Program, game control method, game control device, and game control system

Abstract

To provide settings that make it easy for a user who has left a game for a predetermined period to continue playing the game when the user returns to the game. [Solution] A program for providing a game in which a user controls a character in a virtual space, which causes a computer to function as a game providing unit 131 that manages multiple virtual spaces and assigns one virtual space to a user who logs in to the game and allows the user to start the game; a virtual space selection unit 132 that, when the user logs in, presents the user with a choice of virtual spaces to be assigned, from the multiple virtual spaces, depending on the period between the user's previous login and the current login, a first virtual space in which the user has a play history and a second virtual space in which the user has no play history, and acquires the selection result from the user; and a setting unit 133 that, when the second virtual space is selected, sets the user's game attributes in the second virtual space based on the user's past play history.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a program, a game control method, a game control device, and a game control system. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, social games have become available in which multiple people can play online in the same virtual space by accessing a server via the Internet from a program or website installed on a device such as a smartphone or PC.

[0003] Such social games often provide multiple virtual spaces because many users from all over the world participate online (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-098275 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Incidentally, one genre of game that can be played in a virtual space is idle games. Idle games are generally designed so that players compete with each other to develop their characters on separate servers (virtual spaces) depending on when the game starts. Because character development takes time, when a player who has not logged in for a long time logs in again, the characters of other players will be much stronger. This means that the player's character will be less competitive relative to the characters of other players, and there is a high possibility that the player will quickly drop out again.

[0006] Also, if you start from level 1 on a new server, the hassle of having to repeat the same things during training and the sense of deja vu can make you lose interest in the game and discourage you from making in-game purchases.

[0007] Therefore, the present disclosure aims to provide a program, a game control method, a game control device, and a game control system that can provide settings that make it easy for a user who has left a game for a predetermined period of time to continue playing the game when they return to the game. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The program disclosed herein is a program for providing a game in which a user controls a character in a virtual space, and causes a computer to function as: a game providing unit that manages multiple virtual spaces and assigns one of the virtual spaces to a user who logs in to the game and starts the game; a virtual space selection unit that, when the user logs in, presents to the user, among the multiple virtual spaces, a first virtual space in which the user has a play history and a second virtual space in which the user has no play history, as options for the virtual space to be assigned to the user, depending on the period between the user's previous login and the current login, and obtains the selection result from the user; and a setting unit that, when the second virtual space is selected, sets the user's game attributes in the second virtual space based on the user's past play history.

[0009] Furthermore, a game control method according to the present disclosure is a game control method for providing a game in which a user controls a character in a virtual space, and includes a game providing step of managing a plurality of virtual spaces, assigning one of the virtual spaces to a user who logs in to the game and starting the game, a virtual space selection step of, when the user logs in, presenting to the user, from the plurality of virtual spaces, a first virtual space in which the user has a play history and a second virtual space in which the user has no play history, as options for the virtual space to be assigned to the user, depending on the period between the previous login and the current login, and obtaining a selection result from the user, and a setting step of, when the second virtual space is selected, setting the user's game attributes in the second virtual space based on the user's past play history.

[0010] The game control device according to the present disclosure is a game control device for providing a game in which a user controls a character in a virtual space, and includes: a game providing unit that manages a plurality of virtual spaces, assigns one of the virtual spaces to a user who logs in to the game, and starts the game; a virtual space selection unit that, when the user logs in, presents to the user a first virtual space in which the user has a play history and a second virtual space in which the user has no play history, from among the plurality of virtual spaces, depending on the period between the previous login and the current login, as options for the virtual space to be assigned to the user, and acquires the selection result from the user; and, when the second virtual space is selected, a setting unit that sets the user's game attributes in the second virtual space based on the user's past play history.

