JPWO2019026326A1 - GAME SYSTEM, COMPUTER PROGRAM USED FOR THE SAME, AND SERVER DEVICE - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a game system that can restrict sharing of events set by one user with other users. The game system (1) provides a quiz game that allows a private event (PE) to be set by one user (U) of a plurality of users. Then, the game system (1) is allowed to share a private event (PE) with other users among the plurality of users, in other words, an official event of the private event (PE) is permitted based on permission conditions. In order to share the private event (PE) with other users as an official event (OE) on the condition that the authorization code is issued and the permission information is issued. Acquire the necessary log information.

Description

  The present invention relates to a game system that provides a game that allows an event to be set by one of a plurality of users.

  There is a game system that provides a game that allows an event set by one of a plurality of users. As such a game, a system that provides a game in which an event corresponding to an option selected by a user is set is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2017-113175 A

  In the system of Patent Document 1, since an event is set through options prepared in advance, there is no concept of determining permission or non-permission of the event. On the other hand, depending on the type of event, it may be defined by the holding period or place (target). And such a holding period etc. may be arbitrarily set by the user. In such a case, there may be a case where the user's setting cannot be accepted unconditionally, such as when the holding period or holding place overlaps.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a game system or the like that can limit sharing of an event set by one user with other users.

  The game system of the present invention is a game system that provides a game that allows an event setting by one of a plurality of users to be shared with the other users of the plurality of users. Necessary for sharing the event with the other users on condition that the permission information is issued and information issuing means for issuing permission information indicating permission of sharing when permission is granted based on permission conditions Information acquisition means for acquiring play information relating to the play status of the event.

  On the other hand, a computer program of the present invention is configured to cause a computer connected to an input device and an output device used for playing the game to function as each means of the above-described game system. The server device of the present invention is connected to an input device and an output device used for playing the game via a network and functions as each means of the above-described game system.

The figure which shows schematic structure of the game system which concerns on one form of this invention. The functional block diagram which shows the principal part of the control system of a game system. Explanatory drawing for demonstrating the game range of a quiz game. Explanatory drawing for demonstrating the outline | summary of an example of an event service. The figure which shows an example of a structure of permission data. The figure which shows an example of a structure of official event data. The figure which shows an example of a structure of private event data. The flowchart which shows an example of the procedure of permission issuing processing. The flowchart which shows an example of the procedure of an event process. The flowchart which shows an example of the procedure of a log acquisition process.

  Hereinafter, an example of a game system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. First, an overall configuration of a game system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The game system 1 includes a center server 2 as a server device, and a plurality of game machines 3 and a plurality of user terminal devices 4 as client devices connectable to the center server 2 via a predetermined network 5. The center server 2 is configured as a single logical server device by combining server units 2A, 2B... As a plurality of computer devices. However, the center server 2 may be configured by a single server unit. Alternatively, the center server 2 may be logically configured using cloud computing.

  The game machine 3 is configured as a commercial (business) game machine that allows a user to play a game within a range corresponding to the play fee in exchange for payment of a predetermined play fee. This type of game machine 3 may be called an arcade game machine. The game machine 3 is a computer device installed in a predetermined facility such as the store 6 for the purpose of increasing the profit by repeatedly playing a game with a large number of users. The game machine 3 is configured as a game machine for playing a so-called quiz game in which an answer is input with respect to the question. Note that the game machine 3 is not limited to a quiz game, and may provide various games as appropriate.

  The user terminal device 4 is a computer device that can be connected to a network and is provided for a user's personal use. For example, a stationary or book-type personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC) 4a or a mobile terminal device 4b such as a mobile phone (including a smartphone) is used as the user terminal device 4. In addition, various computer devices that can be connected to the network and are used for personal use of the user, such as stationary home game machines, portable game machines, and portable tablet terminal devices, are used as the user terminal device 4. It's okay. The user terminal device 4 can allow the user to enjoy various services provided by the center server 2 by installing various computer software.

  The network 5 may be appropriately configured as long as the game machine 3 and the user terminal device 4 can be connected to the center server 2 respectively. As an example, the network 5 is configured to realize network communication using a TCP / IP protocol. Typically, it is constructed by connecting the Internet 5A as a WAN and LANs 5B and 5C that connect the Internet 5A to the center server 2 and the game machine 3 via the router 5D. The user terminal device 4 is also connected to the Internet 5A with an appropriate configuration. Note that a local server may be installed between the game machine 3 and the router 5D of the store 6, and the game machine 3 may be communicably connected to the center server 2 via the local server. The server units 2A, 2B,... Of the center server 2 may be connected to each other by the WAN 5A instead of or in addition to the LAN 5C.

  The center server 2 provides various game machine services to the game machine 3 or its user. The game machine service includes an event service for setting an official event in the quiz game. Specifically, when the event service includes an event service for the game machine 3 provided to the game machine 3 and an event service for the user terminal apparatus 4 provided to the user terminal device 4, the game machine service Includes an event service for the game machine 3. Details of the event service will be described later.

  The game machine service may include a service for receiving user identification information from the game machine 3 and authenticating the user. Further, it may include a service for receiving and storing the play data of the authenticated user from the game machine 3 or providing the game machine 3 with the play data to be saved. Further, the game machine service distributes and updates the program or data of the game machine 3 via the network 5 and matches users when a plurality of users play a common game via the network 5. It may include a matching service or a billing service that collects charges from the user.

  Similarly, the center server 2 provides various Web services to the user of the user terminal device 4 via the network 5. When the event service includes an event service for the user terminal device 4, the Web service includes the event service for the user terminal device 4. Note that the Web service includes a game information service that provides various types of information related to the game provided by the game machine 3, a distribution service that distributes various data or software to each user terminal device 4 (including updates of data and the like), Services such as a community service that provides a place for exchange such as information transmission, exchange, and sharing by a user, and a service that provides a user ID for identifying each user may be included.

