JP5386003B2 - GAME SYSTEM HAVING MATCHING FUNCTION AND MATCHING CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a game system having a matching function for allowing users to participate in a common game and a matching control method thereof.

  In a game system constructed using a network, a matching function that allows a plurality of users to participate in a common game and play together under a predetermined condition is usually implemented. Various proposals have been made regarding the matching process. As an example, there has been proposed a game system that controls matching so that a user can play against a special user called a so-called professional on the condition that a predetermined additional fee is paid for the game (Patent Document 1). reference).

JP 2011-120744 A

  The proportion of special users whose presence is widely known, such as the professional users mentioned above, is considerably small in the total number of users, and standard users are rarely matched with such special users. For this reason, even if each user wishes to play against a special user, the desire is rarely fulfilled. This type of problem is not limited to a battle-type game, and can generally occur when a plurality of users participate in a common game. In addition, even when an idol on a virtual net is generated separately from a user who actually exists, and the idol is part of the user and participates in a common game, the real user is compared to the virtual user. Similar problems may arise due to the concentration of popularity.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a game system or the like that can reflect a user's wishes with a mechanism different from the related art regarding matching for a specific person.

  The game system of the present invention includes matching means (24) for allowing each user of a plurality of game devices (3) connected via a network (5) to participate in a common game within a predetermined number of people. It is a game system, and it is desired to play the common game together from a plurality of candidates (for example, the professional users in FIG. 2) who can participate in the common game via the matching means. Right granting control means (33, S1, S2) for granting each user a right to select and vote for a candidate each time a predetermined right granting condition is satisfied, and exchange the consumption of the right to each user Voting control means (33, S3 to S5) for recording the voting information for discriminating the candidate and the number of votes voted by each user for each user. When the candidate participates in the common game, the matching means has a large number of votes based on the number of votes recorded in each user's vote information regarding the candidate. Preferential matching means (24, S21 to S25, S101 to S107; S101, S105 to S107, S110 to S114) is provided for preferentially matching users with the candidates over users with a small number of votes.

The matching control method of the present invention is applied to a game system including a plurality of game devices (3) connected via a network (5), and the plurality of game devices are included in a computer included in the game system. A matching control method for executing a matching procedure for causing each user to participate in a common game within a predetermined number of people, and allowing the computer to participate in the common game via the matching procedure. Each time a predetermined right granting condition is satisfied, a right to select and vote a candidate who wants to play the common game together from a plurality of candidates (a group of professional users in FIG. 2 as an example) Voting procedures (S1, S2) to be granted to users, and letting each user select the candidate in exchange for consumption of the rights Allowed, and voting control procedure each user records the voting information to determine for each user the candidates and the number of votes Vote (S3 to S5), then the execution, in the matching procedure, the candidates said When participating in a common game, based on the size of the number of votes recorded in each user's vote information for the candidate, the user with the highest number of votes is given priority over the user with the lower number of votes. The computer executes a priority matching procedure (S21 to S25, S101 to S107; S101, S105 to S107, S110 to S114) for matching.

  According to the present invention, a voting right is given to a user every time a predetermined right granting condition is satisfied, and the user can vote by selecting a candidate who wants to play a common game together from a plurality of candidates. it can. The vote result is recorded in the vote information for each user. And when a candidate participates in a common game, the user who cast more votes with respect to the candidate is preferentially matched with the candidate. Therefore, as each user casts more votes for a candidate who wants to play together, the possibility of matching with that candidate increases. In other words, an opportunity to solicit the user's wishes regarding the matching partner by means of voting is provided, the strength of the user's hope (may be replaced with high or low enthusiasm) is estimated on the basis of the number of votes, and a user who has a stronger hope Preferential matching with candidates. As a result, it is possible to realize control that reflects the user's wishes regarding matching for a specific person, to increase the user's interest in the game, and to give the user motivation for playing the game.

