Information processing device

Abstract

To easily receive a login privilege for a fixed period.SOLUTION: An information processing device includes a user information storage part for storing user information including information to specify whether to be users who pay game charges set in each fixed period, a privilege granting part for granting a login privilege by performing logins within the fixed period by users paying the game charges for the fixed period among users paying game charges for the fixed period and users who do not pay game charges for the fixed period, and a collective privilege granting part for collectively granting login privileges or alternative privileges for the fixed period to users paying game charges for the fixed period among the users paying the game charges for the fixed period and the users who do not pay the games charges for the fixed period.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 an information processing apparatus that gives a user a login privilege for having logged in (for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Generally, this login privilege is given to a user only once a day. For example, in order to continuously receive the login privilege for one month, the user has to keep logging in every day for one month. Although receiving the login privilege for a certain period in this way allows the user to continuously benefit, it can be troublesome for the user in some cases.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and aims to enable a user to easily receive a login privilege for a certain 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 every certain period, A privilege granting unit that grants a login privilege to a user who has not paid the game fee for a certain period among users who have paid the game fee for a certain period and users who have not paid the game fee for a certain period, due to logging in within a certain period; A privilege batch granting unit that collectively grants a login privilege or an alternative privilege for a certain period to a user who has paid the game fee for a certain period among users who have paid the game fee for a certain period and users who have not paid the game fee for a certain period; An information processing apparatus characterized by comprising the above. According to such an information processing apparatus, a user can receive a login privilege for a certain period collectively by paying the game fee for a certain period. As a result, the annoyance of continuously logging in over a certain period to receive the login privilege step by step is eliminated, and it becomes possible to easily receive the login privilege for a certain period.

[0007] Further, it is desirable to include a display control unit that, when a user who has not paid the game fee for a certain period among users who have paid the game fee for a certain period and users who have not paid the game fee for a certain period logs in within a certain period, displays a game screen that grants a login privilege, and when a user who has paid the game fee for a certain period logs in within a certain period, performs control not to display the game screen. As a result, for users who have paid the game fee for a certain period, the display of the game screen that grants the login privilege is omitted, so the annoyance at login is eliminated.

[0008] Further, it is desirable to include a game control unit that controls the progress of the game so that a user who has paid the game fee for a certain period is advantageous only within a certain period among users who have paid the game fee for a certain period and users who have not paid the game fee for a certain period. As a result, users who have paid the game fee for a certain period of time, dissatisfied with receiving the login bonuses for the same period all at once, will actively play the game even within that certain period of time.

[0009] Also, among users who have paid the game fee for a certain period of time and users who have not paid the game fee for a certain period of time, it is desirable to provide a game control unit that controls the progress of the game so that users who have paid the game fee for a certain period of time will be at an advantage only after a certain period of time has passed. As a result, users who have paid the game fee for a certain period of time, dissatisfied with receiving the login bonuses for the same period all at once, will actively play the game even after the elapse of a certain period of time.

[0010] Also, among users who have paid the game fee for a certain period of time and users who have not paid the game fee for a certain period of time, it is desirable to provide a game control unit that controls the progress of the game so that users who have paid the game fee for a certain period of time will be at an advantage during a part of that certain period. As a result, even if a user who has paid the game fee for a certain period of time interrupts the game in the middle of that certain period, the user will play the game again during a part of that certain period.

[0011] Also, the bonus batch granting unit determines the remaining period until the end of a certain period when an operation necessary to pay the game fee for a certain period is performed by the user within a certain period, and it is desirable to batch-grant the login bonus or alternative bonus for the remaining period to the user from among the login bonuses or alternative bonuses for a certain period. As a result, in order to lengthen the remaining period until the end of a certain period, the user will perform the operation necessary to pay the game fee for a certain period earlier. Therefore, the game fee for a certain period will be actively paid.

