Information processor, game program, and game control method

Abstract

To increase a player's sense of expectation toward a lottery.SOLUTION: A game server includes: a right providing part for providing a lottery right to a player; a right management part for increasing the number of executable times correlated with a lottery right possessed by a player each time when a predetermined granting condition is attained by the player; and a lottery execution part for executing a set number of times of lotteries within a range of the number of executable times correlated with a lottery right at a point of time of reception when a lottery instruction is received from a player, and granting privilege to the player on the basis of the lottery result.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a computer game, and more particularly to a method for controlling a lottery for giving benefits to players.

Background Art

[0002] In computer games (hereinafter simply referred to as "games"), various "game media" are often provided to players. The game media referred to here is a general term for digital contents such as characters, items, and experience points that players need to advance the game advantageously.

[0003] One opportunity to provide game media is "lottery". Players obtain the opportunity to participate in the lottery by achieving various conditions during the game. The game media is provided as a "prize" for the lottery. Since the game progress is affected by the lottery result, the player's expectation is aroused when the lottery is executed. Lotteries are adopted in many games as a means to enhance the interest of the game. (See Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] There are cases where multiple lotteries are executed together as in Patent Document 1. The more times the lottery is conducted, the higher the possibility of obtaining the prize desired by the player. When multiple lotteries are executed together, the player's expectation is particularly likely to be aroused. Hereinafter, executing multiple lotteries together is also referred to as "multiple lottery".

[0006] The main object of the present invention is to provide a technique for further enhancing the player's anticipation for multiple lotteries.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] An information processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a right providing unit that provides a lottery right to a player, a right management unit that increases the number of executable times associated with the lottery right held by the player each time a predetermined granting condition is achieved by the player, and a lottery execution unit that, when receiving a lottery instruction from the player, executes a set number of lotteries within the range of the number of executable times associated with the lottery right at the time of reception, and grants a privilege to the player based on the result of the lottery.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it becomes easier to enhance the player's anticipation for multiple lotteries.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

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Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] [Overview] After briefly explaining the overview of the computer game (hereinafter referred to as "Game X") assumed in this embodiment, the specific configuration and control method of the game system will be described. Game X is an F2P (Free-to-Play) game that can be executed on a smartphone or the like and allows multiple players to participate.

[0011] A player holds a plurality of characters. The player uses the characters to clear various tasks called "quests", "missions", etc. In quests, the player's characters fight against enemies. Through solving tasks such as quests, the characters grow. The characters are strengthened by equipping weapons and armor. Also, the characters are strengthened by various items. The stronger the characters are strengthened, the easier it is to defeat stronger enemies.

[0012] Game media such as ally characters, weapons, armor, and items may be obtained as a result of quests or may be given as a lottery privilege. In the lottery of this embodiment, one game media is randomly restored and extracted as a privilege from a lottery table in which a selection probability is assigned to each of a plurality of game media.

[0013] The operator of Game X appropriately sets an "event period". For example, when the game server sets "from May 1st to May 31st, 2021" as the event period according to the operator's designation, the player is given a "lottery cage" as a lottery right. More precisely, the lottery cage functions as a "right to exercise the lottery right".

[0014] During the game, various "grant conditions" are set. The grant conditions can be arbitrarily set, such as clearing quests, logging in to Game X, growing a specific character to a specified level, equipping a specific weapon on a character, collaborating with other players, etc. For example, a grant condition that is satisfied as long as any one of a plurality of quests is cleared may be set. Alternatively, a grant condition that is satisfied only when a predetermined quest (special quest) among a plurality of quests is cleared may be set. When the player clears the grant condition, the player is given a "lottery ball". The lottery ball functions as "the right to execute one lottery". The player accumulates lottery balls in the lottery cage while achieving the grant conditions.

[0015] The player can exercise the lottery right at any timing during the event period. At this time, a plurality of lotteries are executed corresponding to the number of lottery balls stored in the lottery cage. For example, when Player A, who has 25 lottery balls stored in the lottery cage, exercises the lottery right, the lottery is executed 25 times in a row. After the execution of the lottery, the lottery cage breaks. That is, during the event period, the player can accumulate a large number of lottery balls before exercising the lottery right, and after exercising the lottery right, the player cannot accumulate new lottery balls until the next event period starts.

[0016] As described above, the player can accumulate lottery balls in the lottery cage every time the player clears the grant condition during the event period. In other words, the player can increase the value of the lottery cage by playing Game X during the event period. Therefore, in Game X, a gameplay that is like cultivating the lottery cage itself can be realized. In Game X, the player can enjoy not only the pleasure of expecting the benefits obtained from a plurality of lotteries using the accumulated lottery balls, but also the "pleasure of collection" that builds the expectation for future benefits while accumulating lottery balls.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining the relationship between the lottery cage and the lottery balls. When a player registers with the game server, the game server sets a player ID. The player is identified by the player ID. In FIG. 1, the player with player ID = P01 (hereinafter referred to as "player (P01)") has one lottery cage 202 and seven lottery balls 204. In the game server, the player ID, the presence or absence of the lottery cage 202, and the number of lottery balls 204 are registered in association with each other. Player (P01) is given the lottery cage 202 at the start of the event period and then accumulates seven lottery balls 204. Therefore, when player (P01) exercises the lottery right, seven lotteries are continuously executed. Hereinafter, a player exercising the lottery right is called "lottery instruction".

[0018] Player (P02) has one lottery cage 202 and two lottery balls 204. For this reason, even if player (P02) exercises the lottery right, only two lotteries are executed. In other words, player (P02) can only obtain two prizes. Therefore, the lottery cage 202 of player (P01) (seven lottery balls 204) is more valuable than the lottery cage 202 of player (P02) (two lottery balls 204). Player (P01) increases the value of his own lottery cage 202 compared to player (P02) by clearing a number of awarding conditions.

