JP7516138B2 - Game system, server device and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a game system, a server device, and a program.

Games that use position information in real space have been known for some time (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2008-073265 A

In games that use location information, when players are allowed to play games that are associated with a specific location, having players continue to play the game repeatedly in the same location can lead to opportunities for paying and stimulate the game community, and game operators need to provide such opportunities to players.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above problems, and its purpose is to provide a game system, server device, and program that can give a player the opportunity to continue playing a game in the same location in a game that uses location information.

(1) The present invention relates to a game system that generates game information based on position information of a player terminal in real space and executes a game, the game system including a storage control unit that acquires the position information at a first game timing and stores it in a storage unit as first position information and stores the position information at a second game timing as second position information in the storage unit, and a game progress control unit that compares the first position information with the second position information to determine whether they match and controls the progress of the game depending on the determination result. The present invention also relates to a server device that includes the above-mentioned units. The present invention also relates to a program for causing a computer to function as the above-mentioned units. The present invention also relates to a computer-readable information storage medium that stores the above-mentioned game program.

According to the present invention, by controlling the progress of the game depending on whether the player remains in the same place from the first game timing to the second game timing, it is possible to provide the player with an opportunity to continue playing the game in the same place.

(2) In the game system, server device, program, and information storage medium according to the present invention, the first game timing is a given game execution start timing, and the second game timing is a timing at which the game ends or a game division timing, and the game progress control unit may execute the game by inheriting the game conditions at the start of the game if the first location information and the second location information match, and may reset the game conditions and execute the game based on game information generated based on the location information acquired after the second game timing if the first location information and the second location information do not match.

According to the present invention, if a player remains in the same location from the start of the game to the end of the game (or a game division timing), the player can continue playing the game under the game conditions at the start of the game, providing the player with an opportunity to continue playing the game in the same location.

(3) In addition, in the game system, server device, program, and information storage medium according to the present invention, the game progress control unit may change the conditions for continuing the game depending on whether the first location information and the second location information match.

According to the present invention, for example, if a player remains in the same place from the start of the game to the end of the game, the player can be unconditionally allowed to continue, thereby providing the player with the opportunity to continue playing the game in the same place.

(4) In addition, in the game system, server device, program, and information storage medium according to the present invention, when the first location information and the second location information match, the game progress control unit may allow another player who has a predetermined relationship with the player and whose current location matches the player to play the game under the same game conditions as the player.

According to the present invention, if a player remains in the same location from the start of a game to the end of the game, other players who have a predetermined relationship with that player can play under the same game conditions, providing the player with an opportunity to continue playing the game in the same location.

(5) In the game system, server device, program, and information storage medium according to the present invention, the first game timing may be a given game execution start timing, the second game timing may be a timing at a predetermined time interval from the first game timing, and the game progress control unit may store the game progress content at that time when the first position information and the second position information no longer match.

According to the present invention, when a player moves from the location where the game started, the progress of the game at that point is saved, so that even players who have moved from the location where the game started can be provided with an opportunity to enjoy the game.

(6) In addition, in the game system, server device, program, and information storage medium according to the present invention, the game progress control unit may execute the game based on game information generated based on the position information acquired after the second game timing after saving the game progress content.

(7) In the game system, server device, program, and information storage medium according to the present invention, the game progress control unit may resume the game based on the saved game progress content when the newly acquired location information matches the first location information after the game progress content is saved.

According to the present invention, if a player moves away from the location where the game started and then returns to the location where the game started, the game is resumed based on the saved game progress, providing an opportunity for players who have moved away from the location where the game started to enjoy the game.

(8) In the game system, server device, program, and information storage medium according to the present invention, the game progress control unit may control the progress of the game according to the time it takes for the first location information and the second location information to no longer match.

(9) In the game system, server device, program, and information storage medium according to the present invention, the game progress control unit may generate a game map based on map information of the current position of the player terminal as the game information.

According to the present invention, in a game using a game map generated based on map information of the current position of the player terminal, it is possible to provide a player with the opportunity to continue playing the game in the same location.

(10) In addition, in the game system, server device, program, and information storage medium according to the present invention, the game progress control unit may grant a bonus to a player when the first location information and the second location information do not match and when the combination of the first location information and the second location information satisfies a predetermined condition.

According to the present invention, when a player moves from the original location, a bonus is awarded if the combination of the location before the move and the location after the move meets a predetermined condition, so that even players who have moved from the original location can be provided with an opportunity to enjoy the game.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a game system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a functional block diagram of a server according to the embodiment; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a functional block diagram of a terminal according to the embodiment; FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a game map. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a game map. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a game map. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a game screen. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of the game system according to the first embodiment. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of the game system according to the first embodiment. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of a game system according to a second embodiment. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of a game system according to a second embodiment.

The following describes an embodiment of the present invention. Note that the embodiment described below does not unduly limit the content of the present invention described in the claims. Furthermore, not all of the configurations described in the embodiment are necessarily necessary components of the present invention.

1. Configuration Fig. 1 shows a game system according to the present embodiment. In this embodiment, the game system is configured with a plurality of terminals 10 and a server 20 (server system). In other words, as shown in Fig. 1, the game system according to the present embodiment is configured such that the server 20 (server device) that provides a service and the terminals 10 (10A, 10B, 10C, ...) can be connected to a network.

The server 20 is an information processing device that provides online game services in response to requests from the terminal 10. The server 20 can be composed of one or more servers (authentication server, matching server, game processing server, communication server, billing server, database server, etc.).

In this embodiment, a game is executed on the terminal 10, and a process of controlling the progress of the game executed on the terminal 10 is executed on the server 20. The server 20 also manages information such as player account information, game results of the game executed on the terminal 10, game media (characters, items, etc.) that can be used in the game, and in-game currency.

The terminal 10 is an information processing device such as a mobile terminal (smartphone, tablet terminal, mobile phone, portable game machine, etc.) capable of acquiring location information, and is a device that can be connected to the server 20 via a network such as the Internet (WAN) or LAN. The communication line between the terminal 10 and the server 20 may be wired or wireless.

