JP4130189B2 - Server device for network game and method for providing network game - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a server apparatus for providing a network game to a communication terminal connectable via a network and a method for providing a network game to a communication terminal connectable to a server apparatus via a network.

  In recent years, it is possible to play against other players between a plurality of arcade games installed in a game center or between a plurality of game machines connected via the Internet, etc., and to collect game data (game characters, etc.), items, acquisition points, etc. A shareable network game (communication game) is provided. In addition, with the development of communication infrastructure and the enhancement of functions of mobile communication terminals such as mobile phones, users can enjoy the network game using their wireless mobile terminals even when they are away from home. .

  By the way, in the conventional network game, the usage fee is uniform regardless of which item is selected, or is charged as a “communication fee” according to the communication time. Therefore, the skill or experience of the user (player) is not reflected in the usage fee, and lacks the incentive to continue playing the network game reminiscent of unfairness.

  In order to solve such a problem, for example, charging for each selected character or item proposed in the following patent document is helpful.

JP-A-11-114217 JP 2002-123695 A

  However, in the methods proposed in these documents, charging when an item or the like is selected is settled individually by a prepaid card, a credit card, an account withdrawal, or the like. That is, it is necessary to make a large number of small payments in units of 10 yen, and authentication and fund transfer processing are required each time. Also, sending personal information such as credit card numbers and account numbers over the network has security and privacy problems, and many users feel resistance. In addition, when charging processing is performed on the server device side that provides the network game, it is necessary to construct a charging system in consideration of the security and privacy described above, and it costs a lot of money to design and operate the entire game system. End up.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and provides a server device and method capable of maintaining and operating a network game at a low cost while reflecting the experience of a user (player) in a play fee. For the purpose.

According to a first main aspect of the present invention, there is provided a server device for providing a network game to a communication terminal connectable via a network, which is not essential for playing a network game and is selected by a player of this game Information on possible character types and optional functions (hereinafter collectively referred to as “options”), option usage charges charged when each option is selected, game types that can use each option, and Option information storage means stored in association with usage conditions; game play acceptance means for obtaining game type information from the player communication terminal and accepting an application for game play; and option selection from the player communication terminal; And requests to share options related to this selection with other network games, respectively. Only with attached, reads out the selected options are available game type and use conditions of this option from the option information storing means, according to the game type and use conditions, optional selection accepting means for determining availability of the selected option And, when it is determined that the selected option is usable, the option information acquisition means for acquiring the information of the option and the amount of use thereof from the option information storage means, respectively, and the communication terminal of the player An option information transmitting means for transmitting the acquired option information and transmitting the acquired option information together with the player identification information to a server device operating another requested network game; Use amount storage to store option use amount And a usage fee totaling unit that searches for and aggregates the option usage fee of the player in the usage amount storage unit at a predetermined period, and notifies the communication carrier of the player's communication terminal of the totaled option usage fee and charges There is provided a server device characterized by comprising billing processing means for requesting.

  Here, in this specification, “option” is not essential for game play but includes all functions suitable for the progress of the game. For example, some game character to play in the game space is “essential”, but the character of this character, the items it possesses (weapons and abilities, etc.), basic physical strength, expertise, knowledge, bonus games, items that grow the character If there are multiple options such as sound effects and visual effects, and the player can select which function to select and which function to select, all these options are “options”. It corresponds to. In addition, when the game is divided into a plurality of stages (play spaces), such as RPG (Roll Playing Game), being able to proceed to another stage is “essential”, Options include tips and strategies for finding entrances and exits quickly. Furthermore, registration of game data and reading of the data when it is desired to continue playing the interrupted game at a later date can be set as paid options.

