Information processing device, program, and information processing method

Abstract

To provide an information processing device that enables a user to identify what is designated by other users when a plurality of users designate and take game media.SOLUTION: An information processing device includes a reception part and a display control part. The reception part receives designation of game media desired to be provided from each of a plurality of users, concerning a plurality of game media that can be provided to users belonging to a group composed of the plurality of users. The display control part displays, in an identifiable manner, the game media that each of the plurality of users designates of the plurality of game media.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a game system that provides a lottery game in which a plurality of users participate together. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2018-183573 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the system of Patent Document 1, a user cannot identify an item that another user has designated and desired to acquire at the time of designation.

[0005] The present invention provides an information processing device, a program, and an information processing method that allow a user to identify what other users are specifying when multiple users specify and compete for game content. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An information processing device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a reception unit and a display control unit, wherein the reception unit receives a designation of a game medium desired to be provided from each of a plurality of users belonging to a group consisting of the plurality of users from among a plurality of game media that can be provided to the users, and the display control unit identifiably displays the game medium designated by each of the plurality of users from among the plurality of game media.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, when multiple users specify and compete for a game medium, the user can identify what the other users are specifying. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an overview of a game content provision 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] 10 is an example of a screen (designation screen) for designating game media according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 2 is a diagram showing a processing flow by the game content provision system 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7] 1 is a diagram showing an overview of a game content provision system 1 according to a first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a server 10 according to a second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the flow of processing by the game content provision system 1 according to the second embodiment. [Figure 10] 10 is an example of a designation screen according to the second embodiment. [Figure 11] 13 is an example of a table recording the relationship between designation and alternative designation according to the third embodiment. [Figure 12] 13 is an example of a table recording the relationship between a designation and an alternative designation (conflict with a designation by another user) according to the third embodiment. [Figure 13] 13 is an example of a table recording the relationship between a designation and an alternative designation (conflict with another alternative designation) according to the third embodiment. [Figure 14] 13 is an example of a designation screen according to Modification 3. [Figure 15]13 is an example of a designation screen according to Modification 4. [Figure 16] 13 is an example of a designation screen according to Modification 6. [Figure 17] 13 is an example of a designation screen according to Modification 7. 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 Media Provision System 1) An information processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention is a server 10 constituting part of a game media provision system 1 as shown in FIG. 1. The game media provision system 1 includes the server 10 and user terminals 20 (user terminal 20a and user terminal 20b). Such a game media provision system 1 constitutes part of a game that can be played by one or more users, each operating game media, etc., and can provide game media used in the game.

[0011] The server 10 is configured to be able to communicate with the user terminal 20 via a communication line 5. The server 10 accepts designations of game media desired by multiple users, and controls the display of the game media designated by each user on the user terminal 20 so that the designated game media can be identified. Each component will be described below.

[0012] (1-2. Hardware Configuration of Game Content Provision System 1) The hardware configuration of the game content provision system 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG.

[0013] (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 including a keyboard, a mouse, etc., that accepts input for various operations, and a monitor 15, such as a liquid crystal display device, that displays various images.

[0014] 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.

[0015] 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.

[0016] 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.

[0017] 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.

[0018] 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 status of the operation input unit 14 by the user, and access various communication networks and other information processing devices via the communication unit 13.

[0019] (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.

[0020] 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.

[0021] 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.

[0022] (1-3. Functional Configuration of Server 10) As shown in Fig. 4, the control unit 11 of the server 10 includes a reception unit 11a and a display control unit 11b. The control unit 11 may further include an organization unit 11c and a candidate determination unit 11d.

[0023] The reception unit 11a is configured to receive, from among a plurality of game media that can be provided to users belonging to a group G made up of a plurality of users, designation of game media desired to be provided from each of the plurality of users. The display control unit 11b is configured to identifiably display game media designated by each of the plurality of users among the plurality of game media. With this configuration, when multiple users designate and compete for game media, users can identify what other users have designated. By being able to identify the game media designated by other users, users can use this information as a reference when deciding which game media to designate.

[0024] Here, group G is a structural unit to which multiple users belong. For example, the organizing unit 11c can be configured to be able to organize group G. For example, the organizing unit 11c receives a request from user U1 via the user terminal 20a to organize group G consisting of user U1 and user U2, and records user U1 and user U2 as constituent users of group G in a database or the like of the storage unit 12 based on the request.

[0025] Here, "game media" is a general term for electronic data media used by users to progress through a game. Specifically, game media may include, for example, characters, items, cards, avatars, etc.

