Information processing device, information processing method and program

Abstract

To provide an information processing device, an information processing method and a program capable of improving a user's game satisfaction level by increasing user's expectation to a lottery.SOLUTION: An information processing device has a lottery part for performing a lottery of a usable object in a game. The lottery part manages a first lottery for performing a lottery of an object from a first aggregation and a second lottery for performing a lottery of an object from a second aggregation after starting the first lottery. In the second aggregation, the number of objects that can be provided included in the second aggregation associated in each user is regulated. The lottery part is controlled so as to prevent at least a portion of lottery result objects selected in the first lottery from undergoing lottery from the second aggregation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in games such as online games, there is known a game in which a lottery is performed in response to a user's request, and an object (for example, a character or an item that can be used in the game) selected by the lottery is given to the user.

[0003] For example, in Patent Document 1, in a lottery, an object is selected from a deck containing a finite number of objects (referred to as "game media" in Patent Document 1) based on the winning probability set for each object, and the selected object is deleted from the deck and then given to the user. In such a lottery, the number of objects that can be provided as lottery targets is defined for each deck, and the number of objects contained in the deck decreases as the lottery is repeated. Therefore, if the target object is included in the deck, the winning probability for the user to obtain the target object by repeating the lottery increases.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in many lotteries, a period during which the user can conduct the lottery (hereinafter referred to as the "holding period") is set. For users, even if they repeat the lottery a predetermined number of times to obtain the target object, it often happens that the holding period of the lottery ends before they obtain the target object. In this case, when the holding period of the lottery ends and a new lottery is held, regardless of the previous lottery results, in the new lottery, the lottery starts from the initial state (the state where the lottery has not been conducted yet) with the winning probability set for each object being reset. As a result, the user's expectation for the lottery decreases, and there is a risk that the user will stop participating in the lottery, which may also lead to a decrease in the user's satisfaction with the game.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program that can enhance the user's expectation for the lottery and improve the user's game satisfaction.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0007] An information processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a lottery unit that conducts a lottery for an object that can be used in a game. The lottery unit manages a first lottery for selecting an object from a first set and a second lottery for selecting an object from a second set after the start of the first lottery. The number of objects that can be provided in the second set associated with each user is defined. The lottery unit controls so that at least a part of the lottery result objects selected in the first lottery are not selected from the second set.

Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to an aspect of the present invention, for the same object as the lottery result object selected in the first lottery, the possibility of being selected in the second lottery is reduced. Therefore, the user's expectation for the lottery can be enhanced, and the user's game satisfaction can be improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

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Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, the information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. Note that the embodiments described below are merely examples given to facilitate understanding of the present invention and do not limit the present invention. That is, the present invention can be changed or improved from the embodiments described below without departing from the gist thereof. Naturally, equivalents of the present invention are included therein. In addition, in the following description, although examples of the screens displayed on the terminal are not illustrated, the configuration examples of the screens, the information to be displayed, and the specific contents of the GUI (Graphical User Interface) and the like can be freely designed and changed according to the design specifications and the user's preferences.

[0011] <About the Game> The communication system shown in FIG. 1 (hereinafter referred to as the game system S) is a communication system including an information processing apparatus (hereinafter referred to as the server 30) according to an embodiment of the present invention, and provides a game to the user U.

[0012] The "game" is an online game provided using the game system S, and is an electronic game that progresses while completing various quests that occur (hereinafter referred to as playing). In the present embodiment, as an example of the game, the user U forms a team consisting of a plurality of characters (for example, four in a group), operates those characters by a predetermined action to fight against enemy characters, and sequentially challenges and clears a plurality of quests prepared in the game. In addition, in the game of the present embodiment, a lottery is implemented based on a request for providing an object from the user U (hereinafter referred to as a lottery application), and the user U can obtain an object (hereinafter referred to as a lottery result object) selected by the lottery.

[0013] The "quest" refers to a task given to the user U in the game, that is, an individual event or the like that constitutes the game. Specifically, an event in which the user U uses the characters he / she possesses to fight against enemy characters corresponds to this. These quests are each set with a holding period and achievement conditions, and occur variously as the game progresses. For example, when the user U plays a quest during the holding period and satisfies a preset achievement condition such as defeating an enemy character and ends the quest, this is called clearing, and when cleared, the user U can obtain a clear reward. Note that the quests may include events in which various characters or the like are encountered regardless of whether they are enemies or allies, events aimed at reaching a certain point, or events in which objects such as items can be obtained.

[0014] An "object" includes, for example, a character that moves according to the operations of user U in the game, and items for promoting the game advantageously. The number of objects held increases not only by lottery but also in response to logging in to the game, clearing rewards, or purchases. Also, the number of objects held decreases by being consumed, synthesized, sold, or discarded in the game.

[0015] A "lottery" is one of the events in the game where the above objects can be obtained, and is carried out in response to user U's lottery application during the play of the game. In the lottery, a plurality of objects with different winning probabilities are prepared as candidates, and one or a predetermined number of objects are selected from among the plurality of candidate objects, and the selected objects are given to user U as lottery result objects.

[0016] Note that there are various forms of lotteries, including, for example, a "single type" lottery that is carried out only once, and an "N-consecutive type" lottery in which N lotteries (N is a natural number of 2 or more) are carried out continuously. Also, there are various lottery execution conditions, including lotteries that can be carried out by consuming free lottery items that can be obtained, lotteries that can be carried out by consuming paid lottery items purchased, and lotteries that can be carried out as clear rewards for quests.

