JP2014018313A - Game control device, game control method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To give a user an opportunity in an automatically progressing game to provide an instruction to the game.SOLUTION: A game control device advances a game by automatically executing a plurality of individual events, of which control contents are determined in advance, according to a predetermined execution schedule. The game control device changes a control content of an instruction event for which an instruction from a user is received, among instruction events for which the user can provide instructions in the plurality of events, according to the received instruction.

Description

  The present invention relates to a game control device, a game control method, and a program.

  There is known a game system that controls a game corresponding to each of a plurality of players so as to automatically proceed in parallel while following a predetermined rule. In this game system, it is also possible to transmit the progress of the game to an external device (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  As described above, a game that automatically proceeds is useful in that, for example, even a busy user who has no time to play a game can enjoy the atmosphere of playing the game. In addition, for example, it is preferable for a user who places importance on the result rather than the game process because it saves the operation.

JP 2012-50775 A

For example, when the user confirms the progress of the game in the form of automatically progressing as described above, a case is assumed in which the game progresses unfavorably for the user. In such a case, it is natural that the user will want to give instructions to the game in order to advance the game advantageously. In consideration of such a case, even if the game is automatically progressing, if the user can provide a scene where the user can give an instruction to the game, the interest of the game is enhanced. It can be said that it is preferable.
However, in Patent Document 1, although the user can check the progress of the game as described above, there is no mechanism for giving an opportunity to give an instruction to the game.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an opportunity for a user to instruct a game in a game that proceeds automatically.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a game control device as one aspect of the present invention automatically processes each of a plurality of events whose control contents are predetermined according to a preset execution schedule. A game control device that advances a game by a game control unit that controls the progress of the game, a reception unit that receives an instruction from a user, and an instruction event that a user can give an instruction in the plurality of events The change part which changes the control content of the instruction | indication event in which the instruction | indication which the user performed by the said reception part was received among them is changed according to the received instruction | indication is provided.

  Further, in the game control device of the present invention, the changing unit controls the instruction event in which the instruction is accepted so that it is more advantageous in the progress of the game than the case where the user who issued the instruction does not perform the instruction. The contents may be changed.

  Also, in the game control device of the present invention, the game control unit compares the first option that is clearly advantageous for the progress of the game in the instruction event and the game in comparison with the first option. At least a second option clearly indicating that the degree of advantage in the progress of the user is low, and the update unit receives the instruction to select the first option when receiving the instruction to select the first option May change the control content of the instruction event in which the instruction is accepted so that the progress of the game is more advantageous than when the instruction to select the second option is given.

  In the game control device of the present invention, the game control unit may add a special event that is added in the progress of the game only when an instruction for the instruction event is received, after the instruction event in which the instruction is received is completed. It may be executed at a predetermined timing.

  In the game control device of the present invention, the game control unit accepts the instruction from the time when the remaining reception period is advanced in response to the instruction being accepted in the reception period in which the instruction for the instruction event can be accepted. The execution period of the designated event may be started, and the special event may be executed between the end time of the execution period and the start time of the next event.

  Further, in the game control device of the present invention, the game control unit has a period from the start to the end within a waiting time from the end time of the execution period of the instruction event in which the instruction is accepted to the start time of the next event The longest special event may be selected from a plurality of special events, and the selected special event may be executed.

  In the game control device of the present invention, the game control unit may present an execution schedule for the plurality of events determined in advance at the start of the game.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a game control method for advancing a game by automatically processing each of a plurality of events whose control contents are predetermined according to a preset execution schedule. The method includes a game control step for controlling the progress of the game, a reception step for receiving an instruction from a user, and an instruction event that can be instructed by a user in the plurality of events. A change step of changing the control content of the instruction event in which the instruction given by the user is received according to the received instruction.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for causing a computer to advance a game by automatically processing each of a plurality of events having predetermined control contents according to a preset execution schedule. A control method, a game control step for controlling the progress of the game, a reception step for receiving an instruction from a user, and the reception step among instruction events that can be instructed by a user in the plurality of events. The change step of changing the control content of the instruction event for which the instruction given by the user has been received according to the received instruction is executed.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain an effect that a user can be given an opportunity to instruct the game in an automatically progressing game.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the game system in embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the game screen in the game of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of an execution schedule of the game of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a game screen according to the event in the game of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a game screen according to the event in the game of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a process sequence which the game server and game terminal device in 1st Embodiment perform. It is a figure which shows the example of a process sequence which the game server and game terminal device in 1st Embodiment perform. It is a figure which shows the example of a process sequence which the game server and game terminal device in 1st Embodiment perform. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the special event table in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of the insertion method of the special event in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of the insertion method of the special event in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a process sequence which a game server performs for insertion of a special event in 2nd Embodiment.

<First Embodiment>
[Game system configuration example]
FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of the game system of the present embodiment. The game system shown in this figure is configured by connecting a game server 100 and a game terminal device 200 via a network 300.
Although not shown in the figure, the game server 100 is connected to a plurality of game terminal devices 200 corresponding to a plurality of users registered as game users.