[0012] Also, cause a computer to store user information including information for identifying whether a user has paid a game fee set for each fixed period in user information storage means; bonus granting means for granting a login bonus to a user who has not paid a game fee for a fixed period among users who have paid a game fee for a fixed period and users who have not paid a game fee for a fixed period when the user who has not paid a game fee for a fixed period logs in within a fixed period; bonus batch granting means for batch - granting a login bonus or an alternative bonus for a fixed period to a user who has paid a game fee for a fixed period among users who have paid a game fee for a fixed period and users who have not paid a game fee for a fixed period; be a program for functioning as such. According to such a program, it becomes possible to easily receive a login bonus for a fixed period.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0013]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] Hereinafter, an information processing apparatus, a program, and an information processing system according to an embodiment 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. for a game played by a user who pays a game fee at regular intervals (for example, a monthly fee for one month or a fixed fee for the number of days).

[0015] [First Embodiment] <System Configuration> FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an example of an 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.

[0016] 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, billing 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.

[0017] 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 billing 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 according to the use and purpose. For example, the server device 20 in FIG. 1 may be configured to be distributed among a plurality of computers.

[0018] <Hardware Configuration> <Client Terminal and Server Device> FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of a computer 50 according to the first embodiment. The client terminal 10 and the server device 20 according to the present embodiment are realized by, for example, a computer 50 having the hardware configuration shown in FIG. 2. Note that the computer 50 is an example of an information processing device.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 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, and each is mutually connected by a bus line B. Note that the input device 55 and the display device 56 may be connected and used when necessary.

[0020] 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.

[0021] 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.

[0022] 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.

[0023] 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.

[0024] The input device 55 is a device used by a user or an administrator to input various signals. The input device 55 in the present embodiment is, for example, an operating device such as a touch panel, operation keys or buttons, a keyboard, or a mouse.

[0025] 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 the present embodiment is, for example, a display such as a liquid crystal or an organic EL.

[0026] 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.

[0027] The HDD 58 is an example of a non-volatile storage device that stores programs and data. The programs and data stored include the OS, which is the basic software that controls the entire computer, and applications that provide various functions on top of the OS.

[0028] Note that instead of the HDD 58, a drive device that uses flash memory as a storage medium (for example, a solid state drive: SSD) may be used.

[0029] The client terminal 10 and the server device 20 according to the present embodiment can realize various processes as described later by executing a program on the computer 50 having the above-described hardware configuration.

[0030] <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 the present embodiment is realized by, for example, the functional blocks shown in FIG. 3.

[0031] 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.

[0032] The server control unit 200 has a function of executing processes related to various games. This server control unit 200 includes a game control unit 201, a privilege granting unit 202, a batch privilege granting unit 203, a payment control unit 204, and a display control unit 205.

[0033] The game control unit 201 controls the progress of various games such as a battle game and a lottery game, which will be described later, based on the game operations received by the client terminal 10 from the user. The game control unit 201 in the present embodiment also functions as a battle game control unit and a lottery game control unit.

[0034] The privilege granting unit 202 grants a login privilege to the user upon login. The privilege granting unit 202 in the present embodiment grants a login privilege to a user who has not paid the game fee for a certain period among the users who have paid the game fee for a certain period and the users who have not paid the game fee for a certain period when the user who has not paid the game fee for a certain period logs in within a certain period.

[0035] The privilege batch granting unit 203 grants the login privileges for a certain period in a batch. The privilege batch granting unit 203 in the present embodiment grants the login privileges for a certain period to the user who has paid the game fee for a certain period among the users who have paid the game fee for a certain period and the users who have not paid the game fee for a certain period in a batch within a certain period.

[0036] When the user performs the operations necessary to pay the game fee for a certain period, the settlement control unit 204 controls the settlement process for that user. The settlement control unit 204 in the present embodiment performs the settlement process based on the user's credit information (such as credit number).

[0037] The display control unit 205 generates, for example, the data of the game screen that grants the login privilege at login, and the data of the game screen according to the progress of the battle game or lottery game, etc., and controls the screen display of the client terminal 10.

[0038] 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.