[0017] In addition, each lottery has a set holding period and is held in various ways as the game progresses. That is, lotteries occur sequentially as the first lottery, the second lottery, the third lottery... over time, and user U can carry out the lottery by submitting a lottery application for those lotteries during the holding period. Other lotteries such as the first lottery and the second lottery may be held repeatedly during a predetermined period. Also, the timing at which other lotteries such as the second lottery are held may be after the start or after the end of the first lottery.

[0018] In the lottery of this embodiment, one or more objects are selected as lottery result objects from a set preset for each holding of the lottery. Specifically, a first set is set for the first lottery, and the lottery result object in the first lottery is selected from the objects included in the first set. Also, a second set and the like are set for the second lottery and the like, and the lottery result object in the second lottery and the like is selected from the objects included in the second set and the like.

[0019] A "set" is a virtual box in the game that contains a plurality of objects that are candidates for lottery result objects. For each object included in the set, the number of available offers (one or more) is defined, and when it is selected as a lottery result object, the number of available offers of that object is subtracted. Therefore, the winning probability of each object included in the set changes depending on the number of times the lottery is conducted. As described above, since the content of the set changes depending on the lottery performance by the user U, it is associated with each user U.

[0020] Taking a specific example, for example, assume that there are 10 objects of A, 10 objects of B, and 80 other objects C to Z in the set, and the total number of available offers of objects A to Z included in the set is 100. And when the user U conducts a lottery and object A is selected as a lottery result object, the number of available offers of object A in the set is subtracted by 1. Therefore, when the next lottery is conducted, the winning probability of object A decreases from 10 / 100 to 9 / 99. On the other hand, the winning probability of object B increases from 10 / 100 to 10 / 99. Also, as a result of further repeating the lottery, if object A wins 10 times and the number of available offers of object A in the set becomes 0, object A will not win in the lottery conducted thereafter. In this way, if the lottery is repeated, the number of available offers of the object selected as the lottery result object and the total number of available offers of the objects included in the set decrease, so the winning probability of each object gradually changes.

[0021] In this embodiment, when a second lottery for selecting a lottery result object (hereinafter referred to as a second lottery result object) from a second set is held after the start of the first lottery for selecting a lottery result object from the first set, at least a part of the lottery result objects selected in the first lottery, that is, the same objects as the lottery result objects included in the second set, are controlled not to be selected in the second lottery. For the sake of convenience, the first lottery and the second lottery are described. However, the relationship between the first lottery and the second lottery only needs to be that the second lottery is a lottery that starts after the start or end of the first lottery.

[0022] As one of the specific methods of the above control, when the second lottery is held, if an object identical to the lottery result object already selected in the first lottery is included in the initially set second set, at least a part (for example, the number of lottery result objects) of the available number of the object identical to the lottery result object included in the second set is subtracted, and the second set is set. For example, in the first lottery, user U has obtained 50 lottery result objects (10 objects of object A, 10 objects of object B, 10 objects of object C, 10 objects of object D, 10 objects of object E), and 30 of them (10 objects of object A, 10 objects of object B, 5 objects of object C, 5 objects of object D) are also included in the initially set second set (for example, the total available number is 100). In this case, the 30 objects identical to the lottery result objects (10 objects of object A, 10 objects of object B, 5 objects of object C, 5 objects of object D) are subtracted from the objects included in the initially set second set, and the second set is newly set in a state where the total available number is 70, and the second lottery is held. At this time, when the initial setting value of the number of Object A in the second set is 10, the winning probability of Object A in the second lottery is 0 / 70, and Object A will not be selected in the second lottery. On the other hand, when the initial setting value of the number of Object A in the second set is 15, the surplus 5 will remain as they are, so the winning probability of Object A in the second lottery is 5 / 70, and the winning probability of Object A in the second lottery decreases.

[0023] Also, as another specific method of the above control, when the second lottery is held, if the same object as the lottery result object already selected in the first lottery is included in the initially set second set, at least a part (for example, the number of lottery result objects) is replaced with other objects to set the second set. For example, in the first lottery, user U obtains 50 lottery result objects (Object A: 10, Object B: 10, Object C: 10, Object D: 10, Object E: 10), and among them, 30 objects (Object A: 10, Object B: 10, Object C: 5, Object D: 5) are also included in the initially set second set (for example, the total number of available items is 100). In this case, the same 30 lottery result objects (Object A: 10, Object B: 10, Object C: 5, Object D: 5) are replaced with other objects (Object X: 10, Object Y: 10, Object Z: 10) from the objects included in the initially set second set, and a new second set is set while maintaining the total number of available items at 100, and the second lottery is held. Note that as long as the number of other objects to be replaced matches the number of objects to be replaced, the number of types of other objects to be replaced (four types in this embodiment) may be the same as or different from the number of types of objects to be replaced (three types in this embodiment). Also, the rank of the other object to be replaced (for example, object X) may be the same as the rank of the object to be replaced (for example, object A).

[0024] The "rank" is an index indicating the value of an object and is determined by the values of various parameters (setting data related to physical strength, attack power, speed, luck, special skills, etc.) that the object has. Generally, an object with a higher rank is difficult to obtain because the winning probability in the lottery is low, has a high rarity value, and has a small circulation volume in the game or a small past usage amount by user U, etc.

[0025] Also, even if the second set is not changed from the initial setting, when the same object as the lottery result object is selected as the second lottery result object as a result of user U performing the second lottery, control may be performed to perform a re-lottery. In this case, if the re-lottery is performed until an object different from the lottery result object is selected, as a result, the same object as the lottery result object will not be given to user U in the second lottery.

