Programs, methods, apparatus, and systems

Abstract

To provide programs, methods, apparatus, and systems that can be enjoyed regardless of the user's skill level. [Solution] System 100 mainly comprises a device 110, an operation unit 150, and a screen 170. Device 110 comprises a puzzle control unit 112 and a lottery control unit 114. The puzzle control unit 112 erases some of the placed pieces and some of the target pieces, depending on the positional relationship between the placed pieces 172a to 172f placed in the puzzle area 172 and the target pieces that are moved by the user's operation and placed in the puzzle area 172. The lottery control unit 114 has multiple probability tables and an accumulation unit 132 that stores cumulative values, and performs a lottery under predetermined conditions set according to the situation in which some of the placed pieces 172a to 172f and the target piece 171a have been erased.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a program, method, apparatus, and system capable of erasing an object displayed in a puzzle area according to a user's operation.

Background Art

[0002] In a virtual puzzle area, an information processing program is known that moves an operation target object according to coordinate input by a user and erases the puzzle element from the virtual puzzle area when three or more puzzle elements of the same color are arranged adjacent to each other vertically or horizontally. In this information processing program, when the puzzle elements are erased and all the erasure target objects 81 arranged first are erased, the game ends as a success. On the other hand, when the input objects 82 accumulate without being erased and reach the lower end of the virtual puzzle area 80, the game ends as a failure.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the above-described information processing program, the success or failure of the game is significantly influenced by the user's skill. Therefore, it is difficult for a user with low skill to succeed in the game, and there is a possibility that the game cannot be enjoyed.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a program, method, apparatus, and system that can be enjoyed regardless of the user's skill.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention includes, as an example, the following inventions. [Invention 1] A program executed by a computer, A puzzle control unit that removes objects within the puzzle area in response to user input, A lottery control unit performs a lottery under predetermined conditions set according to the deletion status. A program that makes something work. [Invention 2] The puzzle control unit deletes some of the placed objects and some of the manipulated objects, depending on the positional relationship between the placed objects within the puzzle area and the manipulated objects that are moved by the user and placed within the puzzle area. The lottery control unit performs a lottery under predetermined conditions set according to the situation in which at least some of the placed objects and the target object have been deleted. The program described in Invention 1. [Invention 3] The program according to Invention 2, wherein the lottery control unit performs a lottery according to the situation in which at least a portion of the placed objects and the object to be operated on have been deleted. [Invention 4] The program according to Invention 2 or 3, wherein the lottery control unit has an accumulated value, adjusts the accumulated value according to the situation in which at least a portion of the placed objects and the object to be operated have been deleted, and performs a lottery when the accumulated value reaches a predetermined value. [Invention 5] The program according to any one of inventions 2 to 4, wherein the lottery control unit comprises multiple probability tables, and determines from the multiple probability tables to be used for the lottery depending on the situation in which at least a portion of the placed objects and the object to be operated on have been deleted. [Invention 6] The program according to any one of Inventions 2 to 5, wherein the lottery control unit comprises multiple probability tables, determines a probability table to be used for the lottery from the multiple probability tables according to the number of consecutive chains in which at least a portion of the placed objects and the object to be operated on are eliminated, and performs the lottery based on the determined probability table. [Invention 7] The lottery control unit has an accumulated value, and increases the accumulated value according to the number of consecutive deletions of placed objects and target objects, and performs a lottery when the accumulated value reaches a predetermined value, according to any one of inventions 2 to 6. [Invention 8] The lottery control unit is a program according to any one of inventions 2 to 7, which issues a reward when the deleted placed object and the object