Program, system, and method

Abstract

To provide a program, a system, and a method capable of improving amusement properties.SOLUTION: A program causes a processor to function as: reservation reception means for receiving, from a user, reservation for participating in an event started at start time preset in a game; state shift determination means for determining whether or not a user terminal operated by the user is in a stand-by state for awaiting the start of the event a predetermined time before the start time; and forced shifting means for shifting the user terminal of the user to the stand-by state forcedly when the state shift determination means determines that the user terminal is not in the stand-by state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, there have been known online games that can accept reservations for participation in an event in which multiple users can participate online before the start time of the event (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this type of online game, by making a reservation for participation, a user can avoid a situation in which, when accessing the event at its start time, the upper limit on the number of participants has already been reached and the user is unable to participate in the event. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2007-215767 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the online game described in Patent Document 1, the event starts automatically even if the user is not present at the event start time. Therefore, for users who were looking forward to playing with other users, the enjoyment of the event is halved when an NPC participates in the event in place of a user who is not present at the event start time. Therefore, there is room for improvement in terms of increasing interest.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a program, a system, and a method that can increase interest. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the program according to the present invention comprises: The processor, a reservation receiving means for receiving a reservation from a user to participate in an event that is to start at a preset start time in the game; a state transition determination means for determining whether or not a user terminal operated by the user is in a standby state waiting for the start of the event a predetermined time before the start time; When the state transition determination means determines that the user terminal is not in the standby state, the state transition determination means functions as a forced transition means for forcibly transitioning the user terminal of the user to the standby state. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, interest can be improved. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of a game server. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of a user terminal. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a game server. [Diagram 5] 13A is a home screen of the game according to this embodiment, and FIG. 13B is an event information screen. [Figure 6] (a) is the event details screen, and (b) is the home screen after booking an event. [Figure 7] (a) is the battle play screen 10 minutes before the event starts, and (a) is the battle play screen about 5 minutes before the event starts. [Figure 8] (a) is the transition notification screen, and (b) is the standby screen. [Figure 9] (a) is the gacha screen, and (b) is the payment processing screen. [Figure 10] This is the practice screen. [Figure 11] This is the battle screen. [Figure 12] (a) is the standby screen immediately before transitioning to the start screen, and (b) is the start screen. [Figure 13] This is a gameplay screen from Summer Cup 2023. [Figure 14] This is the compensation screen. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment of the present invention described below is an example of how the present invention is embodied, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope of the description of the embodiment. Therefore, the present invention can be implemented by adding various modifications to the embodiment.

[0010] [System 1 Overview] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of a system 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the system 1 includes a game server 10 and user terminals 20A to 20D (hereinafter, these may be collectively referred to as "user terminals 20"). Although four user terminals 20 are shown in FIG. 1, examples of the user terminals 20 included in the system 1 are not limited to this. The game server 10 and the user terminals 20 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a communication network 2. A specific example of the communication network 2 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, the Internet, a mobile communication system (e.g., 4G, 5G, etc.), a wireless network such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark), or a combination of these.

[0011] The system 1 is a system for allowing each of a plurality of user terminals 20A to 20D to play an online game provided by a game server 10. More specifically, a golf game is provided to the user terminals 20 via the game server 10 as an example of an online game.

[0012] Furthermore, the user terminal 20 transmits play data of the golf game, etc. to the game server 10 through the communication network 2. The game server 10 transmits the play data of the golf game received from the user terminal 20 to the other user terminals 20 through the communication network 2. The other user terminals 20 then update their existing play data based on the play data received from the game server 10. In this manner, the golf game progresses in the user terminal 20. Although details will be described later, in the golf game of this embodiment, the user can reserve an event to be started at a predetermined start time, and when the start time arrives, the user terminal 20 operated by the user is forced to transition to a standby state in which it waits for the event.

[0013] The user terminal 20 may be an HMD set, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, or the like, and the specific form of the user terminal is not limited to the above-mentioned examples.

[0014] [Game Server 10 Configuration] Fig. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of the game server 10. The game server 10 is realized by, for example, a general-purpose computer such as a workstation or a personal computer. As shown in Fig. 2, the game server 10 mainly includes a processor 11, a memory 12, a storage 13, an input / output interface 14, and a communication interface 15. Each component of the game server 10 is connected to a communication bus 19.

[0015] The processor 11 realizes processes described below by executing a series of instructions included in a server program 13P stored in the memory 12 or the storage 13. The processor 11 is realized as, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a microprocessor unit (MPU), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other device.

[0016] The memory 12 temporarily holds a server program 13P and data. The server program 13P is loaded from, for example, the storage 13. The data includes data input to the game server 10 and data generated by the processor 11. For example, the memory 12 is realized as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or other volatile memory.

[0017] The storage 13 permanently holds the server program 13P and data. The storage 13 is realized, for example, as a ROM (Read-Only Memory), a hard disk drive, a flash memory, or other non-volatile storage device. The storage 13 may also be realized as a removable storage device such as a memory card. As yet another example, the storage 13 may be connected to the game server 10 as an external storage device instead of being built into the game server 10. With this configuration, for example, in a scene where a plurality of user terminals 20 are used, such as an amusement facility, it becomes possible to collectively update the server program 13P and data.

[0018] The input / output interface 14 is an interface for connecting external devices such as a monitor, an input device (e.g., a keyboard, a pointing device), an external storage device, a speaker, a camera, a microphone, a sensor, etc. to the game server 10. The processor 11 communicates with the external devices through the input / output interface 14. The input / output interface 14 is realized using, for example, a Universal Serial Bus (USB), a Digital Visual Interface (DVI), a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI, registered trademark), or other terminals.

