Program and Information Processing System

Abstract

Improve the interestingness of the service. 【Solution means】The program causes the computer to play a game using position information indicating the position of the user who has received a request from another user in the real space, and to assign an in-game object obtained by the movement of the user who has received the request in the real space to another user.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, games that allow other users to play on behalf of a user have been known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in services such as games, it is required to improve the interestingness.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to improve the interestingness of a service.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] According to one embodiment shown in the present disclosure, a computer is caused to function as game control means for advancing a game using position information indicating the position of a second user in the real space who has received a request from a first user, and giving means for giving the first user a result obtained based on the movement of the second user in the real space. A program is provided.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, the interestingness of a service can be improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

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

[0010] <Hardware Configuration of the System> As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing system 1 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of terminal devices 10 and a server 20.

[0011] The terminal device 10 and the server 20 are connected via a network 2. The network 2 may be configured by, for example, the Internet, a mobile communication system (e.g., 3G, 4G, 5G, LTE (Long Term Evolution), etc.), Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity), Bluetooth (registered trademark), other communication lines, or a combination thereof. Also, the connection between the terminal device 10 and the server 20 may be either a wired connection or a wireless connection.

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

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

[0014] Memory 22 is the main memory device. Memory 22 is composed of a storage device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory), for example. Memory 22 provides a working area for the processor 21 by temporarily storing the program and various data read by the processor 21 from the storage 23. Memory 22 also temporarily stores various data generated while the processor 21 is operating according to the program.

[0015] Note that in this embodiment, the program may be a program for realizing a game by the terminal device 10. Further, the program may be a program for realizing the game by the cooperation of the terminal device 10 and the server 20. Note that, as an example, the game realized by the cooperation of the terminal device 10 and the server 20 may be a game executed on a browser started on the terminal device 10. Further, the program may be a program for realizing the game by the cooperation of a plurality of terminal devices 10. Further, the various data includes, for example, data related to the game such as user information and game information, and instructions and notifications transmitted and received between the terminal device 10 and the server 20.

[0016] Storage 23 is an auxiliary storage device. Storage 23 is composed of a storage device such as a flash memory or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), for example. Various data related to the game is stored in storage 23.

[0017] The communication IF 24 controls the transmission and reception of various data via the network between the server 20 and the terminal device 10 and the like.

[0018] The input / output IF 25 is an interface for the server 20 to receive data input and an interface for the server 20 to output data. The input / output IF 25 may include, for example, an input unit which is an information input device such as a mouse and a keyboard, and a display unit which is a device for displaying and outputting images.

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

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

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

[0022] The memory 12 is a main storage device. The memory 12 is composed of, for example, storage devices such as a ROM and a RAM. The memory 12 provides a working area for the processor 11 by temporarily storing the program and various data read by the processor 11 from the storage 13. The memory 12 also temporarily stores various data generated while the processor 11 is operating according to the program.

[0023] The storage 13 is an auxiliary storage device. The storage 13 is composed of, for example, storage devices such as a flash memory or an HDD. Various data related to the game are stored in the storage 13.

[0024] The communication IF 14 controls the transmission and reception of various data via a network between the terminal device 10 and the server 20, etc.

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

[0026] The input unit 17 receives input from the user. The input unit 17 may be, for example, a pointing device such as a touch pad. The display unit 18 displays an image. The display unit 18 may be, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display or the like. The terminal device 10 includes, for example, a touch screen 16 which is an electronic component combining the input unit 17 and the display unit 18.

[0027] The input unit 17 has a function of detecting the position input to the input surface by a user operation (for example, a touch operation, a tap operation, a slide operation, a swipe operation, and a flick operation, etc.) and transmitting information indicating the detected position as an input signal. The touch panel as the input unit 17 can adopt a capacitance method or a resistive film method or the like, but other methods may also be used.

[0028] Note that the input unit 17 may be, for example, a keyboard, various physical buttons, various sensors (for example, an acceleration sensor, an angular velocity sensor, a magnetic sensor, a GPS sensor, a motion sensor, a gaze sensor, a bioelectric potential sensor, a fingerprint sensor, an exhalation sensor, a pressure sensor, or an image sensor, etc.), an operation stick, a camera, or a microphone, etc. Also, the display unit 18 may be, for example, a projector or the like.

[0029] <Functional Configuration of the System> FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the server 20 and the terminal device 10. The server 20 in the present embodiment has, for example, a function of providing various data and programs necessary for realizing a game to each terminal device 10, a function of collecting and managing data related to the game from each terminal device 10, and a function of performing synchronization processing between a plurality of terminal devices 10.

[0030] In the present embodiment, the server 20 uses the accounts of pre-registered users to identify each user and the terminal device 10. The method of registering an account is not particularly limited. For example, another device such as the terminal device 10 or a personal computer may transmit information necessary for registering a user's account to the server 20 based on the user's operation, and the server 20 may create and save each user's account based on the received information.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 2, the server 20 functions as a control unit 210 and a storage unit 220 through the cooperation of a processor 21, a memory 22, a storage 23, a communication IF 24, an input / output IF 25, and the like. The storage unit 220 stores various data used by the control unit 210. Examples of the various data include a game program, game information, and user information.

[0032] The game program is a program for realizing a game. The game information and the user information are data referred to when the control unit 210 executes the game program.

[0033] In the present embodiment, the game program may include a game program executed on the terminal device 10 side in addition to the game program executed on the server 20 side. Further, the storage unit 220 may store the game program executed on the server 20 side and the game program executed on the terminal device 10 side.

[0034] Game information is information common among accounts. Game information includes, for example, information for defining various virtual spaces. A virtual space is, for example, a space in which various objects such as objects of characters (hereinafter referred to as "player characters") used (in other words, operable) by a user are arranged. Game information includes, for example, various setting information regarding objects common among accounts, such as the arrangement position, size, color, shape, etc. of background objects such as buildings, trees, and stones and objects of non-player characters (NPCs) arranged in the virtual space. Also, game information includes, for example, set values of various parameters of NPCs. In the following, the object of a character arranged in the virtual space may sometimes be simply referred to as a "character".

[0035] User information is information managed for each game account. User information includes, for example, information regarding player characters, information regarding possessed assets, and information indicating the progress of the game. Possessed assets can be said to be the value owned by the user within the virtual space. Examples of such value (in other words, in-game value, possessed assets) include electronic currency, items, and characters. Also, examples of electronic currency include in-game currency usable within the game and cryptocurrency. That is, in the storage unit 220, for example, information such as electronic currency, items, or characters possessed by each user may be stored in association with identification information that can identify each user. In the present embodiment, "grant to (in other words, acquire) a user" for a predetermined value (in other words, an object) such as an item can also be said to store it in a predetermined storage unit associated with the user's account as the value owned by the user.

[0036] The control unit 210 controls various processes related to the game by executing the game program stored in the storage unit 220. The control unit 210 has, for example, a transmission / reception unit 211 and a game control unit 212. Also, the game control unit 212 has a granting unit 215.

[0037] The transmission / reception unit 211 transmits or receives various types of data. For example, the transmission / reception unit 211 receives from each terminal device 10 requests for transmitting various types of data and programs, requests for synchronization processing to support the multiplayer function, data to be synchronized, etc., and passes them to the game control unit 212. Also, the transmission / reception unit 211 transmits various types of data and programs including instructions for synchronization, etc., to each terminal device 10 in accordance with the control by the game control unit 212.

[0038] In this embodiment, the multiplayer function is a function for advancing game processing with multiple accounts in a synchronized state. When multiple accounts logged in to the information processing system 1 participate in the same game, the server 20 and the terminal devices 10 of the information processing system 1 execute various processes for supporting the multiplayer function.

[0039] The game control unit 212 provides a game to the terminal device 10 by executing arithmetic processing described in the game program in response to requests from the terminal device 10 and the like.

[0040] The game control unit 212 defines a virtual space based on information for defining the virtual space included in the game information. The game control unit 212 arranges objects in the virtual space based on the setting information of the objects included in the game information. Also, the game control unit 212 controls the objects in the virtual space. Specifically, the game control unit 212 changes the position, orientation, shape, color, etc. of the objects in the virtual space, or causes the objects to perform a predetermined operation.

[0041] Also, the game control unit 212 arranges the player character in the virtual space based on the information transmitted from the terminal device 10. Also, the game control unit 212 performs various determination processes related to the progress of the game based on the information transmitted from the terminal device 10. In other words, the game control unit 212 controls the objects and performs various determination processes based on the information from the user input to the terminal device 10.

[0042] In addition, when the game control unit 212 receives, via the transmission / reception unit 211, a request for synchronization processing for supporting the multiplayer function or data to be the target of the synchronization processing from the terminal device 10, the game control unit 212 executes the synchronization processing for supporting the multiplayer function. Further, the game control unit 212 commands the transmission / reception unit 211 to transmit game information or user information. For example, when the server 20 transmits information to a plurality of terminal devices 10, the game control unit 212 takes synchronization of the games in progress among the terminal devices 10 by transmitting information to each terminal device 10 simultaneously. By executing the synchronization processing, it becomes possible to simultaneously reflect an in-game event caused by an operation input on one terminal device 10 on other terminal devices 10.

[0043] The terminal device 10 in the present embodiment has, for example, a function as an input device that receives a user's input operation, and a function as an output device that outputs game images and sounds.

[0044] The terminal device 10 functions as a control unit 110 and a storage unit 120 by the cooperation of a processor 11, a memory 12, a storage 13, a communication IF 14, an input / output IF 15, etc. The storage unit 120 stores various data used by the control unit 110. Examples of the various data include a game program, game information, and user information. The game program is a program for realizing a game on the terminal device 10 side. The game information and user information are data referred to when the control unit 110 executes the game program. The game information and user information stored in the storage unit 120 may include the same information as the game information and user information stored in the storage unit 220.

[0045] The control unit 110 controls various processes related to the game executed on the terminal device 10 by executing the game program stored in the storage unit 120. The control unit 110 has, for example, an operation reception unit 111, a transmission / reception unit 112, a game control unit 113, a display control unit 114, and a position information acquisition unit 116.

[0046] The operation reception unit 111 receives an operation input by the user via the input unit 17 (hereinafter also referred to as an "input operation"). Specifically, when an input operation is performed on the input unit 17, the operation reception unit 111 detects the coordinates of the input position and the type of the input operation. Examples of the type of the input operation include various operations by fingers such as a touch operation, a tap operation, a slide operation, a swipe operation, a flick operation, a pinch-in operation, and a pinch-out operation. The input operation is not limited to an operation that physically contacts the input unit 17 (e.g., the touch screen 16), and may include a non-contact operation. Note that an operation for ending an input operation that has been performed until then, such as a touch-off operation for ending contact with the touch screen 16, can also be regarded as an aspect of the input operation.

[0047] Here, the operation reception unit 111 can also receive an input operation performed using an operating device connected via the input / output IF 15 in the same manner as an input operation on the input unit 17.

[0048] In this embodiment, the movement of the user in the real space to change the position information described later can also be regarded as an aspect of the input operation.

[0049] The transmission / reception unit 112 transmits or receives various data. For example, the transmission / reception unit 112 transmits game information, user information, or a synchronization request for supporting the multiplayer function to the server 20. The transmission / reception unit 112 receives various data, programs, and data for synchronization for supporting the multiplayer function from the server 20. The data for synchronization includes, for example, synchronization instruction data for instructing to perform synchronization among the terminal devices 10 participating in the multiplayer. The synchronization instruction data includes, for example, data to be synchronized, the type of the data, and data for specifying the timing of synchronization.

[0050] In addition, the transmission / reception unit 112 transmits operation information regarding the input operation received by the operation reception unit 111 and information from the user such as the position information described later to the server 20.

[0051] The game control unit 113 executes various processes related to the progress of the game. The game control unit 113 identifies the content of the user's instruction based on the input operation of the user detected by the operation reception unit 111. Further, the game control unit 113 executes various determination processes related to the progress of the game based on the identified instruction content and the like. Further, the game control unit 113 progresses the game while communicating with the server 20 based on the result of the determination process and the like.

[0052] The game control unit 113 defines a virtual camera for designating the area to be presented to the user in the virtual space. The game control unit 113 arranges the virtual camera in the virtual space by defining the position and orientation of the virtual camera in the virtual space. The game control unit 113 instructs the display control unit 114 to generate an image obtained by drawing the visual field area defined by the virtual camera and the objects arranged in this visual field area. In other words, the game control unit 113 instructs the display control unit 114 to display an image corresponding to the progress of the game on the display unit 18.

[0053] The position and orientation of the virtual camera can be appropriately determined for each virtual space. For example, the game control unit 113 arranges the virtual camera so that a specific object is located at the center of the visual field area in a specific orientation, based on the position and orientation of the specific object. At this time, the game control unit 113 adjusts the position and orientation of the virtual camera using the direction, distance, and angle with respect to the specific object. The specific object may be, for example, a dynamic object or a static object such as a building, a tree, or a rock. Examples of dynamic objects include a player character and an NPC that operates based on a game program. The NPC includes so-called enemy characters and the like.

[0054] The display control unit 114 causes the display unit 18 to display an image related to the game. A specific example will be described below.

[0055] The display control unit 114 generates an image by rendering the area of the virtual camera's field of view defined by the game control unit 113 and the objects existing in that area within the virtual space, and causes the display unit 18 to display it. The display control unit 114 can superimpose and render objects related to various UI (User Interface) required for game operations, such as icons, buttons, and menus indicating various parameters, on the image to be displayed on the display unit 18.

[0056] Note that the control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 may arrange objects in the virtual space and cause a predetermined area of the virtual space to be displayed on the display unit 18 based on the object data sent from the server 20, information indicating the positions of various objects on the virtual space, etc. Also, the control unit 210 of the server 20 may perform the arrangement of objects in the virtual space and the control of the virtual camera, generate an image to be displayed on the display unit 18, and transmit it to the terminal device 10, and the control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 may cause the display unit 18 to display the image. That is, various processes related to the control of objects based on information from the user, the control of the virtual camera, and the generation of the image to be displayed on the display unit 18 may be performed by the server 20 or the terminal device 10.

[0057] The position information acquisition unit 116 acquires position information indicating the position of the user in the real space (in other words, the current position of the user). The position information may be any information indicating the position of the user in the real space specified by an account or the like. As methods for acquiring position information, various methods have been known conventionally, and known methods can be used. For example, the position information acquisition unit 116 may acquire position information using the GPS sensor provided in the terminal device 10 on which the user has logged in to the account. Further, the position information acquisition unit 116 may acquire, as position information indicating the position of the user logged in to the account from the terminal device 10, the position information acquired in the device used by the user, such as various devices (for example, smart devices) that cooperate with the terminal device 10 (for example, cooperation via the user's account or cooperation by wireless communication). Further, the position information acquisition unit 116 may acquire position information using, for example, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth (for example, based on communication between the terminal device 10 and a Wi-Fi access point). Further, the position information acquisition unit 116 may be provided, for example, in the control unit 210 of the server 20.

[0058] Note that the functions of the terminal device 10 and the server 20 shown in FIG. 2 are merely examples. Each device such as the terminal device 10 and the server 20 may include at least a part of the functions provided in other devices. Further, each device such as the terminal device 10 and the server 20 does not have to be realized by an integrated device, and may be realized by a plurality of devices connected via a network or the like, for example. Further, the information processing system 1 may be configured by only the terminal device 10 or the server 20, for example. In other words, the information processing system 1 does not have to be realized by a plurality of devices connected via a network.

[0059] <Processing According to the Present Embodiment> Next, the processing according to this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the processor 11 of the terminal device 10 or the processor 21 of the server 20 executes the game program stored in the information processing system 1 to perform each processing according to this embodiment. However, at least a part of the processing according to this embodiment that is performed by the processor 11 may be executed by a processor other than the processor 11. Also, at least a part of the processing according to this embodiment that is performed by the processor 21 may be executed by a processor other than the processor 21. For example, a part or all of the processing performed by one of the control unit 110 and the control unit 210 may be performed by the other. In other words, the computer that executes the game program in this embodiment may be either the terminal device 10 or the server 20, or may be realized by a combination of multiple devices.

