Score-based game system determining whether use of game data is permitted based on a threshold, server, program, and game method for such system

• US 9,737,818 B2
• Filed: 10/11/2012
• Issued: 08/22/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/02/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Konami Digital Entertainment Company Limited (Konami Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Konami Digital Entertainment Company Limited (Konami Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Katagai, Tahei, Koguchi, Tomoaki
• Primary Examiner(s): McCulloch, Jr., William H
• Application Number:
  US13/649,400
• Publication Number:
  US 20130260877A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,776 Days
• Field of Search: 463 29, 463 35
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/33 using wide area network [WAN] connections
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/44 involving timing of operations, e.g. performing an action within a time slot
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/54 involving acoustic signals, e.g. for simulating revolutions per minute [RPM] dependent engine sounds in a driving game or reverberation against a virtual wall
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/55 Controlling game characters or game objects based on the game progress
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/56 Computing the motion of game characters with respect to other game characters, game objects or elements of the game scene, e.g. for simulating the behaviour of a group of virtual soldiers or for path finding
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/57 Simulating properties, behaviour or motion of objects in the game world, e.g. computing tyre load in a car race game A63F13/56 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/60 Generating or modifying game content before or while executing the game program, e.g. authoring tools specially adapted for game development or game-integrated level editor
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/63 by the player, e.g. authoring using a level editor
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/65 automatically by game devices or servers from real world data, e.g. measurement in live racing competition
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/67 adaptively or by learning from player actions, e.g. skill level adjustment or by storing successful combat sequences for re-use
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/73 Authorising game programs or game devices, e.g. checking authenticity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/814 Musical performances, e.g. by evaluating the player's ability to follow a notation
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/558 by assessing the players' skills or ranking
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6018 where the game content is authored by the player, e.g. level editor or by game device at runtime, e.g. level is created from music data on CD
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8047 Music games

Abstract

A game system includes a generating unit that generates game data used in progression through a game, based on player'"'"'s instruction information input to a first terminal of a plurality of terminals. The system also includes a progression unit that makes the game progression, using the game data generated by the generating unit. The system also includes a determining unit that makes a determination regarding prohibition of use of the game data by at least a terminal other than the first terminal of the plurality of terminals, based on at least one playing result for a player that plays the game that the progression unit progresses using the game data generated by the generating unit based on the player'"'"'s instruction information. The system also includes a control unit that controls the prohibition of use of the game data, based on the result of the determination by the determining unit.

Claims

1. A game system comprising:

one or more memories storing one or more software components; and

one or more processors, when executing the one or more software components, configured to at least;

generate game data, which is to be used in a game progression, based on player'"'"'s instruction information input to a first terminal of a plurality of terminals;

make the game progression, using the game data generated;

calculate a score of a playing result based on a degree of coincidence between an operation instruction indicated by an object and an operation made by a player, wherein the object is an image that moves to cross a reference image on a display, and the image indicates operation instructions of an operation position, an operation type, and an operation timing of a player'"'"'s operation;

compare the score of the playing result with a score threshold;

determine whether the game data is valid or invalid, based on whether the score of the playing result exceeds the score threshold;

determine whether the game data is permitted or prohibited to be used by at least a terminal other than the first terminal of the plurality of terminals, based on whether the game data is valid or invalid; and

control the prohibition of use of the game data, based on the determination of whether the game data is permitted or prohibited to be used.

2. The game system according to claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are configured to determine prohibition of uploading to supply the game data generated by the one or more processors from the first terminal to a server capable of communicating via a communication network with the plurality of terminals, the prohibition of uploading being determined as the prohibition of use of the game data.

3. The game system according to claim 2, wherein the one or more processors are configured to determine prohibition of a storage unit that stores the game data from storing the game data generated by the one or more processors, the prohibition of the storage unit being determined as the prohibition of the use of the game data.

4. The game system according to claim 3, wherein the one or more processors are configured to correct the game data, based on at least one playing result for a player that plays the game that progresses by using the game data generated based on player'"'"'s instruction information.

