Method for providing game server, and device therefor

Abstract

To provide a user in a game with a game service for diversifying a method for reinforcing equipped items.SOLUTION: Provided is a method that allows a game providing device to provide game services, and includes a stage for acquiring reinforcement information showing information related to the reinforcement of equipped items to be reinforced from among items in a game, a stage for identifying first input for reinforcing an equipped item, and a stage for reflecting a result of reinforcement of an equipped item and generating a first auxiliary item for reinforcing the equipped item on the basis of the reinforcement information and the first input.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for providing a game service, and more particularly, to a method and an apparatus for providing a game service that diversifies the methods for enhancing equipment items. [Background technology]

[0002] Recently, many games in various genres have been developed, which has led to an explosive increase in users. With the development of games in various genres and the improvement of the performance of devices for enjoying games, games have been highlighted as a mainstream hobby.

[0003] In the game industry, various systems are introduced to induce user participation in the game and to allow users to try new strategies while playing the game, thereby increasing the user's interest in the game. For example, a system is introduced that allows a user to play a game using an enhanced character, ability, or item, and the user's desire to collect or upgrade items related to the enhancement is stimulated, thereby increasing the user's enjoyment and interest in the game. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a method and device for providing a game service that diversifies the methods for enhancing equipment items to in-game users. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a method in which a game providing device provides a game service, the method including the steps of acquiring enhancement information indicating information related to the enhancement of an equipment item to be enhanced among in-game items, identifying a first input for enhancing the equipment item, and generating a first auxiliary item for enhancing the equipment item based on the enhancement information and the first input, by reflecting a result of the enhancement made to the equipment item.

[0006] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a game providing device including a memory storing instructions and at least one processor operatively coupled to the memory and configured to execute the instructions, wherein the at least one processor executes the instructions to obtain enhancement information indicating information related to the enhancement of an equipment item that is the subject of enhancement among in-game items, identify a first input for enhancing the equipment item, and generate a first auxiliary item for enhancing the equipment item based on the enhancement information and the first input, reflecting a result of the enhancement made to the equipment item.

[0007] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a server is provided that includes a memory storing instructions and at least one processor operatively coupled to the memory and configured to execute the instructions, wherein the at least one processor executes the instructions to obtain enhancement information indicating information related to enhancement of an equipment item that is the target of enhancement among in-game items, identify a first input for enhancing the equipment item, and generate a first auxiliary item that enhances the equipment item based on the enhancement information and the first input, reflecting a result of the enhancement made to the equipment item.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a user terminal for providing a game service is provided, the user terminal including: a user interface for receiving user input; a memory for storing instructions; and at least one processor functionally coupled to the user interface and the memory and configured to execute the instructions, wherein the at least one processor executes the instructions, obtains enhancement information indicating information related to the enhancement of an equipment item that is the target of enhancement among in-game items, identifies a first input for enhancing the equipment item, and generates a first auxiliary item for enhancing the equipment item based on the enhancement information and the first input, reflecting the results of the enhancement of the equipment item.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer-readable recording medium having stored thereon a program for executing on a computer a method for providing a game service, the method including the steps of: acquiring enhancement information indicating information related to the enhancement of an equipment item that is to be enhanced among in-game items; identifying a first input for enhancing the equipment item; and generating a first auxiliary item that reflects the results of the enhancement of the equipment item based on the enhancement information and the first input and definitively enhances the equipment item. Effect of the Invention

[0010] Through various embodiments of the present disclosure, various strengthening methods are provided in the in-game system to induce user participation in strengthening items. Furthermore, by allowing users to strengthen items without limiting the liquidity of the items, the demand for strengthening users for items with low liquidity can be measured. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] A diagram illustrating a game providing system including a server and a user terminal according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2]1 is a conceptual diagram for explaining an operation of generating a first auxiliary item according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram for explaining an operation of applying a first auxiliary item to an equipment item to strengthen the equipment item according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method for providing game services according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 5] 11 is a conceptual diagram for explaining an operation of generating a second auxiliary item according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. [Figure 6] 11 is a diagram for explaining an operation of strengthening depending on whether or not an equipment item is possessed according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] 11 is a diagram for explaining an operation of strengthening depending on whether or not an equipment item is possessed according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] 11 is a diagram for explaining an operation of strengthening depending on whether or not an equipment item is possessed according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] 11 is a diagram for explaining an operation of strengthening depending on whether or not an equipment item is possessed according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] 11 is a diagram for explaining an operation of setting a validity period for an auxiliary item according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11A] 11 is a diagram for explaining a user interface for generating a first auxiliary item according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11B] 11 is a diagram for explaining a user interface for generating a first auxiliary item according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11C] 11 is a diagram for explaining a user interface for generating a first auxiliary item according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] 11 is a diagram illustrating an operation of setting a base price associated with an enhancement, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 13] 1 is a diagram illustrating a user interface for purchasing or selling auxiliary items according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 14] 1 is a diagram for explaining a detailed configuration of a game providing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 15] 1 is a diagram for explaining a detailed configuration of a server according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 16] 1 is a diagram for explaining a detailed configuration of a user terminal according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Also, a method of constructing and using an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers or characters shown in the various drawings indicate parts or components that perform substantially the same functions.

[0013] In this disclosure, the phrase "at least one of a, b, or c" may refer to "a," "b," "c," "a and b," "a and c," "b and c," "any of a, b, and c," or variations thereof.

[0014] Terms including ordinal numbers, such as first and second, may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by the terms. The terms are used only to distinguish one component from another. For example, a first component may be named a second component, and similarly, the second component may be named the first component, without departing from the scope of the invention. The term "and / or" includes a combination of multiple associated items or any one of multiple associated items.

[0015] The terms used in this specification are used to describe the embodiments and are not intended to limit and / or restrict the present invention. The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this application, the terms "include" or "have" are intended to specify the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, and should be understood not to preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0016] Throughout the specification, when a part is said to be connected to another part, this includes not only direct connection, but also electrical connection through another element between them. Furthermore, when a part includes a certain component, this does not mean excluding other components, but also means including other components, unless otherwise specified to the contrary. Furthermore, terms such as "unit" and "module" described in the specification mean a unit that processes at least one function or operation, which may be realized by hardware or software, or a combination of hardware and software.

[0017] In the following disclosure, the game providing device may be a game server, a user terminal, a game system including a game server and a user terminal, or an independent device.

[0018] In the following disclosure, the server controlling a user terminal may mean that the server provides the output of the user terminal (all outputs of the user terminal, such as screen display, audio output, vibration output, and lamp light emission) and data for the user terminal to perform a predetermined operation through communication with the user terminal. Here, the user terminal can also control the output of the user terminal using already stored data, but it goes without saying that this is not limited to the above example.

[0019] In the following disclosure, the meaning of transmitting or receiving information or data to or from a user (or a user account) also includes the meaning of transmitting or receiving information or data to or from a corresponding or linked device (or user terminal) to or from a user (or a user account).

[0020] In the following disclosure, the terms "user", "player", "user account" and "gamer" may be used interchangeably. In the present disclosure, it should be understood that a user terminal may refer to a user, a player, a user account, or a gamer, or a device used by them, depending on the context. In the present disclosure, it should be understood that a user, a player, a user, a user account, or a gamer may refer to an avatar or character operated by them, or a device used by them, depending on the context.

[0021] In the following disclosure, "item" may include any goods, merchandise, content, etc., and may refer to equipment worn by in-game characters such as weapons, defensive gear, accessories, clothing, and crystals, vehicles ridden by in-game characters, consumables such as food, drink, and potions, experience points, buffs, and all digital content and cyber objects that users may acquire within the game, but is not limited to the above examples.

[0022] In the following disclosure, "equipment items" include items such as weapons, armor, accessories, clothing, and crystals that an in-game character may equip, possess, or wear to improve its in-game ability values, but are not limited to the above examples.

[0023] In the following disclosure, an "auxiliary item" is an item that reflects the results of enhancing an equipment item, and also includes items used as an auxiliary to change the performance of the equipment item.

[0024] In the following disclosure, "strengthening" also includes actions for changing the performance of the item to be strengthened. Changing the performance of the item to be strengthened also includes improving the quantified ability parameters of the item to be strengthened, or attempts to improve the quantified ability parameters of the item to be strengthened, and also includes all actions that change the quantified parameters related to the item to be strengthened. In addition, the method of strengthening is not limited to the above examples, and also includes direct or indirect means for the item to be strengthened.

