KR102419180B1 - Game system for providing game service by adjusting difficulty levels of game and difficulty levels adjusting method - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed are a game system and a difficulty adjustment method for providing a game service by adjusting the difficulty level. The method for adjusting the difficulty of a game system implemented by a computer includes at least one of a service providing a game composed of a plurality of stages to a user, a benefit that can be purchased by discounting an item, and a benefit of presenting the item to the user, and a game It may include the step of sequentially providing the benefit of reducing the difficulty of the user to the user based on the number of times the user fails to complete the mission of a specific stage.

Description

A game system that provides a game service by adjusting the difficulty level and a method of adjusting the difficulty level

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a game system and a difficulty adjustment method for providing a game service by adjusting the difficulty level.

A puzzle game is a game in which you solve a problem or find a solution according to the rules presented by a computer through logical thinking. For example, the bubble game is a kind of puzzle game. There is a bubble area in which bubble objects are arranged at the top of the screen, and a certain number of the same type of bubble objects (for example, by shooting a thrown bubble object from the bottom of the screen) , 3) or more, the game proceeds in such a way that continuously connected bubble objects burst.

In Korean Utility Model Publication No. 20-2000-0005282 (bubble game device), an example of such a bubble game is shown. Other references are as follows.

References:

<PCT/KR/2014/010167, US20140019540A1, US20130332543A1, US20130260893 >

The bubble game can be serviced by collecting bubble objects of the suggested type or by collecting bubble objects with specific decorations. A puzzle game system and method that can be provided are provided.

Provided are a puzzle game system and method capable of providing a bubble game service in a mode in which a boss character appears and removing the appeared boss character, and can service a bubble game using a disturbance bubble containing various obstacles.

Provided are a game system and a method for providing a reward that can collect collection elements provided in a specific stage according to the progress of the stage to complete a collection item, and provide a reward according to the completion of the collection item.

Provided are a game system and a difficulty adjustment method that can adjust the difficulty by sequentially providing various benefits based on the number of times a user fails to complete a mission of a specific stage in a game composed of multiple stages.

A method for adjusting the difficulty of a game system implemented by a computer, the method comprising: providing a game composed of a plurality of stages to a user; and sequentially recalling at least one of a benefit that can be purchased by discounting an item and a benefit of presenting the item to the user and a benefit of reducing the difficulty of the game based on the number of times the user fails to complete a mission of a specific stage It provides a difficulty adjustment method comprising the step of providing to the user.

A game system implemented by a computer, comprising: a game service unit that provides a game with a plurality of stages to a user; and sequentially recalling at least one of a benefit that can be purchased by discounting an item and a benefit of presenting the item to the user and a benefit of reducing the difficulty of the game based on the number of times the user fails to complete a mission of a specific stage It provides a game system comprising a difficulty control unit provided to the user.

The bubble game can be serviced by collecting bubble objects of the suggested type or by collecting bubble objects with specific decorations. can provide

A bubble game in a mode in which a boss character appears and the boss character is removed can be serviced, and a bubble game can be serviced using an interruption bubble containing various obstacles.

As the stage progresses, collection elements provided in a specific stage may be collected to complete a collection item, and a reward may be provided according to the completion of the collection item.

In a game composed of multiple stages, the difficulty can be adjusted by sequentially providing various benefits based on the number of times the user fails to complete the mission of a specific stage.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a game service environment according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a stage screen of a game composed of a plurality of stages according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a game screen according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a diagram for explaining a lucky bubble object according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a diagram for explaining a decor bubble collection mode according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a diagram for explaining an intermediate boss mode according to an embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a diagram for explaining a final boss mode according to an embodiment of the present invention.
8 is a diagram for explaining an example of a rotating bubble object according to an embodiment of the present invention.
9 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a puzzle game system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
10 is a flowchart illustrating a puzzle game method according to an embodiment of the present invention.
11 is a flowchart illustrating a puzzle game method according to another embodiment of the present invention.
12 is a diagram for explaining an intermediate boss mode according to an embodiment of the present invention.
13 is a diagram illustrating an example of movement of an intermediate boss character according to an embodiment of the present invention.
14 is a diagram for explaining a final boss mode according to an embodiment of the present invention.
15 is a diagram for explaining the movement of the final boss character according to an embodiment of the present invention.
16 and 17 are diagrams for explaining the skills of the final boss character according to an embodiment of the present invention.
18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a proliferation bubble object according to an embodiment of the present invention.
19 is a diagram illustrating an example of a path obstruction bubble object according to an embodiment of the present invention.
20 is a diagram illustrating an example of a push bubble object according to an embodiment of the present invention.
21 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a puzzle game system according to another embodiment of the present invention.
22 is a flowchart illustrating a puzzle game method according to another embodiment of the present invention.
23 is a diagram illustrating an example of a collection item according to an embodiment of the present invention.
24 is a diagram illustrating an example of a pet store according to an embodiment of the present invention.
25 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a game system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
26 is a flowchart illustrating a compensation providing method according to an embodiment of the present invention.
27 is a diagram illustrating an example of a process of providing a benefit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
28 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a game system according to another embodiment of the present invention.
29 is a flowchart illustrating a difficulty adjustment method according to another embodiment of the present invention.

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

The present embodiments relate to a puzzle game method and a puzzle game system of a bubble game type.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a game service environment according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 illustrates a user terminal 110 and a game server 120 .

The user terminal 110 may include a device in which a user enjoys a bubble game, such as a smart phone or a PC. The user terminal 110 may access the game server 120 through a wired network and/or a wireless network under the control of an application installed in the user terminal 110 to receive game-related services, and use the provided information. Thus, the game can be played under the control of the application.

The game server 120 authenticates the user (or the user terminal 110) with the accessing user terminal 110, and provides information necessary for the game (eg, information about the game progress or information about the user's friends). ) can be provided.

In another embodiment, the above-described game may be a game serviced solely through an application installed in the user terminal 110 without access to the game server 120 .

2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a stage screen of a game composed of a plurality of stages according to an embodiment of the present invention. Numbers are displayed on the first screen 210 , and ellipses connected by dotted lines may correspond to respective stages. For example, the ellipse 211 may correspond to the eighth stage. In this case, the stages of the first screen 210 may be stages included in a higher concept such as one episode. For example, the second screen 220 indicates stages included in another episode. These screens (the first screen 210 and the second screen 220 ) may be the screens of the user terminal 110 described with reference to FIG. 1 , and the screens to be described later are also screens of the user terminal 110 . can

When the user selects one stage, a game instance corresponding to the stage may proceed. In this case, the game instances may have different game modes for each stage. The game modes may include a general bubble collection mode, a decoration bubble collection mode, an intermediate boss mode, and a final boss mode. These game modes will be described in detail one by one later.

In FIG. 2 , photos displayed on the ellipses indicating a stage may indicate a stage currently being performed by a specific user. For example, the pictures above the ellipses may be profile pictures of the user's friends. Here, the friends may mean other users who have a personal relationship in the user's social network service.

Normal bubble collection mode

3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a game screen according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The puzzle game system according to embodiments of the present invention may display a bubble area in which a plurality of bubble objects classified into at least two or more different types are arranged according to a preset arrangement on the screen. For example, the third screen 300 is a bubble area (a dotted line box) in which a plurality of different types of bubble objects, such as the first bubble object 310 and the second bubble object 320, are arranged according to a preset arrangement. 320)) is shown. Such a bubble area may be an area from a bubble object disposed at the top to a bubble object disposed at the bottom on the screen, and the size may change according to the removal or addition of the bubble object.

In this case, the plurality of bubble objects may be disposed to have direct or indirect connectivity to the uppermost end of the bubble area. If the connection to the top level is lost, the bubble objects can be removed.

