Method and apparatus for controlling game

Abstract

Disclosed are a method and apparatus for controlling a game. The method for controlling a game according to one embodiment comprises the operations of: generating game operation information on the basis of one or more input events generated by a user during a game play using a first game account among a plurality of game accounts of the user for a game; and applying, on the basis of selection of the user, a game operation sequence based on the game operation information to a game play using a second game account among the plurality of game accounts.

Description

Game control method and device

[0001] The disclosed embodiments relate to technology for game control.

[0002] Recently, some online game services have been supporting multi-account services that allow a single user to play games using multiple game accounts. For example, game services providing genres such as MMORPGs (Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games) can enable users to develop multiple game characters simultaneously by supporting multi-account services. However, even when using multi-account services, gameplay using each game account is performed individually. Therefore, if a user wishes to apply an action that applies to gameplay across all game accounts, it must be applied individually to each account, resulting in the inconvenience of having to repeatedly perform the same action.

[0003] The disclosed embodiments are intended to provide a game control method and device.

[0004] A game control method according to one embodiment includes: an operation of generating game operation information based on one or more input events generated by a user during gameplay using a first game account among a plurality of game accounts of a user for a game; and an operation of applying a game operation sequence based on the game operation information to gameplay using a second game account among the plurality of game accounts based on a selection by the user.

[0005] The above game operation information includes input event information for one or more input events, and the above game operation sequence may include one or more input events that occur sequentially based on the input event information.

[0006] The above input event information may include action information and sequence information for each of the one or more input events.

[0007] The above game operation information includes operation event information for one or more operation events that occur for one or more screen operation elements based on the one or more input events, and the above game operation sequence may include one or more operation events that occur sequentially based on the operation event information.

[0008] The above operation event information may include operation information and sequence information for each of the one or more operation events.

[0009] The above game operation information includes operation execution information for one or more game actions executed within the game based on the one or more input events, and the game operation sequence may include one or more game actions executed sequentially based on the operation execution information.

[0010] The above action execution information may include game action identification information and sequence information for each of the one or more executed game actions.

[0011] The above game operation information further includes screen setting information for a game screen to which the above game operation sequence is to be applied, and the applying operation may include: an operation of determining whether the screen setting of a game screen displaying gameplay using the second game account matches the above screen setting information based on the above screen setting information; an operation of changing the screen setting of a game screen displaying gameplay using the second game account to match the above screen setting information if the screen setting of the game screen displaying gameplay using the second game account does not match the above screen setting information; and an operation of applying the above game operation sequence to gameplay using the second game account.

[0012] The above screen setting information can be generated based on the screen settings of the game screen where gameplay using the first game account is displayed.

[0013] Game play using the first game account and game play using the second game account may be streaming game play or cloud game play.

[0014] The above generating operation includes: an operation of identifying the target of application of the game operation sequence among the plurality of game accounts based on user input of the user for selecting the target of application of the game operation sequence based on the game operation information among the plurality of game accounts; and an operation of generating the game operation information when one or more of the plurality of game accounts are selected as the target of application of the game operation sequence, and the above applying operation may apply the game operation sequence based on the game operation information to gameplay using the second game account when the second game account is the target of application of the game operation sequence.

[0015] The above game control method may further include, after the above-described application operation, an operation of applying a game control sequence based on the game control information to the resumed game play based on the user's selection when one or more of the game play using the first game account and the game play using the second game account are resumed after termination.

[0016] In one embodiment, another computing device comprises: one or more processors; and a memory for storing one or more programs executed by the one or more processors, wherein the one or more processors generate game operation information based on one or more input events generated by a user during gameplay using a first game account among a plurality of game accounts of a user for a game, and, based on the user's selection, apply a game operation sequence based on the game operation information to gameplay using a second game account among the plurality of game accounts.

[0017] The above game operation information includes input event information for one or more input events, and the above game operation sequence may include one or more input events that occur sequentially based on the input event information.

[0018] The above input event information may include action information and sequence information for each of the one or more input events.

[0019] The above game operation information includes operation event information for one or more operation events that occur for one or more screen operation elements based on the one or more input events, and the above game operation sequence may include one or more operation events that occur sequentially based on the operation event information.

[0020] The above operation event information may include operation information and sequence information for each of the one or more operation events.

[0021] The above game operation information includes operation execution information for one or more game actions executed within the game based on the one or more input events, and the game operation sequence may include one or more game actions executed sequentially based on the operation execution information.

[0022] The above action execution information may include game action identification information and sequence information for each of the one or more executed game actions.

[0023] The above game operation information further includes screen setting information for a game screen to which the above game operation sequence is to be applied, and the one or more processors determine whether the screen setting of a game screen displaying gameplay using the second game account matches the above screen setting information based on the above screen setting information, and if the screen setting of a game screen displaying gameplay using the second game account does not match the above screen setting information, the processor changes the screen setting of the game screen displaying gameplay using the second game account to match the above screen setting information and can apply the above game operation sequence to gameplay using the second game account.

[0024] The above screen setting information can be generated based on the screen settings of the game screen where gameplay using the first game account is displayed.

[0025] Game play using the first game account and game play using the second game account may be streaming game play or cloud game play.

[0026] The above one or more processors identify the target of application of the game operation sequence among the plurality of game accounts based on user input of the user for selecting the target of application of the game operation sequence based on the game operation information among the plurality of game accounts, and when one or more of the plurality of game accounts are selected as the target of application of the game operation sequence, generate the game operation information, and when the second game account is the target of application of the game operation sequence, apply the game operation sequence based on the game operation information to game play using the second game account.

[0027] After applying the game control sequence based on the game control information to gameplay using the second game account among the plurality of game accounts, if one or more of the gameplay using the first game account and the gameplay using the second game account are terminated and then resumed, the above one or more processors may apply the game control sequence based on the game control information to the resumed gameplay based on the user's selection.

[0028] According to the disclosed embodiments, the convenience of the user's game can be improved by allowing a game operation sequence based on an input event that occurs during gameplay using one of the user's multiple game accounts to be applied to gameplay using another game account.

[0029] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of interconnected servers and one or more user terminals for a game service.

[0030] FIGS. 2A, FIGS. 2B, and FIGS. 2C illustrate exemplary cases of providing a game-related user experience using multiple user terminals.

[0031] FIGS. 3A, FIGS. 3B, FIGS. 3C, and FIGS. 3D illustrate exemplary functions supported by a game launcher executed by a user terminal.

[0032] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a computing environment including a computing device according to one embodiment.

[0033] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a game control method according to one embodiment.

[0034] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating the process of applying a game operation sequence according to game operation information when screen setting information is included in the game operation information.

[0035] FIGS. 7 to 12 are drawings for exemplarily explaining the generation of game operation information and the application of a game operation sequence based on the generated game operation information according to one embodiment.

[0036] FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating the process of generating a game operation sequence and applying a game operation sequence according to one embodiment.

[0037] FIGS. 14 and FIGS. 15 are drawings illustrating examples of a selection UI for selecting a target for application of a game operation sequence according to one embodiment.

[0038] FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a game control method according to an additional embodiment.

[0039] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a selection UI for selecting whether to apply a game control sequence based on game control information to resumed gameplay according to one embodiment.

[0040] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of interconnected servers (e.g., servers (110, 120)) and one or more user terminals (e.g., user terminals (141, 142, 143, 151, 152)) for providing game services.

[0041] A server (e.g., servers (110, 120)) may include a computer designed to provide the functions of a server, such as a workstation. Embodiments are not limited thereto, and a server may include a personal computer configured to run a software application, and / or a combination of said personal computers. A server may include a group (or cluster) of the illustrated workstations and / or personal computers.

[0042] In one embodiment, a service provider may use a server to provide or operate an automated service. The service may include a game service. The game service may be provided for network-based playing of games such as RPG (role playing game), MMORPG (massive multi-user online RPG), FPS (first person shooter), and / or puzzle. Through the game service, different users (e.g., users of the game service) may be connected to each other via a network, cooperate, or compete. The server may support or execute functions related to the game service (e.g., matching users, providing a virtual space (130) such as a battlefield, trading of virtual items such as a market, and / or chatting between users).

