Information processing method, information processing system, and program

Abstract

To provide, for example, a more excellent technique.SOLUTION: There is provided an information processing method executed by an information processing system. A transfer destination includes next steps. In an acquisition step, information regarding a first game as a transfer source and a play history of the first game by a user are acquired. In an impartation step, first privilege information that is a transfer destination from a transfer source and can be utilized when a second game started to be provided before the first game is purchased or played is imparted to a user on the basis of at least the play history of the first game and reference information. The reference information includes a correspondence between the first game and the second game. The second game is configured such that initial content included in the content of the second game can be at least played according to purchase processing regarding the purchase of the second game. The first privilege information is imparted to a user before execution of purchase processing and is configured so as to become effective in the second game.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an incentive granting method, a client terminal, and an incentive granting program that can grant incentives between different applications.

[0003] When a predetermined operation related to a second application is performed on the client terminal, the client terminal according to the technology sends an incentive request including a second user identifier that identifies the user in the second application to a server, and receives from the server, based on the incentive request, an incentive in the first application for a user identified by a first user identifier that identifies the user in the first application and corresponds to the second user identifier. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-148552 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, there is still room for improvement in the above technology.

[0006] In view of the above circumstances, the present disclosure aims to provide, for example, a superior technique. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an information processing method executed by an information processing system is provided. This customer referral destination method includes the following steps: In the acquisition step, information about a first game that is a customer referral source and a user's play history of the first game are acquired; In the granting step, first bonus information that can be used when purchasing or playing a second game that is a customer referral destination from the customer referral source and that was launched before the first game is granted to the user based at least on the play history of the first game and the reference information; The reference information includes a correspondence between the first game and the second game; The second game is configured to enable at least initial content included in the content of the second game to be played in response to a purchase process related to the purchase of the second game; The first bonus information is granted to the user before the purchase process is executed and is configured to be valid in the second game.

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a more interesting experience to the user. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an information processing device 2 according to the present embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is an activity diagram showing an overview of information processing executed by the information processing system 1. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a menu screen IM1. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a game progression screen IM2. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a first series screen IM3. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a second series screen IM4. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an item screen IM5 for displaying a first series screen IM3 or the like in response to a user operation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] [Embodiment] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Various features shown in the following embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0011] Incidentally, the program for realizing the software appearing in this embodiment may be provided as a non-transitory computer-readable medium, or may be provided so that it can be downloaded from an external server, or may be provided so that the program is started on an external computer and its functions are realized on a client terminal (so-called cloud computing).

[0012] In this embodiment, the term "unit" may also include, for example, a combination of hardware resources implemented by a circuit in the broad sense and software information processing that can be specifically realized by these hardware resources. In addition, this embodiment handles various types of information, which may be represented by, for example, physical values ​​of signal values ​​representing voltages and currents, high and low signal values ​​as a binary bit set consisting of 0 or 1, or quantum superposition (so-called quantum bits), and communication and calculations may be performed on a circuit in the broad sense.

[0013] In addition, a circuit in the broad sense is a circuit realized by at least appropriately combining a circuit, circuitry, a processor, a memory, etc. That is, it includes an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (e.g., a simple programmable logic device (SPLD), a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), and a field programmable gate array (FPGA)), etc.

[0014] 1. Game Description Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of an information processing system 1 according to this embodiment. In the information processing system 1 shown in Fig. 1, an information processing device 2 and a plurality of game devices 3 are communicably connected to each other via a communication network 11, and a game is executed on the game devices 3. In other words, the information processing system 1 is made up of at least one device.

[0015] The game according to this embodiment is an online game executed by the information processing system 1. In this game, a user of the game device 3 controls one or more player characters to act in a virtual game space, and controls the player characters to fight against enemy characters, which are non-player characters. The characters are an example of objects.

[0016] The above-described games are played using a game device 3, which is a home game console such as PlayStation (registered trademark), a portable game console such as Nintendo Switch (registered trademark), or an electronic device such as a personal computer, smartphone, or tablet terminal.

[0017] 2. Overview of Information Processing System 1 As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing system 1 is made up of an information processing device 2 and multiple game devices 3. The information processing device 2 stores game programs and game data, and manages the game data of the game devices 3 (for each account information described below). The information processing device 2 is made up of, for example, a server. Each of the multiple game devices 3 has the same configuration. Note that in this embodiment, a system is made up of one or more devices or components. Therefore, for example, the information processing device 2 or game device 3 described below alone can also be an example of the information processing system 1.

[0018] The game device 3 executes a predetermined game based on user operations. To do so, the game device 3 receives (specifically, downloads and installs) a game program and game data from the information processing device 2 via the communication network 11. Each user is assigned account information, including identification information and a password, in association with the game device 3. This account information is transmitted from the game device 3 to the information processing device 2 at the time of login, and is used for user authentication on the information processing device 2.

[0019] After user authentication, mutual communication becomes possible between the information processing device 2 and the game device 3. After logging in, the game device 3 receives data necessary for game progress (data related to the game progress status) from the information processing device 2, and then progresses the game while outputting game images and sounds to the display 4a and speaker 4b based on user operations.

[0020] 2.1 Hardware Configuration Hereinafter, each hardware configuration of the information processing system 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0021] <Information processing device 2> 1, the information processing device 2 includes a communication unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a control unit 23. The communication unit 21 and the storage unit 22 are electrically connected to the control unit 23 via a communication bus 20.

[0022] The communication unit 21 is a so-called network interface that is communicatively connected to each game device 3 via a communication network 11 such as the Internet or a LAN. Main information that the information processing device 2 receives via the communication unit 21 includes game program download request information, a gacha lottery request in response to a user operation, a quest execution request, a request to start / end autoplay, account information, game data, etc. Main information that the information processing device 2 transmits via the communication unit 21 includes information for confirming that the game device 3 has received the game program, information about game media obtained through gacha, etc.

[0023] The storage unit 22 is composed of an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), SSD (Solid State Drive), etc. The storage unit 22 stores various programs including a part of the game program according to this embodiment, various data related to the game, etc.

[0024] Specifically, for example, the storage unit 22 stores a user DB, a lottery list, and the like. The user DB stores, for each identification number of a user playing a game, information such as the user name, user rank, status information regarding the player character operated by the user, the amount of consumable media usable in the virtual game space, information regarding parameters, and the like, in association with each other. The lottery list is used for a lottery process commonly called gacha, and includes multiple pieces of information regarding game media to be selected. The lottery list associates information regarding game media (such as name, ability parameters, rarity, and level) with the selection rate in the lottery. Furthermore, if the game media is a player character, the ability parameters include, for example, combat power, HP, attack power, defense power, intelligence, or speed.