[0026] In this embodiment, as described above, control is performed so that the same object as the lottery result object selected in the first lottery is not selected in the second lottery. However, there may be cases where it is more advantageous for user U if the same object as the lottery result object is selected even in the second lottery. Therefore, it is also possible not to perform the above control according to the intention of user U. Specifically, before the first draw of the second lottery, a notice is sent to the user U to confirm whether to control so that the same object as the lottery result object is not selected in the second lottery. By this notice, the user U is confirmed whether to inherit the lottery performance in the first lottery in the second lottery, and the user U reflects his / her intention in the second lottery by answering the notice before the first draw of the second lottery.

[0027] The "notice" means that while the user U is playing the game, a notice screen is displayed on the screen of the user terminal 10 during the screen transition when the first draw of the second lottery is carried out. This notice screen may be notified by displaying a dialog box on the screen of the user terminal 10 or the like.

[0028] On the other hand, when another lottery is held after the first lottery and the second lottery, after controlling so that the same object as the lottery result object selected in the first lottery is not selected in the second lottery, for the same object as the lottery result object, it is not further controlled so that it is not selected in another lottery. That is, for the lottery result object that has already been controlled so as not to be selected in the second lottery, in order to maintain the game balance, it is not subtracted or replaced from the set in other lotteries, etc., and the possibility that the same object as the lottery result object is selected again in other lotteries other than the second lottery is left.

[0029] In addition, when a third lottery is held after the first lottery and the second lottery, similar to the above, after controlling so that the same object as the lottery result object selected in the first lottery is not selected in the second lottery, for the same object as that lottery result object, without further controlling so that it is not selected in the third lottery, for the same object as the second lottery result object selected in the second lottery, it may be controlled so that it is not selected in the third lottery. That is, the lottery record is carried over only once, and in the third lottery, the lottery record in the first lottery may not be carried over, but the lottery record in the second lottery may be carried over. Therefore, when holding the third lottery, when the same object as the second lottery result object is included in the initially set third set, at least a part of the available number of the same object as that second lottery result object included in the third set (for example, the number of second lottery result objects) is subtracted to set the third set. Or, at least a part of the same object as that second lottery result object (for example, the number of second lottery result objects) is replaced with another object to set the third set.

[0030] In this embodiment, the available number is also defined for each object included in the first set in the first lottery, and when it is selected as the lottery result object, the available number of that object is subtracted, so that the winning probability of each object included in the first set is changed according to the number of lottery draws. However, in the first lottery, instead of changing the winning probability of each object according to the number of lottery draws as in the second lottery or the like, the lottery result object may be selected based on a predetermined invariant winning probability from among a plurality of objects included in the first set. Specifically, even if an object that has been selected once as the lottery result object is not deleted from the first set, that object may be selected in the lottery to be conducted in the future.

[0031] In addition, in this embodiment, not only can the user U play alone, but also a so-called multiplayer play (hereinafter referred to as cooperative play), in which a plurality of users U operate their respective user terminals 10 to play a common quest simultaneously, is possible. In this cooperative play, a user U who hosts a cooperative play for a specific quest and recruits members (hereinafter referred to as the host) and a user U who applies to participate in the cooperative play in response to the recruitment (hereinafter referred to as the guest) form a cooperative relationship, and the progress of the play is synchronized among the users who perform the cooperative play.

[0032] The cooperative play is performed through the communication function of the user terminal 10 of each user U. Specifically, when a certain user U applies to participate in the cooperative play recruited by the host and the host permits the application, that certain user U becomes a guest, and a communication path for cooperative play is established between the user U and the host. Note that the application eligibility for cooperative play is not particularly limited and can be set arbitrarily. For example, it may be that other user Us who have a friendship relationship with a certain user U and who are friend users mutually approved by the user Us can apply.

[0033] After that, the transmission and reception of various data required for cooperative play are performed according to a known communication method. The data at this time may be a client-server method via the server 30 or a P2P (peer-to-peer) method without passing through the server 30. In addition, the styles of cooperative play are classified into a full-synchronization type and an asynchronous type, and either style may be adopted. Note that the full-synchronization type includes a key input synchronization method and a command input method, and the asynchronous type includes a server centralized processing type and a client distributed processing.

[0034] Note that games compatible with cooperative play include cooperative play games in which a plurality of users U cooperate and battle games in which user Us battle against each other, and any type may be used. In addition, the upper limit (maximum number of players) of the number of users U in a single cooperative play is not particularly limited and may be set to an arbitrary number, but for example, it is preferably set to about 4 at most.

[0035] <Configuration of Game System S> Next, the configuration of the game system S for providing the above game to the user U will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the game system S is constructed for the user U to play the game, and is composed of an information terminal (hereinafter referred to as the user terminal 10) operated by the user U and a server 30. The user terminal 10 and the server 30 are communicably connected to each other via a network N such as the Internet.

[0036] The user terminal 10 is equipped with a program stored in the terminal and a processor for executing the program, and is carried by the user U who is the owner thereof. The user U operates the user terminal 10 during play. As the user terminal 10, known devices used as game terminals, such as smartphones, mobile phones, notebook PCs, tablet terminals, wearable terminals, or game dedicated devices equipped with communication functions, etc. can be used. Note that the number of user terminals 10 constituting the game system S is not particularly limited and may be any number, but in FIG. 1, for the sake of illustration, the number of user terminals 10 is set to 3.

[0037] The server 30 is a computer constituting the information processing apparatus of the present invention. For example, it is composed of a server computer managed by a game providing company and is responsible for the progress processing of the game. Specifically, it manages the game accounts and statuses of the user U for each user U, and distributes data related to the progress processing of the game (hereinafter referred to as game progress data) to each user U. Further, the server 30 is not limited to a server device composed of a single computer that exhibits a specific function alone, and may be composed of a group of server devices composed of a plurality of computers that are distributed but cooperate to exhibit a specific function.

