JP7341277B2 - A method and system for a computer to advance a game based on user location information, and a program for causing a computer to execute the method - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to technology for advancing a game based on user location information.

In recent years, game programs that utilize the user's location information have been provided to users, and are attracting attention because they not only allow users to enjoy game play, but also encourage users to move through game play.

Patent Document 1 below discloses that in a game using a mobile phone terminal etc. equipped with a GPS (Global Positioning System), points are acquired according to the distance traveled by the user who owns the mobile phone terminal, etc. It describes techniques to prevent unauthorized acquisition of distance. Further, Patent Document 2 below describes a game system that can play a game by setting game parameters using information acquired from map data corresponding to the position of a player terminal. Specifically, according to the technology disclosed in Patent Document 2, a map within a certain area centered on the position of the player terminal is acquired, and game parameters corresponding to the player are determined based on facility information included in the acquired map. The settings are described.

Patent No. 4789222 Patent No. 5909301

As described above, game programs that utilize user location information are attracting increasing attention. An object of the present disclosure in one aspect is to provide a game program that is even more interesting.

According to one embodiment, a method is provided for a computer to advance a game based on user location information. This method includes a step in which a processor of the computer receives an input operation by a user to specify a specific position range in map data used in the game where the user is located to set game parameters. , a step of acquiring the user's location information, and a step of advancing the game so that the user's game parameters can be set when the acquired user's location is included in a specific position range specified by the user. , including performing.

In one aspect, when the user is located in a specific position range designated by the user, the game can be progressed in such a way that the user's game parameters can be set, thereby further improving the interest of the game. In one aspect, the user can enjoy the experience of the game from the movement experience in daily life by specifying a specific location range within the range of daily movement such as home, office, school, etc. .

These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a game distribution system 1 according to an embodiment. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a mobile terminal 10. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a server 20. FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a data structure of a table used by the server 20 to manage, as user information 253, a position range specified by each user in map data. 3 is a diagram showing a data structure of a table for the server 20 to manage, as user information 253, the progress status of each user's progress in the game. FIG. This table is used by the server 20 to manage events to be given to users as game information 252. The server 20 shows, as game information 252, a destination candidate management table for managing candidates to be set as destinations in an event.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are given the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed descriptions thereof will not be repeated.

<Embodiment 1>
In this embodiment, the user operates an information processing device equipped with a touch screen, such as a smartphone, to advance the game while transmitting and receiving data related to the game between the game server and the smartphone. The game supports single play where the user plays alone and multiplay where the user plays with other users.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a game distribution system 1 according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the game distribution system 1 includes an information processing device used by a user and a server 20, and these devices are communicably connected to each other via a network 80.

In the example of FIG. 1, the information processing devices used by the user are a mobile terminal 10A, a mobile terminal 10B, a mobile terminal 10C, and a mobile terminal 10D (hereinafter, mobile terminals such as mobile terminals 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D are collectively referred to as mobile terminals 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D). A plurality of mobile terminals such as "mobile terminal 10" (sometimes referred to as "mobile terminal 10") are shown. The mobile terminal 10A and the mobile terminal 10B connect to the network 80 by communicating with the wireless base station 81. The mobile terminal 10C connects to the network 80 by communicating with a wireless router 82 installed in a facility such as a house. In one aspect, the mobile terminal 10 is a terminal equipped with a touch screen, such as a smartphone, a phablet, a tablet, or the like. In one aspect, mobile terminal 10 is also a wearable device. When the mobile terminal 10 is a wearable device, it communicates with another information processing device such as a smartphone owned by the user, for example.

In one aspect, the mobile terminal 10D communicates with a communication device 71 that supports short-range wireless communication. The communication device 71 is equipped with a reader/writer 81 that is compatible with a near field communication standard such as NFC (Near Field Radio Communication). Furthermore, the mobile terminal 10D is equipped with an NFC chip compatible with NFC, etc., and by bringing the mobile terminal 10D and the reader/writer 81 close to each other within a certain distance, information can be input and output between these devices. I can do it. The NFC chip can store a variety of information, and can be used for various processes such as recording electronic money and boarding and alighting from public transportation (trains, buses, etc.). For example, by bringing the mobile terminal 10D equipped with an NFC chip and the reader/writer device 81 within a certain distance, it is possible to perform payment processing, record the boarding place on public transportation, record the alighting place, etc. can be processed. Thereby, the mobile terminal 10D can register the location of the user in the server 20 or the like. For example, when the mobile terminal 10D and the reader/writer device 81 perform short-range wireless communication, the reader/writer device 81 communicates with the server 20, thereby changing the content of the communication between the mobile terminal 10D and the reader/writer device 81. The history is held in the server 20. In this case, the communication device 71 transmits the communication history between the reader/writer device 81 and the mobile terminal 10D to the server 20, etc., so that the server 20 can determine when and where the mobile terminal 10D (reader/writer 81 is located). This allows the user's location to be registered in the server 20.

By executing the game program, the mobile terminal 10 provides the user with an environment in which to play a game according to the game program. For example, the mobile terminal 10 installs a game program via a platform that distributes applications and the like. The mobile terminal 10 enables a user to play a game by executing a game program installed on the mobile terminal 10 or a game program preinstalled in advance. By loading and executing the game program, the mobile terminal 10 establishes a communication connection between the mobile terminal 10 and the server 20, and transfers data related to the game between the mobile terminal 10 and the server 20 as the game progresses. Send and receive with .

The server 20 progresses the game play on the mobile terminal 10 by appropriately transmitting data necessary for playing the game to the mobile terminal 10. The server 20 manages various game-related data of each user who plays the game. The server 20 communicates with the mobile terminal 10 and transmits images, audio, text data, and other data to the mobile terminal 10 according to the progress of each user's game.

For example, the server 20 can store the progress of each user in the story of the game, information on the game characters that each user can use among the game characters that appear in the game, parameters indicating the abilities of the game characters, and the information on the game characters. Manage parameters and other various data that indicate the performance of the tools used. The server 20 also performs processing in which the game operator notifies the user of a campaign, the occurrence of a problem in the progress of the game, the resolution of the problem, and other information related to the operation of the game.

The game program supports two modes in which a user plays a game: one in which one user plays (single play), and one in which multiple users play together (multiplay). For example, in the game distribution system 1, the server 20 specifies users who participate in multiplay and communicates with each user's mobile terminal 10, thereby providing each user with an environment for playing a game in multiplay.

By supporting multiplayer, the game distribution system 1 allows, for example, in the case of an action game, users can fight together against game characters appearing in the game, or users can play against each other. do.

<Configuration>
The hardware configuration of the server 20 will be explained. The server 20 includes a communication IF (Interface) 22, an input/output IF 23, a memory 25, a storage 26, and a processor 29, which are connected to each other via a communication bus.

The communication IF 22 is compatible with various communication standards such as the LAN (Local Area Network) standard, and functions as an interface for transmitting and receiving data with an external communication device such as the mobile terminal 10.

The input/output IF 23 receives information input to the server 20 and functions as an interface for outputting information to the outside of the server 20. The input/output IF 23 includes an input reception unit that accepts connection of an information input device such as a mouse and a keyboard, and an output unit that accepts connection of an information output device such as a display for displaying images and the like.

The memory 25 is a storage device for storing data used in processing. The memory 25 provides the processor 29 with a work area for temporary use when the processor 29 performs processing, for example. The memory 25 includes storage devices such as ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory).

