JP5296732B2 - Online game system and server device group - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an online game in which a plurality of players participate and the game progresses, and more particularly to a game that includes an immediate processing game that advances a game while immediately updating a parameter set for any one or more player characters. Is.

  With the recent advancement of network technology, online games (network games) in which a plurality of players participate and the game progresses are actively performed. A system for playing an online game is composed of a server device managed by a person who manages the online game and a client device of each player that can be connected to the server device via a network such as the Internet. Yes.

  In the RPG (Role Playing Game) of the above online games, a large number of players participate at the same time, so that the player characters cooperate with each other in the battle with the enemy characters, or the players are player characters. It is something that will progress by letting you conduct battles. In particular, recently, MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer Online RPG) that allows more players to participate has also been performed.

  In such an online game in which a plurality of players participate at the same time, in order for the movement of the player character to be transmitted to the client device operated by all the participating players without any contradiction, the server device is integrated. It manages the movement of the player character. Therefore, if the number of participating players increases, the burden on the server device becomes enormous. Therefore, a plurality of client devices connected to the network are divided, and the server is assigned to a predetermined client device belonging to the network division. The same role as the device is given, and the online game is advanced simultaneously for each network division (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2009-119150 A (paragraph 0033 etc.)

  However, as in Patent Document 1, in order to reduce the load on the server device, even if the network sections that proceed simultaneously are prepared, players belonging to different network sections cooperate in the online game. The game could not be advanced. That is, players with different network divisions are merely playing online games that are substantially the same, even though the content of the game is the same.

  On the other hand, in an online game such as Patent Document 1, when a player character battles with an enemy character as a non-player character, the parameters set for the player character and the enemy character in the battle process are the progress of the battle. It is updated rapidly according to the situation. Therefore, the processing load for executing the battle process is greater than when each player simply moves his / her player character on the field.

  Further, as the number of players participating in the online game increases, the number of battles simultaneously performed in the same online game increases, and the processing load on the server device (front-end server in Patent Document 1) increases. It will increase rapidly. In particular, since MMORPG generally attempts to increase the number of players participating, such a problem will occur remarkably.

  On the other hand, if the network division is divided and the number of participating players is limited as in Patent Document 1 with respect to such an increase in processing load, the number of battles that proceed simultaneously is limited as a result. The processing load of the server device can be suppressed, and the server device itself can be prevented from going down due to an increase in the processing load. However, if this is done, the attractiveness of MMORPG, which allows many players to participate, will be reduced.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an online game system and the like that allow more players to participate without imposing a great load on a server device that manages the progress of the entire online game.

To achieve the above object, an online game system according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a main server device and a display device that is connected to the main server device via a communication line and displays a game display screen. And a plurality of characters including a player character operated by a player of each client device are operated in a common field to advance the game, and set to any one or more player characters. An online game system that provides an online game that includes an immediate processing game that advances the game while updating the parameters immediately, and can be connected to each of the main server device and each of the plurality of client devices via a communication line Of the online game The apparatus further includes a secondary server device that controls execution of the immediate processing game, wherein each of the plurality of client devices includes a motion command input unit that inputs a motion command to a player character operated by a player of the client device, When the immediate processing game is not being played by the player character operated by the player of the client device, information corresponding to the motion command input from the motion command input means is transmitted to the main server device, and Non-immediate processing game execution means for receiving non-immediate processing game information periodically transmitted from the main server device, generating a game display screen based on the received non-immediate processing game information, and displaying the game display screen on the display device And a player character operated by the player of the client device When a predetermined condition for performing the immediate processing game is satisfied, a secondary server connection unit that connects to the secondary server device to perform the immediate processing game, and the secondary server connection unit that is connected to the secondary server device and When the immediate processing game is being played by the player character operated by the player of the client device, information corresponding to the motion command input from the motion command input means is transmitted to the secondary server device, and Immediate processing game execution means for receiving immediate processing game information periodically transmitted from the secondary server device, generating a game display screen based on the received immediate processing game information, and displaying the game display screen on the display device. The main server device is a character that manages the state of each of the plurality of characters operating in the field. Kuta state management means and information corresponding to the motion command transmitted from each of the plurality of client devices are received and managed by the character information management means according to the information corresponding to the received motion command. Non-immediate processing game update means for updating the state of each character being received, and immediate processing game information periodically transmitted from the secondary server device when the immediate processing game is being executed in the secondary server device And an immediate processing game update means for updating the state of each character managed by the character information management means in accordance with the received immediate processing game information, and a state of each character managed by the character state management means The non-immediate processing game information is generated in response to the generated non-immediate processing game information, and at least the immediate processing game performs the generated non-immediate processing game information. Non-immediate processing game information transmitting means for transmitting to a client device corresponding to a non-player character, wherein the secondary server device is a player character operated by a player of the client device connected by the secondary server connecting device. An immediate processing game management means for managing the state of the character playing the immediate processing game including the set parameters, and a motion command transmitted from the client device connected by the secondary server connection means The state of each character received by the information, executing the immediate processing game using at least information according to the action command, and managed by the immediate processing game management means according to the execution result of the immediate processing game and the sub-immediate process game execution means for updating, the immediate processing game management unit Generating the immediate processing game information in accordance with the execution result of the immediate processing game by the state and the sub-immediate processing game execution means of the character is more manageable, the immediate processing game information thus generated secondary server connection means And an immediate processing game information transmitting means for transmitting to the client device connected to the main server device.

  The online game system includes a main server device and a plurality of client devices connected to the main server device via communication lines. The online game provided here is operated by a player of each client device. The game is progressed by operating a plurality of characters including a player character in the common field. In the course of the game, an immediate processing game is executed in which the game is advanced while immediately updating the parameters set for any one or more player characters. Since the immediate processing game is advanced while the parameters are immediately updated, the processing load for the processing becomes large.

  Here, the online game system also includes a secondary server device configured to be connectable to each of the main server device and each of the plurality of client devices via a communication line. It is controlled by this secondary server device. For this reason, it is not necessary for the main server device to control the execution of the immediate processing game with a large processing load, and the processing load on the main server device does not become too large. Moreover, since the main server device does not have to manage the parameters of each player character that is immediately updated in the immediate processing game, the processing load on the main server device is further reduced. Thereby, the restriction | limiting with respect to the number of the players who can participate in the online game provided, and the content of the game which can be played can be made small.

  By the way, the main server device manages the state of each of the plurality of characters operating in the field, while the sub server device manages the state of the character that is playing the immediate processing game, and the character managed here. In this state, parameters that are immediately updated in the immediate processing game are also managed. However, if there is a player character that performs an immediate processing game and a player character that does not perform an immediate processing game, if the immediate processing game is completely separated and executed by the secondary server device, it is under the control of the secondary server device. A player who operates a player character who does not play an immediate processing game that is not in the game will not know the progress of the immediate processing game at all in his / her client device.

  On the other hand, in the online game system, the immediate processing game information generated according to the state of the character managed in the secondary server device and the execution result of the immediate processing game processed in the secondary server device is the secondary processing game information. The state of each character transmitted from the server device to the main server device and managed by the main server device is also updated by this immediate processing game information (that is, execution of the immediate processing game is reflected).

  The non-immediate game information reflecting the execution of the immediate processing game is transmitted to the client device corresponding to the player character that is not playing the immediate processing game, and a game display screen is generated based on the non-immediate game information. Therefore, the player of each client device confirms the progress of the immediate processing game being performed by the player character of the other player on the game display screen even if his / her player character does not participate in the immediate processing game. Will be able to.

  In the above online game system, the non-immediate processing game information transmission means is configured to generate a predetermined number of display screens displayed on the display device in each of the plurality of client devices at a long time interval corresponding to a time interval. The non-immediate processing game information is transmitted to a client device corresponding to at least the player character that is not playing the immediate processing game, and the immediate processing game information transmitting means is a short time interval shorter than the long time interval. And the non-immediate processing game execution means transmits the non-immediate processing game information to the client device connected by the secondary server connection means, and the non-immediate processing game execution means receives the non-immediate processing game information. This time after the display screen corresponding to the previous non-immediate processing game information in the period according to the interval Interpolate the screen before the display screen corresponding to the non-immediate processing game information in order, and sequentially generate the interpolation screen from the generated interpolation screen to the display screen according to the non-immediate processing game information. The immediate processing game execution means may receive the immediate processing game information, generate a display screen according to the received immediate processing game information, and display the generated display screen on the display device. .

  In this case, the main server device that does not control the execution of the immediate processing game may transmit the non-immediate processing game information at a longer time interval than the secondary server device that controls the execution of the immediate processing game. The processing load for transmitting game information can be reduced. Limits on the number of players that can participate in the provided online game and the content of the game that can be played can be further reduced. On the other hand, since the client device generates an interpolation screen according to the reception interval of the non-immediate processing game information and displays it on the rank display device, the display screen of the game other than the immediate processing game is also displayed smoothly. You can make it.

  The immediate processing game information transmission means transmits the immediate processing game information at the short time interval to the client device connected by the secondary server connection means, but to the main server device. The immediate processing game information may be transmitted at a time interval longer than the short-term time interval (which may be the long-term time interval). However, the immediate processing game information transmitting means may transmit the immediate processing game information to the main server device at the short time interval.

  In the online game system, the parameters set for the player character updated in the immediate processing game include an out-of-form parameter that does not show a difference in the form of the player character on the display screen displayed on the display device, The immediate processing game information includes display information necessary for the immediate processing game execution means to generate a display screen, and is set to a player character operated by a player of a client device that receives at least the immediate processing game information. The non-immediate processing game information includes display information necessary for the immediate processing game execution means to generate a display screen, but the player character operated by the player of any client device Informal parameters set to It may be as not included.

  In this case, the immediate processing game information transmitted from the secondary server device to the client device includes not only display information but also an out-of-form parameter, but the non-immediate processing game information transmitted from the main server device to the client device displays Even if information is included, out-of-form parameters are not included. Thereby, the information amount of the non-immediate processing game information transmitted from the main server device can be suppressed, and the processing load for transmitting the non-immediate processing game information can be reduced.

  On the other hand, the non-immediately processed game information that does not include the out-of-form parameter is received by the client device of the player character who is not playing the immediate-process game, so that the progress of the game no matter what the out-of-form parameter value is. There will be no impact on On the other hand, there is no problem in confirming not only the progress of the non-immediate processing game but also the progress of the immediate processing game on the display screen of the game by the display information included in the non-immediate processing game information.

  In this case, the display information included in the non-immediate processing game information may be simplified than the display information included in the immediate processing game information.

  In this case, since the information amount of the display information included in the non-immediate processing game information can be smaller than the information amount of the display information included in the immediate processing game information, the information amount of the non-immediate processing game information transmitted from the main server device is reduced. Further, the processing load for transmitting the non-immediate processing game information can be reduced.

  In the online game system, the plurality of characters may include non-player characters different from any of the player characters, and the non-player characters may include non-player characters that appear only in the immediate processing game. .

  The operation of the non-player character in the online game must be controlled not on the client side but on the server side. This non-player character includes non-player characters that appear only in the immediate processing game. Here, since the non-player character that appears only in the immediate processing game is a character that performs the immediate processing game, the operation can be controlled not by the main server device but by the secondary server device. As a result, even if the number of non-player characters appearing as a whole of the online game is increased, the number of non-player characters that the main server device must directly control the action can be reduced. The processing load of the apparatus can be suppressed.

