JP7023291B2 - Information processing equipment, information processing methods, and game equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing device, an information processing method, and a game device.

Conventionally, there is known a technique of gowning a game device, which is a program for a game, by an operation of a user or the like (see, for example, Patent Documents 1-3).

Further, in recent years, it is a game device installed in a game center, a commercial facility, etc., and a head-mounted display (HMD, Head Mounted Display) is attached to the user's head, and the boarding portion vibrates according to the situation of the game. , Aroma, and a game device to experience the wind have been proposed.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-066321 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-063206 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2009-003857

We will consider the case where the available game software (game program) is replaced and used in a game device installed in a commercial facility or the like. In this case, it is conceivable that the operator of the game device or the like manually downloads the game program from the server by using the conventional technology. However, in the prior art, there is a problem that a game program or the like, which is relatively unpopular with users in the commercial facility or the like, may be downloaded depending on the judgment of the operator or the like.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a technique for downloading a game program that meets a predetermined condition such as being popular with users.

The information processing apparatus includes an acquisition unit that acquires a ranking according to the number of game programs downloaded or executed, a determination unit that determines a game program to be downloaded based on the ranking, and the above-mentioned It has a control unit for downloading a game program determined by the determination unit to a game device having an experience device that gives the user an experience according to the situation of the game .

According to the disclosed technology, it is possible to download a game program that meets certain conditions such as popularity with users.

It is a figure which shows an example of the housing of the game apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the housing of the game apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the hardware composition and the arrangement example of the game system 1 which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure explaining an example of the hardware composition of the control device and the server which concerns on embodiment. It is a functional block diagram of the control device and the server which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the play history data which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the download history data which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the processing in a game by the control part of the game apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process at the time of downloading the game of the game system which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process which generates the acquisition request of a ranking. It is a figure which shows an example of the use experience apparatus data which concerns on embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<Game device housing>
1A and 1B are views showing an example of a housing 100 of the game device 10 according to the embodiment. FIG. 1A shows an example when the housing 100 is viewed diagonally from the front. FIG. 1B shows an example when the housing 100 is viewed from the side. The housing 100 has a front housing 100A and a rear housing 100B. It is arranged so that the user can enter from between the front housing 100A and the rear housing 100B. In the example of FIG. 1A, a display device 150 for displaying content for advertising a game to a user outside the housing 100 is provided on the outer surface of the front portion of the housing 100. The display device 150 is not limited to the front portion of the housing 100, but may be provided on the back surface, side portions, or the like, and is a display device other than a display device such as a head-mounted display that is actually used during game play. Is preferable. Alternatively, the display device 150 is a digital signage (electronic signboard, digital POP) that displays images and characters by a flat display, a projector, or the like, and is, for example, a user position outside the periphery of the housing 100 or inside the housing 100. It may be installed on the front surface facing the front surface or the like.

<Configuration of game system 1>
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration and an arrangement example of the game system 1 according to the embodiment. In FIG. 2, the game system 1 has one or more game devices 10 and a server 20. The game device 10 and the server 20 are connected so as to be able to communicate with each other via a network 30 such as the Internet, a mobile phone network, and a LAN (Local Area Network).

The game device 10 distinguishes the housing 100, the display device 101A, the speaker 101B, the controller 102, the boarding unit 103, the experience device 104A, the experience device 104B, the experience device 104C, the experience device 104D, ... When it is not necessary, it is simply referred to as "experience device 104"), a control device 110, a display device 150, and the like.

The housing 100 is, for example, for one person, and when it is assumed that the housing 100 is seated on a seat and played, the height is 2 m or less, the width is about 1 m to 1.5 m, and the side wall has an entrance. There is an opening, and a sheet is installed near the center of the floor. A door may be installed in the opening.

The display device 101A is, for example, a head-mounted display worn on the user's head, and displays a three-dimensional virtual reality (VR) image according to a change in the user's viewpoint during a game.

The speaker 101B is, for example, a headset worn on the user's head and outputs game sounds and the like.

The controller 102 may be, for example, a known controller for a game, or a simplified controller such as a substantially rod shape. Further, the controller 102 may be operated by voice input or may be a touch panel. Further, for example, a virtual touch panel may be used in which a touch panel type input device is displayed in front of the display device 101A and the user moves a finger in the air to input to the virtual touch panel.

The boarding section 103 is, for example, a seat for one or two people. If the user walks while using the display device 101A, he / she may fall or collide with a structure. For this reason, a boarding unit 103 is provided so as to be seated or not seated but to be fixed in position.

