JP7538415B2 - Server device and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a server device and a program.

In recent years, servers that host games in which multiple users can participate (called multiplayer games) have become known. Multiple users can each access this server using a mobile device such as a smartphone and participate in the multiplayer game.

Conventionally, there is technology in which the host of such a multiplayer game provides rewards to participants in the game (Patent Document 1).

JP 2014-193394 A

However, with the above-mentioned conventional reward-based technology, players can obtain rewards by playing a multiplayer game once, and may be satisfied with that, which may not sufficiently promote playing the multiplayer game (multiplay).

The present invention was made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and one of its objectives is to provide a server device and program that can promote the use of multiplayer games.

One aspect of the present invention that solves the problems of the above-mentioned conventional examples is a server device that provides a service of a multiplayer game in which multiple users can participate, and includes a setting means for setting the status of the multiple users to either an entitlement state in which a specific entitlement is granted or a normal state in which a specific entitlement is not granted, and a setting control means for controlling whether the status of at least one of the multiple users is to be the entitlement state or the normal state based on a combination of the statuses of the multiple users participating in the multiplayer game.

This invention promotes the use of multiplayer games.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an information processing system including a server device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a server device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the contents of a state information table held by a server device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the server device according to the embodiment of the present invention. 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams illustrating an example of changes in user status information due to operations of a server device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of information on count values held by a server device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. An information processing system 1 including a server device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the server device 10 and a plurality of terminal devices 20, as shown in FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, the server device 10 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a communication unit 13. The terminal device 20 is a smartphone, a personal computer, or the like, and is connected to the server device 10 via a network so that they can communicate with each other.

The control unit 11 of the server device 10 is a program control device such as a CPU, and operates according to a program stored in the storage unit 12. In this embodiment, the control unit 11 provides a service of a multiplayer game in which multiple users can participate. In addition, the control unit 11 sets the status of multiple users in the service to either an entitlement state in which specific rights are granted, or a normal state in which specific rights are not granted. Then, based on a combination of the statuses of the multiple users participating in the multiplayer game, the control unit 11 controls whether the status of at least one of the multiple users is to be the entitlement state or the normal state. The detailed operation of the control unit 11 will be described later.

The storage unit 12 is a disk device or memory device, and holds the program executed by the control unit 11. This program may be provided stored on a computer-readable, non-transitory storage medium such as a DVD-ROM, and may be copied to the storage unit 12. The storage unit 12 in this embodiment also operates as a work memory for the control unit 11.

The communication unit 13 is a network interface or the like, and sends information to the terminal device 20 via the network according to instructions input from the control unit 11. The communication unit 13 also outputs information received from the terminal device 20 to the control unit 11.

Next, the operation of the control unit 11 in this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the control unit 11 provides a service for a multiplayer game in which multiple users can participate.

Specifically, the control unit 11 includes a matching request processing unit 21, a multiplayer game service unit 22, a status setting unit 23, and a status control unit 24, as illustrated in FIG. 2.

In the following description, it is assumed that the control unit 11 of this embodiment authenticates the user of each terminal device 20 using authentication information such as a pre-registered user name and password. When the matching request processing unit 21 of the control unit 11 receives a request to start a multiplayer game (matching request) from any of the terminal devices 20, it performs a process to start the multiplayer game and first sets a play group, which is a group of users who will play the multiplayer game together with the user of the terminal device 20 that made the matching request (called the host user) (a temporary group of users with a predetermined maximum number of participants participating in the multiplayer game is formed, and a list of users belonging to the group is stored).

The matching request processing unit 21 then sends a list of play groups for which a multiplayer game has not started (i.e., waiting for a user to join) (if there are many, a list of a predetermined number of play groups selected randomly or based on predetermined criteria) to the terminal device 20 of the user who has not made a matching request, and causes it to present the list.

When a user presented with this list selects one of the playgroups on the list on the terminal device 20 and makes a participation request, the matching request processing unit 21 receives the participation request and attempts to add the user who made the participation request (hereinafter also referred to as a guest user) to the selected playgroup. Here, if the number of users belonging to the playgroup selected at the time of the participation request has already exceeded a predetermined maximum number of participants, the matching request processing unit 21 displays an error on the terminal device 20 of the user who made the participation request.

In addition, if the number of users belonging to the playgroup selected at the time of the participation request does not already exceed a predetermined maximum number of participants, the guest user who made the participation request will be added to the selected playgroup.

By this process, the matching request processing unit 21 sets a group (play group) for playing a multiplayer game for each terminal device 20 with the maximum number of participants or less. The matching request processing unit 21 also receives an instruction to execute a multiplayer game from a host user who has set a play group by a matching request, and when the number of users belonging to the play group to which the host user belongs exceeds a predetermined minimum number of participants (e.g., two people), it instructs the multiplayer game service unit 22 to start execution of a multiplayer game together with information identifying the play group to which the host user belongs.