[0011] The game control system of the present disclosure is a game control system for providing a game in which a user controls a character in a virtual space, and includes: a game providing unit that manages multiple virtual spaces and assigns one of the virtual spaces to a user who logs in to the game and starts the game; a virtual space selection unit that, when the user logs in, presents to the user a first virtual space in which the user has a play history and a second virtual space in which the user has no play history from among the multiple virtual spaces as options for the virtual space to be assigned to the user, depending on the period between the user's previous login and the current login, and obtains the selection result from the user; and a setting unit that, when the second virtual space is selected, sets the user's game attributes in the second virtual space based on the user's past play history. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present disclosure having the above-described configuration, it is possible to provide a program, a game control method, a game control device, and a game control system that can provide settings that make it easy for a user who has left game play for a predetermined period of time to continue playing the game when the user returns to the game. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a game control system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a game server according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a user terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a virtual space allocation process performed by the game control system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a game screen displayed on a user terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a game screen displayed on a user terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7]FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the basic configuration of a computer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Hereinafter, a game control system 1 to which a game server 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is applied will be described with reference to the drawings. In all drawings describing the embodiment, common components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated description will be omitted.

[0015] <System configuration> FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a game control system 1 to which a game server 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is applied.

[0016] The game control system 1 includes a game server 100 and multiple user terminals 300 (300(1), 300(2), ..., 300(N)). The game server 100 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).

[0017] The game server 100 and the user terminal 300 each include one or more computers 900. The basic configuration of the computer 900 will be described later.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a game server 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The game server 100 includes a communication unit 110, a storage unit 120, and a processing unit 130. The game server 100 provides a social game G (hereinafter simply referred to as game G) to a user terminal 300 accessed via a network NW, in which multiple users can play online in the same virtual space. In this embodiment, the following description will be given taking as an example a case in which the user terminal 300 is a smartphone and the user is required to install an app for game G on the user terminal 300. The virtual space is also referred to as a world server, world, or virtual space server. The game server 100 provides multiple virtual spaces W (W1, W2, W3, ...) in game G. Each virtual space W has a set upper limit (capacity) on the number of users who can participate. Game G is, for example, a so-called idle game. An idle game is a game genre in which the game progresses automatically based on the passage of time, minimizing active user interaction. After installing the application for game G, the user selects one virtual space W from among a plurality of virtual spaces W to start game G, and then proceeds with game G.

[0019] The communication unit 110 is a network interface that communicates with the user terminal 300 via the network NW. The communication unit 110 passes data received from the user terminal 300 to the processing unit 130, and also transmits data generated by the processing unit 130 to the user terminal 300.

[0020] 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 user information required for the game server 100 to function, a database of virtual space information of the game G, application programs, etc.

[0021] The processing unit 130 includes functional units: a game providing unit 131, a virtual space selecting unit 132, and a setting unit 133. The processing unit 130 executes an application program stored in the storage unit 120, thereby realizing each of these functional units and executing a virtual space allocation process. The virtual space allocation process executes a series of processes including each step described below. The virtual space allocation process will be described in detail below.

[0022] The game providing unit 131 provides a game G in which a user controls a character C in a virtual space W. Specifically, the game providing unit 131 provides the user terminal 300 with a game G in which a plurality of users can log in via their own user terminals 300 and progress the activities or development of their own characters C in the virtual space W. The game providing unit 131 manages a plurality of virtual spaces W, and assigns one virtual space W to a user who logs in to the game G, causing the user to start the game G. The game providing unit 131 manages the plurality of virtual spaces W, each of which has a different start time. When starting the game G (including resuming after an interruption), the user selects one virtual space W from the plurality of virtual spaces W.

[0023] When a user logs in to a game G, the virtual space selection unit 132 presents to the user, among a plurality of virtual spaces W, a first virtual space in which the user has a play history and a second virtual space in which the user has no play history, as options for the virtual space W to be assigned to the user, depending on the period between the previous login and the current login, and obtains a selection result from the user.

[0024] The virtual space selection unit 132 may present the virtual space W in which the user last played as a first virtual space option.

