WO2013165000A1

WO2013165000A1 - Game system, game system control method, and computer-readable storage medium

Info

Publication number: WO2013165000A1
Application number: PCT/JP2013/062589
Authority: WO
Inventors: 吉昭川野; 山本　賢一; 芝宮　正和; 翔太日▲高▼
Original assignee: 株式会社コナミデジタルエンタテインメント
Priority date: 2012-05-02
Filing date: 2013-04-30
Publication date: 2013-11-07
Also published as: JP2013230329A

Abstract

Provided is a game system with which it is possible to have a user appropriately use a comment function upon a game device according to a state of a game. A game system (1), including a game device (3) which has a user play a game, comprises a comment processing unit (33) which has a user during play of the game use a prescribed comment function which includes display of a comment which is transmitted to the user of the game device from another user. An assessment is made whether the state of the game in the game device satisfies a prescribed limit condition, and if it is determined that the limit condition is satisfied, a process is executed which causes a prescribed condition to occur with respect to the comment function (S414).

Description

GAME SYSTEM, GAME SYSTEM CONTROL METHOD, AND COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM

The present invention relates to a game system having a function of exchanging comments between users.

In recent years, network services represented by SNS (abbreviation of social network service) have been widely used as a mechanism for realizing communication between users via a network. The field of game systems is no exception. For example, a game system in which comments can be exchanged between a plurality of home-use game machines connected to a network has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1). There has also been proposed a system that realizes pseudo communication by selectively transmitting and receiving appropriate dialogues according to game situations between network-connected commercial game machines (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

JP 2011-005306 A JP 2010-133102 A

When a comment from another user is displayed during game play, the user may be required to confirm the content of the comment or reply, and may not be able to concentrate on the game play. There is. Alternatively, even when a special effect is added to the game for the purpose of increasing the user's interest in the game, if the user is distracted by the comment function in the middle of the game, the effect of the effect cannot be exhibited.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a game system or the like that allows the user to appropriately use the comment function on the game device in accordance with the state of the game.

The game system of the present invention includes a game device that allows a user to play a game, and provides a user who is playing the game a predetermined comment function including display of comments sent from other users to the user of the game device. A game system including comment processing means to be used, wherein a condition determination means for determining whether or not a game state in the game device satisfies a predetermined restriction condition, and the restriction condition is satisfied by the condition determination means. When it is determined that the comment function has been performed, the comment function restriction means for causing a predetermined restriction on the comment function is provided.

The game system control method of the present invention includes a game device that allows a user to play a game, and provides a predetermined comment function including display of comments sent from other users to the user of the game device. A control method of a game system including comment processing means to be used by a user who is playing, a procedure for determining whether or not a game state in the game device satisfies a predetermined restriction condition, and a procedure for determining And a procedure for causing a predetermined restriction to the comment function when it is determined that the restriction condition is satisfied.

According to the present invention, at least a part of the comment function is restricted when the game state satisfies the restriction condition. Therefore, if the restriction condition is set so that it is appropriate to restrict at least a part of the comment function, the user is distracted by the comment function and cannot concentrate on playing the game, or Inconveniences such as special effects on the game not being effective can be reduced or eliminated. Thereby, the comment function on the game device can be appropriately used by the user according to the state of the game.

In the present invention, it is sufficient that the “comment” can be understood or interpreted by the user visually, and as long as such interpretation is possible, the “comment” is expressed as “message” or other terms. Is also included in the concept of “comments”. The “comment” is not limited to an example composed of only the character itself, but may include at least a part of a graphic element such as a pictograph or a symbol.

In the present invention, the comment restriction unit may restrict the comment function so that the comment is not displayed when it is determined that the restriction condition is satisfied. According to this, while the restriction condition is satisfied, it is possible to eliminate the possibility that the user is distracted by checking the comment content.

Further, the comment processing means can execute a process of replying to the comment based on an instruction from a user of the game device as a part of the comment function, while the game is being played. The restriction unit may restrict the comment function so that the reply is impossible when the condition determination unit determines that the restriction condition is satisfied. In this case, since the reply is impossible while the restriction condition is satisfied, it is possible to eliminate the possibility that the user is distracted by the reply.

Furthermore, the comment processing means notifies the user that the comment exists prior to display of the comment sent from the other user as a part of the comment function, and the comment limiting means The comment function may be limited so that the presence of the comment is not notified. According to this, since the user is not even notified that there is a reply sent from another user while the restriction condition is satisfied, the possibility that the user will be distracted by the comment is more reliably eliminated. Can do.

In the present invention, the restriction condition may be set so as to be satisfied when a game played on the game device is not suitable for allowing a user to use the comment function. According to this, when it is not desired to use the comment function, the function can be limited. Alternatively, the restriction condition may be set so as to be satisfied when a predetermined effect is performed in the game. According to this, the effect of production can be surely exhibited. Further, the restriction condition may be set so as to be satisfied when the game is in a predetermined situation. According to this, a user can be concentrated on a game play in a predetermined situation.

