JP2013208301A - Game system, game control method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To distribute load on game provision in a game system for providing a plurality of users with a plurality of games.SOLUTION: In a game system 101, a period acceptance part 202 accepts a periodic reservation from a terminal device, whereas an accumulation part 203 accumulates play reservations related to the periodic reservation. An inquiry reception part 204 receives candidates inquiry from the terminal device. An estimation part 205 estimates load on respective games according to the number of users provided with the respective games and the accumulated number of play reservations; a determination part 206 determines whether the respective games can be provided. A response transmission part 207 transmits to the terminal device candidate responses for designating providable games and games whose play a user has reserved in response to the candidate inquiry. A request reception part 208 receives a switch request from the terminal device from which the candidate responses have been received. A switch part 209 switches games to be provided for the terminal device to games designated by the switch request.

Description

  The present invention provides a game system that provides a plurality of games to a plurality of users, a game system suitable for distributing a load for providing the game, a game control method, and one or more computers. Regarding the program.

  Conventionally, in MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game), multiple servers operated based on the same game rules are prepared, and the load is distributed by allowing the user to select which server to use. Technology is used to achieve this. This server is called “shard”.

  The game provided by each shard is based on the same settings and the same rules, but since the participating users are different, the progress of the game is different.

  Therefore, when the entire shard is viewed as one game system, the game system provides a plurality of games.

  Also, one stage (scene, session, etc.) of a certain game and another stage (scene, session, etc.) may be provided to the user by different servers. When these servers are viewed together as one game system, it can be considered that the game system provides a plurality of games with different stages.

  In addition, a plurality of different games may be provided by a plurality of servers.

  As described above, the games provided to the plurality of users by the plurality of servers are not limited to the MMORPG as described above, and various games such as a social game and a network battle game are conceivable.

  In such a game system, the user decides whether to play any one game on his / her own intention with a dedicated game terminal, mobile phone or personal computer he / she uses, plays the game, and The target of play can be switched from the currently playing game to another game.

  Here, in a network system that distributes data to multiple users, if there is a request from a client, the data distribution is performed based on the network line usage status, or the request is rejected and the re-request timing is indicated Patent Document 1 proposes a technique for selecting whether or not.

  Therefore, when distributing the load for each server, the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 is applied, and when the user desires to switch the game, it is based on the load status of the server that provides the switching destination game. Thus, it is possible to realize a game system that determines whether to approve or reject the switching.

JP 2004-348176 A

  However, when the user desires to switch and the result is that the switching is rejected, the user is greatly disappointed and loses interest in the game. Therefore, there is a demand for a game system that appropriately estimates a load when providing a game and appropriately presents to the user whether or not the game can be switched.

  The present invention solves the above problems, and in a game system that provides a plurality of games to a plurality of users, a game system, a game control method, and a game system suitable for distributing the load of providing the game, It is an object of the present invention to provide a program that realizes these by one or more computers.

  In order to achieve the above object, the following invention is disclosed in accordance with the principle of the present invention.

A game system according to a first aspect of the present invention provides a plurality of games to a plurality of users,
A providing unit for providing any one of the plurality of games to each user via a terminal device used by each of the plurality of users;
A period accepting unit that accepts a period reservation for designating a future play period issued from each user via the terminal device used by each user;
Play reservation that specifies the period specified in the accepted period reservation, the user who issued the accepted period reservation, and the game that is currently provided to the user who issued the accepted period reservation Accumulating unit for accumulating,
An inquiry receiving unit for receiving a candidate inquiry transmitted from the terminal device used by each user;
For each game of the plurality of games, the number of users who are currently provided with each game, and the number of play reservations that specify a period reservation including the current for each game among the accumulated play reservations, Based on an estimation unit for estimating the load of each game,
A determination unit that determines whether each game can be provided based on the estimated load;
When the candidate inquiry is accepted, a game reservation that specifies a reservation period including a game determined to be provided by the determination unit among the plurality of games, a user using the terminal device that transmitted the candidate inquiry, and the current time A response transmission unit that transmits a candidate response that designates the game designated as a candidate to the terminal device that has transmitted the candidate inquiry,
A request receiving unit that receives a switching request for designating any of the games designated in the candidate response from the terminal device to which the candidate response is transmitted;
When the switching request is received, a game provided to the user who uses the terminal device that has transmitted the switching request by the providing unit is designated as the switching request from a game currently provided to the user. A switching unit for switching to a game is provided.

In the game system of the present invention,
In the period reservation, a joint user other than the user who issued the period reservation is further designated,
For the first period reservation received by the period reception unit and the second period reservation received by the period reception unit,
The game currently provided to the first user who issued the first period reservation matches the game currently provided to the second user who issued the second period reservation,
The first period specified in the first period reservation matches the second period specified in the second period reservation,
The joint user designated in the first period reservation is the second user,
If the joint user designated in the second period reservation is the first user, the first play reservation for the first period reservation and the second play reservation for the second period reservation are stored in the accumulation. Configured to be accumulated by the department.

In the game system of the present invention,
The game system includes a plurality of server devices,
Based on the estimated load, it is configured to determine to which of the plurality of server devices the plurality of games are to be provided.

In the game system of the present invention,
The plurality of games are configured to include two or more games played by different users based on a common rule.

A game control method according to a second aspect of the present invention is a game control method executed by a game system that provides a plurality of games to a plurality of users, the game system including a providing unit, a period receiving unit, and an accumulation Unit, inquiry reception unit, estimation unit, determination unit, response transmission unit, request reception unit, switching unit,
A providing step in which the providing unit provides any one of the plurality of games to each user via a terminal device used by each of the plurality of users;
A period reception step in which the period reception unit receives a period reservation for designating a future play period issued from each user via the terminal device used by each user;
A period specified in the accepted period reservation; a user who has issued the accepted period reservation; and a game that is currently provided to a user who has issued the accepted period reservation. An accumulation process for accumulating play reservations to be specified;
The inquiry receiving step, the inquiry receiving step for receiving a candidate inquiry transmitted from the terminal device used by each user,
For each game of the plurality of games, the estimation unit designates a number of users who are currently provided with each game, and a reservation for a period including the current time for each of the accumulated play reservations. And an estimation step for estimating the load of each game based on the number of
A determination step in which the determination unit determines whether each game can be provided based on the estimated load;
When the candidate inquiry is accepted, the response transmission unit includes a game determined to be provided by the determination unit among the plurality of games, a user who uses the terminal device that transmitted the candidate inquiry, and a reservation including the present A response transmission step of transmitting a candidate response designating a game designated as a play reservation designating a period as a candidate to the terminal device that has transmitted the candidate inquiry,
A request receiving step in which the request receiving unit receives a switching request for designating any of the games designated in the candidate response from the terminal device to which the candidate response is transmitted;
When the switching request is received, the switching unit switches the game provided to the user who uses the terminal device that has transmitted the switching request by the providing unit from the game currently provided to the user. It is configured to include a switching process for switching to the game specified in the request.

