JP2013208285A - Game system and control method for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game system for motivating a user to keep playing games by improving control as to whether elements, such as a stage, can be selected or not.SOLUTION: In a game system, a game has a first stage where a user of a game device plays a game while allowing only a part of a plurality of stages STG1 to STGx to be selected, and a second stage where the user plays a game by selecting a stage unavailable at the first stage. In the game system, a range of stage which can be selected at the first stage is controlled so that users can select different stages STGa, STGb, which are part of the stages available at the first stage, and whether to allow a stage to be selected at the second stage is controlled according to a predetermined condition, such as payment.

Description

  The present invention relates to a game system in which a user plays a game by selectively using a plurality of elements.

  A game system in which a plurality of elements such as a stage, a map, a character, an item, and a song are prepared, and the game is progressed by sequentially allowing selection of these elements by a user. As an example, an online game system in which items used in a game are gradually added and used for user selection is known (see Patent Document 1). According to this type of game system, it is possible to maintain and improve the user's motivation for playing the game by changing the content of the game by adding a new element. A game that allows a user to play a game with a limited range of selectable elements called a trial version free of charge, and then allows a user to play a game with an expanded range of selectable elements called a product version for a fee Widely adopted in the system.

JP 2008-104502 A

  In a conventional game system, the range of elements that can be selected by the user is set in common for all users except for differences that may occur according to the progress of the game between the users. For example, the range of elements that can be selected by the user in the trial version of the game is the same regardless of the user. Therefore, the user cannot specifically know the game in which the restriction on the selection of elements is relaxed or abolished. Therefore, there is a possibility that the user is satisfied with playing a range of games and the motivation to continuously play the game is reduced. As an example, the user may be satisfied with a free trial version, which may cause inconvenience that the product version or the regular version is not purchased.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a game system or the like that can provide a user with motivation to continuously play a game by improving the control regarding whether or not an element can be selected.

  The game system (1) of the present invention includes a first stage in which a user of the game apparatus (3) plays a game in a state where only some of the plurality of elements (STG1 to STGx) are selectable, and the first A game system comprising game control means (23, 35) for selecting a non-selectable element in a stage and dividing the game into a second stage for causing the user to play the game. First selection control means (23, S2, S3) for controlling the range of elements that can be selected in the first stage so that at least some of the elements that can be selected in one stage differ among users. 35, S2A, S3A) and second selection control means (23, S30; 35, S30A) for controlling whether or not the element can be selected in the second stage according to a predetermined condition. is there.

  The game control method of the present invention includes a first stage in which a user of the game apparatus (3) plays a game in a state where only some of the plurality of elements (STG1 to STGx) are selectable, and the first A game progress control method for selecting a non-selectable element in the stage and dividing the game into a second stage for causing the user to play the game, wherein the game can be selected in the first stage. A procedure (S2, S3; S2A, S3A) for controlling a range of elements that can be selected in the first stage so that at least some of the elements are different among users, and the step in the second stage And a procedure (S30; S30A) for controlling whether or not an element can be selected according to a predetermined condition.

  In the present invention, the range of elements that can be selected by the user in the first stage is limited. However, at least some of the elements that can be selected in the first stage differ among users. For this reason, in the first stage, there are elements that cannot be selected by each user and can be selected by other users. By exchanging information between users, each user can know the contents of elements that cannot be selected by other users. Therefore, it is possible to give the user a motivation to proceed to the second stage and continue to play the game by causing the user to feel deficient or frustrated with being unable to select elements that others have already experienced.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible in the second stage to allow the user to designate an element desired to be selected from a group of elements that cannot be selected in the first stage, and the second selection control means. In a case where a predetermined condition is satisfied with respect to an element designated by the user, selection regarding the element may be switched from an impossible state to a possible state. According to this aspect, by causing the user to specify which element is desired to be selected in the second stage, the intention of the user can be appropriately reflected in the control of whether or not the element can be selected in the second stage. it can.

  In addition, the second selection control means may control to switch the element from an impossible state to a possible state on condition that the user has paid a predetermined price. According to this form, in exchange for the user paying a predetermined price, elements that cannot be selected in the first stage can be selected in the second stage. The user obtains specific information from other users for at least some of the elements that could not be selected in the first stage, and carefully determines whether or not to allow the selection of the element by paying for it be able to. Therefore, the user's satisfaction with the payment of the price can be enhanced.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, the game system includes a server device (2) and a client device (3) connected to the server device via a network, and the client device functions as the game device. Also good. In this case, the server device may be capable of providing a service for playing a common game using the element to a plurality of users whose selected elements match. In this case, the user cannot play together in a common game with other users regarding elements that cannot be selected in the first stage. Therefore, it is possible to give the user a feeling of insufficiency or a frustration at not being able to play a common game with other users, and to give the user a stronger motivation to proceed to the second stage and continuously play the game. .

