JP2002011251A - Information providing system and information storage medium for multiplayer game - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To provide an information providing system and an information storage medium for a multiplayer game, which can reduce the trouble of participating in a game. A server is provided that includes a game information generation unit that generates game information related to a game played on a mobile phone, and a transmission / reception unit that transmits the game information to the portable terminal device. Then, game information including page address information of the server, game stage information, and user ID information for identifying a player who has requested participation is transmitted to the terminal device of the participation request destination.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an information providing system and an information storage medium for a multiplayer game.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In recent years,
With the spread of the Internet and the like, network games have been actively played.

[0003] In a network game, even if the player plays the game alone, the game is not interesting, and the player is encouraged to participate in the game by other players.

[0004] As a method of encouraging other players to participate in the game, for example, a method of encouraging participation by sending an e-mail to another player, or a method of writing to an electronic bulletin board for encouraging participation Etc.

[0005] However, in these methods, it takes time for a person who is encouraged to participate in the game. In addition, if other players join the game and notify the inviting player that another player has joined, the other player will have to send an email to the inviting player .

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an information providing system and an information storage medium for a multiplayer game that can reduce the time and effort required for a player to participate in a game. To provide.

[0007]

In order to solve the above problems, an information providing system for a multiplayer game according to the present invention generates game information for causing a player to play a multiplayer game at a predetermined terminal device. Information generating means, a providing means for providing the generated game information to the terminal device, and an obtaining means for obtaining request information from the terminal device, wherein the information generating means is an e-mail in a predetermined situation. From the terminal device operated by the first player.
When request information for urging a player to participate in the multiplayer game is obtained by the obtaining means, the information generating means sends, to the mail generating means, link information to the multiplayer game; Information for associating a player and the second player so as to have a predetermined relationship in the multiplayer game, and generating game information for promoting participation in an electronic mail format. The provided game information for promoting participation is provided to the second player in an e-mail format.

Further, an information storage medium for a multiplayer game according to the present invention is a computer-readable information storage medium storing information for causing a player to play a multiplayer game in a predetermined terminal device. The information is information generating means for generating game information for causing the multiplayer game to be played, providing means for providing the generated game information to the terminal device, and obtaining means for obtaining request information from the terminal device. The information generating means includes a mail generating means for generating an e-mail in a predetermined situation, and the information generating means includes: a terminal device operated by the first player;
When request information for urging a player to participate in the multiplayer game is obtained by the obtaining means, the information generating means sends, to the mail generating means, link information to the multiplayer game; Information for associating a player and the second player so as to have a predetermined relationship in the multiplayer game, and generating game information for promoting participation in an electronic mail format. The provided game information for promoting participation is provided to the second player in an e-mail format.

Further, the information according to the present invention is characterized in that it includes a program for realizing each of the above means.

[0010] According to the present invention, by providing the terminal device with participation promotion game information including link information and association information in the form of an e-mail, the player opens the e-mail so that the player can open the e-mail. It is possible to easily participate in the game using link information such as screen display.

Further, according to the present invention, when a game participation request is made by a player who has been requested to participate, the player who has requested participation and the player who has been requested to participate can be identified by the association information included in the request information. Can be easily linked. This makes it possible to quickly perform grouping (coupling) and the like for a plurality of players when the players play the game.

In particular, by making a request for participation by e-mail, the player who is requested to participate does not need to connect to the game network before participating, but only has to connect to the game network when participating. Time and connection costs can be reduced.

As described above, according to the present invention, the labor of the player and the provider of the game information can be reduced, and the player and the like can comfortably execute the multiplayer game.

[0014] Further, the game information provider can invite a user who has not yet participated in the game to a player who has already participated in the game. Can be.

The link information includes, for example, address information (URL and the like) of a game information providing server, a telephone number for connecting to a game network, a stage number of a game stage, a game area number, and the like.

Further, as the association information, for example, user identification information (user ID or the like), game identification information,
Group identification information etc. correspond.

Further, the predetermined relationship includes, for example, a cooperative relationship, an enemy relationship, a friend relationship, a lover relationship, a hierarchical relationship (such as a boss and a subordinate), and the like.

The terminal device includes, for example, a terminal device having communication means, game execution means (means including at least one of image display means and sound output means), operation means, and the like. As a terminal device, specifically,
For example, portable information terminals, portable telephones, home game machines, arcade game machines, PCs (Personal Computers),
A terminal device or the like having an imaging unit corresponds to this.

The multiplayer game includes not only a game played by a plurality of human players but also a game played by a human player and a computer player. The multiplayer game is a game in which the selection of the first player affects the game content of the second player, and is a multi-story or multi-ending game (a simulation game, an adventure game, a roll game). Playing game, affinity fortune-telling, etc.).

The providing means includes not only means for directly providing such as transmitting means, but also means for indirectly providing such as means for causing the transmitting means to transmit.

The obtaining means includes not only a means for passively obtaining such as a receiving means, but also an active means for distributing an agent to obtain request information and returning the request information to the agent. The means for obtaining the information corresponds to the above.

In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information providing system for a multiplayer game, comprising: information generating means for generating game information for causing a player to play a multiplayer game on a predetermined terminal device; A providing unit for providing game information to the terminal device, and an obtaining unit for obtaining request information from the terminal device, wherein a terminal device operated by a first player sends a request to a second player to the multiplayer game. When request information for encouraging participation is obtained by the obtaining means, the information generating means determines link information to the multiplayer game and a first player and a second player in the multiplayer game. Game information for promoting participation, including association information for associating the game so that Generates, the providing unit may provide the generated game information for the participating promoted the second player.

Further, another information storage medium for a multiplayer game according to the present invention is a computer-readable information storage medium storing information for causing a player to play a multiplayer game in a predetermined terminal device. , The information is information generating means for generating game information for playing the multiplayer game,
Providing means for providing the generated game information to the terminal device, and obtaining means for obtaining request information from the terminal device, including information for realizing the terminal device operated by the first player. When request information for urging the second player to participate in the multiplayer game is obtained by the obtaining means, the information generating means sets the link information to the multiplayer game, the first player and the second player, And association information for associating the player with the other player in a predetermined relationship in the multiplayer game, and the providing unit generates the participation-promoting game information. Is provided to the second player.

Further, another information according to the present invention is characterized in that it includes a program for realizing each of the above means.

According to the present invention, by providing the terminal device with the game information for promoting participation including the link information and the association information, the player can display the screen displayed based on the game information or the game information. It can be confirmed that the participation is requested by the sound or the like reproduced based on the information.

Further, the user can easily participate in the game by using the link information by a key operation on the participation request screen, a voice instruction at the time of reproducing the participation request voice, and the like.

Also, according to the present invention, when a terminal device receives a game participation request, the player who has requested participation and the player who has requested participation can be easily linked by the association information included in the request information. be able to. This makes it possible to quickly perform grouping (coupling) and the like for a plurality of players when the players play the game.