[0038] The network N may be any network that can connect the user terminal 10 and the server 30 in a state where data communication is possible. Whether it is wired or wireless, it includes the Internet, mobile communication networks, LAN (Local Area Network), WAN (Wide Area Network), intranet, and Ethernet (registered trademark), etc. Also, the user terminals 10 may communicate with each other via the network N, or may directly communicate without passing through the network N through Bluetooth (registered trademark) or Wifi-Direct, etc.

[0039] In the game system S of the present embodiment, with the above configuration, the game progresses by the cooperation of the user terminal 10 and the server 30. Specifically, part of the game progress process is performed on the server 30 side, and part of the graphic processing and the like are executed on the user terminal 10 side. For example, on the server 30 side, a program including certain rules, logic, and algorithms is executed. On the other hand, on the user terminal 10 side, while synchronizing with the server 30, various quests are generated according to the same rules, logic, and algorithms as the program executed on the server 30 to progress the game.

[0040] <Configuration of User Terminal 10> Next, the configuration of the user terminal 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the user terminal 10 includes, as a hardware configuration, a processor 11, a storage device 12, a communication interface (denoted as communication I / F in FIG. 2) 13, an input device 14, and an output device 15, and these devices are electrically connected via a bus (not shown).

[0041] Processor 11 includes, for example, a Central Processing Unit, a Micro Processing Unit, a Graphics Processing Unit, or a Digital Signal Processor, etc., and executes various arithmetic processes based on programs or data stored in storage device 12, and controls each part of user terminal 10. Programs executed by processor 11 include an OS (Operating System), which is system software for controlling the entire user terminal 10, and application programs for games, etc. When these various programs are read and executed by processor 11, the functions of user terminal 10 as a game system S are exerted.

[0042] Storage device 12 includes, for example, a memory or a storage, etc., and stores various programs or data. The memory is composed of semiconductor memories such as ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory), provides a working area for processor 11 by temporarily storing programs and data, and temporarily stores various data generated by the processes executed by processor 11. The storage stores various data related to the game, and is composed of, for example, a flash memory, an HDD (Hard Disc Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), an FD (Flexible Disc), an MO disk (Magneto-Optical disc), a CD (Compact Disc), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), an SD card (Secure Digital card), and a USB memory (Universal Serial Bus memory), etc.

[0043] The communication interface 13 is constituted by, for example, a network interface card (NIC) or the like, and controls the communication processing of the user terminal 10. The communication standard by the communication interface 13 is not particularly limited, and any communication standard for the general public can be applied without limitation. Further, the communication method by the communication interface 13 may be a wireless method or a wired method.

[0044] The input device 14 is a device that receives the operation of the user U and generates data indicating the content of the received operation. As an example, operation keys, operation buttons, a sound collection microphone, a photographing camera, etc. provided on the user terminal 10 can be used.

[0045] The output device 15 is a device that draws a screen to display images, character string information, etc., and plays back sound. As an example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electroluminescence) display, a head-mounted display, a speaker, etc. provided on the user terminal 10 can be used. In the present embodiment, the output device 15 has at least a display. The display may also have both the functions of the input device 14 and the output device 15, such as a touch panel display.

[0046] Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the configuration of the user terminal 10 will be described again from the functional aspect. As shown in FIG. 3, the user terminal 10 includes a plurality of functional units, specifically, an operation specifying unit 16, a terminal-side storage unit 17, a terminal-side generation unit 18, a terminal-side transmission / reception unit 19, and a display processing unit 20. These functional units are realized by the cooperation of the hardware devices of the user terminal 10 and a program as software stored in the user terminal 10.

[0047] [Operation Specifying Unit 16] The operation specifying unit 16 is mainly realized by the processor 11 and the input device 14, and specifies the content of various operations performed by the user U through the input device 14 of the user terminal 10. The operations specified by the operation specifying unit 16 include operations for game progress and operations related to co-play. The operations for game progress include, in addition to the operation of moving a character by a predetermined action, operations for instructing a lottery application and operations for instructing the inheritance of lottery results. Further, the operations related to co-play include operations for recruiting co-play, applying for co-play, and operations related to the approval or rejection of such an application.

[0048] [Terminal-side storage unit 17] The terminal-side storage unit 17 is mainly realized by the processor 11 and the storage device 12, and stores various data related to game progress (for example, video data, image data, and audio data, etc.).

[0049] [Terminal-side generation unit 18] The terminal-side generation unit 18 is mainly realized by the processor 11 and the storage device 12, and generates game operation data and the like according to the operation content of the user U specified by the operation specifying unit 16. The game operation data generated here includes, in addition to character operation data based on the operation of moving a character by a predetermined action, lottery application instruction operation data based on the operation of instructing a lottery application, lottery result inheritance instruction operation data based on the operation of instructing the inheritance of lottery results, and co-play data based on the operation related to co-play. These generated data are transmitted by the terminal-side transmission / reception unit 19 toward the server 30.

[0050] [Terminal-side transmission / reception unit 19] The terminal-side transceiver 19 is mainly implemented by the processor 11, the storage device 12, and the communication interface 13, and transmits and receives data and information between the server 30 and the user terminal 10 of other users U. For example, during the play of a game, the terminal-side transceiver 19 receives game progress data sent from the server 30 and transmits game operation data to the server 30. Also, when co-playing a game is in progress, the terminal-side transceiver 19 may transmit and receive co-play data (specifically, game operation data of each user U) with the user terminal 10 of other users U.