The multiplayer game service unit 22 receives an instruction to start playing a game from the matching request processing unit 21, and provides a multiplayer game service (a game in which all users of the terminal devices 20 in a play group participate simultaneously) to users of the terminal devices 20 that belong to a play group identified by the information received together with the instruction. The processing related to this multiplayer game service is widely known, so a detailed explanation will be omitted here.

The status setting unit 23 sets information (status information) representing the status of the user of each terminal device 20 to either a rights-granted state in which a specific right is granted, or a normal state in which a specific right is not granted, based on instructions input by the administrator, for the user of the terminal device 20. In this embodiment, the status setting unit 23 associates, for each user of the terminal device 20, information identifying the user (which may be a user name included in the authentication information, for example) with status information representing the user's status, and stores the information as status setting table information (Fig. 3).

Specifically, the status setting unit 23 sets status information indicating that a user (such as a well-known user in the game) selected by the game administrator (manager) at the start of an event held during the game service is in a rights-granted state. Alternatively, the status setting unit 23 may set status information indicating that a randomly selected user is in a rights-granted state, or may combine these to set the user selected by the game administrator and the randomly selected user in a rights-granted state.

The above-mentioned prescribed right may be determined arbitrarily, or may be a right related to a multiplayer game. For example, if the game is a training-type game (in which characters are strengthened by collecting strengthening materials, which are items in the game), this prescribed right may be the right to obtain strengthening materials, or the right to increase the amount obtained. Furthermore, if the game is one in which characters are collected, a specific character may be provided only when a multiplayer game is played (or a specific character that is provided with a low probability in non-multiplayer games has a relatively high probability when a multiplayer game is played), and this prescribed right may be the right to start the game.

In this way, when the specified right is the right to start a multiplayer game, the matching request processing unit 21 will only accept a matching request, which is a request to set up a play group, from a user who has the specified right (a user associated with status information that indicates the granting status of the rights). In this example, no user other than a user who has the specified right can become the host user of a play group, and a user who does not have the specified right can only participate in a play group set up by a user who has the specified right and is the host user.

Alternatively, the matching request processing unit 21 may allow any user to make a matching request. In this case, the above-mentioned predetermined right may be a right to give a predetermined reward (such as the above-mentioned strengthening material or a specific character) to other users who belong to the same play group and play the multiplayer game. In other words, in this example, anyone may become the host user of the multiplayer game, but as a user in a normal state, if a user in an entitlement state who has the above-mentioned predetermined right belongs to the same play group (plays together) when playing the multiplayer game, some kind of special reward is given, and if a user in an entitlement state who has the above-mentioned predetermined right does not belong to the same play group when playing the multiplayer game, the above-mentioned special reward is not given.

The state control unit 24 controls whether the state of at least one of the multiple users is to be an entitlement state or a normal state based on control conditions including conditions related to a combination of the states of the multiple users participating in the multiplayer game. Specifically, the state control unit 24 updates the state setting table information by associating information representing the entitlement state with a user who has been determined to be in the entitlement state based on the above control conditions. The state control unit 24 also updates the state setting table information by associating information representing the normal state with a user who has been determined to be in the normal state based on the above control conditions.

Here, the control condition (corresponding to the first condition) for putting the user in the entitled state is specifically that the user is in the normal state and is one of the following:
(1) A user in an authorized state belongs to a play group in which the user is the host user and plays a multiplayer game;
(2) Playing a multiplayer game in a play group to which a user in an authorized state belongs;
(3) It is defined as a state in which a user in an authorized state belongs to a play group having a predetermined number of members or more and has played a multiplayer game.

The control condition for putting the user in the normal state (corresponding to the second condition) is specifically defined as the user being in an authorized state and having played a multiplayer game as the host user of the multiplayer game. Note that the control conditions for putting the user in the authorized state or the control conditions for putting the user in the normal state are not limited to those exemplified here.

[Action]
The server device 10 of this embodiment has the above configuration and operates as follows. In the following example, the predetermined right given to a user in an authorized state is the right to become a host user in a multiplay. The administrator of the game service selects some users and sets the selected users in an authorized state.

The server device 10 of this embodiment performs the process illustrated in FIG. 4 and provides an input screen for a matching request (S1). At this time, when the user of the destination terminal device 20 is in an authorized state, a screen on which a matching request can be input is provided, and when the user is in a normal state, a screen on which a matching request cannot be input (such as a screen on which a button for a matching request cannot be tapped) is provided. This allows only users in an authorized state to become host users.

When a matching request is received from the terminal device 20 of a user who is in a rights-granted state (S2), the server device 10 sets up a play group with the user as the host user (S3). Then, the terminal device 20 of a user who does not belong to the play group displays a screen inviting participants to this play group (S4).