  In the above online game system, when the main server device satisfies a start condition of an immediate processing game in which no other player character is played with respect to a player character operated by a player of any client device. , A process generation request means for requesting the secondary server apparatus to generate a process for executing the immediate processing game for which the start condition is satisfied, and the secondary server apparatus based on a request from the process generation request means The process identification information for identifying the process for executing the returned immediate processing game is received, and the received process identification information is sent to the client device corresponding to the player character that established the start condition for the immediate processing game. Process-specific information transfer means for transferring, and The server device generates and activates a process for executing the immediate processing game when the process generation requesting means requests generation of a process for executing the immediate processing game for which the start condition is satisfied. And a process specifying information returning means for returning the process specifying information for specifying the process generated by the process generating means to the main server device, and a start condition for the immediate processing game The secondary server connection means provided in the client device corresponding to the player character that has established the process receives the process specification information transferred from the process specification information transfer means, and uses the received process specification information to You may make it connect with a server apparatus.

  Here, when the start condition for the immediate processing game is satisfied, the secondary server device generates a process for executing the immediate processing game for which the start condition is satisfied based on a request from the main server device. In this way, the secondary server device dynamically generates a process only for the immediate processing game that is actually executed, and thus wastes resources for the immediate processing game that is not actually executed. There is nothing. Since resources are not consumed unnecessarily for an immediate processing game that is not actually executed, it is possible to direct resources that have been freed up to the execution of some processing other than the execution of the immediate processing game.

  In this case, the main server device, when a player character operated by a player of any client device satisfies a participation condition for an immediate processing game currently being played by any other player character In addition, the process specifying information for transmitting the process specifying information for specifying the process for executing the immediate processing game for which the participation condition is satisfied to the client device corresponding to the player character for which the participation condition for the immediate processing game is satisfied. The secondary server connection means provided in the client device corresponding to the player character that has established the participation condition for the immediate processing game is further provided with a transmission means, and receives the process specification information transmitted from the process specification information transmission means And using the received process identification information, the secondary server It can be used to connect to the location.

  Further, here, there are a plurality of the secondary server devices, and the primary server device manages which of the plurality of secondary server devices each of the processes for executing the immediate processing game is started. When the process management requesting means stores the process management information, the process generation requesting means is based on the process management information stored in the process management means when the start condition of the immediate processing game is satisfied. One of the plurality of secondary server devices may be selected, and the selected secondary server device may be requested to generate a process for executing the immediate processing game that satisfies the start condition.

  In order to achieve the above object, a server device group according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a main server device connected to a plurality of client devices having a display device for displaying a game display screen via a communication line. And a plurality of characters including a player character operated by a player of each client device are operated in a common field to advance the game, and set to one or more player characters. A server device group that provides an online game that includes an immediate processing game that advances the game while updating the parameters immediately, the plurality of server devices being connected to each of the main server device and the plurality of client devices. The online game is configured to be connectable via a communication line. A secondary server device that controls execution of the immediate processing game, wherein the primary server device manages character states managing means for managing the states of the plurality of characters operating in the field, and the plurality of clients. Information corresponding to the action command for the player character input by the player is received in the client device corresponding to the player character that has not performed the immediate processing among the devices, and the information corresponding to the received action command is received. And a non-immediate processing game update means for updating the state of each character managed by the character information management means, and when the immediate processing game is being executed in the secondary server apparatus, the secondary server apparatus periodically Received immediately processed game information, and the received immediate Immediate processing game update means for updating the state of each character managed by the character information management means according to the physical game information; and the non-immediate action according to the state of each character managed by the character state management means Non-immediate processing game information transmitting means for generating processing game information and transmitting the generated non-immediate processing game information to a client device corresponding to a player character that is not playing at least the immediate processing game, The apparatus includes: an immediate processing game management means for managing a state of the character that is playing the immediate processing game including parameters set for the player character; and the client device that is performing the immediate processing, Receive information according to action commands for player characters And executing the immediate processing game using at least information corresponding to the action command, and updating the state of each character managed by the immediate processing game management means according to the execution result of the immediate processing game. Generating the immediate processing game information according to the immediate processing game execution means, the state of the character managed by the immediate processing game management means and the execution result of the immediate processing game by the immediate processing game execution means; It comprises an immediately processed game information transmitting means for transmitting the generated immediately processed game information to the client device connected by the secondary server connecting means and the main server device.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the online game system concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the video game apparatus of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the zone server apparatus of FIG. 1, and a battle server apparatus. It is a figure which shows the structure of the field in the online game concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the display screen about the battle in the online game concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the table managed in the zone server apparatus of FIG. 1, FIG. It is a figure which shows the table group managed in the battle server apparatus of FIG. 1, FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of the data memorize | stored in the video game device of FIG. 1, FIG. It is a figure which shows typically the progress of the online game concerning embodiment of this invention, and the data flow concerning it. It is a figure which shows typically the progress of the online game concerning embodiment of this invention, especially the progress of the game which concerns on the addition of the player character in a battle, and the data flow concerning it. It is a figure which shows typically the data flow, frequency, and format of an online game concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process performed in the zone server apparatus of FIG. 1, FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the process performed in the battle server apparatus of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing processing executed in the video game apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  In the online game according to this embodiment, a plurality of players who simultaneously participate in the online game move their player characters in the field as a virtual space, and the player character It is a MMORPG that progresses by making a battle (battle).

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a network system in which an online game according to this embodiment is performed. As shown in the figure, this network system is configured by connecting a plurality of video game apparatuses 100 to a server group 250 via the Internet 151.

  The server group 250 includes a zone server device 200, two battle server devices 300 connected to each other via a LAN (Local Area Network) 251 and servers that normally perform processes other than the online game according to this embodiment. A non-game server device 350, which is a device, is connected to the video game device 100 via the Internet 151.

  The zone server device 200 manages information related to the positions and appearances of all player characters and enemy characters in the field. The information transmitted from the zone server device 200 to the video game device 100 mainly relates to the appearance information of the character on the field displayed on the display device of the video game device 100.

  The battle server device 300 starts one battle server process for one battle when the battle between the player character and the enemy character starts. The battle server process is performed for each battle group (to be described later) as a unit of battle composed of one or a plurality of player characters and a plurality of enemy characters, and information (positions) of the player characters and enemy characters related thereto. , Appearance and other parameters, etc.).

  The information transmitted from the battle server device 300 to the video game device 100 is information related to the progress of the battle of the player character operated by the video game device 100, and is not only the appearance information of the character on the field. , Information related to the battle progress (parameter increase / decrease, etc.) is included.

  In the following, when referring to a battle server device, a battle server or a battle server process does not refer to a hardware resource itself, but refers to a process as a function, and a battle server device refers to a hardware resource itself. It will be described as indicating itself.

  Further, the server group 250 includes a non-game server device 350. The non-game server device 350 normally performs, for example, processing for generating CG (Computer Graphics) as processing other than the online game according to this embodiment, and information (described later) included in the battle server device 300. The enemy character combination table for each area is stored in advance.

  In the battle server apparatus 300, when up to the maximum number of battle server processes that can be activated are activated, the battle server apparatus 300 is used as a spare battle server apparatus 300. Hereinafter, when it is not particularly distinguished regarding the non-game server device 350, it is treated as equivalent to the battle server device 300.

  Next, the configuration of the video game device 100, the zone server device 200, and the battle server device 300 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the video game apparatus 100 of FIG. As shown in the figure, the video game apparatus 100 is built around a video game main body 101. The video game main body 101 includes a control unit 103, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 105, a hard disk drive (HDD) 107, a sound processing unit 109, a graphic processing unit 111, a DVD / CD-ROM connected to the internal bus 119. A drive 113, a communication interface 115, and an interface unit 117 are included.

  The sound processing unit 109 of the video game main body 101 is connected to a sound output device 125 that is a speaker, and the graphic processing unit 111 is connected to a display device 121 having a display screen 122. A recording medium (DVD-ROM or CD-ROM in this embodiment) 131 can be mounted on the DVD / CD-ROM drive 113. The communication interface 115 is connected to the network 151. An input unit (controller) 161 and a memory card 162 are connected to the interface unit 117.

  The control unit 103 includes a central processing unit (CPU), a read only memory (ROM), and the like, and executes programs stored on the HDD 107 and the recording medium 131 to control the video game main body 101. The control unit 103 includes an internal timer. The RAM 105 is a work area for the control unit 103. The HDD 107 is a storage area for storing programs and data. When the program executed by the control unit 103 instructs to output sound, the sound processing unit 109 interprets the instruction and outputs a sound signal to the sound output device 125.

  The graphic processing unit 111 is drawn on the frame buffer (frame memory) 112 (in the figure, outside the graphic processing unit 111 in accordance with a drawing command output from the control unit 103, but on a chip constituting the graphic processing unit 111. The image data is expanded on a display screen 122 of the display device 121, and a video signal for displaying the image is output. One frame time of an image included in the video signal output from the graphic processing unit 111 is, for example, 1/30 second.

  The DVD / CD-ROM drive 113 reads programs and data from the recording medium 131. The communication interface 115 is connected to the network 151 and communicates with other computers. The input unit 161 includes a direction key and a plurality of operation buttons. The direction key is used to move the player character in the field. The operation buttons include buttons used for causing the player character to perform an attack on the enemy character, which will be described later, and to execute magic.

  The interface unit 117 outputs the input data from the input unit 161 to the RAM 105, and the control unit 103 interprets it and performs arithmetic processing. The interface unit 117 also stores data indicating the progress of the game stored in the RAM 105 in the memory card 162 based on an instruction from the control unit 103, and the interrupted game stored in the memory card 162. Are read out and transferred to the RAM 105.

  A program and data for playing a game on the video game apparatus 100 are initially stored in the recording medium 131, for example. The data stored in the recording medium 131 includes graphic data for configuring fields existing in the game space. The program and data stored in the recording medium 131 are read out by the DVD / CD-ROM drive 113 at the time of execution and loaded into the RAM 105. The control unit 103 processes the program and data loaded in the RAM 105, outputs a drawing command to the graphic processing unit 111, and outputs a sound output instruction to the sound processing unit 109. Intermediate data while the control unit 103 is performing processing is stored in the RAM 105.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating configurations of the zone server device 200, the battle server device 300, and the non-game server device 350 of FIG. As shown in the figure, the zone server device 200 and the battle server device 300 are built around a server body 201. The server main body 201 includes a control unit 203, a RAM 205, a hard disk drive (HDD) 207, a DVD / CD-ROM drive 213, and a communication interface 215 connected to the internal bus 219. A recording medium (DVD-ROM or CD-ROM) 231 can be attached to the DVD / CD-ROM drive 213.

  The control unit 203 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and the like, executes a program stored on the HDD 207 and the recording medium 231, and controls the zone server device 200 and the battle server device 300. Do. The control unit 203 includes an internal timer that measures the current time. A RAM 205 is a work area of the control unit 203. The HDD 207 is a storage area for storing programs and data. The communication interface 215 is connected to the network 151, communicates with each of the video game apparatuses 100, and is also connected to a local area network (LAN). The zone server apparatus 200 and the battle server apparatus 300 communicate with each other. I do.

  A program and data for playing an online game in the zone server device 200 and the battle server device 300 are first stored in, for example, the recording medium 231 and installed in the HDD 207 from here.

  Further, the data stored in the recording medium 231 is different for the zone server device 200 and the battle server device 300, and the data stored in the recording medium 231 of the zone server device 200 includes a field. The shape data and graphic data are not included, but include field ranges and grid data described later. On the other hand, the data stored in the recording medium 231 of the battle server apparatus 300 includes field shape data, but does not include data related to grids (the same data may be prepared). .

  The program and data are read from the HDD 207 at the time of execution and loaded into the RAM 205. The control unit 203 processes a program and data loaded in the RAM 205 and advances an online game based on information sent from each of the video game apparatuses 100. Intermediate data while the control unit 203 is performing processing is stored in the RAM 205.

  Next, the field configuration of the online game according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 shows the field structure of the online game according to this embodiment. A plurality of player characters 401 and enemy characters 402 exist in the field 400, and a battle is also performed on the field 400.

