JP2017196388A - Server and server program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique which allows a user to enjoy a network type computer game without reserve.SOLUTION: A game server 102 controls progress of a game by a first method in which the game server cooperates with a client module 156 installed in game terminals 104a, 104b, and a server module 154 is executed on a server, and by a second method in which both of the server module 154 and the client module 156 are executed on the server. When the game server 102 receives an invitation code which is provided to a game terminal 104b from a game terminal 104a in which the client module 156 is installed, from the game terminal 104b, performs matching of the game terminal 104a and the game terminal 104b. To the game terminal 104b which is an invited side, an access right to a game executed in the second method is provided.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a game system in which a plurality of players can participate via a communication network.

  The use of smartphones as game terminals as well as communication terminals has become common. In order to enjoy a game on a smartphone, it is usually necessary to download a client module from a game server. The game progresses by the cooperation of the server module and the client module executed on the game server.

  Players often enjoy network-type games alone, but when friends gather, everyone can enjoy the same game. The concept of enjoying the same game with friends at the same place and at the same time may become a new way of enjoying games in the future.

  As a method for a player A to invite another player B to the game, Patent Document 1 discloses a mechanism called an invite code. When player A provides an invite code to player B, player B can receive various rewards (items, etc.) in the game by inputting the invite code to the game server. The reward is an incentive (incentive) for the player B to participate in the game.

Japanese Patent No. 5545325

  Patent document 1 is based on the premise that player B downloads a client module. In other words, when it is not already downloaded, the player B cannot download the client module and install it on the game terminal to enjoy the game. For this reason, even if the player A wants to improvise and enjoy his favorite game with the player B, the player B may refuse the invitation due to the troublesomeness.

  The present invention has been completed on the basis of the above-mentioned problem recognition, and its main object is to provide a technique for making it easier to enjoy network-type computer games.

The server in an aspect of the present invention controls the progress of the game by a first method in which the second game module is executed by the server in cooperation with the first game module installed in the game terminal. A game execution unit, a second game execution unit that controls the progress of the game by a second method of executing both the first and second game modules on the server, and the first game module installed first An invitation receiving unit that receives an invitation code provided from the game terminal to the second game terminal from the second game terminal, and a matching management unit that matches the first and second game terminals.
When the invitation code is received, the matching management unit provides the second game terminal with an access right to the game executed in the second method, and the second management terminal provides the second method with respect to the game of the second method. Set interaction with one game terminal.

  It should be noted that any combination of the above-described constituent elements and a conversion of the expression of the present invention between a method, an apparatus, a system, a recording medium, a computer program, and the like are also effective as an aspect of the present invention.

  According to the present invention, it becomes easier to enjoy network type computer games more easily.

It is a hardware block diagram of a game system. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the game execution method. It is a functional block diagram of a game system. It is a flowchart which shows an invitation process process. It is a flowchart which shows the download process of the client module in a game server. It is a block diagram of a tutorial.

The concept of the game system 100 in the present embodiment is to improvisely form a game group with friends who are in the same place at the same time and enjoy the same game together. The participants of this game group are assumed to be friends (acquaintances) who are close enough to talk to each other with real voice.
When player A invites nearby player B to the game, player A sends an invitation code to game terminal 104 of player B. Player B can enjoy the same game as Player A by sending this invitation code to game server 102.

  The following description focuses on a method for simplifying the procedure for creating such an instant game group. Unless otherwise specified, the description will be made on the assumption that the player A invites the player B (invitee) to the game X as an inviter.

