Information processing device, information processing method, program, and game system

The present invention relates to an information processing device and the like suitable for distributing the access time to the server device when executing a game that requires communication with the server device.

A network game has been proposed in which a player registers a user and plays a game together with another registered user who is connected to a server via a network. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a game in which each player who has registered as a user connects to a server by a computer and plays an original character that he / she has cultivated or a team composed of the original characters. ..

<p><patcit num="1"><text>Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-045572</text></patcit></p>

<p> The invention disclosed in Patent Document 1 discloses a method for controlling the progress of a game after user registration. However, immediately after the above-mentioned network game is released, user registration is performed in order to use the network game. Access to the server device for doing this is concentrated. Therefore, user registration may be difficult and the player may feel stress.</p><p> Furthermore, even after user registration, immediately after the game is released, access to the game server is concentrated in order to play the network game. For this reason, an abnormal situation such as a slow response from the game server or no response at all may occur, which may cause stress on the player. A technique for reducing such stress on the player is desired.</p><p> The present invention solves such a problem, and is suitable for distributing the access time to the server device when executing a game that requires communication with the server device. The purpose is to provide methods, programs, and game systems.</p>

<p> In order to achieve the above object, the information processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a storage unit, a reception unit, an update unit, a research unit, a transmission unit, and a reception unit.</p><p> At this time, the state of the game is stored in the storage unit. The reception unit receives an operation instruction from the player for the game. The update unit updates the stored game state based on the received operation instruction from the player.</p><p> Here, the game is, for example, a mini game (offline game) for performing a shoulder break-in of a network game (online game) to be played by registering a user. The storage unit stores the state of the game including the parameters of the character when the game is played. Further, the operation instruction is an instruction for advancing the game, and the reception unit receives the operation instruction input by pressing, for example, a control button or the like. The update unit updates the state of the game stored in the storage unit based on the operation instruction received by the reception unit, and advances the game.</p><p> Further, when the stored game state satisfies a predetermined investigation condition and the player information is not registered in the server device, the investigation unit investigates the communication status with the server device.</p><p> Here, the server device is a server that executes user registration processing and the like in response to a request from the information processing device. Further, as will be described in detail later, the game is composed of a plurality of stages. A stage may be a unit that constitutes a clearly delimited game, or may be a scene or a situation. Each stage is associated with a stage clear condition for clearing the stage.</p><p> The condition for investigating the communication status with the server device, that is, the investigation condition is that this stage clearing condition is satisfied. When the investigation conditions are satisfied, the investigation department investigates the communication status by making an inquiry to the server device. However, if the user registration process described later, that is, the process of registering the player information in the server device has already succeeded, the investigation is not performed.</p><p> The time to clear the stage depends on the speed at which each player progresses the game. Therefore, by setting the investigation condition to clear the stage in this way, it is possible to distribute the time when the investigation unit inquires about the communication status to the server device.</p><p> Further, when the investigated communication status satisfies a predetermined registration condition, the transmission unit transmits a request for registering the player information to the server device. The receiving unit receives a response to the effect that the player's information is registered in the server device in response to the transmitted request. After the investigated communication status satisfies the predetermined registration conditions, the reception unit interrupts the reception of the operation instruction from the player for the game until the response from the server device is received, and the reception unit receives the response from the server device. Then, the acceptance of the operation instruction from the player for the game is resumed.</p><p> Here, when the server device receives an inquiry about the communication status from the investigation unit, for example, when the number of connections or the CPU load in the server device is smaller than a predetermined threshold value, the server device returns a reply specifying that the communication status is good. ..</p><p> When the server device obtains an answer indicating that the communication status is good, the registration condition is satisfied, and the transmission unit transmits a request for registering the player information to the server device in order to perform the user registration process. The player information may be input to the computer in advance by the player at the start of the game, for example. Then, the transmission unit may automatically transmit the registration request including the player information to the server device. The reception unit suspends the reception of operation instructions and temporarily stops the progress of the game while the registration process is being performed. Then, when the reception unit receives from the server device that the registration has been made by the reception unit, the reception unit resumes accepting the operation instruction. That is, the temporarily interrupted game is restarted. On the other hand, if the communication status is poor, the update unit continuously updates the state of the game and advances the next stage of the game.</p><p> In this way, each time the game stage is cleared, the information processing device investigates the communication status of the server device. If the survey result is bad, restart the game. On the other hand, if it is good, the game is restarted after the user registration process is performed. Therefore, in the information processing device of the first aspect according to the present invention, the game progresses until all the stages are cleared.</p><p> Therefore, if the network game (online game) is started after the user registration is completed and all the mini games are cleared, the player can start the network game without being aware of the user registration process. It will be possible. In addition, it is possible to play a mini game and use the time effectively instead of just waiting until the network game can be started. Further, since the investigation condition for inquiring the communication status to the server device is to clear the stage, the timing for inquiring the communication status to the server device can be distributed to some extent.</p><p> Further, when the predetermined grace period elapses after the investigated communication status satisfies the predetermined registration condition, the reception unit accepts the operation instruction from the player for the game even if the response from the server device is not received. May be restarted. </p><p> That is, even if the communication status of the server device is good at a certain point in time and the registration conditions are satisfied, the number of connections of the server device increases when the transmission unit transmits the player information registration request. , It is also possible that the server device cannot be connected. Alternatively, a trouble may occur in the server device and the registration process may fail.</p><p> In consideration of such a case, the reception unit advances the game to the next stage if the registration has not been transmitted from the server device even after waiting for a predetermined grace period. As a result, even if registration fails once, the connection status is investigated again when the stage is cleared. Then, if the investigation condition and the registration condition are satisfied, the user registration process is executed again.</p><p> Further, when the response from the server device is received, the reception unit may start the process based on the received response instead of restarting the reception of the operation instruction from the player for the game. </p><p> As described above, the game assumes a so-called mini-game to be played offline, and even if the user registration process is completed, if the mini-game has the next stage, it will be executed. Instead, upon receiving the response that the user registration is completed, the information processing device may immediately end the game and perform a predetermined process such as starting a network game.