JP7699513B2 - Server system, terminal device and providing method - Google Patents

Description

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

As a technique for preventing problems caused by differences in communication environments when playing online games in which multiple users participate, a technique is known in which the game mode of an online game is set for each game device depending on its communication quality (see, for example, Patent Document 1). With the technique of Patent Document 1, a game device with good communication quality displays an image of the game space on the screen and plays the game in an action mode in which the user controls a character within the game space. On the other hand, a game device with poor communication quality plays the game in a text mode in which the situation in the game space is simply displayed using text, etc., and the character is AI-controlled in response to selection operations such as tactics.

JP 2014-73266 A

However, with the technology of Patent Document 1, all that is displayed on a game device in text mode is text that indicates the current game situation. As a result, the game experience that a user gets when playing in text mode is so poor that it is questionable whether the user can even feel the enjoyment of participating in an online game, resulting in a lack of interest.

The conventional technology described above is a technology that proposes one solution to the problem of differences in communication environments, particularly communication speeds, but there can be various differences in the playing environment of users participating in online games other than communication speeds. For example, the communication processing capabilities and computing processing capabilities of the terminal devices. In this specification, the performance and specifications related to the environment in which the game is played are referred to as "game play specifications."

The problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide a new technology that can suppress problems that arise when playing online games due to differences in game play specifications between terminal devices.

The first invention for solving the above problem is a server system (e.g., server system 1100 in FIG. 1) that provides an online game in which users of each terminal device (e.g., terminal device 1500 in FIG. 1) enjoy playing by controlling each character placed in a shared game space, the terminal devices include a first type terminal device and a second type terminal device with different game play specifications, the server system is equipped with a terminal type determination means (e.g., terminal type determination unit 231 in FIG. 12) that determines whether the terminal device is the first type terminal device or the second type terminal device based on the game play specifications, an area setting means (e.g., area setting unit 235 in FIG. 12) that sets a first type character area in the shared game space, and a movement control means (e.g., character movement control unit 245 in FIG. 12) that controls the entry of a first type character, which is a character operated by a user of the first type terminal device, into the first type character area and controls the entry of a second type character, which is a character operated by a user of the second type terminal device, into the first type character area.

According to the first invention, it is possible to determine whether the terminal device of each user who shares a game space and plays an online game is a first type terminal device or a second type terminal device based on the game play specifications of the terminal device. The game play specifications can be, for example, any one of communication processing capacity, calculation processing capacity, the type of OS (Operating System) installed, and communication speed with the server system. Then, a first type character area can be set in the shared game space, in which the first type character operated by the user of the first type terminal device can enter and the second type character operated by the user of the second type terminal device is restricted from entering. Therefore, the user of the first type terminal device can play the game in the first type character area, whereas the user of the second type terminal device cannot play the game in the first type character area. This makes it possible to restrict users who can enter the first type character area according to the game play specifications of the terminal device. Therefore, game play according to the individual game play specifications can be realized in each terminal device, and it is possible to suppress problems caused by differences in game play specifications between terminal devices.

The second invention is a server system of the first invention, which includes a determination means (e.g., the initial position determination unit 233 in FIG. 12) for variably determining the initial position of a character operated by a mid-joining user who joins the online game mid-way, or a restarting user who restarts by satisfying a given restart condition during game play (hereinafter collectively referred to as the "starting user"), depending on whether the terminal device of the starting user is the first type terminal device or the second type terminal device.

According to the second invention, when a user joins an online game midway through or restarts the game, the character operated by the user can be positioned in the shared game space with an initial position determined based on whether the user's terminal device is a first type terminal device or a second type terminal device.

The third invention is a server system according to the second invention, in which the determination means determines the initial position when the terminal device of the starting user is the first type terminal device to be closer to the first type character area than the initial position when the terminal device of the starting user is the second type terminal device.

According to the third invention, when a user joins midway or restarts, if the user's terminal device is a first type terminal device, the character operated by the user can be positioned at an initial position close to the first type character area in the shared game space.

The fourth invention is a server system according to the second invention, in which the determination means determines the initial position when the terminal device of the starting user is the first type terminal device to be closer to the first type character already in the shared game space than the initial position when the terminal device of the starting user is the second type terminal device.

According to the fourth invention, when a user joins midway or restarts, if the user's terminal device is a first-type terminal device, the character operated by the user can be positioned at an initial position close to a first-type character in the shared game space.

A fifth invention is a server system according to any one of the second to fourth inventions, in which the area setting means variably sets the number and/or location of the first type character areas based on the distribution of the positions of the first type characters.

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, the number and positions of the first type character areas to be set can be changed based on the distribution of the first type characters in the shared game space.

A sixth invention is a server system according to any one of the second to fifth inventions, in which the area setting means variably sets at least one of the type, number, size, and setting position of the first type character areas according to the number of the first type characters and/or the number of the second type characters.

According to the sixth aspect of the invention, the type, number, size, and setting position of the first type character areas to be set can be changed depending on the number of first type characters and the number of second type characters in the shared game space.

A seventh invention is a server system according to any one of the first to sixth inventions, in which the online game is a game that is started at a given timing, and the area setting means variably sets the number and/or setting positions of the first type character areas based on the number of users of the first type terminal devices before the online game starts.

According to the seventh invention, the number and location of the first type character areas to be set can be changed depending on the number of users before the online game starts.

The eighth invention is a server system according to any one of the first to seventh inventions, further comprising: consent request control means (e.g., consent request control unit 257 in FIG. 12) for controlling the second type terminal device to have inferior game play specifications compared to the first type terminal device and for notifying the user of the terminal device determined by the terminal type determination means to be the second type terminal device of a consent request that entry into the first type character area during game play is not possible; and refusal response control means (e.g., refusal response control unit 259 in FIG. 12) for controlling notification to the user of the terminal device of the possibility of a malfunction in game play when a refusal response is made to the consent request, allowing the character operated by the user of the terminal device to enter the first type character area and causing the movement control means to control the movement of the first type character when the character is a first type character.

According to the eighth aspect of the invention, a user of a terminal device determined to be a second type terminal device, whose gameplay specifications are inferior to those of a first type terminal device, can be notified of a request for consent that entry into the first type character area is not possible during gameplay. If the user refuses the inability to enter the first type character area, the user is notified of the possibility of a malfunction in gameplay, and the character operated by the user can be controlled as a first type character so as to be able to enter the first type character area.

The ninth aspect of the invention is a server system according to any one of the first to eighth aspects of the invention, further comprising an event execution control means (e.g., the event execution control unit 247 in FIG. 12) for controlling the execution of a battle event targeting a character that has entered the first type character area.

According to the ninth aspect of the invention, a battle event in which characters battle each other can be carried out in the first type character area.

A tenth aspect of the invention is a server system according to any one of the first to ninth aspects of the invention, in which the game play specifications include a communication speed, and the terminal type determination means dynamically determines whether the terminal device is the first type terminal device or the second type terminal device based on the communication speed.

According to the tenth aspect of the invention, it becomes possible to change whether a terminal device is a first type terminal device or a second type terminal device at any time based on the communication speed with the server system while playing an online game.

An eleventh invention is a server system according to any one of the first to tenth inventions, in which the game play specifications of the second type terminal device are inferior to those of the first type terminal device, the game images displayed and controlled in the first type terminal device are first-person or third-person perspective images, and the game images displayed and controlled in the second type terminal device are bird's-eye perspective images.

According to the eleventh invention, it is possible to display a first-person or third-person perspective image as a game image on a first type terminal device, and to display an overhead perspective image as a game image on a second type terminal device having game play specifications inferior to those of the first type terminal device.

The twelfth invention is a server system according to any one of the first to eleventh inventions, in which the game play specifications of the second type terminal device are inferior to those of the first type terminal device, and the server system further comprises an introduction image display control means (e.g., the game management unit 230 in FIG. 12) that causes the second type terminal device to display and control an introduction image of a game image that is display-controlled in the first type terminal device.

According to the twelfth aspect of the invention, it is possible to display an introductory image of a game image displayed on a first type terminal device on a second type terminal device whose game play specifications are inferior to those of a first type terminal device.

The thirteenth invention is a terminal device in a game system configured by a server system that provides an online game in which users of each terminal device enjoy playing by controlling each character placed in a shared game space, and the terminal device is connected to the server system for communication, the terminal device includes a first type terminal device and a second type terminal device having different game play specifications, the server system includes a terminal type determination means that determines whether the terminal device is the first type terminal device or the second type terminal device based on the game play specifications, an area setting means that sets a first type character area in the shared game space, and a movement control means that controls the entry of a first type character, which is a character operated by a user of the first type terminal device, into the first type character area and the entry of a second type character, which is a character operated by a user of the second type terminal device, into the first type character area, and the terminal device performs display control regarding whether or not the character related to the terminal device can enter the first type character area according to the control of the movement control means of the server system.

According to the thirteenth aspect of the invention, the terminal device can perform display control regarding whether or not the character related to the terminal device should enter the first type character area in accordance with the control related to the character movement by the server system.

The fourteenth aspect of the present invention is a method for providing an online game in which a computer system provides a game in which users of each terminal device enjoy playing by controlling their own characters placed in a shared game space, the terminal devices include a first type terminal device and a second type terminal device having different game play specifications, the method including a terminal type determination step of determining whether the terminal device is the first type terminal device or the second type terminal device based on the game play specifications, an area setting step of setting a first type character area within the shared game space, and a movement control step of controlling the entry of a first type character, which is a character operated by a user of the first type terminal device, into the first type character area and the entry of a second type character, which is a character operated by a user of the second type terminal device, into the first type character area.

