JP7565037B2 - Information processing system control method, information processing system, program, and information processing method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a control method for an information processing system , an information processing system, a program, and an information processing method .

In recent years, games provided from a server device to a mobile device operated by a player via a communication network have been popular, with many game titles being released for multiple platforms. The types and playing conditions of these games are diverse, and among them, so-called social games that allow multiple players to participate in the same game are particularly popular. These social games can also be said to utilize a community-based network service known as a social networking service (hereinafter referred to as "SNS").

As an example of a social game that takes advantage of the characteristics of such SNS, there is known a game in which a competitive event such as a battle is played out in which characters (player characters) operated by multiple players attack one or more enemy player characters. In this case, each player becomes a member of a specific group such as a guild, party, team, or community, which will be described later, and by defeating an enemy player character, various rewards such as points or items that can be used in the game can be awarded not only to the individual player but also to the group to which the players belong.

In the social gaming field, battle events such as this, in which the objective is to defeat an enemy player character using multiple player characters, are conventionally called "raid battles," or they are sometimes called "GvR" (where "v" stands for the English spelling of versus; the same applies below), with the group or guild represented by the first letter of its English name (G) and the enemy player character appearing in the raid battle represented by the first letter of its English name (R) as the raid player character.

Social games are also widely known in which individual battle events in which player characters fight one-on-one, and battle events in which groups fight each other (including not only battles but also competitions such as team sports) are held. As an example of the latter, for example, Patent Document 1 describes an online game in which, when a match is made between multiple parties to which player characters belong, a group battle takes place between those parties in a Coliseum Hall, which is a specified virtual space within the game. Note that in the field of social games, such direct battles between groups are customarily called "guild battles," or, as mentioned above, are sometimes called "GvG," with the first letter (G) of the English name for group or guild.

JP 2013-66524 A

When starting a group as described above, it is common for the player who starts the group to become the master and increase the number of players who join the group by recruiting or inviting other players to join. Some games also have a method in which a player who is joining the game for the first time is automatically assigned to a specific group, and in this way the number of players joining the group can increase.

When a group is launched, the player who will be the master of the group will often want players with the same gameplay style as the master to gather in his or her group. For example, if the master is a heavy user of the game (e.g., a player who plays games for long periods of time or a skilled player), he or she will want other heavy users to belong to his or her group. This is because if light users (e.g., players who play games occasionally or players who play games for the enjoyment of the game and not for their grades) are mixed in with heavy users, the amount of time they spend playing and their motivation for conquering the game will differ, and so the group may have different ways of enjoying the game, even though they are one group, and may not be able to come together as a united group.

However, it was extremely cumbersome for the master player to add players with the same gameplay style to his group. For example, it is not uncommon for multiple groups to be launched at roughly the same time within a game, and in such cases, even if there are multiple players who wish to join a group, they tend to be dispersed among the various groups. This makes it difficult to add players with the same gameplay style to one group, and the number of invitations increases, which takes a long time. Reducing the number of invitations can shorten the time, but it means that group battle events must be completed in a small group, which interferes with the completion of battle events.

In other words, when starting a group in a social game, there was no mechanism in place to bring together players with similar gameplay styles.

The present invention was made in consideration of these circumstances, and aims to provide a social game that makes it easy to gather players with similar gameplay styles when forming a group.

The control method of the information processing device that solves the above problem is a control method of the information processing device that is connected to a server via a communication line and outputs a screen of a game including an event played by a group to which a plurality of players belong, and includes a selection screen output step of outputting a selection screen that displays a plurality of groups including a display regarding conditions for gathering players with similar game play modes, a reception step of accepting a selection of one of the plurality of groups to which the player wishes to join based on an input operation of the player, an identification information transmission step of transmitting to the server, when the selection of the one group is accepted, identification information identifying the group and the player who selected the group, an event progression step of progressing the event with the formed group, and a notification reception step of receiving a notification from the server when the number of times the server has accepted the participation in the one group reaches a number of identification information preset for the one group, the selection screen includes a plurality of areas corresponding to the groups, and each of the areas includes an indication regarding the conditions associated with the area.

Here, a "player" is a user who operates a terminal device, and is also a concept that corresponds to a client in a so-called client-server system, and is referred to as a "player" from the perspective of distinguishing it from a user of the server device (such as a server administrator). Furthermore, a player may generally participate in a game through game media (hereinafter referred to as a player character) that includes a character that acts, behaves, thinks, etc. in place of the player in a virtual game space. Therefore, when the term "player" is used in this disclosure, strictly speaking it may refer primarily to the player character, but below it may also be referred to simply as a "player".

The term "group" can generally refer to a virtual collective having multiple members, such as a "guild," "party," "team," or "community" with various ideas. Such a "group" may be created or formed for each game title, or may be created or formed as a common or shared group that spans multiple game titles, for example, for each platform. In this disclosure, "battle events" are described as the main type of event between groups, but in addition to such battle-type events, different types of events may also be included, such as exchange events between groups that are carried out as part of a social game.

The program for the information processing device that solves the above problem is executed by a computer that is connected to a server via a communication line and outputs to a display a screen of a game that includes an event played by a group to which a plurality of players belong, and causes the computer to function as a selection screen output unit that outputs a selection screen that displays a plurality of groups, including an indication of conditions for gathering players with similar game play styles, a reception unit that accepts a selection of one group that the player wishes to join from the plurality of groups based on an input operation by the player, an identification information transmission unit that transmits to the server, when a selection of the one group is accepted, an identification information that identifies the group and the player who selected the group, an event progression unit that progresses the event with the formed group, and a notification reception unit that receives a notification from the server when the number of times the server has accepted the participation in the one group reaches a number of identification information preset for the one group, and the selection screen includes a plurality of areas corresponding to the groups, and each of the areas includes an indication of the conditions associated with the area.