[0025] In addition, applying or using an auxiliary item (including the first auxiliary item and the second auxiliary item) to an equipment item to strengthen the equipment item guarantees the strengthening of the equipment item, while directly strengthening the equipment item or strengthening it to generate an auxiliary item does not guarantee the strengthening of the equipment item.

[0026] FIG. 1 illustrates a game providing system including a server and a user terminal according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0027] The game providing system 100 of the present disclosure also includes a server 170 and at least one user terminal 110 to 160. The server 170 can provide various online activities to at least one user terminal 110 to 160 via a network. The server 170 can provide online activities to at least one user terminal 110 to 160 simultaneously.

[0028] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the server 170 may include, but is not limited to, a single server, a collection of servers, a cloud server, etc. The server 170 provides various online activities to at least one of the user terminals 110-160 and includes a database that stores data for the online activities of at least one of the user terminals 110-160. The server 170 also includes a payment server that generates and processes payment events. As described above, the server 170 is also a game providing device.

[0029] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a network may refer to a connection established (or formed) using any communication method, and may refer to a communication network connected via any communication method for transmitting and receiving data between terminals or between a terminal and a server.

[0030] The term "all communication methods" includes all communication methods such as communication using a specific communication standard, a specific frequency band, a specific protocol, or a specific channel. For example, it includes Bluetooth, BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy), Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity), Zigbee, 3G (3rd generation), LTE (long term evolution), and a communication method using ultrasonic waves, but also includes short-distance communication, long-distance communication, wireless communication, and wired communication. It goes without saying that the above examples are not limiting.

[0031] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the short-distance communication method means a communication method in which communication is possible only when the communicating device (terminal or server) is within a predetermined range, and includes, for example, Bluetooth and near-field communication (NFC). The long-distance communication method may mean a communication method in which the communicating devices can communicate regardless of the distance. For example, the long-distance communication method means a method in which two devices communicating through a repeater such as an AP (access point) can communicate even when the distance is greater than a predetermined distance, and includes a communication method using a short message service (SMS) or a cellular network such as a telephone (3G, LTE). It goes without saying that the above examples are not limited. The meaning of providing online activities using a network also includes the meaning that communication between a server and a terminal can be performed through all communication methods.

[0032] Throughout the specification, the at least one user terminal 110-160 may include various electronic devices such as a personal computer 110, a tablet 120, a cellular phone 130, a notebook computer 140, a smartphone 150, and a television 160, as well as a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable multimedia player (PMP), a navigation system, an MP3 player, a digital camera, a refrigerator, a washing machine, and a cleaning machine, but is not limited to the above examples. As mentioned above, the at least one user terminal 110-160 is also a game providing device.

[0033] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the online activities may include online games, portal services, and SNS (social network services), but are not limited to the above examples. The online games may also include various genres such as sports, MMORPG, AOS, FPS, TCG, and CCG. The online games may be games in which users compete against each other, or games in which users compete against a computer (e.g., artificial intelligence). Here, the online activities may include online games, but are not limited to the above examples, and the form of the online games may be unlimited.

[0034] A game providing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can enhance an equipment item independently of whether the equipment item is possessed, and can provide a game service that, via an in-game enhancement system, reflects the result of enhancing the equipment item independently of whether the equipment item is possessed, generates an auxiliary item, and uses the generated auxiliary item to enhance the equipment item.

[0035] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the game providing system 100 may acquire reinforcement information indicating information related to the reinforcement of an equipment item to be reinforced among in-game items. The game providing system 100 may identify a first input for strengthening the equipment item. The game providing system 100 may generate an auxiliary item for strengthening the equipment item based on the reinforcement information and the first input, reflecting the results of the reinforcement of the equipment item, and the generated auxiliary item may be referred to as a first auxiliary item.

[0036] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the auxiliary items also include a first auxiliary item and a second auxiliary item, and the first auxiliary item and the second auxiliary item are described including ordinal numbers for the purpose of distinguishing them from each other only, and are not limited by terminology.

[0037] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the server 170 may acquire enhancement information indicating information related to the enhancement of an equipment item to be enhanced among in-game items. The server 170 may identify a first input for enhancing the equipment item. The server 170 may generate an auxiliary item for enhancing the equipment item based on the enhancement information and the first input, reflecting the results of the enhancement of the equipment item, and the generated auxiliary item may be referred to as a first auxiliary item.

[0038] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, at least one of the user terminals 110 to 160 may obtain reinforcement information indicating information related to the reinforcement of an equipment item to be reinforced among in-game items. At least one of the user terminals 110 to 160 may identify a first input for strengthening the equipment item. At least one of the user terminals 110 to 160 may generate an auxiliary item for strengthening the equipment item based on the reinforcement information and the first input, reflecting the result of the reinforcement of the equipment item, and the generated auxiliary item may be referred to as a first auxiliary item.

[0039] In one embodiment, some or all of the operations of the server 170 may be performed by the user terminals 110 to 160. For example, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for providing game services may be performed by the user terminals 110 to 160 without communication with the server 170.

[0040] FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram for explaining an operation of generating a first auxiliary item according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 2, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the game providing device can strengthen an equipment item, independent of whether or not the user owns the equipment item. For example, the game providing device can strengthen an equipment item even if the user does not own the equipment item. The game providing device can strengthen an equipment item even if the user owns the equipment item. Note that "strengthening an equipment item" includes both direct and indirect means for strengthening the equipment item.

[0042] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the game providing device may generate an auxiliary item that enhances an equipment item in a manner similar to a manner in which the equipment item is directly enhanced, and the auxiliary item that enhances the equipment item is also a first auxiliary item.

[0043] For example, the game providing device may perform a probabilistic reinforcement of an equipment item with a success probability of 95.0% and a failure probability of 5.0%. When the game providing device directly reinforces the equipment item and the reinforcement is successful with a 95.0% probability, an effect corresponding to the successful reinforcement may be imparted to the equipment item within a predetermined time after the reinforcement. When the game providing device directly reinforces the equipment item and the reinforcement is unsuccessful with a 5.0% probability, an effect corresponding to the unsuccessful reinforcement may be imparted to the equipment item or the user.

[0044] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the game providing device may reflect the results of an enhancement made to an equipment item in a first auxiliary item in a manner similar to a direct enhancement method, and the game providing device may ensure the enhancement of the equipment item by applying the first auxiliary item to the equipment item and transmitting the results of the enhancement to the equipment item.

[0045] For example, the game providing device may generate a first auxiliary item when an enhancement is performed on an equipment item with a success rate of 95.0% and the enhancement is successful. The generated first auxiliary item may also include information related to an effect corresponding to the successful enhancement of the equipment item. For example, the effect corresponding to the successful enhancement may be an improvement in a quantified attribute parameter of the equipment item. While generating the first auxiliary item, the game providing device may include information for improving the quantified attribute parameter of the equipment item in the first auxiliary item.

[0046] When the game providing device applies the generated first auxiliary item to an equipment item to be enhanced, the game providing device may impart an effect corresponding to successful enhancement to the equipment item within a predetermined time. When the game providing device attempts to enhance an equipment item with a success rate of 95.0% but fails to enhance the equipment item, the game providing device may impart an effect corresponding to failure to enhance the equipment item to the equipment item or the user, or may impart a penalty to the auxiliary item generated by subsequently enhancing the equipment item.

[0047] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the game providing device may acquire reinforcement information indicating information related to the reinforcement of an equipment item to be reinforced among in-game items, and the game providing device may provide a user interface 210 (hereinafter, referred to as "reinforcement interface") including the acquired reinforcement information. However, none of the components illustrated in FIG. 2 are essential components, and the reinforcement interface 210 may be displayed by more components than those illustrated. For example, the reinforcement interface 210 may include a total reinforcement limit number of times and a remaining reinforcement number of times when the number of reinforcements is limited. In addition, the reinforcement interface 210 may include other configurations for changing the quantified ability parameters, wearing level limit, and reinforcement probability of the equipment item to be reinforced, but is not limited to the disclosed examples.