In the present invention, a server device that can be connected to the game device via a network may be included, and comments from the other users may be sent to the game device via the server device. Alternatively, it includes a user terminal device that can be connected to the server device via the network and is physically different from the game device, and comments from the other users are sent to the game device via the server device. It may be sent. In these forms, the determination of the restriction condition and the restriction of the comment function can be realized by the game device serving as the comment receiving side, or can be realized by the server device side.

As described above, according to the present invention, when the game state satisfies the restriction condition, at least a part of the comment function is restricted. If the restriction condition is satisfied in the state of being played, the user may be distracted by the comment function and cannot concentrate on playing the game, or the special effects on the game will not be effective. Can be reduced or eliminated. Thereby, the comment function on the game device can be appropriately used by the user according to the state of the game.

The figure which shows the whole structure of the game system which concerns on one form of this invention. The figure which shows the outline | summary of the communication in a game system. The functional block diagram in the principal part of a game system. The figure which shows an example of the data structure of play data. The figure which shows an example of the data structure of community data. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the process performed in order to record the comment for a reply in play data. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the process performed in order to receive a comment on a user terminal device. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the process performed in order to transmit a comment on a user terminal device. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the comment function restriction | limiting management process performed in order to control the restriction | limiting of a comment function, and restriction | limiting cancellation | release according to the state of a game. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the process performed in order that a user may receive a comment on a game machine. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the process performed in order that a user may transmit a comment from a game machine.

Hereinafter, a game system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. First, the overall configuration of the game system will be described with reference to FIG. The game system 1 includes a center server 2 as a server device, a game machine (corresponding to a game device) 3 and a user terminal device 4 as client devices connectable to the center server 2 via a predetermined network 5. Including. The center server 2 is configured as a single logical server device by combining a plurality of

server units

2A, 2B. However, the center server 2 may be configured by a single server unit. Alternatively, the center server 2 may be logically configured using cloud computing.

The game machine 3 is configured as a commercial (business) game machine that allows a user to play a game within a range corresponding to the play fee in exchange for payment of a predetermined play fee. This type of game machine 3 may be called an arcade game machine. The game machine 3 is a computer game device installed in a predetermined facility such as the store 6 for the purpose of making a large number of users repeatedly play games to increase profits. One or more appropriate number of game machines 3 are installed in the store 6. In FIG. 1, the game machine 3 is drawn without distinction, but the hardware configuration and game content may be appropriately selected. The game machine 3 may be configured as a dedicated machine having a physical configuration (for example, an operation unit) suitable for a specific game, or may be configured as a general-purpose machine that can handle various games by rewriting software. May be.

On the other hand, the user terminal device 4 is a computer device that can be connected to a network and is used for a user's personal use. For example, a stationary or book-type personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC) 4a or a mobile terminal device 4b such as a mobile phone (including a smartphone) is used as the user terminal device 4. In addition, various computer devices that can be connected to the network and are used for personal use of the user, such as stationary home game machines, portable game machines, and portable tablet terminal devices, are used as the user terminal device 4. It's okay. The user terminal device 4 can allow the user to enjoy various services provided by the center server 2 by installing various computer software.

The network 5 may be appropriately configured as long as the game machine 3 and the user terminal device 4 can be connected to the center server 2 respectively. As an example, the network 5 is configured to realize network communication using a TCP / IP protocol. Typically, it is constructed by connecting the Internet 5A as a WAN and

LANs

5B and 5C that connect the Internet 5A to the center server 2 and the game machine 3 via the router 5D. The user terminal device 4 is also connected to the Internet 5A with an appropriate configuration. Note that a local server may be installed between the game machine 3 and the router 5D of the store 6, and the game machine 3 may be communicably connected to the center server 2 via the local server. The

server units

2A, 2B,... Of the center server 2 may be connected to each other by the WAN 5A instead of or in addition to the LAN 5C.

Next, an overview of communication functions implemented in the game system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. In the game system 1, users form a community on the network, and users belonging to the community exchange comments between the game machine 3 and the user terminal device 4 or between the user terminal devices 4. It is possible to enjoy a service for transmitting, sharing, or exchanging information. These services are collectively referred to as community services, and functions related to exchanging comments among users are particularly referred to as comment functions. FIG. 2 shows how comments are exchanged based on the comment function. A comment browsing screen 100 is displayed on the user terminal device 4. The browsing screen 100 is the same as the browsing screen used in a known communication service such as SNS (abbreviation for social networking service) that displays comments sent by users and received comments in a thread format. On the other hand, a comment window 111 is displayed on the game screen 110 of the game machine 3. In the window 111, the comment transmitted from the user terminal device 4 is displayed in a predetermined procedure.

