Program and information processing system

Abstract

To improve amusement properties of a service.SOLUTION: A program causes a computer to function as association means for associating an image selected by a user from among a plurality of images related to an object that can be turned into an NFT with an object to be turned into an NFT as an image of the object. Each of the plurality of images is an image obtained by photographing the object from each of a plurality of predetermined angles.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Games that utilize blockchain technology have been known for some time. One such type of game is one that allows objects in a virtual space to be converted into NFTs. It is also known that a service allows users to set an image (e.g., a thumbnail) to be associated with a specific target (e.g., a video streamed in a video streaming service) within a specific service (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0003] [Non-Patent Document 1] "Niconico Help: Setting thumbnails when posting videos", [online], [searched May 17, 2024], Internet<https: / / qa.nicovideo.jp / faq / show / 12181?site_domain=default> Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Meanwhile, in services such as games, there is a demand for increasing interest.

[0005] The present invention aims to improve the interest of a service. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one embodiment shown in the present disclosure, Computer, The system functions as a linking means for linking an image selected by a user from among a plurality of images relating to an object that can be converted into an NFT to the object to be converted into an NFT as an image of the object. Programs are offered. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the interest of a service. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a game system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the game system. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen related to mountain acquisition. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a home screen. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displaying a list of mountains acquired by a user. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a game screen when mining is performed. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the flow of asset acquisition and consumption. [Figure 8] A figure showing an example of a screen for selecting gems to be converted into NFTs. [Figure 9] A figure showing an example of a screen for selecting an image to be associated with a jewel to be converted into an NFT. [Figure 10] A figure showing an example of a screen displaying a list of NFTed gems. [Figure 11] A figure showing an example of a screen displaying a list of NFTed gems. [Figure 12] A figure showing an example of a screen for selecting an image to be associated with a jewel to be converted into an NFT. [Figure 13] 1 is a flowchart showing an example of processing for converting gems into NFTs. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] <Game system hardware configuration> 1, the game system 1 of this embodiment includes a plurality of terminal devices 10, a server 20, and a blockchain system (in other words, a blockchain network) 3. The blockchain system 3 also includes a plurality of node devices 30.

[0011] The terminal device 10, the server 20, and the blockchain system 3 (in other words, the node device 30) are connected to each other via a network 2. The network 2 may be configured, for example, by the Internet, a mobile communication system (e.g., 3G, 4G, 5G, LTE (Long Term Evolution), etc.), WiFi (Wireless Fidelity), Bluetooth (registered trademark), other communication lines, or a combination of these.

[0012] The server 20 (in other words, a computer, an information processing device) may be, for example, a general-purpose computer such as a workstation or a personal computer. The server 20 includes a processor 21, a memory 22, a storage 23, a communication IF (interface) 24, and an input / output IF 25. These components of the server 20 are connected to each other by a communication bus.

[0013] The processor 21 controls the overall operation of the server 20. The processor 21 may include a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), etc. The processor 21 reads a program from the storage 23 and loads it into the memory 22. The processor 21 executes the loaded program.

[0014] The memory 22 is a main storage device. The memory 22 is configured by storage devices such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The memory 22 temporarily stores programs and various data that the processor 21 reads from the storage 23, thereby providing a working area for the processor 21. The memory 22 also temporarily stores various data that the processor 21 generates while operating according to the programs.

[0015] In this embodiment, the program may be a program that realizes a game by the terminal device 10. The program may also be a program that realizes the game through cooperation between the terminal device 10 and the server 20. The program may also be a program that realizes the game through cooperation between the terminal device 10, the server 20, and the blockchain system 3. The game may, for example, be a game that is executed on a browser launched on the terminal device 10. The various data may also include, for example, data related to the game, such as user information and game information, and instructions and notifications transmitted and received between devices such as the terminal device 10 and the server 20.

[0016] The storage 23 is an auxiliary storage device. The storage 23 is configured by a storage device such as a flash memory or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive). The storage 23 stores various data related to the game.

[0017] The communication IF 24 controls the transmission and reception of various data between the server 20 and the terminal device 10, etc. via the network. The communication IF 24 also controls the transmission and reception of various data between the server 20 and the blockchain system 3 (in other words, the node device 30) via the network.

[0018] The input / output IF 25 is an interface through which the server 20 receives input of data and also an interface through which the server 20 outputs data. The input / output IF 25 may include, for example, an input unit which is an information input device such as a mouse or a keyboard, and a display unit which is a device that displays and outputs images.

[0019] The terminal device 10 (in other words, a computer, an information processing device) may be, for example, a smartphone, a feature phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a tablet computer, a personal computer, a wearable terminal, or a game device. The terminal device 10 may be a mobile terminal. The terminal device 10 may be a portable terminal that a user uses when playing a game.

[0020] The terminal device 10 includes a processor 11, a memory 12, a storage 13, a communication IF 14, an input / output IF 15, an input unit 17, and a display unit 18. These components included in the terminal device 10 are connected to each other by a communication bus.

[0021] The processor 11 controls the overall operation of the terminal device 10. The processor 11 may include a CPU, an MPU, a GPU, etc. The processor 11 reads a program from the storage 13 and loads it into the memory 12. The processor 11 executes the loaded program.

[0022] The memory 12 is a main storage device. The memory 12 is configured by storage devices such as a ROM and a RAM. The memory 12 provides a working area for the processor 11 by temporarily storing the programs and various data that the processor 11 reads from the storage 13. The memory 12 also temporarily stores various data that the processor 11 generates while operating according to the programs.

[0023] The storage 13 is an auxiliary storage device. The storage 13 is configured by a storage device such as a flash memory or a HDD. The storage 13 stores various data related to the game.

[0024] The communication IF 14 controls transmission and reception of various data via a network between the terminal device 10 and the server 20, etc. The communication IF 14 may also control transmission and reception of various data via a network between the terminal device 10 and the blockchain system 3 (in other words, the node device 30).

[0025] The input / output IF 15 is an interface through which the terminal device 10 receives input of data and also an interface through which the terminal device 10 outputs data. The input / output IF 15 may input and output data via, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) or the like. The input / output IF 15 may include an input unit 17, a display unit 18, or the like.

[0026] The input unit 17 accepts input from a user. The input unit 17 may be, for example, a pointing device such as a touchpad or a mouse. The display unit 18 displays images. The display unit 18 may be, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display. The terminal device 10 may include, for example, a touch screen, which is an electronic component that combines the input unit 17 and the display unit 18. In this case, the input unit 17 may have a function of detecting a position input on the input surface by a user operation (for example, a touch operation, a tap operation, a slide operation, a swipe operation, a flick operation, a pinch-in operation, a pinch-out operation, etc.) and transmitting information indicating the detected position as an input signal.

[0027] The input unit 17 may be, for example, a keyboard, various physical buttons, various sensors (for example, an acceleration sensor or an angular velocity sensor), an operation stick, a camera, or a microphone. The display unit 18 may be, for example, a projector.

[0028] In this embodiment, the description will be given assuming that the input unit 17 is a keyboard and a mouse. Note that in this embodiment, operations on various UIs such as buttons may be performed by, for example, placing a mouse cursor on an area on the display unit 18 where the button or the like is displayed and clicking.

[0029] A plurality of node devices 30 constitute a blockchain system 3. Each node device 30 holds a distributed ledger. Each node device 30 stores the same data in the distributed ledger. As will be described in detail later, in this embodiment, assets held by users are managed in the distributed ledger of the blockchain system 3.

[0030] The node device 30 (in other words, a computer, an information processing device) may be, for example, a general-purpose computer such as a workstation or a personal computer. The node device 30 includes a processor 31, a memory 32, a storage 33, a communication IF 34, and an input / output IF 35. These components included in the node device 30 are connected to each other by a communication bus.

[0031] The processor 31 controls the overall operation of the node device 30. The processor 31 may include a CPU, an MPU, a GPU, etc. The processor 31 reads a program from the storage 33 and loads it into the memory 32. The processor 31 executes the loaded program.

[0032] The memory 32 is a main storage device. The memory 32 is configured by storage devices such as a ROM and a RAM. The memory 32 temporarily stores the programs and various data that the processor 31 reads from the storage 33, thereby providing a working area for the processor 31. The memory 32 also temporarily stores various data that the processor 31 generates while operating according to the programs.

[0033] The storage 33 is an auxiliary storage device and is configured by a storage device such as a flash memory or an HDD, for example.

[0034] The communication IF 34 controls transmission and reception of various data between the node device 30 and the server 20 via the network. Note that the communication IF 34 may also control transmission and reception of various data between the node device 30 and the terminal device 10 via the network.