According to a second main aspect of the present invention, there is provided a server device including a storage device that stores a computer program and game data, and a central processing unit (CPU) that calls and executes the computer program from the storage device. A method for providing a network game to a communication terminal of a user via a network,
The CPU is charged according to the program when it selects each option and information on the types of characters and optional functions (hereinafter collectively referred to as “options”) that can be selected by the player of the game, not essential for playing the network game. An option information storage step for describing the option usage amount , the type of game in which each option can be used, and the usage conditions for each option in the option information storage means of the storage device, and the CPU communicates with the player according to the program. A game play accepting step for obtaining game type information from the terminal and accepting an application for game play, and the CPU selects an option from the communication terminal of the player according to the program, and the option related to this selection is set as another network game. Accept requests shared between each Together, reads the selected option is available game type and use conditions of this option from the option information storing means, according to the game type and use conditions, and optional selection accepting step of determining the availability of the selected option, When the CPU determines that the selected option is usable according to the program, the option information acquisition step of acquiring the option information and the usage amount from the option information storage unit, respectively, and the CPU According to the program, the acquired option information is transmitted to the communication terminal of the player, and the acquired option information together with the player identification information is transmitted to the server device that operates the other requested network game. Option information sender to send A usage amount storage step in which the CPU stores the option usage amount of the player in the usage amount storage means of the storage device according to the program, and the CPU uses the option usage fee of the player of the usage amount storage means in a predetermined cycle according to the program. And a charge processing step in which the CPU notifies the communication carrier of the communication terminal of the player of the collected option use fee and requests charging according to the program. Is provided.

According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a server device and a method capable of maintaining and operating a network game at a low cost while reflecting a user (player) experience or the like in a play fee. In addition, the player can be given an incentive to select a pay game or a pay option.

  Other features and remarkable effects of the present invention will be understood more clearly by referring to the description of the best mode section for carrying out the present invention and the attached drawings.

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

  FIG. 1 is a network configuration diagram of an embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a server device. This server device 1 is a communication terminal 3 (personal computer, mobile phone with a WEB browser function, etc.) on the user (player) 2 side via a network such as the Internet. A network game is provided to a communication terminal device. Specifically, the server device 1 distributes a program and game data for displaying and controlling game data necessary for generating game data to the communication terminal 3 of the user 2 and also provides a game play fee for each user 2. It has a function of counting (game basic charge and option use charge) and notifying the communication carrier 4 that provides the user 2 with a communication service. In addition, if necessary, it issues and manages the authority to use the game and the right to use specific character data.

  The communication terminal 3 on the user side is a mobile phone with a communication function in this embodiment, and is connected to the server device 1 via the Internet according to an operation instruction of the user 2 and receives a game data display / control program and game data. . Then, the received game data display / control program is activated to generate a character or the like from the game data, and the generated character or the like is displayed and controlled. Since the function and configuration of the communication terminal 3 are well known in the art, further detailed description is omitted.

  In the present embodiment, the game data transmitted from the server device 1 is managed by distinguishing between game basic data essential for game play and option data not essential for play. Among the network games provided in this embodiment, the reception (downloading) of game basic data and the game play using the game data data are free, while the downloading of option data, etc. is set for a fee. And those that are set for a fee. That is, in the case of the former game, the user (player) 2 can play the network game for free, but the character is strengthened, the game is advanced efficiently, and various effects are obtained. If you want, you need to pay the appropriate amount. Thereby, a beginner of the game or a player who wants to advance the game immediately can select the paid option, and an experienced player or a player who wants to advance the game over time can play it for free.

  It should be noted that the game basic fee may be switched between paid / free periodically at random, may be charged / free as a trial period for the first few months, and may be free / charged after the period has elapsed. Also, certain popular games with a high number of downloads can be paid / free, and other games can be free / paid.

Next, the schematic configuration of the server device 1 will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG.
The server device 1 is a general-purpose computer system installed by a network game company that operates a game site on the Web or a game portal site operator to which Web sites of a plurality of network game companies are linked. The server device 1 is connected to a CPU 10, an RAM 11, an input device 12 such as a keyboard, an output device 13 such as a CRT display, a communication device 14 such as a modem, and a disk controller 15 such as a hard disk (HD) or a compact disk (CD). A data storage unit (such as HD) 17 and a program storage unit (such as HD and ROM) 18 are connected to the system bus 16.

