JP2021119974A - Game system, and control method thereof and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a game system capable of exerting advantages thereof by drawing a user's interest in a play of a game using a matching function.SOLUTION: A game system capable of matching users of game machines 3 for business purposes, and users of user terminal devices 4, when the game is played in a first state where matching is executed such that the users of the game machines 3 and the users of the user terminal devices 4 are included in a user group Gu, the game system provides a privilege to at least partial user included in the user group Gu, and when the game is played in a second state where the matching is executed such that only one users alone out of the users of the game machines 3 and the users of the user terminal devices 4 are included in the user group Gu, controls assignment of the privilege according to a matching state so as to restrict the assignment of the privilege.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

The present invention relates to a game system having a function of matching users of a plurality of game devices to play a game together.

As a game system that matches each user of a plurality of game devices to play a game together, matching between a user of a business game machine and a user of a PC (abbreviation of personal computer) as a user terminal device is performed. A game system that has made it possible is known (see Non-Patent Document 1).

QUIZ JAPAN, "Online battles are possible even on PC!" Quiz Magic Academy "Konaste version is now available!", November 1, 2018, Seven Days War Co., Ltd., [Search on January 30, 2nd year of Reiwa] , Internet (URL: https://quizja pan.com/2018/11/01/post-5291/)

The above-mentioned game system can increase the chances of users participating in the game as compared with the case of matching users of commercial game machines having a limited number of installation locations and installations, and is for commercial use. It is expected that the operating rate of the game machine will be improved, and various advantages such as the effect of guiding the user between the game machine for business use and the user terminal device can be obtained.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a game system or the like capable of attracting a user's interest in playing a game using the above-mentioned matching function and exerting its advantages.

The game system according to one aspect of the present invention is a game system including a plurality of game devices capable of communicating via a network, and the game device is provided with a business game machine and a user terminal device. Then, matching is executed so that the users of the game device are matched with each other as a group of users who play the game together, and the user of the game machine and the user of the user terminal device are included in the user group. When the game is played in the first state, at least a part of the users included in the user group is given a privilege, and either the user of the game machine or the user of the user terminal device is used. When the game is played in the second state in which matching is executed so that only is included in the user group, the awarding of the privilege is limited as compared with the first state. It is provided with a privilege control means for controlling the granting of the privilege to the user according to the matching state.

The game system control method according to one aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of game devices capable of communicating via a network, and the game device is provided with a business game machine and a user terminal device. A control method applied to the system, in which a matching procedure for matching users of the game device as a group of users who play a game together, and a user of the game machine and a user of the user terminal device are the user group. When the game is played in the first state in which matching is executed so as to be included in, a privilege is given to at least a part of the users included in the user group, and the user of the game machine or the user terminal When the game is played in the second state in which matching is executed so that only one of the users of the device is included in the user group, the privilege is compared with the first state. It includes a privilege control procedure for controlling the grant of the privilege to the user according to the matching state so that the grant is restricted.

The computer program of the game system according to one aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of game devices capable of communicating via a network, and the game device is provided with a business game machine and a user terminal device. A computer program applied to the system, which is a matching means for matching a computer included in the game system with users of the game device as a group of users who play a game together, and a user of the game machine and the user of the game machine. When the game is played in the first state in which matching is executed so that the user of the user terminal device is included in the user group, a privilege is given to at least a part of the users included in the user group. When the game is played in the second state in which matching is executed so that only one of the user of the game machine or the user of the user terminal device is included in the user group, the first It is configured to function as a privilege control means for controlling the grant of the privilege to the user according to the matching state so that the grant of the privilege is restricted as compared with the state of.

The figure which shows an example of the whole structure of the game system which concerns on one form of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the game machine. The figure which shows an example of the game image displayed on a game machine. The figure which shows the outline of the mechanism of privilege granting in 1st form. The block diagram which shows an example of the structure of the control system of a game system. The flowchart which shows an example of the procedure of the matching process executed by the matching control part of a server in the 1st form. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure of matching candidate selection processing when the matching control unit of the server processes matching in consideration of position information in the first embodiment. The flowchart which shows an example of the procedure of the privilege grant processing executed by the privilege control part of a server in the 1st form. The figure which shows the outline of the mechanism of privilege granting in 2nd form. The flowchart which shows an example of the procedure of the reference information recording process executed by the privilege control part of a server in the 2nd form. The flowchart which shows an example of the procedure of the privilege grant processing executed by the privilege control part of a server in the 2nd form.

(First form)
First, the overall configuration of the game system according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the game system 1 includes a server 2, a plurality of game machines 3 capable of functioning as clients of the server 2, and a user terminal device 4. The server 2 may be configured as one physical server using a single computer device, or may be configured as a logical server in which a plurality of computer devices are combined.

The game machine 3 is provided as a business-use game machine that allows a user to play a game in exchange for payment of a fee or provides a service related to the game to the user. The game machine 3 is installed in a store 6 as an example of a facility in which a business using the game machine 3 is run. Although two stores 6 are shown in FIG. 1, there are actually a large number of stores 6. The game machine 3 is not limited to a commercial facility such as a store 6, but may be installed in a public facility or other various facilities where the game machine 3 can be used. At least one game machine 3 is installed in each store 6. The game machine 3 is configured to allow the user to play a predetermined music game. However, the content of the game provided by the game machine 3 may be appropriate. For example, a dance game, a board game such as mahjong, and various other games may be provided by the game machine 3. It should be noted that the game machine for business use is not limited to the type in which the user is charged a play fee each time the game is played. Game machines that receive comprehensive fees from users in the form of admission fees and membership fees and are used to freely play games within a predetermined range in exchange for them are also included in the category of commercial game machines.

The user terminal device 4 is, for example, a portable information communication terminal device such as a smartphone. However, a portable terminal device such as a mobile PC or tablet may be used as the user terminal device 4. Further, a stationary PC or the like may be used as the user terminal device 4. The user terminal device 4 can be made to play a game by a user by implementing an application program for a game. As a result, each of the game machine 3 and the user terminal device 4 functions as a game device.