[0048] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the strengthening interface 210 also includes at least one of the name 212 of the equipment item to be strengthened, the shape 214 of the auxiliary item generated reflecting the result of strengthening the equipment item, the success probability of the strengthening, the failure probability of the strengthening, the amount of money required for the strengthening, and the effect corresponding to the success of the strengthening. The strengthening interface 210 also includes an strengthening banner 216 for acquiring a user's input for strengthening the equipment item. For example, the name 212 of the equipment item to be strengthened is "Legendary Sword". The auxiliary item generated reflecting the result of strengthening the equipment item is "Legendary Sword 1-star Strengthened Sword".

[0049] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the reinforcement banner 216 is also a banner including the word "reinforce". The game providing device may identify a user input for reinforcing an equipment item. For example, the game providing device may acquire a user input for reinforcing a "legendary sword" from a user through a touch input related to the reinforcement banner displayed on a display. The user input for reinforcing the equipment item may be referred to as a first input to distinguish it from a user input acquired later, but is not limited by the terminology, and is described only by including an ordinal number for the purpose of distinguishing it from other user inputs. The user input may be at least one of a touch input, a voice input, a keyboard input, and a sensor data input, but is not limited to the disclosed examples.

[0050] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the game providing device may perform or attempt to perform an enhancement on the equipment item based on identifying the first input. The game providing device may generate the first auxiliary item 220 based on successfully performing the enhancement on the equipment item. If the game providing device fails to enhance the equipment item, the game providing device does not subtract the goods required for the enhancement and does not generate the first auxiliary item 220. For example, if the game providing device successfully performs enhancement on the "legendary sword", the game providing device may subtract 1,890 meso ("meso" means a unit of currency), which is a type of game money, as an enhancement cost, which is a goods required for the enhancement, and generate the first auxiliary item 220 called "legendary sword 1-star enhanced sword". If the game providing device fails to enhance the equipment item, the game providing device does not subtract 1,890 meso (a type of game money) and does not generate the "legendary sword 1-star enhanced sword". In addition, the effects of successfully enhancing the equipment item and the effects of failing to enhance the equipment item are not limited to the disclosed examples. In addition, the enhancement cost does not have to be fixed, but can be variable.

[0051] In the above description, the probability of generating the first auxiliary item is the same as the probability of directly strengthening the equipment item and succeeding, but this is not limited to this. The probability of generating the first auxiliary item may indicate the probability of strengthening the equipment item, succeeding in the strengthening, and generating the first auxiliary item.

[0052] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the probability of generating the first auxiliary item is also different from the probability of successfully performing an enhancement on the equipment item directly, e.g., the probability of generating the first auxiliary item is higher or lower than the probability of successfully performing an enhancement on the equipment item directly.

[0053] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, taking into consideration the possible penalty that may occur when directly enhancing an equipment item, the probability of generating the first auxiliary item is lower than the probability of successfully enhancing the equipment item directly. For example, if the probability of successfully enhancing the equipment item to be enhanced directly is 50.0%, and if the enhancement fails and there is a penalty of destroying the equipment, the probability of generating the first auxiliary item is as low as 10.0%.

[0054] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the probability of generating the first auxiliary item is higher than the probability of successfully performing direct enhancement on the equipment item, for example, the probability of successfully performing direct enhancement on the equipment item to be enhanced is 40.0%, and the probability of generating the first auxiliary item is 50.0%.

[0055] Although the equipment item "legendary sword" is used as an example, the present invention is not limited to this. Also, although the "probabilistic reinforcement" is used as an example, the type of reinforcement is not limited to this.

[0056] FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram for explaining an operation of applying a first auxiliary item to an equipment item to strengthen the equipment item according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0057] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the game providing device may identify whether or not a user has an equipment item 310 to be enhanced and a first auxiliary item 320 that is an auxiliary item reflecting the result of enhancing the equipment item 310. For example, the game providing device may identify whether or not a user has the equipment item 310 and the first auxiliary item 320 in an item inventory. Hereinafter, a specific description will be given of an operation of the game providing device applying the first auxiliary item 320 to the equipment item 310 to enhance the equipment item 310 when the game providing device identifies that the item inventory includes the equipment item 310 and the first auxiliary item 320.

[0058] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the game providing device may obtain or identify a drag input or a touch input using a mouse or a touch screen from a user, and obtain an enhanced equipment item 330. The drag input is an input from a user using a mouse or a touch screen to click and move the first auxiliary item to the equipment item, and the touch input is an input to touch the first auxiliary item one or more times using a mouse or a touch screen.

[0059] It should be noted that the user input that the game providing device identifies to obtain the enhanced equipment item 330 is not limited to the disclosed examples.

[0060] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the game providing device may acquire, from the user, a drag input for dragging the first auxiliary item 320, a legendary sword (1-star enhanced sword), onto the equipment item 310, “legendary sword”. The game providing device may guarantee acquisition of the enhanced equipment item 310, “legendary sword (1-star)”, based on the acquired drag input.

[0061] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the first auxiliary item also includes information related to at least one type and at least one enhancement for the equipment item. The information related to the enhancement included in the first auxiliary item also includes information related to stage-specific enhancement for two or more stages of stage improvement. For example, the first auxiliary item is a "Legendary Sword 2-star Enhanced Sword". In this case, the first auxiliary item can be applied to a legendary sword (0 stars) or a legendary sword (1 star) and used to obtain a "2-star legendary sword".

[0062] In addition, the explanation will be given using an equipment item called "Legendary Sword" as an example, but it is not limited to this. The "Star N (N is an integer equal to or greater than 0)" added before and after the item name also indicates the number of times the item can be strengthened for a specified stage of strengthening.

[0063] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for providing game services according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0064] Referring to FIG. 4, in operation S410, the game providing device may obtain reinforcement information indicating information related to reinforcement of an equipment item to be reinforced among in-game items.

[0065] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the game providing device may identify an equipment item that is a target for enhancement from among in-game items, and obtain enhancement information that indicates information related to the enhancement of the equipment item that is a target for enhancement.

[0066] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the enhancement information includes at least one of the equipment item to be enhanced, the quantified ability parameters of the equipment item to be enhanced, the total enhancement limit, the remaining enhancement count, the types of enhancement that can be performed on the equipment item, assets required to perform the enhancement, the enhancement success probability, the enhancement failure probability, the effect corresponding to the success of the enhancement, and the effect corresponding to the failure of the enhancement.

[0067] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the game providing device provides a user with an enhancement interface based on the acquired enhancement information, the enhancement interface also including a configuration for acquiring a user input for enhancing an equipment item, regardless of whether the user owns the equipment item, and the enhancement interface also including a configuration for acquiring a user input for enhancing the equipment item.

[0068] It should be noted that the enhanced interface may be provided using a display or audio, but is not limited to the disclosed examples.

[0069] In step S420, the game providing device may identify a first input for enhancing the equipment item.

[0070] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the game providing device may obtain a user input for enhancing an equipment item, and the user input for enhancing the equipment item may be referred to as a first input. For example, the game providing device may obtain a user input for enhancing the equipment item in response to providing an enhancement interface.

[0071] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the first input for enhancing an equipment item is not an input for directly enhancing the equipment item, but is also an input for generating an auxiliary item that ensures the enhancement of the equipment item.

[0072] The first input may be at least one of a touch input, a voice input, a keyboard input, and a sensor data input obtained from a user, but is not limited to the disclosed examples.

[0073] In operation S430, the game providing device may generate a first auxiliary item for enhancing the equipment item by reflecting the result of enhancing the equipment item based on the enhancement information and the first input.

[0074] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the game providing device may perform an enhancement to the equipment item based on the first input, and may generate a first auxiliary item based on the enhancement information. The game providing device may perform an enhancement to the equipment item by identifying the first input from the user, independent of whether the user owns the equipment item.

[0075] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the game providing device may attempt to enhance the equipment item based on the enhancement success probability included in the enhancement information, and the game providing device may generate a first auxiliary item based on the successful enhancement. The game providing device may include in the first auxiliary item an effect that is directly imparted to the equipment item when the enhancement is successful. For example, the first auxiliary item may include information related to at least one of the type of enhancement performed, the amount of change in the quantified ability parameter of the equipment item, the effective period, and the remaining number of enhancements.

[0076] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the game providing device may obtain an effect corresponding to the failure of the reinforcement based on the failure of the reinforcement. The effect corresponding to the failure of the reinforcement may include, but is not limited to, the deduction of the goods required for the reinforcement, or the deduction of the remaining number of reinforcements in the case of a later reinforcement, but is not limited to the disclosed example. The validity period of the auxiliary item will be specifically described with reference to FIG. 10.