  The data storage unit 17 includes a game basic information storage unit 20, a user information storage unit 21 (use amount storage means), and an option information storage unit 22. Each of these storage units is a fixed area secured in a storage device such as the HD, and information input by each function described later or information acquired from an external organization via the communication device 14 is described as needed. Updated.

  The game basic information storage unit 20 describes a plurality of game data (audio data, image data, game data display / control program, etc.) and a basic play fee in association with the game ID. As described above, in this embodiment, a game with a basic fee of 0 yen (free) and a paid game are included, and the period for which each fee is set is also described for each game. In addition, when installed in the operator of a game portal site, the ID of the Web site that provides each game is also described.

  The user information storage unit 21 stores user information such as login information (ID, password) and bibliographic items of each user 2, game basic play fees and option usage fees of the users 2. These pieces of user information acquire information input from the user 2 at the time of member registration of the game site and information appropriately given by the server device 1 at the time of registration. In the present embodiment, information (game ID, character No., item No., game status information, etc.) that specifies a game being played is stored in association with the user ID.

  The option information storage unit 22 includes data for realizing an optional function (audio data, image data, game data display / control program, etc.), attributes and types of the optional function, available game IDs, and each option. And the option usage amount charged when each option is selected are described in association with the option ID. When the same option can be used in a plurality of games, such as sound effects, effects, and character types, different usage fees and usage conditions are set for each game. For example, the option usage amount is set low for a game with a basic play fee, and relatively high for a free game.

  In addition, as a usage condition of options, for example, popular options such as strong characters and specific items limit the number of people who can use at the same time, or limit the options that can be used for each stage being played. Can do. Furthermore, options that can be used in a plurality of stages can be added according to the player's 2 accumulated play time, accumulated use amount, and the like. Thereby, an incentive for selecting a pay game or a pay option can be given to the player 2.

  Next, the program storage unit 18 stores a software program for realizing the functions of the present invention, and the operator operates the input device 12 to input various commands (commands). Are called and executed on the RAM 11 by the CPU 10 to perform these functions in cooperation with the OS (operation system). The program can be installed from a removable recording medium (not shown).

  The software program includes a game play reception unit 25, an option selection reception unit 26, an option information acquisition unit 27, an option information transmission unit 28, a usage fee totaling unit 29, and a billing processing unit 30, to name only functions related to the present invention. It is configured.

  The game play accepting unit 25 generates and displays a menu screen on which the titles of a plurality of games stored in the game basic information storage unit 20 are displayed on the communication terminal 3 of the player 2 and displays the game that the player 2 wants to play. The application for the game play is accepted by acquiring the type via the network. During the play, the current situation of the character is acquired from the mobile phone 3 through the network and stored / updated in the user information storage unit 21.

  The option selection receiving unit 26 generates and displays a menu screen on which the titles and types of a plurality of options stored in the option information storage unit 22 are displayed on the communication terminal 3 of the player 2, and the game that the player 2 wants to use The option application is accepted by acquiring the option information via the network. This option can be selected either during game play or before play.

  Here, it is expected that the operating cost of the game site will increase due to the concentration of selection on specific options such as low-cost characters and cost-effective items. Therefore, in this embodiment, measures such as limiting the number of people who can use the same option at the same time or limiting the number of the same or similar options that can be used by one mobile phone (user) are effective. is there. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the option use availability determination unit 31 (authentication unit) that reads the use condition of the selected option from the option information storage unit 22 and determines whether the option can be selected is provided. When option selection is accepted before the game is played, information on the option is registered in the user information storage unit 21. When the user 2 starts the game and selects the option again on the selection menu screen, It is preferable to discriminate the above available conditions. It should be noted that as means for collecting operating costs, advertising revenue may be obtained by displaying a sponsor's advertisement in a game selection menu, option selection menu, or game space.

