JP2013165906A - Game system, and matching method for network game - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game system in which expandability with regard to player matching is added to a play environment of a network game.SOLUTION: A game system 1 includes game terminals 3 in which either a network game or a single play game is executed, and a server 2. The server 2 retains state information 54 indicating the type of a game being executed by each player 5, and when the network game is started in the game terminal 3A, generates a candidate list including at least one player executing the single play game and transmits it to the game terminals 3B and 3C. When a player 5B executing the single game is selected from the candidate list in the game terminal 3A, in the server 2, the state information 54 of the selected player 5B is changed to the network game. In the game terminal 3B, the single game that is being executed is stopped and the network game with the player 5A is started.

Description

  The present invention relates to a game system in which a network game is executed among a plurality of players via a network, and a matching method for the network game.

  As a network game executed between a plurality of players, for example, when a battle game is provided, a game system in which a server performs a process of determining an opponent for each player, that is, a player matching process has already been provided. Widely known. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2.) Player matching in these game systems combines players for only those players who wish or are allowed to participate in the battle game. In other words, player matching is performed under the agreement of the players to be matched.

JP 2004-171523 A JP 2001-224865 A

  However, in the case of player matching as described above, since a player who does not want to participate in the network game does not participate in the game, the player participating in the network game is fixed, and the play environment in the network game is fixed / mannerized. There is a risk.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a game system in which extensibility related to player matching is added to a play environment of a network game, and a matching method for a network game.

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

  A game system (1) as an embodiment of the present invention includes a server (2) and game terminals (3A, 3B, 3C, 3) operated by each of a plurality of players (5A, 5B, 5C, 5). Each game terminal includes a display unit (60) and an operation input unit (62) that are communicably connected to each other. In each game terminal, a network game that is advanced by operations of the plurality of players, and a single player A game system in which one of a single-play game that proceeds by only an operation is executed, and the server executes either the network game or the single-play game with respect to the game terminal operated by each player A player information storage unit (47) for storing state information of the game being played, and the start information is for opening the network game. When the player information storage unit is referred to, at least one player who is executing the single play game is included as a list of players that can be matched with the player corresponding to the start information with respect to the network game. A candidate list generation unit (44a) that generates a candidate list and transmits the candidate list to the game terminal, and a selection result indicating that the player who is executing the single play game is selected from the candidate list is displayed. When received, the status information corresponding to the selected player is changed to indicate the network game, and a matching result indicating that matching between the player of the game terminal and the selected player is determined Is transmitted to the game terminal of each matched player. A game processing unit (44b), and each game terminal, when the start of any of the games is indicated, transmits a game start unit (71) to the server, Upon receiving the candidate list after the start is indicated, a selection process for causing the player to select a player as a matching partner from the candidate list and transmitting the selection result indicating the selected player to the server. When the matching result is received, the network game execution processing unit (73a) that executes the network game with the player matched with the player, and the start of the single play game are indicated. A single play game execution processing unit (72a) for executing the single play game; A state transition unit (72b) that transitions from the running single play game to the process of the network game execution processing unit when the matching result is received during the execution of the single play game, Solve the problem.

  In the game system of the present invention, not only a network game but also a single play game which is progressed by one player is provided. The server generates a candidate list including a player who is executing a single play game, and when the player is selected as a matching partner, the single player game being executed is selected at the game terminal of the selected player. It is canceled and the network game is forcibly started. As described above, the player who is executing the single play game is configured to be forced to participate in the network game when selected as a matching partner regardless of the intention regarding participation in the network game. Thereby, fixation of the player who participates in a network game can be avoided. Furthermore, a player who is executing a single play game plays a network game with an unexpected opponent at an unexpected timing. Therefore, the single play game has an unexpected addition of forced participation in a network game with an unexpected opponent. Thus, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a game system that provides extensibility to the play environment of the network game while giving unexpectedness to the play environment of the single play game.

  The mode of determining the game to be started by the game start unit includes a case where the game is determined by a player's selection and a case where the game is determined based on another processing result. The network game in the present invention is not limited to a battle game in which a plurality of players battle each other. For example, a game in which a certain goal is achieved in cooperation between a plurality of players is also included. Therefore, the matching partner includes a case of being an opponent and a case of being a collaborator. The candidate list in the present invention may be composed of only a plurality of players who are executing a single play game, or may be composed of one player who is executing a single play game. After the transition to the network game, the single play game may be resumed after the end of the network game or may be ended as it is.

  In the present invention, when the candidate list generation unit transmits the candidate list, the candidate list generation unit is running the single play game and is notified to each game terminal operated by each player included in the candidate list. When the candidate notification is received, the state transition unit displays a display (12) indicating that the player is included in the candidate list when the candidate notification is received. You may go on the game screen (10).

  According to the present invention, when a player who is executing a single play game is included in the candidate list, a display notifying that the player is a candidate for a matching partner is displayed. Done on the screen. The display indicates a possibility that the network game is forcibly started, and can give a tension to the player who is executing the single play game. Since the timing at which the display is performed is determined according to the timing at which the candidate list is generated by the server, the player who is executing the single play game cannot anticipate the timing at which the display is performed. Therefore, the unexpectedness of the play environment of the single play game can be further enhanced.

  The “display indicating that the player is included in the candidate list” is not limited to the predetermined end illustration, and may be character information, or may be an image in which the illustration and the character information are combined. The display mode is not limited to a still image. For example, it may be a blinking image or a moving image. The display time for the display may be a predetermined time or may be determined according to a predetermined condition. Furthermore, you may comprise not only the display in a display part but the effect of a sound and light. Moreover, you may comprise as follows.