The storage 26 is a storage device for storing various programs and data for the processor 29 to read and execute. The information stored in the storage 26 includes the game program, information related to the game program, information on the user who plays the game program, and other information. The storage 26 includes storage devices such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and a flash memory.

The processor 29 controls the operation of the server 20 by reading and executing programs stored in the storage 26 . The processor 29 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), and the like.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the mobile terminal 10. Referring to FIG. 2, mobile terminal 10 includes an antenna 110, a wireless communication IF 120, a touch screen 130, an input/output IF 140, a storage section 150, an audio processing section 160, a microphone 170, a speaker 180, and a control unit 190.

The antenna 110 radiates a signal emitted by the mobile terminal 10 into space as a radio wave. Further, the antenna 110 receives radio waves from space and provides a received signal to the wireless communication IF 120.

The wireless communication IF 120 performs modulation and demodulation processing for transmitting and receiving signals via the antenna 110 and the like so that the mobile terminal 10 communicates with other communication devices. The wireless communication IF 120 is a communication module for wireless communication including a tuner, a high frequency circuit, etc., performs modulation/demodulation and frequency conversion of wireless signals transmitted and received by the mobile terminal 10, and provides a received signal to the control unit 190.

Touch screen 130 accepts input from a user and outputs information to display 132 for the user. Touch screen 130 includes a member (touch sensitive device 131) for receiving user input operations. The touch screen 130 also includes a menu screen and a member (display 132) for displaying the progress of the game on the screen. The touch-sensitive device 131 detects the proximity of a user's finger or the like by using, for example, a capacitive touch panel. The display 132 is realized by, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an organic EL (electroluminescence), or other display device.

The input/output IF 140 receives information input to the mobile terminal 10 and functions as an interface for outputting information to the outside of the mobile terminal 10. The GPS positioning unit 141 is configured with a mechanism for positioning the position information of the mobile terminal 10. The GPS positioning unit 141 includes, for example, a GPS (Global Positioning System) module, and measures the position information of the mobile terminal 10 based on a GPS signal.

The storage unit 150 includes a flash memory, a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like, and stores programs used by the mobile terminal 10 and various data that the mobile terminal 10 receives from the server 20.

The audio processing unit 160 modulates and demodulates the audio signal. The audio processing unit 160 modulates the signal provided from the microphone 170 and provides the modulated signal to the control unit 190. Furthermore, the audio processing section 160 provides an audio signal to the speaker 180. The audio processing unit 160 is realized by, for example, a processor for audio processing. The microphone 170 functions as an audio input section for receiving input audio signals and outputting them to the control section 190. Speaker 180 functions as an audio output unit for outputting audio signals to the outside of mobile terminal 10 .

The control unit 190 controls the operation of the mobile terminal 10 by reading and executing a program stored in the storage unit 150. The control unit 190 is realized by, for example, an application processor.

The process by which the mobile terminal 10 executes the game program 151 will be described in more detail. In one aspect, storage unit 150 stores game program 151, game information 152, user information 153, and map data 154. The server 20 receives map data including information on roads, facilities, administrative divisions, etc. by communicating with an information processing device that distributes map data, and generates map data to be used in the game based on the received map data. It is held in the storage 26 or the like. For example, the mobile terminal 10 downloads a game program and map data from the server 20 and stores them in the storage unit 150 as a game program 151 and map data 154. Furthermore, the mobile terminal 10 transmits and receives various data such as game information 152 and user information 153 to and from the server 20 by communicating with the server 20 as the game progresses.

The game program 151 is a program for advancing a game on the mobile terminal 10. Game information 152 includes various data referenced by game program 151. The game information 152 includes, for example, information on objects placed in the virtual space in the game, information on effects associated with the objects (including information on skills set for game characters, etc.), and the like. User information 153 includes information about users who play the game. The user information 153 includes, for example, information that identifies the user of the mobile terminal 10 who plays the game, information that identifies other users who cooperate to play the game during multiplayer, and other information.

By reading and executing the game program 151, the control unit 190 operates an input operation reception unit 191, a game progress processing unit 192, a terminal position acquisition unit 193, a camera placement control unit 194, an object control unit 195, The display control unit 196 performs the functions of the display control unit 196.

The input operation accepting unit 191 accepts a user's input operation based on the output of the touch screen 130. Specifically, the input operation reception unit 191 detects that the user's finger or the like approaches the touch-sensitive device 131 as coordinates in a coordinate system consisting of a horizontal axis and a vertical axis of the surface that constitutes the touch screen 130.

The input operation reception unit 191 determines a user's operation on the touch screen 130. The input operation reception unit 191 can perform, for example, (1) "approach operation", (2) "release operation", (3) "tap operation", (4) "double tap operation", (5) "long press operation ( (6) "drag operation (swipe operation)," (7) "move operation," (8) "flick operation," and other user operations. The user operations determined by the input operation reception unit 191 are not limited to the above. For example, if the touch-sensitive device 131 has a mechanism that can detect the amount of pressure that the user presses on the touch-sensitive device 131, the input operation reception unit 191 determines the amount of pressure that the user presses. . Further, the control unit 190 determines a state where the approach of the user's finger or the like to the touch screen 130 is detected as a “touch-on state”. The control unit 190 determines a state in which the approach of the user's finger or the like to the touch screen 130 is not detected as a “touch-off state”. The control unit 190 receives the coordinates sequentially output by the touch screen 130 indicating the approaching position of the user's finger, etc., as the “touch now” coordinates.

Here, (1) "approach operation" is an operation in which the user approaches the touch screen 130 with a finger or the like.

(2) "Release operation" is an operation in which the user brings a finger or the like close to the touch screen 130 to stop the operation. For example, when the user removes his or her finger from the touch screen 130 with the finger in contact with the touch screen 130, the input operation reception unit 191 determines that the user's operation is a “release operation.”

(3) "Tap operation" means that the user performs an approach operation by approaching the touch screen 130 with a finger or the like, and then performs a release operation at the position where the approach operation was performed.

(4) "Double tap operation" is an operation in which the user performs a tap operation twice within a certain period of time. For example, if the input operation receiving unit 191 determines that the user's operation is a tap operation again based on the coordinates related to the tap operation within a certain period of time after determining that the user's operation is a tap operation, the input operation reception unit 191 determines that the user's operation is a “double tap operation.” Discern.

(5) “Long press operation” is an operation in which the user continues to press the touch screen 130. The touch screen 130 detects the user's operation and determines the approach operation, and if the time at which the approach operation continues at the coordinates where the approach operation was detected exceeds a certain time, the touch screen 130 detects the user's operation and determines whether the approach operation is " "Long press operation" ("Long press operation" is sometimes referred to as "Long touch operation").

(6) A “drag operation” is an operation in which the user slides a finger while maintaining a close state in which the finger or the like approaches the touch screen 130 .

(7) "Move operation" refers to a series of operations in which the user performs a release operation by moving a finger or the like closer to the touch screen 130 while maintaining an approach operation on the touch screen 130.

(8) "Flick operation" refers to an operation in which the user performs a move operation in a shorter time than a predetermined time. The flick operation is an operation in which the user flicks a finger on the touch screen 130.

The game progression processing unit 192 performs processing to advance the game by calling various programs or the like in response to user operations. For example, the game progress processing unit 192 transmits the position information of the mobile terminal 10 to the server 20 as the user's position, performs a process of setting game parameters according to the user's position, communicates with the server 20, and sends the position information of the mobile terminal 10 as the user's position. In cooperation with the game, the game manages a group (sometimes called a party) of multiple users in order to play an event (sometimes called a quest) provided in the game, and performs various other processes. Specifically, the game progress processing unit performs a process of transmitting data to the server 20 according to the progress of the game, a process of receiving data related to the game from the server 20, and a process of giving rewards to the user according to the progress of the game. processes, processes to measure the passage of time, and other processes.

