Game provision system, server for game provision system, game provision method, and program

Abstract

This provides users with a sense of security regarding charges, encouraging them to continue paying, while also preventing loyal users from leaving and ensuring a stable revenue base. [Solution] The system comprises a game providing unit 131 capable of providing a plurality of different games to a user terminal used by a user, a user management unit 132 that manages the play history including the user's cumulative charges for each of the plurality of different games, a memory unit 120 that stores, for each of the plurality of different games, a correspondence between the cumulative charges and the VIP level, which increases in accordance with the cumulative charges, and a reflection unit 232 that, when account authentication is successful for a source game among the plurality of different games, adds the cumulative charges for the source game to the cumulative charges for the destination game.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a game providing system, a server for the game providing system, a game providing method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, VIP level systems that allow players to receive benefits according to the amount of money they spend on games have become common (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-066324 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, game operating companies often offer multiple game titles with the aim of diversifying revenue sources and strengthening brand power in order to avoid the risk of relying on a single title and stabilize revenue, to approach a wide range of customers and increase market recognition, and to maintain competitiveness by accumulating and utilizing development know-how. For users, this means more options to choose from, with a variety of games from a reliable game operating company, and in some cases, improved convenience across titles.

[0005] For example, when multiple game titles are offered by the same game operator, if the payment history accumulated by a user is limited to the VIP level of one game title, there are concerns that (1) past payment history will be wasted when the service ends, (2) user motivation will decrease because payment history will not be shared between multiple titles from the same company, and (3) there will be a lack of a system to maintain user loyalty.

[0006] Therefore, the present disclosure aims to provide a game provision system, a server for the game provision system, a game provision method, and a program that provide users with a sense of security regarding charges, thereby encouraging them to continue paying, and that can prevent fan users from leaving and ensure a stable revenue base. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The game provision system according to the present disclosure includes a game provision unit capable of providing a plurality of different games to a user terminal used by a user, a user management unit that manages a play history including the user's cumulative charges for each of the plurality of different games, a memory unit that stores, for each of the plurality of different games, a correspondence between the cumulative charges and the VIP level, which increases in accordance with the cumulative charges, and the VIP level, and a reflection unit that, when account authentication is successful for a source game among the plurality of different games, adds the cumulative charges of the source game to the cumulative charges of the destination game.

[0008] The server of the game provision system according to the present disclosure includes a game provision unit capable of providing a plurality of different games to a user terminal used by a user, a user management unit that manages a play history including the user's cumulative charges for each of the plurality of different games, a memory unit that stores, for each of the plurality of different games, a correspondence between the cumulative charges and the VIP level, which increases in accordance with the cumulative charges, and a reflection unit that, when account authentication is successful for a source game among the plurality of different games, adds the cumulative charges of the source game to the cumulative charges of the destination game.

[0009] In addition, the game providing method according to the present disclosure includes the steps of providing a plurality of different games to a user terminal used by a user, managing a play history including the user's cumulative charges for each of the plurality of different games, storing a correspondence between the cumulative charges and the VIP level for each of the plurality of different games, where the VIP level increases according to the cumulative charges, and adding the cumulative charges of the source game to the cumulative charges of the destination game when account authentication is successful for the source game among the plurality of different games.

[0010] In addition, the program disclosed herein causes a computer to function as a game providing unit capable of providing a plurality of different games to a user terminal used by a user, a user management unit that manages a play history including the user's cumulative charges for each of the plurality of different games, a memory unit that stores, for each of the plurality of different games, a correspondence between the cumulative charges and the VIP level, which increases according to the cumulative charges, and the VIP level, and a reflection unit that, when account authentication is successful for a source game among the plurality of different games, adds the cumulative charges for the source game to the cumulative charges for the destination game. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] 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 provision system that can provide users with a sense of security regarding charges, thereby encouraging them to continue paying, and also prevent fan users from leaving, thereby ensuring a stable revenue base. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a game providing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a game providing server according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3]FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a management server according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a user terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a reflection process performed by the game providing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on a user terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a modified example of a reflection process performed by the game providing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on a user terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the basic configuration of a computer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, a game providing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In all drawings describing the embodiment, common components are designated by the same reference numerals, and repeated description will be omitted.

[0014] <System configuration> FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a game providing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] The game providing system 1 includes multiple game providing servers 100 (100(1), 100(2), 100(3), ...), a management server 200, and user terminals 300. The game providing servers 100, the management server 200, and the user terminals 300 are connected to a network NW and can communicate with each other via the network NW. The network NW includes the Internet. The network NW may include a LAN (Local Area Network) and / or a WAN (Wide Area Network).

