JP3496148B2 - Network game system, game server, and game server control method - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a network game system, a game terminal, a program, a game server, and a game server control method, and more particularly, to a predetermined scene of a battle game played between game terminals assigned to a battle group. The present invention relates to a technique for reproducing and displaying on a game terminal assigned to another battle group.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a game server has been connected to a communication network such as the Internet so that the game server can be accessed from a plurality of game terminals each composed of a home-use game machine and a personal computer. As a result, so-called network game (online game) systems are becoming widespread in which players in remote locations can play competitive games.

[0003]

When a league game or a tournament battle is carried out by such a network game system, it is possible to show a scene related to the progress or the final result of a certain battle group to the players of the other battle group. If it becomes possible, it is expected that the competitive game can be played by the strategy based on such information, and the fun of the game can be increased.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is a network game system capable of reproducing and displaying a predetermined scene, such as a scene related to the progress of another battle group or the final result. To provide a game terminal, a program, a game server, and a game server control method.

[0005]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a network game system according to the present invention comprises a game server and a plurality of game terminals respectively connected to the game server via a communication network. It is a network game system including.

Each of the plurality of game terminals is assigned to one of the plurality of battle groups, and cooperates with other game terminals assigned to the same battle group to execute the battle game. It includes an executing means, a reproduction data generating means for generating reproduction data for reproducing and displaying a predetermined scene of the competitive game, and a reproduction data transmitting means for transmitting the reproduction data to the game server.

[0007] Further, the game server is assigned to a competition set different from the competition set to which the reproduction data receiving means for receiving the reproduction data and the game terminal which is the transmission source of the reproduction data are allocated. Reproduction data transmission means for transmitting the reproduction data to at least a part of the terminal.

Further, the plurality of game terminals respectively include reproduction data receiving means for receiving the reproduction data,
Reproduction display means for reproducing and displaying a predetermined scene of the competition game of another competition group based on the reproduction data.

In the present invention, each of the plurality of game terminals is assigned to one of the plurality of battle groups. And
These game terminals cooperate with other game terminals assigned to the same battle group to execute the battle game. The battle game is, for example, a soccer game, a fighting game, a baseball game, or the like, in which a plurality of game terminals are played. The allocation of the battle group may be determined in a league format or a tournament format, for example. Then, reproduction data for reproducing and displaying a predetermined scene of the competitive game is generated in the game terminal, and the reproduction data is transmitted to the game server. The predetermined scene is, for example, a score scene, a game (match) end scene, a home run scene or a base run scene in a baseball game, or a knockout scene in a fighting game.

When the game server receives the reproduction data from the game terminal, at least a part of the game terminals assigned to the battle group different from the battle group to which the game terminal which is the transmission source is assigned. , Send the reproduction data. That is, when the reproduction data is generated by the game terminal assigned to a certain battle group,
It is transmitted by the game server to the game terminals assigned to other battle groups. Then, when the reproduction data is received, the game terminal reproduces and displays a predetermined scene of the competition game of another competition group. In this way, according to the present invention, it is possible to reproduce and display a predetermined scene such as a scene related to the progress of another battle group or the final result.

In addition, when each competition group is determined in the league format, it is important information about who the opponent player is likely to be in the next competition, in determining the strategy of the competition game currently being played. Becomes Further, even when each battle group is determined in the tournament format, the win / loss of the other battle groups, the score difference, and the like are important information in determining the strategy of the battle game currently being played. In the present invention, for example, a scene related to a win or loss or a score difference of a certain battle group, such as a score scene or a game end scene, can be displayed on a game terminal assigned to another battle group. Based on this, each player can make a strategy.

Further, according to one aspect of the present invention, the reproduction data generating means generates reproduction data for reproducing and displaying a score scene of the competitive game. By doing so, it is possible to reproduce and display the score scenes of other battle groups on the game terminal.

Further, according to one aspect of the present invention, the game server further includes reproduction data storage means for storing the reproduction data, and the reproduction data transmission means stores the reproduction data in response to a request from a game terminal. And transmitting the reproduction data stored in the means. In this way, the reproduction data can be transmitted at a suitable timing.

