JP2014183953A - Server system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To promote exchange with other players in a network game, such as a social game.SOLUTION: Before a race in which a plurality of players participate, a player other than a participating player votes for the participation player of the race. After completion of the race, a predetermined privilege point is granted to both of a winning player and a friend player voting for the winning player. A point consumed in voting for an upper winning player is returned to a voting friend player of the upper winning player.

Description

  The present invention relates to a server system that is communicatively connected to a player terminal.

  Conventionally, games that are enjoyed by connecting a player terminal to a game server via a network such as the Internet have been known, and in recent years, so-called social games provided on SNS (Social Networking Service) have been remarkable. (For example, patent document 1).

JP 2007-206823 A

  A social game is characterized by emphasizing exchange (communication) with other players, and generally has a function of registering other players as friends as friends. The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to promote exchanges with other players in a network game such as a social game.

The first invention for solving the above-described problems is
A server system (for example, the game server 1000 in FIG. 1) that is connected to a player terminal and controls execution of a predetermined game.
Voting accepting means (for example, voting accepting unit 228 in FIG. 19) for accepting a vote for any of participating players by players other than the player participating in the predetermined game (hereinafter referred to as “participating player”);
The friend player of the participating player has voted for the participating player (hereinafter referred to as “voting friend player”), and the participating player satisfies the first high performance condition in the predetermined game. , A privilege grant processing means for executing a privilege grant process for granting a given privilege to the participating player and the voting friend player (for example, the friend privilege granting unit 236 in FIG. 19);
Is a server system.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, a given privilege is given to both a participating player of a predetermined game that has achieved a grade satisfying the first high performance condition and a friend player who has voted for the participating player. . That is, for the participating player's friend player, a privilege can be given by voting to the participating player, and for the participating player, a privilege can be given by the friend player voting. Thereby, it becomes a motivation to increase the number of friend players, and as a result, exchange between players who play the game can be promoted.

A second invention is the server system of the first invention,
You may comprise the server system further provided with the friend participation notification means (for example, the participation notification part 224 of FIG. 19) which notifies the said participating player of participating in the said predetermined | prescribed game to the friend player of the said participating player. .

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the participating player's friend player is notified that the participating player will participate in the predetermined game. This makes it possible for players who have not participated in the game to quickly know that their friend players have participated in the game, and to exchange information such as voting and communication. Will play a role.

A third invention is a server system according to the second invention,
The friend participation notification means performs the notification including link information for displaying a screen for executing a vote for the participating players (hereinafter referred to as a “voting execution screen”),
When the voting accepting unit receives a signal for instructing the link information from the player terminal, the voting accepting unit displays a voting execution screen indicated by the link information on the player terminal, and performs a corresponding participation according to the voting execution instructing operation. Voting for players,
A server system may be configured.

  According to the third aspect of the invention, the notification to the friend player that the participating player has participated in the predetermined game is performed including the link information for displaying the voting execution screen for the participating player. Then, a voting execution screen is displayed by an instruction operation for link information at the player terminal, and voting for participating players is executed by an instruction operation for voting. Thus, the friend player who has received the notification can immediately vote for the participating player who is a friend for the friend player by a simple operation such as selecting link information displayed on the player terminal. .

A fourth invention is a server system according to any one of the first to third inventions,
The privilege grant processing means includes means for changing the privilege to be granted based on the number of the voting friend players.
A server system may be configured.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the privilege given to the participating player who has achieved the first high performance condition and the voting friend player of the participating player is changed based on the number of voting friend players. The As a result, for example, as the number of voting friend players increases, the benefit becomes “good”, so that it is possible to encourage more friend players to vote and encourage exchange between friend players.

A fifth invention is a server system according to any one of the first to fourth inventions,
It further comprises point management means (for example, virtual point management unit 216 in FIG. 19) for managing in-game points held by each player,
The vote accepting means consumes in-game points of the voted player as consideration for the vote,
A payout means for adding a given payout point to the in-game points to a player who has voted for a participating player who has achieved a result of satisfying the second high performance condition in the predetermined game (for example, the normal payout in FIG. 19). Part 234),
A server system may be configured.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the player can vote by consuming the in-game points owned by the player, and vote for the participating players who have achieved results satisfying the second high performance score in the predetermined game. The given payout point is added to the in-game points for the player who has been playing.

A sixth invention is a server system according to the fifth invention,
The voting friend player who has voted for a participating player who satisfies a predetermined score condition in the predetermined game includes a point return means for returning part or all of the in-game points consumed in the voting.
A server system may be configured.

  According to the sixth aspect of the invention, a part or all of the in-game points consumed in the voting are returned to the voting friend player who has voted for the participating player who satisfies the predetermined score condition in the predetermined game. As a result, the friend player can easily vote for the participating players.

A seventh invention is the server system of any one of the first to sixth inventions,
An apology for notifying the voting friend player who has voted for the participating player who has not fulfilled the first high performance condition in the predetermined game and who has achieved the predetermined low performance condition. Further comprising a notification means,
A server system may be configured.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, an apology notice from a participating player who does not satisfy the first high performance condition in the predetermined game and has achieved the predetermined low performance condition is voting to the participating player. The friend player is notified. You can deepen interaction between friend players.