[0019] Player (P03) has one lottery cage 202 and twenty - one lottery balls 204. When player (P03) exercises the lottery right, twenty - one lotteries are continuously executed. For this reason, the anticipation for the lottery of player (P03) is higher than that of player (P01) and player (P02).

[0020] Hereinafter, the number of lottery balls 204 accumulated by the player in the lottery cage 202 is referred to as the "accumulated number". The accumulated number indicates the number of times the lottery can be executed when the lottery right is exercised. Also, the actual number of times the lottery is executed when the player exercises the lottery right is referred to as the "set number". In this embodiment, the accumulated number and the set number are always the same, and when the player exercises the lottery right, the lottery is executed the number of times equal to the accumulated number. The case where the accumulated number and the set number are not the same will be described as a modification later.

[0021] Figure 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of the game system 200. In the game system 200, the game server 100 and a plurality of game terminals 102a, 102b, 102c ··· 102n (hereinafter, collectively referred to as "game terminal 102" when mentioned together or not particularly distinguished) are connected via the Internet 106. The game terminal 102 in this embodiment assumes a smartphone. The game terminal 102 may be a portable dedicated game machine or a general-purpose computer such as a laptop PC. The game terminal 102 and the Internet 106 are wirelessly connected, but may also be wired-connected. As described above, a unique ID called a player ID is assigned in advance to the player of the game. The game server 100 provides game X to each game terminal 102.

[0022] Figure 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of the game server 100. The game server 100 includes a storage 312 as a non-volatile memory for storing computer programs, a volatile memory 304 for expanding programs and data, registers, arithmetic units, instruction decoders, etc., and a processor 300 (CPU: Central Processing Unit) that reads and executes programs from the memory 304. The processor 300 is connected to a relatively high-speed first bus 302. In addition to the memory 304, a NIC (Network Interface Card) is connected to the first bus 302. In addition, a GPU is connected to the first bus 302. (Graphics Processing Unit) and other devices may be connected.

[0023] The first bus 302 is connected to a relatively slow second bus 310 via a bridge 308. In addition to the storage 312, output devices 316 such as a monitor or a speaker are connected to the second bus 310. Also, input devices 314 such as a mouse and a keyboard, and peripheral devices 318 such as a printer may be connected to the second bus 310.

[0024] FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the game system 200. The game system 200 includes a game server 100 and a game terminal 102. Each component of the game server 100 and the game terminal 102 is realized by hardware including arithmetic units such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and various co-processors, storage devices such as a memory and a storage, and wired or wireless communication lines connecting them, and software stored in the storage device and supplying processing instructions to the arithmetic unit. The computer program may be composed of a device driver, an operating system, various application programs located in the upper layers thereof, and a library providing common functions to these programs. Each block described below indicates a block of a functional unit, not a configuration of a hardware unit. The game server 100 may be configured to include a web server, and the game terminal 102 may be configured to include a portable communication terminal and a web browser installed therein.

[0025] (Game Server 100) The game server 100 includes a communication unit 112, a data processing unit 110, and a data storage unit 114. The communication unit 112 is responsible for communication processing with the game terminal 102 via the Internet 106. The data storage unit 114 stores various data. The data processing unit 110 executes various processes based on the data acquired by the communication unit 112 and the data stored in the data storage unit 114. The data processing unit 110 also functions as an interface for the communication unit 112 and the data storage unit 114.

[0026] The data storage unit 114 includes a game data storage unit 130 and a player data storage unit 132. The game data storage unit 130 stores game programs. The player data storage unit 132 manages player information. As described in relation to FIG. 1, the player data storage unit 132 stores information associating the player ID with the presence or absence of the lottery cage 202 (lottery right) and the accumulated number of lottery balls 204 (executable times).

[0027] The data processing unit 110 includes a player registration unit 116, a lottery management unit 118, and a game control unit 126. The player registration unit 116 accepts player registration from the game terminal 102 via the communication unit 112. When player registration is requested, the player registration unit 116 assigns a player ID to the player. The game control unit 126 controls the basic progress of Game X. Also, the game control unit 126 sets an event period. The event period may be set automatically or according to an instruction from the operator of Game X. The game control unit 126 includes a recommendation unit 128. The recommendation unit 128 recommends quests suitable for the player (described later).

[0028] The lottery management unit 118 executes processes related to the lottery, which is a part of Game X. The lottery management unit 118 includes a right providing unit 120, a right management unit 122, and a lottery execution unit 124. The right providing unit 120 provides the lottery cage 202 (lottery right) to all players at the start of the event period. The right management unit 122 manages the accumulated number of lottery balls 204 for each player. The lottery execution unit 124 executes the lottery according to a lottery instruction from the player.

[0029] (Game terminal 102) The game terminal 102 includes a user interface processing unit 136, a communication unit 134, a data processing unit 138, and a data storage unit 140. The user interface processing unit 136 includes an input unit 142 that receives operations from a player and an output unit 144 that executes image display and audio output. The communication unit 134 is responsible for communication processing with the game server 100 and other game terminals 102 via the Internet 106. The data storage unit 140 stores various data. The data processing unit 138 executes various processes based on the data acquired by the user interface processing unit 136 and the communication unit 134, and the data stored in the data storage unit 140. The data processing unit 138 also functions as an interface for the user interface processing unit 136, the communication unit 134, and the data storage unit 140.

[0030] The data processing unit 138 includes a game execution unit 146. The game execution unit 146 controls the progress of the game in cooperation with the game server 100. The game execution unit 146 of the game terminal 102 may be formed as a software module downloaded from the game server 100 as a part of the functions of the game control unit 126.

[0031] The communication unit 134 acquires various game information from the game server 100, and the output unit 144 causes the user interface processing unit 136 to display a game screen. Also, the input unit 142 detects various inputs by the player, and the game execution unit 146 notifies the game server 100 of the input information via the communication unit 134. In response to this input information, the data processing unit 138, particularly the game execution unit 146, controls the progress of the game.

