-
`
`1 -
`
`METHOD FOR PROVIDING BATTLE GAME, SERVER DEVICE, AND
`COMPUTER-READABLE RECORDING MEDIUM
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
`
`[0001]
`
`This application is a continuation of U.S. Patent
`
`Application No. 14/309,769, filed June 19, 2014, which
`
`claims priority benefit of Japanese Patent Application No.
`
`2013-130232, filed June 21, 2013, and Japanese Patent
`
`Application No. 2013-223378, filed October 28, 2013, the
`
`disclosures of which are incorporated herein in their
`
`entirety by reference.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`[0002]
`
`Disclosed herein are a method for providing a
`
`battle game to each client device via a network, a server
`
`device, and a computer-readable recording medium.
`
`[0003]
`
`As proposed in JP2013-066524 A, online game
`
`services provided from server devices to client devices via
`
`communication networks are popular, and many game titles
`
`are released from a plurality of platforms. There are a
`
`wide variety of types and categories of such games. Of
`
`these, social games that enable a plurality of players to
`
`participate in the same game are particularly gaining
`
`popularity. As this type of social game, for example, the
`
`following game service is commercially available: groups
`
`composed of characters operated by a plurality of players
`
`are formed, and players can not only participate in a
`
`battle event between groups but also communicate with each
`
`Patent Owner GREE, INC.
`Exhibit 2004 - Page 1 of 29
`
`
`
`1 -
`
`METHOD FOR PROVIDING BATTLE GAME, SERVER DEVICE, AND
`COMPUTER-READABLE RECORDING MEDIUM
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
`
`[0001]
`
`This application is a continuation of U.S. Patent
`
`Application No. 14/309,769, filed June 19, 2014, which
`
`claims priority benefit of Japanese Patent Application No.
`
`2013-130232, filed June 21, 2013, and Japanese Patent
`
`Application No. 2013-223378, filed October 28, 2013, the
`
`disclosures of which are incorporated herein in their
`
`entirety by reference.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`[0002]
`
`Disclosed herein are a method for providing a
`
`battle game to each client device via a network, a server
`
`device, and a computer-readable recording medium.
`
`[0003]
`
`As proposed in JP2013-066524 A, online game
`
`services provided from server devices to client devices via
`
`communication networks are popular, and many game titles
`
`are released from a plurality of platforms. There are a
`
`wide variety of types and categories of such games. Of
`
`these, social games that enable a plurality of players to
`
`participate in the same game are particularly gaining
`
`popularity. As this type of social game, for example, the
`
`following game service is commercially available: groups
`
`composed of characters operated by a plurality of players
`
`are formed, and players can not only participate in a
`
`battle event between groups but also communicate with each
`
`Patent Owner GREE, INC.
`Exhibit 2004 - Page 1 of 29
`
`
`
`-
`
`2
`
`-
`
`other. Such a game service is called M:MORPG (Massively
`
`Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game), and built on
`
`predetermined human relationships among players though in a
`
`virtual world. As a technique of activating game operation
`
`by strengthening a sense of unity and solidarity among
`
`players, game presentation processing of increasing the
`
`effect of successive attacks when a plurality of characters
`
`belonging to the same group successively attack enemy
`
`characters is known as an example. This presentation
`
`processing is called "combo". Examples of known techniques
`
`regarding combos include: increasing the effect of
`
`successive attacks more when the number of attacks made
`
`within a predetermined time from the first attack is
`
`larger; and increasing the effect of successive attacks
`
`more when the number of successive attacks is larger on the
`
`condition that the time difference between attacks
`
`successively made by two characters is within a
`
`predetermined time.
`
`SUJ'v'IIl1ARY
`
`[0004]
`
`For a plurality of players to make successive
`
`attacks in cooperation with each other, the players need to
`
`be proficient in the battle game to a certain extent, and
`
`there is hardly any scene where inexperienced players can
`
`play active parts. Since it is more advantageous in terms
`
`of game development to form a group of skilled high-level
`
`players, inexperienced players are not sufficiently
`
`motivated to participate in the battle game.
`
`Patent Owner GREE, INC.
`Exhibit 2004 - Page 2 of 29
`
`
`
`-
`
`3
`
`-
`
`[0005]
`
`Embodiments of the invention solve the problem
`
`stated above, and enhance low-proficiency players'
`
`motivation to participate in a battle game.
