JP2013154086A - Game system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game system for giving motivation for playing a game executed in a game machine to a user by connecting a game to be executed by a user's personal terminal unit with a game to be executed in a game machine playable for pay.SOLUTION: When a user plays an arcade game by a game machine 2, application points utilized in a mobile game according to a play result are given. The user is permitted to play the mobile game according to the utilization of the application points.

Description

  The present invention provides various services from a server device via a network to a game machine that can be played for a fee and a personal terminal device that can play a game linked with a game provided by the game machine. It is related with the game system which can be performed.

  An online game system that allows a user to play a game using a personal terminal device that can be connected to a network is widely used. A game system that provides information associated with a game in a commercial game machine as a Web content to a user's personal terminal device is also known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2006-175004 A

  In order for the user to play with a game machine that can be played for a fee such as a commercial game machine, it is necessary to give the user motivation for game play.

  Therefore, the present invention plays a game executed on a game machine by linking a game to be executed on a user's personal terminal device and a game to be executed on a game machine that can be played for a fee. An object is to provide a game system capable of giving motivation to a user.

  A game system (1) of the present invention includes a game machine (2) that allows a user to play a first game in exchange for payment of a play fee, a user's personal terminal device (8), a server Device (3) is connected to the personal terminal device via the network (5), and the server device provides a service for allowing the user to play the second game on the personal terminal device. A game system capable of providing game control means (12, S113 to S115, 32, S305, S306) for controlling the game progress of the first game and the second game; According to the result of playing the first game, the game privilege granting means (23, S211) for granting the game privilege that can be used in the second game to the user. S212 and), wherein the game control means, according to the usage of the game award, solving the above problems by controlling to allow play of the second game to the user.

  According to the game system of the present invention, when the user plays the first game in exchange for the payment of the play fee, a game privilege that can be used in the second game is given according to the play result. The user can play the second game according to the use of the game privilege. When the first game that requires payment of the play fee is played, the second game can be played, which is a motivation to play the first game.

  In one form of the game system of the present invention, the game control means allows the user to play within the initial range for the second game, and exceeds the initial range when a predetermined play condition is satisfied. The user may be allowed to play within the additional range, and when the game privilege is used, the user may be controlled to allow play within the range of at least a part of the additional range. When the game privilege is used, in the second game, the game can be played in at least a part of the additional range in addition to the play in the initial range. By acquiring the game privilege in the first game, it is possible to play in the additional range even if the play conditions are not satisfied, which is a motivation to play the first game.

  In one form of the game system of the present invention, the game privilege granting unit may grant the game privilege according to the amount of acquisition of a billing factor given to the user on the premise of payment of the play fee. According to this, it becomes motivation to play the first game in order to obtain a game privilege. In addition, the first game is played on the premise of payment of a play fee, but a game privilege is given according to the play result, so that the user can easily play the first game. In one form of the game system of the present invention, the game privilege granting unit grants the game privilege according to the consumption amount of the game medium lent to the user on the condition of payment of the play fee at the game machine. May be. Moreover, the said game privilege provision means may provide the said game privilege according to the frequency | count that the user played the said 1st game. Even in these cases, it is motivated to play the first game in order to obtain the game privilege.

  In one form of the game system of the present invention, the play condition may be payment of a play fee corresponding to the additional range to be permitted to the user. According to this, when a user desires the game play in the additional range in the second game, it is necessary to pay a play fee. On the other hand, if the game privilege is used, it is possible to play in at least a part of the additional range without paying the play fee, so the user can be motivated to play the first game in order to obtain the game privilege. .

  One form of the game system of this invention WHEREIN: The said game privilege may produce the effect | action advantageous to the game progress of a said 2nd game. Moreover, in this embodiment, the game privilege granting unit may grant an item that causes an advantageous effect on the progress of the game in the second game as the game privilege. The game control means may select one of a plurality of options associated with a plurality of items that cause an advantageous action for the game progress in the second game by using the game privilege. A lottery may be performed and, as a result of the lottery, control may be performed so that an item associated with the selected option is given to the user.

  In one form of the game system of the present invention, the user can use the first game according to a result of playing the second game on the personal terminal device, and is related to the first game. Service privilege granting means (23, S221, S223) for granting a service privilege for receiving service provision to the user is further provided, and the game control means is configured to use the first game when the service privilege is used. It may be controlled to provide the user with a service related to the above. According to this aspect, when the user plays the second game, a service privilege that can be used in the first game can be obtained according to the result of the play. Therefore, when the user plays one game by playing a game that is executed by the game machine and the personal terminal device, the user wants to play the other game. Each game executed by the game machine and the personal terminal device is linked, and the user group is expanded by a synergistic effect.