  In the present invention, a part of a group of users who can actually play the game by operating the game device may be set as the plurality of candidates. In this case, even if a celebrity such as a professional or idol who is well known in the real world is set as a candidate, the user's voting behavior gives him a chance to play together in the same game with that kind of celebrity. Can be controlled appropriately using. In this case, the real world interest in the game system can be increased, the motivation of the existing user can be increased, and the effect of attracting a new user to the game system can also be expected. However, the plurality of candidates in the present invention need only exist so long as they can participate in a common game through matching, and are not limited to users existing in the real world, but on the game system or in the network world. A virtually existing idol or the like may be set as at least a part of the candidates. Alternatively, among the existing users in the game system, a person with a higher grade may be set as at least a part of the candidate.

  In the present invention, the right granting condition may be set in association with a user action in the game system. According to this, when the user's action on the game system satisfies a predetermined right granting condition, the right to vote is given to the user. Therefore, the motivation to use the game system can be given to the user for the purpose of obtaining the right. Note that the user behavior in the game system may be behavior related to the game itself, such as the results, play contents, and play frequency in the user's game, the user's login history with respect to the game system, and the game play at a specific date and time. It may be an action such as playing a game on a specific game device. Furthermore, when the game system includes a personal terminal device of a user different from the game device (for example, a personal network terminal device such as a mobile phone), the game system is connected via the terminal device. A right granting condition may be set in association with the action of using the service.

  In the present invention, the plurality of game devices may be connectable to the server device (2) via the network, and the matching unit may be provided in the server device. As a result, the server device can collectively grasp the voting status of each user and preferentially process matching based on the number of votes between users.

  The present invention may further comprise voting data processing means (25, S31 to S33) capable of counting the number of votes obtained for each candidate based on the voting information for each user and presenting the counting result to the user. Good. According to this, it is possible to make the user grasp the vote situation of each candidate, that is, the popularity, and give the user a guide for selection in voting.

  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, there is an opportunity to solicit the user's wishes regarding the matching partner by means of voting, the strength of the user's hope is estimated using the number of votes as a scale, and a user who has a stronger hope Preferential matching with candidates. Therefore, it is possible to realize control that reflects the user's wishes regarding the matching for a specific person, to increase the user's interest in the game, and to give the user 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 conceptual diagram for demonstrating the vote function and priority matching function in the game system of FIG. The functional block diagram of the principal part in the control system of the game system of FIG. The figure which shows an example of a structure of the play data of FIG. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the voting management process which the voting control part of FIG. 3 performs. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which each matching process part of a game machine and a center server performs according to a user's hope. The flowchart which shows the specific procedure of the professional battle matching process of FIG. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the vote total process which the vote data process part of a center server performs. The flowchart which shows the other example of professional competition matching processing.

  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 center server 2 as a server device, a game machine (corresponding to a game device) 3 and a user terminal device 4 as client devices connectable to the center server 2 via a predetermined network 5. Including. The center server 2 is configured as a single logical server device by combining a plurality of server units 2A, 2B. However, the center server 2 may be configured by a single server unit. Alternatively, the center server 2 may be logically configured using cloud computing.

  The game machine 3 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 a predetermined play fee. This type of game machine 3 may be called an arcade game machine. The game machine 3 is a computer game device installed in a predetermined facility such as the store 6 for the purpose of making a large number of users repeatedly play games to increase profits. One or more appropriate number of game machines 3 are installed in the store 6. In FIG. 1, the game machine 3 is drawn without distinction, but the hardware configuration and game content may be appropriately selected. The game machine 3 may be configured as a dedicated machine having a physical configuration (for example, an operation unit) suitable for a specific game, or may be configured as a general-purpose machine that can handle various games by rewriting software. May be.

  On the other hand, the user terminal device 4 is a computer device that can be connected to a network and is used for a user's personal use. For example, a stationary or book-type personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC) 4a or a mobile terminal device 4b such as a mobile phone (including a smartphone) is used as the user terminal device 4. In addition, various computer devices that can be connected to the network and are used for personal use of the user, such as stationary home game machines, portable game machines, and portable tablet terminal devices, are used as the user terminal device 4. It's okay. The user terminal device 4 can allow the user to enjoy various services provided by the center server 2 by installing various computer software.