[0025] The control unit 23 is configured by a microcomputer including a CPU and semiconductor memory, and controls the operation of the information processing device 2, which is its own device. In particular, the control unit 23 realizes various functions related to the information processing device 2, which is its own device, by reading out predetermined programs stored in the storage unit 22. That is, information processing by software stored in the storage unit 22 is specifically realized by the control unit 23, which is an example of hardware, and each functional unit described below can be executed. Note that the control unit 23 is not limited to being single, and it may be implemented with multiple control units 23 for each function. It may also be a combination of these.

[0026] Examples of information processing executed by the control unit 23 include a charge settlement process, a user account authentication process, and a gacha lottery selection process. The charge settlement process is executed, for example, based on a request for a charge required to restore a predetermined amount of in-game parameters. The user account authentication process is executed, for example, using user identification information received from the game device 3. The gacha lottery selection process is a process in which, in response to a gacha lottery request, one or more game media are selected by lottery from a lottery list based on the selection probability for each game medium. According to the gacha lottery selection process, information about the selected game media and the identification information of the user who performed the operation that sent the lottery request are associated in the user DB, and the user is thereby awarded the game media that they won as a result of their own gacha draw.

[0027] To further expand on the above, "game media" refers to electronic data representing elements related to a game, such as the name of a character used as a player character and items (weapons, armor, tools) used by the player character in the virtual game space. Users can acquire game media through direct purchase, quest completion, or a lottery system known as gacha. The acquired game media is stored and managed in a user DB in association with the identification information of the user who will own the game media. Furthermore, "gacha" refers to a method in which an information processing device 2 randomly selects game media from a lottery list based on a predetermined selection rate. The selected game media is then granted to the user's game device 3. The phrase "granting the game media selected through gacha to a user / owning the user" is synonymous with "associating the game media selected through the lottery process with / being associated with the identification information identifying the user."

[0028] <Game Device 3> A display 4a, a speaker 4b, and an input device 4c are externally connected or built into the game device 3. The game device 3 also has a communication unit 31, a storage unit 32, a control unit 33, a graphics processing unit 34a, an audio processing unit 34b, and an operation unit 34c. The communication unit 31, the storage unit 32, the graphics processing unit 34a, the audio processing unit 34b, and the operation unit 34c are electrically connected to the control unit 33 via a communication bus 30.

[0029] The communication unit 31 is a so-called network interface that is communicatively connected to the communication network 11 in order to transmit and receive various data between the game device 3 and the information processing device 2. Main information that the game device 3 receives via the communication unit 31 includes account information, download request information for new game data, a gacha execution request, a quest execution request, etc. Main information that the game device 3 transmits via the communication unit 31 includes new game data sent from the information processing device 2 in response to download request information, information on game media selected by lottery processing, etc.

[0030] The storage unit 32 is composed of an HDD, SSD, RAM, ROM, etc. The storage unit 32 stores game data downloaded from the information processing device 2, various programs including a part of the game program, account information of the game device 3 itself, user information, etc. The user information is at least a part of the information in a user DB stored in the storage unit 22 of the information processing device 2. The user DB manages a master of the user information, and the storage unit 32 of the game device 3 stores at least a part of the information in this master that is distributed from the information processing device 2.

[0031] The control unit 33 is configured by a microcomputer including a CPU and semiconductor memory, and controls the operation of the game device 3 itself. In particular, the control unit 33 realizes various functions related to the game device 3 itself by reading out predetermined programs stored in the storage unit 32. That is, information processing by software stored in the storage unit 32 is specifically realized by the control unit 33, which is an example of hardware, and each of the functional units described below can be executed. Note that the control unit 33 is not limited to being a single unit, and multiple control units 33 may be provided for each function. A combination of these may also be used.

[0032] In particular, the control unit 33 is configured to execute a game in accordance with operations of the input device 4c by the user of the game apparatus 3, which is the own apparatus. Specifically, the control unit 33 reads data such as virtual game space objects and textures included in the game data from the storage unit 32, or generates two-dimensional or three-dimensional game image information using data received from the information processing device 2. The game image information is processed by the graphics processing unit 34a, and the processed game images are sequentially displayed on the display 4a. In other words, the control unit 33 is configured to perform display control of the display 4a and audio output control of the speaker 4b in accordance with operations, etc., by the user of the game apparatus 3, which is the own apparatus, when executing a game.

[0033] The graphics processing unit 34a renders game images, including characters and various objects related to the virtual game space, in a moving image format in accordance with game image information output from the control unit 33. The graphics processing unit 34a is connected to the display 4a, which may be, for example, a liquid crystal display, and the rendered game images are displayed on the display 4a as a game screen. The audio processing unit 34b is connected to the speaker 4b and plays and synthesizes game sounds in accordance with instructions from the control unit 33, and outputs the sounds from the speaker 4b. The operation unit 34c is connected to the input device 4c and transmits and receives data related to operation inputs to and from the input device 4c. The user inputs operation signals to the game apparatus 3 by operating the input device 4c. The input device 4c is a general term for a touch panel integrated with the display 4a, an external game pad, a mouse, a keyboard, etc.

[0034] 2.2 Functional Configuration Next, the functional configuration of the information processing device 2 of the information processing system 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0035] Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the information processing device 2 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2, the control unit 23 (processor) executes various programs stored in the storage unit 22 to include an acquisition unit 231, a game progression unit 232, an assignment unit 233, and a display processing unit 234. In other words, information processing by the software stored in the storage unit 22 is specifically realized by the control unit 23, which is an example of hardware, and can be executed as each functional unit included in the control unit 23.

[0036] The acquisition unit 231 is configured to acquire various information and inputs as an acquisition step. For example, the acquisition unit 231 acquires information such as user information and participation request input from a user from the storage unit 22 of the information processing device 2, or acquires it from the game device 3 or another external device via the communication network 11. In the present embodiment, the description will be given assuming that the various information received by the acquisition unit 231 is stored in the storage unit 22.

[0037] The game progression unit 232 is configured to control the progress of the game on the game device 3 based on user operations and the like.

[0038] The granting unit 233 is configured to grant, as a granting step, benefit information IF1 relating to various games.