[0035] The input / output IF 35 is an interface through which the node device 30 receives input of data and also an interface through which the node device 30 outputs data. The input / output IF 35 may include, for example, an input unit that is an information input device such as a mouse or a keyboard, and a display unit that is a device that displays and outputs images.

[0036] The server 20 and the terminal device 10 may function as the node device 30. In other words, the blockchain system 3 may include the server 20 and the terminal device 10.

[0037] <Functional configuration of the game system> 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the server 20, the terminal devices 10, and the node devices 30. The server 20 in this embodiment has, for example, a function to provide each terminal device 10 with various data and programs necessary to realize the game, and a function to collect and manage data related to the game from each terminal device 10.

[0038] In this embodiment, the server 20 identifies each user and the terminal device 10 using a user account that is registered in advance for each game. The method of registering an account is not particularly limited. For example, the terminal device 10 or another device such as a personal computer may transmit information required for user account registration to the server 20 based on a user operation, and the server 20 may create and save an account for each user based on the received information.

[0039] 2, the server 20 functions as a control unit 210 and a storage unit 220 through cooperation of a processor 21, a memory 22, a storage 23, a communication IF 24, an input / output IF 25, etc. The storage unit 220 stores various data used by the control unit 210. Examples of the various data include programs, game information, and user information. The programs are programs for realizing games. The game information and user information are data referenced by the control unit 210 when executing the programs.

[0040] The game information includes, for example, information for defining various virtual spaces (in other words, game spaces). A virtual space is a space in which objects such as characters that can be controlled by a user (hereinafter also referred to as "player characters") are placed. The game information also includes, for example, information regarding the placement positions and setting values ​​of various objects such as buildings, trees, stones, and items placed in the virtual space. Hereinafter, character objects placed in the virtual space may also be simply referred to as "characters."

[0041] User information is information managed for each game account. User information includes, for example, information about the player character, information about owned assets, information indicating the progress of the game, and information about the mountain acquired by the user (mountains will be described later) (in other words, information about rights related to playing the game in a specific virtual space). Owned assets can be considered as value possessed by the user in the virtual space. Examples of such value include electronic currency, tokens, items, characters, etc. Examples of electronic currency include virtual currency (in other words, crypto assets) and in-game currency usable in the game. That is, the storage unit 220 may store information such as electronic currency, tokens, items, or characters possessed by each user, associated with identification information that can identify each user. In this embodiment, when a predetermined value such as an item (in other words, an object) is "granted to the user (in other words, acquired by the user)," it can also be considered as being stored in a predetermined storage unit as value possessed by the user, linked to the user's account.

[0042] The control unit 210 controls various processes related to the game by executing programs stored in the memory unit 220. The control unit 210 has a transmission / reception unit 211, a game control unit 212, an asset management unit 213, a market management unit 214, and an NFT control unit 216.

[0043] The transmission / reception unit 211 transmits or receives various types of data. For example, the transmission / reception unit 211 receives requests to transmit various types of data and programs, requests for synchronization processing to support the multiplay function, data to be subjected to synchronization processing, etc. from each terminal device 10, and passes them to the game control unit 212, asset management unit 213, market management unit 214, NFT control unit 216, etc. Furthermore, the transmission / reception unit 211 transmits various types of data and programs to each terminal device 10 in accordance with the control of the game control unit 212, asset management unit 213, market management unit 214, NFT control unit 216, etc.

[0044] In this embodiment, the multiplay function is a function that synchronizes game processing by multiple accounts. When multiple accounts logged in to the game system 1 participate in the same game, the server 20 and the terminal device 10 of the game system 1 execute various processes to support the multiplay function.

[0045] The game control unit 212 executes arithmetic processing described in a program stored in the storage unit 220 to provide a game to the terminal device 10.

[0046] The game control unit 212 defines the virtual space based on information for defining the virtual space included in the game information. The game control unit 212 places objects in the virtual space based on object setting information included in the game information. The game control unit 212 controls the objects placed in the virtual space. Specifically, the game control unit 212 changes the position, orientation, shape, color, etc. of the objects in the virtual space, and causes the objects to perform predetermined actions.

[0047] The game control unit 212 also places the player character in the virtual space based on the play information transmitted from the terminal device 10. The game control unit 212 also performs various determination processes related to the progress of the game based on the play information transmitted from the terminal device 10. In other words, the game control unit 212 controls objects and performs various determination processes based on the user's input operation. The play information is output in response to the user's input operation. For example, the play information may include, as the operation content of the player character, coordinate information of the player character, information regarding the player character's action, or information indicating a button operated by the user. The play information may also include information regarding the player character's settings. For example, the character's coordinate information is information indicating the character's position in the game space. For example, the action information is information regarding the character's action. For example, the character's action may include the action of swinging a pickaxe, the action of using various items, or a jump, which will be described later. For example, the information regarding the character's settings may include information regarding the character's equipment, appearance, etc. The character's settings may also be changed by the user.

[0048] The game control unit 212 can place the player characters of the multiple players in one virtual space and control the player characters of each player based on play information transmitted from each player's terminal device 10. In other words, the game control unit 212 performs control so that a game space, which is an example of a virtual space, can be shared by multiple users.

[0049] Furthermore, when the game control unit 212 receives, for example, a request for synchronization processing to support the multiplay function or data to be subjected to synchronization processing from the terminal device 10 via the transmission / reception unit 211, the game control unit 212 executes synchronization processing to support the multiplay function. The game control unit 212 also issues a command to the transmission / reception unit 211 to instruct the transmission / reception unit 211 to transmit game information or user information. For example, when the server 20 transmits information to multiple terminal devices 10, the game control unit 212 synchronizes the game progressing among the terminal devices 10 by simultaneously transmitting the information to each terminal device 10. By executing synchronization processing, it becomes possible to simultaneously reflect in-game events resulting from operations input on one terminal device 10 on the other terminal devices 10.

[0050] The asset management unit 213 manages assets held by users. The asset management unit 213 also manages some or all (in other words, at least some) of the assets held by users in a distributed ledger of the blockchain system 3. In other words, the asset management unit 213 may store information about the assets held by users in the storage unit 220, or may store the information in the distributed ledger. Note that, in a configuration in which the server 20 functions as a node device 30, the asset management unit 213 may store information about the assets held in a distributed ledger stored in its own storage unit 220. Also, in a configuration in which the server 20 does not function as a node device 30, the asset management unit 213 may perform control such as sending a request to the blockchain system 3 for storage in the distributed ledger.

[0051] The terminal device 10 has, for example, a function as an input device that accepts input operations from the user, and a function as an output device that outputs images and sounds of the game.

[0052] The terminal device 10 functions as a control unit 110 and a storage unit 120 through cooperation of the processor 11, memory 12, storage 13, communication IF 14, input / output IF 15, etc. The storage unit 120 stores various data used by the control unit 110. The various data include, for example, programs, game information, and user information. The programs are programs for realizing games on the terminal device 10 side. The game information and user information are data referenced by the control unit 110 when executing the programs. The game information and user information stored in the storage unit 120 may include information similar to the game information and user information stored in the storage unit 220.

[0053] The control unit 110 executes a program stored in the storage unit 120 to control various processes related to the game executed on the terminal device 10. The control unit 110 includes, for example, an operation reception unit 111, a transmission / reception unit 112, a device processing unit 113, and a display control unit 114.

[0054] The operation reception unit 111 receives operations (hereinafter also referred to as "input operations") input by the user via the input unit 17. Specifically, the operation reception unit 111 detects input operations on a mouse or a keyboard serving as the input unit 17. Note that the input operations are not limited to operations that involve physical contact with the input unit 17, but may also include non-contact operations. Note that the operation reception unit 111 can also receive input operations performed using an operating device connected via the input / output IF 15 in the same way as input operations on the input unit 17.

[0055] The transmitting / receiving unit 112 transmits or receives various types of data. The transmitting / receiving unit 112 transmits, for example, various types of data and various requests to the server 20. As an example, the data transmitted by the transmitting / receiving unit 112 to the server may include play information, game information, and user information. In other words, the transmitting / receiving unit 112 transmits information regarding the input operation received by the operation receiving unit 111 to the server 20.

[0056] The transmitting / receiving unit 112 also receives various data, programs, and various requests from the server. As an example, the data that the transmitting / receiving unit 112 receives from the server 20 may include the type of object (e.g., character or item) to be placed in the game space, object coordinate information, character action information, information related to character settings, and other information. As another example, the data that the transmitting / receiving unit 112 receives from the server may include synchronization data to support a multi-play function. The synchronization data may include, for example, data to be synchronized, the type of data, and data for specifying the time to synchronize.

