GAME SERVER DEVICE, SERVER CONTROL METHOD, AND SERVER CONTROL PROGRAM

• US 20140289324A1
• Filed: 10/26/2012
• Published: 09/25/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GREE Inc.
• Original Assignee: GREE Inc.
• Inventors: Umehara, Kensuke
• Granted Patent: US 10,376,782 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/203
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/35 Details of game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/795 for finding other players; for building a team; for providing a buddy list
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/847 Cooperative playing, e.g. requiring coordinated actions from several players to achieve a common goal
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/87 Communicating with other players during game play, e.g. by e-mail or chat
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/556 Player lists, e.g. online players, buddy list, black list
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/00 Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications user-to-user messaging H04L51/00; network arrangements, protocols or services for supporting real-time applications in data packet communications networks H04L65/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/01 Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1051 Group master selection mechanisms

Abstract

The server device according to the invention includes: a storage unit that associates and stores multiple first characteristic data sets for each user and associates and stores second characteristic data for each group to which the multiple first characteristic data sets belong; a different-user-selecting unit that selects a different user when a predetermined event occurs while a game is being played; a group formation-assessing unit that determines whether or not all of the first characteristic data sets belonging to a group are included in the first characteristic data sets associated with the user and the different user; and an action-executing unit that executes predetermined actions using, in addition to the first characteristic data sets associated with the user and the different user, the second characteristic data associated with the group for which it has been determined that all of the pertinent first characteristic data sets are included.

Claims

1. A server device for carrying out a game in response to a request from a terminal device, the server device comprising:

a storage unit for

storing, for each user, a characteristic data set usable by the user among a plurality of first characteristic data sets, in association with the user, each of the plurality of first characteristic data sets corresponding to data including a parameter indicating ability to execute a predetermined action, and

storing, for each group to which at least two of the plurality of first characteristic data sets belong, a second characteristic data set in association with the group, the second characteristic data set corresponding to data including a parameter indicating ability to execute the predetermined action;

a different-user-selecting unit for selecting, as a different user, at least one user who is different from a user of the terminal device, when a predetermined event occurs while the game is being carried out, the predetermined event requiring execution of the predetermined action;

a group formation-assessing unit for extracting the first characteristic data sets associated with the user and the different user, by referring to the storage unit, and determining whether or not all the first characteristic data sets belonging to any one of the groups are included in the extracted first characteristic data sets; and

an action-executing unit for extracting the second characteristic data set associated with the group for which the group formation-assessing unit has determined that all the first characteristic data sets belonging to the group are included, and executing the predetermined action by using the second characteristic data set in addition to the first characteristic data sets associated with the user and the different user.

2. The server device according to claim 1, wherein the different-user-selecting unit randomly selects, as the different user, at least one user who is different from the user of the terminal device.

3. The server device according to claim 1, further comprising a communication unit for transmitting data to and receiving data from the terminal device, wherein

the different-user-selecting unit transmits a user name related to at least one user who is different from the user of the terminal device, to the terminal device via the communication unit, receives a user name selected by the user of the terminal device from the terminal device via the communication unit, and selects a user related to the user name as the different user.

4. The server device according to claim 1, wherein one or a plurality of the first characteristic data sets can be possessed or selected by each user.

5. The server device according to claim 1, wherein the first characteristic data sets are managed separately from data related to each user.

6. The server device according to claim 1, wherein the first characteristic data sets are game items.

7. The server device according to claim 6, wherein the second characteristic data set is a type of an act for bringing about an advantage in executing the predetermined action, or a game item different from the game items of the first characteristic data sets.

8. A server control method for controlling a server device which carries out a game in response to a request from a terminal device,

the server device having a storage unit for

storing, for each user, a characteristic data set usable by the user among a plurality of first characteristic data sets, in association with the user, each of the plurality of first characteristic data sets corresponding to data including a parameter indicating ability to execute a predetermined action, and

storing, for each group to which at least two of the plurality of first characteristic data sets belong, a second characteristic data set in association with the group, the second characteristic data set corresponding to data including a parameter indicating ability to execute the predetermined action,

the server control method comprising:

selecting, by a different-user-selecting unit of the server device, as a different user, at least one user who is different from a user of the terminal device, when a predetermined event occurs while the game is being carried out, the predetermined event requiring execution of the predetermined action;

extracting the first characteristic data sets associated with the user and the different user, by a group formation-assessing unit of the server device referring to the storage unit, and determining whether or not all the first characteristic data sets belonging to any one of the groups are included in the extracted first characteristic data sets; and

extracting, by an action-executing unit of the server device, the second characteristic data set associated with the group for which the group formation-assessing unit has determined that all the first characteristic data sets belonging to the group are included, and executing the predetermined action by using the second characteristic data set in addition to the first characteristic data sets associated with the user and the different user.

9. The server control method according to claim 8, wherein the different-user-selecting unit randomly selects, as the different user, at least one user who is different from the user of the terminal device.

