Program and system

Abstract

To increase interest.SOLUTION: A program causes a computer to function as range change means for changing a recruitment location range of users who recruit participants for a target event associated with a real-world location in which a target user can participate using a terminal device, according to the target user's application history for the event. In the above program, the range change means may change the recruitment location range of at least one of the target user and other users who recruit participants for the target event, according to the application history.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a program and a system. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 states that "the non-player character participation module (1) performs processing to have a non-player character operating based on a game program participate in the matching as a guest if there is regional information in which the number of matches established counted by the processing of the counting module has fallen below a predetermined number, and (2) in the region corresponding to the regional information in which the number of matches established has fallen below the predetermined number, the number of player characters matched by a predetermined time from the start of matching by the processing of the matching module has not reached the predetermined number" (paragraph 0041). [Prior art document] [Patent documents] [Patent Document 1] JP 2021-122678 A Summary of the Invention

[0003] In a first aspect of the present invention, a program is provided that causes a computer to function as a range change means that changes the location range in which participation can be made in a target event associated with a real-world location in which participation can be made using a terminal device, depending on the play history of the target user for the event.

[0004] In the above program, the range change means may change the position range of at least one of the target user and other users who can participate in the target event, in accordance with the play history.

[0005] In any of the above programs, the range change means may change the position range in accordance with the play history for at least one of the target event or events of the same type as the target event.

[0006] In any of the above programs, the range change means may increase the position range in accordance with the fact that the target user has played at least one of the target event or an event of the same type as the target event, compared to when the target user has not played.

[0007] In any of the above programs, the range change means may increase the position range in response to an increase in the number of times the target user has played at least one of the target event or events of the same type as the target event.

[0008] In any of the above programs, the range changing means may change the position range within an upper limit range.

[0009] In any of the above programs, the range change means may change the position range in accordance with an upper limit number of participants in the target event.

[0010] In any of the above programs, the range change means may change the location range in which additional users can participate in the target event, depending on the application status for participation in the target event.

[0011] In any of the above programs, the range change means may change the location range so that users who are at or above a predetermined level are included within the location range.

[0012] In any of the above programs, the range change means may return the location range for the next event to which the target user will apply to a default location range in response to the target event being held.

[0013] In a second aspect of the invention, a system is provided that includes a range change means that changes the location range in which participation can be made in a target event associated with a real-world location in which participation can be made using a terminal device, depending on the play history of the target user for the event.

[0014] The above summary of the invention does not list all of the features of the present invention, and subcombinations of these features may also be inventions. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 shows the configuration of a system 10 according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 shows the configuration of a server device 20 according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] An example of a data structure related to each user stored in the database 200 is shown below. [Figure 4] The configuration of a terminal device 30 according to this embodiment is shown together with an input device 50 and a display device 60. [Figure 5] 10 shows a processing flow in the server device 20 according to the present embodiment. [Figure 6] The configuration of the event processing unit 230 according to this embodiment is shown together with the instruction input unit 210 and the display processing unit 240. [Figure 7] 10 shows a first example of an event processing flow in the server device 20 according to the present embodiment. [Figure 8] 1 shows an example of a data structure related to events stored in the database 200. [Figure 9] 10 shows a first example of a range change method in the server device 20 according to this embodiment. [Figure 10] 10 shows a second example of the event processing flow in the server device 20 according to the present embodiment. [Figure 11] A second example of a range change method in the server device 20 according to this embodiment will be described. [Figure 12] 1 shows a first example of a display on the terminal device 30 according to the present embodiment. [Figure 13] 10 shows a second example of the display of the terminal device 30 according to the present embodiment. [Figure 14] 22 illustrates an example computer 2200 in which aspects of the present invention may be embodied, in whole or in part. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The present invention will be described below through embodiments of the invention, but the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention according to the claims. Furthermore, not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the invention.

[0017] 1 shows a system 10 according to this embodiment. The system 10 includes a server device 20, multiple terminal devices 30, and a network 40. The system 10 has a function of hosting an event associated with a real-world location and allowing one or multiple users to participate using one or multiple terminal devices 30, respectively.

[0018] The server device 20 is connected to a plurality of terminal devices 30 via a network 40. The server device 20 receives access from one or more terminal devices 30 and provides the terminal devices 30 with events associated with real-world locations. The server device 20 may have a function of providing in-game events, live streaming, merchandise sales, or other events as events associated with real-world locations. In the present embodiment, the server device 20 can, for example, provide a game environment to the terminal devices 30 and also provide in-game events associated with real-world locations.

[0019] The server device 20 may be a computer such as a personal computer (PC), a workstation, a server computer, a general-purpose computer, a tablet computer, or a smartphone, or may be a computer system in which multiple computers are connected. Such a computer system is also a computer in the broad sense. The server device 20 may also be implemented as one or more virtual computer environments executable within a computer. Alternatively, the server device 20 may be a dedicated computer designed for the system 10, or may be dedicated hardware implemented using dedicated circuitry.

[0020] The terminal device 30 is connected to the server device 20 via a network 40. The terminal device 30 may be a personal computer, a notebook computer, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet computer, a game console, or any other terminal device capable of inputting and outputting data.

[0021] The network 40 connects the server device 20 and a plurality of terminal devices 30. The network 40 may be configured to include, for example, various wired or wireless networks such as the Internet, a wide area network (WAN), a local area network, or a mobile phone network, or a combination thereof.

[0022] 2 shows the server device 20 according to this embodiment. The server device 20 includes a database 200, an instruction input unit 210, a game processing unit 220, an event processing unit 230, and a display processing unit 240.

[0023] The database 200 stores user information about users and content information about events. In this embodiment, the user information is data recording the game progress and play history of each user who is a player of a game as an example of the content to be provided. In this embodiment, the content information is a programmed game scenario, images, sounds, or other data related to the game as an example of the content to be provided. The database 200 may be realized by at least a portion of the storage area of ​​an external storage device such as a hard disk drive connected to the server device 20, or may be realized by a storage device external to the server device 20 provided, for example, by a cloud storage service or the like.

[0024] The instruction input unit 210 is connected to a plurality of terminal devices 30 via the network 40. The instruction input unit 210 receives various instructions from the terminal devices 30, including various operations by users while playing the game, various operations by broadcasters, various operations by viewers, etc. The instruction input unit 210 supplies the received instructions related to the game to the game processing unit 220. The instruction input unit 210 may also function as a location information input unit that inputs location information indicating the location of the terminal device 30 from the terminal device 30.

[0025] The game processing unit 220 is connected to the database 200, the instruction input unit 210, and the display processing unit 240. In response to game-related instructions received from the instruction input unit 210, the game processing unit 220 performs processing for progressing the game based on user information and content information stored in the database 200. In the example of this embodiment, the server device 20 provides a role-playing game as the content to be provided. In response to user instructions within the game space, the game processing unit 220 performs various game processes, such as organizing a group (also referred to as a "party") including one or more characters (virtual people or creatures such as animals placed in the game space), equipping each character with items such as weapons or armor, purchasing or selling items, moving the party, having the party fight enemies encountered, and developing characters based on combat experience. The server device 20 may provide any type of game other than a role-playing game as the game to be distributed.

[0026] The event processing unit 230 is connected to the database 200, the instruction input unit 210, and the display processing unit 240. The event processing unit 230 performs processing for progressing the event based on the user information and content information stored in the database 200 in response to an instruction regarding the event received from the instruction input unit 210.