to be operated on are of a specific type. [Invention 9] The program according to Invention 8, wherein the lottery control unit comprises multiple probability tables, and when the deleted placed object and the object to be operated on are of a specific type, it determines a higher-grade probability table from the multiple probability tables compared to when the deleted placed object and the object to be operated on are not of a specific type, and performs a lottery based on the determined probability table. [Invention 10] The program according to Invention 8 or 9, wherein the lottery control unit has an accumulated value, and the reward is the addition of a predetermined value to the accumulated value, the issuance of a slot ticket, the issuance of life recovery, the issuance of bonus coins, and / or the issuance of other in-game items. [Invention 11] The lottery control unit comprises multiple probability tables, is capable of issuing lottery tickets at any or predetermined timing, and when a lottery ticket is issued, determines from the multiple probability tables which probability table to be used for the lottery, and performs the lottery based on the determined probability table, according to any one of inventions 2 to 10. [Invention 12] The lottery control unit is a program according to any one of inventions 2 to 11, which issues a reward according to the result of the lottery. [Invention 13] The program according to Invention 12, wherein the rewards are clearing the puzzle board, granting bonus time, restoring lives, bonus coins, a jackpot, adding specific pieces to the puzzle area, and / or a mini-game challenge. [Invention 14] The lottery control unit has an accumulated value and displays the accumulated value on a screen, according to any one of inventions 2 to 13. [Invention 15] A puzzle control unit that removes objects in the puzzle area according to user input, A lottery control unit performs a lottery under predetermined conditions set according to the deletion status. A device equipped with the following features. [Invention 16] The puzzle control unit deletes some of the placed objects and some of the manipulated objects, depending on the positional relationship between the placed objects within the puzzle area and the manipulated objects that are moved by the user and placed within the puzzle area. The lottery control unit performs a lottery under predetermined conditions set according to the situation in which some of the placed objects and the target object have been deleted. The apparatus described in Invention 15. [Invention 17] A puzzle control unit that removes objects in the puzzle area according to user input, A lottery control unit performs a lottery under predetermined conditions set according to the deletion status, A screen that displays the puzzle area and the lottery section that displays the lottery results, An operating unit that receives user input, A system that includes these features. [Invention 18] The puzzle control unit deletes some of the placed objects and the target object, depending on their positional relationship with the target object that is moved and placed in the puzzle area by the user's operation, as the placed objects are located within the puzzle area. The lottery control unit performs a lottery under predetermined conditions set according to the situation in which some of the placed objects and the target object have been deleted. The system described in Invention 17. [Invention 19] A method executed by a computer, comprising: a puzzle control step of erasing an object in a puzzle area by a user's operation; a lottery control step of performing a lottery under a predetermined condition set according to the situation of the erasure and the method. [Invention 20] The puzzle control step erases a part of the arranged object and the operation target object according to the positional relationship between the arranged object arranged in the puzzle area and the operation target object moved by the user's operation and placed in the puzzle area, The lottery control step performs a lottery under a predetermined condition set according to the situation where a part of the arranged object and the operation target object are erased, The method according to Invention 19. [Advantages of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, there are provided a program, a method, an apparatus, and a system that can be enjoyed regardless of the user's skill. [Brief Description of the Drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] It is a block diagram schematically showing a program, an apparatus, and a system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a diagram showing an example of a probability table. [Figure 3] It is a flowchart showing a measurement process according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] It is a block diagram schematically showing a program, an apparatus, and a system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for Carrying Out the Invention]