The experience device 104 gives the user an experience according to the situation of the game. The experience device 104A is, for example, an actuator, which is a device that allows the user to experience the movement, vibration, and the like during the game.

The experience device 104B is a device that emits a scent, and is a device that allows the user to experience the scent during the game.

The bodily sensation device 104C is a device that sends wind, hot air, cold air, wind mixed with mist, and the like, and has, for example, a Pelche element, a humidifying device, and a blowing device. The experience device 104C makes the user feel, for example, the expanse of space due to the wind during the game. In addition, the bodily sensation device 104C makes the environment change, for example, by hot air and cold air. In addition, the experience device 104C makes the climate such as rain and humidity felt by the wind mixed with fog, for example.

In the experience device 104D, for example, a plurality of films of a soft material such as a polytube are attached to a rod-shaped member (roll), the rod-shaped member is rotated, and the film is brought into contact with the user's foot, thereby causing the user to touch the film during the game. It is a device that allows you to experience contact with creatures that crawl on the ground.

The control device 110 may be configured by, for example, connecting a home-use game machine and a dedicated system board by USB (Universal Serial Bus) or the like. The control device 110 executes a game program (hereinafter, also referred to as “game software”) in response to an input from the controller 102 or the like, and outputs a video and audio of the game to the display device 101A and the speaker 101B. Output each.

Further, the control device 110 executes a game program stored in advance and a game program downloaded from the server 20, and controls the experience device 104 according to the situation of the game.

The control device 110 downloads the game program and the promotional content of the game from the server 20. The control device 110 causes the display device 150 provided on the inside, outside, or the outer surface of the housing 100 of the game device 10 to display the promotional content of the game downloaded from the server 20.

The server 20 distributes a game program, promotional content of the game, and the like to the game device 10 in accordance with a request from the game device 10 or an operation from the administrator of the server 20.

<Hardware configuration of control device>
Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the hardware configuration of the control device 110 and the server 20 included in the game device 10 will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of the control device 110 and the server 20 according to the embodiment.

The control device 110 shown in FIG. 3 has a drive device 111, an auxiliary storage device 112, a memory device 113, a CPU 114, an interface device 115, and the like, which are connected to each other by a bus B, respectively.

The game control program that realizes the processing in the control device 110 is provided by the recording medium 111A. When the recording medium 111A on which the game control program is recorded is set in the drive device 111, the game control program is installed in the auxiliary storage device 112 from the recording medium 111A via the drive device 111. However, the installation of the game control program does not necessarily have to be performed from the recording medium 111A, and may be downloaded from another computer via the network. The auxiliary storage device 112 stores the installed game control program, and also stores necessary files, data, and the like.
The memory device 113 reads and stores the program from the auxiliary storage device 112 when the program is instructed to start. The CPU 114 realizes the function related to the control device 110 according to the program stored in the memory device 113. The interface device 115 is used as an interface for connecting to a network.

An example of the recording medium 111A is a portable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a DVD disc, or a USB memory. Further, as an example of the auxiliary storage device 112, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a flash memory, or the like can be mentioned. Both the recording medium 111A and the auxiliary storage device 112 correspond to computer-readable recording media.

The hardware configuration of the server 20 may be the same as the hardware configuration example of the control device 110 shown in FIG.

<Functional configuration>
Next, with reference to FIG. 4, the functional configuration of the control device 110 and the server 20 will be described. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the control device 110 and the server 20 according to the embodiment.

≪Game device≫
The control device 110 of the game device 10 has a storage unit 11. The storage unit 11 is realized by using, for example, an auxiliary storage device 112 or the like. The storage unit 11 stores game software and the like.

The control device 110 of the game device 10 has an acquisition unit 12, a determination unit 13, and a control unit 14. Each of these parts is realized by a process in which one or more programs installed in the control device 110 are executed by the CPU 114 of the control device 110.

The acquisition unit 12 acquires a ranking (ranking) according to the number of downloaded game software or the number of executed game software from the server 20.

The determination unit 13 determines the game software to be downloaded based on the ranking acquired by the acquisition unit 12.

The control unit 14 executes the game software stored in the storage unit 11 and controls each device included in the game device 10 such as the experience device 104 according to the situation of the game. Further, the control unit 14 downloads the game software determined by the determination unit 13 from the server 20 and stores it in the storage unit 11.

≪Server≫
The server 20 has a storage unit 21. The storage unit 21 is realized by using, for example, an auxiliary storage device or the like.

