JP7304102B1 - Game server - Google Patents

Abstract

Kind Code: A1 An object of the present invention is to provide a highly entertaining character breeding game while incorporating SNS activities into game elements. Kind Code: A1 An embodiment of the present invention is a server that provides one or more user terminals with a game in which a character of a user is trained in a game space, the server being used by the user. activity-related information in the SNS application, and converts the activity-related information into game elements in the game space. [Selection drawing] Fig. 7

Description

The present invention relates to a server or the like that provides a character training game to one or more user terminals.

2. Description of the Related Art So-called breeding games have become popular, in which characters appearing in a game space are given experience points, points, etc., to train the characters, and the process is enjoyed by the user.

In a breeding game, for example, a mechanism has been proposed in which the user can easily recognize the skills to be acquired by a character so that the user can continue to enjoy the game. (For example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent No. 7107411

However, there is a problem that the range of character development is limited only by playing the game in the game space, and the degree of character growth is determined by the user's game execution skill. On the other hand, SNS such as YouTube (registered trademark), Twitter (registered trademark), Instagram (registered trademark), and TikTok (registered trademark) are widely used, and users who play games are users who enjoy multiple games and SNS. There are many.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a highly entertaining character breeding game while incorporating SNS activities as game elements.

One embodiment of the present invention is a server that provides one or more user terminals with a game that trains a user's character in a game space, wherein one or more SNS applications used by the user Information related to an activity is obtained, and the information related to the activity is converted into a game element within the game space.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a highly entertaining character breeding game while incorporating SNS activities as game elements.
Realize what you provide.

1 is a configuration diagram of a game system according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a game server according to a first embodiment according to the present invention; FIG. It is a functional block diagram showing details of a control unit of the game server according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a functional block diagram showing details of the storage of the game server according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is an example of a character table according to the first embodiment according to the present invention. It is an example of a user table according to the first embodiment according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a flowchart diagram showing an example of game processing according to the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 5 is a flow chart diagram showing another example of game processing according to the first embodiment of the present invention; It is a figure explaining an example of the game execution screen displayed on the user terminal by 1st Embodiment by this invention.

The contents of the embodiments of the present invention are listed and explained. A game server according to an embodiment of the present invention has the following configuration.
[Item 1]
A server that provides one or more user terminals with a game in which a user's character is trained in a game space,
Obtaining information related to activity in one or more SNS applications used by the user;
A server that transforms information related to the activity into game elements within the game space.
[Item 2]
The server according to item 1, which determines training of the character based on the number of acquired game elements.
[Item 3]
The server according to item 1, wherein the activity-related information is information indicating other users' reactions to the user's post in the SNS application.
[Item 4]
2. The server according to claim 1, wherein the display mode of said game element is determined based on the type of said SNS application.
[Item 5]
2. The server of item 1, wherein the user is associated with another user in the game, and the other user can view the activity of the user in the game.

(First embodiment)
A game system according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a game system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the game system includes a game server 1, user terminals 2A and 2B connected to the game server 1 via a network such as the Internet, and users of the user terminals 2A and 2B, respectively. SNS servers 3A and 3B of SNS (social network service) to be used are included. Although user terminals 2A and 2B and SNS servers 3A and 3B are illustrated in FIG. 1 for convenience of explanation, any number of user terminals can be connected to the network.

The game server 1 can provide users associated with the user terminals 2A and 2B with game services including a game for training characters (user characters) operated by the users in the game space. As this breeding game, the game server 1 trains the character by allowing the user to operate the user character and obtain game elements via a network (for example, change the display mode of the character, change the parameters of the character, etc.). change, etc.), and the items acquired by the user in the service can be arranged in the game space. Also, within the service, the user is associated with other users (for example, follow other users), and the user can view the activities of the associated user within the service (for example, refer to the character that has been trained). You can refer to it.

For example, a user can download a game application to the user terminal 2 from the game server 1 or other platforms, and transmit/receive data regarding game services to/from the game server 1 via the game application. Alternatively, the user can transmit and receive data related to game services by accessing a web application stored in the game server 1 using a web browser built into the user terminal 2 . In the following embodiments, a method for providing game services via a downloaded game application is described as an example.

