Game system, control method of game system, and program

Abstract

To eliminate the need for going to a specific place when multiple users play a game using a common lottery result.SOLUTION: A game system 1 provides a user U-1 who operates a terminal device 20-1 and a user U-2 who operates a terminal device 20-2 with a game via a network. The game system determines a common lottery result for the terminal devices 20-1 and 20-2, determines a reward to the user U-1 on the basis of the common lottery result, and the amount of consumption of a value medium that the user U-1 designates to the terminal device 20-1, and determines a reward to the user U-2 on the basis of the common lottery result, and the amount of consumption of a value medium that the user U-2 designates to the terminal device 20-2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a game system, a control method for a game system, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a gaming device in which a single game screen is expressed by combining a plurality of display images displayed on a plurality of main displays (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this gaming device, a station including a sub-display is provided for each user (player), and the user operates the station to select a desired payline, and the probability that a combination of symbols on the selected payline matches a predetermined combination of symbols is controlled based on the paylines bet by the plurality of users. In this gaming device, the screen on which a plurality of display images displayed on the plurality of main displays are combined is common to the plurality of users. For this reason, the screen can also be said to be a common lottery result. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 3150522 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the game device described in Patent Document 1, multiple users need to go to a specific location where the game device is installed. Also, since the sub-display of the game device needs to convey information corresponding to each user in the form of an image, it is considered unsuitable for the sub-display to display the same image as the main display, i.e., a common lottery result. In consideration of the above circumstances, the present invention provides a game system that does not require a plurality of users to go to a specific location to play a game using a common lottery result. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above problem, a game system according to one embodiment of the present invention is a game system that provides a game via a network to a first user operating a first terminal device and a second user operating a second terminal device, and has a lottery result determination unit that determines a common lottery result for the first terminal device and the second terminal device, a first reward determination unit that determines a reward for the first user based on the common lottery result and a first consumption amount of a value medium instructed by the first user to the first terminal device, and a second reward determination unit that determines a reward for the second user based on the common lottery result and a second consumption amount of a value medium instructed by the second user to the second terminal device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a game system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an overview of a game provided by the game system. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an overview of a game provided by the game system. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an overview of a game provided by the game system. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a server device in the game system. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing functions implemented in a processing device in the server device. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a user management table of a storage device in the server device. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a relationship table of storage devices in the server device. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a terminal device in the game system. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing functions implemented in a terminal device in a server device. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on a terminal device. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on a terminal device. [Figure 13] 1 is a flowchart showing an overview of a game provided by the game system. [Figure 14] 13 is a flowchart showing a selection process for another user. [Figure 15] 13 is a flowchart showing a process of an individual game. [Figure 16] 13 is a flowchart showing a process of a synchronized game. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a second modified example of the game system 1. [Figure 18] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a third modified example of the game system 1. [Figure 19] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a fourth modified example of the game system 1. [Figure 20] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a fifth modified example of the game system 1. [Figure 21] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a terminal device in the game system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 22] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on a terminal device. [Diagram 23] 1 is a flowchart showing an overview of a game provided by the game system. [Figure 24] 13 is a flowchart showing processing of an input game. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] The embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below include various technically suitable limitations. The scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments exemplified below.

[0008] First Embodiment 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a game system 1 according to the first embodiment. In the game system 1, a server device 10 and a plurality of terminal devices 20-1, 20-2, . . . are connected via a network 30. The server device 10 is managed by, for example, a company that provides games. A program for managing games is installed in the server device 10.

[0009] The terminal devices 20-1, 20-2, ... are, for example, smartphones, personal computers, etc., and have a display device and an input device. The terminal device 20-1 is operated by a user U-1, and the terminal device 20-2 is operated by a user U-2.

[0010] In the following, when describing terminal devices 20-1, 20-2, ... in general without specifying a user in the game system 1, the identifying hyphen and the following parts will be omitted and the terminal devices will simply be referred to as "20". In each of the terminal devices 20, a program for providing a game in the game system 1 is installed.

[0011] A user can play a game provided by the game system 1 by operating the terminal device 20 and consuming or using a value medium. The value medium is a tangible or intangible medium consumed or used in a game. The tangible value medium is, for example, a token coin (medal), a coin (currency), or a ticket. The intangible value medium is, for example, an electronic medal, credit, or point. The quantity of the intangible value medium is stored and managed in the server device 10 as, for example, electronic data. The user plays a game by consuming or using the value medium, and obtains a quantity of the value medium according to the progress or result of the game as a reward. The value medium consumed or used to play the game and the value medium given to the user as a reward may be of the same type or different types. In order to play a game or to obtain a reward for a game result, a value medium is consumed or used. The use of a value medium can also be called a bet. In this embodiment, a tangible value medium is converted into an intangible value medium and stored as electronic data.

[0012] <Game Overview> An overview of the games provided in the game system 1 will be described. In this embodiment, the games provided to users are classified into two types: individual games provided individually to each user, and synchronous games (common games) using a common lottery result for multiple users (e.g., two users). Among these, a plurality of types of individual games are further prepared, such as poker, slots, puzzles, etc. For convenience, in the following description, a slot game will be taken as an example of an individual game.

[0013] 2, 3 and 4 are diagrams for explaining an example of a slot game in this embodiment. Slot games use virtual reels with multiple symbols attached to them. In real reels, symbols are assigned to each area provided on the outer periphery of a drum-shaped rotating body, but virtual reels are a computer-generated simulation of real reels.

[0014] 2 is a diagram showing an example of a virtual reel R. The reel R has, for example, 15 regions, and one of the symbols S1 to S6 is attached to each region. In the figure, the reel R is connected at end A. In other words, the figure virtually shows how symbols are attached to each region when the outer periphery of a real drum is cut at end A and unfolded.

[0015] 2, the symbol S1 is a "cherry", the symbol S2 is a "bar", the symbol S3 is a "wild", the symbol S4 is a "star", the symbol S5 is a "seven", and the symbol S6 is a "watermelon". The symbol S3, "wild", is an almighty symbol and can substitute for other symbols. The 15 regions of the reel R are merely an example. The number of types of symbols may be seven or more, or five or less, and no symbols may be assigned to the regions of the reel R, or meaningless invalid symbols may be assigned to the regions.

[0016] In this embodiment, five virtual reels R are displayed in an area Gs10 in Fig. 3 as if they were spinning. The area Gs10 has 15 windows W arranged in 3 rows and 5 columns. By stopping the rotation of all five reels, a lottery is held to determine which symbols will be displayed in the 15 windows W. Depending on the lottery results, if the symbols appearing in the 15 windows W in the area Gs10 line up on a payline, it is a "win", and if they do not line up on a payline, it is a "lose".

[0017] In the example of Fig. 3, all five reels R are the same, but all five reels R may be different, or only some may be different. Also, the number of reels R is not limited. When five reels R are used, three consecutive symbols will appear in the three vertical windows W in the area Gs10 on the reels R. However, without being limited to this, a reel R may be assigned to each window W in a one-to-one relationship, and one of the symbols assigned to the reel R may appear in one window W.

[0018] 4 is a diagram showing an example of paylines in this embodiment. The paylines are indicated by thick dashed lines in the diagram. Note that various other paylines may be assumed. In this embodiment, a basic reward is determined in advance depending on which payline and which symbols are lined up, etc. The reward given to the user in the event of a "win" is determined to be a value corresponding to the product of the amount of value medium designated by the user before the reels are spun and the basic reward.

[0019] In this description, the "lottery result" may refer to the result of determining which symbol is to be displayed in the window W of the area Gs10 when the reels are stopped from spinning, for example, in a slot game. The "lottery result" is used to determine whether a combination of multiple (15) symbols satisfies a certain condition, and this is the "game result" that is the basis for calculating the reward. In other words, the "game result" is determined by the determination made after the "lottery result." Examples of the determination include determining whether or not the same symbols are lined up on a payline based on the "lottery result," and determining whether or not a specific symbol appears a predetermined number of times based on the "lottery result."

[0020] In games other than slot games, such as roulette games, the "lottery result" may refer to the decision of which pocket the ball will land in. In this case, since there is no need to determine the "lottery result," the "lottery result" is equal to the "game result." In this way, depending on the type of game, if the "game result" is determined by a judgment made after the "lottery result", the "lottery result" may be equal to the "game result".

[0021] In addition, the "lottery result" can refer to the decision on how to arrange the pocket identifiers (colors, numbers, symbols, etc.) in a roulette wheel, the decision on which reels will be spun and stopped out of multiple reels prepared in advance, or the decision on which symbols will be assigned to each area of ​​the reel. In this way, depending on the "lottery result," it can become a separate concept from the "game result."

[0022] Among the games provided to users in the game system 1, a synchronized game is a game that uses a common lottery result for two or more users. A common lottery result means that some or all of the lottery result is common to the games provided to two or more users. In this embodiment, the synchronous game will be described as being the same as the slot game, which is an individual game. In the slot game as an individual game, the lottery result differs for each terminal device 20, i.e., for each user, whereas in the synchronous game, the lottery result is common to multiple users. In other words, in this embodiment, multiple users play the synchronous game. In addition, in the slot games of individual games and the slot games of synchronous games, one cycle begins when the reels spin as a result of the user spending a specified amount of a value medium, and ends when the reels stop and a "win" or "lose" is determined.

[0023] 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the server device 10. The server device 10 is a computer system including a processing device 110, a storage device 120, and a communication device .

[0024] The processing device 110 is composed of, for example, a single or multiple processors, and controls each element of the server device 10. Specifically, the processing device 110 is composed of, for example, one or more types of processors, such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The storage device 120 stores programs executed by the processing device 110 and various data used by the processing device 110. As the storage device 120, for example, a known recording medium such as a semiconductor recording medium or a magnetic recording medium, or a combination of multiple types of recording media is adopted. The communication device 130 communicates with each of the terminal devices 20 under the control of the processing device 110 .

[0025] 6 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration constructed by the processing device 110 and the storage device 120. As shown in the figure, the processing device 110 executes a program stored in the storage device 120 to construct a plurality of elements (a game management unit 111, a lottery result determination unit 112, a reward determination unit 113, a user management unit 115, and a relationship registration unit 116).