`
`[0006]
`
`To solve the problem stated above, a method for
`
`providing a battle game disclosed herein is a method for
`
`providing a battle game between groups, which are composed
`
`of characters operated by players through client devices,
`
`to each client device via a network, wherein a server
`
`device storing, for each character, a parameter which
`
`serves as an indicator for developing the battle game
`
`between the groups: calculates a difference in the
`
`parameter between two characters belonging to the same
`
`group and successive in attack order; and performs
`
`presentation processing of increasing an effect of attack
`
`by the group according to the difference in the parameter.
`
`The parameter which serves as the indicator for developing
`
`the battle game differs between a high-proficiency player
`
`and a low-proficiency player. By performing the
`
`presentation processing of increasing the effect of
`
`successive attacks based on such a difference, it is
`
`possible to create more scenes where low-proficiency
`
`players can play active parts and thus activate game
`
`operation.
`
`[0007]
`
`According to embodiments of the invention, low-
`
`proficiency players' motivation to participate in a battle
`
`game can be enhanced.
`
`Patent Owner GREE, INC.
`Exhibit 2004 - Page 3 of 29
`
`
`
`-
`
`4
`
`-
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0008]
`
`FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a network structure
`
`of a game system according to an embodiment;
`
`~00~
`
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a structure of
`
`a server device according to the embodiment;
`
`~01~
`
`FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a structure of
`
`a client device according to the embodiment;
`
`[0011]
`
`FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an
`
`example of a game screen according to the embodiment;
`
`[0012]
`
`FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a "combo"
`
`presentation effect according to the embodiment; and
`
`[0013]
`
`FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing flow of "combo"
`
`presentation processing according to the embodiment.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`[0014]
`
`The following describes an embodiment of the
`
`invention with reference to drawings.
`
`FIG. 1 shows a network structure of a game system
`
`100 according to this embodiment.
`
`The game system 100 comprises a server device 10
`
`for providing a battle game service to a plurality of
`
`client devices 30 via a network 20. The server device 10
`
`is a network node having a function of providing the battle
`
`game service. As an example, the server device 10 is
`
`composed of a host computer with high operation processing
`
`capacity, though this is not a limit. As another example,
`
`the server device 10 may be composed of a general-purpose
`
`Patent Owner GREE, INC.
`Exhibit 2004 - Page 4 of 29
`
`
`
`-
`
`5
`
`-
`
`communication terminal device. Each client device 30 is a
`
`network node having a function of receiving the battle game
`
`service. As an example, the client device 30 is composed
`
`of a general-purpose communication terminal device.
`
`In
`
`this specification, the network node for providing the
`
`battle game service is referred to as "server device"
`
`regardless of its operation processing capacity, and the
`
`network node for receiving the battle game service is
`
`referred to as "client device". The online game service is
`
`provided when the server device 10 returns a response to a
`
`request from the client device 30.
`
`[0015]
`
`The host computer constituting the server device
`
`10 need not necessarily be one computer, and the server
`
`device 10 may be composed of a plurality of subcomputers
`
`distributed on the network 20. Examples of the general(cid:173)
`
`purpose communication terminal device constituting the
`
`server device 10 or the client device 30 include a desktop
`
`PC, a notebook PC, a tablet PC, a laptop PC, and a mobile
`
`phone. For example, the mobile phone is a handheld mobile
`
`terminal such as PDC (Personal Digital Cellular), PCS
`
`(Personal Communication System), GSM® (Global System for
`
`Mobile communications), PHS (Personal Handy phone System),
`
`or PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), and is capable of data
`
`communication by a standard such as W-CDMA (Wideband Code
`
`Division Multiple Access), CDMA-2000
`
`(Code Division
`
`Multiple Access-2000), IMT-2000 (International Mobile
`
`Telecommunication-2000), or WiBro (Wireless Broadband
`
`Patent Owner GREE, INC.
`Exhibit 2004 - Page 5 of 29
`
`
`
`-
`
`6
`
`-
`
`Internet). The network 20 is, for example, a communication
`
`network including a wired network (e.g. LAN (Local Area
`
`Network), WAN
`
`(Wide Area Network), VAN (Value Added
`
`Network), etc.) and a wireless network (e.g. mobile
`
`communication network, satellite communication network,
`
`Bluetooth, WiFi (Wireless Fidelity), HSDPA (High Speed
`
`Downlink Packet Access), etc.). A gateway server for
`
`conversion between communication protocols may be provided
`
`between the server device 10 and the client device 30.
