JP2015042220A - Game content and server system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve a technique for reducing a required amount of memory when executing game contents including a plurality of games requiring different execution environments.SOLUTION: In satisfaction of shift conditions during execution of a first game operated by a first game engine, a first shift destination image is displayed, and the first game and the first game engine are completed and partial memory is released during display of the image concerned. During loading and activation of the game engine and game program of a second game, a second shift destination image is displayed. A start part image 12 of the second shift destination image has the same contents as those of a final screen 10M of the first destination image or contents continuous to the contents.

Description

  The present invention relates to a computer-executable game content including a first game program related to a first game and a second game program related to a second game.

  As a technical category of video games, there are categories called browser games and web games. The browser game is a video game realized on a program (web browser program) for browsing a website.

  In many browser games, an execution environment is constructed by installing a plug-in in a browser program, and the operation content as a game is defined by a description (a kind of program) called “script”. For example, it is common to use Java Script (registered trademark), Adobe (registered trademark) Flash, VISUAL BASIC (registered trademark) Script, Unity (provided by Unity Technologies), etc. (see, for example, Patent Document 1) ).

JP 2011-86293 A

  There are various execution environments for realizing the browser game as described above, and each has advantages and disadvantages. For example, there are some who are good at display control of 2D graphics but are not good at display of 3D graphics. Conversely, they are good at display control of 3D graphics but are not good at display of 2D graphics. There is also something to do. Therefore, the game creator selects an execution environment that matches the target game contents and graphics characteristics.

  However, in recent years, there are cases where the content of a single title game spans multiple genre games. For example, the main part as the game content is RPG (role playing), but depending on the scene, it includes a part where a moving image is displayed, and in another scene, it is played as an action game. Of course, depending on the combination of genres, there may be a case where it cannot be narrowed down to any one execution environment from the viewpoint of the pros / cons of the execution environment described above.

  If the execution environment cannot be narrowed down to one, the first game part may be created in the first execution environment, the second game part in the second execution environment, etc. It is done. However, in order to maintain high quality as a game, naturally, the amount of information in the script portion corresponding to the game program has to increase, and if a plug-in for building the execution environment is included, Memory consumption for realizing the game portion increases. If the execution environment is made different for each game part, a considerably large memory capacity will be required. However, the memory capacity installed in the computer used by the player is not always secured as desired by the game creator.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a background, and an object of the present invention is to realize a technique for reducing the amount of memory required for executing game content including a plurality of games that require different execution environments.

A first invention for solving the above-described problems includes a first game program related to a first game, a second game program related to a second game, the first game program, and the second game program. A game content that can be executed by a computer (for example, the website data 800 of FIG. 1),
1) First transition detection means (for example, first transition detection means for detecting transition from the first game to the second game based on the operation of the player during execution of the first game program) , The processing unit 200 in FIG. 4, the main control unit 210, the first transition detection unit 211, step S4 in FIG. 5, and the end control of the first game program in response to the detection of the first transition detection means First transition control means (for example, the processing unit 200, the main control unit 210, the first transition control unit 213, and steps S12 and S14 in FIG. 5) for executing the activation control of the second game program; Function the computer as
2) First transfer source control means for displaying the first transfer source video and ending the first game program in accordance with the end control by the first transfer control means. (For example, the computer functions as the processing unit 200, the connection display control unit 220, the first transfer source control unit 221 in FIG. 4 and step S10 in FIG. 5)
3) Second transfer destination control means (for example, the process of FIG. 4) that causes the second game program to display a second transfer destination video that is continuous with the first transfer source video during loading and / or startup. Unit 200, linked display control unit 220, second transition destination control unit 223, and steps S22 and S26 in FIG.
Game content.

  According to the first invention, in realizing one game content including a plurality of game parts of the first game and the second game, when the game is shifted from the first game to the second game, The memory area used by terminating the game program is released and can be used for executing the game program of the second game. Therefore, the memory capacity required to play and execute the game content can be made much smaller than when the two game programs of the first game and the second game consume memory simultaneously. In addition, since a continuous video is displayed when the game portion is shifted, the transition can be smoothly advanced.

In the configuration in which the types of game engines serving as the execution environments of the respective game programs are different, the effect is further enhanced.
That is, in the second invention, the first game program is a program executed on the first game engine, and the second game program is a program executed on the second game engine. In the game content according to the first aspect of the present invention, the first transition control means further performs end control of the first game engine and start control of the second game engine. According to this, a higher effect can be obtained with respect to the memory consumption.

About the game content which transfers a 1st game and a 2nd game bidirectionally, it may handle similarly about the transfer from a 2nd game to a 1st game.
That is, as a third aspect of the invention, the main program detects a transition from the second game to the first game based on a player operation during the execution of the second game program. Transition detection means (for example, the processing section 200, main pipe control section 210, second transition detection section 212 in FIG. 6, step S54 in FIG. 6), the second transition detection means in response to the detection of the second transition detection means. Second transition control means (for example, the processing unit 200, the main control unit 210, the second transition control unit 214 in FIG. 4, and the second transition control unit 214 in FIG. 6) that executes game program end control and start control of the first game program. Step S72, S74), causing the computer to function,
In response to the termination control by the second transition control means, the second game program displays a second transition source video and ends the second game program (for example, second transition source control means). , Causing the computer to function as the processing unit 200, the connection display control unit 220, the second transfer source control unit 222, and the step S60 in FIG.
The first game program causes the first transfer destination control means (for example, the processing unit 200 in FIG. 4) to display a first transfer destination video that is continuous with the second transfer source video during loading at startup. The game content of the 1st or 2nd invention which makes the said computer function as the connection display control part 220, the 1st transfer destination control part 224, and step S72, S76 of FIG. 6 can be comprised.