  Next, the main part of the control system of the game system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. First, the center server 2 is provided with a game service management unit 21 and a storage unit 23 as data storage means. The game service management unit 21 is a logical device realized by a combination of computer hardware (including a CPU and a memory as an internal storage device necessary for its operation) of the center server 2 and software. The storage unit 23 is an external storage device realized by a storage unit including a nonvolatile storage medium (computer-readable storage medium) such as a hard disk array. The memory | storage part 23 may be comprised so that all the data may be hold | maintained on one memory | storage unit, and may be comprised so that data may be distributed and memorize | stored in a some memory | storage unit. The storage unit 23 stores a computer program PG 1 as software for causing the computer hardware resources of the center server 2 to function as the game service management unit 21. Various data are also recorded in the storage unit 23. In FIG. 2, permission data 51 and official event data ED1 are shown. Details of the permission data 51 and the official event data ED1 will be described later.

  The game service management unit 21 provides the above game machine service to the game machine 3. The game service management unit 21 is further provided with an event providing unit 24 as a logical device. The event providing unit 24 provides various processes for realizing an event service. Such various processes include processes to be performed on the server side among event processes for managing official events. In addition, the event providing unit 24 executes log acquisition processing for operating the official event and permission issuance processing for adding a new official event as such various processes. The procedures of event processing, log acquisition processing, and permission issuance processing will be described later.

  Next, the game machine 3 is provided with a game control unit 31 and a storage unit 32 as storage means. The game control unit 31 is a logical device realized by a combination of hardware of the game machine 3 (including a CPU and a memory as an internal storage device thereof) and a computer program PG2 as software. The game control unit 31 executes various types of arithmetic control necessary for the progress of the game and executes various types of processing necessary for enjoying the game machine service provided by the game service management unit 21 of the center server 2. . The game control unit 31 is provided with a game providing unit 33 as a further logical device. The game providing unit 33 also performs processing necessary for realizing various events in cooperation with the event providing unit 24 of the center server 2.

  The storage unit 32 is an external storage device realized by a storage unit including a non-volatile storage medium (computer-readable storage medium) such as a hard disk or a semiconductor storage device. Various data are recorded in the storage unit 32 together with the above-described program PG2. In FIG. 2, event data ED is shown. The event data ED is data for managing various events set in the quiz game. The event data ED includes official event data ED1 provided from the center server 2 and private event data ED2. Details of the private event data ED2 will be described later together with the official event data ED1.

  In addition, game data is recorded in the storage unit 32 in addition. The game data includes various data necessary for causing the user to play a predetermined quiz game according to the program PG2. Specifically, the game data includes various data such as a quiz to be presented to the user and quiz data for managing the answers. The game data may include the above-described play data. The play data is data for taking over the previous play results (past results) from the next time onward, or for taking over the setting contents unique to each user. However, these illustrations are omitted.

  The game machine 3 is provided with various input / output devices such as an input device 36 for outputting a signal corresponding to a user operation, a display device 37 as an output device for presenting a game screen to the user, and a card reader 38. . The card reader 38 is a device for reading a unique card ID for each card recorded on a card 39 possessed by the user. The card 39 may be used for user authentication or fee collection.

  Next, details of quiz game events and event services will be described. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a game range of the quiz game. As shown in FIG. 3, the game range of the quiz game includes a normal play mode and an event mode. The normal play mode is a mode for normally playing a quiz game. On the other hand, the event mode is a mode for providing various events. Here, the event means a tournament (competition) in which a plurality of users participate and compete for the result of the quiz game. The event may allow not only individual users but also group users to participate. Note that events are not limited to tournaments, but various events (events) that are appropriately given to the normal play range such as a game range for a limited time, a game range that includes special characters, or a game range to which special benefits are granted. ).

  The event mode includes an official event OE and a private event PE. The private event PE is an event appropriately set by the user of each game machine 3 or the operator of the store 6. The private event PE may be shared by other users among a plurality of users who use the game system 1 as well as the users who set it (may include the operator of the store 6) It may be provided only to the user. Each user terminal device 4 or each game machine 3 may be used for setting the private event PE. In addition, in the private event PE, a privilege (for example, a physical privilege such as a figure or a special coupon at the store 6) given by each user or each operator may be set.

  On the other hand, the official event OE is an event shared by a plurality of users who play a quiz game. In addition, the play status of the official event OE is managed by an operator of the center server 2 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a server administrator). As a result, in the official event OE, the play status is often ranked by the server administrator, or a predetermined privilege is often given according to the result. In addition, a privilege (for example, an item for a quiz game) used in a quiz game is often given as such a predetermined privilege. The official event OE includes a qualifying event OE1 as a special event and a main event OE2 as a special event. The main event OE2 is a special event in which participation is permitted when participation conditions are satisfied. The participation conditions include the performance of the qualifying event OE1 as a requirement. Specifically, the participation condition is that a point (which may change depending on the value of the award) given to the winner (winner, runner-up, special prize, etc.) of the qualifying event is a predetermined value or more. May be satisfied. Such points may be given through a plurality of qualifying events OE1 (hereinafter, referred to as a series of qualifying events OE1). In the qualifying event OE1, participation in the main event OE2 may be used as a predetermined privilege through such points.