The server 2, the game machine 3, and the user terminal device 4 can communicate with each other via the network 7. The network 7 includes a LAN 7a for each store 6 configured to accommodate the game machine 3 in the same store 6, and a WAN 7b for connecting the LAN 7a and the server 2. WAN7b is, for example, the Internet. The LAN 7a is connected to the WAN 7b via a router 7c installed in each store 6. The server 2 may also be connected to the WAN 7b with an appropriate configuration. The user terminal device 4 may be connected to the network 7 via an appropriate access point 7d. As for the connection of the user terminal device 4 to the network 7, a wireless connection or a wired connection may be appropriately used depending on the type of the user terminal device 4.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a specific configuration of the game machine 3. The game machine 3 includes a housing 10, and the housing 10 further includes a base portion 11 placed on the floor surface FL and a main body portion 12 provided on the base portion 11. The main body portion 12 is provided with a console portion 13 configured as a box-shaped structure having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The console portion 13 is provided so that the entire console portion 13 is tilted diagonally to the left when the housing 10 is viewed from the front side (state in FIG. 2). A display device 15 and an operation device 16 are provided on the upper surface side of the console unit 13. The display device 15 is, for example, a flat panel display. The operating device 16 is provided so as to overlap a part of the display surface 15a of the display device 15. The operation device 16 is provided with a plurality of operation buttons 16a that output operation signals corresponding to the push operation. The operation button 16a has transparency, and it is possible to visually recognize an image of the display surface 15a of the display device 15 behind the operation button 16a via the operation button 16a. At appropriate positions in the housing 10, a speaker device 18 that reproduces and outputs music or outputs sounds for various effects, and an illumination device 19 that emits light so as to produce a game are further provided.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a game image 100 displayed on the display surface 15a of the display device 15 when playing a music game. The game image 100 displays an operation instruction image 101 that guides the time (hereinafter, may be referred to as an operation time) when the operation button 16a should be pressed down. The operation time is predetermined, for example, according to the music selected in the game. The control device of the game machine 3 determines whether or not the operation button 16a is pressed down according to the operation timing instructed by the operation instruction image 101, and the user's play is evaluated based on the determination result. ..

In the user terminal device 4, various games can be played by the user by implementing an appropriate application program for the game. In this embodiment, in order to match the user of the game machine 3 with the user of the user terminal device 4 and play the music game together, the same music game as the music game provided by the game machine 3 is played. The application program is implemented in the user terminal device 4. The music game displays a game image similar to the game image 100 shown in FIG. 3, and the user's operation and its evaluation are also controlled in the same manner as the game machine 3.

The environment for executing the game program differs between the game machine 3 and the user terminal device 4. For example, the processing power of a computer is different, and the configuration of a game input device is also different. And, due to these differences, advantages and disadvantages may occur in terms of game play. Therefore, when the user of the game machine 3 and the user of the user terminal device 4 are matched to play the game, the game machine performs a process of absorbing the difference in the environment and ensuring the fairness between the users. 3 or at least one of the user terminal devices 4 may be performed. For example, when the user of the user terminal device 4 is in a relatively disadvantageous state and it is difficult to obtain a high score, the standard for calculating the score of the game on the user terminal device 4 side is relaxed, or the standard is relaxed on the game machine 3 side. The fairness between both users may be ensured by making adjustments such as tightening the rules.

Next, with reference to FIG. 4, the outline of the matching mechanism in the game system 1 and the mechanism of granting the privilege related thereto will be described. In FIG. 4, the user of the game machine 3 is shown by hatching, and the user of the user terminal device 4 is shown by white. Further, in FIG. 4, two game machines 3 and two user terminal devices 4 are drawn, but in reality, there are a large number of game machines 3 and user terminal devices 4.

In the game system 1, the server 2 receives matching requests from the game machine 3 and the user terminal device 4, and in response to those requests, matches a group of users who should play the game together. In the matching, the server 2 attempts to match the user without exclusively handling the request from the game machine 3 and the request from the user terminal device 4. Therefore, depending on the situation at the time of the matching request, with respect to the matched user group Gu, the first state including the user of the game machine 3 and the user of the user terminal device 4 and those users are not mixed, and the game machine 3 A second state occurs in which only one of the users of the user or the user of the user terminal device 4 is included in the user group Gu. Then, when the game is played in the first state, the privilege X is given to at least a part of the users included in the user group Gu. In the following, the play of the game performed in the first state is referred to as cross-play, and the play of the game performed in the second state is referred to as non-cross-play to distinguish those play modes.

The privilege X can be given in various forms as long as it brings some benefit to the user. For example, an exchange value such as points that can be used as at least a part of the consideration for playing a game or receiving a service related to the game may be given as a privilege X. Alternatively, objects such as items and characters that can be used in the game may be given as privilege X. Further, a physical prize may be given as a privilege X. Benefit X may be given in association with game play. For example, when the game is played in the first state, the privilege X may be given in such a manner that a song that cannot be selected in the second state can be played. Alternatively, the privilege X may be given in the form of making it easier to obtain a high score or lengthening the play time with respect to the game.

On the other hand, in the case of non-cross play in which the game is played in the second state, the granting of benefits is restricted as compared with the first state. For example, when the game is played in the second state, the user may be given a privilege Y having a value smaller than that of the privilege X. The privilege Y may be of the same type as the privilege X or may be different from the privilege X as long as the value is lower than the privilege X. The value of the privilege Y may be 0, that is, the privilege may not be given. In this way, by differentiating the benefits between the first state and the second state, it is possible to attract the user's interest in cross-play and encourage its use.

The magnitude of the value of the privilege X and Y may be determined by the magnitude of the numerical value when the privilege is given as a quantified value. When the privilege is not given in a quantitative manner, the value may be quantified according to a predetermined standard to determine the magnitude. For example, when an item or the like is given as a privilege, it is possible to quantify the value of the item and evaluate its magnitude based on various parameters indicating the value of the item in the game or the appearance probability of the item. be. Alternatively, the magnitude of the value of the privilege may be evaluated based on the size of the number of items as the privilege. Further, when the control of the game is changed so that a high score can be obtained when the game is played in the first state, the magnitude of the value of the privilege may be evaluated based on the degree of increase in the score. When the game play time is added as a privilege, the value of the privilege may be evaluated based on the length of the added time.

The privilege X may be uniformly given to all the users included in the user group Gu in the first state. Alternatively, the privilege X may be differentiated among the users of the user group Gu. For example, the privilege X is differentiated such that the value of the privilege X is relatively large for the user of the game machine 3 included in the user group Gu, and the value of the privilege X is relatively small for the user of the user terminal device 4. It may be converted. More specifically, the privilege X may be differentiated, such that two items are given to the user of the game machine 3 and one item is given to the user of the user terminal device 4 as the privilege X. Alternatively, the privilege X may be given to the user of the game machine 3, and the privilege may not be given to the user of the user terminal device 4. That is, even when cross-play is performed, the privilege X may be given only to the user of the game machine 3. In this way, if the user of the game machine 3 is given preferential treatment with respect to the granting of the privilege X, the user can be motivated to play the game on the game machine 3. If the user of the game machine 3 is given preferential treatment in terms of benefits, the effect of inducing the user playing the game on the user terminal device 4 to play on the game machine 3 can be expected.

