Program, system, information processing device, server, method, and information generation method

Abstract

The present invention provides a program, system, information processing device, server, method, and information generation method that can perform automated card game matches based on card information that may include cards not owned by the user. [Solution] A program is provided that performs the following steps: determining a first deck to be used for an automated digital trading card battle based on card information relating to multiple digital trading cards that may include multiple analog trading cards that the user does not actually possess; determining a second deck for the opponent based on the user's battle instructions; performing multiple automated battles using the first deck and the second deck without allowing the user to intervene in the automated battles; and outputting the results of multiple automated battles, including information on the win rate of the first deck in the automated battles.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a program, a system, an information processing apparatus, a server, a method, and an information generation method. In particular, the present invention relates to a program, a system, an information processing apparatus, a server, a method, and an information generation method capable of automatically playing digital trading cards.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, (a) a server device connected to a network such as the Internet and accessible from a plurality of terminal devices; (b) the server device stores a game program for executing a card game and information on a plurality of cards used in the card game; (c) the server device further stores ID information for identifying players participating in the card game via the terminal device; (d) the information on each card corresponds to the unique identification information of each card commercially available in the market; (e) the game program registers the identification information of the cards for each player-specific ID information, and by registering the identification information of the cards, it is possible to play a card game with other players who are also registered using the information on the cards stored. A server device having such requirements is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). According to the server device described in Patent Document 1, it is possible to play a card game by allowing commercially available cards to participate in the game space.

Prior Art Documents

Non-Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, conventional server devices, such as the server device described in Patent Document 1, can only use cards that the user already owns. Furthermore, the server device described in Patent Document 1 merely replaces real-world game matches with game matches in a game space (for example, an online game space) using digital cards already owned by two real-world users. Therefore, it is impossible for the user to predict in advance what kind of results might occur depending on which cards are used in the game match.

[0005] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a program, system, information processing device, server, method, and information generation method that can perform automated card game matches based on card information which may include cards not possessed by the user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To achieve the above objective, the present invention provides a program for a computer to run, comprising a processor and memory, which assists in improving a user's gameplay in a game using analog trading cards, wherein the program provides the processor with card information relating to a plurality of digital trading cards that may include analog trading cards not actually possessed by the user, based on the above objective. 、 The first deck used for automated battles with digital trading cards. Select the cards to use in your first deck The steps to determine the opponent's second deck, based on the user's battle instructions. Select the cards to use in the second deck Decide death, The process involves performing automated matches using the first and second decks multiple times without user intervention, and Based on the user's battle instructions, the results of multiple automated battles are determined by the combination of the first and second decks. In automatic matches First deck Includes information on win rate information A program is provided that performs the steps of outputting and executing. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, the program, system, information processing device, server, method, and information generation method can be provided that enable automated card game matches to be played based on card information which may include cards not owned by the user. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of the system according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a functional configuration diagram of the system according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a data configuration diagram of the storage unit according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a flowchart of the processing in the system according to this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] [Embodiment] <Overview of System 1 Configuration> Figure 1 shows an overview of the system according to this embodiment. Specifically, Figure 1(a) shows an example of the configuration of system 1 according to this embodiment, and Figures 1(b) to 1(d) show examples of the display overview of the information terminal 7 provided in system 1 according to this embodiment.

[0010] As shown in Figure 1(a), System 1 according to this embodiment comprises an object server 3 that stores information about objects (e.g., trading cards) used in a predetermined game, an information terminal 7 into which users input predetermined information related to automated game matches, and a battle server 9 that executes automated game matches. The object server 3, the information terminal 7, and / or the battle server 9 are connected via a communication network 5 to enable bidirectional communication. The information terminal 7 has an input unit 102 that receives predetermined operations and instructions from the user, and an output unit 100 that outputs various processing results from the object server 3 and / or the battle server 9. Furthermore, the object server 3 may have some or all of the configuration of the battle server 9, and the battle server 9 may have some or all of the configuration of the object server 3. If the object server 3 has all of the configuration of the battle server 9, or if the battle server 9 has all of the configuration of the object server 3, then System 1 will have a server that has the configuration and functions of both the object server 3 and the battle server 9.