[0043] Referring to FIG. 1, servers (110, 120) included in a network to provide different services are illustrated. A server (110) may be configured to relay a connection between a user and various game services provided through the network (e.g., game services provided by the server (120)). Services provided through the server (110) may be referred to as game platform services, game launching services, game publishing services, and / or game relay services.

[0044] Referring to FIG. 1, a server (110) may cause a server (120) for providing game services to provide a user experience related to said game services to a user of a game platform service. The server (110) may store information in a user database related to users of the game platform service indicating one or more game services to which said users have subscribed. The information may further include information for the server (110) to access another server for game services such as the server (120) (e.g., account information for logging into said game service, and / or authentication information).

[0045] Referring to FIG. 1, the server (110) may store information representing at least one game service subscribed to by users of the game platform service in a user database. The user database may include records having units of users subscribed to the game platform service. The records may include at least one game service subscribed to by the corresponding user, and / or information for accessing (or logging in to) said at least one game service.

[0046] Referring to FIG. 1, users (U1, U2) of a game platform service provided by a server (110) are illustrated. A user (U1) who owns user terminals (141, 142, 143) and a user (U2) who owns user terminals (151, 152) are illustrated, but the number of users of the server (110) and the number of user terminals owned by each of the users are not limited thereto. Users of the game platform service may be referred to as users.

[0047] Referring to FIG. 1, various appearances of a user terminal (or user equipment) are illustrated. The user terminal may include a smartphone (e.g., user terminals (141, 152)), a smartpad, and / or a tablet PC. The user terminal may include a personal computer such as a desktop (e.g., user terminals (142, 151)) and a laptop. The user terminal may include a portable gaming device (e.g., user terminal (143)) dedicated to game services, and / or a gaming console. The user terminal may include smart accessories such as a smart watch and / or a head-mounted device (HMD). Embodiments of the user terminal are not limited thereto.

[0048] Referring to FIG. 1, a user (U1) can access a game platform service provided by a server (110) using at least one of user terminals (141, 142, 143). Similarly, a user (U2) can access the game platform service using at least one of user terminals (151, 152). A software application for communicating with the server (110) may be installed on at least one of the user terminals (141, 142, 143, 151, 152). The software application may be referred to as a game platform application, a game platform program, a game launcher, and / or a client application.

[0049] Hereinafter, the connection relationship between the user terminal (141) and the server (110) and between the user terminal (141) and the server (120) is explained using the user terminal (141), which is one of the user terminals (141, 142, 143, 151, 152), as an example.

[0050] For example, by using a user terminal (141) that has launched a game launcher, a user (U1) can access a game platform service provided by a server (110). The user terminal (141) that has launched the game launcher can establish a communication link (L1) between the user terminal (141) and the server (110). The communication link (L1) may include a logical connection (e.g., a logical connection distinguished by a session) established for data communication between the user terminal (141) and the server (110) within a network. Similarly, in response to an input from a user (U2) to launch the game launcher of the user terminal (151), the user terminal (151) can establish a communication link (L2) between the server (110) and the user terminal (151).

[0051] A server (110) that detects a user terminal (141) that has launched a game launcher using a communication link (L1) can verify the user account logged into the user terminal (141). By comparing the user database stored in the server (110) with authentication information (e.g., ID, password, PIN (personal identification number), and / or OTP (one-time password)) transmitted from the user terminal (141), the server (110) can authenticate the user (U1) who launched the game launcher on the user terminal (141). Based on the authentication, the user terminal (141) can display a screen provided by the game launcher. For example, the state of the user terminal (141) launching the game launcher may include a state before authenticating the user (U1) (e.g., a locked state, and / or a state before logging in) and a state after authenticating the user (U1). A screen displayed by a user terminal (141) based on the above authentication, and / or a function provided to a user (U1), is described with reference to FIGS. 3a to 3d.

[0052] Referring to FIG. 1, with the users (U1, U2) of user terminals (141, 151) connected to the server (110) via communication links (L1, L2) authenticated, the server (110) can support interactions between the users (U1, U2). For example, the server (110) can support the transmission (e.g., streaming) and / or reception of messages (e.g., text messages), images, videos, sounds (e.g., voice chat), and / or posts between the users (U1, U2). The server (110), configured to provide game platform services, can execute or support functions related to the online activities of the users (U1, U2) associated with the game.

[0053] When accessing a game platform service using a user terminal (141), the user (U1) can access a game service connected to the game platform service. For example, a user terminal (141) running a game launcher can receive an input for accessing a game service. In response to an input for accessing a game service detected by the game launcher, the user terminal (141) can transmit a signal related to said input to a server (110) via a communication link (L1). Upon receiving said signal, the server (110) can communicate with a server (120) providing a game service indicated by said signal. For example, using a communication link (L3) established between servers (110, 120), the server (110) can transmit information related to the user (U1) logged into the game platform service (e.g., authentication information required for the server (120) providing the game service to authenticate the user (U1). Based on the authentication of the user (U1) using the above information, a communication link (L4) between the user terminal (141) of the user (U1) and the server (120) can be established.

[0054] Similarly, from a user terminal (151) to which a user (U2) is logged in, the server (110) may receive a signal indicating the reception of an input for accessing the game service. Upon receiving the signal, the server (110) may transmit a signal to the server (120) via a communication link (L2) that causes the establishment of a communication link (L5) between the user terminal (151) and the server (120). Through the communication link (L5) established by the signal, direct communication between the user terminal (151) and the server (120) may be performed. The embodiment is not limited thereto, and indirect communication between the server (120) providing the game service and the user terminal (151) may be performed using communication links (L2, L3).

[0055] As described above, with communication links (L4, L5) established between the user terminals and the server (120) so that the game service is provided to each user terminal (e.g., user terminals (141, 151)) of the users (U1, U2), the server (120) for providing the game service can transmit information about at least a portion of the virtual space (130) to each user terminal. For example, the server (120) can transmit information (e.g., information for rendering said portion of the virtual space (130)) to the user terminal (141) of the user (U1) regarding a portion of the virtual space (130) including a location (A) associated with said user (U1). For example, the server (120) can transmit information regarding another portion of the virtual space (130) including a location (B) associated with said user (U2) to the user terminal (151) of the user (U2).

[0056] Although exemplary operations have been described in which a user (e.g., users (U1, U2)) accesses a game service using a server (110) that provides a game platform service, the embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, a user may directly access a server (120) for a game service without a server (110) by using a game application installed on a user terminal.

[0057] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 2a and 2b, exemplary operations of a user terminal and / or server associated with a communication link connected for a game service and / or a game platform service are described. For example, exemplary operations of a server (110) based on a user (U1) and a user terminal (142) are described, but the embodiments are not limited thereto.

[0058] FIGS. 2a, 2b, and 2c illustrate an exemplary case of providing a user experience related to a game using a plurality of user terminals (e.g., user terminals (141, 142)). Referring to FIGS. 2a through 2c, an exemplary state is illustrated in which communication links (L1, L3, L4) are established between a server (110) for a game platform service, a server (120) for a game service, and a user terminal (142). The server (110) may communicate with the server (120) according to the operation described with reference to FIG. 1 to establish a communication link (L4) between the server (120) and the user terminal (142). For communication between the server (110) and the user terminal (142), a game launcher related to the game platform service may be executed on the user terminal (142).

[0059] Referring to FIGS. 2a through 2c, a user terminal (142) that has executed a game launcher can execute the game application in response to an input for executing the game application. The user terminal (142) that has executed the game application can display a screen (210) provided by the game application. An exemplary screen (210) including a player character (PC) (215) controllable by an input received through the user terminal (142) is shown, but the embodiment is not limited thereto. By using a signal received from a server (120) via a communication link (L4), the user terminal (142) can display a screen (210) including a PC (215) included in a virtual space (130).

[0060] Referring to FIG. 2a, a user terminal (142) running a game application can output a screen (210) to a user (U1) and receive input related to the game (e.g., input for controlling a PC (215)) from the user (U1). Upon receiving the input, the user terminal (142) can transmit a first signal indicating the input to a server (120) via a communication link (L4). The user terminal (142) can further receive a second signal from the server (120) via the communication link (L4) indicating the state of a virtual space (130) and / or a PC (215) that has been changed by the input. Upon receiving the second signal, the user terminal (142) can change the screen (210) at least partially. For example, the user terminal (142) can play an animation related to the PC (215) within the screen (210).