A method of controlling a server that solves the above problem is a method of controlling a server that is connected via a communication line to an information processing device used by a player and causes a display of the information processing device to output a screen of a game including an event played in a group to which a plurality of players belong, the method including the steps of: outputting a selection screen on the display that displays a plurality of groups including an indication regarding conditions for gathering players with similar game play styles; receiving the group selected based on an input operation of the player and identification information that identifies the player who selected the group; when the number of times that participation in a certain group has been accepted reaches a number of identification information preset for the certain group, sending a notification to the information processing device used by the player belonging to the certain group; and progressing the event with the formed group, wherein the selection screen includes a plurality of areas corresponding to the groups, and each of the areas includes an indication regarding the conditions associated with the area.
A server that solves the above problem is connected to an information processing device used by a player via a communication line, and outputs a screen of a game including an event played in a group to which a plurality of players belong on a display of the information processing device, and includes: an output control unit that outputs to the display a selection screen that displays a plurality of groups including an indication of conditions for gathering players with similar game play styles; a group information receiving unit that receives the group selected based on an input operation of the player and identification information that identifies the player who selected the group; a step of sending a notification to the information processing device used by the player belonging to a group when the number of times participation in a certain group has been accepted reaches a predetermined number of identification information for the certain group; and a progress unit that progresses the event with the formed group, wherein the selection screen includes a plurality of areas corresponding to the groups, and each of the areas includes an indication of the conditions associated with the area.

The present invention provides a social game that makes it easy to gather players with similar gameplay styles when forming a group.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram (system block diagram) showing a preferred embodiment of a game management server device according to the present invention. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram (system configuration diagram) showing a preferred embodiment of a game system according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a game screen in the game of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a guild (group) formation forum screen of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a guild (group) information storage unit of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a guild (group) square information storage unit of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a guild (group) establishment number information storage unit of the present invention. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a guild (group) formation process of the present invention.

The following is a detailed description of an embodiment of the present invention. Note that the following embodiment is an example for explaining the present invention, and is not intended to limit the present invention to the embodiment. Furthermore, the present invention can be modified in various ways without departing from the gist of the invention. Furthermore, a person skilled in the art can adopt an embodiment in which each element described below is replaced with an equivalent, and such an embodiment is also within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, positional relationships such as up, down, left, right, etc. shown as necessary are based on the illustrated representations unless otherwise specified. Furthermore, various dimensional ratios in the drawings are not limited to the illustrated ratios. Furthermore, in the following, in order to facilitate understanding, an embodiment in which the present invention is realized using an information processing device for games will be described as an example, but as mentioned above, the present invention is not limited to this.

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram (system block diagram) showing a preferred embodiment of a server device (game management server device) according to the present invention. Also, Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram (system configuration diagram) showing a preferred embodiment of a game system according to the present invention. As shown in these figures, the server device 100 is a server computer connected to a network 200, and a server function is realized by running a predetermined server program on the server computer. Furthermore, the game system 1 is configured by setting the server device 100 and terminal devices 2, such as a client computer 21 and a mobile terminal 22, which are also connected to the network 200 by wired and/or wireless connection, to be able to communicate with each other.

The network 200 is a communication line or network related to information processing, including, for example, the Internet, and its specific configuration is not particularly limited as long as it is configured to enable data transmission and reception between the server device 100 and the terminal device 2. For example, the network 200 may include a base station wirelessly connected to the terminal device 2, a mobile communication network connected to the base station, the Internet connected to the server device, and a gateway device connecting the mobile communication network and the Internet.

The server device 100 includes an arithmetic processing unit 101 such as a CPU or MPU, a ROM 102 and RAM 103 as storage devices, an external interface 104 to which an input unit 105 and an external memory 106 are connected, an image processing unit 107 to which a display monitor 111 is connected, a slot drive 108 to which a disk or memory device is housed or connected, an audio processing unit 109 to which a speaker device 112 is connected, and a network interface 110, all of which are connected to each other via a transmission path 120 such as a system bus including an internal bus, an external bus, and an expansion bus. The devices that handle input and output such as the input unit 105, the external memory 106, the display monitor 111, and the speaker device 112 may be omitted as necessary, and even if they are provided, they do not have to be constantly connected to the transmission path 120.

The arithmetic processing unit 101 controls the operation of the entire server device 100, transmits and receives control signals and information signals (data) to and from the other components described above, and performs various arithmetic processing required to execute the game. For this reason, the arithmetic processing unit 101 is configured to be able to perform arithmetic operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division using a numerical calculation unit or the like, logical operations such as logical sum, logical product, and logical negation, bit operations such as bit sum, bit product, bit inversion, bit shift, and bit rotation, and, as necessary, saturation operations, trigonometric functions, vector operations, etc., on high-speed accessible storage areas such as so-called registers.

In addition, ROM 102 generally stores an IPL (Initial Program Loader) that is executed first after power is turned on. When this is executed, the processing unit 101 temporarily reads out a server program or game program recorded on a disk or memory device housed in or connected to the slot drive 108 into RAM 103, and the program is executed by the processing unit 101. Furthermore, ROM 102 stores an operating system program and various other data necessary for controlling the operation of the entire server device 100.

Furthermore, the RAM 103 is for temporarily storing the server program, the game program, and various data, and as described above, the read server program, game program, and other data necessary for the progress of the game and communication between multiple terminal devices 2 are held in the RAM 103. Furthermore, the calculation processing unit 101 sets a variable area in the RAM 103 and performs direct calculations using a numerical calculation unit on values stored in the variable area, or temporarily copies or transfers values stored in the RAM 103 to a register and performs direct calculations on the register, and further performs processing such as writing the results of these calculations back to the RAM 103.

The input unit 105 connected via the external interface 104 accepts various operational inputs made by the user (game provider) of the server device 100. The input unit 105 may be a keyboard, touchpad, touch panel, or, for example, a voice input device. There are no particular limitations on the type of device as long as it is capable of inputting various operations, confirmation operations, cancellation operations, menu display, and other instruction inputs.

Furthermore, the RAM 103 and the external memory 106, which is detachably connected via the external interface 104, store rewritable data such as the operating status of the server device 100, the access status of each terminal device 2, data showing the game play status and progress status (past results, etc.) of each terminal device 2, and log (record) data of communication between the terminal devices 2.