  Furthermore, when the matching processing unit transmits the matching result, each of the players included in the candidate list excluding the selected player operates a candidate release notification indicating that the matching is determined. When the candidate transition notification is received, the state transition unit may erase the display indicating that the player is included in the candidate list. Thereby, when matching is determined, the notification image displayed for the player who is not the matching partner can be erased.

  Further, the state transition unit may perform the display on the display unit in a size that does not prevent the execution in a place where the execution of the single-play game being executed is not prevented. Thereby, even if a notification image is displayed on the game screen, the player can continue the single play game without any problem.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, the matching processing unit includes a matching adjustment unit (44) that transmits a forced participation notification to the game terminal of the selected player when the selection result is received, and the state transition unit When the candidate notification is received, the player displays the display indicating that the player is included in the candidate list, monitors the operation content of the player, and receives the forced participation message. And determining whether or not the operation content satisfies a predetermined participation refusal condition, and transmits the determination result to the server, and the matching processing unit receives the determination result when the participation refusal condition is satisfied. In the case where it is not indicated, the state information may be changed, and the matching result and the candidate cancellation notification may be transmitted.

  According to the present invention, the operation content of each player included in the candidate list and executing the single play game is monitored. Then, when the operation content of the selected player does not satisfy the predetermined participation refusal condition, the selected player is forced to participate in the network game. Therefore, participation in the network game can be avoided if the participation refusal condition is satisfied, so that it is possible to provide the player selected as the matching partner with the possibility of refusing participation in the network game. If the participation refusal condition is satisfied, the matching process may be terminated as a failure of matching, or the matching partner may be selected again as follows.

  That is, in the present invention, when the received determination result indicates that the participation refusal condition is satisfied, the matching adjustment unit operates a game terminal operated by the player who has transmitted the candidate list to the reselection request. When the reselection request is received, the selection processing unit causes the player to select a different player from the selected player, and displays a selection result indicating the different player as the selected player. When the selection result is received, the matching adjustment unit may transmit the forced participation notification to a game terminal operated by the different player indicated by the selection result.

  In the case of the above invention, when the received determination result indicates that the participation refusal condition is satisfied, the matching adjustment unit satisfies the participation refusal condition for the player to the candidate list generation unit. A new candidate list excluding the selected player is generated, the reselection request is transmitted together with the new candidate list, and the selection processing unit may cause the player to select the different player from the new candidate list. Good. Thus, each time the player selects a matching partner, a different candidate list is provided.

  In addition, according to the present invention, the player information storage unit also stores attribute information of each player in association with each player, and the candidate list generation unit refers to the player information storage unit to obtain the start information. The candidate list may be generated based on the attribute of the player corresponding to. According to the present invention, when the candidate list is generated, the attribute information of each player is taken into account, so that, for example, players with similar attributes can be matched. The player attribute information includes attributes relating to the game and player-specific attributes. Examples of the attributes relating to the game include an average score, the number of times played, and a skill level.

  In the matching method for the network game of the present invention, the server (2) and the game terminals (3A, 3B, 3C, 3) operated by each of the plurality of players (5A, 5B, 5C, 5) are mutually connected. Each game terminal includes a display unit (60) and an operation input unit (62) that are communicably connected to each other, and each game terminal includes a network game that is advanced by the operations of the plurality of players, and a single player only. A network game matching method in a game system in which any one of a single play game that proceeds by an operation is executed, wherein the network game or the single play game is related to the game terminal operated by each player. A player information storage unit (47) for storing state information of the game being executed; When the start information indicates the start of the network game, the single-play game is referred to as a list of players that can be matched with the player corresponding to the start information with respect to the network game when the start information indicates the start of the network game. Generating a candidate list including at least one player who is executing the game, and transmitting the candidate list to the game terminal; and a player executing the single play game as the player selected from the candidate list. When the selection result is received, the state information corresponding to the selected player is changed to indicate the network game, and matching between the player of the game terminal and the selected player is determined. Matching results indicating that each matched Transmitting the start information indicating the start of the network game to the server, and sending the candidate list to the game terminal where the network game is started. And causing the player to select a player as a matching partner from the candidate list, transmitting the selection result indicating the selected player to the server, and receiving the matching result, When the matching result is received during execution of the single play game, the step of executing the network game with the matched player is executed, and the game terminal executing the single play game receives the matching result. Run the network game from a single play game The above-mentioned problem is solved by causing the step to perform. The matching method for the network game of the present invention is realized as the game system of the present invention.

  As described above, according to the present invention, a player who is executing a single play game is also a target for matching a network game. When a match is made, the single play game being executed is stopped, and the player is forced to become a network game. It is configured to participate. Thus, the present invention can provide a game system or the like in which extensibility related to player matching is added to a play environment in a network game.

The figure which shows an example of the game system which concerns on this invention. The sequence diagram which shows the outline | summary of the process of each game terminal and server in a 1st form. The figure which shows the game screen of the single play game performed with the game terminal of FIG. The figure which shows the game screen on which the notification image was displayed. The figure which shows the battle game start screen displayed following a mode transition notification screen and a mode transition notification screen. Schematic of the hardware configuration of the server. The figure which shows an example of the data structure of player information. The schematic diagram of the hardware constitutions of a game terminal. The flowchart which shows the flow of the start process performed in a server. The flowchart which shows the flow of the server process for network modes performed in a server. The flowchart which shows the flow of the matching process performed in the server process for network modes. The flowchart which shows the flow of the server process for single play modes performed in a server. The flowchart which shows the flow of the terminal process performed with a game terminal. The flowchart which shows the flow of the network game control processing performed with a game terminal. The flowchart which shows the flow of the other party selection process performed in a network game control process. The flowchart which shows the flow of the single play game control processing performed with a game terminal. The flowchart which shows the flow of the mode transfer process performed in a single play game control process. The sequence diagram which shows the outline | summary of the process of each game terminal and server in a 2nd form. The flowchart which shows the flow of the matching process performed in a 2nd form. The flowchart which shows the flow of the other party selection process performed with a 2nd form. The flowchart which shows the flow of the mode transfer process performed with a 2nd form.

