JP2019088976A - Game control device, method for controlling game, program, and game system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a game control device, a game control method, a program, and a game system allowing a user who is executing or tires to execute a certain game to know own information regarding another game.SOLUTION: A game control device includes: execution means for executing a first game; first determination means for determining whether a user's execution situation in the first game satisfies a first condition; information acquisition means for acquiring the user information of the user in a second game related to the first game when the first determination means determines that the first condition is satisfied; and notification means for notifying the user of the user information in the second game acquired by the information acquisition means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for controlling the progress of a game by each user in accordance with the operation of each of a plurality of users.

  In recent years, a so-called social game (Social game) executed by a game application created based on an operating environment such as an API (Application Programming Interface) operating on a web browser in a social networking service (SNS) by a specific service provider Game) is widespread. It can be said that a social game is a type of online game played while communicating with a large number of unspecified users. The user can enjoy the social game regardless of time and place as long as he / she can connect to the Internet and has a communication terminal equipped with a web browser.

  As an example of a social game, a digital card game (Dragon Collection (registered trademark)) described in Non-Patent Document 1 below is known. In the social game, for example, a user's strength point is set, and points (for example, strength points) are consumed according to the progress of the game, and if the points can not be consumed, the user can not progress the game. is there. This point is increased (recovered) by a predetermined amount, for example, in a fixed time, so that the user can progress the game again when the time passes.

Application STYLE Vol. 5 (East Press Co., Ltd., published on January 1, 2011), pages 7-8

  By the way, a user may be registered in a plurality of social games. At this time, when the user can not advance the game as a result of executing any of the registered games, the user can select another game that can be executed from the registered games and select it. Was playing a game. Here, for example, the user can access the registered game as soon as possible because the information about whether the point has recovered enough to allow the game to progress sufficiently is not known until the game is accessed. Need to make sure the game is fully feasible, it was cumbersome.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned viewpoint, and a game control apparatus and a game control method, which allow a user executing a game or trying to execute to know information about another game. , Program, game system is intended to provide.

A first aspect of the present invention is a game control apparatus,
An execution means for executing the first game;
A first determination unit that determines whether a user's execution status in the first game satisfies a first condition;
An information acquisition unit that acquires user information of the user in a second game associated with the first game when it is determined by the first determination unit that the first condition is satisfied;
A notification unit that notifies the user of user information in the second game acquired by the information acquisition unit;
Equipped with

The above-mentioned game control device, further comprising situation acquisition means for acquiring the execution situation of the user in the first game,
The first determination unit determines whether or not the first condition is satisfied, based on the execution status of the user acquired by the status acquisition unit.
The information acquiring unit specifies the second game as the game associated with the first game with reference to a storage device that stores information in which a game different from the first game is associated, and the information in the second game is identified. User information of the user may be acquired.

In the game control device according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the user's execution status in the first game satisfies the first condition, the user is notified of user information in the second game associated with the first game. Therefore, the user who is executing the first game can know his / her information (user information) about the second game associated with the first game, and whether or not the second game can be advanced or executed. You can judge the appropriateness.
The method of notifying the user of the user information may be a method of displaying the user information on the game image or a method of outputting the user information by voice.

A second aspect of the present invention is a game control device, wherein
An execution means for executing the first game;
A first determination unit that determines whether a condition of the first game satisfies a first condition when the user executes the first game;
An information acquisition unit that acquires user information of the user in a second game associated with the first game when it is determined by the first determination unit that the first condition is satisfied;
A notification unit that notifies the user of user information in the second game acquired by the information acquisition unit;
Equipped with

The above-mentioned game control device, further comprising situation acquisition means for acquiring the situation of the first game,
The first determination means determines whether or not the first condition is satisfied, based on the situation of the first game acquired by the situation acquisition means.
The information acquiring unit specifies the second game as the game associated with the first game with reference to a storage device that stores information in which a game different from the first game is associated, and the information in the second game is identified. User information of the user may be acquired.

In the game control apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, when the situation of the first game satisfies the first condition, the user is notified of the user information in the second game associated with the first game. Therefore, a user who is trying to execute the first game may know his / her information (user information) about the second game associated with the first game, for example, in a situation where the first game can not be executed. It is possible to properly determine whether the second game can be advanced or executed.
The method of notifying the user of the user information may be a method of displaying the user information on the game image or a method of outputting the user information by voice.

In the game control apparatus, registration information of the user is acquired from a storage device that stores registration information on the user, and the second game is selected from among the games associated with the first game based on the registration information. Or you may further provide the selection means to select multiple.
By selecting the second game based on the registration information of the user, it is possible to guide the user to execute the game suitable for the user. Thus, for example, when the first game can not be advanced, it is possible to smoothly shift from the first game to the second game.

  In the game control device, the registration information may include information on gender or age of the user. For example, by including information on the gender of the user, for example, a male user is notified of user information of a second game for men, and a female user is notified of user information of a second game for women be able to.

A third aspect of the present invention is a game control device,
An execution means for executing the first game;
A first determination unit that determines whether a user's execution status in the first game satisfies a first condition;
An information acquisition unit that acquires user information in a second game associated with the user when it is determined by the first determination unit that the first condition is satisfied;
A notification unit that notifies the user of user information in the second game acquired by the information acquisition unit;
Equipped with

The above-mentioned game control device, further comprising situation acquisition means for acquiring an execution situation in the first game of the user,
The first determination unit determines whether or not the first condition is satisfied, based on the execution status of the user acquired by the status acquisition unit.
The information acquiring unit specifies the second game as the game associated with the user with reference to a storage device that stores information on association of the game with the user, and the user information of the user in the second game You may get

In the game control device according to the third aspect of the present invention, when the user's execution status in the first game satisfies the first condition, the user is notified of user information in the second game associated with the user. Therefore, the user who is executing the first game can know his / her information (user information) about the second game associated with him / her, and whether or not the second game can be advanced or executed. It can be judged properly.
The method of notifying the user of the user information may be a method of displaying the user information on the game image or a method of outputting the user information by voice.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is a game control apparatus,
An execution means for executing the first game;
A first determination unit that determines whether a condition of the first game satisfies a first condition when the user executes the first game;
An information acquisition unit configured to acquire user information of a second game associated with the user when it is determined by the first determination unit that the first condition is satisfied;
A notification unit that notifies the user of user information in the second game acquired by the information acquisition unit;
Equipped with

The above-mentioned game control device, further comprising situation acquisition means for acquiring the situation of the first game,
The first determination means determines whether or not the first condition is satisfied, based on the situation of the first game acquired by the situation acquisition means.
The information acquiring unit specifies the second game as the game associated with the user with reference to a storage device that stores information on association of the game with the user, and the user information of the user in the second game You may get

In the game control apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the status of the first game satisfies the first condition, the user is notified of user information in the second game associated with the user. Therefore, the user trying to execute the first game can know his / her information (user information) about the second game associated with himself / herself, for example, in a situation where the first game can not be executed, It can be appropriately determined whether or not the second game can be advanced or executed.
The method of notifying the user of the user information may be a method of displaying the user information on the game image or a method of outputting the user information by voice.

  In the above-mentioned game control device, the first game has user information provided with parameters that change according to the game progress, and the first game has a game progress when the value of the parameter is within a predetermined range. In the game that is blocked, the first condition may be that the value of the parameter of the user in the first game is in the predetermined range. At this time, when it is determined that the first condition is satisfied, the user can not advance the first game. Under such circumstances, the user information on the second game different from the first game is particularly useful to the user, and depending on the user information on the second game, it is an opportunity to start the second game.

  In the above-mentioned game control device, the first condition may be a situation in which the first game can not be executed. The “condition in which the first game can not be executed” is, for example, a condition in which the first game can not start the execution of the first game due to maintenance or the like by the game operator. Under such circumstances, the user information on the second game different from the first game is particularly useful to the user, and depending on the user information on the second game, it is an opportunity to start the second game.

The game control apparatus further comprises a second determination unit that determines whether the user information of the user in the second game acquired by the information acquisition unit satisfies a second condition, the notification unit including When it is determined by the second determination unit that the second condition is satisfied, the user information of the user of the second game may be notified to the user.
It is possible to notify the user of user information on an appropriate second game by notifying the user information of the second user when the second condition is satisfied, instead of notifying the user of the user information of the second user to the dark cloud. It will be. For example, in the case where the user information of the second game includes information on whether or not the user can advance the second game (for example, information such as fitness points for advancing the game), the second Based on the conditions, user information of the second game that can be advanced can be notified, and the second game can be advanced when the first game can not be advanced. User can recognize.

  In the game control apparatus, the information acquisition unit may acquire user information of the second game from a game control apparatus that executes the second game. By directly transmitting and receiving user information between game control devices, there is an advantage that traffic can be reduced because information is exchanged without passing through other devices.

