Server system, terminal device and providing method

Abstract

To provide a new technique capable of suppressing inconvenience caused by a difference in game play specifications between terminal devices in executing an online game.SOLUTION: A server system 1100 provides an online game where users of terminal devices enjoy playing a game in a common game space. In the server system 1100, a terminal type determination part 231 determines on the basis of game play specifications whether a terminal device is a first type terminal device or a second type terminal device. A first providing part 253 provides a first type terminal device with image processing information for first type view point related to a first type view point to be a generation base point of the first type game image display-controlled by the first type terminal device. A second providing part 255 provides the second type terminal device with image processing information for a second type view point related to a second type view point to be a generation base point of the second type game image display-controlled by the second type terminal device, the second type view point different from the first type view point in one of a photography possible range, a view point person, and a photography resolution of the common game space.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a server system for providing online games. [Background technology]

[0002] As a technique for suppressing problems caused by differences in communication environments when playing an online game in which multiple users participate, a technique for setting a game mode for each game device depending on its communication quality is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). With the technique in Patent Document 1, a game device with good communication quality displays an image of the game space on the screen and runs the game in an action mode in which the user controls characters within the game space. On the other hand, a game device with poor communication quality runs the game in a text mode in which the situation in the game space is simply displayed using text or the like and characters are AI-controlled in response to operations such as selecting a strategy. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-73266 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the technology of Patent Document 1, all that is displayed on a text-mode game device is text indicating the current game situation. As a result, the user's gaming experience when playing in text mode is so poor that it is questionable whether they can even enjoy participating in an online game, resulting in a lack of interest.

[0005] Furthermore, while the above-described conventional technology proposes one solution to the problem of differences in communication environments, particularly communication speed, there may be various differences in the playing environment of users participating in online games other than communication speed. For example, there may be differences in the communication processing capabilities and computing capabilities of terminal devices. In this specification, the performance and specifications related to the game playing environment are referred to as "game play specifications."

[0006] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a new technology that can suppress problems that arise when playing an online game due to differences in game play specifications between terminal devices. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A first invention for solving the above problem is a server system (for example, the server system 1100 in FIG. 1) that provides an online game in which users of terminal devices (for example, the terminal device 1500 in FIG. 1) can enjoy playing games in a shared game space, the terminal devices include a first-type terminal device and a second-type terminal device having different game play specifications, and the server system includes terminal type determination means (for example, the terminal type determination unit 231 in FIG. 9) that determines whether the terminal device is the first-type terminal device or the second-type terminal device based on the game play specifications, and a terminal type determination unit that determines whether the first-type game image is the first-type terminal device or the second-type terminal device based on the game play specifications. a first providing means (e.g., a first providing unit 253 in FIG. 9) that provides the first-type terminal device with image processing information for a first-type viewpoint related to a first-type viewpoint that captures an image of the shared game space, and a second providing means (e.g., a second providing unit 255 in FIG. 9) that provides the second-type terminal device with image processing information for a second-type viewpoint that captures an image of the shared game space and serves as a base point for generating a second-type game image whose display is controlled by the second-type terminal device, and that differs from the first-type viewpoint in any of the captureable range of the shared game space, the viewpoint, and the image capturing resolution.

[0008] According to a first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to determine whether a terminal device of each user who shares a game space and plays an online game is a first-type terminal device or a second-type terminal device based on the game play specifications of the terminal device. The game play specifications can be, for example, any one of communication processing capacity, computing processing capacity, the type of OS (Operating System), and communication speed with the server system. The first-type terminal device can be provided with image processing information for a first-type viewpoint for displaying a first-type game image, which is an image of the shared game space, seen from a first-type viewpoint. On the other hand, the second-type terminal device can be provided with image processing information for a second-type viewpoint for displaying a second-type game image seen from a second-type viewpoint that differs from the first-type viewpoint in terms of the captureable range, viewpoint, and capture resolution of the shared game space. This allows each terminal device to display an image of the shared game space according to the game play specifications, thereby preventing problems caused by differences in game play specifications between terminal devices.

[0009] In addition, a second invention is a server system of the first invention, further comprising a game progress control means (e.g., the game progress control unit 240 in FIG. 9) that controls the progress of the online game that is commonly progressed in the shared game space based on operation input information for the first type game image acquired from the first type terminal device and operation input information for the second type game image acquired from the second type terminal device.

[0010] According to the second aspect of the present invention, an online game can be realized that progresses in a shared game space shared by users based on operation input information from each user on the first type terminal device and the second type terminal device.

[0011] A third invention is a server system according to the second invention, wherein the game progress control means controls the progress of the online game at X-second intervals, the frame rate of the first type terminal device is at N-second intervals that are equal to or greater than X seconds, and the frame rate of the second type terminal device is at M-second intervals that are equal to or greater than N seconds.

[0012] According to the third invention, game progress control is executed at X second intervals, and image processing information for a first type of viewpoint is provided to a first type of terminal device having a frame rate at N second intervals (N≧X), and image processing information for a second type of viewpoint is provided to a second type of terminal device having a frame rate at M second intervals (M≧N).

[0013] A fourth invention is a server system according to the second or third invention, wherein the second type terminal device has inferior game play specifications compared to the first type terminal device, the game progress control means executes progress control of the online game at X second intervals, the first providing means provides the image processing information for the first type viewpoint at N second intervals that are equal to or greater than X seconds, and the second providing means provides the image processing information for the second type viewpoint at M second intervals that are equal to or greater than N seconds.

[0014] According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, game progress control is executed at X second intervals, image processing information for a first type of viewpoint is provided to a first type of terminal device at N second intervals (N≧X), and image processing information for a second type of viewpoint is provided to a second type of terminal device whose game play specifications are inferior to those of the first type of terminal device at M second intervals (M≧N).

[0015] A fifth invention is a server system according to any one of the first to fourth inventions, wherein the second type terminal device has inferior gameplay specifications compared to the first type terminal device, the first type terminal device has an image generation function, the first providing means provides the first type terminal device with basic data for image generation for generating an image of the shared game space based on the first type viewpoint, the basic data being included at least in image processing information for the first type viewpoint, and the second providing means provides the second type terminal device with data for the image of the shared game space based on the second type viewpoint, the data being included at least in image processing information for the second type viewpoint.

[0016] According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, basic data for image generation is provided to a first type terminal device, thereby allowing the first type terminal device to generate and display an image of a shared game space based on a first type viewpoint. On the other hand, data of an image of a shared game space based on a second type viewpoint is provided to a second type terminal device having game play specifications inferior to those of the first type terminal device, and the image can be displayed on the second type terminal device.

[0017] A sixth invention is a server system of any of the first to fifth inventions, wherein the second type terminal device has inferior game play specifications compared to the first type terminal device, the first providing means provides the first type terminal device with image processing information for the first type viewpoint, with the first type viewpoint being a first-person viewpoint or a third-person viewpoint, and the second providing means provides the second type terminal device with image processing information for the second type viewpoint, with the second type viewpoint being a bird's-eye view.

[0018] According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, a first type terminal device is provided with image processing information for a first type viewpoint, which is a first-person viewpoint or a third-person viewpoint, and a second type terminal device having gameplay specifications inferior to those of the first type terminal device is provided with image processing information for a second type viewpoint, which is a bird's-eye view viewpoint.

[0019] A seventh invention is a server system according to any one of the first to fourth inventions, wherein the second type terminal device has inferior game play specifications compared to the first type terminal device, the first type terminal device has first type character data relating to characters appearing in the online game and an image generation function for generating images using the first type character data, the second type terminal device has second type character data relating to characters appearing in the online game, the second type character data having lower image quality than the first type character data, and an image generation function for generating images using the second type character data, the first providing means provides the first type terminal device with basic data for image generation for generating images of the shared game space based on the first type viewpoint, the basic data being included at least in the image processing information for the first type viewpoint, and the second providing means provides the second type terminal device with basic data for image generation for generating images of the shared game space based on the second type viewpoint, the basic data being included at least in the image processing information for the second type viewpoint.

[0020] According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a first type terminal device with basic image generation data for generating an image of a shared game space based on a first type viewpoint using first type character data, while it is possible to provide a second type terminal device having game play specifications inferior to those of the first type terminal device with basic image generation data for generating an image of a shared game space based on a second type viewpoint using second type character data of lower image quality than the first type character data.

[0021] An eighth invention is a server system according to any one of the first to seventh inventions, wherein the second type terminal device has inferior gameplay specifications compared to the first type terminal device, and further comprises: an acceptance request control means (e.g., the acceptance request control unit 257 in FIG. 9) that controls to notify a user of a terminal device determined by the terminal type determination device to be the second type terminal device of an acceptance request that the second providing means will provide the second type viewpoint image processing information; and a rejection response time control means (e.g., the rejection response time control unit 259 in FIG. 9) that, when a rejection response is made to the acceptance request, controls to notify the user of the terminal device that a malfunction in game play may occur, and causes the terminal device to provide the first type viewpoint image processing information by the first providing means instead of providing the second type viewpoint image processing information by the second providing means.

