JP5323923B2 - Game system - Google Patents

Abstract

A problem to be solved with the present invention is that of attack object members (101A, 101B) being predesignated by users (A, B) for which a prescribed alliance relation is set, and when the user (A) competes with another user (X) in a competitive game against other players, an assessment being made as to whether the user (X) had the members (101A, 101B) participate. When the user (X) has the member (101A) which the user (A) has designated participate, an attack indicator of the user (A) relating to the member (101A) is increased as an advantage effect with respect to the user (A). When the user (X) has the member (101B) participate, an attack indicator of the user (B) relating to the member (101B) is increased as an advantage effect with respect to the (B).

Description

  The present invention relates to a game system in which a cooperative relationship between users is associated with game control.

  As a game system in which a plurality of users can participate, a cooperative game system in which a plurality of users cooperate to advance a game is known (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3). There is also known a game system in which friend relationships are set between users and control such as special effects corresponding to the friend relationships is possible (see, for example, Patent Document 4).

JP 2011-055981 A JP 2009-189591 A JP 2007-082614 A JP 2011-206484 A

  According to the conventional game system, by promoting the game in cooperation with each other, the achievement of each user's game can be improved by achieving results that cannot be achieved by a single user, or the user can enjoy the cooperation with each other. Can be given. However, those effects cannot be enjoyed unless each user plays the game. Therefore, users who are away from game machines are less likely to feel the merits of cooperation between users, give them motivation to play games, or improve their interest in linking users. There was room for.

  Therefore, the present invention introduces a new mechanism for associating a cooperative relationship between users with a game, thereby increasing the user's interest in the cooperative relationship between users, and thus giving the user sufficient motivation to play the game. An object is to provide a game system.

  The present invention includes a game machine (2), each of a plurality of users playing a game on the game machine and recording a game state reached in each user's play data (51), and the play data Each user is stored in the storage device (21) in association with unique identification information (for example, a user ID), and when each user later plays a game on a game machine, the storage is associated with the user's own identification information. In the game system (1) in which play data stored in a device can be used by the game machine to allow each user to start the game from a state where the game has already been reached, the game system is advantageous to the user. The effect generation conditions that must be satisfied in order to produce a certain effect are set and set for each user in association with the situation that the user can experience in the game play. Condition setting means (12, 22, S113 to S119, S16) for storing the condition setting information for identifying the effect occurrence condition in the storage device in association with the user identification information, and others based on an instruction from the user A cooperative relationship setting means (23, 31, S21) for setting a cooperative relationship with the user and storing user cooperative information for identifying the cooperative relationship in the storage device, and each user as the player in the game First determining means (12, S131) for determining whether or not an effect occurrence condition identified based on condition setting information corresponding to the identification information of the user as the player is satisfied when playing When the first determination means determines that the effect generation condition is satisfied, the first effect that causes the advantageous effect to the user as the player is obtained. When the control means (12, S132) and the user play the game as a player, based on the user cooperation information, the user as the player and another user for which the cooperation relationship is set are determined, Second determining means (12, S135) for determining whether or not the effect occurrence condition identified from the condition setting information corresponding to the other user identification information is satisfied by the game play by the user as the player; When the second determination means determines that the effect generation condition regarding the other user is satisfied, the second effect control means (12, 22, S136, S137, S31).

  According to the present invention, when a part of a user for which a cooperative relationship is set plays a game on a game machine as a player, and an effect generating condition related to the user is satisfied by the play, a predetermined effect is given to the user Will occur. In addition, when the user's play satisfies an effect generation condition related to another user in a cooperative relationship, a predetermined effect is generated for the other user. In other words, even if the users for which the cooperative relationship is set do not play the game together, if some users play the game, the play produces an advantageous effect on the game for other users. there is a possibility. In other words, there is a possibility that each user can enjoy the effect when the effect occurrence condition is satisfied when the user who is in a cooperative relationship plays the game without playing the game. The possibility increases as the number of linked users increases. Therefore, the user's interest in setting the cooperation relationship can be increased. Moreover, if a user plays a game himself, it can cooperate with the user to whom the cooperation relationship was set. Therefore, it is possible to give the user a sense of cooperation with other users, and thereby give the user sufficient motivation to play the game.

  In the game system of the present invention, the condition setting information and the user cooperation information are stored in the storage device in association with the user identification information in the same manner as the play data, and can be taken into the game machine as necessary. Good. The condition setting information and the user cooperation information may be included in a part of the play data, or may be stored in the storage device as data different from the play data. The game to be played on the game machine can be selected from games of various genres. The situation that a user can experience in game play is encountered by the user during the game play process due to various factors that can influence the progress of the game, such as selection by game participants and game machine control. An event such as a possible scene, aspect, or aspect. It is sufficient that the effect generation condition is set in association with the situation that the user can experience. For example, a specific character appears in a specific scene on the game, and the opponent character of the game possesses a specific item. Can be set. The user cooperation relationship means a personal relationship set between users on the game system based on an instruction from the user. For example, various cooperative relationships such as a relationship in which users become friends and a relationship in which a master-slave is set between users may be set. The cooperation relationship does not necessarily require the mutual instructions of the users, and the cooperation relationship may be set based on the instructions of some users, regardless of the instructions of other users and the presence or absence of consent. The selection of the user who establishes the cooperative relationship is not limited to the case based on the user's instruction, and the cooperative partner may be automatically set in the game system in response to the cooperative relationship setting instruction from the user to establish the relationship.

  In the game system of the present invention, the condition setting means may set the effect generation condition related to the user himself / herself based on an instruction from the user. According to this, it is possible to reflect the user's intention in the setting of the effect generation condition, thereby making the setting of the condition a strategic element of the game and enhancing the interest of the game.

  Moreover, the said cooperation relationship setting means is good also as what sets the said cooperation relationship based on agreement between users. Establishing a cooperative relationship based on mutual user agreements to increase the sense of connection between users, giving users enough awareness to cooperate with each other, and providing even stronger motivation for game play Can do.

