U.S. Pat. No. 9,814,969

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, examples of embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the appending drawings. In this regard, various components in the example of each embodiment described below can be adequately combined as long as the combination causes no contradiction or the like. Further, the content described as an example of one embodiment will not be described in another embodiment in some cases. Furthermore, the content of operations and/or processing with no relationship to characteristic parts of each embodiment will be omitted in some cases. Still further, orders of various types of processing which make various flows described below are random orders as long as the orders cause no contradictions of processing content.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a video game processing system100according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 1, the video game processing system100includes: a video game processing server10; and a plurality of user terminals21to2N (“N” is an arbitrary integer) respectively used by a plurality of users. In this regard, the configuration of the video game processing system100is not limited to this configuration. The video game processing system100may be configured so that a single user terminal is used by a plurality of users. Alternatively, the video game processing system100may be configured so as to include a plurality of servers.

Each of the video game processing server10and the plurality of user terminals21to2N is connected to a communication network30such as the Internet. In this regard, although it is not shown in the drawings, each of the plurality of user terminals21to2N is connected to the communication network30by carrying out data communication with a base station managed by a carrier by means of a wireless communication line.

The video game processing system100has various kinds of functions to control progress of a video game (a so-called online game) in which a plurality of players plays in the same virtual space (including a synchronous virtual space and an asynchronous virtual space).

The video game processing server10is managed by an administrator of the video game processing system100, and has various kinds of functions to provide (or deliver) information on the video game to the user terminals21to2N.

The video game processing server10is configured by an information processing apparatus such as a WWW server, and includes a storage medium for storing various kinds of information. In this regard, it is preferable that in the video game processing system100, the information regarding the video game is managed by the video game control server10in the light of the fact that a processing load on each of the plurality of user terminals21to2N is to be reduced in the video game processing system100. However, the video game processing system100may be configured so that each of the plurality of user terminals21to2N manages part of the information on the video game.

FIG. 2is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of the video game processing server10. As shown inFIG. 2, the video game processing server10includes: a control section11; a communication section12; a searching section13; a determining section14; an updating section15; and a video game information storage section16.

The control section11includes a CPU, a ROM and the like, and has a function to carry out controls of the whole video game processing server10in accordance with control programs stored in the video game information storage section16.

The communication section12has a function to carry out communication with each of the plurality of user terminals21to2N via the communication network30such as the Internet.

The searching section13has a function to search for information according to progress of the video game (for example, information according to a progress status of the video garlic in each user terminal) from among various kinds of information stored in the video game information storage section16.

The determining section14has a function to carry out various kinds of determinations in accordance with progress of the video game. In the present embodiment, the determining section14has a function to carry out various kinds of determinations in virtual mission related processing (will be described later; seeFIG. 7) on the basis of various determination conditions stored in the video game information storage section16.

The updating section15has a function to update various kinds of information stored in the video game information storage section16in accordance with progress of the video game. In this regard, the video game processing server10may be configured so that the information used for updating processing is acquired from the plurality of user terminals21to2N. Alternatively, the video game processing server10may be configured so that such information is prepared in advance in the video game information storage section16.

The video game information storage section16is configured by a database apparatus, for example. The video game information storage section16is a storage medium for storing various kinds of information on the video game whose progress is controlled by the video game control system100and various kinds of data such as control programs for the video game.

Here, an outline of the video game whose progress is controlled by the video game processing system100will be described. In the present embodiment, the video game processing system100controls progress of a so-called social RPG (social role-playing game) that is played by the corresponding player in each of the plurality of user terminals21to2N. Namely, the video game processing system100controls progress of the video game in which some relationship between the plurality of users who respectively operate the plurality of user terminals21to2N is generated.

In the present embodiment, the video game is configured so that a player (that is, a user of a user terminal) can acquire an experience value, an in-game item or various kinds of points by accomplishing a mission (virtual mission) in a virtual space. Here, the “virtual mission” means a mission in which a player can participate by consuming an “action power (that is, ability to take action)”, and is configured so as to accomplish the mission in a case where the player (or a player character) sequentially matches a battle against a plurality of enemy characters and defeats the last boss (sequential battle configuration). In this video game, even though the player fails the mission by satisfying a predetermined failure condition (for example, in a case where the player (or a player character) becomes a battle impossible state in the middle of the mission), the player can acquire a privilege (in the present embodiment, an experience value and an in-game item) when the other player rescues the player to accomplish the mission.

Further, in the video game according to the present embodiment, the player is allowed to use a game medium of other player in a virtual mission. Hereinafter, the case where a “virtual card” is adopted as the game medium used to play the video game by the player will be described as an example. In this regard, a form of the game medium is not particularly limited. The form of the game medium may be a form in which a mineral (or materials) or a creature (or a living thing) is shown in addition to a form of a general card (for example, a trading card and the like; a form of a square-shaped paper on which a picture is drawn), for example.

FIG. 3is an explanatory drawing for explaining a usage mode of virtual cards. More specifically,FIG. 3shows an example of a game screen (mission executing screen) displayed on the display screen of the user terminal when the player carries out a virtual mission. As shown inFIG. 3, in the present embodiment, a game screen (that is, a battle screen) on which player characters (for example, three player characters PC1to PC3); enemy characters (for example, two enemy characters NPC1, NPC2) each of which is operated in accordance with a predetermined rule; a status display area301; and a command card display area302are provided is displayed on the mission executing screen during execution of a mission. A status of the player character (for example, an ATB gauge, an HP and an MP) is displayed in the status display area301. Command cards are selectably displayed in the command card display area302.