[0057] The device processing unit 113 executes various processes related to the progress of the game. The device processing unit 113 identifies the user's instruction content based on the user's input operation detected by the operation reception unit 111. The device processing unit 113 also executes various determination processes related to the progress of the game based on the identified instruction content, etc. The device processing unit 113 also progresses the game while communicating with the server 20 based on the results of the determination processes, etc.

[0058] The device processing unit 113 defines a virtual camera for specifying an area of ​​the virtual space to be presented to the user. The device processing unit 113 places the virtual camera in the virtual space by defining the position and orientation of the virtual camera within the virtual space. The device processing unit 113 instructs the display control unit 114 to generate an image depicting the field of view defined by the virtual camera and the objects located in this field of view. In other words, the device processing unit 113 instructs the display control unit 114 to display an image corresponding to the progress of the game on the display unit 18.

[0059] The position and orientation of the virtual camera can be determined appropriately for each virtual space. For example, the device processing unit 113 uses the position and orientation of a specific object as a reference and positions the virtual camera so that the specific object is located at the center of the field of view in a specific orientation. In this case, the device processing unit 113 adjusts the position and orientation of the virtual camera using the direction, distance, and angle relative to the specific object. The specific object may be, for example, a dynamic object such as a player character or a non-player character, or a static object such as a building, tree, or stone. Dynamic objects include player characters that act based on the operation of each user and non-player characters that act based on a program.

[0060] The display control unit 114 displays images relating to the game on the display unit 18. A specific example will be described below.

[0061] The display control unit 114 generates an image depicting the area of ​​the field of view of the virtual camera defined by the device processing unit 113 in the virtual space and objects present in that area, and causes the image to be displayed on the display unit 18. The display control unit 114 can superimpose and draw objects related to a UI (User Interface) required for various game operations, such as icons, buttons, and menus showing various parameters, on the image to be displayed on the display unit 18.

[0062] The control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 may arrange objects in the virtual space based on object data sent from the server 20, information indicating the positions of various objects in the virtual space, and the like, and display a predetermined area of ​​the virtual space on the display unit 18. The control unit 210 of the server 20 may also arrange objects in the virtual space and control the virtual camera, generate an image to be displayed on the display unit 18, and transmit it to the terminal device 10, and the control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 may display the image on the display unit 18. In other words, various processes related to control of objects based on user input operations, control of the virtual camera, generation of images to be displayed on the display unit 18, and the like may be performed by the server 20 or the terminal device 10.

[0063] The node device 30 functions as a control unit 310 and a storage unit 320 through cooperation of a processor 31, a memory 32, a storage 33, a communication IF 34, an input / output IF 35, etc. The storage unit 320 stores programs including part of a game program, a distributed ledger used in the blockchain system 3, etc.

[0064] The control unit 310 controls the operation of the node device 30 by executing a program stored in the storage unit 320 .

[0065] When a user acquires various items or a specific token (described later) from another user or a game operator (e.g., acquired through mining, described later), the control unit 310 receives a registration request for information related to the holding of the item or specific token, transmitted from the server 20, and registers the information in the distributed ledger. The control unit 310 may register transaction history information for each item or specific token in the distributed ledger, for example, based on information related to transactions (in other words, transfers) of the item or specific token transmitted from the server 20 or the terminal device 10. Specifically, the distributed ledger stores multiple blocks each containing a hash value and a transaction. A transaction may be, for example, information indicating the transaction details of an item or specific token. A transaction includes, for example, input information indicating the transfer source and output information indicating the transfer destination. The hash value is calculated from information contained in the previous block, and the distributed ledger stores transaction history information for items and specific tokens, with each block linked like a chain by the hash value. By managing such transaction history in a distributed ledger of each node device 30, it is possible to store information indicating which user owns which item and information indicating how many specific tokens each user owns on the blockchain. Note that, instead of the transaction history of items, etc., information regarding the ownership status of each user's items, etc. may be managed in a distributed ledger, so that information indicating which user owns which item, etc. may be stored on the blockchain. In this way, in the game of this embodiment, ownership information for items and specific tokens is stored on the blockchain. Note that there may be items, etc. whose ownership information is not stored on the blockchain.

[0066] The functions of the terminal device 10, the server 20, and the node device 30 shown in FIG. 2 are merely examples. Each of the terminal device 10, the server 20, and the node device 30 may have at least some of the functions of the other devices. In other words, the server 20 or the node device 30 may have some or all of the functional blocks of the terminal device 10 in this embodiment, the terminal device 10 or the node device 30 may have some or all of the functional blocks of the server 20, or the terminal device 10 or the server 20 may have some or all of the functional blocks of the node device 30. Furthermore, each of the devices, such as the terminal device 10, the server 20, and the node device 30, does not have to be realized by an integrated device, and may be realized by, for example, multiple devices connected via a network or the like. Furthermore, the game system 1 may not include, for example, the terminal device 10, the server 20, or the node device 30.

[0067] <Processing according to this embodiment> Next, the processing according to this embodiment will be described. Note that in this embodiment, the processor 11 of the terminal device 10, the processor 21 of the server 20, or the processor 31 of the node device 30 executes a program stored in the game system 1 to perform each of the processes described below. However, at least a portion of the processing performed by the processor 11, which is described below, may be executed by a processor other than the processor 11 (e.g., the processor 21 or the processor 31). Also, at least a portion of the processing performed by the processor 21, which is described below, may be executed by a processor other than the processor 21 (e.g., the processor 11 or the processor 31). Also, at least a portion of the processing performed by the processor 31, which is described below, may be executed by a processor other than the processor 31 (e.g., the processor 11 or the processor 21). In other words, the computer that executes the program in this embodiment may be any of the terminal device 10, the server 20, and the node device 30, or may be realized by a combination of multiple devices. Also, some or all of the various processes may be executed on a blockchain.

[0068] Here, an overview of the game of this embodiment will be described. In the game of this embodiment, there is a map 40 that is common to multiple users (specifically, all users) participating in the game. An example of the map 40 is shown in FIG. 3. Multiple mountains are arranged on the map 40. In the map 40 shown in FIG. 3, the positions of the mountains are indicated by triangular symbols.

[0069] The user acquires (or selects) a mountain from the map 40 where the user will mine (or a virtual space in which the game will be played). Acquisition of the mountain is performed, for example, as follows. For example, the display control unit 114 of the terminal device 10 causes the display unit 18 to display a map 40 (or a list of mountains that the user can acquire) as shown in FIG. 3 based on a predetermined input operation by the user. The user can then acquire a specific mountain by selecting the specific mountain on the map 40 displayed on the display unit 18 (for example, by clicking on the specific displayed mountain). Specifically, for example, when an operation to select a specific mountain from the mountains displayed on the map 40 is performed, the display control unit 114 causes the display unit 18 to display an acquire button 41 that accepts an operation to acquire the selected mountain. The game control unit 212 then causes the user to acquire the mountain selected by the user based on the operation on the acquire button 41.

[0070] Furthermore, the user is able to mine for predetermined items in the mountain that the user has acquired. In other words, once the user has acquired a mountain, the user is able to play a game in which the user mines in the acquired mountain. That is, in this embodiment, "acquiring a specific mountain" can be rephrased as "acquiring the right to mine in a specific mountain," and further, as "acquiring the right to play a game in a specific virtual space." Note that the system may be configured so that the user can mine in a mountain without acquiring the mountain (in other words, without acquiring the right to mine).

[0071] In the game of this embodiment, item A is provided, which is used for mining in the mountain. To mine, the user must have item A. In other words, item A is an item required to participate in the game. In this embodiment, item A is a pickaxe. It may be configured so that a user without item A cannot acquire the mountain. In the game of this embodiment, multiple types of item A with different characteristics are provided. Item A can be converted into an NFT (Non-Fungible Token). The NFT state refers to a state in which information proving that item A is unique is stored on a blockchain. In other words, the NFT state refers to a state in which an NFT corresponding to item A is issued and managed on a blockchain. Hereinafter, digital assets such as items for which a corresponding NFT has been issued are also referred to as NFTs. In this embodiment, the conversion of item A into an NFT (in other words, the generation of item A) is performed by the game operator, and cannot be performed by users (in other words, minting by users). In other words, in the game of this embodiment, the user is prevented from obtaining item A that has not been converted into an NFT. However, the user may be able to convert item A into an NFT.

[0072] Furthermore, in the game of this embodiment, users can acquire items B and C through mining. As will be described in detail later, item B is an item that can be converted into an NFT. Item C is an item that can be exchanged for a specific token. Hereinafter, a token that can be acquired in exchange for item C will be referred to as a "specific token."

[0073] Furthermore, in the game of this embodiment, there are multiple types of item B, which are collectible items. Specifically, item B is a gem that the user collects. Item C is a mineral (hereinafter referred to as "pyroxene") that is different from gems. In other words, the game of this embodiment has the gameplay of mining in the mountains using a pickaxe as item A to obtain gems as item B and pyroxene as item C.

