JP2014193242A - Server system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To propose a mechanism in which amusement, such as amusement in an actual business-use game device where a game status is changed, can be achieved in a virtual game play.SOLUTION: When a reset standby period is provided where an end of a game play in a virtual game device is used as a start point and a play request is made within the reset standby period, a next game play is started in a game status at the end of the last game play. However, no play request is made from any player within the reset standby period, the game status is reset to an initial state. Moreover, a priority reception period is provided in which the end of the last game play is used as a start point and which is shorter than the reset standby period. During the priority reception period, only the player (last player) who plays the last game play can make the play request.

Description

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

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, games that are enjoyed by connecting to a game server via a network such as the Internet are known, and in recent years, so-called social games provided on SNS (Social Networking Service) are remarkable (for example, patents) Reference 1).

JP 2007-206823 A

  In recent years, most social games are designed on the assumption that they will be executed on a mobile terminal such as a smartphone. In order to make it easy to play at a time convenient for the player, one game is repeated repeatedly. Many game specifications are often adopted.

  On the other hand, a business game device for acquiring real prizes such as a crane game, or a business medal game device in which a large number of real medals placed in the game space are moved by a pusher mechanism. (Pusher game) is also popular. Therefore, when a game play on such a game device for business is virtually realized by a social game, it is considered that the specification of repeated game play is suitable for a social game.

  However, in the arcade game device, since the game situation such as the position of prizes and medals changes every game play, and an unspecified number of players can play, the game situation of the previous player remains unchanged. It is interesting that you can start playing. For this reason, if each game play is a game play from the initial state, or if the game play is saved and the previous continuation can be played at any time, the fun is halved compared to an actual commercial game device.

  The present invention has been devised in view of the above circumstances, and the object of the present invention is to make the virtual game machine device such as a crane game device or a medal game device interesting as an actual business game device that changes. It is to propose a mechanism that can be realized by realistic game play. Further, the second object is to take into account the fun and excitement unique to virtual game play while following the fun of an actual arcade game device.

The first invention for solving the above-described problems is
A server that can communicate with a plurality of player terminals, controls the execution of a game that changes the game situation by each game play and takes over the previous game situation to the next game play in accordance with an operation input at one player terminal A system (for example, the game server 1000 of FIG. 8),
Game execution control means (for example, the game play control unit 224 in FIG. 8) for resetting the game situation to an initial state when the game situation satisfies a given achievement condition;
A reset means for resetting the game situation to an initial state when the elapsed time from the last game play satisfies a given reset time condition (for example, the game situation reset unit 220 in FIG. 8);
Is a server system.

  According to the first invention, in a game in which the game situation changes by each game play, the previous game situation is taken over by the next game play, but the game situation satisfies the achievement condition, or When the elapsed time from the game play satisfies the reset time condition, the game situation is reset to the initial state. In other words, since the game situation is reset after a predetermined time has elapsed after the game play ends, if the player stops taking over the game situation and playing the next game, the game situation will be reset and stopped. Even if the player wants to return to the current game situation and play the game, he / she cannot return and can simulate a game play like an actual business game device. In addition, there is a possibility that the game play is taken over by another player. Moreover, for example, if an element such as requiring a billing process is added to one game play, it is possible to foster a sense of play that is closer to a commercial game device.

  However, there may be a case where the game play has to be interrupted for some reason on the player side despite the fact that the game situation has been changed. In such a case, if the game situation is reset after a predetermined time without notice, it may be severe for the player of the last game play.

Therefore, as a second invention, the server system of the first invention,
Reset timing notifying means for notifying the player of the last game play of the timing satisfying the reset time condition;
You may comprise the server system further provided.

  According to the second invention, the player of the last game play is notified of the timing satisfying the reset time condition. Thereby, the player of the last game play can know the timing when the game situation is reset, so that it can make a final determination as to whether or not to continue the game play.

A third invention is the server system of the first or second invention,
Reset time condition changing means for changing the reset time condition based on a game situation by the last game play;
You may comprise the server system further provided.

  According to the third aspect of the invention, the reset time condition is changed based on the game situation by the last game play. For example, when the game situation is advantageous to the player, the player can be prompted to make a quick decision to continue playing the game by changing the reset time condition to be shorter.

A fourth invention is a server system according to any one of the first to third inventions,
A means for managing a game medium (for example, “ticket” in the embodiment) possessed by each player, wherein the game medium is consumed in exchange for execution of the game play, and a given recovery time has elapsed, or , Further comprising a game medium management means (for example, the ticket management unit 216 in FIG. 8) that allows the game play to be recovered in exchange for execution of a given billing process or a given billing equivalent process,
The reset means sets the reset time condition as a time condition shorter than the recovery time, and resets the game situation when the reset time condition is satisfied.
A server system may be configured.