[0016] In this embodiment, the first game providing server 100(1) provides the first game G1, the second game providing server 100(2) provides the second game G2, the third game providing server 100(3) provides the third game G3, and the nth game providing server 100(n) (n is a natural number) provides the nth game Gn. The first game G1, the second game G2, the third game G3, and the nth game Gn are different games provided by an operating entity that is considered to be the same. The operating entity is, for example, a game operating company. In the following description, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the first game G1, the second game G2, the third game G3, and the nth game Gn, they will simply be referred to as game G. Furthermore, in the following description, when it is not necessary to distinguish between them, they will simply be referred to as game providing servers 100. The game providing servers 100 and the management server 200 are managed by an operating entity that is considered to be the same.

[0017] 1 illustrates only one user terminal 300, the number of user terminals 300 is not limited to this. Also, the same user may use multiple user terminals 300.

[0018] The game providing system 1 provides a function (reflection function) that reflects at least a portion of the cumulative charges accumulated in the past for a game title that a user has played among different game titles provided by the operating entity, in the VIP level that is accumulated according to the charges for another game title, such as a new game title, when the user starts / has started playing that other game title. This allows the user to carry over their past charge history to the new game. In the following description, the game from which the charge history is transferred may be referred to as the reflection source game, and the game to which the charge history is transferred may be referred to as the reflection destination game.

[0019] The VIP level is a function that allows a user to acquire temporary or permanent rewards that give an advantage in a specific game G that the user is playing, according to the accumulated amount of charges to date. In other words, the VIP level is a parameter that accumulates according to the accumulated amount of charges in the game.

[0020] The game providing server 100, management server 200, and user terminal 300 are each configured with one or more computers 900. The basic configuration of the computer 900 will be described later.

[0021] Next, the functional configuration of the game providing server 100 will be described. The game providing server 100 is a server that mainly provides games to the user terminals 300. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of each game providing server 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the functional configuration of each game providing server 100 is the same, so the functional configuration of the first game providing server 100(1) will be described below as a representative.

[0022] The first game providing server 100(1) includes a communication unit 110(1), a storage unit 120(1), and a processing unit 130(1). The first game providing server 100(1) is a server that provides a first game G1 that can be played online to a user terminal 300 that accesses the first game providing server 100(1) via a network NW. In this embodiment, the following description will be given taking as an example a case where the user terminal 300 is a smartphone and the user installs an app for the first game G1 on the user terminal 300 and plays the game.

[0023] The communication unit 110(1) is a network interface that communicates with the management server 200 and the user terminal 300 via the network NW. The communication unit 110(1) passes data received from the management server 200 and the user terminal 300 to the processing unit 130(1), and also transmits data generated by the processing unit 130(1) to the management server 200 and the user terminal 300.

[0024] The storage unit 120(1) is configured using a storage device such as a magnetic hard disk or a semiconductor storage device. The storage unit 120(1) stores various information required for the first game providing server 100(1) to function. The storage unit 120(1) stores, for example, a database that stores and manages information for each user, such as the user account for the first game G1 to be provided, game progress, billing history including accumulated billing amounts, and VIP level, a function that indicates the correspondence between accumulated billing amounts and VIP levels (hereinafter simply referred to as a correspondence function), and application programs. The user account includes a first user identifier. The first user identifier is an identifier for identifying a user in the first game G1 and managing data related to the user. The first user identifier is automatically issued by the first game providing server 100(1) when the user plays the first game G1 for the first time, and is an identifier that can uniquely identify the user at least in the first game G1. In addition to the first user identifier, the user account may also include any user ID (such as a nickname), password, authentication information for social login, user attribute information, etc. acquired from the user. The billing history including the cumulative charge amount includes the charge history of the user's charges for the first game G and the cumulative charge amount. When the billing history including the cumulative charge amount is received from the management server 200 using the reflection function, it also includes the cumulative charge amount for the other game that is the source of the reflection. For the sake of distinction, in the following explanation, the cumulative charge amount within the first game G will be referred to as the internal cumulative charge amount, and the cumulative charge amount for the other game that is the source of the reflection and received from the management server 200 will be referred to as the external cumulative charge amount. Specifically, the correspondence function is a function that defines a VIP level that is uniquely determined for the cumulative amount of charges. The VIP level is a positive integer that increases in stages. For example, the level may increase by one for each predetermined amount of charges. Furthermore, the initial value of the VIP level (the value at the time of starting a new game) may be 0 (zero) or a predetermined constant. The predetermined constant can be obtained, for example, through special benefits or preferential treatment. The correspondence function may be different for each game G, or it may be the same. In other words, even with the same amount of charges, the VIP level may or may not increase depending on the game.

[0025] The processing unit 130(1) includes, as functional units, a game providing unit 131(1), a user management unit 132(1), and a calculation unit 133(1). The processing unit 130(1) executes an application program stored in the storage unit 120(1), thereby realizing each of these functional units and executing at least a part of a reflection process that realizes the reflection function. The details of the reflection process will be described later.