According to the fourteenth 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 overall configuration of a game system. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an outline of a process flow relating to display of a game image. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a shared game space. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a data configuration of an area setting table. 11A and 11B are diagrams showing examples of setting viewpoints and frame rates to be applied to a first type terminal device. 11A and 11B are diagrams showing examples of setting viewpoints and frame rates to be applied to a second type terminal device. 6A to 6C are diagrams for explaining the provision of image processing information and the display of a game image using the image processing information. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a high-resolution game image display. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a low-resolution game image. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a consent request notification screen. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a warning screen. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the server system. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of in-play data. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a terminal device. 6 is a flowchart showing a process flow in the server system. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of a game process. 17 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing following FIG. 16 . FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display example of an introduction image. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display example of a game map screen.

Below, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below, and the forms to which the present invention can be applied are not limited to the following embodiments. In addition, in the description of the drawings, the same parts are given the same reference numerals.

[Overall configuration]
Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a game system 1000 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the game system 1000 is a computer system including a server system 1100 and a terminal device 1500 owned by a user of the game according to this embodiment, which are connected via a network 9 so as to be able to communicate data with each other.

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 communication network such as a telephone communication network, a cable network, or the Internet, and the communication method can be either wired or wireless.

The server system 1100 is a computer system including a main device 1101, a keyboard 1106, a touch panel 1108, and storage 1140. The main device 1101 incorporates a control board 1150 on which are mounted electronic components such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1151, various microprocessors such as a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) and a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), various IC memories 1152 such as a VRAM, RAM, and ROM, and a communication device 1153. Note that a part or all 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 related to user registration and the like, and a game management function that provides data necessary for playing the game on the terminal device 1500 and manages execution control of the game on the terminal device 1500, by the CPU 1151 and the like performing calculations based on a predetermined program and data. In other words, the game in this embodiment is realized as a kind of client-server type online game. A user accesses the server system 1100 with his/her own terminal device 1500, logs in with an issued account (user ID), and enjoys the online game. In the game of this embodiment, the users participating in the game each operate a character (player character) that appears in the game. When a user encounters a character operated by another user in the shared game space, he/she can converse (chat) with that user, and move together in the shared game space to enjoy gameplay.

The server system 1100 is not limited to the standalone configuration shown in FIG. 1, but may be configured to include multiple blade servers each sharing a function, connected to each other via an internal bus for data communication. Alternatively, multiple independent servers installed in remote locations may be configured to communicate data via the network 9, functioning as the server system 1100 as a whole.

The terminal device 1500 is a computer system that functions as a man-machine interface, and is connected to the network 9 via a communication base station or the like, and can perform data communication with the server system 1100. This terminal device 1500 can take various forms, as exemplified in FIG. 1. Specifically, it can take the form of, for example, a smartphone, a portable game device, a stationary home game device, a controller for a home game device, an arcade game device, a personal computer, a tablet computer, a wearable computer, etc.

The terminal device 1500 stores a game client program and various setting data required for executing the program (hereinafter collectively referred to as "terminal-side data"). The terminal-side data is downloaded from the server system 1100 at an appropriate time. It may also be configured to be read from a separately obtained storage medium such as a memory card. The terminal device 1500 performs calculations based on the terminal-side data to display an image of the shared game space (game image), and accepts game operations, allowing the user to play the game.

Now, referring to FIG. 2, we will explain the general process flow of the server system 1100 and the terminal device 1500 related to displaying game images in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the server system 1100 repeatedly executes each process of steps S11 to S19 in FIG. 2 at X second intervals (e.g., X = 1/60 seconds), which is the interval for controlling the progress of the game.

That is, the server system 1100 acquires operation input information for game operation from the terminal device 1500 of each user participating in the game (step S11). Next, based on the operation input information of each user, the progress of the game that is being played commonly in the shared game space is controlled (step S13). At that time, if it is time for a battle to be triggered (described later), the execution of a battle event is controlled. Specifically, it performs processes related to the control of objects such as characters controlled by users, computer-controlled characters, background objects, and effects, hit and damage determinations of attacks in battles between characters, and their reflection. Then, it controls the viewpoint for each user that serves as the base point for generating game images and captures the shared game space (step S15).

Next, basic data for image generation is generated (step S17) for generating an image of the shared game space reconstructed based on the results of the game progress control, the image being viewed from the viewpoint of each user controlled in step S15, and the basic data is provided to each terminal device 1500 (step S19) while being included in image processing information related to the viewpoint. The basic data for image generation is data required for each terminal device 1500 to generate an image of the shared game space viewed from the viewpoint of that user as a game image, and includes data such as the position coordinates of objects such as characters and background objects, and the vertex coordinates of polygons that form the objects.

Meanwhile, the terminal device 1500 repeatedly executes each process from step S21 to step S25 at a predetermined frame rate. That is, the terminal device 1500 constructs and updates a shared game space by arranging various objects based on image processing information (basic data for generating images) provided from time to time by the server system 1100 (step S21), and generates a game image by rendering an image of the shared game space seen from the viewpoint of the user of the terminal device 1500 (step S23). Then, the game image generated in step S23 is displayed (step S25).

Therefore, each terminal device 1500 has:
1) Data prepared for each character appearing in the game includes: a) model data for the character; b) texture data expressing the character's appearance; c) motion data used to control the character's movements; and d) character data that sets the character's type, initial values of ability parameters, stamina value, etc.
2) Game space setting data for the shared game space, such as setting data for a coordinate system that defines the shared game space, position coordinates, orientation, model data, and texture data for objects such as background objects, and
3) a game client program;
is stored as part of the terminal-side data. The game client program is a program for generating game images using character data and game space setting data, based on basic data for image generation provided as image processing information from the server system 1100. The image generating function of the terminal device 1500 is realized by the terminal device 1500 executing the game client program.

[detail]
As described above, the terminal device 1500 can take various forms as exemplified with reference to Fig. 1, and therefore the terminal devices 1500 of the users participating in the game may include devices with different game play specifications, such as communication processing capabilities, calculation processing capabilities, the type of OS (Operating System) installed, and communication speed with the server system 1100. For this reason, if all the terminal devices 1500 are treated the same regardless of the game play specifications of each of the terminal devices 1500, problems such as a terminal device 1500 with low game play specifications not completing calculation processing within one frame time, resulting in so-called processing slump, may occur.

For example, if the terminal device 1500 is a home game device or a personal computer that communicates with the server system 1100 via a wired network connection such as an optical communication cable, and is equipped with a CPU or GPU with relatively high computing power, it can display high-resolution game images at a high frame rate. However, if the terminal device 1500 is a smartphone that communicates with the server system 1100 via a wireless network connection such as a mobile phone communication network, and is equipped with a CPU or GPU with relatively low computing power, there is a high possibility that processing slowdowns will occur when attempting to display high-resolution game images at a high frame rate. Furthermore, even if either the communication environment or the computing power is good, if the other is insufficient, there is a high possibility that processing slowdowns will occur when attempting to display high-resolution game images at a high frame rate. Furthermore, a similar problem can occur if some kind of failure occurs during the game and the communication speed temporarily decreases.

The server system 1100 determines whether the terminal device 1500 of each user participating in the game is a first-type terminal device or a second-type terminal device with inferior game play specifications compared to the first-type terminal device. The server system 1100 then performs an area setting process for setting a first-type character area, etc., in the shared game space, into which a first-type character operated by a user of a first-type terminal device (hereinafter also referred to as a "first-type user") can enter but a second-type character operated by a user of a second-type terminal device (hereinafter also referred to as a "second-type user") cannot enter, and an event execution control process for controlling the execution of a battle event or the like targeting the first-type characters in the first-type character area. When a new user (joining user) logs in to the game, the server system 1100 performs an initial position determination process for variably determining the initial position of the character operated by the user depending on whether the terminal device 1500 is a first-type terminal device or a second-type terminal device.

The server system 1100 also provides each terminal device 1500 with image processing information whose contents correspond to the terminal type. Specifically, for each terminal device 1500, the server system 1100 arranges and controls the viewpoint for the user as a viewpoint set according to the terminal type of the terminal device 1500. The server system 1100 then provides the image processing information related to that viewpoint to the terminal device 1500 corresponding to that viewpoint. The frame rate of the second type terminal device is also set lower than that of the first type terminal device.

Each terminal device 1500 stores terminal-side data corresponding to the terminal type (i.e., the content corresponding to the viewpoint setting for that user) in advance, thereby realizing the display of game images based on image processing information from the server system 1100. At that time, each terminal device 1500 controls the display of game images at a frame rate corresponding to the terminal type.

1. Determination of terminal type When a game is executed, the server system 1100 performs a terminal type determination process to determine whether the terminal device 1500 is a first type terminal device or a second type terminal device based on the game play specifications. In this embodiment, the determination process is performed before the start of the game (pre-game determination process) and during the game (in-game determination process).

In the pre-game determination process, the server system 1100 first notifies the terminal device 1500 of a user who is newly logging in to the game and joining the game midway (mid-game joining user) of a request to send game play specification information. The terminal device 1500 that receives the transmission request transmits the terminal device's model, the model number of the CPU and GPU installed, and the communication environment of the terminal device 1500, such as whether the network connection is wired or wireless, as game play specification information to the server system 1100. The server system 1100 then determines the high or low level of the game play specification of the terminal device 1500 based on the game play specification information thus acquired. For example, this can be achieved by setting the terminal device 1500's model, the model number of the CPU, etc., the communication environment, or a combination thereof, as the terminal type determination criterion 551 (see FIG. 12) for each high or low level of game play specification to be determined. When making a binary judgment as to whether the level is high or low, it is possible to set a terminal type judgment criterion 551 that corresponds to a high level, and judge whether the level is high or low based on whether the terminal type judgment criterion 551 is satisfied.

In addition, in the in-game determination process, the server system 1100 measures the communication speed at a predetermined measurement period for the terminal device 1500 determined to be a first-type terminal device in the pre-game determination process and the terminal device 1500 determined to be a second-type terminal device in the pre-game determination process but changed to a first-type terminal device after receiving a rejection response to a consent request notification described below. If the measurement results in a terminal device 1500 that satisfies the type change condition, the server system 1100 dynamically changes the type of the terminal device 1500. If the type change condition is set as a condition for changing from a first-type terminal device to a second-type terminal device, for example, the type change condition can be "the communication speed has fallen below a predetermined speed." In this case, if the communication speed of the terminal device 1500 recovers and no longer satisfies the type change condition, the type of the terminal device 1500 is dynamically changed to a first-type terminal device.

