JP7531550B2 - PROGRAM, TERMINAL, GAME SYSTEM AND GAME MANAGEMENT DEVICE - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a program, a terminal, a game system, and a game management device.

In recent years, games that use platforms such as smartphones and mobile phones have become popular. For example, there are games in which a deck is used that combines game elements such as virtual cards, and the outcome of a competitive game is determined by the parameter values of each game element that makes up the deck.

There is also a game system that allows a shop for purchasing items to appear in the game space, encouraging players to acquire items (Patent Document 1).

JP 2019-058757 A

In a competitive game that uses game elements, if the representation of the game elements acquired by the player can be changed later, the player's interest will be heightened.

The object of the present invention is to provide a program, a terminal, a game system, and a game management device that can provide a game that enhances the interest of players.

One aspect of the present invention is a program that causes a computer to function as: execution means for executing a first match, which is a normal match using multiple game elements and is a non-tournament-style match, and a second match, which is a match using multiple game elements different from the first match and is a tournament-style match; acquisition means for acquiring game elements; expression mode change information acquisition means for acquiring expression mode change information indicating game elements to be changed from game elements of a first expression mode to game elements of a second expression mode in the second match; selection means for selecting game elements to be used in the second match from among game elements owned by players; and game element control means for determining whether or not the game elements indicated by the expression mode change information are present in the selected game elements to be used in the second match, and if the game elements indicated by the expression mode change information are present, automatically changing the game elements indicated by the expression mode change information in the game elements to be used in the second match to game elements of a second expression mode, and if the game elements indicated by the expression mode change information are not present, not changing any of the game elements to be used in the second match.

One aspect of the present invention is a program that causes a computer to control a first match, which is a normal match using multiple game elements and is a non-tournament format match, and a second match, which is a match using multiple game elements different from the first match and is a tournament format match, and causes the computer to function as a providing means that provides game elements to a player, and an expression mode change information transmitting means that transmits to a player's terminal expression mode change information indicating game elements that are to be changed from game elements of a first expression mode to game elements of a second expression mode in the second match.

One aspect of the present invention is a terminal that includes: an execution means for executing a first match, which is a normal match using multiple game elements and is a non-tournament-style match; and a second match, which is a match using multiple game elements different from the first match and is a tournament-style match; an acquisition means for acquiring game elements; an expression mode change information acquisition means for acquiring expression mode change information indicating game elements to be changed from game elements of a first expression mode to game elements of a second expression mode in the second match; and a game element control means for determining whether or not the game elements indicated by the expression mode change information are present in the selected game elements to be used in the second match, and if the game elements indicated by the expression mode change information are present, automatically changing the game elements indicated by the expression mode change information in the game elements to be used in the second match to game elements of the second expression mode, and if the game elements indicated by the expression mode change information are not present, not changing any of the game elements to be used in the second match.

One aspect of the present invention is a game system that includes: an execution means for executing a first match, which is a normal match using multiple game elements and is a non-tournament-style match; a second match, which is a match using multiple game elements different from the first match and is a tournament-style match; a provision means for providing game elements to a player; and a game element control means that uses expression mode change information indicating a game element to be changed from a game element of a first expression mode to a game element of a second expression mode in the second match, determines whether or not the game element indicated by the expression mode change information is present in the game element to be used in the second match selected from the game elements owned by the player, and if the game element indicated by the expression mode change information is present, automatically changes the game element indicated by the expression mode change information in the game element to be used in the second match to a game element of the second expression mode, and if the game element indicated by the expression mode change information is not present, does not change any of the game elements to be used in the second match.

One aspect of the present invention is a game management device that controls a match game including a first match, which is a normal match using multiple game elements and is a non-tournament-style match, and a second match, which is a match using multiple game elements different from the first match and is a tournament-style match, and includes a providing means for providing game elements to a player, and an expression mode change information sending means for sending to a player's terminal expression mode change information indicating game elements to be changed from game elements of a first expression mode to game elements of a second expression mode in the second match.

The present invention can provide a game that enhances the player's interest.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a game system according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the device configuration of a smartphone, which is an example of the player terminal 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a battle screen displayed on the display 11 of the player terminal 1. As shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the player terminal 1. As shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of owned card data. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the card setting data. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of user information data. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the deck setting data. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of card pack data. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a card image conversion table. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the game server 2. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining tournament-limited card setting data. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example in which the card image (expression form) of a card changes. FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram for explaining the operations of the player terminal 1 and the game server 2. As shown in FIG. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a card purchase screen. FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the player terminal 1 when setting up a tournament deck.

First Embodiment of the Present Invention
[Overall configuration]
Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a game system in this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the game system is configured with player terminals 1 prepared for game players A and B, and a game server 2. The player terminals 1 and the game server 2 can be connected to a communication line N and can communicate with each other.

The communication line N refers to a communication path that allows data communication. In other words, the communication line N includes a dedicated line (dedicated cable) for direct connection, a LAN such as Ethernet (registered trademark), a telephone communication network, a cable network, the Internet, and other communication networks, regardless of whether the communication method is wired or wireless.

The player terminal 1 is a computer capable of executing a game program, and is connected to a communication line N via a wireless communication base station or the like, and can perform data communication with the game server 2. The player terminal 1 is, for example, a smartphone, a mobile phone, a portable game device, a stationary home game device, an arcade game device, a personal computer, a tablet computer, a controller for a stationary home game device, etc. Basically, there are multiple player terminals 1, and each is operated by a player.