[0032] FIG. 5 is a data structure diagram of the grant condition setting information 150. The grant condition setting information 150 is stored in the game data storage unit 130 of the game server 100. The "addition number" of the lottery ball 204 varies depending on the grant condition. Also, there are 10 levels of difficulty defined in advance for the grant conditions. The difficulty can be freely set by the designer of Game X. The designer may set a higher difficulty for grant conditions that cannot be achieved without clearing a large number of tasks or for grant conditions that are assumed to require a long time to achieve. As an example, the difficulty of a grant condition established by collecting multiple items may be set higher than that of a grant condition established by collecting only one item. In the case of a grant condition achievable by building a building, a building with a longer construction time may have a higher set difficulty. Additionally, in the case of a grant condition achieved by defeating enemies, the higher the strength of the enemies, the higher the difficulty may be set.

[0033] The grant conditions are identified by condition IDs. For example, the difficulty of the grant condition with condition ID = M01 is the lowest "1", and the addition number of the lottery ball 204 is also "1". That is, the grant condition (M01) is assumed to be easily achievable, and the rights management unit 122 provides one lottery ball 204 to the achiever.

[0034] The difficulty of the grant condition (M03) is "5", and the addition number is "2". The grant condition (M03) is more difficult to achieve than the grant condition (M01), but more lottery balls 204 are provided upon achievement. The difficulty of the grant condition (M04) is "10", and the addition number is "5". Although the grant condition (M04) is particularly difficult for the player to achieve, it is highly valuable to challenge because 5 lottery balls 204 can be obtained if achieved. Thus, in the grant condition setting information 150, the addition number of the grant condition is set based on the difficulty so that the higher the difficulty, the greater the addition number (reward) of the lottery ball 204.

[0035] Note that the communication unit 112 of the data processing unit 110 may transmit the grant condition setting information 150 that defines the grant condition, difficulty, and addition number to the game terminal 102. The output unit 144 of the game terminal 102 may notify the player of the difficulty and addition number for each grant condition.

[0036] FIG. 6 is a screen diagram of the quest selection screen 160. The output unit 144 of the game terminal 102 displays the quest selection screen 160 during the execution of game X. A plurality of selection buttons 162 are displayed on the quest selection screen 160. On the quest selection screen 160, the player touches the selection button 162 corresponding to the quest the player wants to challenge. When the selection button 162 is touched, the game control unit 126 and the game execution unit 146 execute the selected quest. Conditions for awarding and difficulty levels are set for the quests. The game control unit 126 refers to the awarding condition setting information 150 and displays the difficulty level of each quest near the selection button 162.

[0037] When the quest starts, the player operates the character to fight against the enemy. When the enemy is defeated, the quest is cleared and the conditions for awarding are achieved. The rights management unit 122 provides the player with a lottery ball 204 for the addition number associated with the awarding condition. The player selects a quest and grows the character through the quest. Also, the lottery balls 204 are accumulated by achieving the quests (awarding conditions). The game control unit 126 sets a "rank" for the character or the player based on the growth level of the character. The higher the rank, the more difficult quests the player can challenge.

[0038] For a certain player (P04), the quest QX may be too easy and the quest QY may be too difficult. Therefore, the player (P04) may not get much of a sense of accomplishment even if the player clears the quest QX. On the other hand, there is almost no possibility that the player (P04) can clear the quest QY. Therefore, the recommendation unit 128 selects a quest appropriate for the player (P04) (hereinafter referred to as "recommended quest") based on the play history of the player (P04). The output unit 144 displays a recommendation mark 164 indicating the recommended quest by the recommendation unit 128. The recommendation mark 164 makes it easier for the player to select a quest that is challenging and suitable for the player's level.

[0039] The method of selecting the recommended quests by the recommendation unit 128 is arbitrary. For example, a recommended rank range is set in advance for the quests. The recommendation unit 128 selects quests whose player rank is within the recommended rank range as the recommended quests. Alternatively, assume that a certain player (P05) has cleared quest Q1. At this time, the recommendation unit 128 may select quest Q1 as the recommended quest for a player (P06) of the same rank as the player (P05). This is because it is considered that since the player (P05) with the same level of strength as the player (P06) has cleared quest Q1, the player (P06) may also be able to clear quest Q1.

[0040] As another example, assume that a player (P07) owns character C1 and has cleared quest Q1. Assume that player (P08) also owns character C1. At this time, the recommendation unit 128 may select quest Q1 as the recommended quest for the player (P08). This is because it is considered that since the player (P07) who owns the same character C1 as the player (P08) has cleared quest Q1, the player (P08) may also be able to clear quest Q1. This is the same not only for characters but also for items, weapons, and armors.

[0041] Figure 7 is a screen diagram of the lottery instruction screen 170. When the player instructs, via the input unit 142, to check the accumulated number (remaining number) of lottery balls 204, the lottery management unit 118 causes the lottery instruction screen 170 to be displayed on the game terminal 102. The lottery instruction screen 170 in Figure 7 is also displayed on the game terminal 102 of the player (P09). The lottery instruction screen 170 includes an accumulation meter 172 and a lottery button 174. The accumulation meter 172 indicates the accumulated number of lottery balls 204. A first threshold value and a second threshold value are set for the accumulated number. When the accumulated number of lottery balls 204 exceeds the first threshold value, the lottery execution unit 124 changes the lottery setting conditions to be advantageous to the player. The second threshold value indicates the upper limit value of the accumulated number of lottery balls 204. Assume that the first threshold value in this embodiment is "30" and the second threshold value is "50".

[0042] Since the player (P09) has accumulated 34 lottery balls 204, "The current accumulation is 34 balls" is displayed on the lottery instruction screen 170. The accumulation meter 172 graphically displays the current number of accumulated balls together with the first threshold value and the second threshold value.