[0039] The character information storage unit 221 is an example of the content information storage unit, and stores character information (content information) regarding 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.

[0040] The user information storage unit 222 stores user information regarding 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).

[0041] The login bonus information storage unit 223 is an example of the privilege information storage unit, and stores login bonus information (login privilege information) regarding the login bonus as an example of the login privilege. The login bonus information stored in the login bonus information storage unit 223 includes the type and quantity of the login bonus granted when the user logs in, etc., which are set every certain period.

[0042] The server communication unit 240 has a function of communicating with the client terminal 10 via the network N.

[0043] 《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.

[0044] The client terminal 10 according to the present 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.

[0045] The operation reception unit 150 receives operations from the user who operates the client terminal 10. Also, the client control unit 100 performs processes 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.

[0046] Also, the client storage unit 120 stores information necessary 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.

[0047] As described above, in the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment, the server device 20 performs game progress and display control, but the client terminal 10 may 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.

[0048] 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 processes related to the game. Also, there is an application type in which the client control unit 100 of the client terminal 10 performs processes related to the game based on the installed application.

[0049] <Overview> Here, the overview of the system in the first embodiment will be described. In the system in this embodiment, a battle game and a lottery game are provided to the user.

[0050] The battle game in this embodiment is a game in which enemy characters are made to appear against a party composed of a plurality of characters, and the appeared enemy characters are made to battle against each character composing the party.

[0051] In this battle game, a plurality of quests aimed at defeating enemy characters are set according to difficulty levels. The user can form a party using the characters he / she possesses and select one of the quests to challenge the enemy characters in battle. During the battle, there may be a case where a character set to be acquirable in the selected quest is given to the user.

[0052] The lottery game in this embodiment is a game in which, when receiving an operation for executing a lottery of characters from the user, one of the plurality of characters to be lottery targets is selected based on the lottery probability of each character, and the selected character is given to the user.

[0053] In this lottery game, the higher the rarity of a character is set, the lower the lottery probability is set. The user can form his / her own party using the characters obtained in the lottery game and play the battle game.

[0054] Also, in the system of this embodiment, by paying a game fee (monthly fee) every month (every fixed period), one can become a monthly billing user. When becoming a monthly billing user, for example, when paying the game fee for this month, one can receive benefits only for the one-month period within this month.

[0055] For example, in the case of a user (ordinary user) who has not paid the game fee for this month, if they log in to the game within one month this month, they can receive a login bonus once a day, but only once a day. And in order to continue receiving the login bonus during this one-month period, they must continue to log in every day for one month. Therefore, ordinary users may find it troublesome to receive the login bonus for a certain period in this step-by-step manner.

[0056] On the other hand, monthly subscription users who have paid the game fee for this month can receive the login bonus for this month all at once. Therefore, monthly subscription users are relieved of the trouble of continuously logging in for one month to receive the login bonus step by step, and can easily receive the login bonus for a certain period.

[0057] <Operation> 《Batch Grant of Login Bonus》 FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining an operation example related to the batch grant of a login bonus in the first embodiment.

[0058] When a payment screen is displayed on the screen display unit 160 of the client terminal 10, the user performs operations on the client terminal 10 necessary to pay the game fee for this month. When such an operation is performed by the user on this payment screen, the operation reception unit 150 of the client terminal 10 receives the operation content based on this user's 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 transmits a settlement request for the game fee for this month accompanied by operation information including the user ID, password, etc. to the server device 20 (step S11).

[0060] Next, when the settlement control unit 204 of the server device 20 receives a settlement request for the game fee for this month from the client terminal 10, it acquires the credit information of the user from the user information stored in the user information storage unit 222 according to the operation information including the user ID, password, etc., and executes a settlement process to debit the game fee for this month using the acquired credit information (step S12).

[0061] Note that in this settlement process, instead of immediately debiting the game fee for this month due to the operations required to pay the game fee for this month, it is also possible to make a reservation for paying (or updating the reservation) the game fee for this month. And the settlement may be completed at the timing of the last day of this month.