  Within this field 400, the player can freely move his / her player character 401, and information on the positions of all play characters 401 and enemy characters 402 in the field 400 is managed by the zone server device 200. It has become a thing.

  Further, the zone server device 200 holds information on the grid 410 for the field 400. The squares 410 are information on fields 400 around each of the play characters 401 operated by the video game apparatus 100 to be displayed on the display screen 122 of the display device 121 (hereinafter referred to as “peripheral information”). Used to identify

  By the squares 410, the peripheral information is in the range of the squares 410 where the player character 401 exists and the eight squares 410 around the squares 410, and the player character 401 operated by another video game apparatus 100 (others Player character), and information related to the position and appearance of the enemy character 402, and transmitted from the zone server device 200 to the video game device 100.

  Further, the field 400 is divided into a plurality of areas 412 (area 412 consisting of 3 in FIG. 4) by area boundaries 411. For each area 412 in the battle related to the enemy character 402 existing in each area 412. The combinations of enemy characters 402 participating in the battle are different (the types of enemy characters combined for each area 412 will be described later).

  The battle is started when the player character 401 gives the first blow to the enemy character 402 existing in the field 400. In order to advance the battle in the battle server device 300 prior to the start of the battle. The battle server process is generated. The battle is performed in the field 400 and is seamlessly developed on the display screen 122. When the battle is started, new enemy characters 402 participate in the battle in addition to the enemy character 402 existing in the field 400, and the player character 401 (other player characters 401 may also be added). ) And (hereinafter collectively referred to as “battle group”), the battle proceeds.

  Even if the battle is started, the position of the player character 401 and the enemy character 402 related to the battle on the field 400 and the information related to the appearance are continuously managed by the zone server device 200, but the progress of the battle is performed by the battle server. It is managed by the battle server process in the device 300.

  Next, the progress of the battle managed by the battle server process of the battle server device 300 will be described. The battle is started by the first attack of the player character 401 against the enemy character 402 on the field 400. Thus, when the battle is started, a combination of enemy characters 402 (an enemy character different from the enemy character 402 existing in the field 400 before the battle start) participating in the battle is determined.

  Other player characters 401 may also participate in the battle, and either the enemy character 402 or the player character 401 participating in the battle is all defeated (HP (hit point) as a character parameter) And the battle is over.

  FIGS. 5A to 5J are diagrams showing an example of the display screen 122 about the battle in the online game according to this embodiment. The battle developed here proceeds with a plurality of player characters 401 and a plurality of enemy characters 402, and is distinguished by different symbols.

  As shown in FIG. 5 (a), the player character 401-1 who is moving in the vicinity of the enemy character 402-1 existing on the field 400, as shown in FIG. 5 (b), expresses the intention to start the battle. When the first attack (hereinafter referred to as “battle will action”) is performed on the enemy character 402-1, the battle is started.

  Prior to the start of the battle, a battle server process is first generated in the battle server device 300, and all the processes related to the battle after the battle will action are managed by the battle server process. First, when the battle is started, the combination of the enemy characters 402 to participate in the battle and the appearance timing of the combined enemy character 402 are determined from the position of the area 412 on the field 400 where the enemy character 402-1 exists. . In this battle, it is assumed that the enemy character 402-2 appears immediately after the battle starts, and the enemy character 402-2 appears after the enemy character 402-2 is defeated.

  When the battle is started, as shown in FIG. 5C, one enemy character 402-2 appears among those determined as the combination of the enemy characters 402. When the battle progresses and the enemy character 402-2 is attacked and defeated by the player character 401-1 in FIG. 5 (d), it is subsequently determined as a constituent enemy character as shown in FIG. 5 (e). The remaining enemy character 402-3 appears.

  In FIG. 5F, the battle is continued by the enemy characters 402-1 and 402-3 and the player character 401-1, but as shown in FIG. 5G, the player character 401 performing the battle. -1 and the player character 401-2 moving in the vicinity of the enemy characters 402-1 and 402-3 use magic to recover the player character 401-1 (behavior that increases HP as a character parameter). ) (Also defined as “battle will action”), the video game apparatus 100 operating the player character 401-1 establishes communication with the battle server process that is proceeding with the battle, To participate.

  In FIG. 5 (h), the battle between the enemy characters 402-1 and 402-3 is advanced by the player character 401-2 and the player character 401-1 that are to newly participate, and finally FIG. As shown in i), the battle is ended by defeating all enemy characters 402.

  After the battle is over, as shown in FIG. 5 (j), the defeated enemy character 402 is not displayed on the field 400, and the player character 401-1 is again managed under the position management by the zone server device 200. , 401-2 can move the field 400 from the position on each field 400 immediately after the battle ends. Thus, in the display screen 122, the battle is seamlessly developed on the field 400.

  Note that the player character 401 and the enemy character 402 in the battle can be confirmed on the display screen 122 of the video game apparatus 100 that operates the player character 401 that is not performing such a battle. For this reason, processing performed by the zone server device, the battle server device, and the like will be described later.

  Next, data managed in the zone server device 200 and the battle server device 300 and data stored in the video game device 100 in order to advance the online game according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a table managed in the zone server device 200 in order to execute the online game according to this embodiment.

  FIG. 6A is a field character table 600 for managing information on the position and appearance of characters in the field 400, and FIG. 6B is a battle server in each of the plurality of battle server devices 300. It is a process activation management table 610 for managing the number of process activations.

  The field character table 600 shown in FIG. 6A includes an ID 601, a destination IP address 602 (player character only), name / type information 603, and form information 604 for every character existing on the field 400. , Position information 605, parameter A information 606, parameter B information 607, and participating battle server process information 608 are stored.

  The ID 601 is identification information for uniquely identifying the player character 401 and the enemy character 402. The transmission destination IP address 602 stores the IP address of the video game apparatus 100 used to transmit the field peripheral information about the player character 401 to the video game apparatus 100 that operates the player character 401. .

  The name / type information 603 is used as information for displaying the name of the player character 401 on the display screen 122 and specifying the type of the enemy character 402 and displaying the name on the display screen 122. The form information 604 is information used to represent the appearance of the player character 401 and the enemy character 402 on the field 400 (especially clothes, physique, facial appearance, etc.). The position information 605 indicates the positions of the player character 401 and the enemy character 402 on the field 400.

  The parameter A information 606 is information regarding parameters that appear on the display screen 122 as appearances of the player character 401 and the enemy character 402 as being capable of changing from moment to moment during battle or movement. For example, if a poisoning state (a state in which the character's HP is slightly reduced at regular intervals) caused by an attack different from normal from the enemy appears on the display screen 122 as the appearance of the player character 401 and the enemy character 402, These correspond to the parameter A information 606.

  On the other hand, the parameter B information 607 is information regarding parameters that appear on the display screen 122 as appearances of the player character 401 and the enemy character 402, although they do not change every moment during battle or movement, for example, physique and muscle strength This is the case. Specifically, if the values of the physique and the muscular strength as the parameter B information 607 are high, the player character 401 and the enemy character 402 on the field displayed on the display screen 122 are larger than those having low values. Will be displayed.

  Further, as the information regarding the parameters, management is not particularly performed in the field character table 600 shown in FIG. 6A (the information may not be transmitted to the player character, but may be merely stored). And parameter C information and parameter D information related to parameters that do not appear as the appearance of the enemy character 402 (managed in a battle character table described later). The parameter C information changes from moment to moment during battle or movement, for example, the character's HP or MP (magic point, decreases each time magic is used).

  On the other hand, parameter D information does not change every moment during battle or movement, for example, calculates the amount of damage (decrease in HP) that appears as a result of actions such as attack or magic, such as attack power or defense power It relates to the parameters used in the process.

  That is, since the parameters A and B appear on the display screen 122 as appearances, the zone server device 200 that transmits information relating to the appearances to each video game device holds these pieces of information. On the other hand, the parameters C and D do not appear on the display screen 122 as appearances. However, these pieces of information are necessary information for determining the amount of battle damage, and are stored in a battle character table, which will be described later. It becomes.

  In the participation battle server process information 608, if the player character 401 and the enemy character 402 are in battle, identification information of the battle server process related to the battle is stored. Is not stored (NULL).

  These pieces of information are all registered and updated based on information transmitted from the video game apparatus 100 and the battle server apparatus 300 described later, and are periodically (for example, every 0.5 seconds) during movement. In the information related to the position and the form transmitted from the video game apparatus 100, the form information 604, the position information 605, the parameter A information 606, and the parameter B information 607 are updated.

  On the other hand, the zone server device 200 specifies a player character 401, which is specified as peripheral information of the player character 401, with respect to the video game device 100 that operates all the player characters 401 registered in the field character table 600. And the ID 601 of the enemy character 402, name / type information 603, form information 604, position information 605, parameter A information 606, parameter B information 607, and participating battle server process information 608 are periodically (for example, every 1.0 second). ).

  Subsequently, device information 611 and the number of processes 612 are stored in the process activation management table 610 for managing the activation number of the battle server process shown in FIG.

  In the device information 611, information for specifying each of the two battle server devices 300 and the non-game server device 350 is registered. In the process number 612, the battle server device 300 and the non-game server device 350 are simultaneously registered. The number of server processes that are running is stored.

  In the process number 612, based on the information transmitted from the battle server device 300 and the non-game server device 350, the number of battle server processes is 1 in each of the battle server device 300 and the non-game server device 350. Is increased by 1 and 1 is decreased by the end of one battle server process.

  When performing a battle, the battle server device that manages the progress of the battle is preferentially selected as to which of the two battle server devices 300 is to be activated. And start it.

  Further, when the battle server processes up to a predetermined maximum number that can be started are already started in the two battle server devices 300, when a new battle is executed, the server device 350 outside the game there Processing other than the online game according to this embodiment being executed is interrupted, a battle server process related to the battle is started, and processing similar to that of the battle server device 300 is performed.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a table managed in the battle server device 300 in order to execute the online game according to this embodiment. FIG. 7A is an enemy character combination table 700 for each area 412 in the field 400, and FIG. 7B shows information on the player character 401 and the enemy character 402 in the battle progressed for each battle server process. It is the battle character table 710 for managing.

  The enemy character combination table 700 for each area 412 shown in FIG. 7A is stored in each battle server device, and is shared by a plurality of battle server processes activated by the battle server device. Yes. The enemy character combination table 700 for each area 412 stores area 412 information 701 and constituent enemy characters 702. The combination of enemy characters 402 in the battle is different for each area 412, and the total number of enemy characters 402 is also different.

  When the player character 401 performs a battle will action on the enemy character 402 existing on the field 400, the area 412 in which the enemy character 402 exists is specified as the area information 701, and the enemy added according to the area 412 The type of character 402 is specified. The enemy character 402 thus identified is registered in the battle character table 710 together with the player character 401 and the enemy character 402 existing in the field.

  The battle character table 710 shown in FIG. 7B includes an ID 711, a destination IP address 712, and name / type information 713 of the player character 401 and the enemy character 402 that participate in the battle managed for each battle server process. The form information 714, the position information 715, the parameter A information 716, the parameter B information 717, the parameter C information 718, the parameter D information 719, and the addition waiting flag 720 are managed.

  The ID 711 is the same as the ID 601 of the player character 401 managed by the zone server device 200 (same as the player character 401 participating in the battle) and the enemy character 402. Further, for the enemy character 402 to be newly added in the battle, the field character table 600 shown in FIG. 6A is used based on battle peripheral information (described later) transmitted by the battle server process. A unique ID 711 is also set and registered in the managed ID 601.

  The transmission destination IP address 712 stores, for the player character 401, the IP address of the video game apparatus 100 that operates the player character 401 in order to transmit the battle progress information about the player character 401. Further, regarding the enemy character 402, the IP address of the zone server device is stored in order to transmit the position and appearance information about the enemy character 402.

