Information processing device

Abstract

To enhance willingness of a user who desires to receive benefits continuously by the payment of game charges for a certain period of time.SOLUTION: An information processing device includes: a user information storage unit for storing user information including information for specifying whether or not the user is a user who has paid game charges set for a certain period of time; a privilege granting unit for granting a privilege to the user within this certain period of time resulting from the user's payment of a game charge for this certain period of time; and a privilege setting unit for executing, within this certain period of time beforehand, settings on a privilege to be received by the user in the next certain period of time if the user pays a game charge for the next certain period of time by the user's payment of a game charge for this certain period of time.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] There is known a system that sets a game fee (for example, a monthly fee) for each fixed period and permits game play within that fixed period for a user who has paid the game fee for that fixed period (for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In such a system, for example, when a user pays the game fee for the current fixed period, the user can receive the benefit of having paid the game fee only within the current fixed period. And in order to receive the same benefit also in the next subsequent fixed period, it is necessary to pay the game fee for the next fixed period. However, there was no mechanism to actively encourage a user who has paid the game fee for the current fixed period to pay the game fee for the next fixed period, so there was a risk of reducing the motivation of users who want to continuously receive the benefit.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to increase the motivation of users who want to continuously receive benefits by paying a game fee for each fixed period.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The main invention of the present invention for solving the above problems is, A user information storage unit that stores user information including information for identifying whether a user has paid a game fee set at regular intervals; A privilege granting unit that grants a privilege to the user within the current fixed period when the user has paid the game fee for the current fixed period; A privilege setting unit that, when the user has paid the game fee for the current fixed period, pre - sets, within the current fixed period, settings regarding the privilege that the user should receive within the next fixed period when the user pays the game fee for the next subsequent fixed period; An information processing apparatus characterized by comprising the above. According to such an information processing apparatus, a user who has paid the game fee for the current fixed period can not only receive a privilege for paying the game fee for the current fixed period, but also can pre - set, within the current fixed period, how to receive and what to receive regarding the privilege to be granted within the next fixed period when the user pays the game fee for the next fixed period. Thereby, it is possible to give an incentive for the user who has paid the game fee for the current fixed period to pay the game fee for the next fixed period, so that it is possible to enhance the motivation of users who want to continuously benefit from paying the game fee at regular intervals.

[0007] Also, the privilege granting unit grants a login bonus as a privilege when a user who has paid the game fee for the current fixed period logs in within the current fixed period; It is desirable that the privilege setting unit, when a user who has paid the game fee for the current fixed period logs in within the current fixed period, pre - sets, within the current fixed period, settings regarding the login bonus to be granted when the user logs in within the next fixed period when the user pays the game fee for the next fixed period. As a result, users who have paid the game fee for the current fixed period can not only receive a login bonus by logging in during the current fixed period, but also can make prior settings such as how to receive and what to receive in the login bonus given when logging in within the next fixed period if they pay the game fee for the next fixed period.

[0008] In addition, it is desirable that the privilege setting unit changes the login bonus that should be given when a user who has paid the game fee for the current fixed period logs in within the current fixed period and then logs in within the next fixed period if they pay the game fee for the next fixed period, to another login bonus that is more advantageous to the user than the initially set login bonus. As a result, users who have paid the game fee for the current fixed period will actively pay the game fee for the next fixed period in order to actually receive another login bonus that is more advantageous to the user than the initially set login bonus.

[0009] Also, a user information storage unit that stores user information including information for identifying whether or not the user has paid the game fee set for each fixed period, a privilege granting unit that grants a privilege to the user within the current fixed period when the user has paid the game fee for the current fixed period, a privilege pre-granting unit that pre-grants within the current fixed period a privilege that the user can use only within the next fixed period if the user pays the game fee for the next fixed period following the current fixed period, An information processing apparatus characterized by comprising: According to such an information processing apparatus, a user who has paid the game fee for the current fixed period can not only receive a privilege for paying the game fee for the current fixed period, but also receive in advance a privilege that can be used only within the next fixed period if the user pays the game fee for the next fixed period. Thus, even if the privilege can be received in advance, it is set so that it cannot be used during the current fixed period. Therefore, it is possible to motivate the user who has paid the game fee for the current fixed period to pay the game fee for the next fixed period. As a result, it is possible to enhance the motivation of users who want to continuously receive benefits by paying the game fee every fixed period.

[0010] Also, a computer is caused to function as user information storage means for storing user information including information for identifying whether the user has paid the game fee set for each fixed period, privilege granting means for granting a privilege to the user within the current fixed period when the user has paid the game fee for the current fixed period, privilege setting means for setting in advance, within the current fixed period, the settings regarding the privilege that the user should receive within the next fixed period when the user pays the game fee for the next fixed period following the current fixed period, a program for causing the computer to function as such. According to such a program, it is possible to enhance the motivation of users who want to continuously receive benefits by paying the game fee every fixed period.

