Advertising system for games

Abstract

To provide an advertising system for games that allows players to enjoy the game for free while receiving various benefits that were previously obtained through in-app purchases without the player having to make any in-app purchases themselves. 【Solution means】 A game advertising system 10 for conducting promotional advertising by attaching a logo to a character operated by a player 4, comprising: a company-side input unit 12 into which a plurality of companies 6 that wish to attach their own logos to the character input; a player-side input unit 14 for selecting a logo to be attached to each character operated by each player 4 from among the logos of the plurality of companies 6; an advertising fee charging unit 16 for charging an advertising fee to the company 6 corresponding to the logo when the logo selected by each player 4 is attached to the character; and a privilege granting unit 19 for granting a certain privilege when each player 4 attaches a logo to the character. It is characterized by comprising these components.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an advertising system for games.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, due to the spread of smartphones, tablet terminals, etc. and the improvement of infrastructure technologies such as networks, the number of players enjoying online games has been increasing. Also, in online games, it is necessary to make a payment to obtain items or view advertisement videos for free play.

[0003] As a technology related to the present invention, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses an advertising system that advertises to users who use a game via an online game playable using the Internet, the advertising system having a server connected to the Internet and managing the online game, the server creating a dedicated Web page for the user using information registered by the user who plays the game via the Internet to the server, and displaying an advertisement of an advertiser registered as a sponsor from the user on the dedicated Web page of the user.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Charging within a game may sometimes be a problem in that it has no deterrent effect on players. In response to such a problem, it is desirable that players of the game can play without making a payment themselves and receive various benefits that were conventionally obtained by making a payment for free.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide an advertising system for games that allows players to enjoy games for free while receiving various benefits that were conventionally obtained through payment without the players themselves making payments.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The advertising system according to the present invention is an advertising system for games for conducting promotional advertisements by attaching logos to characters operated by each player in a game in which a plurality of players are connected via a network and play together. The advertising system for games includes: a corporate input unit into which a plurality of companies that wish to attach their own logos to the characters input; a player input unit for selecting a logo to be attached to each character operated by each player from among the logos of the plurality of companies; an advertising fee charging unit for charging an advertising fee to the company corresponding to the logo when the logo selected by each player is attached to the character; and a benefit granting unit for granting a certain benefit when each player attaches the logo to the character. A deprivation processing unit that deprives the mark when a player who operates the character with the mark performs a play that violates public order and good morals; It is characterized by comprising the above.

[0009] Further, in the advertising system for games according to the present invention, it is preferable to include a deprivation processing unit for depriving the logo when the player operating the character with the logo attached engages in play that violates public order and good customs.

Effects of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, players can enjoy games for free while receiving various benefits that were conventionally obtained through payment without the players themselves making payments.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following, the same elements in all the drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted. Also, in the description in the text, the reference numerals described previously are used as necessary.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a game advertisement system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which a logo mark 9 is attached to a character operated by a player 4 in the game advertisement system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] The game advertisement system 10 is a system for a player 4 to enjoy a game in a state where the player 4 can obtain various benefits that were conventionally obtained by paying without paying. The game advertisement system 10 is a system having a function of conducting promotional advertisements by attaching a logo to a character operated by each player 4 in a game in which a plurality of players 4 are connected via a network 8 and play together.

[0015] The game advertisement system 10 includes a company-side input unit 12, a player-side input unit 14, an advertising fee charging unit 16, a privilege granting unit 18, a regulation processing unit 20, a deprivation processing unit 22, and a storage unit 24. Here, in the game advertisement system 10, an operating company 2, a plurality of players 4, and a plurality of companies 6 are connected via a network 8.

[0016] The operating company 2 is a company that operates a game in which each player 4 is connected via a network 8 and plays together. Examples of the types of games include MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game) and FPS (First Person Shooter), but of course, it is also applicable to other games.

[0017] Player 4 is a user who plays games operated by the operating company 2. For example, in an MMORPG game, Player 4 can obtain benefits by attaching the logo mark 9 of Company 6, etc. to the sword worn by the character operated by Player 4.

[0018] Company 6 is an organization that conducts corporate activities. It is an organization that hopes to attach a logo to the character operated by Player 4 in the game in order to promote and advertise the products and services it sells.

[0019] The company-side input unit 12 has a function for a plurality of companies 6 that hope to attach their own logos to the characters operated by Player 4. Here, the logo includes various things such as a company's logo mark, symbol mark, and emblem. The objects to which the logo is attached include not only the character's body but also the items worn by the character (for example, swords, shields, armors, helmets, clothing, footwear).

[0020] It is preferable that the industries of the companies are diverse, including fisheries and forestry, and as manufacturers, food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, stationery, office equipment, interior, apparel, clothing, miscellaneous goods, leather products, printing, automobiles, transportation equipment, machinery, plant engineering, general electric machinery, medical equipment, precision machinery, heavy electrical and industrial electrical equipment, computers, communication equipment, office equipment, semiconductors, electronic components, and others, household appliances, audio equipment, games, amusement equipment, housing, construction, facilities and facility construction, building materials and exteriors, textiles, paper and pulp, glass and ceramics, tires and rubber products, petroleum and coal, metal products, non-ferrous metals, steel, mining, cement, agriculture, forestry, fisheries, etc.