Then, when the server device 10 receives a participation request from the user of the terminal device 20 that has displayed the above screen (S5), it sets the user as belonging to the play group (S6).

After that, when the server device 10 receives an instruction from the host user to start playing a multiplayer game, the server device 10 provides a multiplayer game service (a game in which all users of terminal devices 20 in a play group participate simultaneously) to users who belong to the play group to which the host user belongs (S7).

When the multiplayer game ends, the server device 10 sets the state information associated with the users who belong to the play group and are in the normal state to the rights granted state, and updates the state setting table (S8).

The server device 10 also sets the status information associated with users who belong to the playgroup and are in the rights-granted state to the normal state, and updates the status setting table (S9).

Then, the server device 10 disbands the playgroup (S10). In other words, it deletes information about the playgroup and ends the process.

That is, in this example of the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 5(a), if initially user A in an entitlement state becomes the host user in a play group, and users B and C in a normal state and another user D in an entitlement state join to play a multiplayer game, after the multiplayer game ends, user A who has become the host user is set to a normal state, and users B and C are set to an entitlement state. User D is not the host user, so he remains in the entitlement state.

Note that user A, who has now entered the normal state, can then enter the entitled state again if another entitled user becomes the host user and participates in a multiplayer game.

Also, for example, once a state has been granted rights, it may not be set back to the normal state. In this example, as shown in FIG. 5(b), if a play group in which user A in the granted rights state is the host user is joined by users B and C in the normal state and another user D in the granted rights state to play a multiplayer game, after the multiplayer game ends, users B and C are set to the granted rights state, while users A and D remain in the granted rights state. In this example of FIG. 5(b), the number of users in the granted rights state increases monotonically.

In this example, when the number of users in the entitled state exceeds a predetermined threshold, some kind of reward may be given to the users in the entitled state.

Furthermore, among users belonging to a play group that has played a multiplayer game, users in an authorized state may be set to a normal state regardless of whether they are the host user or not. In this example, as shown in FIG. 5(c), if users B and C in a normal state and another user D in an authorized state join a play group in which user A in an authorized state is the host user and plays a multiplayer game, after the multiplayer game ends, users B and C are set to an authorized state, and users A and D are set to a normal state.

[Examples of other conditions for starting multiplayer]
In addition, in the operation example here, an example has been described in which only users in a right-granted state can become host users, but the present embodiment is not limited to this example.

For example, the server device 10 provides the input screen for the matching request in process S1 regardless of whether the user of the destination terminal device 20 is in an authorized state.

When the server device 10 receives a matching request from one of the users' terminal devices 20, it sets up a play group with the user who made the matching request as the host user. It then causes the terminal devices 20 of users who do not belong to the play group to display a screen inviting participants to this play group.

When the server device 10 subsequently receives a participation request from the user of the terminal device 20 that displayed the above screen, it sets the user as belonging to the play group. Then, when the server device 10 subsequently receives an instruction from the host user to start playing a multiplayer game, it checks whether or not there is a user who is associated with status information on the granting status among the users belonging to the play group to which the host user belongs, and if so, provides a multiplayer game service (a game in which all users of the terminal devices 20 in the play group participate simultaneously) to each user of the play group.

In addition, when an instruction to start playing a multiplayer game is received from a host user, if there is no user in the play group to which the host user belongs that is associated with status information of the right granting status, the server device 10 may present a message to the terminal device 20 used by the host user that the multiplayer game cannot be started.

In this example, if there is a user in an authorized state among multiple users belonging to a play group, the start of execution of a multiplayer game is permitted.

[Counting example]
Furthermore, the server device 10 of this embodiment may count and record the number of updates of the status information associated with each user. In this example, the server device 10 counts at least one of the number of times Np the status information of the user that is the subject of the update is set to the entitled state from the normal state or the number of times Nn the status information of the user that is the subject of the update is set to the normal state from the entitled state every time the server device 10 updates the status information of the user, and stores the counting result in association with the user (FIG. 6). FIG. 6 shows an example in which the number of times Np the status information of the user is set to the entitled state from the normal state and the number of times Nn the status information of the user is set to the normal state from the entitled state are counted and stored in association with the user.

In this example, the server device 10 uses the result of this count for a predetermined process. For example, the server device 10 may provide a predetermined reward (such as the provision of a character or strengthening materials) to a user for whom the number of times Np that the normal state has been changed to the rights-granted state exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

In addition, in this embodiment, when a user in an entitlement state who played a multiplayer game together with a user in a normal state is set as an entitlement state, the server device 10 may count the cumulative number of users who were in the normal state and who have been set to the entitlement state (cumulative number of influencers).

For example, when user A, who is the host user and in an authorized state, belongs to a play group with users B and C, who are in a normal state, and user D, who is in an authorized state, and plays a multiplayer game, and the server device 10 sets users B and C as authorized users, the server device 10 increments the cumulative influencer count value for user A by 2.