</p><p> In this way, when the response to the effect that the user registration is completed is received, the information processing device immediately terminates the game, and the processing based on the response from the server device is performed, so that the player ends the game altogether. You don't have to wait until you do. </p><p> In addition, the game is composed of a plurality of stages, and each of the plurality of stages is assigned a threshold value that gradually increases in the order of the stages. Here, the investigation condition is satisfied when the parameter determined from the stored game state reaches the threshold value assigned to the stage. If the survey conditions are met and the registration conditions are not met, the threshold assigned to the next stage may be increased.</p><p> That is, as described above, the game is composed of a plurality of stages, and a threshold value is assigned to each stage according to the difficulty level of clearing the stage. For example, in a game that collects a predetermined amount of coins, the threshold corresponds to the amount of coins that must be collected at that stage. The higher the threshold, the higher the difficulty because the number of coins that must be collected increases.</p><p> On the other hand, the parameter determined from the state of the game corresponds to, for example, the amount of coins actually played and collected. When the parameter reaches the threshold value, the stage is cleared and the investigation conditions for investigating the communication status are satisfied.</p><p> The threshold value increases in the order of the stages, and the difficulty level increases. Therefore, as the stage progresses, typically, the time required for clearing becomes longer, and the time for inquiring about the communication status of the server device becomes later. The later the inquiry is made, the more it is expected that the registration of the player's information by the other information processing device has already been completed, and the higher the probability that the communication status of the server device will improve. Therefore, as the stage progresses, it becomes easier to register player information. As a result, it is expected that user registration will be completed by the end of all stages of the game.</p><p> However, as a result of investigating the communication status after the investigation conditions are satisfied, the predetermined registration conditions may not be satisfied. That is, there are cases where a response is obtained from the server device in which it is specified that the communication status is poor, or there are cases where a response cannot be obtained from the server device. In such cases, the threshold assigned to the next stage is increased. As a result, the stage clear condition for clearing the next stage becomes even stricter than the originally assigned stage clear condition, and the time to inquire about the communication status is delayed, so that the player information is registered more in the next stage. It becomes easy to be done.</p><p> In addition, the game is composed of a plurality of stages, and each of the plurality of stages is assigned a threshold value that gradually increases in the order of the stages. The investigation conditions are met when the parameters determined from the stored game state reach the threshold assigned to the stage. If the survey conditions are met, the registration conditions are not met, and the surveyed communication status is better than the previously surveyed communication status, the threshold assigned to the next stage should be reduced. May be good.</p><p> Here, when the server device receives an inquiry about the communication status from the investigation unit, for example, the level of good / bad communication status is set to a plurality of stages (for example, 5 stages, etc.) according to the number of connections and the CPU load in the server device. ). Then, the determination result is returned to the information processing device. As time passes, it is expected that access to the server device from other information processing devices will be dispersed. Therefore, if the judgment result of the current communication status is better than that of the previous communication status, it is expected that the communication status will be further improved.</p><p> Therefore, in such a case, the threshold value of the next stage is reduced to reduce the difficulty level for clearing. This allows the player to clear the next stage quickly.</p><p> In addition, the game is composed of a plurality of stages, and each of the plurality of stages is assigned a threshold value that gradually increases in the order of the stages. At this time, if the stored game state satisfies the stage clear condition for the current stage, a random number is generated, and if the random number is equal to or less than the threshold assigned to the current stage, the investigation condition is satisfied. You may.</p><p> That is, in order to investigate the communication status of the server device, in addition to satisfying the stage clearing condition associated with the game stage being played, it is necessary to further acquire the connection right to the server device. You may do so. For example, a random number between 1 and 100 may be generated, and if the value is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value, the connection right may be given. As a result, if the value of the predetermined threshold value is increased, the probability that the connection right can be acquired increases. Further, if the value of the predetermined threshold value is reduced, the probability becomes low.</p><p> It should be noted that the predetermined threshold value is set so as to gradually increase in the order of the stages of the game, and it is easier to acquire the connection right toward the final stage. Typically, in the final stage, the threshold is set to 100 so that the investigation conditions are satisfied as long as the stage is cleared. As a result, it is expected that the player information will be registered in the server device by the final stage of the game.</p><p> In order to achieve the above object, the information processing apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention includes a storage unit, a reception unit, an update unit, a research unit, a transmission unit, and a reception unit. </p><p> At this time, the state of the game is stored in the storage unit. The reception unit receives an operation instruction from the player for the game. Then, the update unit updates the stored game state based on the received operation instruction from the player.</p><p> The "game" here means an offline game. On the other hand, the online game is executed based on the "operation instruction to the server device" as described later. That is, in the information processing device according to the second aspect, the server device is a server that provides an online game.</p><p> In addition, the investigation unit investigates the communication status with the server device when the stored game state satisfies a predetermined investigation condition. That is, as in the case of the information processing device according to the first aspect, the offline game is composed of a plurality of stages. Then, when the investigation conditions are satisfied by clearing each stage, the investigation unit makes an inquiry to the server device and investigates the communication status with the server device.</p><p> Further, after the investigated communication status satisfies the predetermined registration condition, the reception unit receives a predetermined operation instruction for the server device instead of the operation instruction for the game. The transmitting unit transmits the operation instruction received by the receiving unit to the server device. The receiving unit receives a response from the server device to the transmitted operation instruction.</p><p> Here, the registration condition is satisfied when the server device obtains an answer that the communication status is good, as in the case of the information processing device according to the first aspect. Therefore, when the communication condition is good, instead of the offline game, a predetermined operation instruction to the server device is received by the receiving unit and transmitted to the server device by the transmitting unit, that is, the online game is started.</p><p> As described above, since the investigation condition for inquiring the communication status to the server device is to clear the stage of the offline game, the timing for inquiring the communication status to the server device can be distributed to some extent. Then, since the online game is started when the communication condition is good, it is expected that the player can comfortably play the online game.</p><p> Further, if the receiving unit does not receive the response from the server device within the predetermined threshold time, the receiving unit may resume accepting the operation instruction from the player for the game.