[0019] The communication interface 15 communicates with other devices (e.g., user terminal 20) connected to the communication network 2. The communication interface 15 is realized as, for example, a wired communication interface such as a Local Area Network (LAN) or a wireless communication interface such as Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or Near Field Communication (NFC).

[0020] [Configuration of user terminal 20] The user terminal 20 is realized, for example, as an HMD set, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, a feature phone, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, etc. In this embodiment, an example of the user terminal 20 as a tablet terminal will be described as shown in FIG.

[0021] Fig. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of the user terminal 20. As shown in Fig. 3, the user terminal 20 mainly includes a processor 21, a memory 22, a storage 23, a communication interface 25, a monitor 31, cameras 33 and 34, a microphone 35, a speaker 36, a motion sensor 41, and an operation device 42. Each component of the user terminal 20 is connected to a communication bus 29.

[0022] The processor 21 realizes the processes described below by executing a series of instructions included in a terminal program 23P stored in the memory 22 or the storage 23. The processor 21 is realized as, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a microprocessor unit (MPU), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other devices.

[0023] The memory 22 temporarily holds the terminal program 23P and data. The terminal program 23P is loaded, for example, from the storage 23. The data includes data input to the user terminal 20 and data generated by the processor 21. For example, the memory 22 is realized as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or other volatile memory.

[0024] The storage 23 permanently holds the terminal program 23P and data. The storage 23 is realized, for example, as a ROM (Read-Only Memory), a hard disk drive, a flash memory, or other non-volatile storage device. The storage 23 may also be realized as a removable storage device such as a memory card. As yet another example, the storage 23 may be connected to the user terminal 20 as an external storage device instead of being built into the user terminal 20. With this configuration, for example, in a scene where a plurality of user terminals 20 are used, such as an amusement facility, it becomes possible to collectively update the terminal program 23P and data.

[0025] The communication interface 25 communicates with other devices (e.g., the game server 10) connected to the communication network 2. The communication interface 25 is realized as, for example, a wired communication interface such as a Local Area Network (LAN), or a wireless communication interface such as Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or NFC (Near Field Communication).

[0026] The monitor 31 is provided on the surface of a flat housing, as shown in Fig. 1 for example. The monitor 31 is a display device (display unit) that displays images or videos. The camera 33 is a so-called in-camera that is attached to the surface of the flat housing and captures an image of the face of a user viewing the monitor 31. The camera 34 is a so-called out-camera that is attached to the back surface of the flat housing (the surface opposite to the monitor 31) and captures an image of the surroundings.

[0027] The microphone 35 converts the user's speech into an audio signal (electrical signal) and outputs it to the computer 26. The speaker 36 converts the audio signal output from the computer 26 into voice and outputs it to the user. Note that the user terminal 20 may include an earphone instead of the speaker 36.

[0028] The motion sensor 41 detects the motion of the housing (for example, rotation around three mutually orthogonal axes). The motion sensor 41 may be realized by, for example, an angular velocity sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, or an acceleration sensor.

[0029] The operation device 42 accepts input (operation) of commands by the user to the user terminal 20. The operation device 42 is, for example, a touch panel that is superimposed on the monitor 31 and accepts various touch operations by the user. That is, the monitor 31 according to this embodiment is a touch panel type display unit. However, the specific hardware configuration of the user terminal 20 is not limited to the above example.

[0030] [Game Server 10 Functional Block Diagram] Fig. 4 is a functional block diagram of the game server 10. As shown in Fig. 4, the server program 13P loaded into the memory 12 causes the game server 10 (processor) to function as a reservation acceptance means 110, a state transition determination means 120, a forced transition means 130, a notification means 140, a charging process execution means 150, a charging process determination means 160, a limiting means 170, a compensation means 180, a post-processing execution means 190, a practice means 210, a management means 220, and a spectator display means 230.

[0031] In the following, "online game" refers to a game realized on the user terminal 20 by communication between the game server 10 and the user terminal 20. An online game can include multiple contents. The contents may include solo content played by one user and competitive content played by multiple users. The contents may also include regular content that is always held on the online game (in other words, no reservation is required) and reserved content that is preset to start at a specified time in the future and can only be played by users who have reserved it in advance. In this specification, among the above contents, competitive content and reserved content are particularly referred to as "events".

[0032] The reservation acceptance means 110 accepts a reservation from a user to participate in an event that starts at a preset start time in a golf game (game) (first step). Specifically, the reservation acceptance means 110 receives information related to a reservation for the event transmitted from the user terminal 20 of the user, and stores the received information in the memory 12 (see FIG. 2).

[0033] Furthermore, the reservation receiving means 110 instructs the processor 21 of the user terminal 20 to display on the monitor 31 that the reservation has been accepted, based on the acceptance of a reservation to participate in an event from a user. Upon receiving the instruction, the processor 21 of the user terminal 20 causes the monitor 31 of the user terminal 20 to display on the monitor 31 that the reservation has been accepted.

[0034] The state transition determination means 120 determines whether the user terminal 20 is in a standby state waiting for the start of the event reserved by the user, based on the information related to the reservation of the event stored in the memory 12 and the play data of the golf game received from the user terminal 20, a predetermined time (e.g., 5 minutes) before the start time of the event reserved by the user (second step). In this case, the state transition determination means 120 refers to the play data of the golf game received from the user terminal 20 to determine whether the user terminal 20 is in a standby state. Then, the state transition determination means 120 transmits information related to the determination result to the forced transition means 130. Here, "the user terminal 20 is in a standby state" refers to, for example, a state in which a standby screen for an event (see FIG. 8(b) described later, etc.) is displayed on the monitor 31 of the user terminal 20.

