Program and System

Abstract

Provide a program that causes a computer to function as a changing means for changing at least one of the number or distribution of events associated with a real position where a user can participate using a terminal according to the characteristics of a region. In the above program, the changing means may make the density of events in a region with a larger number of users or population higher than the density of events in a region with a smaller number of users or population. In any of the above programs, the changing means may distribute events more uniformly in a region where the number of users or population exceeds a threshold compared to a region where the number of users or population is below the threshold.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes that "the non-player character participation module determines whether or not the number of matching establishments within a predetermined period for each region is less than or equal to a predetermined number, and in a region corresponding to the region information where the number of matching establishments has become less than or equal to the predetermined number, determines whether or not the number of player characters matched within a predetermined time after the start of matching by the processing of the matching module has reached a predetermined number." (paragraph 0040). [Prior Art Documents] [Patent Documents] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-20788

Summary of the Invention

[0003] In a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program that causes a computer to function as a changing means for changing at least one of the number or distribution of events associated with a real position, which a user can participate in using a terminal, according to the characteristics of a region.

[0004] In the above program, the changing means may increase the density of the events in a region with a larger number of users or a larger population than the density of the events in a region with a smaller number of users or a smaller population.

[0005] In any of the above programs, the changing means may distribute the events more uniformly in a region where the number of users or the population exceeds a threshold compared to a region where the number of users or the population is below the threshold.

[0006] In any of the above programs, the changing means may increase the density of the event at a location with a higher density of users or people than the density of the event at a location with a lower density of users or people within a region where the number of users or the population is equal to or less than the threshold value.

[0007] Any of the above programs may further cause a computer to function as a region characteristic determination means for determining the number of users in each of a plurality of regions or the number of users who have visited each of the plurality of regions based on the position information of each user who uses or logs in to the application including the provision of the event.

[0008] In any of the above programs, the changing means may determine the actual position associated with the event based on at least one of topographical features, accessibility, nearby facilities, the number of participating users in other events held in the past, weather, or disasters.

[0009] In any of the above programs, the changing means may change at least one of the number or distribution of the events according to the predicted future behavior of the users existing in the region.

[0010] In a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system including a changing means for changing at least one of the number or distribution of events associated with an actual position, which can be participated in by a user using a terminal, according to the characteristics of a region.

[0011] Note that the above summary of the invention does not list all the features of the present invention. Also, sub-combinations of these feature groups can also be inventions.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described through embodiments of the invention. However, the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. Also, not all combinations of the features described in the embodiments are essential for the solution means of the invention.

[0014] FIG. 1 shows a system 10 according to this embodiment. The system 10 includes a server device 20, a plurality of terminal devices 30, and a network 40. The system 10 has a function of holding an event associated with an actual location and enabling each of one or more users to participate using each of one or more terminal devices 30.

[0015] The server device 20 is connected to a plurality of terminal devices 30 via the network 40. The server device 20 receives access from one or more terminal devices 30 and provides an event associated with an actual location to the terminal devices 30. The server device 20 may have a function of providing, as an event associated with an actual location, an in-game event, a live stream, a product sale, or other events. In this embodiment, as an example, the server device 20 can provide a game environment to the terminal devices 30 and provide an in-game event associated with an actual location.

[0016] The server device 20 may be a computer such as a PC (personal computer), a workstation, a server computer, a general-purpose computer, a tablet computer, or a smartphone, or may be a computer system to which a plurality of computers are connected. Such a computer system is also a computer in a broad sense. Further, the server device 20 may be implemented by one or more executable virtual computer environments within the computer. Alternatively, the server device 20 may be a dedicated computer designed for the system 10, or may be dedicated hardware realized by a dedicated circuit.

[0017] The terminal device 30 is connected to the server device 20 via the network 40. The terminal device 30 may be a personal computer, a notebook computer, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet computer, a game dedicated terminal, or other terminal devices capable of data input and output.

[0018] The network 40 connects the server device 20 and a plurality of terminal devices 30. The network 40 is configured to include various wired or wireless networks such as, for example, the Internet, a wide area network (WAN), a local area network, a mobile phone network, or a combination thereof.

[0019] FIG. 2 shows the server device 20 according to the present embodiment. The server device 20 includes a database 200, an instruction input unit 210, a game processing unit 220, an event processing unit 230, and a display processing unit 240.

[0020] The database 200 stores user information regarding users and content information regarding events. In the present embodiment, the user information is data that records, for each user who is a player of a game as an example of the content to be provided, the progress status and play history of the game, etc. In the present embodiment, the content information is a programmed game scenario, image, audio, or other data regarding a game as an example of the content to be provided. The database 200 may be realized by at least a part of the storage area of an external storage device such as a hard disk drive connected to the server device 20, or may be realized by an external storage device of the server device 20 provided by, for example, a cloud storage service.

[0021] The instruction input unit 210 is connected to a plurality of terminal devices 30 via the network 40. The instruction input unit 210 receives various instructions from the terminal devices 30, including various operations during the play of a game by the user and various operations regarding events by the user. The instruction input unit 210 supplies the received instructions regarding the game to the game processing unit 220. The instruction input unit 210 may also function as a position information input unit that inputs position information indicating the location where the terminal device 30 is located from the terminal device 30.

[0022] The game processing unit 220 is connected to the database 200, the instruction input unit 210, and the display processing unit 240. The game processing unit 220 performs processing for advancing the game based on the user information and content information stored in the database 200 in response to an instruction regarding the game received from the instruction input unit 210. In the example of the present embodiment, the server device 20 provides a role-playing game as the content to be provided. The game processing unit 220 performs various game processes such as a process of forming a group (also referred to as a "party") including one or more characters (creatures such as virtual people or animals arranged in the game space) in response to the user's instruction in the game space, a process of equipping each character with an item such as a weapon or armor, a process of purchasing or selling an item, a process of moving the party, a process of fighting an enemy encountered by the party, and a process of growing a character according to the combat experience. Note that the server device 20 may provide any type of game other than the role-playing game.

