JP5552465B2 - Amusement system using network - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an amusement system that provides information associated with a game played on a game machine from a server device to a user terminal device.

  An amusement system is known in which a commercial game machine and a user's personal terminal device are connectable to a server device, and information associated with the game of the game machine is provided as a Web content to the user's terminal device. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  In addition, as a mechanism for providing an exchange place between users via a network, in recent years, network services represented by SNS (abbreviation of social network service) are widely spread. The field of amusement systems is no exception. For example, an amusement system has been proposed in which messages and the like can be exchanged between a plurality of consumer game machines connected to a network (see, for example, Patent Document 2). There has also been proposed a system that realizes pseudo communication by selectively transmitting and receiving appropriate dialogues according to game situations between commercial game machines connected to a network (see, for example, Patent Document 3).

JP 2006-175004 A JP 2011-005306 A JP 2010-133102 A

  Although the system of Patent Literature 1 is expected to increase motivation for playing on a game machine by providing game information to a user who is away from the game machine, the effect is limited to the range of the individual user. It is not assumed in the system of Patent Literature 1 that the user's motivation is enhanced by utilizing a place of exchange between users such as an SNS community. On the other hand, in the systems of Patent Documents 2 and 3, it can be expected that a sense of friendship or a sense of solidarity is generated between users through exchange of messages or the like. However, the exchange is only performed within a limited range between game machines, and the effect of improving motivation for game play is also limited.

  Then, this invention aims at providing the amusement system which can aim at the improvement of the user's motivation with respect to the play of a game using the connection of the users via a network.

A first amusement system according to the present invention includes a server device (3), game machines (2A, 2B) connectable to the server device via a network (5), and a personal terminal device (7) for a user. An amusement system (1) capable of providing information related to a game of the game machine from the server device to the terminal device, wherein a group of users having a predetermined connection A game is played on the game machine according to a predetermined condition, with an exchange service providing means (12) for providing a place for exchange to the user of the terminal device and a group of users having the predetermined connection as participants. Event setting means (12) for setting an event on the game including content to be performed, and a terminal device of the user group of the participation target On the other hand, when the event information providing means (12) for providing the event information as information associated with the game and the user included in the participation target play the game according to the content of the event, the participation A privilege granting means (11) for granting a prescribed privilege to at least some users included in the target person is provided in the server device , and the game machine has a plurality of items prepared in advance as a plurality of selection items. It is configured as a music game machine that causes the player to select one music from the music and instructs the player to perform a series of operations in accordance with the music, and the predetermined condition includes a part selected from the plurality of selection items It includes that a specific music is selected as the specific item .
The second amusement system of the present invention includes a server device (3), a game machine (2A, 2B) connectable to the server device via a network (5), and a personal terminal device (7 ), And an amusement system (1) capable of providing information related to the game of the game machine to the terminal device from the server device, wherein a group of users having a predetermined connection is the network The exchange service providing means (12) for providing the user of the terminal device with a place to exchange with the user, and the group of users having the predetermined connection as participants who participate in the game on the game machine according to predetermined conditions Event setting means (12) for setting an event on the game including content to play, and terminal equipment of the user group of the participation target On the other hand, when the event information providing means (12) for providing the event information as information associated with the game and the user included in the participation target person plays the game according to the content of the event, The server device includes a privilege grant unit (11) that grants a predetermined privilege to at least some users included in the participation target person, and the event setting unit is configured so that the user sets an event from the terminal device. If requested, the event is set with the user group including the user who has requested the event setting as the participation target person, and the privilege granting means allows any user included in the participation target person to follow the content of the event. When the game is played, the predetermined privilege is given to the user who has requested the event setting.

A first computer program according to the present invention includes a server device (3) to which a storage device is connected, a game machine (2A, 2B) connectable to the server device via a network (5), and a user's Including a personal terminal device (7), the game machine causes the player to select one piece of music from a plurality of pieces prepared in advance as a plurality of selection items, and causes the player to perform a series of operations according to the piece of music. An amusement system (1) configured as a music game machine for instructing and capable of providing information related to a game of the game machine to the terminal device from the server device, the computer of the server device being An exchange service providing a place for a group of users having a predetermined connection to interact with each other via the network. Means (12): Playing a game on the game machine according to a predetermined condition including selecting a specific music from the plurality of music as a participation target group of users having the predetermined connection Event setting means (12) for setting an event on the game including and storing information related to the setting as event setting information in the storage device, and holding the event for the terminal device of the user group of the participants Event information providing means (12) for providing information to be shown as information associated with the game, and when a user included in the participation target plays a game according to the content of the event, based on the event setting information A privilege granting means (11) for granting a predetermined privilege to at least some users included in the participation target person Those that are configured to function with.
The second computer program according to the present invention includes a server device (3) to which a storage device is connected, a game machine (2A, 2B) connectable to the server device via a network (5), and a user's The server device is applied to an amusement system (1) including a personal terminal device (7) and capable of providing information related to the game of the game machine to the terminal device from the server device. An exchange service providing means (12) for providing a user of the terminal device with a place where the user group having a predetermined connection interacts with the computer of the terminal device; user as to set the events on the game, including the content to play a game on the gaming machine in accordance with a predetermined condition, the setting Event setting means for storing in the storage device information on the event setting information (12), information to the user group of the terminal device of the participating subject, information indicating the holding of the event, associated with the game When the event information providing means (12) provided as a user and the user included in the participation target play a game according to the content of the event, at least a part of the participation target included in the event setting information A group of users including a user who has requested the event setting when the user has requested event setting from the terminal device. Is set as the participation target person, and the privilege granting means is included in the participation target person. If any user that is playing the game according to the contents of the event, in which is configured to impart the specific privilege to the user who requested the event settings.