[0009] Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. To facilitate understanding of the description, the same reference numerals are used for identical components in each drawing, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0010] A program, a device 110, and a system 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described. The system 100 is a video game console such as Nintendo Switch® or Steam, a device such as a smartphone that can operate as a video game console, or a computer, and mainly comprises a device 110, an operation unit 150, and a screen 170. The program is software for operating the device 110 and the system 100 as a game console. The program can be recorded on a non-volatile recording medium such as a memory card or DVD-ROM.

[0011] The device 110 comprises a puzzle control unit 112 and a lottery control unit 114. The device 110 also has a CPU and memory (not shown), and the puzzle control unit 112 and lottery control unit 114 are mainly composed of the CPU and memory. The program is stored in memory and executed by the CPU.

[0012] The operation unit 150 is a touch sensor provided on the surface of the screen 170, which transmits the position and manner of touch on the screen 170 to the puzzle control unit 112.

[0013] Screen 170 mainly consists of an operation piece area 171, a puzzle area 172, a lottery area 174, a score display area 176, a gauge 178, and a life display area 179, and displays information according to signals from the puzzle control unit 112 and the lottery control unit 114.

[0014] The puzzle area 172 has cells arranged, for example, in a 6x6 grid, and each of the multiple objects 172a to 172f can be displayed in each cell. The objects placed within the puzzle area 172 are also referred to as placed objects 172a to 172f. In this application, objects are also referred to as pieces.

[0015] Pieces 172a to 172f mainly consist of, for example, four types of pieces 172a to 172d, each represented by a different color and shape, an obstruction piece 172e with an "X" inside a square frame, and a gift piece 172f, represented by a box with a ribbon on top. Pieces 172a to 172d and 172f can be removed under predetermined conditions. Also, no new pieces can be placed in a cell where an obstruction piece 172e is placed. The gift piece 172f acts as a trigger for a special action when it is removed.

[0016] The manipulation piece area 171 is the area where user-operable objects are placed. These objects are also called manipulation pieces. New pieces (manipulation pieces) 171a placed in the manipulation piece area 171 can be moved by the user and placed in any cell within the puzzle area 172.

[0017] The lottery area 174 displays a slot machine consisting of multiple reels. The reels are virtual reel bodies, and multiple symbols are drawn on their sides. In this embodiment, three reels are used. A win is declared when the three reels display the same symbol. The reward for winning is determined according to the symbols. For example, the multiple symbols include "7", "BAR", strawberry, orange, etc., and the content of the reward differs for each matching set of the same symbols.

[0018] Score display area 176 displays the game score. The score is increased or decreased depending on the status and number of pieces that have been removed.

[0019] Gauge 178 displays the cumulative value, described later, using a bar 178a that extends from the left end to the right end of Gauge 178. The cumulative value can take values ​​from 0 to 100, for example. The left end of Gauge 178 corresponds to a cumulative value of 0, and the right end corresponds to a cumulative value of 100. When the cumulative value is 0, no bar 178a is displayed on Gauge 178. The bar 178a extends from the left end to the right end of Gauge 178 according to the cumulative value, and when the cumulative value reaches 100, the bar 178a reaches the right end of Gauge 178. At this point, the reels of the slot machine begin to rotate.

[0020] In this embodiment, a predetermined number of lives is given to the user at the start of the game, and one life is removed by a single action performed by the user. The game ends when the number of lives reaches 0. The life display area 179 displays the value of the lives. The number of lives can be increased during the game by a method described later.

[0021] The puzzle control unit 112 erases at least some of the placed pieces and the manipulated pieces, depending on the positional relationship between the placed pieces 172a to 172f located within the puzzle area 172 and the manipulated pieces that are moved by the user and placed within the puzzle area 172. The following explains this in detail.

[0022] First, the puzzle control unit 112 places pieces 172a to 172f within the puzzle area 172, and also places the target piece 171a in the operation piece area 171.

[0023] As described above, the operation unit 150 consists of a touch sensor provided on the screen 170. When a user touches the target piece 171a placed in the operation piece area 171 on the screen 170, the touch sensor of the operation unit 150 detects the position the user is touching on the screen 170 and transmits the position the user is touching to the puzzle control unit 112. Hereinafter, the position the user is touching will be referred to as the user contact position. Upon receiving the user contact position, the puzzle control unit 112 determines that the user has touched the target piece 171a and moves the target piece 171a to the user contact position continuously transmitted from the operation unit 150. Furthermore, when the user moves away from the screen 170, the operation unit 150 detects that the user has moved away from the screen 170 and transmits the position the user has moved away from on the screen 170, i.e., the user departure position, to the puzzle control unit 112. Upon receiving the user departure position, the puzzle control unit 112 places the target piece 171a in the cell corresponding to the user departure position. The puzzle control unit 112 removes the piece that was placed in the cell corresponding to the user's departure position. If the user's departure position corresponds to a cell where an obstructing piece 172e is placed, the puzzle control unit 112 determines that the target piece 171a cannot be placed in that cell and returns the target piece 171a to the operation piece area 171.

