Game System and Server Device

Abstract

To provide a game system and the like capable of realizing a match game that players whom a spectator desires participate according to the spectator's request.SOLUTION: A game system includes: a setting part for setting a combination of a first player and a second player; a determination part for receiving a request of a spectator of a match game to a combination set by the setting part and determining whether a request situation from the spectator satisfies a predetermined condition; an informing part for informing information regarding a match game between a first player and a second player when a request situation satisfies a predetermined condition; and a game control part for executing a match game.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a game system and a server device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in a game where a non-player (viewer) can watch a game being played by a player, there is a known game in which a viewer can present an item to a player (for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the conventional game system, there is no mechanism to realize a battle game in which a player desired by a viewer participates in response to a request from the viewer.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a game system and a server device capable of realizing a battle game in which a player desired by a viewer participates in response to a request from the viewer.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] (1) The present invention relates to a game system that executes a battle game in which a first player and a second player participate, and includes a setting unit that sets a combination of the first player and the second player, a determination unit that receives a request from a viewer of the battle game for the combination set by the setting unit and determines whether the request status from the viewer satisfies a predetermined condition, a notification unit that notifies the first player and the second player of information related to the battle game when the request status satisfies the predetermined condition, and a game control unit that executes the battle game. The present invention also relates to a server device including the above-described units. The present invention also relates to a program for causing a computer to function as the above-described units. The present invention also relates to a computer-readable information storage medium storing the above program.

[0007] According to the present invention, by setting a combination of a first player and a second player participating in a battle game, receiving a request for the combination from a viewer, and notifying the first player and the second player of information related to the battle game and executing the battle game when the request status from the viewer satisfies a predetermined condition, it is possible to realize, in response to a request from the viewer, a battle game in which the first player and the second player desired by the viewer participate.

[0008] (2) Further, in the game system, server device, program, and information storage medium according to the present invention, the battle game may be a game in which the first player and the second player battle against each other.

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to realize, in response to a request from the viewer, a battle game in which the first player and the second player desired by the viewer battle against each other.

[0010] (3) Further, in the game system, server device, program, and information storage medium according to the present invention The battle game may be a game in which a team to which the first player and the second player belong battles against a third player.

[0011] According to the present invention, a battle game in which a team to which a first player and a second player desired by a viewer belong battles against a third player can be realized according to a request from the viewer.

[0012] (4) Also, in the game system, server device, program, and information storage medium according to the present invention, the battle game may be a game in which a team to which the first player belongs battles against a team to which the second player belongs.

[0013] According to the present invention, a battle game in which a team to which a first player desired by a viewer belongs battles against a team to which a second player belongs can be realized according to a request from the viewer.

[0014] (5) Also, in the game system, server device, program, and information storage medium according to the present invention, the first player or the second player may be a non-player character.

[0015] (6) Also, in the game system, server device, program, and information storage medium according to the present invention, the setting unit may set a combination of the first player and the second player designated by the viewer.

[0016] According to the present invention, a battle game in which a first player and a second player desired by a viewer participate can be realized according to a request from the viewer for a combination of the first player and the second player designated by the viewer.

[0017] (7) Further, in the game system, server device, program, and information storage medium according to the present invention, the setting unit may present candidates for the combination to the spectator based on the player information of each player, and set the combination designated by the spectator among the presented candidates for the combination.

[0018] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the convenience when a spectator designates a combination of a first player and a second player.

[0019] (8) Further, in the game system, server device, program, and information storage medium according to the present invention, the required situation may be at least one of the number of votes for the set combination, the amount of consideration consumed for the set combination, and the number of spectators who have consumed consideration for the set combination.

[0020] (9) Further, in the game system, server device, program, and information storage medium according to the present invention, the determination unit may change the predetermined condition according to the player information of the first player and the second player.

[0021] According to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately set the conditions for establishing a battle game according to the player information.

[0022] (10) Further, in the game system, server device, program, and information storage medium according to the present invention, the information regarding the battle game may include information for notifying the execution of the battle game in which the first player and the second player participate, and the battle conditions of the battle game.