</p><p> That is, when playing an online game, if the response from the server device is slow or does not return at all, the offline game is restarted. Every time the stage of the offline game is cleared, the communication status with the server device is investigated. Therefore, if the next stage is cleared and the communication condition is good as a result of the investigation, the online game will be started again. Therefore, the player can play the online game when the communication condition with the server device is good, and can play the offline game when the communication condition with the server device is bad.</p><p> Further, in the information processing apparatus according to the first and second viewpoints, the investigation unit investigates the communication status with the server apparatus by inquiring the communication status to the server apparatus. In addition, the registration condition is satisfied when the response from the server device to the inquiry does not arrive within the predetermined response time, or when the response from the server device specifies that the communication status is poor. Instead, if the response from the server device specifies that the communication status is good, it may be satisfied.</p><p> That is, as described above, the server device responds to the inquiry of the communication status by the investigation unit, and when the number of connections and the CPU load are lower than the predetermined values, the server device gives an answer specifying that it is good, otherwise. A reply specifying that it is defective is returned to the information processing device. When a response specifying that it is good is received from the server device, the registration condition is satisfied in the information processing device. On the other hand, if a reply specifying that the communication status is poor is received from the server device, or if the reply itself cannot be obtained, the registration condition is not satisfied in the information processing device.</p><p> Further, in order to achieve the above object, the information processing method according to another aspect of the present invention includes a storage unit for storing the state of the game, a reception unit, an update unit, an investigation unit, a transmission unit, and a reception unit. It is an information processing method by an information processing device including a unit.</p><p> First, in the reception process, the reception unit receives an operation instruction from the player for the game. In the update step, the update unit updates the stored game state based on the received operation instruction from the player. In the investigation step, when the stored game state satisfies a predetermined investigation condition and the player information is not registered in the server device, the investigation unit investigates the communication status with the server device. In the transmission step, when the investigated communication status satisfies a predetermined registration condition, the transmission unit transmits a request for registering the player information to the server device. In the receiving step, the receiving unit receives a response to the effect that the player's information is registered in the server device in response to the transmitted request.</p><p> Further, in the reception process, the reception unit interrupts the reception of the operation instruction from the player for the game until the response from the server device is received after the investigated communication status satisfies the predetermined registration condition, and the server When the response from the device is received, the reception of the operation instruction from the player for the game is resumed.</p><p> Further, in order to achieve the above object, the information processing method according to another aspect of the present invention includes a storage unit for storing the state of the game, a reception unit, an update unit, an investigation unit, a transmission unit, and a reception unit. It is an information processing method by an information processing device including a unit.</p><p> In the reception process, the reception unit receives an operation instruction from the player for the game. In the update step, the stored game state is updated based on the received operation instruction from the player. In the investigation step, the investigation unit investigates the communication status with the server device when the stored game state satisfies a predetermined investigation condition.</p><p> Further, in the reception process, the reception unit receives a predetermined operation instruction for the server device instead of the operation instruction for the game after the investigated communication status satisfies the predetermined registration condition.</p><p> Further, in the information processing method, in the transmission step, the transmission unit transmits the operation instruction received by the reception unit to the server device. In the receiving step, the receiving unit receives the response from the server device to the transmitted operation instruction.</p><p> Further, in order to achieve the above object, the game system according to the third aspect of the present invention is a game system including a server device and an information processing device connected to the server device.</p><p> The information processing device includes a storage unit, a reception unit, an update unit, and an investigation unit. The state of the game is stored in the storage unit. The reception unit receives an operation instruction from the player for the game. The update unit updates the stored game state based on the received operation instruction from the player. When the stored game state satisfies a predetermined investigation condition and the player information is not registered in the server device, the investigation unit inquires about the server device and investigates the communication status with the server device.</p><p> On the other hand, the server device returns the communication status in response to the inquiry of the investigation unit.</p><p> Further, the information processing device further includes a transmission unit. When the communication status returned by the server device satisfies a predetermined registration condition, the transmission unit transmits a request for registering the player information to the server device.</p><p> On the other hand, when the player information is registered in the server device in response to the request, the server device transmits a response to that effect.</p><p> Further, the information processing device further includes a receiving unit. The receiving unit receives a response to the effect that the player's information is registered in the server device in response to the transmitted request. In addition, the reception unit suspends the reception of operation instructions from the player for the game until the response from the server device is received after the investigated communication status satisfies the predetermined registration conditions, and the response from the server device. Is received, the reception of the operation instruction from the player for the game is resumed.</p><p> Further, in order to achieve the above object, the game system according to the fourth aspect of the present invention is a game system including a server device and an information processing device connected to the server device.</p><p> The information processing device includes a storage unit, a reception unit, an update unit, and an investigation unit. The state of the game is stored in the storage unit. The reception unit receives an operation instruction from the player for the game. The update unit updates the stored game state based on the received operation instruction from the player. When the stored game state satisfies a predetermined investigation condition, the investigation unit inquires about the server device and investigates the communication status with the server device.</p><p> On the other hand, the server device returns the communication status in response to the inquiry of the investigation unit.</p><p> After the investigated communication status satisfies the predetermined registration conditions, the reception unit of the information processing device receives a predetermined operation instruction for the server device instead of the operation instruction for the game. The information processing device further includes a transmitter. The transmission unit transmits the operation instruction received by the reception unit to the server device.</p><p> The server device executes processing according to the transmitted operation instruction, and returns a response specifying the processing result.</p><p> The information processing device further includes a receiving unit. The receiving unit receives the response from the server device to the transmitted operation instruction.</p><p> Further, the program according to another aspect of the present invention is configured to cause the computer to function as the above-mentioned information processing device or server device.</p><p> In addition, the above program can be distributed and sold via a computer communication network independently of the computer on which the program is executed. In addition, the information recording medium can be distributed and sold independently of the computer.</p>

