JP5727979B2 - GAME PROCESSING DEVICE, GAME PROCESSING DEVICE CONTROL METHOD, AND PROGRAM - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a game processing device, a method for controlling the game processing device, and a program suitable for allowing more users to participate in a game casually.

  As multi-function mobile phones and portable game machines with communication functions become popular, so-called social games that users can easily enjoy using these communication terminals are becoming popular. Some social games, for example, collect cards or cultivate farms or characters while enjoying communication with other users.

  On the other hand, for example, Patent Document 1 proposes a game whose progress is changed by votes of users who are playing the same game.

JP 2011-156396 A

  However, according to the prior art, the number of users who can vote is limited to users who have already participated in the game. Therefore, for users who have not yet participated in the game as a player, the specifications are high. It was. In addition, the non-participating user is made aware of the existence of the game, and the non-participating user is allowed to influence the progress of the game, so that the non-participating user is interested and encourages participation in the game. There was a request.

  The present invention solves such problems, and provides a game processing device, a game processing device control method, and a program suitable for allowing more users to easily participate in the game. With the goal.

  In order to achieve the above object, the following invention is disclosed in accordance with the principle of the present invention.

A game processing apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes an instruction receiving unit, an updating unit, a determining unit, and a selection receiving unit.
The instruction receiving unit receives instruction information from the main user.
When the instruction information from the main user is received, the updating unit updates the state of the virtual world based on the received instruction information from the main user.
The determining means determines an event that will occur in the future in the virtual world, an occurrence time at which the event occurs, and a start time before the occurrence time based on the state of the virtual world.
The selection receiving means receives selection information from one or more sub-users from the determined start time to the determined occurrence time.
Then, if an event determined in the virtual world occurs at the determined time of occurrence, the updating means updates the state of the virtual world based on the received selection information from one or more sub-users.

  In the game processing device, for example, a game is performed in which a main user gives a command to a user character placed in a virtual world to act. When a command from the main user is received, the game parameter associated with the user character is updated based on the received command.

  When a command is accepted, the contents of the event that will occur in the future, the occurrence time of the event, and the voting start time for accepting voting from other users (sub-users) other than the main user are determined according to the accepted command. It is determined. Further, in accordance with the determined event, a plurality of options indicating how to advance the virtual world at the time of the event are prepared. These options are also presented to sub-users who have not yet joined the virtual world. The sub-user can choose any option and vote. The sub user can freely vote between the voting start time and the event occurrence time.

  When the determined event occurrence time is reached, the determined event occurs in the virtual world. And based on the vote result by a sub user, a virtual world advances. The main user may be away from the game until the vote result is determined after issuing the command, and the game proceeds automatically. Further, sub-users who are not yet registered in the virtual world can participate in the form of voting without registering in the game played by the main user. According to the present invention, not only the main user can play the game, but also the sub user can influence the game, and the game can be enjoyed as if the main user and the sub user were playing together. In addition, it is possible to attract the interest of users who have not participated and to encourage participation in the game. And more users can easily participate in the game.

  If it is determined that the instruction information from the main user is not received for the threshold period or longer, the determining unit may determine the event, the occurrence time, and the start time.

  That is, when it is estimated that the main user does not issue a command for the threshold period or longer, the content of the event, the occurrence time of the event, and the start time when the vote by the sub user is accepted may be determined. According to the present invention, the event content is not determined immediately after the command is received, but is determined when the main user is estimated to leave the game for a while. This makes it difficult for the game processing device to redo, and the processing by the game processing device becomes efficient.

  If the instruction information from the main user is a predetermined neglect instruction, the determining unit may determine that the instruction information from the main user is not received for a threshold period or longer.

  In other words, when the main user gives an instruction to leave the command for a while, the contents of the event, the occurrence time of the event, and the start time at which the sub user can accept the vote may be determined. According to the present invention, the event content is not determined immediately after the command is received, but is determined when the main user leaves the game for a while, so the event content is determined again. It becomes difficult to perform processing by the game processing device.

  The update unit may ignore the received instruction information from the main user until the threshold time elapses after the predetermined leaving instruction is received.

  That is, the main user cannot issue a new command until the threshold time elapses after the command is issued. According to the present invention, it is difficult for the event content to be determined again, and the processing by the game processing device becomes efficient.

  The instruction information from the main user is received between the determination by the determination means and the determined occurrence time, and the state of the virtual world is updated, so that the event determined in the virtual world is determined at the determined occurrence time. If it does not occur, the updating means may ignore selection information from one or more accepted sub-users.

  In other words, after the main user has issued a command, the content of the event is determined, and then another command is issued to cause a contradiction between the current game progress and the previously determined event. The previously determined event is not generated, and the voting result by the sub user is also discarded. According to the present invention, the main user can continue to issue commands and advance the virtual world, or can leave the game for a while and automatically advance the virtual world by voting by the sub-user.

  An article in which a plurality of options that can be selected by one or more sub-users and a URI (Universal Resource Identifier) including information for identifying each of the plurality of options is specified at the determined start time is an article When each sub-user of one or more sub-users accesses the aggregation server that is posted on the server and indicated in the URI, the option selected by each sub-user may be identified from the information included in the URI.

  That is, an option associated with a URI is presented to the sub-user, and if any URI is accessed according to the sub-user's instruction, the access is a vote for the option. According to the present invention, voting by sub-users is simplified.

  Either one or both of the article server and the aggregation server may be realized by an external information processing apparatus that can communicate with the game processing apparatus.

  According to the present invention, the progress of the virtual world, the presentation of options, and the aggregation of selection results are performed by different devices, so that the processing can be distributed.

  Either one or both of the article server and the aggregation server may be realized by a game processing device.

  According to the present invention, the progress of the virtual world, the presentation of options, and the aggregation of selection results are performed by one device, so that the entire virtual world can be easily managed.

  The determination means may determine the occurrence time at which the event occurs based on statistics of selection information received from the sub-user in the game processing apparatus in the past.

  According to the present invention, the occurrence time of an event is not always determined, but is determined based on the past voting activity results, so the progress of the virtual world is diversified. In addition, adjustments can be made so that there are not too many or too few votes by sub-users.

  The determination unit may extend the voting period when the number of selection information received by the selection reception unit is less than a predetermined minimum number of votes.

  According to the present invention, the voting period is not fixed but variable, and development is not influenced only by a small number of opinions.

A control method for a game processing apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention is a control method executed in a game processing apparatus having an instruction receiving means, an updating means, a determining means, and a selection receiving means, the instruction receiving step and the updating step. And a determination step and a selection reception step.
In the instruction receiving step, the instruction receiving unit receives instruction information from the main user.
In the updating step, when the instruction information from the main user is received, the updating unit updates the state of the virtual world based on the received instruction information from the main user.
In the determination step, the determination means determines an event that will occur in the future in the virtual world, an occurrence time at which the event occurs, and a start time before the occurrence time based on the state of the virtual world.
In the selection reception step, the selection reception unit receives selection information from one or more sub-users from the determined start time to the determined occurrence time.
Then, if the determined event occurs in the virtual world at the determined time of occurrence, in the updating step, the updating means is configured to update the virtual world based on the received selection information from the one or more sub-users. Update the state of.

  According to the present invention, more users can participate in the game.