[0026] The candidate designator 11d determines a plurality of game media that can be provided to users belonging to group G. Candidates for game media to be provided to users are selected by the candidate designator 11d.

[0027] Such functional configuration may be realized by software (including so-called apps) appropriately installed on the server 10, or may be realized by hardware. When realized by software, the control unit 11 can realize various functions by executing programs that constitute the software.

[0028] When the functions are realized by executing a program, the program may be stored in the storage unit 12 built into the server 10, or may be stored in a computer-readable recording medium or a non-transitory recording medium. Alternatively, the functions may be realized by reading a program stored in an external storage device and using so-called cloud computing. Alternatively, when the functions are realized by hardware, they may be realized by various circuits such as ASIC, SOC, FPGA, or DRP. Furthermore, some of the above-described functional configurations may be processed by software or hardware in the user terminal 20, etc.

[0029] (1-4. Control Related to Designation and Display of Game Content) Referring to FIG. 5, This section explains examples of control related to the designation and display of game media.

[0030] The candidate designator 11d determines game media M1 to M8 that can be provided to users belonging to group G. Here, the number of game media selected as game media that can be provided to users belonging to group G is eight, but the number of game media is not particularly limited and can be selected arbitrarily from two or more. In one example, the number of game media selected as game media that can be provided to users belonging to group G may be a multiple of the number of users belonging to group G. By using a multiple of the number of users, it becomes possible for each user to be provided with the same number of game media.

[0031] Then, the reception unit 11a receives designations of game media desired to be provided from each of the users U1 and U2 from among game media M1 to M8, which are multiple game media that can be provided to users belonging to the group G. Below, an example will be described in which the group G is composed of two users, user U1 and user U2, but in other aspects, the group G may be controlled to allow three or more users to belong to it.

[0032] The display control unit 11b controls the display units 24 of the user terminals 20a and 20b to display the game media M1 to M8 that can be provided to users belonging to the group G determined by the candidate designator 11d as objects that can be selected for designation by the users U1 and U2 on the user terminals 20a and 20b. The accepting unit 11a accepts, from each terminal, designations made by users on the objects corresponding to each game medium on the user terminals 20a and 20b in response to user operations.

[0033] The reception unit 11a may control the number of game media designated by each user based on a predetermined standard. The maximum number that each user can designate may be set to a specific value (e.g., 4) based on the number of game media that can be provided and the number of users belonging to group G. The minimum number that each user can designate (the minimum number that should be designated) may be set to a specific value (e.g., 1). The number of game media that each user should designate may be set to a specific value (e.g., all users should designate exactly 3). The number of game media that each user should designate may be determined based on the relationship between the game media that can be provided to users belonging to group G and the number of users belonging to group G. For example, if the number of game media that can be provided is 8 and the number of users is 2, the number of game media that each user should designate may be divided by the number of users to set the number of game media that each user should designate to 4 (i.e., 8 / 2=4).

[0034] Fig. 5 shows an example of a screen (designation screen) for designating game media on user terminal 20a. In the example of Fig. 5, user U1 designates game media M2, game media M4, and game media M5 as the game media he or she wishes to receive, and user U2 designates game media M3, game media M5, and game media M7 as the game media he or she wishes to receive. A similar screen may also be displayed on user terminal 20b.

[0035] In order to identifiably display the game media designated by each of the multiple users among the multiple game media, the display control unit 11b differentiates the display on the user terminal 20a and the user terminal 20b relating to the object corresponding to the designated game media from the object that is not designated.

[0036] In the example of Figure 5, a rectangular frame is displayed around the object corresponding to the specified game medium. The display control unit 11b controls the display unit 24 of the user terminal 20a (user terminal 20b) to display a selection frame F1 indicating that the game medium M2 and the game medium M4 have been selected by user U1. The display control unit 11b controls the display unit 24 of the user terminal 20a (user terminal 20b) to display a selection frame F2 indicating that the game medium M3 and the game medium M7 have been selected by user U2. The display control unit 11b controls the display unit 24 of the user terminal 20a (user terminal 20b) to display a selection frame F3 indicating that the game medium M4 has been selected by both user U1 and user U2.

[0037] The example in Figure 5 shows an example in which a rectangular frame (selection frame F1-F3) corresponding to the selection is displayed to identifiably display the game content selected by each user, but other control methods may also be used. For example, the shape and decoration of the frame may be different from those in the example in Figure 5. Furthermore, text or an icon indicating the selected user may be displayed so as to overlap or be near the object of the game content selected by each user.

