Computer system, virtual space control system and participation destination control method

Abstract

To provide a specification which enables a user to select a virtual space of a participation destination on the basis of generation timing of an event in each virtual space when the user participates in the event.SOLUTION: A portal server system 1100P selects a participation destination of a user from among a plurality of virtual spaces managed as virtual worlds with time differences which are set to a common view of the world but of which the application time axes are set individually by a virtual space management system. In the virtual space management system, control is performed for each virtual space to generate an event in generation timing based on the application time axis of the virtual space. The portal server system 1100P comprises a selection section 215 by which, in a case where a participation request is received from a user interested in participation, a virtual space of the application time axis fulfilling a given condition based on participation request timing is selected from among the plurality of virtual spaces as a virtual space of the participation destination of the user interested in participation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a computer system that controls a virtual space in which a user participates. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known a technology that constructs a virtual space (e.g., a metaverse, a game space of a multiplayer online game, etc.) by computer processing, arranges a user's character (e.g., an avatar, a player character, etc.; hereinafter, referred to as a "user character"), and provides the user with a virtual experience in the virtual space. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology that enables communication between users sharing one virtual space.

[0003] In addition, when the number of users participating in a virtual space becomes large, it becomes difficult to manage and operate it all on a single computer system. In such cases, a technology is known in which multiple server systems each hold the data of a virtual space set in a common worldview, and each server system manages its own virtual space individually, with the user terminals used by the users being connected to those server systems in a distributed manner. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2001-312744 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When generating an event in a virtual space disclosed in Patent Document 1 and the like, it is desirable to control the generation timing in consideration of a time period that is convenient for users who participate in the virtual space. In general, it is easy to participate at night or during the day on holidays, but difficult to participate late at night, early in the morning, or during the day on weekdays. However, actual life rhythms vary from user to user and also from day to day. For this reason, it has been difficult to generate an event that is convenient for all users to participate in.

[0006] The problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide a mechanism that allows virtual spaces to be managed as virtual worlds with a time difference while being set in a common worldview, and that allows users to select a suitable virtual space to participate in. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A first invention for solving the above problem is a computer system that controls a user's participation destination from among multiple virtual spaces that are set by a virtual space management system to have a common world view but have individual applicable time axes and are managed as virtual worlds with time differences, wherein the virtual space management system controls the occurrence of events for each virtual space at a timing based on the applicable time axis of the virtual space, and the computer system is equipped with a participation request receiving means (e.g., the participation request receiving unit 213 of Figure 5) that receives a participation request from a user who wishes to participate, and a selection means (e.g., the selection unit 215 of Figure 5) that, when the participation request is received, selects from the multiple virtual spaces a virtual space with the applicable time axis that satisfies a given condition based on the participation request timing related to the participation request as the virtual space to be joined by the user who wishes to participate.

[0008] According to the first invention, when a participation request to a virtual space is received from a user who wishes to participate, a virtual space with an applicable time axis that satisfies a given condition based on the participation request timing can be selected as the participation destination virtual space from among the virtual spaces managed by the virtual space management system. For example, it is possible to select a virtual space with an applicable time axis that satisfies a given condition that an event occurs immediately before the participation request timing. This makes it possible to select a participation destination virtual space that is suitable for the user's participation.

[0009] A second invention is a computer system in which, in the above invention, the selection means selects a virtual space in which the user wishing to participate will join based on the participation request timing on the applicable time axis for each virtual space and the occurrence timing in each of the virtual spaces.

[0010] According to the second invention, a virtual space in which a user wishing to participate will participate can be selected based on the participation request timing on the applicable time axis set for each virtual space and the occurrence timing of an event in each virtual space.

[0011] A third invention is a computer system in which, in the above invention, the events include common events of similar content that occur in each of the virtual spaces, and the selection means selects a virtual space in which the user wishing to participate will participate based on the participation request timing on the applicable time axis for each of the virtual spaces and the occurrence timing of the common event in each of the virtual spaces.

[0012] According to the third invention, a virtual space in which a user wishing to participate will participate can be selected based on the participation request timing on the applicable time axis set for each virtual space and the occurrence timing of a common event having similar content that occurs in each virtual space.

[0013] A fourth invention in the above invention is a computer system, wherein the selection means selects a virtual space in which the user wishing to participate by further using user information of the user wishing to participate.

[0014] According to the fourth invention, it becomes possible to select a virtual space to participate in by further using user information of the participating user, such as the types of events the participating user likes or is good at.

[0015] A fifth invention is a computer system in which, in the above invention, the virtual space management system includes a plurality of virtual space management servers (e.g., game server system 1100G in Figure 1) that manage different virtual spaces to be managed, and the applicable time axis is set individually for each of the virtual spaces managed by the virtual space management servers.

[0016] According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in each of the plurality of virtual spaces, an event occurs based on an applicable time axis that is individually set. Based on the occurrence timing of the event, a virtual space in which the participating user will participate can be selected.

[0017] A sixth invention is a computer system in which, in the above invention, the selection means presents the selected virtual spaces as candidates to the user wishing to participate, and performs control to request an approval operation if the number of selected virtual spaces is one, and an alternative selection operation if there is multiple selected virtual spaces, and a determination means (e.g., the determination unit 221 in FIG. 5) to determine the virtual space in which the user wishing to participate will join based on the operation of the user wishing to participate in response to the presentation by the candidate presentation control means.

[0018] According to the sixth invention, the selected one or more virtual spaces are presented to the new user as candidates, and the virtual space in which the new user will participate can be determined based on an operation in response to the presented candidates.

[0019] A seventh invention is a computer system in which, in the above invention, the selection means determines, if there is one selected virtual space, that virtual space as the virtual space in which the user wishing to participate will join, and if there are multiple selected virtual spaces, determines one virtual space selected based on given conditions.

[0020] According to the seventh invention, the virtual space in which the user wishing to participate can be automatically determined.

[0021] The eighth invention is a computer system in the above invention, comprising a reference virtual space setting means (e.g., reference virtual space setting unit 223 in Figure 5) for setting a reference virtual space to be the main participation destination for each user from among the plurality of virtual spaces, and a notification display control means (e.g., notification display control unit 219 in Figure 5) for controlling a notification display based on whether the virtual space selected by the selection means matches the reference virtual space of the user wishing to participate.

[0022] According to the eighth invention, it is possible to notify the user who wishes to participate whether or not the selected virtual space coincides with the reference virtual space.

[0023] A ninth invention is a computer system in which, in the above invention, the reference virtual space setting means sets the reference virtual space for each user based on the user's selection operation or the user's participation status in each of the virtual spaces.

[0024] According to the ninth invention, for example, it is possible to set a virtual space selected by a user from among a plurality of virtual spaces as the user's reference virtual space, or to set a virtual space in which the user frequently participates from among a plurality of virtual spaces as the user's reference virtual space.

[0025] A tenth invention is a computer system in which, in the above invention, the selection means selects the reference virtual space as the virtual space in which the user wishing to participate will join if a given priority judgment condition based on the occurrence timing in the reference virtual space of the user wishing to participate is satisfied.

[0026] According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to preferentially select a reference virtual space as a participation destination virtual space in accordance with the occurrence timing of an event in the reference virtual space of the user who wishes to participate.

[0027] An eleventh invention is a computer system in accordance with the above invention, further comprising a busy time period setting means (e.g., busy time period setting unit 225 in FIG. 5) for setting, for each virtual space, a busy time period during which an increase in users is expected to participate in the virtual space, and the selection means further uses the participation request timing on the applicable time axis for each virtual space and the busy time period for each virtual space to select a virtual space for the user wishing to participate.

[0028] According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, a busy time period can be set for each virtual space. The busy time period for each virtual space can then be further used to select a virtual space in which a user wishing to participate will participate.

[0029] A twelfth invention in the above-mentioned invention is a computer system, wherein the busy time period setting means sets the busy time period for each virtual space based on the occurrence timing in the virtual space.

[0030] According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, a busy time period for each virtual space can be set based on the timing of an event occurring in the virtual space.

[0031] A thirteenth invention is a computer system in which, in the above invention, the busy time period setting means sets the busy time period for each virtual space based on user participation statistics by time period in the virtual space and / or event occurrence records by time period in the virtual space.

[0032] According to the thirteenth invention, for each virtual space, it becomes possible to set a flourishing space for that virtual space based on, for example, the number of users participating in that virtual space by time period, or the number of events occurring in that virtual space by time period, etc.

[0033] A fourteenth invention is a computer system in which, in the above invention, the selection means selects, from among the plurality of virtual spaces, a virtual space in which the participation request timing falls within the busy time period and / or a virtual space in which a future time period that satisfies a predetermined proximity condition for the participation request timing is set as the busy time period, as the virtual space in which the user wishing to participate will join.

[0034] According to the fourteenth invention, a virtual space in which the participation request timing falls in the middle of a busy time period, or a virtual space in which a time period close to the participation request timing is a busy time period, can be selected as the virtual space in which a user wishing to participate will join.

[0035] A fifteenth invention is a computer system in which, in the above invention, the selection means selects a virtual space in which the user wishing to participate will join by excluding, from among the plurality of virtual spaces, virtual spaces in which the peak time period at the time of the participation request is a time period in the past.

[0036] According to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, a virtual space in which the user wishing to participate can be selected from among virtual spaces excluding virtual spaces whose busy time zones are in the past at the time of the participation request.

[0037] A 16th invention is a computer system in which, in the above invention, the selection means selects, from among the plurality of virtual spaces, a virtual space in which the participation request timing does not fall within the peak time period and / or a virtual space in which the peak time period at the participation request timing is a time period in the past, as the virtual space in which the user wishing to participate will join.