More specifically, when the control unit 190 reads and executes the game program 151 in the storage unit 150, the game progress processing unit 192 controls the position transmission unit 192A, the base range designation unit 192B, the event processing unit 192C, and the battle part. 192D, a chat processing section 192E, a map data acquisition section 192F, and other functions.

The position transmitting unit 192A performs a process of acquiring the user's position by the terminal position acquiring unit 193 and transmitting the acquired user's position to an external device such as the server 20.

The base range designation unit 192B performs a process of accepting an input operation for the user to designate a predetermined position range in which the user can set game parameters based on the user's location in the map data used in the game program 151; Based on the received input operation, processing such as setting a position range for the user is performed. For example, if the game program 151 is a role-playing game using position information, a virtual facility in the game program 151 is installed in a predetermined position range specified by the user in the map data.

Here, each virtual facility in the game program 151 is associated with a function for setting game parameters. In this way, each facility has an attribute, and the user can specify any one (or more than one) of these attributes in association with the user-specifiable position range. For example, as a virtual facility, a facility that restores the physical strength of the character operated by the user (the attribute of the facility is "Inn"), a facility that changes game parameters by being associated with the character operated by the user (Facility "Weapon"), etc. A facility that allows game items to be associated with the character operated by the user (Facility ``Dogu Shop''), a facility that recovers abnormal status of the character operated by the user, a character operated by the user Facilities that allow the user to change the occupation of characters, facilities that allow the user to incorporate other characters into the party composition, facilities that allow the user to incorporate characters that appear as enemy characters into the party composition as playable characters, and other facilities. be. For example, status abnormalities include (1) a state in which the character's physical strength decreases over time (sometimes referred to as a "poison state"), and (2) a character's physical strength value but the ability to take actions such as attacks. (3-1) A state in which the character is unable to execute a given command; (3-2) A state in which the character behaves differently from what the user instructed. (4) a state in which the character's physical strength cannot be recovered with normal recovery items; Furthermore, some facilities may have multiple attributes (for example, a facility that recovers parameters such as physical strength and also recovers from an abnormal state such as a poisoned state).

In this way, in the game program 151, these virtual facilities can be installed at positions specified by the user in the map data. Further, for example, the target that the user installs in the map data may include a plurality of facilities (for example, an entire town including a plurality of facilities such as an inn and a weapon shop). For example, in the map data, the user specifies that the starting town of the game scenario of the game program 151 is to be set in a certain range that includes the location of the user's house. By doing this, the user's home will be included in a specific location range where the user can set game parameters based on the user's location, for example, every time the user returns home. , the inn in the game can be used to recover the physical strength of the game character.

In this embodiment, the base range designation unit 192B accepts an operation from the user to designate a predetermined location range in which game parameters can be set in the map data (for example, specifying a facility "inn" in the map data). The location range specified for each facility should be spaced at least at a certain interval. The above specification is accepted so that it will be placed as follows. For example, the user may specify that each facility be at least a certain distance apart from each other (for example, that each facility be at least several hundred meters apart, several kilometers apart, or tens of kilometers apart). However, the spacing between each facility is not limited to the above example), and the user's designation of the position range in which game parameters can be set is accepted. Note that for a specific facility, the user may be able to specify the location where the facility is installed in the map data, regardless of the interval at which specifications are accepted for each facility. For example, for a specific facility such as a facility "inn," the user may be able to specify the location in the map data to install the facility, regardless of the interval at which the facility can be installed. Further, regarding a specific point, the user may be able to specify the location where the facility is installed in the map data, regardless of the interval at which specifications for each facility are accepted. For example, it may be possible to install some kind of facility such as an inn at the point where the home is located, regardless of the intervals at which these facilities can be installed. By doing so, the user can specify that a game facility should be installed in association with a location where the user is frequently located, such as his or her home, thereby increasing opportunities to progress the game and further improving interest.

In addition, the base range designation unit 192B accepts an operation from the user to designate a predetermined location range in which game parameters can be set in the map data, but the base range designation unit 192B accepts an operation from the user to designate a predetermined location range in which game parameters can be set in the map data. When specifying a position at a certain interval, it may be possible to specify a position range such that the user's travel time is longer than a certain value. For example, if the location range specified by the user in the map data includes the departure and arrival points of transportation facilities (train stations, bus stops, etc.), this fixed interval may be used as the travel speed set for these transportation facilities (for example, train stations, bus stops, etc.). If the distance is at least several tens of kilometers per hour) and a predetermined travel time (e.g., a travel time of several minutes or more, several tens of minutes or more, or several hours or more), Accept range specifications. Here, the travel time of each mode of transportation may be determined by referring to a timetable or the like. For example, if a user specifies a certain station as a predetermined location range (for example, where to set up an inn, etc.), the user can specify stations (for example, where to set up a weapon store, etc.) that require a travel time longer than a predetermined time from that station. It is possible to specify a predetermined position range. By doing so, it is possible to encourage the user to move through the game, and it is possible to provide interest from the user's movement in the game play and the real world.

The base range designation unit 192B also designates a location range in the map data while accepting designations of the attributes of these facilities from the user (user designation such as whether to set up an inn or a weapon shop). The attributes of the facility that can be specified may be changed depending on the progress of the user's game play. For example, suppose that among the events provided to the user in a game program, there is an event related to story progression. The server 20 provides events related to the progress of the story to the user as the user clears the game according to the progress of the story. In this way, in the server 20, the situation in which each user progresses through the story is managed as the degree of game clearing of events related to the progress of the story. Here, the attributes of facilities that can be specified by the user may be expanded depending on the situation in which the user has cleared a series of events related to the progress of the story. By doing this, the more the user has progressed through the story, the more the user can specify the location range in which various facilities are to be installed in the map data. For example, a facility where the user can change the occupation of the character operated by the user as the story progresses, a facility where the user can incorporate other characters into the party composition (for example, a facility is sometimes called a "tavern") , a facility where a character that appears as an enemy character can be incorporated into the party composition as a control character, a facility that has a certain size and where enemy characters appear, such as a cave (for example, a facility called a "dungeon") ), and other facilities can be specified by the user in the map data. This makes it possible to further improve the interest of the game. For example, if the user specifies a certain range in the map data in which the facility "Dungeon" is installed, the game program will notify the user that the facility "Dungeon" is located within the certain range where the facility "Dungeon" is installed. Provides a game part for playing "Dungeon". In the game part for playing this facility "Dungeon", the game program is configured to, for example, create a game character in a cave etc. (not limited to a cave, but also a building etc.) in response to an input operation such as a tap operation. A game character is moved within a certain movable range and randomly encounters enemy monsters. These facility "dungeons" provide users with the opportunity to encounter relatively powerful enemy characters (sometimes referred to as "boss characters"), and when users defeat boss characters in response to input operations. , items, and rewards such as events that occur by defeating the boss character.

