WO2017122725A1 - Communication type game system that can be played by group - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a system with which a plurality of players can easily enjoy the same game via a communication network. A game server is connected to a plurality of game terminals via a communication network. When a second game terminal that is making a group request with the same room ID as that of a first game terminal that has transmitted a group request is not present within a predetermined distance from the first game terminal, the game server opens an area room corresponding to the first game terminal. When such a second game terminal is present, the game server associates the first game terminal with an area room with which the second game terminal is associated. When matching is established among a plurality of game terminals in an area room, the game server provides common game setting information to game terminals associated with the area room.

Description

Communication game system that can be played in groups

The present invention relates to a game system in which a plurality of players can participate via a communication network.

The use of smartphones as game terminals as well as communication terminals has become common. Many of the games that are popular on smartphones are the so-called social games. A social game is provided by accessing a platform built on a game server from a web browser of a smartphone. Social games often have content that emphasizes cooperation and competition with other players and collection of cards and items.

Players often enjoy the game alone, but everyone can also enjoy the same game when friends gather. The concept of enjoying the same game with friends at the same place and at the same time may become a new way of enjoying social games in the future.

Patent Document 1 proposes a matching method for selecting an opponent from among players at a short distance and a matching method for selecting an opponent from friends registered in an address book or the like (Patent Document 1). Paragraph [0049] of FIG.

JP 2013-128776 A

When matching a player who is close, there is a possibility that an unknown player who is only nearby (hereinafter referred to as “close-range outsider”) may be matched. In the case of matching using a list such as an address book, it is possible to prevent the introduction of a short distance outsider, but there is another problem that a friend who is not registered in the list cannot be selected. In addition, when a large number of friends are registered in the list, it is complicated to select a friend who wants to play with them nearby (hereinafter referred to as a “person at close distance”).

It is desirable to simplify the procedure for creating a “game group” as much as possible in order to be able to enjoy the same game immediately with friends who are in front of you.

The present invention has been completed based on the recognition of the above problems, and its main object is to provide a mechanism in which a plurality of players can easily enjoy the same game via a communication network.

The game server of the present invention is connected to a plurality of game terminals operated by a player given a player ID via a communication network.
The game server includes a position receiving unit that receives a player ID and position information from a game terminal, a position management unit that associates the player ID with position information, and a room selected from a plurality of room IDs from the game terminal. A group request receiving unit that receives a group request including an ID and a player ID and a group request with the same room ID as the first game terminal within a predetermined distance from the first game terminal that transmitted the group request. When the second game terminal is not present, an area room corresponding to the first game terminal is opened, and when the second game terminal is present, the first room is associated with the second game terminal. A room management unit for associating game terminals.
The room management unit provides game setting information common to the game terminals associated with the area room when matching of the plurality of game terminals is established in the area room.

According to the present invention, it is easy to simplify a procedure for a plurality of players to participate in the same game via a communication network.

It is a hardware block diagram of a game system. It is a schematic diagram which shows the relationship between the area and game group in 1st Embodiment. The 1st example of an icon selection screen is shown. FIGS. 4A to 4C are schematic diagrams for explaining the flow from the formation of the game group to the release of the area room in the first embodiment. It is a functional block diagram of a game terminal. It is a functional block diagram of a game server. It is a data structure figure of a player information storage part. It is a data structure figure of a room information storage part. It is a sequence diagram which shows the process until a game group is formed in an area room. This is a recruitment standby screen. It is a ranking screen. The 2nd example of an icon selection screen is shown. It is a sequence diagram which shows the process which changes an icon with a place. The 3rd example of an icon selection screen is shown. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the formation method of the area room in 2nd Embodiment. In 2nd Embodiment, it is a flowchart which shows the process of a game server when a group request | requirement is received.

The concept of the game system 100 in the present embodiment is to improvise a game group with friends who are at the same place at the same time and enjoy the same game together. The participants of this game group are assumed to be friends (acquaintances) who are close enough to talk to each other with real voice. The explanation will focus on a method for simplifying the procedure for creating such an instant game group.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a hardware configuration diagram of the game system 100.
In the game system 100, a game server 102 and a plurality of game terminals 104a, 104b, 104c... 104n (hereinafter collectively referred to as “game terminal 104” when collectively referred to or not particularly distinguished) are connected via the Internet 106. Is done. The game terminal 104 in the present embodiment is assumed to be a smartphone. The game terminal 104 may be a portable game machine or a general-purpose computer such as a laptop PC. The game terminal 104 and the Internet 106 are wirelessly connected, but may be wired. A unique ID called a player ID is given in advance to the game player.

The game server 102 includes a player management unit 108 and a game providing unit 110. The game providing unit 110 is a known platform that provides a game to each game terminal 104. The player management unit 108 is a unit that mediates the construction of a game group by managing players. The game providing unit 110 provides a game to each game terminal 104 while using the game group construction function of the player management unit 108.
The game providing unit 110 and the player management unit 108 may be configured as separate servers (hardware). However, in the present embodiment, a single game server 102 is used as both the game providing unit 110 and the player management unit 108. It will be described as assuming the function.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between areas and game groups in the first embodiment.
The game terminal 104 detects the position of its own terminal by GPS (Global Positioning System) and periodically transmits position information (longitude and latitude) to the game server 102. The game server 102 sets a plurality of areas 112 (regions) in advance. For example, an area 112 having a radius of 2 km from Roppongi 1-chome Station is managed as “Roppongi A”.

A finite number of area rooms G can be set for each area 112. Details of the area room G will be described later. In the present embodiment, description will be made on the assumption that there are three area rooms G that can be simultaneously set in one area 112.

FIG. 2 shows four areas 112, areas 112a to 112d. Among these, there are two area rooms G1 and G2 in the area 112a. Two players belong to the area room G1 of the area 112a, and these two people form a game group. On the other hand, only one player belongs to the area room G2 in the area 112a, and no game group is formed. In addition, there are three players who do not belong to any of the area rooms G. Here, assuming a situation where a player P1 who belongs to only one person in the area room G2 wants to invite a new short-distance target person, the following recruitment method can be considered.

