Communication game system and communication game processing method

• US 20040198497A1
• Filed: 04/23/2004
• Published: 10/07/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Sega Enterprises
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Sega Enterprises
• Inventors: Yamashita, Nobuyuki, Satou, Masanori
• Granted Patent: US 6,932,708 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/43
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/335 using Internet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/35 Details of game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/79 involving player-related data, e.g. identities, accounts, preferences or play histories
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/833 Hand-to-hand fighting, e.g. martial arts competition A63F13/837 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/86 Watching games played by other players
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/87 Communicating with other players during game play, e.g. by e-mail or chat
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/208 for storing personal settings or data of the player
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/407 Data transfer via internet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/50 characterized by details of game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5546 using player registration data, e.g. identification, account, preferences, game history
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/572 Communication between players during game play of non game information, e.g. e-mail, chat, file transfer, streaming of audio and streaming of video
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/577 for watching a game played by other players
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8029 Fighting without shooting

Abstract

This communication game system comprises a client system 1 and a game server system 2 for communicating with the client system 1. The game server system 2 comprises a database 21 for storing group information which relates a plurality of client systems to each other as a battle group. The game server system 2 is structured to decide a battle combination among the client systems 1 belonging to the same battle group, to perform a battle by managing the sending and receiving of data between the client systems determined by the above-mentioned combination, and to decide the next combination in accordance with the results of the battle. Each client system 1 has its own character select function and chat function when watching games.

Claims

1. A communication game system comprising a plurality of client systems and a game server system for communicating with the plurality of client systems,

wherein the preparation and operation of games are diversified.

2. A communication game system according to claim 1,

wherein the game server system comprises a database which stores, according to several kinds of battle modes, group information for relating a plurality of client systems to each other as one battle group, and

wherein when any one battle group is designated, the game server system is configured so as to refer to the group information related to the designated battle group, to decide a battle combination among the client systems belonging to the same battle group, to perform the battle by managing the sending and receiving of data between the client systems to be determined according to the combination, and then to decide the next combination in accordance with the results of the battle.

3. A communication game system according to claim 2,

wherein at least one of the group information stored in the database contains game rule information for setting up a battle mode designed to enable a winner, a loser, both fixed client systems, or either one of the fixed client systems to continue playing battles against other client systems when a battle is over, and

wherein when the battle is over, the game server system decides the next battle combination by referring to the game rule information.

4. A communication game system according to claim 3, wherein when an acceptance command is sent from both client systems corresponding to the next battle combination, the game server system performs the battle.

5. A communication game system according to claim 2,

wherein at least one of the group information stored in the database stores schedule information for setting up a team battle mode in which one battle group is divided into two subgroups, and

wherein when a battle is over, the game server system refers to the schedule information and decides the next battle combination by selecting the winner client system as a result of the battle, and the other client system which belongs to the subgroup of the loser client system which has not played a battle.

6. A communication game system according to claim 5,

wherein the schedule information have a previously set battle order within the subgroup, and

wherein when the last client system surviving in either one of the subgroups loses a battle, the game server system reports the results of the relevant team battle to each client system.

7. A communication game system according to claim 2,

wherein at least one of the group information stored in the database stores registration information for setting up a round-robin battle mode in which the client systems are ordered in such a manner that when a battle is over, one client system battles against all the other client systems in the same battle group, and

wherein when a battle of one combination is over, the game server system refers to the registration information and decides the next battle combination by selection, for each client system, another client system against which the former client system has not yet played a battle, and which is not battling.

8. A communication game system according to claim 7, wherein when battles of all the combinations are over, the game server system reports the results, of the round-robin battles as a score sheet to each client system.

9. A communication game system according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the group information stored in the database stores registration information to set up a tournament battle mode for playing battles in a tournament style within the same battle group when a battle is over, and

wherein when a battle of one combination is over, the game server system decides battle combinations by referring to the registration information and decides the next battle combination by selecting the winning client systems in the battles of the decided combinations.

10. A communication game system according to claim 9, wherein when one client system wins its way to the final battle in the tournament, the game server system reports the results of the tournament as a tournament sheet.

11. A communication game system according to claim 2, wherein when any of the client systems makes a battle request, the game server system selects and executes either an easy battle mode in which any one of the other client systems is selected to battle, or an expert battle mode in which the client system belongs to any one of the battle groups and plays battles within each battle group.