[0077] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the first auxiliary item also includes information on the remaining number of reinforcements, which is the number of times that reinforcements have been performed minus the number of times that reinforcements have been performed. Note that the first auxiliary item is not limited to the disclosed example, and may include other effects corresponding to the success of reinforcement.

[0078] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the reinforcing cost, which is a commodity required for reinforcing, is also a value that changes based on the user's demand. The user's action for generating the auxiliary item may be taken into consideration as a factor for determining the reinforcing cost. For example, when the reinforcing cost is determined taking into consideration the number of attempts to generate the auxiliary item, even if the equipment item to be reinforced is in short supply, the reinforcing cost of the equipment item may be prevented from excessively dropping in comparison with its value in the game. Furthermore, if the reinforcing cost of the equipment item is stabilized, the market price of the equipment item may also be stabilized as a result.

[0079] In addition, after the game providing device performs the operation of generating a first auxiliary item, the operation of generating a second auxiliary item that reflects the results of strengthening the first auxiliary item and strengthens the equipment item will be described with reference to Figure 5.

[0080] FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram for explaining an operation of generating a second auxiliary item according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0081] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the game providing device may perform multiple reinforcements on an equipment item to be reinforced. The game providing device may perform multiple reinforcements on an auxiliary item generated in response to the multiple reinforcements on the equipment item, thereby generating the auxiliary item by reflecting the results of the reinforcements on the equipment item. The auxiliary item generated in response to the multiple reinforcements may be referred to as a second auxiliary item.

[0082] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, an initial enhancement to an equipment item may be referred to as a first enhancement to the equipment item. Accordingly, the first enhancement to the equipment item may correspond to the generation of a first auxiliary item. The additional enhancement of the equipment item by the game providing device may be referred to as a second enhancement to the equipment item. Accordingly, the second enhancement to the equipment item may correspond to the generation of a second auxiliary item.

[0083] In addition, the second reinforcement does not have to be the same type of reinforcement as the first reinforcement, and the effect of the second reinforcement may be the same as or different from the effect of the first reinforcement. In addition, although the term "multiple reinforcements" is used to explain that reinforcements can be made to the first auxiliary item, the first auxiliary item or the second auxiliary item may be an auxiliary item generated by multiple reinforcements or multiple types of reinforcements.

[0084] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the game providing device may acquire or identify a user input for enhancing a first auxiliary item in response to adding and enhancing an equipment item. The user input for enhancing the first auxiliary item may be referred to as a second input to distinguish it from the first input. The second input may be at least one of a touch input, a voice input, a keyboard input, and a sensor data input acquired from a user, but is not limited to the disclosed examples.

[0085] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the game providing device may generate a second auxiliary item 520 for enhancing an equipment item, reflecting a result of enhancing the first auxiliary item based on the enhancement information and the second input. The game providing device may perform enhancement of the equipment item, independent of whether or not the user owns an equipment item, by identifying the second input. The game providing device may perform enhancement of the first auxiliary item based on the second input, and may generate the second auxiliary item 520 based on the successful enhancement of the first auxiliary item. The second auxiliary item 520 may also include information related to effects corresponding to the success of the first and second enhancements of the equipment item.

[0086] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the game providing device may perform or attempt to perform an enhancement on the first auxiliary item based on the enhancement success probability of the second enhancement on the equipment item included in the enhancement information, and the game providing device may generate the second auxiliary item 520 based on the successful enhancement. For example, if the enhancement success probability of the second enhancement on the equipment item is 90.0%, the enhancement success probability of the enhancement on the first auxiliary item is also 90.0%.

[0087] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the game providing device may obtain an effect corresponding to a failure of a second reinforcement of an equipment item based on a failure to reinforce the first auxiliary item. For example, the effect corresponding to the failure of the second reinforcement may include at least one of subtracting the remaining number of reinforcements included in the first auxiliary item, subtracting owned goods, reducing the amount of change in a quantified ability parameter included in the first auxiliary item, and maintaining the effect on the first auxiliary item, but is not limited to the disclosed example.

[0088] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the game providing device may obtain a user interface 510 (hereinafter, referred to as an "enhancement interface") including the obtained enhancement information. The enhancement information also includes information related to a second enhancement of the equipment item. The information related to the second enhancement corresponds to the enhancement information related to the enhancement of the equipment item in FIG. 2, and therefore the duplicated content will be omitted.

[0089] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the game providing device also includes at least one of a name 512 of an equipment item to be enhanced via an enhancement interface 510, a shape 514 of an auxiliary item generated by reflecting the result of enhancement of the equipment item, and an enhancement banner 516 for acquiring a user input for enhancing a first auxiliary item. For example, the name 512 of the equipment item is also "Legendary Sword". The first auxiliary item is also "Legendary Sword 1-star Enhanced Sword". The enhancement banner 516 is also a banner including the word "enhance".

[0090] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the game providing device may identify or acquire a touch input on the enhancement banner as a second input for enhancing the first auxiliary item. Based on identifying the touch input on the enhancement banner, the game providing device may perform or attempt to enhance the "legendary sword 1-star enhanced sword". When the game providing device successfully performs enhancement on the "legendary sword 1-star enhanced sword", it may acquire the "legendary sword 2-star enhanced sword" as the second auxiliary item 520. When the game providing device fails to enhance the "legendary sword 1-star enhanced sword", it may partially change the attributes of the "legendary sword 1-star enhanced sword", or may maintain them unchanged, or may cause the "legendary sword 1-star enhanced sword" to disappear.

[0091] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the game providing device may obtain an equipment item that is enhanced using a second auxiliary item. Note that the operation of applying the second auxiliary item to the equipment item to enhance the equipment item corresponds to the operation of applying the first auxiliary item to the equipment item in FIG. 3 to enhance the equipment item, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0092] Although the example has been described in which the probability of successful additional reinforcement of an equipment item is the same as the probability of generating a second auxiliary item, the probability of generating the second auxiliary item is different from the probability of successful additional reinforcement of an equipment item. The probability of generating the second auxiliary item corresponds to additional reinforcement of the equipment item, and may indicate the probability of generating the second auxiliary item by performing reinforcement on the first auxiliary item and succeeding in the reinforcement.

[0093] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the probability of generating the second auxiliary item is higher or lower than the probability of successfully performing additional reinforcement directly on the equipment item.

[0094] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, when directly enhancing an equipment item, taking into account possible penalties, the probability of generating the second auxiliary item is lower than the probability of successfully enhancing the equipment item directly. For example, if the probability of successfully enhancing the equipment item to be enhanced directly is 30.0%, and if the enhancement fails and there is a penalty of destroying the equipment, the probability of generating the second auxiliary item is 5.0%.

[0095] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the probability of generating the second auxiliary item is higher than the probability of successfully performing additional enhancement directly on the equipment item. For example, the probability of successfully performing additional enhancement directly on the equipment item to be enhanced is 20.0%, and the probability of generating the second auxiliary item is 25.0%.

[0096] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an operation of strengthening depending on whether or not an equipment item is possessed according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0097] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the game providing device may perform enhancement in different manners depending on whether or not an equipment item to be enhanced is held. For example, when the game providing device holds an equipment item to be enhanced, the game providing device may directly enhance the equipment item to be enhanced based on a first input. When the game providing device holds an equipment item to be enhanced, the game providing device may enhance the equipment item by acquiring a third input, in addition to the first input, for determining whether or not to generate a first auxiliary item. When the game providing device does not hold an equipment item to be enhanced, the game providing device may generate the first auxiliary item that enhances the equipment item by reflecting the result of enhancing the equipment item based on the first input.

[0098] In step S610, the game providing device may identify a first input for enhancing an equipment item. For example, the game providing device may identify a first input from a user. Step S610 corresponds to step S420, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0099] In operation S620, the game providing device may determine whether the user has an equipment item to be enhanced based on the first input.

[0100] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a game providing device may acquire information related to an equipment item to be enhanced from the user's enhancement information, and may identify whether the equipment item to be enhanced is included in the user's item inventory, thereby identifying whether the user owns the equipment item.

[0101] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the game providing device may perform step S630 based on identifying that the user has the equipment item, and may perform step S640 based on identifying that the user does not have the equipment item.

