The present application claims priority to Japanese Application Number 2016-041031, filed Mar. 3, 2016, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
This disclosure relates to a matching method and a matching system for matching a user with another user in a game.
In a competitive game, for example, user matching amongst a plurality of users who are to play together, namely, matching a user with another user who is an opponent the user is to play against, is performed based on a skill level of each of the plurality of users, in some instances. This allows users having a comparatively close skill level to enjoy the game by playing against each other.
However, in an online game, game progression, for example, a battle between users, is influenced by a game environment, for example, a terminal device being used by the user. Differences in the game environment being used can have an effect on game progression by the users. Therefore, user matching based only on the skill level of the users is inadequate, in some instances.
This disclosure has been created in view of the above-mentioned points, and this disclosure helps to provide a matching method and a matching system capable of performing user matching in an online game based on multiple factors, and a computer system for implementing such a matching method.
In order to help solve the above-mentioned problem, according to at least one aspect of this disclosure, there is provided a matching method for selecting, in an online game, a player candidate, with which a specific user among a plurality of users is to play, from other users among the plurality of users. The matching method includes receiving information on each of the plurality of users, the information includes information on a skill level of each of the plurality of users and information on a terminal device to be used by each of the plurality of users. The terminal device includes a hardware device of the terminal device and a head mounted display (HMD) device to be used together with the hardware device. The method further includes selecting, based on the information on the skill level of each of the plurality of users and the information on the terminal device of each of the plurality of users, a player candidate from the plurality of users for a specific user.
Further, according to at least one aspect of this disclosure, there is provided a computer system for executing the above-mentioned matching method.
Further, according to at least one aspect of this disclosure, there is provided a matching system for selecting, in an online game, a player candidate, with which a specific user among a plurality of users is to play, from among the plurality of users. The matching system includes user information storage means for storing information on each of the plurality of users. The information includes information on a skill level of each of the plurality of users and information on a terminal device to be used by each of the plurality of users. The terminal device includes a hardware device of the terminal device and a head mounted display (HMD) device to be used together with the hardware device. The matching system further includes player candidate selection means for selecting the player candidate for the specific user based on the information on the skill level of each of the plurality of users and the information on the terminal device of each of the plurality of users.
According to at least one embodiment of this disclosure, matching can be performed not only based on the skill level of each user, but also based on information relating to the terminal device of each user, which enables users having a comparatively close game playing ability, which is a measure of the overall ability of a player to progress through the game, to play together or to play against another player.
First, contents of at least one embodiment of this disclosure are listed and described. At least one embodiment of this disclosure has the following configuration.
(Item 1)
A matching method for selecting, in an online game, a player candidate with which a specific user among a plurality of users is to play. The matching method includes receiving information on each of the plurality of users. The information includes information on a skill level of each of the plurality of users and information on a terminal device to be used by each of the plurality of users. The terminal device includes a hardware device of the terminal device and a head mounted display (HMD) device to be used together with the hardware device. The method further includes selecting the player candidate for the specific user based on the information on the skill level of each of the plurality of users and the information on the terminal device of each of the plurality of users.
(Item 2)
A matching method according to Item 1, in which selecting the player candidate includes calculating a matching evaluation value for each of the plurality of users for the specific user based on the information on the skill level for each of the plurality of users and the information on the terminal device for each of the plurality of user. The matching evaluation value is calculated by using skill points represented by the information on the skill level for each of the plurality of users; and a device coefficient based on the information on the terminal device for each of the plurality of users.
(Item 3)
A matching method according to Item 2, in which selecting the player candidate includes classifying the terminal device of each of the plurality of users into a first category, a second category, and a third category based on the information on the terminal device. The first category relates to whether the hardware device of the terminal device is a console-type device or a mobile-type device. The second category relates to whether the hardware device is a PC device, a game device, or a mobile device. The third category relates to a type of the HMD device to be used together with the hardware device.
