JP7693733B2 - Program and game device - Google Patents

Description

Article 30, paragraph 2 of the Patent Act applies (1) ・Website posting date: January 27, 2023 ・Website address: https://www.gundam-ab.com/ ・https://www.gundam-ab.com/news/140.php Mobile Suit Gundam Arsenal Base Official Website <LINXTAGE SEASON: 01 Operation Special> (2) ・Website posting date: February 17, 2023 ・Website address: https://www.gundam-ab.com/ ・https://www.gundam-ab.com/news/151. php Mobile Suit Gundam Arsenal Base Official Website <Ver. 4.0.0.0 Update Information> (3) ・Website posting date February 24, 2023 ・Website address ・https://www.gundam-ab.com/ ・https://www.gundam-ab.com/news/161. php Mobile Suit Gundam Arsenal Base Official Website <Regarding the fixed battle stage in versus play> (4) ・Website posting date January 22, 2023 ・Website address https://www.youtube.com/watch? v = y8D_RnE6vPg & t = 35s "Mobile Suit Gundam Arsenal Base" <LINXTAGE SEASON: 01> PV (5) ・ Website posting date February 23, 2023 ・ Website address https://www. youtube. com/watch? v = V2v2SDkXcKY & t = 2094s [LINXTAGE SEASON: 01 Full information released] "Mobile Suit Gundam Arsenal Base Intelligence Bureau" # 9 Release Eve Festival

Article 30, paragraph 2 of the Patent Act applies (6) ・Website posting date: February 23, 2023 ・Website address: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zog73i5wsnM&t=21s "Mobile Suit Gundam Arsenal Base" LINXTAGE <SEASON:01> PV ver. 2 (7) ・Website posting date: February 24, 2023 ・Website address: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zog73i5wsnM&t=21s v = PRgPu8aQHu4 & t = 31s "Mobile Suit Gundam Arsenal Base" LINXTAGE <SEASON: 01> PV (8) ・ Website posting date March 2, 2023 ・ Website address https://www. youtube. com/watch? v = 6NzZqt8Z6dc "Mobile Suit Gundam Arsenal Base LINXTAGE" How to play PV (9) ・ Website posting date January 22, 2023 to March 7, 2023 ・ Website address https://twitter. com/gundam_ab? Ref_src = twsrc%5Etfw [Official] Mobile Suit Gundam Arsenal Base (10) Release date February 24, 2023 Installation location Stores listed in the attached list (11) Release date January 22, 2023 to March 13, 2023 Website address https://twitter.com/gundam_ab? Ref_src = twsrc%5Etfw [Official] Mobile Suit Gundam Arsenal Base

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

There are multiplayer games in which multiple players are matched together and played by many people. In these multiplayer games, the quest content is set in advance, and quests are often played repeatedly between the same players or between highly skilled players. This creates problems such as missing out on opportunities to interact with a large number of players, and players with low skills being unable to participate in multiplayer games.

Therefore, a game system has been proposed that can determine the content of a quest based on information about each matched player (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2019-041919 A

However, because matched players carry out quests together, the skill of each player still affects the execution of the quest. Beginners in particular are hesitant to participate in games because they are worried that their playing style may have a negative impact on other players, which can lead to them missing out on opportunities to participate in the game. As a result, multiplayer games are difficult for players to get into, which can reduce the game's appeal.

The present invention aims to provide a program and a game device that provide a highly entertaining game.

One aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a game device constituted by a computer to execute a competitive game, the program causing the game device to function as: game element registration means for registering game elements of a first player; group setting means for setting the first player and a second player into a group; game execution means for executing a competitive game between the first player and an opposing player using the registered game elements of the first player; and support execution means for enabling the execution of support in the competitive game using the game elements of the second player, on condition that the first player selects support, during the execution of the competitive game between the first player and the opposing player.

One aspect of the present invention is a game device that includes game element registration means for registering game elements of a first player, group setting means for setting the first player and a second player into a group, game execution means for executing a competitive game between the first player and an opposing player using the registered game elements of the first player, and support execution means for enabling the execution of support in the competitive game using the game elements of the second player, on condition that the first player selects support, during the execution of the competitive game between the first player and the opposing player.

The present invention makes it possible to provide a highly entertaining game.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the system configuration of a game system according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a game card P1 in which the first game element is a pilot, and character information of the pilot type is an attack type. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a game card M1 in which the second game element is a ship to be boarded, and character information of the ship type is an attack type. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a game field in the competitive game of this embodiment. FIG. 5 is a front external view of the game device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the game device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the game element database 190. As shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the battleship information database 200 of the battleship set 1. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the battleship setting screen. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the game device identification information. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the server 2 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the game device identification information database 300. As shown in FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of player matching. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of player information. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the operation of the game device 1. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the operation of the battleship setting process. FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining a series of operations for selecting a battle mode. FIG. 18 is a flowchart of the cooperative pair setting process. FIG. 19 is a sequence diagram between the game device 1 and the server 2. FIG. 20 is a flowchart of the cooperative pair matching process performed by the server 2. FIG. 21 shows an example of the game element registration screen. FIG. 22 is a flowchart of the joint battle request processing. FIG. 23 shows the transition of the screen for a joint battle request. FIG. 24 shows an example of game device identification information database 300 according to the second modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 25 is a diagram for explaining the second embodiment. FIG. 26 is a block diagram of a game device 1 according to the third embodiment.

This section describes an embodiment of the present invention.

First Embodiment
<Overall composition>
Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the system configuration of a game system according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the game system is configured to include one or more game devices 1 and a server 2. The one or more game devices 1 and the server 2 can be connected to a communication line N and can communicate with each other. The communication line N means a communication path that allows data communication. In other words, the communication line N includes a dedicated line (dedicated cable) for direct connection, a LAN such as Ethernet (registered trademark), a telephone communication network, a cable network, the Internet, and other communication networks, and the communication method can be either wired or wireless.

The game device 1 is a computer capable of executing a game program, and is connected to a communication line N via a wireless communication base station or the like, and can perform data communication with the server 2. The game device 1 is, for example, an arcade game device, a smartphone, a mobile phone, a portable game device, a stationary home game device, a personal computer, a tablet computer, a controller for a stationary home game device, etc.

Basically, there are multiple game devices 1, and each is operated by a player. For example, multiple game devices 1 are installed in a store, and are operated by players who visit the store.

The server 2 is a server system including one or more server devices and storage devices. The server 2 provides various services for operating the game of this embodiment, and can manage data necessary for operating the game, and distribute game programs and data necessary for executing the game on the game device 1. In addition, as will be described in detail later, when a player is identified when using the game device 1, that is, when a competitive game service is provided after the player has been identified, the server 2 updates the information managed for each player based on the usage details (game play history). In addition, as will be described later, the server 2 also matches players to form pairs in order to enable players to play against other players.

In this embodiment, such a system configuration allows a competitive game between players using multiple game devices 1 to be realized via the server 2 and communication line N, but the game is not limited to competitive games between players (vs. humans), and also includes cases where one of the players is a non-player character provided by the server 2. Furthermore, games for which a play experience is provided on the game device 1 are not limited to competitive games between players, and may include games configured for one person.

In the embodiment described below, an example of the present invention is applied to a game device 1 that executes a competitive game in which a screen on which game elements are arranged on a game field is displayed, as an example of a game device. However, the present invention is applicable to any device that is capable of executing a game in which a screen on which game elements are arranged on a game field is displayed.

<Game elements and overview of the battle game>
In order to facilitate understanding of the configuration of the present embodiment, an overview of the fighting game and game elements used in the fighting game according to the present embodiment will be described below.

The fighting game of this embodiment features multiple types of game elements. The game elements are characters (characters, mounts, items, etc.) and are represented as images, virtual or physical objects, etc. Images include still images and videos. The fighting game of this embodiment includes a first type of game element and a second type of game element.

First, we will explain the first type of game element in this embodiment.

The first type of game element is associated with an object having a physical volume. An example of a tangible object is, for example, a game card, which is an object having a physical volume (real object). Note that the object is not limited to a game card, but may be any object configured to identify the game element associated with the object. The object may be, for example, a shaped object such as a figure having the appearance of a game element.

In this embodiment, the multiple types of items associated with the first type of game element are tangible game cards, and each is described as being associated with one game element that appears in a competitive game in which a play experience is provided on the game device 1. The game element to which the game card is associated can be identified by acquiring identification information (element ID) for identifying the game element attached to the game card by a game element reading unit described later. The identification information (element ID) may be added to the game card by, for example, printing a one-dimensional or multi-dimensional code obtained by converting the identification information for identifying the game element onto the game card, or by other methods such as recording the identification information on a tag or IC chip for near field communication (NFC) included in the game card.

In a competitive game, each player can use multiple game elements, and by obtaining information from a game card prior to the start of the game (before the sequence in which the game elements are actually operated begins), the game elements associated with that game card can be registered as game elements that will appear in the game (to be used by the player).