[0060] The configuration according to the present embodiment can be applied to, for example, a location-based game in which a user's location in real space is linked to a location in a virtual space. In the following, an example in which the configuration according to the present embodiment is applied to such a location-based game will be described.

[0061] As shown in Fig. 3, the game control unit 212 places a player character 30 corresponding to the user operating the terminal device 10 (in other words, a player character 30 linked to the account of the user) at a position in the virtual space corresponding to the user's position in the real space (in other words, a position indicated by the position information). Then, the game control unit 212 moves the player character 30 in the virtual space in conjunction with the movement of the user in the real space. Note that Fig. 3 is an example of a play screen 280 displayed on the display unit 18 when the user plays a game (specifically, when playing normally, not a proxy play, which will be described later).

[0062] That is, in the present embodiment, the game control unit 212 moves the player character 30 of the user on the virtual space based on the position information of the user as information from the user. Note that the game control unit 212 may move the player character 30 of the user on the virtual space based on operation information regarding an input operation on the input unit 17 (for example, an operation of moving a finger in an arbitrary direction while touching the touch screen 16 (that is, a swipe operation), etc.) as information from the user.

[0063] Note that the virtual space of the present embodiment is a virtual space in which at least a part of the real space is reflected. In other words, the virtual space of the present embodiment is a virtual space generated using map information of the real space. For example, in the virtual space of the present embodiment, objects (for example, road objects 31) corresponding to each of a plurality of roads existing in the real space are arranged at positions corresponding to the positions of the plurality of roads in the real space.

[0064] In games such as location-based games, a plurality of objects (hereinafter referred to as "event objects 33") associated with a predetermined event (in other words, an effect or an event) are arranged on a virtual space. By approaching the event object 33 (for example, by performing an operation (such as a touch operation) on the event object 33 displayed on the display unit 18 after approaching), it is known that an event corresponding to the specific event object 33 occurs. Here, in a location-based game, approaching a specific event object 33 arranged on a virtual space can also be said to approach the specific event object 33 in the virtual space, and it can also be said to visit a position in the real space corresponding to the position on the virtual space where the specific event object 33 is arranged (in other words, approach the specific event object 33 in the real space). When the event object 33 where a specific event occurs is arranged on a virtual space, the game control unit 212 generates a specific event corresponding to the event object 33 based on the fact that the user has visited a position in the real space corresponding to the position on the virtual space where the event object 33 is arranged. Note that the place where the event object 33 is arranged on the virtual space can also be said to be a place where a predetermined event is set.

[0065] The event object 33 includes, for example, an item spot 33a corresponding to an event such as item acquisition, and a recovery spot 33b corresponding to an event such as the recovery of a predetermined parameter related to the user (for example, the physical strength of the player character 30). The event object 33 also includes an enemy object 33c corresponding to an event such as a battle with an enemy character, and spots corresponding to events that constitute part of the game story. Based on the user visiting a position in the real space corresponding to the position in the virtual space where a specific item spot 33a is arranged, the game control unit 212 gives the user the item corresponding to the specific item spot 33a. Also, based on the user visiting a position in the real space corresponding to the position in the virtual space where a specific recovery spot 33b is set, the game control unit 212 recovers a predetermined parameter related to the user (in other words, brings the predetermined parameter closer to a specified value). Further, based on the user visiting a position in the real space corresponding to the position in the virtual space where an enemy object 33c related to a specific enemy character is arranged, the game control unit 212 starts a battle with the specific enemy character. Note that the event associated with the event object 33 may be an event that can be advanced by multiplayer (in other words, played by at least two or more people). In other words, by approaching the event object 33 corresponding to an event that can be advanced by multiplayer, an event advanced by multiplayer (for example, an event of fighting an enemy character in cooperation with other users (so-called raid battle), etc.) may be started. Note that the appearance of the event object 33 is not particularly limited, and may be in the form of an item, a building, a character, etc., or may be a predetermined symbol, etc. Note that the event associated with the event object 33 may be automatically advanced and ended without the intervention of the user's operation, or may be advanced through the user's operation (for example, advanced by operating the player character 30, etc.).

[0066] In this embodiment, operations (for example, touch operations) by the user on event objects 33 located within a predetermined range (in other words, the operable range; hereinafter referred to as "usable range X") from the player character 30 in the virtual space are valid. The game control unit 212 moves the player character 30 by the user so that the event object 33 for which a corresponding event is to be generated (in other words, to be used) is located within the usable range X. When an operation is performed on the event object 33, an event corresponding to the operated event object 33 is generated. That is, in this embodiment, when the user visits a position in the real space corresponding to the position where a specific event object 33 is arranged on the virtual space (specifically, visits and performs a predetermined operation (for example, a touch operation on the specific event object 33)), an event corresponding to the specific event object 33 can be generated. In other words, the user can use the event objects 33 existing within the usable range X. In other words, the game control unit 212 determines whether the event object 33 is located within the usable range X and controls to make the event object 33 located within the usable range X available. Here, "available" means that it is possible to generate an event set for the event object and the like.

[0067] The usable range X may be, for example, a circular range with a predetermined size centered on the player character 30 (in other words, the position of the user). Note that the shape of the usable range X is not limited to a circle, and it is not limited to a range centered on the player character 30. The usable range X can also be said to be the range that can be used by the user in the virtual space (in other words, in the entire virtual space). The usable range X is determined according to the position of the user in the real space (in other words, based on the position information of the user) and varies according to the position of the user in the real space. The display control unit 114 causes the display unit 18 to display a display indicating the usable range X (a circle display in FIG. 3) to make the usable range X recognizable to the user.

[0068] In the present embodiment, the player character 30 is arranged and displayed on the display unit 18 at a position in the virtual space corresponding to the position of the user in the real space. However, a configuration may be adopted in which the player character 30 is not arranged at the position in the virtual space (in other words, a configuration in which the player character 30 is not displayed on the screen or the like illustrated in FIG. 3). Even in such a configuration, a configuration may be adopted in which an event corresponding to the event object 33 is generated based on an operation or the like of the user on the event object 33 located within the available range X determined according to the position of the user in the real space. Similarly, in a game that can be advanced in a first-person display such as a game in which the display can be switched from a third-person display in which the player character 30 is displayed to a first-person display in which the player character 30 is hardly displayed, an available range X in which the operations set for each person can be performed may be set for each person.

[0069] Note that the game control unit 212 can switch between a manual mode, which is a mode related to the progress of the game and generates corresponding events based on approaching the event object 33 and an operation (e.g., touch operation) being performed on the event object 33, and an automatic mode, which automatically generates (in other words, without requiring a touch operation or the like) an event corresponding to the event object 33 that has been approached by approaching the event object 33, based on a user's operation. That is, in the automatic mode, when a specific event object 33 is in a state of being located within the available range X, the game control unit 212 may automatically generate an event corresponding to the specific event object 33. Note that among the event objects 33, there may be an event object 33 for which an event corresponding to the event object 33 is automatically generated by approaching it (in other words, by being located within the available range X), regardless of whether it is set to the manual mode or the automatic mode. Also, even when set to the automatic mode, it may be possible to generate an event based on an operation (e.g., touch operation) on the event object 33. Note that the switching between the manual mode and the automatic mode may be automatically performed based on the fulfillment of a predetermined condition (e.g., triggered by the start of a predetermined event, etc.).

[0070] In a game in which the real space and the virtual space are associated with each other, such as a location information game, each location in the real space corresponds to each location in the virtual space. In other words, the correspondence relationship between each location in the real space and each location in the virtual space is stored in the storage unit 220. Therefore, performing a predetermined setting for a specific location in the virtual space can be said to be performing a predetermined setting for a specific location in the real space. Also, performing a predetermined setting for a specific location in the real space can be said to be performing a predetermined setting for a specific location in the virtual space. That is, for example, arranging a specific event object 33 at a specific location in the virtual space can be said to be arranging the event object 33 at the corresponding specific location in the real space. Also, for example, setting a specific range in the virtual space as a range related to predetermined control can be said to be setting the corresponding specific range in the real space as a range related to predetermined control. Note that the setting may be performed by the game operator or by the user.

[0071] (Request for proxy play) In the game of this embodiment, a user can request another user to substitute for play and have the other user who has received the request substitute for play. Although details will be described later, the user who has received the request moves in the real space on behalf of the user who has made the request. Then, the game control unit 212 advances the game using the position information indicating the position of the user who has received the request in the real space. Also, the granting unit 215 grants the user who has made the request the results obtained based on the movement in the real space of the user who has received the request, such as benefits generated by the movement in the real space of the user who has received the request.

[0072] An example of a screen related to a proxy play request is shown in FIG. 4. The control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 of the user who is the request source causes the display unit 18 to display the code information display screen 300 illustrated in FIG. 4(a) based on a predetermined operation by the user who is the request source.

[0073] The code information display screen 300 is a screen that displays the code information 301 related to the agency request. The code information 301 may be, for example, a character string composed of alphanumeric characters, or may be image information such as a two-dimensional code (e.g., QR code (registered trademark)). Note that the code information 301 is issued by the control unit 210. Note that the code information 301 may be automatically determined (in other words, issued) by the control unit 210, or may be arbitrarily determined by the user. That is, for example, the control unit 210 may issue the code information 301 of the character string input by the user himself as the available code information 301.

[0074] The user of the requester can cause the user of the request destination to substitute the play by transmitting the code information 301 displayed on the code information display screen 300 to the user of the request destination. The method of transmitting the code information 301 is not particularly limited, and as a function of the application related to the game of the present embodiment, a function of transmitting the code information 301 to the user of the request destination may be prepared. In other words, the control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 of the user of the requester may be able to transmit the code information 301 related to the agency request requested by the user of the requester to the terminal device 10 of the user of the request destination. Then, the control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 of the user of the request destination may display the transmitted code information 301 on the display unit 18, or may receive an agency request using the transmitted code information 301. Alternatively, the control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 of the user of the request destination may be able to read a two-dimensional code or the like displayed on the code information display screen 300 in the terminal device 10 of the user of the requester via a camera or the like provided in the terminal device 10. Further, the code information 301 may be transmitted to other users via an SNS (Social Networking Service) application different from the application related to the game of the present embodiment (e.g., an application capable of cooperating with the application). Further, the code information 301 may be transmitted to other users via oral communication, printing on paper, or the like.

[0075] On the terminal device 10 of the user who is the recipient, based on a predetermined operation by the user who is the recipient, the acceptance screen 310 shown in FIG. 4(b) is displayed on the display unit 18. Note that the code information display screen 300 may also serve as the acceptance screen 310.

[0076] On the acceptance screen 310, a code information input UI 311 as a UI related to the input of the code information 301 is displayed. The code information input UI 311 accepts an operation for the user to input the code information 301. The code information input UI 311 may include an input field 312 for inputting a character string as the code information 301. Further, the code information input UI 311 may include a button 313 or the like that accepts an operation related to reading image information as the code information 301.

[0077] The user who is the recipient can accept the agency request by inputting the code information 301 through an operation on the code information input UI 311.

[0078] When the code information 301 is input, the control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 of the user who is the recipient causes the acceptance confirmation screen 320 illustrated in FIG. 4(c) to be displayed on the display unit 18. More specifically, in the present embodiment, an acceptance button 315 is displayed on the acceptance screen 310, and when the user who is the recipient inputs the code information 301 through an operation on the code information input UI 311 and then performs an operation on the acceptance button 315, the acceptance confirmation screen 320 is displayed. However, when the code information 301 is input to the code information input UI 311, the acceptance confirmation screen 320 may be automatically displayed. Further, the code information input UI 311 may be displayed based on an operation being performed on the acceptance button 315. That is, the input of the code information 301 may be performed either before or after the operation on the acceptance button 315.

[0079] On the entrusted confirmation screen 320, information 322 about the user of the requester (in other words, information capable of identifying the user of the requester), such as the user name of the user of the requester, is displayed, enabling confirmation of from whom the agency request being entrusted is. On the entrusted confirmation screen 320, an entrusted execution button 324 for receiving an operation to execute the entrustment and an entrusted cancellation button 325 for receiving an operation to cancel the entrustment are displayed, and the user of the recipient can accept the agency request by operating the entrusted execution button 324. Note that on the entrusted confirmation screen 320, a warning display 326 may be displayed to warn that by accepting the entrustment, information about the user of the recipient (in other words, information capable of identifying the user of the recipient), such as the user name of the user of the recipient, will be notified to the user of the requester. In this embodiment, "notification" to the user means displaying information related to the notification on the terminal device 10 of the user who is the subject of the notification or outputting the information related to the notification by voice.

[0080] Based on an operation of inputting code information 301 and an operation on the entrusted execution button 324, which are operations related to the entrustment by the user of the recipient, the control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 of the recipient requests the game control unit 212 to start a game play (hereinafter referred to as "agency play") of acting on behalf of the user of the requester. The game control unit 212 starts the agency play by the user of the recipient based on the request. That is, the game control unit 212 starts the agency play by the user of the recipient based on the operation related to the entrustment by the user of the recipient.

[0081] In this embodiment, when the game control unit 212 starts the proxy play by the requested user based on the request (in other words, based on the operation related to the entrustment by the requested user), the game control unit 212 requests the requesting user to give consent for the proxy play by the requested user. Specifically, based on the operation related to the entrustment by the requested user, the game control unit 212 notifies the terminal device 10 of the requesting user from the requested user that there is a request to start the proxy play. Based on the notification, the control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 of the requesting user causes the display unit 18 to display a confirmation screen 330 illustrated in FIG. 4(d). The confirmation screen 330 is a screen for confirming whether to start the proxy play by the requested user.

[0082] On the confirmation screen 330, information 332 about the requested user (in other words, information that can identify the requested user), such as the user name of the requested user, is displayed, enabling the requested user who is about to accept the entrustment to be confirmed. On the confirmation screen 330, an approval button 334 for accepting an operation to approve the start of the proxy play and a rejection button 335 for accepting an operation to reject the start of the proxy play are displayed. Then, the requesting user can approve the start of the proxy play by operating the approval button 334. Also, the requesting user can reject the start of the proxy play by operating the rejection button 335. Note that the operation to approve the start of the proxy play can also be said to be an operation to request the proxy play.

[0083] When an operation is performed on the approval button 334, the control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 of the requesting user notifies the game control unit 212 that the requesting user has approved the start of the proxy play. Also, when an operation is performed on the rejection button 335, the control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 of the requesting user notifies the game control unit 212 that the requesting user has rejected the start of the proxy play. Then, when the requesting user has approved the start of the proxy play, the game control unit 212 starts the proxy play by the requested user. On the other hand, when the requesting user has rejected the start of the proxy play, the game control unit 212 does not start the proxy play by the requested user.

[0084] Note that even in conventional games, SNS applications, etc., a user (corresponding to the requester in the present embodiment) passes code information to another user (corresponding to the requested party in the present embodiment) to connect users to each other via the code information (for example, constructing a friend relationship or constructing a party related to multiplayer to start multiplayer). However, the proxy request via the code information in the present embodiment can be realized by a similar method.

[0085] The proxy request may be made without passing through the code information 301. For example, the requesting user may request a proxy for game play by specifying a specific user from a list in which a plurality of users playing the game according to the present embodiment are displayed. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 5(a), the control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 of the requesting user causes the display unit 18 to display a list screen 360 as a screen for displaying a list of users based on a predetermined operation by the requesting user.

[0086] The list screen 360 may be, for example, a screen for displaying a list of users having a predetermined relationship with oneself (here, the requesting user).

[0087] Here, the predetermined relationship may be, for example, a friendship relationship or a following relationship within the game. A friend refers to a relationship in which a certain user and another user are associated with each other. In other words, a friend refers to a relationship in which one user is associated with another user and the other user is associated with the one user. That is, if the second user is a friend from the perspective of the first user, the first user is a friend from the perspective of the second user. A friend may be a relationship established based on the mutual consent of a certain user and another user. Also, following means that a certain user registers another user by associating the other user with himself / herself. That is, when the first user follows the second user, it is not necessarily the case that the second user follows the first user. Following may be a relationship that can be established based on one's own will. Note that the construction of a friendship relationship and the construction of a following relationship can be the same as those in conventional games, SNSs, etc.

