WO2013047446A1

WO2013047446A1 - Game system, and control method and computer program used therein

Info

Publication number: WO2013047446A1
Application number: PCT/JP2012/074416
Authority: WO
Inventors: 渡邊　健二; 寛昭 ▲高▼橋; 遠藤　貴広; 仁志伴
Original assignee: 株式会社コナミデジタルエンタテインメント
Priority date: 2011-09-30
Filing date: 2012-09-24
Publication date: 2013-04-04
Also published as: TW201328755A; CN103842040B; JP2013075016A; JP5161356B1; CN103842040A

Abstract

Provided is a game system capable of encouraging the establishment of relationships between various players using a particular game. The game system (1) presents a music game and is provided with: at least one game machine (GM); user terminals (8) that are used for establishing relationships between various users; and a storage device (32), which is used for managing authorized players who have been granted the right to use a particular musical composition and which stores user management data (35) describing the relationships between various players in response to the establishment of a relationship using a user terminal (8). Based on the user management data (35), the game system (1) determines linked players who are associated with an authorized player by establishment of a relationship and, based on the results of the determination, grants the right to use the particular musical composition to the linked players.

Description

GAME SYSTEM, CONTROL METHOD USED FOR THE SAME, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM

The present invention relates to a game system capable of providing a special game to a specific player, a control method used therefor, and a computer program.

A notes bar corresponding to the rhythm sound is displayed along a predetermined route, and the operation time is moved by moving the notes bar toward the reference line so that the notes bar coincides with the reference line corresponding to the current time. A music game to be guided is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2001-96061 A

In the game device of Patent Document 1, a game using music is provided. In such a game, the interest of the game depends on the music used. Therefore, the player has a need for music that can enhance the interest of the game. For this reason, for example, if there is music that can be used based on a predetermined condition such as a certain number of times of use or a certain score, the game can be motivated. Thereby, the interest of the game can be improved. That is, there is room for motivating the game or improving the fun of the game by using a special game that is permitted based on such predetermined conditions.

On the other hand, there are services that store game results, etc. through websites. In this case, on the website, a user ID for specifying a player is given, and each player is identified using the user ID. As one of such services, a service for setting a relationship between players, such as rivals, is provided on a website. For example, there is a service in which information such as stored game results is shared between players who have been registered in relation.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a game system capable of prompting a relationship setting between players using a special game, a control method used therefor, and a computer program.

In the game system of the present invention, at least one game machine that provides a game opportunity to a player, player information storage means for storing player information for specifying each player, and a right to play a special game are granted. Management data storage means for storing management data for managing the information of the granting player in association with the player information, and capable of providing the special game to the granting player as at least part of the game opportunity A setting terminal used for relationship setting including at least one of relationship registration for registering a relationship between players and cancellation of the relationship registration by a setting rights holder who is granted a setting authority; Relation data storage means for storing relation data describing the relation between the players in correspondence with the relation setting. Based on the management data and the relationship data, relationship determining means for determining a link player related to the granting player by the relationship setting, and playing the link player based on the determination result of the relationship determining means Right granting means for granting a right.

According to the present invention, when a relational registration is made with a granting player who has been granted the right to play a special game, the right to play the special game is also given to the link player that has been registered for the relation. Thus, a special game can be a motivation for the relationship setting. For this reason, it is possible to promote the relationship registration between the players using a special game.

In one aspect of the game system of the present invention, the relationship setting is configured so that the relationship registration can be distinguished between a registration source and a registration destination, and the relationship data can identify a player whose relationship is registered as the registration destination. The relationship determination means determines, as the link player, a player corresponding to the registration destination among the players related to the grant player by the relationship registration based on the relationship data. May be. In this case, a special game can be used as a privilege when the relationship is set as a registration destination.

In one aspect of the game system of the present invention, the relationship determination means may determine a player related to the link player by the relationship registration as the link player based on the relationship data. In this case, the right to play a special game can be given to a player whose relationship with the link player is registered. Thereby, the right to play in a chain can be given by the relationship registration by the granting player.

In one aspect of the game system of the present invention, when the relationship between the grant player and the link player is released by releasing the relationship registration, the right granting unit is granted to the link player based on the relationship data. You may further provide the right cancellation means to cancel the right to play. In this case, by canceling the relationship registration, the right to play is canceled, and the canceled player cannot play a special game. Thereby, since the privilege by relationship setting is emphasized, relationship setting can be prompted more.

-The right to play may be granted in any way. For example, in one aspect of the game system of the present invention, as the special game, a plurality of types of games having different right to play are prepared, and the right granting unit corresponds to the right to play given to the grant player. The right to do may be given to the link player.

In one aspect of the game system of the present invention, the at least one game machine includes a plurality of game machines and a server device connectable to the plurality of game machines via a network, and the management data storage means is The server device may be provided. In this case, the granting player can be centrally managed by the server device.