According to the present invention, when an event is set with a group of users who are in a relationship of using the terminal device as a target of participation, information on the event is provided to the terminal device of those users. Thereby, the user can know that there is an event including himself / herself as a participation target person. When a user who has acquired event information plays a game in accordance with the contents of the set event, some privilege is given to at least some users included in the participants of the event. When users having a predetermined connection exchange with each other via a network, a kind of friendship is usually formed between the users. Therefore, if an event is set as described above and the provision of a privilege is controlled, a cooperative relationship can be formed in which playing of one's own game leads to the provision of a privilege to a fellow user. That is, each user can be conscious of cooperating with fellow users through game play. Thereby, improvement of each user's motivation with respect to the play of a game can be aimed at. In particular, according to the first amusement system and the computer program, a privilege is given when a specific music is selected and a game is played. In addition, according to the second amusement system and the computer program, for the purpose of giving a privilege to a user as a setter of an event, a relationship in which fellow users associated with the setter's user cooperate with each other. Can be formed. It can also be expected that a user who has received cooperation will create a mutual cooperative relationship such as cooperating with an event set by another user. Thereby, the further improvement of the motivation with respect to the play of a game can be aimed at.

In the first amusement system and the computer program , when the user requests event setting from the terminal device, the event setting means sets the event as a group of users including the user who requested the event setting. It may be set. According to this, an event can be set based on the user's intention, and the intention of the user or a user group including the user can be reflected in the setting of the event.

In the first amusement system and the computer program, the privilege granting unit may grant the predetermined privilege to a user who has requested the event setting. According to this, as one of the purposes to give a privilege to a user as a setter of an event, it is possible to form a relationship in which fellow users associated with the setter's user cooperate. It can also be expected that a user who has received cooperation will create a mutual cooperative relationship such as cooperating with an event set by another user. Thereby, the further improvement of the motivation with respect to the play of a game can be aimed at.

  In the present invention, the server device further includes a fee collection means (13) for collecting a fee as a consideration for providing the service from the user, and the game machine provides the user with a fee for collecting the play fee from the user. The game may be configured as a commercial game machine that permits game play, and the event setting means may set the event on condition that a set fee for the event is collected. In this case, an unlimited event setting can be prevented by collecting a fee when setting the event. Moreover, since the motivation which plays a paid game with a commercial game machine can be given with respect to the user group made into event participation subject, the profitability of a game machine can be improved.

  The fee collection means may include electronic billing means (13) for collecting the set fee by exchanging electronic information between the terminal device and the server device. In billing using cash or an alternative currency in a commercial game machine, it may be relatively difficult to settle a small amount due to mechanical restrictions. On the other hand, in the electronic billing means, the restriction of the billing unit is relatively small, and it is easy to ensure the flexibility and flexibility of the fee setting such as setting the setting fee smaller than the play fee of a general paid game. As a result, a reasonable fee can be set for the event setting, and both the user's satisfaction with the event setting and the profitability of the operator related to the amusement system can be achieved.

The predetermined condition relating to the event can be set from various viewpoints. As an example, the predetermined condition may include an event application period. According to this, an event can be applied for a limited period. Alternatively, in the second amusement system and the computer program, the predetermined condition may include selection of some specific items from a plurality of selection items on a game prepared in advance. Further, the game machine is configured as a music game machine that causes a player to select one music from a plurality of music prepared in advance as the plurality of selection items, and instructs the player to perform a series of operations according to the music, The predetermined condition may include that a specific music piece is selected as the specific item. In this case, a privilege is given when a specific item is selected and the game is played.

  In the present invention, the term “personal terminal device” is a terminal device that is assigned or loaned to a user mainly on the premise of personal use, regardless of whether the transfer or loan is paid or free of charge. Any name can be used as long as it can be connected to the server apparatus via the network. For example, various personal information communication terminal devices such as personal computers, home game machines, and mobile phones (including so-called smartphones) can be used as personal terminal devices in the present invention. In addition, “commercial game machine” means a game machine that is configured on the assumption that an operator receives or transfers all or part of hardware and software and allows the user to use them for a fee. means.

  In addition, in the above description, in order to make an understanding of this invention easy, the reference sign of the accompanying drawing was attached in parenthesis, but this invention is not limited to the form of illustration by it.

  As described above, according to the present invention, an event is set with a group of users who are interacting with each other through a place provided by the AC service providing means, and information on the event is transmitted to the terminals of those users. When a user who participates in a game plays a game according to the contents of the event, the game is played because at least some users included in the event participants are given some kind of privilege. It is possible to cause each user to be aware of cooperating with fellow users through the game, thereby improving the motivation of each user for playing the game.