An eighth invention is the server system of any one of the first to seventh inventions,
Participation player reception means (for example, participation reception unit 222 in FIG. 19) for receiving participation players participating in the predetermined game;
Matching means (for example, group organization unit 226 in FIG. 19) that matches the participating players received by the participating player reception means and divides them into a plurality of groups;
Game execution control means (for example, the race holding control unit 220 in FIG. 19) that controls to execute the predetermined game for each group;
You may comprise the server system further provided.

  According to the eighth aspect, the participating players are matched and divided into groups, and the game is executed for each group.

The ninth invention is the server system of the eighth invention,
The matching means includes means for matching so that players who are friend players are not in the same group.
A server system may be configured.

  According to the ninth aspect of the invention, matching is performed so that players who are friend players are not in the same group. Accordingly, for example, it is possible to prevent an injustice such that the friend players cooperate with each other to participate in the same predetermined game and attempt to artificially operate to win and lose to reliably obtain a privilege.

The tenth invention is the server system of any one of the first to ninth inventions,
When the player whose vote has been received by the vote receiving means is not a friend player of the participating player to be voted, a friend application from the player is notified to the participating player, and an approval operation is performed by the participating player Friend application control means (for example, friend management unit 214 in FIG. 19) for newly registering the player as a friend of the participating player;
Means for determining whether or not the voted player is a friend player of a participating player to be voted at the start of the predetermined game or at the end of the predetermined game;
You may comprise the server system provided with.

  According to the tenth aspect of the invention, a friend application for the participating player is notified after voting to the participating player, but the participating player is approved and registered as a friend before the start or end of a predetermined game. If so, the player can be determined as a voting friend player of the participating player, and a privilege can be given together with the participating player. This is a motivation to increase the number of friend players.

The eleventh invention is the server system according to the tenth invention,
The voting accepting means executes voting including a setting image for automatically executing a selection instruction as to whether or not to automatically execute a friend application for the participating player when the voting player is not a friend player of the participating player to be voted Means for displaying a screen on the player terminal;
The friend application control means includes means for making the friend application when voting is executed in a setting state in which the instruction selection is automatically executed.
A server system may be configured.

  According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, if a vote for a participating player who is not a friend is executed from the vote execution screen in a default state, a friend application to the participating player can be made at the same time. Save time and effort to apply for friends.

The block diagram of a game system. 2 is a configuration example of a player terminal. Voting outline diagram. An example of a voting method selection screen. An example of a group list screen. An example of a participating player list screen. An example of a vote execution screen. An example of a vote execution screen. An example of a friend list screen. The outline figure of the participation notice to a friend player. An example of a friend notification confirmation screen. An example of a participation notification email. The schematic diagram of the dividend to the voting player with respect to a winning player. The schematic diagram of the privilege provision to the vote friend player with respect to a winning player. The outline figure of privilege grant according to the number of vote friend players. The schematic diagram of the return to the vote friend player with respect to a top winning player. The outline figure of the notice of apology to the friend player. An example of an apology notification email. The function block diagram of a game server. Data structure example of play data. An example of the data structure of the race schedule. Data structure example of held race data. The functional block diagram of a player terminal. The flowchart of a race holding process. The flowchart of the vote reception process performed during a race holding process. FIG. 26 is a continuation of the flowchart of FIG. The flowchart of the post-race process performed during a race holding process.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Below, the case where the race game which is a competition game is performed in a network game system is demonstrated, However, Embodiment which can apply this invention is not limited to this.

[overall structure]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a game system in the present embodiment. The game system includes a game server 1000 that can be connected to the communication line 1 and a player terminal 2000 prepared for each player. The communication line 1 means a communication path capable of data communication. That is, the communication line 1 is meant to include a communication network such as a telephone communication network, a cable network, and the Internet in addition to a dedicated line (dedicated cable) for direct connection, a LAN using Ethernet (registered trademark), The communication method may be wired or wireless.

  The game server 1000 is a server system configured to include one or a plurality of server devices, storage devices, and the like. The game server 1000 provides various services for operating the network game according to the present embodiment and is necessary for executing the game. Client programs and data can be distributed.

  The player terminal 2000 is a computer, and is an electronic device realized by, for example, a smartphone, a portable game device, a home game device, a personal computer, a tablet computer, or the like. The player terminal 2000 can connect to the communication line 1 via a mobile phone base station, a wireless communication base station, or the like, and perform data communication with the game server 1000.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a smartphone which is an example of the player terminal 2000. As illustrated in FIG. The player terminal 2000 includes a direction input key 2002, a home key 2004, a touch panel 2006, a speaker 2010, a microphone 2012, a GPS antenna 2014, a control board 2018, and a memory card 2032 that is a computer-readable storage medium. A memory card reader 2030 that can read and write data is provided. In addition, a built-in battery, a power button, a volume control button, etc., not shown, are provided.

  The control board 2018 is mounted with various microprocessors such as CPU, GPU and DSP, and various IC memories such as ASIC, VRAM, RAM and ROM. The control board 2018 is equipped with a wireless communication module 2020 for wireless communication with a mobile phone base station and a GPS module 2022. Further, the control board 2018 includes a circuit for receiving signals from the direction input key 2002 and the home key 2004, a driver circuit for the touch panel 2006, a circuit for generating a sound signal collected by the microphone 2012, and a memory card reader 2030. A so-called I / F circuit (interface circuit) or the like is mounted. Each element mounted on the control board 2018 is electrically connected via a bus circuit or the like so that data can be read and written and signals can be transmitted and received.