The program according to the third aspect of the present invention causes one or more computers to function as a game system that provides a plurality of games to a plurality of users, and the program includes the one or more computers,
A providing unit for providing any one of the plurality of games to each user via a terminal device used by each of the plurality of users;
A period accepting unit that accepts a period reservation for designating a future play period issued from each user via the terminal device used by each user;
Play reservation that specifies the period specified in the accepted period reservation, the user who issued the accepted period reservation, and the game that is currently provided to the user who issued the accepted period reservation Accumulating unit for accumulating,
An inquiry receiving unit for receiving a candidate inquiry transmitted from the terminal device used by each user;
For each game of the plurality of games, the number of users who are currently provided with each game, and the number of play reservations that specify a period reservation including the current for each game among the accumulated play reservations, Based on an estimation unit for estimating the load of each game,
A determination unit that determines whether each game can be provided based on the estimated load;
When the candidate inquiry is accepted, a game reservation that specifies a reservation period including a game determined to be provided by the determination unit among the plurality of games, a user using the terminal device that transmitted the candidate inquiry, and the current time A response transmission unit that transmits a candidate response that designates the game designated as a candidate to the terminal device that has transmitted the candidate inquiry,
A request receiving unit that receives a switching request for designating any of the games designated in the candidate response from the terminal device to which the candidate response is transmitted;
When the switching request is received, a game provided to the user who uses the terminal device that has transmitted the switching request by the providing unit is designated as the switching request from a game currently provided to the user. It is configured to function as a switching unit for switching to a game.

  The program of the present invention can be recorded on a non-transitory computer-readable information storage medium such as a compact disk, flexible disk, hard disk, magneto-optical disk, digital video disk, magnetic tape, and semiconductor memory.

  The above program can be distributed and sold via a computer communication network independently of the computer on which the program is executed. The information storage medium can be distributed and sold independently from the computer.

  According to the present invention, in a game system that provides a plurality of games to a plurality of users, the game system and the game control method that are suitable for distributing the load of providing the game, and the one or more computers A program to be realized can be provided.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the hardware constitutions for implement | achieving the game system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of the game system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of control of the game control method performed in the game system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of control of the terminal process performed with the terminal device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example by which the identification name of a game is displayed on the screen of a terminal device. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example by which the identification name of a game is displayed on the screen of a terminal device. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example by which the identification name of a game is displayed on the screen of a terminal device. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a display of the screen which asks the user for the input of the period which makes a play reservation. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a display of the RPG game in which a joint play is possible. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a display of the RPG game in which a joint play is possible. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a display of the screen which requests | requires the input of the period which performs the play reservation of joint play. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a display of the screen which requests | requires the input of the period which performs the play reservation of joint play. It is a flowchart explaining a part of flow of control of the game control process performed in a game system.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. In the following, for ease of understanding, an embodiment in which the present invention is realized using a game server device will be described. However, the embodiment described below is for explanation, and It does not limit the range. Therefore, those skilled in the art can employ embodiments in which each or all of these elements are replaced with equivalent ones, and these embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention.

  FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a hardware configuration for realizing the game system according to the present embodiment. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIG.

  As shown in the figure, the game system 101 includes one or a plurality of server devices 102. The server device 102 is communicably connected to the terminal device 104 via a computer communication network such as the Internet or a mobile phone communication network. Is done.

  When a plurality of server apparatuses 102 are prepared, each server apparatus 102 performs load distribution as appropriate autonomously or under the control of a load distribution apparatus (not shown).

  The game system 101 provides a plurality of games to the terminal device 104. The game unit assumed here is a game played with the same view of the world, the same settings, and the same game rules, but is considered as a different game if the participating users are different.

  For example, in the conventional MMORPG, when games played with the same view of the world, the same settings, and the same game rules are provided by different server devices, the game development is also different because the shards are different. Such different shards are considered to have different games in this embodiment.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, that is, the plurality of games include two or more games played by different users based on a common rule, and the game system 101 is configured by one server device 102. Even if it is realized, a plurality of shards can be provided.

  That is, when providing a plurality of games, if the load of providing the game itself is small, or if the number of users playing the game via the terminal device 104 is small, the load on the server device 102 is also small. . Therefore, when the load is small, one server device 102 can provide a plurality of games.

  On the other hand, when the number of users who are playing increases, the load on the server apparatus 102 also increases. Therefore, in a mode in which a plurality of server devices 102 are prepared, provision of a certain game is delegated from the server device 102 having a high load to the server device 102 having a low load among the plurality of server devices 102.

  Further, in a mode in which a plurality of server devices 102 are prepared, in one server device 102 and another server device 102, the load on both is sufficiently low, and the games provided by both servers are combined into one server device. If it can be provided at 102, the provision of the game is delegated.

  Various known techniques can be applied to such load distribution, and it is possible to adopt a technique such as the server apparatus 102 performing autonomously or separately preparing a control server for controlling load distribution. it can.

  When a user tries to play a game using the terminal device 104, it is sufficient to manage the identification name of the desired game in the terminal device 104, and from which of the plurality of game devices 102 is provided. It is not necessary to specifically recognize.

  As described above, in the conventional MMORPG, shards are distinguished by the names of server devices. In the present embodiment, games played in different shards are regarded as different games, and these games may be provided by one server device 102.

  Each server device 102 is realized by a computer executing a predetermined server program.

  Generally, in a computer, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) reads a program recorded in a nonvolatile storage device such as a hard disk or a flash memory, and performs various calculations and interpretations to execute various processes. . These programs are installed on a hard disk or the like from a non-temporary information recording medium such as a DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disk Read Only Memory).

  In addition, information temporarily required for calculation in processing executed by the computer is stored in a high-speed information storage device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory).