[0023] The event processing unit 230 is connected to the database 200, the instruction input unit 210, and the display processing unit 240. In addition to the example of this figure, the event processing unit 230 may be connected to the game processing unit 220. The event processing unit 230 performs processing for advancing the event based on the user information and content information stored in the database 200 in response to an instruction regarding the event received from the instruction input unit 210.

[0024] The display processing unit 240 is connected to the terminal device 30 via the network 40. The display processing unit 240 performs display processing for causing various display screens regarding the game and the event to be displayed on the terminal device 30 to be the display target in response to instructions from the game processing unit 220 and the event processing unit 230.

[0025] FIG. 3 shows an example of the data structure regarding each user stored in the database 200. The database 200 stores game state data for each of a plurality of users. The game state data includes information regarding "user ID", "in-game currency", "in-game rank", "location information", "owned character information", "owned item information", and "friend ID" for each user.

[0026] The "user ID" is information for identifying the corresponding user and may be a number uniquely determined within the system 10. The "in-game currency" indicates the remaining amount of in-game currency held by the corresponding user. The "in-game currency" may be stored separately as the remaining amount of paid in-game currency and the remaining amount of free in-game currency held by the corresponding user. The "in-game rank" indicates the rank of the corresponding user in the game.

[0027] The "location information" indicates the location information of the corresponding user. The location information may be information on the location where the terminal device 30 used by the corresponding user is located or information on a location approximate thereto. The "location information" may be only the current location information of the corresponding user or may include a history of location information including the location information at each past time point of the corresponding user. The instruction input unit 210 of the server device 20 may acquire location information from the terminal device 30 via the network 40. The server device 20 may acquire the coordinates (latitude and longitude) of the location where the terminal device 30 is located as the location information. Alternatively, the server device 20 may acquire, as the location information, information such as a place name, a location ID, or other information that can identify the location of the terminal device 30 with a certain degree of accuracy from the terminal device 30.

[0028] "Owned Character Information" indicates the information of one or more characters owned by the corresponding user. The character information may include the type, attribute, rarity (difficulty of obtaining in the game), HP (Hit Points), MP (Magic Points), etc. of the corresponding character. "Owned Item Information" indicates the information of one or more items owned by the corresponding user. The item may include the type and quantity of the corresponding item. "Friend ID" indicates the user ID of another user associated with the corresponding user.

[0029] Note that the database 200 may store history information including part or all of the game play history for each of a plurality of users. The history information may include the history of participation or application in events by each user.

[0030] FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the terminal device 30 according to the present embodiment together with the input device 50 and the display device 60. The input device 50 may be a keyboard, a mouse, a touch sensor of a touch panel, etc., and inputs a user's instruction to the server device 20 of the system 10 and supplies it to the terminal device 30. The display device 60 may be a display or an image display unit of a touch panel, etc., and displays a display screen output by the server device 20 of the system 10. Note that the input device 50 and the display device 60 may be integrated with the terminal device 30. The terminal device 30 includes a terminal input processing unit 300, a terminal state acquisition unit 305, a terminal transmission unit 310, a terminal reception unit 320, and a terminal display processing unit 330.

[0031] The terminal input processing unit 300 is connected to the input device 50 and the terminal transmission unit 310. The terminal input processing unit 300 receives a user's instruction from the input device 50 and supplies it to the terminal transmission unit 310.

[0032] The terminal state acquisition unit 305 is connected to the terminal transmission unit 310. The terminal state acquisition unit 305 receives the position information of the terminal device 30 from a position sensor such as a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver provided in the terminal device 30 and supplies it to the terminal transmission unit 310.

[0033] The terminal transmission unit 310 is connected to the network 40. The terminal transmission unit 310 supplies the user instruction received from the terminal input processing unit 300 to the server device 20 via the network 40. The terminal transmission unit 310 supplies the position information of the terminal device 30 received from the terminal state acquisition unit 305 to the server device 20 via the network 40.

[0034] The terminal reception unit 320 is connected to the network 40 and the terminal display processing unit 330. The terminal reception unit 320 receives various display screens output by the server device 20 to this terminal device 30 via the network 40.

[0035] The terminal display processing unit 330 is connected to the display device 60. The terminal display processing unit 330 performs processing for displaying the display screen received from the terminal reception unit 320 on the display device 60.

[0036] In this embodiment, the terminal device 30 has a configuration in which the user instruction input to the input device 50 is transmitted to the server device 20, and the display screen output by the server device 20 is supplied to the display device 60 for output, thereby reducing the processing performed on the terminal device 30. Instead of this, the terminal device 30 may include components corresponding to at least a part of at least one of the instruction input unit 210, the game processing unit 220, the event processing unit 230, or the display processing unit 240 shown in relation to FIG. 2, and at least a part of these processes may be locally executed within the terminal device 30.

[0037] FIG. 5 shows the processing flow in the server device 20 according to this embodiment. In response to receiving an instruction to start a game from a certain terminal device 30, the server device 20 starts the processing flow in this figure to provide a game to the user of that terminal device 30.

[0038] In S502 (Step 502), the game processing unit 220 and the event processing unit 230 refer to the game state stored in the database 200 for the target user, and instruct the display processing unit 240 to generate a display screen according to the game state. The display processing unit 240 performs processing to generate a game screen and display it on the terminal device 30 of the target user according to the instructions from the game processing unit 220 and the event processing unit 230. For example, if the party of the target user is moving within the game space, the display processing unit 240 causes the terminal device 30 to display a screen including an image around the party; if a character within the party is selecting an equipped item, the display processing unit 240 causes the terminal device 30 to display a screen prompting the target user to select an item; if the party of the target user is in combat, the display processing unit 240 causes the terminal device 30 to display a screen prompting the target user to input a combat action for each of one or more characters.