[0062] FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing an example of user information. The user information shown in FIG. 6 has, as items, a user ID, the number of items possessed, the possessed characters, the party, credit information, log history information, monthly billing user information, etc. The user ID is information for uniquely identifying the user. The number of items possessed is information indicating the number of items possessed by the user. This item is an item consumed when playing a battle game or a lottery game. The possessed characters are information indicating one or more various characters currently possessed by the user. Here, as shown in parentheses in the figure, the ability values (level, attack power, defense power, etc.) of the possessed characters at the current time are also set. The party is information indicating each character constituting the user's party. The credit information is information regarding the credit number and account number set by the user. The log history information is information indicating the user's log history. The monthly billing user information is information regarding monthly billing users.

[0063] Next, when the game control unit 201 of the server device 20 determines that the settlement process has been successfully completed in this manner, it updates the monthly charge user information set in the user information and designates the user who performed the operation on the payment screen as the monthly charge user for this month (step S13).

[0064] FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram showing an example of monthly charge user information. The monthly charge user information shown in FIG. 7 includes items such as payment target, monthly charge 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 completed paying the game fee for September and has not paid the game fees for August (last month) and October (next month). The monthly charge user is information indicating whether the user has become the monthly charge 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.

[0065] Next, the privilege batch granting unit 203 of the server device 20 grants the monthly login bonus to the monthly charge user for this month set in the process of step S13 above (step S14).

[0066] Specifically, the privilege batch granting unit 203 of the server device 20 grants all the login bonuses set for this month to the monthly charge user in a lump sum based on the login bonus information stored in the login bonus information storage unit 223. For example, if this month is September, the login bonus for 30 days (one month) will be granted in a lump sum.

[0067] FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram showing an example of login bonus information. The login bonus information shown in FIG. 8 has items such as a privilege ID, a provision period, and privilege details. 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 details are information indicating the content of the login bonus granted when logging in during that provision period. Here, items and characters are set as login bonuses, and as shown in parentheses in the figure, the number of items and characters to be granted is also set accordingly.

[0068] Next, the privilege batch granting unit 203 of the server device 20 requests the display control unit 205 to execute screen display control so as to display a game screen related to the batch granting of login bonuses on the client terminal 10. When the display control unit 205 of the server device 20 is requested to execute screen display control from the privilege batch granting unit 203, it performs control to display a login bonus batch granting screen on the screen display unit 160 of the client terminal 10 (step S15).

[0069] FIG. 9 is an image diagram showing an example of a login bonus batch granting screen. On this login bonus batch granting screen 500, it is displayed that the login bonuses for September have been batch granted and that the daily login bonuses cannot be received during the one month of September.

[0070] In this way, the monthly billing users who have paid the game fees for this month can confirm that the login bonuses for this month have been batch granted by viewing this login bonus batch granting screen on the client terminal 10.

[0071] 《Granting of Login Bonuses》 FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining an operation example related to the granting of login bonuses in the first embodiment.

[0072] 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.

[0073] 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 transmits a login request for the battle game accompanied by login operation information including the user ID, password, etc. to the server device 20 (step S21).

[0074] 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 login processing for the battle game according to the login operation information including the user ID, password, etc. (step S22).

[0075] 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 normally 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.

[0076] FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram showing an example of the login history information. The login history information shown in FIG. 11 has items such as a log ID, a login date and time, a logout date and time, etc. The log ID is information for uniquely identifying the 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.

[0077] Next, when the game control unit 201 of the server device 20 finishes the login process for the battle game in this way, it acquires the monthly charge user information from the user information stored in the user information storage unit 222, and refers to the acquired monthly charge user information to determine whether the logged-in user is a monthly charge user who has paid the game fee for this month (step S23).

[0078] Based on the result of this determination, if it is determined that the user is a monthly charge user who has paid the game fee for this month, the process proceeds to step S26 described later. On the other hand, if it is determined that the user is not a monthly charge user who has paid the game fee for this month, the process proceeds to the next step S24.