  Regarding the name / type information 713 and the form information 714, the player character 401 and the enemy character 402 (excluding the enemy character 402 newly participating in the battle) are stored in the field character table 600 shown in FIG. Information similar to the managed name / type information 603 and the form information 604 is registered. In addition, the name / type information 713 of the enemy character 402 newly participating in the battle is registered with the type of the enemy character 402 determined to be added, and the form information 714 includes form information 714 unique to the enemy character 402. It will be registered.

  When the position information 715 is registered in the battle character table 710 for the first time, the player character 401 and the enemy character 402 (excluding the enemy character 402 newly participating in the battle) are shown in FIG. The position information 605 managed by the field character table 600 shown is registered. Further, regarding the position information 715 of the enemy character 402 newly participating in the battle, a predetermined position in the vicinity of the player character 401 (for example, +2 in the X-axis direction and Y-axis direction with respect to the position of the player character 401) +2 position, etc.) are registered.

  When the parameter A information 716 and the parameter B information 717 are registered in the battle character table 710 for the first time, the same information as that stored in the video game apparatus 100 described later is registered for the player character 401. .

  Further, regarding the enemy character 402 (excluding the enemy character 402 newly participating in the battle), the same contents as the parameter A information 606 and the parameter B information 607 managed in the field character table 600 shown in FIG. Is registered. Further, for the parameter A information 716 and parameter B information 717 of the enemy character 402 newly participating in the battle, the parameter A information 716 and parameter B information 717 unique to the enemy character 402 are registered.

  Regarding the parameter C information 718 and the parameter D information 719, when the player character 401 is registered for the first time in the battle character table 710, the same information as that stored in the video game apparatus 100 described later is registered. Is done. On the other hand, for the parameter C information 718 and parameter D information 719 of the enemy character 402, the parameter C information 718 and parameter D information 719 unique to the enemy character 402 are registered.

  The addition waiting flag 720 is used to measure the timing at which addition is determined in the battle and the enemy character 402 registered in the battle character table 710 is actually added to the field 400 in the battle. That is, when the addition waiting flag 720 changes from 1 to 0, the enemy character 402 for which the addition waiting flag 720 is set is added to the field 400.

  For example, in the battle development shown in FIG. 5, for the enemy character 402-2 added to the field 400 immediately after the start of the battle, 0 is set in the addition waiting flag 720 after being registered in the battle character table 710. Has been. On the other hand, in the additional enemy character 402-3 that appears when the enemy character 402-2 is defeated, 1 is registered in the additional waiting flag 720 immediately after the battle starts, and when the enemy character 402-2 is defeated, The addition waiting flag 720 becomes 0. At this timing, the additional enemy character 402-3 is added to the field 400.

  Further, the order in which the enemy characters 402 are added is performed in order from the enemy character 402 of the type stored in the constituent enemy character 702 at the left end of the enemy character combination table 700, and is input to the battle character table 710. Registration is also such that records are generated in that order (ascending order of ID 711).

  Regarding the position information 715, parameter A information 716, parameter B information 717, parameter C information 718, and parameter D information 719 of the player character 401 and the enemy character 402 registered in the battle character table, Until the game is finished, the information is updated according to the input information transmitted from the video game apparatus 100 registered in the battle character table 710 and the process related to the game progress of the battle server process that manages the battle character table 710. . The information updated in this way is transmitted to the video game apparatus 100 every 1/30 second.

  On the other hand, for the zone server device 200, the player character 401 registered in the battle character table 710 and the enemy character 402 (the enemy character 402 with the addition waiting flag 720 set to 1 (battle character table) are registered by the battle server process. The position information 715, parameter A information 716, and parameter B information 717 (except for enemy characters 402) that are registered in 710 but not added on the field 400) are used as battle peripheral information until the battle ends. For example, it is transmitted at a timing of 0.5 seconds.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of data stored in the video game apparatus 100. This includes ID 801, name information 802, form information 803, position information 804, parameter A information 805, parameter B information 806, parameter C information 807, parameter D information 808, and zone server device identification. Information 809 and battle server process identification information 810 are stored.

  The ID 801 is unique to the player character 401 operated by the video game apparatus 100 in which the ID 801 is stored, and is the same as that stored as the ID 601 and ID 711. The ID 801, ID 601, and ID 711 uniquely identify the player character 401 that is moving or fighting on the field 400 and the video game apparatus 100 that operates the player character 401.

  The name information 802 and the form information 803 are information having the same contents as those stored in the character appearance table of FIG. 6A or the battle character table 710 of FIG. Information relating to the name of the player character 401 operated by the video game apparatus 100 is stored, and the form information 803 stores information relating to the form of the player character 401 operated by the video game apparatus 100.

  The position information 804 stores the position of the player character 401 operated on the video game apparatus 100 on the field 400. When the player character 401 is moving in the field 400, the input unit of the player It is updated when the movement operation 161 is performed.

  On the other hand, during the battle, the player's moving operation transmits it as input information to the battle server device 300, and the battle progress information obtained by executing the battle progress processing based on the input information is used as the video game device 100. Receive at. The position information 804 in the battle is updated by the battle progress information thus obtained.

  The parameter A information 805, parameter B information 806, parameter C information 807, and parameter D information 808 are stored in the character appearance table in FIG. 6A or the battle character table 710 in FIG. 7B. The information is the same as the information. When the player character 401 is moving in the field 400, regarding the parameter A information 805 and the parameter B information 806 (appearing on the display screen 122 as appearance), ID 801, name information 802, form information 803, In addition, together with the position information 804, it is transmitted to the zone server device 200 periodically (every 0.5 seconds).

  On the other hand, when the battle is in progress, the parameter A information 805, the parameter B information 806, the parameter C information 807, and the parameter D information 808 are updated by the battle progress information transmitted from the battle server apparatus 300 described above. It becomes.

  The zone server device identification information 809 stores information such as the IP address of the zone server device 200 that communicates with the video game device 100 that stores the zone server device identification information 809. The battle server process identification information 810 includes the IP address of the battle server apparatus 300 of the battle server process that has established communication with the video game apparatus 100 that stores this information, and one battle server process that is started by the battle server apparatus. Is stored in the case of not being in a battle, it is NULL.

  Furthermore, a buffer area for temporarily storing information transmitted from the zone server device 200 and the battle server device 300 used for generating an image to be displayed on the display screen 122 to be described later is secured for each information. Is done. As for the peripheral information transmitted from the zone server device 200, a storage area sufficient to store two pieces of peripheral information for a delay display process described later is secured, and the battle peripheral information transmitted from the battle server device 300 is real-time. Since an image is generated by the above, a storage area enough to store one battle peripheral information is secured.

  Next, the progress of the online game and the data flow according to this embodiment will be described. 9 and 10 schematically show the progress of this online game and the flow of data. In the progress of the online game shown in FIG. 9, the player character 401 moves on the field 400 where there are a plurality of enemy characters 402 and performs a battle willing action on one enemy character 402 existing on the field 400. The battle with the enemy character 402 is performed, and the progress until the battle ends is shown.

  As shown in FIG. 9A, each of the plurality of player characters 401 that are moving performs data transmission / reception between the video game device 100 on which the player character 401 is operated and the zone server device 200. Yes. From the video game apparatus 100, an ID 801, name information 802, form information 803, position information 804, parameter A information 805, and parameter B information 806 (collectively, “appearance / position information”) are stored in the zone server. It is to be transmitted to the device 200.

  On the other hand, from the zone server device 200, for each video game device 100, an ID 601 related to another player character 401 specified as peripheral information of the player character 401 operated by the video game device 100 and an enemy character 402. , Name information 603, form information 604, position information 605, parameter A information 606, parameter B information 607, and battle server information 608 are transmitted.

  As the timing for transmitting these data to each device, appearance / position information transmitted from the video game device 100 is transmitted at a timing of every 0.5 seconds, for example, and transmitted from the zone server device 200. The peripheral information is transmitted at a timing of, for example, every 1.0 second.

  Subsequently, when one of the moving player characters 401 performs a battle willing action on the enemy character 402, the battle server device 300 manages the position / parameter management of the player character 401 and the enemy character 402. As shown in FIG. 9 (b), the video game device 100, the zone server device 200, and the battle server device 300 transmit and receive data to and from each other prior to the start of the battle. It is to do.

  First, in the first stage, until a battle is executed, an enemy character 402 that performs a battle is sent from the video game device 100 that operates the player character 401 that performs the battle to the zone server device 200. Along with the identified information, information indicating that a battle is to be performed (hereinafter referred to as “battle will information”) is transmitted.

  Subsequently, in the second stage, the zone server device 200 that has received the battle will information selects the battle server device 300 for generating and starting the battle server process for executing the battle based on the information, and Information indicating that the selected battle server apparatus 300 is instructed to generate / activate a battle server process, and information related to the player character 401 that has performed the battle will action and the enemy character 402 (hereinafter, “process”) Generation instruction information ”).

  Here, the information related to the player character 401 transmitted together as the process generation instruction information is the ID 601 of the player character 401 and the transmission destination IP address 602 of the video game apparatus 100 that operates the player character 401. The information related to the enemy character 402 includes the ID 601, name / type information 603, form information 604, position information 605, parameter A information 606, and parameter B information 607 of the enemy character 402.

  Then, in the third stage, the battle server apparatus 300 that has received the process generation instruction information generates and activates a new battle server process, and then promptly specifies information for identifying the battle server process (hereinafter, “ "BSV specific information") is transmitted to the zone server device 200.

  In the fourth stage, the zone server device 200 that has received the BSV specific information immediately receives the received information from the video game device 100 that operates the player character 401 participating in the battle executed in the battle server process. Transfer BSV specific information.

  In the fifth stage, the video game device 100 that has received the BSV specific information, based on the information, the battle server device 300 in which a battle server process for performing a battle process is generated and started by performing a battle will action. On the other hand, information related to the player character 401 operated by the video game apparatus 100 (hereinafter referred to as “connection request information”) together with information requesting a connection for establishing communication with the battle server process. Send.

  Here, the information relating to the player character 401 transmitted together as the connection request information includes the ID 801, name information 802, form information 803, position information 804, parameter A information 805, and parameter B information 806 of the player character 401. , Parameter C information 807 and parameter D information 808.

  When the connection request information is received, the battle server process of the battle server apparatus 300 establishes communication with the video game apparatus 100, starts the battle, and controls all the progress of the battle until the end. When the battle is started, as shown in FIG. 9C, the input operation of the input unit 161 of the player who operates the player character 401 by the video game apparatus 100 from the video game apparatus 100 to the battle server apparatus 300. Information (hereinafter referred to as “input information”).

  On the other hand, the battle server device 300 transmits information related to the result of the battle progress process (hereinafter referred to as “battle progress information”) to the video game device 100, and the zone server device 200 As the battle peripheral information, the ID 711, name / type information 713, form information 714, position information 715, parameter A information 716, and parameter B information 717 of the player character 401 and the enemy character 402 that participate in the battle are transmitted.

  Moreover, as a timing which transmits these data to each apparatus, the battle progress information transmitted from the battle server apparatus 300 is transmitted at the timing of every 1/30 second, for example, The video game apparatus 100 which received it If an input operation of the player is detected, it is immediately transmitted as input information. On the other hand, the battle periphery information transmitted from the battle server device 300 is transmitted at a timing of every 0.5 seconds, for example.

  During the battle, no data is transmitted from the video game apparatus 100 to the zone server apparatus 200. However, the zone server apparatus 200 periodically transmits to the video game apparatus 100 ( Peripheral information is transmitted every 1.0 seconds).