  According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the game medium held by the player is consumed in exchange for the execution of the game play, but the reset time condition is a condition that is shorter than the recovery time of the game medium that enables game play. It has become. That is, after the game play is completed, the game situation is reset prior to the recovery of the play medium that enables the game play. However, the game medium recovers so that game play is possible in exchange for execution of a given billing process or billing equivalent process, so that it realizes a function unique to virtual game play that is different from an actual business game device. For example, it is possible to encourage the player to be charged so as not to reset the “good” game situation.

A fifth invention is a server system according to any one of the first to fourth inventions,
Final game situation storage means (for example, virtual game device management data 340 in FIG. 10) for storing the game situation of the last game play;
After the reset by the reset means, when the game play is not performed, the game situation stored in the final game situation storage means is recovered in exchange for execution of the given charge process or the given charge equivalent process. Recovery processing means for executing recovery processing;
You may comprise the server system provided with.

  According to the fifth invention, after the game situation is reset, when the game play is not performed, the game situation is restored to the last game play stored in exchange for the execution of the billing process or the billing equivalent process. Can be made. In other words, even if the game situation is reset, if the game play is not being performed, the game situation before the reset can be recovered by charging, so if the virtual game play is different from the actual business game device Can be realized, and the player can be charged.

A sixth invention is the server system of any one of the first to fifth inventions,
A virtual crane game or a virtual pusher game is executed as the game,
A server system may be configured.

  According to the sixth aspect, a virtual crane game or a virtual pusher game is executed as the game. Such a game achieves the purpose of acquiring game media such as prizes and medals by continuously playing the game multiple times, and the game situation such as the placement position of the game media in the game space is passed over time. The method of prompting game play by resetting by means of the function effectively functions.

A seventh invention is the server system of any one of the first to sixth inventions,
It further comprises device management means (for example, virtual game device management unit 218 in FIG. 8) for managing the game situation of a plurality of virtual game devices that can be arbitrarily selected by the player and can play the game.
For each of the plurality of game devices, performing game execution control by the game execution control means and resetting by the reset means,
A server system may be configured.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, game execution control and game situation resetting are performed for each of a plurality of virtual game devices that can be arbitrarily selected by the player and played. Since the player can arbitrarily select a game device for playing a game from among a plurality of virtual game devices, the player can take advantage of the game device without hesitation. In addition, since the game situation of each game device is reset as time passes, if there is no game device in a favorite game situation, it is only necessary to wait for the game situation to be reset.

An eighth invention is the server system of any one of the first to seventh inventions,
The game execution control means causes the player terminal to execute the game.
A server system may be configured.

  According to the eighth aspect, the game is executed on the player terminal. For this reason, processing related to game progress / situation change is executed on the player terminal side, so that the load on the server system can be distributed and reduced.

The block diagram of a game system. 2 is a configuration example of a player terminal. An example of a game screen. The outline figure of taking over of the game situation. An example of a game device list screen. An example of a virtual game device detail screen. An example of a game end screen. The function block diagram of a game server. 3 is a data configuration example of player management data. The data structural example of virtual game device management data. The functional block diagram of a player terminal. The flowchart of the process in a game server. The flowchart of the process in a player terminal. Continuation of the flowchart of FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Below, although the case where a crane game is performed in a network game system is demonstrated, 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 this embodiment, a crane game is performed. This crane game is configured to virtually reproduce a crane game device that is an arcade game device installed in an actual game center or the like. FIG. 3 is an example of the game screen W1 displayed on the player terminal 2000. On the game screen W1, a state of a game space (game space) in a virtual crane game device (hereinafter referred to as “virtual game device”) is displayed. On the field 12 in the game space, one large prize 14 is arranged substantially at the center, and a large number of small prizes 16 are arranged so as to fill the periphery of the large prize 14. The large prize 14 and the small prize 16 are collectively referred to as a prize. These prizes can also be said to be game media. A prize drop opening 18 that is an opening is formed in front of the field 12, and the player can obtain a prize that has fallen into the prize fall opening 18. In addition, the prize drop opening 18 is provided with a chucker 20 that detects a fallen prize. However, since the prize acquired by dropping into the prize drop opening 18 is a virtual prize, the player obtains content data such as image data and audio data related to the prize. However, what the player can acquire may be the ownership of the content data or the usage right of the content data. Further, since the chucker 20 is also a virtual chucker 20, it is assumed that the chucker 20 detects that a prize has passed through a predetermined position in an actual internal calculation.