Figure 2 shows an example of a functional block diagram of the server 20 of this embodiment. Note that the server of this embodiment may be configured in such a way that some of the components (parts) of Figure 2 are omitted.

The memory unit 270 stores programs and various data for causing the computer to function as each part of the processing unit 200, and functions as a work area for the processing unit 200, and this function can be realized by a hard disk, RAM, etc. The memory unit 270 includes a storage unit 272 (e.g., a database).

The storage unit 272 stores player information for each of a plurality of players participating in an online game executed in the game system of this embodiment. For example, the storage unit 272 stores, as player information, a player name (player account), a password, destination information (IP address, etc.) of the terminal 10, etc., in association with the player identification information (player ID, terminal ID used by the player, etc.) of each of a plurality of players. The storage unit 272 also stores, as player information, information for identifying other players who are in a friend relationship (an example of a predetermined relationship) with the player. The storage unit 272 also stores, as player information, information regarding the game medium and in-game currency owned by the player in association with the player identification information.

The communication unit 296 performs various controls for communicating with the terminal 10 and other servers, and its functions can be realized by hardware such as various processors or communication ASICs, programs, etc.

The processing unit 200 (processor) performs various processes such as player information management, login/logout processing, game progress control processing, and communication control processing based on data, programs, etc. sent from the terminal 10 and received via the communication unit 296. The processing unit 200 performs various processes using the memory unit 270 as a work area. The functions of the processing unit 200 can be realized by hardware such as various processors (CPU, DSP, etc.) and ASICs (gate arrays, etc.), or programs. The processing unit 200 includes a memory control unit 210 and a game progress control unit 212.

The memory control unit 210 acquires position information of the terminal 10 (player terminal) in real space from the terminal 10, associates the acquired position information with the terminal 10, and stores the acquired position information in the memory unit 270 (storage unit 272). The memory control unit 210 acquires position information at a first game timing and stores it in the memory unit 270 as first position information, and stores position information at a second game timing in the memory unit 270 as second position information. The first game timing is, for example, a given game execution start timing, and may be the timing at the start of the game, or may be a timing before or after that. The second game timing may be, for example, the timing at the end of the game (such as clearing the game, failing to clear the game, or the passage of a specified time limit or number of turns), or may be a dividing point in the game (such as when a turn has passed), or may be a timing at a specified time interval from the first game timing.

The game progress control unit 212 generates game information based on the position information of the terminal 10, and controls the progress of the game executed on the terminal 10 based on the generated game information. The game progress control unit 212 may generate a game map based on map information of the current position of the terminal 10 as the game information. The game progress control unit 212 also compares the first position information and the second position information stored in the storage unit to determine whether they match, and controls the execution of the game according to the determination result. Note that the first position information and the second position information may be determined to match when the distance between the position specified by the first position information and the position specified by the second position information is equal to or shorter than a predetermined distance.

When the second game timing is the timing at which the game ends or the timing at which the game is divided, the game progress control unit 212 may execute the game by inheriting the game conditions (game map, etc.) at the start of the game if the first position information and the second position information match, and may reset the game conditions and execute the game based on game information generated based on position information acquired after the second game timing if the first position information and the second position information do not match. The game progress control unit 212 may also change the conditions for continuing the game (conditions for allowing continuation and parameters when continuing) depending on whether the first position information and the second position information match. The game progress control unit 212 may also allow other players who have a predetermined relationship with the player and whose current position matches the player to play the game under the same game conditions as the player if the first position information and the second position information match.

If the second game timing is a timing at a predetermined time interval from the first game timing, the game progress control unit 212 may, when the first location information and the second location information no longer match, save the game progress content at that time, execute the game based on game information generated based on location information acquired after the second game timing, and then, when the newly acquired location information matches the first location information, resume the game based on the saved game progress content.

The game progress control unit 212 may also control the progress of the game depending on the time it takes for the first location information and the second location information to no longer match. The game progress control unit 212 may also grant a bonus to the player if the first location information and the second location information do not match and the combination of the first location information and the second location information satisfies a predetermined condition.

Figure 3 shows an example of a functional block diagram of the terminal 10 of this embodiment. Note that the terminal of this embodiment may have a configuration in which some of the components (parts) of Figure 3 are omitted.

The input unit 150 is a device for inputting (detecting) input information from the player, and outputs the player's input information (operation information) to the processing unit 100. The functions of the input unit 150 can be realized by input devices such as a touch panel, a touch pad, a mouse, directional keys or buttons, and a keyboard.

The positioning unit 160 receives positioning satellite signals from positioning satellites such as GPS, determines the current position of the terminal 10 based on the received positioning satellite signals, and outputs position information (positioning information such as latitude, longitude, and altitude) to the processing unit 100. The functions of the positioning unit 160 can be realized by a positioning satellite signal receiving circuit, a processor, a program, etc.

The memory unit 170 stores programs and various data for causing the computer to function as each part of the processing unit 100, and also functions as a work area for the processing unit 100, and this function can be realized by a hard disk, RAM, etc.

The display unit 190 outputs the game image generated by the processing unit 100, and this function can be realized by a display such as a touch panel, LCD, or HMD (head mounted display) that also functions as the input unit 150.

The sound output unit 192 outputs the sound generated by the processing unit 100, and this function can be realized by a speaker or headphones, etc.

The communication unit 196 performs various controls for communicating with the server 20 and other terminals 10, and its functions can be realized by hardware such as various processors or communication ASICs, programs, etc.

In addition, programs and various data for causing a computer to function as each part of the processing unit 100, which are stored in an information storage medium or memory unit possessed by the server 20, may be received via a network, and the received programs and data may be stored in the memory unit 170. Such cases in which a terminal is caused to function by receiving programs and various data are also included within the scope of the present invention.