The game machine 3 includes a touch panel that covers the game screen 110 as an input device. First, the comment window 111 is notified that there is a comment newly sent from another user. When the user touches the comment window 111 in response to the notification, the content of the comment is displayed in the window 111. . When the user performs a touch operation on the window 111 in which the comment is displayed, a comment registered in advance is returned to the user who transmitted the original comment. The reason for returning the registered comment is that it is difficult to input a comment character by character while playing the game on the game machine 3. However, the comment function in the game machine 3 may be restricted under predetermined conditions. Details of the restriction will be described later. The window 111 is popped up when the game machine 3 acquires a comment. Although FIG. 2 illustrates the game screen 110 during execution of the mahjong game, a game to be executed on the game machine 3 can be selected as appropriate.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the game system 1 centering on a part related to the community service. The center server 2 is provided with a game service management unit 21, a Web service management unit 22, and a storage unit 23. The

management units

21 and 22 are logical devices realized by a combination of computer hardware (including a CPU and a memory as an internal storage device necessary for its operation) of the center server 2 and software. The storage unit 23 is an external storage device realized by a storage unit such as a hard disk array. The memory | storage part 23 may be comprised so that all the data may be hold | maintained on one memory | storage unit, and may be comprised so that data may be distributed and memorize | stored in a some memory | storage unit. Various types of data are recorded in the storage unit 23, but FIG. 3 shows play data 51 and community data 52. The play data 51 is data in which game play contents are stored in order for the user to continue playing the game. The play data 51 is created for each user and is recorded in the storage unit 23 in association with the user identification information. FIG. 3 shows only play data 51 associated with one piece of user identification information. The community data 52 is data in which various information to be referred to when the user uses the community service. The community data 52 is also created for each user and is recorded in the storage unit 23 in association with the user identification information. FIG. 3 shows only community data 52 associated with one user identification information.

The game service management unit 21 provides a predetermined game service to the game machine 3. As a game service, for example, user authentication information (for example, unique identification information and password for each user) is received from the game machine 3 to authenticate the user, and play data 51 corresponding to the user is received from the game machine 3. Or a service for providing the user's play data 51 stored in the storage unit 23 to the game machine 3, and matching the users of the plurality of game machines 3 according to the conditions for a common game. There is a service to participate, a service to update software (game program or data) of the game machine 3 via the network 5, and the like. As a logical device for executing the processing related to the comment function described above, the game service management unit 21 is further provided with a comment processing unit 24. The comment processing unit 24 is in charge of processing related to transmission of comments to the game machine 3 and reception of comments from the game machine 3.

The web service management unit 22 provides various web services to the user terminal device 4. As an example, the Web service management unit 22 receives user authentication information (for example, unique identification information and password for each user) from the user terminal device 4, authenticates the user, and responds to the authenticated user request. Thus, the play data 51 of the user is provided to the user terminal device 4 as browsing data. The web service management unit 22 is further provided with a community service processing unit 25 as a logical device for realizing the above-described community service.

Further, the center server 2 charges a charge as a consideration for providing a paid service on the game to each user of the game machine 3 and the user terminal device 4 and collects the charge from the user. Has also been implemented. As a specific method of payment, the user pays for the service by using electronic payment, such as a credit card, debit card, or electronic currency, which can be paid for using electronic data exchange, Anything that collects the price commensurate with the price. The electronic payment may be a publicly known one, and a description of a specific configuration and procedure for realizing it is omitted.

Next, the game machine 3 is provided with a game control unit 31 and a storage unit 32. The game control unit 31 is a logical device realized by a combination of hardware of the game machine 3 (including a CPU and a memory as an internal storage device thereof) and software. The game control unit 31 executes various arithmetic controls necessary for the progress of the game, and executes various processes necessary for enjoying the game service provided by the game service management unit 21 of the center server 2. The game control unit 31 is provided with a comment processing unit 33 and a comment function management unit 34 as further logical devices. The comment processing unit 33 displays a comment sent via the center server 2 on the game machine 3 and executes a reply process based on a user's reply operation. The comment function management unit 34 manages whether or not the comment function should be restricted according to the game state.

The storage unit 32 is an external storage device realized by a storage unit such as a hard disk or a semiconductor storage device. Various types of data are recorded in the storage unit 32, and FIG. 3 shows play data 51 provided from the center server 2. Further, the user terminal device 4 is provided with a Web service processing unit 41 as a logical device realized by a combination of the computer hardware (including a CPU and a memory as its internal storage device) and software. ing. The web service processing unit 41 executes processes necessary for receiving various services provided by the web service management unit 22 of the center server 2. The web service processing unit 41 is provided with a community service processing unit 42 as a further logical device. The community service processing unit 42 cooperates with the community service processing unit 25 of the center server 2 to execute processing necessary for allowing the user of the user terminal device 4 to use the community function. The user terminal device 4 is also provided with an external storage device for storing appropriate data, but the illustration thereof is omitted.

Furthermore, the game machine 3 includes various input / output devices such as an input device (including a touch panel) 35 that outputs a signal corresponding to a user operation, a display device 36 for presenting a game screen to the user, and a card reader 37. A device is provided. The card reader 37 is a device for reading a unique card ID for each card recorded on a card 38 possessed by the user as a kind of identification information to be used for user authentication. Note that user identification information to be used for user authentication may be different between user authentication in the game machine 3 and user authentication in the user terminal device 4, or may be common. For example, in the game machine 3, the card ID recorded on the user's card 38 is used as identification information, and the card ID and the play data 51 are associated with each other and stored in the storage unit 23. When using a user ID uniquely set for each user as user identification information, by setting a correspondence between the user ID and the card ID, any ID is also used as the user identification information. be able to. Furthermore, regarding the community service, a community ID may be set as an additional ID different from the user ID used for user authentication of the user terminal device 4. Even in that case, if the association is set between the IDs, it is possible to uniquely identify the play data 51 and the community data 52 corresponding to one user. In the following, a card ID is used as identification information necessary for user authentication in the game machine 3, a user ID is used as identification information necessary for user authentication in the user terminal device 4, and further a community service is used. It is assumed that community IDs are used as necessary identification information, and these IDs are associated with each other by ID management data (not shown).