  The network 5 may be appropriately configured as long as the game machine 3 and the user terminal device 4 can be connected to the center server 2 respectively. As an example, the network 5 is configured to realize network communication using a TCP / IP protocol. Typically, it is constructed by connecting the Internet 5A as a WAN and LANs 5B and 5C that connect the Internet 5A to the center server 2 and the game machine 3 via the router 5D. The user terminal device 4 is also connected to the Internet 5A with an appropriate configuration. Note that a local server may be installed between the game machine 3 and the router 5D of the store 6, and the game machine 3 may be communicably connected to the center server 2 via the local server. The server units 2A, 2B,... Of the center server 2 may be connected to each other by the WAN 5A instead of or in addition to the LAN 5C.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 2, a mechanism of a game executed in the game system 1 will be described. In the game system 1, it is possible to execute a game that reproduces a competition (as an example, mahjong) that is performed in the real world. Users of a plurality of game machines 3 can participate in a common game (a game if mahjong) using the matching function of the center server 2 and play together. A part of the game user group includes users who are certified as professionals. The professional may be a user who is active or certified as a professional in a real competition, or may be a user who is certified as a professional according to a predetermined standard on the game. Hereinafter, a user who is certified as a professional may be referred to as a professional user, and other users may be referred to as general users.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the game system 1 includes a voting function in which a general user selects a pro user who wants to play as a plurality of candidates for voting, and a general user and a pro user. And a priority matching function for controlling the matching in accordance with the voting results. The contents of the voting function are as follows. When a predetermined right grant condition is satisfied for the general user A, a voting right is granted to the general user A. The user A who has obtained the voting right can vote by selecting a professional user who wishes to compete from the group of professional users in exchange for consumption of the voting right. In the example of FIG. 2, votes are given to the user X. User A's vote contents are sequentially recorded in data associated with user A. As an example, how many votes the user A casts to which professional user is recorded in the data. For user A, a rank (hereinafter referred to as a desired rank) is set according to the number of votes. The desired rank of user A increases as the number of votes increases. The desired rank is set for each professional user. As the same pro user X is repeatedly voted, the desired rank of the general user A related to the pro user X increases. The right granting conditions may be set as appropriate. For example, a voting right may be given when a user has a predetermined score in a game. A voting right may be given each time the user plays a game on the game machine 3. Alternatively, each time the user accesses the center server 2 from the user terminal device 4 and uses a predetermined service, a voting right may be given. A time limit may be set for granting the voting right. For example, the upper limit may be set such that the voting right is given only once per day, or the voting right may be set only during a specific event period. The right granting condition may be set so that the number of times that voting can be performed varies, such as changing the number of times that voting can be performed according to the game results of the user.

  On the other hand, the priority matching function controls the possibility that a general user of the game machine 3 is matched with a professional user according to a desired rank. The outline is as follows. First, when a user of the game machine 3 desires to play against another user, matching is requested from the game machine 3 of the user to the center server 2, and the user is registered in the virtual matching request list 100 on the center server 2. Is done. Users registered in the matching request list 100 are sequentially matched according to a predetermined condition. For example, a virtual battle frame 101 whose master is one user registered in the matching request list 100 is generated on the center server 2, and other users who can be allocated to the battle frame 101 are searched according to a predetermined condition. The Matching is completed when the battle frame 101 is filled with a predetermined number of users (for example, four or three in the case of mahjong). When there is a user who does not have the battle frame 101 to be distributed, a new battle frame 101 with the user as a master is generated. If matching is not completed within a predetermined time limit, matching is impossible and a message to that effect is returned to the game machine 3.

  When a professional user is registered in the matching request list 100 during the matching process, a professional battle frame 101p with the professional user as a master is generated. When the professional battle frame 101p is generated, general users who have a high desired rank for the professional user as a master are preferentially assigned to the professional battle frame 101. For example, when a battle frame 101 having the professional user X as a master is generated, a general user with a higher rank of preference for the professional user X is preferentially assigned to the battle frame 101. Therefore, the general user who has more votes for the professional user X is more likely to be matched with the professional user X and play. Therefore, it is desirable that a general user who wishes to compete with the professional user X votes the professional user X every time he / she obtains a voting right and raises the desired rank for the user X.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the structure of the principal part of the control system of the game system 1 related to the voting function and the priority matching function will be described. First, the center server 2 is provided with a game service management unit 21, a Web service management unit 22, and a storage unit 23. The management units 21 and 22 are logical devices realized by a combination of computer hardware (including a CPU and a memory as an internal storage device necessary for its operation) of the center server 2 and software. The storage unit 23 is an external storage device realized by a storage unit such as a hard disk array. The memory | storage part 23 may be comprised so that all the data may be hold | maintained on one memory | storage unit, and may be comprised so that data may be distributed and memorize | stored in a some memory | storage unit. Various types of data are recorded in the storage unit 23, and FIG. 3 shows play data 51 and vote count data 52. The play data 51 is data in which game play contents are stored in order for the user to continue playing the game. The play data 51 is created for each user and is recorded in the storage unit 23 in association with the user identification information. FIG. 3 shows only the play data 51 associated with one user identification information. The vote total data 52 is data obtained by totaling vote results of all users by a predetermined method.