  In the game system of the present invention, the game may be configured as a battle game in which a user as the player and his opponent compete for victory or defeat according to a predetermined rule. In that case, the condition setting means is configured to generate the effect when a situation occurs in which the opponent makes a specific selection in the game (for example, the selection of the members 101A and 101B in FIG. 3 to participate in the game). The effect occurrence condition may be set so that the above is satisfied. Further, in the competitive game, each of the user as the player and his opponent selects an item to be used on the game from a plurality of items (member 101 in FIG. 3 as an example) prepared in advance on the game, The selection of the item may affect the progress of the game. In that case, the condition setting means selects an item to be associated with the effect occurrence condition from the plurality of items based on an instruction from the user, and the opponent selects the selected item in the game (an example) As shown in FIG. 3, the effect generation condition may be set so that the effect generation condition is satisfied when a situation occurs in which the members 101 </ b> A and 101 </ b> B in FIG. In these forms, depending on the selection of the opponent in the battle game, it is determined whether or not each of the effect generation conditions for the user as the player and the user in the cooperative relationship is satisfied. Thereby, the influence which the selection of the other party in a battle game has on the game can be exerted not only on the user as a player but also on the user who is in a cooperative relationship.

  In the present invention, the play data may include a plurality of parameters describing the state of the game reached by the user. In that case, the first and second effect control means increase the value of at least one parameter included in the play data as the advantageous effect so that the user is advantageous in the game. You may let them. According to this, the mechanism which preserve | saves play data and uses it by a subsequent game can be utilized, and the effect which the effect control means generate | occur | produced can be reliably received by a subsequent game. The parameter referred to here corresponds to a variable that describes the ability or state of the user or the character operated by the user in the game. The parameter may be an internal parameter that is not presented to the user, or may be a parameter that is presented to the user in a manner such as a gauge amount.

  The game system of the present invention may include a server device (3) connected to the game machine via a network (5). In that case, the play data, the condition setting information, and the user cooperation information may be stored in the storage device (21) of the server device. Thereby, play data, condition setting information, and user cooperation information can be managed with a server apparatus, and can be provided to a game machine that requires them appropriately.

  In addition, a personal terminal device (8) of a user can be connected to the server device via the network, and the cooperation relationship setting unit is configured to perform the connection based on an instruction from the user from the personal terminal device. A linkage relationship may be set. By setting the cooperative relationship from the personal terminal device of the user, the user can set the cooperative relationship even when the user is away from the game machine. Thereby, the user's interest in setting the cooperative relationship can be further increased, and thus a stronger motivation for playing the game can be given to the user. A “personal terminal device” is a terminal device that is assigned or rented to a user mainly on the premise of personal use, regardless of whether the transfer or loan is paid or free of charge. Any name can be used as long as it can be connected to the server device via the server. For example, various personal information communication terminal devices such as personal computers, home game machines, and mobile phones (including so-called smartphones) can be used as personal terminal devices.

  Further, when the second effect control means causes the advantageous effect, the server device notifies the user's personal terminal device that is the target of the advantageous effect of the occurrence of the advantageous effect. The game system of the present invention may include notification means (22, 23, S32, S33) for transmitting a predetermined notification. By providing the notification means, the user who is away from the game machine recognizes that his / her effect generation condition is satisfied, and the user is allowed to enjoy the advantageous effects on the game as a result. It can give you an opportunity to attract to the game.

Further, the server equipment may be capable of providing a community service among users of the cooperation relationship is set to interact via the network to the personal terminal device. In this case, since various information related to the game can be exchanged and shared among the users for which the cooperative relationship is set, the interest of those users in the game can be further increased.

  In addition, in the above description, in order to make an understanding of this invention easy, the reference sign of the accompanying drawing was attached in parenthesis, but this invention is not limited to the form of illustration by it.

  As described above, according to the present invention, when a part of a user for which a cooperative relationship is set plays a game on a game machine as a player, and the play condition is satisfied, When a predetermined effect occurs for a user, and the play condition of the user satisfies an effect generation condition related to another user who has a cooperative relationship, the predetermined effect occurs for the other user. Therefore, even if the user does not play the game, there is a possibility that the user can enjoy the effect when the effect occurrence condition is satisfied when the user who is in a cooperative relationship plays the game. The possibility increases as the number of linked users increases. Therefore, the user's interest in setting the cooperation relationship can be increased. Moreover, if a user plays a game himself, it can cooperate with the user to whom the cooperation relationship was set. Therefore, it is possible to give the user a sense of cooperation with other users, and thereby give the user sufficient motivation to play the game.

The figure which shows the whole structure of the game system which concerns on one form of this invention. The functional block diagram in the principal part of a game system. The figure for demonstrating the external association with the battle | competition game played with a game machine, and the relationship of the friend set between users. The figure which shows an example of a structure of play data. The figure which shows an example of a structure of community data. The figure which shows the outline | summary of the process performed by each of a game machine, a center server, and a user terminal in order to implement | achieve the correlation of FIG. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the login process performed when starting a game with a game machine. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the capture target setting process performed in order to set a capture target member with a game machine. The figure which shows an example of the setting screen displayed on the display apparatus of a game machine by the process of FIG. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the process performed in a game machine in order to control the gauge amount of a capture gauge. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the process performed in a center server in order to control the gauge amount of a fellow capture gauge.

  Hereinafter, a game system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. First, the overall configuration of the game system will be described with reference to FIG. The game system 1 includes a plurality of game machines 2 and a center server 3. Each game machine 2 is installed in a facility such as a store 4 and is configured as a commercial (business) game machine that allows a user to play a game within a range corresponding to the play fee in exchange for payment of the play fee. Yes. An appropriate number of game machines 2 are installed in each store 4. In FIG. 1, the game machine 2 is drawn without distinction, but the content of the game executed on the game machine 2 may be appropriately selected. The game may be different between the game machines 2. The game machine 2 may be configured as a dedicated machine having a physical configuration (for example, an operation unit) suitable for a specific game, or a general-purpose machine capable of playing various games by rewriting software. It may be configured as. The center server 3 is configured as a single logical server device by combining a plurality of server units 3A, 3B. However, the center server 3 may be configured by a single server unit. Alternatively, the center server 3 may be logically configured using cloud computing.

