Information processing device and program

The information processing apparatus in location-based games notifies players of upcoming privileges, improving gameplay efficiency by guiding them to privilege-granting locations.

JP2025107317APending Publication Date: 2025-07-17MIXI INC
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2025075618
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2025-04-30
Publication Date
2025-07-17

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

In location-based games, players often move aimlessly to obtain privileges without a clear indication of when and where they will be granted, leading to inefficient gameplay.

Method used

An information processing apparatus that acquires the user's position, grants privileges when in a specific positional relationship with game objects, and notifies the user when a specified privilege is about to be awarded.

Benefits of technology

Enables players to efficiently move towards privilege-granting locations by providing advance notification, enhancing gameplay experience.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Patent Text Reader

Abstract

To provide a technique capable of preliminarily notifying a player of granting a privilege specified by the player.SOLUTION: An information processing device includes: an acquisition section of acquiring a present position of a user; a granting section when the present position of the user and an arrangement position of an object on a map have a first physical relation, granting a privilege to the user; and a notification section when the present position of the user and the arrangement position of the object on the map have a second physical relation and the privilege granted by the object is a first privilege specified by the user, notifying the user of information for identifying that the first privilege is granted to the user by the object.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5
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Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Currently, there is known a game in which a game progresses by moving a player operated by a user on a map according to the actual movement of the user. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a location game in which a game progresses in a virtual world according to the movement of a user in the real world.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In such a location game, a game can be considered in which a user can obtain a privilege by approaching an object while moving on a map. At this time, if there is a mechanism that makes it easier to obtain a specified privilege, it is considered that the user can efficiently enjoy the game without moving on the map without reason.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique that enables notifying a user in advance that a privilege specified by the user will be granted.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An information processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes an acquisition unit that acquires a current position of a user, a granting unit that grants a privilege to the user when the current position of the user on a map and the arrangement position of an object are in a first positional relationship, and the current position of the user on the map and the arrangement position of the object are in a second positional relationship, and when the privilege granted by the object is a first privilege specified by the user, a notification unit that notifies the user of information that can identify that the first privilege is granted by the object.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a technique that enables notifying a user in advance that a privilege specified by the user is to be granted.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each figure, those denoted by the same reference numerals have the same or similar configurations. In the following description, the user is described as a player.

[0010] <System Configuration> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the system configuration of the game system 1 according to the present embodiment. The game system 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a game server 10 and one or more terminals 20. The game server 10 and the terminals 20 are communicably connected to each other via a communication network N such as the Internet, an intranet, a wireless LAN, or mobile communication. The game server 10 and the terminals 20 may be referred to as information processing devices or computers.

[0011] The game server 10 is a device that undertakes some of the functions in providing the game to the terminals 20, such as managing various types of information regarding the player and executing some of the processes of the game. The game server 10 may be composed of one or more information processing devices or computers, or may be configured using a virtual server (such as a cloud server).

[0012] The terminal 20 is an information processing device that provides the game to the player, and the player can execute the game according to the present embodiment by operating the terminal 20. The terminal 20 is, for example, a computer such as a mobile phone (including a smartphone), a tablet, a personal computer, an arcade game device, or a consumer game device. The terminal 20 notifies the game server 10 of its own position detected using GPS (Global Positioning System) or the like.

[0013] <Game Outline> Next, an overview of the game provided by the game system 1 according to this embodiment will be described. In the game provided by the game system 1 (hereinafter referred to as "this game"), the player can obtain new characters and items by forming a deck with a character selected from a plurality of owned characters and clearing quests using the formed deck. In addition, the player can grow into a stronger character by synthesizing a plurality of obtained characters, or challenge quests with a higher difficulty level by strengthening the attributes of the characters using items.

[0014] Here, a quest is a term that means a task that can be cleared by satisfying a predetermined set of conditions. Quests are generally also called exploration, challenges, events, and missions. A player who participates in a quest can clear the quest by satisfying the said set of conditions, and when the quest is cleared, the player is given a reward or the story of this game progresses. The player may be able to participate in a quest by consuming a predetermined parameter associated with the player or an item owned by the player. That is, when the player participates in a quest, a predetermined parameter associated with the player or a predetermined item owned by the player may be consumed (subtracted).

[0015] A deck is a term that means a group formed by combining a plurality of characters. When executing a quest, the player selects a character with abilities suitable for clearing the quest to form a deck and execute the quest. The game server 10 can store a plurality of decks formed by the player. The player can select one deck from the plurality of stored decks and execute a quest. In this embodiment, the player executing a quest may be referred to as playing the quest.