FIG. 1 is a hardware configuration diagram of the game system 100.
In the game system 100, a game server 102 and a plurality of game terminals 104 a, 104 b, 104 c... 104 n (hereinafter collectively referred to as “game terminal 104” when collectively referred to or not particularly distinguished) via the Internet 106. Connected. The game terminal 104 in the present embodiment is assumed to be a smartphone. The game terminal 104 may be a portable game machine or a general-purpose computer such as a laptop PC. The game terminal 104 and the Internet 106 are wirelessly connected, but may be wired. A unique ID called a player ID is given in advance to the game player. The game server 102 provides a game to each game terminal 104.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining a game execution method.
In the present embodiment, the game server 102 provides a game to the game terminal 104 by two types of methods, a first method and a second method. In FIG. 2, it is assumed that the game terminal 104a (player A) executes the game by the first method, and the game terminal 104b (player B) executes the game by the second method.

  The game module 150 includes a server module 154 (second game module) that is software executed on the game server 102 and a client module 156 (first game module) that is software executed on the game terminal 104. The progress of the game is controlled by the cooperation and sharing of the server module 154 and the client module 156.

(1) First method This is a general method. The game terminal 104 a downloads and installs the client module 156 from the game server 102. The client module 156 is application software that operates on the premise of an OS (Operating System) function and a communication function of the game terminal 104a. An input operation from the player is detected by the user interface unit 122, and the client module 156 controls the progress of the game according to the input, and the client module 156 sends output information such as a screen and sound to the user interface unit 122. The client module 156 cooperates with the server module 154 via the Internet 106 in the background.
In general, processing that requires high responsiveness is executed by the client module 156, and cooperation between other players and complicated calculation processing are often executed by the server module 154. However, the server module 154 and the client module are often used. How to share the processing among 156 may be determined based on the game specifications.

(2) Second Method The game terminal 104b does not download the client module 156 from the game server 102. The game server 102 executes not only the server module 154 but also the client module 156. For this reason, the game server 102 has an execution environment (emulator) equivalent to the game terminal 104b. For example, the game module 150 executes not only the server module 154 but also the client module 156 by providing an execution environment equivalent to the OS of the game terminal 104. Such a control method can be realized by applying an existing emulation technique.
An input operation from the player is detected by the user interface unit 122, and an input result is transmitted to the client module 156 of the game server 102 via the Internet 106. The client module 156 and the server module 154 control the progress of the game, and the client module 156 sends output information such as a screen and sound to the user interface unit 122 via the Internet 106.

The first method has the following merits and demerits.
(1-1) Merits of the First Method • Since a part of the game process is executed using the calculation capability of the game terminal 104a, the processing load on the game server 102 is small.
Since the client module 156 executes part of the game processing locally, the operation responsiveness is high.
(1-2) Disadvantages of the first method: Download and installation of the client module 156 is required.
(2-1) Advantages of the second method • Downloading and installing work of the client module 156 is unnecessary.
(2-2) Disadvantages of the Second Method The game server 102 executes the client module 156 by itself after preparing an emulation environment, so the processing load on the game server 102 is heavy.
-Since most processes depend on the game server 102, the progress of the game tends to be delayed if the network environment becomes unstable.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the game system 100.
As described above, the game system 100 includes the game server 102 and the game terminal 104. Each component of the game terminal 104 and the game server 102 includes an arithmetic unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and various coprocessors, a storage device such as a memory and a storage, and hardware including a wired or wireless communication line connecting them. This is realized by software that is stored in a storage device and supplies processing instructions to an arithmetic unit. The computer program may be constituted by a device driver, an operating system, various application programs located in an upper layer thereof, and a library that provides a common function to these programs. Each block described below is not a hardware unit configuration but a functional unit block.
The game server 102 may be configured to include a web server, and the game terminal 104 may be configured to include a portable communication terminal and a web browser installed therein.

(Game server 102)
The game server 102 includes a communication unit 110, a data processing unit 108, and a data storage unit 114.
The communication unit 110 is in charge of communication processing with the game terminal 104 via the Internet 106. The data storage unit 114 stores various data. The data processing unit 108 performs various processes based on the data acquired by the communication unit 110 and the data stored in the data storage unit 114. The data processing unit 108 also functions as an interface between the communication unit 110 and the data storage unit 114. The data storage unit 114 stores various information.