[0038] According to the sixteenth invention, a virtual space in which the participation request timing is not in the middle of a peak time period, or a virtual space in which the peak time period at the participation request timing is in the past, can be selected as the virtual space in which the user wishing to participate will participate.

[0039] A seventeenth invention is a computer system according to the above invention, further comprising a busy time slot presentation control means (e.g., the busy time slot presentation control unit 227 in FIG. 5) that controls the presentation of the busy time slots for each virtual space set by the busy time slot setting means to the users who wish to participate.

[0040] According to the seventeenth aspect of the present invention, the busiest time periods for each virtual space can be presented to users who wish to participate.

[0041] An 18th invention is a virtual space control system comprising a computer system of the above invention (for example, portal server system 1100P of FIG. 1) and the virtual space management system, and for each user, play data is stored which associates an item acquired by the user with identification information of the acquired virtual space, and the virtual space management system controls the changing of the action effect of the item of a participating user based on the play data of the participating user who has participated in the virtual space, based on whether the virtual space in which the participating user is participating matches the virtual space in which the item was acquired.

[0042] According to the 18th invention, the effects of an item acquired in a virtual space that a user joins can be changed between the virtual space in which the item was acquired and a virtual space other than the one in which the item was acquired.

[0043] A 19th invention is a virtual space control system in which, in the above invention, the selection means selects a virtual space in which the user wishing to participate will participate based on the play data of the user wishing to participate and based on the obtained statistical values ​​of the items for each virtual space.

[0044] According to the 19th invention, for example, a virtual space in which the participating user will participate can be selected using acquired statistics obtained from the play data of the participating user regarding the acquisition of items in virtual spaces in which the participating user has previously participated.

[0045] A 20th invention is a virtual space control system comprising a computer system (e.g., portal server system 1100P in Figure 1) of the above invention further comprising a reference virtual space setting means for setting a reference virtual space as the primary participation destination for each user among the plurality of virtual spaces, and the virtual space management system, wherein the virtual space management system controls changing the display form and / or behavior control in the virtual space of a participating user who has participated in the virtual space based on whether or not it matches the reference virtual space of the participating user.

[0046] According to the twentieth invention, the display form and operation control in the virtual space in which the user participates can be changed depending on whether the virtual space in which the user participates is a reference virtual space for the user.

[0047] A 21st invention is a virtual space control system comprising a computer system (e.g., portal server system 1100P of Figure 1) of the above invention, further comprising a reference virtual space setting means for setting a reference virtual space as the main participation destination for each user among the multiple virtual spaces, and the virtual space management system, wherein for each user, play data is stored in which an item acquired by the user is associated with identification information of the acquired virtual space, and the virtual space management system controls, based on the play data of a participating user who has participated in the virtual space, to change the action and effect of the item of the participating user based on whether the reference virtual space of the participating user coincides with the virtual space in which the item was acquired.

[0048] According to the 21st invention, the effect of an item acquired by a user in a participating virtual space can be changed depending on whether the virtual space in which the item was acquired is the user's reference virtual space or not.

[0049] A 22nd invention is a participation destination control method for controlling a user's participation destination from among a plurality of virtual spaces which are set by a virtual space management system to have a common world view but have individual applicable time axes and are managed as virtual worlds with time differences, wherein the virtual space management system controls the occurrence of an event for each virtual space at a timing based on the applicable time axis of the virtual space, and the participation destination control method includes a participation request receiving step for receiving a participation request from a user wishing to participate, and a selection step for, when the participation request is received, selecting from the plurality of virtual spaces a virtual space on the applicable time axis which satisfies a given condition based on the participation request timing related to the participation request as the virtual space to be joined by the user wishing to participate.

[0050] According to the twenty-second aspect of the present invention, a participation control method that provides the same advantageous effects as the first aspect of the present invention can be realized. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0051] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a virtual space control system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a virtual space. [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of event occurrence timing in a virtual space. [Figure 4] FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a portal server system. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of game server system management data. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a data configuration of user management data. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a game server system. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a user terminal. [Figure 10] 4 is a flowchart showing a process flow in the portal server system. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a presentation screen in a modified example. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a game screen in a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0052] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following, a virtual space (a game space of a multiplayer online game) in which characters of participating users (hereinafter referred to as "user characters") appear will be exemplified as the virtual space. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below, and the forms to which the present invention can be applied are not limited to the following embodiments. Also, in the description of the drawings, the same parts are given the same reference numerals.

[0053] [Overall configuration] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a virtual space control system 1000. The virtual space control system 1000 of this embodiment is a system for providing users with a virtual experience in a virtual space as a multiplayer online game. As shown in Fig. 1, the virtual space control system 1000 is a computer system including an operation system 1010 and user terminals 1500 (1500a, 1500b, ...) owned by users of the game of this embodiment, which are connected via a network 9 so as to be capable of data communication.

[0054] The network 9 refers to a communication path that allows data communication. In other words, the network 9 includes a dedicated line (dedicated cable) for direct connection, a LAN (Local Area Network) using Ethernet (registered trademark), etc., as well as a telephone communication network, a cable network, the Internet, and other communication networks. The communication method may be wired or wireless.

[0055] The operation system 1010 is a computer system managed and operated by a service provider or a system operator, and includes a portal server system 1100 P and a virtual space management system 1011 .

[0056] The portal server system 1100P is a server system that the user terminal 1500 first accesses to use various services related to online games. The portal server system 1100P performs functions related to, for example, user registration, management of online sales of various items related to games, and allocation of users to game server systems 1100G (1100Ga, 1100Gb, . . . ) constituting the virtual space management system 1011.

[0057] The virtual space management system 1011 includes a plurality of game server systems 1100G (1100Ga, 1100Gb, . . . ). In this embodiment, the virtual space management system 1011 includes the game server systems 1100G scattered around the globe, and each of the game server systems 1100G in each region manages a plurality of virtual spaces 3 (see FIG. 2) that exist simultaneously in parallel. In FIG. 1, the game server system 1100Ga is located in Japan, the game server system 1100Gb is located in New York, and the game server system 1100Gc is located in Los Angeles. Focusing on the game server system 1100Ga, the local time of Japan is set as the applicable time axis in the managed virtual space 3a shown in FIG. 2.

[0058] The game server system 1100G (1100Ga, 1100Gb, ...) communicates with the user terminals 1500 of users assigned to the game server system 1100G by the portal server system 1100P, and functions as a game server with the user terminals 1500 as game clients.

[0059] The portal server system 1100P and the game server system 1100G can realize basic functions as computer systems in the same manner. That is, the portal server system 1100P is a computer system including a main device 1101, a keyboard 1106, a touch panel 1108, and a storage 1140. The game server system 1100G is also a computer system having a similar configuration. The main device 1101 incorporates a control board 1150 on which electronic components such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1151, various microprocessors such as a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) and a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), various IC memories 1152 such as a VRAM, a RAM, and a ROM, and a communication device 1153 are mounted. Note that a part or the whole of the control board 1150 may be realized by an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-programmable gate array), or a SoC (System on a Chip).

[0060] However, the portal server system 1100P and the game server system 1100G each realize their own separate functions by the control board 1150 performing arithmetic processing based on predetermined programs and data.

[0061] In FIG. 1, the portal server system 1100P and the game server system 1100G are depicted as if they were one server device, but they may be realized by a configuration of multiple devices. For example, the portal server system 1100P and the game server system 1100G may be configured to include multiple blade servers that share each function and are connected to each other via an internal bus so that they can communicate data with each other. In addition, the installation location of the hardware that constitutes the portal server system 1100P and the game server system 1100G does not matter. A configuration in which multiple independent servers installed at separate locations communicate data with each other via the network 9 to function as the portal server system 1100P or the game server system 1100G as a whole may be used.

[0062] The user terminal 1500 is a computer system that is used by a user to utilize the virtual space control system 1000. The user terminal 1500 is responsible for the function of a man-machine interface (MMIF) in the virtual space control system 1000.

[0063] 1 shows a device called a smartphone as the user terminal 1500, but it may take the form of a portable game device, a stationary home game device, a controller for a home game device, an arcade game device, a personal computer, a tablet computer, a wearable computer, etc. When multiple electronic devices are communicatively connected to perform one function, such as a combination of a smartphone and a smart watch or a head-mounted display communicatively connected to the smartphone, these multiple electronic devices can be regarded as one user terminal 1500.

[0064] The user terminal 1500 includes a touch panel 1506 that functions as an operation input device and an image display device, and a control board 1550. The user terminal 1500 can also be configured to use, for example, a keyboard, a game controller, a mouse, or the like as an operation input device, and can also be configured to use, for example, a head-mounted display, a glass-type display, or the like as an image display device.

[0065] The control board 1550 is equipped with various microprocessors such as a CPU 1551, a GPU, and a DSP, various IC memories 1552 such as a VRAM, a RAM, and a ROM, and a communication module 1553 that connects to the network 9. Each of these elements mounted on the control board 1550 is electrically connected to each other via a bus circuit or the like, and is connected so as to enable reading and writing of data and sending and receiving of signals. Note that a part or all of the control board 1550 may be realized by an ASIC, an FPGA, or an SoC.

[0066] In the control board 1550, the IC memory 1552 stores programs and various data for implementing the functions of the user terminal 1500. The user terminal 1500 then executes a specific application program to implement the functions of the MMIF of the virtual space control system 1000 and as a game client. The application program and data required for its execution are downloaded from the portal server system 1100P at an appropriate timing. The application program and data required for its execution may also be read from a storage medium such as a memory card obtained separately by the user.

[0067] [detail] 2 is a diagram for explaining the virtual space 3 provided by the virtual space control system 1000. In this embodiment, the virtual space 3 is set as a three-dimensional virtual world (virtual space) that expresses a common worldview for all users. The virtual space 3 continues to exist as data in the virtual space control system 1000 even if a user is not logged in, and time passes in the virtual space 3 along with the passage of time in the real world, and control is performed so that the space continues to change.