[0022] According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, a user of a terminal device determined to be a second-type terminal device whose gameplay specifications are inferior to those of a first-type terminal device can be notified of a consent request to be provided with second-type viewpoint image processing information. Then, if a user refuses to be provided with second-type viewpoint image processing information, it is possible to provide first-type viewpoint image processing information to the user's terminal device after notifying the user that a problem may occur in gameplay.

[0023] A ninth invention is a server system of any one of the first to eighth inventions, wherein the game play specifications include a communication speed, and the terminal type determination means dynamically determines whether the terminal device is the first type terminal device or the second type terminal device based on the communication speed.

[0024] According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to change whether a terminal device is a first-type terminal device or a second-type terminal device at any time based on the communication speed with the server system during an online game.

[0025] In addition, a tenth invention is a server system of any of the first to ninth inventions, further comprising a first type event execution control means (for example, a first type event execution control unit 241 in Figure 9) that controls the execution of a first type event in the shared game space that is targeted only at users of the first type terminal device.

[0026] According to the tenth aspect, a first event can be executed in the shared game space, the first event being targeted only at users of first type terminal devices.

[0027] An eleventh invention is a server system according to any one of the first to tenth inventions, wherein the second type terminal device has inferior game play specifications compared to the first type terminal device, and further comprises an introduction image display control means (e.g., the game management unit 230 in FIG. 9) that causes the second type terminal device to display and control an introduction image of the first type game image that is display-controlled in the first type terminal device.

[0028] According to the eleventh aspect, an introductory image of the first type game image displayed on the first type terminal device can be displayed on the second type terminal device whose game play specifications are inferior to those of the first type terminal device.

[0029] In addition, a twelfth invention is a server system of any of the first to eleventh inventions, further comprising a role assignment control means (for example, the role assignment control unit 251 of Figure 9) that sets the role in the game play of the user of the first type terminal device to a first type role, and sets the role in the game play of the user of the second type terminal device to a second type role different from the first type role.

[0030] According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, different roles in game play can be assigned to a user of a first type terminal device and a user of a second type terminal device.

[0031] In addition, a 13th invention is a server system of any of the 1st to 12th inventions, further comprising a character movement range control means for determining the range in which a character of a user who has newly logged in to the online game can move in the shared game space, using the distribution of characters operated by users of the first type terminal devices and / or the distribution of characters operated by users of the second type terminal devices in the shared game space.

[0032] According to the thirteenth aspect, when a terminal device newly logs in, the movable range of the character related to that terminal device can be variably determined using the distribution in the shared game space of the characters operated by the user of the first type terminal device and the characters operated by the user of the second type terminal device.

[0033] A fourteenth aspect of the present invention is a game system configured by a server system that provides an online game in which each user enjoys gameplay in a shared game space on their own terminal device, and the terminal devices in the game system are communicatively connected to the terminal devices, the terminal devices including a first type terminal device and a second type terminal device having different game play specifications, the server system including: a terminal type determination means that determines whether the terminal device is the first type terminal device or the second type terminal device based on the game play specifications; a first providing means that provides the first type terminal device with first type viewpoint image processing information relating to a first type viewpoint for capturing an image of the shared game space that serves as a base point for generating a first type game image that is display-controlled by the first type terminal device; and a second providing means for providing the second-type terminal device with image processing information for a second-type viewpoint, the second-type viewpoint relating to a second-type viewpoint that is different from the first-type viewpoint in any of the following: a second-type viewpoint for capturing an image of the shared game space that serves as a base point for generating a second-type game image whose display is controlled by the terminal device; the second-type viewpoint being different from the first-type viewpoint in any of the captureable range of the shared game space, the viewpoint persona, and the capture resolution; and when the terminal device receives the image processing information for the first-type viewpoint from the first providing means of the server system, the terminal device generates a game image based on the image processing information for the first-type viewpoint, and when the terminal device receives image processing information for the second-type viewpoint from the second providing means of the server system, the terminal device generates a game image based on the image processing information for the second-type viewpoint, and controls the display of the game screen.

[0034] According to the fourteenth aspect, when the terminal device receives image processing information for a first type of viewpoint from the server system, the terminal device can generate an image of the shared game space seen from the first type of viewpoint as a game image and control the display of the game screen. Also, when the terminal device receives image processing information for a second type of viewpoint from the server system, the terminal device can generate an image of the shared game space seen from the second type of viewpoint as a game image and control the display of the game screen.

[0035] Further, a fifteenth invention is a method for providing an online game in which a computer system provides a game in which users of terminal devices enjoy gameplay in a shared game space shared by the users of the terminal devices, the terminal devices including a first type terminal device and a second type terminal device having different gameplay specifications, the method including: a terminal type determination step (e.g., step S106 in FIG. 12 ) of determining whether the terminal device is the first type terminal device or the second type terminal device based on the gameplay specifications; a first provision step of providing the first type terminal device with first-type viewpoint image processing information relating to a first type viewpoint for capturing an image of the shared game space that serves as a base point for generating a first type game image whose display is controlled by the first type terminal device; and a second provision step of providing the second type terminal device with second-type viewpoint image processing information relating to a second type viewpoint for capturing an image of the shared game space that serves as a base point for generating a second type game image whose display is controlled by the second type terminal device, the second type viewpoint being different from the first type viewpoint in any of the image capturing range, viewpoint, and image capturing resolution of the shared game space.

[0036] According to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, a providing method that has the same effect as the first aspect of the present invention can be realized. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0037] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a game system. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an outline of the processing flow relating to the display of game images. [Figure 3] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing examples of settings of a user's role, viewpoint, shooting range, and frame rate depending on whether the terminal device is a first-type terminal device or a second-type terminal device. [Figure 4] 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating the provision of image processing information and the display of game images using the image processing information. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display example of a first type game image. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display example of a second type game image. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a consent request notification screen. [Figure 8]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a warning screen. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a server system. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of in-play data. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a terminal device. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart showing a processing flow in the server system. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of game processing. [Figure 14] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of game processing in a modified example. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display example of an introduction image. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of setting a movable area. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0038] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 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. In addition, in the description of the drawings, the same parts are given the same reference numerals.

[0039] [Overall configuration] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a game system 1000 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the game system 1000 is a computer system including a server system 1100 and a terminal device 1500 owned by a user of the game according to this embodiment, which are connected via a network 9 so as to be able to communicate data with each other.

[0040] The network 9 refers to a communication path that allows data communication. That is, 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 communication network such as a telephone communication network, a cable network, or the Internet, and the communication method may be either wired or wireless.

[0041] The server system 1100 is a computer system including a main device 1101, a keyboard 1106, a touch panel 1108, and storage 1140. 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, RAM and ROM, and a communication device 1153 are mounted. Note that part or all of the control board 1150 may be realized by an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or an SoC (System on a Chip).

[0042] The server system 1100 performs computations based on predetermined programs and data using the CPU 1151 and other components, thereby realizing a user management function related to user registration and a game management function that provides data necessary for playing the game on the terminal device 1500 and manages execution control of the game on the terminal device 1500. In other words, the game in this embodiment is realized as a kind of client-server online game. Users access the server system 1100 with their own terminal device 1500, log in using an account (user ID) issued to them, and enjoy the online game. In the game of this embodiment, users who participate in (enter) the game select a group to belong to upon login, and are divided into multiple groups (e.g., two groups, a red team and a blue team), and battle in a shared game space. Take, for example, a game in which battle characters appear, and users (more specifically, users who become battle players, as described below) control their own battle characters to battle against battle characters on the opposing team.

[0043] 1, the server system 1100 may be configured to include multiple blade servers each assigned to one function, connected to each other via an internal bus for data communication. Alternatively, the server system 1100 may be configured to function as a whole as multiple independent servers installed in remote locations communicating data via the network 9.

[0044] The terminal device 1500 is a computer system that functions as a man-machine interface, and is connected to the network 9 via a communication base station or the like, and can perform data communication with the server system 1100. The terminal device 1500 can take various forms, as exemplified in Fig. 1. Specifically, the terminal device 1500 can take the form of, for example, a smartphone, 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.

[0045] The terminal device 1500 stores a game client program and various setting data required for executing the program (hereinafter collectively referred to as "terminal-side data"). The terminal-side data is downloaded from the server system 1100 at an appropriate timing. It may also be configured to be read from a separately obtained storage medium such as a memory card. The terminal device 1500 performs calculations based on the terminal-side data to display an image of the shared game space (game image), and accepts game operations, allowing the user to play the game.

[0046] Here, a general process flow of the server system 1100 and the terminal device 1500 related to displaying game images in this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. In this embodiment, the server system 1100 repeatedly executes each process of steps S11 to S19 in Fig. 2 at intervals of X seconds (for example, X = 1 / 60 seconds), which is the interval for controlling the progress of the game.

[0047] That is, the server system 1100 acquires operation input information for game operations from the terminal device 1500 of each user participating in the game (step S11). Next, based on the operation input information of each user, the progress of the game that is being progressed commonly in the shared game space is controlled (step S13). At that time, if it is the timing to trigger a first-type event or a second-type event described below, the execution of the event is controlled. Specifically, the server system 1100 controls objects such as characters controlled by users, such as a fighting character or a reconnaissance plane character described below, background objects, and effects, and processes related to hit determination and damage determination of attacks in a battle between fighting characters, and their reflection. Then, the server system 1100 controls the viewpoint for each user that serves as the base point for generating a game image and captures the shared game space (step S15).