[0038] (1-5. Processing Flow by Game Content Provision System 1) The processing flow by the game content provision system 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0039] First, step S100 is executed. In step S100, the candidates designator 11d designates a plurality of game media that can be provided to users belonging to group G.

[0040] Next, step S110 is executed. In step S110, the candidate designator 11d transmits the determined plurality of game media to the user terminal 20a and the user terminal 20b, and presents candidates of game media that can be designated by the user U1 and the user U2. Each terminal displays the plurality of game media that can be provided to the users belonging to group G as corresponding objects on the display unit 24 (steps S200 and S300).

[0041] Next, steps S210 and S310 are executed. In steps S210 and S310, user terminal 20a and user terminal 20b accept operations related to the designation of game media by user U1 and user U2, respectively, and transmit the designation content based on the operations to server 10. In step S120, which is executed next, reception unit 11a accepts the designation content transmitted from each terminal. Reception unit 11a may record the accepted designation content in a database of storage unit 12, etc.

[0042] Next, steps S130, S220, and S320 are executed. In step S130, the designation contents of each user are shared with other users in the group. For such sharing, the display control unit 11b transmits the designation contents of user U1 to user terminal 20b to share them with user U2, and transmits the designation contents of user U2 to user terminal 20a to share them with user U1. In addition, in step S130, the display control unit 11b controls the display of game media designated by each of the multiple users among the multiple game media in an identifiable manner.

[0043] <2. Second embodiment> (2-1. Game content provision system 1 according to second embodiment) The following describes a game content provision system 1 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the game content provision system 1 in the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it further includes a provision determination unit 11e that determines the game content to be provided to each user. The following description will focus on the differences.

[0044] 8, the control unit 11 of the server 10 includes a reception unit 11a, a display control unit 11b, and a provision determination unit 11e. The control unit 11 may further include an organization unit 11c and a candidate determination unit 11d.

[0045] The receiving unit 11a is configured to be able to receive a confirmation operation of a designation from each of the multiple users belonging to group G. The provision determining unit 11e is configured to determine the game content to be provided to each of the multiple users based on the designations of the multiple users when the receiving unit 11a receives a confirmation operation from all of the multiple users. With this configuration, provision determination can be made based on the user's confirmation operation.

[0046] The provision determination unit 11e determines a destination user for each of game media designated by only one user, designated by two or more users, and undesignated game media designated by no user. In addition, the provision determination unit 11e may use, as conditions for the determination process, not only the designation status of each game medium, but also the designation status of other game media, the occurrence of overlapping designations, the number of designations by each user, the characteristics of the game media designated by each user, information on the game media owned by each user, etc.

[0047] The provision determination unit 11e can determine to provide each of the multiple game media that have been presented as designated targets to multiple users belonging to group G to one user. In the example of Fig. 5, if the provision determination unit 11e determines to provide game medium M5 to user U1, it can control the provision so that game medium M5 is not provided to user U2 at the opportunity for provision based on the designation.

[0048] Furthermore, the provision determination unit 11e may be configured to determine, when confirmation operations are received from all of the multiple users belonging to group G, to provide, among the multiple game media, a first game medium designated by one of the multiple users but not designated by any other user to the one user. This configuration enables a process that prioritizes users who have made individual designations. In the example of FIG. 5, the provision determination unit 11e may determine to provide, to user U1, game media M2 and game media M4 designated solely by user U1, and to provide, to user U2, game media M3 and game media M7 designated solely by user U2.

[0049] Furthermore, the provision determination unit 11e may be configured to determine, when confirmation operations are received from all of the multiple users, whether to provide a second game medium designated by two or more users among the multiple game media to one of the two or more users who designated the second game medium. This configuration allows for processing without providing duplicated game media. In the example of FIG. 5, the provision determination unit 11e may determine that a game medium M5 designated by both user U1 and user U2 is to be provided to either user U1 or user U2.

[0050] When determining the recipient of duplicated designated game media, the provision determination unit 11e can adopt a random determination method, a lottery determination method based on a predetermined provision probability, a method based on the results of a game (mini-game) to determine the recipient, etc.

[0051] The provision determination unit 11e, when receiving confirmation operations from all of the multiple users belonging to group G, may determine to provide the second game medium to one of the two or more users based on a provision probability applied to each of the two or more users who have designated the second game medium, and the display control unit 11b may be configured to control the display of the provision probability so that the two or more users who have designated the second game medium can distinguish it from each other before the provision determination unit 11e determines the user to whom the game medium will be provided. With such a configuration, the user does not know which user will be selected as the provision recipient, but the system can more easily control the provision recipient.

