JP7699512B2 - Server system and method of providing the same - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a server system that provides online multiplayer games.

A typical example of an online game is an MMO (Massively Multiplayer Online) game. One of the technologies for MMO games is known to allow computers of various categories, such as home game consoles, portable game consoles, personal computers, and smartphones, to be used as game clients.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology that acquires communication quality information for each game client and controls the progress of the game in a game mode that corresponds to the communication quality.

JP 2014-73266 A

A characteristic of multiplayer online games is that the gameplay experience is strongly affected by, for example, the communication speed of the communication line used by the game client. For example, using a high-speed communication line will result in a high-quality gameplay experience, as it will enable realistic and rich gameplay images, smooth character movements, high responsiveness, diverse operability, and high freedom of operation. If the communication speed is low, these will not be possible, and the quality of the gameplay experience will be low.

The impact that the communication line speed has on the play experience is greater in fully synchronous games than in asynchronous games. For example, fully synchronous gameplay (e.g., competitive play resulting from an encounter) between a player character of a game client using a high-speed communication line and a player of a game client using a slower communication line will inevitably have a play experience that is tailored to the player using the slower communication line. From the player's perspective, the player using the faster communication line will end up playing a game without being able to take full advantage of the high communication speed. Although a higher quality communication line would allow them to enjoy a better play experience, there are cases where this is not the case.

In addition to communication speed, other performance indicators for a game client when playing an online game comfortably include the game client's own communication processing capabilities and computing power.

The problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide a new technology that increases the opportunities for a high-quality playing experience in online games where various game clients enjoy multiplayer through participation in a shared game space.

A first invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is a server system that provides an online game in which each player operates a player character that can move around in a shared game space using a player terminal, and enjoys game play in a multiplayer manner, the player terminals including terminals having different game play specifications,
The server system includes a game play specification information acquiring means (e.g., the control board 1150 in FIG. 1 , the server processing unit 200s in FIG. 9, the game management unit 210, the game play specification information acquiring unit 214, the game play specification information 605 in FIG. 15, and step S12 in FIG. 18) for acquiring information representing the game play specification of the player terminal of each player, and a start position determining means (e.g., the control board 1150 in FIG. 1 , the server processing unit 200s in FIG. 9, the game management unit 210, the start position determining unit 230 in FIG. 9, the position coordinates 734 in FIG. 16, and step S22 in FIG. 18) for determining, for a starting player who starts or resumes the game play, a start position in the shared game space of the player character of the starting player, based on the game play specification of the player terminal of the starting player.

According to the first invention, the server system can determine the start position for placing the player character in the shared game space according to the game play specifications of the player terminal of each player character. The game play specifications can be, for example, any of the following: communication processing capacity, calculation processing capacity, type of OS (Operating System), and communication speed with the server system. Therefore, compared to a case where the start position is determined randomly, the possibility of encounter between player characters of player terminals with the same or similar game play specifications increases. For example, a player of a player terminal with high game play specifications has more opportunities to enjoy a quality playing experience according to the high specs with players of other player terminals with similarly high game play specifications.

The second invention is a server system according to the first invention, in which the game play specification information acquisition means has model information acquisition means (e.g., model information acquisition unit 216 in FIG. 9) that acquires information on the model of the player terminal as information representing the game play specification, and the start position determination means determines the start position based on the model of the player terminal of the starting player.

According to the second invention, the server system can determine the starting position based on the model of the player terminal.

A third invention is a server system according to the first or second invention, in which the game play specification information acquisition means has communication status information acquisition means (e.g., the communication status information acquisition unit 218 in FIG. 9) that acquires communication status information related to the communication speed of the player terminal as information representing the game play specifications, and the start position determination means determines the start position based on the communication status information of the player terminal of the starting player.

"Communication status information related to communication speed" is information that indicates communication status that affects communication speed. For example, this includes not only communication speed, but also delay time, jitter, RTT (Round Trip Delay Time), packet loss rate, etc.

According to the third invention, the server system can determine the starting position based on communication status information of the player terminal.

A fourth invention is a server system according to any one of the first to third inventions, in which the player terminals include a first player terminal and a second player terminal whose game play specifications do not satisfy a given mutual compatibility condition, and the start position determination means determines the start position to be closer to the player character of the first player terminal than to the player character of the second player terminal when the player terminal of the starting player satisfies the mutual compatibility condition with the first player terminal and does not satisfy the mutual compatibility condition with the second player terminal (for example, relative distance L1f in FIG. 4, relative distance L2e and relative distance L2f in FIG. 7).

"Gameplay specifications satisfy given mutual compatibility conditions" means that the game specifications are the same, that the game specifications are comparable, or that the difference in gameplay specifications does not result in a significant difference in the play experience.

According to the fourth invention, the server system can determine the starting positions so that player characters of player terminals whose game play specifications satisfy a given mutual compatibility condition are relatively closer to each other than player characters of player terminals whose game play specifications do not satisfy the mutual compatibility condition. This also increases the likelihood that player characters of player terminals whose game play specifications satisfy the mutual compatibility condition will encounter each other. This increases the opportunities for players of player terminals with high game play specifications to enjoy a quality playing experience commensurate with their high specs with players of other player terminals with similarly high game play specifications.

The fifth invention is a server system according to any one of the first to fourth inventions, further comprising a suitable area setting means (e.g., the control board 1150 in FIG. 1, the server processing unit 200s, game management unit 210, suitable area setting unit 222 in FIG. 9, suitable area setting data 710 in FIG. 16, step S18 in FIG. 18) for setting a suitable area in the shared game space based on the game play specifications, and the start position determination means selects the suitable area that matches the game play specifications of the player terminal of the starting player, and determines the start position to be in the selected suitable area.

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, the server system can determine the starting position of the starting player within a compatible area that is compatible with the game play specifications of the player terminal of the starting player. For example, by determining a specific compatible area as the starting position for a player character of a player terminal with high game play specifications, it is possible to increase the possibility of encountering a player character of another player terminal with similarly high game play specifications.

The sixth invention is a server system according to the fifth invention, in which the suitable area setting means variably sets the setting position of the suitable area based on the game progress.

According to the sixth aspect of the invention, even if the player terminals have the same game play specifications, the starting position changes depending on the game progress, so that the starting positions can be diversified to keep the game interesting.

The seventh invention is a server system according to the fifth or sixth invention, in which the suitable area setting means sets the suitable area according to each of the different game play specifications that do not satisfy the given mutual compatibility condition.

According to the seventh invention, the server system can set the start positions of player terminals whose game play specifications do not satisfy the mutual compatibility conditions to different compatible areas. For example, a player character of a player terminal with high game play specifications is less likely to encounter a player character of a player terminal with low game play specifications. Paradoxically, a player character of a player terminal with high game play specifications is more likely to encounter a player character of a player terminal with similarly high game play specifications.

The eighth invention is a server system according to any one of the fifth to seventh inventions, in which the start position determination means has a request acceptance means (e.g., the desired area acceptance screen W5 in FIG. 5, the request acceptance section 232 in FIG. 9, or step S20 in FIG. 18) that accepts an area or a location within the area desired as the start position from among the compatible areas that match the game play specifications of the player terminal of the start player based on an operational input from the start player.

According to the eighth aspect of the invention, the server system can determine the starting position according to the player's wishes.

The ninth invention is a server system according to any one of the fifth to eighth inventions, in which the suitable area setting means changes any of the number, position, and size of the suitable areas using a statistical value obtained by classifying the number of players or the number of player terminals before the start of the game based on the game play specifications to set the suitable areas (for example, suitable area change pattern definition data 530 in FIG. 12, step S18 in FIG. 18).

According to the ninth aspect of the invention, the server system can change the suitable areas according to the number of player terminals participating in the game, classified from high spec to low spec. For example, in a case where there are relatively many high spec player terminals, it becomes possible to maintain the distribution of starting positions at an appropriate density by increasing the number of suitable areas suitable for high spec player terminals.

A tenth invention is a server system according to any one of the fifth to eighth inventions, in which the suitable area setting means sets the suitable area by changing any one of the number, position, and size of the suitable areas using a statistical value obtained by classifying the number of players playing the game or the number of player terminals based on the game play specifications.

According to the tenth aspect of the invention, the server system can set the suitable areas by changing any of the number, position, and size of the suitable areas.