  The game machine 2 and the center server 3 are connected via a network 5 so that they can communicate with each other. The network 5 accommodates a WAN (wide area network) 5A, a LAN (local area network) 5B that is constructed for each store 4 and accommodates these game machines 2, and server units 3A, 3B,. LAN 5C for connecting these server units 3A and 3B to each other. As an example of the WAN 5A, the Internet that implements network communication using the TCP / IP protocol is used. The LANs 5B and 5C are also constructed by an intranet using the TCP / IP protocol. The LANs 5B and 5C are connected to the WAN 5A via the router 6. In addition, a local server may be installed between the game machine 2 and the router 6 of the store 4, and the game machine 2 may be connected to the center server 3 via the local server. The server units 3A, 3B... Of the center server 3 may be connected to each other by the WAN 5A instead of or in addition to the LAN 5C.

  A management PC (abbreviation of personal computer, the same shall apply hereinafter) 7 may be connected to the LAN 5B of the store 4 as well. The management PC 7 is provided for the purpose of an operator (sometimes called an operator) of the store 4 managing the game machine 2 or transmitting / receiving various information by accessing the center server 3. In the game system 1, the user terminal 8 can access the center server 3 via the network 5. The user terminal 8 may be appropriately used as long as it is a computer device that functions as a personal terminal device capable of network connection, such as a PC 8a or a mobile phone (including a smartphone) 8b. In the present specification, the user is a person who can be a player who plays a game on the game machine 2.

  The game machine 2 and the center server 3 are assigned unique IP addresses for identifying them on the network 5. In communication between the game machines 2 or between the game machine 2 and the center server 3, a communication partner is specified using the IP address. When the WAN 5A is a public network such as the Internet, a unique fixed address on the WAN 5A is set in each router 6. In the game machine 2, a private address for uniquely identifying the game machine 2 on the network 5 is set as an IP address in combination with the fixed address. In this case, a virtual private network (VPN) is constructed between the game machine 2 and the center server 3 or between the game machines 2, and each game machine 2 is uniquely identified using a private address on the VPN. Is done. The same applies to the management PC 7. The user terminal 8 is also given a unique IP address for uniquely identifying the user terminal 8 on the network 5. The IP address may be a so-called dynamic address that changes every time it is connected to the network 5 or may be a fixed address that does not change. Hereinafter, information for identifying the game machine 2, the center server 3, the management PC 7, and the user terminal 8 on the network 5 is referred to as address information. In communication via the network 5, it is assumed that a communication partner is specified based on the address information unless otherwise specified. In the game system 1, apart from the address information described above, a unique store ID is set for each store 4 for each store 4, and a unique housing ID for each game device 2 for each game device 2. Is set. The center server 3 can uniquely identify the store 4 to which the communication partner game machine 2 belongs and the game machine 2 by receiving the store ID and the case ID from the communication partner game machine 2.

  The center server 3 provides various services via the network 5 to the game machine 2, the user, and the operator. For example, the center server 3 provides various game services to the game machine 2 or its user. As the game service, for example, a service that receives user identification information from the game machine 2 and authenticates the user, receives and stores the play data of the user from the game machine 2, or provides the game machine 2, a network 5 There is a service for updating a program or data of the game machine 2 via the network, a service for matching users when a plurality of users play a common game via the network 5, and the like. The center server 3 also provides various Web services to the user terminal 8 that is accessed via the network 5. Examples of the web service include a service such as a game information service that provides various kinds of information regarding the game to the user through the website, and a community service that provides an exchange place such as information transmission, exchange, and sharing by the user. Further, the center server 3 provides a service for a user to select and sell items that can be used in a game on the game machine 2 as a kind of Web service.

  The center server 3 is also provided with a billing service function that charges the user as a fee for providing a paid service and collects the fee from the user. In order to realize the charging service, a virtual currency account for each user is provided on the center server 3. When a user pays a charge fee using a settlement means such as cash or a credit card, an amount of virtual currency corresponding to the charge fee is charged to the user's account. On the other hand, when a user uses a paid service, an amount of virtual currency corresponding to the usage fee is consumed from the user's account. Regarding the payment of the play fee in the game machine 2, there are a method of inserting coins and banknotes and paying in cash, and a method of paying by using virtual currency equivalent to the play fee from an account managed by the center server 3. Selectable.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 2, the structure of the principal part of the control system regarding the game machine 2, the center server 3, and the user terminal 8 of the game system 1 is demonstrated. First, the center server 3 will be described. The center server 3 is provided with a control unit 20 and a storage device 21. The control unit 20 includes a microprocessor, a ROM in which a program such as an operating system to be executed by the microprocessor is recorded, and an internal storage device (not shown) such as a RAM that provides a work area for the microprocessor. A computer unit provided. Although an input device such as a keyboard and an output device such as a monitor are connected to the control unit 20, they are not shown. The storage device 21 stores a server program to be executed by the control unit 20 and various data to be referred to by the program. Data recorded in the storage device 21 will be described later.

  Inside the control unit 20, a game service management unit 22, a Web service management unit 23, and an account management unit 24 are provided. Each of the units 22 to 24 is a logical device that is realized by a combination of computer hardware of the control unit 20 and predetermined software. The game service management unit 22 executes processing related to the game service described above, and the Web service management unit 23 executes processing related to the Web service described above. The web service management unit 23 provides a website accessible from the user terminal 8 and provides the user terminal 8 with information necessary for the web service according to a request from the user terminal 8 via the website. In accordance with a request from the game service management unit 22 or the Web service management unit 23, the account management unit 24 executes a process of consuming an amount of virtual currency corresponding to the service usage fee from the user's account. Further, the account management unit 24 executes a process of charging virtual currency to the user's account in accordance with a request from the Web service management unit 23.

  Next, the game machine 2 is provided with a control unit 10 and a storage device 11. The control unit 10 is configured as a computer unit that combines a microprocessor and peripheral devices such as an internal storage device necessary for the operation of the microprocessor. The storage device 11 is a storage device capable of storing data, such as a hard disk storage device. The storage device 11 stores a game machine program to be executed by the control unit 10 and various data to be referred to by the program. As an example, the game data 40 distributed from the center server 3 is recorded in the storage device 11. When the game is executed, play data 51 associated with the user is provided from the center server 3 to the game machine 2 and recorded in the storage device 11. The contents of those data will be described later.