[0088] Also, the predetermined relationship may be, for example, a relationship of belonging to the same group within the game. The group may be a group that cooperates for a predetermined purpose, such as a so-called guild or team.

[0089] Also, the predetermined relationship may be a relationship regarding the history of multiplayer play. Specifically, the predetermined relationship may be a relationship of having played multiplayer together, a relationship of having played multiplayer together a predetermined number of times or more, or a relationship that a predetermined period has elapsed since the first multiplayer play together, etc.

[0090] Also, the predetermined relationship may be a relationship regarding the history of agency requests. Specifically, the predetermined relationship may be a relationship with a party who has made a request or a relationship with a party who has received a request, etc.

[0091] Information indicating other users having a predetermined relationship with a certain user is stored in the storage unit 220 as the user information of the certain user. In other words, the storage unit 220 stores, for each user, which users have a predetermined relationship with the user. Specifically, the storage unit 220 stores friends of each user, users being followed, or the history of multiplayer play between users (in other words, users who have played multiplayer together), etc. Note that the construction of the predetermined relationship may be performed based on a predetermined operation in which the control unit 210 requests the user to construct the relationship, or may be automatically performed without the intervention of the user's operation.

[0092] Also, the list screen 360 may be a screen that displays a list of users who recruit requesters for proxy play (in other words, users who want to perform proxy play). For example, the control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 of a user who desires proxy play requests the game control unit 212 to register the user as a user who recruits requesters based on a predetermined operation by the user. The game control unit 212 registers the user as a user who recruits requesters (in other words, stores the user in the storage unit 220) based on the request. Then, a list of users registered as users who recruit requesters may be displayed on the list screen 360.

[0093] In the list screen 360, users with more experience in proxy play may be preferentially displayed (for example, the more experienced users may be displayed higher in the list). Here, the proxy play experience may include only the proxy play experience related to the user of the terminal device 10 on which the list screen 360 is displayed (in other words, oneself), or may include the proxy play experience not related to the user of the terminal device 10 on which the list screen 360 is displayed. Also, here, the proxy play experience may be the experience of requesting as the requester of proxy play (for example, the number of times of requests), may be the experience of receiving as the trustee of proxy play (for example, the number of times of receiving), or may include both. In other words, the proxy play experience may be, for example, the number of times that user (in other words, each user in the list) requests another user (for example, oneself), or the number of times that user receives requests from another user, etc.

[0094] The control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 of the user who is the requester receives an operation by the user who is the requester to specify the user who is the trustee from among the plurality of users displayed on the list screen 360. For example, on the list screen 360, a request button 361 corresponding to each of the plurality of users displayed on the list screen 360 is displayed. The request button 361 functions as a UI that receives an operation to specify a specific user from among the plurality of users displayed on the list screen 360 as the user who is the trustee.

[0095] The control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 of the requesting user requests the game control unit 212 to request a proxy play for the specific user based on an operation on the request button 361 corresponding to the specific user, which is an operation to specify a specific user as the destination user from among the plurality of users displayed on the list screen 360. The game control unit 212 notifies the terminal device 10 of the specific user that there is a request for proxy play from the requesting user based on the request. The control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 of the specific user causes the display unit 18 to display a confirmation screen 370 illustrated in FIG. 5(b) based on the notification. The confirmation screen 370 is a screen for confirming whether the destination user accepts the proxy play.

[0096] On the confirmation screen 370, information 372 about the requesting user (in other words, information capable of identifying the requesting user), such as the user name of the requesting user, is displayed, enabling the requesting user to be confirmed. On the confirmation screen 370, a reception button 374 for accepting an operation to accept the proxy play request and a rejection button 375 for accepting an operation to reject the proxy play request are displayed. Then, the user who has been requested for proxy play (that is, the destination user) can accept the proxy play by operating the reception button 374. Also, the user who has been requested for proxy play can reject the proxy play request by operating the rejection button 375.

[0097] Based on an operation on the entrustment button 374 as an operation related to entrustment by the user of the destination terminal device 10, the control unit 110 of the destination terminal device 10 requests the game control unit 212 to start the proxy play. Based on this request, the game control unit 212 causes the proxy play by the user of the destination to start. That is, the game control unit 212 causes the proxy play by the user of the destination to start based on an operation related to entrustment by the user of the destination. Also, based on an operation on the rejection button 375 as an operation to reject the request, the control unit 110 of the destination terminal device 10 notifies the game control unit 212 that it rejects the request for proxy play. Upon receiving this notification (in other words, when the user of the destination rejects the request for proxy play), the game control unit 212 does not cause the proxy play by the user of the destination to start.

[0098] Also, the request for proxy play may be made based on an offer from the user of the destination to the user of the source. The offer may be made while specifying the user of the source, or may be made without specifying the user of the source.

[0099] Examples of an offer that specifies the user of the source include the following. The control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 of the user who makes the offer (that is, the user of the destination) accepts an operation by the user to specify the user of the source from among a plurality of users displayed on the list screen 360. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 6(a), on the list screen 360, offer buttons 365 corresponding to each of the plurality of users displayed on the list screen 360 are displayed. The offer button 365 functions as a UI that accepts an operation to specify a specific user as the user of the source from among the plurality of users displayed on the list screen 360. In other words, the offer button 365 functions as a UI that accepts an operation to make an offer for proxy play (specifically, an offer to a specific user). Note that the code information input UI 311 or the like may function as a UI that accepts an operation to make an offer for proxy play (specifically, an offer to a specific user).

[0100] The control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 of the user to whom the offer is made requests the game control unit 212 to offer a proxy play for the specific user based on an operation on the offer button 365 corresponding to the specific user, which is an operation to specify the specific user as the requesting user from among the plurality of users displayed on the list screen 360. In other words, the control unit 110 requests the game control unit 212 to offer a proxy play based on the operation of offering a request for proxy play. The game control unit 212 notifies the terminal device 10 of the specific user that there is an offer for proxy play based on the request. The control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 of the specific user causes the display unit 18 to display a confirmation screen 380 illustrated in FIG. 6(b). The confirmation screen 380 is a screen for confirming whether the proxy play can be started by the user to whom the offer was made.

[0101] On the confirmation screen 380, information 382 about the user to whom the offer was made (in other words, information that can identify the user to whom the offer was made), such as the user name of the user to whom the offer was made, is displayed, enabling the user to whom the offer is being made to be confirmed. On the confirmation screen 380, an acceptance button 384 for accepting an operation to accept the start of the proxy play and a rejection button 385 for accepting an operation to reject the start of the proxy play are displayed. Then, the requesting user can accept the start of the proxy play by operating the acceptance button 384. Also, the requesting user can reject the start of the proxy play by operating the rejection button 385.

[0102] Based on the operation on the approval button 384 as an operation related to the approval of the start of the proxy play, the control unit 110 of the requesting terminal device 10 requests the game control unit 212 to start the proxy play by the user who made the offer. Based on this request, the game control unit 212 causes the proxy play by the user of the requested destination who made the offer to start. That is, the game control unit 212 causes the proxy play by the user of the requested destination who made the offer to start based on the operation related to the approval by the user of the requesting source. Also, based on the operation on the rejection button 385 as an operation to reject the start of the proxy play, the control unit 110 of the requesting terminal device 10 notifies the game control unit 212 to reject the start of the proxy play. Upon receiving this notification, the game control unit 212 does not cause the proxy play by the user of the requested destination to start.

[0103] Note that the list screen 360 capable of the operation related to the offer identifying the user of the requesting source may be a screen that displays a list of users having a predetermined relationship with oneself (here, the user of the requested destination). In other words, regarding the display on the list screen 360 displayed on the terminal device 10 of the user of the requested destination, the same display as the display on the list screen 360 displayed on the terminal device 10 of the user of the requesting source described above may be adopted. Also, the list screen 360 may be a screen that displays a list of users who recruit the proxy play trustee (in other words, users who want to request proxy play). For example, based on a predetermined operation by the user who wants to request proxy play, the control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 of the user who wants to request proxy play requests the game control unit 212 to register the user as a user who recruits the trustee. Based on this request, the game control unit 212 registers the user as a user who recruits the trustee (in other words, stores it in the storage unit 220). Then, a list of users registered as users who recruit the trustee may be displayed on the list screen 360. Also, on the list screen 360, users with more proxy play experience may be preferentially displayed.

[0104] The game control unit 212 may start the proxy play after the biometric information of the requested user is acquired. For example, when the requested user accepts the proxy request, the game control unit 212 may request the acquisition of the biometric information of the user. In other words, when starting the proxy play, the game control unit 212 establishes a proxy relationship between the requesting user and the requested user, but may establish the proxy relationship on the condition that the biometric information of the requested user is acquired. In other words, the game control unit 212 may permit the proxy play by the requested user on the condition that the biometric information of the requested user is registered in a predetermined storage unit, and may not permit the proxy play by the requested user when the biometric information is not registered in the predetermined storage unit.

[0105] Specifically, the control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 of the requested user acquires the biometric information of the requested user input via a predetermined sensor as an input unit. For example, the control unit 110 may acquire information that can identify the user individual, such as the information of the user's face, iris, fingerprint, or voice, as the biometric information. In other words, the biometric information may be information acquired via an image sensor that acquires an image, a fingerprint sensor, or a microphone.

[0106] The acquired biometric information is stored in the storage unit 220 as user information. The game control unit 212 may permit the proxy play by the requested user based on the fact that the biometric information is stored in the storage unit 220.

[0107] Incidentally, the requesting user may be able to view the biometric information of the requested user. In other words, the control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 of the requesting user may acquire the biometric information stored in the storage unit 220 and display it on the display unit 18. Also, the requesting user may not be able to view the biometric information of the requested user. By acquiring the biometric information of the requested user and storing it in a predetermined storage unit in this way, it is possible to identify the user who has committed an irregularity in the case where the requested user has committed an irregularity during the proxy play. Even if the requesting user cannot view the biometric information, the biometric information is available when identifying the user who has committed an irregularity by the game operator or the like, and acquiring the biometric information itself can serve as a deterrent against irregularities.

[0108] (Execution of proxy play) When the requesting user plays by themselves (in other words, normal play rather than proxy play), the game control unit 212 places the player character 30 of the requesting user (in other words, the player character 30 linked to the requesting user's account) at a position in the virtual space corresponding to the position of the requesting user in the real space. Then, the game control unit 212 moves the player character 30 of the requesting user in the virtual space in conjunction with the movement of the requesting user in the real space. That is, the game control unit 212 moves the player character 30 of the requesting user in the virtual space based on the position information of the requesting user as information from the requesting user. Based on this control by the game control unit 212, the control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 of the requesting user causes the display unit 18 to display the player character 30 of the requesting user moving in the virtual space in conjunction with the movement of the requesting user. Also, the control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 of the requesting user accepts operations by the requesting user on various objects in the virtual space. Specifically, the control unit 110 accepts touch operations by the requesting user on the event object 33 for generating an event corresponding to the event object 33, operations for moving the player character 30 in battles with enemy characters, etc. Then, the game control unit 212 advances the game based on the movement of the requesting user in the real space and operations by the requesting user on various objects. That is, in normal play, as described above, the user advances the game by moving their player character 30 in the virtual space by moving themselves in the real space. Also, in normal play, a display showing the player character 30 of the user moving in the virtual space in conjunction with the movement of the user in the real space is displayed on the user's terminal device 10. The same applies when the requested user plays a normal play rather than proxy play. That is, normal play can be made the same as a conventional position information game.

[0109] In contrast, in the proxy play, the game control unit 212 arranges the player character 30 of the requesting user at a position in the virtual space corresponding to the position of the requested user in the real space. Then, the game control unit 212 moves the player character 30 of the requesting user on the virtual space in conjunction with the movement of the requested user in the real space.

[0110] Specifically, the game control unit 212 moves the player character 30 of the requesting user (in other words, the player character 30 linked to the account of the requesting user) on the virtual space based on the position information of the requested user acquired by the position information acquisition unit 116 that acquires the position information of the requested user (for example, the position information acquisition unit 116 of the terminal device 10 of the requested user), thereby advancing the game (that is, the proxy play) that the requested user advances on behalf of the requesting user.

[0111] Based on the control by the game control unit 212, the control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 of the requested user causes the display unit 18 to display the movement of the player character 30 of the requesting user on the virtual space in conjunction with the movement of the requested user. An example of the play screen 400 displayed on the terminal device 10 of the requested user during the execution of the proxy play is shown in FIG. 7. The play screen 400 illustrated in FIG. 7 is a screen for the requested user to play the game, but the player character 30 displayed on the play screen 400 is the player character 30 of the requesting user (in other words, the appearance of the player character 30 of the requesting user).

[0112] In proxy play, the user of the destination requests plays the game in basically the same way as normal play. Specifically, the user of the destination requests approaches each event object 33 in the virtual space displayed on the display unit 18 of his or her terminal device 10 by moving himself or herself (for example, by performing an operation (for example, a touch operation) on the event object 33 displayed on the display unit 18 after approaching it), generates an event corresponding to the event object 33, and advances the game. More specifically, the user of the destination requests moves the player character 30 of the user of the source request by moving himself or herself so that the event object 33 for which he or she wants to generate (in other words, use) a corresponding event is located within the available range X, and advances the game by performing an operation on the event object 33.

[0113] In proxy play, the game control unit 212 generates an event corresponding to the operated event object 33 based on the operation by the user of the destination requests on the event object 33 within the available range X. The available range X is the available range X determined according to the position of the user of the destination requests in the real space, and can also be said to be the available range X according to the position of the player character 30 of the user of the source request.

[0114] For example, based on an operation of the requested user on the item spot 33a by the requested user (in other words, based on the fact that the requested user has visited a position in the real space corresponding to the position on the virtual space where the item spot 33a is arranged), the game control unit 212 may generate an event of obtaining an item. Here, the game control unit 212 (in other words, the granting unit 215) may grant an item (in other words, a reward) corresponding to the operated item spot 33a to the requesting user, to the requested user, or to both the requesting user and the requested user, based on an operation of the item spot 33a by the requesting user. Also, when granting to both the requesting user and the requested user, the item granted to the requesting user and the item granted to the requested user may be different or the same. Note that in this embodiment, regarding a predetermined value such as an item obtained in the proxy play, "granting to the requesting user" means that the granted value is finally (in other words, until the proxy play ends) linked to the account of the requesting user as the value owned by the requesting user and stored in a predetermined storage unit. For example, it may be temporarily granted to the requested user during the progress of the proxy play, and the item temporarily granted to the requested user may be transferred to the requesting user when the proxy play ends.

[0115] Also, for example, based on an operation of the requested user on the recovery spot 33b (in other words, based on the fact that the requested user has visited a position in the real space corresponding to the position on the virtual space where the recovery spot 33b is arranged), the game control unit 212 recovers a predetermined parameter (for example, physical strength value) of the player character 30 of the requesting user.

[0116] Also, for example, the game control unit 212 starts a battle with an enemy character based on the operation of the user who is the destination of the request for the enemy object 33c (in other words, based on the fact that the user who is the destination of the request has visited a position in the real space corresponding to the position on the virtual space where the enemy object 33c is placed). This battle is advanced by the user who is the destination of the request operating the player character 30 of the user who is the source of the request. That is, the control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 of the user who is the destination of the request receives an operation (for example, an operation to cause an attack on the enemy character, etc.) by the user who is the destination of the request to move the player character 30 of the user who is the source of the request. Then, the game control unit 212 advances the battle with the enemy character based on an operation or the like by the user who is the destination of the request to move the player character 30 of the user who is the source of the request. Also, the game control unit 212 grants a reward to a predetermined user based on the fact that the user who is the destination of the request has won the battle with the enemy character by operating the player character 30. Here, the game control unit 212 may grant the reward to the user who is the source of the request, may grant the reward to the user who is the destination of the request, or may grant the reward to both the user who is the source of the request and the user who is the destination of the request. Also, when granting the reward to both the user who is the source of the request and the user who is the destination of the request, the reward granted to the user who is the source of the request and the reward granted to the user who is the destination of the request may be different or may be the same. Note that the reward for the battle may be, for example, an item, may be a point related to an increase in a parameter of the player character 30 such as a so-called experience value, or may be electronic currency or the like.