As described above, according to the present invention, the labor of the player and the provider of the game information can be reduced, and the player and the like can comfortably execute the multiplayer game.

Also, the game information provider can easily invite a user who has not yet participated in the game to a player who has already participated in the game. Can be.

The definition of each term is as described above.

[0031] In addition, when the link information and the association information are acquired from the terminal device operated by the second player by the acquisition unit, the information generation unit is configured to execute the first information based on the association information. A game for executing a game such that a player and the second player are associated with each other in the predetermined relationship, and based on the link information, the second player participates in the multiplayer game in a predetermined state. Preferably, the information is generated.

According to this, the first player and the second player are associated so as to have the predetermined relationship, and the second player is a multiplayer game in which the first player participates. In a predetermined state.

Here, the predetermined state corresponds to, for example, an initial state, a state in which game parameters are the same as those of the first player, and the like.

The multiplayer game is a game in which the game progresses when an image page is updated, and the link information indicates that the second player has a predetermined game scene according to the progress of the game. It is preferable to include address information of a predetermined image page for causing the user to participate.

According to this, the second player can immediately participate in the predetermined game scene. Thereby, for example, in the situation where the character operated by the first player is fighting against the enemy character in the game, a request for participation such as “ask for support” is made, and the character operated by the second player is set in the battle scene. You can make them appear and play against enemy characters together. in this way,
Since the time from the participation of the game to the appearance of the character in the game space and the like can be significantly shortened, the continuity of the game can be easily maintained, and the player can enjoy the game more.

Preferably, the association information includes a user ID of a player.

According to this, the user ID of the player
When the participation request information including the association information is obtained, the user who has requested the participation can be identified using the user ID, and the user and the user who has requested the participation can be easily and promptly identified. Can be grouped.

[0038] In addition, when the request information for encouraging participation satisfies a predetermined condition, a means for controlling at least one of the information generating means and the providing means so as not to provide the game information for encouraging participation is included. Is preferred.

The condition is at least one of a condition that the request is a repetition request for the same player within a predetermined time, and a condition that the request is a request for participation of a player who refuses to participate. Is preferred.

According to this, when the predetermined condition is satisfied, the game information for promoting participation is not provided, so that the player who is requested to participate is uncomfortable compared to the case where promotion of participation is unconditionally performed. Can be prevented from occurring.

That is, for example, when there is a request for participation for the same player many times within a predetermined time, the player feels the request for participation uncomfortable. Also, for example, when there is a participation request for a player who has refused participation, the player feels uncomfortable with the participation request.

According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress occurrence of a situation in which a player feels uncomfortable due to a participation request, and it is possible to prevent trouble from occurring.

Further, the information generating means changes the content of the information reproduced by the terminal device operated by the second player based on the progress of the multiplayer game, based on the progress of the multiplayer game. It is preferable to produce it.

According to this, the image information and the audio information at the time of the participation request change depending on the progress of the multiplayer game. For example, when the character operated by the first player has obtained a ship, a character image or sound such as "Let's travel together by boat." Is reproduced on the terminal device of the second player, and the first player is played. When the character operated by the player has an airship, a character image or sound such as "Let's travel on an airship together" is reproduced on the terminal device of the second player. Thereby, the second player requested to participate can enter the game world without feeling uncomfortable when participating in the game.

The information generating means generates game information for generating the request information for encouraging participation, and the providing means provides the game information to a terminal device operated by the first player. Is preferred.

According to this, the first player who requests the second player to participate can easily generate the request information for prompting the participation. Here, the request information for encouraging participation includes, for example, the name of the second player,
This corresponds to information for displaying an image for inputting an e-mail address, a message, and the like of the second player.

Further, when the second player has participated in the multiplayer game, the mail generation means generates an electronic mail for notification indicating that the second player has participated, and It is preferable to provide the generated electronic mail for notification to a terminal device operated by the first player.

According to this, the first player is able to
It can be easily grasped that the player has joined. Thereby, the first player can enjoy the game together with the second player.

In addition, when the second player is determined at the time of requesting participation, when the second player is requested to participate in the game, when the game is ending, one of the following: Preferably, the information generating means generates game information for transmitting the personal information to the second or first player based on the personal information of the first or second player.

According to this, for example, a game image for introducing the player's profile can be displayed on the terminal device. As a result, a sense of closeness and solidarity is created between the players, and the multiplayer game can be further enjoyed.

Further, the acquisition means acquires personal information including the identification information of the player and a captured image of the player from a personal information acquisition device having an input means and an imaging means, and the information generation means acquires the personal information. Preferably, the game information is generated based on the personal information.

According to this, for example, a photograph of the player's face and a game image introducing the player's profile can be displayed on the terminal device. As a result, a sense of closeness and solidarity is created between the players, and the multiplayer game can be further enjoyed.

The providing means may output the personal information of the first and second players associated with each other so as to have the predetermined relationship in a predetermined situation to output the personal information to a portable medium. Preferably it is provided to the means.

According to this, the players associated with each other can obtain, for example, a sheet on which a face photograph and a name of each other are printed from a printer or the like. This allows players to see their partners anytime, anywhere, increase their affinity for the partner,
You can enjoy multiplayer games even more.

Here, as the portable medium, for example, a paper, a sticker, a card, a portable information storage medium and the like correspond.

The output means includes, for example, a printer, a ROM writer, and the like.

Here, the predetermined situation corresponds to, for example, a game entry, a game ending, and the like.

That is, for example, a player can obtain a game entry card on which his / her partner and his / her own face photo and name are printed. As a result, the player becomes more familiar with the partner who has become a partner, and can enjoy the multiplayer game further.

It is preferable that the terminal device is a portable terminal device.

According to this, the multiplayer game can be enjoyed anytime, anywhere and with anyone.

As a portable terminal device, for example,
A portable telephone such as a so-called portable telephone, a portable information terminal having a communication function, a portable PC having a communication function, a portable game device having a communication function, and the like are applicable.

Further, it is preferable that the portable terminal device is a portable telephone.

Here, as the portable telephone, for example, a so-called portable telephone, PHS (Personal Handyphon)
e System) and satellite communication phones.

[0064]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, a case where the present invention is applied to an information providing system for providing game information for executing a multi-story type multi-player text adventure game in which a story is branched by a selection of a player. An example will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Outline of Game System) FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a game system according to an example of the present embodiment.

The game system includes a mobile phone 200, which is a portable terminal device on which a player plays a game, and distribution request information (including selection information, operation information, and the like) transmitted from the mobile phone 200 via a transmission path. The game information distribution device 100 functions as a game information providing system that generates game information based on the game information and transmits the game information to the mobile phone 200.