In this embodiment, there are multiple first type game elements that the player introduces into the game, but there are mainly two types: first game elements and second game elements. The first game elements are pilots, and the second game elements are aircraft operated by the pilots. Furthermore, each of the first game elements and second game elements is divided into multiple types.

The types of pilots, which are the first game elements, include, for example, an attack type (first type) and a defense type (second type). The attack type is a type that has the main purpose of attacking the opponent player's game elements and attacks the opponent player's game elements without protecting the player's other game elements. The defense type is a type that has the main purpose of defending the player's other game elements and attacks the opponent player's game elements to protect the player's other game elements. Note that the types and numbers are merely examples and are not limited to these types and numbers. For example, there may be multiple attack types depending on the types of the opponent player's game elements, such as an attack type that can only attack X type of game elements of the opponent player and an attack type that can only attack Y type of game elements of the opponent player.

The types of the aircraft used as the second game element include, for example, an attack type (first type) and a defense type (second type). The attack type is a type that has the main purpose of attacking the opposing player's game elements and attacks the opposing player's game elements without protecting the player's other game elements. The defense type is a type that has the main purpose of defending the player's other game elements and attacks the opposing player's game elements to protect the player's other game elements. As a further type, a range (attack) type (third type) according to the range (attack) distance of the weapon that the aircraft can use may be set. For example, if the weapon that can be used is a long-range weapon, it is a long-range type, and if the weapon that can be used is a close-range weapon, it is a close-range type. Note that the types and numbers are merely examples and are not limited to these types and numbers.

These types do not necessarily have to correspond one-to-one with each game element, but may also have a one-to-many relationship. For example, the second game element, a piloted aircraft, may have two types: a defensive type and a long-range type. A piloted aircraft of this type can attack game elements located far away from the opposing player using a long-range weapon in order to protect the player's other game elements.

Furthermore, the first game element and the second game element have various parameters (level, hit points, attack power, defense power, terrain suitability, weapon used, etc.) appropriate to that type, in addition to character information of the type of the first game element or the second game element. For example, an attack type would have parameters specialized for attack. These various parameters may be changed as the battle game progresses.

Furthermore, some of the first game elements or second game elements have special abilities called abilities. The abilities are abilities that are used to advantageously advance the game and strengthen the game elements. For example, an ability can increase the attack power of the opposing player against the game elements for a certain period of time when a certain activation condition is met. An ability can be activated automatically when the activation condition is met, or can be activated at the player's discretion when the activation condition is met. In addition, some abilities can be activated only once during a match, while others can be activated multiple times. Even if the player is unable to fight (defeat) due to an attack from the opposing player's game element after activating this ability, it is possible to return (transition) to a state where a match is possible again after a certain time (transition time) has passed. Note that the transition time may be longer than the transition time for a game element that does not normally activate an ability.

Figure 2 shows an example of a game card P1 in which the first game element is a pilot, whose character information type is attack type. The game device 1 can obtain the character information and abilities of the game card P1 by having the game element reading unit read the identification information and the like written on the game card P1. Figure 3 shows an example of a game card M1 in which the second game element is a piloted unit, whose type is attack type, and whose character information type is crushing (attacks when a locked-on enemy unit enters the attack range). The game device 1 can obtain the character information and abilities of the game card M1 by having the game element reading unit read the identification information and the like written on the game card M1.

Furthermore, in the battle game of this embodiment, a game element called a unit (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a squadron) appears. This unit is made up of a combination of the pilot, which is the first game element, and the aircraft, which is the second game element. In other words, the player can register the pilot in association with the element that operates the aircraft in the battle game. In this way, the player can cause a unit consisting of a pilot and an aircraft to appear in the battle game.

The capabilities of a unit can be, for example, the sum of the character information (various parameters) of the pilot, which is the first game element constituting the unit, and the character information (various parameters) of the aircraft, which is the second game element. Furthermore, a unit has behavioral characteristics that stipulate (or restrict) what actions it can take in a battle in a fighting game. The behavioral characteristics of the unit are subordinate (dependent) to at least one of the components, the pilot type (classification), which is the first game element, or the aircraft type (classification), which is the second game element.

When the behavioral characteristics of a unit are made dependent only on the type (type) of the pilot, which is the first game element, the type (type) of the aircraft is not reflected, and the behavioral characteristics reflect the type of the pilot. For example, if the type of the pilot that makes up the unit is a defensive type and the type of the aircraft that makes up the unit is an attacking type, the type of the aircraft is not reflected, and the behavioral characteristics of the unit are primarily intended to protect the player's game elements, and attacks on the opposing player's game elements are limited to protecting the player's other game elements. Also, when the behavioral characteristics of a unit are made dependent only on the type (type) of the aircraft, which is the second game element, the type (type) of the pilot is not reflected, and the behavioral characteristics reflect the type of the aircraft.

In this way, when subjecting a unit's behavioral characteristics to only one type of game element, the player must consider the type of pilot and unit when selecting the pilot and unit that make up the unit. This is because a unit's capabilities are, for example, the sum of the character information of its component game elements (pilot and unit), so if the wrong type is selected, the unit's capabilities cannot be demonstrated. On the other hand, if the types of the component game elements (pilot and unit) are selected appropriately, for example if the pilot type and unit type are the same defensive type, the unit will be able to demonstrate abilities that match its behavioral characteristics.

On the other hand, making the behavioral characteristics of a unit dependent on both the pilot type (type), which is the first game element, and the aircraft type (type), which is the second game element, is effective when the pilot type (type), which is the first game element, and the aircraft type (type), which is the second game element, are completely different. For example, the pilot type (type), which is the first game element, may be of attack type and defense type, and the aircraft type (type), which is the second game element, may be of range (attack) type. In such a case, the behavioral characteristics of a unit that combines a defense type pilot with a long-range type aircraft will be such that it uses a weapon with a long range (attack distance) to attack the game elements of the opposing player at a distance in order to defend the player's other game elements. In this way, a game with high strategic value can be provided to the player.

Furthermore, abilities possessed by the first game element or the second game element can be added to the capabilities of the unit. For example, if the pilot's aircraft of the second game element has an ability, a unit whose component is the pilot's aircraft of the second game element can have the ability of the pilot's aircraft of the second game element. For example, a unit whose component is game card P1 (pilot) of Figure 2 and game card M1 (aircraft) of Figure 3 can have the ability of game card M1 (aircraft).

Next, we will explain the second type of game element.

The second type of game element differs from the first type of game element in that the second type of game element is not associated with a real object such as a game card. The second type of game element is a game element that can appear in the game as a reward obtained by completing a game event, or by exchanging it for in-game currency. However, like the first type of game element, this does not necessarily exclude association with a real object such as a game card.

The second type of game element includes a first game element and a second game element. In this embodiment, the first game element is a battleship, and the second game element is the captain of the battleship. Hereinafter, a combination of the battleship of the first game element and the captain of the second game element is referred to as a battleship set. In this embodiment, only combinations of battleships and captains of the battleship set are permitted, and it is not possible to select only a battleship or only a captain. However, this does not exclude changes to the combination.

Battleships, which are the first game element, have various parameters (attack power, defense power, etc.) and are targets of attack by the opposing player's units. All battleships in multiple battleship sets have the same parameters such as attack power and defense power, and even if a battleship in the initially set battleship set is changed to another battleship set, the attack power and defense power will not change. However, this does not preclude changing the attack power and defense power parameters during specific events, etc.

Furthermore, the battleship, which is the first game element, has the ability to support (assist) the co-op player in a battle game in response to a request from the co-op player (described below). The support ability differs depending on the type of each battleship.

On the other hand, the second game element, the captain, provides advice information to the player on various screens in the game (departure screen and battle screen). However, this advice information is only for presentation purposes, and does not provide strategic information that would give an advantage in battle.

The second type of game element is provided to the player as a combination (battleship set) of the first game element (battleship) and the second game element (captain); the first game element and the second game element are not provided separately, and the first game element (battleship) and the second game element (captain) cannot be freely combined.

Furthermore, the difference between the first type of game elements and the second type of game elements is whether they are objects of operation during the game. As described above, the first type of game elements or a unit composed of multiple first type of game elements are objects of operation by the player during the game. A typical example of an object of operation is an object to be moved. In contrast, the second type of game elements (battleships, captains) are not objects of movement by the player.

Next, we will give an overview of the competitive game.

The battle game of this embodiment has a normal battle mode in which players battle each other individually, and a cooperative battle mode in which two or more players form groups and battle against each other. The cooperative battle mode is a battle mode in which a player can form a group with a player other than the player himself, such as a friend, and can receive support (assistance) from battleships set by other players in the group in both battle games. In the cooperative battle mode of this embodiment, the number of players making up a group is two, and this group of two is referred to as a cooperative pair, and the player who forms a cooperative pair with the player is referred to as a cooperative player. However, the number of players making up a group is not limited to two, and may be three or more.