The fourth invention can be configured as long as the functions that can be realized by the execution environment and the game program can control the end of the own game program and the activation control of other game programs.
A fourth invention is a game content executable by a computer, including a first game program related to a first game and a second game program related to a second game,
1) The first game program displays a first transfer source video, performs end control of the first game program and start instruction control of the second game program, and starts from the first game. Causing the computer to function as first transfer source control means for performing transfer source control for shifting to the second game;
2) The second game program displays a second transfer destination video continuous to the first transfer source video, and performs a transfer acceptance control from the first game to the second game. This is game content that causes the computer to function as a transfer destination control means.

  According to the fourth aspect, the same effect as in the first aspect can be obtained.

  In a fifth aspect of the invention, the first game and the second game are games in which a common game character appears, and the first transfer source control means further includes data relating to the game character, Control is performed to store in a storage device built in the computer or externally connected to be communicable, and the second transfer destination control means performs control to acquire data stored in the storage device. The game content according to any one of the fourth to fourth aspects.

  According to the fifth aspect, a common game character can appear in the first game and the second game.

  A sixth invention is a server system (for example, the game server system 4 in FIG. 1) that distributes the game content of any one of the first to fifth inventions.

  According to the sixth invention, the game content of any of the first to fifth inventions can be provided to the player's computer.

According to a seventh aspect of the invention, there is provided a server system for managing the game result data connected to a terminal device capable of executing the first game and the second game that can be transferred to each other by taking over the game result data. ,
While the terminal device is executing the first game, first update means for receiving information on the execution result of the first game and updating the game result data (for example, the first update in FIG. 12) Part 900),
A transition information receiving means (for example, a transition information receiving unit 902 in FIG. 12) for receiving information from the terminal device that the first game is to be transferred to the second game;
A data transmission unit (for example, the data transmission unit 904 in FIG. 12) that transmits the managed game result data to the terminal device when received by the migration information reception unit;
The first information received from the terminal device is received only when the information is received by the transition information receiving means and information indicating that the execution state of the first game is an end state or a stop state is received from the terminal device. Second update means (for example, the second update unit 906 in FIG. 12) for updating the game result data based on the information on the execution result of the second game;
Can be configured.

  As an eighth aspect of the invention, the first game and the second game can constitute the server system according to the seventh aspect, which is configured to display a predetermined video at the time of game transition.

The figure which shows a system structural example. The figure for demonstrating the transition process from a 1st game to a 2nd game. The figure for demonstrating the transition process from a 2nd game to a 1st game. The functional block diagram which shows an example of a function structure of a player computer. The flowchart for demonstrating the flow of the process in the game transfer process in the transfer process from a 1st game to a 2nd game. The flowchart for demonstrating the flow of the process in the game transfer process in the transfer process from a 2nd game to a 1st game. The figure which shows the structural example and system structural example of the game content in a modification (the 1). The functional block diagram in a modification (the 1). The figure which shows the structural example and system structural example of the game content in a modification (the 2). The figure for demonstrating the game transfer process in a modification (the 2). The figure for demonstrating the game transfer process in a modification (the 3). The figure which shows the system configuration | structure and functional structural example in a modification (the 4).

[First Embodiment]
As a first embodiment to which the present invention is applied, an example in which a browser game is executed as game content will be described.

[Description of system configuration]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration example according to the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, the player computer 2 used by the player and the web server system 4 are communicatively connected via the communication line N.

  The player computer 2 is a computer capable of browsing a website. For example, it may take the form of a desktop type, notebook type, tablet type personal computer, smart phone, wearable computer, car navigation system or the like.

  The web server system 4 includes, for example, one or a plurality of servers, a storage device, a database, and the like. Then, the web server system 4 can access the website data 800, and the “page description file” of the page requested in response to the request from the external device connected via the communication line N and various related data. Can be sent. The “page description file” is data (for example, an HTML file) in a markup language that defines and describes the page contents of a website prepared in advance.

  The communication line N means a communication path capable of data communication. That is, the communication line N includes not only a dedicated line (dedicated cable) for direct connection, a LAN (Local Area Network) by Ethernet (registered trademark), but also a communication network such as a telephone communication network, a cable network, and the Internet. This means that the communication method may be wired or wireless.

  The player computer 2 can execute a web browser program for displaying a website, and a page necessary for playing a browser game from the web server system 4 by starting the web browser and accessing a predetermined URL. A description file can be acquired.

  A client-side script is embedded in the page description file of this embodiment, and game content is executed by performing dynamic page display on a web browser based on the script. That is, a browser game can be played. Therefore, the website data 800 provided by the web server system 4, that is, data for describing a page (first page description file 821, second page description file 822,...) And a plurality of pages for displaying the page. The page resource data 870 (including image data necessary for linked display at the time of game transition to be described later) and the like are game contents in the present embodiment.

  The page description file of this embodiment includes a “main program” and a “game program”. The main program is a part of the page description that describes functions related to the main configuration of the page, link setting to other pages, detection of player operations, etc., that is, a description for performing main management control related to browsing of the website. A game program is a description portion of the same page description file that requires the construction of an execution environment (operation environment) on a web browser by adding an API (Application Programming Interface) or a program library. The client-side script or applet part embedded in the.

