. Has a function of selecting any one of the functions that can be executed according to the points held by the player according to the priority set in advance in the game.
Here, the priority set in advance in the game can be set as appropriate according to the nature of the game. For example, in a social game, the player can be guided to advance the game efficiently. It is preferable that it is set. For example, in the baseball format digital card game mentioned in the present embodiment, the player progresses the game while raising the level of his team by sequentially performing the following cycles (A) to (C). It is one of the effective ways to advance the game.
(A) Strengthen the player (player character) owned by the player to improve the team's ability.
(B) When the number of players held by strengthening decreases, a new player is found (acquired) by the scout function.
(C) A team that has increased ability wins against another player's team and gains reinforcement points.
Therefore, the priority of functions in the game function selection means 53 is preferably set in the order of, for example, an enhancement function, a scout function, a game function, and a lottery function.

  The above-described game progress means 52 has a function (a scout function, a strengthening function, a game function, a lottery function, and an order function) according to a menu selected by the player based on each point or the number of players held by the player. It is determined whether or not it can be executed, and the game function selection means 53 selects one function from the executable functions according to a preset priority.

The setting means 54 assigns the function selected by the game function selection means 53 to a predetermined instruction input button when the communication terminal 10 is a button input method. The setting means 54 assigns the function selected by the game function selection means 53 to a predetermined position in a plurality of menus when the communication terminal 10 is a touch panel input method.
In order to realize the function of the setting means 54, the CPU 21 of the game server 20 is selected according to a priority set in advance when an operation on a predetermined instruction input button or an instruction for a predetermined position of a plurality of menus is recognized. Processing for the selection operation from the player is determined in advance so as to execute one function.

The change means 55 changes the display form of the menu to which the function selected by the game function selection means 53 is assigned. In order to realize the function of the changing means 55, HTML data in which the display form of the menu to which the selected function is assigned differs from that in the case where the selected function is not selected is generated, and the HTML data is transmitted to the communication terminal. Send to 10 address.
Examples of changing the display form of the menu realized by the changing means 55 are shown in FIGS. FIG. 15 shows an example of changing the display form of the menu assigned to the selected function when the communication terminal 10 is a button input method. FIG. 16 shows an example of changing the display form of the menu assigned to the selected function when the communication terminal 10 is a touch panel input method. In either case, the selected function is a scout function.

  In the example shown in FIG. 15, the changing unit 55 changes the display form of the menu m1 by displaying a predetermined mark mk1 at a position associated with the menu m1 and blinking the entire menu m1. The predetermined mark mk1 in this case is the numeral “5”, and is set to specify the instruction input button assigned by the setting means 54. In other words, when the instruction input button assigned by the setting means 54 is “5 key”, the instruction input button to be operated by the player to execute the selected function by setting the mark mk1 to “5”. I am guiding you. With such a display, the player can immediately recognize the instruction input button to be operated. Note that the mark mk1 may have any notation format for specifying the instruction input button, and may be any character, number, symbol, code, mark, mark, design, or the like.

  In the example shown in FIG. 15, the display of the mark mk1 is not essential. For example, without displaying the mark mk1, the menu m1 may be blinked, the display color of the menu m1 may be changed, or the display size of the menu m1 may be changed. When an instruction input button to be operated by the player in order to execute the selected function is known to the player (for example, described in a game manual (not shown)), or other area on the web page When the instruction input button is guided to the player at the mark, the mark mk1 may not be displayed.

In the example shown in FIG. 16, the changing means 55 displays the menu m6 to which the function selected by the game function selecting means 53 is assigned in the basic menu display area on the top page. That is, in this example, menus m1 to m6 are provided as a plurality of menus displayed in the basic menu display area, and the changing unit 55 selects the characters displayed on the menu m6 by the game function selecting unit 53. Change according to the function. FIG. 16 shows an example in which the scout function is selected by the game function selection means 53, and the characters “Scout” are displayed on the menu m6.
In order to allow the player to continuously operate the functions sequentially selected by the game function selection means 53, the position of the menu m6 is preferably fixed on the web page shown in FIG. As illustrated in FIG. 16, a mark indicating that the menu m6 is a menu recommended for the player (in FIG. 16, a letter “recommended” and an arrow) may be added.
The changing unit 55 may highlight the menu m1 to which the function selected by the game function selecting unit 53 is assigned. FIG. 16 shows an example of blinking the display of the menu m1. By highlighting the menu m1, the player can recognize the selected function even when the character specifying the selected function is not displayed on the menu m6.