The user terminal 2 may be, for example, a workstation or a general-purpose computer such as a personal computer, or may be a smart phone, tablet, mobile terminal, or other information terminal.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the game server according to the first embodiment of the invention. Note that the illustrated configuration is an example, and other configurations may be employed.

As shown, the game server 1 is connected to a database (not shown) and constitutes part of the system. The game server 1 may be, for example, a general-purpose computer such as a workstation or personal computer, or may be logically realized by cloud computing.

The game server 1 includes at least a control unit 10 , a memory 11 , a storage 12 , a transmission/reception unit 13 , an input/output unit 14 and the like, which are electrically connected to each other through a bus 15 .

The control unit 10 is an arithmetic unit that controls the overall operation of the game server 1, controls transmission and reception of data between elements, executes applications, performs information processing necessary for authentication processing, and the like. For example, the control unit 10 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and executes each information processing by executing a program or the like stored in the storage 12 and developed in the memory 11 .

The memory 11 includes a main memory composed of a volatile memory device such as a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), and an auxiliary memory composed of a non-volatile memory device such as a flash memory or a HDD (Hard Disc Drive). . The memory 11 is used as a work area of the processor 10, etc., and stores a BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) executed when the game server 1 is started, various setting information, and the like.

The storage 12 stores various programs such as application programs. A database (not shown) storing data used for each process may be constructed in the storage 12 .

The transmission/reception unit 13 connects the game server 1 to the network. The transmitting/receiving unit 13 may include a short-range communication interface of Bluetooth (registered trademark) and BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy).

The input/output unit 14 is an information input device such as a keyboard and a mouse, and an output device such as a display.

A bus 15 is commonly connected to the above elements and transmits, for example, address signals, data signals and various control signals.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing details of the control unit 10 of the server according to the first embodiment of the invention. As described above, the control unit 10 executes an application program relating to the service according to the present embodiment, and modules of the executed program are divided into several functional blocks as shown. Also, all or part of the functional blocks executed by the main control unit of the game server can be executed by the control unit of the user terminal according to their properties.

First, the information reception unit 21 receives a request received from the user terminal 2 via an application related to the service according to the present embodiment (hereinafter referred to as this application), and acquires information from another server. Execute the process to accept. As a process for receiving information, for example, in a game process, a user operates a user character to acquire game media displayed in a game space (for example, a user character moves in a game space while a user character receives game media). From the SNS server 3 that provides the process of operating the user character and the SNS that the user uses in a vertical scrolling or horizontal scrolling type game in which the user character acquires game media by operating the user to make contact , to acquire information related to the user's activity on the SNS.

Next, the game processing unit 22 executes game processing in which the user operates the user character and acquires game media displayed in the game space.

As described above, the breeding game in the present embodiment is a vertical scrolling or horizontal scrolling game in which the user character acquires game media by operating the user character so that the user character touches the game media moving in the game space. It is a scroll type game. Here, the user character has a predetermined display mode, is defined by shape, size, color, etc., and is influenced by parameters (for example, personality, intimacy with the user, skills such as physical strength/intelligence, etc.). given numerical value, etc.). Similarly, a game medium has a predetermined display mode and is defined by a shape, size, color, etc., and the game medium changes the display mode and/or parameters of the user character based on its acquisition. Predetermined parameters (for example, numerical values that affect the user character's display mode, personality, familiarity with the user, skills such as physical strength/intelligence, etc.) are associated. In particular, display manners and/or parameters of user characters and/or game elements may be determined based on activity-related information utilized and obtained by the user, for example, display of user characters and/or game elements. The aspect can be given a color corresponding to the corporate color of the SNS (for example, blue for Twitter (registered trademark), red for YouTube (registered trademark), etc.). As game processing, the user operates a user character displayed in the game space in a predetermined direction, and moves the game medium in a predetermined direction (vertically or horizontally with respect to the display screen) within the game space. Game media can be obtained by bringing the user character into contact with the user character. The user character can be designed such that its display mode and/or parameters change based on the total number of game media acquired in the game and/or parameters.