The image processing unit 107 processes various data read from the slot drive 108 by the calculation processing unit 101 or by the image processing unit 107 itself, and then records the processed image information in a frame memory or the like. The image information recorded in this frame memory is converted into a video signal at a predetermined synchronous timing and output to a display monitor 111 connected to the image processing unit 107. This makes it possible to display various images. Furthermore, image information related to the game is sent from the image processing unit 107 and/or the calculation processing unit 101 to each terminal device 2 by cooperative processing with the calculation processing unit 101 or the like.

Furthermore, the audio processing unit 109 converts various data read from the slot drive 108 into audio signals and outputs them from a speaker device 112 connected to the audio processing unit 109. Furthermore, audio information related to the game (sound effects and music information) is sent from the audio processing unit 109 and/or the arithmetic processing unit 101 to each terminal device 2 through collaborative processing with the arithmetic processing unit 101, etc.

Furthermore, the network interface 110 is for connecting the server device 100 to the network 200, and is composed of, for example, a device conforming to the standards used in constructing LANs, an analog modem, an ISDN modem, an ADSL modem, a cable modem for connecting to the Internet, etc. using a cable television line, and an interface for connecting these to the arithmetic processing unit 101 via the transmission path 120.

The server device 100 configured in this manner provides players (terminal devices 2 operated by players) who belong to groups with battle events held in the game, i.e., battles (equivalent to the above-mentioned GvG) between guilds G1 and G2 (both groups) to which players belong. Battle events provided by the server device 100 in this manner include participating guild restricted battle events in which only guilds permitted to participate can participate (in other words, guild participation is restricted), such as championship battles, selection battles, league replacement battles, etc. Also, in participating guild restricted battle events, each guild may be distinguished by dividing the guilds that participate in the participating guild restricted battle event into first guilds (groups) and guilds that cannot participate in the participating guild restricted battle event into second guilds (groups).

Next, a preferred embodiment of a game (social game) implemented according to the game program of the present invention will be described below. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the game screen configuration in a social game.

The various processes in the following procedure (image and screen display, judgment, calculation, etc.) are executed based on control commands from the calculation processing unit 101 of the server device 100. The above-mentioned ROM 102 and RAM 103, as well as the external memory 106, and various storage media on which information related to the game is recorded, are collectively referred to as the information storage unit.

The player operates a terminal device 2 (client computer 21 or mobile terminal 22; tablet terminal, smartphone, etc.) and connects the terminal device 2 to the server device 100 via a network 200 such as the Internet. Then, by operating the terminal device 2, the player selects a game in which the above-mentioned battle event is provided from the server device 100, or inputs login information such as an ID number or a PIN number on the platform screen before selecting the game. When the calculation processing unit 101 of the server device 100 recognizes the login information, a My Page screen or My Home screen unique to the player associated with the ID number is displayed on the terminal device 2. Depending on the type of game, a banner listing multiple scenes (e.g., locations, dungeons, quests, etc.) set as game scenes is displayed on the My Page screen. Note that these scenes such as locations, dungeons, and quests may or may not be hierarchically structured relative to each other or as individual structures.

Furthermore, in this game, the calculation processing unit 101 of the server device 100 displays a menu screen related to the aforementioned "guild," which is a group to which each player belongs, on the My Page screen or the My Home screen. If the player has previously played or participated in the game selected by the player, the player basically belongs to a specific guild, and this information is recorded in an information storage unit such as the ROM 102 in association with specific information such as the player's ID information. Based on this information, the calculation processing unit 101 further displays, on the terminal device 2, information on the guild to which the player belongs, and, if necessary, an editing menu related to the guild.

On the other hand, a player who is playing the game for the first time or participating in the game for the first time (first-time player) does not generally belong to a specific guild, so the calculation processing unit 101 displays a guild formation forum screen (described below) on the terminal device 2 of such a player who does not belong to a guild. The player operates the terminal device 2 from the guild formation forum screen to decide which guild he or she will join. Note that the server device 100 may be configured to automatically cause a first-time player to belong to one of the existing guilds.

After the guild to which the player belongs has been determined or selected, an event list is displayed on the terminal device 2 as necessary, and when the player selects to participate in this battle event, a screen of the battle event being held at that time is displayed on the player's terminal device 2. This allows the player to freely participate in the battle event being held at that time. At this time, the player's terminal device 2 may display a preparation screen or an introduction screen for various battle events, which may be a still image or a video (Flash, etc.).

Now, referring to Figure 3, we will explain an example of the state at the start of a battle event displayed on each player's terminal device 2. The processing procedure for this guild battle (which may also be called a quest or turn, depending on the game title) is as follows: first, an event field F and a palette P are defined as display areas for game images on the display screen 2a of the terminal device 2, and the respective components are displayed in these display areas.

Specifically, the player characters A1 to A5 belonging to guild G1 and the player characters B1 to B5 belonging to guild G2 are displayed as part of the components in the event field F. That is, here, the event field F is demarcated into an area where the player characters A1 to A5 of guild G1 are displayed (the main field of guild G1) and an area where the player characters B1 to B5 of guild G2 are displayed (the main field of guild G2). Then, the player characters A1 to A5 belonging to guild G1 and the player characters B1 to B5 belonging to guild G2 join forces to engage in a direct battle with the opponent player character of the opponent guild.

The main fields of guilds G1 and G2 are respectively composed of subfields G1f and G1b and subfields G2f and G2b, which are enclosed by dashed lines in the figure. In this embodiment, player characters A1 to A3 belonging to guild G1 are placed in subfield G1f as vanguards, and player characters A4 and A5 are placed in subfield G1b as rearguards, while player characters B1 to B3 belonging to guild G2 are placed in subfield G2f as vanguards, and player characters B4 and B5 are placed in subfield G2b as rearguards.