The storage unit 21 includes game software distributed to the game device 10, play history data 211 including a history of each game software being played (executed) by a user, download history data 212 including a history of downloading each game software, and a game. The user experience device data 213 and the like for inspecting each function of each experience device 104 of the game device 10 used in the software are stored.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of play history data 211 according to the embodiment. The play history data 211 shown in FIG. 5 has items such as a game ID, a game name, a genre, a play date and time, a game device ID, a region, a facility ID, and a facility type.

The game ID is identification information of the game software. The name of the game is the name (title) of the game software. The genre is a game genre (classification, type) of a game software, and is, for example, a classification of an action game, a racing game, a simulation game, or the like. The play date and time is the date and time when the game software is used by the user. The game device ID is identification information of the game device 10. The area is an area where the game device 10 is installed, and is, for example, Akihabara, Shinjuku, or the like. The facility ID is identification information of the facility where the game device 10 is installed. The type of facility is the type of facility in which the game device 10 is installed, and is, for example, a station building, a shopping mall, a game center, or the like.

In the example of FIG. 5, it is recorded that the game software having the game ID "001" was executed on the game device 10 installed in the shopping mall in Shinjuku on "2017/9/28 16:04:21". Has been done.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the download history data 212 according to the embodiment. The download history data 212 shown in FIG. 6 has items such as a game ID, a game name, a download date and time, a game device ID, a region, a facility ID, and a facility type. The download date and time is the date and time when the game software was downloaded to the game device 10. In the example of FIG. 6, it is recorded that the game software having the game ID "001" was downloaded at "2017/9/27 23:00:56" in the game device 10 installed in the shopping mall in Shinjuku. Has been done.

Further, the server 20 has a generation unit 22, a distribution unit 23, and a control unit 24. Each of these parts is realized by a process of causing the CPU of the server 20 to execute one or more programs installed in the control device 110.

The generation unit 22 generates ranking information of each game software based on the play history data 211 and the download history data 212.

The distribution unit 23 distributes the ranking aggregated by the generation unit 22, the game software stored in the storage unit 21, and the like to the game device 10.

The control unit 24 controls the entire server 20.

<Processing>
≪Processing during the game≫
Next, with reference to FIG. 7, the in-game processing of the control unit 14 will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of processing during the game by the control unit 14 of the game device 10 according to the embodiment.

First, in step S1, the control unit 14 receives a game operation using the controller 102 or the like from the user.

Subsequently, the control unit 14 determines the situation in the game (step S2).

Subsequently, the control unit 14 controls the experience device 104 according to the situation in the game (step S3), and ends the process.

Here, in the game, for example, even though the outside of the mansion is a storm, if the user operates to go out of the mansion, the control unit 14 uses the experience device 104C to blow the wind toward the user. Spray water (water droplets).

Further, in the game, for example, when the control unit 14 first encounters a female character who acts as a guide, the control unit 14 uses the experience device 104B to emit the scent of a flower. Further, in the game, for example, when a character acting as an enemy boss appears, the control unit 14 uses the experience device 104C to make the user feel the personality and intimidation of the character. send. Further, in the game, for example, when the user's character rides on a horse and chases the enemy, the control unit 14 uses the experience device 104A to make the user experience the vibration as if riding.

≪Process when downloading the game≫
Next, with reference to FIG. 8, the process when the game device 10 downloads the game from the server 20 will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of processing when downloading a game of the game system 1 according to the embodiment. The following processing may be executed, for example, at a preset date and time (for example, at night).

In step S11, the acquisition unit 12 of the game device 10 transmits a ranking acquisition request to the server 20. Here, the acquisition unit 12 may transmit a request for acquiring one ranking according to a plurality of conditions, or may transmit a request for acquiring a plurality of rankings according to each of the plurality of conditions.

Subsequently, the distribution unit 23 of the server 20 transmits data such as rankings according to the number of downloaded game software or the number of played each game software to the game device 10 (step S12).

Subsequently, the determination unit 13 of the game device 10 determines the game software to be downloaded based on the received ranking (step S13). Here, the determination unit 13 may decide to download a predetermined number of game software that is not stored in the game device 10 among the one or more game software included in the received ranking. Further, when the determination unit 13 transmits a plurality of ranking acquisition requests corresponding to a plurality of conditions in step S11, the determination unit 13 gives each game software a higher score as the order of each ranking is higher. Then, the determination unit 13 may determine to download a predetermined number of game software that are not stored in the game device 10 in descending order of the total score.

Subsequently, the control unit 14 of the game device 10 transmits the determined download request for the game software to the server 20 (step S14).

Subsequently, the distribution unit 23 of the server 20 transmits the requested game software to the game device 10 (step S15).

