Game program, method, information processing device, and system

Abstract

To solve a problem that a game which is easy to understand and enjoyable even for a beginner is not realized.SOLUTION: A storage step of assigning each of a plurality of users to either a first role or a second role and storing them, a first transmission step of transmitting information from a first information processing terminal of a user of the first role, a first reception step of receiving information by the first information processing terminal of the user of the first role, and a second transmission step of transmitting information from a second information processing terminal of a user of the second role are executed. The first transmission step includes a step of transmitting information to the first information processing terminal of another user of the first role without transmitting information to the second information processing terminal. The first reception step includes a step of receiving information from the first information processing terminal of another user of the first role and a step of receiving information from the second information processing terminal. The second transmission step includes a step of transmitting information to the first information processing terminal. The second information processing terminal cannot receive information from the first information processing terminal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a game program, a method, an information processing device, and a system. [Background technology]

[0002] A game of tag using an information and communication terminal is known. Patent Document 1 discloses an information processing system that supports children in actively playing games that will lead to improved physical fitness. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-244307 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The challenge is that it has not been possible to create games that are easy to understand and enjoyable even for beginners. Therefore, the present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide technology that realizes a game that is easy to understand and enjoyable even for beginners. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A game program to be executed by a computer having a processor and a memory unit, the processor executing a storage step of assigning each of a plurality of users to either a first role or a second role and storing the roles, a first transmission step of transmitting information from a first information processing terminal of a user with the first role, a first reception step of a first information processing terminal of a user with the first role receiving information, and a second transmission step of transmitting information from a second information processing terminal of a user with the second role, wherein the first transmission step includes a step of transmitting information to a first information processing terminal of another user with the first role without transmitting information to the second information processing terminal, the first reception step includes a step of receiving information from the first information processing terminal of the other user with the first role and a step of receiving information from the second information processing terminal, and the second transmission step includes a step of transmitting information to the first information processing terminal, wherein the second information processing terminal is unable to receive information from the first information processing terminal. Effect of the Invention

[0006] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to realize a game that is easy to understand and enjoyable even for beginners. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the system 1. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the server 10. [Diagram 3] 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a first user terminal 21. FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an administrator terminal 30. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the data structure of a user table 1012. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the data structure of a game table 1013. [Figure 7] 10 is a diagram showing the data structure of a room table 1014. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the data structure of a participation table 1015. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the data structure of an event table 1016. [Figure 10] 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of a setting process. [Figure 11] 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of a game process. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the basic hardware configuration of a computer 90. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In all the drawings explaining the embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to common components, and repeated explanations are omitted. Note that the following embodiment does not unduly limit the contents of the present disclosure described in the claims. In addition, not all of the components shown in the embodiment are essential components of the present disclosure. In addition, each figure is a schematic diagram and is not necessarily illustrated strictly.

[0009] <System 1 Configuration> The system 1 in the present disclosure is an information processing system that provides a game service related to a game of tag called "Keidoro." The information processing system according to the present disclosure includes a server 10, one or more first user terminals 21A, 21B, 21C, etc., one or more second user terminals 22A, 22B, 22C, etc., one or more third user terminals 23A, 23B, 23C, etc., and one or more administrator terminals 30A, 30B, 30C. The system 1 includes information processing devices, namely, a server 10, a first user terminal 21, a second user terminal 22, a third user terminal 23, and an administrator terminal 30, which are connected via a network N. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the system 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the server 10. As shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the first user terminal 21. As shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the administrator terminal 30. As shown in FIG.

[0010] Each information processing device is configured by a computer equipped with a calculation device and a storage device. The basic hardware configuration of the computer and the basic functional configuration of the computer realized by the hardware configuration will be described later. For each of the server 10, the first user terminal 21, the second user terminal 22, the third user terminal 23, and the administrator terminal 30, explanations that overlap with the basic hardware configuration and basic functional configuration of the computer described later will be omitted.

[0011] <Server 10 Configuration> The server 10 is an information processing device that provides a game service related to a game of tag called "Keidoro." The server 10 includes a storage unit 101 and a control unit 104 .

[0012] <Configuration of the storage unit 101 of the server 10> The storage unit 101 of the server 10 includes an application program 1011 , a user table 1012 , a game table 1013 , a room table 1014 , a participation table 1015 , and an event table 1016 .

[0013] The application program 1011 is a program for causing the control unit 104 of the server 10 to function as each functional unit. Application programs 1011 include applications such as a web browser application.

[0014] User table 1012 is a table that stores and manages information about member users (hereinafter, users) who use the service. When a user registers to use the service, the user's information is stored in a new record in user table 1012. This allows the user to use the service according to the present disclosure. The user table 1012 is a table having columns of user ID and user name, with the user ID as the primary key. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the data structure of the user table 1012. As shown in FIG.

[0015] The user ID is an item for storing user identification information for identifying a user. The user identification information is an item for which a unique value is set for each user. The user name is an item for storing the name of the user. The user name may be set to any character string such as a nickname instead of a name.

[0016] The game table 1013 is a table for storing and managing information (game information) regarding a game held in which a plurality of users participate. The game table 1013 is a table having the game ID as a primary key, and columns of the game ID, game name, rule, user ID, start date and time, and end date and time. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the data structure of the game table 1013. As shown in FIG.

[0017] The game ID is an item for storing game identification information for identifying a game. The game identification information is an item in which a unique value is set for each piece of game information. The game name is an item for storing the name of the game. Any character string can be set as the game name. The rule is an item for storing information (rule information) about the rules applied to the game to be played. The rule includes information indicating the type of game, such as "tag," "hidden turtle," "ice ogre," and "kick the can." The rule information includes a termination condition. The rule information may also include a winning or losing condition. In general, in a game of tag, users are divided into two or more roles (oni and other roles), and when the game ends, a winning or losing condition is determined for any of the roles as to whether the game is a "win," "lose," or a "draw." Specifically, the termination conditions for "Keidoro" are as follows: -Game end date and time has passed All the thieves caught The thief moves to a designated location (goal, etc.) As an example, the conditions for winning or losing in "Keidoro" are as follows: If all the thieves have been caught at the end of the game, or if the police have caught more than the set number of thieves, the game ends. If all thieves have not been captured at the end of the game, or if the number of thieves captured is less than the set number, the thief wins. In the present disclosure, the end condition and the winning / losing condition can be determined by analyzing the event content (event code) stored in the event data of the event table 1016, which will be described later in detail. The user ID is an item for storing user identification information of one or more users participating in the game. This is an item for storing the start date and time of the game. This is an item for storing the end date and time of the game. The end date and time of the game may be the date and time after a predetermined time has elapsed from the start date and time of the game.

[0018] The room table 1014 is a table for storing and managing information about rooms (room information). A room is a virtual conference room (virtual space) in which a plurality of users can virtually enter and communicate with each other using information such as voice, video, images, and character strings. By participating in a room specified by a room ID, a user can transmit information to other users participating in the room and receive information from other users. Each user participating in a room can set whether or not to send information such as audio, video, images, and character strings to the room, and can set whether or not to receive information. A room can simplify mutual communication processing, particularly when communication occurs between three or more people. Note that a room includes any communication environment, such as any virtual environment, communication space, or channel, in which participants can communicate using at least one of audio, video, images, character strings, and the like. The information processing service for the room may be provided by the server 10 according to the present disclosure, or may utilize the functions of any SNS service such as LINE, Facebook Messenger, KakaoTalk, or Facetime operated by an external business operator. In addition, functions of online conference services such as Google Meet, Zoom, and Teams may be used. In this case, for example, a room ID described later can be a URL (meeting URL) issued when a new conference is held. This makes it possible to realize the game service according to the present disclosure without constructing an information processing system for a complex virtual conference room. A predetermined number of rooms are created according to the type of game to be held, and users who will participate in the game are assigned to the rooms. Users who will participate in the rooms are specified by a participation table 1015, which will be described later. The room table 1014 is a table having a room ID as a primary key, and columns of a room ID, a game ID, and a room name. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the data structure of the room table 1014. As shown in FIG.

