JP7427554B2 - program - Google Patents

Description

Article 30, Paragraph 2 of the Patent Act applies. On August 19, 2019, Colopl Co., Ltd. released information regarding the server, method, terminal, and game program invented by Kazuto Saiga and Keiji Kawazoe, and the game with the specifications thereof. was published on the website at the address below. https://twitter. com/Stennis_colopl/status/1163368185199919104 Through the game application "Shironeko Tennis" distributed by Colopl Co., Ltd. on the application distribution platform at the following address on August 19, 2019, the server invented by Kazuto Saiga and Keiji Kawazoe, Methods, terminals, and game programs were made available.・iOS (Apple App store) https://itunes. apple. com/jp/app/white cat tennis/id1062497483? mt=8 ・Android (Google Play) https://play. google. com/store/apps/details? id=jp. colopl. tennis&hl=ja

The present invention relates to a program .

In recent years, network games that allow multiple players to play the same game using communication networks such as the Internet have become popular. In such network games, it is known that a plurality of players gather within the game to form a group (also referred to as a guild, party, team, etc.). By belonging to one of the groups, players can receive benefits such as participating in group-specific events and obtaining various rewards that can be used in-game when clearing events. There is something.

Patent No. 5784852

In conventional network games, when a player belongs to one of the groups, it becomes possible to obtain the above-mentioned benefits and the group consciousness increases, which may lead to motivation to continue playing the game. However, for players who do not belong to a group, it is difficult to judge and decide which group they should belong to among the multiple groups that may exist, and as a result, it becomes difficult for players to voluntarily join a group. There was a risk that it would not be possible to improve the affiliation rate.

The present invention was devised in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a program that promotes interaction between users who do not belong to a team and users who belong to a team, and improves the team membership rate and active rate. It is to be.

According to an aspect of an embodiment shown in the present disclosure, there is provided a program for matching each user in a computer , the computer being configured to match users to a team based on a user's designation that the user belongs to a team. means for storing identification information that can identify the user's belonging in a storage unit; means for transmitting a matching request from a user; Therefore, it functions as a means for performing specific control to match affiliated users and unaffiliated users with priority over affiliated users who belong to a team or unaffiliated users who do not belong to a team. .

According to the present invention, it is possible to encourage interaction between users who do not belong to a team and users who belong to a team, thereby improving the team membership rate and the active rate.

1 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of a game system. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a server included in the game system. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a user terminal included in the game system. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a match space, which is a type of game space in a tennis game realized by the game system. It is a figure showing an example of a game screen during a match. An example of a team town in the game space is shown. It is a figure which shows an example of the procedure by which a user determines a pair user. (A) is a diagram showing an example of a display screen displaying a means for determining a partner to form a pair, and (B) is a diagram showing an example of a display screen when the button to create a pair is specified in (A). FIG. 12C is a diagram showing an example of the display screen when the call friend button is specified in (B), and (D) is a diagram showing an example of the display screen when the SNS button is specified in (C). It is a figure which shows an example of a display screen when recruiting a pair. It is a figure which shows an example of the procedure by which a user determines a pair user. (A) is a diagram showing an example of a display screen displaying means for determining a partner to be paired with, and (B) is a diagram showing an example of the display screen when the automatic pair button is specified in (A). , (C) is a diagram showing an example of a display screen when a partner to be paired is determined, and (D) is a diagram showing an example of a display screen when a pair on the user's side and a pair on the opponent user's side are determined. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen displayed when a match ends. (A) is an example of a display screen displayed on a user terminal belonging to a team, and (B) is an example of a display screen displayed on a user terminal not belonging to a team. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of matching-related processing.

In this embodiment, the user operates an information processing device equipped with a touch screen, such as a smartphone, to advance the game while transmitting and receiving data related to the game between the game server and the smartphone. The game supports single play where the user plays alone and multiplay where the user plays with other users. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to these examples, but is indicated by the scope of the claims, and it is intended that all changes within the meaning and range equivalent to the scope of the claims are included in the present invention. Ru. In the following description, the same elements are given the same reference numerals in the description of the drawings, and overlapping description will not be repeated.

<Hardware configuration of game system 1>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the game system 1. As shown in FIG. As illustrated, the game system 1 includes a plurality of user terminals 100 and a server 200. Each user terminal 100 is connected to a server 200 via a network 2. The network 2 includes the Internet and various mobile communication systems constructed by wireless base stations (not shown). Examples of this mobile communication system include so-called 3G, 4G mobile communication systems, LTE (Long Term Evolution), and wireless networks (for example, Wi-Fi (registered trademark)) that can be connected to the Internet through predetermined access points. It will be done.

The server 200 (computer, information processing device) may be a general-purpose computer such as a workstation or a personal computer. The server 200 includes a processor 20, a memory 21, a storage 22, a communication IF 23, and an input/output IF 24. These components included in the server 200 are electrically connected to each other by a communication bus.

The user terminal 100 (computer, information processing device) may be a mobile terminal such as a smartphone, a feature phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), or a tablet computer. User terminal 100 may be a game device suitable for playing games. As illustrated, the user terminal 100 includes a processor 10, a memory 11, a storage 12, a communication interface (IF) 13, an input/output IF 14, a touch screen 15 (display section), a camera 17, and a distance measurement sensor 18. Equipped with. These components included in the user terminal 100 are electrically connected to each other by a communication bus. Note that, instead of or in addition to the touch screen 15, the user terminal 100 may include an input/output IF 14 to which a display (display unit) configured separately from the user terminal 100 body can be connected.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the user terminal 100 may be configured to be able to communicate with one or more controllers 1020. The controller 1020 establishes communication with the user terminal 100, for example, according to a communication standard such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). The controller 1020 may have one or more buttons or the like, and transmits an output value to the user terminal 100 based on a user's input operation on the button or the like. Further, the controller 1020 may include various sensors such as an acceleration sensor and an angular velocity sensor, and transmits output values of the various sensors to the user terminal 100.

Note that instead of or in addition to the user terminal 100 including the camera 17 and the distance measurement sensor 18, the controller 1020 may include the camera 17 and the distance measurement sensor 18.

It is desirable that the user terminal 100 allows the user using the controller 1020 to input user identification information such as the user's name or login ID via the controller 1020, for example, when starting the game. This makes it possible for the user terminal 100 to link the controller 1020 and the user, and identify which user the received output value belongs to based on the source (controller 1020) of the received output value. be able to.

When the user terminal 100 communicates with a plurality of controllers 1020, by each user holding each controller 1020, the user terminal 100 can communicate with the one user terminal 100 without communicating with other devices such as the server 200 via the network 2. Multiplayer can be realized. In addition, each user terminal 100 communicates with each other using a wireless standard such as a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) standard (communicates without going through the server 200), thereby realizing local multiplayer with multiple user terminals 100. You can also. When the above-described multiplayer is locally implemented using one user terminal 100, the user terminal 100 may further include at least some of the various functions provided by the server 200, which will be described later. Furthermore, when the above-described multiplayer is locally implemented by a plurality of user terminals 100, the plurality of user terminals 100 may be provided with various functions provided in the server 200, which will be described later, in a distributed manner.

Note that even when the above-described multiplayer is implemented locally, the user terminal 100 may communicate with the server 200. For example, information indicating a play result such as a score or a win or loss in a certain game and user identification information may be associated with each other and transmitted to the server 200.

Further, the controller 1020 may be configured to be detachable from the user terminal 100. In this case, a coupling portion with the controller 1020 may be provided on at least one surface of the casing of the user terminal 100. When the user terminal 100 and the controller 1020 are connected via a wire via the coupling section, the user terminal 100 and the controller 1020 transmit and receive signals via the wire.

As shown in FIG. 1, the user terminal 100 may accept attachment of a storage medium 1030 such as an external memory card via the input/output IF 14. This allows the user terminal 100 to read programs and data recorded on the storage medium 1030. The program recorded on the storage medium 1030 is, for example, a game program.

The user terminal 100 may store a game program obtained by communicating with an external device such as the server 200 in the memory 11 of the user terminal 100, or may store a game program obtained by reading from the storage medium 1030 into the memory 11. It may be stored in

As explained above, the user terminal 100 includes the communication IF 13, the input/output IF 14, the touch screen 15, the camera 17, and the distance measurement sensor 18 as an example of a mechanism for inputting information to the user terminal 100. Each of the above-mentioned units serving as an input mechanism can be regarded as an operation unit configured to accept user input operations.

For example, when the operation unit is configured with at least one of the camera 17 and the distance measurement sensor 18, the operation unit detects an object 1010 near the user terminal 100 and performs an input operation based on the detection result of the object. Identify. As an example, a user's hand, a marker with a predetermined shape, or the like is detected as the object 1010, and an input operation is specified based on the color, shape, movement, type, etc. of the object 1010 obtained as a detection result. Ru. More specifically, when the user's hand is detected from the captured image of the camera 17, the user terminal 100 converts the gesture (a series of movements of the user's hand) detected based on the captured image into the user's input operation. be identified and accepted as such. Note that the photographed image may be a still image or a moving image.