The eleventh invention is a server system according to any one of the first to tenth inventions, further comprising an event control means (e.g., the control board 1150 in FIG. 1, the server processing unit 200s in FIG. 9, the game management unit 210, the event control unit 236, the event initial setting data 550 in FIG. 13, and steps S60 to S64 in FIG. 19) for initiating a given event targeting the mutually corresponding terminal characters when the player characters (hereinafter referred to as "mutually corresponding terminal characters") of the player terminals whose game play specifications satisfy a given mutually corresponding condition satisfy a given approach condition.

According to the eleventh invention, the server system can trigger a given event targeted at mutually corresponding terminal characters. For example, in a case where there are relatively many high-spec player terminals, an event that takes advantage of the high specs can be triggered to improve the quality of the play experience.

The twelfth invention is a server system according to the eleventh invention, in which the event control means triggers the event based on the number of mutually corresponding terminal characters that satisfy the approach condition.

According to the twelfth aspect of the invention, the server system can improve the variety of events and the quality of the play experience by controlling the initiation of events according to the number of mutually corresponding terminal characters.

The thirteenth invention is a server system according to any one of the first to twelfth inventions, further comprising a spec information display control means (e.g., the control board 1150 in FIG. 1, the spec display 40 in FIG. 6, the server processing unit 200s, game management unit 210, spec information display control unit 238 in FIG. 9, step S44 in FIG. 18) for controlling the player terminal to display information indicating the game play specs of player terminals other than the player terminal.

According to the thirteenth aspect of the invention, players can know each other's game play specifications of their player terminals.

The fourteenth invention is a server system according to any one of the first to thirteenth inventions, further comprising a distribution information display control means (e.g., the control board 1150 in FIG. 1, the distribution information display 30 in FIG. 6, the server processing unit 200s in FIG. 9, the game management unit 210, the distribution information display control unit 240, the distribution information 750 in FIG. 16, and step S44 in FIG. 18) for controlling the display of distribution information indicating the distribution of the player characters in the shared game space based on the game play specifications on the player terminal.

According to the fourteenth aspect of the invention, for example, a player can refer to the distribution information and play the game by considering the game play specifications of the player characters of player terminals at which the player's character will encounter the player's character when moving to the destination of the player's character.

The fifteenth invention is a player terminal in a game system configured by a server system that provides an online game in which each player uses a player terminal to operate a player character that can move in a shared game space and enjoys multiplayer gameplay, and the player terminals are communicatively connected to each other, and the player terminals have different gameplay specifications, and the server system is equipped with a gameplay specification information acquisition means that acquires information representing the gameplay specifications of the player terminals of each player, and a start position determination means that determines, for a starting player who starts or resumes gameplay, a start position in the shared game space of the player character of the starting player based on the gameplay specifications of the player terminal of the starting player, and the player terminal starts or resumes gameplay with the start position in the shared game space of the character of the player terminal as the start position determined by the start position determination means of the server system.

According to the fifteenth aspect, it is possible to realize a player terminal that provides the same effect as the first aspect.

The sixteenth invention is a method for providing an online game in which each player uses a player terminal to operate a player character that can move around in a shared game space and enjoys multiplayer gameplay, the player terminals having different gameplay specifications, the method including a gameplay specification information acquisition step of acquiring information representing the gameplay specifications of each player's player terminal, and a start position determination step of determining, for a starting player who starts or resumes the gameplay, a start position in the shared game space of the player character of the starting player based on the gameplay specifications of the player terminal of the starting player.

According to the sixteenth aspect of the invention, a method of providing the same effect as the first aspect of the invention can be realized.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a game system. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining performance evaluation of a player terminal. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an online game. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining determination of a start position. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a display of a desired area reception screen. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining provision of distribution information and specification information. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining determination of a start position when restarting game play. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining determination of a starting position based on the game progress status. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the server system. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing examples of programs and data stored in a server storage unit. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a data configuration of initial setting data for a suitable area; FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a data configuration of matching area change pattern definition data. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a data configuration of event initial setting data. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of terminal level definition data. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a data configuration of user registration data. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of play data. A functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a player terminal. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing executed by the server system. Flowchart continued from FIG.

The following describes examples of embodiments of the present invention, but it goes without saying that the forms to which the present invention can be applied are not limited to the following embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a game system.
The game system 1000 comprises a server system 1100 and player terminals 1500 (1500a, 1500b, ...) for each player that can communicate with the server system 1100, and is a system for implementing an online game using the player terminals 1500 as a man-machine interface (MMIF, hereinafter referred to as "MMIF" where appropriate). Although only three player terminals 1500 are illustrated in Fig. 1, the number of player terminals 1500 is not important in actual system operation.

In the game system 1000, the server system 1100 and the player terminals 1500 can communicate data via the network 9, and the player terminals 1500 can also communicate data with each other via the network 9.

The network 9 refers to a communication path that allows data communication. In other words, the network 9 includes a LAN (Local Area Network) such as a dedicated line (dedicated cable) for direct connection or Ethernet (registered trademark), as well as a telephone communication network, a cable network, the Internet, and other communication networks, and the communication method can be either wired or wireless.

The server system 1100 is a computer system having, for example, a main unit, a keyboard, a touch panel, and storage, and a control board 1150 mounted on the main unit.
The control board 1150 is equipped with various microprocessors such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1151, a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), and a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), various IC memories 1152 such as a VRAM, a RAM, and a ROM, and a communication device 1153. Note that a part or the whole of the control board 1150 may be realized by an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or a SoC (System on a Chip).

The server system 1100 realizes a user management function that manages information related to user registration, etc., and a game management function that allows users to play online games, by the control board 1150 performing calculations based on predetermined programs and data.

Although server system 1100 is depicted as if it were a single server device, it may be realized by a configuration of multiple devices working together. For example, server system 1100 may be configured with multiple blade servers that share each function and are connected to each other via an internal bus so that they can communicate data with each other. Furthermore, the location of the hardware that constitutes server system 1100 does not matter. It may be configured such that multiple independent servers installed in remote locations communicate data over network 9 to function as server system 1100 as a whole.

The player terminal 1500 (1500a, 1500b, ...) is a computer system that a user uses to play a game using the game system 1000, and is an electronic device that accesses the server system 1100 and other player terminals 1500 via the network 9. In other words, the player terminal 1500 performs the function of the MMIF in the game system 1000.

The player terminal 1500 includes an operation input device (e.g., a keyboard, a touch panel, a game controller, a mouse, etc.), an image display device (e.g., a video monitor, a touch panel, a head-mounted display, etc.), and a control board 1550.

The control board 1550 is equipped with a CPU 1551, various microprocessors such as a GPU and a DSP, various IC memories 1552 such as a VRAM, a RAM and a ROM, a communication module 1553 which connects to the network 9, and the like. These elements equipped on the control board 1550 are electrically connected via a bus circuit or the like, and are connected so that data can be read and written and signals can be sent and received. A part or all of the control board 1550 may be composed of an ASIC, an FPGA, or a SoC. The control board 1550 stores programs and various data for realizing the functions of a player terminal in the IC memory 1552.

In this embodiment, the player terminal 1500 is configured to download programs and various setting data from the server system 1100, but it may also be configured to read them from a storage medium such as a memory card obtained separately.

The player terminal 1500 may take any form as long as it is a computer system. For example, it may be a wearable computer such as a smartphone or a smartwatch, a portable game device, a home-use stationary game device, a tablet computer, a personal computer, an arcade game device, or the like. In the case where multiple electronic devices are communicatively connected to perform one function, such as a combination of a smartphone and a smartwatch communicatively connected to the smartphone, those multiple electronic devices can be considered as one player terminal 1500.

In actual operation, the player terminals 1500 (1500a, 1500b, ...) are a mixture of devices from various categories, such as smartphones, home game consoles, and personal computers, and there is a wide variety of models. Naturally, there is also a wide variety of hardware specifications (CPU specifications, installed memory capacity, graphics board specifications, communication module specifications, bus specifications, display specifications, communication line specifications, etc.) and software specifications (OS specifications, communication standards, etc.). The computational processing capabilities and communication processing capabilities of the player terminal 1500 as a single unit are determined by the hardware specifications and software specifications.

Furthermore, the actual conditions of the network 9 that communicatively connects each player terminal 1500 and the server system 1100, that is, the communication environment, also vary. For example, various elements related to communication quality, such as whether the connection is made via a base station of a wireless mobile phone network or a wired connection, the degree of delay (including transmission delay, propagation delay, etc.), bandwidth, the degree of packet loss, etc., vary depending on each player terminal 1500. As a result, the effective communication speed when each player terminal 1500 communicates with the server system 1100 varies.