The battle game includes a first phase and a second phase. The first phase is a battleship setting phase, in which battleships (a second type of game element) to be used in the battle game are set. The second phase is a phase in which various game cards (a first type of game element) are registered, units are generated, and battles are fought using those units.

In this embodiment, the battle (second phase) progresses by deploying (placing) the units (troops) registered for each player on a game field of a specified size, and performing movement and attack actions (the execution of these actions is accepted by the operation input unit, which will be described later).

4 is a diagram showing an example of a game field in the battle game of this embodiment. In one aspect shown below, the game field includes a sortie unit area 30, a first area 31, and a second area 32. The sortie unit area 30 is where units that can be sortied (appear) are placed. The first area 31 is the area of the player, and the player's base or other bases (game elements) are placed. The battleship set in the first phase is also placed in this first area 31. The second area 32 is the area of the opponent player, and the opponent player's base or other bases (game elements) are placed. The opponent player's battleship set in the first phase is also placed in this second area 32. It should be noted that the player and the opponent player's battleship are automatically placed in a predetermined position and are not a target for the player to move. The player who destroys the opponent player's base (reduces its durability to 0) as a result of an attack action by any unit is the winner of the battle game.

As a result, when an opposing player's unit attempts to attack the base associated with the opposing player, each player must place units to intercept (defense) the attacking action and block the attacking action, or control the attacking action of their units to destroy the opposing player's base before the opposing player's unit can do so.

Here, it is important to note that the areas in which a unit can move differ depending on the type of unit. For example, if the type of unit is a defensive type, the unit is a unit for defending a base such as the player's base, and the base such as the player's base is placed in the first area 31, and as a result, defensive type units can only move within the first area 31. On the other hand, if the type of unit is an attack type, the unit is a unit for attacking a base such as the opponent player's battleship that is attacking the opponent player's base or the base of the player's base, and the base of the opponent player's base is placed in the second area 32, and the opponent player's battleship or other base can enter (be placed) in the first area 31, and as a result, attack type units can move in both the first area 31 and the second area 32.

At the start of the battle game, the information on the units registered by the opposing player is not known. Players can deploy each of their registered units onto the game field at any time after the start of the battle game, and the opposing player is notified of the game elements (aircraft and pilot) that unit is made up of when the unit is deployed onto the game field. This configuration provides players with the excitement of strategically developing the game while determining the units and actions of the opposing player.

In addition, in the cooperative battle mode, a player can request a cooperative battle from a co-op player during a battle. A cooperative battle request can be made by selecting the cooperative battle request button 34 displayed on the game field. When a cooperative battle request is selected, one of the support capabilities of the battleship set by the co-op player is activated, and the player can attack the opposing player (attack support) or provide supply support to the player. This cooperative battle request can only be made a set number of times during the battle game. For example, once or twice. If a cooperative battle request were possible any number of times, the game balance would be disrupted.

<Configuration of Game Device 1>
FIG. 5 is a front external view of the game device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

The game device 1 is equipped with a display unit 11 (display 11) on which information necessary for progressing in the game, such as menus, and the game field are displayed, first game element reading units _12-1 to _12-5 for registering a first game element (pilot) to be caused to appear in the fighting game from game cards held by the players, and second game element reading units _13-1 to _13-5 for registering a second game element (pilot aircraft) to be caused to appear in the fighting game from game cards held by the players.

The first game element reading units 12 ₁ to 12 ₅ are readers that read character information of pilots, which are the first game elements to be made to appear in the game, from game cards. The game device 1 of this embodiment is provided with five first game element reading units 12 ₁ to 12 ₅ so that up to a maximum (upper limit) of five pilots can be registered as game elements to be used. A player sets (places) a game card P of a pilot (first game element) to be made to appear in the battle game from among game cards he owns in the first game element reading units 12 ₁ to 12 ₅ , whereby the first game element reading units 12 ₁ to 12 ₅ can read identification information and the like of the game card of the pilot (first game element).

The second game element reading units 13 ₁ to 13 ₅ are readers that read character information of a boarded unit, which is a second game element to be caused to appear in a game, from a game card. In the game device 1 of this embodiment, five second game element reading units 13 ₁ to 13 ₅ are installed so that a maximum (upper limit) of five boarded units can be registered as game elements to be used. A player sets (places) a game card of a boarded unit (second game element) to be caused to appear in a battle game from among game cards he owns in the second game element reading units 13 ₁ to 13 ₅ , whereby the second game element reading units 13 ₁ to 13 ₅ can read identification information and the like of the game card of the boarded unit (second game element).

Then, players can start a battle game by organizing up to five units (squads), which are game elements that consist of one registered pilot and one piloted unit. In other words, the maximum number of pilots that can be registered for a unit (squad) is the same as the maximum number of pilots that can be registered (upper limit), which is set to five.

Note that, for example, when the number of game cards from which information can be obtained is less than the maximum number (upper limit) of aircraft and pilots, such as when the player has just started using the game device 1 or when the player does not carry a game card, each of the game elements that make up the unit (squad) does not necessarily need to be registered based on information obtained from the game cards. In this case, game elements prepared on the game device 1 side are additionally registered, and the maximum number of aircraft and pilots are registered, forming a squadron of five. Also, for example, in a mode in which a concept such as cost is introduced during registration, the number of units (squads) to be registered may be set to multiple, less than the maximum number.

In addition, in this embodiment, one pilot is associated with one aircraft and registered as one unit, but the implementation of the present invention is not limited to this. In other words, the game elements that make up one unit may be associated with multiple pilots with one aircraft, or one pilot with multiple aircraft.

Figure 6 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a game device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The game device 1 comprises a processing unit 10, a display unit 11, first game element reading units _12.sub.1 to _12.sub.5 , second game element reading units _13.sub.1 to _13.5 , an operation input unit 14, a cost detection unit 15, a user information reading unit 16, a sound output unit 17, a communication unit 18, and a memory unit 19.

The processing unit 10 comprehensively controls the operation of the game device 1 based on the programs and data stored in the memory unit 19, the first game element reading unit 12, the second game element reading unit 13, and operation input signals from the operation input unit 14, etc. The functions of the processing unit 10 can be realized by electronic components such as a microprocessor such as a CPU or GPU, an ASIC, and an IC memory. Specifically, the control unit 10 reads out the operation programs of each unit recorded in the recording unit 19, for example, and controls the operation of each unit by expanding the programs in memory and executing them. The processing unit 10 has, as its main functional units, a game element acquisition unit 110, a unit configuration unit 111, a game execution unit 112, a battleship setting unit 113, a joint battle pair setting unit 114, and a joint battle request execution unit 115. These units will be described later.

The display unit 11 displays various game screens based on the image signals output from the processing unit 10. The functions of the display unit 11 can be realized by a display device such as a flat panel display such as a liquid crystal display, a projector, or a head-mounted display. In FIG. 5, the display unit 11 corresponds to the display 11.

As described above, the first game element reading units 12 ₁ to 12 ₅ are five first game element reading units, which are the upper limit of the number of registered first game elements, and are readers that read character information of pilots, which are the first game elements to be made to appear in the game, from game cards held by players. Reading of the first game elements from game cards is possible, for example, by printing a one-dimensional or multi-dimensional code obtained by converting the identification information, etc. of the game card on the game card, and reading the one-dimensional or multi-dimensional code. In addition, when the identification information, etc. of the game card is recorded in a tag or IC chip for near field communication (NFC) included in the game card, the information is read from the tag or IC chip. The read information is output to the processing unit 10 together with a reading unit ID (for example, reading unit ID=12 _1, etc.), which is the identification information of the own device.

As described above, the second game element reading units 13 ₁ to 13 ₅ are five second game element reading units, which are the upper limit of the number of registered second game elements, and are readers that read character information of the vehicle, which is the second game element to be made to appear in the game, from the game card held by the player. Reading of the second game element from the game card is possible, for example, by printing a one-dimensional or multi-dimensional code obtained by converting the identification information, etc. of the game card on the game card, and reading the one-dimensional or multi-dimensional code. In addition, if the identification information, etc. of the game card is recorded on a tag or IC chip for near field communication (NFC) included in the game card, the information is read from the tag or IC chip. The read information is output to the processing unit 10 together with the reading unit ID (for example, reading unit ID=13 ₁ , etc.), which is the identification information of the own device.