[0051] [Display processing unit 20] The display processing unit 20 is mainly implemented by the processor 11, the storage device 12, and the output device 15, and executes display processing for displaying the data and information received by the terminal-side transceiver 19 on the display by means of a browsing function. Specifically described, the display processing unit 20 draws a game screen at the start of the game, and during the game play, expands the game progress data received by the terminal-side transceiver 19 from the server 30 and displays video and other information in the game screen. Also, during the game play, the display processing unit 20 displays video (specifically, video that moves according to the operation of the user U) that changes according to the game operation data generated by the terminal-side generation unit 18 in the game screen.

[0052] <Configuration of server 30> Next, the configuration of the server 30 according to the present embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the server 30 has the same hardware configuration as a general server computer, and includes a processor 31, a storage device 32, and a communication interface (denoted as communication I / F in FIG. 2) 33, and these devices are electrically connected via a bus (not shown).

[0053] The processor 31 is composed of a CPU, MPU, GPU, DSP, etc., and executes various processes by executing programs installed in the server 30. The programs executed by the processor 31 are the OS, which is system software for controlling the entire server 30, and application programs for causing the server 30 to function as the information processing apparatus of the present invention, etc.

[0054] The storage device 32 includes, for example, a memory or a storage, etc., and stores various programs or data. The memory is composed of semiconductor memories such as ROM and RAM, provides a work area for the processor 31 by temporarily storing programs and data, and temporarily stores data generated by various processes executed by the processor 31. The storage stores various data related to the user U and games, etc., and is composed of, for example, a flash memory, HDD, SSD, FD, MO disk, CD, DVD, SD card, and USB memory, etc. Note that a server computer for a database connected to the server 30 via the network N may be used as the storage.

[0055] The communication interface 33 is composed of, for example, a network interface card, etc., and controls the communication processing of the server 30. The communication standard by the communication interface 33 is not particularly limited, and any public communication standard can be applied without limitation. Also, the communication method by the communication interface 33 may be a wireless method or a wired method.

[0056] Next, with reference to FIG. 4, the configuration of the server 30 will be described again from the functional aspect. As shown in FIG. 4, the server 30 includes a plurality of functional units, specifically, a server-side storage unit 34, a server-side transmission / reception unit 35, a server-side generation unit 36, a lottery unit 37, and a notification unit 38. These functional units are realized by the cooperation of the hardware devices of the server 30 and a program as software stored in the server 30. When the server 30 is composed of a plurality of computers, the above functions may be distributed so that each of the plurality of computers exhibits different functions from each other.

[0057] [Server-side storage unit 34] The server-side storage unit 34 is mainly realized by the processor 31 and the storage device 32, and stores various data including data related to the user U and game progress data. The data related to the user U includes an identifier (user ID or terminal ID) for identifying the user U or the user terminal 10 used by the user U and various information (personal information of the user U, model of the user terminal 10, login history, settlement history, and game progress status such as status, etc.). The game progress data includes information related to the character possessed by the user U, information related to other objects such as items possessed by the user U, or information related to quests, etc. Also included is information related to a set set for each user U.

[0058] The information related to the set is set and stored for each set, such as a first set associated with the first lottery, a second set associated with the second lottery, a third set associated with the third lottery, etc. In particular, for a set other than the first set, for example, the second set, it is set such that the same object as the lottery result object selected in the first lottery is not selected in the second lottery. The second set can be set by a plurality of methods. For example, for the same object as the lottery result object, there are cases where it is set by subtracting from the number available at the initial setting, and cases where the same object as the lottery result object is replaced with another object. In such cases, the content of the objects included in the second set may be different.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 5, when setting by subtracting from the number available at the initial setting for the same object as the lottery result object, the second set table T1 associated with each user U includes an item such as "identification number" indicating an index for identifying the object, "rank" indicating the rank of the object (for example, rank 1 to rank 5), "initial setting number" indicating the number available at the initial setting of the object, "quantity" indicating the actual number available obtained by subtracting the number of lottery result objects from the number available at the initial setting for the same object as the lottery result object selected in the first lottery, and "remaining quantity" indicating the remaining number available obtained by subtracting the number of times selected as the second lottery result object in the second lottery from that quantity.

[0060] For example, in the first lottery, if 30 objects (Object 001: 5, Object 010: 5, Object 020: 10, and other objects: 10) are selected as lottery result objects, in the second set table T1 (total available number: 100), 15, which is obtained by subtracting the number of Object 001 selected in the first lottery (5) from the initial setting number of Object 001 (20), is set as the available number. Similarly, 10 for Object 010 and 0 for Object 020 are set as the available numbers. On the other hand, for objects not selected in the first lottery (e.g., Object XXX), or objects not included in the first lottery but included in the second lottery (e.g., Object 015), etc., the initial setting number is set as the available number as it is. As a result of subtracting a total of 30 objects, the total available number is changed and set from 100 to 70.

[0061] Also, as shown in FIG. 6, when setting by replacing an object that is the same as the lottery result object with another object, the second set table T2 associated with each user U includes items such as "identification number", "rank", "initial setting number", "quantity", and "remaining quantity", which is the same as the second set table T1, but the content is different from the second set table T1.

[0062] For example, in the first lottery, if 30 objects (5 objects of object 001, 5 objects of object 010, 10 objects of object 020, and 10 other objects) are selected as lottery result objects, in the second set table T2 (total available number: 100), first, the number of object 001 selected in the first lottery, which is 5, is subtracted from the initial setting number of 20 for object 001, and the available number of object 001 is set to 15. Then, those 5 are replaced with 5 other objects 002 of the same rank (rank 1), and the available number of object 002 is set to 5. Similarly, the 5 objects of object 010 are replaced with 5 other objects 011 of the same rank (rank 1), and the 10 objects of object 020 are replaced with 10 other objects 021 of the same rank (rank 2). And the total available number is set without being changed from 100. Note that the relationship between the objects selected (replaced objects) in the first lottery and other objects (replacing objects) does not need to be a one-to-one relationship, and the other objects may be objects that are included in the second set in advance. For example, when replacing 5 objects of object 001 with other objects, 3 of them may be replaced with object 002, and the remaining 2 may be replaced with object 015 of the same rank (rank 1) that was included in the second set in advance.