As a form of battle in this battle event, a palette P is displayed on the display screen 2a of each terminal device 2 of the players controlling the player characters A1 to A5 of guild G1. This palette P is a component part of a field for determining "techniques" (normal techniques and special techniques) that can be used by each of the player characters A1 to A5 and B1 to B5 of guilds G1 and G2 when attacking the opponent player characters B1 to B5 and A1 to A5. This palette P displays deck D, which is a virtual stack of cards, and multiple cards selected from deck D.

Each card has a type of "technique" or a player character representing the technique, a specific item related to the technique, an illustration, a character, etc. drawn or written on it. Each card also has information set on it, such as the technique, attack value (points for the technique or the action to be performed; action points (AP) or technique points (technique P)), defense value (stamina or vitality (HP)), attributes (colors such as red, green, or blue, or forms such as fire, water, wood, or light), rarity, etc. When the player turns over the three cards 31, 32, and 33 from the deck D and displays them, all of their types, attributes, rarity, etc. are complete, or when a specific combination (role) is achieved, an effect is activated, such as increasing the attack power or defense power of the player characters A1 to A5. Furthermore, the techniques activated by the selection or combination of the cards 31, 32, and 33, or the items currently being executed 41 and 42 related to them, are displayed below the player characters A1 to A5 and B1 to B5 in the event field F, respectively.

When the three cards 31, 32, and 33 are displayed on the palette P, if the player selects (turns over) another card from the deck D, one of the cards 31, 32, and 33 (for example, the leftmost card 31) is removed from the display screen 2a, and the newly selected card is displayed. At this time, the card 31 to be removed may, for example, be slid out of the palette P, the remaining cards 32 and 33 may slide to the left, and a new card may slide in into the vacant space.

Then, each player character A1 to A5 of guild G1 sequentially selects (turns over) cards from deck D on palette P, and attacks player characters B1 to B5 of opponent guild G2 according to the combination of skills, attack values, specific items, defense values, etc. set on each card 31, 32, 33, as well as their attributes, rarity, etc., and the damage they will inflict on the opponent and the damage they themselves will receive is calculated. Conversely, a similar display is also made on the display screen 2a of each terminal device 2 of the players operating player characters B1 to B5 of guild G2, and they attack player characters A1 to A5 of opponent guild G1.

Above the main field of each guild G1, G2, HP gauges 43, 44 for each guild G1, G2 are displayed, and furthermore, near the HP gauges 43, 44, the number of consecutive attacks (so-called combo count) made by the player characters A1-A5, B1-B5 on the opponent player characters B1-B5, A1-A5 before being attacked by the opponent player characters are displayed as combo gauges Cm1, Cm2. When the combo count displayed on the combo gauges Cm1, Cm2 reaches a predetermined value or more, the power of the technique that the player characters A1-A5, B1-B5 use on the opponent player characters B1-B5, A1-A5 is increased, thereby amplifying the damage inflicted on the opponent player characters. The winner of the match is determined based on the points acquired and the remaining HP value at the end of the match.

The following describes the process in which a player uses the Guild Creation Square, described below, to form a new guild, such as guilds G1 and G2 that will hold battle events, as described above. The Guild Creation Square will be described with reference to Figure 4, the storage unit used in the process of forming a guild with reference to Figures 5 to 7, and the process of forming a guild executed by the server device 100 (arithmetic processing unit 101) with reference to Figure 8. Note that each storage unit shown in Figures 5 to 7 is configured, for example, within the information storage unit described above.

First, the Guild Creation Square screen displayed on the terminal device 2 under the control of the server device 100 will be described. The Guild Creation Square screen is a screen used by the server device 100 to allow a player to create a guild that brings together players with similar gameplay styles, and is displayed on the terminal device 2, for example, when the player taps a guild creation button displayed on the top screen of the game. The multiple conditions for creating a guild (conditions for bringing together players with similar gameplay styles) are set in advance, for example, by the game management company, and in this embodiment, an "Enjoy Square" (one condition) that brings together players with a play style that plays the game with the aim of enjoying the game at their own pace, and a "Top Square" (one condition) that brings together players with a play style that plays the game with the aim of achieving higher in-game results are set.

4 is a diagram showing an example of a guild formation square screen displayed on the terminal device 2. As shown in FIG. 4, the "Enjoy Square" 52 and the "Aim for the Top Square" 53 are displayed in the approximate center of the guild formation square screen 51 so as to be of the same shape and be line-symmetrical. In the "Enjoy Square" 52, a participation button 52a for a player who wishes to play leisurely to declare participation and a player display 52b showing the number of players who have declared participation with a predetermined icon are displayed. In addition, a message 54 saying "7 more people to form a guild!" is displayed directly below the "Enjoy Square" 52. On the other hand, in the "Aim for the Top Square" 53, a participation button 53a for a player who wishes to play with the goal of becoming the top to declare participation and a player display 53b showing the number of players who have declared participation with a predetermined icon are displayed. In addition, a message 55 saying "6 more people to form a guild!" is displayed directly below the "Aim for the Top Square" 53. In this way, messages 54, 55 indicating how many more people are needed to join before a guild is formed are displayed directly below the "Enjoy Square" 52 and the "Aim for the Top Square" 53, allowing the player to know exactly how many people are needed to form a guild regardless of which square (game play mode) they participate in. For example, if it is shown that two more people are needed to form a guild, the player can immediately form a guild by inviting a friend (other player) who has the same game play mode as the player. Furthermore, an exit button 56 for closing the guild formation square screen 51 is displayed at the very bottom of the guild formation square screen 51.

Next, the various storage units stored in the information storage unit will be described with reference to Figures 5 to 7.

Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of guild information stored in the guild information storage unit 61. The guild information stores guild information related to guilds. The guild information is, for example, information that associates a guild number with a guild name and a player ID of a player who belongs to the guild indicated by the guild name. Here, the player ID is identification information for identifying a player in the game, for example, an ID number at the time of login. Note that the association between the player ID and the player character is stored in a storage unit (not shown).

For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the guild information corresponds to the guild number "0001" with the guild name "Guild A" and the player IDs "P0001", "P0002", ..., and corresponds to the guild number "0002" with the guild name "Guild B" and the player IDs "P0011", "P0012", ....

Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of guild square information stored in the guild square information storage unit 62. The guild square information is information that associates a square that gathers players under a certain condition with the player IDs of players who have declared their intention to participate in a guild that will be formed under the certain condition set in this square. As shown in Figure 4 etc., in this embodiment, the guild square is provided with an "Enjoy Square" 52 and a "Aim for the Top Square" 53.

For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the guild square information corresponds to player IDs "P0101", "P0102", ..., in the "Enjoy Square" 52, and to player IDs "P0201", "P0202", ..., in the "Aim for the Top Square" 53.

Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example of the number of established guilds information stored in the number of established guilds information storage unit 63. The number of established guilds information is information that specifies how many players who have declared their intention to participate in a plaza are required to establish the guild, and the number of established guilds (number of player IDs) is associated with each plaza.

As shown in FIG. 7, for example, the guild formation number information is such that the "Enjoy Square" 52 is associated with the number of guilds formed of "10," and the "Aim for the Top Square" 53 is associated with the number of guilds formed of "10." Therefore, in this embodiment, it is specified that when the number of players who have declared their participation in both the "Enjoy Square" 52 and the "Aim for the Top Square" 53 reaches 10, a new guild is formed. Note that the number of guilds formed can be set arbitrarily for each square, for example, by the game management company.

Next, an example of the guild formation process will be described with reference to FIG. 8. This guild formation process is executed by the calculation processing unit 101 of the server device 100 based on a program stored in the information storage unit.

First, the calculation processing unit 101 judges whether or not the player has tapped a guild formation button (not shown) on the top screen of the game displayed on the terminal device 2 (ST101). If it is determined that the guild formation button has not been tapped (ST101: NO), the calculation processing unit 101 puts the process on hold until the guild formation button is tapped. In other words, this guild formation process is started when the player taps the guild formation button on the top screen of the game.

When it is determined that the player has tapped the guild formation button (ST101: YES), the calculation processing unit 101 acquires guild plaza information by referring to the guild plaza information storage unit 62 shown in FIG. 6, and acquires guild formation number information by referring to the guild formation number information storage unit 63 shown in FIG. 7, and performs processing to output, for example, the guild formation plaza screen 51 shown in FIG. 4 to the terminal device 2 operated by the player based on the acquired guild plaza information and guild formation number information (ST102).

More specifically, the arithmetic processing unit 101 outputs icons according to the names of the "Enjoy Square" and "Aim for the Top Square" included in the guild square information and the number of player IDs who have declared their participation in each of the "Enjoy Square" and "Aim for the Top Square". As a result, for example, the "Enjoy Square" 52 and "Aim for the Top Square" 53 shown in the guild formation square screen 51 of FIG. 4 are displayed. In addition, the arithmetic processing unit 101 calculates how many players are left to form a guild based on the number of player IDs who have declared their participation in each of the "Enjoy Square" and "Aim for the Top Square" included in the guild square information and the number of guilds established set in the "Enjoy Square" and "Aim for the Top Square" included in the guild establishment number information, and outputs the calculation result. As a result, for example, messages 54 and 55 shown in the guild formation square screen 51 of FIG. 4 are displayed. The player can use the contents of the "Enjoy Square" 52 and "Aim for the Top Square" 53 and the messages 54 and 55 as a basis for deciding which guild to join.

Next, the calculation processing unit 101 accepts the player's input to the guild formation square screen 51 (reception means), and judges whether the accepted input is an input of the end button 56 or not (ST103). If it is judged that the input is not an input of the end button 56 (ST103: NO), the calculation processing unit 101 stores the player ID in the guild square information storage unit 62 according to the accepted input (ST104: storage means). For example, when the join button 52a of the "Enjoy Square" 52 is pressed, the calculation processing unit 101 adds the player ID of the player to the "Enjoy Square" field of the guild square information storage unit 62. Also, when the join button 53a of the "Aim for the Top Square" 53 is pressed, the calculation processing unit 101 adds the player ID of the player to the "Aim for the Top Square" field of the guild square information storage unit 62.

Next, the calculation processing unit 101 judges whether the number of established guilds has been reached for the square corresponding to the added player ID (ST105: judgment means). More specifically, the calculation processing unit 101 compares the number of player IDs in the square corresponding to the added player ID with the number of established guilds corresponding to the square stored in the number of established guilds information storage unit 63, and judges that the number of established guilds has been reached if the number of player IDs is equal to or greater than the number of established guilds.

When it is determined that the number of guilds established has been reached (ST105: YES), the calculation processing unit 101 forms a guild to which the player corresponding to the player ID stored in the square of the added player ID belongs (ST106: guild formation means). More specifically, the calculation processing unit 101 assigns a new guild number, associates the guild name with the assigned guild number, and stores all player IDs associated with the square where the number of guilds established has been reached in the guild information storage unit 61, and deletes (clears) the player ID associated with the guild square from the guild square information storage unit 62. Furthermore, the calculation processing unit 101 searches for all the player IDs based on the guild information storage unit 61 to see whether they are stored in other guilds, and if they are stored in other guilds, deletes (clears) the player ID from the other guild. This makes it possible to avoid a situation in which players belong to multiple guilds. The guild name can be set to a default name, and can be changed later by the player who will be the guild master.

Next, the calculation processing unit 101 sends a message to all players belonging to the newly formed guild, based on the player IDs of these players, with the main content being that the guild has been formed (ST107: first transmission information). The players to whom the message has been sent can see the message displayed on their terminal devices 2 and visually confirm that the guild has been formed. Note that any conventional technology can be used to send messages based on player IDs.

If a message is sent in this manner (ST107), if it is determined in step ST103 that the end button 56 has been pressed (ST103: YES), or if it is determined in step ST105 that the number of guilds established has not been reached (ST105: NO), the calculation processing unit 101 ends this guild formation process.