In addition, the puzzle game system according to embodiments of the present invention may further display a collection requirement set for the mission bubble object on the screen. For example, a preset type of bubble objects among different types of the plurality of bubble objects may be set as mission bubble objects. The third bubble object 340 displayed at the top of the third screen 300 may mean a bubble object set as such a mission bubble object, and the number '3' shown to the right of the third bubble object 340 is a collection request. As a condition, it may be a condition that requires that three or more or three or more bubble objects set as mission bubble objects be removed and collected.

In addition, the puzzle game system according to embodiments of the present invention may move the throwing bubble object presented for each turn of the game in a direction set according to a user's manipulation to combine it with some of the plurality of bubble objects. For example, the fourth bubble object 350 displayed at the bottom of the third screen 300 may mean a thrown bubble object to be used in the current turn. If the user terminal 110 equipped with a touch screen is described as an example, the movement direction of the throwing bubble object may be determined according to a user's manipulation, such as when the user touches a preset position of the third screen 300 . In the example of FIG. 3 , the movement direction of the throwing bubble object (for example, the direction of the arrow connecting the position where the touch occurs from the reference position) can be determined based on the reference position of the user character 360 and the position where the touch occurs. have.

In addition, in the puzzle game system according to embodiments of the present invention, when bubble objects of the same type as the moved throwing bubble object, including the moved throwing bubble object, are continuously combined over a preset number, continuously combined bubbles Objects can be removed. For example, when the preset number is '3' and the fourth bubble object 350, which is a thrown bubble object, moves and combines with the fifth bubble object 370, the fourth bubble object 350, the fifth bubble object The three bubble objects of 370 and the sixth bubble object 380 are successively combined. In this case, the puzzle game system may remove consecutively combined bubble objects.

If there are bubble objects whose connection to the top of the bubble area is lost due to the removal of continuously combined bubble objects, the corresponding bubble objects may also be removed. For example, continuously combined bubble objects may be removed together with a graphic element in which a bubble bursts, and bubble objects that have lost connectivity to the top of the bubble area may be removed together with a graphic element that falls to the bottom of the screen.

In addition, the puzzle game system according to embodiments of the present invention may change a collection requirement according to the number of mission bubble objects removed when mission bubble objects exist among the removed bubble objects. In the above example, since the fourth bubble object 350 , the fifth bubble object 370 , and the sixth bubble object 380 are not mission bubble objects, the collection requirement is not changed. If the bubble objects of the same type as the third bubble object 340 are removed, the collection requirement may be changed.

For example, if the collection requirement is to remove '3' or more of the same type of bubble objects as the third bubble object 340, and the same type of bubble objects as the third bubble object 340 has been removed, the collection request Condition '3' may be changed to '2'.

For example, if the collection requirement is to remove '3' or more of the same type of bubble objects as the third bubble object 340 and 3 or more bubble objects of the same type as the third bubble object 340 are removed , the collection requirement '3' is changed to '0' and the game instance may be terminated.

Also, new bubble objects may be added based on the number of bubble objects disposed in the bubble area. For example, when the number of bubble objects disposed in the bubble area is less than a preset number, the bubble area as a whole descends to the bottom of the screen and a new line of bubble objects may be added.

4 is a diagram for explaining a lucky bubble object according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the puzzle game system according to embodiments of the present invention, when a mission bubble object exists among the removed bubble objects, it is determined whether a mission bubble object exists among the bubble objects having direct connection with the removed bubble objects. may be determined, and at least one of the mission bubble objects whose existence is confirmed may be changed to a lucky bubble object according to a preset probability. In other words, when the mission bubble object is removed, at least one of the mission bubble objects directly connected to the removed bubble object may be changed to a lucky bubble object. In this case, the lucky bubble object may match a preset number when changing to the lucky bubble object.

For example, when the throwing bubble object 411 moves on the fourth screen 410 and combines with the bubble objects 412 and 413 that are mission bubble objects in the bubble area, the mission bubble objects 411 , 412 and 413 ) This can be removed. At this time, if the fourth screen 410 and the fifth screen 420 are compared, as the mission bubble objects 411 , 412 and 413 are removed, the number of collection requests for the corresponding bubble object is reduced from '27' to '24'. 'It can be seen that it has been changed to a reduced form.

Also, it can be seen that there is another mission bubble object 414 directly connected to the removed bubble object 412 . The fifth screen 420 shows an example in which another mission bubble object 414 is changed to a lucky bubble object 421 and matches the number '4'. In this case, when a lucky bubble object exists among the removed bubble objects, the puzzle game system according to embodiments of the present invention may further change the collection requirement according to the number matched to the lucky bubble object. For example, when the lucky bubble object 421 is removed, the number according to the collection requirement is reduced by the number of mission bubble objects to be removed, and the number '4' matched to the lucky bubble object 421 is the collection requirement. The number may be further reduced accordingly.

The number of generated lucky bubble objects may be based on the number of mission bubble objects directly connected to the removed bubble objects. For example, if the number of mission bubble objects is 5 or less, there is one lucky bubble object, if the number of mission bubble objects is more than 5 but less than 10, there are 2 lucky bubble objects, and the number of mission bubble objects exceeds 10 In this case, three lucky bubble objects may be created.

In addition, in the puzzle game system according to embodiments of the present invention, if the changed lucky bubble object (eg, the lucky bubble object 421 of FIG. 4 ) is not removed until a preset number of turns passes, the changed lucky You can change the bubble object back to the previous bubble object. For example, if the lucky bubble object 421 is not removed until 2 turns (an example of a preset number of turns) pass, it can be changed back to the original bubble object (another mission bubble object 414). .

If the collection requirement is satisfied before the turn of the game reaches the preset turn, the game may end. For example, if the users satisfy the collection requirement until the turn set for each stage of the game, it may be determined that the mission of the corresponding stage is cleared, and the users can proceed to the next stage. If the collection requirement is not satisfied by the set turn, the mission of the corresponding stage may be regarded as failed, and users may be restricted from proceeding to the next stage until the mission of the corresponding stage is cleared.

Since the bubble game according to this embodiment does not simply remove a large number of bubble objects, but aims to collect (remove) a given mission bubble object, a large number of remaining bubble objects means that the mission bubble objects are more efficiently may indicate that it has been collected. Accordingly, in the bubble game according to the present embodiment, a higher bonus score may be provided as the number of bubble objects remaining in the bubble area increases after the game ends.

At least one bubble object among the plurality of bubble objects disposed in the bubble area may include a change bubble object. The change bubble object may be one of various interruption bubbles that embodiments of the present invention include according to game modes.

As an example, the change bubble object changes a mission bubble object among bubble objects having direct connectivity to another type of bubble object at every preset turn cycle of the game, or randomly among bubble objects having direct connectivity. At least one selected bubble object may be changed to a changeable bubble object, or a bubble object at a random location may be removed. These disturbance bubbles will be described in more detail later.

Deco Bubble Collection Mode

As already described, the bubble game according to embodiments of the present invention may include various game modes. For example, as described above with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 , a mode for removing mission block objects suitable for a given collection requirement may be called a general bubble collection mode. At this time, in another embodiment of the present invention, instead of collecting the mission block object set from among the general bubble objects, the decoration bubble collection mode collects the decoration bubble object to which the design element is added according to a preset probability regardless of the type of the general bubble. can provide

5 is a diagram for explaining a decor bubble collection mode according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the decoration bubble collection mode as in the general bubble collection mode, the puzzle game system may display a bubble area in which a plurality of bubble objects classified into at least two or more different types are arranged according to a preset arrangement on the screen. Even in this case, the plurality of bubble objects may be disposed to have direct or indirect connectivity to the top of the bubble area.

The decoration bubble object may be a bubble object decorated by adding a design element to a general bubble object. For example, in the sixth screen 500 , the first bubble object 510 and the second bubble object 520 are the same bubble object, but a starfish-shaped design element is added to the second bubble object 520 . In this case, the second bubble object 520 may be further classified as a decoration bubble object regardless of the types of the above-described bubble objects.