  The server device may be capable of providing a service for exchanging information related to a game by a user via the client device. According to this, since the user can exchange information regarding the selection of elements via the game device, the effect of the present invention can be more reliably exhibited.

  Furthermore, the server device may hold determination information (103) for determining whether or not each user element can be selected, and the first and second selection control means (23) may be provided in the server device. . Alternatively, the game apparatus (103) holds determination information for determining whether or not each user element can be selected, and the first and second selection control means (35) may be provided in the game apparatus. . In the former case, the load on the client device can be reduced, and in the latter case, the load on the server device can be reduced.

  In addition, in the above description, in order to make an understanding of this invention easy, the reference sign of the accompanying drawing was attached in parenthesis, but this invention is not limited to the form of illustration by it.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the range of elements that can be selected by the user in the first stage is limited, and at least some of the elements that can be selected in the first stage differ among users. Since the selection of elements that could not be selected in the first stage is controlled according to a predetermined condition in the second stage, each user is not allowed to select himself / herself through information exchange between users. The content of the possible elements can be specifically obtained from other users, thereby causing the user to feel deficient or frustrated that the elements that others have already experienced cannot be selected. The user can be motivated to go on and play the game continuously.

The figure which shows the whole structure of the game system which concerns on one form of this invention. The functional block diagram in the principal part of a game system. The figure for demonstrating control of the choice of the stage in a game. The figure which shows an example of the specific structure of a progress management table. The flowchart which shows the process sequence of the center server and game device at the time of starting a game newly. The figure which shows an example of the game screen at the time of starting a game newly. The figure which shows an example of the screen at the time of selecting a stage. The figure which shows an example of the game screen at the time of restarting a game. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which a center server and a game device perform in order to make a user select a stage at the time of a game restart. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which a center server and a game device perform when a user purchases a stage. The figure which shows an example of the screen displayed in order to specify the stage which wishes to purchase. The functional block diagram in the principal part of the game system which concerns on another form. The flowchart which shows the principal part of the procedure of the process which the game device of FIG. 12 performs at the time of the new start of a game. The flowchart which shows the principal part of the procedure of the process which the game device of FIG. 12 performs at the time of a play start. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which a center server and a game device perform when a user purchases a stage in the form of FIG.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a server-client type online game system will be described. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a game system according to one embodiment of the present invention. The game system 1 includes a center server 2 as a server device and a game device 3 as a client device connectable to the center server 2 via a network 4. The center server 2 is configured as a single logical server device by combining a plurality of server units 2A, 2B. However, the center server 2 may be configured by a single server unit. Alternatively, the center server 2 may be logically configured using cloud computing. On the other hand, the game device 3 is a kind of network terminal device having a function of allowing a user to play a game. In FIG. 1, a mobile phone (including a smartphone) is illustrated as an example of the game apparatus 3. Various network terminal devices that can be connected to the network and are used for personal use by the user, such as personal computers (hereinafter referred to as PCs), portable game machines, and portable tablet terminal devices, are used as the game device 3. It's okay. As an example, the network 4 is configured to realize network communication using a TCP / IP protocol. Typically, the network 4 is configured by combining the Internet as a WAN and an intranet as a LAN. In the example of FIG. 1, the game apparatus 3 is connected to the network 4 via an access point 4a as a part of the network 4, and the center server 2 is connected to the network via a router 4b.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 2, the structure of the main part of the control system in the center server 2 and the game apparatus 3 will be described. First, the center server 2 will be described. The center server 2 is provided with a control unit 20 and a storage device 21. The control unit 20 includes a microprocessor, a ROM in which a program such as an operating system to be executed by the microprocessor is recorded, and an internal storage device (not shown) such as a RAM that provides a work area for the microprocessor. A computer unit provided. The storage device 21 stores various programs and data executed by the control unit 20. The data recorded in the storage device 21 includes server software (including programs and data; the same applies hereinafter) that the center server 2 refers to in order to play a predetermined online game on the game device 3. 100, terminal software 101 to be installed in the game apparatus 3 to execute the game, and a group of user data 102 created in association with each game user.

  The terminal software 101 operates on, for example, a Web browser mounted on the game apparatus 3 and transmits / receives information to / from the center server 2 and data to be referred to by the application program Including. The user data 102 is a set of information that should be stored separately for each user, such as personal information registered by the user and information specifying the progress of the game. The user data 102 further includes a progress management table 103, the details of which will be described later. The control unit 20 may be configured so as to be considered as one control unit by a set of a plurality of physical computer units. The storage device 21 may also be configured so as to be considered as a single storage device by a set of a plurality of physical storage device arrays.