[Game Overview]
In the game system of the present embodiment, a racing game that is a competition game is performed. In this race game, a character (player character) nurtured and strengthened by a player participates in a race held at an arbitrary timing, and the player competes with other participating players for ranking. The race is performed with the participation of a plurality of players, and the rank that is the result of the race is determined based on the parameters of each participating player (player character). A predetermined winning prize is awarded to the player who wins the race (1st place). The winning prize is an item that can be used in the game, such as an item for strengthening a character. In addition, the race is a game in which a plurality of players compete for ranks, for example, a horse racing game in which the player character is a racehorse, or a game in which a player character such as a car race or a motorcycle race runs on a predetermined vehicle. Any game may be used.

[Flow of the race]
Explain in detail the flow of the race. First, a player participating in the race is accepted. That is, a predetermined participation acceptance period is determined before the race is held, and the player can apply (register) participation in the race during the participation acceptance period. The race is performed by a predetermined number of players (for example, eight people). For this reason, a plurality of groups of a predetermined number of participating players are generated by matching with players who have accepted participation (participating players), and a race (match) is executed for each group. That is, there are multiple groups for the same race.

  When the participation acceptance period ends and the participating players in the race are determined, the voting for the participating players can be subsequently performed. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an outline of voting. As shown in FIG. 3, the player votes for participating players who are expected to win the race. This voting can be performed only by players other than the players participating in the race. Further, in voting, consumption of virtual points that are in-game points that the player owns is required. That is, a predetermined virtual point (for example, 10 points) is set as one unit (voting unit), and virtual points corresponding to the number of voting units are consumed (in FIG. 3, one unit is shown as one “coin”. ). Note that an upper limit may be set for the number of votes that one player can vote for one participating player. In addition, one player can vote for a plurality of participating players.

  FIG. 4 is an example of a voting method selection screen W1 displayed on the player terminal 2000 of the player who performs voting. There are two types of methods for selecting a player to vote: a method of selecting from a participating player in a race and a method of selecting from a friend. On the voting method selection screen W1, a race voting icon 12 and a friend voting icon 14 corresponding to each selection method are displayed.

  When the race vote icon 12 is selected on the voting method selection screen W1, a list of races currently accepting votes is displayed. When one of the races is selected from the list of races, a group list screen W3 shown as an example in FIG. 5 is displayed. On the group list screen W3, a list of groups of the selected race is displayed together with the remaining time 18 of the voting acceptance period. When one of the groups is selected on the group list screen W3, a participating player list screen W5 as an example shown in FIG. 6 is displayed. Participating players in the selected group are displayed in a list on the participating player list screen W5.

  When any participating player is selected on the participating player list screen W5, a voting execution screen W7 as an example is displayed in FIG. On the voting execution screen W7, as detailed data of the selected participating player, a detailed display 20 such as player character parameters and advantages, past race results, and the like is displayed. Also, the owned points 16 which are virtual points owned by the player are displayed, and the number of votes for the participating player is selected in the vote number selection display 22 within the range of the owned points. Then, the vote for the participating player can be executed by selecting the vote execution icon 24.

  At this time, if the participating player selected to vote is not a friend, a friend application display 26 for making a friend application to the participating player is displayed on the voting execution screen W9 as shown in an example in FIG. . In the friend application display 26, whether or not to make a friend application to the participating player is selected by a check box method. By default, “Apply” is checked (selected) in a selection instruction state. It is displayed. If you do not need to apply for a friend, you can remove this check. Then, by selecting the vote execution icon 24, it is possible to vote for the participating player and make a friend application.

  When the friend vote icon 14 is selected on the voting method selection screen W1 shown in FIG. 4, a friend list screen W11 shown as an example in FIG. 9 is displayed. The friend list screen W11 displays a list of friend names that are currently participating in the race and can vote, among the friends, together with the remaining time of the voting reception period. When any friend is selected on the friend list screen W11, a voting execution screen W7 for voting on the selected friend is displayed as shown in FIG. In this voting execution screen W7, the voting for the friend player can be executed by selecting the voting number in the voting number selection display 22 and selecting the voting execution icon 24.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 10, a participation notification mail M1 is sent to each friend player of the participating player in the race, notifying that the participating player has participated in the race and urging the participating player to vote. The mail here corresponds to a message exchanged between the registered players of the game in the game, but may be an electronic mail.

  Specifically, when the player participates in the race, for example, a friend notification confirmation screen W13 shown in FIG. 11 is displayed on the player terminal 2000 of the participating player. On the friend notification confirmation screen W13, a notification confirmation display 30 as to whether or not to notify the friend player of participation in the race is displayed. The notification confirmation display 30 is configured to select whether or not to notify the friend player of participation in the race by a check box method. By default, the selection instruction state in which “notify” is checked (selected) is selected. Is displayed. If the player is not notified, the notification confirmation display 30 may be unchecked. When the participation execution icon 32 is selected, a participation notification mail M1 is transmitted to each friend player.