[0061] When input for executing a game application is received through a game launcher, the user terminal (142) can execute the game application in conjunction with the game launcher. By utilizing the above conjunction, the user terminal (142) can execute a function of the game launcher based on the state of the game application. The above function may include an operation of transmitting a signal to the server (110) to inform the state (e.g., streaming of a screen (210) for live broadcasting). The above function may include a remote play function of the game application executed on the user terminal (142) using a different user terminal from the user terminal (142).

[0062] Referring to FIG. 2b, user terminals (141, 142) connected to each other for a remote play function are illustrated. The user terminals (141, 142) may be connected via a short-range wireless communication protocol such as Wi-Fi Direct and / or Bluetooth. The embodiments are not limited thereto, and the user terminals (141, 142) may be connected to each other via a cellular protocol such as LTE (long-term evolution), 5G NR (new radio), 6G, and / or above-6G. It is assumed that a game launcher is installed on all of the user terminals (141, 142) and that authentication of the user (U1) on each of the user terminals (141, 142) based on the game launcher is completed.

[0063] When a game application is executed on a user terminal (141) that has relatively limited resources, such as a smartphone, the quality of the user experience related to the game may be reduced. The quality may be evaluated by indicators such as frames-per-second (fps), response delay, and / or resolution. The quality of the user experience when the game application is executed on a desktop user terminal (142) may be better than the quality of the user experience when the game application is executed on a user terminal (141). Referring to FIG. 2b, the user terminal (142) may transmit a screen (220) generated (or rendered) by the processing circuit (e.g., GPU (graphic processing unit)) of the user terminal (142) to the user terminal (141). The operation of transmitting the screen (220) may include the operation of transmitting a bitstream representing the screen (220) through a communication link (L6) (e.g., streaming).

[0064] In the exemplary state of FIG. 2b where the user terminal (142) displays the screen (220) to the user terminal (141), the user terminal (141) can display the screen (220) on the display based on the execution of the game launcher. For example, without the installation and / or execution of a game application for communicating with the server (120), the user terminal (141) can display the screen (220) related to the game service provided by the server (120) on the display. The user terminal (141) can display the screen (220) provided by the user terminal (142) based on the execution of the game launcher.

[0065] Referring to FIG. 2b, in one embodiment in which a user terminal (142) generates a screen (220) to be displayed by a user terminal (141), the user terminal (142) may display a screen (220) that includes a UI associated with the user terminal (141), which is a smartphone. The UI may include a virtual joystick that includes a circular visual object (222) that can be dragged (or moved) by touch input on a circular area (221). The UI may include a group (223) of touchable visual objects that can control the state of the PC (215). Comparing FIG. 2a and FIG. 2b, the screen (210) of FIG. 2a, which is displayed through the display of the desktop user terminal (142), may not include the visual object (222) and / or group (223). In the state of transmitting a screen (220) to a user terminal (141) which is a smartphone, the user terminal (141) that receives the screen (220) may superimpose an area (221) containing a visual object (222) and a group (223) on the screen (220). For example, a screen (225) displayed on the display of the user terminal (141) may further include a visual object (222), an area (221), and a group (223) to guide touch input.

[0066] Referring to FIG. 2b, while displaying a screen (225) based on a screen (220) provided by a user terminal (142), the user terminal (141) may receive input from a user (U1) related to the screen (225). In response to said input, the user terminal (141) may transmit a signal indicating said input to the user terminal (142). Upon receiving said signal, the user terminal (142) may communicate with a server (120) to change the state of the virtual space (130) and / or PC (215) at least partially using said input corresponding to said signal. The user (U1) may view the screen (220) expressing the state of the virtual space (130) and / or PC (215) that has been changed at least partially through the user terminal (141).

[0067] As described above, an embodiment has been described in which a server (120) and a user terminal (142) for providing the game service of FIG. 2b communicate directly, and a user terminal (141) communicates indirectly with the server (120) using the user terminal (142), but the embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, a user terminal (141) that receives input from a user (U1) related to a screen (225) may transmit a signal containing information related to said input to the server (120) via a communication link (L7). The signal may be transmitted directly to the server (120) independently of the communication links (L4, L6) established by the user terminal (142). For example, to reduce the delay in the input of the user (U1) or to improve the responsiveness of the game service provided by the server (120), the user terminal (141) may transmit the signal via the communication link (L7). A server (120) that receives the above signal may transmit a signal (or information) indicating the state of the virtual space (130) changed based on the above signal to a user terminal (142) via a communication link (L4). A user terminal (142) that receives the above signal may perform rendering of a screen (220) to be provided to a user terminal (141) via a communication link (L6). After a signal related to the rendered screen (220) is transmitted to the user terminal (141) via the communication link (L6), the user terminal (141) may display a screen (225) based on the above signal (e.g., a screen in which visual objects (222), regions (221), and groups (223) are superimposed on the screen (220).

[0068] For example, if the communication link (L6) between user terminals (141, 142) is blocked, the user terminal (141) may establish at least one of a direct communication link (L7) between the server (120) for providing game services and the user terminal (141) and / or a direct communication link (L8) between the server (110) for providing game platform services and the user terminal (141).

[0069] Although the operation of transmitting a signal displaying a screen (220) between user terminals (141, 142) that are commonly logged in by user (U1) has been described, the embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, a user terminal (142) may transmit a signal displaying a screen (220) to user terminals of other users logged in to the server (110) through the server (110). The function of the user terminal (142) transmitting the signal to user terminals of other users logged in to the server (110) may be referred to as a broadcasting function.

[0070] Referring to FIG. 2c, a server (230) for cloud gaming can be connected to a user terminal (142). For example, if a request to provide a cloud-based game service is identified from the user terminal (142), the server (110) may request the server (230) to provide a cloud service based on the server (230). The request may be transmitted to the server (230) via a communication link (L9) between the server (110) and the server (230). In response to the request, the server (230) may establish a communication link (L10) between the server (120) and the server (230) for the game service and a communication link (L11) between the server (120) and the user terminal (142). The request transmitted via the communication link (L9) may include information related to the user terminal (142) that transmitted the request and / or the game service.

[0071] In one embodiment, the server (230) may perform rendering of a screen (210) to be displayed on a user terminal (142). The server (230) may transmit a signal (or bitstream) related to the screen (210) rendered by the server (230) to the user terminal (142) through a communication link (L11) between the user terminal (142) and the server (230). Upon receiving the signal, the user terminal (142) may display the screen (210) that appears due to the signal on a display.

[0072] In the exemplary state of FIG. 2c, a user terminal (142) displaying a screen (210) may receive user input related to the screen (210). In response to user input received from a user (U1), the user terminal (142) may transmit a signal indicating said user input to a server (230) via a communication link (L11). Upon receiving said signal, the server (230) may execute a function related to said user input. The server (230) that executes said function may, for example, communicate with a server (110) via a communication link (L10) and include an operation to at least partially change the state of a virtual space (130) provided by the server (110). For example, the server (230) that executes said function may include an operation to re-render the screen (210) to be transmitted to the user terminal (142) based on the partially changed state of the virtual space (130). For example, the server (230) that executed the above function may further transmit signals related to the re-rendered screen (210) through the communication link (L11).

[0073] As described above, by using a game launcher, a user terminal (141) can display a screen (220) of a game application running on another user terminal (in one embodiment of FIG. 2b, a user terminal (142)) and can respond to interactions of a user (U1) related to the screen (220). The user terminal (141) can perform graphic rendering (e.g., visualization of three-dimensional graphic objects) indirectly using the resources of the user terminal (142). Even if the user terminal (141) does not have the capacity required to install the game application (e.g., available capacity of flash storage) or the user terminal (141) does not have the resources required to run the game application (e.g., specifications of a GPU and / or CPU), the user terminal (141) running the game launcher can provide a user experience related to the game application.

[0074] Below, with reference to FIGS. 3a to 3d, exemplary functions supported by a user terminal running a game launcher are described.