Here, the game information distribution device 100 and the mobile phone 200 are connected via a network 300. Also, the game information distribution device 100 and the mobile phone 20
The transmission path between 0 includes a wireless transmission path 320 and a wired transmission path 310.

The network 300 includes a base station for the mobile phone 200, a packet disassembly / assembling apparatus, the Internet, and the like. Actually, a plurality of mobile phones 200 are connected to the game information distribution device 100 via the network 300.

The player connects to the network 300 using the mobile phone 200. The mobile phone 200 transmits the distribution request information generated based on the operation of the player to the game information distribution device 100. The game information distribution device 100 generates game information according to the distribution request and transmits the generated game information to the mobile phone 200.

The mobile phone 200 is connected to the game information distribution device 1.
The game information is received from 00 and a game image is displayed on a screen or a sound is output to execute a game.

In a multiplayer game in which a game is played by a plurality of players (a plurality of human players or a combination of a human player and a computer player), the players are grouped (also referred to as coupling) to form a group. The game content is shared among the players who have played.

Conventionally, recruitment of a group of partners has been performed using a bulletin board or a mailing list on a Web page. For this reason, it took a long time for procedures such as recruitment of a partner, participation of the partner, and notification of the participation of the partner, so that the continuity of the game was interrupted and the players could not concentrate on the game.

In the present embodiment, these procedures are performed by the game information distribution apparatus 100, thereby reducing the time required for grouping. Further, in the present embodiment, the time required for grouping is reduced by using link information indicating a game participation location and association information for grouping.

Next, screen transition of a game screen related to grouping displayed on the screen of the mobile phone 200 will be described. Hereinafter, a player who encourages a partner to participate in a game will be described as a first player, and a player who newly participates in a game as a partner will be described as a second player.

As a method of encouraging partners to participate in the game, there are a method of joining a user who has been registered and waiting to play, a method of recruiting and joining a partner, and a method of inviting an acquaintance to participate. Hereinafter, screen transition in the mobile phone 200 in these methods will be described.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a screen transition from a set screen to a partner recruiting screen according to an example of the present embodiment.

When the setting of the personal information and the like of the first player is completed, the set screen 400 is displayed. On the set screen 400, options such as “play alone”, “play with others”, “play with your friends”, “back”, “start the story”, and “go to title screen” are displayed. Is done.

Here, it is assumed that the first player has selected "play with another person". "Play with others"
Is selected, when there is a registrant waiting for play, a guide screen 401 for partner determination is displayed on the screen of the mobile phone 200. When there is no registrant waiting for play, a partner recruiting is in progress. A guidance screen 402 is displayed.

On the partner decision guide screen 401, a character string indicating that a partner has been decided and options such as "start drama" are displayed. The game is started when the first player selects "Start drama".

Further, a guide screen 402 for recruiting partners
Will display a string indicating that the first player will be notified that the partner has been determined to be waiting for the partner and that the partner has been determined in the status display on the e-mail and title screen when the partner is determined. You.

After the guidance screen 402 for recruiting partners is displayed, a screen 403 is displayed when a predetermined time has elapsed while the recruitment of partners is in progress. On screen 403,
Options such as "Stop recruiting partners and change play settings" are displayed. That is, if the partner has not been determined after a predetermined time, the first player returns to the set screen 400 and selects an option such as “play alone” to change the setting and change the game. It can be performed. Thus, the waiting time caused by waiting for partner recruitment can be reduced, so that the first player can play the game comfortably.

Also, a guide screen 402 for recruiting partners
Is displayed, and when the partner is determined, the screen 404 is displayed.
Is displayed. On the screen 404, a character string indicating that the partner has been decided and an option of "start drama" are displayed. The game is started when the first player selects "Start drama".

Also, when the first player sets the screen 4
When “play with your friend” is selected in 00, the following screen transition is performed by the game information distribution device 100.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a screen transition from a solicitation screen for inviting a partner to a result notification screen according to an example of the present embodiment.

When the first player selects “play with your friends” on the set screen 400, the mobile phone 2
A solicitation screen 410 is displayed on the 00 screen. Solicitation screen 4
At 10, options such as "send invitation mail" for inviting a partner who is a friend, that is, a second player, are displayed.

When the first player selects “send invitation mail” on the invitation screen 410, a participation request screen 411 is displayed on the screen of the mobile phone 200. Participation request screen 4
In 11, a column for inputting a friend's name, a friend's e-mail address, a message, and "confirm the e-mail contents"
Are displayed.

When the first player selects “confirm the mail content” on the participation request screen 411, the mobile phone 20
A confirmation screen 412 is displayed on the screen of No. 0. Confirmation screen 41
In 2, the contents of the e-mail sent to the other party specified as a friend are displayed. Specifically, on the confirmation screen 412, the name of the first player who has requested participation, a brief description of the game "Title A", a message input by the first player on the participation request screen 411, and " A "Send" button and the like are displayed.

Thus, the first player can confirm the contents of the e-mail sent to the second player. First
When the player selects or clicks the "Send" button on the confirmation screen 412, the confirmation screen 41 is sent to the e-mail address of the second player entered on the participation request screen 411.
The e-mail of the content displayed in 2 is transmitted by the game information distribution device 100.

When there is no response from the terminal device of the second player to which the electronic mail has been transmitted, the portable telephone 20
The screen 413 is displayed with 0. On the screen 413, the first player is notified that the second player has joined by a character string indicating that the second player has joined and a status display on the e-mail and title screen when the second player has joined. A character string indicating that the notification is to be given, options such as “stop invitation and change play settings” and the like are displayed.

If the first player selects “stop inviting and change play settings”, the first player returns to the set screen 400 and selects an option such as “play alone”. By making a selection, the game can be played with the settings changed. Thus, the waiting time caused by waiting for partner recruitment can be reduced, so that the first player can play the game comfortably.

[0091] Also, if there is a response indicating participation from the terminal device of the second player to which the e-mail has been sent, and if the first player has been waiting while connected to the network 300, The screen 414 is displayed on the mobile phone 200 of the first player. On the screen 414, a character string indicating that the second player has joined,
Options such as "start play" are displayed. First
By selecting "start play", the player can play the game together with the second player.

[0092] Note that if there is a response indicating participation from the terminal device of the second player to whom the e-mail has been sent, and if the first player waits without connecting to the network 300, An e-mail indicating that the second player has joined is transmitted from the game information distribution device 100 to the mobile phone 200 via the mail server. Further, in this case, when the first player attempts to join the game by connecting to the network 300, a character string indicating that the second player has joined is displayed on the status display of the title screen of the game.

Also, when a response indicating rejection of participation is received from the terminal device of the second player to which the electronic mail has been transmitted, and the first player
If the user waits while being connected to 0, a screen 415 is displayed on the mobile phone 200 of the first player. Screen 415
Then, a character string indicating that the second player did not participate, or "Changing the invitation and changing the play settings"
Are displayed.

