Information processor, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To provide an information processor or the like capable of reducing a load accompanying composition processing even if game media capable of performing composition are granted continuously.SOLUTION: An information processor includes: a granting control part; an instruction reception part; and a composition processing part. There is provided, the information processor, where the granting control part grants a first game medium to a user according to the user's instruction in a first screen, the instruction reception part receives a specific operation as an instruction for shifting to a specific screen differing from the first screen by the user, and the composition processing part executes composition processing for compositing a second game medium and a third game medium when the third game medium in a predetermined relationship with the second game medium included in game media possessed by the user is included in the first game media granted until the specific operation is received after displaying the first screen when the instruction reception part receives the specific operation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an information processing device that executes a synthesis process for assigned game contents. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2014-042588 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, if the synthesis process is performed every time a synthesizable game medium is granted, the load on the control unit that performs the synthesis process or on communication lines for communication related to the synthesis process will be continuously generated, and the load may become excessive.

[0005] The present invention provides an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program that can reduce the load associated with the synthesis process even when synthesizable game media are consecutively provided. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An information processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises an assignment control unit, an instruction receiving unit, and a synthesis processing unit, wherein the assignment control unit assigns a first game medium to a user in accordance with an instruction from the user on a first screen, the instruction receiving unit receives a specific operation from the user which is an instruction to transition to a specific screen different from the first screen, and the synthesis processing unit, when the instruction receiving unit receives the specific operation, executes a synthesis process to combine the second game medium and the third game medium if the first game medium assigned from the time the first screen is displayed until the time the specific operation is received includes a third game medium that has a predetermined relationship with a second game medium included in a game medium owned by the user.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, the load associated with the synthesis process can be reduced even when synthesizable game media are consecutively granted. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an overview of a game providing system 1 according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a server 10 according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a user terminal 20 according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the server 10 according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an example of a first screen S1. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a determination of a predetermined relationship. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a synthesis process. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a processing flow according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a message notification on a first related screen PS. [Figure 10]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of a message notification on the first related screen PS. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display on a second screen S2. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display on a third screen S3. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, several embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The various features shown in the following embodiments can be combined with each other. Furthermore, each feature can be an invention independently.

[0010] 1. First Embodiment (1-1. Game Providing System 1) An information processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention is a server 10 that constitutes a part of a game providing system 1 as shown in FIG.

[0011] The server 10 is configured to be able to communicate with the user terminal 20 via a communication line 5, and provides a game G to the user terminal 20. A user U operates the user terminal 20 as a player and progresses through the content of the game G using the provided game media, etc.

[0012] When one or more game contents are granted on a certain screen, the server 10 does not perform a merging process of the granted game contents with the game contents owned by the user U at the time of granting, but performs the merging process of the one or more game contents when it receives an instruction to transition to a specific screen such as the home screen. Each component will be described in detail below.

[0013] (1-2. Hardware Configuration of Game Providing System 1) The hardware configuration of the game providing system 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0014] (1-2-1. Hardware Configuration of Server 10) Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the server 10 according to this embodiment. The server 10 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a communication unit 13. The server 10 may also include an operation input unit 14, which includes a keyboard, a mouse, etc., and receives input for various operations, and a monitor 15, such as a liquid crystal display device, for displaying various images.

[0015] The control unit 11 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a microprocessor, a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), or the like, and controls the overall operation of the server 10.

[0016] A part of the storage unit 12 is configured with, for example, RAM (Random Access Memory) or DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), and is used as a work area when the control unit 11 executes processes based on various programs. In addition, a part of the storage unit 12 is, for example, a non-volatile memory such as ROM (Read Only Memory) or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and stores various data and programs used in the processing of the control unit 11.

[0017] The programs stored in the memory unit 12 include, for example, an OS (Operating System) for realizing the basic functions of the server 10, drivers for controlling various hardware, programs for realizing various functions, etc., and include the computer program related to this embodiment.

[0018] The communication unit 13 is, for example, a NIC (Network Interface Controller) and has a function of connecting to the communication line 5. Note that the communication unit 13 may have, instead of or together with the NIC, a function of connecting to a wireless LAN (Local Area Network), a function of connecting to a wireless WAN (Wide Area Network), a function of enabling short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), infrared communication, etc. The server 10 is connected to other information processing devices such as user terminals 20 via the communication line 5, and can transmit and receive various data to and from the other information processing devices, etc.

[0019] The control unit 11, storage unit 12, communication unit 13, operation input unit 14, and monitor 15 are electrically connected to one another via a system bus 16. Therefore, the control unit 11 can access the storage unit 12, display images on the monitor 15, grasp the operation state of the user (player) on the operation input unit 14, and access various communication networks and other information processing devices via the communication unit 13.