[0011] Also, a computer is caused to function as user information storage means for storing user information including information for identifying whether the user has paid the game fee set for each fixed period, privilege granting means for granting a privilege to the user within the current fixed period when the user has paid the game fee for the current fixed period, When the user pays the game fee for a certain period this time, if the user pays the game fee for the next consecutive certain period, a privilege that the user can use within the next certain period is granted in advance within the current certain period by a privilege advance-granting means. It is a program for functioning as. According to such a program, it becomes possible to enhance the motivation of users who want to continuously receive benefits by paying the game fee every certain period.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

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Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, an information processing apparatus, a program, and an information processing system according to embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. Note that the present invention can be widely applied to an information processing apparatus, a program, an information processing system, etc. that employ a game played by a user who pays a game fee (for example, a monthly fee) at regular intervals.

[0014] [First Embodiment] [System Configuration]< FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an example of the information processing system 1 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, in the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment, one or more client terminals 10 and a server device 20 are connected via a network N.

[0015] The client terminal 10 is a terminal device such as a PC, a smartphone, or a tablet operated by a user, or a terminal device such as a dedicated game device for home or business use. The server device 20 performs management and control of games performed by the user on the client terminal 10, charging processing in the game, and the like. The network N is the Internet or the like and includes a mobile radio base station or the like.

[0016] Note that the present invention is applicable not only to the client - server type information processing system 1 shown in FIG. 1 but also to a single game device by separately providing a mechanism for performing charging processing in the game. The information processing system 1 in FIG. 1 is an example, and it goes without saying that there are various system configuration examples depending on the use and purpose. For example, the server device 20 in FIG. 1 may be configured to be distributed among a plurality of computers.

[0017] <Hardware Configuration> "Client Terminal and Server Device" Figure 2 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of the computer 50 according to the first embodiment. The client terminal 10 and the server device 20 according to this embodiment are realized by, for example, a computer 50 having the hardware configuration shown in Figure 2. Note that the computer 50 is an example of an information processing device.

[0018] As shown in Figure 2, the computer 50 includes a CPU 51, a RAM 52, a ROM 53, a communication interface 54, an input device 55, a display device 56, an external interface 57, and an HDD 58, etc., and each is interconnected by a bus line B. Note that the input device 55 and the display device 56 may be connected and used when necessary.

[0019] The CPU 51 is an arithmetic unit that realizes the control and functions of the entire computer by reading programs and data from storage devices such as the ROM 53 and the HDD 58 onto the RAM 52 and executing various processes based on the read programs and data.

[0020] The RAM 52 is an example of a volatile semiconductor memory (storage device) for temporarily holding programs and data, and is also used as a work area when the CPU 51 executes various processes.

[0021] The ROM 53 is an example of a non-volatile semiconductor memory (storage device) that can hold programs and data even when the power is turned off. Programs and data such as the BIOS, OS settings, and network settings that are executed when the computer 50 is started are stored in the ROM 53.

[0022] The communication interface 54 is an interface for connecting the computer 50 to the network N. Thereby, the computer 50 can perform data communication via the communication interface 54.

[0023] The input device 55 is a device used by a user or an administrator to input various signals. The input device 55 in this embodiment is, for example, an operating device such as a touch panel, operation keys or buttons, a keyboard, or a mouse.

[0024] The display device 56 is a device for displaying various information on a screen for a user or an administrator. The display device 56 in this embodiment is, for example, a display such as a liquid crystal or an organic EL.

[0025] The external interface 57 is an interface for connectably communicating data with an external device. Thereby, the computer 50 can read and / or write a recording medium via the external interface 57. The external device is, for example, a recording medium such as a flexible disk, a CD, a DVD, an SD memory card, or a USB memory.

[0026] The HDD 58 is an example of a non-volatile storage device that stores programs and data. The stored programs and data include an OS that is basic software for controlling the entire computer, and applications that provide various functions on the OS.

[0027] Note that instead of the HDD 58, a drive device (for example, a solid state drive: SSD) using a flash memory as a storage medium may be used.

[0028] The client terminal 10 and the server device 20 according to this embodiment can realize various processes as described later by executing a program on the computer 50 having the above-described hardware configuration.

[0029] <Software Configuration> 《Server Device》 FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the server device 20 according to the first embodiment. The server device 20 according to this embodiment is realized by, for example, the functional blocks shown in FIG. 3.

[0030] The server device 20 according to this embodiment realizes a server control unit 200, a server storage unit 220, and a server communication unit 240 by executing a program.

[0031] The server control unit 200 has a function of executing processing related to various games. This server control unit 200 includes a game control unit 201, a privilege granting unit 202, a privilege setting unit 203, and a display control unit 204.

[0032] The game control unit 201 controls the progress of various games such as a battle game and a lottery game described later based on the game operations received by the client terminal 10 from the user. The game control unit 201 in this embodiment also functions as a battle game control unit and a lottery game control unit.

