JP2020185222A - Game system and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a game system and the like that make it possible to appropriately browse a content of which push notification is performed.SOLUTION: A management unit 230 manages a content group including a plurality of contents of which a schedule to perform push notification to a terminal device is determined. A notification processing unit 242 sequentially performs push notification of the contents included in the content group to the terminal device on the basis of the schedule. A distribution processing unit 243 transmits the content group to the terminal device during execution of the game at the terminal device. A browsing processing unit 244 makes a user browse the contents of which push notification has been performed, using the distributed content group during execution of the game regardless whether push notification is successful or not at the terminal device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

The present invention relates to a game system, a terminal device, a browsing control method, and a program capable of appropriately browsing push-notified contents.

Conventionally, various games have been distributed to terminal devices such as smartphones. For example, in a music game (rhythm game), a large number of game characters appear, the user selects a favorite game character, organizes a unit, and the user performs various actions according to the music to be played at the right time. , It is possible to complete (success) the live performance by that unit.

In such music games and the like, push notifications are used, for example, to notify the holding of an event in the game, or to notify the recovery of LP (Life Point) of a game character. The push notification is a remote notification service that operates on the OS (Operating System) of the terminal device. Therefore, even if the user is executing another application (application) on the terminal device or the terminal device is in the sleep state (locked state), the sent message is notified and the user is guided to the game. be able to.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an invention of a game system (program) capable of push-notifying a message whose content changes according to a game setting.

Japanese Patent No. 6467012

Recently, push notifications called rich push notifications (rich notifications) have also become available. In this rich push notification, not only the conventional text (message) but also the contents including images, sounds, moving images and the like can be sent to the terminal device. Therefore, in a music game or the like, for example, by push-notifying the content about a popular game character or a game character included in a unit organized by the user, the user can be guided to the game more powerfully. Further, it is conceivable to entertain the user by, for example, directing the exchange of conversations between game characters by push-notifying a series of contents in order.

However, in the first place, the push notification is affected by the environment of the terminal device and the like, and the notification may not actually be performed (the notification is lost in the middle and does not reach the terminal device). Therefore, for example, even if an attempt is made to produce a conversation exchange between game characters by push-notifying a series of contents in order, if even a part of the contents is lost while the series of contents are pushed-notified, The conversation will not be established and it will be uninteresting.
In addition, there were many users who wanted to view the content sent with much effort at any time. It should be noted that although the notification center can be opened by the OS function of the terminal device and the history of the push-notified content can be viewed, it is not sufficient. In other words, the current situation is that the notification center cannot meet the user's request because only the content notified up to several days ago remains.

For these reasons, there has been a demand for a technology capable of appropriately viewing push-notified contents.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a game system, a terminal device, a browsing control method, and a program capable of appropriately browsing push-notified contents.

The game system according to the present invention
A game system in which a terminal device and a game server communicate with each other to advance a game.
A management unit that manages a content group including a plurality of contents having a schedule for push notification to the terminal device, and
A notification processing unit that pushes and notifies the contents included in the contents group to the terminal device in order based on the schedule.
A distribution processing unit that distributes the content group to the terminal device while the game is being executed on the terminal device.
Regardless of the success or failure of the push notification in the terminal device, a browsing processing unit that allows the user to browse the push-notified content by using the delivered content group during the execution of the game.
It is characterized by having.

According to the present invention, the push-notified content can be appropriately browsed.

It is a block diagram which shows an example of the whole structure of the game system which concerns on this embodiment. Both (a) and (b) are schematic diagrams showing an example of the content push-notified to the terminal device. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the outline structure of the typical information processing apparatus which realizes a game server and the like. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the outline structure of a game server. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating user management information. It is a schematic diagram for explaining a content group. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the outline structure of a terminal device. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating game management information. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a menu screen. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a game screen. Both (a) and (b) are block diagrams showing an example of a history viewing screen. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the browsing control process which concerns on this Embodiment. Both (a) and (b) are block diagrams showing an example of a history browsing screen during browsing of the latest content.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below. Hereinafter, in order to facilitate understanding, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a game system for controlling a music game executed by using a terminal device such as a smartphone will be described. In addition to this, for example, a note. The present invention can be similarly applied to control a music game executed by using an information processing device such as a personal computer, a game device, or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant). Further, as will be described later, the present invention can be applied to other than music games.
That is, the embodiments described below are for illustration purposes only and do not limit the scope of the present invention. Therefore, those skilled in the art can adopt embodiments in which each or all of these elements are replaced with equivalent ones, but these embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention.

(overall structure)
As shown in FIG. 1, the game system 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention is configured by connecting the game server 200, the notification server 300, and the terminal device 400 so as to be communicable via the Internet 900.
Although simplified in the figure, it is assumed that a large number of terminal devices 400 exist depending on the user who uses the terminal device 400.

The game server 200 is, for example, a server device (server computer) or the like, and communicates with the terminal device 400 to control the progress of the music game.

The notification server 300 is, for example, a server device or the like, and provides a push notification (remote notification) service. For example, the notification server 300 realizes push notification by a framework called APNs (Apple Push Notification Service) or GCM (Google Cloud Messaging). The notification server 300 may realize push notification by another framework.
The notification server 300 can also perform rich push notification (rich notification). That is, the notification server 300 can push-notify not only text (message) but also contents including images, voices, moving images, and the like to the terminal device 400.

The terminal device 400 is, for example, a smartphone or the like, and is used by a user who plays a music game. That is, a music game application is installed in the terminal device 400. It is assumed that push notification is permitted in the setting of the music game in the terminal device 400.
Therefore, even if the user is executing another application on the terminal device 400 or the terminal device 400 is in the sleep state, for example, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, push notification is used. , Contents CT1 and CT2 are displayed. The content CT1 includes a game character image CI1 and a message (line) MS1, and the content CT2 includes a game character image CI2 and a message MS2.
As will be described later, the content pushed in this way is a series of content that directs the exchange of conversation between game characters, and is in order at predetermined time intervals (for example, at intervals of 30 seconds to several minutes). Push notifications are provided. Therefore, when a predetermined time elapses after the push notification of the content CT1 of FIG. 2A, the content CT2 of FIG. 2B, which is a continuation of the conversation, is push-notified.
In addition, such a push notification is affected by the environment of the terminal device 400 and the like, and the notification may not actually be performed (the notification is lost in the middle and does not reach the terminal device 400).