[0048] Next, basic data for image generation is generated (step S17) for generating an image of the shared game space reconstructed based on the results of the game progress control, viewed from the viewpoint of each user controlled in step S15, and this data is included in image processing information related to the viewpoint and provided to each terminal device 1500 (step S19). The basic data for image generation is data required for each terminal device 1500 to generate an image of the shared game space viewed from the viewpoint of that user as a game image, and includes data such as the position coordinates of objects such as characters and background objects, and the vertex coordinates of polygons that form the objects.

[0049] Meanwhile, the terminal device 1500 repeatedly executes each process of steps S21 to S25 at a predetermined frame rate. That is, the terminal device 1500 constructs and updates a shared game space by arranging various objects based on image processing information (basic data for image generation) provided from the server system 1100 at any time (step S21), and generates a game image by rendering an image of the shared game space seen from the viewpoint of the user of the terminal device 1500 (step S23). Then, the terminal device 1500 displays the game image generated in step S23 (step S25).

[0050] For this reason, each terminal device 1500 stores, as part of its terminal-side data, 1) character data prepared for each character appearing in the game, which includes model data, texture data representing the character's appearance, motion data used to control the character's movements, the character's type, initial values ​​of ability parameters, stamina values, etc., and 2) game space setting data for the shared game space, such as setting data for a coordinate system that defines the shared game space, and position coordinates, posture, model data, and texture data for objects such as background objects. Also, 3) a program for generating game images using character data and game space setting data based on basic data for image generation provided as image processing information from the server system 1100 is stored as a game client program. Execution of this game client program realizes the image generation function of the terminal device 1500.

[0051] [detail] As described above, the terminal device 1500 can take various forms as exemplified with reference to Fig. 1, and therefore, the terminal devices 1500 of the users participating in the game may be a mixture of terminal devices with different game play specifications, such as communication processing capabilities, calculation processing capabilities, the type of OS (Operating System) installed, and communication speed with the server system 1100. Therefore, if all terminal devices 1500 are treated the same regardless of their individual game play specifications, problems may occur, such as a terminal device 1500 with low specifications not completing calculation processing within one frame time, resulting in so-called processing lag.

[0052] For example, if the terminal device 1500 is a home game console or a personal computer that communicates with the server system 1100 via a wired network connection, such as an optical communication cable, and is equipped with a CPU and GPU with relatively low processing power, it can display high-resolution game images at a high frame rate. However, if the terminal device 1500 is a smartphone that communicates with the server system 1100 via a wireless network connection, such as a mobile phone network, and is equipped with a CPU and GPU with relatively high processing power, attempting to display high-resolution game images at a high frame rate is likely to result in processing slowdowns. Furthermore, even if either the communication environment or processing power is good, if the other is insufficient, attempting to display high-resolution game images at a high frame rate is likely to result in processing slowdowns. Furthermore, a similar problem can occur if some kind of failure occurs during a game and communication speed temporarily decreases.

[0053] Therefore, the server system 1100 determines whether the terminal device 1500 of each user participating in the game is a first-type terminal device or a second-type terminal device whose gameplay specifications are inferior to those of the first-type terminal device. Then, the server system 1100 provides each terminal device 1500 with image processing information corresponding to the terminal type. Specifically, the server system 1100 determines a viewpoint for the user of each terminal device 1500, and arranges and controls the viewpoint as a viewpoint set according to the terminal type. Then, the server system 1100 provides the image processing information related to the viewpoint to the terminal device 1500 corresponding to the viewpoint. In this embodiment, a first-type role is assigned as a role in gameplay to a user of a first-type terminal device (hereinafter also referred to as a "first-type user"), and a second-type role different from the first-type role is assigned to a user of a second-type terminal device (hereinafter also referred to as a "second-type user") The viewpoint for the first type user (first type viewpoint) is set to a viewpoint that matches the first type role, and the viewpoint for the second type user (second type viewpoint) is set to a viewpoint that matches the second type role. Also, the frame rate of the second type terminal device is set to be lower than that of the first type terminal device.

[0054] Meanwhile, each terminal device 1500 stores in advance terminal-side data corresponding to the terminal type (i.e., content corresponding to the viewpoint setting for that user), thereby realizing the display of game images based on image processing information from the server system 1100. At that time, each terminal device 1500 controls the display of game images at a frame rate corresponding to the terminal type.

[0055] 1. Determining device type The server system 1100 performs a terminal type determination process when a game is executed, and determines whether the terminal device 1500 is a first-type terminal device or a second-type terminal device based on the game play specifications. In this embodiment, the determination process is performed before the game starts and dynamically during the game.

[0056] In the determination process before the game starts, the server system 1100 first notifies the terminal device 1500 of a user who is newly logging in to the game and joining the game in progress (joining user) of a request to send game play specification information. The terminal device 1500 that receives the transmission request transmits to the server system 1100 information such as the model of its own terminal, the model numbers of its CPU and GPU, and the communication environment of the terminal device 1500, including whether the network connection is wired or wireless, as game play specification information. The server system 1100 then determines the level of the game play specification of the terminal device 1500 based on the game play specification information thus acquired. For example, this can be achieved by previously setting the model of the terminal device 1500, the model number of the CPU, etc., the communication environment, or a combination thereof, as the terminal type determination criteria 551 (see FIG. 9 ) for each level of game play specification to be determined. When determining whether the level is high or low, it is possible to set a terminal type determination criterion 551 corresponding to a high level and determine whether the level is high or low based on whether the terminal type determination criterion 551 is met.

[0057] Furthermore, in the dynamic determination process during the game, the server system 1100 measures the communication speeds of terminal devices 1500 determined to be type 1 terminal devices in the determination process before the start of the game and terminal devices 1500 determined to be type 2 terminal devices in the determination process before the start of the game but changed to type 1 terminal devices after receiving a rejection response to an acceptance request notification (described later) at a predetermined measurement period. If the measurement results show that a terminal device 1500 satisfies a type change condition, the server system 1100 dynamically changes the type of the terminal device 1500. If the type change condition is set as a condition for changing from a type 1 terminal device to a type 2 terminal device, for example, the type change condition can be "the communication speed has fallen below a predetermined speed." In this case, if the communication speed of the terminal device 1500 recovers and no longer satisfies the type change condition, the server system 1100 dynamically changes the type of the terminal device 1500 to a type 1 terminal device.

[0058] 2. User roles and perspectives FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of setting a user's role, viewpoint, shooting range, and frame rate depending on whether the terminal device 1500 is a first-type terminal device or a second-type terminal device. As shown in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, a user of a first-type terminal device (a first-type user) is assigned a first-type role that involves direct combat in which the user confronts an enemy. The first-type user becomes a battle player who controls a fighting character, moves the player character within the shared game space, and challenges any fighting characters on the enemy team that the user encounters. Therefore, the first-type viewpoint for the first-type user is, for example, a third-person viewpoint that follows the player character (fighting character) controlled by the first-type user, and has a high-resolution shooting resolution. The frame rate of the first-type terminal device is set to an N-second interval, which is equal to or greater than X seconds, which is the interval for controlling the progress of the game in the server system 1100. For example, the frame rate can be set to 1 / 60 seconds, which is the same as the interval for controlling the progress of the game.

[0059] On the other hand, users of second-type terminal devices (second-type users) are assigned a second-type role, which is to support in battle. For example, the second-type users become support players who operate a reconnaissance plane character, separate from the battle character, as the player character, and support their own army's battle. Specifically, the second-type users operate the reconnaissance plane character, which flies at a predetermined altitude above the shared game space, as the player character, and grasp the battle situation, such as the positions, numbers, and distribution of the battle characters of their own army and the enemy army, as seen from the sky. Then, they use chat, voice chat, etc. as appropriate to communicate the grasped battle situation to first-type users (battle players) of their own army and other second-type users (support players).

[0060] Here, the game image displayed on the second-type terminal device during the game is an image of a reconnaissance plane character looking down on the shared game space in the sky (see FIG. 6). However, since the second-type user's role is to grasp the position of the opponent character, the second-type user can achieve his / her main objective and enjoy the thrill of participating in the online game even if the image is not displayed in high quality or with fine, detailed movements. Therefore, the second-type viewpoint for the second-type user is, for example, a viewpoint looking down on the shared game space from the sky (specifically, the position of the reconnaissance plane character controlled by the second-type user) (in this embodiment, this viewpoint is referred to as a "bird's-eye viewpoint"), and the shooting resolution is also low. The frame rate of the second-type terminal device is set to an interval of M seconds, which is equal to or greater than N seconds. For example, it can be set to an interval of 1 / 30 seconds.