[0117] During the proxy play, the game control unit 212 may allow the user of the requested party to use at least a part of the items owned by the user of the requesting party (in other words, the items that the user of the requesting party can use in normal play, in other words, the items linked to the account of the user of the requesting party). Also, during the proxy play, the game control unit 212 may restrict the use by the user of the requested party of at least a part of the items owned by the user of the requesting party. In other words, during the proxy play, the game control unit 212 may permit the use of the first item among the items owned by the user of the requesting party and prohibit the use of the second item. The first item may be, for example, equipment of the player character 30. Also, the first item may be an item that is not consumed by use (in other words, an item that does not disappear even if used), or an item that is consumed by use (in other words, an item that disappears by use). Also, the second item may be, for example, an item that is consumed by use or an item that is not consumed by use. Also, the user of the requesting party may be able to select the items whose use is permitted and the items whose use is prohibited by the user of the requested party.

[0118] (Consideration for the request) A consideration may be required for the request for proxy play. Specifically, when starting the proxy play, the game control unit 212 may reduce the value owned by the user of the requesting party by the amount of the consideration related to the request for proxy play.

[0119] (Achievement conditions) The proxy play may have achievement conditions set. Also, the awarding unit 215 may award a specific reward to the user at the request destination when the user at the request destination satisfies the achievement conditions in the proxy play. Further, the game control unit 212 may end the proxy play based on the achievement conditions being satisfied. In other words, the achievement conditions may be the end conditions of the proxy play, or may be set separately from the end conditions. Only one achievement condition may be set for one proxy play, or multiple achievement conditions may be set. Also, when multiple achievement conditions are set, the awarding unit 215 may award a specific reward to the user based on one achievement condition being satisfied, or may award a specific reward to the user based on multiple (for example, all) achievement conditions being satisfied.

[0120] As an example, the achievement conditions may include obtaining a predetermined number of specific items, defeating a predetermined number of specific enemy characters, reaching a specific location (specifically, moving the player character 30 to a specific location in the virtual space, in other words, the user at the request destination moving to a specific location in the real space), or moving a predetermined amount, etc. Here, the "predetermined number" may be 1 or multiple. That is, "defeating a predetermined number of specific enemy characters" includes defeating specific enemy characters such as so-called boss characters in the proxy play, or defeating a specified number of so-called miscellaneous characters, etc. Also, "moving a predetermined amount" includes the user at the request destination moving a specific distance (for example, 3 km, etc.) in the real space, or moving a specific number of steps (for example, 1000 steps), etc. Also, for the movement of a predetermined amount, the direction of movement may be determined, such as "moving 3 km north".

[0121] The achievement conditions may be set based on the user's selection, may be automatically set by the game control unit 212, or may be predetermined.

[0122] Note that the proxy play may request the progress of a specific part of a story composed of multiple parts. For example, in normal play, it is assumed that the requesting user advances the story based on their own movement. In this case, the requesting user may request the destination user to advance (in other words, clear) a part of the story. In this case, the achievement condition may be the clearance of the part for which the clearance is requested.

[0123] The reward given to the destination user upon achievement of the achievement condition may be a predetermined value (e.g., electronic currency, items, etc.) owned by the requesting user. Also, the reward given to the destination user upon achievement of the achievement condition may be a part of the results obtained in the proxy play (e.g., the value obtained by operating on the item spot 33a during the proxy play, defeating enemy characters, etc.). In other words, a part of the results obtained in the proxy play may be distributed to the destination user. Also, the reward given to the destination user upon achievement of the achievement condition is not limited to that passed from the requesting user to the destination user (in other words, reducing the value or share owned by the requesting user), and may be given from the game operator to the destination user (in other words, given without reducing the value or share owned by the requesting user).

[0124] (End condition) An end condition is set for the proxy play. The game control unit 212 ends the proxy play based on the end condition being satisfied. Only one end condition may be set for one proxy play, or multiple end conditions may be set. Also, when multiple end conditions are set, the game control unit 212 may end the proxy play based on one end condition being satisfied, or may end the proxy play based on multiple (e.g., all) end conditions being satisfied.

[0125] As described above, the achievement condition may be the end condition. Further, the end condition may be that the user of the requester or the user of the requestee performs a predetermined operation to instruct the end of the proxy play. Further, the end condition may be that a predetermined time has elapsed since a predetermined reference time (for example, the start time of the proxy play). That is, a deadline for satisfying the achievement condition may be set for the proxy play. Then, the awarding unit 215 may award a specific reward to the user who satisfies the achievement condition within the set deadline, and may not award the specific reward to the user who fails to satisfy the achievement condition within the set deadline.

[0126] Note that regardless of whether the end condition is the same as the achievement condition, various conditions shown as examples of the achievement condition above may be set as the end condition.

[0127] The end condition may be determined based on the user's selection, may be automatically determined by the game control unit 212, or may be predetermined.

[0128] (Benefits obtained by the user of the requester) The granting unit 215 grants to the requesting user the results obtained by the proxy play of the requested user, such as the benefits generated by the proxy play of the requested user. In other words, the granting unit 215 grants to the requesting user the results obtained based on the movement of the requested user in the real space, such as the benefits generated based on the movement of the requested user in the real space. Here, the granted benefit may be a predetermined reward. Specifically, the granted benefit may be an item, digital currency, experience points obtained by the player character 30 of the requesting user (in other words, points related to the increase in the parameters of the player character 30) that can be obtained by executing the proxy play. Also, the granted benefit may be the progress of the game. Specifically, the granted benefit may be the progress of the story of the game that the requesting user advances in normal play (in other words, clearing a part of the story). That is, the granting unit 215 may consider that the predetermined event (for example, a part of the story) has been cleared for the account of the requesting user based on the fact that the requested user has cleared the predetermined event in the proxy play (in other words, it may be changed from the uncleared state to the cleared state). Note that even if the requested user has not reached the point of clearing the predetermined event in the proxy play and has only advanced partway, the granting unit 215 may pass on the situation up to the advanced part to the requesting user (in other words, for the account of the requesting user, the part advanced by the requested user may be changed to the state where the progress is completed).

[0129] Also, the granted benefit may be, for example, an item granted based on an operation on the item spot 33a, a reward granted based on defeating an enemy character, or a reward granted based on clearing a predetermined event.

[0130] The granting by the granting unit 215 of the result obtained through proxy play (in other words, the generated profit) to the user who is the requester may be performed at the timing when the proxy play ends, or may be performed during the progress of the proxy play. For example, based on the fact that the user of the requested party has satisfied the achievement condition, the granting unit 215 may grant the result obtained through proxy play (in other words, the generated profit) to the user who is the requester. Also, the granting unit 215 may grant a profit to the user who is the requester at the timing when a predetermined event occurs in the proxy play. For example, each time an operation on the item spot 33a is performed in the proxy play, the granting unit 215 may grant the item corresponding to the operated item spot 33a to the user who is the requester. Also, for example, each time the user defeats an enemy character in the proxy play, the granting unit 215 may grant the reward based on the defeat of the enemy character to the user who is the requester.

[0131] Note that the benefits to be provided may enable events that could occur based on the movement of the requesting user in the real space without the requesting user moving in the real space when the requesting user plays normally. For example, the granting unit 215 grants a specific point (or a specific item) to the requesting user according to the amount of movement of the requested user (e.g., the distance traveled, the number of steps, the time, etc.) during the proxy play. The specific point (or specific item) may be, for example, a point (or item) that enables the occurrence (in other words, the play) of an event set at a position more than a predetermined distance away from the current position of the requesting user (in other words, outside the available range X) by being consumed. For example, the game control unit 212 may be able to cause an event set at a position a first distance (e.g., 1 km) away from the current position of the requesting user by consuming a specific point in a first amount (e.g., 1000 points) based on the operation of the requesting user. Also, the game control unit 212 may be able to cause an event set at a position a second distance (e.g., 2 km) away from the current position of the requesting user, which is farther than the first distance, by consuming a specific point in a second amount (e.g., 2000 points), which is more than the first amount, based on the operation of the requesting user. Alternatively, the game control unit 212 may be able to cause an event set at a position a first distance away from the current position of the requesting user by consuming a first specific item based on the operation of the requesting user. Also, the game control unit 212 may be able to cause an event set at a position a second distance away from the current position of the requesting user by consuming a second specific item (or by consuming a larger amount than when causing an event set at a position a first distance away by consuming the first specific item) based on the operation of the requesting user. In other words, the granting unit 215 may grant a specific point (or a specific item) that can reduce the burden of movement of the requesting user in normal play according to the amount of movement of the requested user during the proxy play to the requesting user.Specifically, the awarding unit 215 may award more specific points as the amount of movement (e.g., distance traveled, number of steps, etc.) of the requested user during the proxy play is greater.

[0132] Note that, as described above, the awarding unit 215 awards the results obtained from the proxy play of the requested user to the requesting user. However, the results awarded to the requesting user are not limited to positive results for the requesting user and may also include negative results. That is, for example, when the requested user fails to clear an event during the proxy play (e.g., loses to an enemy character), the awarding unit 215 may link and register (in other words, store in the storage unit 220) the result of failure to the account of the requesting user. Also, when the requested user uses an item during the proxy play, the awarding unit 215 may reduce the items owned by the requesting user by the amount used by the requested user during the proxy play. Further, when the parameters of the player character 30 decrease during the proxy play, the awarding unit 215 causes the requesting user of the player character 30 to start using the player character 30 while maintaining the state in which the parameters of the player character 30 have decreased after the end of the proxy play.

[0133] (Reward obtained by the requested user) The requested user obtains a reward by performing a proxy play. This reward can also be said to be a reward given to the requested user for performing a proxy play and bringing benefits to the requesting user. In other words, the awarding unit 215 awards a reward to the second user based on the fact that a benefit is awarded to the first user based on the movement of the second user in the real space. In other words, the awarding unit 215 awards a reward to the second user based on the fact that the result obtained based on the movement of the second user in the real space is awarded to the first user.

[0134] Specifically, the awarding unit 215 may award a reward to the requested user based on the fact that the requested user has satisfied the achievement condition during the proxy play.

[0135] In addition, the awarding unit 215 may award a reward to the requested user based on the operation performed by the requested user on the item spot 33a during the proxy play.

[0136] In addition, the awarding unit 215 may award a reward to the requested user based on the defeat of an enemy character by the requested user during the proxy play.

[0137] The awarding of the reward to the requested user by the awarding unit 215 may be performed at the timing when the proxy play ends, or may be performed during the progress of the proxy play. For example, the awarding unit 215 may award a reward to the requested user at the timing when the requested user satisfies the achievement condition. In addition, the awarding unit 215 may award a reward to the requested user at the timing when a predetermined event occurs during the proxy play. For example, each time an operation on the item spot 33a is performed during the proxy play, the awarding unit 215 may award an item corresponding to the operated item spot 33a to the requested user. Also, for example, each time the user defeats an enemy character during the proxy play, the awarding unit 215 may award a reward based on the defeat of the enemy character to the requested user.

[0138] Note that the awarding unit 215 may award different rewards to each of the requesting user and the requested user on a specific occasion. In other words, based on a specific condition being satisfied during the proxy play (for example, the achievement condition being satisfied), the awarding unit 215 may award a first reward to the requesting user and a second reward different from the first reward to the requested user. Here, the first reward may not be awarded to the requested user. Also, the second reward may not be awarded to the requesting user.

[0139] (Display during proxy play) As illustrated in FIG. 7, during the progress of the proxy play, the control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 of the requested user may cause the display unit 18 to display a display indicating that the proxy play is in progress. Also, during the progress of the proxy play, the control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 of the requested user may cause the display unit 18 to display the achievement conditions. Also, during the progress of the proxy play, the control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 of the requested user may cause the display unit 18 to display the end conditions.

[0140] For example, the control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 of the requested user may cause the play screen 400 on which the requested user conducts the proxy play to display a display indicating that the proxy play is in progress, the achievement conditions, and the end conditions. Specifically, the control unit 110 may cause the play screen 400 to display the progress status of the achievement conditions (for example, the remaining number and remaining types of items to be acquired, the remaining number and remaining types of enemy characters to be defeated). Also, the control unit 110 may cause the play screen 400 to display the remaining time until the proxy play ends.

[0141] Also, the control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 of the requested user may cause the display unit 18 to display the precautions 405 related to the proxy play. The precautions 405 may be, for example, to notify the requested user of points different from normal play. Also, the precautions 405 may be, for example, to notify the user of the demerits of the proxy play. In the present embodiment, the points different from normal play and disadvantageous compared to normal play in the proxy play, specifically, the fact that no predetermined benefits can be obtained in the proxy play are displayed as precautions. More specifically, in the proxy play, the fact that no experience points (in other words, points related to the increase in the parameters of the user's own player character 30) can be obtained (for example, not even by defeating enemy characters) is displayed as a precaution. The predetermined benefits are not limited to experience points and may be items, virtual currency, etc.

[0142] (Communication during proxy play) During the progress of the proxy play, the game control unit 212 may notify the requesting user of the progress of the achievement conditions (in other words, the achievement status of the request). For example, the game control unit 212 notifies the terminal device 10 of the requesting user of the progress of the achievement conditions. Based on the notification, the terminal device 10 of the requesting user causes the display unit 18 to display a notification display 410 notifying the requesting user of the progress of the achievement conditions, as exemplified in FIG. 8(a). Note that the game control unit 212 may perform the notification, for example, periodically (in other words, at a predetermined time), or may perform the notification when the requested user achieves a predetermined item in the proxy play (for example, achieves a part of a plurality of achievement conditions). The notification display 410 may, for example, notify the requesting user of the achievement conditions that have been achieved, the requesting user of the achievement conditions that have not been achieved, etc. Furthermore, the notification display 410 may notify the requesting user of the acquisition status of an item (in other words, a profit) that the requesting user acquires as a result of the proxy play.

[0143] Furthermore, the control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 of the requesting user may accept an operation (specifically, an operation by the requesting user) of sending a reaction to the notification of the progress of the achievement condition to the requested user. Specifically, a stamp (in other words, a pictogram) or a message (for example, a fixed phrase or a sentence freely input by the requesting user) may be sent to the requested user as a reaction. The control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 of the requesting user transmits the reaction to the terminal device 10 of the requested user via the server 20 based on the operation. The control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 of the requested user causes the transmitted reaction (for example, the stamp 412) to be displayed on the display unit 18 (for example, the play screen 400). This allows the reaction of the requesting user to be conveyed to the requested user.

[0144] In addition, the control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 of the requesting user may receive an operation from the requesting user to send a predetermined value (in other words, a gift) to the requested user during the progress of the proxy play. The predetermined value may be electronic currency or the like, may be a substitute for money, or may be an item or the like that can be used within the game. Here, the electronic currency may be in-game currency or currency that can be used outside the game. In other words, "sending a specific value (in other words, sending a gift)" includes so-called tipping in a video distribution service or the like, sending an item, and the like. Regarding the method of sending a predetermined value from user to user, it can be the same as the method of sending a predetermined value in a conventional video distribution service or the method of sending an item from user to user in a conventional game. However, for example, it may be as follows.

[0145] For example, based on a predetermined operation by the requesting user, the control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 of the requesting user transmits a request for sending a predetermined value from the requesting user to the requested user to the server 20. Based on the request (in other words, based on the predetermined operation), the control unit 210 of the server 20 increases the assets held by the requested user by the amount of the value sent from the requesting user, and decreases the assets held by the requesting user by an amount corresponding to the value sent to the requested user. In addition, based on the request, the control unit 210 of the server 20 notifies the requested user that a predetermined value has been sent from the requesting user and the details of the sent value. For example, the control unit 210 notifies the terminal device 10 of the requested user that a predetermined value has been sent from the requesting user to the requested user and the details of the sent value. Based on the notification, the control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 of the requested user causes a display 413 for notifying that a predetermined value has been sent from the requesting user to the requested user and the details of the sent value to be displayed on the display unit 18 (for example, the play screen 400) as illustrated in FIG. 8(c).