The figure which shows the whole structure of the amusement system which concerns on one form of this invention. The functional block diagram in the principal part of an amusement system. The figure which shows an example of the data structure of play data. The figure which shows an example of the data structure of community data. The figure which shows an example of the data structure of group data. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which a user terminal and a center server perform when setting the group challenge as a kind of event. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the login process performed when a user starts a game with a game machine. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which a game machine and a center server perform in order to update play data.

  First, an overall configuration of an amusement system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The amusement system 1 includes a plurality of game machines 2A and 2B and a center server 3 as a server device. Each of the game machines 2A and 2B instructs the player to perform a series of operations in accordance with the music, generates a musical sound according to the player's operation, and based on the relationship between the instructed operation and the operation actually performed by the player. It is configured as a music game machine that evaluates player operations.

  The game machine 2A has an operation unit 2a simulating a drum set of a musical instrument, and the game machine 2B has two operation units 2b simulating a guitar of a musical instrument. The game machine 2A is configured assuming that one player operates the operation unit 2a. On the other hand, the game machine 2B is configured assuming that one player operates one operation unit 2b and the other one player operates the other operation unit 2b. That is, the game machine 2B has a configuration that allows two players to play a game simultaneously. Of course, one player can play a game on the game machine 2B. Hereinafter, the game machine 2A may be referred to as a drum game machine 2A, and the game machine 2B may be referred to as a guitar game machine 2B. Further, when it is not necessary to distinguish between these game machines 2A and 2B, they may be referred to as game machines 2.

  Each game machine 2 is installed in a commercial facility such as a store 4 and is used for commercial (business) use that allows a user to play a predetermined range of games in exchange for collection (payment) of a predetermined amount of play fee. It is configured as a game machine. In this specification, a person who enjoys a service provided by the amusement system 1 is collectively referred to as a user, and the user is called a player particularly when the user plays a game on the game machine 2. An appropriate number of game machines 2 are installed in each store 4. In the example of FIG. 1, the drum game machine 2A and the guitar game machine 2B are installed in each store 4 in a mixed manner. However, the store 4 where only one of the drum game machine 2A and the guitar game machine 2B is installed may exist in a part.

  The center server 3 is installed by an operator of the amusement system 1. The center server 3 is configured to function as one logical server device by combining a plurality of server units 3A, 3B. However, the center server 3 may be configured by a single server unit. Alternatively, the center server 3 may be constructed by cloud computing.

  The game machine 2 and the center server 3 are connected via a network 5 so that they can communicate with each other. The network 5 includes a WAN (wide area network) 5A, a LAN (local area network) 5B that is constructed for each store 4 and accommodates these game machines 2, and a center server 3 and server units 3A and 3B. LAN 5C for mutually connecting the two. As an example of the WAN 5A, the Internet that implements network communication using the TCP / IP protocol is used. The LANs 5B and 5C are also constructed by an intranet using the TCP / IP protocol. The LANs 5B and 5C are connected to the WAN 5A via the router 6. In addition, a local server may be installed between the game machine 2 and the router 6 of the store 4, and the game machine 2 may be connected to the center server 3 via the local server. The center server 3 may be constructed using the WAN 5A instead of or in addition to the LAN 5C.

  The center server 3 provides various services via the network 5 to the game machine 2 or the user (player). For example, the center server 3 provides various game services to the game machine 2 or its players. As a game service, for example, a game program or data update service via the game machine 2, a player of the game machine 2 is authenticated, and play data including the play history of the player is received from the game machine 2. There are services that are stored or provided to the game machine 2, matching services between users when a plurality of users play a common game via the network 5, and the like. Further, the game server 3 provides various web services to the user terminal 7 that is accessed via the network 5. Examples of the web service include a service such as a game information service that provides various kinds of information regarding the game to the user through the website, and a community service that provides an exchange place such as information transmission, exchange, and sharing by the user. The user terminal 7 may be a computer unit that functions as a personal terminal device that can be connected to a network, such as a personal computer (hereinafter abbreviated as PC) 7a or a mobile phone (including a smartphone) 7b. This may be used as appropriate.

  Further, the center server 3 charges a fee as a fee for providing a paid service to the user who has accessed from the game machine 2 or the user terminal 7, and collects the fee according to the user's operation. Is also provided. In the billing service, a fee is collected by exchanging electronic information between the game machine 2 or the user terminal 7 and the center server 3. In the following, it is assumed that a fee is collected by debiting virtual currency as an example. The play fee in the game machine 2 is also charged and collected by the charging service. The service fee is not limited to virtual currency, and the service fee may be collected using credit card information.