The game server 2 is a server system including one or more server devices and storage devices. The game server 2 provides various services for operating the game of this embodiment, and can manage data required for operating the game and distribute game programs and data required for running the game on the player terminal 1.

Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the device configuration of a smartphone, which is an example of the player terminal 1. As shown in Fig. 2, the player terminal 1 includes a display 11, a touch operation panel 12 that is integral with the display 11, and a speaker 13. The player terminal 1 also includes a control board, a built-in battery, a power button, a volume adjustment button, etc., which are not shown.

The control board is equipped with various microprocessors such as a CPU, GPU, and DSP, various IC memories such as an ASIC, VRAM, RAM, and ROM, and a wireless communication module for wireless communication with a mobile phone base station. The control board is also equipped with so-called I/F circuits (interface circuits), such as a driver circuit for the touch operation panel 12. Each of the elements mounted on the control board is electrically connected via a bus circuit or the like, and is connected so as to be able to read and write data and send and receive signals.

In this embodiment, an example is described in which the above-mentioned game system is applied to a competitive game that uses a first game element associated with a first player A and a first game element associated with an opponent, a second player B.

Here, the first game element is a character, and is represented by being embodied in an image, a virtual or physical object, or the like. Images include still images and videos. Examples of virtual or physical objects include, for example, a virtual card displayed on a computer, or a physical card. Note that the object is not limited to a card, so long as it is configured to identify the game element associated with the object. The object may be, for example, a shaped object such as a figurine having the appearance of a game element.

The first game elements include first game elements of the same type and first game elements of different types. When the first game elements are of the same type, this includes the characters being the same. When the first game elements are of different types, this includes the characters being different. First game elements of the same type include the same character but with different modes of expression (design, character pose).

In the following explanation, the first game element that can be made to appear by using a card in the game being executed is a character whose actions are controlled based on the operation of the player (including non-players operated by a computer), and the card is described as having an image of the corresponding character on it. Furthermore, this is not limited to this, and it goes without saying that cards used to identify game elements of the game being executed are not limited to those configured to be able to identify game elements such as characters, but may also identify other game elements such as items or effects to be activated.

A deck is composed of a predetermined number of first game elements. The predetermined number of first game elements are set as the player's deck. For example, when the first game elements are embodied in virtual cards displayed on a computer, the deck is a group of cards composed of a predetermined number of cards. In this embodiment, decks that can be set include a normal deck and a tournament deck. A normal deck is a deck used in normal matches. In contrast, a tournament deck is a deck that can only be used in tournament-style matches. In a tournament-style match, unlike a normal match, multiple participating players who have registered in advance compete against each other during the tournament execution period. In this embodiment, a player who has acquired a specific first game element (card) that also serves as a participation ticket for the tournament is permitted to participate in the tournament. Tournament-style matches include league matches and tournament matches.

The first game element (card) is associated with at least one of a plurality of attributes. Each of these attributes is identified, for example, by a color. In this case, the first game element is associated with one of a plurality of different colors (for example, red, white, yellow, blue, green, purple). Note that the types of colors are not limited to this, and other colors may be used.

Furthermore, in a battle game to which this embodiment is applied, a second game element different from the first game element is added. The second game element is a character like the first game element, but does not necessarily have to be associated with a virtual or physical item.

The second game element uses the first game element possessed by the player in the game. Using the first game element includes determining the selection or action of the first game element in the game. If the first game element is, for example, a character embodied in a card, the second game element autonomously or spontaneously (actively) determines the selection or action of the card possessed by the player in the match in the game. In other words, like the function of a non-player operated by a computer, it performs an operation similar to the determination of the selection or action of the first game element performed by the player. However, while a conventional non-player is operated by a computer instead of a human player, the second game element is different in that it exists separately and independently from the human player and uses the first game element possessed by the player. And, unlike a conventional non-player, the player and the second game element form one group (pair). The second game element is not necessarily one, and there may be multiple types. A player can select one or more second game elements from multiple types of second game elements to form a group with the player. When multiple second game elements exist, each second game element has a different initial value of character information (described later), which affects the autonomous or spontaneous (active) behavior of the second game element.

The second game element has character information. The character information influences the autonomous or spontaneous (active) behavior of the second game element (use of the first game element). In other words, the character information is the ability of the second game element, and the autonomous or spontaneous (active) behavior of the second game element differs depending on the difference in this ability. The character information changes as the game progresses. The character information may include multiple parameters. For example, in this embodiment, the character information includes the parameters of level, card understanding, synchro level, and personality.

The level represents the basic level of the second game element, and increases with experience points gained from battle results. As the level increases, the thinking ability of the second game element can also increase. The higher the thinking ability, the more appropriately the first game element can be used depending on the game situation.

The degree of card understanding is a parameter that changes depending on the usage status and frequency of the type of first game element in a match, and indicates the degree of understanding of the first game element. The higher the degree of understanding, the more likely it is that the first game element (card) can be used at the appropriate time.

The synchronization level increases as the game progresses. The synchronization level also increases by achieving certain events in the game. Certain events include logging into the game, acting together with the player in the game, purchasing cards, and obtaining specific cards. The higher the synchronization level, the more intimate the actions are. The synchronization level can also be considered a parameter that indicates the relationship between the player and the second game element.

Personality is an attribute related to the character of the second game element. One of several attributes (colors) is set for personality. Personality changes depending on the frequency of use of the attribute (color) of the first game element used in the match.