(1) Configuration of Game System FIG. 1 is an example of a game system 1 according to the present invention. The game system 1 includes a server 2 and a plurality of game terminals 3A, 3B, 3C. The server 2 and the game terminals 3A, 3B, 3C can communicate with each other via a network 4. In this embodiment, each of the game terminals 3A, 3B, and 3C is operated by the players 5A, 5B, and 5C. Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the game terminals 3A, 3B, and 3C, it is referred to as “game terminal 3”, and when it is not necessary to distinguish between the players 5A, 5B, and 5C, it is referred to as “player 5”.

  The game terminal 3 is a home game machine (including a personal computer) in this embodiment, but may be a commercial game machine installed in a commercial facility or a portable game machine (including a portable phone). Good. In the game terminal 3, either a single play game that progresses by operation of only one player 5 or a network game that progresses by operation of the players 5 of the plurality of game terminals 3 is executed. The single play game may be a game that progresses by processing only in the game terminal 3 without communication with the server 2, or may be a game that progresses while communicating with the server 2. The single play game of this embodiment proceeds in a state where communication with the server 2 is not performed, that is, the game terminal 3 is in a stand-alone state. In this embodiment, the network game is a battle game in which the opponent competes for a score. Hereinafter, the network game is referred to as a battle game, and the player 5 who battles in the battle game may be referred to as an opponent.

  The server 2 manages information related to the players, functions as an authentication server that performs processing related to authentication of each player 5, functions as a game server that manages the progress of each game, and functions as a lobby server that manages acceptance of participation in network games. It has a function. The communication mode of the game system 1 may be wireless or wired. Further, the network 4 may be an open network in which users are not limited like the Internet, or may be a local network in which users are limited. In this embodiment, the network 4 is described as the Internet.

  Based on the configuration of the game system 1 described above, a first mode and a second mode will be described as modes according to the game system of the present invention. The configuration of the game system described above is common to the first mode and the second mode, but the mode in which the player 5 is matched for the battle game is different between the first mode and the second mode. In both forms, when a single play game is being executed in each of the game terminal 3B and the game terminal 3C, the process when the player 5A of the game terminal 3A wishes to participate in the battle game and transmits a participation request to the server 2 Will be described. In the following description, regarding the game terminal 3, a state where processing related to the execution of a single play game is performed is referred to as a single play mode, and a state where processing related to execution of a network game is performed is referred to as a network mode.

(2) 1st form First, the 1st form is demonstrated using FIGS. In the first mode, the player 5 selected as the opponent by the player 5 is forced to participate in the network game regardless of the intention of the selected player 5 even when the single-play game is being executed. It is done. In the first embodiment, an outline of the processing performed by each configuration 2, 3A, 3B, 3C in the game system 1 will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG.

  As described above, the single play game is executed on the game terminal 3B and the game terminal 3C (step S10). As shown in FIG. 3, the single play game of the present embodiment is a game in which the flying object 11 flies in a virtual space displayed on the game screen 10 in accordance with operations of the players 5B and 5C. The player 5 is configured to clear each of a plurality of tasks (quests) given from the game. When there is a participation request for the competitive game from the game terminal 3A (step S12), the server 2 generates a candidate list for the player 5A (step S14). The candidate list includes a plurality of players 5 who can be opponents (matching opponents) of the player 5A among the players 5 logged in to the game system 1 as opponent candidates. Hereinafter, in the present embodiment, the matching partner that is matched by the server 2 is referred to as an opponent.

  In this embodiment, the player list including the player 5B and the player 5C who are executing the single play game is included in the candidate list. However, the player 5 included in the candidate list of the present invention is not limited to the player 5 who is executing the single play game. For example, another player 5 (hereinafter referred to as “matching player 5”) that has transmitted a participation request, such as the player 5A, may be included. The candidate list preferably includes the names of the players 5 as well as the profiles of the players 5 (gender, birthplace, average score, skill level, etc.). The server 2 transmits the generated candidate list to the game terminal 3A (step S16), and transmits candidate notifications to the game terminals 3B and 3C corresponding to the players 5B and 5C included in the candidate list (step S16). S18).

  The game terminal 3A that has received the candidate list performs partner selection processing (step S22). In the opponent selection process, the candidate list is presented to the player 5A, and the player 5 desired as the opponent is selected. In this embodiment, a case where the player 5B is selected will be described. In this case, a selection result indicating the selected player 5B is transmitted to the server 2 (step S24). The server 2 that has received the selection result associates the players 5A and 5B with each other as opponents. That is, the matching of the player 5 participating in the battle game is determined (step S26). Then, the server 2 transmits the matching result for notifying the opponent to the game terminals 3A and 3B of the matched players 5A and 5C (step S28), and the candidate is not sent to the game terminal 3C of the unselected player 5C. A cancellation notification is transmitted (step S30). The matching result includes information on the opponent necessary for the battle game.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, the game terminals 3B and 3C that have received the candidate notification transmitted from the server 2 include players 5B and 5C that operate their own devices in the candidate list. The notification image 12 as a display indicating that it is a candidate is displayed on the game screen 10 of the single-play game being executed (step S20). It is desirable that the size and display location of the notification image 12 are set so as not to hinder the execution of the single play game even if the notification image 12 is displayed. The notification image 12 of this embodiment is an eyeball illustration to indicate that the players 5B and 5C in the single play game are “seen by the player 5A”. In addition, messages such as “becoming an opponent candidate” or “may be attacked by an enemy” may be displayed as the notification image 12. The notification image 12 may be a combination of an illustration and a message. It may be a still image, a blinking image or a moving image.