Method 1 (Short range search)
First, the player P1 who wants to create a game group requests the game server 102 to construct a game group. The game server 102 forms an area room G2 in the area 112a to which the player P1 belongs, searches for players belonging to the area 112a, and informs these players that they are recruiting participants in the area room G2. When another player P2 applies for participation in the area room G2, a game group of the players P1 and P2 is formed.

In the case of such a method, there is no guarantee that the player P2 who has entered the game group is a friend (a short distance target person) of the player P1. If the size of the area 112 is reduced, the risk that a short distance outsider may enter the area room G2 may be suppressed to some extent, but the area 112 of such a small unit cannot be created with the current GPS accuracy.
A list of nearby players may be displayed on the game terminal 104 of the player P1, and the player P1 may select a friend (person at a short distance) from the list, but if there are many players in the vicinity, the friend (near distance) from the list The task of extracting (subject) can be complicated. Also, for the players who happen to be present in the area 112a, it is not preferable for privacy to be notified to the game terminal 104 of the player P1.

Method 2 (password)
A method is also conceivable in which a player sets a password and allows a short-distance target person to input a password to create a game group in which short-distance outsiders cannot enter. The player P1 who wants to create a game group applies to the game server 102 to build a game group. At this time, a password is also set in the game server 102. The game server 102 forms an area room G2 in the area 112a to which the player P1 belongs, searches for players belonging to the area 112a, and informs these players that they are recruiting participants in the area room G2. In addition, the player P1 conveys the password to the player P2 of a friend who is verbally nearby (a short distance target person). The player P2 transmits the password to the game server 102 and applies for participation in the area room G2, thereby forming a game group of the player P1 and his friend player P2.

In the case of such a method, since only players who share a kind of secret word called a password can belong to the area room G1, it is possible to create a game group limited to friends (short-distance target persons). On the other hand, the player P1 has a burden of acting as a coordinator, such as setting a password or telling it to a nearby friend (person at a short distance). The player P2 also takes time to input a password from the game terminal 104.

FIG. 3 shows an icon selection screen 114 of the game terminal 104.
In the present embodiment, the proximity target person is selected by the one-touch icon 116 instead of the password. An icon selection screen 114 is displayed on the game terminal 104. On the icon selection screen 114, three icons 116a to 116c are displayed. Although details will be described later, the three icons 116 correspond to the three area rooms G. In friends with each other, it should determine whether to choose which icon 116 in advance. For example, it is agreed that the left icon 116a is selected.

It is assumed that the player P1 selects the icon 116a agreed in advance. A “room ID” described later is associated with the icon 116a. The game server 102 sets the area room G as a combination of the area 112 to which the player P1 belongs and the room ID. The game server 102 associates the player P1 with the area room G. Next, the player P2 who is a friend of the player P1 and is near the player P1 also selects the same icon 116a on the icon selection screen 114 of his game terminal 104. Since the combination of the information (room ID) of the icon 116a selected by the player P2 and the area 112 to which the player P2 belongs matches the area room G, the game server 102 associates the player P2 with the area room G. In this way, the player P1 and the player P2 form a game group using the virtual room called the area room G as an intermediary. The same applies to the third and subsequent players.

In the present embodiment, the area room G is specified as a combination of the area 112 and the room ID, and the room ID is specified by selecting the icon 116. For this reason, if you agree on which icon 116 to choose between your friends nearby, you can “enter” the same area room G by selecting the same icon 116 with everyone, and easily create a game group Can be made. Character input such as a password is not required, and participation in a desired game group is possible simply by touching the icon 116. Therefore, it is easy to create an improvised game group. In addition, since the area room G is a virtual room that can exist and only disappear for a short time, it is possible to effectively prevent outsiders from entering the area room G. This will be described in detail later.

FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C are schematic diagrams for explaining the flow from the formation of the game group to the release of the area room G in the first embodiment.
In the area room G1 of the area 112, three players form a game group (FIG. 4A). In the present embodiment, matching is established when three or more players are associated with the area room G. Matching may be established by two or more players, or a game group formed by an arbitrary number of participants of four or more. The area room G1 is a conceptual existence specified by a room ID in a certain area 112. In the present embodiment, since there are three icons 116, there are also three room IDs (see FIG. 3). Therefore, only one area 112 can have a maximum of three area rooms G at the same time. It is assumed that the room ID of the area room G1 is “R1”.

When matching is established in the area room G1, the area room G1 is released, and the game server 102 provides common game setting information to the established game group (FIG. 4B). When the area room G1 is released, the room ID = R1 becomes an empty number. That is, the area room G1 is “vacant”. Therefore, it is possible to recruit a new game group for the area room G1 regardless of the already established game group (FIG. 4C).

Although the number of area rooms G that can be opened simultaneously is limited by a finite number of room IDs, a game group can be recruited for the released area rooms G after matching is established. A time limit is set for the area room G. The time limit in the present embodiment will be described as 30 seconds. If matching is not established after the time limit has elapsed after the establishment of the area room G, the game server 102 forcibly releases the area room G. For example, in the area room G2 where only two people gather, when the time limit elapses without matching being established, the area room G2 is released. With the above processing method, a limited number of area rooms G are not occupied for a long period of time.

Therefore, a player located in the vicinity “enters” the area room G in a short time after agreeing to the icon 116, and the area room G is released as soon as matching is established. In order for an outsider to enter the game group, the icon 116 corresponding to the room ID of the area room G must be touched within a short time limit of 30 seconds. Increasing the number of icons 116 or shortening the time limit makes it easier to more reliably exclude outsiders.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of the game terminal 104.
Each component of the game terminal 104 and the game server 102 includes an arithmetic unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and various coprocessors, a storage device such as a memory and a storage, and hardware including a wired or wireless communication line connecting them. This is realized by software that is stored in a storage device and supplies processing instructions to an arithmetic unit. The computer program may be constituted by a device driver, an operating system, various application programs located in an upper layer thereof, and a library that provides a common function to these programs. Each block described below is not a hardware unit configuration but a functional unit block.
The game server 102 may be configured to include a web server, and the game terminal 104 may be configured to include a portable communication terminal and a web browser installed therein.