[0074] Furthermore, the specific token that can be acquired by exchanging it for item C is a crypto asset (for example, virtual currency). In the game of this embodiment, the specific token can be used to level up item A, repair item A (in other words, fix it), and turn item B into an NFT, etc.

[0075] Regardless of whether they have been converted into NFTs or not, assets such as Item A, Item B, or Item C held by each user may be managed on a blockchain (in other words, a distributed ledger).

[0076] Mining in a mountain as a predetermined event is performed, for example, as follows. For example, the display control unit 114 of the terminal device 10 causes the display unit 18 to display a home screen 42 illustrated in FIG. 4 based on a predetermined input operation by the user. The home screen 42 displays a start mining button 43 that accepts an operation related to starting mining in the mountain acquired by the user. Then, the game control unit 212 causes the user to start mining in the mountain acquired based on the operation on the start mining button 43.

[0077] The home screen 42 is initially displayed when the game (in other words, an application related to a predetermined service) is launched on the terminal device 10. Here, "first displayed when launched" includes the case where the home screen 42 is displayed after various displays related to the launch (e.g., a title display, a loading display, etc.) are displayed. The home screen 42 is not limited to being displayed at the time of launch, but may be displayed at a predetermined timing. For example, the home screen 42 may be displayed when the home button 90 is operated or when in-game mining in the mountain is completed. The home screen 42 may display a predetermined background image (e.g., a background image including a player character, etc.). The home screen 42 may also display multiple menu items related to the game. Specifically, the home screen 42 may display various UIs that accept operations related to the display of various screens. For example, the UIs may include a mine button 91, an item button 92, a loan-related button 93, a shop button 94, and a home button 90. The display control unit 114 may then display, on the display unit 18, a screen displaying a map 40 as illustrated in FIG. 3 or a screen displaying a list 44 of acquired mountains as illustrated in FIG. 5, based on an operation on the mine button 91. The display control unit 114 may also display, on the display unit 18, a gem list screen 60 as illustrated in FIG. 8(a) or a gem list screen 80 as illustrated in FIG. 10, based on an operation on the item button 92. The display control unit 114 may also display, on the display unit 18, a screen for performing various operations related to lending or borrowing pickaxes, based on an operation on the loan-related button 93. The display control unit 114 may also display, on the display unit 18, a shop screen 81 as illustrated in FIG. 11, based on an operation on the shop button 94. The display control unit 114 may also display, on the display unit 18, a home screen 42, based on an operation on the home button 90. In addition, the display control unit 114 may switch the display between a screen displaying the map 40 illustrated in FIG. 3 and a screen displaying the list 44 of acquired mountains illustrated in FIG. 5 based on operations on the map display button 95 and the my mine display button 96 shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, respectively.The mine button 91, the item button 92, the loan-related button 93, the shop button 94, and the home button 90 may be displayed while various screens other than the home screen 42 are displayed.

[0078] The mountain where the user will mine is determined, for example, as follows. For example, the display control unit 114 of the terminal device 10 causes the display unit 18 to display a list 44 of mountains acquired by the user, as shown in FIG. 5, based on a predetermined input operation by the user. The list 44 of mountains may be a list of mountains acquired by the user on a map 40 displayed on the display unit 18. When an operation to select a specific mountain from the mountains acquired by the user (in other words, the listed mountains) displayed on the display unit 18 (for example, a click operation on the specific mountain) is performed, the display control unit 114 causes the display unit 18 to display a mining target determination button 46 that accepts an operation to determine the selected mountain as the mountain where mining will be performed. Furthermore, the game control unit 212 sets the mountain selected by the user as the mountain where mining will be performed, based on an operation on the mining target determination button 46. When the start mining button 43 is operated, mining begins on the mountain that was set as the mountain where mining will be performed by operating the mining target determination button 46. That is, in this embodiment, the user can select (in other words, change) the mountain to be mined by selecting the mountain to be mined from the list of mountains 44 acquired by the user and operating the mining target selection button 46. When the user selects a specific mountain from the list of mountains 44 acquired by the user, a start mining button 43 may be displayed instead of or in addition to the select mining target button 46 (see FIG. 5 ), and operating the start mining button 43 may start mining in the specific mountain. As shown in FIG. 4 , the home screen 42 (in other words, the screen that accepts operations related to the start of mining) may display a display 48 that allows the user to identify the mountain set as the mountain to be mined (in other words, the mountain from which mining will begin upon an operation to start mining). The home screen 42 may also display a display 49 that allows the user to identify the pickaxe set as the pickaxe to be used for mining (in other words, the pickaxe to be equipped on the player character).

[0079] When the mining start button 43 is operated, the game control unit 212 places the player character 38 in a mountain 37, which is a virtual space where mining is to be performed, as shown in FIG. 6 . The game control unit 212 then moves the player character 38 based on an input operation by the user. That is, the mountain 37 is a virtual space in which the user can operate the player character 38 to play a predetermined game (specifically, a mining game, in other words, a predetermined in-game) (in other words, to execute a predetermined event). That is, the start of mining in a specific mountain 37 can be considered the start of playing a game in a specific virtual space, or entering a specific virtual space. Based on an input operation by the user, the game control unit 212 moves the player character 38 within the virtual space and causes the player character 38 to perform an action of using a pickaxe 39 (specifically, an operation of swinging the pickaxe 39). The method of operating the player character 38 within the virtual space can be similar to that of a conventional action game, but may also be, for example, as follows. The game control unit 212 may move the player character 38 within the mountain 37 based on an operation of the "W", "A", "S", or "D" keys on the keyboard. The game control unit 212 may also cause the player character 38 to jump based on an operation of the space bar on the keyboard. The game control unit 212 may also cause the player character 38 to perform a mining action of swinging the pickaxe 39 and digging into the mountain 37 based on a left-click operation of the mouse.

[0080] Gems and pyroxenes are buried (in other words, arranged) in the mountain 37. The user can acquire the gems and pyroxenes that he or she digs up (in other words, discovers). That is, when the player character 38 operated by the user digs up an item such as a gem or pyroxene, the game control unit 212 grants (in other words, allows the user to acquire) the excavated item.

[0081] Note that mining can be interrupted midway. For example, the display control unit 114 of the terminal device 10 displays a predetermined menu screen (not shown) on the display unit 18 based on a predetermined input operation by the user (for example, an operation on the Tab key on the keyboard). The menu screen displays an Exit button that accepts an operation related to exiting the mountain. Then, the game control unit 212 causes the player character 38 to exit the mountain 37 (in other words, ends mining) based on the operation on the Exit button. At this time, the game control unit 212 stores the progress status of the mining in the memory unit 220. Then, when mining in the same mountain 37 is started next time, the game control unit 212 reads out the stored progress status and resumes mining from where it left off. In other words, when mining is resumed, the previously excavated portion of the mountain 37 will be in a completely excavated state, and the gems, etc. buried in the mountain 37 that were previously dug up will be in a completely excavated state. In other words, when the user exits and re-enters mountain 37 as a specific virtual space, the changes made by the user the last time the user entered the space are reflected in the specific virtual space. In other words, in this embodiment, it is possible to suspend a game in a specific virtual space and resume it from where it was interrupted.

[0082] Furthermore, the user can dispose of the mountains that he or she has acquired at will. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, when an operation is performed to select a specific mountain from the mountains acquired by the user and displayed on the display unit 18 (in other words, the mountains displayed in a list), the display control unit 114 causes the display unit 18 to display a disposal button 47 that accepts an operation related to the disposal of the selected mountain. Then, based on the operation on the disposal button 47, the game control unit 212 disposes of the selected mountain (in other words, cancels the user's acquisition of the selected mountain). The disposed mountain disappears from the list 44 of mountains acquired by the user, and mining at that mountain becomes impossible.

[0083] In this embodiment, the pickaxe to be used in mining is selected before mining begins by operating the mining start button 43. The operation for selecting such a pickaxe can be the same as the operation for selecting the weapon to be used (in other words, equipped to the player character 38) in conventional games. The pickaxe to be used may be changeable while mining is in progress.

[0084] Pickaxes used for mining have a durability value set, and the durability value decreases as they are used for mining (for example, from a durability value of "100" to a durability value of "0"). When the durability value reaches a predetermined value (for example, a durability value of "0"), the pickaxe becomes unusable. In other words, mining cannot be performed using a pickaxe whose durability value has reached the predetermined value. Specifically, when the durability value reaches the predetermined value, the pickaxe can be swung, but it cannot dig the surface even when swung. Note that when the durability value reaches the predetermined value, mining using the pickaxe may still be possible, although its performance will decrease.