A user management unit 23 manages user's game-related information.

The game media management unit 24 manages game media, such as items used in games for training user characters.

The screen data generation processing unit 25 generates screen information as data necessary for configuring a screen displayed on the user terminal 2 .

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing details of the storage 12 of the game server according to the first embodiment of the invention. The storage 12 has an area 31 for storing information about characters operated by the user in the game. The storage 12 also has an area 32 for storing information about the user's game. All or part of these information and image data can be stored in any storage area inside or outside the game server 1 instead of being stored in the storage 12 .

Details of each table stored in the storage 12 will be described below. FIG. 5 is an example of a character table according to the first embodiment of the invention.

The character table 500 stores information about user characters used in the game in this embodiment. Information about the user character includes, for example, at least the character name, rank information of the character, and points required to determine the rank (for example, points corresponding to game media acquired in the game) in association with the character ID. is stored.

FIG. 6 is an example of a user table according to the first embodiment of the invention. The user table 600 stores game-related information of users playing the game in this embodiment. For example, as information about a user, at least a player name, a friend ID registered in the same game service, a character ID associated with the player, the SNS used by the user, and the user's activity in the SNS are associated with the user ID. Information about reactions by other users (eg, "like", bookmark, follow, etc.) obtained through (eg, posting by users) is stored. Although not shown, when the information about reactions by other users is managed as a number, it is managed by converting it into the number of game media appearing in the game and/or the parameter information of the game media based on the number. can also The storage 12 can also store an information table regarding user characters owned by users.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart diagram showing an example of game processing according to the first embodiment of the present invention. This processing is realized by, for example, executing a program stored in the memory 11 of the game server 1 in the control unit 10 .

First, the information reception unit 21 of the control unit 10 of the game server 1 receives information related to SNS from the SNS server 3 used by the user (S101). Specifically, the server terminal 1 receives, from the SNS server 3 via an API (Application Programming Interface), other Information about the user's reaction (eg, the number of "likes", the number of followers of the user, the number of bookmarks through heart marks, etc.) is received periodically or as needed. When receiving the information about reactions of other users at fixed intervals, for example, the total number of "likes" accumulated every three hours can be obtained.

Subsequently, the user management unit 23 of the control unit 10 updates the user information based on the received information related to SNS (S102). Specifically, when the received information about reactions of other users is the number of "likes", the user management unit 23 updates the user table 600 with the number. The number of "likes" managed by the user table 600 can be managed as a total number or as the number received for each fixed period. Also, the game content management unit 24 can determine the number of game media as game elements to appear in the breeding game based on the number of "likes" received. Here, as described above, the breeding game is a vertically scrolling or horizontally scrolling game in which the user character acquires game media by operating the user character so that the user character touches the game media moving in the game space. The game content is a type game, and the game content changes predetermined parameters (for example, the user character's display mode, personality, intimacy with the user, physical strength/ Numerical values that affect skills such as intelligence) are associated with each other. The game medium can be, for example, an item having a heart-shaped shape, but is not limited to this, and is the corporate color of the SNS used by the user (for example, blue for Twitter (registered trademark), YouTube (registered trademark), etc.). Trademark) can have a red color). Here, the more "likes" the user gets on the SNS, the more items can be set in advance as game media to appear in the breeding game. In the breeding game, when game media appear and the user plays the game, the number of "likes" managed by the user table 600 is subtracted according to the number of game media that have appeared, and instead, The number of "likes" received from the SNS server 3 can also be added and managed.

In this way, by acquiring information related to the SNS activities used by the user and reflecting the information as game elements of the game content, the user playing the game can enjoy the game without being closed to the game world. You can enjoy playing while expanding the width.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing another example of game processing according to the first embodiment of the present invention. This processing is realized by, for example, executing a program stored in the memory 11 of the game server 1 in the control unit 10 .

First, the game processing unit 22 of the control unit 10 of the game server 1 executes predetermined game processing (S201). Specifically, the screen data generation processing unit 25 generates information forming a game screen to be displayed on the user terminal 2 and transmits screen information for playing the breeding game to the user terminal 2 .