Subsequently, the control unit 14 of the game device 10 stores the received game software (step S16). Here, in the storage unit 11 of the game device 10, for example, a predetermined number (for example, three) of game software is stored at the time of shipment from the factory, and up to a predetermined maximum number (for example, five). You can memorize the game software of. Therefore, when the number of game software already stored in the game device 10 is the maximum number, it is necessary to delete one game software already stored in order to add one game software. be. In this case, the control unit 14 of the game device 10 automatically or automatically selects the game software having the lowest rank in the received ranking among the game software already stored in the storage unit 11 of the game device 10. It may be deleted by the operation of the administrator of.

The control unit 14 of the game device 10 may automatically install the game software after the download of the game software is completed so that the user can play the game software. Alternatively, the control unit 14 of the game device 10 may download the game software at night, for example, and allow the user to play the game software by a confirmation operation of the administrator of the game device 10.

≪Process to generate ranking acquisition request≫
Subsequently, with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, a process in step S11 in which the acquisition unit 12 of the game device 10 transmits a ranking acquisition request to the server 20 will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a process for generating a ranking acquisition request. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the user experience device data 213 according to the embodiment.

In step S101, the acquisition unit 12 acquires the user experience device data 213 from the server 20, and uses the acquired user experience device data 213 to generate a ranking acquisition request according to the type of the experience device 104 possessed by the game device 10. do. In the example of FIG. 10, in the user experience device data 213, the name (title) of the game and each function of the experience device 104 used in the game (the function of the experience device 104) are associated with the ID of the game software. Information indicating the type) and the importance of each function are recorded. In the example of FIG. 10, in the game of "name A", the function of providing "flower scent" and "cold air" is set as "recommended", and the function of providing "vibration" is set as "essential". .. This indicates that the game should not be run if the function that provides "vibration" does not work properly. In addition, the function to provide "flower scent" and "cold air" is not important in the game, or even if the scent is weakened because it is not used in the main game scenario. Indicates that you may execute.

In the game software of the user experience device data 213, when the game device 10 has each experience device 104 whose importance is set to "essential" and "recommended", the acquisition unit 12 uses the game software. Generate an acquisition request to generate a ranking to include. The acquisition unit 12 may generate an acquisition request by, for example, a command of SQL (Structured Query Language).

Subsequently, the control unit 14 inspects the experience device 104 included in the game device 10 (step S102). Here, the control unit 14 of the game device 10 inspects whether or not each function of each experience device 104 shown in the received inspection data is normal. In the example of the game of "name A" in FIG. 10, the vibration function of the experience device 104A is normal, the function of the flower scent of the experience device 104B is normal, or the cold air function of the experience device 104C is normal. Execute the program to check the scent.

Subsequently, the acquisition unit 12 generates a ranking acquisition request according to the inspection result of the experience device 104 (step S103). Here, the acquisition unit 12 has each of the experience devices 104 whose importance is set to "essential" and "recommended" in the game software of the user experience device data 213. When the inspection result of the experience device 104 is normal, an acquisition request for generating a ranking including the game software is generated. Thereby, for example, in the three game devices 10 out of the four game devices 10 installed in the same facility, when the cartridge of the predetermined scent is not desired to be replaced, the function of the predetermined scent is obtained. Only the game device 10 in which the above is normal can be made to download the game software that uses the predetermined scent function.

Subsequently, the acquisition unit 12 generates a ranking acquisition request according to the type of the housing of the game apparatus 10 possessed by the game apparatus 10 (step S104). Here, the game device 10 has a housing according to the type of user who uses the game device 10. For example, the game device 10 for male users has a golden housing, and the game device 10 for female users has a silver housing. Then, if the housing of the game device 10 is golden, the acquisition unit 12 generates a request for acquiring a ranking of game software including at least genres such as "fighting action" and "bishoujo game". On the other hand, if the housing of the game device 10 is silver, the acquisition unit 12 generates a request for acquiring a ranking of game software including at least a genre such as "otome game". As a result, for example, the administrator installs a flower scent cartridge in the experience device 104B of the game device 10 in the golden housing, and the administrator sets the experience device 104B of the game device 10 in the silver housing. By installing a men's perfume cartridge or the like, the functions of the experience device 104 that can be used for each can be separated.

Subsequently, the acquisition unit 12 generates an acquisition request for a ranking of a genre different from a predetermined genre of the game that can be executed by another game device 10 installed in the same facility as the game device 10 (step S105). ). Here, for example, when the game software of the "Bishojo game" genre can be executed by another game device 10 installed in the same facility, the acquisition unit 12 selects the "Bishojo game" genre. Generate a request to acquire the ranking of game software that is not included.