[0035] The forced transition means 130 enables the user terminal 20 to be forced to transition to a standby state for the event based on information related to the determination result received from the state transition determination means 120. Specifically, when the state transition determination means 120 determines that the user terminal 20 is not in a standby state, the forced transition means 130 forcibly transitions the user terminal 20 of the user playing content different from the event to a standby state (third step). In this case, the forced transition means 130 commands the processor 21 of the user terminal 20 to display a standby screen for the event on the monitor 31 of the user terminal 20. The processor 21 of the user terminal 20, having received the command, displays a standby screen for the event on the monitor 31 of the user terminal 20. On the other hand, when the state transition determination means 120 determines that the user terminal 20 is in a standby state, the forced transition means 130 causes the user terminal 20 to wait in a standby state.

[0036] In addition, when the forced transition means 130 forcibly transitions the user terminal 20 to a standby state, it transmits information to the notification means 140, the post-processing execution means 190, the practice means 210 and the management means 220 that the user terminal 20 will be forcibly transitioned to a standby state.

[0037] Furthermore, when the forced transition means 130 receives information from the billing process determination means 160 that the billing process has ended before the start time of the event, the forced transition means 130 forcibly transitions the user terminal 20 to the standby state.

[0038] The notification means 140 notifies the user of the forced transition to the standby state based on receiving information from the forced transition means 130 that the user terminal 20 will be forcibly transitioned to the standby state. In this case, the notification means 140 instructs the processor 21 of the user terminal 20 to display on the monitor 31 of the user terminal 20 a message indicating that the user terminal 20 will be forcibly transitioned to the standby state for the event. The processor 21 of the user terminal 20, having received the command, displays on the monitor 31 of the user terminal 20 a message indicating that the user terminal 20 will be forcibly transitioned to the standby state for the event.

[0039] The billing process execution means 150 executes the billing process requested by the user. When the billing process execution means 150 is executing the billing process, it transmits information indicating that the billing process is being executed to the billing process determination means 160. When the billing process execution means 150 is not executing the billing process, it does not transmit any information to the billing process determination means 160.

[0040] The charging process determination means 160 determines whether the charging process execution means 150 is executing the charging process a predetermined time before the start time of the event based on the information related to the reservation of the event stored in the memory 12 and the information received from the charging process execution means 150 indicating that the charging process is being executed. Specifically, when the charging process determination means 160 receives information indicating that the charging process is being executed from the charging process execution means 150 a predetermined time before the start time of the event, the charging process determination means 160 determines that the charging process is being executed. When the charging process determination means 160 finishes the charging process before the start time of the event, the charging process determination means 160 transmits information to that effect to the forced transition means 130. On the other hand, when the charging process determination means 160 does not receive information indicating that the charging process is being executed from the charging process execution means 150 a predetermined time before the start time of the event, the charging process determination means 160 determines that the charging process is not being executed. Then, the charging process determination means 160 transmits information related to the determination result to the restriction means 170.

[0041] The limiting means 170 can limit the forced transition of the user terminal 20 to the standby state based on information related to the determination result received from the billing process determining means 160. Specifically, when the billing process determining means 160 determines that the billing process executing means 150 has executed the billing process a predetermined time before the start time of the event, the limiting means 170 limits the forced transition of the user terminal 20 to the standby state. Then, the limiting means 170 transmits information to the compensation means 180 that the forced transition of the user terminal 20 to the standby state has been restricted. On the other hand, when the billing process determining means 160 determines that the billing process executing means 150 has not executed the billing process a predetermined time before the start time of the event, the limiting means 170 does not limit the forced transition of the user terminal 20 to the standby state. In this case, the limiting means 170 does not transmit any information to the compensation means 180.

[0042] The compensation means 180 compensates for the user's inability to participate in an event when information to the effect that the forced transition to the standby state of the user terminal 20 has been restricted from the restriction means 170. Specifically, the compensation means 180 causes an NPC or an AI to play the event in place of the user who is no longer able to participate in the event.

[0043] The post-processing execution means 190 executes post-processing of the online game that the user was playing before the forced transition, based on receiving information that the user terminal 20 has been forced to transition to an event standby state from the forced transition means 130. Specifically, the post-processing execution means 190 causes an NPC or an AI to play the online game in place of the user who can no longer play the online game.

[0044] The practice means 210 enables a user to practice playing in an event based on receiving information that the user terminal 20 has been forcibly shifted to a standby state for the event from the forced shift means 130. Specifically, the practice means 210 enables a specific user who has selected to practice among a plurality of users participating in the event to play in advance on a golf course to be played in the event during the period from when the user terminal 20 of the specific user shifts to a standby state until the start time of the event arrives.

[0045] When the start time of the event reserved by the user arrives, the management means 220 manages the progress of the event. In addition to the progress of the above-mentioned event, the management means 220 also manages the progress of the entire golf game. For example, based on the user terminal 20 accepting a user operation on the home screen of the golf game, the management means 220 instructs the processor 21 of the user terminal 20 to display a predetermined screen (e.g., an event information screen) on the monitor 31 of the user terminal 20. Then, upon receiving the instruction, the processor 21 of the user terminal 20 displays the predetermined screen on the monitor 31 of the user terminal 20.

[0046] The spectator display means (display means) 220 displays waiting users who are waiting to play on the monitor 31 of the user terminal 20 of a plurality of users participating in the event as spectators at a predetermined timing during the progress of the event. In this case, the spectator display means 230 commands the processor 21 of the user terminal 20 to display the spectators on the monitor 31 of the user terminal 20. Note that upon receiving the command, the processor 21 of the user terminal 20 displays the predetermined spectator on the monitor 31 of the user terminal 20.