[0039] In S504, the terminal device 30 of the target user inputs an instruction corresponding to the display screen from the user of the terminal device 30 who has seen the display screen displayed on the display device 60, via the input device 50, and transmits it to the server device 20. The terminal device 30 transmits the position information acquired by the terminal state acquisition unit 305 to the server device 20. The instruction input unit 210 supplies the instruction from the terminal device 30 to the game processing unit 220 or the event processing unit 230 according to the instruction content. The instruction input unit 210 supplies the position information of the terminal device 30 to the game processing unit 220 or the event processing unit 230.

[0040] In S506, the game processing unit 220 or the event processing unit 230 performs processing according to the instruction input from the instruction input unit 210 in S504. For example, the game processing unit 220 performs processing such as moving the party of the target user within the game space, determining the items equipped by the characters in the party, and attacking a specified enemy by a specified means by the character. The game processing unit 220 may perform processing such as moving the party of the target user within the game space in response to the movement of the position information of the target user input from the instruction input unit 210. For example, the game processing unit 220 performs processing to move the party of the target user to a position within the game space corresponding to the position information of the target user in response to the change in the position information of the target user. Further, when the target user performs an event within the provided target content, the event processing unit 230 performs processing related to the event. The event processing unit 230 may perform processing related to the event based on the position information of the target user input from the instruction input unit 210. For example, when the position information of the target user input from the instruction input unit 210 satisfies the requirements for participating in the event, the event processing unit 230 performs processing related to the event. When the position information of the target user input from the instruction input unit 210 does not satisfy the requirements for participating in the event, the event processing unit 230 does not have to perform processing related to the event.

[0041] In S508, the game processing unit 220 or the event processing unit 230 changes the game state stored in the database 200 according to the processing in S506. For example, when the game processing unit 220 moves a party within the game space, it updates the positions of each character belonging to the party in the possessed character information shown in FIG. 3 within the game space. When the game processing unit 220 equips an item to a character, it adds, for example, the identification information of the equipped item to the data structure indicating the item list equipped by the character included in the possessed character information. Also, when a character attacks a designated enemy, the game processing unit 220 performs processing such as reducing the index value indicating the soundness of the enemy, such as HP, associated with the designated enemy. Further, when the enemy attacks a character, the game processing unit 220 performs processing such as reducing the index value indicating the soundness of the character, such as HP, associated with the character in the possessed character information. The game processing unit 220 may update the game state in various other ways according to the instruction content of the target user and the progress of the game. Also, the event processing unit 230 reflects the result of the event in the game state by changing the game state stored in the database 200 according to the result of the event processing.

[0042] Returning to S502 from S508, the display processing unit 240 performs processing to display the screen after the game state change on the display device 60 of the terminal device 30.

[0043] FIG. 6 shows the configuration of the event processing unit 230 according to the present embodiment together with the instruction input unit 210, the game processing unit 220, the display processing unit 240, and the input device 70.

[0044] In this embodiment, an "event" may represent an event associated with a real location that a target user can participate in using the terminal device 30. Alternatively, an "event" may represent an event held in a virtual space corresponding to a real location. Therefore, an "event" may not include those held in the real space. As an example, an "event" may be an event that a user can participate in using the terminal device 30 when the user is located at or near a specific real location (event spot), and as a result, the user's terminal device 30 exists at or near that specific location. As an example, an "event" may be one in which at least a part of the appeal (image, video, sound, vibration, etc.) to the user provided in the event is given via the terminal device 30. An "event" may be one that confers on the user the right to purchase a specific item via the terminal device 30. An "event" may be an event in which a user (host) who hosts the event and recruits participants and a user (guest) who applies for the recruitment and participates in the event participate in cooperation. Alternatively, an "event" may be an event in which a user (host) who first gives an instruction to start recruiting for the event and a user (guest) who gives an instruction to start recruiting for the event after the second participate in cooperation. Instead of these, an "event" may be an event hosted by a person or group other than the user, such as an event operator or an event operation group. An "event" may be one in which participating users compete for scores, etc. in the event. An "event" may be provided in an application provided by the system 10.

[0045] In this embodiment, the system 10 changes at least one of the number or distribution of events according to the characteristics of the area where the events associated with the real location occur. Thereby, the system 10 makes it easier for the user to participate in the events associated with the real location even in an area with a small number of users or population, and provides an environment in which the events can be enjoyed more.

[0046] The input device 70 may be a keyboard, a mouse, a touch sensor of a touch panel, etc., and inputs instructions from an event operator or the like to the server device 20 of the system 10 and supplies them to the event processing unit 230.

[0047] The event processing unit 230 includes a database connection means 600, an input acquisition means 610, a change means 620, an event processing means 630, and a regional characteristic determination means 640. The database connection means 600 is connected to the database 200. The database connection means 600 processes access to the database 200 from each means within the event processing unit 230.

[0048] The input acquisition means 610 acquires various instructions and various information related to events. In the example of this figure, the input acquisition means 610 includes an event occurrence instruction acquisition means 612 and a position information acquisition means 614. Alternatively, the input acquisition means 610 may include only one of the event occurrence instruction acquisition means 612 or the position information acquisition means 614.

[0049] The event occurrence instruction acquisition means 612 is connected to the input device 70, the instruction input unit 210, and the game processing unit 220. Alternatively, the event occurrence instruction acquisition means 612 may be connected to at least one of the input device 70, the instruction input unit 210, or the game processing unit 220. The event occurrence instruction acquisition means 612 acquires an event start instruction from the input device 70 or the game processing unit 220. The event occurrence instruction acquisition means 612 acquires an event start instruction from the terminal device 30 via the instruction input unit 210. Here, the event occurrence instruction acquisition means 612 may acquire an event start instruction from the terminal device 30 of an event operator or the like via the instruction input unit 210.