A program according to another aspect of the present invention causes a computer to function as an instruction receiving unit, an updating unit, a determining unit, and a selection receiving unit.
The instruction receiving unit receives instruction information from the main user.
When the instruction information from the main user is received, the updating unit updates the state of the virtual world based on the received instruction information from the main user.
The determining means determines an event that will occur in the future in the virtual world, an occurrence time at which the event occurs, and a start time before the occurrence time based on the state of the virtual world.
The selection receiving means receives selection information from one or more sub-users from the determined start time to the determined occurrence time.
Then, if an event determined in the virtual world occurs at the determined time of occurrence, the updating means updates the state of the virtual world based on the received selection information from one or more sub-users.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to cause a computer to function as the above-described game processing device.

The program of the present invention can be recorded on a computer-readable information storage medium such as a compact disk, flexible disk, hard disk, magneto-optical disk, digital video disk, magnetic tape, and semiconductor memory.
The above program can be distributed and sold via a computer communication network independently of the computer on which the program is executed. The information storage medium can be distributed and sold independently from the computer.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a game processing device, a method for controlling the game processing device, and a program suitable for allowing more users to easily participate in the game.

It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of a game processing system. It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of a game processing apparatus. It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of a communication terminal. It is a figure which shows the external appearance of a communication terminal. It is a figure which shows the functional structure of a game processing apparatus. It is a figure for demonstrating the flow of a game process. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the web page published by the article server. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the web page published by the article server. It is a figure for demonstrating the flow of a voting process. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a game screen. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the web page published by the article server.

(Embodiment 1)
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. The embodiments are for illustrative purposes and do not limit the scope of the present invention. Therefore, those skilled in the art can employ embodiments in which each or all of these elements are replaced with equivalent ones, and these embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention.

  First, an overview of the entire game processing system 1 of the present embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the game processing system 1 accepts and aggregates a game processing device 100, a communication terminal 200 used by a user (described as 200A, 200B, 200C, etc. in this figure), and votes described later. An aggregation server 300 and an article server 400 that accepts article postings and publishes articles are provided, and these are connected by a communication network 50. The communication network 50 is typically the Internet.

  The game processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment executes a game in a virtual space that can be accessed by a plurality of users using the communication terminal 200. The game performed in the present embodiment is a social game based on a so-called RPG (role playing game) in which a user character adventures a dungeon in a virtual space based on an instruction from a user. In the game, various events occur where the user character encounters another character or acquires an item. The game processing device 100 controls the progress of the game. The game processing device 100 causes the user character to act based on the instruction received from the communication terminal 200, generates an event, and changes the game parameter associated with each user character. The game parameters include, for example, parameters indicating the virtual currency and the number of items owned by the user character, parameters indicating the attack power and defense power of the user character, and the like.

  Communication terminal 200 is operated by a user. In the present embodiment, the communication terminal 200 is a multi-function mobile phone. The communication terminal 200 may be a portable game device having a communication function, a tablet terminal, a personal computer, or the like. The user operates the communication terminal 200 and inputs an instruction for a game executed in the game processing apparatus 100. The user inputs a command for his user character.

  Users are divided into main users and sub-users. The main user is a user who operates the communication terminal 200 to access the game processing apparatus 100 and plays a game controlled by the game processing apparatus 100. The sub-user is a user who can access the article server 400 and the aggregation server 300 regardless of whether or not a game controlled by the game processing apparatus 100 is being played. When N people (N is an integer greater than or equal to 2) are participating in the game, as viewed from the first user who operates the first communication terminal 200, he is the main user and the other N-1 people Is a sub-user. A user who has not yet participated in the game but can access the article server 400 and the aggregation server 300 and participates in a vote described later is also a sub-user.

  An SNS (Social Networking Service) server registered in advance in the communication network 50 by the main user may be used as the article server 400, and a user registered by the main user as his friend in the article server 400 may be used as a sub user.

  The main user has registered in advance for a game including setting of a user name and a password. The main user inputs a preset user name (or ID such as an e-mail address) and a password, receives authentication, connects (logs in) to the game processing apparatus 100, and inputs a command for the user character. When the main user inputs a command, an in-game event occurs after a predetermined time has elapsed since the command was confirmed. The main user does not need to input the command until the predetermined time elapses after the command is confirmed (until an event occurs), and may be left unattended. While left unattended, the main user may remain logged into the game or log out.

  In the present embodiment, the timing at which the command is determined is the time when the command is received by the game processing device 100 and registered in the queue for processing performed by the game processing device 100. However, as will be described later, the timing for determining a command is not limited to this.

  The sub-user is presented with several options that affect future game development that can be reflected in the main user's game from the time the command is confirmed until the predetermined time has elapsed. Aggregation server 300 accepts votes from sub-users for each option until a predetermined time elapses after the command is confirmed.

  For example, when the main user who is registered to participate in the game inputs a command “Move user character from town X to town Y”, the game processing apparatus 100 states “Move user character from town X to town Y”. Some options for the command are set and notified to the article server 400. The options are, for example, “(A) fight against the encountered monster” or “(B) escape from the encountered monster”. The sub user can participate in the game played by the main user in the form of voting, regardless of whether or not the user is registered in the game.

  The article server 400 posts the contents of each option on a web page on the Internet. The posted articles can be viewed not only by users who participate in the game but also by users who do not participate in the game. Each option is linked to a URI (Universal Resource Identifier). The URI indicates the location of the resource in the aggregation server 300. For example, a first URI corresponding to the first option “(A) fighting the encountered monster” and a second URI corresponding to the second option “(B) escape from the encountered monster” are displayed on the web page. It will be posted. When the sub user operates the communication terminal 200 to select the first option, the communication terminal 200 accesses the first URI. Similarly, when the sub user operates the communication terminal 200 to select the second option, the communication terminal 200 accesses the second URI.

  The aggregation server 300 accepts access via the article server 400 by sub-users during the voting period. One access to the URI posted on the article server 400 is one vote. When the voting period ends, the counting server 300 counts the number of accesses to each option (the number of votes) and notifies the game processing apparatus 100 of the counting result.

  The game processing device 100 generates an in-game event at the event occurrence time after a predetermined time has elapsed since the command was confirmed. For example, the game processing apparatus 100 generates an event “I encounter a monster” corresponding to a command “Move user character from town X to town Y”. And the game processing apparatus 100 changes the game parameter matched with the user character of a main user according to the generated event. At this time, the game processing apparatus 100 reflects the counting result notified from the counting server 300, that is, the voting result by the sub-user, in the game played by the main user.

  For example, if the number of votes for the first option is greater than the number of second votes, the first option “(A) fight against a monster encountered” is reflected in the game. That is, when the event “I encounter a monster” occurs, the game processing apparatus 100 fights the user character and the monster, and changes the game parameter. On the other hand, if the number of votes for the first option is less than the number of second votes, the second option “(B) Escape from the encountered monster” is reflected in the game. In other words, when an event “I encounter a monster” occurs, the game processing apparatus 100 advances the game without changing the user character and the monster, and changes the game parameter.

  The game parameter changed by the generated event is notified to the communication terminal 200 of the main user. For example, when the main user logs out once after inputting the “move user character from town X to town Y” command and logs into the game again after the event occurs, the event content and event result are notified to the communication terminal 200, Is displayed. The main user views the displayed event contents and event results, and inputs the next command. The user waits for the game to proceed for a while after inputting the command, and enjoys watching the progress of the game at the next login or after a predetermined time. Note that after the main user inputs a certain command, another command may be continuously input.

  Further, the sub user can influence the game played by the main user by voting on the presented options. In particular, it is expected that a sub-user who has not yet participated in the game will be informed that he / she can vote, first get to know the game by voting, and have an interest in the game. Articles posted to the article server 400 are not limited to main users who have already participated in the game, but are also released to users who have not yet participated in the game or users who do not know this game, so more users To get more interested in the game and get more users to participate.