[0079] Next, when it is determined that the user is not a monthly charge user who has paid the game fee for this month (step S23: NO), the privilege granting unit 202 of the server device 20 grants the login bonus for today among the login bonuses for this month to a normal user who has not paid the game fee for this month based on the login bonus information stored in the login bonus information storage unit 223 (step S24).

[0080] Specifically, the privilege granting unit 202 of the server device 20 grants the login bonus set for that day only when logging in for the first time 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.

[0081] Here, for monthly charge users who have paid the game fee for this month, since the login bonuses for this month have already been granted in a lump sum, the login bonus for today is not granted repeatedly.

[0082] Next, when the privilege granting unit 202 of the server device 20 grants the login bonus for today to normal users who have not paid the game fee for this month in this way, it requests the display control unit 205 to execute screen display control so as to display a game screen related to the granting of the login bonus on the client terminal 10. When the display control unit 205 of the server device 20 is requested to execute screen display control from the privilege granting unit 202, it performs control to display the login bonus granting screen on the screen display unit 160 of the client terminal 10 (step S25).

[0083] In this way, in this embodiment, the login bonus granting screen will be displayed for normal users who have not paid the game fee for this month, but for monthly billing users who have paid the game fee for this month, the login bonus granting screen will not be displayed and will be omitted. Therefore, the annoyance at login is eliminated.

[0084] Next, the display control unit 205 of the server device 20 performs control to cause the menu screen to be displayed on the screen display unit 160 of the client terminal 10 by transitioning from the login bonus granting screen (step S26).

[0085] As described above, according to the information processing system 1 according to the first embodiment, when becoming a monthly billing user by paying the game fee for this month, as a privilege for paying the game fee for this month, it is possible to receive the login bonuses for this month all at once. Thereby, the annoyance of continuously logging in every day for one month to receive the login bonuses for this month step by step is eliminated, so it is possible to easily receive the login bonuses for this month.

[0086] [Second Embodiment] Subsequently, the information processing system 1 according to the second embodiment will be described. 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.

[0087] In the above-described first embodiment, a monthly billing user who has paid the game fee for this month can receive the login bonuses for this month in a lump sum as a privilege for paying the game fee for this month.

[0088] In contrast, in the second embodiment, a monthly billing user who has paid the game fee for this month can receive the login bonuses for this month in a lump sum as a privilege for paying the game fee for this month, and can also play the battle game advantageously during one month this month.

[0089] <Operation> 《Lump-sum granting of login bonus and fluctuation of character ability》 FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining an operation example related to the lump-sum granting of the login bonus and the resetting of the character ability in the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the effective period during which the character ability is reset.

[0090] In FIG. 13, it is assumed that this month is "September" and the next month is "October", and a monthly billing user is created by paying the game fee for September. Also, the processes of steps S31 to S33 and the processes of steps S35 to S36 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 12 are common to the first embodiment and are the same as the processes of steps S11 to S15 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 5. Therefore, the process of step S34 will be described below.

[0091] As shown in FIG. 12, when the game control unit 201 of the server device 20 is set as the monthly billing user for this month in the process of step S33 by paying the game fee for this month, the game control unit 201 sets the character ability so that the battle game can be played advantageously during one month this month (step S34).

[0092] Specifically, the game control unit 201 of the server device 20 acquires the characters possessed by the monthly billing users from the user information stored in the user information storage unit 222. Then, the game control unit 201 of the server device 20 resets the ability values of the acquired possessed characters at the current time. Here, as shown in FIG. 13, the ability values (such as level and attack power) of the possessed characters at the current time are increased so that they can fight advantageously in the battle game only within one month this month.

[0093] As a result, it can be expected that the monthly billing users who have paid the game fees for this month, dissatisfied with receiving the login bonuses for this month all at once, will actively play the game even within this month.

[0094] <<Modification Example 1>> FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining Modification Example 1 of the effective period during which the character ability is reset.