  In the present invention, the term “personal terminal device” is a terminal device that is assigned or loaned to a user mainly on the premise of personal use, regardless of whether the transfer or loan is paid or free of charge. The name is not limited as long as it can be connected to the server apparatus via the network. For example, various personal information communication terminal devices such as personal computers, home game machines, and mobile phones (including so-called smartphones) can be used as personal terminal devices in the present invention. In addition, “commercial game machine” means a game machine that is configured on the assumption that an operator receives or transfers all or part of hardware and software and allows the user to use them for a fee. means. The “facility” is sufficient if it has a facility for operating a commercial game machine, and it does not matter whether the facility itself is commercial, public, or private.

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

  As described above, in the game system of the present invention, when the user plays the first game in exchange for the payment of the play fee, a game privilege that can be used in the second game is given according to the play result. The The user can play the second game according to the use of the game privilege. When the first game that requires payment of the play fee is played, the second game can be played, which is a motivation to play the first game.

The figure which shows the whole structure of the game system which concerns on one form of this invention. The functional block diagram in the principal part of a game system. The figure explaining the mechanism of cooperation of various services in a game system. The figure which shows an example of a structure of play data. The flowchart which shows the process which the control unit of a game machine and a center server performs in order to manage the application point which the player played by playing the arcade game. The flowchart which shows the process which the control unit of a user terminal and a center server performs in order to manage the lottery ticket which the player played by playing a mobile game. The flowchart which shows the process which the control unit of a game machine and a center server performs in order to use a lottery ticket which the player played by playing a mobile game with a game machine.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a game system according to one embodiment of the present invention. The game system 1 includes a game machine 2 and a center server 3 as a server device. The game machine 2 is installed in a facility such as the store 4 and 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 the play fee. . A plurality of game machines 2 may be installed in the store 4. An appropriate number of game machines 2 are installed in each store 4. The game machine 2 is a so-called medal game machine that uses medals as game media. The game machine 2 may be configured as a dedicated machine having a physical configuration (for example, an operation unit) suitable for a specific game, and various games can be played by rewriting software. It may be configured as a general purpose machine. The center server 3 is configured as a single logical server device by combining a plurality of server units 3A, 3B. However, the center server 3 may be configured by a single server unit. Alternatively, the center server 3 may be logically configured using cloud computing.

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

  A management PC (abbreviation of personal computer, the same shall apply hereinafter) 7 may be connected to the LAN 5B of the store 4 as well. The management PC 7 is provided for the purpose of an operator (sometimes called an operator) of the store 4 managing the game machine 2 or transmitting and receiving various information by accessing the center server 3. In the game system 1, the user terminal 8 can access the center server 3 via the network 5. The user terminal 8 may be appropriately used as long as it is a computer device that functions as a personal terminal device capable of network connection, such as a PC 8a or a mobile phone (including a smartphone) 8b. In the present specification, the user is a person who can be a player of the game machine 2. When the user operates the game machine 2, the user may be particularly referred to as a player. In addition, an operator that operates the center server 3 and provides various services directed to the game machine 2 or the user terminal 8 may be referred to as a service operator. The operator is a business operator who operates the game machine 2 in the store 4 and is conceptually classified as a service business operator.

  The game machine 2 and the center server 3 are assigned unique IP addresses for identifying them on the network 5. In communication between the game machines 2 or between the game machine 2 and the center server 3, a communication partner is specified using the IP address. When the WAN 5A is a public network such as the Internet, a unique fixed address on the WAN 5A is set in each router 6. In the game machine 2, a private address for uniquely identifying the game machine 2 on the network 5 is set as an IP address in combination with the fixed address. In this case, a virtual private network (VPN) is constructed between the game machine 2 and the center server 3, and the game machine 2 is uniquely specified on the VPN using a private address. The same applies to the management PC. The user terminal 8 is also given a unique IP address for uniquely identifying the user terminal 8 on the network 5. The IP address may be a so-called dynamic address that changes every time it is connected to the network 5, or may be a fixed address that does not change. Hereinafter, information for identifying the game machine 2, the center server 3, the management PC 7, and the user terminal 8 on the network 5 is referred to as address information. In communication via the network 5, it is assumed that a communication partner is specified based on the address information unless otherwise specified. In the game system 1, apart from the address information described above, a unique store ID is set for each store 4 for each store 4, and a unique chassis ID is set for the game machine 2. The center server 3 can uniquely identify the store 4 and the game machine 2 to which the communication partner game machine 2 belongs by receiving the store ID and the chassis ID from the communication partner game machine 2.