Here, each of the player characters is managed by a virtual card. Namely, the player selects a virtual card (or a character card) in which information on the player character is set up before the start of a mission, whereby the player determines a combination (or a party) of the player characters that participate in a virtual mission. In this regard, in the video game according to the present invention, the character cards are classified broadly into two categories including a virtual card (player card) associated with a specific player and a virtual card (non-player card) associated with a specific player. Further, a player card is classified into any one of a “friend card” and a “guest card” in accordance with a relationship between a player who possesses one or more player card and a player associated with each of the one or more player card. The player who participates in the video game concerns the other player via a virtual card, such as exchange of virtual cards, for example. In this regard, processing related to various kinds of virtual cards will be described later in detail.

Further, the command card is a virtual card for which a command carried out by the player character is set up. When a battle is started, four command cards are distributed to the player and are displayed in the command card display area302of the corresponding user terminal. The player selects one command to be used among the four command cards. Then, when an ATB gauge is accumulated to a predetermined amount in accordance with elapse of time, the corresponding player character carries out the selected command. Further, in a case where there is a plurality of command cards (for example, the same command cards), each of which satisfies a predetermined condition, among the four command cards thus distributed, the plurality of command cards is temporarily integrated.

In this regard,FIG. 3also shows an image K (kill site). The image K indicates that the player character can destroy the enemy character at a single stroke by making an attack on the enemy character in a case where the enemy character meets a predetermined condition. The video game processing system100sets up a kill site for the enemy character or the player character in the course of the virtual mission on the basis of the information set up on the virtual card, for example.

In this regard, the configuration of the video game whose progress is controlled by the video game processing system100is not limited to this configuration. For example, the video game may be configured so that the player can use a virtual card associated with other player (for example, a display form of a command card and/or an operation method are different from the content described above).

In order to control progress of the video game described above, in the present embodiment, the video game information storage section16includes: a virtual mission information storage section16a; a player information storage section16b; and a virtual card information storage section16c(seeFIG. 2).

The virtual mission information storage section16ais a storage medium for storing virtual mission information. The virtual mission information is information on missions (virtual missions) on which the player works on using a virtual card. In the present embodiment, the virtual mission information indicates: a virtual mission provided to the player (that is, a mission imposed on the player in the virtual space); and a privilege to be given to the player who accomplishes the virtual mission (that is, accomplishment privilege).

FIG. 4is an explanatory drawing showing an example of a storage state of the virtual mission information stored in the virtual mission information storage section16a. As shown inFIG. 4, the virtual mission information contains: a virtual mission number by which a virtual mission can be specified uniquely; an action power (required action power) that the player consumes in order to work on (or address) the virtual mission; the number of battles that constitutes the virtual mission (continuous battle number); information (enemy character information) on enemy characters that appears during the virtual mission (or may appears during the virtual mission); an experience value that the player can acquire in a case where the virtual mission is accomplished; and an in-game item that the player acquires (or may acquire) in a cases where the virtual mission is accomplished. In this regard, in the present embodiment, the in-game item as the accomplishment privilege includes one linked to an enemy character (for example, a monster) that appears in the virtual mission.

In this regard, the configuration of the virtual mission information is not limited to this configuration. For example, the video game processing system100may be configured so that the virtual mission information contains a task other than a battle so long as the virtual mission information contains any task and a privilege for accomplishment of the task.

The player information storage section16bis a storage medium for storing player information. The player information is information on players who participate in the video game. In the present embodiment, the player information indicates: a status of each of a plurality of players; one or more virtual cards possessed by each of the plurality of players; and other player associated with each of the one or more virtual cards.

FIG. 5is an explanatory drawing showing an example of a storage state of the player information stored in the player information storage section16b. As shown inFIG. 5, the player information contains: a player number by which a player can be specified uniquely; and various kinds of statuses of the player. In the present embodiment, the statuses of the player includes: a level of the player in the video game; an action power used to accept a virtual mission; various kinds of points each of which increases or decreases in accordance with progress of the video game; and a virtual card virtually possessed by the player (possessed virtual card).

Here, the various kinds of points include a rescue point, a class point and a friend point.

The rescue point means a point that the player uses in order to carry out a mission to rescue other player (that is, a rescue mission). In the present embodiment, the rescue point has an upper limit of five points, and the reduced rescue point is fully recovered at predetermined timing (for example, once per day).

The class point means a point used to determine a class of the player in accordance with progress of the video game. In the present embodiment, the class point is given to the player as a privilege of accomplishment of the virtual mission.

The friend point means a point used to compose virtual cards by the player. The player is allowed to select and compose a plurality of virtual cards from among the possessed virtual cards by consuming the predetermined amount of friend points. In this regard, the composed virtual card may become other virtual card with different kind, or a level (or other status) of the virtual card itself may increase.

In this regard, the configuration of the player information is not limited to this configuration. For example, the player information may contain various kinds of information regarding the player, containing information indicating a current status of the player, such as the virtual mission that the player is carrying out and a progress status of the virtual mission (player status information) and information indicating a relationship (or connection) between players (for example, information indicating players who are registered as a so-called friend; hereinafter, referred to as “friend information”).

The virtual card information storage section16cis a storage medium for storing virtual card information. The virtual card information is information on virtual cards. In the present embodiment, the virtual card information indicates various kinds of parameters on the virtual cards, including an offensive power and an HP of a character (that is, the player character) that can be operated by the player when to use a player card for a virtual mission.

FIG. 6is an explanatory drawing showing an example of a storage state of the virtual card information stored in the virtual card information storage section16c. As shown inFIG. 6, the virtual card information contains: a virtual card number by which a virtual card can be specified uniquely; a type of the virtual card; and various kinds of parameters of the virtual card.

Here, a player card that is a virtual card associated with a specific player and a non-player card that is a virtual card not associated with the specific player are included in the type of the virtual card. In this regard, the language “associated with the player” according to the present embodiment denotes a concept different from the language “possessed by the player”, and means a “virtual card indicating the player”. The video game processing system100may be configured so that association between a player and a player card is changed in accordance with progress of the video game, or the association is not changed in accordance with progress of the video game. In the case of a configuration of the former, the video game processing system100may be configured so as to specify one possess virtual card as the player card corresponding to the player among the virtual cards possessed by the player in response to a request from the player, for example. On the other hand, in the case of a configuration of the latter, the video game processing system100may be configured so as to unchangeably specify the player card corresponding to each player in accordance with a specific rule, for example.