[0085] Furthermore, the operation receiving unit 111 receives an operation by the user instructing recovery of the durability value of the pickaxe (in other words, repairing item A). Then, the game control unit 212 performs processing to recover the durability value of the pickaxe based on the operation. Furthermore, a predetermined amount of specific tokens is required to recover the durability value of the pickaxe, and when the durability value of the pickaxe is recovered by the operation, the predetermined amount of specific tokens is consumed.

[0086] Furthermore, pickaxes are assigned a rank. Note that rank includes so-called levels, etc. As the pickaxe's rank increases, certain parameters of the pickaxe change. Specifically, as the pickaxe's rank increases, certain parameters that affect the ease of obtaining gems and gemstones (in other words, the efficiency of mining) change. More specifically, as the pickaxe's rank increases, parameters related to the pickaxe's swing speed change, and the pickaxe's swing speed increases. This increases the mining speed and therefore the mining efficiency. Furthermore, as the pickaxe's rank increases, the pickaxe's maximum durability increases. This increases the amount of time that mining can continue without the durability recovering, thereby increasing the mining efficiency. Furthermore, as the pickaxe's rank increases, the pickaxe's power increases, and the amount that can be dug with one swing (in other words, the impact that one operation has on the mountain) and the like may also increase. This increases the mining speed and therefore the mining efficiency.

[0087] The operation receiving unit 111 also receives an operation to instruct an increase in the rank of the pickaxe. Then, the game control unit 212 performs processing to increase the rank of the pickaxe based on the operation. Increasing the rank of the pickaxe also requires a predetermined amount of specific tokens, and when the rank of the pickaxe is increased by the operation, the predetermined amount of specific tokens is consumed.

[0088] In the game of this embodiment, items that can be obtained through acquisition routes different from item A, item B, and item C may be prepared. For example, there may be items (e.g., items that can be equipped by a player character) that can be purchased in the game using in-game currency that is not a crypto asset (e.g., assets held by a user that are not managed by a blockchain but are managed in the storage unit 220, etc.). The in-game currency may be one that can be purchased using legal currency, etc.

[0089] Furthermore, various items in this embodiment (for example, item A, item B, and item C) may be read as objects. Objects include characters, items, etc. In other words, item B and item C, which are acquired by playing a game (in other words, executing an event) in a mountain as a specific virtual space, may be characters, etc.

[0090] In this embodiment, the map is updated (in other words, newly generated) at predetermined intervals (specifically, once a day). In addition, in conjunction with the map updates, the acquireable mountains are also updated (in other words, newly generated) at predetermined intervals (specifically, once a day). Furthermore, only one user can acquire a mountain, and once a user acquires a mountain (in other words, the right to mine that mountain), other users cannot acquire that mountain. In other words, mountain acquisition is on a first-come, first-served basis. Note that updates to the map and acquireable mountains may involve completely renewing past maps and mountains (in other words, new maps and mountains are generated, and past maps disappear or past mountains become unacquirable), or may involve expanding past maps or adding new mountains to mountains that were previously generated (in other words, increasing the number of acquireable mountains).

[0091] Here, the flow of asset acquisition and consumption in the game of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0092] As described above, in the game of this embodiment, a user must have a pickaxe in order to participate in the game. In this embodiment, the pickaxe can be purchased in the in-game marketplace, and the user purchases the pickaxe in the marketplace. The pickaxe can be purchased using a specific token. Transactions in the marketplace are managed by the market management unit 214. Specifically, for example, the operation reception unit 111 of the terminal device 10 receives an operation by the user to select an item that the user wishes to purchase. Information regarding this operation is then sent to the market management unit 214 of the server 20, and the market management unit 214 performs processing to transfer the item selected by the user to the user based on this operation, and to transfer the payment from the user to the person who sold the item.

[0093] The user then uses the pickaxe to mine in the mountains, obtaining a variety of items including gems and pyroxene.

[0094] The pyroxene acquired by the user can be exchanged for a specific token. The exchange of the pyroxene for the specific token may be performed automatically or based on an operation by the user instructing the exchange. For example, all pyroxene owned by the user may be periodically converted into the specific token. Specifically, all pyroxene owned by the user may be automatically converted into the specific token at a predetermined time every day, and all pyroxene owned by the user at that time may be lost. Furthermore, the pyroxene may be automatically exchanged for the specific token at a specific timing, such as when the user leaves the mountain. In this embodiment, pyroxene is granted to the user through mining in the mountain, and the pyroxene is exchanged for the specific token. However, the specific token may be granted directly to the user in place of or in addition to the pyroxene mined in the mountain.

[0095] In this embodiment, the specific token is a virtual currency managed by a blockchain. The specific token may be a token that can be exchanged for other crypto assets at a predetermined exchange (for example, a decentralized exchange). The specific token may be a unique token related to the game of this embodiment, a token with an issuance limit set, or a virtual currency that can be used outside the game.

[0096] Furthermore, gems acquired by a user can be converted into NFTs by satisfying certain conditions. That is, in this embodiment, an NFT corresponding to the gem can be issued and managed on a blockchain. Specifically, for example, after a user acquires a gem, the process of converting the gem into an NFT may be initiated in response to a user operation on the acquired gem, or the process of converting the gem into an NFT may be initiated automatically without any user operation on the acquired gem. Furthermore, by converting the gem into an NFT, the gem may be taken outside the game and traded on a marketplace outside the game. In other words, converting an item into an NFT can be said to make it available for trading on a marketplace outside the game. Furthermore, converting an item into an NFT can be said to make it available for trading on a marketplace outside the game. Furthermore, gems may be traded on a marketplace within the game regardless of whether they have been converted into an NFT.

[0097] Furthermore, gems may be exchangeable for specific tokens. Specifically, the control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 may receive an operation in which the user selects gems that the user wishes to exchange for specific tokens in the game. Information regarding the operation is then sent to the server 20, and the asset management unit 213 may grant the specific tokens to the user in exchange for the selected gems based on the operation. In other words, gems may be items that can be converted into NFTs and exchanged for specific tokens. Note that the exchange of gems for specific tokens may be performed either before or after the gems are converted into NFTs, or may be performed both ways.

[0098] The NFT conversion control unit 216 controls the conversion of objects owned by the user into NFTs. In other words, the NFT conversion control unit 216 controls the conversion of objects in virtual space into NFTs. In this embodiment, the NFT conversion control unit 216 controls the conversion of gems, which are an example of such objects, into NFTs. In other words, in this embodiment, such objects are items that can be acquired by using an NFTed item (specifically, a pickaxe).

[0099] That is, the game system 1 is capable of issuing NFTs corresponding to gems and managing them on a blockchain. Specifically, for example, the NFT conversion control unit 216 converts gems owned by a user into NFTs based on the user's operation. In other words, in the game of this embodiment, a user can own both gems before and after conversion into NFTs.

[0100] Specifically, the game control unit 212 grants a predetermined object to the user based on the user's gameplay. Furthermore, the NFT conversion control unit 216 converts the predetermined object into an NFT based on a predetermined operation by the user. More specifically, when the user discovers a gem in the virtual space (specifically, a mountain), the game control unit 212 grants the discovered gem to the user. The NFT conversion control unit 216 converts the gem owned by the user into an NFT based on the user's operation to select NFT conversion of the gem owned by the user. Note that NFT conversion requires a fee (in other words, compensation, for example, a predetermined amount of specific tokens), and when converting the gem into an NFT through this operation, this fee may be consumed from the user's assets.

[0101] We will explain an example of the process of turning gemstones into NFTs.

[0102] The control unit 110 of the terminal device 10, based on a predetermined operation by the user (for example, an operation on the item button 92 on the home screen 42), causes the display unit 18 to display a gem list screen 60, which displays a list of gems owned by the user, as illustrated in FIG. 8(a). Furthermore, based on an operation to select a specific gem from among the gems listed on the gem list screen 60, the control unit 110 causes the display unit 18 to display a detailed information display screen 64, as illustrated in FIG. 8(b). The detailed information display screen 64 displays detailed information about the selected gem, such as the type, quality, or size of the selected gem. The detailed information display screen 64 also displays an image of the selected gem as detailed information. The detailed information display screen 64 also displays an NFT conversion button 66 as a UI for accepting operations related to converting the selected gem into an NFT. The user can then convert the selected gem into an NFT by operating the NFT conversion button 66.

[0103] Based on the operation of the NFT execution button 66, the control unit 110 presents the user with candidate images (hereinafter referred to as candidate images 71) to be associated with the gemstone to be converted into NFT. Specifically, based on the operation of the NFT execution button 66, the control unit 110 causes the display unit 18 to display a candidate display screen 70, as shown in FIG. 9. A plurality of candidate images 71 are displayed on the candidate display screen 70. An image selected from the plurality of candidate images 71 (hereinafter referred to as the "selected image") is then associated with the gemstone to be converted into NFT. As will be described in more detail below, the selected image is used as a thumbnail 72 of the NFTed gemstone, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.