[0102] In step S630, the game providing device may directly enhance the equipment item to be enhanced based on the identification that the user owns an equipment item. For example, the game providing device may provide the user with an interface for directly enhancing the "legendary sword" based on the identification that the user owns a "legendary sword" which is an equipment item to be enhanced. Based on the provision of the interface for directly enhancing the "legendary sword", the game providing device may obtain a user input for directly enhancing the "legendary sword" and enhance the legendary sword.

[0103] In step S640, the game providing device may generate a first auxiliary item for enhancing the equipment item based on identifying that the user does not own the equipment item. For example, the game providing device may provide the user with an interface for generating the first auxiliary item, "legendary sword 1-star enhanced sword", based on identifying that the user does not own the "legendary sword". The game providing device may obtain a user input for generating the "legendary sword 1-star enhanced sword" based on providing the interface for generating the "legendary sword 1-star enhanced sword", and may obtain the "legendary sword 1-star enhanced sword" by enhancing the "legendary sword".

[0104] Incidentally, whether or not a different interface is provided depending on whether or not the player possesses an equipment item to be enhanced is preset in the game providing device.

[0105] FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an operation of strengthening depending on whether or not an equipment item is possessed according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0106] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the game providing device may provide a user interface 710 including the enhanced information (hereinafter, referred to as the "enhanced interface"). The enhanced interface 710 also includes an enhanced banner 716 for acquiring a first input.

[0107] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the game providing device may obtain a first input as a user input for the enhancement banner. The game providing device may identify whether the user has an equipment item to be enhanced based on identifying the first input. If the game providing device identifies that the user has an equipment item to be enhanced, the game providing device may provide the user with a question and answer interface 720 including a question regarding whether to directly enhance the equipment item.

[0108] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the question and answer interface 720 also includes a first banner 722 that allows the user to directly enhance the equipment item while providing the user with information regarding whether the equipment item is in the user's possession. The question and answer interface 720 also includes a second banner 724 that determines whether to generate a first auxiliary item. The user input to the second banner 724 is also a third input that determines whether to generate the first auxiliary item based on the user's identification of the equipment item as being in the user's possession.

[0109] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the third input for determining whether to generate a first auxiliary item is also an input for determining whether to generate the first auxiliary item, reflecting the result of the reinforcement of the reinforcement target item. Thus, the game providing device may reinforce the reinforcement target item based on the third input, and generate the first auxiliary item if the reinforcement is successful. The operation of generating the first auxiliary item based on the third input may correspond to an operation of generating a first auxiliary item that reinforces the equipment item, reflecting the result of the reinforcement of the equipment item, based on the reinforcement information and the first input.

[0110] It should be noted that the first input, the second input, and the third input are described including the ordinal numbers only for the purpose of distinguishing one from the other, and are not limited by terminology.

[0111] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the question and answer interface 720 may provide the user with a message such as “You have a ‘Legendary Sword’ in your item inventory” as information regarding whether or not you have an equipment item, along with a message such as “Do you want to directly upgrade the ‘Legendary Sword’?” asking whether or not to directly upgrade the equipment item.

[0112] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the question and answer interface 720 also includes a banner containing “Yes” as a first banner 722 and a banner containing “No” as a second banner 724 .

[0113] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, if the game providing device identifies that the user has an equipment item that can be enhanced, the game providing device may provide a question and answer interface 720 while also providing an inventory interface 730 that includes an in-game item inventory window.

[0114] The interfaces provided in response to identifying input to the question and answer interface 720 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[0115] FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an operation of strengthening depending on whether or not an equipment item is possessed according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0116] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, in response to providing a question and answer interface, if the game providing device obtains input for a first banner that allows direct enhancement, it may provide a direct enhancement interface 820 for directly enhancing an equipment item.

[0117] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, based on identifying an input to the enhancement banner 826 included in the direct enhancement interface 826, the game providing device performs an enhancement on the equipment item "Legendary Sword (0 stars)" 810 with a 95.0% success rate of enhancement, and if the enhancement is successful, may acquire or generate an enhanced equipment item, Legendary Sword (1 star) 830.

[0118] It should be noted that the operation of performing direct reinforcement is not limited to the disclosed example.

[0119] FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an operation of strengthening depending on whether or not an equipment item is possessed according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0120] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the game providing device may obtain an input for a second banner that generates a first auxiliary item in response to providing the question and answer interface. When the game providing device obtains the input for the second banner, the game providing device may provide an enhanced interface 910 including enhanced information. The enhanced interface 910 corresponds to the enhanced interface of FIG. 2, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0121] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the game providing device identifies an input for an enhancement banner 916 included in the enhancement interface 910, and based on identifying the input for the enhancement banner 916, the game providing device performs enhancement on a “legendary sword” which has a 95.0% probability of successful enhancement, and if the enhancement is successful, the first auxiliary item 920, “legendary sword 1-star enhanced sword”, may be obtained.

[0122] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an operation of setting a validity period for an auxiliary item according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0123] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, when generating an auxiliary item, the game providing device may set a valid period during which the user may possess the auxiliary item based on the time when the auxiliary item is generated.

[0124] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the effective period of the auxiliary item is set to be different depending on the type of equipment item to be enhanced, and the effective period can be set to be different for each item. For example, the effective period of the "Legendary Sword 1-star Enhanced Sword", which is an auxiliary item for the "Legendary Sword" item, can be set to 6 months from the time of generation of the "Legendary Sword 1-star Enhanced Sword". The effective period of the "Noble Ring 1-star Enhanced Sword", which is an auxiliary item for the "Noble Ring" item, can be set to 3 months from the time of generation of the "Noble Ring 1-star Enhanced Sword".

[0125] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the validity period of the auxiliary item may be set to be different depending on the information related to the enhancement included in the auxiliary item. For example, the validity period of the "Legendary Sword 1-star Enhanced Sword" may be set to 5 months from the time of generation of the "Legendary Sword 1-star Enhanced Sword". The validity period of the "Legendary Sword 2-star Enhanced Sword" may be set to 4 months from the time of generation of the "Legendary Sword 1-star Enhanced Sword". In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the game providing device may generate a first auxiliary item 1010. The game providing device may set a first validity period 1014 based on the time of generation of the first auxiliary item 1010. The first validity period 1014 may indicate, for the first auxiliary item 1010, a period during which the user may possess the first auxiliary item 1010.

[0126] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the first validity period 1014 corresponding to the first auxiliary item 1010 is also preset to a predetermined period from the time 1012 when the first auxiliary item is created. For example, the first validity period 1014 is also preset to six months from the time 1012 when the first auxiliary item is created. Thus, if the time 1012 when the first auxiliary item is created is 16:52 on Aug. 8, 2023, the first validity period 1014 is also 16:52 on Feb. 8, 2024.

[0127] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the game providing device may perform an enhancement to the first auxiliary item 1010, and if the enhancement is successful, may generate a second auxiliary item 1020. In response to generating the second auxiliary item 1020, the game providing device may update a second validity period 1024 based on a time 1022 at which the second auxiliary item is generated. The second validity period 1024 also indicates a period during which the user may possess the second auxiliary item 1020.

[0128] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, when the game providing device successfully enhances the first auxiliary item 1010 and generates the second auxiliary item 1020, the game providing device also eliminates the first auxiliary item 1010 and generates the second auxiliary item 1020. Therefore, when the game providing device generates the second auxiliary item 1020, the game providing device may update the first effective period 1014 of the first auxiliary item 1010 to the second effective period 1024.

[0129] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the second validity period 1024 corresponding to the second auxiliary item 1020 is also preset to a predetermined period from the time 1022 when the second auxiliary item is created. For example, the second validity period 1024 is also preset to six months from the time 1022 when the second auxiliary item is created. Thus, if the time 1022 when the second auxiliary item is created is 17:26 on 08 / 09 / 2023, the second validity period 1024 is also 17:26 on 08 / 03 / 2024.

[0130] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, when generating the second auxiliary item 1020, the game providing device may update the first validity period 1014 of the first auxiliary item 1010, which is "February 8, 2024, 16:52", to the second validity period 1024, which is "March 8, 2024, 16:26".

[0131] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the game providing device can eliminate the first auxiliary item 1010 or the second auxiliary item 1020 when the first effective period 1014 or the second effective period 1024 has elapsed.