  In the game control device, the information acquisition unit may acquire user information of the second game from an information management device having user information in a plurality of games. In this configuration, since the user information in a plurality of games is centrally managed in the information management device, each game control device can manage the user information as an information management device even if communication between the game control devices is interrupted, for example. You will be able to get it from

  In the game control apparatus, the notification means may display user information of the second game on a game image of the first game. The method of notifying the user of the user information may be a method of outputting the user information by voice or the like, but by adopting the method of displaying the user information on the game image, for example, an environment where the output of voice is limited (for example, public The user can recognize the game image also in the transportation system). Furthermore, when the user information is output by voice, there may occur cases where the user misses listening, etc. However, by displaying the user information, it is possible to suppress the uncertainty of the information transfer.

  In the game control device, the notification means may display information indicating that the first condition is satisfied on the game image, when displaying user information on the game image. As a display method, for example, any method such as display by text or display by a pattern such as a mark can be used. This is convenient for the user because the necessary information is displayed on a single game image. In addition, when it is not possible to continue to execute the game that was being executed, it is the timing to play another game (to execute another game), but at this time, the game being executed can not be continued When notified, the importance of displaying information of other games increases in considering which game to execute next.

  In the game control apparatus, the notification means may further display an operation target for starting execution of the second game on a game image of the first game. Thus, the user can immediately recognize the user information of the second game at the timing at which the first game is accessed, the timing at which the first game is being executed, or the timing at which the first game can not be advanced. .

A fifth aspect of the present invention relates to a computer,
The ability to run the first game,
A function of determining whether a user's execution condition in the first game satisfies a first condition;
A function of acquiring user information of the user in a second game associated with the first game when it is determined that the first condition is satisfied;
A function of notifying the user of user information in the acquired second game;
Is a program for realizing

A sixth aspect of the present invention relates to a computer,
The ability to run the first game,
A function of determining whether a condition of the first game satisfies a first condition when the user executes the first game;
A function of acquiring user information of the user in a second game associated with the first game when it is determined that the first condition is satisfied;
A function of notifying the user of user information in the acquired second game;
Is a program for realizing

A seventh aspect of the present invention relates to a computer,
The ability to run the first game,
A function of determining whether a user's execution condition in the first game satisfies a first condition;
A function of acquiring user information in a second game associated with the user when it is determined that the first condition is satisfied, and
A function of notifying the user of user information in the acquired second game;
Is a program for realizing

An eighth aspect of the present invention relates to a computer,
The ability to run the first game,
A function of determining whether a condition of the first game satisfies a first condition when the user executes the first game;
A function of acquiring user information of a second game associated with the user when it is determined that the first condition is satisfied, and
A function of notifying the user of user information in the acquired second game;
Is a program for realizing

  The computer may be, for example, a network server, a large computer, or the like. Also, this program may be stored in a computer readable information storage medium such as a DVD-ROM or a CD-ROM.

A ninth aspect of the present invention is to execute the first game in response to access from the communication terminal, and store or update the user information, which is information related to the user on the first game, in the storage device for each user. 1 server, and a second server that executes the second game in response to access from the communication terminal, and stores or updates user information that is information related to the user on the second game in the storage device for each user And a game control method in the game system.
This game control method is
The first server determines whether the execution status of the first game by the user or the status of the first game satisfies the first condition;
When it is determined that the first condition is satisfied, the first server makes a request for user information of the second game of the user;
Providing, to the first server, user information of the second game of the user in response to the request;
The first server transmitting user information of the second game of the user to the communication terminal of the user;
including.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the first game is executed in response to an access from the communication terminal, and the user information which is information related to the user on the first game is stored or updated in the storage device for each user. 1 server, and a second server that executes the second game in response to access from the communication terminal, and stores or updates user information that is information related to the user on the second game in the storage device for each user Is a game system including: In this game system,
The first server is
A first determination unit that determines whether a user's execution status of the first game or the status of the first game satisfies a first condition;
Information acquisition means for acquiring user information of the user in a second game different from the first game from the second server when it is determined by the first determination means that the first condition is satisfied;
And notification means for transmitting user information in the second game acquired by the information acquisition means to the communication terminal of the user,
The second server is
Providing means for providing user information on the second game of the user to the first server in response to the request from the first server.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first server for executing a first game in response to access from a communication terminal, a second server for executing a second game in response to access from a communication terminal, and the first server. And a memory that is connected to the second server and stores, for each user, user information that is information related to the user on the first game and user information that is information related to the user on the second game A game system including an integrated server provided with an apparatus. In this game system,
The first server is
A first determination unit that determines whether a user's execution status of the first game or the status of the first game satisfies a first condition;
Information acquisition means for acquiring user information of the user in a second game different from the first game from the integrated server when it is determined by the first determination means that the first condition is satisfied;
And notification means for transmitting user information in the second game acquired by the information acquisition means to the communication terminal of the user,
The central server is
Storage means for acquiring user information in the second game of the user from a second server and storing or updating the storage device;
Providing means for providing user information in the second game of the user to the first server in response to the request from the first server.

  According to the game control apparatus, the game control method, the program, and the game system of the present invention, it is possible for a user who is executing or trying to execute a game to know his / her information about another game.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The figure which shows the basic composition of the game system of 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows the example of the external appearance of the communication terminal of 1st Embodiment. The block diagram which shows the structure of the communication terminal of 1st Embodiment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The block diagram which shows the structure of the game server of 1st Embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a database server according to the first embodiment. The figure which shows the structural example of the user database contained in a database server. The figure which illustrates a series of web pages displayed on a user's communication terminal. The figure which illustrates the web page displayed on a user's communication terminal. The functional block diagram for demonstrating the function which plays a main role in the game control apparatus of 1st Embodiment. (A) illustrates a table describing a relationship between a game and a game associated with the game, and (b) illustrates a table describing a relationship between a user and a game associated with the user . The game control apparatus of 1st Embodiment WHEREIN: The sequence chart which shows an example of the process which presents to a user the information of a game different from the game in process of execution. The figure which illustrates the web page displayed in a user's communication terminal in a 2nd embodiment. The functional block diagram for demonstrating the function which plays a main role in the game control apparatus of 3rd Embodiment. The game control apparatus of 3rd Embodiment WHEREIN: The flowchart which shows an example of the selection process based on registration information. The game control apparatus of 3rd Embodiment WHEREIN: The sequence chart which shows an example of the process which shows the user of the information of a game different from the game in process of execution to a user. The functional block diagram for demonstrating the function which plays a main role in the game control apparatus of 4th Embodiment. The game control apparatus of 4th Embodiment WHEREIN: The sequence chart which shows an example of the process which shows the information of a game different from the game in process of execution to a user. The figure which shows the basic composition of the game system of 5th Embodiment. The figure which shows the example of a share between a communication terminal, a game server, and a database server about each function of a game control apparatus.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.
In the description of the present embodiment, “progressing the game” means that at least a part of specific functions of the plurality of functions that may be included in the game are executed according to the user's operation. For example, in the example of the present embodiment, a quest (described later) among a plurality of functions provided in the game is executed in response to a user operation. If the quest can not be executed according to the user operation, it means that the user can not advance the game.

First Embodiment
(1) Configuration of Game System FIG. 1 shows an example of a system configuration of a game system according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the game system includes, for example, communication terminals 10a, 10b, 10c, ... which can be connected to a communication network NW (network) such as the Internet, and game servers 20a and 20b connected to the communication network NW. , 20c,... And database servers 30a, 30b, 30c,. Each of the communication terminals 10a, 10b, 10c, ... is a terminal operated by an individual user, and for example, a portable terminal, a smartphone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a personal computer, a television provided with a bi-directional communication function It is a communication terminal such as a television receiver (including a so-called multifunctional smart television). In the following description, when the communication terminals 10a, 10b, 10c,... Similarly, when referring to each of the game servers 20a, 20b, 20c, ... in common, it will be written as the game server 20. When referring to each of the database servers 30a, 30b, 30c, ... in common, it will be referred to as the database server 30.

In this game system, the game server 20a is configured to be communicable with the communication terminal 10 which is a client, and the game server 20a and the database server 30a provide a service for the game A to the communication terminal 10. The game server 20 b is configured to be able to communicate with the communication terminal 10 which is a client, and the game server 20 b and the database server 30 b provide a service for the game B to the communication terminal 10. The game server 20c is configured to be able to communicate with the communication terminal 10 which is a client, and the game server 20c and the database server 30c provide a service for the game C to the communication terminal 10. That is, each game server is configured to provide services for different games.
The game server 20 is implemented with an application operable on a web browser as a game application. The database server 30 stores various information to be described later in executing a game, and is connected to the game server 20 by, for example, wired connection for reading and writing of the information.
The communication terminal 10 includes a web browser capable of displaying a web page provided by the game server 20, and the user performs an operation of selecting a menu or the like on the web page displayed on the communication terminal 10. Run.