[0033] The privilege granting unit 202 grants privileges to the user. The privilege granting unit 202 in this embodiment, for example, when the user pays the game fee for the current certain period, grants a privilege for the payment of the game fee for the current certain period to the user within the current certain period. Also, when the user continues to pay the game fee for the next subsequent certain period, a privilege for the payment of the game fee for the next subsequent certain period is granted to the user within the next subsequent certain period.

[0034] The privilege setting unit 203 performs preliminary settings regarding the privileges to be granted to the user. The privilege setting unit 203 in this embodiment, for example, when the user pays the game fee for the current certain period, makes settings in advance within the current certain period regarding the privileges that the user should receive within the next subsequent certain period when the user pays the game fee for the next subsequent certain period.

[0035] The display control unit 204 generates data for various game screens according to, for example, the progress of a battle game or a lottery game executed by the game control unit 201, and controls the screen display of the client terminal 10.

[0036] The server storage unit 220 has a function of storing information related to various games. This server storage unit 220 includes a character information storage unit 221, a user information storage unit 222, and a login bonus information storage unit 223.

[0037] The character information storage unit 221 is an example of the content information storage unit, and stores character information (content information) related to characters as an example of content. The character information stored in the character information storage unit 221 includes various characters used in battle games and lottery games, and various characters used as login bonuses, etc.

[0038] The user information storage unit 222 stores user information related to the user. The user information stored in the user information storage unit 222 includes information such as the user's rank, various characters possessed by the user, and information for identifying whether the user is a user who has paid the game fee every certain period (monthly billing user).

[0039] The login bonus information storage unit 223 is an example of the privilege information storage unit, and stores login bonus information (privilege information) related to login bonuses as an example of privileges. The login bonus information stored in the login bonus information storage unit 223 has the types and quantities of login bonuses granted when the user logs in set every certain period.

[0040] The server communication unit 240 has a function of communicating with the client terminal 10 via the network N.

[0041] 《Client Terminal》 FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the client terminal 10 according to the first embodiment. The client terminal 10 according to the present embodiment is realized by, for example, the functional blocks shown in FIG. 4.

[0042] The client terminal 10 according to this embodiment realizes a client control unit 100, a client storage unit 120, a client communication unit 140, an operation reception unit 150, and a screen display unit 160 by executing a program. The client control unit 100 includes a request transmission unit 101 and a response reception unit 102.

[0043] The operation reception unit 150 receives operations from a user who operates the client terminal 10. Further, the client control unit 100 performs processing related to the game on the client terminal 10. The request transmission unit 101 transmits a request to the server device 20 based on the content of the operation received by the operation reception unit 150 from the user. The response reception unit 102 receives a response such as a processing result for the request transmitted by the request transmission unit 101 to the server device 20.

[0044] Also, the client storage unit 120 stores information required in the client terminal 10. The client communication unit 140 communicates with the server device 20. The screen display unit 160 performs screen display of the client terminal 10 in accordance with control from the server device 20.

[0045] Note that, as described above, in the information processing system 1 according to this embodiment, the server device 20 performs game progress and display control, but the client terminal 10 may also perform them. Specifically, while at least a part of the functional units included in the server control unit 200 is not provided in the server control unit 200 of the server device 20, it may be configured to be provided in the client control unit 100 of the client terminal 10.

[0046] Also, there is a browser type in which the client control unit 100 of the client terminal 10 receives page data described in HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) or the like and scripts included in the page data from the server device 20 and performs processing related to the game. Also, there is an application type in which the client control unit 100 of the client terminal 10 performs processing related to the game based on the installed application.

[0047] <Summary> Here, the outline of the system in the first embodiment will be described. In the system of this embodiment, a battle game and a lottery game are provided to the user.

[0048] The battle game in this embodiment is a game in which enemy characters appear against a party composed of a plurality of characters, and each character constituting the party battles against the appeared enemy characters.

[0049] In this battle game, a plurality of quests aimed at defeating enemy characters are set according to the difficulty level. The user can form a party using the characters he or she possesses, select any quest, and challenge a battle against enemy characters. During the battle, a character that is set to be obtainable in the selected quest may be given to the user.

[0050] The lottery game in this embodiment is a game that, when receiving an operation to execute a character lottery from the user, selects one character from among a plurality of characters that are lottery targets based on the lottery probability of each character, and gives the selected character to the user.

[0051] In this lottery game, the lower the lottery probability is set for a character with a higher rarity. The user can form his or her own party using the characters obtained in the lottery game and play the battle game.

[0052] Also, in the system of this embodiment, by paying a game fee (monthly fee) every month (every fixed period), it is possible to become a monthly billing user. When becoming a monthly billing user, for example, when paying the game fee for this month, within the one-month period this month, a privilege for paying the game fee for this month can be received.

[0053] In this embodiment, as a privilege for paying the game fee for this month, a login bonus can be received once a day only during this month when logging in to the game. The login bonus received by monthly subscription users is set to be more advantageous than the login bonus received by users (ordinary users) who have not paid the game fee for this month.

[0054] Furthermore, when becoming a monthly subscription user, for example, when paying the game fee for this month, not only can a privilege for paying the game fee for this month be received, but it is also possible to make advance settings for how to receive and the content of the privileges given during the next month when paying the game fee for the following month.