[0050] The position information acquisition means 614 is connected to the instruction input unit 210. The position information acquisition means 614 uses an application including the provision of events or logs in to the application to acquire the position information of each user from the terminal device 30 via the instruction input unit 210.

[0051] The change means 620 is connected to the database connection means 600 and the event occurrence instruction acquisition means 612. The change means 620 changes at least one of the number or distribution of events.

[0052] The event processing means 630 is connected to the database connection means 600, the change means 620, and the display processing unit 240. When the event occurrence instruction acquisition means 612 acquires an event holding instruction, the event processing means 630 performs processing for generating a target event based on the event information stored in the database 200 and the number or distribution of events changed by the change means 620. The event processing means 630 may instruct the display processing unit 240 to transmit a display related to the event to the user's terminal device 30.

[0053] The regional characteristic determination means 640 is connected to the database connection means 600, the position information acquisition means 614, and the change means 620. The regional characteristic determination means 640 uses an application including event provision or logs in to the application to acquire the position information of each user from the position information acquisition means 614. The regional characteristic determination means 640 determines the characteristics of the region based on the position information of each user acquired from the position information acquisition means 614. The regional characteristic determination means 640 may determine, as the characteristics of the region, the number of users in the region or the number of users who visited the region. The regional characteristic determination means 640 may write the determined characteristics of the region into the database 200 via the database connection means 600, or supply the determined characteristics of the region to the change means 620.

[0054] FIG. 7 shows an event processing flow in the server device 20 according to the present embodiment. When the event processing unit 230 of the server device 20 receives an event holding instruction from the terminal device 30 having the event processing unit 230, the game processing unit 220, or the input device 70 connected to the event processing unit 230, the server device 20 starts the processing flow of this figure to provide an event to the user.

[0055] In S710, the event occurrence instruction acquisition means 612 acquires an event occurrence instruction from at least one of the input device 70, the instruction input unit 210, or the game processing unit 220.

[0056] In S720, the change means 620 acquires the characteristics of the area where the event is to occur. The change means 620 may acquire the characteristics of the area where the event is to occur from the database 200 via the database connection means 600. As an example, the change means 620 may acquire the number of users or the population in the area where the event is to occur. Alternatively, the change means 620 may acquire the characteristics of the area where the event is to occur from the area characteristic determination means 640. In this case, the area characteristic determination means 640 determines the characteristics of the area where the event is to occur. The area characteristic determination means 640 may use an application including the provision of the event or log in to the application, and based on the position information of each user logged in to the application, determine the number of users in each of a plurality of areas or the number of users who have visited each of the plurality of areas as the characteristics of the area. The area characteristic determination means 640 may supply the determined characteristics of the area to the change means 620.

[0057] The area characteristic determination means 640 may determine the number of users included in the area where the current position information is located as the number of users in the area. The area characteristic determination means 640 may acquire the position information of each area from the database 200 via the database connection means 600, and determine the number of users included within the range of the position information of a certain area as the number of users in the area. The area characteristic determination means 640 may also determine the number of users included in the area where the position information has been present from before a predetermined period to the present as the number of users in the area. As an example, the area characteristic determination means 640 may determine the number of users who have been included in the area where the position information has been present for three days or more and are still included in the area as the number of users in the area.

[0058] The regional characteristic determination means 640 may acquire information regarding the representative position in a certain region from the database 200, and determine the number of users who visited the representative position as the number of users who visited the region. The "representative position" may be a position preselected from landmarks, famous places, etc. located in each region, or may be a geometrically determined position such as the center of gravity (population center of gravity) or the center of each region. The regional characteristic determination means 640 may acquire the coordinates of the representative position in a certain region from the database 200, and use the number of users who have been located within or passed through a certain range from the coordinates of the representative position as the number of users who visited the region. Alternatively, the regional characteristic determination means 640 may use the number of users who performed a specific operation of the application within a certain range from the coordinates of the representative position as the number of users who visited the region. As an example, the regional characteristic determination means 640 may use the number of users who registered in the application that they visited the representative position as the number of users who visited the region. The regional characteristic determination means 640 may determine the cumulative number (total number of people, actual number of people, etc.) of users who visited each of a plurality of regions within a predetermined period. Thereby, the regional characteristic determination means 640 can determine the characteristics of the region more accurately compared to the case of determining the number of users who visited within the entire period since the system 10 started providing services to the users. In addition to visits, the regional characteristic determination means 640 may measure how long a user stayed in the region, such as the stay time or residence time, and consider it when determining the regional characteristics. For example, the regional characteristic determination means 640 may determine the number of users whose stay time or residence time is longer than a certain period as the number of users who visited the region. Similarly, the regional characteristic determination means 640 may measure the moving direction of users or people existing in the region, and not only at the current time but also infer the direction in which they are likely to go in the future, and consider it when determining the regional characteristics. Further, the regional characteristic determination means 640 may infer the behavior of users or people in the region from the tendency of the past movement history of users in that region, and determine the regional characteristics.

[0059] In S730, the changing means 620 changes at least one of the number or distribution of events according to the characteristics of the region. The changing means 620 may change the number of events in a certain region, etc., to be different from the number of events in another region with different characteristics. The changing means 620 may change at least one of the number or distribution of events according to the magnitude of an index indicating the characteristics of the region, such as the number of users or the population in the region. The changing means 620 may change the total amount of events in the region as the number of events, or may change the number of events per unit area. As the distribution of events, the changing means 620 may change the number of events for each area obtained by subdividing the region. The changing means 620 may set the number of events in all areas within a certain region to be the same, or may set the number of events in a specific area within a certain region to a value different from the number of events in other areas within the same region. The changing means 620 may also change the types of events according to the characteristics of the region. In a region where the number of users or the population is smaller, the changing means 620 may generate more events with a wider range of participable positions compared to other events than in a region where the number of users or the population is larger.