[0052] The provision determination unit 11e may be configured to determine the provision of a third game medium, which is not specified by any of the multiple users, to each of two or more users who have specified a second game medium but are unable to receive the second game medium. This configuration allows users who are unable to receive game media that are specified by multiple users to receive compensation by receiving other game media instead. In the example of FIG. 5, if game media M2, game media M4, and game media M5 are determined to be provided to user U1 and game media M3 and game media M7 are determined to be provided to user U2, the provision determination unit 11e may determine to provide one of the three unspecified game media, game media M1, game media M6, and game media M8 (e.g., game medium M1), to user U2 as compensation for not receiving game medium M5.

[0053] The provision determination unit 11e may also determine the number of unspecified game media to be provided to each user so that the same number of game media is provided to each user. The destination of the unspecified game media may be determined randomly, based on the specified status, or based on a preset criterion. If the number of candidate game media is not divisible by the number of users belonging to group G, control may be performed to minimize the difference in the number of game media to be provided among users.

[0054] 5, if it is determined that game media M2, M4, and M5 will be provided to user U1 and game media M3 and M7 will be provided to user U2, the provision determination unit 11e can determine to provide one of the three unspecified game media, game media M1, M6, and M8 (e.g., game medium M6), to user U1 and the remaining two (e.g., game medium M1 and game medium M8) to user U2. If it is determined that game medium M1 will be provided to user U2 as compensation for not being provided with game medium M5, the two unspecified game media, game medium M6 and game medium M8, can be distributed to user U1 and user U2.

[0055] The provision determination unit 11e may also determine that unspecified game media will not be provided to any user. In the example of Fig. 5, the provision determination unit 11e may also determine that game media M1, game media M6, and game media M8 will not be provided to any user. Note that the provision determination unit 11e may also determine, based on preset criteria, that some of the unspecified game media will be provided to some users and some of the game media will not be provided to any user.

[0056] The receiving unit 11a may be configured to receive changes to the game media desired by each of the multiple users before the provision determination unit 11e determines the users to whom the game media will be provided. This configuration allows users to change their designations even after designation, giving them an opportunity to reconsider, and enabling flexible designation operations and acceptance control. A user can select the game media they want to designate while viewing the game media designated by other users. This allows a user to select, for the number of available slots, whether to be guaranteed to receive the game media by designating a game media that does not overlap with the designations of other users, or to obtain the game media based on the probability of receiving the game media in the event that the designation overlaps with the designation of other users.

[0057] (2-3. Processing Flow by Game Content Provision System 1) The processing flow by the game content provision system 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Note that parts common to the first embodiment may be omitted.

[0058] After the designation is accepted in step S120, steps S140, S230, and S330 are executed. Steps S140, S230, and S330 may be executed before step S130. In steps S230 and S330, user terminal 20a and user terminal 20b accept operations for confirming the designations by users U1 and U2, respectively, and transmit information about the confirmation operations to server 10. In step S140, information about the confirmation operations by users U1 and U2 is received from user terminal 20a and user terminal 20b, respectively, and the confirmation operations by each user are accepted.

[0059] The confirmation operation is, for example, an operation on the designated screen as shown in Fig. 10. A specific example is the operation of pressing the confirmation button B1 displayed on the designated screen. Note that other operations may also be considered as confirmation operations, and for example, even if no confirmation operation is performed within a predetermined time (e.g., one minute) from the time the designated screen is displayed or the time of the last designated operation on the designated screen, processing may be performed in which the absence of an operation is considered to be a confirmation operation.

[0060] Next, step S150 is executed. In step S150, the provision determining unit 11e determines whether or not a confirmation operation has been received from both users U1 and U2, that is, from all users belonging to group G. If a confirmation operation has not been received from all users (No), the process returns to waiting for a confirmation operation to be received. On the other hand, if a confirmation operation has been received from all users (Yes), step S160 is executed.

[0061] In step S160, the provision determination unit 11e determines the game media to be provided to each user based on the specifications of user U1 and user U2. The provision determination unit 11e records the game media determined to be provided in a database or the like of the storage unit 12 as being owned by each user.

[0062] Furthermore, the provision decision unit 11e can transmit the decision content to the user terminal 20a and the user terminal 20b to notify each user. Each terminal can show the decision content to each user by displaying it on the display unit 24.

[0063] Before step S160 is executed, if at least one of the user terminal 20a and the user terminal 20b accepts a change in designation from the user U1 or the user U2, and the acceptance unit 11a accepts the change in designation transmitted to the server 10, a determination process (step S160) is executed using the designation content based on the change. Also, if the acceptance unit 11a accepts the change in designation, processes similar to steps S130, S220, and S320 are executed.