[0068] More specifically, there are multiple virtual spaces 3 (3a, 3b, ...) that exist simultaneously in parallel in the virtual space 3. These multiple virtual spaces 3 are set to a common world view by the virtual space management system 1011 (specifically, each game server system 1100G constituting the virtual space management system 1011), but are managed as virtual worlds with time differences on the applicable time axes, with the applicable time axes being set individually.

[0069] That is, each game server system 1100G (1100Ga, 1100Gb,...) stores and manages data for one managed virtual space 3 (3a, 3b,...). Although each virtual space 3 (3a, 3b,...) has an independent entity as data, the size of the virtual space 3, the position coordinate system, and the rules applied therein are the same, and they have a common worldview. From the user's perspective, each virtual space 3 (3a, 3b,...) has the same basic settings such as geography, background, and spatial coordinates, so that each virtual space 3 (3a, 3b,...) appears to be the same virtual space 3 when playing.

[0070] Specifically, in each virtual space 3 (3a, 3b, ...), objects such as a base object 10, a background object 20, and user characters 4 (4a, 4b, ...) of each user participating in the virtual space 3 are placed.

[0071] The basic object 10 is an object for making the user recognize that he / she has logged into a virtual space 3 having a common worldview, even if the user logs into a different game server system 1100G. For example, objects representing terrain (or structures equivalent thereto), buildings, ruins, dungeon entrances, etc., fall under this category.

[0072] The background object 20 is an object that is not classified as the user character 4 or the basic object 10. For example, this includes objects that can be placed, moved, and removed arbitrarily by the user character 4 or various NPCs (non-player characters), objects whose state can be changed by the user character 4, objects that appear when an event occurs, and the like.

[0073] The applicable time axis set for each virtual space 3 (3a, 3b, . . . ) is, for example, a time axis related to the location of the game server system 1100G that manages the virtual space 3. For example, the applicable time axis of the virtual space 3a of the game server system 1100Ga located in Japan is a time axis that is aligned with the local time of Japan. The applicable time axis of the virtual space 3a of the game server system 1100Gb located in New York is a time axis that is aligned with the local time of New York. The time that flows in each virtual space 3 is in accordance with the local time of the location of each game server system 1100G. Each game server system 1100G controls the occurrence of events in the virtual space 3 based on the applicable time axis of the virtual space 3 that it manages. The events include events that are unique to each virtual space 3, as well as common events of similar content that occur in each virtual space 3. Examples of common events include events in which players compete for results by playing the same mini-game, and events in which the same items are given as participation rewards or clear rewards.

[0074] A user operates his / her user terminal 1500 to log in to the portal server system 1100P, and participates in a game in a virtual space 3 (3a, 3b, . . .) managed by one of the game server systems 1100G (1100Ga, 1100Gb, . . .). To do this, the portal server system 1100P accepts a participation request from a user (participant wishing user) who wishes to participate in a game in the virtual space 3. When a participation request is accepted, the portal server system 1100P allocates the participant wishing user to one of the game server systems 1100G (1100Ga, 1100Gb, . . .) by selecting / determining the participation destination of the participant wishing user from among the virtual spaces 3 (3a, 3b, . . .). Basically, the IP address of the user terminal 1500 of the user who logs in includes a region code or country code according to the residence of the user who wishes to participate (the location of the user terminal 1500 of the user). Therefore, the residence of the user who wishes to participate is presumably determined from the IP address of the user who wishes to participate, and the virtual space 3 of the game server system 1100G that is assigned and set in advance to the residence is set as the participation destination. If the user is determined to be a resident of Japan, the virtual space 3a of Japan managed by the game server system 1100Ga is set as the participation destination. This is the basic method for selecting and determining the participation destination. However, in this embodiment, even if the user is determined to be a resident of Japan, a space other than the virtual space 3a may be set as the participation destination. Details will be described later.

[0075] After the participation destination is determined and the participating users are assigned to the corresponding game server systems 1100G, the game server systems 1100G (1100Ga, 1100Gb, ...) place and make the user characters 4 of the participating users appear in the virtual space 3 managed by the game server systems 1100G. Then, the game server systems 1100G control the actions and behavior of the user characters 4 in the virtual space 3 according to the operation inputs of the users. In other words, the users can participate in the virtual space 3 of the game server system 1100G determined by the portal server system 1100P with the user characters 4 using the user terminals 1500, and enjoy a virtual experience in the virtual space 3. At that time, the users can enjoy participating in events occurring in the virtual space 3 of the participation destination as appropriate.

[0076] 1. Timing of event occurrence The virtual space management system 1011 (each game server system 1100G) controls events to occur at a timing based on the applicable time axis (in this embodiment, the local time of the location of the game server system 1100G that manages the virtual space 3) set for each virtual space 3. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the event occurrence timing in the three virtual spaces of the game server systems 1100Ga, 1100Gd, and 1100Ge. FIG. 3 (1) shows the event occurrence timing in a virtual space (virtual space 3a in FIG. 2) in which the local time of Japan is set as the applicable time axis. FIG. 3 (2) and FIG. 3 (3) show the event occurrence timing in virtual spaces in which the local time of another region with a time difference from Japan is set as the applicable time axis. More specifically, (2) in Figure 3 is an example of a virtual space of country A whose applicable time axis is 9 hours ahead of the virtual space associated with the Japanese game server system 1100Ga, and (3) in Figure 3 is an example of a virtual space of region B whose applicable time axis is 5 hours behind the virtual space associated with the Japanese game server system 1100Ga.

[0077] In the example of Fig. 3, the game server systems 1100Ga, 1100Gd, and 1100Ge in each virtual space control the occurrence of events at a timing based on the respective application time axes. For example, the events are controlled to occur at times such as weekday evenings or holiday daytimes when users are generally more likely to participate, and not to occur in the early morning or late night.

[0078] Here, for example, a basic method of determining a participation destination in which a user residing in Japan is assigned to a virtual space related to the Japanese game server system 1100Ga (a virtual space located in the Japanese game server system 1100Ga). In the virtual space related to the Japanese game server system 1100Ga, the applicable time axis is set to the Japanese local time axis, and event occurrence control is performed based on the Japanese local time, so that events occur at a time period that is convenient for users residing in Japan to participate. However, since the life rhythm of all the applicable users does not always match the Japanese time, for example, a user who logs in and participates in the virtual space early in the morning or late at night may find it difficult to participate in an event that matches the Japanese local time.

[0079] In this embodiment, each of the multiple game server systems 1100G that manage the virtual space is scattered around the globe, and there is a time difference between the applicable time axes. Therefore, even if an event does not occur in a virtual space that conforms to the local time of Japan, an event may occur in a virtual space that conforms to the local time of another region that has a time difference from Japan. For example, in FIG. 3, assume that a user living in Japan logs in at 24:00, which is the local time of Japan, and makes a participation request. In this case, in the virtual space related to the Japanese game server system 1100Ga in FIG. 3 (1), there is no event that occurs for a while after login, but in the virtual space related to the game server system 1100Gd in country A in FIG. 3 (2) and the virtual space related to the game server system 1100Ge in region B in FIG. 3 (3), there is an event that occurs relatively early after login. Therefore, if one can participate in the virtual space related to the game server system 1100Gd in country A or the virtual space related to the game server system 1100Ge in region B, one can participate in an event early after login. In addition, in cases where a common event with similar content occurs in each virtual space at 19:00 on the respective applicable time axes, even if it is past 19:00 in one's own country, it may be possible to participate in the common event by participating in a virtual space related to a game server system 1100G in a country or region where the local time is later.

[0080] Therefore, when the portal server system 1100P receives a participation request from a user who wishes to participate, the portal server system 1100P executes a selection process to select, from among the virtual spaces managed by each game server system 1100G, a virtual space with an applicable time axis that satisfies a given condition based on the participation request timing of the user who wishes to participate as the virtual space to which the user wishes to participate. The portal server system 1100P also executes a candidate presentation control process to present the virtual space selected in the selection process to the user who wishes to participate, and a determination process to determine the virtual space to which the user wishes to participate based on the operation of the user who wishes to participate in response to the presentation.

[0081] 2. Selection process In the selection process of this embodiment, when the portal server system 1100P receives a participation request, it selects a virtual space in which the participating user will participate based on the participation request timing related to the participation request on the applicable time axis of each virtual space and the occurrence timing of an event in each virtual space. This is the selection of a virtual space on the applicable time axis that satisfies a given condition based on the participation request timing of the participating user. To this end, the portal server system 1100P first calculates an evaluation value for each virtual space using the participation request timing on the applicable time axis of the virtual space and the occurrence timing of an event in the virtual space.

[0082] Specifically, the evaluation value is the itemized evaluation value E for the four evaluation items: (A) events, (B) common events, (C) user information, and (D) peak hours. A ~E D and the four coefficients K for each of the four evaluation items. A ~K D and is calculated according to the following formula (1). Rating=E A ×K A +E B ×K B +E C ×K C +E D ×K D (1)

[0083] Itemized evaluation score E A ~E D The coefficient K can be calculated by preparing a formula for the coefficient. A ~K D may be a fixed value set in advance, or may be set by accepting a user operation. In the latter case, a user operation is accepted in advance for setting the priority of each evaluation item (A) to (D). Then, the coefficients K corresponding to the higher priority are set in order of priority so that the coefficient value is larger for the higher priority. A ~K D The coefficient K for the user is sorted in descending order. A ~K D Set.