  Inside the control unit 20, a user management unit 22, a game management unit 23, an SNS management unit 24, and a charge management unit 25 are provided. Each of the units 22 to 25 is a logical device realized by a combination of the computer hardware of the control unit 20 and the server software 100. The user management unit 22 is in charge of processing related to user management such as registration and authentication of a user who has accessed the center server 2 from the game apparatus 3. The user authentication may be performed by acquiring the user ID and password from the game apparatus 3 in the same manner as in a known game system. The game management unit 23 is in charge of various processes necessary for causing the user to play a game on the game device 3. For example, the game management unit 23 provides at least a part of the terminal software 101 stored in the storage device 21 to the game device 3 in response to a request from the game device 3. Further, if necessary, the game management unit 23 provides at least a part of the user data 102 corresponding to the user authenticated by the user management unit 22 to the game device 3 of the user. Furthermore, the game management unit 23 is also in charge of processing necessary for a plurality of users to participate in a common game via the network 4 and play together. Participation here includes both forms in which users play in a common game, and forms in which a plurality of users advance a game in a common game. In order to realize the play of a common game, the game management unit 23 performs a process of matching users who should participate in the common game according to a predetermined matching condition, and exchange of operation information and the like between the game devices 3 of the matched users ( Processing that mediates transmission / reception is also executed.

  The SNS management unit 24 is in charge of processing necessary for providing SNS (social networking service) to the user. As one of the functions realized by the SNS management unit 24, there is a function of preparing on the center server 2 a community in which users exchange information using the game device 3. The service provided by the SNS management unit 24 may be the same as that of a known SNS, and a detailed description of the configuration for providing the service is omitted. Information exchanged by the community function provided by the SNS management unit 24 is stored in the storage device 21 as necessary. The billing management unit 25 is in charge of processing necessary for billing when the user uses the paid service. For example, the billing management unit 25 charges the price of the service from the user using an electronic payment such as a credit card, a debit card, or an electronic currency that can be paid for using electronic data exchange, Collect a price commensurate with the price. The electronic payment may be a publicly known one, and a description of a specific configuration and procedure for realizing it is omitted.

  Next, the game apparatus 3 is provided with a control unit 30 and a storage device 31. The control unit 30 is configured as a computer unit that combines a microprocessor and peripheral devices such as an internal storage device necessary for the operation of the microprocessor. The storage device 31 is a storage device that can store and hold power without supplying power, such as a nonvolatile semiconductor memory or a magnetic storage device, and functions as an external storage device for the control unit 30. The storage device 31 stores terminal software 101 and user data 102 provided from the center server 2. Connected to the control unit 30 are an input device 32 that outputs a signal corresponding to a user operation, a display device 33 that displays and outputs a game screen and the like, and an audio output device that reproduces and outputs game music and the like.

  Inside the control unit 30, a game control unit 35 and an SNS control unit 36 are provided. Each of the units 35 and 36 is a logical device realized by a combination of the computer hardware of the control unit 30 and the terminal software 101. The game control unit 35 is in charge of processing related to the game such as various calculations assigned to the terminal side and drawing of the game screen in order for the user to play the game on the game device 3. The SNS control unit 36 is in charge of various processes assigned to the terminal side so that the user can use the SNS function on the game apparatus 3.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the characteristics of the game executed in the game system 1 will be described. Although the content of the game played on the game device 3 may be appropriately configured as long as the user plays by selectively using a plurality of elements, in FIG. 3, a plurality of stages ( In the figure, STG is indicated with a suffix.). The stage here is a concept indicating a unit of a game or a break to be played, and is a concept called by various names such as a map, a chapter, a course, and a dungeon according to the type of game. The user can play a game by selecting any one stage from a group of stages that can be selected by the user.

  The stage is divided into a common element group in which play is permitted in common to all users and a selection element group in which whether or not the user can select is controlled to be switched for each user. The common element group includes stages STG1 to STG4, and the selected element group includes other stages STGa... STGn. Whether each stage can be selected is controlled for each user as follows.