  FIG. 12 is an example of the participation notification mail M1 displayed on the player terminal 2000 of the friend player. In the text of the participation notification mail M1, a voting execution screen for voting to participating players is displayed together with a message that the participating player in the race as a transmission source participates in the race and urges voting to the participating players. A reference address 34, which is link information for display, is displayed. This address is unique for each race and participating player. When the friend player selects the reference address 34 of the participation notification mail M1, a voting execution screen W7 (see FIG. 7) for voting for the participating player is displayed.

  When the voting acceptance period ends, the race is executed. The race is automatically advanced, and the rank is determined for each group based on the parameters of each participating player (player character).

  When the race is over, a given winning prize is awarded to the participating player (winning player) who has won (1st place). Further, as shown in FIG. 13, virtual points corresponding to the number of votes are awarded as payout points to the player 7a who has voted for the winning player 6a. In the present embodiment, the order (second favorable performance condition) in which the payout points are given is the winner (1st place), but may be an order such as 3rd or less.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 14, when the voting player 7 of the winning player 6a includes the friend player 7b of the winning player 6a, both the voting friend player 7b and the winning player 6a have predetermined virtual points. Awarded as a reward point. The privilege points may be the same for the winning player 6a and the voting friend player 7b, or may be different. As shown in FIG. 15, the privilege points differ depending on the number of voting friend players 7b, and the more voting friend players 7b, the more privilege points. In the present embodiment, the order (first high performance condition) to which the specific point is given is the victory (1st place), but it may be a rank such as 2nd or less.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 16, when the player 7b who has won the top prize but voted for the top prize participating player 6b who has won the top prize has the friend player 7b of the top prize winning player 6b, The virtual points (voting points) consumed at the time of voting to the top winning player 6b are returned. Although all the voting points are returned, a part (predetermined ratio) of the voting points may be returned. The ranking for returning the voting points is a rank satisfying a predetermined grade condition, and in this embodiment, it is a top prize (2nd to 4th place) excluding the victory (1st place) of the first and second high grade conditions. is there.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 17, when there is a friend player of the participating player among the voting players who voted for the participating player in the apology ranking, an apology notice mail M3 is transmitted to the voting friend player. The apology target rank is a rank that satisfies the low grade condition, and in the present embodiment, is lower than the above return target rank (fifth or lower). FIG. 18 is an example of an apology notification email M3 displayed on the player terminal 2000 of the friend player. The apology notification mail M3 is a content that apologizes that the participating player in the ranking of apology does not give or return a privilege to the voting friend player.

[Function configuration]
FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the game server 1000. According to FIG. 19, the game server 1000 is functionally configured to include an operation unit 110, a display unit 120, a communication unit 130, a server processing unit 200, and a server storage unit 300.

  The operation unit 110 receives various operation inputs for managing the game server 1000 and outputs an operation signal corresponding to the performed operation to the server processing unit 200. This function is realized by an input device such as a keyboard, a mouse, or a touch panel.

  The display unit 120 displays various display screens based on the image signal input from the server processing unit 200. This function is realized by an image display device such as a flat panel display, a CRT, or a projector.

  The communication unit 130 is connected to the communication line 1 and performs data communication with an external device (mainly the player terminal 2000). This function is realized by, for example, a wireless communication device, a modem, TA, a cable cable jack, a control circuit thereof, and the like.

The server processing unit 200 controls the operation of the game server 1000 based on programs and data read from the server storage unit 300, data received from an external device (mainly the player terminal 2000) via the communication unit 130, and the like. To control.
This function is realized by a microprocessor such as a CPU or GPU, an arithmetic device such as an ASIC, or a control program thereof. In the present embodiment, the server processing unit 200 includes a game management unit 210, an image generation unit 252, and a communication control unit 254.

  The game management unit 210 includes a player management unit 212, a friend management unit 214, a virtual point management unit 216, a character training unit 218, and a race holding control unit 220, and executes the race game of the present embodiment. to manage.

The player management unit 212 performs processing related to player registration and management for enabling the game play of the present embodiment.
Specifically, a process of receiving a player name, a password, and the like from the player terminal 2000 and registering it as a new player, a process of managing play data 320 that is information of these registered players, and a request from the player terminal 2000 The player authentication process is performed.

  FIG. 20 shows an example of the data structure of the play data 320. According to FIG. 20, the play data 320 is generated for each registered player, and includes account information 321, player character information 322, possessed item information 323, possession points 324, friend list 325, and play log 326. Storing.

  The account information 321 is information for identifying the player, and includes a unique player name, player ID, and password. The player character information 322 is information related to the player character of the player, and includes various parameters that are factors that determine the victory or loss of the race. The possessed item information 323 is information on items that the player possesses that can be used in the game. The possessed point 324 is information on virtual points possessed by the player. The friend list 325 is a list of other players registered as friends by the player.

  The virtual point management unit 216 manages virtual points that are in-game points owned by each player. For example, predetermined virtual points are consumed at the time of voting for a race, and predetermined virtual points are given according to the race result. In addition, for example, given points are given to a player who logs in for the first time after this time, for example, at a predetermined timing of 10:00 every day. It is preferable that the number of points to be given is equal to or greater than the points required for at least one vote.