[0024] The puzzle control unit 112 then determines whether the type of the target piece 171a matches the type of the pieces placed in the cells adjacent to the cell where the target piece 171a is placed (called first-order adjacent cells). If they match, it further determines whether the type of pieces placed in the cells adjacent to the first-order adjacent cells (called second-order adjacent cells) matches the type of piece placed in the first-order adjacent cell (i.e., the type of the new piece 171a). This series of processes is carried out until no more pieces of the same type can be found. If pieces of the same type are found in three or more consecutive cells containing the new piece 171a, all of these consecutive pieces are removed. This process is called the piece removal process, and the set of pieces removed in one piece removal process is called the removed piece set.

[0025] Furthermore, the puzzle control unit 112 moves the piece located above the erased piece downwards by the same number of pieces that were erased below it, and moves it to the cell where the erased piece was located. Then, the puzzle control unit 112 replaces the piece moved downwards with the target piece 171a and performs the piece erasure process. This may result in further pieces being erased. This continuous erasure of pieces is called a "combo" or "chain," and if only three or more cells containing the new piece 171a are erased without reaching a combo, it is called a "single hit." In other words, a combo has multiple sets of erased pieces, and a single hit has one set of erased pieces. The number of times the piece erasure process is repeated is called the chain count.

[0026] When a single or combo occurs, the puzzle control unit 112 transmits to the lottery control unit 114 the type of piece removed by the single or combo, and the number of pieces removed.

[0027] The lottery control unit 114 has multiple probability tables and an accumulation unit 132 that stores cumulative values, and performs a lottery under predetermined conditions set according to the situation in which some of the placed pieces 172a to 172f and the piece to be operated on 171a have been erased. In this embodiment, the lottery is performed by the lottery control unit 114 using the cumulative value, multiple probability tables, and a slot machine displayed on the screen 170. This will be described in detail below.

[0028] Referring to Figure 2, the multiple probability tables will be described. This embodiment has 10 probability tables, indicated by table numbers 1 to 10. Table number 1 is the lowest grade, i.e., the table with the lowest winning probability, and table number 10 is the highest grade, i.e., the table with the highest winning probability and the highest reward when winning, for example, a 100% winning probability. Each table has a winning rank indicated by a number, and the winning rank corresponds to the symbol displayed when winning and is linked to the reward when winning. For example, if the number shown in the table is "7", three "7"s will be displayed when winning, and the user will be given a reward corresponding to "7", such as the jackpot described later. If the number shown in the table is "6", three "BAR" symbols will be displayed when winning, and the user will be given a reward corresponding to "BAR", such as the "life recovery" described later. If the number shown in the table is "0", it is a loss, and the user will not receive a reward. One of the multiple probability tables is used for the lottery by the lottery control unit 114.

[0029] Returning to Figure 1, the accumulation unit 132 stores the accumulated value. The accumulated value is adjusted according to the types of pieces eliminated individually and in combos, and the number of sets of eliminated pieces. When the lottery control unit 114 receives the types of pieces eliminated individually and in combos, and the number of sets of eliminated pieces from the puzzle control unit 112, it adjusts the accumulated value according to the types of pieces eliminated individually and in combos, and the number of sets of eliminated pieces. For example, if one of the pieces 172a-172d or 172f is eliminated individually, the smallest value is added to the accumulated value. When the accumulated value reaches a predetermined value, for example 100, the lottery control unit 114 rotates the reels of the slot machine and performs a lottery.