  First, selection of a stage is controlled by distinguishing it into two stages, an initial play stage (first stage) and an additional play stage (second stage). The initial play stage is the first stage that can be played free of charge when starting to play the game. On the other hand, the additional play stage is a stage where the user can play by adding to the initial play stage under predetermined conditions. At the initial play stage, for all users, at least one stage (randomly drawn for each user from all stages STG1 to STG4 included in the common element group and stages STGa to STGx included in the selected element group ( In FIG. 3, whether or not a stage is selected is controlled so that a single stage is included in the range of elements that allow selection by the user. In FIG. 3, stages STG1 to STG4 of the common element group and one stage STGa drawn from the selected element group are set as a range of elements that can be selected in the initial play stage for the user A and the user C. The On the other hand, for user B, stages STG1 to STG4 of the common element group and one stage STGb selected from the selected element group are set as a range of elements that can be selected in the initial play stage. Therefore, the users A and C cannot select the stage STGa in the initial play stage, and the user B cannot select the stage STGb in the initial play stage.

  As described above, in the game system 1, it is possible for a plurality of users who satisfy a predetermined matching condition to participate in a common game and play together. In particular, in this embodiment, at least a part of the matching condition Are set to match the selected stage. Therefore, in the initial play stage, the user A and the user C can select the stage STGa and play, but the user B cannot select the stage STGa, so the users A and C and the stage STGa Can't play against.

  Whether or not a stage that cannot be selected in the initial play stage, for example, a user A and a user C, a stage other than the stage STGa of the selected element group, and a user B that is a stage other than the stage STGb of the selected element group, In the additional play stage, it is controlled according to predetermined conditions. In this embodiment, the concept of “purchase” is introduced as a condition for enabling selection. That is, in the additional play stage, the stage that the user desires to select, that is, the stage that cannot be played in the initial play stage, specifies the stage that the user desires to play, and pays a predetermined price. Is allowed to play the game at that stage. In the example of FIG. 3, an example in which the user B purchases the stage STGa in the additional play stage is shown. By purchasing stage STGa, user B can play stage STGb alone, and can select stage STGa and play against user A or user C (or both in some cases). Even when the user A or the user C purchases the stage STGb in the additional play stage, it is possible to select the stage STGb and play against the user B.

  Thus, in this embodiment, some of the stage groups that can be selected by the user in the initial play stage are different among users. By exchanging stage information included in the initial play stage with another user, the user can obtain stage information that cannot be selected by the other user and can be selected by another user. Information exchange between users can be performed on the game apparatus 3 by using an SNS function provided by the SNS management unit 24 of the center server 2. Of course, users can also exchange information through a general-purpose information exchange tool (e-mail, bulletin board on the Web, etc.) different from the game system 1. And by exchanging information between users, other users can not play and other users attract the user's interest and interest to the stage that has been played, other users have already played by paying the price in the additional play stage Motivation to purchase the stage can be given to the user. In addition, since a mechanism is provided that allows the user to select and play the same stage, the user can purchase a stage for the purpose of selecting a stage that the player cannot play and playing against other users. I can expect.

  In addition to the purchase, further conditions may be set regarding the control of whether or not the stage can be selected. For example, it is possible to narrow the range of stages that can be purchased from various viewpoints such as the progress of the user's game, the user's skills, the results, and the number of plays, and the user can selectively purchase the stage from the narrowed range. . A correlation between the stages such that the stage STG1 is clear, that is, the next stage STG2 cannot be selected unless a predetermined result is obtained in the stage STG1, may be set in association with whether or not the stage can be selected. Such a condition is applicable to all cases where a stage is selected from a selection element group. In other words, each of the stages that should be selectable in the initial play stage and the stage that is selected in the additional play stage are narrowed down in relation to the stage that the user has already cleared. From the narrowed selection candidate range, stages that can be selected in the initial play stage may be drawn, or a stage range that the user can purchase in the additional play stage may be set.

  Next, a specific configuration and procedure of the game system 1 for realizing stage selection control will be described. First, FIG. 4 shows a specific example of the progress management table 103. The progress management table 103 is a data table in which a stage is associated with flag information for determining whether selection is possible, and functions as determination information of the present invention. In the progress management table 103, a flag “1” is written to a stage where selection is permitted, and a flag “0” is written to a stage where selection is not permitted. The example of FIG. 4 is a progress management table 103 created corresponding to the users A and C of FIG. 3, the flag values of the stages STG1 to STG4 and the stage STGa are 1, and the flag values of the other stages. Are set to 0, respectively. However, in the initial play stage, when the stage selection is sequentially permitted, only the flag of the stage STG1 may be set to “1” first, and the flags of other stages may be set to “0”. As described above, the progress management table 103 is created for each user and stored in the storage device 21 as part of the user data 102. Therefore, when a specific user desires to play a game, the game management unit 23 can determine a stage that can be selected by the user by specifying the progress management table 103 corresponding to the user.

