Game device, control method, and control program

Abstract

To provide a game device and the like capable of improving motivation of a user who is going to continue using of a game service.SOLUTION: A game device provides a game to a plurality of users who is registered in a game service and comprises: one or more computer processors; and a storage unit. The one or more computer processors store a first privilege in association with the user in the storage unit when a registration state of the user is continued in a prescribed period after registration of the user. In the case that the registration of the user is released in the prescribed period and the user is re-registered before finish of the prescribed period, if the registration state of the user is continued in the prescribed period after the re-registration of the user, the one or more computer processors store the first privilege in association with the user in the storage unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments disclosed in this specification relate to a game device, a control method, and a control program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a game system is known in which a server device providing a game service gives a predetermined privilege to a terminal device of a user who has applied for the provision of the game service.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a game system in which a game device providing a game service gives a login privilege to a terminal device of a user who has logged in to the game service. A user can use the game service during the period for which the game fee is paid by paying a game fee at regular intervals (for example, a monthly fee for one month or a fixed fee for one week).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the conventional game system , flexible and diverse membership services related to games - There was no mechanism to give a game service to the user. For this reason, a user who has once left the game service rarely returns to the game service again, and there has been a problem with the continuity of the game service.

[0006] The disclosed game device, control method, and control program make it possible to improve the motivation of users who want to continue the game service.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The game device is a game device that provides games to a plurality of users registered in the game service, and includes one or more computer processors and a storage device. The one or more computer processors, during a predetermined period after the user is registered, if the user's registration continues, associate a first privilege with the user and store it in the storage device. If the user's registration is cancelled during the predetermined period and the user registers again before the end of the predetermined period, when the user's registration continues during the predetermined period after the user registers again, the first privilege is associated with the user and stored in the storage device.

[0008] Also, in the game device, the predetermined period is composed of a predetermined number of consecutive first periods. After the user is registered, if the user's registration is cancelled during one of the consecutive first periods, and a registration request is received from the user during the first period immediately following the first period in which the registration was cancelled among the consecutive first periods, the one or more computer processors re-register the user in the game service. If the user's registration continues until the last of the consecutive first periods after the user is re-registered, it is preferable to associate the first privilege with the user and store it in the storage device.

[0009] Also, in the game device, after the user is registered, if the user's registration is cancelled during one first period and a registration request is received from the user during the first period in which the registration was cancelled, the one or more computer processors re-register the user in the game service. If the user's registration continues until the last of the consecutive first periods after the user is re-registered, it is preferable to associate the first privilege with the user and store it in the storage device.

[0010] In addition, in the game device, the storage device stores information regarding a plurality of consecutive first periods. When one or more computer processors receive a registration request from a user, the first period including the time when the user was registered among the plurality of consecutive first periods is set as the start period, and a second privilege different from the first privilege is associated with the user and stored in the storage device. It is preferable to set a predetermined number of consecutive first periods starting from the start period among the plurality of consecutive first periods as a predetermined period.

[0011] In addition, in the game device, one or more computer processors set the last first period among a predetermined number of consecutive first periods as the privilege usage period. When the first privilege is used in the game by the user during the privilege usage period, it is preferable that a game effect corresponding to the used first privilege occurs.

[0012] In addition, in the game device, one or more computer processors set a predetermined number of consecutive first periods starting from the first period immediately after the privilege usage period as the next predetermined period, set the last first period among the next predetermined periods as the next privilege usage period, the next first privilege corresponding to the next predetermined period is associated with the user, and when the next first privilege is used in the game by the user during the next privilege usage period, it is preferable that a game effect corresponding to the used first privilege occurs.

[0013] In addition, in the game device, when the registration of the user is cancelled during the predetermined period, it is preferable to present to the user information regarding the continuation of the registration of the user for the grant of the first privilege.

[0014] In addition, in the game device, when a first registration request from a user is received, the user is registered as a first member in the game service. When a second registration request from the user is received, the user is registered as a second member in the game service. It is preferable that the first privilege associated with the user who is a first member is different from the first privilege associated with the user who is a second member.

[0015] Also, in the game device, when the user is a first member and also a second member, in the association of the first privilege, it is preferable that both the first privilege corresponding to the first member and the first privilege corresponding to the second member are associated with the user and stored in the storage device.

[0016] Also, in the game device, when the privilege usage period of the first privilege corresponding to the first member and the privilege usage period of the first privilege corresponding to the second member are the same period, it is preferable that the privileges corresponding to the first privilege corresponding to the first member and the first privilege corresponding to the second member are associated with the user and stored in the storage device.

[0017] A control method is a control method of a game device that includes a storage device and provides games to a plurality of users registered in a game service. During a predetermined period after the user is registered, if the user's registration continues, the first privilege is associated with the user and stored in the storage device. If the user's registration is cancelled during the predetermined period and the user is re-registered before the predetermined period ends, when the user's registration continues during the predetermined period after the user is re-registered, the first privilege is associated with the user and stored in the storage device.

[0018] A control program is a control program of a game device that includes one or more computer processors and a storage device and provides games to a plurality of users registered in a game service. During a predetermined period after the user is registered, if the user's registration continues, the first privilege is associated with the user and stored in the storage device. If the user's registration is cancelled during the predetermined period and the user is re-registered before the predetermined period ends, when the user's registration continues during the predetermined period after the user is re-registered, the first privilege is associated with the user and stored in the storage device, and this is executed.

Advantages of the Invention

[0019] The game device, control method, and control program can improve the motivation of users who want to continue the game service.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020] [Figure 1] It is a diagram showing an example of the schematic configuration of the game system 1. [Figure 2] It is a schematic diagram showing an example of the outline of the game system 1. [Figure 3] It is a schematic diagram showing an example of the outline of the game system 1. [Figure 4] It is a diagram showing an example of the schematic configuration of the terminal device 2. [Figure 5] (a) to (d) are diagrams each showing an example of a screen displayed on the display device 23 of the terminal device 2. [Figure 6] (a) to (d) are diagrams each showing an example of a screen displayed on the display device 23 of the terminal device 2. [Figure 7] (a) to (d) are diagrams each showing an example of a screen displayed on the display device 23 of the terminal device 2. [Figure 8] It is a diagram showing an example of the schematic configuration of the server device 3. [Figure 9] (a) to (c) are diagrams each showing an example of the data structure of various tables. [Figure 10] It is a diagram showing an example of the operation sequence of the game system 1. [Figure 11] It is a diagram showing an example of the operation flow of the registration process. [Figure 12] It is a diagram showing another example of the operation sequence of the game system 1. [Figure 13] It is a diagram showing an example of the operation flow of the continuation process.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0021] Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, note that the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to those embodiments, and extends to the invention described in the claims and its equivalents.

[0022] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the schematic configuration of the game system 1. The game system 1 includes terminal devices 2 operated by each of a plurality of users and a server device 3. The terminal devices 2 and the server device 3 are interconnected via a communication network such as a base station 4, a mobile communication network 5, a gateway 6, and the Internet 7, for example. Communication between the terminal devices 2 and the server device 3 is performed based on a predetermined communication protocol. The predetermined communication protocol is, for example, the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP).

[0023] The terminal device 2 is an information processing device such as a smartphone. The terminal device 2 may be a mobile phone, a tablet terminal, a tablet PC (Personal Computer), an e-book reader, a wearable computer, or the like. The terminal device 2 may also be a portable game machine, a game console, or a notebook PC, for example. The terminal device 2 may be an information processing device capable of displaying a game screen, a registration screen, and the like based on various data transmitted from the server device 3.

[0024] In the example shown in FIG. 1, one server device 3 is illustrated as a component of the game system 1, but the server device 3 may be a set of a plurality of physically separate server devices. In this case, each of the plurality of server devices may have the same function, or may have the functions of one server device 3 distributed.

[0025] FIGS. 2 and 3 are schematic diagrams showing an example of the outline of the game system 1.

[0026] In the game system 1 of the present embodiment, in order for a user to receive the provision of a game service from the server device 3, the user needs to be registered for the game service. For example, when the server device 3 stores information indicating the user as a member of the game service, the user is registered for the game service.

[0027] In the game system 1, the number of types of members that a user can register for the game service may be one type or multiple types. When there are multiple types of members in the game system 1, the user may be registered in the game system as all types of members, or may be registered in the game system as a predetermined number of types of members (for example, when there are 5 types of members prepared, the number of types of members that the user can register simultaneously may be up to 5 types, or may be up to 3 types).

[0028] By paying the game fee corresponding to a predetermined usage period, the user can receive the provision of the game service from the server device 3 as a member during that usage period. For example, a user who has paid the game fee for April 2020 can receive the provision of the game service for April 2020 from the server device 3 between April 1, 2020 and April 30, 2020 ((1) in Figure 2). In this case, the game fee is paid at the earliest payable time point during the usage period. For example, when paying the game fee by credit card, the operator of the game service bills the credit card company with April 1, 2020 as the billing date. Note that the game fee may be paid at any time during the usage period.

[0029] In the game system 1, a registration privilege is granted to the user who has registered for the game service. In the example shown in (1) of Figure 2, the registration privilege is granted to the user on April 1, 2020.

[0030] The "privilege" in this embodiment refers to, for example, information indicating game media such as characters and items that can be used by a user in a game. Note that the information indicating game media is not limited to information indicating characters and items, and may also be information indicating points, virtual currency, tickets, or parameters, etc. In addition, the game media may be level information, status information, parameter information (such as physical strength value and attack power), and ability information (skills, abilities, spells, jobs, etc.). Further, the game media may be information related to the display amount of an object or list to be displayed during the game. The information indicating game media may be any electronic information that can be acquired, possessed, used, managed, exchanged, synthesized, strengthened, sold, discarded, and / or gifted, etc. by the user within the game. Also, the usage mode of the game media is not limited to those explicitly stated in this specification. Further, the "privilege" may also be the execution of a lottery process for granting one or more game media to the user from a predetermined group of game media.

[0031] Note that different registration privileges may be granted to the user according to the type of membership of the user registered for the game service. For example, when the registration privilege is information indicating game media, the higher the game fee the user pays, the more rare the information indicating game media is granted to the user as the registration privilege. Also, when the registration privilege is the execution of a lottery process, the higher the game fee the user pays, the more rare the game media selected from the group of game media is granted to the user as the registration privilege.

[0032] When a user registers for the game service during the usage period, by paying the game fee corresponding to the usage period, the user can receive the provision of the game service during the usage period from the server device 3 from the time of registration until the end of the usage period. For example, if the day when the user registers for the game service is April 10, 2020, by paying the game fee for April 2020 on April 10, 2020, the user can receive the provision of the game service for April 2020 from the server device 3 between April 10, 2020 and April 30, 2020 ((2) in Figure 2). In this case, a registration privilege is granted to the user on April 10, 2020.

[0033] When the usage period corresponding to the paid game fee ends and the next usage period starts, if the user does not cancel the registration of the game service, the game fee corresponding to the next usage period will be automatically paid, and the user can receive the provision of the game service during the next usage period from the server device 3. For example, if a user who has received the provision of the game service for April 2020 from the server device 3 does not cancel the registration of the game service, the game fee for May 2020 will be automatically paid on May 1, 2020, and the user can receive the provision of the game service for May 2020 from the server device 3 between May 1, 2020 and May 31, 2020 ((3) in Figure 2).