[0023] (11) Further, in the game system, server device, program, and information storage medium according to the present invention, the notification unit may determine the content of the reward to be given to the first player and the second player based on the required situation, and notify the first player and the second player of the determined content of the reward.

[0024] According to the present invention, it is possible to give a player an incentive to participate in a battle game.

[0025] (12) Further, in the game system, server device, program, and information storage medium according to the present invention, when the request status satisfies the predetermined condition, the notification unit notifies the first player and the second player of information regarding the battle game after the end of the request reception period for receiving the request, and when the first player and the second player accept or reject participation in the battle game, the fact may be notified to the spectator.

[0026] (13) Further, in the game system, server device, program, and information storage medium according to the present invention, the notification unit may change the content to be notified to the spectator based on the request status of the spectator.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0027]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0028] Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described. Note that the embodiment described below does not unduly limit the content of the present invention described in the claims. Also, not all of the configurations described in this embodiment are necessarily essential components of the present invention.

[0029] 1. Configuration FIG. 1 shows the game system of this embodiment. In this embodiment, it is composed of a plurality of terminals 10 and a server 20 (server system). That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the game system of this embodiment is configured such that a server 20 (server device) that provides a service and terminals 10 (10A, 10B, 10C...) can be connected to a network.

[0030] The server 20 is an information processing device that provides an online game service in response to requests from the terminals 10. The server 20 can be composed of one or more servers (authentication server, matching server, game processing server, communication server, charging server, database server, etc.).

[0031] In this embodiment, a game is executed on the player's terminal 10, and on the server 20, processes such as progress control processing of the game executed on the terminal and allowing spectators to watch the game played by the player (displaying the content of the game on the spectators' terminals 10) are executed. Also, on the server 20, information such as the player's account information, the game result of the game executed on the terminal 10, game media (game media such as characters and items) available in the game, and in-game currency available in the game is managed.

[0032] The terminal 10 is an information processing device such as a mobile terminal (smartphone, mobile phone, portable game machine, etc.), a personal computer (PC), a game device, an image generation device, etc., and is a device that can be connected to the server 20 via a network such as the Internet (WAN) or LAN. Note that the communication line between the terminal 10 and the server 20 may be wired or wireless.

[0033] FIG. 2 shows an example of a functional block diagram of the server 20 of the present embodiment. Note that the server of the present embodiment may have a configuration in which some of the components (each part) in FIG. 2 are omitted.

[0034] The storage unit 270 stores programs and various data for causing each part of the processing unit 200 to function as a computer, and functions as a work area for the processing unit 200, and its function can be realized by a hard disk, RAM, etc. The storage unit 270 includes a storage unit 272 (for example, a database).

[0035] The storage unit 272 stores player information of a plurality of players (registered) who participate in the online game executed in the game system of the present embodiment. For example, the storage unit 272 stores, in association with player identification information (such as player ID or terminal ID used by the player) of each of the plurality of players, player name (player account), password, destination information (IP address, etc.) of the terminal 10, etc. as player information. In addition, the storage unit 272 stores, as player information, information for identifying other players who are in a friend relationship (an example of a predetermined relationship) with the player. In addition, the storage unit 272 stores, in association with the player identification information, information regarding game media and in-game currency owned by the player as player information. In addition, the storage unit 272 stores, in association with the player identification information, the player's personal schedule (available time for battles), battle results, popularity, etc. as player information.

[0036] The communication unit 296 performs various controls for communication with the terminal 10 and other servers, and its functions can be realized by hardware such as various processors or communication ASICs, and programs.

[0037] The processing unit 200 (processor) performs various processes such as management of player information, processes related to login / logout, and communication control processing based on data transmitted from the terminal 10 and received via the communication unit 296, programs, etc. The processing unit 200 uses the storage unit 270 as a work area to perform various processes. The functions of the processing unit 200 can be realized by hardware such as various processors (CPU, DSP, etc.), ASICs (gate arrays, etc.), and programs. The processing unit 200 includes a setting unit 210, a determination unit 212, a notification unit 214, and a viewing control unit 216.

