Server device control method, server device, and program

Abstract

To provide a program for improving the convenience of a game, an information processing device and a control method.SOLUTION: A program determines whether a first user is associated with electronic data for a game within an effective period in the case of associating the first user with the electronic data for a game including effective period information showing the effective period to receive a start request of a game from a first terminal device of the first user, associates the first user with a reward game medium of a first value in the case that the first user is associated with the electronic data for a game within the effective period, and associates the first user with a reward game medium of a second value lower than the first value in the case that it is determined that the first user is not associated with the electronic data for a game within the effective period, and the first value is determined according to a progress of a game when the electronic data for a game is associated with the first user.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a control method for a server device, a server device, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a login bonus, there is a game in which the level data of a player who logs in to a game is increased by a predetermined number when the number of logins reaches a predetermined value (for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the above game, the login bonus is controlled by the game operation side and has the same content for each user, so there is no special feeling for each user. For this reason, in the above game, the user cannot actively increase the value of the login bonus given to himself / herself, and the continuation rate of the game may decrease.

[0005] In view of such circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a control method, a server device, and a program capable of improving the continuation rate of a game.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In one aspect, in a server device that provides a game to a terminal device, according to the progress of the game, First User a step of associating with game electronic data including expiration date information indicating an expiration date, The steps include associating a second user with electronic game data including validity period information indicating the validity period, in accordance with the progress of the game, a first terminal device The above operatingFirst user and Regarding the first user If the electronic data for the game within the validity period is associated with the first user and the reward game medium of the first value, the first user and Regarding the first user If the electronic data for the game within the validity period is not associated with the first user, the step of associating the first user with a reward game medium of a second value lower than the first value, Terminal 2 The above operating Second user and Regarding the second user If the electronic data for the game within the validity period is associated with the second user, the reward game medium of the third value is associated with the second user and Regarding the second user A method for controlling a server device is provided, which involves performing the step of associating the second user with a fourth reward game medium having a value lower than the third value if the electronic game data within the validity period has not been associated with the second user. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the control method, server device, and program of one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to improve the game's continuation rate. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a functional block diagram of a server device, a first terminal device, and a second terminal device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This diagram shows the structure of the acquired reward game media database. [Figure 3] This image shows the selection screen for game media with an expiration date. [Figure 4] This diagram shows the structure of the acquired game media database with valid expiration dates. [Figure 5] This is a diagram showing the image after obtaining a game media with an expiration date. [Figure 6] This diagram shows the structure of the group database. [Figure 7] This is a sequence diagram showing the mapping of reward game media. [Figure 8] This is a sequence diagram showing a continuation of Figure 7, and is a sequence diagram of gameplay. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The following describes one embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] Figure 1 shows a first terminal device 1, a second terminal device 2, and a server device 3 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The first terminal device 1, the second terminal device 2, and the server device 3 can communicate with each other via a network. The number of the first terminal device 1, the second terminal device 2, and the server device 3 is not limited. The first terminal device 1 and the second terminal device 2 may be portable terminals or stationary terminals.

[0011] This document outlines the system including the first terminal device 1, the second terminal device 2, and the server device 3. The server device 3 provides games to the first terminal device 1 and the second terminal device 2. A game refers to battles, quests, missions, etc., provided by the server device 3. Game media refers to electronic data used in the game, including, for example, cards, items, characters, avatars, in-game virtual currency, etc. Game media is electronic data that can be acquired, held, used, managed, exchanged, synthesized, strengthened, sold, discarded, and / or gifted by the user within the game as the game progresses, but the manner in which game media are used is not limited to those explicitly stated herein. The status information unique to game media includes combat power such as the game media's attack power and defense power, combat means such as the game media's attack means and defense means, the game media's cost, the game media's skill information, information about the game media's avatar, the game media's attributes, and an indicator showing the game media's rarity (scarcity).

[0012] The user can change the status information of the game medium through battles (battles with other users or battles with characters operated by the game system) or quests, etc. For example, the user can enhance parameters such as the attack power, defense power, and skills of the game medium by synthesizing the game medium obtained in a predetermined battle or quest with the game medium already possessed. Also, the user can enhance the parameters such as the attack power, defense power, and skills of the game medium by the rewards (such as experience points, etc.) that can be obtained in a predetermined battle or quest.

[0013] Also, the user acquires items as electronic data of items used in the game. The user may change the status information of the game medium using the items. For example, the user uses the items to enhance parameters such as the attack power, defense power, and skills of the game medium.

[0014] The server device 3 may, for example, implement a battle event with a predetermined enemy character, other users, and / or a group of other users at a predetermined time every day. For example, a plurality of users participate in the battle for the purpose of defeating a raid boss, belonging to a group determined by the user's selection or the game system's selection. Also, a plurality of users may belong to a group determined by the user's selection or the server device 3's selection and battle with each other between groups.

