US007530895B2
(12) Ulllted States Patent (10) Patent N0.: US 7,530,895 B2 Kigoshi (45) Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
(54) METHOD FOR ADVANCING NETWORK 6,699,124 B2 * 3/2004 Suchocki ...... 463/42 GAME BY GROUP COMPETITION 6,746,332 B1 * 6/2004 Ing et a1. 463/42 6,749,513 B2 * 6/2004 Park ...... 463/42 (75) Inventor: Yusuke Kigoshis Tokyo (JP) 6,758,746 B1* 7/2004 Hunter et a1...... 463/9 6,761,631 B2 * 7/2004 Lydon et a1...... 463/9 (73) Asslgnee'- _ ligbushlkl. . Kalsha. square Emx’- Tokyo 6,767,2876,767,284 B1 * 7/2004 McquaidKoZa ...... et a1. .. . 463/42463/29 ( ) 2002/0119824 A1* 8/2002 Allen ...... 463/42 ( * ) Not1ce:. Subject. to any disclaimer,. . the term of this, 2003/0144058 A1* 7/2003 P ark ...... 463/42 patent is extended or adjusted under 35 FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS U.S.C. 154(b) by 547 days. JP 9464272 @1997 JP 2000-51524 2/2000 (21) APPl- NOJ 10/322,604 JP 2001-340646 12/2001 (22) Filed: Dec. 19, 2002 (Continued) (65) Prior Publication Data OTHER PUBLICATIONS Farkas, Diablo IIzUltimate strategy Guide;2001;Brady Publishing;p. US 2003/0216184 A1 Nov. 20, 2003 20;22_23;126434;232_233;220_223‘* (30) Foreign Application Priority Data (Continued) May 14, 2002 (JP) ...... P2002-138361 Primary Examinerilohn M Howling’ H Assistant ExamineriRyan Hsu (51) Int‘ Cl‘ (74) Attorney, Agent, or FirmiGreenblum & Bernstein, A63F 13/00 (2006.01) P_L_C_ A63F 9/24 (2006.01) (52) US. Cl...... 463/23; 463/1; 463/8; 463/31; (57) ABSTRACT 463/42; 463/43 (58) Field of Classi?cation Search ...... 463/9, Aworld map includes multipleregions- Eachregionincludes 463/29, 40143’ 1’ 7’ 23; 7090231225; 700/91i93’ one ormultiple areas.Aplayercauses his/herplayercharacter 700/14 to belong to any nation. As a task given to the player character, See application ?le for Complete Search history a battle With an enemy character is provided on the map of each area (the battle may be Waged by a party). When the, (56) References Cited player character Wins the battle in each area, predetermined U S PATENT DOCUMENTS points are given to a home nation of the player character ' ' participating in the battle. The points given to each home 5,083,271 A * 1/ 1992 Thacher et a1, ______700/92 nationaretotaledforeachregion,andanationthat dominates 5,359,510 A * 10/1994 sabaliauskas ______700/91 each region is decided according to aresult of the total points. 5,846,132 A * 12/1998 Junkin ...... 463/42 5,917,725 A * 6/1999 Thacher et a1...... 700/91 18 Claims, 17 Drawing Sheets
NAT] ON US 7,530,895 B2 Page 2
FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS “Weekly the PlayStationZ”, Softbank Publishing Inc., May 24, 2002, vol. 8, No. 18, p. 96, together with an English language translation of JP 2002-126343 5/2002 the marked portion. “Dorimaga”, Softbank Publishing Inc., Jan. 25, 2002, vol. 19, No. l, OTHER PUBLICATIONS p. 89, together with an English language translation of the marked portion. Desslock, www.gamespot.com, search on “Diablo II” review; Sec “Dorimaga”, Softbank Publishing Inc., Feb. 8, 2002, vol. 19, No. 2, p. tions labeled “Review” and “Screenshots”.* 135, together with an English language translation of the marked Kasavin, Greg; www.gamespot.com, search on “Command & Con portion. quer: Red Alert 2”; Sections labeled “Review” and “Screenshots”.* “Hyper PlayStationZ”, Sony Magazines Inc., Feb. I, 2002, vol. 8, No. Hasbro Games; “Risk: The Game of Global Domination”; 1999; 2, p. 64, together with an English language translation of the marked Parker Brothers; p. l-l5.