[0104] The multiple candidate images 71 are images of the gemstone to be converted into NFT from different angles. In other words, the multiple candidate images 71 each show the gemstone from a different angle.

[0105] In this embodiment, regardless of the type of gem to be converted into an NFT, five candidate images 71 are presented, and the user can select an image to be associated with the gem to be converted into an NFT from among the five candidate images 71. In other words, the user can select the angle of the gem from multiple candidates for the image to be associated with the gem to be converted into an NFT. The number of candidate images 71 presented to the user may be less than five or may be five or more. The number of candidate images 71 presented to the user may also vary depending on the attributes of the gem to be converted into an NFT. The attributes of the gem include, for example, the type, size, quality, shape, or rarity of the gem.

[0106] Furthermore, the candidate images 71 presented to the user are images prepared in advance (in other words, images prepared in advance by the game creator (in other words, the operator)). Specifically, the candidate images 71 are images of a 3D model of a gem (specifically, a 3D model used in the game (in other words, a 3D object)) photographed from a specified angle. A plurality of images of the 3D model of the gem photographed from each of a plurality of angles are stored in advance in the storage unit 220 as candidate images 71. When presenting candidate images 71 to the user, the control unit 110 acquires candidate images 71 pre-stored in the storage unit 220 and corresponding to the gem to be converted into NFT, and presents the candidate images 71 to the user (in other words, displays them on the display unit 18). In other words, the control unit 110 presents to the user a plurality of images of a 3D model of the gem to be converted into NFT, photographed from each of a plurality of angles, as candidate images 71. The 3D model of the gem may be displayed, for example, on the detailed information display screen 64. The user may be able to view the gem from any angle by rotating the 3D model on the detailed information display screen 64. In other words, the control unit 110 may be able to rotate and display the 3D model of the gem before and after NFT conversion on a predetermined screen based on a user operation.

[0107] In this embodiment, candidate images 71 are prepared corresponding to the attributes of the gemstones (e.g., type, size, etc.). That is, for example, types of gemstones include diamond, aquamarine, red spinel, etc., and each gemstone has a carat size set as its size. Candidate images 71 corresponding to each gemstone are pre-stored in the storage unit 220, such as candidate image 71 corresponding to a 10-carat diamond, candidate image 71 corresponding to a 5-carat diamond, and candidate image 71 corresponding to a 10-carat aquamarine. Note that each candidate image 71 may be shared for gemstones with different predetermined parameters related to the gemstone attributes. For example, a specific candidate image 71 may be shared for gemstones with the same size-related parameter after rounding, such as a 10-carat gemstone and a 10.5-carat gemstone, in other words, for objects with predetermined parameters within a predetermined range.

[0108] Furthermore, the candidate images 71 presented to the user do not have to be images prepared in advance. For example, the control unit 210 may automatically generate candidate images 71 at a predetermined timing, such as when a predetermined operation related to NFT conversion is performed. That is, the control unit 210 may automatically generate images of the gem to be converted into NFT from each of a plurality of predetermined angles at a predetermined timing. Furthermore, the candidate images 71 presented to the user may be images, etc., prepared in advance (in other words, images of the gem) to which predetermined text has been added. Specifically, the control unit 110 may present to the user, as candidate images 71 of the gem photographed from each of a plurality of angles, images in which text corresponding to the gem (text describing the object (see FIG. 12 ), which will be described later) has been added to the prepared images of the gem photographed from each of a plurality of angles. In other words, the control unit 110 may present to the user, as candidate images 71, images in which a predetermined image (for example, a text image, a background image, etc.) has been added to the image of the gem.

[0109] In this embodiment, a "photographed image" of a predetermined object may be an image of the predetermined object viewed from a predetermined angle. In other words, the "photographed image" is not limited to an image of a 3D model of the predetermined object photographed from a predetermined angle, but may also be an image of the predetermined object viewed from a predetermined angle, drawn manually or automatically by a computer.

[0110] Each of the multiple candidate images 71 displayed on the candidate display screen 70 is an image of the gem to be converted into an NFT from a predetermined number of angles, but these multiple angles are fixed regardless of the attributes of the gem (in other words, regardless of the type, size, etc. of the gem). However, these multiple angles may be angles determined according to the attributes of the gem. For example, when converting a first type of gem into an NFT, the user may be presented with multiple candidate images 71 of the first type of gem taken from each of multiple angles corresponding to the first type of gem. When converting a second type of gem into an NFT, the user may be presented with multiple candidate images 71 of the second type of gem taken from each of multiple angles corresponding to the second type of gem. When converting a first size gem into an NFT, the user may be presented with multiple candidate images 71 of the first size gem taken from each of multiple angles corresponding to the first size gem. In addition, when converting a second-size gem into an NFT, the user may be presented with multiple candidate images 71 of the second-size gem taken from multiple angles corresponding to the second-size gem.

[0111] The control unit 110 may display, on the candidate display screen 70, a display indicating a recommended candidate image 71 (in other words, a recommended angle) from among the multiple candidate images 71 (in other words, a display that makes the recommendation identifiable). The display may be, for example, a graphic (including a frame, etc.), a symbol, or text that is added to the recommended candidate image 71. In other words, the display may be any display that allows the user to identify the recommended image. Furthermore, when performing the display, the control unit 110 may determine the recommended candidate image 71 based on the attributes of the gemstone (for example, type, size, etc.). With this configuration, for example, if the gemstone is large, an image of the gemstone viewed from the side to highlight its size can be determined as the recommended candidate image 71 and presented to the user, and if the gemstone is small, an image of the gemstone viewed from an angle to highlight the intricate cut can be determined as the recommended candidate image 71 and presented to the user. For example, information indicating the correspondence between the attributes of a gemstone and recommended candidate images 71 (in other words, recommended angles) may be stored in the memory unit 220, and the control unit 110 may present the user with recommended candidate images 71 that correspond to the attributes of the gemstone based on the information.

[0112] While the candidate display screen 70 is displayed, the control unit 110 accepts a user operation to select a specific image from among multiple candidate images 71. Specifically, the control unit 110 accepts an operation to click a specific image from the presented candidate images 71 and then click the execute button 74 displayed on the candidate display screen 70 as an operation to select the specific image as a selected image to be associated with a gem to be converted into an NFT. This operation can also be considered an operation related to the NFT conversion of a gem owned by the user. Then, based on this operation, the NFT conversion control unit 216 converts the target gem into an NFT and associates the selected image with the gem. Specifically, based on this operation, the NFT conversion control unit 216 controls the issuance of an NFT corresponding to the gem. The NFT includes information proving that the gem is unique, information indicating the owner of the gem (here, the user who owned the gem before conversion into an NFT and performed the operation to convert the gem into an NFT), and metadata. The metadata also includes information related to the selected image. That is, based on this operation, the NFT control unit 216 performs control to store information about the selected image as NFT metadata on the blockchain. In other words, based on this operation, the NFT control unit 216 stores information about the selected image selected from multiple candidate images 71 on the blockchain in association with information that proves that the gem is unique.

[0113] In this embodiment, the NFT conversion control unit 216 stores data obtained by encoding the selected image in Base64 on the blockchain as NFT metadata. However, the information about the selected image that the NFT conversion control unit 216 stores as NFT metadata is not limited to data obtained by encoding the selected image in Base64, and may be any information that can identify the selected image. For example, information indicating the location where the selected image is saved (in other words, a link to the selected image) may be stored as metadata. The selected image indicated by the metadata may be saved on a specified server or on IPFS (InterPlanetary File System). The information indicating the selected image associated with the NFTed gem does not have to be registered as NFT metadata.

[0114] Note that the user's selection of the selected image does not have to be performed when NFT conversion is performed. For example, it may be possible to select the selected image in advance before NFT conversion is performed. Then, when the user performs an operation to select a gem to be converted into an NFT, the NFT conversion control unit 216 may associate the selected image that was pre-selected for the selected gem with that gem. In other words, the NFT conversion control unit 216 may register information regarding the selected image that was pre-selected for the selected gem as metadata for the NFT corresponding to that gem.

[0115] The selected image (in other words, the image identified by the NFT metadata) selected from the candidate images 71 and associated with the gemstone is used as a thumbnail 72 of the NFTed gemstone, as illustrated in Figures 10 and 11.