[0015] Hereinafter, the functions of the first terminal device 1, the second terminal device 2, and the server device 3 will be described with reference to the block diagrams shown in FIG. 1. It should be noted that the functions of the first terminal device 1, the second terminal device 2, and the server device 3 according to an embodiment of the present invention are described, but it is not intended to exclude other functions they may have.

[0016] The first terminal device 1 has a first control unit 11, a communication unit 12, a display unit 13, and an input detection unit 14.

[0017] The first control unit 11 is a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that controls various operations of the first terminal device 1. For example, the first control unit 11 transmits operation information indicating how the user operated the device to the server device 3 via the communication unit 12. The first control unit 11 also receives a game start request from the first user via the input detection unit 14, for example, and transmits the start request to the server device 3.

[0018] The communication unit 12 is an interface for sending and receiving information with the server device 3. The communication unit 12 communicates by at least one of wired or wireless means.

[0019] The display unit 13 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or an inorganic EL display. The display unit 13 may be connected and used from outside the first terminal device 1. The display unit 13 displays, for example, display information received from the server device 3.

[0020] The input detection unit 14 is any input device, including a mechanical push button or a touch sensor. The input detection unit 14 detects input operations by the first user. Input operations include operations such as pressing, touching, tapping, contacting, and proximity.

[0021] The second terminal device 2 includes a second control unit 21, a communication unit 22, a display unit 23, and an input detection unit 24. The explanation of the functional block diagram of the second terminal device 2 is the same as the explanation of the functional block diagram of the first terminal device 1, so the explanation is omitted.

[0022] The server device 3 includes a server control unit 31, a storage unit 32, and a communication unit 33.

[0023] The server control unit 31 is a processor such as a CPU that controls various operations of the server device 3. In response to a request from the first terminal device 1 to acquire a game medium with an expiration period, the server control unit 31 associates the first user of the first terminal device 1 with the game medium with an expiration period and stores it in the acquired game medium with expiration period DB 32b (this also means that the first user owns the game medium with an expiration period). Furthermore, when the server control unit 31 receives a request to start a game from the first terminal device 1 within a predetermined period (1 day in this embodiment) that is shorter than the expiration period (30 days in this embodiment, but it may be 7 days or 1 year), it associates the first user with the reward game medium and stores it in the acquired reward game medium DB 32a once (only the first time) within that predetermined period. Even if the server control unit 31 receives start requests two or more times within the predetermined period, it associates the reward game medium with the first user only once.

[0024] In this embodiment, for example, the validity period (30 days) is divided into 30 equal parts along the time axis, and each of the divided days is a predetermined period (1 day). In other words, one validity period contains 30 predetermined periods. Alternatively, a specific time period (18:00 to 22:00) on each day within the validity period (30 days) may be a predetermined period.

[0025] Furthermore, the reward game media associated with the first user, who is associated with a game media with an expiration date, by the server control unit 31 is of higher value than when the first user is not associated with a game media with an expiration date within that expiration period. Details will be described later.

[0026] The storage unit 32 is, for example, a semiconductor memory, a magnetic memory, etc., and stores various DBs and programs for operating the server device 3, and also functions as a work memory. The storage unit 32 has a DB 32a of acquired reward game media, a DB 32b of acquired game media with expiration dates, and a DB 32c of group media. The DB 32a of acquired reward game media stores user IDs in association with acquired reward game media and their value. The DB 32b of acquired game media with expiration dates stores user IDs in association with acquired game media with expiration dates and their expiration dates. The DB 32c of group media stores group IDs in association with user IDs. Each DB of the storage unit 32 may be located outside the server device 3.

[0027] The communication unit 33 is an interface for sending and receiving information with the first terminal device 1 or the second terminal device 2. The communication unit 33 communicates by at least one of wired or wireless means.

[0028] The control method according to this embodiment will be described in detail below.

[0029] Upon user input, the first terminal device 1, operated by the first user, accesses the server device 3 to request the start of the game (login request).

[0030] Upon receiving the start request, the server control unit 31 of the server device 3 grants the first user a reward game medium (login bonus) as a reward for the first user making the start request. That is, as shown in the acquired reward game medium DB32a in Figure 2, the first user is associated with reward game medium G010. The value of the reward game medium at this time is V2. Alternatively, the server control unit 31 may request an ID and password along with the game start request, and grant the first user a reward game medium when they match.

[0031] In this embodiment, the value of the reward game medium is represented by V1 to V5, and the magnitude of the values ​​is as follows.

[0032] V1 <V2<V3<V4<V5 In other words, the larger the number following V, the higher the value. A higher value for a reward game medium means, for example, that the number of reward game mediums that can be associated with the user after the start request increases.

[0033] After logging in, the first user can obtain a game medium with an expiration date within the game. When the first terminal device 1 requests the screen for obtaining the game medium with an expiration date, the server control unit 31 transmits the acquisition screen shown in Figure 3.