[0047] Next, the golf game of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 5 to 15, showing the monitor 31 of the user terminal 20. Here, based on a command from the game server 10 (e.g., the management means 220, etc.), the processor 21 of the user terminal 20 displays a predetermined screen on the monitor 31, and notifies the game server 10 of the content of the operation accepted by the user from the user. In the following description, for convenience of explanation, the processing of the user terminal 20 will be omitted, and it will be assumed that the game server 10 displays a predetermined screen on the monitor 31 (accepts the user's operation).

[0048] Although a detailed description is omitted, any user can watch an event that a user has reserved to participate in. Furthermore, the event can be streamed to users via the Internet, for example.

[0049] FIG. 5(a) is a home screen of the golf game according to this embodiment, and (b) is an event information screen transitioned to from the home screen.

[0050] 5(a), the management means 220 displays a home screen on the monitor 31 of the user terminal 20. The home screen includes an owned coins, etc. display area A1, a main area A2, and an event information, etc. display area A3.

[0051] The coins and jewels display area A1 is an area for displaying the amount of coins and jewels owned by the user, as well as the user's rank. Coins and jewels are items that the user can acquire by playing battles (playing a golf game against one another). However, jewels are an item that the user can also acquire by paying a fee. The rank indicates the user's rank in the game, and can be increased by the user playing battles.

[0052] The main area A2 is an area for displaying the character used by the user and its name (Hanako in this example), a button for transitioning to battle play (battle play button), and a button for transitioning to an item exchange screen (item exchange button). When the user terminal 20 accepts pressing of the battle play button, the management means 220 transitions the monitor 31 to the battle play mode screen. Also, when the user terminal 20 accepts pressing of the item exchange button, the management means 220 transitions the monitor 31 to the item exchange screen.

[0053] The event information display area A3 is an area for displaying a button for transitioning to an event information screen and a button for transitioning to a gacha screen. When the user terminal 20 accepts a press of the gacha button displayed in the event information display area A3, the management means 220 transitions the monitor 31 to the gacha screen.

[0054] When the user terminal 20 accepts a press of the event information button on the home screen, the management unit 220 transitions the monitor 31 of the user terminal 20 to an event information screen. As shown in FIG. 5(b), the event information screen is a screen for announcing currently held events. In this example, the event information screen displays the Summer Cup 2023, the Advanced Cup August, and the Beginner Cup August.

[0055] The Summer Cup 2023 is a special event to be held during a specified period in the summer of 2023. The Summer Cup 2023 is an event to be held in the future, and is announced as "Starting soon!" The Advanced Players Cup August is an event to be held in August for advanced players. The Beginners Cup August is an event to be held in August for beginners. A Details button is displayed in the display area of ​​each event. When the user terminal 20 accepts pressing of the Details button, the management means 220 shifts the monitor 31 of the user terminal 20 to a details screen of the corresponding event.

[0056] FIG. 6(a) shows the event details screen, and (b) shows the home screen after reserving the event. In this example, the Summer Cup 2023 is used as an example of the event. In the Summer Cup 2023, some of the multiple participants take turns playing golf. Therefore, there are playing users and waiting users who are waiting to play.

[0057] The event details screen is a screen to which the user transitions when he or she selects and presses Summer Cup 2023 in Fig. 7(b). The event details screen includes an event name display area B1, a message display area B2, a start date and time display area B3, and a reservation display area B4.

[0058] The event name display area B1 is an area for displaying the name of the event. In this example, "Summer Cup 2023" is displayed in the event name display area B1.

[0059] The message display area B2 is an area for displaying messages from the management to users in holding the Summer Cup 2023. In this example, the message displayed is "The long-awaited Summer Cup 2023 will be held again this year! The highlight of this year is the first place winner's prize of 300,000 coins! Everyone, please participate and aim to win!!!"

[0060] The start date and time display area B3 is an area for displaying the date and start time of the Summer Cup 2023. In this example, the start date and time display area B3 displays "Sunday, August 13, 2023" as the date of the Summer Cup 2023, and "18:00" as the start time.

[0061] The reservation display area B4 is an area for displaying a reservation button for making a reservation to participate in the Summer Cup 2023. When the user terminal 20 accepts pressing of the reservation button, the reservation acceptance means 110 accepts a reservation to participate in the Summer Cup 2023 from the user.

[0062] 6(b), when the reservation acceptance means 110 accepts a reservation for the Summer Cup 2023 from a user, it displays a message that the reservation has been accepted in the event information display area A3 of the home screen. In this example, a speech bubble is displayed from a button for transitioning to an event information screen in the event information display area A3, and "Reservation Accepted" is displayed in the speech bubble.

[0063] In this way, when a user makes a reservation for Summer Cup 2023, the user will play, for example, battle play until the date and time of Summer Cup 2023 arrives.

[0064] In the following, the characteristic configuration of the present invention will be described while showing the monitor 31 of the user terminal 20 before the start of the Summer Cup 2023 on Sunday, August 13, 2023. Figures 7(a) and (b) are online game play screens. In this example, the state transition determination means 120 determines whether or not the user terminal 20 has transitioned to a standby state waiting for the start of the event 5 minutes (i.e., 18:55) before the start time (18:00) of the Summer Cup 2023.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 7(a), at 17:50 on Sunday, August 13, 2023, a user is playing a golf game as an online game. Here, 17:50 on Sunday, August 13, 2023 is 10 minutes before the start of the Summer Cup 2023.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 7(b), at 17:54:59 on Sunday, August 13, 2023, the user is still playing a battle play (see FIG. 5(a) etc.) in the golf game. And this user has forgotten that the Summer Cup 2023 will be held soon. Here, 17:54:59 on Sunday, August 13, 2023 is 5 minutes and 1 second before the Summer Cup 2023 will be held.