Communication unit 110 includes an invitation communication unit 140 and a privilege transmission unit 142.
The invitation communication unit 140 transmits and receives an invitation code described later. The privilege transmission unit 142 transmits a privilege to the game terminal 104 that has downloaded the client module 156 when a condition described later is satisfied. The privilege may be a game element such as an item or character, a game point or a character skill, preferably a game element that supports the progress of the game.

The data storage unit 114 includes a game data storage unit 136 and a player information storage unit 138.
The game data storage unit 136 stores program data of the game module 150 including the server module 154 and the client module 156. The player information storage unit 138 manages each player with a player ID, and stores information indicating the play state of each player. For example, information such as characters, scores, and cleared stages held by the player is also stored in the player information storage unit 138 as “play state information”. Further, friend information indicating the connection between the players and the position information of each game terminal 104 is also stored in the player information storage unit 138. The concept of friends will be described later.
Although all or part of the play status information of the inviter may be provided to the invitee, details will be described later.

The data processing unit 108 includes a game execution unit 112, a code generation unit 120, a matching management unit 130, a download control unit 132, and a privilege setting unit 134.
The game execution unit 112 controls the progress of the game. The game execution unit 112 includes a first game execution unit 116 that executes a game using the first method and a second game execution unit 118 that executes a game using the second method. The code generation unit 120 generates an invitation code in response to a request from the game terminal 104. In the present embodiment, the invitation code includes a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) serving as an access right to the game module 150 waiting in an executable state in the second method, the inviter's player ID, and the invitee's player ID.

The matching management unit 130 matches the invitee player and the invitee player. “Matching” may be to provide a game environment in which two or more players can cooperate to achieve the same purpose in the same game (cooperative play), or 2 in the same game. It may be possible to provide a game environment in which more than human players compete to compete for the degree of achievement of the objective (competitive play). When at least two players execute the same game, all or part of the play content of one player is transmitted to the other player in real time. Preferably, the play content of one player is the other player. Any relationship that changes the game situation may be used.
Various games such as a puzzle game, a tower defense, a simulation game, and an action game can be assumed as the game.

  When a download request is received from the game terminal 104, the download control unit 132 transmits the client module 156 stored in the game data storage unit 136 to the game terminal 104. The privilege setting unit 134 sends a privilege to the game terminal 104 when a condition described later is satisfied.

(Game terminal 104)
The game terminal 104 includes a user interface unit 122, a communication unit 124, a data processing unit 126, and a data storage unit 128.
The user interface unit 122 accepts operations from the player via the touch panel, and is also in charge of processing related to the user interface such as image display and audio output. The communication unit 124 is in charge of communication processing with the game server 102 and other game terminals 104 via the Internet 106. The data storage unit 128 stores various data. The data processing unit 126 executes various processes based on the data acquired by the user interface unit 122 and the communication unit 124 and the data stored in the data storage unit 128. The data processing unit 126 also functions as an interface for the user interface unit 122, the communication unit 124, and the data storage unit 128.

In the case of the game terminal 104a (player A) that executes the game in the first method, the data processing unit 126 includes a game execution unit 144. The game execution unit 144 corresponds to the client module 156 and controls the progress of the game in cooperation with the game server 102.
The communication unit 124 acquires various game information from the game server 102, and the game execution unit 144 causes the user interface unit 122 to display a game screen. In addition, the user interface unit 122 detects various inputs by the user, part of the processing is executed by the game execution unit 144 (client module 156), and the other processing is performed by the first game execution unit 116 (server) of the game server 102. Module 154) is executed.