[0038] The setting unit 210 sets a combination of a first player and a second player participating in the battle game. For example, the setting unit 210 may set a combination of the first player and the second player specified by the viewer based on the operation information from the terminal 10 of the viewer. In this case, based on the player information (personal schedule, battle results, popularity, etc.) of each registered player, candidates for the combination of the first player and the second player are presented to the viewer (displayed on the display unit of the viewer's terminal 10), and the combination of the first player and the second player specified by the viewer among the presented candidates may be set. The combination set by the setting unit 210 is presented to the viewer for a predetermined period to receive a request described later. Here, in the battle game, the first player and the second player battle against each other It may be a game, or a game in which a team to which the first player and the second player belong competes against a third player (which may be another player or an NPC), or a game in which a team to which the first player belongs competes against a team to which the second player belongs. One of the first player and the second player may be a non-player character (NPC). Also, the battle game may be any genre of game as long as it includes elements of battle, such as an action game, a shooting game, a music game, a puzzle game, a sports game, etc.

[0039] The determination unit 212 receives a request (such as a vote, a donation involving consumption of a price (in-game currency, item, etc.)) for the combination set by the setting unit 210 from the spectator, and determines whether the request status from the spectator (number of votes, total amount of donations (amount of consumed price), number of spectators who made donations, etc.) satisfies a predetermined condition. Also, the determination unit 212 may change the predetermined condition according to the player information of the first player and the second player.

[0040] When the request status from the spectator satisfies the predetermined conditions, the notification unit 214 notifies the first player and the second player of the information regarding the battle game (transmits the information to the terminals 10 of the first player and the second player). The information regarding the battle game includes information notifying the execution of the battle game in which the first player and the second player participate, and the battle conditions of the battle game (the date and time when the battle game is executed, the rewards that can be obtained when participating in the battle game, the rewards that can be obtained when winning the battle game, the rewards that can be obtained when losing the battle game, the game title of the battle game, etc.). Further, the notification unit 214 may determine the content of the rewards (in-game currency, items, etc.) to be given to the first player and the second player based on the request status from the spectator, and notify the determined content of the rewards as information (battle conditions) regarding the battle game. In this case, after the end of the battle game, the processing unit 200 gives the rewards of the content determined by the notification unit 214 to the first player and the second player. Further, when the first player and the second player accept or reject participation in the battle game, the processing unit 200 may notify the spectator to that effect.

[0041] The spectator control unit 216 presents to the spectator at least a part of the content of the ongoing battle game in which the first player and the second player participate in a manner that can be grasped. For example, the spectator control unit 216 generates at any time the information necessary for viewing the game screen of the battle game based on the player operation information, game progress status, etc. transmitted from the terminal 10 of the first player and the terminal 10 of the second player, and transmits it to the terminal 10 of the spectator.

[0042] FIG. 3 shows an example of the functional block diagram of the terminal 10 of the present embodiment. Note that the terminal of the present embodiment may have a configuration in which some of the components (each part) in FIG. 3 are omitted.

[0043] The input unit 150 is a device for inputting (detecting) input information from the player, and outputs the player input information (operation information) to the processing unit 100. The function of the input unit 150 can be realized by input devices such as a touch panel, a touch pad, a mouse, direction keys, buttons, and a keyboard.

[0044] The memory unit 170 stores a program and various data for causing a computer to function as each part of the processing unit 100, and functions as a work area of the processing unit 100, and its function can be realized by a hard disk, a RAM, or the like.

[0045] The display unit 190 outputs a game image generated by the processing unit 100, and its function can be realized by a display such as a touch panel, an LCD, or an HMD (head-mounted display) that also functions as the input unit 150.

[0046] The sound output unit 192 outputs the sound generated by the processing unit 100, and its function can be realized by a speaker or headphones.