Alternatively, when the operation unit is configured with the touch screen 15, the user terminal 100 identifies and accepts the user's operation performed on the input unit 151 of the touch screen 15 as the user's input operation. Alternatively, when the operation unit is configured with the communication IF 13, the user terminal 100 identifies and receives a signal (for example, an output value) transmitted from the controller 1020 as a user's input operation. Alternatively, when the operation unit is configured with the input/output IF 14, a signal output from an input device (not shown) connected to the input/output IF 14 and different from the controller 1020 is identified and accepted as the user's input operation.

<Hardware components of each device>
Processor 10 controls the overall operation of user terminal 100. Processor 20 controls the overall operation of server 200. Processors 10 and 20 include a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), and a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit).

The processor 10 reads a program from a storage 12, which will be described later, and expands it into a memory 11, which will be described later. The processor 20 reads a program from a storage 22, which will be described later, and expands it into a memory 21, which will be described later. Processor 10 and processor 20 execute the expanded program.

Memories 11 and 21 are main storage devices. The memories 11 and 21 are composed of storage devices such as ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory). The memory 11 provides a work area for the processor 10 by temporarily storing programs and various data that the processor 10 reads from a storage 12, which will be described later. The memory 11 also temporarily stores various data generated while the processor 10 is operating according to a program. The memory 21 provides a work area for the processor 20 by temporarily storing various programs and data that the processor 20 reads from a storage 22, which will be described later. The memory 21 also temporarily stores various data generated while the processor 20 is operating according to a program.

In this embodiment, the program may be a game program for realizing a game on the user terminal 100. Alternatively, the program may be a game program for realizing the game through cooperation between the user terminal 100 and the server 200. Note that the game realized through cooperation between the user terminal 100 and the server 200 may be, for example, a game executed on a browser started on the user terminal 100. Alternatively, the program may be a game program for realizing the game through cooperation of a plurality of user terminals 100. Further, the various data include data related to games such as user information and game information, and instructions or notifications transmitted and received between the user terminal 100 and the server 200 or between the plurality of user terminals 100.

Storages 12 and 22 are auxiliary storage devices. The storages 12 and 22 are comprised of storage devices such as flash memory or HDD (Hard Disk Drive). The storage 12 and the storage 22 store various data related to the game.

The communication IF 13 controls transmission and reception of various data in the user terminal 100. The communication IF 23 controls transmission and reception of various data in the server 200. The communication IFs 13 and 23 control, for example, communication via a wireless LAN (Local Area Network), Internet communication via a wired LAN, wireless LAN, or mobile phone network, and communication using short-range wireless communication.

The input/output IF 14 is an interface for the user terminal 100 to receive data input, and is an interface for the user terminal 100 to output data.
The input/output IF 14 may input/output data via a USB (Universal Serial Bus) or the like. The input/output IF 14 may include, for example, a physical button, a camera, a microphone, or a speaker of the user terminal 100. The input/output IF 24 of the server 200 is an interface for the server 200 to receive data input, and an interface for the server 200 to output data. The input/output IF 24 may include, for example, an input section that is an information input device such as a mouse or a keyboard, and a display section that is a device that displays and outputs images.

The touch screen 15 of the user terminal 100 is an electronic component that combines an input section 151 and a display section 152. The input unit 151 is, for example, a touch-sensitive device, and includes, for example, a touch pad. The display unit 152 is configured by, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display.

The input unit 151 detects the position where the user's operation (mainly physical contact operations such as touch operation, slide operation, swipe operation, and tap operation) is input on the input screen, and inputs information indicating the position. Equipped with a function to transmit as a signal. The input unit 151 may include a touch sensing unit (not shown). The touch sensing section may employ any method such as a capacitance method or a resistive film method.

Although not shown, the user terminal 100 may include one or more sensors for identifying the holding posture of the user terminal 100. This sensor may be, for example, an acceleration sensor or an angular velocity sensor. When the user terminal 100 includes a sensor, the processor 10 can also identify the holding posture of the user terminal 100 from the output of the sensor and perform processing according to the holding posture. For example, when the user terminal 100 is held vertically, the processor 10 may display a vertically long image on the display unit 152. On the other hand, when the user terminal 100 is held horizontally, a horizontal screen display may be used in which a horizontally long image is displayed on the display unit. In this way, the processor 10 may be able to switch between vertical screen display and horizontal screen display depending on the holding posture of the user terminal 100.

The camera 17 includes an image sensor and the like, and generates a captured image by converting incident light that enters from a lens into an electrical signal.

The distance sensor 18 is a sensor that measures the distance to the object to be measured. The distance measurement sensor 18 includes, for example, a light source that emits pulse-converted light and a light receiving element that receives the light. The distance sensor 18 measures the distance to the object to be measured based on the timing of light emission from the light source and the timing of reception of reflected light generated when the light emitted from the light source hits the object and is reflected. The distance sensor 18 may include a light source that emits light with directivity.

Here, an example will be further described in which the user terminal 100 uses the camera 17 and the ranging sensor 18 to receive a detection result of detecting an object 1010 in the vicinity of the user terminal 100 as a user's input operation. The camera 17 and the ranging sensor 18 may be provided, for example, on the side surface of the housing of the user terminal 100. A distance measuring sensor 18 may be provided near the camera 17. As the camera 17, for example, an infrared camera can be used. In this case, the camera 17 may be provided with a lighting device that emits infrared rays, a filter that blocks visible light, and the like. This makes it possible to further improve the accuracy of object detection based on images captured by the camera 17, regardless of whether the object is outdoors or indoors.

The processor 10 may perform, for example, one or more of the following processes (1) to (5) on the captured image of the camera 17. (1) The processor 10 performs image recognition processing on the image taken by the camera 17 to identify whether or not the user's hand is included in the image taken. The processor 10 may use a technique such as pattern matching, for example, as an analysis technique employed in the image recognition process described above. (2) The processor 10 also detects the user's gestures from the shape of the user's hands. For example, the processor 10 identifies the number of fingers of the user (the number of extended fingers) from the shape of the user's hand detected from the photographed image. The processor 10 further identifies the gesture performed by the user from the identified number of fingers. For example, if the number of fingers is five, the processor 10 determines that the user has made a "pa" gesture. Furthermore, when the number of fingers is 0 (no fingers are detected), the processor 10 determines that the user has made a "goo" gesture. Further, if the number of fingers is two, the processor 10 determines that the user has made a "choki" gesture. (3) The processor 10 performs image recognition processing on the image captured by the camera 17 to detect whether the user's finger is in a state where only the index finger is held up or whether the user's finger is in a flicking motion. . (4) The processor 10 determines whether an object 1010 (such as a user's hand, ) and the user terminal 100 is detected. For example, the processor 10 determines whether the user's hand is close to the user terminal 100 (for example, at a distance less than a predetermined value) or far away (for example, at a distance less than a predetermined value), depending on the size of the shape of the user's hand identified from the captured image of the camera 17. or more distance). Note that when the captured image is a moving image, the processor 10 may detect whether the user's hand is approaching or moving away from the user terminal 100. (5) If it is found that the distance between the user terminal 100 and the user's hand has changed while the user's hand has been detected based on the image recognition result of the image taken by the camera 17, the processor 10 recognizes that the user is waving his hand in the photographing direction of the camera 17. When an object is detected or not detected by the ranging sensor 18, which has stronger directivity than the shooting range of the camera 17, the processor 10 detects that the user is waving his/her hand in a direction perpendicular to the shooting direction of the camera. recognize.

In this way, the processor 10 determines whether the user is clasping his/her hands (a "goo" gesture or another gesture (for example, "paa") by image recognition of the image taken by the camera 17. ). The processor 10 also detects the shape of the user's hand and how the user moves the hand. The processor 10 also detects whether the user is moving his hand closer to or away from the user terminal 100. Such an operation can correspond to, for example, an operation using a pointing device such as a mouse or a touch panel. For example, the user terminal 100 moves the pointer on the touch screen 15 according to the movement of the user's hand, and detects the user's gesture “goo”. In this case, the user terminal 100 recognizes that the user is continuing the selection operation. Continuation of the selection operation corresponds to, for example, the mouse being clicked and kept pressed in, or the mouse being touched after a touch down operation is performed on the touch panel. Further, when the user further moves his/her hand while the user's gesture "goo" is being detected, the user terminal 100 detects a series of such gestures as an operation corresponding to a swipe operation (or drag operation). It can also be recognized. Further, when the user terminal 100 detects a gesture such as a flick of the user's finger based on the detection result of the user's hand based on the captured image of the camera 17, the user terminal 100 converts the gesture into a mouse click or a tap operation on the touch panel. It may be recognized as an operation corresponding to .