In this case, the puzzle game system according to embodiments of the present invention may further display the collection requirement set for the decorative bubble object on the screen. For example, the dotted line box 530 of the sixth screen 500 collects '35' decorative bubble objects to which a starfish-shaped design element is added and '35' decorative bubble objects to which a leaf-shaped design element is added ( removal) is shown as a collection requirement.

In addition, in the decoration bubble collection mode as in the general bubble collection mode, the puzzle game system moves the throwing bubble object presented for each turn of the game in a direction set according to the user's operation, and some of the plurality of bubble objects and When the bubble objects of the same type as the moved throwing bubble object, including the moved throwing bubble object, are successively combined more than a preset number, the continuously combined bubble objects may be removed. Even in this case, the bubble objects whose connectivity with the uppermost end of the bubble area is lost may be removed according to the continuous removal of the combined bubble objects.

In this case, when a mission bubble object exists among the removed bubble objects, the puzzle game system may change the collection requirement according to the number of mission bubble objects removed. In the general bubble collection mode, since the bubble objects of the same type are removed when they are continuously combined, when the bubble objects to be removed are mission bubble objects, the mission bubble objects may be removed by at least the preset number. On the other hand, in the decoration bubble collection mode, the decoration bubble object can be classified regardless of the type of the bubble object. Accordingly, the decoration bubble object may be removed regardless of the types of bubble objects to be removed.

The lucky bubble object described in the general bubble collection mode can be equally used in the decoration bubble collection mode. The puzzle game system may change at least one of the bubble objects having a direct connection to the removed bubble objects into a lucky bubble object according to a predetermined probability when a decorative bubble object exists among the removed bubble objects. In this case, the lucky bubble object may match a preset number when changing to the lucky bubble object. For example, it can be seen that the third bubble object 540 in the sixth screen 500 is a decoration bubble object matching the number '4'.

When a lucky bubble object exists among the removed bubble objects, the puzzle game system may further change the collection requirement according to a number matched to the lucky bubble object. If the third bubble object 540 is removed, the collection requirement for the decorative bubble object to which the starfish-shaped design element is added may be further reduced by '4'.

As already described, when the changed lucky bubble object is not removed until a preset number of turns passes, the puzzle game system may change the changed lucky bubble object back to the previous bubble object.

As already explained in the general bubble collection mode, even in the decorative bubble collection mode, if the collection requirements are satisfied before the game turn reaches the preset turn, the game may end, and the The higher the number, the higher the bonus score can be given.

At least one bubble object among the plurality of bubble objects disposed in the bubble area may include a change bubble object. The change bubble object may be one of various interruption bubbles that embodiments of the present invention include according to game modes.

As an example, the change bubble object in the decoration bubble collection mode removes a design element from the decoration bubble object among the bubble objects with direct connectivity, or removes the design element from among the bubble objects with direct connectivity, every preset turn cycle of the game. At least one randomly selected bubble object may be changed into a changeable bubble object, or a bubble object at a random location may be removed.

6 is a diagram for explaining an example of a change bubble object according to an embodiment of the present invention. The seventh screen 610 shows a flame bubble 611 as an example of a change bubble object. The flame bubble 611 may perform a function of randomly moving a position every preset turn period and burning off the bubble object at the moved position. For example, in the eighth screen 620, the moved flame bubble 621 is shown. At this time, the bubble object at the position where the flame bubble 611 was located before moving may be removed, and the position where the bubble object is removed may be left as an empty space. These flame bubbles can be eliminated by removing direct or indirect connectivity to the top of the bubble region. The flame bubbles are only described as an example of a changeable bubble object that removes a bubble object at a random location, and the changeable bubble object is not limited to these flame bubbles.

7 is a diagram for explaining another example of a change bubble object according to an embodiment of the present invention. The ninth screen 700 shows a paint bubble 710 as an example of a change bubble object. The paint bubble 710 may change a surrounding mission bubble object (with direct connectivity) into a non-mission bubble object at every preset turn cycle, or remove a design element from the decoration bubble object to change it into a general bubble object. The ninth screen 700 shows an example in which a bubble object 720 that is a mission bubble object is changed to a non-mission bubble object by the paint bubble 710 . For example, the bubble object 720 may be transmitted by the paint bubble 710 to become another paint bubble, and in the next turn cycle, the surrounding mission bubble object may be changed to a non-mission bubble object. These paint bubbles may be set so that the last changed paint bubble changes the surrounding mission bubble object to a non-mission bubble object. Paint bubbles can also be removed by removing direct or indirect connectivity to the top of the bubble area. Paint bubbles are only described as an example of a change bubble object that changes a bubble object required to be collected into another bubble object, and the change bubble object is not limited to these paint bubbles.

8 is a diagram for explaining an example of a rotating bubble object according to an embodiment of the present invention. The tenth screen 810 and the eleventh screen 820 represent a rotating bubble object 830 as another example of an interruption bubble. The rotation bubble object 830 expressed as a cogwheel-shaped bubble object may rotate every preset turn period. As an example, the rotating bubble object 830 may rotate after the throwing bubble object moves according to a user's manipulation every turn. At this time, not only the rotation bubble object 830 rotates, but the bubble objects of n surrounding cells having direct or indirect connectivity to the rotation bubble object 830 may rotate together around the bubble object 810 . The eleventh screen 820 shows an example in which the bubble objects of two adjacent spaces having direct and indirect connectivity to the rotating bubble object 830 rotate together. After the bubble objects are rotated through the rotating bubble object 830 , even if continuous coupling occurs between the bubble objects, the corresponding bubble objects may be set not to be removed.

9 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a puzzle game system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a puzzle game method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The puzzle game system 900 according to the present embodiment may correspond to a terminal of a user servicing the above-described puzzle game, and as shown in FIG. 9 , a processor 910 , a bus 920 , and a network interface 930 . and a memory 940 . The memory 940 may include an operating system 941 and a puzzle game routine 942 . The processor 910 may include a display unit 911 , a remover 912 , and a condition change unit 913 . In other embodiments, puzzle game system 900 may include more components than those of FIG. 9 . However, there is no need to clearly show most of the prior art components. For example, the puzzle game system 900 may further include other components such as a display, a touch screen, and a transceiver.

The memory 940 is a computer-readable recording medium and may include a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), and a permanent mass storage device such as a disk drive. In addition, program codes for the operating system 941 and the puzzle game routine 942 may be stored in the memory 940 . These software components may be loaded from a computer-readable recording medium separate from the memory 940 using a drive mechanism (not shown). The separate computer-readable recording medium may include a computer-readable recording medium (not shown) such as a floppy drive, a disk, a tape, a DVD/CD-ROM drive, and a memory card. In another embodiment, the software components may be loaded into the memory 940 through the network interface 930 instead of a computer-readable recording medium. For example, the puzzle game routine 942 may be loaded into the memory 940 based on a program installed by files provided by developers through a network.

Bus 920 may enable communication and data transfer between components of puzzle game system 900 . Bus 920 may be configured using a high-speed serial bus, parallel bus, storage area network (SAN), and/or other suitable communication technology.

Network interface 930 may be a computer hardware component for connecting puzzle game system 900 to a computer network. The network interface 930 may connect the puzzle game system 900 to a computer network through a wireless or wired connection.

The processor 910 may be configured to process instructions of a computer program by performing input/output operations of the basic arithmetic, logic, and puzzle game system 900 . Instructions may be provided to processor 910 by memory 940 or network interface 930 and via bus 920 . The processor 910 may be configured to execute program codes for the display unit 911 , the remover 912 , and the condition change unit 913 . Such a program code may be stored in a recording device such as the memory 940 (eg, the reserve management routine 942).