[0047] The communication unit 196 performs various controls for communicating with the server 20 and other terminals 10, and its function can be realized by hardware such as various processors or communication ASICs, or a program.

[0048] Note that a program and various data for causing a computer to function as each part of the processing unit 100 stored in the information storage medium or the memory unit of the server 20 may be received via a network and stored in the memory unit 170. Even when a program and various data are received in this way to cause the terminal to function, it is included in the scope of the present invention.

[0049] The processing unit 100 (processor) performs processes such as a game progress process, an image generation process, and a sound generation process based on input information (operation information) from the input unit 150, a program, data received via the communication unit 196, and the like. The function of the processing unit 100 can be realized by hardware such as various processors (CPU, DSP, etc.), ASIC (gate array, etc.), or a program. The processing unit 100 of the player's terminal 10 includes a game control unit 110, an image generation unit 120, and a sound generation unit 130.

[0050] The game control unit 110 executes (performs control to advance) a battle game based on the operations of the player and the operations of other players participating in the battle game (operation information from the terminals 10 of said other players). When the game control unit 110 of the player's terminal 10 starts the game, it transmits information for notifying that the game has started to the server 20, and during the game, it transmits the player's operation information and the game progress status to the server 20 at any time. The server 20 performs spectator control processing and update processing of various data associated with each player based on the information transmitted from the terminals 10 of each player participating in the battle game.

[0051] Also, the game control unit 110 of the spectator's terminal 10 transmits to the server 20 information for designating a combination of a first player and a second player participating in the battle game based on the operations of the spectator, and information regarding a request (such as a vote or a donation) for the combination set by the setting unit 210. Further, the game control unit 110 of the spectator's terminal 10 transmits information for notifying (requesting) the start of viewing the battle game to the server 20, and based on the information transmitted from the server 20 in response thereto, performs control to display the game screen of the battle game on the display unit 190.

[0052] The image generation unit 120 performs drawing processing based on the results of various processes performed by the processing unit 100, thereby generating a game image and outputting it to the display unit 190. The image generation unit 120 may generate an image (so-called three-dimensional image) visible from a virtual camera (a given viewpoint) within the object space (game space).

[0053] The sound generation unit 130 performs sound processing based on the results of various processes performed by the processing unit 100, generates game sounds such as BGM, sound effects, or voices, and outputs them to the sound output unit 192.

[0054] Further, the game system of this embodiment may be configured as a server system. The server system can be composed of one or more servers (such as an authentication server, a game processing server, a communication server, a billing server, a database server, etc.). In this case, the server system performs the processing of the processing unit 100 based on operation inputs (data input to the input unit of the terminal) transmitted from one or more terminals (for example, smartphones, mobile phones, portable game machines, etc.) connected via a network, generates image generation data for generating an image, and transmits the generated image generation data to each terminal. Here, the image generation data refers to data for displaying the image generated by the method of this embodiment on each terminal, and may be the image data itself or various data (object data, game processing result data, etc.) used by each terminal to generate an image. Thus, the processing of the game control unit 110, the setting unit 210, the determination unit 212, the notification unit 214, and the spectator control unit 216 may be configured to be all executed by the server, or all executed by the terminal, or configured to be distributed and executed by the server and the terminal. The present invention can be applied to game apps executed on smartphones, game software for home game machines, game software for PCs, browser games for smartphones and PCs, business game machines, and the like.

[0055] 2. Method of this embodiment Next, the method of this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The game system of this embodiment is configured such that a spectator sets a combination of a first player and a second player participating in a battle game, another spectator votes (requests) for the set combination, and when the voting situation (request situation) satisfies a predetermined condition, the battle game related to the combination is executed. Hereinafter, mainly, the case of executing a battle game in which the first player and the second player battle will be described.