[0034] When the usage period during which the user has received the game service (the user has been registered for the game service) ends, and the user pays the game fee corresponding to the immediately following usage period, thereby receiving the game service during the immediately following usage period (the user's registration for the game service has not been cancelled during the next usage period), a period privilege is granted to the user. In the example shown in (3) of Figure 2, when a user who has received the game service in April 2020 receives the game service in May 2020, the period privilege is granted to the user on May 1, 2020, and the user can receive the game service for May from the server device 3 between May 1 and May 31, 2020. Further, when this user pays the game fee for June 2020 and thereby receives the game service for June 2020, the period privilege is granted to the user on June 1, 2020, and the user can receive the game service for June from the server device 3 between June 1 and June 30, 2020.

[0035] In the game system 1, even if the user cancels the registration for the game service during the usage period, the user can receive the game service until the end of this usage period (the usage period including the time point when the registration was cancelled). For example, if a user who has been registered for the game service cancels the registration on April 10, 2020, which is in the middle of the usage period from April 1 to April 30, 2020, the user can receive the game service until April 30, 2020 ((4) of Figure 2). In this case, if the user does not re-register for the game service, the user cannot receive the game service after May 1, 2020.

[0036] In the game system 1, if a user cancels the registration for the game service during the usage period and then re-registers for the game service before the end of this usage period (the usage period including the time when the registration was cancelled), the user can receive the provision of the game service until the end of this usage period without paying the game fee corresponding to this usage period. For example, if a user who was registered for the game service cancels the registration on April 10, 2020, in the middle of the usage period in April 2020 (the game fee payment date is April 1, 2020), and then re-registers for the game service on April 20, 2020, the user does not need to pay the game fee for April 2020 again ((5) in Figure 2). Note that the user can receive the provision of the game service from the time when the registration is cancelled until the time when the re-registration is completed.

[0037] In this case, if the user does not cancel the registration for the game service, the game fee for May 2020 will be automatically paid on May 1, 2020, and the user can receive the provision of the game service for May 2020 from the server device 3 between May 1, 2020 and May 31, 2020.

[0038] In the game system 1, if a user cancels the registration for the game service during the usage period and then re-registers for the game service after the end of this usage period (the usage period including the time when the registration was cancelled), the user can receive the provision of the game service corresponding to the usage period including the time when the re-registration is completed by paying the game fee corresponding to the usage period including the time when the re-registration is completed.

[0039] If the user re-registers for the game service during the usage period immediately following the usage period including the time when the registration was cancelled, since the user will receive the provision of the game service in the immediately following usage period following the usage period including the time when the registration was cancelled, a period privilege corresponding to the immediately following usage period will be granted to the user.

[0040] For example, if a user who was registered for a game service cancels the registration on April 20, 2020, in the middle of the usage period in April 2020 (the game fee payment date is April 1, 2020), and then re-registers for the game service on May 10, 2020, by paying the game fee for May 2020, a period privilege for May 2020 is granted to the user (Figure 3(6)).

[0041] In the game system 1, when a user pays the game fees corresponding to each of a predetermined number of consecutive usage periods (hereinafter, the "predetermined number of consecutive usage periods" may be referred to as the "continuous usage period"), and receives the provision of the game service from the server device 3 during the continuous usage period, a continuous privilege is granted to the user in the last usage period of the continuous usage period.

[0042] For example, if a user pays the game fees for four months from April 2020 to July 2020 and continuously receives the provision of the game service from the server device 3 during these four months (the user's registration for the game service was not cancelled during these four months), the user can receive the grant of a continuous privilege corresponding to the continuous registration for these four months between July 1, 2020 and July 31, 2020 (Figure 3(7)). In the example of Figure 3(7), the continuous privilege is granted to the user on July 1, 2020. Even if the day when the user registered for the game service was, for example, April 15, 2020, by paying the game fees for four months from April 2020 to July 2020 and continuously receiving the provision of the game service from the server device 3 during these four months, the user can receive the grant of a continuous privilege corresponding to the continuous registration for these four months between July 1, 2020 and July 31, 2020. If this user then pays the game fees for four months from August 2020 to November 2020 and continuously receives the provision of the game service from the server device 3 during these four months, the user can receive the grant of a continuous privilege corresponding to the continuous registration for these four months between November 1, 2020 and November 30, 2020.

[0043] In addition, if the user cancels the registration for the game service and then re-registers for the game service before the end of the usage period including the point in time when the registration is cancelled, this usage period may be included in the continuous usage period.

[0044] Hereinafter, the case of receiving a continuous privilege from the server device 3 for four months will be described as an example (Fig. 3(8)). For example, a user who received the provision of the game service by paying the game fees for April 2020 to June 2020 (the game fee payment date is the first day of each month) cancelled the registration on June 10, 2020, and then re-registered for the game service on June 20, 2020, and further paid the game fee for July 2020 on July 1, 2020. In this case, the server device 3 grants the user the continuous privilege corresponding to the continuous registration for four months (from April 2020 to July 2020) on July 1, 2020. Note that the user can receive the provision of the game service from the time the registration is cancelled until the re-registration.

[0045] Also, if the user cancels the registration for the game service and then re-registers for the game service before the end of the usage period immediately following the usage period including the point in time when the registration is cancelled, both usage periods may be included in the continuous usage period.

[0046] Hereinafter, the case of receiving a continuous privilege from the server device 3 for four months will be described as an example (Fig. 3(9) and (10)). For example, a user who received the provision of the game service by paying the game fees for April 2020 to May 2020 (the game fee payment date is the first day of each month) cancelled the registration on May 15, 2020 (note that the user can receive the provision of the game service from the time the registration is cancelled until May 31, 2020), then re-registered for the game service by paying the game fee for June 2020 on June 10, 2020, and further paid the game fee for July 2020 on July 1, 2020. In this case, the server device 3 grants the user the continuous privilege corresponding to the continuous registration for four months (from April 2020 to July 2020) on July 1, 2020 (Fig. 3(9)).

[0047] In addition, for users who received game service by paying game fees for the period from April 2020 to June 2020 (the game fee payment date is the first day of each month), after unregistering on June 15, 2020 (note that the user can receive game service from the time of unregistration until June 30, 2020), when the user pays the game fee for July 2020 on July 10, 2020 and reregisters for the game service, the server device 3 grants the user a continuous privilege corresponding to continuous registration for four months (from April 2020 to July 2020) on July 10, 2020 ((10) in Fig. 3).

[0048] Note that the continuous privilege may be a privilege granted to the user in the usage period immediately following the continuous usage period when the user pays the game fees corresponding to each of a predetermined number of consecutive usage periods (continuous usage periods) and receives the game service provided by the server device 3 without the user's registration for the game service being cancelled. For example, if the user pays the game fees for four months from April 2020 to July 2020 and continuously receives the game service from the server device 3 during these four months, the user can receive the grant of a continuous privilege corresponding to the continuous registration for these four months between August 1, 2020 and August 31, 2020 (the usage period immediately following the continuous usage period of four consecutive months from April 1, 2020 to July 31, 2020). In this case, the user may receive the game service for August 2020 without paying the game fee for August 2020. If this user subsequently pays the game fees for four months from August 2020 to November 2020 and continuously receives the game service from the server device 3 during these four months, the user can receive the grant of a continuous privilege corresponding to the continuous registration for these four months between December 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020.

[0049] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the schematic configuration of the terminal device 2.

[0050] The terminal device 2 is connected to the server device 3 via the base station 4, the mobile communication network 5, the gateway 6, and the Internet 7, and communicates with the server device 3. The terminal device 2 generates various requests and the like according to various instructions input by the user and transmits them to the server device 3. Further, the terminal device 2 receives various data and the like transmitted from the server device 3 and displays various screens. For this purpose, the terminal device includes a communication I / F 21, a storage device 22, a display device 23, an input device 24, and a processor 25.

[0051] The communication I / F 21 is implemented as hardware, firmware, communication software such as a TCP / IP driver or a PPP driver, or a combination thereof. The terminal device 2 can transmit data to other devices and receive data from other devices via the communication I / F 21.

[0052] The storage device 22 is, for example, a semiconductor memory device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) or a RAM (Random Access Memory). The storage device 22 stores an operating system program, a driver program, an application program, and data used in the processing by the processor 25. The driver programs stored in the storage device 22 are an output device driver program for controlling the display device 23, an input device driver program for controlling the input device 24, and the like. The application programs stored in the storage device 22 are control programs for displaying a game screen, a registration screen, or the like based on display data from the server device 3 and / or various data stored in the storage device 22. The data stored in the storage device 22 is identification information (e.g., user ID (identification)) for uniquely identifying the user, display data for displaying various screens, and the like. Further, the storage device 22 may temporarily store data related to a predetermined process.

[0053] The display device 23 is a liquid crystal display. Note that the display device 23 may also be an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display or the like. The display device 23 displays a moving image according to the moving image data supplied from the processor 25, a still image according to the still image data, and the like.

[0054] The input device 24 is a pointing device such as a touch panel. The touch panel can detect various touch operations such as a user's tap, double-tap, drag, etc. The touch panel may be provided with a capacitive proximity sensor and configured to be able to detect a non-contact operation of the user. Note that the input device 24 may also be an input key or the like. The user can use the input device 24 to input characters, numbers, symbols, or the position on the display screen of the display device 23. When the input device 24 is operated by the user, it generates a signal corresponding to the operation. Then, the input device 24 supplies the generated signal to the processor 25 as a user instruction.

[0055] The processor 25 is a processing device that loads the operating system program, driver program, and application program stored in the storage device 22 into the memory and executes the instructions included in the loaded programs. The processor 25 is, for example, an electronic circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), MPU, DSP, GPU, or a combination of various electronic circuits. The processor 25 may be realized by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC, PLD, FPGA, MCU, etc. In FIG. 4, the processor 25 is illustrated as a single component, but the processor 25 may be a collection of a plurality of physically separate processors.

[0056] By executing various instructions included in the control program, the processor 25 functions as a display processing unit 251, a transmission unit 252, a reception unit 253, and a privilege processing unit 254.

[0057] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7, an example of various screens displayed on the display device 23 of the terminal device 2, and an example of the functions of the display processing unit 251, the transmission unit 252, the reception unit 253, and the privilege processing unit 25 will be described.

[0058] FIG. 5(a) is a diagram showing an example of a game screen 500 displayed on the display device 23 of the terminal device 2. The game screen 500 is displayed, for example, when a control program (for example, a game application program) stored in the storage device 22 is activated in response to a start instruction input by an operation of the input device 24 by the user. The game screen 500 may also be a screen displayed when the user instructs the display of the game screen 500 in other game screens or the like. Hereinafter, an example of the display process of the game screen 500 at the time of activation of the game application program will be described.

[0059] For example, when a start icon or the like (not shown) indicating the game application program displayed on the display device 23 is specified by an operation of the input device 24 by the user, a start instruction is input from the input device 24 to the display processing unit 251. When the display processing unit 251 acquires the start instruction from the input device 24, it reads out and executes the game application program stored in the storage device 22. When the game application program is executed, the display processing unit 251 extracts data for displaying various objects stored in the storage device 22 according to various instructions included in the game application program, and displays the game screen 500.