  However, regarding the transmission of the peripheral information from the zone server device 200 during the battle, the video game device 100 does not use it for the generation processing of an image displayed on the display screen 122 described later, but due to an error, the battle server device The communication with the server 300 is disconnected during the battle, and the communication with the zone server device 200 is urgently established.

  When all the enemy characters 402 are defeated in the battle, the battle ends, and the battle is performed from the battle server device 300 to the video game device 100 and the zone server device 200 as shown in FIG. Is transmitted to indicate that the process has ended (hereinafter referred to as “battle end information”).

  Based on this battle end information, processing for the end of the battle is executed in the video game device 100 and the zone server device 200, and data transmission / reception between the video game device 100 and the zone server device 200 is performed as shown in FIG. Is resumed. In the battle server device 300, the battle server process is ended after the transmission of the battle end information.

  Subsequently, in the progress of the online game shown in FIG. 10, the other player character 401 not participating in the battle performs a battle willing action during the battle, so that the battle is performed and the battle is performed. It shows the progress until halfway through.

  As shown in FIG. 9 (c), one player character 401 of the moving player characters 401 battles against a battle in the vicinity of the player character 401 on the field 400 (example shown in FIG. 5). Then, when performing the recovery magic for the player character 401-1 in the battle), as shown in FIG. 10A, the video game device 100, before the participation of the battle, the zone server device 200, and Data is transmitted / received to / from the battle server device 300.

  Before participating in the battle, first, in the first stage, the video game device 100 operating the player character 401 to participate in the battle performs a battle will action as battle will information on the zone server device 200. In addition, information indicating that a battle is to be performed is transmitted together with information for identifying another player character 401 or enemy character 402 (in the example illustrated in FIG. 5, player character 401-1).

  Subsequently, in the second stage, the zone server device 200 that has received the battle will information performs a battle server process that executes a battle in which the identified player character 401 or enemy character 402 participates based on the information. It identifies and transmits with respect to the video game apparatus 100 which transmitted battle will information as BSV specific information.

  In the third stage, the video game apparatus 100 that has received the BSV specific information, based on the information, the battle server apparatus 300 in which a battle server process is executed in which a battle process to participate by performing a battle will action is performed. On the other hand, information related to the player character 401 operated by the video game apparatus 100 is transmitted as connection request information together with information requesting connection for establishing communication with the battle server process.

  The connection request information is received, and the battle server process of the battle server apparatus 300 establishes communication with the video game apparatus 100 so that the player character 401 operated by the video game apparatus 100 can participate in the battle. Become.

  Thus, when a new player character 401 participates in the battle, as shown in FIG. 10B, input information is transmitted from the video game device 100 operating the player character 401 to the battle server device 300. Then, the battle server apparatus 300 starts transmitting battle progress information to the video game apparatus 100.

  Next, the frequency of data transmission to the video game apparatus 100 and the format of the data will be described. As described above, peripheral information is transmitted from the zone server device 200 to the video game device 100 during movement (even during a battle), and during the battle, battle progress information is received from the battle server device 300 by the battle server process. Sent.

  FIG. 11 schematically shows the transmission frequency and data format of data transmitted from the zone server device 200 and the battle server device 300 to the video game device 100. As shown in FIG. 11, the format of data transmitted from the zone server device 200 except for the ID as identification information of the player character 401 and the enemy character 402 included in the peripheral information is as follows. It consists of information on form, position, parameter A, and parameter B.

  On the other hand, as the battle progress information, the format of the data transmitted from the battle server device 300 except for the ID as identification information of the player character 401 and the enemy character 402 participating in the battle is a form, It consists of position, parameter A, parameter B, parameter C, and parameter D information.

  Thus, the data transmitted from the zone server device 200 and the data transmitted from the battle server device 300 by the battle server process differ depending on whether or not the parameter C and the parameter D that do not appear as appearance are included. It has become a thing. That is, if the number of player characters 401 and enemy characters included in the peripheral information or battle progress information transmitted to one video game apparatus 100 is the same, data transmission by the battle server process is performed at a time. The amount of data to be transmitted becomes large.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the transmission frequency of the peripheral information from the zone server device 200 is every 1.0 seconds, whereas the transmission frequency of the battle progress information transmitted by the battle server process is 30 minutes. Every second.

  Thus, the peripheral information or the battle progress information transmitted to the video game apparatus 100 is used to generate an image to be displayed on the display screen 122 of the display device 121 of the video game apparatus 100. It becomes. One frame time of this image is 1/30 second as described above, and the battle progress information transmitted by the battle server process is transmitted every 1/30 second. The image displayed on 122 is generated and displayed almost in real time.

  On the other hand, while moving, the image of the player character 401 operated by the video game apparatus 100 is processed every frame time, and the image displayed on the display screen 122 is generated and displayed in real time. The peripheral information transmitted from the zone server device 200 is transmitted every 1.0 seconds, and is greatly deviated from one frame time of the image. For this reason, during the movement, a delay display process is performed to generate an image to be displayed on the display screen 122.

  In this delay display process, first, the peripheral information transmitted from the zone server device 200 is sequentially stored in a peripheral information storage buffer (for example, the RAM 105) in the order of transmission. Of the peripheral information transmitted from the zone server device 200 and received / stored by the video game device 100, the peripheral information received 1.0 seconds ago for the image of the player character 401 generated in real time. An image is generated based on the above.

  In other words, in the video game apparatus 100, the image generated by the peripheral information is displayed on the display screen 122 with a delay time of 1.0 second, which is the timing for receiving the peripheral information (the timing transmitted from the zone server apparatus 200). Will be.

  Further, since the image generation is performed at intervals of 1.0 second, the peripheral information (hereinafter referred to as “past peripheral information”) used to generate the image displayed on the display screen 122 at the timing of every 1.0 second. ) And peripheral information received at that timing (hereinafter referred to as “current peripheral information”) is not received.

  For this reason, from the past peripheral information and the current peripheral information, the change in the peripheral information is interpolated by dividing it at equal intervals of 1/30 second so that the change between them becomes smooth. An image to be displayed on the display screen 122 is generated based on the peripheral information divided every minute.

  Hereinafter, processes executed in the zone server device 200, the battle server device 300, and the video game device 100 constituting the network system according to this embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing processing executed in the zone server device 200. The control unit 203 of the zone server device 200 determines whether any information has been received from any of the battle server devices 300 or the video game device 100 (step S101). If any information is received, the control unit 203 of the zone server device 200 determines what the received information is (step S102).

  When the received information is appearance / position information transmitted from the video game apparatus 100, the control unit 203 of the zone server apparatus 200 controls the field character table of the player character 401 operated by the video game apparatus 100. The record in 600 is updated with the received content (step S103). Then, the process returns to step S101.

  If the received information is the battle will information transmitted from the video game device 100 in step S102, the control unit 203 of the zone server device 200 performs the battle will action included in the received information. It is determined whether or not information specifying the battle server process is registered in the battle server process information 608 of the player character 401 or the enemy character 402 (step S104).

  If the information for identifying the battle server process is not registered (if the battle server process information 608 is NULL), the control unit 203 of the zone server device 200 generates the battle server process and starts the battle server device 300. Is selected / determined (step S105), and process generation instruction information is transmitted to the battle server apparatus 300 (step S106). Then, the process returns to step S101.

  If the information specifying the battle server process is registered, the control unit 203 of the zone server device 200 transmits the BSV specifying information to the video game device 100 (step S107). In Step S102, when the received information is the BSV specifying information transmitted from the battle server device 300 by the battle server process, the information is participating in the battle server process (the information specifying the battle server process is The BSV specific information is transmitted to the video game apparatus 100 (registered in the battle server process information 608). When the process of step S107 is completed, control returns to the process of step S101.

  When the received information is the battle end information transmitted from the battle server device 300 by the battle server process in step S102, the control unit 203 of the zone server device 200 determines the battle server process information 608 of the field character table 600. In step S108, the record of the enemy character 402 in which information for specifying the battle server process is registered is deleted.

  Subsequently, the control unit 203 of the zone server device 200 deletes the content of the battle server process information 608 registered in the player character 401 participating in the battle related to the transmitted battle end information in the field character table 600. (Step S109). Then, the process returns to step S101.

  If the received information is the battle peripheral information transmitted from the battle server device 300 by the battle server process in step S102, the control unit 203 of the zone server device 200 determines the battle server process information 608 of the field character table 600. Then, the record of the player character 401 and the enemy character 402 in which information specifying the battle server process is registered is updated with the content of the received information (step S110).

  If the field character table 600 includes information on a new enemy character 402 that does not exist, the table of the new enemy character 402 is added. When the process of step S110 is completed, the control returns to the process of step S101.

  If it is determined in step 101 that no information has been received, the control unit 203 of the zone server device 200 starts from the start of processing in the zone server device 200 or when the previous 1.0 second has elapsed. It is determined whether 1.0 second has elapsed (step S111). If it is determined that 1.0 second has not elapsed, control returns to step S101.

  If it is determined in step S111 that 1.0 second has elapsed, the control unit 203 of the zone server device 200 applies to the video game device 100 that operates all the player characters 401 registered in the field character table 600. The peripheral information corresponding to the player character 401 is transmitted (step S112). Then, the process returns to step S101.

  FIG. 13A is a flowchart showing process generation processing executed in the battle server device 300. The control unit 203 of the battle server apparatus 300 determines whether or not the process generation instruction information transmitted from the zone server apparatus 200 has been received (step S201).

  If the process generation instruction information is received, the control unit 203 of the battle server apparatus 300 generates and activates the battle server process (step S202), and transmits the BSV identification information to the zone server apparatus 200 (step S203). Then, the process returns to step S201. In step S201, the process in step S201 is repeated until process generation instruction information is received.

  Next, FIG. 13B is a flowchart showing battle server process processing executed in the battle server device 300. First, the control unit 203 of the battle server device 300 performs a battle to be executed in the battle server process from the enemy character combination table 700 based on the information about the area 412 where the enemy character 402 exists included in the process generation instruction information. The combination of the enemy characters 402 to be participated in in the initial stage is determined, and these are registered in the battle character table 710 together with the player character 401 participating in the battle (step S211).

  Subsequently, the control unit 203 of the battle server apparatus 300 determines whether or not connection request information from the video game apparatus 100 has been received (step S212). If it is determined that the connection request information has been received, the control unit 203 of the battle server apparatus 300 establishes communication with the video game apparatus 100 that has transmitted the connection request information, and communicates with the player character 401 included in the connection request information. The table of the player character 401 included in the battle character table 710 is updated according to the content of the information (step S213).

  In addition, when the information related to the player character 401 included in the connection request information determined to be received in step S212 is not in the battle character table 710, it is a case where the player character 401 newly participates in the battle. Therefore, the record of the player character 401 is added to the battle character table 710. When the process in step S213 ends, control returns to the process in step S212.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S212 that the connection request information has not been received, the control unit 203 of the battle server apparatus 300 starts from the start of the battle server process or from when the previous 1/30 second has elapsed. It is determined whether 1/30 second has elapsed (step S214). If it is determined that 1/30 second has not elapsed, the process returns to step S212.

  If it is determined in step S214 that 1/30 second has elapsed, the content of the input information transmitted from the video game apparatus 100 participating in the battle is checked (step S215). Then, the control part 203 of the battle server apparatus 300 performs the battle progress process based on the content of the input information (step S216).

  In this battle progress process, when the enemy character 402 is defeated, it is determined that the enemy character 402 is added, and the enemy character 402 registered in the battle character table 710 has an addition waiting flag 702 of 1. If there is, the addition waiting flag 702 is updated to 0 in the ascending order of the IDs 711 registered in the battle character table 710 to participate in the battle.

  Subsequently, the control unit 203 of the battle server apparatus 300 determines whether or not the battle has ended as a result of the battle progress process because all enemy characters have been defeated (step S217). When it is determined that the battle has not ended, the control unit 203 of the battle server apparatus 300 transmits the game progress information to the video game apparatus 100 that operates all the player characters 401 participating in the battle. (Step S218). Then, the process returns to step S212.