  In addition, the option selection receiving unit 26 of the present embodiment also has a function of receiving a request to share an option related to selection with another network game from the communication terminal 3 of the player 2. For example, for specific options that can be used in a plurality of network games such as sound effects such as BGM, visual effects such as a game background screen, and a portrait character of the player 2, identification information of other games to be shared is acquired. Accept usage application. Thereby, it is not necessary to select an option every time a plurality of games are played, and the common option can be easily used. In this case, in accordance with the concept of package fee or volume discount, it is preferable to discount the option usage fee rather than selecting for each game. The usage fee for the selected option, application to the game, and the like may be individually set by the game operator. In addition, an analysis means for analyzing a player's usage status based on the current status of the character acquired from the mobile phone 3 as needed is provided, and the game play receiving unit 25 dynamically changes the menu screen based on the analysis result. You may let them. As a result, the options that can be used (selected) by the player can be dynamically changed according to the progress of the game.

  The option information acquisition unit 27 reads information on options (voice information, game data display / control program, etc.) determined to be selectable and the usage amount from the option information storage unit 22. In the present embodiment, the option usage fee corresponding to the game usage fee is read from the option information storage unit 22 based on whether the received basic play fee of the game is paid or free. As a result, even with the same option, it is possible to apply different usage fees depending on whether the basic game play fee is free or paid. Recovery of game operating costs can be realized.

  The option information transmission unit 28 transmits the received game information (game data display / control program, etc.) and the acquired option information to the communication terminal 3 of the player 2 to generate game data. is there. Here, as described above, when the option selection receiving unit 26 receives a request to share an option related to selection with another network game, the server device that operates the requested other game is requested. The acquired option information (type, ID, etc.) is transmitted together with the identification information (ID, mobile phone number, etc.) of the player 2. The other server device provides an optional function to the user 2 in its network game based on the acquired information.

  The usage fee totaling unit 29 totals the option usage fee within a predetermined period (monthly, 24 hours, etc.) of the player 2 and acquires the basic play fee of the selected game from the game basic information storage unit 20. This is combined with the option usage fee to calculate the charge amount for the player 2 within the period.

  The accounting processor 30 notifies the communication carrier 4 of the communication terminal 3 of the player 2 of the calculated accounting amount and requests accounting. Here, it is preferable to synchronize the timing of the charging process with the charging time of the communication charge of the communication carrier 4 or the total time of the communication time. Thereby, it becomes easy to charge the game play fee at the same time as the call charge of the communication carrier 4, and it is possible to reduce the burden of office processing and the cost of the fee collection agent.

  Next, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 2, the detailed function of this embodiment is demonstrated with an actual operation | movement. In the following description, a case where the player selects an option to be used for the game during the game play is exemplified, but the option can be selected and registered before the play is started. Note that well-known steps such as user registration at the game site and login (user authentication) processing during game play, and a step of sharing options with other network games described above are also omitted.

  First, when the player 2 uses the communication terminal (mobile phone) 3 to start playing the network game or when the player 2 presses an option selection button (not shown), the option selection accepting unit 26 is activated to display the game option. A menu screen is generated and option selection is accepted (step S1). At this time, the option usage fee is not charged.

  Next, the option availability determination unit 31 identifies the type of game that the player 2 is playing (step S2), and determines whether the option related to the selection is available for the game (step S3). If the option is available in the game being played (Yes in step S3), the option availability determination unit 31 reads the usage condition of the selected option from the option information storage unit 22 and determines whether the option can be selected. Is discriminated (steps S4 and S5). For example, for a character whose number of people that can be used at the same time is limited, the number of selected players 2 and the remaining number of available players are stored in the option information storage unit 22, and whether or not an option can be used based on this. Is determined. If the option selected in the game being played cannot be used (No in step S3), or if the option usage conditions are not satisfied (No in step S5), the message “The option cannot be used” is output in either case. To return to the option selection menu in step S1.