  The game content of the present embodiment includes a first game and a second game in which common game characters appear but different genres, and a transition from the first game to the second game, and from the second game to the first game. Transition to the game takes place everywhere. For example, the first game is a simulation game and the second game is an action game.

  The “game character” here refers to a player character, an NPC (non-player character) serving as a friend or enemy. Of course, it is also possible to include items and vehicles used by player characters and the like. In the present embodiment, the same player character appears in both the first game and the second game. Results (for example, experience values and items) obtained by the player character in the first game are also carried over to the second game, and conversely, results obtained in the second game are carried over to the first game. Of course, the contents to be handed over can be set as appropriate, and a configuration in which handing over is not performed is also possible.

  The combination of game genres is not limited to this. If the first game and the second game are focused on the role in one game content, the first game may be positioned as the main game and the second game as the sub game. The first chapter and the second game may be followed by the second chapter. Alternatively, the first game may be positioned as a part for preparing a second game such as changing the player character's equipment or party organization (deck organization depending on the game), or a play part for actually playing the second game. Good.

In the present embodiment, the first game and the second game are assigned to different website pages.
That is, the first page description file 821 includes a first page management program 831 related to the control of the page and a first game program 841 related to the first game executed on the page. Similarly, the second page description file 822 includes a second page main program 832 related to the main control on the page and a second game program 842 related to the second game.

  It should be noted that the first game program 841 for executing the first game and the second game program 842 for executing the second game are respectively different in the first game engine 21 and the second game engine 22. Is that you need. That is, since it is necessary to construct the execution environment on the web browser separately, it is necessary to install the corresponding game engine plug-in in order to construct the corresponding execution environment.

  As a specific example, for example, the first game program 841 may be a program including so-called “flash content” based on Adobe Flash provided by Adobe, and Action Script. In this case, the web browser plug-in (first game engine plug-in 61) of Adobe Flash Player serving as the first game engine 21 can be executed by downloading from the first game engine providing server 6 and installing it.

The second game program 842 may be a program that uses, for example, a game engine “Unity” provided by Unity Technologies as an execution environment as the second game engine. The Unity web browser plug-in (Unity Web Player: second game engine plug-in 82) can be executed by downloading it from the second game engine providing server 8 and installing it.
Of course, the standards for the game engine are not limited to these, and can be set as appropriate.

  If there is no problem in memory capacity when using the game content of the present embodiment, the first game engine plug-in 61 and the second game engine plug-in 82 have already been installed at the preparation stage before the start of the game. Ideally, the first game program 841 and the second game program 842 have been read and activated. Then, the transition from the first game to the second game will be performed smoothly. However, a relatively large capacity memory is required to realize this ideal state. The player computer 2 cannot always satisfy the request. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the transition process from the first game to the second game is performed so that the game content can be used even if the amount of memory installed in the player computer 2 is smaller than the capacity for realizing the ideal state. I have some ingenuity.

[Description of the game transition process]
FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the transition process from the first game to the second game in the present embodiment.
First, the game content of the present embodiment, that is, the content of the web page, is transferred to the transfer source game program and game engine when a predetermined condition (transfer condition) for transferring between the first game and the second game is satisfied. It is configured to terminate and release at least a part of the memory used for the game play so far, and then download and start the migration destination game engine and game program. In other words, by freeing the memory area used for the migration source game, a memory area for downloading or installing a game engine plug-in or a game program for executing the migration destination game is secured. be able to. Paradoxically speaking, the memory capacity required for the player computer 2 can be reduced accordingly.

However, if you start downloading the program and data related to the destination game after ending the source game, the screen of the destination game will be displayed on the display screen after the source game screen disappears. There is a big break in the process. For example, in the process of reading the plug-in of the migration destination game engine, the name of the game engine, the manufacturer name (in many cases, a manufacturer different from the creator of the game content), etc. are displayed as the load screen. And loses the continuity of the content of the game screen. It is possible to give the player an undesirable impression as if the game content has ended once and another game content starts.
In order to prevent such a situation, in the present embodiment, game content is maintained so as to maintain continuity as a video in the last video displayed in the first game and the first video displayed in the second game. Is configured.

  Specifically, first, the transition condition for performing the game transition is that a predetermined event occurs during the play of the first game or an operation to a predetermined hyperlink in the page of the first game is detected. In such a case, it can be set as appropriate according to the page layout and game content. When the transition condition is satisfied, the “first transition source video” is displayed as the final video that continues from the first game.

  The “first transition source video” in the present embodiment is, for example, that the right shutter image 10R and the left shutter image 10L appear on the game screen of the first game from the left and right of the screen and move to the center of the screen, and these are moved at the center of the screen. A video that combines to form an image 10M that covers the entire screen of the first game, that is, a video as if the shutter was closed. Of course, other video contents can be used. In the present embodiment, the first source video is realized by the first game program 841 (FIG. 1), but may be realized by another program. For example, it may be realized by a main program using another script embedded in the description file on the first page.

  Then, the first game program 841 and the first game engine plug-in 61 relating to the first game are displayed while the first source video is displayed or after the last image of the first source video is displayed. Is terminated. When the game program and game engine of the first game are terminated, the memory area used by them is released, and the memory capacity for downloading and executing the game program and game engine plug-in related to the second game Is secured.