Further, the target person who grants the privilege X in cross-play may be limited to the user who has played the game so as to satisfy a predetermined condition such as winning the cross-play. Alternatively, the privilege X may be differentiated according to the game result so that the higher the result obtained in the game, the greater the value of the privilege X. A lottery may be held for the target person to whom the privilege X is given, or the users are ranked according to the frequency of play on the game machine 3 with reference to the past play history, etc., and the higher the frequency, the more valuable the user. You may be able to get a big privilege X. In any case, the target person to be granted the privilege X can be appropriately set. Further, when the privilege X is differentiated among the users to be granted, the privilege X may be determined by lottery from a plurality of options having different values.

When the privilege X in cross-play is differentiated among users, and when some privilege Y is given to the user even in non-cross-play, the magnitude relationship between the values of the privilege X and Y may be set according to an appropriate standard. .. For example, the average value of the privilege X may be set to be larger than the average value of the privilege Y, or the total value of the privilege X may be larger than the total value of the privilege Y. It may be set to be. Instead of the average value and the total value, values such as the expected value, the median value, and the mode value may be used as values representing the values of the benefits X and Y. Alternatively, the benefits X and Y may be set so that the minimum value of the privilege X given during cross-play is equal to or greater than the maximum value of the privilege Y given during non-cross-play. In any case, when cross-play is performed, the privilege X, which is more valuable than the non-cross-play time, is given to at least a part of the users of the user group Gu. By adjusting Y, it is possible to arouse the user's interest in cross-play.

The privilege X may be given at an appropriate time after the user group Gu is confirmed by matching. For example, the privilege X may be given at the timing when the matching is confirmed and the cross-play is started, during the cross-play play, or at the timing when the cross-play ends. However, in the case of expanding the range of songs that can be selected in cross-play, it is necessary to give the privilege X at least at the stage of selecting songs before the start of play. If it is easy to get a high score in the case of cross-play, it is necessary that the privilege X is set at the start of play. On the other hand, when selecting a target person to give the privilege X based on the result of the cross play, it is necessary to give the privilege X after the end of the cross play. In this way, the time for granting the privilege X may be set at an appropriate time after the user group Gu is determined in the first state in principle, but the grant of the privilege X is specific depending on the content of the privilege X. It may be limited in time. In addition, when the privilege Y is given in non-cross play, the timing may be the same as above.

Next, an example of the configuration of the control system of the game system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. In the following, a case where both user matching and control regarding granting of benefits are performed by the server 2 will be described as an example. As shown in FIG. 5, the server 2 is provided with a game service management unit 21 as a logical device realized by a combination of the computer hardware and the server program PG as software. The game service management unit 21 provides various services related to the game to the game machine 3 and the user terminal device 4. The game service management unit 21 is provided with a matching control unit 22 and a privilege control unit 23 as further logical devices. The matching control unit 22 is in charge of matching users with each other in response to matching requests from the game machine 3 and the user terminal device 4. The privilege control unit 23 is in charge of processing to grant a privilege according to the matching state. The server program PG is provided in a state of being recorded in an appropriate storage medium, and may be installed in a storage device (not shown) of the server 2.

A play database DB1, a user database DB2, a store database DB3, and a game machine database DB4 are connected to the server 2 as databases for reading and writing various information. In addition to these databases DB1 to DB4, appropriate databases may be connected to the server 2 so as to be accessible, but their illustrations are omitted. The play database DB1 is a database for managing play data that records play states such as a user's play result and a game progress state. The play data is stored in the play database DB1 in association with the user ID as an example of the user identification information and the game identification information, for example, the game title. The game title is a title uniquely given to each game in order to distinguish the differences between the games. The user database DB is a database for managing users. As an example, the user database DB 2 stores user data in which various information about a user is recorded in association with a user ID in association with the user ID. As an example, personal information such as a user's name and contact information, or information on attributes such as a user's gender and age group is recorded in the user data.

The store database DB 3 is a database for managing the store 6 in which the game machine 3 is installed. As an example, the store database DB 3 records the name (corporate name, etc.), location, identification number of the installed router 7c, game machine 3, etc. of the operating entity of the store 6, that is, the entity that operates the business by the game machine 3. The stored store data is stored in association with a unique store identification number for each store 6. For the identification number of the router 7c, for example, an IP address, a MAC address, or the like fixedly set for the router 7c may be used. The game machine database DB 4 is a database for managing the game machine 3. In the game machine database DB4, for example, in order to determine the state of the game machine 3 such as the title of the game provided by the game machine 3, the version of the game program implemented in the game machine 3, and the update date of the game program. Game machine data that records various necessary information is stored in association with unique game machine identification information for each game machine 3.

On the other hand, the game machine 3 is provided with a game control unit 31 as a logical device realized by a combination of the computer hardware and a computer program (not shown) as software. The game control unit 31 executes various processes necessary for the user to play the game in cooperation with the server 2. The game control unit 31 may be configured in the same manner as various known arcade game machines, and details thereof will be omitted. The user terminal device 4 is also provided with a game control unit 41 as a logical device realized by a combination of computer hardware and a computer program (not shown) as software. The game control unit 41 executes various processes necessary for the user terminal device 4 to function as a kind of game device in cooperation with the server 2. The details of the game control unit 41 may be the same as, for example, a logical device based on an application program for making a smartphone function as a game device, and the details thereof will be omitted.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, an example of a process in which the server 2 executes matching and controls the granting of benefits according to the matching state will be described. In the following, it is assumed that the music game of the same title is executed on the game machine 3 and the user terminal device 4.