  The center server 3 provides various services via the network 5 to the game machine 2, users (players), and operators. For example, the center server 3 provides various game machine services to the game machine 2 or its players. As a service for the game machine, for example, a service for receiving player identification information from the game machine 2 and authenticating the player, and receiving and storing the play data of the player from the game machine 2 or providing the game machine 2; There is a service for updating a program or data of the game machine 2 via the network 5. The center server 3 also provides various Web services to the user terminal 8 as a personal terminal device accessed via the network 5. Examples of the Web service include a service for playing a predetermined game in response to an access from the user terminal 8, and a game information service for providing a user with various information related to a game to be executed on the game machine 2 or the user terminal 8. Etc. In the following description, a game to be executed on the game machine 2 may be referred to as an arcade game, and a game to be executed on the user terminal 8 may be referred to as a mobile game to distinguish between the two games.

  The center server 3 is also provided with a billing service function that charges the user as a fee for providing a paid service and collects the fee from the user. In order to realize the charging service, a virtual currency account for each user is provided on the center server 3. When a user pays a charge fee using a settlement means such as cash or a credit card, an amount of virtual currency corresponding to the charge fee is charged to the user's account. On the other hand, when a user uses a paid service, an amount of virtual currency corresponding to the usage fee is consumed from the user's account.

  In the game system 1, various hardware and software are prepared as components necessary for allowing the user to use various services. At least some of those components are transferred or loaned from the service provider to the operator. As an example, the game machine 2 is transferred from a service provider to an operator for a fee. On the other hand, so-called content such as a game program or data to be executed on the game machine 2 is lent (provided) to the operator from the service provider.

  When the user plays the arcade game, the operator collects a play fee as the consideration. On the other hand, the service provider pays the play fee paid by the user, in other words, the fee according to the monetary value consumed when the user plays the arcade game, as the consideration for lending the content. Charge the operator. In other words, the game system 1 employs a mechanism in which the play fee consumed by the player in the game machine 2 is used as revenue, and the revenue is distributed between the operator of the store 4 where the game machine 2 is installed and the service provider. ing. In order to realize such a mechanism, the game machine 2 is provided with a function for providing the center server 3 with timely information necessary for specifying the actual consumption of the play fee for each content. In addition, the center server 3 identifies the consumption amount of the play fee for each store 4 based on the information provided from the game machine 2, and the service provider informs the operator of a predetermined rate for the obtained consumption amount. A function for calculating the usage fee to be charged is implemented. By providing such a function, the play fee collected from the player can be distributed between the service provider and the operator.

  With reference to FIG. 2, the structure of the principal part of the control system regarding the game machine 2, the center server 3, and the user terminal 8 of the game system 1 is demonstrated. The center server 3 is provided with a control unit 20 and a storage device 21. The control unit 20 includes a microprocessor, a ROM in which a program such as an operating system to be executed by the microprocessor is recorded, and an internal storage device (not shown) such as a RAM that provides a work area for the microprocessor. A computer unit provided. Although an input device such as a keyboard and an output device such as a monitor are connected to the control unit 20, they are not shown. The storage device 21 stores a server program to be executed by the control unit 20 and various data to be referred to by the program. Data recorded in the storage device 21 will be described later.

  Inside the control unit 20, a game machine service management unit 22, a Web service management unit 23, and an account management unit 24 are provided. Each of the units 22 to 24 is a logical device that is realized by a combination of computer hardware of the control unit 20 and predetermined software. The game machine service management unit 22 executes processing related to the game machine service described above, and the Web service management unit 23 executes processing related to the Web service described above. In accordance with a request from the game machine service management unit 22 or the Web service management unit 23, the account management unit 24 executes a process of consuming an amount of virtual currency corresponding to the service usage fee from the user's account. Further, the account management unit 24 executes a process of charging virtual currency to the user's account in accordance with a request from the Web service management unit 23. In addition to the above, the center server 3 is also equipped with a function for calculating a usage fee to be charged to the operator by the service provider based on the consumption record sent from the game machine 2. Omitted.

  Next, the game machine 2 is provided with a control unit 10 and a storage device 11. The control unit 10 is configured as a computer unit that combines a microprocessor and peripheral devices such as an internal storage device necessary for the operation of the microprocessor. The storage device 11 is a storage device capable of storing data, such as a hard disk storage device. The storage device 11 stores a game machine program to be executed by the control unit 10 and various data to be referred to by the program. As an example, at the time of execution of the arcade game, at least a part of the play data 43 associated with the player is provided from the center server 3 to the game machine 2 and recorded in the storage device 11. The play data 43 will be described later.

  In addition to the above, the control unit 10 is provided with various input / output devices such as an input operation device, a display device, a sound reproduction device, a card reader, and a coin authentication device, as in known game machines, but these are not shown. did. The card reader is provided for reading information on the card 9 possessed by the player and outputting a signal corresponding to the information to the control unit 10. The card 9 is provided with a non-volatile storage medium (not shown) such as an IC chip or a magnetic stripe, and the medium has a unique ID for each card 9 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a card ID). It is recorded. The card ID is used to call the play data 43 stored on the center server 3. The center server 3 identifies a user (player) using a unique user ID for each user, and the play data 43 is also recorded in a one-to-one correspondence with the user ID. The card ID is associated with the user ID one-to-one or many-to-one. By referring to the ID management data 40, the center server 3 can determine the correspondence between the card ID and the user ID and specify the user ID of the player. That is, in this embodiment, both the card ID and the user ID function as user identification information. The card ID may be recorded on the card 9 in the form of a barcode or the like. Alternatively, instead of the card 9, the card ID may be recorded on a storage medium such as an IC chip mounted on a mobile phone or the like.

