Program, information processing device, game system, and information processing method

Abstract

To provide a program or the like capable of preventing depopulation of a virtual space in which users play, without causing users to feel unfairness or dissatisfaction. [Solution] The virtual space includes multiple contents that are pre-classified into content to be integrated and content not to be integrated, and the program causes a computer to perform the following processes: extracting two or more game servers from multiple game servers as a group of game servers for integration; acquiring play information associated with the content to be integrated from the group of game servers for integration; integrating the acquired play information to generate integrated data; providing the integrated data to a game server different from the group of game servers for integration, and having the different game server provide a virtual space in which users can play together regarding the content to be integrated; and having the group of game servers for integration independently provide virtual spaces in which users can each play regarding the content not to be integrated.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a program, an information processing device, a game system, and an information processing method. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, social games have been offered in which multiple people can play in the same virtual space by connecting to a server via the Internet from a program or website installed on a device such as a smartphone or PC (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Many users from all over the world participate in these social games online. For this reason, multiple server devices are provided in the game system, and the load on the server devices is reduced by distributing the connections of user terminals. In the same social game, the basic settings such as geography and background in the virtual space provided by each server device are set to the same, so users can basically play the same game no matter which server device they connect to (i.e., in which virtual space). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-20312 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] On the other hand, if the number of users playing in a single virtual space decreases, the number of opponents and people to interact with will decrease, which can make the game monotonous and less appealing. To avoid this situation (also known as "virtual space depopulation"), in order to ensure the number of users playing in a single virtual space, the connections of users that were previously distributed across multiple server devices are sometimes consolidated into a single server device, thereby integrating the multiple virtual spaces in which users play. This process is also known as server integration, world integration, etc.

[0006] However, when two or more virtual spaces are merged, users who previously played in each virtual space will now be playing in a single virtual space, which could intensify the ranking competition. Furthermore, when virtual spaces with different overall levels are merged, it may not be possible to maintain the rankings before the merger, which could lead to a sense of unfairness and dissatisfaction among users. As a result, users' motivation to play may decrease, and they may even abandon the game altogether.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a program, an information processing device, a game system, and an information processing method that can prevent the virtual space in which users play from becoming depopulated without causing users a sense of unfairness or dissatisfaction. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The program according to the present disclosure is a program executed by a computer that manages a plurality of game servers that provide a virtual space in which users play, in a game system that provides a game to a user terminal used by the user, the virtual space including a plurality of contents that are pre-classified into either contents to be integrated or contents not to be integrated, and includes an extraction process that extracts two or more game servers from the plurality of game servers as a group of game servers for integration; a data acquisition process that acquires, from two or more game servers belonging to the group of game servers for integration, play information associated with the content to be integrated from play information related to user play in the virtual space provided by each game server; and an integration process that integrates the play information associated with the content to be integrated acquired from two or more game servers belonging to the group of game servers for integration. a data integration process for generating combined data; a virtual space partial integration process for providing the combined data to one of the plurality of game servers that is different from two or more game servers belonging to the integration game server group, thereby causing the different game servers to provide a virtual space in which users of the two or more game servers belonging to the integration game server group can play together, with respect to the content to be integrated; and a virtual space partial maintenance process for causing the two or more game servers belonging to the integration game server group to independently provide a virtual space in which users of the two or more game servers can each play, with respect to the content not to be integrated, by causing the two or more game servers belonging to the integration game server group to each maintain play information related to user play in the virtual space provided by each game server, which play information is associated with the content not to be integrated.

[0009] The information processing device according to the present disclosure is an information processing device that manages a plurality of game servers that provide a virtual space in which a user plays, in a game system that provides a game to a user terminal used by the user, the virtual space including a plurality of contents that are pre-classified into either contents to be integrated or contents not to be integrated, and includes an extraction unit that extracts two or more game servers from the plurality of game servers as a game server group for integration, a data acquisition unit that acquires, from two or more game servers belonging to the game server group for integration, play information associated with the content to be integrated out of play information related to user play in the virtual space provided by each game server, and integrates the play information associated with the content to be integrated acquired from two or more game servers belonging to the game server group for integration, a partial integration processing unit that provides the integrated data to one of the plurality of game servers that is different from two or more game servers belonging to the group of game servers for integration, thereby causing the different game servers to provide a virtual space in which users of the two or more game servers belonging to the group of game servers for integration can both play, with respect to the content to be integrated; and a partial maintenance processing unit that causes the two or more game servers belonging to the group of game servers for integration to independently provide a virtual space in which users of the two or more game servers can each play, with respect to the content not to be integrated, by causing the two or more game servers belonging to the group of game servers for integration to each maintain play information related to user play in the virtual space provided by each game server, which play information is associated with the content not to be integrated.

[0010] A game system according to the present disclosure is a game system that provides a game to a user terminal used by a user, and includes a plurality of game servers that provide a virtual space in which the user plays, and a management server that manages the plurality of game servers, wherein the virtual space includes a plurality of contents that are pre-classified into either content to be integrated or content not to be integrated, and the management server includes an extraction unit that extracts two or more game servers from the plurality of game servers as a group of game servers for integration, a data acquisition unit that acquires, from two or more game servers belonging to the group of game servers for integration, play information associated with the content to be integrated from play information related to user play in the virtual space provided by each game server, and a data acquisition unit that integrates the play information associated with the content to be integrated acquired from two or more game servers belonging to the group of game servers for integration. a partial integration processing unit that provides the integrated data to one of the plurality of game servers that is different from two or more game servers belonging to the group of game servers for integration, thereby causing the different game servers to provide a virtual space in which users of the two or more game servers belonging to the group of game servers for integration can play together, with respect to the content to be integrated; and a partial maintenance processing unit that causes the two or more game servers belonging to the group of game servers for integration to independently provide a virtual space in which users of the two or more game servers can each play, with respect to the content not to be integrated, by causing the two or more game servers belonging to the group of game servers for integration to each maintain play information related to user play in the virtual space provided by each game server, which play information is associated with the content not to be integrated.

