JP4955160B2 - Competitive network game system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a network game system that provides a shogi battle game service on a network.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, with the spread of the Internet, network game services capable of playing battle games such as shogi and mahjong over the network have become widely known. In this network game service, a user who logs in to a predetermined game server can enjoy a battle game on his / her computer against another server logged in to the same game server.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In order to perform the play-against-type game mentioned above will require an participant in the number of people depending on the game type, there is a need for participants of two people if the Japanese chess. Therefore, the game cannot be played when a sufficient number of participants cannot be found. Also, even when the required number of participants are found and the game is started, if the opponent leaves the game during the match, the game must be stopped at that time.
[0004]
The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and it is possible for a user to play a game even when there is a shortage of opponents. to provide a competitive game service that can start a match shogi and purpose.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention according to claim 1 is a network game system comprising a game providing means for providing a shogi battle game service to a user terminal accessed via a network, Competitor simulation means for outputting a pointer according to the shogi situation, the game providing means has means for providing a user terminal with a game game service for shogi with the opponent simulation means as an opponent The network game system further includes holding means for holding a shogi aspect during a battle, and the game providing means wants to escape from the battle from the user terminal of one user during the shogi battle between user terminals. sending a message requesting the other note to the user of the user terminal said that one of the user leaves when receiving, the When receiving a message for acknowledge from the user terminal of square of the user, assuming that the one user is missing from the match, in response to a request from the user terminal of the other user, the user of the one of the user The opponent simulation means is used as an opponent instead of the terminal, and the situation recorded in the holding means at that time is set as the initial situation, and the opponent simulation means is a predetermined number of steps ahead according to the rules of shogi. A means for generating a candidate for a hand, calculating an evaluation function of a situation when the hand is pointed for each candidate, and restarting a shogi match so that the candidate for which the evaluation function is optimal is an actual hand It is characterized by having.
[0006]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a game service that uses the opponent simulation means as an opponent for the user terminal. For this reason, even when the required number of opponents cannot be found, the user can play a game using the opponent simulation means as an opponent. In the present invention, the “pointer” output by the opponent simulation means is not limited to a pointer such as shogi or go, but a player may select a player according to the type of game, such as a cardboard in mahjong or a discarded card in poker. It means a game action to be performed.
[0008]
In addition, the user can change the opponent to the opponent simulation means while taking over the game phase during a battle with another user.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
== System configuration ==
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a battle network game system that provides a shogi battle game according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the game server 10 is constituted by a server computer system connected to the Internet 12. A number of user terminals 14 are connected to the Internet 12, and the game server 10 can be accessed via the Internet 12. In addition, the user who accesses the game server 10 and plays a game battle shall perform user registration beforehand and acquire user ID and a password .
[0016]
As shown in FIG. 1, the game server 10 is provided with a user database 20, a table database 22, a situation holding database 24, and a situation registration database 26.
In the user database 20, the user ID of each user who is logging in to the game server 10 is recorded.
Data relating to each game table is recorded in the table database 22. Here, the game table is a virtual table in which a battle game is played, and one battle game is played on each game table. As will be described later, each user can create a new game table and wait for an opponent to appear, or can join a game table waiting for an opponent and start a battle. It is also possible to watch the battles taking place on the game table.
[0017]
FIG. 2 shows the data structure of the table database 22. As shown in the figure, the table database 22 includes a table ID, a user ID of each game opponent, a user ID of each game spectator, and a game status (awaiting opponent, (Status indicating medium, suspended, etc.) is recorded.
[0018]
In the situation holding database 24, situation data relating to a competition situation at each game table in which a competition is currently being performed is recorded. FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the situation data. As shown in the figure, the situation data includes data such as the front user ID, the rear user ID, the arrangement and holding pieces of the front and rear hands, and whether the next move is the front or back. become.
[0019]
In the situation registration database 26, the game situation requested to be saved by the user is recorded in association with the situation ID and the password. As will be described later, the user can call a situation stored in the situation registration database 26 and start the game from that situation.
[0020]
== Process overview ==
Next, with reference to FIG. 4, an outline of processing when the user plays a battle game on the game server 10 will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the game server 10. As shown in FIG. 4, the game server 10 includes a battle processing unit 40, a rule description unit 42, and a robot unit 44. Both the battle processing unit 40 and the robot unit 44 are configured as application processes executed by the game server 10. Also, the rule description section 42 records shogi rules.