(Outline configuration of information processing device)
A typical information processing device 500 in which the game server 200, the notification server 300, and the terminal device 400 according to the embodiment of the present invention are realized will be described.

As shown in FIG. 3, the information processing device 500 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 501, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 502, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 503, a storage device 504, a display device 505, and the like. It includes a communication device 506 and an operation device 507.

The CPU 501 controls the operation of the entire information processing device 500, is connected to each component, and exchanges control signals and data.

An IPL (Initial Program Loader) to be executed immediately after the power is turned on is recorded in the ROM 502, and when this is executed, a predetermined program is read into the RAM 503 and the CPU 501 starts executing the program.

The RAM 503 is for temporarily storing data and programs, and holds programs and data read from the storage device 504, and other data necessary for communication.

The storage device 504 is an SSD (Solid State Drive), a hard disk, or the like, and stores various data. For example, the storage device 504 stores operating system programs, various applications, incidental data, and the like necessary for controlling the operation of the entire information processing device 500.

The display device 505 includes, for example, a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), VRAM (Video Random Access Memory) for storing image information to be displayed on the display device, and image processing for processing the image information. It is composed of parts and parts. The image processing unit generates image information by processing the data read from the storage device 504 and the data processed by the CPU 501 and then storing the data in VRAM.

The communication device 506 performs wireless communication by using a mobile communication network, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network), or the like. The communication device 506 may perform wired communication using a wired LAN or the like.

The operation device 507 is a touch screen, a touch pad, a button, a keyboard, a mouse, or the like, and accepts user operations. The user's operation may be accepted by voice.

Hereinafter, the configuration and the like of the game server 200 realized in the information processing apparatus 500 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6. When the power is turned on to the information processing device 500, a program that functions as the game server 200 is executed, and the game server 200 according to the present embodiment is realized.

(Outline configuration of game server)
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an outline configuration of the game server 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the game server 200 includes a receiving unit 210, a transmitting unit 220, a management unit 230, and a control unit 240, and supports the terminal device 400 to execute a music game.

The receiving unit 210 receives various information sent from the terminal device 400 via the Internet 900.
For example, when the music game is being executed by the terminal device 400, the receiving unit 210 receives various operation information during the game and selection information of items in various menus and the like from the terminal device 400.
The communication device 506 and the like described above can function as such a receiving unit 210.

The transmission unit 220 transmits various information to the terminal device 400 via the Internet 900. In addition, the transmission unit 220 transmits information on the content group described later to the notification server 300, and requests push notification to the terminal device 400.
The communication device 506 and the like described above can function as such a transmission unit 220.

The management unit 230 manages various information necessary for controlling the progress of a music game.
For example, the management unit 230 stores the user management information 231 and the content group 232.

The user management information 231 is information for managing each user (user of each terminal device 400) playing a music game provided by the game server 200, and includes information as shown in FIG. 5 as an example. I'm out.

That is, the user management information 231 includes the user ID 231a, the rank value 231b, the number of stones 231c, the owned character 231d, the owned music 231e, and the like.
The rank value 231b is a value indicating the progress of the music game for that user (user of the terminal device 400). Instead of such a rank value 231b, a level value, an experience value, or the like may be stored.
The number of stones 231c is, for example, the number of stones that can be used for soliciting game characters during a game. The number of stones 231c is an example, and may have another name (for example, a coin or the like).
Further, the owned character 231d is information (character ID) for identifying a game character owned by the user. For example, a character owned by the user is given by the game server 200 by the user making a successful live performance in a music game or by soliciting by consuming stones.
The owned music 231e is music information (music ID) that can be selected by the user in the live performance, and is distributed from the game server 200 according to the progress of the game.

Returning to FIG. 4, the content group 232 is information for managing a series of contents to be push-notified to the terminal device 400, and includes information as shown in FIG. 6 as an example.

That is, the content group 232 includes the content ID 232a, the message (line) 232b, the image URL 232c, the notification date and time 232d, and the like.
The message 232b is a line of the game character displayed when the content is push-notified.
Further, the image URL 232c is a reference destination of the game character image displayed when the content is push-notified.
Further, the notification date and time 232d indicates a schedule for which the content should be push-notified.
The content group 232 may further manage not only such a message 232b and the image URL 232c but also a voice URL for referring to the voice data.
Further, in such a content group 232, the contents may be grouped and managed. That is, a plurality of contents are collectively managed in groups according to a predetermined division. The method of separating the contents (grouping method) is arbitrary. For example, the contents may be divided into groups according to the title, etc., and the contents may be grouped by each group of conversations, and push notifications may be sent on a monthly basis (last month, This month's worth, next month's worth, etc.) may be separated and grouped. In addition to this, the unit of the date and time for push notification (daily unit, several hours) may be separated so that the time difference for push notification is grouped with each other below the standard value. It may be divided into units, etc.), and may be further divided into push-notified content and unnotified content.
In addition, such content group 232 also includes a terminal identifier for identifying the terminal device 400 that receives the push notification, an application identifier for identifying the music game, and the like. To do.
The RAM 503, the storage device 504, and the like described above can function as such a management unit 230.

Returning to FIG. 4, the control unit 240 controls the entire game server 200 and supports the progress of the music game executed by the terminal device 400.
The control unit 240 includes a progress control unit 241, a notification processing unit 242, a distribution processing unit 243, and a browsing processing unit 244.

For example, when a music game is executed by the terminal device 400, the progress control unit 241 controls the progress of the music game.

The notification processing unit 242 push-notifies the contents included in the above-mentioned content group 232 to the terminal device 400 in order according to the schedule (notification date and time 232d in the content group 232 in FIG. 6). Specifically, the notification processing unit 242 requests the above-mentioned notification server 300 for push notification to the terminal device 400 by providing the information of the content group 232.