In this case, the display unit 911 , the remover 912 , and the condition change unit 913 may be configured to perform steps 1010 to 1060 of FIG. 10 .

In operation 1010, the display unit 911 may display a bubble area in which a plurality of bubble objects classified into at least two or more different types are arranged according to a preset arrangement on the screen. Examples of displaying on the screen a bubble area in which a plurality of bubble objects classified into at least two or more different types are arranged according to a preset arrangement have been described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 8 . As already described, the plurality of bubble objects may be disposed to have direct or indirect connectivity to the top end of the bubble area, and preset types of bubble objects among different types may be set as mission bubble objects.

In step 1020 , the display unit 911 may further display a collection requirement set for the mission bubble object on the screen. The collection requirement may be preset according to a stage. For example, the type and required number of bubble objects selected as mission bubble objects may be preset for each stage. Alternatively, only the required number is preset, and the type of bubble object selected as the mission bubble object may be randomly determined at the moment the game instance is performed in the corresponding stage.

In step 1030 , the removal unit 912 may move the thrown bubble object presented for each turn of the game in a direction set according to a user's manipulation to combine it with some of the plurality of bubble objects. A specific method of setting the direction may vary depending on the user terminal 110 described with reference to FIG. 1 . As an example, when using the touch screen included in the user terminal 110, the throwing bubble object may be moved in a direction connecting the reference position of the user character 360 and the user's touch position, as described with reference to FIG. 3 . . On the other hand, when the user character 360 uses a mouse, such as a PC, the throwing bubble object may be moved in a direction connecting the reference position of the user character 360 and the click position of the mouse. As another example, in the case of using a direction key on a keyboard, a line indicating a direction may be displayed on the screen, and the user may select a desired direction by moving the line using the direction key.

In step 1040, the removal unit 912 removes the continuously combined bubble objects when more than a preset number of bubble objects of the same type as the moved throwing bubble object including the moved throwing bubble object are continuously combined. can do. For example, when the preset number is '3', when three or more bubble objects of the same type including the thrown bubble object are continuously combined, the corresponding bubble objects may be removed.

In operation 1050 , the removal unit 912 may also remove bubble objects whose connectivity with the uppermost end of the bubble area is lost according to the removal of continuously combined bubble objects. For example, bubble objects having connectivity only with the removed bubble objects lose connectivity with all objects according to the removal of the bubble objects. In this case, bubble objects that have lost connectivity with all objects may be removed in the form of being dropped in the downward direction of the screen.

In operation 1060 , when a mission bubble object exists among the removed bubble objects, the condition change unit 913 may change the collection requirement according to the number of mission bubble objects removed.

In the puzzle game method according to the present embodiment, in addition to the steps 1010 to 1060 described with reference to FIG. 10 , when a mission bubble object exists among the removed bubble objects, the bubble object having a direct connection to the removed bubble objects Determining whether a mission bubble object exists among them (not shown) and changing at least one of the confirmed mission bubble objects into a lucky bubble object according to a preset probability (not shown). . To this end, the processor 910 may further include a mission bubble object check unit (not shown) and an object change unit (not shown).

In this case, when a lucky bubble object exists among the removed bubble objects, the condition change unit 913 may additionally change the collection requirement according to a number matched to the lucky bubble object. For example, when the number matched to the lucky bubble object is '4', the number of mission bubble objects included in the collection requirement may be further reduced by '4'.

If the changed lucky bubble object is not removed until a preset number of turns passes, the object changer may change the changed lucky bubble object back to the previous bubble object.

11 is a flowchart illustrating a puzzle game method according to another embodiment of the present invention.

In another embodiment, the display unit 911 , the remover 912 , and the condition change unit 913 may be configured to perform steps 1110 to 1160 of FIG. 11 .

In operation 1110, the display unit 911 may display a bubble area in which a plurality of bubble objects classified into at least two different types are arranged according to a preset arrangement on the screen. Examples of displaying on the screen a bubble area in which a plurality of bubble objects classified into at least two or more different types are arranged according to a preset arrangement have been described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 8 . As already described, the plurality of bubble objects may be disposed to have direct or indirect connectivity to the top end of the bubble area, and preset types of bubble objects among different types may be set as mission bubble objects.

In step 1120 , the display unit 911 may further display on the screen the collection requirements set for the decorative bubble object further classified by adding a design element according to a preset probability regardless of the type of the bubble object. The decoration bubble object may be further classified according to a design element added to the bubble object, not the type of the bubble object. Even in this decorative bubble collection mode, collection requirements may be preset according to stages. For example, the type of design element to be added to the decoration bubble object and the number of decoration bubble objects required to be removed may be preset for each stage. Alternatively, only the number is set in advance, and the type of design element may be randomly determined at the moment a game instance is performed on a corresponding stage.

In step 1130 , the removal unit 912 may move the throwing bubble object presented for each turn of the game in a direction set according to a user's manipulation to combine it with some of the plurality of bubble objects. The process of moving the throwing bubble object has already been described in detail.

In step 1140 , the removal unit 912 removes the continuously combined bubble objects when more than a preset number of bubble objects of the same type as the moved throwing bubble object, including the moved throwing bubble object, are continuously combined. can do.

In operation 1150 , the removal unit 912 may also remove bubble objects whose connection to the top end of the bubble area has disappeared according to the removal of continuously combined bubble objects.

In operation 1160 , the condition changer 913 may change the collection requirement according to the number of removed decor bubble objects when a decor bubble object exists among the removed bubble objects.

In the puzzle game method according to the present embodiment, in addition to the steps 1110 to 1160 described with reference to FIG. 11 , when the decorative bubble object exists among the removed bubble objects, it has direct connection with the removed bubble objects. It may include changing at least one of the bubble objects into a lucky bubble object according to a preset probability (not shown). To this end, the processor 910 may further include an object changer (not shown).

In this case, when a lucky bubble object exists among the removed bubble objects, the condition change unit 913 may additionally change the collection requirement according to a number matched to the lucky bubble object.

Also, when the changed lucky bubble object is not removed until a preset number of turns have passed, the above-described object change unit may change the changed lucky bubble object back into a change bubble object.

If the collection requirement is satisfied before the turn of the game reaches the preset turn, the game may be over, and the higher the number of bubble objects remaining in the bubble area, the higher the bonus score may be provided.

Mid-Boss Mode and Final Boss Mode

At least one of the stages provided by the bubble game according to embodiments of the present invention may provide an intermediate boss mode, and the other may provide a final boss mode.

Even in these boss modes, the puzzle game system may display a bubble area in which a plurality of bubble objects classified into at least two or more different types are arranged according to a preset arrangement on the screen. Also in this case, the plurality of bubble objects may be disposed to have direct or indirect connectivity to the top end of the bubble area.

Unlike other game modes, in the boss mode, the puzzle game system may further display boss characters having a preset stamina gauge on the screen. For example, in the mid-boss mode, the mid-boss character may be disposed inside the bubble area, and in the final boss mode, the final boss character may be disposed outside the top of the bubble area.

12 is a diagram for explaining an intermediate boss mode according to an embodiment of the present invention. The twelfth screen 1210 shows an example in which the middle boss characters are arranged inside the bubble area. The thirteenth screen 1220 shows an example in which the physical strength gauge of the boss character is decreased as the bubble object in the area where the right middle boss character is disposed among the middle boss characters is removed.

As already described, the puzzle game system may remove bubble objects through the throwing bubble object. In this case, the puzzle game system may decrease the stamina gauge of the middle boss character when the bubble object in the area where the middle boss character is disposed is removed.

The middle boss character may be disposed at positions of two or more bubble objects continuously coupled to each other among a plurality of bubble objects in the bubble area. In the thirteenth screen 1220 of FIG. 12 , two bubble objects covered by the middle boss character and the area of the bubble objects directly connected to the two bubble objects are set as the area where the middle boss character is disposed. have.