[0021]
The battle processing unit 40 performs battle processing such as game start, progress, interruption, and end for each game table recorded in the table database 22. In addition, the robot unit 44 simulates the game player and determines and outputs a move according to the situation while referring to the rules recorded in the rule description unit 42. The algorithm for determining the mover generates candidates for the move ahead by a predetermined number of times according to the rules of shogi , calculates the evaluation function of the situation when the hand is pointed for each candidate, and the evaluation function is is intended that the actual terribly best become such candidates, typically can be utilized those used in Shogi game program which is commercially available.
[0022]
In the example shown in FIG. 4, the user B and the user C are fighting in the table 1, and the user A and the robot unit 44 are fighting in the table 2. Thus, in the system of the present embodiment, not only an actual user as an opponent but also a robot unit 44 can be designated as a pseudo opponent. Also, as shown by a broken line in the figure, the opponent is changed to the robot unit 44 during the battle with another user, or the opponent is changed to another user during the battle with the robot unit 44. It is also possible to do.
[0023]
When a battle is performed between the user terminals 14 as in the game table 1 of FIG. 4, the battle processing unit 40 stores data (hereinafter referred to as a pointer) indicating a pointer (eg, seven steps) transmitted from one user terminal 14. The aspect data recorded in the aspect holding database 24 is updated based on the data), and the pointer data is transmitted to the other user. A game progresses by performing such a process alternately about the user terminal 14 of both opponents.
[0024]
Also, as in the game table 2 of FIG. 4, the case where the user A and the robot unit 44 battle each other is basically the same as the case of the battle between users, and the battle processing unit 40 is transmitted from the user A. The situation data is updated based on the pointing data, and the pointing data is transmitted to the robot unit 44. Further, the aspect data is updated based on the move data transmitted from the robot unit 44, and the move data is transmitted to the user A. Incidentally, transmission and reception of data between the robot 44 and thus performed by inter-process communication between the competition processing section 40 and the robot 44 inside the game server 10.
[0025]
In addition, the battle processing unit 40 interrupts the game in response to a request from the user terminal 14 during the battle, and records the situation data at the point of interruption in the situation registration database 26. Then, the situation data recorded in the situation registration database 26 can be read out in response to a request from the user terminal 14 later, and the battle can be started from that situation.
[0026]
== Details of battle processing ==
Hereinafter, a process when the user A logs into the game server 10 and performs a game battle, a game watching, or the like will be specifically described.
The user A accesses the game server 10 from the user terminal 14 and logs in to the game server 10 after receiving user authentication using a user ID and a password. The game server 10 records the user ID of the logged-in user A in the user database 22 and transmits a game initial screen to the user terminal 14 of the user A.
[0027]
FIG. 5 shows an example of the game initial screen. As shown in the figure, a list of currently existing game tables, a list of logged-in users, and a “create table” button are displayed on the game initial screen.
[0028]
When the user A wants to watch a game being played on a certain game table α, the user A clicks a “watch” button provided corresponding to the game table α in the game table list. In response to this, the game server 10 records the user ID of the user A as the spectator of the game table α in the table database 22 and also watches the shogi board surface to the user terminal 14 of the user A. Send. Furthermore, the game server 10 reads the situation data of the game table α from the situation holding database 24 and transmits it to the user terminal 14. Thereafter, the game server 10 transmits the situation data to the user terminal 14 every time any of the opponents points to the hand and the situation data changes. On the user terminal 14, the game program is displayed based on the situation data transmitted from the game server 10 by the watching program. As a result, the shogi board surface being played is displayed on the user terminal 14 in real time.
[0029]
In addition, when the user A wants to create a new game table, the user A clicks the “table creation” button on the game initial screen. In response to this, the game server 10 generates a new table ID and registers it in the table database 22, sets the status to “waiting for an opponent”, and at the same time as one opponent of the game table, the user A The user ID is recorded. Then, the game program and the situation data representing the initial situation are transmitted to the user terminal 14 of the user A. The function of this game program will be described later.
[0030]
After the user A creates the game table β in this manner, the game table β is displayed on the game initial screen of each logged-in user as a game table waiting for the opponent until the user A's opponent is determined. Then, the other user B can play against the game table β by clicking the “match” button provided corresponding to the game table β waiting for the opponent.