  FIG. 5 shows a processing procedure of the center server 2 and the game device 3 when the user newly starts a game. Prior to this process, it is assumed that the terminal software 101 is distributed from the game management unit 23 of the center server 2 to the game apparatus 3 in advance. In the following description, it is assumed that the user authentication is completed through cooperation between the game apparatus 3 and the user management unit 22 of the center server 2 prior to the start of processing. That is, the process described below is a process performed in a state where the center server 2 can identify the user in response to a request from the game apparatus 3. When the user starts a new game, a predetermined initial screen is displayed on the display device 33 of the game apparatus 3. As an example, as shown in FIG. 6, an initial screen 110 including a new start button 111 for instructing a new start of the game is displayed.

  Returning to FIG. 5, when the user selects and operates the new start button 110, the game control unit 35 requests the game management unit 23 of the center server 2 to start a new game (step S <b> 1), and in response to this, the game The management unit 23 draws a stage from the selection element group that should be allowed to be selected by the user in the initial play stage (step S2). This lottery may be a random lottery using random numbers. Next, the game management unit 23 creates a user progress management table 103 according to the lottery result, and records this in the storage device 21 (step S3). At this stage, the value of the flag in the progress management table 103 is set so that only the stages STG1 to STG4 included in the common element group and the stage selected in step SS20 can be selected. In other words, the progress management table 103 created at this point is a data table for each user describing the range of stages that can be selected in the initial play stage.

  When the user progress management table 103 is recorded in the storage device 21, the game management unit 23 distributes information necessary for displaying a stage selection screen on the game device 3 (step S4). An example of the selection screen is shown in FIG. The selection screen 112 shown in FIG. 7 includes a group of selection buttons 113 for each stage recorded as selection permission in the progress management table 103, a determination button 114, and a cancel button 115. At this stage, the selection buttons 113 corresponding to the stages that cannot be selected by the user are displayed together in a non-selectable manner (for example, displayed in gray). You may make a user recognize presence.

  When the user selects the button 113 of the desired stage and operates the determination button 114, the processing following step S4 in FIG. 5 is started. The game control unit 35 requests the game management unit 23 to start playing the selected stage (step S5), and in response to this, the game management unit 23 is necessary for drawing the game screen of the selected stage. Such information is distributed to the game control unit 35 of the game apparatus 3 (step S6). In response to this, the game control unit 35 of the game apparatus 3 draws a game screen on the display device 33, thereby starting the play of the game. After the start of play, the game control unit 35 transmits user operation information to the game management unit 23 (step S7), and the game management unit 23 calculates the progress of the game based on the operation information received from the game device 3, Based on the result, information necessary for drawing the game screen of the next frame is distributed to the game control unit 35 of the game apparatus 3 (step S8). Thereafter, the same process is repeated and the game progresses. When a predetermined end condition is satisfied, the game ends, and the play result is recorded in the user data 102 by the game management unit 23.

  FIG. 8 is an example of a game screen that the game control unit 35 displays on the display device 33 according to the terminal software 101 when the user plays the game for the second time or later. In addition to the new start button 111 for instructing a new start of the game, the game screen 116 displayed in the second and subsequent game play indicates a resumption button 117 for instructing the resumption of the game, and a battle with another user. A battle button 118 is included. Further, when a game at the additional play stage is possible, a purchase button 119 for purchasing a stage is further included in the game screen 116.

  When the user selects and operates the new start button 111, the user play result data and the progress management table 103 held in the storage device 21 are discarded, and the above-described new start processing is performed again. On the other hand, when the resume button 117 is selected, the game is resumed with reference to user data recorded in the storage device 21. In that case, as shown in FIG. 9, the game control unit 35 of the game apparatus 3 requests the game management unit 23 of the center server 2 to resume the game (step S11), and the game management unit 23 proceeds with the user's progress. With reference to the management table 103, the stages selectable by the user are determined (step S12). After the determination, the game management unit 23 distributes a stage selection screen to the game apparatus 3 (step S13). Similar to the selection screen 112 in FIG. 7, the selection screen at this time includes a group of selection buttons 113, a determination button 114, and a cancel button 115 for each stage recorded as selection permission in the progress management table 103. It is a waste. The processing after the selection screen is displayed is the same as that after step S5 in FIG. In addition, when the user operates the battle button 118, a selection screen is presented by the same processing as in FIG. 9, and the game management unit 23 of the center server 2 selects users with matching stages according to the selection result. Match.