[0043] The player (P09) gives a lottery instruction by touching the lottery button 174. When a lottery instruction is given, the lottery execution unit 124 continuously executes 34 lotteries corresponding to the set number of times (the same number as the number of accumulated balls in this embodiment). Among the 34 lotteries, the lotteries within the first threshold value, that is, the lotteries from the 1st to the 30th times, are executed based on the first lottery table (first set conditions), and for the 4 lotteries from the 31st to the 34th times, which are the amount exceeding the first threshold value, they are executed based on a second lottery table (second set conditions) different from the first lottery table.

[0044] The second lottery table is set more favorably for the player than the first lottery table. For example, the selection probability of the character C2 with a high rarity may be set higher in the second lottery table than in the first lottery table. The rarity of a character means the difficulty or scarcity of obtaining that character. The designer of game X can freely set the rarity of each character. The selection probability of a character with a rarity equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value L may be set higher in the second lottery table than in the first lottery table. Also, the character C3 with a high rarity may be set to be selectable only from the second lottery table.

[0045] The benefits of the lottery may be items, characters, experience points, or game points. The game points mentioned here are a type of game medium that has the same function as currency within game X and can be exchanged for other game media such as items and characters.

[0046] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure when the granting condition is achieved. The player achieves various granting conditions by clearing tasks such as quests and logins. FIG. 8 shows the processing procedure when the granting conditions are achieved during the event period, that is, when the lottery cage 202 is granted.

[0047] When the granting conditions are achieved, if the lottery has already been executed (N in S10), the subsequent processing is skipped. If the player touches the lottery button 174 and executes a lottery instruction during the event period, the accumulation of lottery balls 204 will not be performed hereafter. In other words, only one lottery instruction can be accepted during the event period.

[0048] If the lottery has not been executed when the granting conditions are achieved (Y in S10), the right management unit 122 determines whether the accumulated number (executable times) of lottery balls 204 is less than the second threshold value (50) (S12). When the accumulated number has not reached the second threshold value (Y in S12), the right management unit 122 adds the additional number corresponding to the achieved granting conditions to the accumulated number (S14). That is, the player obtains lottery balls 204 corresponding to the additional number by achieving the granting conditions. When the accumulated number after the addition exceeds the second threshold value, the excess is discarded. For example, when the accumulated number of lottery balls 204 is 48 and the additional number is 5, the right management unit 122 discards the excess 3 (=48 + 5 - 50). As another example, the right management unit 122 may carry over the excess lottery balls 204 for the next event period.

[0049] When the accumulated number of lottery balls 204 reaches the second threshold value (N in S12), the right management unit 122 decreases the first threshold value (N in S12). Specifically, the right management unit 122 decreases the first threshold value by 1 each time the granting conditions are achieved after the accumulated number reaches the second threshold value. When the first threshold value is small, the number of lotteries based on the second lottery table, which is advantageous to the player, increases, so it is advantageous to the player. Therefore, even after the accumulated number of lottery balls 204 reaches the second threshold value as the upper limit value, the player can receive the benefit of decreasing the first threshold value by continuously achieving the granting conditions.

[0050] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure during lottery execution. When the player touches the lottery button 174 during the event period, the lottery is executed. As described above, once the lottery is executed, the lottery execution unit 124 does not accept a re-lottery instruction within the event period. The right management unit 122 assigns ball numbers to the lottery balls 204 in the order of accumulation.

[0051] First, if there are remaining lottery balls 204, in other words, if the accumulated number is 1 or more (Y in S20), the lottery execution unit 124 sequentially selects the lottery balls 204 according to the ball numbers and determines whether the ball number is within the first threshold value (S22). If the ball number is within the first threshold value (Y in S22), the lottery execution unit 124 sets the first lottery table (S24). The lottery execution unit 124 executes the lottery based on the first lottery table (S28). In the first lottery table, various privileges and their selection probabilities (range of random numbers) are associated. The lottery execution unit 124 generates a random number value to select one of the privileges and provides the selected privilege to the player. After the lottery execution, the lottery execution unit 124 subtracts 1 from the remaining number (accumulated number) of the lottery balls 204 (S30).

[0052] On the other hand, if the ball number is greater than the first threshold value (N in S22), the lottery execution unit 124 sets a second lottery table that is more advantageous to the player than the first lottery table (S26). The lottery execution unit 124 executes the lottery based on the second lottery table and provides a privilege to the player (S28). In this way, when the accumulated number of the lottery balls 204 exceeds the first threshold value, for some of the lottery balls 204, the lottery is executed based on the advantageous setting conditions (the second lottery table). The processing from S20 to S30 is repeatedly executed as long as there are remaining lottery balls 204. When there are no remaining balls (N in S20), that is, when all the lottery balls 204 are used up, the processing ends.

[0053] [Summary] The game system 200 has been described above based on the embodiments. In game X provided by game server 100, players can enjoy the pleasure of independently enhancing the value of the lottery right (lottery cage 202), that is, the so-called "cultivation of the lottery right (lottery cage 202)". During the event period, players can not only enjoy the pleasure of collecting lottery balls 204, but also enjoy the refreshing feeling of using up a large number of lottery balls 204 collected independently at once. After the end of the event period, the right providing unit 120 discards the lottery cage 202 and the remaining lottery balls 204. When the next event period is set, the right providing unit 120 provides the lottery cage 202 to all players again.

[0054] Since the lottery instruction can only be given once during the event period, players will try to accumulate as many lottery balls 204 as possible before the lottery instruction. Limiting the number of lottery instructions leads to an increase in players' willingness to participate in game X during the event period. In particular, when the lottery instruction is limited to once, the attention and anticipation of players for the only lottery are likely to increase.

[0055] When the accumulation times of lottery balls 204 exceed the first threshold value, the lottery execution unit 124 executes the lottery based on the second lottery table that is more advantageous to the player than the first lottery table. By accumulating lottery balls 204, players can obtain not only the benefit of increasing the number of lotteries, but also the benefit of optimizing the setting conditions of the lottery. Therefore, the players' willingness to collect lottery balls 204 can be further enhanced.