10. The server control method according to claim 8, wherein

the server device further includes a communication unit for transmitting data to and receiving data from the terminal device, and

the different-user-selecting unit transmits a user name related to at least one user who is different from the user of the terminal device, to the terminal device via the communication unit, receives a user name selected by the user of the terminal device from the terminal device via the communication unit, and selects a user related to the user name as the different user.

11. The server control method according to claim 8, wherein one or a plurality of the first characteristic data sets can be possessed or selected by each user.

12. The server control method according to claim 8, wherein the first characteristic data sets are managed separately from data related to each user.

13. The server control method according to claim 8, wherein the first characteristic data sets are game items.

14. The server control method according to claim 13, wherein the second characteristic data set is a type of an act for bringing about an advantage in executing the predetermined action, or a game item different from the game items of the first characteristic data sets.

15. A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a server control program for controlling a server device which carries out a game in response to a request from a terminal device,

the server device having a storage unit for

storing, for each user, a characteristic data set usable by the user among a plurality of first characteristic data sets, in association with the user, each of the plurality of first characteristic data sets corresponding to data including a parameter indicating ability to execute a predetermined action, and

storing, for each group to which at least two of the plurality of first characteristic data sets belong, a second characteristic data set in association with the group, the second characteristic data set corresponding to data including a parameter indicating ability to execute the predetermined action,

the server control program causing the server device to execute a process, the process comprising:

selecting, by a different-user-selecting unit of the server device, as a different user, at least one user who is different from a user of the terminal device, when a predetermined event occurs while the game is being carried out, the predetermined event requiring execution of the predetermined action;

extracting the first characteristic data sets associated with the user and the different user, by a group formation-assessing unit of the server device referring to the storage unit, and determining whether or not all the first characteristic data sets belonging to any one of the groups are included in the extracted first characteristic data sets; and

extracting, by an action-executing unit of the server device, the second characteristic data set associated with the group for which the group formation-assessing unit has determined that all the first characteristic data sets belonging to the group are included, and executing the predetermined action by using the second characteristic data set in addition to the first characteristic data sets associated with the user and the different user.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable recording medium according to claim 15, wherein the different-user-selecting unit randomly selects, as the different user, at least one user who is different from the user of the terminal device.

17. The non-transitory computer-readable recording medium according to claim 15, wherein

the server device further includes a communication unit for transmitting data to and receiving data from the terminal device, and

the different-user-selecting unit transmits a user name related to at least one user who is different from the user of the terminal device, to the terminal device via the communication unit, receives a user name selected by the user of the terminal device from the terminal device via the communication unit, and selects a user related to the user name as the different user.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable recording medium according to claim 15, wherein one or a plurality of the first characteristic data sets can be possessed or selected by each user.

19. The non-transitory computer-readable recording medium according to claim 15, wherein the first characteristic data sets are managed separately from data related to each user.

20. The non-transitory computer-readable recording medium according to claim 15, wherein the first characteristic data sets are game items.

21. The non-transitory computer-readable recording medium according to claim 20, wherein the second characteristic data set is a type of an act for bringing about an advantage in executing the predetermined action, or a game item different from the game items of the first characteristic data sets.

22. A terminal device for carrying out a game in response to operation of a user, the terminal device comprising:

a storage unit for

storing, for each user, a characteristic data set usable by the user among a plurality of first characteristic data sets, in association with the user, each of the plurality of first characteristic data sets corresponding to data including a parameter indicating ability to execute a predetermined action, and

storing, for each group to which at least two of the plurality of first characteristic data sets belong, a second characteristic data set in association with the group, the second characteristic data set corresponding to data including a parameter indicating ability to execute the predetermined action;

a different-user-selecting unit for selecting, as a different user, at least one user of a different terminal device, when a predetermined event occurs while the game is being carried out, the predetermined event requiring execution of the predetermined action;

a group formation-assessing unit for extracting the first characteristic data sets associated with the user and the different user, by referring to the storage unit, and determining whether or not all the first characteristic data sets belonging to any one of the groups are included in the extracted first characteristic data sets; and

an action-executing unit for extracting the second characteristic data set associated with the group for which the group formation-assessing unit has determined that all the first characteristic data sets belonging to the group are included, and executing the predetermined action by using the second characteristic data set in addition to the first characteristic data sets associated with the user and the different user.

23. The terminal device according to claim 22, wherein the different-user-selecting unit randomly selects, as the different user, at least one user of the different terminal device.

24. The terminal device according to claim 22, further comprising:

a display unit for displaying data; and

an operation unit being operated by a user, wherein

the different-user-selecting unit displays a user name related to at least one user of the different terminal device on the display unit, retrieves a user name selected by the user via the operation unit, and selects a user related to the user name as the different user.

25. The terminal device according to claim 22, wherein one or a plurality of the first characteristic data sets can be possessed or selected by each user.