In the control method of the present invention, at least one game machine that provides a game opportunity to a player, player information storage means for storing player information for specifying each player, and a right to play a special game are granted. Management data storage means for storing management data for managing the information of the granting player in association with the player information, and capable of providing the special game to the granting player as at least part of the game opportunity A setting terminal used for relationship setting including at least one of relationship registration for registering a relationship between players and cancellation of the relationship registration by a setting rights holder who is granted a setting authority; Relation data storage means for storing relation data describing the relation between the players in correspondence with the relation setting; Based on the management data and the relationship data, based on the determination result of the relationship determination step, the relationship determination step of determining the link player related to the grant player by the relationship setting, A right granting step for granting the right to play to the link player.

The computer program for a game system of the present invention includes at least one game machine that provides a game opportunity to a player, player information storage means for storing player information for specifying each player, and a right to play a special game. Management data storage means for storing management data for managing the information of the granted player to which the grant is given in association with the player information, and providing the special game as at least part of the game opportunity to the given player. It is a game system that can be provided, and is used for relationship setting including at least one of relationship registration for registering a relationship between players and cancellation of the relationship registration by a setting right person who is given a setting authority. Relationship data describing the relationship between the setting terminal and each player corresponding to the relationship setting A relationship determination unit for determining a link player related to the granting player by the relationship setting based on the management data and the relationship data; and Based on the determination result of the relationship determination unit, the link player is configured to function as a right grant unit that grants the right to play. By executing the control method or the computer program of the present invention, the network system of the present invention can be realized.

As described above, according to the present invention, when a relationship registration is made with a grant player who has been given the right to play a special game, the special game is also played to the link player that has been registered as a relationship. Rights are granted. For this reason, it is possible to promote the relationship registration between the players using a special game.

The figure which shows the outline | summary of the whole structure of the game system which concerns on one form of this invention. The functional block diagram of a game system. The figure which shows an example of a self-information reference screen. The figure which shows an example of another user information reference screen. The figure which shows an example of the content of user management data. The figure which shows an example of the content of player information management data. The figure which shows an example of the flowchart of a rival setting reflection process routine. The figure which shows an example of the flowchart of a player information generation process routine.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the game system according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of the overall configuration of a game system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, in the game system 1, a plurality of game machines GM and a user information management server 3 as a server device are connected to a network 6 via a router 5. The game machine GM is a commercial game machine that provides a single game opportunity in exchange for consumption of a predetermined price. The game machine GM is configured as a music game machine that provides a music game as a game opportunity. An appropriate number of game machines GM are installed in a commercial facility such as a store 7.

Each game machine GM has unique information that can be identified on the network 6. Thereby, each game machine GM can be identified on the game system 1. For example, an IP address may be used as such unique information. If the network 6 is a public network such as the Internet, a unique fixed address on the network 6 is set for each router 5. In each game machine GM, a private address for uniquely recognizing the game machine GM on the network 6 is set as an IP address in combination with the fixed address. In this case, a virtual private network (VPN) is established between the game machine GM and the user information management server 3, and each game machine GM is uniquely specified on the VPN using a private address. In addition, as unique information, a MAC address or the like may be used as long as the information is unique to each game machine GM.

Further, information that can identify each game machine GM is also managed for each store 7. That is, which game machine GM is arranged in each store 7 is managed. Such management is realized by, for example, a table (not shown) that associates a unique number for each store 7 with unique information for each game machine GM.

Note that a local server may be installed between the game machine GM and the router 5, and the game machine GM may be connected to the user information management server 3 via the local server. Further, the user information management server 3 is not limited to an example configured by a single physical device. For example, one logical user information management server 3 may be configured by a server group as a plurality of physical devices. Furthermore, cloud server technology may be used to construct the game system 1. The game machine GM may function as a server. As the network 6, for example, the Internet is used. Either a wired network or a wireless network (including a mobile phone network) may be used.

As an example, the user information management server 3 authenticates the user of the game machine GM and provides a service for storing various information such as the name of the user. The user information management server 3 also functions as a web server that provides various services to the user terminal 8 via the network 6. For example, the user information management server 3 provides a user information registration site that accepts registration of various types of information for specifying each user necessary for user authentication and the like via the network 6.

The user information registration site is configured to give a user ID as information for specifying a user to a user who has registered various information. In addition, the user information registration site is configured to be able to refer to, for example, stored various types of information. Furthermore, the user information registration site is configured to be able to set the relationship between users by classifying them into friends, groups, rivals, and the like. For example, the user information registration site is configured so that various kinds of stored information can be referred to between users set as rivals. The user who has acquired the user ID through the user information registration site corresponds to the setting right person who is given the setting authority of the present invention. The user information registration site may be configured to provide various information and services to registered users. As the user terminal 8, for example, a personal computer 8a (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a PC) or a mobile phone 8b may be used. In addition, as the user terminal 8, various terminal devices capable of network connection may be used.