[0060] Note that the game screen 500 is a game screen displayed when a game screen display instruction button described later is selected by the user, and is not a situation where a registered privilege described later can be acquired by the user, nor a situation where a period privilege described later can be acquired by the user, nor a situation where a continuous privilege described later can be acquired by the user.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 5(a), the game screen 500 includes a game start button 501 and a registration screen display instruction button 502.

[0062] The game start button 501 is a button object for instructing the start of game progress. When the display area of the game start button 501 is specified in response to an operation of the input device 24 by the user, the display processing unit 251 terminates the display of the game screen 500 and displays a game progress screen (not shown) on the display device 23 based on the display data stored in the storage device 22 and / or the display data transmitted from the server device 3. Thereafter, the server device 3 provides a game service to the user via the game progress screen, and the display processing unit 251 executes various games based on the game service according to various instructions included in the game application program.

[0063] The registration screen display instruction button 502 is a button object for instructing the display of a registration screen 510 described later. When the display area of the registration screen display instruction button 502 is specified in response to an operation of the input device 24 by the user, the display processing unit 251 terminates the display of the game screen 500 and displays the registration screen 510 on the display device 23 based on the display data stored in the storage device 22.

[0064] FIG. 5(b) is a diagram showing an example of the registration screen 510 displayed on the display device 23 of the terminal device 2. The registration screen 510 includes first member information 511, a first member registration button 512, second member information 513, a second member registration button 514, and a game screen display instruction button 515.

[0065] The registration screen 510 shown in FIG. 5(b) is a screen for registering a user as at least one of a first member and a second member for the game service. A user registered as a first member can continue to use the game service by paying a game fee of 1,200 yen every usage period of the game service (for example, one month or one week), and a user registered as a second member can continue to use the game service by paying a game fee of 300 yen every usage period of the service service.

[0066] The first member information 511 is text information indicating the registration status of the user as a first member. The first member information 511 may also be an image, a mark, etc. indicating the registration status of the user as a first member. In the example shown in FIG. 5(b), the first member information 511 indicating that the user is not registered as a first member for the game service is displayed.

[0067] The first member registration button 512 is a button object for sending a registration request to register the user as a first member for the game service to the server device 3. For example, when the display area of the first member registration button 512 is designated in response to an operation of the input device 24 by the user, the transmission unit 252 extracts the user ID stored in the storage device 22 and creates member type information indicating the first member. Next, the transmission unit 252 transmits a registration request including the extracted user ID and the created member type information to the server device 3 via the communication I / F 21. In addition, when there is only one type of member prepared in the game system 1, the registration request may not include member type information.

[0068] Note that the first member registration button 512 may be a button object for instructing the display of the payment information input screen 520 described later for the procedure of registering the user as a first member for the game service. In this case, when the display area of the first member registration button 512 is designated in response to an operation of the input device 24 by the user, the display processing unit 251 displays the payment information input screen 520 on the display device 23 based on the display data stored in the storage device 22.

[0069] The second member information 513 is text information indicating the registration status of the user as a second member. The second member information 513 may also be an image, a mark, etc. indicating the registration status of the user as a second member. In the example shown in FIG. 5(b), the second member information 513 indicating that the user is not registered as a second member in the game service is displayed.

[0070] The second member registration button 514 is a button object for sending a registration request to register the user as a second member in the game service to the server device 3. For example, when the display area of the second member registration button 514 is specified in response to an operation of the input device 24 by the user, the transmission unit 252 extracts the user ID stored in the storage device 22 and creates member type information indicating the second member. Next, the transmission unit 252 transmits a registration request including the extracted user ID and the created member type information to the server device 3 via the communication I / F 21.

[0071] Note that the second member registration button 514 may be a button object for instructing the display of a payment information input screen 520, which will be described later, for the procedure of registering the user as a second member in the game service. In this case, when the display area of the second member registration button 514 is specified in response to an operation of the input device 24 by the user, the display processing unit 251 displays the payment information input screen 520 on the display device 23 based on the display data stored in the storage device 22.

[0072] The game screen display instruction button 515 is a button object for instructing the display of the game screen 500. When the display area of the game screen display instruction button 515 is specified in response to an operation of the input device 24 by the user, the display processing unit 251 ends the display of the registration screen 510 and displays the game screen 500 on the display device 23 based on the display data stored in the storage device 22.

[0073] Hereinafter, an example in which the payment information input screen 520 is displayed when the first member registration button 512 or the second member registration button 514 is specified will be described.

[0074] FIG. 5(c) is a diagram showing an example of a payment information input screen 520 displayed on the display device 23 of the terminal device 2. The payment information input screen 520 includes a credit card input object 521 and a registration request button 522.

[0075] The credit card input object 521 is an input object (such as a text box and a drop-down list) for inputting information regarding the user's credit card used when the user pays the game fee. Various information regarding the credit card input into the credit card input object 321 is displayed in the credit card input object 521 according to the operation of the input device 24 by the user.

[0076] The registration request button 522 is a button object for sending a registration request for requesting the server device 3 to register the user for the game service. For example, when the display area of the registration request button 522 is designated according to the operation of the input device 24 by the user, the transmission unit 252 extracts the user ID stored in the storage device 22 and extracts various information regarding the credit card input into the credit card input object 521. Next, when the payment information input screen 520 is displayed in response to the designation of the first member registration button 512, the transmission unit 252 creates member type information indicating the first member, and when the payment information input screen 520 is displayed in response to the designation of the second member registration button 514, the transmission unit 252 creates member type information indicating the second member. Then, the transmission unit 252 transmits a registration request including the extracted user ID, the created member type information, and various information regarding the extracted credit card to the server device 3 via the communication I / F 21. Note that when there is only one type of member prepared in the game system 1, the registration request may not include the member type information.

[0077] The registration screen 510 and the payment information input screen 520 may be configured as a single registration screen. Also, various information regarding the user's credit card may have been transmitted to the server device 3 in advance. In this case, the registration request does not include various information regarding the credit card.

[0078] FIG. 5(d) is a diagram showing an example of the registration completion screen 530 displayed on the display device 23 of the terminal device 2. The registration completion screen 530 is a screen based on the registration completion data transmitted when the user is registered for the game service in the server device 3 based on the registration request from the terminal device 2. For example, when the reception unit 253 receives registration completion data indicating that the user has been registered for the game service from the server device 3 via the communication I / F 21, the display processing unit 251 displays the registration completion screen 530 on the display device 23 based on the display data and the registration completion data stored in the storage device 22. Details of the registration process by the server device 3 and the registration completion data will be described later.

[0079] The registration completion screen 530 includes registration information 531 and a game screen display instruction button 532. The registration information 531 is text information indicating that the user has been registered for the game service. The registration information 531 may also be an image, a mark, etc. indicating that the user has been registered for the game service. In the example shown in FIG. 5(d), the registration information 531 indicating that the user has been registered for the game service as the first member is displayed.

[0080] The game screen display instruction button 532 is a button object for instructing the display of the game screen 600 described later. When the display area of the game screen display instruction button 532 is specified in response to an operation of the input device 24 by the user, the display processing unit 251 ends the display of the registration completion screen 530 and displays the game screen 600 on the display device 23 based on the display data stored in the storage device 22.

[0081] FIG. 6(a) is a diagram showing an example of a game screen 600 displayed on the display device 23 of the terminal device 2. The game screen 600 includes a game start button 501, a registration screen display instruction button 502, and a registration privilege button 601.

[0082] The game start button 501 included in the game screen 600 has the same function as the game start button 501 included in the game screen 500.

[0083] The registration screen display instruction button 502 is a button object for instructing the display of a registration screen 610 described later. When the display area of the registration screen display instruction button 502 is designated in response to an operation of the input device 24 by a user registered for the game service as a first member, the display processing unit 251 ends the display of the game screen 600 and displays the registration screen 610 on the display device 23 based on the display data stored in the storage device 22.

[0084] The registration privilege button 601 is a button object for acquiring a registration privilege given to the user. When the display area of the registration privilege button 601 is designated in response to an operation of the input device 24 by the user, the privilege processing unit 254 stores the registration privilege (registration privilege given to the user) included in the registration completion data so that the user can use it in the game. Hereinafter, the storage process of the registration privilege according to the operation of the registration privilege button will be described. Note that the storage process of the period privilege according to the operation of the period privilege button and the storage process of the continuous privilege according to the operation of the continuous privilege button, which will be described later, are also executed in the same process as the granting of the registration privilege according to the operation of the registration privilege button. Note that the registration privilege button 601 may be a button object for causing the user to execute a predetermined action related to the granting of the registration privilege. For example, when the registration privilege button 601 is designated by the user, the privilege processing unit 254 stores the registration privilege in the storage device 22 so that the user can use it in the game by displaying a page corresponding to the predetermined link information associated with the registration privilege button 601.

[0085] Hereinafter, an example of the process of storing the registration bonus in the storage device 22 so that the user can use it in the game will be described.

[0086] For example, when the registration bonus is information indicating a game medium, the bonus processing unit 254 stores information indicating the game medium (such as a game medium ID) given to the user as a registration bonus in the storage device 22 so that it can be used in the game. Then, when the game is executed and the user operates the input device 24 regarding the use of the registration bonus, the information indicating the game medium given to the user as a registration bonus is extracted from the storage device 22, and the user can use the extracted game medium in the game.

[0087] Also, when the registration bonus is ability information (for example, information indicating a skill), the bonus processing unit 254 stores information indicating the skill given to the user as a registration bonus (such as a skill ID) in the storage device 22 so that it can be used in the game. Then, when the game is executed and the user operates the input device 24 regarding the use of the registration bonus, the ability information given to the user as a registration bonus is extracted from the storage device 22, and a predetermined game effect is generated when the ability (such as a skill) is used in the game.

[0088] Also, when the registration bonus is the execution of a lottery process, the bonus processing unit 254 extracts information indicating one or more game media from among a plurality of game media (game medium group) included in the registration completion data in a random or predetermined order, and stores the information indicating the one or more extracted game media in the storage device 22 so that it can be used in the game. Then, when the game is executed and the user operates the input device 24 regarding the use of the registration bonus, the information indicating the game media selected by lottery and given to the user as a registration bonus is extracted from the storage device 22, and the user can use the extracted game media in the game.

[0089] If the display area of the registration privilege button 601 is specified according to the operation of the input device 24 by the user, the display of the registration privilege button 601 on the game screen 600 ends. As a result, each time the user registers as a member for the game service, the user can obtain the registration privilege only once.

[0090] FIG. 6(b) is a diagram showing an example of a registration screen 610 displayed on the display device 23 of the terminal device 2. The registration screen 610 includes first member information 611, a first member registration cancellation button 612, second member information 513, a second member registration button 514, and a game screen display instruction button 515.

[0091] Similar to the first member information 511, the first member information 611 is text information indicating the registration status of the user as the first member. The first member information 611 may be an image, a mark, or the like indicating the registration status of the user as the first member. In the example shown in FIG. 6(b), the first member information 611 indicating that the user is registered as the first member for the game service is displayed.

[0092] The first member registration cancellation button 612 is a button object for instructing the display of a cancellation screen 620 described later for the procedure of canceling the registration of a user registered as the first member for the game service. When the display area of the first member registration cancellation button 612 is specified according to the operation of the input device 24 by the user, the display processing unit 251 displays the cancellation screen 620 on the display device 23 based on the display data stored in the storage device 22.