The processing unit 100 (processor) performs processes such as game processing, image generation processing, and sound generation processing based on input information (operation information) from the input unit 150, position information from the positioning unit 160, programs, data received via the communication unit 196, and the like. The functions of the processing unit 100 can be realized by hardware such as various processors (CPU, DSP, etc.) and ASICs (gate arrays, etc.), and programs. The processing unit 100 includes a game processing unit 110, an image generation unit 120, and a sound generation unit 130.

The game processing unit 110 performs processing to execute a game based on input information from the input unit 150, position information from the positioning unit 160, and information received from the server 20 (such as game information). For example, the game processing unit 110 executes a game in which an object moves based on the input information on a game map generated by the server 20 based on the position information, or a game in which a game event occurs in a virtual space based on the position information. The game processing unit 110 also transmits the position information from the positioning unit 160 to the server 20 at the first game timing and the second game timing.

The image generation unit 120 performs drawing processing based on the results of various processes performed by the processing unit 100, thereby generating a game image and outputting it to the display unit 190. The image generation unit 120 may generate an image (a so-called three-dimensional image) that can be seen from a virtual camera (a given viewpoint) within the object space (game space).

The sound generation unit 130 performs sound processing based on the results of various processes performed by the processing unit 100, generates game sounds such as background music, sound effects, or voice, and outputs them to the sound output unit 192.

When the game is started, the processing unit 100 transmits information to the server 20 to notify the server 20 that the game has started, and when the game is ended, the processing unit 100 transmits game result information (information on the game medium and in-game currency held by the player, game progress, etc.) related to the game result and various game parameters to the server 20. The server 20 performs an update process of various data associated with each player based on the game result information transmitted from the game device (terminal 10). Note that the example is not limited to transmitting game result information generated on the terminal 10 side to the server 20, and the server 20 may generate game result information based on various information sequentially transmitted from the terminal 10 to the server 20 during game execution. Also, whether the game is ended may be determined on the terminal 10 side or on the server 20 side.

The game system of this embodiment may be configured as a server system. The server system may be configured with one or more servers (authentication server, game processing server, communication server, billing server, database server, etc.). In this case, the server system performs processing of the game processing unit 110 based on operation input (data input to the input unit of the terminal) and position information transmitted from one or more terminals (e.g., smartphone, mobile phone, portable game machine, etc.) connected via a network, generates image generation data for generating an image, and transmits the generated image generation data to each terminal. Here, the image generation data is data for displaying an image generated by the method of this embodiment on each terminal, and may be image data itself or various data (object data, game processing result data, etc.) used by each terminal to generate an image. In this way, the processing of the memory control unit 210, the game progress control unit 212, and the game processing unit 110 may be configured to be executed all by the server, may be configured to be executed all by the terminal, or may be configured to be executed in a distributed manner between the server and the terminal. The present invention can be applied to game apps and browser games executed on smartphones, etc., game software for portable game machines, etc.

2. Method of the Present Invention The method of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.

2-1. First embodiment In the first embodiment, the server 20 generates a game map (an example of game information) based on map information of the current position of the terminal 10, and the terminal 10 executes a game in which an object (character) moves within the game map based on an operation by a player.

At the start of the game (a given game execution start timing, first game timing), the terminal 10 transmits location information (current location at the start of the game) to the server 20, and the server 20 associates the location information with the player of the terminal 10 as first location information and stores it in the storage unit 270.

As shown in FIG. 4, the server 20 extracts a rectangular area including the current position (e.g., centered on the current position) from real-world map information (map information such as the shape and arrangement of roads and buildings, topography, and altitude) based on the first position information, and extracts roads (roadways and sidewalks) from the rectangular area to generate a game map GM. The extracted roads become the passages PW along which characters (player character, enemy character) move on the game map GM. At this time, the width of the roads may be corrected to be constant.

As shown in FIG. 5, the game map GM has four types of objects: a player character PC, an enemy character EC, a first item IT1, and a second item IT2. The player character PC moves along the passage PW at a constant speed, and when the player inputs a direction instruction (an operation to indicate either up, down, left, or right), if the player can move in the direction indicated by the direction instruction input, the player character moves in that direction (changes the moving direction). When the player character PC reaches a dead end of the passage PW, the player character may turn back at that point, or may appear (warp) at another dead end. The enemy character EC moves along the passage PW at a constant speed according to a given algorithm, and when the player character PC comes into contact with the enemy character EC in "normal mode" (initial state), the game ends (failure to clear the game), and the game ends. When the player character PC comes into contact with the first item IT1, the first item IT1 disappears. Furthermore, when the player character PC comes into contact with the second item IT2, the second item IT2 disappears and the enemy character EC goes into "disadvantaged mode" for a certain period of time. When the player character PC comes into contact with an enemy character EC in "disadvantaged mode", the enemy character EC disappears. When all of the first items IT1 within the game map GM have been disappeared, the game is cleared and ends.

When the game is cleared (when the game ends, an example of the second game timing), the terminal 10 transmits position information (current position at the time of game clear) to the server 20, and the server 20 associates the position information with the player of the terminal 10 as second position information and stores it in the storage unit 270. The server 20 then compares the first position information and the second position information of the player, and if they match (the player stayed in the same place from the start of the game until the game was cleared), controls the game progress so that the player can play again with the same game map GM (under the game conditions at the start of the game). At this time, the game level is raised from the initial value "Level 1" to "Level 2" so that the game can be played using the same game map GM at a higher level of difficulty. Raising the game level means, for example, increasing the number of enemy characters EC and first items IT1 placed on the game map GM, or decreasing the number of second items IT2 placed on the game map GM. Instead of (or in addition to) allowing a player to play a game using the same game map GM with an increased level of difficulty, the player may be given a special benefit (such as a rare item) and be able to play a game using the same game map GM.

On the other hand, if the player's first position information and second position information do not match (the player has moved from the location at the start of the game), the server 20 resets the game map GM at the start of the game, and generates a new game map GM based on the position information acquired after the game is cleared (the second position information, or the position information newly acquired after the game is cleared), as shown in FIG. 6, and controls the game progress so that the game can be played at the initial level ("Level 1") on the new game map GM.