[0019] The room ID is an item for storing room identification information for identifying a room. The room identification information is an item for which a unique value is set for each piece of room information. The game ID is an item for storing game identification information of a game that uses a room. One game is associated with one or more rooms and stored. The room name is an item for storing the name of the room. Any character string can be set as the room name.

[0020] The participation table 1015 is a table for storing and managing information relating to participation (participation information). Participation table 1015 is a table having columns for user ID, game ID, room ID, role, status, whether audio can be transmitted, whether audio can be received, whether image can be transmitted, whether image can be received, whether character string can be transmitted, and whether character string can be received. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the data structure of the attendance table 1015. As shown in FIG.

[0021] The user ID is an item for storing user identification information for identifying a user participating in a game. The game ID is an item for storing game identification information for identifying a game in which a user specified by the user identification information is participating. The room ID is an item for storing room identification information for identifying a room in which a user specified by the user identification information is participating. The role is an item that stores information (role information) about the user's role. A value determined in advance according to the type of game is stored as the role information. For example, when the type of game is "hidden thief," the role information includes information (character strings) that specify the roles of "police," "thief," and "game master." The status is an item for storing information (status information) relating to the user's status. Status contains the following general user status information: Participating: The user is participating in the game. · Exit: Exited from the game - Pause: The game is paused Completed: The game is complete. The status includes the user's status information within the game, as shown below. Waiting: Before the game starts or while waiting for the next round Pursuing: (Police) Pursuing a thief (default state) - On the run: (In the case of a thief) Running away from the police (default state) · Captured: (in the case of a thief) being caught by the police · On break: Temporarily away from the game Game End: The game has ended. Audio transmission permission is an item that stores information about whether a user can transmit audio within a room. This information can be set or changed by the user himself or the game administrator. Audio reception availability is an item that stores information about whether a user can receive audio in a room. This information can be set or changed by the user or the game administrator. The "Image sending permission" field stores information about whether a user can send images in a room. This information can be set or changed by the user or the game administrator. Image reception is an item that stores information about whether a user can receive images in a room. This information can be set or changed by the user or the game administrator. The "character string sending" field stores information about whether a user can send character strings in a room. This information can be set or changed by the user or the game administrator. The "character string reception" field stores information about whether the user can receive character strings in the room. This information can be set or changed by the user or the game administrator.

[0022] The event table 1016 is a table for storing and managing information relating to events (event information). The event table 1016 is a table having columns for game ID, user ID, event data, and date and time. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the data structure of the event table 1016. As shown in FIG.

[0023] The game ID is an item for storing game identification information of the game in which the event occurred. The user ID is an item for storing the user identification information of the user who generated the event. Multiple user identification information may be stored. The event data is an item for storing event information related to an event. The event data includes event content information related to the content of the event that has occurred. The event content information may include an event code for identifying an event managed in a table such as an event master (not shown). For example, in the event master, an event code (event content) is defined for each event occurrence condition (event condition) according to the type of game when the event condition is satisfied. Event conditions include "movement to a specified location," "contact with a specified user," "contact with a specified item," "contact with a specified person or object," etc. Contact occurs when the user's information processing terminal detects that it is located within a certain distance from an object. "Contact" can be detected using any input device, such as a position information sensor, contact sensor, or touch sensor, of the information processing terminal. In the "Kei-doro" of the present disclosure, the event data includes event contents such as "successful capture," "successful escape," and "obtaining an item." In addition, in the present disclosure, the event data includes event contents such as "moving to a plurality of predetermined locations." The event data may also include event contents for when the user goes outside the area, when the game time has elapsed, and the like. The event data may also include event contents such as "obtaining an item" by the user moving to a predetermined location, and the like. For example, assume that an event condition "move to point A" is stored in association with an event code "A001" in the event master. In this case, when the first user moves to point A, the event code "A001" or the like is stored in the event data. Also, in this case, the first user ID 2011 is stored in the user ID field, and the first user and the event code "A001" are stored in association with each other. The date and time is an item for storing the date and time when an event occurred.

[0024] <Configuration of the control unit 104 of the server 10> The control unit 104 of the server 10 includes a user registration control unit 1041. The control unit 104 executes an application program 1011 stored in the storage unit 101, thereby realizing each functional unit.

[0025] The user registration control unit 1041 performs processing to store, in the user table 1012, information on users who wish to use the service according to the present disclosure. The information stored in the user table 1012 is generated when a user opens a web page operated by a service provider from any information processing terminal, enters information into a specific input form, and transmits the information to the server 10. The user registration control unit 1041 stores the received information in a new record in the user table 1012, completing the user registration. This allows the user stored in the user table 1012 to use the service. Before the user registration control unit 1041 registers user information in the user table 1012, the service provider may carry out a predetermined examination to restrict whether or not the user is permitted to use the service. The user ID may be any character string or number that can identify the user, any character string or number desired by the user, or an arbitrary character string or number may be automatically set by the user registration control unit 1041.

[0026] <Configuration of First User Terminal 21> The first user terminal 21 is an information processing device operated by a user who uses a service. In the present disclosure, the first user terminal 21 is an information processing terminal operated by a user who has the role of "police" in the game. The first user terminal 21 may be, for example, a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet, a stationary PC (Personal Computer), or a laptop PC, or may be a wearable terminal such as an HMD (Head Mount Display) or a wristwatch-type terminal. The first user terminal 21 includes a storage unit 211 , a control unit 214 , an input device 216 , and an output device 218 .

[0027] <Configuration of the storage unit 211 of the first user terminal 21> The storage unit 211 of the first user terminal 21 includes a first user ID 2111 and an application program 2112 .

[0028] The first user ID 2111 is a user's account ID. The user transmits the first user ID 2111 from the user terminal 20 to the server 10. The server 10 identifies the user based on the first user ID 2111 and provides the user with the service according to the present disclosure. The first user ID 2111 includes information such as a session ID temporarily assigned by the server 10 to identify the user who is using the user terminal 20.

[0029] The application program 2112 may be stored in advance in the storage unit 201, or may be configured to be downloaded from a web server operated by a service provider via a communication IF. The application programs 2112 include applications such as a web browser application. The application programs 2112 include an interpreted programming language such as JavaScript™ that runs on a web browser application stored on the user terminal 20 .

[0030] <Configuration of the control unit 214 of the first user terminal 21> The control unit 214 of the first user terminal 21 includes an input control unit 2141 and an output control unit 2142. The control unit 214 executes an application program 2112 stored in the storage unit 211, thereby realizing each functional unit.

[0031] <Configuration of the input device 216 of the first user terminal 21> The input device 216 of the first user terminal 21 includes a camera 2161 , a microphone 2162 , a position information sensor 2163 , a motion sensor 2164 , and a touch device 2165 .

[0032] <Configuration of the output device 218 of the first user terminal 21> The output device 218 of the first user terminal 21 includes a display 2181 and a speaker 2182 .