  A game service processing unit 12 is provided inside the control unit 10. The game service processing unit 12 is a logical device realized by a combination of computer hardware of the control unit 10 and predetermined software. The game service processing unit 12 executes various processes related to the play of the arcade game, such as management of the start, progress, and end of the arcade game in the game machine 2 and collection of a play fee. A part of the game machine service is realized by the cooperation of the game service processing unit 12 and the game machine service management unit 22 of the center server 3.

  Note that, as a method for causing the player to consume a monetary value equivalent to a play fee, a method using a coin as a medium and a method using the charging service function of the center server 3 described above are selected. In the former method, when the player inserts coins into the game machine 2, “credit” having a value corresponding to the number of inserted coins is counted as a monetary value held by the player. As an example, one credit is recorded when one 100-yen coin is inserted. When the player instructs the game machine 2 to consume 1 credit, it is determined that a monetary value equivalent to 100 yen has been consumed, and an arcade game play is permitted within a range corresponding to the amount consumed. That is, when a play fee is paid using a coin as a medium, the consumption amount of the monetary value is counted in units of one credit. On the other hand, in the latter method, that is, when the virtual currency is consumed, the consumption amount of the monetary value by the player is counted in a unit smaller than “credit”. Assuming that the unit for counting the amount (or amount) of virtual currency is “points”, for example, one point is set equivalent to one yen. In that case, when a play fee of 100 yen is required, 100 points of virtual currency is consumed. One point does not necessarily correspond to one yen, but one point (that is, a virtual currency consumption unit) is set to correspond to a monetary value that is one digit or more smaller than one credit.

  There is also a method of lending medals to players for a fee. A medal is lent according to the fee paid by the player, and the player plays with the game machine 2 that can use the medal. Even in the game machine 2 in which medals can be used, one medal is counted as one credit, and an arcade game in a range corresponding to the consumption of one credit is permitted. In addition, the player can receive a medal loan by payment using virtual currency. In that case, virtual currency corresponding to the number of medals that the player desires to lend is consumed.

  The user terminal 8 is also provided with a control unit 30 as a computer unit and a storage device 31. The control unit 30 is provided with a Web service processing unit 32 as a logical device realized by a combination of computer hardware and predetermined software. The web service processing unit 32 executes processes necessary for causing the user to use the web service in cooperation with the web service management unit 23 of the center server 3. For example, the web service processing unit 32 cooperates with the web service management unit 23 of the center server 3 to execute processing necessary for causing the user to play the mobile game. The storage device 31 is a storage device capable of storing data such as a nonvolatile semiconductor storage device. The storage device 31 stores a mobile game program to be executed by the control unit 30 and various data to be referred to by the program. As an example, at the time of executing a mobile game, at least a part of the play data 43 associated with the player is provided from the center server 3 to the user terminal 8 and recorded in the storage device 31.

  With reference to FIG. 3, a mechanism of cooperation of various services in the game system 1 will be described. In this embodiment, the game machine 2 will be described as a medal game machine. The medal game machine is a medal game machine including a medal insertion mechanism and a game field in which a game progresses according to the movement of the inserted medal, and uses physical movement of the medal. In the medal game machine, for example, a pusher game is executed in which a group of medals is pushed out by a pusher table that reciprocates along a game field, and medals discharged out of the game field are paid out to a player. The medal game is provided by the game service processing unit 12 of the game machine 2. User A pays a fee to the operator or consumes virtual currency according to the number of medals lent. When the user A inserts the loaned medal into the game machine 2 and plays the game, the application point is acquired according to the amount of the inserted medal.

  The application point can be used in a mobile game provided by the Web service management unit 23 of the center server 3. User A acquires application items that can be used in a mobile game in exchange for consumption of application points. As an example of the mobile game, the above-described pusher game is executed as a digital game. For example, an application lottery ticket for lottery of application items usable in the mobile game is obtained in exchange for consumption of a predetermined number of application points, and the user A acquires an application item corresponding to the lottery result. Examples of application items include medals and items that can be used in video pusher games. The user A operates the user terminal 8 to access the center server 3 and can download a video pusher game program for free. The user A is given a predetermined number of medals free of charge for a predetermined period, for example, per day, and the video pusher game can be played in the range of the medals granted. Further, medals may be given free of charge according to the game play time. The range in which the given medal can be played corresponds to the initial range in the present invention. If the user A wants to play the game beyond the range that can be played for free, a medal can be purchased in exchange for the play fee. At this time, the range that can be played by purchasing medals corresponds to the additional range in the present invention. In accordance with the game play in the mobile game, the user A obtains a lottery ticket (game machine lottery ticket) that can be used in the medal game executed on the game machine 2.