[0020] (1-2-2. Hardware Configuration of User Terminal 20) Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the user terminal 20 according to this embodiment. The user terminal 20 is, for example, an information processing terminal such as a smartphone or tablet terminal, and includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a communication unit 23. The user terminal 20 may also include a display unit 24 such as a touch panel display that can display images and receive operations, a speaker 25 that outputs sound, a microphone 26 that inputs sound, a camera 27 that captures an image of a subject, and operation buttons 28. The following description will focus on the differences from the server 10.

[0021] The operation buttons 28 are provided on the side of the user terminal 20, and include a power button for starting or stopping the user terminal 20, a button for adjusting the volume of the sound output by the speaker 25, and the like.

[0022] The control unit 21, memory unit 22, communication unit 23, display unit 24, speaker 25, microphone 26, camera 27, and operation buttons 28 are electrically connected to one another via a system bus 29. Therefore, the control unit 21 can access the memory unit 22, display images on the display unit 24, grasp the operation state of the touch panel display (display unit 24) and operation buttons 28 by the user, input sound to the microphone 26, output sound from the speaker 25, control the camera 27, and access various communication networks and other information processing devices via the communication unit 23.

[0023] (1-3. Functional Configuration of Server 10) As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 11 of the server 10 has an assignment control unit 11a, an instruction receiving unit 11b, and a synthesis processing unit 11c.

[0024] The granting control unit 11a is configured to grant the first game medium to the user U in response to an instruction from the user U on the first screen S1.

[0025] "Game media" refers to game objects that can be used by a user U, who is a player, in the game G. Game objects are objects that can execute various actions required for the progress of the game G, activate game effects (e.g., skills, arts, magic, techniques, etc.), etc., based on instructions from the user U or preset conditions, or objects that have effects that act on other objects, etc. in the game G. Game objects are, for example, characters or cards operated by the user U, or equipment, tools, items, etc.

[0026] The instruction receiving unit 11b is configured to be able to receive a specific operation, which is an instruction by the user U to transition to a specific screen S0 different from the first screen S1. The specific operation is an instruction (transition instruction) to execute processing for screen transition to the specific screen S0. The specific operation may also include an instruction (other instruction) to execute other processing, and processing related to the other instruction may be executed prior to processing related to the transition instruction. The specific operation is an operation to return to the specific screen, and is, for example, an operation to press (by tapping, clicking, etc.) a specific object displayed in a predetermined area of ​​the first screen S1.

[0027] The specific screen S0 is a specific screen set in advance and is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, a screen on which quest selection and various selections of functions in the game G can be made, such as a so-called home screen. The specific screen S0 is a screen different from the first screen S1 and the first related screen PS (described later) on which rewards (game media, etc.) can be received by exercising rights, and is a screen on which operations such as transitioning to these screens or to a screen for executing a specific game function can be performed.

[0028] The instruction receiving unit 11b can receive operations, instructions, etc. by the user U by receiving information related thereto from the user terminal 20. The user terminal 20 can be configured to receive instructions from the user U through an operation such as a tap by the user U on a touch panel display or the like, and to transmit information related to the operation and the instruction by the operation to the server 10.

[0029] When the instruction receiving unit 11b receives a specific operation, the combining processing unit 11c is configured to perform a combining process of combining the second game medium and the third game medium if the first game media assigned from the time the first screen S1 is displayed until the time the specific operation is received includes a third game medium that has a predetermined relationship with a second game medium included in the game media owned by the user U. Note that when transitioning to the specific screen S0 is caused by an operation other than the specific operation, the combining process is not performed on the first game medium assigned after transitioning to the first screen S1. For example, when a task is killed, or when a process is executed to forcibly transition to the specific screen S0 based on the current time, the combining process is not performed.

[0030] Here, "a third game medium having a predetermined relationship with a second game medium" means that the third game medium satisfies the conditions for combining with the second game medium. The "predetermined relationship" refers, for example, to a relationship in which the second game medium and the third game medium are identical (of the same type). In such a case, the owned second game medium and the third game medium may be said to have an overlapping relationship. The predetermined relationship may also be a relationship in which the second game medium and the third game medium are characters derived from the same character, a relationship in which the second game medium and the third game medium have the same or similar attributes, or a relationship in which the second game medium and the third game medium have a special relationship in the story or setting of the game G (for example, family, friends, master and disciple, etc., in the case where the game object is a character). The predetermined relationship may also be a relationship in which the second game medium is in a state (status) in which the third game medium can be used, in the case where the third game medium is an item that can enhance other game media.