  In addition, the computer is connected to a computer communication network via a NIC (Network Interface Card) or the like, and communicates with the terminal device 104 used by the user.

  In the present embodiment, by executing the program, the CPU receives operation instructions and the like from each user participating in each game via each terminal device 104, and the operation instruction for each game. The terminal device 104 updates the progress parameters of each game itself and various parameters of each user in each game based on the information, and informs each terminal device 104 of the current progress status of each game based on the various parameters after the update. And the process of notifying each user participating in each game is repeated.

  When the administrator gives instructions directly to the server computer, use the keyboard or mouse connected to the server computer. When checking the processing results directly, connect to the server computer. Typically, it is displayed on the display, but the administrator uses an aspect in which an instruction is given from another terminal device 104 connected via the NIC and the processing result is displayed on the terminal device 104. Also good.

  Note that although there are a plurality of games provided in the game system 101, the number of games that a certain user can play at a certain point in time is one. That is, the user can switch and play a plurality of games. That is, in order to play (log in) a certain game, it is necessary to interrupt (log out) the play of another game.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of the game system 101 according to the present embodiment. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIG.

  As described above, the game system 101 according to the present embodiment is realized by one or a plurality of computers executing a server program and functioning as the server device 102. The game system 101 is provided to a plurality of users. Provide multiple games.

  Here, the game system 101 includes a providing unit 201, a period receiving unit 202, a storage unit 203, an inquiry receiving unit 204, an estimating unit 205, a determining unit 206, a response transmitting unit 207, a request receiving unit 208, and a switching unit 209.

  Here, the providing unit 201 provides any one of a plurality of games to each user via the terminal device 104 used by each user of the plurality of users.

  As described above, even if the game is operated with the same world view, common settings, and rules, the development of the game is different in a situation where different users participate. In this embodiment, if the game progress parameters are operated differently, it is considered that the game is different.

  Each user can receive one game via one terminal device 104, but cannot play a plurality of games at the same time. That is, when the user wants to play another game Y while playing a certain game X, the user logs out of the game X and logs in to the game Y on the terminal device 104 being used. It is necessary to switch to. The switching unit 209 described later manages the switching of each user's game.

  In providing each game, the CPU manages various parameters for managing the development of the game on a hard disk or the like, and responds to various commands sent from the terminal device 104 participating in each game via the NIC. This is realized by repeating the process of updating various parameters and transmitting game information representing the development of the updated game to each terminal device 104 through the NIC while using the RAM as a temporary storage area. The

  On the other hand, the period reception unit 202 receives a period reservation specifying a future play period issued from each user via the terminal device 104 used by each user.

  In other words, if a user who is provided with the game X via the terminal device 104 wants to play the game X currently being played in the future, the period for the future play can be reserved. . In the present embodiment, the game system 101 manages which game the user is currently receiving in the terminal device 104. Therefore, when a period reservation is received from the terminal device 104, it is possible to know who the user of the terminal device 104 is and what game the terminal device 104 is providing. That is, it is not always necessary to specify the user or game identification name in the period reservation.

  Note that the timing at which a period reservation is issued from the terminal device 104 varies depending on the game configuration, but generally, a menu item for period reservation is selected, an item for making a period reservation is used, It is a time when the user has reached a place in the game where a period reservation is possible, and the user has selected a period.

  In addition, while two users are playing a game together, there is also a mode in which a period reservation is performed jointly in order to promise to play together again in the future. This aspect will be described later.

  Further, the storage unit 203 includes a period specified in the accepted period reservation, a user who has issued the accepted period reservation, and a game currently provided to the user who has issued the accepted period reservation. Accumulate specified play reservations.

  In the present embodiment, the period reservation is received from the terminal device 104 via the NIC under the control of the CPU, and information related to the play reservation is stored and stored in a hard disk or the like.

  Then, the inquiry receiving unit 204 receives the candidate inquiry transmitted from the terminal device 104 used by each user.

  This candidate inquiry is for inquiring which game the user using the terminal device 104 can switch at this stage, and is received from the terminal device 104 via the NIC under the control of the CPU. Is done.

  Note that the timing at which a candidate inquiry is issued from the terminal device 104 varies depending on the game configuration. For example, it may be possible to make inquiries periodically or intermittently, the selection cursor approaches the menu item for game switching, the selection cursor approaches the item for game switching, It may be issued when the place in the game where the game can be switched in the game and the position of the user in the game approach a predetermined threshold or more.

  Note that the candidate inquiry itself may be performed by an explicit instruction from the user, but typically, automatically before a timing at which the user is likely to switch the game. I will do it. The above is an example of timing just before the switching occurs.

  On the other hand, the estimation unit 205 specifies, for each game of a plurality of games, the number of users who are currently provided with each game, and a play reservation that specifies a period reservation that includes the current time among the accumulated play reservations. And the load of each game is estimated.

In other words, for each of the games provided by the game system,
(A) Number of users currently logged in to the game,
(B) Number of users who are not currently logged in to the game but have a period reservation including the present (the number of play reservations that specify the period reservation including the present)
Based on the above, the future load of the game will be estimated. In the simplest case, the sum of the above two types (a) and (b) is used as the estimated value of the game load.

  In addition, the CPU occupancy time, RAM usage, communication volume via NIC, communication delay, etc. for the current game provision are divided by the number of persons (a) above, and the sum of the numbers (a) and (b) above is calculated. By multiplying, an estimated value of the game load may be used. Calculations related to these estimations are executed by the CPU, and the estimation results are stored in a RAM or the like.

  Further, the determination unit 206 determines whether or not each game can be provided based on the estimated load.

  The simplest method is to set a threshold for the load of each game, and this determination is a method for determining that each game can be provided if the estimated load is equal to or less than the threshold. The determination result is stored in a RAM or the like.

  The above estimation and determination may be performed every time a candidate inquiry is accepted, or may be performed periodically and intermittently, and the latest determination result may be used in subsequent processing.

  When the candidate inquiry is accepted, the response transmission unit 207 includes the game determined to be provided by the determination unit 206 among the plurality of games, the user who uses the terminal device 104 that transmitted the candidate inquiry, and the present. A candidate response that designates a game designated as a play reservation that designates a reservation period as a candidate is transmitted to the terminal device 104 that has transmitted the candidate inquiry.