The distribution processing unit 243 distributes the content group 232 to the terminal device 400 while the music game is being executed by the terminal device 400. The distribution processing unit 243 causes the management unit 230 described above to delete the content group 232 when, for example, the distribution of the content group 232 is completed to all the terminal devices 400 that are the targets of the push notification.
Further, as described above, when the contents are grouped and managed in the content group 232, the distribution processing unit 243 may distribute such the content group 232 to the terminal device 400 in groups. Good. That is, the distribution processing unit 243 divides the content group 232 into group units and distributes the content group 232 to the terminal device 400 instead of collectively distributing the content group 232 to the terminal device 400.

The browsing processing unit 244 uses the content group 232 (more specifically, the content group 432 described later) delivered to the terminal device 400 during the execution of the music game regardless of the success or failure of the push notification in the terminal device 400. , Let the user view the push-notified content in the music game. That is, even if the content is push-notified from the notification server 300 to the terminal device 400, the notification is not actually performed due to the environment of the terminal device 400 or the like (the notification is lost in the middle and the terminal device 400 is lost). It may not reach). Therefore, the browsing processing unit 244 distributes the content group 232 to the terminal device 400 so that the content can be browsed by the terminal device 400.
For example, the browsing processing unit 244 sets the content included in the content 232 group delivered to the terminal device 400 to be viewable only for the content determined to have been push-notified so far based on the schedule.
In addition, the browsing processing unit 244 is next only when the user is browsing the latest content that can be browsed at the present time and the remaining time until the push notification of the next-order content is smaller than the reference value. Content that has been push-notified so far, including content in order, may be set to be viewable.
That is, if the push notification content is not made viewable in a short time, the user may finish the music game and put the terminal device 400 into the sleep state at that timing. In that case, the contents in the next order will be push-notified immediately after the sleep state, and when the user leaves the terminal device 400 or the terminal device 400 is stored in the bag or the like, the push notification is not noticed. The user will miss the content. Further, even if the push notification is noticed, the push notification may be closed if it takes time to take out the terminal device 400 or the like. In this case, it is necessary for the user to open the notification center of the OS to check the push-notified content, or for the user to re-execute the music game.
Therefore, by making it possible to browse the content that is push-notified in a short time, it is possible to prevent such content from being overlooked and to save the user's time and effort required to browse the content again.

In addition to this, the control unit 240 also performs processing such as generating various information necessary for generating a game screen, a notification viewing screen, and the like in the terminal device 400, and sending the information to the terminal device 400 through the transmission unit 220.
The CPU 501 or the like described above can function as such a control unit 240.

The notification server 300 is also realized by the information processing device 500 in the same manner as the game server 200 described above. Since the notification server 300 has a relatively general-purpose configuration rather than a characteristic configuration in the present invention, a detailed description of the configuration will be omitted.

Hereinafter, the configuration and the like of the terminal device 400 realized in the information processing device 500 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 11. When the power is turned on to the information processing device 500, a program for functioning as the terminal device 400 is executed, and the terminal device 400 according to the present embodiment is realized.

(Outline configuration of terminal device)
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an outline configuration of the terminal device 400 according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the terminal device 400 includes an operation reception unit 410, a transmission / reception unit 420, a storage unit 430, a control unit 440, and a display unit 450, and plays a music game while appropriately communicating with the game server 200. proceed.

The operation reception unit 410 receives various operations from the user. For example, the operation reception unit 410 accepts an operation from the user based on the information obtained from the touch screen or the like.
The operation device 507 and the like described above can function as such an operation reception unit 410.

The transmission / reception unit 420 accesses the game server 200 or the like via the Internet 900.
For example, when a music game is executed on the terminal device 400, the transmission / reception unit 420 transmits the operation information received by the operation reception unit 410 and the selection information during the game to the game server 200. Further, when the content group 232 is distributed (transmitted) from the game server 200 (distribution processing unit 243), the transmission / reception unit 420 is controlled by the control unit 440 (download unit 442 described later), and the content group 232 is transferred to the terminal device. Download (that is, receive) at 400.
The communication device 506 and the like described above can function as such a transmission / reception unit 420.

The storage unit 430 stores an application (an application such as a music game) installed in the terminal device 400 and various information for executing the application.
For example, the storage unit 430 stores the game management information 431 and the content group 432.

The game management information 431 is information for managing the progress state and the like of the music game.
For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the game management information 431 includes a user ID 431a, a rank value 431b, a number of stones 431c, an owned character 431d, an owned music 431e, and the like. That is, the same information as the above-mentioned user management information 231 is also managed on the terminal device 400 side.
The information stored in the game management information 431 is appropriately synchronized with the user management information 231 stored on the game server 200 side, as will be described later.

Returning to FIG. 7, the content group 432 is a content group distributed from the game server 200 and downloaded on the terminal device 400 side. That is, the content group 432 has the same content as the content group 232 described above.
The above-mentioned storage device 504 or the like can function as such a storage unit 430.

The control unit 440 controls the entire terminal device 400.
For example, the control unit 440 includes a game progress unit 441, a download unit 442, a local processing unit 443, and a screen generation unit 444.

For example, when a music game is executed by the terminal device 400, the game progress unit 441 advances the music game in response to a user operation or the like received by the operation reception unit 410. At that time, the game progress unit 441 transmits / receives data to / from the game server 200 through the transmission / reception unit 420, and for example, information managed by the game management information 431 and information managed by the user management information 231 ( Synchronize with the corresponding user information).

When the content group 232 is distributed from the game server 200 (distribution processing unit 243), the download unit 442 downloads the content group 232.
As described above, when the content group 232 is divided into groups and distributed, the download unit 442 downloads the content group 232 in group units.