[0026] The game management unit 111 manages the progress of the game provided by the game system 1. The lottery result determination unit 112 determines the lottery result in the game. The reward determination unit 113 determines the reward to be given to each user. The user management unit 115 manages the status of users in the game system 1. The relationship registration unit 116 manages the relationship between users, specifically, information on users who have a friend relationship with a certain user. A friend relationship refers to a state in the game system 1 in which a certain user is associated with another user as a specific relationship.

[0027] The user management unit 115 uses a user management table T1 created in the storage device 120 to manage the login status of users and the quantity of value media possessed by the users. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the user management table T1. In the user management table T1, for each user ID, the user's name, a login flag, and the number of possessed value media are linked. The user ID is an identifier for uniquely identifying a user. The user's name is not limited to the real name, and a nickname or pet name of the user used in the game system 1 may be used. The login flag is a flag that indicates whether or not a user is logged in to the game system 1. Specifically, if a user is logged in to the game system 1, the login flag is set to "1," and if the user is logged off, the login flag is set to "0." The number of possessed value media is information indicating the quantity of intangible value media that the user can consume or use in the game system 1.

[0028] In order for a user to select to play a certain game, it is necessary to consume a quantity of a value medium corresponding to the game. In addition, a user may use a value medium in playing a certain game. When a user consumes or uses a value medium in a game, the user management unit 115 decrements the number of value media possessed by the user corresponding to the user ID of the user in the user management table T1 by the amount consumed or used. When a reward is given to a user, the user management unit 115 increases the number of value media held by the user corresponding to the user ID in the user management table T1 by an amount equivalent to the reward. Furthermore, when a user converts tangible value media into intangible value media, the user management unit 115 increases the number of value media owned by the user corresponding to the user ID in the user management table T1 by the converted amount.

[0029] 7 is an example of a case where there is one type of value medium that can be consumed or used in the game system 1. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and there may be two or more types of value medium that can be consumed or used in the game system 1. In the example of FIG. 7, for the sake of convenience, the user ID of the user U-1 in FIG. 1 is set to "01234x", and the user ID of the user U-2 is set to "01x578".

[0030] The relationship registration unit 116 uses a relationship table T2 created in the storage device 120 to manage the relationships between users. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship table T2. In the relationship table T2, a user identified by a user ID is associated with the user IDs of users who are friends with the user (friend users).

[0031] In addition, Figure 8 shows an example in which user U-1 with user ID "01234x" has user U-2 with user ID "01x578" registered as a friend user, and user U-2 with user ID "01x578" has user U-1 with user ID "01234x" registered as a friend user. The name of the user identified by the friend user's user ID can be known by referring to the user management table T1. Note that the user management table T1 and the relationship table T2 are separated for the sake of convenience, and it is possible to treat both tables as a single unit. When treating both tables as a single unit, either the user management unit 125 or the relationship registration unit 126 is configured to take on the functions of the other.

[0032] 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the terminal device 20. As described above, the terminal device 20 is a smartphone, a personal computer, or the like, and has a processing device 210, a storage device 220, a communication device 230, a display device 240, an operation input device 250, an imaging device 260, and an audio input / output device 270.

[0033] The processing device 210 controls each element of the terminal device 20 . The storage device 220 stores the programs executed by the processing device 210 and various data used by the processing device 210 . The programs executed by the processing device 210 include an OS as well as application programs for providing a game to a user in the game system 1. The communication device 230 communicates with the server device 10 and each of the other terminal devices 20 under the control of the processing device 210 .

[0034] The display device 240 is configured with, for example, a liquid crystal display panel or an organic EL panel, and displays various images under the control of the processing device 210. For example, a game screen showing the progress and content of a game is displayed on the display device 240. The operation input device 250 receives operations by a user. The operation input device 250 is, for example, a plurality of operators pressed by the user or a touch panel that detects contact by the user, and is overlaid on the image display surface of the display device 240. The image capturing device 260 is an internal camera provided on the display surface of the display device 240, and is used for video calls in the game system 1. The audio input / output device 270 is, for example, a collection of a microphone for inputting audio and a speaker for outputting audio.

[0035] 10 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration constructed by the processing device 210. As shown in the figure, the processing device 210 executes an application program stored in the storage device 220 to construct a plurality of elements (a terminal management unit 211, a game providing unit 212, and a current status transmission unit 213) that progress the game in the game system 1.

[0036] The terminal management unit 211 manages the progress of the game provided by the game system 1 in the terminal device 20. The game providing unit 212 provides a game to the user on the terminal device 20. Note that providing a game means providing a game interface to the user, and specifically, controls the display screen of the display device 240, etc.

[0037] The current status transmission unit 213 transmits the user's own current status to other users, while also transmitting the current status of other users. The user's current status includes not only the user's current status regarding the game, but also comments by the user regarding the game. In addition, transmitting the user's current status means transmitting the user's current status by the user's voice, by the user's video, by text input by the user, or by a combination of these.

[0038] In this embodiment, the current status of the user is transmitted by text, audio, video, or a combination of these. For this purpose, the current status transmission unit 213 receives text information, audio signals, and video signals transmitted from other terminal devices 20, while the processing device 210 controls the communication device 230, the display device 240, the operation input device 250, the photographing device 260, and the audio input / output device 270 to transmit text information input by the user, audio signals capturing the user's voice, and video signals capturing the user, and displays text based on the received text information, outputs the received audio signals through a speaker, and displays video based on the received video signals.

[0039] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a screen on which a slot game is provided as an individual game in the terminal device 20-1, more specifically, a screen Gs provided to the user U-1 by the game providing unit 212 and the current status transmitting unit 213. As shown in FIG. The display content of the screen Gs is changed as appropriate depending on the progress of the game, etc.

[0040] As shown in this figure, the screen Gs includes areas Gs12, Gs14 and Gs16 in addition to the area Gs10 described above. In the area Gs12, the time limit is displayed by the gaming providing unit 212. The time limit is, for example, the remaining time during which the amount of value medium can be input.

[0041] In the area Gs14, the game providing unit 212 displays software buttons for the user U-1 to operate in the individual game. In the area Gs14, software buttons "-", "0", "+", "100", "10", and "1" are arranged to indicate the amount of value medium to be consumed. For example, if "+", "100", and "10" are operated in this order, the amount of value medium to be consumed is indicated as "110". If "-" and "10" are subsequently operated, the amount of value medium is indicated as "100", which is a reduction of "10" from "110". Also, if "0" is operated, the indicated amount of value medium to be consumed is reset to "0". In addition, in this area Gs14, there are arranged a "Sync" software button for instructing the transition from an individual game to a synchronous game, and an "End" software button for instructing the player to log out and end game play.

[0042] In area Gs16, information about the user U-1 himself / herself, as well as information about other users selected in a process described below, are displayed by the game providing unit 212 and the current status transmitting unit 213. Area Gs16 is further provided with areas V11 and V12. In the area V11, information about the user U-1 himself / herself is displayed for the individual game. Specifically, in the area V11, a reduced image of the user U-1 captured by the in-camera is displayed by the current status transmission unit 213, and the number of value media possessed, the amount of value media consumed in the individual game designated by the user U-1, and the like are displayed by the game providing unit 212. The reason why a reduced image of the user U-1 himself / herself is displayed in the area V11 is so that the user U-1 himself / herself can check how it will be displayed on the terminal device operated by another user.

[0043] In the area V12, information on the selected other user, here user U-2, is displayed by the game providing unit 212 and the current situation transmitting unit 213. Specifically, in the area V12, a reduced image of user U-2 is displayed by the current situation transmitting unit 213. Furthermore, in the terminal device 20-1, there are cases where the audio transmitted from the terminal device 20-2 is output by the audio input / output device 270.

[0044] 12 is a diagram showing an example of a screen Gs when a synchronized game is provided on the terminal device 20-1. Note that the display content of the screen Gs is appropriately changed depending on the progress of the synchronized game, etc.

[0045] As shown in this diagram, the screen Gs when the synchronous game is provided is partially different from the screen Gs when the individual game is provided. In detail, on the screen Gs when the synchronous game is provided, some of the software buttons arranged in the area Gs14 and some of the information displayed in the area V12 of the area Gs14 are different from the screen Gs when the individual game is provided. In the case where a synchronous game is provided, an "Escape" software button is arranged in place of the "Sync" and "End" software buttons in area Gs14 of the screen Gs. The "Escape" software button is used to switch from the synchronous game to an individual game.

[0046] In addition, in area V12 on screen Gs when a synchronized game is provided, in addition to a reduced image of user U-2 displayed by the current status transmission unit 213, the amount of value medium consumed by user U-2 in the synchronized game is displayed by the game providing unit 212.

[0047] In this embodiment, the combination of symbols arranged in the area Gs10 in the synchronous game, i.e., the lottery result, is common to the terminal devices 20-1 and 20-2, so if there is a difference in reward between users U-1 and U-2, it is due to the difference in the consumption amount of the value medium designated by each user. In addition to the consumption amount of the value medium designated by user U-1 himself in area V11 of terminal device 20-1, the consumption amount of the value medium designated by another user U-2 is displayed in area V12, so that user U-1 can instruct to increase or decrease the consumption amount of the value medium, being aware of the consumption amount of the value medium designated by the other user U-2.

[0048] Next, the operation of the game system 1 will be described. 13 is a diagram showing an overview of a game provided by the game system 1. In the following, an example will be described in which a user U-1 and a user U-2 log in. First, user U-1 operates terminal device 20-1 to log in, and user U-2 operates terminal device 20-2 to log in. Upon receiving the operations, user management unit 115 in server device 10 sets the login flags associated with the user IDs of users U-1 and U-2 to "1" in user management table T1 (step Sa1).

[0049] When user U-1 logs in by operating terminal device 20-1, other users who may play the synchronized game together with user U-1 are selected (step Sa2). The selection of the other users is performed, for example, by the server device 10 through a matching process. Here, an example will be described in which user U-2 is selected as the other user. Details of the selection process of other users will be described later. Step Sa2 may also be performed in response to an instruction from user U-1 to terminal device 20-1 after user U-1 logs in.