[0026] The game providing unit 131(1) provides a first game G1, which is operated by the user to progress, to the user terminal 300 used by the user. The game providing unit 131(1) manages the user's play history using a first user identifier and stores it in the storage unit 120. The game providing unit 131(1) may store at least a part of the play history in the user terminal 300. The game providing unit 131(1) performs user account authentication when necessary to provide the first game G1 or in response to a request from the management server 200.

[0027] The user management unit 132(1) accepts charges from the user for the first game G. The user management unit 132(1) stores the user's charge history and cumulative charge amount for the first game G in the storage unit 120.

[0028] When a user plays the first game G1 for the first time, the user management unit 132(1) displays on the user terminal 300 a user interface (for example, D100 illustrated in FIG. 6) that can receive information regarding the reflection of the VIP level.

[0029] The user management unit 132(1) also displays a user interface (e.g., D200 shown in FIG. 8) on the user terminal 300 that can accept the reflection of the VIP level when the user selects a function to reflect the VIP level from the menu of the first game G1.

[0030] The calculation unit 133(1) determines the user's first VIP level in the first game G1 based on the initial value of the user's first VIP level in the first game G1, the cumulative charge amount, and the correspondence function, and stores and manages the result in the storage unit 120(1). Specifically, the calculation unit 133(1) inputs the cumulative charge amount and the initial value into the correspondence function and obtains the output as the first VIP level. The cumulative charge amount input into the correspondence function is the sum of the internal cumulative charge amount and the external cumulative charge amount stored in the storage unit 120(1).

[0031] 2 is a functional block diagram of the management server 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The management server 200 includes a communication unit 210, a storage unit 220, and a processing unit 230. The management server 200 cooperates with each game providing server 100 and provides a reflection function to the user terminal 300.

[0032] The communication unit 210 is a network interface that communicates with the game providing server 100 and the user terminal 300 via the network NW. The communication unit 210 passes data received from the game providing server 100 and the user terminal 300 to the processing unit 230, and also transmits data generated by the processing unit 230 to the game providing server 100 and the user terminal 300.

[0033] The storage unit 220 is configured using a storage device such as a magnetic hard disk or a semiconductor storage device. The storage unit 220 stores various information required for the functioning of the management server 200. The storage unit 220 stores, for example, a database that stores and manages various information including information related to the reflection process described below, and application programs, etc.

[0034] The processing unit 230 includes, as functional units, a determination unit 231 and a reflection unit 232. The processing unit 230 executes an application program stored in the storage unit 220, thereby realizing each of these functional units and executing at least a part of the reflection process.

[0035] When the determination unit 231 receives a designation of a reflection source game G and a reflection request from a user via a UI (User Interface) of the reflection destination game G in the reflection function, the determination unit 231 requests the user to perform account authentication for the reflection source game G and determines whether the account authentication has been successful. Furthermore, the determination unit 231 acquires a user identifier of the game G from the game providing server 100 for which account authentication has been successful.

[0036] For example, when a reflection request is received from a user along with the first game G1 being specified as the reflection source, the judgment unit 231 displays a UI (not shown) for account authentication of the first game G1 on the user terminal 300, accepts input from the user, and determines whether the account authentication has been successful by querying the first game providing server 100(1) for the accepted input.

[0037] For example, if a user wants to reflect the cumulative amount of charges for a first game G1, which the user has a play history of, in the second VIP level of a second game G2 that the user is about to start playing (an example shown in Figure 6 described below), the judgment will be judged as true if the user successfully authenticates the account for the first game G1 in the second game G2 running on the user terminal 300.

[0038] Also, for example, if a user wants to reflect the cumulative charge amount for a first game G1 with a play history and the cumulative charge amount for a third game G3 in the second VIP level of a second game G2 with a play history (an example shown in Figure 8 described below), the judgment will be judged as true if the user successfully authenticates the accounts of the first game G1 and the third game G3 in the second game G2 running on the user terminal 300.

[0039] Depending on the determination result of the determination unit 231, i.e., depending on whether account authentication for the game G of the reflection source has been successful, the reflection unit 232 acquires the user's accumulated charge amount from the game providing server 100 of the game G of the reflection source and transmits it as an external accumulated charge amount to the game providing server 100 of the game G of the reflection destination. The game providing server 100 of the game G of the reflection destination stores the acquired external accumulated charge amount in the storage unit 120. If there are multiple games G of the reflection source, the accumulated charge amount may be acquired for each game and transmitted to the reflection destination as an identifiable external accumulated charge amount for each game.

[0040] For example, if a user wants to reflect the cumulative charge amount for a first game G1, for which the user has a play history, in the second VIP level of a second game G2 that the user is about to start playing (an example shown in FIG. 6, which will be described later), the reflection unit 232 first obtains the cumulative charge amount linked to the first user identifier from the first game providing server 100(1) that provides the first game G1, which is the source of the reflection. The reflection unit 232 then transmits the user's cumulative charge amount for the first game G1 as an external cumulative charge amount to the second game providing server 100(2) that provides the second game G2, which is the destination of the reflection. At this time, the reflection unit 232 may also transmit the first user identifier.