Subsequently, the acquisition unit 12 generates a ranking acquisition request according to various conditions (step S106). Here, as the various conditions, the acquisition unit 12 determines the day when each game software is executed, the type of the day when each game software is executed, the time zone when each game software is executed, and each game software is downloaded or downloaded. Including at least one of the areas where the executed game device is installed, the facility where the game device where each game software is downloaded or executed is installed, and the type of facility where each game software is downloaded or executed. May be good. Thereby, for example, the game software to be downloaded can be determined based on the characteristics of the user according to the predetermined conditions and the like.

The type of the day of the week on which each game software is executed is, for example, a type such as whether the day on which each game software is executed is a weekday, a holiday, or a holiday. The time zone in which each game software is executed is, for example, a time zone such as daytime, evening, and nighttime. Thereby, for example, the game software to be downloaded can be determined according to the tendency that there are many users such as students on weekday evenings and many users such as families during the daytime on holidays.

<Modification 1>
In the above-mentioned example, an example in which the game device 10 acquires a ranking according to a predetermined condition from the server 20 has been described. Instead of this, the game device 10 may acquire the play history data 211 and the download history data 212 in a predetermined period from the server 20 and generate a ranking according to a predetermined condition.

<Modification 2>
The acquisition unit 12, the determination unit 13, and the control unit 14 may be realized by, for example, cloud computing composed of one or more computers. Further, the acquisition unit 12, the determination unit 13, and the control unit 14 may be provided in the server 20 instead of the game device 10. In this case, in the server 20, for example, the type of the housing of the game device 10, the type of the experience device 104 of the game device 10, and the like are stored in advance in the storage unit 21 in association with the ID of the game device 10. You may do so. Further, the inspection result and the like of the experience device 104 possessed by the game device 10 may be acquired from the game device 10.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to such a specific embodiment, and various modifications are made within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims.・ Can be changed.

The control device 110 and the server 20 of the game device 10 are examples of "information processing devices", respectively.

<Modification 3>
In the above-described embodiment, an example of downloading game software (normal game program, regular version game program) in which a user can play a game as game software according to a ranking has been described. Instead of this, as game software, at least one of the regular version and the trial version may be downloaded according to the ranking. Here, the trial version of the game software is, for example, game software that is used as content for promotion and can be played only for a limited time, a limited stage, a range, etc. as compared with the regular version. However, it can be played by the same operation as the regular version.

Therefore, the operator of the game device 10 actually plays the game with the trial version, confirms the operation status of the experience device 104 and the content of the game, and introduces the regular version of the game program into the game device ( You can decide whether to install) or download. The regular version of the game software and the trial version of the game software are examples of "game programs", respectively.

1 Game system 10 Game device 100 Housing 101A Display device 102 Controller 103 Boarding unit 104 Experience device 110 Control device 150 Display device 11 Storage unit 12 Acquisition unit 13 Determination unit 14 Control unit 20 Server 21 Storage unit 22 Generation unit 23 Distribution unit 24 Control unit

Claims (8)

An acquisition unit that acquires rankings according to the number of game programs downloaded or executed.
A decision-making unit that determines the game program to be downloaded based on the ranking,
A control unit that downloads the game program determined by the determination unit to a game device having an experience device that gives the user an experience according to the situation of the game .
Information processing device with. The determination unit determines the day when the game program is executed, the type of the day when the game program is executed, the time zone when the game program is executed, the area where the game device where the game program is downloaded or executed is installed, and the game. The game program to be downloaded is determined based on the above ranking according to at least one of the facilities in which the game device in which the program is downloaded or executed is installed and the type of facility in which the game program is downloaded or executed.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. The determination unit determines a game program to be downloaded based on the ranking according to the type of the experience device that gives the user an experience according to the situation of the game possessed by the game device.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. The determination unit determines a game program to be downloaded based on the ranking according to the inspection result of the experience device that gives the user an experience according to the situation of the game possessed by the game device.
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The determination unit determines a game program to be downloaded based on the ranking according to the type of the housing of the game device.
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The determination unit determines a game program to be downloaded based on the ranking of a type different from the type of game that can be executed by another game device installed in the same facility as the game device.
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4. Information processing equipment
Steps to get a ranking according to the number of game programs downloaded or run, and
Steps to determine which game program to download based on the ranking,
A step of downloading the determined game program to a game device having an experience device that gives the user an experience according to the situation of the game, and
Information processing method to execute. It ’s a game device,
An acquisition unit that acquires a ranking according to the number of downloaded game programs or the number of executed game programs from a server connected to the game device, and
A decision-making unit that determines the game program to be downloaded based on the ranking,
A control unit that downloads the game program determined by the determination unit from the server, and
A game device with.

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