[0050] When the user U-1 selects the user U-2 as another user, the server device 10 provides individual games to the user U-1 via the terminal device 20-1 and to the user U-2 via the terminal device 20-2 (step Sa3). The process of providing individual games will be described later in detail.

[0051] When a predetermined condition is satisfied during the provision of the individual game, the server device 10 switches the game provided to the users U-1 and U-2 from the individual game to a synchronous game (common game) (step Sa4).

[0052] Note that the predetermined condition may be various, such as user U-1 or U-2 instructing a transition to a synchronized game or an event occurring. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the software button for "Sync" in area Gs14 on the screen Gs of the individual game (see FIG. 11) has been operated. Although not shown in FIG. 13, when the software button "End" in area Gs14 on the individual game screen Gs is operated, a logout instruction is issued, and provision of the game by the game system 1 is terminated. Furthermore, if the predetermined condition is not satisfied during the provision of the individual game, the server device 10 continues to provide the individual game to each of the users U-1 and U-2.

[0053] Fig. 14 is a flowchart showing details of the selection process of another user in step Sa2 in Fig. 13. This selection process is a process in which the logged-in user selects another user, but for the sake of explanation, the case where the logged-in user is U-1 and the user U-1 selects user U-2 as the other user will be explained as an example.

[0054] First, in the terminal device 20-1, the terminal management unit 211 determines whether or not the logged-in user U-1 has performed an operation indicating that he or she wishes to select another user from among friend users (step Sa201). If it is determined that user U-1 has performed an operation indicating that he or she does not wish to select another user from among friend users (if the determination result of step Sa201 is "No"), the terminal management unit 211 skips the processing procedure to step Sa212 described below.

[0055] On the other hand, if it is determined that user U-1 has performed an operation indicating that he or she wishes to select another user from among friend users (if the determination result in step Sa201 is "Yes"), the terminal management unit 211 transmits information indicating this desire to the server device 10 via the communication device 230 (step Sa202).

[0056] In the server device 10 that has received the information of the request, the game management unit 111 causes the user management unit 115 to identify users who are currently logged in to the game system 1 among users who are friends of the user U-1. In detail, the user management unit 115 refers to the relationship table T2 to identify users who are friends of the user U-1, and identifies, among the identified users, users whose login flags are set to "1". The user management unit 115 returns information (such as name) of the identified users to the game management unit 111, and the game management unit 111 transmits the information of the identified users to the terminal device 20-1 via the communication device 130 as selection candidates for other users (step Sa204).

[0057] In the terminal device 20-1 that has received the user information, the terminal management unit 211 makes a list of the names of the users indicated by the information and displays it on the display device 240 (step Sa205). The user U-1 selects a desired user from the displayed list of users. Here, when the user U-1 selects the user U-2 as described above, the terminal management unit 211 of the terminal device 20-1 transmits a request to the terminal device 20-2 of the selected user U-2 to obtain approval for the selection (step Sa206). Here, when user U-1 selects user U-2, instead of the terminal management unit 211 of terminal device 20-1 sending a request to obtain approval for the selection to terminal device 20-2 of the selected user U-2, the terminal management unit 211 of terminal device 20-1 may send a request to obtain approval for the selection to server device 10, and the server device 10 may send a request to obtain approval for the selection to terminal device 20-2 of the selected user U-2.

[0058] The terminal management unit 211 of the terminal device 20-2 that has received the request for approval causes the display device 240 to display a confirmation screen for asking whether or not to approve the request (step Sa207). If the user U-2 approves the request, the terminal management unit 211 of the terminal device 20-2 returns information indicating that the request has been approved to the terminal device 20-1 (step Sa208). Here, if the user U-2 approves the request, the terminal management unit 211 of the terminal device 20-2 may transmit information indicating that the request has been approved to the server device 10, and the server device 10 may transmit information indicating that the request has been approved to the terminal device 20-1 of the user U-1.

[0059] When terminal device 20-1 receives the information of approval (step Sa209), terminal management unit 211 of terminal device 20-1 causes current status transmission unit 213 of terminal device 20-1 to start mutual communication with current status transmission unit 213 of terminal device 20-2 (step Sa210). On the other hand, terminal management unit 211 of terminal device 20-2, which transmitted the information of approval, causes current status transmission unit 213 of terminal device 20-2 to start mutual communication with current status transmission unit 213 of terminal device 20-1 (step Sa211).

[0060] As a result of steps Sa210 and S211, in the next individual game or synchronized game, a reduced image of user U-2 captured by the in-camera of terminal device 20-2 is displayed in area V12 of screen Gs on terminal device 20-1 operated by user U-1, and the voice of user U-2 is output from terminal device 20-1. This allows user U-1 to know the current situation of user U-2. On the other hand, in an individual game or a synchronized game, a reduced image of user U-1 captured by the in-camera of terminal device 20-1 is displayed in area V12 of screen Gs on terminal device 20-2 operated by user U-2, and the voice of user U-1 is output from terminal device 20-2. This allows user U-2 to know the current situation of user U-1. In this way, users U-1 and U-2 can know each other's current status in an individual game or a synchronized game.

[0061] This status transmission continues until either user U-1 or U-2 logs out. For example, if user U-2 logs out but wishes to continue playing the game in the game system 1, the process in which user U-1 selects another user is executed again. Furthermore, if user U-2 does not approve user U-1's request, user U-1 selects another user from the displayed list of users.

[0062] In this embodiment, the logged-in user can also select a user who is not a friend user as another user immediately after logging in. In detail, if it is determined that the user U-1 has not performed an operation to desire to select another user from among friend users (if the determination result in step Sa201 is "No"), the terminal management unit 211 transmits information to the effect that a user other than a friend user is to be selected via the communication device 230 (step Sa212). The subsequent steps are simplified in the diagram. In the server device 10 that has received the information, the game management unit 111 causes the user management unit 115 to randomly select multiple users who are not friend users of the user U-1 from among the users currently logged in to the game system 1. The user management unit 115 returns information (such as names) of the multiple selected users to the game management unit 111, and the game management unit 111 transmits the information of the multiple users to the terminal device 20-1 via the communication device 130 as candidates for other users. Examples of when logged-in user U-1 selects users who are not friend users as candidates for other users immediately after logging in include selecting users randomly from among users who are not friend users of user U-1 as candidates, selecting users who are in a location close to user U-1 as candidates, and selecting users who have a friend-user relationship with user U-1's friend users as candidates.

[0063] In the terminal device 20-1 that has received the user information, the terminal management unit 211 makes a list of the user names, etc. indicated by the information and displays it on the display device 240. The user U-1 selects a desired user from the displayed list of user names, etc. The terminal management unit 211 of the terminal device 20-1 returns the information of the selected user to the server device 10. In the server device 10 that receives the information of the user selected by user U-1, the terminal management unit 211 transmits information that user U-1 has requested a friend to the terminal device 20 of the selected user via the communication device 130. In the terminal device 20 that has received the information that a friend request has been made, the terminal management unit 211 causes the display device 240 to display a confirmation screen for asking whether or not to approve the friend request from user U-1. If the friend request is approved, the terminal device 20 transmits information indicating the approval to the server device 10. In the server device 10, the relationship registration unit 116 additionally registers the user ID of the user who approved the friend request to the friend user ID linked to the user ID of user U-1 in the relationship table T2, and additionally registers the user ID of user U-1 to the friend user ID linked to the user ID of the user who approved the friend request. As a result, user U-1 and the user who approved the friend request become friend users of each other.

[0064] Thereafter, the server device 10 transmits information to the terminal device 20-1 that the friend request has been approved. When the terminal device 20-1 receives this information, the terminal management unit 211 of the terminal device 20-1 causes the current status transmission unit 213 of the terminal device 20-1 to initiate mutual communication with the current status transmission unit 213 of the terminal device 20 of the user who approved the friend request (step Sa214). In addition, the server device 10 transmits information to the terminal device 20 of the user who approved the friend request that mutual communication will begin, and when the terminal device 20 receives this information, the terminal management unit 211 of the terminal device 20 causes the current status transmission unit 213 of the terminal device 20 to begin mutual communication with the current status transmission unit 213 of the terminal device 20-1 of user U-1 (step Sa215). In this way, user U-1 can send a friend request to a user who is not a friend user immediately after logging in, and if the friend request is approved, the user who approved the friend request can be selected as the other user and play individual games and synchronized games while exchanging current status information with each other. In the above description, the Synchro Game can be played by registering a user who is not a friend user of user U-1 as a friend user through a friend request, but this is not limited to the above. For example, the Synchro Game can be played without registering a user as a friend user by sending a request, rather than a friend request, to a user who is not a friend user of user U-1 and having the request approved. In this case, the user may be registered as a friend at a different time.

[0065] Fig. 15 is a flowchart showing details of the processing of the individual game in step Sa3 in Fig. 13. For convenience, a case where an individual game is provided to a user U-1 who operates the terminal device 20 will be described as an example.

[0066] First, the game management unit 111 in the server device 10 executes a process for providing an individual game in the terminal device 20-1 (step Sa301). For example, the game management unit 111 transmits information indicating the number of consumable value media possessed by the user U-1 to the terminal device 20-1. Specifically, the game management unit 111 instructs the user management unit 115 to acquire the number of value media possessed by the user U-1, and upon receiving this instruction, the user management unit 115 reads out the number of value media possessed associated with the user ID of the user U-1 by referring to the user management table T1. The user management unit 115 transfers the read number of value media possessed to the game management unit 111, and the game management unit 111 transmits the number of value media possessed by the user U-1 consumable in the game to the terminal device 20-1 via the communication device 130.

[0067] In the terminal device 20-1, an individual game desired by the user U-1 is selected from among a plurality of individual games, and provision of the selected individual game is started. For example, when a slot game is selected as an individual game, the game providing unit 212 displays a screen Gs as shown in FIG. 11 on the display device 240, and displays the number of possessed value media received from the server device 10 in the area V11, while accepting the consumption amount of the value media instructed by the user U-1. In other words, the user U-1 instructs the consumption amount of the value media for the individual game he or she is playing by operating the area Gs14. The gaming providing unit 212 displays the accepted consumption amount of the value medium in the area V11, and reduces the number of value media held in the area V11 according to the consumption amount designated by the user U-1. Then, when the time limit expires, terminal management unit 211 transmits the instructed amount of value medium to be consumed to server device 10 via communication device 230 (step Sa302).