A unit is composed of the first game element read by the first game element reading units 12 ₁ to 12 ₅ and the second game element read by the second game element reading units 13 ₁ to 13 ₅ , and as described above, one unit is a combination of a pilot, which is one first game element, and a plane, which is one second game element. Therefore, in order to make it easy for a player to identify the combination of the pilot, which is the first game element, and the plane, which is the second game element, that constitutes a unit, the first game element reading units 12 ₁ to 12 ₅ and the second game element reading units 13 ₁ to 13 ₅ are arranged so that at least one side of the first game element reading unit 12 ₁ to 12 ₅ and one side of the second game element reading unit 13 ₁ to 13 ₅ that make up a pair are adjacent to each other. For example, the lower side of the first game element reading unit 12 ₁ and the upper side of the second game element reading unit 13 ₁ are arranged so that they are adjacent to each other to form a pair. This allows the player to easily understand that a unit is formed by pairing the pilot of the game card read by the first game element reading unit _12-1 with the aircraft of the game card read by the second game element reading unit _13-1 . The same applies to the other combinations of _the first game element reading units _12-12-5 and _the second game element reading units _13-13-5 .

The operation input unit 14 allows the player to input various operations related to the game, and outputs an operation input signal corresponding to the operation input to the processing unit 10. The functions of the operation input unit 14 can be realized by, for example, elements that are directly operated by the player's fingers, such as a touch panel, touch operation pad, home button, button switch, joystick, or trackball, as well as elements that detect movement or posture, such as an acceleration sensor, angular velocity sensor, tilt sensor, or geomagnetic sensor. In this embodiment, this corresponds to a touch operation panel attached to the display unit 11.

The price detection unit 15 detects that a price has been paid on the game device 1. The payment of the price may be determined, for example, by detecting that a predetermined amount of coins or an equivalent coin has been inserted into an insertion slot (not shown) of the game device 1, or by detecting the completion of a settlement process based on communication with a chip related to a predetermined electronic money. The game device 1 of this embodiment will be described as starting to provide a service, including the provision of a series of game play experiences, based on the payment of a price related to the start of service provision. Furthermore, the payment of the price is configured to be detectable even after the start of service provision.

The user information reading unit 16 acquires information from an item on which a player ID (player identification information) is recorded in order to identify the player using the game device 1. In this embodiment, the item on which the player ID is recorded is a player card configured in the form of a card.

The sound output unit 17 is a speaker or the like for outputting sound effects and the like related to the game based on the sound signal output from the processing unit 10.

The communication unit 18 is a communication interface with an external device. The communication unit 18 can connect to an external device via a communication line N (whether wired or wireless) and enable sending and receiving of data. The communication unit 18 converts, for example, information input as the object to be sent, into data in a predetermined format and sends it to an external device such as a server 2 via the communication line N. The communication unit 18 also receives information from an external device via, for example, the communication line N.

The recording medium 19 is a recording device capable of holding data, such as a non-volatile memory or HDD. In addition to the operating programs of each part of the game device 1, the recording medium 19 stores information on parameters required for the operation of each part, various graphics data used in the fighting game executed by the game device 1, and the like.

Furthermore, the recording medium 19 stores a game element database 190 (game element DB 190). The game element DB 190 is a database that manages information (element information) on each of the game elements that appear in the game. In the game device 1 of this embodiment, a player places a game card on the first game element reading units _12.sub.1 to _12.sub.5 and the second game element reading units _13.sub.2 to _13.sub.5 during game play, and causes information to be acquired, thereby making the game element associated with the game card appear in the game. 7, the element information managed for one game element includes type information 192 indicating a type in the game assigned to the game element in association with an element ID (identification information) 191 that uniquely identifies the game element, drawing information 193 including graphics data and the like used to generate a screen when the game element appears in the game, parameter information (character information) 194 describing the name, attributes, etc. of the game element as well as parameters and the like determined for each element level of the game element, and ability information 195 describing activation conditions and activated effects, etc. The parameter information 194 and ability information 195 are information referenced in the game in which the game element appears, and are involved in controlling the progress of the game.

In this embodiment, the game element DB 190 stores graphics data, parameter information, ability information, etc., and the element information includes these pieces of data, but the implementation of the present invention is not limited to this. The element information may also include information indicating the storage location of each piece of information.

Next, we will explain the main functional parts of the processing unit 10, namely, the game element acquisition unit 110, the unit configuration unit 111, the game execution unit 112, the battleship setting unit 113, the alliance pair setting unit 114, and the alliance request execution unit 115.

The game element acquisition unit 110 acquires element IDs 191 of the game cards read by the first game element reading units _12.sub.1 to _12.sub.5 and the second game element reading units _13.sub.1 to _13.sub.5 . At this time, it also acquires reading unit IDs for identifying the first game element reading units _12.sub.1 to _12.sub.5 and the second game element reading units _13.sub.1 to _13.sub.5 that read the element IDs 191 of the game cards (hereinafter, the reading unit IDs of the first game element reading units _12.sub.1 to _12.sub.5 will be referred to as _12.sub.1 to _12.sub.5 , and the reading unit IDs of the second game element reading units _13.sub.1 to _13.sub.5 will be referred to as _13.sub.1 to _13.sub.5 ). The game element acquisition unit 110 acquires type information 192, drawing information 193, parameter information 194, and ability information 195 associated with the element IDs 191 of the acquired game cards from the game element DB 190. Then, game element acquisition unit 110 associates the reading unit ID with game element ID 191, type information 192, drawing information 193, parameter information 194, and ability information 195, and outputs them to unit configuration unit 111 and game execution unit 112. Note that first game element reading units _12.sub.1 to _12.sub.5 and game element acquisition unit 110 function as first game element registration means. Also, second game element reading units _13.sub.1 to _13.sub.5 and game element acquisition unit 110 function as second game element registration means.

The unit configuration unit 111 receives the reading unit ID, element ID 191, type information 192, drawing information 193, and parameter information 194 from the game element acquisition unit 110, and configures one unit (squad) from a pair of a pilot, which is a first game element, and a plane, which is a second game element. The unit configuration unit 111 identifies the pair of the first game element and the second game element from the reading unit ID. In this embodiment, combinations of reading unit IDs (reading unit ID: 12 ₁ , reading unit ID: 13 ₁ ), (reading unit ID: 12 ₂ , reading unit ID: 13 ₂ ), (reading unit ID: 12 ₃ , reading unit ID: 13 _{3 )} , (reading unit ID: 12 ₄ , reading unit ID: 13 4 ), and (reading unit ID: 12 ₅ , reading unit ID: 13 ₅ ) correspond to the game elements that configure one unit. The unit configuration unit 111 identifies the first game element and the second game element to be paired by identifying the element ID 191 associated with each pair of the reading unit ID. The unit configuration unit 111 then configures a unit using the type information 192, the drawing information 193, the parameter information 194, and the ability information 195 associated with the element ID 191. The ability of the unit is, for example, the total value of the character information (various parameters) of the pilot, which is the first game element constituting the unit, and the character information (various parameters) of the boarding machine, which is the second game element. Furthermore, other information associated with the player ID read from the player card by the user information reading unit 16, such as the player's level and correction parameters of each game element, may be reflected in the ability of the unit. These parameters reflected in the unit may be referred to as initial parameters. In addition, the behavioral characteristics of the unit are made subordinate (dependent) to at least one of the pilot type (type), which is the first game element, and the boarding machine type (type), which is the second game element, which are components.

Furthermore, the unit configuration unit 111 can add abilities possessed by the first game element or the second game element as the capabilities of the unit. For example, if the aircraft carried by the second game element has an ability, a unit that has the aircraft carried by the second game element as a component thereof can have the ability of the aircraft carried by the second game element.

The game execution unit 112 controls a series of games (including the display of game images) from the start to the end of the battle game, and starts the battle game when the price detection unit 15 detects the payment of the price. In the battle game, the units (units) configured by the unit configuration unit 111 and the set battleships (first game element of the second type of game element) are placed on the game field. The game execution unit 112 then controls the progress of the battle in response to the operation input made by the player to the units (units). In addition, the game execution unit 112 performs attack and defense calculations using various parameters of each unit and battleship in the battle, and determines whether the units and battleships are in a battle-ready or battle-unready state. The game management unit 112 also displays various performance images that can identify the battle-ready or battle-unready state of the units, the activation of abilities, and other states.

The battleship setting unit 113 is a unit that sets and manages the player's battleship using a battleship information database 200 that stores information related to configurable battleships. The battleship information database 200 is stored in the recording medium 19. The battleship information database 200 is prepared for each set (combination) of a battleship and a captain, and for each battleship set identification information (battleship set ID). FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the battleship information database 200 for battleship set ID 1. In the example of FIG. 8, the battleship information database 200 for battleship set ID 1 includes battleship identification information (battleship ID) 201 that identifies a battleship, the battleship name 202, captain identification information (captain ID) 203 that identifies the captain, the captain name 204, battleship image data 205, captain image data 206, battleship attack parameters 207, battleship defense parameters 208, and support ability information 209. Hereinafter, each piece of information in the battleship information database 200 will be collectively referred to as battleship information. The support capability information 209 is information on the content of support to be provided to an allied player when a request for cooperation is received from the allied player. The content of support varies depending on the type of battleship, but for example, as shown in FIG. 8, it can be artillery support from the battleship to the allied player's base in the battle play, supply support to the allied player, attack support from the unit of the player who has been requested to cooperate, etc. The support capability information 209 also includes the probability of drawing lots for which type of support will be provided when a request for cooperation is received.