When the music game is being executed in the background on the terminal device 400, the local processing unit 443 uses the downloaded content group 432 to perform local push notification of the content for which the push notification time has come. The local push notification is a push notification that is completed in the terminal device 400 without communication with the notification server 300.
For example, when a user playing a music game executes another application on the terminal device 400, the music game remains executed in the background on the terminal device 400 (the user explicitly indicates the music game). If it is not terminated). In that situation, the local processing unit 443 recognizes that the music game is being executed in the background, and waits for the notification date and time in the content group 432 to arrive. Then, the local processing unit 443 locally pushes the content whose notification date and time has arrived.
That is, when the notification date and time arrives when the music game is being executed in the background, the local processing unit 443 locally pushes the contents CT1 and CT2 as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B described above. Is displayed on the terminal device 400.

The screen generation unit 444 generates various screens in the music game. For example, the screen generation unit 444 generates a menu screen (home screen) MG as shown in FIG. This menu screen MG includes a live button LB, a notification history button NB, and the like.
The live button LB is a button for performing a live performance by a unit of game characters organized by the user. Further, the notification history button NB is a button for viewing the push-notified content.
When the live button LB is pressed on the menu screen MG, the screen generation unit 444 generates, for example, the game screen GG as shown in FIG. In this game screen GG, the rhythm icon RI (target symbol) flows from the note mark NM toward the unit icon UI (character symbol) according to the rhythm of the music to be played. The user is required to tap the unit icon UI at the moment when the rhythm icon RI fits perfectly on the unit icon UI.

Further, when the notification history button NB is pressed on the menu screen MG of FIG. 9, the screen generation unit 444 generates, for example, the history viewing screen HG as shown in FIG. 11A. This history viewing screen HG is a screen for viewing the content pushed and notified to the terminal device 400. As described above, the push notification is affected by the environment of the terminal device 400 and the like, and the notification may not actually be performed (the notification is lost in the middle and does not reach the terminal device 400). Therefore, the screen generation unit 444 generates the history viewing screen HG by using the content group 432 stored in the storage unit 430.
On this history browsing screen HG, the user can arbitrarily select any of the history item HI, and the content corresponding to the selected history item HI is displayed in the browsing area BA. The history item HI is limited to items corresponding to the contents determined to have been push-notified so far based on the content group 432.
For example, as shown in FIG. 11B, when the history item HI1 is selected by the user, the content including the game character image CI1 and the message MS1 is displayed in the viewing area BA. This content is the same as the push-notified content CT1 of FIG. 2A described above. That is, in the viewing area BA, the content including the game character image CI1 and the message MS1 is displayed based on the content group 432.

In addition to this, the control unit 440 appropriately executes various processes necessary for controlling the progress of the music game.
The CPU 501 or the like described above can function as such a control unit 440.

The display unit 450 displays various screens and the like in a music game.
For example, the display unit 450 displays the menu screen MG, the game screen GG, the history viewing screen HG, and the like generated by the screen generation unit 444. In addition to this, the display unit 450 is controlled by the OS of the terminal device 400, and displays the contents CT1, CT2, etc. pushed from the notification server 300 as shown in FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b) described above. ..
The display device 505 and the like described above can function as such a display unit 450.

(Game server operation)
Hereinafter, the operation of the game server 200 and the like having the configuration shown in FIG. 4 will be described with reference to FIG. The game server 200 controls the overall progress of the music game executed by the terminal device 400, and the most characteristic browsing control process among them will be described.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of browsing control processing according to the present embodiment. In this browsing control process, as an example, a case where the music game is not executed on the terminal device 400 as a starting point will be described.

First, the game server 200 gives a push notification to the terminal device 400 (step S11).
That is, the control unit 240 (notification processing unit 242) requests the terminal device 400 for push notification by providing the information of the content group 232 to the notification server 300. As a result, when the notification date and time of a certain content arrives, the notification server 300 push-notifies the content to the terminal device 400.
Therefore, in the terminal device 400, the contents CT1, CT2, etc. pushed from the notification server 300 are displayed, for example, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B described above, in a state where the music game is not executed. Will be. As described above, the push notification is affected by the environment of the terminal device 400 and the like, and the notification may not actually be performed (the notification is lost in the middle and does not reach the terminal device 400).

The game server 200 distributes the content group 232 to the terminal device 400 to the terminal device 400 that executed the music game (step S12).
That is, when the music game is executed on the terminal device 400, the control unit 240 (distribution processing unit 243) distributes the content group 232 to the terminal device 400. Therefore, the terminal device 400 downloads the distributed content group 232 and stores it in the storage unit 430 as the content group 432.
As described above, the control unit 240 may divide the content group 232 into group units and distribute the content group 232 to the terminal device 400. In that case, the terminal device 400 downloads the content group 232 in group units.

Then, the game server 200 controls the progress of the music game (step S13).
That is, the control unit 240 (progress control unit 241) advances the music game according to an operation instruction or the like from the terminal device 400. For example, when the live button LB is pressed by the user while the menu screen MG as shown in FIG. 9 described above is displayed on the terminal device 400, the control unit 240 shifts to the game screen and performs the live. Let the user do it.
Specifically, the control unit 240 shifts to the game screen GG as shown in FIG. 10 described above in the terminal device 400, and the rhythm icon RI that flows in accordance with the rhythm of the music to be played becomes the unit icon UI. At the moment of overlapping, the user is requested to tap the unit icon UI or the like.

The game server 200 determines whether or not the terminal device 400 has requested viewing of the notification history (step S14).
That is, the control unit 240 determines, for example, whether or not the notification history button NB is pressed when the menu screen MG as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the terminal device 400.

When the game server 200 determines that viewing of the notification history is not requested (step S14; No), the game server 200 proceeds to step S20, which will be described later.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the notification history is requested to be viewed (step S14; Yes), the game server 200 sets the content whose notification date and time has arrived to be viewable, and causes the terminal device 400 to transition to the history viewing screen. (Step S15).
That is, the control unit 240, for example, causes the terminal device 400 to transition to the history viewing screen HG as shown in FIG. 11A described above. The history viewing screen HG is a screen for viewing the content pushed to the terminal device 400, and the user can arbitrarily select any one of the history items HI. The history item HI is limited to the items corresponding to the contents determined to have been pushed notified so far.

The game server 200 browses the selected content (step S16).
For example, as shown in FIG. 11B described above, when the history item HI1 is selected by the user, the control unit 240 includes the game character image CI1 and the message MS1 in the viewing area BA of the terminal device 400. Display the content to be displayed.