  The event service includes a formalization service for formalizing the private event PE. The formalization service includes a service for registering the private event PE as the qualifying event OE1. That is, the event service includes a service for converting the private event PE into a qualifying event. The private event PE may function as the qualifying event OE1 through such a service. In such a case, even if it is a private event PE, points that are a requirement of the participation condition are given. That is, such a private event PE is inevitably shared not only by the user U who set it but also by other users who use the game machine 3 of the A store 6.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an outline of an example of an event service when functioning as a service for converting a private event PE into a qualifying event. The example of FIG. 4 shows a case where the private event PE “A store competition” set by the user U of the A store 6 is converted into a qualifying event (official event) (functions as the qualifying event OE1). In this case, as shown in FIG. 4, the event service includes an application process and a formalization process. In this case, the user U functions as one user of the present invention, and other users who play the private event PE function as other users of the present invention.

  The application process is a process for applying to the center server 2 (or server administrator) a private event PE to be converted into a qualifying event. In the application process, first, information on the “A store tournament” is transmitted to the center server 2 by the user U via the user terminal device 4 (step S1). This event information includes the tournament name (event name), tournament grade (event level), tournament date and time (may be the duration of the tournament), number of participants, match type (for example, tournament or league game), and venue (store A6) Or each game machine 3 of the A store 6). Further, such transmission may be realized through a dedicated website (not shown) for inputting holding information. In this case, such transmission functions as at least part of the event service for the user terminal device 4. The application may be executed through documents. The transmission (application) of the holding information may be executed through the game machine 3. In this case, the game machine 3 may provide a dedicated application screen (not shown) instead of the dedicated Web site. Further, the held information may be different from or common to information necessary for setting the private event PE.

  If the holding information satisfies the permission conditions after the transmission of the holding information, the center server 2 (or a server administrator) sends the application information to the store 6 at the holding place, that is, the operator of the A store 6 in the application process. It is transmitted (step S2). When the operator of the A store 6 acquires the application information, it determines whether to approve the official event of the private event PE based on the application information, and the determination result (approval result) is sent to the center server 2 (or server). (May be an administrator) (step S3). These transmissions may be executed through a dedicated website as with the application, or may be executed through the game machine 3. Alternatively, when the mail address of the operator of the center server 2 or the A store 6 is managed by various devices such as the center server 2 or the game machine 3, it may be executed through mail.

  When the approval result is acquired from the A store 6, the center server 2 (or may be a server administrator) transmits the approval result to the user U (applicant) in the application process (step S4). If the official event has been approved, this transmission is permitted through the transmission of permission information that allows the private event PE subject to application to be converted into a qualifying event. Each is executed through the transmission of the indicated information. Specifically, when the official event conversion is approved, the center server 2 issues an authentication code indicating permission for the qualifying event conversion as permission information, and transmits the authentication code to the user terminal device 4. The issuance of the authentication code is executed based on the permission data 51 that associates the holding information while uniquely managing the authentication code. Further, the transmission of the authentication code may be executed through a dedicated website, or may be realized through an email if the event information includes the email address of the user U (applicant). Such transmission functions as at least part of the event service for the user terminal device 4 when realized through a dedicated Web site or E-MAIL.

  The transmission of permission (permission information such as an authentication code) may be realized by mail through a document. In addition, the permission condition may include the approval of the operator of the A store 6 as a requirement. That is, the permission condition may be satisfied when approved by the operator of the A store 6. In this case, the permission condition includes a first requirement based on the related information and a second requirement based on the approval result. When the first requirement is satisfied, the procedure of step S2 is executed, and when the second requirement is satisfied, the step is performed. The procedure of S4 may be executed.

  On the other hand, the formalization process is a process for actually setting the private event PE permitted to be a qualifying event as the qualifying event OE1. The formulation process identifies the game machine 3 that actually provides the qualifying event OE1 changed from the private event PE so that the private event PE actually functions as the qualifying event OE1, and assigns the private event PE to the game machine 3. It is executed to provide information necessary to make a preliminary event. Specifically, in the formalization step, first, an authentication code is input to the game machine 3 by the user U (which may be an operator of the A store 6) who has received the authentication code (permission information) (step S5). That is, the authentication code is provided to the game machine 3 by the user U. When the game machine 3 acquires the authentication code, it transmits it to the center server 2 (step S6).

  On the other hand, when the center server 2 acquires the authentication code from the game machine 3, the center server 2 transmits information necessary for actually converting the private event PE into a qualifying event (official event) to the game machine 3 (step S7). Specifically, the center server 2 first acquires the holding information of the private event PE related to the authentication code acquired from the game machine 3 while referring to the permission data 51. Thereafter, the center server 2 adds the qualifying event OE1 corresponding to the acquired holding information to the official event data ED1. Then, the center server 2 transmits the official event data ED1 after the addition to the game machine 3 (game machine 3 that has transmitted the authentication code) as information necessary for converting the private event PE into a qualifying event (official event). When the private event PE is converted into a qualifying event as part of the series of qualifying events OE1, association with the series of qualifying events OE1 may be set through the official event data ED1. That is, the center server 2 generates official event data ED1 so that the private event PE to be applied functions as a series of qualifying events OE1 in step S7, and transmits such official event data ED1 to the game machine 3. Good. Information for functioning as a series of qualifying events OE1 (information specifying the series of qualifying events OE1) may be included in the holding information. Alternatively, the private event PE may be automatically distributed to a series of qualifying events OE1 based on various types of information such as the duration, scale, and location, and the result may function as such information.

  When the official event data ED1 is acquired from the center server 2, the game machine 3 displays the official event OE included in the event mode based on the acquired official event data ED1 (step S8). In this official event data ED1, a private event PE for which a qualifying event has been applied is officially included as an official event OE. Therefore, the official event OE is displayed so as to include the qualifying event OE1 “A store tournament”. As a result, “A store tournament” is selected and functions as the official event OE. That is, the “A store tournament” is actually provided as a qualifying event OE1 (converted into a qualifying event).