  In addition, not only the sub user but also the main user may be able to vote for the presented option. Further, in this embodiment, it is assumed that only one vote can be cast for one event from one communication terminal 200. If multiple votes are made from the same communication terminal 200, the last vote is given. Only valid. When a plurality of votes are made from the same communication terminal 200, only the first first vote can be valid and the second and subsequent votes can be invalidated.

  In the present embodiment, the game processing system 1 is provided with the game processing device 100, the aggregation server 300, and the article server 400 separately. However, the processing performed by these is collectively performed by one or two devices. Also good.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the game processing apparatus 100 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the game processing apparatus 100 includes a control unit 101, a communication unit 102, and a storage unit 103. The game processing device 100 is composed of an information processing device such as a main frame or a workstation.

  The control unit 101 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like, and controls each unit of the game processing apparatus 100 according to an operating system (OS), a program, and the like stored in the storage unit 103. For example, the control unit 101 controls the communication unit 102 to transmit information such as the game progress status and results to the communication terminal 200.

  The communication unit 102 includes a predetermined communication device such as a network interface card (NIC), a router, or a modem. The communication unit 102 communicates with the communication terminal 200, the aggregation server 300, the article server 400, and the like connected to the communication network 50 under the control of the control unit 101.

  The storage unit 103 includes a storage device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) serving as a work area, and a storage device such as a hard disk device or a ROM (Read Only Memory). For example, the storage unit 103 stores a program for controlling the entire game processing apparatus 100, an OS, and game parameters in the virtual space.

  Since the hardware configuration of the summary server 300 and the article server 400 is the same as the hardware configuration of the game processing apparatus 100, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the communication terminal 200 will be described. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the communication terminal 100 includes a communication unit 201, an audio processing unit 202, an output unit 203, an external interface (I / F) 204, an input reception unit 205, a ROM 206, a RAM 207, a control unit 208, and a power supply unit 209. Is provided.

  The communication unit 201 modulates an audio signal input to the microphone 223 and converted by an A / D (Analog / Digital) converter (not shown) provided in the audio processing unit 202, and uses an antenna 221 provided in the communication unit 201. Send an audio signal to the communication partner. Further, the communication unit 201 receives and demodulates an audio signal using the antenna 221 and inputs the audio signal to the audio processing unit 202. The audio signal is converted into audio using a D / A (Digital / Analog) converter (not shown) included in the audio processing unit 202 and output as audio from the speaker 222. The communication unit 201 transmits various instruction information input from the user of the communication terminal 200 to the game processing apparatus 100 and receives game parameters, image data, audio data, and the like transmitted from the game processing apparatus 100.

  The voice processing unit 202 collects a user's uttered sound or the like with the microphone 223, converts the sound into a voice signal using an A / D converter included in the voice processing unit 202, and inputs the voice signal to the communication unit 201. In addition, the voice processing unit 202 outputs the call sound demodulated by the D / A converter included in the voice processing unit 202 from the speaker 222. In addition, the sound processing unit 202 accesses the game processing apparatus 100 and plays back sound, sound effects, music, and the like of a game to be played and outputs it from the speaker 222.

  The output unit 203 processes the image data by an image arithmetic processor (not shown) provided in the control unit 208 or the output unit 203 and then records the processed image data in a frame buffer. The image information recorded in the frame buffer is converted into an image signal at a predetermined synchronization timing such as vertical synchronization, and is output to a display 224 such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). On the surface of the display 224, a touch panel 226 provided with a plurality of touch sensors for detecting presence or absence and position of a user's contact is superimposed. In the following description, the display 224 and the touch panel 226 are collectively referred to as a “touch screen”.

  The external I / F 204 is connected to an external memory 225 such as a detachable IC card or a flash memory card, and inputs / outputs data. For example, the external memory 225 connected to the external I / F 204 stores information unique to the communication terminal 200 (for example, a subscriber number, a network identifier, etc.). These pieces of information may be stored in another rewritable storage area such as a flash memory area of the RAM 207. In addition, the external I / F 204 connects the communication terminal 200 and an external device through USB (Universal Serial Bus) connection under the control of the communication unit 201 and the control unit 208, and inputs / outputs data to / from the external device. With an interface that can do. The external I / F 204 may further include an interface that enables connection with other external devices.

  The input receiving unit 205 receives an operation signal from the touch panel 226 and inputs a key code signal corresponding to the operation signal to the control unit 208. The control unit 208 determines the operation content based on the input key code signal. The user can input arbitrary character data or a predetermined operation command using the touch panel 226. The operation commands include, for example, activation and termination of application software (hereinafter referred to as “application”), creation and storage of electronic files, commands from users in game applications, and the like.

  The ROM 206 is a nonvolatile memory that stores in advance an operating system (OS), programs, and the like necessary for overall control of the communication terminal 200.

  The RAM 207 temporarily stores data, programs, and the like necessary for processing performed by the control unit 208. A part of the storage area of the RAM 207 is constituted by a flash memory, and stores an address book used for telephone calls and mails, a call history, downloaded data, setting values of various functions, and the like.

  The control unit 208 performs overall control of the communication terminal 200 in accordance with the OS and control program stored in the ROM 206 and the like. The control unit 208 transmits a control signal and data to each unit, or receives a response signal and data from each unit. In addition, the control unit 208 measures the current time of the communication terminal 200. Details of various processes executed by the control unit 208 will be described later.

  The power supply unit 209 includes a battery for driving the communication terminal 200.

  The communication terminal 200 of this embodiment is a multi-function mobile phone as shown in FIG. The touch screen 250 displays software buttons for receiving instructions from the user. That the user touches the position where the software button image is displayed on the touch screen 250 is simply expressed as “select a button”, “touch the button”, or the like.

  The communication terminal 200 may accept an instruction input using the touch panel 226 from the user, or may accept an audio instruction input from the user. The control unit 208 may perform voice recognition processing on the voice data collected by the microphone 223, determine an instruction input by the user from the voice recognition result, and execute a process corresponding to the determined instruction input.

  The communication terminal 200 may further include a gyro sensor that detects inclination and an acceleration sensor that detects acceleration applied to the communication terminal 200. The control unit 208 may analyze a detection result by the gyro sensor or the acceleration sensor, determine an instruction input by the user from the analysis result, and execute a process corresponding to the determined instruction input.

  The communication terminal 200 may further include a hardware button, and may detect not only a user operation on the software button displayed on the touch screen 250 but also a user operation on the hardware button. The control unit 208 may execute processing associated with the pressed hardware button in advance.

  Next, a functional configuration of the game processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, the game processing apparatus 100 includes an instruction receiving unit 501, a parameter storage unit 502, an updating unit 503, a determining unit 504, and a selection receiving unit 505.

  The instruction receiving unit 501 receives instruction information representing an instruction to the user character from the communication terminal 200 of the main user. The main user receives various instruction information (commands) such as “move from city X to city Y” and “purchase item XX” to the user character that is the operation target of the user user. This is input by operating the unit 205. When the input reception unit 205 of the communication terminal 200 receives a command input from the user, the control unit 208 controls the communication unit 201 to transmit the received instruction information to the game processing apparatus 100. The control unit 101 of the game processing apparatus 100 controls the communication unit 102 to receive instruction information from the communication terminal 200, stores it in the storage unit 103, and executes processing corresponding to the received instruction information. The control unit 101, the communication unit 102, and the storage unit 103 cooperate to function as the instruction receiving unit 501.