[0068] When the server device 10 receives the consumption amount of the value medium from the terminal device 20-1 via the communication device 130, the game management unit 111 instructs the user management unit 115 to decrement the number of consumable value media possessed by the user U-1 by the instructed consumption amount of the value medium (step Sa303). In detail, the user management unit 115 decrements the number of value media possessed linked to the user ID corresponding to the user U-1 in the user management table T1 by the instructed consumption amount of the value medium.

[0069] The game management unit 111 causes the lottery result determination unit 112 to determine the lottery result (step Sa304). When the game management unit 111 acquires the information on the lottery result from the lottery result determination unit 112, the game management unit 111 transmits the information on the lottery result to the terminal device 20-1 via the communication device 130. The game management unit 111 causes the reward determination unit 113 to determine a reward for user U-1 based on the lottery result and the consumption amount of the value medium designated by user U-1, and then causes the user management unit 115 to increase the number of value media owned according to the determined reward (step Sa305). Specifically, the user management unit 115 increases the number of value media owned linked to the user ID corresponding to user U-1 in the user management table T1 by the amount of the reward.

[0070] If the lottery result is a "lose", the user management unit 115 does not increase the number of possessed value media in the user management table T1. In addition, although not shown in the figure, the game management unit 111 transmits information indicating the determined reward for user U-1 to the terminal device 20-1 via the communication device 130. After the process of step Sa305, the process procedure of server device 10 returns to step Sa303 in preparation for the start of the lottery for the next individual game.

[0071] On the other hand, when the terminal device 20-1 receives the information on the lottery result from the server device 10, the terminal management unit 211 instructs the gaming providing unit 212 to display the lottery result in the area Gs10 (step Sa306). Specifically, the gaming providing unit 212 displays the movement of symbols in the window W of the area Gs10 as if the five reels R were spinning, and stops the rotation of the five reels R so that the arrangement of symbols in the area Gs10 becomes the lottery result received from the server device 10.

[0072] Next, the gaming providing unit 212 determines the game result on the screen Gs according to the lottery result, and executes an effect according to the game result (step Sa307). Specifically, if the game result is a "win", the gaming providing unit 212 executes an effect such as a flashing of the screen Gs, and if the game result is a "lose", the gaming providing unit 212 displays a message on the screen Gs saying that it is unfortunate. In addition, the gaming providing unit 212 increases the quantity of value media held in the area V11 according to the reward of the user U-1.

[0073] Thereafter, the terminal management unit 211 determines whether or not the software button "Sync" or "End" has been operated within a predetermined time in the area Gs14 shown in FIG. 11, for example (step Sa308). If it is determined that no operation is performed in the area Gs14 within a predetermined time (if the determination result in step Sa308 is "No"), the terminal management unit 211 returns the processing procedure to step Sa302. As a result, the terminal device 20-1 continues to provide the individual game in the next cycle to the user U-1.

[0074] On the other hand, if it is determined that a software button has been operated in area Gs14 (if the determination result in step Sa308 is "Yes"), the terminal management unit 211 determines whether the operated software button is "End" (step Sa309).

[0075] If it is determined that the software button "End" has been operated in area Gs14 (if the determination result of step Sa308 is "Yes"), the terminal management unit 211 executes a logout process and transmits information indicating the logout to the server device 10 via the communication device 230 (step Sa310).

[0076] In the server device 10, which has received the information of logout from the terminal device 20-1, the game management unit 111 executes a termination process in response to the user U-1 logging out (step Sa311). Specifically, the game management unit 111 causes the user management unit 115 to set the login flag associated with the user ID of the user U-1 in the user management table T1 to "0." As a result, provision of the game by the game system 1 to the terminal device 20-1 ends. When the user U-1 logs out, the game management unit 111 transmits information to that effect to the terminal device 20-2. Since there are no other users from the user U-2's perspective, a process (step Sa2) may be executed to have the user U-2 select another user.

[0077] Incidentally, the case where the determination result in step Sa309 is "No" means that the software button operated in step Sa308 is "Sync." In this case, the terminal management unit 211 transmits a request to transition to the synchronized game to the server device 10 via the communication device 230 (step Sa312). Thereafter, the terminal management unit 211 waits for a notification from the server device 10 that the synchronized game will be started (step Sa313).

[0078] Meanwhile, in the server device 10 that has received the request to switch to the synchronized game, the game management unit 111 transmits a request for switching to the synchronized game for the other user U-2 to the terminal device 20-2 via the communication device 130 (step Sa313). When the terminal device 20-2 receives the instruction to switch to the synchronized game, the terminal management unit 211 of the terminal device 20-2 switches to a standby state when one cycle of the individual game is completed (step Sa315). If the user U-2 approves the switch to the synchronized game in the standby state, the terminal device 20-2 switches to the synchronized game.

[0079] Fig. 16 is a flowchart showing details of the processing of the synchronized game in step Sa4 of Fig. 13. For convenience, the following description will be given taking as an example a case where a synchronized game is provided to a user U-1 who operates terminal device 20-1 and a user U-2 who operates terminal device 20-2.

[0080] First, the game management unit 111 of the server device 10 executes a process for providing the synchronized game in the terminal devices 20-1 and 20-2 (step Sa401). For example, the game management unit 111 transmits information that the synchronized game will start and information indicating the number of consumable value media possessed by user U-1 to terminal device 20-1, and transmits information that the synchronized game will start and information indicating the number of consumable value media possessed by user U-2 to terminal device 20-2.

[0081] In the terminal device 20-1, the game providing unit 212 displays a screen Gs as shown in FIG. 12 on the display device 240, and displays the number of value media held received from the server device 10 in area V11, while accepting the amount of value media to be consumed as indicated by the user U-1 operating area Gs11. Also in the terminal device 20-2, the game providing unit 212 causes the display device 240 to display the synchronized game screen Gs, and displays in the area V11 the number of possessed value media received from the server device 10, while accepting the consumption amount of value media indicated by the user U-2 operating the area Gs11. Note that on the synchronized game screen Gs in the terminal device 20-2, the information of the user U-2 is displayed in the area V11, and the information of the user U-1 is displayed in the area V12.

[0082] When the time limit expires, the terminal management unit 211 of the terminal device 20-1 transmits the consumption amount of the value medium designated by the user U-1 to the server device 10 via the communication device 230 (step Sa402). Similarly, the terminal management unit 211 of the terminal device 20-2 transmits the consumption amount of the value medium designated by the user U-2 to the server device 10 via the communication device 230 (step Sa403).

[0083] The game management unit 111 of the server device 10 instructs the user management unit 115 to decrement the number of consumable value media possessed by user U-1 by the instructed consumption amount of the value media. Similarly, the game management unit 111 of the server device 10 instructs the user management unit 115 to decrement the number of consumable value media possessed by user U-2 by the instructed consumption amount of the value media (step Sa404).

[0084] Next, the game management unit 111 causes the lottery result determination unit 112 to determine a lottery result common to the users U-1 and U-2 (step Sa405). When the game management unit 111 obtains the information on the lottery result from the lottery result determination unit 112, the game management unit 111 transmits the information on the lottery result to the terminal devices 20-1 and 20-2 via the communication device 130. The game management unit 111 causes the reward determination unit 113 to determine a reward for user U-1 based on the common lottery result and the amount of value media specified by user U-1 to be consumed, and then causes the user management unit 115 to increase the number of value media held in accordance with the determined reward. Similarly, the game management unit 111 causes the reward determination unit 113 to determine a reward for user U-2 based on the common lottery result and the amount of value media consumed specified by user U-2, and then causes the user management unit 115 to increase the number of value media held in accordance with the determined reward (step Sa406). After the process of step Sa406, the process procedure of the server device 10 returns to step Sa404 in preparation for the start of the lottery for the next synchronization game.

[0085] On the other hand, when the terminal device 20-1 receives the information on the common lottery result from the server device 10, the terminal management unit 211 instructs the gaming providing unit 212 to display the common lottery result in the area Gs10 (step Sa407). Next, the gaming providing unit 212 of the terminal device 20-1 determines the game result on the screen Gs according to the result of the common lottery, and executes an effect according to the game result (step Sa408). After that, the terminal management unit 211 of the terminal device 20-1 determines whether or not the user U-1 wishes to continue the synchronized game in the area Gs14 shown in FIG. 12 (step Sa409). For example, if the user U-1 does not operate the "Escape" software button within a predetermined time, this indicates that the user U-1 wishes to continue the Synchro Game. In other words, the terminal management unit 211 of the terminal device 20-1 determines whether the "Escape" software button has not been operated within a predetermined time. When a predetermined time has elapsed, the terminal management section 211 of the terminal device 20-1 transmits to the server device 10 information indicating whether or not the "Escape" software button has been operated.

[0086] The terminal device 20-2, which has received the information on the common lottery result from the server device 10, performs the same operation as the terminal device 20-1. That is, the terminal management unit 211 of the terminal device 20-2 instructs the game providing unit 212 to display the common lottery result in the area Gs10 (step Sa410). Next, the game providing unit 212 of the terminal device 20-2 determines the game result on the screen Gs according to the common lottery result, and executes a performance according to the game result (step Sa411). After that, the terminal management unit 211 of the terminal device 20-2 determines whether the user U-2 wants to continue the synchronous game (step Sa412). After a predetermined time has elapsed, the terminal management unit 211 of the terminal device 20-2 transmits information indicating whether the software button for "Escape" has not been operated to the server device 10.

[0087] Server apparatus 10 receives information indicating whether or not the "Escape" software button has been operated from each of terminal apparatuses 20-1 and 20-2 (step Sa413). In the server device 10, the game management unit 111 determines whether the “Escape” software button has not been operated in both terminal device 20-1 and terminal device 20-2, in other words, whether both users U-1 and U-2 wish to continue the synchronized game (step Sa414).