The game server (game control device) 100 provides the game of this embodiment to the user of the game terminal device 200 by cooperating with the processing of the game application unit 202 in the game terminal device 200.
The game according to the present embodiment is a game that progresses by automatically processing each of a plurality of events having predetermined control contents according to a preset execution schedule. In addition, some of the plurality of events are defined as instruction events that can be instructed by the user. That is, the game of the present embodiment is a game that gives an opportunity for an event that can be instructed by the user in the course of automatic progress.

  The game terminal device 200 is a terminal device possessed by a user who plays a game. The game terminal device 200 is installed with the game application of the game of the present embodiment.

  The user activates the game application by an operation on the game terminal device 200 and then performs an operation for starting the game. The game is started in response to this operation, and thereafter the game server 100 automatically advances the game. After the start of the game, even if the game application of the game terminal device 200 is terminated, the game proceeds regardless of this. If the game application of the game terminal device 200 is activated after the game is started, a game screen reflecting the progress of the game is displayed on the display unit 204. By viewing this game screen, the user can know the progress of the game.

  In addition, at the timing when the instruction event is started in the course of the game, the user can instruct the instruction event by operating the operation unit 203. Then, when an instruction is given to the instruction event, the control contents of the instruction event are changed from the predetermined control contents so as to be more advantageous to the user than when the user does not give an instruction.

That is, in this embodiment, in a game that automatically proceeds so that a plurality of events appear in sequence, an instruction event that can be instructed by the user is included in the plurality of events. Then, when an instruction by a user operation is performed during the instruction event period in the game progress process, the contents of the event change so as to be advantageous to the user, for example.
Thereby, in this embodiment, the opportunity which a user can instruct | indicate with respect to the game which advances automatically so that a some event may appear sequentially is given, and interest property is improved.

[Game server configuration example]
A configuration example of the game server 100 will be described with reference to the same FIG. A game server 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes a communication unit 101, a storage unit 102, a game control unit 103, a reception unit 104, and a change unit 105.

The communication unit 101 executes communication with the game terminal device 200 via the network 300.
The storage unit 102 stores predetermined information necessary for the game server 100 to provide the game of the present embodiment. In this figure, game data 120 and user information table 130 are shown among the information necessary for providing a game. The special event table 140 is information corresponding to the second embodiment, and may be omitted in the first embodiment.

  The game data 120 is information for realizing the progress of the game of the present embodiment. Specifically, the game data 120 includes information indicating an execution schedule for each of a plurality of events from the start to the end of the game, control contents of each event, and the like. In the execution schedule, the start time and end time of the event in the progress of the game are shown.

The user information table 130 is a table that stores predetermined information (user information) related to each user registered as a user of the game of the present embodiment.
The user information corresponding to one user includes, for example, a user identifier, an address of the game terminal device, various points on the game given to the user, performance information such as items, logs related to the game that the user has advanced, and the like. .

  The game control unit 103 controls the progress of the game. For this purpose, the game control unit 103 starts the progress of the game corresponding to the user of the game terminal device 200 in response to the game start request transmitted from the game terminal device 200. At this time, the game control unit 103 executes processing so as to advance the game according to the execution schedule indicated by the game data 120.

The accepting unit 104 accepts an instruction from the user. Note that the instruction to be received by the receiving unit 104 is an instruction given to the instruction event.
For example, if the game application is activated in the game terminal device 200 when the progress of the game at that time is during the period of the instruction event, the game terminal apparatus 200 displays the game image of the instruction event on the display unit 204. It is displayed.
At this time, in response to the user performing an operation for instructing the instruction event, the game terminal device 200 transmits operation information, and the operation information is received by the communication unit 101. The accepting unit 104 accepts the operation information received in this way as a user instruction.

  The changing unit 105 changes the control content of the instruction event for which the user instruction is received by the receiving unit 104 according to the received instruction.

[Configuration of game terminal device]
Next, a configuration example of the game terminal device 200 will be described with reference to the same FIG.
1 includes a communication unit 201, a game application unit 202, an operation unit 203, and a display unit 204.
The communication unit 201 communicates with the game server 100 via the network 300.

  The game application unit 202 executes a function corresponding to the game of the present embodiment. Note that the function of the game application unit 202 is realized by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) in the game terminal device 200 executing a game application program.

The game application unit 202 includes a game generation unit 211 and an operation information transmission unit 212.
The game generation unit 211 acquires game information transmitted from the game server 100 and generates a game screen corresponding to the progress of the game at that time. And the game production | generation part 211 displays this game screen on the display part 204. FIG. The game generation unit 211 also executes processing for starting a game by communicating with the game server 100 in response to the game application being activated.

  The operation information transmission unit 212 generates operation information in accordance with an operation performed by the user on the operation unit 203 in order to give an instruction to the instruction event, and the generated operation information is transmitted from the communication unit 201 to the game server 100. Send to.

The operation unit 203 collectively indicates operators and operation devices of the game terminal device 200 used for performing operations on the game application unit 202. For example, when a touch panel is provided for the display unit 204 of the game terminal device 200, the touch panel is included in the operation unit 203.
The display unit 204 displays a game screen according to the control of the game generation unit 211.