[0011] An information processing method according to the present disclosure is an information processing method executed in a game system that provides a game to a user terminal used by a user, the information processing method including a plurality of game servers that provide a virtual space in which the user plays, and a management server that manages the plurality of game servers, the virtual space including a plurality of contents that are pre-classified into either contents to be integrated or contents not to be integrated, the information processing method including an extraction step of extracting two or more game servers from the plurality of game servers as a game server group for integration, a data acquisition step of acquiring, from two or more game servers belonging to the game server group for integration, play information associated with the content to be integrated from play information related to user play in the virtual space provided by each game server, and a data acquisition step of acquiring play information associated with the content to be integrated acquired from two or more game servers belonging to the game server group for integration. a virtual space partial integration step of providing the integrated data to one of the plurality of game servers that is different from two or more game servers belonging to the group of game servers for integration, thereby causing the different game servers to provide a virtual space in which users of the two or more game servers belonging to the group of game servers for integration can play together, with respect to the content to be integrated; and a virtual space partial maintenance step of causing the two or more game servers belonging to the group of game servers for integration to independently provide a virtual space in which users of the two or more game servers can each play, with respect to the content not to be integrated, by causing the two or more game servers belonging to the group of game servers for integration to each maintain play information related to user play in the virtual space provided by each game server, the play information being associated with the content not to be integrated. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present invention having the above-described configuration, it is possible to provide a program, an information processing device, a game system, and an information processing method that can prevent the virtual space in which users play from becoming depopulated without causing users a sense of unfairness or dissatisfaction. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a game system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a management server according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 10 is a table showing an example of user information stored in a user information database. [Figure 4] 10 is a table showing an example of content information stored in a content information database. [Figure 5] 10 is a table showing an example of server management information stored in a server management information database. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a game server according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in a player information database and a play information database. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a user terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a specific example of a top screen displayed on a user terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a specific example of a game screen displayed on a user terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart showing a partial integration process of a virtual space by the game system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining a partial integration process of a virtual space by the game system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing the game providing process after the partial integration process of the virtual space. [Figure 14] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the basic configuration of a computer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Hereinafter, a program, an information processing device, a game system, and an information processing method according to embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In all drawings describing the embodiments, common components are designated by the same reference numerals, and repeated description will be omitted.

[0015] <System configuration> FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a game system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] The game system 1 includes a management server 100, multiple game servers 200 (first game server 200(1), second game server 200(2), ..., third game server 200(3)), and multiple user terminals 300 (300(1), 300(2), ..., 300(N)). The management server 100, the game servers 200, and the user terminals 300 are connected to a network NW and can communicate with each other via the network NW. The network NW includes the Internet. The network NW may include a LAN (Local Area Network) and / or a WAN (Wide Area Network). An administrator terminal (not shown) for inputting commands and information to the management server 100 may also be connected to the network NW.

[0017] The management server 100, the multiple game servers 200, the user terminals 300, and the administrator terminal are each configured with one or multiple computers 900. The basic configuration of the computer 900 will be described later.

[0018] The game system 1 is a system that provides user terminals 300 connected via a network NW with a social game G (hereinafter simply referred to as game G) that multiple users can play online in the same virtual space W. The type of game G is not particularly limited, and may be a role-playing game in which players perform tasks (also called "quests") while developing a character, an exploration game in which players explore a map set in the virtual space W, a simulation game in which players build a city or garden in the virtual space W, a matching game in which users interact with each other through these games, or any other game.

[0019] The multiple game servers 200 are logical servers for respectively providing multiple virtual spaces W in which such games G are played. Here, one game server 200 may be configured as one physical server, which is actual hardware. Alternatively, two or more game servers 200, which are logical servers, may be configured by dividing the resources of one physical server.

[0020] In this embodiment, the following description will be given taking as an example a case where the user terminal 300 is a smartphone and the user needs to install an app for a game G on the user terminal 300. The virtual space W is also referred to as a world server, a world, or a virtual space server. The game system 1 provides the virtual space W of the game G to the user via each game server 200.

[0021] In the game system 1, a lower limit is set for the number of users (number of players) playing in a virtual space W provided by a certain game server 200. Therefore, for a game server 200 with a reduced number of players, a process is executed to integrate users with game servers 200 of other games. In this embodiment, instead of integrating users for all of the virtual spaces W provided by the game server 200, a partial integration process is executed to integrate users for each piece of content included in the virtual space W.

[0022] 2 is a functional block diagram of the management server 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The management server 100 is an information processing device that manages multiple game servers 200, and includes a communication unit 110, a storage unit 120, and a processing unit 130.

[0023] The communication unit 110 is a network interface and communicates with the user terminal 300 and the game server 200 via the network NW. The communication unit 110 passes data received from the user terminal 300 to the processing unit 130 for authentication, and notifies the user terminal 300 of the authentication result. The communication unit 110 also passes data received from the game server 200 to the processing unit 130, and transmits data and commands generated by the processing unit 130 to the game server 200. The communication unit 110 also passes commands and information input from an administrator terminal connected via the network NW to the processing unit 130.

[0024] The storage unit 120 is configured using a storage device such as a magnetic hard disk, a semiconductor storage device, etc. The storage unit 120 stores various programs 121 for causing a computer to function as the management server 100 and various parameters used during execution of the programs 121, as well as a user information database (DB) 122, a content information database (DB) 123, and a server management information database (DB) 124.

[0025] The user information database 122 stores user information, which is information about users who use the game system 1. Fig. 3 is a table showing an example of user information stored in the user information database 122. The user information includes a user ID, a user name, authentication information such as a password, billing information for the game G, and a usage server ID, which is identification information for the game server 200 currently being used by the user.

[0026] The content information database 123 stores content information, which is information relating to the content included in the virtual space W. FIG. 4 is a table showing an example of content information stored in the content information database 123.

[0027] Here, content refers to functions and elements that users can participate in or experience in virtual space W. Specifically, virtual space W provides content such as quests, which are tasks given to players according to the game's storyline; daily missions, which are tasks that are updated periodically, such as daily or weekly, and are repeatedly given to players; PvP battles, in which players compete against other players; PvE battles, in which players compete against enemy characters (monsters, etc.); a guild function that allows players to organize groups (also called guilds); guild battles, which are battles between guilds; events, which are time-limited quests; character development; an exchange where players can buy and sell (exchange) items; a friend function for forming connections with other players; and various chat functions for interacting with other players. Chat functions include direct chat, in which players communicate one-on-one with each other; guild chat, in which members of the same guild communicate with each other; and world chat, in which messages are directed to players in the same virtual space W.

[0028] As shown in Fig. 4, the content information includes a content ID, which is identification information assigned to each piece of content, a content name, and an integration target flag. The integration target flag is a flag that indicates whether the content is to be integrated in the partial integration process of virtual space W. When the integration target flag is "1," the content is to be integrated, and when the integration target flag is "0," the content is not to be integrated. In this way, the content is pre-classified into content to be integrated in the partial integration process of virtual space W and content not to be integrated.