[0063] [Server-side transmission / reception unit 35] The server-side transmission / reception unit 35 is mainly realized by the processor 31, the storage device 32, and the communication interface 33, and performs transmission and reception of data and information with the user terminal 10. For example, during the play of a game, the server-side transmission / reception unit 35 transmits game progress data to the user terminal 10 of user U and receives game operation data from that user terminal 10. Also, during the cooperative play of a game, the server-side transmission / reception unit 35 receives cooperative play data from each of the user terminals 10 of a plurality of users U performing cooperative play, and transmits data for synchronization among users U (game progress data in a broad sense) to each user terminal 10.

[0064] [Server-side generation unit 36] The server-side generation unit 36 is mainly realized by the processor 31 and the storage device 32, and generates data transmitted by the server-side transmission / reception unit 35. Specifically, the data generated here includes, for example, game progress data corresponding to the game operation data received from the user terminal 10. Note that the game progress data includes lottery application display data for causing the user terminal 10 to display a lottery application screen, lottery result display data for causing the user terminal 10 to display a lottery result screen, notification data for causing the user terminal 10 to display a notification screen for confirming whether to inherit the lottery performance in the first lottery in the second lottery, and data for synchronizing among a plurality of users U who perform co-play during the co-play of the game.

[0065] [Lottery unit 37] The lottery unit 37 is mainly realized by the processor 31 and the storage device 32, conducts a lottery based on a lottery application instruction from the user terminal 10, and provides a lottery result object to the user U.

[0066] In addition, the lottery unit 37 manages a plurality of lotteries held variously, for example, a first lottery for lottery objects from a first set and a second lottery for lottery objects from a second set after the start of the first lottery, and controls so that the same object as the lottery result object selected in the first lottery is not selected from the second set. Specifically, when holding the second lottery, if the same object as the lottery result object is included in the initially set second set, the number of available objects of the same object as the lottery result object included in the second set is subtracted according to the number of lottery result objects, and the second set is set. Or, the same object as the lottery result object is replaced with another object according to the number of lottery result objects, and the second set is set. After controlling so that the same object as the lottery result object selected in the first lottery is not selected in the second lottery, for the same object as that lottery result object, it is not further controlled so that it is not selected in other lotteries, and the possibility that the same object as the lottery result object is selected again in other lotteries other than the second lottery is left.

[0067] In addition, when the lottery unit 37 manages a third lottery in addition to the first lottery and the second lottery, after controlling so that the same object as the lottery result object selected in the first lottery is not selected in the second lottery, for the same object as that lottery result object, it is not further controlled so that it is not selected in the third lottery, and for the same object as the second lottery result object selected in the second lottery, it is controlled so that it is not selected in the third lottery. Specifically, when holding the third lottery, if the same object as the second lottery result object is included in the initially set third set, the number of available same objects as that second lottery result object included in the third set is subtracted according to the number of second lottery result objects, and the third set is set. Or, the same object as that second lottery result object is replaced with other objects according to the number of second lottery result objects, and the third set is set.

[0068] [Notification unit 38] The notification unit 38 is mainly realized by the processor 31, the storage device 32, and the communication interface 33. In cooperation with the server-side transmission / reception unit 35, before the first draw of the second lottery, by transmitting notification data to the user terminal 10, the user U is notified whether to control so that the lottery result object is not selected from the second set. By this notification, it is confirmed with the user U whether to inherit the lottery performance in the first lottery in the second lottery.

[0069] Note that, generally, the user terminal 10 and the server 30 have various other functions in addition to those described above. Here, however, only the characteristic functions that produce effects in the game system S of the present invention will be described, and illustration and description of other known functions and the like will be omitted.

[0070] <Regarding the processing flow of the game system S> Next, with reference to FIGS. 7 to 10, the processing flow executed in the game system S having the above configuration will be described. The information processing method according to the present embodiment is realized by using the game system S that functions as a computer system. In other words, in the information processing executed by the game system S, the information processing method according to the present embodiment is applied.

[0071] [Lottery management process] First, the lottery management process will be described with reference to FIG. 7. The "lottery management process" is a process executed in the server 30, and refers to a process of managing a plurality of lotteries held sequentially for each user U. In the present embodiment, an example in which a first lottery, a second lottery, and a third lottery are held will be given, but the present invention is not limited to this, and other lotteries may be held.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 7, the server 30 first sets a first set (S101) and starts the first lottery (S102). Then, after starting the first lottery, the server 30 sets a second set (S103) and starts the second lottery (S104). Further, after starting the second lottery, the server 30 sets a third set (S105) and starts the third lottery (S106). Then, the process ends.

[0073] When the above series of steps is completed, the lottery management process ends. Thereafter, during the time when the user U is playing the game, or even when the user U is not playing the game, the above series of steps is repeatedly executed periodically or irregularly according to the passage of time. The above is an example of the lottery management process.

[0074] Next, the details of the second set setting process and the third set setting process executed within the above lottery management process will be described.

[0075] [Second Set Setting Process] First, based on FIG. 8, an example of the second set setting process will be described. The "second set setting process" is a process executed in the server 30 and is the process executed in step S103 of the above lottery management process.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 8, the server 30 transmits notification data to the user terminal 10 and notifies the user U whether to control so that the same object as the lottery result object is not selected in the second lottery (S201).