When the first player selects “stop the invitation and change the play settings”, the player returns to the set screen 400 and selects an option such as “play alone”. Thus, the game can be played with the settings changed.

Next, the screen transition on the terminal device operated by the second player to which the e-mail is transmitted when the first player clicks the "send" button on the confirmation screen 412 will be described. here,
The terminal device operated by the second player is also described as a mobile phone having the same function as the mobile phone 200 operated by the first player.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a screen transition from a participation promotion screen to a setting screen according to an example of the present embodiment.

On the mobile phone operated by the second player, the e-mail is received, and by opening the e-mail, a participation promotion screen 420 having substantially the same contents as the confirmation screen 412 is displayed. Participation promotion screen 4
In 20, the “Send” button is not displayed, and options such as “join the story with Mr. (□, the first player who has requested participation)” and “refuse invitation” are displayed.

[0098] The second player has selected "join the story with Mr. (the player who has requested participation)", and the user registration of the second player to the game site has been completed. In this case, a screen 422 is displayed. On the screen 422, a character string indicating that the player is to play with Mr. □, a character string urging the setting of the second player, and options such as “go to player setting” are displayed.

When the second player selects “to player setting” on the screen 422, a setting screen 423 is displayed on the mobile phone of the second player. On the setting screen 423, an option of “selection of a play target” is displayed.
By the second player choosing this option,
The main character A or the main character B appearing in the game can be selected. In addition, the second player can display the commentary of each hero on the screen by selecting the option of "commentary" of the hero A or the hero B on the setting screen 423.

The hero A or hero B selectable on the setting screen 423 is a hero different from the hero selected by the first player. That is, the first player and the second player can play the game as different main characters, respectively.

On the setting screen 423, an option of "your name in the story" is displayed. When the second player selects this option, the name of the hero appearing in the game can be given.

[0102] On the setting screen 423, the second player
When the selection of the main character and the naming of the selected main character are completed, an option “start play” (not shown) is displayed on the screen. When the second player selects the option to “start playing” on the screen,
The hero selected by the second player appears in the game,
The first player who has already appeared in the game can talk and fight with the hero that is being operated.

In FIG. 2 to FIG. 4 described above, according to the present embodiment, the game information distribution apparatus 100 uses the link information to the game site to reduce the trouble of the participant (second player) and the like. E-mail format game information including association information between players is provided to the second player.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing link information and association information according to an example of the present embodiment.

In the example shown in FIG. 9, the web page address (so-called URL) of the game site is used as the link information.
Page information (www.aa.co.jp) and game stage information (stage = 3) indicating a game scene. Also, user ID information (uid = 00000123) is used as the association information.

The link information and the association information are generated by the game information distribution apparatus 100 when the first player clicks the “send” button on the confirmation screen 412 shown in FIG. It is embedded in the e-mail to be transmitted to the second player and transmitted to the terminal device of the second player.

When the second player selects the option of “start play” on the screen displayed after the setting screen 423 shown in FIG. 4, the request information including link information and association information is displayed. The information is transmitted from the terminal device of the second player to the game information distribution device 100.

Upon receiving the request information, game information distribution apparatus 100 causes the hero operated by the second player to appear on the game stage of stage number 3 based on the link information.

As described above, by using the link information including not only the page address information but also the game stage information, not only the game start scene but also the scene in the middle of the game such as stage number 3 can be determined. Can be immediately involved.

Thus, for example, in a situation where the character operated by the first player is competing with an enemy character in the game, a request for participation such as “ask for support” is made, and the character operated by the second player is changed to the character. You can make them appear in battle scenes and fight against enemy characters together. In this way, since the time from the participation of the game to the appearance of the character in the game space, etc. can be significantly reduced, the continuity of the game can be easily maintained, and the player can be more enthusiastic about the game and enjoy it. .

As the link information, in addition to the address information (URL and the like) of the game information providing server, for example, a telephone number for connecting to a game network, a stage number of a game stage, a game area number, and the like are used. You can also.

Further, the game information distribution apparatus 100 can identify the first player who has made the participation request by referring to the user ID which is a type of the association information included in the request information. The second player and the first player can be easily and quickly grouped or the like.

[0113] Thus, a predetermined relationship can be given to the first player and the second player, and various roles such as a partner, a criminal and a criminal can be given to a character operated by each player in the game. .

Here, the predetermined relations include, for example, cooperative relations, hostile relations, friend relations, lover relations, and up-down relations (such as boss and subordinates).

Further, as the association information, for example, game identification information, group identification information, etc., in addition to the user identification information (user ID and the like), can be adopted.

As described above, by providing the terminal device such as the mobile phone 200 with the game information for promoting participation including the link information and the association information in the e-mail format,
The second player can easily participate in the game by opening the e-mail and using the link information.

When a game participation request is received from the terminal device, the association information included in the request information indicates
The first player who has requested participation and the second player who has participated can be easily linked. This makes it possible to quickly perform grouping, coupling, and the like when performing a game by performing grouping, coupling, and the like for a plurality of players.

Also, the game information provider can invite a user who has not yet participated in the game to a player who has already participated in the game. Can be.

In particular, by making a request for participation by e-mail, the player who is requested to participate does not need to connect to the game network before participating, but only has to be connected at the time of participation. Costs can be reduced.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce the trouble of the player and the provider of the game information and the like, and the player and the like can comfortably execute the multiplayer game.

Next, functional blocks of a game system including a game information distribution device 100 for realizing these functions will be described.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of a game system according to an example of the present embodiment.

The mobile phone 200 transmits an operation unit 210 composed of character input keys and the like and distribution request information including operation information from the operation unit 210, and transmits the game information distribution device 100.
A transmission / reception unit 290 for receiving game information from the storage unit 230, a storage unit 230 for temporarily storing the received game information, and a game image formed by using a browser based on the game information stored in the storage unit 230. Display part 2 to be displayed on
20 and an audio output unit 222 that outputs game sounds based on the game information.

Here, the game information is information related to the game, and means, for example, data for executing the game, a program, an object in which the data and the program are integrated, and the like. The game information includes information for reproducing a game sound as well as a game image.

On the other hand, the game information distribution apparatus 100 receives (acquires) distribution request information from the mobile phone 200, and transmits / receives the game information. A game information generation unit 111 that functions as an information generation unit that identifies which mobile phone 200 has transmitted based on the distribution request information and generates game information based on the received distribution request information. . Although the transmitting / receiving unit 190 has both a providing function and an acquiring function, the transmitting / receiving unit 190 may be divided into a providing unit and an acquiring unit.

The game information generating section 111 includes an image generating section 113 for generating image information for displaying an image on the mobile phone 200 and a sound generating section for generating sound information for outputting sound on the mobile phone 200. And a mail generating unit 117 for generating an electronic mail.