[0055] However, monthly subscription users who have paid the game fee for this month can only make advance settings for the privileges to be received in the next month for a limited period of one month during this month, so they cannot yet receive that privilege this month. Therefore, in order to actually receive the privilege for the next month as set in advance, it is necessary to pay the game fee for the next month following the game fee for this month.

[0056] In this way, it is possible to give an incentive to pay the game fee for the next month to users who have paid the game fee for this month, so it is possible to increase the motivation of monthly subscription users who want to continuously benefit from paying the monthly fee.

[0057] <Operation> FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining an operation example of the information processing system 1 in the first embodiment.

[0058] When the login screen of the battle game is displayed on the screen display unit 160 of the client terminal 10, the user performs a login operation for logging in to the battle game on the client terminal 10. When a login operation by the user is performed on this login screen, the operation reception unit 150 of the client terminal 10 receives the operation content based on the user's login operation.

[0059] Based on the operation content received by the operation reception unit 150 from the user, the request transmission unit 101 of the client terminal 10 sends a login request for the battle game accompanied by login operation information including the user ID, password, etc. to the server device 20 (step S11).

[0060] Next, when the game control unit 201 of the server device 20 receives a login request for the battle game from the client terminal 10, it executes the login process for the battle game according to the login operation information including the user ID, password, etc. (step S12).

[0061] Specifically, the game control unit 201 of the server device 20 performs user authentication by referring to the user information stored in the user information storage unit 222 based on the user ID, etc. accompanied by the login request. When the game control unit 201 of the server device 20 successfully performs user authentication, it updates the login history information set in the user information and adds the login date and time of the battle game.

[0062] FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing an example of user information. The user information shown in FIG. 6 includes, as items, user ID, number of items possessed, possessed characters, party, log history information, monthly subscription user information, login bonus setting information, and the like. The user ID is information for uniquely identifying a user. The number of items possessed is information indicating the number of items possessed by the user. This item is an item necessary for playing a battle game or a lottery game. The possessed characters are information indicating one or more various characters currently possessed by the user. The party is information indicating each character constituting the user's party. The log history information is information indicating the user's log history. The monthly subscription user information is information regarding monthly subscription users. The login bonus setting information is information regarding the pre-setting of login bonuses.

[0063] FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram showing an example of log history information. The log history information shown in FIG. 7 includes, as items, log ID, login date and time, logout date and time, and the like. The log ID is information for uniquely identifying log data. The login date and time is information indicating the date and time when the user logged in to the battle game. The logout date and time is information indicating the date and time when the user logged out.

[0064] Returning to FIG. 5, next, when the game control unit 201 of the server device 20 thus finishes the login process for the battle game, it acquires the monthly subscription user information from the user information stored in the user information storage unit 222, and with reference to the acquired monthly subscription user information, determines whether the logged-in user is a monthly subscription user who has paid the game fee for this month (step S13).

[0065] FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram showing an example of monthly billing user information. The monthly billing user information shown in FIG. 8 has items such as payment target, monthly billing user, payment date and time, etc. The payment target is information indicating the month for which the monthly fee is to be paid. Here, it is assumed that this month is September, indicating that the user has finished paying the game fee for September and has not paid the game fee for August (last month) and the game fee for October (next month). The monthly billing user is information indicating whether the user has become a monthly billing user for the month in question. The payment date and time is information indicating the date and time when the game fee for that month was paid.

[0066] Returning to FIG. 5, as a result of the determination by the process of step S13 described above, if it is determined that the user is a monthly billing user who has paid the game fee for this month, the process proceeds to step S15 described later. On the other hand, if it is determined that the user is not a monthly billing user who has paid the game fee for this month, the process proceeds to the next step S14.

[0067] Next, when it is determined that the user is not a monthly billing user who has paid the game fee for this month (step S13: NO), the privilege granting unit 202 of the server device 20 grants the login bonus for the normal user based on the login bonus information stored in the login bonus information storage unit 223 because the user is a normal user who has not paid the game fee for this month (step S14).

[0068] Specifically, the privilege granting unit 202 of the server device 20 grants the login bonus for the normal user set for that day only when the user first logs in on that day based on the login bonus information stored in the login bonus information storage unit 223. That is, the login bonus is granted only once a day.

[0069] FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram showing an example of login bonus information. The login bonus information shown in FIG. 9 has, as items, a privilege ID, a provision period, the privilege content for normal users, the privilege content for monthly billing users, and the like. The privilege ID is information for uniquely identifying a privilege. The provision period is information indicating the period during which the login bonus can be granted. The privilege content for normal users is information indicating the content of the login bonus granted when a normal user logs in during that provision period. Here, an item is set as the login bonus for normal users, and as shown in parentheses in the figure, the number of items to be granted is also set. The privilege content for monthly billing users is information indicating the content of the login bonus granted when a monthly billing user logs in during that provision period. Here, an item and a character are set as the login bonus for monthly billing users, and as shown in parentheses in the figure, the number of items and characters to be granted is also set. In this embodiment, the login bonus received by monthly billing users is set to be more advantageous than the login bonus received by normal users.