  As described above, in the game system 1, the selection screen is controlled so that only the stage determined to be selectable based on the progress management table 103 can be selected every time the user instructs the game restart or the battle. Therefore, the user cannot select a stage that is not permitted to be selected and play the stage alone, or cannot play against other users on the stage where the selection is not possible. In the selection screen when the game is resumed, the selection button 113 corresponding to the stage that cannot be selected by the user is also displayed in a non-selectable manner (for example, displayed in gray). The user may be made aware of the presence of an impossible stage.

  Next, processing when the user selects the purchase button 119 will be described. FIG. 11 shows a processing procedure of the center server 2 and the game apparatus 3 when the purchase button 119 is selected and operated. First, the game control unit 35 of the game apparatus 3 requests the game management unit 23 of the center server 2 to purchase a stage (step S21). In response to this, the game management unit 23 stores the user's progress management table 103. Referring to, a stage that can be purchased by the user is determined (step S22). The stages that can be purchased have a maximum range of all stages other than those already allowed by the user. When conditions other than purchase are added regarding whether or not a stage can be selected, the range of stages that can be purchased is determined in consideration of the success or failure of the conditions.

  When the game management unit 23 determines a stage that can be purchased, the game management unit 23 distributes information necessary for displaying the purchase selection screen to the game control unit 35 (step S23). An example of the selection screen is shown in FIG. The purchase selection screen 120 shown in FIG. 11 includes a group of designation buttons 121 for each stage recorded as not selectable in the progress management table 103, a decision button 122, and a cancel button 123. The designation button 121 includes two types, a button corresponding to a stage that can be purchased (stage b, c, d) and a button corresponding to a stage that cannot be purchased (stage e, f, g...) Their types are shown in different ways. For example, the stage buttons 121 that cannot be purchased are displayed in a dark color, and the purchaseable stage buttons 121 are displayed in a light color.

  When the user selects the designation button 121 of the stage desired to be purchased and operates the decision button 122, the stage corresponding to the designation button 121 is determined as the stage designated as the purchase desire of the user, as shown in FIG. The process following step S23 is started. The game control unit 35 notifies the game management unit 23 of the purchase of the stage designated by the user (step S24), and the game management unit 23 requests charging from the charging management unit 25 (step S25). The charge management unit 25 requests the game control unit 35 of the game apparatus 3 for information necessary to settle the purchase price for the stage (step S26). When the user inputs information necessary for payment (for example, credit card payment, card number or the like), the game control unit 35 transmits the payment information to the charge management unit 25 (step S27). The billing management unit 25 executes a settlement process based on the obtained settlement information (Step S28). For example, if it is a credit card payment, a process of accessing the server that manages the payment of the credit card and obtaining a payment approval is performed in step S28. If the payment information is registered in the user data 102 in advance, the charging management unit 25 may automatically perform the payment process without requiring the user to input payment information. In addition, the payment process may be executed by an appropriate procedure according to the payment means.

  When the payment process is completed, the charge management unit 25 notifies the game management unit 23 of the completion of payment (step S29). The game management unit 23 updates the user's progress management table 103 so that selection of the purchased stage is permitted. That is, the game management unit 23 rewrites the value of the flag corresponding to the stage purchased this time to “1”. Thereafter, the game management unit 23 notifies the game control unit 35 of the game apparatus 3 that the stage purchase has been completed (step S31). The game control unit 35 notifies the user of the purchase completion via the display device 33. Since the purchase of the stage is reflected in the progress management table 103, the purchased stage is determined as a selectable stage in step S12 in FIG. 9, and the user selects the stage and plays the game. Is possible.

  In the above embodiment, the game management unit 23 of the center server 2 and the game control unit 35 of the game apparatus 3 cooperate to function as the game control means of the present invention. By executing Step S2 and Step S3, the game management unit 23 functions as the second selection control unit by executing the process of Step S30 in FIG.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and can be implemented with appropriate modifications. Other forms will be described below. First, in the above embodiment, the game management unit 23 of the center server 2 executes game calculation control, and the game control unit 35 of the game apparatus 3 provides user operation information and the like, or displays a game screen. Is included in the terminal software 101 and installed in the game device 3, thereby allowing the game device 3 to control the game operation and control. It is good also as what this game control part 35 performs. FIG. 12 shows an example of such a form.

  In the form shown in FIG. 12, user data 102 is stored in the storage device 31 of the game apparatus 3, and a progress management table 103 corresponding to the user of the game apparatus 3 is stored in the user data 102 of the storage apparatus 31. Processes associated with the progress management table 103 (steps S2 to S4 in FIG. 5, steps S12 and S13 in FIG. 9, steps S22 and S30 in FIG. 10) are executed by the game control unit 35. In this case, the center server 2 requests only the processing related to the battle, the provision of the SNS function, and the billing processing (the processing of steps S25, S26, S28, S29, and S31 in FIG. 10) from the game device 3. Depending on the situation. An outline of the processing procedure in this embodiment is shown in FIGS. Of these processes, a subscript A is added to the reference numeral of the step whose execution subject is changed with respect to the processes of FIGS. 5, 9, and 10.