[0060] In S740, the change means 620 determines the actual position for associating events using at least one of the number or distribution of events changed in S730. The change means 620 may determine the actual position for associating events based on at least one of topographical features, accessibility, nearby facilities, the number of participating users in other events held in the past, weather, or disasters. According to the server device 20 having such a function, by associating events with positions where users are likely to gather and avoiding associating events with positions where users are unlikely to gather, the number of users participating in the events can be increased. Here, the "topographical features" may mean what kind of terrain a certain position and its surroundings are. The change means 620 may extract information about the terrain from the database 200 and determine the actual position for associating events as a position included in a plain with few undulations. The change means 620 may determine the actual position for associating events as a position other than in mountains or highlands. "Accessibility" may mean the ease of human access to a certain position. As an example, the change means 620 may extract information about the terrain from the database 200 and determine the actual position for associating events as a position with good accessibility such as an area easy to walk in on a plain, an area with little vehicle traffic, near a road, or near a train station. The change means 620 may determine the actual position for associating events as a position other than a position with poor accessibility such as an area at a certain distance from the mountaintop and stations, bus stops, etc. The change means 620 may determine the actual position for associating events based on the accessibility within a certain period such as within one month from now. "Nearby facilities" may mean facilities existing in the vicinity of a certain position, for example, facilities existing within a certain range from a certain position. The change means 620 may determine the actual position for associating events as a position near facilities where people are likely to gather such as parks and commercial facilities such as large shopping malls. The change means 620 may determine the actual position for associating events as a position other than an area where people are unlikely to gather such as farmland and its surroundings. The change means 620 may determine the actual position for associating events as a position other than facilities where people's entry is restricted such as factories and private lands and their surroundings.

[0061] "Other events held in the past" may mean other events held by the server device 20 in the past. The changing means 620 may determine the actual position for associating an event at a position where the number of participating users for other events held in the past is large or around it. The changing means 620 may determine the actual position for associating an event at a position other than a position where the number of participating users for other events held in the past is small and its surroundings. "Weather" may mean the weather at a certain position. The changing means 620 may determine the actual position for associating an event at a position in an area where the current weather is good (sunny, cloudy, etc.). The changing means 620 may determine the actual position for associating an event at a place other than an area where the current weather is bad (rain, snow, thunder, strong wind, etc.). "Disaster" may mean a disaster such as an earthquake or a typhoon that occurred at a certain position. The changing means 620 may determine the actual position for associating an event at a position other than an area where a disaster has occurred within a certain period. The changing means 620 may obtain information on at least one of the topographical features, accessibility, nearby facilities, the number of participating users for other events held in the past, weather, or disasters in each area from the database 200.

[0062] When the regional characteristic determination means 640 estimates the future behavior of users existing in the region and determines the regional characteristics in S720, in S740, the changing means 620 may change at least one of the number or distribution of events according to the predicted future behavior of users existing in the region. For example, the changing means 620 may increase the density of events in region A where the number of users or the population is estimated to increase compared to the density of events in at least one of region B where the number of users or the population is estimated to decrease, region C where the predicted value of the number of users or the population is less than the predicted value of the number of users or the population in region A, or region D where the current number of users or the population is less than the predicted value of the number of users or the population in region A.

[0063] In the S750, the event processing means 630 performs processing for generating and progressing an event associated with the actual position determined in the S740. The event processing means 630 may perform processing for generating and progressing an event based on information regarding the event stored in the database 200. As an example, when the corresponding event is an event in which a plurality of users cooperate to defeat an enemy monster, the event processing unit 230, as the characters operated by the plurality of participating users attack the designated enemy monster, performs processing such as reducing the index value indicating the soundness of the enemy monster, such as the HP associated with the designated enemy monster. Also, when the enemy monster performs processing to attack a character, the event processing unit 230 performs processing such as reducing the index value indicating the soundness of the character, such as the HP associated with the character in the possessed character information. When the index value indicating the soundness of the enemy monster becomes less than or equal to a predetermined threshold value, the event processing unit 230 changes the game state stored in the database 200, thereby awarding rewards such as in-game items, in-game currency, and character parameter experience values to each user who participated in the event. When the index value indicating the soundness of a character becomes less than or equal to a predetermined threshold value for all of the one or more characters operated by a certain user, the event processing unit 230 performs processing to end the event. The event processing means 630 may update the event occurrence history stored in the database 200.

[0064] According to the server device 20 described above, since at least one of the number or distribution of events can be changed according to the characteristics of the region, the number of users participating in the event increases compared to the case where no change is made, and users can enjoy the event more.

[0065] FIG. 8 shows an example of the data structure regarding regions stored in the database 200. The database 200 stores region characteristic data for each of a plurality of regions. Here, a region indicates a certain range on a map. As an example, a region may be each of the geographical or historically predetermined areas such as a country, a prefecture, a municipality, etc. Alternatively, a region may be each of the polygonal ranges obtained by dividing a map at regular distances (several km). The distance may be a Euclidean distance (straight-line distance), a Manhattan distance, a moving distance via a road on an actual map or a virtual map, etc. The region characteristic data may include information regarding "region ID", "location information", "population", and "number of users" for each region.

[0066] The "region ID" is information for identifying the corresponding region and may be a number uniquely determined within the system 10. The "location information" indicates the location information of the corresponding region. The "location information" may be information on the location where the corresponding region is located, or may be the range of coordinates included in the corresponding region. The "location information" may also be information (coordinates, etc.) on the representative location in the corresponding region.

[0067] The "population" indicates information regarding the population of the corresponding region. The "population" may be the population in the entire area of the corresponding region, or may be the population per unit area in the corresponding region, that is, the population density. The "population" may also include the population or population density of each of a plurality of areas in the corresponding region. Here, an area is a certain range on a map and indicates a range narrower than a region.