[0070] Returning to FIG. 5, next, when it is determined that the user is a monthly billing user who has paid the game fee for this month (step S13: YES), the privilege granting unit 202 of the server device 20 grants a login bonus as a privilege for having paid the game fee for this month (step S15).

[0071] Specifically, the privilege granting unit 202 of the server device 20 acquires monthly billing user information from the user information stored in the user information storage unit 222, and refers to the acquired monthly billing user information to determine whether the monthly billing user who has paid the game fee for this month has also paid the game fee for the previous month.

[0072] As a result of this determination, if it is determined that the monthly subscription user who has paid the game fee for this month is a user who has not paid the game fee for last month (that is, a user who started paying the monthly fee this month), a login bonus different from that of the normal user set on that day is given to the monthly subscription user based on the login bonus information stored in the login bonus information storage unit 223.

[0073] On the other hand, if it is determined that the monthly subscription user who has paid the game fee for this month is also a user who has paid the game fee for last month, login bonus setting information is acquired from the user information stored in the user information storage unit 222. Then, based on the acquired login bonus setting information, the login bonus pre-set by the user himself / herself on that day during the one month period of last month is given.

[0074] Note that the privilege granting unit 202 of the server device 20 gives the login bonus for the monthly subscription user set on that day only when logging in for the first time on that day. That is, the login bonus for the monthly subscription user is given only once a day.

[0075] FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram showing an example of login bonus setting information. The login bonus setting information shown in FIG. 10 has, as items, a privilege setting ID, a provision period, the privilege setting details for the monthly subscription user, etc. The privilege setting ID is information for uniquely identifying a pre-set privilege. The provision period is information indicating the period during which the pre-set login bonus can be given. The privilege setting details for the monthly subscription user are information indicating the setting details of the login bonus given when the monthly subscription user logs in during that provision period. Here, items and characters are pre-set as the login bonus, and as shown in parentheses in the figure, the number of items and characters to be given is also set.

[0076] Returning to FIG. 5, next, when the privilege setting unit 203 of the server device 20 grants the login bonus for this month to the monthly billing users to whom the privilege granting unit 202 has paid the game fee for this month, it performs a preliminary setting regarding the login bonus, which is a privilege to be received for one month of the following next month when the game fee for the following next month is paid (step S16).

[0077] Specifically, first, the privilege setting unit 203 of the server device 20 requests the display control unit 204 to execute screen display control so as to display a privilege setting screen for preliminarily setting the login bonus for the next month on the client terminal 10 for the monthly billing users.

[0078] Next, when the display control unit 204 of the server device 20 is requested to execute screen display control from the privilege setting unit 203, it performs control to display the privilege setting screen on the screen display unit 160 of the client terminal 10 based on the login bonus information stored in the login bonus information storage unit 223.

[0079] FIG. 11 is an image diagram showing an example of the privilege setting screen. On the privilege setting screen 500 shown in FIG. 11, a schedule display area 501 including the schedule for the next month, a privilege content display area 502 for displaying the privilege content of the login bonus for the next month, and an operation button 503 for registering the receipt date are displayed.

[0080] In the schedule display area 501, a calendar for the next month is listed. Here, it is assumed that this month is September, and a calendar for October, which is the next month, is listed. The monthly billing user designates the receipt date of the login bonus for the next month from the October calendar. Here, it is assumed that "October 3" has been designated as the receipt date by the monthly billing user.

[0081] In the special privilege content display area 502, the content of the login bonus for the month following the receipt date specified in the schedule display area 501 is displayed. Here, the "special privilege content for monthly billing users" for the month following the one set in the login bonus information shown in FIG. 9 is referred to, and the content of the login bonus for the "provision period" of the month following this login date is displayed. For example, if the login date of a monthly billing user is "September 1st", as shown in FIG. 9, the "items (3 pieces)" set on "October 1st" one month later are displayed in the special privilege content display area 502 as the content of the login bonus for the following month. If there is no date one month later during the following month, the content of the login bonus set for any randomly selected date from the dates within the following month is exceptionally displayed.

[0082] The operation button 503 is a button for pre-registering to receive the login bonus for the following month displayed in the special privilege content display area 502 on the receipt date specified in the schedule display area 501.

[0083] In this way, a monthly billing user who has paid the game fee for September, when logging in on "September 1st", can change the receipt date of the "items (3 pieces)" that can be received on "October 1st" by paying the game fee for October from "October 1st" to "October 3rd". As a result, the login bonus scheduled to be received on "October 3rd" is, as shown in FIG. 9, originally supposed to be "items (3 pieces)", but by adding the "items (3 pieces)" for the receipt on "October 1st", it is pre-set to the changed "items (6 pieces)". That is, a monthly billing user who has paid the game fee for September can customize the receipt date and receipt content of the login bonus for October according to their convenience before paying the game fee for October.