[0132] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, in order to prevent the auxiliary items from being accumulated, an effective period may be set for the auxiliary items. When an effective period is set for the auxiliary items, the use or sale of the auxiliary items by users may be promoted, and enhancement performance for in-game equipment items may be activated.

[0133] 11A to 11C are diagrams for explaining a user interface for generating a first auxiliary item according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0134] FIG. 11A is a diagram for explaining a user interface for generating a first auxiliary item.

[0135] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the game providing device may provide a first enhancement interface 1110 for generating a first auxiliary item. The first enhancement interface 1110 may also include a search block 1112 for searching for an equipment item to be enhanced in order to obtain enhancement information. The game providing device may receive information related to at least one item included in the search block 1112 and search for an equipment item to be enhanced. The search block 1112 may include at least one of a classification of an item to be enhanced, an item name, and a wearable level of the item, but is not limited to the disclosed example.

[0136] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the classification of items to be enhanced included in the search block also includes selecting a detailed classification such as weapons, armor, accessories, clothing, etc. to identify the item to be enhanced.

[0137] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the item names contained in the search block may be used to search for items to be enhanced if the user either explicitly recognizes the item name or recognizes words contained in the item name.

[0138] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the game providing device may obtain a user input to the search banner 1116 from a user who has entered at least one item included in the search block 1112. The game providing device may obtain the user input to the search banner 1116 and perform a search for an equipment item to be enhanced. Before obtaining the user input to the search banner 1116, the game providing device may provide a first enhanced interface 1110 including a message "No items searched." In response to the search banner 1116, if a search is performed for an equipment item to be enhanced but there are no search results, the game providing device may provide a first enhanced interface 1110 including a message "No items searched."

[0139] The second enhancement interface 1120, which allows the game providing device to search for equipment items to be enhanced and provide search results including information related to at least one equipment item, will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 11B.

[0140] FIG. 11B is a diagram for explaining a user interface for generating a first auxiliary item.

[0141] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the game providing device may provide a second enhancement interface 1120 for generating a first auxiliary item. The second enhancement interface 1120 may also include a search result block 1122 acquired using the search block 1112. The search result block 1122 may also include a result of extracting an equipment item that the user wishes to enhance from an in-game database by analyzing information acquired using the search block 1112. For example, if a user searches for an item name "legendary sword" using the search block 1112, the game providing device may extract item information including all items including the word "legendary sword" from the in-game database. The item information including all items including the word "legendary sword" may also include information related to the "legendary sword" item and the "noble legendary sword" item.

[0142] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the game providing device may obtain a user input to select an item banner 1124 corresponding to one of the equipment items provided in the search result block 1122. For example, the game providing device may obtain a user input to select an item banner corresponding to a "legendary sword."

[0143] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the game providing device may acquire a user input to a selection banner 1126 for enhancing an equipment item to be enhanced that is selected from among the provided equipment items (hereinafter referred to as the "selected item").

[0144] In addition, when the game providing device obtains a user input on the selection banner 1126, it may provide a third enhanced interface 1130 for obtaining enhanced information.

[0145] FIG. 11C is a diagram for explaining a user interface for generating a first auxiliary item.

[0146] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the game providing device may provide a third enhancement interface 1130 for generating the first auxiliary item. The third enhancement interface 1130 may also include an enhancement block 1132 in response to selecting an item in the search result block 1122. The enhancement block 1132 may also include information regarding types of enhancements that can be performed on the selected item.

[0147] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the game providing device may acquire an input for at least one type of reinforcement in the reinforcement type tab 1134. In addition, when the game providing device receives an input for reinforcement by stages as the type of reinforcement, the game providing device may also acquire an input for the stage of the reinforcement to be performed.

[0148] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the game providing device may provide the enhancement interface 210 of FIG. 2 when reflecting the results of enhancements made to an equipment item and acquiring input for a crafting banner 1136 for generating a first auxiliary item.

[0149] FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining an operation of setting a base value associated with reinforcement according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0150] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the game providing device may provide an option interface 1210 to set a base value associated with the enhancement. For example, the game providing device may set a base value related to whether or not to provide the question and answer interface 720 of FIG. 7 to the user when the game providing device identifies a first input as the enhancement option 1220. The game providing device may provide the enhancement option 1220 to set a base value related to whether or not to provide the question and answer interface to the user when the game providing device identifies that the user has an equipment item to be enhanced.

[0151] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the game providing device may provide a question and answer interface depending on the situation when the "display direct strengthening confirmation when creating an strengthened sword" item (1225) is checked. For example, the game providing device may provide a question and answer interface to the user when it is identified that the user possesses an equipment item to be strengthened after identifying the first input. On the other hand, the game providing device does not provide a question and answer interface to the user when the "display direct strengthening confirmation when creating an strengthened sword" item 1225 is not checked. For example, even if the game providing device identifies the first input, it does not provide a question and answer interface to the user regardless of whether the user possesses an equipment item to be strengthened.

[0152] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the enhancement options are not limited to the disclosed examples, but also include items related to the enhancement of the present disclosure that may be preset by user selection.

[0153] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a user interface for purchasing or selling auxiliary items according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0154] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the game providing device may purchase or sell auxiliary items (including a first auxiliary item and a second auxiliary item) via an item exchange.

[0155] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the game providing device may search for items to be sold at the item exchange using at least one search element among the name of the auxiliary item, the effect of the auxiliary item, the name of the equipment item to be enhanced by the auxiliary item, and the price of the auxiliary item. The game providing device allows a user to purchase the auxiliary item via the item exchange. The game providing device also allows a user to sell the auxiliary item via the item exchange. Note that the game providing device also allows a user to directly trade the auxiliary item without using the item exchange.

[0156] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a user who owns an equipment item but finds it troublesome to enhance it or determines that it is more appropriate to use an auxiliary item to enhance the equipment item rather than directly enhancing the equipment item may purchase the auxiliary item. The user may also determine the market value of the auxiliary item and purchase and sell the auxiliary item at an appropriate price.

[0157] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the purchase of an auxiliary item may be considered as one factor for determining the enhancement cost calculated based on the user's demand. For example, when the enhancement cost is determined taking into account the trading volume of the auxiliary item, even if the equipment item to be enhanced is in short supply, the enhancement cost of the equipment item may be prevented from excessively dropping in comparison with its value in the game. Furthermore, if the enhancement cost of the equipment item is stabilized, the market price of the equipment item may also be stabilized as a result.

[0158] FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining a detailed configuration of a game providing device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0159] As shown in Fig. 14, the game providing device 1400 according to some embodiments includes at least one processor 1410, a communication unit 1430, and a memory 1450. However, none of the components shown in Fig. 14 are essential components of the game providing device 1400. The game providing device 1400 may be implemented with more components than those shown in Fig. 14, or may be implemented with fewer components than those shown in Fig. 14. The game providing device 1400 may be a user terminal, a server, a game network system, or a separate device.

[0160] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the processor 1410 generally controls the overall operation of the game providing device 1400. For example, the processor 1410 may generally control the communication unit 1430, the memory 1450, etc. by executing a program stored in the memory 1450. The processor 1410 may control the operation of the game providing device 1400 in this specification by controlling the communication unit 1430, the memory 1450, etc. The program stored in the memory is also an instruction for the operation of the game providing device.

[0161] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, processor 1410 may acquire enhancement information indicating information related to the enhancement of an equipment item that is the target of enhancement among in-game items, identify a first input for enhancing the equipment item, and generate a first auxiliary item for enhancing the equipment item based on the enhancement information and the first input, reflecting the results of the enhancement made to the equipment item.

[0162] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the processor 1410 may identify a first input from a user, perform an enhancement to the equipment item independent of whether the user owns the equipment item, and generate a first auxiliary item based on successfully performing the enhancement to the equipment item.

[0163] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the processor 1410 may correspond to adding and enhancing an equipment item, identify a second input for enhancing a first auxiliary item, and generate a second auxiliary item that enhances the equipment item based on the enhancement information and the second input, reflecting the results of the enhancement to the first auxiliary item.

[0164] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the processor 1410 may identify whether the user possesses an equipment item based on identifying the first input, and may generate a first auxiliary item based on identifying that the user does not possess the equipment item.