  Although not shown in FIG. 1, an authentication server for authenticating the user of each communication terminal 10 may be provided separately from the game server 20. When a plurality of game servers 20 are provided to accept access from many communication terminals 10, a load balancer may be provided to adjust the load among the plurality of game servers 20. Moreover, although the game server 20 may be comprised as a single server apparatus, you may be comprised as several server apparatus to which the function was disperse | distributed.

(2) Configuration of Communication Terminal The communication terminal 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.
FIG. 2 is a view showing an example of the appearance of the communication terminal 10. FIG. 2A illustrates a button input type communication terminal such as a foldable portable terminal (mobile phone), for example (b Is an example of a touch panel input communication terminal such as a smartphone. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the communication terminal 10. As shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the communication terminal 10 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 11, a read only memory (ROM) 12, a random access memory (RAM) 13, an image processing unit 14, an instruction input unit 15, a display unit 16. The communication interface unit 17 as a signal transmission / reception unit is provided, and a bus 18 for transmitting control signals or data signals between the respective units is provided.

The CPU 11 loads the web browser in the ROM 12 into the RAM 13 and executes it. Then, the CPU 11 uses the communication interface unit 17 to display a web page from the game server 20 based on an appropriate designation of a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) input by the user through the instruction input unit 15 or the like. That is, data of an object such as an HTML (HyperText Markup Language) document or an image associated with the document (hereinafter collectively referred to as "HTML data" as appropriate) is acquired through the communication interface unit 17 and Interpret HTML data. The communication terminal 10 may be implemented with various plug-ins for extending the browser function of the web browser. An example of such a plug-in is a flash player from Adobe Systems (US).
When acquiring HTML data, the CPU 11 uses an access request message including a user ID (user identification information) registered in advance or a user ID input via the instruction input unit 15 via the communication interface unit 17. The game server 20 is notified.

  The web browser communicates with the game server 20 according to HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol). The web browser interprets the HTML data acquired from the game server 20 and displays the web page on the display unit 16 via the image processing unit 14. Also, when the web browser selects a hyperlink (Hyperlink) or menu on the web page by the operation of the instruction input unit 15, the game server makes an HTTP request including the selection result for updating the web page. Send to 20.

  The image processing unit 14 displays the web page on the display unit 16 based on the display image data given from the CPU 11 as the analysis result of the HTML data. The display unit 16 is, for example, an LCD (Liquid Cristal Display) monitor including thin film transistors arranged in pixel units in a matrix, and displays the image of the web page by driving the thin film transistors based on the display image data. Display on

  When the communication terminal 10 is a button input type communication terminal (FIG. 2A), the instruction input unit 15 includes a plurality of instruction input buttons such as a direction instruction button and a determination button for accepting user's operation input. A button group 15a and a button group 15b including a plurality of instruction input buttons such as ten keys are provided, and includes an interface circuit for recognizing pressing (operation) input of each button and outputting it to the CPU 11. For example, the direction instruction button is provided to instruct the CPU 11 to scroll and display the web page displayed on the display unit 16. In addition, the determination button instructs the CPU 11 to select one hyperlink or menu that is actively displayed (for example, highlighted) when, for example, multiple hyperlinks or menus are displayed on the web page. Provided to In addition, when the communication terminal 10 is configured by a small portable terminal, these buttons are on the front of the communication terminal 10 so that the user can easily operate (click) the communication terminal 10 with one hand while holding the communication terminal 10 with one hand. It is preferable that it is arrange | positioned. In the example illustrated in FIG. 2A, the button group 15b is disposed below the button group 15a, and a plurality of instruction inputs in which "0" to "9", "*", and "#" (ten keys) are written. Includes a button.

  When the communication terminal 10 is a touch panel input type communication terminal (FIG. 2B), the instruction input unit 15 mainly accepts an input of the touch panel type by touching the display screen 16a with a fingertip or a pen. The touch panel input method may be a known method such as a capacitance method. In addition, as shown in FIG.2 (b), even when the communication terminal 10 is a touch-panel input system, the button group 15a may be provided.

  For example, when the communication terminal 10 is a portable terminal, the menu is selected by pressing the direction instruction button and the menu is selected by pressing the determination button. It is done by confirming the selected menu. Further, when the communication terminal 10 is a touch panel input method, for example, the selection operation is performed by instructing (touching) the position of the menu on the display screen 16a on which the web page is displayed with a finger or a pen.

(3) Configuration of Game Server The configuration of the game server 20 will be described with reference to FIG.
The game server 20 manages, for example, a game website consisting of a plurality of hierarchically structured web pages, and provides a game web service to the communication terminal 10. As shown in FIG. 3, the game server 20 includes a CPU 21, a ROM 22, a RAM 23, a database (DB) access unit 24, a communication interface unit 25, and an API (Application Programming Interface) server 26. A bus 27 is provided for transmitting signals or data signals. The game server 20 can have the same configuration as a general-purpose web server in terms of hardware.

The ROM 22 stores an application program for providing a service of displaying an object such as an HTML document or an image (displaying a web page) in a web browser of the communication terminal 10 which is a client. The ROM 22 stores various data to be referred to by the CPU 21 in addition to the application program.
The CPU 21 loads the game program in the ROM 22 into the RAM 23 and executes it, and performs various processing via the communication interface unit 25.

For example, the CPU 21 communicates with the web browser of the game server 20 through the communication interface unit 25 in accordance with HTTP. For example, the CPU 21 performs predetermined data processing or the like based on an HTTP request (for example, including a user's hyperlink or a menu selection result on a web page) received from the communication terminal 10 via the communication interface unit 25. , Arithmetic processing, and returns an HTTP response including the processing result to the web browser of the game server 20. The HTTP response contains HTML data for updating the web page. Moreover, when the game server 20 performs an authentication process of the user of the communication terminal 10, the CPU 21 performs the authentication process.
The database access unit 24 is an interface when the CPU 21 reads and writes data from and to the database server 30.

The API server 26 has a Web API implemented, and performs HTTP communication with API servers of other game servers. For example, the API server 26 makes a request for predetermined processing to the API server of another game server using HTTP, and the API server that received the request sends the processing result to the API server 26 of the request source of the request. It is configured to return against. In the case of the present embodiment, when acquiring the user information of a specific user about a game being executed on another game server, the API server 26 makes a request for acquiring the user information.
Although FIG. 4 shows the case where the API server 26 is incorporated into the game server 20, the API server 26 may be configured separately from the game server 20.

(4) Configuration of Database Server The database server 30 (storage device) can be realized by a general-purpose storage such as a large-capacity hard disk drive or a device in the form of redundant arrays of inexpensive disks (RAID). Each database in the database server 30 is configured to be able to read and write data from the CPU 21 via the database access unit 24 of the game server 20.
Although the configuration of the database server 30 varies depending on the game to be processed, it is assumed here that all the database servers 30 have the common configuration shown in FIG. 6 in order to simplify the description. As shown in FIG. 5, the database server 30 includes a user database 31 and a game database 32.

  Although the type of the game realized by the game server 20 of the present embodiment is not particularly limited, in the following, as an example of the game realized by the game server 20 for convenience of the description of the embodiment, an image of a game character Take up a digital card game that uses a card to be displayed. That is, the game servers 20a, 20b,... Respectively execute the game A, the game B,.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of the user database 31 applied to the digital card game of the present embodiment (hereinafter simply referred to as “game” or “game of the present embodiment” as appropriate). In this example, the user database 31 includes, for each user ID (user identification information), information on each item of user name, progress level, strength point, experience value, fellow user ID, owned card, and owned item. The information contained in the user database 31 can be updated by the game server 20 one after another.

In the following description, user IDs included in the user database 31 or data for each user name for specifying a user are collectively referred to as user data. The data of each item constituting the user data is as follows.
In the game system of the present embodiment, a plurality of game servers 20a, 20b, 20c,... Are mounted on a common platform, and a plurality of games A, B, C,. Managed
-User name It is a user name displayed in order to specify the user of communication terminal 10 at the time of execution of a game. The username is a text of a predetermined length or less designated in advance by the user. The user name may be managed by the same user name in a plurality of games A, B, C,... Like the user ID, or even if different user names can be set for each game Good.
-Progress level It is data indicating the progress level of the user on each game. For example, it is a level value ranging from Lv1 (level 1) to Lv 100 (level 100). When the experience value reaches a predetermined value, the progress level is increased by one.
-Physical strength point In the game of this embodiment, it is a point required to perform a quest described later. The strength point is a value that decreases each time a quest is performed, and recovers (increases) each time a predetermined time elapses.
-Experience value In the game of this embodiment, it is a value which increases when performing the quest described later. When the experience value reaches a predetermined value (e.g., 100), the progress level is increased by one and the experience value is reset (i.e., becomes zero).
・ User ID of fellow
It is a user ID in which the user is in a friend (described later) relationship on the game.
-Owned Card The owned card is data of a card owned by the user on the game (for example, an identifier indicating the type of card such as C1). For example, each card may be associated with a parameter (that is, an ability value such as an attack power and a defense power) referred to in a battle in a game or the like.
Held Item The held item is data of an item held by the user on the game (for example, an identifier indicating the type of the item such as Im1).