12. A communication game system according to claim 2, wherein the game server system provides each client system with a battle mode menu for having each client system browse battle groups by referring to the group information.

13. A communication game system according to claim 12, wherein when any battle group is selected among the client systems in the battle mode menu, the game server system reads the group information corresponding to the selected battle group from the database and displays the content of such group information.

14. A communication game system according to claim 12, wherein the database stores battle history information of the client systems belonging to any of the battle groups, and

wherein when any client system is selected among the client systems in the battle mode menu, the game server system reads the battle history information corresponding to the selected client system and displays such battle history information.

15. A communication game system according to claim 12, wherein when a battle combination within the battle group is to be decided, the game server system determines the combination possibilities according to the degree of strength which is judged according to the battle history information of each client system.

16. A communication game system according to claim 12, wherein when a battle combination within the battle group is to be decided, the game server system handicaps each client system according to the battle history information, and in the case of a battle of such handicapped combination, the update of the battle history information as a result of the battle is prohibited.

17. A communication game system according to claim 12, comprising a WWW server system connected to the wide area network.

wherein the game server system creates a file for displaying battle history on the basis of the battle history information and stores the file in a storage area of the WWW server system in such a state that the file can be read by a computer.

18. A communication game system according to claim 2, wherein when any of the client systems request the creation of a new battle group, the game server system newly registers new group information with the database on the basis of the settings of the client system.

19. A communication game system according to claim 2, wherein when any of the client systems request the participation in any of the battle groups, the game server system relates the client system to the group information of the battle group for which the participation request is made.

20. A communication game system according to claim 2, wherein the game server system sends and receives battle data to and from the client systems which are fighting within the battle group, while it sends to and receives from the client systems, which are not fighting within the battle group, battle watching data for watching battles between the fighting client systems.

21. A communication game system according to claim 2, wherein the database has associating information to associate a message, which during a battle each client system wants to give to the client systems watching the battle, with the operations of a game player, and

wherein when any of the client systems is fighting a battle, the game server system refers to the operations of the client system, reads the associating information associated with the operations, and reports such associating information to the client systems watching the battle.

22. A communication game system according to claim 2, wherein when any of the client systems is fighting a battle and when a message is sent from a client system watching the battle, the game server system reports the message to other client systems.

23. A communication game system according to claim 2, wherein the client system comprises a vibration generating means for transmitting vibrations to a game player in response to a command from the game server system, and

wherein the game server system sends to other client systems a command to drive the vibration generating means in accordance with the operations of any of the client systems.

24. A communication game system according to any one of claims 2 through 23, wherein the game server system comprises:

database for associating a plurality of client systems as a battle group;

a communication device for sending and receiving data to and from each client system; and

a processor for managing game battles between a plurality of client systems within the same battle group by referring to the database.

32. A communication game system according to claim 1, the system capable of sending and receiving data on a game in real time through the game server system between such client systems of the plurality of client systems, which have already decided on their competitors,

wherein regarding each of the plurality of client systems, upon receiving and sending the data between the client systems, when one client system sends the data by including data to be nullified, the other client system applies the nullification process to the data to be nullified.

33. A communication game system according to claim 32, wherein each of the plurality of client systems comprises:

a sending means for sending the data including the data to be nullified to the game server system; and

a nullification processing means for nullifying the data to be nullified when the data to be nullified is sent from the game server system.

37. A communication game system according to any one of claims 32 through 36, wherein the data to be nullified is data on the details of the operation of a game player when he selects a customized character on a screen for selecting a game character.

38. A communication game system according to claim 37, wherein the data on the details of the operation is the data on the operations of a controller or a pad.

39. A communication game system according to any one of claims 32 through 36, wherein each of the plurality of client systems comprises a means for presenting a screen, as a game character selection screen, including a first button for selecting a common character previously stored in the plurality of client systems, and a second button for shifting to a mode for selecting an uncommon customized character which can be stored by a memory device attachable to a desired client system, and

wherein the data to be nullified is data representing the operation state when the second button is selected.

40. A communication game according to anyone of claims 33 through 39, wherein the nullification processing means is the process to read and nullify the data to be nullified by causing the data to be in a non-display state.

41. A communication game system according to claim 1, the system capable of sending and receiving data on a game in real time through the game server system between such client systems of the plurality of client systems, which have already decided on their competitors,

wherein when each of the plurality of client systems watches the game, the client system is capable of chatting with other client systems in the game watching state through the game server system.