According to the control method, server device 100, and program of the server device 100 configured as described above, when a player forms a guild, input of a join button 52a or 53a declaring participation in the "Enjoy Square" (one condition) 52 or the "Aim for the Top Square" (one condition) 53 is accepted based on an operation on the guild formation square screen 51 displayed on the player's terminal device 2, and when input of the join button 52a or 53a is accepted, the "Enjoy Square" 52 or the "Aim for the Top Square" 53 is associated with a player ID (identification information) that identifies the player and stored in the guild square information storage unit 62. When storing in the guild plaza information storage unit 62, it is determined whether the number of players (number of player IDs) for forming a guild preset in the "Enjoy Plaza" 52 or the "Aim for the Top Plaza" 53 has been reached, and if the number of players for forming a guild has been reached, a guild is formed to which players corresponding to the player IDs associated with the "Enjoy Plaza" 52 or the "Aim for the Top Plaza" 53 belong, and the information is stored in the guild information storage unit 61. Therefore, when forming a guild, players with the same play style (game play mode) can be easily gathered.

In addition, when forming a guild, the guild information storage unit 61 is referenced, and if the player ID of a player belonging to the guild to be formed is stored in another guild, the player ID of that other guild is deleted and the affiliation (association) with the other guild is cancelled. This prevents players from belonging to multiple guilds. This is a particularly useful process when the game specifications allow a player to belong to only one guild.

Furthermore, when a guild is formed, a message is sent to the players who belong to that guild, primarily containing content informing them that a guild has been formed. Therefore, players who have declared their intention to join the guild can learn that a guild has been formed by viewing the message on the terminal device 2.

In this embodiment, the "Enjoyment Square" 52 and the "Aim for the Top Square" 53 are set as multiple conditions for forming a guild in the guild formation square, but the content and number of squares are not limited to those in the above embodiment, as long as they are conditions for gathering players with similar game play modes. For example, three different squares with different game play modes and stances on play time, play frequency, and item purchases, such as "for players who only play after the evening", "for players who log in frequently", and "for players who do their best without paying", may be set as multiple conditions for game play modes, such as "players with level ○ or higher" and "players with level △ to ○", or the player's game play period may be set as multiple conditions for game play modes, such as "beginner player" and "veteran player". Items and cards owned by the player may also be set as conditions for forming a guild. For example, players may be gathered together to form a guild based on the arrangement of their decks and the items or skills they own, such as "players who use a water-attribute card as their leader card," "players who own characters who are good at magic," and "players who own characters who have acquired recovery skills." By making owned items a condition for forming a guild in this way, a sense of solidarity can be created by owning the same items or cards. Also, the place of origin or place of residence of the player may be set as a condition for forming a guild. For example, players may be gathered together to form a guild based on the place of origin or place of residence of the player, such as "players from Hokkaido," "players living in Tokyo," and "players living in Osaka." By setting the place of origin or place of residence of the player as a condition for forming a guild in this way, players from the same place of origin or place of residence can interact with each other, providing a way of enjoying the game that is unique to social games.

In the above embodiment, the "Enjoy Square" 52 and "Aim for the Top Square" 53 provided on the Guild Creation Square screen 51 are described as being set in advance by a game management company, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a square creation button may be provided on the top screen of the game displayed on the terminal device 2, and when the square creation button is pressed, a predetermined square creation screen may be displayed on the terminal device 2, and input of information related to the square creation (information related to the game play mode) may be accepted, and the square created by this process may be displayed on the Guild Creation Square screen 51 by the calculation processing unit 101. By configuring the square to be created by accepting the player's operation in this way, it becomes possible for the player to recruit players who match his or her game play mode on the Guild Creation Square screen 51. In order to enable players to recruit players in the square in this way, certain conditions may be set, such as only the master of a guild who has conquered a specific battle event in the game, when a specific rare item in the game is obtained, and when the player has reached a very high level. By configuring the game in this way, the game can be made even more interesting.

Furthermore, after the process of forming a guild in step ST106 above and before the process of transmitting a message in step ST107, the calculation processing unit 101 may perform a process of determining a master of the formed guild. For example, after forming a guild in step ST106 above, the calculation processing unit 101 may determine the player with the highest in-game level among the players belonging to the formed guild as the master, and transmit the message of step ST107 including master information about the master of the formed guild (player information in the game, such as the level of the player who will be the master, playing period, etc.).

The message in step ST107 may also be configured to include selection information for selecting a guild master (e.g., information including information about players in the game such as the levels of the players and playing period, and enabling information about the selected player to be transmitted as response information), and the calculation processing unit 101 may select a master based on the response information transmitted from each player, and after the selection, transmit a message (second transmission information) to players belonging to the guild, including master determination information indicating which player has become the master.

As described above, by configuring the calculation processing unit 101 to determine the master, the master is selected automatically, eliminating the need for the player who established the guild to become the master and the additional hassle of the master having to gather players to belong to the guild, as was previously the case.

In the above, various information is notified to players belonging to the guild by sending messages, but this may take the form of e-mails instead of messages, and the messages or e-mails may include links to various information.

As mentioned above, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment and the modified examples already described, and various modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, the configuration of the server device 100 shown in FIG. 1 is also suitable for the client computer 21 and mobile terminal 22, which are terminal devices 2, although there are differences in processing power, etc. In other words, the client computer 21 and mobile terminal 22 can also be used as the server device 100. In other words, any computer device connected via the network 200 can be made to function as a server device.

Furthermore, the server device 100 may be configured to use large-capacity storage devices such as hard disks and SSDs to perform functions equivalent to those of the ROM 102, RAM 103, external memory 106, and memory devices loaded into the slot drive 108, and these storage devices may or may not be redundant using RAID or the like, and may not be connected to the arithmetic processing unit 101 via the transmission path 120, but may be connected to another external device via the network 200, for example, as part of cloud computing.

Furthermore, the network interface in the server device 100 and the terminal device 2 may be either a wireless LAN device or a wired LAN device, which may be installed internally or may be an external device type such as a LAN card. Furthermore, the terminal device 2 may be a game machine that can be connected to the network 200, or, for example, an online karaoke device.