The autonomous or spontaneous (active) behavior of the second game element is performed based on information provided by an AI function provided in the game server 2. This AI function is an AI function obtained by machine learning using the contents and results of game progress in many competitive games as training data. Typical machine learning methods include, but are not limited to, deep learning, reinforcement learning, or a combination of these.

Furthermore, the autonomous or spontaneous (active) behavior of the second game element not only changes depending on the performance of the AI function of the game server 2, but also depends on the character information of the second game element. For example, depending on the character information of the second game element, it may not be possible to bring out all of the capabilities of the AI function of the game server 2, and only a part of the capabilities of the AI function may be brought out. In other words, as the character information of the second game element increases, the capabilities of the AI function of the game server 2 are sequentially released. For example, an algorithm for finding an optimal solution may be used, and the search time for the solution may be increased as the character information of the second game element increases, so that a more optimal solution can be found. In addition, multiple algorithms with different accuracy may be prepared, and the more the character information of the second game element increases, the more accurate the algorithm may be used. In the following explanation, the above-mentioned second game element will be referred to as a buddy.

[Game Contents Overview]
Next, in order to facilitate understanding of the description of the embodiment, an outline of the game will be described using the display screen of the display 11 of the player terminal 1.

In the game of this embodiment, players A and B use virtual game cards (first game elements embodied by characters, hereafter simply referred to as "cards"), which are game objects, in the game. Multiple types of cards are prepared, and each is distinguished by a combination of the character's abilities, attributes, cost, rarity, etc. associated with it. Character abilities have predefined ability parameter values, such as level, attack power, and HP, that are used in play (battle) against opponents such as computer-controlled enemy characters or other players.

When registering an account, players are given the minimum number of cards required for battle play, and can also acquire cards during the game, by purchasing them as paid items, or through a lottery known as gacha. In addition, cards can be acquired by obtaining physical game cards (hereafter referred to as "real cards") and going through the registration procedures to make the acquired real cards usable in the game. Specifically, when players A and B go through the registration procedures for a real card, they can acquire a card of the card type associated with that real card.

Then, Player A creates a deck using a specified number of cards (for example, 40) from the cards he owns, and engages in a battle using the deck. In a battle using the deck, victory or defeat against an opponent is determined using the setting values of the character's ability parameters, attributes, cost, rarity, etc., which are set on the cards that make up the deck (deck cards).

When starting the game, players A and B register their accounts. When registering their accounts, players A and B select their preferred buddy from multiple types of second game elements (hereinafter referred to as buddies) presented by the player terminal 1, and set the buddy that will form a group with each of them. The personality of the selected buddy may change the player's subsequent game play style. Each player A and B then organizes a deck using a predetermined number of cards (e.g., 40 cards) from among those they possess. Deck organization can be performed from the deck organization menu that is presented as one of the card menus by touching the home screen or the like. Battle play is started by selecting the deck to be used in the battle and selecting the battle menu from the home screen.

Figure 3 shows an example of a battle screen of a competitive game displayed on the display 11 of the player terminal 1. The battle screen displayed on the display 11 has a first player area 40 which is the area of the player himself, and a second player area 41 which is the area of the opposing player. In addition, at the boundary between the first player area 40 and the second player area 41, operation information 42 is displayed which displays information on operations that can currently be performed.

Each of the first player area 40 and the second player area 41 includes a hand area 43, a field area 44, a base area 45, and a life area 46. The hand area 43 is where cards (hand cards) acquired from the player's own deck are placed. The field area 44 is where cards selected by the player from the hand area 43 or the base area 45 are placed. By consuming a predetermined cost, cards in the hand area 43 can be placed in the field area 44. The cards placed in the field area 44 can activate the action or effect of the card. The base area 45 is where cards and mana items consumed as a cost for placing cards in the field area 44 are placed. The life area 46 includes a player life area 47, which is an area for players who have life (HP), and a force life area 48, which is an area for a first object (force) that also has life. The player life area 47 displays a second object corresponding to the player and the value of the player's life. The force life area 48 displays the first object and the life value of the first object. The first object exerts a specific effect in the game.

The battle is played out by alternating turns between player A's turn and the opponent player B's turn. Each turn is made up of multiple phases, including a standby phase, a mana phase (a phase for preparing to use cards), and a main phase (a battle phase).

The standby phase consists of steps such as placing one card drawn from the deck in the hand area 43. In the mana phase, the player can place cards or mana items in his or her base area 45.

In the main phase, the player can perform actions such as summoning characters, attacking the opponent, activating card effects, and moving cards. Summoning a character involves placing a card in the field area 44, subject to the consumption of costs.

An attack on an opponent consists of multiple steps, such as an attack designation step, a flash timing step, a block designation step, and a battle resolution step. The attack designation step is a step in which the player selects the opponent player or a force as the target of the attack. The flash timing step is a step in which the player and the opponent can use specific cards with special effects. The block designation step is a step in which the opponent can choose whether or not to block an attack from the player using cards placed in the field area 44 of the second player area 41. The battle resolution step is a step in which the result of the attack is judged, and a resolution process is performed based on the judgment result, such as eliminating the attacking card or the blocking card, or reducing the life of the opponent player or force.

Activating a card effect involves activating the effect of a specific card (e.g., a magic card) with a special effect that is placed in the hand area 43, provided that the cost is consumed. Moving a card involves moving a card between the field area 44 and the base area 45. Note that a player may end the battle phase without summoning a character, attacking the opponent, activating a card effect, moving a card, etc.