[0029] The content to be integrated includes, for example, content in which multiple users play the game together (also called "cooperative elements"), and even solo-play content that does not involve ranking competition. Specific examples include friend functions, trading, various quests, daily missions, character development, direct chat, world chat, multiplayer battles (grand battles), and battles and events that take place with other virtual spaces W.

[0030] On the other hand, content that is not subject to integration is, for example, content related to ranking competitions between users or guilds. In particular, content related to reward systems related to ranking competitions and content related to the range of opponents in battles between guilds are not subject to integration. Specific examples include guild functions, guild chat, PvP battles, guild battles, battle leagues (battles in a league format), player ranking competitions, guild ranking competitions, battles and events that are completed only within the virtual space W, etc.

[0031] The content to be integrated and the content not to be integrated can be set appropriately depending on the game. For example, in principle, content may be set as the content to be integrated, and some content (e.g., only content related to ranking competitions) may be set as the content not to be integrated. Conversely, in principle, content may be set as the content not to be integrated, and some content (e.g., only cooperative elements) may be set as the content to be integrated.

[0032] The server management information database 124 manages each game server 200 and stores server management information, which is information used to determine whether to execute a partial integration process for the virtual space W, which will be described later. FIG. 5 is a table showing an example of server management information stored in the server management information database 124. The server management information includes information such as a server ID, which is identification information assigned to each game server 200, the number of users using each game server 200, and the operating status of each content. The operating status may include values ​​such as the number of battles held and the number of friend combinations formed, for example.

[0033] The processing unit 130 includes, as functional units, a user information management unit 131, an authentication unit 132, a display control unit 133, an extraction unit 134, a data acquisition unit 135, a data integration unit 136, a partial integration processing unit 137, and a partial maintenance processing unit 138.

[0034] The user information management unit 131 manages the user information database 122 stored in the storage unit 120 .

[0035] When a user terminal 300 requests connection to the game system 1, the authentication unit 132 performs authentication based on authentication information such as a password sent from the user terminal 300, and if the authentication is successful, allows the user terminal 300 to connect to a specific game server 200.

[0036] The display control unit 133 controls the display of the login screen for the game G on the user terminal 300.

[0037] The extraction unit 134 executes an extraction process of extracting, from the plurality of game servers 200, two or more game servers 200 that are to be the targets of the partial integration process of the virtual space W as a group of game servers for integration.

[0038] Here, as the number of users (players) playing in one virtual space W decreases, the users (players) have fewer opponents and people to interact with, which reduces the appeal of the game. Furthermore, in content in which multiple players cooperate to complete tasks or content in which groups compete against each other, a small number of players makes play unfeasible in the first place. In a virtual space W, if the number of players falls below a certain number, the outflow of players from the virtual space W becomes unstoppable, and depopulation tends to progress rapidly. Such a number of users is called the "critical point of depopulation." Therefore, it is necessary to secure a certain number of users or more in the virtual space W before the number of players reaches the critical point. In this embodiment, in order to secure the number of players in the virtual space W, a virtual space W whose number of players is approaching the critical point is partially integrated with another virtual space W to secure the number of players.

[0039] The critical point differs depending on the game G, but can generally be set at around 1,000 players in one virtual space W. Based on the critical point, the extraction unit 134 sets the number of players (hereinafter also referred to as the reference value) that will be the standard for executing partial integration of the virtual space W, and extracts a group of game servers for integration based on this reference value.

[0040] The extraction unit 134 may extract two or more game servers 200 with the number of players equal to or less than a reference value as the integrating game server group. Furthermore, the extraction unit 134 may extract at least one game server 200 with the number of players equal to or less than a reference value as part of the integrating game server group. In other words, the game server 200 with the number of players equal to or less than the reference value and the game server 200 with the number of players equal to or more than the reference value may be targeted for partial integrating processing of the virtual space W. Alternatively, the extraction unit 134 may extract, as the integrating game server group, a game server 200 selected in accordance with information input from an administrator terminal via the network NW.

[0041] Alternatively, the extraction unit 134 may extract the group of integrating game servers based on the usage status of content in the virtual space W, instead of or in addition to the reference value of the number of players. For example, the group of integrating game servers may be extracted based on conditions such as the number of battles held in a certain period of time being a predetermined number or less, or the number of successful matches being a predetermined number or less.

[0042] The data acquisition unit 135 acquires play information associated with content to be integrated from two or more game servers 200 belonging to the integration game server group, among play information that is information related to user play in the virtual space W provided by each game server 200. Details of the play information will be described later, but the play information includes play information associated with content to be integrated and play information associated with content not to be integrated.

[0043] The data integration unit 136 generates integrated data by integrating play information associated with content to be integrated, which is acquired from two or more game servers 200 belonging to the integration game server group.

[0044] The partial integration processing unit 137 provides the integrated data integrated by the data integration unit 136 to one of the multiple game servers 200 that is different from the two or more game servers 200 that belong to the integration game server group, thereby performing a virtual space partial integration process that causes the different game server 200 to provide a virtual space W in which users of the two or more game servers that belong to the integration game server group can play together, with respect to the content to be integrated.

[0045] 1 are extracted as a group of game servers for integration, the partial integration processing unit 137 provides the integrated data to a third game server 200(3) that is different from either of the first game server 200(1) and the second game server 200(2). This allows users of the first game server 200(1) and the second game server 200(2) to play the content to be integrated in a common virtual space W provided by the third game server 200(3).

[0046] The partial maintenance processing unit 138 executes a virtual space partial maintenance process in which two or more game servers 200 belonging to the integration game server group each maintain play information related to user play in the virtual space provided by each game server 200, which is associated with content not to be integrated, and the two or more game servers 200 independently provide a virtual space W in which users of the two or more game servers 200 can each play, with respect to the content not to be integrated.

[0047] 1 are extracted as a group of game servers for integration, the partial maintenance processing unit 138 causes the first game server 200(1) and the second game server 200(2) to continue to independently provide the virtual space W for content not to be integrated. This allows users of the first game server 200(1) to play content not to be integrated in the virtual space W provided by the first game server 200(1), and users of the second game server 200(2) to play content not to be integrated in the virtual space W provided by the second game server 200(2).

[0048] As described above, since the game servers 200 are each logical servers that provide one virtual space W, the third game server 200(3) may be configured by dividing the resources of the physical server that configures the first game server 200(1) and / or the second game server 200(2). Of course, the first game server 200(1) to the third game server 200(3) may each be configured using three physical servers.

[0049] 6 is a functional block diagram of a game server 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The game server 200 is a server device that provides a virtual space W in which users play a game G, and includes a communication unit 210, a storage unit 220, and a processing unit 230.