[0041] For example, if a user wishes to reflect the cumulative payment amount for a first game G1 and the cumulative payment amount for a third game G3, for which the user has a play history, in the second VIP level for a second game G2, for which the user has a play history (as shown in the example of FIG. 8, described later), the reflection unit 232 first obtains the cumulative payment amount for the user associated with the first user identifier from the first game providing server 100(1) that provides the first game G1 (the source of the reflection) and the cumulative payment amount for the user associated with the third user identifier from the third game providing server 100(3) that provides the third game G3 (the source of the reflection). The reflection unit 232 then transmits the cumulative payment amount for the user for the first game G1 and the cumulative payment amount for the third game G3 to the second game providing server 100(2) that provides the second game G2 (the destination of the reflection). At this time, the reflection unit 232 may also transmit information linking each cumulative payment amount to the first user identifier and the third user identifier.

[0042] The reflection unit 232 may present to the user terminal 300 an option as to whether or not to add the VIP level of the game G of the reflection source to the VIP level of the game G of the reflection destination.

[0043] 4 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, tablet terminal, or PC that can access the game providing server 100 via an installed program and play a game together with other user terminals 300.

[0044] <System Operation> Next, the operation of the game providing system 1 having the above-described configuration and functions will be described using a flowchart and example screens.

[0045] First, we will explain the reflection process for a user who has no history of playing the second game G2 to reflect the accumulated charges for games other than the second game G2 for which they have an account and have played (e.g., the first game G1) in the second game G2.

[0046] Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing a reflection process by the game providing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a screen D100 of a specific example of a user interface of the reflection function displayed on the user terminal 300 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. This flow starts when the user launches the second game G2 for the first time on the user terminal 300 after installing the application for the second game G2.

[0047] In step S101, the application of the second game G2 on the user terminal 300 displays on the user terminal 300 a new game start UI (for example, screen D100 shown in FIG. 6) including a reflection UI.

[0048] Screen D100 in Figure 6 is arranged with an area D110 where the page title "Start a new game" is displayed, an area D120 where instructions for the reflection function are displayed, and an area D130 where instructions for starting a game without using the reflection function are displayed.

[0049] The user can select at least one icon from the group of icons D121 representing other games (games other than the second game G2) displayed in the area D120 and select the "Login with selected game title" button D123 to send the "results of the selection of other games" and a "login request using an account for another game" to the second game providing server 100(2) and the management server 200. Here, logging in is synonymous with account authentication. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the icon group D121 displays an icon D121(1), an icon D121(2), and an icon D121(3), with the icon D121(1) selected. Each icon in the icon group D121 corresponds to at least one of the games G of the game providing server 100. Here, the icon D121(1) represents the first game G1 provided by the first game providing server 100(1). When the user selects the check box D122 located to the left of the phrase "Reflect billing record" and then selects the button D123, a "reflection request" is also sent to the second game providing server 100(2) and the management server 200. Note that if the user selects the "Log in with selected game title" button D123 without selecting an icon from the icon group D121, an error occurs and a notification prompting the user to select one of the icons from the icon group D121 may be displayed.

[0050] The user can also start the second game G2 without logging in with an account for another game title by selecting the "Start new game" button D131 in the area D130.

[0051] In response to the user's input, the user terminal 300 transmits any of the following information to the second game providing server 100(2) and the management server 200: (1) "Selection result of another game" and "Login request using account of another game", (2) "Selection result of another game", "Login request using account of another game" and "Reflection request", or (3) "Start of new game". The second game providing server 100(2) and the management server 200 receive any of the information (1) to (3) from the user terminal 300.

[0052] In step S102, the user management unit 132(2) of the second game providing server 100(2) and the determination unit 231 of the management server 200 determine whether A: account authentication for another game is selected or B: starting a new game is selected based on the information acquired from the user terminal 300 in step S101. If the determination result is A, the process proceeds to step S103. If the determination result is B, the process proceeds to step S107. Specifically, if the information acquired from the user terminal 300 in step S101 is (2) "selection result of another game" and "login request using an account for another game," or (3) "selection result of another game," "login request using an account for another game," and "reflection request," the determination result is A. Also, if the information acquired from the user terminal 300 in step S101 is (3) "starting a new game," the determination result is B.

[0053] In step S103, the determination unit 231 of the management server 200 presents a UI (not shown) for performing account authentication for the selected other game to the user terminal 300. The determination unit 231 acquires input from the user on the UI, communicates with each game providing server 100 of the selected other game, and performs account authentication based on the acquired input. For example, the determination unit 231 may acquire a user account and password from the user for each other game selected by the user, and perform authentication by inquiring with the game providing server 100 of each of the selected other games. The determination unit 231 may perform user account authentication using so-called social login of social media whose accounts have been linked with the other games. The determination unit 231 acquires the success or failure of authentication as an authentication result.