The inventions described in the claims of the original application of this application are set forth below.
[1]
A method for controlling an information processing device that is connected to a server via a communication line and outputs to a display a screen of a game including an event played by a group to which a plurality of players belong, comprising the steps of:
a selection screen output step of outputting a selection screen that displays a selection display including a display regarding a condition for gathering players with similar game play styles to form a plurality of groups, a display of the remaining number of players who can join the group, and a selection display that accepts an input operation by the player to select the group;
a receiving step of receiving a selection of one of the groups in which the player wishes to join based on an input operation by the player on the selection display;
an identification information transmitting step of transmitting, when a selection to one of the groups is accepted, the group and identification information for identifying the player who selected the group to the server;
and an event proceeding step of proceeding with the event in the formed group.
[2]
The method for controlling an information processing device according to [1], wherein in the selection screen output step, a time period during which the game is played is included in the display relating to the conditions and output.
[3]
The method for controlling an information processing device according to [1] or [2], wherein in the selection screen output step, a frequency of playing the game is outputted while being included in the display relating to the condition.
[4]
The control method for an information processing device described in any one of [1] to [3], wherein in the selection screen output step, a stance regarding the purchase of game media used in the game is included in the display regarding the conditions and output.
[5]
The control method for an information processing device according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein in the selection screen output step, the level of the player in the game is outputted together with the display relating to the condition.
[6]
The control method for an information processing device described in any one of [1] to [5], wherein in the selection screen output step, the display regarding the conditions includes and outputs information indicating that the player owns a specified game medium.
[7]
The control method for an information processing device described in any one of [1] to [6], wherein in the selection screen output step, the arrangement of a group of multiple game media associated with the player is output together with the display related to the conditions.
[8]
A control method for an information processing device described in any one of [1] to [7], in the selection screen output step, a display regarding the conditions is output including information that the game skill is associated with the player.
[9]
The control method for an information processing device according to any one of [1] to [8], wherein in the selection screen output step, the player's hometown or place of residence is outputted together with the display relating to the condition.
[10]
The control method for an information processing device according to any one of [1] to [9], wherein the condition for gathering players with similar game play styles is a condition set in advance by a game operator.
[11]
The method for controlling an information processing device according to any one of [1] to [10], wherein, in the selection screen output step, a player display relating to a participating player is included in the selection screen and is output.
[12]
The method for controlling an information processing device described in any one of [1] to [11] further includes a notification receiving step of receiving a notification from the server when the number of times the server has accepted applications to join the one group reaches a number of identification information preset for the one group.
[13]
The method for controlling an information processing device according to [12], wherein the notification includes information regarding the master of the group.
[14]
The notification includes selection information, which is information on the game of each player belonging to the group;
a response information transmitting step of transmitting, after receiving the notification, information on a player selected by the player from among the players belonging to the group based on the selection information as response information;
The control method of an information processing device described in [12] or [13], further comprising a determination information receiving step of receiving determination information including content indicating that the master of the group has been determined when the server determines the master based on the response information.
[15]
The control method for an information processing device according to any one of [1] to [14], wherein, in the selection screen output step, the one group set by another player is displayed on the selection screen.
[16]
A program executed by a computer that is connected to a server via a communication line and outputs to a display a screen of a game including an event played by a group to which a plurality of players belong,
The computer,
a selection screen output unit that outputs a selection screen that displays a selection display including a display relating to a condition for gathering players with similar game play styles to form a plurality of groups, a display of the remaining number of players who can join the group, and a selection display that accepts an input operation by the player to select the group;
a reception unit that receives a selection of one of the groups in which the player wishes to join, based on an input operation by the player on the selection display;
an identification information sending unit that, when a selection of one of the groups is accepted, sends to the server identification information that identifies the group and the player who selected the group;
The formed group functions as an event promotion unit that promotes the event.
program.
[17]
A method for controlling a server that is connected via a communication line to an information processing device used by a player and outputs to a display a screen of a game including an event played by a group to which a plurality of players belong, comprising the steps of:
outputting, to the information processing device, a selection screen that displays a display relating to conditions for gathering players with similar game play styles to form a plurality of groups, a display of the remaining number of players who can join the group, and a selection display that accepts an input operation by the player to select the group;
receiving the group selected based on an input operation by the player on the selection display and identification information identifying the player who selected the group;
and proceeding with the event in the formed group.
How to control the server.
[18]
A server that is connected to an information processing device used by a player via a communication line and outputs a screen of a game including an event played by a group to which a plurality of players belong, to a display,
an output control unit that causes the information processing device to output a selection screen that displays a display relating to conditions for gathering players with similar game play styles to form a plurality of groups, a display of the remaining number of players who can join the group, and a selection display that receives an input operation by the player to select the group;
a group information receiving unit that receives the group selected based on an input operation by the player on the selection display and identification information that identifies the player who selected the group;
A progress section that progresses the event with the formed group.
server.

As explained above, the game management server device control method, game management server device, and program of the present invention can easily gather players with similar game play styles when forming a group. In particular, they can be widely and effectively used in general games (especially those that include elements of social games) that are distributed, provided, implemented, etc. in a server-client type network configuration, in general software and hardware related technologies for the distribution, provision, implementation, etc. of such games, and in activities such as their design, manufacture, and sales.