(6) Flow of main processes of game control apparatus of this embodiment Next, an example of the flow of the main processes performed by the game control apparatus of this embodiment is demonstrated with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing processing executed mainly by the game function selection unit 53, the setting unit 54, and the changing unit 55. The process shown in FIG. 17 is performed for each player ID, and may be sequentially executed to generate HTML data addressed to the communication terminal 10 corresponding to the player ID, or a web page from the communication terminal 10 corresponding to the player ID. May be executed to generate HTML data in response to the update request. FIG. 17 shows an example in which the HTML data transmission destination communication terminal 10 is a button input method.

The flowchart shown in FIG. 17 exemplifies a case where the priorities of the functions set in advance in the above-described baseball-format digital card game are in the order of the strengthening function, the scout function, the match function, and the lottery function. This priority is set with the intention of allowing the player to advance the game efficiently.
Therefore, first, the game function selection means 53 has a maximum number (Max) of the number of players of the target player ID in order to determine whether or not the strengthening function having the first highest priority can be executed. It is determined whether or not the strengthening point is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value TH1 (step S10). When the number of players has reached the maximum value, since a new player card cannot be obtained by the scout function, a strengthening function for reducing the number of players by player card integration processing is executed for the player. It is preferable to recommend. Therefore, first, the determination process of step S10 is performed. If it is determined in step S10 that the number of players is the maximum value, the setting means 54 performs a process of assigning the strengthening function to 5 keys as a predetermined instruction input button (step S12).

  If it is determined in step S10 that the number of players has not reached the maximum value, the game function selecting unit 53 determines whether or not the scout function having the second highest priority can be executed. It is determined whether or not the action point of ID is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value TH2 (step S14). Here, the game function selection means 53 determines whether or not the action point is larger than the action force required for one search process in the area where the player is currently playing. In other words, the threshold value TH2 may be a value of action power required for one search process for each area, for example. If the determination in step S14 is YES, since the player holds action points at which the number of players has not reached the maximum value and at least one search process can be executed, to find a new player It is preferable to recommend the player to execute the scout function. Therefore, the setting means 54 performs a process of assigning the scout function to 5 keys as a predetermined instruction input button (step S16).

When it is determined in step S14 that the action point is less than the predetermined threshold value TH2, the game function selecting unit 53 determines whether or not the game function having the third highest priority can be executed. It is determined whether or not the management point of the player ID is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value TH3 (step S18). In this game, if you are not able to strengthen your player or find a new player, it is recommended that you execute the match function to win the battle against other players and gain points. It is preferable to do. Therefore, the setting means 54 performs a process of assigning the game function to 5 keys as a predetermined instruction input button (step S20).
In this game, the strengthening points and action points are recovered over time, so the player has the option of waiting until the strengthening function or the scout function can be executed. In step S20, it is recommended to execute the game function.

  When it is determined in step S18 that the management point is less than the predetermined threshold value TH3, the game function selection unit 53 determines whether or not the lottery function having the fourth highest priority can be executed. It is determined whether or not the yell point of the player ID is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold TH4 (step S22). In this game, if it is not possible to strengthen existing players, find new players, or play against other players, it is recommended to perform a lottery function to draw new players by lottery It is preferable to do. Therefore, the setting means 54 performs a process of assigning the lottery function to 5 keys as a predetermined instruction input button (step S24). When it is determined that the ale point is less than the predetermined threshold value TH4, the setting unit 54 performs a process of assigning the order function having the lowest priority to the 5 keys as a predetermined instruction input button (step S26).

  If any of the enhancement function, scout function, game function, lottery function, and order function provided in this game is selected in steps S10 to S26 and assigned to 5 keys as a predetermined instruction input button, the function is changed. The means 55 performs the following processing. The changing unit 55 generates HTML data in which the display form of the menu to which the selected function is assigned differs from that in the case where the selected function is not selected, and transmits the HTML data to the communication terminal 10 ( Step S28). For example, when the scout function is selected, the web page displayed by the communication terminal 10 that has received the HTML data generated in step S28 is as illustrated in FIG. The player who sees this display can know that the execution of the scout function is recommended from the point on the game of the current player. In the example of FIG. 15, since the mark mk1 of “5” is displayed in the display area of the menu m1 to which the scout function is assigned, the instruction input button (5 key) to be operated immediately by the player who sees this is displayed. The display configuration is such that it can be recognized.