In this regard, the configuration of the virtual card information is not limited to this configuration. For example, the virtual card information may contain various kinds of information on the virtual cards, such as a parameter according to a level of the virtual card, a change rule of the parameter of the virtual card according to a status of the player (for example, the level), or a rare level of the virtual card.

Each of the plurality of user terminals21to2N is managed by a user (or a player) who carries out the video game, and is configured by a mobile communication terminal, such as a cellular phone terminal, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants) and a mobile game apparatus, by which the user can play a network delivery-type game, for example. Each of the plurality of user terminals21to2N has hardware (for example, a display device for displaying a game screen, an audio output device and the like) and software to carry out a video game by connecting the user terminal21to2N to the communication network30and carrying out communication with the video game processing server10. In this regard, the video game processing system100may be configured so that the plurality of user terminals21to2N can directly communicate with each other without passing through the video game processing server10.

Next, an operation of the video game processing system100according to the present embodiment will be described. In this regard, the content of operations and/or processing with no relationship to the present invention may be omitted.

FIG. 7is a flowchart showing an example of virtual mission related processing carried out by the video game processing system100. In the virtual mission related processing, processing from a process to provide a virtual mission to a player to a process to give a player a privilege according to a result of the virtual mission is carried out. Hereinafter, an operation of the video game processing system100when to carry out the virtual mission related processing will be described with reference toFIG. 7, which shows a flowchart including processes carried out by each of the plurality of user terminals21to2N and processes carried out by the video game processing server10.

The virtual mission related processing is started in a case where the video game processing server10receives a virtual mission providing request from any of the plurality of user terminals21to2N (hereinafter, the explanation will proceed using a user terminal21as an example), for example.

In the virtual mission related processing, the video game processing server10first specifies a virtual mission to be provided to a user (that is, a player X1) of the user terminal21and the privilege content corresponding to the virtual mission (Step S101). In the present embodiment, when a virtual mission providing request is received by presenting a virtual mission number from the user terminal21, the video game processing server10determines a virtual mission indicated by the virtual mission number as a virtual mission to be provided to the player X1. Further, the video game processing server10specifies the content of a privilege set up in advance to the virtual mission (for example, a kind of a privilege, and a condition to give a player the privilege) as the privilege content corresponding to the specified virtual mission.

When the virtual mission to be provided and the privilege content are specified, the video game processing server10carries out processing to choose virtual cards from which the player X1is caused to select (that is, virtual card choosing processing) (Step S200).

FIG. 8is a flowchart showing an example of virtual card choosing processing carried out by the video game processing server10. In the virtual card choosing processing, the video game processing server10first chooses various kinds of virtual cards in accordance with a predetermined choice rule to match a plurality of virtual cards (Step S201). In the present embodiment, the video game processing server10chooses three non-player cards, three friend cards and three guest cards. At this time, the video game processing server10excludes the virtual card(s) that the player X1has used in the virtual mission within a predetermined time (for example, before within three hours from the present) from choice candidates.

The non-player card is a virtual card associated with an important character that appears in the video game. The video game processing server10chooses three non-player cards in a random manner from among the virtual cards possessed by the player X1. In this regard, in a case where the number of non-player cards included in the virtual cards possessed by the player X1is less than the chosen number, the video game processing server10chooses only the non-player cards of the number possessed by the player X1. Further, in a case where there is no non-player card in the virtual cards possessed by the player X1, the video game processing server10does not carry out choice of the non-player card.

The friend card is a virtual card associated with a player whom the player registered as a friend. The video game processing server10acquires log-in time of the player (that is, a friend) corresponding to the friend card possessed by the player X1. In this regard, the log-in time is cached for a few minutes at a client side (in the present embodiment, at the user terminal21side). Therefore, by caching the log-in time, the video game processing server10allows a load of communication with the user terminal21to be reduced. When a log-in time of each of the user terminals21to2N is acquired, the video game processing server10creates a list of friends; sorts the user terminals21to2N in log-in order; and chooses friend cards corresponding to the top three user terminals21to2N. In this regard, in the present embodiment, the earlier the user terminal21to2N logs in the video game processing server10, the more superordinate friend the user terminal21to2N becomes. In this regard, in a case where the number of friend cards included in the virtual cards possessed by the player X1is less than the choice number, the video game processing server10chooses only the virtual cards of the number possessed by the player X1. Further, in a case where there is no friend card in the possessed virtual cards, the video game processing server10does not choose any friend card.

The guest card is a virtual card associated with a player corresponding to a player card that the player does not possess and who is not a friend of the player. The video game processing server10extracts three users who are players each of which level is at the same as the level of the player X1(for example, within five levels above and below the level of the player X1) and log in the video game processing server10within a specific time (for example, within before three hours from the present time) among all of the players, and chooses three player cards corresponding to the extracted three players as guest cards.

When the virtual cards are chosen, the video game processing server10specifies players (other players) respectively corresponding to the chosen player cards (Step S202). Hereinafter, the case where the video game processing server10specifies a user X2(other player X2) of a user terminal22as other player will be described as an example.

When the other players are specified, the video game processing server10specifies a status of each of the specified other players (Step S203). In the present embodiment, the video game processing server10specifies a level of the other player X2by referring to the player information thereof.