<p> According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an information processing device or the like suitable for distributing the access timing to the server device when executing a game that requires communication with the server device.</p>

<figref num="1">It is a figure which shows the outline structure of the typical portable game machine which realizes the information processing apparatus which concerns on this embodiment.</figref><figref num="2">It is a figure which shows the typical game system which comprises the information processing apparatus which concerns on this embodiment.</figref><figref num="3">It is a figure for demonstrating the functional configuration of the information processing apparatus which concerns on this embodiment.</figref><figref num="4">It is a flow figure which shows the operation process of the information processing apparatus which concerns on this embodiment.</figref><figref num="5">It is a flow figure which shows the operation process of the information processing apparatus which concerns on this embodiment.</figref><figref num="6">It is a flow figure which shows the operation process of the information processing apparatus which concerns on other embodiment.</figref><figref num="7">It is a flow figure which shows the operation process of the information processing apparatus which concerns on other embodiment.</figref>

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below. Hereinafter, in order to facilitate understanding, embodiments in which the present invention is applied to a portable game machine will be described, but the present invention can also be applied to various computers, PDAs, mobile phones, and the like. .. That is, the embodiments described below are for illustration purposes only and do not limit the scope of the present invention. Therefore, those skilled in the art can adopt embodiments in which each or all of these elements are replaced with equivalent ones, but these embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an outline configuration of a typical portable game machine 1 in which the information processing device according to the embodiment of the present invention is realized. Hereinafter, description will be made with reference to this figure.

The portable game machine 1 includes a processing control unit 10, a connector 11, a cartridge 12, a wireless communication unit 13, a communication controller 14, a sound amplifier 15, a speaker 16, an operation key 17, and a first display. A unit 18, a second display unit 19, and a touch panel 20 are provided.

The processing control unit 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) core 10a, an image processing unit 10b, a VRAM (Video Random Access Memory) 10c, a WRAM (Work RAM) 10d, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) controller 10e, and so on. It is equipped with a touch panel controller 10f.

The CPU core 10a controls the operation of the entire portable game machine 1 and is connected to each component to exchange control signals and data. Specifically, with the cartridge 12 mounted on the connector 11, the program or data stored in the ROM (Read Only Memory) 12a in the cartridge 12 is read and a predetermined process is executed.

The image processing unit 10b processes the data read from the ROM 12a in the cartridge 12 and the data processed by the CPU core 10a, and then stores the data in the VRAM 10c.

The VRAM 10c is a frame memory for storing display information, and stores image information processed by the image processing unit 10b or the like. WRAM 10d stores work data and the like required when the CPU core 10a executes various processes according to the program.

The LCD controller 10e controls the first display unit 18 and the second display unit 19 to display a predetermined display image. For example, the LCD controller 10e converts the image information stored in the VRAM 10c into a display signal at a predetermined synchronization timing, and outputs the image information to the first display unit 18. Further, the LCD controller 10e displays a predetermined instruction icon or the like on the second display unit 19.