[0039] As a display processing step, the display processing unit 234 displays various pieces of information stored in the storage unit 22 or the storage unit 32 or screens containing such information in a visible manner on the display 4a of the game device 3. Specifically, the display processing unit 234 may generate visual information itself generated in a human-visible manner, such as a screen, an image (e.g., a still image or a video), an icon, or text, or may generate rendering information for displaying the visual information on the display 4a and transmit it to the game device 3 via the communication network 11.

[0040] 3. Explanation of various information and terms In this section, various information and terms handled by the information processing system 1 will be explained.

[0041] <Contents> Content is the element that makes up a game. Content includes various information that makes up the details of the game. For example, content may include elements such as a story that defines the main flow of the game, characters that appear in the story, relationships between characters, and quests that define how the game progresses. The content of a certain game may include common content and differential content.

[0042] <Common Content> Common content is content that is shared with other games. Whether or not content is common may be determined based on the presence or absence of story similarities and differences. Story similarities and differences may be determined based on a comparison of content elements between a portion of the content of one game and a portion of the content of another game. Examples of such elements include the story title, setting name, chronological order, characters appearing, the amount of text information, and the amount of graphic information. Note that the presence or absence of story differences may be set in advance by the creator of the content. For example, common content may be content in which the content of a certain game is a remake of content from a game released in the past (a so-called legacy game) and in which almost no changes are made to the content of the legacy game.

[0043] <Difference content> Differential content is content that is not included in the other game, such as downloadable content (DLC) or content that is only available as a bonus for a certain game. Differential content refers to content that is a remake of content from a game previously released (a so-called previous game) and is newly added to the content of the previous game. Examples of differential content include story content added to the previous game, and content related to special modes that allow content from the previous game to be played in a different game mode (for example, a more difficult game mode or a stronger new game).

[0044] <element content> The content can also be defined as a collection of elemental content. The elemental content is associated with element information about objects included in the elemental content. The elemental content is defined, for example, by a chapter in a story. The objects included in the elemental content can include, for example, characters appearing in the elemental content and objects related to the story in which the characters appear.

[0045] <Bonus information> The bonus information IF1 is information that includes bonuses that can be used when purchasing or playing a certain game. The bonuses are configured to give the user an advantage when purchasing or playing the game, such as making it possible to provide differential content related to the game, granting new items (e.g., equipment, character skins, consumables, etc.), reducing the price required to purchase the game, or increasing the amount of points that can be earned as currency by purchasing the game.

[0046] 4. Overview of Information Processing This section provides an overview of the flow of the information processing method executed by the information processing system 1. FIG. 3 is an activity diagram showing an overview of the information processing executed by the information processing system 1. The results of the processing in each activity included in the information processing described below may be output in a manner that is recognizable to the user using the display 4a or the like, as appropriate. Note that the information processing may include any exception processing not shown. Exception processing includes the interruption of the information processing or the omission of each process. The selection or input performed in the information processing may be based on a user operation or may be performed automatically without relying on a user operation.

[0047] [Activity A1] First, in activity A1, the acquisition unit 231 accepts a login process from a user and acquires user information. The login process is performed by accepting input of a user ID, password, etc. from the user. The user information may include the user's purchase history of various games, play history, granted benefit information IF1, used benefit information IF1, etc.

[0048] [Activity A2] Next, the processing proceeds to activity A2, where the acquisition unit 231 accepts a request to play a game from the logged-in user. As a result, the acquisition unit 231 acquires information about the first game, and the game progression unit 232 starts the game for which the play request has been accepted on the game device 3. For ease of explanation, the game for which the play request has been accepted in activity A2 will be referred to as the first game below.

[0049] In this embodiment, the first game is a so-called RPG format in which the story can progress by, for example, moving a character object in response to a user's operation. The story is divided into chapters as elemental content, and the story progresses as the user achieves clear conditions set for each chapter. In other words, the first game is configured to progress as the user plays at least one elemental content. Note that the format of the game to which this information processing is applied is not limited to this and may be any format, such as a single-player game or a multiplayer game, a cooperative game or a competitive game, an online game or an offline game.

[0050] [Activity A3] If the acquisition unit 231 receives a request to play the first game in activity A2, the processing proceeds to activity A3, and the game progression unit 232 progresses the first game based on user operations on the game device 3. This progresses the story included in the content of the first game, and chapters as elemental content are sequentially cleared. The play history of the first game is updated as the first game progresses. The play history may include, for example, play time, the date and time of the last play, and the progress status of the game. The progress status of the game can be expressed by the number of chapters cleared, the degree of completion of quests included in the game, etc.

[0051] [Activity A4] Next, the process proceeds to activity A4, where the acquisition unit 231 acquires the play history of the first game played by the user in accordance with the progress of the first game.

[0052] [Activity A5] Next, the process proceeds to activity A5, where the control unit 23 identifies a satisfied determination condition based on the play history acquired in activity A4. The determination condition is one of the conditions for determining whether or not to grant bonus information IF1 to user information playing the first game. For example, the determination condition is configured to be satisfied when the game progress indicates that a specific chapter, which is one of the element contents, has been completed.

[0053] [Activity A6] Next, the processing proceeds to activity A6, and the control unit 23 identifies the second game based on the determination conditions satisfied in activity A5 and the reference information. The second game is a game that serves as a customer destination for the first game, which serves as a customer source. In other words, the first game is the first game that serves as a customer source for the second game. In this embodiment, the second game is configured to include content that was released before the first game. The second game is configured to make at least initial content included in the content of the second game playable in response to a purchase process related to the purchase of the second game. The initial content is content that can be played without performing any additional purchase process other than the purchase process related to the purchase of the second game. In other words, the initial content is content that becomes playable by performing a purchase process for the second game. Details of the purchase process will be described later.

[0054] The reference information indicates a correspondence between a game (e.g., a first game) that serves as a customer source and a game (e.g., a second game) that serves as a customer destination. The reference information is configured so that, when there are multiple candidate second games that serve as customer destinations for a first game that serves as a customer source, the control unit 23 can narrow down the candidate second games according to the satisfied determination conditions. The reference information may include information regarding the release date of the game as information for narrowing down the candidate second games. In this case, the content included in the second game that serves as a customer destination may be configured to be available before the content of the first game that serves as a customer source is released. In other words, the reference information may be configured so that the second game that serves as a customer destination is older than the first game that serves as a customer source. The reference information may include a correspondence between the first game and the second game based on settings related to at least one of the game title, setting, characters, and timeline. This correspondence relationship indicates that the first game and the second game are suitable as a customer destination and a customer source if they share a certain number of these settings. According to this configuration, by encouraging the purchase of a second game that has a worldview related to the first game, it is possible to increase the profitability of the second game while further enhancing the interest of the first game. Furthermore, if the second game includes an identifier indicating that the first game and the second game are part of a series, the reference information may indicate a correspondence between the first game and the second game based on the identifier. According to this configuration, first bonus information IF1a (described later) is provided to a user who has played the first game, and this first bonus information IF1a can encourage the purchase of the second game, which is a previous game in the series. Therefore, it is possible to encourage the purchase of the second game while enhancing the interest of the first game. Note that the identifier may be included in at least one of the first game and the second game, so that the control unit 23 can identify that the first game and the second game are part of a series. Note that the format of the identifier may be represented by information indicating the worldview of the game, such as the title and setting, or by an arbitrary character string, etc.