[0084] Next, when the privilege setting screen 500 of the screen display unit 160 of the client terminal 10 is being displayed, the monthly billing user designates the receipt date of the login bonus for the next month in the schedule display area 501, and then performs an operation of selecting the operation button 503. When the monthly billing user performs this game operation, the operation reception unit 150 of the client terminal 10 receives the operation content based on the game operation of the monthly billing user. The request transmission unit 101 of the client terminal 10 makes a pre-registration request to the server device 20 based on the operation content received by the operation reception unit 150 from the user.

[0085] Next, when the privilege setting unit 203 of the server device 20 receives a pre-registration request from the client terminal 10, it updates the login bonus setting information shown in FIG. 10, and based on the game operation of the monthly billing user performed on the privilege setting screen 500 shown in FIG. 11, it performs setting registration regarding the login bonus for the next month.

[0086] As described above, according to the information processing system 1 according to the first embodiment, when a user becomes a monthly billing user by paying the game fee for this month, not only can the user receive a login bonus that is more advantageous than normal as a privilege for paying the game fee for this month, but also it is possible to perform advance settings such as how to receive and the content of the login bonus to be granted during the next month when paying the game fee for the next month. And in order to actually receive the login bonus for the next month as set in advance, it is necessary to pay the game fee for the next month following the game fee for this month. Therefore, it is possible to provide an incentive for the monthly billing user who has paid the game fee for this month to pay the game fee for the next month. For this reason, it is possible to increase the motivation of the monthly billing user who wishes to continuously benefit from paying the monthly fee.

[0087] [Second Embodiment] Subsequently, the information processing system 1 according to the second embodiment will be described.

[0088] The configuration of the information processing system 1 according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the information processing system 1 according to the first embodiment described above. However, in the second embodiment, the configuration of the login bonus information stored in the login bonus information storage unit 223 is different from that of the first embodiment. And in the second embodiment, a monthly billing user who has paid the game fee for this month can change the login bonus for the next month from the default content before paying the game fee for the next month.

[0089] Figure 12 is a configuration diagram showing an example of login bonus information in the second embodiment. The login bonus information shown in Figure 12 has items such as a privilege ID, a provision period, the privilege content for ordinary users, and the privilege content for monthly billing users. The privilege ID is information for uniquely identifying a privilege. The provision period is information indicating the period during which the login bonus can be granted. The privilege content for ordinary users is information indicating the content of the login bonus granted when an ordinary user logs in during the provision period. Here, an item is set as the login bonus for ordinary users, and as shown in parentheses in the figure, the number of items to be granted is also set. The privilege content for monthly billing users is information indicating the content of the login bonus granted when a monthly billing user logs in during the provision period. The privilege content for monthly billing users is composed of default content and changed content. The default content is the content of the initially set login bonus. Here, the same content as the login bonus received by ordinary users is initially set. The changed content is the content of the login bonus set to be more advantageous than the default content.

[0090] <Operation> Here, an operation example of the information processing system 1 in the second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, the processing of steps S11 to S15 in the flowchart shown in Figure 5 is common to that of the first embodiment. Therefore, below, the processing of step S16 will be described.

[0091] When the privilege setting unit 203 of the server device 20 grants the login bonus for this month to the monthly billing user to whom the privilege granting unit 202 has paid the game fee for this month in the process of step S15, it makes a prior setting regarding the login bonus, which is the privilege to be received for one month of the following month when the game fee for the following month is paid (step S16).

[0092] Specifically, first, the privilege setting unit 203 of the server device 20 requests the display control unit 204 to execute screen display control so as to display a privilege setting screen for pre-setting the login bonus for the following month to the monthly billing user on the client terminal 10.

[0093] Next, when the display control unit 204 of the server device 20 is requested to execute screen display control from the privilege setting unit 203, it performs control to display the privilege setting screen on the screen display unit 160 of the client terminal 10 based on the login bonus information shown in FIG. 12.

[0094] FIG. 13 is an image diagram showing an example of the privilege setting screen in the second embodiment. On the privilege setting screen 550 shown in FIG. 13, a schedule display area 551 including the schedule for the following month, a privilege content display area 552 for displaying the privilege content of the login bonus for the following month, and an operation button 553 for registering the change date are displayed.

[0095] In the schedule display area 551, a calendar for the following month is listed. Here, it is assumed that this month is September, and a calendar for October, which is the following month, is listed. The monthly billing user designates the change date of the login bonus for the following month from the October calendar. Here, it is assumed that "October 3" has been designated as the change date by the monthly billing user.

[0096] In the special privilege content display area 552, the content of the login bonus for the next month to be changed on the change date specified in the schedule display area 551 is displayed. Here, the "special privilege content for monthly billing users" for the next month set in the login bonus information shown in FIG. 12 is referred to, and the content of the login bonus for the "provision period" of the next month corresponding to the change date is displayed. For example, when the change date specified by the monthly billing user is "October 3rd", as shown in FIG. 12, the special privilege content display area 552 displays that the login bonus for the next month set on "October 3rd" can be changed from the default content ("1 item") to the changed content ("3 items").