  Note that the game machine 3 may update the contents of the private event data ED2 with the acquisition of the official event data ED1. Specifically, the game machine 3 changes the contents of the private event data ED2 so as to delete the private event PE corresponding to the “A store tournament” based on the user's deletion instruction or information included in the official event data ED1. May be updated. In this case, “A store tournament” disappears from the display of the private event PE with the official event. That is, “A store tournament” is deleted from the target of the private event PE as if it moved from the private event PE to the official event OE. In addition, various rewards (privileges) may be given to the setter of the private event PE or the applicant who applied for the official event of the private event PE in order to promote such setting. Such a reward may be given at an appropriate time, such as at the time of setting (or at the time of application), at the time of holding, or at the time of permission.

  Furthermore, when the official event OE is performed, the game machine 3 provides the official server log (various achievements) to the center server 2 (step S9). The log information is information necessary for realizing the official event OE. Specifically, the log information includes information on the play status of the official event OE (for example, the number of points acquired for the main event OE2). Then, the center server 2 manages the result of the official event OE based on the log information, and provides the play result information to each user terminal device 4 as a part of the Web service (shared with each user). It's okay. If the private event PE is an official event, this log includes log information of the private event PE. That is, the center server 2 may manage or provide the result so as to include the play situation of the private event PE that has been converted into the qualifying event. Specifically, the center server 2 sets a ranking (ranking) for each user based on a play situation (for example, a point grant situation) of a whole series of qualifying events OE1 including such a private event PE, Whether or not to participate in the main event OE2 may be determined according to the ranking result. In such a case, this log information functions as play information of the present invention. Further, the steps S6 to S7 and S9 of the formulation process function as an event service for the game machine. As an example, an event service is provided in this way.

  Each user may participate only in a part of the series of qualifying events OE1. In this case, a ranking (ranking) in the entire series of qualifying events OE1 may be performed based on a part of the results, and whether or not to participate in the main event OE2 may be determined. Further, when the event service is used by the operator of the store 6, steps S1 and S4 may be executed on the store 6 (the game machine 3 or the user terminal device 4 for the operator). In this case, steps S2 and S3 may be omitted. Further, when ID information for identifying a setter such as a user ID for identifying each user or an operator ID for identifying an operator of each store 6 is requested at the time of setting a private event, such ID information is included. On the basis of the official event application target or non-application target may be determined. Specifically, for example, in the case where the setter of the private event is a specific user authorized by the server administrator based on the manager of the store 6 or the reliability, the private event is automatically set based on the ID information. Alternatively, the event may be determined as an official event application target, and an official event may be promoted according to the event service procedure. On the other hand, private event setting and official event creation (providing an event service) may be performed simultaneously. That is, the setting of the private event may be executed as a part of the event service through a dedicated website, for example. In such a case, the type of event to be set (for example, a private event or an official event) may be specified in the event service. Alternatively, all private events may be subject to an application process or the like so that they are all official events. In other words, there may be no event that is actually executed as a private event. Furthermore, not only log information but also other information may be used to determine the play result of the official event OE such as ranking. Specifically, additional information (for example, information on the actual winning result) is transmitted from the store 6 operator to the server administrator, and the play result is confirmed by taking this additional information into consideration. Also good. Such additional information is, for example, when the log information alone cannot identify the actual result (for example, the winning result), in other words, when the holding information does not include the battle format information, or the arrangement of each user in the tournament, etc. May be used when the detailed information on the battle format is not managed.

  Further, the game machine 3 may provide the center server 2 with play status information (so-called log) only for the official event OE, and not only the official event but also the play status related to the normal game. Information may also be provided to the center server 2. That is, the log information provided by the game machine 3 to the center server 2 may include log information other than the play status of the official event OE, such as information on the play status of a normal game. The log configuration related to the normal game may be the same as or different from the log related to the official event OE. That is, the items constituting the log relating to the normal game may be the same as or different from the items constituting the log relating to the official event OE. When these are the same item, only the type may be distinguished by a header or the like. Or when these items differ, some may differ and all may differ. When some are different, there may be an item that exists only in one of them, or items that are different from each other may be included in both. Specifically, the log data for managing the log of the official event OE may include a dedicated data item (additional data) that does not exist in the log data for managing the log related to the normal game.

  Next, details of the permission data 51, the official event data ED1, and the private event data ED2 will be described. The permission data 51 is data for uniquely managing permission information. Specifically, the permission data 51 is a set of records that uniquely describe permission information. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the permission data 51. As shown in FIG. 5, the permission data 51 includes a permission record 51R for associating unique permission information with a corresponding private event PE for each private event PE. The permission record 51R includes information of “permission”, “event ID”, and “detail”.

  “Permission” is permission information indicating permission for conversion to an official event. Specifically, “permission” describes information indicating an authentication code as permission information. A unique number of a predetermined number of digits may be described as information indicating such an authentication code. “Event ID” is information indicating a unique event ID for each official event in order to identify each official event. “Details” is information indicating the details of the official event corresponding to “Event ID”. In the “details”, the above-mentioned holding information (information provided at the time of application) may be described as information indicating details of the official event. These pieces of information are recorded in association with each other in the permission record 51R.

  The official event data ED1 is data for managing each official event OE of the quiz game. The official event data ED1 is a set of records that define each official event OE. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the official event data ED1. As shown in FIG. 6, the official event data ED1 includes an official event record RS1 that associates each official event OE with its details. The official event record RS1 includes information of “event ID”, “detail”, “approval range”, and “type”. “Event ID” and “Detail” are the same information as the permission data 51.

