JP7494151B2 - Game server, game program, and information processing method - Google Patents

Description

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

In games that can be played on smartphones, such as social games, operations, such as character training and friend requests, are becoming more diverse, especially in offline games. Furthermore, operations are often given unique names that match the game's worldview, and players who are not familiar with the game may not immediately know which button to select to perform the desired operation.

Patent document 1 discloses a game system that can search for game cards that match certain parameter conditions within a game.

Patent No. 6748340

The above-mentioned patent documents describe searching for game cards owned by a player, but do not describe searching for information about specific operations in a game.

Therefore, one of the objectives of the present invention is to provide a game server, a game program, and an information processing method that make it possible to search for information related to specific operations in a game.

According to the present invention, a game server is provided with a search function for searching for information regarding a specific operation in a game, characterized in that the game server includes a search database that stores operation names in association with operation information regarding the operation, a search input receiving unit that receives a search key input from a player, a search unit that reads out the specific operation information from the search database based on the search key, and a search result presenting unit that presents the operation information to the player.

The present invention makes it possible to search for information related to specific in-game operations, allowing even inexperienced players to progress through the game smoothly.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of a server device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention; 1 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of a player terminal 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of a search database according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a search information storage unit according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of a screen of a player terminal 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of a screen of a player terminal 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a process flow according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of a screen of a player terminal 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The present invention will be described below with reference to the preferred embodiments.
[Item 1]
A game server having a search function for searching for information regarding a predetermined operation in a game,
a search database that stores operation names and operation information related to the operations in association with each other;
a search input receiving unit that receives a search key input from a player;
a search unit that reads out predetermined operation information from the search database based on the search key;
a search result presentation unit that presents the operation information to the player.
[Item 2]
the search database stores a synonym group including other names indicating the same operation as the operation name in association with each of the operation names;
The game server described in item 1 is characterized in that, when the search key matches the other name, the search unit reads out the operation information for the operation name associated with the synonym group to which the other name belongs.
[Item 3]
3. The game server according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the operation information is information regarding a transition to a screen on which the operation can be executed.
[Item 4]
A search information providing unit that provides information about search histories of other players,
The game server according to any one of items 1 to 3, characterized in that the search information providing unit extracts specific other players based on the playing status of the player and provides information regarding the search history of the extracted other players.
[Item 5]
5. The game server according to any one of items 1 to 4, further comprising a search information storage unit that stores in the search database other names indicating the same operation as the operation name in association with each of the operation names based on a search history of at least one of the player and other players.
[Item 6]
A game program for executing a search function for searching for information regarding a predetermined operation in a game,
a search input receiving process for receiving a search key input from a player in the computer;
a search process for reading out predetermined operation information based on the search key from a search database that stores operation names and operation information related to the operation in association with each other;
and a search result presentation process for presenting the operation information to the player.
[Item 7]
An information processing method for searching for information regarding a predetermined operation in a game, comprising:
a search input receiving step of receiving a search key input from a player;
a search step of reading out predetermined operation information based on the search key from a search database that stores operation names and operation information related to the operation in association with each other;
and a search result presenting step of presenting the operation information to the player.

The following describes an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings.

<Configuration>
As shown in FIG. 1, the game system provides players with various game-related services via a network 3 (e.g., the Internet), and is composed of a server device 1 (game server) and a plurality of player terminals 2.

<Configuration of Server Device 1>
2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the server device 1. The server device 1 is an information processing device (computer) used by a system administrator or the like when operating and managing various services, and may be, for example, a general-purpose computer such as a workstation or a personal computer, or may be logically realized by cloud computing technology.

The server device 1 has a control unit 11, a memory unit 12, an input unit 13, a display unit 14, and a communication unit 15. When the server device 1 receives various commands (requests) from the player terminal 2 via the communication unit 15, the control unit 11 executes processing according to a game program, and the processing results of the game program (e.g., game images, game sounds, etc.) are transmitted to the player terminal 2. Note that a portion of the game program may be transmitted to the player terminal 2 and executed on the player terminal 2.

The control unit 11 transfers data between each unit and controls the entire server device 1, and is realized by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) executing a program stored in a predetermined memory. In this embodiment, the control unit 11 includes at least a game execution unit 111, a screen data generation unit 112, a search input acceptance unit 113, a search unit 114, a search result presentation unit 115, and a search information provision unit 116. These various functional units will be described in detail later.