[0050] The communication unit 210 is a network interface that communicates with the user terminal 300, the management server 100, and other game servers 200 that belong to the same integrating game server group via the network NW. For example, the communication unit 210 passes a signal corresponding to an operation performed on the user terminal 300 to the processing unit 230, and transmits data generated by the processing unit 230 to the user terminal 300, thereby providing the virtual space W of the game G.

[0051] The storage unit 220 is configured using a storage device such as a magnetic hard disk, a semiconductor storage device, etc. The storage unit 220 stores various programs 221 for causing the computer to function as the game server 200 and various parameters used during execution of the programs 221, as well as a player information database (DB) 222, a play information database (DB) 223, etc.

[0052] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in the player information database 222 and the play information database 223. As shown in FIG.

[0053] The player information database 222 stores player information, which is information about users who play in the virtual space W provided by the game server 200. As shown in Fig. 7, the player information includes information such as a user ID, a user name, a server ID (also referred to as a world ID) of the game server 200 (i.e., the server being used by the user), information about the character used by the user in the virtual space W (e.g., the character's type, experience points, level, etc.), the character's possessions (e.g., currency, items, equipment, etc.), the character's fighting power (e.g., attack power, skills, etc.), and the progress of the game G (e.g., the progress of quests, etc.).

[0054] The play information database 223 is a database that stores play information, which is information related to user play in the virtual space W, and is prepared for each piece of content included in the virtual space W. As shown in FIG. 7, each play information database 223 is associated with the player information database 222 via a user ID. Each play information database 223 also includes a content ID that indicates the associated content. By referring to the content information database 123 (see FIG. 4) based on the content ID included in each play information database 223, it is possible to identify whether the play information included in each play information database 223 is information associated with content to be integrated or information associated with content not to be integrated.

[0055] 7 illustrates a friend information database (DB) D01 to a battle ranking information database (DB) D07 as examples of the play information database 223. However, the storage unit 220 may store another play information database 223 in addition to the play information database 223 illustrated in FIG. 7, or instead of some or all of the play information database 223 illustrated in FIG.

[0056] The friend information database D01 stores friend information, which is information about exchange relationships in the virtual space W. The friend information includes information such as the content ID of content in which users interact with each other to play, the user ID of the player who requested to become friends (the request source), and the user ID of the player who received the request (the request recipient).

[0057] The guild information database D02 stores guild information, which is information about guilds organized in the virtual space W. The guild information includes information such as the content ID of the guild content, the guild ID, the guild name, and the user IDs of the members of the guild.

[0058] The battle history information database D03 stores battle history information, which is history information related to battles. The battle history information includes information such as the content ID of the content where the battle took place (for example, a PvP arena), the user ID of the player who competed, the user ID of the opponent, the result of the battle, damage inflicted on the opponent, and the date and time of the battle.

[0059] The mission completion history information database D04 stores history information on mission completion for specific content. The mission completion history information includes information such as the content ID of the mission, the user ID of the player who performed the mission, the result of the mission (success or failure), the number of times the mission was completed, and the date and time of the last mission execution.

[0060] The quest progress information database D05 stores information related to the progress of a quest in the virtual space W. The quest progress information includes information such as the content ID of the quest, the user ID of the player performing the quest, the progress of the quest, and the date and time when the quest was completed.

[0061] The event participation history information database D06 stores user participation history information for events held in the virtual space W. The event participation history information includes information such as the content ID of the event, the user IDs of players who participated in the event, rewards given to players for participating in the event, and the date and time of participation in the event.

[0062] The battle ranking information database D07 stores information about the battle rankings held in the virtual space W. The battle ranking information includes information such as the content ID of the battle ranking, the user IDs of the players who participated in the battle ranking, and the rank and score of each player.

[0063] The processing unit 230 includes, as functional units, a game providing unit 231, a game information management unit 232, and a counting unit 233. When the processing unit 230 executes the program 221 stored in the storage unit 220, these functional units are realized and the process of providing a game to the user terminal 300 is executed.

[0064] The game providing unit 231 provides the user terminal 300 with a game G that can be played by the user logging in through the user terminal 300 of the user.

[0065] The game information management unit 232 manages information related to play in the virtual space W. That is, the game information management unit 232 records and updates play information including the player information database 222 and the play information database 223 according to the user's play status.

[0066] The tallying unit 233 tally results such as scores for each user or guild, user rankings, guild rankings, etc., based on the play information database 223.

[0067] 8 is a functional block diagram of a user terminal 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The user terminal 300 includes a communication unit 310, a storage unit 320, a control unit 330, a display unit 340, and an operation unit 350. The communication unit 310, the storage unit 320, the control unit 330, the display unit 340, and the operation unit 350 are electrically connected to one another via a communication bus 360. In this embodiment, the user terminal 300 is a smartphone. However, it may also be any other device, such as a tablet terminal, a game console, or a PC, that can connect to the management server 100 and the game server 200 via an installed program to play the game G.

[0068] <Screen example> Next, an example of a screen of the game G provided by the game server 200 will be described.

[0069] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a specific example of a top screen displayed on a user terminal 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The top screen D400 shown in FIG. 9 is an interface that allows a user to select a "world" as the virtual space W of a game G. The top screen D400 includes a main area D410, a sub-area D420, and a close button D430. The main area D410 is arranged in a size (range, area) and position on the top screen D400 that is easy for the user to use, so as to visually attract the user's attention, and has the function of prompting the user to make a selection. The sub-area D420 is relatively small compared to the main area D410 and has the function of presenting auxiliary information to the user.

[0070] In the main area D410, there are arranged a button D411 for selecting the world "W124xxx" together with the character string "Previous Login", and a button D412 for selecting the world "W237xxx" together with the character string "NEW".

[0071] The button D411 has arranged thereon a character string indicating the world "W124xxx", the user name, and the character string "Rank: 50" indicating the current rank in that world.

[0072] The button D412 has the character string "NEW" arranged thereon, which indicates that the world is a new world provided in the game G, and the character string indicating that the world is "W237xxx."

[0073] In the sub-area D420, a title character string of "World List" and a plurality of buttons D421, D422, D423, . . . indicating a plurality of selectable worlds are arranged.

[0074] By selecting button D411 located in the main area D410 on the top screen D400, the user can connect the user terminal 300 to the same game server 200 as when the user last logged in, and play the game G in the same virtual space W (world "W124xxx") as last time.

[0075] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a specific example of a game screen displayed on a user terminal 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Screen D500 shown in FIG. 10 is a play screen for game G, and displays a main character MC controlled by the user and a character NPC not controlled by the user on a map MP set in a virtual space W. Also arranged on map MP are a scene of PvP battle content C1, a scene of building construction content C2, which is a cooperative element, and a scene of main quest content C3. Of these, the scene for content C1 also displays a character BC controlled by the opposing player.