* portion. Milton Bradley, “Axis & Allies” Game Play Manual, Milton-Bradley, “Hyper PlayStationZ”, Sony Magazines Inc., Mar. 1, 2002, vol. 8, No. 1984, see entire document.* 3, p. 17, together with an English language translation of the marked Meyer/ Glass Interactive, LLC, “Axis & Allies Game Play Manual”, portion. Hasbro Interactive, Inc. 1998, see entire document.* Hyper PlayStation2, Sony Magazines Inc., Apr. 1, 2002, vol. 8, No. 4, “Weekly Famitsu”, Enterbrain Inc., Jan. 18, 2002, vol. 17, No. 3, pp. p. 81, together with an English language translation of the marked 26-27, together with an English language translation of the marked portion. portion. “Online Player”, Mainichi Communications Inc., Jun. 8, 2002, vol. 9, “Weekly Famitsu”, Enterbrain Inc., Feb. 8, 2002, vol. 17, No. 6, p. No. 12, p. 45, together with an English language translation of the 126, together with an English language translation of the marked marked portion. portion. “Tech Win”, Ascii Corporation, Mar. 1, 2002, vol. 8, No. 3, p. 53, “Weekly Famitsu Extra NumberiFamitsu Net Games”, Enterbrain together with an English language translation of the marked portion. Inc., May 3, 2002, extra number, p. 23, together with an English A website located at
GAME SERVER APPARATUS 200
VIDEO GAME ‘ VIDEO GAME APPARATUS APPARATUS
100 00 151
VIDEO GAME VIDEO GAME APPARATUS APPARATUS
100 100
US. Patent May 12, 2009 Sheet 3 0f 17 US 7,530,895 B2
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I2252 US. Patent May 12, 2009 Sheet 5 0f 17 US 7,530,895 B2
410 ID BELONGINGNATlON EXPERIENCEVALUE LEVEL /
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THE' THE 42 0 OBTAINED POINT - NUMBER R $1”??? qgggggia g Diik‘?‘é‘? N1 N2 N3 OF BATTLES BATTLES US. Patent May 12, 2009 Sheet 6 0f 17 US 7,530,895 B2
FIG.7 MAXIMUM LEVEL OF PC IN PARTY ‘2:30 1~10 11~20 21~30
300 300 300 300 300 + 54 200 200 200 200 200
+ 3 160 160 160 160 160
+ 2 m 140 140 140 140
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72 72 72
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PC: PLAYER CHARACTER EC ENEMY CHARACTER US. Patent May 12, 2009 Sheet 7 0f 17 US 7,530,895 B2
VIDEO GAME APPARATUS GAME sERvER ( LOGINW) ) ( LOOINISI )
\ S101\’“INPIIT ID AND PW
I If S 102 TRANSMIT RECEIVE S 121 v“ IDANDPW W IDANDPW N ‘ i AUTHENTICATION "/3122
I I
r. ____ “i _____ “ S103_ , RECEIVE HOME I TRANSMIT HOME “"1 NATION SELECTION {+____ NATION SELECTION L REQUEST , REQUEST ______.I______1 3104 \JJ " 's'EiEc‘T FIOIIIE ‘ ‘ ‘1 I_____~5~;I1_@_N_____i n w _ _ Mwi______y S125 S 5 , TRANsMIT I REcEIvE 10 ~~_~< INFORMATION ON :--~> INFORMATION ON 'L__§{(_)M§_1N_£A;QO_N___| HOME NATION I } S126 REGISTER IN PC TABLE I‘ T‘READ OOMINANT 7 NATION AND N512 SUPERIOR NATION + RECEIVE TRANsMIT S106“ INFORMATION ON ~ INFORMATION ON "3128 DOMINAI?" NATION DOMINANT NATION S107 MSET INFORMATION ON DOMINANT NATION US. Patent May 12, 2009 Sheet 8 0f 17 US 7,530,895 B2
FIG . 9 ( BATTLEEND )
INCREMENT THE A5301 NUMBER OF BATTLES S202 IS THERE IMPOSSIBLE YES HAW I E0 INCREMENT THE S203 I‘ NUMBER OF A/ OBTAIN LEVEL 5207 IMPOSSIBLE BATTLES (MAXIMUM VALUE) N r OF PC SUBTRACT S204 I EXPERIENCE VALUE A/ S208 0F PC OBTAIN LEVEL OF EC N r \ DECREASE LEVEL r3205 OBTAIN BASIC AS REQWRED EXPERIENCE VALUE S209 FROM EXPERIENCE A,’ VALUE CALCULATION TAELE DISTRIBUTE S210 EXPERIENCE VALUE M TO PC
INCREASE LEVEL 3211 As REQUIRED N
DISTRIBUTE POINT S212 TO HUME A/ NATION OF PC
PROVIDE ITEM As 5213 REQUIRED
" PC ; PLAYER CHARACTER END EC ; ENEMY CHARACTER US. Patent May 12, 2009 Sheet 9 0f 17 US 7,530,895 B2