The storage unit 12 has a ROM (Read Only Memory), which is a read-only storage area in which the system program is stored, and a RAM (Random Access Memory), which is a rewritable storage area used as a work area for calculation processing by the control unit 11, and is realized by a non-volatile storage device such as a flash memory or a hard disk. In this embodiment, the storage unit 12 has various storage units such as a game information storage unit 121, a player information storage unit 122, a search database 123, and a search information storage unit 124. These various pieces of information will be described in detail later.

The input unit 13 allows the system administrator to input various data related to the game service (e.g., game information, etc.), and is realized by, for example, a keyboard, mouse, etc.

The display unit 14 is used to display an operation screen for the system administrator based on instructions from the control unit 11, and is realized, for example, by a liquid crystal display (LCD: Liquid Crystal Display).

The communication unit 15 is for communicating with the player terminal 2, and has a function as a receiver that receives various data and signals transmitted from the player terminal 2, and a function as a transmitter that transmits various data and signals to the player terminal 2 in response to commands from the control unit 11. The communication unit 15 communicates with the player terminal 2, for example, by HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol), HTTPS, WebSocket, P2P (Peer To Peer), etc.

<Player Terminal 2>
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the player terminal 2. The player terminal 2 is an information processing device (e.g., a smartphone, a mobile phone terminal, a tablet terminal) that can be owned and used by a player. The player terminal 2 can output (e.g., game screen display, game sound output, etc.) the processing result of the game program transmitted from the server device 1 via a game application or a Web browser. The player terminal 2 has a control unit 21 that controls the entire player terminal 2, a storage unit 22 that stores various data and programs, an input unit 23 for the player to input operations, an output unit 24 that outputs a game screen, an operation screen, etc., and a communication unit 25 that communicates information with the server device 1. The control unit 21 of this embodiment includes at least an operation information receiving unit 211 and a game operation unit 212. The storage unit 22 includes at least a game operation information storage unit 221. Each functional unit of the control unit 21 can be realized by the CPU executing a program stored in the memory or the game operation information storage unit 221.

The operation information receiving unit 211 of the player terminal 2 receives game-related operations from the player. The operation information receiving unit 211 receives game-related operations performed by the player using the input unit 23. The operation information receiving unit 211 then outputs the received operation content to the game operation unit 212.

The game operation unit 212 executes a process for operating the game. The game operation unit 212 operates the game based on the game software included in the game operation information stored in the game operation information storage unit 221 and the operation contents of the player input from the input unit 23. The game operation unit 212 generates images for the game from image data included in the game operation information in accordance with the operation of the game, and performs a control process for outputting the generated images to the output unit 24. Similarly, the game operation unit 212 generates music and sounds for the game from music data and sound data included in the game operation information in accordance with the operation of the game, and performs a control process for outputting the generated music and sounds from the output unit 24. Note that, here, a configuration in which the native application executes some of the functions of the Web application, that is, the game operation unit 212 of the player terminal 2 executes some of the functions of the server device 1, has been described, but the server device 1 may be configured to generate all game images and sounds as a processing result without the game operation unit 212, or may be configured to generate all game images and sounds by the game operation unit 212.

When the game operation unit 212 is included, the server device 1 can manage certain parameters in the game operated by the game operation unit 212. For example, parameters in the game such as stamina and paid points are managed by the server device 1. Therefore, when a process occurs in the game that involves changes to these certain parameters, the game operation unit 212 updates the parameters managed by the server device 1 by communicating with the server device 1. The game operation unit 212 then receives the updated parameters from the server device 1 and continues the operation of the game based on these updated parameters.

The game system in this embodiment provides a search function for searching for information on a specific operation in the game. In this disclosure, "operation" refers to any operation that can be performed in the game. In addition, for example, it includes operations in parts of the game other than the part related to the actual game play (so-called in-game) (so-called out-game). Specifically, it includes acquisition and development of characters, team organization, acquisition and use of items, various in-game and out-game setting changes, friend requests, and interactions with friends, and also includes operations for performing specific functions in the game. Alternatively, for example, in a game in which a character is developed, it includes operations such as listening to the voice of the character again, enlarging a card (picture) on which the character is displayed, and changing the character (home character) displayed on the home screen in the game. By inputting any search key related to the operation, the player can obtain information related to the operation related to the search key. For example, the information related to the operation is transition information that defines the transition to a screen for executing the operation. By obtaining the transition information, the player can smoothly reach the execution screen for the operation.

The game information storage unit 121 of the server device 1 stores information about the game. The game information is configured appropriately depending on the type of game. For example, in the case of a fighting game, the information includes the stage name, enemy character information, etc., linked to a stage ID.