When the status of the other player X2is specified, the video game processing server10updates parameters (for example, an offensive power and an HP) of the player card corresponding to the other player X2on the basis of the specified status of the other player X2(Step S204). In this regard, in the present embodiment, the video game processing server10also updates a parameter of the chosen guest card in the same manner. On the other hand, as for the chosen non-player card, the video game processing server10updates a parameter thereof on the basis of the status (for example, a level) of the player X1. In this regard, the method of determining a parameter of the non-player card is not limited to this method. The video game processing system100may be configured so that the parameter is updated by other processing than that for the player card (including the friend card and the guest card) or a predetermined parameter is used without updating.

When the virtual card is chosen and a parameter of the chosen virtual card is updated if necessary, the video game processing server10shifts to a process at Step S102in the virtual mission related processing (seeFIG. 7).

When the video game processing server10carries out the virtual card choosing processing, the user terminal21displays a virtual card selecting screen (Step S102). In the present embodiment, the user terminal21receives virtual card information, which indicates the virtual cards chosen in the virtual card choosing processing, from the video game processing server10, and displays the content of the virtual card information on the virtual card selecting screen.

FIG. 9is an explanatory drawing for explaining the virtual card selecting screen. As shown inFIG. 9, a deck button901; a mission button902for receiving a request to start the virtual mission; a party display area910; and a participant candidate display area920; are provided on the virtual card selecting screen according to the present embodiment. The party display area910shows members (or parties) that participate in the virtual mission. The participant candidate display area920shows participant candidates for the virtual mission. The user terminal21selectably displays at least part of the content of the virtual card information received from the video game processing server10in the participant candidate display area920.

The deck button901is a virtual button used for receiving a request to display a deck editing screen. For example, in a case where a display position of the deck button901is pressed (or touched) by means of a finger P of the player X1, the user terminal21displays the deck editing screen (not shown in the drawings). A set of command cards (deck) respectively set up to members that belong to a party (characters respectively indicated by the virtual cards) is display on the deck editing screen.

A plurality of images911,912and921to924(hereinafter, referred to appropriately as the “virtual cards911,912and921to924”) is respectively displayed in the party display area910and the participant candidate display area920. The plurality of images911,912and921to924indicates information that becomes the criterion for a selection of the virtual card by the player X1, such as an image of a character indicated by the virtual card, a level of a player corresponding to the virtual card, and a gauge showing an attribute of a command card associated with the virtual card, on the basis of the virtual card information. Further, in the present embodiment, an identification image (for example, a star-shaped image shown inFIG. 9; see virtual card912,923) is displayed on the virtual card (friend card) corresponding to a friend of the player X1so as to be capable of identifying the friend card from the other virtual cards. When a selection of one virtual card displayed in the participant candidate display area920is received, the user terminal21moves the virtual card for which the selection is received into the party display area910. Further, when a selection of the virtual card displayed in the party display area910is received, the user terminal21displays the virtual card, for which the selection is received, in the participant candidate display area920.

When the virtual card selecting screen is displayed, the user terminal21determines whether a virtual card used for the virtual mission is decided or not (Step S103). In the present embodiment, the user terminal21determines that the virtual card used for the virtual mission is decided in a case where a selection of the mission button902is received in a state where virtual cards of a predetermined number (for example, three) are displayed in the party display area910.

Here, in a case where it is determined that the virtual card used for the virtual mission is decided (“Yes” at Step S103), the user terminal21starts the virtual mission (Step S104). In the present embodiment, the user terminal21starts the virtual mission by displaying a start screen of the virtual mission on basis of the virtual mission information received together with the virtual card information, for example.

When the virtual mission is started, the user terminal21specifies a privilege (accomplishment privilege) to apply to the player X1at accomplishment of the virtual mission (Step S105). In the present embodiment, the user terminal21specifies the accomplishment privilege in accordance with the privilege content set up in advance to the virtual mission and an accomplishment status of the virtual mission by the player X1(for example, a kind of each of defeated enemy characters and the number of the defeated enemy characters). Further, in the present embodiment, the user terminal21specifies, at this time, a player card corresponding to the player X1as a privilege (used privilege) to be given to the other player X2corresponding to the player card used by the player X1. In this regard, in a case where the player who works on the virtual mission satisfies a predetermined delivery condition (for example, acquisition of the privilege according to the virtual mission), the used privilege is given to the other player X2by means of the video game processing server10. Further, timing to specify the accomplishment privilege and the used privilege is not particularly limited. For example, the video game processing system100may be configured so that the accomplishment privilege and the used privilege is specified any one of at the start of the virtual mission, during the virtual mission (for example, when the condition to give the accomplishment privilege is satisfied, and the like), and at the end of the virtual mission. Further, the video game processing system100may be configured so that each of the privileges is specified independently.

When accomplishment privilege is specified, the user terminal21determines whether the player X1fails the virtual mission or not (Step S106). In the present embodiment, the user terminal21controls progress of the virtual mission on the basis of an operational input by the player X1after the start of the virtual mission. As a result, the user terminal21determines that the player X1fails the virtual mission when an HP of a party satisfies a predetermined condition (for example, when the HP of each of all characters belonging to the party becomes zero).

Here, in a case where it is determined that the player X1does not fail the virtual mission, for example, because the player X1accomplishes the virtual mission (“No” at Step S106), the user terminal21shifts to a process at Step S109(will be described later). On the other hand, in a case where it is determined that the player X1fails the virtual mission (“Yes” at Step S106), the user terminal21limits the operation to be allowed to the player to the predetermined content (Step S107). In the present embodiment, the user terminal21determines that a present state of the player X1is a rescue required state, and does not allow the player to select an operation (for example, a selection operation of a virtual mission and the like) that is allowed to select at a normal state.

When the operation to be allowed to the player is limited, the user terminal21determines whether a rescue request is received or not (Step S108). In the present embodiment, the user terminal21determines whether a rescue request is received or not by displaying a predetermined rescue request receiving screen in a case where it is determined that the player fails the virtual mission. In this regard, a method of receiving a rescue request is not limited to this method. For example, the video game processing system100may be configured so that, in a case where it is determined that the player failed the virtual mission, the user terminal21determines that the rescue request is received.