Further, according to one aspect of the present invention, the game server further includes a battle group assigning unit that assigns each of the plurality of game terminals to one of the plurality of battle groups. By doing this, it becomes possible for the game server to manage the battle group assignment. In this aspect, it is also preferable that the reproduction data transmitting unit transmits the reproduction data to a destination based on the allocation result by the competition group allocation unit. In addition, the game server reproduces by transmitting a reproduction data generation request to one or more of the game terminals assigned to each of the plurality of battle groups, based on the allocation result by the battle group allocation means. If the plurality of game terminals respectively do not receive the reproduction data generation request, either of the reproduction data generation by the reproduction data generation means or the transmission by the reproduction data transmission means is included. At least one of them may be restricted. By doing so, it is possible to suppress unnecessary processing as compared with the case where all of the game terminals assigned to one competition group generate and transmit the reproduction data.

The game terminal according to the present invention is a game terminal for a network game assigned to any one of a plurality of battle groups, and cooperates with other game terminals assigned to the same battle group. A competition game executing means for executing the competition game, a reproduction data generating means for generating reproduction data for reproducing and displaying a predetermined scene of the competition game, and a reproduction data transmitting means for transmitting the reproduction data to the game server. , Reproduction data receiving means for receiving the reproduction data generated in the game terminal assigned to the other competition set, and the reproduction data of the other competition set based on the reproduction data received by the reproduction data receiving means. Reproduction display means for reproducing and displaying a predetermined scene of the competitive game.

Further, the program according to the present invention is a program for causing a computer to function as a game terminal for a network game assigned to any one of a plurality of battle groups, and is assigned to the same battle group. Competitive game execution means for executing a competitive game in cooperation with a game terminal, reproduction data generating means for generating reproduction data for reproducing and displaying a predetermined scene of the competition game, and transmitting the reproduction data to the game server Reproduction data transmitting means, reproduction data receiving means for receiving reproduction data generated in a game terminal assigned to another competition group, and another competition based on the reproduction data received by the reproduction data receiving means. The computer as reproduction display means for reproducing and displaying a predetermined scene of the paired battle game Is a program that can be made to function.

According to the present invention, it is possible to reproduce and display a predetermined scene, such as a scene relating to the progress of another battle group or the final result.

The game server according to the present invention is connected via a communication network to a plurality of game terminals assigned to any one of a plurality of battle groups, and the plurality of game terminals belong to the same battle group. A game server which, in cooperation with another assigned game terminal, executes a competitive game and generates reproduced data for reproducing and displaying a predetermined scene of the competitive game, the game server receiving the reproduced data. Reproduction data receiving means to
Reproduction data transmitting means for transmitting the reproduction data to at least a part of game terminals assigned to a competition set different from the competition set to which the game terminal that generated the reproduction data is assigned. Is characterized by.

Further, the game server control method according to the present invention is connected via a communication network to a plurality of game terminals assigned to any of a plurality of battle groups, and the plurality of game terminals are the same. A method for controlling a game server, which executes a competitive game in cooperation with another game terminal assigned to a competitive group and generates reproduction data for reproducing and displaying a predetermined scene of the competitive game. A reproduction data receiving step of receiving the reproduction data, and the reproduction for at least a part of game terminals assigned to a competition set different from a competition set to which the game terminal that generated the reproduction data is allocated. And a reproduction data transmitting step of transmitting data.

According to the present invention, it is possible to reproduce and display a predetermined scene, such as a scene related to the progress of another battle group or the final result, on the game terminal.

[0021]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a network game system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the network game system 16 includes a game server 10 and game terminals 14A to 14A, which are connected to a communication network 12 such as the Internet.
H and are included. The game server 10
For example, it is configured by a publicly known server computer system, and integrally manages the battle games executed in the game terminals 14A to 14H. On the other hand, the game terminals 14A to 14H are composed of, for example, publicly known personal computers, home-use game machines, portable game machines, mobile phones, portable information terminals, etc. A battle game via 12 is executed.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a game screen displayed on each of the game terminals 14A to 14H. As shown in the figure, this game screen shows a state in which the baseball field is viewed from the maintenance side, a pitcher game character is displayed near the center, and a batter game character is displayed on the front right side. . This game screen is displayed on the two game terminals 14 which are the battle group,
The defensive game character including the pitcher game character is operated by the operation means provided in one game terminal 14, and the attacking game character including the batter game character is operated by the operation means provided in the other game terminal 14. To be done. That is, the operation content of each game terminal 14 assigned to the battle group is mutually transmitted and received via the communication network 12, and the operation content of both game terminals 14 is shared.