Note that image information, sound information, and e-mail are one type of game information. Also, the image generation unit 113,
The voice generation unit 114 and the mail generation unit 117 generate game information by appropriately referring to the user data 121, the partner data 122, and the game data 123 stored in the storage unit 120 having a predetermined storage area.

The game information distribution device 100 is configured to include a determination unit 115 for determining a request based on request information transmitted from the mobile phone 200, and a timer unit 119. In addition, the determination unit 115 includes the timer unit 11
Based on the value of 9, if there is no response from the mobile phone 200 within a predetermined time, it is determined that there is no response, and a predetermined process is performed.

The game information generation unit 111 and the determination unit 115 are included in the processing unit 110, and their functions are realized by, for example, a CPU. More specifically, the image generation unit 113 is configured to dynamically generate image information by software using a CGI (Common Gateway Interface).

The storage unit 120 is realized by, for example, a RAM or the like, and the transmission / reception unit 190 is realized by, for example, a communication device having a PAD (packet disassembly and assembly) function.

[0131] The game information distribution apparatus 100 is connected to an information storage medium 180, and the function can be realized by reading information from the information storage medium 180.

Here, as the information, for example, when the game information generation unit 111 is realized, an information generation unit for generating game information, and a providing unit for providing the generated game information to the mobile phone 200 (For example, a program or the like) for realizing the above.

The information stored in the information recording medium 180 may be embodied in a carrier wave. That is, the game information distribution apparatus 100 can realize the above-described various functions by reading information not from the information storage medium 180 but from, for example, a predetermined host terminal or the like via a network.

The information storage medium 180 includes, for example, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, IC card, RO
A storage medium using a laser, magnetism, or the like such as M, RAM, a memory card, and a hard disk can be applied. The method of reading information from the information storage medium 180 may be a contact type or a non-contact type.

Next, the data structure of the user data 121 will be described.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the data structure of the user data 121 according to an example of the present embodiment.

The user data 121 is data for managing personal information of the user. User data 1
For example, as the data items of “21,
D "," User name "," Email address "," Region "
And so on.

By referring to the user data 121, for example, if the “user ID” is “00000123”
Can grasp that the “user name” is “Taro Nakamura”, the “mail address” is “aa@aa.co.jp”, and the “region” to which the user belongs is “Tokyo”. .

Next, the data structure of the partner data 122 will be described.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the data structure of the partner data 122 according to an example of the present embodiment.

The partner data 122 is data for grasping the associated users and for grasping the game situation of each user. Partner data 1
For example, as the data item of “22,
D, "registered name", "role", "status", "game stage", "group ID", and the like.

Here, the “registered name” is a name of a game character or the like input by the user on the setting screen. The “role” is a role of a game character or the like selected by the user on a setting screen such as “criminal”.

The "status" indicates the current state of the user, such as "recruiting partners" or "waiting for play". The “game stage” is a game scene in which a character or the like operated by the current user exists. The “group ID” is for identifying a plurality of players as one group.

Next, the operation of each unit of the game information distribution device 100 from the generation of the partner invitation mail described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 to the grouping and the execution of the game will be described with reference to flowcharts.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a procedure from generation of a partner invitation e-mail to grouping to a game according to an example of the present embodiment.

First, the image generation section 113 generates image information for causing the first player to make a request for participation in order to obtain information for generating a mail in the mail generation section 117, and the transmission / reception section 190 Transmits the image information to the mobile phone 200 (step S2). Thereby, the first
A participation request screen 411 shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the mobile phone 200 of the player.

The image generation unit 113 changes the image information, which is game information for promoting participation, on the basis of the progress of the game, the content of the information reproduced by the mobile phone operated by the second player. Generate so that

According to this, the image information (voice information in the case of the voice generation unit 114) at the time of the participation request changes depending on the progress of the game. For example, when the character controlled by the first player has a ship, a character image or sound such as “Let's travel together by boat.” Is played on the mobile phone of the second player, and the first player is played. If the character you control has an airship, the second
A character image or sound such as "Let's travel on an airship together" is reproduced on the terminal device of the player. Thereby, the second player requested to participate can enter the game world without feeling uncomfortable when participating in the game.

[0149] When the first player selects "confirm the e-mail content" on the participation request screen 411, request information indicating a confirmation request is transmitted from the mobile phone 200 to the game information distribution apparatus 100.

The game information distribution device 100 includes a transmitting / receiving unit 1
90, the request information indicating the confirmation request is received (step S4).

When the request information indicating the confirmation request is received,
The image generation unit 113 acquires the “user name” of the user who made the confirmation request with reference to the user data 121. Further, the image generating unit 113 requests the participation based on the “name”, “mail address”, and “message” of the user requesting the participation input by the first player included in the request information. Confirmation screen 412 showing the "name" of the user requested to participate
Generates image information for displaying
Transmits the image information to the mobile phone 200 of the first player.
(Step S6). Thereby, the confirmation screen 412 is displayed on the mobile phone 200 of the first player. At this point, the “name”, “mail address”, and “message” of the user who has been requested to participate and acquired by the transmission / reception unit 190 are temporarily stored in the storage unit 120.

When the first player performs “transmission” on confirmation screen 412, request information indicating a transmission request is transmitted from mobile phone 200 to game information distribution apparatus 100.

As described above, the first player can easily prompt the second player to participate on the game screen. That is, the first player can prompt the second player to participate without himself making a request for participation on the electronic bulletin board or sending an e-mail to the second player himself. Therefore, the first player can reduce the trouble of requesting participation, and can enjoy the multiplayer game more comfortably than before.

The game information distribution device 100 includes a transmitting / receiving unit 1
90, the request information indicating the transmission request is received (step S8).

When request information indicating a transmission request is received,
The mail generation unit 117 temporarily stores the “mail address” of the user requested to participate, which is temporarily stored in the storage unit 120.
, An e-mail including information such as a “message” is generated, and the transmission / reception unit 190 transmits the e-mail to the mail server corresponding to the “mail address” of the user in the network 300 (step S1).
0).

When the second player accesses the mail server and downloads the e-mail, information such as the above “message” is displayed on the screen of the mobile phone operated by the second player.

[0157] After the above-mentioned e-mail is transmitted to the mail server by the transmission / reception section 190, the image generation section 113 generates image information for displaying a screen 413 indicating waiting for participation. The image information is transmitted to the mobile phone 200 of the first player (step S12).

At this stage, the first player waits for the second player to participate.

Then, the second player accesses the game information distribution device 100 within a predetermined time from the time of sending the e-mail using the link information included in the received e-mail (step S14). Game information distribution device 100
The request information obtained by the access is acquired by the transmission / reception unit 190, and the determination unit 115 determines whether the request information indicates a participation request (step S16).