FIG. 10is an explanatory drawing for explaining an example of a rescue request receiving screen. As shown inFIG. 10, a message input area1001for receiving an input for a rescue request message from the player; a send button1002for receiving a request to send the rescue request message from the player; and a cancel button1003for receiving a request to cancel transmission of the rescue request message are provided on the rescue request receiving screen.

Here, in a case where it is determined that a rescue request is received because selection of the send button1002is received (“Yes” at Step S108), the user terminal21causes the video game processing server10to carry out rescue mission related processing (Step S300).

FIG. 11is a flowchart showing an example of the rescue mission related processing carried out by the video game processing server10. In the rescue mission related processing, the video game processing server10first specifies a player to be rescued (Step S301). In the present embodiment, when the video game processing server10receives a rescue request message from the user terminal21, the video game processing server10specifies the player X1as a player to be rescued.

When the player to be rescued is specified, the video game processing server10specifies the rescue mission and the privilege content corresponding to the rescue mission (Step S302). In the present embodiment, the video game processing server10specifies the virtual mission that the player X1failed as a rescue mission. Further, the video game processing server10specifies, as the privilege content corresponding to the specified rescue mission, an in-game item and a condition to give the in-game item in accordance with the content of the specified rescue mission (for example, a kind of the enemy character that appears in the failed virtual mission).

When the rescue mission and the privilege content are specified, the video game processing server10informs the other player of the rescue mission (Step S303). In the present embodiment, the video game processing server10informs of the rescue mission the player who satisfies a predetermined condition (for example, a condition that a difference of players' levels is within three) in a relationship with the player X1. In this regard, the video game processing system100may be configured so that an action of one player A to sequentially rescue other player B is restricted by providing a specified time limit as the predetermined condition (for example, within 12 hours). Further, the video game processing system100may be configured so that the video game processing server10chooses other condition (for example, a player near a predetermined condition) until the number of players reaches a predetermined number in a case where the number of players who satisfy the predetermined condition is less than the predetermined number. Hereinafter, the case where the video game processing server10informs a plurality of players including the player X2of a rescue mission will be described as an example.

When the plurality of players is informed of the rescue mission, the video game processing server10specifies a rescue mission executing player who is to carry out the rescue mission (that is, the player who wants to carry out the informed rescue mission) (Step S304). In the present embodiment, in a case where a rescue mission execution request is received from the user terminal22, the video game processing server10specifies the player X2who is a user of the user terminal22as a rescue mission executing player, for example. In this regard, the user terminal22displays a predetermined rescue mission selecting screen in a case where the user terminal22is informed of a rescue mission from the video game processing server10(more specifically, in a case where information indicating existence of the rescue mission is received). Then, in a case where an operational input onto the rescue mission selecting screen is received from the player X2, the user terminal22transmits a rescue mission execution request according to the received operational input to the video game processing server10.

FIG. 12is an explanatory drawing for explaining an example of the rescue mission selecting screen. As shown inFIG. 12, a rescue applicant list display area is provided on the rescue mission selecting screen. A list of the players to be rescued (hereinafter, referred to as a “rescue applicant list”) is displayed in the rescue applicant list display area. The player X2selects a rescue mission to be undertaken among a plurality of players to be rescued1201to1203shown in the rescue applicant list using a class of the player to be rescued and a rescue mission name as criteria (judgment standards), for example.

When the player X2is specified as the rescue mission executing player, the video game processing server10transmits (sends) rescue mission information to the user terminal22operated by the player X2(Step S305). In this regard, in the present embodiment, the video game processing server10subtracts a rescue point according to execution of the rescue mission from the rescue point of the player X2at this time. Namely, the video game processing server10does not provide a rescue mission to players whose rescue point does not reach the required amount to undertake the rescue mission even though a rescue mission execution request is received. However, in the present embodiment, the video game processing server10informs even the player who does not have a rescue point required to undertake the rescue mission of the specified rescue mission. By configuring the video game processing system100in this manner, the player is allowed to confirm the content of a rescue mission and to decide whether to undertake the rescue mission or not. For that reason, by configuring the video game processing system100so that the player can acquire a rescue point in accordance with progress of the video game, it is possible to motivate the player who confirmed the rescue mission to play the video game. Further, the video game processing system100may be configured so that the video game processing server10restricts the subject to be informed of the rescue mission in accordance with a progress status of the video game (for example, the amount of the possessed rescue point). By configuring the video game processing system100in this manner, it is possible to prevent a load on the video game processing server10from excessively increasing due to an increase of communication targets.

When the rescue mission information is received from the video game processing server10, the user terminal22carries out processing to cause the player X2to play the rescue mission on the basis of the received rescue mission information. In this regard, the video game processing system100may be configured so that, as the processing to cause a player to play a rescue mission, a rescue request is received in accordance with failure of the rescue mission in the same manner as the virtual mission.

On the other hand, the user terminal21operated by the player X1, who has been specified as a player to be rescued, restricts any operation regarding the virtual mission by the player X1. In the present embodiment, the user terminal21displays a game screen (or a rescue standby screen) for showing the player X1a situation in which the player X1is waiting for rescue and cannot carry out any operation other than an “operation to give up being rescued”.

FIG. 13is an explanatory drawing for explaining an example of the rescue standby screen. As shown inFIG. 13, a character PC (player character PC) indicated by a virtual card corresponding to a player; a player status display area in which a level1301of the player and a status1302of the player are displayed; a release button1303for receiving a release request of a rescue standby state from the player; and a current rescued people list display area1304in which a list of other players who carry out the rescue mission in response to the rescue request by the player is displayed; are provided on the rescue standby screen. In this regard, in the present embodiment, in order to confirm a rescue state of the player X1, the user terminal21confirms a progress status of the rescue mission with the video game processing server10at predetermined time intervals (for example, every one minute) during display of the rescue standby screen.