  In the upper part of the game space, a crane device 22 for holding a prize is provided. The crane device 22 includes a main body portion 22a that can move in the front-rear direction and the vertical direction, and a pair of arms 22b that are attached to the lower portion of the main body portion 22a and operate to be sandwiched from the left and right.

  A roulette 24 is provided in the back of the game space. When a prize that is dropped by the chucker 20 is detected, a lottery is performed by the roulette 24, and when the outcomes are aligned, the prize is won and a predetermined privilege is obtained. The benefits here are contents that are advantageous for the acquisition of prizes. For example, it relates to the setting of the crane device 22 such that the arm 22b increases the force (arm force) to pinch the prize, the arm 22b closes narrower (arm width), and the claw portion at the tip of the arm 22b widens. It is.

  An operation icon 30 for operating the crane device 22 is displayed at the bottom of the game screen W1. The player operates the crane device 22 by operating the operation icon 30 in the same manner as in an actual crane game apparatus, and drops the large prize 14 to the prize dropping port 18 and aims to acquire it. For example, the main part 22a is moved backward by the first operation to perform positioning in the front-rear direction, and the left and right arms 22b are moved toward the center by the second operation to increase the left-right width of the left and right arms 22b. Decide. Up to here is the operation input of the player. Then, the main body portion 22a is lowered to a predetermined height, and the left and right arms 22b are further closed (moved) toward the center by a predetermined width (predetermined movement amount). Then, with the space between the left and right arms 22b maintained, the main body portion 22a moves upward, moves forward, returns to its original position, and then a series of operations such as opening the arms 22b is automatically executed.

  Note that the operations of these game devices, in particular the operation of the crane device 22 and the calculation of prize placement, are executed as a virtual simulation. For example, a virtual weight is set in advance for each prize, and the arm forces of the left and right arms 22b are also set virtually. Then, gripping of the arm 22b, movement / dropping of a prize, interference between prizes, and the like are calculated by a known physical calculation process.

  In addition, a viewpoint switching icon 32 for switching the viewpoint for viewing the game space and the number 34 of tickets held by the player are displayed at the top of the game screen W1.

  As the viewpoint, three viewpoints for viewing the game space of the virtual game device from, for example, the front, the right side, and the left side are set, and a game screen in which the game space is viewed from each viewpoint by operating the viewpoint switching icon 32 The display switches to W1.

  The number of tickets 34 is displayed together with the maximum number (MAX) of tickets that can be held. The ticket is a virtual play medium that can be used in the game, and one game play can be performed by using (consuming) one ticket. Each time a predetermined recovery time (for example, 60 minutes) elapses, the ticket increases (recovers) one by one up to a predetermined upper limit number. Further, it can be acquired by charging without waiting for natural recovery over time, or can be acquired by using a predetermined charging item.

  In the crane game of the present embodiment, a plurality of virtual game devices are prepared (installed) like an actual game center, and these are shared by a plurality of players. That is, the player selects a vacant virtual game device (the other player is not playing the game) from among the plurality of virtual game devices and plays the game.

  Further, the game situation at the end of the game play in a certain virtual game device is handed over to the next game play in the virtual game device. Here, the game situation represents the state of the game space, and specifically, the arrangement position of each prize, the setting of the arm force and arm width of the crane device 22, the size of the claw, and the like. And the game situation at the time of completion | finish of a game play is the state in which the said privilege was applied, when the privilege by the roulette 24 was acquired in the said game play. However, when a large prize 14 is acquired and a given achievement condition is satisfied, a new large prize 14 is replenished and arranged in the game space, so the previous game situation is taken over by the next game situation. Absent.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of taking over the game situation. As shown in FIG. 4, in a virtual game device, when the game play by the player 5a ends, a priority reception period starting from the end time t2 is set. In the priority reception period, only the player who played the previous game play (final player) can play the game on the virtual game device. That is, when a play request is made by the last player in the priority reception period, the game play is started taking over the game situation at the end of the previous game play. On the other hand, when the priority acceptance period ends without the game play by the final player being started, the virtual game device becomes empty and all players can play the game.

  Further, a reset waiting period (reset time condition) starting from the game play end time t2 is set. This reset waiting period is determined as a period longer than the priority reception period and shorter than the recovery time required for increasing (recovering) one ticket. Then, when the reset waiting period ends without game play by any player being started, the game situation of the virtual game device is reset to the initial state. By setting the reset waiting period as a period longer than the priority reception period, players other than the last player can take over the game situation at the end of the last game play and start the next game play.