  If the selected option can be used (Yes in step S5), the option information acquisition unit 27 is activated, and the option information storage unit 22 stores information on the option (such as voice information and game data display / control program). (Step S6). At this time, based on whether the basic play fee of the game being played is free or charged, the usage fee for the option is read from the option information storage unit 22 (step S7). Then, the option information transmission unit 28 transmits the read option data (audio data, game data display / control program, etc.) to the mobile phone 3 of the player 2 (step S8). The transmitted option information is executed by the CPU of the mobile phone 3 or the like, so that the game space can be constructed on the memory and the state can be displayed on the display. This state continues until a play end notification is received from the player 2 (mobile terminal 3) (step S9).

  When an instruction to end the play is received (Yes in step S9), the option selection accepting unit 26 also accepts a desire to save the play status (current situation) from the player 2 (step S10). If the player 2 wishes to save the status (Yes in step S10), the option information acquisition unit 27 searches the option information storage unit 22 for the charge for saving the game data, and the game data (game ID, status information, etc.). ) Together with the user ID and stored in the user information storage unit 21 (steps S11 and S12). If the player 2 does not wish to save the status (No in step S10), steps S11 and S12 are skipped. Then, the above-described processing from step S1 to S12 is repeated until a predetermined charging time comes (step S13). The usage fee counting unit 29 monitors the arrival of the billing period.

  When the billing time comes (Yes in step S13), the usage fee totaling unit 29 searches for and totals the optional usage fees stored in the user information storage unit 21 for each player (user) 2 (step S14). . In addition, when the basic play fee of the pay game is registered, it is added to this play fee (step S15). Next, the billing processing unit 30 is activated, specifies the communication carrier 4 of each user 2 from the user information storage unit 21, and notifies the summed billing amount (step S16). This makes it possible to charge the usage fee for the paid option of the game at the same time as the communication fee of the mobile phone 3.

The above processing steps will be specifically described as follows.
For example, when the player 2 selects the option “Purchase salt ramen” on the option selection menu screen, the option information acquisition unit 27 subtracts 600 points from the player's possession points in the game, and determines the predetermined point. A ratio (1% = 6 yen) is registered as a charge to the player. When “Purchase of salt ramen” is selected, the option information transmission unit 28 also supplies salt ramen to the characters in the game. Thereby, the physical strength (damage) of the character is recovered, and the play time of the game is extended. In addition, when it is desired to save the state where the physical strength has been restored and end the game, when “Save State and End” is selected from the menu screen, the option information acquisition unit 27 returns 300 points from the possession points as described above. While subtracting points, the game data is registered in the user information storage unit 21. If the option availability determination unit 31 determines that there are not enough possession points, the storage of part or all of the game data is not permitted.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the player can individually select the pay option for each game, so that it is possible to make fine billing according to the player's wishes and promote participation in the network game. it can. Moreover, in order to perform such a small amount of usage fee settlement on the network, it is generally an excessive burden on the game site operator (server device) side in terms of processing power and security, and also for the player. The burden of inputting payment information and the mental burden are large. Therefore, in this embodiment, a small option usage fee can be charged together with a communication fee for a mobile phone or the like used for playing a network game. As a result, the operation cost of the network game can be reduced without imposing an excessive burden on the server device or the player, and the play fee can be discounted or made free.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to said embodiment, A various deformation | transformation is possible in the range which does not change the summary of invention.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a network configuration and a schematic configuration of a server apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the processing steps.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Server apparatus 2 ... User (player)
3. Communication terminal (cell phone)
4 ... Communication carrier 10 ... CPU
11 ... RAM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 ... Input device 13 ... Output device 14 ... Communication device 15 ... Disk controller 16 ... System bus 17 ... Data storage part 18 ... Program storage part 20 ... Game basic information storage part 21 ... User information storage part 22 ... Option information storage part 25 ... Game play reception unit 25.26 ... Reception unit 26 ... Option selection reception unit 27 ... Option information acquisition unit 28 ... Option information transmission unit 29 ... Usage charge totaling unit 30 ... Billing processing unit 31 ... Option availability determination unit