[0056] An upper limit value, i.e., a second threshold value, is set for the accumulated number of lottery balls 204. By imposing the constraint of the second threshold value, it becomes difficult for some players to excessively accumulate lottery balls 204 and obtain overly large profits, thus making it easier to maintain the game balance. On the other hand, even when the accumulation reaches or exceeds the second threshold value, another benefit, i.e., the decrease of the first threshold value, is given to the player. By setting such a profit opportunity, players who have saved lottery balls 204 up to the second threshold value can also continue their motivation to achieve the granting conditions. That is, by balancing the constraint of the second threshold value and the decrease of the first threshold value, it is possible to control the game balance so that the game balance is not overly disrupted while giving benefits to the players.

[0057] The recommendation unit 128 proposes recommended quests (granting conditions) suitable for the player based on the play history. By having the recommendation unit 128 select the recommended quests, the player can know challenging quests before challenging them.

[0058] An addition number of lottery balls 204 is set for each granting condition. Each time the player achieves a granting condition, the player obtains lottery balls 204 corresponding to the addition number associated with that granting condition. In particular, the addition number may be increased for more difficult granting conditions. According to such a setting, players can choose a solid play style of steadily accumulating lottery balls 204 little by little while surely achieving simple granting conditions, or a challenging play style of challenging difficult granting conditions to obtain a large number of lottery balls 204 at once according to their own preferences.

[0059] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications, and components can be modified and embodied without departing from the gist. Various inventions may be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of components disclosed in the above-described embodiments and modifications. Also, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the above-described embodiments and modifications.

[0060] Although the game system 200 has been described as being configured by a plurality of game terminals 102 and one game server 100, part of the functions of the game terminal 102 may be realized by the game server 100, or part of the functions of the game server 100 may be assigned to the game terminal 102. Also, a third device other than the game terminal 102 or the game server 100 may undertake part of the functions of the game server 100 or the game terminal 102. The collection of each function of the game terminal 102 and each function of the game server 100 described in FIG. 4 can also be grasped overall as one "information processing device (game device)". How to distribute the plurality of functions necessary for implementing the present invention to one or a plurality of hardware may be determined in view of the processing capabilities of each hardware and the specifications required for the game system 200 and the like.

[0061] [Modification Example] In the present embodiment, when a lottery instruction is received from a player during the event period, the right management unit 122 has been described as executing a lottery according to the accumulated number of lottery balls 204. The lottery execution unit 124 may automatically execute a lottery at a predetermined timing during the event period, for example, near the end of the event period. According to such a control method, even if a player forgets to give a lottery instruction, a lottery is executed near the end of the event period, so that the player's profit can be protected.

[0062] When the event period ends without a lottery instruction being given, the right management unit 122 may discard all the remaining lottery balls 204, or may carry over the remaining lottery balls 204 for the next event period. Alternatively, the right management unit 122 may present the remaining lottery balls 204 to another player, for example, a beginner player with a small number of logins to Game X. According to such a control method, the waste of the lottery balls 204 is eliminated by making the loss of one player the profit of another player. In other words, the effort of achieving the granting condition of Player A can be made the profit of another player B, so that the effort of Player A is not wasted.

[0063] In this embodiment, the event period is a period (hereinafter referred to as the "accumulation period") during which the lottery balls 204 can be accumulated by achieving the grant conditions, and is also a period (hereinafter referred to as the "exercise period") during which the right to draw can be exercised. The accumulation period and the exercise period do not necessarily have to be the same. For example, an exercise period may be set after the accumulation period, or the accumulation period and the exercise period may partially overlap. Also, the lengths of the accumulation period and the exercise period do not have to be the same.

[0064] In this embodiment, it has been described that only one lottery can be executed during the event period. As a modification, it may be possible to execute two or more lotteries during the event period. For example, after accumulating 10 lottery balls 204, the player may execute a plurality of lotteries for 10 times, and then after accumulating 20 lottery balls 204, execute the plurality of lotteries for 20 times again.

[0065] In this embodiment, it has been described that the player uses all the accumulated lottery balls 204 at the time of the lottery. As a modification, the number of lottery balls 204 used in the lottery among the accumulated lottery balls 204 (set number) may be freely specified by the player. For example, assume that the player (P10) has accumulated 40 lottery balls 204. The player (P10) specifies 30 as the "set number" when giving a lottery instruction. In this case, the lottery execution unit 124 executes a plurality of lotteries for 30 times. The right management unit 122 changes the accumulated number of the player (P10) from 40 to 10 (=40 - 30). The right management unit 122 may carry over the remaining 10 lottery balls 204 of the player (P10) for the next event period. When multiple lottery instructions are allowed during the event period, the player may give a lottery instruction again for the remaining 10 lottery balls 204 at another opportunity during the event period.

[0066] When the lottery execution unit 124 continuously executes a plurality of lotteries, the player may be able to input a stop during the execution. For example, assume that the player (P11) has accumulated 35 lottery balls 204. Suppose the player (P11) inputs a stop during the execution of the 25th lottery after giving a lottery instruction. At this time, the right management unit 122 may carry over the remaining 10 lottery balls 204 of the player (P11) for the next event period.

[0067] In the present embodiment, among the plurality of lottery balls 204, it has been described that for the portion exceeding the first threshold, the lottery is executed based on the second lottery table. As a modification, when the accumulated number exceeds the first threshold, the lottery execution unit 124 may execute the lottery for all the lottery balls 204 based on the second lottery table. For example, when the player (P12) accumulates 15 lottery balls 204 and gives a lottery instruction, the right management unit 122 executes 15 lotteries based on the first lottery table. On the other hand, when this player (P12) accumulates 40 lottery balls 204 and gives a lottery instruction, the right management unit 122 may execute all 40 lotteries based on the second lottery table.