[0061] Furthermore, the first and second viewpoints are set to have different shooting ranges. In this embodiment, the shooting range refers to the shooting distance range from the viewpoint. The shooting distance range refers to the depth of the view box when an image is generated based on the viewpoint. The shooting distance range of the first viewpoint is set narrower than the shooting distance range of the second viewpoint. The first viewpoint is a viewpoint for a battle player who faces off against an enemy fighting character, and is therefore set to enable sensitive recognition of even slight enemy movements from a relatively close distance as an image. On the other hand, the second viewpoint is a viewpoint for a support player who scouts the shared game space from above, and is therefore set to enable a wide range of view up to a relatively long distance to recognize the enemy's position from an image. It can also be said that the shooting ranges are set according to the roles. The shooting angle of view may be included in the shooting range, and the shooting angle of view of the first viewpoint and the shooting angle of view of the second viewpoint may be set to be different.

[0062] The shooting range may be set to a fixed value or may be changeable by the user during gameplay. For example, it is preferable to set the range of shooting distance from the first viewpoint to be changeable within a range from a close distance to a middle distance from the viewpoint, and set the range of shooting distance from the second viewpoint to be changeable within a range from a long distance from the viewpoint.

[0063] 3.Provision of image processing information FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the provision of image processing information and the display of a game image using the image processing information. Also, FIG. 5 shows an example of a game image (first type game image) displayed on a first type terminal device, and FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a game image (second type game image) displayed on a second type terminal device. When providing image processing information to each user's terminal device 1500, the server system 1100 performs a first providing process of providing the above-described basic data for image generation based on the first type viewpoint as image processing information relating to the first type viewpoint (image processing information for the first type viewpoint) to the first type terminal device. Also, the server system 1100 performs a second providing process of providing the above-described basic data for image generation based on the second type viewpoint as image processing information relating to the second type viewpoint (image processing information for the second type viewpoint) to the second type terminal device.

[0064] Specifically, the server system 1100 controls a first-type viewpoint for a first-type user in step S13 of Fig. 2. Also, in step S17, basic data for image generation based on a first-type viewpoint for the first-type user is generated, and in step S19, the basic data for image generation for the first-type user is provided to a first-type terminal device as image processing information for the first-type viewpoint, thereby performing a first providing process. Also, in step S13, the server system 1100 controls a second-type viewpoint for a second-type user. Also, in step S17, basic data for image generation based on a second-type viewpoint for the second-type user is generated, and in step S19, the basic data for image generation for the second-type user is provided to a second-type terminal device as image processing information for the second-type viewpoint, thereby performing a second providing process.

[0065] Meanwhile, the first type terminal device receives the image processing information for the first type viewpoint from the server system 1100, generates a high-resolution first type game image based on the first type viewpoint in step S23 of FIG. 2, and displays it in step S25. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, the first type terminal device displays a high-resolution image of the shared game space taken from the first type viewpoint, which is a third-person viewpoint, as the first type game image. The first type game image displays the player's own fighting character 11 and fighting characters 13 controlled by other users, as well as messages 15 such as the battle situation reported by second type users on the player's team. To display the first type game image, the first type terminal device stores at least first type terminal data 520, in which character data is high-quality first type character data 527, as shown in FIG. 4. For example, the first type character data 527 can be composed of model data with a large number of polygons, high-quality texture data, motion data defining delicate and smooth movements, and the like. Specifically, the first type terminal data 520 stores a first type game client program 521, and first type game setting data 523 such as first type game space setting data 525 and first type character data 527.

[0066] Meanwhile, the second-type terminal device receives the second-type viewpoint image processing information from the server system 1100, generates a low-resolution second-type game image based on the second-type viewpoint in step S23 of FIG. 2, and displays it in step S25. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, a low-resolution image of the shared game space captured from the second-type viewpoint, which is a bird's-eye view, is displayed on the second-type terminal device as a second-type game image. The first-type game image displays the player's own fighting character 11, the opponent's fighting character 13, etc., in the form of simple characters such as symbols or icons. In this embodiment, the second-type user can play a second-type event, which will be described later. Therefore, the second-type game image also displays the remaining number 17 of bomb items and the like that can be used in this second-type event. To display the second-type game image, the second-type terminal device stores second-type terminal data 530, in which character data is second-type character data 537, which has lower image quality than the first-type character data 527, as shown in FIG. 4. For example, it can be configured with rough model data with a small number of polygons, low-resolution texture data, motion data of general movements, etc. Specifically, the second type terminal data 530 stores a second type game client program 531, and second type game setting data 533 such as second type game space setting data 535 and second type character data 537.

[0067] 4. Event execution In this embodiment, the server system 1100 controls the execution of a first-type event that is targeted only at first-type users at a predetermined first-type activation timing during the game. For example, the server system 1100 controls the execution of a battle event in which the battle characters fight each other in close combat, using the timing when an encounter occurs between a battle character operated by a first-type user and a battle character of an enemy army as the first-type activation timing.

[0068] Furthermore, the server system 1100 controls the execution of a second-type event targeted only at second-type users at a predetermined second-type activation timing. For example, the server system 1100 randomly determines the second-type activation timing for each second-type user, and controls the execution of a bombing event, in which a bomb item can be dropped, as the second-type event for a predetermined time from the second-type activation timing. If the dropped bomb item can hit a fighting character, a given amount of damage can be inflicted on the fighting character.

[0069] 5. Regarding consent requests In this embodiment, the second-type user does not become a battle player and operate a battle character to battle an enemy character like the first-type user. Therefore, the server system 1100 performs control to notify the user of the terminal device 1500 determined to be a second-type terminal device in the determination process before the start of the game of a consent request to be provided with second-type viewpoint image processing information during the game.

[0070] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an acceptance request notification screen W1 displayed on the terminal device 1500 that has received the notification. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the acceptance request notification screen W1 displays a message informing the terminal device 1500 that simple image processing information for a second-type viewpoint will be provided to the terminal device 1500. The acceptance request notification screen W1 may also notify the user that they will play the game by controlling a reconnaissance plane character flying in the sky and playing a supporting role in combat, that the image of the shared game space displayed will be a low-resolution second-type game image seen from the position of the reconnaissance plane character, and that they will not be able to play battle events. The acceptance request notification screen W1 has an acceptance response button B11 and a rejection response button B13 arranged thereon. The user selects the acceptance response button B11 if they accept the notification, or the rejection response button B13 if they reject the notification, to respond to the acceptance request.

[0071] Then, when the terminal device 1500 makes a rejection response to the acceptance request, that is, when the server system 1100 detects a selection operation of the rejection response button B13 on the acceptance request notification screen W1, the server system 1100 performs control to notify the user of the terminal device 1500 that a malfunction may occur in game play. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a warning screen W2 displayed on the terminal device 1500 that has received the notification. As shown in FIG. 8, the warning screen W2 displays a message warning of the occurrence of a malfunction. Then, the server system 1100 changes the terminal type of the terminal device 1500 to a first-type terminal device based on the notification control. Through this processing, first-type viewpoint image processing information is provided to the terminal device 1500 by the first providing processing during the game.

[0072] [Function Configuration] 1. Server system Fig. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the server system 1100. As shown in Fig. 9, the server system 1100 of this embodiment includes an operation input unit 100s, a server processing unit 200s, an image display unit 390s, a sound output unit 392s, a communication unit 394s, and a server storage unit 500s.

[0073] The operation input unit 100s is used to input various operations for system management, maintenance, etc., and can be realized by, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, etc. In FIG. 1, this corresponds to the keyboard 1106 and the touch panel 1108.

[0074] The server processing unit 200s can be realized by electronic components such as a processor, which is an arithmetic circuit such as a CPU, GPU, ASIC, or FPGA, or an IC memory, and controls the input and output of data between the operation input unit 100s and each unit of the device, including the server storage unit 500s. The server processing unit 200s performs various arithmetic processing based on predetermined programs and data, operation input signals from the operation input unit 100s, data received from the terminal device 1500, etc., and controls the overall operation of the server system 1100. In FIG. 1, this corresponds to the control board 1150 and its CPU 1151.

[0075] The server processing unit 200s includes a user management unit 210, a game management unit 230, a timing unit 280s, an image generation unit 290s, a sound generation unit 292s, and a communication control unit 294s.

[0076] The user management unit 210 performs processes related to user registration and manages data of each registered user linked to a user ID (account). For example, it can execute processes such as assigning a unique user ID to a registered user, registering and managing personal information for each user ID, and managing usage history such as login and logout history. Of course, it can also appropriately include management processes for other data linked to user IDs.

[0077] The game management unit 230 performs various processes related to game execution management. Since the game of this embodiment is a client-server online game, the game management unit 230 controls the provision of data necessary for game play while communicating with the terminal device 1500.

[0078] This game management unit 230 includes a terminal type determination unit 231, a game progress control unit 240, a role assignment control unit 251, a first provision unit 253, a second provision unit 255, an acceptance request control unit 257, and a rejection response time control unit 259.

[0079] The terminal type determination unit 231 is a functional unit that performs determination processing before the start of a game and dynamic determination processing during a game as terminal type determination processing, and determines whether the terminal type of the terminal device 1500 is a first-type terminal device or a second-type terminal device based on the game play specifications of the terminal device 1500. In the determination processing before the start of a game, game play specification information is acquired from the terminal device 1500 of a user who has newly logged in to the game and used to determine the terminal type. Then, the terminal device 1500 determined to be a first-type terminal device is set as a "first-type terminal device," and the terminal device 1500 determined to be a second-type terminal device is set as a "second-type terminal device," and the registered terminal type 577 (see FIG. 10) of the corresponding user is set. In addition, the initial setting of the current terminal type 579 (see FIG. 10) is set to the same as the registered terminal type 577.