The game terminal 104 includes a ∪ / I (user interface) unit 118, a communication unit 120, a data processing unit 122, and a data storage unit 124. The bag / I unit 118 receives operations from the player, and is also responsible for processing related to the user interface, such as image display and audio output. The communication unit 120 is in charge of communication processing with the game server 102 and other game terminals 104 via the Internet 106. The data storage unit 124 stores various data. The data processing unit 122 executes various processes based on data acquired by the bag / I unit 118 and the communication unit 120 and data stored in the data storage unit 124. The data processing unit 122 also functions as an interface for the bag / I unit 118, the communication unit 120, and the data storage unit 124.

∪ / I unit 118 includes an input unit 132 that receives an input from a touch panel or the like and a display unit 126 that displays an image. The display unit 126 includes an icon display unit 128 and an attribute display unit 130. The icon display unit 128 displays the icon 116 on the icon selection screen 114. The attribute display unit 130 displays attribute information of other players in the same area 112. The attribute information means profile information that can identify the player, such as the player ID and handle name. Details of the attribute information and its display method will be described later.

The communication unit 120 includes a position transmission unit 134, a group request transmission unit 136, a recruitment information reception unit 138, an attribute reception unit 140, and a setting reception unit 142. The position transmission unit 134 detects the position of the terminal by GPS and periodically transmits position information (longitude and latitude) to the game server 102. The group request transmission unit 136 transmits a group request to the game server 102. The group request is information transmitted when any icon 116 is touched on the icon selection screen 114, and includes a player ID and a room ID. The group request may include location information. When the group request is transmitted, the player is associated with the area 112 to which the player belongs and the area room G identified by the room ID. The recruitment information receiving unit 138 receives recruitment information from the game server 102. The recruitment information is information indicating whether or not a new player is being recruited in each area room G.

The attribute receiving unit 140 receives attribute information about players participating in the same area room G. The setting receiving unit 142 receives game setting information (various parameters) common to the game group from the game server 102 after the matching is established. The game setting information here may be game information (parameters related to so-called game rules, etc.) that are commonly set for players belonging to the same game group. For example, in the case of a game where each player competes for a score, ranking information may be provided as game setting information. If it is a competitive game, the information regarding a common battle field, the information regarding the common character which each player uses, and the information regarding the enemy character used as the subjugation target by a player may be sufficient. In the case of a puzzle game, it may be information about image data of a puzzle piece or the level of difficulty of the puzzle (such as an initial position of the puzzle and a moving speed parameter of the puzzle piece). Note that what parameters the game setting information is to be determined by the game providing unit 110 of the game server 102 may be determined randomly or based on a predetermined rule, or any operation of a participating player It may be determined based on the above, or may be determined by majority vote as a result of the selection operation of all members.

The data processing unit 122 includes a game control unit 144. The game control unit 144 is a known functional block that controls the flow of the game executed on the web browser. The game control unit 144 controls the game in cooperation with the game server 102.

The data storage unit 124 includes a game data storage unit 146 and a player information storage unit 148. The game data storage unit 146 stores game setting information and game programs. The player information storage unit 148 stores player information unique to the player, such as game scores, progress points, player IDs, and handle names.

FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of the game server 102.
The game server 102 includes the player management unit 108 and the game providing unit 110 as described above. The game providing unit 110 includes a game data storage unit 176 that manages settings for the game program and each player and the progress of the game. The game providing unit 110 may be a function block known as a game platform.

The player management unit 108 includes a communication unit 150, a data processing unit 152, and a data storage unit 154. The communication unit 150 is in charge of communication processing with the game terminal 104 via the Internet 106. The data storage unit 154 stores various data. The data processing unit 152 executes various processes based on the data acquired by the communication unit 150 and the data stored in the data storage unit 154. The data processing unit 152 also functions as an interface between the communication unit 150 and the data storage unit 154.

The communication unit 150 includes a position reception unit 156, a group request reception unit 158, an attribute information transmission unit 160, an icon transmission unit 162, and a privilege transmission unit 164. The position receiving unit 156 receives position information from the game terminal 104. The group request receiving unit 158 receives a group request from the game terminal 104. The attribute information transmission unit 160 transmits the attribute information of each player to the game terminal 104. Icon transmission unit 162 transmits icon information to game terminal 104. The icon information may be image data of the icon 116 or an icon ID for identifying the icon 116. The privilege transmission unit 164 transmits privilege information to the game terminal 104. The privilege information may be a merit provided to the player when a predetermined condition is satisfied. For example, a special game stage may be provided, it may be an item, or game setting information that temporarily or permanently reduces the difficulty of the game.

The data processing unit 152 includes a location management unit 166, a room management unit 168, and a privilege determination unit 170. The position management unit 166 determines to which area 112 each player belongs. The room management unit 168 generates and releases the area room G and associates the player. The privilege determination unit 170 determines whether a privilege can be granted.

The data storage unit 154 includes a player information storage unit 172 and a room information storage unit 174. The player information storage unit 172 holds information that associates the player with the area 112. The data structure of the player information storage unit 172 will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. The room information storage unit 174 holds information indicating the state of the area room G. The data structure of the room information storage unit 174 will be described in detail later with reference to FIG.

FIG. 7 is a data structure diagram of the player information storage unit 172 in the game server 102.
Each player is uniquely identified by the player ID. The player ID is given by the game server 102 for each game. You may use terminal ID (MAC address etc.) of the game terminal 104 instead of player ID.
A player ID column 182 indicates a player ID. The handle name column 184 indicates a handle name associated with the player ID. The handle name column 184 is not essential. The position information column 178 shows position information (latitude and longitude) of each player. The area column 180 shows the area 112 to which the player belongs. Although details will be described later, the area column 180 is not necessary in the second embodiment. The position management unit 166 identifies the area 112 to which each player belongs based on the position information indicated by the position information column 178.