  After that, the game terminal 3B that has received the matching result from the server 2 cancels the single pre-game, and instead of the game screen 10 and the notification image 12, as shown in FIG. The mode transition notification screen 20 on which the notification 21 is displayed is displayed. Subsequently, a battle game start screen 30 indicating the start of the battle game is displayed, and the battle game with the player 5A is started (step S34). On the competitive game start screen 30, for example, the avatars 5AC and 5BC and the profile information 5AI and 5BI introducing the profiles of the players 5A and 5B are displayed for the matched players 5A and 5B, respectively.

  Receiving the candidate release notification, the game terminal 3C deletes the notification image 12 and continues the single play game (step S36). In addition, the game terminal 3A that has received the matching result displays the battle game start screen 30 and starts a battle game with the player 5B selected by the player 5A as the opponent. As described above, in this embodiment, the player 5A selects the player 5B that is executing the single play game as the opponent, but if the candidate list includes the player 5 who wants to play, the player 5 who wants to play will play. It may be selected as a partner. Since the process related to matching in this case may be a conventionally known process, a description thereof will be omitted. The process after the start of the battle game may be a process in a conventionally known network game.

  Regarding the first mode, details of processing performed in the game terminal 3 and the server 2 will be described. First, the hardware configuration of the server 2 will be described with reference to FIG. The server 2 controls the operation of the server 2, the server transmission / reception unit 40 that transmits / receives data to / from the game terminal 3 via the network 4, the server storage unit 41 that stores various data necessary for the operation of the server 2, and the server 2. And a server control unit 42. The server control unit 42 includes a CPU and a storage area necessary for its operation, and functions as a computer. The server control unit 42 functions as a state setting unit 43, a network mode processing unit 44, and a single play mode processing unit 45 by executing a server computer program described later.

  The state setting unit 43 sets the type of game being executed by the player 5 in the player information 46. The network mode processing unit 44 performs processing related to the game terminal 3 in the network mode, and includes a candidate list generation unit 44a and a matching processing unit 44b. The single play mode processing unit 45 performs processing related to the game terminal 3 in the single play mode.

  The server storage unit 41 includes a player information storage unit 47 in which player information 46 is stored as information regarding the player 5. As shown in FIG. 7, the player information 46 in this embodiment includes a player ID 50 for identifying the player 5, attribute information 51, play history information 52, game terminal information 53, and state information 54. The attribute information 51 is information relating to the player 5 that is not related to the game, such as the gender, birthplace, age, occupation, and the like of the player 5. The play history information 52 is information obtained as a result of the player 5 playing for each of the single play game and the battle game. For example, there are an average score, the number of plays, a skill level, acquired items, and the like. The game terminal information 53 is information regarding the game terminal 3 operated by the player 5, and is, for example, a communication address of the game terminal 3. The server storage unit 41 also stores a server computer program for causing the server control unit 42 to function.

  The state information 54 is information indicating a game that the player 5 is executing. When the single play game is executed, the single play mode is set, and when the network game is executed, the network mode is set. The Further, the network mode includes a partner waiting state and a partner determination state. In this embodiment, each of the information 50 to 52 other than the state information 54 and the game terminal information 53 is information registered in advance in the game system 1. The game terminal information 53 is set every time the player 5 accesses the server 2, and the state information 54 is appropriately set according to the state after the player 5 logs into the server 2.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the game terminal 3 will be described. As shown in FIG. 8, the game terminal 3 includes an image display unit 60 that performs processing for displaying various game screens on the monitor 60a, an audio output unit 61 that performs processing for outputting various sounds from the speaker 61a, and a player. 5, an operation input unit 62 that receives operations of 5, a terminal storage unit 63 that stores various data necessary for the operation of the game terminal 3, a terminal transmission / reception unit 64 for transmitting / receiving data to / from the server 2 or another game terminal 3, And the terminal control part 70 which controls operation | movement of the game terminal 3 is provided. The operation input unit 62 includes a keyboard, a touch panel, a mouse, and the like. The terminal storage unit 63 stores a terminal computer program for causing the terminal control unit 70 to function. The terminal control unit 70 includes a CPU and a storage area necessary for its operation, and functions as a computer. The terminal control unit 70 functions as a game start unit 71, a single play game control unit 72, and a network game control unit 73 by executing a terminal computer program.

  The game start unit 71 transmits start information for the server 2 to recognize the type of game started on the game terminal 3 (network game or single play game). The single play game control unit 72 includes a single play game execution processing unit 72a and a state transition unit 72b, and controls processing performed during execution of the single play game. The network game control unit 73 includes a network game execution processing unit 73a and a selection processing unit 73b, and controls processing performed during execution of the network game.

  Subsequently, after the player 5 transmits a log-in request to the game system 1 to the server 2, processing performed at the server 2 and processing performed at the game terminal 3 will be described. First, processing performed in the server 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. In the server 2 that has received the login request, a start process as shown in FIG. 9 is performed. The start process is executed by the state setting unit 43 of the server control unit 42. In the start process, first, a login process is performed on the received login request (step S100). In the login process, the login request transmitted from the game terminal 3 is received, and the received login request is verified. For example, the ID number and password of the player 5 included in the login request are verified.

  If the login request is verified, it is then determined whether or not a request to participate in the competitive game has been received from the player 5 (step S102). Note that the participation request may be included in the login request. When the participation request is received, the state information 54 of the player information 46 of the player 5 is set to the opponent waiting state (step S104). When the state information 54 is set in step S104, the process proceeds to a network mode server process to be described later. If the participation request is not received within a predetermined time after the login process, it is determined that the player 5 does not wish to participate in the battle game, that is, the single-play game is desired. Single play mode is set (step S106). When the state information 54 is set in step S106, the process proceeds to a single play mode server process to be described later. In addition, the structure which combined login information and a participation request functions as start information of this invention.