FIG. 6 shows an example of the matching process executed by the matching control unit 22 of the server 2. The matching control unit 22 starts the matching process of FIG. 6 when matching is requested from either the game machine 3 or the user terminal device 4 in a state where the process of FIG. 6 is not executed. In the matching process, the matching control unit 22 first acquires a matching request from the game machine 3 and the user terminal device 4 (step S101). This process may be continued until the necessary degree of matching request for selection of matching candidates is obtained. For example, a matching request may be acquired for a predetermined period from the matching request that triggered the start of the process of FIG. Further, in the matching request, information necessary for determining the suitability of matching may be appropriately acquired from the game machine 3 and the user terminal device 4. For example, the user ID of the user who desires matching, the store identification information for identifying the game machine 3, the game machine identification information, the IP address for identifying the user terminal device 4, and the like may be acquired. Further, as a matching condition in the music game, when the user is matched only when the music selected by the user matches, the information for determining the music selected by each user is added to the server 2 together with the matching request. May be provided to. However, matching between different songs may be possible.

Next, the matching control unit 22 determines whether or not the user of the game machine 3 is included in the users requesting matching based on the matching request acquired in step S101 (step S102). When a user of the game machine 3 is included, the matching control unit 22 determines one user of the game machine 3 as a reference user (step S103), and sets matching candidates corresponding to the reference user in steps. Select from the users corresponding to the matching request acquired in S101 (step S104). The selection may be processed such as extracting users who satisfy a predetermined matching condition with respect to the reference user. For example, only users whose game level is within a predetermined tolerance with respect to the level of the reference user may be selected as matching candidates. The level of the user may be determined based on the play data corresponding to the user ID acquired at the time of the matching request. If matching of songs is a matching condition, only a user who has selected the same song as the reference user may be selected as a matching candidate. In any case, appropriate information may be acquired from each of the game machine 3 and the user terminal device 4 in light of the matching conditions in accordance with the matching request.

When the matching candidate is selected, the matching control unit 22 notifies the game machine 3 of the reference user of the selected matching candidate (step S105). In this case, the name of the user selected as the matching candidate, the level of the game, and the like may be appropriately acquired from the play database DB1 or the user database DB2 and notified. Further, information for identifying whether the matching candidate user is a user of the game machine 3 or a user of the user terminal device 4 may also be notified. Whether the user is the user of the game machine 3 or the user of the user terminal device 4 can be determined based on the information included in the matching request acquired in step S101. For example, it may be determined whether the matching request is from the game machine 3 or the user terminal device 4 based on the source information of the matching request. In this case, the matching request from the game machine 3 can be specified by using, for example, the store identification information described in the store database DB3. Alternatively, it is implemented in each of the game machine 3 and the user terminal device 4 so that the server 2 is notified of the identification code for determining whether the matching request is from the game machine 3 or the user terminal device 4. The program may be configured.

Upon receiving the notification in step S105, the game control unit 31 of the game machine 3 starts the matching instruction process, acquires matching candidates based on the notification from the server 2 (step S201), and sends the obtained matching candidates to the user. It is presented and the user is made to select a matching partner (step S202). In this case, as information as a guide for selecting a matching partner, user information such as a user's name and level and information indicating whether the matching candidate user is a user of the game machine 3 or the user terminal device 4 May be presented to the reference user.

When the reference user specifies a matching partner, the game control unit 31 of the game machine 3 instructs the server 2 to match the matching partner selected by the user (step S203), and then ends the matching instruction process. Upon receiving the instruction in step S203, the matching control unit 22 of the server 2 acquires the instruction content (step S106), determines a user to be matched with the reference user based on the obtained instruction, and determines the user group Gu. Is confirmed (step S107). After that, the matching control unit 22 notifies the game machine 3 and the user terminal device 4 of all the users included in the user group Gu determined in step S107 of the matching result (step S108). After that, the matching control unit 22 finishes the process of FIG. Upon receiving the notification in step S108, the control units 31 and 41 of the game machine 3 and the user terminal device 4 start a process for causing the user to play the same game while cooperating with the server 2. However, if the matching partner selected by the reference user in step S202 does not include the user of the user terminal device 4, the matching partner in step S107 is only the user of the game machine 3, and in step S108, the matching result is only for the game machine 3. Is notified and the game control unit 31 of the game machine 3 starts the processing necessary for playing the game.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S102 that the user of the game machine 3 is not included, the matching control unit 22 skips the processes of steps S103 to S106 and proceeds to the process of step S107. In this case, the matching control unit 22 may match the users of the user terminal device 4 with each other according to a predetermined procedure. In this case as well, the matching candidate may be presented to the user of any one of the user terminal devices 4 to select the matching partner.

According to the above procedure, when the matching candidate includes the user of the game machine 3, the user of any one of the game machines 3 is determined as the reference user, and the matching partner is determined based on the instruction of the reference user. It is determined. Therefore, the right to decide whether or not to select cross-play is given to the user of the game machine 3, and the user can be given the motivation to play the game on the game machine 3.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a procedure for selecting a matching candidate in consideration of the distance between users as a specific example of step S104 in the matching process described above. In the process of FIG. 7, the matching control unit 22 acquires position information regarding each of the game machine 3 and the user terminal device 4 requesting matching (step S121). Regarding the position information of the game machine 3, for example, identification information is acquired from the router 7c, the location of the store 6 corresponding to the obtained identification information is determined from the store database DB3, and the determined location is the position information of the game machine 3. May be specified as. Regarding the user terminal device 4, for example, when a matching request is made, the user is inquired as to whether or not the position information acquired by the GPS or the like of the user terminal device 4 may be provided, and when the user's approval is obtained, the server is used. It may be provided in 2.

However, the acquisition of the position information is not limited to the timing of step S121 in FIG. For example, regarding the position information of the game machine 3, the router 7c transmits the identification information at the time of the matching request or at a stage before that, and the position information of the game machine 3 is acquired in advance based on the identification information. May be good. Regarding the user terminal device 4, the position information may be acquired by the server 2 at the time of the matching request or at a stage before that. For example, the position information may be acquired at the stage when the application program of the game is started on the user terminal device 4. The user of the user terminal device 4 may be made to set one or a plurality of positions in advance, and the user may be made to select a position when a matching request is made, and the server 2 may acquire the information of the selected position.

After acquiring the position information, the matching control unit 22 determines the reference user and other users based on the position information of the reference user's game machine 3 and the position information of the other users' game machines 3 and the user terminal device 4. The distance to the user is determined (step S122). Next, the matching control unit 22 selects a predetermined number of users as matching candidates in order from the user closest to the reference user (step S123). After that, the matching control unit 22 finishes the process of FIG. 7 and proceeds to the process of step S105 of FIG.