<Functional configuration of game system 1>
(Functional configuration of server 200)
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the server 200. The server 200 has a function of providing each user terminal 100 with various data and programs necessary to realize the game. The server 200 has a function of collecting and managing game-related data from each user terminal 100. The server 200 has a function of performing synchronization processing between a plurality of user terminals 100.

Note that in this embodiment, the server 200 identifies each user and the user terminal 100 using a game account registered in advance. The method of registering an account is not particularly limited. For example, the user terminal 100 or another device such as a personal computer may transmit information necessary for registering the user's account to the server 200 in accordance with the user's operation. Then, the server 200 may create and save an account for each user based on the received information.

When the user terminal 100 logs into the network 2 of the game system 1 using any account, the server 200 recognizes the logged-in user terminal 100. Note that there are no particular limitations on the login method and processing related to login. The server 200 and the user terminal 100 may perform conventionally known login methods and various processes related to login.

The server 200 functions as a control unit 210 and a storage unit 220 through cooperation of the processor 20, memory 21, storage 22, communication IF 23, input/output IF 24, and the like.

The storage unit 220 stores various data used by the control unit 210. The storage unit 220 stores a game program 221, game information 222, and user information 223.

The game program 221 is a program for realizing a game. Game information 222 and user information 223 are data referenced when game program 221 is executed.

In addition to the game program executed on the server 200 side, the game program 221 may include a program (game program 121 described below) that is transmitted to the user terminal 100 and executed on the user terminal 100 side. Alternatively, the storage unit 220 may store both the game program 221 executed on the server 200 side and the program executed on the user terminal side.

Game information 222 is information common between accounts. The game information 222 may include, for example, information for defining various game spaces. The "game space" is a space in which objects of playable characters that can be operated by the user are arranged. The game information 222 is common between accounts, such as the location, size, color, and shape of background objects such as trees, rocks, and buildings, and non-player character (NPC) objects placed in the game space. may include various configuration information regarding the object. The game information 222 may include setting values for various parameters of the non-player character. Game information 222 may include information related to quests. The game information 222 may include information regarding the probability of winning a lottery held within the game space. A quest is an in-game event with achievement conditions set. Achievement conditions may be set for each quest. Note that failure conditions may be set for the quest in addition to achievement conditions. Furthermore, hereinafter, a character object placed in the game space may be simply referred to as a "character."

The user information 223 is information managed for each game account. The user information 223 may include, for example, information regarding an operable character (hereinafter referred to as an operable character), team affiliation information, information regarding owned assets, information indicating the degree of progress of the game, and the like. Here, examples of held assets include in-game currency, items, character equipment, and the like. Team affiliation information is information for specifying whether a user belongs to any team, the type of team to which the user belongs, etc., and is information managed by the server 200 for each user. Note that the team affiliation information may be managed in the user terminal 100 and transmitted to the server 200 as necessary (for example, when requesting matching).

The control unit 210 controls various processes related to the game by executing the game program 221 stored in the storage unit 220. The control unit 210 functions as a transmission/reception unit 211 , a data management unit 213 , a matching unit 215 , and a server processing unit 212 by executing a game program 221 .

The transmitting/receiving unit 211 transmits and receives various data. For example, the transmitting/receiving unit 211 receives requests for sending various data and programs from the user terminal 100, requests for synchronization to support a multiplayer function, data for synchronization, etc., and sends them to the server processing unit 212. For example, the transmitting/receiving unit 211 transmits various data and programs to the user terminal 100 according to instructions from the server processing unit 212.

In the present embodiment, the "multiplay function" is a function that allows the game to progress while synchronizing the progress of the game in multiple accounts. The server 200 and user terminal 100 of the game system 1 perform various processes to support the multiplay function when there are multiple accounts logged into the game system 1.

The server processing unit 212 performs various determination processes related to game progress. The server processing unit 212 performs arithmetic processing necessary to provide the game. The server processing unit 212 executes arithmetic processing described in the game program 221 in response to requests from the user terminal 100 and the like.

For example, the server processing unit 212 instructs the data management unit 213 to add, update, or delete records of game information 222 or user information 223. For example, the server processing unit 212 instructs the transmitting/receiving unit 211 to transmit various data or programs. For example, when the server processing unit 212 receives a request for synchronization and data for synchronization to support the multiplay function from the user terminal 100 via the transmission/reception unit 211, the server processing unit 212 requests the synchronization processing unit 214 to perform synchronization to support the multiplay function. Instruct to perform processing.

The data management unit 213 manages various data stored in the storage unit 220 according to instructions from the server processing unit 212. For example, the data management unit 213 adds, updates, or deletes records of the game information 222 or the user information 223 in response to instructions from the server processing unit 212.

For example, the data management unit 213 reads at least one of the game information 222 and the user information 223 from the storage unit 220 in accordance with an instruction from the server processing unit 212, and transmits it to the user terminal 100 via the transmission/reception unit 211.

For example, in accordance with instructions from the server processing unit 212 , the data management unit 213 reads out of the game program 221 a program to be executed on the user terminal 100 side from the storage unit 220 and transmits it to the user terminal 100 via the transmission/reception unit 211 . do.

The synchronization processing unit 214 performs synchronization processing to support the multiplay function of the game according to instructions from the server processing unit 212. The synchronization processing unit 214 performs synchronization between user terminals by transmitting some information received from the user terminal 100 corresponding to each account to other user terminals 100. Even when transmitting some information from the server 200 to a plurality of user terminals 100, the synchronization processing unit 214 transmits the information to each user terminal 100 in synchronization. Note that the synchronization processing unit 214 may receive synchronization timing, information to be synchronized, etc. from the server processing unit 212. As a result, the in-game action caused by, for example, an input operation performed on one user terminal 100 is synchronized and shown on other user terminals 100.

The matching unit 215 performs a series of processes for associating multiple users. The matching unit 215 performs, for example, a process of associating users who request matching with each other when a user performs an input operation for playing a game. The process of associating users with each other includes, for example, a process of associating users who form a pair, and a process of associating users (pairs) who compete against each other. In the matching unit 215, for example, normally, on the condition that the other user's rating, the number of tower floors, etc. that are indicators of the other user's ability are close to the user, priority is given to other users who meet the condition. (hereinafter also referred to as normal search conditions). Furthermore, during a specific period (described later) in this embodiment, in addition to or in place of the normal search conditions, if the user belongs to a team, the target of the paired user is Search from rooms, and if the user does not belong to a team, search for paired users from rooms created by other users who belong to the team. Pair users are determined (matched) by random number lottery from among other users who meet the search conditions. Here, the rating is a value set for each team member. The rating value changes depending on the member's status. For example, if you win a doubles match, the winning member's rating will increase. Furthermore, the tower is a system adopted in this tennis game, in which a player plays a match against an opponent character on each floor from the first floor to the top floor, and by winning, the player can move on to the next floor. The rating and the number of tower floors are determined as indicators of the user's ability. Matching is performed by referring to team affiliation information, in addition to a rank index that hierarchically categorizes each user's proficiency level and each user's rating (an index that is updated according to the results of game play).

(Functional configuration of user terminal 100)
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the user terminal 100. The user terminal 100 has a function as an input device that receives input operations from a user, and a function as an output device that outputs images and sounds of the game. The user terminal 100 functions as a control unit 110 and a storage unit 120 through cooperation of the processor 10, memory 11, storage 12, communication IF 13, input/output IF 14, and the like.

The storage unit 120 stores a game program 121, game information 122, and user information 123. The game program 121 is a game program executed on the user terminal 100 side. The game information 122 is data that the control unit 110 refers to when executing the game program 121, and includes information similar to the game information 222 of the server 200. The user information 123 is data related to the account of the user of the user terminal 100 and includes the same information as the user information 223 of the server 200.

The control unit 110 comprehensively controls the user terminal 100 by executing the game program 121 stored in the storage unit 120. For example, the control unit 110 defines the game space by referring to information for defining the game space stored in the game information 122. The control unit 110 transmits and receives various data. For example, the control unit 110 receives various data, programs, data for synchronization to support a multiplay function, etc. from the server 200. For example, the control unit 110 transmits to the server 200 some or all of the game information 122 or user information 123, and a request for synchronization to support the multiplayer function.

The control unit 110 functions as a game progress processing unit 111, an input operation reception unit 112, a camera arrangement control unit 113, a display control unit 114, and an object control unit 115 according to the description of the game program 121.

The input operation accepting unit 112 detects and accepts a user's input operation on the input unit 151. The input operation reception unit 112 determines what type of input operation has been performed based on the action exerted by the user on the console via the touch screen 15 and other input/output IF 14, and transmits the result to each element of the control unit 110. Output.

For example, when an input operation is performed on the input unit 151, the input operation reception unit 112 detects the coordinates of the input position and the type of operation. For example, the input operation reception unit 112 detects a touch operation, a slide operation, a swipe operation, a tap operation, and the like. When the continuously detected input is interrupted, the input operation receiving unit 112 detects that the contact input from the touch screen 15 is released.