(Item 4)
A matching method according to Item 3, in which selecting the player candidate further includes providing the device coefficient relating to a relation between the type of the terminal device of each of the plurality of users and the type of the terminal device of the specific user. The device coefficient includes a first device coefficient for a device in the first category with respect to another device in the first category. The device coefficient further includes a second device coefficient for a device in the second category with respect to another device in the second category. The device coefficient further includes a third device coefficient for an HMD device in the third category with respect to another HMD device in the third category.
(Item 5)
A matching method according to Item 4, in which selecting the player candidate further includes calculating for the specific user the matching evaluation value of a first user among the plurality of users. The matching evaluation value includes an absolute value of a difference between the skill points of the specific user and the skill points of the first user. The matching evaluation value further includes the first device coefficient of the device of the first user with respect to the device of the specific user. The matching evaluation value further includes the second device coefficient of the device of the first user with respect to the device of the specific user. The matching evaluation value further includes the third device coefficient of the device of the first user with respect to the device of the specific user.
(Item 6)
A matching method according to Item 5, in which the matching evaluation value is calculated by multiplying the absolute value of the difference by each of the first device coefficient, the second device coefficient, and the third device coefficient.
(Item 7)
A matching method according to Item 6, in which the matching evaluation value is calculated by adding, when the absolute value of the difference is greater than a threshold value, the first device coefficient, the second device coefficient, and the third device coefficient.
(Item 8)
A matching method according to any one of Items 2 to 7, in which selecting the player candidate further includes determining the first user of the plurality of users, who has a smallest matching evaluation value, to be the player candidate.
(Item 9)
A computer system for causing a computer to execute the matching method of any one of Items 1 to 8.
(Item 10)
A matching system for selecting, in a game, a player candidate, with which a specific user among a plurality of users is to play, from among the plurality of users. The matching system includes user information storage means for storing information on the plurality of users, the information including information on a skill level of each of the plurality of users and information on a terminal device to be used by each of the plurality of users. The terminal device includes a hardware device of the terminal device and a head mounted display (HMD) device to be used together with the hardware device. The matching system further includes player candidate selection means for selecting the player candidate from the plurality of users based on the information on the skill level of each of the plurality of users and the information on the terminal device of each of the plurality of users.
(Item 11)
A matching system according to Item 10, in which the player candidate selection means is configured to calculate a matching evaluation value for each of the plurality of users for the specific user based on the information on the skill level of each of the plurality of users and the information on the terminal device for each of the plurality of users. The matching evaluation value is calculated by using skill points represented by the information on the skill level; and a device coefficient based on the information on the terminal device. The device coefficient relates to a relationship among different types of the terminal device to be used by each of the plurality of users.
(Item 12)
A matching system according to Item 11, in which the player candidate selection means includes terminal device classifying means for classifying the terminal device of each of the plurality of users into a first category, a second category, and a third category based on the information on the terminal device for each of the plurality of users. The first category relates to whether the hardware device of the terminal device is a console-type device or a mobile-type device. The second category relates to whether the hardware device is a PC device, a game device, or a mobile device. The third category relates to a type of the HMD device to be used together with the hardware device.
(Item 13)
A matching system according to Item 12, in which the player candidate selection means further includes device coefficient storage means for storing the device coefficient relating to a relation between the type of the terminal device of each of the plurality of users and the type of the terminal device of the specific user. The device coefficient includes a first device coefficient for a device in the first category with respect to another device in the first category. The device coefficient includes a second device coefficient for a device in the second category with respect to another device in the second category. The device coefficient includes a third device coefficient for an HMD device in the third category with respect to another HMD device in the third category.
(Item 14)
A matching system according to Item 13, in which the player candidate selection means further includes matching evaluation value calculation means for calculating for the specific user the matching evaluation value of a first user among the plurality of users. The matching evaluation value includes an absolute value of a difference between the skill points of the specific user and the skill points of the first user. The matching evaluation value further includes a first device coefficient of the device of the first user with respect to the device of the specific user. The matching evaluation value further includes a second device coefficient of the device of the first user with respect to the device of the specific use. The matching evaluation value further includes a third device coefficient of the device of the first user with respect to the device of the specific user.
