Method and apparatus for providing on-line game

Abstract

Method and apparatus for providing on-line games, wherein multiple users can play games by each manipulating their own characters in an on-line virtual world, enables users who belong to independent servers to enjoy games together. The system for providing on-line games comprises a client portion, an on-line game server portion, which plays a central role in the on-line game and a network portion, which connects the client portion and the server portion. The game server portion comprises a general server portion and a connection server portion. The general server portion provides conventional on-line games. The connection server portion provides connection between the general servers, each of which provides an independent virtual world. Through the connection server, users can interact or enjoy matches with other users who belong to others servers.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to an on-line game apparatus, and in particular, to an apparatus and method for an on-line role playing game wherein multiple users can play games by manipulating their characters (hereinafter “user character”) individually to interact each other in an on-line virtual world (hereinafter “virtual world”). BACKGROUND ART [0002] In conventional role playing games, individual users play games by manipulating their characters individually and interacting only with non-playing characters (hereinafter “NPCs”), which are provided in virtual worlds provided by game servers, independent of other users or user characters. NPCs include, for example, “monsters”, which user characters should fight against to proceed to a next stage. In some existing role playing games, a user can create multiple characters of his / her own and develop the characters' abilities for each user character to play in the virtual world. The ability includes social class...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] In view of the foregoing, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a noble system and method for on-line games, which can provide interaction among users who belong to different virtual worlds provided by different servers. At the same time the present invention can take the merits of PvP system while removing the ill effects thereof, to solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0009] It is also an object of the present invention to provide a game apparatus, winch can provides interaction between users in different servers without affecting each user character's ability in the virtual world the user character belong to.

[0010] Further, it is an object of the present invention to provide a system for on-line games, which is capable of classifying user characters' abilities into a plurality of levels and allowing interaction among users at the same level.

Problems solved by technology

However, the prior art has some disadvantages which are generally recognized in the industry.

In conventional on-line games, the number of users who can play the game is limited by the capacity of the server.

Therefore, in conventional on-line games, users using different servers cannot meet and play with one another in one virtual world although they are playing the same kind of game.

Unfortunately, conventional on-line game systems until now calmot satisfy such desire.

However, it is not so simple to connect servers to solve the problem.

Since each world provided by each server is an isolated world, which is politically, economically and socially balanced, the order of the world would be destroyed if interaction between the users in different servers were allowed without any proper arrangement.

Yet another disadvantage still exists in conventional on-line games.

Even though PvP system has an advantage in its high reality over other games, deriving lively participation from users, serious problems have been raised.

Some users plunder other user characters' items, abusing PvP system and disturbing order in virtual worlds.

Therefore, it is being suggested that a certain limitation on PvP system is necessary to some degree.

Limiting PvP system, however, leads to depriving user characters' freedom, damaging the spirit of Internet game that user characters can proceed with the game by interacting with one another.

Internet on-line games have been developed over the years in an attempt to share a same virtual world, but on-line games crossing virtual worlds have not yet been feasible.

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