The game progress processing unit 111 performs various processes related to the progress of the game. For example, the game progress processing unit 111 interprets the contents of the user's instruction indicated by the coordinates of the input position and the type of operation of the input operation received by the input operation reception unit 112. For example, the game progress processing unit 111 adds, updates, or deletes the game information 122 or the user information 123. For example, the game progress processing unit 111 performs various determination processes related to the progress of the game.

The camera placement control unit 113 defines a virtual camera for specifying an area of the game space to be presented to the user. The camera placement control unit 113 virtually places the virtual camera in the game space by defining the position and orientation of the virtual camera in the game space. Further, the camera placement control unit 113 instructs the display control unit 114 to create an image depicting the viewing area defined by the virtual camera and the object placed in the viewing area.

Note that the camera placement control unit 113 may appropriately determine the position and orientation of the virtual camera for each game space. For example, the camera placement control unit 113 uses the position and orientation of a specific object as a reference, and moves the virtual camera at a certain direction, distance, and angle from the object so that the object is reflected in the center of the viewing area in a specific direction. May be placed. The specific object may be, for example, an object of a character operated by the user terminal 100, a dynamic object representing another character such as a non-player character, a building, a tree, a stone, etc. It may be a static object. Here, the dynamic objects in the game space include characters that operate based on the game programs 121 and 221 (for example, non-player characters, enemy characters, etc.) and operated characters that operate based on operations by the user. .

The display control unit 114 causes the display unit 152 to display an image. For example, the display control unit 114 generates an image depicting the field of view of the virtual camera defined by the camera placement control unit 113 and objects existing in the area in the game space, and causes the display unit 152 to display the generated image. . Furthermore, the display control unit 114 may superimpose and draw objects related to a UI (user interface) necessary for various operations of the game, such as icons, buttons, and menus indicating various parameters, on such an image. .

The object control unit 115 arranges objects in the game space based on object setting information included in the game information 122. The object control unit 115 controls objects placed in the game space. For example, the object control unit 115 changes the position, orientation, shape, color, etc. of the object in the game space, or causes the object to perform a predetermined series of actions.

Note that the game system 1 may be configured such that the server 200 has at least some of the functions that the user terminal 100 has. The game system 1 may be configured such that the user terminal 100 has at least some of the functions that the server 200 has. Furthermore, devices other than the user terminal 100 and the server 200 may be used as components of the game system 1, and the hardware may execute a part of the processing in the game system 1. That is, the computer that executes the game programs 121 and 221 in this embodiment may be any of the user terminal 100, the server 200, and other devices.

<Game Overview>
(Game space, object and virtual camera placement)
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a match space, which is a type of game space in a tennis game. A tennis game progresses in a three-dimensional game space whose coordinate axes are the X, Y, and Z axes. State (A) in FIG. 4 shows an example of the arrangement of various objects and the virtual camera 330 when the game space is viewed from a viewpoint parallel to the XZ plane. State (B) in FIG. 4 shows an example of the arrangement of various objects and the virtual camera 330 when the game space is viewed from a viewpoint parallel to the ZY plane. In the following description, when an object that has been described with a member number is referred to again, the word "object" will be omitted as much as possible. For example, when referring to the "playable character object 310" again, it will simply be referred to as the "playable character 310."

The object control unit 115 arranges a substantially planar object 300 representing a tennis court substantially parallel to the XZ plane of the match space. Furthermore, the object control unit 115 arranges the object 303 representing a net so as to divide the tennis court 300 into two in the longitudinal direction. The object control unit 115 controls an object (first object) 310 of the playable character operated by the own user and an object (another object) 320 of the opponent character operated by another user who is an opponent on a tennis court. Place it at 300. For example, the object control unit 115 places the playable character 310 in the court 301 and its surrounding area (first area). Further, the object control unit 115 arranges the opponent character 320 in the court 302 and its surrounding area (second area). In other words, the first area is an area in which the playable character 310 can move, and the second area is an area in which the opponent character 320 can move. The surrounding area of the court 301 and the court 302 is a predetermined range, for example, outside the baseline and outside the sideline of each court.

The camera placement control unit 113 places a virtual camera 330 within the game space. The position and angle of virtual camera 330 are not particularly limited. For example, the camera placement control unit 113 places the virtual camera 330 at a position and angle that allows the entire tennis court 300 and all the characters to be photographed.

Note that in the opponent's user terminal 100, the character operated by the opponent becomes the operated character 310, while the character operated by the own user becomes the opponent character 320, and the tennis game of this embodiment is played. This is executed by the user terminal 100 of the opponent.

(Basic movements during a match)
In a tennis game, one game consists of a plurality of points, similar to an actual tennis match. One point begins with a serve by the operating character 310 or the opponent character 320. The operating character 310 or the opponent character 320 each returns the ball 340 to the opponent's court. If any character fails to return the ball, points are awarded to the opponent.

FIG. 5 shows some objects on the display screen displayed on the touch screen 15 during a doubles match in a tennis game. On the touch screen 15, an image including, for example, the entire tennis court 300, an operating character 310, an ally character 311 (paired characters), an opponent character 320, and an opponent paired character 321 is displayed as a game screen. When a predetermined input operation is performed on the touch screen 15, the object control unit 115 causes the operated character 310 to perform various actions. Various actions include movement of the serve start position, toss action, serve action, movement of the ball 340 between a teammate pair (operating character 310, teammate character 311) and an opponent pair (opponent character 320, opponent pair character 321). This includes moving movements, ball-hitting movements, etc. during a rally in which balls are hit alternately. By performing an input operation in a manner corresponding to the progress of the game, the user can cause the playable character 310 to perform an action according to the progress of the game. A rally starts when a teammate pair or an opponent pair serves the ball 340, and if the teammate pair or opponent pair fails to return the ball (for example, if the teammate pair or opponent pair fails to return the ball 340, the returned ball 340 is in the net or out). ). Hereinafter, various actions of the playable character 310 during a rally will be described using the playable character 310 as an example.

Note that the history of touch operations on the touch screen 15 is managed by a history information table (not shown). The position of the touch operation, the operation mode (tap operation, long tap operation, flick operation, drag operation, etc.), etc. are specified based on the history information table. Here, the tap operation means that the user performs an approach operation to approach the touch screen 15 with a finger or the like, and then performs a release operation at the position where the approach operation was performed. The long tap operation is an operation in which the user continues to press the touch screen 15. The flick operation is a series of operations in which the user maintains the approach operation on the touch screen 15, quickly moves the position where the approach operation was performed, and then performs the release operation. The drag operation is an operation in which the user slides the finger or the like while keeping the finger or the like close to the touch screen 15 .

Note that the indicator for performing input operations on the touch screen 15 is not particularly limited. For example, the indicator may be a user's finger, a stylus pen, or the like. In this embodiment, the user's finger is used as the indicator. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the input operation receiving unit 112 accepts input operations performed at any position on the touch screen 15 unless otherwise specified.

If the playable character 310 has the right to serve, the object control unit 115 places the playable character 310 at a predetermined position along the end line. When the input operation reception unit 111 accepts a left/right drag operation, the game progress processing unit 112 identifies the drag operation as an instruction to move the serve start position. The movement control unit 113 determines at least one of the movement direction, movement speed, and movement distance from the drag operation. The object control unit 115 moves the playable character 310 left and right along the end line according to the content determined by the movement control unit 113. This allows the user to adjust the course of the serve of the playable character 310. When the playable character 310 has the right to serve and the input operation reception unit 111 receives a tap operation, the game progress processing unit 112 specifies that the tap operation is an instruction for a toss operation.

The object control unit 115 causes the playable character 310 to perform a toss motion according to the instruction. Further, the object control unit 115 causes the ball object 340 to appear and move in accordance with the toss motion. The toss action is an action of tossing up the ball 340. The object control unit 115 moves the ball 340 so that it appears as if the operated character 310 has tossed up the ball 340. For example, the object control unit 115 raises and lowers the ball 340 so as to draw a parabola. When the input operation reception unit 111 receives a touch operation during a toss operation, the game progress processing unit 112 identifies the touch operation as an instruction for a serve operation. The object control unit 115 causes the playable character 310 to perform a serve action according to the instruction. For example, the object control unit 115 causes the operated character 310 to swing a racket. Further, the object control unit 115 moves the ball 340 to the court of the opponent pair according to the movement of the racket.

In this embodiment, the type of shot performed by the playable character 310 can be selected by a touch operation on a button icon (not shown). The types of shots include a normal shot, a super shot (hereinafter also abbreviated as SS), and a gear shot.

The normal shots include spin shots, lob shots, and slice shots. A spin shot is a shot in which the ball 340 is returned toward the opponent's court while rotating vertically in the normal direction. A lob shot is a shot in which the ball is returned high and loose in a heap so that it falls to the back (deep position) of the opponent's court. A slice shot is a shot in which the ball 340 is returned to the opponent's court while being rotated vertically in the opposite direction.