  On the other hand, in the case of the game terminal 104b (player B) that executes the game by the second method, the data processing unit 126 does not substantially include the game execution unit 144. The client module 156 of the second game execution unit 118 generates a game screen, and the game screen is provided to the game terminal 104b as a web page.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the invitation process.
Here, it is assumed that the player A having the game terminal 104a invites the player B having the game terminal 104b to the game X. The player A has already installed the client module 156 of the game X on the game terminal 104a. For this reason, the player A executes the game X by the first method. On the other hand, the player B invited by the player A does not install the client module 156 of the game X on the game terminal 104b. In the present embodiment, in such a situation, the player B can execute the game X by the second method, so that the player B improvises with the player A without downloading and installing the client module 156. You can enjoy the game X.
Hereinafter, the game X executed by the second method via the invitation code will be referred to as an “invitation game”.

  First, the game terminal 104a requests the game server 102 to issue an invitation code (S10). At this time, the game terminal 104a also transmits the player ID of the player A. The code generation unit 120 of the game server 102 generates an invitation code including the player ID of the player A (S12). The game server 102 has a plurality of game modules 150 (server module 154 and client module 156) that can be executed by the second method in an object state (executable state). The code generation unit 120 embeds a URL indicating the access right to any game module 150 in the invitation code, and the invitation communication unit 140 returns the invitation code to the game terminal 104a (S14). The code generation unit 120 stores all or part of the issued invitation code.

  The game terminal 104a transmits the invitation code to the game terminal 104b of the player B by known communication means such as e-mail (S16). The game terminal 104b transmits the invitation code together with the player ID of the player B to the game server 102 (S18), and the invitation communication unit 140 of the game server 102 receives the invitation code. The game terminal 104b of the invitee sends an invitation code to the game server 102, thereby making an access request to the game module 150 by the second method. After confirming that the received invitation code matches the issued invitation code, the code generation unit 120 executes the subsequent processing.

  Before permitting access to the second type game module 150, the second game execution unit 118 performs various settings for the second type game module 150 (S20). In the present embodiment, all or part of the play state information (game setting information) indicating the progress state of the game on the game terminal 104a is also reflected on the game terminal 104b. Specifically, the second game execution unit 118 refers to the play status information of the player A, and provides all or part of it to the player B.

  Since the player A is an experienced player in the game X, at the time of inviting the player B, there is a possibility that the player A has gained many advantages such as items, characters, and skills that are useful for the advancement of the game X. On the other hand, since the player B is a beginner of the game X, there is no such advantage. For this reason, if two players execute the battle game as they are, the player A is overwhelmingly advantageous, and the player B may not be able to enjoy the game. Even in cooperative play, Player B may not be able to act appropriately as a partner for Player A.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, all or part of the player state information in the game X of the player A (inviter) is copied as game setting information for the invitation game. Specifically, the player B is given advantages such as items collected by the player A, acquired characters, and character attribute values (levels and experience values) as the game progresses. By such adjustment, even if the player A is a skilled player, the player B can enjoy the invitation game under the same or similar conditions.

  After completion of the setting, the invitation communication unit 140 transmits a web page for accessing one of the objects of the plurality of game modules 150 to the game terminal 104b (S22). The URL of the invitation code corresponds to the address of this web page. In other words, the user interface of the game module 150 that can be executed by the second method is provided as a web page. When the game terminal 104b receives this web page, the communication unit 124 transmits a reception confirmation to the game server 102 (S24).

  When the reception confirmation is made, the matching management unit 130 matches the game terminal 104a (player A) and the game terminal 104b (player B). Matching means enabling interaction between the game terminal 104a and the game terminal 104b as described above. For example, when the game terminal 104a and the game terminal 104b play the same puzzle game, a game environment in which two players compete for scores may be provided by sharing the scores of the two players. If it is a battle game, a game environment in which an attack from one character or team affects the other character or team in a common battle field may be provided.

  When matching is completed, the communication unit 110 notifies the game terminal 104a (player A) of completion of matching (S28). The matching manager 130 sets the invitation play information corresponding to the player ID of the player B (S30). The invitation play information includes a “play flag” indicating whether or not the player B has played the invitation game, and also includes the player ID of the player A who invited the player B. Similarly, the matching management unit 130 sets the invitation play information corresponding to the player ID of the player A. For player A, a history of inviting player B is recorded as invitation play information.