The occupations of the character operated by the user include, for example, occupations that are good at attacking with swords or fists, occupations that are good at attacking or recovering with magic, occupations that acquire various skills not only in battle events (for example, , skills that detect the presence or absence of treasure chests that can obtain items within a certain range, skills that increase the chance of encountering enemy characters, skills that help escape from dungeons, etc.). In addition to leveling up the game character through experience points acquired by defeating enemy characters, the game character may also have a level set for each occupation, and may be able to level up for each occupation as well. For example, each occupation has an upper level limit, and by increasing the level of the occupation, the game character can acquire skills specific to the occupation (for example, the occupation "Warrior" or the occupation "Martial Artist") If so, it may be a skill that inflicts relatively large damage on an enemy character, a skill that allows attacking multiple enemy characters, etc.). Here, if the user specifies a certain range in the map data in which a facility (for example, a facility called "change workplace") that allows the user to change the occupation of the character operated by the user is installed, the user is located within this certain range. You can change the character's occupation, making the game even more interesting. Here, the skills acquired by leveling up for each occupation may be carried over even after changing jobs.

Furthermore, for facilities where other characters can be incorporated into the party formation, the user may be able to specify a certain range in the map data, provided that the game play has progressed to a certain extent. In addition, taking advantage of the ability to install facilities that allow other characters to be incorporated into party formations, we will also encourage users to participate in events to acquire other characters (for example, in map data, users can It is also possible to set a setting in which the user moves to a position and the user can acquire the character by performing a battle event with the character in the game at the position.

Furthermore, characters that appear as enemy characters may include characters that can be acquired as characters operated by the user. For example, after a battle event ends, a lottery may be performed to determine whether or not an enemy character can be made into an ally. Furthermore, acquisition of enemy characters as companions may be restricted until the game progresses to a certain extent. In this case, by playing the game, the user can acquire a character that appears as an enemy character, provided that the events related to the story progression have progressed to a certain degree, and the character that appears as an enemy character. The user may be able to specify a certain range in the map data in which facilities that can be incorporated into the party formation as an operating character can be installed. The enemy character acquired by the user may be included in the party formation together with the playable character when playing an event. In addition, the enemy character acquired by the user can also be leveled up by gaining experience points, etc., in the same way as the controlled character, and it is possible to acquire skills specific to that enemy character (for example, in the case of an enemy character that breathes fire, It may be an attack skill based on flame, etc.). Further, the game program may include a game mode in which the enemy characters acquired by each user can be pitted against each other.

In addition, the base range designation unit 192B accepts re-designation of where to designate in the map data when certain conditions are met for the designated location range in which the user has designated the location range in the map data. Good too. Here, the certain condition is, for example, that a certain period of time (for example, several days, etc.) has elapsed since the user specified the location range. For example, if a user specifies a facility such as a "weapon store" in the map data, but wants to re-specify it to a more desirable location, or if the user's travel range is not constant due to a short-term or long-term business trip, the user moves, etc. There may be cases where the above changes occur, and even in such cases, the game can still be interesting.

Further, the base range designation unit 192B may be able to designate only a certain period of time as a location range in the map data. For example, it may be possible to re-designate an already designated location range for a certain period of time in conjunction with schedule data that includes the user's flight information, business trip information, travel destination information, and the like.

The event processing unit 192C associates the user with an event (sometimes referred to as a quest) that occurs in the game program 151, and allows the user to proceed with the game play of the event. These events include those that are targeted at all users participating in the game (e.g., tutorial events to help users become familiar with gameplay, events that automatically There are events and other events that are given to each user), and there are also events that are given randomly to each user. Some of these events require the user to go to a specific point in the map data as a condition for clearing the event. Furthermore, the event clearing conditions include the user going to a specific location and winning a battle event with a specific character that can fight at the specific location. Some of these events allow multiple players to participate, and in such events, multiple users can play the game by locating at a specific point specified in the event. good. This allows a plurality of players to move around and enjoy the game, further increasing the level of interest. Events that allow multiple players to play in this way include, for example, those that allow other players specified by the player to participate, and those that allow unspecified players to participate. It is also possible to include. For example, if a user specifies a certain area in the map data where a facility (such as the above-mentioned facility "Tavern") that can be incorporated into the party composition is to be installed, an unspecified player It may also be possible to invite participation.

The battle part progression unit 192D performs processing to advance the battle part when an opportunity for a battle between a character operated by the user and an enemy character occurs. For example, the mobile terminal 10 periodically transmits the user's position acquired by the terminal position acquisition unit 193 to the server 20, and the server 20 side determines that the user has encountered an enemy character according to the user's movement, and the battle part It may also be possible to generate For example, the battle part in which the character operated by the user and the enemy character fight may be able to proceed automatically without intervention by the user's input operation. For example, the game parameters of the character operated by the user (physical strength, attack power, defense value, parameters for activating skills, and other parameters), the parameters of the enemy character, and the user's The outcome of the battle part is determined by the action guidelines for the character (AI (Artificial Intelligence) control policy according to the action pattern, such as emphasis on attack, emphasis on recovery, etc.) and the algorithm for making the enemy character fight. It may be decided. Further, in a battle event, a user's input operation may be accepted in order to fight an enemy character. For example, while an auto battle is in progress, an intervention by the user to perform a manual operation may be accepted. In addition, encounters with enemy characters occur according to the user's movement, but if the battle is performed in auto battle, the history of the battle result is saved, and the history of the battle result is updated according to the user's input operation. It may be possible for the user to view it. As a result, the user can, for example, grow the controlled character by performing battle events with enemy characters while moving, and acquire events based on clearing the game of battle events, even while not performing input operations on the mobile terminal 10. becomes. Further, in this case, the user may be able to re-fight by specifying a battle event in the history of battle results. For example, in a battle event where the operating character runs out of physical strength and loses, and the operating character does not acquire experience points or items, the user can specify that the battle event can be re-battled. Good too. As a result, even if, for example, the user encounters a powerful enemy character and is defeated in an auto-battle and loses the opportunity to acquire experience points, he or she can try again by fighting again, thereby further increasing the user's sense of satisfaction.

Furthermore, after the battle ends, actions may be taken to automatically recover the parameters of the user's character without the user's input operations (for example, using a tool to recover the physical strength decreased during the battle part). , use of spells, etc. may be automatically executed after the auto-battle of the battle part).

Additionally, if the physical strength of the character controlled by the user is exhausted due to a battle event, encounters with enemy characters will not occur until the physical strength is recovered (experience points, events, etc. from defeating enemy characters) will not occur until the physical strength is recovered. It is also possible to prevent the opportunity to obtain the item from occurring until the physical strength value has been recovered. In this case, even if the physical strength of the operated character runs out, the physical strength can be recovered by a certain amount after a certain period of time (for example, several tens of minutes, several hours, etc.) has passed since the physical strength ran out. You can also use it as

Further, some events include events in which multiple players can cooperate and fight against enemy characters. At this time, the battle part progression unit 192D may determine the actions of each character in the battle part based on increases and decreases in game parameters of other ally characters.

The chat processing unit 192E performs processing for transmitting and receiving chats between players.

The map data acquisition unit 192F performs a process for the mobile terminal 10 to receive map data used in the execution of the game program 151 from the server 20. For example, by transmitting the location information of the mobile terminal 10 to the server 20, map data surrounding the location information of the mobile terminal 10 can be received from the server 20.

The game progress processing unit 192 thus performs a process of updating game parameters for the user in accordance with the game play by the user. Here, the game progress processing unit 192 may allow the user to execute a specific command in the game depending on the user's game play. For example, a game character may acquire parameters such as experience points by defeating enemy characters, and as the game character levels up, it may be possible to execute specific commands, or as events related to the progress of the story progress. It may also be possible to enable the execution of specific commands. By accepting execution of a specific command from the user, the game progress processing unit 192 determines whether the user's position is included in the position range specified by the user, even if the user's position is not included in the position range specified by the user. Similarly to the above case, the game may be progressed in such a way that the user's game parameters can be set. For example, if the location range of the facility "Inn" is specified to include the point where the user's home is located, even if the user is not located in the location range, specific commands (for example, remote town The effect obtained from the facility may be reflected in the game parameters by receiving from the user the execution of a command indicating instantaneous movement to a facility such as a facility.