`
`[0016]
`
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a structure of
`
`the server device 10 according to this embodiment.
`
`The server device 10 comprises a processor 11, a
`
`communication interface 12, and a storage resource 13. The
`
`processor 11 comprises an arithmetic logic unit for
`
`processing arithmetic operations, logical operations, bit
`
`operations, and the like and various registers (program
`
`counter, data register, instruction register, general(cid:173)
`
`purpose register, etc.). The processor 11 interprets and
`
`executes a computer program 40 stored in the storage
`
`resource 13, and returns responses to requests from the
`
`plurality of client devices 30. The computer program 40 is
`
`a program for performing game processing in response to
`
`requests from the plurality of client devices 30, and
`
`includes a plurality of software modules that are called in
`
`a main program and executed. These software modules are
`
`each a subprogram modularized to execute specific
`
`processing (game operation processing, image display
`
`Patent Owner GREE, INC.
`Exhibit 2004 - Page 6 of 29
`
`
`
`-
`
`7
`
`-
`
`processing, communication processing, etc.), and generated
`
`using procedures, subroutines, methods, functions, data
`
`structures, and so on. A module is an independently
`
`compilable unit. As one of such modularized subprograms,
`
`the computer program 40 includes a presentation processing
`
`module 41 for performing presentation processing of the
`
`battle game. The presentation processing module 41 will be
`
`described in detail later.
`
`[0017]
`
`The storage resource 13 stores a parameter 50 for
`
`each character. The parameter 50 is a variable which
`
`serves as an indicator for developing the battle game, and
`
`more advantageous game development is expected when the
`
`parameter 50 is higher. As an example, the parameter 50
`
`may be a variable indicating the degree of proficiency in
`
`the battle game. The degree of proficiency represents the
`
`player's skill or experience, and so is also referred to as
`
`"level". The level of the player increases as the player
`
`becomes more experienced in the battle game. As another
`
`example, the parameter 50 may be a variable indicating the
`
`"reward" acquired in the battle game. The reward is a
`
`value concept such that a higher reward has an effect of
`
`gaining more advantage over the opponent in development of
`
`the battle game. Though the reward can be regarded as
`
`resembling money in the real world, the reward need not
`
`necessarily be limited to a value resembling money in game
`
`processing in the virtual space. The reward may be, for
`
`instance, an item for increasing the character's offensive
`
`Patent Owner GREE, INC.
`Exhibit 2004 - Page 7 of 29
`
`
`
`-
`
`8
`
`-
`
`power, an item for recovering the character's health points
`
`or recovering from damage, or points added as a result of
`
`damaging an enemy character. The reward may have a value
`
`exchangeable between characters. As yet another example,
`
`the parameter 50 may be a variable indicating the time
`
`elapsed from the date on which the player participates in
`
`the battle game. The parameter 50 may be a variable that
`
`changes as the character's offensive ability or recovery
`
`ability changes.
`
`[0018]
`
`The storage resource 13 is, for example, a
`
`logical device provided by a storage area in a physical
`
`device (e.g. a computer-readable recording medium such as a
`
`disk drive or a semiconductor memory). A plurality of
`
`physical devices may be mapped to one logical device, or
`
`one physical device may be mapped to a plurality of logical
`
`devices. Data and logs indicating the access history, play
`
`status, game progress state, and the like of each client
`
`device 30 are stored in the storage resource 13. The
`
`communication interface 12 is a hardware module for
`
`connecting to the client device 30 via the network 20, and
`
`is, for example, an ISDN modem, an ADSL modem, or a cable
`
`modem.
`
`[0019]
`
`FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a structure of
`
`the client device 30 according to this embodiment.
`
`The client device 30 comprises a processor 31, an
`
`audio output device 32, a communication interface 33, a
`
`Patent Owner GREE, INC.