Each game terminal 104 may transmit the position information to the game server 102 periodically or whenever access to the game server 102 occurs. The position information here is information that represents the position of the game terminal 104 measured by GPS (Global Positioning System) by longitude and latitude. For example, when the game terminal 104a transmits an issue request in S10, the game terminal 104a may also transmit the position information of the game terminal 104a. Similarly, when the game terminal 104b transmits an access request in S18, the game terminal 104b also transmits position information of the game terminal 104b.
The matching management unit 130 transmits the web page of the invitation game on the condition that the game terminal 104b exists within a predetermined range from the point where the game terminal 104a exists, for example, within 100 meters. When the game terminal 104a and the game terminal 104b are separated from each other by a predetermined distance or more, the code generation unit 120 invalidates the issued invitation code.

  According to such a control method, it becomes easier to clarify the feature of the game system 100 in this embodiment that two players can play the same game when the player A invites a nearby player B.

A time limit may be set for the invitation code.
When the game terminal 104a requests issuance of an invitation code (S10), the matching management unit 130 sets a time limit and starts a timer. When an access request is made from the game terminal 104b before the time limit elapses (S18), the game server 102 transmits a web page of the invited game to the game terminal 104b. When the time limit passes without a request for access from the game terminal 104b, the code generation unit 120 may invalidate the issued invitation code.

  According to such a control method, after a long time has passed since player A invited player B, even if player C who illegally obtained an invitation code requests an invitation game, it can be rejected. Further, when the player A invites the player B, it becomes easier to clarify the feature of the game system 100 in the present embodiment that two players can play immediately.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the download process of the client module 156 in the game server 102.
When a download request for the client module 156 is transmitted from the game terminal 104 to the game server 102, the matching management unit 130 refers to the invitation play information (see S30 in FIG. 4) whether the requesting player has experienced the invitation play. (S40). If the invitation play has been experienced (Y in S40), the matching management unit 130 may make friend settings (S42). For example, in response to an invitation from the player A, after the player B plays the invitation game X, the player B requests the download of the game X, more precisely, the download of the client module 156 of the game X. Unit 130 makes friend settings for player A and player B.

A friend means the relationship which notifies the play information of a game bidirectionally. For example, when the player A plays the game X and achieves a mission such as clearing a new stage, the matching management unit 130 notifies the game terminal 104b of the player B of the game progress status of the player A. Similarly, the play status of the player B is also notified to the player A.
Note that once the friend setting is made, not only the game X but also other games may be set to notify each other of the play status.

  Furthermore, the privilege setting part 134 sets the privilege with respect to the game terminal 104 of a download request origin, and the privilege transmission part 142 transmits the privilege. The privilege may be anything that the player can generally feel as a merit, such as a bonus stage, items, game points, characters, and the like.

  The privilege setting unit 134 may select a used character or item as a privilege in the invitation game, or may randomly select one or more privileges from a plurality of types of privileges that are set in advance. According to such control, an incentive to download the game X can be given to a player who has experienced the invitation game X.

  Subsequently, the first game execution unit 116 changes the game tutorial (S46). The method of changing the tutorial and its meaning will be described later with reference to FIG.

The download control unit 132 transmits the client module 156 to the game terminal 104 (S48). The game terminal 104 installs the client module 156. In addition, the privilege transmitted by the privilege transmission unit 142 is also set in the game terminal 104.
If the invitation play is inexperienced (N in S40), the processes in S42, S44, and S46 are skipped, and the download process (S48) is immediately executed.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the tutorial.
Generally, at the start of a game, a game explanation screen called a tutorial is displayed. The tutorial includes a plurality of parts 160. The tutorial shown in FIG. 6 includes a part 160a explaining the purpose of the game, a part 160b explaining the basic operation of the game, a part 160c explaining the special operation 1 of the game, a part 160d explaining the special operation 2 of the game, and a bonus stage. Including parts 160e, etc. Each part 160 corresponds to one screen, and when the game is executed for the first time, a plurality of tutorial screens are sequentially displayed according to the plurality of parts 160.