  The friend management unit 214 performs processing related to registration and deletion of a friend player of the player. Specifically, when a friend application specifying a player is made from a certain player, a notification that the friend application has been made from the requesting player is sent to the application target player, and permission is received from this application target player. If obtained, register each other as a friend player.

  The character training unit 218 trains a player character of the player in accordance with the player's instruction. As the player character is trained, the parameters related to the player character are changed. For the training, for example, various menus are prepared according to how to improve the parameters, such as training for running ability, training for physical strength, training for instantaneous power, etc., for example, using items owned by the player Or by consuming predetermined parameters called action points that automatically recover over time.

  The race holding control unit 220 includes a participation reception unit 222, a participation notification unit 224, a group organization unit 226, a voting reception unit 228, a race progress control unit 230, a winning prize giving unit 232, and a normal dividend giving unit 234. And a friend privilege granting unit 236, a friend special return unit 238, and an apology notification unit 240, which control the holding of a race (game).

  The holding of the race is determined in advance by the race holding schedule 330, and the race holding control unit 220 controls the holding of the race according to the race holding schedule 330.

  FIG. 21 shows an example of the data configuration of the race holding schedule 330. According to FIG. 21, the race holding schedule 330 stores a race name 331 in association with a race start date and time 332, a participation reception period 333, and a vote reception period 334.

  The held race is stored as held race data 340. FIG. 22 shows an example of the data structure of the held race data 340. The held race data 340 is generated for each held race, and stores a race name 341, a participating player list 342, group organization information 343, voting information 344, and race result information 345.

  The participating player list 342 stores the participating player name 342a of the race and the presence / absence of notification 342b of participation to the friend player in association with each other. The group organization information 343 stores, for each organized group 343a, the participating player names 343b of a predetermined number of people (eight people in FIG. 22) included in the group in association with each other. The voting information 344 is information related to voting for participating players in the race, and stores, for each participating player 344a, the player 344b who voted for the participating player and its voting number 344c in association with each other. The race result information 345 stores, for each group 345a, the participating player 345c in association with the rank 345b that is the race result. One group will have one race (match).

  The participation reception unit 222 receives participation of the player in the race. In other words, if a player requests to participate in the race during the race participation acceptance period, the participation of the player is accepted to be a participating player and added to the participating player list 342.

  The group organization unit 226 performs matching for participating players, organizes a group of a predetermined number of people (for example, 8 people), and generates group organization information 343. At this time, matching is performed so that players who are in a friend relationship with each other are not in the same group. For groups that do not have the predetermined number of people, NPCs are added so that all the groups have a predetermined number of people.

  The participation notification unit 224 sends a participation notification mail M1 for each participating player that is notified of the friend player among the participating players to notify the friend player of the participating player that the participating player participates in the race. Send.

  The voting accepting unit 228 accepts votes for participating players in the race. Specifically, when a voting request is made from a player during the voting acceptance period of the race, it is determined whether or not voting by the player is possible. That is, when the player is a participating player in the race, voting is not possible, and a notification to that effect is sent to the corresponding player terminal 2000.

  If it is not a participating player in the race, it is possible to vote, and voting is accepted by a voting method designated for the player. That is, if the designated voting method is voting from a race (the race voting icon 12 (see FIG. 4) is selected), race information including each group name and its participating players is transmitted to the corresponding player terminal 2000. . Further, if the designated voting method is voting for a friend (selecting the friend vote icon 14 (see FIG. 4)), information on a list of friends participating in the race among the friends of the player is displayed in the corresponding player terminal. To 2000.

  Further, when an access request to the reference address 34 included in the participation notification mail M1 is made, information on the corresponding participating player is transmitted to the corresponding player terminal 2000. When a player makes a voting request together with the names of participating players to vote and the number of votes, the player's vote is accepted and added to the vote information 344.

  The race progress control unit 230 performs control to automatically advance the race. That is, for each group, the ranking is determined based on the parameters of the player characters of each participating player, and the race result information 345 is generated. In addition, data of the race scene in which each player character is run is created so that the determined order is obtained.

  The winning prize giving unit 232 gives a predetermined winning prize to the winning player of each group after the race.

  The friend privilege granting unit 236 grants predetermined privilege points to the winning player and the friend player who voted for the winning player for each group after the race.

  After the race is over, the friend special return unit 238 returns the consumption points when voting to the participating players to the friend players who voted for each of the participating players who won the top prize for each group.

  After the race, the apology notification unit 240 transmits an apology notification mail M3 to the friend players who voted for each participating player other than the winning player and the top winning player for each group (see FIG. 18).

  Returning to FIG. 19, the image generation unit 252 includes, for example, a processor such as a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) and a digital signal processor (DSP), a program such as a video signal IC and a video codec, an IC memory for drawing frames such as a frame buffer, This is realized by an IC memory or the like used for developing the texture data. In the case where the game server 1000 provides an image to be displayed on the player terminal 2000, an image of the game screen can be generated.

  The communication control unit 254 executes data processing related to data communication, and realizes data exchange with an external device via the communication unit 130.