2. Area Setting Process Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a shared game space in the game of this embodiment. The shared game space of this embodiment includes a battle area A11 where characters battle each other, and a non-battle area A13 dotted with shops where items can be purchased, sold, exchanged, etc., event spots where events are held, landmark spots where users can meet up, etc.

The battle area A11 is an area designed to resemble, for example, an urban area, a dense forest, a mountainous region, etc., and cityscapes and scenery are reproduced precisely and realistically. Therefore, the battle area A11 is made up of a large number of background objects and other objects. Furthermore, each object is defined as a detailed object with a large number of polygons. On the other hand, the non-battle area A13 is an area where, for example, terrain, buildings, etc. are displayed in a simplified form. Therefore, the objects that make up the non-battle area A13 are defined as simple objects with a small number of polygons. Furthermore, the non-battle area A13 has fewer objects than the battle area A11.

When the game is executed, the server system 1100 performs area setting processing to set a first type character area within the shared game space of FIG. 3. In this embodiment, the server system 1100 performs setting processing before the game starts (area initial setting processing) and setting processing during the game (in-game area setting processing).

In the area initial setting process, the server system 1100 sets the battle area A11 as a first type character area. Specifically, the battle area A11 is set as an area into which first type characters can enter but which second type characters cannot enter.

Therefore, in the game of this embodiment, a first type user can enter his/her own character (first type character) into the battle area A11 and play the game in the battle area A11. For example, the user progresses through the game by collecting items in the battle area A11 and battling enemy characters operated by other users that the user encounters. In contrast, a second type user cannot enter his/her own character (second type character) into the battle area A11, and therefore cannot play the game in the battle area A11 described above.

Next, in the in-game area setting process, the server system 1100 sets a new type 1 character area in the shared game space from time to time, separate from the battle area A11. In this embodiment, a battle stage 10 for type 1 characters only (hereinafter referred to as the "type 1 character only battle stage") is set in the non-battle area A13 as the new type 1 character area. In the event control process described below, a battle is initiated for type 1 characters that have entered the type 1 character only battle stage 10, and the execution of the battle event is controlled. For example, in addition to a one-on-one battle between characters, various battle formats such as a two-on-two pair battle, a one-on-many or many-on-many team battle, and a battle royale where players fight until the last man remains are initiated according to the type of type 1 character only battle stage 10.

In addition, in the game area setting process of this embodiment, a second type character area that can be entered by a second type character but cannot be entered by a first type character is set in the shared game space at any time. For example, an event spot dedicated to second type characters (hereinafter referred to as a "second type character dedicated event spot") 20 is set in the non-battle area A13. In the event control process described later, the execution of a game event is controlled for a second type character that has entered the second type character dedicated event spot. The content of the game event is not particularly limited, but various game events are triggered according to the type of the second type character dedicated event spot 20, such as a game event in which a mini-game such as a music game or puzzle game in which the player character of the playing user appears is executed and a participation reward is awarded according to the play result, or a game event in which a mini-game is executed in a battle format between second type characters and the players compete for the highest score. Note that a configuration may be configured to further perform a process of setting a battle stage or event spot, etc., in which both the first type character and the second type character can enter, in the shared game space at any time.

Specifically, in the in-game area setting process, the server system 1100 monitors the number of first type characters and the number of second type characters in the shared game space. Then, based on the number of first type characters, the first type character-only battle stage 10 is set in the non-battle area A13 according to the area setting table 553a (see FIG. 12) for the first type character-only battle stage that is prepared in advance. Also, based on the number of second type characters, the second type character-only event spot 20 is set in the non-battle area A13 according to the area setting table 553b (see FIG. 12) for the second type character-only event spot. According to this, it is possible to variably set the type, number, size, and setting position of the first type character area based on the number of first type characters in the shared game space. Also, it is possible to variably set the type, number, size, and setting position of the second type character area based on the number of second type characters in the shared game space. Note that the present invention is not limited to a case where all of the types, number, size, and setting positions of the first type character areas are variably set, and at least one of them may be variably set. Similarly, the present invention is not limited to a case where all of the types, number, size, and setting positions of the second type character areas are variably set, and at least one of them may be variably set.

Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of the area setting tables 553a and 553b. As shown in Figure 4, the area setting table 553a for the first type character exclusive battle stage stores the setting conditions, size, setting position, and triggered event content in association with the area ID for identifying the corresponding first type character exclusive battle stage. Similarly, the area setting table 553b for the second type character exclusive event spot stores the setting conditions, size, setting position, and triggered event content in association with the area ID for identifying the corresponding second type character exclusive event spot.

The set conditions are defined by a combination of appearance conditions and disappearance conditions for the corresponding first type character-only battle stage or the corresponding second type character-only event spot. In the area setting table 553a, for example, the appearance condition is set as "the number of first type characters in the shared game space reaches a predetermined first number" and the disappearance condition is set as "the number of first type characters in the shared game space falls below a predetermined second number". In the area setting table 553b, for example, the appearance condition is set as "the number of second type characters in the shared game space reaches a predetermined third number" and the disappearance condition is set as "the number of second type characters in the shared game space falls below a predetermined fourth number". The appearance condition and disappearance condition are set using the number of characters of the corresponding character type as well as the ratio of the number of characters for each character type.

The size is set to the size of the corresponding first type character-only battle stage or the corresponding second type character-only event spot.

The set position is defined as, for example, a specific position coordinate within the shared game space (within the non-combat area in this embodiment). The set position may be a position based on the distribution of the positions of the first type characters in the shared game space, or may be a position based on the distribution of the positions of the second type characters. For example, when there is an area (hereinafter also referred to as a "dense area") in the non-combat area where a predetermined number or more of first type characters are present within a predetermined range and therefore a predetermined high density condition is satisfied, the set position may be set within the dense area, or a nearby position within a predetermined distance range from the dense area may be set as the set position. Alternatively, when there is an area (hereinafter also referred to as a "sparse area") in the non-combat area where the number of first type characters is below a predetermined number and therefore a predetermined low density condition is satisfied, the set position may be set within the sparse area, or a nearby position of the sparse area may be set as the set position. The same applies to the setting of a position based on the distribution of the positions of the second type characters. In addition, a position based on both the distribution of the positions of the first type characters and the distribution of the positions of the second type characters may be set as the set position. This makes it possible to set a battle stage exclusively for first type characters, which is a first type character area, in a place where there are many first type characters, or conversely, to set it in a place where there are no first type characters. It also makes it possible to set an event spot exclusively for second type characters, which is a second type character area, in a place where there are many second type characters, or conversely, to set it in a place where there are no second type characters.

The triggered event content stores the battle event related to the corresponding battle stage for first type characters, or the event content of the game event related to the corresponding event spot for second type characters. For example, the triggered event content of the area setting table 553a stores the battle format of the battle that is triggered for the first type characters that have entered the battle stage for first type characters. Also, the triggered event content of the area setting table 533b stores, for example, the type of mini-game to be executed as a game event for the second type characters that have entered the event spot for second type characters.

Therefore, according to the in-game area setting process, if the number of first type characters increases during the game and one of the appearance conditions in the area setting table 533a is met, a battle stage exclusively for first type characters for playing a battle event with the corresponding activated event content will appear of the corresponding size at a set position within the corresponding non-combat area. Also, if the number of first type characters decreases and one of the disappearance conditions is met, the corresponding battle stage exclusively for first type characters will disappear.

In addition, if the number of second type characters increases during the game and one of the appearance conditions in the area setting table 533b is met, a second type character-only event spot for playing a game event with the corresponding activated event content will appear of the corresponding size at a set position within the corresponding non-combat area A13.In addition, if the number of second type characters decreases and one of the disappearance conditions is met, the corresponding second type character-only event spot will disappear.

3. Event Control Processing In the event control processing, the server system 1100 initiates a battle with a first type character that has entered a first type character-only battle stage, and controls the execution of the battle event. Specifically, for each first type character-only battle stage set in the battle area, the server system 1100 invites the participation of a first type character who will challenge a battle in a battle format set for that first type character-only battle stage. If there are participants, the server system 1100 controls the execution of the battle event there by having the first type character enter that first type character-only battle stage and initiating a battle.

The server system 1100 also controls the execution of a game event for a second type character that has entered an event spot exclusively for second type characters. For example, the server system 1100 controls the execution of a game event there by executing a mini-game set for the event spot exclusively for second type characters.

In the initial position determination process of this embodiment, when the terminal device 1500 of a user who has newly logged in to the game (a mid-game joining user) is a first-type terminal device, the server system 1100 determines the initial position of the character operated by that user as a position closer to the first-type character area compared to when the terminal device is a second-type terminal device.

For example, if the terminal device 1500 of the mid-game joining user is a first type terminal device, the initial position of the character is determined to be a position near any first type character area in the shared game space that is within a predetermined distance range from that first type character area. This allows the first type user to start gameplay from a position near the first type character area, making it easier to participate in a battle event. In addition, since first type characters tend to gather around the first type character area, encounters between first type characters become more likely. It can be arbitrarily set what type of game event is triggered by the occurrence of an encounter.

In contrast, second-type characters cannot enter the first-type character area. Therefore, if the terminal device 1500 of the mid-game joining user is a second-type terminal device, a position that is a predetermined distance or more away from the first-type character area is determined as the initial position of the character operated by that user.