When the user terminal21sends the rescue mission information in the rescue mission related processing, the video game processing server10specifies, on the basis of the specified privilege content, a privilege (success privilege) to be given to the rescue mission executing player when the rescue mission is succeeded (In order to clarify the explanation, “accomplishment of a rescue mission” is expressed as “success”. The same applies hereinafter.) (Step S306). In the present embodiment, the video game processing server10specifies a success privilege by comparing a progress status of the rescue virtual mission by the player X2(for example, a kind of each of defeated enemy characters and the number of the defeated enemy characters) with the privilege content (for example, a condition to give an in-game item). More specifically, the video game processing server10specifies, for the player who succeeded the rescue, the class point, the friend point and the success privilege including the other drop reward (that is, a reward given to the player who succeeded the virtual mission). Further, in the present embodiment, the video game processing server10specifies the content of the success privilege in accordance with a success privilege determination rule on which a relationship between the rescued player and the rescuing player (for example, a difference of their levels, and whether the players are friends or not, and the like) influences. In this regard, the success privilege determination rule may be configured so that: the class point becomes higher than the case of normal rescue when the player rescued other player whose level is lower than the level of the player; and the class point becomes higher than the normal rescue when the player rescued a friend of the player. Further, the success privilege determination rule may also be configured so that a command card or an equipment material that the player can acquire via only the rescue is specified. In this regard, timing to specify the success privilege is not particularly limited. For example, the timing may be any one of at the start of the rescue mission, during the rescue mission (for example, when the condition to give the success privilege is satisfied, and the like), and at the end of the rescue mission.

When the success privilege is specified, the video game processing server10determines whether the rescue mission indicated by the transmitted rescue mission information is succeeded or not (Step S307). In the present embodiment, the video game processing server10receives information indicating a result of the rescue mission (rescue mission result information) from the user terminal22, and determines whether the rescue mission is succeeded or not on the basis of the received rescue mission result information.

Here, in a case where it is determined that the rescue mission is succeeded (“Yes” at Step S307), the video game processing server10gives a privilege of the player to be rescued (in the present embodiment, the accomplishment privilege) and a privilege of the rescue mission executing player (in the present embodiment, the success privilege) to the rescue mission executing player (Step S308). In this regard, the video game processing system100may be configured so as to give only the success privilege to the player who succeeded the rescue mission. Further, the video game processing system100may be configured so that, in a case where the player who succeeded the rescue mission used the friend card in the rescue mission, the video game processing server10gives the player card corresponding to the player who succeeded the rescue mission and/or the player card corresponding to the player to be rescued to the player corresponding to the friend card.

When the privileges (in the present embodiment, the accomplishment privilege and the success privilege) are given to the rescue mission executing player, the video game processing server10gives the privilege of the player to be rescued (in the present embodiment, the accomplishment privilege) to the player to be rescued (Step S309), and terminates the processing herein. In this regard, in the present embodiment, in a case where the player fails the virtual mission, a friend card (that is, a virtual card corresponding to the player who failed the virtual mission) is not given to the player corresponding to the friend card used by the player. However, the video game processing system100may be configured so that, in a case where the rescue mission is succeeded, the video game processing server10gives the player card corresponding to the player to be rescued and/or the player card corresponding to the player who succeeded the rescue mission to the player corresponding to the friend card.

Further, in a case where it is determined in the process at Step S106in the virtual mission related processing that the player does not fail the virtual mission, for example, because the player X1accomplishes the virtual mission (“No” at Step S106), the video game processing server10gives the specified accomplishment privilege to the player X1who has accomplished the virtual mission (Step S109). In the present embodiment, the video game processing server10causes the user terminal21operated by the rescued player X1to display a predetermined mission result display screen, and causes the user terminal22operated by the rescuing player X2to display a predetermined rescue result display screen (not shown in the drawings). In this regard, the video game processing server10appropriately updates various kinds of information stored in the video game information storage section16when to give the privilege or before or after the privilege is given. In the present embodiment, the video game processing server10leaves a completion flag of the virtual mission at the rescued player side. Namely, unless the player accomplishes the virtual mission by himself or herself, the completion flag of the virtual mission cannot be reset.

FIG. 14is an explanatory drawing for explaining a mission result display screen. As shown inFIG. 14, the user terminal21pop-up displays an image1401that indicates to be rescued on the rescue standby screen.

FIG. 15is an explanatory drawing for explaining another example of the mission result display screen. As shown inFIG. 15, the video game processing system100may be configured so that an image1510to promote (or encourage) the player X1thus rescued to carry out a predetermined operational input is displayed on the mission result display screen. In this case, the video game processing system100may be configured so that information on the player who succeeded the rescue mission, a friend application button1511for receiving a friend application request to the player, a reward message input area1512for receiving an input of a reward message for the player, a send button1513for receiving a request to send the reward message, and a cancel button1514for receiving a request to cancel the transmission of the reward message are provided in the image1510.

When the accomplishment privilege is given, the video game processing server10gives the player card corresponding to the player X1to other player (that is, a player corresponding to the friend card that the player X1uses in the virtual mission) (Step S110), and terminates the processing herein.

In this regard, in a case where it is determined in the process at Step S108in the virtual mission related processing that no rescue request is received, for example, because the user terminal21receives the selection of the cancel button1003on the rescue request receiving screen (“No” at Step S108), or in a case where the video game processing server10determines in the process at Step S307in the virtual mission related processing that the rescue mission is not succeeded, for example, because the player X2fails the rescue mission or the player X1has not been rescued for a fixed period by anybody (“No” at Step S307), the user terminal21determines whether the player X1gives up being rescued or not (Step S111). In the present embodiment, the user terminal21determines that the player X1gives up being rescued in a case where a selection of the release button1303on the rescue standby screen is received. Namely, in the present embodiment, whether the player to be rescued gives up being rescued or not is not related to execution or non-execution of the rescue. In this regard, in the present embodiment, a predetermined amount of class points is consumed for the selection of the release button1303.