[0021] In addition, as service infrastructure, there are travel, hotels, leisure and amusement pachinko, entertainment and art, sports, fitness and health-related facilities, education, real estate, public corporations and government offices, aviation and airports, railways, shipping, land transportation, taxis, buses and sightseeing buses, warehouses, electricity and electric power, energy, gas and water supply, food service, restaurants and food services, human resources services (recruitment and dispatch of human resources), consultants and specialized consultants, construction consultants, think tanks, medical and related medical institutions, welfare and nursing care, bridal and wedding, funerals and memorial services, esthetics, hair styling and beauty, associations and federations, architectural design, security, safety, maintenance and cleaning, and mechanical design.

[0022] As trading companies (general and specialized), there are general trading companies, food products, chemical products, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, textile products, apparel, clothing accessories and precious metals, interior, sports goods, education, machinery, medical equipment, automobiles and transportation equipment, office equipment and office machines, electrical, electronics and semiconductors, metals, building materials and exteriors, paper, and petroleum products. Also, as banks, securities, insurance and finance, there are city banks and trust banks, regional banks, credit unions, labor credit associations and mutual aid associations, foreign-funded finance, government-affiliated and affiliated financial institutions, life insurance, property insurance, securities, credit and consumer credit, leasing and rental, and consumer finance.

[0023] Furthermore, as information (advertising, communication and mass media), there are advertising, publishing and magazines, broadcasting, television and radio, newspapers, and communication. Also, as department stores, specialty stores, distribution and retail, there are department stores, department stores and complex commercial facilities, supermarkets, convenience stores, home centers, consumer cooperatives, music, books and interior, fashion, clothing accessories and textiles, drugstores, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and dispensing pharmacies, sports goods, automobiles and transportation equipment, home appliances, office equipment and cameras, glasses, contact lenses and medical equipment. And, as IT, software and information processing, there are information processing, software, Internet, web and smartphone apps, and game software.

[0024] The player-side input unit 14 has a function of selecting a logo for each character operated by each player 4 from among the logos of a plurality of companies 6. In the game advertising system 10, as described above, since a wide variety of companies 6 participate, the player 4 can select a company 6 that they like or a company 6 that they want to support.

[0025] For example, if they have a favorite apparel brand, they can select that company 6, or if they have a favorite automobile manufacturer, they can select that company 6, or they can select the home center they usually use. Also, not only can they select a favorite company 6, but they can also select a company 6 they want to support, such as a company 6 that is actively involved in the employment of disabled people or the promotion of SDGs.

[0026] The advertising fee charging unit 16 has a function of charging the company 6 corresponding to the logo for the advertising and promotional expenses when the logo selected by each player 4 is attached to the character. For example, in an MMORPG, when the character operated by the player 4 selects a weapon with the logo 9 of the company 6 they support and becomes a character as shown in FIG. 2, the company 6 corresponding to the logo 9 is charged.

[0027] Here, it has been described as having a logo on the weapon, but it may be attached to the character's body itself, or it may be an armor instead of a weapon, and it can be applied to various equipment.

[0028] The privilege granting unit 18 has a function of granting a certain privilege when each player 4 attaches a logo to the character. As a result, the privilege that the player 4 had to pay for themselves in a conventional online game is now in a form where the company 6 pays the operation company 2 as advertising and promotional expenses by displaying the logo 9 of the company 6 on the character operated by the player 4 instead of the player 4 paying.

[0029] As a special privilege, in an MMORPG, by attaching a logo mark 9 or the like to clothing or weapons, or directly pasting it on a character (avatar), the attack power can be increased by several percent, the defense power can be increased by several percent, or the number of dropped items can be increased or special items can be obtained when winning a battle. Also, in an MMORPG, by pasting a logo mark 9 or the like on a means of transportation such as a carriage, the movement speed can be increased, or it can be made easier (or more difficult) to encounter.

[0030] In a shooting game, if it has a logo mark 9, special privileges such as an increase in the number of remaining lives, becoming invincible for a certain period of time, or firing more bullets for a certain period of time can also be given. Also, by pasting it on a building, various benefits such as faster life recovery can be obtained, a premium building can be obtained in a sandbox game, or a rental server or the like can be used.

[0031] The regulation processing unit 20 has a function of regulating the attachment of a logo to a predetermined part of a character. A plurality of companies 6 that wish to attach their own logo to the characters operated by the player 4 can regulate the attachment position of the logo based on their own policies and the like. Here, the attachment position of the logo is described as being set by the company 6, but it may also be set by the operating company 2.

[0032] For example, the regulation processing unit 20 can prohibit attaching a logo to the crotch part of a character. Also, for example, a manufacturer that sells baby products can regulate weapons such as swords that may damage the corporate image when used in attacks.

[0033] The deprivation processing unit 22 has a function of depriving a logo when the player 4 who operates a character with a logo engages in play that violates public order and good customs. The operating company 2 can set, for example, to take back the logo when cheating in the game or when engaging in play that harms public order and good customs because it may damage the corporate image.