For example, a player with player ID = 001 has a handle name of “Marime” and is located at 35.6 degrees north latitude and 139.7 degrees east longitude, and this position is in an area 112 named “Roppongi A”. included. That is, the area 112 to which the player (ID: 001) belongs is “Roppongi A”.

FIG. 8 is a data structure diagram of the room information storage unit 174 in the game server 102. The room ID is associated with the icon 116 displayed on the icon selection screen 114. A combination of the room ID and the area 112 represents an area room G that is a conceptual room. The room ID column 186 indicates the room ID, and the area column 188 indicates the area 112. Although details will be described later, the area column 188 is not necessary in the second embodiment. As described above, the number of area rooms G that can be simultaneously established in one area 112 is three. For example, in the area 112 “Roppongi A”, three area rooms G can be established corresponding to the room IDs = R1 to R3. The player ID column 190 indicates a player ID associated with the area room G. The recruitment status column 192 indicates whether or not the area room G is in the recruitment status. The recruitment state is set when the player sends a group request for any of the area rooms G, and recruits participants to the game group until the time limit expires or matching is established. Means state. The remaining time column 194 indicates the remaining time until the time limit elapses.

For example, in the area 112 “Roppongi A”, three area rooms G can be formed corresponding to the room IDs = R1 to R3. Among these, two players (PID: 001, 003) are associated with the area room G expressed as a combination of the area 112 “Roppongi A” and the room ID = R1. This is because a group request specifying room ID = R1 is received from two players belonging to the area 112 “Roppongi A”. This area room G is in a recruitment state and has a remaining time of 27 seconds. On the other hand, no group request is made for the area room G represented by the room ID = R1 of the area 112 “Roppongi B”, and no participants are recruited. That is, this area room G is “vacant state”.

FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing a processing process until a game group is established in the area room G.
Here, a puzzle game is assumed as a game to be enjoyed by a game group (a plurality of participants). A plurality of players each play the same puzzle game and compete with each other for their scores. It is assumed that the player P1 who uses the game terminal 104a and the player P2 who uses the game terminal 104b belong to the same area. It is assumed that the two are friends and agree on which icon 116 to select on the icon selection screen 114.

The position transmission unit 134 of the game terminal 104a transmits the position information regularly, for example, once every three minutes (S10, S14). A player ID (PID) is also transmitted together with the position information (POS). Similarly, the position transmission unit 134 of the game terminal 104b also periodically transmits position information (S12). The position receiving unit 156 of the game server 102 periodically receives position information from each game terminal 104. The position management unit 166 updates the player information storage unit 172 when the position information is received.

Next, when the player P1 who uses the game terminal 104a touches the icon 116 on the icon selection screen 114, the group request transmission unit 136 of the game terminal 104a transmits a group request (S16). When a group request is made, a player ID (PID) and a room ID are also transmitted. Location information may also be transmitted simultaneously with the group request. The group request receiving unit 158 of the game server 102 receives the group request.

When the group request is received, the room management unit 168 updates the room information storage unit 174 (S18). For example, when the player P1 belongs to the area 112 “Roppongi A” and the player P1 transmits a group request designating the room ID = R1, it is specified by the area 112 “Roppongi A” and the room ID = R1. The area room G is associated with the player ID of the player P1, the area room G is in the “recruitment state”, and time limit management is performed. The room management unit 168 also performs time limit management for the area room G in the recruitment state.

Subsequently, the player P2 using the game terminal 104b also touches the same icon 116 and transmits a group request (S20). The room management unit 168 of the game server 102 updates the room information storage unit 174 (S22). In the case of the above example, the player ID of the player P2 is associated with the area room G specified by the area 112 “Roppongi A” and the room ID = R1. Thus, in this area room G, the player P1 and the player P2 form a game group. The attribute information transmission unit 160 of the game server 102 transmits the attribute information of the player P2 to the game terminal 104a (S24). The attribute information may be an icon unique to the player, a player ID, and a handle name. Similarly, the attribute information transmission unit 160 transmits the attribute information of the player P1 to the game terminal 104b (S26). Thus, players who form a game group in the same area room G can check each other's attribute information on the game terminal 104.

FIG. 10 is a screen diagram of the recruitment standby screen 196.
After sending the group request, a recruitment standby screen 196 is displayed on the game terminal 104. The remaining time display area 198 shows the remaining time of the area room G that has made a group request. The player attribute display area 200 shows the attribute information of the players currently associated with the area room G, in other words, the players belonging to the same game group. FIG. 10 shows a recruitment standby screen 196 when two (three, including myself) players are associated with the same game group.

In this embodiment, only the attribute information of players participating in the same game group is displayed on the recruitment standby screen 196. Since the attribute information of all the players in the vicinity is not displayed, it is easy to protect the privacy of “when and where”.
The game server 102 refers to the player ID column 190 of the room information storage unit 174 and does not notify the attribute information of players that are not associated with the same area room G. For example, in the case of FIG. 8, the player ID = 008 is transmitted with the player ID information of the players with the player ID = areas 112 and 214, but the other player's attribute information is not transmitted. Although the transmission of attribute information may be restricted, the game terminal 104 may restrict the display of attribute information. For example, the attribute display unit 130 of the game terminal 104 receives the room ID specified by the player together with the attribute information of the other player. If the room ID does not match the room ID requested by the player, the attribute information of the player is displayed. Even if it is not displayed, the same effect can be obtained. Further, the display limitation is not limited to non-display, and may be realized by partial omission or blurring of display information.