[0054] In step S104, the determination unit 231 of the management server 200 determines whether or not account authentication for the selected other game has been successful based on the authentication result acquired in step S103. If the determination result is true (YES), that is, if account authentication for the selected other game has been successful, the process proceeds to step S105. On the other hand, if the determination result is false (NO), that is, if account authentication for the selected other game has failed, the process returns to step S102.

[0055] In step S105, the determination unit 231 of the management server 200 determines whether or not there is a reflection request for the information acquired from the user terminal 300 in step S101. If the determination result is true (YES), that is, if there is a reflection request, the process proceeds to step S106. On the other hand, if the determination result is false (NO), that is, if there is no reflection request, the process proceeds to step S107.

[0056] In step S106, i.e., if it is determined in step S105 that a reflection request has been made, the reflection unit 232 of the management server 200 reflects at least a portion of the cumulative charge amount of the other game (reflection source) for which authentication has been successful in the second VIP level of the second game G2 as the reflection destination. The reflection unit 232 may reduce the amount reflected in the second VIP level (reflection amount) from the VIP level of the other game for which authentication has been successful. The reflection unit 232 may display the amount of the cumulative charge amount of the other game G reflected in the second VIP level of the second game G2 on the user terminal 300, and may accept confirmation or cancellation. In the example shown in Figure 6, at least a portion of the cumulative charge amount of the first game G1 may be reflected in the second VIP level of the second game G2, and the reflected amount may be reduced from the cumulative charge amount of the first game G1.

[0057] In step S107, the user management unit 132(2) of the second game providing server 100(2) issues a second user identifier for the second game G2 to the user and stores it in the storage unit 220, and the process proceeds to step S108.

[0058] In step S108, the game providing unit 131(2) of the second game providing server 100(2) starts the second game G2 on the user terminal 300, and then the flow ends.

[0059] Next, we will explain the reflection process for a user who has played the first game G1, the second game G2, and the third game G3 to reflect the cumulative amount of charges for the first game G1 and the third game G3 in the VIP level of the second game G2.

[0060] Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing a reflection process by the game providing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing a screen D200 of a specific example of a user interface of the reflection function displayed on the user terminal 300 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. This flow starts when the user starts the second game G2 on the user terminal 300 and selects the reflection function from a menu at any timing.

[0061] In step S201, the application of the second game G2 of the user terminal 300 displays a UI for reflection on the user terminal 300. The UI for reflection is, for example, a screen D200 shown in FIG. The screen D200 in FIG. 8 has an area D210 where the page title "Reflecting VIP Level" is displayed, an area D220 where a guide to the reflecting function is displayed, and a "Back" button D230. The user can select at least one icon from the group of icons D221 representing other games (games other than the second game G2) displayed in area D220 and select the “Proceed to authentication of selected game title” button D222 to send the “Selection results of other games,” “Account authentication request for other games,” and “Reflection request” to the second game providing server 100(2) and the management server 200. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the icon group D221 displays an icon D221(1), an icon D221(2), and an icon D221(3), and shows a state in which the icons D221(1) and D221(2) are selected. The icon D221(1) represents the first game G1 provided by the first game providing server 100(1). The icon D221(2) represents the third game G3 provided by the third game providing server 100(3). Note that if the user selects the "Proceed to authentication of selected game title" button D222 without selecting an icon from the icon group D221, an error may occur and a notification may be displayed prompting the user to select an icon from the icon group D221. In response to the user's input, the user terminal 300 transmits information such as "selection result of another game," "account authentication request for another game," and "reflection request" to the second game providing server 100(2) and the management server 200. The second game providing server 100(2) and the management server 200 receive information in response to the user's input from the user terminal 300.

[0062] In step S202, the second game providing server 100(2) and the management server 200 determine whether or not information corresponding to the user's input has been acquired from the user terminal 300 in step S201. If the determination result is true (YES), that is, if information corresponding to the user's input has been acquired, the process proceeds to step S203. On the other hand, if the determination result is false (NO), that is, if information corresponding to the user's input has not been acquired, the process continues to step S202.

[0063] Step S203 is the same as step S103 described above, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0064] Step S204 is the same as step S104 described above, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0065] In step S205, i.e., if the authentication is successful in step S204, the reflection unit 232 of the management server 200 reflects at least a portion of the cumulative charge amount for the other game for which the authentication was successful to the second VIP level of the second game G2. The reflection unit 232 may also reduce at least a portion of the reflected amount (reflection amount) from the cumulative charge amount for the other game for which the authentication was successful. In the example shown in Figure 8, the reflection unit 232 reflects the sum of the user's cumulative charge amount for the first game G1 and the user's cumulative charge amount for the third game G3 as the external cumulative charge amount in the second VIP level of the second game G2.