[0084] 2-1. Evaluation items (A) Event Event-related item evaluation score E A is calculated based on the presence or absence of events occurring in the virtual space after the participation request timing, the number of relevant events, the time interval from the participation request timing to the occurrence timing of the relevant event, etc. In this embodiment, the item-specific evaluation value E for the virtual space is set so that the value becomes larger as the number of events occurring within a predetermined time (here, for example, 3 hours, but it may be shorter or longer) from the participation request timing increases. A The specific numerical value is not particularly limited, but is set to a value between "0" and "1", for example.

[0085] For example, in the virtual space related to the Japanese game server system 1100Ga in FIG. 3(1), no events occur for a while after the participation request timing on the applicable time axis (24:00 on the applicable time axis for Japan). On the other hand, in the virtual space related to the game server system 1100Ge in region B in FIG. 3(3), two events occur within three hours from the participation request timing (19:00 on the applicable time axis for region B). The item-specific evaluation value E in this case is A is calculated to be greater for the virtual space related to the game server system 1100Ge in Region B than for the virtual space related to the game server system 1100Ga in Japan.

[0086] In addition, the item-specific evaluation value E is set so that the more the corresponding events occur, the larger the value becomes. A In addition to the configuration for calculating the item-specific evaluation value E A It is also possible to calculate the following.

[0087] (B) Common Event Item-specific evaluation score E for common events Bis calculated based on the presence or absence of a common event occurring in the virtual space after the participation request timing, the number of the common events, the time interval from the participation request timing to the occurrence timing of the common event, etc. In this embodiment, for example, the occurrence timing is set to the time after the participation request timing, and the item-specific evaluation value E for the virtual space is set so that the shorter the time interval from the participation request timing to the nearest common event, the larger the value. B It is also possible to configure the calculation so that the value becomes larger as the time interval becomes longer. The specific numerical value is not particularly limited, but is set as a value between "0" and "1", for example.

[0088] For example, in the virtual space related to the Japanese game server system 1100Ga in FIG. 3(1), a common event occurs about 10 hours after the participation request timing on the applicable timeline (24:00 on the applicable timeline for Japan). On the other hand, in the virtual space related to the game server system 1100Gd in country A in FIG. 3(2), a common event occurs within one hour after the participation request timing on the applicable timeline (9:00 on the applicable timeline for country A). In this case, the item-specific evaluation value E B will be calculated to be greater for the virtual space related to the game server system 1100Gd in country A than for the virtual space related to the game server system 1100Ga in Japan.

[0089] (C) User Information Item-specific evaluation score E for user information C The calculation of is performed using user information of the user who wishes to participate. In this embodiment, for each user, information on the user's hobbies and preferences related to the contents of the event, such as the type of event that the user likes, the type of event that the user is good at, the type of event that the user dislikes, and the type of event that the user is not good at, is set in advance as user information. The information may be set by accepting a user's declaration operation, or may be set and updated as needed based on the user's event participation history, the type of mini-game played at the event, and the results of the mini-game played at the event.

[0090] Specifically, the item-specific evaluation value E Cis calculated based on whether an event that the participating user likes or is good at occurs within a predetermined time after the participation request timing in the virtual space, the number of such events, the time interval from the participation request timing to the occurrence timing of the event, etc. C may be calculated based on whether an event that the participating user dislikes or is not good at will occur in the virtual space within a specified time after the participation request timing, the number of such events, the time interval from the participation request timing to the occurrence of the event, etc.

[0091] In this embodiment, for example, if there is an event that the participating user likes or is good at among the events that will occur within a predetermined time from the participation request timing in the virtual space, the item-specific evaluation value E is set to "1", and if there is no event, the item-specific evaluation value E is set to "0". C Calculate.

[0092] (D) Peak hours Item-specific evaluation score E for busy hours D is calculated based on the participation request timing for the virtual space and the busy time period set for the virtual space. Specifically, for example, the item-specific evaluation value E is calculated based on whether the participation request timing for the virtual space belongs to the busy time period, whether a future time period that satisfies a predetermined proximity condition for the participation request timing is set as the busy time period, etc. D The proximity condition can be set, for example, as "the start time of the next busy time period is within 30 minutes." The length of time to be determined may be longer or shorter than 30 minutes and may be set as appropriate.

[0093] Here, the popular time period is a time period during which an increase in users is expected to participate in the virtual space, and is set and updated for each virtual space as needed. Details will be described later, but for example, it can be set based on user participation statistics by time period in the virtual space, or event occurrence records by time period in the virtual space.

[0094] In this embodiment, if the participation request timing is within a busy time period in the virtual space, the item-specific evaluation value E is set to "1". D In addition, even if it is outside the peak time slot, if it is within the peak time slot within 30 minutes of the participation request timing (i.e., if the proximity condition is met), the item-specific evaluation value E is set to "1". D If none of the above applies, the item-specific evaluation value E is calculated as "0". D Calculate.

[0095] For example, in the virtual space related to the game server system 1100Ge in region B in FIG. 3(3), the timing of the participation request (19:00 on the applicable time axis for region B) falls within the peak time period. On the other hand, in the virtual space related to the game server system 1100Ga in Japan in FIG. 3(1) and the virtual space related to the game server system 1100Gd in country A in FIG. 3(2), the peak time period is a time period a little later. In this case, the item-specific evaluation value E D The value for the virtual space related to the game server system 1100Ge in Region B is set to "1", and the value for the virtual space related to the game server system 1100Ga in Japan and the virtual space related to the game server system 1100Gd in Country A is set to "0".

[0096] 2-2.About the reference virtual space After calculating the evaluation value for each virtual space according to the above formula (1), the portal server system 1100P extracts the virtual space with the highest evaluation value and determines whether the extracted virtual space matches the reference virtual space of the participating user. If they match, the portal server system 1100P selects the extracted virtual space (i.e., the reference virtual space of the participating user) as the virtual space in which the participating user will participate.

[0097] The reference virtual space is a virtual space that is the main participation destination among multiple virtual spaces, and is set for each user. The reference virtual space can be, for example, a virtual space of a game server system 1100G corresponding to the user's place of residence (a game server system 1100G whose location corresponds to the user's place of residence).

[0098] The reference virtual space may be set according to a user's operation of selecting one of a plurality of virtual sections. In this way, the virtual space desired by the user can be set as the reference virtual space. The reference virtual space may also be set based on the user's past participation in each of the virtual spaces of each game server system 1100G. In this case, a virtual space with a high participation frequency can be set as the reference virtual space.

[0099] 2-3. Priority criteria If the virtual space extracted based on the evaluation value does not match the reference virtual space, the portal server system 1100P determines whether or not a given priority determination condition based on the occurrence timing of an event in the reference virtual space of the user who wishes to participate is satisfied.

[0100] The priority determination condition can be set, for example, as "at least one event occurs in the reference virtual space within a predetermined time from the participation request timing." The length of the predetermined time to be determined as the priority determination condition and the number and type of events to be determined may be set appropriately. For example, the priority determination condition may be set to be satisfied when a specific event occurs.

[0101] If the priority determination condition is satisfied, the portal server system 1100P selects the reference virtual space as the virtual space in which the user desiring to participate will participate. If the priority determination condition is not satisfied, the portal server system 1100P selects the virtual space extracted as having the highest evaluation value as the virtual space in which the user desiring to participate will participate.

[0102] With this, even if the virtual space with the highest evaluation value is other than the reference virtual space of the user wishing to participate, if an event occurs in the reference virtual space within a specified time after the participation request timing, the reference virtual space can be selected as the virtual space to participate in.

[0103] 3. Candidate presentation control process In the candidate presentation control process, the portal server system 1100P presents the virtual space selected as a candidate to the user who wishes to participate as a result of the selection process. In this embodiment, since one virtual space to participate in is selected by the selection process, the portal server system 1100P performs control to request the user who wishes to participate to perform an operation of permission when presenting the virtual space.

[0104] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a presentation screen displayed on the user terminal 1500 when a participation request is made by a user wishing to participate. As shown in Fig. 4, the presentation screen presents the virtual space selected as the participation destination of the participating user as a result of the selection process (in the example of Fig. 4, the virtual space related to the Japanese game server system 1100Ga), and has a participation button B1 for performing an approval operation.

[0105] In addition, on the presentation screen, a mark M1 is displayed near the display of the virtual space selected as the participation destination, indicating that the virtual space is the reference virtual space of the participating user. On the presentation screen, a notification display is made based on whether the selected virtual space and the reference virtual space of the participating user match, depending on whether the mark is displayed or not. Furthermore, on the presentation screen, a list of popular time periods in each virtual space including the presented Japanese virtual space is displayed and presented to the participating user. The list display may be in the list format shown in FIG. 4, or in a table format like a TV program guide, in which the columns of each virtual space are arranged horizontally and the table has vertical time-elapsed squares, showing popular time periods. In addition, if the participating user wants to participate in a virtual space other than the virtual space selected as the participation destination of the participating user, he or she can operate the selection button B3 for manually selecting another virtual space, instead of the participation button B1.

[0106] 4. Decision process In the determination process, the portal server system 1100P determines the virtual space of the participating user as the selected virtual space in response to the request in the candidate presentation control process, in response to the consent operation performed by the participating user. That is, when the participating user performs the consent operation by touching the participation button B1 on the presentation screen in Fig. 4, the virtual space to be joined (here, the virtual space related to the Japanese game server system 1100Ga) is determined. In this case, the user terminal 1500 of the participating user is connected to the game server system 1100Ga that manages the virtual space, and the participation of the participating user in the virtual space is completed.

[0107] [Function configuration] 1. Portal Server System Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a portal server system 1100P. As shown in Fig. 5, the portal server system 1100P of this embodiment includes an operation input unit 100p, a processing unit 200p, an image display unit 390p, a sound output unit 392p, a communication unit 394p, and a storage unit 500p.

[0108] The operation input unit 100p is for inputting various operations for managing the portal server system 1100P, and can be realized by, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, etc. In the example of FIG.