  The lottery ticket acquired in the mobile game can be used in the lottery mode provided by the game machine service management unit 22 of the center server 3. When the user A uses the lottery ticket, for example, a service to be given to the user A is lottery. Examples of services include collection items, provision of items that favor an arcade game such as a ball paid out to a pusher table of a pusher game, and provision of opportunities such as slot lottery and roulette lottery. Any one of these services is selected and given to the user A. In the case of a collection item, an item to be given to the user A may be further drawn. When the user obtains all the specified items among the plurality of items, a privilege may be further given to the user. As the privilege, for example, the above items or lottery opportunities may be given, or rare items may be given as collection items. Further, the game environment is not limited to lottery tickets, and customization of the game environment of the arcade game may be permitted according to the game play in the mobile game. Examples of game environment customization include monitor screen customization and operability customization. When one lottery ticket is obtained, one lottery is possible. When a plurality of lottery tickets are obtained, the lottery is executed a plurality of times according to the number. In the arcade game, collection items that can be acquired with a lottery ticket are positioned as free services that do not involve payment of play fees, and are reflected in the progress of the arcade game.

  Next, details of data recorded in the storage device 21 of the center server 3 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, ID management data 40, arcade game data 41, mobile game data 42, a group of play data 43, and a group of account data 44 are recorded in the storage device 21 of the center server 3. ing. The ID management data 40 is data describing the correspondence between various IDs used in the game system 1. For example, the correspondence relationship between the card ID and the user ID described above is recorded in the ID management data 40. The account data 44 is data in which the user ID and the amount (balance) of the virtual currency held by the user are recorded in association with each other.

  The arcade game data 41 is data that is appropriately referred to by the control unit 20 of the center server 3 in relation to an arcade game to be executed on the game machine 2. The mobile game data 42 is data that the control unit 20 of the center server 3 appropriately refers to in relation to the mobile game to be executed on the user terminal 8. A plurality of types of arcade game data 41 and mobile game data 42 are prepared according to the type of game, but FIG. 2 shows only data corresponding to a set of arcade games and mobile games for which a cooperative relationship is set. ing. The arcade game and the mobile game for which a linkage relationship should be set are configured based on a common motif.

  The play data 43 is created for each user ID, and a set of them is a group of play data 43. When a player plays an arcade game on any of the game machines 2, the card ID that the player has recognized by the game machine 2 is provided to the center server 3 and corresponds to the user ID associated with the card ID. At least a part of the play data 43 is provided from the center server 3 to the game machine 2 and stored in the storage device 11 of the game machine 2. An example of the play data 43 is shown in FIG. In the play data 43 of FIG. 4, arcade data and mobile data are recorded in association with the user ID. The arcade data includes information associated with the play of the arcade game such as the results recorded in the arcade game and the items acquired. In order to realize the above-described cooperation between games, in the example of FIG. 4, the arcade data includes application points acquired by the user in the arcade game and collection items acquired by using lottery tickets. On the other hand, the mobile data includes information associated with the play of the mobile game such as the results recorded by the user in the mobile game and the items acquired. In the example of FIG. 4, the mobile data includes application items acquired by consuming application points and the number of lottery tickets acquired according to game play. However, these pieces of information may be recorded in the arcade data. Each data such as application points and the number of lottery tickets acquired may be specified in association with the user ID.

  Each data mentioned above is only an example of data recorded in the storage devices 11, 21, and 31. In addition to the illustrated data, the storage devices 11, 21, and 31 record various data necessary for processing such as game execution, collection of play fees, and distribution of revenue between the operator and the service provider. However, those descriptions are omitted.

  With reference to FIGS. 5-7, the various processes performed in relation to cooperation with a mobile game and an arcade game are demonstrated. FIG. 5 shows processing executed by the control unit 10 of the game machine 2 and the control unit 20 of the center server 3 in order to manage application points acquired by the player playing the arcade game. 5 is specifically executed by the game service processing unit 12 of the control unit 10 and the game machine service management unit 22 of the control unit 20.

  When the user instructs the game machine 2 to start an arcade game, the control unit 10 of the game machine 2 requests the user to perform a scan operation on the card 9, and the user performs a scan operation on the card 9 accordingly. Then, the game machine 2 identifies the card ID. The control unit 10 notifies the identified card ID to the center server 3 and requests a login process (step S101). In response to this, the control unit 20 (game machine service management unit 22) of the center server 3 starts the login process of FIG. 5 and first identifies the user ID corresponding to the card ID by referring to the ID management data 40 ( In step S201, the play data 43 associated with the user ID is extracted (step S202). Subsequently, the control unit 20 provides the extracted play data 43 to the game machine 2 (step S203), and thereafter ends the login management process.