[0025] The virtual space selection unit 132 may present a virtual space W that started later than the first virtual space as a second virtual space option. The virtual space selection unit 132 may present the virtual space W that started latest (i.e., the most recent) among multiple virtual spaces W as a second virtual space option. The virtual space selection unit 132 may present a virtual space W that started later than the virtual space W that the user played the previous time they logged in as a second virtual space option. The virtual space selection unit 132 may present a virtual space W that started later than the first virtual space and has a smaller number of active users as a second virtual space option.

[0026] If the period between the previous login and the current login is longer than a predetermined period, the virtual space selection unit 132 may present the user with options consisting of the first virtual space and the second virtual space and obtain a selection result from the user.If the period between the previous login and the current login is longer than a predetermined period, the virtual space selection unit 132 may present the user with options consisting of the virtual space W in which the user last played and a virtual space W that started later than the virtual space W in which the user last played, and obtain a selection result from the user.

[0027] The virtual space selection unit 132 may display options at the time of the first operation after the user logs in to game G, or when a specific condition is satisfied. The specific condition may be, for example, when the user opens My Page while still playing in a virtual space with a play history, such as the virtual space played at the previous login, when the user opens a screen for deleting game data for game G (returning game G to its initial state), when the user opens a screen for deleting game G's account, or when the user opens a screen for deleting game G's account. This makes it possible to suggest playing in a new virtual space when the user is likely to leave game G.

[0028] When the second virtual space is selected, the setting unit 133 distributes items or adjusts the status at the start of the first play in the second virtual space based on the user's past play history, which includes the user's player rank, the number of characters owned, the maximum level of the characters owned, the number of characters of the highest rarity among the characters owned, the VIP level, etc.

[0029] The setting unit 133 may present user attributes included in the user's past play history that can be carried over to the user's game attributes in the second virtual space so that the user can select them. The setting unit 133 may present the user with multiple setting candidates for the user's game attributes in the second virtual space based on the user's past play history, and may set the setting candidate selected by the user as the setting of the user's game attributes in the second virtual space.

[0030] 3 is a functional block diagram of a user terminal 300 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 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. The user terminal 300 is a terminal such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a PC that can access the game server 100 via an installed program and play a game together with other user terminals 300.

[0031] <System Operation> Next, the operation of the game control system 1 having the above-described configuration and functions will be described using a flowchart.

[0032] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the virtual space allocation process by the game control system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] In step S101, the user logs in to the game G using the user terminal 300. The game server 100 performs login authentication based on the operation of the user terminal 300.

[0034] In step S102, the virtual space selection unit 132 of the game server 100 determines whether the period between the previous login and the current login (login interval) of the user to the game G is equal to or longer than a predetermined period (period determination step). If the determination result is true (YES), that is, the login interval is equal to or longer than the predetermined period, the process proceeds to step S103. On the other hand, if the determination result is false (NO), that is, the login interval is shorter than the predetermined period, the process proceeds to step S107.

[0035] In step S103, i.e., if it is determined in step S102 that the login interval is longer than the predetermined period, the virtual space selection unit 132 of the game server 100 presents, from among the multiple virtual spaces W, a first virtual space in which the user has a play history and a second virtual space in which the user has no play history to the user terminal 300 as options for virtual spaces to be assigned to the user. The user selects either the first virtual space or the second virtual space on the user terminal 300. The user terminal 300 transmits the selection result to the game server 100.

[0036] In step S104, the virtual space selection unit 132 of the game server 100 determines whether or not the user has selected the second virtual space based on the selection result received from the user terminal 300 (selection result determination step). If the determination result is true (YES), that is, if the user has selected the second virtual space, the process proceeds to step S105. On the other hand, if the determination result is false (NO), that is, if the user has selected the first virtual space, the process proceeds to step S106.

[0037] In step S105, i.e., if it is determined in step S104 that the user has selected the second virtual space, the virtual space selection unit 132 of the game server 100 assigns the second virtual space as the virtual space in which the user will play, and proceeds to step S108.

[0038] In step S106, i.e., if it is determined in step S104 that the user has selected the first virtual space, the virtual space selection unit 132 of the game server 100 assigns the first virtual space as the virtual space in which the user will play, and proceeds to step S109.