  Next, the flow of game execution will be described. First, on the player terminal 2000, a game apparatus list screen W3 shown as an example in FIG. 5 is displayed. According to FIG. 5, each of the prepared virtual game devices 40 is displayed on the game device list screen W3 together with the current play status 42, the approximate remaining time 44 of the reset waiting period, the detailed display icon 46, and the like. Has been.

  The play status 42 indicates whether or not the player can play. For a virtual game device in which a game play by another player is not performed and a priority reception period is set, the player is the last player of the virtual game device. If it matches the player, the game play is possible, so it is regarded as empty, and if it does not match, the game play is impossible, so it is regarded as being played. When the player is the last player of the virtual game device and the priority reception period has not elapsed, the fact that it is the priority reception period may be displayed on the corresponding virtual game device.

  For a virtual game device in which game play is possible, that is, a virtual game device in which the play situation 42 is empty, a detailed display icon 46 is displayed, and for a virtual game device in which game play is impossible, that is, the play situation 42 is being played, The detail display icon 46 is not displayed. The remaining reset waiting time 44 is displayed for a virtual game device whose reset standby period has not ended, and is not displayed for a virtual game device whose reset standby period has ended.

  When any detail display icon 46 is selected on the game device list screen W3, a game device detail screen W5 for the corresponding virtual game device is displayed.

  FIG. 6 is an example of the game apparatus detail screen W5. As shown in (1) of FIG. 6, a game space image 50 indicating the current game situation of the corresponding virtual game device is displayed on the game device detail screen W5. This game space image 50 is a still image, and if it is before the end of the reset waiting period, the state of the game space at the end of the last game play is displayed together with the remaining time 52 of the reset waiting period. After the end of the reset waiting period, the state of the game space reset to the initial state is displayed as the game space image 50.

  In the upper part of the game device detail screen W5, the number 34 of tickets owned by the player is displayed. In addition, a play execution icon 54 for instructing the start of game play is displayed at the bottom of the game device detail screen W5. When the play execution icon 54 is selected, game play in the corresponding virtual game device is started, and a game screen W1 as shown in FIG. 3 is displayed.

  At this time, if the number of tickets held by the player is “0”, the play execution icon 54 is not displayed on the game device detail screen W7 as shown in (2) of FIG. 6, and the game can be played. Can not. In such a case, it is possible to wait for time recovery of the ticket, or select the ticket purchase icon 58 to move to a predetermined purchase site and purchase a ticket. In this purchase site, in addition to tickets, various items that can be used in the game can also be purchased. If the priority acceptance period elapses and before the reset waiting period elapses, all the players can play the game.

  When the game play ends, for example, a game end screen W9 shown in FIG. 7 is displayed. On the game end time screen W9, the game space image 60 at the end of the game play is displayed, and the remaining time 62 of the reset waiting period is counted down. Further, a continuation play icon 64 for instructing continued game play is displayed at the bottom of the game end screen W9.

  When the continuation play icon 64 is selected on the game end screen W9 before the reset waiting period ends, that is, before the remaining time 62 of the reset waiting period becomes zero, the game situation indicated by the game space image 60 (ie, immediately before The next game play is started with the game state at the end of the game play. However, even if it is within the reset waiting period, if the priority acceptance period has ended and the game play by another player has already started, the description field of the virtual game device “No. 2” in FIG. Since it is displayed like this, a subsequent game play cannot be performed. It can be said that the right to play a game simultaneously on one virtual game device is given to only one player.

  Note that the remaining time of the priority reception period may be displayed in a countdown manner on the game end screen W9. Further, the countdown display of the priority reception period may be displayed only on the player terminal 2000 of the final player. Since the remaining time of the priority reception period is displayed in a countdown manner, the final player may be worried during the countdown whether or not the game situation created by his game play so far may be released. Become.

[Function configuration]
FIG. 8 is a functional configuration diagram of the game server 1000. According to FIG. 8, the game server 1000 functionally includes 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, a TA (terminal adapter), 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 230, and a communication control unit 240.

  The game management unit 210 includes a player management unit 212, a charge management unit 214, a ticket management unit 216, a virtual game device management unit 218, a game situation reset unit 220, a lottery control unit 222, and a game play control unit 224. And manages the execution of the crane game of this embodiment.

  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 for receiving a player name, password, and the like from the player terminal 2000 and registering it as a new player, a process for managing the player management data 320 as information of these registered players, and a request from the player terminal 2000 A corresponding player authentication process is performed.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the data configuration of the player management data. According to FIG. 9, the player management data 320 is generated for each registered player, and an acquired prize list storing account information 321 for authenticating the registered player and information on prizes acquired by the registered player in game play. 322, the number of tickets held 323 of the registered player, and play history data 330 are stored.