[0076] <System Operation> Next, the operation of the game system 1 having the above-described configuration and functions will be described using a flowchart.

[0077] Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing the partial integration process of the virtual space W by the game system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 12 is a schematic diagram for explaining the partial integration process of the virtual space by the game system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0078] In step S101, the management server 100 (extraction unit 134) extracts two or more game servers as an integrating game server group from the multiple game servers 200. For example, if the number of players on each of the first game server 200(1) and the second game server 200(2) shown in Fig. 1 falls below a reference value, these game servers 200 are extracted as part of the integrating game server group.

[0079] In step S102, the management server 100 (data acquisition unit 135) acquires, from two or more game servers 200 belonging to the integration game server group, play information associated with the content to be integrated from among play information related to users' plays in the virtual space W provided by each game server 200. For example, in the example shown in Fig. 7, a mission completion history information database D04 related to a mission, which is the content to be integrated, is acquired.

[0080] In step S103, the management server 100 (data integration unit 136) generates integrated data by integrating play information (i.e., play information associated with content to be integrated) acquired from two or more game servers 200 belonging to the integration game server group. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, if content (B) and content (C) are the content to be integrated among content (A), content (B), content (C), ..., the play information about content (B) acquired from the first game server 200(1) is integrated with the play information about content (B) acquired from the second game server 200(2). Similarly, the play information about content (C) acquired from the first game server 200(1) is integrated with the play information about content (C) acquired from the second game server 200(2).

[0081] In step S104, the management server 100 (partial integration processing unit 137) executes the virtual space partial integration process by providing the integrated data generated in step S103 to a game server 200 different from the two or more game servers 200 belonging to the integration game server group. Specifically, the integrated data is provided to a third game server 200(3) different from the first game server 200(1) and the second game server 200(2) (see FIG. 12). As a result, the third game server 200(3) provides a virtual space W in which users of the first game server 200(1) and the second game server 200(2) can both play the content to be integrated.

[0082] In step S105, the management server 100 (partial maintenance processing unit 138) executes a virtual space partial maintenance process that causes two or more game servers 200 belonging to the integrating game server group to each maintain play information associated with content not to be integrated, out of play information related to user play in the virtual space W provided by each game server 200. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 12, play information related to content (A) not to be integrated is not integrated and is maintained in each of the first game server 200(1) and the second game server 200(2). As a result, the virtual spaces W in which users of the first game server 200(1) and the second game server 200(2) can play content not to be integrated are provided independently by the first game server 200(1) and the second game server 200(2). This completes the partial integration process of the virtual space W.

[0083] FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram showing the game providing process after the partial integration process of the virtual space W. In the following, it is assumed that the first game server 200(1) and the second game server 200(2) belong to the same integration game server group, and that the content to be integrated is provided by the third game server 200(3). In the following, it is assumed that the user using the user terminal 300 is registered as a user of the first game server 200(1). Note that the same processing as described below is also executed for the user of the second game server 200(2).

[0084] In step S201, when the user terminal 300 detects a login operation to the game system 1, the user terminal 300 transmits authentication information such as a user ID and a password to the management server 100.

[0085] In step S202, the management server 100 performs authentication, and if the authentication is successful, transmits the top screen D400 of game G (see FIG. 9) to the user terminal 300. In response, in step S203, the user terminal 300 displays the top screen D400.

[0086] In step S204, when the user terminal 300 detects an operation to select the same game server as the previous login (an operation on button D411 in Figure 9), it sends server information (e.g., a server ID) representing the selected game server 200 to the management server 100.

[0087] In step S205, the management server 100 transmits connection information, which is information permitting the connection of the user, to the first game server 200(1). The connection information includes information such as the user ID and the IP address of the user terminal 300.

[0088] In step S206, the first game server 200(1) starts providing the game to the user terminal 300. In response to this, in step S207, the user terminal 300 displays the virtual space W of the game G.

[0089] In step S208, when the user terminal 300 detects an operation to execute content included in the virtual space W, it transmits an execution request for that content to the first game server 200(1).

[0090] If the content requested for execution is content to be integrated, in step S301, the first game server 200(1) transmits connection information and player information, including the user ID and the IP address of the user terminal 300, to the third game server 200(3). For example, this process is executed when an execution request for content C2, which is a building construction content that is a cooperation element shown in FIG. 10, is transmitted from the user terminal 300 to the first game server 200(1). In addition, in step S302, the third game server 200(3) synchronizes the player information of the user based on the received player information.

[0091] In step S303, the third game server 200(3) provides the content in the virtual space W provided by the third game server 200(3) to the user terminal 300. This allows users of the first game server 200(1) to play together with users of the second game server 200(2) that belong to the same integrating game server group in the virtual space W provided by the third game server 200(3).

[0092] After the content has been provided, in step S304, the third game server 200(3) transmits the player information to the first game server 200(1). In response, in step S305, the first game server 200(1) synchronizes the player information.

[0093] On the other hand, if the content requested for execution is not a content to be integrated, in step S401, the first game server 200(1) provides the content to the user terminal 300 based on play information that it manages independently. For example, this process is executed when a request to execute PvP content C1 shown in FIG. 10 is sent from the user terminal 300 to the first game server 200(1).

[0094] <Basic computer configuration> 14 is a block diagram showing the basic hardware configuration of a computer 900. The computer 900 has a control unit 901, a storage unit 902, a communication unit 903, an input unit 904, and an output unit 905. The control unit 901, the storage unit 902, the communication unit 903, the input unit 904, and the output unit 905 are electrically connected to one another via a communication bus 910.

[0095] The control unit 901 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit, also called a processor), and is a device that controls each unit of the computer 900 and also reads and executes various programs stored in the storage unit 902 .

[0096] The storage unit 902 includes a main storage device such as a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) and an auxiliary storage device such as a hard disk, and is a device for storing various programs for executing the operating system and various applications of the computer 900, as well as data used by these programs. The processes shown in the various flowcharts above are realized by the control units 901 of the computers constituting the management server 100, the game server 200, and the user terminals 300 executing programs stored in their respective storage units 902.

[0097] The communication unit 903 is a device for communicating with external devices, and transmits and receives data according to instructions from the control unit 901. Each of the computers constituting the management server 100, the game server 200, and the user terminal 300 uses this communication unit 903 to communicate with other devices including the network NW shown in FIG.