[0030] The lottery control unit 114 increases the cumulative value according to the number of consecutive clearings of pieces 172a-172d and 172f. More specifically, when pieces 172a-172d and 172f are cleared in a combo, the lottery control unit 114 adds a value obtained by multiplying the number of cleared pieces by the number of consecutive clearings to the game score and cumulative value. As a result, the value added in this case is higher than that for single clearings. Since the value added increases as the number of consecutive clearings increases, the time until the slot machine spins can be shortened. The lottery control unit 114 also determines the probability table to be used for the lottery from among multiple probability tables according to the number of consecutive clearings of pieces 172a-172d and 172f. More specifically, the lottery control unit 114 selects the probability table corresponding to the maximum number of consecutive clearings since the last time the slot machine spun. The higher the number of consecutive clearings, the higher the grade, i.e., the higher the probability of winning on the slot machine, that probability table is selected. Then, when the cumulative value reaches 100, the lottery control unit 114 performs a lottery based on the probability table. As the number of chains increases, the grade of the probability table improves, and therefore the probability of winning increases.

[0031] If the type of piece that was removed was a present piece 172f, the lottery control unit 114 adds a predetermined value to the cumulative value, issues a slot ticket (lottery ticket), issues life recovery, issues bonus coins, and / or other in-game items, and grants the user a reward.

[0032] When the lottery control unit 114 issues a slot ticket during the game, it sets the cumulative value to its maximum value and spins the slot machine using a probability table of a higher grade than the currently selected probability table. In other words, when the eliminated piece is of a specific type, the lottery control unit 114 determines a higher grade probability table compared to when the eliminated piece is not of a specific type. Users can obtain slot tickets from outside this game. Slot tickets can be sold at virtual stores on the network or physical stores, or issued as one of the bonuses for logging into the game, and can be entered into the game using a predetermined method. When a slot ticket is entered, the lottery control unit 114 sets the cumulative value to its maximum value and spins the slot machine using a probability table of a higher grade than the currently selected probability table, or spins the slot machine at the start of the game. Note that login bonuses include multiple items in addition to slot tickets. When the lottery control unit 114 issues a bonus coin, it adds a higher score to the game score than a normal elimination.

[0033] The lottery control unit 114 issues rewards according to the results of the lottery by the slot machine. For example, the rewards include clearing the puzzle board, granting bonus time, restoring lives, bonus coins, a jackpot, adding specific pieces to the puzzle area 172, such as gift piece 172f, and mini-game challenges.

[0034] When the puzzle board clear command is issued, the lottery control unit 114 clears all pieces in the puzzle area 172. This allows the user to obtain a high score in a short period of time.

[0035] When a bonus time is awarded, the lottery control unit 114 adds a higher-than-usual score to the game score and a higher-than-usual value to the cumulative value when pieces are removed. This allows the user to shorten the time until the lottery.

[0036] When a life recovery is issued, the lottery control unit 114 adds a predetermined number to the user's life. This extends the period during which the game can be played, allowing the user to play the game for a longer period.

[0037] When bonus coins are issued, the lottery control unit 114 adds a predetermined number of points to the game score, corresponding to the number of coins. This allows the user to obtain a high score in a short period of time.

[0038] When a jackpot is awarded, the lottery control unit 114 simultaneously clears the puzzle board, grants bonus time, restores lives, and awards bonus coins. This allows the user to obtain all of the above effects at once.

[0039] When a mini-game challenge is issued, the lottery control unit 114 executes a mini-game different from the game according to this embodiment and displays it on the screen 170. The user can play a short mini-game. Depending on the results in the mini-game, the user can obtain a wide variety of items. These items may include some that are unrelated to the game according to this embodiment.

[0040] Next, the method according to the present invention will be described using Figure 4. This method is performed by system 100 and apparatus 110.

[0041] First, when the user selects to start the game on screen 170, in step S41, the system 100 and device 110 start the game, and the puzzle control unit 112 places pieces 172a to 172d and 172f in the puzzle area 172, and places the target piece 171a in the operation piece area 171.

[0042] In the next step S42, the puzzle control unit 112 manipulates the target piece 171a located in the manipulation piece area 171 in response to the user's operation and places the target piece 171a in the desired cell. The puzzle control unit 112 then erases the piece that was placed in the cell corresponding to the user's departure position. Alternatively, if the user's departure position corresponds to a cell where an obstruction piece 172e is placed, the puzzle control unit 112 determines that the target piece 171a cannot be placed in that cell and returns the target piece 171a to the manipulation piece area 171.