  The play history data 330 is generated for each game play performed so far, and the virtual game device No. 331, game play start date and time 332, end date and time 333, acquired premium information 334, and acquired privilege information 335 are stored. The acquired prize information 334 is information on whether or not a large prize has been acquired and the type of the acquired large prize. The acquired privilege information 335 is information on whether or not a privilege has been acquired by lottery and the type of privilege acquired.

  The billing management unit 214 performs billing processing related to payment of the purchase amount of a billing item that can be used in a game including a ticket by communicating with an external billing system. The billing process will be described as billing in the real world currency, but it goes without saying that it may be billed in the game currency (points, etc.) or in the game site (billing equivalent processing).

  The ticket management unit 216 manages tickets held by registered players. Specifically, each time a game is played, one ticket is consumed (decreased) as a consideration. Further, every time a predetermined recovery time elapses, tickets are recovered (increased) one by one up to a predetermined upper limit number (for example, 5 or 20). In addition, the number of tickets held is increased in accordance with ticket purchase by billing or acquisition of tickets by using predetermined billing items.

  The virtual game device management unit 218 manages a plurality of prepared virtual game devices. Information about the virtual game device is managed as virtual game device management data 340.

  FIG. 10 is an example of the data configuration of the virtual game device management data 340. According to FIG. 10, the virtual game device management data 340 is generated for each virtual game device, and the virtual game device No. 341, crane initial setting information 342 which is information on the initial state of the game situation, prize initial arrangement position information 343, initial game space image 344, prize information 345, priority reception time 346, reset waiting time 347 , The play situation 348, the last player name 349, the last play end date and time 350, the reset flag 351 indicating whether or not the game situation is reset to the initial state, and the crane setting which is information of the current game situation Information 352, prize arrangement position information 353, and a game space image 354 are stored.

  The prize information 345 is information such as types and model data of prizes (large prize 14 and small prize 16) arranged in the game space. The play status 348 includes “playing” in which a game play is being performed by any player, “priority acceptance” in which a game play is not being performed but is in a priority reception period, and game play is being performed. It is either “vacant” where the priority reception period has ended.

  When the elapsed time from the end time of the last game play reaches a predetermined reset waiting time for each virtual game device without starting game play by any player, the game situation reset unit 220 sets the game situation to the initial state. Reset to. Further, in each virtual game device, when the large prize 14 is acquired (when the achievement condition is satisfied), the game situation is reset. Of course, in this case, the content data related to the large prize 14 is given to the player as a given privilege.

  The lottery control unit 222 controls lottery by the roulette 24 during game play. More specifically, the lottery 24 lottery result (winning / losing) and lottery schedule information, which is information of a privilege acquired when winning, are generated. At this time, the winning probability for determining the lottery result is changed according to the game situation at the start of the game play. For example, in a state where the position of the large prize is likely to fall close to the prize drop opening 18, the winning probability is set higher than usual. For example, it is assumed that the planar viewing distance (overhead viewing distance) between the premium drop opening 18 and the center position / centroid position of the large prize satisfies a predetermined proximity distance condition (for example, within 3 cm as a virtual distance). it can. Note that the lottery with the roulette 24 is triggered by the detection of the fallen prize by the chucker 20.

  The game play control unit 224 controls each game play on the player terminal 2000. That is, when a play request is made from the player terminal 2000, game status information including the crane setting information 352 and premium placement position information 353, which are the game status of the requested virtual game device, and lottery schedule information related to the lottery by the roulette 24 Is transmitted to the player terminal 2000. Further, when game result information is received from the player terminal 2000, based on the game result information, the play history data 330 regarding the game play of the corresponding player is generated / updated, and the virtual game of the corresponding virtual game device is generated. The device management data 340 is updated.

  Returning to FIG. 8, the image generation unit 230 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 a drawing frame 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 240 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, player management data 320, and virtual game device management data 340.

  FIG. 11 is a functional configuration diagram of the player terminal 2000. According to FIG. 11, the player terminal 2000 functionally includes an operation input unit 612, an image display unit 614, a sound output unit 616, a communication unit 618, a terminal processing unit 700, and a terminal storage unit 800. It is comprised.

  The operation input unit 612 outputs an operation input signal to the terminal processing unit 700 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 700 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. Performs data input / output control. Then, various arithmetic processes are executed based on predetermined programs and data, operation input signals from the operation input unit 612, and the like, and the operation of the player terminal 2000 is controlled. In FIG. 2, the control board 2018 corresponds to this. In addition, the terminal processing unit 700 includes a game control unit 710, an image generation unit 722, a sound generation unit 724, and a communication control unit 726.