[0075] FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D illustrate exemplary functions supported by a game launcher executed by a user terminal (e.g., user terminals of FIG. 1 (141, 142, 143, 151, 152)). Referring to FIGS. 3A through 3D, exemplary states (301, 302, 303, 304) of a screen displayed by a user terminal that has executed the game launcher are illustrated. After completing authentication of the user of the user terminal using the game launcher, the user terminal may display the exemplary screens illustrated in FIGS. 3A through 3D. Referring to FIG. 3A, the user terminal displaying the screen provided by the game launcher may display visual objects (311, 312, 313, 314) corresponding to each of the options for adjusting the mode of the screen. For example, a visual object (311) may support a function for outputting a list of multiple game applications executable by a user terminal. For example, a visual object (312) may support a function for outputting a list of one or more game applications installed on a user terminal. For example, a visual object (313) may support a function for executing a messenger service based on a game platform service. For example, a visual object (314) may support a function for executing a community service for users subscribed to the game platform service.

[0076] In a state (301) where a first option corresponding to a visual object (311) is selected, the user terminal may provide a screen for downloading game applications that can be executed using a game launcher. In a state (302) where a second option corresponding to a visual object (312) is selected, the user terminal may provide a screen related to one or more game applications installed on the user terminal. In a state (303) where a third option corresponding to a visual object (313) is selected, the user terminal may provide a screen for exchanging messages (e.g., sending and / or receiving messages) between users logged into the game platform service. In a state (304) where a fourth option corresponding to a visual object (314) is selected, the user terminal may provide a screen for exchanging information (e.g., posts) between users subscribed to the game platform service.

[0077] Within the area (315) of the screen in FIG. 3a, the user terminal may display a list of game applications. The list may be provided by a server providing game platform services (e.g., the server (110) of FIG. 1, FIG. 2a, and / or FIG. 2b). One or more icons (e.g., icon (319)) displayed in the area (315) may correspond to specific game applications included in the list. For example, in response to an input to select an icon (319), the user terminal may display a UI on the screen for downloading a game application corresponding to the icon (319).

[0078] In a state (301) in which a list of game applications is displayed through an area (315), the user terminal may display visual objects (316, 317, 318) for filtering game applications included in the list. A visual object (316) may correspond to an option to display all game applications included in the list in the area (315). A visual object (317) may correspond to an option to display a sub-list of one or more game applications executable on a personal computer within the area (315) among the game applications included in the list. A visual object (318) may correspond to an option to display a sub-list of one or more game applications executable on a smartphone within the area (315) among the one or more game applications included in the list.

[0079] FIG. 3a is a drawing showing a screen in which a first option is executed in a game launcher of a user terminal by selecting a first visual object (311) capable of outputting a list of game applications that can be executed on a user terminal, for example.

[0080] Referring to the exemplary screen of FIG. 3a, a user terminal may display a visual object (320) mapped to a function for streaming the screen of a game application executed using a game launcher. For example, in response to an input for selecting the visual object (320), the user terminal may display a list of other user terminals to which the user of the user terminal (e.g., users (U1, U2) of FIG. 1) is logged in. For example, if the input is received while streaming the screen of the game application, the user terminal may display a pop-up window indicating that the screen of the game application is being streamed. For example, if the input is received while preparing to stream the screen of the game application, the user terminal may display a pop-up window indicating that the streaming of the screen of the game application is scheduled to start. The example pop-up window may include a button and / or a hyperlink for receiving an input to stop or restart the streaming of the screen of the game application. A user terminal that receives input for selecting another user terminal from the above list can execute a function of transmitting a signal related to a screen to the other user terminal selected by the input. FIG. 3b is a drawing showing a screen in which a second option is executed in the game launcher of a user terminal by selecting a visual object (312) that can provide a screen related to a game application installed on the user terminal, for example.

[0081] Referring to FIG. 3b, when a second option corresponding to a visual object (312) is selected (302), the user terminal can display a list of game applications installed on the user terminal. The user terminal can display an area (324) and visual objects (321, 322, 323) for switching the UI displayed in the area (324). When a visual object (321) is selected (302), the user terminal can display visual objects representing each of the game applications installed on the user terminal (e.g., visual objects corresponding to game application A and game application B) in the area (324). When a visual object (321) is selected (302), the user terminal can further display a visual object (329) for switching to a state (301) for downloading game applications, along with visual objects corresponding to each of the game applications installed on the user terminal in the area (324).

[0082] Visual objects (322, 323) different from the visual object (321) may each correspond to game applications installed on the user terminal. For example, the visual object (322) may correspond to game application A installed on the user terminal, and the visual object (323) may correspond to game application B installed on the user terminal. For example, in response to an input to select the visual object (322), the user terminal may display a UI related to game application A in the area (324). The UI may include a visual object for executing game application A.

[0083] In response to an input for selecting a visual object (313), the user terminal may display a screen displayed in the state (303) of FIG. 3c. The screen may be displayed superimposed on a screen running for a game launcher (e.g., a pop-up window).

[0084] FIG. 3c is a drawing showing a screen in which a third option is executed in a game launcher of a user terminal by selecting a third visual object (313) that can provide a screen for exchanging messages between users of a game platform service, for example.

[0085] Referring to FIG. 3c, within the screen, the user terminal may display a list (331) of game applications to which the user logged into the user terminal is subscribed. The list (331) may include chat channels corresponding to each of the game applications and / or chat channels provided through the game service. For example, chat channels provided through the game service may include a chat channel dedicated to a guild (or party) provided through the game service, and a one-on-one chat channel (e.g., a whisper channel) that appears through the user account of the user terminal. Within an area (332) of the exemplary screen in FIG. 3c, the user terminal may display one or more messages that have been transmitted or received through any one of the chat channels. The user terminal may display visual objects (333, 334, 335) for transmitting text, emoticons, and / or images (or videos) to the chat channel corresponding to the area (332). The user terminal can display a visual object (336) for uploading text entered into a visual object (333), which is a text box, to the chat channel. Through the screen of FIG. 3c, the user terminal can display a visual object (337) mapped to a function for adding a new chat channel.

[0086] FIG. 3d is a drawing showing a screen in which a fourth option is executed in a game launcher of a user terminal by selecting a visual object (314) that can create a post among users of a game platform service, for example.

[0087] Referring to FIG. 3d, in a state (304) where a fourth option corresponding to a visual object (314) is selected, the user terminal can provide a list of posts registered in the game platform service. The user terminal can provide the list through an area (342) within the screen. For example, an element (345) within the area (342) may correspond to a specific post included in the list. In response to an input for selecting an element (345), the user terminal can display a post corresponding to the element (345) within the screen. The user terminal can display visual objects in the area (341) to filter the posts displayed in the area (342). The visual objects displayed in the area (341) may correspond to hashtags (or index words) assigned to each of the posts. For example, a visual object (344) may be displayed to provide a list of posts containing exemplary hashtags (e.g., hashtags containing the string “#UPDATE”) through area (342). For example, a visual object (343) may be displayed to provide a list of all posts in area (342) by deselecting the hashtags displayed through area (341).

[0088] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a computing environment including a computing device according to one embodiment.

[0089] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, each component may have different functions and capabilities in addition to those described below, and may include additional components in addition to those described below.

[0090] The illustrated computing environment (10) includes a computing device (12). The computing device (12) is for performing a method according to the embodiments described below and may be, for example, one of servers (110, 120) and user terminals (141, 142, 143, 151, 152), or one or more components included in at least one of servers (110, 120) and user terminals (141, 142, 143, 151, 152).

[0091] A computing device (12) includes at least one processor (14), a computer-readable storage medium (16), and a communication bus (18). The processor (14) may enable the computing device (12) to operate according to exemplary embodiments. For example, the processor (14) may execute one or more programs stored in the computer-readable storage medium (16). The one or more programs may include one or more computer-executable instructions, and the computer-executable instructions may be configured to enable the computing device (12) to perform operations according to exemplary embodiments when executed by the processor (14).

[0092] A computer-readable storage medium (16) is configured to store computer-executable instructions or program code, program data and / or other suitable forms of information. A program (20) stored in the computer-readable storage medium (16) includes a set of instructions executable by a processor (14). In one embodiment, the computer-readable storage medium (16) may be memory (volatile memory such as random access memory, non-volatile memory, or a suitable combination thereof), one or more magnetic disk storage devices, optical disk storage devices, flash memory devices, other forms of storage media that are accessed by a computing device (12) and capable of storing desired information, or a suitable combination thereof.

[0093] The communication bus (18) interconnects various other components of the computing device (12), including the processor (14) and the computer-readable storage medium (16).