  In addition to the above, the control unit 10 is provided with various input / output devices such as an input operation device, a display device, a sound reproduction device, a card reader, and a coin authentication device, as in known game machines, but these are not shown. did. The card reader is provided for reading information on the card 9 possessed by the user and outputting a signal corresponding to the information to the control unit 10. The card 9 is provided with a non-volatile storage medium (not shown) such as an IC chip or a magnetic stripe, and the medium has a unique ID for each card 9 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a card ID). It is recorded. The card ID is used to call play data 51 stored on the center server 3. The center server 3 identifies the user by using a unique user ID for each user, and the play data 51 is recorded in association with the user ID on a one-to-one basis. The card ID is associated with the user ID one-to-one or many-to-one. The center server 3 can identify the user ID of the user by referring to the ID management data 50 to determine the correspondence between the card ID and the user ID. That is, in this embodiment, both the card ID and the user ID function as user identification information. The card ID may be recorded on the card 9 in the form of a barcode or the like. Alternatively, instead of the card 9, the card ID may be recorded on a storage medium such as an IC chip mounted on a mobile phone or the like.

  A game service processing unit 12 is provided inside the control unit 10. The game service processing unit 12 is a logical device realized by a combination of computer hardware of the control unit 10 and predetermined software. The game service processing unit 12 executes various processes related to game play such as management of game start, progress, and end in the game machine 2 and collection of play fees. A part of the game service is realized by the cooperation of the game service processing unit 112 and the game service management unit 22 of the center server 3.

  Further, the user terminal 8 is also provided with a control unit 30 as a computer unit. The control unit 30 is provided with a Web service processing unit 31 as a logical device realized by a combination of computer hardware and predetermined software. The Web service processing unit 31 performs processing necessary for causing the user to use the Web service in cooperation with the Web service management unit 23 of the center server 3. For example, the web service processing unit 31 operates the user terminal 8 as a terminal device for causing the user to use a web service such as a community service in cooperation with the web service management unit 23 of the center server 3. The community service function may be realized by using software installed in each of the Web server and the user terminal in order to realize a known communication service such as SNS. In the community service, a plurality of users can set friendships based on mutual agreement. “Buddy” is a term used as a concept indicating that a predetermined connection exists between users.

  The setting of the friend relationship may be processed in the same way as a known communication service, but the setting requires mutual agreement between users as described above. For example, in order to set a friendship relationship, as in a general community service, access to the center server 3 from the user terminal 8 and send an invitation as a friend to another user, and an agreement of the transmission partner is obtained. When it is, the process of recording each user as a friend is performed. The details of the procedure will be omitted. In addition, an upper limit value may be set for the number of people who can set a friendship relationship. In that case. When a user who has reached the upper limit of the number of friends wants to make a new user a friend, it is necessary to select a user who does not wish to maintain the relationship of the fellow and cancel the setting from the users who are already friends. is there.

  Next, features related to the present invention in a game executed on the game machine 2 will be described with reference to FIG. In the game machine 2, a game in which two users matched in the center server 3 battle each other is executed. In FIG. 3, a user A is a user who plays a battle game, and a user X is a user who is the opponent of the user A. The user X may be a real user or a user virtually generated by a computer. User A has a friendship relationship with user B using the community service provided by Web service management unit 23. User B is a real user, but is not playing a game. In other words, the user B is away from the game machine 2.

  The competitive game is configured such that each user forms a team 100, and a member 101 of the team 100 participates in a game on the game, and the team 100 wins or loses between the users. For example, if the team 100 is a baseball team, the member 101 participates in a baseball game and fights while changing the offense and defense. The member 101 is a character described in the game data. Individual actions such as hitting and throwing of each member 101 may be automatically controlled by the game machine 2 based on a group of parameters set for each member 101. It may be reflected. The parameter group of the member 101 includes various parameters such as a parameter describing various abilities of the member 101, a parameter describing the physical condition of the member 101, a parameter describing compatibility such as strong or weak to the specific member 101, and the like. Contains set parameters. The user is involved in management such as appointment, instruction, substitution, or training of the member 101 when there is no match in the match. The victory or defeat of the team 100 is calculated based on the management by the user and the parameter group of the member 101 who participated in the game. A game element such as an item that can be used in a game may be given to the user according to the user's play results. For example, an item that exerts an advantageous effect in a battle such as temporarily increasing the parameter of the member 101 of the own team 100 or temporarily decreasing the parameter of the member 101 of the opponent team 100 depends on the user's performance. It may be given to the user so that the user can use the item as appropriate.

  In the competitive game, capture conditions (effect generation conditions) are set for each user. When the capture condition is satisfied, an advantageous effect on the game is generated for the user. The capture condition is first set when the user selects a member 101 to be captured from a large number of members 101 prepared in advance in the game. In this case, the member 101 corresponds to an item to be associated with the effect occurrence condition. When the user plays a competitive game, the member 101 set as the target of the strategy is included in the team 100 of the opponent and the opponent is allowed to participate in the game with respect to the set team 101 (specific selection) ) Will satisfy the capture conditions. When the capture condition is satisfied, as an advantageous effect on the battle game, the amount of the capture gauge 102 corresponding to the set member 101 is increased by a predetermined amount. The capture gauge 102 is displayed on the game screen, and the user can check the gauge amount as appropriate. When the capture gauge 102 reaches a predetermined threshold (a value corresponding to a full gauge as an example), an item having an effect of temporarily weakening the ability of the capture target member is given to the user as a privilege. By using the item for the opponent team in a game in which the target member 101 participates, the ability of the target member 101 is reduced and the team 100 is led to an advantageous situation. it can.