[0068] "The number of users" indicates information regarding the number of users in the corresponding region. "The number of users" may be the number of users in the corresponding region. "The number of users" may be the current number of users in the corresponding region, or may include a history of the number of users including the number of past users in the corresponding region. "The number of users" may be the number of users who visited the corresponding region within a certain period. "The number of users" may be the number of users per unit area or the number of visiting users per unit area in the corresponding region. "The number of users" may include the number of users, the number of visiting users, the number of users who set a home position within the corresponding region, or the density per unit area of each of a plurality of areas in the corresponding region.

[0069] Figure 9 shows a first example of the data structure regarding events stored in the database 200. The database 200 stores event basic information data for each of a plurality of types of events. The event basic information data includes information regarding "event ID", "region", "occurrence number", "position restriction", and "event information".

[0070] "Event ID" is information for identifying the type of the corresponding event, and may be a number uniquely determined within the system 10. "Region" indicates information on one or more regions where the corresponding type of event occurs. "Region" may include the "region ID" in FIG. 8.

[0071] "Occurrence number" indicates the quantity of events of the corresponding type that occur. The "occurrence number" may be the occurrence number per region or the occurrence number per unit area. The "occurrence number" may be the default quantity of events of the corresponding type, and in addition, may include the upper or lower limit quantity of events of the corresponding type that occur. "Location restriction" indicates the location range where a user can participate in events of the corresponding type. Here, the "location range" may be determined according to the distance from the reference point of the event. As an example, the location range may be a set of locations within a determined distance from the reference point of the event. The reference point of the event may be an actual location associated with the event. The distance may be Euclidean distance (straight-line distance), Manhattan distance, the moving distance via roads on an actual map or a virtual map, etc. "Location restriction" may indicate a threshold of the location range, indicating that a user located in a set of locations where the distance from the reference point in events of the corresponding type is within the threshold can participate in the event.

[0072] "Event information" indicates information regarding the progress of events of the corresponding type. As an example, when the event of the corresponding type is an event where multiple users cooperate to defeat an enemy monster, the "event information" may include the upper limit number of people who can participate in the event of the corresponding type, the name of the enemy monster, the image of the enemy monster, index values indicating the soundness of the enemy monster such as HP, etc.

[0073] FIG. 10 shows a second example of the data structure related to events stored in the database 200. The database 200 stores event occurrence information data for each of a plurality of events that have occurred. The event holding information data includes information regarding "event ID", "event instance ID", "region", "location information", and "event information".

[0074] The "Event ID" is information for identifying the type of the corresponding event, and may be the same as the "Event ID" in FIG. 9. The "Event Instance ID" is information for identifying the corresponding event, and may be a number uniquely determined within the system 10. The "Region" indicates information on the region where the corresponding event occurred. The "Region" may be the same as the "Region ID" in FIG. 8.

[0075] The "Location Information" indicates the location information of the event spot where the corresponding event occurred. The "Location Information" may be the coordinates of the event spot where the corresponding event occurred. The "Event Information" indicates information regarding the corresponding event. The "Event Information" may include the number of users who participated in the corresponding event, the result of the corresponding event, and the like. As an example, when the corresponding event is held, if the predetermined conditions for the event to be successful can be satisfied, the "Event Result" may be stored as "Success", and if the predetermined conditions cannot be satisfied, the "Event Result" may be stored as "Failure". As an example, when the corresponding event is an event in which a plurality of users cooperate to defeat an enemy monster, if the corresponding enemy monster can be defeated, the "Event Result" of the corresponding event may be stored as "Success", and if the corresponding enemy monster cannot be defeated, the "Event Result" of the corresponding event may be stored as "Failure".

[0076] FIG. 11 shows a first example of an event change method in the server device 20 according to the present embodiment. In the example of this figure, a plurality of event spots 1110, which are actual positions associated with a certain event, are shown on map 1100 and map 1150. Here, it is assumed that the number of users or the population in the area shown in map 1100 is larger than that in the area shown in map 1150. The changing means 620 changes at least one of the number or distribution of events associated with the actual position according to the number of users or the population (S730 in FIG. 7). The changing means 620 may make the density of events in an area with a larger number of users or a larger population higher than the density of events in an area with a smaller number of users or a smaller population. The changing means 620 may also make the density of events in an area where the number of users or the population exceeds a threshold higher than the density of events in an area where the number of users or the population is below the threshold. According to the server device 20 having these functions, by having the function of lowering the density of events in an area with a smaller number of users or a smaller population, even in an area with a smaller number of users or a smaller population, more users can participate in one event, so that users can enjoy the event more. The changing means 620 may change the number of events per unit area as the density of events. In the example of this figure, the changing means 620 changes the number of event spots 1110 installed in the area shown in map 1100 to 5, and changes the number of event spots 1110 installed in the area shown in map 1150 to 1.

[0077] FIG. 12 shows a second example of an event change method in the server device 20 according to the present embodiment. In the example of this figure, event spot 1110, which is the actual position associated with a certain event, is shown on map 1200 and map 1250. Here, it is assumed that the number of users or the population in the area shown in map 1200 exceeds the threshold, and the number of users or the population in the area shown in map 1250 is below the threshold. Map 1250 includes area 1260 where the density of users or people is higher. That is, the places other than area 1260 in map 1250 are places where the density of users or people is lower. The changing means 620 changes at least one of the number or distribution of events associated with the actual position according to the number of users or the population (S730 in FIG. 7). The changing means 620 may distribute events more uniformly in the area where the number of users or the population exceeds the threshold compared to the area where the number of users or the population is below the threshold. The changing means 620 may also distribute events more uniformly in the area where the number of users or the population is larger compared to the area where the number of users or the population is smaller. According to the server device 20 having these functions, in the area where the number of users or the population is larger, there is no place where the density of events is locally low, and users can participate in events without excessive movement. The changing means 620 may distribute events at regular intervals in the area where the number of users or the population exceeds the threshold. The changing means 620 may distribute events so that the distribution of the distance between the event spot closest to the event spot in the area where the number of users or the population exceeds the threshold is more uniform (for example, the standard deviation is smaller) than the distribution of the distance in the area where the number of users or the population is below the threshold. In the example of this figure, the changing means 620 distributes event spot 1110 more uniformly in the area shown in map 1200 and distributes event spot 1110 biased towards area 1260 in the area shown in map 1250.