[0116] The selected image selected from the candidate images 71 when converting each gem to NFT may be displayed as a thumbnail 72 for each gem on a gem list screen 80 that displays a list of NFTed gems owned by the user, as illustrated in FIG. 10. The control unit 110 displays the gem list screen 80 on the display unit 18 based on a predetermined operation by the user, and displays the selected image selected when converting each NFTed gem on the display unit 18 as the thumbnail 72 for each NFTed gem. The gem list screen 80 may be a screen that displays only NFTed gems, or may be a screen that displays both NFTed and non-NFTed gems. The gem list screen 80 may also be the gem list screen 60.

[0117] 11, the selected image may be displayed as a thumbnail 72 for each gem on a gem list screen (hereinafter referred to as the "shop screen 81") that displays a list of gems available for purchase. For example, gems may be available for sale to other users in a marketplace within or outside the game. That is, the shop screen 81 may be a screen related to a marketplace within the game, or a screen related to a marketplace outside the game. For example, the control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 of the first user accepts an operation by the first user to select a gem (specifically, an NFT-converted gem) to be put up for sale from among the gems the first user owns (e.g., an operation on the sell button 67 displayed on the detailed information display screen 64 related to the gem to be put up for sale (see FIG. 8(b))). Information related to the operation is then sent to the market management unit 214 of the server 20, and the market management unit 214 puts up the gem selected by the first user based on the operation. Specifically, the market management unit 214 controls the terminal devices 10 of other users so that the gem selected by the first user is displayed on the shop screen 81. The control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 of the second user displays a shop screen 81 on the display unit 18 based on a predetermined operation by the second user (e.g., an operation on the shop button 94). The shop screen 81 displays a list of gems put up for sale by other users, including the first user. The control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 of the second user accepts an operation by the second user to select a gem to purchase from the gems displayed on the shop screen 81. Information regarding the operation is then sent to the market management unit 214 of the server 20. Based on the operation, the market management unit 214 grants the gems selected by the second user to the second user and executes a process of having the second user pay the purchase price (in other words, a process of reducing the specific tokens held by the second user by the purchase price). The purchase price is transferred to the user (e.g., the first user) who put up the purchased gems. The selected image selected when converting each gem into an NFT may be used as the thumbnail 72 on the shop screen 81.In other words, the selected image selected by the first user when converting the gem into an NFT may be used as the image viewed by other users when the first user sells the gem to them.

[0118] Note that the selection image associated with an NFTed object (a gem in this embodiment) does not have to be the one used as the thumbnail 72 on an object list screen (e.g., a gem list screen) that displays a list of objects as exemplified in FIG. 10 or FIG. 11. For example, when an NFTed object is used to progress in a game, the selection image associated with the object may be used as an image of the object. That is, if the object is, for example, an item used to progress in the game (e.g., a weapon, armor, or a card in a card game) or a character used to progress in the game, when the object is used to progress in the game (e.g., when the object is used to fight an enemy character), the appearance of the object may become the appearance of the selection image (in other words, the control unit 110 may use the selection image as the image of the object to be displayed on the play screen on which the user plays the game).

[0119] In this embodiment, the background of each candidate image 71 is predetermined, and the user cannot change the background (in other words, the background image) when selecting a selected image. Specifically, in this embodiment, the backgrounds of images associated with gems to be converted into NFTs (in other words, the thumbnails 72) are all black, and no matter which candidate image 71 is selected, an image with a solid black background is associated with the gem. In other words, multiple candidate images 71 are displayed on the candidate display screen 70, and all of the multiple candidate images 71 have a common background (for example, the same image). Note that the backgrounds of the multiple candidate images 71 may differ from one another. Specifically, the background may differ depending on the attributes of the object to be converted into NFTs (for example, the type or color of the gem).

[0120] It should be noted that the user may be able to change the background (in other words, the background image) when selecting a selected image. For example, when a specific image is selected from multiple candidate images 71 displayed on the candidate display screen 70, the control unit 110 may cause the display unit 18 to display a screen related to background selection. Then, when the user performs an operation to select a background on the screen, the specific image, with the background set to the user's selected background, may be selected as the selected image to be associated with the gem to be converted into an NFT. Specifically, the user may be able to select the color of the background, etc. This configuration makes it possible to arrange the background to improve the appearance of the object depending on the type of object to be converted into an NFT.

[0121] The thumbnail 72 may include text describing the object (in other words, text indicating the attributes or characteristics of the object) (see FIGS. 10 to 12). Specifically, the thumbnail 72 may include text related to the object's name, type, size, quality, shape, or rarity. Such text constitutes part of the selected image (in other words, the image associated with the gem to be converted into an NFT), and information indicating the text may be included in the NFT metadata. In other words, the selected image (in other words, the candidate image 71) may include text related to the object (for example, text indicating the attributes or characteristics of the object, specifically, text related to at least one of the name, type, size, quality, shape, or rarity), as illustrated in FIG. 12. Alternatively, the information indicating the text may not be included in the NFT metadata, and the control unit 110 may display the text on the image associated with the NFTed gem as the thumbnail 72. The name of the object may be a proper noun 75 indicating the object, as illustrated in FIG. 12. For example, an object that satisfies a predetermined condition may have a proper noun 75, and the selected image (i.e., candidate image 71) may include a character string of the proper noun 75. An object that satisfies a predetermined condition may be, for example, an object whose gem attributes (e.g., size, quality, rarity, etc.) meet a predetermined standard. When proper nouns 75 (i.e., names) are assigned to gems that meet the predetermined standard (i.e., gems that meet the predetermined standard are not assigned proper nouns 75), the selected image (i.e., candidate image 71) for gems that meet the predetermined standard may include characters related to the gem's name, while the selected image for gems that do not meet the predetermined standard may not include characters related to the gem's name (e.g., the area of ​​candidate image 71 illustrated in FIG. 12 where proper noun 75 is displayed may be left blank). This configuration allows a viewer of thumbnail 72 to estimate the value of a gem based on whether or not a name is displayed.Note that proper noun 75 may be preset according to the attributes of the gem (in other words, prepared in advance by the game creator), or may be automatically determined and assigned by control unit 210 at a predetermined timing (for example, when the user acquires a gem). Furthermore, when control unit 210 automatically determines proper noun 75, control unit 210 may provide information about the gem to which proper noun 75 is to be assigned to a generation AI (Artificial Intelligence) and have the generation AI propose proper noun 75, thereby determining proper noun 75. Note that the generation AI in this case may be included in game system 1, or an AI provided by an external service may be used.

[0122] Furthermore, for objects that can be converted into NFTs and that satisfy certain conditions, a selection image specific to the object that satisfies the certain conditions may be selectable. That is, for example, multiple candidate images 71 presented to the user are images of the object taken from each of multiple predetermined angles, but if the object satisfies the certain conditions, the control unit 110 may present candidate images 71 taken from angles specific to the object that satisfy the certain conditions. In other words, if the object satisfies the certain conditions, it may be possible to select, as the selection image, an image taken from an angle that would not be selectable if the certain conditions were not met. Also, for example, if the object satisfies the certain conditions, the control unit 110 may present candidate images 71 with a background specific to the object that satisfies the certain conditions. In other words, if the object satisfies the certain conditions, it may be possible to select, as the selection image, an image with a background that would not be selectable if the certain conditions were not met. Note that the certain conditions here may be the same as or different from the condition regarding the presence or absence of the proper noun 75 described above.

[0123] Furthermore, the control unit 110 may search for, narrow down, or sort objects on the object list screen illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11 based on the characteristics of selected images (in other words, thumbnails 72) associated with the objects. For example, while the object list screen is displayed, the control unit 110 accepts a user operation specifying the characteristics of the thumbnails 72. Then, the control unit 110 searches for, narrows down, or sorts the objects displayed on the object list screen based on the characteristics of the thumbnails 72 specified by the operation. The characteristics may be, for example, a characteristic related to the angle of an object in the thumbnails 72 or a characteristic related to the background of the thumbnail (e.g., background color). That is, for example, the user may specify the angle of an object, the background color, or the like, and search for, narrow down, or sort objects based on the specified conditions. Note that the operations related to the search, narrowing down, or sorting may be the same as well-known operations. That is, for example, the object list screen may display a UI that allows input of search, narrowing down, or sorting conditions (for example, a search box that allows input of keywords, or a selection button that allows selection of a specific option from multiple options, etc.), and an operation on the UI may be accepted as an operation to specify the characteristics of the thumbnails 72 as the conditions. Note that the object list screen may also allow search, narrowing down, or sorting based on the characteristics (in other words, attributes) of the objects themselves, such as the quality or size of the objects. In other words, the object list screen may display a UI that allows an operation to specify the characteristics of the objects themselves as conditions for search, narrowing down, or sorting.