According to the process of FIG. 7, a user close to the reference user is selected as a matching candidate with priority over a user far away. Therefore, for example, when another user who is watching the play of the user of the game machine 3 in the store 6 wants to play with the user of the game machine 3, the user of the game machine 3 and the user terminal device 4 If matching is requested from each of the users, the possibility that those users will be matched increases. As a result, the number of game machines 3 in the store 6 is not limited, and the chances of playing games together at the same place can be increased to enhance the interest of cross-play. Alternatively, there is an increased possibility that a user located in the vicinity of the store 6 in which the game machine 3 is installed will be matched with the user of the game machine 3 in the store 6. That is, there is a high possibility that the store 6 is located near the user who has experienced cross-play on the user terminal device 4. As a result, the effect of inducing the user of the user terminal device 4 to play the game by the game machine 3 can be enhanced.

FIG. 8 shows an example of the procedure of the privilege granting process executed by the privilege control unit 23 in order to control the privilege according to the matching state. The process of FIG. 8 is executed, for example, when the play of the game in which a plurality of users are matched is completed. When the process of FIG. 8 is started, the privilege control unit 23 first acquires the game play result from the matched user's game machine 3 and user terminal device 4 (step S141). However, in the case of non-cross-play in which only one of the users of the game machine 3 or the user terminal device 4 is matched, only one of the game machine 3 or the user terminal device 4 is the target for acquiring the play result. Become.

After acquiring the play result, the privilege control unit 23 determines whether or not the game has been played as cross-play, in other words, whether or not the user has been matched in the first state and the game has been played (step S142). .. The determination may be made by referring to the result of the matching process of FIG. 6 as an example. In the case of cross-play, the privilege control unit 23 determines a user to be granted the privilege (step S143). As described with reference to FIG. 4, the target person may be all users who have played the game, some users, for example, users of the game machine 3, users who satisfy certain conditions in the game, and the like. It may be limited to.

When the target person is determined, the privilege control unit 23 grants the target person a privilege (step S144). For example, a privilege may be given by a method such as adding points to the play data of the target user. After that, the privilege control unit 23 notifies each user of the game machine 3 and the user terminal device 4 that the privilege has been granted (step S145). When the notification in step S145 is completed, the privilege control unit 23 finishes the privilege granting process of FIG. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S142 that it is non-cross-play, the privilege control unit 23 skips the processes of steps S143 to S145 and ends the process of FIG.

In the process of FIG. 8, it is assumed that the privilege is not given in the case of non-cross play, but even in that case, some privilege may be given to the user. This point is as described in FIG. The process of FIG. 8 is an example in which a privilege is given when the play of the game is completed. If the matching is confirmed and the privilege is given before the game starts to be played, or during the game play, the process of FIG. 8 may be executed at those times.

In the above embodiment, the matching control unit 22 functions as an example of the matching means by executing the processes of FIGS. 6 and 7, and the privilege control unit 23 executes the process of FIG. 8 to serve as an example of the privilege control means. Functions as.

(Second form)
Next, the game system of the second form will be described. The second form is a modification of the control related to the granting of benefits from the first form, and the overall configuration of FIG. 1 and the configuration of the control system of FIG. 5 are common to the second form. Therefore, the differences will be mainly described below.

FIG. 9 shows an outline of privilege granting in the second embodiment. The point that the server 2 matches the user based on the matching request from each of the game machine 3 and the user terminal device 4 is the same as the first embodiment. When the users are matched in the first state and the game is played as cross-play, reference information is generated for at least some of the users included in the matched user group Gu. .. In FIG. 9, the user of the user terminal device 4 is illustrated as the target person, but the target person may be limited to the user of the user terminal device 4, or the user of the game machine 3 may be selected as the target person. All users included in the user group Gu may be the target person. Further, the target person may be limited to users who have achieved a predetermined result in the game. In short, the target person may be appropriately set in the same manner as the target person for granting the privilege in the first embodiment.

The reference information is information that should be referred to regarding the granting of benefits, and is included in, for example, the play date and time when the cross-play was performed and the user group Gu at the time of the cross-play as information for determining the content of the cross-play. Information on the attributes of the game machine 3 in which the user (not limited to the target person) has played the game is included. As an example, the attribute information of the game machine 3 may include identification information for discriminating the store 6 in which the game machine 3 is installed. The reference information is recorded in the play data associated with the user ID of the target person of the recording and stored in the play database DB1.

When the target user meets a predetermined application condition at another play opportunity after cross-play, the privilege is given to the user. Whether or not the application condition is satisfied is determined based on the reference information recorded in association with the user. Applicable conditions can be set as appropriate. For example, the applicable conditions may be set so as not to be satisfied unless the target user plays on the game machine 3 at another play opportunity. Further, application conditions may be set so as not to be satisfied unless the target user plays the game by cross-play on the game machine 3. Alternatively, applicable conditions may be set so that they are not satisfied unless the game is played within a predetermined effective range.

The effective range is set as, for example, the range of the game machine 3 of the same store 6 corresponding to the identification information of the store 6 recorded in the reference information, or the range of the game machine 3 of the store 6 which is affiliated with the store 6. May be done. In that case, whether or not it is within the effective range can be determined based on the identification information of the store 6 included in the reference information. Based on the identification information of the store 6 and the store database DB3, the affiliated store 6 can determine, for example, specify the range of the store 6 in which the operating entity matches, and consider the range as the affiliated store 6. However, even if the operating entity is different, the effective range may be set according to an appropriate standard in association with the operating entity of the store 6, such as treating a range having a certain capital relationship as an affiliated store 6. When setting the effective range in association with the operating entity of the store 6, it is necessary to record the information necessary for determining whether or not it is within the effective range in the reference information.

An expiration date may be set as the effective range. In that case, it may be determined whether or not it is within the expiration date based on the play date and time included in the reference information. Alternatively, when the reference information is recorded, the reference information is generated in place of the play date and time, or in addition to include information indicating the expiration date, and the applicable condition depends on whether or not the date and time of the other play opportunity is within the expiration date. May be determined whether or not is satisfied.

Further, the effective range may be set in association with the game provided by the game machine 3. For example, the scope may be set so that it is limited to games with the same title as the game in which cross-play is performed, or the range of game titles having a certain relationship with the title of the game in which cross-play is performed. For example, the range of titles recognized by the user as the same series or the like may be set as an effective range. Further, the effective range may be set regardless of the title of the game in which the cross-play is performed. For example, when it is desired to guide the user to a game with a specific title such as a new title, the range of the title to be guided may be set as an effective range. Further, the effective range may be set by the operating entity of the store 6 accessing the server 2 from an appropriate terminal device.