  On the other hand, the control unit 10 of the game machine 2 acquires the play data 43 provided from the center server 3 (step S102), and reflects it in the game content based on the acquired play data 43. While the game is in progress, the control unit 10 counts the number of medals inserted by the user (player) into the game machine 2 (step S103). When the user finishes the game on the game machine 2, the number of medals inserted is notified to the center server 3 (step S104). In response to the notification of the number of medals inserted from the game machine 2, the control unit 20 of the center server 3 starts the application point management process of FIG. 5 and first gives it to the user according to the number of medals inserted from the game machine 2. An application point to be determined is determined (step S211). The correspondence between the play result and the application point is recorded in advance in the arcade game data 41, for example. For example, when the user inserts one medal into the game machine 2, one application point is awarded. This ratio may be changed according to the number of medals inserted by the player, the number of games, and the play time.

  The control unit 20 of the center server 3 updates the application point value recorded in the user's play data 43 so that the application point acquired this time is added (step S212). Is notified to the game machine 2 as an update result (step S213). Thereafter, the control unit 20 ends the application point management process. On the other hand, the control unit 10 of the game machine 2 acquires the update result notified from the center server 3 (step S105), and displays the update result to the user (step S106). Thereafter, the control unit 10 ends the application point acquisition process.

  FIG. 6 shows processing executed by the control unit 30 of the user terminal 8 and the control unit 20 of the center server 3 in order to manage the lottery ticket acquired by the player playing the mobile game. The consumption of application points will also be described within the processing of FIG. 6 are the Web service processing unit 32 of the control unit 30 and the Web service management unit 23 of the control unit 20.

  When the user starts the mobile game on the user terminal 8, the control unit 30 of the user terminal 8 requests the user to input the user ID and password, and notifies the center server of the user ID and password input by the user ( Step S301), a login management process is requested. The flow of the login management process executed by the control unit 20 of the center server 3 is the same as the process shown in FIG. The control unit 30 of the user terminal 8 receives the play data 43 as a result of the login management process executed by the control unit 20 of the center server 3 (step S302).

  The control unit 30 of the user terminal 8 refers to the play data 43 to determine whether there is a free medal to be given to the user (step S303). If there is a free medal to be given, a medal is given to the user (step S304). For example, in a mobile game, when a user logs in once a day, a predetermined number of medals are given to the user. In addition, a fixed number of medals may be awarded according to the user's play time. Further, the control unit 30 refers to the play data 43 to determine application points that can be owned by the user, and when the user instructs use of the application points (step S305), processing according to consumption of the application points Is executed (step S306). For example, the number of application points may be associated with the number of medals to be given to the user, and a medal may be given to the user in exchange for consumption of the application points. Or you may perform the lottery which gives the medal, the item, etc. which can be used within a mobile game by consuming a predetermined number of application points. In this case, a lottery for giving any one of a plurality of options to the user is executed. As an example of options, items that can be used in the game and a predetermined number of medals are assigned to each.

  Thus, in the mobile game, the user can play for free. However, if it is desired to use more medals than the number of medals acquired free of charge, the medals may be exchanged in exchange for payment of the play fee, and the game may be played using these medals. The range that can be played with the free medal given in step S304 corresponds to the initial range. Further, various items that are advantageous for the progress of the game may be purchased. In this case, the payment of the play fee corresponds to the play condition of the present invention, and the range where the purchased item can be played corresponds to the additional range of the present invention. The range in which medals or items exchanged with application points can be played corresponds to at least a part of the additional range.

  When the mobile game is finished, the game server is notified of the play result of the game (step S307). As a game play result, the center server 3 is notified of the number of medals used in the mobile game, consumed application points, acquired items, and the like. Upon receiving the play result notification from the user terminal 8, the control unit 20 of the center server 3 starts the play data management process of FIG. 6, and first evaluates the play result provided from the game machine 2 (step S221). The application points consumed in the mobile game are discriminated according to the evaluation result, and the value of the application points recorded in the play data 43 is updated so that the application points consumed this time are subtracted (step S222). . Further, the number of lottery tickets to be given to the user is determined according to the evaluation result of step S221, and the lottery ticket value recorded in the play data 43 is updated so that the number acquired this time is added ( Step S223). As an example, a lottery ticket may be given according to the number of medals used in a medal game in a mobile game, or when a predetermined specific condition during game play such as play time or number of plays is satisfied. . An upper limit may be set for the number of lottery tickets given. Then, the control unit 20 notifies the user terminal 8 of the data updated this time as an update result (step S224). Thereafter, the control unit 20 ends the play data management process. On the other hand, the control unit 30 of the user terminal 8 acquires the update result notified from the center server 3 (step S308), and displays the update result to the user (step S309). Thereafter, the control unit 30 ends the lottery ticket acquisition process.