  The game control unit 710 includes an operation signal transmission control unit 712, a game screen display control unit 714, and a game play execution unit 716, and performs various arithmetic processes for causing the computer to function as a terminal for game play. Run.

  The operation signal transmission control unit 712 executes processing for transmitting various data and request information to the game server 1000 according to the operation performed on the operation input unit 612.

  The game screen display control unit 714 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 game play execution unit 716 controls execution of game play based on the game situation information 826 and the lottery schedule information 828 received from the game server 1000. Specifically, the crane apparatus 22 is set according to the crane setting information included in the received game situation information 826, and each prize is arranged according to the prize arrangement position information to set the game situation (configure the game space). Next, the crane device 22 is operated in accordance with an operation instruction from the player. Moreover, each prize is moved with the operation of the crane device 22.

  Then, if a prize drop is detected by the chucker 20 (specifically, if a prize passes through the detection range of the assumed chucker 20), roulette lottery processing according to the lottery schedule information 828 is performed. That is, the rotation / stop of the roulette 24 is controlled in accordance with a given lottery result, and if the lottery result is a win, a predetermined privilege is applied.

  When one game play is completed, game result information including position information of each prize, setting information of the crane device 22, and an image of the game space is generated as a game situation at the end of the game play. To 1000.

  The image generation unit 722 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, a drawing frame IC memory such as a frame buffer, and a texture data expansion unit. This is realized by an IC memory or the like used for the above. The image generation unit 722 generates one game screen in one frame time (for example, 1/60 seconds) based on the processing result by the game control unit 710, and outputs the generated game screen image signal to the image display unit 614. To do.

  The image display unit 614 displays various game images based on the image signal input from the image generation unit 722. 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 724 is realized by, for example, a digital signal processor (DSP), a processor such as a voice synthesis IC, an audio codec that can reproduce an audio file, and the like, and effects related to the game based on the processing result by the game screen display control unit 714. Sound signals of BGM and various operation sounds are generated and output to the sound output unit 616. The sound output unit 616 is realized by a device that outputs sound effects, BGM, and the like based on the sound signal input from the sound generation unit 724. In FIG. 2, the speaker 2010 corresponds to this.

  The communication control unit 726 executes data processing related to data communication, and realizes data exchange with an external device via the communication unit 618. The communication unit 618 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 800 stores a system program for realizing various functions for causing the terminal processing unit 700 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 700, and temporarily stores calculation results executed by the terminal processing unit 700 according to various programs, input data input from the operation input unit 612, 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 800 stores a system program 810, a game client program 812, player registration information 820, the number of tickets held 822, game device list information 824, game status information 826, and a lottery schedule. Information 828 is stored.

  The system program 810 is a program for realizing basic functions of input / output as a computer of the player terminal 2000. The game client program 812 is application software for realizing a function as the game control unit 710 by being read and executed by the terminal processing unit 700, but may be configured as a part of the system program 810. good. The game client program 812 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.

  The player registration information 820 is contents registered in the game system, and is information such as a player name and a password. The number of held tickets 822, game device list information 824, game situation information 826, and lottery schedule information 828 are temporary received data from the game server 1000. The game device list information 824 is information for displaying the game device list screen W3 (see FIG. 5).

[Process flow]
(A) Game server 1000
FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing in the game server 1000. Although the process for one virtual game device is shown in the figure, the same processing is performed in parallel for all the virtual game devices.

  According to the figure, first, as an initial setting, the game situation reset unit 220 resets the game situation of the target virtual game device to an initial state (step A1). If a play request is received from the player terminal 2000 (step A3: YES), the game play control unit 224 determines whether or not the requested player can play the game. That is, if the game situation of the virtual game device is being played by another player (step A5: NO), or if the requesting player does not have a ticket (step A7: NO), it is determined that game play is impossible. Then, a play impossible notification is transmitted to the corresponding player terminal 2000 (step A9).

  On the other hand, if the game situation of the virtual game device is empty (step A5: YES) and the requesting player has a ticket (step A7: YES), the game play by the requesting player is possible. One ticket held by the requesting player is consumed (step A11). Then, the game situation information including the crane setting information 352 and the prize arrangement position information 353 which are the game situation of the virtual game device is generated and transmitted to the player terminal 2000 (step A13). In addition, assuming that the chucker 20 is detected, the lottery control unit 222 preliminarily draws and determines the lottery result by the roulette 24, generates lottery schedule information, and combines with the game situation information. , To the player terminal 2000.

  Thereafter, when the play result information transmitted from the player terminal 2000 is received (step A15), the corresponding virtual game device management data 340 and player management data 320 are updated based on the play result information (step A17).