The super shot is a shot performed in conjunction with skill activation that is associated in advance with the type of character selected as the playable character 310 from among multiple types of characters. When the super shot is activated, the ball 340 is hit back in a manner advantageous to the operated character 310. For example, the ball 340 moves to the opponent's court on a special trajectory that does not occur during a normal shot.

Gear shots are provided depending on the type of gear (racquet). By equipping the operating character 310 with a gear (racquet), the user can cause the operating character 310 to hit a corresponding gear shot. When the gear shot is activated, the ball 340 is hit back in a manner advantageous to the operated character 310. For example, the ball 340 moves to the opponent's court with more power than during a normal shot.

(About team affiliation)
Each user can belong to a team in the tennis game. Since each user participates in the game through the character he/she operates, a team can be said to be a group to which one or more characters belong. A user can belong to a team by joining an already existing team or by establishing his or her own team.

When the user terminal 100 receives an operation according to a predetermined procedure for joining a team, the user terminal 100 causes the user of the user terminal 100 to join (belong to) a team established by another user. Furthermore, the user terminal 100 can also withdraw from a team that the user has established or joined, in response to an operation in a predetermined procedure for withdrawing from a team to which the user belongs. Note that the user does not necessarily need to belong to a team. However, users who do not belong to a team may be at a disadvantage compared to users who belong to a team in that they cannot receive predetermined benefits such as the benefit of team reinforcement, which will be described later, during a match.

When the user terminal 100 receives an operation according to a predetermined procedure for establishing a team, the user terminal 100 newly establishes a team to which the user belongs. The user terminal 100 may permit the establishment of a team if certain conditions are met in the tennis game. The "specific condition" may be, for example, that any parameter included in the user information 123, such as the user's level in a tennis game, exceeds a predetermined value. Further, the "specific condition" may be that the in-game currency (points, etc.) indicated by the user information 123 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

When a user joins a team and becomes a team member, or when a user leaves a team and becomes a non-member of the team (including cases where the user does not belong to a team and does not belong to a team from the beginning), the user terminal The control unit 110 of 100 stores (updates) the current team affiliation information (identifying information) of the user in the storage unit 121 (user information 123), and also transmits the team affiliation information to the server 200 via the communication IF 13. Ru. The control unit 210 of the server 200 stores the team affiliation information received through the communication IF 23 in the storage unit 220 (user information 223). As a result, team affiliation information (identification information) that can identify users belonging to a team is stored and updated in the storage unit 220 (user information 223) based on the user's designation of belonging to a team.

(Team Town (Team Space))
Upon receiving a predetermined input operation, the object control unit 115 of the user terminal 100 places the playable character 310 in the team space. A team space is a type of game space, and is a game space shared by users belonging to the same team.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a team town (hereinafter also referred to as team space), which is a type of game space. An area divided into a predetermined number of rectangular areas (grid) is shown on a certain plane (XZ plane) of the team space. Note that this grid does not have to be displayed on the actual game screen. The areas divided into grids indicate areas in which building objects can be placed. Hereinafter, this area will be referred to as a "buildable area."

Building objects are placed in the team space. Buildings indicate the strength of your team. In other words, in a tennis game, it can be said that the strengthened state of the team is visualized by the types of buildings built in the team space and the level of each building. The strengthened state of the team is recorded in the user information 123 of the user terminal 100 and the user information 223 of the server 200.

In the example of FIG. 6, buildings 410, 420, and 430 are placed in the buildable area. The building 410 has a function of indicating the size of the buildable area. The building 420 has a function of improving a specific performance of the playable character 310 of the user who belongs to the team. The building 430 has the function of a bulletin board (message board) for posting calls to the team.

(About team strengthening and reward items)
When a doubles match is played, the game progress processing unit 112 awards a predetermined type and number of reward items to the team to which each user operates the characters (ally pair and opponent pair) who participated in the match after the match is over. Give. Reward items are consumable items used to strengthen your team. When a team is strengthened using reward items, the performance and abilities of the characters owned by users belonging to the team are improved according to the strengthened state of the team. Specifically, the game progress processing unit 112 reads information indicating the strengthened state of the team included in the user information 123, and uses the information to calculate correction values for the performance and abilities of the user-owned characters belonging to the team. The correction value is calculated and added to the corresponding parameter of each character. Parameters to be added include, for example, a parameter indicating the movement speed of the operating character, a parameter indicating the strength of the ball hit by the operating character, a parameter indicating the accuracy of the operating character's shot (how difficult it is to make a miss shot), and a parameter indicating the operating character's shot accuracy. This includes parameters that indicate the strength of the serve, parameters that indicate the physical strength of the operated character, etc. As a result, the performance and abilities of the user-owned characters belonging to the team are improved in accordance with the strengthened state of the team. In this way, by belonging to a team, the user can receive benefits such as improved performance and abilities of the user's character. Further, in the tennis game according to this embodiment, a team event occurs. A team event is an event in which users belonging to a team can participate, and for example, an event is provided in which benefits are given according to points earned by each team. In this case, the larger the number of people (users) belonging to a team, the more opportunities to acquire points, which is advantageous. Therefore, users who belong to a team can be motivated to invite users who do not belong to the team to the team to which they belong in order to increase the number of team members. In addition, the benefits are given to all members of the team, so belonging to a team with many users with high ratings and tower floors allows beginners (low ratings and tower floors) to obtain benefits. It becomes an opportunity.

(Matching process)
Display examples on the user terminal 100 when matching users (a user and another user, and an opponent user and an opponent pair user) will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a procedure in which a user determines a pair of users. FIG. 7(A) is a diagram showing an example of a display screen displaying means for determining a partner (ally character) to be paired with. The create pair button 510 is used to notify another user of the number displayed on the number display section 710 and to determine the other user who responds to the notification as a partner to form a pair with (hereinafter also referred to as a pair user). This is a button (input section). The automatic pair button 520 is a button for determining another user as a pair user by random number lottery or the like. The number input section 530 at the center of the screen is a button for the user to designate another user (the user who notified the pair number) as a pair user by inputting the pair number. The back button 540 is a button at the bottom left of the screen for returning the screen display one step earlier.

FIG. 7(B) is a diagram showing an example of a display screen when the create pair button 510 in FIG. 7(A) is specified. When the input operation reception unit 112 of the user terminal 100 detects an input operation (tap operation) on the pair creation button 510, it transmits the detection information to the server 200. When the create pair button 510 is designated, the display screen shown in FIG. 7(A) shifts to the display screen shown in FIG. 7(B). A character 310 that the user operates in the match is displayed on the display screen. Replacement buttons 401 and 402 represent characters that can be substituted with the currently displayed playable character 310 to participate in the match as the playable character. By touching either of the replacement buttons 401 or 402, the character corresponding to the touched replacement button is displayed as the operated character 310. The displayed character becomes the operation character 310 operated by the user in the match. The user name display section 610 displays the user name. Court information is displayed on the court information display section 630. Court information indicates whether the court is clay, grass, hard, or the like. The match format display section 640 displays winning conditions for the match. For example, if the message "First to get 5 points" is displayed, the player who gets 5 points first wins. The deuce display section 650 displays whether there is a deuce or not in the match. When the deuce is displayed as "Yes", there is a deuce in the match, but when it is displayed as "No deuce", there is no deuce in the match. The SS (super shot) display section 660 displays whether there is a super shot or not. When "available" is displayed on the SS display section 660, the super shot can be used in the match. On the other hand, when "None" is displayed on the SS display section 660, the super shot cannot be used in the match. In the state shown in FIG. 7B, the settings of the items displayed on the court information display section 630, match format display section 640, deuce display section 650, and SS display section 660 cannot be changed by the user. However, in the state shown in FIG. 7B, the settings of items displayed on the court information display section 630 or the like may be changed by the user.

The number display section 710 displays the pair number (also referred to as a team number or room number) of the user who specified the create pair button 510. Note that the pair number is transmitted to the server 200 via the communication IF 13 of the user terminal 100. The server 200 stores the pair number in the storage unit 220. When another user inputs the pair number using the number input section 530, the other user is determined as a pair user of the user who specified the create pair button 510. Note that the pair number becomes a different number each time the button 510 for creating a pair is specified. The call friend button 550 is a button for the user to notify a friend (for example, another user who has registered as a friend) of the pair number. The ready button 560 is a button that is touched to determine the character to be used in the match and when there is no change. The details button 570 is a button that shows a display screen that explains in detail the contents of the match in which the user participates.