[0055] [Activity A7] Next, processing proceeds to activity A7, where the granting unit 233 grants the user bonus information IF1 related to the identified game (here, the first game) that will be the source of customer referrals. In other words, the granting unit 233 grants the user bonus information IF1 that can be used when purchasing or playing the second game, based at least on the play history and reference information of the first game. The bonus information IF1 is granted to the user before the purchase process for the second game that will be the destination of customer referrals is executed, and is configured to be valid in the second game. For convenience of explanation, in this embodiment, the bonus information IF1 granted related to the second game based at least on the play history of the first game will sometimes be referred to as first bonus information IF1a.

[0056] [Activity A8] If the above determination condition is met and first benefit information IF1a is granted, processing proceeds to activity A9, and the game progression unit 232 suspends progress of the first game. For ease of explanation, the period during which progress of the first game is (temporarily) suspended will be referred to as the suspension period. In other words, the first game is configured so that progress of the first game is suspended during a predetermined suspension period when the progress of the element content satisfies a predetermined condition (for example, a determination condition).

[0057] [Activity A9] Next, the process proceeds to activity A9, and the display processing unit 234 displays presentation information IF2 related to the identified second game on the display 4a. The presentation information IF2 is configured to be able to present information related to a game (such as the second game) that is related to the first game. The presentation information IF2 includes a purchase operation unit that can generate commands related to the purchase process of the second game. The purchase operation unit is configured, for example, with a button-type UI. In other words, at least when the progress status of the element content satisfies a predetermined condition (for example, the above-mentioned judgment condition), the display processing unit 234 displays presentation information IF2 related to the second game that is related to the first game in relation to the element information. With this configuration, it is possible to encourage the purchase of a second game that has an appropriate correspondence in accordance with the progress of the element content of the first game. This can further stimulate the desire to purchase the second game.

[0058] In this embodiment, progress of the first game is stopped in activity A8, and the display processing unit 234 displays presentation information IF2 during the stop period. In other words, the display processing unit 234 displays presentation information IF2 about a second game that is related to the first game in relation to the element information during at least a portion of the stop period. With this configuration, while progress of the element content is stopped, the user can visually recognize presentation information IF2 about the second game related to the element content. Therefore, for example, motivation to purchase the second game can be stimulated more efficiently than when presentation information IF2 is displayed during game progress. Note that during the stop period, progress of the story of the first game and user character operation are stopped. The game progression unit 232 may read the next element content during the stop period. This allows the next element content to be read and presentation information IF2 to be presented while the user is bored, thereby preventing a decline in interest in the first game.

[0059] [Activity A10] When the acquisition unit 231 acquires a command related to a purchase process by operating the purchase operation unit, the process proceeds to activity A10, and the control unit 23 executes the purchase process for the second game. In this embodiment, the purchase process includes a first purchase process that enables play of an individually designated game and a second purchase process that enables play of at least one predetermined game. The first purchase process may include a process that enables play of a purchased game indefinitely. The first purchase process corresponds to a so-called full-price purchase or a one-time purchase. The second purchase process is a purchase format that conforms to a so-called subscription service and is configured to enable play of a group of predetermined games, including the second game, for a certain period of time (e.g., one month) after the second purchase process is performed. The price required for the first purchase process is set, for example, to be higher than the minimum unit of price required for one second purchase process. When the purchase process is performed, the content of the second game is provided according to the format of the purchase process.

[0060] [Activity A11] Next, the processing proceeds to activity A11, where the control unit 23 changes the bonus information IF1 (here, first bonus information IF1a) depending on the type of purchase process when the second game is playable. With this configuration, the first bonus information IF1a is changed depending on the purchase process, so that the user can be preferentially encouraged to perform a specific purchase process. Changing the bonus information IF1 is not limited to changing the content of the bonus information IF1 already granted in activity A7 or the like, but may also include changing the usage mode of the already granted bonus information IF1. Furthermore, if bonus information IF1 has not yet been granted, changing the bonus information IF1 may also include changing the grant mode of the bonus information IF1. For example, when the purchase process for the second game is the first purchase process, the control unit 23 changes the bonus information IF1 so that the bonus information IF1 is more advantageous than when the purchase process for the second game is the second purchase process. Specifically, when the purchase process for the second game is the second purchase process, the control unit 23 limits the usable range of the bonus information IF1 so that the usable bonus information IF1 is more limited than when the purchase process for the second game is the first purchase process. This can prompt the user to perform the first purchase process for the second game. Specific examples of limiting the bonus information IF1 include making only a portion of the granted differential content available, or reducing the types or quantity of items granted. In this embodiment, when the purchase process for the second game is the first purchase process, the content (e.g., differential content) included in the granted first bonus information IF1a can be used without limit. In other words, the control unit 23 specifies the range of the granted first bonus information IF1a that can be used.

[0061] After completing the processing of activity A11, the control unit 23 determines whether the termination condition is satisfied. If it is determined that the termination condition is not satisfied, processing returns to activity A3, and the game progression unit 232 progresses the game again. On the other hand, if it is determined that the termination condition is satisfied, processing proceeds to activity A13, and the game progression unit 232 ends the first game and terminates this information processing. The termination condition may include any condition, such as the story reaching an ending or the user performing an end operation to end the first game.

[0062] If a predetermined transition condition is satisfied without a command related to the purchase process being acquired in activity A9, control unit 23 skips the processing of activities A10 and A11 and determines whether the termination condition is satisfied, as in the case after activity A12 has ended. The transition condition may include any condition, such as the passage of a certain period of time (e.g., the time required to read the next element content) since the progress of the game was stopped, or the user performing an operation to close the screen related to presented information IF2. In this way, a series of information processes related to the first game are performed.