5. Setting of viewpoints, etc. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of setting the viewpoint and frame rate when the terminal device 1500 is a first-type terminal device, and FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of setting the viewpoint and frame rate when the terminal device 1500 is a second-type terminal device. As shown in FIG. 5, in this embodiment, the viewpoint for the user (first-type user) of the first-type terminal device is configured to be switched depending on whether the position of the character (first-type character) operated by the first-type user is within the first-type character area (within the battle area or within the first-type character-only battle stage). For example, when the user is within the first-type character area, the viewpoint is a third-person viewpoint that follows the first-type character and has a high-resolution shooting resolution (hereinafter also referred to as a "high-resolution viewpoint"). On the other hand, when the user is outside the first-type character area (within a non-battle area and outside the first-type character-only battle stage), the viewpoint is a bird's-eye viewpoint that looks down on the first-type character from above and shoots it, and has a low-resolution shooting resolution (hereinafter also referred to as a "low-resolution viewpoint"). That is, the viewpoint for the first type user is switched to a high-resolution viewpoint when the first type character of the first type user is within the first type character area, and to a low-resolution viewpoint when the first type character is outside the first type character area. The frame rate of the first type terminal device is set to an N-second interval that is equal to or greater than X seconds, which is the interval for controlling the progress of the game in the server system 1100. For example, the frame rate can be set to 1/60 seconds, which is the same as the interval for controlling the progress.

Also, as shown in FIG. 6, the viewpoint for a user of a second type terminal device (second type user) is an overhead viewpoint in which a character (second type character) operated by the second type user is photographed from above, and the photographing resolution is a low-resolution viewpoint (low-resolution viewpoint). Since a second type character never enters a first type character area, the viewpoint for a second type user is always a low-resolution viewpoint. The frame rate of the second type terminal device is set to an interval of M seconds, which is equal to or greater than N seconds. For example, it can be set to an interval of 1/30 seconds.

6. Provision of Image Processing Information Fig. 7 is a diagram for explaining the provision of image processing information and the display of a game image using the image processing information. Fig. 8 shows a display example of a game image based on a high-resolution viewpoint (hereinafter also referred to as a "high-resolution game image"), and Fig. 9 shows a display example of a game image based on a low-resolution viewpoint (hereinafter also referred to as a "low-resolution game image").

6-1. Provision for the first type terminal device In this embodiment, when providing image processing information to the terminal device 1500 of each user, the server system 1100 switches between a first provision process in which basic data for generating an image based on a high-resolution viewpoint is provided as image processing information relating to a high-resolution viewpoint (image processing information for a high-resolution viewpoint) and a second provision process in which basic data for generating an image based on a low-resolution viewpoint is provided as image processing information relating to a low-resolution viewpoint (image processing information for a low-resolution viewpoint) for the first type terminal device.

Specifically, in step S15 of FIG. 2, the server system 1100 sets the viewpoint for the first type user to a high-resolution viewpoint if the first type character of the first type user is within the first type character area (within the battle area or within the battle stage for first type characters), and controls the high-resolution viewpoint for the first type user. If the first type character is outside the first type character area, the viewpoint for the first type user is set to a low-resolution viewpoint, and controls the low-resolution viewpoint for the first type user.

In the case of a high-resolution viewpoint, the server system 1100 performs a first provision process by generating basic data for generating an image based on a high-resolution viewpoint for the first type user in step S17, and providing the basic data for generating an image for the first type user to the corresponding terminal device 1500 (first type terminal device) in step S19 as image processing information for a high-resolution viewpoint.

In the case of a low-resolution viewpoint, the server system 1100 performs a second provision process by generating basic data for generating an image based on the low-resolution viewpoint for the first type user in step S17, and providing the basic data for generating an image for the first type user to the corresponding terminal device 1500 (first type terminal device) in step S19 as image processing information for the low-resolution viewpoint.

On the other hand, in the first type terminal device, as shown in FIG. 7, the first type terminal data 520A is stored as the terminal side data 600 (see FIG. 14). The first type terminal data 520A is data for displaying game images by receiving high resolution viewpoint image processing information and low resolution viewpoint image processing information from the server system 1100. Specifically, the first type terminal data 520A stores the first type game client program 521A and the first type game setting data 530A including high quality first type character data 531 and low quality second type character data 533 as character data. The first type character data 531 can be composed of, for example, model data with a large number of polygons, high quality texture data, motion data that defines fine and smooth movements, etc. The second type character data 533 can be composed of, for example, rough model data with a small number of polygons, low resolution texture data, motion data of rough movements, etc.

When image processing information for a high-resolution viewpoint is provided from the server system 1100, the first type terminal device generates a high-resolution game image based on the high-resolution viewpoint in step S23 of FIG. 2, and displays the high-resolution game image in step S25. As a result, when the terminal device 1500 is a first type terminal device and the first type character of the first type user is in the first type character area, a high-resolution image of the shared game space taken from the high-resolution viewpoint, which is a third-person viewpoint following the character from behind, is displayed on the first type terminal device as a high-resolution game image, as illustrated in FIG. 8. The high-resolution game image displays in high resolution the state of the shared game space including the user's character 31 and characters 331 operated by other users.

Furthermore, when image processing information for a low-resolution viewpoint is provided from the server system 1100, the first type terminal device generates a low-resolution game image based on the low-resolution viewpoint in step S23 of FIG. 2, and displays the low-resolution game image in step S25. As a result, when the first type character is outside the first type character area, as illustrated in FIG. 9, a low-resolution image of the shared game space taken from the low-resolution viewpoint, which is a bird's-eye view, is displayed as a low-resolution game image on the first type terminal device. In the low-resolution game image, the player's character 31 and other characters 333, etc. are displayed in the form of simple characters such as symbols or icons.

6-2. Provision for the second type terminal device Next, for the second type terminal device, the server system 1100 performs a second provision process of providing basic data for generating an image based on a low-resolution viewpoint as image processing information related to a low-resolution viewpoint (image processing information for a low-resolution viewpoint).

Specifically, in step S15 of FIG. 2, the server system 1100 sets the viewpoint for the second type user to a low-resolution viewpoint and controls the low-resolution viewpoint for the second type user. Then, in step S17, the server system 1100 generates basic data for generating an image based on the low-resolution viewpoint for the second type user, and in step S19, performs a second providing process by providing the basic data for generating an image for the second type user to the corresponding terminal device 1500 (second type terminal device) as image processing information for the low-resolution viewpoint.

On the other hand, in the second type terminal device, as shown in FIG. 7, data for second type terminal 520B is stored as terminal side data 600 (see FIG. 14). The data for second type terminal 520B is data for displaying game images by receiving low resolution viewpoint image processing information from the server system 1100. Specifically, the data for second type terminal 520B stores a second type game client program 521B and second type game setting data 530B including low image quality second type character data 533 as character data.

The second type terminal device receives image processing information for the low-resolution viewpoint from the server system 1100, generates a low-resolution game image based on the low-resolution viewpoint in step S23 of FIG. 2, and displays the low-resolution game image in step S25. As a result, when the terminal device 1500 is a second type terminal device, as illustrated in FIG. 9, a low-resolution image of the shared game space taken from the low-resolution viewpoint, which is an overhead viewpoint, is displayed as a low-resolution game image on the second type terminal device. As described above, the player's own character 31, other characters 333, etc. are displayed in a simplified form in the low-resolution game image.

7. Regarding the consent request In this embodiment, in principle, it is not possible for a second type character to enter a first type character area. A second type user, unlike a first type user, does not allow his/her character to enter a first type character area to battle with other characters. This is a kind of restriction on the user in game play. Therefore, the server system 1100 performs control to notify the user of the terminal device 1500 determined to be a second type terminal device in the pre-game determination process of a consent request to the effect that entry into the first type character area during game play is not possible.

Figure 10 is a diagram showing an example of an acceptance request notification screen W1 displayed on the terminal device 1500 that has received the notification. For example, as shown in Figure 10, the acceptance request notification screen W1 displays a message to the effect that entry into the first type character area is not possible. The acceptance request notification screen W1 may also notify the user that there will be no battles with other characters, that the game image will be a low-resolution image of the character being operated taken from the sky, and so on. The acceptance request notification screen W1 has an acceptance response button B11 and a rejection response button B13 arranged. The user responds to the acceptance request by selecting the acceptance response button B11 if they wish to accept the notification, or by selecting the rejection response button B13 if they wish to reject it.

Then, when the server system 1100 detects that the terminal device 1500 has made a rejection response to the consent request, that is, when the server system 1100 detects that the rejection response button B13 on the consent request notification screen W1 has been selected, the server system 1100 performs control to notify the user of the terminal device 1500 that a malfunction in game play may occur. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a warning screen W2 displayed on the terminal device 1500 that has received the notification. As shown in FIG. 11, the warning screen W2 displays a message warning of the occurrence of a malfunction. The server system 1100 then changes the terminal type of the terminal device 1500 to a first type terminal device based on the notification control. This process allows the user of the terminal device 1500 to play a battle event in the first type character area during game play.

[Functional configuration]
1. Server System Fig. 12 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a server system 1100. As shown in Fig. 12, the server system 1100 of this embodiment includes an operation input unit 100s, a server processing unit 200s, an image display unit 390s, a sound output unit 392s, a communication unit 394s, and a server storage unit 500s.

The operation input unit 100s is used to input various operations for system management, maintenance, etc., and can be realized by, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, etc. In FIG. 1, this corresponds to the keyboard 1106 and the touch panel 1108.

The server processing unit 200s can be realized by a processor, which is an arithmetic circuit such as a CPU, GPU, ASIC, FPGA, etc., or an electronic component such as an IC memory, and controls the input and output of data between each part of the device including the operation input unit 100s and the server storage unit 500s. It performs various arithmetic processing based on predetermined programs and data, operation input signals from the operation input unit 100s, data received from the terminal device 1500, etc., and generally controls the operation of the server system 1100. In FIG. 1, this corresponds to the control board 1150 and its CPU 1151.

The server processing unit 200s includes a user management unit 210, a game management unit 230, a timing unit 280s, an image generation unit 290s, a sound generation unit 292s, and a communication control unit 294s.