[0016] In this game, multiple spots where it is possible to obtain benefits are arranged on the map, and players can obtain benefits by moving themselves to the positions of these spots. The "spots where it is possible to obtain benefits" are objects arranged on the map (hereinafter referred to as "spots"). Note that the spots may be spots arranged on the map by the game operator or the like, or may be spots associated with actual facilities such as parks and landmarks.

[0017] Multiple benefits are prepared in this game. The benefits can be any kind of benefits. For example, they may be effects that enable quests to proceed advantageously when activated (such as an increase in attack power by 50% or a decrease in the HP of enemies by 50%), or they may be the ability to receive predetermined items.

[0018] Also, the obtainable benefits may differ for each spot. For example, it may be predetermined that the benefits obtainable at spots 1 to 3 are Benefit A, the benefits obtainable at spots 4 to 6 are Benefit B, and the benefits obtainable at spots 7 to 10 are Benefit C. Therefore, players who want to obtain Benefit B need to move themselves near spots 4 to 6.

[0019] When the current position of the player approaches a spot where the notified benefit can be obtained, the game server 10 notifies the terminal 20 that the player has approached a spot where the benefit can be obtained. The notified benefit is one or more benefits specified by the player among the multiple benefits provided in this game. That is, the player can receive a notification (hereinafter referred to as "notification information") indicating that they are near the spot where the specified benefit is granted. The player who receives the notification information can move to the position where the spot is arranged while referring to the map screen and obtain the benefit.

[0020] When a player obtains a privilege, the privilege may be automatically enabled in a predetermined number of quests played after obtaining the privilege. Alternatively, the privilege may be enabled in a predetermined number of quests when an explicit instruction to use the privilege is received from the player. Also, the obtained privilege may automatically disappear (or become invalid) after being enabled in a predetermined number of quests.

[0021] <Hardware Configuration> FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the game server 10 and the terminal 20. The game server 10 and the terminal 20 include a processor 11 such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a GPU (Graphical processing unit), a memory, a storage device 12 such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and / or an SSD (Solid State Drive), a communication IF (Interface) 13 for performing wired or wireless communication, an input device 14 for receiving an input operation, and an output device 15 for outputting information. The input device 14 is, for example, a keyboard, a touch panel, a mouse, and / or a microphone, etc. The output device 15 is, for example, a display, a touch panel, and / or a speaker, etc.

[0022] <Functional Block Configuration> (Game Server) FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the functional block configuration of the game server 10. The game server 10 includes a storage unit 100 and a game control unit 110. The storage unit 100 can be realized using a storage device 12 provided in the game server 10. Also, the game control unit 110 can be realized by a processor 11 of the game server 10 executing a program stored in the storage device 12. Further, the program can be stored in a storage medium. The storage medium storing the program may be a non-transitory computer readable medium. The non-transitory storage medium is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a storage medium such as a USB memory or a CD-ROM.

[0023] The storage unit 100 stores a player management DB 100a and a spot definition DB 100b.

[0024] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the player management DB 100a and the spot definition DB 100b. The player management DB 100a manages the game data of each player. Also, the player management DB 100a manages the missions cleared by the player. In the player management DB 100a, for example, an ID (player ID) that uniquely identifies the player, the player's call name (nickname), the player IDs of other players registered as players having a predetermined relationship (friend relationship) with the player, the current position of the terminal 20 used by the player, the player's experience value, the player's rank, the player's stamina, the privileges held by the player (held privileges), and the privileges designated by the player as notification targets (notification settings) are stored in association with each other.

[0025] The spot definition DB 100b stores various definition information regarding each spot arranged in the game. The spot definition DB 100b stores, for example, an ID (spot ID) that uniquely identifies a spot, information indicating the position where the spot is arranged (arrangement position), information indicating one or more benefits that can be obtained at the spot (obtainable benefits), and information indicating items that can be obtained at the spot (obtainable items) in an associated manner. Note that the items that can be obtained at the spot may be any items as long as they are different from the benefits. For example, items exchangeable for paid items, items that can strengthen characters, etc. may be mentioned.

[0026] Returning to FIG. 3, the description will be continued. The game control unit 110 provides various functions necessary for executing this game. The game control unit 110 includes an acquisition unit 111, a granting unit 112, a notification unit 113, a benefit control unit 114, and a display control unit 115.

[0027] The acquisition unit 111 acquires the current position of the player (the terminal 20 used by the player).

[0028] When the current position of the player on the map and the arrangement position of the spot (object) are in a first positional relationship, the granting unit 112 grants a benefit to the player.