FIG. 7(C) is a diagram showing an example of a display screen when the call friend button 550 in FIG. 7(B) is designated. In FIG. 7(C), the pair number of the user is solicited for other users to become a pair partner through information transmission means (for example, SNS (Social Networking Service) or building (bulletin board) 430). A button to send a notification) and a button to copy the pair number are displayed. Here, SNS refers to, for example, TWITTER (registered trademark) and LINE (registered trademark). FIG. 7(D) is a diagram showing an example of a display screen when the SNS button in FIG. 7(C) is selected and a pair is recruited on SNS. By recruiting pairs on SNS, friend users who see this can be encouraged to participate in the match. At this time, a message regarding team affiliation is added. For example, if the user who specified the create pair button 510 (sent a message to recruit pairs) does not belong to a team, a message related to team membership may be sent, followed by the pair number and the message "Looking for a team." will be displayed, and if the user belongs to a team, the message "Looking for teammate" will be displayed after the pair number. Note that messages are added during a specific period for matching users, and are not added after the specific period has elapsed. For example, messages may be added during a specific period, which will be described later, and may not be added during a period other than the specific period.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a procedure in which a user determines a pair of users. FIG. 8(A) is a diagram showing an example of a display screen displaying means for determining a partner to form a pair. In FIG. 8, explanations of the same symbols as in FIG. 7 will be omitted.

FIG. 8(B) is a diagram showing an example of a display screen when the automatic pair button 520 is specified in FIG. 8(A). When the automatic pairing button 520 is specified, automatic matching request information is transmitted to the server 200, and the message "Waiting for automatic pairing" is displayed on the display screen as shown in FIG. 8(B). The server 200 (matching unit 215) determines a pair of users (other users) by random number lottery based on the automatic matching request information. Specifically, the server 200 (matching unit 215) normally determines whether the other user's rating, tower floor number, or other numerical value that is an indicator of the ability of the other user is close to that of the user. Search with priority given to other users (hereinafter also referred to as normal search conditions). Pair users are determined by random number lottery from among other users who meet the conditions. However, during the specific period in this embodiment, in addition to or in place of the normal search conditions, if the user belongs to a team, search for paired users from users who have joined rooms that do not belong to a team, If the user does not belong to a team, search for paired users from users who have joined rooms belonging to the team. During the specific period, paired users are determined by random number lottery from among other users who meet the search conditions. The storage unit 220 of the server 200 stores team affiliation information of a user based on a user's designation of belonging to a team. The specific period is, for example, a predetermined period, such as a campaign period (exchange promotion period) set by the game provider.

During a specific period, an in-game space (hereinafter also referred to as a room) for matching with other users is created based on the team affiliation information of the user who specified the automatic pair button 520. At this time, if the user who specified the Omakase Pair button 520 belongs to any team, the team is selected based on the information that the user who specified the Omakase Pair button 520 belongs to the team (first identification information). The user is added to the room to which the user belongs. On the other hand, if the user who specified the Omakase Pair button 520 does not belong to a team, the user who specified the Omakase Pair button 520 is assigned to a room that does not belong to a team based on the information that the user does not belong to a team (second identification information). The user is made to join. When the user who specified the automatic pair button 520 belongs to a team, the matching unit 215 determines a pair user by random number lottery from among the users in rooms that do not belong to the team. On the other hand, if the user who specified the automatic pair button 520 does not belong to a team, a pair of users is determined by random number lottery from among the users in the room belonging to the team.

FIG. 8C is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen when a pair partner is determined (matched). On the display screen, the ally character 311 operated by the paired user and the names of other users are displayed in the paired user name display section 620. In FIG. 8C, both the user and the paired user have touched the ready button 560 and are in a ready state. When this state is reached, the next step is to proceed to the opponent pair search procedure. Note that after the paired users are determined, if either the user or the paired users does not touch the ready button 560 for a certain period of time, or if the return button 540 is touched, the process starts from the operation shown in FIG. 8(A). You will have to start over. When a pair is not established, for example, a message such as "pair not established" may be displayed on the display screen, or the operation may be restarted from the operation shown in FIG. 8(B) instead of from the operation shown in FIG. 8(A). You may also do so.

FIG. 8(D) is a diagram showing an example of a display screen when the user's pair and the opponent user's pair are determined. When the pair of the user and the opponent user are determined, the playable character 310 and the ally character 311 are displayed on the display screen, and the user name is displayed in the corresponding user name display 610 and pair user name display section 620, respectively. is displayed. Further, an opponent character 320 and an opponent pair character 321 are displayed, and corresponding user names are displayed in an opponent user name display section 810 and an opponent pair user name display section 820, respectively. Note that the pairs on the opponent user's side are also matched using the procedures shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. Note that it is also possible to add a function to display the user name of the opponent user side anonymously or as a general name. This makes it possible to keep the opponent unknown until the time of the battle, thereby increasing the interest of the game.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen displayed on the user terminal of each user who participated in the competition when the competition (match) ends. FIG. 9 shows an example in which comments from other users are displayed on each of the terminals of users who have participated in the battle. Note that FIG. 9 exemplifies a case where a match performed by specifying the automatic pair button 520 and matching has ended during a specific period. FIG. 9A is an example of a display screen displayed on a user terminal owned by a user belonging to a team. As shown in FIG. 9A, on the terminals of users who belong to a team, comments from paired users who do not belong to the team and the opponent paired users are displayed on the display screen.

FIG. 9B is an example of a display screen displayed on a user terminal owned by a user who does not belong to a team. As shown in FIG. 9(B), user terminals that do not belong to a team include comments from the paired users who belong to the paired team and the opponent pair, as well as comments from the paired users to the team to which the paired users belong. A pop-up 910 inviting users is displayed. In this way, a process is performed to match users who do not belong to a team with users who belong to a team and invite users who do not belong to a team to belong to a team.

<Matching-related processing flow>
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating matching-related processing related to matching. Note that the matching-related processing is executed by the server 200 or the like. Furthermore, in the following description, the flow of a series of processing steps explained using a flowchart is described as being executed by the server 200, but at least a part of these processing steps may be executed by the user terminal 100. may be done.

In step S01, it is determined whether the automatic pair button 520 has been designated on the example selection screen shown in FIG. 7(A) or FIG. 8(A). If it is not determined that the automatic pair button 520 has been designated, the process advances to step S02. On the other hand, when it is determined that the automatic pair button 520 has been designated, the process advances to step S09. When the input operation reception unit 112 of the user terminal 100 detects an input operation (tap operation) to the automatic pair button 520, it transmits automatic matching request information to the server 200. Upon receiving the automatic matching request information, the server 200 determines that the automatic pairing button 520 has been designated. When the user terminal 100 determines that the automatic pair button 520 has been designated, information about pair searching (for example, waiting for an automatic pair) is displayed on the display screen, as shown in FIG. 8(B). On the other hand, when the server 200 does not receive the automatic matching request information, it is not determined that the automatic pairing button 520 has been designated.

In step S02, it is determined whether the create pair button 510 has been designated. When the input operation reception unit 112 of the user terminal 100 detects an input operation (tap operation) on the pair creation button 510, it transmits the detection information and pair number information to the server 200. When the server 200 receives the detection information of the input operation to the input operation reception unit 112 of the user terminal 100, it determines that the create pair button 510 has been designated. If it is not determined that the create pair button 510 has been designated, the process advances to step S03. On the other hand, if it is determined that the create pair button 510 has been designated, the process advances to step S04. The time when it is determined that the create pair button 510 has not been designated is the time when the server 200 does not receive detection information of an input operation to the input operation reception unit 112 of the user terminal 100.

In step S03, pair number input from the user is detected. When the server 200 receives pair number input information from the number input unit 530 of the user terminal 100, it detects that a pair number has been input from the user (pair user designation). When the process of step S03 is completed, the process advances to step S08.

In step S04, it is determined whether or not the call friend button 550 is specified in an example of the display screen when the create pair button 510 shown in FIG. 7B is specified. When the input operation receiving unit 112 of the user terminal 100 detects an input operation (tap operation) on the call friend button 550, it transmits input operation information on the call friend button 550 to the server 200. When the server 200 receives input operation information for the call friend button 550, it determines that the call friend button 550 has been designated. When it is determined that the call friend button 550 has been designated, the process advances to step S05. On the other hand, if it is not determined that the call friend button 550 has been designated, the process advances to step S07. When the call friend button 550 is not designated, it is when the server 200 does not receive input operation information to the call friend button 550.

In step S05, in the example of the display screen when the call friend button 550 is specified in FIG. 7C, the user is recruiting pair users using the displayed SNS or building (bulletin board) 430. Perform processing to display the information. In that case, if the user who specified the create pair button 510 does not belong to a team, a message will be added saying "Looking for a team", and if the user who is recruiting pair users belongs to a team, a message will be added saying "Looking for a team". Add the message "Looking for teammates" (Figure 7 (D)). When the process of step S05 is completed, the process advances to step S06.

In step S06, number (pair) input from another user is detected. The server 200 detects that another user has input the pair number of the user who specified the call friend button 550 displayed on the SNS, building (bulletin board) 430, or the like. Detection of the input is performed based on information transmitted from the user terminal 100 owned by the other user. The server 200 identifies other users who have input the pair number of the user as paired users. When the process of step S06 is completed, the process advances to step S08.