The user management unit 210 performs processes related to user registration and manages the data of each registered user linked to a user ID (account). For example, it can execute processes such as assigning unique user IDs to registered users, registration information management processes that register and manage personal information by user ID, and usage history management processes that manage login and logout history, etc. Of course, it can also include management processes for other data linked to user IDs other than these as appropriate.

The game management unit 230 performs various processes related to the management of game execution. Since the game in this embodiment is a client-server type online game, the game management unit 230 controls the provision of data necessary for game play while communicating with the terminal device 1500.

This game management unit 230 includes a terminal type determination unit 231, an initial position determination unit 233, an area setting unit 235, a game progress control unit 240, a first provision unit 253, a second provision unit 255, an acceptance request control unit 257, and a refusal response control unit 259.

The terminal type determination unit 231 is a functional unit that performs pre-game determination processing and in-game determination processing as terminal type determination processing, and determines whether the terminal type of the terminal device 1500 is a first type terminal device or a second type terminal device based on the game play specifications of the terminal device 1500. In the pre-game determination processing, the terminal type determination unit 231 acquires game play specification information from the terminal device 1500 of a user who has newly logged in to the game and uses it to determine the terminal type. Then, the terminal device 1500 determined to be a first type terminal device is set as a "first type terminal device," and the terminal device 1500 determined to be a second type terminal device is set as a "second type terminal device" in the registered terminal type 577 (see FIG. 13) of the corresponding user. In addition, the current terminal type 579 (see FIG. 13) is initially set by setting the same terminal type as the set terminal type to the current terminal type 579.

Meanwhile, in the in-game determination process, the terminal type determination unit 231 monitors the communication speed with the server system 1100 for each terminal device 1500. If there is a terminal device 1500 whose registered terminal type 577 is "first type terminal device" and whose communication speed satisfies the above-mentioned type change condition, it is dynamically determined to be a second type terminal device, and the current terminal type 579 setting of the terminal device 1500 is changed to "second type terminal device". If the communication speed of the terminal device 1500 subsequently recovers and no longer satisfies the type change condition, the terminal type determination unit 231 returns the setting of the current terminal type 579 of the relevant user to "first type terminal device".

The initial position determination unit 233 is a functional unit that performs an initial position determination process, and determines the initial position of a character operated by a user who has newly logged in to the game depending on whether the terminal type of the user's terminal device 1500 is a first type terminal device or a second type terminal device. Specifically, the initial position determination unit 233 determines the initial position in the case of a first type terminal device to be a position closer to the first type character area compared to the initial position in the case of a second type terminal device.

The area setting unit 235 is a functional unit that performs area initial setting processing and in-game area setting processing as area setting processing. In this embodiment, the area setting unit 235 performs area initial setting processing before the start of the game, and sets the battle area in the shared game space as the first type character area. On the other hand, in the in-game area setting processing during the game, the area setting unit 235 sets a battle stage exclusively for first type characters according to the number of first type characters in the shared game space, according to the settings in the area setting table 533a described with reference to FIG. 4. In addition, the area setting unit 235 sets an event spot exclusively for second type characters according to the number of second type characters in the shared game space, according to the settings in the area setting table 533b.

The game progress control unit 240 acquires operation input information for game operations from each terminal device 1500, and controls the progress of the game at a predetermined progress control interval (X second interval). This game progress control unit 240 includes a character movement control unit 245, a viewpoint control unit 246, and an event execution control unit 247.

The character movement control unit 245 controls to allow a character (first type character) operated by a user (first type user) of the terminal device 1500 whose terminal type is a first type terminal device to enter a first type character area. On the other hand, the character movement control unit 245 controls to prevent a character (second type character) operated by a user (second type user) of the terminal device 1500 whose terminal type is a second type terminal device from entering the first type character area, thereby preventing the second type character from entering the first type character area. In addition, the character movement control unit 245 controls to allow a second type character to enter the second type character area, and prevents a first type character from entering the second type character area, thereby preventing the second type character from entering the second type character area.

The viewpoint control unit 246 arranges and controls, for each terminal device 1500, the viewpoint for the user of the terminal device 1500 as a viewpoint set according to the terminal type of the terminal device 1500. Specifically, for a viewpoint for a first-type user whose terminal type is a first-type terminal device, the viewpoint control unit 246 arranges and controls the viewpoint as a high-resolution viewpoint when the first-type character of the first-type user is in the first-type character area (in the battle area or in the battle stage for first-type characters only), and as a low-resolution viewpoint when the first-type character is outside the first-type character area. When switching the viewpoint, the setting of the current viewpoint type 580 (see FIG. 13) of the corresponding user is rewritten as "high-resolution viewpoint" or "low-resolution viewpoint". In addition, the viewpoint control unit 246 arranges and controls the viewpoint for a second-type user whose terminal type is a second-type terminal device as a low-resolution viewpoint. The setting of the current viewpoint type 580 of the corresponding user is set to "low-resolution viewpoint".

The event execution control unit 247 is a functional unit that performs event control processing, and controls the execution of a battle event for a first type character that has entered a battle stage for first type characters in a battle format that corresponds to the battle stage for first type characters. The event execution control unit 247 also controls the execution of a game event for a second type character that has entered an event spot for second type characters in accordance with the event spot for second type characters.

The first providing unit 253 is a functional unit that performs the first providing process, and provides high-resolution viewpoint image processing information related to the high-resolution viewpoint to a terminal device 1500 whose current terminal type 579 is set to "first type terminal device" and whose current viewpoint type 580 is set to "high-resolution viewpoint."

The second providing unit 255 is a functional unit that performs the second providing process, and provides low-resolution viewpoint image processing information relating to a low-resolution viewpoint to a terminal device 1500 whose current terminal type 579 is set to "first type terminal device" and whose current viewpoint type 580 is set to "low-resolution viewpoint" and to a terminal device 1500 whose current terminal type 579 is set to "second type terminal device."

The consent request control unit 257 performs control to notify the user of the terminal device 1500 whose terminal type has been determined to be a second type terminal device as a result of the pre-game determination process of a consent request, and accepts a consent response or a refusal response.

When the terminal device 1500 makes a rejection response to the acceptance request notified by the acceptance request control unit 257, the rejection response control unit 259 controls a notification to the user of the terminal device 1500 that a problem may occur in game play. Then, instead of providing low-resolution viewpoint image processing information by the second providing unit 255, the rejection response control unit 259 causes the first providing unit 253 to provide high-resolution viewpoint image processing information to the terminal device 1500. This can be achieved by changing the registered terminal type 577 of the terminal device 1500 to "first type terminal device".

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

The image generation unit 290s generates images related to system management of the server system 1100, and outputs them to the image display unit 390s.

The sound generation unit 292s is realized by executing an IC or software that generates or decodes audio data, and generates or decodes audio data such as operation sounds and background music related to the system management and video distribution of the server system 1100. Audio signals related to system management are output to the sound output unit 392s.

The communication control unit 294s performs communication connection and data processing for data communication with an external device (e.g., the terminal device 1500) via the communication unit 394s, and realizes data exchange with the external device.

The image display unit 390s displays various screens for system management, etc., based on the image signal input from the image generation unit 290s. For example, this can be realized by an image display device such as a flat panel display, a projector, or a head-mounted display. In FIG. 1, this corresponds to the touch panel 1108.

The sound output unit 392s emits the audio signal input from the sound generation unit 292s. In FIG. 1, this corresponds to a speaker (not shown) provided in the main device 1101 or the touch panel 1108.

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

The server storage unit 500s stores in advance or temporarily stores each time processing is performed programs for operating the server system 1100 and implementing the various functions of the server system 1100, as well as data used during execution of these programs. For example, this can be implemented by IC memory such as RAM or ROM, magnetic disks such as hard disks, or optical disks such as CD-ROM or DVD. In FIG. 1, this corresponds to the IC memory 1152 and storage 1140.

The server storage unit 500s also stores a server program 501, distribution terminal data 510, user management data 540, game setting data 550, and in-play data 560. In addition, other necessary data such as timers, counters, various tables, thresholds, and flags are also stored as appropriate.

The server program 501 is a program for causing the server processing unit 200s to function as a user management unit 210 and a game management unit 230. Note that this server program 501 may also include programs for causing the server processing unit 200s to function as an image generation unit 290s, a sound generation unit 292s, and a communication control unit 294s, as appropriate.

The distribution terminal side data 510 is the original of the terminal side data 600 (see FIG. 14) downloaded to the terminal device 1500. The distribution terminal side data 510 includes the first type terminal data 520A and the second type terminal data 520B. In this embodiment, the first type terminal data 520A is provided (downloaded) to the terminal device 1500 determined to be a first type terminal device, and is stored in the terminal storage unit 500 as the terminal side data 600 in the terminal device 1500. On the other hand, the second type terminal data 520B is provided to the terminal device 1500 determined to be a second type terminal device, and is stored in the terminal storage unit 500 as the terminal side data 600 in the terminal device 1500.

As described with reference to FIG. 7, the first type terminal data 520A includes a first type game client program 521A and first type game setting data 530A including first type character data 531 and second type character data 533. The second type terminal data 520B includes a second type game client program 521B and second type game setting data 530B including second type character data 533.

User management data 540 is prepared for each registered user, and stores various data for managing the game play of the user in association with the user ID (account). For example, it includes the user name, play history such as play date and time, play time, game save data, etc.

The game setting data 550 stores various setting data necessary to realize the online game of this embodiment. For example, the game setting data 550 stores 1) setting data related to game progress control, and 2) setting data related to the generation of basic data for generating images for a first type terminal device and basic data for generating images for a second type terminal device. The game setting data 550 also stores terminal type determination criteria 551 for each high and low level of game play specifications used to determine whether the terminal device 1500 is a first type terminal device or a second type terminal device, an area setting table 553a for a battle stage exclusively for first type characters, and an area setting table 553b for an event spot exclusively for second type characters.