The above-mentioned effective range setting examples can be combined as appropriate. For example, the range of the game machine 3 associated with the operating entity of the store 6 and the expiration date may be set as the valid range. In addition to them, a range associated with the title of the game may be set.

As in the first mode, the privilege may be granted by recording points or the like as a privilege in the play data associated with the user ID of the user, for example. Similar to the privilege X in the first embodiment, the privilege given when the applicable conditions are satisfied is set as having a greater value than the privilege when the game is played by non-cross play. Reference information may not be generated during non-cross-play, which may result in no perks being granted to the user during non-cross-play. However, even in the case of non-cross-play, if the reference information is recorded so as to include information indicating that the game was played in non-cross-play, and it is judged as non-cross-play by determining the success or failure of the applicable conditions. May be excluded from the target of privilege grant.

When controlling the privilege grant as described above, it is possible to attract the user's interest to cross-play and encourage its use as in the first mode. Moreover, if at least a part of the users who have played the game matched in the first state subsequently play the game so as to satisfy the applicable conditions, the user is given a privilege. Therefore, the matching function for realizing cross-play can also function as a means for encouraging the play of the game at another play opportunity thereafter. By adjusting the application conditions, it is possible to appropriately set the guidance destination of the user who has played the game in cross-play.

When the target person for recording the reference information includes the user of the user terminal device 4 and the applicable conditions are set so as not to be satisfied unless the game is played by the game machine 3 at another play opportunity, the user of the user terminal device 4 It is possible to give a motivation to play a game on the game machine 3 and enhance the effect of guiding those users to the store 6. In this case, as further illustrated in FIG. 7, when the matching is controlled so that the user of the game machine 3 is set as the reference user and the user close to the reference user is selected as the matching partner with priority over the distant user. It becomes relatively easy for the user of the user terminal device 4 to go to the store 6 to play the game on the game machine 3 in order to obtain the privilege, and the user of the user terminal device 4 has a stronger motivation for playing the game machine 3. Can be given. From the standpoint of the operator of the game machine 3, it can be expected that the game machine 3 will be used for cross-play to guide the user to the store 6 of its own or affiliated stores. Therefore, it is possible to give the operating entity the motivation to introduce the game machine 3.

Although FIG. 9 shows an example in which the user of the user terminal device 4 is guided to play the game by the game machine 3, the target of the privilege grant is to guide the user of the game machine 3 to play the game at another play opportunity. Persons and applicable conditions may be set. For example, when the user of the game machine 3 plays the game by the game machine 3 again within the effective range, the privilege may be given. When the user of the game machine 3 plays the game on the user terminal device 4 at another play opportunity, the privilege may be given. In these cases as well, the effect of guiding the user of the game machine 3 to further play the game can be produced. As a result, it is possible to raise the user's interest in the matching function that enables cross-play. In the above explanation, it is assumed that the privilege is given when the application condition is satisfied at another play opportunity after cross-play, but the reference information is the privilege if the user satisfies the application condition at another play opportunity. It also functions as information indicating that you have the right to acquire. In this respect, the record of reference information can be seen as part of the privilege grant.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, an example of the process executed by the privilege control unit 23 of the server 2 in order to realize the privilege granting mechanism of FIG. 9 will be described. The matching may be processed in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 shows an example of the procedure of the reference information recording process executed by the privilege control unit 23 to record the reference information. As an example, the process of FIG. 10 may be executed when the play of the game using matching is completed. When the process of FIG. 10 is started, the privilege control unit 23 first acquires the game play result from the matched user's game machine 3 and user terminal device 4 (step S161). However, in the case of non-cross-play in which only one of the users of the game machine 3 or the user terminal device 4 is matched, only one of the game machine 3 or the user terminal device 4 is the target for acquiring the play result. Become.

After acquiring the play result, the privilege control unit 23 determines whether or not the game has been played as cross-play, in other words, whether or not the user has been matched in the first state and the game has been played (step S162). .. The determination may be the same as in step S142 of FIG. In the case of cross-play, the privilege control unit 23 determines a user to be granted the privilege (step S163). In this case, the target person may be all users who have played the game, or may be limited to some users, for example, users of the user terminal device 4, as described with reference to FIG. Alternatively, the target person may be limited to users who satisfy certain conditions in the game.

When the target person is determined, the privilege control unit 23 generates reference information to be recorded in association with the target person (step S164). As described with reference to FIG. 9, the reference information may include information on the play date and time, or information on the attributes of the game machine 3 on which cross-play is performed. After that, the privilege control unit 23 records the reference information in the play data corresponding to the user ID of the target person, and saves this in the play database DB1 (step S165). Next, the privilege control unit 23 notifies the game machine 3 and the user terminal device 4 of the target person of the application conditions and the like of the privilege (step S166). Also in this case, depending on the setting of the target person, only one of the game machine 3 and the user terminal device 4 may be the notification target. When the notification in step S166 is completed, the privilege control unit 23 finishes the reference information recording process of FIG. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S162 that it is non-cross-play, the privilege control unit 23 skips the processes of steps S163 to S166 and ends the process of FIG.

FIG. 11 shows an example of the procedure of the privilege granting process executed by the privilege control unit 23 in order to grant the privilege to the user in which the reference information is recorded. The process of FIG. 11 may be executed, for example, when the user plays a game using the game machine 3 or the user terminal device 4. As an example, the process of FIG. 11 may be executed when the user who has completed user authentication on the game machine 3 or the user terminal device 4 finishes playing the game, or after the completion of user authentication and before the end of play. It may be set at an appropriate timing. However, when the applicable conditions are set in association with the play result, it is necessary to execute the process of FIG. 11 at the end of the game. That is, the execution time of the process of FIG. 11 may be set to a time suitable for determining the success or failure of the process according to the setting contents of the application conditions.

When the process of FIG. 11 is started, the privilege control unit 23 first determines whether or not the reference information is recorded in the play data associated with the user (step S181). If it is recorded, the privilege control unit 23 determines whether or not the user satisfies the application condition of the privilege based on the reference information (step S182). For example, when the application condition requires play by the game machine 3, it may be determined whether or not the play is by the game machine 3. When the applicable condition is set in association with the store 6, whether or not the game machine 3 played by the user is within the effective range set as the applicable condition is determined based on the reference information and the store database DB3. good. When the expiration date is set as the application condition, the time interval between the play date and time recorded in the reference information and the current date and time may be obtained, and it may be determined whether or not the play is within the expiration date. However, if the reference information includes an expiration date, it may be determined in step S182 whether or not the play is within the expiration date.