Next, FIG. 3 shows the game terminals 14A to 14H.
It is a figure which shows an example of the live broadcast screen displayed by each. The live broadcast screen shown in the same figure shows the player to whom the winner of the competition game will compete next when the competition game is briefly paused during a competition game being played on the game terminal 14 such as a change of offense / defense (player) change or player substitution. It is to inform the game situation of. On the live broadcast screen, a pitcher character hit by a home run is shown near the center, and a runner (batter) character hit by a home run is shown behind it, that is, near the second base. Also,
In the center, the message that there was a score after hitting a home run and the current score (score) are displayed. Further, in the upper part, it is displayed that it is a live broadcast screen different from the original game screen (FIG. 2) and which battle group is in the state. This live broadcast screen is a moving image, and for example, a state in which the runner character runs from the second base to the third base and further toward the home base is displayed.

Hereinafter, this network game system 16 will be described.
The operation of will be described.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a tournament tree managed by the game server 10 and the game terminals 14A to 14H. In the figure, “A” to “H” represent players who use the game terminals 14A to 14H, respectively. Also, each battle group is given a battle group ID. This tournament tree is a game terminal 14A
~ 14H logs in to the game server 10 and registers to participate in the baseball tournament, the game server 10 generates and saves the game terminal 14A ~.
14H.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the stored contents of the battle database managed by the game server 10. As shown in the figure, the battle database is a battle group ID assigned to each battle in the tournament tree (FIG. 4).
And the reproduction data in the match specified by the match ID and the match result are stored in association with each other. Here, the reproduction data means the game terminals 14A to 1
It is displayed on the display at 4H, for example, a scene where a batter game character hits a home run, a scene where a sacrifice hit succeeds and a score is scored, a scene where home steal succeeds,
This is data for reproducing a scene in which a third-base runner character is pushed out by a four-ball, for example, known moving image data, or the position of a predetermined frame of each player game character in a baseball field set in the game space is specified. Data and so on.

Further, FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a player list managed by the game server 10 and the game terminals 14A to 14H. As shown in the figure, the player list stores the players and the addresses of the game terminals 14 in the communication network 12 in association with each other. The player list is created and stored by the game server 10 when the game terminals 14A to 14H log in to the game server 10 and register to participate in the baseball tournament, and are transmitted to the game terminals 14A to 14H. is there.

Here, the processing of the game server 10 will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing of the game server 10. The process shown in the figure is realized by the game server 10 executing a program stored in an information storage medium such as a CD-ROM or a program acquired via the communication network 12.

In this process, first, participation in the tournament is accepted from each game terminal 14 (S101). Specifically, the game server 10 receives the authentication information (ID and password) from each game terminal 14, and when the authentication by the authentication information is successful, the player who wants to participate in the tournament enters the game server 10. It is determined that the user has logged in, the address (IP address, etc.) of the game terminal 14 is acquired, and the player list (FIG. 6) is generated. Here, it is assumed that the players A to H desire to participate in the tournament by the game terminals 14A to 14H.

Next, the game server 10 generates a tournament tree (FIG. 4) for the players stored in the player list, and allocates two game terminals 14 to each competition group (each combination of the first match). (S1
02). Further, the game server 10 creates a battle database (FIG. 5) (S103). At this time, the reproduction data column and the match result column of the match database are blank (null). Then, the player list, the tournament tree, and the main terminal designation are transmitted to the game terminals 14A to 14H (S104). Here, the main terminal designation is information that designates the game terminal 14 that is in charge of the game status report to the game server 10, and is, for example, the address of the game terminal 14 that is in charge of the game status report. Here, the game terminal 14 in charge of the game status report is one of the game terminals 14 of each competition group.