In this way, if a player remains in the same location from the start of the game until the game is cleared, the player can continue to play the game using the same game map at a higher level of difficulty, providing the player with an opportunity (motivation) to continue playing the game in the same location. Also, if the player moves from the start of the game, the game is played using a new game map based on the location after the move, preventing the player from continuing to play the game using the game map based on the location at the start of the game despite having moved from the location at the start of the game, eliminating the player's sense of unfairness.

Also, at the time of game over (at the end of the game, an example of the second game timing), the terminal 10 may transmit position information (current position at the time of game over) to the server 20, and the server 20 may associate the position information with the player of the terminal 10 as second position information and store it in the storage unit 270. In this case, the server 20 may compare the first position information and the second position information of the player, and if the two match (the player stayed in the same place from the start of the game to the time of game over), the game may be allowed to continue unconditionally (the game may be restarted from the game situation at the time of game over), and if the first position information and the second position information of the player do not match, the game may be allowed to continue only when a given condition (a condition for continuing) is satisfied. Satisfying the condition for continuing means, for example, consuming a parameter such as in-game currency or "stamina". In addition, when the first position information and the second position information match, the game may be resumed with the game situation (parameters of the player character, etc.) at the time of game over, and when the first position information and the second position information do not match, the game may be resumed with the parameters (stamina value, etc.) of the player character at the time of game over reduced. In this way, when the player stays in the same place from the start of the game to the game over, the player can continue the game under more advantageous conditions, so that an opportunity (motivation) to continue playing the game in the same place can be provided to the player. Note that, when the first position information and the second position information do not match, the greater the distance between the position specified by the first position information and the position specified by the second position information (the distance traveled from the start of the game to the time of game over), the stricter the conditions for continuing (for example, the greater the consumption of in-game currency or parameters required for continuing) may be.

In addition, when the first location information and the second location information (current location at the time of game completion) of a player match, the current location of another player who is a friend of the player may be acquired, and when the location specified by the second location information of the player matches the current location of the other player, the other player may be allowed to play the game under the same game conditions (game level, etc.) as the player. For example, if a player remains in the same place until the game is completed in a "level 1" game, and is able to play a "level 2" game, when another player who is a friend of the player arrives in the same place, the other player can play the "level 2" game without playing the "level 1" game. In this way, when a player remains in the same place from the start of the game until the game is completed, the player's friend will be able to play under the same game conditions as the player, providing the player with an opportunity (motivation) to continue playing the game in the same place.

In addition, position information at a game division timing may be obtained as second position information, and if the first position information and the second position information match, the player may be able to play again with the same game map GM (if they do not match, the game map GM may be reset), or the game may be allowed to continue unconditionally, or other players who are friends with the player and whose current position matches the player's may be able to play the game under the same game conditions as the player. The game division timing may be, for example, the timing when the remaining lives of the player character PC increase or decrease, in a case where the player character PC has remaining lives, and if the player character PC comes into contact with an enemy character EC, the remaining lives are consumed to continue, or if the player character PC comes into contact with an enemy character EC when there are 0 remaining lives, the game is over.

Also, instead of acquiring the position information at the end of the game and using it as the second position information, position information at a timing (another example of the second game timing) every predetermined time (for example, 1 minute) from the start of the game may be acquired and used as the second position information (the second position information may be updated every predetermined time from the start of the game). In this case, the server 20 compares the first position information and the second position information of the player every predetermined time, and when the two no longer match (the player has moved from the place at the start of the game), it associates the game progress content (game map GM being played, game level, the position of each object in the game map GM, score, game status such as achievement level) with the player at that time and stores it (stores it in the storage unit 270). Then, as shown in FIG. 6, a new game map GM is generated based on the position information acquired after the time when the first position information and the second position information no longer match (the second position information at the time when they no longer match, or the position information newly acquired after that time), and the game progress is controlled so that the game can be played on the new game map GM. During this time, the second location information is updated at regular intervals, and if the player's first location information and the latest second location information match (the player has returned to the location where the game first began), control is performed to resume the game based on the game progress details saved in association with that player.

In this way, if a player moves from the location where the game started, the game progress at that point is saved, and if the player then returns to the location where the game started, the player can resume the game and continue playing the saved game content. This eliminates any sense of unfairness to players, while also providing an opportunity for players who have moved from the location where the game started to enjoy the game.

In addition, a storage period for the game progress contents may be set, and the game may be resumed based on the saved game progress contents only when the first position information and the second position information match before the storage period has elapsed since the game progress contents were saved. In this case, the storage period may be changed according to the game level (the game level of the saved game map GM, or the game level of the player), and the higher the game level, the longer the storage period. In addition, when the player consumes in-game currency or a predetermined number of points, the storage period may be extended according to the amount of consumption. In addition, the game progress contents may be saved until the player moves a predetermined distance away from the position when the game progress contents were saved (or until the moving distance since the game progress contents were saved reaches a predetermined distance).

In addition, if the player's first location information and second location information (current location when the game is cleared, current location when the game is over, current location at a game division timing, or current location updated at a predetermined time from the start of the game) do not match, and the combination of the first location information and the second location information satisfies a predetermined condition, a bonus may be given to the player. For example, if the location specified by the first location information and the location specified by the second location information have a predetermined relationship (e.g., sister city or friendly city), the distance between the location specified by the first location information and the location specified by the second location information is a predetermined distance (or within a predetermined distance range or equal to or greater than a predetermined distance), or the difference (altitude difference) between the altitude specified by the first location information and the altitude specified by the second location information is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, a bonus may be given to the player as the predetermined condition is met. Granting a privilege to a player may mean, for example, granting the player game media or in-game currency, or allowing the player to continue the game specially (unconditionally), or connecting the game map GM generated based on the first position information with the game map GM generated based on position information acquired after the game ends to generate a new game map (a map in which the character can move between a specified point on the passage PW of the game map GM generated based on the first position information and a specified point on the passage PW of the game map GM generated based on position information acquired after the game ends) and making it possible to play a game using the new game map.