[0078] The changing means 620 may increase the density of events at locations with a higher user or population density compared to the density of events at locations with a lower user or population density within an area where the number of users or the population is below a threshold. The changing means 620 may also increase the density of events at locations where the user or population density exceeds the threshold compared to the density of events at locations where the user or population density is below the threshold within an area where the number of users or the population is below a threshold. According to the server device 20 having these functions, even in an area with a smaller number of users or population, more users can participate in one event, so that users can enjoy the event more. As an example, the changing means 620 may increase the density of events in and around villages, commercial facilities, etc. within an area where the number of users or the population is below a threshold. In the example of this figure, the changing means 620 increases the density of events in area 1260 compared to the density of events in locations other than area 1260 on map 1250 in the area shown on map 1250. As a result, the density of event spots 1110 in area 1260 becomes higher compared to other locations on map 1250.

[0079] Various embodiments of the present invention may be described with reference to flowcharts and block diagrams, where blocks (each block in a flowchart, each block shown as a "means" or "section", etc.) may represent (1) a stage of a process in which an operation is performed or (2) a section of a device having a role of performing an operation. Specific stages and sections may be implemented by a dedicated circuit, a programmable circuit supplied with computer-readable instructions stored on a computer-readable medium, and / or a processor supplied with computer-readable instructions stored on a computer-readable medium. The dedicated circuit may include digital and / or analog hardware circuits, and may include an integrated circuit (IC) and / or discrete circuits. The programmable circuit may include a reconfigurable hardware circuit including memory elements such as logical AND, logical OR, logical XOR, logical NAND, logical NOR, and other logical operations, flip-flops, registers, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic array (PLA), etc.

[0080] The computer-readable medium may include any tangible device capable of storing instructions executable by an appropriate device. As a result, a computer-readable medium having instructions stored therein will comprise a product including instructions executable to create means for performing the operations specified in a flowchart or block diagram. Examples of the computer-readable medium may include an electronic storage medium, a magnetic storage medium, an optical storage medium, an electromagnetic storage medium, a semiconductor storage medium, etc. More specific examples of the computer-readable medium may include a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM or flash memory), an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), a static random access memory (SRAM), a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disc (DVD), a Blu-ray (registered trademark) disc, a memory stick, an integrated circuit card, etc.

[0081] Computer-readable instructions may include any combination of one or more programming languages, including source code or object code written in assembly instructions, instruction set architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine-dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state-setting data, or object-oriented programming languages such as Smalltalk®, JAVA®, C++, and conventional procedural programming languages such as the "C" programming language or similar programming languages.

[0082] Computer-readable instructions may be provided locally or via a wide area network (WAN) such as a local area network (LAN), the Internet, etc. to a processor or programmable circuit of a programmable data processing apparatus such as a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, or other computer, etc., and may execute the computer-readable instructions to create means for performing the operations specified in a flowchart or block diagram. Examples of processors include computer processors, processing units, microprocessors, digital signal processors, controllers, microcontrollers, etc.

[0083] FIG. 13 shows an example of a computer 2200 in which multiple aspects of the present invention may be embodied, in whole or in part. Programs installed on the computer 2200 may cause the computer 2200 to function as an operation associated with the apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention or as one or more sections of the apparatus, or may cause the operation or the one or more sections to be executed, and / or may cause the computer 2200 to execute a process according to an embodiment of the present invention or a stage of the process. Such a program may be executed by the CPU 2212 to cause the computer 2200 to perform specific operations associated with some or all of the blocks of the flowcharts and block diagrams described herein.

[0084] The computer 2200 according to this embodiment includes a CPU 2212, a RAM 2214, a graphic controller 2216, and a display device 2218, which are interconnected by a host controller 2210. The computer 2200 also includes an input / output unit such as a communication interface 2222, a hard disk drive 2224, a DVD-ROM drive 2226, and an IC card drive, which are connected to the host controller 2210 via an input / output controller 2220. The computer also includes legacy input / output units such as a ROM 2230 and a keyboard 2242, which are connected to the input / output controller 2220 via an input / output chip 2240.

[0085] The CPU 2212 operates according to programs stored in the ROM 2230 and the RAM 2214, thereby controlling each unit. The graphic controller 2216 acquires image data generated by the CPU 2212 in a frame buffer provided in the RAM 2214 or the like, or in itself, and causes the image data to be displayed on the display device 2218.

[0086] The communication interface 2222 communicates with other electronic devices via a network. The hard disk drive 2224 stores programs and data used by the CPU 2212 in the computer 2200. The DVD-ROM drive 2226 reads a program or data from the DVD-ROM 2201 and provides the program or data to the hard disk drive 2224 via the RAM 2214. The IC card drive reads programs and data from an IC card and / or writes programs and data to an IC card.

[0087] The ROM 2230 stores therein a boot program or the like executed by the computer 2200 upon activation, and / or a program dependent on the hardware of the computer 2200. The input / output chip 2240 may also be connected to the input / output controller 2220 via various input / output units through a parallel port, a serial port, a keyboard port, a mouse port, etc.