These sets of battleships and captains can be acquired as rewards obtained by completing game events, or by exchanging them for in-game currency, and the acquired sets of battleships and captains are associated with the player ID in the player database 210 (described below) and stored in the reward information 215.

The battleship setting unit 113 sets the player's battleship on the battleship setting screen of the first phase, which is different from the battle phase. The battleships that the player can set are sets of battleships and captains that are associated with the player ID and registered in the reward information 215. The battleship setting unit 113 reads out the battleship information of the sets of battleships and captains registered in the reward information 215 from the battleship information database 200, and displays the battleship setting screen. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the battleship setting screen. The battleship setting screen in FIG. 9 displays battleship set 1 of battleship A and captain X, and battleship set 2 of battleship B and captain Y. The player can set the selected battleship set by selecting the battleship set to be set. The set battleship set is recorded in the ownership information 213 of the player database 210, which will be described later.

The unit 114 matches players who will fight together and sets up a unit. There are the following methods for setting up a unit:

(1) Coalition pairs are set between players using game devices 1 installed in the same store (intra-store coalition pair setting).
When forming a cooperative pair with a friend, it is considered that the game is often played using game devices 1 installed in the same store. Therefore, game devices 1 installed in the same store are matched with each other to set a cooperative pair. Specifically, players who wish to form a cooperative pair press the cooperative pair setting button at the same time, and the server 2 detects this timing to identify the game device 1 of the cooperative player and set the cooperative pair. The specific operation will be described later.

(2) The player and a non-player character prepared on the game device 1 or game server 2 side are set as a cooperative pair (non-player character cooperative pair setting).
Even if a player does not have friends and plays alone, the player can enjoy the game more if a cooperation request is possible. In such a case, the player can set a cooperation pair with a non-player character prepared on the game device 1 or game server 2 side. Specifically, the player selects the cooperation pair with the non-player character, and sets the non-player character prepared on the game device 1 or game server 2 side and the player as a cooperation pair. The specific operation will be described later.

In order to set up a cooperative pair, which will be described later, the cooperative pair setting unit 114 stores game device identification information that uniquely identifies the game device 1. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of game device identification information. The game device identification information in FIG. 10 is a six-digit number, with the first three digits identifying the store and the last three digits identifying the game device 1 of that store.

During a battle game, the alliance request execution unit 115 activates one of the support types of the battleship set by the alliance player in response to the selection of an alliance request by the player. Information on the battleship set by the alliance player is identified from the battleship set ID included in the alliance player information sent from the server 2. The alliance request execution unit 115 reads the probability of the support type corresponding to the battleship set ID set by the alliance player from the battleship information database 200, and determines the support type from that probability. The alliance request execution unit 115 then activates the effect of the determined support type.

Next, the server 2 according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the server 2 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The server 2 includes a processing unit 20, a storage unit 21, and a communication unit 22.

The processing unit 20 is, for example, a CPU, and controls the operation of each block of the server 2. Specifically, the processing unit 20 controls the operation of each block by, for example, reading out the operation program of each block recorded in the recording unit 21, expanding it into memory, and executing it. The processing unit 20 has, as its main functional units, a cooperative pair matching processing unit 201, a fighting player matching processing unit 202, and a management unit 203.

The cooperative pair matching processing unit 201 matches players together as cooperative pairs. The cooperative pairs to be matched are real players, or a real player and a non-player character. The cooperative pair matching processing unit 201 has a game device identification information database 300 for matching cooperative pairs. The game device identification information database 300 is a database that stores game device identification information of game devices 1 that are installed in a store and are operable. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the game device identification information database 300. The game device identification information database 300 may be prepared for each store, or may be a single database that lists all the game device identification information. The specific operation of the cooperative pair matching processing unit 201 will be described later.

In addition, in preparation for the case where a non-player character is selected as a co-op pair, the co-op pair matching processing unit 201 predetermines the non-player character to be paired with, the non-player character's battleship set, and the battleship information of the battleship set. Note that there may be multiple non-player characters to be paired with. In that case, the battleship set corresponding to each non-player character and the battleship information of the battleship set are predeterminable.

The competitive player matching processing unit 202 performs matching processing for a competitive game between players (human-versus-human battle) provided in the game system of this embodiment. Through the matching processing, a session is established for, for example, two game devices 1 that have sent matching requests at the same time among the game devices 1 connected to the server 2, and transition to a state in which information communication related to the competitive game is possible.

In the match of the opponent players in the cooperative battle mode by the opponent player matching processing unit 202, matching is performed between players who have selected the cooperative battle mode. If one of the opponent players is not in the cooperative battle mode, the opponent player cannot receive support such as attacks, which is unfair. Then, each opponent player is matched with an opponent player according to the player's level (rank). FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of opponent player matching. In the example of FIG. 13, players A and B are in a cooperative pair relationship, players C and E are in a cooperative pair relationship, and players D and F are in a cooperative pair relationship. Here, the level of players A and C are matched with a level difference within a predetermined range so that there is no deviation, and the level of players B and D are matched with a level difference within a predetermined range so that there is no deviation. At this time, attention is paid to ensure that the opponent players of the cooperative pair players A and B are not the same player. For example, players A and B are matched so that their opponents are not both player C. Note that the matched opponents do not have to be players in the same store as the player, as in a cooperative pair.

In addition, if the competitive player matching processing unit 202 cannot match a real player that meets the above-mentioned conditions, it may match a non-player character that meets the conditions instead of the real player.

Furthermore, if the level of either player in a cooperative pair is below a predetermined level, the competitive player matching processing unit 202 matches the player below the predetermined level with a non-player character. For example, the predetermined level is low, and the player below the predetermined level is a beginner. In this way, a competitive player of an appropriate level can be matched with a beginner, allowing the beginner to participate with ease. On the other hand, if both players in a cooperative pair are above a predetermined level, the competitive player matching processing unit 202 matches both players with a real player. This is because the player above the predetermined level is an experienced player.

The management unit 203 manages the evaluation of the player related to the game based on the play content of the game played on the game device 1. More specifically, the management unit 203 evaluates the player based on the play content for each competitive game play, and generates or updates evaluation information for the player information related to the player, which will be described later.

The recording unit 21 is a recording device capable of holding data, such as a non-volatile memory or HDD. The recording unit 21 stores information such as parameters required for the operation of each block, in addition to the operation programs of each block held by the server 2. The recording unit 21 also stores a player database 210 (player DB210).

In the game system of this embodiment, the player DB 210 is a database that manages information (player information) indicating game usage status associated with each user (player) for a game for which a play experience is provided on the game device 1. The player information is information for managing the usage history of game play functions for each player and various game elements that are available to the player. The player information is updated sequentially according to the results of a game played using a player card on the game device 1, and is provided to the game device 1 when the player card is used again. This makes it possible to provide game play on the game device 1 in a state that reflects the previous game play.

In this embodiment, the player information may include, for example, as shown in FIG. 14, progress status information 212 indicating the progress of the game play of the player, ownership information 213 indicating game elements that are available for use in the game for the player, enhancement status information 214 indicating the enhancement status of each of the available game elements, and reward information 215 indicating rewards granted to the player (which may be other types of game elements).

Here, the progress status information 212 may include evaluation information evaluating the player's playing status in addition to progress information indicating to what stage a predetermined story has progressed, and battle record information indicating the battle record of a battle game. The possession information 213 is configured by sequentially adding the element ID 191 of the game element associated with the game card used by the player when playing the game, that is, the game element that is in a state that the player can use. The possession information 213 also records the battleship set ID of the battleship set set by the player. The strengthening status information 214 may be configured to manage the element level as an index indicating the parameter changed by strengthening, in association with the element ID 191 of at least the game element that has been strengthened (changed from the initial state). In this embodiment, in order to make the invention easier to understand, the strengthening status information 214 is described as being updated when the play result of the game played on the game device 1 is obtained, but it may be updated in response to, for example, obtaining information on the training result due to the use of a training function on the game device 1. Reward information 215 includes information such as the battleship set ID of the battleship set acquired in an in-game event.

The communication unit 22 is a communication interface with an external device. The communication unit 22 can connect to an external device via a communication line N (whether wired or wireless) and enable sending and receiving of data. The communication unit 22 converts information input as a transmission target, for example, into data in a predetermined format, and transmits it to an external device such as the game device 1 via the communication line N. The communication unit 22 also receives information from an external device, for example, via the communication line N.