[0064] The reception unit 11a may be configured to be able to accept such a designation change before the execution of step S160 starts. Moreover, the reception unit 11a may be configured not to accept a designation change after accepting confirmation operations from all of the multiple users. Moreover, the reception unit 11a may be configured to be able to accept a designation change even from the user who performed the confirmation operation until accepting confirmation operations from all users. Moreover, the reception unit 11a may be configured not to accept a designation change from the user who performed the confirmation operation even when accepting confirmation operations from some users of group G but not accepting confirmation operations from other users.

[0065] <3. Third embodiment> (3-1. Game content provision system 1 according to the third embodiment) The following describes a game content provision system 1 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The game content provision system 1 in the third embodiment differs from the first and second embodiments in that it has a configuration related to alternative designation. The following description will focus on the differences.

[0066] (3-2. Functional Configuration of Server 10) The reception unit 11a is configured to be able to accept, from among multiple game media that can be provided to users belonging to group G, a designation of an alternative game medium desired by each of the multiple users in association with the designation of another game medium. The provision determination unit 11e is configured to be able to determine the provision of a game medium to each of two or more users who have designated a second game medium but who are unable to receive the second game medium, based on the designation of an alternative game medium accepted in association with the designation of the second game medium. With this configuration, when a user who was unable to receive a game medium that was designated overlappingly is provided with another game medium in place of the designated game medium, the user's wishes can be reflected.

[0067] 5, the receiving unit 11a can receive an alternative designation for game medium M6 in association with the designation for game medium M5 by user U1. When such an alternative designation is received, the provision determining unit 11e, which has decided to provide game medium M5 to user U2, can determine to provide game medium M6 to user U1 who cannot receive game medium M5, based on the alternative designation received in association with the designation for game medium M5.

[0068] The designation and alternative designation by user U1 in the example of FIG. 5 may be, for example, a combination as shown in table T1 of FIG. 11. Table T1 is a table that records the relationship between the designation and alternative designation by user U1 in the example of FIG. 5. In table T1, user U1 has designated an alternative for game medium M1 in association with the designation of game medium M2. User U1 has also designated an alternative for game medium M6 in association with the designation of game medium M5. On the other hand, user U1 has not designated an alternative for game medium M4 in association with the designation of game medium M4 (Null). If there is no alternative designation, the provision determination unit 11e does not provide the game medium in accordance with the alternative designation.

[0069] In addition, the reception unit 11a may be configured to be able to accept a replacement designation for game media that the user making the replacement designation has not designated or designated as a replacement. In the example of Figure 5, the reception unit 11a can accept game media other than game media M2, M4, and M5 as targets of replacement designation associated with user U1's designation of game medium M2.

[0070] The reception unit 11a may also be configured to be able to receive a substitute designation for game media that have not been designated by any user in group G. In the example of Fig. 5, the reception unit 11a may set game media M1, M6, and M8, which have not been designated by either user U1 or user U2, as targets for substitute designation.

[0071] The designation and alternative designation by user U1 in the example of FIG. 5 may be combined, for example, as shown in table T2 of FIG. 12. In table T2, unlike table T1, user U1 designates an alternative for game medium M7 designated by user U2 in association with the designation of game medium M4. While the reception unit 11a may be configured to be able to accept such an alternative designation, the provision determination unit 11e may be controlled to prioritize the designation over the alternative designation. In other words, it is determined that game medium M7 will be provided to user U2 based on the designation of user U2, and user U1 cannot receive game medium M7 based on the alternative designation.

[0072] The receiving unit 11a may also be configured to accept a substitution designation from a second user for a game medium designated as a substitute by a first user. In the example of FIG. 5, the combination may be, for example, the combination shown in Table T3 of FIG. 13. Unlike Table T1, Table T3 accepts a substitution designation for game medium M1 associated with user U1's designation of game medium M3. Note that if two or more users have designated the same game medium as a substitute and two or more users have not received the designated game medium associated with the substituted game medium, the provision determining unit 11e can determine the user to provide the game medium to based on a predetermined condition. The predetermined condition may be, for example, prioritizing a user who designated the game medium earlier as a substitute, prioritizing a user who has received fewer designated game media (fewer users who have received the designated game media), or random.

[0073] Furthermore, the reception unit 11a may be configured to be able to accept multiple substitution designations for the same game medium by the same user. Alternatively, the reception unit 11a may be configured not to accept multiple substitution designations for the same game medium by the same user. Alternatively, the reception unit 11a may be configured to be able to accept multiple substitution designations in relation to one designation.