  The network mode server process executed by the server 2 for the player 5 waiting for the other party after transmitting the participation request will be described with reference to FIG. The network mode server process is executed by the network mode processing unit 44 of the server control unit 42. First, matching processing for determining an opponent is performed (step S110). In this embodiment, the matching process is periodically executed every predetermined time. Details of the matching process will be described later. When the opponent is determined, a game execution process is performed (step S112). In the game execution process, a process for starting and progressing a battle game with the player 5 determined as the opponent is performed. For this game execution process, a conventionally known process for starting and progressing a network game that is progressed by operations of a plurality of players may be employed. When a predetermined end condition is satisfied after the battle game is started (step S114), the end process is executed (step S116), and then the network game mode server process is ended. In the end process, for example, based on the end information acquired from the game terminal 3, the play history information 52 (score average, number of plays, acquired items, etc. regarding the battle game) is updated, and the setting of the state information 54 is deleted.

  The matching process will be described with reference to FIG. As an example of the matching process, a process when the player 5 waiting for the opponent is the player 5A and the player 5B executing the single play game is selected as the opponent of the player 5A will be described. First, with reference to the player information 46 in the player information storage unit 47, a candidate list relating to the player 5A is generated (step S120). The candidate list is configured by the player 5 that is selected as the opponent candidate from the player 5 who is executing the single play game and the player 5 who wants to fight with reference to the player information storage unit 47. For example, by identifying the player 5 whose state information 54 is set to the single mode or the waiting state for the opponent, and referring to the attribute information 51 and the play history information 52 of each identified player 5, the opponent of the player 5A The player 5 that is determined to be suitable is selected as a battle candidate. Thereby, the network mode processing unit 44 functions as a candidate list generation unit 44a.

  After the candidate list is generated, the candidate list is transmitted to the game terminal 3A of the player 5A, and a candidate notification is transmitted to the game terminal 3 of each player 5 included in the candidate list. Thereafter, the selection result is waited (step S124). In this embodiment, when the selection result indicating 5B selected as the opponent of the player 5A is received from the game terminal 3A, the player 5A and the player 5B are associated with each other as the opponent. That is, a battle combination between the player 5A and the selected player 5 is determined (step S126). Further, the state information 54 of the player 5A is changed from the waiting state of the opponent in the network mode to the partner determination state, and the state information 54 of the player 5B is changed from the single play mode to the partner determination state of the network mode. Subsequently, a matching result is transmitted to the combined player 5A and player 5B, a candidate release notification is transmitted to the battle candidate 5 excluding the player 5B (step S128), and the matching process is terminated. Thereby, the network mode processing unit 44 functions as the matching processing unit 44b.

  When the player 5B selected by the player 5A is also in the opponent waiting state, the battle combination may be determined by a conventionally known process in step S126. For example, information on the player 5A is transmitted to the selected player 5B, and when the player 5B permits, the matching between the player 5A and the player 5B may be determined.

  The single play mode server process executed when the single play mode is set in the state information 54 in step S106 of the start process will be described with reference to FIG. The server process for single play mode is performed by the single play mode processing unit 45 of the server 2. In the single play mode server process, the server 2 is put into a single play game end waiting state at the game terminal 3 (step S130), and when the end information of the single play game is received from the game terminal 3, it is determined that the game has ended. Then, a single play game end process is performed (step S132). In the end process, for example, the play history information 52 (score average, number of times of play, etc. regarding the single play game) is updated based on information acquired from the game terminal 3, and the setting of the state information 54 is deleted.

  Processing performed in the game terminal 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. First, terminal processing performed at the game terminal 3 after the login request is verified will be described with reference to FIG. The terminal process is controlled by the game start unit 71 of the terminal control unit 70. In the terminal process, first, a game selection screen is displayed on the monitor 60a. The game selection screen is configured to cause the player 5 to select a network game (match game) or a single play game. When the game selection screen is displayed, the game selection waiting state is entered (step S142). When the network game is selected by the player 5, the server 2 transmits a participation request (step S144), and then a game terminal regarding the network game. The process proceeds to the network game control process, which is the process performed at step 3. When a single play game is selected in step S142, the process proceeds to a single play game control process that is a process performed on the game terminal 3 with respect to the single play game. Details of each control process will be described later.

  A network game control process performed when a network game is selected in the terminal process will be described with reference to FIG. As an example, a case where the network game control process is performed at the game terminal 3A of the player 5A and the player 5B is determined as the opponent will be described. The network game control process is controlled by the network game control unit 73 of the terminal control unit 70. In the network game control process, first, an opponent selection process is performed (step S150). In the opponent selection process, the player 5B who is the opponent of the player 5A is determined. Details of the partner selection process will be described later. When the opponent is determined, network game execution processing is subsequently performed (step S152).

  In the network game execution process, first, the battle game start screen 30 is displayed, and the battle game is started with the players 5A and 5B as opponents. And the process which advances a competitive game according to each operation of the player 5A and the player 5B is performed. When a predetermined end condition is satisfied after the network game execution process is started, the end process is performed (steps S154 and S156). In the end process, a process for ending the battle game is performed. For example, the end information including the score of the player 5A, the acquired item, and the like is transmitted to the server 2, and the network game control process is ended. By the processing from step S152 to step S156, the network game control unit 73 functions as the network game execution processing unit 73a.