[0146] In addition, when the control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 of the requesting user causes the display unit 18 to display a notification display 410 for notifying the requesting user of the progress of the achievement conditions, the control unit 110 may cause the display unit 18 to display a display 416 for prompting the sending of a response to the notification to the receiving user, a display 417 for prompting the sending of a predetermined value to the receiving user, etc. Further, the control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 of the requesting user may cause the display unit 18 to display a UI 418 for receiving an operation corresponding to these prompting displays 416, 417 together with the prompting displays 416, 417. Then, the control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 of the requesting user may receive an operation corresponding to these prompting displays 416, 417 as an operation for sending a response to the receiving user or an operation for sending a predetermined value to the receiving user. Note that "prompting" includes confirming whether or not to send.

[0147] (Request to Multiple Users) The requesting user may be able to request a proxy play from a plurality of receiving users in the same period. In other words, a proxy relationship may be established between one requesting user and each of the plurality of receiving users in the same period. Further, the awarding unit 215 may award a specific reward only to the user among the plurality of receiving users who have received a request for proxy play from one requesting user and have first achieved the achievement conditions. In this case, it may be that no reward is awarded to users other than the user who has first achieved the achievement conditions among the plurality of receiving users, or a reward different from the specific reward may be awarded.

[0148] (Detailed Settings of Proxy Request) In this embodiment, the user can set the achievement conditions and end conditions of the proxy play. An example of a screen related to the setting of the details of the proxy play is shown in FIG. 9.

[0149] The control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 of the requesting user causes the display unit 18 to display a condition setting screen 500 illustrated in FIG. 9 based on a predetermined operation by the requesting user. The condition setting screen 500 may be displayed, for example, at the timing when the requesting user actually makes a request. For example, the control unit 110 may cause the display unit 18 to display the condition setting screen 500 based on the fact that the requesting user has performed an operation of designating a destination user from among a plurality of users displayed on the list screen 360. Further, for example, the control unit 110 may cause the display unit 18 to display the condition setting screen 500 based on the fact that the destination user has performed a predetermined operation related to receiving a commission, such as an operation of inputting code information 301. Further, the condition setting screen 500 may be a screen on which various conditions can be set in advance, for example, before the timing when the requesting user actually makes a request or before the timing when the destination user performs a predetermined operation related to receiving a commission. In other words, the requesting user may be able to set various conditions in advance on the condition setting screen 500 regardless of the timing when the request is actually made (in other words, the timing when the request is received). When the request is received, the game control unit 212 starts a proxy play under the conditions set on the condition setting screen 500.

[0150] On the condition setting screen 500, an achievement condition setting UI 501 as a UI related to the setting of achievement conditions is displayed. The achievement condition setting UI 501 (in other words, the control unit 110) receives the operations of the user who sets the achievement conditions. Specifically, the achievement condition setting UI 501 receives an operation of setting achievement conditions related to the acquisition of items, an operation of setting achievement conditions related to the defeat of enemy characters, an operation of setting a destination of movement (specifically, a specific location in the virtual space as the destination for moving the player character 30, in other words, the destination that the user at the request destination aims for in the real space), or an operation of setting achievement conditions related to the amount of movement, etc. The game control unit 212 sets the achievement conditions based on the user's operation on the achievement condition setting UI 501. The achievement condition setting UI 501 may be a UI that can select the achievement conditions to be set from among a plurality of presented achievement conditions as illustrated in FIG. 9(a). Also, the achievement condition setting UI 501 may be a UI that can receive an operation of setting the type and number of items to be acquired, the type and number of enemy characters to be defeated, the destination of movement, the amount of movement, or the direction of movement, etc. as illustrated in FIG. 9(b).

[0151] Also, on the condition setting screen 500, an end condition setting UI 502 as a UI related to the setting of end conditions is displayed. The end condition setting UI 502 (in other words, the control unit 110) receives the operations of the user who sets the end conditions for the proxy play. The game control unit 212 sets the end conditions based on the user's operation on the end condition setting UI 502. For example, the game control unit 212 may set the deadline of the proxy play (in other words, the deadline for satisfying the achievement conditions) based on the user's operation of setting the deadline of the proxy play. Also, the aforementioned achievement condition setting UI 501 may function as the end condition setting UI 502.

[0152] Note that the setting of the achievement conditions based on the operation on the achievement condition setting UI 501 and the setting of the end conditions based on the operation on the end condition setting UI 502 may be possible for the user at the request destination to perform on their own terminal device 10.

[0153] In addition, the control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 of the requesting user causes the display unit 18 to display a reward setting screen 510 illustrated in FIG. 9(c) based on a predetermined operation by the requesting user. On the reward setting screen 510, a reward setting UI 511 is displayed as a UI related to the setting of the reward for the proxy play. The reward setting UI 511 (in other words, the control unit 110) accepts an operation related to the setting of the reward. Specifically, the reward setting UI 511 accepts an operation of setting the type of reward (for example, the type of item as the reward) and an operation of setting the amount of the reward (for example, the number of items as the reward). The game control unit 212 sets the reward for the proxy play based on the user's operation on the reward setting UI 511. In other words, when the request is accepted, the game control unit 212 starts a proxy play in which the reward set in the reward setting UI 511 can be acquired by the requested user. The reward set in the reward setting UI 511 may be, for example, a reward given to the requested user when the requested user satisfies the achievement condition in the proxy play. That is, for example, the granting unit 215 grants the reward set based on the operation on the reward setting UI 511 to the requested user when the requested user satisfies the achievement condition in the proxy play.

[0154] The reward given to the requested user may be a predetermined value owned by the requesting user, may be a part of the result obtained in the proxy play, or may be given to the requested user by the game operator. That is, the reward setting UI 511 may accept, for example, an operation in which the requesting user selects a reward from the values owned by the user. Further, the reward setting UI 511 may accept an operation of setting the share of the requested user (for example, the type and amount of the value passed to the requested user (in other words, the distribution), etc.) among the results obtained in the proxy play.

[0155] The achievement conditions set by the requesting user are notified to the receiving user. Also, the end conditions set by the requesting user are notified to the receiving user. Further, the reward set by the requesting user is notified to the receiving user. Specifically, the game control unit 212 notifies the terminal device 10 of the receiving user of the achievement conditions, end conditions, and reward set by the requesting user. The terminal device 10 of the receiving user causes the display unit 18 to display the notified achievement conditions, end conditions, and reward. Note that the terminal device 10 of the receiving user may cause the display unit 18 to display the notified achievement conditions, end conditions, and reward before the request for proxy play is received (in other words, before the proxy play starts), or after the request for proxy play is received (in other words, after the proxy play starts). That is, the notification of the achievement conditions, end conditions, or reward to the receiving user may be performed before or after the acceptance by the receiving user.

[0156] In the case where the achievement conditions, end conditions, or reward set by the requesting user are notified to the receiving user before the request is received (in other words, displayed on the display unit 18), the control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 of the receiving user may accept an operation to request the receiving user to change the achievement conditions, end conditions, or reward. For example, the control unit 110 may accept an operation to request a change in any of the type and number of items to be acquired, the type and number of enemy characters to be defeated, the destination of movement, the amount of movement, or the direction of movement, etc., which are set by the requesting user as the achievement conditions. Also, the control unit 110 may accept an operation to request a change in the deadline set by the requesting user as the end condition. Further, the control unit 110 may accept an operation to request a change in the type and number of items set by the requesting user as the reward. That is, the control unit 110 may accept an operation to request the receiving user to change the details of the proxy play set by the requesting user. An example of a change request screen 520 for requesting a change in details is shown in FIG. 9(d).

[0157] For example, assume that the user who is the request source sets the deadline for the proxy play to 3 hours and sets the rewards to 1 item Z and 1 item K. In this case, as shown in Fig. 9(d), the control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 of the user who is the request destination may accept an operation to request a change in the deadline (for example, an operation to change the deadline to 5 hours) by the user who is the request destination. Also, the control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 of the user who is the request destination may accept an operation to request a change in the type of item as a reward or an operation to request a change in the number of items as a reward (for example, an operation to increase the number of item Z as a reward, an operation to change the type of reward from item K to item Z), etc.

[0158] When an operation to request a change in the details of the proxy play is performed by the user who is the request destination, the game control unit 212 notifies the terminal device 10 of the user who is the request source of the content of the request. The control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 of the user who is the request source causes the display unit 18 to display the notified content of the request. Also, the control unit 110 accepts an operation corresponding to the request by the user who is the request source (in other words, an operation to change the details of the proxy play according to the request of the user who is the request destination) and an operation to reject the request. The game control unit 212 changes the details of the proxy play (specifically, the achievement conditions, end conditions, or rewards) according to the request based on the operation corresponding to the request by the user who is the request source. On the other hand, when the user who is the request source performs an operation to reject the request, the game control unit 212 does not change the details of the proxy play (specifically, the achievement conditions, end conditions, or rewards). Note that the game control unit 212 may determine that the proxy request is established based on the fact that an operation corresponding to the request by the user who is the request source has been performed, and cause the user who is the request destination to start the proxy play (specifically, the proxy play under the conditions after the details are changed). Note that an operation to request a change in the details of the proxy play by the user who is the request destination or an operation corresponding to the request by the user who is the request source may be executable after the start of the proxy play. In this case, the game control unit 212 may change the details of the proxy play that is being executed (in other words, the proxy play in which the user who is the request destination is playing) based on the fact that an operation corresponding to the request by the user who is the request source has been performed.

[0159] (Restrictions on Users Who Use Proxy Play) The game control unit 212 may restrict the use of proxy play according to the attributes of the user. Specifically, the game control unit 212 may restrict the use of proxy play according to the attributes related to the user's age. Also, the game control unit 212 may restrict the use of proxy play according to the attributes related to the user's gender. Note that the user's attributes (for example, information such as the user's age and gender) are stored in the storage unit 220 linked to the user's account as user information, for example. Then, the game control unit 212 refers to the user information to determine the user's attributes and performs control according to the user's attributes.

[0160] For example, based on the fact that the user is a child (in other words, the user's age is less than a predetermined age), the game control unit 212 may permit the user to request another user to play on their behalf as the requester, and based on the fact that the user is an adult (in other words, the user's age is greater than or equal to the predetermined age), the game control unit 212 may prohibit the user from requesting another user to play on their behalf as the requester. Also, based on the fact that the user is female, the game control unit 212 may permit the user to request another user to play on their behalf as the requester, and based on the fact that the user is male, the game control unit 212 may prohibit the user from requesting another user to play on their behalf as the requester. That is, for example, when the user is a child or female, it may be permitted for the user to request another user to play on their behalf as the requester, and when the user is an adult male, it may be prohibited for the user to request another user to play on their behalf as the requester.

[0161] The method for prohibiting a user with a specific attribute from requesting a proxy play from another user with the game control unit 212 as the requester is not particularly limited as long as the request is not allowed to be established. For example, the game control unit 212 controls such that for operations for specifying the user who is the requester, such as an input operation of the code information 301 performed on the terminal device 10 of the requested user or an operation of specifying a specific user from among a plurality of users displayed on the list screen 360, a user with a specific attribute cannot be specified as the user who is the requester. Specifically, the game control unit 212 controls not to display a UI related to receiving an operation of specifying the user with the specific attribute as the user who is the requester, or invalidates an operation of specifying the user with the specific attribute as the user who is the requester for the UI. Also, when an operation of specifying the user with the specific attribute as the user who is the requester is performed by the requested user, the game control unit 212 may notify the requested user who performed the operation that the user with the specific attribute cannot be specified as the user who is the requester. Further, for example, when the user who is the requester is a user with a specific attribute, the game control unit 212 may control such that operations related to a request, such as an operation of specifying a specific user from among a plurality of users displayed on the list screen 360, performed on the terminal device 10 of the user who is the requester cannot be performed. Specifically, the game control unit 212 controls not to display a UI for receiving an operation of requesting a proxy play from another user on the terminal device 10 of the user with the specific attribute, or invalidates an operation by the user with the specific attribute for the UI.

[0162] Further, for example, when a user satisfies a predetermined condition (hereinafter referred to as the "requestee condition"), the game control unit 212 may permit a proxy play with the user as the requestee, and when the user does not satisfy the requestee condition, may prohibit a proxy play with the user as the requestee.

[0163] The destination conditions may be, for example, conditions related to the positional relationship between the source user and the destination user. Specifically, the destination conditions may be, for example, the condition that the destination user is located within a predetermined range (in other words, within a predetermined distance (e.g., within 10 m, etc.)) from the source user. Note that the determination as to whether or not the users satisfy the conditions related to the positional relationship may be made based on the position information of each user detected by, for example, a GPS sensor or the like. Further, the determination as to whether or not the users satisfy the conditions related to the positional relationship may be made based on the short-range wireless communication (e.g., infrared communication, Bluetooth communication, or WiFi communication) of the terminal device 10 that each user has. Specifically, the control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 may determine whether or not the terminal device 10 of another specific user is nearby by infrared communication or Bluetooth communication, and thereby determine whether or not the specific user is within the predetermined range. Alternatively, the control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 may detect other terminal devices 10 connected to the same network device, and thereby determine whether or not other users are within the predetermined range.

[0164] Further, the destination conditions may be conditions related to the attributes of the destination user. Specifically, the destination conditions may be, for example, the condition that the destination user is an adult.

[0165] Further, the destination conditions may be conditions regarding the relationship between the source user and the destination user. Specifically, the destination conditions may be, for example, the condition that the destination user has a predetermined relationship with the source user.

[0166] Also, the destination conditions may be conditions related to the depth of the relationship between the source user and the destination user. The depth of the relationship may be determined based on the multiplayer history between the source user and the destination user. In other words, the destination conditions may be conditions related to the multiplayer history between the source user and the destination user. Specifically, the destination conditions may be a condition that the source user and the destination user have played multiplayer together, a condition that the source user and the destination user have played multiplayer together a predetermined number of times or more, or a condition that a predetermined period has elapsed since the multiplayer in which the source user and the destination user participate was first conducted. When the source user and the destination user satisfy the conditions related to the multiplayer history, the game control unit 212 permits the destination user to play on behalf of the source user, and when the conditions related to the multiplayer history are not satisfied (for example, when the source user and the destination user have never played multiplayer together), the game control unit 212 may prohibit the proxy play.

[0167] (Cancellation of Proxy Play) The proxy play may be cancellable based on the request of the source user. In other words, the game control unit 212 may cancel (in other words, forcibly end) the ongoing proxy play based on the operation of the source user.

[0168] For example, the control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 of the source user causes the display unit 18 to display a cancellation operation screen 530 illustrated in FIG. 10(a) based on a predetermined operation by the source user. On the cancellation operation screen 530, an operation for the source user to cancel the ongoing (in other words, requested) proxy play is accepted.

[0169] The control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 of the source user requests the game control unit 212 to cancel the proxy play based on the operation for the source user to cancel the proxy play. The game control unit 212 cancels the proxy play based on the request.

[0170] In addition, when the game control unit 212 stops the proxy play based on the request, it notifies the user of the destination of the request to stop the proxy play. Specifically, the game control unit 212 notifies the terminal device 10 of the user of the destination to stop the proxy play based on the operation to stop the proxy play by the user of the source of the request. As illustrated in FIG. 10(b), the control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 of the user of the destination causes the display unit 18 to display a display 533 notifying the stop of the proxy play based on the notification. The display 533 notifying the stop of the proxy play may notify that it is stopped based on the selection of the user of the source of the request. In addition to the display 533 notifying the stop of the proxy play, the control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 of the user of the destination may cause the display unit 18 to display a display 534 indicating the result of the proxy play (specifically, the result obtained by the play of the user of the destination).