  The game service management unit 21 provides a predetermined game service to the game machine 3. As a game service, for example, user authentication information (for example, unique identification information and password for each user) is received from the game machine 3 to authenticate the user, and play data 51 corresponding to the user is received from the game machine 3. A service for providing the game machine 3 with user play data 51 or vote count data 52 saved in the storage unit 23, software for the game machine 3 (program or data for game) ) Is updated via the network 5. The game service management unit 21 is further provided with a matching processing unit 24 and a vote counting unit 25 as a logical device for executing the processes related to the voting function and the priority matching function. The matching processing unit 24 matches users in response to a request from the game machine 3. The vote totaling unit 25 receives information indicating the vote result from the game machine 3 and totals it, and records the result in the vote total data 52.

  The web service management unit 22 provides various web services to the user terminal device 4. As an example, the Web service management unit 22 receives user authentication information (for example, unique identification information and password for each user) from the user terminal device 4, authenticates the user, and responds to the authenticated user request. Thus, the play data 51 of the user is provided to the user terminal device 4 as browsing data. Alternatively, the Web service management unit 22 provides the vote total data 52 as browsing data to the user terminal device 4 in response to a request from the user terminal device 4. Further, the web service management unit 22 may be appropriately equipped with a function for providing a community service for providing an exchange place such as information transmission, exchange, and sharing using the user terminal device 4. Those explanations are omitted.

  Further, the center server 2 charges a charge as a consideration for providing a paid service on the game to each user of the game machine 3 and the user terminal device 4 and collects the charge from the user. Has also been implemented. As a specific method of payment, the user pays for the service by using electronic payment, such as a credit card, debit card, or electronic currency, which can be paid for using electronic data exchange, Anything that collects the price commensurate with the price. The electronic payment may be a publicly known one, and a description of a specific configuration and procedure for realizing it is omitted.

  Next, the game machine 3 is provided with a game control unit 31 and a storage unit 32. The game control unit 31 is a logical device realized by a combination of hardware of the game machine 3 (including a CPU and a memory as an internal storage device thereof) and software. The game control unit 31 executes various arithmetic controls necessary for the progress of the game, and executes various processes necessary for enjoying the game service provided by the game service management unit 21 of the center server 2. The game control unit 31 is provided with a voting control unit 33 and a matching processing unit 34 as further logical devices. The voting control unit 33 is a device for realizing the voting function described above. The matching processing unit 34 performs processing necessary for matching the user of the game machine 3 with another user in cooperation with the matching processing unit 24 of the center server 2.

  The storage unit 32 is an external storage device realized by a storage unit such as a hard disk or a semiconductor storage device. Various types of data are recorded in the storage unit 32, but FIG. 3 shows play data 51 and vote count data 52 provided from the center server 2. Further, the user terminal device 4 is provided with a Web service processing unit 41 as a logical device realized by a combination of the computer hardware (including a CPU and a memory as its internal storage device) and software. ing. The web service processing unit 41 executes processes necessary for receiving various services provided by the web service management unit 22 of the center server 2. The user terminal device 4 is also provided with an external storage device for storing appropriate data, but the illustration thereof is omitted.