[0043] In the next step, S43, the puzzle control unit 112 performs part of the piece elimination process. Specifically, the puzzle control unit 112 determines whether the type of the target piece 171a matches the type of the pieces placed in the cells adjacent to the cell where the target piece 171a is located (referred to as first-order adjacent cells). If they match, it further determines whether the type of pieces placed in the cells adjacent to the first-order adjacent cells (referred to as second-order adjacent cells) matches the type of piece placed in the first-order adjacent cell (i.e., the type of the new piece 171a). This series of processes is performed until no more pieces of the same type can be found. Then, it determines whether the pieces of the same type are consecutive in three or more cells, including the new piece 171a. If they are consecutive, i.e., the puzzle is complete, the process proceeds to step S44; if they are not consecutive, i.e., the puzzle is not complete, the process returns to step S42 and waits for user input.

[0044] In step S44, the puzzle control unit 112 removes all pieces that were determined to be consecutive in step S43. Furthermore, the puzzle control unit 112 moves the pieces located above the removed pieces downward by the same number of pieces that were removed below them, and moves them to the cell where the removed pieces were located. Then, the puzzle control unit 112 replaces the piece moved downward with the target piece 171a and performs the piece removal process. This generates a combo. When a single or combo occurs, the puzzle control unit 112 transmits the types of pieces removed in the single and combo, and the number of pieces in the set of removed pieces, to the lottery control unit 114.

[0045] In step S45, the lottery control unit 114 receives the types of pieces removed individually and in combos, and the number of sets of removed pieces, from the puzzle control unit 112, and adjusts the cumulative value according to the types of pieces removed individually and in combos, and the number of sets of removed pieces. For example, if one of the pieces 172a to 172d is removed individually, the smallest value is added to the cumulative value. If pieces 172a to 172d and the gift piece 172f are removed in a combo, for example, a value obtained by multiplying the number of removed pieces by the number of chains is added to the game score and the cumulative value. Also, if the gift piece 172f is removed, the lottery control unit 114 adds a predetermined value to the cumulative value, issues a slot ticket, issues a life recovery item, issues a bonus coin, and / or issues other in-game items to reward the user.

[0046] In step S46, the lottery control unit 114 determines whether the accumulated value has reached a predetermined value, for example, 100. If the accumulated value has reached the predetermined value, the process proceeds to step S47; otherwise, the process returns to step S42 and waits for user input.

[0047] In step S47, the lottery control unit 114 selects a probability table corresponding to the maximum number of consecutive wins since the last spin of the slot machine.

[0048] In the next step S48, the lottery control unit 114 uses the probability table selected in step S47 to spin the reels of the slot machine, execute the lottery, reset the accumulated value to 0, and erase the bar 178a from the gauge 178.

[0049] In the next step S49, the lottery control unit 114 determines whether the winner has been selected or not, and if selected, obtains a value for the winning rank. If the winner has not been selected, the process proceeds to step S50; if selected, the process proceeds to step S51.

[0050] In step S50, the lottery control unit 114 displays a still image or video on screen 170 indicating that the selection was unsuccessful. The process then returns to step S42, waiting for user input.

[0051] In step S51, the lottery control unit 114 displays a still image or video on the screen 170 indicating that the winner has been selected.

[0052] The process then proceeds to step S52, where rewards are issued according to the winning rank obtained in step S49. For example, rewards include clearing the puzzle board, granting bonus time, restoring lives, bonus coins, a jackpot, and a mini-game challenge. The process then returns to step S42, waiting for user input.

[0053] Furthermore, at least one of steps S42 to S44 constitutes a puzzle control step, and at least one of steps S45 to S52 constitutes a lottery control step.

[0054] Although this flowchart does not mention life points, the lottery control unit 114 monitors life points continuously and ends the game when life points reach zero.