  If it is determined in step S217 that the battle has ended, the control unit 203 of the battle server apparatus 300 operates the battle end information, the zone server apparatus 200, and a video that operates all the player characters 401 participating in the battle. It transmits with respect to the game device 100 (step S219), and a battle server process is complete | finished.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing processing executed in the video game apparatus 100. The control unit 103 of the video game apparatus 100 determines whether or not information for specifying the battle server process is stored in the battle server process identification information 810 stored in the video game apparatus 100 according to whether or not the video game apparatus 100 stores information. It is determined whether or not the player character 401 to be operated is in battle (step S301).

  When it is determined that the battle is not in progress, the control unit 103 determines whether any information has been received (step S302). If it is determined that no information has been received, the control unit 103 starts processing in the video game apparatus 100, or has 1/30 seconds elapsed since the previous 1/30 second elapsed? It is determined whether or not (step S303).

  When it is determined that 1/30 second has elapsed, the control unit 103 determines whether or not an input operation is detected by an operation of the input unit 161 by the player (step S304). When it is determined that an input operation has been detected, the control unit 103 determines whether or not the input operation is an input operation for causing the player character 401 to perform a battle willing action (step S305).

  Further, when it is determined in step S305 that the input operation is an input operation for causing a battle will action, the control unit 103 performs a process for the zone server device 200 before performing the process of step S307. The battle will information is transmitted (step S306).

  After determining that it is not an input operation for performing a battle will action, or after transmitting battle will information in step S306, the control unit 103 stores the form information stored in the video game apparatus 100 according to the input operation. 803, position information 804, parameter A information 805, parameter B information 806, parameter C information 807, or parameter D information is updated (step S307).

  When it is determined in step S304 that no input operation has been detected, or following the processing in step S307, the control unit 103 stores the current peripheral information, past peripheral information, and video stored in the peripheral information storage buffer. Based on the form information 803, the position information 804, the parameter A information 805, and the parameter B information 806 stored in the game apparatus 100, a process for generating an image to be displayed on the display screen 122 is performed (step S308).

  When it is determined in step S303 that 1/30 second has not elapsed, or after the process of step S308, the control unit 103 starts the process in the video game apparatus 100 or the previous 0.5. It is determined whether 0.5 second has elapsed since the second elapsed (step S309). If it is determined that 0.5 seconds have not elapsed, the control returns to the process of step S301.

  When it is determined that 0.5 second has elapsed, the control unit 103 transmits appearance / position information to the zone server device 200 (step S310). Then, the process returns to step S301.

  If it is determined in step S302 that some information has been received, the control unit 103 further determines what the received information is (step S312).

  When the received information is the BSV specific information transmitted from the zone server device 200, the control unit 103 updates the battle server process specific information 810 with the information related to the battle server process included in the BSV specific information. (Step S313), the connection request information is transmitted to the battle server device 300 in which the battle server process is activated (Step S314), and the video game device 100 and the battle server process establish communication. Then, the process returns to step S301.

  When the received information is the peripheral information transmitted from the zone server device 200, the control unit 103 stores the peripheral information in the peripheral information storage buffer that stores the current peripheral information in the peripheral information storage buffer. Are sequentially stored (step S315). Then, the process returns to step S301.

  If it is determined in step S301 that the battle is being performed, the control unit 103 determines whether or not the battle end information transmitted from the battle server device 300 by the battle server process has been received (step S321). ). When it determines with not having received battle completion information, the control part 103 determines whether the battle progress information was received from the battle server apparatus 300 by a battle server process (step S322).

  When it is determined that the battle progress information has been received, the control unit 103 performs a process of generating an image to be displayed on the display screen 122 based on the battle progress information (step S323). Subsequently, the control unit 103 determines whether or not an input operation is detected by an operation of the input unit 161 by the player (step S324).

  If it determines with input operation having been detected, the control part 103 will transmit the input information about the input operation with respect to the battle server apparatus 300 by which this battle server process is started (step S325). Then, the process returns to step S301.

  If it is determined in step S321 that the battle end information has been received, the control unit 103 deletes (updates with NULL) the battle server process specifying information 810 stored in the video game apparatus 100 (step S326). The process returns to step S301. If it is determined in step S322 that no battle progress information has been received, or if it is determined in step S324 that no input operation has been detected, control returns to the process of step S301.

  As described above, the online game system according to this embodiment includes the server group 250 including the zone server device 200 and the plurality of video game devices 100 connected to the server group 250 via the network 151. In the provided online game, a plurality of characters including the player character 401 operated by the player of each video game apparatus 100 are operated in the common field 400 to advance the game.

  In the course of the game, a battle is executed in which any one or more player characters 401 fight against an enemy character 402 that is a non-player character. In this battle, since the parameters of the player character 401 and the enemy character 402 participating in the battle are updated in real time every 1/30 second, the processing load is large.

  This battle is performed on the same field 400 without moving to a virtual space different from the field 400 in which the player character 401 was moved before the start of the battle, but generally when a battle is not performed during the battle. Compared with the processing load for performing a game other than a battle, the processing load for performing a battle becomes very large because the movement of the player character 401 and the enemy character 402 and changes in parameters are large.

  Furthermore, in this online game system, an enemy character 402 that did not exist in the field 400 until the start of the battle may be added as an enemy character 402 that appears temporarily in the battle. When the enemy character 402 is added by the start of such a battle, the processing load is further increased by the amount of the added enemy character, and the processing load necessary for executing the battle becomes extremely large. If the number of players who can participate in an online game and the content of the game are narrowed down to the maximum expected processing load, the interest of the game may be reduced by half.

  Here, in the online game system according to this embodiment, in addition to the zone server device 200, the battle server device 300 is added to the server group 250 configured to be connectable to each of the plurality of video game devices 100 via the network 151. The execution of a battle with a large processing load is controlled by a battle server process executed by the battle server device 300.

  For this reason, it is not necessary for the zone server device 200 to control the execution of a battle with a large processing load, and the processing load on the zone server device 200 does not increase too much. Thereby, the number of players that can participate in the provided online game and the content of the game that can be played can be prevented from being limited so much by the execution of the battle with the addition of the enemy character 402.

  Moreover, since it is not necessary for the zone server device 200 to manage the parameters of the player character 401 and the enemy character 402 that are updated every 1/30 second in the battle, the processing load on the zone server device 200 is further reduced. Thereby, the restriction | limiting with respect to the number of the players who can participate in the online game provided, and the content of the game which can be played can be made small.

  By the way, the zone server device manages the states of the plurality of player characters 401 and enemy characters 402 operating in the field 400, but the battle server device 300 has the player character 401 and enemy characters performing the battle. The state of 402 is managed, and in the state managed here, a parameter updated every 1/30 second in the battle is also managed.

  However, in the case where there are a player character 401 that performs a battle and a player character 401 that does not perform a battle, if the battle is completely separated and executed by the battle server device 300, the battle executed by the battle server device 300 A player who operates the player character 401 who does not perform a battle that is not under the control of the server process will not know the progress of the battle on the display screen 122 of his / her video game apparatus 100 at all.

  On the other hand, in the online game system according to this embodiment, the status of the player character 401 and the enemy character 402 managed in the battle server process and the result of the battle progress process processed in the battle server process. The battle periphery information generated according to the above is transmitted from the battle server device 300 that executes the battle server process to the zone server device 200, and the state of each character managed by the zone server device 200 is also determined by the battle periphery information. Updated (that is, it reflects the progress of the battle).

  The video game apparatus 100 corresponding to the player character 401 who is not performing the battle is transmitted with peripheral information reflecting the result of the battle progress process, and a display image of the game is generated based on this information. For this reason, even if the player of each video game apparatus does not have his player character 401 participate in the battle, the progress of the battle performed by the player character 401 of the other player is displayed on the display screen of the video game apparatus 100. This can be confirmed at 122.

  In addition, the zone server device 200 transmits the peripheral information to each video game device 100 at intervals of 1.0 second, while the battle is not performed for the video game device 100 corresponding to the player character 401 performing the battle. The battle server apparatus 300 that executes the battle server process of the battle character generated according to the state of the player character 401 and the enemy character 402 managed there, and the result of the progress process of the battle processed in the battle server process Progress information.

  For this reason, the zone server device 200 that does not control the progress of the battle may transmit the peripheral information at a longer time interval than the battle server device 300 that executes the battle server process that controls the progress of the battle. Therefore, the processing load for transmission of can be reduced. Limits on the number of players that can participate in the provided online game and the content of the game that can be played can be further reduced.

  Then, in the video game apparatus 100, the change of the peripheral information between the past peripheral information and the current peripheral information among the peripheral information transmitted every 1.0 second from the zone server apparatus 200 is reduced to 1/30. An image displayed on the display screen 122 is generated on the basis of the peripheral information divided every 1/30 second by interpolating at equal intervals every second.

  By doing so, the video game apparatus 100 generates an interpolation screen according to the reception interval of the peripheral information and sequentially displays it on the display screen 122. Therefore, the display image of the game other than the battle also changes smoothly. Can be displayed.

  Moreover, the battle server process performed by the battle server apparatus 300 is necessary for the execution of the battle for each battle, not only the state of the player character 401 and the enemy character 402 that are performing the battle (the position on the field 400). And the like, the battle peripheral information including the positions of all the player characters 401 and the enemy character 402 performing the battle is generated with reference to this, and the zone server device 200 To send.

  On the other hand, the zone server device 200 not only manages the position of each of the plurality of player characters 401 moving in the field 400 with the field character table 600 but also in the field 400 of the enemy character 402 appearing only in the battle. The position is also managed by the field character table 600. The position of each character managed thereby is updated based on the battle periphery information transmitted from the battle server device 300.

  The zone server device 200 transmits peripheral information to the video game device 100 corresponding to the player character 401 who is not performing a battle, and displays a display image of the game generated thereby on the display screen 122 of the display device 121. However, the peripheral information includes the position of the enemy character 402 that appears only in the battle that the player character 401 of the video game apparatus 100 does not perform.

  In other words, a player who has not made his / her own player character 401 perform a battle can see the battle that the other player character 401 is performing with the enemy character 402 on the display screen 122 and is added only in the battle. The enemy character 402 can also be seen.

  The parameters set for the player character 401 include four types of parameters A to D. Among them, the parameters C and D are the appearance of the player character 401 on the display screen 122 of the video game apparatus 100. It is defined as a parameter that makes no difference.

  The battle progress information transmitted from the battle server apparatus 300 to the video game apparatus 100 includes information regarding parameters C and D in addition to information regarding parameters A and B. The peripheral information transmitted to the video game apparatus 100 does not include information regarding the parameters C and D.

  Thereby, the information amount of the peripheral information transmitted from the zone server apparatus 200 can be suppressed, and the processing load for transmitting the peripheral information can be reduced. On the other hand, since it is the video game device 100 of the player character 401 who is not performing the battle that receives the peripheral information that does not include the information related to the parameters C and D, the values of the parameters C and D may be changed. In any case, the player character 401 does not affect the game progress.

  On the other hand, battle peripheral information that does not include information relating to the parameters C and D is transmitted from the battle server device 300 to the zone server device 200, and is managed by the zone server device 200 according to the result of the battle progress process. Since the state of each character is transmitted, there is a problem in confirming not only the progress other than the battle but also the progress of the battle on the display screen 122 of the video game apparatus 100 by the peripheral information generated and transmitted thereby. Will not occur.

  Here, since the enemy character 402 added only in the battle is a character that performs the battle, the battle server device 300, not the zone server device 200, controls the operation. For this reason, even if the number of enemy characters 402 existing as a whole of the online game is increased, the number of enemy characters 402 that the zone server device 200 must directly control the action can be suppressed. The processing load on the server device 200 can be suppressed.