In other words, the candidate game specified in the candidate response is
(A) Even if a user logs in to the game, the load is not too high, so a sufficient service can be provided.
(B) A game that has been reserved by a user using the terminal device 104 and satisfies any of the reservation periods.

  The candidate response is generated by the CPU referring to the determination result stored in the RAM or the like, and the transmission is performed by the NIC under the control of the CPU.

  The terminal device 104 that has received the candidate response indicates to the user that it is possible to switch to the candidate game specified in the candidate response, and determines whether or not to switch to one of the candidates. Inquire.

  As a result, when the user selects one of the candidates as a switching destination game, the terminal device 104 transmits a switching request to the game system 101.

  On the other hand, the request receiving unit 208 receives a switching request for designating one of the games designated in the candidate response from the terminal device 104 to which the candidate response is transmitted.

  The switching request is received by the NIC under the control of the CPU.

  Further, when the switching request is received, the switching unit 209 switches the game provided to the user who uses the terminal device 104 that has transmitted the switching request from the providing unit 201 from the game currently provided to the user. Switch to the game specified in the request.

  In this case, if the game provided to the user is a game related to the reservation by the user and the current time is within the reservation period, a play reservation that specifies the reservation period for the user by the user is stored in the storage unit. Delete from 203.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a control flow of the game control method executed in the game system 101 according to the present embodiment. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIG.

  As described above, the game system 101 can be realized by a single server apparatus 102, or can be realized by a plurality of server apparatuses 102 operating together while distributing loads. Is possible. Hereinafter, the flow of control of the entire game system 101 will be described.

  The game control method is started when one or a plurality of server apparatuses 102 realizing the game system 101 execute a predetermined program, and first, various initializations are executed (step S301).

  Next, the game system 101 provides each game based on the number of users who are currently playing each game and the number of play reservations that specify a period reservation including the present made for each game. The required load is estimated (step S302).

  Note that when the load estimation (step S302) is executed immediately after the initialization (step S301), the number of users playing each game is 0, but thereafter, the process is repeated. When step S302 is reached, the number of users playing is changed as will be described later.

  Packets transmitted from various devices such as the terminal device 104 are received (step S303). When the packet is received, the game system 101 checks the type of the packet (step S304).

  When the type of packet is a candidate inquiry transmitted from the terminal device 104 (step S303; candidate inquiry), the game system 101 acquires the identification name of the user of the terminal device 104 specified in the candidate inquiry (step S305). ).

  Then, among the play reservations that specify a period reservation including the present, a play reservation related to the acquired user identification name is acquired, and an identification name of the game related to the acquired play reservation is extracted (step S306). ). If the user has not made a game play reservation or is outside the reservation period, the game identification name acquired here is zero.

  Then, the game system 101 determines whether or not each game can be provided based on the load of each game estimated in step S302, and extracts an identification name of the game that can be provided (step S307). Since the operator of the game system 101 plans the performance and number of server devices 102 for realizing the game system 101 based on the number of users who have registered and the operation rate, in most cases, There will be one or more identification names.

  Next, the game system 101 generates a candidate response that designates the game identification name extracted in step S306 and the game identification name extracted in step S307 as candidates (step S308). The candidate response is transmitted to the terminal device 104 that has transmitted the candidate inquiry received in step S303 (step S309), and the process proceeds to step S351.

  When the type of packet received in step S303 is a switching request transmitted from the terminal device 104 (step S303; switching request), the game system 101 identifies the user identification name specified in the switching request. In addition, the identification name of the game is acquired (step S311).

  The switching request is in response to the candidate inquiry transmitted in step S309. That is, the game identification name to be specified in the switching request transmitted from the user using a certain terminal device 104 is the game identification specified as a candidate in the candidate request transmitted to the terminal device 104. Must be one of the names.

  Then, the game system 101 updates various settings so as to provide a game having the acquired identification name to a user having the acquired identification name (step S312).

In the game system 101 that provides a plurality of games, the following information is managed by a database realized by a hard disk under the control of the CPU.
(1) Whether each user is currently logged in or not.
(2) Which game is currently being played by each logged-in user?
(3) Game progress and state parameters related to the user in the game being played by each logged-in user.

  In step S312, these pieces of information related to the user who transmitted the switching request are updated.

  Furthermore, the game system 101 deletes a play reservation related to the acquired user identification name and the acquired game identification name, if a play reservation that includes the present in the reservation period is accumulated ( Step S313).

  Further, the game system 101 designates the terminal device 104 with the progress status of the current game, the user's state parameters, and the like in order to provide the user with the acquired identification name to the user with the acquired identification name. Is generated (step S314), this is transmitted (step S315), and the process proceeds to step S351.

  If the switching fails, a switching response indicating that may be transmitted from the game system 101 to the terminal device 104 so that the game progress may be managed more strictly.

  In addition, when the type of packet received in step S303 is a progress request transmitted from the terminal device 104 (step S303; progress request), the game system 101 identifies the user specified in the progress request. The name and progress information about the user are acquired (step S321).

  Here, the progress information is information for progressing the game provided to the user, and is typically information that designates an instruction operation performed on the game by the user.

  In a mode in which the terminal device 104 can advance the game without communicating with the game system 101 for a certain period of time and the communication load is reduced, the game is played locally on the terminal device 104. The game progress and state parameters change. In such an aspect, the state parameter after the change is designated as the progress status.

  Then, the game system 101 updates the progress status and state parameters of the game related to the user in the game that the user with the acquired identification name is currently playing based on the acquired progress information (step S322).

  Then, a progress response is generated based on the updated game progress status and state parameters (step S323), and the generated progress response is responded to the progress request received in step S303, and the terminal device 104. (Step S324), and the process proceeds to step S351.

  As described above, the processing in steps S321 to S324 is the same as the processing in a general server-client type communication game.

When the type of packet received in step S303 is a reservation request for reserving a future play period (step S303; reservation request), the game system 101
(A) the identification name of the user who is using the terminal device 104 that is the transmission source of the reservation request, and the identification name of the game currently provided to the user;
(B) a future play period specified in the reservation request;
Is acquired (step S331).

  Typically, in the reservation request, a user identification name and a game identification name are typically specified. However, when a game is provided in units of the terminal device 104, the user using the terminal device 104 that has transmitted the reservation request and the game provided to the user are managed in the game system 101. Therefore, it is possible to omit designation in the reservation request.

