Virtual Game Machine Server for Remote I/O Gameplay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users are restricted from playing games installed on amusement center machines due to performance differences between client devices and game machines, limiting gameplay to specific locations and times, thereby hindering user expansion.
Innovation Solution
A game system where a server device functions as a virtual game machine, and network terminal devices act as remote I/O devices, allowing users to play games on network terminals with the same performance as game machines, using a virtual game machine control device and I/O control programs to enable remote gameplay and service acceptance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a game machine is installed in an amusement center, then the game can be played with high performance, but users are restricted from playing the game at locations other than where the game machine is installed
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the game execution into two segments: the game machine program runs on the server device, while the network terminal device only handles input/output operations. This segmentation allows the heavy computational workload to be separated from the client device, enabling high-performance gameplay without requiring powerful local hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The server device acts as an intermediary between the game machine program and the network terminal device. It receives input signals from the terminal, executes the game program, and transmits output signals back to the terminal, thereby enabling remote gameplay without direct connection between the terminal and game machine.
2Adaptability or versatility
If client devices with different performance are connected to a shared server, then device versatility is improved, but it becomes impossible to play the game on client devices due to performance differences
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a virtual copy of the game machine program on the server device. This virtual instance executes the game using the server's processing power, while the network terminal device only needs to display the output and capture input signals, allowing any terminal device regardless of its computational capabilities to play the game.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the execution parameter of the game program from local execution on the client device to remote execution on the server device. This parameter change allows the game to run on high-performance server hardware while being accessed from low-power terminal devices through network communication.
3Power
If the game machine program is executed on the server device, then gameplay performance is maintained, but the network terminal device requires additional I/O control programs
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the core game execution function from the client device and places it on the server device. The network terminal device only retains the essential I/O control program needed to communicate with the server, significantly reducing the software complexity required on the client side while maintaining high processing power on the server.
Data Source
AI summary
A game system allows a user to play a game in a similar way to a game machine. The game system includes a server device, a game machine, and a network terminal device. A game machine program makes a control device function as a device for making a user play a game and a device for accepting a predetermined service from the server device as well as identifying a user in cooperation with the server device. The server device is provided with a virtual game machine portion which executes the game machine program and makes a control unit thereof function as the device for making a user play the game and the device for accepting the service. The network terminal device is provided with an I/O control portion which makes the network terminal device function as a remote I/O device for the virtual game machine control portion.