  The capture condition may be satisfied not only when the user plays the game himself but also when a fellow user plays the game. In the example of FIG. 3, the user A sets the member 101 </ b> A as an attack target member, and the user B who is a friend of the user A selects the member 101 </ b> B as the attack target member. When the user A plays the game, the team 100 of the opponent user X includes the target members 101A and 101B, and both of the members 101A and 101B participate in the game. In that case, when the member 101A participates in the game, the capture condition regarding the capture target member 101A of the user A is satisfied, and as a result, the capture gauge of the user A corresponding to the member 101A increases. In addition, when the member 101B participates, the capture condition regarding the member 101B of the user B is satisfied, and as a result, the capture gauge corresponding to the member 101B also increases. Thus, each user can enjoy the effect corresponding to the establishment of the capture condition not only when the user plays the game but also when the fellow user plays the game. As the number of fellow users increases, the probability and frequency with which his / her strategy is satisfied by the fellow game increases. Therefore, it is possible to encourage the user to use the community service through the purpose of attracting the user's interest to the setting of the friend and proceeding the game advantageously. Moreover, if a user plays a game himself, he can cooperate with a fellow user. Therefore, it is possible to give the user a sense of cooperation with fellow users, thereby giving the user the motivation to play the game.

  Next, data and processing for realizing the features of the above-described competitive game will be described. First, returning to FIG. 2, data recorded in the storage device 21 of the center server 3 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the storage device 21 of the center server 3 stores game data 40, ID management data 50, a group of play data 51, a group of community data 52, and a group of account data 54. . The game data 40 is data that should be commonly used in each game machine 2 in order to realize the above-described battle game. The game data 40 is distributed from the center server 3 to the game machine 2 via the network 5 and stored in the storage device 11 of the game machine 2. The game data 40 includes team data 41 indicating the organization of the team 100 prepared in advance in the battle game, and member data 42 describing the team to which the member 101 should appear in the battle game, abilities, and the like. These data 41 and 42 are data prepared as defaults in the game. The game data 40 includes various other data such as images and music used in the game.

  The ID management data 50 is data describing the correspondence between various IDs used in the game system 1. For example, the correspondence relationship between the card ID and the user ID described above is recorded in the ID management data 50. In the community service provided by the center server 3, a community ID different from the user ID is set. The correspondence relationship between the community ID and the user ID is also recorded in the ID management data 50. The account data 54 is data in which the user ID and the amount (balance) of virtual currency held by the user are recorded in association with each other.

  The play data 51 is created for each user ID. A set of play data 51 for each user ID is a group of play data 51. A group of play data 51 exists for each type of game, but here, only the group corresponding to the competitive game of FIG. 3 is shown. All of the following explanations also relate to competitive games. When a user plays a game on any of the game machines 2, the card ID that the user has recognized by the game machine 2 is provided to the center server 3, and a play corresponding to the user ID associated with the card ID. Data 51 is provided from the center server 3 to the game machine 2 and stored in the storage device 11 of the game machine 2.

  An example of the play data 51 is shown in FIG. In the play data 51 of FIG. 4, information about the user (user information), a play log, and information about play results and game status are recorded in association with the user ID. The user information is information for identifying a user on the game, such as a user attribute (age or age group, gender) and a nickname. The play log is information that records the past play history of the user such as the user's past play count, play date and time, and battle results. The game status information is a set of a plurality of parameters describing the state of the game reached by the user playing the game repeatedly. For example, a plurality of parameters describing a state where the user has reached the game by playing the game, such as a parameter describing the acquired skill and strength, and a parameter of the experience value acquired by the user in the past play are included. In this embodiment, the play data 51 also includes information on the capture gauge amount and the acquired capture item number shown in FIG. 3 as part of the parameters describing the game state.

  In addition, information indicating the organization content of the team 100 selected by the user and the state of the member 101 included in the team is also recorded as part of the game status. The team data 41 and member data 42 held in the storage device 21 of the center server 3 are data in the default state. When the user selects his / her own game and starts the game, information of the team 100 and the member 101 is recorded in the play data 51. Thereafter, the state of the team 100 (for example, ranking, winning rate, etc.) according to the user's play result. ) And the parameters describing the member's 101 ability and the like are updated.

  The community data 52 shown in FIG. 2 is data in which various types of information to be referred to when the user uses the community service, and is created for each community ID. A set of these data is a group of community data 52. An example of the community data 52 is shown in FIG. In the example of FIG. 5, the community data 52 includes comment data that records a friend ID that identifies a user for whom the user has set a fellow relationship, and a comment that the user has sent to or received from the fellow user. Etc. are recorded in association with the community ID of the user. The fellow ID is a community ID of another user for whom the user has set a fellow relation.

  The play data 51 and the community data 52 are provided from the center server 3 to the game machine 2 based on a request from the user of the game machine 2 and are temporarily recorded as at least part of the user data 55 in the storage device 11. Note that the data described above is merely an example of data recorded in the storage devices 11, 21, and 31. In addition to the illustrated data, the storage devices 11 and 21 record various data necessary for processing such as game execution and collection of play fees, etc., but description thereof is omitted.

  Next, a process for executing the battle game will be described. FIG. 6 relates to management of the strategy gauge shown in FIG. 3 among the processes executed by the control units 10, 20, and 30 of the game machine 2, the center server 3, and the user terminal 8 in relation to the battle game. An overview of the processing to be performed is shown. First, when the user starts a battle game, the game service processing unit 12 of the game machine 2 requests login to the center server 3 (step S11), and the game service management unit 22 of the center server 3 requests the request. In response, the game machine 2 is provided with data necessary for starting the battle game (step S12). Thereafter, when the user wishes to compete with another user via the network 5, the game service processing unit 12 requests the center server 3 for matching (step S13), and the game service management unit 22 of the center server 3 In response to the request, the user who should be the opponent of the user is searched, the users are matched, and the matched opponent information is provided to the game machine 2 (step S14). The opponent information includes user information described in the play data 51 of the opponent user and game status information. The game machine 2 is also provided with address information for identifying the game machine 2 played by the opponent user as a communication partner.