[0067] The user who was playing the battle play in FIG. 7(b) continued the play even at 17:55, which is five minutes before the start time of the Summer Cup 2023. Therefore, the state transition determination means 120 determines that the user terminal 20 was not in a standby state five minutes before the start time of the Summer Cup 2023. Then, based on the determination, the forced transition means 130 forcibly transitions the user terminal 20 of the user who is playing the battle play to a standby state. At this time, the notification means 140 notifies the user of the forced transition to the standby state.

[0068] FIG. 8(a) is a transition notification screen, and (b) is a standby screen. As shown in FIG. 8(a), the transition notification screen is a screen for notifying the user that the user terminal 20 will be forcibly transitioned to the standby state of the Summer Cup 2023. The notification means 140 displays on the monitor 31 of the user terminal 20 on the transition notification screen at 17:55 on August 13, 2023, "The reserved Summer Cup 2023 will start soon. You will be transitioned to the standby screen of the Summer Cup 2023." Thereafter, the forced transition means 130 forcibly transitions the user terminal 20 to the standby state.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 8(b), the standby screen is a screen displayed on the user terminal 20 in standby mode. The standby screen displays the event name "Summer Cup 2023", and below it, the character operated by the user, the time until the start of the Summer Cup 2023, the standby status of the participants, and a practice button are displayed. In this example, it is displayed that there are 4 minutes and 59 seconds left until the start of the Summer Cup 2023. In addition, it is displayed that 20 out of 20 participants are waiting as the standby status of the participants. The practice button is a button for transitioning to a practice screen, which will be described later.

[0070] Thus, in this embodiment, even if the user has forgotten that the Summer Cup 2023 is about to be held, the forced transition means 130 is configured to forcibly transition the user terminal 20 of the user who is playing the golf game to a standby state.

[0071] However, in this embodiment, if the billing process execution means 150 executes billing process 5 minutes before the start time of the Summer Cup 2023, the restriction means 170 restricts the user terminal 20 from forcibly switching to the standby state.

[0072] 9(a) is a gacha screen, and (b) is a billing processing screen. As shown in FIG. 9(a), the gacha screen is a screen for conducting a lottery to obtain a specific character in exchange for a predetermined number of jewels. This gacha screen is displayed on the monitor 31 of the user terminal 20 at 17:54 on Sunday, August 13, 2023.

[0073] In this example, the gacha screen displays "Character A2023 Summer Version," and this character A2023 Summer Version corresponds to a specific character. The character is displayed in the center of the gacha screen, and below it are a button for spinning the gacha once (one lottery) in exchange for 20 gems, and a button for spinning the gacha 10 times (10 lotteries) in exchange for 200 gems. Here, since the number of gems owned by the user is 10 (see FIG. 6(b)), the user cannot spin the gacha by pressing either of the above buttons. Therefore, the user wanted to purchase gems, and made a charge between 17:54 and 17:55 on Sunday, August 13, 2023.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 9(b), the billing process screen is a screen for indicating that the billing process is being performed by the user. Here, the billing process is, for example, a process of applying for payment of the price of jewels purchased by the user to the payment server, or a process of waiting for receipt of a payment completion notice from the payment server. In the center of this billing process screen, "Billing process in progress. Please wait for a while." is displayed. Here, this billing process screen is displayed on the monitor 31 of the user terminal 20 at 17:55 on Sunday, August 13, 2023. Therefore, the billing process determination means 160 determines that the billing process execution means 150 is executing the billing process 5 minutes before the start time of the Summer Cup 2023. Then, the limiting means 170 limits the forced transition of the user terminal 20 to a standby state and allows the billing process to continue. Note that, if the billing process ends before the start time of the event, the forced transition means 130 forcibly transitions the user terminal 20 to a standby state.

[0075] Next, the above-mentioned practice screen will be described. FIG. 10 is a practice screen. As shown in FIG. 10, the practice screen is a screen for playing the golf course to be played in the summer cup 2023 by oneself in advance from when the user terminal 20 transitions to a standby state until the start time of the summer cup 2023 arrives (in this example, 17:56 on Sunday, August 13, 2023). The practice screen displays a character operated by the user, and in the upper right corner, the time until the summer cup 2023 starts, the fact that the practice is in progress, etc. are displayed. In this example, it is displayed that there are 4 minutes and 00 seconds left until the summer cup 2023 starts.

[0076] Next, a post-processing of the golf game when the forced transition means 130 forcibly transitions the user terminal 20 to the above-mentioned standby screen will be described. Fig. 11 shows a battle screen. Here, Fig. 11 shows the monitor 31 of the user terminal 20 of a competing user who was playing a game (battle) against the user who was operating the forcibly transitioned user terminal 20.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 11, the battle screen is a screen for performing post-processing of the battle play played by the user before the user terminal 20 was forcibly shifted to the standby state. In this example, as shown in FIG. 8(b), based on the user terminal 20 shifting to the standby screen at 17:55:05 on Sunday, August 13, 2023, the post-processing execution means 190 displays the battle screen on the monitor 31 of the opponent user. Then, in the center of this battle screen, "The opponent will be switched to AI." is displayed. After that, the post-processing execution means 190 makes the opponent user compete against the AI ​​instead of the user who was operating the user terminal 20 that was forcibly shifted.