  Returning to FIG. 5, the game database 32 stores and updates information on the progress of the game executed by the game server 20 based on the access from the game server 20. Information on the progress of the game may include various information depending on the nature of the game, for example, information on the results of quests described later.

(5) Game of this Embodiment Hereinafter, the game of this embodiment is demonstrated, referring FIG.7 and FIG.8. FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of a series of web pages when the user performs a quest in the game A of the present embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the web page when the user is interrupted in the progress of the game A.
In the following description, the menu, the mark, etc. displayed on the web page displayed on the communication terminal 10 are disposed at the desired position on the web page, and the menu viewed on the communication terminal 10 The position of the mark, etc. on the display screen can be changed by the user's direction instruction button or the scroll operation of the web page by the touch panel operation.

The web page P1 of FIG. 7 is an example of the top page of the game A of this embodiment, and is configured according to each user ID. In the example of FIG. 7, a character image display area 101, a user data display area 102, and a menu display area 103 are included.
The character image display area 101 is an area where a character image designated in advance by the user is displayed among character images corresponding to a plurality of cards included in user data of a target user ID.
The user data display area 102 is an area where data of each item of progress level, strength point, card, friend (see FIG. 6) included in the user data of the target user ID is displayed. In the "card" in the user data display area 102, the number of cards owned by the user is displayed. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 7, when the number of cards is written as "43/50", the number of cards owned by the user is 43 and the maximum number of cards that can be owned is 50. Indicates that. When the physical strength point is written as “100/100”, it indicates that the current physical strength point of the user is 100 and the maximum value of the physical strength point of the user is also 100 at the present time. In the "buddy" in the user data display area 102, the number of buddys of the user is displayed. As illustrated in FIG. 8, when the number of friends is written as “12/20”, the current number of friends of the user is 12, and the number of friends that the user can register at present is 20. Indicates that.
The menu display area 103 is an area for displaying menus corresponding to the plurality of functions provided in the game A of the present embodiment. Here, as an example of the menu, a case is shown where each menu m1 in which the text of "quest" is written is displayed, but it is not limited to this and a menu for executing other processing may be appropriately selected. May be displayed. For example, a "battle" menu may be displayed to execute a battle using a card with another user.

  When the menu m1 ("quest") is selected on the web page P1 of FIG. 7, the web page is updated as shown at P2. The web page P2 includes a menu m10 ("quest execution") for the user to search a predetermined area. When the menu m10 is selected, the web page is updated as shown at P3. A menu m11 ("execute again") is displayed on the web page P3 so that the search can be continued. Every time the menu m10 or menu m11 is selected and operated, the value of the achievement rate increases with a fixed or random increment, and when the achievement rate reaches 100%, the area search is finished and it proceeds to the next area Can. Each time menu m10 or menu m11 is selected, the user's strength point is consumed by a predetermined amount (8 in the example of FIG. 7), and the user's experience value is increased by a predetermined amount (8 in the example of FIG. 7). To increase. A plurality of areas to be searched may be provided. In the quest processing, the user can obtain various cards and items prepared on the game with a predetermined or random probability each time the menu m10 or the menu m11 is selected and operated. It is also good. The acquired card or item is displayed, for example, in the display area 202 of the web page.

  Each time the quest is executed, a physical strength point is consumed (decreased) by a predetermined amount, but a point display area 203 for displaying the physical strength point held by the user after reduction is provided. For example, in the web page P2 → P3, it can be seen that the strength point has decreased from 100 to 92. In the web page P3, continuing the selection operation of the menu m11, for example, as shown in the web page P3n, when the physical strength point decreases (for example 4), the physical strength required for one quest (for example 8) can not be consumed Therefore, you will not be able to execute the quest any more. As described above, the physical strength point recovers (increases) by a fixed amount every fixed time, so in the state of the web page P3n, the user waits for a predetermined time to be able to sufficiently execute the quest of the game A again. There is a need.

In the game system of the present embodiment, when the menu m11 is selected in the web page P3n, the web page is updated as shown in P4 of (a) or (b) of FIG. In the web page P4, a text display area 301, a point display area 302, and a guidance area 303 are provided. The text display area 301 includes text for notifying the user that the quest of the game A can not be executed for a while because the strength point is insufficient. Similar to the point display area 203 of FIG. 7, the point display area 302 displays the current strength points of the user. Here, since the quest is not executed, the display content of the point display area 302 is the same as that of the point display area 203 of the web page P3 n.
In the guidance area 303, as an example of user information on a game B, which is another game, information on physical fitness points of the same user in the game B is displayed, and a banner BN for starting execution of the game B (FIG. Operation target is displayed. The web page P4 in FIG. 8A is a table in the case where the user's strength point in the game B is completely recovered (that is, the user's strength point equals the user's current maximum strength point). It is an illustrative example. A specific value is shown when the user's physical strength point in the game B is in the process of recovery (in the example of FIG. 8, the physical strength point is 85 when the maximum value is 85). Indicates recovery to 68)).

  In FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, at the timing when the progress of the game is interrupted after the user starts the execution of game A, the user's strength point (user information) and game B for game B are started. Although an example in which a banner BN for displaying is displayed is shown, the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the user's fitness point related to the game B may be displayed at the timing when the user's fitness point falls below a predetermined value.

(6) Outline of Functions of Game Control Device Next, functions of the game control device for realizing the game of the above-described embodiment will be described.
In the present embodiment, for example, a game control apparatus is configured by the game server 20 and the database server 30. In the following, taking as an example the case where the game of the above-described embodiment is applied, the functions realized by the game control device of the present embodiment will be described taking the game server 20a executing the game A and the database server 30a as an example. This will be described with reference to FIG. The same applies to the other game servers 20b, 20c,..., And the database servers 30b, 30c,.
FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram for explaining functions that play a major role in the game control device according to the present embodiment. The registration unit 51 and the association unit 52 are not components essential to the present invention, but components suitable for the game control device of the present embodiment.

The registration unit 51 has a function of recognizing a user registration request based on information on an appropriate operation input to the communication terminal 10 on a web page provided to the communication terminal 10, for example, and performing a registration process. This registration process is executed when the user performs user registration in the game of the present embodiment.
The function of the registration unit 51 is realized, for example, as follows. The CPU 21 of the game server 20 a receives the registration request message from the communication terminal 10 via the communication interface unit 25. The registration request message is automatically generated by a predetermined operation on the communication terminal 10 on the web page provided from the game server 20a (for example, a predetermined menu selection operation or a text input such as a user ID or password designated by the user). The web page may be configured to be generated on the fly. The registration request message may include information (for example, individual identification information of a terminal such as a UID (Unique Identifier), an e-mail address, etc.) for specifying the communication terminal 10 of the transmission source. When using another game by the same service provider, the user ID may be included.
When the CPU 21 receives the registration request message and the user ID is not included in the registration request message, the user ID is newly issued and the registration process is completed after the registration process of the user ID is performed. Is sent to the communication terminal 10. The CPU 21 receives the registration request message, and when the registration request message includes a user ID, after performing the registration process of the user ID, the communication terminal displays a registration completion message indicating that the registration process is completed. Send to 10 The registration process includes a process in which the CPU 21 generates user data corresponding to the user ID and stores the user data in the user database 31. When the registration is completed, the user can execute the game of the present embodiment. After the registration is completed, when the CPU 21 receives an HTTP request for login from the communication terminal 10 of each user, the CPU 21 acquires individual identification information or a user ID and a password from the HTTP request, and the individual identification information or user ID And the password is verified, for example, against the data recorded in the user database 31 to perform authentication processing.

The association means 52 has a function of associating different users. That is, the association unit 52 associates and stores the user ID with another user ID, for example, in response to an application based on the user ID. That is, the association unit 52 records another user ID (that is, another user) as a “friend” in response to an application based on the user ID.
The function of the association means 52 is realized, for example, as follows. The CPU 21 of the game server 20a applies an application message (friend application) in which a user ID (or a corresponding user name) desired to be an associate is designated from the communication terminal 10 of the user corresponding to a certain user ID via the communication interface unit 25. Accept The transmission of the application message may be preset as a function of the web page provided to the communication terminal 10 of the user.
When the CPU 21 receives the application message, whether or not to approve the application based on the other user ID to the communication terminal 10 corresponding to the user ID at the timing when the access based on the user ID included in the application message is received. Send HTML data to display a web page requesting to reply. If the application is acknowledged, the CPU 21 registers both as friends. Specifically, the CPU 21 writes the data (the other party's user ID) in the location (see FIG. 6) of the "friend's user ID" in the user data of the corresponding two user IDs in the user database 31. In addition, CPU21 may register both as a associate in response to a predetermined operation by the user who is executing the game, when it is not necessary to approve the user of the fellow application destination.