  The game machine 2 and the center server 3 (more specifically, each of the server units 3A, 3B...) Are assigned unique IP addresses for identifying them on the network 5. In communication between the game machines 2 or between the game machine 2 and the center server 3, a communication partner is specified using the IP address. When the WAN 5A is a public network such as the Internet, a unique fixed address on the WAN 5A is set in each router 6. In the game machine 2, a private address for uniquely identifying the game machine 2 on the network 5 is set as an IP address in combination with the fixed address. In this case, a virtual private network (VPN) is constructed between the game machine 2 and the center server 3 or between the game machines 2, and each game machine 2 is uniquely identified using a private address on the VPN. Is done. The user terminal 7 is also given a unique IP address for uniquely identifying the user terminal 7 on the network 5. The IP address may be a so-called dynamic address that changes every time it is connected to the network 5 or may be a fixed address that does not change. Hereinafter, information for identifying the game machine 2, the center server 3, and the user terminal 7 on the network 5 is referred to as address information. In communication via the network 5, it is assumed that a communication partner is specified based on the address information unless otherwise specified.

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the main part of the amusement system 1. In addition, regarding the game machine 2, the specific differences such as the operation units 2a and 2b existing between the drum game machine 2A and the guitar game machine 2B and the game programs corresponding to these operation units 2a and 2b are considered. Instead, only a single game machine 2 is shown as those game machines 2A and 2B basically having a common function.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the center server 3 includes a game service management unit 11 for providing various game services to the game machine 2 or its player, and various webs for the user of the amusement system 1. A Web service management unit 12 for providing a service and an account management unit 13 for realizing a charging service function for a user are provided. These management units 11, 12, and 13 are all logical devices realized by a combination of a computer unit and software constituting the center server 3. In addition, the game machine 2 is provided with a game service processing unit 21 for realizing a game service in cooperation with the game service management unit 11 of the center server 3, and the user terminal 7 includes a Web service of the center server 3. A Web service processing unit 22 is provided for realizing a Web service in cooperation with the management unit 12. These processing units 21 and 22 are both logical devices realized by a combination of a computer unit and software constituting the game machine 2 and the user terminal 7. The Web service management unit 12 of the center server 3 provides a place for exchange such as user information transmission, exchange, sharing, and formation of friends between users realized by a known communication service such as a social networking service (SNS). It functions as an AC service providing means provided to the user. This function can be realized by using software implemented on a Web server by a known communication service. For example, the web service processing unit 22 of the user terminal 7 can be configured using general-purpose web client software such as a web browser.

  A server storage device 31 is connected to the center server 3. In the server storage device 31, ID management data 32, a group of play data 33, a group of community data 34, a group of group management data 35, and a group of account data 36 are recorded. The ID management data 32 is data describing the correspondence between various IDs set as information necessary for specifying a user. The type of ID and the management method thereof may be set as appropriate as long as the user can specify them, but an example is as follows. First, the game machine 2 specifies a user using the card 8. A unique card ID is recorded on the card 8 for each card. The game machine 2 has a function of reading the card ID recorded on the card 8 and transmitting it to the center server 3. On the other hand, the center server 3 specifies a user using a user ID uniquely assigned to each user. The ID management data 32 describes the correspondence between the card ID and the user ID. The center server 3 specifies a user ID corresponding to the card ID sent from the game machine 2 based on the ID management data 32. When two users play one guitar game machine 2B at the same time, the card ID is read for each user and sent to the center server 3. In place of card 8,

  In addition, a user is specified by the above-described user ID even in the Web service provided by the center server 3 to the user terminal 7, but a community service provided as a type of Web service is issued separately from the user ID. The user is managed in association with the community ID. The ID management data 32 also describes the correspondence between the user ID and the community ID. The center server 3 specifies the user ID corresponding to the card ID by referring to the ID management data 32, specifies the user ID corresponding to the community ID, or specifies the card ID or community ID corresponding to the user ID. Can be identified. In this way, all IDs can be identified with each other by referring to the ID management data 32 as appropriate. The correspondence between the card ID and the user ID and the correspondence between the user ID and the community ID can be newly set and changed by accessing the user management site of the center server 3 from the user terminal 7. is there. Another ID may intervene between these IDs. Only one user ID is issued to one user, but a plurality of card IDs and community IDs may be issued to one user. In this case, if any one of the card ID, the user ID, and the community ID is determined by allowing the user to specify one card ID and one community ID that are valid for the user ID, the other IDs are also unambiguous. It is possible to maintain the correspondence relationship determined in. In the following description, it is assumed that a single card ID and a community ID are associated with each user ID. In addition, personal information such as the user name and address is recorded in association with the user ID. The ID management data 32 may be configured as a single data table, but may be configured so that the correspondence between IDs can be specified by referring to a plurality of data tables.

  The play data 33 is data for storing a result of the game played by the user on the game machine 2 and used in the next game or the like, and is created for each user ID. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the play data 33 includes a play history (including information specifying the played music and mode) in the game machine 2 and a user status (rank) set according to the play result. Or level) and information such as game points acquired by the user are recorded in the play data 33 in association with the user ID. The game points are points that are added according to the number of times the user has played the game, the results recorded in the game, and the like, and are given to the user with the intention of giving the user motivation to play the game. It is a kind of privilege. For example, by publishing the ranking of game points, the user can be motivated to play the game repeatedly aiming for a higher rank. Alternatively, a mechanism may be introduced that gives the user a privilege that a specific song can be played according to the acquired game points.