[0027] The display processing unit 240 is connected to the terminal device 30 via the network 40. The display processing unit 240 performs display processing for displaying various display screens relating to games and events on the terminal device 30 as the display target in response to instructions from the game processing unit 220 and the event processing unit 230.

[0028] 3 shows an example of the data structure for each user stored in database 200. Database 200 stores game state data for each of multiple users. The game state data includes information about each user, such as "user ID," "in-game currency," "in-game rank," "location information," "possessed character information," "possessed item information," and "friend ID."

[0029] "User ID" is information for identifying the corresponding user and may be a number uniquely determined within the system 10. "In-game currency" indicates the remaining amount of in-game currency possessed by the corresponding user. "In-game currency" may be stored separately into the remaining amount of paid in-game currency possessed by the corresponding user and the remaining amount of free in-game currency. "In-game rank" indicates the rank of the corresponding user in the game.

[0030] "Location information" indicates the location information of the corresponding user. The location information may be information about the location of the terminal device 30 used by the corresponding user or information about a location approximate to this. "Location information" may be only the current location information of the corresponding user, or may also include a location history including the location information of the corresponding user at each point in time in the past. The instruction input unit 210 of the server device 20 may acquire the location information from the terminal device 30 via the network 40. The server device 20 may acquire the coordinates (latitude and longitude) of the location where the terminal device 30 is located as the location information. Alternatively, the server device 20 may acquire, from the terminal device 30, for example, a place name, a location ID, or other information that can identify the location of the terminal device 30 with a certain degree of accuracy as the location information.

[0031] "Owned character information" indicates information about one or more characters possessed by the corresponding user. Character information may include the corresponding character's type, attributes, rarity (difficulty of obtaining in the game), HP (hit points), MP (magic points), etc. "Owned item information" indicates information about one or more items possessed by the corresponding user. The items may include the type and quantity of the corresponding item. "Friend ID" indicates the user ID of another user linked to the corresponding user.

[0032] The database 200 may store history information including a part or all of the game play history for each of a plurality of users. The history information may include the history of each user's participation in or application for an event.

[0033] FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the terminal device 30 according to this embodiment, together with the input device 50 and the display device 60. The input device 50 may be a keyboard, a mouse, a touch sensor of a touch panel, or the like, and inputs user instructions to the server device 20 of the system 10 and supplies the instructions to the terminal device 30. The display device 60 may be an image display unit of a display or a touch panel, or the like, and displays a display screen output by the server device 20 of the system 10. The input device 50 and the display device 60 may be integrated with the terminal device 30. The terminal device 30 includes a terminal input processing unit 300, a terminal state acquisition unit 305, a terminal transmission unit 310, a terminal reception unit 320, and a terminal display processing unit 330.

[0034] The terminal input processing unit 300 is connected to the input device 50 and the terminal transmission unit 310. The terminal input processing unit 300 receives user instructions from the input device 50 and supplies the instructions to the terminal transmission unit 310.

[0035] The terminal status acquisition unit 305 is connected to the terminal transmission unit 310. The terminal status acquisition unit 305 receives location information of the terminal device 30 from a location sensor such as a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver provided in the terminal device 30, and supplies the location information to the terminal transmission unit 310.

[0036] The terminal transmitting unit 310 is connected to the network 40. The terminal transmitting unit 310 supplies the user's instructions received from the terminal input processing unit 300 to the server device 20 via the network 40. The terminal transmitting unit 310 supplies the location information of the terminal device 30 received from the terminal state acquiring unit 305 to the server device 20 via the network 40.

[0037] The terminal receiving unit 320 is connected to the network 40 and the terminal display processing unit 330. The terminal receiving unit 320 receives, via the network 40, various display screens that the server device 20 outputs to the terminal device 30.

[0038] The terminal display processing unit 330 is connected to the display device 60. The terminal display processing unit 330 performs processing for displaying the display screen received from the terminal receiving unit 320 on the display device 60.

[0039] In this embodiment, the terminal device 30 is configured to transmit user instructions input to the input device 50 to the server device 20, and to supply the display screen output by the server device 20 to the display device 60 for output, thereby reducing the processing load on the terminal device 30. Alternatively, the terminal device 30 may include a component corresponding to at least a portion of at least one of the instruction input unit 210, the game processing unit 220, the event processing unit 230, and the display processing unit 240 shown in relation to FIG. 2, and at least a portion of the processing performed by the component may be executed locally within the terminal device 30.

[0040] 5 shows a processing flow in the server device 20 according to this embodiment. In response to receiving an instruction to start a game from a certain terminal device 30, the server device 20 starts the processing flow shown in this figure to provide a game to the user of that terminal device 30.

[0041] In S502 (step 502), the game processing unit 220 and the event processing unit 230 refer to the game state stored in the database 200 for the target user, and instruct the display processing unit 240 to generate a display screen corresponding to the game state. The display processing unit 240 performs processing to generate a game screen and display it on the terminal device 30 of the target user in accordance with the instructions from the game processing unit 220 and the event processing unit 230. For example, if the target user's party is moving within the game space, the display processing unit 240 causes the terminal device 30 to display a screen including an image of the party's surroundings; if the target user is selecting an item to be equipped by a character in the party, the display processing unit 240 causes the terminal device 30 to display a screen prompting the target user to select an item; and if the target user's party is in combat, the display processing unit 240 causes the terminal device 30 to display a screen prompting the target user to input a combat action for each of one or more characters.

[0042] In S504, the user of the terminal device 30, viewing the display screen displayed on the display device 60, inputs an instruction corresponding to the display screen via the input device 50 and transmits the instruction to the server device 20. The terminal device 30 transmits the location information acquired by the terminal state acquisition unit 305 to the server device 20. The instruction input unit 210 supplies the instruction from the terminal device 30 to the game processing unit 220 or the event processing unit 230 depending on the content of the instruction. The instruction input unit 210 supplies the location information of the terminal device 30 to the game processing unit 220 or the event processing unit 230.

[0043] In S506, the game processing unit 220 or the event processing unit 230 performs processing in accordance with the instruction input from the instruction input unit 210 in S504. For example, the game processing unit 220 performs processing such as moving the target user's party within the game space, determining items to be equipped to characters in the party, and having the characters attack a specified enemy using a specified means. The game processing unit 220 may perform processing such as moving the target user's party within the game space in response to a change in the target user's location information input from the instruction input unit 210. For example, the game processing unit 220 may perform processing such as moving the target user's party to a position within the game space corresponding to the target user's location information in response to a change in the target user's location information. Furthermore, the event processing unit 230 performs processing related to the event when the target user participates in an event within the provided content. The event processing unit 230 may perform processing related to the event based on the target user's location information input from the instruction input unit 210. For example, the event processing unit 230 performs processing related to the event when the target user's location information input from the instruction input unit 210 meets the requirements for participating in the event. If the location information of the target user input from the instruction input unit 210 does not satisfy the requirements for participating in the event, the event processing unit 230 does not need to perform processing related to the event.