[0109] The processing unit 200p can be realized by a processor, which is an arithmetic circuit such as a CPU, GPU, ASIC, or FPGA, or an electronic component such as an IC memory, and controls input and output of data between each unit of the device including the operation input unit 100p and the storage unit 500p. Then, it performs various arithmetic processing based on predetermined programs and data, operation input signals from the operation input unit 100p, data received from the game server system 1100G (1100Ga, 1100Gb, . . .) and the user terminal 1500, and the like, and comprehensively controls the operation of the portal server system 1100P. In the example of FIG. 1, this corresponds to the control board 1150 and its CPU 1151.

[0110] The processing unit 200p includes a user management unit 211, a participation request receiving unit 213, a selection unit 215, a candidate presentation control unit 217, a notification display control unit 219, a determination unit 221, a reference virtual space setting unit 223, a busy time period setting unit 225, a busy time period presentation control unit 227, an image generation unit 290p, a sound generation unit 292p, and a communication control unit 294p.

[0111] The user management unit 211 performs processing related to user registration procedures and stores and manages various types of information associated with user accounts.

[0112] The participation request receiving unit 213 receives a participation request from a user who wishes to participate and has logged in to the portal server system 1100P.

[0113] The selection unit 215 is a functional unit that executes a selection process, and when a participation request is accepted by the participation request acceptance unit 213, selects, from among the virtual spaces managed by each game server system 1100G, a virtual space with an applicable time axis that satisfies a given condition based on the participation request timing of the participating user, as a virtual space to be joined by the participating user. In this embodiment, the selection unit 215 selects a virtual space to be joined based on an evaluation value calculated for each virtual space according to the above formula (1).

[0114] The candidate presentation control unit 217 is a functional unit that executes candidate presentation control processing, and performs control to present the virtual space selected by the selection unit 215 as a candidate to the user who wishes to participate, and to request an operation for approval (see FIG. 4).

[0115] The notification display control unit 219 controls the notification display based on whether the virtual space selected for the participating user by the selection unit 215 matches the reference virtual space of the participating user. In this embodiment, the notification display control unit 219 controls the notification display when the candidate presentation control unit 217 presents the virtual space (see FIG. 4).

[0116] The determination unit 221 is a functional unit that executes a determination process, and determines the virtual space in which the participating user will participate, in response to an operation on the presentation by the candidate presentation control unit 217.

[0117] The reference virtual space setting unit 223 sets, for each user, a reference virtual space that is the virtual space that the user will mainly participate in. The reference virtual space may be set based on the user's place of residence (from which area the user's user terminal is accessed), or may be set based on the user's selection operation. The reference virtual space may also be set based on the user's participation status in each virtual space (for example, information on which virtual space the user frequently participates in, etc.).

[0118] The popular time period setting unit 225 continually sets and updates, for each virtual space, a popular time period during which an increase in users participating in that virtual space is expected.

[0119] The busy time period presentation control unit 227 performs control to present the busy time periods for each virtual space set by the busy time period setting unit 225 to users who wish to participate (see FIG. 4).

[0120] The image generating unit 290p generates image signals for various management screens for system management of the portal server system 1100P, and outputs them to the image display unit 390p.

[0121] The sound generation unit 292p is realized by executing an IC or software that generates and decodes audio data. The sound generation unit 292p outputs the generated audio signal to the sound output unit 392p.

[0122] The communication control unit 294p performs communication connection and data processing for data communication with an external device (for example, the game server system 1100G or the user terminal 1500) via the communication unit 394p, and realizes data exchange with the external device.

[0123] The image display unit 390p displays various screens based on the image signal input from the image generation unit 290p. For example, the image display unit 390p can be realized by an image display device such as a flat panel display, a projector, or a head mounted display. In the example of FIG. 1, the touch panel 1108 corresponds to this.

[0124] The sound output unit 392p emits the audio signal input from the sound generation unit 292p. In the example of Fig. 1, this corresponds to a speaker (not shown) provided in the main device 1101 or the touch panel 1108.

[0125] The communication unit 394p realizes communication by connecting to the network 9. For example, it can be realized by a wireless communication device, a modem, a TA (terminal adapter), a jack for a wired communication cable, a control circuit, etc. In the example of FIG. 1, the communication device 1153 corresponds to this.

[0126] The storage unit 500p stores in advance or temporarily stores each time processing is performed programs for operating the portal server system 1100P and implementing various functions of the portal server system 1100P, and data used during execution of the programs. For example, the storage unit 500p can be implemented by IC memory such as RAM or ROM, a magnetic disk such as a hard disk, or an optical disk such as a CD-ROM or DVD. In the example of FIG. 1, the IC memory 1152 and the storage 1140 correspond to this.

[0127] The storage unit 500p also stores a portal server program 501, game server system management data 510, user management data 530, and login management data 550. In addition, other necessary data such as timers, counters, various tables, thresholds, flags, etc. are appropriately stored.

[0128] The portal server program 501 is a program for causing the processing unit 200p to function as the user management unit 211, the participation request receiving unit 213, the selection unit 215, the candidate presentation control unit 217, the notification display control unit 219, the determination unit 221, the reference virtual space setting unit 223, the busy time period setting unit 225, and the busy time period presentation control unit 227. The portal server program 501 can also include programs for causing the processing unit 200p to function as the image generation unit 290p, the sound generation unit 292p, and the communication control unit 294p.

[0129] The game server system management data 510 is prepared for each game server system 1100G constituting the virtual space management system 1011. For example, as shown in Fig. 6, one game server system management data 510 includes a virtual space ID 511 which is identification information of the virtual space, a server ID 513 of the game server system 1100G which is the managing entity, server access information 515 which is required to connect to the game server system 1100G so as to be able to communicate data, an applicable time axis setting 517, popular time period data 519, event information 521, user participation statistical data by time period 523, and event occurrence record data by time period 525.

[0130] The applicable time axis setting 517 stores the setting of the applicable time axis related to the virtual space.

[0131] Busy time period data 519 stores the start and end times of the busy time period set for the virtual space by busy time period setting section 225 (here, the start time and end time on the applicable time axis of the virtual space).

[0132] Event information 521 stores the event name, occurrence timing, etc. of an event scheduled to be held in the virtual space (an event whose occurrence timing is a future time on the applicable time axis of the virtual space) in association with the event ID of the event. Event information 521 is updated to the latest information at the timing when event control data 591 is created in game server system 1100G that manages the virtual space.

[0133] The time-zone user participation statistical data 523 stores data on user participation statistics by time zone in the virtual space. For example, the number of users participating in the virtual space is tallied daily by time zone, which is obtained by dividing a day into a predetermined time unit such as several minutes or several tens of minutes, or by dividing the day into several-hour units such as early morning / daytime / nighttime / late night, and the statistical values ​​are updated as needed and set in the time-zone user participation statistical data 523. Specifically, the average number of participants by time zone in the virtual space, the participation ratio by time zone to the total number of users participating in the virtual space in a day, etc. can be calculated and set daily.

[0134] The event occurrence record data by time period 525 stores data on the event occurrence record by time period in the virtual space. For example, the number of occurrences of events in the virtual space is tallied for each day by dividing a day into a predetermined time unit such as several minutes or several tens of minutes, or into several-hour units such as early morning / daytime / nighttime / late night, and the tallied value is updated as needed and set in the event occurrence record data by time period 525. Specifically, the average number of occurrences of events in the virtual space by time period, the occurrence ratio by time period to the total number of occurrences of events in the virtual space in a day, etc. can be calculated and set for each day.

[0135] According to the time-slot user participation statistical data 523, it is possible to determine a time slot in a day when many or few users participate in the virtual space. Also, according to the time-slot event occurrence record data 525, it is possible to determine a time slot in a day when events occur frequently or rarely in the virtual space. The popular time slot setting unit 225 can set a popular time slot in the virtual space when an increase in users is expected to participate in the virtual space, for example, by determining a time slot in which a large number of users participate based on the time-slot user participation statistical data 523 as a popular time slot in the virtual space, or a time slot in which an event occurs frequently based on the time-slot event occurrence record data 525 as a popular time slot in the virtual space. Both the time-slot user participation statistical data 523 and the time-slot event occurrence record data 525 may be used to set a popular time slot.

[0136] User management data 530 is prepared for each user who has completed the registration procedure, and is managed by user management unit 211. For example, as shown in Fig. 7, one user management data 530 includes a user account 531 of the user, reference virtual space settings 533, participation history data 535, event participation history data 537, item acquisition history data 539, user information 541, owned item data 543, and save data 545 relating to the game play status in the virtual space of the user.

[0137] The reference virtual space setting 533 stores the virtual space ID of the virtual space in which the user primarily participates (the user's reference virtual space).

[0138] The participation history data 535 accumulates and manages participation data of the user in the virtual space. In this embodiment, every time a user participates in a virtual space, the participation data is added to the participation history data 535 of the user. One piece of participation data can include the virtual space ID of the virtual space of the participation destination, the login time, and the logout time. The reference virtual space setting unit 223, for example, refers to the participation history data 535 for each user and sets a virtual space with a high participation frequency as the reference virtual space of the user. In this case, the reference virtual space setting 533 may be updated at a predetermined cycle, such as monthly.

[0139] Event participation history data 537 stores the user's event participation history. For example, the event participation history data 537 is associated with the event ID of an event in which the user participated while playing a game in a virtual space, and includes the event name, a virtual space ID indicating which virtual space the user participated in, and play results such as mini-game scores in the event. When user information 541 is set based on which event the user participated in, the setting is based on the event participation history data 537 of the user.