[0068] In the present embodiment, it has been described that the player can execute the lottery at any time as long as the player holds the lottery cage 202 and one or more lottery balls 204. In this case, the lottery cage 202 becomes the "right to exercise the lottery right". As a modification, the "right to open" the lottery cage 202 may be set. The right management unit 122 provides the player with the right to open when the player achieves a specific opening condition. Similar to the granting condition, the opening condition can be arbitrarily set, such as the achievement of a quest, the number of logins, etc. The player cannot exercise the lottery right unless the player has the right to open in addition to the lottery cage 202 and one or more lottery cages 202. According to such a control method, if the player cannot obtain the right to open even if continuously accumulating the lottery balls 204, the lottery cage 202 will become worthless, so it is possible to provide a new gameplay aiming at obtaining the right to open.

[0069] The right provision unit 120 may assign a plurality of lottery cages 202 to one player. For example, the player (P13) may accumulate lottery balls 204 in each of the lottery cages 202(A) and 202(B). The player (P13) may instruct the execution of a lottery for each of the lottery cages 202(A) and 202(B) during the event period. In the case of this example, the player (P13) can give two lottery instructions during the event period.

[0070] The larger the accumulated number, or the number of lottery balls 204 used in the lottery (set number), the more the lottery execution unit 124 may change the lottery setting conditions to be advantageous to the player. If the set number is within 10, the lottery execution unit 124 uses the first lottery table. If the set number is 11 to 20, the lottery execution unit 124 uses the second lottery table that is more advantageous to the player than the first lottery table. If the set number is 21 or more, the lottery execution unit 124 may execute the lottery using an even more advantageous third lottery table.

[0071] The larger the accumulated number, or the set number, the more the lottery execution unit 124 may change the lottery setting conditions to be disadvantageous to the player. Since the number of lotteries increases as more lottery balls 204 are stored, it is beneficial to the player. On the other hand, the lottery setting conditions become more disadvantageous to the player as more lottery balls 204 are stored. According to such a control method, a strategic pleasure of determining when to make a lottery instruction when a certain number of lottery balls 204 are stored can be provided to the player.

[0072] When the accumulated number reaches the second threshold, the right management unit 122 may let the player choose whether to continue accumulating lottery balls 204 equal to or more than the second threshold (option 1) or to lower the first threshold as described in this embodiment (option 2). When the player selects option 1, the right management unit 122 releases the upper limit of the second threshold. In this case, the lottery execution unit 124 may adjust the balance between profit and disadvantage by changing the lottery setting conditions to be disadvantageous to the player as a compensation for giving the player "the profit of increased lottery times".

[0073] For example, assume that player (P14) selects option 1. Assume that after that, the player (P14) increases the accumulated number to 80 and then executes a lottery. In this case, the lottery execution unit 124 may execute the lottery for 80 times based on a lottery table that is less favorable than the first lottery table.

[0074] As the player accumulates lottery balls 204, the game control unit 126 may present, as an assignable condition that can be selected, an assignable condition with a higher difficulty level to this player. In this case, it is not necessary to correlate the addition count of the assignable condition with the difficulty level. For example, when the accumulated number of player (P15) is within 10, the game control unit 126 presents, as an assignable condition that player (P15) can select, an assignable condition with a difficulty level of 1 to 3. When the accumulated number of player (P15) is 11 to 20, the game control unit 126 presents, as an assignable condition that player (P15) can select, an assignable condition with a difficulty level of 3 to 5. When the accumulated number of player (P15) is 21 to 30, the game control unit 126 presents, as an assignable condition that player (P15) can select, an assignable condition with a difficulty level of 5 to 7. According to such a control method, for player (P15), it becomes more difficult to newly acquire lottery balls 204 as the player accumulates lottery balls 204. Since it is easy to accumulate lottery balls 204 at first and gradually becomes difficult, the player's willingness to challenge can be increased little by little.

[0075] Conversely, as the player accumulates lottery balls 204, the game control unit 126 may present an assignable condition with a lower difficulty level to the player. In this case, even if it is difficult to accumulate lottery balls 204 at first, it gradually becomes easier, so the player can enjoy the sense of exhilaration of being able to acquire lottery balls 204 more easily at an accelerating pace.

[0076] Each time a player starts playing Game X, or rather, each time a player logs in to Game X, the Rights Management Department 122 may provide the lottery balls 204 to the player. During the event period, depending on the date or time zone of the login, the Rights Management Department 122 may change the number of lottery balls 204 to be given to the player. For example, the Rights Management Department 122 may provide 1 lottery ball 204 to the player for a weekday login and 3 lottery balls 204 to the player for a Saturday or Sunday login. Alternatively, when the player has registered a special day such as a birthday with the game server 100, the Rights Management Department 122 may provide 10 lottery balls 204 to the player who logs in on the special day. Hereinafter, a day on which a larger number of lottery balls 204 are provided compared to normal times is referred to as a "special day". The special day can be arbitrarily set by the operator of Game X during the event period. The Rights Management Department 122 may notify the player of the special day in advance.

[0077] The Rights Management Department 122 may appropriately notify the player of the number up to the first threshold and the number up to the second threshold. Alternatively, the Rights Management Department 122 may appropriately notify the player of the expected value of the final accumulated number based on the accumulation rate of the lottery balls 204 during the event period. By such various notifications, the player's motivation to accumulate the lottery balls 204 can be aroused.

[0078] When the accumulated number reaches the second threshold, the Rights Management Department 122 may conduct a particularly advantageous lottery. For example, the Rights Management Department 122 may conduct a lottery in which a particularly rare rare character can be obtained with a high probability or surely in the 50th draw out of 50 draws. When the accumulated number reaches the second threshold, the Rights Management Department 122 may conduct a particularly advantageous lottery in all or part of the 50 draws. According to such a control method, the motivation to accumulate the lottery balls 204 until reaching the second threshold can be aroused.