  The player who has experienced the invitation game may understand the content of the game to some extent, and may feel annoying the tutorial. Therefore, when a player who has experienced the invitation game X downloads and installs the client module 156 of the game X at a later date, the first game execution unit 116 omits the tutorial.

  Here, “omitting” may be cutting all of the tutorial or cutting a part of the tutorial. Alternatively, all or part of the tutorial may be changed to a simplified version of the simplified version of the tutorial.

  In this embodiment, a part of the tutorial is cut according to the play content of the invitation game. For example, if the invitation game has been experienced, the first game execution unit 116 cuts the part 160a for explaining the purpose of the game and the part 160b for explaining the basic operation from the tutorial, and then adds the client module 156 to the game terminal 104. Send. When a player who has experienced the invitation game X downloads the client module 156 and executes the game X by the first method at a later date, the purpose and basic operation of the game that should have been understood are not described. .

  When the special operation 1 is executed in the invitation game X, the second game execution unit 118 records information “special operation 1 has been executed” in the invitation play information. When the player who executed the special operation 1 in the invitation game X downloads the game X at a later date, the first game execution unit 116 may cut the part 160c explaining the special operation 1 from the tutorial.

The game system 100 has been described above based on the embodiment.
According to the present embodiment, when the player A who has installed the game X (client module 156) invites the player B that has not been installed, the player B does not need to download or install the client module 156 immediately. In addition, the game X can be enjoyed by the second method. Not only does the player A easily recommend the game X to the player B, but also the word-of-mouth effect of the game X can be improved.

  By reflecting the play status information of the player A in the invitation game, even the player B who has not experienced the game X can enjoy the invitation game X on the same condition as the player A. When the player B experiences the invitation game X for the first time, the player B can also enjoy the feeling of using special characters and items that the player A has. In particular, when the player A is proficient in the game X, an incentive that the player A wants to be invited from the player A is likely to work. In addition, the incentive that player A becomes familiar with game X and wants to recommend game X to many players works. This realizes a synergistic effect of immersion in the game and diffusion of the game.

  Player A can invite not only one player but also a plurality of players at the same time. That is, matching with three or more people and friend setting are also possible.

  Further, if the player B downloads the game X after enjoying the invitation game X, a privilege is given from the game server 102. By using the second-type invitation game as an entrance and connecting it to the download, it becomes easy to expand the play population of the game X.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment and modification, A component can be deform | transformed and embodied in the range which does not deviate from a summary. Various inventions may be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the above embodiments and modifications. Moreover, you may delete some components from all the components shown by the said embodiment and modification.

Although it has been described that the game system 100 is configured by a plurality of game terminals 104 and one game server 102, some of the functions of the game terminal 104 may be realized by the game server 102, or the functions of the game server 102 may be A part may be assigned to the game terminal 104. In addition, a third device other than the game server 102 or the game terminal 104 may bear a part of the function.
A set of each function of the game terminal 104 and each function of the game server 102 described in FIG. 3 can be generally grasped as one “information processing apparatus”. How to allocate a plurality of functions necessary for realizing the present invention to one or a plurality of hardware depends on the processing capability of each hardware, the specifications required for the game system 100, and the like. It only has to be decided.

In the present embodiment, it has been described that the game setting information of the player A (invitee) is reflected in the invitation game (second-type game) of the player B (invitee), but the game setting information of the invitation game is There is no need to rely on the game setting information of the inviter.
For example, the second game execution unit 118 may set a dedicated or special item or character for the invitation game. According to such a setting, it is also possible to realize a game characteristic unique to the invitation game.
The player B may be given an advantage over the player A so that the player B (invited person) who is an inexperienced person can compete with the player A (invited person) who has experienced the game X. For example, a character stronger than the character held by the player A may be set. You may make a difference in the game rules. In the case of a puzzle game, the puzzle of the player B may be set easier than the player A. For example, the hard mode may be set for the player A and the easy mode may be set for the player B.