`Exhibit 2004 - Page 8 of 29
`
`
`
`-
`
`9
`
`-
`
`storage resource 34, an input device 35, and a display
`
`device 36. The processor 31 includes an arithmetic logic
`
`unit and various registers (program counter, data register,
`
`instruction register, general-purpose register, etc.). The
`
`processor 31 interprets and executes a computer program 60
`
`stored in the storage resource 34, and transmits a request
`
`to the server device 10 according to operation information
`
`input via the input device 35 and receives a response from
`
`the server device 10. The computer program 60 is an
`
`application program for connecting to the server device 10
`
`and receiving the battle game service. The application
`
`program can be distributed from the server device 10 via
`
`the network 20.
`
`The storage resource 34 is a logical device
`
`provided by a storage area in a physical device (e.g. a
`
`computer-readable recording medium such as a disk drive or
`
`a semiconductor memory), and stores an operating system
`
`program, driver programs, various data, and the like used
`
`for processing in the client device 10. The driver
`
`programs are, for example, an input device driver program
`
`for controlling the input device 35 and an output device
`
`driver program for controlling each of the audio output
`
`device 32 and the display device 36. The various data are,
`
`for example, image data of each object or background in
`
`game screens. The audio output device 32 is, for example,
`
`a sound player capable of reproducing sound data such as
`
`game sound effects. The communication interface 33
`
`Patent Owner GREE, INC.
`Exhibit 2004 - Page 9 of 29
`
`
`
`- 10 -
`
`provides an interface for connecting to the server device
`
`10, and includes a wireless coffiillunication interface or a
`
`wired coffiillunication interface. The input device 35
`
`provides an interface for receiving input operations from
`
`the player, and is, for example, a touch panel, a keyboard,
`
`a mouse, or the like. The display device 36 provides an
`
`image display interface for game screens and the like to
`
`the player, and is, for example, an organic EL display, a
`
`liquid crystal display, a CRT display, or the like.
`
`[0021]
`
`When the player operates the input device 35 to
`
`input authentication information (e.g. an ID and a
`
`password) and log into the game service of the server
`
`device 10, a My Page screen associated with the
`
`authentication information of the player is displayed on
`
`the display device 36. A menu screen about a group to
`
`which each individual player belongs is displayed in the My
`
`Page screen. The "group" is a virtual collection composed
`
`of characters operated by players through client devices 30.
`
`The group may be created or formed on a game title basis,
`
`or be coffiillon to a plurality of game titles. The group
`
`formed for such a purpose is also called "guild", "party",
`
`"team", "coffiillunity", or the like in the field of social
`
`games. The "character" is a virtual object acting in the
`
`virtual space on behalf of the player according to the
`
`player's instructions.
`
`[0022]
`
`A character operated by a player who has
`
`Patent Owner GREE, INC.
`Exhibit 2004 - Page 10 of 29
`
`
`
`- 11 -
`
`previously participated in the game service provided by the
`
`server device 10 basically belongs to some group, and the
`
`corresponding history information is stored in the storage
`
`resource 13 in the server device 10 in association with the
`
`authentication information of the player. Based on this
`
`history information, an edit menu screen about the group is
`
`displayed on the display device 36. On the other hand, a
`
`character operated by a player who participates in the game
`
`service provided by the server device 10 for the first time
`
`basically does not belong to any specific group.
`
`Accordingly, a menu screen for joining a group (e.g. a
`
`screen for searching for a group or forming a new group) is
`
`displayed on the display device 36. When the player,
`
`having decided or selected the group to which he or she
`
`belongs, selects to participate in the game service, a
`
`screen of a game event held at the time is displayed on the
`
`display device 36.
`
`~02~
`
`FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an
`
`example of a game screen 200 according to this embodiment.
`
`The game screen 200 comprises an event field 201
`
`and a palette 202. The event field 201 is a virtual field
`
`in which a battle game between groups 300 and 400 is
`
`developed. Characters 301, 302, and 303 belonging to the
`
`group 300 and characters 401, 402, and 403 belonging to the
`
`other group 400 are displayed in the event field 201. A
`
`battle between groups is called "guild battle", or "GvG"
`
`based on the first letter (G) of the word "guild". The
`
`Patent Owner GREE, INC.
`Exhibit 2004 - Page 11 of 29
`
`
`
`- 12 -
`
`characters belonging to the same group attack the opponent
`
`characters belonging to the opponent group while
`
`communicating with each other. The palette 202 is a
`
`virtual area for deciding, by lottery, "skills" available
`
`when each character attacks its opponent character. A deck
`
`600 which is a virtual set of cards and a plurality of
`
`cards 601, 602, and 603 selected from the deck 600 are
`
`displayed in the palette 202. A representation
`
`(illustration or text) of a type of skill and a specific
`
`item related to the skill are drawn in each card.