[0034] As shown in Figure 3, the first user can acquire (purchase) multiple types of game media with expiration dates. That is, the first user operating the first terminal device 1 can acquire game media with expiration dates by paying a price (in-game virtual currency, owned game media, etc.). Alternatively, game media with expiration dates may be acquired according to in-game progress. For example, game media with expiration dates may become available upon completion of the tutorial, or upon clearing a predetermined stage that appears after the tutorial is completed. Furthermore, the value of the game media with expiration dates that becomes available upon clearing a predetermined stage may be higher than the game media with expiration dates that becomes available upon completion of the tutorial.

[0035] The server control unit 31 may store in the storage unit 32 game media with validity periods obtained through payment in a way that allows them to be distinguished from game media with validity periods that are not obtained free of charge (for example, using a flag).

[0036] As shown in Figure 3, the more the first user pays for acquisition, the higher the value of the associated reward game medium may be. For example, suppose that when 120 coins of in-game virtual currency are paid as consideration, 5 reward game mediums are associated. Also, suppose that when 2000 coins of in-game virtual currency are paid as consideration, 150 reward game mediums are associated. In this case, when 3000 coins of in-game virtual currency are paid, 150 reward game mediums may be associated with the first user at the time of purchase, and 5 reward game mediums may be associated with the first user each time an initiation request is sent (however, only once within a predetermined period).

[0037] When the server control unit 31 receives an acquisition request from the first terminal device 1, it associates the first user of the first terminal device 1 with the acquired game media with an expiration date and stores it in the acquired game media DB 32b shown in Figure 4.

[0038] After acquisition, the server control unit 31 transmits the acquisition completion image shown in Figure 5 to the first terminal device 1, and the display unit 13 of the first terminal device 1 displays the acquisition completion image. As shown in Figure 5, the display unit 23 displays the acquired game medium with an expiration date and its expiration date. Even after acquisition is complete, the server control unit 31 can notify the first terminal device 1 of the expiration date periodically (for example, when each start request is received) or irregularly. At this time, the display unit 13 of the first terminal device 1 can display the notification regardless of whether the first terminal device 1 has started the game (launched the game application) or not.

[0039] The first user continues to play the game and ends play at any time. Afterwards (for example, the next day or later), the first user sends a start request using the first terminal device 1 to play the game again. That is, in response to the first user's actions, the first terminal device 1 sends a game start request to the server device 3.

[0040] Upon receiving the start request, the server control unit 31 of the server device 3 refers to the acquired game media DB 32b with validity periods to determine whether there are any game media with validity periods associated with the first user that are currently within their validity period. If there are game media with validity periods associated with the first user and the current time is within their validity period, the server control unit 31 determines the value of the reward game media.

[0041] The value of the reward game media associated with a first user who is associated with a game media with a validity period is higher than when the first user is not associated with a game media with a validity period within that period. That is, if the value of the reward associated with the first user before acquiring the game media with a validity period is V2, then the value of the reward associated with the first user within the validity period of the game media will be V3, V4, or V5. In other words, for example, the number of reward game media associated with the first user will increase. The method for determining the value is as follows, for example.

[0042] As the first method of determination, when the server control unit 31 receives a request from the first terminal device 1 to associate the first user with a game medium with an expiration date within a predetermined period, the value is higher than when the request to associate the first user with a game medium with an expiration date is received outside of the predetermined period. For example, when the server control unit 31 receives such a request within the predetermined period (within the expiration period and during periods when no events are being held, such as weekday mornings, when the overall number of game start requests decreases), the server control unit 31 increases the value of the reward game medium it associates with the first user compared to when the request is received outside of the predetermined period. In this way, it is possible to increase the number of users playing the game during periods when the number of users playing the game was previously low.

[0043] A second method of determination is that the value of the reward game medium associated with the first user within the validity period may increase as the end of the validity period approaches. For example, the value of the reward game medium associated with the first user by the start request could be V2 from day 1 to day 20, V3 from day 21 to day 25, and V5 from day 26 to day 30. This can improve the user retention rate of the game.

[0044] When the value is determined using the above-mentioned determination method, the server control unit 31 associates the first user with the reward game medium and stores it in the acquired reward game medium DB 32a shown in Figure 2. At this time, the display unit 13 of the first terminal device 1 displays that the reward game medium has been acquired.

[0045] In this embodiment, the server control unit 31 can, upon request, associate multiple users with a single group (e.g., guild, team, friend) and allow those multiple users to share a game medium with an expiration date. For example, the server control unit 31 stores in the group DB 32c shown in Figure 6 that the first user operating the first terminal device 1 and the second user operating the second terminal device 2 are associated with a single group. When the server control unit 31 receives a game start request from the second terminal device 2, it determines in the acquired game medium with expiration date DB 32b whether the second user is associated with a game medium with an expiration date that is still valid. Even if the second user is not associated, if the first user in the same group as the second user is associated with a game medium with an expiration date that is still valid, the server control unit 31 may increase the value of the reward game medium associated with the second user as compensation for the second user making the game start request. In this way, even if the second user does not own a game medium with an expiration date, they can still obtain the benefits of the game medium with an expiration date if the first user in the same group owns one, thus increasing the advantages of joining a group. As an alternative, the server control unit 31 may associate high-value reward game tokens with both the first and second users. In this way, even if there are users in the group who cannot log in, if any user in the group logs in, the effect of the time-limited game tokens will be given to the entire group, thus fostering a sense of mutual assistance within the group and stimulating communication. As another alternative, the server control unit 31 may increase the value of the associated reward game tokens as the number of terminals that send game start requests or the rate of sending start requests within a group increases. The server control unit 31 may also limit the number of users that can be associated with a group. In this way, if more users log in within the group, they will be able to obtain higher-value reward game tokens, thus creating communication within the group to encourage logins.