[0078] Next, the conditions for the user terminal 20 to be forced to transition to a standby state and then transition to the start screen of the Summer Cup 2023 will be described with reference to Fig. 12. Fig. 12(a) shows the standby screen immediately before the user terminal 20 transitions to the start screen, and (b) shows the start screen.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 12(a), the standby screen is displayed on the monitor 31 of a predetermined user terminal 20 at 17:59 on Sunday, August 13, 2023. The standby screen displays that the user terminals 20 of all 20 participants have transitioned to a standby state as the standby status of the participants. It also displays that there is one minute left until the start of the Summer Cup 2023. As shown in FIG. 12(b), when the start time, 18:00 on Sunday, August 13, 2023, arrives, a start screen is displayed. The start screen is a screen for indicating that the Summer Cup 2023 has started. The start screen displays the event name "Summer Cup 2023", and below it displays a message from the management to the user saying, "The 2023 Summer Cup will now begin! Let's do our best to win the 300,000 coin prize!!"

[0080] In this way, when the Summer Cup 2023 starts, the user will play to win. FIG. 13 is a Summer Cup 2023 play screen. As shown in FIG. 13, the Summer Cup 2023 play screen is displayed on the monitor 31 of a predetermined user terminal 20 at 18:05 on Sunday, August 13, 2023. This Summer Cup 2023 play screen is a screen for playing the Summer Cup 2023. In FIG. 13, the character CH1 operated by the play user is displayed on the left side of the Summer Cup 2023 play screen. Meanwhile, the characters CH2 to CH4 operated by the waiting users are displayed as spectators on the right side of the Summer Cup 2023 play screen. In this case, the spectator display means 230 displays the characters CH2 to CH4 operated by the waiting users as spectators.

[0081] Next, referring to FIG. 14, the progress of the summer cup 2023 in the case where the above-mentioned limiting means 170 limits the forced transition of the user terminal 20 to the standby state will be described. FIG. 14 is a compensation screen. The compensation screen is displayed on the monitor 31 of a specific user terminal 20 at 18:10 on Sunday, August 13, 2023. This compensation screen is a screen for compensating for the inability of a specific user (in this example, Taro) to participate in the summer cup 2023 and progressing through the summer cup 2023. The compensation means 180 displays "Taro can no longer participate. Instead, we will switch to AI" in the center of the compensation screen. After that, the compensation means 180 will have the AI ​​compete against users other than Taro in place of Taro, who was unable to participate in the summer cup 2023.

[0082] [Effects of the embodiment] According to the above embodiment, a reservation for participating in the Summer Cup 2023 (event) to be started at 18:00 (start time) on Sunday, August 13, 2023, which is preset in the golf game (game), is accepted from the user, and it is determined whether the user terminal 20 has transitioned to a standby state in which the user is waiting for the start of the Summer Cup 2023 5 minutes (predetermined time) before 18:00. Then, when it is determined that the user terminal 20 has not transitioned to the standby state, the user terminal 20 of the user playing the golf game is forcibly transitioned to the standby state. Therefore, even if the user is absorbed in playing the golf game, the standby image of the Summer Cup 2023 is forcibly displayed on the monitor 31 of the user terminal 20, so that the user can participate even if he or she has forgotten about the Summer Cup 2023 that he or she had reserved. Therefore, it is possible to improve the interest.

[0083] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, when the user terminal 20 is forcibly shifted to the standby state, the user is notified of the forcible shift to the standby state. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the monitor 31 of the user terminal 20 from suddenly switching to the standby screen of the Summer Cup 2023, and the user can play with confidence without being surprised.

[0084] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, if a user's billing process is being executed 5 minutes (a predetermined time) before 18:00 (start time) on Sunday, August 13, 2023, the user terminal 20 of the user is restricted from being forcibly shifted to a standby state. This allows the billing process to be executed reliably, and eliminates the need to execute cumbersome processes resulting from the billing process being terminated midway.

[0085] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, when the user terminal 20 is restricted from being forced to transition to the virtual state, the AI ​​can be made to play on behalf of the user who is unable to participate in the Summer Cup 2023, thereby compensating for the absence of that user. Therefore, even if there is a user who is unable to participate due to the above-mentioned restriction, the Summer Cup 2023 can be reliably progressed.

[0086] According to the above embodiment, when the user terminal 20 is forcibly shifted to a standby state, the golf game that the user was playing before the forcible shift to the standby state can be post-processed by having an AI play the game instead of the user. Therefore, the forcible shift to the standby state allows the opponent user who was playing against the user to continue and enjoy the golf game that he or she had been playing.

[0087] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, when the user terminal 20 is forcibly shifted to a standby state, it is possible to allow the user to practice playing in the summer cup 2023. Therefore, it is possible to effectively utilize the time from when the user terminal 20 shifts to the standby state until the summer cup 2023 starts.

[0088] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, the summer cup 2023 is played by some of the multiple users in turn, and while the summer cup 2023 is in progress, the characters operated by the users who are waiting to play among the multiple users are displayed as spectators. Therefore, even when a waiting user is waiting, the waiting user can be given the joy of seeing the character he or she operates displayed as a spectator.

[0089] [Other variations] In the above embodiment, the standby state has been described with reference to a state in which a standby screen for the Summer Cup 2023 (see FIG. 8(b), etc.) is displayed on the monitor 31 of the user terminal 20, but is not limited to this. The standby state may also be, for example, a state in which a golf club selection screen for the Summer Cup 2023 is displayed on the monitor 31 of the user terminal 20, or a state in which a character operated by the user has moved to a virtual space in which the Summer Cup 2023 is held. Even in such a case, the same effect as in the above embodiment can be achieved.