  FIG. 13 shows processing when a game is newly started. In this process, the game control unit 35 of the game apparatus 3 sequentially executes a lottery process (step S2A) of a stage corresponding to steps SS and S3 in FIG. Thereafter, the stage selection screen 112 is displayed based on the progress management table 103 (step S4A). Thereafter, game play is newly started according to the selection result of the stage. FIG. 14 shows processing at the time of the second and subsequent play of the game. In this process, the game control unit 35 of the game apparatus 3 sequentially executes a stage determination process (step S12A) corresponding to step S12 in FIG. 9 and a selection screen display process (step S13A) corresponding to step S13. Thereafter, play of the next game is started based on the selection result of the stage. FIG. 15 shows a process for purchasing a stage. The processing in FIG. 15 includes a purchaseable stage determination process (step S22A) corresponding to step S22 in FIG. 10 and a progress management table 103 update process (step S30A) corresponding to step S30 in FIG. The game processing unit 35 executes the billing process corresponding to the stage purchase (the processes in steps S25, S26, S28, S29, and S31 in FIG. 10) using the center server 2 in the same manner as in FIG. .

  In the form shown in FIGS. 12 to 15, the game management unit 23 of the center server 2 and the game control unit 35 of the game apparatus 3 cooperate to function as the game control means of the present invention, and the game control unit of the game apparatus 3 35 functions as first selection control means by executing steps S2A and S3A in FIG. 13, and the game control unit 35 functions as second selection control means by executing the processing in step S30A in FIG. To do.

  12 to 15, the terminal software 101 may include data of all stages constituting the game in advance, or the stages whose selection is permitted in the progress management table 103. Only data may be included. In the latter case, the game control unit 35 of the game apparatus 3 is used when the stage flag is rewritten to a selection permission value with the purchase of the stage, or when the purchased stage is selected and played for the first time. Accesses the game management unit 23 of the center server 2, requests transmission of data corresponding to the stage, provides the data to the game device 3 from the center server 2, and sends it to the terminal software 101 of the storage device 21. Add it.

  When the game control unit 35 controls whether the stage can be selected, the user data 102 recorded in the storage device 31 may be stored as backup data in the storage device 21 of the center server 2 as necessary. For example, if the user data 102 stored in the center server 2 is called into the game apparatus 3 in response to a user request and stored in the storage device 21 of the center server 2 at an appropriate timing such as when the game ends, the game apparatus 3 Even in the case of a client device that can be used by a large number of users such as a commercial game machine, the present invention can be implemented by controlling whether or not a stage can be selected for each user on the game device 3.

  On the other hand, the game apparatus 3 is used only by a specific user such as a home-use game machine or a personal PC, and all the programs and data necessary for the game are stored in the storage device 31 of the game apparatus 3. Therefore, it is not necessary to store the user data 102 in the center server 2. Further, regarding the billing when purchasing the stage, the user pays the purchase price for the stage using means other than the game apparatus 3, and issues a code for permitting stage selection to the user in response to the payment, The progress management table 103 of the storage device 31 may be updated so that selection of a purchased stage is permitted by the user inputting a code into the game apparatus 3. That is, the purchase process is not necessarily limited to the process using the game apparatus 3 and the center server 2.

  In the above-described form, the purchase target in the additional play stage can be specified in units of stages. However, multiple stages can be purchased in a lump and whether or not these stages can be selected can be selected from a state where selection is impossible. It is good also as what can be switched to a different state. Alternatively, all the stages that are not permitted to be selected in the initial play stage may be purchased in a batch at the additional play stage. In this case, the initial play stage can be positioned as a free version or a trial version of the game, and a set of stages that cannot be selected in the initial play stage can be positioned as a paid version of a game that can be additionally purchased. However, the initial play stage is not limited to the one that can be played free of charge, and a certain fee may be charged for the initial play stage.

  On the other hand, the condition for enabling selection of the stage in the additional play stage is not limited to an example in which the purchase price is paid. For example, a stage is set so that selection of a stage is permitted in association with the grade and the number of plays in the initial play stage, and selection of at least one stage in the additional play stage is permitted when the condition is satisfied. The availability of selection may be controlled. Even in this case, if the range of stages that can be selected in the initial play stage is different between users, the user is requested to play a stage that another user has already played, and the game play Motivation for can be given to the user.