After that, the game terminals 14A to 14H are divided into respective battle groups and execute the battle game. Then, each main terminal appropriately transmits the reproduction data to the game server 10.
Or to send the match results. In addition, a reproduction data request is transmitted to the game server 10 during the match.

In the game server 10, when the competition game starts in each competition group, whether the reproduction data request is transmitted from the game terminals 14A to 14H (S107), it is reproduced from the game terminal 14 which is the main terminal of each competition group. It is monitored whether or not the data is transmitted (S105) and the match result is not transmitted (S110). When the reproduction data is transmitted from the game terminal 14 which is the main terminal, the reproduction data is stored in the battle database (S106).

When the reproduction data request is transmitted from the game terminal 14, the target game for the game terminal 14 which is the transmission source of the reproduction data request is determined (S1).
08). The game of interest is a match-up group ID that identifies a match-up game that is deeply related to the match-up game that is currently being played on the game terminal 14 that is the transmission source of the reproduction data request, or that has been played so far. This is a battle group ID that identifies the battle game for determining the next opponent of the winner of the battle game. Alternatively, when the present invention is applied to a league format, for example, a competitive game currently played by a player close to the ranking based on the current ranking of the player who uses the game terminal 14 that is the transmission source of the reproduction data request. Alternatively, a battle group ID for identifying a closely related battle game may be determined.

When the attention game is decided, the reproduction data corresponding to the attention game is read out from the competition database, and the game terminal 1 which is the transmission source of the reproduction data request.
4 is returned (S109). Further, when the game result is received from the game terminal 14 which is the main terminal, the game result is stored in the competition database (S111) and is transmitted to another game terminal 14 (S112). Then, the above processes (S105 to S112) are repeated until the match results are received for all the battle groups included in the tournament tree (S113).

Next, the processing of the game terminal 14 will be described.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing of the game terminal 14.
The processing shown in the figure is performed by a program stored in an information storage medium such as a CD-ROM or the communication network 1
It is realized by the game terminal 14 executing the program acquired via the command line 2.

In this process, first, the user logs in to the game server 10, transmits the authentication information (ID and password), and registers for participation in the tournament format match (S2).
01). Then, the player list, the tournament tree, and the main terminal designation are received from the game server 10 (S
202). Then, based on the tournament tree and the player list, the game terminal 14 used by the opponent player
A communication connection with is established (S203). After that, the battle game is executed between the game terminals 14 assigned to the same battle group, and, for example, the game screen shown in FIG. 2 is displayed (S204). At this time, in the game terminal 14, the game screen from the present to the predetermined time ago is stored in the RAM or the like as reproduction data (S205). Further, when a scene of a short break prepared during the game, for example, a scene of offense / defense change or a scene of game stop (S206), a reproduction data request is transmitted to the game server 10 (S20).
7). Then, in response to this, the reproduction data returned from the game server 10 is received (S208), and a screen for reproducing the state of another match (matching match) based on the reproduction data (for example, the live broadcast shown in FIG. 3) A screen is displayed (S209).

Next, the game terminal 14 determines whether or not its own terminal is the main terminal based on the main terminal designation received in S202 (S210). If it is not the main terminal, the process returns to S204. On the other hand, if it is the main terminal, S
Based on the content of the main game process of 204, it is determined whether or not any player has scored in the competitive game (S211). And if the score is high, S
The reproduction data stored / updated in 205 is transmitted to the game server 10 (S212). On the other hand, if the score has not been raised, the process of S212 is skipped. Further, the game terminal 14 determines whether or not the competitive game is over based on the content of the main game process of S204 (S).
213). Then, if it has ended, the game result (for example, winning and losing and the scores of both players) is transmitted to the game server 10 (S214), and the process at the game terminal 14 ends. On the other hand, if the competitive game has not ended, S204
Return to processing.

According to the network game system 16 described above, it is possible to reproduce and display the scenes and the like related to the progress of other battle groups and the final result on each of the game terminals 14A to 14H.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, although the present invention has been applied to a tournament format network game in the above description, it may be applied to a league format network game. In addition, the present invention is not limited to a competitive baseball game, but a soccer game,
It can be applied to all kinds of sports games such as golf and martial arts. Further, it can be applied to Go, Shogi, chess, etc.