  Further, the type and / or number of the enemy characters 402 to be added is determined according to which area of the field 400 the enemy character 402 is added in the battle according to which battle with the enemy character 402 is performed.

  In this case, since the type and / or number of enemy characters 402 to be added differ in the battle performed for each area, the variation of the battle increases, and the interest of the battle decreases as the number of times the same player performs the battle is repeated. Can be prevented.

  Further, the additional enemy character 402 appears not only at the start of the battle, but may also appear at the timing after the start of the battle, so the battle variation increases, and the same player performs the battle. As the number of times increases, it is possible to prevent the interest of the battle from decreasing.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and applications are possible. Hereinafter, modifications of the above-described embodiment applicable to the present invention will be described.

  In the above embodiment, the battle will action for participating in the battle being executed was the execution of recovery magic for the player character 402 in the battle, but the battle will action is an attack on the enemy character 402. May be performed by approaching the enemy character 402 performing the battle or the like.

  In addition, the battle will action performed at the start of the battle is not limited to the attack on the enemy character 402 existing in the field 400, but the approach to the enemy character 402 or a predetermined action (for example, the vicinity of the enemy character 402). For example, picking up items in Further, it is also possible to move only to the place where the battle is started (at this time, the added character is only the combination of the enemy characters 402 determined at the start of the battle).

  In the above embodiment, the combination of the enemy characters 402 that is determined at the start of the battle does not change until the battle is over. However, the enemy character 402 may be added in the middle of the battle. Good. Further addition of the enemy character 402 during the battle to the combination determined before the start of the battle may be performed when the moving player character 401 participates in the battle.

  As a result, the enemy character 402 such as 4, 5 can be added to the area 412 that is normally combined only with the three enemy characters 402, and the player can be given unexpectedness. It is possible to prevent a situation in which the number of player characters 401 is overwhelmingly larger than the number of characters 402 and the difficulty level of the battle is relatively lowered.

  In the above embodiment, the combination of the enemy characters 402 determined at the start of the battle is determined in advance for each area 412, but this is selected from a plurality of types of enemy characters 402. The combination and / or number may be determined randomly.

  For example, this is determined by determining the number of enemy characters 402 to be randomly added to the battle within a predetermined minimum number to the maximum number, and adding two or more enemy characters. For example, the type of each of the two or more enemy characters 402 determined to be determined is determined. Further, it may be determined to add the types and number of enemy characters 402 according to a predetermined rule. As a result, the player cannot always read the combination of the enemy characters 402, so that the interest of the game is increased.

  In the above embodiment, the enemy character 402 whose combination is determined at the start of the battle is the first one immediately after the start of the battle, and the second is one enemy character 402. Appeared at the timing after the defeat. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the appearance timing of such an enemy character 402 may be caused to appear according to the elapsed time from the start of the battle, or may be caused to appear at once.

  In addition, the second enemy is not the timing when one enemy character 402 was killed, but two enemy characters 402 (first enemy character 402 present in the field and the first enemy character 402 added) were killed. The timing may be a timing at which the player character 401 who participates in the battle newly participates. This is the same even when three or more enemy characters 402 are added.

  In the above embodiment, when the battle is started, the combination of the enemy characters 402 is determined for each area 412, and the enemy character 402 has unique form information and parameter information according to the type. Even in the same type of enemy character 402, a plurality of different patterns may be prepared in these form information or parameter information.

  For example, at the start of the battle, together with the combination of enemy characters 402 determined for each area 412, the form information or parameter information is randomly selected from a plurality of different patterns for the determined type of enemy character 402. Alternatively, a numerical value obtained at random is extracted and applied to a predetermined arithmetic expression so that the parameter information is changed.

  As a result, even if the battle is performed in the same area 412 as before and the battle is performed with an enemy character having the same combination as before, the battle can be performed with an enemy character having a different appearance or parameter each time. As a result, the enemy character 402 becomes more diverse and more interesting.

  In the above embodiment, when the enemy character 402 whose combination has already been determined is added to the field 400 during the battle, the position is set in the vicinity of the player character 401. The position at which 402 is added may be determined from the positions of the player character 401 and the enemy character 402 that has not been defeated.

  As a result, for example, the position where the enemy character 402 is added can be set to a position where the player character 401 can be pinched and shot, giving the player a surprise and further increasing the interest of the game.

  In the above embodiment, the display screen 122 of the video game apparatus 100 that operates the moving player character 401 who is not participating in the battle displays the peripheral information transmitted from the zone server apparatus 200 on the display screen 122 of the video game apparatus 100. It was limited to the display obtained from.

  On the other hand, even if the player character 401 is moving, the display screen 122 of the video game apparatus 100 that operates the player character 401 is displayed on the display screen 122 when the player character 401 is in the vicinity of the character performing the battle. The battle progress information may be transmitted to the video game apparatus 100 by a battle server process performing the battle progress process so that the character in the battle can be displayed in more detail.

  As a result, a battle closer to the player character 401 is displayed in detail on the display screen 122 of the video game apparatus 100 that controls the moving player character 401 compared to a battle being performed far away from the field for the player character 401. As a result, the player of the video game apparatus 100 can obtain a more realistic sensation with respect to the game, and the interest as a video game can be obtained.

  Although not particularly described in the above embodiment, usually, when a character executes magic in a video game, various special displays are performed on the display screen 122 according to the type of magic executed. Yes, even if it is the same type of magic (types are flame, lightning, etc.), if it has more powerful power, the special display will be displayed larger or more vigorously accordingly. To do.

  By performing the special display in this manner in the battle of the above-described embodiment, a video game that operates the player character 401 with respect to the difference in magic power executed by the player character 401 participating in the battle. The player of the device 100 can recognize through the display screen 122.

  Similarly, the same special display can be performed on the display screen 122 of the player of the video game apparatus 100 who operates the moving player character 401 who has not participated in the battle. Instead, a simple display may be performed in which the same special display is performed for all types of executed magic (not limited to magic but may be a special skill such as a fire from the mouth).

  That is, for the display screen 122 of the video game apparatus 100 that operates the player character 401 that is performing a battle, generation of the display image and progress of the game are executed in real time. It shall be different depending on the power of the magic.

  On the other hand, regarding the display screen 122 of the video game apparatus 100 that operates another player character 401 that is not performing a battle, a display image other than the movement of the field 400 of the other player character 401 is displayed every 1.0 second. Based on the transmitted peripheral information, it is generated by the delay display process, and the amount of information is small compared to the process during the battle.

  Therefore, in such a case, if the battle is visually recognized through the display screen 122 and performs special display by magic, if the magic is of the same type, the information related to the special display of the magic is unified. Things are included in the peripheral information and transmitted to the video game apparatus 100 that operates another player character 401 that is not performing the battle.

  This may include the same type of magic as a unified special display in the battle peripheral information transmitted by the battle server process that executes the process related to the battle. By doing in this way, when displaying a special display on the display screen 122 of the video game apparatus 100, the battle peripheral information received by the zone server apparatus 200 and the peripheral information transmitted from the zone server apparatus 200 can be reduced. Thus, the burden on the zone server device 200 can be reduced.

  In the above embodiment, which battle server apparatus 300 generates and activates the battle server process is determined by the number of battle server process activations of the battle server apparatus 300 in the process activation management table 610 managed by the zone server apparatus 200. Was to be managed.

  However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a battle server process is newly generated based on the load obtained from the information amount of the battle peripheral information transmitted from the battle server process. -You may make it select the battle server apparatus 300 to start.

  Alternatively, the load information may be obtained from the battle server process as information for which the load amount is specifically obtained, and the battle server apparatus 300 that newly generates and activates the battle server process may be selected based on the load. .

  This makes it possible to manage the generation and activation of battle server processes by the processing load of fluid battle progression that cannot be seen only from the number of battle server process activations, and to create and activate battle server processes more efficiently. It is possible to select a specific battle server device 300.

  In the above embodiment, the combination of the enemy characters 402 to participate in the battle is the enemy character 402 included in the process generation instruction information transmitted from the zone server device 200 to the battle server device 300 at the start of the battle. The battle server device 300 is determined based on the information about the area 412 where there is. The present invention is not limited to this, and the zone server device 200 may determine the combination of the enemy characters 402 to participate in the battle determined at the start of the battle.

  In this case, the enemy character combination table 700 referred to when determining the combination of the enemy characters 402 participating in the battle may be stored in the zone server device 200. At this time, since the combination of the enemy characters 402 participating in the battle is determined by the zone server device 200, the process generation instruction information does not include information on the area 412 where the enemy characters 402 exist, and the player character 401 and Information relating to the enemy character 402 and the enemy character 402 to participate in the battle (information such as ID and type managed by the zone server device 200 for each character) is transmitted to the battle server device 300.

  In the above embodiment, a plurality of areas 412 exist on the field 400 managed by the zone server device 200. However, a zone server device 200 is provided for each area 412, and the plurality of zone server devices 200 can Management may be performed every 412.

  At this time, when the player character 401 moves between the areas 412, the destination area 412 is managed from the zone server device 200 that manages the source area 412 (hereinafter referred to as "source zone server apparatus 200A"). Information specifying the zone server device 200 (hereinafter referred to as “destination zone server device 200B”) is transmitted to the video game device 100 that operates the player character 401, and the information specifying the video game device 100 is moved. The data is transmitted to the destination zone server device 200B.

  The video game device 100 establishes communication with the destination zone server device 200A based on the information specifying the destination zone server device 200A. In this way, the appearance / position management of the player character 401 is shifted from the movement source zone server apparatus 200A to the movement destination zone server apparatus 200B by movement between the areas 412.

  In the above embodiment, when the battle is over, the transmission of the battle progress information transmitted from the battle server device 300 every 1/30 second to the video game device 100 is finished, and the zone server device 200 to 1 Starts receiving peripheral information transmitted every 0 seconds. For this reason, from the real-time image generation process performed until the end of the battle, the image generation is performed by the delayed display process after the battle ends.

  Therefore, the battle progress information transmitted every 1/30 second from the battle server device 300 is limited to the battle end information, and is transmitted 1.0 second after the determination of the battle end. You may make it match with the timing of a display process. As a result, the real-time image development until the end of the battle displayed on the display screen 122 and the delayed image development of the peripheral information delay display processing are buffered, and the image development on the display screen 122 immediately after the battle ends is buffered by the player. It becomes possible to reduce a sense of incongruity.

  In the above embodiment, the transmission timing of the peripheral information transmitted from the zone server device 200 is every 1.0 seconds, but even if it is transmitted at transmission timings longer than that, Good. Moreover, you may make it transmit this at the timing of every 1/30 second like the timing which transmits the battle progress information transmitted from the battle server apparatus 300 by a battle server process.

  As a result, the timing deviation from the one frame time on the display screen 122 of the display device 121 of the video game apparatus 100 is eliminated, and the appearance / position of the player character 401 operated by the video game apparatus 100 is real-time. An image related to the peripheral information can be generated in accordance with the change of.

  Moreover, although the transmission timing of the battle periphery information transmitted from the battle server device 300 is every 0.5 seconds, this is 1 / 30th, which is the timing at which the battle progress information is transmitted to the video game device 100. You may make it send at the transmission timing for every second. Moreover, the transmission timing of the periphery information transmitted from such a zone server apparatus 200, the battle progress information transmitted from the battle server apparatus 300, and the battle periphery information may not be equal intervals. Further, the timing at which data is transmitted from the video game apparatus 100 may not be equal, and may be transmitted only when there is an input from the player, for example.