FIG. 4 shows an example of the play data 51. The play data 51 is data created for each user, and information such as game data, registration comments, and received comment data of the target user is used as identification information of the user (a card ID as an example. Other IDs that can be associated may be used). The game data is data in which save data of a game played by the user on the game machine 3 and various results associated with the game play such as the number of times the game is played, results, evaluation, and acquisition points. The registered comment is data in which a character string to be transmitted from the game machine 3 to another user as a comment by the user is recorded. The number of character strings that can be stored as registered comments is at least one. A plurality of comments may be registered. The data size of one registered comment may be limited.

Received comment data is data in which comments received by users from other users are recorded. The number of received comment data saved is limited to a certain range from the latest one. For example, when 10 comments can be stored in the comment data and there are 11 or more received comments, the 11th or later old comments are deleted from the received comment data. The received comment data includes, for each comment, a comment type, user information (identification information and nickname) of a comment transmission source, a comment reception date and time, a status, and a comment text. The type of comment includes information for identifying the content of the comment. For example, information for identifying whether the comment corresponds to “encouragement”, “celebration”, or “return” is added to the comment type. The status is information indicating whether the received comment has been read and whether it has been returned. The comment body is text data of the comment body.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the community data 52. The community data 52 has a structure in which information such as comment data, community points, and comment data of a target user is recorded in association with identification information (community ID as an example) of the user. The comment data is data in which comments sent by users to other users and comments received from other users are recorded. The internal structure of the comment data is different from the received comment data in the play data 51 shown in FIG. That is, the comment data in the community data 52 includes, for each comment, a comment type, a comment partner, that is, user information (including identification information and nickname) of a transmission source or a transmission destination, transmission / reception date and time, status, and the text of the comment. including. The type of comment includes information for identifying whether the comment is received by the user (received comment) or the comment transmitted by the user (transmitted comment), and information for identifying the content of the comment is added. The status is information for determining whether or not the received comment has already been read by the user and whether or not the reply has been returned. The comment body is text data of the comment body.

The number of stored comment data is limited as appropriate, but the upper limit value is set sufficiently larger than the upper limit value of the received comment data in the play data 51. In the game machine 3, since it is sufficient to display comments within a limited period during game play, there is no problem even if the number of received comment data saved is limited to a small value. On the other hand, since the user terminal device 4 for personal use allows the user to view comments at any time, it is required to save the transmission / reception comments retrospectively for the user's browsing. Therefore, the upper limit value of the number of stored comment data of the community data 52 is set to be considerably large like that of a general community service. Note that the limitation on the number of stored items may be based on the number of items per se, or may be realized by limiting the data size that can be stored.

Community points are points given to users as benefits according to the usage of community services. For example, when using the paid service provided by the center server 2, the points can be used as a part of the fee or consumed to receive some benefit in the game provided by the game machine 3. . In the game system 1, when a user transmits a comment using the community function and receives the comment, a community point is given. However, a restriction such as once per day may be set for point grant.

In addition, a user starts the program required in order to receive community service with the user terminal device 4, inputs his own user ID or the community ID matched with this into the user terminal device 4, and logs in himself. Community data 52 corresponding to each community ID can be downloaded to the user terminal device 4. However, the comment data may be downloaded from the latest one within a predetermined range, and when the user requests downloading of older comment data, the comment data in the next range may be downloaded.

Next, various processes executed in the game system 1 will be described with a focus on the exchange of comments between the game machine 3 and the user terminal device 4. FIG. 6 shows a process for registering a reply comment (registration comment) from the game machine 3 in the play data 51. The registration of the comment is started when the user instructs the start of the comment registration process on the user terminal device 4. In response to the instruction, the community service processing unit 42 of the user terminal device 4 displays a predetermined comment creation screen and accepts creation (input) of a comment by the user (step S101). Here, creation of a comment by the user may be realized by inputting an arbitrary character string using a character string input function in the user terminal device 4, or a fixed form recorded in the user terminal device 4 in advance. It may be realized by selecting a comment from a sentence.

Subsequently, the user terminal device 4 transmits a comment created by the user to the center server 2 and requests registration thereof (step S102). At this time, user authentication is required on the center server 2, but the ID used for the authentication may be a user ID or a community ID. Note that user authentication may be performed prior to the comment creation in step S101. When receiving the comment registration request from the user terminal device 4, the Web service management unit 22 of the center server 2 causes the community service processing unit 25 to start the comment registration process of FIG. The community service processing unit 25 first determines the content of the request sent from the user terminal device 4, here the ID for identifying the user and the content of the comment (step S201). Subsequently, the community service processing unit 25 provides a registration request from the user terminal device 4 to the comment processing unit 24 of the game service management unit 21 (step S202). Upon receiving the registration request, the comment processing unit 24 starts the registration process of FIG. 6, and first determines the content of the request, here the user ID and the content of the comment (step S301). Subsequently, the comment processing unit 24 extracts the play data 51 associated with the user ID, and registers the comment received from the community service processing unit 25 in the registered comment of the play data 51 (step S302). After registration, the comment processing unit 24 notifies the registration result to the community service processing unit 25 (step S303). The community service processing unit 25 acquires the processing result (step S203), and transmits the processing result to the user terminal device 4 (step S204). The user terminal device 4 receives the processing result (step S103) and displays the processing result to the user (step S104). Thus, the comment registration is completed.