[0033] <Configuration of second user terminal 22> The second user terminal 22 is an information processing terminal operated by a user who has the role of "thief" in the game. Except for the user ID stored in the storage unit 221 being the second user ID 2211, the second user terminal 22 has the same configuration as the first user terminal, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted. The second user terminal 22 includes a storage unit 221 , a control unit 224 , an input device 226 , and an output device 228 .

[0034] <Configuration of the storage unit 221 of the second user terminal 22> The storage unit 221 of the second user terminal 22 includes a second user ID 2211 and an application program 2212 .

[0035] <Configuration of the control unit 224 of the second user terminal 22> The control unit 224 of the second user terminal 22 includes an input control unit 2241 and an output control unit 2242. The control unit 224 executes an application program 2212 stored in the storage unit 221, thereby realizing each functional unit.

[0036] <Configuration of the input device 226 of the second user terminal 22> The input device 226 of the second user terminal 22 includes a camera 2261 , a microphone 2262 , a position information sensor 2263 , a motion sensor 2264 , and a touch device 2265 .

[0037] <Configuration of the output device 228 of the second user terminal 22> The output device 228 of the second user terminal 22 includes a display 2281 and a speaker 2282 .

[0038] <Configuration of third user terminal 23> The third user terminal 23 is an information processing terminal operated by a user who has the role of "game master" in the game. Except for the user ID stored in the storage unit 231 being the third user ID 2311, the third user terminal 23 has the same configuration as the first user terminal, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. The third user terminal 23 includes a storage unit 231 , a control unit 234 , an input device 236 , and an output device 238 .

[0039] <Configuration of the storage unit 231 of the third user terminal 23> The storage unit 231 of the third user terminal 23 includes a third user ID 2311 and an application program 2312 .

[0040] <Configuration of the control unit 234 of the third user terminal 23> The control unit 234 of the third user terminal 23 includes an input control unit 2341 and an output control unit 2342. The control unit 234 executes an application program 2312 stored in the storage unit 231, thereby realizing each functional unit.

[0041] <Configuration of the input device 236 of the third user terminal 23> The input device 236 of the third user terminal 23 includes a camera 2361 , a microphone 2362 , a position information sensor 2363 , a motion sensor 2364 , and a touch device 2365 .

[0042] <Configuration of the output device 238 of the third user terminal 23> The output device 238 of the third user terminal 23 includes a display 2381 and a speaker 2382 .

[0043] <Configuration of administrator terminal 30> The administrator terminal 30 is an information processing device operated by an administrator who manages a service. The administrator terminal 30 may be, for example, a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet, a stationary PC (Personal Computer), or a laptop PC. It may also be a wearable terminal such as an HMD (Head Mount Display) or a wristwatch-type terminal. The administrator terminal 30 includes a storage unit 301 , a control unit 304 , an input device 306 , and an output device 308 .

[0044] <Configuration of the storage unit 301 of the administrator terminal 30> The storage unit 301 of the administrator terminal 30 includes an administrator ID 3011 and an application program 3012 .

[0045] The administrator ID 3011 is a user's account ID. The user transmits the administrator ID 3011 from the administrator terminal 30 to the server 10. The server 10 identifies the user based on the administrator ID 3011 and provides the user with the services disclosed herein. The administrator ID 3011 includes information such as a session ID that is temporarily assigned by the server 10 to identify the user who is using the administrator terminal 30.

[0046] The application program 3012 may be prestored in the storage unit 301, or may be downloaded from a web server operated by a service provider via a communication IF. The application program 3012 includes an interpreter-type programming language such as JavaScript (registered trademark) that is executed on a web browser application stored in the administrator terminal 30.

[0047] <Configuration of the control unit 304 of the administrator terminal 30> The control unit 304 of the administrator terminal 30 includes an input control unit 3041 and an output control unit 3042. The control unit 304 executes an application program 3012 stored in the storage unit 301, thereby realizing each functional unit.

[0048] <Configuration of the input device 306 of the administrator terminal 30> The input device 306 of the administrator terminal 30 includes a camera 3061 , a microphone 3062 , a position information sensor 3063 , a motion sensor 3064 , and a keyboard 3065 .

[0049] <Configuration of the output device 308 of the administrator terminal 30> The output device 308 of the administrator terminal 30 includes a display 3081 and a speaker 3082 .

[0050] <System 1 Operation> Each process of the system 1 will be described below. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the setting process. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the game processing.

[0051] <Settings process> The setting process is a process for making various settings when starting a game.

[0052] <Overview of the configuration process> The setting process is a series of processes in which the administrator accepts settings related to the game from a user (hereinafter referred to as the administrator), accepts registration of participating users who will participate in the game, creates a room, and executes various settings related to the participating users who will participate in the game.

[0053] <Details of the setting process> The setting process will be described in detail below.

[0054] In step S101, the control unit 104 of the server 10 executes an event storage step of storing information on one or more preset events. Specifically, the administrator operates the input device 306 of the administrator terminal 30, executes a browser application or the like, and opens the setting page D1 by inputting the URL of a web page (setting page) for executing the setting process. The control unit 304 of the administrator terminal 30 transmits a request including the administrator ID 3011 for opening the setting page to the server 10. In the present disclosure, an example in which the setting process is performed by an administrator will be described as an example, but the setting process may be configured to be executed by users participating in the game.

[0055] When the server 10 receives the request, it generates a setting page and transmits it to the administrator terminal 30. The control unit 304 of the administrator terminal 30 displays the setting page on the display 3081 of the administrator terminal 30 for presentation. Specifically, the administrator operates the input device 306 of the administrator terminal 30 to open a setting page and input information into a predetermined input field, thereby storing game information about a game to be held in a new record in the game table 1013. Details of the game information have been explained in the game table 1013. For example, the control unit 104 of the server 10 may be configured to present to the administrator a list of one or more games that can be held that are stored in a table (game master) (not shown) in which rules are associated with each game and stored, and by the administrator selecting a game to be held from the listed games, the rule information associated with the game is stored in the rule item of the game table 1013. This allows the administrator to easily hold a game by selecting a specific rule information that he or she wishes to hold from games having multiple different rule information, for example. In this disclosure, as an example, a process will be described in which a game related to "Keidoro" is selected and rule information related to "Keidoro" is stored in the "rule" field of a new record in the game table 1013. Furthermore, the administrator operates the input device 306 of the administrator terminal 30 to input the start date / time and end date / time of the game to be held, which are included in the setting page D1. The control unit 304 of the administrator terminal 30 transmits the input start date / time and end date / time to the server 10. The control unit 104 of the server 10 stores the received start date / time and end date / time in the start date / time and end date / time items of the record related to the game to be held in the game table 1013, respectively. As a result, the content of the game to be played (rule information) and the duration of the game (from the start date and time to the end date and time) are stored in the game table 1013.

[0056] In step S102, the administrator operates the input device 206 of the administrator terminal 30 to input user information such as a user name, user ID, and email address in a user input field included in the setting page D1 for inputting users who will participate in the game to be held. The control unit 304 of the administrator terminal 30 transmits the input user information to the server 10. The control unit 104 of the server 10 stores the received user information in the user ID field of the record related to the game to be held in the game table 1013. As a result, the game name of the game to be played, game details such as rules, user IDs of participants, and the game duration (start date and time, end date and time) are associated with each other and stored in the game table 1013. New game identification information is assigned to the game ID item of the new record in the game table 1013.