When the player B who has experienced the invitation game X downloads the game X at a later date, the item or character held by the player A may be given to the player B as a privilege. For example, when the player A and the player B compete in the invitation game and the player B wins, the valuable character R possessed by the player A may be entrusted to the game server 102. When the player B downloads the game X, the player B can acquire the character R as a privilege. On the other hand, the player A loses the character R. If the download request is not made within a predetermined period from the end of the invitation game, the character R is returned to the player A.
According to such a control method, a privilege can be given to the player B while maintaining the rarity of the character R.

In the invitation game, the difference in ability between the player A and the player B may be compensated by setting the game setting of the player A (inviter) unfavorably. For example, when executing the invitation game, the first game execution unit 116 may prohibit use of some items and characters held by the player A.
When the player A invites the player B, the player A or the player B may be able to select what kind of handicap is set in order to fill the difference in ability between the two players. For example, the game execution unit 112 may display a list of selectable handicaps and select a handicap to be applied from there.

  The privilege setting unit 134 may give the player A more privileges as the player A invites more players. Also, a privilege may be given to the player A when the player invited by the player A downloads the game. According to such a control method, the player A can be given an incentive to solicit other players.

The invitation code may be widely disclosed by a magazine or a homepage. The invitee is not matched with the invitee, but may play a second-type game provided by the game server 102 as a trial. For example, if the specific situation in the game X can be experienced in the second-type invitation game, the player can have a prior experience as to what situation will appear if the game X is continuously played. Further, when the game company is considering introduction of a new character or item, the player may experience such a character or item in the invitation game. By receiving feedback on the impression of play, it is possible to further improve the quality of the game while conducting marketing.
Since the processing load of the game server 102 is likely to increase in the game execution of the second method, the play time may be limited for the game play of the second method.

In the present embodiment, the game server 102 generates an invitation code in response to a request from the game terminal 104a, but the game terminal 104a may generate an invitation code.
The game terminal 104a may generate an invitation code by itself and transmit the invitation code together with the player ID to the game terminal 104b. When the game terminal 104b transmits the invitation code to the game server 102 together with the player ID of the player A (game terminal 104a), the game server 102 may transmit a web page for playing the second type game to the game terminal 104b. Good.
The invitation code may include information indicating the expiration date. And the game server 102 may transmit a web page on condition that there was access from the game terminal 104b before the expiration date.

  The invitation code may be handed over from the player A of the game terminal 104a to the player B of the game terminal 104b. In this case, the invitation code may be provided in a predetermined format such as a two-dimensional code. The invitation code may be posted on various web pages such as web bulletin boards, web logs, social media, and Internet encyclopedias.

  When a player who has experienced the invitation game X requests download of the game X, a privilege according to the result of the invitation game may be given. For example, any of items and characters used in the invitation game may be given as a privilege. When the player A (invitee) and the player B (invitee) play in the invitation game X, a privilege more advantageous to the player B may be given when the player B wins than when the player B wins. For example, the character P and the item Q are given when winning, but only the item Q may be given when defeated.

  In the present embodiment, it is assumed that a game group is improvised with friends who are in the same place at the same time, but the present invention is applicable to other cases. For example, invitation codes may be sent and received among a plurality of players who have met through chat on the web, even if they are not in the same place.

When a player who has experienced the invitation game X requests download of the game X, it is explained that all or part of the tutorial is omitted. However, all or part of the tutorial is also omitted for the invitation game. Also good.
Even if you want to enjoy an invitation game immediately after receiving an invitation, even a tutorial may seem annoying. In addition, since it can be assumed that the inviter will explain the game verbally or by e-mail, the need for a tutorial is low. For this reason, in the invitation game, the second game execution unit 118 may omit the tutorial. The player may be able to select whether or not the tutorial is necessary.