The game execution means 53 has a function of executing the game A.
In the case of the present embodiment, the execution of the game A is performed by transmitting HTML data for sequentially updating the web page displayed on the communication terminal 10 in accordance with the operation of the user on the communication terminal 10. At this time, the CPU 21 of the game server 20a receives an HTTP request from the communication terminal 10 via the communication interface unit 25, executes the processing requested by the HTTP request, and generates an HTTP response including HTML data as a result of the execution. Is returned to the communication terminal 10.

The execution content of the process requested by the HTTP request varies depending on the function provided in the game, and is, for example, as follows.
For example, when executing the quest described with reference to FIG. 7, the CPU 21 of the game server 20a receives the HTTP request including the content of the predetermined selection operation by the user (for example, the selection operation result of the menu m10 or m11). Perform processing to update the user's achievement rate, strength points, and experience points. The CPU 21 transfers data of the user's achievement rate, strength points and experience points from the database server 30 to the RAM 23 at the start of execution of the quest (when the menu m1 is selected), and for data in the RAM 23 during the quest. The update process may be performed, and the updated data in the RAM 23 may be overwritten on the data in the database server 30 at the end of the quest.
For example, when executing a battle using a card with another user, the CPU 21 of the game server 20a determines the parameters of the card used in the battle of the battle target user (for example, the values of the aggressivity and defense) Etc. may be compared, and the outcome of the comparison may be used to determine the outcome of the battle.

The first determination means 54 has a function of determining whether the execution status of the game A (first game) by the user satisfies the first condition. In the present embodiment, the first condition is, for example, a case where the strength point of the game A being played by the user becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value, and the quest can not be executed.
As described above, when the CPU 21 of the game server 20a receives the HTTP request including the content of the predetermined selection operation by the user (for example, the selection operation result of the menu m10 or m11) to realize the function of the first determination unit 54, Perform the process of updating the strength points on the In this process, if the user's strength point is compared with the user's strength point and the strength point required for the quest execution, the user's strength point is smaller (if the strength point is a negative value and can not be lowered), It is determined that the condition 1 is satisfied. For example, if the user's physical strength point is "6" and it takes 8 physical strength points to execute one quest, the physical strength point has a negative value and the physical strength point may be lowered. It can not be done and the first condition is satisfied.

  Although not illustrated in FIG. 9, the game control apparatus according to the present embodiment may include a situation acquiring unit that acquires the execution situation of the user in the game A (first game). The CPU 21 of the game server 20a reads and acquires the user's fitness point from, for example, the user data of the user to be processed, in order to compare the user's fitness point and the fitness point necessary for executing the quest. Acquisition processing is an example of implementation of the function of the condition acquisition means.

The information acquisition means 55 is a user in one of the games B, C,... (Second game) different from the game A (first game) when the first determination means 54 determines that the first condition is satisfied. And the like are acquired from another game server (apparatus) executing one of the games B, C,... (Second game).
The user information may be a strength point in the example of the game of this embodiment. The game for which user information is to be acquired may be determined in advance. For example, when the game to be the determination target of the first condition is the game A, the game (second game) to be the acquisition destination of the user information may be determined in advance as the game B.

  The function of the information acquisition means 55 can be realized as follows. The CPU 21 of the game server 20a is a user who is a processing target for the API server 26 of the game server 20b, which is a server that executes the game B, when the game for which the user information is acquired is determined in advance to the game B, for example. The API server 26 of the game server 20a is controlled to make a request for acquiring a physical strength point (example of user information) in the game B. In response to the request from the API server 26 of the game server 20a, the API server 26 of the game server 20b stores a response including the value of the strength point in the game B of the user to be processed, stored in the user database 31 of the database server 30b. Are returned to the API server 26 of the game server 20a. After such processing, the CPU 21 of the game server 20a acquires the strength points in the game B of the processing target user.

The information acquiring unit 55 refers to a storage device that stores information on association between different games, and any one of the games B, C,... As a game associated with the game A (first game) (second game ) May be identified, and user information of the user in the second game may be obtained. That is, in the information acquisition means 55, the game for which user information is to be acquired may be a game associated with the game A (first game). In this case, as shown in, for example, FIG. 10A, the game database 32 is provided with a table describing the relationship between the game and the game associated with the game, and the CPU 21 accesses this table. Thus, it is possible to determine a game for which user information is to be obtained. For example, in the example of FIG. 10A, since the game B and the game E are included in the game associated with the game A, the CPU 21 of the game server 20a selects a game for which user information is to be acquired, Either game is selected from the game B and the game E with the same probability or with a probability according to the degree of association with the game A. Thus, by selecting the game associated with the game A (first game) as a game for which user information is to be acquired, for example, a game having the same preference as the game A, or the game A and the game configuration Since a game with a high degree of similarity is selected, the user can be effectively guided from the game A to the selected game.
Note that the table shown in FIG. 10A, that is, the storage device for storing information on association between different games may be the game database 32 as described above, or an external device connectable via a network. It may be provided in a storage device (storage).

In another aspect, the information acquisition unit 55 refers to a storage device that stores information on the association between the user and the game, and any one of the games B, C,... As the game associated with the user (second game ) May be identified, and user information of the user in the second game may be obtained. That is, in the information acquisition means 55, the game for which the user information is to be acquired may be a game associated with the user to be processed. In this case, the game database 32 is provided with a table describing the relationship between the user and the game associated with the user, as illustrated in FIG. 10B, for example, and the CPU 21 accesses this table. Thus, it is possible to determine a game for which user information is to be obtained. For example, in the example of FIG. 10B, for example, since the game associated with the user: KNM (user ID: 000001) includes the games A, B, and F, the CPU 21 of the game server 20a is a user Among the games B and F for which information is to be acquired, either game is selected with the same probability or with a probability according to the degree of association with the user. The CPU 21 of the game server 20a passes the API server 26 from another server to the game associated with the user and the degree of association of the user with each game, for example, the progress level of each game of the user and the frequency of logins. And may be determined based on certain criteria. Thus, by selecting a game associated with the user to be processed as a game for which user information is to be acquired, for example, a game frequently executed by the user or a game with a high degree of progress of the user Being selected, the game A can effectively guide the user to the selected game.
The table shown in FIG. 10 (b), that is, the storage device for storing information on the association between the user and the game may be the game database 32 as described above, or an external device connectable via a network. It may be provided in a storage device (storage).

The notifying unit 56 has a function of notifying the user of user information in any of the games B, C,... Acquired by the information acquiring unit 55 (second game).
When the information acquisition unit 55 acquires, for example, the physical strength point (user information) of the game B, the CPU 21 of the game server 20a controls the game of the user who is the processing target from the game server 20b in order to realize the function of the notification unit 56. When acquiring the strength point in B, for example, the user communicates the HTML data including the strength point in game B in response to the HTTP request including the predetermined selection operation content by the user (for example, the selection operation result of the menu m10 or m11). Send to terminal 10. Thereby, a web page including the strength points in the game B is displayed on the communication terminal 10 of the user. The HTML data transmitted to the user's communication terminal 10 preferably includes a banner (operation target) for starting the execution of the game B in addition to the strength points in the game B.

(7) Flow of Main Processing of Game Control Device of Present Embodiment Next, an example of the flow of main processing performed by the game system of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the sequence chart of FIG. The sequence chart of FIG. 11 is an example in which the user is executing the game A and the acquisition destination of the user information is the game B.

  For example, it is assumed that a specific user U1 repeatedly executes quests. Here, by the selection operation of the menu m11 (see FIG. 7) by the user U1, the CPU 11 of the communication terminal 10 transmits an HTTP request including the selection operation result of the menu m11 to the game server 20a (step S100). When receiving the HTTP request in step S100, the CPU 21 of the game server 20a performs a process of updating the achievement rate of the user U1 to be processed, the strength point, and the experience value. When it can not be determined, it is determined that the first condition is satisfied (step S110: YES). If it is possible to reduce the strength point (step S110: NO), the process proceeds to step S160, and HTML data for displaying the updated strength point and the like is generated (step S160).

  If it is determined in step S110 that the first condition is satisfied, the CPU 21 of the game server 20a sets the game B of the user U1 to be processed to the API server 26 of the game server 20b, which is a server that executes the game B. The API server 26 of the game server 20a is controlled to generate a request for acquiring a physical strength point (example of user information) in step S120 (step S120). Thus, the above request is sent from the API server 26 of the game server 20a to the API server 26 of the game server 20b (step S130). This request includes the user ID of the user U1 to be processed. The CPU 21 of the game server 20b having received the request extracts a strength point as user information from the user data using the user ID as the target of the request as a key (step S140). The API server 26 of the game server 20b returns a response including the value of the strength point (user information) in the game B of the user U1 to be processed to the API server 26 of the game server 20a (step S150).