  Note that, when the selected function is changed, HTML data is newly generated. When the web page displayed on the communication terminal 10 of the player is automatically updated, the changing unit 55 transmits the newly generated HTML data to the communication terminal 10 at the next update. When the HTML data is transmitted in response to the web page update request from the communication terminal 10 of the player, the changing unit 55 does not transmit the HTML data in order to receive the update request after generating new HTML data.

As described above, according to this game control device, a function that allows the game to proceed efficiently is selected from among a plurality of functions provided in the game, in accordance with the points on the game for each player. The player is recommended to execute the function. The recommended functions are updated according to the player's points in the game and the points of the player that change from time to time. Since the display form of the upper menu is changed (for example, highlighted), the player can immediately know the recommended function. Further, the player does not need to think about which function can be executed at his / her point.
The function recommended by the game control device is assigned to a predetermined instruction input button (in the case of a button input type communication terminal) or a predetermined position (in the case of a touch panel input type communication terminal). Only by repeating the same operation or the same instruction operation, a recommended function that can be sequentially changed can be continuously executed. Therefore, the operability is very good when the game is advanced.
Therefore, according to this game control apparatus, a player can advance a game efficiently by simple operation.

(7) Modification Example (7-1) Modification Example 1 for Display Mode
In the above embodiment, a modification of the display mode of the basic menu display area displayed on the communication terminal 10 (modification of the process of the changing unit 55) will be described with reference to FIGS.
In FIG. 15, for example, when the scout function is selected, the changing unit 55 displays a predetermined mark mk1 at a position associated with the menu m1 and blinks the entire menu m1 to thereby change the menu m1. Although an example of changing the display form has been shown, the present invention is not limited to this. It is good also as a display form shown in FIG. That is, as shown in FIG. 18A, the menu m1 may be highlighted by increasing the size of characters displayed on the menu m1. As shown in FIG. 18B, the menu m1 may be highlighted by changing the display pattern and / or display color of the menu m1. As described above, it is preferable to display the mark mk1, but it is not essential.

15 and 18 show an example in which the changing unit 55 changes the display mode in the display area of the menu m1 when, for example, the scout function is selected, but is not limited thereto. The change of the display form of the display area corresponding to the menu m1 is substantially included in the change of the display form of the menu. For example, the display form shown in FIG. In FIG. 19, unlike FIGS. 15 and 18, menus m1 to m5 are arranged in a line. In this case, as shown in FIG. 19A, the display form of the menu may be changed by displaying the mark mk2 in the display area near the menu m1. As shown in FIG. 19B, the display form of the menu may be changed by displaying the mark mk3 in the display area corresponding to the menu m1.
As shown in FIG. 19, the display positions of the marks mk2 and mk3 only need to be arranged at positions corresponding to the display area of the menu m1 assigned to the selected function (in this case, the scout function) It is not always necessary to arrange the menu m1 in the display area.

  As illustrated in FIG. 20, for example, a mark mk4 displayed at a position associated with the menu m1 assigned to the selected function needs to indicate characters specifying a direction instruction button to be operated by the player. There is no. In this example, the direction instruction button to be operated by the player on the web page is guided by text, and even if an arbitrary mark is provided at a position associated with the menu, the player selects the instruction input button to be operated. The situation of not knowing does not occur.

(7-2) Modification 2 regarding display mode
As already explained, in the scout function of the above-mentioned baseball-style digital card game, the action power required for one search process is subdivided into a search for a plurality of different areas (play of a plurality of segments). The player is a play target (search target) in order from the area 1. The area that has already been played can be searched again according to the selection operation. At this time, the threshold value TH2 for the determination in step S14 in FIG. 17 is set based on the action force that requires the search process for the area most advanced for the player (hereinafter referred to as “current area”). However, it is not considered to perform the scout function for other areas (other segments) that are areas that can be selected by the player and that require a lower level of action power than the current area. Therefore, in the second modification, a search process for other areas that can be selected by the player and requires less action power is also selected as the scout function (first function). Configured as follows.