[0029] When the current position of the player on the map and the arrangement position of the spot are in a second positional relationship, and the benefit granted at the spot is the benefit (first benefit) specified by the player, the notification unit 113 notifies the player of notification information (information that can identify that the specified benefit (first benefit) is granted at the spot). Notifying the player of the notification information may be, for example, displaying a character string or an icon indicating that the spot where the specified benefit is granted exists near the player on the screen of the terminal 20, or vibrating the vibrator provided in the terminal 20, etc.

[0030] In addition, when the current position of the player on the map and the placement position of the spot are in the second positional relationship, but the privilege given at the spot is not the privilege (first privilege) specified by the player, the notification unit 113 does not notify the player of the notification information.

[0031] Here, the first positional relationship is the range within which a privilege is given to the player. When the player and the spot are in the first positional relationship, for example, it may be that the player (terminal 20) exists within a predetermined range centered on the placement position of the spot (for example, within 20 meters in the real space, hereinafter referred to as the "first range"). When the player and the spot are in the second positional relationship, for example, it may be that the player (terminal 20) exists within a predetermined range centered on the placement position of the spot (for example, within 100 meters or 200 meters in the real space, hereinafter referred to as the "second range"). That is, the second range may be wider than the first range. Note that this embodiment is not necessarily limited to this, and the first range and the second range may be the same range.

[0032] The privilege control unit 114 controls the privilege given at the spot. For example, the privilege control unit 114 may change the privilege given at the spot at predetermined time intervals. Also, when the privilege control unit 114 changes the privilege given at the spot, it may update the "obtainable privilege" in the spot definition DB 100b.

[0033] The display control unit 115 causes various game screens related to this game to be displayed on the output device 15 (display) of the terminal 20.

[0034] (Terminal) FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the functional block configuration of the terminal 20. The terminal 20 includes a storage unit 200, a communication unit 201, a UI (User Interface) unit 202, and a game control unit 203. The storage unit 200 can be realized using the storage device 12 provided in the terminal 20. Further, the communication unit 201, the UI unit 202, and the game control unit 203 can be realized by the processor 11 of the terminal 20 executing a program stored in the storage device 12. Further, the program can be stored in a storage medium. The storage medium storing the program may be a computer-readable non-transitory storage medium. The non-transitory storage medium is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a storage medium such as a USB memory or a CD-ROM.

[0035] The storage unit 200 stores game data necessary for the game control unit 203 to execute the present game. The game data stores character image data, a game scenario, and the like.

[0036] The communication unit 201 has a function of performing various communications with the game server 10 using the communication IF 13.

[0037] The UI unit 202 has a function of receiving various inputs from the player and a function of displaying various game screens on the display. Further, the UI unit 202 displays a game screen on the output device 15 (display) of the terminal 20 according to an instruction from the game server 10.

[0038] The game control unit 203 provides various functions necessary for executing the present game in cooperation with the game server 10. For example, the game control unit 203 provides a function of acquiring various information (icon image data, text data, etc.) for drawing on the game screen from the game server 10.

[0039] Regarding the functional block configuration described above, all or part of the acquisition unit 111, the granting unit 112, the notification unit 113, the privilege control unit 114, and the display control unit 115 included in the game server 10 may be configured to be provided in the game control unit 203 of the terminal 20.

[0040] <Processing Procedure> FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure performed by the game server 10. Using FIG. 6, a processing procedure for notifying a player of notification information when the game server 10 detects that the player has approached a spot will be described. In the following description, it is assumed that the second positional relationship is a wider range than the first positional relationship. Also, the "current position of the player" is synonymous with the "current position of the terminal 20 used by the player". Also, "notifying the player" is synonymous with "notifying the terminal 20 used by the player".

[0041] First, when the display control unit 115 receives an instruction to display a map screen from the player, the display control unit 115 causes the terminal 10 to display the map screen. Further, the display control unit 115 displays the current position of the player on the map screen according to the current position of the player acquired by the acquisition unit 111 (S10). As a result, the icon indicating the current position of the player displayed on the map screen moves as the player moves.

[0042] Subsequently, the notification unit 113 determines whether there is a spot in the second positional relationship with the player (S11). If there is no spot in the second positional relationship with the player (S11-NO), the process proceeds to the processing procedure of step S16. If there is a spot in the second positional relationship with the player (S11-YES), the notification unit 113 refers to the "notification settings" in the player management DB 100a and determines whether the privilege that can be acquired at the spot is the privilege designated as the privilege to be notified by the player (S12). If it is not the designated privilege (S12-NO), the process proceeds to the processing procedure of step S16. If it is the designated privilege (S12-YES), the notification unit 113 notifies the terminal 20 of the notification information (S13).