The game server 200 determines whether or not the latest content is being browsed (step S17).
That is, the control unit 240 determines whether or not the latest content (the latest content at the present time) among the push notifications to the terminal device 400 is being browsed by the user. Specifically, as shown in the history browsing screen HG of FIG. 13A, when the history item HI2 having the latest date and time is selected, the control unit 240 determines that the latest content is being browsed. To do.

When the game server 200 determines that the latest content is not being viewed (step S17; No), the game server 200 proceeds to step S20, which will be described later.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the latest content is being browsed (step S17; Yes), the game server 200 determines whether or not the notification date and time of the next content is near (step S18).
For example, the control unit 240 determines that the notification date and time of the next content is near when the remaining time from the present time until the push notification of the next content is smaller than the reference value (for example, several tens of seconds).

When the game server 200 determines that the notification date and time of the next content is not near (step S18; No), the game server 200 proceeds to the process in step S20 described later.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the notification date and time of the next content is near (step S18; Yes), the game server 200 sets the next content to be viewable (step S19).
For example, by setting the next content to be viewable, the control unit 240 newly adds the history item HI3 to the history item HI as shown in the history viewing screen HG of FIG. 13B, and the history item HI3 Makes selectable.

The game server 200 determines whether or not the music game has ended (step S20). When the game server 200 determines that the music game has not ended (step S20; No), the process returns to step S13 described above. When the content group 232 is divided into group units and distributed to the terminal device 400, the process may be returned to step S12 described above.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the music game has ended (step S20; Yes), the game server 200 ends the browsing control process.

By such browsing control processing, a content group including a series of contents is delivered from the game server 200 to the terminal device 400 separately from the push notification, and this content group is used regardless of the success or failure of the push notification in the terminal device 400. Then, the push-notified content is viewed by the user in the music game (by launching the music game). That is, the user can browse the content that should have been pushed in the music game at any time. Therefore, even in the situation where the push notification of some contents actually fails in the terminal device 400 (the notification is lost in the middle and does not reach the terminal device 400), a series of contents can be browsed without omission. Therefore, for example, it is possible to establish a conversational exchange between game characters and entertain the story to the user.

As a result, the push-notified content can be appropriately browsed.

(Other embodiments)
In the above embodiment, the local processing unit 443 executes the music game in the background (for example, when the user who is playing the music game executes another application on the terminal device 400). The case of local push notification using the content group 432 has been described above, but other than that, local push notification may be performed.
For example, when the music game is being executed in the foreground on the terminal device 400 (that is, the user is playing the music game), the history viewing screen HG described above is not displayed (for example, the menu screen MG). (When is displayed), the local processing unit 443 uses the content group 432 to locally push the content whose notification date and time has arrived. That is, even when the execution of the music game is not in the background, when the history viewing screen HG is not displayed, the local processing unit 443 waits for the arrival of the notification date and time in the content group 432. Then, the local processing unit 443 locally pushes the content whose notification date and time has arrived.
When the game screen GG as shown in FIG. 10 is displayed in the music game running in the foreground (that is, when the user is performing live), the display or operation is hindered. In order to prevent this, the local processing unit 443 may wait without notifying even when the notification date and time arrives, and may, for example, give a local push notification at the timing when the live is finished.
Further, instead of the local push notification by the local processing unit 443, for example, a new arrival badge is displayed on the notification history button NB on the menu screen MG as shown in FIG. 9, and the user is guided to the history viewing screen HG. You may do so.

In the above embodiment, the case where the notification processing unit 242 push-notifies a series of contents for producing a conversation between characters has been described, but the contents of the contents are not limited to such conversations between characters and are appropriately changed. It is possible.
For example, the notification processing unit 242 may push notifications of short moving images and the like constituting a series of stories in order.
Even in this case, the user can browse the contents such as videos in the notification history regardless of the success or failure of the push notification, and can enjoy a series of stories, so that the push-notified contents can be browsed appropriately. ..

In the above embodiment, when the user selects any of the history items HI on the history browsing screen HG as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the corresponding content is displayed in the browsing area BA. As described above, instead of selecting the history item HI individually, a plurality of history item HIs may be collectively selected.
For example, in the history item HI, the contents are grouped and displayed for each title, and when any title is selected by the user, the screen generation unit 444 displays a plurality of contents belonging to the title. Play (display in order) in the viewing area BA.
Further, instead of the user selecting such a title on the history viewing screen HG, for example, when the contents CT1 and CT2 as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B are push-notified, the user performs the content. When a music game is executed by operating (tapping, etc.) CT1 and CT2, the history browsing screen HG may be immediately transitioned to, and a plurality of contents may be played back in the browsing area BA.
That is, when the music game is executed triggered by the push-notified content, the browsing processing unit 244 sequentially plays a series of contents (for example, a plurality of contents belonging to the same title) including the triggered content. .. At that time, the browsing processing unit 244 may change the playback speed according to the success or failure of the push notification (whether the terminal device 400 has been reached or not) in the content to be played back. The success or failure of the push notification refers to, for example, the information stored in the notification center (OS function) of the terminal device 400, and the stored content ID and message and the content group 232 (more specifically, the notification). It is determined by collating with the content ID and the message of the content whose date and time have arrived).
Then, the browsing processing unit 244 fast-forwards and reproduces the content for which the push notification is successful (delivered to the terminal device 400) because it is highly likely that the content has been browsed at that time, while the push notification fails (the push notification fails). Since the content (which did not reach the terminal device 400) has not been browsed, it is played back at a normal speed.
On the contrary, the browsing processing unit 244 may fast-forward and reproduce the content for which the push notification has failed, while reproducing the content for which the push notification has succeeded at a normal speed.