[0063] [Activity A21] Next, a process will be described in which the acquisition unit 231 receives a request to play the second game from a user who has already been granted first bonus information IF1a in activity A2. In this case, the process advances from activity A2 to activity A21, and the control unit 23 uses the first bonus information IF1a granted in activity A8. If the first bonus information IF1a has been changed in activity A11, the control unit 23 uses the first bonus information IF1a to the extent that it is available. Note that the use of the first bonus information IF1a may be based on a user operation.

[0064] [Activity A22] Next, the processing proceeds to activity A22, where the game progression unit 232 progresses the second game. While progressing through the second game, the user can access the benefit related to the second benefit information IF1b as appropriate.

[0065] [Activity A23] Next, the process proceeds to activity A23, where the acquisition unit 231 acquires the play history of the second game.

[0066] [Activity A24] Next, the process proceeds to activity A24, where control unit 23 identifies a judgment condition that has been satisfied for the second game based on the play history of the second game. Similar to the judgment condition for the first game, this judgment condition is configured to be achievable, for example, when a predetermined element content is cleared in the second game.

[0067] [Activity A25] Next, processing proceeds to activity A25, where the granting unit 233 grants second benefit information IF1b based on the determination conditions determined to be satisfied in activity A24 and the play history of the second game. The second benefit information IF1b is a benefit that can be used in games other than the second game. The specific content of the benefit of the second benefit information IF1b is the same as that of the first benefit information IF1a. In particular, the second benefit information IF1b may include benefits related to the first game, which is the source of customers for the second game. This allows the second benefit information IF1b, which benefits users who have purchased the first game, to further encourage users of the first game to purchase the second game. Thereafter, if the termination condition for the second game is satisfied, processing returns to activity A22, and progress in the second game continues.

[0068] On the other hand, if the condition for ending the second game is met, processing proceeds to activity A26, and the game progression unit 232 ends the second game.

[0069] In summary, the information processing method executed by the information processing system 1 includes the following steps. In the acquisition step, information about a first game that is a customer referral source and a user's play history of the first game are acquired. In the granting step, first benefit information IF1a that can be used when purchasing or playing a second game that is a customer referral destination from the customer referral source and that was launched before the first game is granted to the user based at least on the play history of the first game and the reference information. The reference information includes a correspondence between the first game and the second game. The second game is configured to enable at least initial content included in the content of the second game to be played in response to a purchase process related to the purchase of the second game. The first benefit information IF1a is granted to the user before the purchase process is executed and is configured to be valid in the second game.

[0070] With this configuration, for example, even if a user plays a first game before playing a second game that was provided before the first game, the user is provided with first benefit information IF1a that can be used for the second game based at least on the play history and reference information of the first game. This can encourage users who have played the first game to purchase a second game that is related to the first game, thereby increasing profitability, and encouraging users to enjoy the first game more based on the shared content.

[0071] 5. Details of data processing In this chapter, the details of the information processing outlined in the previous chapter will be explained using diagrams. Note that the screen examples explained below are of the first game. The second game in the following explanation is a game that was released before the first game. Whether or not a second game was released before the first game can be determined based on various date and time information related to the release dates of the games, such as the release dates of both games and copyright dates.

[0072] <Menu screen IM1> 4 is a diagram showing an example of the menu screen IM1. The menu screen IM1 includes a formation button B1, a story button B2, and a shop button B3.

[0073] When the organization button B1 is operated, a game screen for organizing characters to be involved in the progression of the story is displayed. When the story button B2 is operated, a request to play the first game is generated. When the acquisition unit 231 acquires the play request, a game progress screen IM2, which is a game screen for progressing the first game, is displayed. When the shop button B3 is operated, a screen for performing a purchase process related to an item or game is displayed.

[0074] <Game progress screen IM2> FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a game progression screen IM2. Here, the game progression screen IM2 is a display screen when the story of Chapter 4, one of the elemental contents of the first game, has been completed. The game progression screen IM2 may display information indicating that the elemental content "Chapter 4" has been cleared, and thus bonus information IF1 corresponding to that elemental content has become available ("You've acquired a new bonus!"). When a predetermined operation is performed on the game progression screen IM2, or a certain amount of time has passed, the content displayed on the display 4a transitions from the game progression screen IM2 to a first series screen IM3.

[0075] <First series screen IM3> FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a first series screen IM3. The first series screen IM3 is an example of a screen corresponding to the presentation information IF2. The first series screen IM3 is configured to transition from the game progress screen IM2, for example. The first series screen IM3 is configured to show the relationship between the first game, which is the source of customers, and the second game, which is the destination of customers, and to encourage the purchase of the second game. Hereinafter, for the sake of convenience, the first game may be referred to as "current work" and the second game may be referred to as "old work 1." For example, the first series screen IM3 includes relationship information IF3 and guidance information IF4. With this configuration, by presenting the relationship between the first game and the second game to the user based on information regarding the correspondence, it is possible to arouse interest in the second game and encourage the purchase of the second game before that interest wanes.

[0076] Relationship information IF3 indicates the relationship between the first game and the second game in the first game. The relationship between the first game and the second game may include any relationship related to the worldview of both games, such as the game's story, the game's setting, the game's timeline, and the personal relationships of common characters. For example, relationship information IF3 includes visual information IF31 and text information IF32.

[0077] The visual information IF31 is configured to allow the user to visually grasp the relationship information IF3, and includes a first visual object Ob1, a progress object Ob2, a second visual object Ob3, a relationship object Ob4, and a first bonus object Ob5. This configuration makes it easy for the user to grasp the relationship between the content of the first game and the content of the second game, while encouraging the user to purchase the second game.

[0078] The first visual object Ob1 represents the content of the first game. For example, the first visual object Ob1 visually indicates the timeline of the story included in the content of the first game. Specifically, for example, the first visual object Ob1 is an arrow-shaped object that is displayed to cover a position of an arrow indicating the timeline of the setting of the first game (the "story timeline") that corresponds to the portion of the timeline included in the story of the first game.

[0079] The progress object Ob2 is an object that indicates the progress of the first game at the time when the first series screen IM3 is displayed. The progress object Ob2 can be implemented, for example, as an arrow-shaped object that points to a partial area of ​​the first visual object Ob1. The position pointed to by the progress object Ob2 corresponds to the timing when the element content corresponding to "Chapter 4" in the first game is cleared in relation to the chronology of the story of the first game and the chronology of the entire setting of the first game.