[0056] The viewer can access the server 20 from the terminal 10 and specify a combination of a first player and a second player that the viewer desires on the setting screen displayed on the display unit 190 of the terminal 10. For example, on the setting screen, the viewer can first input the player ID or the like of the desired player, or select the desired player from a list of players (for example, a list of players who are in a friend relationship with the viewer, a list of player rankings, a list of players who participated in the most recent match) to specify the first player. When the viewer specifies the first player, on the server 20, candidates (extracted) for the second player who will be the opponent of the specified first player are determined from among the registered multiple players, and the determined candidates are displayed on the setting screen. In the example shown in FIG. 4, on the setting screen SI, as a result of the viewer specifying player "A" as the first player, players "B", "D", "E", etc. are determined as candidates CA for the opponent of player "A". When the viewer selects, for example, player "B" from among the candidates CA displayed on the setting screen SI and operates the setting button SB, the combination of player "A" and player "B" is set and registered. Here, the determination of the opponent candidates (combination candidates) is made based on the player information of each player. For example, referring to the personal schedule (the available dates and times, free time set by the player himself / herself) of the specified player "A" and other players, the match results (for example, the number of wins and losses, win rate, rank based on the match results in the past (or most recent) match), and popularity (for example, rank based on the number of viewers in the past match), players who have matching available dates and times with player "A" and whose match results and popularity are equivalent to those of player "A" are determined (extracted) as candidates for the opponent of player "A". Also, when the player's desired reward amount (minimum reward amount) is set as the player information, players with a minimum reward amount equivalent to that of player "A" may be preferentially extracted. Further, when the participation rate in the battle game (the ratio of the number of times actually participating in the match out of the number of times the match was established) is set as the player information, players with a high participation rate may be preferentially extracted.By doing so, it is possible to save the trouble for viewers to search for players and improve convenience. Note that the viewer may directly specify both the first player and the second player. Further, in addition to the combination of the first player and the second player participating in the battle game, the viewer may be able to specify the characters used by each of the first player and the second player in the battle game, and the game title of the battle game.

[0057] When the combination of the first player and the second player is set, the display unit 19 of the terminal 10 On the voting screen (a screen for receiving votes from spectators) displayed at 0, the set combination is displayed for a predetermined period. In the example shown in FIG. 5, on the voting screen VI, as the set combination of the first player and the second player, combinations such as player "A" and player "B", player "A" and player "E", player "C" and player "F", etc. are displayed. On the voting screen VI, a voting button VB for voting is displayed in association with each combination. When a spectator operates the voting button VB corresponding to any combination, the number of votes (an example of the demand situation) managed in association with the combination increases by "1". Note that it may be assumed that a spectator who has specified the set combination has voted for the combination, and the number of votes for the combination may be set to "1" at the stage when the combination is set. Also, when a spectator votes for a combination including a player who has a predetermined relationship (such as a friend relationship) with the spectator, the increase amount of the number of votes may be made larger than when voting for a combination including a player who does not have a predetermined relationship. For example, when a spectator votes for the combination of player "A" and player "B", if the spectator has no predetermined relationship with either player "A" or player "B", the number of votes for the combination increases by "1" due to the vote, and if the spectator has a predetermined relationship with either player "A" or player "B", the number of votes for the combination increases by "5" due to the vote. Also, when a spectator votes for a set combination, the spectator may vote for any one of the players in the combination that the spectator expects to win (vote by predicting the winner). In this case, the value obtained by adding the number of votes predicting one player in the set combination as the winner and the number of votes predicting the other player as the winner is the number of votes for the combination.

[0058] Alternatively (or in addition to) allowing spectators to vote for the set combinations, spectators may be allowed to make donations to the set combinations. For example, on the voting screen VI, when a spectator operates a voting button VB corresponding to any combination, as shown in FIG. 6, a dialog DL for specifying the amount of the donation is displayed. When the spectator inputs an amount in the input area IA within the dialog DL and operates the execute button RB, the in-game currency held by the spectator is consumed (decreased) by the input amount (in the example shown in FIG. 6, "100"), and the total amount of donations (an example of the request status) managed in association with the combination increases by the input amount. In this case, the number of spectators who have made donations (an example of the request status) managed in association with the combination may be increased by "1".