[0039] In step S107, i.e., if it is determined in step S102 that the login interval is less than the predetermined period, the virtual space selection unit 132 of the game server 100 assigns the virtual space in which the user last played as the virtual space in which the user will play, and proceeds to step S109.

[0040] In step S108, i.e., after the virtual space selection unit 132 assigns the second virtual space as the virtual space in which the user will play in step S105, the setting unit 133 of the game server 100 distributes items or adjusts status at the start of the first play in the second virtual space based on the user's past play history.

[0041] In step S109, the game providing unit 131 of the game server 100 starts play in the allocated virtual space in the game G, and ends the flow.

[0042] <Screen example> Next, an example of a screen of the game G provided by the game server 100 will be described.

[0043] 5 and 6 are diagrams showing screens D400 and D500, respectively, as specific examples of the virtual space selection screen displayed on the user terminal 300 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0044] Screen D400 is an example of an interface that presents a user with options for "worlds" as the virtual space W of game G and accepts their selection. Screen D400 is displayed after the user launches the game G app on the user terminal 300 or when the user selects the "Select World" option from the game G menu. Screen D400 includes a title string "World Selection," a main area D410, a sub-area D420, and a close button D430. The main area D410 is positioned on screen D400 at a size (range, area) and location that is easy for the user to use, so as to visually attract the user's attention. The sub-area D420 is relatively small compared to the main area D410 and has the function of presenting auxiliary information to the user. In screen D400, a short string of numbers following W is an identifier for the virtual space W. For example, "W99" means "World 99."

[0045] The main area D410 has arranged therein a button D411 for selecting world 99 along with the character string "Last login" and a button D412 for selecting world 123 along with the character string "Recommended."

[0046] The button D411 has the string "W99" displayed to indicate World 99. World 99 is a virtual space (first virtual space) containing the user's play history. Therefore, an arbitrarily set icon image, the string "Yamada" as the user nickname, and the string "Rank 50" indicating the user's current player rank are displayed.

[0047] Button D412 displays the text "NEW" indicating that this is a world that was recently made available in game G, and the text "W123" indicating that this is world 123. World 123 is a virtual space (second virtual space) in which the user has no play history. Therefore, no icon image or nickname is displayed.

[0048] The text area D413 is a balloon-shaped object that indicates a notification to the user regarding world 123. In the text area D413, the character string "You can carry over part of your play history!" is placed as an example of a notification to the user.

[0049] Sub-area D420 has arranged therein a title character string of "World List" and text areas (D421, D422, D423, . . . ) showing a plurality of world groups.

[0050] Screen D500 is another example of an interface that presents the user with options for "worlds" as the virtual space W of game G and accepts the selection. Screen D500 is displayed in a pop-up window or incorporated into the opened screen in any of the following cases: when the user selects the item "Select World" from the menu of game G; when the user opens My Menu for game G; when the user selects an item for deleting game data from the menu of game G; or when the user selects an item for deleting the account for game G from the menu of game G.

[0051] Arranged on screen 500 are a text area D510, a button D520, a button D530, a close button D540, and a text area D550. The text area D510 displays the title character string "Notice" and text indicating the content of the notice, "We recommend playing in a new virtual space." The button D520, button D530, button D540, and text area D550 are the same as the button D411, button D412, close button D430, and text area D413 in FIG. 5, respectively, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0052] In this way, screens D400 and D500 display the first and second virtual spaces to the user at the appropriate time, allowing the user to select between them. Furthermore, screens D400 and D500 display that even if the user selects the second virtual space, which is a new virtual space, the user can start the game by carrying over some of the characters, items, equipment, etc. acquired in previous play. This lowers the barrier for the user to play in a new virtual space. Furthermore, presenting this information at the appropriate time can reduce abandonment of the game G.

[0053] <Basic computer configuration> 7 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.

[0054] 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.

[0055] 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 respective computers constituting the game server 100 and the user terminal 300 executing programs stored in their respective storage units 902.

[0056] 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 game server 100 and the user terminal 300 uses this communication unit 903 to communicate with other devices, including the network NW shown in FIG.