[0044] In S508, the game processing unit 220 or the event processing unit 230 changes the game state stored in the database 200 in accordance with the processing in S506. For example, the game processing unit 220 updates the position in the game space of each character belonging to the party in the possessed character information shown in FIG. 3 as the party moves within the game space. When the game processing unit 220 equips a character with an item, the game processing unit 220 adds identification information of the equipped item to a data structure indicating a list of items equipped by the character, which is included in the possessed character information. Furthermore, when a character attacks a specified enemy, the game processing unit 220 performs processing such as decrementing an indicator value indicating the health of the enemy, such as HP, associated with the specified enemy. Furthermore, when the game processing unit 220 performs processing in which the enemy attacks a character, it performs processing such as decrementing an indicator value indicating the health of the character, such as HP, associated with the character in the possessed character information. The game processing unit 220 may update the game state using various other methods in accordance with the target user's instructions and the progress of the game. Furthermore, the event processing unit 230 changes the game state stored in the database 200 in accordance with the result of the event processing, thereby reflecting the result of the event in the game state.

[0045] In S502 after returning from S508, the display processing unit 240 performs processing to display a screen after the change in the game state on the display device 60 of the terminal device 30.

[0046] FIG. 6 shows the configuration of the event processing unit 230 according to this embodiment, together with the instruction input unit 210 and the display processing unit 240.

[0047] In this embodiment, an "event" may refer to an event associated with a real-world location where the target user can participate using the terminal device 30. Alternatively, an "event" may refer to an event held in a virtual space corresponding to the real-world location. Therefore, an "event" does not necessarily have to be held in real space. As an example, an "event" may be an event that a user can participate in using the terminal device 30 when the user is located at or near a specific real-world location (event spot) and, as a result, the user's terminal device 30 is located at or near that specific location. As an example, an "event" may be an event in which at least a portion of the user's interaction with the event (images, videos, sounds, vibrations, etc.) is provided via the terminal device 30. An "event" may grant a user the right to, for example, purchase a specific item via the terminal device 30. An "event" may be an event in which a user (host) who hosts the event and invites participants cooperates with a user (guest) who applies for the invitation and participates in the event. Alternatively, the "event" may be an event in which the first user (host) to issue an instruction to start recruitment for the event and the second or subsequent user (guest) to issue an instruction to start recruitment for the event participate cooperatively. Alternatively, the "event" may be an event hosted by a person or organization other than a user, such as an event organizer or an event management organization. An "event" may be one in which participating users compete for points in the event, etc.

[0048] In this embodiment, the system 10 relaxes the location range restrictions for participation in an event associated with a real location, depending on the user's own or other users' participation or application history for that event or other events, etc. In this way, the system 10 makes it easier for users to fulfill the participation conditions for the event associated with their real location, providing an environment in which the event can be more enjoyable.

[0049] The event processing unit 230 includes a database connection means 600, an acquisition means 610, a range change means 620, and an event processing means 630. The database connection means 600 is connected to the database 200. The database connection means 600 processes access to the database 200 from each means within the game processing unit 220.

[0050] The acquiring means 610 is connected to the instruction input unit 210 and acquires various instructions related to the event from the instruction input unit 210. As an example, the acquiring means 610 may acquire instructions related to the host's event recruitment, instructions related to guests' participation in the event, and an instruction to hold the event from the instruction input unit 210. In the example of the present figure, the acquiring means 610 includes a recruitment instruction acquiring means 612 and a reception instruction acquiring means 614. Alternatively, the acquiring means 610 may include only either the recruitment instruction acquiring means 612 or the reception instruction acquiring means 614.

[0051] The recruitment instruction acquisition means 612 acquires various instructions related to event recruitment from the user's terminal device 30 via the instruction input unit 210. As an example, the recruitment instruction acquisition means 612 may acquire an instruction to start recruitment and an instruction to stop recruitment. In this embodiment, "recruiting" may represent that the host's terminal device 30 is recruiting participants for the event.

[0052] The reception instruction acquisition means 614 acquires a reception start instruction from the user's terminal device 30 via the instruction input unit 210. In this embodiment, "reception" may represent the guest's terminal device 30 receiving an invitation to participate in an event.

[0053] The range change means 620 is connected to the database connection means 600 and the acquisition means 610. The range change means 620 changes the recruitment location range of users recruiting participants for a target event for which the recruitment location range is to be changed, depending on the application history for the event by the target user who is the user who has recruited participants. Here, the range change means 620 may acquire the application history for the event by the target user by searching and reading it from the database 200.

[0054] As an example, the range changing means 620 may change the recruitment location range of a user depending on the history of the target user hosting an event.

[0055] The range change means 620 may change the recruitment location range depending on a history of when the target user became a guest of an event. The range change means 620 may change the recruitment location range depending on a history of when the target user became either a host or a guest of an event but the event was not held. The range change means 620 may change the recruitment location range depending on a history of when the target user became either a host or a guest of an event and the event was held but the requirements of the event were not met and the event failed.

[0056] The range modification means 620 may vary the recruitment location range of at least one of the target user and other users recruiting participants for the target event, depending on their application history. That is, the range modification means 620 may vary the recruitment location range for the target user or other users depending on their application history for the event. Here, the location range may be determined based on the distance from a reference point of the event. For example, the location range may be a set of locations within a predetermined distance from the reference point of the event. The reference point of the event may be a real location associated with the event. The distance may be Euclidean distance (straight-line distance), Manhattan distance, travel distance via roads on a real map or a virtual map, or the like. The recruitment location range of other users may indicate a location range within which the server device 20 can recruit participants from the terminal devices 30 of other users (guests) when the target user is the host. The recruitment location range of the target user may indicate the location range in which the target user accepts invitations to participate in the target event, and is also referred to as the "acceptance location range" to distinguish it from the recruitment location ranges of other users. In the example of the present drawing, the range change means 620 includes recruitment range change means 622 and acceptance range change means 624. Alternatively, the range change means 620 may include only either the recruitment range change means 622 or the acceptance range change means 624.

[0057] The recruitment range change means 622 is connected to the recruitment instruction acquisition means 612. The recruitment range change means 622 changes the recruitment location range of other users recruiting for participation in the target event in response to the recruitment instruction acquisition means 612 acquiring a recruitment start instruction. In response to the recruitment instruction acquisition means 612 acquiring a recruitment stop instruction, the recruitment range change means 622 transfers the recruitment stop instruction to the recruitment processing means 632.

[0058] The acceptance range change means 624 is connected to the acceptance instruction acquisition means 614. In response to the acceptance instruction acquisition means 614 acquiring an acceptance start instruction, the acceptance range change means 624 changes the recruitment location range of the user accepting participation in the target event, i.e., the acceptance location range.

[0059] The event processing means 630 is connected to the database connection means 600, the acquisition means 610, and the range change means 620. In response to the acquisition means 610 acquiring various instructions related to the event, the event processing means 630 performs processing to progress the target event based on the user information and content information stored in the database 200. In response to the acquisition means 610 acquiring a guest participation instruction, the event processing means 630 may perform processing to treat the user of the terminal device 30 that sent the guest participation instruction as a participant (guest) of the target event. In response to the acquisition means 610 acquiring a hosting instruction, the event processing means 630 may perform processing to host the target event. The event processing means 630 may perform processing to host the target event when predetermined requirements are met. In the example shown in the figure, the event processing means 630 includes a recruitment processing means 632 and a reception processing means 634. Alternatively, the event processing means 630 may include only either the recruitment processing means 632 or the reception processing means 634.