[0098] The input unit 904 is a device that receives input from outside and supplies it to the control unit 901, and is configured to include, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, and a camera. The output unit 905 is a device that outputs the processing results of the control unit 901 to the outside, and is configured to include, for example, a display and a speaker.

[0099] <Program> Here, a program for realizing each functional unit of the management server 100 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0100] The management server 100 is implemented in a computer 900. The operation of each component of the management server 100 is stored in the form of a program in the auxiliary storage device of the storage unit 902. The control unit 901 reads the program from the auxiliary storage device of the storage unit 902, loads it into the main storage device of the storage unit 902, and executes the above-mentioned processing in accordance with the program. The control unit 901 also allocates a storage area corresponding to the above-mentioned storage unit 120 in the main storage device of the storage unit 902 in accordance with the program.

[0101] Specifically, the program is a program to be executed by a computer having a processor and a storage unit in a computer 900, and the program is a program to be executed by a computer that manages a plurality of game servers that provide a virtual space in which a user plays, in a game system that provides a game to a user terminal used by the user, the virtual space including a plurality of contents that are pre-classified into either contents to be integrated or contents not to be integrated, and the program includes an extraction process of extracting two or more game servers from the plurality of game servers as a game server group for integration, a data acquisition process of acquiring, from two or more game servers belonging to the game server group for integration, play information related to user play in the virtual space provided by each game server, the play information associated with the content to be integrated, and a data acquisition process of acquiring the play information acquired from two or more game servers belonging to the game server group for integration. The program executes a data integration process that generates integrated data by integrating play information associated with target content; a virtual space partial integration process that provides the integrated data to a game server among the plurality of game servers that is different from two or more game servers belonging to the integration game server group, thereby causing the different game servers to provide virtual spaces in which users of two or more game servers belonging to the integration game server group can play, with respect to the content to be integrated; and a virtual space partial maintenance process that causes the two or more game servers belonging to the integration game server group to independently provide virtual spaces in which users of the two or more game servers can each play, with respect to the content not to be integrated, by causing the two or more game servers belonging to the integration game server group to each maintain play information related to user play in the virtual spaces provided by each game server that is associated with the content not to be integrated.

[0102] The auxiliary storage device of storage unit 902 is an example of a non-transitory tangible medium. Other examples of non-transitory tangible media include a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, and a semiconductor memory connected via input unit 904. Furthermore, when this program is distributed to computer 900 via network NW, computer 900 that receives the program may load the program into the main storage device of storage unit 902 and execute the above-described processing.

[0103] The program may also be a program for realizing some of the above-described functions. Furthermore, the program may be a so-called differential file (differential program) that realizes the above-described functions in combination with another program already stored in the auxiliary storage device of the storage unit 902.

[0104] According to the game system 1 of this embodiment described above, multiple contents are pre-classified into either content to be integrated or content not to be integrated, and two or more game servers 200 are extracted from the multiple game servers 200 as a group of game servers for integration. For the content to be integrated, a virtual space W in which users of two or more game servers 200 belonging to the group of game servers for integration can play together is provided by a game server 200 different from the two or more game servers 200, and for the content not to be integrated, a virtual space W in which users of the two or more game servers 200 can each play is provided independently by the two or more game servers. This makes it possible to prevent the virtual space in which users play from becoming depopulated without causing users a sense of unfairness or dissatisfaction.

[0105] In particular, for some content, the virtual spaces are integrated so that users of the integration game server group can play together, thereby preventing the virtual spaces from becoming depopulated. On the other hand, for the remaining content, the virtual spaces are maintained so that users of the integration game server group can play in their original virtual spaces, thereby preventing sudden changes in the game level of the virtual spaces and sudden intensification of ranking competition. This prevents users from feeling unfair or dissatisfied. As a result, it is possible to maintain users' motivation to play and promote long-term play.

[0106] <Modification> In the above embodiment, the player information database 222 is stored in each game server 200, but the player information database 222 may be stored in the management server 100 or another server (including a logical server) for storing player information. In this case, each game server 200 provides the game G to the user by referencing the player information based on the server ID included in the player information database 222.

[0107] In this modified example, when the management server 100 integrates the play information related to the content to be integrated (see step S103 in FIG. 11), it adds the server ID of the game server 200 (third game server 200(3)) that provides the content to be integrated as the server ID for integrated content to the player information database 222 related to the game servers 200 (first game server 200(1) and second game server 200(2)) that belong to the integration game server group. This allows the first game server 200(1) and the second game server 200(2) to refer to the same player information based on the server ID included in the player information database 222, and the third game server 200(3) to refer to the same player information based on the server ID included in the player information database 222, and thereby allows the management server 100 to provide the game G to users.

[0108] <Other embodiments> The above-described operational flows are not limited to being implemented independently, but can be implemented by combining two or more operational flows. For example, some steps of one operational flow may be added to another operational flow, or some steps of one operational flow may be replaced with some steps of another operational flow. In each flow, it is not necessary to execute all steps, and only some steps may be executed. Furthermore, the order of steps in each flow may be changed as appropriate.

[0109] A program may be provided that causes a computer to execute each process according to the above-described embodiments. The program may be recorded on a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium can be used to install the program on a computer. Here, the computer-readable medium on which the program is recorded may be a non-transitory storage medium. The non-transitory storage medium is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a storage medium such as a CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM. Furthermore, circuits that execute each process performed by the device according to the above-described embodiments may be integrated, and at least a part of the device may be configured as a semiconductor integrated circuit (chipset, SoC).

[0110] The functions performed by the apparatus according to the above embodiments may be implemented in circuitry or processing circuitry, including general-purpose processors, special-purpose processors, integrated circuits, ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), a Central Processing Unit (CPU), conventional circuits, and / or combinations thereof, programmed to perform the described functions. A processor includes transistors and other circuits and is considered to be circuitry or processing circuitry. A processor may also be a programmed processor that executes a program stored in a memory. In this disclosure, a circuit, unit, or means is hardware that is programmed to perform or executes the described functions. The hardware may be any hardware disclosed herein or any hardware known to be programmed to perform or execute the described functions. When the hardware is a processor, which is considered to be a type of circuitry, the circuit, means, or unit is a combination of hardware and software used to configure the hardware and / or processor.