[0093] The second member information 513, the second member registration button 514, and the game screen display instruction button 515 included in the registration screen 610 have the same functions as the second member information 513, the second member registration button 514, and the game screen display instruction button 515 included in the registration screen 510. If the display area of the game screen display instruction button 515 is specified according to the operation of the input device 24 by the user and a registration privilege has already been granted to the user, a game screen 500 that does not include the registration privilege button 601 is displayed.

[0094] FIG. 6(c) is a diagram showing an example of a cancellation screen 620 displayed on the display device 23 of the terminal device 2. The cancellation screen 620 includes privilege information 621, a cancellation request button 622, and a game screen display instruction button 623.

[0095] The privilege information 621 is text information showing an explanation regarding a period privilege and a continuous privilege that will be given later when the user stops canceling the registration of the game service and continues the registration. In the example shown in FIG. 6(c), the privilege information 621 regarding the information on the time until the next period privilege is given to the user and the information on the time until the next continuous privilege is given to the user is displayed. The privilege information 621 may be an image, a mark, etc. showing the time until the next period privilege is given to the user and the time until the next continuous privilege is given to the user. Note that when the usage period in which the cancellation screen 620 is displayed is the usage period in which the continuous privilege is given, the privilege information 621 may not include information regarding the next continuous privilege.

[0096] The cancellation request button 622 is a button object for transmitting a cancellation request for canceling the user's registration to the server device 3. For example, when the display area of the cancellation request button 622 is designated in response to an operation of the input device 24 by the user, the transmission unit 252 extracts the user ID stored in the storage device 22. Next, since the cancellation screen 620 is displayed in response to the designation of the first membership cancellation button 612, the transmission unit 252 creates membership type information indicating the first membership. Then, the transmission unit 252 transmits a cancellation request including the extracted user ID and the created membership type information to the server device 3 via the communication I / F 21. Note that when there is only one type of member prepared in the game system 1, the cancellation request may not include membership type information.

[0097] The game screen display instruction button 623 is a button object for instructing the display of any one of the game screens 500 and 600, and the game screens 700 and 710 to be described later. When the display area of the game screen display instruction button 623 is designated according to the operation of the input device 24 by the user, the display processing unit 251 ends the display of the release screen 620 and displays the game screen on the display device 23 based on the display data stored in the storage device 22.

[0098] FIG. 6(d) is a diagram showing an example of the release completion screen 630 displayed on the display device 23 of the terminal device 2. The release completion screen 630 is a screen based on the release completion data transmitted when the registration of the user to the game service is released in the server device 3 based on the release request from the terminal device 2. For example, when the reception unit 253 receives the release completion data indicating that the registration of the user to the game service has been released from the server device 3 via the communication I / F 21, the display processing unit 251 displays the release completion screen 630 on the display device 23 based on the display data and the release completion data stored in the storage device 22.

[0099] The release completion screen 630 includes release information 631 and a game screen display instruction button 632. The release information 631 is text information indicating that the registration of the user to the game service has been released. The release information 631 may also be an image, a mark, etc. indicating that the registration of the user to the game service has been released. In the example shown in FIG. 6(d), the release information 631 regarding the release of the user registration is displayed.

[0100] The cancellation information 631 describes the type of membership of the cancelled user. The cancellation information 631 also describes that the user can receive the game service until the end of the current usage period. The cancellation information 631 also describes that if the user re-registers as the type of member that was cancelled before the end of the current usage period, it is not necessary to pay the game fee corresponding to the current usage period. The cancellation information 631 may also display that if the user re-registers as the type of member that was cancelled after the end of the current usage period, it is necessary to pay the game fee corresponding to the usage period including the time of re-registration. Note that as the cancellation information 631, information regarding the time until the next period bonus is granted to the user ("You can obtain the period bonus in ○ days", "You can obtain the period bonus in ○ months", etc.) and / or information regarding the time until the next continuous bonus is granted to the user ("You can obtain the continuous bonus in ○ days", "You can obtain the continuous bonus in ○ months", etc.) may be displayed. Also, as the cancellation information 631, information regarding the continuous period up to the present ("Registered as the first member continuously for ○ months since registration", etc.) may be displayed. Also, as the cancellation information 631, information regarding the content of the period bonus and / or continuous bonus corresponding to the type of membership of the cancelled user (bonus name, etc.) may be displayed. In this case, the display processing unit 251 creates the cancellation information 631 based on the cancellation completion data described later. The cancellation completion data includes the membership type information included in the cancellation request and the continuous period information related to the cancelled user read from the membership table of the type of membership indicated by the membership type information. The display processing unit 251 displays, as the cancellation information 631, information regarding the type of cancelled membership, information regarding various bonuses corresponding to the continuous period, continuous period information, and / or information calculated based on the continuous period information.The information calculated based on the duration information is, for example, when the duration indicated by the duration information is 14 months and the continuous usage period is 4 months, the remainder value (「2」) when the duration is divided by the continuous usage period to calculate an integer value (「3」). This information is used as the number of months until the continuous privilege is acquired. For example, the display processing unit 251 may display, as the release information 631, information including the information calculated based on the duration information, such as 「You can acquire the continuous privilege in 「2 months」.」

[0101] The game screen display instruction button 632 is a button object for instructing the display of any one of the game screens 500, 600, the game screens 700 and 710 described later. When the display area of the game screen display instruction button 623 is specified in response to an operation of the input device 24 by the user, the display processing unit 251 ends the display of the release completion screen 630 and displays the game screen on the display device 23 based on the display data stored in the storage device 22.

[0102] FIG. 7(a) is a diagram showing an example of the game screen 700 displayed on the display device 23 of the terminal device 2. The game screen 700 includes a game start button 501, a registration screen display instruction button 502, and a period privilege button 701.

[0103] The game start button 501 and the registration screen display instruction button 502 included in the game screen 700 have the same functions as the game start button 501 and the registration screen display instruction button 502 included in the game screen 500.

[0104] The period privilege button 701 is a button object for obtaining the period privilege granted to the user. When the display area of the period privilege button 701 is specified in response to the operation of the input device 24 by the user, the privilege processing unit 254 stores the period privilege (the period privilege granted to the user) included in the continuation completion data in the storage device 22 so that the user can use it in the game. Note that the period privilege button 701 may be a button object for causing the user to execute a predetermined action related to the granting of the period privilege. For example, when the period privilege button 701 is specified by the user, the privilege processing unit 254 stores the period privilege in the storage device 22 by displaying a page corresponding to the predetermined link information associated with the period privilege button 701.

[0105] Note that the game screen 700 is a game screen that is displayed when the game screen display instruction button is selected by the user, and is a game screen that is displayed after the period privilege is granted to the user and before the period privilege is used by the user.

[0106] FIG. 7(b) is a diagram showing an example of the game screen 710 displayed on the display device 23 of the terminal device 2. The game screen 710 includes a game start button 501, a registration screen display instruction button 502, a period privilege button 701, and a continuation privilege button 711.

[0107] The game start button 501, the registration screen display instruction button 502, and the period privilege button 701 included in the game screen 710 have the same functions as the game start button 501, the registration screen display instruction button 502, and the period privilege button 701 included in the game screen 700.

[0108] The continuous privilege button 711 is a button object for obtaining the continuous privilege granted to the user. When the display area of the continuous privilege button 711 is specified in response to the operation of the input device 24 by the user, the privilege processing unit 254 stores the continuous privilege (the continuous privilege granted to the user) included in the continuous completion data in the storage device 22 so that the user can use it in the game. Note that the continuous privilege button 711 may be a button object for causing the user to execute a predetermined action related to the grant of the continuous privilege. For example, when the continuous privilege button 711 is specified by the user, the privilege processing unit 254 stores the continuous privilege in the storage device 22 by displaying a page corresponding to the predetermined link information associated with the continuous privilege button 711.

[0109] Note that the game screen 710 is a game screen that is displayed when the game screen display instruction button is selected by the user, and is a game screen that is displayed after the registration privilege and the period privilege are granted to the user and before the registration privilege and the period privilege are used by the user.

[0110] FIG. 7(c) is a diagram showing an example of the registration completion screen 720 displayed on the display device 23 of the terminal device 2. The registration completion screen 720 is a screen based on the registration completion data transmitted when the user is registered in the game service in the server device 3 based on the registration request from the terminal device 2. For example, when the reception unit 253 receives the registration completion data indicating that the user has been registered in the game service from the server device 3 via the communication I / F 21, the display processing unit 251 displays the registration completion screen 720 on the display device 23 based on the display data and the registration completion data stored in the storage device 22.

[0111] The registration completion data used for the display of the registration completion screen 720 is data transmitted from the server device 3 in response to a registration request transmitted to the server device 3 when the display area of the second member registration button 514 included in the registration screen 510 is specified according to the operation of the input device 24 by a user who has already been registered as a first member. Further, the registration completion data used for the display of the registration completion screen 720 may be data transmitted from the server device 3 in response to a registration request transmitted to the server device 3 when the display area of the second member registration button 514 included in the registration screen 610 is specified according to the operation of the input device 24 by a user who has already been registered as a first member, and the display area of the registration request button 522 included in the payment information input screen 520 displayed in response to this specification is specified.

[0112] The registration completion screen 720 includes registration information 721 and a game screen display instruction button 722. The registration information 721 is text information indicating that the user has been registered for the game service. The registration information 721 may also be an image, a mark, etc. indicating that the user has been registered for the game service. In the example shown in FIG. 7(c), the registration information 721 indicating that a user who has already been registered as a first member for the game service has been further registered as a second member for the game service is displayed.

[0113] The game screen display instruction button 722 is a button object for instructing the display of any one of the game screens 500, 600, 700, and 710. When the display area of the game screen display instruction button 722 is specified according to the operation of the input device 24 by the user, the display processing unit 251 ends the display of the registration completion screen 720 and displays the game screen on the display device 23 based on the display data stored in the storage device 22.

[0114] FIG. 7(d) is a diagram showing an example of a registration screen 730 displayed on the display device 23 of the terminal device 2. The registration screen 730 includes first member information 611, a first member registration cancellation button 612, second member information 731, a second member registration cancellation button 732, and a game screen display instruction button 515.

[0115] The first member information 611 is text information indicating the registration status of the user as the first member. The first member information 611 may also be an image, a mark, or the like indicating the registration status of the user as the first member. In the example shown in FIG. 7(d), the first member information 611 indicating that the user is registered as the first member for the game service is displayed.

[0116] The first member registration cancellation button 612 is the same as the first member registration cancellation button 612 shown in FIG. 6(b).

[0117] The second member information 731 is text information indicating the registration status of the user as the second member. The second member information 731 may also be an image, a mark, or the like indicating the registration status of the user as the second member. In the example shown in FIG. 7(d), the second member information 731 indicating that the user is registered as the second member for the game service is displayed.

[0118] The second member registration cancellation button 732 is a button object for instructing the display of the cancellation screen 620 for the procedure of canceling the registration of a user registered as the second member for the game service. When the display area of the second member registration cancellation button 732 is specified in response to an operation of the input device 24 by the user, the display processing unit 251 displays the cancellation screen 620 on the display device 23 based on the display data stored in the storage device 22. In this case, when the cancellation request button 622 on the cancellation screen 620 is specified by the user, the transmission unit 252 extracts the user ID stored in the storage device 22, creates member type information indicating the second member, and transmits a cancellation request including the extracted user ID and the created member type information to the server device 3 via the communication I / F 21.