Player A's team and opponent Player B's team alternate between turns consisting of a series of phases like this, and the winner is decided when either player's life reaches 0 or their deck has no cards left. Depending on the outcome of the game, the player's rank, buddy experience points, buddy character information, etc. change. Information that changes depending on the outcome of the game (buddy experience points, buddy character information, elements, player's rank, etc.) is called variable ability information.

In tournament-style matches, matches are played between players participating in the tournament. Each match is, for example, a match between a participating player and the buddy of the participating player. For example, if the tournament is a league match and the participating players are player A, player B, and player C, player A will play against player B's buddy and player C's buddy. Similarly, player B will play against player A's buddy and player C's buddy. Similarly, player C will play against player A's buddy and player B's buddy. In this manner, matches are played. The deck used by a buddy is the same deck as the deck that the buddy's player has set as the tournament deck. In tournament-style matches, only the tournament deck set by the player can be used.

[Functional configuration]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the player terminal 1. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4, the player terminal 1 includes an operation input unit 50, a memory unit 51, a processing unit 52, an image display unit 53, a sound output unit 54, and a communication unit 55.

The operation input unit 50 allows the player to input various operations related to the game, and outputs an operation input signal corresponding to the operation input to the processing unit 52. The functions of the operation input unit 50 can be realized by, for example, elements that are directly operated by the player's fingers, such as a touch operation pad, a home button, a button switch, a joystick, or a trackball, as well as elements that detect movement or posture, such as an acceleration sensor, an angular velocity sensor, a tilt sensor, or a geomagnetic sensor. In FIG. 2, this corresponds to the touch operation panel 12.

The storage unit 51 stores in advance or temporarily stores each time processing is performed programs for operating the player terminal 1 and implementing the various functions of the player terminal 1, as well as data used during execution of these programs. The storage unit 51 can be realized, for example, by RAM, ROM, IC memory such as flash memory, magnetic disks such as hard disks, optical disks such as CD-ROMs and DVDs, etc.

The memory unit 51 stores a system program and a game program. The system program is a program for implementing the basic functions of the player terminal 1 as a computer. The game program is a program for causing the processing unit 52 to function as a game calculation unit 61. This program is distributed from the game server 2 or another application distribution server, etc., once the player has completed account registration.

In addition, the memory unit 51 stores owned card data, card setting data, user information data, deck setting data, tournament deck setting data, card pack data, etc. In addition, model data for displaying images of game elements, texture data, motion data, effect data, background images for the game screen, sound data such as sound effects, etc. are distributed as data necessary for the game and stored in the memory unit 51 as appropriate.

The owned card data is data in which the card identification information of a card that can be provided by the game system, a possession flag indicating whether or not the player owns the card, a tournament ticket flag, and a tournament-limited flag are associated with each other. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of owned card data. In FIG. 5, the card identification information field describes the card identification information of a card that can be provided by the game system. If the player owns the card with that card identification information, "1" is set in the possession flag field, and if the player does not own the card with that card identification information, "0" is set in the possession flag field. If the card with that card identification information is a card that also serves as a tournament ticket, "1" is set in the tournament ticket flag field, and if the card is not a card that also serves as a tournament ticket, "0" is set in the tournament ticket flag field. If the card with that card identification information is a card that can only be used in a tournament, "1" is set in the tournament-limited flag field, and if the card is not a card that can only be used in a tournament, "0" is set in the tournament-limited flag field. FIG. 5 shows an example of owned card data, and the present invention is not limited to this example.

Card setting data is information about the abilities of the card's character and the attributes of the card, and is prepared for each card. Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of card setting data. In Figure 6, the card setting data includes card identification information, character name, card image, race, abilities, attack power, hit points, rarity, cost information, attributes (color), card pack code, paid/free, tournament ticket code, etc. The card pack code is an identification code for the card pack to which the card belongs. Note that Figure 6 shows an example of card setting data, and is not limited to this.

The user information data is various data related to the player that is used in the progress of the game. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the user information data. In the example of FIG. 7, the user information data includes a player ID, a rank, an element (total winning points up to now), buddy setting data, a battle record data (match date and time, win or loss, etc., for each match between the player and the buddy), and balance information. The buddy setting data is data related to a buddy selected by the player from among multiple types of buddies when registering an account, and includes data such as buddy identification information, character image, buddy name, buddy experience value, character information (level, card understanding, personality, synchro level), etc. The personality includes data on the color (attribute) associated with the buddy at that time and the points (cumulative value) for each color. The owned card information includes card identification information of cards owned by the player. Note that the user information data is not limited to the example of FIG. 7, and may have other data configurations.

Deck setting data is data about each deck owned by a player, and includes deck identification information (deck ID), deck name, and card identification information of the cards that make up the deck. Figure 8 shows an example of deck setting data, but the configuration of deck setting data is not limited to this.

The tournament deck setting data is data about a deck (tournament deck) set up by a player for a tournament, and includes deck identification information (deck ID) and card identification information for the cards that make up each deck. The tournament deck setting data has a structure similar to the deck setting data illustrated in FIG. 8.

Card pack data is information about the card pack being provided. There are three methods for providing cards: (1) providing cards on a card-by-card basis, (2) providing cards on a package (card pack) basis that includes multiple cards, and (3) providing cards on a deck basis that includes multiple cards. In this embodiment, an example is described in which cards are provided by method (2), "providing cards on a package basis that includes multiple cards." Figure 9 is a diagram showing an example of card pack data. The card pack data includes a card pack code, card pack name, provision period, and card identification information. Note that cards may be provided by the above-mentioned method (1) or (3), or a combination of methods (1), (2), and (3).