[0140] The item acquisition history data 539 stores the history of the acquisition of items by the user. For example, the item acquisition history data 539 includes the date and time of acquisition, a virtual space ID indicating which virtual space the user participated in, and the like, associated with the item ID of the item acquired while playing a game in a virtual space. This item acquisition history data 539 is updated based on the item acquisition status data 571 (see FIG. 8) when the user finishes playing a game in the virtual space and logs out.

[0141] User information 541 stores information on the user's interests and preferences regarding events occurring in the virtual space, such as events the user likes and dislikes.

[0142] In the owned item data 543, the item ID of the item acquired and owned by the user in the course of playing a game in a virtual space is set in association with the virtual space ID indicating in which virtual space the item was acquired, etc. The owned item data 543 is rewritten with the latest information at an appropriate timing according to the progress of the game play in the virtual space of the user.

[0143] The login management data 550 is prepared for each logged-in user, and stores various data relating to the individual login status of the user in the entire virtual space control system 1000.

[0144] 2. Game Server System Fig. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a game server system 1100G (1100Ga, 1100Gb, ...). As shown in Fig. 8, the game server system 1100G of this embodiment includes an operation input unit 100g, a processing unit 200g, an image display unit 390g, a sound output unit 392g, a communication unit 394g, and a storage unit 500g.

[0145] The operation input unit 100g is for inputting various operations for managing the game server system 1100G, and can be realized by, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, or the like.

[0146] The processing unit 200g can be realized by a processor, which is an arithmetic circuit such as a CPU, GPU, ASIC, FPGA, or other electronic components such as an IC memory, and controls input and output of data between each unit of the device including the operation input unit 100g and the storage unit 500g.Then, various types of arithmetic processing are performed based on predetermined programs and data, operation input signals from the operation input unit 100g, data received from the portal server system 1100P and the user terminal 1500, and the like, to comprehensively control the operation of the game server system 1100G.

[0147] The processing unit 200g includes a virtual space management unit 230, an image generation unit 290g, a sound generation unit 292g, and a communication control unit 294g.

[0148] The virtual space management unit 230 executes various controls related to the construction and management of the virtual space. In this embodiment, the virtual space management unit 230 in each game server system 1100G executes the following processes. This realizes the construction and management of a virtual space (game space) set to a common world view in which user characters appear as a virtual space in which users assigned to the game server system 1100G participate.

[0149] For example, the virtual space management unit 230 can perform the following processes related to controlling the progress of the game in the game space and reflecting the play results: 1) a process of arranging basic objects and background objects in the virtual three-dimensional space to form a game space; 2) a process of arranging a user character in the game space and controlling the user character in response to an operation input at the user terminal 1500; 3) a process of automatically controlling a virtual camera and an enemy character; 4) a process related to hit judgment and damage judgment of an attack and reflection thereof; 5) a process related to judgment of acquisition and use of an item and reflection thereof; 6) a process of controlling the occurrence of an event or a mission and the progress thereof; 7) a process of generating an image (game image) of the game space seen from the virtual camera; and 8) a process of determining whether a game end condition has been satisfied. For the event 6), the virtual space management unit 230 controls the occurrence timing based on the application time axis of the virtual space it manages, and generates the event. In addition, in conjunction with each process, various data required for management of the game server system management data 510 and the user management data 530 are transmitted to the portal server system 1100P as needed.

[0150] The image generating unit 290g generates image signals for various management screens for system management of the game server system 1100G, and outputs them to the image display unit 390g.

[0151] The sound generation unit 292g is realized by executing an IC or software that generates and decodes audio data. The sound generation unit 292g outputs the generated audio signal to the sound output unit 392g.

[0152] The communication control unit 294g performs communication connection and data processing for data communication with an external device (for example, the portal server system 1100P or the user terminal 1500) via the communication unit 394g, and realizes data exchange with the external device.

[0153] The image display unit 390g displays various screens based on the image signal input from the image generation unit 290g, and can be realized by an image display device such as a flat panel display, a projector, or a head mounted display.

[0154] The sound output unit 392g emits the sound signal input from the sound generation unit 292g.

[0155] The communication unit 394g realizes communication by connecting to the network 9. For example, the communication unit 394g can be realized by a wireless communication device, a modem, a TA (terminal adapter), a jack for a wired communication cable, a control circuit, or the like.

[0156] The storage unit 500g stores in advance or temporarily stores each time processing is performed programs for operating the game server system 1100G and implementing various functions of the game server system 1100G, and data used during execution of the programs, etc. For example, these can be implemented by IC memories such as RAM and ROM, magnetic disks such as hard disks, optical disks such as CD-ROMs and DVDs, etc.

[0157] Also stored in storage unit 500g are a game server program 503, a distribution client program 505, virtual space initial setting data 560, event initial setting data 570, participating user play data 580, and virtual space management data 590. In addition, necessary data such as timers, counters, various tables, thresholds, flags, etc. are appropriately stored.

[0158] The game server program 503 is a program for causing the processing unit 200g to function as the virtual space management unit 230. The game server program 503 may also include programs for causing the processing unit 200g to function as the image generation unit 290g, the sound generation unit 292g, and the communication control unit 294g.

[0159] The delivery client program 505 is an application program provided to and executed by the user terminal 1500 connected to the game server system 1100G, and is a program for causing the user terminal 1500 to realize the function of a game client.

[0160] The virtual space initial setting data 560 stores various data defining the initial state of the virtual space, and various data required for controlling the initial state of each object and the display and operation of each object, such as base objects, background objects, and user characters that appear in the virtual space, for each type of object. Since the virtual space in this embodiment is a game space, the virtual space initial setting data 560 can also be said to be game initial setting data. Various setting data related to game rules are also included here.

[0161] The event initial setting data 570 is prepared for each type of event, and stores various initial setting data for realizing the event of that type. For example, one event initial setting data 570 stores an event ID for identifying the type of event, occurrence conditions for determining the occurrence timing of the event, various setting data for controlling the content and progress of the event, etc. It may also include conditions that a user must satisfy to be able to participate in the event.

[0162] The participating user play data 580 is distributed to the game server system 1100G by the portal server system 1100P and prepared for each user participating in the virtual space of the game server system 1100G. For example, one participating user play data 580 stores various data that is associated with the user account of the user and describes the progress of the game that the user is playing in the virtual space. The participating user play data 580 includes acquisition status data 581 of items acquired by the user in the course of game play in the virtual space.

[0163] The virtual space management data 590 stores various data describing the latest state of the virtual space managed by the game server system 1100G. For example, the positions, postures, parameter information, and character statuses of various objects in the virtual space are stored. The game server system management data 510 also includes event control data 591 that is created every time an event occurs.

[0164] Event control data 591 stores various data describing the progress of an event in the virtual space. Virtual space management unit 230 creates event control data 591 as needed in accordance with the settings in event initial setting data 570, generates various events at timings based on the applied time axis of the virtual space, and controls the progress of the events. Event control data 591 includes information such as the event ID of the event, the timing of the event, and the user's participation in the event.

[0165] 3. User Device Fig. 9 is a functional block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a user terminal 1500. As shown in Fig. 9, the user terminal 1500 includes an operation input unit 100, a device processing unit 200, an image display unit 390, a sound output unit 392, a communication unit 394, and a device storage unit 500.

[0166] The operation input unit 100 outputs an operation input signal corresponding to various operation inputs made by a user to the device processing unit 200. For example, this can be realized by a push switch, a joystick, a touch pad, a track ball, an acceleration sensor, a gyro, etc. In the example of Fig. 1, this corresponds to the touch panel 1506.

[0167] The device processing unit 200 can be realized by a processor, which is an arithmetic circuit such as a CPU, GPU, ASIC, or FPGA, or an electronic component such as an IC memory, and controls input and output of data between each unit of the device including the operation input unit 100 and the terminal storage unit 500. The device processing unit 200 performs various arithmetic processing based on predetermined programs and data, operation input signals from the operation input unit 100, data received from the portal server system 1100P and the game server system 1100G, and the like, and comprehensively controls the operation of the user terminal 1500. In the example of FIG. 1, this corresponds to the control board 1550 and its CPU 1551.

[0168] The terminal processing unit 200 includes a client control unit 260, an image generation unit 290, a sound generation unit 292, and a communication control unit 294.

[0169] The client control unit 260 performs various controls to cause the user terminal 1500 to function as an MMIF (man-machine interface) as a game client in the virtual space control system 1000. The client control unit 260 includes an operation input information providing unit 261 and a display control unit 263.

[0170] The operation input information providing unit 261 performs control to transmit operation input information to the game server system 1100G and the portal server system 1100P in response to an input from the operation input unit 100.

[0171] The display control unit 263 performs control for displaying game images on the image display unit 390 based on the data received from the game server system 1100G.

[0172] The image generation unit 290 generates and outputs an image signal for displaying an image on the image display unit 390 based on the control of the client control unit 260. In the example of Fig. 1, this corresponds to a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), a graphics controller, a graphics board, etc. mounted on the control board 1550.

[0173] The sound generation unit 292 is realized, for example, by a digital signal processor (DSP), a processor such as a voice synthesis IC, an audio codec for playing audio files, etc., and generates sound signals for music, sound effects, and various operation sounds, and outputs them to the sound output unit 392.

[0174] The communication control unit 294 performs communication connection and data processing for data communication with an external device (for example, the portal server system 1100P or the game server system 1100G) via the communication unit 394, and realizes data exchange with the external device.

[0175] The image display unit 390 displays various screens such as a game screen based on the image signal input from the image generation unit 290. For example, the image display unit 390 can be realized by an image display device such as a flat panel display, a projector, or a head mounted display. In the example of FIG. 1, the touch panel 1506 corresponds to this.

[0176] The sound output unit 392 emits sound effects, background music, and the like related to the game based on the audio signal input from the sound generation unit 292. In the example of Fig. 1, this corresponds to a speaker (not shown) provided in the touch panel 1506.