The progress of the game may also be controlled according to the time required for the first location information and the second location information to no longer match. For example, if the time required for the first location information and the second location information to no longer match is shorter than a predetermined time, the game map GM may not be reset (the game conditions may not be reset) and the progress of the game may not be saved. This makes it possible to prevent resets due to positioning errors. Also, the longer the time required for the first location information and the second location information to no longer match, the more advantageous the game start situation after resetting may be (for example, the game difficulty may be lowered), or a more advantageous bonus may be given when the progress of the game is saved.

2-2. Second embodiment In the second embodiment, a game is executed in the terminal 10 in which a player character moves within a game space (a virtual three-dimensional space corresponding to real space) based on a current position (position information acquired at predetermined time intervals), and a game event (an event in which the player character fights against an enemy character) is generated in the server 20 based on the current position of the terminal 10.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a game screen displayed on the display unit 190 of the terminal 10. The game screen GI shown in FIG. 7 is an image seen from a virtual camera in the game space GS. In the game space GS, a player character PC is placed, and a plurality of specific points SP are set. When the player (terminal 10) moves in the real space, the player character PC moves in the game space GS in a direction corresponding to the player's moving direction, and a distance corresponding to the player's moving distance. In addition, the virtual camera in the game space GS moves following the player character PC. When the player character PC reaches the specific point SP (when the player's current position coincides with a specific position in the real space corresponding to the specific point SP), an event occurs in which the player character PC fights against an enemy character (e.g., a raid boss) associated with the specific point SP. In the event, when the player performs a predetermined operation, the player character PC attacks the enemy character, and the enemy character also attacks the player character PC according to a given algorithm. When the player character PC attacks an enemy character, the enemy character's vitality value decreases according to the attacking power of the player character PC and the defensive power of the enemy character. Also, when the enemy character attacks the player character PC, the player character's vitality value decreases according to the enemy character's attacking power and the defensive power of the player character PC. Then, if the player character's vitality value reaches 0 first, the game is over and the event ends. Also, if the enemy character's vitality value reaches 0 first, the game is cleared and the event ends. Also, a time limit may be set for the event, and the game may be over if the player character's vitality value is less than the enemy character's vitality value when the time limit has elapsed, and the game may be cleared if the player character's vitality value is equal to or greater than the enemy character's vitality value.

The server 20 associates the current position of the terminal 10 at the start of the event (position information of the terminal 10 when the player character PC reaches the specific point SP) with the player of the terminal 10 as first position information and stores it in the storage unit 270.

When the event is cleared (the game ends), the terminal 10 transmits location information (the current location at the time of game clear) to the server 20, and the server 20 associates the location information with the player of the terminal 10 as second location information and stores the location information in the storage unit 270. The server 20 then compares the first location information and the second location information of the player, and if they match (the player has stayed in the same place from the start of the event until the game is cleared), controls the game progress so that the event can be played again with the same enemy character as the opponent (under the game conditions at the start of the event). At this time, the game level is raised from the initial value of "Level 1" to "Level 2" so that an event in which the player fights the same enemy character can be played at a higher difficulty level. Raising the game level means, for example, increasing the parameters (attack power, defense power, and initial values of vitality value) of the enemy character. Note that instead of (or in addition to) being able to play an event in which the player fights the same enemy character after raising the difficulty level, the player may be given a bonus (rare item, etc.) before playing the event in which the player fights the same enemy character.

On the other hand, if the player's first position information and second position information do not match (the player has moved from the location at the start of the event), the server 20 will generate an event in which the player's character PC fights against a new enemy character associated with another specific point SP when the player's character PC subsequently reaches another specific point SP (the player's current position matches a position in real space corresponding to that specific point SP).

In this way, if a player remains in the same location from the start of an event until the game is cleared, the player can continue to play an event in which he or she faces the same enemy character at a higher level of difficulty, providing the player with an opportunity (motivation) to continue playing the game in the same location. Also, if the player moves from the start of an event, a new event (a battle game against a new enemy character) is played based on the location after the move, preventing the player from continuing to play an event based on the location at the start of the event despite having moved from the location at the start of the event, and eliminating the player's sense of unfairness.

Also, similarly to the first embodiment, when the game of an event is over (when the game ends), the terminal 10 may transmit position information (the current position at the time of the game over) to the server 20, and the server 20 may associate the position information with the player of the terminal 10 as second position information and store it in the storage unit 270. In this case, the server 20 may compare the first position information and the second position information of the player, and if the two match (the player stayed in the same place from the start of the game of the event to the time of the game over), allow the player to continue the game unconditionally, and if the first position information and the second position information of the player do not match, allow the player to continue the game only when a given condition is satisfied.

In addition, if the first location information and second location information (current location when the game is cleared) of a player match, the current location of another player who is a friend of the player may be obtained, and if the location specified by the second location information of the player matches the current location of the other player, the other player may be allowed to play the event under the same game conditions (game level, etc.) as the player.

In addition, position information at a dividing point in the game may be obtained as second position information, and if the first position information and the second position information match, the event in which the player faces the same enemy character may be played again (if they do not match, the event may be reset), the game may be continued unconditionally, or other players who are friends with the player and have the same current position as the player may be able to play the event under the same game conditions as the player. The dividing point in the game may be, for example, the timing when a turn has passed, or when each wave of enemy characters attacks (ends or starts) in an event where waves of enemy characters attack.