In step S07, number (pair) input from another user is detected. In step S02, input of a pair number corresponding to the user who specified the create pair button 510 is detected. The server 200 identifies other users who have input the pair number of the user as paired users. When the process of step S07 is completed, the process advances to step S08.

In step S08, paired users are determined based on the processes executed in steps S03, S06, and S07. When the process of step S08 is completed, the process advances to step S17.

In step S09, it is determined whether it is a specific period. When it is determined that it is the specific period, the process advances to step S10. The specific period is like a campaign period (interaction promotion period) set by the game provider, and information about the specific period is stored in the storage unit 220 of the server 200. The control unit 210 determines whether it is a specific period based on information stored in the storage unit 220 (including game information 222). If it is not determined that it is the specific period, the process advances to step S16.

In step S10, it is determined whether the user who specified the automatic pair button 520 is a user belonging to a team. Whether or not the user belongs to a team is determined based on the team affiliation information of the user stored in the storage unit 220 (user information 223) of the server 200. When the server 200 determines that the user who specified the automatic pair button 520 does not belong to a team, the process proceeds to step S11. The case where it is determined that the user who specified the automatic pair button 520 does not belong to a team means that the user does not belong to a team. On the other hand, if it is determined that the user who specified the automatic pair button 520 belongs to the team, the process advances to step S13.

In step S11, the user who does not belong to a team is allowed to join a room to which he does not belong to a team. The matching unit 215 of the server 200 is provided with a team belonging data table corresponding to rooms belonging to a team and a non-team belonging data table corresponding to rooms not belonging to a team. When a matching request is received from a user who has specified the automatic pair button 520, the user is displayed in a data table indicating whether the user belongs to a team or does not belong to a team, based on the team affiliation information of the user stored in the user information 223. Sort and update the data table. In step S11, the user who specified the automatic pair button 520 is assigned to the team-unaffiliated data table, and the data table is updated. When the process of step S11 is completed, the process advances to step S12.

In step S12, for users who do not belong to a team and have specified the automatic pair button 520, a pair user is determined by random number lottery from the room to which the team belongs. The random number lottery is performed from among users searched based on conditions (normal conditions) such as being close to the user in rating and tower floor number from the team belonging room. When the process of step S12 is completed, the process advances to step S15.

In step S13, the user belonging to the team is allowed to join the team belonging room. When a matching request is received from a user who has specified the Omakase Pair button 520, the user is sorted into the team affiliation data table based on the user's team affiliation information stored in the user information 223, and the data table is created. Update. When the process of step S13 is completed, the process advances to step S14.

In step S14, a paired user is determined by random number lottery from rooms to which the team does not belong to the user who has specified the team belonging to the automatic pair button 520. The random number lottery is performed from among users who are searched from rooms that do not belong to a team based on conditions such as being close to the user in rating and tower floor number (normal conditions). When the process of step S14 is completed, the process advances to step S15.

In step S15, the paired users determined in step S12 or S14 are deleted from the room to which they belong (removed from search targets) so that they are not determined twice. The matching unit 215 deletes information corresponding to the paired users determined in step S12 or S14 from the team belonging data table or the team not belonging data table. When the process of step S15 is completed, the process advances to step S17.

In step S16, a pair user is determined by random number lottery from among other users who have specified the automatic pair button 520 (see FIG. 8(C)). A random number lottery is performed from users searched based on conditions such as being close to the user in rating and tower floor number. In step S16, paired users are determined regardless of whether they belong to a team or not. When the process of step S16 is completed, the process advances to step S17.

In step S17, it is determined whether the user and the paired user are ready. When it is determined that the preparation is complete, the process advances to step S18. The time when it is determined that the preparation is complete is when the user and the paired user touch the ready button 560 (see FIG. 8(D)). When the server 200 receives a signal for accepting input of the ready button 560 from both the user terminals 100 on the user side and the paired user side, the server 200 determines that the user and the paired user are ready. On the other hand, if it is not determined that the preparation is complete, the process returns to step S01. The time when it is determined that the preparation is not completed is when the user or one or both of the paired users does not touch the ready button 560 for a certain period of time, or when the return button 540 is touched. . When the server 200 does not receive an input acceptance signal of the ready button 560 from both the user terminals 100 on the user side and the paired user side for a certain period of time from the pair user determination time, or when the server 200 presses the return button 540 from the pair user determination time. When receiving a signal from any of the user terminals 100 indicating that the user terminal 100 has detected the user, it is not determined that the user and the paired user are ready.

In step S18, it is determined whether the match is matched with the opponent pair. When it is determined that a match has been made with the opponent pair, a match between the ally pair and the opponent pair is started, and the process proceeds to step S19. If it is not determined that the match is matched with the opponent pair, the operation in step S18 is repeated (matching is performed again). On the other hand, the case where it is not determined that a match has been made with the opponent pair is, for example, when the ally pair and the opponent pair cannot be matched for a predetermined period of time. In step S19, it is determined whether the battle has ended. When it is determined that the battle has ended, the process advances to step S20. If it is not determined that the match has ended, the operation in step S19 is repeated (repeated confirmation of whether the match has ended). In step S20, comments from other users are displayed on each of the terminals of the users who participated in the battle (see FIG. 9). At this time, a pop-up is displayed on the terminal of the unaffiliated user to invite him/her to join the team to which the paired user belongs. When the process of step S20 is completed, the matching process ends.

<Effects of this embodiment>
According to the present embodiment, the server 200 stores the user's team affiliation information in the storage unit 220 based on the user's designation of belonging to a team. The matching unit 215 identifies a user to be matched based on normal search conditions from among the plurality of users who have specified the automatic pair button 520. During the specific period, the matching unit 215 adds a search condition based on the user's team affiliation information in addition to the normal search conditions, and matches users who belong to a team with users who do not belong to a team without fail (Fig. 10 steps S11 to S14).

This makes it possible to match users who belong to a team with users who do not belong to a team. As a result, interaction between users who belong to a team and users who do not belong to a team can be encouraged, and the team membership rate and active rate can be improved.

Further, according to the present embodiment, after the match ends, a pop-up is displayed on the terminal 100 of a user who does not belong to a team to invite a pair of users who belong to a team to join the team (step S20 in FIG. 10). Thereby, users who do not belong to a team can be given an opportunity to belong to a team, and the team membership rate and active rate can be improved.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the matching unit 215 stores a plurality of users who have requested automatic matching during a specific period in a team affiliation data table corresponding to the team affiliation room based on the team affiliation information of each of the plurality of users. and a team non-belonging data table corresponding to the team non-belonging room (steps S11 and S13 in FIG. 10). When specifying a user to be matched with a user who belongs to a team, identify paired users from rooms that do not belong to a team; (steps S12 and S14 in FIG. 10). This makes it possible to reliably match users who belong to a team with users who do not belong to a team, and improve the team membership rate and active rate by encouraging interaction between users who belong to a team and users who do not belong to a team. be able to.

Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, in a specific period, users who belong to a team are matched with users who do not belong to a team (steps S11 to S14 in FIG. 10), while in a period different from the specific period, whether a user belongs to a team or not is matched. Matching is performed regardless of whether the user is an unaffiliated user (step S16 in FIG. 10). Control is performed to specify the user. Thereby, variations in matching processing can be increased for the specific period and other periods.

<Modified example>
Modifications of the embodiment described above are listed below.

(1) In the above embodiment, when matching a user with a paired user who forms a pair with the user, an example has been described in which affiliated users and unaffiliated users are matched based on whether they belong to a team or not. However, instead of matching between users and paired users, for example, users and paired users may be matched between those who belong to a team or between those who do not belong to a team, and when the users and paired users belong to a team, , a pair of users who do not belong to a team may be matched as an opponent, and if a user and a paired user are not affiliated with a team, a pair of users who belong to a team may be matched as an opponent. Users and paired users are matched using the usual random number lottery (regardless of whether they belong to a team or not), and if the user is a team member, they are matched with a pair that includes a user who does not belong to a team as an opponent. However, if the user is a user who does not belong to a team, a pair including a user who belongs to a team may be matched as an opponent.

(2) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which users are matched based on whether they belong to a team or not when matching users in a doubles match. However, in a single match, if the user is a user who belongs to a team, a user who does not belong to a team is matched as an opponent, and if the user is a user who does not belong to a team, a user who is a member of a team is matched as an opponent. You can do it like this.

(3) In the above embodiment, an example was described in which technical matters related to matching were applied to a tennis game. However, technical matters related to matching can be applied not only to tennis games but also to sports games such as beach volleyball and soccer, as long as the game matches users with other users. The present invention may be applied not only to sports games but also to fighting games, action games, and the like. For example, in a fighting game, when playing a 2-on-2 match with 4 people participating at the same time, the ally pair and the opponent pair are the users who belong to the team (Gilt, group, etc.) and the users who do not belong to the team (Gilt, group, etc.). It may be possible to match with the user. For example, in an action game, when two people cooperate to progress the game, a pair is matched between a user who belongs to a team (guilt, group, etc.) and a user who does not belong to a team (guilt, group, etc.). You can do it like this.