[0057] In step S103, when the control unit 104 of the server 10 determines that the game information has been stored in the game table 1013, it associates the game ID of the game to be held with the room name specified based on the rule information and stores them in the game ID and room name items of a new record in the room table 1014. New room identification information is assigned to the room ID item of the new record in the room table 1014. The control unit 104 of the server 10 accesses an information service about virtual conference rooms operated by an external business operator, creates a predetermined number of virtual conference rooms specified based on the rule information from the start date and time to the end date and time of the game, and stores them in association with the room information. In addition, the control unit 104 of the server 10 performs settings and the like required for creating the virtual conference rooms based on the rule information. In the present disclosure, two rooms, a first room (first virtual conference room) and a second room (second virtual conference room), are created.

[0058] In step S104, the control unit 104 of the server 10 executes a storing step of assigning each of the multiple users to either the first role or the second role and storing the assigned roles. The storing step may also assign each of the multiple users to either the first role, the second role, or the third role and store the assigned roles. Specifically, the administrator operates the input device 306 of the administrator terminal 30 to set the room in which the user will participate and the role of the user for each user registered in step S101. The participating room and role for each participating user may be automatically (for example, randomly) assigned based on the rule information of the game in which the user will participate. The control unit 104 of the server 10 stores the room identification information of the room assigned by the administrator or automatically assigned, the role information, the game ID of the game to be held, and the user ID in the items of room ID, role, game ID, and user ID of the new record in the participation table 1015. As a result, the information of the participating users for the game registered in step S101 (participation information) is stored in the new record in the participation table 1015.

[0059] As an example, in the game "Catch-and-Seek," the first role user is a "police" player who catches the second role user. The second role user is a "thief" player who escapes from the first role user. The third role user is a player who informs the first role user of the status of the second role user, but does not participate in the game progress in order to ensure smooth progress of the game. In addition, in this disclosure, the information processing terminal (first information processing terminal) of the user with the first role is referred to as the first user terminals 21A, 21B, 21C, the information processing terminal (second information processing terminal) of the user with the second role is referred to as the second user terminals 22A, 22B, 22C, and the information processing terminal (third information processing terminal) of the user with the third role is referred to as the third user terminals 23A, 23B, 23C.

[0060] The control unit 104 of the server 10 refers to the rule information and sets initial values ​​for the following items for each user of the participants stored in the participation table 1015: status, whether audio can be transmitted, whether audio can be received, whether image can be transmitted, whether image can be received, whether character string can be transmitted, and whether character string can be received.

[0061] The following is an example of settings in the participation table 1015 for users of the first role, second role, and third role in "Keidoro."

[0062] The configuration for the first role user (Police) is as follows: - Role 1 user (Room 1, for sharing police information) settings Status: Waiting, Can send voice: Yes, Can receive voice: Yes, Can send image: Yes, Can receive image: Yes, Can send text: Yes, Can receive text: Yes - Role 1 user (Room 2, for thief information acquisition) setting value Status: Waiting, Can send voice: No, Can receive voice: Yes, Can send image: No, Can receive image: Yes, Can send text: No, Can receive text: Yes

[0063] The configuration for the second role user (thief) is as follows: - Second role user (first room, for thief information acquisition) setting value Status: Waiting, Can send voice: No, Can receive voice: No, Can send image: No, Can receive image: No, Can send text: No, Can receive text: No The user with the second role may not participate in the first room, in which case the second information processing terminal cannot receive information from the first information processing terminal. - Second role user (second room, for thief information acquisition) setting value Status: Waiting, Can send voice: Yes, Can receive voice: No, Can send image: No, Can receive image: No, Can send text: No, Can receive text: No

[0064] The settings for the third role user (game master) are as follows: - Third role user (first room, for sharing police information) setting value Status: Waiting, Can send voice: Yes, Can receive voice: Yes, Can send image: Yes, Can receive image: Yes, Can send text: Yes, Can receive text: Yes - Role 1 user (Room 2, for thief information acquisition) setting value Status: Waiting, Can send voice: No, Can receive voice: Yes, Can send image: No, Can receive image: Yes, Can send text: No, Can receive text: Yes

[0065] This allows the setting information required to start the game, such as the game to be held, the content of the game (rule information), the participating users, the roles of each participating user, information about the room the participating users will enter, and the participation status of the participating users in the room, to be stored in association with each other.

[0066] <Game Processing> The game processing is processing for providing the user with a game-related game service during the period from the start date and time to the end date and time of the game that is set by the setting processing.

[0067] <Game Processing Overview> The game processing is a series of processes that starts a game when the game start date and time arrives, executes processing related to events as various events occur as the game progresses, and ends the game when a predetermined end condition is met.

[0068] <Game processing details> The game processing will be described in detail below.

[0069] In step S301, the game starts when the start date and time of the game information stored in the game table 1013 in the setting process arrives. For example, the control unit 104 of the server 10 transmits information indicating the start of the game to the information processing terminals of the participants (the first user terminal 21, the second user terminal 22, the third user terminal 23) via an app, email, a message app, or the like at the start date and time of the game or a predetermined period (e.g., 10 minutes before) before the start date and time. The information processing terminals of the users present the information indicating the start of the game to the participants. For example, a link or the like including room identification information such as the URL of the room in which the user will participate may be presented to the user. A user who is a participant participates in one or more rooms of a game that is started by operating an information processing terminal. For example, a user may participate in a room of a game by selecting a link or the like presented on an information processing terminal. It is assumed that the application installed on the user's information processing terminal has a function related to a virtual conference room. In this case, the application installed on the user's information processing terminal may detect that the start date and time has arrived and automatically participate in the room related to the game. In this way, the game starts when the user participates in the game.

[0070] In the "Keidoro" game disclosed herein, multiple first-role users and multiple second-role users each start the game from a different location. First-role users and second-role users may start the game from the same location. Third-role users act together with second-role users during the game period. Third-role users may act together with some or all of the second-role users for a portion of the game period by acquiring location information of second-role users, etc. The user in the third role can share with the user in the first role the state of the surroundings of the user in the second role, thereby enabling the game to progress smoothly.

[0071] A state is realized in which the first information processing terminal is not able to transmit information to the second virtual space, the first information processing terminal is able to receive information, and the second information processing terminal is able to transmit information, but the second information processing terminal is not able to receive information. Specifically, this can be realized by the server 10, the first user terminal 21, the second user terminal 22, and the third user terminal 23 executing the following processes.

[0072] The control unit 104 of the server 10 executes a first participation step in which a user with a first role participates in the first virtual space and the second virtual space via a first information processing terminal. The control unit 104 of the server 10 executes a second participation step in which the user with the second role participates in the second virtual space via the second information processing terminal without participating in the first virtual space. The control unit 104 of the server 10 executes the participation of the user with the third role in the first virtual space and the second virtual space via the third information processing terminal. Based on the information stored in the participation table 1015 in the setting process, the information processing terminal of the user with the first role (first user terminal 21) participates in the first room (first virtual space) and the second room (second virtual space). The first virtual space and the second virtual space are virtual shared spaces in which participants can send and receive information to and from each other via their information processing terminals. Based on the information stored in the participation table 1015 in the setting process, the information processing terminal of the user with the second role (the second user terminal 22) participates in the second room without participating in the first room. Based on the information stored in the participation table 1015 in the setting process, the information processing terminal of the user with the third role (the third user terminal 23) participates in the first room and the second room.