[0060] The recruitment processing means 632 is connected to the recruitment range changing means 622 and the display processing unit 240. The recruitment processing means 632 processes the recruitment for the target event based on the recruitment location range changed by the recruitment range changing means 622. As an example, the recruitment processing means 632 may instruct the display processing unit 240 to notify the terminal devices 30 of users who have been targeted for recruitment of the recruitment for the target event based on the recruitment location range changed by the recruitment range changing means 622. The recruitment processing means 632 may perform processing to cancel the recruitment for the target event in response to the recruitment instruction acquisition means 612 acquiring a recruitment cancellation instruction. As an example, the recruitment processing means 632 may instruct the display processing unit 240 in response to the recruitment cancellation instruction transferred from the recruitment range changing means 622 not to notify the terminal devices 30 of users who have been targeted for recruitment of the recruitment for the target event.

[0061] The reception processing means 634 is connected to the reception range changing means 624 and the display processing unit 240. The reception processing means 634 processes reception for the event based on the reception location range changed by the reception range changing means 624. The reception processing means 634 may instruct the display processing unit 240 to notify the terminal device 30 of the target user of the event recruitment based on the reception location range changed by the reception range changing means 624.

[0062] 7 shows a first example of an event processing flow in the server device 20 according to this embodiment. In response to receiving a recruitment start instruction from a certain terminal device 30, the server device 20 starts the processing flow of this figure to provide an event to the user of that terminal device 30. In the example of this figure, the server device 20 has recruitment instruction acquisition means 612, recruitment range change means 622, and recruitment processing means 632, but may not have reception instruction acquisition means 614, reception range change means 624, and reception processing means 634.

[0063] In S710, the game processing unit 220 in the server device 20 receives a recruitment start instruction from the user's terminal device 30 via the instruction input unit 210. The recruitment instruction acquisition means 612 acquires the recruitment start instruction from the instruction input unit 210.

[0064] In S720, the recruitment range changing means 622 of the range changing means 620 varies the recruitment location range of users recruiting participants for the event in accordance with the application history of the target user for the event. The range changing means 620 may acquire the application history of the target user for the event from the database 200. The recruitment range changing means 622 may vary the recruitment location range of other users recruiting participants for the target event in accordance with the application history.

[0065] In S730, the recruitment processing means 632 processes the recruitment for the target event based on the recruitment location range changed in S720. As an example, the recruitment processing means 632 may instruct the display processing unit 240 to notify the terminal devices 30 of other users present within the recruitment location range that recruitment for the target event is underway. As an example, if the display processing unit 240 notifies the terminal devices 30 of other users present within the recruitment location range of the recruitment for the target event, but the user is unable to participate in the event because the target event has reached its recruitment limit, the recruitment processing means 632 may invite the terminal devices 30 of the users to participate in an event of the same type as the target event. In this case, even if the terminal device 30 of the user is not included in the recruitment location range of an event of the same type as the target event, the recruitment processing means 632 may invite the terminal devices 30 of the users to participate.

[0066] Alternatively, when a target event is not held due to insufficient applications, the recruitment processing means 632 may invite users within the recruitment location range for the target event and candidate users including users who applied for the event that was not held. Such a server device 20 allows users who have previously failed to participate in the target event to receive a second invitation, making it easier for users to participate in the target event again. The recruitment processing means 632 may acquire the results of the target event from the database 200. For example, when a target event for which a user applied is not held due to insufficient applications, and the server device 20 receives an instruction to start recruitment for the target event from another user's terminal device 30, the recruitment processing means 632 may invite not only users within the recruitment location range for the target event but also candidate users including users who applied for the event that was not held. The recruitment processing means 632 may invite candidate users to participate even if they are not within the recruitment location range for the target event.

[0067] If the recruitment for the target event fails and the target event is not held (No in S740), the server device 20 returns the process to S720. As an example, if the number of users who applied for the recruitment for the target event does not reach a predetermined number within a predetermined time, the server device 20 may return the process to S720. As an example, if the server device 20 receives an instruction to stop recruiting for the event from the terminal device 30 of a user who applied for the target event, the server device 20 may return the process to S720.

[0068] In S720 upon returning from S740, the event processing means 630 may update the application history stored in the database 200. As an example, the event processing means 630 may instruct the database connection means 600 to write to the database 200 that the target event for which the target user applied was not held. The recruitment range change means 622 changes the recruitment location range of target users to be recruited for the event, in accordance with the updated application history. As an alternative to the example shown in the figure, the server device 20 may end the processing flow when the event processing means 630 updates the application history, and restart the processing flow in response to the server device 20 receiving a recruitment start instruction again from the same terminal device 30. In this case, the server device 20 may perform game processing other than the event during the period from when the processing flow ended to when it was restarted.

[0069] If the recruitment for the target event is successful (Yes in S740), the server device 20 proceeds to S750. As an example, if a predetermined number of users have applied for the recruitment for the target event, the server device 20 may proceed to S750. As an example, if a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of recruitment for the target event, the server device 20 may proceed to S750. As an example, if an instruction to hold an event is received from the terminal device 30 that is the host of the target event, the server device 20 may proceed to S750. In S750, the event processing means 630 performs processing to hold the event.

[0070] For example, if the corresponding event is an event in which multiple users cooperate to defeat an enemy monster, the event processing unit 230 performs processing such as decrementing an indicator value indicating the health of the specified enemy monster, such as HP, associated with the specified enemy monster as characters controlled by the participating users attack the specified enemy monster. Furthermore, when the enemy monster attacks a character, the event processing unit 230 performs processing such as decrementing an indicator value indicating the health of the character, such as HP, associated with the character in the owned character information. When the indicator value indicating the health of the enemy monster falls below a predetermined threshold, the event processing unit 230 changes the game state stored in the database 200 to grant rewards such as in-game items, in-game currency, and character parameter experience points to each user who participated in the event. When the indicator value indicating the health of one or all of the characters controlled by a certain user falls below a predetermined threshold, the event processing unit 230 performs processing to end the event.

[0071] In S760, the event processing means 630 updates the application history stored in the database 200. As an example, the event processing means 630 may instruct the database connection means 600 to write to the database 200 the results of the target event for which the target user has applied.

[0072] 8 shows an example of a data structure related to events stored in database 200. Database 200 stores application histories for one or more events. The application history includes information regarding the "event ID," "event type," "recruitment location range," "host user ID," "guest user ID," and "event results" for each event.

[0073] An "event ID" is information for identifying a corresponding event, and may be a number uniquely determined within the system 10. An "event type" indicates the classification of the corresponding event. Events of the same type as the corresponding event may have the same "event type." In the case of this figure, if event A, whose "event ID" is "XXXXXXX1," and event B, whose "event ID" is "XXXXXXX2," are both events to defeat enemy monster X, then event A and event B are the same type of event, and both events have the same "event type," which is "Defeat X."

[0074] The "recruitment location range" indicates the recruitment location range when recruiting for the corresponding event. As an example, if the "recruitment location range" is "100m", it may indicate that the corresponding event is recruiting participants from users who are within a 100m radius of the event spot.

[0075] The "host user ID" indicates the user ID of the user who participated in the corresponding event as a host. The "guest user ID" indicates the user ID of one or more users who participated in the corresponding event as a guest. If the corresponding event does not distinguish between hosts and guests, the "participating user ID" indicating the user ID of the user who participated in the corresponding event may be stored instead of the "host user ID" and "guest user ID."

