JP6419112B2 - Game system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a game system for providing an online game.

  An online game is known in which a plurality of users operate their own player characters to perform a battle play or cooperative play (hereinafter referred to as multi-play) in a virtual space (see Patent Document 1).

  The online game is provided with a function that enables matching between users who want to play a game together. For example, one user becomes a host, and the host user creates a matching room. In response, another user who wants to play a game with the host user enters the room or enters a password created by the host user. Thereby, these users are matched.

JP 2010-167251 A

  However, the conventional online game has a problem that it is difficult to match between one user and another user who is not acquainted. In particular, when a general user desires multiplayer with a prominent user such as a professional gamer, for example, a system that matches the two by a simple method has not been established.

The present invention includes an operation unit that receives an operation of a user including a first user and a second user, and performs two or more first games for executing an online game for performing battle play or cooperative play in a virtual space. A computer, and a second computer connected to the first computer via a network,
The first computer is
A game control unit that executes the online game in response to an operation on the operation unit by the user;
In accordance with an operation on the operation unit by the first user, an amount of virtual currency for executing the online game is set , and in response to an operation on the operation unit by the second user, the A virtual currency setting unit for setting a lower limit of the virtual currency necessary for executing the online game ;
Information related to the first user (hereinafter referred to as self-information) and information related to the second user designated by the first user as a matching partner in response to an operation on the operation unit by the first user. An information transmission unit for transmitting (hereinafter, partner information) to the second computer;
With
The second computer is
A storage unit;
Information that associates the self-information of the first user who specified the matching partner with the partner information of the second user specified as the matching partner, and stores these information in the storage unit The management department,
A matching determination unit that determines whether it is possible to match the first user and the second user in which the self information and the partner information are associated with each other;
With
The game control unit determines that the virtual currency is the amount of the virtual currency when the matching determination unit determines that the matching is possible on condition that at least the amount of the virtual currency exceeds the lower limit of the virtual currency. Executing the online game between the first computer of the first user and the first computer of the second user, provided that a corresponding amount is consumed;
It is a game system.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a game system capable of performing matching between one user and another user who desires multi-play by a simple technique.

It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the game system in this Embodiment. (A) It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of the server apparatus shown in FIG. 1, (B) It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of the game device shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the challenge letter sending process in this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the challenge reception process in this Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the matching process in this Embodiment.

(Embodiment)
A game system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<Game overview>
By the game system 1 of the present invention, for example, a fighting fighting game that can be executed on the home game device 3 is provided.
In the following, a general user (first user) is referred to as a challenger, and a user (second user) as a professional gamer who the challenger desires as an opponent is referred to as a roaster. In addition, the term “user” means both a challenger and a roaster.

In the competitive fighting game provided by the game system 1, the user selects one character (hereinafter referred to as a player character) from among a plurality of characters. The user operates this player character to fight with the opponent character in the virtual space.
In such a game, for example, there are an arcade mode and a battle mode as game modes.

  In the arcade mode, the user operates a player character to fight a non-player character whose movement is controlled by the CPU. The arcade mode consists of multiple stages. This stage is updated sequentially as the scenario progresses.

In the battle mode, player characters respectively operated by a plurality of users battle each other. The battle mode includes an online battle mode executed online and an offline battle mode executed offline.
The embodiment of the present invention will be described below based on the online battle mode.

<Hardware configuration>
With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a hardware configuration of a server device 2 that implements the game system 1 of the present invention and a plurality of game devices 3 that are connected to each other via the server device 2 will be described.

  Each user is given a different account. And ID (identification code) is provided for every account. When each game device 3 communicates with the server device 2 via a communication network, a user account is transmitted from the game device 3. The transmitted account is subjected to predetermined authentication in the server device 2. As a result, communication between the server device 2 and each game device 3 becomes possible.