CONQUEST DECISION
V
I 1. 2.REGIONS 3. 4. 5. 6. 7, 8 ] S301
\ r l CALCULATE LOST RATIO
CALCULATE POINT S305 RATIO BY NATION SET TO MONSTERS W830‘; DOMINATION SET DOMINANT NATION S306 BY POINT RATIO
IS THERE NATION DOMINATING FOURREGgONS OR MORE
SE!‘ SUPERIOR NATION
\r TRANSMIT INFORMATION M8309 ON DOMINANT NATION
S310 CLEAR POINT @ US. Patent May 12, 2009 Sheet 10 0f 17 US 7,530,895 B2
FIG.11 MAP CHANGE
MOVING DESTINATION AREA ? NORMAL AREA NATION S402 SUPERIOR NATION DOMINANT REGION '2 I? YES ' YES CHANGE SALES S403 S406 ITEMS AND PRICE W/ PC CAN BUY ITEMS /‘/ AT ITEM SHOP AT ITEM SHOP S404 Q’ " $407 PROVIDE STREET PROVIDE GUARDS ?/ PERFORMERS PERFORMING (INFORMATION PROVIDERS) CRYSTAL BUFFING
END US. Patent May 12, 2009 Sheet 11 0f 17 US 7,530,895 B2 FIG. 12
REPORT ON PROGRESS
( 1.23.11-56.18REGIONS ‘M3501
CALCULATE POINT M8502 RATIO BY NATION 1 DECISION ON ' SUPERJORITY OR #5503 INPERIORITY BY POINT RATIO l TOSEND VIDEO NOTIFICATION GAME OF N PC IN REGION
L REGION kssol' US. Patent May 12, 2009 Sheet 12 0f 17 US 7,530,895 B2
FIG.13
VIDEO GAME APPARATUS GAME SERVER (REGION CHECKW» (REGION CHECK 5601\ OPEN CHECK sCREEN S602\ SELECT ' REGION S603 ' S621 TRANSMIT RECEIVE \ REGION NO. ———’“ REGION NO. / III S622 CALCULATE POINT / RATIO BY NATION I DECISION ON S623 SUPERIORITY OR f INFERIORITY BY POINT RATIO 0 T S604\ RECEIvE REGION SEND BACK REGION /S624 INFORMATION ""_— INFORMATION V S605 \ DISPLAY REGION INFORMATION S606 N0 15 CHECK NDED ‘? YES RETURN TO GAME S607\ SCREEN I I END END US. Patent May 12, 2009 Sheet 13 0f 17 US 7,530,895 B2 FIG. 14A ' I N1 [EM N3 /\ A N2] (H2) INPUT 115. d P01 INPUT'PIASSWORD.sEugcir YOUR HOME NALQON. YQURiiiOME NATION 1s NATIION N1. \ is ‘IT’ 133;} RIGHT TO START‘GAME ? 122 / L / L_ 340 35g FIG.14B WON BATTLE. EXPERIENCE VALUES 80 ARE PUT TO PCI. mm EXPERIENCE VALUES 72 ARE PUI TO PCZ. P02 @222: 8 POINTS ARE PUT TO NATION N1. \ 14 POINTS ARE PUT TO NATION NZ. 7 122 I ] 340 350) US. Patent May 12, 2009 Sheet 14 0f 17 US 7,530,895 B2 FIG.15A PROGRESS OF CONQUEST P61 NATION N1 DOMINATES REGION 1. m CURRENT SITUATION; N1 : SOMEWHAT SUPERIOR. \ I f 5 ) 340 350 ‘15:’ O C3173 C2213 RESULT OF TOTAL CONQUESTS. P91 NATION N1 HAS DOMINATED REGION 1. 222222‘: NATION N3 HAS DOMINATED REGION 8 \ THERE IS NO SUPERIOR NATION. 122 I’ 7 340 350 US. Patent May 12, 2009 Sheet 15 0f 17 US 7,530,895 B2 FIG. 16A I) m D. m H P. mm. R H00.AuNw. N mm m @1 mi. TEX Q m N. AE TR u 2 2 ITNPSHHAGR AmnHY WNOEO ANLU RnNwc L \\1 5 340 350 FIG. 16B 01 I HAVE RETURNED TO NATION N1. P C 1 THIS NATION IS NOT THE villi!!!‘ SUPERIOR NATION NOW. NOBODY IS HERE. 122 ) 340 350 US. Patent May 12, 2009 Sheet 16 0f 17 US 7,530,895 B2 FIG. 17A NATION N1 DOMINATES REGION 2. PC1 PC: I COME FROM NATION N1. PC: CAN YOU BUFF 1T ? GM: OH! PCl CAN EASILY OBTAIN CRYSTAL. 122 340 350 FIG. 17B NATION N2 DOMINATES REGION 2. P61 PC: I COME FROM NATION N1. PC: CAN YOU BUFF IT? GM: SORRY, I CANNOT PC: I UNDERSTAND 1T. 122 ) 340 350 US. Patent May 12, 2009 Sheet 17 0f 17 US 7,530,895 B2 FIG.18A ‘N1 % [H1 (H1)7 E:N1 (R3) 360 N3 /\ A "N2 (H2) NATIONKNIIIDOMINATES REqibN 1. P01 CURRENT SITUATION; @2222: N1 :ESUPERIOR ‘a ‘,NQY'INFERIOR I‘: METNFERJOR1‘ / /' T ) 7 340 350 FIG.18B I N1 I:N1 (R3) N3 360 ~ >< R5 MONSTERS -'1 DOMINATES REGIbN 5. P01 CURRENT SITUATION ; r" @ZZEIID N1 ; 'SOMEWHAT INFERIQR p15 F’INFERIOR NKSQMEWHAT suPER1031n~\ / I / 340 350 US 7,530,895 B2 1 2 METHOD FOR ADVANCING NETWORK server apparatus via the netWork. Each client apparatus fur GAME BY GROUP COMPETITION ther includes an operation