These factors that affect game play at each player terminal 1500 (such as the communication processing capability of the player terminal 1500, the calculation processing capability of the player terminal 1500, and the communication speed between the player terminal 1500 and the server system) are collectively referred to as the "game play specifications."
In other words, "game play specs" refers to hardware specs (CPU specs, installed memory capacity, graphics board specs, communication module specs, bus specs, display specs, etc.), software specs (OS specs, communication standards, etc.), line speed and line type, etc.

The information considered to be the game play specifications of each player terminal 1500 is acquired and stored by the server system 1100 before the start of the game (for example, at login). Of the game play specifications, the hardware and software specifications of the player terminal 1500 can be acquired using a remote system information collection function according to the model and OS version. Furthermore, the communication speed can be measured by conducting a sending and receiving test of dummy data. Furthermore, in order to appropriately update the stored game play specifications, the latest game play specifications may be periodically acquired from the logged-in player terminal 1500 and updated.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining performance evaluation of the player terminal 1500 based on game play specifications.
The server system 1100 comprehensively evaluates each player terminal 1500 (1500a, 1500b, ...) based on the game play specifications of each player terminal 1500 as to what level of play experience the environment can realize, and sets a "terminal level" for each player terminal 1500. If the terminal levels are the same, the player terminals 1500 are considered to be in an environment that can realize the same level of play experience, although the details of the game play specifications may differ. Having the same terminal level is called "mutual compatibility." Paradoxically, the range of game play specifications that are considered to be the same terminal level becomes the "mutual compatibility condition" that must be met to be considered mutually compatible.

In the example of FIG. 2, the terminal levels are exemplified as four levels from "Lv1" to "Lv4", but the number of terminal levels is not important as long as there are multiple levels. Also, depending on the configuration of the computer system assumed as the assumed player terminal 1500 and the content of the game, it is possible to configure terminals of different levels to be considered as being of a mutually appropriate level if they are adjacent levels.

Figure 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of an online game provided by the game system 1000. The online game provided by the game system 1000 is an MMO game with a battle royale-style encounter battle theme.

A user uses a player terminal 1500 to access the server system 1100 or a specific website managed by the server system 1100, and goes through a specific user registration procedure to become eligible to become a player. Then, by going through a specific sign-in procedure using a unique user account (signature name) set during registration, the user's player terminal 1500 is incorporated into the game system 1000 and the system goes online. Also, by going through a specific sign-out procedure, the user withdraws from the system and the system goes offline. Then, in the system online state, the user can play an online game by performing a specific game login (hereinafter referred to as login). Note that it is also possible for login to occur automatically when the system goes online.

Each player terminal 1500 (1500a, 1500b, ...) is assigned a player character 4 (4a, 4b, ...). The player characters 4 are placed in a single shared game space 8 together with NPCs (non-player characters) and background objects that contribute to the structure of the game world.

Specifically, the shared game space 8 is a virtual three-dimensional space in which various objects are placed, and the positions of the various objects in the shared game space 8 are updated in accordance with the motion control of the objects. The progress of the game, such as the movement and motion of each object placed in the shared game space 8 and hit determination, is managed as an asynchronous game by the server system 1100.

Each player can customize his/her own player character 4 before starting the game. Specifically, the player can select one of several basic character types as a base and customize it by giving it appropriate equipment to suit the player's preferred fighting style. The player starts playing while viewing a gameplay image displayed on the player terminal 1500, which is an overhead view of the shared game space 8. The range that can be viewed from above may be the entire shared game space 8, or only a limited range based on the player character 4 may be viewed from above.

The gameplay images to be displayed on each player terminal 1500 are generated by the server system 1100. The server system 1100 places a viewpoint camera corresponding to each player terminal 1500 in the shared game space 8, and renders the state of the shared game space 8 as seen from the viewpoint camera to create a game space image. Then, various additional displays (e.g., a status display of the player character 4, a display of playing results, etc.) are composited with the game space image to generate a gameplay image. Then, data of the gameplay image is transmitted and provided to the player terminal 1500 as "MMIF information for realizing MMIF related to multiplay in the player terminal". The player terminal 1500 receives the data and displays it.

While viewing the gameplay image displayed on the player's own player terminal 1500, the player operates and moves his/her own player character 4. The player then brings his/her own player character 4 close to other player characters, bringing them into combat, and plays with the aim of survival. Combat between player characters 4 that encounter each other in the shared game space 8 is one of the core play elements in the online game, and for the players involved, it is an important scene in which they interact with each other and affect their playing results and game experience.

When multiple nearby player characters 4 in the shared game space 8 satisfy a given involvement status determination condition, the server system 1100 considers the relevant player characters 4 to be "involved." In other words, it detects that an involvement status has been entered, i.e., the occurrence of an involvement status. In the example of FIG. 3, player characters 4b and 4e are involved.

The "involvement situation" is a situation in which a plurality of player characters 4 are involved with each other and have a significant impact on the game progress and playing results.
The "involvement status determination condition" can be set appropriately according to the game content, such as the first player character and the second player character satisfying a given encounter condition in the shared game space 8. In this embodiment, it may be "the other player's character has entered the attackable range of one of the player's characters" or "the other player's character has been locked on (set as the automatic tracking target for attack aiming)." Furthermore, it may be added that "the start of combat has been approved" by one or both players.

Hereinafter, the player character 4 that has entered an involvement situation will be referred to as the "involved character," and the player terminal 1500 being used to operate the involved character will be referred to as the "involved terminal." In addition, the game play from when the involvement situation is entered to when the involvement situation ends will be referred to as the "involved situation play."

When the server system 1100 detects the occurrence of an involvement situation, it creates a special game space for the involvement situation play and controls the progress of the involvement situation play as a fully synchronous game in parallel with the game progress in the shared game space 8. The special game space is a partial space set within the shared game space 8. The gameplay image of the involvement situation play displayed on the participation terminal is created based on this special game space.

Specifically, the special game space is created as a space that copies a limited range in the shared game space 8, with a representative point related to the detected participation situation (for example, the midpoint between the participating characters) as the reference position. Then, only participating characters are placed as player characters 4 in the special game space, and no player characters 4 other than the participation situation characters are placed. In other words, player characters 4 other than the N characters (N≧2) that have become participating characters are prevented from entering the special game space 10.

Then, when a participation situation occurs, the participating terminal switches from displaying a game play image created based on the shared game space 8 to displaying a game play image using a game space image created based on the special game space.

Situational play is a fully synchronized competitive action game. It can be said to be a fighting game that combines long-range and close-range attacks. Naturally, the quality of the playing experience in situational play is affected by the gameplay specifications of the devices involved.

For example, if the device levels of all participating devices involved in the participation situation play are relatively high spec, such as "Lv4" or "Lv3," the playing experience of that participation situation play will be of high quality and comfortable. There will be little delay, high-quality gameplay images will move smoothly, and attack hit detection etc. will perfectly match the appearance of the gameplay images.

However, if the terminal levels of all the participating terminals involved in that participation situation play are different, for example if one has relatively high specs such as "Lv4" and the other has relatively low specs such as "Lv2" or "Lv1", the quality and comfort of the play experience of that participation situation play will be reduced as the participating terminal with the lower specs will hold it back. From the perspective of the player with the high spec participating terminal, even though they have prepared a high-speed communication line to play the game on their high spec player terminal, they will only be able to enjoy a play experience that does not make full use of those specs.

Here, let us look back at conventional MMO games from the viewpoint that "players using high-spec player terminals need to play in an involvement situation with other players using similarly high-spec player terminals in order to get a play experience that makes full use of those specs." In conventional MMO games, the placement of player characters 4 in the shared game space 8 was random. In other words, regardless of the game play specs, where the player characters were placed was determined randomly. In other words, in conventional MMO games, even if a player using a high-spec player terminal was able to enjoy involvement situation play with a player using a similarly high-spec player terminal, it was merely a product of chance.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining how the starting position in the shared game space 8 is determined for the player character of the starting player who starts game play.
The server system 1100 sets a plurality of compatible areas Ax (A01, A02, ...) in the shared game space 8. In each compatible area Ax, a terminal level of the player terminal 1500 that can set a start position within the area (hereinafter referred to as "compatible terminal level") is set.

For example, in the example of FIG. 4, the compatible areas A01, A02, A07, A08, and A13 (lightly shaded rectangular areas) assigned to the upper left of the shared game space 8 have "Lv1" or "Lv2" set as the compatible terminal level. Therefore, the starting positions of the player characters 4 of player terminals 1500 of "Lv3" and "Lv4" cannot be placed or set within these compatible areas.