Further, when the music game is executed (started) triggered by the push-notified content, the content playback pattern may be changed according to the user's operation mode for the push-notified content.
For example, in a state where push notifications are made a plurality of times and a plurality of contents are overlapped and displayed on the terminal device 400, the user develops the overlapped contents and then operates one content to execute a music game. If so, the browsing processing unit 244 reproduces from the selected content in the browsing area BA of the history browsing screen HG. On the other hand, when the music game is executed by the user operating the top content without developing the overlapping contents, the browsing processing unit 244 sets a plurality of contents in the browsing area BA of the history browsing screen HG. To play from the beginning.
In this case, the content can be appropriately reproduced according to the user's operation mode for the push-notified content.

In the above embodiment, the case where all the content group 232 as shown in FIG. 6 is distributed from the game server 200 to the terminal device 400 has been described, but even if only a part of the content is distributed to the terminal device 400. Good.
For example, the management unit 230 mainly contains a game character selected by the user in a music game (for example, a game character selected by the user in the initial stage of the music game or a game character selected by the user to organize a unit). The content that appears is extracted from the content group 232 and managed for each user.
Then, the notification processing unit 242 requests the terminal device 400 for push notification by providing the information of the content extracted by the management unit 230 to the notification server 300.
Further, the distribution processing unit 243 distributes the content group 232 to the terminal device 400 while the music game is being executed, with the content extracted by the management unit 230.
In this case, by narrowing down the content to the content that the user is interested in, it is possible to encourage the user to browse the content.

Further, the content in the content group 232 may be processed (changed) according to the progress of the music game, and the processed content may be distributed to the terminal device 400.
For example, the management unit 230 processes the content in the content group 232 for each user according to the progress of the music game.
Then, the notification processing unit 242 requests the terminal device 400 for push notification by providing the notification server 300 with the information of the content processed by the management unit 230.
Further, the distribution processing unit 243 distributes the content group 232 to the terminal device 400 while the music game is executing the content processed by the management unit 230.
In this case, by increasing the variation of the content, it is possible to encourage the user to browse the content.

In the above embodiment, the case where the user browses the content on the history browsing screen HG as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B has been described, but the push notification has failed (the terminal device 400 has not been reached). ) If the content contains a predetermined keyword, the user may be allowed to browse the keyword independently.
For example, the browsing processing unit 244 is a case where the content pushed from the notification server 300 does not reach the terminal device 400, and the content that has not arrived is subject to a predetermined keyword (as an example, an event being held). When the name, etc.) is included in the text information or image information, the keyword is displayed at the timing when the music game is executed or when the menu screen MG as shown in FIG. 9 is displayed. Let the user browse.
In this case, the user can quickly browse the keywords included in the content in which the push notification has failed (the notification was lost in the middle and did not reach the terminal device 400).

In the above embodiment, the case where the content group 232 as shown in FIG. 6 in which the notification date and time for performing the push notification is specified is delivered to the terminal device 400 has been described. However, for example, the viewing deadline information is further added to the content group 232. It may be provided so that the user cannot browse the content indefinitely on the terminal device 400. The viewing deadline may be set for each group in the content group 232.
At that time, the group of contents is not delivered to the terminal device 400 (for example, the music game has not been executed for a while on the terminal device 400), or the viewing deadline is approaching (for example, the rest until the viewing deadline). When the viewing deadline has been exceeded (for example, several days), the distribution processing unit 243 may stop the distribution of the content group and distribute the next content group.
In this case, the amount of data when the content is distributed can be appropriately reduced by stopping the distribution of the content that is not viewed.

In the above embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a music game has been described, but the present invention is not limited to such a music game, and other games such as a simulation game, a battle game, a card game, a puzzle game, a sports game, and the like. The present invention can also be applied to push notifications in various games.
For example, in a romance simulation game in which a game is advanced by a conversation between a game character and a user (player), the same applies to the case of push notification of an utterance from a game character to a user.
Specifically, the game server 200 (notification processing unit 242) push-notifies the utterance (content) from the game character to the terminal device 400. When the user receives an utterance from the game character by push notification, the user performs an action according to the utterance (for example, selection of an item for response, input of voice or message for response, etc.). The game server 200 (progress control unit 241) advances the romance simulation game according to the user's actions. Further, the game server 200 (notification processing unit 242) sends a push notification to the terminal device 400 when the user's action in response to the utterance is not appropriate (for example, when the favorability of the game character is lowered). The progress of the game is changed by stopping for a predetermined time to stop the utterance from the game character or changing the content of the utterance to be notified by push. As an example, the game server 200 provides a terminal device of a content group 232 including a plurality of types of contents according to the user's behavior and contents for which a notification date and time is set according to the user's behavior. Deliver while running at 400. That is, even in the romance simulation game, the user can browse the content that is the utterance from the game character in the notification history, and can perform the action in response to the utterance without omission.
In this case, the fun of the game using the push notification can be further improved.
In this way, even when the present invention is applied to various games, the push-notified content can be appropriately browsed.

In the above embodiment, the case where the game server 200 and the notification server 300 are configured by different server devices has been described, but the game server 200 and the notification server 300 may be combined into one server device. For example, one game server 200 includes the function of the notification server 300 described above.
As a result, by integrating the functions of the notification server 300 into the game server 200, for example, it is possible to provide push notifications specific to the game.

In the above embodiment, the case where a dedicated game server 200 or terminal device 400 is used has been described, but an operation program that defines the operation of such a game server 200 or terminal device 400 is provided in an existing personal computer, information terminal device, or the like. It is also possible to make the personal computer function as a game server 200 or a terminal device 400 by applying the above.

The distribution method of such a program is arbitrary, and for example, a computer-readable CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read-Only Memory), DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), MO (Magneto Optical Disc), memory card, etc. It may be stored in a recording medium and distributed, or may be distributed via a communication network such as the Internet.

(Summary)
The game system according to the first aspect of the present invention is a game system in which a terminal device and a game server communicate with each other to advance a game, and includes a management unit, a notification processing unit, a distribution processing unit, and a browsing processing unit. I have.

The management unit manages a content group including a plurality of contents having a schedule for push notification to the terminal device. The notification processing unit push-notifies the contents included in the content group to the terminal device in order based on the schedule.
The distribution processing unit distributes the content group to the terminal device while the game is being executed on the terminal device (for example, when the game is started, the user is playing the game, etc.). Then, regardless of the success or failure of the push notification in the terminal device (whether it arrived or did not reach the terminal device), the browsing processing unit uses the delivered content group during the execution of the game to display the push-notified content to the user. Let me browse.