instructing device that instructs an operation of the player character in the virtual space based on CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED a player’s operation. Each client apparatus further includes an APPLICATION operation transmitter that transits the operation instructed by the operation instructing device to the server apparatus via the The present disclosure relates to subject matter contained netWork. Each client apparatus further includes a change in Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-138361, ?led on information receiver that receives change information indi May 14, 2002, the disclosure of Which is expressly incorpo cating a change in a content of a game sent from the server rated herein by reference in its entirety. apparatus. Each client apparatus further includes a display controller that causes a display device to display the content BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION of the game indicated by the received change information. The server apparatus includes a group information receiver 1. Field of the Invention that receives the group information transmitted from the The present invention relates to netWork video games. group information transmitter. The server apparatus further More particularly, the present invention relates to a technique includes a group register that registers groups to Which each for adding a change in a content of a game to improve com player character of the client apparatuses belongs based on munication among players by group competition in a netWork the group information received by the group information game in Which multiple players participate and advance the receiver. The server apparatus further includes an operation game. 20 receiver that receives the operation of the player character 2. Description of the Related Art transmitted from the operation transmitter. The server appa A netWork game is a game in Which multiple players par ratus further includes a point calculator that calculates points ticipate and advance the game. The player characters of the corresponding to the degree of achievement of a task of each respective players move on a common map and develop the player character based on the received operation of the player game. On the map, various tasks such as battles With enemy 25 character. The server apparatus further includes a point totaler characters (monster characters subjected to system control) that totals the points calculated by the point calculator for are provided. The player characters solve these tasks to each group to Which each player character belongs. The advance the game. server apparatus further includes a game changer that changes In the netWork game, multiple characters join one another the content of the game based on the total points for each in a party, and the player characters belonging to the same 30 group. The server apparatus further includes a change infor party can solve the tasks in cooperation With one another. This mation transmitter that transmits change information on the is one of the features in Which the netWork game is different content of the game changed by the game changer to each of from a standalone video game. In the netWork game, the client apparatuses via the netWork. player characters join one another and solve the problems, In the netWork game system, the player character operating thereby improving communication among players. 