<Operations of Game Device 1 and Server 2>
The operation of the game device 1 will now be described. Fig. 15 is a flowchart showing the operation of the game device 1. In the following description, the maximum number (upper limit) of cards that can be registered in the battle game is five for both pilot cards (first game element) and boarded aircraft cards (second game element).

When starting a competitive game, a player inserts a predetermined amount of coins or an equivalent coin into an insertion slot of the game device 1 as the fee for executing the competitive game service. When the fee detection unit 15 detects the fee (Step 100), the game execution unit 112 starts executing the competitive game service (Step 101).

The player has the player card read by the user information reading unit 16 (Step 102). The user information reading unit 16 reads the player ID 211 from the player's player card and transmits the player ID 211 to the server 2, thereby receiving from the server 2 the progress status information 212, possession information 213, strengthening status information 214, reward information 215, etc. associated with the player ID 311. This information is passed to the processing unit 10.

The game execution unit 112 then determines whether the player will select the battleship setting screen (Step 103). When the battleship setting screen is selected (Step 104), the battleship setting unit 113 starts the battleship setting process (Step 105).

Figure 16 is a flowchart showing the operation of the battleship setting process.

The battleship setting unit 113 reads out battleship information of the battleship set that the player can set from the battleship information database using the battleship set ID that the player has obtained from the reward information 215 of the player's player database 210 (Step 200), and displays a battleship setting screen that displays the battleship set that the player can set (Step 201). The battleship setting screen is, for example, as shown in FIG. 9. At this time, if there is a battleship set that has already been set from the ownership information 213 of the player's player database 210, that battleship set is displayed.

The battleship setting unit 113 determines whether the player has changed the battleship already set (set battleship) and selected a new battleship to set (Step 202). If the set battleship has been changed (Step 203), the battleship setting unit 113 registers the selected battleship as the set battleship in the ownership information 213 of the player's player database 210 (Step 204).

Return to the explanation of the flowchart in Figure 15.

The game execution unit 112 displays a battle mode selection screen and determines the battle mode (Step 106). If the player selects the cooperative battle mode (in-store cooperative pair setting and non-player character cooperative pair setting) (Step 107), the cooperative pair setting unit 114 executes a cooperative pair setting process (Step 108).

Figure 17 is a diagram for explaining the series of actions for selecting a battle mode. In the example selection screen of Figure 17, buttons are displayed so that normal battle mode and cooperative battle mode can be selected as the battle mode (Figure 17(a)). Then, when the player selects the cooperative battle mode, buttons are displayed so that in-store cooperative pair setting and non-player character cooperative pair setting can be selected (Figure 17(b)).

Figure 18 is a flowchart of the cooperative pair setting process.

The co-op pair setting unit 114 determines the selection of the co-op mode (Step 300). When an in-store co-op pair is selected (Step 301), the co-op pair setting unit 114 displays a search start screen (Step 302). An example of the search start screen is shown in FIG. 17(c). When players in a store form a co-op pair, the players press the search start button at the same time. On the other hand, when a non-player character is selected as the co-op pair, a co-op pair matching request is made to the server 2 (Step 309). The matching request includes the game device identification information (game device ID) and the player ID obtained from the player card.

The alliance pair setting unit 114 determines whether the search start button has been pressed (Step 303). When the search start button has been pressed (Step 304), the alliance pair setting unit 114 makes a matching request for alliance pairs to the server 2 (Step 305). The matching request includes the game device identification information (game device ID), the player ID obtained from the player card, and the time information at the time of pressing.

Here, we will explain the cooperative pair matching process performed by the server 2. Figure 19 is a sequence diagram between the game device 1 and the server 2.

First, when players in a store who wish to form a cooperative pair press a search start button at the same time, a matching request is sent from each player's game device 1 (Steps 400, 401). The matching request includes game device identification information (game device ID), the player ID obtained from the player card, and time information at the time of pressing.

The server 2 that receives the matching request performs a cooperative pair matching process (Step 402).

Figure 20 is a flowchart of the cooperative pair matching process performed by server 2.

The team-up pair matching processing unit 201 of server 2 receives the matching request (Step 500).

The cooperative pair matching processing unit 201 identifies a matching request sent from a game device 1 installed in the same store from a numerical value that identifies the store among the game device IDs included in the matching request (Step 501). If there is a matching request sent from a game device 1 installed in the same store (Step 502), the cooperative pair matching processing unit 201 determines the difference in the time information of those matching requests (Step 503). If there is a pair of matching requests whose time information difference is within a predetermined time (for example, within 1 second) (Step 504), the cooperative pair matching processing unit 201 identifies the player ID of the game device 1 that sent the matching request of that pair, and sets the players of that player ID as a cooperative pair (Step 505). Then, the cooperative pair matching processing unit 201 transmits cooperative player information to the game device 1 that made the matching request (Step 506). The player information includes the player name, identified from the player ID obtained from the player database 210, and the battleship set ID set by that player.

On the other hand, if there is only one matching request from game devices 1 installed in the same store (Step 502), or if the matching requests are from the same store but the difference in the time information of the matching requests is not within a predetermined time (Step 504), the cooperative pair matching processing unit 201 sets a non-player character as a cooperative pair for the player of the game device 1 that made the matching request (Step 507). Then, the cooperative pair matching processing unit 201 transmits cooperative player information to the game device 1 that made the matching request (Step 506). The cooperative player information includes the player name and battleship set ID of the predetermined non-player character.

When a matching request with a non-player character as a co-op pair is received, similar to step 507, the non-player character is set as a co-op pair for the player of the game device 1 that made the matching request, and co-op player information is transmitted to the game device 1 that made the matching request. The co-op player information includes the player name of the predetermined non-player character and the battleship set ID.

This concludes the explanation of the cooperative pair matching process carried out on server 2.

The co-op pair setting unit 114 of the game device 1 receives the co-op player information (Step 306). The co-op pair setting unit 114 uses the received co-op player information to display the co-op player information (Step 307). For example, examples of display of the co-op player information are shown in Figures 17 (d) and (e). Note that when the co-op pair setting unit 114 requests matching with a non-player character as a co-op pair, it displays information about the non-player character as the co-op player information. Then, the co-op pair setting unit 114 sets the player and the player of the received co-op player information as a co-op pair (Step 308).

This concludes the explanation of the cooperative pair setting process, and we return to the flowchart in Figure 15.

When the joint battle pair setting process is completed (Step 108), the game execution unit 112 displays a game element registration screen (Step 109). FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of the game element registration screen. In the game element registration screen of FIG. 21, a dialogue box is displayed notifying the player that up to five pilot cards and boarding machine cards can be set (placed) in the first game element reading unit 12 ₁ to 12 ₅ and the second game element reading unit 13 ₁ to 13 ₅ among the game cards owned by the player XXXX, and that the player should press the set completion button when the setting (placement) is completed. The player sets (places) the pilot card of the pilot he/she wants to appear in the battle game in the first game element reading unit 12 ₁ to 12 ₅ among the game cards owned by the player, and sets (places) the boarding machine card of the boarding machine he/she wants to appear in the battle game in the second game element reading unit 13 ₁ to 13 ₅ . Then, when the player has completed setting (arrangement) of the game cards, he or she presses the set completion button.

When the set completion button is pressed (Step 110), the first game element reading units _12.sub.1 to _12.sub.5 and the second game element reading units _13.sub.1 to _13.5 read the element ID printed on the game card, and the read element ID is output to the game element acquisition unit 110 together with the reading unit IDs of the first game element reading units _12.sub.1 to _12.sub.5 and the second game element reading units _13.sub.1 to _13.5 (Step 111).

The game element acquisition unit 110 acquires the element ID and the reading unit ID of the set (placed) game card. The game element acquisition unit 110 then acquires the type information 192, drawing information 193, parameter information 194, and ability information 195 associated with the element ID 191 of the acquired game card from the game element DB 190, associates the reading unit ID, element ID 191, type information 192, drawing information 193, parameter information 194, and ability information 195, and outputs them to the game execution unit 112 and the unit configuration unit 111 (Step 112).

The game execution unit 112 counts the number of the reading unit IDs of the first game element reading units 12 ₁ to 12 ₅ among the reading unit IDs, and judges whether the first game elements have reached the maximum number (upper limit) that can be registered (Step 113). For example, if the player sets (places) pilot cards in all of the first game element reading units 12 ₁ to 12 ₅ , the number of reading unit IDs is five, 12 ₁ to 12 ₅ , and the maximum number (upper limit) that can be registered has been reached.

When the number of the reading unit IDs of the first game element reading unit has reached the maximum number (upper limit) that can be registered, the game executing unit 112 counts the number of reading unit IDs of the second game element reading units _13.sub.1 to _13.sub.5 among the reading unit IDs, and judges whether the maximum number (upper limit) of the second game elements has been registered (Step 114). For example, if the player has set (placed) boarding unit cards in all of the second game element reading units _13.sub.1 to _13.sub.5 , the number of reading unit IDs is five, _13.sub.1 to _13.sub.5 , and the maximum number (upper limit) that can be registered has been reached.