The terminal location acquisition unit 193 performs processing for acquiring the user's location. The user's location is, for example, location information specified by latitude and longitude, information on the address of the facility where the user is located, and the like. The terminal position acquisition unit 193 acquires, for example, latitude and longitude information of the mobile terminal 10 based on the output of the GPS positioning unit 141 as the user's position. Furthermore, the terminal position acquisition unit 193 may communicate with another device by short-range wireless communication such as NFC, and acquire from the other device the location information where the other device is installed. Further, for example, it is assumed that the mobile terminal 10 has a built-in IC chip compatible with NFC, or is configured to be able to communicate with a device equipped with an IC chip. When passing through the ticket gate of public transportation using the IC chip, if the information of the station where you get on and off is recorded on the IC chip, the usage status of the transportation facility (getting on and off) recorded on these IC chips The mobile terminal 10 acquires the user's location by acquiring the name of the station, the time it takes to get on and off the train, etc.). In addition, locations where IC chips can communicate are not limited to public transportation, etc., but also include locations where payment terminals are installed at convenience stores, restaurants, electronics retailers, take-out stores, and other sales shops. It may also be a thing. By performing payment processing using an IC chip, information about when and at which store (where) the user made the purchase is stored in a server or the like that manages the payment processing. Furthermore, when a user charges electronic money recorded on an IC chip, information about when and where the user charges the electronic money (inside a convenience store, inside a station, etc.) is stored in a server that manages the electronic money. In this way, the user's location can be acquired based on the usage status of near field communication such as NFC. Furthermore, the terminal location acquisition unit 193 may acquire the user's location depending on the communication status between the mobile terminal 10 and the wireless LAN access point.

The camera placement control unit 194 determines how each object placed in the virtual space is shown to the user. Specifically, the camera placement control unit 194 controls the placement of virtual cameras (camera work) in a virtual space created by the control unit 190 reading and executing the game program 151. The control unit 190 provides the user with a game play environment by displaying images captured by the virtual camera in the virtual space on the display 132.

The object control unit 195 controls various objects that appear in a game that is played when the mobile terminal 10 executes the game program 151, and various objects that are generated based on the user's operation content received by the input operation reception unit 191. Controls processes such as generation, transformation, and movement of (for example, GUI (Graphical User Interface) screens, etc.). The object control unit 195 generates an object indicating the moving direction of the game character based on, for example, a user's input operation on the touch screen 130 to move the game character, and transforms the generated object.

The display control unit 196 outputs an image according to the camera work of the virtual camera to the display 132. The display control unit 196 determines the display content of the display 132 according to the arrangement of the virtual camera in the virtual space, and outputs various information such as images and text to the display 132 according to the determined display content.

In the mobile terminal 10, when the user's finger is moved away from the touch screen 130, the user moves the finger closer to the touch screen 130, and the input operation reception unit 191 detects that the user's finger approaches the touch-sensitive device 131. When the user performs a drag operation using the coordinates as the initial touch position, the moving direction of the game character is detected based on the coordinates of the initial touch position and the detection result of the touch screen 130.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the server 20. The detailed configuration of the server 20 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. As shown in the illustrated example (A) of FIG. 3, the server 20 functions as a communication section 220, a storage section 250, and a control section 290 by operating according to a program.

The communication unit 220 functions as an interface for the server 20 to communicate with an external communication device such as the mobile terminal 10.

The storage unit 250 stores various programs and data for the user to progress the game on the mobile terminal 10. In one aspect, the storage unit 250 stores a game program 251, game information 252, user information 253, and map data 256.

The game program 251 is a program for the server 20 to communicate with the mobile terminal 10 and to advance the game on the mobile terminal 10. The game program 251 refers to game information 252 and user information 253, which are various data for advancing the game, and advances the game according to the user's input operation. The game program 251 is executed by the control unit 290 to perform a process of transmitting and receiving data to and from the mobile terminal 10, a process of advancing the game according to the operation contents performed by the user of the mobile terminal 10, and a process of advancing the game according to the operation contents performed by the user of the mobile terminal 10. The server 20 is caused to perform processing for updating information and other processing.

Game information 252 includes various data referenced by game program 251. The game information 252 includes an object management table 252A, a passive skill management table 252B, and an active skill management table 252C.

The object management table 252A shows settings for objects arranged in the virtual space of the game. By executing the game program 151, the mobile terminal 10 advances the game by displaying, on the display 132, an image of an object placed in the virtual space taken by a virtual camera placed in the virtual space.

Here, the objects include various objects such as an object representing a game character operated by the user, an object representing an object worn by the game character, an object representing an enemy character, and an object representing a facility where game parameters can be updated. There is something. The control unit 190 associates objects with objects when the user performs a predetermined input operation on the touch screen 130, when certain conditions are met as the game progresses, and when various other events occur. Perform the specified processing.

For example, when a user performs an approach operation on the touch screen 130 for a certain object, the control unit 190 brings the object into a state selected by the user. Further, for example, the control unit 190 performs processing such as moving an object to be moved by the user in accordance with the user's input operation by accepting a drag operation by the user. In addition, for example, the control unit 190 performs processing such as giving the user a reward for advantageously advancing the game by accepting a touch operation performed by the user on an object.

In the passive skill management table 252B, information for identifying an object is associated with information on a passive skill associated with the object. Here, a passive skill is a skill that is activated when a predetermined condition is met in a game, for example, and allows the user to advance the game advantageously. For example, when a passive skill is activated, an effect that allows the game to proceed advantageously, such as improving the movement speed of the game character, is exerted.

In the active skill management table 252C, information for identifying an object is associated with information on an active skill associated with the object. Here, an active skill is, for example, in a state where it can be activated when predetermined conditions are met in a game, and by accepting an input operation from the user to activate the skill, the user can gain an advantage in the game. It is something that can be advanced.

User information 253 is information about users who play the game. User information 253 includes game parameters 253A. The game parameters 253A include information that identifies each user, information that indicates which range each user has specified in the map data (such as where in the map data the city has been specified), and information that the user specifies in the game. It includes information indicating the degree to which a specific event related to the progress of the story has progressed, information on items held by the user in the game, game characters, equipment used by the game characters, and other information.

The map data 256 is generated by the server 20 to be used when executing the game program 251 based on map information stored in the storage unit 250 by communicating with an external server that distributes map data. It is something.

The control unit 290 functions as a transmitting/receiving unit 291, a server processing unit 292, and a data management unit 293 by executing the game program 251 stored in the storage unit 250.

The transmitting/receiving unit 291 receives various information from the mobile terminal 10 that executes the game program 151, and transmits various information to the mobile terminal 10. The server 20 receives information indicating the user's position from the mobile terminal 10, transmits data including the surroundings of the user's position among the map data to the mobile terminal 10 based on the received information indicating the user's position, and Various types of information are transmitted and received with the mobile terminal 10, such as generating an enemy character to be randomly encountered based on information indicating the position of the character, and transmitting information on the generated enemy character to the mobile terminal 10.

The server processing unit 292 controls the overall operation of the server 20 and performs processing necessary for the progress of the game by calling various programs and the like. For example, the server processing unit 292 updates data such as game information 252 and user information 253 based on information received from the mobile terminal 10, and advances the game by transmitting various data to the mobile terminal 10.