[0165] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the processor 1410 may obtain a third input to determine whether to generate the first auxiliary item based on identifying the user as possessing the equipment item.

[0166] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the processor 1410 may set a first validity period for the first auxiliary item based on the time the first auxiliary item is created, the first validity period indicating a period during which the user may possess the first auxiliary item.

[0167] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the processor 1410 may provide an enhancement to the first auxiliary item and, in response to generating a second auxiliary item, update a second validity period indicating a period during which a user may possess the second auxiliary item based on the time at which the second auxiliary item is generated.

[0168] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the processor 1410 may apply the first auxiliary item to the equipment item to enhance the equipment item.

[0169] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the communication unit 1430 may communicate with an external device under the control of the processor 1410. For example, the communication unit 1430 may communicate with an external device such as a payment server or an authentication server under the control of the processor 1410. The communication unit 1430 may also acquire user information or user input through communication with an external interface.

[0170] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the memory 1450 may store a program for processing and controlling the processor 1410, and may also store data input to or output from the game providing device 1400. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the memory 1450 may store item information related to items in the game, enhancement information related to the enhancement of equipment items, item inventory information for each user, etc.

[0171] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the processor 1410 may execute a method for providing a game service using a program stored in the memory 1450. For example, when the processor 1410 identifies a first input for enhancing an equipment item based on the enhancement information stored in the memory 1450, the processor 1410 may generate a first auxiliary item for enhancing the equipment item by reflecting the result of the enhancement made to the equipment item. In addition, when the processor 1410 identifies a second input based on the enhancement information stored in the memory 1450, the processor 1410 may generate a second auxiliary item by reflecting the result of the enhancement made to the first auxiliary item.

[0172] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the memory 1450 may include at least one type of recording medium among a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (e.g., a secure digital (SD) memory or an extreme digital (XD) memory, etc.), a random access memory (RAM), a static random access memory (SRAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), a magnetic memory, a magnetic disk, and an optical disk. Also, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the programs stored in the memory 1450 may be classified into a plurality of modules according to their functions.

[0173] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the method of providing a game service may be performed by the game providing device 1400, or may be performed by a server or a user terminal, and at least one component included in the game providing device 1400 may perform the embodiments described above in Figures 1 to 13. Also, the method of providing a game service may be performed by the server and the user terminal individually or together. The components of the server and the user terminal will be described in more detail below with reference to Figures 15 and 16.

[0174] FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining a detailed configuration of a game providing device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0175] As shown in Fig. 15, a server 1500 according to some embodiments includes at least one processor 1510, a communication unit 1530, and a memory 1550. However, none of the components shown in Fig. 15 are essential components of the server 1500. The server 1500 may be embodied with more components than those shown in Fig. 15, or may be embodied with fewer components than those shown in Fig. 15.

[0176] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the processor 1510 generally controls the overall operation of the server 1500. For example, the processor 1510 may generally control the communication unit 1530, the memory 1550, etc., by executing a program stored in the memory 1550. The processor 1510 may control the operation of the server 1500 herein by controlling the communication unit 1530, the memory 1550, etc.

[0177] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, processor 1510 may acquire enhancement information indicating information related to the enhancement of an equipment item that is the target of enhancement among in-game items, identify a first input for enhancing the equipment item, and generate a first auxiliary item for enhancing the equipment item based on the enhancement information and the first input, reflecting the results of the enhancement made to the equipment item.

[0178] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the operation of the processor 1510 may correspond to the operation of the processor 1410 of the game providing device 1400 described in FIG. 14, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0179] The communication unit 1530 may provide questions to the user terminal 1600 (FIG. 16) and receive response information to the questions under the control of the processor 1510. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the communication unit 1530 transmits and receives data to and from the user terminal 1600, and the data transmitted and received from the user terminal 1600 may include control data for controlling the user terminal 1600 or a program included in the user terminal 1600.

[0180] The memory 1550 may store programs for processing and control of the processor 1510, and may also store data input to or output from the server 1500. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the memory 1550 may store item information relating to in-game items, enhancement information indicating information related to the enhancement of equipment items, and the like.

[0181] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, using a program stored in memory 1550, processor 1510 may execute a method for providing gaming services.

[0182] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the memory 1550 includes at least one type of recording medium among a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (e.g., SD memory or XD memory), a RAM, an SRAM, a ROM, an EEPROM, a PROM, a magnetic memory, a magnetic disk, and an optical disk. Also, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the programs stored in the memory 1550 may be classified into a plurality of modules according to their functions.

[0183] Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the game providing method may be performed separately by the server 1500 and the user terminal 1600, may be performed by the server 1500 and the user terminal 1600 individually, or may be performed by the game providing device 1400.

[0184] FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining a detailed configuration of a user terminal according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0185] As shown in Figure 16, a user terminal 1600 according to some embodiments may include at least one processor 1610, a communication unit 1630, a memory 1650, and a user interface 1670. However, none of the components shown in Figure 16 are required components of the user terminal 1600. The user terminal 1600 may be embodied with more components than those shown in Figure 16, or may be embodied with fewer components than those shown in Figure 16.

[0186] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the processor 1610 generally controls the overall operation of the user terminal 1600. For example, the processor 1610 may generally control the communication unit 1630, the memory 1650, the user interface 1670, etc., by executing a program stored in the memory 1650. The processor 1610 may control the operation of the user terminal 1600 herein by controlling the communication unit 1630, the memory 1650, the user interface 1670, etc.

[0187] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, processor 1610 may acquire enhancement information indicating information related to the enhancement of an equipment item that is the target of enhancement among in-game items, identify a first input for enhancing the equipment item, and generate a first auxiliary item for enhancing the equipment item based on the enhancement information and the first input, reflecting the results of the enhancement made to the equipment item.

[0188] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the operation of the processor 1610 may correspond to the operation of the processor 1410 of the game providing device 1400 described in FIG. 14, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0189] The communication unit 1630 may provide queries to the server 1500 and receive response information to the queries under the control of the processor 1610. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the communication unit 1630 may transmit and receive data to and from the server 1500, and the data transmitted and received from the server 1500 may include control data for controlling the user terminal 1600 or a program included in the user terminal 1600.

[0190] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the communication unit 1630 may include, but is not limited to, a Bluetooth communication unit, a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication unit, a near field communication unit, a wireless local area network (WLAN) (wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi)) communication unit, a Zigbee communication unit, an Infrared Data Association (IrDA) communication unit, a Wi-Fi Direct (WFD) communication unit, an ultra-wideband (UWB) communication unit, an Ant+ communication unit, and the like.

[0191] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the communication unit 1630 transmits and receives wireless signals to and from at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server in a mobile communication network, where the wireless signals include various types of data such as a voice call signal, a video call signal, or a text / multimedia message transmission / reception.

[0192] The memory 1650 stores programs for processing and control of the processor 1610, and may also store data input to or output from the user terminal 1600. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the memory 1650 may store game-related information. For example, the memory 1650 may store item information related to in-game items, enhancement information indicating information related to the enhancement of equipment items, etc.

[0193] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, using a program stored in memory 1650, processor 1610 may execute a method for providing gaming services.

[0194] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the memory 1650 may include at least one type of recording medium among a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (e.g., SD memory or XD memory), a RAM, an SRAM, a ROM, an EEPROM, a PROM, a magnetic memory, a magnetic disk, and an optical disk. Also, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the programs stored in the memory 1650 may be classified into a plurality of modules according to their functions.

[0195] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the user interface 1670 may include various interfaces. For example, the user interface 1670 may include various interfaces such as a key pad, a dome switch, a voice input interface, a fingerprint input interface, a touch input interface (contact type electrostatic capacitance type, pressure type resistive film type, infrared sensing type, surface ultrasonic conduction type, integral type tension measurement type, piezoelectric effect type, etc.), a camera, a jog wheel, a jog switch, and various sensors such as an acceleration sensor, a position sensor, a temperature sensor, and a light sensor may be linked to the user interface. It is needless to say that the user interface is not limited to the above examples.

[0196] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the user interface 1670 further includes an output unit (not shown). The output unit may include at least one of a liquid crystal display, a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display, an organic light-emitting diode, a flexible display, a 3D display, and an electrophoretic display. When the display and the touchpad have a layered structure and are configured as a touch screen, the display may be used as an input device in addition to an output device. The output unit (not shown) may include, but is not limited to, an LED (light-emitting diode) lamp, a vibration motor, a speaker, a flash, etc.