  When the first game ends, the second page description file 822 is downloaded from the web server system 4, and the page displayed by the web browser is embedded from the first page in which the first game is embedded. Move to the second page.

And in the game content of this embodiment, it is comprised so that the opening image | video concerning the 2nd game may become a "2nd transfer destination image | video" continuous with a 1st transfer source image | video.
More specifically, an image having the same content as the last image 10M of the first transfer source video or a content that appears to be continuous is displayed as the start part video 12 that is first displayed on the second page. In the present embodiment, the display control of the start part video 12 is performed during a period during which the plug-in of the second game engine is downloaded and installed in the background and during a period during which the second game program 842 is downloaded. That is, the reading of the game engine plug-in and the reading of the game program related to the second game are executed in the background where the start part video 12 is displayed. In the present embodiment, when reading is completed and the second game program 842 is started, the right shutter image 10R and the left shutter image 10L are separated into left and right by the second game program 842 and disappear from the screen. An end part video 14 is displayed so that the video of the second game appears from behind these images.

  Of course, the start part video 12 and the end part video 14 may be realized as a video over a predetermined time period without being controlled separately. Alternatively, another image that covers and hides the load screen and start screen of the second game engine plug-in 82 and the load screen and start screen of the second game program 842 may be realized by another program. For example, it may be realized by a main program using another script embedded in the second page description file 822.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a transition process from the second game to the first game in the present embodiment. Basically, only the relationship between the transfer source and the transfer destination is reversed from that in the case of FIG. 2, and the process is realized in the same manner as the transition process from the first game to the second game in FIG.

  That is, when it is detected that the predetermined transition condition is satisfied in the second game, the display of the “second transition source video” is started and the second game program 842 and the second game engine plug-in 82 are terminated. . The second source video can be realized in the same manner as the first source video, but the display content may be different.

  When the first page description file 821 of the first page is acquired, “first transfer destination video” is displayed. The first destination video is realized in the same manner as the second destination video. That is, the first game engine plug-in 61 and the first game engine plug-in 61 are displayed in the background while the start part video 16 of the first page that appears to be the same or continuous with the last image of the second source video is displayed. The first game program 841 is read and activated. Then, the first game program 841 displays the end part video 18 of the first transition destination video in which the right shutter image 10R and the left shutter image 10L open left and right and disappear outside the screen.

  By controlling the transition process, even if the game engine plug-in, program, and various data are loaded after the transition source game is finished, the transition source game is displayed on the game screen. Since it seems to be continuous from the video to the destination video, the player can have the impression that the first game and the second game are connected as the same game content, and smooth transition can be realized.

  Note that the start part video 12 (FIG. 2) on the second page includes information display (for example,% display or progressive bar) indicating the progress of reading the second game engine plug-in 82 and reading the second game program 842. Etc.) may be included. The same applies to the start part video 16 (FIG. 3) on the first page.

  Of the play data showing the game progress so far, the data for enabling the transfer source game to be resumed, including the data necessary to transfer the game to the transfer destination, is transferred as "save data". Before the end of the original game, it is stored in its own device or transmitted to the web server system 4 as saved data, and stored and stored in the web server system 4. Then, before starting the transfer destination game, the save data (or a data set in which data necessary for transferring the game to the transfer destination game is selected) is read from the player terminal 2 itself, or the web server The system 4 transmits / provides to the player terminal 2. In the present embodiment, the save data has the latter configuration, that is, the web server system 4 stores and saves the save data and provides it to the player terminal 2 before the start of the transfer destination game.

[Description of functional block]
Next, a functional configuration example of the player computer 2 for realizing the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the player computer 2 in the present embodiment. The player computer 2 includes an operation input unit 100, a processing unit 200, a sound output unit 350, an image display unit 360, a communication unit 370, and a storage unit 500.

  The operation input unit 100 outputs an operation input signal to the processing unit 200 according to various operation inputs. For example, it can be realized by a keyboard, a switch, a touch panel, a mouse, a track pad, a dial, an acceleration sensor, a CCD camera and an image processing IC.

  The processing unit 200 is realized by an electronic component such as a microprocessor such as a CPU or GPU, an ASIC, or an IC memory. The processing unit 200 performs data input / output control with each functional unit, executes various arithmetic processes according to predetermined programs and data, operation input signals from the operation input unit 100, etc. 2 operation is controlled. The control board corresponds to this.

  The processing unit 200 according to this embodiment includes a main control unit 210, a connected display control unit 220, a sound generation unit 250, an image generation unit 260, and a communication control unit 270.

  The main control unit 210 performs control for realizing browsing of the website. In the present embodiment, the main browser programs 831 and 832 of the first page description file 821 and the second page description file 822 included in the acquired game content 522 acquired from the web server system 4 by executing the web browser program 502 (FIG. 1). ) Is executed.

  In the present embodiment, the main control unit 210 executes a browser game, and thus functions as a game progress control unit that substantially performs control related to game progress. Then, the main control unit 210 manages game transition between the first game and the second game included in one game content.