[0055] In conventional puzzle games consisting solely of three-match or falling-block puzzles, the user's primary objective is to increase their score by eliminating puzzle pieces. In this case, a higher score is more easily obtained in proportion to the user's skill (the user's operational technique), while a lower skill level makes it more difficult to obtain a high score. However, the present invention combines puzzles and slots in a linked manner, performing a slot lottery in conjunction with the results of eliminating puzzle pieces, and providing a score corresponding to the matching slot symbols in addition to the puzzle result. This makes it possible for the present invention to award high scores even to users with low game player skills. Furthermore, the present invention also incorporates remedy measures that do not depend on the user's skill level in the conditions for the occurrence of the slot lottery, namely cumulative values, probability tables, and related measures, so that even users with low skill levels can enjoy the fun of obtaining high scores.

[0056] The operating unit 150 may be a joystick, gamepad, game controller, etc. The user operates the pieces using these, and the system 100 and device 110 move the pieces in response to the user's operations on these.

[0057] Note that puzzle area 172 is not limited to 6 rows and 6 columns, but may also be n rows and m columns (where n and m are any integers).

[0058] Although it was explained that when a user places the target piece 171a in a cell, the piece that was in the cell corresponding to the user's departure position is deleted, it is also possible to move that piece to the operation piece area 171 without deleting it.

[0059] Furthermore, the lottery area 174 may display something that simulates the lottery instead of the reels of a slot machine. The things that simulate the lottery include those that use multiple symbols to indicate a win or loss, such as a slot montage, and those that use a single symbol to indicate a win or loss, such as a roulette. A slot montage displays multiple symbols, each consisting of multiple parts of a single symbol, as they move, and a win is declared when the symbols line up. A win is declared when an indicator stops on a single winning symbol shown on the rotating body. For example, the rotating body is a rotating disc called a wheel, in which case the indicator is a sphere. Alternatively, the rotating body is a rotating drum with a symbol drawn on its side, in which case the indicator is a needle.

[0060] Note that the gauge 178 does not necessarily have to be displayed, and the program, device 110, and system 100 may store the accumulated value displayed on the gauge 178 internally (see Figure 5).

[0061] Furthermore, the lottery control unit 114 may, in addition to, or instead of, when the type of piece that is removed is a present piece 172f, add a predetermined value to the accumulated value, issue a slot ticket (lottery ticket), issue life recovery, issue bonus coins, and / or issue other in-game items, and grant rewards to the user.

[0062] While it was explained that the probability table grade is increased according to the number of chains, it may also be possible to increase the probability table grade according to the number of pieces removed.

[0063] The system 100 may be, for example, a PC terminal or a smartphone, and the entire device 110 may be hosted on the cloud, or a part of the device 110 or a part of the functions of the device 110 may be hosted on the cloud.

[0064] The size, shape, and quantity of each component shown in this specification and in the figures are illustrative and not limited thereto. Furthermore, the materials of each component are illustrative and not limited thereto.

[0065] Embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, but it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that modifications can be made to the structure and relationships of the parts without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention described herein. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0066] 100 Systems 110 Equipment 112 Puzzle Control Unit 114 Lottery Control Unit 115 Estimation Department 150 Operation section 170 screens 171 Operation Piece Area 172 Puzzle Area 174 Lottery Area 176 Score display area 178 gauge

Claims

1. A program executed by a computer, wherein the computer A puzzle control unit that removes objects within the puzzle area in response to user input, A lottery control unit performs a lottery under predetermined conditions set according to the status of the deletion, and A program that makes something work.

2. The puzzle control unit erases a portion of the placed objects and the object to be manipulated, depending on the positional relationship between the placed objects and the object to be manipulated, which is moved by the user's operation and placed in the puzzle area. The lottery control unit performs a lottery under predetermined conditions set according to the situation in which at least a portion of the placed objects and the object to be operated on have been deleted. The program according to claim 1.

3. The program according to claim 2, wherein the lottery control unit performs the lottery according to the status of the situation in which at least a portion of the placed objects and the object to be operated on have been deleted.