The touch panel controller 10f detects contact (touch) with the touch panel 20 by a touch pen or a user's finger. For example, the contact on the touch panel 20 and its position are detected while a predetermined instruction icon or the like is displayed on the second display unit 19.

The connector 11 is a terminal that can be detachably connected to the cartridge 12, and when the cartridge 12 is connected, predetermined data is transmitted and received to and from the cartridge 12.

The cartridge 12 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12a and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 12b. The ROM 12a records a program for realizing the game and image data, audio data, etc. associated with the game. Various data indicating the progress of the game and the like are stored in the RAM 12b.

The wireless communication unit 13 is a unit that performs wireless communication with the wireless communication unit 13 of another portable game machine 1, and transmits / receives predetermined data via an antenna (built-in antenna or the like) (not shown). The wireless communication unit 13 can also perform wireless LAN communication with a predetermined access point. In addition, a unique MAC (Media Access Control) address is assigned to the wireless communication unit 13.

The communication controller 14 controls the wireless communication unit 13 and mediates communication performed between the processing control unit 10 and the processing control unit 10 of another portable game machine 1 according to a predetermined protocol.

The sound amplifier 15 amplifies the audio signal generated by the processing control unit 10 and supplies it to the speaker 16. The speaker 16 is composed of, for example, a stereo speaker, and outputs a predetermined music sound, sound effect, or the like according to the audio signal amplified by the sound amplifier 15.

The operation key 17 is composed of a plurality of key switches and the like appropriately arranged on the portable game machine 1, and receives a predetermined instruction input according to a user operation.

The first display unit 18 and the second display unit 19 are composed of an LCD or the like and are controlled by the LCD controller 10e to appropriately display a game image or the like. The second display unit 19 displays an instruction icon or the like for causing the user to input an operation instruction by touching the touch panel 20.

The touch panel 20 is arranged so as to be superimposed on the front surface of the second display unit 19, and receives input by touching a touch pen or a user's finger. The touch panel 20 is composed of, for example, a pressure-sensitive touch sensor panel or the like, detects the pressure of a user's finger or the like, and detects a contact state and a transition from a contact state to a non-contact state. The touch panel 20 may also detect contact with a user's finger or the like from changes in capacitance or the like.

The information processing device according to the present embodiment is realized on the typical portable game machine 1 described above, but can also be realized on a general computer or game machine. A general computer or game machine is provided with a CPU core, VRAM, and WRAM, similarly to the portable game machine 1 described above. In addition, it has a NIC (Network Interface Controller) that conforms to standards such as 10BASE-T / 100BASE-T used when configuring a LAN (Local Area Network) as a communication unit, a hard disk as a storage device, and a DVD. -ROM, magneto-optical disk, etc. can be used. Further, as an input device, a keyboard, a mouse, or the like is used instead of the touch panel. Then, after installing the program, if the program is executed, it can function as an information processing device.

In the following, unless otherwise noted, the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described by the portable game machine 1 shown in FIG. The game device can be appropriately replaced with a general computer or an element of the game device as needed, and these embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention.

(Embodiment 1) In the present embodiment, the information processing device 200 provides a game by one player offline. Here, the game is assumed to be, for example, a type in which a player collects a predetermined number of coins while fighting an enemy, but the game is not limited to this. The information processing device 200 attempts to register a user for the server device 500 connected via the network while the game is being played. If the user registration is successful when all the games are completed, the information processing device 200 then communicates with the game server 600 and starts the network game.

That is, the game in the present embodiment is positioned as a mini game for performing shoulder break-in before starting the network game. In the network game, the information processing device 200 communicates with the game server 600 and advances the network game together with other information processing devices 200 connected to the game server 600. FIG. 2 shows an example of a typical game system composed of an information processing device 200 and the like.

The game provided by the information processing device 200 is composed of a plurality of stages, and each stage can be cleared by collecting a predetermined number of coins associated with the stage. The number of coins to collect increases as the stage progresses, increasing the difficulty level. Therefore, as the stage progresses, the time required for clearing becomes longer, and the time for inquiring about the communication status of the server device 500 becomes later. This is because it is expected that the registration of player information by the other information processing device 200 has already been completed as the time for making an inquiry is later, and the probability that the communication status of the server device 500 will improve increases.

Next, FIG. 3 shows an outline configuration of the information processing device 200 that provides such a game. As shown in the figure, the information processing device 200 includes a storage unit 201, a reception unit 202, an update unit 203, an investigation unit 204, a transmission unit 205, and a reception unit 206.

The storage unit 201 stores the state of the game including the parameters of the character when the game is played. In addition, the storage unit 201 also stores game programs, data, and the like. For example, the WRAM 10d of the processing control unit 10, the ROM 12a of the cartridge 12, and the RAM 12b function as the storage unit 201.

The reception unit 202 receives an operation instruction input for advancing the game. The operation instruction is input by, for example, the player pressing the operation key 17 or the touch panel 20. The operation keys 17, the touch panel 20, the touch panel controller 10f, etc. cooperate to function as the reception unit 202.