The configuration of the game system 1 will be further described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the game system 1. As shown in FIG. 2, a control unit 10 is provided in the game machine GM. A monitor 12, an audio output device 16, and a card reader 17 are connected to the control unit 10. The control unit 10 is configured as a computer unit combining a microprocessor and various peripheral devices such as an internal storage device (for example, ROM and RAM) necessary for the operation of the microprocessor.

The card reader 17 reads information on the card 18 possessed by the user and outputs a signal corresponding to the information to the control unit 10. The card 18 is provided with a nonvolatile storage medium (not shown) such as an IC chip or a magnetic stripe. The storage medium stores a unique ID for each card 18 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a card ID). The card ID may be recorded on the card 18 in the form of a barcode or the like.

A storage device 20 is further connected to the control unit 10. As the storage device 20, a storage medium that can hold the storage without power supply, such as an optical storage medium such as a DVDROM or a CDROM, or a nonvolatile semiconductor memory such as an EEPROM, is used. The storage device 20 stores a game program 21 and game data 22. The game program is a computer program necessary for the game machine GM to provide a music game. The game data 22 is various data to be referred to when a music game is provided according to the game program 21. The game program 21 is appropriately read into the control unit 15 and executed. The game data 22 is appropriately read into the control unit 15 and referred to.

The storage device 20 further stores player information management data 23. The player information management data 23 is data that is temporarily generated for the game machine GM to use various types of information stored in the user information management server 3. Therefore, the player information management data 23 includes various information stored through the user information management server 3. Details of the player information management data 23 will be described later. In addition, although various programs and various data are stored in the storage device 20, they are not shown.

When the control unit 10 reads and executes the game program 21, a game providing unit 26 and a player information management unit 27 are provided inside the control unit 10. The game providing unit 26 executes various processes necessary for the game machine GM to provide a music game. On the other hand, the player information management unit 27 executes a process for managing the player information management data 23. This management includes generation of player information management data 23. The game providing unit 26 and the player information management unit 27 are both logical devices realized by a combination of computer hardware and a computer program. The control unit 10 may be provided with various other logical devices, but these are not shown.

On the other hand, the user information management server 3 is provided with a control unit 31. The control unit 31 is configured as a computer unit that combines a microprocessor and various peripheral devices such as an internal storage device (for example, ROM and RAM) necessary for the operation of the microprocessor. A storage device 32 is connected to the control unit 31. The storage device 32 is configured by, for example, a hard disk, a Flash SSD (Solid State Drive), or the like so that the storage can be held even when power is not supplied. The storage device 32 stores an information management program 34, user management data 35 as management data, and terminal management data 36.

The information management program 34 is a computer program necessary for managing the user management data 35 and the terminal management data 36. Further, the user information management server 3 is also used for providing services such as storage of various information, or for functioning as a web server. The user management data 35 is data in which information necessary for specifying a user (or a player of the game machine GM) on the user information registration site is described. Moreover, in the user management data 35, the granting state of the right to play a special music piece is also managed for each user (player). That is, the user management data 35 is also data for managing the presence / absence of a right to play special music for each player. Details of the user management data 35 will be described later.

On the other hand, the terminal management data 36 is data in which information necessary for specifying each game machine GM is described. The terminal management data 36 is used for identifying each game machine GM. Further, as information for specifying each game machine GM, for example, an IP address or the like is used in the terminal management data 36. In addition, although various programs and various data are stored in the storage device 32, the illustration thereof is omitted.

When the control unit 31 reads and executes the information management program 34, an information management unit 37 is provided inside the control unit 31. The information management unit 37 executes processing for managing these

data

35 and 36, such as updating of user management data 35 and terminal management data 36, for example. The information management unit 37 may execute various processes necessary for the user information management server 3 to provide services such as storage of various types of information or to function as a web server. The information management unit 37 is a logical device realized by a combination of computer hardware and a computer program. The control unit 31 may be provided with various logical devices in addition to the information management unit 37, but these are not shown.

Next, an example of a music game provided by the game machine GM will be briefly described. For example, the game machine GM provides a music game that requires a player to perform an appropriate operation in accordance with the rhythm of music (music). As such a music game, for example, a game may be provided in which an appropriate operation is performed using an object corresponding to the operation time and a current time indicator indicating the current time. Specifically, the object displayed on the monitor 12 moves toward the current time sign so as to decrease the distance from the current time sign as time decreases, and the object and the current time sign coincide with each other. It is a game where an appropriate operation time is guided. An input device that imitates an actual musical instrument, such as a guitar or a drum, may be used for such an appropriate operation input. Further, as an appropriate operation, an operation of playing these musical instruments may be employed, or an operation of simply pressing a button may be employed. As described above, the game machine GM may provide various well-known music games.