Returning to FIG.
When matching is established (S28), the room management unit 168 releases the area room G (S30). The game providing unit 110 of the game server 102 transmits game setting information common to the game group to the game terminal 104 (S32, S34). The game setting information is, for example, a puzzle game ranking screen 202 (see FIG. 11). A dedicated ranking screen 202 is prepared in the game server 102 for players belonging to the same game group, and the score of each player is displayed on the ranking screen 202.

As described above, the player can transmit a group request simply by touching the icon 116 on the icon selection screen 114. In the present embodiment, no additional work other than touching the icon 116 to transmit the group request is required. By simply touching the same icon 116 one after another within the time limit with friends gathered in the vicinity, a game group can be created improvised. The area room G is released when a predetermined number of players gather, when the time limit elapses, or when a participant of the game group explicitly instructs to stop recruitment. If matching is established, the game server 102 transmits common game setting information to players belonging to the game group. The game setting information may be the ranking screen 202 limited to the participants of the game group, or the game providing unit 110 may provide a field that can be confronted only by the participants as the game setting information if it is a real-time battle game. What kind of game setting information is provided may be determined by application of a known technique according to the nature of the game.

Although the icon selection screen 114 is displayed on the game terminal 104 (see FIG. 3), the display mode of the icon 116 may change depending on the location. That is, two or more icons 116 may correspond to one room ID. For example, when the player enters the store “A Mart”, instead of the icon selection screen 114 of FIG. 3, an icon 116 (special icon) having a different form as usual, such as the icon selection screen 114 shown in FIG. May be displayed. If the display is switched to the special icon 116 of the form associated with the A mart when visiting the A mart or near the A mart, the A mart can expect an advertisement effect. In addition, as a reward for the advertisement, a business model in which the operator of the game server 102 is paid from the A mart is also conceivable.
The icon 116a shown in the icon selection screen 114 in FIG. 3 and the icon 116a shown in the icon selection screen 114 in FIG. 12 have the same room ID but different image data.

FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram showing a process of changing the icon 116 depending on the place.
The image data of the icon 116 may be stored in the game terminal 104 or may be provided from the game server 102 to the game terminal 104. In FIG. 13, it is assumed that image data of a special icon is transmitted from the game server 102.

The game server 102 defines a special area 112 in the vicinity of the above-mentioned “A mart” in advance. As described above, the game terminal 104 periodically transmits position information to the game server 102 (S40). The position management unit 166 determines whether or not the game server 102 exists in the special area 112 (S42). If it is the normal area 112 (N in S42), the special icon 116 is not transmitted, and the normal icon selection screen 114 shown in FIG.

On the other hand, when the game terminal 104 belongs to the special area 112 (Y in S42), the icon transmission unit 162 transmits the image data of the icon 116 (special icon) corresponding to the area 112 to the game terminal 104. (S44). The icon display unit 128 of the game terminal 104 replaces the icon 116 on the icon selection screen 114 (see FIG. 12). By such a processing method, the icon 116 can be changed depending on the place.

Icon image data may be managed in the game terminal 104. For example, the game terminal 104 holds a normal icon 116-1 and a special icon 116-2. The icons 116-1 and 116-2 are the same in that the same room ID is associated. When the game terminal 104 is in the special area 112, the game server 102 instructs to switch from the icon 116-1 to the icon 116-2, and the game terminal 104 responds to this instruction by the icon 116-1 or the icon 116-2. -2 may be displayed. In such a configuration, the game server 102 does not need to transmit the image data of the special icon 116-2 to the game terminal 104.

The A-mart may provide not only a trade name “A-mart” but also an icon 116 illustrating a promotional product. Further, it is not necessary to provide the special icon 116 only at a store such as A-mart. For example, special icons 116 may be provided for tourist spots such as icons 116 provided only at the top of Mt. Fuji and icons 116 provided only at Kinkakuji. Such location-dependent icons 116 may be shared by SNS (Social Network Service), or various icons 116 may be collected.

The icon 116 may be provided based on time instead of location. For example, there may be an icon 116 that is provided on a specific day such as New Year, Christmas, February 29th, or there is an icon 116 that is provided at a specific time zone such as 18:00 to 18:30. Also good. For example, by providing such a special icon 116 during a time period when the social game is relatively not executed and when the load on the game server 102 is light, the load on the game server 102 can be easily leveled. Alternatively, there may be an icon 116 that is provided only when a store such as an Amart visits a store on a specific date, a specific time, for example, during a campaign period.

Furthermore, a privilege may be given according to the user's action. Touching a special icon 116, coming to a specific area 112 during a specific period such as a campaign period, ordering a specific product at a specific store, or establishing a game group of a predetermined number or more at a specific store It is good also as an opportunity of privilege provision. In addition, after the game is executed on the game server 10, the rank among the players may be determined based on the game result, and a privilege corresponding to the rank may be given. The privilege determination unit 170 of the game server 102 determines whether the privilege grant condition is successful. For example, when a special icon 116 is touched and a game group is established there as a privilege granting condition, the privilege determining unit 170 receives a group request for touching the special icon 116 and a privilege granting condition when matching is established. It is determined that it is established. When the privilege grant condition is satisfied, the privilege transmission unit 164 transmits the privilege information to the corresponding game terminal 104.

Privilege information may be information that is effective for allowing the player to advance the game advantageously. For example, in the case of a puzzle game, the time limit may be extended or a so-called “item” may be used. Further, the privilege information may be exchangeable for a monetary value such as a discount ticket at a specific store. The privilege grant may be determined by a store customer management system or the like. The game server 102 may instruct the privilege transmission unit 164 to transmit the privilege information when notified from the store customer management system that the privilege granting condition is established.

Furthermore, when the game terminal 104 belongs to a special area 112, even if the game server 102 transmits special game setting information different from the normal one corresponding to the area 112 to players belonging to the game group. Good. The special game setting information is image information for displaying a special icon 116 or the like such as a store mark corresponding to the area 112 in the game. For example, image information may be added or replaced in order to use a puzzle piece in a puzzle game as a store mark, or image information may be added or replaced in order to use a store mascot character image as a game character. Also good. Furthermore, according to the game result relevant to these image information, you may provide a privilege with respect to a player. For example, when 100 puzzle pieces corresponding to “product A” are erased in a so-called falling object puzzle game, a coupon of “product A” is distributed. Thereby, since the interest of the game play in the special area 112 can be deepened more than usual, the game play by the matching in the special area 112 can be promoted together with the ease of matching.