[0177] The communication unit 394 realizes communication by connecting to the network 9. For example, it can be realized by a wireless communication device, a modem, a TA (terminal adapter), a jack for a wired communication cable, a control circuit, etc. In the example of FIG. 1, the communication module 1553 corresponds to this.

[0178] The terminal storage unit 500 stores in advance or temporarily stores each time processing is performed programs for operating the user terminal 1500 and realizing the functions of the user terminal 1500, and data used during execution of the programs. For example, it can be realized by IC memory such as RAM or ROM, a magnetic disk such as a hard disk, or an optical disk such as a CD-ROM or DVD. In the example of Fig. 1, this corresponds to the IC memory 1552 mounted on the control board 1550.

[0179] The terminal storage unit 500 also stores a client program 507 (application program) for causing the user terminal 1500 to function as the client control unit 260. Of course, other data can also be stored as appropriate. When generating part of an image to be used on a game screen in the user terminal 1500, part of the virtual space initial setting data 560 (see FIG. 8) may be downloaded and stored.

[0180] [Processing flow] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the portal server system 1100P. The processing unit 200p reads out and executes the portal server program 501 to realize the processing described here.

[0181] First, when a user logs in to the portal server system 1100P, the participation request receiving unit 213 receives a participation request from the logged-in user. Then, when a participation request from the user (user wishing to participate) is received (step S1: YES), the selection unit 215 calculates an evaluation value for each virtual space according to the above formula (1), and uses the evaluation value to select a virtual space in which the user wishing to participate will participate (selection process; step S3).

[0182] Next, the candidate presentation control unit 217 performs control to present the virtual space selected in step S3 as a candidate to the user who wishes to participate and request an operation for approval (candidate presentation control process; step S5). At that time, the notification display control unit 219 controls a notification display indicating whether or not the virtual space selected in step S3 matches the reference virtual space of the user who wishes to participate (step S7). In addition, the popular time zone presentation control unit 227 performs control to present to the user who wishes to participate the popular time zones set by the popular time zone setting unit 225 for each of the multiple virtual spaces managed by each game server system 1100G of the virtual space management system 1011 (step S9).

[0183] Then, in response to an operation of accepting the presentation in step S5 (step S11: YES), the determination unit 221 determines the virtual space in which the participating user will participate (determination process; step S13). If an operation of accepting is not performed (step S11: NO), the virtual space in which the participating user will participate is determined in accordance with a selection operation of the participating user (step S14). Thereafter, the participating user is assigned to the game server system 1100G that manages the virtual space determined in step S13 or S14. As a result, the user terminal 1500 of the participating user is connected to the game server system 1100G, and the participation of the participating user in the virtual space of the game server system 1100G is completed.

[0184] Then, until this process is terminated (step S15: NO), the process returns to step S1 and the above-mentioned process is repeated.

[0185] As described above, according to this embodiment, the virtual space management system 1011, which is composed of multiple game server systems 1100G (1100Ga, 1100Gb, ...), manages multiple virtual spaces managed by each game server system 1100G as virtual worlds with time differences, with a common world view and individual applicable time axes. When a participation request is made by a user wishing to participate, the portal server system 1100P can select a virtual space for the user wishing to participate in based on an evaluation value calculated for each virtual space managed by each game server system 1100G. For example, the virtual space in which the user wishing to participate can be selected by calculating the evaluation value so that the values ​​of virtual spaces in which a large number of events occur after the participation request timing on the applicable time axis or virtual spaces in which the time until that occurrence is short, virtual spaces in which a common event occurs after the participation request timing or virtual spaces in which the time until that occurrence is short, virtual spaces in which an event that the user wishing to participate likes or is good at occurs after the participation request timing, virtual spaces in which the participation request timing belongs to a busy time zone or virtual spaces in which a time zone in the near future after the participation request timing is set as a busy time zone, etc. are high. This makes it possible to select a virtual space in which the user wishing to participate is suitable.

[0186] The forms to which the present invention can be applied are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and constituent elements can be added, omitted, or modified as appropriate.

[0187] [Variation 1] For example, in the above embodiment, an example in which one virtual space is selected by the selection process has been described, but a configuration in which multiple virtual spaces are selected may also be used. For example, the evaluation values ​​calculated by the above formula (1) for each of the virtual spaces of the multiple game server systems 1100G constituting the virtual space management system 1011 may be sorted in descending order, and a top predetermined number of virtual spaces (for example, three or ten) may be selected. In this case, the candidate presentation control process presents the selected predetermined number of virtual spaces as candidates to the user who wishes to participate, and performs control to request the user who wishes to participate to perform a one-to-one selection operation to select one of the predetermined number of virtual spaces.

[0188] Then, in the determination process, the virtual space in which the alternative selection operation has been performed is determined as the virtual space in which the participating user will participate.

[0189] Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a presentation screen in this modified example. In the example of Fig. 11, three virtual spaces selected as the virtual space to which the participating user will participate are displayed in a list, and three participation buttons B2 (B2-1, 2, 3) are arranged for selecting one of the virtual spaces. When the participating user touches any of the participation buttons B2 on the presentation screen in Fig. 11 to perform an operation of consent, the corresponding virtual space is determined as the participating destination.

[0190] In addition, the presentation screen of this modified example displays the three selected virtual spaces together with the popular time periods in each of the virtual spaces. The user wishing to participate selects the virtual space he or she would like to join from among the three virtual spaces by pressing the participation button B2 while referring to the popular time periods in each of the presented virtual spaces.

[0191] [Variation 2] Also, the virtual space to be the participation destination of the user who wishes to participate may be determined without presenting the selected virtual space to the user who wishes to participate. In this case, in the determination process, if one virtual space is selected, the selected virtual space is determined as the participation destination virtual space of the user who wishes to participate. If multiple virtual spaces are selected, one selected based on a given condition is determined as the participation destination virtual space of the user who wishes to participate. The condition for selection is not particularly limited. For example, any one of the spaces may be selected at random. Also, a condition may be set such that the reference virtual space is selected when the reference virtual space of the user who wishes to participate is included in the multiple selected virtual spaces.

[0192] [Variation 3] In the above embodiment, the item-specific evaluation value E D An example was described in which the item-specific evaluation value is calculated for each virtual space, used to calculate the evaluation value, and used to select a virtual space for a user who wishes to participate. Specifically, the example was a calculation of an item-specific evaluation value such that the evaluation value is high for a virtual space in which a future time period that satisfies a predetermined proximity condition with respect to the participation request timing on the applicable time axis is set as a busy time period.

[0193] In response to this, a virtual space to be joined by the user wishing to join may be selected by excluding virtual spaces, among the multiple virtual spaces managed by each game server system 1100G, whose busy time period at the timing of the participation request is a time period in the past (for example, the busy time period on the day to which the participation request timing belongs is a time period in the past). For example, a virtual space other than a virtual space whose busy time period on the day to which the participation request timing belongs is a time period in the past may be selected as the virtual space to be joined by the user wishing to join.

[0194] Conversely, among the multiple virtual spaces managed by each game server system 1100G, a virtual space in which the peak time period at the time of the participation request is a past time period may be selected as the virtual space to which the user wishing to participate will participate. Alternatively, among the multiple virtual spaces, a virtual space in which the participation request is made outside the peak time period may be selected as the virtual space to which the user wishing to participate will participate.

[0195] [Variation 4] In addition, when a participating user who has participated in a virtual space uses an item, the effect (for example, parameter information) of the item may be changed based on whether or not the virtual space in which the user is participating matches the virtual space in which the user has acquired the item. For example, if the item is equipment such as a weapon, when the participating virtual space matches the acquired virtual space, the ability parameter value of the item, such as attack power or defense power, is increased by a predetermined amount. On the other hand, when the participating virtual space does not match the acquired virtual space, the ability parameter value is reduced by a predetermined amount. Alternatively, if the item increases the ability value of the user, such as attack power or defense power, when the participating virtual space matches the acquired virtual space, the degree of increase is increased. On the other hand, when the participating virtual space does not match the acquired virtual space, the degree of increase is reduced. According to this, when the item is used in the same virtual space as the one in which the item was acquired, a higher effect is exhibited, so that it is possible to encourage participation in the same virtual space. Note that when the items match, the ability parameter value may be reduced, whereas when the items do not match, the ability parameter value may be increased.

[0196] Furthermore, the condition for changing the action and effect of the item (e.g., parameter information) may be based not on whether the virtual space in which the participating user is participating matches the virtual space in which the participating user obtained the item, but as follows: That is, the action and effect of the item (e.g., parameter information) may be changed based on whether the reference virtual space of the participating user matches the virtual space in which the participating user obtained the item. In this case, it is preferable that if they match, the action and effect of the item is maximized, and if they do not match, the action and effect of the item is reduced.

[0197] [Variation 5] Alternatively, the virtual space to which the participating user will participate may be selected using an acquired statistical value indicating in which virtual space the participating user frequently acquires items. For example, the number of items acquired in each virtual space (hereinafter referred to as "acquired number by virtual space") is counted for each user using the item acquisition history data 539 of the user (see FIG. 7). Then, as the acquired statistical value, for example, the ratio of the number of items acquired by each virtual space to the total number of items acquired by the user is calculated for each virtual space. Then, when a participation request from the participating user is accepted, the acquired statistical value by virtual space for the participating user may be referenced, and the virtual space with the largest acquired statistical value may be selected as the virtual space to which the participating user will participate. In this way, the virtual space in which the participating user frequently acquires items can be selected as the virtual space to which the participating user will participate.

[0198] In a similar manner, for each user, the virtual space with the largest acquired statistical value (the virtual space in which items are acquired most frequently) may be set as the reference virtual space using the acquired statistical values ​​for each virtual space calculated for that user.