Further, in the music game provided by the game machine GM, a plurality of music pieces that can be used for play are prepared, and the music piece that is used for play is selected by the player. Furthermore, in a music game, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, special music as a special game is released to a predetermined player. That is, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, a predetermined player is given a right to use a special musical piece for playing a music game (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a special musical piece usage right). . Therefore, a player whose special music is banned (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a granting player) can select the special music as music used for play. On the other hand, when a player whose special music is not lifted, that is, a player who is not granted the right to use special music for playing (hereinafter sometimes referred to as an unassigned player) plays the game. Music is not included in the available music choices. In other words, this special music cannot be used for playing in a music game. Thereby, the ban on special music is used as a privilege for the player. As the predetermined condition, various conditions such as a number condition that is satisfied when the number of times of play reaches a certain level or a score condition that is satisfied when a score of a certain level or more is obtained may be employed. Further, the predetermined player corresponds to, for example, a player that satisfies the number of times condition, a player that satisfies the scoring condition, and the like.

Furthermore, in the music game of the game machine GM, special music is temporarily lifted for the rival-set player using the rival setting of the user information registration site. Specifically, using the rival setting of the user information registration site, a special music usage right is temporarily granted as follows. First, users who have rival settings on the user information registration site are classified into users who have specified rivals as registration sources and users who have been specified as rivals as registration destinations. A player corresponding to a user designated as a rival may be referred to as a link player below. Further, a player corresponding to a user who designates a rival may be referred to as an original player below.

When rival setting (relationship registration) is performed on the user information registration site, if the original player is a granting player, the link player designated as the original player (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a first link player) is used. The right to use special music is also granted. Further, when the first link player is set as a rival, the use of special music for the link player designated as a rival for the first link player (hereinafter also referred to as a second link player). Rights are granted. Hereinafter, similarly, a link player designated as a rival for the second link player, a link player designated as a rival for the link player, and so on, specially linked to each player designated as a rival for the link player. The right to use various music is granted. In other words, when the original player is positioned higher and the link player is positioned lower, if there is a given player at the higher level, the special music is banned in a chain manner for all the link players positioned lower than the given player.

On the other hand, when the rival setting from the granting player is cancelled, the ban on special music for each player due to the granting player is also cancelled. That is, when the rival setting from the granting player is canceled, the release of special music to all link players due to the granting player lower than the granting player is cancelled. In this way, the granting player can temporarily grant the right to use a special music piece to the first link player and each link player lower than that by the rival setting. Also, the granting player can cancel the right to use the given special music piece by canceling the rival setting.

Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the ban on special music using rival settings will be specifically described. In the user information registration site, a user information reference screen for referring to the stored information on each user is provided for each user. The user information reference screen is classified into a self information reference screen for the user to manage his / her information and another user information reference screen for referring to information of other users.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the self-information reference screen. As shown in FIG. 3, the self-information reference screen SS includes a profile indicating personal information such as the date of birth, a belonging group list, a friend list, and a rival list. The profile includes an indication of the user ID of the user. The rival list displays information such as the user ID or icon of each user who is designated and set as a rival. In the example of FIG. 3, “patent” is displayed as the user ID of the user in the profile. In the rival list, each user having each user ID such as “QRS” and “TUV” is displayed as a rival. Furthermore, a rival user ID or icon displayed in the rival list may be provided with a link to each other user information reference screen corresponding to each rival.

In addition, a search unit SP is provided in the self information reference screen SS. Further, the search unit SP is provided with a user search unit US that links to a user search screen (not shown). Each user can search for other users registered in the user information registration site using the user search unit US. The self-information reference screen SS is configured to be able to search for each user who should set a rival and the like and to refer to the other user information reference screen for the searched user through the user search unit US. The user search screen may be a well-known screen that is configured to be searchable based on a user ID or information on a public profile.

On the other hand, FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the other user information reference screen. The other user information reference screen AS is referred to by using, for example, the user ID displayed on the rival list in FIG. 3, an icon link, or the user search unit US. As shown in FIG. 4, the other user information reference screen AS includes a user profile and a rival list corresponding to the other user information reference screen AS. The other user information reference screen AS also includes a rival setting unit RP for executing registration or cancellation of rival settings.