[0031]
As described above, when another user B clicks the “match” button for the game table β, the game server 10 additionally records the user ID of the user B as an opponent in the table database 22. In addition, the game server 10 registers the table ID of the game table β in the situation holding database 24 and records data representing the initial situation as the situation data (however, the user IDs of the front and rear hands are “ This is recorded when the start button is clicked and the first and second moves are determined). Further, the game server 10 transmits the game program and the situation data representing the initial situation to the user terminal 14 of the user B who is the other opponent, similarly to the user terminal 14 of the user A who created the game table. To do.
[0032]
The game program is described in JAVA, for example, and is automatically activated in the user terminal 14 that has received the program. The game program causes the user terminal 14 to display a game screen, and displays a shogi board surface corresponding to the situation data in the game screen. FIG. 6 shows an example of the game screen. As shown in the figure, the game screen has a board display field showing shogi board and holding pieces, a list display field of spectators, and “start”, “match with robot”, “exit from game”, “save” Operation buttons such as “interrupt”, “start from storage phase”, and “change partner” are included.
[0033]
Then, when the battle is started by clicking the “start” button as will be described later, the board surface of the user terminal 14 is changed in accordance with the move input by the user (for example, “seven steps”). At the same time, the pointing data is transmitted to the game server 10. Further, when pointing data is transmitted from the opponent user terminal 14 via the game server 10, the board is changed based on the pointing data. In addition, for example, the input of the mover on the game screen may be performed by dragging a piece displayed on the board, or the mover may be directly input like “six steps”. Also good.
[0034]
When the “start” button is clicked on the game screens of the user terminals 14 of the users A and B who are the opponents, the game server 10 changes the status of the game table 22 to “in battle” in the table database 22. . The battle processing unit 40 of the game server 10 starts the battle after appropriately (for example, randomly) determining the front and rear hands of the game table whose status has been changed to “during battle”. That is, the game server 10 first transmits a message prompting the user to input a pointer to the user terminal 14 of the first user, and transmits the pointer data transmitted from the user terminal 14 of the first user to the user terminal 14 of the second user. The situation data recorded in the situation holding database 24 is updated based on the pointing data. Thereafter, the same process is alternately repeated for the user terminal 14 of the rear user and the user terminal 14 of the front user to advance the game.
[0035]
By the way, even if the user A logs in to the game server 10, there is no game table waiting for the battle, and even if the game table is created, the opponent may not appear. Furthermore, the opponent user may leave the game during a match with an actual user, and the game may not be continued. In the system of the present embodiment, as described above, even when the opponent is not found as described above, it is possible to play against the robot unit 44 prepared in the game server 10 and when the opponent is lost during the game. The game can be continued with the robot unit 44 as an opponent. Further, the opponent can be replaced with another user during the battle with the robot unit 44.
[0036]
After creating the game table β, the user A clicks the “match with robot” button included in the game screen when he / she wants to play with the robot unit 44. In response to this, the game server 10 records “robot” as the opponent of the game table β in the table database 22, and further registers the table ID of the game table β in the situation holding database 24 as the situation data. Record data representing the initial phase.
[0037]
When the “start” button is clicked on the game screen of the user A, the game server 10 changes the status of the game table β in the table database 22 to “matching”. The battle processing unit 40 of the game server 10 starts the battle after appropriately determining the front and back of the user A and the robot 44 for the game table β whose status has been changed to “during battle”. That is, as in the case of the battle between the user terminals 14 described above, the pointer data is alternately received from the user terminal 14 and the robot unit 44 of the user A, and the situation data is updated based on the pointer data, and the other Repeat the process of sending move data to the opponent.
[0038]
Note that a plurality of types having different strengths and habits (attack type, defense type, etc.) may be prepared as the robot unit 44 so that the user can select a desired robot unit 44.
[0039]
Suppose user A wants to replace his opponent with another user D displayed as a spectator on the game screen after starting the game with the robot unit 44 as his opponent. In this case, for example, the user A obtains the consent of the user D by means such as chat, and then designates the user D on the screen and clicks the “change opponent” button. In response to this, the game server 10 changes the status of the game table β recorded in the table database 22 to “suspended” and deletes the “robot” recorded as the opponent. Thereby, the battle processing unit 40 interrupts the battle of the game table β.
[0040]
Next, the game server 10 transmits a message requesting approval of the match to the user terminal 14 of the user D, and when a response message indicating that the game is accepted is sent to the user terminal 14 of the user D, the game program and the current Send the situation data. Thereby, the game screen including the board surface of the situation at the time of interruption of the game is displayed on the user terminal 14 of the user D. When the “start” button is clicked on the user terminals 14 of both the users A and D, the game server 10 changes the game status recorded in the table database 22 to “matching”. Thereafter, the battle processing unit 40 advances the game based on the pointer data transmitted alternately from each user terminal 14, as described above.