[0066] In step S206, the management server 200 causes the game providing unit 131(2) of the second game providing server 100(2) to resume providing the second game G2, and then ends this flow.

[0067] <Basic computer configuration> 9 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.

[0068] 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.

[0069] The storage unit 902 includes a main storage device such as a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) 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 processing shown in the various flowcharts above is realized by the control unit 901 of each computer constituting the game providing server 100 and the user terminal 300 executing a program stored in the respective storage unit 902.

[0070] 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 providing server 100 and the user terminal 300 uses this communication unit 903 to communicate with other devices, including the network NW shown in FIG.

[0071] 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.

[0072] <Program> Here, a program for realizing each functional unit of the game providing server 100 according to this embodiment will be described. The game providing server 100 is implemented in a computer 900. The operation of each component of the game providing 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.

[0073] 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 causes the computer to function as a game providing unit capable of providing a plurality of different games to a user terminal used by a user, a user management unit that manages the play history including the user's cumulative charges for each of the plurality of different games, a memory unit that stores, for each of the plurality of different games, a correspondence between the cumulative charges and the VIP level, which increases in accordance with the cumulative charges, and a reflection unit that, when account authentication is successful for a source game among the plurality of different games, adds the cumulative charges for the source game to the cumulative charges for the destination game.

[0074] 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.

[0075] 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.

[0076] According to the game providing system 1 of this embodiment described above, a user can inherit a VIP level that increases in accordance with the billing record across multiple game titles provided by an operating entity that is considered to be the same. Many users play games operated by their favorite operators. According to the present disclosure, users can start playing games operated by their favorite operators at an advantage. Furthermore, since fans of such operators can be continuously given preferential treatment, users' loyalty to the operators can be maintained. Furthermore, users are hesitant to pay for game titles that are likely to be discontinued. In response to this, the present disclosure stores data on the amount of money paid to the operating entity, and allows users to benefit from payments for older games when new games are released. Even if a game a user is playing is discontinued, the amount of money paid up to that point remains worth a certain amount, preventing the waste of the payment history accumulated by the user and allowing users to make payments more positively and with peace of mind. Sharing payment history across multiple game titles can improve user motivation. In other words, it provides users with a sense of security regarding charges, encouraging them to continue paying, while also preventing loyal users from leaving and ensuring a stable revenue base.

[0077] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be adopted.

[0078] For example, in the game providing system 1 according to the above embodiment, a separate game providing server 100 is provided for each game title, but multiple game titles may be provided to users by one game providing server 100. Also, the game providing server 100 and the management server 200 may not be separated but may be configured as one server.

[0079] Furthermore, in the game providing system 1 according to the above embodiment, the prerequisite for allowing reflection, that is, identifying the relationship between the second user identifier of the second game G2 and the user identifier of the other game, is achieved by the user authenticating the account of the other game from the application of the second game G2, but it may also be achieved by, for example, inputting a unique identifier for reflection issued in the application (play screen) of the other game within the application of the second game G2.

[0080] Furthermore, the calculation unit 133(1) of the game providing system 1 according to the above embodiment determines the first VIP level using the sum of the internal cumulative charge amount and the external cumulative charge amount, but the first VIP level may be determined using the sum of at least a part of the internal cumulative charge amount and the external cumulative charge amount. The participation rate of the external cumulative charge amount may be set in advance by the operator of the game G, or may be selectable by the user within a predetermined upper limit. The calculation unit 133(1) may also set an upper limit on the external cumulative charge amount to be included in the cumulative charge amount to be input to the correspondence function. The upper limit may be different for each game G, and may be set in advance by the operating body for each game G, for example.

[0081] Furthermore, the reflection unit 232 of the game providing system 1 according to the above embodiment may subtract at least a portion of the cumulative charge amount of the reflection source game G that was used to reflect the VIP level of the reflection destination game G from the cumulative charge amount of the reflection source game G. The reflection unit 232 may subtract the portion of the cumulative charge amount of the user of the reflection source game G that was actually used to calculate the VIP level of the reflection destination game G from the cumulative charge amount of the reflection source game G.

[0082] Furthermore, while the game providing system 1 according to the above embodiment provides a function for transferring a VIP level between different game titles provided by a single operating entity, the VIP level may also be transferred between games and non-game services provided by a single operating entity. Examples of non-game services include a matching service provided by a matching app, a shopping service provided by a shopping app, a manga creation support service and manga viewing service provided by a manga app, and a video service provided by a video app. Operating entities considered to be the same may include parent companies, subsidiaries, and affiliated companies. Furthermore, the VIP level may also be transferred between different game titles and / or non-game services provided by a group of operating entities, including different operating entities that are affiliated or collaborate with each other.

[0083] Furthermore, the calculation unit 133(1) of the game provision system 1 according to the above embodiment calculated the first VIP level according to the cumulative amount of charges made by the user in the first game G1, but the first VIP level may also be calculated by taking into account information about the user other than the charge history.