[0077] Then, when the server 30 receives lottery result inheritance instruction operation data from the user terminal 10 and accepts the intention from the user U to inherit the lottery result in the first lottery (S202: YES), the server 30 identifies the lottery result object selected in the first lottery (S203).

[0078] Subsequently, the server 30 determines whether the same object as the lottery result object is included in the initially set second set (S204). If the same object as the lottery result object is included in the initially set second set (S204: YES), at least a part of the available number of the same object as the lottery result object included in the second set (for example, the number of lottery result objects) is subtracted, or at least a part of the same object as the lottery result object (for example, the number of lottery result objects) is replaced with another object (S205). On the other hand, if the same object as the lottery result object is not included in the initially set second set (S204: NO), the above subtraction or replacement is not performed.

[0079] Then, the server 30 stores the second set applied in the second lottery in the server-side storage unit 34 (S206) and ends the process. Note that if the server 30 has not received the lottery result inheritance instruction operation data from the user terminal 10 (S202: NO), the process ends as it is. The above is an example of the second set setting process.

[0080] [Third Set Setting Process] Next, an example of the third set setting process will be described with reference to FIG. 9. The "third set setting process" is a process executed in the server 30 and is the process executed in step S105 of the above lottery management process.

[0081] As shown in FIG. 9, the server 30 sends notification data to the user terminal 10 and notifies the user U whether to control so that the same object as the second lottery result object is not selected in the third lottery (S301).

[0082] Then, when the server 30 receives the lottery result inheritance instruction operation data from the user terminal 10 and accepts the intention from the user U to inherit the lottery result in the second lottery (S302: YES), the server 30 identifies the second lottery result object selected in the second lottery (S303).

[0083] Subsequently, the server 30 determines whether the same object as the second lottery result object is included in the initially set third set (S304). If the same object as the second lottery result object is included in the initially set third set (S304: YES), at least a part of the available number of the same object as the second lottery result object included in the third set (for example, the number of second lottery result objects) is subtracted, or at least a part of the same object as the second lottery result object (for example, the number of second lottery result objects) is replaced with another object (S305). On the other hand, if the same object as the second lottery result object is not included in the initially set third set (S304: NO), the above subtraction or replacement is not performed.

[0084] Then, the server 30 stores the third set applied in the third lottery in the server-side storage unit 34 (S306) and ends the process. Note that if the server 30 has not received the lottery result inheritance instruction operation data from the user terminal 10 (S302: NO), the process ends as it is. The above is an example of the third set setting process.

[0085] [Lottery Process] Next, the lottery process will be described with reference to FIG. 10. The "lottery process" is a process executed in the server 30. During the holding period of each lottery, a lottery is conducted in response to a lottery application from the user U, and a lottery result object is provided to the user U. In this embodiment, the same process is executed in any of the first lottery, the second lottery, and the third lottery.

[0086] As shown in FIG. 10, when the server 30 receives lottery application instruction operation data from the user terminal 10 and accepts a lottery application from the user U (S401), it selects a lottery result object based on the winning probability set for each object from within the set containing a plurality of candidate objects (S402), and assigns the selected lottery result object to the user U (S403). Then, the object selected as the lottery result object is deleted from the set, that is, the number of available objects corresponding to the lottery result object included in the set is subtracted according to the number of winning objects (N objects in the case of the N - consecutive type) (S404), and the set after subtracting the number of available objects is overwritten and stored in the server-side storage unit 34 (S405).

[0087] Then, lottery result display data, which is game progress data for notifying the lottery result, is generated (S406), and the lottery result display data is transmitted to the user terminal 10 of the user U (S407), and the process ends.

[0088] When the above series of processes are completed, the lottery process ends. Thereafter, while the user U is playing the game, strictly speaking, during the holding period of each lottery, the above series of processes are repeatedly executed. The above is an example of the lottery process.

[0089] <Other Embodiments> The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. In the above embodiment, the program of the present invention is executed on the server 30 to function as the information processing apparatus of the present invention. However, a part or all of the functions of the information processing apparatus of the server 30 may be provided in the user terminal 10. For example, a function corresponding to the lottery unit 37 or the like may be provided in the user terminal 10.

[0090] Also, in the present embodiment, for the same object as the lottery result object selected in the first lottery, control is performed so that it is not selected in the second lottery. Similarly, for the same object as the object already possessed by the user U, control may be performed so that it is not selected in subsequent lotteries (for example, the second lottery or the like).

[0091] Also, in the present embodiment, as an example of the game, an online game that uses data communication performed between the user terminal 10 operated by the user U and the server 30 has been described. However, the type of the game is not particularly limited, and an offline game that does not require data communication may be used. Further, for example, a social game that can be used only with a Web browser and an SNS (Social Networking Service) account may be used.

[0092] <Summary> The main features of the information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program according to the present embodiment described above are as follows.

[0093] [1] The information processing apparatus according to this embodiment has a lottery unit that selects objects that can be used in the game. The lottery unit manages a first lottery for selecting an object from a first set and a second lottery for selecting an object from a second set after the start of the first lottery. The second set has a defined available number of objects included in the second set associated with each user. The lottery unit controls so that at least a part of the lottery result objects selected in the first lottery is not selected from the second set. According to the above information processing apparatus, for the same object as the lottery result object selected in the first lottery, the possibility of being selected in the second lottery is reduced, so the user's expectation for the lottery can be increased, and the user's game satisfaction can be improved.

[0094] [2] In the above information processing apparatus, the lottery unit controls so that at least a part of the lottery result objects is not selected from the second set by subtracting the lottery result objects from the available number in the second set. In this way, by subtracting the lottery result objects from the available number in the second set, the possibility that the same object as the lottery result object is selected in the second lottery is surely reduced, so the user's expectation for the lottery can be increased, and the user's game satisfaction can be further improved.