[Explanation of server device]
The server device 2 can transmit / receive various data to / from a plurality of game devices 3. As shown in FIG. 1, the server device 2 includes a CPU 21 that controls the operation of the server device 2, a storage unit 22 that stores various data, and a network interface 23 that establishes communication connection with each game device 3. A storage unit 22 and a network interface 23 are connected to the CPU 21 of the server device 2 via a bus 20.

  A game program and data are uploaded to the server device 2 from a computer (not shown) of the game producer. The game program and data are stored in the storage unit 22 of the server device 2.

[Functional configuration of server device]
As shown in FIG. 2A, the control unit 210 of the server device 2 executes the game program, so that information management means 211, verification means 212, battle determination means 213, battle permission means 214, and privilege grant means The function as 215 is demonstrated.

  The information management unit 211 stores information (for example, self-information and partner information described later) transmitted from each game device 3 in the storage unit 22 of the server device 2. For example, when the user purchases the virtual currency, the information management unit 211 stores the information in the storage unit 22 in association with the amount of the virtual currency and the purchased user's information.

  In addition, the information management unit 211 stores, in the storage unit 22, information indicating that the virtual currency set by the challenger for the roaster match has been consumed before the start of the roaster match after the start of the roaster match. .

  The verification unit 212 authenticates the account described above. For example, when the verification unit 212 receives information about the virtual currency from the virtual currency setting unit 313, the information on the user (the challenger who has set the virtual currency) and the virtual currency information stored in the storage unit 22. Check against information.

  The battle determination means 213 determines whether or not a challenger and a roaster that the challenger desires to battle can be played. Specifically, the match determination unit 213 determines whether or not both the challenger and the roaster are in a standby state, and information on the virtual currency is a predetermined condition (the total amount of virtual currency held by the challenger is set by the challenger. Whether or not it exceeds the amount of virtual currency that has been made).

The battle permission unit 214 transmits information necessary for the online battle mode to the game device 3 to be matched. Specifically, when the battle determination unit 213 determines that both the challenger and the roaster can be played, the battle permission unit 214 provides information required for the roaster match to the game device 3 (hereinafter, game device 3A) of the challenger. ) And the roaster game device 3 (hereinafter, game device 3B).
Hereinafter, the game device 3 simply refers to both the game device 3A of the challenger and the game device 3B of the roaster.

  The privilege granting means 215 gives a title or the like to the user according to the battle result in the online battle mode or the previous battle result of the user when the battle is over.

  In addition, the privilege granting means 215 stores, in the storage unit 22 of the server device 2, information for distributing a predetermined percentage of the virtual currency among the total amount of virtual currency set by the challenger to the roaster when the roaster match is completed. Send.

[Description of Game Device]
As shown in FIG. 1, a monitor 360, a speaker 370, a controller 380 and the like are externally connected to the game apparatus 3. Then, the game progresses based on the game program and data read from the storage medium purchased by the user. The game apparatus 3 can communicate with the other game apparatus 3 and the server apparatus 2 via a communication network 4 such as the Internet or a LAN.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the game apparatus 3 includes a CPU 31, an HDD 32, a ROM 33, a RAM 34, a network interface 35, a graphic processing unit 36, a video conversion unit 361, an audio synthesis unit 37, an audio conversion unit 371, and a wireless communication control unit 38. Functions as a computer with

  An HDD 32, a ROM 33, a RAM 34, and a network interface 35 are connected to the CPU 31 via the bus 30. In addition, a graphic processing unit 36, an audio synthesis unit 37, and a wireless communication control unit 38 are connected to the CPU 31 via the bus 30.

  The network interface 35 connects the game apparatus 3 to a communication network such as the Internet or a LAN. The network interface 35 communicates between the game device 3 and the other game device 3 or the server device 2. As described above, the network interface 35 connects the game device 3 and another device via the communication network 4 to transmit / receive data to / from each other. Thereby, a plurality of player characters are displayed in synchronization within the same game space.