[0084] Furthermore, the memory unit 120(1) of the game provision system 1 according to the above embodiment stores a function indicating the correspondence between the cumulative charge amount and the VIP level, but may store a table indicating the correspondence between the cumulative charge amount and the VIP level instead of the function.

[0085] Furthermore, the game providing system 1 according to the above embodiment determines the VIP level of the reflection destination based on the cumulative charge amount of the reflection source, but the VIP level of the reflection destination may be determined based on the VIP level of the reflection source.

[0086] (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.

[0087] 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).

[0088] The functions performed by the apparatus according to the above embodiments may be implemented in circuitry or processing circuitry, including general-purpose processors, special-purpose processors, integrated circuits, ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), a Central Processing Unit (CPU), conventional circuits, and / or combinations thereof, programmed to perform the described functions. A processor includes transistors and other circuits and is considered to be circuitry or processing circuitry. A processor may also be a programmed processor that executes a program stored in a memory. In this disclosure, a circuit, unit, or means is hardware that is programmed to perform or executes the described functions. The hardware may be any hardware disclosed herein or any hardware known to be programmed to perform or execute the described functions. When the hardware is a processor, which is considered to be a type of circuitry, the circuit, means, or unit is a combination of hardware and software used to configure the hardware and / or processor.

[0089] 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.

[0090] 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.

[0091] (Addendum) The following additional notes are about the features of the above-described embodiment. (Appendix 1) a game providing unit capable of providing a plurality of different games to a user terminal used by a user; a user management unit that manages a play history including an accumulated charge amount of the user for each of the plurality of different games; a storage unit that stores a correspondence between a VIP level that increases according to an accumulated charge amount and the VIP level for each of the plurality of different games; a reflection unit that adds the cumulative charge amount of the reflection source game to the cumulative charge amount of the reflection destination game when account authentication is successful for the reflection source game among the plurality of different games; A game providing system comprising: This allows you to carry over your VIP level, which increases based on your payment history, between multiple game titles. (Appendix 2) The reflecting unit adds at least a portion of the cumulative charge amount of the reflection source game to the cumulative charge amount of the reflection destination game. The game providing system according to claim 1. This allows users who continue to play older games to have more freedom in transferring their games. (Appendix 3) the reflecting unit adds the cumulative charge amount of the reflection source game up to a predetermined upper limit stored in advance to the cumulative charge amount of the reflection destination game; The game providing system according to claim 1. This will allow us to adjust the gap between users in new games so that it doesn't become too large. (Appendix 4) The reflecting unit reduces the cumulative charge amount of the game from which the reflecting is made. 3. The game providing system according to claim 1 or 2. This will encourage a transition to new game titles. (Appendix 5) the reflection unit presents the user with an option of whether or not to add the cumulative charge amount of the reflection source game to the cumulative charge amount of the reflection destination game; 3. The game providing system according to claim 1 or 2. This will meet the needs of users who are playing a new game title from the beginning. (Appendix 6) the reflecting unit sums up the cumulative charges of the plurality of reflection source games and adds the sum to the cumulative charges of the reflection destination game; 3. The game providing system according to claim 1 or 2. This allows you to carry over the payment history of multiple older games. (Appendix 7) a game providing unit capable of providing a plurality of different games to a user terminal used by a user; a user management unit that manages a play history including an accumulated charge amount of the user for each of the plurality of different games; a storage unit that stores a correspondence between a VIP level that increases according to an accumulated charge amount and the VIP level for each of the plurality of different games; a reflection unit that adds the cumulative charge amount of the reflection source game to the cumulative charge amount of the reflection destination game when account authentication is successful for the reflection source game among the plurality of different games; A server of a game providing system comprising: (Appendix 8) providing a plurality of different games to a user terminal used by a user; managing a play history including an accumulated amount of charges of the user for each of the plurality of different games; a step of storing a correspondence relationship between a cumulative charge amount and a VIP level that increases in accordance with the cumulative charge amount for each of the plurality of different games; adding the cumulative charge amount of the reflection source game to the cumulative charge amount of the reflection destination game when account authentication is successful for the reflection source game among the plurality of different games; A game providing method having the above. (Appendix 9) a game providing unit capable of providing a plurality of different games to a user terminal used by a user; a user management unit that manages a play history including an accumulated charge amount of the user for each of the plurality of different games; a storage unit that stores a correspondence between a VIP level that increases according to an accumulated charge amount and the VIP level for each of the plurality of different games; a reflection unit that adds the cumulative charge amount of the reflection source game to the cumulative charge amount of the reflection destination game when account authentication for the reflection source game among the different plurality of games is successful; A program that makes a computer function as a [Explanation of symbols]