`
`In
`
`addition, an attack value (points of a skill or exercised
`
`attack) and a defense value are set in each card. Each
`
`player turns over the plurality of cards 601, 602, and 603
`
`from the deck 600, and attacks the opponent character
`
`according to the combination of skills, attack values,
`
`specific items, defense values, and the like shown in the
`
`cards 601, 602, and 603. Damage inflicted on the opponent
`
`character and damage inflicted on the character of the
`
`player are then calculated. A gauge 501 displays the
`
`number of attacks successively made by the characters 301,
`
`302, and 303 belonging to the group 300 on the opponent
`
`characters 401, 402, and 403. Likewise, a gauge 502
`
`displays the number of attacks successively made by the
`
`characters 401, 402, and 403 belonging to the group 400 on
`
`the opponent characters 301, 302, and 303.
`
`The number of
`
`successive attacks is referred to as "combo count", and the
`
`gauges 501 and 502 displaying the combo counts are each
`
`referred to as "combo gauge".
`
`Patent Owner GREE, INC.
`Exhibit 2004 - Page 12 of 29
`
`
`
`- 13 -
`
`[0024]
`
`FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a "combo"
`
`presentation effect according to this embodiment.
`
`The presentation processing module 41 performs
`
`presentation processing of increasing, according to the
`
`difference in the parameter 50 between two characters
`
`belonging to the same group and successive in the attack
`
`order, the effect of attack by the group. For example, the
`
`character 301 attacks the character 401 at time tl and,
`
`following this, the character 302 attacks the character 402
`
`at time t2. Here, the effect of attack by the group 300
`
`(e.g. the attack by the character 302 on the character 402)
`
`is increased more when the difference nPl in the parameter
`
`50 between the two characters 301 and 302 is larger.
`
`Following this, the character 303 attacks the character 403
`
`at time t3. Here, the effect of attack by the group 300
`
`(e.g. the attack by the character 303 on the character 403)
`
`is increased more when the difference nP2 in the parameter
`
`50 between the two characters 302 and 303 is larger.
`
`~02~
`
`If the parameter 50 is set to indicate the degree
`
`of proficiency in the battle game, for example, the effect
`
`of successive attacks can be increased by successively
`
`making an attack by a character operated by a player with a
`
`high degree of proficiency in the battle game and an attack
`
`by a character operated by a player with a
`
`low degree of
`
`proficiency in the battle game. This creates more scenes
`
`where players with low proficiency in the battle game can
`
`Patent Owner GREE, INC.
`Exhibit 2004 - Page 13 of 29
`
`
`
`- 14 -
`
`play active parts, making the social game more active.
`
`In
`
`particular, inexperienced players are effectively motivated
`
`to participate in the game. Moreover, since the order of
`
`characters to make successive attacks is important in such
`
`presentation processing, the communication among the
`
`players belonging to the same group is encouraged, and the
`
`solidarity in the group is strengthened.
`
`If the parameter
`
`50 is set to indicate the reward, for example, the effect
`
`of successive attacks can be increased by successively
`
`making an attack by a character operated by a player with a
`
`high acquired reward and an attack by a character operated
`
`by a player with a
`
`low acquired reward. This creates more
`
`scenes where players with low acquired rewards can play
`
`active parts.
`
`If the parameter 50 is set to indicate the
`
`time elapsed from the date of participation in the battle
`
`game, for example, the effect of successive attacks can be
`
`increased by successively making an attack by a character
`
`operated by a veteran player with a long time elapsed from
`
`the date of participation in the battle game and an attack
`
`by a character operated by a beginner player with a short
`
`time elapsed from the date of participation in the battle
`
`game. This creates more scenes where beginner players can
`
`play active parts.
`
`The effect of successive attacks by the plurality
`
`of characters may be controlled according to not only the
`
`difference in the parameter 50 between the plurality of
`
`characters but also the number of successive attacks. For
`
`Patent Owner GREE, INC.