  When the CPU 21 of the game server 20a acquires the strength points of the game U of the user U1 to be processed from the game server 20b, the CPU 21 generates HTML data including the strength points of the game B in response to the HTTP request in step S100. (Step S160), it transmits to the communication terminal 10 address of the user U1 (step S170). Thereby, the web page of the game A is updated in the communication terminal 10 of the user U1 (step S180). The updated game A web page includes the strength points in the game B. When the response in step S150 is received, the HTML data generated in step S160 preferably includes a banner (operation target) for starting the execution of game B.

  In addition, CPU21 of the game server 20a respond | corresponds to the HTTP request of step S100, when the physical strength point in the game B of the user U1 used as a process target can not be acquired from the game server 20b (in place of step S150). HTML data including a banner for starting execution of the game B is generated (step S160), and transmitted to the communication terminal 10 of the user U1 (step S170). Thereby, the web page of the game A is updated in the communication terminal 10 of the user U1 (step S180). On the updated game A web page, although the strength points of the game of the user U1 are not displayed, a banner for starting the execution of the game B is displayed.

As described above, in the game control apparatus according to the present embodiment, one of the games B, C,... (Second game) when the execution status of the game A (first game) by the user satisfies the first condition The physical strength point (user information) at is notified to the communication terminal 10 of the user. Therefore, while the game A is being executed or the user trying to execute can know the strength points of one of the other games B, C, ... (second game), the other games B, C,. It can be appropriately determined whether or not any of the (second game) can be advanced or executed.
In the present embodiment, the first condition can be set as appropriate, but preferably, as in the above-described embodiment, in the case of the game A (first game), for example, when the quest can not be executed because of insufficient strength points. It may be that it can not at least partially execute or progress. In that case, the user appropriately determines, for example, whether or not one of the other games B, C,... (The second game) can be advanced when the game A can not be advanced. be able to.

  As described above, the user information of the game A (first game) may be a strength point. That is, the user information of game A includes a strength point (parameter) that changes according to the progress of the game, and the value of the strength point of game A is equal to or less than the strength point necessary to perform quest processing (predetermined range) The first condition in the first determination means 54 is that the value of the user's strength point in the game A (first game) is within the above-mentioned predetermined range. It is also good. At this time, when it is determined that the first condition is satisfied, the user can not progress the game A. Under such circumstances, user information such as physical strength points for one of the games B, C, ... (second game) other than the game A is particularly useful to the user, depending on the user information. Then, it becomes an opportunity to start another game.

As described in the above-described embodiment, the notification unit 56 displays user information of a game (second game) other than the access target on the game image of the access target game A (first game). Good. As a result, at the timing when the game A is accessed, the timing at which the game A is being executed, or the timing at which the game A can not be advanced, user information such as fitness points of a game different from the game A is immediately recognized. be able to.
In addition, as described in the above-described embodiment, the notification unit 56 may further display, for example, a banner (operation target) for starting execution of another game B (second game). This allows the user to start game B immediately. For example, the user can more smoothly transition from the game A to the game B when the game A can not be advanced.

Second Embodiment
Next, a second embodiment will be described. The hardware configuration of each element (the communication terminal 10, the game server 20, and the database server 30) constituting the game system of the present embodiment may be the same as that of the first embodiment. The functional block diagram may have the same functional configuration as that shown in FIG. 9, but the content of the function of the first determination condition 54 is different from that of the first embodiment as described later.

  In the first embodiment, the user information of another game is notified when the fitness point of the game A by the user is equal to or less than the fitness point necessary to perform the quest processing, but in the present embodiment, When the game A (the first game) can not be executed, the user information of another game is notified. The “condition in which the game A can not be executed” means, for example, a condition in which the game A accessed by the user can not start the execution of the game A due to maintenance by the game operator (a service for the execution of the game A is stopped Situation). Under such circumstances, user information such as physical strength points for one of the games B, C, ... (second game) other than the game A is particularly useful to the user, depending on the user information. Then, it becomes an opportunity to start another game.

In the present embodiment, the first determination unit 54 has a function of determining whether the situation of the game A (first game) by the user satisfies the first condition. In the present embodiment, as described above, the first condition is, for example, that the game A accessed by the user can not start the execution of the game A due to maintenance or the like by the game operator.
In order to realize the function of the first determination unit 54 of the present embodiment, the CPU 21 of the game server 20a receives the HTTP request for login from the communication terminal 10 of the user, the individual identification information included in the HTTP request, Alternatively, when the authentication process is performed based on the user ID and the password, but the game A can not be executed, it is determined that the first condition is satisfied. For example, as described above, when the game A can not start the execution of the game A due to the maintenance by the game operator (the situation where the service for the execution of the game A is stopped), One condition is satisfied. In addition, when a situation where the game can not be performed other than at the time of login occurs, such as maintenance being started during execution of the game, it is determined that the first condition is satisfied.

  Although not illustrated in FIG. 9, the game control apparatus of the present embodiment may include a situation acquiring unit that acquires the situation of the game A (first game). For example, in the game server 20, a flag indicating the operation state of the game A (1: stopped by maintenance, 0: operated) is provided, and the flag state is set by, for example, the operator of the game operator. The CPU 21 of the game server 20a determines whether the game A is under maintenance by reading the state of the flag. At this time, the process of reading the state of the flag by the CPU 21 is an example of realization of the function of the condition acquisition means.

Also in the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the information acquisition unit 55 refers to a storage device that stores information on association between different games, and as a game associated with the game A (first game). , Any of the games B, C,... (Second game) may be specified, and user information of the user in the second game may be acquired. That is, in the information acquisition means 55, the game for which user information is to be acquired may be a game associated with the game A (first game) or a game associated with the user to be processed, It is also good.
In another aspect, the information acquisition unit 55 refers to a storage device that stores information on the association between the user and the game, and any one of the games B, C,... As the game associated with the user (second game ) May be identified, and user information of the user in the second game may be obtained. That is, in the information acquisition means 55, the game for which the user information is to be acquired may be a game associated with the user to be processed.

  Hereinafter, an example of the flow of the main processing performed by the game system of this embodiment will be described with reference to the sequence chart of FIG. 11 again. In the present embodiment, the sequence chart of FIG. 11 shows a situation when the user logs in to the game A, and is an example where the acquisition destination of the user information is the game B.

  In FIG. 11, for example, an HTTP request specifying a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) for logging in to the game A by a specific user U1 is transmitted to the game server 20a (step S100). When receiving the HTTP request of step S100, the CPU 21 of the game server 20a determines that the first condition is satisfied because the game A can not be executed for maintenance (step S110: YES). If the game A is executable (step S110: NO), the process proceeds to step S160, and the CPU 21 of the game server 20a refers to the user data of the user U1 to display the top page of the game A of the user U1. HTML data of is generated (step S160).

  If it is determined in step S110 that the first condition is satisfied, the CPU 21 of the game server 20a sets the game B of the user U1 to be processed to the API server 26 of the game server 20b, which is a server that executes the game B. The API server 26 of the game server 20a is controlled to generate a request for acquiring a physical strength point (example of user information) in step S120 (step S120). Thus, the above request is sent from the API server 26 of the game server 20a to the API server 26 of the game server 20b (step S130). This request includes the user ID of the user U1 to be processed. The CPU 21 of the game server 20b that has received the request extracts a strength point as user information from the user data using the user ID that is the target of the request as a key (step S140). The API server 26 of the game server 20b returns a response including the value of the strength point (user information) in the game B of the user U1 to be processed to the API server 26 of the game server 20a (step S150).

When the CPU 21 of the game server 20a acquires the strength points of the game U of the user U1 to be processed from the game server 20b, the CPU 21 generates HTML data including the strength points of the game B in response to the HTTP request in step S100. (Step S160), it transmits to the communication terminal 10 address of the user U1 (step S170). The HTML data also includes text notifying that the game A can not be executed because it is under maintenance. When the HTML data is received, the web page of the game A is displayed on the communication terminal 10 of the user U1 (step S180).
FIG. 12 shows an example of the web page displayed in step S180. On the web page illustrated in FIG. 12, a display area 401 for notifying the user that the game A is under maintenance, and a guidance area 402 are displayed. The display form of the guidance area 402 of the web page of FIG. 9 is, for example, the same as that of FIG. 8A, and preferably includes a banner (operation target) for starting the execution of the game B.

  In addition, CPU21 of the game server 20a respond | corresponds to the HTTP request of step S100, when the physical strength point in the game B of the user U1 used as a process target can not be acquired from the game server 20b (in place of step S150). HTML data including a banner for starting execution of the game B is generated (step S160), and transmitted to the communication terminal 10 of the user U1 (step S170). As a result, the web page of the game A is displayed on the communication terminal 10 of the user U1 (step S180). The displayed web page of the game A does not display the strength points of the game B of the user U1, but includes a banner for starting the execution of the game B.