The update unit 203 advances the game by updating the state of the game stored in the storage unit 201 based on the operation instruction received by the reception unit 202. The processing control unit 10, the connector 11, the cartridge 12, and the like cooperate to function as the update unit 203.

The investigation unit 204 satisfies the stage clearing condition associated with the stage in the game state stored in the storage unit 201, and the server device 500 still has its own device, that is, the investigation unit 204. When the information of the player who operates the information processing device 200 is not registered, a request for investigating the communication status of the server device 500 is transmitted to the server device 500. The contents included in the player information will be described later. The processing control unit 10, the wireless communication unit 13, the communication controller 14, and the like cooperate to function as the investigation unit 204.

If the communication status is good as a result of the investigation by the investigation unit 204, the transmission unit 205 transmits a registration request, that is, a request for registering the player information to the server device 500. The player information includes, for example, a player's name, a password, a nickname in a network game, and a MAC address for identifying the information processing device 200 operated by the player. The player information may be input to the information processing device 200 by the player in advance when the game is started or the like. When transmitting the registration request to the server device 500, the transmission unit 205 specifies and transmits such player information. The processing control unit 10, the wireless communication unit 13, the communication controller 14, and the like cooperate to function as the transmission unit 205.

When the server device 500 registers the player information in response to the registration request transmitted by the transmitting unit 205, the receiving unit 206 receives a response to the effect that the information has been registered from the server device 500. The processing control unit 10, the wireless communication unit 13, the communication controller 14, and the like cooperate to function as the receiving unit 206.

(Operation processing) The operation processing of the information processing apparatus 200 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

When the power of the information processing apparatus 200 is turned on, the program stored in the ROM 12a of the cartridge 12 is read into the WRAM 10d, and a predetermined initialization process is performed. In the initialization process, first, it is determined whether or not all the games (mini games) have been completed (step S100). In the present embodiment, the user registration is completed by the time the game is completely completed. Therefore, if all the games are completed (step S100; Y), the information processing device 200 starts the network game while communicating with the game server 600 (step S110).

Typically, the information processing apparatus 200 advances the network game as follows. First, the information processing device 200 transmits the operation instruction received by its own device, that is, itself, to the game server 600. The game server 600 updates the state of the game based on the transmitted operation instruction and the operation instruction received from another information processing device 200 associated with the player playing together. Then, information about the state of the game required to generate the game screen for the current state is transmitted to each information processing device 200. The information processing device 200 generates a game screen based on the received information.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the game is not completely finished (step S100; N), the information processing device 200 reads the scene where the previous game was finished from, for example, ROM 12a, and starts the game from the read scene. To do. That is, in the initial state, the game starts from the first stage. When the operation instruction from the player input by using the operation key 17 or the touch panel 20 is received by the reception unit 202 (step S120), the update unit 203 stores the game in the storage unit 201 based on the reception unit 202. Update the state (step S130). This advances the game.

Next, the update unit 203 determines whether or not the stage clear condition has been achieved (step S140). That is, the update unit 203 determines whether or not the number of coins acquired by the player in the currently ongoing stage has reached the number of coins to be acquired. If not reached (step S140; N), the process returns to step S120 to proceed with the game.

On the other hand, when the number of coins to be acquired is acquired, that is, when the stage clear condition is achieved (step S140; Y), the investigation unit 204 registers the user, that is, the player information in the server device 500. It is determined whether or not the process to be performed is completed (step S150). For example, a user registered flag is prepared in the storage unit 201, and when the user registration is successful, this flag is enabled. Whether or not the user has been registered may be determined with reference to this flag.

If it is determined that the user registration has already been performed (step S150; Y), the process proceeds to step S100. That is, the game advances to the next stage. On the other hand, when it is determined that the user registration has not been completed (step S150; N), the investigation unit 204 inquires the server device 500 about the communication status (step S160). When the server device 500 receives an inquiry (step S200), it examines parameters for determining the communication status including the number of connections and the CPU load (step S210).

The server device 500 returns the communication status to the information processing device 200 based on the parameter value (step S220). That is, if the parameter is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value, a reply indicating that the communication condition is good is returned to the information processing apparatus 200. If not (that is, if it is larger than a predetermined threshold value), a reply indicating that the communication status is bad is returned to the information processing device 200. The information processing device 200 receives the answer (step S170). The parameters for determining the communication status are not limited to the number of connections and the CPU load.

When the information processing device 200 specifies that the communication status transmitted from the server device 500 is good, the information processing device 200 determines that the communication status is good (step S300; good). On the other hand, if a response indicating that the communication status is poor is obtained, or if a response is not obtained from the server device even after the predetermined grace period has passed, the communication status is determined to be poor (step). S300; defective).

When the processing control unit 10 determines that the communication status is good (step S300; good), the transmission unit 205 transmits a player information registration request to the server device 500 (step S320). That is, the transmission unit 205 specifies the player information input in advance by the player in the registration request and transmits the information to the server device 500. When the registration request is transmitted by the transmission unit 205, the reception unit 202 interrupts the reception of the operation instruction from the player (step S321).