[0011] In this embodiment, the specified game can be any type of competitive game, but in the following description, we will use an example where the object is a digital trading card and the game is a game played using digital trading cards.

[0012] In System 1, the battle server 9 receives predetermined instructions from the user and proceeds with automated battles of trading card games. In this case, System 1 may be a server-client type system. Alternatively, System 1 may have a predetermined program installed on the information terminal 7 and perform automated battles of games while communicating with the battle server 9 as needed. Furthermore, in System 1, if the game program is installed on the information terminal 7, automated battles of games may be performed on the information terminal 7 without communicating with the battle server 9. Also, System 1 may function as an extension of a predetermined website.

[0013] Although multiple information terminals used by different users may each be connected to the object server 3 and / or the battle server 9 via the communication network 5, the following explanation will primarily describe an example where one information terminal 7 is connected to the object server 3 and / or the battle server 9 via the communication network 5.

[0014] <Overview of automated battles in System 1> System 1 determines one deck (the first deck) containing one or more digital trading cards configured based on user instructions, and another deck (the second deck) containing one or more digital trading cards configured based on user instructions. It then performs multiple automated matches using the first and second decks. System 1 then outputs various information, including the win rate of the first deck from the multiple automated matches, to the information terminal 7. It should be noted that System 1 outputs the win rate of the first deck from multiple automated matches between the first and second decks, and based on the output results, the user can consider the effectiveness of the first deck against the second deck, and whether or not to acquire analog trading cards corresponding to the digital trading cards that make up the first deck. It should be noted that System 1 is not a system for watching automated matches between the first and second decks.

[0015] Furthermore, each of the one or more digital trading cards that make up the first and second decks are digitized versions of analog trading cards that exist in the real world. However, the information on the digitized cards is not information owned by the user, but rather information that is made public by the trading card provider on a designated website and is not for sale.

[0016] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1(b), the system 1 causes one or more digital trading cards (hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, digital trading cards are simply referred to as "trading cards") to be output to the output unit 100 of the information terminal 7. For example, based on a user instruction received via the information terminal 7, the system 1 causes the card images 50 of one or more trading cards displayed on a predetermined website provided by the object server 3 to be output to the output unit 100. Subsequently, based on a selection instruction for a predetermined card image 50 of the user received via the information terminal 7, from the card images 50 of one or more trading cards output to the output unit 100, a deck (the first deck) is configured that has trading cards corresponding to one or more card images 50 for which the selection instruction was given. The system 1 determines the first deck as the deck to be used in the automatic battle.

[0017] Also, based on a selection instruction of the user received via the information terminal 7, the system 1 configures a second deck in the same manner as the first deck. Then, the system 1 determines the second deck as the deck to be used as the opponent of the first deck in the automatic battle. Here, the combination of one or more trading cards constituting the first deck and the combination of one or more trading cards constituting the second deck may be the same or different, but from the perspective of the user referring to the result of the automatic battle, it is preferable that the combinations are different.

[0018] Note that the combination of one or more trading cards constituting the second deck may be determined in advance, or may be a combination of one or more trading cards constituted by other users, operators, etc. different from the user operating the information terminal 7. Further, the system 1 may issue a deck ID for identifying the configured first deck and / or a deck ID for identifying the second deck. The system 1 may receive an input of a deck ID from the user via the information terminal 7, and determine the first deck and / or the second deck corresponding to the received deck ID as the deck to be used in the automatic battle. Thereby, after constructing the first deck and / or the second deck, the user can execute an automatic battle in the system 1 at a desired timing.