  The partner selection process will be described with reference to FIG. By the opponent selection process, the network game control unit 73 functions as the selection processing unit 73b. In the partner selection process, first, the process waits for reception of a candidate list from the server 2 (step S160). When the candidate list is received from the server 2, the process proceeds to the selection process (step S164). In the selection process, the received candidate list is displayed on the monitor 60a, and the player 5A is made to select the player 5 desired as an opponent. When the player 5B is selected as the opponent, the selection result is transmitted to the server 2 (step S166). After the selection result is transmitted, the matching result is waited (step S168). When the matching result is received from the server 2, the process proceeds to the above-described network game execution process (step S152).

  A single play game control process performed when a single play game is selected in the terminal process will be described with reference to FIG. As an example, a case where a single play game control process is performed on the game terminal 3B of the player 5B will be described. The single play game control process is performed by the single play game control unit 72 of the terminal control unit 70. In the single play game control process, a mode transition process (step S178) is performed in parallel with the single play game execution process (step S170). In the single play game execution process, a process of starting a single play game on the game terminal 3B and advancing the single play game in accordance with the operation of the player 5B is performed. When a predetermined end condition is satisfied after the single play game is started, an end process is performed (step S172, step S174), and the single play control process is ended. In the end process, a process for ending the single play game is performed. For example, the end information including the score of the player 5B, the acquired item, and the like is transmitted to the server 2. The single play game control unit 72 functions as a single play game execution processing unit through the processing of step S170 to step S174.

  The mode transition process will be described with reference to FIG. By the mode transition process, the single play game control unit 72 functions as the state transition unit 72b. In the mode transition process, first, reception of a candidate notification from the server 2 is monitored (step S180). When the candidate notification is received, the notification image 12 is displayed on the game screen 10 as shown in FIG. 4 (step S182). Next, reception of a matching result or reception of a candidate cancellation notification is monitored (steps S184 and S186). When the candidate release notification is received, the displayed notification image 12 is deleted (step S188), and the monitoring state of the candidate notification in step S180 is restored. Thus, when the candidate cancellation notification is received, it indicates that the player 5 who operates the player has once become an opponent candidate but has not been finally selected as an opponent.

  On the other hand, if a matching result is received, the process proceeds to a mode change process (step S190). In the mode change process, a notification that the running single-play game is stopped and the network game is started is notified. That is, the mode transition notification 21 is displayed in place of the game screen 10 and the notification image 12. The screen 20 is displayed on the monitor 60a. The mode transition notification 21 notifies that the mode of the game terminal 3B transitions from the single play mode to the network mode. After the mode change process, the process proceeds to the network game execution process (step S152) described above. The canceled single play game may be terminated as it is, or the state of the game at the time of cancellation may be stored so that it can be resumed after the network game ends.

  When the participation request is included in the login request, the terminal process is performed before the login request is transmitted. When the network game is selected, the login request including the participation request is transmitted in step S160. When the login request including the participation request is received in S102, the login request is verified, and then the state information 54 is set in Step S104. When a single play game is selected, a login request is transmitted to the server 2 after the selection, and after the login request is verified by the server 2, a single play game control process is performed.

(3) Second Embodiment A second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the second mode, even if the player 5 who is executing the single-play game is selected as an opponent, if the player 5 satisfies a predetermined condition (hereinafter referred to as “participation refusal condition”), the participation in the network game is avoided. It is configured to be able to. In this embodiment, a case will be described in which the player 5B that satisfies the participation refusal condition avoids participating in the battle game, and the player 5C that does not satisfy the participation refusal condition is finally determined as the opponent. Hereinafter, the description which overlaps with a 1st form is abbreviate | omitted, and only the process different from a 1st form is demonstrated. Moreover, in each drawing 18-21, the same code | symbol as the 1st form is attached | subjected to the process and structure same as a 1st form.

  First, in the second embodiment, an outline of processing performed by each of the configurations 2, 3A, 3B, and 3C will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG. In each game terminal 3B, 3C that has received the candidate notification (step S18), in addition to displaying the notification image 12 (step S20), operation monitoring is started (step S50). Thereby, monitoring of the operation content of the players 5B and 5C is started in each of the game terminals 3B and 3C that have received the candidate notification. The monitoring target only needs to change according to the operation of the player 5 during the game, such as an acquisition score, an acquisition item, and a selection command. The server 2 that has received the selection result (step S24) transmits a forced participation notification to the player 5B selected as the opponent (step S52). The game terminal 3B that has received the forced participation notification performs participation determination processing (step S54).

  In the participation determination process, it is determined whether or not the monitored operation content satisfies a participation rejection condition. For example, when a predetermined command is selected, it is determined that the condition is satisfied. The operation monitoring time may be a time from reception of the candidate notification until reception of the forced participation notification, or may be a predetermined time from reception of the candidate notification. Subsequently, the game terminal 3B transmits the determination result regarding the participation refusal condition to the server 2 as a forced participation response (step S56). The server 2 that has received the forced participation response confirms the determination result (step S60). If the participation refusal condition is satisfied, the server 2 transmits a reselection request to the game terminal 3A (step S62), and sends a forced participation response. After the transmission, the notification image 12 is deleted (step S58). On the other hand, if the participation refusal condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S26, and the player 5B is determined as the opponent of the player 5A. In this embodiment, the participation refusal condition regarding the player 5B is satisfied, and thus the player 5B can avoid participation in the battle game.

  The game terminal 3A that has received the reselection request performs opponent reselection processing, and causes the player 5A to reselect the player 5 that is desired as the opponent (step S64). The partner reselection process is the same process as the partner selection described above, but the candidate list is displayed so that the player 5B is not reselected. For example, a message indicating that participation has been refused from the previously selected player 5B is displayed on the monitor 60a together with the candidate list. In this embodiment, since the player 5C is selected in the opponent reselection process, a selection result indicating that the player 5C has been selected as the opponent is transmitted to the server 2 (step S66).