When the server device 500 receives the registration request transmitted in step S320 (step S400), it registers the player information (step S410), and when the registration is completed, it returns a response to the effect that it has been registered (step S420). .. When the processing control unit 10 of the information processing device 200 receives the response to the effect that it has been registered by the receiving unit 206 (step S322), the processing control unit 10 sets (enables) the registered flag stored in the storage unit 201 (enable). Step S323). Then, the process proceeds to step S100. If all stages of the game have not been completed (step S100; N), the process proceeds to step S120, and acceptance of operation instructions from the player is resumed.

On the other hand, when the processing control unit 10 of the information processing apparatus 200 determines that the communication status is defective (step S300; defective), it further determines whether or not there is a subsequent stage (step S310). If a stage exists, the clearing condition (stage clearing condition) for that stage is acquired. That is, the number of coins that must be collected at that stage is acquired (step S311). The stage clear condition is read from ROM 12a of the cartridge 12 to WRAM 10d and stored, for example, when the execution of the game is started. Then, the processing control unit 10 sets the difficulty level of the acquired stage clearing condition to a high level (step S312). That is, the number of coins that must be collected is updated with a value increased by a predetermined number. Then, by advancing the process to step S120, the game moves to the next stage.

As described above, the later the inquiry is made, the higher the probability that the communication status will be improved because the registration of the player's information by the other information processing device 200 is likely to have already been completed. Therefore, by further increasing the difficulty level and making the time required for clearing even longer, it is possible to obtain a better communication condition in the next stage.

In addition, in this embodiment, since the timing of inquiring about the communication status to the server device 500 and the timing of transmitting the user registration request are staggered in this way, by the time the final stage is reached. It is expected that user registration has been completed. However, if the user registration is not completed even after the final stage is completed (step S310; N), the process is moved to step S300, and the communication status is sent to the server device 500 until the communication status becomes good. You can inquire. Then, when the communication condition becomes good, the registration request may be transmitted again.

Further, in the present embodiment, the transmission unit 205 transmits a player information registration request to the server device 500 only when the communication condition is good (step S300; good) (step S320). Therefore, the possibility that the registration process will fail is low. However, it is conceivable that a trouble occurs in the server device 500 immediately after receiving the reply that the communication condition is good, and the registration process fails. In such a case, the server device 500 may reply to the information processing device 200 that the registration process has failed, or may not return anything.

If you receive a reply from the server device 500 that registration has failed, or if you do not receive a reply from the server device 500 for more than the specified grace period, wait a while and then send the registration request again to register as a user. It is expected that the probability of success will increase. However, instead of keeping the player waiting during that time, the game may be restarted to advance to the next stage. Alternatively, if it is determined that the communication status is bad (step S300; bad), the condition for clearing the next stage is acquired (step S311), and the difficulty level of the stage clearing condition is increased. Good (step S312). This makes it easier to register player information in the next stage.

However, if the next stage does not exist, the difficulty level cannot be increased. Therefore, as in the case of step S310; N, the server device 500 is inquired about the communication status until the communication status becomes good. When the communication condition becomes good, the registration request may be sent again.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the user registration can be completed by the time the game is completely completed. When the game ends (step S100; Y), the processing control unit 10 starts the network game (step S110).

(Embodiment 2) In the first embodiment, when the stage of the game is cleared, the investigation conditions are satisfied, and the investigation unit 204 investigates the communication status. In the present embodiment, the investigation condition is satisfied by clearing the stage and further acquiring the access authority to the server device 500.

For example, after the stage clear condition is satisfied (Fig. 4, step S140; Y), the following processing may be added. That is, first, the processing control unit 10 generates a random number between 1 and 100. If the value is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value, it is assumed that the connection right to the server device 500 has been given, and the process may proceed to step S150. On the other hand, when the random number is larger than the threshold value, the process may be returned to step S100. As a result, if the threshold value is increased, the probability that the connection right can be acquired increases, and if it is decreased, the probability decreases.

The threshold value is set so as to gradually increase in the order of the mini-game stages, and the final stage makes it easier to acquire the connection right. Typically, in the final stage, the threshold is set to 100 so that the investigation conditions are satisfied if the stage is cleared. As a result, it is expected that the player information will be registered in the server device by the final stage of the mini game.

(Embodiment 3) Embodiments 1 and 2 described above show an example in which a user registration process is executed without the player being aware of it in a network game that requires a user registration process to play. However, even if the user can be registered, access to the game server from other information processing devices may be concentrated and the online game may not be enjoyed.

In the present embodiment, the information processing device 200 that distributes the access to the game server by using the offline game will be described. In the present embodiment, among the game system configurations shown in FIG. 3, a game system including an information processing device 200 and a game server 600 is assumed. Further, the offline game is composed of a plurality of stages as in the above embodiment, and when the stage clearing condition is satisfied, the game proceeds to the next stage.

Similar to the above embodiment, in the present embodiment, the information processing apparatus 200 includes a storage unit 201, a reception unit 202, an update unit 203, an investigation unit 204, a transmission unit 205, and a reception unit 206. Be prepared. Since the storage unit 201 and the update unit 203 have the same functions as those in the above embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

When the investigation unit 204 clears the stage, it makes an inquiry to the game server 600 and investigates the communication status with the game server 600.