[0031] By configuring in this way, the transition operation from the first screen S1 to a specific screen is used as a trigger to execute a synthesis process between the granted game medium and the game medium already owned, thereby reducing the number of times the synthesis process is executed compared to when it is executed every time game medium is granted on the first screen S1, and reducing the load associated with the synthesis process.

[0032] The synthesis processing unit 11c may also be configured to execute synthesis on the condition that the user U possesses certain game contents or certain parameters required for the synthesis. The synthesis processing unit 11c may be configured to consume other game contents or parameters possessed by the user U during the synthesis process. Here, the certain game contents required for the synthesis are game contents other than the game contents to be synthesized, such as a specific item. The certain parameters required for the synthesis are, for example, points possessed by the user U. In this embodiment, the synthesis process requires game contents or parameters other than the game contents to be synthesized, and their use in the synthesis process results in a decrease in the game contents or parameters. The type or amount of game contents or parameters required during the synthesis process may vary depending on the type and status of the game contents to be synthesized, or may be constant.

[0033] (1-4. Addition of Game Contents and Combining Process) The flow from addition of game contents to combining process will be described below with reference to Figures 5 to 7. In the following description, an example will be given in which the game contents are characters.

[0034] 5 shows a first screen S1 (hereinafter also referred to as the "receive box screen") on which a game medium can be received as a gift, etc. The content included in the first screen S1 is adjusted and generated by the server 10, and the user terminal 20 that receives it can display it on the display unit 24 and present it to the user U.

[0035] The receiving box screen displays rights R1, R2, R3, and R4, which represent rights that user U can exercise to receive game content. Also, a button B1 is located in the upper left corner of the receiving box.

[0036] The right is a right that causes the granting control unit 11a to execute a process of granting game media to the user U. For example, the right may be set to one or more specific game media as the game media to be granted. Alternatively, the right may be a right to be granted one or more game media through a lottery such as gacha. In the following description, it is assumed that the right is set to one or more specific characters as the game media to be granted, and that the user U can be granted those characters.

[0037] When the user U exercises the right by designating the right R1 displayed on the display unit 24, the characters C1 and C2 are granted as the first game medium in accordance with the instruction of the user U. When the user U exercises the right by designating the right R2, the character C3 is granted as the first game medium.

[0038] Next, a case where the user U presses the button B1 (specific operation) after the first screen S1 is displayed and rights R1 and R2 are exercised will be described with reference to Fig. 6. If the button B1 has a function of giving an instruction to transition to the specific screen S0, the instruction receiving unit 11b of the server 10 receives an instruction to return to the specific screen S0 via the user terminal 20.

[0039] At this time, the first game media granted to the user U during the period T from when the receiving box screen is displayed until when an instruction is received by pressing the button B1, which is a specific operation, are characters C1 to C3. Meanwhile, the user U possesses character C4.

[0040] Character C4 is a character of the same type as characters C1 and C3, but is a character of a different type from character C2. If it is set that a predetermined relationship exists when characters are of the same type, the synthesis processing unit 11c can determine that character C4, character C1, and character C3 are in a predetermined relationship, and that character C4 and character C2 are not in a predetermined relationship.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 7A, the synthesis processing unit 11c executes synthesis processing on characters C1 and C3 that are determined to have a predetermined relationship with character C4. In FIG. 7A, character C4 is first synthesized with character C1 to generate character C4'. Next, character C4' is synthesized with character C3 to generate character C4''. Characters C4' and C4'' may be characters of the same type as character C4, with some of their status updated (strengthened, etc.). Note that synthesis does not have to be performed sequentially, but may be configured to be executed simultaneously after calculating updated values ​​of status, etc., based on all of the characters that can be synthesized.

[0042] Note that character C4' and character C4'' may be stored and managed as a game medium separate from character C4. Also, character C4' and character C4'' may be stored and managed as the same game medium as character C4, and may be controlled so that their statuses are simply updated.

[0043] In FIG. 7B, character C5 is generated by combining character C4 and character C1. Character C5 is a character of a different type from character C4, but is a character derived from character C4 through evolution or the like (a character of the same lineage). The synthesis processing unit 11c may be configured to be able to generate character C5' by combining character C3, which is a character of a different type but belonging to the same lineage, with such character C5. In this case, the synthesis processing unit 11c determines that character C5 and character C3 have a predetermined relationship.