The in-play data 560 stores various data describing, for example, the progress of the game being executed, the latest state of various objects in the shared game space related to the game, and the user's participation status in the game. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 13, the in-play data 560 includes operation input history data 561, game space control data 563, viewpoint control data 565, character control data 567, area setting status data 590, and player user data 570. The operation input history data 561 is data on the history of operation input information for each user playing the game. The game space control data 563 is control data for various objects that constitute the shared game space, such as background objects. The viewpoint control data 565 is control data for the viewpoint for each user. The character control data 567 is control data for the character operated by each user.

The area setting status data 590 is prepared for each of the first type character-only battle stages and second type character-only event spots set in the shared game space (non-combat area). For example, one piece of area setting status data 590 includes the area ID 591 of the corresponding first type character-only battle stage or second type character-only event spot, the area type indicating whether it is a first type character-only battle stage or a second type character-only event spot, and an entering character list 595. The area setting status data 590 is added when the area setting unit 235 causes a first type character-only battle stage or a second type character-only event spot to appear in the shared game space. The area setting status data 590 is also deleted when the area setting unit 235 causes the first type character-only battle stage or the second type character-only event spot to disappear.

In the entering character list 595, if it is a battle stage exclusively for first type characters, the character ID of the first type character that entered the battle stage exclusively for first type characters is set in association with the user ID of the user who operates the first type character (the user who is playing a battle event at the battle stage exclusively for first type characters).In the case of an event spot exclusively for second type characters, the character ID of the second type character that entered the event spot exclusively for second type characters is set in association with the user ID of the user who operates the second type character (the user who is playing a game event at the event spot exclusively for second type characters).

The player user data 570 is prepared for each user playing the game, and stores the user ID 571 of the user, game play specification information 575 of the terminal device 1500 used, registered terminal type 577, current terminal type 579, current viewpoint type 580, character ID 583 of the character operated by the user, communication speed measurement history 585, etc.

14 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a terminal device 1500. As shown in FIG. 14, the terminal device 1500 includes an operation input unit 100, a device processing unit 200, an image display unit 390, a sound output unit 392, a communication unit 394, and a terminal storage unit 500.

The operation input unit 100 allows the user to input various operations, and can be realized, for example, by a button switch, a joystick, a touchpad, a trackball, an acceleration sensor, an angular velocity sensor, a CCD module, etc.

The device processing unit 200 can be realized by a processor, which is an arithmetic circuit such as a CPU, GPU, ASIC, FPGA, or other electronic component, such as an IC memory, and controls the input and output of data between each part of the device, including the operation input unit 100 and the terminal storage unit 500. The device processing unit 200 performs various types of arithmetic processing based on predetermined programs and data, operation input signals from the operation input unit 100, data received from the server system 1100, and the like, and generally controls the operation of the terminal device 1500.

The device processing unit 200 includes a terminal-side game calculation unit 270, a timing unit 280, an image generation unit 290, a sound generation unit 292, and a communication control unit 294.

The terminal-side game calculation unit 270 executes various calculation processes to cause the terminal device 1500 to function as a terminal for the user to play games. For example, the terminal-side game calculation unit 270 includes an operation signal transmission control unit 271 and a game screen display control unit 273.

The operation signal transmission control unit 271 performs processing to transmit various data and request information to the server system 1100 in response to operation input to the operation input unit 100.

The game screen display control unit 273 performs control to display game images on the image display unit 390 based on various data received from the server system 1100. If the terminal device 1500 is a first type terminal device, it executes the first type game client program 521A of the first type terminal data 520A shown in FIG. 7, and realizes the image generation function of the terminal device 1500 using the first type game setting data 530A. That is, when high-resolution viewpoint image processing information is provided from the server system 1100, the game screen display control unit 273 uses the first type character data 531 as character data and controls various objects based on the provided high-resolution viewpoint image processing information. Then, it constructs a shared game space, generates high-resolution game images, and displays the high-resolution game images at a frame rate (N second intervals) for the first type terminal device. On the other hand, when low-resolution viewpoint image processing information is provided from the server system 1100, the game screen display control unit 273 uses the second type character data 527 as character data and controls various objects based on the provided low-resolution viewpoint image processing information. Then, the shared game space is constructed, low-resolution game images are generated, and the low-resolution game images are displayed at a frame rate (N second intervals) for a first type terminal device. Also, if the communication speed with the server system 1100 decreases during the game and the terminal device 1500 is changed from a first type terminal device to a second type terminal device, the game screen display control unit 273 receives low-resolution viewpoint image processing information from the server system 1100 to the terminal device 1500. In this case as well, the low-resolution game images are displayed.

When the terminal device 1500 is a second type terminal device, the game screen display control unit 273 executes the second type game client program 521B of the second type terminal data 520B shown in FIG. 7, and realizes the image generation function of the terminal device 1500 using the second type game setting data 530B. That is, the second type character data 527 is used as character data, and various objects are controlled based on low-resolution viewpoint image processing information provided by the server system 1100. The game screen display control unit 273 then constructs a shared game space, generates low-resolution game images, and displays the low-resolution game images at a frame rate (M second intervals) for the second type terminal device.

The image generation unit 290 works in conjunction with the game screen display control unit 273 to generate an image signal for displaying one game screen per frame time based on various data received from the server system 1100, and outputs the generated image signal to the image display unit 390. For example, this can be realized by a processor such as a GPU or digital signal processor (DSP), a video signal IC, a program such as a video codec, an IC memory for drawing frames such as a frame buffer, etc. Note that one frame time is determined by the frame rate of the terminal device 1500.

The sound generation unit 292 is realized, for example, by a digital signal processor (DSP), a processor such as a voice synthesis IC, an audio codec for playing audio files, etc., and generates audio signals for game sound effects, background music, and various operation sounds, and outputs them to the sound output unit 392.

The communication control unit 294 performs communication connection and data processing for data communication with an external device (e.g., the server system 1100) via the communication unit 394, and realizes data exchange with the external device.

The image display unit 390 displays various screens, such as a game screen, based on the image signal input from the image generation unit 290. For example, this can be realized by an image display device such as a flat panel display, a projector, or a head-mounted display.

The sound output unit 392 emits sound effects and background music related to the game based on the audio signal input from the sound generation unit 292.

The communication unit 394 connects to the network 9 to realize communication. For example, this can be realized by a wireless communication device, a modem, a TA, a jack for a wired communication cable, a control circuit, etc.

The terminal storage unit 500 stores in advance or temporarily stores each time processing is performed programs for operating the terminal device 1500 and implementing the functions of the terminal device 1500, as well as data used during execution of these programs. For example, this can be implemented by IC memory such as RAM or ROM, magnetic disks such as hard disks, optical disks such as CD-ROM or DVD, etc.

In addition, the terminal storage unit 500 stores the first type terminal data 520A or the second type terminal data 520B (see FIG. 12) downloaded from the server system 1100 as terminal side data 600. Specifically, in the case of a terminal device 1500 determined to be a first type terminal device at the time of login, the first type terminal data 520A is downloaded and stored as the terminal side data 600. In the case of a terminal device 1500 determined to be a second type terminal device at the time of login, the second type terminal data 520B is downloaded and stored as the terminal side data 600.

[Process flow]
15 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the server system 1100. The processing described here is realized by the server processing unit 200s reading and executing the server program 501.

As shown in FIG. 15, in the server system 1100, first, the area setting unit 235 performs an area initial setting process and sets the battle area in the shared game space as a first type character area. After that, the game management unit 230 starts game processing and executes the game (step S101).

The terminal type determination unit 231 also starts in-game determination processing (step S103). In the determination processing started here, the terminal type determination unit 231 monitors the communication speed with the server system 1100 for each of the terminal devices 1500. If there is a first type terminal device whose communication speed has decreased, it is dynamically determined to be a second type terminal device, and the setting of the current terminal type 579 is rewritten. Furthermore, if the communication speed of the terminal device 1500 recovers, it is dynamically determined to be a first type terminal device, and the setting of the current terminal type 579 is rewritten.

If a login procedure is performed during the game started in step S103 and a new user logs in to the game (step S105: YES), the terminal type determination unit 231 performs a pre-game determination process to determine whether the terminal device 1500 is a first type terminal device or a second type terminal device (step S106). The determined terminal type is set as the registered terminal type 577 for the terminal device 1500 and is initially set as the current terminal type 579.

Next, if the terminal type determined in step S106 is a second type terminal device (step S107: YES), the consent request control unit 257 controls the terminal device 1500 to display a consent request notification screen W1 (see FIG. 10) to notify the user of the consent request (step S109). If a refusal response is made in response to the consent request here (step S111: YES), the refusal response control unit 259 controls the terminal device 1500 to display a warning screen W2 (see FIG. 11) to notify the user that a problem may occur in game play (step S113). Then, the terminal type determination unit 231 changes the registration of the terminal device 1500 to a first type terminal device, and rewrites the settings of the registered terminal type 577 and the current terminal type 579 (step S115).

After that, if the distribution terminal side data 510 has not been downloaded to the terminal device 1500 of the user, the download is performed according to the terminal type of the terminal device 1500. Specifically, if the registered terminal type 577 is set to a first type terminal device, the game management unit 230 provides the first type terminal data 520A to the terminal device 1500. On the other hand, if the registered terminal type 577 is set to a second type terminal device, the game management unit 230 provides the second type terminal data 520B to the terminal device 1500. The provided data is stored in the terminal storage unit 500 as terminal side data 600 in the terminal device 1500.

Next, the initial position determination unit 233 performs an initial position determination process to determine the initial position of the character operated by the user depending on whether the terminal type of the user's terminal device 1500 is a first type terminal device or a second type terminal device (step S117).

Then, the game management unit 230 generates player user data 570 for the user and starts the user's game play on the terminal device 1500 (step S119). Then, until the game is ended (step S121: NO), the process returns to step S105 and waits for a new user to log in.