Next, processing for transmitting and receiving comments on the user terminal device 4 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 shows processing executed by the community

service processing units

25 and 42 in relation to the reception of a comment in the user terminal device 4. 7 is a process performed to update the comment data in a state where the user has already logged in to the community service at the user terminal device 4 and the community data 52 has been read into the user terminal device 4. . When starting the comment reception process, the community service processing unit 42 of the user terminal device 4 first requests the community service processing unit 25 of the center server 2 to transmit comment data (step S111). In this case, the user's community ID is also sent from the user terminal device 4 to the community service processing unit 25. The comment receiving process on the user terminal device 4 may be started with a receiving operation by the user as a trigger, or may be automatically started by the community service processing unit 42 at a fixed period. The former is a typical pull type distribution that starts reception based on a user operation. Although the latter is a kind of pull-type distribution, pseudo-push-type comment distribution can be realized by setting the reception processing cycle short.

When receiving the comment data request from the user terminal device 4, the community service processing unit 25 of the center server 2 starts the comment transmission process. In the comment transmission process, the community service processing unit 25 first determines the community ID transmitted from the user terminal device 4 (step S211). Subsequently, the community service processing unit 25 extracts community data 52 corresponding to the determined community ID, and transmits comment data included therein to the user terminal device 4 (step S212). In this case, the comment data is divided in such a way that the comment data is transmitted only within a predetermined range from the latest one, and when the user requests transmission of older comment data, the comment data in the next range is transmitted. A processing procedure may be set so that transmission / reception can be performed. The number or size of comment data to be sent at one time may be changed according to the type of the user terminal device 4. For example, a function for determining the type of the user terminal device 4 is added to the community service processing unit 25, and in the case of a PC having a relatively high processing capability, a single transmission range is set to be relatively large, and the portable terminal In the case of (a mobile phone or a smartphone), a single transmission range may be set relatively small.

After sending the comment data, the community service processing unit 25 updates the status of the comment data so that the comment sent to the user terminal device 4 is already read, and adds a predetermined number to the community points of the user who received the comment (Step S213). In this case, a limit may be set such that points are added once a day. On the other hand, the community service processing unit 42 of the user terminal device 4 receives the comment data sent from the center server 2 (step S112), replaces the comment data held by itself with new data, and displays a comment browsing screen based on the content. 100 (see FIG. 2) is displayed (step S113). Thereby, the browsing screen 100 based on the latest comment data is displayed on the user terminal device 4, and the user can browse unread comments stored on the center server 2. Thus, the processing necessary for receiving the comment in the user terminal device 4 is completed.

FIG. 8 shows processing executed by the community

service processing units

25 and 42 in connection with transmission of a comment from the user terminal device 4. Note that the processing in FIG. 8 is also processing performed in a state where the user has already logged in to the community service at the user terminal device 4 and the community data 52 has been read into the user terminal device 4. That is, the transmission and reception of the comment on the user terminal device 4 is performed in a state where the user logs in to the community service of the center server 2 using the community ID.

When the comment transmission process is started in the community service processing unit 42 of the user terminal device 4, the community service processing unit 42 allows the user to select a transmission partner (step S111). The comment transmission process in the community service processing unit 42 may be triggered by the user's selection of a reply target comment from the browsing screen 100. Alternatively, the user may create a comment on the user terminal device 4. May be triggered by the fact that has been performed. In the former case, the transmission partner is the user who is the source of the reply target comment. In the latter case, the transmission partner can be appropriately selected by the user. Subsequently, the community service processing unit 42 acquires the content (character string) of the comment to be transmitted from the user (step S122). In this case, the creation of the comment may be realized by inputting an arbitrary character string using the character string input function in the user terminal device 4 as in the case of registering a reply comment. You may implement | achieve by selecting a comment from the fixed phrase previously recorded on the terminal device 4. FIG.

After obtaining the comment, the community service processing unit 42 of the user terminal device 4 transmits a comment to the center server 2 (step S123). In addition to the comment text, the transmission information includes the community ID of the transmission partner, the community ID of the transmission source, information for identifying the content of the comment, and the like. As described above, the information for identifying the content of the comment is information for distinguishing whether the comment corresponds to “encouragement”, “celebration”, or “return”. The designation may be left to the user, or the user terminal device 4 may determine automatically. For example, when the user selects a received comment in the browsing screen 100 and selects a transmission partner (transmission destination), “Return” is automatically selected. Or “encouragement” may be automatically selected. When the community service processing unit 25 of the center server 2 receives a comment from the user terminal device 4, the community service processing unit 25 starts a comment reception process, and first determines the community ID of each destination of the sent comment and the source (step). S221). Subsequently, the community service processing unit 25 records the received comment (including the types shown in FIGS. 4 and 5) as the received comment in the comment data of the community data 52 of the transmission partner, and the transmission source The transmission data is recorded in the comment data of the community data 52 (step S222). Next, the community service processing unit 25 adds a predetermined number to the community points of the community data 52 of the transmission source (step S223). In this case, a limit may be set such that points are added once a day. In step S223, when the comment sent by the user is a reply to a comment from another user, the community service processing unit 25 updates the reply target comment status so that it has been returned. To do. This completes the processing necessary for sending the comment.