  The community data 34 is data in which various information to be referred to when the user uses the community service, and is created for each community ID. As an example, as shown in FIG. 4, in the community data 34, comment data that records a comment that a user sends or receives from a friend, and a group ID that identifies a “group” in which the user participates. The community IDs (friend IDs) of other users registered as “friends” by the user are recorded in association with the community IDs of the users.

  “Friend” is a term used as a concept indicating that a predetermined connection exists between users, and there are two types of “group” and “friend” described above. To do. The group ID is uniquely set for each group, and the group ID set for the group is recorded in the community data 34 of the users belonging to the same group. As described above, the friend ID is a community ID of another user set as a friend by the user. The procedure for setting or registering friends, such as joining a group or setting friends, is similar to that of a general community service, by accessing the center server 3 from the user terminal 7 and inviting other users as friends. Or a request for participation in the group with respect to the center server 3 may be performed, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. However, registration of a friend in the community data 34 is not limited to online processing via the network 5, but may be applied offline and the operator of the center server 3 may describe the application content in the community data 34 at an appropriate time. Good.

  The group management data 35 in FIG. 2 is data in which information common to a group is recorded in association with a group ID. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, member information and event setting information are recorded in the group management data 35 in association with the group ID. The member information includes community IDs of users participating in the group. In the event setting information, when an event on a game is set for the group, information for specifying event setting contents such as the event period and participation conditions is recorded as the event setting information. Specific examples of events will be described later.

  The account data 36 is data in which the amount of virtual currency deposited by the user is described in association with the user ID. That is, in the amusement system 1, the amount of virtual currency held by each user is managed on the center server 3. When the user pays a charge fee using a payment means such as cash or a credit card, the account management unit 13 of the center server 3 stores an amount of virtual currency corresponding to the charge fee corresponding to the user ID of the user. The data 36 is charged. On the other hand, when the user uses the paid service, the account management unit 13 consumes an amount of virtual currency corresponding to the usage fee from the account data 36 corresponding to the user ID of the user. Thereby, the account management part 13 functions as a fee collection means and its electronic billing means.

  In addition to the data 32 to 36 described above, various data are prepared in the amusement system 1. For example, in the storage device of the game machine 2, as data necessary for executing a music game, music data for reproducing and outputting music, and a sequence for instructing a player a series of operations to be performed in accordance with the music Data, image data for generating a game screen, and the like are recorded. It is sufficient to prepare these data in the same manner as existing music game machines, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. In the game machine 2, a plurality of music pieces are prepared in advance as selection items on the game. The player can select one music piece from a plurality of music pieces within a selectable range and play a game having contents corresponding to the music piece.

  Next, a specific example regarding event setting and participation in the amusement system 1 will be described. Hereinafter, a case where “group challenge” is set as an event will be described. “Group challenge” is set by the user paying a predetermined set fee, and the user of the group to which the user belongs selects the challenge target song (problem song) as a specific item within a predetermined application period. When the game is played, the main content is that a game point is given as a privilege to the user (setting person) who set the event. In this case, the event application period and the task piece constitute the event condition. A user who belongs to the same group as the event setter is a user group of participation target persons. The event set fee is set to be smaller than the play fee to be collected when one game is played on the game machine 2.

  FIG. 6 shows a process executed in cooperation by the Web service processing unit 22 of the user terminal 7 and the Web service management unit 12 and the account management unit 13 of the center server 3 in order to set the group challenge. However, in the following description, the execution subject of each process may be expressed as the user terminal 7 and the center server 3. 6 is performed after the user accesses the center server 3 from the user terminal 7 and completes predetermined authentication (that is, processing for specifying a user ID).

  When the user operates the user terminal 7 to request the group challenge setting, the user terminal 7 starts the group challenge setting process of FIG. 6 and first notifies the center server 3 that the group challenge setting is requested (step) S11). The operation for requesting the setting of the group challenge may be configured, for example, by displaying a web service menu on the screen of the user terminal 7 and allowing the user to select the setting of the group challenge. The notification of the group challenge setting request includes information for identifying the user. For example, the user ID may be notified from the user terminal 7 to the center server 3. Alternatively, the user's community ID may be stored in advance on the user terminal 7 and the community ID may be sent to the center server 3.

  Upon receiving the group challenge setting request, the center server 3 starts the group challenge setting process, and first determines the user ID of the user who requested the group challenge based on the information sent from the user terminal 7 (step S21). . Subsequently, the center server 3 tries to collect a predetermined set fee from the user (step S22). In this process, the Web service management unit 12 notifies the account management unit 13 of the amount of virtual currency corresponding to the user ID and the set fee, and the account management unit 13 receiving the notification notifies the account corresponding to the user ID. This is a process of trying to consume a virtual currency equivalent to the set fee from the data 36. Next, the center server 3 determines whether the collection of the set fee has succeeded based on the processing result of the account management unit 13 (step S23). When the collection is successful, the center server 3 draws a subject song for the group challenge (step S24). The lottery is performed, for example, by selecting one of the songs that can be selected by a user (sometimes called a setter) who has requested the group challenge setting by using a random number or the like. If a part of the music prepared in advance on the game machine 2 is a so-called hidden music whose selection is banned when the user's play history, status, etc. satisfy a predetermined condition, the hidden music is selected. It may be included in the range or excluded from the selection range. Hidden music is not necessarily selectable by all members of the group, so to make more members participate in the group challenge, eliminate the possibility of hidden music being chosen as the challenge music, or It is advantageous to reduce that possibility.