FIG. 9 is a diagram explaining an example of a game execution screen displayed on the user terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As described above, the screen for playing the breeding game is displayed on the user terminal 2 .

In this example, the breeding game is a vertically scrolling or horizontally scrolling type game in which the user character acquires game media by operating the user character so that the user character touches the game media moving in the game space. is. Here, the game screen includes a rank display section 40 that displays the rank of the user character, the number of acquired game media is converted into points for determining the rank, and the points for reaching the next rank can be visually recognized by the user. A point display section 41 (in this example, in the form of a gauge) to display on the screen, and a game medium 42 (in this example, a heart mark item) that moves in a predetermined direction on the screen (in this example, the vertical direction from the top to the bottom of the screen). , a user character 43 trained by the user, and game media 44 (furniture, plants, accessories, etc. in this example) for decorating the game space.

The game processing unit 22 executes processing to move the user character 43 in a predetermined direction within the game space (horizontal direction from left to right of the screen in this example) in response to an operation request from the user. When the game medium 42 moving in a predetermined direction (in this example, the vertical direction from the top to the bottom of the screen) approaches the position of the user character 43, a hit determination is performed. Execute the process of adding points. As for the points, points can be added according to the number of game media determined to be winning, or points can be added according to the content of the game media (for example, the size, color, etc. of the game media). . Here, as described above, the game content is provided with predetermined parameters (for example, the user character's display mode, personality, intimacy with the user, physical strength, etc.) so as to change the display mode and/or parameters of the user character based on the acquisition. / Numerical values that affect skills such as intelligence) can be associated.

Subsequently, the game media processing unit 24 updates the character information based on the game media acquired by the user in the game (S203). Specifically, points are calculated based on the game content (in this example, the number and size of heart mark items) acquired by the user in the breeding game, and are linked to the character ID and managed in the character table 500. Update as points. When the accumulated points reach the number of points up to the next rank, the game medium processing unit 24 executes the process of raising the rank and updates the rank managed by the character table 500 . The game media processing unit 24 changes the display mode of the user character and/or updates the parameters according to the updated rank or the number (and/or content) of the acquired game media. can also be executed. In addition, the game medium processing unit 24 visualizes the parameters that make up the user character (for example, numerical values that affect skills such as personality, intimacy with the user, physical strength/intelligence, etc.) using a multi-axis radar chart or the like. You can also execute processing so that it is displayed as

In this way, the user can enjoy a game that reflects the activities on the SNS even in the game space, and furthermore, by involving the activities on the SNS when training the character, the engagement between the game and the SNS can be enhanced. can also be increased.

Also, as noted above, in the Game Service, users can follow other users and have mutual access to their activities within the Game Service, as well as send feedback (e.g., "nice"). , and registering as favorites), it is possible to motivate each user to continuously enjoy the game. Also, if a user who registers with the SNS is a user who registers with the game service, it is possible to suggest that the user who is followed on the SNS be followed on the game service. In addition, in order to support the training game of the user who follows on the game service, follow the user on SNS, send a "like" and react, etc., to users who use the game service It is also possible to suggest follow on the SNS, or send a link to the SNS account of the user to be followed.

The above-described embodiments are merely examples for facilitating understanding of the present invention, and are not intended to limit and interpret the present invention. It goes without saying that the present invention can be modified and improved without departing from its spirit, and that equivalents thereof are included in the present invention.

1 game server 2 user terminal 3 SNS server

Claims (4)

A server that provides one or more user terminals with a game that trains characters in a game space,
obtaining information related to a user 's activity in one or more SNS applications;
transforming information related to the activity into game elements within the game space;
The server, wherein the activity-related information includes information about other users' reactions to the user's account-related activity. 2. The server according to claim 1, which determines training of said character based on the number of acquisitions of said game elements. 2. The server according to claim 1, wherein the display mode of said game element is determined based on the type of said SNS application. 2. The server of claim 1, wherein the user is associated with other users in the game, and wherein the other users can view the user's activity in the game.

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