[0073] A first transmission step of transmitting information from a first information processing terminal of a user with a first role is executed. The first transmission step includes a step of transmitting information to a first information processing terminal of another user having the first role without transmitting information to the second information processing terminal. A first information processing terminal of a user with a first role executes a first receiving step of receiving information. The first receiving step includes a step of receiving information from a first information processing terminal of another user having a first role, and a step of receiving information from a second information processing terminal. The first receiving step includes a step of receiving at least one of a character string, an image, and a sound from the second information processing terminal. According to the information stored in the participation table 1015 in the setting process, the first user terminals 21A, 21B, and 21C, which are information processing terminals of the multiple first users, can transmit voice, images, character strings, and the like to the first room through participation in the first room. Also, the first user terminals 21A, 21B, and 21C can receive voice, images, character strings, and the like transmitted to the first room. This allows the multiple first users to communicate with each other using voice, images, character strings, and the like. The first user terminals 21A, 21B, and 21C do not transmit voice, images, character strings, and the like to the second room. The first user terminals 21A, 21B, and 21C can receive voice, images, character strings, and the like transmitted to the second room. This allows them to receive information such as voice, images, character strings, and the like transmitted to the second room by a user with the second role.

[0074] A second transmission step of transmitting information from a second information processing terminal of a user with a second role is executed. The second transmitting step includes a step of transmitting information including at least one of a character string, an image, and a sound to the first information processing terminal. According to the information stored in the participation table 1015 in the setting process, the second user terminals 22A, 22B, 22C, which are information processing terminals of multiple second-role users, can transmit voice, images, character strings, etc. to the second room through participation in the second room. On the other hand, they cannot receive voice, images, character strings, etc. transmitted to the second room. Basically, the second-role users cannot obtain information on other users (first-role users, second-role users, and third-role users) from the first and second rooms.

[0075] The second transmitting step includes a step of constantly transmitting information to the first information processing terminal. Specifically, the second user terminals 22A, 22B, 22C constantly transmit voice, images, character strings, etc. to the second room throughout the duration of the game. This allows the first-role user to constantly grasp the surrounding conditions of the second-role user throughout the duration of the game.

[0076] The second transmitting step includes a step of transmitting the voice to the first information processing terminal. If the information transmitted to the second room is only audio and not images, text, etc., the user in the first role can provide users with an interesting game in which they search for the user in the second role by relying on audio received from the information processing terminal of the user in the second role.

[0077] A third transmission step of transmitting information from a third information processing terminal of the user in the third role is executed. The third transmission step includes a step of periodically transmitting an image of the surroundings of the user in the second role to the first virtual space or the second virtual space as information related to the surroundings of the user in the second role. According to the information stored in the participation table 1015 during the setting process, the third user terminals 23A, 23B, and 23C, which are information processing terminals of multiple third users, can transmit audio, images, character strings, etc. to the first room through participation in the first room. A plurality of third-role users photograph the scenery around the second-role user by operating the third user terminals 23A, 23B, and 23C, respectively, and transmit the photographed image data to the first room or the second room. This allows the first-role user to obtain information about the state of the second-role user by relying on the shared information. The game can be progressed smoothly. Note that a configuration may be adopted in which the surroundings of the third-role user are periodically photographed automatically by a camera or the like connected to the third user terminals 23A, 23B, and 23C worn by the third-role user, and the photographed image data is transmitted to the first room or the second room.

[0078] In step S301, the control unit 104 of the server 10 executes a third receiving step in which a third information processing terminal of a user with a third role receives information. According to the information stored in the participation table 1015 in the setting process, the third user terminals 23A, 23B, 23C, which are information processing terminals of the users related to the multiple third users, can receive voice, images, character strings, etc. transmitted to the first room through participation in the first room. This allows the user of the third role to smoothly progress in the game by indirectly conveying information about the surroundings of the user of the second role to the user of the first role.

[0079] When the game starts, the first role user, the second role user, and the third role user each participate in one or more rooms according to the participation information set in the setting process through their respective information processing terminals, the first user terminal 21, the second user terminal 22, and the third user terminal 23. Each of the first role user, the second role user, and the third role user can obtain the status of other participants and communicate with other users by transmitting and receiving information about the user's surroundings to and from other game participants via the room in which they participate.

[0080] After the game starts, the first role user and the second role user can move freely. The third role user moves together with the second role user. The first role user and the second role user act to achieve a predetermined event defined in the rule information so that the role to which they belong will win. The first role user and the second role user may be configured to be able to obtain information about the game, such as the contents of the event defined in the rule information, the victory conditions, and the defeat conditions, via the first user terminal 21 and the second user terminal 22. For example, in the case of "Capture," the objective of the game is for the user of the first role to "capture" the user of the second role. The objective of the user of the second role is to move to one or more predetermined points (achievement points). The end conditions and winning conditions are explained in the rule information of the game table 1013.

[0081] In step S302, when a predetermined event condition is satisfied during the game period, the control unit 104 of the server 10 generates an event and grants a bonus that has a positive effect on the user or a penalty that has a negative effect. In this disclosure, the positive and negative effects on the user are collectively referred to as benefits. The benefits are stored in a table such as an event master (not shown) in association with the event condition, event identification information (event code), etc. The control unit 104 of the server 10 determines whether or not the event condition has been satisfied based on the information received from the first user terminal 21, the second user terminal 22, and the third user terminal 23, and if it determines that the event condition has been satisfied, associates the user ID of the user who satisfied the event condition with event identification information for identifying the satisfied event, and stores them in the user ID and event data items of the event table 1016, respectively. For example, the control unit 104 of the server 10 can determine whether or not an event condition has occurred for input data received from a camera, microphone, location information sensor, motion sensor, touch device, etc. from the first user terminal 21, the second user terminal 22, and the third user terminal 23.

[0082] The following events are defined in "Keidoro".

[0083] Successful capture: When it is determined that the first user terminal 21A is located near the second user terminal 22A, an event condition is satisfied indicating that the user of the first user terminal 21A has succeeded in capturing the user of the second user terminal 22A. The control unit 104 of the server 10 stores the event data indicating "successful capture", the first user ID 2111A, and the second user ID 2211A in association with the event data and user ID items in the event table 1016, respectively. In addition, whether the first user terminal 21A is located in the vicinity of the second user terminal 22A can be determined by analyzing image data captured by a camera, or by information from position information sensors, touch devices, short-range wireless communication, etc. of the first user terminal 21A and the second user terminal 22A. When the control unit 104 of the server 10 detects that the event data related to "capture successful" has been stored in the event table 11, it changes the status of the user related to the second user terminal 22A in the participation table 1015 to "captured".

[0084] Successful escape: When it is determined that the second user terminal 22B is located in the vicinity of the second user terminal 22A, an event condition is satisfied indicating that the user of the second user terminal 22B has succeeded in capturing the user of the second user terminal 22A. The control unit 104 of the server 10 stores the event data indicating "successful escape", the second user ID 2111B, and the second user ID 2211A in association with the event data and user ID items in the event table 1016, respectively. The determination of the vicinity of the user terminal is the same as in the case of successful capture, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. When the control unit 104 of the server 10 detects that event data related to “successful escape” has been stored in the event table 11, it updates the status of the user related to the second user terminal 22A in the participation table 1015 from “captured” to “escape”.