[0046] When the server control unit 31 detects that the first user has met predetermined conditions in the game within the validity period, it may extend the validity period of the game medium with a validity period associated with the first user. In this case, the server control unit 31 may extend the validity period stored in the acquired game medium DB 32b to a longer duration, depending on the difficulty of the predetermined conditions. The predetermined conditions are conditions related to game progress, such as clearing a stage, acquiring a predetermined item, purchasing a predetermined number of items, interacting with other users a predetermined number of times (sending messages or points), defeating enemies with predetermined attributes, defeating predetermined enemies, defeating a predetermined number of enemies, defeating enemies using predetermined cards, etc. As an alternative, when the server control unit 31 detects that the first user has met predetermined conditions in the game within the validity period, it may lower the acquisition cost of the additional game medium with a validity period described later. In this way, user activity in the game can be stimulated.

[0047] The server control unit 31 may notify the first terminal device 1 to send a start request if the number of times the first user has associated a reward game medium within the validity period is less than a predetermined value. The number of times the first user can associate a reward game medium within the predetermined period is one. For example, if the predetermined period is 1 day and the validity period is 30 days, there are 30 predetermined periods within the validity period (i.e., day 1, day 2, ... day 30), so the first user has 30 opportunities to associate a reward game medium within the validity period. Therefore, the server control unit 31 notifies the first terminal device 1 to send a start request to the server device 3 if the number of times the first user has associated a reward game medium is less than, for example, 5 times. In this way, users who have not been able to utilize the game medium with a validity period are notified of this, which encourages users to return to the game and improves the retention rate.

[0048] The first terminal device 1 and the second terminal device 2, operated by the first and second users respectively, who are associated with the same group, can notify each other to send a game start request to the server device 3. This function is useful, for example, when the first user cannot send a start request due to other commitments, or when they want to increase the value of the reward game medium associated with them by having not only themselves but also the second user send a start request. In this case, the server control unit 31 notifies the second terminal device 2 that it should send a start request to the server device 3 in response to a request from the first terminal device 1.

[0049] When the server control unit 31 receives start requests from the first terminal device 1 and the second terminal device 2 in a predetermined order at predetermined intervals within the validity period, it may associate the first user and the second user with the reward game medium. For example, attributes are associated with the game medium with a validity period that is associated with the first terminal device 1 or the second terminal device 2, with attributes A001 to A007 assigned to Sunday through Saturday, respectively. Within the same group, the terminal devices of users associated with the attributes of each day of the week take turns sending game start requests, such as the terminal device of the user associated with attribute A001 on Sunday, the terminal device of the user associated with attribute A002 on Monday, and so on. When such transmissions continue for a predetermined period (for example, one week), the server control unit 31 may associate another reward game medium with all users associated with the same group, or only with the users of the terminal devices that sent the game start requests. By doing so, roles and responsibilities are given to the users within the group, thereby increasing the sense of solidarity among the users within the group.

[0050] The server control unit 31 may periodically or irregularly refer to the acquired game media DB 32b with expiration dates to determine whether the current time is before the end of the expiration period by a reference time, and if so, notify the first terminal device 1 of the expiration period. For example, the server control unit 31 may determine whether the current time is 3 days, 2 days, or 1 day before the end of the expiration period, and if so, notify the first terminal device 1 of the expiration period and notify it that the expiration period is approaching. Alternatively, the server control unit 31 may notify the remaining time until the end of the expiration period instead of the expiration period.

[0051] When the server control unit 31 receives a request from the first terminal device 1, either in response to the notification or voluntarily, to associate an additional game medium with the first user within the validity period of an already acquired game medium (i.e., an acquisition request), the server control unit 31 may set the value of the reward game medium associated with the first user within the validity period of the additional game medium higher than the value of the reward game medium associated with the first user within the validity period of the already acquired game medium. For example, suppose the validity period of the already acquired game medium is from November 1, 2015 to November 30, 2015, and the validity period of the additional game medium is from December 1, 2015 to December 30, 2015, which is consecutive to that. If the value of the reward game media associated between November 1, 2015 and November 30, 2015 is V2, the server control unit 31 may set the value of the reward game media associated between December 1, 2015 and December 30, 2015 to V3 (for example, the number of reward game media increases from 5 to 10). By doing so, the game retention rate can be further improved by encouraging users to acquire additional game media with validity periods. As an alternative, when the value of the reward game media associated between November 1, 2015 and November 30, 2015 fluctuates as described above (for example, when the value of the reward game media increases as the end of the validity period approaches), the value of the reward game media associated between December 1, 2015 and December 30, 2015 may always exceed the maximum value at the time of the fluctuation.