[0034] As a result, player 4 is expected to be aware that they are using the logo mark 9 of company 6 and play the game while observing the rules.

[0035] The storage unit 24 can store information such as that input or set in the company-side input unit 12, player-side input unit 14, advertising fee charging unit 16, privilege granting unit 18, regulation processing unit 20, and deprivation processing unit 22.

[0036] Each function of the game advertising system 10 can be realized by either a hardware configuration or a software configuration. For example, when realized by software, these functions are actually realized on a server device configured with a CPU or MPU, RAM, ROM, etc., by the operation of application software stored in a recording medium such as RAM, ROM, or hard disk.

[0037] Next, the operation of the game advertising system 10 with the above configuration will be described. In the game advertising system 10, company 6, which wishes to attach its own logo (such as logo mark 9) to the character operated by player 4, inputs it using the company-side input unit 12. Since it is preferable for player 4 to select the company they want to support, it is suitable for the business types of multiple companies 6 to include a wide variety of ones.

[0038] When player 4 participates in the game, player 4 can choose whether to attach the logo of company 6 to the character. For example, in an MMORPG, when entering a weapons store, for example, the player can freely choose between a weapon with the logo (such as logo mark 9) of company 6 and a weapon without a logo. Here, a weapons store is used as an example, but it may also be possible to make the selection when entering other stores or booths. Here, it has been described as a weapon with a logo attached in advance, but player 4 may freely determine the position to attach the logo.

[0039] Even when selecting a weapon with the logo of Company 6, Player 4 can choose Company 6 that Player 4 wants to support (for example, the manufacturer of products commonly used, a company promoting SDGs, etc.). It is preferable that Company 6 includes a wide variety of industries. However, once Player 4 has made a selection, the preferred Company 6 of Player 4 may be preferentially displayed.

[0040] When the logo mark 9 of Company 6 selected by Player 4 is displayed in a form as shown in, for example, Figure 2, it is in a form as if a sponsorship contract has been made between Player 4 and Company 6 with that logo mark 9, and the advertising fee is paid to the operating company 2.

[0041] The advertising fee paid by Company 6 to the operating company 2 is used to cover the costs required for the benefits that Player 4 used to obtain by charging themselves, and Player 4 can receive that benefit for free. Examples of benefits include an increase in the remaining number of lives in a shooting game, becoming invincible for a certain period of time, or having more bullets fired for a certain period of time. In an MMORPG, the attack power or defense power can be increased, or special items can be obtained. In addition, during battles, the logo mark 9 of Company 6 may be displayed during the effect as long as it does not interfere with the game balance.

[0042] Also, when Player 4 can freely determine the position to attach the logo of Company 6 to the character, Company 6 can regulate the part to be attached. For example, this is to prevent damage to the corporate image when the logo of Company 6 is attached to the crotch of the character.

[0043] When Player 4 uses the character to perform acts contrary to public order and good customs, such as indecent acts or discriminatory acts, the logo of that Company 6 can also be deprived in order to prevent damage to the corporate image.

[0044] Player 4 appears to have a sponsorship contract with Company 6 and can have the awareness of representing that Company 6, so it is expected that they will strive for better gameplay. Also, in open-world games and the like, it is expected that a sense of unity will be generated by finding game users with the same logo mark 9 or the like.

[0045] In this way, since the logo mark 9 and the like can be seen on a large number of Players 4 participating in the game, it leads to the promotion of Company 6, and it is possible to appeal to other Players 4 that they support and cheer for the CSR efforts of Company 6. Also, Company 6 may appeal with company information and product information in in-game guidance emails and the like.

[0046] Here, although it has been described that the sponsor of Player 4 is Company 6, it may also be an individual instead of an organization. For example, in an election, etc., a company, organization, or individual that supports a candidate while complying with the laws of the country can be the sponsor, and small items such as charms, bracelets, and handkerchiefs may be displayed instead of the logo mark.

Explanation of Signs

[0047] 2 Operating company, 4 Player, 6 Company, 8 Network, 9 Logo mark, 10 In-game advertising system, 12 Company-side input section, 14 Player-side input section, 16 Advertising fee billing section, 18 Privilege granting section, 20 Regulation processing section, 22 Deprivation processing section, 24 Storage section.

Claims

1. 1. A game advertising system for advertising a game in which a plurality of players are connected to one another via a network and play the game together, the system being configured to advertise the game by attaching a mark to a character operated by each of the players, the system comprising: a company side input unit for inputting information from a plurality of companies that wish to affix their company's mark to the character; a player-side input unit for selecting the mark to be affixed to each of the characters operated by each of the players from among the marks of the plurality of companies; an advertising fee charging unit that charges an advertising fee to the company corresponding to the mark when the mark selected by each player is affixed to the character; a bonus providing unit that provides a certain bonus when each of the players affixes the mark to the character; a deprivation processing unit that deprives the mark when a player operating the character to which the mark is affixed plays in a manner that violates public order and morals; An advertising system for a game, comprising:

2. 2. The game advertising system according to claim 1, 13. An advertising system for a game, comprising: a restriction processing unit that restricts the application of said mark to a predetermined part of said character.

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