  Receiving the selection result, the server 2 transmits a forced participation notification to the game terminal 3C of the player 5C indicated by the selection result (step S68). The game terminal 3C that has received the forced participation notification performs a participation determination process similar to step S54 regarding the operation of the player 5C (step S70). Subsequently, the game terminal 3 </ b> C transmits a determination result related to the participation refusal condition to the server 2 as a forced participation response. The server 2 that has received the forced participation response confirms the determination result in the same manner as in step S60 (step S74). In this embodiment, the forced participation response indicates that the participation refusal condition is not satisfied with respect to the player 5C, so the player 5C is determined as the opponent of the player 5A (step S26). That is, the player 5A and the player 5C are associated with each other as opponents. If it is determined in step S74 that the participation refusal condition has not been satisfied, the same processing as in steps S62 to S72 is performed.

  In the second mode, processes different from those in the first mode are a matching process performed in the server 2, a partner selection process and a mode transition process performed in the game terminal 3. First, the matching process in the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The processing until the selection result is received in step S124 is the same as the processing in the first mode. In the second mode, when the selection result is received, a forced participation notification is transmitted to the game terminal 3B of the player 5B selected as the opponent (step S500). After sending the forced participation notification, the mobile phone enters a forced participation response waiting state (step S502). When the compulsory participation response is received, it is confirmed by the received compulsory participation response whether or not the participation refusal condition is satisfied for the player 5B (step S504).

  If the participation refusal condition is satisfied for the player 5B, a reselection request is transmitted to the game terminal 5A (step S506). After transmitting the reselection request, the process returns to step S124 and waits for a selection result. In the case of this embodiment, the player 5C is selected by the reselection request, and the operation content of the player 5C does not satisfy the participation refusal condition, so the processing after the reselection request is as follows. In step S500, a forced participation notification is transmitted to the game terminal 3C of the player 5C indicated by the selection result. Further, in step S504, it is determined that the participation refusal condition regarding the player 5C is not satisfied, and the process proceeds to step S126. Determined as an opponent. That is, the battle combination is determined. Note that the network mode processing unit 44 functions as a matching adjustment unit of the matching processing unit 44b by the processing in steps S500 to S506.

  The partner selection process in the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The processing from step S160 to step S166 until the selection result transmission is the same as in the first embodiment. In the second mode, after the selection result is transmitted, a matching result or a reselection request is waited to be received (steps S510 and S512). If the matching result is received, the process proceeds to the network game execution process in step S152. If a reselection request is received, the process proceeds to reselection processing (step S514). In the reselection process, similar to the selection process in step S164, a candidate list is displayed on the monitor 60a, and the player 5A is selected from the candidate list by selecting the player 5C desired as an opponent. In the reselection process, as described above, the candidate list is displayed so that the already selected player 5B is not selected again. After the reselection process, the process returns to step S166, the selection result indicating the player 5C selected in step S514 is transmitted to the server 2, and then returns to the waiting state for receiving the matching result or the reselection request (step S510, step S512). ).

  The mode transition process in the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. If it is determined in step S180 that the candidate notification has been received, the notification image 12 is displayed on the game screen 10 and operation monitoring of the player 5 is started (step S520). After that, the system waits for reception of forced participation notification or candidate cancellation notification (steps S522 and S534). When the forced participation notification is received, the process proceeds to the participation determination process (step S524). In the participation determination process, as described above, based on the monitoring result of the operation of the player 5, it is determined whether or not the operation content satisfies the participation refusal condition. When the condition is satisfied, a forced participation response indicating the determination result is transmitted to the server 2 and the notification image 12 displayed on the game screen 10 is deleted (S530), and the single play game is continued. To do. After that, the mode transition process is returned to the candidate notification waiting state (step S180). Thereby, the player 5B satisfying the participation refusal condition can avoid the participation of the battle game and continue the single play game.

  When the participation refusal condition is not satisfied, a compulsory participation response indicating the determination result is transmitted to the server 2 (step S528), and a matching result reception waiting state is set (step S532). If a matching result is received, it will progress to the mode change process demonstrated by the 1st form (step S190). On the other hand, if it is determined in step S534 that the candidate release notification has been received, the notification image 12 displayed on the game screen 10 is deleted as in the first embodiment (step S188), and the candidate notification is made. (Step S180).

  In this embodiment, when a reselection request is transmitted in step S506, a new candidate list that does not include the previously selected player 5B is generated, and the reselection request is transmitted together with the new candidate list. May be. In this case, in the reselection process (step S514) in the game terminal 3A, a new candidate list is presented to the player 5A.

  The game system 1 of the present invention is not limited to the above-described form and may be executed in various forms. For example, in the first form, the notification image 12 may not be displayed on the game terminal 3 of each opponent candidate. In this case, the candidate notification in step S18 is not transmitted. The notification image 12 may be configured to be deleted after being displayed on the game screen 10 for a predetermined time. In this case, the candidate cancellation notification in step S30 is not transmitted. Moreover, you may comprise not only the display of the notification image 12 but sound and light effects. The processing by the server 2 may be configured to be processed by a plurality of servers. Instead of the candidate list, a single player may be selected by the candidate list generation unit 44a. In this case, in the second mode, when the reselection request is transmitted (step S506), the player 5 as the next opponent candidate is selected and transmitted together with the opponent candidate.