In the example of FIG. 4, “TM” is displayed in the profile as the user ID corresponding to the other user information reference screen AS. That is, the other user information reference screen AS of FIG. 4 indicates that the user has the user ID “TM”. The rival setting unit RP is configured to display “rival registration / deletion application” and link to a rival registration / deletion application screen (not shown). The rival registration / deletion application screen is configured to apply to other users who are referring to the other user information reference screen AS for rival registration or rival registration deletion. In other words, through the rival registration / deletion application screen, the user with the user ID “TM” is requested permission for rival registration or deletion. If the other user is allowed to apply for registration, the competitor is registered and placed in the rival list of FIG. On the other hand, if the application for deletion is permitted, the rival registration is canceled and the rival list in FIG. 3 is deleted. The registration and deletion permission is executed, for example, through an application permission screen (not shown) for registering permission or non-permission. The application permission screen may be configured to notify the applicant of the registration result. Note that the rival setting unit RP may not be configured to accept the permission of another user. That is, it may be configured to be unilaterally registered / deleted without permission from other users.

In the example of FIGS. 3 and 4, when the user with the user ID “TM” is listed on the rival list, the user corresponding to the self-information reference screen SS of FIG. 3, that is, the user with the user ID “patent” is the original. Corresponds to the player. On the other hand, a user with the user ID “TM” that is designated as a rival for the user with the user ID “patent” and is listed on the rival list with the user ID “patent” corresponds to the link player. If the user with the user ID “patent” corresponds to the user who has been granted the right to use the special music, that is, the granting player, the user with the user ID “TM” is also temporarily given the right to use the special music. Is done. Furthermore, special music use rights are also temporarily granted to each user listed in the rival list of the user with the user ID “TM”, for example, each user having a user ID such as “FFG” or “GGH”. The

On the other hand, when the user with the user ID “patent” deletes the user with the user ID “TM” from the rival list, that is, when the rival registration of the user with the user ID “TM” is canceled, the user ID “ The right to use the special music given to the user of “TM” is revoked. That is, the user with the user ID “TM” cannot use special music. Similarly, each user having a user ID such as “FFG” or “GGH” registered as a rival for the user with the user ID “TM” is revoked from using the special music, and the special music cannot be used.

However, the right to use special music that is canceled by releasing the rival setting is limited to the right to use caused by the rival setting by the original player. That is, regardless of the rival setting by the original player, if the link player is a grant player in the first place, even if the rival setting is canceled, the link player's right to use special music is not revoked. For example, a case will be described in which “FFG” among the users specified as rivals in the user ID “TM” is the granting player regardless of the rival setting by the user ID “patent”. In this case, if the rival setting is canceled by the user ID “TM”, the user ID “TM” and “GGH” registered as a rival for the user with the user ID “TM” Is canceled. On the other hand, the right to use the special music of the user with the user ID “FFG” who has been the granting player before the rival setting by the user ID “patent” is not canceled. As described above, in the game machine GM, a music game is executed in which the number of players who ban the special music can be increased or decreased in a chain using the rival setting of the user information registration site.

Next, details of the user management data 35 and the player information management data 23 will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the contents of the user management data 35. As shown in FIG. 5, the user management data 35 includes information such as a user ID as player information, an active card ID, a music ban flag, a rival user ID, and a maximum score. The user management data 35 is configured as a set of a plurality of records in which these pieces of information are associated with each other. The user management data 35 is necessary for the management of the user or the player, for example, information on the first creation date and time indicating the date and time when the user ID was first acquired, and information on the date and time when various information associated with the user ID was last updated. Various other information may be included.

User ID is information necessary for specifying each user. This user ID corresponds to, for example, a user ID given at the user information registration site. As this user ID, for example, a predetermined number of alphabet combinations such as “patent” and “TM” corresponding to the examples of FIGS. 3 and 4 are used. In addition, a number with a predetermined number of digits or a combination of a number and an alphabet may be used. The active card ID is information indicating the card ID of the card 18 being used by each user. A plurality of card IDs may be associated with one user ID. Further, the correspondence between the user ID and the card ID of the card 18 is set by each user through a user information registration site, for example.

The music ban flag is information indicating whether or not the special music is banned, that is, whether or not the user has the right to use the special music. For example, “1” is used as information indicating that the music is banned, and “0” is used as information indicating that the music is not banned, as information corresponding to the music ban flag. When there are a plurality of pieces of music to be lifted, the music release flag may function as information indicating the type of special music. In this case, for example, as information corresponding to the music ban flag, numbers such as “2” and “3” may be used according to the music to be banned. Alternatively, a symbol such as an alphabet may be used as information corresponding to the music ban flag. Further, a music ban flag may be provided for each banned music.

The rival user ID is information indicating a user ID of a user set as a rival. For example, each user ID listed in the rival list of the self-information reference screen SS is described as a rival user ID in the user ID of the user corresponding to the self-information reference screen SS in the example of FIG. More specifically, in the example of FIG. 3, the user ID “TM” is described as the rival user ID in the user ID “patent”. Accordingly, the rival user ID information is described using the user ID. A plurality of rival user IDs can be associated with one user ID. The rival user ID does not include the user ID of the user designated as a rival. Thereby, the user management data 35 is configured to be able to identify the registration destination player.