  When the game service processing unit 12 of the game machine 2 receives the opponent information from the center server 3, the game service processing unit 12 sets an environment in which communication is performed in a peer-to-peer manner using one game machine 2 as a parent machine and the other game machine as a child machine. Until these preparations are completed, the user of the game machine 2 sets various conditions necessary before starting the game, such as selection of members to participate in the game and setting of orders. When the communication environment is ready, the game service processing unit 12 exchanges game conditions such as the formation of the opponent team 100 and the participating members 101, and then starts the match and advances the match game (step S15). When the member 101 is changed during the game according to an instruction from the user, the information is notified to the opponent game machine 2, and the progress of the game is controlled based on the changed information. As the battle game progresses, the play data 51 held in the storage device 11 of each game machine 2 is updated, and the update information is appropriately sent from the game service processing unit 12 to the center server 3 to be stored in the storage device 21. It is synchronized with the upper play data 51 (step S16).

  On the other hand, the friend relationship between the users is set when the user accesses the web site provided by the web service management unit 23 of the center server 3 from the user terminal 8 (step S21). When a user for whom a friend is set plays a battle game on the game machine 2, the Web service management unit 23 through the game service management unit 22 determines whether or not the capture condition regarding the friend user is satisfied. Friends information is provided to the game machine 2. The game service processing unit 12 of the game machine 2 also determines whether or not the fellow capture conditions are satisfied in the battle game, and if satisfied, provides the capture information to the center server 3 (step S31). The game service management unit 22 of the center server 3 receives the notification of the strategy information and increases the gauge amount of the strategy gauge corresponding to the strategy target member of the fellow user (the user who satisfies the strategy conditions). The result is notified from the game service management unit 22 to the user terminal 8 of the user via the web service management unit 23 (steps S32 and S33).

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 7 to 11, processing related to the strategy setting will be described more specifically. FIG. 7 shows login processing executed by the game service processing unit 12 of the game machine 2 and the game service management unit 22 of the center server 3 when the user plays a battle game on the game machine 2. That is, FIG. 7 shows details of the processing of steps S11 and S12 of FIG. When the user causes the game machine 2 to read the card 9 and requests login, the game service processing unit 12 requests the game service management unit 22 to log in (step S101). In the request, the card ID read from the card 9 is provided to the center server 3. The game service management unit 22 of the center server 3 starts a login process in response to a login request from the game machine 2, first refers to the ID management data 50, and a user corresponding to the card ID provided from the game machine 2 The user is identified by specifying the ID (step S201).

  Subsequently, the game service management unit 22 acquires the play data 51 stored in association with the user ID (step S202), and then refers to the ID management data 50 to correspond to the community corresponding to the user ID of the user. The ID is specified, and the user ID of the fellow is acquired based on the fellow data recorded in the community data 52 corresponding to the community ID and the ID management data 50 (step S203). Furthermore, the game service management unit 22 refers to the play data 51 corresponding to the fellow user ID and acquires information for determining each fellow's capture target member (step S204). Thereafter, the game service management unit 22 provides the data acquired in steps S202 to S204 to the game machine 2 (step S205). By providing the data, the game service management unit 22 finishes the login process.

  The game service processing unit 12 of the game machine 2 acquires the data provided from the center server 3 and stores it as at least a part of the user data 55 in the storage device 11 (step S102). Thereafter, the game service processing unit 12 of the game machine 2 also ends the login process. When the login process is completed, the user of the game machine 2 can play the game using his / her play data 51. The user can play a game against a virtual user team controlled by the control unit 10, or can play a game against another user matched by the center server 3 as an opponent. In any case, the user can set his / her strategy target member for an appropriate time before the match starts, for example, a waiting time for matching. FIG. 8 shows a capture target setting process executed by the game service processing unit 12 of the game machine 2 in order to cause the user to set a capture target member.

  When the user instructs the game machine 2 to set a target member, the game service processing unit 12 starts the process of FIG. 8, and first refers to the game data 40 stored in the storage device 11 to each team 100. The data of the member 101 belonging to is acquired (step S111). Subsequently, the game service processing unit 12 refers to the play data 51 stored in the storage device 11, and acquires the setting state of the target member of the user of the own device (user A in FIG. 3) (step S112). ). Thereafter, the game service processing unit 12 displays a setting screen on the display device of the game machine 2 (step S113). An example of the setting screen is shown in FIG. The setting screen 110 in FIG. 9 displays a list of the members 101 recorded in the game data 40 with icons 111 and the like for each team 100, and moves the cursor 112 according to the user's operation to select the members. By clicking the button 113, the setting of the selected member 101 as the target of capture is confirmed, and by clicking the delete button 114, the setting deletion of the member 101 already set as the target of capture is confirmed, or the end button 115 The setting operation is terminated by clicking the button.

  Returning to FIG. 8, after the setting screen 110 is displayed, the game service processing unit 12 determines whether or not the user has set the capture target member 101 (step S <b> 114). It is determined whether or not the set number of capture target members has reached a predetermined upper limit (step S115). If the upper limit has been reached, the game service processing unit 12 determines whether or not the user has instructed to end the setting (step S116). The member whose target setting is to be deleted is designated (step S117). If it is determined in step S115 that the upper limit number has not been reached, or if a member to be deleted is specified in step S117, the game service processing unit 12 sets the member set by the user in step S114 as a target for capture. As described above, the information on the capture target of the play data 41 of the storage device 11 is updated (step S118). Thereafter, the game service processing unit 12 determines whether or not the capture target setting process should be terminated (step S119). If it is determined in step S114 that there is no setting operation, the process proceeds to step S119. If the user instructs the end of setting, an affirmative determination is made in step S119. In the case where the capture target is set at a limited time such as a waiting time for matching, step S119 may be affirmed as the time limit elapses. If it is determined in step S119 that the process has not ended, the game service processing unit 12 returns to the process of step S114.

  Information on the target member is stored in the play data 51 called into the game machine 2 by the process of FIG. When the update of the play data 51 is notified to the center server 3 at an appropriate timing (see step S16 in FIG. 6), the information on the target member is stored in the play data 51 of the center server 3, and the later game The previous setting state is inherited with. In the above description, it is assumed that the capture target is set in the game machine 2, but instead or in addition, when the user accesses the center server 3 from the user terminal 8 and accesses the center server 3. The target information in the play data 51 corresponding to the user ID may be set.