[0079] The first threshold value and the second threshold value may not be fixed values. The operator of Game X may set the first threshold value and the second threshold value each time an event period is set. The rights management unit 122 may randomly set the first threshold value and the second threshold value for each player.

[0080] Each time a player logs in, the rights management unit 122 may increase the addition number of the lottery balls 204. For example, when player (P16) logs in for the first time during the event period, the rights management unit 122 provides player (P16) with 1 lottery ball 204. When player (P16) logs in the next day, that is, logs in continuously for two days, the rights management unit 122 provides 2 lottery balls 204 for the second login (a total of 3). Similarly, when logging in continuously for three days, the rights management unit 122 provides 3 lottery balls 204, and when logging in continuously for four days, the rights management unit 122 provides 4 lottery balls 204. On the other hand, after the continuous login is interrupted and the player logs in again, the count of the addition number is reset, and the rights management unit 122 provides the lottery balls 204 again starting from 1. According to such a control method, as long as the continuous login continues, the lottery balls 204 can be increased acceleratively, so that the player's willingness to continue playing Game X can be aroused.

[0081] The rights management unit 122 may limit so that only a predetermined number, for example, 1 granting condition can be selected within a unit period. The unit period can be arbitrarily set, such as one day or one hour. Since the number of selections of the granting conditions is limited within the unit period, the player will carefully select the achievable granting conditions. Also, by limiting the number of selections of the granting conditions for each unit period, a limit can be set on the accumulation speed of the lottery balls 204, and the rarity of the lottery balls 204 can be increased.

[0082] The lottery execution unit 124 may set a "fixed frame" at a predetermined number of times of multiple lotteries. For example, the lottery execution unit 124 may temporarily change the setting of the lottery table so that privilege P is surely won in the 10th lottery. The existence or the number of appearances of this fixed frame may not be notified to the player.

[0083] The game control unit 126 may notify a player who has logged in after a long time, for example, a player who has not logged in for more than 10 days since the previous login, of the quest that the player last completed, a quest corresponding to the player's rank, or a quest added after the previous login.

[0084] The lottery execution unit 124 may change the lottery setting conditions according to the date and time. For example, when a lottery instruction is received in the morning, the lottery execution unit 124 may execute the lottery according to the first lottery table, and when a lottery instruction is received in the afternoon, it may execute the lottery according to the second lottery table. Alternatively, when a lottery instruction is received on Monday, the lottery execution unit 124 may execute the lottery according to the first lottery table, and when a lottery instruction is received on a day other than Monday, it may execute the lottery according to the second lottery table.

[0085] The lottery execution unit 124 may change the "advantage degree" over time during the event period. First, a plurality of lottery tables are associated with the advantage degree in advance. When a lottery instruction is received from a player during the event period, the lottery execution unit 124 selects a lottery table according to the advantage degree at the time of reception and executes the lottery based on the selected lottery table. Since the advantage degree of the lottery changes over time, the player needs to consider the timing of the lottery instruction while taking into account not only the accumulated number but also the current advantage degree.

[0086] In this embodiment, it is assumed that the player can accumulate lottery balls 204 on the condition that it is during the event period, but the player may be able to accumulate lottery balls 204 at any time, not limited to the event period. Similarly, the player may be able to execute the lottery at any time as long as the player has the lottery cage 202, not limited to the event period.

[0087] In this embodiment, it has been described that multiple lotteries are automatically and continuously executed in multiple lotteries. Not limited to such a control method, the lottery execution unit 124 may execute the lottery slowly at regular intervals, for example, every 5 minutes.

[0088] From the descriptions of the embodiments and modifications above, the following inventions can be understood. A1. A rights providing unit that provides players with the right to draw; A rights management unit that increases the number of executable times associated with the draw rights held by the player each time a predetermined granting condition is achieved by the player; When receiving a draw instruction from the player, a draw execution unit that executes a set number of draws within the range of the number of executable times associated with the draw right at the time of reception, and grants a privilege to the player based on the result of the draw. An information processing apparatus comprising:

[0089] According to the invention described in A1, since the number of executable times associated with the draw right increases by achieving the accompanying conditions, it becomes easier to provide players with the pleasure of improving the value of the draw right.

[0090] A2. The information processing apparatus according to A1, wherein the draw execution unit changes the draw setting conditions according to the set number of times.

[0091] According to the invention described in A2, as the number of executable times increases, the set number of times can be increased, and when the draw setting conditions change advantageously accordingly, it becomes easier to enhance the player's expectation for the draw. Also, when the draw setting conditions change disadvantageously due to an increase in the set number of times, it becomes possible to create a sense of strategy associated with the comparison between the benefits of multiple draws and the disadvantages due to the deterioration of the setting conditions.

[0092] A3. The information processing apparatus according to A2, wherein when the set number of times is greater than or equal to a first threshold value, the draw execution unit changes the draw setting conditions more advantageously for the player than when the set number of times is less than the first threshold value.

[0093] According to the invention described in A3, since the draw setting conditions become advantageous when the set number of times is greater than or equal to the first threshold value, it becomes easier to further arouse the player's motivation to increase the number of executable times.

[0094] A4. When the number of settings is less than the first threshold, the lottery execution unit executes a lottery based on the first setting condition. When the number of settings is equal to or greater than the first threshold, the lottery for the first threshold is executed according to the first setting condition, and the lottery for the excess over the first threshold is executed according to the second setting condition that is more advantageous to the player than the first setting condition. The information processing apparatus according to A3, characterized in that.

[0095] According to the invention described in A4, when the number of settings reaches or exceeds the first threshold, the lottery for the excess becomes advantageous, so it becomes easier to further arouse the player's motivation to increase the number of executable times.

[0096] A5. A second threshold is set in advance for the number of executable times. When the execution condition is satisfied after the number of executable times reaches the second threshold, the lottery execution unit changes the lottery setting condition more advantageously for the player than before the number of executable times reaches the second threshold. The information processing apparatus according to any one of A1 to A4, characterized in that.