When it is determined in step S182 that the applicable conditions are satisfied, the privilege control unit 23 grants the privilege to the user (step S183). For example, the privilege is given by recording the privilege in the play data associated with the user ID. After that, the privilege control unit 184 deletes the reference information satisfying the applicable conditions from the user's play data (step S184), and subsequently notifies the user that the privilege has been granted as a processing result (step S185). .. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S181 that the reference information is not recorded, or if it is determined in step S182 that the applicable conditions are not satisfied, the privilege control unit 23 skips the processes of steps S183 and S184 and proceeds to step S185. .. In this case, the user may be notified that the benefit is not applied. When the process of step S185 is completed, the privilege control unit 23 finishes the process of FIG.

In the above embodiment, the privilege control unit 23 functions as an example of the reference information recording means by executing the process of FIG. 10, and functions as an example of the privilege granting means by executing the process of FIG.

The present invention is not limited to each of the above-described forms, and may be implemented in a form in which appropriate modifications or changes are made. For example, the first form and the second form may be carried out in an appropriate combination. For example, at the time of cross-play, at least a part of the users of the user group Gu is given the privilege X as the target person of the first stage, and the target person of the second stage is selected from the user group Gu and the reference information is provided. It may be recorded and further benefits may be granted if the target person in the second stage meets the applicable conditions at another play opportunity. The target person of each stage may be appropriately set, such that the target person of the first stage is all of the user group Gu and the target person of the second stage is the user of the user terminal device 4. Further, the value of the privilege may be differentiated between the target persons in the first stage and the target persons in the second stage. As an example, at the time of cross-play, two items are given to the user of the game machine 3 and one item is given to the user of the user terminal device 4, and reference information is recorded in association with the user of the user terminal device 4. , The target audience of the first and second stages, such as granting 100 items when those users play the game on the game machine 3 so as to satisfy the applicable conditions at another play opportunity. It is possible to flexibly set the content of the benefits.

Regarding matching, the processes of FIGS. 6 and 7 are examples, and the procedure of the matching process may be appropriately set in the same manner as in a known game system. For example, matching with reference to the position information in FIG. 7 is not always necessary. Appropriate information may be referred to when selecting matching candidates. Further, in the process of FIG. 6, the user of the game machine 3 is selected as the reference user, and the reference user is made to select the matching partner. However, the reference user may specify the matching condition, and the user's instruction may be given. The matching control unit 22 of the server 2 may autonomously match users without reference. In that case, it is not necessary to secure the time required for the reference user to specify the matching partner during the matching process. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the waiting time of the user at the time of matching. On the other hand, the user of the user terminal device 4 may be selected as the reference user.

Ask the user of the game machine 3 whether or not to select cross-play, and only when the user desires cross-play, try matching including the user of the user terminal device 4, and when he / she does not want to cross-play. May control matching so that only the user of the game machine 3 attempts matching. Similarly, the user of the user terminal device 4 may be inquired as to whether or not cross-play is desired, and matching between the user and the user of the game machine 3 may be attempted only when cross-play is desired. ..

In the above-described form, the music game is played on each of the game machine 3 and the user terminal device 4, but the game system of the present invention is not limited to the example of playing a music game, and a plurality of users are combined by matching. Games of various genres may be targeted for play as long as they can be played by.

In the above embodiment, the server 2 controls each of matching and privilege granting, but at least a part of those controls may be processed by, for example, the game machine 3. For example, regarding the process of recording the privilege in the play data, the game machine 3 is notified of the privilege grant, and in response to this, the game control unit 31 of the game machine 3 records the privilege in the play data held in the own machine. May be good. The reference information may also be generated on the game machine 3 side and recorded in play data, and the play data may be transmitted from the game machine 3 to the server 2 and stored in the play database DB1 by the server 2.

Various aspects of the present invention derived from each of the above-described embodiments and modifications are described below. In the following description, in order to facilitate understanding of each aspect of the present invention, the corresponding components shown in the accompanying drawings are added in parentheses, thereby limiting the present invention to the illustrated form. It's not something.

The game system according to one aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of game devices capable of communicating via the network (7), and the game devices include a commercial game machine (3) and a user terminal device (4). In the game system (1) provided with the above, matching means (22, S101 to S108, S121 to S123) for matching the users of the game device as a group of users (Gu) who play the game together. When the game is played in the first state in which matching is executed so that the user of the game machine and the user of the user terminal device are included in the user group, at least a part thereof is included in the user group. The game is played in a second state in which a privilege is given to the user of the game machine and matching is executed so that only one user of the user of the game machine or the user of the user terminal device is included in the user group. When this is done, the privilege control means (23, S141-) that controls the granting of the privilege to the user according to the matching state so that the granting of the privilege is restricted as compared with the first state. S145; S161 to S166, S181 to S185).

The game system control method according to one aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of game devices capable of communicating via the network (7), and as the game devices, a business game machine (3) and a user terminal device ( 4) is a control method applied to the game system (1) provided with the above, and is a matching procedure (S101 to 1) for matching users of the game device as a group of users (Gu) who play a game together. When the game is played in the first state in which matching is executed so that the user of the game machine and the user of the user terminal device are included in the user group with S108, S121 to S123), the user. A second, in which at least a part of the users included in the group is given a privilege, and matching is performed so that only one of the users of the game machine and the user of the user terminal device is included in the user group. When the game is played in the state of, the privilege of controlling the grant of the privilege to the user according to the matching state so that the grant of the privilege is restricted as compared with the first state. It includes a control procedure (S141 to S145; S161 to S166, S181 to S185).

The computer program of the game system according to one aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of game devices capable of communicating via the network (7), and as the game devices, a business game machine (3) and a user terminal device ( A computer program (PG) applied to a game system (1) provided with 4), the computer (2) included in the game system, users of the game device, and a game together. Matching is executed so that the matching means (22, S101 to S108, S121 to S123) that matches as the user group (Gu) to play, and the user of the game machine and the user of the user terminal device are included in the user group. When the game is played in the first state, at least a part of the users included in the user group is given a privilege, and either the user of the game machine or the user of the user terminal device is used. When the game is played in the second state in which matching is executed so that only is included in the user group, the awarding of the privilege is limited as compared with the first state. It is configured to function as a privilege control means (23, S141 to S145; S161 to S166, S181 to S185) for controlling the granting of the privilege to the user according to the matching state.