In this case, for user D, the server device 10 may determine whether or not to increment the cumulative influencer count by 2 according to a predetermined rule.

This cumulative influencer count value may also be used for a predetermined process related to the game. For example, the server device 10 may award a predetermined reward to a user whose cumulative influencer count value exceeds a predetermined influencer count threshold value.

[Probability example]
In the above description, a user in the normal state who has played a multiplayer game with a user in the entitled state is always in the entitled state, but this embodiment is not limited to this. For example, a user in the normal state who has played a multiplayer game with a user in the entitled state may be in the entitled state according to a predetermined probability. In this case, a probability r (0≦r≦1) is determined in advance, and a random number M between 0 and 1 is generated for each user in the normal state who has played a multiplayer game with a user in the entitled state. Then, for users corresponding to the random number M where M<r, the state setting table is updated by associating the user with state information representing the entitled state, and other users are left in the normal state.

Similarly, when a user in an authorized state plays a multiplayer game (or becomes the host user under certain conditions), the state does not always return to the normal state, but may be set to return to the normal state according to a predetermined probability. In this case as well, a probability Rr (0≦Rr≦1) of returning to the normal state is determined in advance, and a random number M between 0 and 1 is generated for each authorized user who has played a multiplayer game (or who has become the host user under certain conditions). Then, for users corresponding to random number M where M<Rr, state information representing the normal state is associated and the state setting table is updated, while other users are left in the authorized state.

[Example of determining reward content based on the number of users in the entitled state]
The content of the reward obtained by playing a multiplayer game may be different depending on how many users in the same play group who played the multiplayer game together were in the authorized state. For example, if a reward is basically provided with N reinforcement materials when a multiplayer game is played, and there are k users in the same play group who are in the authorized state, k×N reinforcement materials may be provided.

The reward may also vary depending on how many users in the same play group who play a multiplayer game together are in a normal state. For example, if a reward is basically given to provide N pieces of reinforcement material when a multiplayer game is played, then if there are p users in the same play group who are in a normal state, then p x N pieces of reinforcement material may be provided.

Furthermore, the server device 10 may control the reward to vary depending on the number of users who have transitioned from the normal state to the entitlement state.

[Effects of the embodiment]
In the present embodiment, the condition for becoming a host user of a rewarded multiplayer game is determined by whether or not the user is in an entitled state, and this increases the number of games that can be played, providing an incentive for users to become entitled. Therefore, by making it possible to become entitled by playing the multiplayer game, the use of the multiplayer game is promoted.

Furthermore, by configuring the system so that the entitlement state and normal state are switched when a multiplayer game is played, and allowing the player to return to the entitlement state any number of times, and providing a reward according to the number of times the entitlement state is entered, the player is further motivated to play the multiplayer game any number of times, and the use of the multiplayer game is promoted.

10 server device, 11 control unit, 12 storage unit, 13 communication unit, 20 terminal device, 21 matching request processing unit, 22 multiplayer game service unit, 23 status setting unit, 24 status control unit.

Claims (3)

A processor is provided.
The processor,
providing a multiplayer game in which a plurality of users , including a host user and a guest user different from the host user, can participate by one user acting as a host user and making a matching request;
setting the states of the plurality of users to either a privileged state in which a predetermined privilege is granted, or a normal state in which the predetermined privilege is not granted;
When the plurality of users includes a guest user who is in the entitled state, control is performed to enable the multiplayer game to be played;
when the multiplayer game in which the plurality of users including the user in the entitled state have participated is ended, switching a user in a normal state to an entitled state, and switching at least one of the users in the entitled state to a normal state;
Information processing device. a processor provides a multiplayer game in which a plurality of users, including a host user and a guest user different from the host user, can participate by one user acting as a host user and making a matching request;
A processor sets the states of the plurality of users to either an entitlement state in which a predetermined entitlement is granted or a normal state in which the predetermined entitlement is not granted;
When the plurality of users includes a guest user who is in the entitled state, control is performed to enable the multiplayer game to be played;
when the multiplayer game in which the plurality of users including the user in the entitled state have participated is ended, switching a user in a normal state to an entitled state, and switching at least one of the users in the entitled state to a normal state;
Information processing methods. The processor:
providing a multiplayer game in which a plurality of users , including a host user and a guest user different from the host user, can participate by one user acting as a host user and making a matching request;
setting the states of the plurality of users to either a privileged state in which a predetermined privilege is granted, or a normal state in which the predetermined privilege is not granted;
When the plurality of users includes a guest user who is in the entitled state, control is performed to enable the multiplayer game to be played;
when the multiplayer game in which the plurality of users including the user in the entitled state have participated is ended, switching a user in a normal state to an entitled state, and switching at least one of the users in the entitled state to a normal state;
The program that performs the processing.

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