  If the large prize 14 has been acquired in the game play (step A19: YES), the process returns to step A1, and a new large prize 14 is arranged in the game space of the virtual game device, and the game situation is reset ( Step A1).

  Further, if the large prize 14 has not been acquired (step A19: NO), the remaining time information (remaining time information) of the priority reception period and the reset waiting period starting from the end of the game play are The data is transmitted to the player terminal 2000 (step A21). If a play request from the player (final player) is received within the priority acceptance period (step A23: NO) (step A25: YES), the process proceeds to step A5 and game play by the player is started. .

  On the other hand, if there is no play request from the last player (step A25: NO), and the priority acceptance period is over (step A23: YES), then it waits for play requests from all players. If a play request from any player is received within the reset acceptance period (step A27: NO) (step A31: YES), the process proceeds to step A5 and game play by the player is started. On the other hand, without any play request from any player (step A31: NO), when the reset waiting period ends (step A27: YES), the game situation is reset to the initial state (step A29). Thereafter, the process returns to step A3.

(B) Player terminal 2000
FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing in the player terminal 2000. According to the figure, the player terminal 2000 first requests the game server 1000 for a list of virtual game devices (step B1). Then, the game server 1000 generates game device list information including a game space image indicating the play status and the current game status of each virtual game device, and transmits it to the player terminal 2000 (step C3).

  Then, the player terminal 2000 displays a list of virtual game devices together with the play status and the like based on the received game device list information 824 (step B5). Next, one virtual game device is selected in accordance with the operation instruction of the player (step B7), and a game space image indicating the current game situation of the selected virtual game device is displayed (step B9).

  Subsequently, if the player does not have a ticket (step B11: NO), when a ticket purchase instruction operation is performed (step B13: YES), the player moves to a predetermined purchase site and performs ticket purchase processing. (Step B15).

  If the player holds the ticket (step B11: YES) and the player performs a game play instruction operation (step B17: YES), the game server 1000 sends a game play request to the selected virtual game device. (Step B19). Then, in response to this request, the play status information transmitted from the game server 1000 is received (step B21), and the game play using the received play status information is started.

  That is, the crane device 22 is set according to the crane setting information 352 included in the received game situation information 826, and prizes (large prize 14 and small prize 16) are arranged according to the prize arrangement position information 353, thereby forming a game space (step). B23).

  Subsequently, the crane device 22 is operated in accordance with the operation instruction of the player (step B25), and each prize is moved in accordance with the movement / operation of the crane device 22 (step B27). As a result, if the chucker 20 detects a prize falling to the prize drop opening 18 (step B29: YES), a lottery process is performed according to the lottery schedule information 828 received together with the game status information 826 (step B31). If the lottery result is a win (Step B33: YES), the acquired privilege is applied (Step B35). Although the privilege which changes the setting of the crane apparatus 22 is applied here, it is after the next game play that the effect can be enjoyed by an actual game play.

  When one game play is completed (step B37: YES), information on the arrangement position of each prize, information on the setting of the crane device 22, which is information indicating the game situation at the end of the game play, and an image of the game space In addition to this, play result information including the presence / absence of a prize and the presence / absence of a bonus by lottery is generated and transmitted to the game server 1000 (step B39).

  Further, when the large prize 14 has not been acquired in the game play (step B41: NO), remaining time information that is transmitted from the game server 1000 and is information on the remaining time of the priority reception period and the reset waiting period. (Step B43), based on the received remaining time information, the countdown display of the remaining time of the priority reception period and the reset waiting period is started (step B45). Thereafter, if a play instruction operation is performed by the player (step B47: YES), a game play request in the game device is transmitted to the game server 1000 (step B49), and the process proceeds to step B21. If no play instruction operation is performed (step B47: NO), the process proceeds to step B1.

[Function and effect]
Thus, according to the game system of the present embodiment, it is possible to realize a crane game that reproduces an actual game device such that the next game play can be started while taking over the game situation. Also, in this crane game, a reset waiting period starting from the end of the game play is set, and if a play request is made within this reset waiting period, the next game play is performed in the game situation at the end of the game play. Be started. However, if there is no play request by any player within the reset waiting period, the game situation is reset to the initial state. In addition, a priority reception period starting from the end of the game play and shorter than the reset waiting period is set. In this priority reception period, only the player who played the last game (final player) requests play. It can be performed.

  That is, when the priority acceptance period elapses, other players can take over the game situation and play the game, and when the reset waiting period elapses, the game situation is reset. Thereby, for example, in a game situation in which “there is a chance to get a free gift”, it is possible to urge the final player to continue the game play.