Also, instead of acquiring position information at the end of the event (when the game of the event is cleared, when the game is over) and using it as the second position information, position information at a timing of a predetermined time from the start of the event may be acquired and used as the second position information. In this case, the server 20 compares the first position information and the second position information of the player at predetermined time intervals, and when they no longer match (the player has moved from the location at the start of the event), it associates the progress of the event at that time (the event being played (specific point SP), the vitality values of the player character PC and the enemy character, the number of turns elapsed, the remaining time of the time limit, and other game conditions) with the player and stores them (stored in the storage unit 270). Then, when the player character PC subsequently reaches another specific point SP, an event occurs in which the player fights against a new enemy character associated with that specific point SP. During this time, the second position information is updated at regular intervals, and when the player's first position information and the latest second position information match (the player character PC has returned to the first specific point SP), control is performed to resume the event (an event in which the player battles an enemy character associated with the first specific point SP) based on the progress of the event stored in association with the player.

In this way, if a player moves from the location where the event started, the progress of the event at that point is saved, and if the player then returns to the location where the event started, the player can resume the event and continue playing the saved game content. This eliminates any sense of unfairness to players, while also providing an opportunity for players who have moved from the location where the event started to enjoy the game.

Also, as in the first embodiment, if the player's first location information and second location information (the current location when the event game is cleared, the current location when the game is over, the current location at a game division timing, or the current location updated at a predetermined time interval from the start of the event) do not match, and the combination of the first location information and the second location information satisfies a predetermined condition, a bonus may be given to the player.

The progress of the game may be controlled according to the time required for the first location information and the second location information to become inconsistent. For example, if the time required for the first location information and the second location information to become inconsistent is shorter than a predetermined time, the event may not be reset (the game conditions may not be reset) and the progress of the game may not be saved. Furthermore, the longer the time required for the first location information and the second location information to become inconsistent, the more advantageous the game start situation after resetting may be (for example, the difficulty level of the event may be lowered), or a more advantageous bonus may be given when the progress of the game is saved.

3. Processing 3-1. First embodiment Next, an example of processing of the game system (server 20) of the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of Fig. 8 and Fig. 9. Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing when position information at the end of a game is acquired and used as second position information.

First, the memory control unit 210 determines whether or not position information at the start of the game has been received from the terminal 10 (step S10), and if the position information has been received (Y in step S10), the memory unit 270 stores the position information as first position information associated with the terminal 10 (step S11). Next, the game progress control unit 212 generates a game map GM from map information of the position identified by the first position information based on the first position information (step S12), and transmits information (game information) for playing the game using the game map GM to the terminal 10 (step S13).

Next, the memory control unit 210 judges whether or not the position information at the time of the end of the game (game clear) is received from the terminal 10 (step S14), and if the position information is received (Y in step S14), the position information is associated with the terminal 10 as the second position information and stored in the memory unit 270 (step S15). Next, the game progress control unit 212 compares the first position information and the second position information stored in association with the terminal 10 (step S16), and judges whether the two match (the difference between the two is a predetermined value or less) (step S17). If the first position information and the second position information do not match (N in step S17), the process proceeds to step S10, where new position information at the start of the game is acquired and stored as the first position information (or the position information acquired in step S14 is stored as the first position information). If the first location information and the second location information match (Y in step S17), the game progress control unit 212 transmits information for playing a game using the same game map GM (the game map GM generated in step S13) at a higher difficulty level (game level) to the terminal 10 (step S18), and proceeds to step S14.

Figure 9 is a flowchart showing the process flow when acquiring location information at predetermined time intervals from the start of the game and using it as the second location information. Note that steps S20 to S23 in Figure 9 are similar to steps S10 to S13 in Figure 8, and therefore will not be described as necessary.

In step S24, the memory control unit 210 judges whether or not position information has been received from the terminal 10 at a timing of every predetermined time from the start of the game, and if the position information has been received (Y in step S24), the second position information stored in the memory unit 270 in association with the terminal 10 is updated with the position information (step S25). Next, the game progress control unit 212 compares the first position information and the second position information stored in association with the terminal 10 (step S26) and judges whether or not the two match (step S27). If the position information has not been received at a timing of every predetermined time from the start of the game (N in step S24), and if the first position information and the second position information match (Y in step S27), the game progress control unit 212 judges whether or not information notifying the end of the game has been received from the terminal 10 (step S28), and if the information has not been received (N in step S28), the process proceeds to step S24, and if the information has been received (Y in step S28), the process proceeds to step S20.

If the first location information and the second location information do not match (N in step S27), the game progress control unit 212 suspends the game being played on the terminal 10 and associates the game progress content with the terminal 10 and stores it in the memory unit 270 (step S29). Next, the game progress control unit 212 determines whether the storage period for the game progress content has elapsed (step S30), and if the storage period has elapsed (Y in step S30), deletes the game progress content stored in the memory unit 270 (or sets a deletion flag) and proceeds to step S20. If the storage period has not elapsed (N in step S30), the memory control unit 210 determines whether location information has been received from the terminal 10 at predetermined time intervals since the start of the game (step S31), and if the location information has been received (Y in step S31), updates the second location information with the location information (step S32). Next, the game progress control unit 212 compares the first location information and the second location information stored in association with the terminal 10 (step S33) and determines whether the two match (step S34). If location information has not been received at a predetermined time interval since the start of the game (N in step S31), or if the first location information and the second location information do not match (N in step S34), the process proceeds to step S30. If the first location information and the second location information match (Y in step S34), the game progress control unit 212 performs control to resume the game on the terminal 10 based on the game progress content stored in the memory unit 270 (step S35), and proceeds to step S24.

3-2. Second embodiment Next, an example of the processing of the game system (server 20) of the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of Fig. 10 and Fig. 11. Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing when position information at the end of a game is obtained and used as second position information.

First, the memory control unit 210 determines whether or not position information has been received from the terminal 10 (step S40). If position information has been received (Y in step S40), it determines whether or not the position specified by the position information matches a specific point in real space corresponding to a specific point SP in the game space GS (step S41). If they match (Y in step S41), it associates the position information with the terminal 10 as first position information and stores it in the memory unit 270 (step S42). Next, the game progress control unit 212 generates an event in which the player battles an enemy character associated with the position specified by the first position information (specific point SP) based on the first position information (step S43), and transmits information for playing the event (game information) to the terminal 10 (step S44).