[0124] Note that an object list screen (e.g., gem list screen 60, 80) may display objects that are being minted (in other words, for which the process of converting to NFT is in progress). Furthermore, on this screen, the thumbnail 73 of the object being minted may be a selected image selected by the user as an image to be associated with the object to be converted to NFT. In other words, the control unit 110 may cause the display unit 18 to display a screen that displays a list of objects, in which the selected image selected by the user as an image to be associated with the object to be converted to NFT is used as the thumbnail 73 of the object being minted. That is, since minting takes time, for example, several tens of minutes, the selected image selected by the user may also be used as the thumbnail 73 for the object being minted. Furthermore, the control unit 110 may cause the screen to display an indication 85 that indicates that the object being minted is being minted, as illustrated in FIG. 10 . Note that the screen on which the thumbnail 73 of the object being minted is displayed may be a screen that displays a list of only the objects being minted, or the like.

[0125] In this embodiment, the selected image associated with an NFTed gem cannot be changed based on user operations after the gem is NFTed. Specifically, in this embodiment, information about the selected image is stored on the blockchain as NFT metadata, and the information about the selected image cannot be changed based on user operations. In other words, in the game of this embodiment, a screen or the like that allows the selected image associated with an NFTed gem to be changed is not displayed, and the control unit 110 does not receive operations related to such changes by the user who owns the gem. In other words, in this embodiment, the selected image selected by the user and associated with the gem cannot be changed even once after the gem is NFTed (in other words, the user cannot change the selected selected image even once).

[0126] Note that for objects before NFT conversion, in other words, objects other than objects after NFT conversion or objects in mint, or further, for objects for which no selected image has been selected, a default image not selected by the user may be used as the image of the object (in other words, a thumbnail) on the gem list screen 60, gem list screen 80, etc. Furthermore, the default image may be included in multiple candidate images 71 presented to the user and may be selectable by the user as a selected image, or may not be included in the candidate images 71 and may not be selectable as a selected image. Furthermore, the thumbnail for the object may not be changed until NFT conversion is performed (for example, until the NFT conversion execution button 66 is operated as an operation related to NFT conversion). In other words, the control unit 210 may control the change of the thumbnail of the object to be NFT converted to an image selected by the user upon execution of NFT conversion, and may not be able to change the thumbnail based on the image selected by the user until NFT conversion is performed.

[0127] (Processing flow) Next, an example of processing related to NFTing of an object will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0128] The control unit 110 of the user's terminal device 10 accepts an operation by the user to select a gem to be converted into an NFT (step S1). Specifically, the control unit 110 accepts an operation to select a specific gem from the gems listed on the gem list screen 60, and an operation on the NFT execution button 66 as an operation to select the specific gem as the gem to be converted into an NFT.

[0129] When an operation to select a gemstone to be converted into an NFT is performed, the control unit 110 presents the user with multiple candidate images 71 as candidates for images to be associated with the selected gemstone (in other words, the gemstone to be converted into an NFT) (step S2). Specifically, the control unit 110 causes the display unit 18 to display a candidate display screen 70 on which the multiple candidate images 71 are displayed.

[0130] Next, the control unit 110 accepts a user operation to select a specific candidate image 71 from the presented plurality of candidate images 71 (step S3).

[0131] When an operation to select a specific candidate image 71 is performed, the NFT conversion control unit 216 converts the selected gem into an NFT and associates the selected image with the gem (step S4). Specifically, the NFT conversion control unit 216 controls the issuance of an NFT corresponding to the gem based on the operation. At this time, the NFT conversion control unit 216 registers information about the selected image as metadata for the NFT (in other words, stores it on the blockchain).

[0132] The selected image associated with the NFTed gemstone (in other words, the image identified by the NFT's metadata) is used as a thumbnail or the like for that gemstone.

[0133] In this embodiment, the items, tokens, and various logics (in other words, smart contracts) managed on the blockchain are managed on the same blockchain, but some may be managed on different blockchains. The blockchain may be an existing one such as Ethereum or Bitcoin. NFTs corresponding to item A or item B (in other words, NFTed item A or item B) may be able to be bridged from the blockchain on which they were issued to another blockchain.

[0134] Note that each configuration according to this embodiment can also be applied to services (in other words, content) other than the game according to this embodiment.

[0135] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be implemented in various modifications without departing from the spirit of the invention. Within the scope of the present invention, the components can be freely combined, any component can be modified, any component can be replaced, any component can be omitted, or other components can be added. Furthermore, the process flow described in this specification is merely an example, and the order and configuration of each process may be different. Furthermore, some processes described in this specification may not exist. In other words, the process flow and specific determination processes may be different from those exemplified in this specification.

[0136] <Additional Notes> The configuration of this embodiment may be used to, for example, improve the entertainment value of services such as games, etc. The matters described in the above embodiment may also be written as in the following supplementary notes.

[0137] (Appendix 1) Computer, Functions as an association means (for example, the NFT control unit 216) that associates an image selected by a user from among multiple images relating to an NFTable object with the object to be NFTed as the image of that object. program. This configuration allows for a variety of images for NFT-capable objects, increasing the interest of the service. Furthermore, if users were free to set the images associated with NFT-capable objects, there was a risk that an image not intended by the service operator would be used, disrupting the service's morals. However, this configuration allows the image associated with an NFT-capable object to be determined by selecting from among multiple images, preventing the operator from associating an image not intended by the operator and reducing the risk of disrupting the service's morals.

[0138] (Appendix 2) The image associated with the object is an image used as a thumbnail on a predetermined screen that displays a list of the objects. The program described in Appendix 1. With this configuration, users can set thumbnails for NFTed objects, which can increase the interest of the service.

[0139] (Appendix 3) The object is an item that the user can acquire in the virtual space and can be converted into an NFT by consuming the assets held by the user. 1. A program as described in Appendix 1 or 2. This configuration allows users to specify the images to be associated with items they acquire in virtual space and convert into NFTs by consuming their assets, thereby increasing the interest of the service.

[0140] (Appendix 4) The association means An image selected by the user from the plurality of images presented to the user when converting the object into an NFT is associated with the object. 1. A program as described in Appendix 1 or 2. According to this configuration, when an object is converted into an NFT, candidate images to be associated with the object can be presented to the user, thereby facilitating the user's image selection process.

[0141] (Appendix 5) Each of the plurality of images is an image of the object photographed from each of a plurality of predetermined angles. 3. The program according to claim 1 or 2. According to this configuration, it is possible to provide a sense of unity in the images of each object while providing a variety in the images of the objects.

[0142] (Appendix 6) The plurality of images all have a common background. 1. A program as described in Appendix 1 or 2. According to this configuration, the background can be unified, and for a plurality of objects, it is possible to easily compare the objects by comparing the associated images with each other.

[0143] (Appendix 7) The image of the object selected by the user and associated with the object cannot be changed based on the user's operation after the object is converted into an NFT. 1. A program as described in Appendix 1 or 2. With this configuration, it is possible to fix the image associated with the object, which makes it possible to, for example, determine the value of the object based on the image selected by the user, thereby improving the interest of the service.

[0144] (Appendix 8) The system includes an association unit (e.g., an NFT control unit 216) that associates an image selected by a user from among a plurality of images relating to an NFTable object with the object to be NFTed as an image of the object. Information processing system. According to this configuration, the same effects as those of the program described in Supplementary Note 1 can be achieved.

[0145] The problem-solving means configured by the above-mentioned program (for example, each configuration described in the appendix) can be appropriately diverted to an apparatus, system, method, medium, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0146] 1 Game system, 3 Blockchain system, 10 Terminal device, 11 Processor, 12 Memory, 13 Storage, 14 Communication IF, 15 Input / output IF, 17 Input unit, 18 Display unit, 20 Server, 21 Processor, 22 Memory, 23 Storage, 24 Communication IF, 25 Input / output IF, 30 Node device, 31 Processor, 32 Memory, 33 Storage, 34 Communication IF, 35 Input / output IF, 110 Control unit, 111 Operation reception unit, 112 Transmission / reception unit, 113 Terminal processing unit, 114 Display control unit, 120 Memory unit, 210 Control unit, 211 Transmission / reception unit, 212 Game control unit, 213 Asset management unit, 214 Market management unit, 216 NFT control unit, 220 Memory unit, 310 Control unit, 320 Memory unit

Claims

1. Computer, functioning as an association means for associating an image selected by a user from among a plurality of images relating to an object that can be converted into an NFT with the object to be converted into an NFT as an image of the object; Each of the plurality of images is an image of the object photographed from each of a plurality of predetermined angles. program.

2. a linking means for linking an image selected by a user from a plurality of images relating to an object that can be converted into an NFT to the object to be converted into an NFT as an image of the object; Each of the plurality of images is an image of the object photographed from each of a plurality of predetermined angles. Information processing system.

Images