[0095] In the second embodiment, not only is it set as described above so that the battle game can proceed advantageously within one month this month, but it is also possible to set it so that the battle game can proceed advantageously after one month this month has passed.

[0096] That is, when the game control unit 201 of the server device 20 resets the ability values of the acquired possessed characters at the current time, as shown in FIG. 14, it is also possible to increase the ability values of the possessed characters at the current time so that they can fight advantageously in the battle game only within one month of the next month.

[0097] As a result, it can be expected that the monthly billing users who have paid the game fees for this month, dissatisfied with receiving the login bonuses for this month all at once, will continue to play the game even after one month this month has passed.

[0098] <<Modification Example 2>> FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining a second modification example of the effective period during which the character ability is reset.

[0099] In the second embodiment, not only is it set so that the battle game can proceed advantageously during one month this month as described above, but it is also possible to set it so that the battle game can proceed advantageously during a partial period within one month this month.

[0100] That is, when the game control unit 201 of the server device 20 resets the ability value of the possessed character at the current time, as shown in FIG. 15, for example, it is possible to increase the ability value (such as level and attack power) of the possessed character at the current time so that the battle can be carried out advantageously in the battle game only in the second half of one month this month.

[0101] Thereby, it can be expected that the monthly subscription user who has paid the game fee for this month will resume playing the game in the second half even if the game play is interrupted in the first half of one month this month, for example.

[0102] <<Modification Example 3>> FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining a third modification example of the effective period during which the character ability is reset.

[0103] In the second embodiment, instead of setting only one partial period once during one month this month as in the modification example 2, it is also possible to set a plurality of partial periods.

[0104] That is, when the game control unit 201 of the server device 20 resets the ability value of the possessed character at the current time, as shown in FIG. 16, for example, two predetermined periods are set during one month this month, and it is possible to increase the ability value of the possessed character at the current time so that the battle can be carried out advantageously in the battle game only within each of the predetermined periods.

[0105] As a result, even if a monthly billing user who has paid the game fee for this month interrupts game play during the one month of this month, the chance of returning increases, so it can be expected that they will be more proactive in playing the game again.

[0106] [Third Embodiment] Next, the information processing system 1 according to the third embodiment will be described. The configuration of the information processing system 1 according to the third embodiment is the same as that of the information processing system 1 according to the first embodiment described above.

[0107] In the above first embodiment, if an operation necessary to pay the game fee for this month is performed within one month of this month, as a privilege for paying the game fee for this month, the user can uniformly receive the login bonus for this month all at once.

[0108] In contrast, in the second embodiment, when an operation necessary to pay the game fee for this month is performed within one month of this month, the user can receive all at once the login bonus for the remaining period until the end of this month among the login bonuses for this month.

[0109] [Operation] [Batch Grant of Login Bonus] FIG. 17 is a flowchart for explaining an operation example related to the batch grant of the login bonus in the second embodiment.

[0110] The processing of steps S41 to S43 and step S46 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 17 is common to the first embodiment and is the same as the processing of steps S11 to S13 and step S15 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 5. Therefore, the processing of steps S44 to S45 will be described below.

[0111] As shown in FIG. 17, when the privilege batch granting unit 203 of the server device 20 is set as the monthly billing user this month by paying the game fee for this month in the process of step S43, it calculates the number of remaining days from the day when the operation necessary to pay the game fee for this month is performed by the monthly billing user to the last day of this month (step S44).

[0112] Next, when the privilege batch granting unit 203 of the server device 20 calculates the number of remaining days until the last day of this month in the process of step S44 above, it batch - grants the login bonuses for the number of remaining days (step S45).

[0113] Specifically, based on the login bonus information stored in the login bonus information storage unit 223, the privilege batch granting unit 203 of the server device 20 aggregates and grants to the monthly billing users the login bonuses set for each day remaining until the last day of this month among all the login bonuses set this month.