[0057] 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.

[0058] <Program> Here, a program for realizing each functional unit of the game server 100 according to this embodiment will be described. The game server 100 is implemented in a computer 900. The operation of each component of the game 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.

[0059] Specifically, the program is a program to be executed by a computer having a processor and a memory unit in computer 900, and the program is a program for providing a game in which a user controls a character in a virtual space, and causes the computer to function as: a game providing unit that manages multiple virtual spaces and assigns one of the virtual spaces to a user who logs in to the game and starts the game; a virtual space selection unit that, when the user logs in, presents to the user, among the multiple virtual spaces, a first virtual space in which the user has a play history and a second virtual space in which the user has no play history, as options for the virtual space to be assigned to the user, depending on the period between the previous login and the current login, and obtains the selection result from the user; and a setting unit that, when the second virtual space is selected, sets the user's game attributes in the second virtual space based on the user's past play history.

[0060] 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.

[0061] 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.

[0062] According to the game control system 1 of the present embodiment described above, when a user who has been absent from game G (dormant) for a predetermined period of time returns to game G, the user can choose whether to continue playing in a virtual space where the user has played in the past, or to play in a new virtual space while retaining some of the game attributes, such as owned characters and equipment items, based on the user's past play history. Even if the user chooses to play in a new virtual space, the user can start in a state where they have some degree of competitiveness, thereby maintaining their motivation to play game G. In other words, when a user who has been away from playing the game for a predetermined period of time returns to the game, settings can be provided that make it easier for the user to continue playing.

[0063] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be adopted.

[0064] For example, in the virtual space allocation process of the above embodiment, steps S103 and S104 may be omitted, and if the result of the period determination process in step S102 is true (YES), the process may proceed to step S105. This allows users who have not logged in for a while or who meet certain conditions to be forcibly guided to a new virtual space without being allowed to select a world.

[0065] Furthermore, in the game control system 1 according to the above embodiment, the virtual spaces to which users are directed are classified according to their congestion levels, but instead of or in addition to this, classification according to the number of active users may be used. This can promote competitive interaction among users and improve users' motivation for the game G.

[0066] (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.

[0067] 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).

[0068] 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, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), central processing units (CPUs), conventional circuits, and / or combinations thereof, programmed to perform the described functions. Processors include transistors and other circuits and are considered 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 a type of circuitry, the circuit, means, or unit is a combination of hardware and software used to configure the hardware and / or processor.

[0069] 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.

[0070] 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.