  FIG. 7 shows a process executed by the control unit 10 of the game machine 2 and the control unit 20 of the center server 3 in order to use the lottery ticket acquired by the player playing the mobile game on the game machine 2. . The execution subject of the processing of FIG. 7 is specifically the game service processing unit 12 of the control unit 10 and the game machine service management unit 22 of the control unit 20.

  The ID card identification process in step S111 and the data acquisition process in step S112 executed by the control unit 10 of the game machine 2 are the same as the processes in step S101 and step S102 described in the application point acquisition process in FIG. Omitted. Also, the login management process executed by the control unit 20 of the center server 3 is the same as the login process of FIG. After receiving the play data 43 from the center server 3 in step S112, the control unit 10 of the game machine 2 refers to the play data 43 to determine whether or not the user has a lottery ticket (step S113). ). As described in the process shown in FIG. 6, the lottery ticket can be acquired by a mobile game. Further, it may be acquired if a predetermined condition is satisfied. For example, a lottery ticket may be acquired once by logging in to the game machine 2 once a day, or may be acquired according to a game play result of the game machine 2. When the user has a lottery ticket, the control unit 10 executes a lottery for a service to be given to the user in response to the consumption of one lottery ticket (step S114). The lottery that the user can challenge may be changed according to the number of lottery tickets to be consumed. The lottery is diversified by changing the contents of the choices to be drawn.

  As described above, the lottery options include a collection item, a game item such as a ball that can be used in an arcade game (medal pusher game), an opportunity for a slot lottery or a roulette lottery executed in an arcade game, and the like. . One of a plurality of choices is drawn. Giving game items and various lottery opportunities corresponds to the game conditions in the present invention. The control unit 10 executes processing according to the lottery result (step S115). Then, the control unit 10 notifies the control unit 20 of the center server 3 of the current lottery result (step S116). Upon receiving the lottery result notification from the game machine 2, the control unit 20 of the center server 3 starts the lottery ticket management process of FIG. The control unit 20 determines the number of lottery tickets consumed by the user by the current lottery (step S231), and the value of the number of lottery tickets recorded in the play data 43 is subtracted by the number of lottery tickets consumed this time. (Step S232). Then, the control unit 20 notifies the game machine 2 of the number of lottery tickets consumed and the current number of lottery tickets as an update result (step S233), and ends the current process. In response to the update result notified from the center server 3, the control unit 10 of the game machine 2 acquires the update result (step S117) and displays the update result to the user (step S118). Thereafter, the control unit 10 ends the lottery mode process.

  In the above embodiment, the arcade game executed on the game machine 2 corresponds to the first game, and the mobile game executed on the user terminal 8 corresponds to the second game. The application points given to the user according to the play result of the arcade game correspond to the game privilege in the present invention, and the lottery ticket given to the user according to the play result of the mobile game corresponds to the service privilege in the present invention. The Web service management unit 23 of the center server 3 functions as a game privilege granting unit by executing the processes of steps S211 and S212 in FIG. 5, and grants a service privilege by executing the processes of steps S221 and S223 in FIG. Functions as a means. The Web service processing unit 32 of the user terminal 8 functions as a game control unit by executing the processes of steps S305 and S306 in FIG. In addition, the Web service processing unit 32 allows the user to play the initial range for the mobile game by executing the processes of steps S303 and S304 in FIG. Further, by executing the processing of steps S305 and S306, the user can play in at least a part of the additional range exceeding the initial range according to the use of the application points, that is, the range that can be played by using the application points. Allowed to. In the second game, the additional range is a range in which the second game can be played in exchange for payment of a play fee. The game service processing unit 12 of the game machine 2 functions as a game control unit by executing the processes of steps S113 to S115 in FIG.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described form and can be implemented in various forms. For example, in this embodiment, the number of medals inserted into the game machine 2 is counted as a result of the user playing an arcade game (medal pusher game), but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, you may measure the frequency | count and the time which played after identifying the ID card 9 with the game machine 2. FIG. You may give an application point according to the frequency | count of play or play time. Moreover, although the arcade game has been described as an example of the first game, the present invention is not limited to this. What is necessary is just to permit a game play in exchange for payment of a play fee, for example, the online game etc. with which a service is provided to PC or the user terminal 8 via a network may be sufficient. Moreover, although the medal game machine demonstrated as an arcade game, it is not restricted to this. Commercial game machines such as shooting games, race games, horse racing, mahjong, music games, etc. installed in the store 4 may be used. In these games, application points may be given according to the number of times played, the play time, the number of times charged, and the amount charged. Moreover, you may employ | adopt the game similar to a 1st game as a corresponding 2nd game. Alternatively, the genre of the second game may be different from the genre of the first game.