[0119] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the schematic configuration of the server device 3.

[0120] The server device 3 has a function of registering the user of the terminal device 2 for the game service in response to a registration request from the terminal device 2, canceling the registration of the user for the game service in response to a cancellation request from the terminal device 2, and granting various benefits to the users registered for the game service. For this purpose, the server device 3 includes a communication unit I / F 31, a storage device 32, and a processor 33.

[0121] The communication I / F 31 is implemented as hardware, firmware, communication software such as a TCP / IP driver or a PPP driver, or a combination thereof. The server device 3 can transmit data to other devices and receive data from other devices via the communication I / F 31.

[0122] The storage device 32 is, for example, a semiconductor memory device such as a ROM or a RAM. The storage device 32 may be, for example, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, or various other storage devices capable of storing data other than those described above. The storage device 32 stores an operating system program, a driver program, an application program, data, etc. used in the processing by the processor 33. The storage device 32 stores, as data, information regarding registration benefits, information regarding period benefits, and information regarding continuous benefits. The storage device 32 also stores a user table T1, a first member table T2, and a second member table T3, which will be described later.

[0123] The processor 33 is a processing device that loads the operating system program, driver program, and application program stored in the storage device 32 into the memory and executes the instructions included in the loaded programs. The processor 33 is, for example, an electronic circuit such as a CPU, MPU, DSP, GPU, or a combination of various electronic circuits. The processor 33 may be implemented by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC, PLD, FPGA, or MCU. In FIG. 8, the processor 33 is illustrated as a single component, but the processor 33 may be a set of a plurality of physically separate processors.

[0124] The processor 33 functions as a server reception unit 331, a server transmission unit 332, a registration processing unit 333, a cancellation processing unit 334, a continuation processing unit 335, and a privilege granting unit 336 by executing various instructions included in the application program (control program) stored in the storage device 32.

[0125] Hereinafter, an example of the data structure of various tables stored in the server storage unit 32 will be described with reference to FIG. 9.

[0126] FIG. 9(a) shows a user table T1 that manages various data related to users registered in the game service. In the user table T1, for each user, a user ID, name, card information, etc. are stored in association with each other.

[0127] The user ID is an example of identification data for uniquely identifying each user. The name is an example of data indicating the name of each user. The card information includes various information related to the credit card registered in advance by the user or various information related to the credit card input by the user on the payment information input screen 520. The various information related to the credit card is, for example, information indicating the card brand, information indicating the card number, information indicating the expiration date, and information indicating the security code of the credit card used by the user for paying the game fee.

[0128] FIG. 9(b) shows a first member table T2 that manages various data related to the membership registration of users registered for the game service as the first member. In the first member table T2, for each user, a user ID, a first registration time, a first number of consecutive periods, a first cancellation time, etc. are stored in association with each other.

[0129] The first registration time is information regarding the time when the server device 3 receives a registration request including membership type information indicating the first member from the user's terminal device 2. For example, the first registration time is information indicating the date when the registration request including the membership type information indicating the first member is received. The first registration time may be information indicating the date and time when the registration request including the membership type information indicating the first member is received.

[0130] The first number of consecutive periods is information indicating the number of usage periods during which the user has continuously received the game service starting from the usage period including the time when the registration request including the membership type information indicating the first member is received. For example, when the usage period is in units of one month, the first number of consecutive periods is the number of consecutive months. Note that when the usage period is in units of one month, the first number of consecutive periods may be the accumulated value of the number of days. For example, if the user has received the game service during the usage period including the time when the registration request is received and the next usage period, the first number of consecutive periods is "2". The first number of consecutive periods may be changed to "0" by a cancellation processing unit 334 described later when the next usage period after the usage period at the time when a cancellation request including the membership type information indicating the first member is received ends. Note that the timing at which the first number of consecutive periods is changed to "0" is not limited to the time when the next usage period after the usage period at the time when the cancellation request is received ends. The timing at which the first number of consecutive periods is changed to "0" may be any time after the end of the next usage period after the usage period at the time when the cancellation request is received until the user re-registers as the first member.

[0131] The first cancellation time is information regarding the time when the server device 3 receives a cancellation request including member type information indicating the first member from the user's terminal device 2. For example, the first cancellation time is information indicating the date when the cancellation request including member type information indicating the first member is received. The first cancellation time may be information indicating the date and time when the cancellation request including member type information indicating the first member is received.

[0132] FIG. 9(c) shows a second member table T3 that manages various data related to the member registration of a user registered for the game service as the second member. In the second member table T3, for each user, a user ID, a second registration time, a second number of continuous periods, a second cancellation time, etc. are stored in association with each other.

[0133] The second registration time is information regarding the time when the server device 3 receives a registration request including member type information indicating the second member from the user's terminal device 2. For example, the second registration time is information indicating the date when the registration request including member type information indicating the second member is received. The second registration time may be information indicating the date and time when the registration request including member type information indicating the second member is received.

[0134] The second number of continuous periods is information indicating the number of periods during which the user has continuously received the game service starting from the usage period including the time when the registration request including member type information indicating the second member is received. For example, when the usage period is in units of one month, the second number of continuous periods is the number of months that have passed. Note that when the usage period is in units of one month, the second number of continuous periods may be the accumulated value of the number of days. The second number of continuous periods may be changed to "0" by a cancellation processing unit 334 described later when the next usage period after the usage period at the time when the cancellation request including member type information indicating the second member is received ends. Note that the timing at which the second number of continuous periods is changed to "0" is not limited to the time when the next usage period after the usage period at the time when the cancellation request is received ends. The timing at which the second number of continuous periods is changed to "0" may be any time after the end of the next usage period after the usage period at the time when the cancellation request is received and until the user re-registers as the second member.

[0135] The second cancellation time is information regarding the time when the server device 3 receives a cancellation request including member type information indicating a second member from the user's terminal device 2. For example, the second cancellation time is information indicating the date when the cancellation request including member type information indicating a second member is received. The second cancellation time may be information indicating the date and time when the cancellation request including member type information indicating a second member is received.

[0136] Next, the functions of the server reception unit 331, the server transmission unit 332, the registration processing unit 333, the cancellation processing unit 334, the continuation processing unit 335, and the privilege granting unit 336 will be described.

[0137] The server reception unit 331 receives a registration request and a cancellation request transmitted from the terminal device 2 via the communication I / F 31.

[0138] The server transmission unit 332 transmits registration completion data, cancellation completion data indicating that the cancellation process has been executed by the cancellation processing unit 333, and continuation completion data to the terminal device 2 via the communication I / F 31. Note that the registration completion data may include information regarding a registration privilege, information regarding a period privilege, or information regarding a period privilege and a continuation privilege granted to the user by the privilege granting unit 336. Further, the continuation completion data includes information regarding a period privilege, or information regarding a period privilege and a continuation privilege granted to the user by the privilege granting unit 336.

[0139] The registration processing unit 333 acquires the registration request received by the server reception unit 331, and extracts the user ID, member type information, and various information regarding the credit card included in the registration request. When the extracted member type information indicates a first member, the registration processing unit 333 reads out the first member table T2 stored in the storage device 32, and when the extracted member type information indicates a second member, the registration processing unit 333 reads out the second member table T3 stored in the storage device 32.

[0140] Next, an example of the function of the registration processing unit 333 when the extracted member type information indicates a first member will be described.

[0141] When the registration processing unit 333 reads the first member table T2 and the first registration time corresponding to the extracted user ID is not stored (in the case of a new registration), as the first registration time, the date (or date and time) when the registration request was received is associated with the extracted user ID and stored in the first member table T2. Next, the registration processing unit 333 stores "1" as the first consecutive period number in the first member table T2 in association with the extracted user ID. Then, the registration processing unit 333 instructs the privilege granting unit 336 to grant a registration privilege to the user.

[0142] When the registration processing unit 333 reads the first member table T2 and the time when the registration request was received is within the usage period including the first cancellation time associated with the extracted user ID, the information stored as the first cancellation time is deleted.

[0143] When the registration processing unit 333 reads the first member table T2 and the time when the registration request was received is within the usage period immediately after the usage period including the first cancellation time associated with the extracted user ID, the information stored as the first cancellation time associated with the extracted user ID is deleted. Next, the registration processing unit 333 adds "1" to the first consecutive period number associated with the user ID of the user stored in the first member table T2, and stores the added first consecutive period number in the first member table T2 in association with the user ID of the user. Then, the registration processing unit 333 instructs the privilege granting unit 336 to grant a period privilege and a consecutive privilege to the user.

[0144] When the registration request is received after the usage period that includes the first cancellation time associated with the extracted user ID has passed, the registration processing unit 333 deletes the information stored as the first cancellation time associated with the extracted user ID. Next, as the first registration time, the date (or date and time) when the registration request is received is stored in the first member table T2 in association with the extracted user ID. Next, the registration processing unit 333 stores "1" as the first continuous period number in the first member table T2 in association with the extracted user ID. Then, the registration processing unit 333 instructs the privilege granting unit 336 to grant registration privileges to the user.

[0145] When the cancellation request is received by the server reception unit 331, the cancellation processing unit 334 executes the cancellation processing. An example of the cancellation processing will be described below. First, the cancellation processing unit 334 acquires the cancellation request from the server reception unit 331 and extracts the user ID and member type information included in the cancellation request. When the extracted member type information indicates a first member, the cancellation processing unit 334 reads the first member table T2 stored in the storage device 32, and when the extracted member type information indicates a second member, the cancellation processing unit 334 reads the second member table T3 stored in the storage device 32. When the extracted member type information indicates a first member, the cancellation processing unit 334 stores the date (or date and time) when the cancellation request is received as the first cancellation time in the first member table T2 in association with the extracted user ID, and ends the cancellation processing. Also, when the extracted member type information indicates a second member, the cancellation processing unit 334 stores the date (or date and time) when the cancellation request is received as the second cancellation time in the second member table T3 in association with the extracted user ID, and ends the cancellation processing.

[0146] The continuation processing unit 335 executes the continuation processing each time the usage period ends. An example of the continuation processing will be described below. First, the continuation processing unit 335 reads the first member table T2 and the second member table T3 and determines whether the user is registered as a first member and whether the user is registered as a second member.

[0147] When the continuous processing unit 335 determines that in the first member table T2, the first cancellation time is not stored in association with the user ID of the user, it determines that the user is registered as a first member. When the first cancellation time is stored in association with the user ID of the user, it determines that the user is not registered as a first member.

[0148] When the continuous processing unit 335 determines that in the second member table T3, the second cancellation time is not stored in association with the user ID of the user, it determines that the user is registered as a second member. When the second cancellation time is stored in association with the user ID of the user, it determines that the user is not registered as a second member.

[0149] When the continuous processing unit 335 determines that the user is registered as a first member, it adds "1" to the first continuous period number stored in the first member table T2 in association with the user ID of the user, and stores the added first continuous period number in the first member table T2 in association with the user ID of the user. Next, the continuous processing unit 335 executes a process of billing a credit company or the like for the game fee of the user's first membership for the next usage period after the ended usage period based on various information regarding the credit card. Then, the continuous processing unit 335 instructs the privilege granting unit 336 to perform the process of granting a period privilege and a continuous privilege, and ends the continuous processing.