[A game example of this embodiment]
With reference to FIGS. 2-5, the example of the game of this embodiment is demonstrated.
In the game of the present embodiment, the user becomes an adventurer, adventures to a preset destination, and then returns.
In addition, the adventurer encounters some event at a predetermined time in the course of the game from departure (game start) to return (game end). In response to this event, the adventurer acquires, for example, additional predetermined points and items, or conversely loses points and items. In the present embodiment, an event corresponds to a process corresponding to an event on the game.

FIG. 2A shows an example of a start screen that is one of the game screens of the game of the present embodiment displayed on the display unit 204 of the game terminal device 200. This start screen is displayed, for example, when the user starts a game application to start a game.
On this start screen, the user can perform an operation for selecting a destination for the adventure. In addition, it is possible to perform operations for selecting weapons, armor, items and the like to be brought to the adventure. In the start screen, the required time corresponding to the start and end of the game is also displayed.

  Then, the user selects the destination, weapon, armor, item, and the like as described above, and then operates the “departure” button Bt1. In response to the operation of the “departure” button Bt1, a game corresponding to the user is started. That is, in response to the operation of the “departure” button Bt1, the game terminal device 200 transmits information about the destination, weapon, armor, item, and the like selected by the user as described above to the game server 100. The game server 100 uses the received information to advance the game.

  Then, after the game is started, even if the user ends the game application of the game terminal device 200, the game server 100 advances the game according to the execution schedule until the end.

  If the game application is activated while the game is in progress, the events that have occurred so far are displayed on the display unit 204 so as to be listed according to the execution order. That is, while the game is in progress, the history of events executed up to the current time is displayed as one of the game screens showing the adventure history of the adventurer.

  When the event history is displayed after the adventure ends, for example, as shown in FIG. 2B, event items 401 (401-1 to 401-) of all events from the start of the adventure to the return. 7) are displayed in order from the top to the bottom as time elapses.

  Specifically, in FIG. 2 (b), the event item 40-1 of the event that departs for an adventure, the event item 401-2 of the event that battles with the monster A, and the gold coins according to the time elapsed indicated by the actual time. Event item 401-3 for event to be discovered, event item 401-4 for event to perform battle with monster B, event item 401-5 to event to fall into the pit, event item 401-6 to event to battle with boss, and adventure The event item 401-7 of the event returning from is shown.

  In the example of FIG. 2B, an example is shown in which the history for all events is displayed when the game is finished. However, when the game is in progress, it is executed by the current time. Event history is displayed. For example, if the current actual time is 20:00, the event up to the battle with Monster B has ended, and the subsequent events have not ended. In this case, as the game screen showing the history of events, four event items from event item 401-1 of the event departing from the adventure to event item 401-4 of the event to battle with monster B are displayed.

In addition, when an operation for selecting one of the event items 401 shown in FIG. 2B is performed, the game screen displays event details indicating the detailed contents of the event corresponding to the selected event item 401. Switch to the screen display.
FIG. 2C is an example of the event details screen 402 when the event item 401 of the event for performing a battle with the second monster A in FIG. 2B is selected. In this case, it is shown that the adventurer (user) has won as a result of several attacks and defenses, and as a result has acquired a new experience value.

FIG. 3 shows a specific example of the same execution schedule as shown in FIG. Each event in the game shown in FIG. 3 is executed according to the following execution schedule. In this figure, the time corresponding to the progress of the game is indicated by an offset time (relative time) starting from the game start time (00:00).
In FIG. 3, first, a non-instruction event EV1 of “departure to adventure” is executed at an offset time of 0:00, and an instruction event EV2 of performing a battle with monster A at an offset time of 00:10 after 10 minutes has passed. Is started.

Here, the period (event period) from the start to the end of the instruction event includes a reception period and an execution period subsequent thereto, as shown in FIG.
The reception period is a period during which an instruction for an instruction event can be received.
The execution period is a period during which the corresponding event is substantially executed. If the user's instruction is given during the reception period, the control content of the instruction event is changed so that the user has an advantage over the case where the instruction is not given when the instruction event is executed during the execution period. Event is executed.
On the other hand, when the acceptance period elapses without any user instruction, subsequent instructions are not accepted. Then, the instruction event is executed without changing the control content.
In the case of a non-instruction event, there is no need to set a reception period, so the event period is equal to the execution period.

  Specifically, in the case of the instruction event EV2 for battle with the monster A, the event period is 10 minutes. In addition, the reception period of the instruction event EV2 is 7 minutes, and the execution period is 3 minutes.

  The execution period in the instruction event is not fixed and varies depending on the contents of the instruction event. In addition, the reception period may be set as appropriate in consideration of, for example, game characteristics and time until the next event. For example, if the reception period is lengthened, the probability that an instruction can be given when the user confirms the progress of the game increases, which is advantageous for the user. Further, if the reception period is shortened, the possibility that the user can give an instruction is reduced, and for example, the difficulty level of the game can be increased.