[0074] Furthermore, when the provision of the designated alternative game medium is not available, the provision determining unit 11e can determine to provide game medium that has not been designated as an alternative by any user.

[0075] The reception unit 11a may be configured to be able to receive a substitute designation after receiving confirmation operations from all of the multiple users belonging to the group G and before the provision determination unit 11e determines the game media to be provided. The reception unit 11a may be configured to be able to receive a substitute designation after the provision determination unit 11e determines the game media to be provided. When a substitute designation is received after the provision determination unit 11e determines the game media to be provided, In this case, control may be performed so that only alternative designations from users who need to designate alternatives (users who were not provided with the game media that was designated in duplicate) are accepted.

[0076] <4. Modifications> Various modifications of the present invention will be described below.

[0077] (4-1. Variation 1) The candidate designator 11d may be configured to be able to determine, by lottery, multiple game media that can be provided to users belonging to group G. The candidate designator 11d selects multiple elements from an element set, which is a set that includes multiple game media as elements, randomly or based on predetermined conditions such as the lottery probability for each element, and determines them as multiple game media that can be provided. This configuration allows game elements to be incorporated even in the stage of determining multiple game media that can be provided to users belonging to the group.

[0078] The element set may be recorded as a table in a database or the like of the storage unit 12. Multiple types of element sets may be prepared, and the candidate designator 11d may designate an element set that will be a source of provision to the group G. The table in which the element sets are recorded may also record game media as elements that can be selected by lottery, together with the probability of winning, etc.

[0079] (4-2. Modification 2) The candidate designator 11d can determine multiple game media that can be provided to users belonging to group G based on the reward settings of the game. The candidate designator 11d can designate the multiple game media as candidates to be provided as a reward for clearing a predetermined part, such as a stage, in the game. A predetermined part, such as a stage, is played and cleared through cooperation between two or more users belonging to group G. This configuration is expected to promote cooperative play and the communication required for it.

[0080] (4-3. Modification 3) The reception unit 11a may be configured to notify at least some of the two or more users who have designated the second game medium of a request to change the designation before the provision determination unit 11e determines the users to whom the game medium will be provided. This configuration makes it possible to prompt users who have made duplicate designations to change their designations.

[0081] The notification of the change request may be displayed as a pop-up 50 on the designation screen, as shown in FIG. 14 . The reception unit 11a may also perform control to display an icon or speech bubble near an object corresponding to the duplicated game content prompting the user to make the change, display a message at the top or bottom of the designation screen, or notify the user by sound or voice via the speaker 25. The notification of the change request may include the probability of providing the duplicated game content to the user. Based on the probability, the user can determine whether to still obtain the game content by lottery or change the designated game content.

[0082] The reception unit 11a may notify only some users or all users in group G of the change request as target users. When some users are selected as the target, users who satisfy a predetermined condition can be selected as the target. Here, a user who satisfies the predetermined condition is, for example, a user who has specified a predetermined number or more of game media or a relatively large number (e.g., the most), a user who has specified a predetermined number or more of game media (e.g., a rare character with a rating of 5 stars) or a relatively large number (e.g., the most), or a user whose provision probability is below a predetermined value or a relatively low value (e.g., the lowest).

[0083] (4-4. Variation 4) The reception unit 11a may be configured to grant a benefit to the user who made the designation change when the reception unit 11a receives a change request from a user who has been notified of a change request to change the designation from a second game medium designated by two or more users. This configuration can motivate the user who has been notified of the change request to make the designation change.

[0084] In the case where user U1, who has received the notification of the change request in Fig. 14, cancels the designation of game medium M5 and instead designates game medium M8, making the change as shown in Fig. 15, the reception unit 11a can grant a benefit to user U1. Note that a benefit may also be granted when the designation is only canceled without a new designation.

[0085] Here, the benefits granted by a designated change in response to a change request include, for example, specific items, an increase in the number of media provided (e.g., a greater number of game media provided from undesignated game media than for users who have not responded to a change request), etc.

[0086] (4-5. Variation 5) The provision decision unit 11e may be configured to be able to decide the game media to be provided to each of the multiple users belonging to group G based on conditions such as probability that change depending on the status of the designation of the desired game media by each of the multiple users.