[0076] The "event result" indicates whether or not the corresponding event was held and whether or not it was successful. As an example, if the corresponding event was not held, the "event result" may be stored as "cancelled." As an example, if the corresponding event was held and predetermined conditions for the event to be successful were met, the "event result" may be stored as "success," and if the predetermined conditions were not met, the "event result" may be stored as "failure." As an example, if the corresponding event is an event in which multiple users cooperate to defeat an enemy monster, the "event result" of the corresponding event may be stored as "success" if the corresponding enemy monster is defeated, and the "event result" of the corresponding event may be stored as "failure" if the corresponding enemy monster is not defeated.

[0077] In the example shown in the figure, the application history is managed for each event, but instead, the application history may be managed for each user. As an example, the application history may include information about the "user ID," the "event ID" of the event in which the user was a host or guest, the "event type," the "participating user ID," and the "event result" for each user.

[0078] FIG. 9 illustrates a first example of a range change method in the server device 20 according to this embodiment. In this example, a first user 910, a second user 920, and a third user 930 are located around an event spot 900, which is a real location associated with a certain event. In this example, the recruitment location range is a set of locations whose straight-line distance from the event spot 900 is within a threshold. In this example, at the time shown on the left side of the figure, the first user 910, the second user 920, and the third user 930 have not applied for any of the target event associated with the event spot 900 or any events of the same type as the target event. In response to receiving a recruitment start instruction for the target event from the terminal device 30 of the first user 910 (S710 in FIG. 7), the recruitment range change means 622 sets the application location range for the target event to the first recruitment location range 940, which is a default location range (S720 in FIG. 7). In the example shown in this figure, the first recruitment location range 940 is a set of locations whose straight-line distance from the event spot 900 is within a threshold. In this case, the terminal devices 30 of the second user 920 and the third user 930 are not included in the first recruitment location range 940, and therefore the recruitment processing means 632 does not recruit participants from the terminal devices 30 of the second user 920 and the third user 930.

[0079] If the target event is not held (No in S740 of FIG. 7), or if the target event is held but unsuccessful, the recruitment range change means 622 changes the application location range for the target event from the first recruitment location range 940 to the second recruitment location range 950 (S720 of FIG. 7) in response to receiving another instruction to start recruitment for the target event from the terminal device 30 of the first user 910 (S710 of FIG. 7).

[0080] The recruitment range change means 622 may vary the recruitment location range of other users recruiting for participation in the target event depending on their application history within a predetermined period. As an example, the recruitment range change means 622 may vary the recruitment location range depending on their application history for at least one of the target event or an event of the same type as the target event. Even if the server device 20 fails to recruit for the target event or the target event itself, the server device 20 may make it easier for more users to participate in the target event when recruiting again, thereby making it easier to make the target event successful. If the target event is an event in which multiple users cooperate to defeat an enemy monster, the recruitment range change means 622 may vary the recruitment location range depending on their application history for at least one of the target event or an event in which enemy monsters of the same type as the target event are defeated. Alternatively, the recruitment range change means 622 may vary the recruitment location range depending on their application history for events of a type different from the target event. For example, if the target event is an event in which multiple users cooperate to defeat an enemy monster, the recruitment range change means 622 may vary the recruitment location range based on application history for other events in which a different type of enemy monster is defeated than the target event, other events associated with a different real-world location than the target event, other events held at a different time than the target event, or other events different from the target event. The recruitment range change means 622 may vary the recruitment location range based on application history for events of a different type than the target event within a predetermined period. Alternatively, the recruitment range change means 622 may vary the recruitment location range based on the number of times the target user has visited the vicinity of the event spot of the target event within a predetermined period. If the target user applied for the target event but the target event was not held or the target event failed, the recruitment range change means 622 may vary the recruitment location range based on the number of times the target user has again visited the vicinity of the event spot of the target event.

[0081] The recruitment range change means 622 may increase the recruitment location range in response to the target user having applied for at least one of the target event or events of the same type as the target event, compared to a case in which the target user had not applied. The recruitment range change means 622 may increase the recruitment location range in response to an increase in the number of times the target user has applied for at least one of the target event or events of the same type as the target event. The recruitment range change means 622 may increase the recruitment location range in response to an increase in the number of times the target user has served as a host for the target event and events of the same type as the target event. The recruitment range change means 622 may increase the recruitment location range in response to an increase in the number of times the target user has served as either a host or a guest for the target event and events of the same type as the target event. The recruitment range change means 622 may increase the recruitment location range in response to an increase in the number of times the target user has served as a host or a guest for the target event and events of the same type as the target event, but the events were not held because no other users gathered. The recruitment range change means 622 may make the recruitment location range 1.2 times larger when the target user has applied for the target event, etc. once compared to when the target user has not applied even once (default case), and may make the recruitment location range 1.2 times larger when the target user has applied for the target event, etc. twice compared to when the target user has applied once. Alternatively, the recruitment range change means 622 may vary the recruitment location range depending on the number of times the target user has applied for the target event and events of the same type as the target event and the target event has failed.

[0082] The recruitment range change means 622 may change the recruitment location range within an upper limit range. As an example, the recruitment range change means 622 increases the recruitment location range as the total number of times the target user has applied for the target event and events of the same type as the target event increases, but does not need to change the recruitment location range when the recruitment location range reaches a predetermined upper limit range.

[0083] The recruitment range change means 622 may change the recruitment location range further in accordance with the upper limit number of users to be recruited for the target event. As an example, the recruitment range change means 622 may expand the recruitment location range so as to include users equal to or greater than the upper limit number of users to be recruited for the target event. The recruitment range change means 622 may change the recruitment location range for recruiting additional users to participate further in accordance with the application status for participation in the target event. As an example, the recruitment range change means 622 may narrow the recruitment location range in accordance with an increase in the number of users who have confirmed their participation in the target event.

[0084] The recruiting range changing means 622 may change the recruiting location range so that users of a predetermined level or higher are included within the recruiting location range. As an example, the recruiting range changing means 622 may change the recruiting location range so that users whose "in-game rank" in Fig. 3 is a predetermined rank or higher are included within the recruiting range. The recruiting range changing means 622 may change the recruiting location range so that users who own a predetermined number of characters of a predetermined level or higher are included within the recruiting location range.

[0085] In the example shown in the center of the figure, the second recruitment location range 950 is a set of locations whose straight-line distance from the event spot 900 is within a threshold, and the second recruitment location range 950 has a threshold that is greater than the first recruitment location range 940. Because the second user 920 is included in the second recruitment location range 950, the recruitment processing means 632 recruits participants from the terminal device 30 of the second user 920. On the other hand, because the third user 930 is not included in the second recruitment location range 950, the recruitment processing means 632 does not recruit participants from the terminal device 30 of the third user 930.

[0086] If the target event is not held even after expanding the recruitment location range from the first recruitment location range 940 to the second recruitment location range 950 (No in S740 of FIG. 7 ), or if the target event is held but unsuccessful, and in response to receiving another recruitment start instruction for the target event from the terminal device 30 of the first user 910 (S710 of FIG. 7 ), the recruitment range change means 622 changes the application location range for the target event from the second recruitment location range 950 to the third recruitment location range 960 (S720 of FIG. 7 ). In the example shown on the right in the figure, the third recruitment location range 960 is a set of locations whose straight-line distance from the event spot 900 is within a threshold, and the third recruitment location range 960 has a threshold that is greater than the second recruitment location range 950. Because the second user 920 and the third user 930 are included in the second recruitment location range 950, the recruitment processing means 632 invites participants to the terminal devices 30 of the second user 920 and the third user 930.