In the example of FIG. 4, the compatible areas A03, A04, A09, A10, A15, A16, A20, A21, and A22 (white rectangular areas) assigned to the center of the left and right of the shared game space 8 are set to "Lv3" as the compatible terminal level. The starting positions of the player characters 4 of player terminals 1500 with terminal levels other than these cannot be placed within these compatible areas.

The compatible areas A06, A12, A17, A18, A23, and A24 (rectangular areas shaded slightly darker) assigned to the right side of the shared game space 8 are set to "Lv4" as the compatible terminal level. Therefore, the starting position of the player character 4 of a player terminal 1500 with a terminal level other than these cannot be placed or set within these compatible areas.

In addition, the compatible areas A05, A11, A14, and A19, which are rectangular areas with diagonal lines, have the compatible terminal level set to "none," and the starting position of the player character 4 of a player terminal 1500 of any terminal level cannot be set within these compatible areas.

The various settings related to the suitable area Ax, including the suitable terminal level, are not fixed, but are changed and set by the server system 1100 according to the progress of the game. For example, before the start of the game, the server system 1100 collects statistics on the number of player terminals 1500 sorted by terminal level, and changes/sets the distribution of suitable terminal levels so that the ratio of the number of terminal levels matches the ratio of the number of suitable areas Ax for which the terminal level is set as the suitable terminal level. In other words, changing the distribution of suitable terminal levels means changing the setting position in the shared game space 8 of the suitable area Ax that is suitable for the terminal level.

The server system 1100 sets the starting position in the shared game space 8 of the player character of the starting player who starts game play within a compatible area Ax that is compatible with the terminal level of the player terminal 1500 of the starting player.

Specifically, a suitable area Ax that is suitable for the terminal level of the player terminal 1500 of the starting player is extracted. Then, as shown in FIG. 5, a desired area reception screen W5 is displayed on the player terminal 1500 of the starting player, and a request is received as to whether the player wishes to place the starting position in any of the extracted suitable areas Ax. Incidentally, the example of FIG. 5 shows an example of a screen intended for a player terminal 1500j with a terminal level of "Lv3". In the desired area reception screen W5, "selectable candidate areas" are presented within the overall map 20 of the shared game space 8. In the example of FIG. 5, a number of white rectangles indicate the selectable candidate areas. The player touches the suitable area Ax in which the player wants to place the starting position of his/her player character 4 from among the selectable candidate areas to select the desired area. A player who does not have a desired area touches the automatic icon 22 to declare that he/she does not have a desired area.

The server system 1100 sets the starting position of the player character 4 of a starting player who has a desired area to within the desired area. On the other hand, the server system 1100 sets the starting position of the player character 4 of a starting player who does not have a desired area to within a suitable area Ax that is randomly selected from the extracted suitable suitable areas Ax.

The start position is determined by taking into consideration the difference in the spec value of the game play spec. Specifically, the relative distance L1x between the player characters of each start player in the same compatible compatible area Ax (in the example of FIG. 4, the relative distance L1x (L1f, L1a) in the compatible areas for Lv1 and Lv2, and the relative distance L1x (L1g, L1j) in the compatible area for Lv3) is determined so that the greater the difference in spec value between the player terminal with the lowest specs placed in the compatible area (in the example of FIG. 4, the player terminal 1500h in the compatible areas for Lv1 and Lv2, and the player terminal 1500c in the compatible area for Lv3), the greater the relative distance L1x. The "spec value" may be, for example, the execution communication speed of the communication line, the CPU clock speed, the installed memory capacity, or the like. It is preferable to use the execution communication speed.
In addition, when there are two or less player characters 4 placed within the same compatible area Ax, this setting of the relative distance L1x can be omitted.

By determining the starting position in this manner, the server system 1100 can place the player characters 4 of player terminals 1500 with the same or similar game play specifications closer together in the shared game space 8 than the player characters 4 of player terminals 1500 with distant game play specifications. Therefore, when game play begins, each player is much more likely than ever to play in an involvement situation with a player terminal 1500 with the same or similar game play specifications as his or her own player terminal 1500. A player with a high-spec involvement terminal is more likely to enjoy a high-quality, comfortable play experience that makes use of those specifications from the first involvement situation play after the game starts.

Of course, because this is a battle royale-style competitive action game, players with high-spec player terminals will eventually have to play in an involvement situation with players with low-spec player terminals depending on how the game progresses. However, by that time, the number of surviving player characters 4 will be fewer, and the processing load on the server system 1100 will be less than at the start of the game. Therefore, even if a high-spec player terminal 1500 and a low-spec player terminal 1500 play in an involvement situation, it can be said that there is a high possibility that players will be able to enjoy a higher quality and more comfortable playing experience than if they were playing in an involvement situation at the start of the game.

Now, in relation to determining the starting position, the server system 1100 provides the player with distribution information indicating the distribution of player characters in the shared game space based on the game play specifications, and specification information indicating the game play specifications of the player terminals 1500 of players other than the player himself.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the provision of distribution information and specification information.
The game play image 14 includes a game space image 12 that is a rendering of the shared game space 8 or the special game space, various information displays, a distribution information display operation icon 16, and a specification information display operation icon 18.

When an operation input to the distribution information display operation icon 16 is detected, the server system 1100 displays the distribution information display 30 on the player terminal 1500 where the input was detected.

The distribution information display 30 displays distribution areas 32 (32a, 32b) on a simple map of the overall view of the shared game space 8 (or a limited range starting from the player character 4 of the player terminal 1500 that performed the detection). The distribution areas 32 are displayed according to terminal level groups (e.g., a group of Lv1 and Lv2, a group of Lv3, and a group of Lv4; see FIG. 4) of the compatible allocation of the compatible area Ax. The distribution areas 32 may be displayed as an ellipse or the like that encompasses the positions of the player characters 4 of the player terminals 1500 that correspond to the group. Alternatively, the distribution areas 32 may be displayed in a contour-like form.

Incidentally, in the example of FIG. 6, an operation input of the distribution information display operation icon 16 was detected on the player terminal 1500b whose terminal level is Lv4, so the distribution information display 30 displays the distribution area 32a of the Lv1 and Lv2 groups, the distribution area 32b of the Lv3 group, and the player character position 34 indicating the position of the player character 4 of that player terminal. Of course, the distribution area of the same Lv4 group as that player terminal may also be displayed.

When an operation input to the spec information display operation icon 18 is detected, the server system 1100 causes the detected player terminal 1500 to display a spec display 40 of the player terminal of another player character (player terminal 1500e of player character 4e in the example of FIG. 6) that is closest to the player character 4 of that player terminal 1500 at that time (player character 4b in the example of FIG. 6). The spec display 40 includes a model icon 42 indicating the model and a level icon 44 indicating the terminal level.

The player refers to the distribution information display 30 and the specification display 40 to select the next opponent to attack. If the player is successful in bringing the situation into play with a player character 4 of a player terminal 1500 that has the same terminal level as the player's own machine, the player can enjoy a high-quality and comfortable playing experience.

Figure 7 is a diagram for explaining how to determine the start position when resuming game play. Resuming game play includes, for example, when the player temporarily logs out of the system for their own convenience and then logs back in to resume play, or when resuming play by respawning as permitted by the game rules. Of course, depending on the game rules, other resumption cases may also be allowed, such as when resuming play by using a ally's resurrection magic.

When restarting, the starting position is determined based on the relative relationship between the game play specifications of the player terminal 1500 of the restarting starting player and the game play specifications of the player terminal 1500 of the player character 4 already placed in the shared game space 8.

Specifically, the starting position for restarting is determined so that it is "within the compatible area Ax, which is compatible with the terminal level of the player terminal 1500 of the player restarting" and "satisfies the relative distance based on the difference in spec values with the player terminal 1500 of another player's character that has already been placed."

In the example of Figure 7, around the player character 4a on the resuming player terminal 1500a are a player character 4e on a player terminal 1500e at Level 4 and a player character 4f on a player terminal 1500f at Level 2.

The relative distance L2x of the restart start position has a positive relationship with the "spec value". The spec value can be, for example, the communication line's execution speed, CPU clock speed, installed memory capacity, display screen size of the display unit, or a terminal level value. It is preferable to use the execution speed or terminal level. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 7, the start position of player character 4k is determined so that the relative distance L2e to player character 4e is greater than the relative distance L2f to player character 4f.