[0094] The computing device (12) may also include one or more input / output interfaces (22) and one or more network communication interfaces (26) that provide interfaces for one or more input / output devices (24). The input / output interfaces (22) and network communication interfaces (26) are connected to a communication bus (18). The input / output devices (24) may be connected to other components of the computing device (12) through the input / output interfaces (22). An exemplary input / output device (24) may include an input device such as a pointing device (such as a mouse or trackpad), a keyboard, a touch input device (such as a touchpad or touchscreen), a voice or sound input device, various types of sensor devices and / or imaging devices, and / or an output device such as a display device, a printer, a speaker and / or a network card. An exemplary input / output device (24) may be included inside the computing device (12) as a component constituting the computing device (12), or it may be connected to the computing device (12) as a separate device distinct from the computing device (12).

[0095] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a game control method according to one embodiment.

[0096] According to one embodiment, the method illustrated in FIG. 5 can be performed by the computing device (12) illustrated in FIG. 4.

[0097] Referring to FIG. 5, the computing device (12) generates game operation information based on one or more input events generated by the user during gameplay using the first game account among the user's multiple game accounts for the game (510).

[0098] According to one embodiment, a plurality of user game accounts may each refer to a user account created and registered by the user in a game service that provides a game for gameplay. In this case, according to one embodiment, the plurality of game accounts may be managed collectively by, for example, a server (120) for providing a game service for the game.

[0099] Meanwhile, the user can play the game by logging into one or more of the multiple game accounts, and playing the game using a specific game account among the multiple game accounts means playing the game while the user is logged into a specific game account. Specifically, the user can simultaneously log into two or more of the multiple game accounts using one or more user terminals (141, 142, 143), and playing the game using each logged-in game account can be performed individually through a separate game screen.

[0100] Meanwhile, according to one embodiment, game play using a specific game account may be game play performed through user operation on a user terminal (141, 142, 143) in which the game is executed while logged into a specific game account.

[0101] According to another embodiment, gameplay using a specific game account may be streaming gameplay performed through user operation on a client device that displays a game screen streamed from a remote host device in which the game is executed while logged into the specific game account. In this case, the host device may be one of the user terminals (141, 142, 143), and the client device may be, for example, another user terminal among the user terminals (141, 142, 143).

[0102] According to another embodiment, game play using a specific game account may be cloud game play performed through user operation on a user terminal (141, 142, 143) logged into a specific game account that displays a game screen streamed from a server (230) for cloud game.

[0103] According to one embodiment, an input event may be an event generated by a user's operation of an input device. For example, the input event may include a mouse input event generated by a user's operation of a mouse (e.g., mouse movement, left click, right click, double click, scroll, drag, etc.), a touch input event generated by a user's operation of a touch screen or touchpad (e.g., touch gestures such as tap, double tap, press, swipe, pinch, flick, etc.), and a keyboard input event generated by a user's operation of a keyboard (e.g., key input). However, the input event is not limited to the examples described above and may vary depending on the input device used by the user for gameplay.

[0104] According to one embodiment, one or more input events may be input events that occur within a specific time interval during gameplay using a first game account. In this case, at least one of the start time and the end time of the specific time interval may be pre-set within the game or set by the user during gameplay. Additionally, if at least one of the start time and the end time is set by the user, a user interface (UI) for receiving at least one of the start time and the end time from the user may be displayed on the game screen.

[0105] For example, one or more input events may be input events that occur sequentially between the time when gameplay using the first game account begins (e.g., when the initial game screen is displayed after logging in to the first game account) and the time when it ends (e.g., when the user operates the game exit button displayed on the game screen). As another example, one or more input events may be input events that occur sequentially between the start time specified by the user and the time when gameplay ends during gameplay using the first game account. As yet another example, one or more input events may be input events that occur sequentially between the time when gameplay using the first game account begins and the time when gameplay ends during gameplay specified by the user. As yet another example, one or more input events may be input events that occur sequentially between the start time specified by the user and the time when gameplay using the first game account ends.

[0106] Meanwhile, according to one embodiment, the game operation information may include input event information regarding one or more input events that occur during gameplay using a first game account. In this case, the input event information may include various information that can be used to reproduce one or more input events.

[0107] Specifically, according to one embodiment, input event information may include action information and sequence information for each of one or more input events. The action information for each of one or more input events may include one or more pieces of information related to an operation performed by a user on an input device to generate each of one or more input events. For example, the action information may include identification information related to the operation and may further include one or more of time information and location information depending on the operation.

[0108] As a specific example, if the input event is a mouse input event generated by a user's operation on the mouse, the action information for the input event may include an identification value for the operated mouse button (e.g., left button, right button, scroll wheel button, etc.), an identification value for the type of operation (e.g., click, mouse movement, scroll, etc.), a time value for the duration of the operation (e.g., click duration), and coordinate values ​​for the location associated with the operation (e.g., click location, drag start location, drag end location, mouse movement path, etc.).

[0109] As another example, if the input event is a keyboard input event generated by a user's operation on the keyboard, the action information for the input event may include an identification value for the operated key, an identification value for the form of the operation (e.g., keydown, keyup, etc.), a time value for the time the operation was maintained (e.g., the time the keydown was maintained).

[0110] As another example, if the input event is a touch input event generated by a user's operation on a touch screen, the action information for the input event may include an identification value for the form of the operation on the touch screen (e.g., tap, double tap, press, swipe, pinch, flick, drag, etc.), a time value for the time the operation is maintained (e.g., tap duration, press duration), and coordinate values ​​for the location associated with the operation (e.g., tap or press location, swipe start location, drag start location, drag end location, drag movement path, etc.).

[0111] Meanwhile, according to one embodiment, the coordinate values ​​for the location related to the operation action in the above-described example may be coordinate values ​​in the entire area of ​​the display screen where the game screen is displayed. In this case, the coordinate values ​​may be absolute coordinate values ​​based on the resolution of the display screen or relative coordinate values ​​independent of the resolution of the display screen. For example, if the resolution of the display screen is 1920×1080, the coordinate values ​​may be absolute coordinate values ​​including X-axis coordinate values ​​between 0 and 1919 and Y-axis coordinate values ​​between 0 and 1079, or relative coordinate values ​​in which the X-axis coordinate values ​​and Y-axis coordinate values ​​included in the absolute coordinate values ​​are each normalized to values ​​within a specific range (e.g., 0 to 1).

[0112] According to another embodiment, the coordinate values ​​may be coordinate values ​​in the area where the game screen is displayed on the display screen. In this case, the coordinate values ​​may be absolute coordinate values ​​based on the resolution of the display screen and the size of the area where the game screen is displayed, or relative coordinate values ​​independent of the resolution of the display screen and the size of the area where the game screen is displayed. For example, if the resolution of the display screen is 1920×1080 and the display mode of the game screen is a full-screen mode where it is displayed over the entire area of ​​the display screen, the coordinate values ​​may be absolute coordinate values ​​including X-axis coordinate values ​​between 0 and 1919 and Y-axis coordinate values ​​between 0 and 1079, or relative coordinate values ​​in which the X-axis coordinate values ​​and Y-axis coordinate values ​​included in the absolute coordinate values ​​are each normalized to values ​​within a specific range (e.g., 0 to 1). As another example, if the display mode of the game screen is a window mode that is displayed in a part of the display screen and the size of the area where the game screen is displayed is 600×500, the coordinate values ​​may be absolute coordinate values ​​including X-axis coordinate values ​​between 0 and 599 and Y-axis coordinate values ​​between 0 and 499, or relative coordinate values ​​in which the X-axis coordinate values ​​and Y-axis coordinate values ​​included in the absolute coordinate values ​​are each normalized to values ​​within a specific range (e.g., 0 to 1).

[0113] Meanwhile, action information for each of one or more input events is not necessarily limited to the examples described above, and may include various information depending on the input device and the operation of the input device in addition to the examples described above.

[0114] According to one embodiment, sequence information for each of one or more input events may include information for identifying at least one of the occurrence order and occurrence time of each of one or more input events. For example, the sequence information for each of one or more input events may include an identification value for the occurrence order of each of one or more input events. As another example, the sequence information for each of one or more input events may include a value for a time interval between the occurrence times of one or more input events. In this case, the time interval may be, for example, the elapsed time from the occurrence time of the first input event among the one or more input events, or the elapsed time from the occurrence time of the input event immediately preceding the one or more input events.