  In the above embodiment, when a single play game is selected after the login request, the participation request is not transmitted to the server 2, but even in this case, the participation request indicating participation in the single play game is sent to the server. 2 may be transmitted. In that case, the process of step S102 proceeds to step S104 or step S106 depending on the type of game indicated by the participation request. The network game is not limited to a battle game. For example, a game in which a predetermined goal is achieved in cooperation with a plurality of players may be used.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Game system 2 Server 3A, 3B, 3C, 3 Game terminal 5A, 5B, 5C, 5 Player 10 Game screen 12 Notification image 43 State setting part 44a Candidate list production | generation part 44b Matching process part 46 Player information 47 Player information storage part 60 image display unit 62 operation input unit 71 game start unit 72a single play game execution processing unit 72b state transition unit 73a network game execution processing unit 73b selection processing unit

Claims (9)

A server and a game terminal operated by each of the plurality of players are communicably connected to each other, and each game terminal includes a display unit and an operation input unit, and each game terminal operates the plurality of players. A game system in which one of a network game that progresses by a single-play game that progresses by an operation of only a single player is executed,
The server
A player information storage unit that stores state information of a game being executed out of the network game or the single play game with respect to the game terminal operated by each player;
When the start information indicates the start of the network game, referring to the player information storage unit, the single play game is being executed as a list of players that can be matched with the player corresponding to the start information regarding the network game A candidate list generating unit that generates a candidate list including at least one player and transmits the candidate list to the game terminal;
When a selection result indicating that the player who is executing the single play game is selected as the player selected from the candidate list is received, the state information corresponding to the selected player is indicated to indicate the network game. A matching processing unit that transmits a matching result indicating that matching between the player of the game terminal and the selected player is determined to the game terminal of each of the matched players,
Each of the game terminals
When the start of any of the games is indicated, a game start unit that transmits the start information to the server;
When the candidate list is received after the start of the network game is indicated, the player is caused to select a player as a matching partner from the candidate list, and the selection result indicating the selected player is sent to the server. A selection processing unit to transmit;
When the matching result is received, a network game execution processing unit that executes the network game with the player matched with the player;
After the start of the single play game is indicated, a single play game execution processing unit that executes the single play game;
A game system comprising: a state transition unit that transitions from the running single play game to the process of the network game execution processing unit when the matching result is received during the execution of the single play game. When the candidate list generation unit transmits the candidate list, the candidate list generation unit transmits a candidate notification to each game terminal that is running the single play game and that is operated by each player included in the candidate list. ,
The said state transition part will perform the display which shows that the said player is contained in the said candidate list | wrist on the said display part in the said single play game, if the said candidate notification is received. The game system according to 1. When the matching processing unit transmits the matching result, each game terminal operated by each player included in the candidate list excluding the selected player receives a candidate release notification indicating that the matching is determined Send to
The game system according to claim 2, wherein when the candidate cancellation notification is received, the state transition unit erases the display indicating that the player is included in the candidate list.   4. The game system according to claim 2, wherein the state transition unit performs the display on the display unit in a size that does not prevent the execution at a location that does not prevent the execution of the single-play game being executed. When the selection result is received, the matching processing unit includes a matching adjustment unit that transmits a forced participation notification to the game terminal of the selected player,
When the candidate notification is received, the state transition unit performs the display indicating that the player is included in the candidate list, monitors the operation content of the player, and performs the forced participation notification. Is received, it is determined whether the operation content satisfies a predetermined participation refusal condition, and the determination result is transmitted to the server,
When the received determination result indicates that the participation refusal condition is not satisfied, the matching processing unit changes the state information and transmits the matching result and the candidate cancellation notification. The game system according to claim 3. When the received determination result indicates that the participation refusal condition is satisfied, the matching adjustment unit transmits a reselection request to the game terminal operated by the player who transmitted the candidate list,
When the reselection request is received, the selection processing unit causes the player to select a player different from the selected player, and transmits a selection result indicating the different player as the selected player to the server. ,
The game system according to claim 5, wherein when the selection result is received, the matching adjustment unit transmits the forced participation notification to a game terminal operated by the different player indicated by the selection result. When the received determination result indicates that the participation refusal condition is satisfied, the matching adjustment unit excludes a player who satisfies the participation refusal condition with respect to the player from the candidate list generation unit. Create a new candidate list, send the reselection request with the new candidate list,
The game system according to claim 6, wherein the selection processing unit causes the player to select the different player from the new candidate list. The player information storage unit also stores attribute information of each player in association with each player,
The candidate list generation unit generates the candidate list based on an attribute of a player corresponding to the start information with reference to the player information storage unit. The game system according to any one of claims. A server and a game terminal operated by each of the plurality of players are communicably connected to each other, and each game terminal includes a display unit and an operation input unit, and each game terminal operates the plurality of players. A network game matching method in a game system in which one of a network game that progresses according to the above and a single play game that progresses only by operation of a single player is executed,
With respect to the game terminal operated by each player, a server including a player information storage unit that stores state information of a game being executed out of the network game or the single play game,
When the start information indicates the start of the network game, referring to the player information storage unit, the single play game is being executed as a list of players that can be matched with the player corresponding to the start information regarding the network game Generating a candidate list including at least one player and transmitting the candidate list to the game terminal;
When a selection result indicating that the player who is executing the single play game is selected as the player selected from the candidate list is received, the state information corresponding to the selected player is indicated to indicate the network game. And a step of transmitting a matching result indicating that matching between the player of the game terminal and the selected player is determined to the game terminal of each matched player is executed,
In the game terminal where the network game is started,
Transmitting the start information indicating the start of the network game to the server;
Receiving the candidate list, causing the player to select a player as a matching partner from the candidate list, and transmitting the selection result indicating the selected player to the server;
When the matching result is received, the player is caused to execute the network game with the matched player,
On a game terminal running a single play game,
A network game matching method for executing a step of executing the network game from the running single play game when the matching result is received during the execution of the single play game.

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