  As described above, in the game control apparatus according to the present embodiment, when the situation of the game A (first game) satisfies the first condition (for example, when the game A can not be executed during maintenance), the game B, The physical strength point (user information) in any one of C, ... (second game) is notified to the communication terminal 10 of the user. Therefore, the user who is trying to execute game A can know his or her strength point for one of the other games B, C, ... (second game), and instead of the game A, another game B, C It can be appropriately determined whether or not any of (2) can be advanced or executed.

Third Embodiment
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The hardware configuration of each element (the communication terminal 10, the game server 20, and the database server 30) constituting the game system of the present embodiment may be the same as that of the first embodiment.

(1) Outline of Functions Included in Game Control Device FIG. 13 shows a functional block diagram of the game control device of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 13, the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment (FIG. 9) in that a selection means 57 is added. The selection means 57 acquires the registration information of the user from the storage device storing the registration information on the user, refers to the registration information, and plays the game B, which is different from the game A (first game) to which the user is accessing It has a function of selecting one or more games from any of C, ... (second game). Here, the registration information may be information indicating an attribute of the user such as the gender and age of the user, for example, and in particular, it is preferable that the registration information is information on the gender of the user.
In the game system of the present embodiment, the location of the storage device that stores user registration information can be set as appropriate. For example, when the game server 20 corresponding to each game performs user registration when acquiring based on the user's selection operation input, the storage device storing the user registration information is the database server 30 (user database 31). It may be In addition, an upper server (not shown in FIG. 1) connected to the game server 20 corresponding to each game is provided, and the upper server issues a common user ID recognizable by each game server, and this user ID When the host server and the registration information such as the attribute of the user are associated and stored in the upper server, the storage device storing the user registration information has a large capacity such as a hard disk drive (HDD) in the upper server. It may be a storage device.

An example of the method of realizing the function of the selection means 57 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of selection processing based on registration information. Hereinafter, a case where the process of the flowchart of FIG. 14 is executed by the CPU 21 of the game server 20a will be described. The registration information of the user includes information on the gender of the user.
When the user database 31 stores the registration information of the user, the CPU 21 of the game server 20a accesses the user database 31 and reads out the registration information of the user to be processed (step S200). As described above, when the registration information of the user is stored in the upper server, the CPU 21 of the game server 20a acquires the registration information by communication with the upper server. In that case, each game server 20 periodically receives the registration information of the user (for example, once a day) from the upper server, or, if necessary, the registration information of the user from each game server 20 to the upper server The upper server may send a response including registration information of the user to each game server 20 in response to the request. In that case, communication between each game server 20 and the upper server may use a Web API based on HTTP.

  Next, the CPU 21 of the game server 20a determines information on the gender of the user included in the registration information. When the user to be processed is male (step S210: YES), the CPU 21 of the game server 20a selects a game with a predetermined probability from among a plurality of male or non-sex games (step S220). . For example, in the case where a plurality of games for men or gender is not games D, E and F, the CPU 21 of the game server 20a can set the probability of selecting a game arbitrarily, but is as follows, for example.

[When selecting one game]
・ Probability that game D is selected: 1/3
・ Probability that game E is selected: 1/3
・ Probability that game F is selected: 1/3

[When selecting two games]
・ Probability that game D, E is selected: 1/3
・ Probability that game E, F is selected: 1/3
・ Probability that game D, F is selected: 1/3

  Although the example mentioned above showed the case where the probability selected with respect to each selection candidate was the same, it is not restricted to this. The probability may be appropriately adjusted so that the probability of selecting a game for which the user is to be guided is high.

  When the user to be processed is a woman (step S210: NO), the CPU 21 of the game server 20a selects a game from among a plurality of games for women or regardless of gender with a predetermined probability (step S230) . The selection method may be the same as step S220.

  In the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 14, it is assumed that the user registration information includes information on the user's gender, but the user registration information is not limited to the gender. The registration information of the user may be information on the age. The flowchart for selecting a game in this case can have the same configuration as that shown in FIG. That is, when the user's age is high with reference to the predetermined threshold, the CPU 21 of the game server 20a plays the game with a predetermined probability from among a plurality of games for people with high age or not based on the age. If the user is selected and the age of the user is low, the game is selected at a predetermined probability from among a plurality of low age or non-aged games. The probability of selecting a game can be similar to the example described above.

(2) Flow of Main Processing of Game Control Device of Present Embodiment Next, an example of the flow of main processing performed by the game system of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 15 is a sequence chart showing an example of processing of presenting information of a game different from the game being executed to the user in the game control apparatus of the present embodiment.
The sequence chart of FIG. 15 is an example in which the user is executing the game A and the acquisition destination of the user information is the game B, as in FIG. 11, and step S115 is added to FIG. Are different. In the sequence chart of FIG. 15, when it is determined that the first condition is satisfied in step S110, the CPU 21 of the game server 20a performs the game based on the registration information of the user U1 who is the processing target by the processing shown in FIG. Is selected (step S115). Here, it is assumed that the game B is selected. In that case, the CPU 21 of the game server 20a acquires, from the API server 26 of the game server 20b that is the server executing the game B, the strength points (example of user information) in the game B of the user U1 who is the processing target The API server 26 of the game server 20a is controlled to make a request for the game. The subsequent processing is the same as in FIG.

  In the game system of the present embodiment, the game server 20a of the game A (first game) to which the user accesses is based on the user's registered information on any of the other games B, C,. By selecting, it is possible to prompt the user to execute a game suitable for the user. As a result, for example, when the game A can not be advanced, the game A can be smoothly transferred to another game.

Fourth Embodiment
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The hardware configuration of each element (the communication terminal 10, the game server 20, and the database server 30) constituting the game system of the present embodiment may be the same as that of the first embodiment.

(1) Outline of Functions of Game Control Device FIG. 16 shows a functional block diagram of the game control device of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 16, the present embodiment differs from the first embodiment (FIG. 9) in that a second determination means 58 is added. The second determination means 58 determines whether the user's physical fitness point (user information) of a game (second game) acquired by the information acquisition means 55 and different from the user's access target game satisfies the second condition. Have the function of determining

When the CPU 21 of the game server 20a acquires the physical strength point (user information) of the user of the game different from the user's access target game in order to realize the function of the second determination means 58, the physical strength point is the second It is determined whether the condition is satisfied. For example, if, in another game, one quest execution requires "8" strength points, and the user's strength point in another game is "8" or more, the strength points are consumed. The second condition is met because at least one quest can be executed.
In addition, although the case where the game (1st game) of a user's access target and another game (2nd game) were each comprised so that processing of a quest was performed was illustrated here, it is limited to this example. Absent. Since each game is separate and the functions provided in the game may be different, the data used as the basis of the determination of the first condition in the first determination means 54 and the determination of the second condition in the second determination means 58 are different. You may

  In the present embodiment, when the second determination unit 58 determines that the second condition is satisfied, the notification unit 56 determines the strength points of the user of the game (second game) different from the game to which the user accesses. User information may be notified to the user.

(2) Flow of Main Processing of Game Control Device of Present Embodiment Next, an example of the flow of main processing performed by the game system of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 17 is a sequence chart showing an example of processing of presenting information of a game different from the game being executed to the user in the game control apparatus of the present embodiment.
The sequence chart of FIG. 17 is an example in which the user is executing the game A, as in FIG.
In response to the HTTP request (step S100) from the communication terminal 10 of the specific user U1, the CPU 21 of the game server 20a that executes the game A satisfies the first condition in step S110 (that is, reduces the strength point When it is determined that the quest can not be executed), the game server 20b, 20c, 20d,... That executes another game B, C, D,. The API server 26 of the game server 20a is controlled to generate a request for acquiring strength points (example of user information) in the games B, C, D, ... of U1 (step S120). Thus, the above request is sent from the API server 26 of the game server 20a to the API server 26 of the game servers 20b, 20c, 20d,... (Step S130). This request includes the user ID of the user U1 to be processed. The CPU 21 of each of the game servers 20b, 20c, 20d,... Receiving the request extracts the strength points as user information from the user data using the user ID as the object of the request as a key (step S140). The API server 26 of each of the game servers 20b, 20c, 20d,... Sends a response including the value of the strength point in the game B, C, D,... Of the user U1 to be processed to the API server 26 of the game server 20a. It returns (step S150).