[0087] The recruitment range change means 622 may return the recruitment location range for the next event to which the target user will apply to the default location range in response to the target event being held. As an example, the recruitment range change means 622 may return the recruitment location range for the next event to which the target user will apply to the default location range in response to the target event most recently applied for being held in the target user's event application history. Alternatively, the recruitment range change means 622 may return the recruitment location range for the next event to which the target user will apply to the default location range in response to the target event most recently applied for being successful in the target user's event application history. In the example shown in the figure, when the target event for which the recruitment processing means 632 recruited participants based on the third recruitment location range 960 is held, the recruitment range change means 622 may return the recruitment location range for the next event to which the first user 910 will apply to the first recruitment location range 940.

[0088] According to the server device 20 described above, the recruitment location range can be changed when a user uses the terminal device 30 to participate in a target event associated with a real location where the user can participate. This makes it easier for the user to participate in the event and enjoy the event more than when the recruitment location range is not changed. If the server device 20 has a function for changing the recruitment location range of other users, it can adjust the number of other users participating in the event, making it easier to hold the event. By changing the recruitment location range in accordance with the maximum number of participants for the target event, the server device 20 makes it easier to hold the target event with a number of participants close to the maximum number of participants, making it easier to make the target event a success.

[0089] The server device 20 further invites additional users to participate in the target event based on the application status for participation, thereby reducing the number of users who cannot participate in the target event because the target event has reached its maximum number of participants despite receiving a notification of invitation to participate in the target event. The server device 20 changes the recruitment location range so that users of a predetermined level or higher are included within the recruitment location range, thereby increasing the likelihood that high-level users will participate in the target event and making the target event more likely to be successful. The server device 20 returns the recruitment location range for the next event to which the target user applies to the default location range upon the target event being held, thereby preventing excessive relaxation of restrictions on invitation to participate in the target event.

[0090] 10 shows a second example of an event processing flow in the server device 20 according to this embodiment. In response to receiving a reception start instruction from a certain terminal device 30, the server device 20 starts the processing flow of this figure to provide an event to the user of that terminal device 30. In the example of this figure, the server device 20 has reception instruction acquisition means 614, reception range change means 624, and reception processing means 634, but may not have recruitment instruction acquisition means 612, recruitment range change means 622, and recruitment processing means 632.

[0091] In S1010, the game processing unit 220 in the server device 20 receives a reception start instruction from the user's terminal device 30 via the instruction input unit 210. The reception instruction acquisition means 614 acquires the reception start instruction from the instruction input unit 210.

[0092] In S1020, the acceptance range change means 624 varies the acceptance location range of the user (target user) of the terminal device 30 that sent the acceptance start instruction in accordance with the application history of the target user for the event. The range change means 620 may acquire the application history of the target user for the event from the database 200. The acceptance range change means 624 may perform the same process on the recruitment location range of the target user (acceptance location range) as the process performed by the recruitment range change means 622 on the recruitment range of another user in S720 of Fig. 7.

[0093] In S1030, the reception processing means 634 performs reception processing for the event based on the reception location range changed in S1020. If there is an event recruitment within the reception location range (Yes in S1030), the server device 20 proceeds to processing at S1040. As an example, if there is an overlapping portion between the reception location range and the reception location range for a certain event, the server device 20 may determine that there is an event recruitment within the reception location range and proceed to processing at S1040. If the server device 20 has the recruitment range change means 622, if there is an overlapping portion between the reception location range and the reception location range for a certain event changed by the recruitment range change means 622, the server device 20 may proceed to processing at S1040.

[0094] In S1040, the reception processing means 634 may instruct the display processing unit 240 to notify the terminal device 30 of the target user of event invitations within the reception location range. As an example, the reception processing means 634 may instruct the display processing unit 240 to display a list of event invitations within the reception location range on the terminal device 30 of the target user. If the acquisition means 610 has not acquired a guest participation instruction to participate in one of the event invitations within the reception location range from the terminal device 30 of the target user via the instruction input unit 210 (No in S1040), the server device 20 may end the flow. If the acquisition means 610 has acquired a guest participation instruction to participate in one of the event invitations within the reception location range from the terminal device 30 of the target user via the instruction input unit 210 (Yes in S1040), the server device 20 may proceed with the process to S1050. The acquisition means 610 may acquire a guest participation instruction in response to a click on one of the event invitations in the list of event invitations displayed on the display device 60 connected to the target user's terminal device 30.

[0095] At S1050, the event processing means 630 performs processing to hold the event. The event processing means 630 may perform processing similar to that of S750 in Fig. 7. The event processing means 630 updates the application history stored in the database 200. As an example, the event processing means 630 may instruct the database connection means 600 to write the results of the target event to which the target user has applied into the database 200.

[0096] According to the server device 20 described above, the conditions for the target user to participate in the event as a guest can be adjusted, making it easier for the target user to participate in the event compared to when this function is not provided.

[0097] FIG. 11 shows a second example of a range change method in the server device 20 according to this embodiment. In this example, a first user 1110 and a second user 1120 are located near an event spot 1100, which is a real location associated with a certain event. In this example, at the time shown on the left side of the figure, the first user 1110 and the second user 1120 have not applied for either the target event associated with the event spot 1100 or an event of the same type as the target event. In response to receiving a recruitment start instruction for the target event from the terminal device 30 of the first user 1110 (S710 in FIG. 7), the recruitment range change means 622 sets the application location range for the target event to a recruitment location range 1130, which is a default location range (S720 in FIG. 7). In this example, the recruitment location range 1130 is a set of locations whose straight-line distance from the event spot 1100 is within a threshold. In response to receiving an instruction to start reception for the target event from the terminal device 30 of the second user 1120 (S1010 in FIG. 10), the reception range change means 624 sets the reception location range for the target event to the first reception location range 1140, which is the default location range (S1020 in FIG. 10). In the example of this figure, the first reception location range 1140 is a set of locations whose straight-line distance from the terminal device 30 of the second user 1120 is within a threshold. In this case, the recruitment location range 1130 and the first reception location range 1140 do not overlap, so the reception processing means 634 does not perform reception processing for the terminal device 30 of the second user 1120.

[0098] If the second user 1120 has previously applied for either a target event associated with the event spot 1100 or an event of the same type as the target event, then in response to receiving an instruction to start reception for the target event from the terminal device 30 of the second user 1120 (S1010 in FIG. 10 ), the reception range change means 624 changes the reception location range for the target event from the first reception location range 1140 to the second reception location range 1150 (S1020 in FIG. 10 ). In the example on the right of this figure, the second reception location range 1150 is a set of positions whose straight-line distance from the second user 1120 is within a threshold, and the second reception location range 1150 has a larger threshold than the first reception location range 1140. Because the recruitment location range 1130 and the second reception location range 1150 overlap, the reception processing means 634 performs reception processing for the terminal device 30 of the second user 1120.