[0171] Even when the proxy play is stopped, the user of the source of the request may be able to obtain the profit (in other words, the result of the proxy play) based on the proxy play until it is stopped. That is, when the granting unit 215 grants a profit to the user of the source of the request during the progress of the proxy play, the granted profit may not be lost even if the proxy play is stopped. Also, in a configuration where the profit generated by the proxy play is granted at the timing when the proxy play ends, the granting unit 215 may grant a profit corresponding to the result of the proxy play until it is stopped to the user of the source of the request when the proxy play is stopped.

[0172] Even when the proxy play is stopped, the user of the destination of the request may be able to obtain the reward based on the proxy play until it is stopped. That is, when the granting unit 215 grants a reward to the user of the destination of the request during the progress of the proxy play, the granted reward may not be lost even if the proxy play is stopped. Also, in a configuration where the reward of the proxy play is granted at the timing when the proxy play ends, the granting unit 215 may grant a reward corresponding to the result of the proxy play until it is stopped (for example, the achievement conditions satisfied until it is stopped) to the user of the destination of the request when the proxy play is stopped.

[0173] (Viewing of proxy play) The user who requested the proxy play may be able to view the proxy play played by the user of the request destination. The game control unit 212 provides the user of the request source with a viewing screen 550 for viewing the play by the user of the request destination in the game that progresses using the position information indicating the position of the user of the request destination in the real space. Specifically, the game control unit 212 performs control to display the viewing screen 550 for viewing the proxy play by the user of the request destination on the display unit 18 of the terminal device 10 of the user of the request source during the period in which the user of the request destination is performing the proxy play. An example of the viewing screen 550 displayed on the terminal device 10 of the user of the request source is shown in FIG. 11.

[0174] The viewing screen 550 shows the progress of the proxy play played by the user of the request destination. On the viewing screen 550, a display showing the movement of the player character 30 of the user of the request source based on the position information of the user of the request destination is displayed. On the viewing screen 550, for example, a display similar to the play screen 400 being displayed on the terminal device 10 of the user of the request destination is displayed (see FIG. 7). That is, on the terminal device 10 of the user of the request source, it is possible to view in real time the play content of the user of the request destination, in other words, the state in which the user of the request destination plays the game.

[0175] Note that, as will be described later, in proxy play, on the play screen 400 of the user at the destination of the request, a display may be shown in which the player character 30 of the user at the destination of the request moves based on the movement of the user at the destination of the request in the real space. In this case, on the viewing screen 550, a display may be shown in which the player character 30 of the user who made the request moves based on the movement of the user at the destination of the request in the real space. In other words, the game control unit 212 may display a viewing screen 550 in which the image of the character (for example, the player character 30 owned by the user at the destination of the request) displayed on the play screen 400 of the user at the destination of the request is replaced with the image of another character (for example, the player character 30 owned by the user who made the request). According to such a configuration, it is possible to enable the user at the destination of the request to play the game with the character they are attached to, and at the same time, enable the user who made the request to view the display of the movement of the character they are attached to.

[0176] The control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 of the user who made the request may receive an operation on the viewing screen 550, which is an operation of the user who made the request on an object in the game that appears in the proxy play played by the user at the destination of the request. The object may be, for example, an event object 33, or may be a character or the like. That is, for example, the control unit 110 may receive a touch operation by the user who made the request on the event object 33 displayed on the viewing screen 550. Also, the control unit 110 may receive an operation by the user who made the request to move the character displayed on the viewing screen 550. Then, the game control unit 212 may advance the game based on the operation of the user who made the request on an object in the game that appears in the proxy play played by the user at the destination of the request.

[0177] That is, in proxy play, the game control unit 212 may be able to advance the game based on the movement of the user at the request destination in the real space and the operation on the object in the game by the user at the request source. For example, the game control unit 212 moves the player character 30 displayed on the play screen 400 in the terminal device 10 of the user at the request destination and displayed on the viewing screen 550 in the terminal device 10 of the user at the request source in the virtual space based on the position information of the user at the request destination. Further, the game control unit 212 accepts the operation of the user at the request source on the event object 33 within the available range X centered on the player character 30 (in other words, the available range X determined based on the position information of the user at the request destination). Then, the game control unit 212 generates an event corresponding to the operated event object 33 based on the operation of the user at the request source on the event object 33 within the available range X.

[0178] For example, the game control unit 212 may generate an event of obtaining an item based on the operation of the user at the request source on the item spot 33a. Here, the game control unit 212 may assign the item corresponding to the operated item spot 33a to the user at the request source, may assign it to the user at the request destination, or may assign it to both the user at the request source and the user at the request destination. Also, when assigning to both the user at the request source and the user at the request destination, the item assigned to the user at the request source and the item assigned to the user at the request destination may be different or the same. Note that during the progress of proxy play, when the user at the request source operates on the item spot 33a on their own terminal device 10 and when the user at the request destination operates on the item spot 33a on their own terminal device 10, the user to whom the item is assigned and the type of item assigned to each user may be different.

[0179] Also, for example, the game control unit 212 may generate an event of fighting an enemy character based on an operation on the enemy object 33c by the requesting user.

[0180] Also, the generated event may be playable by the requesting user (e.g., playing alone or playing in cooperation with the requested user), and may also be playable by the requested user (e.g., playing alone or playing in cooperation with the requesting user). For example, the game control unit 212 is to generate an event of fighting an enemy character based on an operation on the enemy object 33c by the requesting user. At this time, the game control unit 212 may advance the fight with the enemy character based on either one or both of an operation by the requesting user (e.g., an operation to cause the player character 30 to attack the enemy character or an operation to use a predetermined item) and an operation by the requested user (e.g., an operation to cause the player character 30 to attack the enemy character or an operation to use a predetermined item).

[0181] In addition, when the event that occurs is an event in which the user of the recipient and the user of the sender play in cooperation, the game control unit 212 may divide the roles between the user of the recipient and the user of the sender in the event. For example, when there are a first operation and a second operation as operations related to the progress of the event, the game control unit 212 permits the first operation for the user of the recipient while not permitting the second operation, and permits the second operation for the user of the sender while not permitting the first operation. As an example, one of the first operation and the second operation may be an operation of moving the player character 30, and the other may be an operation of using an item. Also, as an example, one of the first operation and the second operation may be an operation of moving the player character 30, and the other may be an operation of assisting the play of another user. In other words, the game control unit 212 may give different roles to each user, such as a role of performing an attack, a role of performing recovery, or a role of using an item, for the event, and proceed with the event. Further, the game control unit 212 may determine which user assumes which role in the event based on the selection of the user (for example, a prior (in other words, before the start of the event) setting by the user of the sender or the user of the recipient).

[0182] In addition, when the event that occurs is an event in which the user of the recipient and the user of the sender play in cooperation, a first character operable by the user of the recipient and a second character operable by the user of the sender may appear in the event. Then, the game control unit 212 may move the first character based on the operation of the user of the recipient and move the second character based on the operation of the user of the sender to proceed with the event. The first character may be, for example, a character linked to the account of the user of the recipient (in other words, the player character 30 of the user of the recipient). Also, the second character may be, for example, a character linked to the account of the user of the sender (in other words, the player character 30 of the user of the sender).

[0183] Note that, in this way, the game control unit 212 can generate a specific event in which the requested user and the requesting user cooperate and play in the proxy play. However, the specific event does not have to be started based on an operation on the event object 33 or an operation by the requesting user. That is, the game control unit 212 can generate the specific event based on the satisfaction of a predetermined condition in the proxy play. The predetermined condition may be, for example, the requesting user performing an operation on a specific event object 33, the requested user performing an operation on a specific event object 33, or the requested user reaching a specific location. The specific event may be a so-called boss battle or an event related to the progress of the story.

[0184] (Game play by the requesting user during proxy play) In the application related to the game of this embodiment, a first content that is played using location information and a second content that can be used without location information may be prepared. Here, the first content includes content that can request proxy play to other users (in other words, content that can be played by having other users play on behalf). The game control unit 212 may enable the requesting user to play the second content during the progress of the proxy play. That is, the game control unit 212 may enable the requesting user to play the second content during the period when the requested user is playing the first content on behalf of the requesting user. For example, the game control unit 212 may display a screen related to the second content on the terminal device 10 of the requesting user during the period when the requested user is playing the first content on behalf of the requesting user, and advance the second content based on the operation of the requesting user.

[0185] The second content may be, for example, a so-called mini-game or the like. The type of mini-game (in other words, the second content) is not particularly limited, but as an example, it may be a table game, a card game, a puzzle game, an action game, a shooting game, a sports game, or a quiz or the like.

[0186] Also, the second content may be an event corresponding to a specific event object 33. That is, for example, during the play of the first content (for example, during normal play or proxy play), the game control unit 212 may register, in the storage unit 220, as an event to be played later, an event corresponding to a specific event object 33 based on a predetermined operation or the like by the user (for example, the user who is the source of the request (in other words, oneself) or the user who is the destination of the request). In other words, the game control unit 212 may perform control to reserve an event corresponding to a specific event object 33 as an event that can be played later. Then, the game control unit 212 may start the event registered as an event to be played later (in other words, the reserved event) as the second content based on a predetermined operation by the user (specifically, the user who is the source of the request during the progress of proxy play).

[0187] In addition, the second content may be content that enables multiplayer play with other users (specifically, users other than the user to whom the proxy play is being requested). Here, content that enables multiplayer play includes content that enables battles with other users and content that enables cooperative play with other users (for example, content that involves jointly defeating a common enemy). Also, the second content as content that enables multiplayer play may be content that enables play with non-player characters (for example, battles or cooperative play with non-player characters) without multiplayer play with other users. For example, when the second content is mahjong as a tabletop game, it may be possible to play mahjong against other users or against non-player characters. Also, for example, when the second content is content aimed at defeating a specific enemy, it may be possible to aim to defeat the specific enemy in cooperation with other users or to aim to defeat the specific enemy with the cooperation of non-player characters instead of other users.

[0188] (Lending of Characters) As described above, in the proxy play in the game of this embodiment, the user to whom the request is sent advances the game using the player character 30 of the user who made the request. That is, the game control unit 212 lends the player character 30 of the user who made the request to the user to whom the request is sent. Regarding the player character, "lending" can also be said to be allowing a user other than the user who owns the player character 30 (in other words, the user of the account associated with the player character 30) to use the player character 30.

[0189] Normal play or proxy play may proceed using only one player character 30. Also, normal play or proxy play may proceed using a plurality of player characters 30. In other words, in normal play or proxy play, each user may form a party consisting of a plurality of characters and use the party to proceed with the game. That is, for example, a battle with an enemy character occurring in normal play or proxy play may be an event in which a plurality of player characters 30 are operated to fight the enemy character. Note that normal play may be made to proceed with each user using only one of their own player characters 30, and proxy play may be made to proceed using both the player character 30 of the user who is the requester and the player character 30 of the user who is the recipient. In proxy play, when the player character 30 of the user who is the requester and the player character 30 of the user who is the recipient are used, in a specific event during proxy play (for example, a battle with an enemy character), either one of the recipient user or the requester user may operate both characters, or each character may be shared and operated by the recipient user and the requester user (for example, the owner of each character, or with the owners swapped).

[0190] Here, for example, in normal play, it is assumed that each user can form a party composed of a plurality of characters and use the party to progress the game. In other words, when the requesting user progresses the game by themselves, it is assumed that they can progress the game using a party composed of a plurality of player characters 30 owned by themselves (i.e., the requesting user). In this case, in the proxy play, the game control unit 212 may lend a part (for example, one unit) of the player characters 30 owned by the requesting user to the requested user. Then, in the proxy play, the requested user may be able to progress the game using a party including the player characters 30 owned by themselves (i.e., the requested user) and the player characters 30 owned by the requesting user.

[0191] (Restrictions on Content Allowing Proxy Play) There may be restrictions on the content of the game allowing proxy play. For example, in normal play, it is assumed that the requesting user progresses the story based on their own movement. In this case, the game control unit 212 may not permit proxy play by other users for specific events related to the progress of the story (for example, events that have a major impact on the progress of the story).

[0192] That is, for example, assume that there are a first event (in other words, first content) and a second event (in other words, second content) as events (in other words, game content) that can be played by the user who is the requester himself / herself (that is, in normal play). In this case, the game control unit 212 may permit the user who is the requestee to play the first event on behalf of the user who is the requester, but may not permit the user who is the requestee to play the second event on behalf of the user who is the requester. Here, the first event may be, for example, an event (such as a so-called sub-event) that has less impact on the progress of the story compared to the second event. That is, for an event that has a great impact on the progress of the story, it may be configured such that it cannot be played by another user on behalf of the user.

[0193] In normal play, for the first event and the second event, when the user who is the requester performs an operation related to the start of the event, the destination of the movement (specifically, a specific location in the virtual space as the destination for moving the player character 30, in other words, the destination that the user who is the requester aims for in the real space) is set, and the event may be an event that aims for the destination. That is, the first event and the second event may be events (such as clearable events) that, in normal play, when the user who is the requester reaches the destination (specifically, just by reaching the destination, or by winning in a battle against an enemy character generated by reaching the destination, etc.). In other words, the first event and the second event may be events (such as clearable events) that progress based on the movement of the user who is the requester in the real space in normal play. In such a case, the game control unit 212 may permit a proxy play aiming to clear the first event (in other words, a proxy play whose achievement condition is to clear the first event), but may not permit a proxy play by the user who is the requestee to aim to clear the second event on behalf of the user who is the requester (in other words, a proxy play whose achievement condition is to clear the second event).

[0194] Alternatively, the first event or the second event may be an event or the like set at each point in the virtual space. In other words, for example, among a plurality of event objects 33 arranged in the virtual space, the event corresponding to the first event object 33 may be defined as the first event, and the event corresponding to the second event object 33 may be defined as the second event. For example, when a proxy play is requested from a requesting user to a requested user, the game control unit 212 may let the requested user play the battle with an enemy character (e.g., a mook character) started based on an operation on the first event object 33, and may let the requesting user play the battle with an enemy character (e.g., a boss character) started based on an operation on the second event object 33. Here, the point where the second event is set may be the destination that the requested user aims for in the proxy play. Then, based on the fact that the requested user has reached the destination in the proxy play (in other words, has visited the position in the real space corresponding to the position in the virtual space where the event object 33 corresponding to the second event is arranged), the game control unit 212 may enable the requesting user to play the second event. In other words, the game control unit 212 may let the requested user play a proxy play with the point where the second event is set as the destination (in other words, the place that the requested user aims for), and may let the requesting user play the second event based on the fact that the requested user has reached the destination.

[0195] In this embodiment, the requested user can also play a battle with an enemy character that is started based on an operation on the enemy object 33c, but the requested user does not have to be able to play the battle. That is, for example, a battle with an enemy character that occurs during proxy play may be played by the requesting user moving his / her own player character 30 on his / her own terminal device 10. Also, the requested user cannot perform operations on various spots such as the item spot 33a and the recovery spot 33b during proxy play, and the requesting user may perform the operations on his / her own terminal device 10 (in other words, via the viewing screen 550).

[0196] (Other restrictions) There may be a limit on the number of times that a user can request a proxy play from another user. For example, the game control unit 212 performs control to prohibit a user who has requested a proxy play from another user a predetermined number of times (specifically, based on the fact that the user has requested a proxy play from another user a predetermined number of times). For example, the game control unit 212 changes a stored value in the storage unit 220 relating to the number of times that the user can request a proxy play in a first direction (for example, decreases the stored value by "1") every time a user requests a proxy play. Then, based on the stored value reaching a predetermined value (for example, "0"), the game control unit 212 performs control to prohibit the user from requesting a proxy play. In other words, the game control unit 212 performs control to prohibit the user from requesting a proxy play while the stored value is a predetermined value (for example, "0"). Furthermore, the game control unit 212 changes the stored value in the second direction (for example, increases it (in other words, restores it)) at a predetermined opportunity, and lifts the prohibition on the user requesting proxy play. Specifically, the game control unit 212 may change the stored value in the second direction based on the passage of time, or may change the stored value in the second direction based on the requesting user taking a predetermined action in the game.

[0197] Also, once a proxy play request is made to another user, it may be prohibited from making a proxy play request for a predetermined period thereafter. For example, the game control unit 212 performs control to prohibit a proxy play request for a predetermined period for the user who made the proxy play request to another user (specifically, based on having made a proxy play request to another user). Further, the game control unit 212 releases the prohibition of the proxy play request by the user who made the request based on the elapse of the predetermined period.