  Next, an instruction event EV3 for finding gold coins is started at an offset time 00:35, which is 15 minutes after the offset time 00:20 at which the instruction event EV2 for performing a battle with the monster A ends. The instruction event EV3 has an event period of 3 minutes, a reception period of 2 minutes, and an execution period of 1 minute.

  Next, at 00:50 after 12 minutes have elapsed from the offset time 00:38 when the instruction event EV3 for finding gold coins ends, the instruction event EV4 for performing a battle with the monster B is started. The instruction event EV4 has an event period of 5 minutes, a reception period of 3 minutes, and an execution period of 2 minutes.

Next, the non-instruction event EV5 that falls into the pit is executed at an offset time 01:20 that has passed 25 minutes from the offset time 00:55 at which the instruction event EV4 for performing a battle with the monster B ends.
Next, at the offset time 01:25 when five minutes have elapsed from the offset time 01:20 at which the non-instruction event EV5 that falls into the pit is executed, the instruction event EV6 for performing a battle with the boss is started. The instruction event EV6 has an event period of 15 minutes, a reception period of 10 minutes, and an execution period of 5 minutes.
Then, at 01:45 when five minutes have elapsed from the offset time 01:40 when the instruction event EV6 for performing a battle with the boss ends, a non-instruction event EV7 returning from the adventure is executed, and with the end of this non-instruction event EV7 The game ends.

As described above, after the game is started, regardless of whether the game application of the game terminal device 200 is started or ended thereafter, the game server 100 executes the game according to the execution schedule of FIG. Progress.
Here, for example, the user ends the game in order to do something else after starting the game, but since the user has time to operate the game terminal device 200 thereafter, the progress of the game Assume that the game application is activated again to confirm the above.
If this time is just within the reception period of the instruction event, a game screen for instruction reception corresponding to the instruction event is displayed on the game screen. The user may or may not perform an instruction operation on the game screen for accepting the instruction. Then, when the user performs an instruction operation, the control content of the instruction event is changed from the predetermined control content so that the instruction event progresses advantageously for the user during the execution period. The Further, if an instruction is not given within the reception period, the event is automatically advanced in accordance with the predetermined control contents during the execution period without any advantage for the user.

FIG. 4 shows a game screen displayed on the display unit 204 during the reception period of the instruction event EV2 for battle with the monster A as a specific example of the contents of the instruction event.
In the game screen of FIG. 4, a state where the monster A is encountered during the adventure is depicted. In addition, a “fight!” Button Bt11 and an “escape” button Bt12 for receiving an instruction by a user operation are displayed.

  The user can operate either the “fight!” Button Bt11 or the “run away” button Bt12. If the “fight!” Button Bt11 is operated, it is instructed to battle with the monster A in the instruction event. In response to this instruction, the battle with monster A is performed during the execution period, and for example, the user (adventurer) always wins in order to make the user more advantageous than when the instruction is not performed. The control content of the instruction event is changed from the predetermined control content.

On the other hand, when the user operates the “escape” button Bt12, it is instructed to escape without performing a battle with the monster A in the instruction event. In response to this instruction, control is performed so that the adventurer can escape without performing a battle with the monster A during the execution period. However, also in this case, the control content of the instruction event is determined in advance so that the result of the instruction event is different from the case where the instruction is not performed, so that the user has an advantage over the case where the instruction is not performed. Changed from control content.
As a specific example, when an instruction is not given, a battle with monster A is performed and an adventurer loses, thereby losing a certain point or a predetermined item. On the other hand, if it is instructed to escape by the user's operation, the current state can be maintained without losing points or items.

In other words, in the example of FIG. 4, the user is more advantageous than the case where the instruction is not given if the instruction is given regardless of whether the “fight!” Button Bt11 or the “escape” button Bt12 is operated. The event progresses as follows.
In this case, the changing unit 105 controls the control content of the instruction event in which the instruction is accepted so that the user who has given the instruction has an advantage in the progress of the game compared to the case where the instruction is not given. Change from content.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a game screen displayed on the display unit 204 during the reception period of the instruction event EV3 for finding gold coins.
On this screen, you can see a lot of gold coins on the right side of the road divided into two, and a little gold coins on the left side of the road. ing. Along with this, a “select the left road” button Bt21 and a “select the right road” button Bt22 for receiving an instruction by the user's operation are displayed. If the “select the left road” button Bt21 is operated, it means that the left road is designated and only a few gold coins can be obtained. On the other hand, if the “select the right road” button Bt22 is operated, it means that the right road is designated and a lot of gold coins can be obtained. Such a game screen clearly indicates to the user that more gold coins can be acquired by selecting the right road of the left road and the right road.
In this case, since it is obvious that more gold coins can be obtained by selecting the right path, the user operates the “select the right path” button Bt22.
If no instruction is given during the reception period, for example, the event proceeds so as to always follow the left road.