  The future play period is a play period related to a period reservation for the user to play the game in the future. Typically, in the reservation request, the start date and time that the user thinks to start playing is specified, and the play period is a predetermined grace period (typically several tens to several times from the start date and time). Time) is treated as a play period.

  And the game system 101 accumulate | stores the play reservation which put together the acquired user's identification name and game identification name, and the acquired play period in the accumulation | storage part 203 (step S332), and shows that the reservation was completed. A reservation response to be notified is generated (step S333), the reservation response is transmitted to the terminal device 104 that has transmitted the reservation request (step S334), and the process proceeds to step S351.

In addition, when accumulating play reservations in step S332, it is possible to impose the following restrictions or restrictions combining these.
(A) The maximum number of play reservations that can be reserved for a certain user's game is one.
(B) An upper limit is set for the total number of play reservations that can be reserved by a certain user.
(C) An upper limit is set for the total number of play reservations at a certain point in time from each user who plays a certain game.
(D) The play reservation is accumulated only when a specific reservation condition is satisfied.

  If the reservation fails due to a conflict with the above restrictions, the game system 101 designates that in the reservation response and notifies the terminal device 104 of the fact.

  When the type of packet received in step S303 is another request (step S303; other), the game system 101 executes a process corresponding to the request (step S341), and A response representing the result is generated (step S342), the generated response is transmitted to the requesting communication device (step S343), and the process proceeds to step S351.

  Immediately after the user first registers as a user in the game system 101, there is no game currently being played by the user. However, during user registration, a candidate inquiry and a candidate response are transmitted and received with the game system 101. It is executed with the terminal device 104. When the user selects a game from the candidates, a switching request is transmitted from the terminal device 104 to the game system 101, and the game provided to the user is switched from “none” to the selected game. Become.

  Now, after various processing is performed, the game system 101 deletes a play reservation whose reservation period has exceeded (step S351).

  Further, after executing various management processes (step S352), the process returns to step S302. The management processing includes, for example, load distribution processing such as increasing or decreasing the number of server devices 102 that provide each game based on the load estimated in step S302. Various techniques including various known techniques can be applied to these processes.

  As described above, the game system 101 operates on the premise that the game system 101 does not end after being started once and started processing. However, in the event of a power failure or failure, the game system 101 is played on the hard disk or the like. The situation, game progress, play reservation information, etc. are stored.

  At initialization in step S301, the game system 101 is generally configured to return to the state before the stop based on the stored information.

  Now, the terminal device 104 that communicates with the game system 101 will be described below.

  As the terminal device 104, various information processing devices such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, a personal computer, an entertainment device, and a game device can be used. These information processing apparatuses are essentially realized by a computer similar to the server apparatus 102, although the capacity of a memory, a hard disk, and the like, the calculation capability of a CPU, and the configuration of an added input / output device are different.

  Various information processing devices that implement the terminal device 104 execute programs installed from a non-temporary information recording medium such as a DVD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory), programs downloaded from the server device 102, and the like. Therefore, the terminal device 104 functions.

  In addition to the elements implemented in a general communication game, the terminal device 104 presents game candidates that can be played by the user to the user and allows the user to select a new game. It is characterized in that the game provided to the user is switched.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of control of terminal processing executed by the terminal device 104 according to the present embodiment. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIG.

  The terminal process is started when the terminal device 104 starts a program for receiving a game. The program may be a dedicated program for receiving a game from the game system 101. When the game system 101 adopts a mode in which a game is provided via a web service, various web documents and webs are used. It may be a browser program for allowing a user to browse and view multimedia information that can be obtained from. The activation of the program itself is normally performed based on a user's instruction operation, but can also be performed periodically using a timer or the like.

  When the terminal process is started, the terminal device 104 performs various initializations (step S401). In this initialization, an identification name of a user who uses the terminal device 104, an identification name of a server device constituting the game system 101, and the like are acquired. Typically, the user's identification name is stored in a non-volatile storage area of a computer that implements the terminal device 104 after user registration or after input by the user. In addition, there is a mode in which the user identification name is stored in a cookie stored by the browser program.

  Next, the terminal device 104 transmits a candidate inquiry to the game system 101 (step S402). In the candidate inquiry, the user identification name acquired in step S401 is designated.

  Then, the game system 101 transmits a candidate response designating an identification name of a game that can be played by the user having the identification name. Therefore, the terminal device 104 receives this candidate response (step S403).

  Further, the terminal device 104 acquires the identification name of the game designated in the received candidate response (step S404), and displays the acquired identification name of the game as a candidate for switching on the screen of the terminal device 104. (Step S405), the user is allowed to select one (Step S406).

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example in which the game identification name is displayed on the screen of the terminal device 104. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIG.

  As shown in the figure, a plurality of game identification names 502 (“game A” and “game C”) are displayed on the screen 501 of the terminal device 104. The user can select the game by pressing the same key as the numbers (“1” and “2”) displayed at the top of the game identification name 502 on the terminal device 104.

  In addition, a cursor 503 representing the identification name 502 of the game currently focused on is also displayed on the screen 501. The user can move the cursor 503 by operating the direction key of the terminal device 104. When the user moves the cursor 503 to the desired game identification name 502 and then operates the determination key of the terminal device 104, the game is selected.

  Also, an item 509 (“[0] cancel”) for canceling switching and continuing the current game and an item 510 (“[*] menu”) for displaying various menus are also displayed on the screen. Has been.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating another example in which the game identification name is displayed on the screen of the terminal device 104. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIG.

  In the display example shown in this figure, the screen 501 displays game identification names 502 that can be selected by the user, and game identification names 504 that cannot be selected by the user ("game B" and "game D"). Is also displayed. In this display example, the fact that there is no numeric key display at the beginning and that the game identification name 504 is marked with a strikethrough clearly indicate that the user cannot select. Even when the user moves the cursor 503 by operating the direction key, the game identification names 504 that cannot be selected are skipped.

  The game system 101 designates both the identification names of all currently provided games and the identification names of games that can be played by the user in the candidate response, so that such display is possible. .

  In addition, in the terminal device 104, a list of game identification names that the user has registered as a user is managed, and whether each of the identification names in the list is the game identification name specified in the candidate response, Such a display may be performed by determining.