  On the other hand, the “approval range” is information indicating a range where the official event conversion is approved. Specifically, the “approval range” includes a case ID indicating the game machine 3 that has been permitted to be officially evented through transmission of permission information (a unique ID for each game machine 3 to identify each game machine 3). (If the information is permitted in units of stores 6, information of store IDs for identifying each store 6 may be described). In the case of the official event OE set by the server administrator of the center server 2 (one that has been provided as the official event OE from the beginning), the same information as the venue information included in the “details” information is “approved” It may be described in “Range”, or the information of “Approval Range” may be omitted. “Type” is information indicating the type of official event corresponding to “Event ID”. As the “type” information, information indicating the main event OE2, the qualifying event OE1, or the private event PE (formulated from the private event PE) may be used. “Relation” is information indicating the relationship of each event. In “related”, information that associates each qualifying event OE1 (including a private event PE converted into a qualifying event) functioning as a series of qualifying events OE1 (for example, a unique ID or a number for each qualifying event OE1) May be described. In the official event record RS1, these pieces of information are recorded in association with each other. In addition, when the corresponding private event PE is deleted from the private event data ED2 due to the official event, the official event data ED1 uses information of “private ID” described later to identify such a private event PE. May be included. Further, the holding information included in “details” functions as event information of the present invention, and the information of the case ID included in “approval range” functions as game identification information of the present invention. By including these, the official event data ED1 functions as event data of the present invention.

  The private event data ED2 is data for managing the private event PE of the quiz game. Private event data ED2 is a set of records that define each private event PE. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the private event data ED2. As shown in FIG. 7, the private event data ED2 includes a private event record RS2 that associates each private event PE with its details. The private event record RS2 includes “private ID” and “detail” information. “Details” is the same information as the official event data ED1. “Private ID” is information indicating a unique private ID for each private event PE in order to identify each private event PE. In the private event record RS2, these pieces of information are recorded in association with each other.

  It should be noted that the official event record RS1 including the “type” information indicating the private event PE may function as the private event record RS2. That is, the private event data ED2 may function as a part of the official event data ED1. In this case, event ID information may be described in “private ID”. That is, as the information of “event ID” (or “private ID”), information of event ID that uniquely manages all events so as to identify not only each private event PE but also each official event OE may be used. The private event data ED2 may also be managed by the center server 2 in the same manner as the official event data ED1. Further, the private event data ED2 and the official event data ED1 may not be provided to the game machine 3. That is, the private event PE and the official event OE are centrally managed by the center server 2, and the game machine 3 may not recognize them. In this case, the official event OE or the like is guided through an email or a website without going through the game machine 3, and the center server 2 goes to the game machine 3 for log information corresponding to the holding period, etc. OE etc. may be realized.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 8 to FIG. 10, a procedure of permission issue processing, event processing, and log acquisition processing executed by the event providing unit 24 or the game providing unit 33 will be described. The permission issuance process is a process for issuing permission information based on an application for converting a private event PE into an official event. When the event information to be applied is acquired (or may be a predetermined cycle after acquisition), the event providing unit 24 starts the permission issuance process of FIG. 8, and first, the private event PE corresponding to the acquired event information is a permission condition. It is determined whether or not the condition is satisfied (step S101). Even if the permission conditions are met when the conditions for holding the private event PE satisfy the predetermined conditions (for example, when all items are properly input, or when the predetermined participation scale, participation period, etc. are satisfied) Alternatively, it may be satisfied when an operation indicating permission is performed on the private event PE by the operator based on the held information. In addition, when the permission condition includes the first condition and the second condition, the first condition is satisfied based on such a holding condition, and the second condition is satisfied when the approval of the official event is received from the store 6. It's okay. The permission condition may be satisfied when both the first condition and the second condition are satisfied. If the private event PE does not satisfy the permission condition based on these, the event providing unit 24 skips the subsequent processing and ends the current processing.

  On the other hand, when the private event PE satisfies the permission condition, the event providing unit 24 issues permission information to the private event PE that satisfies the permission condition (step S102). More specifically, the event providing unit 24 issues a unique authentication code as permission information to the private event PE while referring to the permission data 51. Subsequently, the event providing unit 24 transmits the issued permission information (for example, a newly issued authentication code) to the applicant (step S103). This transmission may be performed through E-MAIL (which may be included in the event information, for example), or may be performed through a dedicated website (for example, notification by posting on the dedicated website). And the event provision part 24 complete | finishes this process, after transmitting permission information. Thereby, whether or not an official event is permitted is determined based on the permission condition, and when the official event is permitted, permission information indicating the permission is issued and transmitted to the applicant. More specifically, steps S1 and S4 in the application process in the example of FIG. 4 are realized.

  The event process is a process for providing a private event PE permitted to be an official event as an official event OE. More specifically, the private event PE permitted to be officially evented is managed as an official event OE through event processing. In addition, the left side of the example of FIG. 9 shows the process of the game providing unit 33 of the game machine 3, and the right side shows the process of the event providing unit 24 of the center server 2.

  When an approval operation is executed to approve that the private event PE permitted to be official event is actually provided as the official event OE, the game providing unit 33 starts the event processing of FIG. 9 and first obtains permission information. (Step S201). More specifically, the game providing unit 33 acquires authentication code information corresponding to the private event PE as permission information. The authentication code information may be acquired from the input result when the approval operation includes the authentication code input operation. Alternatively, if the authentication code information (permission information) is provided directly to the game machine 3, such as when an application is executed through the game machine 3, the provision result (acquisition result) May be obtained from Subsequently, the game providing unit 33 transmits the acquired permission information to the center server 2 (step S202).