`Exhibit 2004 - Page 14 of 29
`
`
`
`- 15 -
`
`instance, the effect of successive attacks may be increased
`
`more when the number of attacks made by any characters in
`
`the group 300 within a predetermined time from time tl at
`
`which the first attack starts is larger. Alternatively,
`
`the effect of successive attacks may be increased more when
`
`the number of successive attacks is larger on the condition
`
`that the time difference ("t2 -
`
`tl" or "t3 -
`
`t2") between
`
`attacks successively made by two characters is within a
`
`predetermined time.
`
`[0027]
`
`FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing flow of "combo"
`
`presentation processing according to this embodiment.
`
`When the presentation processing module 41
`
`detects successive attacks by two characters belonging to
`
`the same group (step 101: YES), the presentation processing
`
`module 41 calculates the difference in the parameter 50
`
`between the two characters successive in the attack order
`
`(step 102), and performs presentation processing of
`
`increasing the effect of attack by the group according to
`
`the difference in the parameter 50 (step 103). The
`
`presentation processing module 41 is a subprogram written
`
`using a command set for causing the server device 10 to
`
`execute the process of steps 101 to 103.
`
`[0028]
`
`Though the above-mentioned "combo" presentation
`
`processing is realized by the presentation processing
`
`module 41 and the processor 11 in cooperation with each
`
`other, the same presentation processing may be performed by
`
`Patent Owner GREE, INC.
`Exhibit 2004 - Page 15 of 29
`
`
`
`- 16 -
`
`a dedicated hardware resource (e.g. an application specific
`
`integrated circuit (ASIC)) or firmware. Moreover, the
`
`computer program 40 may be written in, for example, an
`
`object-oriented language.
`
`In the object-oriented language,
`
`the characters 301 to 303 and 401 to 403 are treated as
`
`objects, the parameter 50 is defined as an "attribute value"
`
`of each of the characters 301 to 303 and 401 to 403, and
`
`the behavior (e.g. attack) of each of the characters 301 to
`
`303 and 401 to 403 is defined as a "method" of the
`
`corresponding character, to enable battle game processing.
`
`Image display can be controlled by treating not only the
`
`characters 301 to 303 and 401 to 403 but also the gauges
`
`501 and 502, the cards 601, 602, and 603, and the like
`
`displayed in the game screen 200 as objects and defining
`
`their "attribute values" and "methods". The computer
`
`program 40 is not limited to the object-oriented language,
`
`and may be written in, for example, a procedure-oriented
`
`language. The computer program 40 may be encoded in a
`
`predetermined signal format and transmitted between nodes
`
`via a transmission medium (wired communication network) or
`
`a transmission wave (radio wave).
`
`The embodiment described above is merely
`
`illustrative of the invention, and the invention should not
`
`be limited to the embodiment. Various modifications are
`
`possible, without departing from the scope of the invention.
`
`For example, a person skilled in the art can replace one or
`
`more resources (hardware resources or software resources)
`
`Patent Owner GREE, INC.
`Exhibit 2004 - Page 16 of 29
`
`
`
`- 17 -
`
`described in the embodiment with their equivalents, and
`
`such replacement is also included within the scope of the
`
`invention.
`
`According to embodiments of the invention, more
`
`scenes where players with low proficiency in a battle game
`
`can play active parts are created, thus enhancing such
`
`players' motivation to participate in the game.
`
`In
`
`particular, the invention can be widely used for activities
`
`such as design, manufacture, and sales of all online games
`
`distributed, provided, and implemented in client server
`
`game systems.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
`
`[0025]
`
`10: server device
`
`11: processor
`
`12: communication interface
`
`13: storage resource
`
`20: network
`
`30: client device
`
`31: processor
`
`32: audio output device
`
`33: communication interface
`
`34: storage resource
`
`35: input device
`
`36: display device
`
`40: computer program
`
`Patent Owner GREE, INC.
`Exhibit 2004 - Page 17 of 29
`
`
`
`- 18 -
`
`41: presentation processing module
`
`50: parameter
`
`60: computer program
`
`100: game system
`
`Patent Owner GREE, INC.
`Exhibit 2004 - Page 18 of 29
`
`
`
`- 19 -
`
`WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
`
`1. A method for providing a battle game to each of
`
`a plurality of client devices via a network, comprising:
`
`storing, by a server device, for each of a
`
`plurality of characters, a parameter that serves as an
`
`indicator for developing the battle game; and
`
`controlling, by a processor of the server device,
`
`an effect of attack by a group, according to a difference
`
`in the parameter between two characters belonging to the
`
`same group and successive in attack order and to a number
`
`of attacks within a predetermined time by any characters in
`
`the group.