  In the above embodiment, the timing at which the peripheral information is transmitted from the zone server device 200 to each video game device 100 is every 1.0 second, whereas the battle progress information is transmitted from the battle server device 300. The timing was 1/30 second. Therefore, the video game apparatus 100 performs a delay display process based on the peripheral information transmitted from the zone server apparatus 200, and displays the display on the display screen 122 in real time based on the battle progress information transmitted from the battle server apparatus 300. An image display process was performed.

  In the present invention, the frequency at which the battle progress information is transmitted from the battle server device 300 is higher than the frequency at which the peripheral information is transmitted from the zone server device 200, and the real time property of the battle progress is not hindered. If so, it is not limited to this. In addition, depending on the frequency with which the battle progress information is transmitted from the battle server device 300, the video game device 100 of the player is moving to prevent the player from feeling uncomfortable with the moving image displayed on the display screen 122. The delay display process that has been performed as the display process may also be performed in the display process during the battle.

  In the above embodiment, the player character 401 battles and defeats the enemy character 402 in the battle, but in addition to or instead of this, the player characters 401 battle each other. May be. In this case, with respect to the video game apparatus 100 that operates the plurality of player characters 401 that will start the battle, the zone server apparatus 200 performs the video game apparatus 100 with respect to the fourth stage in FIG. The BSV specifying information to be transmitted is transferred to the video game apparatus 100.

  In the online game according to the above-described embodiment, the player character 401 moves on the field 400 and battles with the enemy character 402. However, in the field 400, another player character 401 is identified from the player. It is an aspect that can see the appearance of the event of the event, generating a display image of the display screen 122 in real time for the event, and replacing the event that updates the parameters of the character instead of the battle You may go to Such an event may be, for example, a race (car, horse, etc.) or a sport (soccer, baseball, etc.).

  In the above embodiment, the player character 401 and the enemy character 402 are described as human-type and animal-type characters that move in the field. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and in addition to these, Instead, a vehicle such as an airplane or a tank may move or battle.

  In the above embodiment, the online game has been described as being limited to MMORPG. However, if this is an online game that involves a change in the situation such as a field movement and a battle-like event, a large number of players May be a simulation game in which can participate.

  In the above-described embodiment, the video game apparatus 100 that is a game-dedicated machine is applied as an apparatus serving as a platform for executing a video game. On the other hand, the present invention may be realized by using a general-purpose personal computer as a platform as long as it has the same components as the video game apparatus 100 and has a network connection function. A portable game machine (including a mobile phone having an application execution function) having a configuration in which the display device 121 and the sound output device 125 are housed in the same housing as the video game main body 101 may be applied.

  As the recording medium 131, a semiconductor memory card can be applied instead of a DVD-ROM or a CD-ROM. A card slot for inserting the memory card can be provided in place of the DVD / CD-ROM drive 113. In the case of a general-purpose personal computer, the program and data according to the present invention may be stored in advance in the HDD 107 instead of being stored in the recording medium 131 and provided. Any recording medium for storing and providing the program and data according to the present invention can be applied depending on the physical form and distribution form of hardware.

  In the above embodiment, the program and data of the video game apparatus 100 are stored in the recording medium 131 and distributed. On the other hand, these programs and data may be stored in a fixed disk device of a server device existing on the network and distributed to the video game main body 101 via the network. In the video game apparatus 100, the program and data received from the server apparatus by the communication interface 115 can be stored in the HDD 107 and loaded into the RAM 105 at the time of execution. The same applies to the programs and data of the zone server device 200 and the battle server device 300.

  In the above embodiment, the zone server device 200, the two battle server devices 300, and the non-game server device 350 are set as the server group 250, but the distance relationship between them is not particularly described. They may exist in the same building, or in different regions, countries, etc.).

  Further, if the video game apparatus 100 has sufficient processing capacity to manage the battle server process, the player character 401 operated by the video game apparatus 100 in the video game apparatus 100 instead of the battle server apparatus 300 will be described. You may make it manage the battle server process which concerns on a battle.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Video game apparatus 101 Video game main body 103 Control part 105 RAM
107 HDD
109 Sound processing unit 111 Graphic processing unit 112 Frame memory 113 DVD / CD-ROM drive 115 Communication interface 117 Interface unit 119 Internal bus 121 Display device 122 Display screen 125 Sound output device 131 Recording medium 200 Zone server device 201 Server body 203 Control unit 205 RAM
207 HDD
213 DVD / CD-ROM drive 215 Communication interface 231 Recording medium 250 Server group 300 Battle server device 350 Out-of-game server device

Claims (7)

A player character comprising a main server device and a plurality of client devices having a display device connected to the main server device via a communication line and displaying a game display screen, and operated by a player of each client device An online game including an immediate processing game in which the game is progressed by causing a plurality of characters including the character to move in a common field and proceeding the game while immediately updating a parameter set for any one or more player characters An online game system to provide
It is configured to be connectable to the main server device and each of the plurality of client devices via a communication line, and further includes a sub server device that controls execution of the immediate processing game of the online game,
Each of the plurality of client devices is
Action command input means for inputting an action command for a player character operated by a player of the client device;
When the immediate processing game is not being played by the player character operated by the player of the client device, information corresponding to the motion command input from the motion command input means is transmitted to the main server device, and Non-immediate processing game execution that receives non-immediate processing game information periodically transmitted from the main server device, generates a game display screen based on the received non-immediate processing game information, and displays the game display screen on the display device Means,
Sub server connection means for connecting to the sub server device to perform the immediate processing game when a predetermined condition for the player character operated by the player of the client device to perform the immediate processing game is satisfied;
A motion command input from the motion command input means when the immediate processing game is being played by a player character connected to the secondary server device by the secondary server connection means and operated by a player of the client device. Is sent to the secondary server device, receives immediate processing game information periodically transmitted from the secondary server device, and generates a game display screen based on the received immediate processing game information. And an immediate processing game execution means for displaying on the display device,
The main server device is
Character state management means for managing the state of each of the plurality of characters operating in the field;
The information according to the action command transmitted from each of the plurality of client devices is received, and the state of each character managed by the character state management means according to the information according to the received action command A non-immediate processing game update means for updating;
When the immediate processing game is executed in the secondary server device, the immediate processing game information periodically transmitted from the secondary server device is received, and the character state management is performed according to the received immediate processing game information Immediate processing game update means for updating the state of each character managed by the means;
The non-immediate processing game information is generated according to the state of each character managed by the character state management means, and the generated non-immediate processing game information corresponds to at least a player character in which the immediate processing game is not performed. Non-immediate processing game information transmitting means for transmitting to the client device,
The secondary server device is
Immediate processing game management means for managing the state of the character performing the immediate processing game including parameters set for the player character operated by the player of the client device connected by the secondary server connection means;
The information corresponding to the operation command transmitted from the client device connected by the secondary server connection means is received, the immediate processing game is executed using at least the information corresponding to the operation command, and the immediate processing is performed. Sub-immediate processing game execution means for updating the state of each character managed by the immediate processing game management means according to the game execution result;
The immediate processing game information is generated according to the state of the character managed by the immediate processing game management means and the execution result of the immediate processing game by the sub immediate processing game execution means , and the generated immediate processing game information An on-line game system comprising: an immediately processed game information transmitting unit that transmits a client device connected by the sub server connecting unit and the main server device. The non-immediate processing game information transmitting means includes at least the immediate processing game at a long time interval corresponding to a time interval for generating a predetermined number of display screens displayed on the display device in each of the plurality of client devices. Transmitting the non-immediate processing game information to a client device corresponding to a player character that has not been performed,
The immediate processing game information transmission means transmits the immediate processing game information to the client device connected by the secondary server connection means at a short time interval shorter than the long time interval,
The non-immediate processing game execution means is configured to display the non-immediate processing game information after the display screen corresponding to the previous non-immediate processing game information in a period corresponding to the long time interval after receiving the non-immediate processing game information. An interpolation screen that complements up to the display screen corresponding to the processing game information is sequentially generated, and the display screen is sequentially displayed from the generated interpolation screen to the display screen corresponding to the non-immediate processing game information,
The immediate processing game execution means receives the immediate processing game information, generates a display screen according to the received immediate processing game information, and displays the generated display screen on the display device. The online game system according to claim 1. The parameters set for the player character updated in the immediate processing game include an out-of-form parameter that does not show a difference in the form of the player character on the display screen displayed on the display device,
The immediate processing game information includes display information necessary for the immediate processing game execution means to generate a display screen, and is set to a player character operated by a player of a client device that receives at least the immediate processing game information. Including out-of-form parameters
The non-immediate processing game information includes display information necessary for the immediate processing game execution means to generate a display screen, but the out-of-form parameters set for the player character operated by the player of any client device are also included. The online game system according to claim 1, wherein the online game system is not included. The online game system according to claim 3, wherein the display information included in the non-immediate processing game information is simplified than the display information included in the immediate processing game information. The plurality of characters include non-player characters different from any of the player characters,
The online game system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the non-player character includes a non-player character that appears only in the immediate processing game. The main server device is
When a start condition for an immediate processing game in which no other player character is playing is established for a player character operated by a player of any client device, the immediate processing game in which the start condition is satisfied is executed Process generation requesting means for requesting the secondary server device to generate a process for
Based on a request from the process generation request means, process identification information for identifying a process for executing an immediate processing game returned from the secondary server device is received, and the received process identification information is processed as the immediate processing. Process specifying information transfer means for transferring to a client device corresponding to a player character that has established a game start condition;
The secondary server device is
Process generation means for generating and starting a process for executing the immediate processing game when generation of a process for executing the immediate processing game for which the start condition is satisfied is requested from the process generation requesting means; ,
A process specifying information returning means for returning the process specifying information for specifying the process generated by the process generating means to the main server device;
The secondary server connection means provided in the client device corresponding to the player character that established the immediate processing game start condition receives the process specification information transferred from the process specification information transfer means, and receives the received process. The online game system according to claim 1, wherein specific information is used to connect to the secondary server device. A player character that is composed of a plurality of server devices including a main server device connected via a communication line to a plurality of client devices having a display device for displaying a game display screen, and is operated by a player of each client device. An online game that includes an immediate processing game in which a plurality of characters are operated in a common field and the game is advanced while the parameters set for any one or more player characters are updated immediately is included in the progress process A server device group,
The plurality of server devices are configured to be connectable to the main server device and each of the plurality of client devices via a communication line, and control the execution of the immediate processing game among the online games. Including equipment,
The main server device is
Character state management means for managing the state of each of the plurality of characters operating in the field;
The client device corresponding to the player character that is not performing at least the immediate processing among the plurality of client devices receives information corresponding to the motion command for the player character input by the player, and the received motion command Non-immediate processing game update means for updating the state of each character managed by the character state management means in accordance with the corresponding information;
When the immediate processing game is executed in the secondary server device, the immediate processing game information periodically transmitted from the secondary server device is received, and the character state management is performed according to the received immediate processing game information Immediate processing game update means for updating the state of each character managed by the means;
The non-immediate processing game information is generated according to the state of each character managed by the character state management means, and the generated non-immediate processing game information corresponds to at least a player character in which the immediate processing game is not performed. Non-immediate processing game information transmitting means for transmitting to the client device,
The secondary server device is
An immediate processing game management means for managing the state of the character performing the immediate processing game including the parameters set for the player character;
Receiving information corresponding to a motion command for the player character input by the player in the client device performing the immediate processing, and executing the immediate processing game using at least the information corresponding to the motion command; Immediate processing game execution means for updating the state of each character managed by the immediate processing game management means in accordance with the execution result of the immediate processing game;
The immediate processing game information is generated according to the state of the character managed by the immediate processing game management means and the execution result of the immediate processing game by the immediate processing game execution means, and the generated immediate processing game information is A server device group comprising: a client device connected by the secondary server connection unit; and an immediate processing game information transmission unit that transmits the client device to the main server device.

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