  In the present embodiment, the description has been made on the assumption that the player B has not installed the game X. However, even if the player B has already installed the game X, the invitation game X may be playable. For example, even if the player A is proficient in the game X and the player B is not as proficient in the game X as the player A, the player B invites the player A to reflect the play state information of the player A You can enjoy the game. In this case, the player B can experience in advance what kind of game development will be achieved by continuously playing the game X.

  A server other than the game server 102 may provide the client module 156. For example, a dedicated server that provides the client module 156 for a fee or free of charge may be prepared separately from the game server 102.

  100 game system, 102 game server, 104 game terminal, 106 internet, 108 data processing unit, 110 communication unit, 112 game execution unit, 114 data storage unit, 116 first game execution unit, 118 second game execution unit, 120 code Generation unit 122 User interface unit 124 Communication unit 126 Data processing unit 128 Data storage unit 130 Matching management unit 132 Download control unit 134 Bonus setting unit 136 Game data storage unit 138 Player information storage unit 140 Invited communication part, 142 privilege transmission part, 144 game execution part, 150 game module, 154 server module, 156 client module, 160 parts.

Claims (11)

A first game execution unit that controls the progress of the game by a first method in which the second game module is executed on the server in cooperation with the first game module installed in the game terminal;
A second game execution unit for controlling the progress of the game by a second method of executing both the first and second game modules on the server;
An invitation receiving unit that receives an invitation code provided from the first game terminal to which the first game module is installed to the second game terminal; from the second game terminal;
A matching management unit for matching the first and second game terminals,
When the invitation code is received, the matching management unit provides an access right to the game executed by the second method to the second game terminal, and A server for setting an interaction with the first game terminal for a game.   2. The matching management unit matches the first and second game terminals on condition that the invitation code is received from the second game terminal within a predetermined time limit. Server described in.   2. The game according to claim 1, wherein the matching management unit sets game setting information different from the first method in the game of the second method in the game executed by the second method. 2. The server according to 2.   The server according to claim 3, wherein the matching management unit sets game setting information indicating a progress state of a game on the first game terminal in the game of the second method.   The matching management unit matches the first and second game terminals on the condition that the second game terminal is located within a predetermined range from a point where the first game terminal exists. The server according to any one of claims 1 to 4. A download control unit for transmitting the first game module;
When the matching management unit is requested by the second game terminal to download the first game module after executing the game according to the second method, the matching management unit stores the game of the first and second game terminals. 6. The server according to claim 1, wherein the server is associated so as to notify the play status in a bidirectional manner. The game includes an explanation process for explaining the content of the game at the start of the game,
The first game executing unit omits the explanation process when the second game terminal requests download of the first game module after executing the game according to the second method. The server according to any one of claims 1 to 6.   The server according to claim 7, wherein the first game execution unit omits an explanation process corresponding to a game content executed by the second game method. The game terminal further includes a privilege transmission unit that transmits the privilege information of the game,
The privilege transmission unit transmits the privilege information when the second game terminal is requested to download the first game module after executing the game according to the second method. Item 9. The server according to any one of Items 1 to 8.   When the privilege transmission unit is requested by the second game terminal to download the first game module after executing the game according to the second method, the privilege transmission unit responds to the execution result of the game according to the second method. The server according to claim 9, wherein the privilege information is transmitted. A function of controlling the progress of the game by the first method of executing the second game module on the server in cooperation with the first game module installed in the game terminal;
A function of controlling the progress of the game by a second method of executing both the first and second game modules on the server;
A function of receiving, from the second game terminal, an invitation code provided to the second game terminal from the first game terminal in which the first game module is installed;
When the invitation code is received, the second game terminal is provided with an access right to the game executed in the second method, and the second method terminal is provided with the second game terminal. A function for matching the first and second game terminals by setting an interaction with one game terminal;
A server program characterized by causing a computer to exhibit.

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