  Note that the display shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 may be performed by the user appropriately selecting a menu item of the game. Various known techniques can be applied to the menu display and item selection in the menu.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating another example in which a game identification name is displayed on the screen of the terminal device 104. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIG.

  In the display example shown in this figure, a map such as RPG (Roll Playing Game) is displayed on the screen 501, and the character 521 that the user moves using the direction keys plays the role of a cursor. ing.

  In the map, an area 510 to which the character 521 can move is indicated by hatching.

  In the example shown in this figure, a character 521 is displayed at the lower left of the screen, and a movable area 510 has a shape in which a plurality of roads 512 extend from a square.

  In the sign 515 representing the destination of the road 512, selectable game identification names are displayed. Some roads 512 are blocked, and the identification names of games that cannot be selected are displayed in a sign 515 indicating the destination of the blocked road 512.

  The user operates a direction key or the like of the terminal device 104 to move the character 521 (cursor 503) in the map. In this aspect, when the user performs an operation so that the identification name of the game (“game A” or “game C”) that can be selected by the character 521 (cursor 503) is displayed on the road 512 displayed in the sign 515, The destination game on the road 512 is selected.

  The path 512 in which the identification names of the games that cannot be selected (“game B” and “game D”) are displayed in the sign 515 is blocked, and the character 521 (cursor 503) cannot follow the path 512. . In this embodiment, the operation of moving the character 521 that is frequently used in the game is also used as the selection of the game switching destination.

  In this display example, the game identification names 502 and 504 correspond to names of villages and towns in one map of the world. That is, in the game system in this display example, a game is configured in units of towns and villages, and movement of towns and villages means game switching.

  This display example shows whether or not the game can be switched by an analogy that “when the population density of a town or village is too high, the road is blocked to prevent the inflow of people into the town or village”. Is presented.

  Note that when the user has made a reservation for playing a game, the identification name of the game is a candidate for selection by the user even if the load of providing the game is high. Therefore, for a user who has made a play reservation, even if the game has a high load, the road 512 leading to the game is displayed on the screen 501 without being blocked.

  The display example shown in FIG. 7 can also be used in an RPG in which a game is advanced in cooperation with other users. Such an embodiment will be described in the following examples.

  Now, the terminal device 104 that has received the selection of the game from the user transmits a switching request designating the identification name of the selected game to the game system 101 (step S407) to provide a new game. A switching response in which various necessary information is designated is received from the game system 101 (step S408).

  And the terminal device 104 performs the initialization for a new game based on the information designated by the received switching response (step S409). Specifically, the progress of the game, various state parameters, various image information used for presenting the progress of the game to the user, and the like are stored in the RAM or the like of the terminal device 104.

  Then, the terminal device 104 displays information indicating the game state after switching on the screen 501 based on the progress of the game and various state parameters stored in the RAM or the like (step S410), and the user Present the progress of the game.

  And the terminal device 104 receives the instruction | indication input with respect to the game currently playing from a user (step S411).

  If the instruction input is an instruction input for advancing the game (step S412; progress), a progress request specifying game progress information is transmitted to the game system 101 based on the instruction input ( Step S413), a progress response is received from the game system 101 (Step S414).

  Then, the terminal device 104 updates the game progress and various state parameters stored in the RAM or the like based on the received progress response (step S415), and returns to step S410.

  When the instruction input is an instruction input for switching a game (step S411; switching), the process proceeds to step S402, and a new game is provided to the user through acquisition of candidates and selection by the user (step S402 to step S402). S415).

  When the game is switched in the manner disclosed in FIG. 7, the instruction input for switching the game in step S <b> 411 is given as “A path 512 to reach the game is displayed on the screen 501. “Instruction input for moving the character 521 to a position” can be adopted.

  Further, for a certain period of time (typically several minutes to several tens of minutes) after a candidate inquiry is made to the game system 101, a new candidate inquiry is omitted, and based on the candidate response obtained at the end. It is also possible to display a switchable game.

  When the instruction input is an instruction input for requesting a game play reservation (step S411; reservation), the terminal device 104 requests the user to input a reservation period (step S421). Here, the user can make a play reservation by selecting a predetermined menu item or performing a predetermined operation in the provided game.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of a screen for requesting the user to input a period for making a play reservation. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a display example assuming a case where a play reservation is to be made in the game state shown in FIG. It is assumed that the game being played by the user is “game G”.

  As shown in the figure, a pop-up window 531 for reserving a game is displayed at the center of the screen 501. In the pop-up window 531, a date and time area 532 for editing the date and time when a play reservation is made is prepared.

  A future date and time is displayed in the date and time area 532. The user can edit this date and time by operating a direction key or the like provided in the terminal device 104. When the date / time editing is completed, the user operates a determination key or the like provided in the terminal device 104. Then, the date and time displayed in the date and time area 532 is received by the terminal device 104. Note that date editing and input are not limited to the method using the direction key and the decision key as described above, and various known techniques can be applied.

  Here, the period from the date and time as the start time to the end time after a predetermined time (typically several tens of minutes to several hours) from the date and time is the reservation period in which the play reservation has been made. If it is within the period, even if the load of providing the game is high, the user who made the reservation can start playing the game.

  Note that the input of the reservation period is not limited to a form using a pop-up window. For example, it is possible to input the reservation period in the same manner as information input to forms on various websites.

  Then, the terminal device 104 transmits a reservation request designating the input reservation period to the game system 101 (step S422), receives a reservation response corresponding to the reservation request from the game system 101 (step S423), The result specified in the reservation response is displayed on the screen to notify the user (step S424), and the process returns to step S410.

  In addition, when the instruction input is an instruction input for instructing other than the progress, switching, and reservation of the game (step S411; other), the corresponding processing is executed (step S431), and the process returns to step S410. If an instruction input for ending the game is made as the instruction input, the game may be ended without returning to step S410.

  Such a combination of the game system 101 and the terminal device 104 is an example of providing a plurality of games, and even in other modes, a period for playing the game in the future can be reserved while playing a game. If the game system is a simple game system, the number of users can be appropriately controlled in consideration of the load required to provide the game by applying the principle of the present invention.

  In particular, in an embodiment in which the game system 101 is configured by one server device 104, when it is estimated that the load of a certain game is high, the login of a user who has not made a reservation to play that game is prevented. Therefore, the load is suppressed from increasing.