  The parameter storage unit 502 stores a variable representing a state of a virtual world game played by the game processing system 1, that is, a game parameter. The game parameters include, for example, the amount of virtual currency associated with the user character, the type and number of items owned, the attack value and defense value and physical strength value associated with the user character, the character name, the log of the event that occurred, and so on. However, the game parameters are not limited to these, and are appropriately defined according to the game executed by the game processing apparatus 100. The control unit 101 can update the game parameters at any time. The control unit 101 and the storage unit 103 cooperate to function as the parameter storage unit 502.

  When the instruction information (command) from the main user is received, the updating unit 503 updates the game parameter representing the state of the virtual world based on the received instruction information from the main user. The updating unit 503 updates a game parameter representing the state of the virtual world based on selection information received by a selection receiving unit 505 described later. The control unit 101 and the storage unit 103 cooperate to function as the update unit 503.

  For example, when the content of the instruction information is “move from town X to town Y”, the control unit 101 sets “a path of the road from town X to town Y” as a parameter indicating the area where the user character is currently located among the game parameters. A value representing “on the way” or “in town Y” is set. When the content of the instruction information is the command “Purchase item using virtual currency”, the control unit 101 subtracts a predetermined amount from the total amount of virtual currency associated with the user character among the game parameters, Add the information of the purchased item to the parameter indicating the owned item. The specific contents of the instruction information are not limited by the present invention.

  The selection information is information indicating a selection result obtained when the sub-user selects one of the options generated by the determination unit 504 described later.

  Based on a variable (game parameter) representing the state of the virtual world stored in the parameter storage unit 502, the determining unit 504 determines an event that will occur in the future in the virtual world, an event occurrence time that generates the event, and an occurrence time. Determine previous voting start time, etc. The control unit 101 functions as the determination unit 504.

  For example, when the value of the parameter representing the area where the user character exists is changed from “inside town X” to “on the way from town X to town Y”, the control unit 101 corresponds to this parameter value and from now on It is determined that the event “Encountering a monster” to be generated is generated at a certain time in the real world. In addition, the control unit 101 generates a plurality of options corresponding to the event to be generated, and determines a start time for receiving a vote by the sub user. The voting period during which the sub-user can vote is, for example, from the determined voting start time to the determined event occurrence time. However, the voting period may not coincide with the event occurrence time and may end before the event occurrence time.

  Here, matters determined by the control unit 101 will be described in detail. The control unit 101 defines (1) content of an event to be generated in the virtual world, (2) content of an option corresponding to the event to be generated, (3) event occurrence time, and (4) a voting start time and a voting end time. Each voting period is determined. Hereinafter, it demonstrates in order.

(1) Determination of Event Content The control unit 101 may determine the content of the event as content previously associated with the accepted command. Information for associating the accepted command with the event to be generated is stored in the storage unit 103 in advance, and the control unit 101 determines the content of the event to be generated with reference to this association.

  The control unit 101 may select one candidate from a plurality of candidate event contents prepared in advance and use it as the event contents to be generated. For example, when the command “go forward” is received, the control unit 101 may receive events such as “encounter a monster”, “find a treasure”, and “get trapped” associated with the command. One of the events is selected from the inside.

  The control unit 101 may determine the content of the event based on the game parameter stored in the storage unit 103. The game parameters stored in the storage unit 103 are not based on just one command received immediately before, but represent a comprehensive result formed by a plurality of various commands received so far. Therefore, the control unit 101 can generate an event that reflects the progress of the past game.

  The control unit 101 may determine the content of the event based on an input from the main user. For example, the control unit 101 presents to the main user a candidate event content that can be generated according to the input command, the main user selects one of the candidates, and selects the selected candidate as an event. You may decide on the contents.

  The control unit 101 does not always have to generate an event that can change the game parameter every time a command is received, but may generate an event of “nothing happens”.

(2) Determination of content of option The control unit 101 may determine the content of the option as content previously associated with the event to be generated. For example, when the determined event is “I encounter a monster”, the control unit 101 has two options “(A) Let's fight the monster” and “ (B) Prepare to escape from the monster. There may be three or more options, or two or more options may be presented to the sub-user from three or more option candidates associated with the event.

  The control unit 101 may determine the content of the option as content previously associated with the received command. For example, if the received command is “move character from city X to city Y”, the control unit 101 may correspond to two commands previously associated with the command “move character from city X to city Y”. The options “(A) fight against the encountered monster” and “(B) escape from the encountered monster” are prepared. There may be three or more options, or two or more options may be presented to the sub-user from three or more option candidates associated with the command.

  The control unit 101 may change the contents of the options based on the game parameters. For example, when the level representing the degree of growth of the user character is smaller than a predetermined reference (the user character is weaker than the predetermined reference), the control unit 101 has two options “(A) Fight with the encountered monster” and “( B) “Escape from the encountered monster” is prepared, and if this level is higher than a predetermined standard (the user character is stronger than the predetermined standard), three options “(A) Fight the encountered monster” and “( Prepare “B) Escape from the encountered monster” and “(C) Make the encountered monster a friend”. If the main user's game playing level is high, the choices are diversified, so that the main user's interest in the game increases and continuous play can be expected.

  The control unit 101 prepares two options “(A) fight against the encountered monster” and “(B) escape from the encountered monster” when the level is smaller than a predetermined standard. If it exceeds the standard, two different options “(A) fight the encountered monster” and “(C) make the encountered monster a friend” may be prepared. The number of options may be fixed or variable.

(3) Determination of event occurrence time The control unit 101 may set the event occurrence time after a predetermined time has elapsed from the voting start time, regardless of the content of the event. For example, the control unit 101 sets the predetermined time to a fixed value such as “3 hours”. Then, when the command input from the main user is confirmed at the first time, the control unit 101 sets the first time as the voting start time, and sets the second time when a predetermined time has elapsed from the first time as the event. Set the time of occurrence.

  The control unit 101 may set the event occurrence time to a time after a lapse of a different length of time for each event from the voting start time. For example, the control unit 101 associates different time lengths for each event in advance. When the command input from the main user is confirmed at the first time, the control unit 101 sets the first time as the voting start time and sets the first time length associated with the determined event as the first time length. The second time obtained by adding to the time 1 is set as the event occurrence time. When generating a different event, the control unit 101 sets the third time obtained by adding the second time length associated with the different event to the determined time of the command as the event occurrence time.

  The control unit 101 associates different time lengths for each command, not for each event, in advance, and adds the time length associated with the input command to the voting start time in the same manner as described above. The time of occurrence may be determined.

  The control unit 101 may set the event occurrence time to a fixed time. The control unit 101 determines an event occurrence time in advance, for example, to generate an event every day at 17:00:00. Then, when the command input from the main user is fixed at the first time, the control unit 101 sets the first time as the voting start time, and sets the fixed time to be visited first after the first time, Set the event occurrence time.

  The main user may be able to determine the event occurrence time. That is, the control unit 101 receives instruction information indicating an event occurrence time from the communication terminal 200 of the main user, stores the event occurrence time in the storage unit 103 in association with the main user, and sets the event occurrence time. However, the event occurrence time that can be specified by the user is later than the time when the command is determined. If the main user can specify the event occurrence time, the voting period becomes, for example, late at night, early in the morning, or work hours, and the possibility that the sub user cannot vote or troubles the sub user is reduced. .

  The control unit 101 may determine the event occurrence time based on statistical values such as the number of votes in other past events and the time of voting in the past. That is, the aggregation server 300 takes statistics of the results of voting activities by sub-users during a certain period, such as the most recent month, and stores the statistical data in the storage unit 103. Specifically, the statistical data includes the final total number of votes in other events of the game performed by the same main user, the total number of votes for each time zone, and the like. The statistical period for taking statistics is arbitrary. In addition, the control unit 101 may collect statistics of voting in events that occur in all main user games performed by the game processing apparatus 100 as well as the same main user.