[0160] If it indicates a participation request, the image generation section 113 generates image information for displaying a screen 414 indicating that the second player has joined, and the transmission / reception section 190 transmits the image information. The data is transmitted to the mobile phone 200 of the first player (step S18).

The determining unit 115 groups the first player and the second player based on the “user ID” included in the request information, and
Is stored in the partner data 122 of the storage unit 120.

Then, the first player makes the screen 414
When "start play" is selected in step, the game proceeds from "game stage" stored in partner data 122 (step S20).

When the second player participates in the game, the game parameters of the first player (life parameters of the character, items, points, etc.)
It is preferable that a character operated by the second player appears in the game in the same state. of course,
The game may be played by the second player with the game parameters such as the life parameter of the character operated by the second player as an initial state.

In the determination of the request information from the second player by the determination section 115, if the request information indicates a non-participation request, the image generation section 113 indicates that the second player does not participate. The image information for displaying the screen 415 is generated, and the transmission / reception unit 190 transmits the image information to the mobile phone 200 of the first player (step S22).

Further, when there is no access from the second player within the predetermined time (step S14), similarly, the image generating section 113 displays a screen 415 indicating that the second player does not participate. Transmission / reception section 190 transmits the image information to mobile phone 200 of the first player (step S2).
2).

As described above, when there is no access from the second player within the predetermined time or when the second player desires not to participate, the first player is notified to that effect. This allows the first player to go to screen 4
In step 15, by selecting "stop invitation and change play settings", unnecessary waiting time can be reduced and the game can be played smoothly.

In the present embodiment, consideration is given to the side requested to participate (here, the second player).

That is, when the first player requests the second player to participate a plurality of times within a predetermined time, or when the second player desires not to participate, the first player Continues to request the second player to participate, the determination unit 115 controls the transmission / reception unit 190 so as not to transmit an email requesting participation to the second player.

As a result, it is possible to prevent the second player from feeling uncomfortable due to the participation request, and to prevent trouble from occurring.

The determining section 115 may control the mail generating section 117 so as not to generate an e-mail requesting the second player to participate, or may control the e-mail generating section 117 and the transmitting / receiving section 190. Both may be controlled.

The preferred embodiment to which the present invention is applied has been described above, but the application of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

(Registration of Personal Information) FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of another game system according to an example of the present embodiment.

The game system generates game information based on a mobile phone 200 which is a portable terminal device and distribution request information transmitted from the mobile phone 200 via a transmission path, and transmits game information to the mobile phone 200. And a game information distribution device 100 functioning as an information providing system for transmission.

Here, game information distribution device 100 and mobile phone 200 are connected via mobile communication network 510. The game information distribution device 100 and the imaging device 70
0 is connected via the Internet 500.
Note that the mobile phone 200 is also connected to the Internet 500 via the mobile communication network 510.

The imaging device 700 is arranged in a game facility such as a so-called game center. Next, functional blocks of the game system will be described.

The imaging device 700 includes an operation unit 730 such as an operation panel operated by the user, and an imaging unit 710 such as a CCD camera that captures an image of the user based on the operation and generates a captured image. .

[0177] The imaging device 700 includes a display unit 720 for performing display based on a user operation used in a general processing device and data stored in the storage unit.

Further, the imaging device 700 includes a transmission / reception unit 790 for communicating with the game information distribution device 100.

The configurations of the game information distribution device 100 and the mobile phone 200 are almost the same as those described above. The transfer of the imaging information and the like are performed by the determination unit 115.

The user of the mobile phone 200 is
00, the operation unit 730 is operated, and the imaging unit 710 performs imaging. The imaging data is transferred to the storage unit in the imaging device 700, displayed on the display unit 720, and the user selects using the operation image as a part of the user data 121 using the operation unit 730. The user can also store personal information such as the area to which the user belongs and an e-mail address if necessary.
Enter using 0. The personal information including the input imaging information is transmitted from the transmitting / receiving unit of the imaging device 700 to the game information distribution device 100.

[0181] The game information distribution apparatus 100 receives the imaging information by the transmission / reception unit 190. The game information distribution device 100 transmits the received imaging information to the user data 1
21 and is stored in association with the user.

For example, when transmitting an e-mail to the second player, the game information distribution apparatus 100 transmits the e-mail including the imaging information of the first player stored in the user data 121 by the image generation unit 113. Generate. The second player can confirm the appearance of the first player by receiving the e-mail.

Also, since the imaging information of each player is stored in the user data 121, when the players are grouped and a game is played, a character reflecting a face photograph of each player can appear in the game. Is also possible.

Various modifications other than the form shown in FIG. 10 are possible.

For example, the present invention can be applied to a form in which players at distant positions play a game while looking at each other's faces captured by a CCD camera. More specifically, for example, game terminal devices including a CCD camera, a liquid crystal screen, and an operation unit are arranged in a plurality of game facilities, and each game facility is connected to each other by an optical fiber. It is assumed that terminal devices in the game facility are also connected by LAN. Further, each player operates the terminal device to register his / her name or the like in the user data 121 in the storage unit 120 of the game information distribution device 100.

In such a case, when each player is permitted to refer to the personal information of another player, the game information generation unit 1 based on the user data 121.
The personal information such as the name of another player can be confirmed by the game information generated by the game server 11. In addition, each player can observe the state of another player in real time using a CCD camera provided in each terminal device.

When a multiplayer game is played in such a game environment, each player is grouped as follows.

The first player playing the role-playing game at the terminal device of the first game facility uses the image information or the like generated by the game information distribution device 100 to make a quiz at the terminal device of another game facility. An operation for prompting the second player playing the game to participate in the role playing game is performed.

As a result, request information for prompting the first player to participate from the terminal device is acquired by the transmission / reception unit 190.

When the request information is acquired by the transmission / reception unit 190, the image generation unit 113 generates the participation promotion image information including the link information and the association information as shown in FIG. Thereby, the image information is sent to the game facility where the terminal device of the second player is located.

At the terminal device of the second player, an image for promoting participation is displayed on the liquid crystal screen of the terminal device based on the image information, for example, at the end of the shooting game.

The screen for promoting participation includes personal information such as the name of the first player, a captured image, and the like. When the second player selects “participation in a game” or the like, the roll is performed. Request information for participating in the playing game is transmitted to the game information distribution device 100 via an optical fiber.

In game information distribution apparatus 100, the request information is received by transmission / reception section 190, and determination section 115
Thereby, the first player and the second player are associated based on the association information such as the user ID of the first player included in the request information.

[0194] Further, based on link information such as game stage information included in the request information, the game information generation unit 111 starts a character operated by the first player from a predetermined scene of the role playing game and a character of the second player. Game information is generated such that the character to be operated appears.

Then, the game information is transmitted by the transmission / reception unit 190 to the terminal devices of the first and second players via optical fibers.