1: Game system 2: Terminal device 2a: Display screen 21: Client computer (terminal device) 22: Mobile terminal (terminal device) 31, 32, 33: Cards 43, 44: HP gauge 51: Guild formation square screen 52: Enjoyment square (first condition) 52a, 53a: Join button 52b, 53b: Player display 53: Aim for the top square (first condition) 54, 55: Message 61: Group information storage unit 62: Guild square information storage unit 63: Guild formation number information storage unit 100: Server device 101: Play Calculation processing unit 102: ROM 103: RAM 104: External interface 105: Input unit 106: External memory 107: Image processing unit 108: Slot drive 109: Audio processing unit 110: Network interface 111: Display monitor 112: Speaker device 120: Transmission line 200: Network (communication line) A1-A5, B1-B5: Player characters belonging to the guild Cm1, Cm2: Combo gauge D: Deck F: Event field G1, G2: Guild (group)

Claims (18)

A method for controlling an information processing system that outputs a screen of a game including an event in which groups to which a plurality of players belong compete against each other on a display of a terminal device, comprising the steps of:
a first terminal device used by a master who is a player of the game who newly creates the group,
outputting a screen for creating the group on the display based on an input operation of the master;
receiving game play behavior information input by the master, the game play behavior information being for gathering players with similar game play behaviors in a match , and transmitting the game play behavior information to a server;
a second terminal device used by a participating player other than the master,
a selection screen output step of causing the display to output a selection screen on which the plurality of groups are displayed together with an indication of the game play mode information;
a receiving step of receiving a selection of one of the groups to which the participating player wishes to join based on an input operation of the participating player;
an identification information transmitting step of transmitting, when a selection to one of the groups is accepted, the group and identification information for identifying the participating player who selected the group to the server;
The first terminal device and the second terminal device,
a notification receiving step of receiving a notification from the server when the number of times the server has accepted the participation in the one group reaches a number of identification information preset for the one group;
an event proceeding step of proceeding with the event in which the formed group competes against another group , and determining a winner based on parameters of each group at the end of the competition ;
the selection screen includes a plurality of areas corresponding to the groups;
Each of the regions includes an indication of the game play aspect information associated with the region. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein in the selection screen output step, a play time period of the game is outputted together with a display related to the game play mode information . 3. The method of claim 1, wherein in the selection screen output step, a frequency of playing the game is included in a display related to the game play behavior information and is output. 4. The method for controlling an information processing system according to claim 1, wherein in the selection screen output step, a stance regarding the purchase of game media used in the game is included in the display regarding the game play behavior information and output. 5. The method of controlling an information processing system according to claim 1, wherein in said selection screen output step, a level of said player in said game is outputted while being included in a display relating to said game play style information . 6. The method for controlling an information processing system according to claim 1, wherein in the selection screen output step, information indicating that the player owns a predetermined game medium is outputted together with information regarding the game play style information . 7. The control method for an information processing system according to claim 1, wherein in the selection screen output step, the arrangement of the game contents in a deck, which is a virtual pile of game contents associated with the player, is outputted together with the display relating to the game play aspect information . The control method for an information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein in the selection screen output step, information indicating that a predetermined skill of the game is associated with the player is outputted in a display related to the game play behavior information . 9. The method for controlling an information processing system according to claim 1, wherein in said selection screen output step, a birthplace or a residence of said player is outputted while being included in a display relating to said game play behavior information . The notification includes information regarding the master of the group.
A method for controlling the information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 9 . In the selection screen output step, the one group set by another player is displayed on the selection screen.
A method for controlling an information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 10 . 12. The method for controlling an information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the selection screen output step outputs the selection screen including a display of the remaining number of people who can participate in the group. The control method for an information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the master who can input the game play behavior information and gather the players is a player who has conquered a specific battle event in the game. The control method for an information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the master who can input the game play aspect information and gather the players is the player who has acquired a specific item in the game. The control method for an information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the master who can input the game play behavior information and gather the players is a player who has reached a predetermined level in the game. An information processing system that outputs a screen of a game including an event in which groups to which a plurality of players belong compete against each other on a display of a terminal device,
a creation screen output unit that outputs a screen for creating the group on the display based on an input operation of a master who is a player of the game who is to newly create the group;
a transmission unit that receives game play mode information input by the master, the game play mode information being for gathering players with similar game play modes in a battle , and transmits the game play mode information to a server;
an output control unit that causes a selection screen that displays a plurality of the groups together with an indication of the game play mode information to be output to the display of the terminal device;
a reception unit that receives a selection of one of the groups to which a participating player wishes to join based on an input operation of the participating player who is a player other than the master ;
a group information transmitting unit that, when a selection to one of the groups is accepted, transmits to the server the group and identification information that identifies the participating player who selected the group;
a notification receiving unit that receives a notification from the server when the number of times that the server has accepted the participation in the one group reaches a number of identification information preset for the one group;
a progression unit that progresses the event in which the formed group competes against another group and determines a winner based on parameters of each group at the end of the competition ,
the selection screen includes a plurality of areas corresponding to the groups;
Each of the regions includes an indication of the game play aspect information associated with the region. A program executed by a computer that is connected to a server via a communication line and outputs to a display a screen of a game including an event in which groups to which a plurality of players belong compete against each other ,
The computer,
a creation screen output unit that outputs a screen for creating the group on the display based on an input operation of the player;
a transmission unit that receives game play mode information input by the player, the game play mode information being for gathering players with similar game play modes in a battle , and transmits the game play mode information to the server, thereby causing a selection screen to be output on a terminal device used by another player, the selection screen displaying a plurality of the groups together with an indication of the game play mode information;
a notification receiving unit that receives a notification from the server when the number of times the server has accepted participation in a group reaches a number of identification information preset for the group;
an event progression unit that progresses the event in which the formed group competes against another group and determines the winner based on the parameters of each group at the end of the competition ;
the selection screen includes a plurality of areas corresponding to the groups;
Each of the regions includes an indication of the game play aspect information associated with the region. An information processing method executed by a computer that is connected to a server via a communication line and outputs to a display a screen of a game including an event in which groups to which a plurality of players belong compete against each other , comprising the steps of:
The computer,
outputting a screen for creating the group on the display based on an input operation of the player;
receiving game play mode information input by the player, the game play mode information being for gathering players with similar game play modes in a battle , and transmitting the game play mode information to the server, thereby outputting a selection screen on a terminal device used by another player, the selection screen displaying a plurality of the groups including an indication of the game play mode information;
receiving a notification from the server when the number of times the server has accepted applications to join a group reaches a preset number of pieces of identification information for the group;
proceeding with the event in which the formed group competes against another group , determining a winner based on parameters of each group at the end of the competition ;
the selection screen includes a plurality of areas corresponding to the groups;
Each of the regions includes an indication of the game play aspect information associated with the region.