[0080] On the other hand, in the dynamic determination process during the game, the communication speed with the server system 1100 is monitored for each terminal device 1500. Then, if there is a terminal device 1500 whose registered terminal type 577 is "first type terminal device" and whose communication speed satisfies the above-mentioned type change condition, it is dynamically determined to be a second type terminal device, and the setting of the current terminal type 579 of that terminal device 1500 is changed to "second type terminal device." If the communication speed of that terminal device 1500 subsequently recovers and no longer satisfies the type change condition, the setting of the current terminal type 579 of the corresponding user is returned to "first type terminal device."

[0081] The game progress control unit 240 acquires operation input information for game operations from each terminal device 1500 and controls the progress of the game at predetermined progress control intervals (X second intervals). This game progress control unit 240 includes a first type event execution control unit 241 and a second type event execution control unit 243.

[0082] The first-type event execution control unit 241 controls the execution of a first-type event at a first-type activation timing. The second-type event execution control unit 243 controls the execution of a second-type event at a second-type activation timing.

[0083] The role assignment control unit 251 assigns a role in game play of a first-type user as a first-type role, and a role in game play of a second-type user as a second-type role.

[0084] The first providing unit 253 is a functional unit that performs the first providing process, and provides image processing information for the first type of viewpoint relating to the first type of viewpoint to the terminal device 1500 whose current terminal type 579 is set to "first type of terminal device."

[0085] The second providing unit 255 is a functional unit that performs second providing processing, and provides image processing information for a second type of viewpoint relating to a second type of viewpoint to a terminal device 1500 whose current terminal type 579 is set to "second type of terminal device."

[0086] The consent request control unit 257 performs control to notify a consent request to the user of the terminal device 1500 whose terminal type has been determined to be a second-type terminal device as a result of the determination process before the start of the game, and receives a consent response or a refusal response.

[0087] When the terminal device 1500 responds with a rejection to the acceptance request notified to the terminal device 1500 by the acceptance request control unit 257, the rejection response control unit 259 controls a notification to the user of the terminal device 1500 that a problem may occur in game play. Then, the rejection response control unit 259 causes the first providing unit 253 to provide the first type of viewpoint image processing information to the terminal device 1500, instead of providing the second type of viewpoint image processing information to the terminal device 1500 by the second providing unit 255. This can be realized by changing the registered terminal type 577 of the terminal device 1500 to "first type terminal device."

[0088] The timekeeping unit 280s uses a system clock to keep track of the current date and time, the time limit, and the like.

[0089] The image generating unit 290s generates images relating to system management of the server system 1100 and outputs them to the image display unit 390s.

[0090] The sound generation unit 292s is realized by executing an IC or software that generates or decodes audio data, and generates or decodes audio data such as operation sounds and background music related to system management and video distribution of the server system 1100. Audio signals related to system management are output to the sound output unit 392s.

[0091] The communication control unit 294s performs communication connection and data processing for data communication with an external device (for example, the terminal device 1500) via the communication unit 394s, and realizes data exchange with the external device.

[0092] The image display unit 390s displays various screens for system management and the like based on the image signals input from the image generation unit 290s. For example, this can be realized by an image display device such as a flat panel display, a projector, or a head-mounted display. In FIG. 1, this corresponds to the touch panel 1108.

[0093] The sound output unit 392s outputs the audio signal input from the sound generation unit 292s. In Fig. 1, this corresponds to a speaker (not shown) provided in the main device 1101 or the touch panel 1108.

[0094] The communication unit 394s connects to the network 9 and realizes communication. 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 FIG. 1, this corresponds to the communication device 1153.

[0095] The server storage unit 500s stores in advance or temporarily stores each time processing is performed programs for operating the server system 1100 and implementing various functions of the server system 1100, as well as data used during execution of these programs. For example, this can be implemented by an 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 FIG. 1, this corresponds to the IC memory 1152 and storage 1140.

[0096] Server storage unit 500s also stores server program 501, distribution terminal side data 510, user management data 540, game setting data 550, and in-play data 560. In addition, other necessary data such as timers, counters, various tables, thresholds, and flags are also stored as appropriate.

[0097] The server program 501 is a program for causing the server processing unit 200s to function as the user management unit 210 and the game management unit 230. Note that the server program 501 may also include programs for causing the server processing unit 200s to function as the image generation unit 290s, the sound generation unit 292s, and the communication control unit 294s, as appropriate.

[0098] The distribution terminal-side data 510 is the original of the terminal-side data 510A (see FIG. 11) downloaded to the terminal device 1500. This distribution terminal-side data 510 includes first-type terminal data 520 and second-type terminal data 530. In this embodiment, both the first-type terminal data 520 and the second-type terminal data 530 are downloaded (provided) to a terminal device 1500 determined to be a first-type terminal device, and stored in the terminal storage unit 500 of the terminal device 1500 as terminal-side data 510A. The second-type terminal data 530 is downloaded (provided) in anticipation of a case in which the communication speed decreases during the game and the terminal device is changed to a second-type terminal device. On the other hand, the second-type terminal data 530 is downloaded (provided) to a terminal device 1500 determined to be a second-type terminal device, and stored in the terminal storage unit 500 of the terminal device 1500 as terminal-side data 510A.

[0099] 4, the first type terminal data 520 is made up of a first type game client program 521 and first type game setting data 523 including first type character data 527. The second type terminal data 530 is made up of a second type game client program 531 and second type game setting data 533 including second type character data 537.

[0100] The user management data 540 is prepared for each registered user and stores various data for managing the game play of the user in association with the user ID (account), such as the user name, play history such as play date and time, play time, and game save data.

[0101] The game setting data 550 stores various setting data necessary to realize the online game of this embodiment. For example, the game setting data 550 stores 1) setting data related to game progress control, 2) setting data related to the generation of basic data for generating images for a first-type terminal device and basic data for generating images for a second-type terminal device, etc. The game setting data 550 also stores terminal type determination criteria 551 for each high or low level of game play specifications used to determine whether the terminal device 1500 is a first-type terminal device or a second-type terminal device.

[0102] The in-play data 560 stores various data describing the progress of the game being executed, the latest states of various objects in the shared game space related to the game, the user's participation status in the game, etc. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 10 , the in-play data 560 includes history data 561 of operation input information for each user playing the game, game space control data 563 which is control data for various objects that constitute the shared game space such as background objects, viewpoint control data 565 which is control data for the viewpoints (first viewpoint and second viewpoint) for each user, character control data 567 which is control data for characters (combat characters and reconnaissance plane characters) operated by each user, and player user data 570.

[0103] The player user data 570 is prepared for each user playing the game, and stores the user ID 571 of the user, the group ID 573 to which the user belongs, game play specification information 575 of the terminal device 1500 used, the registered terminal type 577, the current terminal type 579, the role 581, the character ID 583 of the battle character or reconnaissance aircraft character operated by the user, the communication speed measurement history 585, etc.

[0104] 2. Terminal Device 11 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the terminal device 1500. As shown in FIG. 11, the terminal device 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 terminal storage unit 500.

[0105] The operation input unit 100 is used by the user to input various operations, and can be realized by, for example, a button switch, a joystick, a touchpad, a trackball, an acceleration sensor, an angular velocity sensor, a CCD module, or the like.

[0106] 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 by electronic components such as an IC memory, and controls the input and output of data between each unit of the device, including the operation input unit 100 and the device storage unit 500. The device processing unit 200 performs various types of arithmetic processing based on predetermined programs and data, operation input signals from the operation input unit 100, data received from the server system 1100, etc., and generally controls the operation of the terminal device 1500. The device processing unit 200 includes a terminal-side game calculation unit 270, a timing unit 280, an image generation unit 290, a sound generation unit 292, and a communication control unit 294.

[0107] The terminal-side game calculation unit 270 executes various calculation processes to cause the terminal device 1500 to function as a terminal for the user to play games. For example, the terminal-side game calculation unit 270 includes an operation signal transmission control unit 271 and a game screen display control unit 273.

[0108] The operation signal transmission control unit 271 performs processing for transmitting various data and request information to the server system 1100 in response to an operation input to the operation input unit 100 .

[0109] The game screen display control unit 273 performs control to display game images on the image display unit 390 based on various data received from the server system 1100. When the terminal device 1500 is a first-type terminal device and first-type viewpoint image processing information is provided from the server system 1100, the game screen display control unit 273 executes the first-type game client program 521 of the first-type terminal data 520 shown in FIG. 4 based on the provided first-type viewpoint image processing information, thereby realizing the image generation function of the terminal device 1500. That is, the game screen display control unit 273 controls various objects using first-type game setting data 523 such as first-type character data 527, and performs the following operations at a frame rate for a first-type terminal device (at N-second intervals).