[0059] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of table information for managing the request status for the set combinations. This table information is stored in the storage unit 272. The table information 300 shown in FIG. 7 stores the request status (here, the number of votes) in association with the set combination of the first player and the second player. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the number of votes for the combination of player "A" and player "B" is "10,000", the number of votes for the combination of player "A" and player "E" is "10", and the number of votes for the combination of player "C" and player "F" is "100". When a spectator predicts the winner and votes, the number of votes predicting the first player as the winner and the number of votes predicting the second player as the winner may be stored separately. Also, instead of (or in addition to) the number of votes, the total amount of donations or the number of spectators who have made donations may be stored.

[0060] Here, when the number of votes for a set combination reaches a predetermined number within a predetermined period (the predetermined period from the time when the combination is set), it is determined that the demand situation for the combination satisfies the predetermined conditions, and the execution of the battle game for the combination is determined. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 7, if the number of votes required to satisfy the predetermined conditions is "10,000", the number of votes for the combination of player "A" and player "B" satisfies the predetermined conditions, and the execution of the battle game in which player "A" and player "B" participate (battle) is determined. In addition, when the total amount of donations for the set combination reaches a predetermined amount within a predetermined period, or when the number of spectators who have made donations for the set combination reaches a predetermined number within a predetermined period, it may be determined that the demand situation for the combination satisfies the predetermined conditions.

[0061] Also, the predetermined conditions may be changed according to the player information (rank based on battle results, popularity, etc.) of the set first player and second player. For example, the higher the rank and popularity of the set first player and second player respectively, the larger the number of votes (or the total amount of donations, the number of spectators who have made donations) required to satisfy the predetermined conditions may be. In this way, by making it so that the predetermined conditions are not satisfied unless the number of votes is large in a battle between players with high ranks and popularity (a large number of votes are expected), the conditions for establishing the execution of the battle game can be optimized.

[0062] When it is determined that a battle game of a set combination will be executed, information regarding the battle game is notified to the first player and the second player related to the combination. For example, when it is determined that a battle game in which player "A" and player "B" play against each other will be executed, a notification screen NI as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the display unit 190 of each of the terminals 10 of player "A" and player "B". On the notification screen NI, as information regarding the battle game, a message indicating that the battle game will be executed, the date and time of the execution of the battle game (battle date and time), the reward that the players participating in the battle game can obtain (participation reward), and the reward that the player who wins the battle game can obtain (victory reward) are displayed. The example shown in FIG. 8 indicates that "5,000" in-game currency is given as the participation reward and "10,000" in-game currency is given as the victory reward. Here, the content of the rewards (participation reward, victory reward) given to the players may be determined based on the request status from the spectators. For example, the larger the number of votes for the combination of player "A" and player "B", the larger the amount of the rewards given to player "A" and player "B" may be. Also, when spectators can make donations, the larger the number of spectators (or the total amount of donations) who have made donations for the combination of player "A" and player "B", the larger the amount of the rewards given to player "A" and player "B" may be. For example, the total amount of donations for the combination of player "A" and player "B" may be used as the source of the rewards given to player "A" and player "B". In addition, other bonuses from the organizer of the battle game (such as the operator of the game system, the promoter of the battle game, the investor, the sponsor, etc.) may be used as the source of the rewards. Also, when spectators can predict and specify the winner at the time of voting, for example, when the number of votes predicting player "A" as the winner is larger than the number of votes predicting player "B" as the winner, the amount of the victory reward given to player "B" may be larger than the amount of the victory reward given to player "A". In this way, by determining the content of the rewards given to the players based on the request status from the spectators and notifying them on the notification screen NI, it is possible to give the players an incentive to participate in the battle game.