Here, in a case where it is determined that the player X1does not give up being rescued (“No” at Step S111), the user terminal21displays the rescue standby screen (seeFIG. 13) (Step S112), and shifts to a process at Step S300. On the other hand, in a case where it is determined that the player X1gives up being rescued because the selection of the release button1303is received (“Yes” at Step S111), the user terminal21releases the limitation of the operation to be allowed to the player (see Step S107) (Step S113), and terminates the processing herein. In this regard, the video game processing apparatus100may be configured so that the video game processing server10carries out processing defined in advance for the case where the player to be rescued gives up being rescued (rescue mission suspension process) at this time. In this case, the rescue mission suspension process may be configured so that the rescue mission executing player is allowed to recognize that the player to be rescued is rescued. For example, the video game processing apparatus100may be configured so that the video game processing server10carries out notification to suspend the rescue mission to the player who is carrying out the rescue mission. Alternatively, the video game processing apparatus100may be configured so that the video game processing server10causes the rescue mission executing player to select whether the rescue mission is to be continued as a virtual mission (that is, as a mission in which there is no rescue target) or not. Further, the video game processing system100may be configured so that, in a case where there is a player who is carrying out a rescue mission, the user terminal21does not receive a selection of the release button1303until a specific time (for example, one hour) elapses from the time when a rescue request was carried out.

As explained above, in the embodiment described above, the video game processing apparatus (for example, the video game processing server10, the user terminal21or the video game processing system100; The same applies hereinafter.) for controlling progress of the multiplayer participatory video game played using the game medium (for example, the virtual cards) in which parameters are set up is configured so as to: include the virtual mission information storage section16afor storing virtual mission information, the virtual mission information being information on virtual missions, a player of the video game processing apparatus working on one of the virtual missions using the game medium; provide the virtual mission to the player X1on the basis of the virtual mission information (for example, Step S104); and give other player X2a game medium associated with the player X1using the game medium, the other player X2being associated with the game medium used in the virtual mission (for example, Step S110). Therefore, it is possible to provide a feeling to cooperate with other player to each player.

Namely, it is possible to increase opportunities that one player uses a game medium of other player. Therefore, it is possible to provide a feeling to cooperate with other player to each player.

Further, in the embodiment described above, the video game processing apparatus may be configured so as to: include the player information storage section16bfor storing player information, the player information indicating a status (for example, the level) of each of a plurality of players, a game medium (for example, the virtual cards) possessed by each of the plurality of players and other player associated with the game medium; specify, at predetermined timing, a status of the other player corresponding to the game medium possessed by the player X1(for example, Step S203); and update one or more predetermined parameter (for example, an offensive power and an HP) on the basis of the status of the other player specified, the one or more predetermined parameter being set up in the game medium (for example, Step S204). Therefore, it becomes possible for each player to recognize that his or her own current status influences on the other player who uses the game medium associated with the player. In addition, it is possible to cause the player to recognize that a current status of the other player influences on the player in a case of using the game medium associated with the other player.

Further, in the embodiment described above, the video game processing apparatus may be configured so as to: selectably display the game medium (for example, the virtual cards) (for example, Step S102); and display the game medium together with at least a part of one or more updated parameter (for example, the level of the virtual card) (for example, seeFIG. 9) in a case where the parameter updater updated the one or more parameter of the game medium (for example, Step S204). Therefore, it is possible to update the information of the game medium, possessed by the player, corresponding to the other player when the player selects the game medium or the like.

Further, in the embodiment described above, the video game processing apparatus may be configured so as to: specify the player X1who fails the provided virtual mission as a player to be rescued (for example, Step S301); specify the rescue mission to be accomplish in order to rescue the player X1to be rescued on the basis of the virtual mission information (for example, Step S302); inform the plurality of players of the rescue mission (for example, Step S303); specify a rescue mission executing player, the rescue mission executing player being a player who carries out the rescue mission (for example, Step S304); provide the rescue mission to the specified rescue mission executing player X2(for example, Step S305); and give the game medium (for example, virtual card) associated with the player X1to be rescued to the rescue mission executing player X2who succeeded the rescue mission (for example, Step S308, S309). Therefore, it is possible for one player to increase an opportunity to acquire a game medium of other player.

In this regard, although it has not been mentioned particularly in the embodiment described above, the video game processing apparatus may be configured so as to: include a game medium information memory (for example, the virtual card information storage section16c) for storing game medium information, the game medium information containing information on the game medium (for example, the virtual card), the information on the game medium containing information on a player associated game medium (for example, the player card) and information on a non-associated game medium (for example, the non-player card), the player associated game medium being a game medium associated with a specific player, the non-associated game medium being a game medium not associated with the specific player; receive a selection of a multiplayer associated game medium from the player; determine a non-associated game medium in accordance with a predetermined rule (for example, a rule in which virtual cards to be composed are determined in accordance with a combination of virtual cards), the non-associated game medium corresponding to the multiplayer associated game medium selected by the player; and give the player the determined non-associated game medium. By configuring the video game processing apparatus in this manner, it is possible to promote each player to interact (or have contact) with more players (for example, usage of a player associated game medium corresponding to other player, and an acceptance (or reception) of a mission to rescue other player). Further, the video game processing apparatus may be configured so as to erase, when a non-associated game medium, which is determined in a case where the multiplayer associated game medium is selected by the player, is given to the player, the selected multiplayer associated game medium from the game medium possessed by the player (for example, erases the corresponding virtual card from a list of the possessed virtual cards in the player information). By configuring the video game processing apparatus in this manner, it becomes possible to promote each player to interact (or have contact) with more players.