42. A communication game system according to claim 41, wherein each of the plurality of client systems comprises:

a sending means for receiving the content of the chat from a game player while watching the game and then sending character string information corresponding to the content to the game server system; and

a display means for displaying the character string information by superposing it on a game screen on the monitor when the character string information is sent from the game server system.

43. A communication game system according to claim 42, wherein the display means is the means for displaying the character string information in a semitransparent window which is set up on the background of the game screen on the monitor screen.

44. A communication game system according to claim 1, the system capable of sending and receiving data on a game in real time through the game server system between such client systems of the plurality of client systems, which have already decided on their competitors,

wherein when each of the plurality of client systems watches the game, the client system displays an image of a game space, in which the game is performed, being projected from a changeable virtual visual point within the game space.

25. A communication game processing method performed between a client system and a game server system communicating with the client system, the method comprising the steps of:

the game sever system'"'"'s referring to a database storing a plurality of group information which correspond to several kinds of battle modes and which associate a plurality of client systems as one battle group;

when any one of the battle groups is designated, referring to the group information associated to the designated battle group and deciding a battle combination among the client systems belonging to the same battle group;

performing a battle by managing the sending and receiving of data between the client systems decided by the combination; and

deciding the next combination in accordance with the results of the battle.

26. A communication game system according to claim 25, wherein at least one of the group information stored in the database contains game rule information to set up such battle mode in which it is set forth that when a battle is over, a winner, a loser, both fixed client systems, or either one of fixed client systems continues to fight a battle with other client systems, and

wherein in the step of deciding the next combination, when the battle is over, reference is made to the game rule information, thereby deciding the next battle combination.

27. A communication game processing method according to claim 25, wherein at least one of the group information stored in the database stores schedule information to set up a team battle mode in which one battle group is divided into two subgroups, and

wherein in the step of deciding the next combination, when the battle is over, reference is made to the schedule information, thereby deciding, as the next battle combination, the winning client systems as a result of the battle and another client system which belongs to the subgroup of the losing client system, and which has not fought a battle.

28. A communication game processing method according to claim 25, wherein at least one of the group information stored in the database stores registration information to set up a round-robin battle mode in which the client systems are ordered in such a manner that when a battle is over, one client system fights battles with all the other client systems in the same battle group, and

wherein in the step of deciding the next combination, when a battle of one combination is over, the next battle combination for each client system is decided by selecting the other client system against which the former client system has not yet fought any battle, and which is not fighting.

29. A communication game processing method according to claim 25, wherein at least one of the group information stored in the database stores registration information to set up a tournament battle mode in which when a battle is over, the client systems fight battles within the same battle group in a tournament style, and p1 wherein in the step of deciding the next combination, when a battle of one combination is over, battle combinations are decided by referring to the registration information, and it is then decided that the winners of the battles of the decided combinations are to fight in the next battle combination.

30. A communication game processing method according to claim 25, wherein when any of the client systems request a battle, the method comprises the step of selecting and executing either an easy battle mode in which any one of the other client systems is selected to battle, or an expert battle mode in which the client system belongs to any of the battle groups and fights battles in each such battle group.

31. A communication game processing method according to claim 25, comprising the step of providing each client system with a battle mode menu for having each client system browse the battle groups by referring to the group information.

34. A communication game system according to claim 34, wherein the sending means is the means for sending the data to be nullified together with information indicating the nullification.

35. A communication game system according to claim 34, wherein the information indicating the nullification is positional information representing which display position on the screen corresponds to the data to be nullified.

36. A communication game system according to claim 34, wherein the information indicating the nullification is a flag or dummy data representing the nullification.

45. A game system for performing a communication game, comprising:

a plurality of client systems; and

a server system for communicating with the plurality of client systems;

wherein the game system comprises a means for exchanging dialog information only between the client systems in a game watching mode.

46. A game system for performing a communication battle game, comprising:

a plurality of client systems; and

a server system for communicating with the plurality of client systems;

wherein the game system comprises a means for exchanging dialog information only between the client system in a game watching mode of the battle game.

47. A game system for performing a communication battle game, comprising:

a plurality of client systems; and

a server system for communicating with the plurality of client systems;

wherein the game system comprises a means for exchanging dialog information only between the client system in a game watching mode of the battle game and between a specified combination of client systems in a fighting mode.