[0080] The second visual object Ob3 represents the content of the second game. For example, the second visual object Ob3 visually indicates the chronological order of the story included in the content of the second game. Specifically, for example, the second visual object Ob3 is an arrow-shaped object that is displayed so as to cover a position of the arrow indicating the chronological order of the setting of the first game (the "story timeline") that corresponds to the portion of the chronological order included in the story of the second game. Here, the second visual object Ob3 is placed at different positions in the visual information IF31 depending on the chronological relationship between the stories of the first game and the second game. In this embodiment, the story of the second game unfolds in a chronological order relative to the story of the first game. Therefore, the second visual object Ob3 is placed on the arrow corresponding to the "story timeline" at a position that corresponds to an earlier chronological order than the first visual object Ob1, i.e., to the left of the first visual object Ob1.

[0081] The relationship object Ob4 is an object that visually indicates the relationship between the first game and the second game, and is configured, for example, to connect the first visual object Ob1 and the second visual object Ob3 with an arrow. For example, the relationship object Ob4 indicates that information about a character that appears in the element content indicated by the progress object Ob2 appears in part of the story of the second game.

[0082] The first benefit object Ob5 is an object that indicates information about the first benefit information IF1a that is granted by purchasing the second game.

[0083] The text information IF32 is text information for explaining the relationship between the first game and the second game indicated by the visual information IF31. The text information IF32 may include various information encouraging the purchase of the second game, such as the relationship between the characters appearing in "Chapter 4," a component content of the first game, and the second game (original game 1) ("You can enjoy the story before meeting the main character, character XX, who appeared in Chapter 4, in original game 1"), the content of the first bonus information IF1a ("When you play the new game, you can enjoy additional stories in original game 1"), and the content of the second bonus information IF1b ("Once you complete original game 1, you can enjoy additional stories in the new game"). This not only encourages the purchase of original game 1 by playing the new game, but also allows the user to enjoy the new game more by playing original game 1, creating a new motivation for interactively moving between the new and original games. This further motivates the purchase of original game 1.

[0084] The guide information IF4 is information configured to prompt the user to purchase the second game. In this embodiment, the guide information IF4 includes a UI for prompting the first purchase process ("single purchase") and a UI for prompting the second purchase process ("subscription purchase"). The guide information IF4 can function as a purchase operation unit. The control unit 23 executes the corresponding type of purchase process when the user operates these UIs. Note that the guide information IF4 may be configured to prompt the user to purchase the second game by causing the display processing unit 234 to display a screen for performing the purchase process for the second game on the display 4a when the user operates the UI related to the guide information IF4. The display processing unit 234 may display the guide information IF4 prompting the user to purchase the second game when the second visual object Ob3 is selected. With this configuration, if the object selected by the user in accordance with his or her interests is the second object, the user is likely to have a relatively high interest in the second game. Displaying purchase information to a user who is highly interested in the second game can naturally prompt the user to purchase the second game.

[0085] <Screen example when there are multiple secondary games to send customers to> The above information processing can also be applied when multiple second games are present as customer destinations. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a second series screen IM4. The second series screen IM4 is a modified version of the first series screen IM3 when two second games are present. Hereinafter, for ease of explanation, the two second games may be referred to as "Old Game 1" and "Old Game 2," respectively, to distinguish between them. Also, for ease of explanation, among the components included in the second series screen IM4, components that are common to the first series screen IM3 may be assigned the same component numbers and explanations may be omitted. Here, as an example, it is assumed that the user has already purchased the first game corresponding to "Current Game" and the second game corresponding to "Old Game 1" through the first purchase process (i.e., individual purchase), and has not yet purchased the second game corresponding to "Old Game 2."

[0086] The second series of screens IM4 includes related information IF3 and guide information IF4, similar to the first series of screens IM3. The related information IF3 includes visual information IF31 and text information IF32, similar to the first series of screens IM3.

[0087] Here, the visual information IF31 includes a first visual object Ob1, a progress object Ob2, two second visual objects Ob3a and Ob3b, two related objects Ob4a and Ob4b, a first bonus object Ob5a, and a second bonus object Ob5b. The second visual object Ob3a and the related object Ob4a are the second visual object Ob3 and the related object Ob4, respectively, related to the second game corresponding to "Previous Game 1." These are the same as the second visual object Ob3 and the related object Ob4 included in the first series screen IM3.

[0088] The second visual object Ob3b and the related object Ob4b are the second visual object Ob3 and the related object Ob4, respectively, related to the second game corresponding to "Old Game 2." The second game corresponding to "Old Game 2" includes content that can be expressed as a sub-story that progresses chronologically in parallel with the first game corresponding to "New Game." Therefore, the second visual object Ob3b extends parallel to the first visual object Ob1, at a different position in the story timeline from the first visual object Ob1.

[0089] The relationship object Ob4b is configured to indicate the relationship between the first game corresponding to the "current game" and the second game corresponding to the "old game 2." For example, the relationship object Ob4b is configured to indicate, by arrow, a relationship on a certain timeline in the first game, such as a relationship between characters appearing at a certain point in the timeline.

[0090] The first bonus object Ob5a in the second series screen IM4 is an object showing information about the first bonus information IF1a ("Additional story play available!"). Unlike the first bonus information IF1a in the first series screen IM3, the first bonus information IF1a here is given when a user who has played the first game corresponding to "Current Version" performs a purchase process for the second game corresponding to "Previous Version 2."

[0091] The second bonus object Ob5b in the second series screen IM4 is an object showing information related to the second bonus information IF1b ("Play Old Game 2...and unlock the special mode!"). The second bonus information IF1b is a bonus granted only to users who have purchased both the first game corresponding to the "current game" and the second game corresponding to "Old Game 1." By purchasing the second game corresponding to "Old Game 2," the user can enjoy the bonus of "unlocking the special mode" in the first game. In other words, when a user who has purchased the first game and the second game (the second game corresponding to "Old Game 1") further purchases a third game (the second game corresponding to "Old Game 2"), the granting unit 233 may grant the bonus information IF1 available in the first game. This can encourage the user to purchase the third game to further enjoy the first game.