That is, the main pipe control unit 210 of the present embodiment has the following functions.
1) While the first game program is being executed, it is detected that the conditions for transition from the first game to the second game are satisfied. In other words, a function as the first transition detection unit 211 that detects transition from the first game to the second game based on the operation of the player.
2) While the second game program is being executed, it is detected that the conditions for transition from the second game to the first game are satisfied. In other words, a function as the second transition detection unit 212 that detects transition from the second game to the first game based on the operation of the player.
3) In response to detection by the first transition detection unit 211, end control of the first game engine, end control of the first game program, start control of the second game engine, and start control of the second game program. A function as the first transition control unit 213 to be executed.
4) In response to detection by the second transition detection unit 212, end control of the second game engine, end control of the second game program, start control of the first game engine, start control of the first game program, The function as the 2nd transfer control part 214 which performs.

  The “startup control” referred to here includes control related to preparation for starting a game engine or a game program. For example, the control includes requesting the web server system 4 for a corresponding page description file, downloading and installing a game engine plug-in, downloading and starting a game program, and the like. Among these, the control that the main control unit 210 actually performs depends on whether the browser, the game engine, and the game program are already stored in the storage unit 500, what functions they can perform, It can be set as appropriate depending on the contents.

  The linked display control unit 220 executes a process related to linked display that makes it appear that the last video of the transfer source game and the first video of the transfer destination game are continuous. More specifically, at least download, installation, and activation of the game engine plug-in of the destination game are performed. More specifically, the linked display is executed so that the original load screen and start screen set by the manufacturer of the game engine related to the construction of the operating environment of the game program are not displayed.

Therefore, regarding the transition from the first game to the second game, the linked display control unit 220 has the following functions.
1) In accordance with the end control by the first transition control unit 213, the control to display the first transition source video (FIG. 2) and end the first game program, and the execution result so far in the first game are described. Information to be stored in the storage unit 500 of the computer or the storage device of the web server system 4 (including data related to the game character and data necessary for resuming the first game and passing the game progress to the destination) A function as the first transfer source control unit 221 that executes control to be stored as result data (so-called save data).
2) From the control for displaying the second destination video (FIG. 2) continuous to the first source video during loading and / or startup, and the storage unit 500 of the computer or the storage device of the web server system 4 A function as the second transfer source control unit 222 that executes control for acquiring stored game result data (or a data set from which data necessary for executing the second game is selected).
3) In accordance with the end control by the second transition control unit 214, the second transition source video (FIG. 3) is displayed and the second game program is terminated, and the execution results so far in the second game are displayed. Information to be described (including data related to the game character and data necessary for resuming the second game and passing the game progress to the transfer destination) is stored in the storage unit 500 of the computer or the storage device of the web server system 4 The function as the 2nd transfer destination control part 223 which performs control to perform.
4) Control to display the first destination video (FIG. 3) continuous to the second source video during loading at the time of start-up and stored from the storage unit 500 of the computer or the storage device of the web server system 4 Function as a first transfer destination control unit 224 that executes control to acquire the game result data (or a data set from which the game result data selected for execution of the second game is selected).

In the present embodiment, the first transfer source control unit 221 and the first transfer destination control unit 224 are realized by executing the first game program 841. Further, the second transfer source control unit 222 and the second transfer destination control unit 223 are realized by executing the second game program 842.
Of course, these may be realized by a main program using another script embedded in each page description file.

  The sound generation unit 250 is realized by, for example, a processor such as a digital signal processor (DSP), a voice synthesis IC, an audio codec that can reproduce a sound file, and the sound (BGM) related to the game based on the processing result by the game control unit 202. And a sound signal of an operation sound generated in response to an operation input during play are generated and output to the sound output unit 350.

  The sound output unit 350 is realized by a device that outputs sound effects such as sound effects, BGM, telephone communication sound, and the like related to the game based on the sound signal input from the sound generation unit 250. A speaker included in the player computer 2 corresponds to this.

  The image generating unit 260 is, for example, a processor such as a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) or a digital signal processor (DSP), a program such as a video signal IC or a video codec, an IC memory for drawing frames such as a frame buffer, and for developing texture data. This is realized by an IC memory or the like used for the above. Then, the image generation unit 260 generates one game screen in one drawing cycle (corresponding to the time of one drawing frame; for example, 1/60 seconds), and sequentially sends the generated game screen image signals to the image display unit 360. Output.

  The image display unit 360 displays various game images based on the image signal input from the image generation unit 260. 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 the present embodiment, the display provided in the player computer 2 corresponds to this.

  The communication control unit 270 executes communication connection for data communication and data processing related to data communication, and realizes data communication with an external device via the communication unit 370. And the communication part 370 relevant to this connects with the communication line N (FIG. 1), and implement | achieves communication. For example, it is realized by a wireless communication device, a modem, a TA (terminal adapter), a cable communication cable jack, a control circuit, or the like. A communication device provided in the player computer 2 corresponds to this.

  The storage unit 500 stores programs and various data for realizing various functions for causing the processing unit 200 to control the player computer 2 in an integrated manner. Further, it is used as a work area of the processing unit 200, and temporarily stores calculation results executed by the processing unit 200 according to various programs, input data input from the operation input unit 100, 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. A part of the storage unit 500 may be realized by an external storage that can be accessed via the communication line N so that data communication is possible.

  The storage unit 500 of the present embodiment includes a basic system program 501, a web browser program 502, an acquired first game engine plug-in 503, an acquired second game engine plug-in 504, and web browsing control data 520. Remember.