  FIG. 21 is a flowchart of the second modification. 21 is different from FIG. 17 in that steps S15a and S15b are added. If it is determined in step S14 that the player cannot search the current area (action point <TH2), in step S15a, the game function selection unit 53 sets other areas other than the current area as targets. The current action point is compared with the current action value, and if there is an area where the action power is smaller than the action point, all are extracted. Next, in step S15b, the game function selection unit 53 selects any area from the extracted one or more areas. In step S16, the scout function (first function) is assigned to the 5 key as the search process for the area selected in step S15b.

About the selection method of the area in step S15b, it can set suitably. For example, the game function selection unit 53 may select an area having the lowest action power required for executing the search process (that is, the action point consumption is the smallest). Thereby, consumption of the action points of the player is suppressed as much as possible.
The selection of the area may be performed according to the completion rate (achievement level) of the area. For example, when an area with the lowest complete rate is selected, it is possible for the player to raise the bottom of the area with the lower complete rate. When the area with the highest complete rate is selected, the player can achieve a sense of accomplishment because an area with a high complete rate can be set to a complete rate of 100% (that is, a level that clears the area). can get.

In this modified example, when the scout function is selected by the game function selection means 53, the player can easily recognize whether the execution target of the scout function is the current area or another area. It is preferably displayed on a web page on the communication terminal 10. FIG. 22 shows whether the target of execution of the recommended scout function is the current area or another area depending on the menu position when the communication terminal 10 is a touch panel input type communication terminal. It is an example of the web page made to do. In this example, the menu m6 is arranged at the same position as the display example shown in FIG. 16, and is displayed when the target of executing the recommended scout function is the current area. On the other hand, the menu m7 is arranged at a position (second position) different from the menu m6, and is displayed when the target of execution of the recommended scout function is an area other than the current area. The menus m6 and m7 are not necessarily arranged adjacent to each other, and may be separated from each other.
When the communication terminal 10 uses the button instruction input method, whether the recommended scout function is executed in the current area or another area is assigned to different instruction input buttons. Also good. Although it is not essential to display a mark for specifying the instruction input button, it is preferable to display the mark. For example, when the target of the recommended scout function is an area other than the current area and the function is assigned to the 6 key (second instruction input button), the notation of the mark mk1 in FIG. May be set to “6”.

  In the above-described embodiment, a case where a plurality of areas provided in a game are played in order from area 1 has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to a case where a play order for a plurality of areas is defined. For example, the action power required for the search process in each area may be set at random, and the current area may be an arbitrary area selected by the player most recently.

(7-3) Modification 3 for setting priority
This modification is a modification in the case where the priority of the recommended function is changed from the above-described embodiment. In this modification, a player card selling function is newly provided for the above-described embodiment, and a menu assigned to the selling function is displayed on the display unit. The selling function is a function for obtaining a certain amount of strengthening points by selling a player card of a player himself / herself. As a result of the sale, the number of players is reduced by one. When the selling function is provided, one of the efficient ways of proceeding with the above-mentioned baseball-style digital card game is to perform (D) after repeating the following cycles (A) to (C). May be.
(A) Use the scout function to find (acquire) new players.
(B) When there are not enough reinforcement points, unnecessary players among the players acquired by the scout function are sold by the sale function to obtain enhancement points.
(C) The strengthening function is executed using the obtained strengthening points, and the players who have been placed in the order (that is, not a record) among the players acquired by the scout function are strengthened.
(D) A team that has improved the player's ability, wins against another player's team, and obtains reinforcement points.
In this case, it is preferable that the priority of the function in the game function selection means 53 is set in the order of, for example, a scout function, a strengthen function, and a sale function.