[0115] Meanwhile, according to another embodiment, the game operation information may include operation event information regarding one or more operation events that occurred for one or more screen operation elements based on one or more input events that occurred during gameplay using the first game account.

[0116] In this case, according to one embodiment, the screen operation element may be a graphic element displayed on a game screen for interaction with a user. Specifically, the screen operation element may be a graphic element that causes a specific game action to be executed within the game when a user's preset operation action (e.g., click, tap, double-click, swipe, drag, etc.) is detected, such as a UI element (e.g., button, icon, navigation bar, tab bar, dropdown menu, slider, checkbox, text input window, etc.).

[0117] More specifically, screen control elements may include UI elements (e.g., movement button, skill use button, etc.) that cause the user character to perform specific actions (e.g., movement, skill use, attack, etc.) during gameplay according to the user's actions; UI elements (e.g., menu icon) that cause specific menu UIs (e.g., environment settings menu UI, skill settings menu UI, quest menu UI, etc.) to be displayed on the game screen; UI elements (e.g., user character stats, item information for specific items, skill description for specific skills, etc.) that display specific information (e.g., stat check button, skill description button, etc.); and UI elements whose display state changes (e.g., toggle switch, check box, radio button, dropdown menu, etc.).

[0118] However, screen manipulation elements are not necessarily limited to UI elements such as the examples described above, and may include various graphic elements that are displayed on the game screen and can interact with the user according to user manipulation, such as NPCs (Non-Player Characters) and user characters.

[0119] Meanwhile, according to one embodiment, an operation event that occurs for a screen operation element may be an operation action on the screen operation element (e.g., click, tap, double click, swipe, drag, etc.). Additionally, according to one embodiment, operation event information for one or more operation events may include various information that can be used to reproduce one or more operation events.

[0120] Specifically, according to one embodiment, the operation event information may include operation information and sequence information for each of one or more operation events. In this case, according to one embodiment, the operation information for each of one or more operation events may include identification information for a screen operation element that is the target of operation and action identification information for an operation action performed on the screen operation element that is the target of operation.

[0121] Specifically, identification information for a screen manipulation element to be manipulated may include an identification value for identifying the screen manipulation element to be manipulated. For example, the identification information for a screen manipulation element to be manipulated may be an identification value pre-set for the screen manipulation element to be manipulated, but is not necessarily limited thereto, and may include various information that can be used to uniquely identify a specific screen manipulation element among a plurality of screen manipulation elements displayed on the game screen.

[0122] Meanwhile, identification information regarding an operation action may include an identification value for identifying an operation action on a screen operation element that is the target of operation. For example, if the operation action on the screen operation element that is the target of operation is a click using the left mouse button, the identification information regarding the operation action may include an identification value corresponding to the left mouse button click. As another example, if the operation action on the screen operation element that is the target of operation is a specific touch gesture (e.g., tap, double tap, press, swipe, drag, etc.), the identification information regarding the operation action may include an identification value corresponding to the specific touch gesture. Meanwhile, the identification information regarding an operation action is not necessarily limited to the examples described above and may include various information that can be used to uniquely identify a specific operation action using an input device.

[0123] Meanwhile, according to one embodiment, sequence information for each of one or more operation events may include information for identifying at least one of the occurrence order and occurrence time of each of one or more operation events. For example, sequence information for each of one or more operation events may include an identification value for the occurrence order of each of one or more operation events. As another example, sequence information for each of one or more operation events may include a value for a time interval between the occurrence times of each of one or more operation events. In this case, the time interval may be, for example, the elapsed time from the occurrence time of the first operation event among one or more operation events, or the elapsed time from the occurrence time of the operation event immediately preceding one or more operation events.

[0124] Meanwhile, according to another embodiment, the game operation information may include operation execution information for one or more game actions executed within the game based on one or more input events that occurred during gameplay using the first game account.

[0125] In this case, according to one embodiment, one or more game actions may be actions executed within the game based on operation events occurring on screen operation elements displayed on the game screen, each based on one or more input events. For example, game actions may include receiving reward items, receiving daily quests, checking in-game messages, purchasing items, receiving quests, displaying specific menu UIs, moving user characters, using user characters' skills, etc. However, game actions are not necessarily limited to the examples described above and may vary depending on the game.

[0126] Meanwhile, according to one embodiment, operation execution information for one or more game actions may include various information that can be used to execute one or more game actions.

[0127] Specifically, according to one embodiment, action execution information may include game action identification information and sequence information for one or more game actions. In this case, the game action identification information may include one or more identification values ​​for identifying game actions. For example, the game action identification information may include an identification value pre-assigned for each of one or more game actions, but is not necessarily limited thereto and may include various information that can be used to uniquely identify a specific game action.

[0128] Meanwhile, according to one embodiment, sequence information for each of one or more game actions may include information for identifying at least one of the execution order and execution time of each of one or more game actions. For example, sequence information for each of one or more game actions may include an identification value for the execution order of each of one or more game actions. As another example, sequence information for each of one or more game actions may include a value for a time interval between the execution times of each of one or more game actions. In this case, the time interval may be, for example, the elapsed time from the execution time of the first game action executed among one or more game actions, or the elapsed time from the execution time of the operation event executed immediately before among one or more game actions.

[0129] Meanwhile, the computing device (12) can store the generated game operation information after generating the game operation information. At this time, according to one embodiment, the computing device (12) can store the account identification information of the first user account (e.g., the ID of the first game account) in association with the game operation information.

[0130] Meanwhile, game operation information may be stored in an internal storage means of a computing device (12), but according to an embodiment, it may also be stored in an external device or external storage means accessible via a wired / wireless network using one of the user's multiple game accounts.

[0131] After generating game control information, the computing device (12) applies a game control sequence based on the game control information to the user's second game account game play based on the user's selection (520).

[0132] According to one embodiment, if the game operation information includes input event information for one or more input events, the game operation sequence based on the game operation information may be one or more input events that occur sequentially based on the input event information. For example, if the game operation information is input event information for input event 1, input event 2, and input event 3 that occur sequentially during gameplay using a first game account, the game operation sequence based on the game operation information may be three input events that occur sequentially corresponding to each of input event 1, input event 2, and input event 3.

[0133] According to another embodiment, if the game operation information includes operation event information for one or more operation events, the game operation sequence based on the game operation information may be one or more operation events that occur sequentially based on the operation event information. For example, if the game operation information is an operation event for a first screen operation element (operation event 1), an operation event for a second screen operation element (operation event 2), and an operation event for a third screen operation element (operation event 3) that occur sequentially during gameplay using a first game account, the game operation sequence based on the game operation information may be three operation events that occur sequentially corresponding to operation event 1, operation event 2, and operation event 3, respectively.

[0134] According to another embodiment, if the game operation information includes operation execution information for one or more game actions, the game operation sequence based on the game operation information may be one or more game actions executed sequentially based on the operation execution information. For example, if the game operation information is execution information for game action 1, game action 2, and game action 3 executed sequentially during gameplay using a first game account, the game operation sequence based on the game operation information may be three game actions corresponding to each of game action 1, game action 2, and game action 3 and executed sequentially.

[0135] Meanwhile, according to one embodiment, the second game account may be a game account selected by the user as the target for application of a game operation sequence according to game operation information among the user's multiple game accounts.

[0136] Specifically, according to one embodiment, the computing device (12) may display a selection UI on a game screen where gameplay using the first game account is displayed, for receiving selection from the user of one or more game accounts among the user's multiple game accounts as targets for application of the game operation sequence according to the game operation information when generating game operation information in step 510 described above. Additionally, when the user selects one or more game accounts as targets for application of the game operation sequence using the selection UI, the computing device (12) may store account identification information (e.g., ID of the game account) associated with the game operation information to identify the one or more game accounts selected by the user as targets for application of the game operation sequence. In this case, the computing device (12) determines whether the second game account is a game account selected by the user as a target for application of the game operation sequence based on the game operation information based on the account identification information stored associated with the game operation information, and if it is a target, may apply the game operation sequence based on the game operation information to gameplay using the second game account.