[0114] FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining the number of remaining days until the last day of this month. In FIG. 18, it is assumed that this month is "September", and the user becomes a monthly billing user by paying the game fee for September.

[0115] For example, if the operation necessary to pay the game fee for this month is performed by the user on September 10th, the number of remaining days until September 30th when this month ends is 20 days. Therefore, among the 30 - day (one - month) login bonus, the 20 - day login bonus (that is, all the login bonuses set from September 11th to September 30th) will be batch - granted.

[0116] For example, if the user performs the operations necessary to pay the game fees for this month on September 20, since the number of remaining days until the end of this month on September 30 is 10 days, out of the 30-day (one-month) login bonus, the 10-day login bonus (that is, all of the login bonuses set from September 21 to September 30) will be granted in one lump sum.

[0117] As a result, the longer the number of remaining days until the last day of the end of this month, the more login bonuses can be received, so the user will perform the operations necessary to pay the game fees for this month earlier. As a result, the game fees for this month will be actively paid.

[0118] [Other Embodiments] The foregoing embodiments are for facilitating the understanding of the present invention and are not for limiting and interpreting 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-described embodiments are also included in the present invention.

[0119] [Alternative Benefits] In the foregoing embodiments, the benefit lump-sum granting unit 203 may grant a lump sum of alternative benefits for a certain period instead of login benefits for a certain period.

[0120] For example, assume that this month is "September", and by paying the game fees for September, the user becomes a monthly billing user. Also, assume that the details of the login bonus from September 1st to September 15th have been determined, but the details of the login bonus from September 16th to September 30th have not been determined yet. In this case, since the details of the login bonus for 30 days (one month) have not all been determined, the login bonus for September cannot be granted all at once. Therefore, alternative items are set for each day as the login bonus from September 16th to September 30th for which the details have not been determined yet. Then, when granting the login bonus for September all at once, the login bonus for 30 days (one month) including the alternative items for those 15 days is granted all at once.

[0121] Also, for example, when granting the login bonus for September all at once, instead of granting all the login bonuses set from September 1st to September 30th as they are, alternative benefits for 30 days (one month) with higher value may be granted all at once.

[0122] <Operations required to pay the game fees for this month> In the foregoing embodiments, as an operation required to pay the game fee for this month, by performing a payment operation to pay the game fee for this month, the login bonuses for this month can be received all at once. Also, as an operation required to pay the game fee for this month, by performing a reservation operation to promise the payment which is the stage before paying the game fee for this month, it is also possible to receive the login bonuses for this month all at once. Further, when paying the game fee for this month following the game fee for last month, as an operation required to pay the game fee for this month, by performing an update operation to pay the game fee for this month following last month, it is also possible to receive the login bonuses for this month all at once. Also, as an operation required to pay the game fee for this month, by performing an update reservation operation to promise the update which is the stage before the update for paying the game fee for this month, it is also possible to receive the login bonuses for this month all at once.

[0123] Note that among a plurality of monthly billing users who have performed an update operation to pay the game fee for this month following last month, it is also possible to match users whose update operation was performed on a closer date and set them so that they can play a common game. Similarly, it is also possible to match users whose update reservation operation was performed on a closer date. Thereby, it is possible to efficiently match monthly billing users who continuously play games with each other. Also, it is possible to give an update privilege to a monthly billing user who has performed an update operation to pay the game fee for this month following last month, separately from the login bonuses for this month that are given all at once. At this time, the earlier the update operation is performed within this month, the higher the value of the update privilege can be.

[0124] <Game fee> In the foregoing embodiments, instead of uniformly setting the game fee for this month, it is also possible to set the game fee according to the number of remaining days from the day when the operation required to pay the game fee for this month is performed by the user until the last day of this month when this month ends. For example, when the number of remaining days is 30 days, the game fee may be set at 1,500 yen; when the number of remaining days is 20 days, the game fee may be set at 1,000 yen; and when the number of remaining days is 10 days, the game fee may be set at 500 yen. In addition to this, the user may be able to select the game fee according to the number of remaining days until the last day of this month ends, and a login bonus for the selected number of remaining days may be collectively given to the user.