FIG. 14 is another example of a screen diagram of the icon selection screen 114.
The icon display unit 128 of the game terminal 104 may display the icon 116 corresponding to the area room G in the recruitment state in a mode different from the icons 116 corresponding to the other area rooms G. Specifically, the display position, size, and color of the icon 116 may be changed or blinked. By making the icon 116 corresponding to the area room G in the recruitment state conspicuous, the player can easily recognize which icon 116 can be selected to join the game group. Alternatively, the icon 116 corresponding to the area room G in the recruitment state may not be conspicuous. Such display control makes it easy to prevent outsiders from participating in the game group.

[Second Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, the area room G is formed based on the “area 112” as an absolute geographical area, but in the second embodiment, a conceptual area room is formed based on the current location of the player.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram for explaining a method for forming an area room in the second embodiment.
Here, description will be made on the assumption that group requests are made in the order of players P1 to P6.
First, the player P1 designates room ID = R1 and transmits a group request to the game server 102. The position management unit 166 of the game server 112 sets the search area E1 within a range of N kilometers up, down, left, and right, for example, 2 kilometers centering on the position of the player P1. The position management unit 166 checks the player information storage unit 172 and determines whether there is another player (hereinafter referred to as “requesting player”) that has transmitted a group request in the search area E1. In the case of the player information storage unit 172 in the second embodiment, the area column 180 is unnecessary, and the room information storage unit 174 also does not need the area column 188.
At the stage where the player P1 requests a group, the requesting player does not exist in the search area E1. Therefore, the player P1 newly opens an area room with the room ID = R1.

Next, the player P2 specifies a room ID = R1 and makes a group request. The position management unit 166 sets the search area E2 around the player P2. At the stage where the player P2 requests a group, there is no requesting player in the search area E2, so the player P2 also opens a separate area room with room ID = R1. Thus, even with the same room ID, two area rooms are opened at this stage.

Subsequently, the player P3 makes a group request specifying room ID = R1. The position management unit 166 sets the search area E3 with the player P3 as the center. A player P1 exists in the search area E3. The player P1 is a requesting player and designates the same room ID = R1 as the player P3. At this time, the room management unit 168 associates the players P1 and P3 with the room ID = R1. In other words, the player P3 is “entered” into the area room opened by the player P1. Thus, two players are associated with one area room identified by the room ID and the position information.

Further, the player P4 makes a group request by designating the room ID = R2. The position management unit 166 sets the search area E4 with the player P4 as the center. A player P2 exists in the search area E4. Although the player P2 is a requesting player but does not designate the room ID = R2 designated by the player P4, the player P3 opens a separate area room with the room ID = R2.
To sort out the situation so far, the players P1 and P3 are associated with the first area room with the room ID = R1, the player P2 is associated with the second area room with the room ID = R1, and the room ID The player P4 is associated with the third area room of = R2.

Next, the player P5 designates room ID = R1 and makes a group request. The position management unit 166 sets a search area E5 around the player P5. Players P1 and P2 exist in the search area E5. Players P1 and P2 are both requesting players, and both of them specify room ID = R1 like player P5. In this case, the room management unit 168 associates the player P5 with the area room of the player P1 that is closer to the player P5 among the players P1 and P2. When the distance from both is equal, the player P5 is associated with the area room that has been established for a long time among the area rooms to which the players P1 and P2 belong.
When a plurality of requesting players are detected, the old area room may be associated with priority, and when the age is the same, the correspondence destination may be determined based on the distance.

Subsequently, the player P6 makes a group request specifying the room ID = R1. The position management unit 166 sets a search area E6 with the player P6 as the center. A player P3 exists in the search area E6. The player P3 is a requesting player and designates the same room ID = R1 as the player P6. Further, the player P3 is already associated with the player P1 as described above. In this case, the room management unit 168 associates the players P1, P3, and P6 with the room ID = R1. Even if the player P1 does not exist in the search area E6, since the player P3 associated with the player P1 exists, the player P6 can be associated with not only the player P3 but also the player P1. In other words, the player P6 is associated with the player P1 using the player P3 as a clue.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a processing process of the game server 102 when a group request is received in the second embodiment.
Here, it is assumed that a certain game terminal 104a has transmitted a group request specifying room ID = Rx.

The location management unit 166 refers to the location information of the game terminal 104a, sets a search area, and determines whether another game terminal 104 exists in the search area (S40). When present (Y in S40), the room management unit 168 determines whether the other game terminal 104 belongs to the area room, in other words, whether the player is a requesting player who is transmitting a group request. (S42). If it is a requesting player (Y of S42), the room management unit 168 determines whether or not the requesting player makes a group request with the same room ID = Rx as the game terminal 104a (S44). If the room IDs are also the same (Y in S44), the game terminal 104a is additionally associated with the area room corresponding to the requesting player (S46).

On the other hand, when there is no other game terminal 104 in the search range (N in S40), even if it exists but the game terminal 104 is not transmitting a group request (N in S42), a group request is being transmitted. If the room IDs do not match (N in S44), a new area room is opened (S48).

As in the first embodiment, a time limit is set when the area room is opened, and matching is established or the room ID corresponding to the area room is released when the time limit elapses.

The game system 100 has been described above based on the embodiment.
According to the present embodiment, if friends in the vicinity agree on the selection of the icon 116, a game group can be formed improvised by simply touching the icon 116. If matching is established, or if the time limit has elapsed, the area room G is released, so even a small number of icons 116 (small number of room IDs) can be used cyclically. Further, since the attribute information is provided only by the participants associated with the same area room G, it is easy to solve the privacy problem due to the dispersion of the irrelevant player attribute information.