[0110] On the other hand, when the terminal device 1500 is a second-type terminal device and second-type viewpoint image processing information is provided from the server system 1100, the game screen display control unit 273 executes the second-type game client program 531 of the second-type terminal data 530 shown in FIG. 4 based on the provided second-type viewpoint image processing information, thereby realizing the image generation function of the terminal device 1500. That is, the game screen display control unit 273 controls various objects using second-type game setting data 533 such as second-type character data 537, constructs a shared game space, generates second-type game images, and displays the second-type game images at a frame rate for second-type terminal devices (M-second intervals). Furthermore, if the communication speed with the server system 1100 decreases during the game and the terminal device 1500 is changed to a second-type terminal device, the server system 1100 will provide second-type viewpoint image processing information to the terminal device 1500. In this case, the game screen display control unit 273 executes the second-type game client program 531 to display second-type game images. The terminal type determined by the server system 1100 for the terminal device 1500 is notified from the server system 1100 as needed. In Fig. 11, it is assumed that the terminal device 1500 is a first-type terminal device, and the terminal storage unit 500 stores first-type terminal data 520 and second-type terminal data 530 as terminal-side data 510A.

[0111] The image generation unit 290, in cooperation with the game screen display control unit 273, generates an image signal for displaying one game screen per frame time based on various data received from the server system 1100, and outputs the generated image signal to the image display unit 390. For example, this can be realized by a processor such as a GPU or digital signal processor (DSP), a video signal IC, a program such as a video codec, an IC memory for drawing frames such as a frame buffer, etc. Note that one frame time is determined by the frame rate of the terminal device 1500.

[0112] The sound generation unit 292 is realized, for example, by a digital signal processor (DSP), a processor such as a voice synthesis IC, or an audio codec for playing audio files, and generates audio signals for game sound effects, background music, and various operation sounds, and outputs them to the sound output unit 392.

[0113] The communication control unit 294 performs communication connection and data processing for data communication with an external device (for example, the server system 1100) via the communication unit 394, and realizes data exchange with the external device.

[0114] The image display unit 390 displays various screens such as game screens based on the image signal input from the image generation unit 290. For example, it is realized by an image display device such as a flat panel display, a projector, or a head-mounted display.

[0115] 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.

[0116] The communication unit 394 realizes communication by connecting to the network 9. For example, it is realized by a wireless communication device, a modem, a TA, a jack for a wired communication cable, a control circuit, and the like.

[0117] The terminal storage unit 500 stores in advance or temporarily stores each time processing is performed programs for operating the terminal device 1500 and realizing the functions of the terminal device 1500, and data used during execution of these programs, etc. For example, this may 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.

[0118] Furthermore, terminal storage unit 500 stores terminal-side data 510A. In this embodiment, this is distribution terminal-side data 510 (see FIG. 9) downloaded from server system 1100. That is, when terminal device 1500 is a first-type terminal device, terminal-side data 510A includes first-type terminal data 520 and second-type terminal data 530. When terminal device 1500 is a second-type terminal device, terminal-side data 510A includes only second-type terminal data 530.

[0119] [Processing flow] 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the server system 1100. The processing described here is realized by the server processing unit 200s reading and executing the server program 501.

[0120] As shown in FIG. 12, in the server system 1100, the game management unit 230 starts game processing and executes the game (step S101).

[0121] Furthermore, the terminal type determination unit 231 starts dynamic determination processing during the game (step S103). The determination processing monitors the communication speed of each terminal device. If there is a first-type terminal device whose communication speed has decreased, it is dynamically determined to be a second-type terminal device, and the setting of the current terminal type 579 is rewritten. Furthermore, if the communication speed of the terminal device 1500 recovers, it is dynamically determined to be a first-type terminal device, and the setting of the current terminal type 579 is rewritten.

[0122] Then, when a login procedure is performed during execution of the game started in step S101 and a new user logs in to the game (step S105: YES), the terminal type determination unit 231 performs a determination process before the start of the game and determines whether the terminal device 1500 is a first-type terminal device or a second-type terminal device (step S106). The determined terminal type is set as the registered terminal type 577 for the terminal device 1500 and is initially set as the current terminal type 579.

[0123] Next, if the terminal type determined in step S106 is a second-type terminal device (step S107: YES), the consent request control unit 257 controls the terminal device 1500 to display a consent request notification screen W1 (see FIG. 7) to notify the user of the consent request (step S109). If a rejection response is made in response to this consent request (step S111: YES), the rejection response control unit 259 controls the terminal device 1500 to display a warning screen W2 (see FIG. 8) to notify the user that a problem may occur in game play (step S113). Then, the terminal type determination unit 231 changes the registration of the terminal device 1500 to a first-type terminal device, and rewrites the settings of the registered terminal type 577 and the current terminal type 579 (step S115).

[0124] Thereafter, if the delivery terminal-side data 510 has not been downloaded to the terminal device 1500 of the user, the download is performed according to the terminal type of the terminal device 1500. Specifically, if the setting of the registered terminal type 577 is a first-type terminal device, the game management unit 230 provides the first-type terminal data 520 and the second-type terminal data 530 to the terminal device 1500. On the other hand, if the setting of the registered terminal type 577 is a second-type terminal device, the game management unit 230 provides the second-type terminal data 530 to the terminal device 1500. The provided data is stored in the terminal storage unit 500 of the terminal device 1500 as terminal-side data 510A.

[0125] Next, if the terminal device 1500 is a first-type terminal device, the role assignment control unit 251 assigns the user of the terminal device 1500 a first-type role as a battle player, and if it is a second-type terminal device, assigns the user a second-type role as a support player (step S117).

[0126] Thereafter, the game management unit 230 receives a selection operation of a group to which the user of the terminal device 1500 belongs, generates player user data 570, and starts game play for the user on the terminal device 1500 (step S119). Then, until the game ends (step S121: NO), the process returns to step S105 and waits for a new user to log in.

[0127] Next, the game processing will be described. Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of the game processing. As shown in Fig. 13, in the game processing, the server system 1100 repeatedly executes the processing of loop A at predetermined time intervals (X second intervals) until the game is ended (steps S201 to S225). This time interval is preferably set based on the fastest frame rate expected as the frame rate of the terminal device 1500.

[0128] That is, the game progress control unit 240 acquires operation input information for game operations from the terminal device 1500 of each user participating in the game (step S203; corresponding to step S11 in FIG. 2). Then, the game progress control unit 240 controls the progress of the game that is commonly progressed in the shared game space based on the operation input information of each user acquired in step S203 (step S205; corresponding to step S13 in FIG. 2).

[0129] Next, the game progress control unit 240 controls a first-type viewpoint for a first-type user for each first-type terminal device, and controls a second-type viewpoint for a second-type user for each second-type terminal device (step S207; corresponding to step S15 in Figure 2).

[0130] Next, if it is the first type activation timing (step S209; YES), the first type event execution control unit 241 controls the execution of the first type event (step S211). Also, if it is the second type activation timing (step S213; YES), the second type event execution control unit 243 controls the execution of the second type event (step S215).

[0131] Next, the first providing unit 253 performs a first providing process. That is, the first providing unit 253 generates basic data for image generation based on a first-type viewpoint for each first-type user (step S217; corresponding to step S17 in FIG. 2), includes the generated basic data for image generation in first-type viewpoint image processing information related to the first-type viewpoint, and provides the generated basic data for image generation to the terminal device 1500 related to the corresponding first-type user (step S219; corresponding to step S19 in FIG. 2). In response to this, the relevant terminal device 1500 performs control to display first-type game images at the frame rate (every N seconds) of its own terminal device 1500 based on the first-type viewpoint image processing information.

[0132] Furthermore, the second providing unit 255 performs a second providing process. That is, the second providing unit 255 generates basic data for image generation based on a second-type viewpoint for each second-type user (step S221; corresponding to step S17 in FIG. 2), includes the generated basic data for image generation in second-type viewpoint image processing information related to the second-type viewpoint, and provides the generated basic data for image generation to the terminal device 1500 related to the corresponding second-type user (step S223; corresponding to step S19 in FIG. 2). In response to this, the corresponding terminal device 1500 performs control to display second-type game images at the frame rate (every M seconds) of its own terminal device 1500 based on the second-type viewpoint image processing information.

[0133] As described above, according to this embodiment, the server system 1100 can determine whether the terminal device 1500 of each user playing an online game is a first-type terminal device or a second-type terminal device. The server system 1100 can provide the first-type terminal device with basic image generation data, as first-type viewpoint image processing information, for the corresponding terminal device 1500 to generate high-resolution first-type game images using high-quality first-type character data 527. On the other hand, the server system 1100 can provide the second-type terminal device with basic image generation data, as second-type viewpoint image processing information, for the corresponding terminal device 1500 to generate low-resolution second-type game images using low-quality second-type character data 537. This allows images to be displayed in the shared game space in accordance with the game play specifications of the terminal devices 1500, making it possible to prevent problems caused by differences in game play specifications between the terminal devices 1500.

[0134] 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.