[0044] 7C differs from the case of FIG. 7B in that the synthesis processing unit 11c determines that characters of different types but belonging to the same lineage do not have a predetermined relationship. The first synthesis process for synthesizing character C1 generates character C5, which is a character of a different type from character C4 but is derived from character C4 through evolution or the like (a character of the same lineage). The synthesis processing unit 11c is configured not to execute synthesis of such character C5 and character C3.

[0045] When there are multiple game contents that can be combined for the same game content, the combination processing unit 11c can determine the combination order according to a user U's specification or predetermined conditions. For example, the combination processing unit 11c can determine the combination order based on the order in which the game contents were assigned. Alternatively, the combination processing unit 11c may determine the combination order so that the status of the game contents generated when all game contents are combined is maximized (so that it is advantageous for progressing through the game).

[0046] After the synthesis processing by the synthesis processing unit 11c is completed, the server 10 continues the transition processing to the specific screen S0, and enables the specific screen S0 to be displayed on the user terminal 20. Note that the server 10 may execute the transition processing to the specific screen S0 in parallel with the synthesis processing by the synthesis processing unit 11c.

[0047] (1-5. Processing Flow of Game Providing System 1) An example of the processing flow of the game providing system 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0048] In step S200, the user terminal 20 displays the first screen S1 provided by the server 10 on the display unit 24. Next, in step S210, the user terminal 20 accepts an instruction to provide the first game medium by operation of the user U, and transmits the instruction to the server 10.

[0049] In step S100, the instruction receiving unit 11b of the server 10 receives an instruction to provide a first game medium from the user terminal 20. In step S110, the provision control unit 11a provides one or more first game media to the user U and associates the provided first game media with the user U and stores them in the storage unit 12 or the like. The server 10 may wait until processing is executed in response to instructions in steps S220 and S120, which will be described later, or steps S210 and S100 may be repeated during the wait.

[0050] In step S220, the user terminal 20 accepts an instruction to transition to the specific screen S0 based on a specific operation by the user U, and transmits the instruction to the server 10. In step S120, the instruction to transition to the specific screen S0 is accepted.

[0051] In step S130, it is determined whether the first game media granted from the display of the first screen S1 until the reception of the specific operation include a third game medium that has a predetermined relationship with a second game medium included in the game media owned by the user U. If a third game medium that has a predetermined relationship with the second game medium is included, step S140 is executed. If a third game medium that has a predetermined relationship with the second game medium is not included, step S150 is executed. S150 is also executed after S140.

[0052] In S140, the synthesis processing unit 11c executes synthesis processing to synthesize the second game medium and the third game medium.

[0053] In step S150, a process of transitioning to the specific screen S0 is executed. In step S230, the user terminal 20 displays the specific screen S0 on the display unit 24 in accordance with the process of transitioning to the specific screen S0.

[0054] <2. Modifications> Various embodiments will be described below, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0055] (2-1. Variation 1) The instruction receiving unit 11b is configured to be able to receive a right exercise instruction, which is an instruction from the user U to exercise multiple rights, which are rights to be granted game media, displayed on the first screen S1. The granting control unit 11a is configured to notify the user U of a first message associated with the first right in response to the right exercise instruction from the user U for a first right included in the multiple rights, execute a first granting process to grant the first game media to the user U based on the first right on the condition that the notification of the first message has been executed, and, triggered by the execution of the first granting process, notify the user U of a second message associated with a second right included in the multiple rights and grant the first game media based on the second right.

[0056] By adopting such a configuration, the granting of game media based on each right can be executed continuously while ensuring that the user U confirms it.

[0057] One aspect of this modified example will be described below with reference to Figures 5 and 9 to 10. Rights R1 to R4 are displayed as rights to be granted game content displayed on the first screen S1.

[0058] The instruction receiving unit 11b receives a right exercise instruction by the user U specifying the right R1 via the user terminal 20. The granting control unit 11a notifies the user U of a first message that has been stored in association with the right R1 in response to the user U's right exercise instruction for the right R1. The notification can be performed by displaying the first message on the display unit 24 of the user terminal 20.

[0059] The first message may be arranged and displayed in the first related screen PS. The grant control unit 11a can generate the content of the first related screen PS to be displayed as a pop-up overlaid on the first screen S1 on the user terminal 20 in response to an instruction to exercise the right R1, and control the display thereof.

[0060] 9, the first related screen PS may be provided with a message display area MA for displaying a first message, etc. The user U is notified by a pop-up of the first related screen PS and the first message displayed on the screen.

[0061] The first related screen PS may also be provided with a receive button B2. When the user U presses the receive button B2, the first message is notified, and information that the message has been confirmed is transmitted to the server 10. The first related screen PS may also be closed when the user U presses the receive button B2.