According to the above aspect, when the game is played in the first state in which the matching is executed so as to include the respective users of the game machine and the user terminal device, at least a part of the users of the user group is privileged. Is granted, and when the game is played in the second state, the granting of benefits is restricted as compared with the first state. In this way, by controlling the granting of benefits according to the matching state, the user's interest in the function of matching the user of the game machine and the user of the user terminal device to play the game is raised. It is possible to encourage the use of functions. As a result, the advantages provided by the matching function, for example, increase the opportunity for the user to participate in the game, improve the operating rate of the business game machine, or between the business game machine and the user terminal device. It is possible to fully exert the effect of guiding the user.

The computer program according to one aspect of the present invention may be provided in a state of being stored in a storage medium. By using this storage medium, for example, by installing and executing the computer program according to the present invention on a computer, the system of the present invention can be realized by using the computer. The storage medium for storing the computer program may be a non-transient storage medium such as a CDROM.

In the above aspect, the matching means may determine a user to be included in the user group based on the instruction of the user of the game machine. According to this, it is possible to reflect the intention of the user of the game machine regarding whether to play the game in the first state or the game in the second state. Thereby, it is possible to give the user a motivation to play the game on the game machine.

The matching means acquires position information necessary for specifying the position of the game device, and when a user of any game machine is used as a reference user, a user closer to the reference user is more than a distant user. May be prioritized and matching may be executed so as to be included in the same user group as the reference user. According to this, a user who is close to the user of the game machine is matched with priority over a user who is far away. For example, the possibility that a user of a user terminal device located near a place where a game machine is installed is matched with a user of the game machine is increased. In such a case, if the user of the user terminal device is motivated to play by matching and desires to play the game by the game machine, the game machine exists at a position relatively close to the user. Therefore, it is possible to generate or enhance the effect of inducing the user who has played the game on the user terminal device to play on the game machine. Further, when the user terminal device includes a portable terminal device, the user of the user terminal device can easily access the game machine, and the effect of guiding the player to play on the game machine can be further enhanced. It is possible.

When the game is played in the first state, the privilege control means increases the value of the privilege to the users of the game machine included in the user group as compared with the users of the user terminal device. As such, the privilege may be differentiated among the users of the user group. In this case, it is possible to give the user a motivation to play the game on the game machine. Therefore, it is possible to enhance the effect of guiding the user of the user terminal device to play by the game machine.

When the game is played in the first state, the privilege control means provides reference information to be referred to regarding the granting of the privilege to at least a part of users in the user group matched in the play. The reference information recording means (23, S161 to S166) for recording in association with the reference information and the user associated with the reference information set predetermined application conditions at another play opportunity after the play in the first state. It may be further provided with privilege granting means (23, S181 to S185) for determining whether or not the satisfaction is satisfied based on the reference information and granting the privilege to a user who satisfies the application condition. According to this, at the stage when the game is played in the first state, reference information is first recorded with at least a part of the user group as the target person, and whether or not the target person satisfies the applicable condition at another play opportunity. It is determined based on the reference information, and when the applicable conditions are satisfied, the privilege is given to the target user. Therefore, it is possible to guide the user of the target person from playing the game in the first state to playing a further game by motivating the granting of the privilege. The degree of freedom regarding the setting of what kind of user is to be guided to what kind of game play from the user group in the first state by appropriately associating the content of the reference information with the applicable condition. Alternatively, it is possible to increase flexibility.

The reference information recording means records the reference information in association with a user of the user terminal device included in the user group, and the applicable condition is that the user associated with the reference information is the game. It may be set so that it is not satisfied unless the game is played on the machine. According to this, it is possible to generate or enhance the effect of inducing the user of the user terminal device included in the user group in the first state to play by the game machine.

When the game is played in the first state, the reference information recording means includes attribute information for determining the attributes of the game machine in which the users included in the user group play the game. The reference information is recorded, and the application condition is not satisfied unless the user associated with the reference information plays the game by the game machine within an effective range set in association with the attribute. May be set as. According to this, the range of the game machine to which the privilege is given can be limited based on the attribute. Therefore, it is convenient when it is desired to limit the game machines for which the user is to be guided according to their attributes.

Further, the effective range is set so as to classify the game machine to which the privilege is given in association with the operating entity that operates the business by the game machine, and the reference information recording means is included in the user group. The reference information is recorded so that the attribute information includes information for the user to determine the operating entity of the game machine that plays the game, and the applicable condition is the said reference information associated with the reference information. It may be set so that the user is not satisfied unless the game is played by a game machine within the effective range. According to this, it is possible to set the range of the game machine to which the privilege is given in association with the operating entity. Therefore, it is possible to limit the game machines to which the privilege is given according to the convenience of the operating entity, such as guiding the user to play on the game machine operated by a specific operating entity.

The reference information recording means records the reference information so as to include information indicating the deadline for granting the privilege, and the applicable condition is that the user associated with the reference information can use the reference information within the deadline. It may be set so that it is not satisfied unless the game is played. According to this, the privilege is not given unless the game is played at the play opportunity within the time limit. Therefore, it is possible to motivate the user to further play the game within a certain period of time after playing in the first state.

The reference information recording means may record the reference information in association with the user of the game machine included in the user group. According to this, the user of the game machine who has played the game in the first state can be guided to further play the game by motivating the user of the game machine to give the privilege.

In the above aspect, the game system includes the server (2) connected to the plurality of game devices via the network, and the server functions as at least one of the matching means and the privilege control means. You may. According to this, it is possible to centrally control at least one of matching and privilege granting processing under the control of the server.

1 Game system 2 Server 3 Game machine 4 User terminal device 6 Store 7 Network 22 Matching control unit (matching means)
23 Bonus control unit (privilege control means)

Claims (1)

A game system that includes a plurality of game devices capable of communicating via a network, and is provided with a business game machine and a user terminal device as the game device.
A matching means for matching users of the game device as a group of users who play the game together.
When the game is played in the first state in which matching is executed so that the user of the game machine and the user of the user terminal device are included in the user group, at least a part of the user group is included. The game is played in a second state in which a privilege is given to the user and matching is executed so that only one of the user of the game machine or the user of the user terminal device is included in the user group. In this case, a privilege control means for controlling the granting of the privilege to the user according to the matching state so that the granting of the privilege is restricted as compared with the first state.
Game system with.

Images