  The graphic processing unit 36 draws a game image including the virtual space and each character according to an instruction from the CPU 31. Further, an external monitor 360 is connected to the graphic processing unit 36 via a video conversion unit 361. The game image drawn by the graphic processing unit 36 is converted into a moving image format by the video conversion unit 361 and displayed on the monitor 360 as a game screen.

  The audio synthesizing unit 37 reproduces and synthesizes digital game sound in accordance with instructions from the CPU 31. Further, an external speaker 370 is connected to the audio synthesis unit 37 via an audio conversion unit 371. The game sound reproduced and synthesized by the audio synthesis unit 37 is decoded into an analog format by the audio conversion unit 371 and further output from the speaker 370 to the outside.

  The wireless communication control unit 38 includes a 2.4 GHz band wireless communication module. The wireless communication control unit 38 is wirelessly connected to the controller 380 attached to the game apparatus 3 and can transmit and receive data. The user inputs an operation signal to the game apparatus 3 by operating an operator (not shown) such as a button provided on the controller 380.

[Functional configuration of game device]
The control unit 310 of the game apparatus 3 executes the game program stored in the storage medium purchased by the user, and as shown in FIG. 2B, the game control unit 311, the information communication unit 312, the virtual currency setting unit 313 and the function as the battle communication means 314 are exhibited.

  The game control means 311 includes a virtual space generation means 311A and a character control means 311B, and performs control related to the progress of the game.

  The virtual space generation unit 311A reads data such as objects and textures included in the game data, and generates a two-dimensional or three-dimensional virtual game space. Furthermore, the virtual space generation unit 311A places a character such as a player character in the virtual space.

  The character control means 311B controls the movement of characters and the like in the virtual space according to operation information to the controller 380 connected to the game device 3 and the progress of the game.

  In the online battle mode, battle communication means 314 described later receives operation information from the controller 380 connected to the other game apparatus 3. Based on the information, the character control means 311B controls the actions of characters other than the player character.

  The game control unit 311 generates information for displaying these generated and controlled virtual spaces and characters on the monitor 360 as a game screen. In accordance with these pieces of information, the graphic processor 36 draws a game screen.

  The information communication means 312 transmits / receives information about the challenger (hereinafter, self-information) and information about the roaster that the player wants to play (hereinafter, opponent information). The self information includes the account of the game device 3, the challenger ID, the password, information on the amount of virtual currency set as a challenge fee, and information on sending a challenge letter. The partner information includes a roaster ID and the like.

  The virtual currency setting unit 313 receives self-information and information on the virtual currency when a code written on a commercially available prepaid card is input or when information on a user's own credit card is input. Correspondingly, these pieces of information are transmitted to the server device 2. The virtual currency setting unit 313 determines whether the total amount of virtual currency purchased by the challenger exceeds the challenge fee set by the challenger.

  In addition, the roaster can set a challenge fee necessary to challenge himself / herself through the virtual currency setting means 313. This information is transmitted from the information communication means 312 in the roaster game device 3 to the server device 2 as information relating to the roaster.

  The battle communication means 314 transmits and receives information for synchronizing the game progressing on the game device 3 and the game progressing on the other game device 3.

When the plurality of game apparatuses 3 communicate with each other, each game apparatus 3 is connected to the server apparatus 2 and the server apparatus 2 manages the progress of the game.
The session relating to the roaster match is established in the server device 2 provided in the communication path between the challenger game device 3A and the roaster game device 3B.

<Establishing a roaster match session>
A method for establishing a roaster match session will be described below.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing processing of the challenger game device 3A for the challenger to send a challenge to the roaster.
When the roaster match menu is selected in the main menu displayed on the monitor 360 on the challenger side (step S101), the challenge letter sending process proceeds.

  When the roaster match menu is selected, the information communication unit 312 determines whether there is a roaster that can be played (step S102). If there is no roaster that can be played (S102: NO), the challenge letter sending process ends. On the other hand, when there is a roaster that can be played (S102: YES), a roaster list is displayed (step S103). The roaster list displays roaster names, roaster ranks, challenge fees, online status, and more.