[0062] The granting control unit 11a executes a first granting process to grant the first game medium to the user U based on the right R1, on the condition that the notification of the first message has been executed, but may also control the first granting process to be executed after the receive button B2 is pressed.

[0063] Next, the granting control unit 11a, upon execution of the first granting process, notifies the user U of a second message associated with the right R2. Along with the notification, the granting control unit 11a executes a second granting process to grant the first game medium to the user U based on the right R2. By executing the first granting process, processing related to the exercise of the right R2 is also executed, and the user U no longer needs to exercise the right by specifying the right R2.

[0064] The assignment control unit 11a can perform the second assignment process by using the first related screen PS that pops up a notification of the second message before executing the second assignment process, as shown in Fig. 10. The assignment control unit 11a may only execute a process of changing the message in the message display area MA of the first related screen PS that displays the first message to the second message, or may control the first related screen PS to be closed once and then displayed again.

[0065] The granting control unit 11a may control the second granting process to be executed after the second message is notified to the user U. The granting control unit 11a may also control the second granting process to be executed after the receive button B2 on the first related screen PS displaying the second message is pressed.

[0066] Then, the granting control unit 11a may control execution of a third granting process, triggered by execution of the second granting process, to notify a third message associated with right R3 and grant the first game medium based on right R3. Thereafter, a similar notification and granting process is performed for right R4, and granting processes are executed consecutively. Note that such consecutive granting processes may start with any of rights R1 to R4 (started by user U's designation). Further, subsequent processes may also be executed based on the display order, or may be executed regardless of the display order.

[0067] (2-2. Variation 2) The instruction receiving unit 11b is configured to receive a right exercise instruction, which is an instruction from the user U to exercise multiple rights that are rights to be granted exercisable game media on the first screen S1, and to increase the priority of presenting to the user U a right that is included in multiple rights other than the right exercise instruction and that can grant game media that overlaps with the game media granted by the right exercise instruction. Here, "overlapping" means that both game media are the same type of game media.

[0068] With this configuration, the user U can efficiently receive the game content he or she desires.

[0069] An example will be described in which the multiple rights that are rights to be granted game media that can be exercised on the first screen S1 are rights R1 to R4 as follows: When the user U exercises the right by designating right R1 displayed on the display unit 24, characters C1 and C2 are granted as the first game media in accordance with the instruction of the user U. When the right is exercised by designating right R2, character C3 is granted as the first game media. When the right is exercised by designating right R3, character C6 is granted as the first game media. When the right is exercised by designating right R4, character C7 is granted as the first game media.

[0070] When characters C1 and C3 are the same type of character and characters C6 and C7 are different types of characters, the instruction receiving unit 11b performs control so that right R2 is given a higher priority for presentation to the user U than rights R3 and R4. The instruction receiving unit 11b may perform control so that right R2 is positioned higher on the first screen S1 than rights R3 and R4. Furthermore, the instruction receiving unit 11b may perform control so that right R2 is exercised before rights R3 and R4 when rights are exercised consecutively in Modification 1.

[0071] (2-3. Modification 3) The instruction receiving unit 11b controls to receive a specific operation or a right exercise instruction while checking a notification associated with the right to receive a game medium. This configuration increases the opportunities for the user U to transition to the specific screen S0.

[0072] In this modified example, notification of a message associated with right R1 is performed as shown in FIG. The user terminal 20 is controlled so that a pressing operation of the button B1 by the user U can be accepted while the (first related screen PS) is displayed as a pop-up. The instruction accepting unit 11b is also controlled so that an instruction by a specific operation of pressing the button B1, which causes a transition to a specific screen S0 different from the first screen S1 by the user U, can be accepted. Also, while a notification of a message associated with the right R1 is displayed as a pop-up, other rights such as the right R2 can be exercised.

[0073] (2-4. Variation 4) When the compositing process is set to be executable without an instruction from the user U, the compositing process unit 11c controls the compositing process to be executable upon receipt of a specific operation by the instruction receiving unit 11b. With this configuration, the compositing process can be automatically executed at a specific timing in accordance with the user U's intention.

[0074] The setting that enables the synthesis process to be executed without instructions from the user U may be set to be executed for all game media or all characters. Furthermore, the setting may be set to be executed for game media that meet specific requirements, such as belonging to a specific category. Furthermore, the setting may be set to be executed for specific game media designated by the user U.

[0075] (2-5. Variation 5) The synthesis processor 11c may be configured to update specific parameters of the second game media based on the number of third game media granted through the synthesis process. This configuration allows the user U to receive parameter updates according to the number of game media granted that can be combined.