  The control unit 101 acquires the time voted in the past from the statistical data stored in the storage unit 103, and divides the total number of votes in time zones such as every hour. If it is every hour, a distribution of the total number of votes in 24 time zones is obtained. Then, the control unit 101 may set the event occurrence time in the time zone with the largest number of votes. In this way, the voting period is set to a time zone when sub-users tend to vote, so more sub-users can vote and more sub-users are interested in this game. Can be given. The defined time zone is not limited to every hour, but may be every N minutes (N is an integer of 1 or more), every day of the week, or the like.

  The control unit 101 may acquire the distribution of the total number of votes for each event based on the time voted in the past, and may set the event occurrence time in the time zone with the largest total number of votes in the event to be generated.

  The control unit 101 may determine, as the event occurrence time, a time when a predetermined condition is satisfied after receiving a command, or a time when a predetermined time has elapsed from the time when the predetermined condition is satisfied. For example, in a case where a period during which a command can be canceled is provided, the control unit 101 can set “a command has not been canceled” as a predetermined condition. The control unit 101 can arbitrarily set the predetermined condition.

(4) Determination of Voting Period The control unit 101 may determine the time when the command is confirmed as the voting start time. The received commands are registered in a FIFO (First In First Out) type processing queue managed by the control unit 101, and are sequentially executed. Typically, the time when a command is registered in this processing queue is the time when the command is confirmed.

  The control unit 101 may set the voting start time to a fixed time. The control unit 101 determines a voting start time in advance, for example, accepting voting every day at 17:00:00. Then, the control unit 101 sets a voting start time as a fixed time that comes first after the time when the command input from the main user is confirmed.

  Similarly for the voting end time, the control unit 101 may set the voting end time to a fixed time.

  The control unit 101 receives instruction information indicating the voting start time from the communication terminal 200 of the main user, stores the voting start time in the storage unit 103 in association with the main user, and stores the voting start time stored in the storage unit 103. It may be used. However, the voting start time that can be specified by the user is after the time when the command is determined and before the event occurrence time.

  Similarly, for the voting end time, the control unit 101 receives instruction information indicating the voting end time from the communication terminal 200 of the main user, stores the voting end time in the storage unit 103 in association with the main user, and stores the storage unit 103. The voting end time stored in the above may be used. However, the voting end time that can be specified by the user is after the time when the command is determined, before the event occurrence time, and after the voting start time.

  After receiving the command, the control unit 101 may determine the time when a predetermined condition is satisfied as the voting start time. For example, in a case where a period during which a command can be canceled is provided, the control unit 101 can set “a command has not been canceled” as a predetermined condition. The control unit 101 can arbitrarily set the predetermined condition.

  Similarly, for the voting end time, the control unit 101 may determine the time at which a predetermined condition is satisfied as the voting end time. For example, the control unit 101 can set an upper limit number of votes, and can set “the total number of votes has reached the upper limit value” as a predetermined condition. The control unit 101 can arbitrarily set the predetermined condition.

  The control unit 101 may determine a voting start time and / or a voting end time as a random time.

  The control unit 101 may determine the voting period based on statistical values such as the number of votes in other events and the time of voting in the past. That is, as described above, the aggregation server 300 takes statistics of the results of voting activities by sub-users during a certain period such as the most recent month. The statistical period for taking statistics is arbitrary. It may be statistics of voting in an event that occurs in the game of all users performed by the game processing apparatus 100 as well as the same user.

  Then, the control unit 101 acquires the distribution of the total number of votes for each event based on the time voted in the past, and sets the voting period longer as the total number of votes corresponding to the set event is smaller, corresponding to the set event The voting period may be set shorter as the total number of votes cast increases.

  The control unit 101 terminates the voting period at the event occurrence time when the number of votes received during the voting period is equal to or greater than the statistical value of the total number of votes in the time zone including the set event occurrence time, and is less than the statistical value You may extend the voting period.

  Moreover, the control part 101 may divide and set a voting period. For example, the control unit 101 sets the first voting period from time T1 to time T2, and sets the second voting period from time T3 to time T4 after time T2.

  The control unit 101 may set a plurality of voting periods and limit the sub-users who can vote during each voting period. For example, the control unit 101 sets the first voting period as a period during which only the sub-users registered as friends with the main user can vote, and sets the second voting period as a period during which all sub-users can vote.

  Note that the control unit 101 may determine the voting start time, the voting end time, and the event occurrence time using the real world time or the virtual time defined in the virtual world.

  Next, the selection receiving unit 505 receives selection information indicating the result of voting for options from sub-users from the voting start time determined by the determining unit 504 to the event occurrence time determined by the determining unit 504. The received selection information is stored in the parameter storage unit 502. The control unit 101 and the communication unit 102 cooperate to function as the selection receiving unit 505.

  In this embodiment, acceptance of voting by sub-users is performed by the article server 400 and the aggregation server 300. The fact that the vote is accepted is disclosed by an article posted to the article server 400. The votes are counted by the counting server 300. The selection receiving unit 505 receives selection information representing the total vote result from the total server 300.

  The voting end time may be before the event occurrence time. That is, the control unit 101 may generate an event after a predetermined time has elapsed from the voting end time, and may set the voting end time a predetermined time before the event occurrence time.

  The selection information received by the selection receiving means 505 is used to change a game parameter representing the state of the virtual world. That is, when the determined event is generated at the determined event occurrence time, the control unit 101 updates the game parameter representing the state of the virtual world based on the received selection information.

  For example, when the command “move character from city X to city Y” from the main user is received, the control unit 101 determines that the first option “(A) fight the encountered monster” corresponding to this command. The second option “(B) Escape from the encountered monster” is generated. The control unit 101 transmits the generated two options to the article server 400. The control unit 101 causes the event “I encounter a monster” corresponding to the command to occur at the determined time.

  On the other hand, the article server 400 posts received options on a web page together with URIs associated with the respective options until the event occurs after the command is confirmed, and accepts votes from sub-users. The number of options is an arbitrary number of two or more. The URI indicates the location of the resource in the aggregation server 300, and the aggregation server 300 handles one access to each URI as one vote. The counting server 300 counts the number of accesses to each URI and transmits the counting result to the game processing apparatus 100.

  The control unit 101 of the game processing apparatus 100 advances the game based on the option with the largest number of votes among the set options, and updates the game parameters.

  For example, the control unit 101 determines that the number of votes for the first option “(A) fight against the encountered monster” is larger than the number of votes for the second option “(B) escape from the encountered monster”. Generates a determined event, controls the user character to fight the monster, and updates the game parameter. On the other hand, if the number of votes for the first option “(A) fight against the encountered monster” is less than the number of votes for the second option “(B) run away from the encountered monster”, the determined event And control the user character to escape without fighting with the monster, and update the game parameter.

  When the counting result received from the counting server 300 does not satisfy a predetermined condition, the control unit 101 may extend the voting period or redo the voting. For example, the control unit 101 provides a minimum number of votes to be a determination line for whether the voting result is valid or invalid, and if the total number of votes for all options does not reach the minimum number of votes, the voting period during which the sub user can vote is extended. May be. The extension period may be a fixed value or a variable value. Alternatively, the control unit 101 may extend the voting period until the total number of votes reaches the minimum number of votes. When the voting period is extended, the control unit 101 may set the event occurrence time after the extended voting period expires. As a result, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the game is influenced by a very small number of votes and lacks interest.