[0097] The operation button 553 is a button for pre-registering to change the login bonus for the next month displayed in the special privilege content display area 552 from the default content on the change date specified in the schedule display area 551.

[0098] In this way, a monthly billing user who has paid the game fee for September can, if they specify "October 3rd" as the change date, exchange the login bonus that can be received on "October 3rd" from the default content ("1 item") to the changed content ("3 items") by paying the game fee for October. That is, a monthly billing user who has paid the game fee for September can customize the content of the login bonus for October according to their convenience before paying the game fee for October.

[0099] Next, when the special privilege setting screen 550 is displayed on the screen display unit 160 of the client terminal 10, the monthly billing user specifies the change date of the login bonus for the next month in the schedule display area 551 and then selects the operation button 553. When the monthly billing user performs this game operation, the operation reception unit 150 of the client terminal 10 receives the operation content based on the game operation of the monthly billing user. The request transmission unit 101 of the client terminal 10 sends a pre-registration request to the server device 20 based on the operation content received by the operation reception unit 150 from the monthly billing user.

[0100] Next, when the privilege setting unit 203 of the server device 20 receives a pre-registration request from the client terminal 10, it updates the login bonus setting information shown in FIG. 10, and based on the game operations of the monthly billing users performed on the privilege setting screen 500 shown in FIG. 13, it performs setting registration regarding the login bonus for the next month.

[0101] As described above, according to the information processing system 1 according to the second embodiment, when a user becomes a monthly billing user by paying the game fee for this month, not only can they receive a login bonus that is more advantageous than normal as a privilege for paying the game fee for this month, but it is also possible to perform prior settings so that the content of the login bonus granted during the next month when the game fee for the next month is paid is more advantageous than normal. And in order to actually receive the login bonus for the next month as set in advance, it is necessary to pay the game fee for the next month following the game fee for this month. Therefore, it is possible to provide an incentive for the monthly billing users who have paid the game fee for this month to pay the game fee for the next month. Therefore, it is possible to enhance the motivation of the monthly billing users who want to continuously benefit from paying the monthly fee.

[0102] [Third Embodiment] Next, the information processing system 1 according to the third embodiment will be described.

[0103] In the above-described first embodiment, when a user becomes a monthly billing user by paying the game fee for this month, not only can they receive a privilege for paying the game fee for this month, but it is also possible to perform prior settings such as how to receive and the content of the privilege granted during the next month when the game fee for the next month is paid.

[0104] In contrast, in the third embodiment, when a monthly billing user becomes a user by paying the game fee for this month, not only can the user receive a privilege for paying the game fee for this month, but also a privilege that can be used only for one month during the next month can be received in advance this month when the game fee for the next month is paid. That is, even if the user can receive a privilege in advance this month by paying the game fee for the next month, the user cannot use it immediately and cannot actually use it until the next month.

[0105] <Software Configuration> 《Server Device》 FIG. 14 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the server device 20 according to the third embodiment. The functional block diagram of the third embodiment is configured by adding a privilege advance granting unit 205 in place of the privilege setting unit 203 that constitutes the functional block diagram of the first embodiment.

[0106] The server device 20 according to the present embodiment realizes a server control unit 200, a server storage unit 220, and a server communication unit 240 by executing a program.

[0107] The server control unit 200 has a function of executing processing related to various games. The server control unit 200 includes a game control unit 201, a privilege granting unit 202, a privilege advance granting unit 205, and a display control unit 204.

[0108] The privilege advance granting unit 205 grants a privilege to the user in advance. The privilege advance granting unit 205 in the present embodiment, for example, when the user pays the game fee for a certain period this time, grants in advance a privilege that can be used only within the next certain period when the user pays the game fee for the next subsequent certain period within the current certain period.

[0109] <Operation> FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining an operation example of the information processing system 1 in the third embodiment.

[0110] The processing of steps S21 to S25 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 15 is common to the first embodiment and is the same as the processing of steps S11 to S15 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 5. Therefore, the processing of step S26 will be described below.

[0111] When the privilege pre-granting unit 205 of the server device 20 grants the login bonus for this month to the monthly billing user who has paid the game fee for this month in the processing of step S25, if the game fee for the following next month is paid, a privilege that can be used only for one month of the next month is also pre-granted (step S26).

[0112] Specifically, based on the login bonus information shown in FIG. 9, the privilege pre-granting unit 205 of the server device 20 pre-grants, as a privilege, the login bonus of a monthly billing user different from that of a normal user set one month later (the same day of the next month) of that day. However, the pre-granted login bonus for the next month is set to be actually usable only for one month of the next month. Therefore, even if a monthly billing user who has paid the game fee for this month can receive it in advance during this month by paying the game fee for the next month, it cannot be used immediately.