Further, in the embodiment described above, the video game processing apparatus may be configured so as also to give the privilege to the rescued player X1in a case where the rescue mission is succeeded. Therefore, it is possible to promote the rescued player to rescue the other player. Further, the video game processing apparatus may be configured so as to give a point (for example, a class point), which becomes an evaluation index of the player in a virtual space, to the player who rescued other player as a privilege in accordance with a degree of difficulty of the rescue mission and the like, for example. By configuring the video game processing apparatus in this manner, it is possible to provide, to the player, a virtual space in which an action performed for other player is to be evaluated.

Further, in the embodiment described above, the video game processing apparatus may be configured so as to determine the privilege content (for example, a type of a privilege and a condition to give the privilege) before the player starts the virtual mission (including a rescue mission) (for example, Steps S101, S302). Therefore, it is possible to prevent the player from carrying out a cheat action. Namely, for example, even though a cheat to wrongfully change or revise a parameter of a game medium and the like are carried out by a player, the player cannot acquire an unjustly expensive privilege compared with the degree of difficulty of the accomplished virtual mission or the like. Therefore, this is beneficial.

Further, in the embodiment described above, each of the plurality of user terminals21to2N and the video game processing server10carries out the various kinds of processes described above in accordance with various kinds of control programs (for example, the video game processing program) stored in a storage device included in its own apparatus (the user terminal21to2N or video game processing server10).

In this regard, the configuration of the video game processing system100is not limited to the configuration described above. For example, the video game processing system100may be configured so that part or all of the processing explained as the processing carried out by any user terminal is carried out by the video game processing server10. Alternatively, the video game processing system100may also be configured so that anyone of the plurality of user terminals21to2N (for example, the user terminal21) carries out part or all of the processing explained as the processing carried out by the video game processing server10. Further, the video game processing system100may be configured so that the user terminal21to2N includes a part or all of the storage sections included in the video game processing server10. Namely, the video game processing system100may be configured so that a part or all of the functions that any one of the user terminal21to2N and the video game processing server10in the video game processing system100is included in the other one.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 16is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a video game processing apparatus50(apparatus50) according to one embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the apparatus50at least has a virtual mission information storage section51, a virtual mission providing section52and a game medium giving section53.

The apparatus50has a function to control progress of a multiplayer participatory video game played using a game medium in which parameters are set up. Although a configuration of the apparatus50for controlling progress of a multiplayer participatory video game is not particularly limited, the apparatus is preferably configured to allow each player to simultaneously play a video game. The configuration of the apparatus50for controlling progress of a multiplayer participatory video game is, for example, a configuration to control progress of a multiplayer participatory video game by performing communication between the apparatus50and another apparatus employing the same configuration as that of the apparatus50. Further, another configuration is, for example, a configuration to control progress of a multiplayer participatory video game by causing the apparatus50to function as a server which communicates with a plurality of terminals.

The virtual mission information storage section51has a function to store virtual mission information which is information on a virtual mission which a player works on using a game medium.

Here, the virtual mission means a task placed on a player according to progress of a video game. In this regard, although the content of a task is not particularly limited, the content preferably can only be achieved by using a game medium.

The virtual mission providing section52has a function to provide a virtual mission to a player on the basis of virtual mission information.

Here, providing a virtual mission means placing a virtual mission on a player. Although a configuration to provide a virtual mission is not particularly limited, the configuration preferably allows a player to learn the content of the virtual mission placed on the player. The configuration to provide a virtual mission to a player is, for example, a configuration to inform the player of the content of a virtual mission which satisfies condition to be provided with the player, and associate and store identification information of the virtual mission and identification information of the player.

The game medium giving section53has a function to give a game medium which is associated with a player using the game medium, to other player associated with the game medium used in a virtual mission.

Here, giving a game medium to a player means showing that the player possesses the game medium. A configuration to give a game medium to a player is, for example, a configuration to update player information such that identification information of the player and identification information of the game medium are associated and stored.

Next, an operation of the apparatus50will be described.

FIG. 17is a flowchart illustrating an example of game processing carried out by the apparatus50. In the game processing according to the present embodiment, processing which directly or indirectly relates to providing a virtual mission to a player and giving a game medium to other player is carried out.

The game processing is started when, for example, the apparatus50determines that a condition to provide a virtual mission is satisfied according to progress of a video game.

The apparatus50first provides a virtual mission to a player in the game processing (Step S501). In the present embodiment, the apparatus50provides to a player A a virtual mission whose condition to be provided is satisfied as a result that the player A plays a video game.

When providing the virtual mission, the apparatus50gives a game medium which is associated with the player using the game medium, to other player associated with the game medium used in the virtual mission (Step S502), and finishes the processing. In the present embodiment, the apparatus50gives the game medium which is associated with the player A, to a player B associated with the game medium used by the player A in the virtual mission.

As explained above, according to one aspect of the second embodiment, the video game processing apparatus50for controlling progress of a multiplayer participatory video game played using a game medium in which parameters are set up is configured so as to: include the virtual mission information storage section51, the virtual mission providing section52and the game medium giving section53; store virtual mission information being information on virtual missions which a player works on using a game medium; provide the virtual mission to a player on the basis of the virtual mission information; and give other player a game medium associated with the player using the game medium, the other player being associated with the game medium used in the virtual mission, so that it is possible to provide a feeling to cooperate with other player to each player.

As explained above, each embodiment of the present application can meet one, two or more needs. In this regard, an effect provided by each embodiment is a non-restrictive effect or an example of an effect.

Further, in each of the embodiments described above, the phrase “according to progress of a video game” means that specific processing is triggered by or based on occurrences of various progresses or changes which could occur in a video game. The specific processing includes, for example, determination processing and/or information update processing. Further, the various progresses or changes which could occur in a video game are, for example, progress of time, a change of a game element value, an update of a specific status or a flag or an operational input by a user.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention is useful to provide a feeling to cooperate with other player to each player of a video game.