[0090] In the above embodiment, the predetermined time before the start time of the summer cup 2023 is described as 5 minutes, but is not limited thereto. The predetermined time before can be set as appropriate, for example, 3 minutes, 7 minutes, 10 minutes, etc. Even in such a case, the same effect as in the above embodiment can be achieved. In addition, when 3 minutes before is adopted as the predetermined time before, the management means 220 may start the summer cup 2023 based on the fact that the user terminals 20 of all participants have been shifted to a standby state even before the start time.

[0091] In the above embodiment, the post-processing execution means 190 causes the AI ​​to play the golf game that the user was playing before the forced transition to the standby state, but is not limited to this. The post-processing execution means 190 may cause an NPC to play the game instead of the user.

[0092] Furthermore, the post-processing execution means 190 may solicit a substitute user who can play in place of the user who has been forcibly shifted to the standby state in the golf game that the user had been playing up until that point. In this case, the post-processing execution means 190 may notify the friend of the user that a substitute user is being solicited. In this way, it is possible to strengthen the bond between the user and the friend, and to deepen the relationship of trust between the two.

[0093] Furthermore, the post-processing execution means 190 may change the character operated by the user who was forcibly shifted to the standby state to a character that can be operated by a competing user in the golf game that the user had been playing up until that point. This can increase the frequency with which the competing user plays the online game, making the online game more enjoyable.

[0094] In addition, the post-processing execution means 190 may store the intermediate state of the golf game that the user who was forcibly shifted to the standby state had been playing in the game server 10, and allow the user to play from that intermediate state when the user returns after finishing the Summer Cup 2023. However, if the online game is a multiplayer game, or if it is a time attack game and the time has already expired, the user may be treated as having retired. In this way, the golf game can be smoothly progressed even if a user who was forcibly shifted to the standby state exists.

[0095] Furthermore, the post-processing execution means 190 may treat the user who has been forcibly shifted to the standby state as having lost in the golf game that the user had been playing up until that point. In this case, the result of the online game may or may not affect the user's rank. In this way, it is only necessary to execute a simple process of treating the user as having lost.

[0096] In the above embodiment, the limiting means 170 limits the transition of the user terminal 20 to a standby state when a billing process is being executed, but this is not limited to the above. For example, the limiting means 170 may limit the transition of the user terminal 20 to a standby state when a user is playing a multiplayer game. In this way, it is possible to prevent a disadvantage to a user playing a multiplayer game caused by a forced transition to a standby state.

[0097] In addition, the limiting means 170 may limit the transition of the user terminal 20 to a standby state when the user is playing a predetermined event by spending jewels (in-game currency). In this way, the jewels consumed by the user are not wasted, and the user can be prevented from suffering any disadvantage.

[0098] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the practice means 210 allows the user to practice the course to be played in the summer cup 2023 during the period from when the user terminal 20 transitions to a standby state until the start of the summer cup 2023, but this is not limited thereto. For example, the practice means 210 may allow the user to practice with an opponent to be played in the summer cup 2023. In this case, it is preferable to practice with an opponent of the same rank as the user. In this way, the user can practice efficiently before the start of the summer cup 2023.

[0099] In the above embodiment, the notification means 140 displays on the monitor 31 of the user terminal 20 that the user terminal 20 will transition to a standby state for the Summer Cup 2023 when the user terminal 20 is forcibly transitioned to a standby state, but is not limited to this. For example, the notification means 140 may emit a sound from the speaker 36 of the user terminal 20. The notification means 140 may also vibrate the user terminal 20. In this way, even if the user is not looking at the monitor 31 of the user terminal 20 when the user terminal 20 is forcibly transitioned to a standby state, the user can be reliably notified of the forced transition.

[0100] In the above embodiment, the spectator display means 230 displays the character operated by the waiting user as a spectator, but is not limited to this. The spectator display means 230 may display the character used by a friend, follower, or fan watching the Summer Cup 2023 as a spectator. In this way, the friend, follower, or fan can be given the joy of being displayed as a spectator of the Summer Cup 2023.

[0101] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, when the user terminal 20 is restricted from being forcibly shifted to the virtual state, the compensation means 180 compensates for the non-participation of a user who is unable to participate in the summer cup 2023 by having the AI ​​play in place of the user, but this is not limited. For example, the compensation means 180 may hold the summer cup 2023 in a state where the number of participants in the summer cup 2023 is reduced due to users who are unable to participate. In this way, the processing burden for compensation by the compensation means 180 can be reduced.

[0102] Furthermore, when the user terminal 20 is restricted from being forcibly shifted to the virtual state, the compensation means 180 may, for a certain period of time, solicit substitute users who can play in place of a user who is unable to participate in the Summer Cup 2023. In this way, users who wanted to participate in the Summer Cup 2023 can participate as substitute users, so that the Summer Cup 2023 can attract the interest of more users.

[0103] Furthermore, when recruiting substitute users, the compensation means 180 may set a lower participation fee for the substitute users, for example, if a participation fee is required to participate in the summer cup 2023. This makes it easier for substitute users to participate in the summer cup 2023. Note that, if substitute users are not recruited even after the compensation means 180 has recruited them, the compensation means 180 may disband the summer cup 2023 and return the participation fee to each user. This makes it possible to reduce the processing burden for compensation by the compensation means 180.

[0104] Furthermore, when recruiting a substitute user, if a setting is made to predict the result of the Summer Cup 2023 and place a bet on the result, the compensation means 180 may increase, decrease, or eliminate the bet (coins) distributed to the substitute user based on the bet setting made by the user who was originally supposed to participate. In this way, even if the substitute user participates in the Summer Cup 2023, the bet setting can be made flexibly.