That is, when a user starts a game, for example, a content group including a plurality of contents (for example, an image of a game character and a message) is delivered to the terminal device separately from the push notification, and the push notification in the terminal device is performed. Regardless of the success or failure of, this content group is used to allow the user to browse the push-notified content in the game. That is, the user can browse the content that should have been push-notified at any time. Therefore, even in a situation where the push notification of some contents has actually failed in the terminal device (some contents have been lost and did not reach the terminal device), a series of contents can be browsed without omission. Therefore, for example, it is possible to establish a conversational exchange between game characters and entertain the story to the user.
As a result, the push-notified content can be appropriately browsed.

Further, in the above game system, the browsing processing unit may set the content included in the delivered content group to be viewable only for the content determined to have been push-notified so far based on the schedule. Good.
In this case, since the content before the push notification cannot be browsed, the content is not distracted and the content to be pushed notification afterwards is not lost in interest.

Further, in the above game system, the browsing processing unit is when the user is browsing the latest content that can be browsed at the present time, and the remaining time until the push notification of the next content is smaller than the reference value. As long as the content is push-notified so far, including the content in the next order, it may be set to be viewable.
That is, if the push-notified content is not made viewable in a short time, the user may end the game and put the terminal device to sleep at that timing. In that case, the content in the next order will be push-notified immediately after the sleep state, and if the user leaves the terminal device or the terminal device is stored in a bag or the like, the content will not be noticed by the push notification. You will miss it. Further, even if the push notification is noticed, the push notification may be closed if it takes time to take out the terminal device or the like. In this case, it is necessary for the user to open the notification center of the OS to check the push-notified content, or for the user to re-execute the game.
Therefore, by making it possible to browse the content that is push-notified in a short time, it is possible to prevent such content from being overlooked and to save the user's time and effort required to browse the content again.

Further, in the above game system, the notification processing unit requests push notification to the terminal device by providing information on the content group to the notification server that performs the push notification, and the distribution processing unit performs the content in the management unit. After delivering the group to the terminal device, the content group may be deleted.
In this case, the storage amount of the hard disk or the like for managing the content group can be appropriately reduced.

In addition, the above-mentioned game system uses a group of delivered contents when the game is executed in the background on the terminal device, and provides a local processing unit that locally pushes the contents for which the time for push notification has arrived. Further may be provided. That is, when the user playing the game runs another app on the device, the game remains running in the background on the device (if the user does not explicitly terminate the game). ). In that situation, the local processing unit recognizes that the game is running in the background and locally pushes the content whose notification date and time has arrived.
As a result, even if another application is executed on the terminal device and the game is executed in the background, the content can be pushed and notified without omission.

Further, in the above game system, the management unit groups and manages the contents organized according to the content division in the content group, and the distribution processing unit distributes the content group to the terminal device in groups. May be good.
In this case, the delivery time of the content can be dispersed.

Further, in the above game system, the browsing processing unit may change the playback speed according to the success or failure of the push notification when the content is played back in groups.
In this case, for example, the content for which push notification was successful (delivered to the terminal device) is likely to have been viewed at that time, so fast-forward playback is performed, while push notification fails (delivered to the terminal device). Since the content (which was not) has not been viewed, the playback speed can be adjusted as appropriate, such as playing at a normal speed.

Further, in the above game system, when the game is executed on the terminal device when the push-notified content is operated by the user, the browsing processing unit determines the content according to the user's operation mode for the content. You may change the reproduction pattern of.
In this case, for example, in a state where a plurality of push notifications are made and a plurality of contents are overlapped and displayed on the terminal device, the user expands the overlapped contents and then operates one content to play the game. When executed, it plays from the selected content, while playing multiple content from the beginning when the user manipulates the top content to run the game without deploying overlapping content. The content can be appropriately reproduced according to the user's operation mode such as reproduction.

Further, in the above game system, the distribution processing unit sets a viewing deadline for the content group, and the viewing deadline is approaching or the viewing deadline is set without being delivered to the terminal device. If there is an excess content group, the distribution of the content group may be stopped and the other content group may be distributed to the terminal device.
In this case, by stopping the distribution of the content that is not viewed due to the deadline, the amount of data when the content is distributed can be appropriately reduced.

Further, in the above game system, the management unit extracts the content related to the game character selected by the user of the terminal device in the game from the content group, and the notification processing unit pushes the content extracted by the management unit to the terminal device. However, the distribution processing unit may distribute the content extracted by the management unit to the terminal device.
In this case, by narrowing down the content to the content that the user is interested in, it is possible to encourage the user to browse the content.

Further, in the above game system, the management unit processes the content of the content group according to the progress of the game, and the notification processing unit pushes the content processed by the management unit to the terminal device and delivers the distribution processing unit. May distribute the content processed by the management unit to the terminal device.
In this case, by increasing the variation of the content, it is possible to encourage the user to browse the content.

Further, in the above game system, the browsing processing unit is a case where the content pushed by the notification processing unit does not reach the terminal device, and the content that has not arrived has a predetermined keyword (example). As a result, if it is included in the event name, etc.), text information, or image information that is being held, at least the keyword may be browsed by the user at a predetermined timing.
In this case, it is possible to promptly allow the user to browse the keywords contained in the content for which the push notification has failed (the terminal device has not arrived).

Further, the game system further provides a progress control unit that push-notifies the terminal device of the content that is the utterance from the game character to the user and advances the game according to the user's action according to the push-notified content. The notification processing unit may stop the push notification to the terminal device for a predetermined time to stop the utterance from the game character when the user's action is not appropriate.
In this case, the fun of the game using the push notification can be further improved.

The terminal device according to the second aspect of the present invention is a terminal device that communicates with a game server that manages a content group to advance a game, and includes a display unit, a download unit, and a screen generation unit.

That is, the terminal device according to the second aspect can appropriately browse the push-notified content as in the game system according to the first aspect.