Next, the memory control unit 210 judges whether or not the position information at the time of the end of the event (game clear of the event) is received from the terminal 10 (step S45), and if the position information is received (Y in step S45), the position information is associated with the terminal 10 as second position information and stored in the memory unit 270 (step S46). Next, the game progress control unit 212 compares the first position information and the second position information stored in association with the terminal 10 (step S47), and judges whether the two match (the difference between the two is a predetermined value or less) (step S48). If the first position information and the second position information do not match (N in step S48), the process proceeds to step S40. If the first position information and the second position information match (Y in step S48), the game progress control unit 212 transmits information to the terminal 10 for playing an event in which the player plays against the same enemy character at a higher difficulty level (game level) (step S49), and proceeds to step S45.

Figure 11 is a flowchart showing the process flow when acquiring location information at predetermined time intervals from the start of the game and using it as second location information. Note that steps S50 to S54 in Figure 11 are similar to steps S40 to S44 in Figure 10, so their explanation will be omitted as appropriate.

In step S55, the memory control unit 210 determines whether or not it has received location information from the terminal 10 at predetermined time intervals from the start of the event, and if it has received the location information (Y in step S55), it updates the second location information associated with the terminal 10 and stored in the memory unit 270 with the location information (step S56). Next, the game progress control unit 212 compares the first location information and the second location information stored in association with the terminal 10 (step S57), and determines whether the two match (step S58). If position information has not been received at predetermined time intervals since the start of the event (N in step S55), and the first position information and the second position information match (Y in step S58), the game progress control unit 212 determines whether or not to end the event (the game has been cleared or over, or the time limit has elapsed) (step S59). If the event is not to be ended (N in step S59), the process proceeds to step S55. If the event is to be ended (Y in step S59), the process proceeds to step S50.

If the first location information and the second location information do not match (N in step S58), the game progress control unit 212 suspends the game of the event being executed on the terminal 10 and associates the progress of the event with the terminal 10 and stores the progress of the event in the memory unit 270 (step S60). Next, the game progress control unit 212 determines whether the storage period of the event progress content has elapsed (step S61), and if the storage period has elapsed (Y in step S61), deletes the progress of the event stored in the memory unit 270 (or sets a deletion flag) and proceeds to step S50. If the storage period has not elapsed (N in step S61), the memory control unit 210 determines whether location information at a predetermined time interval from the start of the event has been received from the terminal 10 (step S62), and if the location information has been received (Y in step S62), updates the second location information with the location information (step S63). Next, the game progress control unit 212 compares the first location information and the second location information stored in association with the terminal 10 (step S64) and determines whether they match (step S65). If location information has not been received at predetermined time intervals since the start of the game (N in step S62) or if the first location information and the second location information do not match (N in step S65), the process proceeds to step S61. If the first location information and the second location information match (Y in step S65), the game progress control unit 212 performs control to resume the event game on the terminal 10 based on the progress of the event stored in the memory unit 270 (step S66), and proceeds to step S55.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible. For example, terms cited in the specification or drawings as broadly defined or synonymous terms can be replaced with broadly defined or synonymous terms in other descriptions in the specification or drawings.

10... terminal, 20... server, 100... processing unit, 110... game processing unit, 120... image generation unit, 130... sound generation unit, 150... input unit, 170... storage unit, 190... display unit, 192... sound output unit, 196... communication unit, 200... processing unit, 210... storage control unit, 212... game progress control unit, 270... storage unit, 272... storage unit, 296... communication unit

Claims (18)