[0125] Also, the game fee may be set according to the number of predetermined days after the day when the fee is paid or the next day. In this case, the login bonus collectively given to the user is not limited to this month. For example, based on the operation by the user to pay the game fee, a login bonus for one month across months may be collectively given.

[0126] <Advantageously progress the battle game> In the foregoing second embodiment, the case of increasing the ability value set for the characters possessed by the monthly subscription users to advantageously progress the battle game within one month this month was taken as an example for explanation, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is also possible to rent special weapons or items to advantageously progress the battle game within one month this month. Also, for example, it is possible to reduce the quantity of items consumed when playing the battle game to advantageously progress the battle game within one month this month.

[0127] <Settlement control unit> In the foregoing embodiments, the case where the server device 20 includes the settlement control unit 204 was taken as an example for explanation, but it is also possible to control the settlement process by providing the settlement control unit 204 in another server device.

Explanation of reference numerals

[0128] 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 Memory Unit 140 Client Communication Unit 150 Operation Reception Unit 160 Screen Display Unit 200 Server Control Unit 201 Game Control Unit 202 Bonus Granting Unit 203 Bulk Bonus Granting Unit 204 Settlement Control Unit 205 Display Control Unit 220 Server Memory Unit 221 Character Information Memory Unit 222 User Information Memory Unit 223 Login Bonus Information Memory Unit 240 Server Communication Unit 500 Login Bonus Bulk Granting Screen 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 at regular intervals; Among users who have paid a game fee for a certain period and users who have not paid a game fee for a certain period, a privilege granting unit that grants a login privilege to a user who has not paid a game fee for a certain period when the user logs in within a certain period; Among users who have paid a game fee for a certain period and users who have not paid a game fee for a certain period, a privilege batch granting unit that batch-grants a login privilege or an alternative privilege for a certain period to a user who has paid a game fee for a certain period; An information processing apparatus characterized by comprising the above.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, Among users who have paid a game fee for a certain period and users who have not paid a game fee for a certain period, when a user who has not paid a game fee for a certain period logs in within a certain period, a display control unit that displays a game screen for granting a login privilege, and when a user who has paid a game fee for a certain period logs in within a certain period, performs control not to display the game screen; An information processing apparatus characterized by comprising the above.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, Among users who have paid a game fee for a certain period and users who have not paid a game fee for a certain period, a game control unit that controls the progress of the game so that a user who has paid a game fee for a certain period is advantageous only within a certain period; An information processing apparatus characterized by comprising the above.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, Among users who have paid a game fee for a certain period and users who have not paid a game fee for a certain period, a game control unit that controls the progress of the game so that a user who has paid a game fee for a certain period is advantageous only after a certain period has elapsed; An information processing apparatus characterized by comprising the above.

5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, A game control unit that controls the progress of the game so that among users who have paid the game fee for a certain period and users who have not paid the game fee for a certain period, the users who have paid the game fee for a certain period are advantaged in some periods within the certain period, An information processing apparatus characterized by comprising the same.

6. The information processing apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the privilege batch granting unit obtains the remaining period until the end of a certain period when an operation necessary to pay the game fee for a certain period is performed by the user within the certain period, and batch-grants the login privilege or alternative privilege for the remaining period to the user from among the login privileges or alternative privileges for a certain period. An information processing apparatus characterized by the above.

7. A computer User information storage means for storing user information including information for identifying whether the user is a user who has paid the game fee set every certain period, Privilege granting means for granting a login privilege when a user who has not paid the game fee for a certain period logs in within the certain period, among users who have paid the game fee for a certain period and users who have not paid the game fee for a certain period, Privilege batch granting means for batch-granting a login privilege or alternative privilege for a certain period to a user who has paid the game fee for a certain period, among users who have paid the game fee for a certain period and users who have not paid the game fee for a certain period, A program for causing the computer to function as such.

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