[0052] As mentioned above, additional game media with validity periods can be obtained, but it is impossible to associate multiple game media with validity periods that overlap at least partially with the same user. In other words, the server control unit 31 may refuse the acquisition request if the validity period of the additional game media with a validity period that has been requested overlaps at least partially with the validity period of a game media with a validity period that has already been acquired.

[0053] In the above embodiment, an increase in the value of the reward game medium means that the number of reward game mediums that can be associated with the user increases. However, as an alternative example, an increase in the value of the reward game medium may mean that the in-game parameters of the reward game medium become more favorable. Favorable in-game parameters include, for example, the following: • The rarity (value) of the reward game item increases (therefore, you can progress through the game more advantageously). • Stamina recovery time is reduced (allowing you to play the game more). • Synthesis effect is doubled (therefore, you can grow stronger cards in a shorter amount of time). • The selling price of cards is doubled (therefore, you can obtain a lot of in-game currency needed to upgrade your cards). • User icon frames become more elaborate (allowing users to show off and boast about their status to other users). • The probability of obtaining rare items in gacha is increased (therefore, item collection can be done more efficiently). • The appearance time for the daily dungeons will be extended (therefore, even if a user was unable to participate in a daily dungeon, they will have another opportunity to challenge that dungeon). • Postcards (images used for posting on social networking services) awarded upon clearing a stage become more elaborate (allowing you to showcase your status to other users). Figure 7 is a sequence diagram relating to the mapping of reward game media.

[0054] The first terminal device 1 sends a game start request to the server device 3 based on an operation by the first user (step S1). As a reward for sending the start request, the server control unit 31 stores the reward game medium in the acquired reward game medium DB 32a, associating it with the first user (step S2). After the game starts, the first control unit 11 sends a request to acquire a game medium with an expiration date based on an operation by the first user (step S3). Upon receiving the acquisition request, the server control unit 31 stores the game medium with an expiration date in the acquired game medium with an expiration date DB 32b, associating it with the first user (step S4). The server control unit 31 determines whether the game has ended or not (step S5). Specifically, the server control unit 31 determines that the game has ended based on whether a logout operation is performed, whether there is no operation for a predetermined period of time, whether the browser is closed, etc. If the answer in step S5 is Yes, the server control unit 31 moves to step S6, and if the answer in step S5 is No, the server control unit 31 repeats step S5.

[0055] After the game ends, the first user sends a start request using the first control unit 11 to play the game again (step S6). Upon receiving this start request, the server control unit 31 determines whether or not it is the first start request within a predetermined period (step S7). If the answer in step S7 is No, the server control unit 31 executes step S21 shown in Figure 8.

[0056] If the answer in step S7 is Yes, the server control unit 31 refers to the acquired validity period game media DB 32b and determines whether the first user is associated with a validity period game media that is within its validity period (step S8). If the answer in step S8 is Yes, the server control unit 31 determines the value of the reward game media to associate with the first user (step S9). For example, the value is high when the start request is within a predetermined period, or when the start request is close to the end of the end period. Next, the server control unit 31 associates the reward game media of the determined value with the first user and stores it in the acquired reward game media DB 32a (step S10).

[0057] If the answer to step S8 is No, the server control unit 31 refers to the acquired game media DB 32b and group DB 32c to determine whether the game media with an expiration date associated with another user in the same group (e.g., the second user) is still within its expiration period (step S11). If the answer to step S11 is Yes, the server control unit 31 executes step S9. If the answer to step S11 is No, the server control unit 31 determines the value of the reward game media to associate with the first user (step S12), associates the reward game media of the determined value with the first user, and stores it in the acquired reward game media DB 32a (step S13). The value determined by the server control unit 31 in step S12 is the value of the reward game media that would be associated when the first user is not associated with a game media with an expiration date, and is lower than the value of the reward game media that is associated in step S10. Step S11 is not mandatory. If the server control unit 31 does not execute step S11, then if the answer to step S8 is No, the server control unit 31 executes step S12.

[0058] Figure 8 is a sequence diagram that continues from Figure 7, and is a sequence diagram of gameplay.

[0059] During the game, the first control unit 11 transmits game play information to the server device 3 (step S21). Based on the play information, the server control unit 31 determines whether the first user has met predetermined conditions in the game (step S22). The predetermined conditions are conditions related to the progress of the game, etc. If the answer in step S22 is Yes, the server control unit 31 refers to the acquired game media DB 32b with validity period and extends the validity period of the game media with validity period associated with the first user (step S23). If the answer in step S22 is No, the server control unit 31 executes step S24.