The basic system program 501 is a program for realizing basic functions of the player computer 2 as a computer.
The web browser program 502 is one of programs for causing the processing unit 200 to function as the main control unit 210.
The acquired first game engine plug-in 503 and the acquired second game engine plug-in 504 are the downloaded first game engine plug-in 61 and second game engine plug-in 82, respectively.

  The web browsing control data 520 stores various data describing the browsing status of the website. For example, 1) acquired game content 522 that is downloaded data among the website data 800, 2) game engine control data 524 for storing various data for executing the game engine, and 3) the first game And play data 526 for storing various data describing the progress of the second game. Of course, in addition to this, data necessary for game execution can be stored as appropriate.

  When the game engine is terminated, the memory area for storing the game engine control data 524 is released. The play data 526 can be said to be game control data for controlling execution of the game program. When the game program ends, the memory area corresponding to the play data 526 stored therein is released.

  In addition, the storage unit 500 can appropriately include data necessary for browsing and game execution (for example, compressed and decompressed texture data, elapsed time, various timer values, counters, and flags).

Acquired game content 522 is data acquired from the web server system 4 in accordance with website browsing control, and is the original website data 800 (FIG. 1) stored in the web server system 4, that is, the original game. Part or all of the content. This includes various image resources used for displaying the first transfer source video, the second transfer source video, the first transfer destination video, and the second transfer destination video.
The acquired game content 522 is not limited to being acquired from the outside via the communication line N, and may be acquired from a computer-readable storage medium such as a CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM.

[Description of operation]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing in the game transition process in this embodiment, and shows the transition process from the first game to the second game.
It is assumed that the player computer 2 has already started the web browser program 502, accesses a predetermined URL, and executes the first game on the first page.

When the processing unit 200 is executing the first game (step S2) and detects that the condition for shifting to the second game is satisfied (YES in step S4), the processing unit 200 based on the play data 526 Recording control of save data for saving the play status is performed (step S6). In the present embodiment, among various parameter values included in the play data 526 together with a predetermined save data storage request, data for resuming the first game and inheriting the game contents to the second game (the result of the execution of the first game) Data; for example, data relating to a game character for causing a game character common to the first game to appear in the transfer destination game in a state in which the situation of the first game is inherited) is stored in the web server system 4 as saved data. Send. When the web server system 4 receives the save data save request and the save data, the web server system 4 stores the received save data in the storage device.
Note that this step may be replaced with control for storing save data in the storage unit 500 of the player computer 2.

  Next, the processing unit 200 starts displaying the first transfer source video (step S10), and performs end control of the game program and the game engine related to the first game (step S12). That is, the first game program and the first game engine are ended while the first transfer source video is displayed or after the last image of the first transfer source video is displayed. As a result, the memory area used by the first game program and the first game engine is released.

  Next, the processing unit 200 requests page browsing of the second page as information indicating that the web server system 4 shifts to the second game, and the second page description file 822 (FIG. 1) is requested from the web server system 4. Is acquired (step S14). If the second game engine plug-in 82 (FIG. 1) is not installed (YES in step S20), downloading and installation of the plug-in is started in the background (step S22).

  In the present embodiment, the start part video 12 (FIG. 2) on the second page is displayed while the second game engine plug-in 82 is being downloaded and installed, or while the second game program 842 is being downloaded. It is realized as a screen. More specifically, the load screen and start screen of the second game engine and the load screen and start screen of the second game program are images (still images) having the same contents as the start part video 12 of the second transition destination video. As long as it is. It can be said that the execution of step S22 is the start of the second transition destination control.

  Next, the processing unit 200 transmits the second game program 842 (FIG. 1) and the save data transmitted in step S6 and stored in the server system 4 (or data obtained by selecting data necessary for executing the second game from the save data). The set is acquired and activated (step S24), and the end part video 14 (FIG. 2) of the second part is displayed (step S26). Thereafter, the progress control of the second game is performed (step S28).

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing in the game transition process in the present embodiment, and shows the transition process from the second game to the first game. In the process of the transition process from the second game to the first game, the relationship between the transition source and the transition destination is basically reversed from the case of FIG. 5, and from the first game to the second game in FIG. This is the same as the process of the transition process.

  That is, when the processing unit 200 is executing the second game (step S52) and detects that the condition for transition to the first game is satisfied (YES in step S54), the processing unit 200 displays the progress of the game so far. Storage control of the described save data is performed (step S56).

  The “transition condition to the first game” here can be set as appropriate. For example, when a predetermined operation is performed by the player in the second page in which the second game is embedded, or when the second game is finished.

  In step S56, as in the previous step S6, among the various parameter values included in the play data 526 together with the save data save request, data for resuming the second game and inheriting the game contents to the second game (Including data on the execution result of the second game; for example, data relating to the game character for causing the game character common to the second game to appear in the transfer destination game in a state in which the situation of the second game is inherited), The saved data is transmitted to the web server system 4. When the web server system 4 receives the storage request and the save data, the web server system 4 stores the save data in the storage device. Note that this step is also the same as the control for storing the save data in the storage unit 500 of the player computer 2.

  Next, the processing unit 200 starts displaying the second transfer source video (FIG. 3) (step S60), and performs end control of the game program and the game engine related to the second game (step S62). That is, the second game program and the second game engine are ended while the second transfer source video is displayed or after the last image of the second transfer source video is displayed. Thereby, the memory area used by the second game program and the second game engine is released.