A game system that generates game information based on position information of a player terminal in a real space and executes a game, comprising:
a memory control unit that acquires the position information at a first game timing and stores it in a memory unit as first position information, and that stores the position information at a second game timing in the memory unit as second position information;
a game progress control unit that compares the first location information with the second location information to determine whether they match, and controls the progress of the game in accordance with a result of the comparison ;
the first game timing is a given game execution start timing,
the second game timing is a timing at the end of the game or a dividing point in the game,
The game progress control unit:
A game system characterized in that, when the first location information and the second location information match, the game is executed by inheriting the game conditions at the start of the game, and, when the first location information and the second location information do not match, the game conditions are reset and the game is executed based on game information generated based on the location information obtained after the second game timing . In claim 1 ,
The game progress control unit:
A game system, characterized in that a condition for continuing a game is changed depending on whether the first position information and the second position information match. In claim 1 or 2 ,
The game progress control unit:
A game system characterized in that, when the first location information and the second location information match, other players who have a predetermined relationship with the player and whose current location matches that of the player are allowed to play the game under the same game conditions as the player. A game system that generates game information based on position information of a player terminal in a real space and executes a game, comprising:
a memory control unit that acquires the position information at a first game timing and stores it in a memory unit as first position information, and that stores the position information at a second game timing in the memory unit as second position information;
a game progress control unit that compares the first location information with the second location information to determine whether they match, and controls the progress of the game in accordance with a result of the comparison ;
the first game timing is a given game execution start timing,
the second game timing is a timing at a predetermined time interval from the first game timing,
The game progress control unit:
A game system characterized in that, when the first location information and the second location information no longer match, the game progress content at the point when the first location information and the second location information no longer match is saved . In claim 4 ,
The game progress control unit:
A game system characterized in that, after saving the progress of the game, the game is executed based on game information generated based on the position information obtained after the second game timing. In claim 4 or 5 ,
The game progress control unit:
A game system characterized in that, after the game progress content is saved, if the newly acquired location information matches the first location information, the game is resumed based on the saved game progress content. A game system that generates game information based on position information of a player terminal in a real space and executes a game, comprising:
a memory control unit that acquires the position information at a first game timing and stores it in a memory unit as first position information, and that stores the position information at a second game timing in the memory unit as second position information;
a game progress control unit that compares the first location information with the second location information to determine whether they match, and controls the progress of the game in accordance with a result of the comparison ;
The game progress control unit:
A game system characterized in that, when the first location information and the second location information do not match, and when the combination of the first location information and the second location information satisfies a predetermined condition, a bonus is awarded to a player . A game system that generates game information based on position information of a player terminal in a real space and executes a game, comprising:
a memory control unit that acquires the position information at a first game timing and stores it in a memory unit as first position information, and that stores the position information at a second game timing in the memory unit as second position information;
a game progress control unit that compares the first location information with the second location information to determine whether they match, and controls the progress of the game in accordance with a result of the comparison ;
The game progress control unit:
When the first location information and the second location information do not match, and when a combination of the first location information and the second location information satisfies a predetermined condition, the first location information is set as the game information.
A game system comprising : a game map generating unit configured to generate a game map based on position information and the second position information; and a game system configured to enable a user to play a game using the generated game map . In any one of claims 1 to 8 ,
The game progress control unit:
A game system, characterized in that progress of the game is controlled according to the time required until the first position information and the second position information no longer match. In any one of claims 1 to 9 ,
The game progress control unit:
A game system characterized in that a game map is generated based on map information of a current position of a player terminal as the game information. A server device that generates game information based on position information of a player terminal in real space and executes a game,
a memory control unit that acquires the position information at a first game timing and stores it in a memory unit as first position information, and that stores the position information at a second game timing in the memory unit as second position information;
a game progress control unit that compares the first location information with the second location information to determine whether they match, and controls the progress of the game in accordance with a result of the comparison ;
the first game timing is a given game execution start timing,
the second game timing is a timing at the end of the game or a dividing point in the game,
The game progress control unit:
A server device characterized in that, when the first location information and the second location information match, the game is executed by inheriting the game conditions at the start of the game, and, when the first location information and the second location information do not match, the game conditions are reset and the game is executed based on game information generated based on the location information obtained after the second game timing . A server device that generates game information based on position information of a player terminal in real space and executes a game,
a memory control unit that acquires the position information at a first game timing and stores it in a memory unit as first position information, and that stores the position information at a second game timing in the memory unit as second position information;
a game progress control unit that compares the first location information with the second location information to determine whether they match, and controls the progress of the game in accordance with a result of the comparison ;
the first game timing is a given game execution start timing,
the second game timing is a timing at a predetermined time interval from the first game timing,
The game progress control unit:
A server device characterized in that, when the first location information and the second location information no longer match, the server device saves the progress of the game at the point when the first location information and the second location information no longer match . A server device that generates game information based on position information of a player terminal in real space and executes a game,
a memory control unit that acquires the position information at a first game timing and stores it in a memory unit as first position information, and that stores the position information at a second game timing in the memory unit as second position information;
a game progress control unit that compares the first location information with the second location information to determine whether they match, and controls the progress of the game in accordance with a result of the comparison ;
The game progress control unit:
A server device characterized in that, when the first location information and the second location information do not match, and when a combination of the first location information and the second location information satisfies a predetermined condition, a bonus is awarded to a player . A server device that generates game information based on position information of a player terminal in real space and executes a game,
a memory control unit that acquires the position information at a first game timing and stores it in a memory unit as first position information, and that stores the position information at a second game timing in the memory unit as second position information;
a game progress control unit that compares the first location information with the second location information to determine whether they match, and controls the progress of the game in accordance with a result of the comparison ;
The game progress control unit:
A server device characterized in that, when the first location information and the second location information do not match, and when the combination of the first location information and the second location information satisfies a predetermined condition, a game map is generated as the game information based on the first location information and the second location information, and a game using the generated game map is made playable . A program for generating game information based on position information of a player terminal in real space and executing a game, comprising:
a memory control unit that acquires the position information at a first game timing and stores it in a memory unit as first position information, and that stores the position information at a second game timing in the memory unit as second position information;
making the computer function as a game progress control unit that compares the first position information with the second position information to determine whether they match, and controls the progress of the game in accordance with a result of the comparison ;
the first game timing is a given game execution start timing,
the second game timing is a timing at the end of the game or a dividing point in the game,
The game progress control unit:
A program characterized by: when the first location information and the second location information match, executing the game by inheriting the game conditions at the start of the game; and when the first location information and the second location information do not match, resetting the game conditions and executing the game based on game information generated based on the location information obtained after the second game timing . A program for generating game information based on position information of a player terminal in real space and executing a game, comprising:
a memory control unit that acquires the position information at a first game timing and stores it in a memory unit as first position information, and that stores the position information at a second game timing in the memory unit as second position information;
making the computer function as a game progress control unit that compares the first position information with the second position information to determine whether they match, and controls the progress of the game in accordance with a result of the comparison ;
the first game timing is a given game execution start timing,
the second game timing is a timing at a predetermined time interval from the first game timing,
The game progress control unit:
A program characterized by saving, when the first location information and the second location information no longer match, the progress of a game at the point when the first location information and the second location information no longer match . A program for generating game information based on position information of a player terminal in real space and executing a game, comprising:
a memory control unit that acquires the position information at a first game timing and stores it in a memory unit as first position information, and that stores the position information at a second game timing in the memory unit as second position information;
making the computer function as a game progress control unit that compares the first position information with the second position information to determine whether they match, and controls the progress of the game in accordance with a result of the comparison ;
The game progress control unit:
A program for granting a bonus to a player when the first location information and the second location information do not match and when a combination of the first location information and the second location information satisfies a predetermined condition. A program for generating game information based on position information of a player terminal in real space and executing a game, comprising:
a memory control unit that acquires the position information at a first game timing and stores it in a memory unit as first position information, and that stores the position information at a second game timing in the memory unit as second position information;
making the computer function as a game progress control unit that compares the first position information with the second position information to determine whether they match, and controls the progress of the game in accordance with a result of the comparison ;
The game progress control unit:
A program characterized by generating a game map based on the first location information and the second location information as the game information when the first location information and the second location information do not match and when a combination of the first location information and the second location information satisfies a predetermined condition, and making it possible to play a game using the generated game map .

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