[0137] According to another embodiment, the computing device (12) checks whether there is game control information stored in association with the account identification information of one of the user's multiple game accounts, and if there is, may display a selection UI on a game screen where gameplay using the second game account is displayed to receive a selection from the user regarding whether to apply a game control sequence based on the game control information. In this case, the computing device (12) may apply a game control sequence based on the game control information to gameplay using the second game account based on the user's selection using the selection UI.

[0138] Meanwhile, according to one embodiment, the game operation information may further include screen setting information for a game screen to which a game operation sequence based on the game operation information is applied. In this case, the screen setting information may be generated based on the screen settings of a game screen (hereinafter referred to as the "first game screen") where gameplay using the user's first game account is displayed. For example, the screen setting information may include information regarding at least one of the following: the resolution of the display screen where the first game screen is displayed, the size of the first game screen, the resolution of the first game screen, the display mode of the first game screen (e.g., full screen mode, window mode, etc.), the location of the area where the first game screen is displayed on the display screen, and settings for screen operation elements displayed on the first game screen (e.g., icon size, button size, UI configuration, UI placement location, etc.).

[0139] Specifically, FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the process of applying a game operation sequence according to game operation information when screen setting information is included in the game operation information.

[0140] Referring to FIG. 6, the computing device (12) determines whether the screen settings of a game screen (hereinafter referred to as the 'second game screen') displaying gameplay using the user's second game account match the screen setting information included in the game operation information (610).

[0141] Afterwards, if the screen setting of the second game screen does not match the screen setting information included in the game operation information, the computing device (12) changes the screen setting of the second game screen to match the screen setting information included in the game operation information (620).

[0142] Afterwards, the computing device (12) applies a game operation sequence based on game operation information to gameplay using a second game account (630).

[0143] FIGS. 7 to 12 are drawings for exemplarily explaining the generation of game operation information and the application of a game operation sequence based on the generated game operation information according to one embodiment.

[0144] Specifically, FIGS. 7 to 9 illustrate a game screen (700) in which gameplay using a user's first game account is displayed. Let us assume that three input events occur in the order of: a tap (input event 1) for a specific location (location 1) within an area where a menu expansion icon (711) for displaying an expanded game menu UI (720) from the "game menu UI (710)" displayed on the game screen (700) according to the user's operation on the touch screen => a tap (input event 2) for a specific location (location 2) within an area where an attendance menu icon (721) for displaying an attendance menu UI (730) from the "expanded game menu UI (720)" is displayed => a tap (input event 3) for a specific location (location 3) within an area where a benefit claim button (731) for obtaining attendance rewards from the "attendance menu UI (730)" is displayed, according to the user's operation on the touch screen as shown in FIGS. 7 to 9.

[0145] In this case, according to one embodiment, the computing device (12) may generate game operation information including input event information for input event 1, input event 2, and input event 3. At this time, the input event information may include action information and sequence information for each of input event 1, input event 2, and input event 3. Specifically, the action information may include, for example, an identification value for identifying the form of the operation action on the touch screen (i.e., a tap on the touch screen) performed to generate each of input event 1, input event 2, and input event 3, and coordinate values ​​for each of position 1, position 2, and position 3. Additionally, the sequence information may include, for example, an identification value for the order of occurrence of each of input event 1, input event 2, and input event 3.

[0146] According to another embodiment, the computing device (12) may generate game operation information including operation event information for a "tap on menu expansion icon (711)" (operation event 1), a "tap on attendance menu icon (721)" (operation event 2), and a "tap on benefit button (731)" (operation event 3), which are operation events that occur sequentially based on input event 1, input event 2, and input event 3. At this time, the operation event information may include operation information and sequence information for each of operation event 1, operation event 2, and operation event 3. Specifically, the operation information may include, for example, an identification value for identifying each of the menu expansion icon (711), attendance menu icon (721), and benefit button (731), and an identification value for identifying an operation act (i.e., tap) for each of the menu expansion icon (711), attendance menu icon (721), and benefit button (731). In addition, the sequence information may include an identification value for the order of occurrence for each of operation event 1, operation event 2, and operation event 3.

[0147] Meanwhile, according to another embodiment, the computing device (12) may generate game operation information including operation execution information for each of the game actions executed sequentially based on input event 1, input event 2, and input event 3, namely "displaying an extended game menu UI (720) (game action 1)," "displaying an attendance menu UI (730) (game action 2)," and "obtaining an attendance reward (game action 3)." In this case, according to one embodiment, the operation execution information may include game action identification information and sequence information for each of game action 1, game action 2, and game action 3. Specifically, the game action identification information may include, for example, one or more identification values ​​for identifying each of game action 1, game action 2, and game action 3. Additionally, the sequence information may include identification values ​​for the execution order of each of game action 1, game action 2, and game action 3.

[0148] Meanwhile, FIGS. 10 to 12 illustrate a game screen (800) in which gameplay using the user's second game account is displayed.

[0149] Referring to FIGS. 10 to 12, when game operation information includes input event information for the aforementioned input event 1, input event 2, and input event 3, the computing device (12) can sequentially generate three input events corresponding to each of the input event 1, input event 2, and input event 3 during gameplay using the user's second game account based on the input event information for the input event 1, input event 2, and input event 3. Specifically, the computing device (12) can generate three input events in the order of "tap for a position corresponding to position 1" => "tap for a position corresponding to position 2" => "tap for a position corresponding to position 3" based on the input event information.

[0150] According to another embodiment, if the game operation information includes operation event information for the operation event 1, operation event 2, and operation event 3 described above, the computing device (12) can sequentially generate three operation events corresponding to each of operation event 1, operation event 2, and operation event 3 during gameplay using the user's second game account based on the event information. Specifically, the computing device (12) can generate three operation events in the order of "tap for menu expansion icon (811)" => "tap for attendance menu icon (821)" => "tap for benefit button (831)" based on the operation event information for operation event 1, operation event 2, and operation event 3.

[0151] Meanwhile, according to another embodiment, if the game operation information includes operation execution information for the aforementioned game operation 1, game operation 2, and game operation 3, the computing device (12) can execute three game operations corresponding to each of game operation 1, game operation 2, and game operation 3 during gameplay using the second game account. Specifically, the computing device (12) can execute three game operations in the order of "display extended game menu UI (820)" => "display attendance menu UI (830)" => "obtain attendance reward" based on the operation execution information for game operation 1, game operation 2, and game operation 3.

[0152] FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating the process of generating a game operation sequence and applying a game operation sequence according to one embodiment.

[0153] In the example illustrated in FIG. 13, steps 1310 to 1330 can be performed, for example, in step 510 of FIG. 5, and steps 1340 and 1350 can be performed, for example, in step 520 of FIG. 5.

[0154] Referring to FIG. 13, the computing device (12) identifies the target of application of the game operation sequence based on game operation information among the plurality of game accounts based on user input for selecting the target of application of the game operation sequence based on game operation information among the plurality of game accounts (1310).

[0155] According to one embodiment, the computing device (12) can display a selection UI for selecting a target for application of a game operation sequence, and can identify a target for application of the game operation sequence among a plurality of user game accounts based on user input to the selection UI.

[0156] In this case, according to one embodiment, the computing device (12) may display a selection UI when the user requests to end gameplay using the first game account or starts gameplay using one of the game accounts excluding the first game account among the plurality of game accounts.

[0157] For example, the computing device (12) may determine that the user has requested to end gameplay using the first game account when user input (e.g., click, tap, etc.) to the game exit button displayed on the first game screen is detected, or when key input to the key assigned to end the game on the keyboard is detected, and may display a selection UI on the first game screen.

[0158] As another example, the computing device (12) can display a selection UI on the game screen where the gameplay using the other game account is displayed when the user logs into their other game account and starts gameplay while the gameplay using the first game account has not ended.

[0159] Meanwhile, FIGS. 14 and FIGS. 15 are drawings illustrating examples of a selection UI for selecting a target for application of a game operation sequence according to one embodiment.

[0160] Referring to FIG. 14, the selection UI (1400) may include UI elements (1410, 1420) for receiving input on whether to select, for example, the remaining game accounts excluding the first game account among the user's multiple game accounts as targets for application to the game operation sequence. In this case, when user input (e.g., click, tap, etc.) for the UI element (1410) is detected in the selection UI (1400), the computing device (12) may identify all remaining game accounts excluding the first game account among the user's multiple game accounts as targets for application to the game operation sequence.