[0060] The server control unit 31 determines whether the number of times the first user has associated the reward game medium with a predetermined value within the validity period is less than a predetermined value (step S24). If the answer in step S24 is Yes, the server control unit 31 notifies the first terminal device 1 that it should send a start request (step S25).

[0061] The server control unit 31 determines whether it has received game start requests from the first terminal device 1 and the second terminal device 2 in a predetermined order (step S26). If the answer in step S26 is Yes, the server control unit 31 stores the first user and the second user in association with the reward game medium in the acquired reward game medium DB 32a (step S27). If the answer in step S26 is No, the server control unit 31 executes step S28.

[0062] The server control unit 31 determines whether the current time is before the end of the validity period by a reference time (step S28). If the answer in step S28 is Yes, the server control unit 31 notifies the validity period (step S29). If the answer in step S28 is No, the server control unit 31 proceeds to step S30.

[0063] When the server control unit 31 receives a request from the first terminal device 1 to acquire an additional game medium with an expiration period (step S30), it determines whether the expiration period of the additional game medium with an expiration period overlaps with the expiration period of the game medium with an expiration period currently associated with the first user (step S31). If the answer in step S31 is No, the server control unit 31 associates the additional game medium with an expiration period with the first user and stores it in the acquired game medium with an expiration period DB 32b (step S32). If the answer in step S31 is Yes, the server control unit 31 proceeds to step S33.

[0064] The first terminal device 1 determines whether the game has ended or not (step S33). If the answer in step S33 is Yes, the server control unit 31 determines whether it has received a game start request (step S34). If the answer in step S33 is No, the server control unit 31 proceeds to step S21.

[0065] If the answer to step S34 is Yes, the server control unit 31 executes step S7. If the answer to step S34 is No, the server control unit 31 repeats step S34.

[0066] According to this embodiment, the server control unit 31 associates the first user of the first terminal device 1 with a game medium with an expiration date in response to a request from the first terminal device 1. When the server control unit 31 receives a request to start a game from the first terminal device 1 within a predetermined period shorter than the expiration date, it associates the first user with a reward game medium once within that predetermined period. Furthermore, the reward game medium associated with the first user who is associated with a game medium with an expiration date is of higher value than when the first user is not associated with a game medium with an expiration date within that period. In other words, although a reward game medium is associated only once within a predetermined period, if the first user starts a game within each predetermined period, a reward game medium of higher value will be associated with the first user. Therefore, the first user will have an incentive to start the game multiple times over the expiration period, thereby improving the game retention rate.

[0067] According to this embodiment, if the number of times the first user has associated the reward game medium with a predetermined value within the validity period, the server control unit 31 notifies the first terminal device 1 to send a start request. This allows users who have forgotten to send a start request to be prompted to do so.

[0068] According to this embodiment, the value increases as the end of the validity period approaches. Therefore, the first user is motivated to start the game as the end of the validity period approaches, thereby preventing the first user from only playing the game immediately after the start of the validity period.

[0069] According to this embodiment, the server control unit 31 notifies the first terminal device 1 of the expiration period when the current time is before the end of the expiration period by a reference time. As a result, the first user can know that the expiration period will soon end, and this can create an incentive for the first user to acquire additional game media with an expiration period.

[0070] According to this embodiment, the server control unit 31 receives a request from the first terminal device 1 to associate an additional game medium with a valid period with the first user within the valid period. After receiving the request, the server control unit 31 sets the value of the reward game medium associated with the first user within the valid period of the additional game medium with a valid period to be higher than the value of the reward game medium associated with the first user within the valid period of the game medium with a valid period. This creates an incentive to acquire the next game medium with a valid period within the valid period of the acquired game medium with a valid period, thereby stimulating the desire to acquire game mediums with valid periods.

[0071] According to this embodiment, it is impossible to associate multiple game media with validity periods that overlap at least partially with the same user. Therefore, instead of acquiring multiple game media with validity periods that overlap in the short term, it is possible to create an incentive for users to acquire game media with validity periods one at a time over a long period, thereby ensuring the retention of the first user over a long period.

[0072] According to this embodiment, when the first user fulfills predetermined conditions in the game within the validity period, the server control unit 31 extends the validity period. This provides the first user with an incentive to play the game more actively.

[0073] According to this embodiment, the first user is associated with the second user in the same group. This facilitates interaction between users.

[0074] According to this embodiment, when the server control unit 31 receives a game start request from the second terminal device 2 of a second user who is not associated with a game medium with an expiration date, it stores the second user and the reward game medium in association, and the reward game medium associated is higher than when the second user is not associated with a game medium with an expiration date. Therefore, even if the second user is not associated with a game medium with an expiration date, they can obtain a high-value reward game medium by starting the game, thus creating an incentive for the second user to start the game and thereby improving the second user's game retention rate.

[0075] According to this embodiment, the first terminal device 1 and the second terminal device 2 can notify each other to send a game start request to the server device 3. Therefore, even if the first user operating the first terminal device 1 is unable to play the game for any reason, they can request the second user operating the second terminal device 2 to play the game, thereby improving the game continuation rate of the second user operating the second terminal device 2.