  After lottery of the subject music, the center server 3 determines the group to which the setter belongs (step S25). In this case, a community ID corresponding to the user ID of the setter is specified as a clue, and the group ID may be determined from the community data 34 associated with the community ID. Subsequently, the center server 3 records information specifying the application period of the group challenge and the subject song as event setting information in the group management data 35 associated with the determined group ID (step S26). As an example, the application period is set only on the day when the group challenge is set. When the setter belongs to a plurality of groups, group challenge setting information may be recorded in the group management data 35 corresponding to all the group IDs, or a group challenge is set. The group may be selected by the user. Or the center server 3 may select automatically the group used as the object which sets a group challenge.

  When the recording in the group management data 35 is completed, the center server 3 notifies the user terminal 7 of the setter himself / herself of the group challenge information (step S27). The information includes the application period, the subject song, and information for identifying the user who has set the group challenge (for example, a nickname that is valid for the community service). Thereafter, the center server 3 identifies the members of the group in which the group challenge is set based on the member information of the group management data 35 determined in step S25, and notifies the members of the group challenge information ( Step S28). The notification may be performed on the screen of the website that the center server 3 presents for the access from the user terminal 7 or may be individually notified to the member using e-mail or the like. . When the notification to the members is completed, the center server 3 finishes the group challenge setting process. If it is determined in step S23 that the fee collection has failed, the center server 3 skips steps S24 to S28 and notifies the user terminal 7 of the setter that the group challenge cannot be set. (Step S29), and then the group challenge setting process ends.

  After making a group challenge setting request in step S11, the user terminal 7 waits for a processing result notification from the center server 3, and receives the notification in step S27 or S29 if there is a notification (step S12). Thereafter, the user terminal 7 displays information corresponding to the received processing result to the user. When the information on the group challenge is notified (step S27), the application period, the task piece, and the setter are displayed to the user. On the other hand, when it is notified that the group challenge cannot be set (step S29), the fact is displayed to the user, and then the user terminal 7 also ends the group challenge setting process.

  Through the above processing, in exchange for the user paying a predetermined set fee, the application period of the group challenge and the subject song are set, and the user of the setter and other users belonging to the same group as the user are the users Through the terminal 7, it is possible to know that the group challenge is held, its application period, and the subject song. Users other than the setter can also know the setter of the group challenge. By prompting the user to participate in the group challenge, motivation to play the game on the game machine 2 can be given to the members of the group.

  Next, a process performed by the game service processing unit 21 of the game machine 2 and the game service management unit 11 of the center server 3 in cooperation when the user plays a game on the game machine 2 as a player will be described. However, in the following description, the execution subject of each process may be expressed as the game machine 2 and the center server 3. When the user instructs the game machine 2 to start the login process, the game machine 2 starts the login process, and first requests the player to read the card 8, and detects the corresponding read operation and logs in. Necessary information (login information) is acquired from the card 8 (step S31). The information necessary for login includes at least a card ID. Subsequently, the game machine 2 transmits the acquired login information to the center server 3 to request a player login process (step S32). In response to this, the center server 3 also starts a login process, and first acquires login information sent from the game machine 2 (step S41). Subsequently, the center server 3 refers to the ID management data 32 to determine a user ID corresponding to the card ID included in the login information (step S42). Next, the center server 3 extracts play data 33 corresponding to the user ID (step S43). A community ID corresponding to the user ID may be specified, and information such as a group ID and a friend ID recorded in the community data 34 corresponding to the community ID may be further extracted. Thereafter, the center server 3 transmits the extracted play data 33 and the like to the game machine 2 that has transmitted the login request (step S44). The game machine 2 receives the play data 33 and the like sent from the center server 3, and records this in the internal storage device of the game machine 2 (step S34). The login process is thus completed. By performing the login process, the player can play the game from the last time on the game machine 2.

  After the login process, the player can play a music game by appropriately selecting music in exchange for payment of a play fee. As a form of play, in addition to a form in which one player plays a game alone, a local session in which a plurality of players in the same store 4 play the same music, or a matching function of the center server 3 is used. Thus, it is possible to appropriately select a form such as an online session in which matched players play the same music. Further, the music selection range is set according to the player's play history, matching mode, or the like. However, the task music of the group challenge set for the group to which the user belongs is included in the range of music that can be selected by the player (the range that can be selected by the player of the matching partner may be included). For example, the player participates in the group challenge by playing the task music. The play history of the game executed on the game machine 2 (music played, etc.), the play result, the status change according to the play result, and the acquisition status of the game points are as follows. Are sequentially recorded in the internal storage device.

  When the play of a certain range of games, for example, the play of the game within the range of the number of songs for which the player has paid a play fee, is finished, the game machine 2 executes the play data transmission process of FIG. 3 executes the play data update process of FIG. These processes are also executed by the game service processing unit 21 of the game machine 2 and the game service management unit 11 of the center server 3 in cooperation. 2 and the center server 3.