[0043] Subsequently, the notification unit 113 determines whether the player and the spot are in the first positional relationship (S14). If the player and the spot are not in the first positional relationship (S14-NO), the process proceeds to the processing procedure of step S16. If the player and the spot are in the first positional relationship (S14-YES), the awarding unit 112 awards the player a privilege that can be obtained at the spot (S15). Further, the awarding unit 112 stores the awarded privilege in the "held privileges" of the player management DB 100a.

[0044] When the display control unit 115 receives an instruction from the player to end the display of the map screen (S16-YES), the process ends. If the instruction is not received, the process returns to the processing procedure of step S11.

[0045] Note that when the player is in the second positional relationship with the spot but not in the first positional relationship (that is, when the player has approached the spot to a distance at which notification information is notified but has not approached to a distance at which a privilege can be obtained), the processing procedure of step S13 may be executed only a predetermined number of times (for example, once). It is possible to suppress the notification information from being repeatedly notified and the player from feeling bothered.

[0046] <Modification Example> (Modification Example 1) In the processing procedure of step S15, when the player already holds a privilege given at the spot (that is, when the privilege given at the spot is already stored in the "held privileges" of the player management DB 100a), the awarding unit 112 may not award the privilege.

[0047] (Modification Example 2) In the processing procedure of step S15, the awarding unit 112 may award a privilege to the player when receiving a privilege acquisition operation from the player (when receiving an explicit instruction to acquire a privilege). For example, the display control unit 115 may display a selection button "Do you want to acquire a privilege?" on the screen of the terminal 20, and award a privilege to the player when the "Acquire" button is selected by the player.

[0048] Alternatively, when the privilege that can be acquired at a spot is the privilege designated as the privilege to be notified by the player and the player and the spot are in a first positional relationship, the awarding unit 112 may award a privilege to the player automatically without receiving an instruction from the player.

[0049] (Modification Example 3) When the privilege designated by the player as the notification target disappears because it becomes valid in a predetermined number of quests and the player is in a first positional relationship with the spot where the privilege can be acquired, the awarding unit 112 may automatically award the privilege to the player.

[0050] That is, when the current position of the player on the map and the placement position of the spot are in a first positional relationship and the privilege (first privilege) designated as the notification target by the player is awarded to the player after receiving an acquisition operation of the privilege (first privilege), and the privilege (first privilege) awarded to the player disappears because the effect of the privilege (first privilege) has been made valid (activated) a predetermined number of times in a quest (event), the awarding unit 112 may award the privilege (first privilege) to the player again without receiving an acquisition operation of the privilege (first privilege) from the player.

[0051] (Modification Example 4) When the spot is not in a state where a privilege can be granted, the notification unit 113 may refrain from notifying the player of the notification information. Further, when the spot is not in a state where a privilege can be granted but the privilege will become acquirable after a predetermined time from the current time, the notification unit 113 may notify the player of information (for example, information such as "The privilege will be acquirable in one hour") that the privilege will become acquirable after the predetermined time.

[0052] The state in which each spot can grant a privilege and the state in which it cannot may be changed irregularly or at predetermined time intervals for each spot. Further, when the player acquires a privilege multiple times at a spot where a privilege can be granted, the spot may be changed to a state where a privilege cannot be granted. In this case, the spot may be changed (returned) to a state where a privilege can be granted after a predetermined time (for example, several hours) from the time when it is changed to a state where a privilege cannot be granted. Further, in response to an operation by the player to acquire a privilege, a spot in a state where a privilege can be granted may be changed to a state where a privilege cannot be granted. In this case, it may be determined whether to change the state where a privilege can be granted based on a preset probability.

[0053] (Modification Example 5) When the player already holds a privilege, the notification unit 113 may refrain from notifying the player of the notification information. For example, when the player holds a privilege granted at a spot, the notification unit 113 may refrain from notifying the player of the notification information even when the arrangement position of the spot where the privilege (first privilege) designated as the notification target from the player is granted and the current position of the player are in a second positional relationship.

[0054] In addition, when there are multiple benefits that can be obtained at a spot and the player holds at least one of the multiple benefits, the notification unit 113 may not notify the player of the notification information. That is, when the player holds at least one of the multiple benefits given at the spot, even if the arrangement position of the spot where the benefit (first benefit) designated as the notification target from the player is given and the player's current position are in a second positional relationship, the notification unit 113 may not notify the player of the notification information. Thereby, the player can avoid receiving the notification information for the spots where the benefits already held can be obtained.