  Furthermore, the game machine 3 is provided with various input / output devices such as an input device 35 that outputs a signal corresponding to a user operation, a display device 36 for presenting a game screen or the like to the user, and a card reader 37. The card reader 37 is a device for reading a unique card ID for each card recorded on a card 38 possessed by the user as a kind of identification information to be used for user authentication. Note that user identification information to be used for user authentication may be different between user authentication in the game machine 3 and user authentication in the user terminal device 4, or may be common. For example, in the game machine 3, the card ID recorded on the user's card 38 is used as identification information, and the card ID and the play data 51 are associated with each other and stored in the storage unit 23. When using a user ID uniquely set for each user as user identification information, by setting a correspondence between the user ID and the card ID, any ID is also used as the user identification information. be able to.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of the play data 51. In the play data 51 of FIG. 4, various types of information such as player information, play history, status, item information, and voting information correspond to user identification information as information to be referred to by the game control unit 31 of the game machine 3. It is recorded with. The player information is information for specifying a nickname used by the user in the game. The play history is log information that records the date and time when the user played the game, the play time, the play result, and the like. The status is information for identifying a status obtained as a result of the user playing the game, for example, a rating in the user's game such as a rank, a grade, and a level. Information for identifying whether the user is a professional user or a general user is also recorded in the play data 51 as a kind of status. Item information is information for specifying an item acquired by the user in the game. The voting information is information generated in association with the voting function described above. As an example, the information on the number of votes and the desired rank shown in FIG. 2 is recorded in the vote information in association with the information (user identification information may be sufficient) for specifying the professional user to be voted.

  Next, various processes performed in the game system 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7 are processes after the user is authenticated by the center server 2. FIG. 5 shows a voting management process executed by the voting control unit 33 of the game machine 3 in order to manage user voting. The voting management process is executed at a time when it should be determined whether or not the voting right grant condition is satisfied. For example, when the user gives a predetermined result in the game and the voting right is given, the process of FIG. 5 may be executed at the time when the game result is confirmed or at an appropriate time thereafter. When a user plays a game on the game machine 3 and gives a voting right up to once a day, when the user starts the game on the game machine 3 or when the game ends. The process of FIG. 5 can be executed.

  When the voting management process of FIG. 5 is started, the voting control unit 33 first determines whether or not the user satisfies the right granting condition (step S1), and ends the voting management process if the condition is not satisfied. On the other hand, when the right granting condition is satisfied, the voting control unit 33 grants the voting right to the user (step S2). In this case, as described above, the number of votes that can be voted may be changed according to conditions. Subsequently, the voting control unit 33 causes the user to select a voting target professional user in exchange for voting rights consumption (step S3). When multiple voting is possible, the voting target may be selected for each vote. When the selection of the voting target is completed, the voting control unit 33 determines a desired rank related to the professional user selected in step S3 (step S4). That is, the number of votes this time is added to the number of votes for the selected professional user, and the desired rank corresponding to the number of votes after the addition is specified. Subsequently, the voting control unit 33 updates the voting information of the user play data 51 held in the storage unit 32 of the game machine 3 in accordance with the user selection (voting) in step S3 and the desired rank determined in step S4. (Step S5). Thereafter, the voting control unit 33 ends the process of FIG. Through the above processing, every time a voting right is granted, a general user selects a professional user to vote, and the voting result is reflected in the voting information of the play data 51. The play data 51 updated in step S5 is transmitted to the center server 2 at an appropriate timing, whereby the play data 51 in the storage unit 23 is overwritten.

  FIG. 6 shows a process executed by the center server 2 and the matching processing units 24 and 34 of the game machine 3 when the user of the game machine 3 desires a battle with another user. When the user wishes the game machine 3 to play against another user, the matching processing unit 34 of the game machine 3 starts the matching request process of FIG. 6, and first requests the center server 2 for matching (step) S11). At this time, the matching processing unit 34 acquires the elements considered in the matching, for example, the level of the user, the mode of the game that the user desires to play, etc. according to the play data 51 or an instruction from the user, Elements may be provided to the center server 2. When the matching processing unit 24 of the center server 2 receives the matching request from the game machine 3, it starts the matching process of FIG. The matching process in the center server 2 is a process executed in parallel with one request as a unit every time matching is requested from the game machine 3.