[0063] When a player who has received the notification operates the approval button AB displayed on the notification screen NI, information indicating that the player has approved to participate in the battle game is transmitted to the server 20. When both the first player and the second player have approved within a predetermined period, the execution of the battle game is officially determined, and the battle is carried out at the notified battle date and time (or within a predetermined period after the notification). Note that if the battle is not carried out within the predetermined period after the notification, it may be considered a draw. In this case, the planned reward given to the player is carried over to the next battle. When the battle is carried out, the battle game is executed on each of the terminals 10 of the first player and the second player, and the game image of the battle game being played by the first player and the second player is displayed on the display unit 190 of the spectator's terminal 10. When the battle game ends, a participation reward is given to the first player and the second player who participated in the battle game, and a victory reward is given to the player who won in the battle game. Also, a reward (a reward for realizing the battle game) may be given to the spectator who set the combination of the first player and the second player who participated in the battle game, or a reward (a reward for hitting the prediction) may be given to the player who voted predicting the victory of the player who won in the battle game. ) may be given, or a reward (a reward for hitting the prediction) may be given to the player who voted predicting the victory of the player who won in the battle game.

[0064] Notification of information regarding the battle game for the first player and the second player (display of the notification screen NI) may be performed after the end of the request reception period for receiving requests (voting, donations, etc.) from the spectators. Further, when the first player and the second player have committed (or rejected) to participate in the battle game, the fact may be notified to the spectators (a notification screen displaying the information to that effect may be displayed on the display unit 190 of the spectator's terminal 10). In this case, based on the request status of the spectators (the amount of in-game currency or points consumed as the consideration for the request, the relationship between the spectator and the first player or the second player), the content to be notified to the relevant spectator (the content of the notification itself, the timing of the notification) may be changed. For example, the greater the amount of in-game currency consumed by the spectator at the time of the request, the more luxurious the content notified to the spectator (for example, decorations are displayed on the notification screen, and the content of the text displayed on the notification screen becomes more detailed). The amount of in-game currency consumed at the time of the request may be the amount of the donation at the time of voting, or may be the amount of the donation without voting. Further, the greater the amount of in-game currency consumed by the spectator at the time of the request, the shorter the time from when the first player and the second player commit to participate until the spectator is notified (the priority of the notification is made higher than that of other spectators and the notification is made earlier). Also, when the spectator has a predetermined relationship (such as a friend relationship) with the first player or the second player, the content notified to the spectator may be made more luxurious, or the time from when the first player and the second player commit to participate until the spectator is notified may be shortened.

[0065] According to the present embodiment, by setting the combination of the first player and the second player designated by the spectator, receiving requests (such as voting) from the spectator for the combination, and notifying the first player and the second player of information regarding the battle game and executing the battle game when the request status from the spectator satisfies a predetermined condition, it is possible to realize, by the request from the spectator, a battle game in which the first player and the second player desired by the spectator participate.

[0066] In the above example, the case where a battle game is played between the first player and the second player has been described. However, the first player and the second player may belong to the same team, and a battle game may be played between the team and the third player. In this case, the third player may be a player determined in advance, or the third player may be determined based on the player information (such as battle results and popularity) of each of the first player and the second player. Also, a battle game may be played between the team to which the first player belongs and the team to which the second player belongs. In this case, the viewer may be allowed to specify only the combination of the first player and the second player, or may also be allowed to specify other players belonging to the team. For example, the viewer may be allowed to specify and set a combination of player "a" and player "b" belonging to the first team and player "c" and player "d" belonging to the second team.

[0067] The specification of the combination of the first player and the second player by the viewer and the request (such as voting) for the combination may be performed using a medium (such as an IC card) that stores information linked to the personal information of the viewer. In this case, the viewer causes the reading unit provided in the terminal 10 (such as a business-use game machine) to read the information stored in the medium, and when the information is transmitted to the server 20 and it is confirmed at the server 20 that the viewer is a registered viewer, the viewer can specify the combination and vote at the terminal 10.

[0068] 3. Processing Next, an example of the processing of the game system (server 20) of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 9.

[0069] First, the setting unit 210 determines whether it has received information from the terminal 10 indicating that an operation to specify a combination of a first player and a second player has been performed (step S10). If it has received the information (Y in step S10), it sets (registers in the table information 300) the combination of the first player and the second player specified by the operation (step S11).