In the flowchart of FIG. 23, first, the game function selection means 53 determines whether or not the scout function having the first highest priority can be executed, and the number of players of the target player ID is the maximum value (Max). It is determined whether or not (step S50). If the number of players has not reached the maximum value and the action point is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold value TH2 (step S52: YES), the player is recommended to execute a scout function for finding a new player. It is preferable to do. Therefore, the setting means 54 performs a process of assigning the scout function to 5 keys as a predetermined instruction input button (step S54).
If it is determined in step S50 that the number of players is the maximum value, the scout function cannot be executed. Therefore, in order to determine whether the second highest priority enhancement function can be executed, the player ID is strengthened. It is determined whether or not the point is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value TH1 (step S56). If the strengthening point is equal to or greater than the predetermined threshold value TH1, a process of assigning the strengthening function to 5 keys as a predetermined instruction input button is performed (step S58). When the strengthening point is less than the predetermined threshold value TH1, a process of assigning the selling function to 5 keys as a predetermined instruction input button in order to prompt the player to sell the unnecessary player by the selling function and obtain the strengthening point It performs (step S60).
When any one of the scout function, the strengthen function, and the sale function is selected in the processes of steps S50 to S60 and assigned to the 5 keys as a predetermined instruction input button, the changing unit 55 performs the following process. The changing unit 55 generates HTML data in which the display form of the menu to which the selected function is assigned differs from that in the case where the selected function is not selected, and transmits the HTML data to the communication terminal 10 ( Step S62).

  In this modification, the priority of the function in the baseball digital card game is set from the viewpoint of improving the ability of the player's team. That is, the menu recommended to the player in accordance with the procedure of FIG. 23 is specialized in improving the player's team power. It is left to the player's judgment as to how much the team power is raised and the match with another player is performed. When the player plays a match with another player, for example, the selection operation of the menu m3 in FIG. 15 is performed. become. For example, the player operates the 5 keys continuously, and selects and operates the menu m3 at a desired timing when it is determined that the team power has sufficiently increased. If the player wins the battle, the player can obtain reinforcement points, and the reinforcement points are used to further enhance his team.

As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described in detail, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment. In addition, it goes without saying that each embodiment may be variously improved and changed without departing from the gist of the present invention.
For example, the game control device of the above embodiment has been described as an example in which a social game is realized on the communication terminal of the player by wireless communication with the communication terminal operated by the player. Not limited. The game control device of the present invention can also be realized in a home game machine (with or without an online function) operating in a GUI environment. In this case, each means provided in the game control device of the present invention is realized mainly by the CPU in the consumer game machine. When the game control device of the present invention is realized by a home game machine, the game menu of the home game machine is arranged not on the web page but on the page or image displayed on the display unit. The Such page or image data is generated in a consumer game machine.
In the above embodiment, the menu on the web page displayed on the communication terminal 10 is a so-called pull-down format (when one menu is operated, a plurality of menus are displayed in a pull-down format, and one of the menus is selected from the plurality of menus. May be set in the selection operation). In that case, a recommended menu in a pull-down format is provided on the web page, and a menu assigned with the selected function is sequentially displayed on the top of a plurality of menus displayed in a pull-down format from the recommended menu. You can do it.

10: Communication terminal 11 ... CPU
12 ... ROM
13 ... RAM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14 ... Image processing part 15 ... Instruction input part 16 ... Display part 17 ... Wireless communication interface part 18 ... Bus 20 ... Game server 20
21 ... CPU
22 ... ROM
23 ... RAM
24 ... Database access unit 25 ... Communication interface unit 26 ... Bus 30 ... Database server 31 ... Player database 32 ... Game result database 51 ... Registration means 52 ... Game progress means 521 ... Game function display means 522 ... Scout execution means 523 ... Reinforcement execution Means 524 ... Game execution means 525 ... Lottery execution means 53 ... Game function selection means 54 ... Setting means 55 ... Change means

Claims (9)