[0111] As used in this disclosure, the terms "based on" and "depending on / in response to" do not mean "based only on" or "depending only on," unless expressly stated otherwise. The term "based on" means both "based only on" and "based at least in part on." Similarly, the term "depending on" means both "depending only on" and "depending at least in part on." The terms "include," "comprise," and variations thereof do not mean including only the listed items, but may mean including only the listed items or may include additional items in addition to the listed items. Additionally, the term "or," as used in this disclosure, is not intended to mean an exclusive or. Furthermore, any reference to elements using designations such as "first," "second," etc., as used in this disclosure does not generally limit the quantity or order of those elements. These designations may be used herein as a convenient method of distinguishing between two or more elements. Thus, a reference to a first and a second element does not imply that only two elements may be employed therein or that the first element must precede the second element in some way. In this disclosure, where articles are added by translation, such as a, an, and the in English, these articles shall include the plural unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0112] The above describes the embodiments in detail with reference to the drawings, but the specific configuration is not limited to that described above, and various design changes can be made within the scope that does not deviate from the gist of the invention.

[0113] (Addendum) The following additional notes are about the features of the above-described embodiment. (Appendix 1) A game system that provides a game to a user terminal used by a user, the game system being a program executed by a computer that manages a plurality of game servers that provide a virtual space in which users play, the program comprising: the virtual space includes a plurality of contents that are pre-classified into either contents to be integrated or contents not to be integrated; an extraction process of extracting two or more game servers as an integration game server group from the plurality of game servers; a data acquisition process for acquiring, from two or more game servers belonging to the group of integration game servers, play information relating to user play in the virtual space provided by each game server, play information associated with the content to be integrated; a data integration process for generating integrated data by integrating play information associated with the content to be integrated, which is acquired from two or more game servers belonging to the group of game servers for integration; a virtual space partial integration process for providing the integrated data to one of the plurality of game servers that is different from two or more game servers that belong to the group of game servers for integration, thereby causing the different game servers to provide a virtual space in which users of the two or more game servers that belong to the group of game servers for integration can play together with respect to the content to be integrated; a virtual space partial maintenance process for causing two or more game servers belonging to the group of integration game servers to maintain play information associated with the content not to be integrated among play information related to user play in the virtual space provided by each game server, thereby causing the two or more game servers to independently provide virtual spaces in which users of the two or more game servers can respectively play the content not to be integrated; A program that executes the following. This makes it possible to prevent the virtual space in which users play from becoming depopulated, without causing users a sense of unfairness or dissatisfaction. (Appendix 2) The program according to claim 1, wherein the extraction process extracts two or more game servers having a number of players equal to or less than a reference value as the group of integrated game servers. This makes it possible to extract game servers that provide virtual spaces that may become depopulated as a group of integrated game servers. (Appendix 3) The program according to claim 1, wherein the extraction process extracts at least one game server having a number of players equal to or less than a reference value as part of the group of integration game servers. This allows game servers that provide virtual spaces that may become depopulated to be extracted as part of the integration game server group. (Appendix 4) The program according to claim 1, wherein the extraction process extracts a game server selected in accordance with information input from outside as the group of integrated game servers. This allows the operator to determine which game servers provide virtual spaces that may become depopulated. (Appendix 5) 5. The program according to any one of appendices 1 to 4, wherein the content to be integrated is content in which a plurality of users jointly progress in a game. This allows the user to play the content to be integrated in a virtual space where there are enough players. (Appendix 6) A program described in any one of Appendices 1 to 4, wherein the content not to be integrated is content related to a ranking competition between multiple users or a ranking competition between groups organized by multiple users. This prevents users from getting caught up in the intensifying competition for rankings. (Appendix 7) An information processing device that manages a plurality of game servers that provide a virtual space in which users play in a game system that provides a game to a user terminal used by a user, comprising: the virtual space includes a plurality of contents that are pre-classified into either contents to be integrated or contents not to be integrated; an extracting unit that extracts two or more game servers as an integration game server group from the plurality of game servers; a data acquisition unit that acquires, from two or more game servers belonging to the group of integration game servers, play information related to user play in the virtual space provided by each game server, play information associated with the content to be integrated; a data integration unit that generates integrated data by integrating play information associated with the content to be integrated, which play information is acquired from two or more game servers belonging to the integration game server group; a partial integration processing unit that provides the integrated data to one of the plurality of game servers that is different from two or more game servers that belong to the group of game servers for integration, thereby causing the different game servers to provide a virtual space in which users of the two or more game servers that belong to the group of game servers for integration can play together with respect to the content to be integrated; a partial maintenance processing unit that causes two or more game servers belonging to the group of integration game servers to maintain play information associated with the content not to be integrated among play information related to user play in the virtual space provided by each game server, thereby causing the two or more game servers to independently provide virtual spaces in which users of the two or more game servers can respectively play the content not to be integrated; An information processing device comprising: (Appendix 8) A game system that provides a game to a user terminal used by a user, A plurality of game servers that provide virtual spaces in which users play; a management server that manages the plurality of game servers; Equipped with the virtual space includes a plurality of contents that are pre-classified into either contents to be integrated or contents not to be integrated; The management server an extracting unit that extracts two or more game servers as an integration game server group from the plurality of game servers; a data acquisition unit that acquires, from two or more game servers belonging to the group of integration game servers, play information related to user play in the virtual space provided by each game server, play information associated with the content to be integrated; a data integration unit that generates integrated data by integrating play information associated with the content to be integrated, which play information is acquired from two or more game servers belonging to the integration game server group; a partial integration processing unit that provides the integrated data to one of the plurality of game servers that is different from two or more game servers that belong to the group of game servers for integration, thereby causing the different game servers to provide a virtual space in which users of the two or more game servers that belong to the group of game servers for integration can play together with respect to the content to be integrated; a partial maintenance processing unit that causes two or more game servers belonging to the group of integration game servers to maintain play information associated with the content not to be integrated among play information related to user play in the virtual space provided by each game server, thereby causing the two or more game servers to independently provide virtual spaces in which users of the two or more game servers can respectively play the content not to be integrated; A game system having: (Appendix 9) An information processing method executed in a game system that provides a game to a user terminal used by a user, the game system including a plurality of game servers that provide a virtual space in which the user plays, and a management server that manages the plurality of game servers, the virtual space includes a plurality of contents that are pre-classified into either contents to be integrated or contents not to be integrated; an extraction step of extracting two or more game servers as an integration game server group from the plurality of game servers; a data acquisition step of acquiring, from two or more game servers belonging to the group of integration game servers, play information related to user play in the virtual space provided by each game server, play information associated with the content to be integrated; a data integration step of generating integrated data by integrating play information associated with the content to be integrated, which is acquired from two or more game servers belonging to the group of game servers for integration; a virtual space partial integration step of providing the integrated data to one of the plurality of game servers that is different from two or more game servers belonging to the integration game server group, thereby causing the different game servers to provide a virtual space in which users of two or more game servers belonging to the integration game server group can play together with respect to the content to be integrated; a virtual space portion maintaining step of causing two or more game servers belonging to the integration game server group to maintain play information associated with the content not to be integrated out of play information related to user play in the virtual space provided by each game server, thereby causing the two or more game servers to independently provide virtual spaces in which users of the two or more game servers can respectively play the content not to be integrated; An information processing method including: [Explanation of symbols]