[0076] According to this embodiment, when the server control unit 31 receives start requests from the first terminal device 1 and the second terminal device 2 in a predetermined order at predetermined intervals within the validity period, it associates the first user and the second user with the reward game medium. This promotes cooperation between the first user and the second user, revitalizes interaction between users, and improves the game continuation rate for both the first and second users.

[0077] According to this embodiment, when the server control unit 31 receives a request from the first terminal device 1 to associate the first user with a game medium with an expiration date within a predetermined period, the value is even higher than when the request to associate the first user with a game medium with an expiration date is received outside of the predetermined period. Therefore, the first user is motivated to acquire the game medium with an expiration date within the predetermined period, thereby improving the game retention rate.

[0078] As in the above embodiment, when the server device 3 is connected to the first terminal device 1 (and the second terminal device 2) via a network, the game progress screen can be a web display screen displayed by the first terminal device 1 based on data generated by the server device 3. In this case, the game according to the above embodiment of the present invention can be made into a hybrid game in which the server device 3 and the first terminal device 1 each handle part of the processing, for example, by making other menu screens etc. native displays that are displayed by native applications installed on the first terminal device 1. Alternatively, the game according to the above embodiment can be made into a native game by having a native application installed on the first terminal device 1 execute part or all of the processing performed by the server device 3. For example, the native application may perform the processing that the server control unit 31 performs in the above embodiment (for example, processing to extend the validity period if the first user meets predetermined conditions in the game, processing to notify if the current time is before a reference time from the end of the validity period, etc.).

[0079] If at least one of the server control unit 31 or the first control unit 11 (the same applies to the second control unit 21) according to these embodiments is configured as a computer, a program describing the processing content that realizes each function can be stored in the internal or external storage of the computer, and this program can be read and executed by the central processing unit (CPU) of the computer. Furthermore, such a program can be distributed, for example, by selling, transferring, or lending portable recording media such as DVDs or CD-ROMs, or such a program can be stored, for example, in the storage of a server on a network. The program can then be distributed by transferring it from a server to another computer via a network. Furthermore, a computer executing such a program can, for example, store the program recorded on a portable storage medium or the program transferred from the server in its own memory. Another embodiment of this program is that the computer directly reads the program from the portable storage medium and executes the processing according to that program, or it may sequentially execute the processing according to the received program each time a program is transferred to it from the server.

[0080] The present invention has been described based on various drawings and embodiments, but it should be noted that those skilled in the art will find it easy to make various modifications and alterations based on this disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and alterations are within the scope of the present invention. For example, the functions included in each functional part, each step, etc., can be rearranged in a logically consistent manner, and multiple functional parts or steps, etc., can be combined into one or divided. The present invention is described below. The most The invention described in the original claims of the application is added.

[0081] [Note 1] A method for controlling a server device that provides games to a first terminal device, The steps include: associating the first user of the first terminal device with a game medium with an expiration date, in response to a request from the first terminal device; When a request to start the game is received from the first terminal device within a predetermined period shorter than the aforementioned validity period, the first user and the reward game medium are associated once within the predetermined period. It has, A control method wherein the reward game medium associated with the first user, who is associated with the game medium with an expiration date, has a higher value than when the first user is not associated with the game medium with an expiration date within the expiration date. [Note 2] In the control method described in Appendix 1, A control method further comprising the step of notifying the first terminal device that it should send the start request if the number of times the first user has associated with the reward game medium within the validity period is less than a predetermined value. [Note 3] In the control method described in Appendix 1 or 2, A control method wherein the value increases as the end of the effective period approaches. [Note 4] In the control method described in any one of the appendices 1 to 3, A control method further comprising the step of notifying the first terminal device of the validity period when the current time is before a reference time from the end of the validity period. [Note 5] In the control method described in any one of the appendices 1 to 4, A control method that, when a request is received from the first terminal device within the validity period to associate an additional validity period game medium with the first user, further comprises the step of making the value of the reward game medium associated with the first user within the validity period of the additional validity period game medium higher than the value of the reward game medium associated with the first user within the validity period of the validity period game medium. [Note 6] In the control method described in any one of the appendices 1 to 5, A control method that makes it impossible to associate multiple game media with validity periods that overlap at least partially with the same user. [Note 7] In the control method described in any one of the appendices 1 to 6, A control method further comprising the step of extending the validity period if the first user fulfills predetermined conditions in the game within the validity period. [Note 8] In the control method described in any one of the appendices 1 to 7, A control method in which the first user is associated with a group together with the second user. [Note 9] In the control method described in Appendix 8, A control method that, when a request to start the game is received from the second terminal device of the second user which is not associated with a game medium with an expiration date, further comprises the step of associating and storing the second user with a reward game medium, wherein the associated reward game medium is higher than when the second user is not associated with the game medium with an expiration date. [Note 10] In the control method described in Appendix 8 or 9, A control method in which the first terminal device and the second terminal device can notify each other to send a game start request to the server device. [Note 11] In the control method described in any one of the appendices 8 to 10, A control method further comprising the step of associating the first user and the second user with a reward game medium when the start requests are received from the first terminal device and the second terminal device in a predetermined order at each predetermined period within the validity period. [Note 12] In the control method described in any one of the appendices 1 to 11, A control method wherein, when a request is received from the first terminal device to associate the first user with a game medium with an expiration date within a predetermined period, the value is higher than when a request is received to associate the first user with a game medium with an expiration date outside of the predetermined period. [Note 13] A server device that provides games to the first terminal device, In response to a request from the first terminal device, the first user of the first terminal device is associated with a game medium with an expiration date. When a request to start the game is received from the first terminal device within a predetermined period shorter than the aforementioned validity period, the first user and the reward game medium are associated once within the predetermined period. It has a server control unit, A server device in which the reward game medium associated with the first user, who is associated with the game medium with an expiration date, has a higher value than when the first user is not associated with the game medium with an expiration date within the expiration date. [Note 14] To the computer that provides the game to the first terminal device, The steps include: associating the first user of the first terminal device with a game medium with an expiration date, in response to a request from the first terminal device; When a request to start the game is received from the first terminal device within a predetermined period shorter than the aforementioned validity period, the first user and the reward game medium are associated once within the predetermined period. Make it run, A program in which the reward game medium associated with the first user, which is associated with the game medium with an expiration date, is of higher value than when the first user is not associated with the game medium with an expiration date within the expiration date. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0082] 1. First terminal device 11 First Control Unit 12 Communications Department 13 Display section 14 Input detection unit 2. Second Terminal Device 21 Second Control Unit 22 Communications Department 23 Display section 24 Input detection unit 3 Server equipment 31 Server Control Unit 32 Storage section 32a Acquired Reward Game Media Database 32b Database of acquired game media with validity period 32c Group DB 33 Communications Department