Next, processing related to reception or transmission of comments in the game machine 3 will be described. In all of the following processes, the card reader 37 of the game machine 3 reads the card ID of the user's card 38 to cause the center server 2 to authenticate the user, and the play data 51 corresponding to the user is provided to the game machine 3. This processing is performed while being stored in the storage unit 32. FIG. 9 shows comment function restriction management processing that is repeatedly executed by the comment function management unit 34 of the game control unit 31 at an appropriate cycle while the user is playing a game on the game machine 3. When the processing of FIG. 9 is started, the comment function management unit 34 first determines the current state of the game (step S401), and determines whether or not the determined state satisfies a predetermined comment restriction condition (step S402). .

The comment restriction condition may be set so that the game being played on the game machine 3 is satisfied when the game is not appropriate for allowing the user to use the comment function. For example, when a predetermined presentation is performed in the game and it is necessary to attract the user's consciousness to the presentation, the game is in a predetermined situation, for example, a situation where the game is in a good situation, and the user's consciousness is played itself. It is possible to set so that the comment restriction condition is satisfied when it is considered necessary to concentrate on the comment. As the predetermined situation, in the case of a mahjong game, the situation where the user or the opponent is reaching can be cited, and in the case of a baseball game, a full situation can be cited. In addition, the comment restriction condition may be satisfied when the game has reached a fine or tense state and it is considered that the user's consciousness should be concentrated on the game play. In step S401, it is only necessary to determine the game state with respect to the items captured as the determination elements of the comment function restriction condition. For example, if the comment function is restricted while a special performance is being performed, whether or not the special performance is being performed may be determined in step S401. If the comment function is restricted when the game is in a special situation, it may be determined in step S401 whether or not the special situation has been reached.

When it is determined in step S402 that the comment function restriction condition is satisfied, the comment function management unit 34 determines that the value of the comment restriction flag held in the internal storage device of the game machine 3 is function restricted. Is set to “1” (step S403), and then the processing of FIG. 9 ends. On the other hand, when the comment function restriction condition is not satisfied, the comment function management unit 34 sets the value of the comment restriction flag to “0”, which is a value indicating that the function is not being restricted (step S404). Finish the process. In the above processing, the game state is determined in step S401, the comment function restriction condition is determined based on the determination result, and the value of the comment restriction flag is controlled, but a special effect is started. When the special situation is reached, the comment limit flag value is set to “1”, and when the special performance ends or the special situation is resolved, the comment limit flag value is reset to “0”. If so, the processing procedure can be changed as appropriate.

FIG. 10 shows processing executed by the

comment processing units

24 and 33 and the community service processing unit 25 in relation to the reception of the comment in the game machine 3. The comment processing unit 33 of the game machine 3 requests the center server 2 to transmit comment data when the comment receiving process of FIG. 10 is started (step S411). In this case, user identification information is sent to the center server 2. The identification information may be a card ID read by the card reader 37 of the game machine 3, or when the game machine 3 acquires a user ID or community ID with user authentication, these IDs are stored in the center server 2. May be sent to. In addition, the comment reception process in the game machine 3 may be started with a reception operation by the user as a trigger, or may be automatically started at a constant cycle. Since the play time of the game on the game machine 3 is limited, when the reception process is automatically performed, it is preferable to realize a pseudo push-type comment distribution by setting the process cycle short.

When transmission of comment data is requested from the game machine 3, the comment processing unit 24 of the center server 2 starts the comment transfer process of FIG. In the comment transfer process, the comment processing unit 24 determines the user of the game machine 3 based on the identification information (step S321). Subsequently, the comment processing unit 24 requests the community service processing unit 25 to provide comment data corresponding to the user (step S322). In response to the request from the comment processing unit 24, the community service processing unit 25 starts the comment transmission processing of FIG. The comment transmission process is the same as the comment transmission process of the community service processing unit 25 shown in FIG. That is, since the comment processing unit 24 designates a user and requests to provide comment data, the community service processing unit 25 determines a community ID corresponding to the user (step S211) and corresponds to the community ID. The comment data included in the community data 52 is provided to the request source, in this case, the comment processing unit 24 (step S212), and status update processing and community point addition processing are performed on the community data 52 (step S213).