However, if the resuming player terminal 1500 meets a given low specification condition (a condition that is considered to be relatively low specification, specifically, for example, terminal level = Lv1), the start position is further determined based on the game progress status.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the determination of the starting position based on the game progress status.
When determining the restart start position for the player character 4a of the low-spec player terminal 1500a, the distribution of the player characters 4 of the player terminals 1500c, 1500g, and 1500j having higher specs than the player terminal 1500a is referenced as the latest game progress status.

Then, the start position is determined so that the relative distance L3x from the location where the player characters 4 are densely distributed (in the example of FIG. 8, the relative distance L3g from the location where player characters 4c and player characters 4g are gathered) is greater than the relative distance L3x from the location where the distribution density is relatively low (in the example of FIG. 8, the relative distance L3j from the location where player character 4j is located). Note that a location where multiple player characters 4 are gathered can also be interpreted as the location where an event involving multiple player characters occurs.

When the player character 4a resumes play from the starting position thus determined, the player character 4a is more likely to encounter the player character 4j than the player characters 4c and 4g.

If player character 4a encounters any of player characters 4c, 4g, or 4j, the players at player terminals 1500c, 1500g, and 1500j will be forced to have a play experience that does not make full use of their game play specifications. However, by making relative distance L3g greater than relative distance L3j, the extent to which the players are forced to have a play experience that does not make full use of their game play specifications can be reduced.

Next, the functional configuration will be described.
FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the server system 1100.
The server system 1100 includes an operation input unit 100s, a server processing unit 200s, a sound output unit 390s, an image display unit 392s, a communication unit 394s, and a server storage unit 500s.

The operation input unit 100s is a means for inputting various operations for managing the server system 1100. Examples of this include a keyboard, a touch panel, and a mouse.

The server processing unit 200s is realized by electronic components such as processors that serve as arithmetic circuits, such as a CPU, GPU, ASIC, FPGA, etc., as well as IC memory, and controls the input and output of data between each functional unit, including the operation input unit 100s and the server storage unit 500s. It performs various types of arithmetic processing based on predetermined programs and data, operation input signals from the operation input unit 100s, data received from the player terminal 1500, etc., and performs integrated control of the operation of the server system 1100.

The server processing unit 200s includes a user management unit 202, a game management unit 210, a timing unit 280s, a sound generation unit 290s, an image generation unit 292s, and a communication control unit 294s. Of course, other functional units may also be included as appropriate.

The user management unit 202 handles processes related to user registration procedures and manages various information linked to user accounts. Specifically, the user management unit 202 assigns unique user accounts to registered users, manages personal information for each user account, manages save data related to online game play, etc.

The game management unit 210 performs various controls for playing a given online game on the player terminal 1500. Specifically, the game management unit 210 executes various processes related to game progress control of the online game. For example, it places various objects such as the player character 4, NPCs, and background objects in the shared game space 8, controls the movement of the player character 4 in response to the player's operation input, controls the movement of NPCs based on given AI control, judges collisions of objects, judges hits of attacks, judges damage and reflects damage, changes ability parameter values of the player character 4 and NPCs, generates events, calculates game results, and judges the end of the game and the end of involvement.

The game management unit 210 has a shared game space setting unit 212, a game play specification information acquisition unit 214, a terminal level determination unit 220, a compatible area setting unit 222, a start position determination unit 230, an event control unit 236, a specification information display control unit 238, and a distribution information display control unit 240.

The shared game space setting unit 212 sets up a shared game space 8 in a virtual three-dimensional space, arranges various objects that appear in the game, such as the player character 4, and controls the position, posture, shape, size, appearance, and disappearance of these objects according to the results of the game progress control.

The game play specification information acquisition unit 214 acquires information that represents the game play specifications of each player terminal. The game play specification information acquisition unit 214 has a model information acquisition unit 216 and a communication status information acquisition unit 218.

The model information acquisition unit 216 acquires information about the model of the player's terminal as information representing the game play specifications.

The communication status information acquisition unit 218 acquires communication status information related to the communication speed of the player terminal as information representing the game play specifications.

The terminal level determination unit 220 performs a comprehensive evaluation of the capabilities of the player terminal based on the game play specifications and sets the terminal level.

The suitable area setting unit 222 sets suitable areas in the shared game space based on the game play specifications. Specifically, the suitable area setting unit 222 sets suitable areas according to different game play specifications that do not satisfy the given mutual compatibility condition, and variably sets the setting positions of the suitable areas based on the game progress status. In addition, the suitable area setting unit 222 changes any of the number, positions, and sizes of the suitable areas using statistical values obtained by sorting the number of players or the number of player terminals before the start of the game based on the game play specifications.

The start position determination unit 230 determines the start position in the shared game space of the player character of the starting player who starts or resumes game play, based on the game play specifications of the player terminal of the starting player. The start position determination unit 230 has a request reception unit 232.

The request receiving unit 232 receives an area or a desired location within the area that is desired as the starting position from among the compatible areas that match the game play specifications of the starting player's player terminal, based on the operation input of the starting player.

Then, the start position determination unit 230 selects a suitable area that matches the game play specifications of the player terminal of the starting player, and determines the start position in the selected suitable area. More specifically, if the player terminal of the starting player satisfies the mutual compatibility condition with the first player terminal, but does not satisfy the mutual compatibility condition with the second player terminal, the start position is determined to be closer to the player character of the first player terminal than to the player character of the second player terminal. This corresponds to the setting of the relative distance L1x (see FIG. 4) and the relative distance L2X (see FIG. 7).

When player characters (hereinafter referred to as "mutually corresponding terminal characters") of player terminals whose game play specifications satisfy a given mutually corresponding condition satisfy a given approach condition, the event control unit 236 triggers a given event targeting the mutually corresponding terminal characters. Specifically, the event control unit 236 triggers an event based on the number of mutually corresponding terminal characters that satisfy the approach condition.

The spec information display control unit 238 controls the display of information indicating the game play specs of player terminals other than the player terminal in question on the player terminal. This corresponds to the control related to the spec display 40 (see FIG. 6).

The distribution information display control unit 240 controls the display of distribution information on the player terminal that indicates the distribution of player characters in the shared game space based on the game play specifications. This corresponds to the control related to the distribution information display 30 (see FIG. 6).

The timing unit 280s uses the system clock to measure various times, such as the current date and time and time limits.

The sound generation unit 290s is realized by executing an IC or software that generates or decodes audio data, and generates or decodes audio data such as operation sounds, sound effects, background music, and voice calls related to the system management of the server system 1100 and the provision of online games. Then, audio signals related to system management are output to the sound output unit 390s.

The sound output unit 390s is realized by a speaker or the like, and emits sound based on an audio signal.

The image generation unit 292s generates images of various management screens for system management of the server system 1100, and outputs the image data to the image display unit 392s. The image display unit 392s is realized by a device that displays images, such as a flat panel display, a head-mounted display, or a projector.

The image display unit 392s also renders game space images of the shared game space 8 and the special game space 10 that serve as the basis for the game play images to be displayed on each player terminal 1500.

The communication control unit 294s executes data processing related to data communication and realizes data exchange with external devices via the communication unit 394s.

The communication unit 394s connects to the network 9 to realize communication. For example, this is realized by a wireless communication device, a modem, a TA (terminal adapter), a jack for a wired communication cable, a control circuit, etc. In the example of FIG. 1, this corresponds to the communication device 1153.

The server storage unit 500s stores programs and various data for implementing various functions for the server processing unit 200s to comprehensively control the server system 1100. It is also used as a working area for the server processing unit 200s, and temporarily stores the results of calculations executed by the server processing unit 200s according to various programs. This function is implemented, for example, by IC memory such as RAM or ROM, magnetic disks such as hard disks, optical disks such as CD-ROMs or DVDs, online storage, etc. In the example of Figure 1, this corresponds to storage media such as the IC memory 1152 and hard disks mounted on the main unit 1101. Online storage may also be included in the server storage unit 500s.

Figure 10 is a diagram showing examples of programs and data stored in the server storage unit 500s. In this embodiment, the server storage unit 500s stores a server program 501, a distribution client program 503, game initial setting data 510, user registration data 600, play data 700, and a current date and time 900. The server storage unit 500s also stores other programs and data (e.g. timers, counters, various flags, etc.) as appropriate.

The server program 501 is a program that is read and executed by the server processing unit 200s to cause the server processing unit 200s to realize the functions of the user management unit 202 and the game management unit 210.

The distribution client program 503 is an original program that is provided to and executed by the player terminal 1500.

