Server providing competitive game service, program storage medium for use in the server, and method of providing competitive game service using the server

• US 20020082088A1
• Filed: 12/19/2001
• Published: 06/27/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bot M8 LLC
• Original Assignee: Aruze Co., LTD
• Inventors: Nagashima, Kouzo
• Granted Patent: US 7,377,852 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/42
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/12 involving interaction between a plurality of game devices, e.g. transmisison or distribution systems protocols for networked virtual reality, networked games H04L29/06034
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/30 Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/332 using wireless networks, e.g. cellular phone networks
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/335 using Internet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/35 Details of game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/48 Starting a game, e.g. activating a game device or waiting for other players to join a multiplayer session
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/406 Transmission via wireless network, e.g. pager or GSM
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/407 Data transfer via internet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/50 characterized by details of game servers

Abstract

A competitive game program and virtual game player list are previously stored in a server. The server provides on network a competitive game service to a plurality of game players'"'"' terminals via communication lines. The server sets such that, under the condition that the number of competitors against the game players is below a predetermined number, the competitive game program is activated to play the competitive game with the game players, and notifies, as a competitor, a virtual game player'"'"'s name previously entered on the virtual game player list, to the game players who are to play the competitive game with the competitive game program. Therefore, the game player can enjoy the competitive game with the virtual game player, even if the number of competitors is insufficient when receiving the competitive game service. This avoids the inconvenience that although the game player (user) has access to the competitive game site for the purpose of playing the competitive game, the player cannot help giving up playing the game.

Claims

1. A server with a competitive game program and virtual game player list stored therein, providing on network a competitive game service to a plurality of game players'"'"' terminals via communication lines, the server comprising:

setting means of setting such that, under the condition that the number of competitors against the game players is below a predetermined number when the game players receive the competitive game service via the terminals, the competitive game program is activated to play the competitive game with the game players; and

notification means of notifying, as a competitor, a virtual game player'"'"'s name previously entered on the virtual game player list, to the game players who are to play the competitive game with the competitive game program by the setting means.

2. The server providing the competitive game according to claim 1, wherein the notification means selects a number of game players lacking for the competitive game from plural virtual game players previously entered on the virtual game player list, and sends, as a competitor'"'"'s name, the virtual game players'"'"' names of the selected game players to the game players'"'"' terminals.

3. A program storage medium used in a server with a competitive game program and virtual game player list stored therein, providing on network a competitive game service to a plurality of game players'"'"' terminals via communication lines, the program storage medium comprising:

a setting program of setting such that, under the condition that the number of competitors against the game players is below a predetermined number when the game players receive the competitive game service via the terminals, the competitive game program is activated to play the competitive game with the game players; and

a notification program of notifying, as a competitor, a virtual game player'"'"'s name previously entered on the virtual game player list, to the game players who are to play the competitive game with the competitive game program by the setting program.

4. The program storage medium according to claim 3, wherein the notification program selects a number of game players lacking for the competitive game from plural virtual game players previously entered on the virtual game player list, and sends, as a competitor'"'"'s name, the virtual game players'"'"' names of the selected game players to the game players'"'"' terminals.

5. A method of providing on network a competitive game service to a plurality of game players'"'"' terminals via communication lines, by using a server with a competitive game program and virtual game player list stored therein, the method comprising the steps of:

setting such that, under the condition that the number of competitors against the game players is below a predetermined number when the game players receive the competitive game service via the terminals, the competitive game program is activated to play the competitive game with the game players; and

notifying, as a competitor, a virtual game player'"'"'s name previously entered on the virtual game player list, to the game players who are to play the competitive game with the competitive game program in the setting step.

6. The method of providing the competitive game service according to claim 5, wherein the notification step including the step of:

selecting a number of game players lacking for the competitive game from plural virtual game players previously entered on the virtual game player list, and

sending, as a competitor'"'"'s name, the virtual game players'"'"' names of the selected game players to the game players'"'"' terminals.