35 in the virtual space belongs to any one of the groups by the HoWever, in the conventional netWork game, though the player’s selection. The points calculated When each player player characters of the respective players share the same character achieves the task are totaled for each group to Which World, the World is changed by an action of a certain player the player character belongs. The content of the game is character or, at the mo st, actions of the other player characters changed in accordance With the total points for each group. that are the members of the party. Since the game advances by 40 The content of the game is changed by not only the operation the independent action of each player character even in the of the player character for each player but also the operation netWork game, the netWork game is substantially the same as of the player characters for other players. For this reason, the the standalone video game. For this reason, the conventional player can feel the change in the content of the game, and the netWork game has a problem in that the players feel bored in player does not feel the progress of the game is monotonous the game as the playing time goes by. 45 even if the game is played for a long time. In the conventional netWork game, since the action of each Since the content of the game is changed according to the player character is substantially independent, many players total points for each group to Which the player character cannot advance the game With a common sense of purpose. belongs, each play can have a high sense of belonging to the Thus, in the conventional netWork game, there is no change in group selected by the player himself/herself. The high sense the content inherent in the netWork game. 50 of loyalty to the group results in a motivation for each player to perform communication With the other player (particularly, SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION a person Who belongs to the same group). This makes it smooth to perform communication betWeen the players and An object of the present invention is to provide a netWork to prevent the progress of the game from being monotonous. game system that adds a chance in the content of the netWork 55 A hostile atmosphere, such as a battle betWeen the player game and that performs communication among players characters, likely Will not occur. Of course, it does not prevent smoothly, thereby preventing the game from becoming the player characters that belong to different groups from monotonous even over a long playing time. joining one another to advance the game. In order to attain the above object, a netWork game system In order to attain the above object, a game server apparatus according to a ?rst aspect of the present invention has a server according to a second aspect of the present invention is con apparatus and multiple client apparatuses each connected to nected to multiple client apparatuses via a netWork. The game the server apparatus via a netWork. Each of the client appa server apparatus includes a group register that registers ratuses includes a group selector that selects a group to Which groups to Which each of player characters of the client appa a player character operated in a virtual space based on a ratuses belongs. player’s operation belongs. Each client apparatus further 65 The game server apparatus further includes a point calcu includes a group information transmitter that transmits group lator that calculates points corresponding to a degree of information on the group selected by the group selector to the achievement of a task given to each player character operated