(Item 15)
A matching system according to Item 14, in which the matching evaluation value is calculated by multiplying the absolute value of the difference by each of the first device coefficient, the second device coefficient, and the third device coefficient.
(Item 16)
A matching system according to Item 15, in which the matching evaluation value is calculated by adding, when the absolute value of the difference is zero, the first device coefficient, the second device coefficient, and the third device coefficient.
(Item 17)
A matching system according to any one of Items 10 to 16, in which the player candidate selection means further includes candidate determination means for determining the first user, who has a smallest matching evaluation value, to be the player candidate.
(Item 18)
A computer system for causing a computer to function as the matching system of any one of Items 10 to 17.
At least one embodiment of this disclosure is now described in detail with reference to the drawings.
The processor 102 is configured to read out a program stored in the storage 104, to thereby execute processing in accordance with the program. When the processor 102 executes the matching program stored in the storage 104, various functions of the matching system to be described later are achieved. The processor 102 is, for example, a central processing unit (CPU).
The input/output IF 106 is configured to, for example, receive inputs for managing the matching system 100 from an operator of the matching system 100, and to generate outputs, for example, a display to the operator. Specific examples of the input/output IF 106 include a keyboard, a touchpad, a mouse, a display, and a printer.
The communication IF 108 is a network interface for communicating to and from multiple user terminal devices 120-1 to 120-n, collectively referred to a terminal device 120, via a network 110. For example, the matching system 100 is capable of transmitting and receiving the various types of data to be used in matching to and from the various types of user terminal devices connected to the network 110 through use of the communication IF 108. The network 110 may be, for example, the Internet, various types of mobile communication systems (for example, so-called 3G or 4G mobile communication system, or long term evolution (LTE)) constructed from wireless base stations (not shown), or a wireless network (for example, Wi-Fi®) capable of connecting to the Internet via a predetermined access point.
The user terminal devices 120-1 to 120-n may be, for example, a personal computer (PC), a tablet computer, a game device, and a mobile device (for example, a smartphone, a feature phone, or a personal digital assistant (PDA)). Although not shown in the drawings, each user terminal device 120 includes a processor, a memory, a storage, a communication interface (IF), and an input/output interface (IF), which are electrically connected to each other by a communication bus. Each user terminal device 120 also includes an output device, for example, a head mounted display (HMD) device (hereinafter referred to as “HMD device”). Each user terminal device 120 may further include a touch panel or another type of input device.
Next, operation of the matching system 100 illustrated in
In
In
In
Next, in Step 302, based on the information on each terminal device 120, the terminal device classification unit 212 classifies the terminal device of each user into at least three categories, namely, a large category, a small category, and an HMD device category. The large category and the small category relate to the processing capability of the HW device of the terminal device 120 of the user. Specifically, in the large category, the HW device of the terminal device is classified as a console-type or a mobile-type. A mobile-type device in the large category includes a mobile-type device which is sufficiently large that a user could not carry the mobile-type device while playing the game. Terminal devices classified as being a console-type have a higher processing capability than mobile-type terminal devices. Examples of console-type terminal devices may include desktop computers and console-type game devices. In contrast, terminal devices classified as being a mobile-type have a lower processing capability than console-type terminal devices. Examples of mobile-type terminal devices may include notebook computers, laptop computers, tablet computers, mobile-type game devices, and smartphones. The terminal devices mentioned above are merely examples, and the classification of whether a terminal device is a console-type or a mobile-type may be performed in more detail in accordance with the actual processing capability of the terminal device. In at least one embodiment, terminal device classification unit 212 classifies the terminal device 120 of each of the user based on a processing speed of the terminal device 120 regardless of the structure of the terminal device 120.
The small category, which is used in combination with the large category, is for providing a more detailed classification in accordance with the difference in processing capability of the terminal devices 120. Specifically, each terminal device is classified as a PC, a game device, or a mobile device. This enables the classification based on the large category to be supplemented.