The highest score is information indicating the highest score ever recorded by the user corresponding to the user ID of the record in the music game. Each information of the user management data 35 is registered through, for example, a user information registration site. Then, each information of the user management data 35 reflects the registered content. By including the music ban flag information for each user ID, the user management data 35 functions as the management data of the present invention. In addition, by including information on the rival user ID, the user management data 35 also functions as relational data of the present invention. It should be noted that various information such as game results may be reflected in the user management data 35 in accordance with a predetermined condition in which special music is released in order to update the music release flag information. In addition, the user management data 35 may include various information necessary for managing the user or the player.

On the other hand, FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the player information management data 23. The player information management data 23 is prepared for each player as an example. The player information management data 23 is generated using user management data 35. Therefore, the same information as the user management data 35 is included. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the player information management data 23 includes information such as a user ID, an active card ID, a music ban flag, and a maximum score, like the user management data 35. The player information management data 23 is configured as a set of a plurality of records in which these pieces of information are associated with each other.

These pieces of information indicate the same information as the user management data 35. Specifically, the user ID is information necessary to identify each user, the active card ID is information corresponding to the card ID of the card 18 being used by each user, and the music ban flag is the use of special music The information on whether or not he / she has the right, the highest score indicates the highest score information, respectively. Further, the music ban flag in the player information management data 23 is also used to determine whether or not a special music can be provided in the game machine GM. Specifically, when information indicating that a special music piece is released (for example, “1”, etc.) is described in the information of the music release flag, the special music piece is selected by the game machine GM. It becomes possible. On the other hand, when information (for example, “0” or the like) indicating that the special music is not released is described in the information on the music release flag, the game machine GM does not provide the special music. That is, the music ban flag in the player information management data 23 is used to determine whether or not special music can be provided to the player.

Further, in the player information management data 23, the user who is registered as a rival to the user who has the right to use the special music on the user management data 35 also indicates that the special music such as “1” is released from the music release flag. Information is described. That is, in the user management data 35, “1” is also banned in the record of the user ID described as the rival user ID in the user ID having the ban on music ban flag “1” (indicating the ban on special music). Described as flag information. As described above, the music ban flag in the player information management data 23 is used to determine whether or not special music can be provided to the player. Therefore, in the player information management data 23, information on the music ban flag is managed so that a special music use right is also given to a user who is set as a rival to the granting player. In addition, the player information management data 23 may include various information necessary for the music game. The player information management data 23 is not limited to a form prepared for each player. For example, the player information management data 23 may include information on a plurality of players.

Next, a process for reflecting the rival setting in the user management data 35 and a process for reflecting the setting content in the player information management data 23 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a rival setting reflection processing routine executed by the control unit 31 of the user information management server 3. The control unit 31 executes the routine of FIG. 7 through the information management unit 37. For example, the information management unit 37 executes the routine of FIG. 7 every time an application for rival registration or cancellation is permitted. Whether or not the application is permitted is determined using registration on the application permission screen, for example.

When the information management unit 37 starts the routine of FIG. 7, first, in step S11, the content management unit 37 acquires the content of the rival setting set through the rival setting unit RP of the other user information reference screen AS. Specifically, information corresponding to rival registration or deletion, the user ID of the user who specified the rival, and the user ID information of the user specified as the rival are acquired.

In the next step S12, the information management unit 37 updates the user management data 35 so that the setting content acquired in step S11 is reflected. Specifically, when the rival registration is performed, the user management data 35 is updated so that the user ID of the user designated as the rival is associated with the user ID of the user who designated the rival as the rival user ID. To do. On the other hand, when the rival designation is deleted, the user management is performed so that the user ID of the user whose rival designation is deleted is deleted from the rival user ID associated with the user ID of the user who has deleted the rival designation. Data 35 is updated. As a result, the contents of rival registration and deletion are reflected in the user management data 35.

On the other hand, FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a flowchart of a player information generation processing routine executed by the control unit 10 of the game machine GM. The control unit 10 executes the routine of FIG. 8 through the player information management unit 27. Further, the player information management unit 27 executes the routine of FIG. 8 every time a predetermined price for providing a music game is consumed, or each time the card reader 17 reads the card 18.

When the routine of FIG. 8 is started, the player information management unit 27 first acquires user management data 35 from the storage device 32 of the user information management server 3 via the network 6 in step S21. In subsequent step S22, the player information management unit 27 specifies a player who uses the card 18 based on the user management data 35 acquired in step S21. Specifically, first, the active card ID in the user management data 35 corresponding to the card ID included in the card 18 is specified. Next, the player who uses the card 18 is specified by specifying the user ID corresponding to the specified active card ID. Note that step S21 may be configured to acquire from the user management data 35 only information corresponding to the user ID specified based on the information of the card ID of the card 18 used. In this case, step S22 may be omitted.