[0087] Furthermore, the game media may have a parameter indicating rarity, and the provision determination unit 11e may be configured to determine the game media to be provided to each of the multiple users by favoring the users who have fewer game media designations of the predetermined rarity or higher when a user who has fewer game media designations of the predetermined rarity or higher overlaps with a user who has more game media designations of the predetermined rarity or higher. Specifically, when a user who has fewer game media designations of the predetermined rarity or higher overlaps with a user who has more game media designations of the predetermined rarity or higher, the probability of providing the game media to the users who have fewer game media designations of the predetermined rarity or higher is set higher than that to the users who have more game media designations of the predetermined rarity or higher, and a lottery is held to determine the recipients of the overlapping game media designations. This configuration is expected to prevent excessive designations of game media with high rarity.

[0088] (4-6. Modification 6) The display control unit 11b may be configured to display, in a manner that allows each of the multiple users belonging to group G to identify the game media that they own, among the multiple game media that can be provided to the users belonging to group G. This configuration allows the users to identify the game media that they own when specifying game media, which is expected to assist the users in making selection decisions based on whether or not they own the game media.

[0089] 16, the display control unit 11b displays the game medium M1 owned by the user U1 in a different color on a designated screen displayed on the user terminal 20a used by the user U1, thereby making it possible to identify that the game medium M1 is owned by the user U1. To indicate possession, the display control unit 11b may control the display of characters, icons, etc. representing the user U1 in association with (nearby or partially overlapping with) the game medium M1 owned by the user U1.

[0090] (4-7. Modification 7) The display control unit 11b may be configured to display, among multiple game media that can be provided to users belonging to group G, game media owned by other users belonging to group G in a manner that allows each of the multiple users belonging to group G to identify the game media owned by that user and other users when specifying a game medium, which is expected to assist users in making a selection decision based on whether or not other users in the group own the game medium.

[0091] The display control unit 11b makes it possible to identify which user owns the game medium M1 owned by user U1 and the game medium M8 owned by user U2 by displaying icons representing each user on a designated screen displayed on the user terminal 20a used by user U1, as shown in Figure 17. To indicate ownership, the display control unit 11b may perform control such as displaying characters representing each user in association with the game medium owned by each user (such as by placing the icons close to or partially overlapping the game medium), or applying a color associated with each user to the game medium.

[0092] 5. 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.

[0093] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the configuration was described in which each function is mainly provided by the server 10, etc., but if it is permissible due to the nature of the functions, some functions may be provided by the user terminal 20, etc., or provided by both the server 10, etc. and the user terminal 20, etc.

[0094] Furthermore, each step described in the above embodiment as being executed by the server 10 or the like can also be executed by the user terminal 20 or the like if permitted by its nature.

[0095] 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.

[0096] The present invention can also be realized as a program that causes the above-described system to function.

[0097] Furthermore, the present invention can also be realized as a computer-readable recording medium that stores the above-described program, a non-transitory recording medium, or a computer-readable recording medium that records the above-described program.

[0098] 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.

[0099] <6. Features of the embodiment> The features of the embodiment of the present invention will be summarized below.

[0100] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing device including a receiving unit and a display control unit, wherein the receiving unit receives, from each of a plurality of users who belong to a group of the plurality of users, a designation of a game medium that the user desires to be provided from among a plurality of game mediums that can be provided to the users, and the display control unit is configured to identifiably display the game medium designated by each of the plurality of users from among the plurality of game mediums. With this configuration, when a plurality of users designate and compete for a game medium, the users can identify what other users have designated.

[0101] The information processing device may further include a provision determination unit, wherein the reception unit receives a confirmation operation of a designation from each of the plurality of users, and the provision determination unit is configured to determine game contents to be provided to each of the plurality of users based on the designation by the plurality of users when the confirmation operation has been received from all of the plurality of users. With this configuration, provision determination can be made based on the user's confirmation operation.

[0102] The receiving unit may be configured to receive, from each of the plurality of users, a change in the designation of the game content they wish to provide before the provision determination unit determines the users to whom the game content will be provided. This configuration allows users to change their designation even after designation, giving them an opportunity to reconsider, and enabling flexible designation operations and reception control.

[0103] Furthermore, the provision determination unit may be configured to, when receiving the confirmation operation from all of the plurality of users, determine to provide to the one user a first game medium, among the plurality of game media, that is designated by one of the plurality of users and that is not designated by any other user. With such a configuration, a process can be realized in which a single designated user is given priority.

[0104] Furthermore, the provision determination unit may be configured to, when receiving the confirmation operation from all of the plurality of users, determine to provide, among the plurality of game media, a second game medium designated by two or more users among the plurality of users to any one of the two or more users who have designated the second game medium. This allows for processing of the media without providing duplicates.