  When starting the matching process, the matching processing unit 24 of the center server 2 first registers the user in the matching request list 100 of FIG. 2, and then determines whether or not the user is a professional user (step S21). Whether or not the user is a professional user can be determined by specifying the play data 51 of the user based on the identification information of the user and referring to the status information of the play data 51. If the user is not a professional user, the matching processing unit 24 determines a matching condition (step S22). The matching condition may be determined based on factors such as the level of the user provided from the game machine 3 in step S11, the mode desired by the user, etc., and information such as the play data 51 held by the center server 2 itself May be determined based on Here, in the case of a general user, it is assumed that whether or not a battle with a professional user is desired is selected on the game machine 3, and the selection result is determined by the center server 2 as part of the matching condition.

  After determining the matching condition, the matching processing unit 24 determines whether or not the user wishes to compete with the professional user (step S23). If desired, the matching processing unit 24 desires the professional competition matching in step S25. If not, the process proceeds to normal matching in step S26. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S21 that the user is a professional user, the matching processing unit 24 generates a professional battle frame 101p (see FIG. 2) with the professional user as a master (step S24), and then in step S25. Proceed to professional match matching.

  In the professional match matching in step S25, a process of matching a professional user from a person with a higher desired rank according to the priority matching shown in FIG. 2 is performed. Details of the procedure will be described later. On the other hand, in the normal matching in step S26, users are matched by a general matching method. In this case, the users are matched according to a known matching method such that matching is performed only between users having the same battle mode, or users having similar levels are preferentially matched. Details regarding the normal matching procedure are omitted.

  When the matching in step S25 or S26 ends (including the case where the matching fails due to time restrictions), the matching processing unit 24 notifies the user game machine 3 of the matching result (step S27), and then the matching. Finish the process. The matching processing unit 34 of the game machine 3 notified of the matching result acquires the matching result (step S12), and performs environment setting according to the matching result (step S13). For example, when matching is completed, an environment necessary for exchanging information with the game machine 3 of the opponent user and executing the battle game is constructed. In such a case, a process of generating a virtual opponent controlled by the game control unit 31 instead of the opponent user is executed. When the environment setting is completed, the matching processing unit 34 also ends the matching request process.

  FIG. 7 shows a specific procedure of professional match matching (step S25 in FIG. 6) executed by the matching processing unit 24 of the center server 2. When the professional battle matching is selected, the matching processing unit 24 first determines whether or not the user has already been set as the master of the professional battle frame 101p (step S101). When the determination in step S101 is affirmative, the matching processing unit 24 acquires a desired rank of a user waiting for matching (a general user) registered in the matching request list 100 (step S102). The desired rank is a desired rank related to the professional user who is the master of the professional battle frame 101p, and the value can be determined from the play data 51 stored in the storage unit 23. Alternatively, the desired rank may be acquired from the game machine 3.

  Subsequently, the matching processing unit 24 orders the general users waiting for matching according to the desired rank (step S103), and then assigns a predetermined number of general users to the professional battle frame 101p in order from the superior (step S104). In addition, when there are a plurality of users having the same desired rank, the ranking may be further performed according to the number of votes, or the ranking may be performed based on the first-come-first-served basis (the order in which the desired rank is reached). . Alternatively, users may be randomly selected from users having the same desired rank and sequentially assigned to the professional battle frame 101p. When a predetermined number of general users are assigned to the professional battle frame 101p, the matching processing unit 24 finalizes matching (step S105), and returns to the processing of FIG.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S101 that it is not the master of the professional battle frame 101p, the matching processing unit 24 proceeds to step S106 and waits for a predetermined time in preparation for matching (step S106). In other words, the general user may be assigned to the professional battle frame 101p by the professional battle matching process executed in parallel in response to the battle hope from the professional user, so that it waits in preparation. After completion of waiting, the matching processing unit 24 determines whether or not matching is established (step S107), and if it is established, the process proceeds to step S105 to determine matching. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S107 that the matching is not established, the matching processing unit 24 shifts the matching process for the general user from the professional match matching to the normal matching in step S26 of FIG. 6 (step S108), and thereafter FIG. The process returns to (in this case, step S26).