Claims (6)

A server device for providing a network game to a communication terminal connectable via a network,
Information on the types of characters and optional functions (hereinafter collectively referred to as “options”) that can be selected by players of this game that are not essential for playing the network game, and the option usage amount charged when each option is selected, Option information storage means for storing the types of games that can use each option and the usage conditions for each option in association with each other ;
Game play accepting means for obtaining game type information from the communication terminal of the player and accepting an application for game play;
Each of the selection of an option from the communication terminal of the player and a request for sharing the option related to the selection with other network games are received, and the game type in which the selected option can be used and the use condition of the option are described above. Option selection receiving means for reading from the option information storage means, and determining whether the selected option is available according to the game type and usage conditions ;
Option information acquisition means for acquiring the option information and the amount of use thereof from the option information storage means when it is determined that the selected option is usable ;
An option for transmitting the acquired option information to the player's communication terminal and transmitting the acquired option information together with the player's identification information to the requested server device operating the network game. Information transmission means;
Usage amount storage means for storing the option usage amount of the player;
Usage fee totaling means for searching for and totalizing option usage fees of players in the usage amount storage means at a predetermined cycle;
A server apparatus, comprising: billing processing means for notifying a communication carrier of a player's communication terminal of an aggregate option usage fee and requesting billing. The server device according to claim 1,
further,
Game basic information storage means for describing basic play fees for a plurality of games is provided,
The option information storage means stores the options of the plurality of games in association with identification information of each game,
The game play accepting unit displays a menu screen displaying information on the plurality of games on a communication terminal of the player, acquires a type of game that the player wants to play, and accepts an application for play. Server device. The server device according to claim 2,
The option information storage means stores a usage amount that is different between a paid game and a free game for the same option for a basic play fee,
The option information acquisition means reads out the usage fee of the selected option from the option information storage means based on whether the basic play fee of the received game is paid or free. Server device. The server device according to claim 1,
When the player is playing a game for a fee, the usage fee totaling means calculates a billing amount by adding up the option usage fees totaled to the play fee,
The server is characterized in that the billing processing means notifies the calculated billing amount to a communication carrier. The server device according to claim 1,
The server apparatus is characterized in that the billing processing means totals option usage fees of a player in synchronization with a billing time of a communication charge of a communication carrier or a summing time of a communication time. A server device comprising a storage device for storing a computer program and game data, and a central processing unit (CPU) for calling and executing the computer program from the storage device is connected to a user communication terminal via a network. A method of providing
The CPU is charged according to the program when it selects each option and information on the types of characters and optional functions (hereinafter collectively referred to as “options”) that can be selected by the player of the game, not essential for playing the network game. Option information storing step for describing the option usage amount , the type of game in which each option can be used, and the usage conditions for each option in the option information storage means of the storage device,
In accordance with the program, the CPU obtains game type information from the player's communication terminal and accepts an application for game play;
In accordance with the CPU is programmed, the selection of options from the communication terminal of the player, and with each receiving a request to share with the optional other network game according to this selection, game type and the available options selected An option selection receiving step of reading an option usage condition from the option information storage means, and determining whether or not the selected option can be used according to the game type and the usage condition ;
An option information acquisition step of acquiring the option information and the usage amount from the option information storage unit when the CPU determines that the selected option is usable according to the program;
In accordance with the program, the CPU transmits the acquired option information to the player's communication terminal, and sends the acquired option information to the server device that operates the other network game requested. An optional information transmission step of transmitting together with the identification information;
A usage amount storage step in which the CPU stores the option usage amount of the player in the usage amount storage means of the storage device according to the program;
A usage fee totaling step in which the CPU searches for and totals the option usage fees of the player of the usage amount storage means in a predetermined cycle according to the program,
And a charging processing step in which the CPU notifies the communication carrier of the communication terminal of the player of the collected option usage fee and requests charging according to the program.

Images