The player information storage unit 122 stores information about the player. The player information may include, in association with a player ID, a player name, a player rank, owned character information, play stage information, owned item information, total play time, play frequency, and the like. The player rank is the rank or level of the player in the game, and is determined according to play time, game progress, acquired items, and the like. The owned character information may include, in association with the ID of the owned character, the current values of various parameters such as the level and various ability values (attack power, defense power, stamina, etc. in a fighting game, singing ability, dancing ability, performance ability, etc. in a music game). The play stage information is information about a stage that the player has played so far out of a plurality of stages that have been set, and may include the number of times the stage has been played, clear information, and the like. The owned item information includes information about the possession status of one or more paid items and free items, and may include information such as the number of possessions in association with the ID of each owned item. In addition, the information may include information about the player and the play status of the game.

The search database 123 includes at least an operation name and corresponding operation information. FIG. 4 is an example of the configuration of the search database 123. The following description will be given along with the example of FIG. 4. The operation name is the name used in the game for each operation that can be performed in the game. For example, in a certain game, if the operation of setting a team consisting of multiple characters in a battle is called "formation", the operation name of the operation is "formation". Also, if the operation of selecting a character displayed on the home screen is called "favorite", the operation name of the function is "favorite". The operation information is information that is useful for performing the operation, and is, for example, information on the transition to a screen on which the operation can be performed. Other examples of the operation information may include an explanation of the operation method. The transition information includes information indicating how the screens on which these operations can be performed are arranged relative to a specific screen (for example, the home screen). For example, it may be information that defines the screen transition from the home screen. In the example of FIG. 4, the transition information "home>dispatch>formation" is shown, which indicates that the "formation" operation can be reached from the home screen via the "dispatch" screen. Additionally, transition information "Home > System > My Profile > Favorites" is shown, indicating that the "Favorites" operation can be reached from the home screen via the "System" screen and then the "My Profile" screen. The format of the screen transition information is not limited to this, and may be address information or the like that allows transition to a screen where the specified operation can be performed.

The search database 123 may also include a synonym group corresponding to the operation name. The synonym group is made up of one or more different synonym names that refer to the same operation. For example, the operation of setting a team of multiple characters in a battle is called "organization" in this game, but in other games, it may be generally called "party," "team," "member's quarters," "deck," or other names that are different from "organization." In the same way, if the operation of selecting a character displayed on the home screen may be called "my character," "favorite character," "home character," or other names that are different from "favorite," these words may be registered as synonym names. When a keyword that matches a word registered in a synonym group is entered by the player during a search, the operation information is selected as indicating the operation associated with the synonym group. In other words, whether the player enters the word "organization," "party," "team," or "member's quarters," the operation information of the "organization" function is provided. The game administrator may register synonym names at his or her discretion.

The search information storage unit 124 stores information about the content searched by the player. The search information stored in the search information storage unit 124 may include, for example, search content information about the search content and searcher information, which is information about the player who performed the search, as shown in FIG. 5. The search content information may include the input search key and the corresponding operation name, and may further include operation information. The searcher information may include information that can identify the player (such as a player ID) as well as information about the player's game play status. The game play status may include the player's level, total play time, play frequency, participating events, the stage being played, information about the character used (such as the character name and character attributes), information about the items held, and the like. The search information does not need to include all of the items described here, and is not limited to these items, and may include other information such as the search date and time as appropriate.

The game execution unit 111 of the server device 1 has a function of executing a process to progress the game according to a game program. The game played by the game system in this embodiment may be any type of game, such as a competitive game, a puzzle game, an action game, a baseball game, a soccer game, other sports games, a quiz game, a pinball game, a card game, a rhythm game, an RPG (role-playing game), a location-based game, a board game, an adventure game, a casino game, a simulation game, a strategy game, a racing game, etc.

The screen data generating unit 112 has a function of executing a process of generating screen data for displaying a game screen on the player terminal 2. The screen data generating unit 112 generates screen data relating to any of the above games. The generated screen data is transmitted to the player terminal 2 and output by the output unit 24.

The search input receiving unit 113 receives the input of a search key by the player. A search key is a character string used for a search, such as a phrase, a symbol, or a number. FIG. 6 is an example of a screen display of the player terminal 2 when a search key is input. As an example, a case is shown in which the player inputs an arbitrary search key 32 ("Formation" in FIG. 6(a)) via the input unit of the player terminal 2 into a search window 31 into which a search key can be input. The search input receiving unit 113 receives the search key information input by the player and transmits it to the search unit 114. The method of inputting the search key is not limited to this form, and may be a form in which the player selects from among options. The server device 1 may also have a predictive conversion function. In that case, the server device 1 predicts and presents one or more search key 32 candidates based on one or more characters input into the search window 31, for example, and the player can select the search key 32 from the candidates. In this case, the search unit 114 searches the search database 123 for a word that matches the first character or the first few characters of the operation name or similar name, and outputs one or more candidates for the operation name or similar name as a result of the search.