[0113] As described above, according to the information processing system 1 according to the third embodiment, when a monthly billing user becomes a monthly billing user by paying the game fee for this month, not only can they receive a login bonus that is more advantageous than usual as a privilege for paying the game fee for this month, but they can also receive a privilege that can be used only for one month of the following month when they pay the game fee for the following month during this month. And, in order to actually use the privilege received in advance, it is necessary to pay the game fee for the following month following the game fee for this month. Therefore, it is possible to motivate the monthly billing user who has paid the game fee for this month to pay the game fee for the following month. Therefore, it is possible to increase the motivation of the monthly billing user who wants to continuously receive benefits by paying the monthly fee.

[0114] [Other Embodiments] The foregoing embodiments are for facilitating the understanding of the present invention and are not for limiting the interpretation of the present invention. The present invention can be changed and improved without departing from its gist, and equivalents thereof are also included in the present invention. In particular, the following embodiments are also included in the present invention.

[0115] [Privilege] In the foregoing embodiments, the case where a login bonus as an example of a privilege is used has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the present invention can also be applied when characters or items are granted as privileges by clearing quests in a battle game.

[0116] [Login Bonus for Next Month] In the foregoing first and second embodiments, the case where the login bonus for the next month can be actually received by paying the game fee for the next month has been described as an example. However, it may also be possible to receive it when the payment is promised as a stage before paying the game fee for the next month (for example, when a renewal reservation is made).

[0117] [Preset] In the foregoing first and second embodiments, it is also possible to automatically perform advance settings regarding benefits (login bonuses) to be received during the one-month period of the next month when the game fees for the next month are paid, without depending on the operations of monthly subscription users who have paid the game fees for the current month.

Explanation of Signs

[0118] 1 Information Processing System 10 Client Terminal 20 Server Device 50 Computer 51 CPU 52 RAM 53 ROM 54 Communication Interface 55 Input Device 56 Display Device 57 External Interface 58 HDD 100 Client Control Unit 101 Request Sending Unit 102 Response Receiving Unit 120 Client Storage Unit 140 Client Communication Unit 150 Operation Reception Unit 160 Screen Display Unit 200 Server Control Unit 201 Game Control Unit 202 Benefit Granting Unit 203 Benefit Setting Unit 204 Display Control Unit 205 Advance Benefit Granting Unit 220 Server Storage Unit 221 Character Information Storage Unit 222 User Information Storage Unit 223 Login Bonus Information Storage Unit 240 Server Communication Unit 500 Benefit Setting Screen 501 Schedule Display Area 502 Benefit Content Display Area 503 Operation Button 550 Benefit Setting Screen 551 Schedule display area 552 Privilege content display area 553 Operation button B Bus line N Network

Claims

1. A user information storage unit that stores user information including information for identifying whether a user has paid a game fee set for each fixed period; A privilege granting unit that grants a privilege to the user within the current fixed period when the user has paid the game fee for the current fixed period; A privilege setting unit that, when the user has paid the game fee for the current fixed period, sets in advance within the current fixed period the settings regarding the privilege that the user should receive within the next fixed period when the user pays the game fee for the next consecutive fixed period; An information processing apparatus characterized by comprising the above.

2. The information processing apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the privilege granting unit grants a login bonus as a privilege when a user who has paid the game fee for the current fixed period logs in within the current fixed period, and the privilege setting unit, when a user who has paid the game fee for the current fixed period logs in within the current fixed period, sets in advance within the current fixed period the settings regarding the login bonus that should be granted when the user logs in within the next fixed period when the user pays the game fee for the next fixed period. An information processing apparatus characterized by the above.

3. The information processing apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein the privilege setting unit changes the setting of the login bonus that should be granted when a user who has paid the game fee for the current fixed period logs in within the current fixed period and pays the game fee for the next fixed period and logs in within the next fixed period to another login bonus that is more advantageous to the user than the initially set login bonus. An information processing apparatus characterized by the above.

4. A user information storage unit that stores user information including information for identifying whether a user has paid a game fee set for each fixed period; A privilege granting unit that grants a privilege to the user within the current fixed period when the user has paid the game fee for the current fixed period; A privilege pre-granting unit that, when the user has paid the game fee for the current fixed period, pre-grants in advance within the current fixed period the privilege that the user can use only within the next fixed period when the user pays the game fee for the next consecutive fixed period; An information processing apparatus characterized by comprising

5. A computer, User information storage means for storing user information including information for identifying whether a user has paid a game fee set at regular intervals, Benefit granting means for granting a benefit to the user within the current regular period when the user has paid the game fee for the current regular period, Benefit setting means for setting in advance within the current regular period the settings regarding the benefits that the user should receive within the next regular period when the user pays the game fee for the next regular period following the current one, A program for causing it to function as

6. A computer, User information storage means for storing user information including information for identifying whether a user has paid a game fee set at regular intervals, Benefit granting means for granting a benefit to the user within the current regular period when the user has paid the game fee for the current regular period, Benefit advance granting means for granting in advance within the current regular period the benefits that the user can use only within the next regular period when the user pays the game fee for the next regular period following the current one, A program for causing it to function as

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