[0135] [Variation 1] For example, in the above embodiment, basic image generation data for generating a first type of game image in the first type terminal device is provided to the first type terminal device, and basic image generation data for generating a second type of game image in the second type terminal device is provided to the second type terminal device. Alternatively, image processing information for a first type of viewpoint may be similarly provided to the first type terminal device, while data for an image of the shared game space based on the second type of viewpoint (a second type of game image) may be provided to the second type terminal device. That is, the server system 1100 may generate a second type of game image and provide the image data. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the flow of game processing in this modified example. In FIG. 14, the same processing steps as in FIG. 13 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0136] As shown in FIG. 14, in the game processing of this modified example, the server system 1100 repeatedly executes the processing of Loop B at game progress control intervals (X-second intervals) until the game is ended (steps S201 to S231). Then, in Loop B, the second providing unit 255 generates basic data for image generation based on a second-type viewpoint for a second-type user in step S221. Thereafter, for each second-type user, the second providing unit 255 generates a second-type game image based on the second-type viewpoint for that second-type user using the basic data for image generation for that second-type user (step S227). Specifically, this can be achieved by generating an image of the shared game space based on the corresponding second-type viewpoint using the second-type game setting data 533 (see FIG. 4) in the second-type terminal data 530. Then, the second providing unit 255 provides the generated data of the second-type game image to the second-type terminal device by including it in second-type viewpoint image processing information for that second-type viewpoint (step S229).

[0137] According to this modified example, the second type terminal device only needs to display the second type game images provided by the server system 1100, which reduces the amount of calculation required and makes it possible to further reduce the processing load on second type terminal devices with low game play specifications.

[0138] Note that the configuration may be such that data of an image of the shared game space based on the first-type viewpoint (first-type game image) is provided not only to second-type terminal devices but also to first-type terminal devices. In this case, the first providing unit 253 generates basic data for generating an image based on the first-type viewpoint for a first-type user in step S217 of FIG. 14. Thereafter, for each first-type user, a first-type game image based on the first-type viewpoint for that first-type user is generated using the basic data for generating an image for that first-type user. Specifically, this can be achieved by generating an image of the shared game space based on the corresponding first-type viewpoint using the first-type game setting data 523 (see FIG. 4) in the first-type terminal data 520. Then, the first providing unit 253 provides the generated data of the first-type game image to the first-type terminal device by including it in first-type viewpoint image processing information for that first-type viewpoint.

[0139] [Variation 2] In the above embodiment, the frame rate of the first type terminal device is set to an N-second interval (N≧X), and the frame rate of the second type terminal device is set to an M-second interval (M≧N). The example has been described in which the server system 1100 controls the progress of the game at X-second intervals, thereby providing the first-type viewpoint image processing information relating to the first type viewpoint to the first type terminal device and the second-type viewpoint image processing information relating to the second type viewpoint to the second type terminal device at the progress control intervals. Alternatively, the server system 1100 may be configured to control the progress of the game at X-second intervals, while providing the first-type viewpoint image processing information to the first type terminal device at N-second intervals (N≧X), and providing the second-type viewpoint image processing information to the second type terminal device at M-second intervals (M≧N).

[0140] [Variation 3] Furthermore, in the game of the above embodiment, second-type users play a supporting role for first-type users, and are unable to directly play against enemy characters. This is because the gameplay specifications of the terminal device 1500 they use are low. If a terminal device 1500 with high gameplay specifications is available, second-type users can enjoy the game by playing battle events as first-type users. Therefore, an introduction image of an image of a shared game space for first-type terminal devices (first-type game image) may be displayed on the second-type terminal device. For example, the game management unit 230 of the server system 1100 includes introduction image display control means. The introduction image display control means generates an introduction image at a predetermined display timing during the game and provides data of the introduction image to the second-type terminal device for display. The introduction image is obtained by generating an image of the shared game space (i.e., a first-type game image) using the first-type game setting data 523 (see Figure 4) of the first-type terminal data 520 based on image processing information for the first-type viewpoint (basic data for image generation) provided to the first-type terminal device.

[0141] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of the display of an introduction image on a second-type terminal device. For example, as shown in FIG. 15, the display of the introduction image can be realized by displaying an introduction image window W3 on a second-type game image. The introduction image window W3 may be configured to remain displayed until the end of the battle event, or may be configured to close when a predetermined time has elapsed since its display. This is expected to have the effect of encouraging second-type users to become first-type users and enjoy exciting gameplay.

[0142] [Variation 4] In the above embodiment, a third-person viewpoint is exemplified as the first-type viewpoint, but a first-person viewpoint may be set. Also, a configuration may be adopted in which a selection operation by a user (first-type user) to select one of a plurality of viewpoints, including a first-person viewpoint, a third-person viewpoint, and a viewpoint looking down on a battle character to be operated, as appropriate, is accepted, and the first-type viewpoint for that user can be selected.

[0143] [Variation 5] The range in which the reconnaissance aircraft character of a second-type user can move may be limited to a part of the area of ​​the shared game space. For example, a monitoring area is set for each second-type user, where the support user is responsible for monitoring the user. Then, the reconnaissance aircraft character associated with the second-type terminal device may be allowed to move only within the set monitoring area.

[0144] FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing an example of setting a movable area. In this modification, the server system 1100 defines one or more movable areas A41 by dividing the entire shared game space A4 into a plurality of areas, as shown in FIG. 16. Then, when assigning a second-class role to a second-class user, the second-class user is assigned to one of the movable areas A41, and the range of the assigned movable area A41 is determined as the range within which the reconnaissance plane character of the second-class user can move. In this case, the second-class user monitors the battle situation in the area for which he or she is responsible by performing game operations to move the reconnaissance plane character within the movable area A41 assigned to him or her.

[0145] The configuration is not limited to dividing the shared game space into sections and setting movable areas, but may also be such that the number of movable areas set within the shared game space, as well as their positions, shapes, sizes, etc., are set in advance.

[0146] [Variation 6] Furthermore, when a new user logs in to a game, the movable range in the shared game space of the player character operated by the new user may be determined based on the distribution in the shared game space of the player characters of users who have already logged in. For example, the server system 1100 may have character movement range control means that performs the following processing when a new user logs in as a user of a second-type terminal device (second-type user). That is, when a new user logs in as a second-type user, the character movement range control means first selects an area in which player characters (competition characters) of first-type users already existing in the shared game space exist at a predetermined high density. Then, the selected area is allocated to the new user, and the allocated area is determined as the movable range of the reconnaissance plane character operated by the new user. Alternatively, conversely, the character movement range control means may select an area in which player characters (competition characters) of first-type users already existing in the shared game space exist at a predetermined low density, and allocate the area to the new user as the movable range. In addition, the range of movement of a new user (second-type user) may be determined in a similar manner based on the distribution of reconnaissance aircraft characters operated by second-type users, or the range of movement of a new user (second-type user) may be determined by taking into account both the distribution of battle characters and the distribution of reconnaissance aircraft characters.

[0147] [Variation 7] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, if a user logs in during the game, the game is configured to accept mid-game participation, but the online game may also be configured so that a predetermined participation acceptance period is set in advance, and only users who have expressed their intention to participate during the participation acceptance period can participate, and mid-game participation is not accepted.

[0148] In this case, the number of second-class users (number of reconnaissance plane characters) may be counted at the end of the participation acceptance period, and the number of sections of the area to be used as candidate moving ranges may be adjusted according to the counted number, and then Modification 5 may be applied. For example, if the number of reconnaissance plane characters is small, the number of sections may be reduced, and if the number of reconnaissance plane characters is large, the number of sections may be increased. In this way, if there are few second-class users participating in the game, the moving range of the reconnaissance plane characters may be set wide, and if there are many, the moving range may be set narrow.

[0149] Alternatively, instead of being limited to a configuration in which multiple areas of movable range are set in the shared game space by adjusting the number of sections, the position, shape, size, etc. of the movable range to be set in the shared game space may be set in advance in correspondence with the number of second-type users, and the number, position, shape, size, etc. of the areas of the movable range may be determined according to the number of second-type users. [Explanation of symbols]

[0150] 1000...Game System 1100...Server system 100s...Operation input section 200s...Server processing section 210...User Management Department 230...Game Management Department 231...Terminal type determination unit 240...Game progress control unit 241...Type 1 event execution control unit 243...Type 2 event execution control unit 251...Role assignment control unit 253…1st provision part 255…Second provision part 257...Consent request control section 259... Rejection response control section 290s...Image generation section 292s…sound generation section 294s…Communication control unit 390s...Image display section 392s...Sound output section 394s…Communication Department 500s...Server storage section 501...Server program 510...Data on the distribution terminal 540...User management data 550...Game setting data 551...Terminal type determination criteria 560...Current game data 561...Operation input history data 563...Game space control data 565...Viewpoint control data 567...Character control data 570...Player data 571...User ID 573...Group ID 575...Gameplay spec information 577...Registered device type 579...Current device type 581...Role 583...Controlled character ID 585...Communication speed measurement history 1500...Terminal device 100...Operation input section 200...Terminal processing section 270...Terminal side game calculation unit 271...Operation signal transmission control unit 273...Game screen display control unit 290...Image generation unit 292...Sound generation section 294...Communication control unit 390...Image display unit 392...Sound output unit 394…Communications Department 500...Device memory section 510A...Terminal data 520...Type 1 terminal data 521...Type 1 game client program 523...Type 1 game setting data 525...Type 1 game space setting data 527...Type 1 character data 530...Data for Type 2 terminals 531...Type 2 game client program 533...Type 2 game setting data 535...Type 2 game space setting data 537...Type 2 character data 9. Network