`
`2. The method according to claim 1, further
`
`comprising performing, by the processor of the server
`
`device, presentation processing of increasing the effect of
`
`attack by the group more when the difference in the
`
`parameter between the two characters successive in attack
`
`order is larger.
`
`3. The method according to claim 1, further
`
`comprising performing, by the processor of the server
`
`device, presentation processing of increasing the effect of
`
`attack by the group more when the number of successive
`
`attacks by a plurality of characters belonging to the same
`
`group is larger.
`
`4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the
`
`Patent Owner GREE, INC.
`Exhibit 2004 - Page 19 of 29
`
`
`
`- 20 -
`
`parameter indicates any of a degree of proficiency in the
`
`battle game, a reward acquired in the battle game, and a
`
`time elapsed from a date of participation in the battle
`
`game.
`
`5. A method executed in a client device operated
`
`by a player, the client device being connectable to a
`
`server device via a communication line, the method
`
`comprising:
`
`receiving, by a processor of the client device,
`
`information necessary for a battle game from the server
`
`device; and
`
`displaying, by the processor, on a display device,
`
`an effect of attack by a group, wherein the effect is
`
`controlled in accordance with a difference in a parameter
`
`between two characters belonging to the same group and
`
`successive in attack order and with a number of attacks
`
`within a predetermined time by any characters in the group.
`
`6. The method according to claim 5, wherein
`
`displaying, by the processor, comprises displaying
`
`presentation processing of increasing the effect of attack
`
`by the group more when the difference in the parameter
`
`between the two characters successive in attack order is
`
`larger.
`
`7. The method according to claim 5, wherein
`
`displaying, by the processor, comprises displaying
`
`Patent Owner GREE, INC.
`Exhibit 2004 - Page 20 of 29
`
`
`
`- 21 -
`
`presentation processing of increasing the effect of attack
`
`by the group more when the number of successive attacks by
`
`a plurality of characters belonging to the same group is
`
`larger.
`
`8. The method according to claim 5, wherein the
`
`parameter indicates any of a degree of proficiency in the
`
`battle game, a reward acquired in the battle game, and a
`
`time elapsed from a date of participation in the battle
`
`game.
`
`9. A system comprising: a client device operated
`
`by a player; and a server device for providing a battle
`
`game to each client device via a network, the server device
`
`comprising:
`
`a processor; and
`
`a computer-readable recording medium operative
`
`under command of the processor to store, for each character,
`
`a parameter that serves as an indicator for developing the
`
`battle game;
`
`wherein the processor is operative to control an
`
`effect of attack by a group, according to a difference in
`
`the parameter between two characters belonging to the same
`
`group and successive in attack order and to the number of
`
`attacks within a predetermined time by any characters in
`
`the group.
`
`10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the
`
`Patent Owner GREE, INC.
`Exhibit 2004 - Page 21 of 29
`
`
`
`- 22 -
`
`processor is further operative to control presentation
`
`processing of increasing the effect of attack by the group
`
`more when the difference in the parameter between the two
`
`characters successive in attack order is larger.
`
`11. The system according to claim 9, wherein the
`
`processor is further operative to control presentation
`
`processing of increasing the effect of attack by the group
`
`more when the number of successive attacks by a plurality
`
`of characters belonging to the same group is larger is
`
`performed by the processor of the server device.
`
`12. The system according to claim 9, wherein the
`
`parameter indicates any of a degree of proficiency in the
`
`battle game, a reward acquired in the battle game, and a
`
`time elapsed from a date of participation in the battle
`
`game.
`
`Patent Owner GREE, INC.
`Exhibit 2004 - Page 22 of 29
`
`
`
`- 23 -
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Low-proficiency players' motivation to participate
`
`in a battle game is enhanced. A server device calculates a
`
`difference nPl in a parameter between two characters
`
`belonging to the same group and successive in attack order,
`
`and performs presentation processing of increasing the
`
`effect of successive attacks by the two characters
`
`according to the difference nPl in the parameter. The
`
`parameter serves as an indicator for developing the battle
`
`game, and indicates, for example, the degree of proficiency
`
`in the battle game.