  FIG. 8 shows a procedure of vote counting processing that is repeatedly executed by the vote data processing unit 25 of the center server 2 at a predetermined cycle. This process is a process for updating the vote total data 52 based on the vote information of the play data 51. When the voting data processing unit 25 starts the voting tabulation process of FIG. 8, first, the voting information of the play data 51 stored in the storage unit 23 is sequentially read in step S31, and the number of votes for each professional user, that is, the general user The total number of votes for each professional user is counted. Subsequently, the voting data processing unit 25 ranks the professional users according to the number of votes obtained (step S32), and writes the ranking result in the vote totaling data 52 to update the data 52 (step S33). ). As an example, the vote total data 52 is generated so as to record the professional user in association with the number of votes and the ranking thereof, and is updated as appropriate. After the vote count data 52 is updated, the vote data processing unit 25 finishes the current vote count process. The vote totaling data 52 updated by the process of FIG. 8 is appropriately provided from the center server 2 in response to a request from the game machine 3 or the user terminal device 4 and used for user browsing. Thereby, each general user knows which professional users are gaining popularity, and can obtain a guideline for selecting a voting target.

  In the above embodiment, the voting control unit 33 of the game machine 3 functions as the right granting unit of the present invention by executing the processes of steps S1 and S2 of FIG. 5, and executes the processes of steps S3 to S5 of the same figure. Thus, it functions as a voting control means of the present invention. Further, the matching processing unit 24 of the center server 2 functions as the matching means of the present invention, and the matching processing unit 24 executes the processing of steps S21 to S25 in FIG. 6 and steps S101 to S107 in FIG. It functions as a priority matching means of the invention. Further, the voting data processing unit 25 of the center server 2 executes the processing of steps S31 to S33 in FIG. 8 and provides the voting summary data 52 to the game machine 3 or the user terminal device 4 as necessary. It functions as voting data processing means of the present invention.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described form, and can be implemented in an appropriate form. For example, in the above-described form, as a process for preferentially matching general users with professional users, general users are ranked according to a desired rank, and are assigned to professional battle frames in order from the top to the predetermined number. However, the process of preferentially matching a person with a higher desired rank with a professional user over a lower person is not limited to this, and can be changed as appropriate. FIG. 9 shows another example in which the professional match matching process in FIG. 7 is changed. In FIG. 9, the same processes as those in FIG. 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the example of FIG. 9, when an affirmative determination is made in step S101, the matching processing unit 24 sets a desired rank of a general user to be allocated to the professional battle frame 101p to a relatively high initial value (step S110), and then Of the general users in the matching request list 100, only general users of the desired rank (initial value in the first process) set as the distribution target at the present time are allocated to the professional battle frame 101p (step S111). If the number of players that can be accommodated in one battle frame 101 is exceeded at this stage, users may be selected using the concept of first-come-first-served basis or random as described above. Subsequently, the matching processing unit 24 determines whether or not matching has been established for the professional battle frame 101p that is the current processing target (step S112), and if it has been established, proceeds to step S105.

  On the other hand, when the matching is not established in step S112, the matching processing unit 24 determines whether or not the elapsed time from the start of the matching process is within the time limit set for the professional match matching (step S113). If it is within the time, the desired rank is expanded to a lower level within the predetermined range, that is, the desired rank is lower (step S114), and then the process returns to step S111. If the time limit is reached without matching even if the desired rank is sequentially expanded lower, step S113 is denied. In this case, the matching processing unit 24 proceeds to step S108, and leaves the matching of the current processing target professional battle frame 101p to the normal matching process. By such processing, a user with a high desired rank can be matched with a professional user in preference to a low user. In the example of FIG. 9, the matching processing unit 24 functions as the priority matching unit of the present invention by executing the processes of steps S21 to S25 of FIG. 6 and steps S101, S105 to S107, and S110 to S114 of FIG. To do.

  In the above embodiment, the voting control means (the voting control unit 33) is provided in the game machine 3, but instead of this, the voting control means may be provided in the center server 2. Similarly, the right granting unit may be provided in the center server 2. For example, when the voting right is given in association with the access from the user terminal device 4 and the voting action is also performed from the user terminal device 4, the center server 2 may execute the processes collectively. Alternatively, right granting means and voting control means may be mounted on the user terminal device 4. For example, it is possible to play an additional or auxiliary game associated with the game of the game machine 3 on the user terminal device 4, and control the granting of voting rights and voting behavior in association with the game on the user terminal device 4. It is also possible to do. Furthermore, the voting right can be appropriately set in association with the use of the game system. For example, when a communication function (SNS function) via the user terminal device 4 is implemented in the center server 2, points are given to the user according to the usage of the function, and a predetermined number of points accumulated by the user In addition, a voting right may be granted.