4. The program according to claim 2, wherein the lottery control unit has an accumulated value, adjusts the accumulated value according to the situation in which at least a portion of the placed objects and the object to be operated on have been deleted, and performs the lottery when the accumulated value reaches a predetermined value.

5. The program according to claim 2, wherein the lottery control unit comprises a plurality of probability tables, and determines a probability table to be used for the lottery from the plurality of probability tables according to the situation in which at least a portion of the placed objects and the object to be operated on have been deleted.

6. The program according to claim 2, wherein the lottery control unit comprises a plurality of probability tables, and determines a probability table to be used for the lottery from the plurality of probability tables according to the number of consecutive chains in which at least a portion of the placed objects and the object to be operated on are deleted, and performs the lottery based on the determined probability table.

7. The program according to claim 2, wherein the lottery control unit has an accumulated value, increases the accumulated value according to the number of consecutive deletions of the placed object and the object to be operated on, and performs the lottery when the accumulated value reaches a predetermined value.

8. The program according to claim 2, wherein the lottery control unit issues a reward when the deleted placed object and the object to be operated on are of a specific type.

9. The program according to claim 8, wherein the lottery control unit comprises a plurality of probability tables, and when the deleted placed object and the object to be operated on are of a specific type, it determines a higher-grade probability table from the plurality of probability tables compared to when the deleted placed object and the object to be operated on are not of a specific type, and performs the lottery based on the determined probability table.

10. The program according to claim 8, wherein the lottery control unit has an accumulated value, and the reward is the addition of a predetermined value to the accumulated value, issuance of a slot ticket, issuance of life recovery, issuance of bonus coins, and / or issuance of other in-game items.

11. The program according to claim 2, wherein the lottery control unit comprises a plurality of probability tables, can issue lottery tickets at any or predetermined timing, and when a lottery ticket is issued, determines a probability table to be used for the lottery from the plurality of probability tables, and performs the lottery based on the determined probability table.

12. The program according to claim 2, wherein the lottery control unit issues a reward according to the result of the lottery.

13. The program according to claim 12, wherein the reward is clearing the puzzle board, granting bonus time, restoring life, bonus coins, a jackpot, adding a specific piece to the puzzle area, and / or a mini-game challenge.

14. The program according to claim 2, wherein the lottery control unit has an accumulated value and displays the accumulated value on a screen.

15. A puzzle control unit that removes objects in the puzzle area according to user input, A lottery control unit performs a lottery under predetermined conditions set according to the status of the deletion, and A device equipped with the following features.

16. The puzzle control unit erases a portion of the placed objects and the object to be manipulated, depending on the positional relationship between the placed objects located within the puzzle area and the object to be manipulated, which is moved by the user's operation and placed within the puzzle area. The lottery control unit performs a lottery under predetermined conditions set according to the situation in which some of the placed objects and the object to be operated on have been deleted. The apparatus according to claim 15.

17. A puzzle control unit that removes objects in the puzzle area according to user input, A lottery control unit performs a lottery under predetermined conditions set according to the status of the deletion, A screen that displays the aforementioned puzzle area and the aforementioned lottery area, The operation unit that receives user input, A system that includes these features.

18. The puzzle control unit deletes some of the placed objects and the target object, depending on the positional relationship between the placed objects within the puzzle area and the target object that is moved by the user's operation and placed within the puzzle area. The lottery control unit performs a lottery under predetermined conditions set according to the status of the deletion of some of the placed objects and the object to be operated on. The system according to claim 17.

19. A method performed by a computer, A puzzle control step in which objects in the puzzle area are removed by user operation, A lottery control step, which involves performing a lottery under predetermined conditions set according to the status of the deletion, A method that includes [a certain feature].

20. The puzzle control step involves deleting a portion of the placed objects and the object to be manipulated, depending on the positional relationship between the placed objects and the object to be manipulated, which is moved by the user's operation and placed within the puzzle area. The lottery control step performs a lottery under predetermined conditions set according to the situation in which some of the placed objects and the object to be operated on have been deleted. The method according to claim 19.

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