[0088] If both users U-1 and U-2 wish to continue the synchronized game (if the judgment result of step Sa414 is "Yes"), the game management unit 111 sends an instruction to continue the synchronized game to each of terminal devices 20-1 and 20-2 via communication device 130 (step Sa415). As a result, the processing procedure returns to step Sa402 in terminal device 20-1, and the processing procedure returns to step Sa403 in terminal device 20-2, making it possible to instruct the amount of value medium to be consumed for the synchronized game using the common lottery result in each of terminal devices 20-1 and 210-2.

[0089] If at least one of users U-1 and U-2 does not wish to continue the synchronized game (if the judgment result of step Sa414 is "No"), the game management unit 111 sends an instruction to end the synchronized game to each of terminal devices 20-1 and 20-2 via communication device 130 (step Sa416). As a result, the processing procedure returns to the individual game of step Sa3 in FIG. 13 (see FIG. 15 for details) in each of the terminal devices 20-1 and 20-2.

[0090] In the first embodiment, a synchronized game using a lottery result common to users U-1 and U-2 is provided to user U-1 on terminal device 20-1, and is provided to user U-2 on terminal device 20-2. Therefore, users U-1 and U-2 do not need to go to a specific location to receive the synchronized game. In the game system 1 in the first embodiment, in the synchronized game, the reward for user U-1 is determined based on the common lottery result and the consumption amount of the value medium designated by user U-1, and the reward for user U-2 is determined based on the common lottery result and the consumption amount of the value medium designated by user U-2. Therefore, even if the lottery result is common, it is possible to provide a game in which the reward for user U-1 and the reward for user U-2 differ depending on the consumption amount of the value medium designated by user U-1 and the consumption amount of the value medium designated by user U-2. Furthermore, in the game system 1, users who play the synchronized game using the common lottery result can be limited to friend users who are registered as friends in the relationship table T2 by the relationship registration unit 116.

[0091] In the game system 1, the user U-1 can select and play either a synchronized game using a common lottery result, or an individual game using a lottery result specific to the terminal device 20-1 that the user U-1 operates. Similarly, the user U-2 can select and play either the synchronized game or an individual game using a lottery result specific to the terminal device 20-2 that the user U-2 operates.

[0092] <Modification of the first embodiment> The first embodiment exemplified above may be modified in various ways. Specific modified aspects that may be applied to the first embodiment are exemplified below. Two or more aspects arbitrarily selected from the following examples may be combined to the extent that they are not mutually contradictory.

[0093] <First Modification of First Embodiment> In the first embodiment described above, the symbol combinations appearing in the 15 windows W arranged in 3 horizontal rows and 5 vertical columns in the area Gs10 are the lottery results for the individual games and the common lottery results for the synchronous games, but this is not limited to the above. For example, the symbol combinations appearing in the windows W in some areas of the area Gs10 may be the common lottery results. For example, the symbol combinations appearing in the 9 windows W in the central area arranged in 3 horizontal rows and 3 vertical columns in the area Gs10 may be selected as the common lottery results.

[0094] <Second Modification of First Embodiment> In the first embodiment, the number of users playing the synchronized game is two, but it may be three or more.

[0095] <Third Modification of First Embodiment> In a synchronized game, some of the five reels may be shared between terminal device 20-1 (user U-1) and terminal device 20-2 (user U-2), and the other reels may be unshared, and a combination of symbols on the shared reels that appears in some of the 15 windows arranged in a 3-row by 5-column array in area Gs10 may be drawn as a common lottery result.

[0096] For example, as shown in Fig. 17, reels R2 to R4 may be shared, reels R1 and R5 may not be shared, and a combination of symbols appearing in some of the central nine windows of the three horizontal rows and five vertical columns in the area Gs10 may be drawn as a common lottery result. Note that in the figure, reels R1 and R5 are not shared, and the symbols assigned to each area are different, so examples of symbols are omitted. In such a configuration, in a part of the area Gs10 in the terminal device 20-1, the symbol combination selected on the shared reels will be the same as that in the terminal device 20-2, but in a part of the area Gs10 in the terminal device 20-1 other than the part, the symbol combination selected on the non-shared reels may be different from that in the terminal device 20-2. For this reason, the reward for the user U-1 and the reward for the user U-2 may be different even if the consumption amount of the indicated value medium is the same.

[0097] <Fourth Modification of First Embodiment> In the synchronized game, some of the symbols allocated to the reel areas may be shared between the terminal device 20-1 (user U-1) and the terminal device 20-2 (user U-2), and the symbols allocated to the other areas may be non-shared. For example, as shown in the left column of Fig. 18, among the regions a1 to a15 to which symbols are assigned, the symbols assigned to the regions a1 to a8 may be shared, and the symbols assigned to the regions a9 to a15 may be unshared, as shown in the right column. Note that in the figure, the symbols assigned to the regions a9 to a15 are unshared, and the symbols assigned to each region are different, so examples of the symbols are omitted. In this configuration, the common lottery result is a lottery result as to which of the areas a1 to a15 on the reel R are to be assigned to the 15 windows W in the area Gs10. In this configuration, when the areas a9 to a15 to which the unshared symbols are assigned are drawn, the combination of symbols appearing in the area Gs10 may differ between the terminal devices 20-1 and 20-2. Therefore, the reward for the user U-1 and the reward for the user U-2 may differ even if the consumption amount of the indicated value medium is the same.

[0098] <Fifth Modification of First Embodiment> When users U-1 and U-2 are playing slot games as individual games, when a specific symbol appears in the area Gs10 by lottery in the terminal device 20 operated by one of the users U-1 or U-2, the specific symbol may be shared in the same position in the terminal device 20 operated by the other user U-1 or U-2. For ease of explanation, an example of the specific symbol is a "wild".

[0099] For example, when users U-1 and U-2 are playing slot games as individual games, when a "wild" appears in one location of area Gs10 as a result of a drawing in the individual game in terminal device 20-1 operated by user U-1 as shown in Fig. 19, the symbol in the same location is replaced with a "wild" in terminal device 20-2 operated by user U-2. Note that the replaced "wild" is fixed and does not rotate in the drawing performance of the next cycle.

[0100] Similarly, as shown in the same figure, when "wild" symbols appear in three locations in area Gs10 as a result of a lottery in an individual game on terminal device 20-2 operated by user U-2, the symbols in the same locations are replaced with "wild" symbols on terminal device 20-1 operated by user U-1. That is, when users U-1 and U-2 are playing individual games, if a specific symbol appears, the specific symbol is shared by users U-1 and U-2.

[0101] In other words, when users U-1 and U-2 are each providing an individual game, when the lottery result determination unit 112 draws a "wild" at a certain location on one of the terminal devices 20-1 or 20-2, the unit 112 replaces the symbol at the same location on the other of the terminal devices 20-1 or 20-2 with a "wild", fixes the "wild" in the next cycle, and draws a symbol other than the "wild". Since the "Wild" is an almighty symbol that can be replaced by any symbol, when a symbol is replaced by a "Wild" through sharing, the likelihood of the same symbol appearing on the payline in the next cycle of the lottery increases, and high rewards can be expected. In addition, when a specific symbol is shared, a limit may be placed on the number of times a lottery can be drawn while the specific symbol is shared, for example, to one or two times.

[0102] In addition, the example in Figure 19 is an example in which a "Wild" appears in one location on terminal device 20-1 operated by user U-1, and a "Wild" appears in three locations on terminal device 20-2 operated by user U-2, and "Wild" is shared in four locations in the lottery for the next cycle. Also, symbols other than the shared "Wild" in FIG. 19 are optional and therefore omitted. The above is a case where users U-1 and U-2 play slot games as individual games, but it is also possible to play them as a synchronous game. In addition, a "wild" is drawn, and the symbol in the same position is replaced with a "wild" in the other of the terminal devices 20-1 and 20-2, and the "wild" is fixed in the next cycle and a symbol other than the "wild" is drawn, but a symbol other than the "wild" may be drawn first and a shared "wild" may be drawn in the next cycle, or all symbols may be drawn, and the "wild" that appeared in the terminal device 20-1 or 20-2 may be replaced with a "wild" in the other terminal device.

[0103] Sixth Modification of the First Embodiment The server device 10 may determine the arrangement of specific symbols by lottery and allocate the determined specific symbols to the terminal device 20-1 operated by the user U-1 and the terminal device 20-2 operated by the user U-2. For convenience of explanation, an example of the specific symbol is a "wild".

[0104] For example, when users U-1 and U-2 are each playing a slot in an individual game, some trigger will cause the lottery result determination unit 112 to draw a “wild” arrangement, for example as shown in FIG. 20, regardless of the lottery results of the individual games. After the drawing, the lottery result determination unit 112 distributes a part or all of the "wild" arrangement to each of the terminal devices 20-1 and 20-2, fixes the distributed "wild" in the next cycle, and draws symbols other than "wild". According to this configuration, as in the fifth modified example, the symbol is replaced with a specific symbol, so that the possibility of the same symbol being lined up on the payline in the lottery for the next cycle increases, and a high reward can be expected.

[0105] The distribution of the "wild" sequence may be repeated two or more times, or may be limited to one time. FIG. 20 shows an example in which the number of lottery draws in the distributed state is two. Furthermore, the lottery result determination unit 112 may exclusively distribute the "wild" arrangement to the terminal devices 20-1 and 20-2 so that they do not overlap in the same position, or may distribute the "wild" arrangement to the terminal devices 20-1 and 20-2 so that they overlap in the same position. FIG. 20 shows an example in which the “wild” sequence is exclusively distributed in the first round, and is redundantly distributed in the second round. In FIG. 20, symbols other than the "Wild" dispensed are optional and are therefore omitted. In the above, a "wild" is drawn, and after the drawing, the lottery result determination unit 112 distributes part or all of the "wild" array to each of the terminal devices 20-1 and 20-2, and in the next cycle, the distributed "wild" is fixed and a symbol other than "wild" is drawn by drawing, but it is also possible to draw a symbol other than "wild" first, and then draw and distribute a "wild" to be shared in the next cycle.

[0106] <Second embodiment> Next, a game system 1 according to a second embodiment will be described. The game system 1 according to the second embodiment has a configuration in which a server device 10 and a plurality of terminal devices 20-1, 20-2, ... are connected via a network 30, similar to the first embodiment in Fig. 1.