[0105] In the above embodiment, the forced transition means 130 forcibly transitions the user terminal 20 to a standby state when the user terminal 20 does not transition to a standby state a predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes) before the start time of the summer cup 2023 reserved by the user, but is not limited to this. The forced transition means 130 may forcibly defeat the user who operates the user terminal 20 when the user terminal 20 does not transition to a standby state within a predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes) from the start time of the summer cup 2023. In this case, it is preferable to notify the user of the remaining time by which the user must transition to a standby state. In this way, it is possible to encourage the user who has made a reservation to participate to participate in the summer cup 2023. In addition, when the user who has made a reservation to participate is playing a multiplay, it is possible to increase the option of retiring from the multiplay and participating in the reserved summer cup 2023. In this case, a recommendation to retire may be displayed on the monitor 31 of the user terminal 20 of the user who is playing the multiplay. In this way, it is possible to further encourage the user who has made a reservation to participate to participate in the summer cup 2023.

[0106] In the above embodiment, the summer cup 2023 is started based on the user terminals 20 of all the participants being shifted to a standby state, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the summer cup 2023 may be started based on the user terminals 20 of all the participants (opponents) and all the spectators watching the summer cup 2023 being shifted to a standby state. In this case, when the user terminals 20 of all the spectators are shifted to a standby state, a message such as "All the spectators are ready" may be displayed on the monitor 31 of the user terminal 20 of the spectator. In this way, it is possible to prevent the summer cup 2023 from progressing without the spectator knowing. In addition, an "OK" button for deciding the start of the summer cup 2023 may be displayed on the monitor 31 of the user terminal 20 of one spectator (for example, the host spectator), and the summer cup 2023 may be started based on the one spectator pressing the decision button. In this way, the summer cup 2023 can be started after the host spectator is ready, for example. And, adopting at least one of the above-mentioned multiple means is particularly effective when spectators are leading the progress of the Summer Cup 2023. Also, even if a problem occurs with either the spectators or the participants (competitors), or a problem occurs with the progress of the Summer Cup 2023, adjustments can be made to ensure that the Summer Cup 2023 proceeds smoothly.

[0107] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an online golf game is described as an example of a game, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can be applied to competitive online games such as racing games and fighting games. Another example of a game may be a game that is played via ad-hoc communication between user terminals 20.

[0108] Furthermore, the program according to the present invention is not limited to a single program, but may be a collection of multiple programs. Furthermore, the program according to the present invention is not limited to being executed by a single device, but may be executed by multiple devices in a shared manner. Furthermore, the division of roles between the game server 10 and the user terminal 20 is not limited to the above example. That is, part of the processing of the game server 10 may be executed by the user terminal 20, and part of the processing of the user terminal 20 may be executed by the game server 10.

[0109] Also, some or all of the means realized by the program can be realized by hardware such as an integrated circuit. Furthermore, the program may be provided by being recorded on a non-transitory recording medium that can be read by a computer. Examples of the recording medium include a hard disk, an SD card, a DVD, and a server on the Internet. [Explanation of symbols]

[0110] 110 Reservation acceptance method 120 State transition determination means 130 Compulsory Transition Measures 140 Means of Notification 150 Charging processing execution means 160 Billing process determination means 170 Restrictive Measures 180 Compensation Measures 190 Post-processing execution means 210 Practice means 221 Management measures 222 Spectator display means (display means)

Claims

1. The processor, a reservation receiving means for receiving a reservation from a user to participate in an event that is to start at a preset start time in the game; a state transition determination means for determining whether or not a user terminal operated by the user is in a standby state waiting for the start of the event a predetermined time before the start time; a program that functions as a forced transition means for forcibly transitioning the user terminal of the user to the standby state when the state transition determination means determines that the user terminal is not in the standby state;

2. The program according to claim 1, The processor, the program further functions as a notification means for notifying the user of the forced transition to the standby state when the forced transition means forcibly transitions the user terminal to the standby state.

3. The program according to claim 1, The processor, a billing process execution means for executing a billing process in accordance with an instruction from the user; a charging process determination means for determining whether or not the charging process execution means is executing the charging process before the predetermined time period prior to the start time; the program further functions as a restriction means for restricting the forced transition to the standby state when the charge process determination means determines that the charge process is being executed.

4. The program according to claim 3, The processor, the program further functions as a compensation means for compensating the user for being unable to participate in the event when the restriction means restricts the forced transition to the standby state.

5. The program according to claim 1, The processor, A program that, when the forced transition means forcibly transitions the user terminal to the standby state, functions as a post-processing execution means that executes post-processing of content different from the event that the user was playing before the forced transition to the standby state.

6. The program according to claim 1, The processor, The program further causes the user terminal in the standby state to function as a practice means that enables the user to practice playing at the event.

7. The program according to claim 1, The event is played by some of the users in turn, The processor, A management means for managing the progress of the event; The program causes the management means to function as a display means for displaying, as a spectator on the user terminal, a character operated by a user among the plurality of users who is waiting to play while the event is being progressed.

8. a reservation receiving means for receiving a reservation from a user to participate in an event that is to start at a preset start time in the game; a state transition determination means for determining whether or not a user terminal operated by the user is in a standby state waiting for the start of the event a predetermined time before the start time; and a forced transition means for forcibly transitioning the user terminal of the user to the standby state when the state transition determination means determines that the user terminal is not in the standby state.

9. A method for a processor to execute a program, comprising the steps of: A first step of accepting a reservation from a user to participate in an event that is to start at a preset start time in a game; a second step of determining whether or not a user terminal operated by the user is in a standby state waiting for the start of the event a predetermined time before the start time; a third step of forcibly transitioning the user terminal of the user to the standby state when it is determined in the second step that the user terminal is not in the standby state.

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