  The server storage unit 300 stores system programs for realizing various functions for the server processing unit 200 to control the game server 1000 in an integrated manner, programs and data for realizing various functions of the present embodiment, and the like. To do. Further, it is used as a work area of the server processing unit 200, and temporarily stores calculation results executed by the server processing unit 200 according to various programs, data received by the communication unit 130, and the like. This function is realized by a storage device such as various IC memories, hard disks, MO, ROM, and RAM. In the present embodiment, the server storage unit 300 stores a system program 310, a game management program 312, play data 320, held race data 340, and a race holding schedule 330.

  FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of the player terminal 2000. As shown in FIG. Functionally, the player terminal 2000 includes an operation input unit 510, an image display unit 520, a sound output unit 530, a communication unit 540, a terminal processing unit 600, and a terminal storage unit 700. The

  The operation input unit 510 outputs an operation input signal to the terminal processing unit 600 in accordance with various operation inputs made by the player. This function is not limited to elements that are directly operated by the player with fingers, such as button switches, joysticks, touch pads, and trackballs, as well as elements that detect movement and posture, such as acceleration sensors, angular velocity sensors, tilt sensors, and geomagnetic sensors. Realized. In FIG. 2, the direction input key 2002, the home key 2004, and the touch panel 2006 correspond to this.

  The terminal processing unit 600 is realized by, for example, a microprocessor such as a CPU or a GPU, or an electronic component such as an ASIC or an IC memory, and is connected to each function unit of the player terminal 2000 including the operation input unit 510 and the terminal storage unit 700. Performs data input / output control. Then, various arithmetic processes are executed based on a predetermined program and data, an operation input signal from the operation input unit 510, and the like, and the operation of the player terminal 2000 is controlled. In FIG. 2, the control board 2018 corresponds to this. The terminal processing unit 600 includes a game control unit 610, an image generation unit 620, a sound generation unit 622, and a communication control unit 624.

  The game control unit 610 includes an operation signal transmission control unit 611 and a game screen display control unit 612, and executes various arithmetic processes for causing the computer to function as a terminal for game play.

  The operation signal transmission control unit 611 executes processing for transmitting various data and request information to the game server 1000 in accordance with the operation performed by the operation input unit 510.

  The game screen display control unit 612 performs control for displaying a game screen based on various data received from the game server 1000. For example, if the online game of the present embodiment is realized as a web game, a web technology that actively controls screen display using Java (registered trademark) or CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) together with HTML based on a web browser. And plug-ins such as Adobe (registered trademark) Flash. Of course, other methods may be used.

  The image generation unit 620, for example, a processor such as a graphics processing unit (GPU) or a digital signal processor (DSP), a program such as a video signal IC or a video codec, an IC memory for a drawing frame such as a frame buffer, or a texture data expansion It is realized by an IC memory or the like used for The image generation unit 620 generates one game screen in one frame time (for example, 1/60 second) based on the processing result by the game control unit 610, and outputs the generated image signal of the game screen to the image display unit 520. To do.

  The image display unit 520 displays various game images based on the image signal input from the image generation unit 620. For example, it can be realized by an image display device such as a flat panel display, a cathode ray tube (CRT), a projector, or a head mounted display. In FIG. 2, the touch panel 2006 corresponds to this.

  The sound generation unit 622 is realized by, for example, a digital signal processor (DSP), a processor such as a voice synthesis IC, an audio codec that can play back an audio file, and the effects related to the game based on the processing result by the game screen display control unit 612. Sound signals of BGM and various operation sounds are generated and output to the sound output unit 530.

  The sound output unit 530 is realized by a device that outputs sound effects, BGM, and the like based on the sound signal input from the sound generation unit 622. In FIG. 2, the speaker 2010 corresponds to this.

  The communication control unit 624 executes data processing related to data communication, and realizes data exchange with an external device via the communication unit 540.

  The communication unit 540 is connected to the communication line 1 to realize communication. This function is realized by, for example, a wireless communication device, a modem, a TA (terminal adapter), a wired communication cable jack, a control circuit, or the like. In FIG. 2, the wireless communication module 2020 corresponds to this.

  The terminal storage unit 700 stores a system program for realizing various functions for causing the terminal processing unit 600 to control the player terminal 2000 in an integrated manner, a program necessary for game play, various data, and the like. Further, it is used as a work area of the terminal processing unit 600, and temporarily stores calculation results executed by the terminal processing unit 600 according to various programs, input data input from the operation input unit 510, and the like. Such a function is realized by, for example, an IC memory such as a RAM or a ROM, a magnetic disk such as a hard disk, or an optical disk such as a CD-ROM or DVD. In FIG. 2, the IC memory and the memory card 2032 mounted on the control board 2018 correspond to this.

  In the present embodiment, the terminal storage unit 700 stores a system program 710 and a game client program 712. The system program 710 is a program for realizing basic functions of input / output as a computer of the player terminal 2000. The game client program 712 is application software for realizing functions as the game control unit 610 by being read and executed by the terminal processing unit 600, but may be configured as a part of the system program 710. good. The game client program 712 may be a dedicated client program according to a technical technique for realizing an online game, or may be configured by a web browser program, a plug-in that realizes interactive image display, and the like.

[Process flow]
FIG. 24 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of a race holding process related to holding a single race according to the present embodiment. In the drawing, the processing of the game server 1000 is shown on the left side, and the processing of the player terminal 2000 is shown on the right side.