[0107] In the game system 1 according to the second embodiment, a throw-in game is provided to the user instead of the synchro game in the first embodiment. An investment game is a game in which, while a certain user is playing an individual game, other users instruct the amount of value medium to be used on the game result of the certain user. In short, it is a game in which other users invest the amount of value medium to be used on the result of the game played by the certain user, not on the game they play. Rewards for other users are determined based on the game result of the individual game and the amount of value medium to be used that the other users instructed. In the above case, the input game played by the other users is seen as an individual game being played by the one user.

[0108] When another user instructs a user to use an amount of value media in a game, it is effective for the other user to know the current status of the user in order to determine the amount of value media used. Therefore, in the second embodiment, when a user is playing an individual game, the other user communicates with the user to convey the current status of the user.

[0109] The current status of a user includes not only the current status of the user with respect to an individual game, but also comments by the user with respect to the individual game. When the game result of an individual game is determined solely by luck (e.g., in the case of roulette or slots), the current status of a user may include, for example, "I'm lucky," "I've been losing a lot," "My luck is on the rise," etc. When the game result of an individual game is determined not only by luck but also by factors such as the skill of the user (e.g., in the case of poker), the current status of a user may include, for example, "This is my favorite game," "I'm confident in this game," "My game strategy is like this," etc.

[0110] For convenience, the second embodiment will be described by taking a slot game similar to that of the first embodiment as an example of an input game. Also, it is assumed here that when a user U-1 is playing an individual game, a user U-2 instructs the amount of value medium to be used in the individual game by the user U-1.

[0111] Fig. 21 is a diagram showing an example of a screen Gs on which an individual game is provided in the terminal device 20-1, and Fig. 22 is a diagram showing an example of a screen Gs on which an input game is provided in the terminal device 20-2. As shown in Fig. 21 and Fig. 22, a part of the screen Gs is different from the synchro game. In the area Gs10 of the screen Gs in FIG. 21 and FIG. 22, the lottery results of the individual game played by the user U-1 are displayed.

[0112] FIG. 21 shows the screen Gs of the terminal device 20-1 operated by the user U-1, so that information about the user U-1 is displayed in the area V11, and information about the user U-2 is displayed in the area V12. Of these, area V11 displays the number of value media possessed, as well as the consumption amount of value media instructed by user U-1 for the individual game. Area V12 displays the usage amount of value media instructed by user U-2 for the individual game of user U-1. This usage amount is also the expected value of user U-1. Therefore, user U-1 can indirectly know the expected value of other users for his / her game.

[0113] 22 shows the screen Gs of the terminal device 20-2 operated by the user U-2, so area V11 shows information about the user U-2, and area V12 shows information about the user U-1. Of these, area V11 in FIG. 22 shows the number of value media in possession, as well as the amount of value media used that has been instructed to be used in the individual game of the user U-1.

[0114] The current status of users U-1 and U-2 is communicated by mutual communication. If the current status of users U-1 and U-2 is communicated by voice, the voice message will have the contents shown in the lower columns of Figs. 21 and 22. When the current status of users U-1 and U-2 is communicated by displaying text, the text display will also have the content as shown in the lower columns of FIGS. Hereinafter, audio messages are understood to include display of text.

[0115] 21 and 22 show an example in which voice messages TL1 and TL4 by user U-2 and voice messages TL2, TL3, and TL5 by user U-1 are displayed along a timeline. In detail, the voice messages TL2 and TL3 are responses from user U-1 about his / her current situation to a question in voice message TL1 by user U-2.

[0116] Next, the operation of the game system 1 according to the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an overview of a game provided by the game system 1. As shown in FIG. As shown in this figure, in the second embodiment, the synchro game in the first embodiment is replaced with a throw-in game. Specifically, the synchro game in step Sa4 in FIG. 13 is replaced with a throw-in game in step Sb4 in FIG. In addition, in the processing of the individual games in FIG. 15, although not specifically shown, the request to shift to the synchronized game in step Sa312 is interpreted as a request to shift to the inserted game, and the shift to the synchronized game in step Sa314 is interpreted as a shift to the inserted game.

[0117] A user U-1 operates the terminal device 20-1 to log in to the game system 1, and a user U-2 operates the terminal device 20-2 to log in to the game system 2 (step Sa1). Next, for example, when user U-1 selects user U-2, who is a friend of user U-1, as another user, mutual communication between user U-1 and user U-2 starts (step Sa2). Note that mutual communication may also be performed with users who are not friends, as in the first embodiment described above. By this reciprocal communication, a reduced image of the other user is displayed in area V12 on screen Gs, and the voice of the other user is output from the speaker. As in the first embodiment, the user U-1 and the user U-2 play individual games while communicating with each other. When playing the individual games, one of the users U-1 or U-2 requests a transition to the input game, and the other of the users U-1 or U-2 approves the transition to the input game, the transition to the input game occurs (step Sb4). The transition to the input game may occur without requiring approval for the transition to the input game.

[0118] In addition, a user who requests a transition to the invested game may indicate the amount of value medium used in the game result of the user who approved the transition to the invested game, or conversely, a user who approved the transition to the invested game may indicate the amount of value medium used in the game result of the user who requested the transition to the invested game. For convenience, we will explain the case where user U-1 requests a transition to the investment game, user U-2 approves the transition to the investment game, and user U-2 indicates the amount of value medium used based on user U-1's game result.

[0119] FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing details of the input game processing in step Sb4 of FIG.

[0120] First, the game management unit 111 of the server device 10 executes a process for providing an input game in the terminal devices 20-1 and 20-2 (step Sb401). For example, the game management unit 111 transmits to the terminal device 20-1 information that the user U-2 will use a value medium in the individual game played by the user U-1 (indicating that the input game is about to start) and information indicating the number of consumable value media possessed by the user U-1. In addition, the game management unit 111 transmits to the terminal device 20-2 information indicating that the insertion game is about to start and information indicating the number of value media that the user U-2 possesses that can be used.

[0121] 21 on the display device 240, and displays in the area V11 the number of possessed value media received from the server device 10, while accepting the consumption amount of value media instructed by the user U-1. In other words, the user U-1 instructs the consumption amount of value media for the individual game he or she is playing by operating the area Gs14. 22 on the display device 240, and displays in the area V11 the number of possessed value media received from the server device 10, while accepting the amount of value media to be used as instructed by the user U-2. In other words, the user U-2 operates the area Gs14 to instruct the amount of value media to be used for the individual game played by the opponent user U-1.

[0122] When the time limit expires, the terminal management unit 211 of the terminal device 20-1 transmits the consumption amount of the value medium designated by the user U-1 to the server device 10 via the communication device 230 (step Sb402). Similarly, the terminal management unit 211 of the terminal device 20-2 transmits the usage amount of the value medium designated by the user U-2 to the server device 10 via the communication device 230 (step Sb403).

[0123] The game management unit 111 of the server device 10 instructs the user management unit 115 to reduce the number of consumable value media possessed by user U-1 by the instructed amount of value media consumed, and also reduces the number of usable value media possessed by user U-2 by the instructed amount of value media used (step Sb404).

[0124] The game management unit 111 causes the lottery result determination unit 112 to determine the lottery result of the user U-1 (step Sb405). When the game management unit 111 obtains the information on the lottery result from the lottery result determination unit 112, the game management unit 111 transmits the information on the lottery result to the terminal devices 20-1 and 20-2 via the communication device 130. The game management unit 111 causes the reward determination unit 113 to determine a reward for user U-1 based on the lottery result and the amount of value media specified by user U-1 to be consumed, and then causes the user management unit 115 to increase the number of value media held in accordance with the determined reward.

[0125] Similarly, the game management unit 111 causes the reward determination unit 113 to determine a reward for user U-2 based on the lottery result and the amount of value media used specified by user U-2, and then causes the user management unit 115 to increase the number of value media held in accordance with the determined reward (step Sb406). The reward for user U-2 who instructed the amount of value medium to be used in user U-1's individual game may be an amount obtained by multiplying the amount of value medium to be used instructed by user U-2 by a coefficient, or an amount obtained by multiplying the amount of value medium to be used instructed by user U-2 by a coefficient corresponding to the lottery result for user U-1. The remuneration for user U-2 who specified the amount of the value medium to be used may be the same as that for user U-1, or may be the remuneration for user U-1 multiplied by a coefficient. In either case, if user U-1 receives a large remuneration, user U-2 will also receive a large remuneration. For this reason, user U-2 will hope that user U-1 will win, and if he or she wins, it will bring great joy to not only user U-1 but also user U-2. After the process of step Sb406, the server device 10 returns to step Sb404 in preparation for the start of the lottery for the next coin-in game.

[0126] On the other hand, when the terminal device 20-1 receives the information on the lottery result from the server device 10, the terminal management unit 211 instructs the game providing unit 212 to display the lottery result in the area Gs10 (step Sb407). Next, the gaming providing unit 212 of the terminal device 20-1 determines the game result on the screen Gs according to the lottery result, and executes an effect according to the game result (step Sb408). After that, the terminal management unit 211 of the terminal device 20-1 determines whether or not the user U-1 wishes to continue the input game in the area Gs14 shown in FIG. 22 (step Sb409). For example, if the user U-1 does not operate the “Escape” software button within a predetermined time, this indicates that the user U-1 wishes to continue the input game. In other words, the terminal management unit 211 of the terminal device 20-1 determines whether the “Escape” software button has not been operated within a predetermined time. When a predetermined time has elapsed, the terminal management section 211 of the terminal device 20-1 transmits to the server device 10 information indicating whether or not the "Escape" software button has been operated.

[0127] The terminal management unit 211 of the terminal device 20-2, which has received the information on the lottery result from the server device 10, instructs the game providing unit 212 to display the lottery result in the area Gs10 (step Sb410). Next, the game providing unit 212 of the terminal device 20-2 determines the game result on the screen Gs according to the lottery result, and executes a presentation according to the game result (step Sb411). After that, the terminal management unit 211 of the terminal device 20-2 determines whether the user U-2 wishes to continue the input game (step Sb412). After a predetermined time has elapsed, the terminal management unit 211 of the terminal device 20-2 transmits information indicating whether the software button for "Escape" has been operated to the server device 10.