The search unit 114 searches for operation information based on the received search key. The search unit 114 searches the search database 123 for an operation name that matches the search key. If an operation name that matches the search key is found, the search unit 114 reads out operation information corresponding to the operation name. If there is no matching operation name, the search unit 114 searches for a word that matches the search key in the registered similar word group. If a similar name that matches the search key is found, the search unit 114 reads out operation information corresponding to the operation name associated with the similar name. The read out operation information is transmitted to the search result presentation unit 115. If no similar name is found, information to that effect is transmitted to the search result presentation unit 115. The search unit 114 may also store information related to the search in the search information storage unit 124. The search information stored in the search information storage unit 124 may include the search date and time, searcher information, information related to the search content, and the like. In addition, the search unit 114 may perform a fuzzy search as appropriate to find a hit even if the received search key does not completely match the operation name or similar names, and may be able to search even if there are variations in notation or typos within a certain range. The fuzzy search may use a method known to those skilled in the art.

The search result presentation unit 115 presents the search results on the player terminal 2. The search results may include transition information to the searched operation screen. FIG. 6(b) is an example of the configuration of the search result presentation screen. This shows a case where a transition method 33 to the formation screen ("Home > Dispatch > Battle Preparation > Formation") is displayed as a search result for the "Formation" operation. In addition, a button 34 requesting a move to the searched operation screen may be displayed. When the player inputs the transition request button 34, a transition to the corresponding operation screen is made.

7 is a diagram showing another search example. FIG. 7(a) is a screen when the player inputs the search key "home character" for a search, and FIG. 7(b) is a display screen of the search result. When the search key "home character" is input, the search unit 114 searches the search database 123 for a word that matches the operation name or a similar name. Then, in the case of the example of FIG. 4, there is no match for the operation name, but "home character" is hit as a similar name corresponding to the operation name "favorite". As shown in FIG. 7(b), the search result presentation unit 115 can display information that an operation with the same name as "home character" was not found and screen transition information of "favorite" associated with "home character" as the search result. Note that, when there is no word that matches the operation name or a similar name, not only one candidate (screen transition information) but multiple candidates may be presented. The screen displays of FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 are examples, and the search result information presented by the search result presentation unit 115 is not limited to this. The search result presentation unit 115 can display information about transitioning to a screen where a desired operation that matches or corresponds to the word entered by the player can be performed, or a button that enables transition to that screen.

Figure 8 is a flow diagram that explains an example of the basic operation of the system in this embodiment.

The player inputs an arbitrary search key by operating the player terminal 2, and the search input receiving unit 113 of the server 1 receives the search key (S101). The search unit 114 searches the search database 123 for an operation name that matches the search key (S103). If a matching operation name is found (S103=Yes), steps S107 and onward are executed. On the other hand, if a matching operation name is not found (S103=No), the search database 123 searches for the search key in a similar word group (S104). If the similar word group does not match the search key (S105=No), the search result display unit 115 displays on the player terminal a result indicating that no operation corresponding to the search key searched by the player exists (S106). Note that searches for operation names and similar names may be performed simultaneously.

On the other hand, if the search key is found in the synonym group, the search unit 114 reads out operation information for the corresponding operation name. The search result presentation unit 115 presents the read out operation information on the player terminal 2 (S107). The search unit 114 also registers information related to the search in the search information storage unit 124.

In the embodiment and variants described above, with regard to the processing of the software functional units provided in the server device 1 and the player terminal 2, the player terminal 2 may be provided with some or all of the functions of the server device 1 to the extent that the spirit of the present invention can be realized.

The process in FIG. 8 shows an example of the process performed by the information processing system of this embodiment, and is not intended to limit the present invention. The steps included in the process in FIG. 8 may be executed in an order different from that shown in the figure, some steps may be executed in parallel, some steps may be omitted, and other steps may be added.

The present invention allows a player to easily reach a screen on which a desired function can be executed when he or she wishes to operate the desired function. Even if the operation name is a unique expression that matches the worldview of the game, by registering a predicted search key in a synonym group in advance, the operation name can be searched for even if the player does not know the operation name.

The above-described embodiment is merely an example to facilitate understanding of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention can be modified and improved without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it goes without saying that the present invention includes equivalents.