When the maximum number (upper limit) of second game elements that can be registered has been reached, the game execution unit 112 displays a battle approval button, and when the player approves the battle (Step 115), the unit configuration unit 111 uses the reading unit ID, element ID 191, type information 192, drawing information 193, parameter information 194, and ability information 195 acquired from the game element acquisition unit 110 to configure a unit (squad) from the pair of the pilot, which is the first game element, and the aircraft, which is the second game element (Step 116).

If the number of registered first or second game elements has not reached the maximum number (5 in this example) (Step 113, Step 114), the game execution unit 112 performs a process to replenish game elements according to the player's level, etc., as appropriate (Step 118), and forms a unit (Step 116).

When the unit configuration unit 111 completes the configuration of the units, the game execution unit 112 starts the opponent player matching process (Step 117). The game execution unit 112 transmits an opponent player matching request to the server 2 (Steps 405, 406), and the opponent player matching processing unit 202 of the server 2 performs the opponent player matching process (Step 407). The opponent player matching processing unit 202 then transmits matched opponent player information to the game devices 1, and each game device 1 receives the opponent player information (Steps 408, 409).

The game execution unit 112 of each game device 1 starts the battle processing (Steps 118, 410, 411).

Next, we will explain how to request a joint battle during a battle. Figure 22 is a flowchart of the joint battle request process, and Figure 23 shows the transitions of the joint battle request screen.

As shown in FIG. 23(a), the cooperation request execution unit 115 displays the cooperation request button 34 on the screen of the battle field during the battle game (Step 600). The cooperation request execution unit 115 determines whether the cooperation request button has been pressed and a cooperation request has been selected (Step 601). When a cooperation request has been selected (Step 602), the cooperation request execution unit 115 performs a cooperation request (Step 603). The cooperation request is not performed by immediately executing support, but rather, for example, as shown in FIG. 23(b), a performance is performed that makes it appear as if support is being requested from the cooperation player.

Then, the joint fighting request execution unit 115 determines the support type from the joint fighting player's battleship set ID included in the joint fighting player information (Step 604). To determine the support type, the support information 209 in the battleship information database 200 corresponding to the joint fighting player's battleship set ID is read, and a lottery is held based on the probability of each support type. The joint fighting request execution unit 115 then determines the winning support type as the support type for the joint fighting request.

The joint fight request execution unit 115 activates the support ability of the determined support type in the battle game of the player who made the joint fight request (Step 605). For example, as shown in FIG. 23(c), artillery support is activated.
This concludes the explanation of the game operation.

In this embodiment, players can enjoy competitive play not alone, but together with friends or other players. It also provides users who have never played a competitive game with the opportunity to participate in a competitive game. As a result, it is possible to increase the interest of the game.

<First Modification of the First Embodiment>
In the first embodiment, an example has been described in which a unit consisting of a first game element and a second game element becomes a game element that is the main player in attack or defense. However, the present invention is also applicable to a game in which a single game element is the main player in attack or defense by itself.

<Modification 2 of the First Embodiment>
In the first embodiment, an example is described in which players of game devices 1 installed in the same store set up cooperative pairs. However, when playing with friends, it is considered that the players often play on game devices 1 that are close to each other. For example, adjacent game devices or opposing game devices. Therefore, an example is described in which the game devices 1 that can set up cooperative pairs are limited to adjacent game devices and opposing game devices 1, even if the game devices 1 are installed in the same store.

When limiting the game devices 1 that can set up cooperative pairs to adjacent game devices or opposing game devices 1, the cooperative pair matching processing unit 201 needs to identify that the game devices 1 that have requested matching are adjacent game devices or opposing game devices 1. Therefore, the cooperative pair matching processing unit 201 needs a game device identification information database 300 that specifies the installation positional relationship of the game devices 1. Figure 24 is an example of the game device identification information database 300 of variant example 2 of the first embodiment. The game device identification information database 300 of Figure 24 is a database that takes into account the installation positional relationship of the game devices 1. For example, six game devices 1 are installed in two rows in one store as shown in FIG. 24. In the first row, game devices 1-1 (game device identification ID: 100001), 1-2 (game device identification ID: 100002), and 1-3 (game device identification ID: 100003) are lined up, and in the second row, facing the game devices 1 in the first row, game devices 1-4 (game device identification ID: 100004), 1-5 (game device identification ID: 100005), and 1-6 (game device identification ID: 100006) are lined up. The game device identification information database 300 configured with rows and columns that reflect this positional relationship is the game device identification information database 300 in FIG. 24.

For example, if the game device identification IDs included in the matching request are "100004" and "100005", the two matching requests were sent from adjacent game devices 1, so the cooperative pair matching processing unit 201 sets the player of the game device 1 with the game device identification ID "100004" and the player of the game device 1 with the game device identification ID "100005" as the cooperative players. Similarly, if the game device identification IDs included in the matching request are "100002" and "100005", the two matching requests were sent from opposing game devices 1, so the cooperative pair matching processing unit 201 sets the player of the game device 1 with the game device identification ID "100002" and the player of the game device 1 with the game device identification ID "100005" as the cooperative players.

With this configuration, the cooperative pair matching processing unit 201 does not need to determine time information, which reduces the burden of the matching processing on the cooperative pair matching processing unit 201.

<Third Modification of the First Embodiment>
The battle game of this embodiment has a normal battle mode in which players battle each other individually, and a cooperative battle mode in which two or more players form groups and battle each other. However, considering that the cooperative battle mode requires two or more players and the processing load on the server 2, the times and stores in which the cooperative battle mode can be implemented may be limited.

Second Embodiment
In the first embodiment, an example is described in which players of game devices 1 installed in the same store set up a cooperative pair. However, if it is possible to set a cooperative pair with a friend in a remote location across stores, the fun will increase. Therefore, in the second embodiment, an example is described in which a cooperative pair is set across stores.

Figure 25 is a diagram to explain the second embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 25, the alliance pair setting unit 114 displays a button for setting an alliance pair by matching code as the third matching method (FIG. 25(a)).

The first player and the second player who wish to form a cooperative pair press a button for setting a cooperative pair using a matching code. The cooperative pair setting unit 114 then transitions to a selection screen for issuing or inputting a matching code (FIG. 25(b)).

The first and second players who will form a cooperative pair will be in charge of issuing the matching code and inputting the matching code, respectively. Here, the first player will be in charge of issuing the matching code, and the second player will be in charge of inputting the matching code.

When the first player presses the matching code issue button, the united fighting pair setting unit 114 of the game device 1 of the first player transmits a request for issuing a matching code to the united fighting pair matching processing unit 201 of the server 2. The request for issuing a matching code includes, in addition to the request for issuing a matching code, game device identification information (game device ID) and the player ID obtained from the player card. The united fighting pair matching processing unit 201 of the server 2 issues a matching code and transmits it to the united fighting pair setting unit 114 of the game device 1 of the first player. The issued matching code is a code (such as a character string) that can uniquely identify the first player without duplication within a predetermined time. The united fighting pair setting unit 114 of the game device 1 of the first player displays the received matching code (123456) (FIG. 25(c)). The first player communicates the displayed matching code (123456) to the second player.

Having been notified of the matching code, the second player presses the matching code input button. The united fighting pair setting unit 114 of the second player's game device 1 displays a matching code input screen (Figure 25 (d)). When the second player inputs the notified matching code (123456) and presses the confirm button, the united fighting pair setting unit 114 of the second player's game device 1 transmits a matching request including the input matching code (123456) to the united fighting pair matching processing unit 201 of the server 2. In addition to the matching code (123456), the matching request includes game device identification information (game device ID) and the player ID obtained from the player card.

The co-op pair matching processing unit 201 of the server 2 receives the matching request and compares the issued matching code (123456) with the received matching code (123456). If the matching codes match, the player ID of the game device 1 linked to the matching code is identified, and the players with that player ID are set as a co-op pair. The co-op pair matching processing unit 201 then transmits co-op player information to the game device 1 that requested the issuance of the matching code (matching code issuing side) and the game device 1 that requested the matching (matching code input side). The co-op player information includes the player name identified from the player ID and the battleship set ID set by that player.

The co-op pair setting units 114 of the game devices 1 of the first and second players use the received co-op player information to display the co-op player information (Figures 25 (e) and (f)).

This configuration allows players who are far apart to be paired together across the store where the game device 1 is installed.

Third Embodiment
A third embodiment of the present invention will now be described.

In the third embodiment, in addition to the configuration of the game device 1 in the first and second embodiments, a bonus granting unit 116 is added. Figure 26 is a block diagram of the game device 1 in the third embodiment.