The comment processing unit 24 obtains comment data from the community service processing unit 25 (step S323) and transmits it to the game machine 3 (step S324). The comment processing unit 33 of the game machine 3 receives the comment data from the center server 2 (step S412). Next, the comment processing unit 33 selects a new comment by comparing the received comment included in the received comment data with the received comment in the play data 51 held by the comment processing unit 33, and uses the new comment data as play data. 51 is recorded in the received comment data (step S413). The new arrival comment is a received comment that has a newer reception date than the latest received comment held in the play data 51 and is unread on the status. The reason for limiting to unread is that there may be a received comment that has already been viewed on the user terminal device 4 even if it does not exist in the play data 51. If the limit of the number of received comment data in the play data 51 is exceeded by recording a new comment, the necessary number of received comment data already recorded is deleted. If the new comment itself exceeds the limit, the latest comment is prioritized, and the old comment exceeding the limit is not registered in the play data 51 even if it is a new comment. In addition to the new arrival comment recording, various types of information such as the type and the transmission source information included in the new arrival comment data are also recorded.

Next, the comment processing unit 33 of the game machine 3 determines whether or not the value of the comment restriction flag is set to “1” in which the comment function is being restricted (step S414). When the value of the comment restriction flag is “0”, the comment processing unit 33 displays the new arrival comment recorded in step S413 on the comment window 111 of the game screen 110 (step S415). However, the display of the comment is performed through a plurality of stages such as first displaying that there is a new comment on the window 111 and displaying the text of the comment when the user touches the window 111. If there are a plurality of new arrival comments, the number of comments is first displayed in the window 111, and then the latest comment is displayed in the window 111 through the user's touch operation (see FIG. 2). Next, the comment processing unit 33 starts comment reply processing (step S416), and then ends the processing of FIG. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S414 that the value of the comment restriction flag is “1”, the comment processing unit 33 skips the processes of steps S415 and S416 and ends the process of FIG. In this case, even if a new arrival comment is received, it is not displayed on the game machine 3 that there is a new arrival comment. In the above description, selection and recording of newly arrived comments are performed by the game machine 3. However, since the play data 51 exists on the center server 2, for example, the comment processing unit 24 of the center server 2 receives newly arrived comments. May be selected and recorded, and the updated received comment data may be sent to the game machine 3.

FIG. 11 shows processing executed by the

comment processing units

24 and 33 and the community service processing unit 25 in connection with transmission of a comment from the game machine 3. With the step S416 in FIG. 10 as a trigger, the comment processing unit 33 of the game machine 3 starts the comment reply process in FIG. In the comment reply process, the comment processing unit 33 first determines whether the comment displayed in the window 111 (the first received comment is the latest received comment) is a “returned” comment or not. Based on the determination (step S421). If it is not a “return” comment, the comment processing unit 33 determines whether or not the user has instructed a reply (step S422). As described with reference to FIG. 2, the reply of the comment is instructed by touching the window 111. When there is a reply instruction, the comment processing unit 33 transmits to the center server 2 transmission comment data in which the registered comment held in the play data 51 is a comment text (step S423). At this time, the identification information of the user who is the transmission source of the registered comment and the community ID of the user who is to be the comment destination are also included in the data and transmitted. The community ID of the transmission destination can be determined from the transmission source information (see FIG. 4) included in the new arrival comment data displayed in the window 111.

In addition, when a plurality of registered comments can be registered in the play data 51, it is necessary to select one registered comment to be transmitted. The selection can be realized, for example, by displaying a list of registered comments and allowing the user to select one registered comment. The comment processing unit 33 may select any one registered comment from a plurality of registered comments according to a predetermined procedure without depending on an instruction from the user. For example, when registering a registered comment, selection information may be set for each registered comment, and the game machine 3 may select an appropriate registered comment with reference to the selection information. As selection information, for example, the type of comment to be returned (“encouragement” or “celebration”), a time zone suitable for selection, a date and time, and the like may be set as appropriate. A registered comment may be selected by a combination of a user instruction and selection control of the game machine 3.

After the processing of step S423, the comment processing unit 33 of the game machine 3 plays the play data so that the status of the comment data instructed to be returned, that is, the status of the received comment data corresponding to the comment displayed in the window 111, has been returned. 51 is updated (step S424), and then it is determined whether or not the display of all the unreplyed comments held in the play data 51 is completed (step S425). If step S421 is affirmed or step S422 is denied, the comment processing unit 33 proceeds to the process of step S425. If an unanswered comment remains in step S425, the comment processing unit 33 displays the next unanswered comment on the window 111 (step S426), and then returns to step S421.

When the comment processing unit 24 of the center server 2 receives the registered comment data sent from the game machine 3, it starts the comment transfer process of FIG. 11 and provides the comment data received from the game machine 3 to the community service processing unit 25. (Step S331). Upon receiving this, the community service processing unit 25 executes the same process as the comment receiving process of FIG. That is, it determines the community ID corresponding to the user identification information of the transmission source included in the comment data transferred from the comment processing unit 24, and acquires the community ID of the transmission destination included in the comment data (step S221). Next, the community service processing unit 25 records the received comment data as received comment data in the comment data of the community data 52 of the transmission partner, and as transmission comment data in the comment data of the community data 52 of the transmission source. (Step S222). Next, the community service processing unit 25 adds a predetermined number to the community points of the community data 52 of the transmission source (step S223). In this case, a limit may be set such that points are added once a day. In step S223, when the comment sent by the user is a reply to a comment from another user, the community service processing unit 25 updates the reply target comment status so that it has been returned. To do. Thus, the processing necessary for sending a comment from the game machine 3 is completed.