Next, the game processing will be described. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the flow of the game processing. As shown in FIG. 16, in the game processing, the server system 1100 repeatedly executes the processing of loop A at a predetermined time interval (X second interval) until the game is ended (step S201 in FIG. 16 to step S237 in FIG. 17). This time interval is preferably set based on the fastest frame rate expected as the frame rate of the terminal device 1500.

That is, the game progress control unit 240 acquires operation input information for game operations from the terminal device 1500 of each user participating in the game (step S203; corresponding to step S11 in FIG. 2). Then, the game progress control unit 240 controls the progress of the game that is commonly progressed in the shared game space based on the operation input information of each user acquired in step S203 (step S205; corresponding to step S13 in FIG. 2).

Then, the viewpoint control unit 246 controls the viewpoint for the user of the first type terminal device (first type user) for each first type terminal device, and controls the viewpoint for the user of the second type terminal device (second type user) for each second type terminal device (step S207; corresponding to step 15 in FIG. 2). The viewpoint for the first type user is positioned and controlled by switching the current viewpoint type 580 from time to time as a high-resolution viewpoint if the first type character is within the first type character area, and as a low-resolution viewpoint if the first type character is outside the first type character area. On the other hand, the viewpoint for the second user is always positioned and controlled as a low-resolution viewpoint.

Next, the area setting unit 235 refers to the area setting table 553a, and if there is a first type character-only battle stage that satisfies the appearance condition (step S209: YES), it sets the first type character-only battle stage in the shared game space (in the non-combat area) and makes it appear (step S211). On the other hand, if there is a first type character-only battle stage in the shared game space that satisfies the disappearance condition (step S213: YES), the area setting unit 235 makes the corresponding first type character-only battle stage disappear (step S215). Also, if a first type character enters any of the first type character-only battle stages in the shared game space (step S217: YES), the event execution control unit 247 controls the execution of the battle event related to that first type character-only battle stage (step S219).

The area setting unit 235 also refers to the area setting table 553b, and if there is a second type character event spot that satisfies the appearance condition (step S221: YES), sets the second type character event spot in the shared game space (in the non-battle area) and makes it appear (step S223). On the other hand, if there is a second type character event spot in the shared game space that satisfies the disappearance condition (step S225: YES), the area setting unit 235 makes the corresponding second type character event spot disappear (step S227). Also, the process proceeds to step S231 in FIG. 17, and if a second type character enters any of the second type character event spots in the shared game space (step S229: YES), the event execution control unit 247 controls the execution of the game event related to the second type character event spot (step S231).

Then, the first providing unit 253 performs the first providing process (step S233). That is, the first providing unit 253 generates basic data for image generation based on the high-resolution viewpoint for each terminal device 1500 whose current terminal type 579 is set to "first type terminal device" and whose current viewpoint type 580 is set to "high-resolution viewpoint" (corresponding to step S17 in FIG. 2). The first providing unit 253 then includes the generated basic data for image generation in high-resolution viewpoint image processing information related to the high-resolution viewpoint and provides the generated basic data for image generation to the corresponding terminal device 1500 (corresponding to step S19 in FIG. 2). In response to this, the corresponding terminal device 1500 performs control to display high-resolution game images at the frame rate of its own terminal device 1500 based on the high-resolution viewpoint image processing information.

The second providing unit 255 also performs the second providing process (step S235). That is, the second providing unit 255 generates basic data for image generation based on a low-resolution viewpoint for each terminal device 1500 whose current terminal type 579 is set to "first type terminal device" and whose current viewpoint type 580 is set to "low-resolution viewpoint" and each terminal device 1500 whose current terminal type 579 is set to "second type terminal device" (corresponding to step S17 in FIG. 2). Then, the second providing unit 255 includes the generated basic data for image generation in low-resolution viewpoint image processing information related to the low-resolution viewpoint and provides it to the corresponding terminal device 1500 (corresponding to step S19 in FIG. 2). In response to this, the corresponding terminal device 1500 performs control to display a low-resolution game image at the frame rate of its own terminal device 1500 based on the low-resolution viewpoint image processing information.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the server system 1100 can determine whether the terminal device 1500 of each user who plays the online game is a first type terminal device or a second type terminal device. The server system 1100 can set a first type character area in the shared game space that can be entered by a first type character operated by a user of a first type terminal device and cannot be entered by a second type character operated by a user of a second type terminal device, and can execute a battle event for the first type character that has entered the first type character area. Specifically, the battle area in the game space can be set as the first type character area. In addition, a battle stage dedicated to first type characters that executes a battle event for the entered first type character can be set as the first type character area. According to this, the second type character cannot enter the first type character area, and therefore cannot battle with other characters. On the other hand, the second type character can enter a second type character dedicated event spot in the non-battle area to play a game event. This allows each terminal device 1500 to play a game according to its individual gameplay specifications, making it possible to prevent problems caused by differences in gameplay specifications between the terminal devices 1500.

In addition, when a first type character operated by a first type user is in the first type character area, the viewpoint for the first type user can be controlled as a high-resolution viewpoint, and a high-resolution game image can be displayed on the corresponding terminal device 1500. On the other hand, the viewpoint for the second type user can be controlled as a low-resolution viewpoint, and a low-resolution game image can be displayed on the corresponding terminal device 1500. In this way, images displayed in the shared game space can be displayed according to the game play specifications of the terminal device 1500. Therefore, problems caused by differences in game play specifications between the terminal devices 1500 can be more effectively suppressed.

The forms to which the present invention can be applied are not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and components can be added, omitted, or modified as appropriate.

[Modification 1]
For example, in the game of the above embodiment, the second type user cannot enter his/her character (second type character) into the first type character area, and cannot play a game involving direct combat where the user confronts an enemy. This is because the game play specifications of the terminal device 1500 used are low. If a terminal device 1500 with high game play specifications is prepared, the user can enjoy the game by playing a battle event as a first type user. Therefore, an introduction image of an image of a shared game space for the first type terminal device (high-resolution game image) may be displayed on the second type terminal device. For example, in the server system 1100, the game management unit 230 generates an introduction image at a predetermined display timing during the game as an introduction image display control means. Then, the data of the introduction image is provided to the second type terminal device and controlled to be displayed. The introduction image is obtained by generating an image of the shared game space (i.e., a high-resolution game image) using the first type game setting data 530A (see Figure 7) of the first type terminal data 520A based on image processing information for a high-resolution viewpoint (basic data for image generation) provided to the first type terminal device.

Figure 18 is a diagram showing an example of the display of an introduction image on a second type terminal device. For example, as shown in Figure 18, the display of the introduction image can be achieved by displaying a window W3 of the introduction image on a low-resolution game image. For example, the display timing may be the start of a battle event, and the window W3 of the introduction image may be displayed until the battle event ends, or the window W3 may be closed when a predetermined time has passed since the display timing. This is expected to have the effect of encouraging second type users to become first type users and enjoy exciting gameplay.

[Modification 2]
In the above embodiment, the third-person viewpoint is exemplified as the high-resolution viewpoint, but the first-person viewpoint may be set. Also, a configuration may be adopted in which a selection operation by a user (first type user) to select one of a plurality of viewpoints such as a first-person viewpoint, a third-person viewpoint, and a bird's-eye view viewpoint is accepted, and a viewpoint for the user can be selected.

[Modification 3]
In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the number of first type characters in the shared game space was monitored, and a first type character exclusive battle stage, which is a first type character area, was set based on the number. In contrast, the number of second type characters was monitored, and a first type character exclusive battle stage was set based on the number in the same manner as in the above embodiment, so that the type, number, size, and setting position of the first type character area may be variably set. This can be realized by including a setting that defines the appearance condition and disappearance condition depending on the number of second type characters in the area setting table 553a for the first type character exclusive battle stage. In addition, a setting that defines the appearance condition and disappearance condition by combining the number of first type characters and the number of second type characters may be included, and the number of first type character areas, etc. may be variably determined based on both of them. In either case, it is not limited to the case where all of the type, number, size, and setting position of the first type character area are variably set, and at least one of them may be variably set.

[Modification 4]
The number of first type character areas may be variably set based on the distribution of the positions of the first type characters in the shared game space. For example, when there is a dense area in the shared game space that satisfies a given high-density condition because there is a predetermined number or more of first type characters in the shared game space, the number of first type character areas in the shared game space may be increased by setting a first type character area (for example, a battle stage dedicated to first type characters in the above embodiment) in the dense area or in a position adjacent thereto. Alternatively, when there is a sparse area in the shared game space that satisfies a given low-density condition because the number of first type characters is below a predetermined number, the number of first type character areas may be increased by setting a first type character area in the sparse area or in a position adjacent thereto. Furthermore, when the number of first type characters within a predetermined distance range from a first type character area set in the shared game space is below a predetermined number and there is a first type character area with few first type characters around, the first type character area may be eliminated to reduce the number.

In this modified example, the distribution of the positions of the first type characters is illustrated, but the same process may be performed based on the distribution of the positions of the second type characters, and the number of first type character areas may be set variably. Alternatively, the number of first type character areas may be set variably by taking into account both the distribution of the positions of the first type characters and the distribution of the positions of the second type characters.

[Modification 5]
Furthermore, the set positions of the first type character areas in the shared game space may be changed and moved according to the distribution of the positions of the first type characters. For example, when there is a first type character area in which the first type characters are densely packed, such as when the number of first type characters within a predetermined distance range from the first type character area is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, the first type character area may be moved to a quiet area in the shared game space. Conversely, when there is a first type character area in which the number of first type characters in the surrounding area is small, the first type character area may be moved to a densely packed area in the shared game space.

Note that the distribution of positions of the second type characters may be used instead of the distribution of positions of the first type characters, and the set position of the first type character area may be changed in a similar manner. Alternatively, the distribution of positions of both the first type characters and the second type characters may be used to change the set position of the first type character area in the shared game space.