Thus, the first and second players can enjoy a role-playing game while having a conversation between each other's characters and cooperating with each other's characters and fighting against enemy characters.

The personal information obtained as described above can be used in various ways in grouping in a game.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a card output at the time of a game entry according to an example of the present embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sticker output at the time of a game ending according to an example of the present embodiment.

Here, the imaging device 700 shown in FIG.
An output unit 740 that outputs personal information to a portable medium in a predetermined situation is included. Here, as the portable medium, for example, paper, a sticker, a card, a portable information storage medium, and the like correspond.

For example, as shown in FIG. 11, Nakamura (the first player) who participates in the game as a criminal officer, performs the above-described grouping at the time of game entry, and thereby becomes the partner of the criminal role, Ushijima. (Second
740) A game entry card on which a photograph of the player, his / her own face, his / her role in the game, his name, etc.
Can be obtained from As a result, the player becomes more familiar with the partner who has become a partner, and can enjoy the multiplayer game further.

As shown in FIG. 12, for example, in a love simulation game, Nakamura (first player) who is a male and Nakajima (second player) who is a female have a high degree of compatibility. In the case of happy ending, the output unit 740 outputs a sticker (a so-called “Purikura”) in which a character string “Happy Wedding” in which two photos are put in a heart-shaped frame is printed.

[0202] Thus, the player can feel a sense of accomplishment by playing the game as a couple with each other in the multiplayer game.

[0203] Further, when such a love simulation game or affinity fortune-telling is to be performed, only when a couple of players are in a spirit and the characters operated by each other are married at the end of the game, Personal information of the first and second players (eg,
Profile, etc.), it is not necessary to disclose personal information to unwilling persons. Also, people who are fit together have a feeling of closeness and solidarity with each other, and can enjoy the multiplayer game further.

The image information including the personal information for generating the images shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 is generated by the game information distribution device 100 and transmitted and received by the transmission / reception unit 190 (providing means).
Is provided to the imaging device 700.

As the output unit 740, a printer for printing on paper, a card, a sticker, or the like, a ROM writer for writing personal information on a portable information storage medium such as a compact flash or a smart media, or the like can be applied.

Further, the function of the output unit 740 can be realized using a single printer or the like.

(Other Modifications) As a modification of the application of the present invention, various modifications other than disclosure of personal information are possible.

For example, game information for each player,
The request information from the terminal device such as the mobile phone 200 includes:
Voice information and the like may be used in addition to electronic mail and image information. For example, when using audio information, the player:
A voice instruction is given using the microphone of the mobile phone 200, and a multiplayer game can be enjoyed by the game sound output from the speaker of the mobile phone 200.

Also, the game information distribution device 100 is designed to allow the first player to confirm on the screen display or to confirm that the second player has joined the game, instead of confirming the second player by e-mail. May be formed.

[0210] In addition to the multi-story type multiplayer text adventure game described above, a game in which the selection of the first player affects the game content of the second player, and a multi-story type The present invention is particularly effective for a multi-ending game (simulation game, adventure game, role playing game, affinity fortune-telling, etc.).

For example, when the present invention is applied to affinity fortune-telling, the first player who has subscribed to the affinity fortune-telling service can send a second player who does not subscribe to the affinity fortune-telling service to the function of the game information distribution apparatus 100. Use email to encourage participation in the service.

[0212] The second player subscribes to the affinity fortune-telling service using the link information and the like of the e-mail sent from the game information distribution device 100.

[0213] The game information distribution device 100 uses the user ID and the like sent from the second player to perform the first
The game information is generated so as to perform affinity fortune-telling between the player and the second player.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, participation in the game service can be smoothly performed. In addition, there is an effect as an advertisement that a player who has not yet subscribed to the game service is caused to participate in the game service by a player who has already subscribed to the game service.

Note that the multiplayer game to which the present invention can be effectively applied includes not only a game played by a plurality of human players but also a game played by a human player and a computer player.

A means for transmitting information to the transmission / reception unit 190 may be used as a means for providing game information. An agent is distributed to the mobile phone 200 as means for obtaining distribution request information, and the agent is transmitted to the agent. Means for acquiring the stored distribution request information may be used.

Further, as a method of providing game information, as described above, game information may be indirectly provided to mobile phone 200 via a transmission path, or mobile phone 200 may be provided to a game information providing apparatus. The game information may be provided directly by connecting.

It is also possible to perform processing by distributing each function of the game information distribution apparatus 100 to a plurality of apparatuses.
Imaging device 700 and game information distribution device 10 shown in FIG.
It is also possible to perform processing integrally with 0.

In addition to the image captured by the image capturing apparatus 700, the captured image includes a captured image obtained by reading a photograph with a scanner, a captured image obtained by reading a camera film with a film scanner, and a digital camera. , Or an image captured by a CCD camera built in an image display terminal for business use.

Further, for example, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the portable telephone 200 is applied as the portable terminal device has been described. However, in addition to the portable telephone 200, a portable telephone such as a PHS or a satellite communication telephone can be used. , A pager or the like can be applied. In addition to the portable telephone, for example, a portable PC, a portable information terminal, and a portable terminal device such as a portable game device having a communication function can be applied.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a game system according to an example of the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a screen transition from a set screen to a partner recruitment screen according to an example of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a screen transition from a solicitation screen for inviting a partner to a result notification screen according to an example of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a screen transition from a participation promotion screen to a setting screen according to an example of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of a game system according to an example of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a data structure of user data according to an example of the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a data structure of partner data according to an example of the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a procedure from generation of a partner invitation e-mail to grouping and playing a game according to an example of the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating link information and association information according to an example of the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of another game system according to an example of the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a card output at the time of a game entry according to an example of the embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a sticker output at the time of a game ending according to an example of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 game information distribution device 110 processing unit 111 game information generation unit 113 image generation unit 114 sound generation unit 115 determination unit 117 mail generation unit 119 timer unit 120 storage unit 121 user data 122 partner data 123 game data 180 information storage medium 200 mobile phone 700 Imaging device

Claims (28)