  In the present embodiment, application points have been described as game benefits, but the present invention is not limited to this. You may change according to the mobile game as a 2nd game. For example, as a game privilege, if the mobile game is a medal pusher game, a medal may be given to the user. In the case of a race game, a privilege that makes the game progress advantageous, such as a race course or item, a music that can be newly played in a music game, or a weapon or a recovery item in a shooting game may be given. Like the application points described above, these benefits may be exchanged in mobile games. The concept of causing an advantageous effect on the progress of the game as a game privilege includes simply allowing the game in the second game. For example, there may be a free game that is allowed only to the user of the first game, and the play of the free game may be permitted by using the game privilege. Alternatively, for a game in which the player is limited by success or failure of a predetermined condition, play of the game may be permitted regardless of success or failure of the condition by using a game privilege. In the present embodiment, the lottery ticket is used as the service benefit, but the present invention is not limited to this. You may give the game point which can be utilized in a 1st game with the mechanism similar to an application point. A privilege that can be used on the first game may be given according to the application point to be used. You may give the item which advances the game progress which can be used in a 1st game advantageously.

  In this embodiment, when a medal game is played, a medal that is lent in exchange for payment of a play fee corresponds to a charging element. In the present invention, the genre of the game played in the arcade game is not limited. For example, in the case of playing a race game in exchange for the payment of the play fee, the number of race courses played, the play time, etc. are charged. Corresponds to the element. Further, in the case of a music game, the number of music played and the like corresponds to a charging factor. Even with the same play fee, the number of race courses and the number of songs to be played may differ depending on the game skill. However, in order to play a game, it is necessary to pay the play fee first. include.

  In the above-described embodiment, the initial range of the present invention has been described as a range in which a game can be played with a free medal in step S304, but is not limited thereto. For example, it may be a range where a user registered as a paying member with a monthly fee system can play, or a range where a user can play when a predetermined amount is paid as an initial fee. The initial range is a range in which the user can play the game with the initial setting regardless of whether it is charged or free. On the other hand, when the user wishes to play a game in addition to this, a range added by paying a play fee is an additional range. The concept of the initial range and the additional range includes a range limited by the number of times of play and play time, in addition to the game range limited by the game area and items, etc. In this embodiment, the play condition in the present invention is described as an example of payment of a play fee, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the play condition may be to satisfy a predetermined condition during the game. The predetermined condition can be satisfied even if the play fee is not paid, but may be a condition with a high degree of difficulty. In this case, the difficulty level may be lowered by paying a play fee.

1 game system 2 game machine 3 center server (server device)
8 User terminal (personal terminal device)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Game machine control unit 12 Game service processing part 20 Center server control unit 22 Game machine service management part 23 Web service management part 30 User terminal control unit 32 Web service process part

Claims (10)

A game machine that allows the user to play the first game in exchange for payment of a play fee, a user's personal terminal device, and a server device are connected via a network, and the server device includes: A game system capable of providing a service for allowing the user to play a second game on the personal terminal device to the personal terminal device,
Game control means for controlling the game progress of the first game and the second game;
Game privilege granting means for granting the user a game privilege that can be used in the second game according to a result of the user playing the first game on the game machine;
With
The said game control means is a game system controlled to permit the said user to play the said 2nd game according to utilization of the said game privilege.   The game control means permits the user to play within the initial range for the second game, and allows the user to play within the additional range exceeding the initial range when a predetermined play condition is satisfied. And if the said game privilege is utilized, the game system of Claim 1 which controls to allow the said user to play in the at least one part range of the said additional range.   The game system according to claim 1, wherein the game privilege granting unit grants the game privilege according to an acquisition amount of a billing factor given to a user on the premise of payment of the play fee.   The game system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the game privilege granting unit grants the game privilege according to a consumption amount of the game medium lent to a user on the condition of payment of the play fee at the game machine. .   The game system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the game privilege granting unit grants the game privilege according to the number of times the user has played the first game.   The game system according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the play condition is payment of a play fee corresponding to the additional range to be permitted to the user.   The game system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the game privilege is to cause an advantageous effect on the game progress of the second game.   The game system according to claim 7, wherein the game privilege granting unit grants, as the game privilege, an item that causes an advantageous action for game progress in the second game.   The game control means draws one of a plurality of options associated with a plurality of items that cause an advantageous effect on the progress of the game in the second game by using the game privilege. The game system according to claim 7, wherein, as a result of the lottery, an item associated with the selected option is controlled to be given to the user. In accordance with a result of the user playing the second game on the personal terminal device, a service privilege that can be used in the first game and for receiving a service related to the first game is provided. A service privilege granting means for granting to the user;
The game system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein when the service privilege is used, the game control unit controls the user to provide a service related to the first game.

Images