  Next, a process that is executed in association with the capture condition when playing the battle game will be described. FIG. 10 shows a strategy gauge control process executed by the game service processing unit 12 of the game machine 2 to control the gauge amount of the strategy gauge. In the capture gauge control process, whether or not the member 101 who has played between the start and end of the play of the battle game, that is, all members who participated in the game from the opponent's team, is subject to capture once It is executed so that it can be determined. For example, when a plurality of matches are sequentially played in one battle game, the process of FIG. 10 may be executed every time a game of the match is completed. Or the process of FIG. 10 may be performed for the participating members of all the games from the start of all the games at the end of the game. Furthermore, the process of FIG. 10 may be performed for members who have started at the start of the game, and thereafter, the process of FIG. 10 may be performed only for members who have newly entered each time a member changes. Below, it demonstrates as what performs the process of FIG. 10 whenever the game of one game is complete | finished.

  When the game service processing unit 12 starts the strategy gauge control process of FIG. 10, first, among all the members 101 who participated in the game from the opponent team, the member 101 (for example, FIG. It is determined whether or not there is a member 101A for the third user A (step S131). The determination is based on the information of the capture target recorded in the play data 51 of the storage device 11 and the information received from the opponent's game machine 2 from the start to the end of the match (information exchanged in step S15 in FIG. 6). It can be determined with reference to. In addition, when the progress of a game is recorded on the play log of the play data 51, it can be determined whether there is a capture target member based on the play log.

If it is determined in step S131 that there is a capture target member, the game service processing unit 12 plays data 51 stored in the storage device 11 so that a predetermined amount is added to the capture gauge regarding the capture target member. The information on the capture gauge is updated (step S132). Subsequently, the game service processing unit 12 refers to the play data 51 of the user of the own device, and determines whether or not the gauge amount of the capture gauge exceeds a predetermined threshold (step S133).
The determination is made on the capture gauges related to all the capture target members of the play data 51 stored in the storage device 11. Even if it is determined in step S131 that there is no capture target, the process in step S132 is skipped and the process in step S133 is performed. The reason is that while the user is not playing the game, the gauge amount of the capture gauge may increase due to the play of friends.

  When it is determined in step S133 that the threshold value is exceeded, the game service processing unit 12 captures information on the strategy item in the play data 51 so that the strategy item related to the strategy member corresponding to the strategy gauge exceeding the threshold value is given to the user. Is updated (step S134). After the capture item is given, or when the gauge amount is determined to be equal to or less than the threshold value in step S133, the game service processing unit 12 sets the member 101 (for example, FIG. It is determined whether member 101B corresponds to fellow user B for user A of 3) among the members who participated in the current game (step S135). The determination is made by the process of FIG. 7 and is taken into the game machine 2 and recorded in the storage device 11 as a part of the user data 55 and information on the fellow capture members and the opponent's game machine from the start to the end of the match. 2 with reference to the information received from step 2 (the information exchanged in step S15 in FIG. 6). Also in this case, if the progress of the game is recorded in the play log of the play data 51, it can be determined whether or not there is a target member based on the play log.

  If it is determined in step S135 that there is a capture target member, the game service processing unit 12 generates capture information indicating that the capture target member has been played (step S136). The capture information is generated as information associating a battle target member who has played against and a user ID of a friend who has set the member as a capture target. Furthermore, the user ID of the user who played the battle game on the game machine 2 is included in the capture information. Subsequently, the game service processing unit 12 provides the capture information generated in step S136 to the center server 3 (step S137). This provision of information corresponds to notification of capture information in step S31 of FIG. If the strategy information is provided or if it is determined in step S135 that no strategy target member exists, the game service processing unit 12 ends the process of FIG.

  When the capture information is provided from the game machine 2, the game service management unit 22 of the center server 3 refers to the capture information and identifies the user ID of the user who is to control the capture gauge (step S211). ). The user ID in this case is a fellow user ID included in the strategy information. Next, the game service management unit 22 identifies the gauge amount of the strategy gauge associated with the strategy information from the play data 51 recorded in the storage device 21 in association with the user ID determined in step S211. The information on the capture gauge is updated so that a predetermined value is added to the gauge amount (step S212). Thereby, taking FIG. 3 as an example, the gauge amount of the capture gauge corresponding to the member 101B of the fellow user B increases as the user A plays the battle game. Subsequently, the game service management unit 22 instructs the Web service management unit 23 to notify the capture information for the user to which the capture gauge is added (step S213). In response to the instruction, the Web service management unit 23 notifies the user of the capture information. The notification can be performed using the community service function of the Web service management unit 23. The information notified to the user may include a target member whose gauge amount has been updated, an added value of the captured gauge amount and a value after the addition, information on a fellow user who has played the battle game, and the like. Thereby, the user can obtain information such as that his / her own capture gauge has been added and which fellow game the addition has been brought about.

  The correspondence between the above embodiment and the present invention is as follows. First, the information on the strategy member in the play data 51 shown in FIG. 5 corresponds to the condition setting information in the present invention, and the friend ID recorded in the community data 52 in FIG. 6 corresponds to the user cooperation information in the present invention. Further, the condition determined in step S131 in FIG. 10 corresponds to the effect generation condition corresponding to the user as the player, and the condition determined in step S135 is the effect generation condition corresponding to the other user in the cooperative relationship. It corresponds to.

  The game service processing unit 12 of the game machine 2 executes the processes of steps S113 to S119 of FIG. 8, and the game service processing unit 12 provides the center server 3 with information on the strategy members set in those processes (FIG. 6). Step S16), the game service management unit 22 stores the provided information of the capture members in the play data 51 of the storage device 21, so that the game service processing unit 12 and the game service management unit 22 cooperate with each other in the present invention. It functions as a condition setting means. Further, the Web service management unit 23 of the center server 3 and the Web service processing unit 31 of the user terminal 8 function as the cooperative relationship setting unit of the present invention by cooperatively executing the process of step S21 of FIG. To do.