  When the play data transmission process of FIG. 8 is started, the game machine 2 first acquires information such as a play history accumulated in its own internal storage device (step S51). Next, the game machine 2 transmits the acquired information such as the play history and the card ID of the player (or the user ID if the game machine 2 has acquired the user ID) to the center server 3, The update of the play data 33 corresponding to the user ID of the player is requested. Upon receiving the request, the center server 3 starts a play data update process. First, the user ID of the player of the game machine 2 that requested the update is specified, and the play data 33 corresponding to the user ID is extracted (step S61). . Subsequently, the center server 3 updates the play history, status, game points, and the like of the extracted play data 33 so that the information such as the play history sent from the game machine 2 is reflected (step S62). .

  Subsequently, the center server 3 determines whether or not a group challenge is set for the group to which the player of the game machine 2 belongs (step S63). In this case, a group ID corresponding to the user ID of the player is specified with reference to the ID management data 32 and the community data 34, and the group challenge during the application period is included in the event setting information of the group management data 35 corresponding to the group ID. It may be determined whether or not is recorded. If the game machine 2 has acquired a group ID in advance, the group ID is transmitted from the game machine 2 in step S52, the group management data 35 corresponding to the group ID is specified, and event setting information is obtained. You may refer to it. When it is determined that the group challenge is being set, the center server 3 refers to the play history sent from the game machine 2 and determines whether or not the player has played the task song of the group challenge (step S64). When the subject song is being played, the center server 3 determines the setter of the group challenge based on the event setting information, and adds a predetermined amount of game points to the play data 33 corresponding to the user ID of the setter (Step S65). If the player is the setter himself, game points are added to the player's own play data 33.

  After adding the points in step S65, the center server 3 notifies the game machine 2 of the result of the play data update process (step S66), and then ends the play data update process. In this case, the game machine 2 is notified that the update of the play data has been completed and that points have been added to the group challenge setter. If it is determined in step S63 that no group challenge has been set, or if it is determined in step S64 that the task song has not been played, the center server 3 skips step S65 and executes the process of step S66. . In this case, in step S66, the game machine 2 is notified that the update of the play data has been completed. When the processing result is notified from the center server 3, the game machine 2 notifies the processing result to the player (step S53). Thereafter, the game machine 2 ends the play data transmission process.

  According to the above process, every time a group member plays a task piece during the application period of the group challenge, a predetermined amount of game points is added to the user who has set the group challenge. Thereby, the relationship in which the users connected through the community service cooperate to acquire the game points is formed, and the motivation of the user for playing the game can be enhanced by utilizing the friendship between the users.

  In the amusement system 1 described above, the Web service management unit 12 of the center server 3 functions as the event setting unit of the present invention by executing the processes of steps S23 to S26 of FIG. 6, and executes the processes of steps S26 and S27. By doing so, it functions as the event information providing means of the present invention. Moreover, the game service management part 11 of the center server 3 functions as privilege provision means of this invention by performing the process of step S63-S65 of FIG.

  This invention is not limited to the form mentioned above, It can implement with a various form. For example, in the above-described form, a user joins a group with a community service or a friend is registered by registering a friend. However, the bond is not limited to a user's intention. For example, when personal information such as a user's age group, place of residence, and hobbies is recorded in association with a user ID, users having a certain commonality or similarity are extracted by the center server 3 and those users are extracted. May be set as a user group having a predetermined connection, and an exchange place such as a community service may be provided to the user group. An event may be set from various viewpoints as long as the content includes playing a game on a game machine according to a predetermined condition. For example, it is possible to set an event in which fellows compete for a game score within a certain period of time, or to set an event that requires a fellow user to share and accomplish a specific mission on the game. Is possible. Items selected as event conditions are not limited to music, and items separated from various viewpoints such as stages, maps, and scenarios may be included in the event conditions. It is not always necessary to set event conditions for selection items on the game. An event does not necessarily have an application period. An indefinite event may be set. The setting of the event is not limited to the example set based on a request from the user. The server device may appropriately select a user group to be set and automatically set and notify an arbitrary event.

  The privilege when the game is played according to the contents of the event is not limited to the provision of game points. The benefits may be set as appropriate as long as they generate some profit for the user, and the profits are not limited to those associated with the game. The target person to whom the privilege is given is not limited to the event setter, and may be at least a part of the user group as the participation target person. A privilege may be given to all the users included in the user group, or a privilege may be given to a user appropriately selected from the user group.

  In the above embodiment, the game machine 2 is configured as a commercial game machine installed in a commercial facility. However, the game machine is not limited to a commercial game machine, and may be a personal game machine. The facility where the game machine is installed is not limited to a commercial facility, and may be a public facility or a personal facility. The game machine is not limited to a music game machine and may include game machines that provide games of various genres.