[0085] Participation status change events When a user with a first role or a user with a second role satisfies a predetermined condition, the control unit 104 of the server 10 executes a status change step to change the participation status of the user with the first role or the user with the second role in the first virtual space or the second virtual space. Specifically, when a user with a first role or a user with a second role satisfies a specified condition, the control unit 104 of the server 10 may allow the user to newly join a different room, exit a specified room, or change the participation status in a specified room, such as whether or not audio can be transmitted, whether or not audio can be received, whether or not an image can be transmitted, whether or not an image can be received, whether or not a character string can be transmitted, or whether or not a character string can be received. The change in the participation status may be such that the event continues (becomes valid) for a certain period after the event occurs, and the event disappears or becomes invalid after the certain period has elapsed.

[0086] The state change step includes at least one of the steps of causing a portion of one or more second information processing terminals to participate in the first virtual space, and causing at least a portion of the one or more first information processing terminals participating in the first virtual space not to participate in the first virtual space. For example, when a user with the second role satisfies an event condition of visiting a predetermined location, the control unit 104 of the server 10 stores a predetermined event code in the event data of the event table 1016. For example, when the event condition is satisfied, an event may occur in which the user with the second role acquires a predetermined item. When the control unit 104 of the server 10 detects the event code, the control unit 104 associates the user ID of the second role user with the first room and the following information "voice transmission possible: No, voice reception possible: Yes, image transmission possible: No, image reception possible: Yes, character string transmission possible: No, character string reception possible: Yes" and stores the user ID in the participation table 1015. This allows the second role user to eavesdrop on information exchanged by the first role user in the first room. The second role user can advance the game advantageously. It can be determined that the second role user has visited a predetermined location by analyzing image data captured by a camera, or by information from a position information sensor of the second user terminal 22, a touch device, short-distance wireless communication, or the like. For example, when a user with the second role satisfies an event condition of visiting a predetermined location, the control unit 104 of the server 10 stores a predetermined event code in the event data of the event table 1016. For example, when the event condition is satisfied, an event may occur in which the user with the second role acquires a predetermined item. When the control unit 104 of the server 10 detects the event code, the control unit 104 associates the user ID of the user with the first role with the first room and the following information "voice transmission: No, voice reception: No, image transmission: No, image reception: No, character string transmission: No, character string reception: No" and stores the information in the participation table 1015. In addition, the association between the user ID of the user with the first role and the first room may be deleted in the participation table 1015. As a result, the user with the first role is forced to leave the first room and cannot communicate with other users with the first role. As a result, the user with the second role can eavesdrop on information exchanged by users with the first role in the first room. The user with the second role can advance the game advantageously.

[0087] A state change step of changing the frequency of transmitting information related to the surroundings of the user of the second role in the third transmission step is executed when the user of the first role or the user of the second role satisfies a predetermined condition. The state change step executes a step of increasing the frequency of transmitting information related to the surroundings of the user of the second role in the third transmission step when the user of the first role satisfies a predetermined condition. The state change step executes a step of decreasing the frequency of transmitting information related to the surroundings of the user of the second role in the third transmission step when the user of the second role satisfies a predetermined condition. Specifically, when the user in the second role satisfies an event condition of visiting a predetermined location, the control unit 104 of the server 10 stores a predetermined event code in the event data of the event table 1016. For example, an event may be generated in which the user in the second role acquires a predetermined item when the event condition is satisfied. When the control unit 104 of the server 10 detects the event code, it notifies the third user terminal 23 of the user in the third role of a message encouraging the user to increase or decrease the frequency of photographing. In addition, the control unit 104 may control the application of the third user terminal 23 to increase or decrease the frequency of photographing. As a result, when the user in the first role meets a condition such as obtaining an item, the user in the first role is given a benefit that increases or decreases the frequency of sharing information about the surrounding situation of the user in the second role, making it possible to provide a more interesting game to users.

[0088] In step S303, the control unit 104 of the server 10 executes an end determination step of determining the end of the game when the user playing the second role has achieved one or more events. Specifically, the control unit 104 of the server 10 monitors the contents of the game table 1013, the participation table 1015, and the event table 1016 based on the rule information, and ends the game when a predetermined end condition is met.

[0089] The game end conditions are as follows: - The game end date and time has passed (timeout) - The status of a certain number of second role users is "captured" (some or all of the thief is captured) The user in the second role moves to a specified point or area (goal). A user in the first role and a user in the second role acquire (come into contact with) a specified item.

[0090] The control unit 104 of the server 10 transmits information indicating the end of the game to the information processing terminals of the participants (the first user terminal 21, the second user terminal 22, the third user terminal 23) via an app, email, a message app, etc. The information indicating the end of the game may also display information indicating the game result, such as information indicating the outcome of the game (whether the police or the thief won), the contents of the event table 1016, and the status information of the participating users.

[0091] The conditions for winning or losing the game are as follows: If all the thieves have been caught at the end of the game, or if the police have caught more than the set number of thieves, the game ends. If all thieves have not been captured at the end of the game, or if the number of thieves captured is less than the set number, the thief wins. The winner is determined based on the types of items and the number of items acquired by the first role user and the second role user. The winner is determined based on indices (scores) such as points awarded according to events caused by the first role user and the second role user.

[0092] <Basic computer hardware configuration> 12 is a block diagram showing the basic hardware configuration of a computer 90. The computer 90 includes at least a processor 901, a main storage device 902, an auxiliary storage device 903, and a communication IF 991 (interface). These are electrically connected to each other by a communication bus 921.

[0093] The processor 901 is hardware for executing an instruction set described in a program, and is composed of an arithmetic unit, a register, a peripheral circuit, and the like.

[0094] The main memory device 902 is for temporarily storing programs, data to be processed by the programs, etc. For example, it is a volatile memory such as a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory).

[0095] The auxiliary storage device 903 is a storage device for saving data and programs, such as a flash memory, a hard disk drive (HDD), a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, or a semiconductor memory.

[0096] The communication IF 991 is an interface for inputting and outputting signals for communicating with other computers via a network using a wired or wireless communication standard. The network is composed of the Internet, a LAN, various mobile communication systems constructed by wireless base stations, etc. For example, the network includes 3G, 4G, 5G mobile communication systems, LTE (Long Term Evolution), wireless networks that can connect to the Internet via a specified access point (e.g., Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), etc. In the case of wireless connection, communication protocols include, for example, Z-Wave (registered trademark), ZigBee (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), etc. In the case of wired connection, the network also includes a network that is directly connected by a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable or the like.

[0097] It should be noted that the computer 90 can be virtually realized by distributing all or part of each hardware configuration among multiple computers 90 and connecting them together via a network. In this way, the computer 90 is a concept that includes not only a computer 90 housed in a single housing or case, but also a virtualized computer system.

[0098] <Basic functional configuration of computer 90> A description will now be given of the functional configuration of a computer realized by the basic hardware configuration (FIG. 12) of a computer 90. The computer comprises at least the functional units of a control unit, a storage unit, and a communication unit.

[0099] The functional units of the computer 90 can also be realized by distributing all or part of the functional units among multiple computers 90 connected to each other via a network. The computer 90 is a concept that includes not only a single computer 90 but also a virtualized computer system.

[0100] The control unit is realized by the processor 901 reading out various programs stored in the auxiliary storage device 903, expanding the programs in the main storage device 902, and executing processes according to the programs. The control unit can realize functional units that perform various information processing depending on the type of program. In this way, the computer is realized as an information processing device that performs information processing.

[0101] The storage unit is realized by a main storage device 902 and an auxiliary storage device 903. The storage unit stores data, various programs, and various databases. Furthermore, the processor 901 can secure a storage area corresponding to the storage unit in the main storage device 902 or the auxiliary storage device 903 in accordance with a program. Furthermore, the control unit can cause the processor 901 to execute processes of adding, updating, and deleting data stored in the storage unit in accordance with the various programs.