[0076] When a specific parameter updated by the merging process reaches a predetermined value, the merging processing unit 11c controls the display of a second screen S2 including information about the merged second game medium before displaying the specific screen S0. Here, the "predetermined value" is a predetermined value, such as a maximum value. This configuration allows the user U to easily understand that a specific parameter related to the second game medium has reached a predetermined value. It also makes it possible to create an effect that makes the user U feel a sense of accomplishment.

[0077] The synthesis processing unit 11c may perform control so that the second screen S2 is displayed by displaying the second screen S2 during the transition from the first screen S1 to the specific screen S0. Alternatively, the synthesis processing unit 11c may perform control so that the second screen S2 is displayed as a pop-up overlaid on the first screen S1 or the specific screen S0, as shown in Fig. 11. The second screen S2 may be controlled to close automatically after a certain time has elapsed since its display, or may be controlled to close in response to an operation by the user U. The second screen S2 may display, for example, information indicating that a specific parameter of the second game medium after synthesis has reached a predetermined value.

[0078] (2-6. Variation 6) The instruction receiving unit 11b receives a right exercise instruction, which is an instruction from the user U to exercise the right to be granted an exercisable game medium on the first screen S1, and when a specific operation is received, if the right to be granted a first game medium that is exercisable on the first screen S1 and can be combined with the second game medium remains unexercised by the user U, controls to display the third screen S3 including information regarding the right to be granted the first game medium, and the granting control unit 11a is configured to be able to grant the game medium to the user U based on the right exercise instruction. This configuration can prompt the user U to receive the combineable game medium.

[0079] We will explain a case where, when user U exercises right by specifying right R1 displayed on display unit 24, characters C1 and C2 are granted as the first game medium in accordance with user U's instructions, and when right R2 is exercised by specifying right R2, character C3 is granted as the first game medium.

[0080] For example, suppose that the user U is granted characters C1 and C2 as the first game medium by exercising right R1, but the right to be granted character C3 as the first game medium remains if right R2 is not yet exercised. Furthermore, suppose that character C3 has a predetermined relationship with character C4 owned by user U. In such a case, the instruction receiving unit 11b can notify user U on the displayed third screen S3 that right R2 remains to be granted to character C3, which can be combined with character C4.

[0081] The synthesis processing unit 11c may perform control so that the third screen S3 is superimposed on the first screen S1 and displayed as a pop-up, as shown in Fig. 12. The third screen S3 may be controlled to close automatically after a certain time has elapsed since it was displayed, or may be controlled to close in response to an operation by the user U.

[0082] The instruction receiving unit 11b may perform control so as to be able to receive an instruction regarding the exercise of right R2 while the third screen S3 is displayed. The user terminal 20 may be configured so as to be able to receive a designation operation by the user U of right R2 on the first screen S1 in order to exercise right R2 while the third screen S3 is displayed. Furthermore, the user terminal 20 may be configured so as to be able to receive a pressing operation by the user U on button B3 arranged on the third screen S3 in order to receive an instruction to exercise right R2 while the third screen S3 is displayed.

[0083] The instruction receiving unit 11b may be configured to control, upon receiving the specific operation, to execute a display process of the third screen S3 if the number of first game media that can be granted by one or more rights to receive first game media remaining unexercised on the first screen S1 is equal to or greater than the number that can be combined with the second game media to update a specific parameter of the second game media to a predetermined value. This configuration allows the user U to be notified when receiving combineable game media will be particularly effective.

[0084] For example, suppose that user U is granted characters C1 and C2 as the first game medium by exercising right R1, but if right R2 is not yet exercised, the right to be granted character C3 as the first game medium remains. Furthermore, suppose that characters C1 and C3 are in a predetermined relationship with character C4 owned by user U. Character C1 has already been granted by exercising right R1, and is subsequently combined with character C4 through the above-mentioned combination process, and a specific parameter of character C4 is updated to increase by 1. Here, suppose that character C3 is granted and further combined with character C4, and a specific parameter of character C4 is updated to increase by 1, and the specific parameter reaches a predetermined value.

[0085] In such a case, the instruction receiving unit 11b can notify the user U on the displayed third screen S3 that the right R2 remains to grant the character C3 that can be combined with the character C4. The instruction receiving unit 11b may perform control so that the user U is notified that a specific parameter of the character C4 reaches a predetermined value through combination by exercising the right R2 on the third screen S3.