  Next, the flow of game processing performed by the game processing system 1 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 6, the processes performed in the game processing apparatus 100, the article server 400, and the aggregation server 300 are collectively described as “game processing on the server side”. As described above, there are a main user who plays a game in the virtual world and inputs a command, and a sub-user who can vote from the options presented in response to the input command. In FIG. 6, the game process performed in the communication terminal 200 operated by the main user and the game process performed in the communication terminal 200 operated by the sub-user are separately described. It is preferable that there are a plurality of sub-users instead of only one. One sub-user operates one communication terminal 200. However, the sub-user may use any device with a communication function that can access the game processing system 1 instead of the communication terminal 200 having the above configuration.

  First, the control unit 208 of the main user communication terminal 200 receives an input of a command from the main user (step S601). The command is an instruction for causing the user character that is the operation target of the main user to take a desired action. The command includes, for example, a command for instructing the moving direction and moving position of the user or the user character, the action content, etc. in a game of adventure in a dungeon having a plurality of floors, specifically, a “go forward” command, There are "change viewing direction" commands, "up from the first floor to the second floor" command, "equip weapon" command, and so on.

  The control unit 208 of the communication terminal 200 transmits the received command to the game processing device 100 (step S602). The control unit 101 of the game processing apparatus 100 receives a command from the communication terminal 200 (step S603). The received command is registered in the FIFO type processing queue. In the present embodiment, the time registered in the processing queue is the command confirmation time, and the starting time of the voting period for accepting voting by the sub-user.

  Here, the game processing apparatus 100 may notify the article server 400 of the content of the received command, and the article server 400 may post the notified command content on a web page. In this case, all the sub-users who can browse the web page can sequentially grasp when the main user issues what command or what the current status of the main user's game is.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of a web page published by the article server 400. Since the contents of commands issued by the main user and the events that have occurred are posted in chronological order, the viewer can easily grasp the game development. This web page can be viewed not only by users registered in the game executed by the game processing apparatus 100 but also by general users who are not registered in the game. For example, an arbitrary user who is following (subscribing) an article published by the article server 400 can sequentially grasp the progress of a game played by the main user.

  The article also includes an advertisement 701 that guides a sub-user who is not registered in the game so that it can be easily registered in the game. When a sub user who is following and is an unregistered sub user browses the posted article, the possibility of being interested in the game and participating in the game increases.

  Next, based on the received command, the control unit 101 of the game processing apparatus 100 determines the content of the event to be generated in the virtual space, the time at which the event is generated, the content of the option for receiving a vote from the sub-user, and the voting period. (Step S604). The control unit 101 notifies the article server 400 of the determined event content, event occurrence time, option content, and voting period. The control unit 101 only needs to notify the article server 400 of at least the contents of the options, and does not need to notify the event contents, the event occurrence time, and the voting period.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the control unit 101 sets the event occurrence time as the time after elapse of the time previously associated with the event or the command after the command is confirmed. Or the control part 101 is good also considering the event occurrence time as the time after progress of predetermined time irrespective of the specific content of an event or a command. Furthermore, the control unit 101 may set the time for generating the event to a predetermined time regardless of the time when the command is confirmed. Further, the control unit 101 sets the time when the command is confirmed as the voting start time and the time when the event is generated as the voting end time. The voting period is from the voting start time to the voting end time.

  Next, when the article server 400 receives the event contents, the event occurrence time, the contents of the options, and the voting period from the game processing device 100, the article server 400 determines that the voting is accepted from the sub-user, and the voting options are And start accepting votes (step S605). The game processing system 1 executes a voting process (step S606).

  FIG. 8 shows the configuration of a web page published by the article server 400. For example, when the main user inputs the command “enter the cave”, an event “I encountered a monster!” Is generated on the web page along with an article 801 indicating the command issued by the main user. Then, the options “(a) Let's fight” and “(b) Let's escape” are presented in the event. Each option is associated with a URI, and when a sub-user selects one of the options, the communication terminal 200 accesses the URI associated with the selected option. This access becomes a vote for choices. In this figure, only the event content and the content of the options are described, but the event occurrence time and the voting period may be specified together.

  Here, the details of the voting process performed at the time of voting by the sub-user will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  The sub user who browsed the web page published by the article server 400 operates the touch panel 226 and presses one of the buttons or links indicating the presented options. The control unit 208 of the communication terminal 200 transmits a vote request together with the unique identification information of the communication terminal 200 to the tabulation server 300 (step S901). The unique identification information is, for example, a MAC address, a telephone number, a manufacturing number unique to the housing, and the like.

  When a vote for an event is requested, a unique session ID is assigned from the aggregation server 300 to the communication terminal 200 used for the vote. When the control unit 208 has voted in the past, the control unit 208 transmits the request together with the session ID issued in the past. If the control unit 208 has not voted in the past, the session ID is not given, and thus the session ID is not transmitted.

  When receiving the vote request, the aggregation server 300 determines whether or not a session ID has already been issued to the communication terminal 200 that has transmitted the request (step S902).

  When the session ID has been issued (step S902; YES), the aggregation server 300 proceeds to the process of step S904. When the session ID has not been issued (step S902; NO), the aggregation server 300 issues a session ID (step S903), and stores the session ID in association with the identification information of the communication terminal 200. The aggregation server 300 can determine whether or not a session ID has been issued to the communication terminal 200 by searching the list of stored session IDs.

  The aggregation server 300 issues a session ID for each event to the communication terminal 200. The aggregation server 300 issues different session IDs to the communication terminal 200 when voting in different events.

  The aggregation server 300 transmits the session ID newly issued in step S903 or the session ID transmitted together with the request in step S901 to the communication terminal 200 (step S904). The control unit 208 of the communication terminal 200 receives the session ID (step S905). The control unit 208 stores the received session ID in the nonvolatile memory area of the RAM 207 or the external memory 225 (step S906).

  The control unit 208 of the communication terminal 200 to which the session ID is assigned transmits the vote contents, that is, information indicating the options selected by the sub-user to the aggregation server 300 (Step S907). The counting server 300 receives the voting content from the communication terminal 200 (step S908), and stores the voting content in the storage unit in association with the session ID (step S909).

  When the summary server 300 or the article server 400 receives information indicating the option selected by the sub-user from the communication terminal 200, as a response, the aggregation server 300 or the article server 400 indicates that the vote has been accepted and / or a message or an advertisement for encouraging participation in the game May be transmitted to the communication terminal 200. And the control part 207 of the communication terminal 200 may reproduce | regenerate the data containing the received message and advertisement, and may show it to a sub user.

  In this way, in the voting process, since the voting is managed by the session ID assigned to the communication terminal 200, when the same communication terminal 200 has voted more than once, the session ID is the same, so The content of the vote is overwritten. Therefore, the same user cannot vote many times using the same terminal.

  Note that the aggregation server 300 has already assigned a session ID to the communication terminal 200 that has requested voting, and in the case where the voting content is already stored in the storage unit in association with the assigned session ID, The communication terminal 200 may be notified that it has been completed so that duplicate voting is not accepted. Thereby, the aggregation server 300 can make only the first vote valid and invalidate the second and subsequent votes when voted twice or more by the same communication terminal 200.

  Returning to FIG. 6, the tabulation server 300 determines whether or not the determined voting period is over (step S607).

  When the voting period has not ended yet (step S607; NO), the aggregation server 300 accepts voting until the voting period ends. On the other hand, when the voting period is over (step S607; YES), the counting server 300 ends acceptance of voting and counts votes (step S608). The counting server 300 calculates the number of votes for each option, and transmits selection information indicating the calculated number of votes to the game processing apparatus 100.