[Claims] An information generating unit configured to generate game information for causing a player to play a multiplayer game in a predetermined terminal device; a providing unit configured to provide the generated game information to the terminal device; Acquiring means for acquiring request information from the information processing apparatus, wherein the information generating means includes a mail generating means for generating an e-mail in a predetermined situation, and a terminal device operated by a first player transmits the information to a second player. When request information for encouraging participation in a multiplayer game is obtained by the obtaining means, the information generating means sends the mail generating means a link information to the multiplayer game, a first player, Association information for associating the second player with the second player in a predetermined relationship in the multiplayer game. And generating the game information for participation promotion including the information in the form of an e-mail, wherein the providing means provides the generated game information for participation promotion to the second player in the form of an e-mail. Information providing system for multiplayer games. 2. An information generating means for generating game information for causing a player to play a multiplayer game in a predetermined terminal device; a providing means for providing the generated game information to the terminal device; and the terminal device. An acquisition unit for acquiring request information from the terminal device, wherein, when the request information for prompting the second player to participate in the multiplayer game from a terminal device operated by the first player is acquired by the acquisition unit, The information generation means includes link information to the multiplayer game, and association information for associating a first player and the second player so as to have a predetermined relationship in the multiplayer game. The game information for promotion is generated, and the providing means generates the game information for promotion of participation. Information providing system for a multi-player game, wherein the information is provided to the second player. 3. The information generating device according to claim 1, wherein the information generating unit obtains the link information and the association information from a terminal device operated by the second player by the obtaining unit. The first player and the second player are associated so as to have the predetermined relationship based on the association information, and the second player is set in the multiplayer game in a predetermined state based on the link information. An information providing system for generating game information for executing a game so as to participate in the game. 4. The multiplayer game according to claim 1, wherein the multiplayer game is a game in which an image page is updated, and the link information is based on a progress of the game. An information providing system including address information of a predetermined image page for causing the second player to participate in a predetermined game scene. 5. The information providing system according to claim 1, wherein the association information includes a user ID of a player. 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the request information for encouraging participation satisfies a predetermined condition.
An information providing system, comprising: means for controlling at least one of the information generating means and the providing means so as not to provide the game information for promoting participation. 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the condition is at least one of a condition that the request is a repetitive participation request for the same player within a predetermined time and a condition that the request is a request for participation of a player who refuses to participate. An information providing system, which is one. 8. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the information generation unit generates the game information for promoting participation.
An information providing system, wherein information is generated such that the content of information reproduced by a terminal device operated by the second player changes based on the progress of the multiplayer game. 9. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the information generating means generates game information for generating request information for encouraging participation, and the providing means transmits the game information to the first An information providing system provided to a terminal device operated by another player. 10. The mail generation means according to claim 1, wherein when the second player has participated in the multiplayer game, the mail generation means indicates that the second player has participated. An information providing system that generates an electronic mail for notification, and wherein the providing unit provides the generated electronic mail for notification to a terminal device operated by the first player. 11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second player is determined at the time of requesting participation, the second player is requested to participate in a game, the ending of the game is performed, In any one of the above, the information generating means generates game information for transmitting the personal information to the second or first player based on the personal information of the first or second player. An information providing system characterized by: 12. The personal information acquisition apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit acquires personal information including identification information of the player and a captured image of the player from a personal information acquisition device including an input unit and an imaging unit. An information providing system, wherein the information generating means generates the game information based on the acquired personal information. 13. The information processing device according to claim 11, wherein the providing means can carry personal information of the first and second players associated with each other in a predetermined relationship in a predetermined situation. An information providing system for providing the personal information to an output means for outputting the personal information to a medium. 14. The information providing system according to claim 1, wherein the terminal device is a portable terminal device. 15. A computer-readable information storage medium storing information for causing a player to play a multiplayer game in a predetermined terminal device, wherein the information is game information for playing the multiplayer game. Information generating means for generating the game information; providing means for providing the generated game information to the terminal device; and obtaining means for obtaining request information from the terminal device. The means includes an e-mail generating means for generating an e-mail in a predetermined situation, and the obtaining means obtains, from the terminal device operated by the first player, request information urging the second player to participate in the multiplayer game. In the case where the information is generated, the information generation means sends the mail generation means to the multiplayer game. Generating game information for participation promotion including e-mail format including link information and association information for associating the first player and the second player in a predetermined relationship in the multiplayer game. The information storage medium for a multiplayer game, wherein the providing means provides the generated game information for promoting participation to the second player in an e-mail format. 16. A computer-readable information storage medium storing information for causing a player to play a multiplayer game in a predetermined terminal device, wherein the information is game information for playing the multiplayer game. Information generating means for generating the game information; providing means for providing the generated game information to the terminal device; and obtaining means for obtaining request information from the terminal device. When request information that prompts a second player to participate in the multiplayer game from a terminal device operated by a player is obtained by the obtaining unit, the information generation unit includes link information to the multiplayer game; A first player and a second player are defined in the multiplayer game Generating game information for participation promotion including association information for associating so as to form a relationship, wherein the providing unit provides the generated game information for participation promotion to the second player. Characteristic information storage medium for multiplayer games. 17. The information processing device according to claim 15, wherein the information generation unit obtains the link information and the association information from a terminal device operated by the second player by the obtaining unit. The first player and the second player are associated so as to have the predetermined relationship based on the association information, and the second player is set in the multiplayer game in a predetermined state based on the link information. An information storage medium characterized by generating game information for executing a game so as to participate in the game. 18. The multiplayer game according to claim 15, wherein the multiplayer game is a game in which the game progresses by updating an image page, and the link information corresponds to a progress of the game. An information storage medium comprising address information of a predetermined image page for causing the second player to participate in a predetermined game scene. 19. The information storage medium according to claim 15, wherein the association information includes a user ID of a player. 20. The method according to claim 15, wherein the request information for encouraging participation satisfies a predetermined condition.
An information storage medium comprising: means for controlling at least one of the information generating means and the providing means so as not to provide the game information for promoting participation. 21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the condition is at least one of a condition that the request is a repeated request for the same player within a predetermined time, and a condition that the request is a request for participation of a player who refuses to participate. An information storage medium, which is one. 22. The information processing device according to claim 15, wherein the information generating unit outputs the game information for promoting participation.
An information storage medium, which is generated such that the content of information reproduced by a terminal device operated by the second player changes based on the progress of the multiplayer game. 23. The information processing device according to claim 15, wherein the information generating means generates game information for generating the request information for encouraging participation, and the providing means transmits the game information to the first information. An information storage medium provided to a terminal device operated by another player. 24. The method according to claim 15, wherein when the second player has participated in the multiplayer game, the mail generation means indicates that the second player has participated. An information storage medium which generates an e-mail for notification, and wherein the providing unit provides the generated e-mail for notification to a terminal device operated by the first player. 25. The method according to claim 15, wherein the second player is determined at the time of requesting participation, the second player is requested to participate in a game, the ending of the game is performed, In any one of the above, the information generating means generates game information for transmitting the personal information to the second or first player based on the personal information of the first or second player. An information storage medium characterized by the following. 26. The personal information acquisition device according to claim 15, wherein the acquisition unit acquires personal information including identification information of the player and a captured image of the player from a personal information acquisition device including an input unit and an imaging unit. An information storage medium, wherein the information generating means generates the game information based on the acquired personal information. 27. The apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the providing means can carry personal information of the first and second players associated with each other in a predetermined relationship in a predetermined situation. An information storage medium provided to output means for outputting the personal information to a simple medium. 28. The information storage medium according to claim 15, wherein the terminal device is a portable terminal device.