`
`86331839.2
`
`Patent Owner GREE, INC.
`Exhibit 2004 - Page 23 of 29
`
`
`
`FIG. 1
`
`SERVER
`DEVICE
`
`10
`
`100 I
`
`-Jo.
`0)
`
`CLIENT
`DEVICE
`
`CLIENT
`DEVICE
`
`CLIENT
`DEVICE
`
`30
`
`30
`
`30
`
`Patent Owner GREE, INC.
`Exhibit 2004 - Page 24 of 29
`
`
`
`FIG. 2
`
`11
`
`. PROCESSOR
`
`.
`
`12
`
`COMMUNICATION
`INTERFACE
`
`-
`
`10
`I
`
`STORAGE
`RESOURCE
`
`PROGRAM
`
`PRESENTATION
`PROCESSING MODULE
`
`__..
`
`__.,..
`
`40
`
`41
`
`PARAMETER
`
`50
`
`~
`
`13
`
`~
`
`Patent Owner GREE, INC.
`Exhibit 2004 - Page 25 of 29
`
`
`
`FIG. 3
`
`30
`,1
`
`31
`
`PROCESSOR
`
`-
`
`34
`
`STORAGE V
`RESOURCE
`
`PROGRAM --- 60
`
`32
`
`AUDIO OUTPUT
`DEVICE
`
`33
`
`COMMUNICATION
`INTERFACE
`
`-
`
`-
`
`INPUT
`DEVICE
`
`i - - -
`
`35
`
`DISPLAY
`DEVICE
`
`i - - -
`
`36
`
`w
`aS
`
`Patent Owner GREE, INC.
`Exhibit 2004 - Page 26 of 29
`
`
`
`FIG. 4
`FIG. 4
`
`501
`
`502
`
`300·-,k,J
`300 >>}...
`
`301
`301
`302-r-~~---~
`302
`
`303
`303
`
`I
`
`f
`
`r
`
`:
`
`\.--
`
`200
`
`201
`
`,., .. -400
`, ....
`
`-401
`
`I
`
`I
`
`402
`
`403
`
`o/b
`~ a5
`
`200 ;
`
`202
`
`-
`
`I
`
`202
`
`601
`
`602
`
`603
`
`600
`
`Patent Owner GREE, INC.
`Exhibit 2004 - Page 27 of 29
`
`Patent Owner GREE, INC.
`Exhibit 2004 - Page 27 of 29
`
`
`
`FIG. 5
`FIG. 5
`
`401
`401
`
`402
`402
`
`301
`301
`
`API
`
`302
`
`6 |,
`+ t1
`t,. Pl I 302
`t t2
`SS |,
`
`CJ'1
`aOo
`a5
`
`6&|.
`+ t3
`
`~P2
`AP2
`
`303
`303
`
`403
`403
`
`TIME
`TIME
`
`Patent Owner
Accessing this document will incur an additional charge of $.
After purchase, you can access this document again without charge.
Accept $ Charge
Still Working On It
This document is taking longer than usual to download. This can happen if we need to contact the court directly to obtain the document and their servers are running slowly.
Give it another minute or two to complete, and then try the refresh button.
A few More Minutes ... Still Working
It can take up to 5 minutes for us to download a document if the court servers are running slowly.
Thank you for your continued patience.
This document could not be displayed.
We could not find this document within its docket. Please go back to the docket page and check the link. If that does not work, go back to the docket and refresh it to pull the newest information.
Your account does not support viewing this document.
You need a Paid Account to view this document. Click here to change your account type.
Your account does not support viewing this document.
Set your membership
status to view this document.
With a Docket Alarm membership, you'll
get a whole lot more, including:
- Up-to-date information for this case.
- Email alerts whenever there is an update.
- Full text search for other cases.
- Get email alerts whenever a new case matches your search.
One Moment Please
The filing “” is large (MB) and is being downloaded.
Please refresh this page in a few minutes to see if the filing has been downloaded. The filing will also be emailed to you when the download completes.
Your document is on its way!
If you do not receive the document in five minutes, contact support at support@docketalarm.com.
Sealed Document
We are unable to display this document, it may be under a court ordered seal.
If you have proper credentials to access the file, you may proceed directly to the court's system using your government issued username and password.
Access Government Site