The processing unit 52 comprehensively controls the operation of the player terminal 1 based on the programs and data stored in the memory unit 51, the operation input signals from the operation input unit 50, etc. The functions of the processing unit 52 can be realized by electronic components such as a microprocessor such as a CPU or GPU, an ASIC, and an IC memory. The processing unit 52 has, as its main functional units, a game calculation unit 61, an image generation unit 62, a sound generation unit 63, and a communication control unit 64.

The game calculation unit 61 executes various game processes to realize the game of this embodiment, and outputs the processing results to the image generation unit 62 and the sound generation unit 63. The game calculation unit 61 includes a card management unit 70, a card provision unit 71, a deck setting unit 72, a recommended deck presentation unit 73, a buddy setting unit 74, a card operation control unit 75, and a game management unit 76.

The card management unit 70 uses the owned card data stored in the memory unit 51 and the card setting data to manage the cards that can be provided by the game system, including whether or not the player owns them.

When there is a new card that can be provided, the card management unit 70 acquires the card identification information of the card and the card setting data of the card identification information from the game server 2 via communication. The card management unit 70 then adds the acquired card identification information to the owned card data in the memory unit 51 and sets the owned flag of the card identification information to "0". At this time, if the card also serves as a tournament ticket, "1" is set in the tournament ticket flag field, and if the card does not also serve as a tournament ticket, "0" is set in the tournament ticket flag field. Also, if the card is only usable in a tournament, "1" is set in the tournament limited flag field, and if the card is not only usable in a tournament, "0" is set in the tournament limited flag field. Information indicating whether or not the card also serves as a tournament ticket and whether or not the card is only usable in a tournament may be received from the game server 2 along with each card identification information. The card setting data is then stored in the memory unit 51.

The card acquisition unit 71 performs processing for the player to acquire a card. A card can be acquired by satisfying certain conditions for receiving the card. The certain conditions include payment of a price (money, in-game currency, points acquired by the player by participating in a lottery event held on the Internet, etc.), exchange for a reward obtained for the player's actions in or outside the game, registration of a user account, logging in to the game, etc. When the player acquires a new card by satisfying the above-mentioned certain conditions, the card acquisition unit 71 sets the possession flag of the card identification information in the possessed card data in the memory unit 51 to "1". In addition, when the acquired card doubles as a tournament ticket or is a card that can only be used in the tournament, the card acquisition unit 71 sets the corresponding flag to "1".

The deck setting unit 72 uses the owned card data and the card setting data to present cards that can be used to compose the deck, and in response to a user operation, selects cards to compose the deck from the presented cards and sets (organizes) the deck. The deck setting unit 72 generates deck setting data that associates the name of the set deck, the identification information (deck ID) of the deck, and the card identification information of each card that composes the deck, and stores this data in the memory unit 51.

The buddy setting unit 73 performs various setting processes related to buddies, such as setting a buddy selected by the player from multiple types of buddies.

The game management unit 74 manages the overall progress of the game. The game management unit 74 displays menu screens and the like, and executes processes selected by the player. The game management unit 76 controls the execution of the match, and when the outcome of the match game is determined, receives the match result and various information (changed ability information) that has changed as a result of the match from the game server 2, and stores (updates) it in the memory unit 51. The changed ability information includes rank, element, buddy experience points, level, card understanding, personality, synchro level, etc. The game management unit 76 may display the various updated information.

The tournament control unit 75 receives tournament information for notifying players of the tournament, tournament data (tournament code, tournament name, tournament period, etc.), a card conversion table, card setting data for cards that can only be used in the tournament, etc. from the game server 2 and stores them in the memory unit 51. The tournament information is then displayed on the screen at a predetermined time (e.g., after logging in) to notify the player of the tournament information. The player can apply to participate in the tournament from the tournament information display screen. In response to the player's application to participate, the tournament control unit 75 determines whether data with a tournament ticket flag of "1" is registered in the owned card data, and if so, sends a tournament participation request including the tournament code and user identification information to the game server 2 to register for participation.

The card image conversion table is a table used in setting up a tournament deck. It is a table for changing the card image (first representation form) of a card that has already been acquired by a player and also serves as a tournament ticket into the card image (second representation form) of the latest card of the same type. An example of a card image conversion table is shown in FIG. 10. In the example of FIG. 10, as indicated by the arrow, it is shown that a card with card identification information "0120" is converted into a card with card identification information "C120". The tournament control unit 75 uses the card conversion table to set up a tournament deck. The tournament deck setting process will be described later. The tournament control unit 75 also works with the game management unit 74 to process tournament matches.

The image generation unit 62 generates one game screen per frame time (e.g., 1/60th of a second) based on the processing results of the game calculation unit 61, and outputs an image signal of the generated game screen to the image display unit 53. The functions of the image generation unit 62 can be realized by, for example, a processor such as a GPU or digital signal processor (DSP), a video signal IC, a program such as a video codec, an IC memory for drawing frames such as a frame buffer, an IC memory used for expanding texture data, etc.

The sound generation unit 63 generates sound signals such as game-related sound effects and background music, audio information for operation assistance information, and various operation sounds based on the processing results of the game calculation unit 61, and outputs them to the sound output unit 54. The functions of the sound generation unit 63 can be realized, for example, by a processor such as a digital signal processor (DSP) or a voice synthesis IC, or an audio codec capable of playing audio files.

The communication control unit 64 performs communication connection and data processing for data communication with the game server 2.