[0070] Next, the determination unit 212 determines whether it has received information from the terminal 10 indicating that a request (such as a vote) for the set combination has been made (step S12). If it has received the information (Y in step S12), it updates the request status (such as the number of votes stored in the table information 300) for the set combination (step S13), and determines whether the request status satisfies a predetermined condition (step S14). If the request status for the set combination satisfies the predetermined condition (Y in step S14), the notification unit 214 notifies the first player and the second player related to the combination of information regarding the battle game (step S15).

[0071] The present invention is not limited to what is described in the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made. For example, terms cited as broad or synonymous terms in the description in the specification or drawings can be replaced with broad or synonymous terms in other descriptions in the specification or drawings.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0072] 10... Terminal, 20... Server, 100... Processing unit, 110... Game control unit, 120... Image generation unit, 130... Sound generation unit, 150... Input unit, 170... Storage unit, 190... Display unit, 192... Sound output unit, 196... Communication unit, 200... Processing unit, 210... Setting unit, 212... Determination unit, 214... Notification unit, 216... Spectator control unit, 270... Storage unit, 272... Storage part, 296... Communication unit

Claims

1. A game system for executing a competitive game in which a first player and a second player participate, comprising: a determination unit that receives a request for a combination of the first player and the second player from a spectator of the competitive game and determines whether or not a request state from the spectator satisfies a predetermined condition; When the request situation satisfies the predetermined condition, it is determined that the competitive game in which the first player and the second player participate is to be carried out.

2. A game system for executing a competitive game in which a first player and a second player participate, comprising: a determination unit that receives a request from a spectator of the competitive game for a combination of the first player and the second player specified by the spectator, and determines whether or not a state of the request from the spectator satisfies a predetermined condition; a notification unit that notifies the first player and the second player of information relating to the competitive game when the request status satisfies the predetermined condition.

3. In claim 1 or 2, The determination unit is A game system characterized in that a vote for a player who is predicted to win by the spectator among the players involved in the combination is accepted as a request for the combination.

4. In claim 3, A game system characterized in that a reward is given to the spectators who predicted and voted for the victory of the player who won the competitive game.

5. In claim 2, The determination unit is The candidate combinations presented to the spectators based on the player information of each player and receiving a request for the combination designated by the spectator.

6. In any one of claims 1 to 5, The game system is characterized in that the competitive game is a game in which the first player and the second player compete against each other.

7. In any one of claims 1 to 5, The game system is characterized in that the competitive game is a game in which a team to which the first player and the second player belong plays against a third player.

8. In any one of claims 1 to 5, The game system is characterized in that the competitive game is a game in which a team to which the first player belongs competes against a team to which the second player belongs.

9. In any one of claims 1 to 8, A game system, wherein the first player or the second player is a non-player character.

10. In any one of claims 1 to 9, A game system characterized in that the request status is at least one of the number of votes for the combination, the amount of consideration consumed for the combination, and the number of spectators who have consumed consideration for the combination.

11. In any one of claims 1 to 10, The determination unit is A game system comprising: a game unit configured to change the predetermined condition in accordance with player information of the first player and the second player.

12. In claim 2, The notification unit is A game system characterized by determining the content of rewards to be granted to the first player and the second player based on the request status, and notifying the first player and the second player of the determined content of rewards.

13. A server device that executes a competitive game in which a first player and a second player participate, a determination unit that receives a request for a combination of the first player and the second player from a spectator of the competitive game and determines whether or not a request state from the spectator satisfies a predetermined condition; a server device which determines, when the request status satisfies the predetermined condition, that the competitive game in which the first player and the second player participate will be held;

14. A server device that executes a competitive game in which a first player and a second player participate, a determination unit that receives a request from a spectator of the competitive game for a combination of the first player and the second player specified by the spectator, and determines whether or not a state of the request from the spectator satisfies a predetermined condition; a notification unit that notifies the first player and the second player of information related to the competitive game when the request status satisfies the predetermined condition. Place.

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