Claims

1. A server system that provides an online game in which users of each terminal device can enjoy playing games in a shared game space, the terminal devices include a first type terminal device having an image generation function and a second type terminal device having inferior game play specifications compared to the first type terminal device; a terminal type determination means for determining whether the terminal device is the first type terminal device or the second type terminal device based on the game play specifications; a first providing means for providing the first type terminal device with basic image generation data for generating the first type game image in the first type terminal device as first type viewpoint image processing information related to a first type viewpoint for capturing an image of the shared game space, the basic image processing information being a base point for generating the first type game image, the display of which is controlled by the first type terminal device; second providing means for generating the second-type game image by photographing the shared game space from a second-type viewpoint that serves as a base point for generating a second-type game image whose display is controlled by the second-type terminal device, the second-type viewpoint being different from the first-type viewpoint in any one of a photographable range of the shared game space, a viewpoint direction, and a photographing resolution, and for providing data of the generated second-type game image to the second-type terminal device as second-type viewpoint image processing information; A server system comprising:

2. a game progress control means for controlling the progress of the online game that is commonly progressed in the shared game space, based on operation input information for the first type game image acquired from the first type terminal device and operation input information for the second type game image acquired from the second type terminal device; The server system of claim 1 further comprising:

3. the first providing means provides the first-type viewpoint image processing information, which defines the first-type viewpoint as a first-person viewpoint or a third-person viewpoint, to the first-type terminal device; the second providing means provides the second-type viewpoint image processing information, which sets the second-type viewpoint as a bird's-eye viewpoint, to the second-type terminal device.

3. The server system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A server system that provides an online game in which users of each terminal device can enjoy playing games in a shared game space, the terminal devices include a first type terminal device and a second type terminal device having game play specifications inferior to those of the first type terminal device; a terminal type determination means for determining whether the terminal device is the first type terminal device or the second type terminal device based on the game play specifications; a first providing means for providing, to the first type terminal device, first type viewpoint image processing information relating to a first type viewpoint from which an image of the shared game space is captured, the first type viewpoint being a base point for generating a first type game image whose display is controlled by the first type terminal device; a second providing means for providing the second-type terminal device with second-type viewpoint image processing information relating to a second-type viewpoint that captures an image of the shared game space and serves as a base point for generating a second-type game image whose display is controlled by the second-type terminal device, the second-type viewpoint being different from the first-type viewpoint in any one of a captureable range of the shared game space, a viewpoint direction, and an image capturing resolution; consent request control means for controlling a notification of a consent request to a user of a terminal device determined to be the second type terminal device by the terminal type determination means to receive the second type viewpoint image processing information from the second providing means; a rejection response control means for, when a rejection response is made to the acceptance request, notifying a user of the terminal device that a malfunction in game play may occur, and causing the terminal device to provide the first type of viewpoint image processing information by the first providing means instead of providing the second type of viewpoint image processing information by the second providing means; A server system comprising:

5. a first-type event execution control means for controlling the execution of a first-type event in the shared game space, the first-type event being targeted only at users of the first-type terminal devices; The server system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising:

6. the second type terminal device has game play specifications that are inferior to those of the first type terminal device, an introduction image display control means for causing the second type terminal device to control the display of an introduction image of the first type game image, the display of which is controlled in the first type terminal device; The server system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising:

7. a role assignment control means for assigning a role in said game play of a user of said first type terminal device to a first type role, and assigning a role in said game play of a user of said second type terminal device to a second type role different from said first type role; The server system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising:

8. character movement range control means for determining a range in which a character of a user who has newly logged in to the online game can move in the shared game space, using a distribution of characters operated by users of the first type terminal devices and / or a distribution of characters operated by users of the second type terminal devices in the shared game space; The server system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising:

9. A terminal device in a game system configured by a server system that provides an online game in which each user can enjoy game play in a shared game space on their own terminal device and the terminal device being communicatively connected to the server system, the terminal devices include a first type terminal device having an image generation function and a second type terminal device having inferior game play specifications compared to the first type terminal device; The server system includes: a terminal type determination means for determining whether the terminal device is the first type terminal device or the second type terminal device based on the game play specifications; a first providing means for providing the first type terminal device with basic image generation data for generating the first type game image in the first type terminal device as first type viewpoint image processing information related to a first type viewpoint for capturing an image of the shared game space, the basic image processing information being a base point for generating the first type game image, the display of which is controlled by the first type terminal device; second providing means for generating the second-type game image by photographing the shared game space from a second-type viewpoint that serves as a base point for generating a second-type game image whose display is controlled by the second-type terminal device, the second-type viewpoint being different from the first-type viewpoint in any one of a photographable range of the shared game space, a viewpoint direction, and a photographing resolution, and for providing data of the generated second-type game image to the second-type terminal device as second-type viewpoint image processing information; Equipped with a terminal device that, when receiving the first type viewpoint image processing information from the first providing means of the server system, generates the first type game image based on the first type viewpoint image processing information, and, when receiving the second type game image from the second providing means of the server system, performs display control of a game screen that displays the second type game image.

10. A terminal device in a game system configured by a server system that provides an online game in which each user can enjoy game play in a shared game space on their own terminal device and the terminal device being communicatively connected to the server system, the terminal devices include a first type terminal device and a second type terminal device having game play specifications inferior to those of the first type terminal device; The server system includes: a terminal type determination means for determining whether the terminal device is the first type terminal device or the second type terminal device based on the game play specifications; a first providing means for providing, to the first type terminal device, first type viewpoint image processing information relating to a first type viewpoint from which an image of the shared game space is captured, the first type viewpoint being a base point for generating a first type game image whose display is controlled by the first type terminal device; a second providing means for providing the second-type terminal device with second-type viewpoint image processing information relating to a second-type viewpoint that captures an image of the shared game space and serves as a base point for generating a second-type game image whose display is controlled by the second-type terminal device, the second-type viewpoint being different from the first-type viewpoint in any one of a captureable range of the shared game space, a viewpoint direction, and an image capturing resolution; consent request control means for controlling a notification of a consent request to a user of a terminal device determined to be the second type terminal device by the terminal type determination means to receive the second type viewpoint image processing information from the second providing means; a rejection response control means for, when a rejection response is made to the acceptance request, notifying a user of the terminal device that a malfunction in game play may occur, and causing the terminal device to provide the first type of viewpoint image processing information by the first providing means instead of providing the second type of viewpoint image processing information by the second providing means; Equipped with A terminal device that, when receiving the image processing information for a first type of viewpoint from the first providing means of the server system, generates a game image based on the image processing information for the first type of viewpoint, and when receiving the image processing information for a second type of viewpoint from the second providing means of the server system, generates a game image based on the image processing information for the second type of viewpoint and controls the display of a game screen, and when receiving the acceptance request from the acceptance request control means of the server system, responds to the server system with either acceptance or rejection based on the operation of the user of the terminal device.

11. A method for providing an online game in which users of terminal devices can enjoy playing games in a shared game space, comprising: the terminal devices include a first type terminal device having an image generation function and a second type terminal device having inferior game play specifications compared to the first type terminal device; a terminal type determination step of determining whether the terminal device is the first type terminal device or the second type terminal device based on the game play specifications; a first providing step of providing, to the first type terminal device, basic image generation data for generating the first type game image in the first type terminal device, as first type viewpoint image processing information related to a first type viewpoint for capturing an image of the shared game space, which serves as a base point for generating the first type game image whose display is controlled by the first type terminal device; a second providing step of generating a second-type game image by photographing the shared game space from a second-type viewpoint that serves as a base point for generating a second-type game image whose display is controlled by the second-type terminal device, the second-type viewpoint being different from the first-type viewpoint in any one of a photographable range of the shared game space, a viewpoint direction, and a photographing resolution, and providing data of the generated second-type game image to the second-type terminal device as second-type viewpoint image processing information; Provision methods including.

12. A method for providing an online game in which users of terminal devices can enjoy playing games in a shared game space, comprising: the terminal devices include a first type terminal device and a second type terminal device having game play specifications inferior to those of the first type terminal device; a terminal type determination step of determining whether the terminal device is the first type terminal device or the second type terminal device based on the game play specifications; a first providing step of providing, to the first type terminal device, first type viewpoint image processing information relating to a first type viewpoint from which an image of the shared game space is captured, the first type viewpoint being a base point for generating a first type game image whose display is controlled by the first type terminal device; a second providing step of providing, to the second type terminal device, second-type viewpoint image processing information relating to a second-type viewpoint that captures an image of the shared game space and serves as a base point for generating a second-type game image whose display is controlled by the second type terminal device, the second-type viewpoint being different from the first type viewpoint in any one of a captureable range of the shared game space, a viewpoint direction, and an image capturing resolution; an consent request control step of performing control to notify a user of the terminal device determined to be the second type terminal device in the terminal type determination step of a consent request to be provided with the second type viewpoint image processing information by the second providing step; a rejection response time control step of, when a rejection response is made to the acceptance request, notifying a user of the terminal device that a problem in game play may occur, and causing the terminal device to provide the first type of viewpoint image processing information by the first providing step instead of providing the second type of viewpoint image processing information by the second providing step; Provision methods including.

Images