The CPU 21 of the game server 20a determines, from the game server 20b, whether or not the second condition is satisfied, when the strength points of the games B, C, D, ... of the user U1 to be processed are acquired (step S155). For example, when the physical strength point of the user U1 in the game B, C, D,... Is equal to or higher than the physical strength point required to execute one quest of each game, it is determined that the second condition is satisfied. If there is a game satisfying the second condition (step S155: YES), the CPU 21 of the game server 20a, for example, selects one of the games satisfying the second condition by the selection method exemplified in the second embodiment. Or a predetermined number of games may be selected (step S157). Next, the CPU 21 of the game server 20a generates HTML data including strength points in the game selected in step S157 (one or more games among games B, C, D,...) In response to the HTTP request in step S100. (Step S160) and transmit to the communication terminal 10 of the user U1 (step S170). Thereby, the web page of the game A is updated on the user's communication terminal 10 (step S180). The updated game A web page includes the strength points in the game selected in step S157. When the response in step S150 is received, the HTML data generated in step S160 preferably includes a banner (operation target) for starting the execution of the game selected in step S157.
It is not always necessary to select a game in step S157, and strength points in all games satisfying the second condition and banners in all the games may be included in the HTML data.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the user is notified of the strength points (user information) of the games B, C, D,... (Second user) other than the game A (first game) to be accessed. By notifying the physical strength point when the second condition is satisfied, it is possible to notify the user of the physical strength point for the appropriate second game. This makes it possible to notify the strength point of the second game capable of executing the quest, and the user recognizes that another game can be advanced when the game A can not be advanced. can do.

Fifth Embodiment
In this embodiment, a system configuration different from the game systems of the first to fourth embodiments will be described.
FIG. 18 shows a system configuration example of the game system of the present embodiment. In the game system shown in FIG. 18, the same components as those of the game system shown in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the game system of the present embodiment, the central server 100 is configured to be directly connected to each of the game servers 20a, 20b, 20c,... Or to be connectable via a network (not shown).
In the present embodiment, the central server 100 centrally manages user information and registration information of each game server 20. In other words, the central server 100 manages user information on each game registered by the user. For example, when user information such as strength points is updated in each game server 20, the game server 20 is sequentially notified to the integrated server 100 and stored / updated in a mass storage device (not shown) or the like in the integrated server 100. . When exchanging user information between the game servers 20, the game server 20 for acquiring user information transmits a request including the user ID and the game for which the user information is to be acquired, to the central server 100. In response to the request, the central server 100 returns a response including the user information of the user ID. That is, the central server 100 acquires user information on each game of each user from the game server 20, and stores the information in the large-capacity storage device or updates the specific user in response to a request from the specific server. Providing means for providing the server with user information in any of the games.
It differs from the game systems of the first to fourth embodiments in that direct data exchange via the API server 26 of the game server 20 is not performed.

As described in the first to fourth embodiments, when the information acquisition unit 55 in one game control apparatus acquires user information from the other game control apparatus, that is, directly between the game control apparatuses. When user information is exchanged, the information is exchanged without passing through another device, which has an advantage of reducing traffic.
Further, as described in the fifth embodiment, the information acquisition unit 55 in the game control apparatus acquires user information managed by another game control apparatus via the information management apparatus having user information in a plurality of games. In this case, for example, even when communication between game control devices is interrupted, there is an advantage that user information can be reliably acquired from the information management device.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described in detail, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment. Further, it goes without saying that each embodiment may be variously modified or changed without departing from the scope of the present invention. The technical matters described in each of the above embodiments may be applied in combination as appropriate.

  In each embodiment mentioned above, although a case where user information (for example, physical strength points) was displayed on game images, such as a web page, was explained as a mode of a notice to a user of user information, a mode of a notice of user information It is not limited to display. The method of notifying the user of the user information may be, for example, a method of outputting the user information by voice. In that case, HTML data including a compressed voice signal of user information may be transmitted from each game server 20 to the communication device 10, and the compressed voice signal may be expanded and amplified in the communication device 10 to be output as voice. In addition, as an aspect of a notification, it is preferable to display user information as shown in each embodiment mentioned above. By adopting the method of displaying the user information on the game image, the user can recognize the game image even in an environment (for example, in public transportation) in which the output of sound is limited. Furthermore, when the user information is output by voice, there may occur cases where the user misses listening, etc. However, by displaying the user information, it is possible to suppress the uncertainty of the information transfer.

In each embodiment described above, although the physical strength points in advancing the game are mentioned as an example of the user information, the user information to be acquired depends on the nature of the game and the contents of the first condition in the first determination means. It may be set appropriately.
For example, in the case of a battle game in which the offensive power and the defensive power of the game character change according to the progress of the game, the user information may be values of parameters of the game character indicating the offensive power and the defensive power.
Further, in the above-described embodiment, although the case where the game can not be advanced because the quest can not be executed is exemplified as the first condition, the present invention is not limited to such a condition. For example, even when the user can advance the game A being accessed (for example, when the quest can be executed), the timing of the break of the game A (for example, the timing when the search for the specific area of the quest ends) Or, after accessing the game A, the user information of other games other than the game A is acquired at regular intervals (for example, the timing of 10 minutes interval), and the user information is notified to the user. It is also good. That is, the first condition may be that a predetermined time has elapsed or that the break position of the game A has been reached due to the progress of the game by the user.
For example, in a game other than the game A, when the fellow application addressed to the user accessing the game A has been received, or when there is an application / response for the trade addressed to the user, the present has arrived, etc. When an event for the user occurs in a game other than the game A, the content of the event may be notified as user information. With such notification, the user who is accessing the game A can access other games in a timely manner and perform required operations.

  In addition, user information can be appropriately set according to the game. For example, in the case of a game in which the user grows crops using fertilizer etc., when the user's fertilizer runs out (when the game can not be advanced), the execution status of the game is the first It may be determined that the condition is satisfied.

  Although the embodiment described above describes the case where the functions of the game executed by each game server 20 are common for easy understanding, the games executed by each game server 20 have different functions (that is, It may be a game of different nature). That is, the first condition determined by one game server 20 and the user information extracted by the other game server 20 can be set independently, and the game executed by each game server 20 has a common function. You do not have to have. For example, when it is determined that the strength point satisfies the first condition in the game server 20a, the user information provided from the game server 20b is the user information on the game that is not related to the quest at all (for example, the above-mentioned crop Degree of growth).

  In the game control apparatus, when displaying user information on a game image, the notification unit 56 may further display information indicating that the first condition is satisfied on a web page (game image). As a display method, for example, any method such as display by text as in the above-described embodiment or display by a pattern such as a mark can be used. This is convenient for the user because the necessary information is displayed on a single game image. In addition, when it is not possible to continue to execute the game that was being executed, it is the timing to play another game (to execute another game), but at this time, the game being executed can not be continued When notified, the importance of displaying information of other games increases in considering which game to execute next.

  In each embodiment described above, the predetermined operation input to the communication terminal by the user is the input of the pressing operation of the predetermined operation button to the communication terminal of the user or the input of the touch operation on the display screen to the communication terminal having the touch panel function. However, the operation input is not limited to this. The operation input may be an operation input by shaking a communication terminal provided with an acceleration sensor, or an operation input by gesture (gesture input). In gesture input, the communication terminal performs image recognition of the gesture by performing a predetermined gesture on the communication terminal having an imaging function, and recognizes an operation input associated with the gesture in advance. Further, in the case of a communication terminal capable of executing a speech recognition program, the operation input may be performed by inputting speech.

  Although the embodiment described above describes the case where communication between the game servers 20 and communication between the game servers 20 and the central server 100 are performed using HTTP by the Web API, the present invention is not limited to this. A known wired or wireless communication protocol may be used as appropriate.

  In each embodiment mentioned above, although a case applied to a social game was explained as an example, it is not restricted to this. For example, even in a so-called online game system in which a server apparatus placed on a network and a home online game machine are connected, it is needless to say that the progress of the game by each user can be controlled as in the above embodiments.

  In each embodiment described above, the game execution unit 53, the first determination unit 54, the information acquisition unit 55, the notification unit 56, the selection unit 57, and the second determination unit 58 are controlled by the game server 20 and the database server 30 on the network. Although it was set as the structure which implement | achieves each function, it is not restricted to this structure. At least a part of these means may be realized by the communication terminal 10. Since the communication terminal 10 and the game server 20 have substantially the same hardware configuration, each function can be realized by the communication terminal 10 as described in the above embodiment. FIGS. 19A and 19B show an example of sharing between the communication terminal 10 and the game server 20 and the database server 30 for each function (each function shown in FIG. 9) of the game control device of the present embodiment. Indicates

10: Communication terminal 11: CPU
12 ... ROM
13 ... RAM
14 ... image processing unit 15 ... instruction input unit 16 ... display unit 17 ... communication interface unit 18 ... bus 20 ... game server 21 ... CPU
22 ... ROM
23 ... RAM
24 ... database access unit 25 ... communication interface unit 26 ... bus 30 ... database server 31 ... user database 32 ... game database 51 ... registration unit 52 ... association unit 53 ... game execution unit 54 ... first determination unit 55 ... information acquisition unit 56 ... notification means 57 ... selection means 58 ... second determination means 100 ... control server

Claims (1)

An execution means for executing the first game;
A first determination unit that determines whether a user's execution status in the first game satisfies a first condition;
An information acquisition unit that acquires user information of the user in a second game associated with the first game when it is determined by the first determination unit that the first condition is satisfied;
A notification unit that notifies the user of user information in the second game acquired by the information acquisition unit;
A game control device.

Images