The image display unit 53 displays various game screens based on the image signals input from the image generation unit 62. The functions of the image display unit 53 can be realized by a display device such as a flat panel display, a cathode ray tube (CRT), a projector, or a head-mounted display. In FIG. 2, the image display unit 53 corresponds to the display 11.

The sound output unit 54 outputs sounds, such as voices and sound effects, related to the game based on the sound signals input from the sound generation unit 63. In FIG. 2, the sound output unit 54 corresponds to the speaker 13.

The communication unit 55 realizes communication by connecting to the communication line N. The functions of the communication unit 55 can be realized, for example, by a wireless communication device, a modem, a TA (terminal adapter), a jack for a wired communication cable, a control circuit, etc.

Next, the configuration of the game server 2 will be described. Figure 11 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the game server 2.

The game server 2 includes a memory unit 91, a processing unit 92, and a communication unit 93.

The memory unit 91 stores a system program and a game program. The system program is a program for implementing the basic functions of the game server 2 as a computer. The game program is a program for causing the processing unit 92 to function as a player management unit 101, a game management unit 102, an AI processing unit 103, an information update unit 104, a card provision management unit 105, and a tournament management unit 106.

Furthermore, the recording unit 91 stores user information data, owned card data, deck setting data, tournament deck setting data, card setting data, match data, tournament participant data, etc.

User information data is basic data of players participating in the game, and user information data for each player is stored. The user information data stored in the memory unit 91 has the same data structure as the user information data (see Figure 7) managed by the player terminal 1. The owned card data, deck setting data, and tournament deck setting data have the same data structure as the owned card data (see Figure 5), deck setting data (see Figure 8), and tournament deck setting data managed by the player terminal 1, but are each associated with the player's user identification information.

The card setting data is data for all cards used in the game. Basically, data similar to the card setting data in Figure 6 described above is stored for all cards used in the game.

Match data is data about the content and results of each match for each player, and is stored for each player. A player's matches include matches by that player and matches by that player's buddy. Match data is associated with the player's user identification information, and includes information such as the match ID, match result (win or loss), match date and time, opponent (player or buddy), deck used information (card identification information of the deck used in the match), and match details. Match details are information about the details of the match, and include information such as card identification information of all cards included in the deck used by the player or buddy in the match, card identification information of cards used in each turn, and the results of the matches for each turn.

The tournament participant data is associated with the tournament code and the user identification information of the tournament participant.

The processing unit 92 includes a player management unit 101, a game management unit 102, an AI processing unit 103, an information update unit 104, a card provision management unit 105, and a tournament management unit 106.

The player management unit 101 uses user information data to manage accounts, game progress, etc. for each connected player terminal 1.

The game management unit 102 receives card setting information and action selection information indicating the card arrangement status from each player terminal 1, performs battle processing using the card setting information, action selection information, and card data, and outputs the processing results. When any player's life or deck reaches 0 and the battle ends, the game management unit 102 transmits the battle result to the player terminal 1. It also generates battle data and stores it in the memory unit 51 in association with the player's user identification information.

The AI processing unit 103 has a learning model obtained by machine learning of teacher data such as the game progress content and the results of many competitive games. A representative machine learning method is deep learning, but is not limited to this. The AI processing unit 103 inputs card setting information transmitted from the player terminal 1, character information of the buddy of the player of the player terminal 1, etc., and outputs card operation information of the buddy in the situation of the card setting information. The output content of the learning model differs depending on the buddy's character information. The higher the buddy's character information (ability), the more processing is executed to obtain a more optimal solution (for example, the search time for the optimal solution is lengthened, or a learning model that obtains a more optimal solution is used, etc.).

The information update unit 104 uses the battle data stored in the memory unit 91 and the like to update the change ability information of the buddy in the player's user information data, such as the buddy's experience value, level, card understanding, personality, synchro level, element, rank, etc., and transmits the updated information to the player terminal 1. In the element update process, the information update unit 104 adds or subtracts a predetermined value to the element depending on the result of the match in the battle data. In the rank update process, the rank is determined in conjunction with the element, so the rank is raised, lowered, or maintained depending on the changed element. In the buddy experience value update process, the information update unit 104 adds a predetermined value depending on the result of the match in the battle data. In the level update process, the level is determined in conjunction with the buddy experience value, so the level is raised, lowered, or maintained depending on the changed buddy experience value. In the personality update process, the information update unit 104 updates the personality depending on the frequency of use of each attribute of the card used in the match. The information update unit 104 also increases the card understanding level by a predetermined rate based on the frequency of use of each card used in the match. The synchronization level also increases by a predetermined rate upon a predetermined event (such as the end of a match) regardless of the outcome of the match or the information on the cards used.

The card provision management unit 105 transmits card identification information and card setting data for a newly available card to the player terminal 1. In addition, when a player meets a predetermined condition for receiving a card, the card provision management unit 105 transmits card identification information of the card to be provided to the player to the player terminal 1 together with a notification of permission to provide the card. For example, when the predetermined condition is payment of a price, for example, a process is performed to deduct the price from the balance (balance of in-game currency and points) in the user information data stored in the memory unit 91.