  In the present invention, game elements are not limited to stages. If it is an element that can be selectively used on a game such as a map, a character, an item, and a song, the operational effects of the present invention can be achieved by controlling whether or not the element can be selected according to the present invention. Further, the element may be a game play time. For example, the game play time is divided into a plurality of elements such as 1 minute, 2 minutes, 3 minutes, and the user can select only a relatively short play time in the first stage. The user may purchase a play time that cannot be selected in one stage, and the selection may be made possible.

  The game system of the present invention is not limited to a server-client type game system. For example, as a modification of the form of FIGS. 12 to 15, the game device 3 is configured by associating a condition for controlling whether or not to select a stage in the additional play stage with a game play result or the like, In this example, a server device is not necessary if a code for permitting stage selection is input, and a so-called stand-alone game device itself may be included in the category of the game system of the present invention. In this case, the software for the game device may be distributed to the user as so-called package software, or the game device may be temporarily connected to the server device and the software downloaded from the server device to the game device. .

  In the above-described form, the initial play stage corresponds to the first stage and the additional play stage corresponds to the second stage, but these stages only have to be distinguished in the control of whether or not the elements can be selected. The time to start playing the game in the second stage can be set as appropriate after the time when the game in the first stage can be started. As an example, it may be possible to play the game in the second stage after playing all the games in the first stage, or even before the first stage game is completed, It is good also as what can play a game by going ahead and purchasing an element. If the second stage is started later in time than the first stage, all elements that should be selectable in the second stage are either at the start of the first stage or the second stage It does not need to be prepared at the beginning of the phase. Even after the purchase of the element in the second stage is started, the element may be added as appropriate, and the selection may be permitted to the user who satisfies the conditions such as purchase. Further, the first stage is not set only when a game is newly started. The first stage may be set at an arbitrary time after the game is newly started, and the second stage may be set in association therewith. Further, the combination of the first stage and the second stage may be generated a plurality of times.

  In the above form, the stage of the common element group is included in the range of stages that can be selected in the first stage. However, even in the first stage, it should be selectable in common for all users. The element is not necessarily required. The range of elements that can be selected in the first stage is an element that cannot be selected by each user through information exchange between users if there is a difference between users regarding at least some of the elements within the range. The specific contents of the above can be obtained, and thereby the effects of the present invention can be exhibited.

1 Game system 2 Center server (server device)
3 Game device (client device)
4 network 22 user management unit 23 game management unit (game control means, first and second selection control means)
24 SNS management unit 25 billing management unit 35 game control unit (game control means, first and second selection control means)
36 SNS control unit 100 server software 101 terminal software 102 user data 103 progress management table (discrimination information)

Claims (9)

A first stage in which a user of the game apparatus can play a game in a state where only some of the plurality of elements can be selected, and an element that cannot be selected in the first stage is selected and the user is allowed to play the game A game system comprising game control means for making a game progress in a second stage,
First selection control means for controlling a range of elements that can be selected in the first stage so that at least some of the elements that can be selected in the first stage differ among users;
Second selection control means for controlling whether or not the element can be selected in the second stage according to a predetermined condition;
A game system with   In the second stage, it is possible to allow the user to designate an element desired to be selected from a group of elements that cannot be selected in the first stage, and the second selection control means The game system according to claim 1, wherein when a predetermined condition is satisfied, the selection of the element is switched from an impossible state to a possible state.   The game system according to claim 1, wherein the second selection control unit switches and controls the selection of the element from an impossible state to a possible state on condition that the user has paid a predetermined price.   The game system according to claim 1, comprising a server device and a client device connected to the server device via a network, wherein the client device functions as the game device.   The game system according to claim 4, wherein the server device is capable of providing a service for playing a common game using the elements to a plurality of users whose selected elements match.   The game system according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the server device can provide a service in which a user exchanges information related to a game via the client device.   7. The server apparatus holds determination information for determining whether or not each user element can be selected, and the first and second selection control means are provided in the server apparatus. The game system according to item.   7. The game apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the game device holds determination information for determining whether or not a user can select each element, and the first and second selection control means are provided in the game device. The game system according to item. A first stage in which a user of the game apparatus can play a game in a state where only some of the plurality of elements can be selected, and an element that cannot be selected in the first stage is selected and the user is allowed to play the game A method of controlling a game in which the game is progressed separately from the second stage,
A procedure for controlling a range of elements that can be selected in the first stage so that at least some of the elements that can be selected in the first stage differ among users;
A procedure for controlling whether or not the element can be selected in the second stage according to a predetermined condition;
Game control method comprising:

Images