[0055] In addition, when there are multiple benefits that can be obtained at a spot, the multiple benefits include benefits that the player does not hold, and the player can hold more benefits, the notification unit 113 may notify the player of the notification information. That is, when the player does not hold at least one of the multiple benefits given at the spot, and when the arrangement position of the spot where the benefit (first benefit) designated as the notification target from the player is given and the player's current position are in a second positional relationship, the notification unit 113 may notify the player of the notification information. Thereby, the player can grasp that there are spots where the benefits not held can be obtained nearby.

[0056] (Modification Example 6) The player may be able to specify multiple benefits as the benefits to be notified. Also, when the player specifies multiple benefits, the notification unit 113 may control whether to notify the player of the notification information according to the priority of each of the specified multiple benefits. That is, the player can specify multiple benefits (first benefits) as the notification targets, and when the benefits given at the spot are included in the multiple first benefits, the notification unit 113 may control whether to notify the player of the notification information according to the priority of the multiple first benefits.

[0057] In addition, when a plurality of benefits are specified as notification targets, for the benefits with a higher priority, not only the notification information may be notified, but also the benefits may be automatically granted to the player. For the benefits with a lower priority, instead of automatically granting them to the player, the notification information may be provided. That is, when the benefit granted at the spot is equal to or higher than a predetermined priority (first priority) among the plurality of benefits (first benefits) specified as notification targets, the granting unit 112 grants the benefit to the player regardless of the player's acquisition operation. When the benefit granted at the spot is less than the predetermined priority (first priority) among the plurality of benefits (first benefits), the benefit may be granted to the player when the player's acquisition operation is received. Further, when the benefit granted at the spot is included in the plurality of benefits (first benefits), the notification unit 113 may notify the player of the notification information regardless of whether the benefit granted at the spot is equal to or higher than the predetermined priority (first priority) or less than the predetermined priority (first priority). Also, the benefit with a priority equal to or higher than the predetermined priority may mean the benefit with the highest priority (the benefit ranked first in priority), and the benefit with a priority less than the predetermined priority may be the benefit with a lower priority (the benefit ranked second or lower in priority).

[0058] When the second range is wider than the first range and the player and the spot are in the second positional relationship, the notification unit 113 may notify the notification information for the benefit with a higher priority. Also, when the player moves and the player and the spot are in the first positional relationship, the granting unit 112 may automatically grant the benefit with a higher priority to the player.

[0059] In addition, when the first range and the second range are the same and the player and the spot are in the first positional relationship and the second positional relationship, the notification unit 113 may notify the notification information for the benefit with a higher priority, and the granting unit 112 may automatically grant the benefit with a higher priority to the player. Alternatively, the notification unit 113 may not notify the notification information for the benefit with a higher priority, and the granting unit 112 may automatically grant the benefit with a higher priority to the player.

[0060] (Modification Example 7) When notifying the player of information about the existence of a spot where a privilege with a low priority can be acquired near the player's current position, if there is a spot where a privilege with a high priority can be acquired slightly farther away than the spot where a privilege with a low priority can be acquired, the user may be notified that both spots exist. Thereby, when there is a limit to the privileges that can be held simultaneously (for example, when only one privilege can be held at a time, etc.), it becomes possible to prompt the player to choose whether to go to acquire a privilege with a high priority at a slightly farther position or to compromise with a privilege with a low priority at a nearer position.

[0061] That is, the spot may include a first spot (first object) and a second spot (second object). Further, the notification unit 113 is a third privilege that is less than a predetermined priority (second priority) among a plurality of privileges (first privileges) that are granted at the first spot and designated as notification targets, and the privilege granted at the second spot is a fourth privilege that is equal to or higher than the predetermined priority (second priority) among the plurality of privileges (first privileges). When the current position of the player and the arrangement position of the first spot are in a second positional relationship, and the current position of the player and the arrangement position of the second spot are in a third positional relationship or the arrangement position of the first spot and the arrangement position of the second spot are in the third positional relationship, information that can identify that the third privilege is granted at the first spot and information that can identify that the fourth privilege is granted at the second spot may be notified to the user. Note that the third positional relationship may be a wider range than the second positional relationship.