In this case, when the bubble objects in the position where the boss character is arranged are removed, the boss character may be moved to another position in which two or more objects continuously coupled to each other are arranged.

13 is a diagram illustrating an example of movement of an intermediate boss character according to an embodiment of the present invention. The fourteenth screen 1300 shows an example in which the middle boss character moves to another position as bubble objects at the position where the boss character is disposed are removed from the thirteenth screen 1220 described with reference to FIG. 12 .

14 is a diagram for explaining a final boss mode according to an embodiment of the present invention. The fifteenth screen 1410 shows an example in which the final boss character is disposed outside the upper end of the bubble area. The final boss character's stamina gauge may be reduced when directly hitting the final boss character with a throwing bubble, unlike the intermediate boss character. For example, the puzzle game system may decrease the physical strength gauge of the boss character when it is determined that the throwing bubble is in contact with the final boss character. The 16th screen 1420 shows an example in which the throwing bubble directly hits the final boss, and the final boss character's physical strength gauge decreases.

At this time, when it is determined that the throwing bubble is in contact with the final boss character, the puzzle game system may move the boss character to the left or right outside the top of the bubble area. In addition, the puzzle game system may move the final boss character to the left or right at a time period preset for each stage.

15 is a diagram for explaining the movement of the final boss character according to an embodiment of the present invention. The seventeenth screen 1500 shows an example in which the final boss character has moved to the right. The final boss character can move when the throwing bubble comes in contact, but for a higher level of difficulty, it can also move left and right regardless of the throwing bubble.

Also, the boss characters (intermediate boss character and final boss character) can use various skills. For example, at least one skill may be preset for the boss character based on at least one of the type of the boss character and the difficulty level of the stage in which the boss character appears.

16 and 17 are diagrams for explaining the skills of the final boss character according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, an 18th screen 1600 of FIG. 16 shows a process in which the final boss character creates a new bubble object. As an example, the final boss character may have a skill to create a new bubble object in the bubble area every preset turn period for protection from the thrown bubble. For example, in the puzzle game system, the number of bubble objects remaining in the bubble area, the number of turns of the game played so far, a preset probability according to the number of turns of the game, the number of times the boss character has contacted the throwing bubble, and the boss character A new bubble object may be created in an empty area of the bubble area according to at least one of the health gauges of In this case, a graphic element in which the final boss character creates a new bubble object may be displayed on the screen. Here, the number of new bubble objects may be determined according to the difficulty of the game.

In addition, boss characters (intermediate boss character and final boss character) have at least one skill, a skill for displaying a graphic element that covers the screen during a preset game turn, and a skill for displaying a graphic element on the screen for a certain period of time Limit movement of the throwing bubble object A skill to create a preset number of bubble objects according to a certain probability based on a preset number of turns and add them to the bubble area. It may include at least one of a skill for generating an obstruction bubble according to a certain probability, a skill for inverting the left and right movement direction of the throwing bubble around a vertical axis of the screen, and a skill for limiting the exchange of the throwing bubble.

The at least one skill may be activated with a predetermined probability according to the number of turns of the game or may be activated with a predetermined probability when the user fails to continuously remove the bubble object.

The user may be provided with a function of exchanging the thrown bubble for another suggested throwing bubble. In this case, the skill for limiting the exchange of the thrown bubble may include a function to prevent the user from exchanging the thrown bubble for another throwing bubble.

The 19th screen 1700 of FIG. 17 shows an example in which the final boss character uses a skill to limit the movement of the throwing bubble object for a certain period of time. In this case, a graphic element in which the user character is tied to a rope and cannot move is displayed on the 19th screen 1700 . This skill may be implemented as an obstruction bubble that restricts the movement of the throwing bubble object when it is removed like various obstruction bubbles to be described below.

In addition, various disturbing bubbles can be used in the middle boss mode and the final boss mode. In addition to the rotation bubble object described above with reference to FIG. 8, various disturbing bubbles such as a proliferation bubble object and a path obstruction bubble object may be utilized.

18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a proliferation bubble object according to an embodiment of the present invention. At least one bubble object among the plurality of bubble objects disposed in the bubble area may include a proliferation bubble object. The growth bubble object may convert at least one bubble object among surrounding bubble objects having direct connectivity into a growth bubble object every preset turn period of the game. The 20th screen 1810 and the 21st screen 1820 show an example in which the bubble object 1840 having a direct connection with the growth bubble object 1830 is changed to be the same as the growth bubble object 1830 . These propagation bubble objects may be removed together when surrounding bubble objects (bubble objects having direct connectivity) are removed.

19 is a diagram illustrating an example of a path obstruction bubble object according to an embodiment of the present invention. At least one bubble object among the plurality of bubble objects disposed in the bubble area may include a path obstruction bubble object. On the 22nd screen 1910, a honeycomb-shaped path-obstructing bubble object 1930 is displayed.

In the puzzle game system, when a bubble object having a direct connection to the path obstruction bubble object is included among the removed bubble objects, the plurality of path obstruction objects may be arranged outside the lower end of the bubble area and displayed on the screen. On the 23rd screen 1920, as the bubbles around the path-obstructing bubble object 1930 burst, bee-shaped path-obstructing objects were arranged outside the lower end of the bubble area.

In this case, when it is determined that the throwing bubble object is in contact with the path-obstructing object while moving, the throwing bubble object and the path-obstructing object may be removed together. For example, when the throwing bubble object comes into contact with the path-obstructing object 1940 displayed on the 23rd screen 1920 while moving, both the throwing bubble object and the path-obstructing object 1940 may be removed. Thus, the user loses one turn. Such a path-obstructing bubble object may be used as an element to increase the difficulty of the game.

On the other hand, there is also a bubble object to help the user progress the game.

20 is a diagram illustrating an example of a push bubble object according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As described above, the bubble area and the boss character may move toward a reference line set on the screen at every turn of a preset game or every preset time period for each stage. If the bubble area exceeds the reference line, the mission of the corresponding stage will fail.

At least one bubble object among the plurality of bubble objects disposed in the bubble area may include a push bubble object. When the push bubble object is included among the removed bubble objects, the puzzle game system may control the bubble area and the boss character to move away from the reference line.

The twenty-fourth screen 2010 shows the push bubble object 1830 . If the user removes the push bubble object 1830 , both the bubble area and the boss character may be controlled to move away from the reference line as in the 25th screen 2020 .

21 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a puzzle game system according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating a puzzle game method according to another embodiment of the present invention.

The puzzle game system 2100 according to the present embodiment may correspond to a terminal of a user servicing the above-described puzzle game, and as shown in FIG. 21 , a processor 2110 , a bus 2120 , and a network interface 2130 . and a memory 2140 . Since the processor 2110 , the bus 2120 , the network interface 2130 , and the memory 2140 have already been described with reference to FIG. 9 , a repetitive description will be omitted.

The processor 2110 may include a display unit 2111 , a removal unit 2112 , and a boss character management unit 2113 configured to perform steps 2210 to 2260 of FIG. 22 .

In operation 2210, the display unit 2111 may display a bubble area in which a plurality of bubble objects classified into at least two or more different types are arranged according to a preset arrangement on the screen. The plurality of bubble objects may be disposed to have direct or indirect connectivity to the top of the bubble area.

In operation 2220, the display unit 2111 may further display the boss character having a preset physical strength gauge inside the bubble area or outside the upper end of the bubble area and further displayed on the screen. The middle boss character may be disposed inside the bubble area, and the final boss character may be disposed above the top of the bubble area.

In step 2230, the remover 2112 may move the thrown bubble object presented for each turn of the game in a direction set according to a user's manipulation to combine it with some of the plurality of bubble objects.