[0099] Figure 12 shows a first example of the display of the terminal device 30 according to this embodiment. At S710 in Figure 7, the instruction input unit 210 receives a recruitment start instruction. The recruitment instruction acquisition means 612 acquires the recruitment start instruction from the instruction input unit 210. In response to the recruitment instruction acquisition means 612 acquiring the recruitment start instruction, the display processing unit 240 reads data related to the recruitment screen from the database 200, generates a display screen 1200, and transmits the generated display screen 1200 to the terminal device 30 (host terminal device 30) that sent the recruitment start instruction.

[0100] The display screen 1200 has a recruiting window 1210 and a cancel button 1230. The recruiting window 1210 is an area that displays information related to the recruitment of participants for the event. As an example, the recruiting window 1210 includes a participant list 1220. As an example, the participant list 1220 is a list of users who have applied to participate in the event. As an example, the participant list 1220 may be configured to display the maximum number of users that can be recruited for the event. In the example shown in the figure, the maximum number of users that can be recruited for the event is six, and the only user who has applied to participate in the event is the user of the terminal device 30. Therefore, the participant list 1220 in the example shown in the figure displays "Self," which indicates the user of the terminal device 30, and further displays "Now recruiting," which indicates that other users are being recruited, for the remaining five users until the maximum number of users is reached.

[0101] The stop button 1230 is a button for stopping recruitment. The instruction input unit 210 receives a recruitment stop instruction in response to the user of the terminal device 30 clicking the stop button 1230. The instruction input unit 210 notifies the recruitment instruction acquisition means 612 of this effect. In response to the recruitment instruction acquisition means 612 acquiring the recruitment stop instruction, the event processing means 630 stops the recruitment processing for the event (No in S740 in FIG. 7).

[0102] 13 shows a second example of the display of the terminal device 30 according to this embodiment. In S730 of FIG. 7, the recruitment processing means 632 performs recruitment processing on the terminal devices 30 of other users that are included in the recruitment location range. When another user terminal device 30 for which the recruitment processing has been performed applies to participate in the event, the instruction input unit 210 receives an application instruction. The reception instruction acquisition means 614 acquires the application instruction from the instruction input unit 210. In response to the reception instruction acquisition means 614 acquiring the application instruction, the display processing unit 240 generates a display screen 1300 and transmits the generated display screen 1300 to the terminal device 30 that sent the recruitment start instruction (the host terminal device 30).

[0103] The display screen 1300 has a recruiting window 1210 and a cancel button 1230. The cancel button 1230 is the same as in FIG. 12. As an example, the recruiting window 1210 includes a participant list 1310. As an example, the participant list 1310 is a list of users who have applied to participate in the event. In the example of this figure, the maximum number of participants allowed for the event is six, and the users who have applied to participate in the event are the users of the terminal device 30, "User A," "User B," and "User C." Therefore, the participant list 1220 in the example of this figure displays "You," "User A," "User B," and "User C," indicating the users of the terminal device 30, and also displays "Now recruiting," indicating that other users are being recruited, for the remaining two users until the maximum number of participants is reached.

[0104] Various embodiments of the present invention may be described with reference to flowcharts and block diagrams, where the blocks (e.g., blocks in flowcharts, blocks designated as "means" or "unit") may represent (1) stages of a process in which operations are performed or (2) sections of an apparatus responsible for performing the operations. Particular stages and sections may be implemented by dedicated circuitry, programmable circuitry provided with computer-readable instructions stored on a computer-readable medium, and / or a processor provided with computer-readable instructions stored on a computer-readable medium. Dedicated circuitry may include digital and / or analog hardware circuitry and may include integrated circuits (ICs) and / or discrete circuits. Programmable circuitry may include reconfigurable hardware circuitry including logical AND, logical OR, logical XOR, logical NAND, logical NOR, and other logic operations, flip-flops, registers, memory elements such as field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic arrays (PLAs), etc.

[0105] A computer-readable medium may include any tangible device capable of storing instructions that are executed by an appropriate device, such that the computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon comprises an article of manufacture containing instructions that can be executed to create means for performing the operations specified in the flowcharts or block diagrams. Examples of computer-readable media may include electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, and semiconductor storage media. More specific examples of computer-readable media may include floppy disks, diskettes, hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), static random access memory (SRAM), compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disc (DVD), Blu-ray disc, memory stick, integrated circuit card, and the like.

[0106] The computer readable instructions may include either assembler instructions, Instruction Set Architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine-dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state-setting data, or source or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including object-oriented programming languages ​​such as Smalltalk®, JAVA®, C++, etc., and conventional procedural programming languages ​​such as the “C” programming language or similar programming languages.

[0107] The computer-readable instructions may be provided to a processor or programmable circuitry of a programmable data processing apparatus, such as a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, or other computer, either locally or over a wide-area network (WAN) such as a local area network (LAN), the Internet, etc., which executes the computer-readable instructions to create means for performing the operations specified in the flowcharts or block diagrams. Examples of processors include computer processors, processing units, microprocessors, digital signal processors, controllers, microcontrollers, etc.

[0108] 14 illustrates an example of a computer 2200 in which aspects of the present invention may be embodied, in whole or in part. Programs installed on the computer 2200 may cause the computer 2200 to function as or perform operations associated with an apparatus or one or more sections of the apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention, and / or to perform a process or steps of a process according to embodiments of the present invention. Such programs may be executed by the CPU 2212 to cause the computer 2200 to perform specific operations associated with some or all of the blocks of the flowcharts and block diagrams described herein.

[0109] A computer 2200 according to this embodiment includes a CPU 2212, a RAM 2214, a graphics controller 2216, and a display device 2218, which are interconnected by a host controller 2210. The computer 2200 also includes input / output units such as a communication interface 2222, a hard disk drive 2224, a DVD-ROM drive 2226, and an IC card drive, which are connected to the host controller 2210 via an input / output controller 2220. The computer also includes legacy input / output units such as a ROM 2230 and a keyboard 2242, which are connected to the input / output controller 2220 via an input / output chip 2240.

[0110] The CPU 2212 operates according to programs stored in the ROM 2230 and RAM 2214, thereby controlling each unit. The graphics controller 2216 acquires image data generated by the CPU 2212 into a frame buffer or the like provided in the RAM 2214 or into the graphics controller 2216 itself, and causes the image data to be displayed on the display device 2218.

[0111] The communications interface 2222 communicates with other electronic devices via a network. The hard disk drive 2224 stores programs and data used by the CPU 2212 in the computer 2200. The DVD-ROM drive 2226 reads programs or data from the DVD-ROM 2201 and provides the programs or data to the hard disk drive 2224 via the RAM 2214. The IC card drive reads programs and data from an IC card and / or writes programs and data to an IC card.

[0112] The ROM 2230 stores therein a boot program or the like that is executed by the computer 2200 upon activation, and / or programs that depend on the hardware of the computer 2200. The input / output chip 2240 may also connect various input / output units to the input / output controller 2220 via a parallel port, a serial port, a keyboard port, a mouse port, etc.

[0113] The programs are provided by a computer-readable medium such as a DVD-ROM 2201 or an IC card. The programs are read from the computer-readable medium, installed in the hard disk drive 2224, RAM 2214, or ROM 2230, which are also examples of computer-readable media, and executed by the CPU 2212. Information processing described in these programs is read by the computer 2200, and brings about cooperation between the programs and the various types of hardware resources described above. An apparatus or method may be configured by realizing information manipulation or processing in accordance with the use of the computer 2200.