26. The terminal device according to claim 22, wherein the first characteristic data sets are managed separately from data related to each user.

27. The terminal device according to claim 22, wherein the first characteristic data sets are game items.

28. The terminal device according to claim 27, wherein the second characteristic data set is a type of an act for bringing about an advantage in executing the predetermined action, or a game item different from the game items of the first characteristic data sets.

29. A terminal control method for controlling a terminal device which carries out a game in response to operation of a user,

the terminal device having a storage unit for

storing, for each user, a characteristic data set usable by the user among a plurality of first characteristic data sets, in association with the user, each of the plurality of first characteristic data sets corresponding to data including a parameter indicating ability to execute a predetermined action, and

storing, for each group to which at least two of the plurality of first characteristic data sets belong, a second characteristic data set in association with the group, the second characteristic data set corresponding to data including a parameter indicating ability to execute the predetermined action,

the terminal control method comprising:

selecting, by a different-user-selecting unit of the terminal device, as a different user, at least one user of a different terminal device, when a predetermined event occurs while the game is being carried out, the predetermined event requiring execution of the predetermined action;

extracting the first characteristic data sets associated with the user and the different user, by a group formation-assessing unit of the terminal device referring to the storage unit, and determining whether or not all the first characteristic data sets belonging to any one of the groups are included in the extracted first characteristic data sets; and

extracting, by an action-executing unit of the terminal device, the second characteristic data set associated with the group for which the group formation-assessing unit has determined that all the first characteristic data sets belonging to the group are included, and executing the predetermined action by using the second characteristic data set in addition to the first characteristic data sets associated with the user and the different user.

30. The terminal control method according to claim 29, wherein the different-user-selecting unit randomly selects, as the different user, at least one user of the different terminal device.

31. The terminal control method according to claim 29, wherein

the terminal device further includes a display unit for displaying data, and an operation unit being operated by a user, and

the different-user-selecting unit displays a user name related to at least one user of the different terminal device on the display unit, retrieves a user name selected by the user via the operation unit, and selects a user related to the user name as the different user.

32. The terminal control method according to claim 29, wherein one or a plurality of the first characteristic data sets can be possessed or selected by each user.

33. The terminal control method according to claim 29, wherein the first characteristic data sets are managed separately from data related to each user.

34. The terminal control method according to claim 29, wherein the first characteristic data sets are game items.

35. The terminal control method according to claim 34, wherein the second characteristic data set is a type of an act for bringing about an advantage in executing the predetermined action, or a game item different from the game items of the first characteristic data sets.

36. A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a terminal control program for controlling a terminal device which carries out a game in response to operation of a user,

the terminal device having a storage unit for

storing, for each user, a characteristic data set usable by the user among a plurality of first characteristic data sets, in association with the user, each of the plurality of first characteristic data sets corresponding to data including a parameter indicating ability to execute a predetermined action, and

storing, for each group to which at least two of the plurality of first characteristic data sets belong, a second characteristic data set in association with the group, the second characteristic data set corresponding to data including a parameter indicating ability to execute the predetermined action,

the terminal control program causing the terminal device to execute a process, the process comprising:

selecting, by a different-user-selecting unit of the terminal device, as a different user, at least one user of a different terminal device, when a predetermined event occurs while the game is being carried out, the predetermined event requiring execution of the predetermined action;

extracting the first characteristic data sets associated with the user and the different user, by a group formation-assessing unit of the terminal device referring to the storage unit, and determining whether or not all the first characteristic data sets belonging to any one of the groups are included in the extracted first characteristic data sets; and

extracting, by an action-executing unit of the terminal device, the second characteristic data set associated with the group for which the group formation-assessing unit has determined that all the first characteristic data sets belonging to the group are included, and executing the predetermined action by using the second characteristic data set in addition to the first characteristic data sets associated with the user and the different user.

37. The non-transitory computer-readable recording medium according to claim 36, wherein the different-user-selecting unit randomly selects, as the different user, at least one user of the different terminal device.

38. The non-transitory computer-readable recording medium according to claim 36, wherein

the terminal device further includes a display unit for displaying data, and an operation unit being operated by a user, and

the different-user-selecting unit displays a user name related to at least one user of the different terminal device on the display unit, retrieves a user name selected by the user via the operation unit, and selects a user related to the user name as the different user.

39. The non-transitory computer-readable recording medium according to claim 36, wherein one or a plurality of the first characteristic data sets can be possessed or selected by each user.

40. The non-transitory computer-readable recording medium according to claim 36, wherein the first characteristic data sets are managed separately from data related to each user.

41. The non-transitory computer-readable recording medium according to claim 36, wherein the first characteristic data sets are game items.

42. The non-transitory computer-readable recording medium according to claim 41, wherein the second characteristic data set is a type of an act for bringing about an advantage in executing the predetermined action, or a game item different from the game items of the first characteristic data sets.