[0150] When the continuous processing unit 335 determines that the user is registered as a second member, it adds "1" to the second continuous period number stored in the second member table T3 in association with the user ID of the user, and stores the added second continuous period number in the second member table T3 in association with the user ID of the user. Next, the continuous processing unit 335 executes a process of billing a credit company or the like for the game fee of the user's second membership for the next usage period after the ended usage period based on various information regarding the credit card. Then, the continuous processing unit 335 instructs the privilege granting unit 336 to perform the process of granting a period privilege and a continuous privilege, and ends the continuous processing.

[0151] When the privilege granting unit 336 receives a registration request including member type information indicating the first member by the server receiving unit 331, and "1" is stored as the first continuous period number corresponding to the user ID in the first member table T2, in accordance with the instruction of the registration processing unit 333, it stores information regarding the registration privilege as the first member in the storage device 32 in association with the user ID of the user who is the first member, thereby granting the registration privilege of the first member to the user.

[0152] When the privilege granting unit 336 receives a registration request including member type information indicating the second member by the server receiving unit 331, and "1" is stored as the second continuous period number corresponding to the user ID in the second member table T3, in accordance with the instruction of the registration processing unit 333, it stores information regarding the registration privilege as the second member in the storage device 32 in association with the user ID of the user who is the second member, thereby granting the registration privilege of the second member to the user.

[0153] When the privilege granting unit 336 receives a registration request including member type information indicating the first member by the server receiving unit 331, and the time when the registration request is received has passed the usage period immediately following the usage period including the first cancellation time associated with the user ID of the user who is the first member, in accordance with the instruction of the registration processing unit 333, it stores information regarding the registration privilege as the first member in the storage device 32 in association with the user ID of the user, thereby granting the registration privilege of the first member to the user.

[0154] When the privilege granting unit 336 receives a registration request including member type information indicating the second member by the server receiving unit 331, and the time when the registration request is received has passed the usage period immediately following the usage period including the second cancellation time associated with the user ID of the user who is the second member, in accordance with the instruction of the registration processing unit 333, it stores information regarding the registration privilege as the second member in the storage device 32 in association with the user ID of the user, thereby granting the registration privilege of the second member to the user.

[0155] When the privilege granting unit 336 receives a registration request including member type information indicating a first member from the server receiving unit 331, and the time when the registration request is received is within the usage period immediately following the usage period including the first release time associated with the user ID of the user who is the first member, according to the instruction of the registration processing unit 333, by associating with the user ID of the user and storing information regarding the period privilege as the first member in the storage device 32, the period privilege as the first member is granted to the user. In this case, when the continuous privilege condition is satisfied, by associating with the user ID of the user and storing information regarding the continuous privilege as the first member in the storage device 32, the continuous privilege as the first member is granted to the user. Note that the continuous privilege condition is that the number of first continuous periods is "kn" (k is a natural number of 2 or more, n is a natural number). For example, when k = 4, the continuous privilege condition is that the number of first continuous periods is 4, 8, 12, ···. Also, when k = 6, the continuous privilege condition is that the number of first continuous periods is 6, 12, 18, ···.

[0156] When the privilege granting unit 336 receives a registration request including member type information indicating a second member from the server receiving unit 331, and the time when the registration request is received is within the usage period immediately following the usage period including the second release time associated with the user ID of the user who is the second member, according to the instruction of the registration processing unit 333, by associating with the user ID of the user and storing information regarding the period privilege as the second member in the storage device 32, the period privilege as the second member is granted to the user. In this case, when the continuous privilege condition is satisfied, by associating with the user ID of the user and storing information regarding the continuous privilege as the second member in the storage device 32, the continuous privilege as the second member is granted to the user. Note that the continuous privilege condition is that the number of second continuous periods is "kn" (k is a natural number of 2 or more, n is a natural number). For example, when k = 4, the continuous privilege condition is that the number of second continuous periods is 4, 8, 12, ···. Also, when k = 6, the continuous privilege condition is that the number of second continuous periods is 6, 12, 18, ···.

[0157] When the privilege granting unit 336 receives an instruction for granting a term privilege and a continuous privilege from the continuous processing unit 335, it grants the user the term privilege of the first member by storing information regarding the term privilege of the first member in the storage device 32 in association with the user ID of the user who is the first member. In this case, when the continuous privilege condition is satisfied, the continuous privilege of the first member is granted to the user by storing information regarding the continuous privilege of the first member in the storage device 32 in association with the user ID of the user.

[0158] When the privilege granting unit 336 receives an instruction for granting a term privilege and a continuous privilege from the continuous processing unit 335, it grants the user the term privilege of the second member by storing information regarding the term privilege of the second member in the storage device 32 in association with the user ID of the user who is the second member. In this case, when the continuous privilege condition is satisfied, the continuous privilege of the second member is granted to the user by storing information regarding the continuous privilege of the second member in the storage device 32 in association with the user ID of the user.

[0159] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the operation sequence of the game system 1. This operation sequence is mainly executed by the processor 25 and the processor 33 in cooperation with each element of the terminal device 2 and the server device 3 based on programs stored in the storage device 22 and the storage device 32 in advance.

[0160] First, when the registration request button 522 is specified in response to an operation of the input device 24 by the user, the transmission unit 252 of the terminal device 2 transmits a registration request to the server device 3 via the communication I / F 21 (step S101).

[0161] Next, the server receiving unit 331 of the server device 3 receives the registration request transmitted from the terminal device 2 via the communication I / F 31. Next, the registration processing unit 333 and the privilege granting unit 336 execute the registration process (step S102). The details of the registration process will be described later.

[0162] Next, the server transmission unit 332 transmits registration completion data including information on the registration privileges granted to the user in the registration process to the terminal device 2 via the communication I / F 31 (step S103).

[0163] Next, the reception unit 253 of the terminal device 2 receives the registration completion data transmitted from the server device 3 via the communication I / F. Then, the display processing unit 251 displays a registration completion screen 530 on the display device 23 based on the display data stored in the storage device 22 and the registration completion data received by the reception unit 253 (step S104).

[0164] Next, when the cancellation request button 622 is specified in response to an operation of the input device 24 by the user, the transmission unit 252 of the terminal device 2 transmits a cancellation request to the server device 3 via the communication I / F 21 (step S105).

[0165] Next, the server reception unit 331 of the server device 3 receives the cancellation request transmitted from the terminal device 2 via the communication I / F 31. Next, the registration processing unit 333 executes a cancellation process (step S106).

[0166] Next, the server transmission unit 332 transmits cancellation completion data including member type information indicating the type of member cancelled in the cancellation process to the terminal device 2 via the communication I / F 31 (step S107).

[0167] Next, the reception unit 253 of the terminal device 2 receives the cancellation completion data transmitted from the server device 3 via the communication I / F. Then, the display processing unit 251 displays a cancellation completion screen 630 on the display device 23 based on the display data stored in the storage device 22 and the cancellation completion data received by the reception unit 253 (step S108).

[0168] First, when the registration request button 522 is specified again in response to an operation of the input device 24 by the user, the transmission unit 252 of the terminal device 2 transmits a registration request to the server device 3 via the communication I / F 21 (step S109).

[0169] Next, the server receiving unit 331 of the server device 3 receives the registration request transmitted from the terminal device 2 via the communication I / F 31. Next, the registration processing unit 333 and the privilege granting unit 336 execute the registration process (step S110). The details of the registration process will be described later.

[0170] Next, the server transmitting unit 332 transmits the registration completion data to the terminal device 2 via the communication I / F 31 (step S111). Note that the registration completion data may include information regarding registration privileges, period privileges, or information regarding period privileges and continuous privileges granted to the user in the registration process.

[0171] Next, the receiving unit 253 of the terminal device 2 receives the registration completion data transmitted from the server device 3 via the communication I / F. Then, the display processing unit 251 displays the registration completion screen 530 on the display device 23 based on the display data stored in the storage device 22 and the registration completion data received by the receiving unit 253 (step S112).

[0172] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the operation flow of the registration process by the registration processing unit 333 and the privilege granting unit 336 of the server device 3. The registration process shown in FIG. 11 is executed in steps S102 and S110 of FIG. 10.

[0173] First, the registration processing unit 333 acquires the registration request received by the server receiving unit 331, and extracts the user ID, membership type information, and various information regarding the credit card included in the registration request (step S201). Hereinafter, the first member table T2 and the second member table T3 are collectively referred to as the member table, the first registration time and the second registration time are collectively referred to as the registration time, the first continuous period number and the second continuous period number are collectively referred to as the continuous period number, and the first cancellation time and the second cancellation time are collectively referred to as the cancellation time. Also, the registration processing unit 333 uses the member table corresponding to the extracted membership type information.

[0174] Next, the registration processing unit 333 determines whether the user is a new registration (whether the registration time corresponding to the extracted user ID is stored in the member table) (step S202).

[0175] If it is determined that the user is a new registration (step S202 - Yes), the registration processing unit 333 advances the process to step S206. If it is determined that the user is not a new registration (step S202 - No), the registration processing unit 333 deletes the information stored as the cancellation time from the member table (step S203).

[0176] Next, the registration processing unit 333 determines whether the time when the registration request is received by the server reception unit 331 is within the usage period including the cancellation time deleted in step S203 (step S204).

[0177] If it is determined that the time when the registration request is received is within the usage period including the cancellation time (step S204 - Yes), the registration process ends.

[0178] If it is determined that the time when the registration request is received is not within the usage period including the cancellation time (step S204 - No), the registration processing unit 333 determines whether the time when the registration request is received by the server reception unit 331 is within the usage period immediately after the usage period including the cancellation time deleted in step S203 (step S205).

[0179] In step S205, if it is determined that the time when the registration request is received is not within the usage period immediately after the usage period including the cancellation time (the time when the registration request is received has passed the usage period immediately after the usage period including the cancellation time) (step S205 - No), the registration processing unit 333 stores the time (date, or date and time) when the registration request is received in the member table as the registration time in association with the extracted user ID (step S206).

[0180] Next, the registration processing unit 333 stores "1" as the number of continuous periods in the membership table in association with the extracted user ID (step S207).

[0181] Next, the privilege granting unit 336 stores information regarding the registration privilege corresponding to the extracted membership type information in the storage device 32 in association with the extracted user ID (step S208), and the registration process ends.

[0182] If it is determined in step S205 that the point in time when the registration request is received is within the usage period immediately after the usage period including the cancellation time (step S205-Yes), the registration processing unit 333 adds "1" to the number of continuous periods associated with the extracted user ID stored in the membership table, and stores the added number of continuous periods in the membership table in association with the extracted user ID (step S209).

[0183] Next, the privilege granting unit 336 stores information regarding the period privilege corresponding to the extracted membership type information in the storage device 32 in association with the extracted user ID (step S210).

[0184] Next, the privilege granting unit 336 determines whether the continuous privilege condition is satisfied (step S211).

[0185] If the privilege granting unit 336 determines that the continuous privilege condition is not satisfied (step S211-No), the registration process ends. If it determines that the continuous privilege condition is satisfied (step S211-Yes), it stores information regarding the continuous privilege corresponding to the extracted membership type information in the storage device 32 in association with the extracted user ID (step S212), and the registration process ends.

[0186] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing another example of the operation sequence of the game system 1. This operation sequence is mainly executed by the main processors 25 and 33 in cooperation with the respective elements of the terminal device 2 and the server device 3 based on programs stored in advance in the storage device 22 and the storage device 32.