[0092] The text information IF32 on the second series screen IM4 is text information for explaining the relationship between the first game, as indicated by the visual information IF31 on the second series screen IM4, and the second game corresponding to "Old Game 2." The text information IF32 may include various information encouraging the purchase of the second game, such as the relationship between the story of events that occurred in parallel with the story of "Chapter 2," which is an elemental content of the first game, and the story of the second game (Old Game 2) ("You can enjoy the story of events that occurred in parallel with the story of Chapter 2 in Old Game 2."), the content of the first bonus information IF1a ("As you play the new game, you can enjoy additional stories in Old Game 2."), and the content of the second bonus information IF1b ("Once you clear Old Game 2, you will be able to play a special mode in the new game."). This not only encourages the purchase of Old Game 2 by playing the new game and Old Game 1, but also allows the user to enjoy the new game even more by playing Old Game 1 and Old Game 2, creating a new motivation for playing both the new game and multiple old games. This will provide a stronger incentive to purchase Old Game 1 and Old Game 2.

[0093] The guidance information IF4 on the second series screen IM4 is information configured to prompt the user to purchase the second game corresponding to "Old Game 2", and like the guidance information IF4 on the first series screen IM3, it includes a UI corresponding to the first purchase process and a UI corresponding to the second purchase process. Note that, since the second game corresponding to "Old Game 1" has already been purchased, the guidance information IF4 prompting the user to purchase the second game is not displayed on the second series screen IM4.

[0094] [others] The information processing system 1 according to the above embodiment may be configured as follows.

[0095] The display processing unit 234 may display the first series screen IM3 and the second series screen IM4 related to the presentation information IF2 when the determination condition is not satisfied. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an item screen IM5 for displaying the first series screen IM3 or the like in response to a user operation. The item screen IM5 is configured to transition from the menu screen IM1 by operating the shop button B3 on the menu screen IM1, for example. The item screen IM5 includes an item button B31 and a DLC button B32. When the item button B31 is operated, information about items in the first game owned by the user is displayed. When the DLC button B32 is operated, the first series screen IM3 or the second series screen IM4 is displayed. This allows the display processing unit 234 to display the presentation information IF2 on the display 4a regardless of the progress of the game when the user operates the DLC button B32, thereby more easily encouraging the user to perform the purchase process.

[0096] The visual information IF31 is not limited to indicating the chronological relationship between the first game and the second game, but may also indicate any relationship that has a correlation between both games, such as the relationship between characters or the relationship between settings.

[0097] The correspondence in the reference information does not have to be explicitly stored as data. For example, the reference information may simply indicate the correspondence between the destination game and the source game when a certain determination condition is met. In this case, the correspondence included in the reference information may be appropriately set so that the destination game is an older version of the source game.

[0098] The output destination of information or data (hereinafter referred to as "information, etc.") may be another device, a display, a memory unit (including an internal memory unit and an external memory unit), etc. Acquisition of information, etc. includes acquiring information, etc. transmitted from another device, as well as acquiring information, etc. generated by the device itself. The table associating parameters is not limited to the table shown in the figure, and the number of parameters may be reduced or increased. Furthermore, information, etc. corresponding to parameters may be obtained using a mathematical formula, a conditional formula, etc., without using a table.

[0099] At least one of the devices included in the information processing system 1 may be installed outside Japan.

[0100] The information processing device 2 may be an on-premise type or a cloud type. As the information processing device 2 in the cloud type, the above-mentioned functions and processes may be provided in the form of, for example, SaaS (Software as a Service) or cloud computing.

[0101] In the above embodiment, the information processing device 2 performs various storage and control operations, but multiple external devices may be used instead of the information processing device 2. That is, various information and programs may be distributed and stored in multiple external devices using block chain technology or the like.

[0102] The above-described embodiments may be implemented as an information processing device. The information processing system 1 includes at least one processor capable of executing a program to perform each step of the information processing method. The above-described embodiments may also be implemented as an information processing method. The information processing method includes each step of a similar information processing system. The above-described embodiments may also be implemented as a program. The program causes at least one computer to execute each step of the information processing method.

[0103] Furthermore, it may be provided in the following aspects.

[0104] (1) An information processing method executed by an information processing system, comprising the following steps: in the acquisition step, information about a first game that is a source of customers and a user's play history of the first game are acquired; in the granting step, based at least on the play history of the first game and reference information, first bonus information is granted to the user that can be used when purchasing or playing a second game that is a destination of customers from the source of customers and that was launched before the first game; wherein the reference information includes a correspondence between the first game and the second game; the second game is configured to enable at least initial content included in the content of the second game to be played in accordance with a purchase process related to the purchase of the second game; and the first bonus information is granted to the user before the purchase process is executed and is configured to be valid in the second game.

[0105] With this configuration, for example, even if a user plays a first game before playing a second game that was provided before the first game, the user is granted first benefit information that can be used for the second game based at least on the play history and reference information of the first game. This can encourage users who have played the first game to purchase a second game that is related to the first game, thereby increasing profitability, and encouraging users to enjoy the first game more based on the shared content.

[0106] (2) In the information processing method described in (1) above, the reference information includes a correspondence between the first game and the second game based on settings regarding at least one of the game title, setting, characters, and timeline.

[0107] With this configuration, by encouraging players to purchase a second game that has a worldview related to that of the first game, it is possible to increase the profitability of the second game while further increasing the interest of the first game.

[0108] (3) In the information processing method described in (1) or (2) above, at least one of the first game and the second game includes an identifier indicating that the first game and the second game are part of a series, and the reference information indicates a correspondence between the first game and the second game based on the identifier.

[0109] With this configuration, first bonus information is given to users who play the first game, and the first bonus information can encourage them to purchase the second game, which is a previous game in the series. This makes the first game more interesting and encourages them to purchase the second game.

[0110] (4) In the information processing method described in any one of (1) to (3) above, the acquisition step further acquires the user's play history of the second game, and the granting step further grants the user second bonus information that can be used when playing the first game based on the play history of the second game.

[0111] With this configuration, for example, the second benefit information is granted when a player plays the second game after playing the first game, which encourages the player to play the first game after playing the second game, thereby increasing the interest in both the first and second games.

[0112] (5) In the information processing method described in any one of (1) to (4) above, the purchase process includes a first purchase process that enables the play of an individually specified game and a second purchase process that enables the play of at least one predetermined game, and further, in the change step, the first bonus information is changed depending on the type of purchase process in which the second game is made playable.

[0113] According to this configuration, the first benefit information is changed depending on the purchase process, so that the user can be encouraged to preferentially perform a specific purchase process.

[0114] (6) An information processing method according to any one of (1) to (5) above, further comprising, in the display processing step, displaying, in the first game, presentation information including relationship information indicating the relationship between the first game and the second game and guidance information encouraging the purchase process of the second game.

[0115] With this configuration, by presenting the relationship between the first game and the second game to the user based on information about the correspondence, it is possible to stimulate interest in the second game and encourage the user to purchase the second game before that interest wanes.