[0128] The server device 10 receives information indicating whether or not the "Escape" software button has been operated from each of the terminal devices 20-1 and 20-2 (step Sb413). In the server device 10, the game management unit 111 determines whether the “Escape” software button has not been operated in both terminal device 20-1 and terminal device 20-2, in other words, whether both users U-1 and U-2 wish to continue the input game (step Sb414).

[0129] If both users U-1 and U-2 wish to continue the input game (if the judgment result of step Sb414 is "Yes"), the game management unit 111 sends an instruction to continue the input game to each of terminal devices 20-1 and 20-2 via communication device 130 (step Sb415). As a result, the processing procedure returns to step Sb402 in the terminal device 20-1, and the processing procedure returns to step Sb403 in the terminal device 20-2, so that the amount of value medium to be used for the inserted game can be instructed in each of the terminal devices 20-1 and 210-2.

[0130] If at least one of users U-1 and U-2 does not wish to continue the input game (if the judgment result of step Sb414 is "No"), the game management unit 111 sends an instruction to end the input game to each of terminal devices 20-1 and 20-2 via communication device 130 (step Sb416). As a result, the processing procedure returns to the individual game of step Sa3 in FIG. 23 in each of the terminal devices 20-1 and 20-2.

[0131] In the game system 1 of the second embodiment, in the input game, user U-2 can predict the game result of user U-1 based on the current situation transmitted from user U-1, and determine how much of the value medium to use, which is the criterion for determining the reward. In addition, the user U2-1 can play an individual game before or after the input game by consuming a value medium. In other words, the value medium consumed by the user U-2 to play an individual game on the terminal device 20-1 can be used as a value medium that the user U-1 can use to obtain a reward based on the game result.

[0132] In the second embodiment, the value medium used by user U-2 to obtain a reward based on the game result is the same as the value medium given to user U-2 as a reward in the input game. Therefore, the value medium obtained by user U-2 as a reward can be used as the value medium that user U-2 instructs to obtain a reward based on the game result. In the terminal device 20-1, the user U-1 can play an individual game by consuming a value medium. The value medium that the user U-2 uses to obtain a reward based on the game result of the user U-1 is the same as the value medium that the user U-1 consumes to play the individual game. Therefore, the value medium consumed in the individual game can be the same for the users U-1 and U-2.

[0133] In the second embodiment, the roles of the users U-1 and U-2 in the input game may be switched, and the user U-1 may predict the game result of the user U-2 based on the current situation transmitted from the user U-2, and may instruct the amount of the value medium to be used, which is the basis for determining the reward. In this configuration, the reward to be given to the user U-1 is determined based on the game result at the terminal device 20-2 and the amount of the value medium to be used instructed by the user U-1. The value medium instructed by the user U-1 to obtain a reward in the individual game played by the user U-2 at the terminal device 20-2 and the value medium consumed by the user U-1 to play the individual game are of the same type. Therefore, the user U-1 can use the value medium consumed to play the individual game at the terminal device 20-1 as the value medium to be used to obtain a reward based on the game result.

[0134] <Modification of the second embodiment> The second embodiment exemplified above may be modified in various ways. Specific modified aspects that may be applied to the second embodiment are exemplified below. Two or more aspects arbitrarily selected from the following examples may be combined to the extent that they are not mutually contradictory.

[0135] <First Modification of Second Embodiment> In the above-described second embodiment, an example of an input game is described in which the opposing user U-2 instructs the amount of value medium to be used based on the game result of the user U-1. However, there may be two or more other users who instruct the amount of value medium to be used based on the game result of a certain user. In addition, if user U-2 specifies the amount of value medium to be used based on the game result of user U-1, and a reward is generated based on the game result of user U-1, the reward granted to user U-1 may be increased compared to a normal individual game in which user U-2 does not specify the amount of value medium to be used. A user U-1 playing an individual game may request other users to use a value medium on him / her, and may provide some kind of incentive to users who use a value medium in response to the request. Also, the incentive per person may be increased or decreased depending on the number of users who respond to the request. The number of times a request is made or responded to may or may not be limited.

[0136] <Second Modification of Second Embodiment> In the second embodiment, the input game is played in which the user U-2 instructs the amount of value medium to be used based on the game result of the user U-1. However, the user U-2 may provide an individual game specific to the user U-2 in parallel with the input play. According to this configuration, the user U-2 can play an individual game specific to himself while playing the input game for the user U-1, and the user U-1 can play an individual game specific to himself while playing the input game for the user U-2. The value medium that the user U-1 instructs to obtain a reward in the individual game played by the user U-2 on the terminal device 20-2 is the same as the value medium that the user U-1 uses to play the individual game. Therefore, the user U-1 can use the value medium that the user U-1 has obtained as a reward as the value medium that the user U-1 instructs to obtain a reward based on the game result of the user U-2. In addition, the value medium that user U-1 indicates to obtain a reward in an individual game played by user U-2 on terminal device 20-2 may be different from the value medium that user U-1 uses to play the individual game.

[0137] <Third Modification of Second Embodiment> The terminal device 20-2 operated by the user U-2 may be configured to display the results of the individual game of the user U-1. When a reward is given to the user U-2 based on the game result of the user U-1, the reward may be changed according to the results. Specifically, the results refer to the win rate, income and expenditure, etc.

[0138] <Fourth Modification of the Second Embodiment> When two or more other users instruct the amount of value medium to be used based on a user's game result, if a reward is generated, the amount of reward given to each of the other users may be changed depending on the number of other users. According to this configuration, one of two or more other users can instruct the amount of value medium to be used depending on the total number of other users, in other words, taking into account changes in remuneration.

[0139] <Fifth Modification of Second Embodiment> When user U-2 indicates the amount of value medium to be used based on the game results of user U-1, a reward may be given to user U-2 based on the game results of multiple games rather than one individual game. For example, if the probability of a "win" is 50% or higher, a reward may be given to user U-2. With this configuration, user U-2 can determine whether to indicate a value medium based on the current situation transmitted by user U-1, such as information such as "I'm on a roll," "I'm in a period of good luck," or "It looks like I'm going to have a losing streak."

[0140] Sixth Modification of the Second Embodiment The current status transmission unit 213 may be configured to display an avatar representing the user in the area Gs16, instead of a video of the user and other users. More specifically, the avatar may be moved in real time in accordance with the movement of the user who has been photographed.

[0141] <Seventh Modification of the Second Embodiment> Although the basic configuration is that the reward for the user is determined based on the lottery result of the game and the quantity of the value medium designated by the user, the reward may also be determined according to the history of mutual communication. For example, the reward may be changed according to the number of mutual communications or the accumulated time of mutual communication. Specifically, the reward may be increased as the number of mutual communications increases or the accumulated time of mutual communication increases. This configuration makes it possible to encourage users to actively engage in mutual communication.

[0142] <Eighth Modification of Second Embodiment> In the second embodiment, when user U-2 instructs the use of a medium of value for user U-1's game result, if a specific symbol appears a predetermined number or more of the multiple (15) symbols that are the "lottery result", the "game result" may be determined to be a "win" for user U-2. It is optional whether the appearance of a specific symbol a predetermined number of times or more is regarded as a "game result" for user U-1 as a "win" or a "loss."

[0143] <Modifications common to the embodiments, etc.> In the first embodiment and the second embodiment (hereinafter referred to as "embodiments, etc."), the following common modifications are possible.

[0144] <Common First Modification> In the embodiments, the value medium consumed by a user to play a game (individual game, synchronized game, or investment game) and the value medium used by the user in the game and awarded as a reward are of the same type, but they may be different. For example, the value medium consumed by the user to play a game or the value medium granted as a reward may be different from the value medium used by the user when playing the game. More specifically, a first value medium and a second value medium may be present, the first value medium is consumed by the user to play a game, the user instructs the use of the second value medium in the game, and the second value medium is granted as a reward for the game result. In addition, the first value medium may be configured to be convertible into the second value medium at a predetermined ratio, or the second value medium may be configured to be convertible into the first value medium at the reciprocal of the above-mentioned ratio.

[0145] <Common second modified example> Of the functions implemented in the processing device 110 of the server device 10 according to the embodiment, the functions of the game management unit 111, the lottery result determination unit 112 and the reward determination unit 113 may be implemented in the processing device 210 of the terminal device 20. In other words, the components other than the user management unit 115 and the relationship registration unit 116 may be provided in the terminal device 20 . The application program executed by the terminal device 20 may be provided in a form stored in a computer-readable recording medium and installed in the computer. The recording medium is, for example, a non-transitory recording medium, and is exemplified by an optical recording medium (optical disk) such as a CD-ROM, but also includes any known type of recording medium such as a semiconductor recording medium or a magnetic recording medium. Note that the non-transitory recording medium includes any recording medium except for a transient, propagating signal, and does not exclude volatile recording media. In a configuration in which a distribution device distributes a program via a communication network, a storage device that stores the program in the distribution device corresponds to the non-transitory recording medium described above.

[0146] <Additional Notes> From the above description, for example, preferred embodiments of the present invention can be understood as follows.

[0147] <Appendix 1> A game system according to one aspect 1 of the present invention is a game system that provides a game to a first user operating a first terminal device and a second user operating a second terminal device, and has a lottery result determination unit that determines a common lottery result for the first terminal device and the second terminal device, a first reward determination unit that determines a reward for the first user based on the common lottery result and a first consumption amount of a value medium instructed by the first user to the first terminal device, and a second reward determination unit that determines a reward for the second user based on the common lottery result and a second consumption amount of a value medium instructed by the second user to the second terminal device.

[0148] According to the first aspect, a game using a lottery result common to the first user and the second user is provided to the first user on the terminal device 20-1, and is provided to the second user on the terminal device 20-1. Therefore, the first user and the second user do not need to go to a specific place to be provided with a game using the common lottery result.

[0149] In addition, the determination of the remuneration includes the determination of the quantity of the value medium to be granted as the remuneration, as well as the determination of the type of value medium to be granted as the remuneration. The "lottery result determination unit," "first reward determination unit," and "second reward determination unit" may be provided in the first terminal device, the second terminal device, a common device (server device), or distributed across multiple devices on a network. In addition, the first terminal device may be configured to display the process leading to the common lottery result or game result, and the second terminal device may be configured to display the process leading to the common lottery result or the second game result.