(4) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which users who belong to a team are always matched with users who do not belong to a team during a specific period. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and in a specific period, by matching users who belong to a team with users who do not belong to a team at a higher rate than matching users who belong to a team or users who do not belong to a team. , users who belong to a team and users who do not belong to a team may be matched preferentially.

(5) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which users who belong to a team are matched with users who do not belong to a team during a specific period. However, it is also possible to match users who belong to a team with users who do not belong to a team preferentially all the time, not only during a specific period, or to match users by random number lottery regardless of whether they belong to a team or not. The user may be able to select whether to match users who do not belong to a team with users who do not belong to a team. In addition, when users who belong to a team with fewer than a predetermined number of team members (for example, 50 people, etc.) create a room and perform matching, users who belong to the team and users who do not belong to the team will be matched with priority. If a user who belongs to more than a predetermined number of teams creates a room and performs matching, matching may be performed randomly regardless of whether or not the user belongs to a team.

(6) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which matching is performed based on the condition of whether or not a user belongs to a team. However, instead of or in addition to whether or not the user belongs to a team, matching may be performed based on whether or not the user is registered as a friend. Specifically, when a user creates a room and performs matching, the user and a user who is not registered as a friend may be matched as a pair or an opponent. In addition, when a user who belongs to a team creates a room and matches the user, the user who is not registered as a friend and who does not belong to the team is matched as a pair or opponent, and the user who does not belong to the team creates a room. When matching is performed by creating a user, users who belong to a team and who are not registered as friends with the user may be matched as a pair or an opponent.

(7) In the above embodiment, after the match ends, the paired user invites the user who does not belong to the team to the team to which the paired user belongs on the display screen of the user terminal 100 owned by the user who does not belong to the team. An example of displaying a popup was explained. However, the pop-up inviting players to the team may be displayed not only after the match ends, but also at the start of the match, or at a predetermined timing, such as during the match.

<Additional notes>
The matters explained in each of the above embodiments are additionally described below.

(Additional note 1):
According to an aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a server that performs a process of matching each user who operates a terminal for playing a game and causing the game to be executed, the server comprising: a storage unit; a control unit configured to control the operation of the server, and the control unit, based on a user's designation of belonging to a team, generates identification information that can identify a user belonging to a team. A step of storing the information in the storage unit and a step of specifying a user to be matched from among a plurality of users requesting matching are executed, and the step of specifying is a step of specifying a user to be matched based on the identification information. Identification control for specifying the affiliated users and the unaffiliated users preferentially than identifying affiliated users who belong to a team or unaffiliated users who do not belong to a team (steps S11 to 14) I do.

(Additional note 2):
In (Additional Note 1), the identification control is control for specifying the affiliated users and the unaffiliated users as users to be matched without specifying the affiliated users or the unaffiliated users.

(Additional note 3):
In (Appendix 1) or (Appendix 2), the control unit, on the terminal of an unaffiliated user among the users specified by the specific control, causes the user to join the team to which the affiliated user who is matched with the unaffiliated user belongs. Execute a step for displaying information that prompts you to do something.

(Additional note 4):
In any one of (Appendix 1) to (Appendix 3), the identification information includes first identification information that can identify the affiliated user among the plurality of users requesting matching, and first identification information that can identify the unaffiliated user. When identifying a user to be matched with the affiliated user in the identification control, the user is identified from the unaffiliated users identified based on the second identifying information, and the unaffiliated user is identified based on the second identifying information. When specifying a user to be matched with an affiliated user, the user is identified from the affiliated users specified based on the first identification information.

(Additional note 5):
In any one of (Appendix 1) to (Appendix 4), the step of specifying performs the specifying control in a specific period, while in a period different from the specific period, users are matched regardless of the identifying information. Perform specific control.

(Appendix 6):
According to an aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a method in a game system for matching each user who operates a terminal for playing a game to execute the game, the method comprising: , a step of storing identification information that can identify users belonging to the team in a storage unit based on a user's designation of belonging to a team; and matching from among a plurality of users requesting matching. and a step of identifying a user, and the identifying step is to identify affiliated users who belong to a team or unaffiliated users who do not belong to a team as users to be matched based on the identification information. Also, specific control (steps S11 to S14) is performed to preferentially identify the affiliated users and the unaffiliated users.

(Appendix 7):
According to an aspect of an embodiment disclosed in the present disclosure, there is provided a terminal for playing a game via a server that performs a process of matching each user and causing the game to be executed, the terminal controlling the operation of the terminal. a control unit configured to store a game program; and a storage unit configured to store a game program. information for storing in the storage unit of the server, identifying information that can identify that the user Among them, the users to be matched by the server based on the identification information are given priority to the affiliated users and the affiliated users, rather than affiliated users who belong to a team or unaffiliated users who do not belong to a team. By specifying the unaffiliated users, the affiliated users and the unaffiliated users are allowed to play a game with priority over the affiliated users or the unaffiliated users.

(Appendix 8):
According to an aspect of an embodiment shown in the present disclosure, there is provided a game program executed on a terminal for playing a game via a server that performs a process of matching each user and causing the game to be executed, the game program being executed on a terminal for playing a game, the operation of the terminal being to cause the processor configured to control the server to store, in the storage unit of the server, identifying information that can identify that the user belongs to a team, based on a user's designation that the user belongs to a team; a step of transmitting a matching request from a user to the server, a step of transmitting a matching request from a user to the server, and a user to be matched by the server based on the identifying information from among the plurality of users making the matching request. , the affiliated users and the unaffiliated users are identified preferentially than the affiliated users who belong to a team or the unaffiliated users who do not belong to a team, so that the affiliated users or the unaffiliated users are identified with priority. A step of causing the affiliated user and the unaffiliated user to execute a game with priority over the unaffiliated users.

[Example of implementation using software]
Control in each of the user terminal 100 and the server 200 may be realized by a logic circuit (hardware) formed in an integrated circuit (IC chip) or the like, or may be realized by software.

In the latter case, the user terminal 100 and the server 200 are equipped with a computer that executes instructions of a program that is software that implements each function. This computer includes, for example, one or more processors and a computer-readable recording medium that stores the above program. In the computer, the processor reads the program from the recording medium and executes the program, thereby achieving the object of the present invention. As the processor, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) can be used. As the recording medium, in addition to "non-temporary tangible media" such as ROM (Read Only Memory), tapes, disks, cards, semiconductor memories, programmable logic circuits, etc. can be used. Further, the computer may further include a RAM (Random Access Memory) for expanding the above program. Furthermore, the program may be supplied to the computer via any transmission medium (communication network, broadcast waves, etc.) that can transmit the program. Note that one aspect of the present invention can also be realized in the form of a data signal embedded in a carrier wave, in which the program is embodied by electronic transmission.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, and embodiments can be obtained by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in different embodiments. are also included within the technical scope of the present invention.

1 game system, 2 network, 10, 20 processor, 11, 21 memory, 12, 22 storage, 15 touch screen, 151 input section, 152 display section, 17 camera, 18 ranging sensor, 1010 object, 1020 controller, 1030 memory medium, 100 user terminal, 200 server, 120,220 storage unit, 121,221 game program, 122,222 game information, 123,223 user information, 110,210 control unit, 111 game progress processing unit, 112 input operation reception unit , 113 Camera arrangement control unit, 114 Display control unit, 115 Object control unit, 211 Transmission/reception unit, 212 Server processing unit, 213 Data management unit, 214 Synchronization processing unit

Claims (5)

A program that matches users on a computer ,
The computer ,
means for storing in a storage unit identification information that can identify that the user belongs to a team, based on a user's designation that the user belongs to a team;
a means for transmitting a matching request from a user;
Among the multiple users requesting matching, based on the identification information, the affiliated users are prioritized over affiliated users who belong to a team or unaffiliated users who do not belong to a team. and the unaffiliated user . 2. The program according to claim 1, wherein the specifying control is a control for matching the affiliated users and the unaffiliated users without specifying the affiliated users or the unaffiliated users as matching users . The computer,
Functioning as means for displaying information urging the affiliated user matched with the unaffiliated user to belong to a team on the terminal of the unaffiliated user among the users specified by the specific control, The program according to claim 1 or claim 2. The identification information includes first identification information that can identify the affiliated user among the plurality of users making a matching request, and second identification information that can identify the unaffiliated user,
In the identification control, when specifying a user to be matched with the affiliated user, specify from unaffiliated users identified based on the second identification information, and when specifying a user to be matched with the unaffiliated user, The program according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the program identifies the affiliated users identified based on the first identifying information. The means for performing the specific control performs the specific control during a specific period,
The computer,
5. The program according to claim 1 , wherein the program functions as a means for specifying a user to be matched regardless of the specifying information during a period different from the specifying period.

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