  Further, when the game system 101 is configured by a plurality of server devices, it is determined based on the load estimated by the estimation unit 205 which of the plurality of games is provided to the plurality of server devices. Can be configured.

  That is, conventionally, load distribution is attempted based on the number of currently logged-in users, the current communication load, the current CPU load, and the like. However, in the present embodiment, the number of play reservations is also taken into consideration in the future. It is possible to prevent the load from becoming excessively high by predicting the load in a more appropriate manner and distributing the load, and adjusting whether or not to log in depending on whether or not there is a play reservation.

  In the above embodiment, the user X who is playing a certain game G can make a future play reservation for the game G alone. However, in this embodiment, the future play reservation should be made jointly. Is required.

  That is, consider a situation in which a user X and a user Y are playing a game G jointly via the respective terminal devices 104. As such a game G, for example, MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game), etc., a small-group cooperative RPG, a communication battle game in which user X and user Y battle (for example, chess, poker, battle fighting game, There can be various modes such as a battle action game).

  9A and 9B are explanatory diagrams illustrating display examples of RPG games that can be played together. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 9A is a display example displayed on the screen 501 of the terminal device 104 used by the user X, and FIG. 9B is a display example displayed on the screen 501 of the terminal device 104 used by the user X.

  In any of the figures, the screen 501 displays a character 521x operated by the user X and a character 521y operated by the user Y.

  Since the character 521x functions as the cursor 503 on the terminal device 104 used by the user X, the character 521x is highlighted in FIG. 9A.

  Since the character 521y functions as the cursor 503 in the terminal device 104 used by the user Y, the character 521y is highlighted in FIG. 9B.

  Here, it is assumed that the user X and the user Y consider to jointly play together in the future. In the present embodiment, the user X and the user Y select the item for which the joint play reservation is made from the menu after the positions of the character 521x and the character 521y in the game world are approached.

  Then, the game system 101 that provides the game to the terminal device 104 acquires another character 521 that is the closest in the game world to the character 521 operated by the user using the terminal device 104, and Another terminal device 104 used by another user who operates another character 521 is acquired.

  When each of the two terminal devices 104 enters a state in which a joint play reservation with the user operating the other party's terminal device 104 is desired, the game system 101 informs the two terminal devices 104 of that fact. Notice.

  Then, each of the two terminal devices 104 inquires the user of a period for making a play reservation for joint play with the other character 521. At this time, the two terminal devices 104 exchange information on a desired reservation period directly or indirectly via the game system 101.

  In addition, when the game progresses by direct communication between the terminal devices 104 used by the user who operates the character 521 arranged in the vicinity in the game world, and by indirect communication via the game system 101 as appropriate. When the user of the terminal device 104 for joint play play reservation selects an item for making a joint play reservation almost simultaneously (typically within a few seconds to several tens of seconds), the reservation is made as follows. It is good also as exchanging information of a period.

  FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B are explanatory diagrams illustrating display examples of screens that require the user to input a period for making a play reservation for joint play. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 10A is a display example displayed on the screen 501 of the terminal device 104 used by the user X, and FIG. 10B is a display example displayed on the screen 501 of the terminal device 104 used by the user X.

  A pop-up window 531a shown in FIG. 10A displays a date / time area 532a for the user X to input a period of joint play with the user Y. The pop-up window 531b shown in FIG. A date / time area 532b for the user Y to input a period for performing the joint play is displayed.

  Similarly to the above embodiment, the user X and the user Y can edit the date and time displayed in the date and time areas 532a and 532b by using the direction key of the terminal device 104 used by the user X and the user Y.

  When one of the users edits the date and time, the date and time information displayed in the date and time areas 532a and 532b of both users is matched, so that the edited date and time information is also transmitted to the terminal device 104 of the other user.

  The user X and the user Y who have agreed to the reservation period try to make a reservation at the date and time using the determination key or the like as in the above embodiment.

  Then, a reservation request designating the reservation period for the input date and time and the identification name of the other user is transmitted from the two terminal devices 104 to the game system 101.

  The reservation request received by the game system 101 is stored in the game system 101 for a certain period (typically several seconds to several tens of seconds), as will be described later.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining a part of the control flow of the game control process executed in the game system 101. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIG.

  In this figure, the process which replaces step S331-S334 in the control flow shown in FIG. 3 is illustrated. That is, when the game system 101 receives a reservation request from any of the terminal devices 104 (step S303; reservation request), the game system 101 performs the following processing.

First, for the received reservation request K,
(A) the identification name P of the user using the terminal device 104 that transmitted the reservation request K;
(B) a game identification name G provided to the user of the identification name P;
(C) the identification name Q of the other user specified in the reservation request K,
(D) Reservation period C specified in the reservation request K
Is acquired (step S801).

  Next, the game system 101 checks whether there are other reservation requests among the stored reservation requests that satisfy the following conditions (step S802).

That is, in the stored reservation request H,
(E) the identification name Q of the user using the other terminal device 104 that has transmitted the reservation request H;
(F) a game identification name G provided to the user of the identification name Q;
(G) the identification name P of the other user specified in the reservation request H;
(H) Reservation period C specified in the reservation request H
Look for things that meet.

  If no reservation request H satisfying the above condition is found (step S802; No), the latest received reservation request K is stored (step S803), and the process proceeds to step S811.

  On the other hand, if found (step S802; Yes), the game system 101 regards the two reservation requests K and H as valid, and accumulates play reservations for both users as in the above embodiment (step S804). ), A reservation response indicating that the reservation is completed is transmitted to the two terminal devices 104 that are the transmission sources of the reservation requests K and H (step S805). Further, the reservation request H is deleted from the storage location (step S806), and the process proceeds to step S811.

  Further, out of the stored reservation requests, those that have passed a predetermined period after being received are extracted (step S811), and the reservation has failed in the terminal device 104 that is the source of each of the extracted reservation requests. A reservation response indicating that is transmitted (step S812), and the process proceeds to step S341.

  Thus, in this embodiment, a play reservation is established only when two users jointly desire a reservation for the same game and the same date and time.

  If the user does not start playing frequently even during the reservation period, it will be difficult to guess the load of providing the game, but in this embodiment, two users will play the same game at the same time together By promising, it becomes possible to suppress unauthorized cancellation of play.