[0095] [3] In the above information processing apparatus, the lottery unit controls so that at least a part of the lottery result objects is not selected from the second set by replacing the lottery result objects with other objects in the second set. In this way, by replacing the lottery result objects in the second set, the possibility that the same object as the lottery result object is selected in the second lottery is surely reduced, so the user's expectation for the lottery can be increased, and the user's game satisfaction can be further improved.

[0096] [4] In the above information processing apparatus, before the first draw of the second lottery, there is further a notification unit that notifies the user whether to control so that the lottery result object is not drawn from the second set. In this way, in order to notify the user and let the user judge whether to reduce the possibility that the same object as the lottery result object is selected in the second lottery, the user's expectation for the lottery can be enhanced, and the user's game satisfaction can be further improved.

[0097] [5] In the above information processing apparatus, after the lottery unit controls at least a part of the lottery result object so that it is not drawn from the second set, the lottery unit does not control the lottery result object so that it is not drawn from other sets. In this way, in lotteries other than the second lottery, in order to leave the possibility that the same object as the lottery result object is selected again, while maintaining the game balance, the user's expectation for the lottery can be enhanced, and the user's game satisfaction can be further improved.

[0098] [6] In the above information processing apparatus, the lottery unit manages a third lottery for drawing an object from a third set after the start of the second lottery. After controlling at least a part of the lottery result object so that it is not drawn from the second set, the lottery unit does not control the lottery result object so that it is not drawn from the third set, but controls at least a part of the second lottery result object selected in the second lottery so that it is not drawn from the third set. In this way, in the third lottery, while leaving the possibility that the same object as the lottery result object is selected again, for the same object as the second lottery result object selected in the second lottery, the possibility of being selected is reduced. Therefore, while maintaining the game balance, the user's expectation for the lottery can be enhanced, and the user's game satisfaction can be further improved.

[0099] [7] Also, according to the information processing method according to this embodiment, a computer selects an object that can be used in a game, manages a first lottery for selecting an object from a first set and a second lottery for selecting an object from a second set after the start of the first lottery, the second set has a defined number of objects that can be provided included in the second set associated with each user, and controls at least a part of the lottery result objects selected in the first lottery not to be selected from the second set. According to the above information processing method, for the same object as the lottery result object selected in the first lottery, the possibility of being selected in the second lottery is reduced, so the user's expectation for the lottery can be increased, and the user's game satisfaction can be improved.

[0100] [8] Also, according to the program according to this embodiment, a program executed by a computer, which causes the computer to select an object that can be used in a game, manage a first lottery for selecting an object from a first set and a second lottery for selecting an object from a second set after the start of the first lottery, the second set has a defined number of objects that can be provided included in the second set associated with each user, and control at least a part of the lottery result objects selected in the first lottery not to be selected from the second set. According to the above program, for the same object as the lottery result object selected in the first lottery, the possibility of being selected in the second lottery is reduced, so the user's expectation for the lottery can be increased, and the user's game satisfaction can be improved.

Explanation of Signs

[0101] 10 User terminal 11 Processor 12 Storage device 13 Communication interface 14 Input device 15 Output device 16 Operation specifying unit 17 Terminal-side storage unit 18 Terminal-side generation unit 19 Terminal-side transceiver 20 Display processing unit 30 Server 31 Processor 32 Memory device 33 Communication interface 34 Server-side storage unit 35 Server-side transceiver 36 Server-side generation unit 37 Lottery unit 38 Notification unit N Network S Game system U User

Claims

1. It has a lottery section that draws objects that can be used in the game, The lottery section manages a first lottery for drawing an object from a first set and a second lottery for drawing an object from a second set after the start of the first lottery, For the second set, the available number of the objects included in the second set associated with each user is defined, The lottery section controls so that at least a part of the lottery result objects selected in the first lottery are not drawn from the second set, An information processing apparatus characterized by the above.

2. The lottery section controls so that at least a part of the lottery result objects are not drawn from the second set by subtracting the lottery result objects from the available number in the second set, The information processing apparatus according to Claim 1.

3. The lottery section controls so that at least a part of the lottery result objects are not drawn from the second set by replacing the lottery result objects with other objects in the second set, The information processing apparatus according to Claim 1.

4. Before the first draw of the second lottery, it further has a notification section that notifies the user whether to control so that the lottery result objects are not drawn from the second set, The information processing apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 3.

5. After the lottery section controls so that at least a part of the lottery result objects are not drawn from the second set, it does not control so that the lottery result objects are not drawn from another set, The information processing apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 4.

6. The lottery section manages a third lottery for drawing an object from a third set after the start of the second lottery. After controlling so that at least a part of the lottery result objects are not drawn from the second set, it does not control so that the lottery result objects are not drawn from the third set, and controls so that at least a part of the second lottery result objects selected in the second lottery are not drawn from the third set, The information processing apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 5.

7. A computer, draws an object that can be used in the game, Manage a first lottery for selecting an object from a first set and a second lottery for selecting an object from a second set after the start of the first lottery. The number of available objects included in the second set associated with each user is defined for the second set. Control so that at least a part of the lottery result objects selected in the first lottery is not selected from the second set. An information processing method characterized by the above.

8. A program executed by a computer, causing the computer to select an object usable in a game, manage a first lottery for selecting an object from a first set and a second lottery for selecting an object from a second set after the start of the first lottery, wherein the number of available objects included in the second set associated with each user is defined for the second set, and control so that at least a part of the lottery result objects selected in the first lottery is not selected from the second set. A program characterized by the above.

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