  When the challenger selects a roaster that the challenger wants to play (step S104), a battle setting screen for the challenger is displayed (step S105). On this battle setting screen, the challenger can make the battle settings necessary for roaster match, such as setting the challenge fee for the roaster in the unit of virtual currency within the range of preset upper and lower limits.

  The upper limit and lower limit of the challenge fee are set by the roaster. Specifically, the upper limit and the lower limit of the challenge fee can be set within a certain range in advance, such as 100G to 1000G (G is a unit of virtual currency) by the roaster through the virtual currency setting means 313. .

  Next, the virtual currency setting means 313 determines whether or not the total amount of virtual currency purchased by the challenger exceeds the challenge fee set on the battle setting screen (step S106). If the total amount of virtual currency purchased by the challenger is smaller than the set challenge fee (S106: NO), the challenge letter sending process ends. On the other hand, if the total amount of virtual currency purchased by the challenger is larger than the set challenge fee (S106: YES), has the information communication means 312 performed an operation for the challenger to send a challenge letter to the roaster? It is determined whether or not (step S107).

  When the challenger sends a challenge letter to the roaster (S107: YES), the information communication means 312 transmits information about the challenge letter to the server device 2. Thereafter, sending of the challenge letter is completed, and the challenger enters a standby state (step S108). On the other hand, when the challenger does not send a challenge letter to the roaster (S107: NO), the challenge letter sending process ends.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing processing of the roaster game device 3B for the roaster to receive a challenge from the challenger.
In the main menu displayed on the monitor 360 on the roaster side, when the roaster match menu is selected (step S201), the challenge acceptance process proceeds.

  When the roaster match menu is selected, the information communication unit 312 determines whether a challenge letter is sent from the challenger (step S202). If a challenge letter has not been sent from the challenger (S202: NO), the challenge acceptance process ends.

  On the other hand, when a challenge letter is sent from the challenger (S202: YES), “View challenge letter” is displayed (step S203). In this case, when the roaster selects “view challenge” (step S204), a challenge list is displayed (step S205). In the challenger list, the name of the challenger who wants to play, the rank of the challenger, the challenge fee, the online status, etc. are displayed.

  When a challenger with whom a roaster is to fight is selected (step S206), a battle setting screen for roaster is displayed (step S207). This battle setting screen displays the challenge fee set by the challenger. Thereafter, the information communication means 312 determines whether or not the roaster has performed an operation for receiving a challenge (step S208).

  When the roaster is challenged (S208: YES), the information communication means 312 transmits the user information of the challenger and information that the roaster has accepted the challenge of the challenger to the server device 2. Thereafter, the challenge acceptance is completed, and the roaster enters a standby state (step S209). If the roaster does not receive a challenge (S208: NO), the challenge acceptance process ends.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the processing of the server device 2 for matching the challenger and the roaster.
First, the match determination means 213 determines whether both the challenger who sent the challenge and the roaster receiving the challenge are in a standby state, whether the virtual currency setting information set by the challenger satisfies a predetermined condition, etc. Is determined (step S301).

  When both the challenger and the roaster are not in the standby state (S301: NO), step S301 is repeated until both the challenger and the roaster are in the standby state.

  On the other hand, when both the challenger and the roaster are in a standby state (S301: YES), the battle determination unit 213 determines whether or not the challenger and the roaster have transmitted information indicating that the roaster match is started. (Step S302).

  If either the challenger or the roaster refuses to start the roaster match, or if the start of the roaster match is not approved within the predetermined time (S302: NO), the match determination means 213 cancels the roaster match. It is determined whether or not it has been done (step S306).

  When either the challenger or the roaster cancels the roaster match (S306: YES), the matching process ends without consuming the virtual currency. On the other hand, when both the challenger and the roaster have not canceled the roaster match (S306: NO), the process returns to step S301.