  When the voting period ends, the aggregation server 300 may request the article server 400 to post an article indicating that the voting period has ended. The article server 400 may post on the web page that the voting period is over.

  When receiving the selection information indicating the voting result, the control unit 101 of the game processing apparatus 100 generates an event in the virtual world (step S609), advances the game based on the selection information, and updates the game parameters (step S610). ).

  For example, the control unit 101 generates the event “I encounter a monster” as determined in step S604. As a result of voting, of the first option “(a) Fight the monster” and the second option “(b) Let's escape from the monster”, the number of votes for the first option is the vote for the second option. If the number is greater than the number, the control unit 101 fights the user character and the monster, and changes the game parameter. On the other hand, when the number of votes for the first option is less than the number of votes for the second option, the control unit 101 changes the game parameter without causing the user character and the monster to fight. The game will proceed with the development indicated by the option with the most votes.

  If the number of votes for any option is the same, the control unit 101 may select any option at random, or extend the voting period and perform the processing of steps S606 to S608. You can go.

  When there is an access from the communication terminal 200 operated by the main user (step S611), the control unit 101 of the game processing apparatus 100 executes the event generated in step S609 and the processing contents executed based on the voting result (these are the (Collectively, “event result”) is transmitted to the accessed communication terminal 200 (step S612). The control unit 208 of the communication terminal 200 receives the event result (step S613) and displays it on the display 224 (step S614).

  FIG. 10 shows a configuration example of the game screen. The control unit 208 displays a log 1004 representing the progress of the game in addition to software buttons such as a button 1001 for changing weapons, a button 1002 for changing armor, and a button 1003 for displaying items possessed. The log 1004 displays the content of the event that has occurred, the time at which the event occurred, and the like in chronological order. After logging in to the game, the control unit 208 of the communication terminal 200 acquires the latest game parameters from the game processing apparatus 100 and displays them.

  For example, after the main user inputs a command in step S601, once exits (logs off) from the game, enters the game again (login), and if an event has already occurred at login, the vote by the sub user is reflected. The progressed game content is displayed on the communication terminal 200. The main user can “leave” the game during logoff and automatically advance the game. Even if the main user is not logged in throughout the day, the game can be continued for a short period of time such as lunch break, rest time, and after returning home.

  The control unit 101 notifies the event result to the sub users who voted. In other words, when the game parameter is updated, the control unit 101 transmits the event result to the sub-user communication terminal 200 (step S612). The control unit 208 of the sub-user communication terminal 200 receives the event result (step S615) and displays it on the display 224 (step S616).

  Instead of directly transmitting the event result to the sub-user communication terminal 200, the control unit 101 may post an article describing the event result on the web page. Then, when the sub-user communication terminal 200 accesses the article server 400 and acquires the latest article, the article including the event result may be displayed on the display 224.

  FIG. 11 shows the configuration of a web page published by the article server 400. The web page includes an article 1101 indicating a vote result, an article 1102 indicating an event reflecting the vote result, an article 1103 indicating an updated game parameter, and the like. Even if the sub user who voted does not participate in the game, it can sequentially browse the progress of the game after voting. The sub-user can participate in the game played by the main user in the form of voting.

  The game processing system 1 repeatedly executes the above game processing to advance the game. The main user does not always need to access the game processing device 100 during play, and even if the user logs off after the command is input and “leaves” the game, the game proceeds automatically, so the game can be played more easily in less time. I can enjoy it. In addition, the sub user can influence the game that the main user is playing by voting, and can enjoy the feeling that the user is playing the game together.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, other embodiments of the present invention will be described. In the above embodiment, it is assumed that the main user once logs off after sending the command, leaves the game, logs in again after the event occurs, and returns to the game. However, the main user may continue the game without logging off after sending the command. In this embodiment, it is considered that the main user accesses the game after the command transmission and before the event occurs.

  In this embodiment, the control unit 101 of the game processing apparatus 100 does not immediately determine the content of the event, the event occurrence time, and the voting start time after receiving the command by the main user, but after receiving the command by the main user. Further, when a predetermined neglect command is received, or when a command from the main user is not received and it is considered that there is a predetermined neglect command, the contents of the event, the event occurrence time, and the voting start time are determined. The predetermined neglect instruction is typically a command (logoff command) for cutting off a communication session between the communication terminal 200 and the game processing apparatus 100.

  If the instruction information from the main user is a neglect instruction, the control unit 101 determines that the instruction information from the main user is not received for a predetermined threshold period or longer. Then, the control unit 101 determines the contents of the event, the event occurrence time, and the voting start time. In this case, the voting start time is, for example, the time when the game processing apparatus 100 receives the neglect instruction.

  Alternatively, when the control unit 101 has not received new instruction information for a predetermined time or longer after the last reception of instruction information, the control unit 101 regards that a neglect instruction has been received and receives instruction information from the main user for a threshold period or longer. It may be determined that there is no such thing. That is, if a command is not received for a predetermined time or more, it may be estimated that the user has left the game. In this case, the voting start time is a time when the game processing apparatus 100 regards that a neglect instruction has been given, in other words, a time when a predetermined time has elapsed since the last reception of the instruction information.

  Furthermore, the control unit 101 considers that a neglect instruction has been issued when there is no communication for a predetermined time or more after the last access to the game processing apparatus 100, and the instruction information from the main user is received for a threshold period or more. It may be determined that there is no. That is, even if the user does not issue a command, it is not considered that a neglect command has been issued if at least an instruction to “update the display to the latest state (reload)” is given, but if the user does not reload for a predetermined time or more It is considered that the session timed out and the neglect command was issued.

  In addition, the control unit 101 passes a predetermined time from the time at which the abandonment command is received or the time at which the abandonment command is considered, instead of setting the time at which the abandonment command is received or the time at which the abandonment command is considered as the voting start time. The voting start time may be a later time, a time after receiving the abandonment command or a time after the time when the abandonment command is considered to be satisfied, and a predetermined condition is satisfied.

  When the control unit 101 receives the neglect command or considers that the neglect command has been received, the control unit 101 determines that the predetermined threshold period elapses from the time at which the neglect command is received or from the time at which the neglect command has been received. Even if new instruction information is received from the communication terminal 200, the instruction information is ignored. The main user until the predetermined threshold period elapses from the time when the game processing apparatus 100 receives the neglect instruction (logoff time) or the time when the game processing apparatus 100 regards that the neglect instruction is received. You cannot issue new commands.

  Note that the control unit 101 may match the length of the threshold period with the length of the period from the voting start time to the voting end time (that is, the voting period). The main user can issue a new command after the voting process is completed. When the voting end time is matched with the event occurrence time, the main user can issue a new command after the voting process is completed and an event occurs.

  According to this embodiment, the main user can continue to access the game processing apparatus 100 and continue playing the game, or can leave the game and advance the game automatically. If the main user issues a command, or if the main user continues to access the game processing apparatus 100, the game can proceed as expected, and if the user logs off or is left for a long time. The game can be advanced by voting by sub-users.

(Embodiment 3)
Next, other embodiments of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, the main user can continue to play the game after issuing a command, and the sub-user can vote for any option in an event that occurs in response to the issued command.

  When the command from the main user is transmitted to the game processing apparatus 100, as described above, the control unit 101 of the game processing apparatus 100 determines the content of the event corresponding to the received command, the occurrence time of the event, and the voting period. To do. However, if the main user continues to play the game without logging off, there is a possibility that the event will not be generated when it was scheduled to generate an event as the game proceeds with the received command after the decision. .