[0187] The operation sequence shown in FIG. 12 is executed in parallel with the operation sequence shown in FIG. 10.

[0188] First, the continuation processing unit 335 and the privilege granting unit 336 of the server device 3 execute continuation processing (step S301). The details of the continuation processing will be described later.

[0189] Next, the server transmission unit 332 transmits the continuation completion data to the terminal device 2 via the communication I / F 31 (step S302). Note that the continuation completion data may include information regarding the period privilege or information regarding the period privilege and the continuation privilege granted to the user in the continuation processing.

[0190] Next, the reception unit 253 of the terminal device 2 receives the continuation completion data transmitted from the server device 3 via the communication I / F. Then, the display processing unit 251 displays the game screen 700, the game screen 710, etc. on the display device 23 based on the display data stored in the storage device 22 and the continuation completion data received by the reception unit 253 (step S303).

[0191] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the operation flow of the continuation processing by the continuation processing unit 335 and the privilege granting unit 336 of the server device 3. The continuation processing shown in FIG. 13 is executed in step S301 of FIG. 12.

[0192] First, the continuation processing unit 335 determines whether the usage period has ended (step S401).

[0193] When the continuation processing unit 335 determines that the usage period has not ended (step S401 - No), it waits until the usage period ends.

[0194] When it is determined that the usage period has ended (step S401 - Yes), the continuation processing unit 335 reads the membership table and determines whether the user is registered as a member for the game service (in the membership table, whether an expiration time is stored in association with the user ID of the user) (step S402).

[0195] When it is determined that the user is not registered as a member for the game service (in the membership table, an expiration time is stored in association with the user ID of the user) (step S402 - No), the continuation processing ends.

[0196] When it is determined that the user is registered as a member for the game service (in the membership table, an expiration time is not stored in association with the user ID of the user) (step S402 - Yes), the continuation processing unit 335 adds "1" to the number of continuous periods stored in the membership table in association with the user ID of the user, and stores the added number of continuous periods in the membership table in association with the user ID of the user (step S403).

[0197] Next, the continuation processing unit 335 executes the game fee billing process (step S404).

[0198] Next, the privilege granting unit 336 stores information regarding a period privilege corresponding to the membership type information of the user in the storage device 32 in association with the user ID of the user (step S405).

[0199] Next, the privilege granting unit 336 determines whether the continuous privilege condition is satisfied (step S406).

[0200] When it is determined that the continuous privilege conditions are not satisfied (step S406 - No), the privilege granting unit 336 ends the continuous process. When it is determined that the continuous privilege conditions are satisfied (step S406 - Yes), information regarding the continuous privilege corresponding to the extracted member type information is stored in the storage device 32 in association with the extracted user ID (step S407), and the continuous process ends.

[0201] As described in detail above, in the game system 1 of the present embodiment, merits for re - registering with the game service are provided for users who registered with the game service and then canceled their registration with the game service. In the conventional game system, there was no mechanism to give an incentive to a user who had applied to end the game service to start the game service again. For this reason, users who once left the game service rarely returned to the game service again, and there was a problem with the continuity of the game service. The game system 1 of the present embodiment can improve the willingness of users registered with the game service to continue using the game service.

[0202] (Modification Example 1) Note that the present invention is not limited to the present embodiment. For example, when a user is registered with the game service as both a first - class member and a second - class member, and the usage period during which the continuous privilege of the first - class member is granted to the user is the same as the usage period during which the continuous privilege of the second - class member is granted to the user, instead of the continuous privilege of the first - class member and the continuous privilege of the second - class member, a combined privilege based on the continuous privilege of the first - class member and the continuous privilege of the second - class member may be granted to the user.

[0203] When the continuous privilege for the first member and the continuous privilege for the second member are the occurrence of a game effect a predetermined number of times, the combined privilege may be the occurrence of a game effect the number of times obtained by adding together the predetermined number of times related to the continuous privilege for the first member and the predetermined number of times related to the continuous privilege for the second member. For example, when the continuous privilege for the first member is that a lottery process for awarding one or more game media to a user from a predetermined group of game media can be executed 8 times, and the continuous privilege for the second member is that a lottery process for awarding one or more game media to a user from a predetermined group of game media can be executed 2 times, and when the usage period during which the continuous privilege for the first member is granted to the user and the usage period during which the continuous privilege for the second member is granted to the user are the same, instead of the continuous privilege for the first member and the continuous privilege for the second member, a privilege that a lottery process for awarding one or more game media to a user from a predetermined group of game media can be executed 10 times may be granted to the user. Also, when the continuous privilege for the first member and the continuous privilege for the second member are the number of executions of a user's action and / or skill, etc. within the game, the number of executions (of the action and / or skill, etc.) obtained by adding together the number of executions related to the continuous privilege for the first member and the number of executions related to the continuous privilege for the second member, or the number of executions (of the action and / or skill, etc.) obtained by adding a predetermined number to the number of executions related to the continuous privilege for the first member, or the number of executions (of the action and / or skill, etc.) obtained by adding a predetermined number to the number of executions related to the continuous privilege for the second member may be added to the number of executions of the user or set as the number of times of the user as the combined privilege.

[0204] In addition, when the continuous privilege of the first member and the continuous privilege of the second member are the increased numbers for various upper limits set in the game, the combined privilege may be the increased number (for various upper limits) obtained by adding up the increased number related to the continuous privilege of the first member and the increased number related to the continuous privilege of the second member. Also, when the continuous privilege of the first member and the continuous privilege of the second member are new upper limits replacing various upper limits set in the game, the combined privilege may be the new upper limit (replacing various upper limits) obtained by adding up the new upper limit related to the continuous privilege of the first member and the new upper limit related to the continuous privilege of the second member. The various upper limits set in the game include the display upper limit of display targets (such as comments from other users, etc.) displayed on the game progress screen, the acquisition upper limit of game media that a user can obtain in an event, the acquisition upper limit of game media that a user can obtain by lottery, the usage upper limit of game media that a user can use in a battle, the usage upper limit of game media that a user can use in an event, the possession upper limit of game media that a user can possess in the game, and so on. For example, if the continuous privilege of the first member is to set the display upper limit of display targets (such as comments from other users, etc.) displayed on the game progress screen to 40, and the continuous privilege of the second member is to set the display upper limit of display targets displayed on the game progress screen to 10, and when the usage period granted to the user by the continuous privilege of the first member and the usage period granted to the user by the continuous privilege of the second member are the same, instead of the continuous privilege of the first member and the continuous privilege of the second member, a combined privilege of setting the display upper limit of display targets displayed on the game progress screen to 50 may be granted to the user.

[0205] In addition, when the continuous privilege of the first member and the continuous privilege of the second member are the increased values for various setting values set in the game, the combined privilege may be the increased value (for various setting values) obtained by adding up the increased value related to the continuous privilege of the first member and the increased value related to the continuous privilege of the second member. Also, when the continuous privilege of the first member and the continuous privilege of the second member are new setting values replacing the various setting values set in the game, the combined privilege may be the new setting value (replacing the various setting values) obtained by adding up the new setting value related to the continuous privilege of the first member and the new setting value related to the continuous privilege of the second member. The various setting values set in the game are values indicating the rarity of acquirable game media, the experience value of the user or the user's character, the parameter value of the user (such as HP (Hit Point)), and the like. For example, when the continuous privilege of the first member is a game media with a rarity of 4 and the continuous privilege of the second member is a game media with a rarity of 1, and the usage periods during which the continuous privilege of the first member is granted to the user and the continuous privilege of the second member is granted to the user are the same, instead of the continuous privilege of the first member and the continuous privilege of the second member, a game media with a rarity of 5 may be granted to the user as the combined privilege.

[0206] In addition, when the usage periods during which the continuous privilege of the first member is granted to the user and the continuous privilege of the second member is granted to the user are the same, another privilege may be granted to the user together with the continuous privilege of the first member and the continuous privilege of the second member.

[0207] Note that when the user is registered in the game system as three or more types of members at the same time and the usage periods during which the continuous privileges of the three or more types of members are granted to the user are the same, instead of the continuous privileges of the three or more types of members, a combined privilege based on the continuous privileges of the three or more types of members may be granted to the user.

[0208] As described above, when a privilege different from single membership registration is given to a user according to a combination of multiple types of memberships registered by the user, the user can select to use flexible and diverse membership services according to the situation, compared with the case where the user does not combine the multiple types of memberships registered. That is, the number of types of privileges provided to the user by combining n types of memberships is (2 n - 1) types (for example, if there are three types of memberships: Membership A, Membership B, and Membership C, the privileges are: the privilege of Membership A, the privilege of Membership B, the privilege of Membership C, the privilege of the combination of Membership A and Membership B, the privilege of the combination of Membership A and Membership C, the privilege of the combination of Membership B and Membership C, and the privilege of the combination of Membership A, Membership B, and Membership C, a total of 7 types). As described above, by configuring so that a combined privilege obtained by combining multiple types of memberships is given to the user, by simply setting n types of memberships, (2 n - 1) types of privileges can be provided to the user. Thereby, it becomes possible to reduce the management load of the multiple types of memberships registered by the user, and it also becomes possible to suppress the shortage of the recording capacity due to registration information and the like and / or the complication of the information processing of the server device 3.

[0209] (Modification Example 2) The continuous privilege of the first membership and the continuous privilege of the second membership may be different from each other. For example, when the continuous privilege of the first membership is that a first lottery process for awarding one or more game media to the user from a predetermined group of game media including a first rarity can be executed, the continuous privilege of the second membership may be that a second lottery process for awarding one or more game media to the user from a predetermined group of game media including a second rarity lower than the first rarity can be executed.

[0210] Also, the continuous privilege of the second membership may be a part of the continuous privilege of the first membership. For example, when the continuous privilege of the first membership is that the above-mentioned first lottery process can be executed and the above-mentioned second lottery process can be executed, the continuous privilege of the second membership is that the above-mentioned second lottery process can be executed. Note that the continuous privilege of the first membership may be a part of the continuous privilege of the second membership.

[0211] (Modification Example 3) The continuous privilege and the time-limited privilege may be different privileges from each other, or the time-limited privilege may be a part of the continuous privilege. For example, when the continuous privilege is that a lottery process for awarding one or more game media to a user from a predetermined group of game media can be executed 8 times, the time-limited privilege is that a lottery process for awarding one or more game media to a user from a predetermined group of game media can be executed 2 times. Also, when the continuous privilege is that a lottery process for awarding one or more game media to a user from a predetermined group of game media including a first rarity can be executed and a lottery process for awarding one or more game media to a user from a predetermined group of game media including a second rarity lower than the first rarity can be executed, the time-limited privilege is that a lottery process for awarding one or more game media to a user from a predetermined group of game media including the second rarity can be executed.

[0212] (Modification Example 4) The continuous privilege and the registration privilege may be different privileges from each other, or the registration privilege may be a part of the continuous privilege. For example, when the continuous privilege is that a lottery process for awarding one or more game media to a user from a predetermined group of game media can be executed 8 times, the registration privilege is that a lottery process for awarding one or more game media to a user from a predetermined group of game media can be executed 4 times. Also, when the continuous privilege is that a lottery process for awarding one or more game media to a user from a predetermined group of game media including a first rarity can be executed and a lottery process for awarding one or more game media to a user from a predetermined group of game media including a second rarity lower than the first rarity can be executed, the registration privilege is that a lottery process for awarding one or more game media to a user from a predetermined group of game media including the second rarity can be executed. Note that the continuous privilege may be a part of the registration privilege.