  According to FIG. 24, the game server 1000 starts accepting participation in a race (step A3) if the race participation acceptance date / time is reached (step A1: YES).

  On the other hand, when the race mode for participating in the race is selected on the player terminal 2000 (step B1: YES), the player communicates with the game server 1000 to display the name of the race that is being held, the date and time, etc. In accordance with the operation instruction, a race to participate is selected, and it is determined whether or not to notify the friend player of participation in the race (step B3). If the race participation instruction operation is performed by the player (step B5: YES), a race participation request is transmitted to the game server 1000 (step B7). Then, in the game server 1000, the participation reception unit 222 receives the participation of the corresponding player in the race (step A5).

  If the participation acceptance period ends (step A7: YES), the participation acceptance ends (step A9). Next, the group organization unit 226 performs matching of participating players, and organizes a group of a predetermined number of participating players (step A11). Subsequently, when the voting acceptance date / time is reached (step A13: YES), voting acceptance processing (see FIG. 25) is executed to accept voting for the race (step A15).

  25 and 26 are flowcharts for explaining vote acceptance processing. According to FIG. 25, in the voting acceptance process, first, the participation notification unit 224 registers a friend player for each participating player in the race (step C1: YES), and the participating player participates in the friend player. If notification is to be made (step C3: YES), a participation notification email about the participating player is transmitted to each friend player (step C5).

  On the other hand, if the voting mode for voting for the race is selected on the player terminal 2000 (step D1: YES), the player selection method (voting method) for voting is selected according to the operation instruction of the player, and the game server 1000 is selected. Transmit (step D3).

  Then, in the game server 1000, the voting reception unit 228 determines whether or not the player can vote, whether or not the player is a participating player in the voting target race, and whether or not the voting reception period is within the voting reception period. to decide. If voting is impossible (step C7: NO), the player terminal 2000 is notified that voting is not possible (step C9). If voting is possible (step C7: YES) and the requested voting method is selected from the race and voting (step C11: “race”), the names of the groups making up the race and the participating players of these groups Is generated and transmitted to the player terminal 2000 (step C13).

  Then, the player terminal 2000 displays a list of groups that can be voted based on the received race information (step D5), selects one group according to the player's operation instruction (step D7), and selects the selected group. Are displayed as a list (step D9). Next, according to the player's operation instruction, one participating player is selected (step D11), and the number of votes for the selected participating player is selected (step D13). If the selected participating player is not a friend player (step D15: NO), whether or not to apply for a friend is selected in accordance with the operation instruction of the player (step D17). When the player gives a voting instruction (step D19: YES), a voting request is transmitted to the game server 1000 together with the participating players selected for voting, the number of voting units, and the presence / absence of friend application (step D21).

  Then, the game server 1000 accepts the player's vote based on the received vote request (step C15). If there is a friend application for the participating player to be voted (step C17: YES), the friend management unit 214 makes a friend application from the player to the participating player to be voted (step C19).

  On the other hand, if the voting method requested from the player terminal 2000 is voting to a friend (step C11: “friend”), as shown in FIG. 26, the voting accepting unit 228 participates in the race among the player's friend players. A list of friend players (participating players) is generated and transmitted to the player terminal 2000 (step C21).

  Then, the player terminal 2000 displays a list of the received friend players (step D23), selects one friend player according to the player's operation instruction (step D25), and selects the number of votes for the selected friend player (step D25). D27). Then, when the voting instruction operation is performed by the player (step D29: YES), a voting request is transmitted to the game server 1000 together with the selected friend player name and voting number (step D31). Then, the game server 1000 accepts the player's vote based on the received vote request (step C23).

  If the player terminal 2000 receives the race participation notification mail (step D33: YES), the race participation notification mail is displayed (step D35). If the described reference destination address 34 is selected (step D37: YES), an access request to the reference destination address 34 is transmitted to the game server 1000 (step D39). Then, the game server 1000 transmits information related to the participating player corresponding to the requested reference destination address 34 (step C25).

  Then, the player terminal 2000 displays a voting execution screen for participating players who are friend players based on the received data (step D41). Next, the number of votes is selected according to the player's instruction operation (step D43). If a voting instruction operation is performed (step D45: YES), a voting request is transmitted to the game server 1000 together with the names of participating players to be voted and voting numbers, which are friend players (step D47). Then, the game server 1000 accepts the player's vote based on the received vote request (step C27).

  When the voting acceptance period ends (step C29: YES), the voting acceptance unit 228 terminates acceptance of voting (step C31) and ends the voting acceptance process.

  Returning to FIG. 24, when the race start date and time comes after the voting acceptance process is completed, the race progression control unit 230 automatically races for each group based on the parameters of the player characters of each participating player. To determine the rank (step A17). When the race is finished, the post-race processing based on the race result is subsequently performed (step A19).

  FIG. 27 is a flowchart for explaining the post-race processing. In the game server 1000, the winning prize giving unit 232 gives a predetermined winning prize to the winning player of each group (step E1). Further, the normal payout giving unit 234 gives a predetermined payout point to each player who has voted for each of the winning players in each group (step E3).