[0071] (Addendum) The following additional notes are about the features of the above-described embodiment. (Appendix 1) A program for providing a game in which a user controls a character in a virtual space, a game providing unit that manages a plurality of virtual spaces, allocates one of the virtual spaces to a user who logs in to the game, and allows the user to start the game; a virtual space selection unit that, when the user logs in, presents to the user, among the plurality of virtual spaces, a first virtual space in which the user has a play history and a second virtual space in which the user has no play history, as options for the virtual space to be assigned to the user, in accordance with the period between the previous login and the current login, and acquires a selection result from the user; a setting unit that sets game attributes of the user in the second virtual space based on a past play history of the user when the second virtual space is selected; A program that makes a computer function as a This allows users to be classified according to their login intervals, and suggestions necessary to continue playing can be made for each login interval. (Appendix 2) the virtual space selection unit presents the virtual space in which the user last played as the first virtual space of the options; The program described in Appendix 1. This means that even users who log in for the first time in a while can start playing from the progress they made in their last play. (Appendix 3) the game providing unit manages the plurality of virtual spaces having different start times; the virtual space selection unit presents the virtual space that started later than the first virtual space as the second virtual space of the options; 1. A program as described in Appendix 1 or 2. This allows a user who has logged in for the first time in a while to be given the opportunity to select a virtual space that was recently started. (Appendix 4) the virtual space selection unit presents the options to the user and acquires a selection result from the user when the period between the previous login and the current login is equal to or longer than a predetermined period; 10. The program according to any one of appendices 1 to 3. This allows users who log in for the first time in a while to be presented with the option of continuing to play from their previous state, or playing in a new virtual space in a stronger state. (Appendix 5) when the second virtual space is selected, the setting unit distributes an item or adjusts a status at the start of a first play in the second virtual space based on the user's past play history; 10. The program of claim 1, wherein the This allows players to play in a new virtual space from a strong starting point, lowering the barrier to choosing a new space. (Appendix 6) The play history includes the user's player rank, the number of characters owned, the maximum level of the characters owned, the number of characters of the highest rarity among the characters owned, or the VIP level. 10. The program of claim 1, wherein the This allows for variations in the adjustment of the strength of the user attributes. (Appendix 7) the setting unit presents, to the user, user attributes that can be carried over to the game attributes of the user in the second virtual space, from among user attributes included in the user's past play history, in a selectable manner; 10. The program of claim 1, wherein the This allows the user to select the user attributes that can be carried over, which increases the user's motivation to play in a new virtual space. (Appendix 8) the setting unit presents a plurality of setting candidates to the user regarding the setting of the game attributes of the user in the second virtual space based on the user's past play history, and sets the setting candidate selected by the user as the setting of the game attributes of the user in the second virtual space. 10. The program of claim 1, wherein the This allows the user to easily adjust the game attributes while providing the user with options. (Appendix 9) the virtual space selection unit displays the options at the time of the first operation after the user logs in to the game or at the time when a specific condition is satisfied. 10. The program of any one of appendices 1 to 8. This allows the user to be offered the opportunity to reselect the virtual space at an appropriate time. (Appendix 10) A game control method for providing a game in which a user controls a character in a virtual space, comprising: a game providing step of managing a plurality of virtual spaces, allocating one of the virtual spaces to a user who logs in to the game and allowing the user to start the game; a virtual space selection step of presenting to the user, at the time of login of the user, a first virtual space in which the user has a play history and a second virtual space in which the user has no play history, among the plurality of virtual spaces, as options for the virtual space to be assigned to the user, in accordance with the period between the previous login and the current login, and acquiring a selection result from the user; a setting step of setting game attributes of the user in the second virtual space based on a past play history of the user when the second virtual space is selected; A game control method comprising: (Appendix 11) A game control device for providing a game in which a user controls a character in a virtual space, a game providing unit that manages a plurality of virtual spaces, allocates one of the virtual spaces to a user who logs in to the game, and allows the user to start the game; a virtual space selection unit that, when the user logs in, presents to the user, among the plurality of virtual spaces, a first virtual space in which the user has a play history and a second virtual space in which the user has no play history, as options for the virtual space to be assigned to the user, in accordance with the period between the previous login and the current login, and acquires a selection result from the user; a setting unit that sets game attributes of the user in the second virtual space based on a past play history of the user when the second virtual space is selected; A game control device comprising: (Appendix 12) A game control system for providing a game in which a user controls a character in a virtual space, a game providing unit that manages a plurality of virtual spaces, allocates one of the virtual spaces to a user who logs in to the game, and allows the user to start the game; a virtual space selection unit that, when the user logs in, presents to the user, among the plurality of virtual spaces, a first virtual space in which the user has a play history and a second virtual space in which the user has no play history, as options for the virtual space to be assigned to the user, in accordance with the period between the previous login and the current login, and acquires a selection result from the user; a setting unit that sets game attributes of the user in the second virtual space based on a past play history of the user when the second virtual space is selected; A game control system comprising: [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 1: Game control system 100: Game server 110: Communications Department 120: Storage section 130: Processing section 131: Game Provider 132: Virtual space selection section 133: Setting section 300: User terminal D400: Screen NW: Network W: Virtual Space

Claims

1. A program for providing a game in which a user controls a character in a virtual space that is a world server selected by the user at the start of the game and in which an upper limit on the number of users is set, a game providing unit that manages a plurality of the virtual spaces and allocates one of the virtual spaces selected by the user to a user who has logged in to the game, and allows the user to start the game; a virtual space selection unit that, when the user logs in and the period between the previous login and the current login is equal to or longer than a predetermined period, presents to the user, from among the plurality of virtual spaces, a first virtual space in which the user has a play history and a second virtual space in which the user has no play history, as options for the virtual space to be assigned to the user, and acquires a selection result from the user; a setting unit that sets characters and / or equipment items owned by the user in the second virtual space based on a past play history of the user when the second virtual space is selected; A program that makes a computer function as a

2. the virtual space selection unit presents the virtual space in which the user last played as the first virtual space of the options; The program according to claim 1.