[0102] The term database refers to a relational database, which is used to manage sets of data called masters and tables in a tabular format structurally defined by rows and columns, by associating them with each other. In a database, a table is called a table or master, a column in a table is called a column, and a row in a table is called a record. In a relational database, relationships between tables and masters can be set and associated. Usually, a column that serves as a primary key for uniquely identifying a record is set in each table and each master, but setting a primary key in a column is not essential. The control unit can cause the processor 901 to add, delete, or update records in a specific table or master stored in the storage unit according to various programs. Furthermore, by storing data, various programs, and various databases in the storage unit, it can be considered that the information processing device and information processing system according to the present disclosure have been manufactured.

[0103] In addition, the database and master in this disclosure may include any data structure (such as a list, a dictionary, an associative array, or an object) in which information is structurally defined. The data structure also includes data that can be considered as a data structure by combining data with a function, class, method, or the like written in any programming language.

[0104] The communication unit is realized by the communication IF 991. The communication unit realizes a function of communicating with other computers 90 via a network. The communication unit can receive information transmitted from other computers 90 and input the information to the control unit. The control unit can cause the processor 901 to execute information processing on the received information in accordance with various programs. In addition, the communication unit can transmit information output from the control unit to other computers 90.

[0105] <Additional Notes> The matters described in the above embodiments will be supplemented below.

[0106] (Appendix 1) A game program to be executed by a computer having a processor and a storage unit, the program including a processor executing a storage step (S104) of assigning each of a plurality of users to either a first role or a second role and storing the assigned roles, a first transmission step (S301) of transmitting information from a first information processing terminal of a user of the first role, a first reception step (S301) of receiving information by the first information processing terminal of the user of the first role, and a second transmission step (S301) of transmitting information from a second information processing terminal of a user of the second role. A game program, wherein the first transmitting step (S301) includes a step of transmitting information to a first information processing terminal of another user having a first role without transmitting information to the second information processing terminal, the first receiving step (S301) includes a step of receiving information from the first information processing terminal of the other user having the first role and a step of receiving information from the second information processing terminal, and the second transmitting step (S301) includes a step of transmitting information to the first information processing terminal, and the second information processing terminal cannot receive information from the first information processing terminal. This allows a user with a first role to be able to provide a highly entertaining game in which the user searches for a second user using information such as character strings, images, and sounds received from an information processing terminal of a user with a second role. A game that is easy to understand and enjoyable even for beginners can be realized via the information processing terminal.

[0107] (Appendix 2) A game program as described in Appendix 1, wherein a processor executes a first participation step (S301) in which a user of a first role participates in a first virtual space and a second virtual space via a first information processing terminal, and a second participation step (S301) in which a user of a second role participates in the second virtual space via a second information processing terminal without participating in the first virtual space, wherein the first virtual space is a virtual shared space in which participants can send and receive information to and from each other via their information processing terminals, and wherein the first information processing terminal is not capable of sending information to the second virtual space, the first information processing terminal is capable of receiving information, and the second information processing terminal is capable of sending information, but the second information processing terminal is not capable of receiving information. As a result, even when a game is played by a large number of first-role users and second-role users, a large-scale game can be realized with a simple configuration by combining two virtual spaces.

[0108] (Appendix 3) The storage step (S104) is a step of assigning each of a plurality of users to either the first role, the second role or the third role and storing the roles, and the processor executes a third transmission step (S301) of transmitting information from a third information processing terminal of the user of the third role and a third reception step (S301) of receiving information by the third information processing terminal of the user of the third role, the user of the third role participating in the first virtual space and the second virtual space via the third information processing terminal (S301), and the third transmission step (S301) includes a step of periodically transmitting information related to the surroundings of the user of the second role to the first virtual space or the second virtual space. In this way, the third role user periodically shares information about the surroundings of the second role user with the first role user, and the first role user can obtain information about the state of the second role user by relying on the shared information, thereby making it possible to progress in the game smoothly.

[0109] (Appendix 4) The game program according to claim 3, wherein the third transmission step (S301) includes a step of periodically transmitting an image captured of the surroundings of the user playing the second role to the first virtual space or the second virtual space. This allows the first-role user to guess the location of the second-role user by relying on the shared photo image of the area around the second-role user. By indirectly guessing the location of the second-role user without directly knowing the location of the second-role user, a more interesting game can be provided to the user.

[0110] (Appendix 5) A game program as described in Appendix 2, in which a processor executes a status change step (S302) of changing the participation status of a first role user or a second role user in a first virtual space or a second virtual space when a first role user or a second role user satisfies a predetermined condition. This makes it possible to provide users with a more interesting game by changing their participation state in the virtual space or their mutual information sharing state when a user with a first role or a user with a second role meets a condition such as acquiring an item.

[0111] (Appendix 6) The game program described in Appendix 5, wherein the state change step (S302) executes at least one of the following steps: a step of causing a portion of one or more second information processing terminals to participate in the first virtual space; and a step of preventing at least a portion of the one or more first information processing terminals participating in the first virtual space from participating in the first virtual space. As a result, when a first-role user or a second-role user meets a condition such as obtaining an item, the second-role user is allowed to participate in the first virtual space that he or she would not normally be able to participate in, or is expelled from the first virtual space in which the first-role user is participating, thereby changing the mutual information sharing state, and a more interesting game can be provided to users.

[0112] (Appendix 7) A game program as described in Appendix 3, in which a processor executes a state change step (S302) of changing the frequency of transmitting information related to the surroundings of the second role user in the third transmission step when the first role user or the second role user satisfies a predetermined condition. In this way, when a user with the first role or a user with the second role meets a condition such as obtaining an item, the state of information sharing by the third user regarding the state of the surroundings of the second user is changed, making it possible to provide a more interesting game to users.

[0113] (Appendix 8) A game program as described in Appendix 7, wherein the state change step (S302) is a step of increasing the frequency of transmitting information related to the surroundings of the user of the second role in the third transmission step when the user of the first role satisfies a predetermined condition. As a result, when the user in the first role meets a condition such as obtaining an item, the user in the first role is given a privilege that increases the frequency of sharing information about the surrounding situation of the second user, making it possible to provide a more interesting game to the users.

[0114] (Appendix 9) A game program as described in Appendix 7, wherein the state change step (S302) is a step of reducing the frequency of transmitting information related to the surroundings of the user of the second role in the third transmission step when the user of the second role satisfies a predetermined condition. As a result, when the user in the second role meets a condition such as obtaining an item, the user in the second role is given a privilege to reduce the frequency of sharing information about the state of the surroundings of the second user, making it possible to provide a more interesting game to the user.

[0115] (Appendix 10) A game program as described in Appendix 1, wherein the first receiving step (S301) includes a step of receiving at least one of a character string, an image, and an audio from the second information processing terminal, and the second transmitting step (S301) includes a step of transmitting at least one of a character string, an image, and an audio to the first information processing terminal. This allows the user in the first role to provide the user with a highly entertaining game in which the user searches for the second user based on information such as character strings, images, and audio received from the information processing terminal of the user in the second role.

[0116] (Appendix 11) The game program according to claim 1, wherein the second transmitting step (S301) includes a step of constantly transmitting information to the first information processing terminal. This allows the user in the first role to constantly grasp the surrounding state of the user in the second role.