[0062] (Example of Determining Priority 1) The priorities of the plurality of benefits described in Modification Examples 6 and 7 may be determined based on the history of benefits previously granted to the player. That is, when the player designates a plurality of benefits as notification targets (when designating a plurality of first benefits as the first benefit), the notification unit 113 may determine the priority of each of the plurality of benefits (the plurality of first benefits) based on the history of benefits previously granted to the player. For example, the notification unit 113 may determine the priority so that the priority increases in the order of the number of times the plurality of benefits are granted to the player.

[0063] (Example of determining priority 2) Also, the priorities of the plurality of benefits may be determined such that the priority of the last granted benefit is higher than the priorities of the other benefits. That is, when the player designates a plurality of benefits as notification targets (when designating a plurality of first benefits as the first benefit), the notification unit 113 may determine the priority of the last granted benefit to the player to be higher than the priorities of the other benefits. For example, when the player designates Benefits A and B as notification targets and the benefit immediately previously granted to the player is Benefit B, it may be determined that Benefit B has a higher priority than Benefit A.

[0064] (Example of determining priority 3) Also, the priorities of a plurality of benefits may be determined according to the number of times the player has played the quest in a state where the benefit is in a first positional relationship with the spot where the benefit is granted. That is, when the notification unit 113 designates a plurality of benefits as notification targets (when designating a plurality of first benefits as the first benefit), for each of the plurality of spots where the benefits (first benefits) included in the plurality of benefits (first benefits) can be granted to the player, based on the number of times per spot that the player has played the quest (event) while the player's current position and the arrangement position of the spot are in a first positional relationship, the priority of each of the plurality of benefits (first benefits) may be determined. For example, assume that the player has designated Benefits A and B as notification targets, and there is a Spot A where Benefit A can be obtained and a Spot B where Benefit B can be obtained. Also, assume that the player moves near Spot A to obtain Benefit A, plays the quest with Benefit A enabled, and repeats obtaining Benefit A again after Benefit A has disappeared, and has played the quest 10 times in total. Also, assume that the player moves near Spot B to obtain Benefit B, plays the quest with Benefit B enabled, and repeats obtaining Benefit B again after Benefit B has disappeared, and has played the quest 5 times in total. In this case, the notification unit 113 determines that Benefit A has a higher priority than Benefit B.

[0065] (Example of Determining Priority 4) Also, when the benefits are associated with the attributes of the characters, the priorities of multiple benefits may be determined according to the attributes of the characters used to compile the deck. That is, the multiple benefits (the first benefit) specified by the player as the notification target are associated with the attributes of the characters, and the notification unit 113 may determine the priority of each of the multiple benefits (the first benefit) based on the attributes of the characters included in the deck compiled by the player. For example, assume that there are characters A1 to A4 with the attribute of fire, characters B1 to B4 with the attribute of water, a benefit A that can strengthen the characters with the attribute of fire, and a benefit B that can strengthen the characters with the attribute of water. Also assume that the player is compiling a deck with characters A1 to A4. In this case, the notification unit 113 determines that benefit A has a higher priority than benefit B. When multiple decks are stored, the above-mentioned "deck compiled by the player" may be one deck selected by the player from among the multiple decks. Alternatively, the "deck compiled by the player" may be a specific deck (for example, deck 1, etc.) among the stored multiple decks.

[0066] <Example of screen display> FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an example of the screen display of the map screen. The player icon P indicates the current position of the player. Also, among the spots GP1 to GP3 and GP5, assume that the spot GP2 is a spot where the benefit specified by the player can be obtained. Also assume that GP4 is a spot where the benefit cannot be obtained. Also assume that the benefit is automatically obtained.

[0067] In Fig. 7, A shows a player moving downward to the lower right on a road. A triangular arrow indicating the player's moving direction is displayed on the player icon P. In this state, when the current position of the player and the placement position of the spot GP1 are in the second positional relationship, as shown in B of Fig. 7, the display control unit 115 causes a notification message "There is a spot where Special Privilege A can be acquired nearby" to be displayed. Also, in this state, when the player approaches the spot GP1 further and the current position of the player and the placement position of the spot GP1 are in the first positional relationship, as shown in C of Fig. 7, the display control unit 115 causes a message "Special Privilege A has been automatically acquired" to be displayed.

[0068] Note that when the player can select whether to acquire a special privilege instead of automatically acquiring it, the display control unit 115 may, instead of the information shown in C of Fig. 7, cause information "Do you want to acquire Special Privilege A? YES / NO" to be displayed. Also, when the player selects "YES", the display control unit 115 may cause a transition to a screen for selecting a playable quest. The player can play a quest immediately after acquiring the special privilege.