The tournament management unit 106 transmits various information related to the tournament to the player terminal 1. The various information related to the tournament includes a tournament opening notification to the player, tournament data (tournament code, tournament name, tournament implementation period, etc.), a card conversion table, and card setting data of cards that can be used only in the tournament. The tournament management unit 106 may generate the card conversion table. In this case, for each card (card that also serves as a tournament ticket) for which a tournament ticket code is set in the card setting data, the tournament management unit 106 searches for a card that has a matching character name and a different card image and is the most recently provided card pack that includes the card, and acquires the card image. Then, the tournament management unit 106 generates card setting data (tournament-limited card setting data) in which the card image in the card setting data of the card that also serves as a tournament ticket is replaced with the card image of the most recently acquired card, and sets the card identification information of the card setting data in the card conversion table as the converted card identification information. In the tournament-limited card setting data, for example, as shown in FIG. 12, only the card image changes, and other parameters do not change. This card image conversion table allows the card image (representation form) of a card that the player has already acquired to be changed to the latest card image depending on the time of the tournament, as shown in FIG. 13, for example. In addition, when the tournament management unit 106 receives a tournament participation request from the player terminal 1, it registers the received user identification information in the tournament participant data.

The communication unit 93 connects to the communication line N to realize communication.

[Operation of each device]

Next, the operations of the player terminal 1 and the game server 2 will be described.
First, the operation of each device when a player purchases a card that also serves as a tournament ticket will be described with reference to FIG.

When the player touches a shop menu from the home screen or the like to receive a card, the card acquisition unit 71 of the player terminal 1 displays a card purchase screen that presents selectable card packs currently on offer based on the card pack data (Step 11). An example of the card purchase screen is shown in FIG. 15. In the example of FIG. 15, the card packs "Card Pack CP1," "Card Pack CP2," and "Card Pack CP3 with XX tournament ticket!" are presented. Of these, the card included in the card pack "Card Pack CP3 with XX tournament ticket!" doubles as a tournament ticket.

When the player selects the card pack "Card Pack CP3 with XX Tournament Ticket!" and presses the purchase button (Step 12: Purchase), the card acquisition unit 71 of the player terminal 1 sends a card purchase request including the card pack code of the selected "Card Pack CP3 with XX Tournament Ticket!" and the user identification information to the game server 2 (Step 13).

The card provision management unit 105 of the game server 2 performs a process (balance update process) of deducting the price of the card pack corresponding to the received card pack code from the balance of the user division data corresponding to the received user identification information (Step 14), and then transmits a card provision permission notification including the card pack code to the player terminal 1 (Step 15).

When the card acquisition unit 71 of the player terminal 1 receives the card provision permission, it acquires the card identification information of the card included in the card pack (Step 16) and sets the ownership flag corresponding to the card identification information in the owned card data to "1". In addition, since the card of "Card Pack CP3 with XX Tournament Ticket!" is a card that also serves as a tournament ticket, "1" is set in the tournament ticket flag field in the owned card data (Step 17). As a result, the player acquires a card that also serves as a tournament ticket. In addition, in the card identification information acquisition process in Step 16, for example, cards may be selected randomly or according to a predetermined probability from among the cards belonging to the card pack selected by the player, by the prescribed number of cards in the pack, or multiple predetermined card identification information may be acquired. In addition, the card identification information may be acquired by other methods without being limited to these. In addition, the owned card data updated in Step 17 is transmitted to the game server 2 at a predetermined timing, and is updated on the game server side in the same manner. The timing of transmission may be, for example, immediately following step 17, or may be at another time, such as when the game ends.

Next, the operation of the player terminal 1 when the player sets the deck to be used in the tournament (tournament deck) will be described with reference to FIG. 16.

When the tournament menu is touched from the home screen or the like, the tournament control unit 75 refers to the tournament data (tournament period) and determines whether the current time is within the tournament period (Step 101). If it is not within the period, a message to that effect is displayed (Step 120), and this process ends. If the current time is within the tournament period (Step 101: Yes), the tournament control unit 75 displays a tournament participation screen that displays "tournament deck setting" and "battle" as selectable (Step 102). The player selects "tournament deck setting" to set a tournament deck prior to the tournament battle. When "tournament deck setting" is selected (Step 103: tournament deck setting), the tournament control unit 75 displays a tournament deck setting screen that presents the decks owned by the player as selectable (Step 104), and accepts deck selection input (Step 105). When a deck is selected by the player, the tournament control unit 75 searches the owned card data for cards included in the selected deck that have a tournament ticket flag set to "1" (Step 106), and if there is a corresponding card (Step 107: Yes), extracts the card identification information (Step 108). The tournament control unit 75 refers to the conversion table for each extracted card identification information and obtains the converted card identification information (Step 109). Then, the tournament control unit 75 generates and stores deck setting data for a tournament deck in which the card identification information extracted in Step 111 of the cards included in the deck selected by the player is changed to the converted card identification information obtained in Step 109 (Step 110). This completes the setting of the deck for the tournament. Note that if there is no card with a tournament ticket flag set to "1" as a result of the search in Step 109, the selected deck is stored as it is as the tournament deck (Step 121).

In addition, if "Tournament Battle Processing" is selected in step 103, the tournament control unit 75 cooperates with the game management unit 74 to execute a battle between players participating in the tournament by communicating with the game server 2. In the battles in the tournament, the game management unit 74 uses the tournament deck data to conduct the battle.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the card image (representation mode) of a card (first game element) acquired by a player is changed to a card image (representation mode) that corresponds to the time when the competitive game is played. With this configuration, the card image of a card that the player has already acquired can be changed to the latest card image at the time of the tournament, thereby increasing the interest of the game.