The data management unit 293 performs processes such as updating various data stored in the storage unit 250 and adding/updating/deleting records to the database according to the processing results of the server processing unit 292.

The illustrated example (B) in FIG. 3 shows details of the functional configuration of the server processing unit 292. As illustrated, the server processing section 292 performs various processes of a location registration reception section 292A, a game data transmission section 292B, a base range setting section 292C, and an event setting section 292D.

The location registration reception unit 292A registers information on where and when the user was located in the game in the database. The reception result of the user's position information transmitted from the mobile terminal 10 is registered in the storage unit 250 in association with each user.

The game data transmitting unit 292B transmits game data generated according to the user's position and accompanying the progress of various games to the mobile terminal 10 of each user.

The base range setting unit 292C receives information from the mobile terminal 10 about the range in which the user has specified in the map data that a virtual facility in the game is to be installed, and registers it in the database.

The event setting unit 292D determines whether or not to grant an event to the user, and if so, what kind of event to grant, based on the registration status of the user's location information, the user's quest play status, and other information. Process. For example, the event setting unit 292D sequentially performs a process of associating an enemy character to be randomly encountered with map data and transmitting it to the mobile terminal 10 based on the information of the user's position transmitted from the mobile terminal 10; When acquiring an event as a reward by defeating a character in a battle part, the process of determining the content of the event (for example, the event content is the process of determining the content of the event (for example, the process of determining the content of the event). (In this case, the target point of the user's destination in the event is set according to the point where the user acquired the event.) In this way, in the map data used in the game, the server 20 maintains a certain positional relationship between the position where a battle event for fighting an enemy character occurs and the user's position registered by the position registration reception unit 292A. (such as being within a certain distance), a battle event is generated for the user. The event setting unit 292D provides an event to the user based on the probability of occurrence of the event as a result of the progress of the battle event based on the user's operation (the user can obtain some event when the battle event ends). ). Here, the events associated with the user by playing the battle event may include events related to the progress of the story. By doing this, for example, the user can play the game within the range of daily movement, have the game character gain experience points, etc. by defeating enemy characters in battle events, and feel the interest from the growth of the game character. At the same time, you can also acquire events related to story progression. This can provide the user with the excitement of playing the game as the protagonist of an adventure or other story while moving around.

Further, when assigning an event to a user, the event setting unit 292D may set a target point for the event to be assigned based on information on the user's position at the time of assigning the event. Here, the server 20 previously stores candidates for target points in the event as a database in the map data. For example, a target point that is likely to exist regardless of the region may be used as a target point candidate. Candidates for such target points include public facilities (city halls, town halls, schools, parks), transportation facilities (stations), etc. that are likely to exist in each municipality. The event setting unit 292D selects a target point based on the user's position, and provides the user with an event including the selected target point, when assigning an event based on, for example, the user clearing a battle event in the game. do. In addition, when assigning an event to a user, the event setting unit 292D selects from a plurality of target point candidates based on the user's position based on the difficulty level of the event and the probability (rarity) of the event occurring. It is also possible to determine target points to be included in the event. For example, for an event with a low difficulty level (for example, the level of the enemy character to be defeated in the event is relatively low), a target point that is relatively close to the user's position may be selected. Also, for example, for high-rarity events for which the probability of the event occurring is set to be relatively low (such as an event to defeat a special boss character), it may be relatively far from the target point candidates based on the user's location. It is also possible to select a target point located at a location. The content of the event is, for example, a battle with a specific enemy character by going to a specific point in the map data (for example, a boss character has appeared at a landmark building, so if the boss character appears at a landmark building, players whose condition for clearing the game is for the user to move to an object and fight the boss character and win); players who play a labyrinth (dungeon) generated at a specific point in map data; Something that indicates that a specific character has appeared at a specific location (for example, a character with high rarity exists in a location far from the user's location, and the user can acquire the character by moving to that location) and so on. In these cases, for example, the mobile terminal 10 acquires the position of the user playing the event using the terminal position acquisition unit 193 or the like, and refers to the acquired position of the user so that the user can reach the target point specified in the event. If it is determined that the user is not located at the target point, play of the event is disabled, and if it is determined that the user is located at the target point, play of the event is disabled. is possible.

Furthermore, the event setting unit 292D may provide the user with an event that includes a plurality of events (each of the plurality of events included in the event may be referred to as a "subquest"). In the game program, the event may be defined as a game clearing when the user clears a series of these subquests. Here, the game program does not allow the user to view all the subquests included in the event at the beginning of the game play of the event, but allows the user to view some of the subquests, and allows the user to proceed with the subquest. By doing so, playable subquests may be presented to the user one after another. Each of these subquests includes a target point, and the user plays the event by sequentially moving to the target point of the subquest included in the event and clearing the game of each subquest.

Furthermore, in a game program, a certain event and another event may be connected and presented to the user. In this case, the game program may produce an effect such that when the user clears a subquest included in a certain event, another event (including a plurality of subquests) appears.

<Summary of configuration of Embodiment 1>
As above, the configuration of the game distribution system 1 according to the embodiment has been explained. In this embodiment, the game program 151 is, for example, a role-playing game or other game in which the user's position in map data is specified based on the position information of the mobile terminal 10, and the game is progressed according to the specified position. .

In the case of a normal role-playing game, a field map is moved by the player character, events are generated in various facilities such as castles and towns in the game, and equipment items such as weapons and armor, tool items, etc. are made available to the player. Examples of tool items include items that restore physical strength parameters (such as medicinal herbs), items that restore game points consumed when activating various skills such as spells and magic, and items that allow you to move from city to city. Items that exhibit effects, items that exhibit the effect of returning to the entrance of a labyrinth, etc., items that recover the player character's status abnormalities (poison status, paralysis status, curse status, and other status abnormalities), encounters with enemy characters. Items that control the encounter rate (lower or increase the encounter rate), items that invalidate changes to game parameters even if the player character is moved to an area in the field that changes game parameters (for example, There are various items such as items that prevent the player character's physical strength from decreasing even if they move to an area that decreases their physical strength, such as a poisonous swamp or a barrier zone. In addition, in the case of a normal role-playing game, there is also an element that expands the means of movement of the player character. An element that expands the means of movement of the player character is that areas where the player character cannot move by walking (for example, the sea, high mountains, etc.) can be moved by means of movement such as vehicles (ships, airships, etc. appear in the game). There are elements to do so. Furthermore, in the case of normal role-playing games, there are some games in which the player character can move through areas by obtaining predetermined items. For example, by obtaining special items such as keys, the area in which the player character can move can be expanded, or depending on the progress of events in the game, the gatekeeper can open the way and allow the player character to move to a new area. There is something that says.

In this embodiment, the game progresses according to the user's position, such as the position information of the mobile terminal 10. For example, a game program generates an encounter with an enemy character depending on the user's location. Furthermore, for example, when the user moves to a position where the user specifies a virtual facility in which game parameters can be set in the map data, the game program sets the game parameters that can be set in that facility to the user (the user When the user sets up an inn, the player character's physical strength will be recovered by moving to the specified location, etc.). For example, the game program allows the user to acquire various events as the game progresses. There are games that advance by performing operations such as acquiring, and by moving the user to a position indicated in these events, game parameters are set for the user.

In this way, by specifying in the map data the location range in which the user installs facilities in the game, the user can, for example, proceed with the game based on the user's action range in daily life. The game program makes moving more interesting.

<Data structure>
The data structure of data used by the device that executes the game program 251 or the game program 151 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the data structure of a table used by the server 20 to manage, as user information 253, the position range specified by each user in the map data.