In the next step S23, the player information management unit 27 determines a user ID in which the identified user ID is registered as a rival user. This determination is performed as follows, for example. First, the player information management unit 27 determines a user ID associated with the identified user ID as a rival user ID based on the acquired user management data 35. That is, a user ID including the user ID specified on the user management data 35 as rival user ID information is determined. Further, for the determined user ID, that is, the user ID for which the specified user ID is set as a rival, the user ID in which the determined user ID is registered as a rival is determined. This determination is performed until a user ID that is not registered as a rival is reached.

Next, it is determined whether or not a given player is included in each determined user ID, that is, a user ID in which the specified user ID is set as a rival and a user ID in which the user ID is registered as a rival. . Specifically, first, it is determined whether or not each determined user ID is associated with a music ban flag indicating that the user has the right to use a special music. Here, if any of the determined user IDs is associated with a music ban flag indicating that the user has the right to use a special music, it is determined that the granting player is included. On the other hand, if none of the determined user IDs is associated with a music ban flag indicating that the user has the right to use a special music, it is determined that the granting player is not included. Thus, in step S23, the player information management unit 27 does not register the user who registered the player using the card 18 as a rival and the user who registered the user as a rival as a rival. Determine until the user is reached. Then, the player information management unit 27 further determines whether or not each of those users is a granting player. When step S21 is configured to acquire only part of the user management data 35, the player information management unit 27 refers to the user management data 35 in the storage device 32 via the network 6. Step S23 may be executed.

In subsequent step S24, the player information management unit 27 generates the player information management data 23 of the player using the card 18 by using the necessary information of the user management data 35 acquired in step S21. At this time, the player information management unit 27 reflects the determination result of step S23. Specifically, when it is determined in step S23 that the player who has registered the player who uses the card 18 as a rival includes the granted player, a special number such as “1” is set as the music release flag. The player information management data 23 is generated so that information indicating the ban on the release of a simple song is described. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S23 that the user who registered the player using the card 18 as a rival does not include the granted player, the information in the user management data 35 is described as it is as the music ban flag. As described above, the player information management data 23 is generated. When the process of step S24 is completed, the player information management unit 27 ends the current routine. As a result, player information management data 23 in which the right to use special music possessed by the original player is also reflected in the link player is generated.

As described above, the player information management data 23 generated in the routine of FIG. 8 is used to determine whether or not to provide special music to the player who uses the card 18. Specifically, referring to the music ban flag in the player information management data 23, the control unit 10 of the game machine GM performs a well-known process for determining whether or not to provide special music to the player who uses the card 18. Execute. Thereby, the right to use the special music of the original player is also given to the link player, and the link player can use the special music. That is, a special music use right is also temporarily given to the link player. On the other hand, when the rival registration is canceled, the player's right to use the special music using the card 18 is used as it is for the music ban flag of the player information management data 23. That is, when the rival setting is canceled, the original player does not exist, so the music ban flag in the player information management data 23 is not affected by the original player. Therefore, when a special music piece can be used due to the influence of the original player, the player cannot use the special music piece by canceling the rival setting. Note that the game system 1 executes various other well-known processes such as a process for providing a service for storing various information, a process for providing a site, and a process for providing a music game. However, explanation of these details is omitted.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the rival setting is used for temporarily releasing special music. Specifically, if the link player designated as a rival on the user information registration site is designated by the granting player, special music is also lifted for the link player. Thereby, the link player in which special music is not lifted can also use special music through rival setting. The special music is used as a privilege for the player. Therefore, it is possible to prompt a rival setting between the players using a special music piece.

Furthermore, the effect of banning by the rival setting extends to the link player designated as a rival by the link player. That is, it is possible to increase the number of players whose special music is banned in a chain by the rival setting by the granting player. Accordingly, motivation for rival setting can be further increased, and special music is banned by many players, so that more players can be led to play the music game. Thereby, consumption of a predetermined value can be further increased.

In the above embodiment, the control unit 10 of the game machine GM functions as a relationship determination unit, a right grant unit, and a right cancellation unit by executing the routine of FIG. Further, the storage device 32 of the user information management server 3 stores the user management data 35, thereby functioning as player information storage means, management data storage means, and relational data storage means.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described form, and can be implemented in an appropriate form. In the above-described form, a special music use right is granted to a player designated as a rival, that is, a player designated as a registration destination. However, the present invention is not limited to such a form. For example, when a registration-destination player, that is, a player designated as a rival is a granting player, a special music use right may be granted to a registration-source player, that is, a player designated as a rival.