  When the event providing unit 24 of the center server 2 acquires the permission information, the event providing unit 24 starts the event process of FIG. 9, and first updates the data to reflect the acquired permission information (step S301). Specifically, the event providing unit 24 updates the official event data ED1 so as to add the official event record RS1 corresponding to the acquired permission information. This addition provides the same quiz game of the store 6 when the target of the official event OE is the unit of the store 6 (that is, the permission information from one game machine 3 of the store 6 is transmitted). It may be executed by all game machines 3) or may be executed in units of each game machine 3. Further, the event providing unit 24 may realize this addition by acquiring the holding information while referring to the permission data 51 based on the permission information. Further, such addition may function as an association for causing the official event data ED1 to function as a series of qualifying events OE1 by including “related” information. That is, in step S301, the event providing unit 24 sets the association to the private event PE so as to function as a series of qualifying events OE1 by adding the official event record RS1 including the “related” information based on the designation information. It's okay. Subsequently, the event providing unit 24 transmits the updated data to the game machine 3 (step S302). Specifically, the event providing unit 24 transmits the latest official event data ED1 including the official event record RS1 corresponding to the acquired permission information to the game machine 3. And the event provision part 24 complete | finishes this process, after transmitting the newest official event data ED1 to the game machine 3. FIG.

  On the other hand, when the game providing unit 33 of the game machine 3 acquires the latest official event data ED1, the game providing unit 33 updates the data (step S203). Specifically, the game providing unit 33 updates the official event data ED1 so as to replace the existing official event data ED1 with the acquired latest official event data ED1. Further, when the corresponding private event PE is deleted from the private event data ED2 due to the official event, the game providing unit 33 updates the official event data ED1 and deletes the corresponding private event PE. ED2 may be updated. Alternatively, when the private event data ED2 is managed by the center server 2, such deletion may be updated and transmitted by the center server 2 together with the update and transmission of the official event data ED1. Then, the game providing unit 33 may update the private event data ED2 to the latest one along with the update of the official event data ED1 in step S203. The game providing unit 33 ends the current process after updating the data in step S203. As a result, the private event PE for which the official event is permitted is actually managed and provided as the official event OE. Further, when associated with another qualifying event OE1, such a private event PE is provided as one of a series of qualifying events OE1. More specifically, a formulation process corresponding to steps S6 to S8 in the example of FIG. 4 is realized.

  On the other hand, the log acquisition process is a process for managing log information of the official event OE. The example of FIG. 10 illustrates a case where the result of the official event OE is shared with each user terminal device 4 based on the log information. In addition, the example of FIG. 10 illustrates a case where the center server 2 side acquires a log (detailed information regarding the performance of an event such as a play result) in each game machine 3 of the store 6 that holds the official event OE in a predetermined cycle. ing. The log may be transmitted from the game machine 3 side to the center server 2 at an appropriate time after the event ends. In this case, steps S401 to S402 in the example of FIG. 10 may be omitted.

  In a predetermined cycle, the event providing unit 24 starts the log acquisition process of FIG. 10 and first acquires the official event data ED1 (step S401). Subsequently, the event providing unit 24 specifies a target for acquiring log information (step S402). Specifically, the event providing unit 24 identifies each game machine 3 that actually holds the official event OE based on the information of the “approval range” (or the venue included in “details”) of the official event data ED1. . Next, the event providing unit 24 acquires a log related to the corresponding official event OE from each of the identified game machines 3 (step S403). In addition, when the event providing unit 24 acquires log information from each game machine 3, the event providing unit 24 generates related information related to each official event OE (step S404). The related information is information that should be shared with each user through the Web service as information regarding each official event OE (for example, the ranking of the winners, the number of points earned by each participant, etc.). Further, in the case of a series of qualifying events OE1, the related information may include play status information such as a winning status in the whole of them. That is, in step S403, the event providing unit 24 may generate a ranking for each user in each official event OE, or generate a ranking for each user in the entire series of qualifying events OE1. Then, the event providing unit 24 provides the created related information to each user as part of the Web service, and ends the current process. Thereby, the log regarding an official event is acquired by the center server 2, and is shared with each user as a part of Web service. Further, such acquisition is limited to the game machine 3 that has permitted the holding (provided the authentication code) of the official event OE changed from the private event PE. More specifically, a formulation process corresponding to step S9 in the example of FIG. 4 is realized.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, the private event PE can be converted into an official event through the event service. Specifically, the log information necessary for sharing the play status of the private event PE as the official event OE is acquired by the center server 2 on the condition that permission information (authentication code) based on the permission condition is issued. Thereby, acquisition of log information necessary for sharing the private event PE can be limited to a case where permission information is issued, that is, a case where the formalization of the private event PE is permitted. That is, for example, the result of giving points for functioning as the qualifying event OE1, etc., sharing with other users of the play status in the private event PE, in other words, permission information when the private event PE actually functions as the official event OE Can be restricted if issued.

  Furthermore, when such a private event PE is applied by a user who plays the game, an opportunity for approval is given to the store 6 that functions as a place for the private event PE. The destination of the official event data ED1 (including the official event record RS1 corresponding to such a private event PE) for causing the private event PE to function as the official event OE is the gaming machine 3 that actually acquired the permission information. Limited to If such official event data ED1 does not exist, the private event PE is not displayed or provided as the official event OE. That is, after providing such official event data ED1, the private event PE is actually provided as the official event OE, and log information is also acquired. Thus, through whether or not the permission information is used (for example, whether or not the information is actually transmitted to the center server 2 via the game machine 3), the operator of the store 6 that holds the private event PE is actually made private. An opportunity to determine whether to provide the event PE as the official event OE can be given. That is, the case where the private event PE is actually made to function as the official event OE can be limited to a case where the private event PE is further approved by the store 6 operator. As a result, for example, when the holding period overlaps with other official events OE, or when the holding scale is not sufficient (number of participants or period), inappropriate private events PE can be limited to official events.