As shown in FIG. 4, the user information 253 includes a base range management table for managing the position range specified by the user in the map data. The base range management table includes, as each item, information that identifies each user, information that indicates the location range specified by the user in the map data used in the game program, information that indicates the attributes of the location range specified by the user, and information indicating the date and time when the user specified the location range. In this way, the location range specified in the map data differs for each user. Since the user specifies each location range by associating it with an attribute, the user can install facilities corresponding to the attributes in the map data. In this way, it is possible to provide the user with the feeling of creating a town in a role-playing game by placing the town in the map data by the user himself. In addition, since the base range management table stores the date and time each user specified a location range in map data, for example, if a certain period of time has passed since the user specified a location range, the location that has already been specified will be displayed. Regarding the range, the server 20 can accept from the user a re-designation of where in the map data the position range is to be designated. Furthermore, it may be possible to set a plurality of facilities in the location range (in other words, the user specifies a base (castle, town, etc.) that includes a plurality of facilities in the map data).

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the data structure of a table used by the server 20 to manage, as user information 253, the progress of each user in the game.

As shown in FIG. 5, the user information 253 includes a game progress management table showing the progress of each user in the game. The game progress management table includes information that identifies each user, information that indicates the experience value parameters of the character played by each user, and story level information that indicates the history of each user's play of events related to story progression. information, information indicating events granted to each user, fund information indicating in-game currency holding parameters acquired by each user through gameplay, and information indicating items held by each user in the game. , information indicating which characters each user can organize as a party among game characters, and information indicating characters among enemy characters that each user can organize as a party.

Here, the number of events with which the server 20 is associated with each user may have an upper limit. In this way, each user may have an upper limit on the number of events that can be played, and no new events will be given unless the user clears the events. Furthermore, the upper limit number of events that each user can hold can be expanded in accordance with the input operation, for example, by accepting a user's input operation to increase the upper limit number of events that each user can hold. You can also use it as For example, if there is an upper limit on the number of events that a user can hold, and the user keeps events that can be played cooperatively with other users, and plays events that can be played alone one after another, The larger the upper limit number of events that can be held, the more convenient the user is.

Here, the information indicating the experience value parameters of the user's operated character includes the cumulative value of the experience values that each user has acquired by clearing quests, etc., and the level value determined by the cumulative value of the experience values. For example, each time the user reaches a certain level, it may include items that the user can play (for example, quests that can be played if the user is above a certain level, systems, items that can be used if the user is above a certain level, etc.) good. Further, for example, each time the cumulative total of experience points exceeds a certain threshold, the user's level increases.

Information indicating which game characters each user can organize as a party will be described. The game program 251 provides a plurality of game characters to the user, and allows the user to proceed with a quest, perform an input operation for drawing a lottery, and obtain a game character as a result of a lottery, etc. The process updates the list of characters available to the user. Note that a party composition that specifies any game character among the characters that can be used by the user may be held.

Further, in the game progress management table, the amount of virtual currency held by each user may be managed in association with each user. Virtual currency can be used, for example, to obtain items to be consumed in a game, to conduct a lottery, and to perform other operations. The game progress processing unit 192 receives input operations such as purchasing an item using virtual currency or holding a lottery, and changes the amount of virtual currency held. Here, the game program 251 may manage the amount of virtual currency provided to the user for a fee and the amount provided to the user for free. These virtual currencies may be set with a usable expiration date (for example, for paid virtual currencies, within six months from the time of purchase of the virtual currency).

Information indicating items held by each user in the game indicates items that can be equipped to the character as items associated with the character. Items that can be equipped to a character include, for example, weapons, armor, accessories, and other items that can be equipped to a character. Items that can be equipped by these characters are given to users through progress of quests, lottery, and other processes. Further, the information indicating these held items indicates items that, when used by the user during game play, exhibit a certain effect during game play. These items are consumed when the user performs an input operation for use. Items that exert a certain effect during game play include, for example, a certain period of time (for example, 30 minutes) from the start of using the item, experience points obtained when clearing a quest, etc., and items consumed to grow the character. There are cases where the amount obtained increases by a certain amount or more (for example, the amount obtained doubles or more).

FIG. 6 is a table used by the server 20 to manage events to be given to users as game information 252.

As shown in FIG. 6, the game information 252 includes an event management table that manages events to be given to users. The event management table contains information that identifies each event, information that indicates the destination (target point) to which the user is designated to move in the event, and information that indicates the content of the event (such as a battle with a specific enemy character). events, events in which the user comes into contact with a specific game character, events that involve clearing a game such as a dungeon, events in which specific items are available, and other events), information indicating the expiration date of the event, and information indicating the expiration date of the event. Information indicating the date and time and location (point) when the event was acquired (the server 20 set the event for the user), information indicating the date and time when the user cleared the event in the game, and information indicating the players who participated in the event (multiple events that players can participate in).

Here, the information identifying each event may be configured to be able to distinguish whether each event is related to the progress of the story or is not related to the progress of the story.

FIG. 7 shows a destination candidate management table for the server 20 to manage candidates to be set as destinations in an event as game information 252.

As shown in FIG. 7, the destination candidate management table includes information for identifying destination candidates, location information for destination candidates in an event, and characteristics of destination candidates (e.g., characteristics of destination candidates). This information includes facility type, location type, and other information.For example, potential destination facilities include public facilities (city halls, schools, parks), etc. , tourist attractions, etc.), and information indicating the likelihood (rarity) of a destination being determined as a destination in an event. For example, if a destination is likely to be set as a destination in an event, there is a high possibility that the user will move there. Therefore, depending on the facility, for example, in order to increase the possibility that the user will visit, the server 20 may increase the possibility that the facility will be determined as a destination in an event in response to an offer from the facility. This can increase the possibility that a facility that wishes to become a sponsor will be determined as a destination at an event. Furthermore, in order to reduce the possibility that a user will visit, the server 20 may respond to an offer from a facility or the like to reduce the possibility that the destination will be determined as a destination in an event. As a result, for example, it is possible to reduce the possibility that a facility whose inflow of people is desired to be at an appropriate level will be determined as a destination. In this way, adjusting the possibility that a destination candidate will be determined as a destination in an event can be useful for predicting the player's movement.

<Operation>
The operations of the mobile terminal 10 and the server 20 in this embodiment will be described below.

The game progress processing unit 192 of the mobile terminal 10 sequentially acquires the user's position using the terminal position acquisition unit 193 and transmits the acquired user position to the server 20 .

The server processing unit 292 of the server 20 receives the position of each user from the mobile terminal 10, etc., and performs processes such as random encounters with enemy characters and assigning events according to the received user position. The results of each process according to the position of the user and map data according to the user's position are transmitted to the mobile terminal 10. By doing so, in each user's terminal, the map data is sequentially updated according to the user's position, and processes such as event occurrence are performed according to the user's position.

(1) A process in which the user specifies the location range in which in-game facilities are to be placed in map data, thereby proceeding with town development (base creation) in the game.

The game progress processing unit 192 receives an input operation on the touch screen 130 from the user, and specifies the attributes of the game facility that the user installs in the map data (for example, designates the installation of a facility "inn"), It accepts input of the location range in which the facility is to be installed (for example, specifying a certain range including the location of your home in map data). At this time, if the user has already installed the game facility, the game progress processing unit 192 displays information on the position range specified in the map data on the touch screen 130 together with the map data. When receiving a designation from a user of a location range in which a facility in the game is to be installed, the game progress processing unit 192 determines that if the location range is not a certain distance from the location range of facilities already installed by the user, the facility cannot be installed. A display indicating that this is not possible and a display prompting the user to specify a position range in which a new facility is to be installed at a predetermined interval from the position range of facilities that have already been installed are displayed on the touch screen 130.