[0097] According to the invention described in A5, by setting an upper limit of the second threshold for the number of executable times, it is possible to suppress an excessive increase in the number of executable times, so it becomes easier to maintain the game balance. In addition, since it is possible to give the player the benefit of optimizing the lottery setting condition even after reaching the second threshold, it becomes easier to continue the player's motivation to achieve the given condition.

[0098] A6. A second threshold is set in advance for the number of executable times. When the execution condition is satisfied after the number of executable times reaches the second threshold, the lottery execution unit decreases the first threshold compared to before the number of executable times reaches the second threshold. The information processing apparatus according to A3 or A4, characterized in that.

[0099] According to the invention described in A6, by setting an upper limit of the second threshold value for the number of executable times, it is possible to suppress an excessive increase in the number of executable times, making it easier to maintain the game balance. In addition, since it is possible to give the player the benefit that the first threshold value decreases when the granting condition is achieved after reaching the second threshold value, it becomes easier to continue the player's willingness to achieve the granting condition.

[0100] A7. The rights management unit sets a granting condition with a higher difficulty level as the number of executable times associated with the lottery right is larger, compared to the case where the number of executable times is smaller, according to any one of A1 to A4. The information processing apparatus described.

[0101] According to the invention described in A7, in the initial stage, it is easy to increase the number of executable times, and by gradually making it difficult to increase the number of executable times, it becomes easier to efficiently enhance the player's willingness to challenge to achieve the granting condition, and it is possible to suppress an excessive increase in the number of executable times, making it easier to maintain the game balance.

[0102] A8. Among a plurality of missions set in the game, a recommendation unit that recommends one or more missions based on the player's play history of the game, is further included, The rights management unit determines that the granting condition is achieved when the player clears a mission, according to any one of A1 to A7. The information processing apparatus described.

[0103] According to the invention described in A8, by proposing a mission (quest) suitable for the player, it becomes easier to arouse the player's willingness to challenge the mission.

[0104] A9. Within a unit period, a plurality of granting conditions are presented, and different addition times are associated with each of the plurality of granting conditions in advance. The rights management unit adds the number of addition times associated with the grant conditions achieved by the player to the executable times, on the condition that the player has not achieved any of the grant conditions in advance within the unit period, for the information processing apparatus according to any one of A1 to A8.

[0105] According to the invention described in A9, since the number of addition times changes depending on which grant condition is cleared, it becomes easier to provide the player with the pleasure of choosing the grant condition to aim for achievement. Also, since only one grant condition can be the target of achievement within the unit period, it becomes easier to further enhance the pleasure of choice for grant condition selection.

[0106] A10. The rights management unit adds to the executable times for the lottery rights that the player has each time the player logs in to the game, increases the number of addition times according to the consecutive achievement days of logging in, and decreases the number of addition times when the consecutive achievement days of logging in are interrupted, for the information processing apparatus according to any one of A1 to A9.

[0107] According to the invention described in A10, since the number of addition times increases as the player continues consecutive logins, it becomes easier to arouse the player's motivation to log in to the game.

[0108] A11. The rights management unit adds to the executable times for the lottery rights held by the player on the condition that it is before receiving a lottery instruction from the player when a grant condition is achieved by the player during a predetermined event period, for the information processing apparatus according to any one of A1 to A10.

[0109] According to the invention described in A11, since the executable times cannot be increased unless it is before the lottery instruction during the event period, it becomes easier to produce a sense of exhilaration of increasing the executable times all at once and using them up within the limited time of the event period.

[0110] A12. A function of providing lottery rights to the player, A function that increases the number of executable times associated with the lottery right held by the player each time a predetermined granting condition is achieved by the player, A function that, when receiving a lottery instruction from the player, executes a lottery for a set number of times within the range of the number of executable times associated with the lottery right at the time of reception, and grants a privilege to the player based on the result of the lottery. A game program characterized by causing a computer to exhibit these functions.

[0111] According to the invention described in A12, the same inventive effect as the invention described in A1 can be exhibited.

[0112] A13. A step of providing a lottery right to the player, A step of increasing the number of executable times associated with the lottery right held by the player each time a predetermined granting condition is achieved by the player, A game control method that, when receiving a lottery instruction from the player, executes a lottery for a set number of times within the range of the number of executable times associated with the lottery right at the time of reception, and grants a privilege to the player based on the result of the lottery.

[0113] According to the invention described in A13, the same inventive effect as the invention described in A1 can be exhibited.

Explanation of Signs

[0114] 100 Game server, 102 Game terminal, 106 Internet, 110 Data processing unit, 112 Communication unit, 114 Data storage unit, 116 Player registration unit, 118 Lottery management unit, 120 Right provision unit, 122 Right management unit, 124 Lottery execution unit, 126 Game control unit, 128 Recommendation unit, 130 Game data storage unit, 132 Player data storage unit, 134 Communication unit, 136 User interface processing unit, 138 Data processing unit, 140 Data storage unit, 142 Input unit, 144 Output unit, 146 Game execution unit, 150 Grant condition setting information, 160 Quest selection screen, 162 Selection button, 164 Recommendation mark, 170 Lottery instruction screen, 172 Accumulation meter, 174 Lottery button, 200 Game system, 202 Lottery cage, 204 Lottery balls, 300 Processor, 302 First bus, 304 Memory, 308 Bridge, 310 Second bus, 312 Storage, 314 Input device, 316 Output device, 318 Peripheral device

Claims

[Claim 1] a right providing unit that provides a lottery right to a player; a right management unit that increases an available number of times associated with the lottery right held by a player each time a predetermined granting condition is achieved by the player; an information processing device comprising: a lottery execution unit that, when receiving a lottery instruction from the player, executes a set number of lotteries within a range of the number of times that can be executed corresponding to the lottery right at the time of reception, and grants a privilege to the player based on the results of the lottery.

Images