In this way, in the example of FIG. 5, the first option ("Select the right path" button Bt22) clearly indicated to be advantageous for the progress of the game is compared with the first option. A second option (“select the left path” button Bt21) clearly indicating that the degree of advantage in progress is low is presented. Then, by having the user give an instruction to select the first option, the progress of the game is more advantageous than when no instruction is given.
The presentation of these options is executed by the game control unit 103, for example.
Further, the changing unit 105 in this case, when an instruction to select the first option is given, the game progresses more than the case where the user who gives this instruction gives an instruction to select the second option. In order to be advantageous, the control content of the instruction event for which this instruction has been accepted is changed from a predetermined control content.

[Example of processing procedure]
The flowchart of FIG. 6 shows an example of a processing procedure executed in the game system (game server 100 and game terminal device 200) of the first embodiment.
The game application is activated in response to the user performing an operation for activating the game application on the game terminal device 200 (step S101). Then, in response to the activation of the game application, the game generation unit 211 determines whether or not the corresponding user game is currently in progress on the game server 100 (step S102). For this purpose, the game generation unit 211 may inquire of the game server 100 whether or not the corresponding user's game is in progress.

When the game is not in progress (step S102—NO), the game generation unit 211 executes a process for starting the game through communication with the game server 100 (step S103).
In other words, the game generation unit 211 obtains user information and game information necessary for starting a game from the game server 100 to display, for example, the start screen illustrated in FIG. And the game production | generation part 211 sets a destination, a weapon, an item, etc. according to a user's operation. Then, in response to an operation performed on the “departure” button Bt1, the game generation unit 211 transmits a game start instruction to the game server 100 together with setting information such as a destination, a weapon, and an item. In response to this game start instruction, the game server 100 starts the corresponding user's game.

After the game is started in step S103 or when it is determined in step S102 that the game is already in progress, the game generation unit 211 acquires game information from the game server 100, for example, at regular intervals (step S104). ). At this time, the game generation unit 211 requests game information from the game server 100. And the game production | generation part 211 acquires the game information transmitted from the game server 100 in response to this request | requirement. Note that the game information instructs the game generation unit 211 to display the game progress information indicating the game history shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C and the event display as exemplified in FIGS. Event control information.
And the game production | generation part 211 displays the game screen produced | generated based on the game information received by step S104 on the display part 204 (step S105). At this time, if the game information is different from that received last time, the game generation unit 211 updates the content of the game screen displayed on the display unit 204.

Next, the game generation unit 211 determines whether or not an operation for terminating the game application has been performed (step S106).
When the operation for terminating the game application is not performed (step S106: NO), the game generation unit 211 determines whether or not to display a game image corresponding to the reception period of the instruction event at present (step S107). ). When it is not the reception period of the instruction event (step S107—NO), the game generation unit 211 returns the process to step S104. In addition, the case where it is not the reception period of an instruction | indication event is the following cases, for example. In other words, this is a case where the acceptance period has passed within the event period of the instruction event. This is also the case during the event period of a non-instruction event. In addition, it is a period in which neither an instruction event nor a non-instruction event is performed.

On the other hand, when the game screen corresponding to the reception period of the instruction event is being displayed (step S107—YES), the operation information transmission unit 212 performs an operation for the user to instruct the instruction event to the operation unit 203. It is determined whether or not it has been performed (step S108).
When it determines with operation with respect to an instruction | indication event not being performed (step S108-NO), the game production | generation part 211 returns a process to step S104. On the other hand, when it is determined that an instruction has been given (step S108—YES), the operation information transmitting unit 212 transmits operation information corresponding to the instruction for this instruction event to the game server 100 (step S109), and step The process returns to S104.
In addition, when an operation for ending the game application is performed (step S106: YES), the operation information transmission unit 212 ends the process shown in this figure.

  Moreover, the game control part 103 of the game server 100 starts a game according to the game start process by step S102 of the game terminal device 200 (step S201). Thereafter, the game control unit 103 advances the game by processing events according to the execution schedule for each event indicated by the game data 120.

  Next, the game control unit 103 determines whether or not the game being progressed as described above has ended (step S202). If the game has not ended (step S202—NO), the game control unit 103 determines whether or not the event start time has been reached (step S203). The event start time here is the start time (indicated by the offset time) of the event period of an event (instructed event or non-instructed event) predetermined in the execution schedule, and in particular, when it is an instruction event Is also the start time of the acceptance period.

  When the event period start time is reached (step S203—YES), the game control unit 103 executes event processing according to the execution schedule (step S204). When the event process in step S204 is a process for an instruction event, and operation information corresponding to the instruction is transmitted in step S109, the changing unit 105 controls the event control contents in response to the instruction. To change. This process will be described later with reference to FIGS.

  The game control unit 103 updates the game progress information in response to the completion of the event process in step S204 (step S205).

After the game progress information is updated in step S205 or when it is determined that the event start time has not been reached (step S203—NO), the game control unit 103 determines whether or not a game information request has been received. (Step S206). The game information request is transmitted from the game terminal device 200 in the previous step S104.
When the game information request is not received (step S206—NO), the game control unit 103 returns the process to step S202. On the other hand, when a game information request is received (step S206—YES), the game control unit 103 transmits game information in response to this request (step S207). This game information includes, for example, game progress information updated in step S205, and also includes event control information within the event period.
After transmitting the game information in step S207, the game control unit 103 returns the process to step S202.