[Modification 6]
In the above embodiment, when the terminal device 1500 of a user who has newly logged in to the game (mid-game joining user) is a first type terminal device, the initial position of the character (first type character) operated by the user is determined as a position closer to the first type character area compared to the second type terminal device. In contrast, when the terminal device 1500 of a user who has newly logged in to the game is a first type terminal device, the initial position of the first type character of the user may be determined as a position closer to a first type character already in the shared game space compared to the second type terminal device. When a user of a second type terminal device logs in, the initial position of the character (second type character) operated by the user is determined as a position in the shared game space where there is no first type character nearby.

In other words, when a user of a first type terminal device logs into a game, the initial position of that first type character can be set to a position in the vicinity of the first type character in the shared game space. Since there will be other first type characters nearby, it will be possible to log in and immediately begin a battle.

[Modification 7]
In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which, when a new user (a mid-game joining user) logs in to a game, the initial position of the character operated by the user is variably determined depending on whether the terminal device 1500 is a first-type terminal device or a second-type terminal device. Here, the present invention is also applicable to a game in which the user can restart by satisfying a given restart condition during game play. For example, a game in which the number of remaining lives is set and the game can be restarted until the number reaches zero. When applied to such a game, when there is a user (restart user) who restarts, the initial position of the character operated by the user at the time of restart may be variably determined in the same manner as in the above embodiment depending on whether the terminal device 1500 is a first-type terminal device or a second-type terminal device.

[Modification 8]
In addition, in the above embodiment, if a user logs in mid-game, their mid-game participation is accepted, but the present invention can also be applied to games in which a specified participation acceptance period is set in advance, and only users who declare their participation during the participation acceptance period can participate, and mid-game participation is not accepted.

For example, the number of first type character areas may be variably set based on the number of users of first type terminal devices (first type users) before the game begins after the participation acceptance period has elapsed. For example, two or more battle areas may be set within the shared game space prior to the start of the game. The number may then be increased as the number of first type users increases.

In this case, the setting positions of the first type character areas may be variably set based on the number of first type users. For example, when the number of first type users is small, the first type character areas may be set close to each other. On the other hand, when the number of first type users is large, the first type character areas may be set farther apart. Alternatively, either the number or the setting positions of the first type character areas may be variably set based on the number of first type users. This can be achieved by tabulating the relationship between the number and setting positions of the first type character areas to be set and the number of first type users.

[Modification 9]
In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which a second type character area is set in the shared game space, into which only second type characters can enter, and into which first type characters cannot enter. In contrast, a configuration may be adopted in which first type characters can also enter the second type character area. In that case, the server system 1100 controls to allow the first type characters to enter the second type character area. Then, when a first type character is in the second type character area, the server system 1100 switches the viewpoint to a low-resolution viewpoint, positions and controls the character, and performs a second providing process of providing basic data for generating an image based on the low-resolution viewpoint to the terminal device 1500 of the corresponding user.

[Modification 10]
The terminal device 1500 may be configured to perform display control regarding whether or not a character related to the terminal device 1500 can enter a first type character area. For example, if the user of the terminal device 1500 is a second type user, the terminal device 1500 performs display control regarding whether or not to enter by controlling a display on a game map screen indicating that entry into the first type character area is impossible. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a display of a game map screen. For example, as shown in FIG. 19, when the game map screen is displayed, the terminal device 1500 can perform control to display the battle area A11 and the first type character exclusive battle stage 10, which are the first type character areas, in a dark state to indicate that "entry is impossible". Furthermore, if the user of the terminal device 1500 is a first type user, the terminal device 1500 performs display control regarding whether or not to enter by controlling a display on the game map screen indicating that entry into the second type character area is impossible. For example, although not shown, when the game map screen is displayed, the terminal device 1500 can perform control to display the second type character exclusive event spot 20, which is the second type character area, in a dark state to indicate that "entry is impossible".

1000: Game system 1100: Server system 100s: Operation input unit 200s: Server processing unit 210: User management unit 230: Game management unit 231: Terminal type determination unit 233: Initial position determination unit 235: Area setting unit 240: Game progress control unit 245: Character movement control unit 246: Viewpoint control unit 247: Event execution control unit 253: First provision unit 255: Second provision unit 257: Acceptance request control unit 259: Rejection response time control unit 290s: Image generation unit 292s: Sound generation unit 294s: Communication control unit 390s: Image display unit 392s: Sound output unit 394s: Communication unit 500s: Server storage unit 501: Server program 510: Distribution terminal side data 520A: First type terminal data 521A: First type game client program 530A...First type game setting data 531...First type character data 533...Second type character data 520B...Second type terminal data 521B...Second type game client program 530B...Second type game setting data 540...User management data 550...Game setting data 551...Terminal type determination criteria 553a, 553b...Area setting table 560...In-play data 561...Operation input history data 563...Game space control data 565...Viewpoint control data 567...Character control data 590...Area setting status data 591...Area ID
593: Area type 595: Entering character list 570: Player user data 571: User ID
575: Game play specification information 577: Registered terminal type 579: Current terminal type 580: Current viewpoint type 583: Operational character ID
585: Communication speed measurement history 1500: Terminal device 100: Operation input unit 200: Terminal processing unit 270: Terminal side game calculation unit 271: Operation signal transmission control unit 273: Game screen display control unit 290: Image generation unit 292: Sound generation unit 294: Communication control unit 390: Image display unit 392: Sound output unit 394: Communication unit 500: Terminal storage unit 600: Terminal side data 9: Network

Claims (14)

A server system for providing an online game in which users of terminal devices enjoy operating their own characters placed in a shared game space, comprising:
the terminal devices include a first type terminal device and a second type terminal device having different game play specifications;
a terminal type determination means for determining whether the terminal device is the first type terminal device or the second type terminal device based on the game play specifications;
an area setting means for setting a first type character area within the shared game space;
a movement control means for controlling a first type character, which is a character operated by a user of the first type terminal device, to be able to enter the first type character area and for controlling a second type character, which is a character operated by a user of the second type terminal device, to be unable to enter the first type character area;
A server system comprising: a determination means for variably determining an initial position of a character operated by a starting user (hereinafter collectively referred to as a "start user") who joins the online game midway through or who restarts by satisfying a given restart condition during game play, depending on whether the terminal device of the starting user is the first type terminal device or the second type terminal device;
The server system of claim 1 . the determination means determines the initial position when the terminal device of the start user is the first type terminal device to be closer to the first type character area than the initial position when the terminal device of the start user is the second type terminal device.
The server system according to claim 2. the determination means determines the initial position when the terminal device of the start user is the first type terminal device to be a position closer to the first type character already in the shared game space compared to the initial position when the terminal device of the start user is the second type terminal device.
The server system according to claim 2. the area setting means variably sets the number and/or the set positions of the first type character areas based on a distribution of positions of the first type characters.
The server system according to any one of claims 2 to 4. the area setting means variably sets at least one of the type, number, size and setting position of the first type character areas based on the number of the first type characters and/or the number of the second type characters.
The server system according to any one of claims 2 to 5. the online game is a game that starts to be executed at a given timing,
the area setting means variably sets the number and/or the setting positions of the first type character areas based on the number of users of the first type terminal devices before the execution of the online game is started.
The server system according to any one of claims 1 to 6. the second type terminal device has game play specifications that are inferior to those of the first type terminal device,
an acceptance request control means for controlling a notification of an acceptance request to a user of a terminal device determined to be the second type terminal device by the terminal type determination means to the effect that the user is not allowed to enter the first type character area during game play;
a refusal response time control means for, when a refusal response is made to the acceptance request, performing notification control to notify a user of the terminal device of the possibility of a malfunction occurring in game play, allowing a character operated by the user of the terminal device to enter the first type character area, and causing the movement control means to control the movement of the first type character;
The server system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising: an event execution control means for controlling the execution of a battle event targeting the character that has entered the first type character area;
The server system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising: The gameplay specifications include communication speed,
the terminal type determination means dynamically determines whether the terminal device is the first type terminal device or the second type terminal device based on the communication speed.
The server system according to any one of claims 1 to 9. the second type terminal device has game play specifications that are inferior to those of the first type terminal device,
the game image that is display-controlled in the first type terminal device is an image from a first-person perspective or a third-person perspective,
the game image whose display is controlled in the second type terminal device is an image from a bird's-eye view;
The server system according to any one of claims 1 to 10. the second type terminal device has game play specifications that are inferior to those of the first type terminal device,
an introduction image display control means for causing the second type terminal device to display and control an introduction image of a game image whose display is controlled in the first type terminal device;
The server system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising: A server system that provides an online game in which users of each terminal device enjoy playing by controlling each character placed in a shared game space is communicatively connected to the terminal device, the terminal device being in a game system comprising:
the terminal devices include a first type terminal device and a second type terminal device having different game play specifications;
The server system includes:
a terminal type determination means for determining whether the terminal device is the first type terminal device or the second type terminal device based on the game play specifications;
an area setting means for setting a first type character area within the shared game space;
a movement control means for controlling a first type character, which is a character operated by a user of the first type terminal device, to be able to enter the first type character area and for controlling a second type character, which is a character operated by a user of the second type terminal device, to be unable to enter the first type character area;
Equipped with
A terminal device that performs display control regarding whether or not a character related to the terminal device should enter the first type character area in accordance with the control of the movement control means of the server system. A method for providing an online game in which users of terminal devices enjoy operating their own characters placed in a shared game space, comprising:
the terminal devices include a first type terminal device and a second type terminal device having different game play specifications;
a terminal type determination step of determining whether the terminal device is the first type terminal device or the second type terminal device based on the game play specifications;
an area setting step of setting a first type character area in the shared game space;
a movement control step of controlling a first type character, which is a character operated by a user of the first type terminal device, to be able to enter the first type character area and controlling a second type character, which is a character operated by a user of the second type terminal device, to be unable to enter the first type character area;
The method of provision includes:

Images