[0086] On the other hand, if three or more game media are required to combine to increase a specific parameter of character C4 to a predetermined value, combining one character C3 granted by exercising right R2 is not enough to increase the specific parameter to the predetermined value. In such a case, the instruction receiving unit 11b can control not to display the third screen S3. Note that, in addition to right R2, if a character granted by exercising rights has a predetermined relationship with character C4 and there are one or more rights sufficient to make a specific parameter reach a predetermined value through combination, the granting of characters by exercising those rights can be incorporated into the calculation for determining whether to display the third screen S3.

[0087] (2-7. Variation 7)

[0088] When the instruction receiving unit 11b receives a specific operation, if a third game medium is included among the first game media granted up until the specific operation is received, and if there are one or more rights to be granted the third game medium that remain unexercised on the first screen S1, the instruction receiving unit 11b controls the display of the third screen S3 to be executed.

[0089] In other words, when the game media granted before receiving the specific operation includes game media that has a predetermined relationship with game media owned by user U and can be combined with the game media owned by user U, and user U can receive game media that can be similarly combined in a later combination process by exercising other rights, the instruction receiving unit 11b prompts user U to receive the game media by exercising the rights by controlling the display of the third screen S3.

[0090] This configuration can prevent user U from losing the opportunity to be given game media that can be combined in the same way as the game media that user U has received.

[0091] <3. Other Embodiments> Although the embodiments and their modifications of the present invention have been described above, the application of the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described contents.

[0092] For example, in the above embodiment, the server 10 is mainly responsible for each function, but some functions may be provided by the user terminal 20, or may be provided by both the server 10 and the user terminal 20.

[0093] Furthermore, an information processing device such as the server 10 may not only be a device that is physically composed of a single device, but may also include multiple devices that are connected to each other via wired or wireless communication and function essentially as a single information processing device.

[0094] Furthermore, each step described in the above embodiment as being executed by the server 10 may be implemented in a manner in which it is executed by the user terminal 20.

[0095] Furthermore, the present invention can also be realized as a program that causes the above-mentioned game providing system to function.

[0096] Furthermore, the present invention can also be realized as a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium storing the above-mentioned program.

[0097] Various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but these are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The novel embodiments may be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Such embodiments and modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims.

[0098] 4. Features of the Embodiments The following summarizes the features of the embodiments of the present invention. One aspect of the present invention provides an information processing device including a granting control unit, an instruction receiving unit, and a combination processing unit, wherein the granting control unit grants first game media to a user in response to an instruction from the user on a first screen, the instruction receiving unit receives a specific operation from the user as an instruction to transition to a specific screen different from the first screen, and the combination processing unit, when the instruction receiving unit receives the specific operation, executes a combination process to combine the second game media with the third game media if the first game media granted from the time the first screen is displayed until the time the specific operation is received is a third game medium that has a predetermined relationship with a second game medium included in a game medium owned by the user.

[0099] By configuring in this way, the transition operation from the first screen to a specific screen is used as a trigger to execute a synthesis process between the granted game medium and the game medium already owned, thereby reducing the number of times the synthesis process is executed compared to when it is executed every time game medium is granted on the first screen, and reducing the load associated with the synthesis process.

[0100] The instruction receiving unit may be configured to receive a right exercise instruction from the user to exercise a plurality of rights displayed on the first screen, the rights being rights to receive a grant of game media, the granting control unit may be configured to notify the user of a first message associated with the first right in response to the right exercise instruction for a first right included in the plurality of rights, execute a first granting process to grant the first game media to the user based on the first right on condition that the notification of the first message has been executed, and, upon execution of the first granting process, notify the user of a second message associated with a second right included in the plurality of rights and grant the first game media based on the second right. This configuration allows the granting of game media based on each right to be executed consecutively while ensuring confirmation by the user U.

[0101] The instruction receiving unit may be configured to control the specific operation or the right exercise instruction so as to be able to receive the specific operation or the right exercise instruction while checking a notification associated with the right to receive the game content. By configuring in this manner, the user U can have more opportunities to transition to the specific screen S0.

[0102] The compositing processing unit may be configured to control the compositing processing so that it can be executed when the instruction receiving unit receives the specific operation, when the compositing processing is set to be executable without an instruction from the user U. With this configuration, the compositing processing can be automatically executed at a specific timing in accordance with the intention of the user U.

[0103] The combination processing unit may be configured to update specific parameters of the second game medium based on the number of third game mediums granted by the combination process, allowing the user U to receive parameter updates according to the number of combineable game mediums granted.