[0092] 1: Game provision system 100: Game provider server 110: Communications Department 120: Storage section 130: Processing section 131: Game Provider 132: User Management Section 133: Calculation section 200: Management Server 210: Communications Department 220: Storage section 230: Processing section 231: Judgment section 232: Reflection section 300: User terminal D100, D200: Screen NW: Network

Claims

1. a game providing unit capable of providing a plurality of different games to a user terminal used by a user; a user management unit that manages a play history including an accumulated charge amount of the user for each of the plurality of different games; a storage unit that stores a correspondence between an accumulated charge amount and a VIP level that increases in accordance with an accumulated charge amount for each of the plurality of different games; a reflection unit that acquires from the user terminal a selection by the user of a game from among the plurality of different games that is to be a reflection source game, displays on the user terminal a reflection amount calculated based on the cumulative charge amount of the reflection source game, acquires from the user terminal a selection for adding the reflection amount to the cumulative charge amount of a reflection destination game from among the plurality of different games, and adds the reflection amount to the cumulative charge amount of the reflection destination game when account authentication for the reflection source game is successful; Equipped with the user management unit stores in the storage unit the cumulative charge amount of the reflection destination reflected with the reflection amount, distinguishing between the cumulative charge amount in the reflection destination game and the cumulative charge amount of the reflection source other game; Game delivery system.

2. The reflecting unit adds at least a portion of the cumulative charge amount of the reflection source game to the cumulative charge amount of the reflection destination game. The game providing system according to claim 1 .

3. the reflecting unit adds the cumulative charge amount of the reflection source game up to a predetermined upper limit stored in advance to the cumulative charge amount of the reflection destination game; The game providing system according to claim 1 .

4. The reflecting unit reduces the cumulative charge amount of the game from which the reflecting is made. The game providing system according to claim 1 or 2.

5. the reflection unit presents the user with an option of whether or not to add the cumulative charge amount of the reflection source game to the cumulative charge amount of the reflection destination game; The game providing system according to claim 1 or 2.

6. the reflecting unit sums up the cumulative charges of the plurality of reflection source games and adds the sum to the cumulative charges of the reflection destination game; The game providing system according to claim 1 or 2.

7. a game providing unit capable of providing a plurality of different games to a user terminal used by a user; a user management unit that manages a play history including an accumulated charge amount of the user for each of the plurality of different games; a storage unit that stores a correspondence between an accumulated charge amount and a VIP level that increases in accordance with an accumulated charge amount for each of the plurality of different games; a reflection unit that acquires from the user terminal a selection by the user of a game to be a reflection source game from among the plurality of different games, displays on the user terminal a reflection amount calculated based on a cumulative charge amount for the reflection source game, acquires from the user terminal a selection for adding the reflection amount to the cumulative charge amount for a reflection destination game from among the plurality of different games, and adds the reflection amount to the cumulative charge amount for the reflection destination game when account authentication for the reflection source game is successful; Equipped with the user management unit stores in the storage unit the cumulative charge amount of the reflection destination reflected with the reflection amount, distinguishing between the cumulative charge amount in the reflection destination game and the cumulative charge amount of the reflection source other game; Server for the game provision system.

8. providing a plurality of different games to a user terminal used by a user; managing a play history including an accumulated amount of charges of the user for each of the plurality of different games; storing a correspondence between an accumulated charge amount and a VIP level that increases in accordance with an accumulated charge amount for each of the plurality of different games; acquiring from the user terminal a selection by the user of a game to be used as a source game from among the plurality of different games, displaying on the user terminal a reflection amount calculated based on the cumulative charge amount for the source game, acquiring from the user terminal a selection for adding the reflection amount to the cumulative charge amount for a destination game from among the plurality of different games, and adding the reflection amount to the cumulative charge amount for the destination game if account authentication for the source game is successful; a step of storing the cumulative charge amount of the reflection destination reflected with the reflection amount in a storage unit, distinguishing between the cumulative charge amount in the reflection destination game and the cumulative charge amount of the reflection source other game; A game providing method for causing a computer to execute the above.

9. a game providing unit capable of providing a plurality of different games to a user terminal used by a user; a user management unit that manages a play history including an accumulated charge amount of the user for each of the plurality of different games; a storage unit that stores a correspondence between an accumulated charge amount and a VIP level that increases in accordance with an accumulated charge amount for each of the plurality of different games; a reflection unit that acquires from the user terminal a selection by the user of a game to be a reflection source game from among the plurality of different games, displays on the user terminal a reflection amount calculated based on a cumulative charge amount for the reflection source game, acquires from the user terminal a selection for adding the reflection amount to the cumulative charge amount for a reflection destination game from among the plurality of different games, and adds the reflection amount to the cumulative charge amount for the reflection destination game when account authentication for the reflection source game is successful; A program that causes a computer to function as the user management unit stores in the storage unit the cumulative charge amount of the reflection destination reflected with the reflection amount, distinguishing between the cumulative charge amount in the reflection destination game and the cumulative charge amount of the reflection source other game. program.

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