3. the game providing unit manages the plurality of virtual spaces having different start times; the virtual space selection unit presents the virtual space that started later than the first virtual space as the second virtual space of the options; The program according to claim 1 or 2.

4. when the second virtual space is selected, the setting unit distributes an item or adjusts a status at the start of a first play in the second virtual space based on the user's past play history; The program according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The play history includes the user's player rank, the number of characters owned, the maximum level of the characters owned, the number of characters of the highest rarity among the characters owned, or the VIP level. The program according to claim 1 or 2.

6. the setting unit presents to the user, in a selectable manner, a maximum level of a possessed character that can be carried over to the possessed character of the user in the second virtual space, from among maximum levels of possessed characters included in the user's past play history; The program according to claim 1 or 2.

7. the setting unit presents a plurality of setting candidates to the user regarding the setting of the game attributes of the user in the second virtual space based on the user's past play history, and sets the setting candidate selected by the user as the setting of the game attributes of the user in the second virtual space. The program according to claim 1 or 2.

8. the virtual space selection unit displays the options at the time of the first operation after the user logs in to the game or at the time when a specific condition is satisfied. The program according to claim 1 or 2.

9. A game control method for providing a game in which a user controls a character in a virtual space that is a world server selected by a user at the start of the game and in which an upper limit on the number of users is set, comprising: a game providing step of managing the plurality of virtual spaces and allocating one of the virtual spaces selected by the user to a user who has logged in to the game and allowing the user to start the game; a virtual space selection step of, when the user logs in, if the period between the previous login and the current login is equal to or longer than a predetermined period, presenting to the user, among the plurality of virtual spaces, a first virtual space in which the user has a play history and a second virtual space in which the user has no play history, as options for the virtual space to be assigned to the user, and acquiring a selection result from the user; a setting step of setting a character and / or equipment item owned by the user in the second virtual space based on a past play history of the user when the second virtual space is selected; A game control method for causing a computer to execute the above.

10. A game control device for providing a game in which a user controls a character in a virtual space that is a world server selected by a user at the start of the game and in which an upper limit on the number of users is set, a game providing unit that manages a plurality of the virtual spaces and allocates one of the virtual spaces selected by the user to a user who has logged in to the game, and allows the user to start the game; a virtual space selection unit that, when the user logs in and the period between the previous login and the current login is equal to or longer than a predetermined period, presents to the user, among the plurality of virtual spaces, a first virtual space in which the user has a play history and a second virtual space in which the user has no play history, as options for the virtual space to be assigned to the user, and acquires a selection result from the user; and, when the second virtual space is selected, a setting unit that sets the user's possessed character and / or equipment items in the second virtual space based on the user's past play history. A game control device comprising:

11. A game control system for providing a game in which a user controls a character in a virtual space that is a world server selected by a user at the start of the game and in which an upper limit on the number of users is set, a game providing unit that manages a plurality of the virtual spaces and allocates one of the virtual spaces selected by the user to a user who has logged in to the game, and allows the user to start the game; a virtual space selection unit that, when the user logs in and the period between the previous login and the current login is equal to or longer than a predetermined period, presents to the user, from among the plurality of virtual spaces, a first virtual space in which the user has a play history and a second virtual space in which the user has no play history, as options for the virtual space to be assigned to the user, and acquires a selection result from the user; a setting unit that sets characters and / or equipment items owned by the user in the second virtual space based on a past play history of the user when the second virtual space is selected; A game control system comprising:

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