[0117] (Appendix 12) The game program according to Appendix 1, wherein the first receiving step (S301) includes a step of receiving audio from a second information processing terminal, and the second transmitting step (S301) includes a step of transmitting audio to the first information processing terminal. This allows the user in the first role to provide the user with a highly entertaining game in which the user searches for the second user by relying on the voice received from the information processing terminal of the user in the second role.

[0118] (Appendix 13) A game program as described in Appendix 1, in which a processor executes an event storage step (S101) for storing one or more pre-set event information, and an end determination step (S303) for determining the end of the game when a user of a second role achieves one or more events. This allows the game to end when the user in the second role achieves a predetermined event. The user in the second role can be encouraged to achieve the predetermined event. A more interesting game can be provided to the user.

[0119] (Appendix 14) The game program of claim 13, wherein the event information includes an event in which a user in a second role moves to a specified location or area. This makes it possible to encourage the user in the second role to move around a predetermined point. The user in the second role can be encouraged to move around, for example, a predetermined point or area. For example, the user in the second role can be made to sightsee at a predetermined point or area while enjoying the game. A service that provides a higher level of satisfaction to the user can be provided.

[0120] (Appendix 15) 2. The game program of claim 1, wherein the first role user is a player who plays a role of capturing the second role user. This can further increase the interest of games such as tag and hide-and-seek.

[0121] (Appendix 16) 4. The game program according to claim 3, wherein the user of the third role is a player who communicates the status of the user of the second role to the user of the first role to facilitate the progress of the game. This allows games such as tag and hide-and-seek to proceed more smoothly when played over a wide area.

[0122] (Appendix 17) A method implemented on a computer having a processor and a memory, the processor performing all of the steps performed in the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 16. This allows a user with a first role to be able to provide a highly entertaining game in which the user searches for a second user using information such as character strings, images, and sounds received from an information processing terminal of a user with a second role. A game that is easy to understand and enjoyable even for beginners can be realized via the information processing terminal.

[0123] (Appendix 18) An information processing device comprising a control unit and a memory unit, wherein the control unit executes all of the steps executed in the invention according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 16. This allows a user with a first role to be able to provide a highly entertaining game in which the user searches for a second user using information such as character strings, images, and sounds received from an information processing terminal of a user with a second role. A game that is easy to understand and enjoyable even for beginners can be realized via the information processing terminal.

[0124] (Appendix 19) A system comprising means for performing all the steps performed in any of the inventions according to appendix 1 to appendix 16. This allows a user with a first role to be able to provide a highly entertaining game in which the user searches for a second user using information such as character strings, images, and sounds received from an information processing terminal of a user with a second role. A game that is easy to understand and enjoyable even for beginners can be realized via the information processing terminal. [Explanation of symbols]

[0125] 1 System, 10 Server, 101 Memory unit, 104 Control unit, 106 Input device, 108 Output device, 21 First user terminal, 211 Memory unit, 214 Control unit, 216 Input device, 218 Output device, 22 Second user terminal, 221 Memory unit, 224 Control unit, 226 Input device, 228 Output device, 23 Third user terminal, 231 Memory unit, 234 Control unit, 236 Input device, 238 Output device, 30 Administrator terminal, 301 Memory unit, 304 Control unit, 306 Input device, 308 Output device

Claims

1. A game program to be executed by a computer having a processor and a storage unit, The processor, a storage step of assigning each of a plurality of users to either a first role or a second role and storing the assigned roles; a first transmission step of transmitting information from a first information processing terminal of the user having the first role; a first receiving step in which the first information processing terminal of the user with the first role receives information; a second transmission step of transmitting information from a second information processing terminal of the user with the second role; Run the first transmission step includes a step of transmitting information to the first information processing terminal of another user having the first role without transmitting information to the second information processing terminal, The first receiving step includes: receiving information from the first information processing terminal of another user of the first role; receiving information from the second information processing terminal; Including, The second transmission step includes: transmitting information to the first information processing terminal; Including, The second information processing terminal cannot receive information from the first information processing terminal. Game program.

2. The processor, a first participation step in which the user having the first role participates in a first virtual space and a second virtual space via the first information processing terminal; a second participation step in which the user of the second role participates in the second virtual space through the second information processing terminal without participating in the first virtual space; Run the first virtual space is a virtual shared space in which participants can transmit and receive information to and from each other via information processing terminals; to the second virtual space, the first information processing terminal is not capable of transmitting information; the first information processing terminal is capable of receiving information; the second information processing terminal is capable of transmitting information; The second information processing terminal is not capable of receiving information. The game program according to claim 1.

3. the storing step is a step of storing each of a plurality of users by assigning it to any one of the first role, the second role, and the third role; The processor, a third transmission step of transmitting information from a third information processing terminal of the user having the third role; a third receiving step in which the third information processing terminal of the user with the third role receives information; Run the user of the third role participates in the first virtual space and the second virtual space via the third information processing terminal; The third transmission step includes a step of periodically transmitting information related to the surroundings of the user of the second role to the first virtual space or the second virtual space. The game program according to claim 2.

4. The third transmission step includes a step of periodically transmitting an image captured around the user having the second role to the first virtual space or the second virtual space. The game program according to claim 3.

5. The processor, When the user of the first role or the user of the second role satisfies a predetermined condition, a state change step of changing a participation state of the user of the first role or the user of the second role in the first virtual space or the second virtual space; Execute The game program according to claim 2.

6. The state change step includes: A step of allowing a part of one or more of the second information processing terminals to participate in the first virtual space; preventing at least a portion of the one or more first information processing terminals participating in the first virtual space from participating in the first virtual space; Execute at least one of the following: The game program according to claim 5.

7. The processor, When the user of the first role or the user of the second role satisfies a predetermined condition, a state change step of changing a frequency of transmitting information related to the surroundings of the user of the second role in the third transmission step; Execute The game program according to claim 3.

8. The state change step is a step of increasing a frequency of transmitting information related to the surroundings of the user of the second role in the third transmission step when the user of the first role satisfies a predetermined condition. The game program according to claim 7.

9. The state change step is a step of reducing a frequency of transmitting information related to the surroundings of the user of the second role in the third transmission step when the user of the second role satisfies a predetermined condition. The game program according to claim 7.

10. The first receiving step includes: receiving at least one of a character string, an image, and a sound from the second information processing terminal; Including, The second transmission step includes: transmitting at least one of the character string, the image, and the sound to the first information processing terminal; Including, The game program according to claim 1.

11. the second transmitting step includes a step of constantly transmitting information to the first information processing terminal; Including, The game program according to claim 1.

12. The first receiving step includes: receiving a voice from the second information processing terminal; Including, The second transmission step includes: transmitting the voice to the first information processing terminal; Including, The game program according to claim 1.

13. The processor, an event storage step of storing one or more pieces of preset event information; an end determination step of determining an end of the game when the user of the second role has achieved the one or more events; Execute The game program according to claim 1.

14. The event information includes an event in which the user of the second role moves to a predetermined location or area. The game program according to claim 13.

15. The first role user is a role player who captures the second role user. The game program according to claim 1.

16. The user of the third role is a player who informs the user of the first role of the status of the user of the second role to facilitate the progress of the game. The game program according to claim 3.

17. A method implemented on a computer having a processor and a memory, the processor performing all of the steps performed in any of the inventions according to claims 1 to 16.

18. 17. An information processing apparatus comprising a control unit and a storage unit, the control unit executing all steps executed in the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

19. A system comprising means for performing all the steps performed in any one of claims 1 to 16.

Images