In step 2240, the removal unit 2112 removes the continuously combined bubble objects when more than a preset number of bubble objects of the same type as the moved throwing bubble object, including the moved throwing bubble object, are continuously combined. can do. For example, when the preset number is '3', when three or more bubble objects of the same type including the thrown bubble object are continuously combined, the corresponding bubble objects may be removed.

In operation 2250 , the removal unit 2112 may also remove bubble objects whose connectivity with the uppermost end of the bubble area is lost according to the removal of continuously combined bubble objects. For example, bubble objects having connectivity only with the removed bubble objects lose connectivity with all objects according to the removal of the bubble objects. In this case, bubble objects that have lost connectivity with all objects may be removed in the form of being dropped in the downward direction of the screen.

In step 2260 , the boss character management unit 2113 removes the bubble object of the area where the boss character is disposed or when it is determined that the thrown bubble comes into contact with the boss character located outside the bubble area, the boss character's physical strength You can reduce the gauge.

The boss character (intermediate boss character) disposed inside the bubble area may be disposed at the position of two or more bubble objects continuously coupled to each other among the plurality of bubble objects in the bubble area, and the boss character is disposed at the position of the bubble. When the objects are removed, the boss character management unit 2113 may move the boss character to another location where two or more bubble objects continuously coupled to each other are disposed.

In addition, when it is determined that the throwing bubble is in contact with the boss character (final boss character) disposed outside the upper end of the bubble area, the boss character management unit 2113 moves the boss character to the left or right outside the upper end of the bubble area. can

The display unit 2111 may display an empty area of the bubble area according to at least one of the number of bubble objects remaining in the bubble area, the number of turns of the game so far, the number of times the boss character has contacted the throwing bubble, and the physical strength gauge of the boss character. You can create a new bubble object in In this case, the display unit 2111 may display a graphic element in which the boss character creates a new bubble object on the screen.

In the mid-boss mode, if the boss character's health gauge is exhausted before the game's turns reach the preset number of turns, the game may end, and in the final boss mode, the lowest bubble object among the bubble objects included in the bubble area If the boss character's stamina gauge is exhausted before crossing the reference line, the game may end. The above conditions for ending the game are described based on the user's success in the mission of the corresponding stage. This can be ended.

Since the skills of the boss characters, various disturbing bubbles, push bubbles, etc. have already been described, repeated explanations will be omitted.

In addition to the disturbing bubbles described above, the black hole bubble object that absorbs and removes the thrown bubble object when the thrown bubble object comes into contact with a preset area, forms a film surrounding the bubble object, and is a thrown bubble object twice It may include various disturbing bubbles, such as an ice bubble object that can be removed only by matching it, and a bat bubble object implemented to graphically cover the bubble object.

The features described below are not limited to the bubble game or the puzzle game, and may be applied to a game composed of a plurality of stages.

collection

The game system may provide a game composed of a plurality of stages to the user. In this case, the game system may manage a plurality of different collection elements matched to at least one stage among the plurality of stages. Here, two or more collection elements among the plurality of different collection elements may constitute one collection item.

In one embodiment, the collection item may include a clothing item added to the user's character, and the collection elements may include partial items constituting the clothing item. For example, collection elements of a cloak, shoes, and staff may constitute one wizard costume item.

23 is a diagram illustrating an example of a collection item according to an embodiment of the present invention. 23 shows a portion 2300 of a screen for confirming a collection item, the collection elements of the cloak, shoes, and wand described above constitute one wizard costume item, and it is understood that these collection items can be added to the user character. is indicating

Users can acquire collection elements by completing missions of stages to which collection elements are matched. For example, the game system may provide at least one of the collection elements matched to the stage to the user when a mission of a stage to which the collection elements are matched is completed by the user.

Also, when the collection elements provided to the user constitute a specific collection item, the game system may provide the specific collection item to the user and provide the user with a reward according to the completion of the specific collection item. For example, when the user acquires all of the collection elements of the cloak, shoes, and staff described above, not only the wizard costume item is provided to the user, but also a reward according to the completion of the wizard costume item may be additionally provided to the user. .

The reward may include a plurality of different rewards set according to the type of the completed collection item. For example, a plurality of different rewards provides a reward that provides the right to use a pet store that sells a pet character, and a reward that provides the right to purchase a pet character corresponding to a collection item completed in the pet store using in-game goods It may include at least one of the rewards.

In other words, users have to complete a specific collection item, but are entitled to use the pet store or to purchase a pet character corresponding to a specific collection item from the pet store as a reward for completing a collection item. can be provided to

Here, the pet character may correspond to the user character described above, and may have a function of generating a preset item for each pet character every period set for the pet character and providing it to a user who has the pet character. The item set for the pet character may include at least one of an item required for the progress of the game and an item sold for a fee in the game. In other words, by having a pet character, users can participate in the game more times and get an opportunity to acquire paid items for free.

24 is a diagram illustrating an example of a pet store according to an embodiment of the present invention. A twenty-sixth screen 2410 shows an example of a pet store. Users can obtain permission to enter these pet stores by completing specific collection items.

In addition, the purchase right of the pet character may be generated according to the completion of the collection item. The pop-up window 2420 indicates that the user is provided with the right to purchase the pet character 'Cony Brown' using in-game goods as the 'Cony Brown' collection item is completed. These pet characters may have a function of producing an item required for the progress of the game, such as "heart" shown in FIG. 24, or producing a special item such as a paid item and providing it to the user.

Compensation according to the completion of the collection item may include various rewards in addition to the pet character. For example, the rewards may include items that increase the amount of points acquired by the user or the amount of goods acquired in the game when the user proceeds with the game. When the user uses these items, the number of points the user acquires through the game or the amount of goods acquired in the game may increase for a certain period of time from the time of use.

25 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a game system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 26 is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing a reward according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The game system 2500 according to the present embodiment may correspond to a device or system that provides a game consisting of a plurality of stages to a user. As shown in FIG. 25 , a processor 2510 , a bus 2520 , and a network It may include an interface 2530 and a memory 2540 . Since the processor 2510 , the bus 2520 , the network interface 2530 , and the memory 2540 have already been described with reference to FIG. 9 , a repetitive description will be omitted.

The processor 2510 includes a game service unit 2511 , a collection element management unit 2512 , a collection element providing unit 2513 , and a reward providing unit 2514 configured to perform steps 2610 to 2640 of FIG. 26 . may include

In step 2610 , the game service unit 2511 may service a game composed of a plurality of stages to the user. As already described, the game composed of a plurality of stages need not be limited to a bubble game or a puzzle game.

In operation 2620 , the collection element manager 2512 may manage a plurality of different collection elements matched to at least one stage among the plurality of stages. Here, two or more collection elements among the plurality of different collection elements may constitute one collection item.

In operation 2630 , the collection element providing unit 2513 may provide at least one of the collection elements matched to the stage to the user when the mission of the stage to which the collection elements are matched is completed by the user.

In step 2640, when the collection elements provided to the user constitute a specific collection item, the reward providing unit 2514 may provide the specific collection item to the user and provide the user with a reward according to the completion of the specific collection item. have.

Since the sale of pet characters through pet stores or pet stores and items created through pet characters have already been described in detail, repeated explanations will be omitted. In addition, it has already been described that, in addition to the pet character, an item that increases the amount of points acquired during the game or the amount of goods acquired in the game may be provided as a reward.

As such, through such a collection item, users may be induced to repeatedly play a specific stage to obtain a collection element.

Difficulty Adjustment

The game system can service a game composed of a plurality of stages to a user. As already described, the game composed of a plurality of stages is not limited to a bubble game or a puzzle game.

Basically, as a plurality of stages are sequentially progressed, the difficulty of the game tends to increase. In this case, when users reach a stage in which the difficulty is too high, the mission continues to fail, and the continuous mission failure may act as a factor that reduces interest in the game. In addition, a user inexperienced in the game may experience a high level of difficulty even in the initial stage. Therefore, high difficulty may act as a barrier to entry to the game for inexperienced users.