[0213] (Modification Example 5) When the first membership cancellation button 612 is specified by the user, if the user is not registered for the game service as a second member, the cancellation screen 620 may include a second membership registration button 514 as shown in FIG. 6(b).

[0214] For example, in the example shown in FIG. 6(b), in order to register for the game service as a first member, it is necessary to pay a game fee of 1,200 yen for each usage period. In order to register for the game service as a second member, it is necessary to pay a game fee of 300 yen for each usage period. Thus, the first member is a member with a monetary value four times that of the second member.

[0215] In this case, for example, a user registered for the game service as a first member in April 2020 can be regarded as having registered for the game service as a second member from April 2020 to July 2020. Therefore, for example, when a predetermined membership type change condition is satisfied, the cancellation screen 620 includes the second membership registration button 514, and information indicating that the user is registered for the game service as a second member free of charge for a predetermined number of usage periods including the usage period may also be included.

[0216] The predetermined number is the value obtained by dividing the "game fee for the first member" by the "game fee for the second member" (when the value is not an integer, the integer value obtained by rounding down the decimal part of the value). The membership type change condition is, for example, that the user has not used various benefits provided during the usage period including the time point when the first membership cancellation button 612 is specified by the user (the user has not selected any of the registration benefit button, period benefit button, and continuous benefit button).

[0217] In this case, when the second membership registration button 514 included in the cancellation screen 620 is selected by the user, the registration of the user as the first member is cancelled, and the user is registered as the second member for a usage period of a predetermined number of changes without requiring a game fee. Then, the user can no longer use various privileges as the first member. For example, when the second membership registration button 514 is selected by the user, the transmission unit 252 of the terminal device 2 transmits a cancellation request including the user ID and membership type information indicating the first member and a registration request including at least the user ID and membership type information indicating the second member to the server device 3. When the cancellation processing unit 334 of the server device 3 receives the cancellation request and the registration request by the server receiving unit 331, the cancellation processing unit 334 reads out the first member table T2 related to the first member included in the cancellation request. The cancellation processing unit 334 stores the date (or date and time) when the cancellation request is received as the first cancellation time in the first member table T2 in association with the user ID included in the cancellation request. Hereinafter, the registration processes (1) to (3) will be described. (1) When the registration processing unit 333 determines that the second registration time corresponding to the user ID included in the registration request is not stored in the second member table T3 (in the case of a new registration), the registration processing unit 333 stores the date (or date and time) when the registration request is received as the first registration time in the second member table T3 in association with the user ID included in the registration request. In this case, the registration processing unit 333 stores "1" as the second continuous period number in the second member table T3 in association with the user ID included in the registration request. Then, the registration processing unit 333 instructs the privilege granting unit 336 to grant a registration privilege to the user related to the user ID included in the registration request. (2) When the registration processing unit 333 determines that the time when the registration request is received is within the usage period including the second cancellation time associated with the user ID included in the registration request in the read second member table T3, the registration processing unit 333 deletes the information stored as the second cancellation time. Also, when the registration processing unit 333 determines that the time when the registration request is received is within the usage period immediately following the usage period including the second cancellation time associated with the user ID included in the registration request in the second member table T3, the registration processing unit 333 deletes the information stored as the second cancellation time associated with the user ID included in the registration request.After deleting the information stored as the second cancellation time, the registration processing unit 333 adds "1" to the number of second continuation periods associated with the user ID included in the registration request and stored in the second member table T3, and stores the added number of second continuation periods in the second member table T3 in association with the user's user ID. Then, the registration processing unit 333 instructs the privilege granting unit 336 to grant a period privilege and / or a continuation privilege to the user related to the user ID included in the registration request. (3) If the time when the registration request is received has passed the usage period immediately following the usage period including the second cancellation time associated with the user ID included in the registration request, the registration processing unit 333 deletes the information stored as the second cancellation time associated with the extracted user ID. Next, as the second registration time, the date (or date and time) when the registration request is received is stored in the second member table T3 in association with the extracted user ID. Next, the registration processing unit 333 stores "1" in the second member table T3 in association with the extracted user ID as the number of second continuation periods. Then, the registration processing unit 333 instructs the privilege granting unit 336 to grant a registration privilege to the user related to the user ID included in the registration request.

[0218] Even if the membership type change condition is not satisfied, the second member registration button 514 may be included in the cancellation screen 620. In this case, the cancellation screen 620 may include information indicating that, at the game fee of the first member, the user can receive the game service as the second member for a predetermined number of usage periods. When the second member registration button 514 included in this cancellation screen 620 is selected by the user, the registration of the user as the first member is cancelled, and by paying the game fee of the second member, the user is registered for the game service as the second member.

[0219] (Modification Example 6) Further, a part of each function of the server processing unit 33 described above may be realized by the terminal processing unit 25 of the terminal device 2. In this case, if various tables are stored in the terminal storage unit 22, it is not necessary to communicate with the server device 3 every time processing is performed, and it is also possible to realize the above functions only with the terminal device 2. Further, the game executed on the terminal device 2 may be a hybrid game in which each of the server device 3 and the terminal device 2 is responsible for a part of the processing. In that case, for example, each game screen related to the progress of the game is displayed on the terminal device 2 as a web display based on the display data generated by the server device 3, and other menu screens and the like are displayed as native displays by the native application installed on the terminal device 2. Thereby, the load of information processing of the server device 3 is reduced, and it is possible to prevent the communication between the server device 3 and the terminal device 2 from becoming unstable. And in the game system 1, the occurrence of problems in the multiplayer game is prevented, and it becomes possible to encourage the player to continue participating in the game.

[0220] (Modification Example 7) Further, the game system 1 may be configured to include only a plurality of terminal devices 2 operated by a plurality of players respectively. Each of the plurality of terminal devices 2 performs wireless communication with other terminal devices 2 by a wireless communication method conforming to the IEEE802.11 standard, and an ad hoc network is configured by the plurality of terminal devices 2. In this case, a specific terminal device 2 among the plurality of terminal devices 2 functions as a host and executes each function of the server device 3 described above. The game described above is executed by the terminal devices 2 other than the specific terminal device 2 among the plurality of terminal devices 2 communicating with the specific terminal device 2 that executes each function of the server device 3. Note that the specific terminal device 2 that functions as a host executes both the functions of the server device 3 and the functions of the terminal device 2.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0221] 1 Game system 2 Terminal device 21 Communication I / F 22 Storage device 23 Display device 24 Input device 25 Processor 251 Display Processing Unit 252 Transmission Unit 253 Reception Unit 254 Privilege Processing Unit 3 Server Device 31 Communication I / F 32 Storage Device 33 Processor 331 Server Reception Unit 332 Server Transmission Unit 333 Registration Processing Unit 334 Cancellation Processing Unit 335 Continuation Processing Unit 336 Privilege Granting Unit 4 Base Station 5 Mobile Communication Network 6 Gateway 7 Internet

Claims

1. A game device that provides games to a plurality of users registered for a game service, comprising: one or more computer processors; A storage device; Equipped with The one or more computer processors: registering the user with the game service as at least one type of membership among a plurality of types of membership in response to a registration request from the user; if the user continues to be registered for a predetermined period of time after the user is registered, a first benefit corresponding to a membership type registered to the user is stored in the storage device in association with the user; In associating the first benefit, the one or more computer processors: When the user is registered as two or more types of members among the plurality of types of members, a second benefit corresponding to a combination of the two or more types of members registered to the user is stored in the storage device in association with the user. A game device comprising:

2. In registering the user, one or more of the computer processors: registering the user as a first member among the plurality of types of members when a first fee is paid by the user; When a second fee is paid by the user, registering the user as a second member among the plurality of types of members; The gaming device according to claim 1 , wherein the first fee is higher than the second fee.

3. The predetermined period is divided into a predetermined number of consecutive first periods, 3. The game device of claim 2, wherein the first fee and the second fee are usage fees for using the game service during the first period, and when the first fee and the second fee are paid, the game service for the first period including the time when the user was registered is provided to the user.

4. A game device as described in claim 3, wherein, when the registration of a user registered as the first member is changed from the first membership to the second membership, the usage fee for the user to use the game service as the second membership during the first period for which the usage fee has already been paid is free of charge.

5. the storage device stores information relating to a plurality of successive first periods; The one or more computer processors: When the registration request from the user is received, a first period including a time point when the user is registered among the plurality of consecutive first periods is set as a start period, and a benefit different from the first benefit is associated with the user and stored in the storage device; 5. The game device according to claim 3, wherein a predetermined number of first periods consecutive from the start period among the plurality of consecutive first periods are set as the predetermined period.

6. The one or more computer processors set a last first period of the predetermined number of consecutive first periods as a privilege use period; The gaming device according to claim 5 , wherein, when the first benefit is used in the game by the user during the benefit use period, a game effect corresponding to the first benefit used occurs.

7. One or more of the computer processors: setting a predetermined number of first periods consecutive from the first period immediately following the privilege use period as a next predetermined period; setting the last first period of the next predetermined period as a next privilege use period; A gaming device as described in claim 6, wherein a next first benefit corresponding to the next specified period is associated with the user by continuing the user's registration during the next specified period, and when the next first benefit is used in the game by the user during the next benefit usage period, the game effect corresponding to the next first benefit used occurs.

8. A gaming device as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the one or more computer processors present to the user information regarding continuing the user's registration in order to be granted the first benefit if the user's registration is terminated during the specified period.

9. The last first period among the predetermined number of consecutive first periods constituting the predetermined period is a privilege use period, A game device described in any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein when the benefit usage period of the first benefit corresponding to the first member and the benefit usage period of the first benefit corresponding to the second member are the same period, benefits corresponding to the first benefit corresponding to the first member and the first benefit corresponding to the second member are stored in the memory device in association with the user.

10. A method for controlling a gaming device having one or more computer processors and storage devices, the gaming device providing games to a plurality of users registered with a gaming service, the method comprising: one or more of the computer processors; registering the user with the game service as at least one type of membership among a plurality of types of membership in response to a registration request from the user; storing in the storage device, in association with the user, a first benefit corresponding to a membership type registered to the user when the user remains registered for a predetermined period of time after the user is registered; Including, In associating the first benefit, the one or more computer processors: When the user is registered as two or more types of members among the plurality of types of members, a second benefit corresponding to a combination of the two or more types of members registered to the user is stored in the storage device in association with the user. A control method comprising:

11. A control program for a game device that includes one or more computer processors and a storage device and provides games to a plurality of users registered in a game service, the control program comprising: one or more of said computer processors, registering the user with the game service as at least one type of membership among a plurality of types of membership in response to a registration request from the user; storing in the storage device, in association with the user, a first benefit corresponding to a membership type registered to the user when the user remains registered for a predetermined period of time after the user is registered; Run the command, In associating the first benefit, the one or more computer processors are When the user is registered as two or more types of members among the plurality of types of members, a second benefit corresponding to a combination of the two or more types of members registered to the user is stored in the storage device in association with the user. A control program for causing the computer to execute the above steps.

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