  Next, the processing unit 200 acquires the first page description file 821 (FIG. 1) from the web server system 4 (step S64). If the second game engine plug-in 82 (FIG. 1) is not installed (YES in step S70), downloading and installation of the plug-in is started in the background (step S72).

  In the present embodiment, the start part video 16 (FIG. 3) of the first destination video that is displayed first when the first page is transferred is displayed during the first game engine plug-in 61 download and installation, Since it is realized as a screen displayed while the game program 841 is being downloaded, it can be said that the execution of step S72 is the start of the first transition destination control.

  Next, the processing unit 200 selects the first game program 841 (FIG. 1) and the save data transmitted in step S56 and stored in the server system 4 (or data necessary for executing the first game from the save data). The acquired data set) is acquired and activated (step S74), and the end part video 18 (FIG. 3) of the first transfer destination video is displayed (step S76). Thereafter, the progress control of the first game is performed (step S78).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the migration destination game program and its game engine are released by terminating the game program of the migration source game and the game engine required to execute the game and releasing the memory. It is possible to secure a memory area for downloading and starting the plug-in. Therefore, even a computer having a relatively small memory capacity can execute game content including a plurality of browser games that require different execution environments.

  In addition, since the last video of the transfer source game and the first video of the transfer destination game are displayed as being continuous, when the game is transferred, both the transfer source game and the transfer destination game are separated from each other. Don't give the impression of being a game.

[Modification]
As described above, the embodiment to which the present invention is applied has been described. However, the applicable embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and additions, omissions, and modifications of components can be appropriately made. .

[Part 1]
For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the first page description file 821 of the website data 800B does not include the main page program 831 of the first page referred to in the first embodiment, and is itself the first game program 841. In addition, a configuration in which the second page description file 822 does not include the main program 832 of the second page and is itself the second game program 842 is also possible.

  In this configuration, as shown in FIG. 8, the first transfer source control unit 221 </ b> B also executes the end control of the first game program that was handled by the first transfer control unit 213 of the first embodiment. Similarly, the second transfer source control unit 222B is configured to also execute the end control of the second game program and the like that was handled by the second transfer control unit 214 of the first embodiment. The processing flow is the same as in the first embodiment.

[Part 2]
It is also possible to have a configuration in which a dedicated program that requires a relatively small amount of memory consumption is executed without controlling the linked display at the time of game transfer by using the transfer source game program and the transfer destination game program. .

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, the linked page display realized by the script function that is normally supported by the web browser is displayed on the first page description file 821 and the second page description file 822 of the website data 800C. A connection display program 850 is embedded. The linked display program 850 can be realized using, for example, Java Script (registered trademark).

Then, as shown in FIG. 10, the linked display program 850 is activated when the transition condition is satisfied, and is terminated when the destination game program is activated.
The connected display program 850 is a program that realizes the same display as the connected display realized by the first transfer source video and the second transfer destination video in the first embodiment. That is, display control is performed such that the right shutter image 10R and the left shutter image 10L appear and move from the left and right sides of the screen so as to overlap each other on the screen of the transfer source game, and match at the center of the screen. When the download and activation of the plug-in of the game engine corresponding to the migration destination game and the download and activation of the migration destination game program and save data are completed, the end part video 14 of the second migration destination video (FIG. 2). ), The right shutter image 10R and the left shutter image 10L, which have been matched at the center of the screen, are moved to the left and right of the screen to display an image that disappears from the screen, and the program ends.

[Part 3]
Moreover, you may comprise as shown in FIG. That is, when the migration conditions are satisfied by the script function (for example, Java Script (registered trademark)) that is normally supported by the web browser, the download and installation of the plug-in of the game engine of the migration destination game, and the migration The game program and save data of the previous game are downloaded and activated in the background of the migration source game. Then, when the activation of the transfer destination game program is completed, the game program and game engine of the transfer source game are terminated.

  In this configuration, once the second game engine and the second game program are activated, the transfer destination game is made playable instead of making the transfer source game non-playable at the time of game transfer. It can also be set as the structure which performs control to switch. Specifically, when the first game is played, the first game engine and the first game program are activated, while the second game engine and the second game program are set as the background, and conversely, when the second game is played. Control may be performed so that the second game engine and the second game program are made active and the first game engine and the first game program are set to the background during that time.

[Part 4]
When the above embodiment is implemented in the form of a player registration-based online game, a server system that manages a player ID (for example, an account) and game result data for storing the game result of the player in association with each other. Can be prepared.

  Specifically, the base can use the first embodiment and its modifications. If it is based on the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, the web server system 4 in the first embodiment, together with the website data 800, is stored in the storage 40 (or database) that is communicably connectable with the player ID 882. The game result data 880 associated with is stored and managed. The game result data 880 is accumulation of game execution results so far, and is data for temporarily interrupting and restarting the game. And in 1st Embodiment, the save data itself transmitted to the web server system 4 at the time of game transfer is included, or the content of the save data is reflected.

And the web server system 4 in the said structure is good to implement | achieve the following functions by the arithmetic processing of the web server system 4, etc. by running the predetermined | prescribed game management program 505. FIG.
1) A first update unit that receives information on the execution result of the first game from the player terminal 2 and updates the game result data 880 of the corresponding player while the player terminal 2 is executing the first game. Function as 900.
2) A function as the transition information receiving unit 902 that receives information indicating that the player terminal 2 shifts from the first game to the second game (the page browsing request for the second page in the example of the first embodiment).
3) When the transition information receiving unit 902 receives the data, the player terminal 2 receives data (corresponding to step S24 in FIG. 5) necessary for executing the second game in the game result data 880 together with the second game program. Function as a data transmission unit 904 for transmission.
4) Information indicating that the transition information receiving unit 902 has received the information and that the execution state of the first game is the end state or the stop state from the player terminal 2 (page browsing of the second page in the example of the first embodiment) As a second update unit 906 that updates the game result data 880 based on the information on the execution result of the second game received from the player terminal 2 (corresponding to step S56 in FIG. 3) only when the request is received. Function of.