[0114] 1: Game System 100: Management Server 110: Communications Department 120: Storage section 121: Program 122: User information database (DB) 123: Content information database (DB) 124: Server management information database (DB) 130: Processing section 131: User Information Management Department 132: Authentication section 133: Display control unit 134:Extraction part 135: Data acquisition section 136: Data Integration Department 137: Partial integration processing unit 138: Partial maintenance processing unit 200, 200(1), 200(2), 200(3): Game servers 210: Communications Department 220: Storage section 221: Program 222: Player Information Database (DB) 223: Play Information Database (DB) 230: Processing section 231: Game Provider 232: Game Information Management Department 233: Aggregation section 300: User terminal NW: Network W: Virtual Space

Claims

1. A game system that provides a game to a user terminal used by a user, the game system being a program executed by a computer that manages a plurality of game servers that provide a virtual space in which users play, the program comprising: the virtual space includes a plurality of contents that are pre-classified into either contents to be integrated or contents not to be integrated; an extraction process of extracting two or more game servers as an integration game server group from the plurality of game servers; a data acquisition process for acquiring, from two or more game servers belonging to the group of integration game servers, play information relating to user play in the virtual space provided by each game server, play information associated with the content to be integrated; a data integration process for generating integrated data by integrating play information associated with the content to be integrated, which is acquired from two or more game servers belonging to the group of game servers for integration; a virtual space partial integration process for providing the integrated data to one of the plurality of game servers that is different from two or more game servers belonging to the integration game server group, thereby causing the different game server to provide a virtual space in which users of the two or more game servers belonging to the integration game server group can play together with respect to the content to be integrated; a virtual space partial maintenance process for causing two or more game servers belonging to the group of integration game servers to maintain play information associated with the content not to be integrated among play information related to user play in the virtual space provided by each game server, thereby causing the two or more game servers to independently provide virtual spaces in which users of the two or more game servers can respectively play the content not to be integrated; A program that executes the following.

2. The program according to claim 1 , wherein the extraction process extracts two or more game servers having a number of players equal to or less than a reference value as the group of integrated game servers.

3. The program according to claim 1 , wherein the extraction process extracts at least one game server having a number of players equal to or less than a reference value as part of the group of integrating game servers.

4. 2. The program according to claim 1, wherein the extraction process extracts a game server selected in accordance with information input from an external device as the group of integrated game servers.

5. 5. The program according to claim 1, wherein the content to be integrated is content in which a plurality of users jointly progress a game.

6. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the content not to be integrated is content related to a ranking competition between multiple users or a ranking competition between groups organized by multiple users.

7. An information processing device that manages a plurality of game servers that provide a virtual space in which users play in a game system that provides a game to a user terminal used by a user, comprising: the virtual space includes a plurality of contents that are pre-classified into either contents to be integrated or contents not to be integrated; an extracting unit that extracts two or more game servers as an integration game server group from the plurality of game servers; a data acquisition unit that acquires, from two or more game servers belonging to the group of integration game servers, play information related to user play in the virtual space provided by each game server, play information associated with the content to be integrated; a data integration unit that generates integrated data by integrating play information associated with the content to be integrated, which play information is acquired from two or more game servers belonging to the group of game servers for integration; a partial integration processing unit that provides the integrated data to one of the plurality of game servers that is different from two or more game servers belonging to the integration game server group, thereby causing the different game servers to provide a virtual space in which users of the two or more game servers belonging to the integration game server group can play together with respect to the content to be integrated; a partial maintenance processing unit that causes two or more game servers belonging to the group of integration game servers to maintain play information associated with the content not to be integrated among play information related to user play in the virtual space provided by each game server, thereby causing the two or more game servers to independently provide virtual spaces in which users of the two or more game servers can respectively play the content not to be integrated; An information processing device comprising:

8. A game system that provides a game to a user terminal used by a user, A plurality of game servers that provide virtual spaces in which users play; a management server that manages the plurality of game servers; Equipped with the virtual space includes a plurality of contents that are pre-classified into either contents to be integrated or contents not to be integrated; The management server an extracting unit that extracts two or more game servers as an integration game server group from the plurality of game servers; a data acquisition unit that acquires, from two or more game servers belonging to the group of integration game servers, play information related to user play in the virtual space provided by each game server, play information associated with the content to be integrated; a data integration unit that generates integrated data by integrating play information associated with the content to be integrated, which play information is acquired from two or more game servers belonging to the group of game servers for integration; a partial integration processing unit that provides the integrated data to one of the plurality of game servers that is different from two or more game servers belonging to the integration game server group, thereby causing the different game servers to provide a virtual space in which users of the two or more game servers belonging to the integration game server group can play together with respect to the content to be integrated; a partial maintenance processing unit that causes two or more game servers belonging to the group of integration game servers to maintain play information associated with the content not to be integrated among play information related to user play in the virtual space provided by each game server, thereby causing the two or more game servers to independently provide virtual spaces in which users of the two or more game servers can respectively play the content not to be integrated; A game system having:

9. An information processing method executed in a game system that provides a game to a user terminal used by a user, the game system including a plurality of game servers that provide a virtual space in which the user plays, and a management server that manages the plurality of game servers, the virtual space includes a plurality of contents that are pre-classified into either contents to be integrated or contents not to be integrated; an extraction step of extracting two or more game servers as an integration game server group from the plurality of game servers; a data acquisition step of acquiring, from two or more game servers belonging to the group of integration game servers, play information related to user play in the virtual space provided by each game server, play information associated with the content to be integrated; a data integration step of generating integrated data by integrating play information associated with the content to be integrated, which is acquired from two or more game servers belonging to the group of game servers for integration; a virtual space partial integration step of providing the integrated data to one of the plurality of game servers that is different from two or more game servers belonging to the integration game server group, thereby causing the different game servers to provide a virtual space in which users of the two or more game servers belonging to the integration game server group can play together with respect to the content to be integrated; a virtual space portion maintaining step of causing two or more game servers belonging to the integration game server group to maintain play information associated with the content not to be integrated among play information related to user play in the virtual space provided by each game server, thereby causing the two or more game servers to independently provide virtual spaces in which users of the two or more game servers can respectively play the content not to be integrated; An information processing method including:

Images