Also, in the above-described form, when registered as a rival to the granting player, a special right to use the music is also granted to the second link player registered as a rival to the first link player. However, the present invention is not limited to such a form. For example, the right to play may be given up to the first link player. Alternatively, it may be up to a predetermined link destination such as a third link player. Furthermore, in the above-described form, when the relationship registration is canceled, the right to play given by the relationship registration is also cancelled. However, the present invention is not limited to such a form. For example, the right to play may remain even after the relationship registration is canceled, or may be canceled when a predetermined cancellation condition is satisfied, such as being canceled after a certain number of plays after the relationship registration is canceled. Good.

There may be multiple types of special music. Moreover, they may be configured to be playable with different rights. In this case, for example, a right corresponding to the right to play granted to the granting player may be granted to the link player by a rival setting from the granting player. In this case, the link player can easily understand the relationship between the right to play and the rival setting.

In the above-described form, a music game is provided as a game opportunity, and the use of a special musical piece is used as a special game. However, the present invention is not limited to such a form. For example, as a game opportunity, an appropriate game such as a sports game, a role playing game, or an action game may be employed. Various games related to these games may be applied as special games.

In the above-described form, it is configured as a game system using a network, but is not limited to such form. For example, the configuration corresponding to the game system may be realized by a game machine alone. In this case, the user management data 35 and the like are stored in the storage device of the game machine. A process for managing this is also executed by the control unit of the game machine. Furthermore, the game machine may be configured to be able to register information corresponding to player information and the like. Further, the game machine may function as a setting terminal.

In the above-described form, the game machine GM is configured as a business game machine, but is not limited to such a game machine. For example, various game machines may be applied as game machines such as a home-use game machine and a portable game machine.

Claims

Information of at least one game machine for providing a game opportunity to the player, player information storage means for storing player information for specifying each player, and information on the granted player to which a right to play a special game is given to the player Management data storage means for storing management data for management in association with information, and a game system capable of providing the special game as at least part of the game opportunity to the granting player,
A setting terminal used for relationship setting including at least one of relationship registration for registering a relationship between players and cancellation of the relationship registration by a setting right person who is given setting authority;
Relationship data storage means for storing relationship data in which the relationship between the players is described corresponding to the relationship setting;
Relationship determining means for determining a link player related to the grant player by the relationship setting based on the management data and the relationship data;
A right granting unit for granting the right to play to the link player based on a determination result of the relationship determination unit;
A game system comprising:
The relationship setting is configured such that the relationship registration is distinguishable between a registration source and a registration destination,
The relation data is configured to include information capable of identifying a player whose relation is registered as the registration destination,
The game system according to claim 1, wherein the relationship determination unit determines, as the link player, a player corresponding to the registration destination among the players related to the grant player by the relationship registration based on the relationship data.
3. The game system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the relationship determination means also determines a player related to the link player by the relationship registration as the link player based on the relationship data.
Based on the relation data, when the relation between the grant player and the link player is canceled by canceling the relation registration, a right cancellation means for canceling the right to play given to the link player by the right grant means. The game system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising:
As the special game, a plurality of types of games with different rights to play are prepared,
The game system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the right granting unit grants the link player a right corresponding to a right to play given to the grant player.
A plurality of game machines as the at least one game machine,
A server device connectable to the plurality of game machines via a network,
The game system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the management data storage means is provided in the server device.
Information of at least one game machine for providing a game opportunity to the player, player information storage means for storing player information for specifying each player, and information on the granted player to which a right to play a special game is given to the player Management data storage means for storing management data for management in association with information, and a game system capable of providing the special game to the granting player as at least a part of the game opportunity, And a setting terminal used for relationship setting including at least one of relationship registration and cancellation of the relationship registration by a setting right holder to which A game system comprising relationship data storage means for storing relationship data describing a relationship between players; On a computer that,
A relationship determination step of determining a link player related to the grant player by the relationship setting based on the management data and the relationship data;
A control method for executing a right granting step of granting the right to play to the link player based on a discrimination result of the relationship discrimination step.
Information of at least one game machine for providing a game opportunity to the player, player information storage means for storing player information for specifying each player, and information on the granted player to which a right to play a special game is given to the player Management data storage means for storing management data for management in association with information, and a game system capable of providing the special game as at least part of the game opportunity to the granting player, And a setting terminal used for relationship setting including at least one of relationship registration and cancellation of the relationship registration by a setting right holder to which A game system comprising relationship data storage means for storing relationship data describing a relationship between players; A computer that,
Based on the management data and the relationship data, relationship determining means for determining a link player related to the granting player by the relationship setting, and playing to the link player based on a determination result of the relationship determining means A computer program for a game system configured to function as a right granting means for granting a right.