The bonus granting unit 116 grants a bonus to the player on the condition that the player has played a match in the cooperative match mode. The bonuses granted include a first bonus and a second bonus.

The first benefit is a benefit that is granted each time a battle is played in the cooperative battle mode. The first benefit may be an intangible or tangible item, but in this embodiment, it is an intangible item. When a battle in the cooperative battle mode ends, the benefit granting unit 116 grants the first benefit to each player of the cooperative pair. The granted benefit is stored in the player's reward information 215.

The second benefit is a benefit that can be obtained by using the first benefit. For example, it is a benefit that can be obtained by collecting and using 10 of the first benefit. The second benefit can be either an intangible or tangible object, but in this embodiment, it is a tangible object. Examples of tangible objects are a pilot game card and a game card for a pilot's aircraft, which are game elements of the first type. The benefit granting unit 116 provides the game cards to the player in exchange for a predetermined number of the first benefit.

This configuration encourages players to actively participate in battles in the cooperative battle mode, making the game more interesting. In addition, because the cooperative battle mode requires two or more players, the number of players participating in the game also increases.

A part or all of the above-described embodiments may also be described as follows, but are not limited to the following:

[Appendix 1]
A program for causing a game device configured by a computer to execute a competitive game,
The computer,
a game element registration means for registering a game element of a first player;
a group setting means for setting the first player and the second player into a group;
a game execution means for executing a competitive game between a first player and a competitive player by using game elements of the first player that have been registered;
an assistance execution means for enabling the second player to execute assistance in the competitive game using a game element on condition that the first player selects assistance while the competitive game is being executed between the first player and a competitive player;
A program that functions as a

[Appendix 2]
the group setting means controls to select at least one group setting mode in which a method of group setting between the first player and the second player is different;
2. The program according to claim 1.

[Appendix 3]
the group setting means, in the group setting mode, sets the first player and the second player into a group on condition that a first game device which is an execution device of the first player and a second game device which is an execution device of the second player are installed in the same store;
3. The program according to claim 1 or 2.

[Appendix 4]
the group setting means sets the first player and the second player into a group on condition that a request for group setting from the first game device and a request for group setting from the second game device are made within a predetermined time period.
A program according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

[Appendix 5]
the group setting means sets the first player and the second player into a group on condition that the first game device and the second game device are installed adjacent to each other or facing each other;
A program according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

[Appendix 6]
the group setting means sets the first player and a non-player character to a group on the condition that it is impossible to set a group with the second player;
A program according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

[Appendix 7]
the group setting means sets the first player and a non-player character as a group in the group setting mode;
A program according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

[Appendix 8]
the group setting means, in the group setting mode, issues a temporary matching code from a first game device which is an execution device of the first player, and sets the first player and a second player of a second game device to which the matching code has been input into a group;
8. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

[Appendix 9]
the support execution means executes one of a plurality of support types on the condition that the first player selects a support;
A program according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

[Appendix 10]
the plurality of support types differ depending on the types of game elements set by the second player;
10. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

[Appendix 11]
The assistance execution means limits the execution of the assistance to a predetermined number of times or less.
A program according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

[Appendix 12]
causing the computer to function as a battle mode selection means for selecting between a first battle mode in which the first player can play a battle game alone and a second battle mode in which the first player and the second player form a group and play a battle game;
12. A program according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

[Appendix 13]
the battle mode selection means limits a time during which the second battle mode can be selected;
13. A program according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

[Appendix 14]
causing the computer to function as a matching means for matching the first player with the opponent player;
the matching means matches a competing player different from a competing player of the second player as the competing player of the first player;
14. A program according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

[Appendix 15]
the matching means selects a match player for the first player from among players who have selected the second battle mode, and performs matching;
15. A program according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

[Appendix 16]
the matching means matches the first player with a competing player according to a level of the first player;
16. A program according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

[Appendix 17]
The matching means includes:
When at least one of the level of the first player and the level of the second player is below a predetermined level, a non-player character is matched as a competing player for the player below the predetermined level;
If both the level of the first player and the level of the second player are above the predetermined level, matching a real player as a competing player for the first player and the second player.
17. A program according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

[Appendix 18]
causing the computer to function as a benefit providing means for providing a first benefit on condition that the battle game in the second battle mode has been executed, and for providing a second benefit different from the first benefit on condition that a plurality of the first benefits have been used;
18. A program according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

[Appendix 19]
the first benefit is a virtual item;
the second benefit is a physical item;
19. A program according to any one of claims 1 to 18.

[Appendix 20]
a game element registration means for registering a game element of a first player;
a group setting means for setting the first player and the second player into a group;
a game execution means for executing a competitive game between a first player and a competitive player by using game elements of the first player that has been registered;
an assistance execution means for enabling the second player to execute assistance in the competitive game using a game element on condition that the first player selects assistance while the competitive game is being executed between the first player and a competitive player;
A game device comprising:

The present invention has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments, but the present invention is not necessarily limited to the above embodiments and can be modified and implemented in various ways within the scope of its technical concept.

1 Game device 2 Server 10 Processing unit 11 Display unit 12 ₁ to 12 ₅ First game element reading unit 13 ₁ to 13 ₅ Second game element reading unit 14 Operation input unit 15 Price detection unit 16 User information reading unit 17 Sound output unit 18 Communication unit 19 Memory unit 110 Game element acquisition unit 111 Unit configuration unit 112 Game execution unit 113 Battleship setting unit 114 Co-op pair setting unit 115 Co-op request execution unit 116 Benefit granting unit 201 Co-op pair matching processing unit 202 Competitive player matching processing unit 203 Management unit

Claims (17)

A program for causing a game device configured by a computer to execute a competitive game,
The computer,
a game element registration means for registering a game element of a first player;
a group setting means for setting the first player and the second player into a group;
a game execution means for executing a competitive game between a first player and a competitive player by using game elements of the first player that have been registered;
an assistance execution means for enabling the second player to execute assistance in the competitive game using a game element on condition that the first player selects assistance while the competitive game is being executed between the first player and a competitive player;
Functioning as a
the group setting means sets the first player and the second player into a group on the condition that a first game device which is an execution device of the first player and a second game device which is an execution device of the second player are installed in the same store;
A program. the group setting means sets the first player and the second player into a group on condition that a request for group setting from the first game device and a request for group setting from the second game device are made within a predetermined time period.
The program according to claim 1 . the group setting means sets the first player and the second player into a group on condition that the first game device and the second game device are installed adjacent to each other or facing each other;
The program according to claim 1 or 2 . the group setting means sets the first player and a non-player character to a group on the condition that a group with the second player cannot be set;
The program according to claim 3 . the group setting means issues a temporary matching code from a first game device which is an execution device of the first player, and sets the first player and a second player of a second game device to which the matching code has been input into a group;
The program according to claim 1 . the support execution means executes one of a plurality of support types on the condition that the first player selects a support;
The program according to claim 1 . the plurality of support types differ depending on the types of game elements set by the second player;
The program according to claim 6 . The assistance execution means limits the execution of the assistance to a predetermined number of times or less.
The program according to claim 6 . causing the computer to function as a battle mode selection means for selecting between a first battle mode in which the first player can play a battle game alone and a second battle mode in which the first player and the second player form a group and play a battle game;
The program according to claim 6 . the battle mode selection means limits a time during which the second battle mode can be selected;
The program according to claim 9 . causing the computer to function as a matching means for matching the first player with the opponent player;
the matching means matches a competing player different from a competing player of the second player as the competing player of the first player;
The program according to claim 9 . the matching means selects a match player for the first player from among players who have selected the second battle mode, and performs matching;
The program according to claim 11 . the matching means matches the first player with a competing player according to a level of the first player;
The program according to claim 12 . The matching means includes:
When at least one of the level of the first player and the level of the second player is below a predetermined level, a non-player character is matched as a competing player for the player below the predetermined level;
If both the level of the first player and the level of the second player are above the predetermined level, matching a real player as a competing player for the first player and the second player.
The program according to claim 13 . causing the computer to function as a benefit providing means for providing a first benefit on condition that the battle game in the second battle mode has been executed, and for providing a second benefit different from the first benefit on condition that a plurality of the first benefits have been used;
The program according to claim 9 . the first benefit is a virtual item;
the second benefit is a physical item;
The program according to claim 15 . a game element registration means for registering a game element of a first player;
a group setting means for setting the first player and the second player into a group;
a game execution means for executing a competitive game between a first player and a competitive player by using game elements of the first player that has been registered;
an assistance execution means for enabling the second player to execute assistance in the competitive game using a game element on condition that the first player selects assistance while the competitive game is being executed between the first player and a competitive player;
Equipped with
the group setting means sets the first player and the second player into a group on the condition that a first game device which is an execution device of the first player and a second game device which is an execution device of the second player are installed in the same store;
Gaming device.

Images