Therefore, there is a need to adjust the difficulty level according to the user.

The game system according to this embodiment provides at least one of a benefit of discounting an item and a gift of an item to a user and a benefit of reducing the difficulty of the game to the number of times the user fails to complete the mission of a specific stage. Based on it, it can be sequentially provided to the user. For example, a user who has not completed the mission of the same stage cumulatively 5 times or more may be provided with a purchase benefit by discounting the item through a surprise discount pop-up. If the corresponding user fails to complete the mission of the same stage cumulatively more than 10 times, the benefit of presenting a game item to the corresponding user may be provided. Similarly, when the corresponding user fails to complete the mission of the same stage more than 15 times cumulatively, the game difficulty itself of the corresponding stage may be reduced to provide a benefit for the user to proceed with the game.

The game system provides a game to the user according to a game mode selected by the user from among a plurality of game modes or a game mode of a stage to be proceeded among game modes preset for each of the plurality of stages in servicing a game composed of a plurality of stages to a user can service In this case, at least one different difficulty reducing factor may be set for each game mode. In this case, when reducing the game difficulty itself, the game system may reduce the difficulty of the game by using a difficulty reducing factor set according to a game mode applied to a specific stage.

For the example of the bubble game described above, in the general bubble collection mode or the decoration bubble collection mode, the difficulty of the game can be reduced by adjusting the number of bubble objects corresponding to the mission (the number of mission bubble objects or the number of decoration bubble objects). can For example, by increasing the number of mission bubbles or decoration bubble objects included in the bubble area, the difficulty of the game may be reduced. Alternatively, the difficulty of the game may be reduced by increasing the number of lucky bubble objects.

As another example, in the boss mode, the difficulty of the game can be reduced by lowering the physical strength gauge of the boss character. As another example, in the boss mode, the difficulty of the game can be lowered by further adjusting the number of new bubble objects created by the boss character or the turn cycle in which the boss character creates new bubble objects. In other words, the difficulty of the game can be lowered by reducing the number of new bubble objects that the boss character creates at once or increasing the turn period. As another example, the boss's skills may be implemented to be activated with an n% probability when the user's combo is broken (when the user fails to continuously remove the bubble object). In this case, the difficulty can be reduced by lowering the probability that the boss's skill is activated.

Another difficulty reducing factor may further include a mapping rate. The mapping rate may mean a probability that the types of the bubble objects and the types of the throwing bubbles are mapped by analyzing the types of bubble objects in the bubble area located within a preset distance from the location where the thrown bubble is thrown. As an example, the matching rate may start at 50% and increase gradually to reduce the difficulty of the game.

In this way, the game system may reduce the difficulty of the game for each game mode by using a difficulty reducing factor preset according to the game mode.

27 is a diagram illustrating an example of a process of providing a benefit according to an embodiment of the present invention. The twenty-seventh screen 2710 shows a process of presenting an item in the form of a pop-up to the user when the user fails to complete the mission of the same stage more than a preset number of times. A twenty-eighth screen 2720 indicates that an item randomly selected from among a plurality of preset items is provided to the user.

28 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a game system according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 29 is a flowchart illustrating a difficulty adjustment method according to another embodiment of the present invention.

The game system 2800 according to the present embodiment may correspond to a device or system that provides a game consisting of a plurality of stages to a user. As shown in FIG. 28 , the processor 2810 , the bus 2820 , and the network It may include an interface 2830 and a memory 2840 . Since the processor 2810 , the bus 2820 , the network interface 2830 , and the memory 2840 have already been described with reference to FIG. 9 , a repetitive description thereof will be omitted.

The processor 2810 may include a game service unit 2811 and a difficulty control unit 2812 configured to perform steps 2910 and 2920 of FIG. 29 .

In operation 2910, the game service unit 2811 may service a game composed of a plurality of stages to the user. As already described, the game composed of a plurality of stages need not be limited to a bubble game or a puzzle game.

In step 2920, the difficulty control unit 2812 provides at least one of a benefit that can be purchased by discounting an item and a benefit of presenting the item to the user and a benefit that reduces the difficulty of the game when the user does not complete the mission of a specific stage. It may be sequentially provided to the user based on the number of failed times.

The game service unit 2811 may provide a game service to the user according to a game mode selected by the user from among a plurality of game modes or a game mode of a stage to be performed among game modes preset for each of the plurality of stages. In this case, it has already been described that at least one different difficulty reducing factor may be set for each game mode. In this case, the difficulty providing unit 2812 may reduce the difficulty of the game by using a difficulty reducing factor set according to a game mode applied to a specific stage when the benefit of reducing the difficulty of the game is provided to the user.

As such, according to embodiments of the present invention, the bubble game can be serviced in a way that collects bubble objects of a suggested type or collects bubble objects with specific decorations, and An additional fun factor can be provided by using the corresponding lucky bubble object.

In addition, a bubble game in a mode in which a boss character appears and the boss character is removed can be serviced, and a bubble game can be serviced using an interruption bubble including various obstacles.

In addition, as the stage progresses, collection elements provided in a specific stage may be collected to complete a collection item, and a reward may be provided according to the completion of the collection item.

In addition, in a game composed of a plurality of stages, the difficulty can be adjusted by sequentially providing various benefits based on the number of times the user fails to complete the mission of a specific stage.

The device described above may be implemented as a hardware component, a software component, and/or a combination of the hardware component and the software component. For example, devices and components described in the embodiments may include, for example, a processor, a controller, an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), a digital signal processor, a microcomputer, a field programmable gate array (FPGA). , a programmable logic unit (PLU), microprocessor, or any other device capable of executing and responding to instructions, may be implemented using one or more general purpose or special purpose computers. The processing device may execute an operating system (OS) and one or more software applications running on the operating system. A processing device may also access, store, manipulate, process, and generate data in response to execution of the software. For convenience of understanding, although one processing device is sometimes described as being used, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the processing device includes a plurality of processing elements and/or a plurality of types of processing elements. It can be seen that can include For example, the processing device may include a plurality of processors or one processor and one controller. Other processing configurations are also possible, such as parallel processors.

Software may comprise a computer program, code, instructions, or a combination of one or more thereof, which configures a processing device to operate as desired or is independently or collectively processed You can command the device. The software and/or data may be any kind of machine, component, physical device, virtual equipment, computer storage medium or apparatus, to be interpreted by or to provide instructions or data to the processing device. , or may be permanently or temporarily embody in a transmitted signal wave. The software may be distributed over networked computer systems and stored or executed in a distributed manner. Software and data may be stored in one or more computer-readable recording media.

The method according to the embodiment may be implemented in the form of program instructions that can be executed through various computer means and recorded in a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium may include program instructions, data files, data structures, etc. alone or in combination. The program instructions recorded on the medium may be specially designed and configured for the embodiment, or may be known and available to those skilled in the art of computer software. Examples of the computer-readable recording medium include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks and magnetic tapes, optical media such as CD-ROMs and DVDs, and magnetic such as floppy disks. - includes magneto-optical media, and hardware devices specially configured to store and execute program instructions, such as ROM, RAM, flash memory, and the like. Examples of program instructions include not only machine language codes such as those generated by a compiler, but also high-level language codes that can be executed by a computer using an interpreter or the like. The hardware devices described above may be configured to operate as one or more software modules to perform the operations of the embodiments, and vice versa.

As described above, although the embodiments have been described with reference to the limited embodiments and drawings, various modifications and variations are possible from the above description by those skilled in the art. For example, the described techniques are performed in an order different from the described method, and/or the described components of the system, structure, apparatus, circuit, etc. are combined or combined in a different form than the described method, or other components Or substituted or substituted by equivalents may achieve an appropriate result.