(Variation 1)
In this modified example 1, the server 1 further includes, as a software functional unit, a search information providing unit 116 that provides information based on the search history of other players. The search information providing unit 116 can provide information such as search keys entered by other players and hit operation names to the player terminal 2 based on the search history stored in the search information storage unit 124. Fig. 9 is an example of a screen display of the player terminal 2. As an example, the search screen displays operation names 35 that have been searched for many times or frequently by other players.

The search information providing unit 116 may present information based on the search history of all players stored in the search information storage unit 124, or may provide information based on the search history of a specific player. For example, the specific player may be another player who has a predetermined relationship with the player (a so-called friend player). Also, information may be provided based on the search history of another player who has a similar game play situation to the player. The play situation may be, for example, the player's level, total play time, play frequency, participating events, the stage being played, information about the character used (such as the character name and the character's attributes), information about the items owned, and the like, and a specific other player may be extracted based on a predetermined parameter related to these play situations. For example, the search history of another player who is at a similar level to the player can be extracted. By providing information based on the search history of another player who has a similar play situation, more useful search information can be provided to the player.

(Variation 2)
In the present modified example 2, the server 1 further includes, as a software function unit, a search information accumulation unit 117 that stores (accumulates) other names indicating the same operation as the operation name in the search database 123 in association with each operation name based on at least one of the search histories of the player and other players (see FIG. 2). Specifically, when the search key input by the player does not match the operation name or a similar name, the search information accumulation unit 117 of the server 1 may associate the search key (the other name) with a predetermined operation name and newly store it in the search database 123. For example, when "party" shown in FIG. 4 is not set as a similar word to "formation", the player searches with the search key "party" as action 1 but does not get a hit (because "party" does not match the operation name or a similar name), and then searches with the search key "team" as action 2, and as a result, "formation" gets a hit as an operation name associated with the similar name "team". In this case, since it is presumed that the search key "party" used in action 1 led to the search result "formation" of action 2, "party" is added (set) as a synonym of "formation". In this way, by accumulating search keys that were not hit even in the similarity search in the search database 123, the accuracy of the search function can be improved. In the above example, information on synonymous words is accumulated based on a search history consisting of two consecutive search operations (action 1 and action 2) performed by the player, but this is not limited to this, and information may be accumulated based on one or three or more search histories. In addition, the server device 1 may automatically accumulate information on synonymous words, or the player may input or select a search key (synonymous word) to be accumulated to accumulate information on synonymous words. In this system, a predetermined condition may be set when the search information accumulation unit 117 of the server device 1 accumulates search information. For example, the search database 123 may be updated and a search key may be stored (for example, adding "party" as a synonym for the above "formation") only when a common action (for example, input action of a common search key: either or both of the above actions 1 and 2) is performed a predetermined number of times (for example, 10 times) or more among all players using this system.

1. Server device (game server)
2 Player terminal 3 Network

Claims (5)

A game server having a search function for searching for information regarding a predetermined operation in a game,
a search database that stores operation names and operation information related to the operations in association with each other; and a search input receiving unit that receives a search key input from a player;
a search unit that reads out predetermined operation information from the search database based on the search key;
a search result presentation unit that presents the operation information to the player;
a search information storage unit that stores in the search database, in association with the operation name, another name indicating the same operation as the operation name, based on a search key related to consecutive search operations included in a search history of at least one of the player and another player and the operation name;
Game server. the search unit reads out the operation information based on the search key, regardless of whether the operation information has been presented to the player before receiving an input of the search key.
The game server according to claim 1 . The game server according to claim 1, wherein the search result presentation unit presents to the player, as the operation information, transition information including information on a plurality of screen transitions to a screen on which the operation can be performed. A game program for executing a search function for searching for information regarding a predetermined operation in a game,
a search input receiving process for receiving a search key input from a player in the computer;
a search process for reading out predetermined operation information based on the search key from a search database that stores operation names and operation information related to the operation in association with each other;
a search result presenting process for presenting the operation information to the player ;
a search information accumulation process for storing in the search database, in association with the operation name, another name indicating the same operation as the operation name, based on a search key related to consecutive search operations included in a search history of at least one of the player and another player and the operation name;
Execute
Game program. An information processing method for searching for information regarding a predetermined operation in a game, comprising:
a search input receiving step of receiving a search key input from a player;
a search step of reading out predetermined operation information based on the search key from a search database that stores operation names and operation information related to the operation in association with each other;
a search result presenting step of presenting the operation information to the player;
a search information accumulation process for storing in the search database, in association with the operation name, another name indicating the same operation as the operation name, based on a search key related to consecutive search operations included in a search history of at least one of the player and another player and the operation name;
having
A method for processing information using a computer.