[0197] Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the user interface 1670 may output notifications related to game information as images, videos, sounds, vibrations, lights, and the like.

[0198] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the user interface 1670 may include the enhanced interface 210 of Figure 2, the enhanced interface 510 of Figure 5, the enhanced interface 710 of Figure 7, the question and answer interface 720, the inventory interface 730, the direct enhanced interface 820 of Figure 8, the enhanced interface 910 of Figure 9, the first enhanced interface 1110, the second enhanced interface 1120, the third enhanced interface 1130 of Figures 11A to 11C, and the option interface 1210 of Figure 12. However, the above interfaces are only described as examples of the user interface 1670, and the user interface 1670 of the present disclosure may include various other interfaces as configurations.

[0199] The above-described devices may be implemented using hardware components, software components, and / or a combination of hardware and software components. For example, the devices and components described in the present embodiment may be implemented using one or more general-purpose or special-purpose computers, such as a processor, a controller, an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), a digital signal processor, a microcomputer, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic unit (PLU), a microprocessor, or any other device capable of executing and responding to instructions. The processing device may execute an operating system (OS) and one or more software applications executed on the operating system (OS). The processing device may also access, store, manipulate, process, and generate data in response to the execution of software. For ease of understanding, the processing device is described as being used as one, but a person skilled in the art would know that the processing device may include multiple processing elements and / or multiple types of processing elements. For example, the processing unit may include multiple processors or a processor and a controller, and other processing configurations are possible, such as parallel processors.

[0200] Software may also include computer programs, codes, instructions, or any combination of one or more thereof, which may configure or instruct a processing device to operate as desired, either independently or collectively. The software and / or data may be permanently or temporarily embodied in some type of machine, component, physical device, virtual device, computer storage medium or device, or transmitted signal wave, to be interpreted by or provide instructions or data to a processing device. The software may be distributed on computer systems coupled to a network, and may be stored or executed in a distributed manner. The software and the data may be stored on one or more computer-readable storage media.

[0201] The method according to the present invention may be embodied in the form of program instructions that can be executed by various computer means and stored in a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium may include the program instructions, data files, data structures, and the like, alone or in combination. The program instructions stored in the medium may be specially designed and constructed for the present invention, or may be well known and available to those skilled in the art of computer software. Examples of computer readable storage media include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tapes; optical media such as compact disc read only memories (CD-ROMs) and digital versatile discs (DVDs); magneto-optical media such as floptical disks; and hardware devices specially configured to store and execute program instructions, such as ROMs, RAMs, and flash memories. Examples of program instructions include not only machine code, such as produced by a compiler, but also high-level language code that can be executed by a computer using an interpreter, etc. The aforementioned hardware devices may be configured to operate as one or more software modules to perform the operations of the present invention, or vice versa.

[0202] As described above, even if the present embodiment has been described by a limited embodiment and drawings, a person having ordinary skill in the art may make various modifications and variations from the above description. For example, the described techniques may be performed in a different order than described, and / or the components such as the described systems, structures, devices, and circuits may be combined or combined in a different manner than described, or may be replaced or substituted by other components or equivalents, and still achieve suitable results.

[0203] Accordingly, other implementations, other embodiments, and equivalents of the claims are intended to be within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method for providing a game service by a game providing device, comprising: acquiring enhancement information indicating information related to enhancement of an equipment item to be enhanced among in-game items; identifying a first input for enhancing the equipment item; and generating a first auxiliary item that enhances the equipment item based on the enhancement information and the first input and reflects the results of the enhancement made to the equipment item.

2. The step of generating the first auxiliary item includes: identifying the first input from a user to enhance the equipment item, independent of whether the user owns the equipment item; and generating a first auxiliary item based on the successful implementation of the enhancement to the equipment item.

3. identifying a second input for enhancing the first auxiliary item; The method of claim 1 , further comprising: generating a second auxiliary item that enhances the equipment item by reflecting the results of the enhancement made to the first auxiliary item based on the enhancement information and the second input.

4. The first auxiliary item and the second auxiliary item ensure the strengthening of the equipment item, The method of claim 3 , wherein the second auxiliary item is different from the first auxiliary item.

5. The step of generating the first auxiliary item includes: identifying whether a user has the equipment item based on identifying the first input; and generating the first auxiliary item based on the user identifying that they do not possess the equipment item.

6. The step of generating the first auxiliary item includes: and acquiring a third input for determining whether to generate the first auxiliary item based on the user's identification that the user has the equipment item. The method according to claim 5.

7. 4. The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of: setting a first validity period for the first auxiliary item based on a time at which the first auxiliary item is created, the first validity period indicating a period during which a user may possess the first auxiliary item.

8. 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising: updating a second validity period indicating a period during which the user may possess the second auxiliary item in response to an enhancement to the first auxiliary item and generating the second auxiliary item based on a time at which the second auxiliary item is generated.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising applying the first auxiliary item to the equipment item to enhance the equipment item.

10. a memory for storing instructions; at least one processor operatively coupled to the memory and configured to execute the instructions; The at least one processor executes the instructions; Obtain enhancement information that shows information related to the enhancement of equipment items that are the target of enhancement among in-game items, Identifying a first input for enhancing the equipment item; The game providing device generates a first auxiliary item that enhances the equipment item based on the enhancement information and the first input, by reflecting the results of the enhancement made to the equipment item.

11. The at least one processor executes the instructions; By identifying the first input from a user, enhancement of the equipment item is performed independently of whether the user has the equipment item; The game providing device according to claim 10 , wherein a first auxiliary item is generated based on successful enhancement of the equipment item.

12. The at least one processor executes the instructions; identifying a second input for enhancing the first auxiliary item; The game providing device according to claim 10 , further comprising: a second auxiliary item that enhances the equipment item, the second auxiliary item being generated based on the enhancement information and the second input, and reflecting a result of enhancement made to the first auxiliary item.

13. The first auxiliary item and the second auxiliary item ensure the strengthening of the equipment item, The game providing device according to claim 12, wherein the second auxiliary item is different from the first auxiliary item.

14. The at least one processor executes the instructions; Identifying whether a user has the equipment item based on identifying the first input; The game providing device according to claim 10 , wherein the first auxiliary item is generated based on the fact that it has been determined that the user does not possess the equipment item.

15. The at least one processor executes the instructions; The game providing device according to claim 14 , further comprising: a third input for determining whether or not to generate the first auxiliary item based on the identification that the user possesses the equipment item.

16. The game providing device according to claim 12 , further comprising a first validity period indicating a period during which the user may possess the first auxiliary item, for the first auxiliary item, based on a time point at which the first auxiliary item is generated.

17. The game providing device according to claim 16, wherein in response to strengthening the first auxiliary item and generating the second auxiliary item, a second validity period indicating a period during which the user may possess the second auxiliary item is updated based on the time at which the second auxiliary item is generated.

18. The game providing device according to claim 10 , wherein the first auxiliary item is applied to the equipment item to enhance the equipment item.

19. a memory for storing instructions; at least one processor operatively coupled to the memory and configured to execute the instructions; The at least one processor executes the instructions; Obtain enhancement information that shows information related to the enhancement of equipment items that are the target of enhancement among in-game items, Identifying a first input for enhancing the equipment item; A server that generates a first auxiliary item that enhances the equipment item based on the enhancement information and the first input, by reflecting the results of the enhancement made to the equipment item.

20. In a user terminal for providing a game service, the user terminal comprises: a user interface for receiving user input; a memory for storing instructions; at least one processor operatively coupled to the user interface and the memory and configured to execute the instructions; The at least one processor executes the instructions; Obtain enhancement information that shows information related to the enhancement of equipment items that are the target of enhancement among in-game items, Identifying a first input for enhancing the equipment item; A user terminal that generates a first auxiliary item that enhances the equipment item based on the enhancement information and the first input, by reflecting the results of the enhancement made to the equipment item.

21. acquiring enhancement information indicating information related to enhancement of an equipment item to be enhanced among in-game items; identifying a first input for enhancing the equipment item; A computer-readable recording medium having stored thereon a program for executing on a computer a method for providing a game service, the method including: generating a first auxiliary item that definitively enhances the equipment item by reflecting the results of the enhancement made to the equipment item based on the enhancement information and the first input.

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