The reception unit 202 receives an operation instruction from the player for the offline game. Further, when the communication status with the game server 600 satisfies a predetermined condition, the online game is started, and the reception unit 202 starts accepting the operation instruction to the game server 600 instead of the operation instruction for the offline game.

The transmission unit 205 transmits the operation instruction received by the reception unit 202 to the game server 600. Then, the receiving unit 206 receives a response including the result of the operation instruction from the game server 600.

The operation processing of such an information processing apparatus 200 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. The offline game may be the same as the mini game of the above embodiment. However, although the offline game of the present embodiment is composed of a plurality of stages, unlike the above-described embodiment, the number of stages is not limited. That is, when the stage clearing condition of one stage is achieved, the next stage is always started.

First, when the power of the information processing device 200 is turned on, the program stored in the ROM 12a of the cartridge 12 is read into the WRAM 10d, and the offline game is started. That is, the reception unit 202 starts accepting operation instructions for the offline game from the player (step S500).

Next, the update unit 203 updates the state of the game stored in the received storage unit 201 (step S510), and further determines whether or not the stage clear condition has been achieved (step S520). If not achieved (step S520; N), the process is returned to step S500 to further the offline game.

On the other hand, if the stage clear condition is satisfied (step S520; Y), the investigation unit 204 sends a communication status inquiry to the game server 600 (step S530). When the game server 600 receives the inquiry (step S600), it performs the same processing as in step S210 to determine the communication status (step S610), and returns a reply specifying the communication status to the information processing device 200 of the inquiry source. (Step S620).

As a result of receiving the response from the game server 600 (step S540), if the response specifies that the communication status is good (step S550; good), the information processing device 200 starts the online game. That is, the reception unit 202 receives a predetermined operation instruction to the game server 600 (step S700), and the transmission unit 205 transmits this operation instruction to the game server 600 (step S710). The game server 600 (step S800) that has received the operation instruction executes the process according to the operation instruction (step S810). Then, the processing result (success / failure, etc.) is returned to the information processing apparatus 200 as a response (step S820).

On the other hand, if the game server 600 replies that the communication status is bad, or if no response is obtained from the game server 600, it is determined that the communication status is bad (step S550; bad). Then, in order to start the next stage of the offline game, the process proceeds to step S500. As described above, the online game is started only when the communication condition with the game server 600 is good.

However, if the response to the operation instruction is not received from the game server 600 within the threshold time (step S720; N), the game server 600 is assumed to be congested and the process proceeds to step S500. This will restart the offline game. While the response to the operation instruction is received within the threshold time (step S720; Y), the process proceeds to step S700, and the online game is continuously executed.

As described above, also in the present embodiment, as in the above embodiment, the information processing device 200 sets the condition for investigating the communication status with the game server 600 as the stage clear condition, so that the access timing to the game server 600 is set. Can be dispersed. Further, since the online game is executed only when the communication condition is good, it is expected that the online game can be played comfortably.

(Modification example) Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and applications are possible. It is also possible to freely combine the components of the above-described embodiment.

For example, in the above embodiment, when the server device 500 receives an inquiry about the communication status from the information processing device 200, the server device 500 returns a reply designating good / bad. Instead, the server device 500 may evaluate the communication status at a level (for example, a 5-point evaluation). Then, the information processing device 200 may determine the difficulty level in step S312 according to the evaluation from the server device 500.

Alternatively, compare the level of the previous communication status with the level of the recently investigated communication status, and if the recent communication status is better than the previous time, lower the preset difficulty level by a predetermined value. You may. On the contrary, when the level of the previous communication status is better than the level of the communication status investigated this time, the preset difficulty level may be lowered by a predetermined value.

Alternatively, if the server device 500 does not reply about the communication status for more than the predetermined grace time, it is considered that the communication status is the worst, so it is more difficult than when the reply that the communication status is bad is obtained. You may try to increase the degree.

Further, in the first and second embodiments, the game is a mini-game for running in the shoulders of the network game, but it may be a game not related to the network game.

Further, in the first and second embodiments, the information processing apparatus 200 may start a process other than the network game after finishing all the mini games. For example, each time the player is started, the server device 500 may be inquired whether or not the player is registered, and a type of game may be started in which the user is confirmed to be a legitimate user. Alternatively, the provision of a service such as chat, which exchanges information with other users via the server device 500, may be started. In this case, it is assumed that the user registration has already been performed.

Further, in the first and second embodiments, the information processing apparatus 200 does not start the network game unless all the game stages are cleared even after the user registration is completed. Instead, when a response indicating that the user registration is completed is obtained from the server device 500, a network game or a process premised on the user registration (for example, chat) may be started immediately after the response is obtained.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an information processing device or the like suitable for distributing the access timing to the server device when executing a game that requires communication with the server device.

1 Handheld game console 10 Processing control unit 10a CPU core 10b Image processing unit 10c VRAM 10d WRAM 10e LCD controller 10f touch panel controller 11 Connector 12 cartridges 12a ROM 12b RAM 13 Wireless communication unit 14 Communication controller 15 Sound amplifier 16 speakers 17 Operation keys 18 1st display 19 Second display 20 touch panel 200 Information processing equipment 201 Memory 202 Reception 203 update department 204 Research Department 205 transmitter 206 Receiver 500 server unit 600 game server