  In addition, the friend privilege granting unit 236 grants predetermined privilege points to the winning player and the friend player (voting friend player) of the winning player who voted for the winning player for each group (step E5). Further, the friend special return unit 238 returns (gives) the consumption points at the time of voting of the participating player to each of the friend players who have voted for each participating player in the predetermined return target rank for each group (step E7). When the above processing is performed, the post-race processing is terminated. Returning to FIG. 24, when the post-race processing ends, the race holding processing ends.

[Function and effect]
As described above, in the race game of this embodiment, before the race, players other than the participating player vote for participating players in the race. After the race, a predetermined privilege point is awarded to both the winning player and the friend player who voted for the winning player, and the voting friend player of the top winning player is allowed to vote for the top winning player. Spent points will be returned. Accordingly, it is possible to motivate to increase the number of friend players, promote voting to the friend players, and promote exchanges between the players.

[Modification]
It should be noted that embodiments to which the present invention can be applied are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can of course be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

(A) Friend special return For example, in the above-described embodiment, all the points (consumption points) consumed at the time of voting to the participating player are returned to the friend player who has voted for each of the participating players who have won the top prize. However, part of the consumption points may be returned, or the return rate may be changed according to the ranking of the participating players.

(B) Voting period In the above-described embodiment, the voting period is set before the start of the race. However, the voting period may be during the race (between the start and end of the race).

1000 game server 110 operation unit, 120 display unit, 130 communication unit 200 server processing unit 210 game management unit, 212 player management unit, 214 friend management unit 216 virtual point management unit, 218 character training unit,
220 Race holding control unit 222 Participation reception unit, 224 Participation notification unit, 226 Group organization unit 228 Voting reception unit, 230 Race progress control unit 232 Winning product grant unit, 234 Normal dividend grant unit 236 Friend privilege grant unit, 238 Friend special return , 240 Apology notification unit 252 Image generation unit 254 Communication control unit 300 Server storage unit 310 System program, 312 Game management program 320 Play data, 330 Race holding schedule 340 Event race data 2000 Player terminal 510 Operation input unit, 520 Image display 530 sound output unit 540 communication unit 600 terminal processing unit 610 game control unit 611 operation signal transmission control unit 612 game screen display control unit 620 image generation unit 622 sound generation unit 624 communication control unit 700 terminal description Part 710 system program, 712 game client program 5 player 6 participation player, 6a winning player 7 Votes player, 7a vote friend player

Claims (11)

A server system that is communicatively connected to a player terminal and controls execution of a predetermined game,
Voting accepting means for accepting voting for any of the participating players by players other than the players participating in the predetermined game (hereinafter referred to as “participating players”);
The friend player of the participating player has voted for the participating player (hereinafter referred to as “voting friend player”), and the participating player satisfies the first high performance condition in the predetermined game. A privilege grant processing means for executing a privilege grant process for granting a given privilege to the participating player and the voting friend player,
Server system with   The server system according to claim 1, further comprising a friend participation notifying unit that notifies a friend player of the participating player that the participating player participates in the predetermined game. The friend participation notification means performs the notification including link information for displaying a screen for executing a vote for the participating players (hereinafter referred to as a “voting execution screen”),
When the voting accepting unit receives a signal for instructing the link information from the player terminal, the voting accepting unit displays a voting execution screen indicated by the link information on the player terminal, and performs a corresponding participation according to the voting execution instructing operation. Voting for players,
The server system according to claim 2. The privilege grant processing means includes means for changing the privilege to be granted based on the number of the voting friend players.
The server system as described in any one of Claims 1-3. A point management means for managing in-game points held by each player;
The vote accepting means consumes in-game points of the voted player as consideration for the vote,
A payout means for adding a given payout point to the in-game points to a player who has voted for a participating player who has achieved a score satisfying the second high-performance condition in the predetermined game;
The server system as described in any one of Claims 1-4. The voting friend player who has voted for a participating player who satisfies a predetermined score condition in the predetermined game includes a point return means for returning part or all of the in-game points consumed in the voting.
The server system according to claim 5. An apology for notifying the voting friend player who has voted for the participating player who has not fulfilled the first high performance condition in the predetermined game and who has achieved the predetermined low performance condition. Further comprising a notification means,
The server system as described in any one of Claims 1-6. Participating player receiving means for receiving a participating player participating in the predetermined game;
Matching means for matching the participating players received by the participating player receiving means into a plurality of groups;
Game execution control means for performing control to execute the predetermined game for each group;
The server system as described in any one of Claims 1-7. The matching means includes means for matching so that players who are friend players are not in the same group.
The server system according to claim 8. When the player whose vote has been received by the vote receiving means is not a friend player of the participating player to be voted, a friend application from the player is notified to the participating player, and an approval operation is performed by the participating player Friend application control means for newly registering the player as a friend of the participating player;
Means for determining whether or not the voted player is a friend player of a participating player to be voted at the start of the predetermined game or at the end of the predetermined game;
The server system as described in any one of Claims 1-9 provided with. The voting accepting means executes voting including a setting image for automatically executing a selection instruction as to whether or not to automatically execute a friend application for the participating player when the voting player is not a friend player of the participating player to be voted Means for displaying a screen on the player terminal;
The friend application control means includes means for making the friend application when voting is executed in a setting state in which the instruction selection is automatically executed.
The server system according to claim 10.

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