[0116] (7) An information processing method according to any one of (6) above, wherein the related information includes visual information that allows a user to visually grasp the related information, and the visual information includes a first visual object representing the content of the first game and a second visual object representing the content of the second game.

[0117] This configuration makes it easy to understand the relationship between the content of the first game and the content of the second game, and encourages the purchase of the second game.

[0118] (8) In the information processing method described in (7) above, in the display processing step, the guidance information is displayed when the second visual object is selected.

[0119] With this configuration, if the object selected by the user in accordance with his or her interests is the second object, the user is likely to have a relatively high interest in the second game. By displaying purchase information to such users who are highly interested in the second game, it is possible to naturally encourage them to purchase the second game.

[0120] (9) In the information processing method described in any one of (6) to (8) above, the first game is configured to be progressable by the user playing at least one element content, the element content is associated with element information regarding objects included in the element content, and in the display processing step, at least when the progress of the element content satisfies a predetermined condition, the presented information regarding the second game that is related to the first game in relation to the element information is displayed.

[0121] This configuration can encourage players to purchase the second game that has an appropriate corresponding relationship with the progress of the component content of the first game, thereby further stimulating players' desire to purchase the second game.

[0122] (10) In the information processing method described in (9) above, the first game is configured to stop progress for a predetermined stop period when the progress of the element content satisfies a predetermined condition, and in the display processing step, the presented information regarding the second game that is related to the first game in relation to the element information is displayed for at least a portion of the stop period.

[0123] With this configuration, while the progress of the element content is stopped, the user can view the presented information about the second game related to the element content, which can, for example, stimulate the user's desire to purchase the second game more efficiently than if the presented information were displayed while the game was in progress.

[0124] (11) An information processing system consisting of at least one device, the information processing system having at least one processor capable of executing a program to perform each step of the information processing method described in any one of (1) to (10) above.

[0125] With this configuration, users who have played a first game can be encouraged to purchase a second game that is related to the first game, thereby increasing profitability, while encouraging users to enjoy the first game more based on the shared content.

[0126] (12) A program that causes at least one computer to execute each step of the information processing method according to any one of (1) to (10) above.

[0127] With this configuration, users who have played a first game can be encouraged to purchase a second game that is related to the first game, thereby increasing profitability, while encouraging users to enjoy the first game more based on the shared content. Of course, this is not the case.

[0128] Finally, various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described, but these are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. The novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the disclosure. The embodiments and their modifications are intended to be included within the scope and spirit of the disclosure, as well as within the scope of the disclosure and its equivalents as set forth in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0129] 1: Information processing system 2: Information processing equipment 3: Game device 4a: Display 4b: Speaker 4c: Input Device 11: Communication Network 20: Communication bus 21: Communications Department 22: Storage section 23: Control section 231: Acquisition Department 232: Game Progression Section 233: Granting section 234: Display processing unit 30: Communication bus 31: Communications Department 32: Storage section 33: Control section 34a: Graphics processing unit 34b: Audio processing section 34c: Operation section B1: Formation button B2: Story button B3: Shop button B31: Item button B32: DLC button IF1: Bonus information IF1a: First bonus information IF1b: Second bonus information IF2: Presentation information IF3: Related Information IF31: Visual Information IF32: Text information IF4: Guidance information IM1: Menu screen IM2: Game progress screen IM3: 1st series screen IM4: 2nd series screen IM5: Item screen Ob1: First visual object Ob2: Progress object Ob3: Second visual object Ob3a: Second visual object Ob3b: Second visual object Ob4: Relationship Object Ob4a: Relationship Objects Ob4b: Relationship Objects Ob5: First reward object Ob5a: First reward object Ob5b: Second benefit object

Claims

1. An information processing method executed by an information processing system, comprising: It includes the following steps: In the acquisition step, information about the first game that is the customer referral source and a play history of the first game by the user are acquired; In the granting step, first benefit information that can be used when purchasing or playing a second game that is a customer destination from the customer source and that was launched before the first game is granted to the user based on at least the play history and reference information of the first game, wherein: the reference information includes a correspondence relationship between the first game and the second game; the second game is configured to make at least initial content included in content of the second game playable in response to a purchase process for purchasing the second game; An information processing method, wherein the first benefit information is granted to the user before the purchase process is executed and is configured to be valid in the second game.

2. 2. The information processing method according to claim 1, An information processing method, wherein the reference information includes a correspondence between the first game and the second game based on settings related to at least one of the game title, setting, characters, and timeline.

3. 2. The information processing method according to claim 1, at least one of the first game and the second game includes an identifier indicating that the first game and the second game are part of a series; An information processing method, wherein the reference information indicates a correspondence between the first game and the second game based on the identifier.

4. 2. The information processing method according to claim 1, The acquiring step further includes acquiring a play history of the second game by the user; The providing step further provides the user with second benefit information that can be used when playing the first game, based on a play history of the second game.

5. 2. The information processing method according to claim 1, the purchasing process includes a first purchasing process that enables an individually designated game to be played, and a second purchasing process that enables at least one predetermined game to be played; Furthermore, in the changing step, the first benefit information is changed depending on the type of the purchase process when the second game is made playable.

6. 2. The information processing method according to claim 1, Furthermore, in the display processing step, the information processing method displays, in the first game, presentation information including relationship information indicating the relationship between the first game and the second game and guidance information prompting the purchase process of the second game.

7. 7. The information processing method according to claim 6, the related information includes visual information that allows a user to visually grasp the related information, An information processing method, wherein the visual information includes a first visual object representing content of the first game and a second visual object representing content of the second game.

8. 8. The information processing method according to claim 7, In the display processing step, the guidance information is displayed when the second visual object is selected.

9. 7. The information processing method according to claim 6, the first game is configured to be progressable by the user playing at least one element content; The element content is associated with element information indicating a story over a predetermined period to which an object included in the element content is related; In the display processing step, at least when the progress of the element content satisfies a predetermined condition, the presented information regarding the second game that is related to the first game in relation to the element information is displayed.

10. 10. The information processing method according to claim 9, the first game is configured to stop progress of the first game for a predetermined stop period when progress of the element content satisfies a predetermined condition; In the display processing step, the presented information regarding the second game that is related to the first game in relation to the element information is displayed during at least a part of the stopped period.

11. An information processing system comprising at least one device, The information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising at least one processor capable of executing a program to perform each step of the information processing method. Information processing system.

12. A program, A program that causes at least one computer to execute each step of the information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

Images