[0104] The merging processing unit may be configured to control the display of a second screen including information about the merged second game medium before displaying the specific screen when the specific parameter updated by the merging process reaches a predetermined value. This configuration allows the user U to easily understand that the specific parameter related to the second game medium has reached a predetermined value. It also enables the user U to easily feel a sense of accomplishment.

[0105] The instruction receiving unit may be configured to receive a right exercise instruction from the user to exercise the right to receive the exercisable game medium on the first screen, and when the specific operation is received, if the right to receive the first game medium that is exercisable on the first screen and can be combined with the second game medium remains unexercised by the user, control to display a third screen including information regarding the right to receive the first game medium, and the granting control unit may be configured to grant the game medium to the user based on the right exercise instruction. This configuration can prompt user U to receive the combineable game medium.

[0106] The instruction receiving unit may be configured to, when receiving the specific operation, control the display of the third screen if the number of the first game media that can be granted by one or more rights to receive the first game media remaining unexercised on the first screen is equal to or greater than the number that can update a specific parameter of the second game media to a predetermined value by combining the first game media with the second game media. With this configuration, it is possible to notify the user U when receiving the combineable game media will be particularly effective.

[0107] The instruction receiving unit may be configured, upon receiving the specific operation, to control the display of the third screen if the third game medium is included among the first game media granted up until the specific operation is accepted, and if there are one or more rights to receive the third game medium remaining unexercised on the first screen. This configuration can prevent user U from losing an opportunity to receive a combineable game medium similar to the combineable game medium that user U received.

[0108] The instruction receiving unit may be configured to receive a right exercise instruction from the user to exercise a plurality of rights that are rights to be granted exercisable game contents on the first screen, and to control the display of a right included in the plurality of rights other than the right for which the right exercise instruction was received, the right exercise instruction, which is capable of granting game contents that overlap with the game contents granted by the right exercise instruction, to the user U. This configuration allows the user U to efficiently receive the game contents he or she desires.

[0109] In one aspect of the present invention, a program is provided that causes a computer to execute an assignment control step, an instruction receiving step, and a synthesis processing step, wherein in the assignment control step, a first game medium is assigned to a user in accordance with an instruction from the user on a first screen, in the instruction receiving step, a specific operation is received from the user, which is an instruction to transition to a specific screen different from the first screen, and in the synthesis processing step, when the computer receives the specific operation, if the first game medium assigned from the time the first screen is displayed until the time the specific operation is received includes a third game medium that has a predetermined relationship with a second game medium included in a game medium owned by the user, a synthesis process is executed to combine the second game medium and the third game medium.

[0110] An information processing method is provided in which a computer provides a first game medium to a user in response to an instruction from the user on a first screen, the computer accepts a specific operation by the user which is an instruction to transition to a specific screen different from the first screen, and when the computer accepts the specific operation, if the first game medium provided from the time the first screen is displayed until the time the specific operation is accepted includes a third game medium that has a predetermined relationship with a second game medium included in a game medium owned by the user, the computer executes a synthesis process to synthesize the second game medium and the third game medium. [Explanation of symbols]

[0111] 1: Game providing system, 5: Communication line, 10: Server, 11: Control unit, 11a: Granting control unit, 11b: Instruction receiving unit, 11c: Synthesis processing unit, 12: Memory unit, 13: Communication unit, 14: Operation input unit, 15: Monitor, 16: System bus, 20: User terminal, 21: Control unit, 22: Memory unit, 23: Communication unit, 24: Display unit, 25: Speaker, 26: Microphone, 27: Camera, 28: Operation button, 29: System bus, B1: Button, B2: Receive button, B3: Button, C1, C2, C 3, C4, C4', C4'', C5', C6, C7: Character, G: Game, MA: Message display area, PS: First related screen, R1, R2, R3, R4: Rights, S0: Specific screen, S1: First screen, S100: Step, S110: Step, S120: Step, S130: Step, S140: Step, S150: Step, S2: Second screen, S200: Step, S210: Step, S220: Step, S230: Step, S3: Third screen, U: User

Claims

[Claim 1] The apparatus includes an assignment control unit, an instruction receiving unit, and a synthesis processing unit, the granting control unit grants a first game medium to the user in response to an instruction from the user on the first screen; the instruction receiving unit receives a specific operation by the user, the specific operation being an instruction to transition to a specific screen different from the first screen; When the instruction receiving unit receives the specific operation, if the first game media provided from the time the first screen is displayed until the time the specific operation is received includes a third game medium that has a predetermined relationship with a second game medium included in the game media owned by the user, the synthesis processing unit executes a synthesis process to synthesize the second game medium and the third game medium. Information processing device.

Images