  When both the challenger and the roaster approve the start of the roaster match (S302: YES), the match determination unit 213 determines the amount of the virtual currency in which the total amount of the virtual currency currently held by the challenger is set for the roaster match It is determined whether or not it exceeds (step S303).

  When the total amount of virtual currency held by the challenger is smaller than the set amount of virtual currency (S303: NO), the matching process ends.

  When the total amount of the virtual currency held by the challenger is larger than the amount of the set virtual currency (S303: YES), the battle permission unit 214 indicates that the virtual currency set by the challenger has been consumed, It transmits to the memory | storage part 22 via the information management means 211 (step S304). Thereafter, the battle permission unit 214 transmits information necessary for the roaster match to each game device 3 (step S305). Thereafter, the battle communication means 314 of each game apparatus 3 transmits and receives operation information and the like, and the roaster match proceeds.

  The means of the control unit and the flowchart are examples, and the present invention is not limited to these. These can be appropriately changed in design without departing from the technical scope of the present invention.

<Effect of the invention>
According to the game system of the present embodiment, it is possible to perform matching between one user and another user for whom the user desires multiplayer by a simple method.

(Other embodiments)
In the above embodiment, an example in which the server device and the game devices of the users (challenge and roaster) are separate computers is described, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, a challenger game device or a roaster game device may serve as the server device in the embodiment.

  In the above embodiment, an example is described in which the game progresses by communication connection between the challenger game device and the roaster game device via the server device, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a P2P (peer-to-peer) online game in which a server device matches a plurality of game devices in response to a request from each game device and communicates between the matched game devices to progress the game is adopted. You can also.

  Further, in the above embodiment, an example is described in which a session related to a roaster match is established in the server device, but unlike this, the session is one of the challenger game device and the roaster game device. Either may be established.

  Although the example of the fighting fighting game is described in the embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can be applied to any online game for performing a battle play or cooperative play, such as a role playing game, a simulation game, a shogi, or poker.

  Moreover, although the example which can select the challenger which a roaster battles is described in the said embodiment, this invention is not limited to this. For example, the battle may be performed in the order in which the server device receives the challenge. In this case, the battle permission means can match the corresponding challenger based on the order of the challenge received by the server device.

  Further, in the above embodiment, there is described an example in which the standby confirmation is repeated until both of the challenger and the roaster are in the standby state until both of them are in the standby state, but the present invention is not limited to this. . For example, if the roaster is in the standby state but the challenger is not in the standby state, the roaster can cancel the roaster match. In this case, the server device may match the challenger and the roaster in the next order in the order of reception of the challenge letters.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the example which can determine the lower limit of a challenge fee is described in the said embodiment, it replaces with this, for every rank or competition result of a challenger, or for every rank or competition result of a roaster In addition, a challenge fee may be automatically determined.

  For example, a challenger with a low rank (for example, a challenger with a rank of 50 or less) can challenge at a low price (for example, a lower limit of 100G), and a challenger with a high rank (for example, a challenger with a rank of 51 or higher) has a high price (for example, It is also possible to configure so that the lower limit 300G) must be challenged. In this case, the server device can set a challenge fee for each challenger based on the rank of the challenger. In addition, the server device may preferentially match a challenger set with a higher challenge fee with a roaster.

  Furthermore, the upper limit and the lower limit of the challenge fee may be automatically set according to the time period during which the roaster accepts the battle. For example, a relatively high challenge fee may be set in a time zone with many challengers such as holidays, and a low challenge fee may be set in a time zone with few challengers such as weekdays. Thereby, it is possible to distribute the time zones in which the challenger wishes to compete and to facilitate matching.

  In addition, the information communication means may function so that the time zone in which the roaster accepts the battle can be set. In this case, the challenger can designate a date and time that is convenient for the challenger itself during the time when the roaster accepts the challenge via the information communication means. Thereby, the challenger can save time, such as enjoying another game until the battle time comes. When the scheduled time comes, a roaster match is started on the condition that the challenger and roaster are on standby.