[0114] For example, when communication is performed between the computer 2200 and an external device, the CPU 2212 may execute a communication program loaded into the RAM 2214 and instruct the communication interface 2222 to perform communication processing based on the processing described in the communication program. Under the control of the CPU 2212, the communication interface 2222 reads transmission data stored in a transmission buffer processing area provided in the RAM 2214, the hard disk drive 2224, the DVD-ROM 2201, or a recording medium such as an IC card, and transmits the read transmission data to the network, or writes reception data received from the network to a reception buffer processing area or the like provided on the recording medium.

[0115] The CPU 2212 may also cause all or a necessary portion of a file or database stored on an external recording medium such as the hard disk drive 2224, the DVD-ROM drive 2226 (DVD-ROM 2201), an IC card, etc. to be read into the RAM 2214, and perform various types of processing on the data on the RAM 2214. The CPU 2212 then writes back the processed data to the external recording medium.

[0116] Various types of information, such as various types of programs, data, tables, and databases, may be stored on the recording medium and may undergo information processing. The CPU 2212 may perform various types of processing on data read from the RAM 2214, including various types of operations, information processing, conditional judgment, conditional branching, unconditional branching, information search / replacement, etc., as described throughout this disclosure and specified by the instruction sequences of the programs, and write the results back to the RAM 2214. The CPU 2212 may also search for information in a file, database, etc. on the recording medium. For example, if multiple entries each having an attribute value of a first attribute associated with an attribute value of a second attribute are stored on the recording medium, the CPU 2212 may search for an entry that matches a condition specified by the attribute value of the first attribute from among the multiple entries, read the attribute value of the second attribute stored in the entry, and thereby obtain the attribute value of the second attribute associated with the first attribute that satisfies a predetermined condition.

[0117] Although the present invention has been described above using embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and improvements can be made to the above embodiments. It is clear from the claims that such modifications and improvements can also be included within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0118] It should be noted that the execution order of each process, such as operations, procedures, steps, and stages, in the devices, systems, programs, and methods shown in the claims, specifications, and drawings is not specifically stated as "before," "prior to," etc., and that the processes can be performed in any order unless the output of a previous process is used in a subsequent process. Even if the operational flow in the claims, specifications, and drawings is described using "first," "next," etc. for convenience, this does not mean that the processes must be performed in this order.

[0119] "Addendum" According to the specification and drawings of the present application, the following features are also disclosed as appendices. "assignment" The purpose is to increase interest. "Solution" (Appendix 1) Computer, A range changing means for changing a recruiting location range of users for which participation in a target event is being recruited, the target event being associated with a real location where the target user can participate using the terminal device, in accordance with the application history of the target user for the event. A program that functions as a (Appendix 2) The program described in Appendix 1, wherein the range change means changes the recruitment location range of at least one of the target user or other users recruiting participants for the target event according to the application history. (Appendix 3) The program according to claim 2, wherein the range change means changes the recruitment location range depending on the application history for at least one of the target event or events of the same type as the target event. (Appendix 4) The program described in Appendix 3, wherein the range change means increases the recruitment location range in accordance with whether the target user has applied for at least one of the target event or an event of the same type as the target event, compared to when the target user has not applied. (Appendix 5) The program described in Appendix 3, wherein the range change means expands the recruitment location range in response to an increase in the number of times the target user applies for at least one of the target event or events of the same type as the target event. (Appendix 6) The program according to claim 5, wherein the range change means changes the recruiting location range within an upper limit range. (Appendix 7) The program according to claim 1, wherein the range change means changes the recruitment location range in accordance with a maximum number of people to be recruited for the target event. (Appendix 8) The program according to claim 1, wherein the range change means changes the recruitment location range for recruiting additional users to participate in the target event, further depending on the application status for participation in the target event. (Appendix 9) The program according to claim 1, wherein the range change means changes the recruitment location range so that users at or above a predetermined level are included within the recruitment location range. (Appendix 10) The program described in Appendix 1, wherein the range change means returns the recruitment location range for the next event to which the target user will apply to a default location range in response to the target event being held. (Appendix 11) Computer, A recruitment processing means for re-recruiting participants for a target event associated with a real location where a user can participate using a terminal device, in response to the event not being held due to insufficient applications, from among users within a recruitment location range for the target event and candidate users including users who applied for the target event that was not held. A program that functions as a

[0120] The solution constituted by the above program may be appropriately applied to the fields of devices, systems, methods, and media. [Explanation of symbols]

[0121] 10 Systems 20 Server device 30 Terminal Equipment 40 Network 50 Input Device 60 Display device 200 databases 210 Instruction input unit 220 Game Processing Unit 230 Event Processing Unit 240 Display processing section 300 Terminal input processing unit 305 Terminal status acquisition unit 310 Terminal transmitter 320 Terminal receiving unit 330 Terminal display processing unit 600 Database connection method 610 Acquisition method 612 Recruitment instruction acquisition means 614 Reception instruction acquisition means 620 Range Change Method 622 Means for changing the scope of recruitment 624 Means for changing the scope of acceptance 630 Event Processing Means 632 Recruitment Processing Means 634 Reception processing means 900 event spots 910 First User 920 Second User 930 Third User 940 First Recruitment Position Range 950 Second Recruitment Position Range 960 Third Recruitment Position Range 1100 Event Spots 1110 First User 1120 Second User 1130 Recruitment position range 1140 First reception area 1150 Second reception area 1200 display screen 1210 Recruitment Window 1220 Participant List 1230 Stop button 1300 display screen 1310 Participant List 2200 Computer 2201 DVD-ROM 2210 host controller 2212 CPU 2214 RAM 2216 Graphics Controller 2218 Display Device 2220 Input / Output Controller 2222 communication interface 2224 hard disk drive 2226 DVD-ROM drive 2230 ROM 2240 I / O chip 2242 keyboard

Claims

1. Computer, A range changing means for changing a location range in which participation is possible for a target event associated with a real location in which participation is possible using a terminal device, in accordance with a play history of the target user for the event. A program that functions as a

2. The program according to claim 1 , wherein the range change means changes the position range of at least one of the target user and other users who can participate in the target event according to the play history.

3. 3. The program according to claim 2, wherein the range change means changes the position range depending on the play history for at least one of the target event or an event of the same type as the target event.

4. The program according to claim 3, wherein the range change means increases the position range in accordance with whether the target user has played at least one of the target event or an event of the same type as the target event, compared to when the target user has not played.

5. The program according to claim 3 , wherein the range change means increases the position range in response to an increase in the number of times the target user has played at least one of the target event or an event of the same type as the target event.

6. 6. The program according to claim 5, wherein the range changing means changes the position range within an upper limit range.

7. The program according to claim 1 , wherein the range change means changes the location range in accordance with an upper limit on the number of participants in the target event.

8. The program according to claim 1 , wherein the range change means changes the location range in which additional users can participate in the target event depending on the status of applications to participate in the target event.

9. 2. The program according to claim 1, wherein the range change means changes the location range so that users at or above a predetermined level are included within the location range.

10. The program according to claim 1 , wherein the range change means resets the location range for a next event to which the target user will apply to a default location range in response to the target event being held.

11. A range changing means for changing a location range in which participation is possible for a target event associated with a real location in which participation is possible using a terminal device, in accordance with a play history of the target user for the event. A system comprising:

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