[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) Reset waiting time The length of the reset waiting period (reset waiting time) may be changed according to the game situation at the end of the game play. For example, in a game situation advantageous to the player such that the large prize 14 is close to the prize drop opening 18 and is likely to fall, the reset waiting time is shortened, so that the game play immediately following the final player can be performed quickly. Can help make the right decisions. For example, when the planar viewing distance (overhead viewing distance) between the center position / centroid position of the prize drop port 18 and the large prize 14 satisfies a predetermined proximity distance condition (for example, when the virtual distance is within 3 cm), the player It can be the case of a game situation that is advantageous to.

(B) Achievement condition Although the large prize 14 has been acquired as the achievement condition of the game situation in which the game situation is reset to the initial state, other conditions may be adopted. For example, a predetermined number (for example, half or more) of small prizes 14 arranged in large numbers may be obtained.

(C) Recovery of game situation after reset The game situation is reset when the reset waiting period elapses, but even after the reset, if a game play by another player has not started, a predetermined charge is applied. Thus, it may be possible to recover the game state before the reset.

(D) Application of acquisition privilege The application of the acquisition privilege by lottery may be provided with a time limit such as being applied only to the next one game play or a time limitation of only 30 minutes. Note that these restrictions may be invalidated by resetting the game situation even if the number is less than the limit number or within the time limit.

(E) Execution of game play In the above-described embodiment, the player terminal 2000 executes one game play. However, a so-called browser game controlled by the game server 1000 in accordance with the player's operation input at the player terminal 2000 It is also good.

(F) Type of game In the above-described embodiment, the crane game is performed. However, the game is a game that is performed by the player alone, such as a medal game device such as a pusher game, and is performed once by the player's operation. Any game can be applied as long as the game situation changes every time. In particular, in the case of a medal game device, as the achievement condition of the game situation for resetting the game situation to the initial state, for example, a predetermined number of medals dropped from a fixed table or a predetermined number of medals arranged separately from the medal It can be a fall of special game media. The special game medium is used to start a lottery process corresponding to the lottery by the roulette in the above-described embodiment by dropping from the fixed table.

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 charge management unit 216 ticket management unit 218 virtual game device management unit 220 game status reset unit 222 lottery Control unit, 224 game play control unit 230 image generation unit, 240 communication control unit 300 server storage unit 310 system program, 312 game management program 320 player management data, 340 virtual game device management data 2000 player terminal 612 operation input unit, 614 image Display unit, 616 sound output unit, 618 communication unit 700 terminal processing unit 710 game control unit 712 operation signal transmission control unit, 714 game screen display control unit 716 game play execution unit 722 image generation unit, 724 sound production Department, 726 communication control unit 800 terminal storage unit 810 system program, 812 game client program 820 player registration information, 822 held ticket number 824 game device list information, 826 game situation information, 828 lottery schedule information

Claims (8)

A server that can communicate with a plurality of player terminals, controls the execution of a game that changes the game situation by each game play and takes over the previous game situation to the next game play in accordance with an operation input at one player terminal A system,
Game execution control means for resetting the current game situation to an initial state when the game situation satisfies a given achievement condition;
A reset means for resetting the game situation to the initial state when the elapsed time from the last game play satisfies a given reset time condition;
Server system with Reset timing notifying means for notifying the player of the last game play of the timing satisfying the reset time condition;
The server system according to claim 1, further comprising: Reset time condition changing means for changing the reset time condition based on a game situation by the last game play;
The server system according to claim 1, further comprising: A means for managing the game media possessed by each player, wherein the game media is consumed in exchange for execution of the game play, and a given recovery time, a given billing process or a given A game medium management means for allowing the game play to be recovered in exchange for execution of a charge-equivalent process;
The reset means sets the reset time condition as a time condition shorter than the recovery time, and resets the game situation when the reset time condition is satisfied.
The server system as described in any one of Claims 1-3. Final game status storage means for storing the game status of the last game play;
After the reset by the reset means, when the game play is not performed, the game situation stored in the final game situation storage means is recovered in exchange for execution of the given charge process or the given charge equivalent process. Recovery processing means for executing recovery processing;
The server system as described in any one of Claims 1-4 provided with these. A virtual crane game or a virtual pusher game is executed as the game,
The server system as described in any one of Claims 1-5. Device management means for managing the game situation of a plurality of virtual game devices that can be arbitrarily selected by a player and capable of playing the game;
For each of the plurality of game devices, performing game execution control by the game execution control means and resetting by the reset means,
The server system as described in any one of Claims 1-6. The game execution control means causes the player terminal to execute the game.
The server system as described in any one of Claims 1-7.

Images