10 and 11, the game service management unit 21 is interposed between the game machine 3 and the Web service management unit 22 of the center server 2, but this is omitted and the game machine 3 is omitted. May directly access the Web service management unit 22 and change the processing procedure so as to send and receive comments.

In the above embodiment, the comment processing unit 33 of the game machine 3 functions as the comment processing unit of the present invention, and the comment function management unit 34 executes the processing of steps S401 and S402 in FIG. The comment function management unit 34 executes the process of step S403 in FIG. 9 and the comment processing unit 33 executes the process of step S414 in FIG.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described form, and can be implemented in various forms. For example, the process for displaying a comment sent from another user on the game device or transmitting a reply comment is not limited to the above example and can be variously changed. For example, in the above embodiment, each user's transmission comment and reception comment are recorded in the comment data on the center server 2. However, by storing the transmission comment in the user's terminal device, only the reception comment is included in the comment data. May be recorded. In the above example, so-called pull-type distribution or pseudo push-type distribution is performed in which comments to be received by the user are temporarily recorded in the comment data on the server device side, and the user terminal device and the game machine refer to them appropriately. Although the present invention has been described as an example, it is also possible to configure the system as push-type distribution. The data structure of the play data 51 and the community data 52 is merely an example, and the play data and the community data may be integrated, or the data may be divided and associated with an appropriate ID. .

In the above embodiment, the comment function is limited when the comment sent from the user terminal device is received by the game device. However, the comment may be transmitted from another game device. Further, the other users who are transmission sources are not necessarily real people, and even if the user virtually generated on the server device or the game device is the comment transmission source, Limitations in accordance with the present invention may occur with respect to the use of the comment function by the actual user of the device. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to a game system including a server device, a game device, and a user terminal device, but can be applied to a game system including only a server device and a game device, and further includes only a game device. It is also applicable to game systems. In addition, a comment reply function from the game device is not always necessary. The game apparatus is not limited to a commercial or commercial game machine, but a home-use game machine, a portable game machine, or a general-purpose computer terminal device such as a PC or a mobile phone is used as the game apparatus. It may be a thing.

In the above embodiment, as an example of the restriction of the comment function, when step S414 in FIG. 10 is affirmed, the comment function is set so as not to notify the presence of a new arrival comment by skipping steps S415 and S416. Although limited, the comment function is not limited to such a mode. For example, you can restrict the comment function so that you can not display the contents of the comment even if you notify that there is a new comment, or the comment function so that you can not reply even if you display the contents of the new comment May be restricted. In any case, when the restriction condition is not satisfied, at least a part of the comment function available to the user is restricted according to the present invention, so that the user is distracted by the use of the comment function and cannot concentrate on the game. Alternatively, it is possible to reduce or eliminate the inconvenience that the predetermined effect of the game is not transmitted to the user and the effect is not exhibited.

Claims

A comment processing means is provided that includes a game device that allows a user to play a game, and that allows a user who is playing the game to use a predetermined comment function including a display of comments sent from other users to the user of the game device. In the game system
Condition discriminating means for discriminating whether or not the state of the game in the game device satisfies a predetermined restriction condition;
A game system comprising comment function restriction means for causing a predetermined restriction on the comment function when the condition determination means determines that the restriction condition is satisfied.
The game system according to claim 1, wherein the comment restricting means restricts the comment function so that the comment is not displayed when it is determined that the restriction condition is satisfied.
The comment processing means is capable of executing a process of replying to the comment based on an instruction from a user of the game device as part of the comment function, while playing the game.
The game system according to claim 1, wherein the comment function restriction unit restricts the comment function so that the reply is impossible when the condition determination unit determines that the restriction condition is satisfied. .
The comment processing means notifies the user that the comment exists as a part of the comment function prior to the display of the comment sent from the other user,
The game system according to claim 1, wherein the comment restriction unit restricts the comment function so as not to notify that the comment exists.
The restriction condition is set so as to be satisfied when a game played on the game device is not suitable for allowing a user to use the comment function. The game system according to item.
The game system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the restriction condition is set to be satisfied when a predetermined performance is performed in the game.
The game system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the restriction condition is set to be satisfied when the game is in a predetermined situation.
The game according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a server device connectable to the game device via a network, wherein comments from the other users are sent to the game device via the server device. system.
A user terminal device that is connectable to the server device via the network and is physically different from the game device is included, and comments from the other users are sent to the game device via the server device. The game system according to claim 8.
A comment processing means is provided that includes a game device that causes a user to play a game, and that allows a user who is playing the game to use a predetermined comment function including a display of a comment sent from another user to the user of the game device. A control method for a game system,
A procedure for determining whether or not a game state in the game device satisfies a predetermined restriction condition;
A procedure for causing a predetermined restriction on the comment function when it is determined that the restriction condition is satisfied in the determining step;
A game system control method comprising:
A comment processing means is provided that includes a game device that causes a user to play a game, and that allows a user who is playing the game to use a predetermined comment function including a display of a comment sent from another user to the user of the game device. The computer applied to the game system
Condition determining means for determining whether or not the state of the game on the game device satisfies a predetermined restriction condition; and when the condition determination means determines that the restriction condition is satisfied, the comment function A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program configured to function as comment function limiting means for causing a predetermined limit.