The HMD device category is used to classify the HMD device in accordance with the processing capability of the HMD device. There are currently a plurality of devices, such as Rift, Gear, PSVR, and Vive, that are available as HMD devices to be used for virtual reality (VR) games, and those device are used as classification examples. Other HMD devices may also be included in the classifications. In the HMD device category, there is a large influence on game playability when the HMD devices are different. Therefore, to the greatest extent possible, users using the same HMD device are matched in order to reduce any positive or negative effects resulting from differences in the used HMD devices. Even when the HMD devices are the same, differences in model number or version can have an effect on game playability. In such a case, classification may be performed by also using the model number and the version of the HMD device. Similar to the HW device, in addition to the device name of the HMD device, a plurality of classifications may also be provided for the HMD device category in accordance with the processing capability of the HMD device.
In Step 304, the matching evaluation value calculation unit 216 calculates the matching evaluation value of another user for a specific user who wants to play the game. The matching evaluation value is an index for evaluating a degree of matching when a given user is matched with the other user. The index enables a difference in game playing ability between the matched users to be evaluated. Therefore, a user having a smaller matching evaluation value is more likely to become a player candidate as an opponent or a teammate, for example, because there is a smaller difference in game playing ability with the specific user.
More specifically, the matching evaluation value calculation unit 216 is configured to calculate the matching evaluation value through use of the following matching evaluation Expression 1 based on the user information received in Step 300 and the terminal device classification classified in Step 302.
Matching evaluation value=Skill point difference×Device coefficient A×Device coefficient B×Device coefficient C (1)
In Expression 1, the skill point difference is the absolute value of the difference in skill points.
A calculation example of the matching evaluation values is now described with reference to
In Expression 1, when the skill point difference is zero, the matching evaluation value is zero. Therefore, when there are users having the same skill points, the matching evaluation value is calculated based on the following Expression 2.
Matching evaluation value=Device coefficient A+Device coefficient B+Device coefficient C (2)
More specifically, the sum of the device coefficients A, B, and C is taken as the matching evaluation value.
Similarly to
Next, in Step 306, the candidate determination unit 218 determines a player candidate for a specific user based on the matching evaluation values calculated in Step 304. Specifically, the user having the smallest calculated matching evaluation value is selected as the player candidate. As shown in the example of
As at least one embodiment for calculating the matching evaluation value, the following Expression 3 may also be used.
Matching evaluation value={1+(Skill point difference/Reference skill points)}×Device coefficient A×Device coefficient B×Device coefficient C (3)
In Expression 3, the reference skill points are the skill points of the user serving as a reference for comparison. In the above-mentioned example, the reference skill points are the skill points of the user 1. Using Expression 3 allows the matching evaluation value to avoid becoming zero when the skill points of the users are the same.
In
In the player candidate selection described above, when only one player candidate is to be selected, that player candidate is determined to be the opponent or teammate to play with the user. However, when two or more users are to be selected as player candidates, those users may be presented such that the user 1 can select one of them. In that case, a plurality of users from among the users having the smallest matching evaluation values are selected as the player candidates, and the selected player candidates are transmitted to the user terminal device of the user 1 such that those player candidates are selectable. The user 1 selects one user from among the received plurality of player candidates, and that selection result is transmitted to the matching system 100. The matching system 100 responds to the transmitted selection result, and the selected player candidate may be determined to be the opponent, for example, of the user 1.
In this way, in a game that a given user wants to play, the matching system 100 is capable of selecting, as the player to play with the given user, the user having a game playing ability that is as close as possible to the user. As a result, passionate game play can be enjoyed without either user one-sidedly winning or losing.
In at least one embodiment, the three categories, namely, the large category, the small category, and the HMD device category, are used for classification of the user terminal device. However, in at least one embodiment at least one category among those three categories is omitted, or more than three categories are used by adding a different category, for example. Even when at least one category among the above-mentioned three categories is omitted, better user matching can be implemented than when only the skill level of the users is used for matching.
While a description of the matching system has been given above in accordance with at least one embodiment of this disclosure, this disclosure is not limited thereto, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of this disclosure.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2016-041031 | Mar 2016 | JP | national |