  The center server 2 or the user terminal device 4 is provided with a right granting unit so that the user of the user terminal device 4 can be given a voting right, while the voting control unit is provided only in the game machine 3 or Even if the voting control means is provided in the center server 2, the voting can be permitted only by access from the game machine 3, and the voting cannot be performed by access from the user terminal device 4. In this case, the user can grant the voting right without going to the facility such as the store where the game machine 3 is installed, but in order to vote in exchange for the consumption of the voting right, the game machine 3 is used. It is necessary to operate. Therefore, it is possible to cause the user to feel lost unless he / she goes to a facility such as a store where the game machine 3 is installed and operates the game machine 3. Thereby, the effect of guiding the user to a facility such as a store can be expected.

  In the above embodiment, some users who can actually play the game by operating the game machine 3 are set as candidates for voting, but the candidates participate in the common game through the matching process. If it is possible, it does not necessarily have to be a real user. The game system may be configured such that the center server 2 or the game machine 3 virtually generates candidates and can participate in the common game via the matching function like the real users. Alternatively, a virtual candidate may be generated as a substitute for a celebrity such as an idol or a professional who actually exists.

  In the above embodiment, a battle game such as mahjong is taken as an example of the common game. However, a common game is sufficient if a plurality of users can participate in common under a predetermined number of people. For example, even when a plurality of users cooperate with each other to advance a game, the present invention can be applied with respect to matching of the participants. The common game is not limited to an example played on a commercial game machine, and may be played on the user terminal device 4.

1 Game system 2 Center server (server device)
3 Game machines (game devices)
4 User terminal device 5 Network 24 Matching processing unit (matching means, priority matching means)
25 Voting data processing unit (voting data processing means)
33 Voting control unit (right granting control means, voting control means)
51 Play data 52 Vote count data

Claims (6)

A game system including a matching unit that allows each user of a plurality of game devices connected via a network to participate in a common game within a predetermined number of people,
Granting a predetermined right to select and vote for a candidate who wants to play the common game together from a plurality of candidates who can participate in the common game via the matching means Rights granting control means to be granted to each user each time the condition is satisfied;
Voting control means for causing each user to select and vote for the candidate in exchange for consumption of the right, and to record voting information for determining for each user the candidate and the number of votes voted by each user, Equipped,
In the matching means, when the candidate participates in the common game, the number of votes of a user who has a large number of votes is determined based on the number of votes recorded in the vote information of each user regarding the candidate. A game system in which priority matching means for matching with the candidate in preference to a small number of users is provided.   The game system according to claim 1, wherein a part of a group of users who can actually play the game by operating the game device is set as the plurality of candidates.   The game system according to claim 1, wherein the right granting condition is set in association with a user action in the game system.   The game system according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of game devices are connectable to a server device via the network, and the matching unit is provided in the server device.   5. The voting data processing unit according to claim 1, further comprising voting data processing means capable of counting the number of votes obtained for each candidate based on the voting information for each user and presenting the counting result to the user. Game system. Applied to a game system including a plurality of game devices connected via a network, and each user of the plurality of game devices participates in a common game within a predetermined number of people in the computer included in the game system A matching control method for executing a matching procedure for causing the computer to
The right to select and vote for a candidate who wants to play the common game together from a plurality of candidates who can participate in the common game through the matching procedure is determined by a predetermined right granting condition. A right granting procedure to be given to each user every time
A voting control procedure for causing each user to select and vote for the candidate in exchange for consumption of the right, and to record voting information for determining the candidate and the number of votes voted by each user for each user. Let it run
In the matching procedure , when the candidate participates in the common game, a user who has a large number of votes is determined based on the number of votes recorded in each user's vote information regarding the candidate. A matching control method for causing the computer to execute a priority matching procedure for matching with the candidate in preference to a small number of users.

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