Therefore, other implementations, other embodiments, and equivalents to the claims are also within the scope of the following claims.

Claims (25)

In the method of adjusting the difficulty of a game system implemented by a computer,
providing a game composed of a plurality of stages to a user; and
When the number of times the user fails to complete the mission of the specific stage becomes more than a preset number of times, providing the user with a feature for reducing the difficulty of the game for the specific stage progressed by the user
Difficulty adjustment method comprising a. According to claim 1,
The step of serving the game composed of the plurality of stages to the user,
service the game to the user according to a game mode selected by the user among a plurality of game modes or a game mode of a stage to be performed among game modes preset for each of the plurality of stages;
At least one different difficulty reducing factor is set for each game mode,
The step of providing a feature for reducing the difficulty of the game to the user,
Reducing the difficulty of the game by using a difficulty reduction factor set according to the game mode applied to the specific stage
A method of adjusting the difficulty, characterized in that. According to claim 1,
The step of serving the game composed of the plurality of stages to the user,
A plurality of bubble objects classified into at least two or more different types are removed from a bubble area in which a plurality of bubble objects are arranged according to a predetermined arrangement, but a predetermined number of bubble objects of a type corresponding to a previously presented mission are removed A difficulty adjustment method, characterized in that providing a game in a game mode to the user. 4. The method of claim 3,
The step of providing a feature for reducing the difficulty of the game to the user,
The probability of mapping the number of types of bubble objects corresponding to the mission of the specific stage or the type of bubble objects in the bubble area located within a preset distance from the location where the throwing bubble is thrown and the type of the throwing bubble is mapped reducing the difficulty of the game by adjusting the mapping rate;
A method of adjusting the difficulty, characterized in that. 4. The method of claim 3,
At least one bubble object among the plurality of bubble objects includes a lucky bubble object set such that one bubble object corresponds to a plurality of bubble objects of a type corresponding to the mission,
The step of providing a feature for reducing the difficulty of the game to the user,
Reducing the difficulty of the game by further adjusting the number of the lucky bubble objects
A method of adjusting the difficulty, characterized in that. According to claim 1,
The step of serving the game composed of the plurality of stages to the user,
Providing the user with a game in a game mode in which a plurality of bubble objects classified into at least two or more different types are disposed according to a preset arrangement or a boss character disposed outside the top of the bubble area is removed How to adjust the difficulty. 7. The method of claim 6,
The step of providing a feature for reducing the difficulty of the game to the user,
reducing the difficulty of the game by adjusting the stamina gauge of the boss character
A method of adjusting the difficulty, characterized in that. 7. The method of claim 6,
The step of providing a feature for reducing the difficulty of the game to the user,
Reduce the difficulty of the game by adjusting the probability that the skill of the boss character will be activated,
The skill of the boss character is activated according to the probability when the user fails to continuously remove the bubble object
A method of adjusting the difficulty, characterized in that. 7. The method of claim 6,
The boss character creates a new bubble object in an empty space of the bubble area every preset turn period of the game,
The step of providing a feature for reducing the difficulty of the game to the user,
Reducing the difficulty of the game by further adjusting the number of new bubble objects created by the boss character or the turn cycle in which the boss character creates the new bubble objects
A method of adjusting the difficulty, characterized in that. According to claim 1,
managing a plurality of different collection elements matched to at least one of the plurality of stages, wherein two or more collection elements of the plurality of different collection elements constitute one collection item;
providing at least one of the collection elements matched to the stage to the user when the mission of the stage to which the collection elements are matched is completed by the user; and
When the collection elements provided to the user constitute a specific collection item, providing the specific collection item to the user and providing the user with a reward according to the completion of the specific collection item;
Difficulty adjustment method, characterized in that it further comprises. 11. The method of claim 10,
The collection item includes a clothing item added to the user's character,
The collection elements include partial items constituting the clothing item.
A method of adjusting the difficulty, characterized in that. 11. The method of claim 10,
The reward includes a plurality of different rewards set according to the type of the completed collection item,
The plurality of different rewards provides a reward for providing the right to use a pet store that sells a pet character and a right to purchase a pet character corresponding to the completed collection item in the pet store using in-game goods A difficulty adjustment method, characterized in that it includes at least one of the rewards. 13. The method of claim 12,
When the user has a pet character, generating an item set for the pet character every period set for the pet character and providing it to the user
Difficulty adjustment method, characterized in that it further comprises. 14. The method of claim 13,
The item set for the pet character includes at least one of an item required for the progress of the game and an item sold for a fee in the game. 11. The method of claim 10,
The reward includes a plurality of different rewards set according to the type of the completed collection item,
The plurality of different rewards include at least an item that increases a score obtained by the user when the user proceeds with the game or an amount of goods obtained in the game. A computer-readable recording medium in which a program for executing the method of any one of claims 1 to 15 is recorded. In the game system implemented by a computer,
a game service unit that serves a game composed of a plurality of stages to a user; and
When the number of times the user fails to complete the mission of the specific stage becomes more than a preset number of times, the difficulty control unit provides the user with a feature of reducing the difficulty of the game for the specific stage in which the user proceeds
A game system comprising a. 18. The method of claim 17,
The game service department,
service the game to the user according to a game mode selected by the user among a plurality of game modes or a game mode of a stage to be performed among game modes preset for each of the plurality of stages;
At least one different difficulty reducing factor is set for each game mode,
The difficulty control unit,
Reducing the difficulty of the game by using a difficulty reduction factor set according to the game mode applied to the specific stage
A game system featuring 18. The method of claim 17,
The game service department,
A plurality of bubble objects classified into at least two or more different types are removed from a bubble area in which a plurality of bubble objects are arranged according to a predetermined arrangement, but a predetermined number of bubble objects of a type corresponding to a previously presented mission are removed A game system for providing a game in a game mode to the user. 20. The method of claim 19,
The difficulty control unit,
The probability of mapping the number of types of bubble objects corresponding to the mission of the specific stage or the type of bubble objects in the bubble area located within a preset distance from the location where the throwing bubble is thrown and the type of the throwing bubble is mapped reducing the difficulty of the game by adjusting the mapping rate;
A game system featuring 20. The method of claim 19,
At least one bubble object among the plurality of bubble objects includes a lucky bubble object set such that one bubble object corresponds to a plurality of bubble objects of a type corresponding to the mission,
The difficulty control unit,
Reducing the difficulty of the game by further adjusting the number of the lucky bubble objects
A game system featuring 18. The method of claim 17,
The game service department,
Providing the user with a game in a game mode in which a plurality of bubble objects classified into at least two or more different types are disposed according to a preset arrangement or a boss character disposed outside the top of the bubble area is removed game system with 23. The method of claim 22,
The difficulty control unit,
Reduce the difficulty of the game by adjusting the physical strength gauge of the boss character or adjusting the probability that the boss character's skill will be activated,
The skill of the boss character is activated according to the probability when the user fails to continuously remove the bubble object
A game system featuring 23. The method of claim 22,
The boss character creates a new bubble object in an empty space of the bubble area every preset turn period of the game,
The difficulty control unit,
Reducing the difficulty of the game by further adjusting the number of new bubble objects created by the boss character or the turn cycle in which the boss character creates the new bubble objects
A game system featuring 18. The method of claim 17,
a collection element manager for managing a plurality of different collection elements matched to at least one stage among the plurality of stages, wherein two or more collection elements among the plurality of different collection elements constitute one collection item;
a collection element providing unit providing at least one of the collection elements matched to the stage to the user when the mission of the stage to which the collection elements are matched is completed by the user; and
When the collection elements provided to the user constitute a specific collection item, the compensation providing unit provides the specific collection item to the user and provides a reward according to the completion of the specific collection item to the user
Game system, characterized in that it further comprises.

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