The game progress processing unit 192 of the mobile terminal 10 displays on the touch screen 130 a screen for accepting the user's designation of a positional range in which the game facility is to be installed in the map data.

The game progress processing unit transmits to the server 20 the designation of the attributes of the facility received from the user and information on the location range in which the facility is designated to be installed in the map data.

The server processing unit 292 of the server 20 receives, from the mobile terminal 10, information on the location range in which the user specifies the installation of the game facility in the map data and information on the attributes of the facility, and manages the base range based on the received information. Update the table. At this time, the server 20 also registers information on the timing (date and time) at which the user specifies the location range in the map data in the database.

When the user advances the game and the attributes of facilities that the user can install expands according to the progress of the story, the game progress processing unit 192 displays this on the touch screen 130 and installs the facility. It is also possible to accept the designation of the location range in the map data. By doing so, the user gradually expands the movement range in order to update the game parameters, which further improves the interest of the game.

(2) A process in which the user moves to a position range specified by the user, and game parameters are set based on the specified position range.

The game progress processing unit 192 of the mobile terminal 10 displays on the touch screen 130, along with the map data, the position range in which the user has specified in the map data that the game facility will be installed, and the user's position acquired by the terminal position acquisition unit 193. Display.

The game progress processing unit 192 compares the user's position and the position range specified by the user, and determines whether the positional relationship between the user's position and the position range specified by the user is a constant relationship (specified by the user). whether the user is located near the specified location range. For example, the game progress processing unit 192 determines whether the position range specified by the user is included (or determines whether the position range specified by the user is included within a certain range from the user's position). ). If the user's position is not included in the position range specified by the user, the game progress processing unit 192 sets the game parameters from the facility corresponding to the position range (for example, if the facility is "tool shop", If the facility is an inn that allows the purchase of items, recovery of the physical strength of the character operated by the user, etc.) is prohibited, and if the user's location is within the location range specified by the user, , it is possible to set game parameters from game facilities corresponding to these location ranges.

When a user performs an input operation to set a game parameter by moving to a position range specified by the user, the mobile terminal 10 displays the setting content of the game parameter set according to the content of the user's input operation. is sent to the server 20. The server 20 updates various databases of game information 252 and user information 253 based on the information received from the mobile terminal 10 (for example, if the user purchases an item, the status of the user progressing in the game) is updated. In the information managing the user, the information indicating that the item is held in association with the user is updated as a database).

(3) Processing in which the server 20 determines the destination point in the event according to the location where the user acquired the event.

The server 20 generates random encounters with enemy characters according to the user's position, and grants events to the user by, for example, clearing the game of battle events with enemy characters. (For example, encounters with enemy characters may be less likely to occur in certain areas.)

When performing the process of assigning an event to a user, the server processing unit 292 of the server 20 refers to the user's position information received and held from the mobile terminal 10, and selects a certain distance from the user's position information. Extract destination candidates within the range from the destination candidate table.

The server processing unit 292 determines the rarity of the event to be given to the user, and determines the destination of the event to be given to the user by lottery according to the rarity. The server processing unit 292 generates an event including the destination determined by lottery, updates a game progress management table indicating the progress of the user in the game, and transmits information on the generated event to the mobile terminal 10. Send to.

The operations of the mobile terminal 10 and the server 20 that constitute the game distribution system of each embodiment have been described above. However, each process performed on the mobile terminal 10 may be performed on the server 20, or The processing to be performed may be performed by the mobile terminal 10.

For example, the mobile terminal 10 receives a user's input operation on the touch screen 130 and transmits the received operation details to the server 20. The server 20 receives user input operations from the mobile terminal 10, performs various processes for advancing the game, and generates a display screen to be displayed on the mobile terminal 10 based on the arrangement of the virtual camera. The display screen is displayed on the mobile terminal 10 one after another. In this way, the server 20 may be responsible for most of the processing for advancing the game. Furthermore, the mobile terminal 10 may be responsible for most of the processing for progressing the game.

The embodiments disclosed this time should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than the above description, and it is intended that all changes within the meaning and range equivalent to the claims are included.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10... Mobile terminal, 20... Server, 22... Communication IF, 23... Input/output IF, 25... Memory, 26... Storage, 29... Processor, 80... Network, 81... Wireless base station, 82... Wireless router, 110... Antenna , 120...Wireless communication IF, 130...Touch screen, 131...Touch panel, 132...Display, 150...Storage unit, 151...Game program, 152...Game information, 153...User information, 154...Map data, 160...Sound processing unit , 170...Microphone, 180...Speaker, 190...Control unit, 191...Input operation reception unit, 192...Game progress processing unit, 193...Movement operation detection unit, 194...Camera arrangement control unit, 195...Object control unit, 196... Display control unit, 220...Communication unit, 250...Storage unit, 251...Game program, 252...Game information, 253...User information, 256...Map data, 290...Control unit, 291...Transmission/reception unit, 292...Server processing unit, 293...Data management department.

Claims (5)

The computer's processor
Receiving an input operation for the user to specify a specific position range in which a virtual facility having a specific attribute that can change the parameters of a character operated by the user is to be installed in the map data used in the game. and,
installing the virtual facility in the specific location range;
Obtaining location information of the user, another first user who is another user specified by the user, and another second user who is an unspecified other user, and participating in the other first user . Proceeding the game by providing a first event that allows the user to participate, and a second event that allows the other second user located at a different location from the user to participate ;
including carrying out
The step of advancing the game includes:
(i) when the acquired position of the user is included in the specific position range in which the virtual facility is installed, changing the parameters of the character operated by the user;
(i i ) When the acquired position of the other first user or the other second user is included in the specific position range in which the virtual facility is installed, the first event or allowing the second event to proceed;
(iii i ) If the obtained position of the other first user or the other second user is not included in the specific position range in which the virtual facility is installed, 1 event or not allowing the second event to proceed;
Method. In the step of installing the virtual facility, the virtual facility is installed in association with a point where the user is frequently located;
In the step of advancing the game, when changing the parameters of the character operated by the user, the parameters of the character operated by the user are restored;
The method according to claim 1. In the step of installing the virtual facility, the virtual facility is installed in association with the location of the user's home.
The method according to claim 2. A program for causing a computer to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 3. A system including a computer for advancing a game based on user location information,
The computer includes:
memory for storing instructions;
a processor electrically connected to the memory,
The processor reads and executes the instructions stored in the memory, thereby
In the map data used in the game, an input operation for the user to specify a specific location range in which a virtual facility having a specific attribute that can change the parameters of the character operated by the user is installed. Reception,
installing the virtual facility in the specific location range;
Obtaining location information of the user, another first user who is another user specified by the user, and another second user who is an unspecified other user, and participating in the other first user . The game is configured to proceed by providing a first event in which the user can participate in the game, and a second event in which the other second user who is located at a different location from the user can be invited to participate. and
When proceeding with the game,
(i) when the acquired position of the user is included in the specific position range in which the virtual facility is installed, changing the parameters of the character operated by the user;
(i i ) When the acquired position of the other first user or the other second user is included in the specific position range in which the virtual facility is installed, the first event or allowing the second event to proceed;
(iii i ) If the obtained position of the other first user or the other second user is not included in the specific position range in which the virtual facility is installed, 1 event or the second event does not proceed;
system.