[0161] As another example, referring to FIG. 15, the selection UI (1500) may include UI elements (1510, 1520, 1530, 1540, 1550) for selecting the target of application of the game operation sequence from among the remaining game accounts, excluding the first game account among the user's multiple game accounts. In this case, the computing device (12) may identify the game account corresponding to each of the UI elements (1510, 1520, 1530) for which user input (e.g., click, tap, etc.) was detected as the target of application of the game operation sequence when user input (e.g., click, tap, etc.) is detected for the UI element (1540) for selection completion after user input (e.g., click, tap, etc.) for one or more of the UI elements (1510, 1520, 1530) corresponding to each of the remaining game accounts is detected.

[0162] Referring again to FIG. 13, when one or more of the remaining game accounts are selected as targets for application of a game operation sequence based on game operation information (1320), the computing device (12) generates game operation sequence information based on one or more input events generated by the user during gameplay using the first game account (1330).

[0163] Afterwards, when the second game account is the target of the game operation sequence application (1340), the computing device (12) applies the game operation sequence based on the game operation information to the game play using the second game account (1350).

[0164] FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a game control method according to an additional embodiment.

[0165] In the example illustrated in FIG. 16, steps 1610 and 1620 are identical to steps 510 and 520 of FIG. 5, so a redundant description thereof is omitted.

[0166] Referring to FIG. 16, the computing device (12) generates game operation information based on one or more input events generated by the user during gameplay using the first game account among the user's multiple game accounts for the game (1610).

[0167] Afterwards, the computing device (12) applies a game operation sequence based on game operation information based on the user's selection to the game play using the user's second game account (1620).

[0168] Afterward, when one or more of the game play using the first game account and the game play using the second game account are resumed after termination (1630), the computing device (12) applies a game control sequence based on game control information based on the user's choice to the resumed game play (1640).

[0169] At this time, according to one embodiment, the computing device (12) may display a selection UI for receiving a selection as to whether to apply a game control sequence based on game control information to the resumed game play, and may apply a game control sequence based on game control information to the resumed game play based on user input to the selection UI.

[0170] Specifically, FIG. 17 is a drawing showing an example of a selection UI for selecting whether to apply a game control sequence based on game control information to resumed gameplay according to one embodiment.

[0171] Referring to FIG. 17, the selection UI (1700) may include UI elements (1710, 1720) for receiving input, for example, whether to apply a game control sequence based on game control information to resumed gameplay. In this case, the computing device (12) may apply a game control sequence based on game control information to resumed gameplay when user input (e.g., click, tap, etc.) to the UI element (1710) is detected in the selection UI (1700).

[0172] Although the present invention has been described in detail above through representative embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications can be made to the aforementioned embodiments within the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the described embodiments, but should be defined by the claims set forth below as well as equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A method performed by a computing device comprising one or more processors, wherein An operation to generate game control information based on one or more input events generated by said user during gameplay using a first game account among a user's multiple game accounts for a game; and A game control method comprising applying a game control sequence based on the game control information to a game play using a second game account among the plurality of game accounts, based on the selection of the user.

2. In Claim 1, The above game operation information includes input event information for one or more input events, and A game control method wherein the above game operation sequence includes one or more input events that occur sequentially based on the above input event information.

3. In Claim 2, A game control method wherein the input event information includes action information and sequence information for each of the one or more input events.

4. In Claim 1, The above game operation information includes operation event information for one or more operation events that occurred for one or more screen operation elements based on the one or more input events, and A game control method wherein the above game operation sequence includes one or more operation events that occur sequentially based on the operation event information.

5. In Claim 4, A game control method wherein the above operation event information includes operation information and sequence information for each of the one or more operation events.

6. In Claim 1, The above game operation information includes operation execution information for one or more game actions executed within the game based on the above one or more input events, and A game control method comprising one or more game actions that are executed sequentially based on the above-described action execution information.

7. In Claim 6, A game control method comprising the above action execution information including game action identification information and sequence information for each of the one or more executed game actions.

8. In Claim 1, The above game operation information further includes screen setting information for a game screen to which the above game operation sequence is to be applied, and The above-described application operation is an operation of determining whether the screen settings of a game screen displaying gameplay using the second game account match the screen settings information based on the screen settings information; If the screen settings of the game screen where gameplay using the second game account is displayed do not match the screen setting information, the operation of changing the screen settings of the game screen where gameplay using the second game account is displayed to match the screen setting information; and A game control method comprising the operation of applying the above game operation sequence to gameplay using the above second game account.

9. In Claim 8, The above screen setting information is a game control method that is generated based on the screen settings of a game screen in which gameplay using the first game account is displayed.

10. In Claim 1, A game control method in which gameplay using the first game account and gameplay using the second game account are streaming gameplay or cloud gameplay.

11. In Claim 1, The above generating operation comprises: an operation of identifying the target of application of the game operation sequence among the plurality of game accounts based on user input of the user for selecting the target of application of the game operation sequence based on the game operation information among the plurality of game accounts; and When one or more of the aforementioned plurality of game accounts are selected as targets for application of the game operation sequence, the operation of generating the game operation information is included. The above-described application operation is a game control method that applies a game operation sequence based on the game operation information to gameplay using the second game account when the second game account is the target of application of the game operation sequence.

12. In Claim 1, A game control method further comprising, after the above-described application operation, an operation of applying a game control sequence based on the game control information to the resumed game play based on the user's selection when one or more of the game play using the first game account and the game play using the second game account are resumed after termination.

13. One or more processors; and It includes memory for storing one or more programs executed by the above one or more processors, and The above one or more processors, Generating game operation information based on one or more input events generated by the user during gameplay using the first game account among the user's multiple game accounts for the game, and A computing device that applies a game operation sequence based on the game operation information to gameplay using a second game account among the plurality of game accounts, based on the selection of the user.

14. In Claim 13, The above game operation information includes input event information for one or more input events, and A computing device in which the above game operation sequence includes one or more input events that occur sequentially based on the above input event information.

15. In Claim 14, A computing device comprising the above input event information, the action information and sequence information for each of the one or more input events.

16. In Claim 13, The above game operation information includes operation event information for one or more operation events that occurred for one or more screen operation elements based on the one or more input events, and A computing device in which the above game operation sequence includes one or more operation events that occur sequentially based on the operation event information.

17. In Claim 16, A computing device comprising the above operation event information, the operation information and sequence information for each of the one or more operation events.

18. In Claim 13, The above game operation information includes operation execution information for one or more game actions executed within the game based on the above one or more input events, and A computing device in which the above game operation sequence includes one or more game actions executed sequentially based on the above action execution information.

19. In Claim 18, A computing device comprising the above operation execution information, the game operation identification information and sequence information for each of the one or more executed game operations.

20. In Claim 13, The above game operation information further includes screen setting information for a game screen to which the above game operation sequence is to be applied, and The above one or more processors determine, based on the screen setting information, whether the screen setting of the game screen in which gameplay using the second game account is displayed matches the screen setting information, and If the screen settings of the game screen displaying gameplay using the second game account do not match the screen setting information, the screen settings of the game screen displaying gameplay using the second game account are changed to match the screen setting information. A computing device that applies the above game operation sequence to gameplay using the above second game account.

21. In claim 20, A computing device in which the above screen setting information is generated based on the screen settings of a game screen in which gameplay using the first game account is displayed.

22. In Claim 13, A computing device in which gameplay using the first game account and gameplay using the second game account are streaming gameplay or cloud gameplay.

23. In Claim 13, The above one or more processors, Identifying the target of application of the game operation sequence among the plurality of game accounts based on user input of the user for selecting the target of application of the game operation sequence based on the game operation information among the plurality of game accounts, and If one or more of the aforementioned multiple game accounts are selected as targets for application of the game operation sequence, the game operation information is generated, and A computing device that applies a game operation sequence based on game operation information to gameplay using the second game account when the second game account is the target of application of the game operation sequence.

24. In Claim 13, A computing device wherein one or more processors apply a game operation sequence based on the game operation information to a game play using a second game account among the plurality of game accounts, and then, when one or more of the game play using the first game account and the game play using the second game account are resumed after termination, apply a game operation sequence based on the game operation information to the resumed game play based on the user's selection.

Images