Display means for displaying, on the display unit, a plurality of menus to which each of a plurality of functions executed in the game and each of the plurality of functions for which points on the game of the player are consumed as each function is executed;
Function selecting means for selecting any one of the functions that can be executed by the points among the plurality of functions according to a priority set in advance in the game;
Setting means for assigning the function selected by the function selecting means to a predetermined instruction input button;
Changing means for changing a display form of a menu to which the function selected by the function selecting means is assigned,
By operating the instruction input button assigned by the setting means, the function selected by the function selecting means is executed,
The first function of the plurality of functions is a function of executing the play of a plurality of segments, and the consumption of points associated with the execution of the play is different for each segment,
The function selection means can be executed by the point when the function to be selected according to the priority is the first function and the segment to be played by the player cannot be played by the point. A game control device that selects another segment and selects the first function as executing the selected segment. Display means for displaying, on the display unit, a plurality of menus to which each of a plurality of functions executed in the game and each of the plurality of functions for which points on the game of the player are consumed as each function is executed;
Function selecting means for selecting any one of the functions that can be executed by the points among the plurality of functions according to a priority set in advance in the game;
Setting means for assigning the function selected by the function selection means to a predetermined position in a plurality of menus;
Changing means for changing a display form of a menu to which the function selected by the function selecting means is assigned,
The function selected by the function selecting means is executed by indicating the position assigned by the setting means,
The first function of the plurality of functions is a function of executing the play of a plurality of segments, and the consumption of points associated with the execution of the play is different for each segment,
The function selection means can be executed by the point when the function to be selected according to the priority is the first function and the segment to be played by the player cannot be played by the point. A game control device that selects another segment and selects the first function as executing the selected segment. Each of the plurality of segments is configured to be an object of play in order along the progress of the game,
The game control device according to claim 1 or 2. The function selecting means selects, as the other segment, a segment that consumes the least amount of points during execution from the plurality of segments.
The game control device according to claim 1. The first function further includes a function of calculating the achievement level of play for each segment according to the degree of execution of play of each segment,
The function selecting means selects the other segment based on the achievement level.
The game control device according to claim 1. When the first function is selected to play the other segment, the setting means sets the first function to a predetermined second instruction input button different from the predetermined instruction input button. Or a predetermined second position different from the predetermined position in a plurality of menus,
6. The first function is executed by operating the second instruction input button or instructing the second position. Game control device. A program for controlling the execution of a game,
A procedure for displaying a plurality of menus, each of which is assigned to each of a plurality of functions executed in the game and each of the plurality of functions for which points on the game of the player are consumed as each function is executed;
A procedure of selecting any one of the plurality of functions that can be executed by the points according to a priority set in advance in the game;
Assigning the function selected by the selecting procedure to a predetermined instruction input button, or assigning it to a predetermined position in a plurality of menus;
A procedure for changing a display form of a menu to which the function selected by the selecting procedure is assigned;
A procedure for executing the function selected by the selecting procedure by operating the instruction input button assigned by the assigning procedure or by indicating the position assigned by the assigning procedure;
To the computer,
The first function of the plurality of functions is a function of executing the play of a plurality of segments, and the consumption of points associated with the execution of the play is different for each segment,
The procedure to be selected can be executed by the point when the function to be selected according to the priority is the first function and the segment to be played by the player cannot be played by the point. Selecting another segment and selecting the first function as executing the selected segment,
program. A game control method for controlling execution of a game,
Displaying a plurality of menus, each of which is assigned to each of a plurality of functions executed in the game and each of the plurality of functions for which points on the game of the player are consumed as each function is executed,
Selecting one of the plurality of functions among the functions executable by the points according to a priority set in advance in the game;
Assigning the function selected in the selecting step to a predetermined instruction input button, or assigning it to a predetermined position in a plurality of menus;
Changing a display form of a menu to which the function selected by the selecting step is assigned;
The instruction input button assigned in the assigning step is operated, or the position assigned in the assigning step is indicated, thereby executing the function selected in the selecting step;
Including
The first function of the plurality of functions is a function of executing the play of a plurality of segments, and the consumption of points associated with the execution of the play is different for each segment,
The selecting step can be executed by the point when the function to be selected according to the priority is the first function and the play of the segment to be played by the player cannot be executed by the point. Selecting another segment and selecting the first function as executing the selected segment,
Game control method. A game control system comprising: a communication terminal operated by a player; and a server device connected to the communication terminal via a network and controlling game execution in association with player-specific player identification information,
The server device
A plurality of menus assigned to each of a plurality of functions executed in the game and each of which is consumed by the player as the function is executed are displayed on the display unit of the communication terminal. Display means;
Function selecting means for selecting any one of the functions that can be executed by the points among the plurality of functions according to a priority set in advance in the game;
A setting means for assigning the function selected by the function selection means to a predetermined instruction input button of the communication terminal, or for assigning to a predetermined position in a plurality of menus;
Changing means for changing a display form of a menu to which the function selected by the function selecting means is assigned,
The function selected by the function selecting means is executed by operating the instruction input button assigned by the setting means or by instructing the position assigned by the setting means,
The first function of the plurality of functions is a function of executing the play of a plurality of segments, and the consumption of points associated with the execution of the play is different for each segment,
The function selection means can be executed by the point when the function to be selected according to the priority is the first function and the segment to be played by the player cannot be played by the point. Selecting another segment, and selecting the first function as executing the selected segment.
Game system.

Images