The game initial setting data 510 stores various initial setting data related to the online game. For example, the game initial setting data 510 includes shared game space initial setting data 512, compatible area initial setting data 520, compatible area change pattern definition data 530, event initial setting data 550, and terminal level definition data 570. Of course, data other than these may also be included as appropriate.

The shared game space initial setting data 512 stores various data that defines the state of the shared game space 8 at the start of the game. For example, this includes data defining the shape of the shared game space 8, the types and positions of background objects, the types and positions of NPCs, etc.

The suitable area initial setting data 520 stores various data indicating the initial settings of the suitable area Ax (see FIG. 4). For example, as shown in FIG. 11, one suitable area initial setting data 520 includes a unique area ID 521, initial area range definition data 523, initial suitable terminal level 525, and initial placement upper limit number 527. Of course, other information can also be included as appropriate.

Returning to FIG. 10, the suitable area change pattern definition data 530 is prepared for each pattern in which the setting of the suitable area Ax is changed and set according to the game progress status, and stores various data describing the pattern. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, one suitable area change pattern definition data 530 includes a unique change pattern ID 531, change requirement data 532 indicating the conditions that must be satisfied to execute the change, and change content data 535.

The change requirement data 532 is described by, for example, combining a player terminal total number condition 533 with a number ratio condition 534, which is a condition for the number ratio of the player terminals 1500 sorted at the terminal level, using AND or OR.

Change content data 535 is prepared for each combination of how the settings of a compatible area Ax are changed. One change content data 535 includes a change target area ID 536, range change content 537, compatible terminal level change content 538, and placement upper limit number change content 539.

The range change content 537, the compatible terminal level change content 538, and the placement upper limit change content 539 are set so that the starting positions can be appropriately distributed at any terminal level in the combination of player terminals 1500 with various different game play specifications indicated by the change requirement data 532.

For example, in a case where the terminal levels of all the player terminals 1500 are "Lv4", the change content data 535 is set to a change content such that the number of suitable areas Ax for which the suitable terminal level is "Lv4" is increased from the initial setting, or the change content is set to a change content such that the range of suitable areas Ax for which the suitable terminal level is "Lv4" is widened.
Conversely, in cases where the number of "Lv1" player terminals 1500 is greater than expected in the initial setting, the number of compatible areas Ax with a compatible terminal level of "Lv1" is set to be greater than that in the initial setting.

Returning to FIG. 10, event initial setting data 550 is prepared for each event content, and stores various data related to the initiation and execution of the event. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, one event initial setting data 550 stores a unique event ID 551, event initiation requirement data 553, and event content data 557.

The event triggering requirement data 553 is written as an AND or OR of sub-conditions such as an approach distance condition 554, a character count condition 555, and a terminal level condition 556. Note that these sub-conditions can also be set to essentially "no condition" or "unlimited."

The approach distance condition 554 is a condition regarding the relative distance between multiple player characters 4. This condition may be the same as the involvement status condition.

The character number condition 555 is a condition regarding the number of player characters 4 that satisfy the approach distance condition (specifically, "2" or more).

The terminal level condition 556 is a condition related to the applicable terminal level 606 of the player character 4. For example, a condition that can be considered to satisfy a mutually appropriate condition may be set, such as "all terminal levels are Lv4" or "terminal levels are the same."

The event content data 557 stores various data for executing an event. The event content can be set appropriately.
For example, in the case of an event whose activation requirements are that the approach distance condition 554 is "same as the involvement situation condition", the character number condition 555 is "two characters", and the terminal level condition 556 is "all terminal levels are Level 4", the event contents may be "using a model and motion data with special details as the object model of the player character 4 used in the involvement situation play" or "making the image quality of the game space image 12 higher than usual". In this case, when the player character 4 of a high-spec player terminal 1500 encounters the event, and if the character number condition 555 is "four characters", the event contents may be "executing a mini-game in a team battle format divided into two against two", "a cooperative mission in which four characters cooperate to defeat an enemy NPC", and so on.

The true value of these events is realized because the game is played in a fully synchronized manner between high-spec player terminals 1500, and players can enjoy a special, high-quality playing experience. Triggering special events under special conditions also increases the interest of the game. Furthermore, if this becomes a topic of conversation within the player community, the number of players using high-spec player terminals 1500 to play the game will increase, which will in turn increase the opportunities to enjoy a high-quality playing experience in online games.

Returning to FIG. 10, the terminal level definition data 570 is prepared for each terminal level (see FIG. 3) and indicates the criteria for classifying and evaluating the overall performance of the player terminal 1500 based on information representing the game play specifications and determining that the terminal level is in question. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, one terminal level definition data 570 stores a unique terminal level 571 and determination requirement definition data 573 in association with each other.

The judgment requirement definition data 573 is data that defines the conditions that must be satisfied to judge that the device is at terminal level 571, i.e., "mutually corresponding conditions," and is written by combining one or more sub-conditions with AND or OR.

The sub-conditions may be, for example, a model condition, a CPU type condition, an installed memory amount condition, an OS type condition, a rendering engine type condition, a display unit specification condition, a communication function specification condition, etc., related to the specifications of the player terminal 1500. In other words, conditions regarding specifications that affect the computation processing capacity and communication processing capacity may be used.
Further, for example, sub-conditions related to communication conditions may include a line type condition, a communication speed condition, etc. The line type condition is a condition such as whether the line is wired or wireless, the communication standard to be used, etc.

Returning to FIG. 10, the user registration data 600 is created for each registered user who will become a player, and stores various data associated with that user.
15, one piece of user registration data 600 includes a unique user account 601, terminal access information 603 (e.g., IP address) for accessing a player terminal 1500 via the network 9, game play specification information 605, an applicable terminal level 606, and player character setting data 608. Of course, data other than these, such as save data for an online game, can also be included as appropriate.

The information contained in the game play specification information 605 corresponds to the sub-condition items that describe the judgment requirement definition data 573 (see FIG. 14) of the terminal level definition data 570.

The player character setting data 608 stores the setting data of the player character 4 customized by the user. The player character 4 is customized during the user registration procedure.

Returning to FIG. 10, the play data 700 stores various data related to the realization of the online game, and is updated successively as the game progresses. As shown in FIG. 16, for example, the play data 700 includes a player account list 701, shared game space data 703, suitable area setting data 710, desired area acceptance data 720, player character management data 730, participation status play management data 740, and distribution information 750. Of course, other information, such as play performance data, can also be included as appropriate.

The compatible area setting data 710 is created for each compatible area Ax (see FIG. 4) and stores various setting data for the compatible area Ax. One compatible area setting data 710 includes a unique area ID 711, area range data 713, compatible terminal level 715, and maximum number of placements 717. Of course, other information can also be included as appropriate.

The desired area reception data 720 is prepared for each player terminal 1500 and stores the results of the player's request for which suitable area Ax the player character 4 of that terminal should be placed in. Each desired area reception data 720 stores a terminal ID and a desired area ID in association with each other.

The player character management data 730 is prepared for each player character 4 and stores various data describing the latest status of that character. One player character management data 730 includes, for example, a character ID 731, a player account 732, a terminal ID 733, position coordinates 734, operation control data 735, and ability parameter values 736. Of course, other information may also be included as appropriate.

The involvement situation play management data 740 is created each time an involvement situation is detected, and includes various data describing the latest progress of play in that involvement situation, such as a unique involvement situation ID, a participating terminal list, special game space data, viewpoint camera control data, and so on. Of course, other data can also be stored as appropriate. For example, it can also include a timer value for timing the time limit required to determine the end conditions of the involvement situation. The special game space data is a group of vertex data and polygon data in the latest state of the object models of various objects placed in the special game space created in accordance with the involvement situation.

FIG. 17 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a player terminal 1500. The player terminal 1500 includes an operation input unit 100, a device processing unit 200, a sound output unit 390, an image display unit 392, a communication unit 394, and a device storage unit 500.

The operation input unit 100 outputs operation input signals corresponding to various operation inputs made by the player to the device processing unit 200. For example, this can be realized by a push switch, joystick, touchpad, trackball, acceleration sensor, gyro, etc.

The terminal processing unit 200 is realized by electronic components such as a microprocessor such as a CPU or GPU, and an IC memory, and controls the input and output of data between each functional unit including the operation input unit 100 and the terminal storage unit 500. It controls the operation of the player terminal 1500 by executing various types of calculation processing based on predetermined programs and data, operation input signals from the operation input unit 100, and various types of data received from the server system 1100.

In this embodiment, the device processing unit 200 has a client control unit 260, a timing unit 280, a sound generation unit 290, an image generation unit 292, and a communication control unit 294.