[0041]

As described above, according to the present invention,
In the network game system, it is possible to reproduce and display a predetermined scene, such as a scene related to the progress of another battle group or the final result.

Further, the game server 10 and the game terminal 14
The functions of the game server 10 may be carried out by one or a plurality of game terminals 14 instead of separately.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a network game system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a game screen.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a live broadcast screen.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a tournament tree.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing stored contents of a battle database.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing stored contents of a player list.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing of the game server.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing of the game terminal.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 game servers, 12 internet, 14 game terminals, 16 network game systems.

Front page continuation (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) A63F 9/24 A63F 13/00-13/12

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A network game system including a game server and a plurality of game terminals each connected to the game server via a communication network, wherein each of the plurality of game terminals is one of a plurality of competition groups. And a game game executing means for executing a competition game in cooperation with another game terminal assigned to the same competition group, and reproduction data for reproducing and displaying a predetermined scene of the competition game. Reproduction data generating means for transmitting the reproduction data to the game server, and the game server assigning each of the plurality of game terminals to any one of the plurality of battle groups. Group assigning means, reproduction data receiving means for receiving the reproduction data, and the received reproduction data A reproduction data storing means for storing, in response to a request from the game terminal and determines the next opponent winner of the competition games the request transmission source game terminal in being played currently is a, or have been played
A match game for determining the match game based on the result of the allocation by the match group allocation means as a target game, and reproduction data corresponding to the determined target game is read from the reproduction data storage means, Reproduction data transmission means for transmitting the reproduction data to the game terminal that is the transmission source of the reproduction data, and the plurality of game terminals respectively include reproduction data reception means for receiving the reproduction data, and another battle group based on the reproduction data. And a reproduction display unit that reproduces and displays a predetermined scene of the competitive game. 2. The network game system according to claim 1, wherein the reproduction data generation means generates reproduction data for reproducing and displaying a score scene of the competitive game. 3. The network game system according to claim 1, wherein the game server is a game terminal assigned to each of the plurality of competition groups based on the allocation result by the competition group allocation means. Of these, the reproduction data generation request transmission means for transmitting a reproduction data generation request to one or a plurality of the game terminals is further included, and each of the plurality of game terminals uses the reproduction data generation means when the reproduction data generation request is not received. At least one of the generation of the reproduction data and the transmission by the reproduction data transmission means is restricted. 4. A game terminal connected to a plurality of game terminals respectively assigned to any one of the plurality of battle groups via a communication network, and each of the plurality of game terminals is another game terminal assigned to the same battle group. A game server which, in cooperation with a game server, executes a competitive game and generates reproduction data for reproducing and displaying a predetermined scene of the competitive game, wherein each of the plurality of game terminals is connected to the plurality of battle groups. A match-up group assigning means for assigning to any of the above, a reproduction data receiving means for receiving the reproduction data, a reproduction data storage means for storing the received reproduction data, and a sender of the request in response to a request from the game terminal. Determines the next opponent of the winner of the match game that is currently or was being played on a game console.
A match game for determining the match game based on the result of the allocation by the match group allocation means as a target game, and reproduction data corresponding to the determined target game is read from the reproduction data storage means, And a reproduction data transmitting means for transmitting the reproduction data to a game terminal which is a transmission source of the game server. 5. A game terminal connected to a plurality of game terminals respectively assigned to one of the plurality of battle groups via a communication network, each of the plurality of game terminals being another game terminal assigned to the same battle group. A method of controlling a game server, wherein a plurality of game terminals are connected to a plurality of game terminals in cooperation with each other to execute a battle game and generate reproduction data for reproducing and displaying a predetermined scene of the battle game. A battle group allocation step of allocating to one of the battle groups, a reproduction data receiving step of receiving the reproduction data, a reproduction data storing step of storing the received reproduction data, and a request from the game terminal in response to the request. the next being played currently in the game terminal, which is the source, or the winner of the competition game that has been played It was to determine the opponent
A match game for determining a match game based on the result of allocation by the match group allocation means as a match game, reading reproduction data corresponding to the determined match game from the reproduction data storage means, And a reproduction data transmitting step of transmitting the reproduction data to a game terminal which is a transmission source of the game server.