[0150] <Appendix 2> In a specific example 2 of example 1, a relationship registration unit that registers relationships between a plurality of users is provided, and a relationship between the first user and the second user is registered in the relationship registration unit. According to the second aspect, the users who play the game utilizing the common lottery result can be limited to those whose relationships are registered in the relationship registration unit. The "relationship" may be a "friend" who is on good terms with the user, or a "best friend" who is closer than a friend. If there are multiple users who have a registered relationship with the first user, the first user may be able to select a user with whom to share the common lottery results.

[0151] <Appendix 3> In a specific aspect 3 of aspect 1 or 2, the game providing unit has a game providing unit that causes the first terminal device to display the second consumption amount of the value medium designated by the second user. According to aspect 3, the first user can designate the consumption amount of the value medium while being aware of the second consumption amount of the value medium designated by the second user.

[0152] <Appendix 4> In another specific aspect 4 of aspect 1, the common lottery result is a combination of multiple symbols selected in some or all of a predetermined judgment area when multiple reels, each having a multiple symbol attached thereto, stop after the multiple reels have spun. According to aspect 4, a so-called slot game is provided to a first user and a second user.

[0153] The term "symbol" refers to the images displayed on the reels, such as "seven," "cherry," "bar," and "wild." A "reel" is a drum-shaped rotating body with multiple symbols attached thereto, or a pseudo reel (CG) that resembles a rotating body. The "determination area" is an area that indicates the game result that is the basis for calculating the reward. "Part or all of the judgment area" means that the area showing the symbol combination that results in a common lottery result is not limited to the entire area showing the game result that is the basis for calculating the reward, but may be only a part of it. The "combination of a plurality of symbols selected in a part or all of the judgment area" refers to the arrangement and number of a plurality of symbols that appear in a part or all of the judgment area after rotation and stopping. If the judgment area is, for example, 3 rows and 5 columns, the symbols in row 3 and column 1 may be determined by one reel, and the symbols in column 5 may be determined by five reels, or a total of 15 symbols in the 3 rows and 5 columns may be determined by 15 independent reels. "Spin" includes not only the physical spin of real reels, but also the virtual spin of pseudo reels.

[0154] <Appendix 5> In a specific aspect 5 of aspect 4, a portion of the plurality of reels are shared by the first terminal device and the second terminal device, and the lottery result determination unit selects symbols attached to reels of the plurality of reels shared by the first terminal device and the second terminal device in a portion of the judgment area and determines them as the common lottery result, and the first reward determination unit determines a reward for the first user based on a combination of a plurality of symbols selected in the entire judgment area and including the common lottery result and the first consumption amount. According to the fifth aspect, in the first terminal device and the second terminal device, the symbol combination selected on the shared reels in a part of the judgment area is a common lottery result. In the first terminal device, the symbol combination selected on the non-shared reels in a part other than the part of the judgment area may be different from that of the second terminal device. Therefore, the reward for the first user and the reward for the second user may be different.

[0155] <Appendix 6> In another specific aspect 6 of aspect 4, a portion of the multiple symbols attached to some of the multiple reels are shared by the first terminal device and the second terminal device, and the lottery result determination unit selects a symbol from the multiple symbols shared by the first terminal device and the second terminal device in a portion of the judgment area and determines it as the common lottery result, and the first reward determination unit determines a reward for the first user based on a combination of multiple symbols selected in the entire judgment area and including the common lottery result and the first consumption amount. According to the sixth aspect, in a part of the judgment area, the selection of the shared symbols in the first terminal device and the second terminal device results in a common lottery result. In the other parts of the judgment area, the combinations selected with the non-shared symbols may be different. Therefore, the reward for the first user and the reward for the second user may be different. In addition, in areas other than a part of the judgment region, when unshared symbols are selected in the first terminal device and the second terminal device, the symbol combinations may be the same in the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

[0156] <Appendix 7> In another specific aspect 7 of aspect 4, the game providing unit selects and provides a common game using the common lottery result or a first game using a lottery result specific to the first terminal device in response to an operation of the first user on the first terminal device, and selects and provides a common game using the common lottery result or a second game using a lottery result specific to the second terminal device in response to an operation of the second user on the second terminal device, wherein the first game is a game in which a combination of multiple symbols selected in the judgment area when the multiple reels each having the multiple symbols attached thereto have rotated and then stopped is the lottery result specific to the first terminal device, and the second game is a game in which a combination of multiple symbols selected in the judgment area when the multiple reels each having the multiple symbols attached thereto have rotated and then stopped is the lottery result specific to the second terminal device. According to the seventh aspect, a first user can select and play either a common game using a common lottery result or a first game using a lottery result specific to his / her first terminal device. A second user can select and play either a common game using a common lottery result or a second game using a lottery result specific to his / her second terminal device.

[0157] <Appendix 8> In another specific aspect 8 of aspect 7, when the game providing unit provides the first game to the first terminal device and the second game to the second terminal device, if a specific symbol among the multiple symbols appears in the judgment area based on the lottery result of the first game, the game providing unit replaces a portion of the multiple symbols appearing in the judgment area of ​​the second terminal device with the specific symbol. According to aspect 8, when a first user is playing a first game and a second user is playing a second game, if a specific symbol appears in the determination area in the first game, some of the symbols in the determination area in the second game are replaced with the specific symbol, which allows the first game and the second user to share the specific symbol. In addition, the positions and quantity of the specific symbols replaced in the judgment area in the second terminal device may be the same as or different from the positions and quantity of the specific symbols appearing in the judgment area in the first terminal device.

[0158] <Other> The game system according to aspect 1 can also be expressed as a control method for the game system, and can also be expressed as a computer program. [Explanation of symbols]

[0159] 1...game system, 10...server device, 20-1, 20-2...terminal device, 110...processing device, 111...game management unit, 112...lottery result determination unit, 113...reward determination unit, 114...user management unit, 115...relationship registration unit, 210...processing device, 211...terminal management unit, 212...game providing unit, 213...current status transmission unit, T1...user management table, T2...relationship table.

Claims

1. A game system that provides a game to a first user who operates a first terminal device and a second user who operates a second terminal device via a network, comprising: a lottery result determination unit that determines a common lottery result for the first terminal device and the second terminal device; Selecting and providing to the first terminal device a common game using the common lottery result or a first game using a lottery result specific to the first terminal device, a game providing unit that selects and provides to the second terminal device a common game using the common lottery result or a second game using a lottery result specific to the second terminal device; When the common game is provided to the first terminal device, a reward for the first user is determined based on the common lottery result and a first consumption amount of a value medium instructed by the first user to the first terminal device; a first reward determination unit that, when the first game is provided to the first terminal device, determines a reward for the first user based on a lottery result specific to the first terminal device and a first consumption amount of a value medium instructed by the first user to the first terminal device; When the common game is provided to the second terminal device, a reward for the second user is determined based on the common lottery result and a second consumption amount of the value medium instructed by the second user to the second terminal device; a second reward determination unit that, when the second game is provided to the second terminal device, determines a reward for the second user based on a lottery result specific to the second terminal device and a second consumption amount of the value medium instructed by the second user to the second terminal device; a current status transmission unit that transmits to the second user a current status of the common game or a current status of the first game played by the first user; and The game providing unit: Switching from providing the second game to providing the common game or from providing the common game to providing the second game in response to an operation on the second terminal device by the second user. Game system.

2. The current status transmission unit transmitting to the first user the current status of the common game or the current status of the second game played by the second user; The game providing unit: Switching from providing the first game to providing the common game or from providing the common game to providing the first game in response to an operation on the first terminal device by the first user. The game system according to claim 1 .

3. A control method for a game system that provides a game via a network to a first user who operates a first terminal device and a second user who operates a second terminal device, comprising: determining a common lottery result for the first terminal device and the second terminal device; Selecting and providing to the first terminal device a common game using the common lottery result or a first game using a lottery result specific to the first terminal device, Selecting and providing to the second terminal device a common game using the common lottery result or a second game using a lottery result specific to the second terminal device, When the common game is provided to the first terminal device, a reward for the first user is determined based on the common lottery result and a first consumption amount of a value medium instructed by the first user to the first terminal device; When the first game is provided to the first terminal device, a reward for the first user is determined based on a lottery result specific to the first terminal device and a first consumption amount of a value medium instructed by the first user to the first terminal device; When the common game is provided to the second terminal device, a reward for the second user is determined based on the common lottery result and a second consumption amount of the value medium instructed by the second user to the second terminal device; When the second game is provided to the second terminal device, a reward for the second user is determined based on a lottery result specific to the second terminal device and a second consumption amount of the value medium instructed by the second user to the second terminal device; transmitting to the second user the current status of the common game or the current status of the first game played by the first user; Switching from providing the second game to providing the common game or from providing the common game to providing the second game in response to an operation on the second terminal device by the second user. How to control the game system.

4. A computer that provides a game via a network to a first user who operates a first terminal device and a second user who operates a second terminal device, a lottery result determination unit that determines a common lottery result for the first terminal device and the second terminal device; Selecting and providing to the first terminal device a common game using the common lottery result or a first game using a lottery result specific to the first terminal device, a game providing unit that selects and provides to the second terminal device a common game using the common lottery result or a second game using a lottery result specific to the second terminal device; When the common game is provided to the first terminal device, a reward for the first user is determined based on the common lottery result and a first consumption amount of a value medium instructed by the first user to the first terminal device; a first reward determination unit that, when the first game is provided to the first terminal device, determines a reward for the first user based on a lottery result specific to the first terminal device and a first consumption amount of a value medium instructed by the first user to the first terminal device; When the common game is provided to the second terminal device, a reward for the second user is determined based on the common lottery result and a second consumption amount of the value medium instructed by the second user to the second terminal device; a second reward determination unit that, when the second game is provided to the second terminal device, determines a reward for the second user based on a lottery result specific to the second terminal device and a second consumption amount of the value medium instructed by the second user to the second terminal device; a current status transmission unit that transmits to the second user a current status of the common game or a current status of the first game played by the first user; and The game providing unit: Switching from providing the second game to providing the common game or from providing the common game to providing the second game in response to an operation on the second terminal device by the second user. program.

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