Claims

1. The server device A first means for receiving a game start request transmitted from a terminal device, In response to the receipt of the aforementioned game start request, If a game medium with a valid period is associated with the user of the terminal device or another user belonging to the same group as the user, the first reward game medium is granted to the user. A program that functions as a second means for granting a second reward game medium of lower value than the first reward game medium to a user if neither the user of the terminal device nor any other user belonging to the same group as the user has a valid game medium with an expiration date that is within its validity period.

2. The program according to claim 1, wherein the second means grants the first reward game medium to the user of the terminal device or another user belonging to the same group as the user, if a game medium with an expiration date within its validity period is associated with that user.

3. The program according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the server device functions as a third means for associating the user of the terminal device with the game medium with an expiration date, according to the progress of the game.

4. A first means for receiving a game start request transmitted from a terminal device, In response to the receipt of the aforementioned game start request, If a game medium with a valid period is associated with the user of the terminal device or another user belonging to the same group as the user, the first reward game medium is granted to the user. A server device comprising: a second means for granting a second reward game medium of lower value than the first reward game medium to a user if neither the user of the terminal device nor any other user belonging to the same group as the user has associated a game medium with an expiration date that is within its validity period.

5. The first means includes the first step of receiving a game start request transmitted from a terminal device, The second means, in response to receiving the game start request, If a game medium with a valid period is associated with the user of the terminal device or another user belonging to the same group as the user, the first reward game medium is granted to the user. A game control method comprising: a second step of granting a second reward game medium of lower value than the first reward game medium to the user if neither the user of the terminal device nor any other user belonging to the same group as the user has associated a game medium with an expiration date that is within its validity period.

6. The terminal device, A fourth means for sending a game start request to the server device, In response to the transmission of the aforementioned game start request, If a game medium with a valid expiration date is associated with the user of the terminal device or another user belonging to the same group as the user, the user acquires the first reward game medium. A program that functions as a fifth means for the user of the terminal device and other users belonging to the same group as the user to acquire a second reward game medium of lower value than the first reward game medium if neither of them has a valid game medium with an expiration date within the expiration period.

7. A terminal device, A fourth means for sending a game start request to the server device, In response to the transmission of the aforementioned game start request, If a game medium with a valid expiration date is associated with the user of the terminal device or another user belonging to the same group as the user, the user acquires the first reward game medium. A terminal device comprising: a fifth means for the user to acquire a second reward game medium of lower value than the first reward game medium if neither the user of the terminal device nor any other user belonging to the same group as the user has associated a game medium with an expiration date that is within its validity period.

8. The terminal device, Send a game start request to the server device. In response to the transmission of the aforementioned game start request, If a game medium with a valid expiration date is associated with the user of the terminal device or another user belonging to the same group as the user, the user acquires the first reward game medium. A game control method in which, if neither the user of the terminal device nor any other user belonging to the same group as the user has associated a game medium with an expiration date that is within its validity period, the user acquires a second reward game medium that is of lower value than the first reward game medium.

Images