Depending on the location, time, and action, the image of the icon 116 may be changed, or privilege information may be given. By encouraging the player's action, it is possible to expect a synergistic effect on real economic activities such as purchase and sightseeing and the spread of social games on the game terminal 104. For example, a business model may be conceived in which a model travel course is set by cooperation of a plurality of sightseeing spots and stores in Kyoto, Nara, and Osaka, and a special icon 116 is provided at each point or privilege information is given. . Alternatively, if a special group 116 or privilege information is added when a game group is formed with a large number of people, for example, 20 or more people, it is possible to provide motivation to make many friends who can enjoy the game together. Furthermore, it is not limited to a game group that competes individually, but may be configured to participate in a game group as a team.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications, and can be embodied by modifying the components without departing from the scope of the invention. Various inventions may be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the above embodiments and modifications. Moreover, you may delete some components from all the components shown by the said embodiment and modification.

Although it has been described that the game system 100 is configured by a plurality of game terminals 104 and one game server 102, some of the functions of the game terminal 104 may be realized by the game server 102, or the functions of the game server 102 may be A part may be assigned by the game terminal 104. In addition, a third device other than the game terminal 104 or the game server 102 may bear a part of the function. A set of each function of the game terminal 104 and each function of the game server 102 described in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 can be generally grasped as one “information processing apparatus”. How to allocate a plurality of functions necessary for realizing the present invention to one or a plurality of hardware depends on the processing capability of each hardware, the specifications required for the game system 100, and the like. It only has to be decided.

In the present embodiment, it has been described that matching is established when a predetermined number of people, for example, three players are associated with the same area room G, but the number of participants necessary for establishment of matching is arbitrarily determined by the player. It may be possible to set. Moreover, even if it is during recruitment, when a plurality of players are participating, the player may forcibly terminate the recruitment. Thus, the success or failure of the matching condition may be arbitrarily controlled.

In the present embodiment, the icon 116 and the room ID are associated with each other, but a room ID other than the icon may be associated with the room ID. For example, the screen of the game terminal 104 may be divided into a plurality of areas, for example, nine areas, a room ID is associated with each area, and a room ID may be selected according to which area is touched. Simple marks and characters (text) such as circles, triangles, and alphabets may be recognized by handwriting on the touch panel, and the marks and characters recognized by handwriting may be associated with the room ID. Alternatively, a motion such as swinging the game terminal 104 up and down, left and right, or tilting may be detected by a gyro sensor, and a room ID may be associated with a detection signal of such a specific motion. The time interval and the number of times of tapping the screen may be associated with the room ID. In addition, a room ID may be associated with a specific pose, a mark such as a school emblem taken with a camera and image recognition. Further, a secret word may be recognized by voice and a room ID may be associated with the secret word.

Instead of associating one room ID with one icon 116, one room ID may be associated with a plurality of icons 116. For example, when the icon 116b is tapped after tapping the icon 116a, a group request for a predetermined room ID may be transmitted.

When a short distance outsider enters the area room G, the area room G may be forcibly released as a matching failure.

The first embodiment has been described on the premise that a game group is formed only by short-distance subjects who belong to the same area and are friends. Further, the second embodiment has been described on the premise that a game group is formed only by short-distance subjects who belong to the search range of the game terminal 104 that has requested the group and are friends. As a modification, a game group may be formed by friends who specify the same room ID, regardless of the same area or search range, that is, the distance.

In addition, it is also possible to grasp | ascertain the following inventions from the above description.
A1. It is connected to a plurality of game terminals operated by a player given a player ID via a communication network,
A position receiving unit that receives a player ID and position information from the game terminal;
A position management unit that associates the player ID with any of a plurality of areas based on the position information;
A group request receiving unit for receiving a group request including a room ID and a player ID selected from a plurality of room IDs from a game terminal;
Of the area rooms expressed as a combination of area and room ID, an area room expressed as a combination of the area to which the game terminal that transmitted the group request belongs and the room ID subject to the group request is already in the recruitment state. A room management unit that associates the player ID of the game terminal requested for the group with the area room when there is, and associates the player ID requested for the group with the area room when not in the recruitment state and sets the area room in the recruitment state. And comprising
The room management unit provides game setting information common to game terminals associated with the area room when matching of a plurality of game terminals is established in the area room.

A2. Connected to the game server via a communication network,
A position transmitter for transmitting the player ID and position information;
An icon display unit for displaying a plurality of icons on the screen corresponding to a plurality of room IDs;
A group request transmission unit that transmits a group request including a room ID corresponding to the selected icon when any of the plurality of icons is selected;
Among the area rooms expressed as a combination of the area specified by the location information and the room ID, a game setting specific to the area room expressed as a combination of the area to which the terminal belongs and the room ID subject to the group request A game receiving device comprising: a setting receiving unit that receives information.

100 game system, 102 game server, 104 game terminal, 106 internet, 108 player management unit, 110 game providing unit, 112 area, 114 icon selection screen, 116 icon, 118 ∪ / I unit, 120 communication unit, 122 data processing unit , 124 data storage unit, 126 display unit, 128 icon display unit, 130 attribute display unit, 132 input unit, 134 position transmission unit, 136 group request transmission unit, 138 recruitment information reception unit, 140 attribute reception unit, 142 setting reception unit 144, game control unit, 146 game data storage unit, 148 player information storage unit, 150 communication unit, 152 data processing unit, 154 data storage unit, 156 position reception unit, 158 group request reception unit, 160 attribute information transmission Nobu, 162 Icon transmission unit, 164 Bonus transmission unit, 166 Location management unit, 168 Room management unit, 170 Bonus determination unit, 172 Player information storage unit, 174 Room information storage unit, 176 Game data storage unit, 196 Reservation waiting Screen, 202 ranking screen.