  In the present embodiment, it is possible to further increase the unity between users through play reservations, and it is possible to accurately estimate the load in the game system 101 and achieve efficient load distribution.

  In the above description, it is assumed that the reservation for joint play is made by two people, but it is possible to deal with joint play by three or more people by performing the same processing.

  As described above, according to the present invention, in a game system that provides a plurality of games to a plurality of users, a game system, a game control method, and the like that are suitable for distributing the load of providing a game are provided. A program realized by two or more computers can be provided.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Game system 102 Server apparatus 104 Terminal apparatus 201 Provision part 202 Period reception part 203 Accumulation part 204 Inquiry reception part 205 Estimation part 206 Judgment part 207 Response transmission part 208 Request reception part 209 Switching part 501 Screen 502 Selectable game identification name 503 Cursor 504 Name of game that cannot be selected 509 Item 510 Item 511 Moveable area 512 Road 515 Sign 521 Character 531 Pop-up window 532 Date / time area

Claims (6)

A game system that provides a plurality of games to a plurality of users,
A providing unit for providing any one of the plurality of games to each user via a terminal device used by each of the plurality of users;
A period accepting unit that accepts a period reservation for designating a future play period issued from each user via the terminal device used by each user;
Play reservation that specifies the period specified in the accepted period reservation, the user who issued the accepted period reservation, and the game that is currently provided to the user who issued the accepted period reservation Accumulating unit for accumulating,
An inquiry receiving unit for receiving a candidate inquiry transmitted from the terminal device used by each user;
For each game of the plurality of games, the number of users who are currently provided with each game, and the number of play reservations that specify a period reservation including the current for each game among the accumulated play reservations, Based on an estimation unit for estimating the load of each game,
A determination unit that determines whether each game can be provided based on the estimated load;
When the candidate inquiry is accepted, a game reservation that specifies a reservation period including a game determined to be provided by the determination unit among the plurality of games, a user using the terminal device that transmitted the candidate inquiry, and the current time A response transmission unit that transmits a candidate response that designates the game designated as a candidate to the terminal device that has transmitted the candidate inquiry,
A request receiving unit that receives a switching request for designating any of the games designated in the candidate response from the terminal device to which the candidate response is transmitted;
When the switching request is received, a game provided to the user who uses the terminal device that has transmitted the switching request by the providing unit is designated as the switching request from a game currently provided to the user. A game system comprising a switching unit for switching to a game. The game system according to claim 1,
In the period reservation, a joint user other than the user who issued the period reservation is further designated,
For the first period reservation received by the period reception unit and the second period reservation received by the period reception unit,
The game currently provided to the first user who issued the first period reservation matches the game currently provided to the second user who issued the second period reservation,
The first period specified in the first period reservation matches the second period specified in the second period reservation,
The joint user designated in the first period reservation is the second user,
If the joint user designated in the second period reservation is the first user, the first play reservation for the first period reservation and the second play reservation for the second period reservation are stored in the accumulation. A game system characterized by being accumulated by a department. The game system according to claim 1 or 2,
The game system includes a plurality of server devices,
Based on the estimated load, it is determined which of the plurality of servers is to be provided with the plurality of games. The game system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The plurality of games includes two or more games played by different users based on a common rule. A game control method executed by a game system that provides a plurality of games to a plurality of users, the game system including a providing unit, a period receiving unit, a storage unit, an inquiry receiving unit, an estimating unit, a determining unit, and a response transmission Part, request receiving part, switching part,
A providing step in which the providing unit provides any one of the plurality of games to each user via a terminal device used by each of the plurality of users;
A period reception step in which the period reception unit receives a period reservation for designating a future play period issued from each user via the terminal device used by each user;
A period specified in the accepted period reservation; a user who has issued the accepted period reservation; and a game that is currently provided to a user who has issued the accepted period reservation. An accumulation process for accumulating play reservations to be specified;
The inquiry receiving step, the inquiry receiving step for receiving a candidate inquiry transmitted from the terminal device used by each user,
For each game of the plurality of games, the estimation unit designates a number of users who are currently provided with each game, and a reservation for a period including the current time for each of the accumulated play reservations. And an estimation step for estimating the load of each game based on the number of
A determination step in which the determination unit determines whether each game can be provided based on the estimated load;
When the candidate inquiry is accepted, the response transmission unit includes a game determined to be provided by the determination unit among the plurality of games, a user who uses the terminal device that transmitted the candidate inquiry, and a reservation including the present A response transmission step of transmitting a candidate response designating a game designated as a play reservation designating a period as a candidate to the terminal device that has transmitted the candidate inquiry,
A request receiving step in which the request receiving unit receives a switching request for designating any of the games designated in the candidate response from the terminal device to which the candidate response is transmitted;
When the switching request is received, the switching unit switches the game provided to the user who uses the terminal device that has transmitted the switching request by the providing unit from the game currently provided to the user. A game control method comprising a switching step of switching to a game designated by a request. A program that causes one or more computers to function as a game system that provides a plurality of games to a plurality of users, the program including the one or more computers,
A providing unit for providing any one of the plurality of games to each user via a terminal device used by each of the plurality of users;
A period accepting unit that accepts a period reservation for designating a future play period issued from each user via the terminal device used by each user;
Play reservation that specifies the period specified in the accepted period reservation, the user who issued the accepted period reservation, and the game that is currently provided to the user who issued the accepted period reservation Accumulating unit for accumulating,
An inquiry receiving unit for receiving a candidate inquiry transmitted from the terminal device used by each user;
For each game of the plurality of games, the number of users who are currently provided with each game, and the number of play reservations that specify a period reservation including the current for each game among the accumulated play reservations, Based on an estimation unit for estimating the load of each game,
A determination unit that determines whether each game can be provided based on the estimated load;
When the candidate inquiry is accepted, a game reservation that specifies a reservation period including a game determined to be provided by the determination unit among the plurality of games, a user using the terminal device that transmitted the candidate inquiry, and the current time A response transmission unit that transmits a candidate response that designates the game designated as a candidate to the terminal device that has transmitted the candidate inquiry,
A request receiving unit that receives a switching request for designating any of the games designated in the candidate response from the terminal device to which the candidate response is transmitted;
When the switching request is received, a game provided to the user who uses the terminal device that has transmitted the switching request by the providing unit is designated as the switching request from a game currently provided to the user. A program that functions as a switching unit for switching to a game.

Images