[0069] Also, the display control unit 115 may cause the notification information shown in B of Fig. 7 and the information shown in C of Fig. 7 to be superimposed and displayed not on the map screen but on another screen (for example, the home screen of a smartphone or a game screen other than the map screen). That is, the processing procedure described in this embodiment operates in the background regardless of whether a map screen is displayed on the terminal 20, and the player may be able to check the notification information and the like even when referring to a screen other than the map screen. Also, as described above, the notification unit 113 may cause the vibrator of the terminal 20 to vibrate as notification information. The player can recognize the notification information even when not referring to the screen.

[0070] <Summary> According to the embodiment described above, when the player moves near the spot, the game server 10 notifies the player of the notification information. As a result, it becomes possible to notify the player in advance that the privilege designated by the player will be granted.

[0071] The embodiments described above are for facilitating the understanding of the present invention and are not for limiting and interpreting the present invention. The flowcharts, sequences, each element included in the embodiments, and their arrangements, materials, conditions, shapes, sizes, etc. described in the embodiments are not limited to those illustrated and can be appropriately changed. Also, it is possible to partially substitute or combine the configurations shown in different embodiments.

[0072] <Supplementary Note> <Supplementary Note 1> An acquisition unit that acquires the current position of the user; An awarding unit that awards a privilege to the user when the current position of the user on the map and the arrangement position of the object are in a first positional relationship; A notification unit that notifies the user of information that can identify that the first privilege is awarded by the object when the current position of the user on the map and the arrangement position of the object are in a second positional relationship and the privilege awarded by the object is the first privilege designated by the user; An information processing apparatus having the above.

[0073] According to Supplementary Note 1, it becomes possible to notify the user in advance that the privilege designated by the user will be granted.

[0074] <Supplementary Note 2> A control unit that changes the privilege awarded by the object at predetermined time intervals, The information processing apparatus according to Supplementary Note 1.

[0075] According to Supplementary Note 2, it becomes possible to change the privilege awarded by the object without fixing it.

[0076] <Appendix 3> When the granting unit has a first positional relationship between the current position of the user on the map and the arrangement position of the object, and the first privilege is granted to the user by receiving an acquisition operation of the first privilege from the user, if the effect of the first privilege granted to the user has been activated a predetermined number of times in an event and the first privilege has disappeared, the first privilege is granted to the user again without receiving an acquisition operation of the first privilege from the user. The information processing apparatus according to any one of Appendices 1 or 2.

[0077] According to Appendix 3, when the first privilege acquired by the user has been activated in an event and disappeared, the user can continuously activate the first privilege in the event without performing an operation to acquire the first privilege again, so that the operability of the game can be improved.

[0078] <Appendix 4> When the object is not in a state where it can grant a privilege, the notification unit does not notify the user of the information. The information processing apparatus according to any one of Appendices 1 to 3.

[0079] According to Appendix 4, it is possible to suppress the user from being notified of information that can identify that a privilege is granted in a wasteful manner.

[0080] <Appendix 5> When the user holds at least one of a plurality of privileges granted by an object, even when there is a second positional relationship between the arrangement position of the object to which the first privilege is granted and the current position of the user, the notification unit does not notify the user of the information. The information processing apparatus according to any one of Appendices 1 to 4.

[0081] According to Appendix 5, it is possible to control so as not to notify a user who already holds a privilege of information that can identify that a privilege is granted.

[0082] <Appendix 6> The user can specify a plurality of first benefits, When the benefit given by the object is included in the plurality of first benefits, the notification unit controls whether to notify the user of the information according to the priority of the plurality of first benefits. The information processing apparatus according to any one of Appendices 1 to 5.

[0083] According to Appendix 6, since it is determined whether to notify according to the priority of the benefit, it is possible to suppress unnecessary notifications to the user.

[0084] <Appendix 7> The granting unit, When the benefit given by the object is a benefit with a first priority or higher among the plurality of first benefits, the benefit is given to the user regardless of the user's acquisition operation, When the benefit given by the object is less than the first priority among the plurality of first benefits, the benefit is given to the user when the acquisition operation of the user is received, When the benefit given by the object is included in the plurality of first benefits, the notification unit notifies the user of the information regardless of whether the benefit given by the object is higher than or lower than the first priority. The information processing apparatus according to Appendix 6.

[0085] According to Appendix 7, since the user does not need to perform an acquisition operation for benefits with a first priority or higher, it is possible to improve the operability of the game.