  When the game is over (step S202—YES), the game control unit 103 updates the user information (step S208). That is, as the event is executed as the game progresses, various points and items acquired by the user change. Therefore, the game control unit 103 updates the user information of the corresponding user in the user information table 130 so that the change result of such points and items is reflected.

The flowchart in FIG. 7 shows an example of a procedure when the event processing in step S204 in FIG. 6 targets an instruction event.
The receiving unit 104 determines whether an instruction for an instruction event by the user has been received (step S301). For this purpose, the game control unit 103 may determine whether or not the operation information transmitted from the game terminal device 200 in step S109 has been received.

When the instruction is received (step S301—YES), the game control unit 103 changes the control content of the instruction event from a predetermined control content according to the received instruction (step S302).
After changing the control content of the instruction event in step S302 or when no instruction has been accepted (step S301-NO), the game control unit 103 executes the instruction event according to the control content (step S303).

  Thus, when the reception unit 104 receives an instruction for an instruction event, the event is executed according to the control content changed in step S302. On the other hand, when the reception unit 104 does not receive an instruction for the instruction event, the event is executed according to the control content that is not changed. At this time, the control contents to be changed are set such that the user has an advantage over the control contents that are not changed. Accordingly, when the user gives an instruction to the instruction event, the event proceeds so as to be advantageous to the user as compared with the case where the instruction is not made.

The flowchart of FIG. 8 shows an example of a procedure for changing the control content as step S302 executed in response to the instruction event EV3 for finding gold coins. In this figure, steps that are the same as those in FIG. 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.
As the process of step S302 in FIG. 8, first, the game control unit 103 determines whether or not an operation of the “select the right path” button Bt22 has been performed as an instruction from the user (step S302A).

Here, it is assumed that the default control content before the change of the instruction event corresponding to FIG. 5 is to acquire A points corresponding to a small amount of gold coins that can be acquired when the left road is selected. When the operation of the “select the right path” button Bt22 is performed (step S302A-YES), the changing unit 105 changes the control content so as to acquire gold coins for B points more than A points (step S302A-YES). S302B), the process proceeds to step S303. The gold coins for B points correspond to the gold coins that can be obtained when the right road is selected.
If the “select the left road” button Bt21 is operated (step S302A-NO), the game control unit 103 skips step S302B and proceeds to step S303. That is, in this case, the changing unit 105 does not change the control content of the event as default.
When the process of step S303 is executed through the process of step S302B, the user acquires gold coins for B points that are greater than A points. On the other hand, when the process of step S303 is executed by skipping the process of step S302B, the user acquires gold coins for A points.

  By executing the processing in this manner, as described with reference to FIG. 5, the instruction event EV3 is performed in response to the user operating the “select the right road” button Bt22 to instruct the right road. Proceeds so that the user has an advantage over the case where no instruction is given.

<Second Embodiment>
[Overview]
Next, the second embodiment will be described. Note that the configuration of the game server 100 and the configuration of the game terminal device 200 in the second embodiment may be the same as those in FIG.
However, in the second embodiment, the storage unit 102 of the game server 100 further stores a special event table 140.
In the second embodiment, a special event is inserted between events predetermined by the execution schedule in response to an instruction for the instruction event, and the special event is executed. . The special event is an event that is added in the progress of the game only when an instruction for the instruction event is accepted. This special event also benefits the user through its execution.
In other words, in the second embodiment, a special event is added and executed in response to the user giving an instruction to the instruction event, so that the game is further advantageous to the user. .

[Example structure of special event table]
FIG. 9 shows an example structure of the special event table 140.
The special event table 140 shown in this figure has a structure in which a special event identifier, an event period, and an event definition (control content) are associated with each of a plurality of special events prepared in advance.
The special event identifier indicates an identifier for identifying a corresponding special event.
The event period indicates the length of time from the start to the end set for the corresponding special event.
The event definition indicates the control content of the corresponding special event. That is, it is information indicating the contents of the corresponding special event.

[Example of special event table insertion processing]
Next, a special event insertion process example will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11.
FIG. 10A shows an instruction event EV6 for performing a battle with the boss in FIG. 3, and a non-instruction event EV7 for returning from the adventure following this.
As shown also in FIG. 3, the event period of the instruction event EV6 for performing a battle with the boss is 15 minutes, and this 15 minutes is composed of a reception period of 10 minutes and an execution period of 5 minutes following this. Further, the non-instruction event EV7 returning from the adventure is executed 5 minutes after the instruction event EV6 for performing a battle with the boss ends.