[Part 5]
The contents of the transfer source video and the transfer destination video are not limited to the contents of the above-described embodiment, and can be set as appropriate. For example, an advertisement may be included, a moving image may be included, or capture information (corresponding to a hint for game capture) may be included. If the game administrator implements the function of rewriting the resource data of the migration source video and the migration destination video, or periodically rewriting the resource data on the web server system 4 side by using the server side script, the migration source video will depend on the time of play. And the contents of the destination video can be changed.

[Part 6]
In addition, when there is data that can be used in common between the first game and the second game (for example, game data), the game is switched (transferred) by saving the data in a memory. It may be performed smoothly.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 ... Player computer 4 ... Web server system 6 ... 1st game engine provision server 8 ... 2nd game engine provision server 10L ... Left shutter image 10M ... Image 10R ... Right shutter image 12 ... Start part image | video of 2nd transfer origin image | video 14 ... End part video of second transfer source video 16 ... Start part video of first transfer source video 18 ... End part video of first transfer source video 21 ... First game engine 22 ... Second game engine 61 ... First game engine Plug-in 82 ... second game engine plug-in 200 ... processing unit 202 ... game control unit 210 ... main control unit 211 ... first transition detection unit 212 ... second transition detection unit 213 ... first transition control unit 214 ... second transition Control unit 220 ... Connection display control unit 221 ... First transfer source control unit 222 ... Second transfer source control unit 223 ... Second transition destination control unit 224 ... first transition destination control unit 500 ... storage unit 501 ... basic system program 502 ... web browser program 503 ... acquired first game engine plug-in 504 ... acquired second game engine plug-in 520 ... Web browsing control data 522 ... Acquired game content 524 ... Game engine control data 526 ... Play data 800, 800B, 800C ... Website data 821 ... First page description file 822 ... Second page description file 841 ... First game program 842 ... Second game program 850 ... Linked display program

Claims (8)

A first game program related to the first game; a second game program related to the second game; and a main program for managing execution of the first game program and the second game program, Computer-executable game content,
The main program is
First transition detection means for detecting transition from the first game to the second game based on a player's operation during the execution of the first game program;
First transition control means for executing end control of the first game program and start control of the second game program in response to detection by the first transition detection means;
As a program for causing the computer to function as
The first game program is:
A program for causing the computer to function as first transfer source control means for displaying the first transfer source video and ending the first game program in accordance with the end control by the first transfer control means. Yes,
The second game program is:
A program for causing the computer to function as second transfer destination control means for displaying a second transfer destination video continuous with the first transfer source video during loading and / or startup.
Game content. The first game program is a program executed on a first game engine,
The second game program is a program executed on a second game engine,
The first transition control means further performs end control of the first game engine and start control of the second game engine.
The game content according to claim 1. The main program is
Second transition detection means for detecting transition from the second game to the first game based on a player's operation during the execution of the second game program;
Second transition control means for executing end control of the second game program and start control of the first game program in response to detection by the second transition detection means;
As a program for causing the computer to function as
The second game program is:
A program for causing the computer to function as second transfer source control means for displaying a second transfer source video and ending the second game program in accordance with the end control by the second transfer control means. Yes,
The first game program is:
A program for causing the computer to function as first transfer destination control means for displaying a first transfer destination video that is continuous with the second transfer source video during loading at startup.
The game content according to claim 1 or 2. A computer-executable game content including a first game program related to a first game and a second game program related to a second game,
The first game program is:
The transition source that displays the first transition source video, performs the end control of the first game program and the start instruction control of the second game program, and transitions from the first game to the second game. A program for causing the computer to function as a first source control means for performing control,
The second game program is:
The computer is used as second transfer destination control means for displaying a second transfer destination video continuous with the first transfer source video and performing transfer acceptance control from the first game to the second game. It is a program to make it function,
Game content. The first game and the second game are games in which a common game character appears,
The first transfer source control means further performs control for storing data relating to the game character in a storage device built in the computer or externally connected to be communicable,
The second transfer destination control means performs control to acquire data stored in the storage device;
The game content according to any one of claims 1 to 4.   A server system that distributes the game content according to claim 1. A server system that is connected to a terminal device capable of executing a first game and a second game that can be transferred to each other by taking over the game result data, and manages the game result data,
A first updating means for receiving information on an execution result of the first game and updating the game result data while the terminal device is executing the first game;
Transition information receiving means for receiving information from the terminal device that the first game is transferred to the second game;
Data transmission means for transmitting the managed game result data to the terminal device when received by the transition information receiving means;
The first information received from the terminal device is received only when the information is received by the transition information receiving means and information indicating that the execution state of the first game is an end state or a stop state is received from the terminal device. Second update means for updating the game result data based on information on the execution result of the second game;
Server system with The first game and the second game are configured to display a predetermined video at the time of game transition,
The server system according to claim 7.

Images