The client control unit 260 performs various controls to make the player terminal 1500 function as an MMIF, as a control for the game client in a client-server type game system. Specifically, the client control unit 260 has an operation input information providing unit 261 and a display control unit 262.

The operation input information providing unit 261 controls the transmission of operation input information corresponding to the input from the operation input unit 100 to the server system 1100.

The display control unit 262 performs control for displaying the game play image 14 based on the data received from the server system 1100, but in this embodiment, since the game play image 14 is generated by the server system 1100, the display control unit 262 does not perform control related to the rendering of the game space image 12 (see FIG. 6). It performs control for displaying the game play image 14 provided as MMIF information from the server system 1100. If the data provided is compressed data, it performs processing such as decompressing the data.

The timing unit 280 uses the system clock to measure the current date and time, time limits, etc.

The sound generation unit 290 is realized by, for example, a digital signal processor (DSP), a processor such as a voice synthesis IC, an audio codec capable of playing audio files, etc., and generates sound signals for music, sound effects, and various operation sounds, and outputs them to the sound output unit 390.

The sound output unit 390 is realized by a device that outputs (emits) sound based on the sound signal input from the sound generation unit 290, such as a speaker.

The image generation unit 292 generates and outputs an image signal that causes the image display unit 392 to display an image based on the control of the client control unit 260. In the example of FIG. 1, this corresponds to a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), a graphics controller, a graphics board, etc., mounted on the control board 1550.

The image display unit 392 is realized by a device that displays images, such as a flat panel display, a head-mounted display, or a projector.

The communication control unit 294 executes data processing related to data communication and realizes data exchange with external devices via the communication unit 394.

The communication unit 394 connects to the network 9 to realize communication. For example, it is realized by a wireless communication device, a modem, a TA (terminal adapter), a jack for a wired communication cable, a control circuit, etc. In the example of Figure 1, this corresponds to the communication module 1553.

The device storage unit 500 stores programs for causing the device processing unit 200 to realize given functions, various data, etc. It is also used as a working area for the device processing unit 200, and temporarily stores the results of calculations executed by the device processing unit 200 according to various programs, input data entered from the operation input unit 100, etc. These functions are realized by, for example, IC memory such as RAM or ROM, magnetic disks such as hard disks, optical disks such as CD-ROM or DVD, etc. In the example of Figure 1, this corresponds to the IC memory 1552 mounted on the control board 1550.

Specifically, the device storage unit 500 stores a client program 502 (application program) for causing the device processing unit 200 to function as the client control unit 260, received MMIF information 590, and a current date and time 900. Of course, other data can also be stored as appropriate. For example, data received from the server system 1100 for displaying game play images 14 is also temporarily stored.

Next, the operation of the game system 1000 will be described.
18 and 19 are flow charts for explaining the flow of processing executed by the server system 1100 for executing an online game.

As shown in FIG. 18, the server system 1100 processes participation acceptance for the online game (step S10). The server system 1100 acquires information related to the game play specifications (e.g., model, CPU type, line type, etc.) from the player terminals 1500 that have accepted the participation, and stores this information in the game play specification information 605 (see FIG. 15) of the user registration data 600 (step S12).

Next, the server system 1100 judges the terminal level of each player terminal 1500 (step S14). Specifically, the server system 1100 compares the game play specification information 605 with the judgment requirement definition data 573 of the terminal level definition data 570 (see FIG. 14), and sets the terminal level 571 of the definition data that satisfies the judgment requirement as the applicable terminal level 606 (see FIG. 15).

Next, the server system 1100 classifies all player terminals 1500 according to the applicable terminal level 606, calculates the number and ratio of terminals for each terminal level (step S16), and creates the compatible area setting data 710 (see FIG. 16) (step S18).

Specifically, the content of the suitable area initial setting data 520 (see FIG. 11) is copied to create the suitable area setting data 710. Next, the suitable area change pattern definition data 530 (see FIG. 12) is referenced, and the change content data 535 of the definition data that satisfies the change requirement data 532 is selected and applied, thereby changing the settings of the previously created suitable area setting data 710.

Next, the server system 1100 accepts the desired area for each player terminal 1500 (step S20). Specifically, for each player terminal 1500, the server system 1100 searches for the suitable area setting data 710 in which the corresponding applicable terminal level 606 matches the suitable terminal level 715 (see FIG. 16). Then, the server system 1100 displays the desired area acceptance screen W5 (see FIG. 5) on the player terminal, with the searched suitable area Ax as the selected candidate area. When the server system 1100 acquires information on the suitable area Ax selected as the desired area by the player terminal 1500, it creates the desired area acceptance data 720 (see FIG. 16).

Next, the server system 1100 determines the starting position of each player character 4 (step S22).

Specifically, the starting position of the first player character 4 is randomly determined within the desired area of the starting player to be processed.

For the second and subsequent player characters 4, if the desired area is the same, the relative distance L1x (see Figure 4) to the player character 4 whose starting position has already been determined is calculated, and the starting position is set to a position within the desired area that satisfies the relative distance L1x, unless the placement limit number 717 (see Figure 16) has been reached.

When determining the start positions of the second and subsequent player characters 4, if a start position that reaches the placement limit number 717 has already been set in the desired area, the suitable area Ax next to the desired area is considered to be the desired area, and the start position is determined within that area so as to satisfy the relative distance L1x. If the number of start positions already set in the desired area has not reached the placement limit number 717, but a position that satisfies the relative distance L1x cannot be determined, the suitable area Ax next to the desired area is still considered to be the desired area, and the start position is determined within that area so as to satisfy the relative distance L1x.

In a configuration in which the reception of the desired area is omitted, step S20 is omitted, and in step S22, the start position is determined so as to satisfy the relative distance L1x within the range of the compatible area Ax in which the applicable terminal level 606 is compatible with the compatible terminal level 715. In a configuration in which the relative distance L1x is omitted so as not to take into account, the start position is determined randomly within the range of the compatible area Ax in which the applicable terminal level 606 is compatible with the compatible terminal level 715.

Next, the server system 1100 initializes the shared game space 8 (step S40) and starts controlling the progress of the game (step S42). When progress control starts, the server system 1100 also starts updating the distribution information 750 and the play performance data.

In addition, when progress control starts, the server system 1100 starts responding to display requests to display the distribution information display 30 or the spec display 40 on the player terminal 1500 where an operational input to display these has been made (step S44).

Moving on to FIG. 19, if there is a starting player who will resume game play (YES in step S50), the server system 1100 determines whether the player terminal 1500 of the starting player satisfies a given low specification condition (step S52).

If the low spec condition is met (YES in step S52), the server system 1100 determines the restart start position based on the terminal level of the player terminal 1500 and the game progress status (step S54). Specifically, the server system 1100 determines the relative distance L3x (see FIG. 8) so as to move the player character 4 of the restarting start player away from the group of player characters 4 of player terminals 1500 with higher specs than the player terminal 1500 of the restarting start player. Then, the server system 1100 determines, as the start position, a position that satisfies the relative distance L3x within the compatible area Ax that corresponds to the terminal level of the player terminal 1500 of the restarting start player.

If the low spec condition is not met (NO in step S52), the server system 1100 determines the restart start position based on the spec value difference (step S56). Specifically, the server system 1100 calculates the relative distance L2x based on the spec value difference between the game play specs of the player terminal 1500 of the starting player who is restarting and the game play specs of the player terminal 1500 of the player character 4 that is already placed in the shared game space 8 within a predetermined range from the player terminal 1500 of the starting player who is restarting (see FIG. 7). Then, the server system 1100 determines a start position that satisfies the relative distance L2x within the range of the compatible area Ax that corresponds to the terminal level of the player terminal 1500 of the starting player who is restarting.

Then, the server system 1100 places the player character 4 of the starting player who will resume the game at the determined starting position (step S58).

The server system 1100 is aware of the position of each player character 4 in the shared game space 8, so when it detects the approach of multiple player characters 4 after the start of the game (YES in step S60), it counts the number of approaching characters (step S62). Specifically, when two player characters 4 satisfy the approach distance condition 554 in the event initial setting data 550 (see FIG. 13), it starts a timer for counting the number of approaches and starts elapse of a predetermined period of time, and continues to count the number of player characters until the approach distance condition 554 is satisfied.

Then, the server system 1100 triggers the event according to the settings of the event initial setting data 550 for which the event triggering requirement data 553 is satisfied (step S64).