Second embodiment of the present invention
In the above embodiment, the parameters of cards of the same character (same type) are not changed, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the parameters may also be changed. In this case, in the process of generating the card conversion table, the tournament management unit 106 searches for a card with a matching character name and a different card image for each card (card that also serves as a tournament ticket) in which a tournament ticket code is set in the card setting data, and which is included in a card pack that was most recently provided, and acquires the card image and the parameters to be changed. Then, card setting data (tournament-limited card setting data) is generated in which the card image and the parameters to be changed in the card setting data of the card that also serves as a tournament ticket are replaced with the card image and the acquired parameters of the most recently acquired card, and the card identification information of the card setting data is set in the card conversion table as the converted card identification information. The parameters to be changed can be set to any one or more parameters included in the card setting data.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the player terminal 1 receives card setting data for all cards used in the game (including cards not yet provided to the player) from the game server 2 and stores it in the storage unit 51, but this is not limited to the above. The player terminal 1 may receive card setting data for cards provided to the player when the cards are provided.

In addition, some or all of the above embodiments may be described as follows, but are not limited to the following:

[Appendix 1]
A memory in which executable instructions are stored and a processor,
The processor, in response to the execution instructions,
an execution process for executing a competitive game using a deck composed of a plurality of first game elements;
a recommended deck suggesting process for suggesting a recommended deck for use in the competitive game on condition that a predetermined number of losses by the player in the competitive game has been reached;
The device on which you run.

[Appendix 2]
A game management device for controlling a competitive game using a deck composed of game elements,
A memory in which executable instructions are stored and a processor,
The processor, in response to the execution instructions,
A process of providing game elements to a player;
an output process for outputting conversion information for converting a first expression mode of the game element provided to the player into a second expression mode corresponding to a time when the competitive game is executed;
A game management device that executes the above.

The present invention has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments, but the present invention is not necessarily limited to the above embodiments and can be modified and implemented in various ways within the scope of its technical concept.

1 Player terminal 2 Game server 11 Display 12 Touch operation panel 13 Speaker 31 Owned card area 32 Deck area 40 First player area 41 Second player area 42 Operation information 43 Hand area 44 Field area 45 Base area 46 Life area 47 Player life area 48 Force life area 50 Operation input unit 51 Memory unit 52 Processing unit 53 Image display unit 54 Sound output unit 55 Communication unit 61 Game calculation unit 62 Image generation unit 63 Sound generation unit 64 Communication control unit 70 Card management unit 71 Card provision unit 72 Deck setting unit 73 Buddy setting unit 74 Game management unit 75 Tournament control unit 91 Memory unit 92 Processing unit 93 Communication unit 101 Player management unit 102 Game management unit 103 AI processing unit 104 Information update unit 105 Card provision management unit 106 Tournament management unit

Claims (7)

Computer,
an execution means for executing a first match, which is a match using a deck constituted by a plurality of game elements of a first representation mode, and a second match, which is a match using a deck constituted by a plurality of game elements;
a setting means for setting a second battle deck using game elements to be used in the second battle among game elements owned by the player;
an expression mode change information acquisition means for acquiring expression mode change information indicating a game element to be changed from a game element of a first expression mode to a game element of a second expression mode in the second battle;
a game element control means for determining, on a condition of starting execution of the second battle, whether or not a game element indicated by the expression mode change information exists in the game elements constituting the second battle deck , and if the game element indicated by the expression mode change information exists, changing the expression mode of the game element indicated by the expression mode change information in the game elements constituting the second battle deck from a first expression mode to a second expression mode , and if the game element indicated by the expression mode change information does not exist, maintaining the expression mode of the game element constituting the second battle deck as the first expression mode;
Function as a
The first and second representation modes are in a relationship of new and old in game elements of the same character, and represent different appearances of the same character.
program. the expression mode change information acquisition means acquires the expression mode change information together with acquisition of the game element;
The program according to claim 1 . 3. The program according to claim 1, wherein the game element control means does not change a parameter related to a battle of the game elements when changing the game elements from the first expression mode to the second expression mode. 4. The program according to claim 1, wherein the game element control means maintains the representation manner of the game elements in the second representation manner during a predetermined period when the second match is played a plurality of times over the predetermined period. 5. The program according to claim 1, wherein the game element indicated by the expression mode change information is the same character as the game element, and a game element having a different expression mode is in an obtainable state. an execution means for executing a first match using a deck constituted by a plurality of game elements of a first representation mode, and a second match using a deck constituted by a plurality of game elements;
a setting means for setting a second battle deck using game elements to be used in the second battle among game elements owned by the player;
an expression mode change information acquisition means for acquiring expression mode change information indicating a game element to be changed from a game element of a first expression mode to a game element of a second expression mode in the second battle;
a game element control means for determining, on a condition that execution of the second battle is started , whether or not a game element indicated by the expression mode change information exists in the game elements constituting the second battle deck, and if the game element indicated by the expression mode change information exists, changing the expression mode of the game element indicated by the expression mode change information in the game elements constituting the second battle deck from a first expression mode to a second expression mode , and if the game element indicated by the expression mode change information does not exist, maintaining the expression mode of the game element constituting the second battle deck in the first expression mode;
Equipped with
The first and second representation modes are in a relationship of new and old in game elements of the same character, and represent different appearances of the same character.
Terminal. an execution means for executing a first battle using a first battle deck composed of a plurality of game elements of a first expression mode, and a second battle using a second battle deck composed of a plurality of game elements;
providing means for providing a game element of the first representation form to a player;
an expression mode change information transmitting means for transmitting, to the player's terminal, expression mode change information indicating a game element whose expression mode can be changed from the first expression mode to a second expression mode, on the condition that execution of the second match is started;
Equipped with
The first and second representation modes are in a relationship of new and old in game elements of the same character, and represent different appearances of the same character.
Game management device.

Images