  In addition, through such an event service, a private event PE that has been converted into a qualifying event is set as a part of a series of qualifying events OE1. More specifically, a series of qualifying events OE1 including the private event PE is associated based on the holding information of such private events PE, and each user is ranked in the entire series of qualifying events OE1. That is, not only the preliminarily prepared qualifying event OE1 but also a private event PE set after the fact is provided as a series of qualifying events OE1 to be ranked. Thereby, a series of qualifying events OE1 including such a private event PE can be set later. More specifically, for example, after a series of qualifying events OE1 is set, it functions as a part of the event after the qualifying events are set, or after a series of existing qualifying events OE1 is set, another new series of qualifying events is performed. A series of qualifying events OE1 including such a private event PE can be set so that the event OE1 is added. As a result, when such a private event PE is realized by operation, that is, compared with the case where the play situation is aggregated by operation, time and effort of the operator of the store 6 and the server administrator can be reduced. Furthermore, even when the private event PE is set with a high degree of freedom, a series of qualifying events OE1 including such a private event PE can be set afterwards. That is, it is possible to allow a private event PE arbitrarily defined by the user to be added to the series of qualifying events OE1.

  Furthermore, since the private event PE can function as the official event OE through such an event service, more official events OE can be provided as compared to the case where such a private event PE is not provided. More specifically, for example, more qualifying events OE1 can be provided through such a private event PE. As a result, the results of the private event PE can be used as a part of the conditions for participation in the main event OE2. Therefore, the main event is based on more results than when such a private event PE is not provided. It is possible to determine whether or not to participate in OE2. As a result, it is possible to determine whether to participate more appropriately. In addition, the attractiveness of private event PE can be improved. Furthermore, when such related information of the private event PE is shared with other users through the web service, for example, the play status (actual result) of the private event PE such as the ranking or the point grant status is indicated for each user terminal device. 4 to share with other users. Thereby, the user's interest in the private event PE can be further improved.

  In the above embodiment, the event providing unit 24 of the center server 2 functions as an example of the information issuing means of the present invention by executing step S102 of the routine of FIG. Further, the event providing unit 24 of the center server 2 functions as an example of the information acquiring unit and the related information providing unit of the present invention by executing the routine of FIG. More specifically, the event providing unit 24 functions as an example of an information acquisition unit by executing step S403 in FIG. 9 and as an example of a related information providing unit by executing step S405. Further, the event providing unit 24 of the center server 2 functions as an example of the event information providing unit and the data updating unit of the present invention by executing the routine of FIG. More specifically, the event providing unit 24 functions as an example of an event information providing unit by executing step S302 in FIG. 9, and functions as an example of a data updating unit by executing step S301. On the other hand, the storage unit 23 of the center server 2 functions as data storage means of the present invention by storing the official event data ED1.

  This invention is not limited to the form mentioned above, You may implement in the form to which the appropriate deformation | transformation or change was given. For example, in the above embodiment, the game machine 3 is configured as an arcade game machine. However, the game machine 3 is not limited to a game machine configured as an arcade game machine. As the game machine 3, the user terminal device 4 or the like may function. The game machine 3 may be configured as a game device that virtually operates on a server such as the center server 2 while using the user terminal device 4 or the like as a remote input / output device. On the other hand, the game machine 3 may function as the center server 2. That is, the game machine 3 may execute all or a part of the roles (various processes, etc.) of the center server 2 in the above-described form. Alternatively, the center server 2 may be omitted and the game machine 3 may function as the game system 1.

  Various aspects of the present invention derived from each of the above-described embodiments and modifications will be described below. In the following description, in order to facilitate understanding of each aspect of the present invention, the corresponding members illustrated in the accompanying drawings are added in parentheses, but the present invention is thereby limited to the illustrated embodiments. It is not a thing.

  The game system of the present invention is a game system that provides a game that allows a user (U) to set an event among a plurality of users, wherein the game system (1) of the present invention is a game system. Information sharing means (24) for issuing permission information indicating permission of sharing when the sharing of the event with other users is permitted based on the permission condition, and issuance of the permission information And information acquisition means (24) for acquiring play information relating to the play status of the event necessary for sharing the event with the other user.

  According to the present invention, play information necessary for sharing the play status of an event is acquired on condition that issuance of permission information based on the permission condition. Thereby, acquisition of play information necessary for event sharing can be limited to cases where permission information is issued. In other words, sharing of events set by one user with other users can be restricted when permission information is issued. As a result, it is possible to limit sharing of inappropriate events with other users, such as when the holding periods overlap.

  Various events may be adopted as events. For example, an event that is specified by information related to execution such as a holding period or a holding place (target), or an event that is specified by a participation result such as when a predetermined privilege is given to a participant is adopted. It's okay. Specifically, in one aspect of the game system of the present invention, when the game includes a privilege event (OE1) for giving a predetermined privilege, the information issuing means The permission information may be issued so that the event functions.

  When an event is specified by the presence or absence of a predetermined privilege, such a predetermined privilege may be related to the game or may be irrelevant. Moreover, such a predetermined privilege may be a physical privilege or an electronic privilege. Furthermore, such a privilege may be a tangible privilege including an electronic privilege, or may be an intangible privilege including a qualification for participation in another event. Specifically, for example, in one aspect of the game system of the present invention, the game further includes a special event (OE2) that is allowed to participate when the achievements in the special event satisfy participation conditions. , Participation in the special event may be used as the predetermined privilege. In this case, the event record set by one user can be used as part of the conditions for participating in the special event. As a result, since it is possible to determine whether or not to participate in a special event based on more achievements than when such an event is not used, it is possible to more appropriately determine whether or not to participate. . As a result, the attractiveness of the event set by one user can be improved.