[0199] [Variation 6] In addition, when displaying the virtual space, the user characters in the virtual space of the user who is not the reference virtual space may be displayed in a manner that makes it identifiable that they are the user characters of the user who is playing in a virtual space different from the reference virtual space. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a game screen in this modified example. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the corresponding user character 4 may be displayed in an identifiable manner by attaching a mark M3 to the user character 4 or by changing the display form of the user character 4 to a display form different from that when participating in the reference virtual space. These control operations for changing the display form may be performed not on the user (more precisely, on the user terminal 1500 of the user himself) but on users other than the user.

[0200] In addition, when displaying text information (e.g., user name) related to the user of the user character as the display form of the user character, the notation of the text information may be changed. For example, the language used in the participating virtual space may be set in advance, and the content of the text information may be translated and displayed according to the participating virtual space. For example, the notation may be switched between Japanese and Roman characters, translated, and displayed. In this case, the language used when the user characters converse with each other may be translated according to the language used in the virtual space. For example, a translation process for translating from the language used in the reference virtual space of the user to the language used in the participating virtual space may be prepared in advance and realized.

[0201] Furthermore, the movement control of the user character may be made different from when the user character is participating in the reference virtual space. For example, the movement speed and behavior of the user character may be controlled to be slower than when the user character is participating in the reference virtual space.

[0202] [Variation 7] In the above embodiment, the virtual space management system 1011 is described as having game server systems 1100G scattered around the globe, and each of the game server systems 1100G in each region manages the virtual space 3 to be managed on an applicable time axis set based on the local time of the location. However, the game server systems 1100G may be centrally installed in a predetermined location, rather than being scattered around the globe. In this case, this can be realized by individually setting a location on the globe for each game server system 1100G, and setting the applicable time axis for each game server system 1100G based on the local time of the set location.

[0203] Regardless of whether the game server systems 1100G are installed in a dispersed manner or in a concentrated manner, in either case, the applicable time axis is set individually for each virtual space 3 that is to be managed by the game server system 1100G. [Explanation of symbols]

[0204] 1000…Virtual space control system 1010…Operational System 1100P...Portal server system 200p…Processing section 211...User Management Department 213…Participation request reception department 215...Selection section 217...Candidate presentation control unit 219...Notification display control unit 221…Decision-making department 223...Reference virtual space setting unit 225…Popular time zone setting section 227…Best time period display control unit 500p…Storage section 501...Portal server program 510: Game server system management data 511...Virtual space ID 513...Server ID 515...Server access information 517…Applicable time axis setting 519…Popular time period data 521...Event information 523...User participation statistics by time period 525...Event occurrence data by time period 530...User management data 531...User account 533…Reference virtual space setting 535...Participation history data 537...Event participation history data 539…Item acquisition history data 541...User information 543…Item data 545...Save data 550...Login management data 501...Portal server program 510: Game server system management data 1011…Virtual space management system 1100G...Game server system 200g…Processing section 230…Virtual Space Management Department 500g…Storage part 503: Game server program 505...Distribution client program 560…Virtual space initial setting data 570...Event initial setting data 580...Participating user play data 581…Item acquisition status data 590…Virtual space management data 591...Event control data 1500: User terminal 9. Network 3. Virtual space

Claims

1. A computer system that controls a user's participation destination from among a plurality of virtual spaces that are managed by a virtual space management system as virtual worlds with a common world view but with individual applicable time axes and time differences, comprising: the virtual space management system performs control for each of the virtual spaces to generate an event at a generation timing based on the application time axis of the virtual space; A participation request receiving means for receiving a participation request from a user who wishes to participate; a selection means for selecting, from among the plurality of virtual spaces, a virtual space of the applicable time axis that satisfies a given condition based on a participation request timing related to the participation request as a virtual space to be participated in by the user who wishes to participate, when the participation request is received; A computer system comprising:

2. the selection means selects a virtual space in which the participating user will participate, based on the participation request timing on the applicable time axis for each of the virtual spaces and the occurrence timing in each of the virtual spaces.

2. The computer system of claim 1.

3. The events include common events of similar content occurring in each of the virtual spaces; the selection means selects a virtual space in which the participating user will participate, based on the participation request timing on the applicable time axis for each of the virtual spaces and the occurrence timing of the common event in each of the virtual spaces.

2. The computer system of claim 1.

4. The selection means further uses user information of the user who wishes to participate to select a virtual space in which the user who wishes to participate will participate.

2. The computer system of claim 1.

5. The virtual space management system includes a plurality of virtual space management servers that manage the virtual spaces having different management targets, The applicable time axis is set individually for each of the virtual spaces that are managed by the virtual space management server.

2. The computer system of claim 1.

6. The selection means is a candidate presentation control means for presenting the selected virtual space as a candidate to the user who wishes to participate, and performing control to request an operation of approval if the number of selected virtual spaces is one, and an operation of selecting one of the selected virtual spaces if the number of selected virtual spaces is multiple; a determination means for determining a virtual space in which the participant desiring user will participate, based on an operation of the participant desiring user in response to the presentation by the candidate presentation control means; having 2. The computer system of claim 1.

7. the selection means, when the number of selected virtual spaces is one, determines the selected virtual space as the virtual space to be participated in by the participating user, and when the number of selected virtual spaces is multiple, determines one virtual space selected based on a given condition as the virtual space to be participated in by the participating user; 2. The computer system of claim 1.

8. a reference virtual space setting means for setting, for each user, a reference virtual space that is to be a primary participation destination among the plurality of virtual spaces; a notification display control means for controlling a notification display based on whether the virtual space selected by the selection means coincides with the reference virtual space of the user who wishes to participate; 2. The computer system of claim 1 .

9. the reference virtual space setting means sets the reference virtual space for each user based on a selection operation of the user or a participation status of the user in each of the virtual spaces; 9. The computer system of claim 8.

10. the selection means selects the reference virtual space as a virtual space in which the participating user will participate when a given priority determination condition based on the occurrence timing in the reference virtual space of the participating user is satisfied.

10. A computer system according to claim 8 or 9.

11. A busy time period setting means for setting, for each virtual space, a busy time period during which an increase in users participating in the virtual space is expected; Further comprising: the selection means further uses the participation request timing on the applicable time axis for each of the virtual spaces and the busy time period for each of the virtual spaces to select a virtual space in which the participating user will participate.

2. The computer system of claim 1.

12. the busy time period setting means sets the busy time period for each of the virtual spaces based on the occurrence timing in the virtual space; 12. The computer system of claim 11.

13. the busy time period setting means sets the busy time period for each of the virtual spaces based on user participation statistics by time period in the virtual space and / or event occurrence records by time period in the virtual space; 12. The computer system of claim 11.

14. the selection means selects, from among the plurality of virtual spaces, a virtual space in which the participation request timing falls within the busy time period and / or a virtual space in which a future time period satisfying a predetermined proximity condition with respect to the participation request timing is set as the busy time period, as a virtual space in which the participating user will participate; 12. The computer system of claim 11.

15. the selection means selects a virtual space in which the user wishing to participate will participate, excluding a virtual space in which the popular time period at the time of the participation request is a time period in the past, from among the plurality of virtual spaces; 12. The computer system of claim 11.

16. the selection means selects, from among the plurality of virtual spaces, a virtual space in which the participation request timing does not fall within the busy time period and / or a virtual space in which the busy time period at the participation request timing is a time period in the past, as a virtual space in which the participating user will participate; 12. The computer system of claim 11.

17. a busy time period presentation control means for controlling presentation of the busy time period for each virtual space set by the busy time period setting means to the users who wish to participate; The computer system of claim 11 further comprising:

18. A computer system according to claim 1; The virtual space management system; Equipped with play data is stored for each user, the play data being associated with an item acquired by the user and identification information of the acquired virtual space; the virtual space management system performs control to change the action and effect of the item of a participating user who has participated in the virtual space, based on the play data of the participating user, based on whether or not the virtual space in which the participating user is participating matches the virtual space in which the participating user obtained the item; Virtual space control system.

19. the selection means selects a virtual space in which the user wishing to participate based on the play data of the user wishing to participate and based on an acquired statistical value of the item for each virtual space; 20. The virtual space control system according to claim 18.

20. 2. The computer system according to claim 1, further comprising: a reference virtual space setting means for setting, for each user, a reference virtual space that is to be a main participation destination among the plurality of virtual spaces; The virtual space management system; Equipped with The virtual space management system performs control to change the display form and / or action control in the virtual space of a participating user who has participated in the virtual space, based on whether or not the display form and / or action control in the virtual space coincide with the reference virtual space of the participating user. Virtual space control system.

21. 2. The computer system according to claim 1, further comprising: a reference virtual space setting means for setting, for each user, a reference virtual space that is to be a main participation destination among the plurality of virtual spaces; The virtual space management system; Equipped with play data is stored for each user, the play data being associated with an item acquired by the user and identification information of the acquired virtual space; the virtual space management system performs control to change the action and effect of the item of a participating user who has participated in the virtual space, based on whether or not the reference virtual space of the participating user coincides with the virtual space in which the item was obtained, based on the play data of the participating user; Virtual space control system.

22. A participation destination control method for controlling a participation destination of a user from among a plurality of virtual spaces which are managed by a virtual space management system as virtual worlds having a common world view but different applicable time axes, the virtual space management system comprising: the virtual space management system performs control for each of the virtual spaces to generate an event at a generation timing based on the application time axis of the virtual space; a participation request receiving step of receiving a participation request from a user who wishes to participate; a selection step of selecting, from among the plurality of virtual spaces, a virtual space of the applicable time axis that satisfies a given condition based on a participation request timing related to the participation request as a virtual space to be participated in by the user who wishes to participate, when the participation request is received; A participation control method including:

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