[0198] Also, once a proxy play is accepted (in other words, once a proxy play is performed), it may be prohibited from performing a proxy play for a predetermined period thereafter. For example, the game control unit 212 performs control to prohibit acceptance of a proxy play for a predetermined period for the user who received the proxy play request from another user (specifically, based on having received the proxy play request). Further, the game control unit 212 releases the prohibition of acceptance of the proxy play by the user who received the request based on the elapse of the predetermined period.

[0199] (Game distribution) In the information processing system 1 of the present embodiment, each user may be able to distribute a video related to their own play (hereinafter referred to as a "play video") to other users or view the play videos of other users that have been distributed. Specifically, as functions of the application related to the game of the present embodiment, a function to distribute a play video and a function to view it may be provided. That is, in the information processing system 1, distribution and viewing of events occurring in the virtual space may be possible. Note that in such an information processing system 1, each user may also be able to play the game without distribution.

[0200] The control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 starts the distribution of the play video, for example, based on a predetermined operation of the user. Specifically, the control unit 110 transmits, based on a predetermined operation of the user, data for displaying the play video related to the play by the user on the terminal device 10 of another user to the server 20. Also, the control unit 110 stops the distribution of the play video based on a predetermined operation of the user during the distribution.

[0201] Further, the control unit 110 receives, based on an input operation of the user related to the start of viewing the distributed play video (for example, an operation of selecting a specific play video to view from among a plurality of play videos being distributed), data for displaying (in other words, playing) the distributed play video on the terminal device 10 from the server 20, and causes the play video to be displayed on the display unit 18. In other words, the control unit 110 causes the play video to be displayed on the display unit 18 based on an operation related to the start of viewing the distributed play video. In other words, the control unit 110 causes the video of the distribution selected by the user among the viewable distributions to be displayed on the display unit 18.

[0202] That is, when an input operation related to the start of the distribution of the play video is performed on the terminal device 10 of the first user and the distribution is started, it becomes possible to view the play video on the terminal device 10 of the second user. Here, the video (in other words, the distribution) viewed by the second user is the play video of the first user and shows the play status of the game of the first user. On the terminal device 10 of the second user, it is possible to view in real time the play content of the first user, in other words, the state in which the first user plays the game. The distribution in the present embodiment can be rephrased as a live distribution. Note that on the terminal device 10 of the second user, a screen similar to the play screen displayed on the terminal device 10 of the first user may be displayed as the play video of the first user. Note that known techniques can be adopted for the method of distributing and viewing the play video.

[0203] The control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 of the user who views the distribution (i.e., the viewer) causes the display unit 18 to display a distribution viewing screen 570, exemplified in FIG. 12, based on the operation of the user. In the distribution viewing screen 570, a play video is played, and it is possible to view the state of play by another user (i.e., the distributor) (in other words, the play screen showing the play of another user).

[0204] On the distribution viewing screen 570, for example, the play screen 280 of the distributor who is playing normally is displayed (see FIG. 3). That is, the distributor can be a user who is executing normal play.

[0205] In addition, on the distribution viewing screen 570, based on the operation of the distributor, a display 572 related to the recruitment of a user who substitutes for the play of the distributor (in other words, the destination user of the request) is displayed. The control unit 110 of the viewer's terminal device 10 requests the game control unit 212 to start a substitute play that substitutes for the distributor as the source user of the request based on an operation by the viewer in response to the recruitment (for example, an operation on the display 572 related to the recruitment). The game control unit 212 starts a substitute play by the user who has performed an operation in response to the recruitment as the destination user of the request based on the request. That is, the viewer who is viewing the distribution can receive a request for a substitute play with the distributor as the source user by performing an operation in response to the recruitment.

[0206] (Selection from multiple offers) As described above, the request for proxy play may be made based on an offer from the user of the destination of the request to the user of the source of the request. Further, the user of the source of the request may be able to specify the user who makes the request from among a plurality of users who have made offers and make a request for proxy play. In other words, the user of the source of the request may be able to select a specific offer from among a plurality of offers and make a request for proxy play. Here, the offers that the user of the source of the request can select may be offers in which the user of the source of the request is specified as the target user of the offer, or offers in which the target user is not specified (in other words, an offer by the user of the destination of the request to recruit someone who can make a proxy request from among a plurality of users).

[0207] FIG. 13 shows an offer screen 600 as an example of a screen on which the user of the source of the request can select a specific offer from among a plurality of offers. The offer screen 600 displays a list of offers made by a plurality of users. For example, as described above, the control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 of the user who makes the offer requests the game control unit 212 to make an offer for proxy play to the specific user based on an operation on the offer button 365 corresponding to the specific user as an operation for designating the specific user as the user of the source of the request. The game control unit 212 instructs the terminal device 10 of the specific user to display the offer related to the request on the offer screen 600. The control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 of the specific user displays the offer related to the request on the offer screen 600 based on the instruction. When a plurality of users each make an offer to the specific user, a plurality of offers made by each user are displayed in a list on the offer screen 600.

[0208] The offered user may be able to select a specific offer from among a plurality of offers displayed on the offer screen 600 and request a proxy play for the user who made the specific offer. That is, the control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 of the requesting user accepts an operation by the requesting user to select a specific offer from among a plurality of offers displayed on a predetermined screen as an operation to receive the specific offer (in other words, an operation to approve the start of proxy play by the user who made the specific offer). Then, the game control unit 212 starts a proxy play by the user who made the specific offer based on the operation to receive the specific offer.

[0209] Here, on the offer screen 600, for example, information that can identify the user who made the offer for each offer may be displayed. Also, conditions related to the acceptance of proxy play may be displayed on the offer screen 600. Specifically, as conditions related to the acceptance of proxy play, conditions related to the reward for proxy play and conditions related to the deadline of proxy play may be displayed. More specifically, on the offer screen 600, information regarding the reward desired by the user who made the offer for proxy play, the deadline presented for proxy play, etc. may be displayed.

[0210] The conditions related to the entrustment of proxy play are the conditions presented by the user who makes the offer. When the control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 of the user who makes the offer reaches a predetermined timing such as when the user makes an offer (for example, when operating the offer button 365), it accepts an operation for inputting the conditions related to the entrustment of proxy play by the user. Specifically, it accepts an operation for inputting the conditions related to the reward of proxy play (for example, the desired reward) by the user, an operation for inputting the conditions related to the deadline for achieving the achievement conditions of proxy play (for example, the time required to achieve the achievement conditions), and the like. In addition, when the control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 of the user who makes the offer requests the game control unit 212 to make an offer for proxy play, it notifies the game control unit 212 of the conditions related to the entrustment of proxy play. Based on the notification, the game control unit 212 displays the conditions related to the entrustment of proxy play for each offer on the offer screen 600. In other words, the game control unit 212 presents a plurality of offers to the user who is the requester and presents the conditions related to the entrustment of proxy play for each offer.

[0211] In addition, when the user who has received the offer performs an operation to accept a specific offer, the user requests proxy play according to the conditions related to the entrustment of proxy play input by the user who made the specific offer to the user who made the specific offer. That is, when the operation is performed, the game control unit 212 starts proxy play under the conditions related to the entrustment of proxy play input by the user who made the specific offer. For example, when the desired reward is input as the condition related to the entrustment of proxy play, the game control unit 212 sets the desired reward as the reward for proxy play and starts proxy play. Also, for example, when the time required to achieve the achievement condition is input as the condition related to the entrustment of proxy play, the game control unit 212 sets the deadline for proxy play based on the time and starts proxy play.

[0212] Note that the offer screen 600 may be a screen on which offers issued without specifying the user targeted by the offer are displayed, rather than a screen on which offers issued to oneself are displayed.

[0213] Also, the game control unit 212 may extract an offer to be recommended from among a plurality of offers and present it to the user who is the source of the request. For example, when there are a plurality of offers for a specific user (in other words, when there are offers from a plurality of users), the game control unit 212 extracts, as the offer to be recommended, an offer with a high priority determined based on a predetermined rule from among the plurality of offers. Then, the game control unit 212 causes the extracted offer to be recommended to be displayed on the terminal device 10 of the user who is the source of the request (for example, on a predetermined screen such as the offer screen 600). The predetermined rule may be settable by the user himself / herself or may be predetermined. In other words, the game control unit 212 extracts, as the offer to be recommended, an offer with better conditions from among the plurality of offers. For example, the game control unit 212 may increase the priority of an offer with excellent conditions regarding the reward for proxy play (for example, an offer with less required reward or an offer with a low value of the required reward). Also, for example, the game control unit 212 may increase the priority of an offer with excellent conditions regarding the deadline for proxy play (for example, an offer with a short time required to achieve the achievement condition). Also, when the user can set the predetermined rule, the game control unit 212 may determine, based on the user's operation, items to be prioritized in determining the priority (for example, which of the conditions regarding the reward and the conditions regarding the deadline to prioritize).

[0214] Based on an operation by the user who received the offer to be recommended to accept the presented offer (for example, an operation on the display 602 related to the offer to be recommended), the game control unit 212 starts proxy play by the user who made the offer to be recommended.

[0215] Note that the number of recommended offers to be extracted and presented may be one or more. In other words, the game control unit 212 may present the offer with the highest priority among a plurality of offers to the user who is the requester, or may present the offers up to a predetermined order from the top in terms of priority to the user who is the requester.

[0216] (Modification Example 1) In the game of this embodiment, a user can request another user to substitute for their play and have the other user who received the request substitute for their play. However, the substitution of play only needs to be, at least, something that allows another user to substitute for the movement in the real space.

[0217] That is, for example, as described above, in the substitute play, the game control unit 212 arranges the player character 30 of the user who is the requester at the position in the virtual space corresponding to the position of the user who is the request destination in the real space. Then, the game control unit 212 moves the player character 30 of the user who is the requester in the virtual space in conjunction with the movement of the user who is the request destination in the real space.

[0218] In the foregoing example, in the play screen 400 displayed on the terminal device 10 of the requested user, the movement of the player character 30 linked to the movement of the requested user is displayed, and the game control unit 212 was configured to advance the game based on the operations by the requested user. Instead of this, or in addition thereto, in the play screen 610 displayed on the terminal device 10 of the requesting user illustrated in FIG. 14, the movement of the player character 30 linked to the movement of such a requested user may be displayed, and the game may be advanced based on the operations by the requesting user. That is, for the proxy play, it suffices that at least the position information of the requested user is used, and various operations by the requested user (for example, operations on the event object 33 or operations for moving the player character 30) and the display in which the player character 30 of the requesting user moves in conjunction with the movement of the requested user on the terminal device 10 of the requested user (in other words, the display of the play screen 400) do not necessarily have to be performed.

[0219] That is, during the proxy play, on the terminal device 10 of the requesting user, a display in which the player character 30 moves in conjunction with the movement of the requested user is shown, and the requesting user may be able to advance the game based on operations on the event object 33 located within the available range X. In other words, in the proxy play, unlike the normal play, the player character 30 of oneself (in other words, the requesting user) moves based on the position information of another user (in other words, the requested user), but for other operations (for example, operations on the event object 33 or operations for causing the player character 30 to attack an enemy character), it may be possible to perform them by oneself on one's own terminal device 10 in the same manner as in the normal play. In other words, the requesting user may be able to advance the game with one's own account using (in other words, borrowing) the position information of the requested user.

[0220] Even in the proxy play according to Modification Example 1, the game control unit 212 may be able to cancel (in other words, forcibly end) the ongoing proxy play based on the operation of the user who is the requester. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 14, the control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 of the user who is the requester may cause the display unit 18 (for example, the play screen 610) to display a display 612 related to receiving an operation to cancel the ongoing (in other words, requested) proxy play. Then, the game control unit 212 may cancel the proxy play based on an operation by the user who is the requester to cancel the proxy play (for example, an operation on the display 612 related to receiving an operation to cancel the proxy play). In other words, based on an operation by the user who is the requester to cancel the proxy play, the game control unit 212 may change the game played by the user who is the requester from a state where the player character 30 of the user who is the requester moves on the virtual space based on the position information of the user who is the requested party to a state where the player character 30 of the user who is the requester moves on the virtual space based on the position information of the user who is the requester.

[0221] In addition, when the player character 30 moves in conjunction with the movement of the destination user on the terminal device 10 of the source user (including the case where it is displayed on the play screen 610 and the case where it is displayed on the viewing screen 550), the display may indicate the position of the destination user before the current time (in other words, before a predetermined time). That is, if the position where the current destination user is located is directly displayed and this position is transmitted to the source user, it may not be preferable from the perspective of privacy and the like. By setting the position of the destination user in the display to a position before the current position, it is possible to prevent the current position of the destination user from being transmitted to the source user. Such a display may be performed by the game control unit 212 determining the position of the player character 30 of the source user in the virtual space based on the position information indicating the position of the destination user and being a position information before a predetermined time from the current time. Alternatively, an image for performing such a display may be generated in advance by the game control unit 212 at a timing determined based on the position information indicating the current position of the destination user for the position of the player character 30 of the source user in the virtual space, and the image may be displayed on the terminal device 10 of the source user after a predetermined period has elapsed from the timing when the image was generated. Even in such a case of performing such a display, it may be possible for the source user to operate an object in the virtual space such as the event object 33.

[0222] (Modification Example 2) The proxy play may be such that the destination user advances the game using his or her own player character 30. That is, the destination user who has received a request for proxy play from the source user may advance the game using his or her own player character 30 in the same manner as in the case of normal play even in proxy play.

[0223] That is, in the proxy play according to Modification 2, the game control unit 212 arranges the player character 30 of the requested user at a position on the virtual space corresponding to the position of the requested user in the real space. Then, the game control unit 212 moves the player character 30 of the requested user on the virtual space in conjunction with the movement of the requested user in the real space. And, based on the control by the game control unit 212, the control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 of the requested user causes the display unit 18 to display the movement of the player character 30 of the requested user on the virtual space in conjunction with the movement of the requested user.

[0224] Also, in the proxy play, the requested user basically progresses the game in the same way as in normal play. Specifically, the requested user approaches each event object 33 on the virtual space displayed on the display unit 18 of his / her own terminal device 10 by his / her own movement (for example, by performing an operation (for example, a touch operation) on the event object 33 displayed on the display unit 18 after approaching), thereby generating an event corresponding to the event object 33 and progressing the game. More specifically, the requested user moves his / her player character 30 by his / her own movement so that the event object 33 for which he / she wants to generate (in other words, use) a corresponding event is located within the available range X, and progresses the game by performing an operation on the event object 33.

[0225] The rewards obtained by the requested user, the benefits obtained by the requesting user, and the conditions for granting various benefits may be the same as in the case of the above-described proxy play in which the requested user progresses the game using the player character 30 of the requesting user.

[0226] Furthermore, the configurations according to Modification 1 and Modification 2 can also be combined. That is, during the progress of the proxy play, the game control unit 212 functions as a first control unit that arranges the player character 30 of the requested user at a position in the virtual space corresponding to the position of the requested user in the real space and performs control to move it on the virtual space in conjunction with the movement of the requested user in the real space, and a second control unit that arranges the player character 30 of the requesting user at a position in the virtual space corresponding to the position of the requested user in the real space and performs control to move it on the virtual space in conjunction with the movement of the requested user in the real space, and these controls may be performed in parallel. And in the terminal device 10 of the requested user, as shown in Modification 2, a display in which the player character 30 of the requested user moves in conjunction with the movement of the requested user is shown, and the requested user may be able to progress the game based on his or her own operations on the event object 33 located within the available range X. In other words, in the proxy play, the requested user may be able to play the game using his or her own player character 30 in his or her own terminal device 10 in the same way as in normal play. Also, in the terminal device 10 of the requesting user, as shown in Modification 1, a display in which the player character 30 of the requested user moves in conjunction with the movement of the requested user is shown, and the requesting user may be able to progress the game based on his or her own operations on the event object 33 located within the available range X. In other words, in the proxy play, the requesting user may be able to play the game using his or her own player character 30 in his or her own terminal device 10 in the same way as in normal play, except that his or her player character moves based on the position information of another user (in other words, the requested user).