  The game service processing unit 12 of the two games functions as the first determination unit in the present invention by executing the process of step S131 of FIG. 10, and the first service in the present invention by executing the process of step S132. It functions as an effect control unit, and functions as a second determination unit in the present invention by executing the process of step S135. Further, the game service processing unit 12 of the game machine 2 executes the processes of steps S136 and S137 of FIG. 10, and the game service management unit 22 of the center server 3 plays the friend's play in response to the information provision of step S31 of FIG. By updating the information of the strategy member in the data 51, the game service processing unit 12 and the game service management unit 22 cooperate to function as the second effect control means in the present invention. Further, the game service management unit 22 and the web service management unit 23 of the center server 3 execute the processes of steps S32 and S33 in FIG. Functions as a notification means.

  This invention is not limited to the form mentioned above, It can implement with a various form. For example, in the above-described form, the effect occurrence condition is satisfied by making a specific selection that the opponents participate in the members 101A and 101B as the items selected by the user in the baseball game. The generation conditions may be appropriately configured according to the type and content of the game to which the present invention is applied. For example, when the game of the game machine is a role-playing game, the present invention can be applied in such a manner that encountering a specific character or finding a specific item is set as an effect generation condition. is there. The present invention can be applied even if the game is of a type where no opponent exists. For example, in a music game, when a plurality of songs that the user cannot select on his / her own intention are prepared in advance and the songs appear at random and are played by the user, a specific song appears as an effect generation condition. The present invention can be applied by setting.

  The effect generation condition may be automatically set by the game system based on information for each user such as a game state described in the user's play data. The success or failure of the effect generation condition may be determined by the server device based on the game play log instead of the game machine. The mode for generating the effect is not limited to an increase in the gauge amount, and can be set appropriately. A physical item such as a card that can be used in a game may be given to the user as an effect. In that case, since the fellow user (other users who have a cooperative relationship) is away from the game machine, a card is issued to the user at the next game play or the card is mailed. An effect may be generated. The cooperation relationship between users is not limited to a relationship like a friend based on an agreement between users. The game system may automatically set the linkage relationship. The user may select a user who sets a cooperative relationship from a predetermined range of users with reference to a ranking in the user's game, and the game system may set the cooperative relationship according to the selection result.

  The present invention is not limited to a game system in which a game machine and a user's personal terminal device are connected to a server device via a network. A game system that is not supposed to be connected to a server device from a personal terminal device, or a personal terminal device that has accessed the server device itself functions as a game machine, and a connection with a commercial game machine is planned. The present invention can be applied even to game systems that are not. Furthermore, even if it is a so-called stand-alone game machine, if the game machine has a configuration in which play data relating to each of a plurality of users is stored and the game is subsequently played using the play data later, The present invention can be applied by setting a cooperative relationship between users on a game machine. The game machine is not limited to a commercial game machine that plays a game in exchange for payment of a play fee, and may be a home game machine or the like.

1 game system 2 game machine 3 center server (server device)
5 Network 8 User terminal (personal terminal)
10, 20, 30 Control unit 12 Game service processing unit 21 Storage device 22 Game service management unit 23 Web service management unit 31 Web service processing unit 40 Game data 51 Play data 52 Community data A User as a player B Buddy user X Battle The other user

Claims (10)

Including a game machine, each of a plurality of users playing a game on the game machine records the state of the game reached in the play data for each user, and associates the play data with unique identification information for each user When each user later plays a game on a game machine, each user uses the play data stored in the storage device in association with the user's own identification information on the game machine. In the game system capable of starting the game from the state where the game has already been reached,
An effect generation condition that is set for each user in association with a situation that the user can experience in playing the game is set for the effect generation condition to be satisfied in order to produce an advantageous effect on the game for the user. Condition setting means for associating condition setting information for identifying the user with identification information of the user and storing it in the storage device;
A linkage relationship setting means for setting a linkage relationship with another user based on an instruction from the user, and storing user linkage information for identifying the linkage relationship in the storage device;
When each user plays the game as a player, first determination means for determining whether or not an effect occurrence condition identified based on condition setting information corresponding to identification information of the user as the player is satisfied When,
First effect control means for producing the advantageous effect for the user as the player when the effect determination condition is determined to be satisfied by the first determination means;
When the user plays the game as a player, based on the user cooperation information, the user as the player is distinguished from another user who has the cooperation relationship set, and corresponds to the identification information of the other user. Second determining means for determining whether or not the effect occurrence condition identified from the condition setting information to be satisfied by the game play by the user as the player;
A second effect control unit that produces the advantageous effect on the other user when the second determination unit determines that the effect generation condition related to the other user is satisfied;
A game system with   The game system according to claim 1, wherein the condition setting unit sets the effect generation condition related to the user based on an instruction from the user.   The game system according to claim 1, wherein the cooperation relationship setting unit sets the cooperation relationship based on an agreement between users. The game is configured as a battle game in which a user as the player and his opponent compete for victory or defeat according to a predetermined rule,
The condition setting means sets the effect generation condition so that the effect generation condition is satisfied when a situation occurs in which the opponent makes a specific selection in the game. The game system according to item. In the competitive game, each of the user as the player and his opponent selects an item to be used on the game from a plurality of items prepared in advance on the game, and the selection of the item affects the progress of the game. Configured as
The condition setting means selects an item to be associated with the effect occurrence condition from the plurality of items based on an instruction from a user, and a situation occurs in which the opponent selects the selected item in the game The game system according to claim 4, wherein the effect generation condition is set so that the effect generation condition is satisfied. The play data includes a plurality of parameters describing the state of the game reached by the user,
The first and second effect control means, as the advantageous effect, increase the value of at least one parameter included in the play data so that the user is advantageous in the game. The game system according to any one of 1 to 5.   The server device connected to the game machine via a network, wherein the play data, the condition setting information, and the user cooperation information are stored in a storage device of the server device. The game system according to one item. A personal terminal device of a user can be connected to the server device via the network, and the cooperation relationship setting unit sets the cooperation relationship based on an instruction from the user from the personal terminal device. The game system according to claim 7 .   When the second effect control means produces the advantageous effect, a predetermined value for notifying the occurrence of the effect from the server device to the personal terminal device of the user targeted for the advantageous effect. The game system according to claim 8, further comprising notification means for transmitting a notification. It said server equipment, the game system according to claim 8 or 9 can provide a community service among users of the cooperation relationship is set to interact via the network to the personal terminal device.

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