The server system 1100 repeats steps S50 to S64 until the end condition of the asynchronous game using the shared game space 8 is met (NO in step S80). If the end condition is met (YES in step S80), a predetermined game end process (e.g., declaring the end of the game, announcing the rankings, awarding rewards, updating the rankings, saving the save data, etc.) is performed (step S82), and the series of processes ends.

As described above, this embodiment can increase the opportunities for a high-quality playing experience in online games where various game clients enjoy multiplayer through their participation in a shared game space.

In other words, the server system 1100 can determine the start position for placing the player character 4 in the shared game space 8 according to the game play specifications of the player terminal 1500 of each player character 4. This increases the likelihood that player characters 4 of player terminals 1500 with the same or similar game play specifications will encounter each other, compared to when the start position is determined randomly. For example, a player character 4 of a player terminal 1500 with high game play specifications will encounter a player character 4 of another player terminal 1500 with similarly high game play specifications, increasing the opportunities for the player character 4 to have a high quality playing experience according to the high specifications.

[Modifications]
An example of an embodiment to which the present invention is applied has been described above, but the forms to which the present invention can be applied are not limited to the above-described forms, and components can be added, omitted, or modified as appropriate.

(Variation 1)
The content of the game can be set appropriately without being limited to a battle royale type fighting action game. Depending on the content of the game, the definition of the involvement situation and the content of the involvement situation play can also be set appropriately. For example, the involvement situation in the above embodiment is defined as an event in which two player characters 4 encounter each other, but is not limited to this. For example, in a game in which a plurality of player characters 4 play in a team, the involvement situation can be defined as an event in which two or more player characters 4 are involved. Specifically, for example, the occurrence of an involvement situation may be determined not only by an encounter but also by the occurrence of an event that occurs when the team encounters an NPC that is important for the game progress (for example, defeating an NPC, acquiring an item requested by an NPC, etc.), or an event in which the team solves a puzzle that is important for the game progress.

(Variation 2)
In the above embodiment, the game system 1000 is exemplified as a C/S type system, but is not limited to this. For example, it is also possible to omit the server system 1100 and use a P2P system based on peer-to-peer connections between the player terminals 1500, with one or more of the player terminals 1500 performing the functions of the server system 1100.

(Variation 3)
In the above embodiment, the game progress control (progress control of an asynchronous game using the shared game space 8 and a completely synchronous game using the special game space 10) handled by the server system 1100 may be handled by one or more of the player terminals 1500. That is, the server system 1100 handles participation reception, centralized management of the user registration data 600, and data relay processing between the player terminals 1500, but does not handle functions equivalent to the game management unit 210. The game management unit 210 is handled by one or more of the player terminals 1500.

(Variation 4)
The information describing the game play specifications can be set as appropriate.
For example, the information describing the game play specifications may be only the information about the model, with the model information being the product name of the player terminal 1500. In this case, the information related to the terminal specifications in the judgment requirement definition data 573 of the terminal level definition data 570 may be only the model conditions.

(Variation 5)
Furthermore, the reception of the desired area in the above embodiment can also be interpreted as the reception of a further desired location within the desired area.

(Variation 6)
In addition, the server system 1100 may be configured not to generate game play images 14 relating to participation situation play using the shared game space 8 and the special game space 10, but to have the game play images 14 executed by the player terminal 1500.

Specifically, the shared game space data 703 stored and managed by the server system 1100 in the above embodiment, and the special game space data of the participation status play management data 740, are stored and managed by each player terminal 1500. The server system 1100 then distributes progress information indicating the results of progress control of the asynchronous game using the shared game space 8 as MMIF information to each player terminal 1500. Based on the MMIF information, each player terminal 1500 updates the shared game space data 703 stored therein. Then, based on the respective shared game space data 703, each player terminal 1500 generates and displays a gameplay image 14 of the shared game space 8. That is, each player terminal 1500 is responsible for rendering the gameplay image 14. The same applies to the special game space 10.

4...player character 8...shared game space 30...display of distribution information 40...display of specifications 200s...server processing unit 210...game management unit 212...shared game space setting unit 214...game play specification information acquisition unit 216...model information acquisition unit 218...communication status information acquisition unit 220...terminal level determination unit 222...suitable area setting unit 230...start position determination unit 232...request acceptance unit 236...event control unit 238...specification information display control unit 240...distribution information display control unit 500s...server storage unit 501...server program 520...suitable area initial setting data 530...suitable area change pattern definition data 550...event initial setting data 570...terminal level definition data 600...user registration data 605...game play specification information 606...applied terminal level 700...play data 703...shared game space data 710...suitable area setting data 713: Area range data 715: Compatible terminal level 720: Desired area reception data 730: Player character management data 750: Distribution information 1000: Game system 1100: Server system 1150: Control board 1500: Player terminal Ax: Compatible area L1x: Relative distance L2x: Relative distance L3x: Relative distance W5: Desired area reception screen

Claims (15)

A server system for providing an online game in which each player operates a player character that can move around in a shared game space using a player terminal, and enjoys multiplayer gameplay,
The player terminals include terminals having different game play specifications,
A game play specification information acquisition means for acquiring information representing the game play specification of each player's player terminal;
a start position determination means for determining, for a starting player who starts or resumes the game play, a start position in the shared game space of a player character of the starting player based on the game play specifications of the player terminal of the starting player;
A server system comprising: the game play specification information acquisition means includes a machine type information acquisition means for acquiring information on the machine type of the player terminal as information representing the game play specification,
the starting position determination means determines the starting position based on a model of a player terminal of the starting player;
The server system according to claim 1 . the game play specifications information acquiring means includes a communication status information acquiring means for acquiring communication status information related to a communication speed of the player terminal as information representing the game play specifications;
the starting position determination means determines the starting position based on the communication status information of the player terminal of the starting player.
3. The server system according to claim 1 or 2. The player terminals include a first player terminal and a second player terminal whose game play specifications do not satisfy a given mutual compatibility condition;
the start position determination means, when the player terminal of the starting player satisfies the mutual correspondence condition with the first player terminal and does not satisfy the mutual correspondence condition with the second player terminal, determines the start position to be closer to a player character of the first player terminal than to a player character of the second player terminal;
The server system according to any one of claims 1 to 3. a suitable area setting means for setting a suitable area in the shared game space based on the game play specifications;
Further comprising:
the starting position determination means selects the suitable area that matches the game play specifications of the player terminal of the starting player, and determines the starting position to be in the selected suitable area;
The server system according to any one of claims 1 to 4. the suitable area setting means variably sets a setting position of the suitable area based on a game progress status;
The server system according to claim 5. the suitable area setting means sets the suitable area according to each of different game play specifications that do not satisfy a given mutual compatibility condition;
7. The server system according to claim 5 or 6. the starting position determination means has a request receiving means for receiving an area or a location within the area that is desired as the starting position, among the suitable areas that are suitable for the game play specifications of the player terminal of the starting player, based on an operation input by the starting player;
The server system according to any one of claims 5 to 7. the suitable area setting means sets the suitable area by changing any one of the number, position and size of the suitable area using a statistical value obtained by classifying the number of players or the number of player terminals before the start of the game based on the game play specifications;
The server system according to any one of claims 5 to 8. the suitable area setting means sets the suitable area by changing any one of the number, position and size of the suitable area using a statistical value obtained by classifying the number of players or the number of player terminals during game play based on the game play specifications;
The server system according to any one of claims 5 to 8. an event control means for initiating a given event targeted at the mutually corresponding terminal characters when the player characters (hereinafter referred to as "mutually corresponding terminal characters") of the player terminals whose game play specifications satisfy a given mutually corresponding condition satisfy a given approach condition;
The server system according to claim 1 , further comprising: The event control means triggers the event based on the number of the mutually corresponding terminal characters that satisfy the approach condition.
The server system according to claim 11. a spec information display control means for controlling the display of information indicating the game play specs of player terminals other than said player terminal on said player terminal;
The server system according to claim 1 , further comprising: a distribution information display control means for controlling the display of distribution information indicating a distribution of the player characters in the shared game space based on the game play specifications on the player terminals;
The server system according to claim 1 , further comprising: A method for providing an online game in which each player operates a player character that can move around in a shared game space using a player terminal and enjoys multiplayer gameplay, comprising the steps of:
The player terminals include terminals having different game play specifications,
a game play specification information acquisition step of acquiring information representing the game play specification of each player's player terminal;
a start position determination step of determining, for a start player who starts or resumes the game play, a start position in the shared game space of a player character of the start player based on the game play specifications of the player terminal of the start player;
The method of provision includes:

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