[0041]
Further, when the user B wants to leave the game during the battle between the user A and the user B, the user B clicks the “Exit from game” button on the game screen. In response to this, the game server 10 transmits to the user terminal 14 of the user A a message requesting approval for the opponent to leave the game. In response to this, when a response message is received from the user terminal 14 of the user A, the game server 10 changes the game status recorded in the table database 22 to “wait for opponent” and “User B” recorded as a user is deleted. As a result, the game table enters a state waiting for the opponent. In this state, when the user A clicks the “match with robot” button on the game screen, the user A can resume the game from the situation at the time of the interruption with the robot as the opponent.
[0042]
As described above, in the system according to the present embodiment, each user can enjoy a game using the robot unit 44 as an opponent even when no opponent is found. In addition, even when the opponent is lost during the battle with the user, the game can be continued by changing the opponent to the robot unit 44. Further, during the battle with the robot unit 44, the game can be continued by changing the opponent to another user.
[0043]
Note that in a game played on the network, the connection may be cut off due to a network abnormality and the game may not be continued regardless of the intention of each player. In the system of the present embodiment, even when the connection between the user terminal 14 of one opponent and the game server 10 is disconnected due to such a network abnormality, the game server 10 detects the disconnection and the other competition It is possible to notify the user's user terminal 14 to that effect and allow the other player to continue the game by designating the robot unit 44 as the opponent.
[0044]
== Details of saving / reading aspects ==
When a user interrupts a game in the middle of a battle with another user or the robot unit 44, the user can save the situation at the time of interruption and resume the game from that situation at a later date.
[0045]
When the user wants to interrupt the battle and save the situation, the user clicks a “save and interrupt” button included in the game screen. In response to this, the game server 10 generates a unique situation ID and password after obtaining the consent of the other opponent (no need to obtain the consent if the opponent is the robot unit 44). Then, the situation ID and password are associated with the current game data and recorded in the situation storage database 26, and the situation ID and password are notified to the user terminal 14 of each player.
[0046]
When the game is resumed from the saved situation, the user logs into the game server 10 to create a game table, and then clicks the “Resume from saved situation” button on the game screen. In response to this, the game server 10 requests the user terminal 14 of the user to input the situation ID and the password, performs authentication based on the entered situation ID and password, and corresponds from the situation storage database 26. The situation data is read, and the situation data is recorded in the table database 22 and transmitted to the user terminal 14. Thereafter, when another opponent appears, the same game data is also transmitted to the user terminal 14 of the opponent, so that the game can be started from the saved situation. It is also possible to start a battle with a robot from a saved state by designating the robot as an opponent.
[0047]
【Effect of the invention】
According to the present invention, the user, even if it can not find the opponent shogi, it is possible to provide a game service which can perform shogi as opposite the opponent simulator means.
[0048]
In addition, it is possible to provide a game service that allows a user to start a battle from that aspect even when the opponent is lost during the battle.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a competitive network game system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a data structure of a table database.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of situation data when a battle game is shogi.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a game server and an outline of a game battle process.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a game initial screen.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a game screen.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Game server 12 Internet 14 User terminal 24 Aspect holding database 26 Aspect registration database 40 Competition processing part (game provision means)
44 Robot part (competitor simulation means)

Claims (1)

A network game system comprising a game providing means for providing a shogi fighting game service to a user terminal accessed via a network,
It has an opponent simulation means for outputting a move according to the shogi situation, and the game providing means has a means for providing a user terminal with a game game service for shogi with the opponent simulation means as an opponent. And
The network game system further includes holding means for holding the aspect of the shogi during the battle, and the game providing means states that during the shogi battle between the user terminals, the user terminal of one user wants to escape from the battle. When receiving a message requesting approval of the removal of the one user to the user terminal of the other user, and receiving a message of approval from the user terminal of the other user, In response to a request from the user terminal of the other user, the player simulating means is used as an opponent instead of the user terminal of the one user, and the holding means at that point The recorded situation is set as the initial situation, and the opponent simulation means generates candidates for the move ahead by a predetermined number of times according to the rules of shogi And a means for calculating an evaluation function of a situation when the hand is pointed for each candidate, and restarting a shogi match so that the candidate for which the evaluation function is optimal is an actual pointer system.

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