  Also, the information management means of the server device accumulates the battle results with other users (including roasters) for each challenger, and the roaster designating means provided in the server device satisfies the predetermined conditions for the cumulative battle results. You may designate a new challenger as a roaster. In addition, when the accumulated match result of the user who is a roaster satisfies a predetermined condition (for example, when the winning rate becomes a predetermined value or less), even if the roaster designation means deprives the user as a roaster. Good.

  Note that, at the time of roaster match, at least one of the users can select an advertisement medium (for example, a banner advertisement) to be displayed on the roaster match game screen (for example, a character costume). May be.

  Moreover, the server apparatus may be provided with means for providing a roster match battle situation as a play video. In this case, when the user has displayed the advertising medium on the roaster match game screen, the privilege granting means can grant the virtual currency to the user according to the number of times the video has been played.

  Furthermore, the server device may be provided with means for distributing the roster match situation in real time. In this case, when the user displays an advertising medium on the roaster match game screen, the virtual currency can be given to the user according to the audience rating.

  Furthermore, although an example in which the roaster is a prominent pro gamer is described in the embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, for example, an entertainer or game developer may be registered as a roaster.

  Moreover, you may designate the user from whom the game operator becomes a roaster. Moreover, a specific user may be designated as a roaster from all users by a questionnaire or voting. For example, a user who satisfies a predetermined game condition (for example, 100 consecutive wins or more) may be designated as a roaster.

  Furthermore, users may be ranked so that lower rank users can consume virtual currency and challenge a higher rank user. In this case, when a user with a lower rank wins a user with a higher rank, the user with a lower rank may be raised to a higher rank.

  Moreover, although the example using the home game device was described in the said embodiment, this invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can be realized by using an arcade game case provided in a game center or the like.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the user purchases virtual currency and the example which implements a roaster match using the virtual currency is described, this invention is not limited to this. For example, a roaster match may be performed based on real money consumption (including credit card settlement) instead of virtual currency. The challenge fee is not limited to virtual currency, and may be an in-game item or the like.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Game system 2 Server apparatus 3 Game apparatus 4 Network line 210 Control part 211 of server apparatus Information management means 212 Collation means 213 Competition determination means 214 Competition permission means 215 Benefit provision means 310 Game apparatus control section 311 Game control means 311A Virtual space Generation means 311B Character control means 312 Information communication means 313 Virtual currency setting means 314 Battle communication means

Claims (1)

Two or more first computers that include an operation unit that receives an operation of a user including a first user and a second user and that executes an online game for performing a battle play or a cooperative play in a virtual space; A second computer that is communicatively connected to the first computer via a network,
The first computer is
A game control unit that executes the online game in response to an operation on the operation unit by the user;
In accordance with an operation on the operation unit by the first user, an amount of virtual currency for executing the online game is set , and in response to an operation on the operation unit by the second user, the A virtual currency setting unit for setting a lower limit of the virtual currency necessary for executing the online game ;
Information related to the first user (hereinafter referred to as self-information) and information related to the second user designated by the first user as a matching partner in response to an operation on the operation unit by the first user. An information transmission unit for transmitting (hereinafter, partner information) to the second computer;
With
The second computer is
A storage unit;
Information that associates the self-information of the first user who specified the matching partner with the partner information of the second user specified as the matching partner, and stores these information in the storage unit The management department,
A matching determination unit that determines whether it is possible to match the first user and the second user in which the self information and the partner information are associated with each other;
With
The game control unit determines that the virtual currency is the amount of the virtual currency when the matching determination unit determines that the matching is possible on condition that at least the amount of the virtual currency exceeds the lower limit of the virtual currency. Executing the online game between the first computer of the first user and the first computer of the second user, provided that a corresponding amount is consumed;
Game system.

Images