[0105] The provision determination unit may be configured to determine the provision of a third game medium among the plurality of game media that is not designated by any of the plurality of users to each of the two or more users who designated the second game medium but are unable to receive the second game medium. By configuring in this manner, users who were unable to receive the game medium that was designated by the overlapping users can receive compensation in the form of being provided with another game medium instead.

[0106] The receiving unit may be configured to receive, from each of the plurality of users, a designation of an alternative game medium desired to be provided in association with the designation of another game medium, and the provision determination unit may be configured to determine the provision of a game medium to each of the two or more users who cannot receive the second game medium based on the designation of the alternative game medium received in association with the designation of the second game medium. With this configuration, when a user who cannot receive a game medium designated by an overlapping designation is provided with another game medium in place of the designated game medium, the user's wishes can be reflected.

[0107] Furthermore, the provision determination unit may be configured, when receiving the confirmation operation from all of the plurality of users, to determine whether to provide the second game medium to one of the two or more users based on a provision probability applied to each of the two or more users who have designated the second game medium, and the display control unit may be configured to control the display of the provision probability so that the two or more users who have designated the second game medium can distinguish it from the other users before the provision determination unit determines the user to whom the game medium will be provided. With this configuration, the user does not know which user will be selected as the recipient, but the system can more easily control the recipient.

[0108] The receiving unit may be configured to notify at least some of the two or more users who have designated the second game medium of a request to change the designation before the provision determination unit determines the users to whom the game medium will be provided. By configuring in this way, it is possible to prompt users who have made duplicate designations to change the designation.

[0109] Furthermore, the accepting unit may be configured to, when accepting a change of designation from the second game medium from the user who has been notified of the change request, grant a benefit to the user who has made the change of designation. By configuring in this way, it is possible to motivate the user who has been notified of the change request to make the change of designation.

[0110] Furthermore, the game media may have a parameter representing a rarity, and the provision determination unit may be configured to, when a user who has designated a small number of game media having a predetermined rarity or higher and a user who has designated a large number of game media having the predetermined rarity or higher have overlapping designations, determine the game media to be provided to each of the plurality of users by giving preference to the user who has designated a small number of game media having the predetermined rarity or higher. This configuration is expected to prevent excessive designations of game media having a high rarity.

[0111] The display control unit may be configured to display, among the plurality of game media, game media owned by each of the plurality of users in a manner that allows the user to identify the game media owned by the user when specifying a game medium, which is expected to assist the user in making a selection decision based on whether or not the user owns the game medium.

[0112] The display control unit may be configured to display, among the plurality of game media, game media owned by other users in a manner that allows each of the plurality of users to distinguish between the game media owned by the user and the other users when specifying a game medium. This configuration is expected to assist the user in making a selection decision based on whether or not other users in the group own the game medium.

[0113] The information processing device may further include a candidate designator, and the candidate designator may be configured to determine the plurality of game media by lottery. This configuration allows game elements to be incorporated even in the stage of determining the plurality of game media that can be provided to users belonging to a group.

[0114] In one aspect of the present invention, a program is provided that causes a computer to execute a reception step and a display control step, in which the reception step receives a designation of a game medium that each of a plurality of users desires to be provided with from among a plurality of game media that can be provided to users belonging to a group made up of the plurality of users, and the display control step is capable of identifiably displaying the game medium that each of the plurality of users has designated from among the plurality of game media.

[0115] In one aspect of the present invention, an information processing method is provided in which a computer receives designations of game media that each of a plurality of users belonging to a group of multiple users wishes to provide to the group of multiple users, and the computer can identifiably display the game media that each of the multiple users has designated from the plurality of game media. [Explanation of symbols]

[0116] 1: Game media provision system, 5: Communication line, 10: Server, 11: Control unit, 11a: Reception unit, 11b: Display control unit, 11c: Organization unit, 11d: Candidate determination unit, 11e: Provision determination unit, 12: Memory unit, 13: Communication unit, 14: Operation input unit, 15: Monitor, 16: System bus, 20 (20a, 20b): 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, 50: Pop-up, B1: Confirm button, F1 to F3: Selection frame, G: Group, M1 to M8: Game media, T1 to T3: Table, U1 to U2: User

Claims

[Claim 1] An information processing device comprising: a reception unit; and a display control unit, wherein the reception unit receives designation of a game medium desired to be provided from each of a plurality of users belonging to a group made up of the plurality of users out of a plurality of game media that can be provided to the users; and the display control unit identifiably displays the game medium designated by each of the plurality of users from among the plurality of game media.

Images