Claims (14)

1. It is connected to a plurality of game terminals operated by a player given a player ID via a communication network,
   A position receiving unit that receives a player ID and position information from the game terminal;
   A position management unit that associates the player ID with the position information;
   A group request receiving unit for receiving a group request including a room ID and a player ID selected from a plurality of room IDs from a game terminal;
   When there is no second game terminal making a group request in the same room ID as the first game terminal within a predetermined distance from the first game terminal that has transmitted the group request, the first game terminal And a room management unit that associates the first game terminal with the area room associated with the second game terminal when the second game terminal exists. ,
   The room management unit provides game setting information common to game terminals associated with the area room when matching of a plurality of game terminals is established in the area room.
2. 2. The room management unit according to claim 1, wherein the room management unit releases the room ID of the area room when matching is established or when a predetermined time limit has elapsed since the area room was opened. Game server.
3. An attribute information transmission unit that transmits attribute information of other players to the game terminal;
   The attribute information transmitting unit restricts the provision of attribute information of a player who does not belong to the same area room as the game terminal to a game terminal that has transmitted a group request. The game server described.
4. The game terminal further includes an icon transmission unit that transmits icon information corresponding to the room ID,
   The said icon transmission part transmits the special icon information different from the icon information provided in the other area with respect to the game terminal which belongs to a predetermined area, Any one of Claim 1 to 3 characterized by the above-mentioned. The game server according to Crab.
5. The game terminal further includes a privilege transmission unit that transmits the privilege information of the game,
   The privilege transmission unit transmits the privilege information to a game terminal that transmits the group request on condition that a group request for designating a room ID is received based on the special icon information. Item 5. A game server according to item 4.
6. It is connected to a plurality of game terminals operated by a player given a player ID via a communication network,
   A position receiving unit that receives a player ID and position information from the game terminal;
   A position management unit that associates the player ID with the position information;
   A group request receiving unit for receiving a group request including a room ID and a player ID selected from a plurality of room IDs from a game terminal;
   On condition that a group request specifying the same room ID as the first game terminal is further received from a second game terminal located within a predetermined distance of the first game terminal that has transmitted the group request. And a room management unit that provides game setting information common to the first and second game terminals.
7. Connected to multiple game terminals via a communication network,
   When the second game terminal that has selected the same room ID as the room ID selected from the plurality of room IDs by the first game terminal is detected within a predetermined distance from the first game terminal, the first game terminal And a game server for providing game setting information common to the second game terminal.
8. A position management unit that manages position information of a plurality of players;
   An icon display for displaying a plurality of icons;
   When the first player selects any icon, when there is no second player who has selected the same icon as the first player within a predetermined distance from the first player, the first player A room management unit that opens a new area room corresponding to the player and associates the first player with the existing area room opened by the second player when the second player exists; Prepared,
   The room management unit provides game setting information common to games of a plurality of players associated with the area room when matching of the plurality of players is established in the area room. Information processing device.
9. Connected to the game server via a communication network,
   A position transmitter for transmitting the player ID and position information;
   An icon display unit for displaying a plurality of icons on the screen corresponding to a plurality of room IDs;
   A group request transmission unit that transmits a group request including a room ID corresponding to the selected icon when any of the plurality of icons is selected;
   A game receiver comprising: a setting receiving unit that receives unique game setting information for an area room identified by the position of the own terminal and the room ID.
10. A recruitment information receiving unit for receiving information indicating whether or not the room ID can be used from the game server;
    The game terminal according to claim 9, wherein the icon display unit displays an icon corresponding to a room ID being used on a screen different from that when the icon is not being used.
11. An attribute receiving unit for receiving player attribute information from the game server;
    An attribute display unit for displaying attribute information of other players located within a predetermined distance from the own terminal,
    The game terminal according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the attribute display unit restricts display of attribute information of a player who has not made a group request with the same room ID as the own terminal.
12. A plurality of game terminals operated by a player given a player ID, and a game server connected to the plurality of game terminals via a communication network;
    The game terminal
    A position transmitter for transmitting a player ID and position information to the game server;
    An icon display unit for displaying a plurality of icons on the screen corresponding to a plurality of room IDs;
    A group request transmission unit that transmits a group request including a room ID corresponding to the selected icon to the game server when any of the plurality of icons is selected;
    A setting receiving unit that receives game setting information unique to the area room identified by the position of the game terminal and the room ID from the game server,
    The game server
    A position receiving unit for receiving a player ID and position information from the game terminal;
    A position management unit that associates the player ID with the position information;
    A group request receiver for receiving the group request from the game terminal;
    When there is no second game terminal making a group request in the same room ID as the first game terminal within a predetermined distance from the first game terminal that has transmitted the group request, the first game terminal And a room management unit that associates the first game terminal with the area room associated with the second game terminal when the second game terminal exists. ,
    The room management unit transmits the game setting information for the area room to the game terminal when matching of a plurality of game terminals is established in the area room.
13. A computer program executed on a game server connected via a communication network to a plurality of game terminals operated by a player given a player ID,
    A function of receiving a player ID and position information from a game terminal;
    A function for associating the player ID with the position information;
    A function of receiving a group request including a room ID and a player ID selected from a plurality of room IDs from a game terminal;
    When there is no second game terminal making a group request in the same room ID as the first game terminal within a predetermined distance from the first game terminal that has transmitted the group request, the first game terminal A function of opening an area room corresponding to the first game terminal when the second game terminal is present, and associating the first game terminal with the area room set by the second game terminal;
    A function of providing game setting information common to game terminals associated with the area room when matching of a plurality of game terminals is established in the area room;
    A game server program that causes the game server to exhibit
14. A computer program executed in a game terminal connected to a game server via a communication network,
    A function of transmitting a player ID and position information;
    A function for displaying a plurality of icons on the screen corresponding to a plurality of room IDs;
    A function of transmitting a group request including a room ID corresponding to the selected icon when any of the plurality of icons is selected;
    A function of receiving game setting information specific to the area room identified by the room ID;
    A game terminal program that causes the game terminal to exhibit the above.

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