1 Amusement system 2A, 2B Game machine 3 Center server (server device)
5 Network 7 User terminal (personal terminal)
8 Card 11 Game Service Management Department (privilege grant means)
12 Web service management unit (exchange service providing means, event setting means, event information providing means)
13 Account Management Department (fee collection means, electronic billing means)
21 Game Service Processing Unit 22 Web Service Processing Unit 31 Server Storage Device

Claims (11)

A server device, a game machine connectable to the server device via a network, and a user's personal terminal device; information associated with the game of the game machine from the server device to the terminal device; In the amusement system that can be provided,
AC service providing means for providing a user group of users having a predetermined connection with the terminal device via a network where the user group interacts via the network;
Event setting means for setting an event on the game that includes playing a game on the game machine according to a predetermined condition, with the user group having the predetermined connection as a participation target,
Event information providing means for providing the event information as information associated with the game to the terminal device of the user group of the participation target;
When a user included in the participation target person plays a game according to the contents of the event, a privilege granting means for granting a predetermined privilege to at least some users included in the participation target person;
The server device comprises
The game machine is configured as a music game machine that causes a player to select one song from a plurality of songs prepared in advance as a plurality of selection items, and instructs the player to perform a series of operations according to the song. An amusement system in which the condition includes that a specific music piece is selected as a specific item selected from the plurality of selection items.   2. The amusement system according to claim 1, wherein when a user requests event setting from the terminal device, the event setting unit sets the event with a user group including a user who has requested the event setting as the participation target. .   The amusement system according to claim 2, wherein the privilege granting unit grants the predetermined privilege to a user who has requested the event setting. A server device, a game machine connectable to the server device via a network, and a user's personal terminal device; information associated with the game of the game machine from the server device to the terminal device; In the amusement system that can be provided,
AC service providing means for providing a user group of users having a predetermined connection with the terminal device via a network where the user group interacts via the network;
Event setting means for setting an event on the game that includes playing a game on the game machine according to a predetermined condition, with the user group having the predetermined connection as a participation target,
Event information providing means for providing the event information as information associated with the game to the terminal device of the user group of the participation target;
When a user included in the participation target person plays a game according to the contents of the event, a privilege granting means for granting a predetermined privilege to at least some users included in the participation target person;
The server device comprises
When the user requests event setting from the terminal device, the event setting means sets the event as a group of users including the user who has requested the event setting,
The award grant unit is an amusement system that grants the predetermined privilege to a user who has requested the event setting when an arbitrary user included in the participation target person plays a game according to the content of the event.   5. The amusement system according to claim 4, wherein the predetermined condition relating to the event includes selection of some specific items from a plurality of selection items on a game prepared in advance.   The game machine is configured as a music game machine that causes a player to select one song from a plurality of songs prepared in advance as the plurality of selection items, and instructs the player to perform a series of operations according to the song, The amusement system according to claim 5, wherein the condition includes that a specific music piece is selected as the specific item. The server device further includes a fee collection means for collecting a fee as a consideration for service provision from a user,
The game machine is configured as a commercial game machine that allows the user to play a game in exchange for collecting a play fee from the user,
The amusement system according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the event setting means sets the event on condition that a set fee for the event is collected.   The amusement system according to claim 7, wherein the fee collection means includes electronic billing means for collecting the set fee by exchanging electronic information between the terminal device and the server device.   The amusement system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the predetermined condition related to the event includes an application period of the event. A server device to which a storage device is connected; a game machine that can be connected to the server device via a network; and a personal terminal device of a user, wherein the game machine includes a plurality of items prepared in advance as a plurality of selection items. The music apparatus is configured as a music game machine that causes a player to select one music piece from among the music pieces and instructs the player to perform a series of operations according to the music piece, and information associated with the game of the game machine is transmitted from the server device to the terminal device. Applied to an amusement system that can be provided for the computer of the server device,
AC service providing means for providing a place for a group of users having a predetermined connection to interact via the network to the user of the terminal device;
An event on a game that includes playing a game on the game machine according to a predetermined condition including selecting a specific music from the plurality of music as a participation target group of users having the predetermined connection Event setting means for storing information related to the setting as event setting information in the storage device ,
Event information providing means for providing information indicating the holding of the event as information associated with the game to terminal devices of the user group of the participation target person, and a user included in the participation target person is the event If the game is played in accordance with the content of the bonus, a privilege granting means for granting a predetermined privilege to at least some users included in the participation target person based on the event setting information ,
A computer program configured to function as a computer program. A server device to which a storage device is connected; a game machine that can be connected to the server device via a network; and a personal terminal device of a user. Information associated with a game of the game machine is transmitted from the server device. Applied to an amusement system that can be provided to the terminal device, a computer of the server device,
AC service providing means for providing a place for a group of users having a predetermined connection to interact via the network to the user of the terminal device;
An event on the game including content of playing a game on the game machine according to a predetermined condition is set with the user group having the predetermined connection as a participation target, and information related to the setting is stored as event setting information in the memory Event setting means stored in the device;
Event information providing means for providing information indicating the holding of the event as information associated with the game to terminal devices of the user group of the participation target person, and a user included in the participation target person is the event When the game is played according to the contents of the above , it is made to function as a privilege granting means for granting a predetermined privilege to at least some users included in the participation target person based on the event setting information ,
When the user requests event setting from the terminal device, the event setting means sets the event as a group of users including the user who has requested the event setting,
The privilege granting unit is configured to grant the predetermined privilege to a user who has requested the event setting when an arbitrary user included in the participation target person plays a game according to the content of the event. Computer program.

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