5. The game system according to claim 2, wherein the one or more processors are configured to correct the game data, based on at least one playing result for a player that plays the game that progresses by using the game data generated based on player'"'"'s instruction information.

6. The game system according to claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are configured to determine prohibition of downloading to supply the game data generated by the one or more processors from a server capable of communicating via a communication network with a terminal to a terminal, the prohibition of downloading being determined as the prohibition of the use of the game data.

7. The game system according to claim 6, wherein the one or more processors are configured to correct the game data, based on at least one playing result for a player that plays the game that progresses by using the game data generated based on player'"'"'s instruction information.

8. The game system according to claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are configured to determine prohibition of the game progression using the game data generated by the one or more processors, the prohibition of the game progression being determined as the prohibition of the use of the game data.

9. The game system according to claim 8, wherein the one or more processors are configured to correct the game data, based on at least one playing result for a player that plays the game that progresses by using the game data generated based on player'"'"'s instruction information.

10. The game system according to claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are configured to make a determination to prohibit the use of the game data generated by the one or more processors, if the playing results do not satisfy a given condition.

11. The game system according to claim 10, wherein the one or more processors are configured to correct the game data, based on at least one playing result for a player that plays the game that progresses by using the game data generated based on player'"'"'s instruction information.

12. The game system according to claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are configured to correct the game data, based on at least one playing result for a player that plays the game that progresses by using the game data generated based on player'"'"'s instruction information.

13. The game system according to claim 12, wherein the one or more processors are configured to correct the game data generated, based on one playing result or on an average of a plurality of playing results.

14. The game system according to claim 12, wherein the one or more processors are configured to correct the game data by changing information indicating the timing of input of player'"'"'s instruction information that is included in the game data, the game data being corrected based on at least one playing result.

15. The game system according to claim 12, wherein the the one or more processors are configured to make a determination regarding prohibition of use of the game data, based on at least one playing result of the game by using the corrected game data.

16. The game system according to claim 1, wherein the the one or more processors are configured to make a determination regarding prohibition of use of the game data, based on the difference between a first timing of input of player'"'"'s instruction information included in the game data and a second timing of input of player'"'"'s instruction information by a player that plays the game by using the game data.

17. A game method comprising:

generating game data for use in progressing through a game, based on player'"'"'s instruction information input to a first terminal of a plurality of terminals;

progressing through the game using the generated game data;

calculating a score of a playing result based on a degree of coincidence between an operation instruction indicated by an object and an operation made by a player, wherein the object is an image that moves to cross a reference image on a display, and the image indicates operation instructions of an operation position, an operation type, and an operation timing of a player'"'"'s operation;

comparing the score of the playing result with a score threshold;

determining whether the game data is valid or invalid, based on whether the score of the playing result exceeds the score threshold;

determining whether the game data is permitted or prohibited to be used by at least a terminal other than the first terminal of the plurality of terminals, based on whether the game data is valid or invalid; and

controlling the prohibition of use of the game data, based on the determination of whether the game data is permitted or prohibited to be used.

18. A non-transitory computer-readable storing medium that stores a program to be executed to perform a game method, the game method comprising:

generating game data for use in progressing through a game, based on player'"'"'s instruction information input to a first terminal of a plurality of terminals;

progressing through the game using the generated game data;

calculating a score of a playing result based on a degree of coincidence between an operation instruction indicated by an object and an operation made by a player, wherein the object is an image that moves to cross a reference image on a display, and the image indicates operation instructions of an operation position, an operation type, and an operation timing of a player'"'"'s operation;

comparing the score of the playing result with a score threshold;

determining whether the game data is valid or invalid, based on whether the score of the playing result exceeds the score threshold;

determining whether the game data is permitted or prohibited to be used by at least a terminal other than the first terminal of the plurality of terminals, based on whether the game data is valid or invalid; and

controlling the prohibition of use of the game data, based on the determination of whether the game data is permitted or prohibited to be used.