Here, as shown in FIG. 10A, it is assumed that an instruction for the instruction event EV6 is given by the user three minutes after the event period of the instruction event EV6 for performing a battle with the boss is started. In response to this instruction, as shown in FIG. 10 (b), the 7 minutes after the timing at which the instruction is given out of the 10 minute reception period is omitted. As a result, the execution period of the instruction event EV6 starts from 3 minutes after the event period in which the instruction is given, and ends at the timing when 5 minutes have passed since then.
That is, the event period of the instruction event EV6, which is set to 15 minutes by default, is shortened to 8 minutes by omitting 7 minutes of the reception period of 10 minutes.
Accordingly, the waiting time tw from the end of the event period of the instruction event EV6 to the start of the event period of the non-instruction event EV7 is extended from 5 minutes to 7 minutes in FIG. ) And 12 minutes.

In the second embodiment, the special event EV11 is inserted as shown in FIG. 11 for the standby time tw thus extended. The insertion of such a special event is executed by the game control unit 103 of the game server 100.
That is, the game control unit 103 starts the execution period of the instruction event in which the instruction is received from the time when the instruction is received in the reception period, from the time when the remaining reception period is advanced. A special event is inserted between the end time and the start time of the next event.

Moreover, the game control part 103 determines the special event which should be inserted in waiting time tw as follows, for example. That is, the game control unit 103 selects the longest special event within the waiting time tw from the plurality of special events, and causes the selected special event to be executed.
For example, as shown in the special event table 140 of FIG. 9, the event period of the special event prepared in advance is arbitrarily set according to, for example, the contents of the event. When the game control unit 103 inserts a special event, a special event having the longest event period is selected from the special event table 140 among the special events whose event period is within the waiting time tw. The special event selected in this way is a special event to be inserted at the waiting time tw.

As understood from the above description, the game control unit 103 selects a special event that can use the standby time tw to the maximum extent.
Thereby, for example, the standby time tw extended according to the instruction with respect to the instruction event can be effectively used to the maximum. In addition, the earlier the instruction timing in the instruction event reception period, the stronger the user's will to intervene in the game. Therefore, the event definition (control content) may be set so that the special event with a longer event period becomes more advantageous for the user so that the user is more advantageous.

  FIG. 11 shows an example in which a special event EV11 of an event period of 10 minutes is inserted so as to start at a timing one minute after the instruction event EV6 ends in a waiting time tw of 12 minutes.

  Note that the special event may be an instruction event whose control content is changed according to an instruction from the user, or a non-instruction event that does not accept an instruction from the user.

[Example of processing procedure]
The flowchart of FIG. 12 shows an example of a processing procedure for inserting a special event, which is executed by the game control unit 103 of the game server 100 in the second embodiment.

For example, the game control unit 103 waits for an instruction from the user during an instruction event reception period (step S401—NO). And according to a user's instruction | indication (step S401-YES), the game control part 103 calculates the end time of the said instruction | indication event (step S402).
As described with reference to FIG. 10B, the end time of the instruction event when the instruction is given by the user is advanced according to the timing of the instruction given within the reception period. For example, the game control unit 103 obtains the end time of the instruction event raised in this way by adding the time length as the execution period of the instruction event to the time when the instruction is given by the user.

Next, the game control unit 103 calculates the waiting time tw until the start time of the next event (instruction event or non-instruction event) based on the end time of the instruction event calculated in step S402 (step S403).
That is, the game control unit 103 obtains the time length from the end time of the instruction event obtained in step S402 to the start time of the next event as the standby time tw.

  Next, the game control unit 103 selects a special event to be inserted into the standby time tw from the special events registered in the special event table 140 (step S404). At this time, the game control unit 103 searches for a special event whose event period shown in the special event table 140 is within the waiting time tw, and selects the longest event period from these searched special events. select. That is, the game control unit 103 selects a special event that can use the standby time tw to the maximum extent.

  Next, the game control unit 103 determines whether or not there is a selected special event as a result of the special event selection process in step S404 (step S405). In the process of step S405, for example, if the waiting time tw is below a certain value because the instruction timing in the reception period is late, there may be no special event in the event period within the waiting time tw. Assumes that.

  If there is a selected special event (step S405—YES), the game control unit 103 causes the selected special event to be executed at a predetermined timing after the end of the instruction event. In other words, the game control unit 103 causes the selected special event to be executed during the standby time tw (step S406).

If no instruction has been given for the instruction event that has ended in response to step S401 (step S402: NO), the game control unit 103 ends the processing shown in this figure without inserting a special event. .
Similarly, also when there is no selected special event (step S405-NO), the game control part 103 complete | finishes the process shown to this figure, without inserting a special event.

  In the description with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, one special event having an event period in which the standby time tw can be used to the maximum is selected, and the selected special event is inserted. However, for example, a plurality of special events may be inserted for one waiting time tw. At this time, for example, as the number of special events inserted with respect to the standby time tw increases, the degree of advantage of the user may increase.

[Modification]
Next, a modification of this embodiment will be described. In addition, the structure of the game server 100 and the game terminal device 200 corresponding to a modification may be the same as that of FIG.
In this modification, the game control unit 103 presents an execution schedule for a plurality of predetermined events (instructed events and non-instructed events) at the start of the game.