[0086] <Appendix 8> The object includes a first object and a second object, The notification unit, The benefit given by the first object is a third benefit that is less than a second priority among the plurality of first benefits, The privilege provided by the second object is a fourth privilege that is at a second priority level or higher among the plurality of first privileges, the current position of the user and the arrangement position of the first object are in the second positional relationship, and when the current position of the user and the arrangement position of the second object are in a third positional relationship or the arrangement position of the first object and the arrangement position of the second object are in the third positional relationship, information that can identify that the third privilege is provided by the first object and information that can identify that the fourth privilege is provided by the second object are notified to the user, The information processing apparatus according to Supplementary Note 6 or 7.

[0087] According to Supplementary Note 8, for example, when an object that can acquire a privilege with a low priority exists nearby the user, but an object that can acquire a privilege with a higher priority exists at a position slightly farther away from the object, the user can grasp the existence of these two objects.

[0088] <Supplementary Note 9> When the user designates the plurality of first privileges as the first privilege, the notification unit determines the priority of each of the plurality of first privileges based on the history of the privileges granted to the user in the past. The information processing apparatus according to any one of Supplementary Notes 6 to 8.

[0089] According to Supplementary Note 9, for example, it becomes possible to perform control such as increasing the priority of the privilege that the user frequently uses.

[0090] <Supplementary Note 10> When the user designates the plurality of first privileges as the first privilege, the notification unit determines the priority of the privilege last granted to the user to be higher than the priorities of other privileges. The information processing apparatus according to any one of Supplementary Notes 6 to 9.

[0091] According to Supplementary Note 10, since the priority of the privilege granted immediately before increases, the user can easily obtain again the privilege obtained immediately before.

[0092] <Supplementary Note 11> When the user designates the plurality of first privileges as the first privilege, for each of the plurality of objects to which the privileges included in the plurality of first privileges can be granted to the user, which is the number of times for each object, based on the number of times the user has played an event while the current position of the user and the arrangement position of the object are in the first positional relationship, determine the priority of each of the plurality of first privileges. The information processing apparatus according to any one of Supplementary Notes 6 to 10.

[0093] According to Supplementary Note 11, for example, it becomes possible to perform control such as increasing the priority for a privilege that the user has obtained many times near an object.

[0094] <Supplementary Note 12> The plurality of first privileges are associated with the attributes of the character. The notification unit determines the priority of each of the plurality of first privileges based on the attributes of the characters included in the deck organized by the user. The information processing apparatus according to any one of Supplementary Notes 6 to 11.

[0095] According to Supplementary Note 12, for example, it becomes possible to perform control such as increasing the priority for a privilege suitable for the character for which the deck is being organized.

[0096] <Supplementary Note 13> An information processing method performed by an information processing apparatus, A step of obtaining the current position of the user, When the current position of the user on the map and the arrangement position of the object are in a first positional relationship, a step of granting a privilege to the user. When the current position of the user on the map and the arrangement position of the object are in a second positional relationship, and the privilege given by the object is the first privilege specified by the user, a step of notifying the user of information that can identify that the first privilege is given by the object; An information processing method including the above.

[0097] According to Supplementary Note 13, it becomes possible to notify the user in advance that the privilege specified by the user is given.

[0098] <Supplementary Note 14> A step of causing a computer to acquire the current position of the user; When the current position of the user on the map and the arrangement position of the object are in a first positional relationship, a step of giving a privilege to the user; When the current position of the user on the map and the arrangement position of the object are in a second positional relationship, and the privilege given by the object is the first privilege specified by the user, a step of notifying the user of information that can identify that the first privilege is given by the object; A program for causing the above to be executed.

[0099] According to Supplementary Note 14, it becomes possible to notify the user in advance that the privilege specified by the user is given.

Explanation of Signs

[0100] 1... Game system, 10... Game server, 11... Processor, 12... Storage device, 13... Communication IF, 14... Input device, 15... Output device, 20... Terminal, 100... Storage unit, 110... Game control unit, 111... Acquisition unit, 112... Granting unit, 113... Notification unit, 114... Privilege control unit, 115... Display control unit, 200... Storage unit, 201... Communication unit, 202... UI unit, 203... Game control unit

Claims

【Claim 1】 An acquisition unit that acquires the current position of the user; An awarding unit that awards a privilege to the user when the current position of the user on the map and the arrangement position of the object are in a first positional relationship; A notification unit that notifies the user of information that can identify that the first privilege is awarded by the object when the current position of the user on the map and the arrangement position of the object are in a second positional relationship and the privilege awarded by the object is a first privilege designated by the user; An information processing apparatus having the above.

Citation Information

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