  For example, when the game processing apparatus 100 receives the command “Move user character from town X to town Y” at time T1 from the communication terminal 200 of the main user, the game processing apparatus 100 meets the merchant Z in the event “town Y” corresponding to the command. Is generated at time T2. The game processing apparatus 100 determines three options “(a) buy weapons”, “(b) buy armor”, and “(c) don't buy anything” corresponding to the decided event, and sends them to the article server 400. Notice. The article server 400 publishes these three options on the web page, and the aggregation server 300 accepts votes from sub-users from time T1 to time T2. However, if the main user continues the game after time T1 and issues a different command “cancel movement”, the user character is not in town Y at time T2, and the previously determined event “merchant in town Y” "Meet Z" and contradict.

  Therefore, the control unit 101 of the game processing apparatus 100 discards the previous determination to generate the event and does not generate the event. In addition, when the control unit 101 receives a vote result from the aggregation server 300, the control unit 101 discards the received vote result. In other words, when the instruction information from the main user is received between the time when the event is determined to be generated and the time when the event occurs, the determined event is generated when the state of the virtual world is updated with the instruction information. Without being accepted, the vote result by the accepted sub-user is ignored and is not reflected in the game. Therefore, a conflicting event such as meeting a merchant in the city Y even though the user character is not in the city Y does not occur.

  In addition, after determining the content of the event, the event occurrence time, and the voting period, the control unit 101 notifies the aggregation server 300 that voting by the sub-user is to be stopped when the instruction information is newly received. The server 300 may not accept voting after this notification.

  Similarly, the control unit 101 may notify the article server 400 that the voting by the sub user is to be stopped, and the article server 400 may post on the web page that the acceptance of voting is finished. The article server 400 desirably deletes the URI associated with each option so that the resources of the aggregation server 300 specified by the URI cannot be accessed.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and applications are possible. Moreover, it is also possible to freely combine the constituent elements of the above-described embodiments.

  In each of the above embodiments, the control unit 101 of the game processing apparatus 100 uses the time when the command is registered in the process queue as the voting start time, but may be the time when the internal process corresponding to the command is actually executed.

  Or the control part 101 of the game processing apparatus 100 is good also considering the time when predetermined grace time passed after performing the internal process corresponding to a command as a voting start time. In the case of a game in which a command input by the main user can be canceled later, this grace time may be provided.

  The control unit 101 of the game processing device 100 may adjust the change amount of the game parameter according to the total number of votes when reflecting the voting result by the sub user in the game parameter. For example, the control unit 101 may increase the reward given to the main user (or a user character associated with the main user) as the total number of votes by the sub-users increases. The reward includes, for example, a virtual currency or an item associated with the main user or the user character. Since the main user tries to spread this game so that more sub-users can vote, it is possible to make the game known to more users. The game processing system 1 can attract the interest of many users and encourage participation in the game.

  The control unit 101 of the game processing apparatus 100 may display the total number of votes by sub-users as one of game parameters associated with the main user, for example, on the main user's profile screen. The control unit 101 may give a user or a user character a title corresponding to the total number of votes, such as rank A and rank B, instead of the total number of votes. Since the main user tries to spread this game in order to obtain a higher title, the game can be made known to more users.

  The control part 101 of the game processing apparatus 100 may give a privilege to the sub user who voted. For example, if the sub user who voted is a user who has already registered in the game, the control unit 101 may distribute items such as virtual currency that can be freely used in the game.

  In addition, when the operating company of the game processing system 1 operates a game site including a plurality of different games, if the sub-user who has voted is a user who has registered in any game, the game site can be freely used within the game site. Items such as usable virtual currency may be distributed.

  In each of the above embodiments, the article server 400 is provided in the game processing system 1, but the article server 400 may be an existing SNS server that can access the game processing system 1. Specifically, when a sub-user who sees an article including an option posted on the article server 400 selects one of the options, the SNS server authenticates that the communication terminal 200 of the sub-user is an SNS authorized user. To the authentication page to redirect (redirect) to let the sub-users authenticate. The SNS server determines that the user name and password input from the sub-user match the user name and password registered in advance and is a legitimate user, and is key data for accessing a page that accepts votes. (Access token) is transmitted to the communication terminal 200. Upon receiving the access token, the control unit 208 of the communication terminal 200 calls and executes an API (Application Programming Interface) for voting. In this way, the operator of the game system 10 does not have to install the article server 400 by using the existing external SNS.

  A computer program such as a memory card, a CD-ROM, a DVD, or an MO (Magneto Optical disk) is read by a program for operating the computer as all or part of the game processing apparatus 100, the communication terminal 200, the aggregation server 300, and the article server 400. It may be stored in a possible recording medium and distributed, installed in another computer, operated as the above-mentioned means, or the above-described steps may be executed.

  Furthermore, the program may be stored in a disk device or the like included in a server device on the Internet, and may be downloaded to a computer, for example, superimposed on a carrier wave.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a game processing device, a control method for the game processing device, and a program that are suitable for allowing more users to easily participate in the game. .

1 game processing system 50 communication network 100 game processing device 101 control unit 102 communication unit 103 storage unit 200, 200A, 200B, 200C communication terminal 201 communication unit 202 voice processing unit 203 output unit 204 external I / F
205 Input reception unit 206 ROM
207 RAM
208 Control unit 209 Power supply unit 221 Antenna 222 Speaker 223 Microphone 224 Display 225 External memory 226 Touch panel 250 Touch screen 300 Total server 400 Article server 501 Instruction receiving unit 502 Parameter storage unit 503 Updating unit 504 Determination unit 505 Selection receiving unit 701 Advertisement 801 802 article 1001, 1002, 1003 button 1004 log 1101, 1102, 1103 article

Claims (3)

A game processing device for executing a game,
Instruction receiving means for receiving instruction information from the main user;
When the instruction information from the main user is received, based on the received instruction information from the main user, an update unit that updates the state of the virtual world;
A determination means for determining an event that will occur in the virtual world in the future, an occurrence time at which the event occurs, and a start time before the occurrence time based on the state of the virtual world;
Selection accepting means for accepting selection information from one or more sub-users from the determined start time to the determined occurrence time;
With
The sub-user includes a user who does not participate in the game as a player,
If the determined event occurs in the virtual world at the determined time of occurrence, the updating means may update the virtual world based on the received selection information from the one or more sub-users. Update state,
Instruction information from the main user is received between the determination by the determination means and the determined occurrence time, and the virtual world state is updated by updating the state of the virtual world. If the determined event does not occur in the update unit, the updating unit ignores the received selection information from the one or more sub-users,
A game processing apparatus. A game processing device for executing a game,
Instruction receiving means for receiving instruction information from the main user;
When the instruction information from the main user is received, based on the received instruction information from the main user, an update unit that updates the state of the virtual world;
A determination means for determining an event that will occur in the virtual world in the future, an occurrence time at which the event occurs, and a start time before the occurrence time based on the state of the virtual world;
Selection accepting means for accepting selection information from one or more sub-users from the determined start time to the determined occurrence time;
With
The sub-user includes a user who does not participate in the game as a player,
If the determined event occurs in the virtual world at the determined time of occurrence, the updating means may update the virtual world based on the received selection information from the one or more sub-users. Update state,
The determination means determines an occurrence time at which the event occurs based on statistics of selection information received from the sub-user in the game processing device in the past.
A game processing apparatus. A program for causing a computer to operate as the game processing device according to claim 1 or 2 for causing the computer to function as each means included in the game processing device .

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