  The game as described above may be provided directly by the game system or indirectly via a game machine. That is, one game machine that provides the game as described above may function as the game system of the present invention, and the game system of the present invention is connected to the game machine that provides the game as described above. Also good. Specifically, for example, in one aspect of the game system of the present invention, the information acquisition means is provided when the game is provided via a game machine (3) connected via a network (5). The play information may be acquired from the game machine. When a game is provided via a game machine, the above-described user concept includes not only a user of the game machine (a person who plays the game) but also an operator (manager) of the game machine. May be included. In addition, the play information is acquired not only when the play information of the corresponding event is extracted and acquired from the game machine, but also with various events acquired regardless of permission or disapproval (the sharing disapproval set by the user). It may include a case of obtaining by extracting play information necessary for sharing the event from various types of information (including events). In other words, the information acquisition means acquires information related to various events (for example, from the game machine if a game machine is present), and then acquires play information necessary for sharing the sharing permission event from the acquired information. (Extraction) may be performed.

  In the case where the above-described game is provided via a game machine, the permission information may be issued directly to the game machine. Alternatively, the permission information may be indirectly issued through provision (for example, e-mail or the like) to the administrator or the like of the game machine, and may be provided (input) to the game machine through such a manager or the like. . Further, the play information may be automatically acquired from the game machine with the issuance of the permission condition, and further conditions may be set for acquiring the play information. For example, the game system of the present invention further comprises event information providing means (24) for providing event information for realizing the event to the game machine when the permission information is acquired from the game machine, The information acquisition means may be configured to acquire the play information from the game machine when the game machine provides the event after acquiring the event information. Furthermore, as such an aspect, when a plurality of game machines that respectively provide the game are connected via the network, a game that provides the event in the game machine identification information for identifying each game machine Data storage means (23) for storing event data (ED1) described in association with the event and the game machine identification information (for example, information of “approval range”) of the game machine, and the game from which the permission information has been acquired Data updating means (24) for updating the event data so that a machine is associated with the event, and the event information providing means sends the event information to a game machine associated with the event by the event data. The aspect to provide may be employ | adopted. In these cases, the event information is provided only to a game machine that has actually obtained permission information. The play information is acquired after providing the event information. Thus, for example, when there is another entity that determines whether or not the event can be shared, such as when the game machine is operated by another operator, whether to use the permission information (for example, event information providing means) Whether or not the event sharing is actually realized by the other subject.

  The play information may be used as appropriate. For example, as one aspect of the game system of the present invention, when a plurality of user terminal devices (4) respectively used by the plurality of users are connected through a network (5), the event is based on the play information. The aspect further provided with the relevant information provision means (24) which provides relevant relevant information to each user terminal may be employ | adopted. In this case, for example, by using the play status information as the related information, the play status information of the event can be shared with each user via each user terminal device. When a game machine is interposed, each user terminal device may be connected through the same network as the game machine, or may be connected through a different network (including partial sharing).

  On the other hand, the computer program of the present invention causes the computer (24) connected to the input device (36) and the output device (37) used for playing the game to function as each means of the above-described game system. It is configured. The server device (2) of the present invention is connected to the input device (36) and the output device (37) used for playing the game via the network (5), and serves as each means of the above-described game system. It functions. The game system of the present invention can be realized through the computer program or server device of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Game system 2 Center server 3 Game machine 4 User terminal device 5 Network 23 Memory | storage part (data storage means)
24 Event providing unit (computer, information issuing means, information acquiring means, event information providing means, data updating means)
36 Input device 37 Display device (output device)
U user (one user)
PE Private Event (Event)
OE1 qualifying event (special event)
OE2 main event (special event)
ED1 official event data (event data)

Claims (9)

A game system that provides a game that allows setting of an event by one of a plurality of users,
An information issuing means for issuing permission information indicating permission of the sharing when sharing of the event with other users of the plurality of users is permitted based on permission conditions;
On condition that the permission information is issued, information acquisition means for acquiring play information relating to the play status of the event necessary for sharing the event with the other users;
A game system comprising:   The said information issuing means issues the said permission information so that the said event may function as an event for the said privilege, when the said game contains the event for a privilege for providing a predetermined privilege. Game system. The game further includes a special event that is permitted to participate when the performance in the event for the privilege satisfies a participation condition,
The game system according to claim 2, wherein participation in the special event is used as the predetermined privilege.   The game according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the information acquisition means acquires the play information from the game machine when the game is provided via a game machine connected via a network. system. When the permission information is acquired from the game machine, the game machine further comprises event information providing means for providing event information for realizing the event,
The game system according to claim 4, wherein the information acquisition means acquires the play information from the game machine when the game machine provides the event after acquiring the event information. The game machine identification information of the game machine that provides the event among the game machine identification information for identifying each game machine when a plurality of game machines providing the game are connected via the network; Data storage means for storing event data described in association with the event;
Data updating means for updating the event data so that the game machine that has acquired the permission information is associated with the event;
With
The game system according to claim 5, wherein the event information providing unit provides the event information to a game machine associated with the event by the event data.   When a plurality of user terminal devices respectively used by the plurality of users are connected through a network, the information processing device further includes related information providing means for providing related information related to the event to each user terminal based on the play information. The game system according to any one of claims 1 to 6.   A computer program configured to cause a computer connected to an input device and an output device used for playing the game to function as each unit of the game system according to claim 1.   A server device that is connected to an input device and an output device used for playing the game via a network and functions as each unit of the game system according to claim 1.

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