[0088] The program is provided by a computer-readable medium such as a DVD-ROM 2201 or an IC card. The program is read from the computer-readable medium, installed in the hard disk drive 2224, the RAM 2214, or the ROM 2230, which is also an example of a computer-readable medium, and executed by the CPU 2212. The information processing described in these programs is read by the computer 2200, resulting in the cooperation between the programs and the various types of hardware resources described above. The apparatus or method may be configured by realizing the operation or processing of information according to the use of the computer 2200.

[0089] For example, when communication is executed between the computer 2200 and an external device, the CPU 2212 may execute a communication program loaded in the RAM 2214 and instruct the communication interface 2222 to perform communication processing based on the processing described in the communication program. The communication interface 2222 reads the transmission data stored in the transmission buffer processing area provided in a recording medium such as the RAM 2214, the hard disk drive 2224, the DVD-ROM 2201, or the IC card under the control of the CPU 2212, transmits the read transmission data to the network, or writes the received data received from the network to the reception buffer processing area or the like provided on the recording medium.

[0090] Also, the CPU 2212 may cause all or necessary portions of files or databases stored in external recording media such as a hard disk drive 2224, a DVD-ROM drive 2226 (DVD-ROM 2201), an IC card, etc. to be read into the RAM 2214, and may execute various types of processing on the data on the RAM 2214. The CPU 2212 then writes back the processed data to the external recording media.

[0091] Various types of information such as various types of programs, data, tables, and databases may be stored in the recording media and may be subjected to information processing. The CPU 2212 may execute various types of processing on the data read from the RAM 2214, including various types of operations, information processing, condition judgment, conditional branch, unconditional branch, information search / replacement, etc. described throughout this disclosure and specified by the instruction sequence of the program, and write back the result to the RAM 2214. Also, the CPU 2212 may search for information in files, databases, etc. within the recording media. For example, when a plurality of entries each having an attribute value of a first attribute associated with an attribute value of a second attribute are stored in the recording media, the CPU 2212 searches for an entry that matches the condition where the attribute value of the first attribute is specified from among the plurality of entries, reads the attribute value of the second attribute stored in the entry, and thereby may obtain the attribute value of the second attribute associated with the first attribute that satisfies a predetermined condition.

[0092] As described above, the present invention has been described using embodiments, but the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes or improvements can be made to the above embodiments. It is clear from the description of the claims that forms with such changes or improvements may also be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0093] In the claims, the specification, and the drawings, the execution order of each process such as operations, procedures, steps, and stages in the apparatus, system, program, and method shown should be noted that unless explicitly stated as "before" or "preceding" etc., and unless the output of the previous process is used in the subsequent process, it can be realized in any order. Regarding the operation flows in the claims, the specification, and the drawings, even if "first," "next," etc. are used for convenience in the description, it does not mean that it is essential to implement in this order.

[0094] "Supplementary Note" According to the specification and drawings of the present application, each feature shown as a supplementary note below is also disclosed. "Problem" It aims to improve the interestingness. "Solution Means" (Supplementary Note 1) A program that causes a computer to function as a changing means for changing at least one of the number or distribution of events associated with the actual location where a user can participate using a terminal, according to the characteristics of the region. (Supplementary Note 2) The program according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the changing means makes the density of the events in a region with a larger number or population of users higher than the density of the events in a region with a smaller number or population of users. (Supplementary Note 3) The program according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the changing means distributes the events more uniformly in a region where the number or population of users exceeds a threshold compared to a region where the number or population of users is below the threshold. (Supplementary Note 4) The program according to Supplementary Note 3, wherein the changing means makes the density of the events in a place with a higher density of users or people higher than the density of the events in a place with a lower density of users or people within a region where the number or population of users is below the threshold. (Supplementary Note 5) ​The program according to Supplementary Note 1, which further causes the computer to function as a regional characteristic determination means for determining the number of users in each of a plurality of regions or the number of users who have visited each of the plurality of regions based on the location information of each user who is using the application including the provision of the event or who has logged in to the application. (Supplementary Note 6) The program according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the changing means determines the actual location associated with the event based on at least one of the characteristics of the terrain, accessibility, nearby facilities, the number of participating users in other events held in the past, weather, or disasters. (Supplementary Note 7) The program according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the changing means changes at least one of the number or distribution of the events according to the predicted future behavior of the users existing in the region.

[0095] Note that the solution means configured by the above program may be appropriately diverted to the fields of devices, systems, methods, and media.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0096] 10 System 20 Server Device 30 Terminal Device 40 Network 50 Input Device 60 Display Device 70 Input Device 200 Database 210 Instruction Input Unit 220 Game Processing Unit 230 Event Processing Unit 240 Display Processing Unit 300 Terminal Input Processing Unit 305 Terminal State Acquisition Unit 310 Terminal Transmission Unit 320 Terminal Reception Unit 330 Terminal Display Processing Unit 600 Database Connection Means 610 Input Acquisition Means 612 Event Generation Instruction Acquisition Means 614 Location information acquisition means 620 Modification means 630 Event processing means 640 Regional characteristic determination means 1100 Map 1110 Event spot 1150 Map 1200 Map 1250 Map 1260 Area 2200 Computer 2201 DVD-ROM 2210 Host controller 2212 CPU 2214 RAM 2216 Graphics controller 2218 Display device 2220 Input / output controller 2222 Communication interface 2224 Hard disk drive 2226 DVD-ROM drive 2230 ROM 2240 Input / output chip 2242 Keyboard

Claims

1. A computer, a changing means for changing at least one of the number or distribution of events associated with a real location, where multiple users can participate collaboratively using terminals, according to the characteristics of the region functioning as, the changing means is a program that determines the real location associating an event based on at least one of the accessibility at a certain period before the present or a disaster at a certain period before the present.

2. A system comprising a changing means for changing at least one of the number or distribution of events associated with a real location, where multiple users can participate collaboratively using terminals, according to the characteristics of the region comprising, the changing means is a system that determines the real location associating an event based on at least one of the accessibility at a certain period before the present or a disaster at a certain period before the present.

Images