  Specifically, the game control unit 103 transmits the execution schedule information included in the game data 120 to the game terminal device 200, for example, at the timing when communication for starting the game with the game terminal device 200 is performed.

  The game generation unit 211 in the game terminal device 200 uses the received execution schedule information, for example, generates a game screen having a content indicating an execution schedule for each event in the game and displays the game screen on the display unit 204. On this game screen, for example, predetermined events in the game are displayed in order in chronological order. In addition, time information such as start time and end time for each event may be displayed together on this game screen. Moreover, you may display on this game screen so that an instruction | indication event and a non-instruction | indication event can be distinguished.

  By looking at the game screen displayed as described above, the user can grasp what event is executed in which order and at what time in the game. It is possible to know in advance whether instructions should be given to

Moreover, although the game in the above description was demonstrated as what is implement | achieved by the dedicated game application performed in the game terminal device 200, the same game can be implement | achieved, for example using a web browser.
Moreover, although the game in the description so far is supposed to be provided to the user through communication between the game server 100 and the game terminal device 200, for example, the game terminal device 200 does not require communication with the game server 100. It can also be configured as a completed game. That is, the game terminal device 200 has a function as a game control device. The game terminal device 200 in this case may be configured such that the game application unit 202 further includes functional units such as the game control unit 103, the reception unit 104, and the change unit 105, for example.

  Further, a program for realizing each functional unit in the game server 100 and the game terminal device 200 in FIG. 1 is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on the recording medium is read into a computer system. You may perform the process regarding a game by performing. Here, the “computer system” includes an OS and hardware such as peripheral devices.

Further, the “computer system” includes a homepage providing environment (or display environment) if a WWW system is used.
The “computer-readable recording medium” refers to a storage device such as a flexible medium, a magneto-optical disk, a portable medium such as a ROM and a CD-ROM, and a hard disk incorporated in a computer system. Further, the “computer-readable recording medium” refers to a volatile memory (RAM) in a computer system that becomes a server or a client when a program is transmitted via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line. In addition, those holding programs for a certain period of time are also included. The program may be a program for realizing a part of the functions described above, and may be a program capable of realizing the functions described above in combination with a program already recorded in a computer system.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and includes designs and the like that do not depart from the gist of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Game server 101 Communication part 102 Memory | storage part 103 Game control part 104 Reception part 105 Change part 120 Game data 130 User information table 140 Special event table 200 Game terminal device 201 Communication part 202 Game application part 203 Operation part 204 Display part 211 Game production | generation Unit 212 Operation information transmission unit 300 Network 401 Event item 402 Event details screen

Claims (9)

A game control device that advances a game by automatically processing each of a plurality of events whose control contents are predetermined according to a preset execution schedule,
A game control unit for controlling the progress of the game;
A reception unit for receiving instructions from the user;
A change unit that changes control contents of an instruction event in which an instruction given by the user is accepted by the accepting unit among instruction events that can be given by the user in the plurality of events according to the accepted instruction A game control device comprising: The changing unit is
The game control device according to claim 1, wherein the control content of the instruction event in which the instruction is accepted is changed so that the user who has given the instruction is more advantageous in the progress of the game than when the instruction is not given. The game control unit
In the instruction event, a first option that is clearly advantageous for the progress of the game and a second option that is clearly less advantageous for the progress of the game than the first option Present at least the options,
The update unit
When the instruction to select the first option is accepted, the instruction is made so that the progress of the game is more advantageous than the case where the user who has given the instruction gives an instruction to select the second option. The game control device according to claim 2, wherein the control content of the instruction event received is changed. The game control unit
The special event added in the progress of the game only when an instruction for the instruction event is accepted is executed at a predetermined timing after the instruction event for which the instruction is accepted. The game control device according to Item. The game control unit
In response to an instruction being accepted in an acceptance period in which an instruction for the instruction event can be accepted, the execution period of the instruction event in which the instruction is accepted is started from the time when the remaining acceptance period is advanced, and the execution period ends. The game control device according to claim 4, wherein the special event is executed between a time and a start time of a next event. The game control unit
The longest special event within the waiting time from the end time of the execution period of the instruction event in which the instruction is accepted to the start time of the next event is selected from a plurality of special events. The game control device according to claim 5, wherein the selected special event is executed. The game control unit
The game control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein an execution schedule for the plurality of predetermined events is presented at the start of the game. A game control method for advancing a game by automatically processing each of a plurality of events with predetermined control contents according to a preset execution schedule,
A game control step for controlling the progress of the game;
A reception step for receiving instructions from the user;
A change step of changing control contents of an instruction event in which an instruction given by the user in the receiving step is accepted among instruction events that can be given by the user in the plurality of events, according to the received instruction. A game control method comprising: On the computer,
A game control method for advancing a game by automatically processing each of a plurality of events with predetermined control contents according to a preset execution schedule,
A game control step for controlling the progress of the game;
A reception step for receiving instructions from the user;
A change step of changing control contents of an instruction event in which an instruction given by the user in the receiving step is accepted among instruction events that can be given by the user in the plurality of events, according to the received instruction. A program to execute and.

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