Patent ID: 7377852
Filing Date: 2008-05-27
Classification: A63F

Abstract:
1. A server, operating with a competitive game program and a virtual game player list, and being configured for use on a network supporting a competitive game service for actual game players to competitively play with one another, comprising: a system for operating one or more virtual game players, configured such that when a given actual game player of a plurality of available actual game players receives the competitive game service, and the number of the plurality of available actual game players is below a predetermined number, the system is activated to operate as one or more virtual game players selected from the virtual game player list, each virtual game player of the one or more virtual game players being provided with a different thinking routine, wherein the system is operative to operate the one or more virtual game players to competitively play with actual game players on the competitive game service; and a system for notifying the given actual game player of the availability of game players to competitively play by sending a mail message that preparation for a game is completed after connection between the server and the given actual game player is discontinued temporally even if the system for operating operates the one or more virtual game players to competitively play, the system for notifying being configured such that the one or more virtual game players appear to the plurality of available actual game players as actual game players.