The browsing control method according to the third aspect of the present invention is a browsing control method in a server device that communicates with a terminal device to advance a game, and is a management step, a notification processing step, a distribution processing step, and a browsing processing step. It has.

That is, the browsing control method according to the third viewpoint can appropriately browse the push-notified content as in the game system according to the first viewpoint.

The program according to the fourth aspect of the present invention causes a computer in which a terminal device and a game server communicate with each other to advance a game as a management unit, a notification processing unit, a distribution processing unit, and a browsing processing unit.

That is, the program according to the fourth viewpoint can appropriately browse the push-notified content as in the game system according to the first viewpoint.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a game system, a terminal device, a browsing control method, and a program capable of appropriately browsing push-notified contents.

100 Game system 200 Game server 210 Reception unit 220 Transmission unit 230 Management unit 240 Control unit 300 Notification server 400 Terminal device 410 Operation reception unit 420 Transmission / reception unit 430 Storage unit 440 Control unit 450 Display unit 500 Information processing unit 501 CPU
502 ROM
503 RAM
504 Storage device 505 Display device 506 Communication device 507 Operation device 900 Internet

The present invention relates to a game system and a program capable of appropriately viewing push-notified contents.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a game system and a program capable of appropriately viewing push-notified contents.

Claims (16)

A game system in which a terminal device and a game server communicate with each other to advance a game.
A management unit that manages a content group including a plurality of contents having a schedule for push notification to the terminal device, and
A notification processing unit that pushes and notifies the contents included in the contents group to the terminal device in order based on the schedule.
A distribution processing unit that distributes the content group to the terminal device while the game is being executed on the terminal device.
Regardless of the success or failure of the push notification in the terminal device, a browsing processing unit that allows the user to browse the push-notified content by using the delivered content group during the execution of the game.
A game system characterized by being equipped with. The browsing processing unit sets the content included in the delivered content group to be viewable only for the content determined to have been push-notified so far based on the schedule.
The game system according to claim 1, wherein the game system is characterized in that. The browsing processing unit is only in the case where the user is browsing the latest content that can be browsed at the present time and the remaining time until the push notification of the next-order content is smaller than the reference value. Set the content that has been pushed notified so far, including the content, to be viewable,
The game system according to claim 1 or 2. The notification processing unit requests the push notification to the terminal device by providing the information of the content group to the notification server that performs the push notification.
The management unit deletes the content group after the distribution processing unit distributes the content group to the terminal device.
The game system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the game system is characterized by the above. When the game is executed in the background on the terminal device, the content group delivered is further provided with a local processing unit that locally pushes the content for which the time for push notification has arrived.
The game system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the game system is characterized by the above. The management unit groups and manages the contents organized according to the division of the contents in the contents group, and manages the contents.
The distribution processing unit distributes the content group to the terminal device in group units.
The game system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the game system is characterized by the above. When the content is reproduced in groups, the browsing processing unit changes the reproduction speed according to the success or failure of the push notification.
The game system according to claim 6, wherein the game system is characterized in that. When the game is executed on the terminal device when the push-notified content is operated by the user, the browsing processing unit reproduces the content according to the user's operation mode for the content. Change the pattern,
The game system according to claim 6, wherein the game system is characterized in that. The distribution processing unit is approaching the viewing deadline or has exceeded the viewing deadline without being delivered to the terminal device when the viewing deadline is set for the content group. If there is a group of contents, the distribution of the group of the contents is stopped, and the group of other contents is distributed to the terminal device.
The game system according to claim 6, wherein the game system is characterized in that. The management unit extracts content related to the game character selected by the user of the terminal device in the game from the content group.
The notification processing unit pushes and notifies the terminal device of the content extracted by the management unit.
The distribution processing unit distributes the content extracted by the management unit to the terminal device.
The game system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the game system is characterized by the above. The management unit processes the content of the content group according to the progress of the game.
The notification processing unit pushes and notifies the terminal device of the content processed by the management unit.
The distribution processing unit distributes the content processed by the management unit to the terminal device.
The game system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the game system is characterized by the above. In the browsing processing unit, when the content pushed by the notification processing unit does not reach the terminal device, and the content that has not arrived, a predetermined keyword is character information or character information or If it is included in the image information, at least let the user browse the keyword at a predetermined timing.
The game system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the game system is characterized by the above. It is further provided with a progress control unit that push-notifies the content that is the utterance from the game character to the user to the terminal device and advances the game according to the user's action according to the push-notified content.
When the action of the user is not appropriate, the notification processing unit stops the push notification to the terminal device for a predetermined time to stop the utterance from the game character.
The game system according to claim 1, wherein the game system is characterized in that. A terminal device that communicates with a game server that manages content groups to advance the game.
A display unit that displays content pushed from the game server based on the schedule defined in the content group, and
A download unit that downloads the content group from the game server, and
Regardless of the success or failure of the push notification, a screen generator that generates a browsing screen for browsing the content for which the push notification has been sent by using the downloaded content group during the execution of the game, and a screen generator.
A terminal device characterized by comprising. It is a browsing control method in a game server that communicates with a terminal device and advances a game.
A management step for managing a content group including a plurality of contents having a schedule for push notification to the terminal device, and
A notification processing step of sequentially pushing notifications of contents included in the content group to the terminal device based on the schedule, and
A distribution processing step of distributing the content group to the terminal device while the game is being executed on the terminal device.
Regardless of the success or failure of the push notification in the terminal device, a browsing processing step of causing the user to browse the push-notified content by using the delivered content group during the execution of the game.
A browsing control method characterized by comprising. A computer that communicates with the terminal device and advances the game
A management unit that manages a content group including a plurality of contents for which a schedule for push notification should be set to the terminal device.
A notification processing unit that sequentially pushes the contents included in the content group to the terminal device based on the schedule.
A distribution processing unit that distributes the content group to the terminal device while the game is being executed on the terminal device.
A browsing processing unit that allows a user to browse push-notified content using the delivered content group during execution of the game regardless of the success or failure of the push notification in the terminal device.
A program characterized by functioning as.

Images