[0227] Note that in Modification 1 and Modification 2, various configurations described in this embodiment can be adopted. Further, in adopting various configurations, the various configurations can be appropriately changed so as to conform to Modification 1 and Modification 2. For example, regarding Modification 2, the user at the destination can play the game using a party including the player character 30 owned by himself / herself (i.e., the user at the destination) and the player character 30 owned by the user at the source. Further, for example, regarding Modification 2, the user at the source may be able to advance the game by an operation on the viewing screen 550, which is an operation on an object in the game.

[0228] In each configuration described in this embodiment, the game control unit 212 may determine whether the player character 30 used by the requested user in the proxy play is the player character 30 owned by the requesting user (in other words, linked to the account) or the player character 30 owned by the requested user, based on the selection of the requested user (or the requesting user). Specifically, in the proxy play, the game control unit 212 may determine whether the appearance of the player character 30 that moves in the virtual space in conjunction with the movement of the requested user (in other words, the appearance of the player character 30 on the play screen 400 or the like) is the appearance of the player character 30 owned by the requesting user or the appearance of the player character 30 owned by the requested user, based on the operation of the requested user (or the requesting user). Further, in a predetermined event (for example, a battle with an enemy character) during the proxy play, the game control unit 212 may determine whether the player character 30 used by the requested user is the player character 30 owned by the requesting user or the player character 30 owned by the requested user, based on the operation of the requested user (or the requesting user). Here, even if the appearance of the player character 30 that moves in the virtual space in conjunction with the movement of the requested user is the appearance of the player character 30 owned by the requested user, the player character 30 used by the requested user in a predetermined event during the proxy play may be the player character 30 owned by the requesting user. Specifically, this may be the case according to the user's selection, or it may be forced to be the case. Further, even if the appearance of the player character 30 that moves in the virtual space in conjunction with the movement of the requested user is the appearance of the player character 30 owned by the requesting user, the player character 30 used by the requested user in a predetermined event during the proxy play may be the player character 30 owned by the requested user.

[0229] <Flow of processing> An example of the process related to the delegation request (in other words, the start of the delegated play) will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 15.

[0230] First, the control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 of the user at the destination of the request receives an operation for inputting the code information 301 by the user at the destination of the request (step S101).

[0231] Next, based on the input of the code information, the control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 of the user at the destination of the request causes the display unit 18 to display the acceptance confirmation screen 320 illustrated in FIG. 4(c) (step S102).

[0232] Next, the control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 of the user at the destination of the request receives an operation for accepting the delegation request by the user at the destination of the request (step S103).

[0233] Next, based on the operation of accepting the delegation request, the control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 of the user at the destination of the request requests the control unit 210 of the server 20 to start the delegated play (step S104).

[0234] Next, based on the request from the terminal device 10 of the user at the destination of the request, the control unit 210 of the server 20 notifies the control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 of the user at the source of the request that there has been a request to start the delegated play from the user at the destination of the request (step S105).

[0235] Next, based on the notification from the server 20, the control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 of the user at the source of the request causes the display unit 18 to display the confirmation screen 330 illustrated in FIG. 4(d) (step S106).

[0236] Next, the control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 of the user at the source of the request receives an operation for the user at the source of the request to approve the start of the delegated play (in other words, an operation for approving the delegation request to the user at the destination of the request who made the request) (step S107).

[0237] Next, based on the operation of approving the start of the proxy play, the control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 of the requesting user notifies the control unit 210 of the server 20 that the requesting user has approved the start of the proxy play (step S108).

[0238] Next, based on the notification from the terminal device 10 of the requesting user, the control unit 210 of the server 20 determines to start the proxy play by the requested user (step S109). In the case where an operation of approving the start of the proxy play is not performed and instead an operation of rejecting the start of the proxy play by the requesting user is performed, it is determined not to start the proxy play by the requested user.

[0239] Note that the start of the proxy play can also be rephrased as the establishment of the agency relationship. In other words, the start of the proxy play can also be said to be to store in the storage unit 220 information indicating that the agency relationship is established. That is, based on the request from the requesting user, the control unit 210 of the server 20 establishes an agency relationship between the requesting user and the requested user. While the proxy play is being performed, information indicating that the agency relationship is established is stored in the storage unit 220. Also, at the end of the proxy play, the control unit 210 deletes from the storage unit 220 the information indicating that the agency relationship is established. Various processes performed during the progress of the proxy play can also be said to be processes performed based on the establishment of the agency relationship.

[0240] Next, an example of the process related to the progress of the proxy play will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 16.

[0241] During the progress of the proxy play, the position information acquisition unit 116 acquires position information indicating the current position of the requested user in the real space (step S201).

[0242] Next, the game control unit 212 places the player character 30 of the requesting user at the position on the virtual space corresponding to the position of the requested user indicated by the acquired position information (step S202). Note that the acquisition of the position information by the position information acquisition unit 116 and the placement of the player character 30 at the position indicated by the position information by the control unit 210 are sequentially performed during the progress of the proxy play, and the player character 30 moves on the virtual space in conjunction with the movement of the requested user in the real space. Further, the control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 of the requested user causes the display unit 18 to display the play screen 400 on which the requested user plays the game. An image of the virtual space is displayed on the play screen 400. That is, on the play screen 400, a display is shown in which the player character 30 of the requesting user moves on the virtual space in conjunction with the movement of the requested user in the real space.

[0243] Next, the game control unit 212 advances the game (in other words, the proxy play) based on the movement of the requested user in the real space and the operation of the input unit 17 by the requested user (for example, the operation on the touch screen 16) (step S203). For example, the game control unit 212 generates an event corresponding to the operated event object 33 based on the operation of the requested user on the event object 33 arranged within the available range X determined based on the position of the requested user indicated by the position information (in other words, the position of the player character 30). Further, the game control unit 212 advances the event based on the event that has occurred and an operation such as an operation to move the player character 30 of the requesting user by the requested user.

[0244] Next, the game control unit 212 determines whether or not the end condition of the proxy play is satisfied (step S204).

[0245] If the end condition is not satisfied (NO in step S204), the game control unit 212 continues the proxy play.

[0246] When the end condition is satisfied (YES in step S204), the game control unit 212 determines the end of the proxy play (step S205).

[0247] When the end of the proxy play is determined, the game control unit 212 gives the user who is the requester a profit according to the result of the proxy play (step S206). For example, the game control unit 212 gives the user who is the requester the items acquired by the user who is the requestee in the proxy play. In other words, the game control unit 212 gives the user who is the requester the profit generated based on the movement of the user who is the requestee in the real space in the proxy play.

[0248] Also, when the end of the proxy play is determined, the game control unit 212 gives the user who is the requestee a reward according to the result of the proxy play (step S207). For example, the game control unit 212 gives the user who is the requestee a reward according to the profit given to the user who is the requester based on the movement of the user who is the requestee in the real space in the proxy play. For example, it may be such that the higher the profit given to the user who is the requester, the higher the reward given to the user who is the requestee. Here, a large profit includes, for example, a large quantity of items, electronic currency, or predetermined points given, a high value of the items given, a large progress of the story, etc. Also, a high reward includes, for example, a large quantity of items, electronic currency, or predetermined points given, a high value of the items given, etc.

[0249] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be implemented with various modifications without departing from the gist thereof. The configuration of the present embodiment may be applied to a game that utilizes information regarding the position of the user in the real space. Further, the configuration of the present embodiment may be applied to a game that links the virtual space and the real space, for example, the position information game described in the present embodiment, or a game that utilizes a captured image of the real space. The game that utilizes a captured image of the real space includes, for example, a game in which a superimposed image obtained by superimposing a virtual object (for example, an object in the virtual space such as a player character) on the captured image of the real space (in other words, a game that utilizes augmented reality) or a game in which the captured image of the real space has a predetermined influence on the virtual space (for example, a game that changes the parameters of an object in the virtual space or deforms the shape of an object in the virtual space based on the captured image). In other words, the control unit 110 of the terminal device 10 may be able to acquire a captured image captured by a predetermined camera such as a camera built in the terminal device 10 or generate a superimposed image obtained by superimposing a virtual object on the captured image. Further, in the proxy play, the user who is the request source may be able to have the user who is the request destination acquire a captured image or generate a superimposed image on his / her behalf. Further, the configuration of the present embodiment may be applied to a game other than a game that links the virtual space and the real space. Further, the configuration of the present embodiment may be applied to a game other than a game that utilizes information regarding the position of the user in the real space. As an example, cooperative play between the user who is the request source and the user who is the request destination via the viewing screen 550 is applicable to a game that does not utilize the position information of the user. Further, the configuration of the present embodiment may be applied to a service (in other words, an application) other than a game. For example, it may be applied to a walking application, a running application, a step counter application, or the like.

[0250] Within the scope of the present invention, free combination of each component, modification of any component, replacement of any component, omission of any component, or addition of other components, etc. are possible. Also, the processing flow described in this specification is merely an example, and the order and configuration of each process may be different. Further, there may be processes not described in this specification. In other words, the processing flow, specific determination processes, etc. may be different from those exemplified in this specification.

[0251] <Supplementary Note> The configuration of this embodiment may be used, for example, to improve the interestingness of the service. Also, the configuration of this embodiment may be used, for example, to improve the convenience of the service. The matters described in the above embodiments may also be described as follows in the supplementary note.

[0252] (Supplementary Note 1) A computer Game control means (for example, game control unit 212) that advances a game using position information indicating the position of a second user in the real space who has received a request from a first user, Granting means (for example, granting unit 215) that grants the result obtained based on the movement of the second user in the real space to the first user, and functions as Program. According to such a configuration, the first user can obtain a result based on movement without moving himself / herself by having another user move on his / her behalf. Therefore, it is possible to provide a new way of enjoying a game that utilizes position information to obtain a result based on movement without moving oneself, and improve the interestingness of the service.

[0253] (Supplementary Note 2) A computer Function as lending means (for example, game control unit 212) that lends the character of the first user to the second user based on the request The program described in Supplementary Note 1. In such a configuration, the second user who receives a request from the first user and moves in the real space can use the character of the first user, enabling the realization of unprecedented gameplay. Therefore, the interestingness of the service can be improved.

[0254] (Appendix 3) Based on the result obtained based on the movement of the second user in the real space being given to the first user, the giving means gives a reward to the second user. The program according to Appendix 1. According to such a configuration, it becomes possible to give a consideration to the second user who receives a request from another user and moves in the real space.

[0255] (Appendix 4) Cause the computer to function as providing means (for example, game control unit 212) that provides the first user with a viewing screen for viewing the play by the second user of the game that proceeds using position information indicating the position of the second user in the real space. The program according to any one of Appendices 1 to 3. According to such a configuration, the first user can view the play of the second user who plays based on his own request. Therefore, it is possible to provide the user with an unprecedented new experience and improve the interestingness of the service.

[0256] (Appendix 5) Cause the computer to function as operation receiving means (for example, operation receiving unit 111) that receives an operation of the first user on an object in the game that is displayed on the viewing screen. The program according to Appendix 4. According to such a configuration, the first user can also participate in the game that progresses using the position information indicating the position of the second user in the real space, which is requested by the first user. Therefore, it is possible to provide a new experience that has never been available to users, and the interestingness of the service can be improved.

[0257] (Appendix 6) The game control means can progress the game that progresses using the position information indicating the position of the second user in the real space, based on the operation of the first user. The program described in any one of Appendices 1 to 3. According to such a configuration, the game can progress based on the position information indicating the position of the second user in the real space and the operation of the first user. Therefore, it is possible to provide a new experience that has never been available to users, and the interestingness of the service can be improved.

[0258] (Appendix 7) Cause the computer to function as achievement condition display means (for example, control unit 110) that displays the achievement conditions of the request on the play screen of the second user who plays the game that progresses using the position information indicating the position of the second user in the real space. The program described in any one of Appendices 1 to 3. According to such a configuration, the second user can confirm the achievement conditions of the request while playing. Therefore, it becomes possible to facilitate the second user to confirm the achievement conditions while moving in the real space, and the interestingness of the service can be improved.

[0259] (Appendix 8) Cause the computer to function as issuing means (for example, control unit 210) that issues code information related to the request, and function as operation reception means (for example, operation reception unit 111) that receives, as an operation related to the acceptance of the request, the operation of inputting the code information by the second user. The program according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 3. According to such a configuration, it becomes possible to limit the users who can receive a request to the users who have acquired the code information.

[0260] (Supplementary Note 9) Function the computer as operation reception means (for example, operation reception unit 111) that receives, as an operation for designating a destination user, the operation of the first user for selecting the second user from among a list in which a plurality of users are displayed The program according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 3. According to such a configuration, the first user can select from a list which user to request.

[0261] (Supplementary Note 10) Function the computer as notification means (for example, game control unit 212) that notifies the first user that the second user has satisfied a predetermined condition in the game that progresses using position information indicating the position of the second user in the real space The program according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 3. According to such a configuration, it is possible to notify the first user of the play situation of the second user who plays a game based on a request from the first user. Therefore, it is possible to give the user the pleasure of receiving a notification and improve the interestingness of the service.

[0262] (Supplementary Note 11) Function the computer as reaction transmission means (for example, control unit 110) that transmits the reaction to the second user based on an operation of sending a reaction to the notification by the first user who has been notified that the second user has satisfied the predetermined condition The program according to Supplementary Note 10. According to such a configuration, for a game that progresses based on a request from a first user, communication based on satisfaction of a predetermined condition can be enabled, and the interestingness of the service can be improved.

[0263] (Appendix 12) Cause a computer to function as value transmission means (for example, control unit 110) that sends a predetermined value from the first user to the second user who is playing the game that progresses using position information indicating the position of the second user in the real space, based on an operation by the first user. The program according to any one of Appendices 1 to 3. According to such a configuration, it becomes possible to send a special reward for the action of the second user based on a request from the first user from the first user to the second user, etc.

[0264] Note that the problem-solving means configured by the above-described program (for example, each configuration described in the appendix, etc.) can be appropriately diverted to an apparatus, a system, a method, a medium, etc.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0265] 1 Information processing system, 10 Terminal device, 11 Processor, 12 Memory, 13 Storage, 14 Communication IF, 15 Input / output IF, 17 Input unit, 18 Display unit, 20 Server, 21 Processor, 22 Memory, 23 Storage, 24 Communication IF, 25 Input / output IF, 110 Control unit, 111 Operation reception unit, 112 Transmission / reception unit, 113 Game control unit, 114 Display control unit, 116 Position information acquisition unit, 120 Storage unit, 210 Control unit, 211 Transmission / reception unit, 212 Game control unit, 215 Granting unit, 220 Storage unit

Claims

1. A computer, executes a request issued by specifying an object requested by another user as a requester, the request being issued in a specific game application, to advance the game of the specific game application using position information indicating the position in the real space of the user who received the request in the specific game application; and executes giving the object in the game specified as the object requested by the other user to the other user, the object being obtained by the movement of the user who received the request in the real space. A program.

2. The object in the game specified as the object requested by the other user is obtained by operating a specific spot arranged at a position in the virtual space corresponding to the position where the user who received the request moved in the real space. The program according to claim 1.

3. A computer, executes giving a reward to the user who received the request based on the object in the game specified as the object requested by the other user being given to the other user. The program according to claim 1.

4. A plurality of users can receive the request of 1, A computer, executes giving a reward to the user who obtained the object in the game specified as the object requested by the other user among the plurality of users who received the request. The program according to claim 1.

5. A computer, executes displaying, on the play screen of the user who plays the game upon receiving the request, a display indicating the object in the game specified as the object requested by the other user as a display related to the achievement condition of the request. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. Game control means for advancing the game of a specific game application using position information indicating the position in the real space of the user who received, in the specific game application, a request issued by specifying an object requested by another user as a requester, the request being issued in the specific game application; Granting means for granting to the other user the in-game object designated as the object that the other user seeks to acquire, which is obtained by the movement of the user who received the request in the real space; An information processing system.

Images