[0019] Next, the system 1 acquires the conditions for automatic battle from the user via the information terminal 7. Examples of the conditions for automatic battle (battle conditions) include, for example, the level of a computer or artificial intelligence that executes a game battle using the first deck, the level of a computer or artificial intelligence that executes a game battle using the second deck, and / or the number of times of executing the automatic battle (number of battles). For example, as shown in FIG. 1(c), the system 1 causes the output unit 100 of the information terminal 7 to display a selection tab 300 that can be selected and determined for the level of a computer or artificial intelligence (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "first computer") that executes a game battle using the first deck together with a label 200 displayed as "your level", a selection tab 302 that can be selected and determined for the level of a computer or artificial intelligence (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "second computer") that executes a game battle using the second deck together with a label 202 displayed as "opponent's level", and a selection tab 304 that can be selected and determined for the number of times of executing the automatic battle together with a label 204 displayed as "number of battles".

[0020] System 1 then executes an automatic match in response to a user input instruction for a predetermined icon (execution icon 350) output to the output unit 100. That is, System 1 executes an automatic match between the first deck and the second deck a predetermined number of times, based on the level of the first computer, the level of the second computer, and the number of matches determined in response to the user's selection instruction received via the information terminal 7. The levels can be set using names such as Beginner, Super, Hyper, Elite, Expert, Master, etc., and the levels may increase in this order. The number of matches can be set to a predetermined number such as 3, 10, 50, 100, 500, or any number of matches.

[0021] System 1 records the content and results of automated matches (for example, the win / loss record of the first computer and the second computer in an automated match, and / or the actions of the first computer and the actions of the second computer in an automated match).

[0022] Here, System 1 does not allow user intervention during the execution of an automated match. That is, System 1 runs the automated match in a closed state and prohibits user intervention in the match (for example, changing predetermined procedures during an automated match, or interrupting the automated match to manually control the procedures for the first computer's turn). Therefore, System 1 does not output the progress of the match to the output unit 100 while the automated match is running. However, System 1 may indicate that an automated match is in progress by, for example, a numerical value (for example, displaying the number of times the automated match has finished) or a predetermined graphic (for example, displaying a bar that extends as the number of automated matches progresses).

[0023] After completing multiple automated matches, System 1 outputs the results of the automated matches to the output unit 100. For example, as shown in Figure 1(d), System 1 displays a predetermined title 400 (in the example in Figure 1(d), it is displayed as "Match Results") along with a win rate display 402 showing the win rate of the first deck in the automated matches, and / or a win / loss display 404 showing the number of wins and losses in the automated matches, on the output unit 100. The win rate is calculated based on the number of wins by the first computer in the multiple automated matches and the total number of automated matches. This allows the user to judge the effectiveness of the first deck they constructed against the second deck in game matches based on the win rate. In this embodiment, the match results may be output simply, mainly as text information, from the viewpoint of making it easier for the user to study the configuration of the first deck.

[0024] Furthermore, System 1 causes the output unit 100 to output an instruction icon 500 that outputs the progress of wins and losses in multiple automated matches, and / or an instruction icon 502 that outputs to the output unit 100 the procedures of the first computer and / or the second computer in a match selected by the user from among the multiple automated matches. When System 1 receives a user instruction for the instruction icon 500 via the information terminal 7, it outputs information (e.g., a graph) showing the change in wins and losses or win rates from the first to the last round of the current multiple automated matches to the output unit 100. This allows the user to gain insight into the probability of winning when using their first deck against the second deck.

[0025] Furthermore, when System 1 receives a user instruction for the instruction icon 502 via the information terminal 7, it receives an instruction from the user to specify a predetermined number of automatic matches from among several, and outputs the contents of the automatic match in the specified number of matches to the output unit 100. The contents of the automatic match include, for example, the procedures (i.e., game records, etc.) used by the first computer using the first deck. In other words, in a trading card game, each player takes turns to advance the game. For example, when one player finishes their turn, it becomes the other player's turn. When the other player takes their turn and finishes their actions, it becomes the first player's turn again. Thus, the game according to this embodiment is a game that progresses with turns being repeated alternately. In this embodiment, the first computer and the second computer, rather than players, each play the role of players. System 1 then outputs the trading card procedures used by the first computer in the automatic match in the specified number of matches to the output unit 100 for each turn. This allows System 1 to provide insights into how one or more trading cards in the first deck the user has constructed were used in a given match, and at what timing.

[0026] Furthermore, when System 1 receives a user instruction via the information terminal 7 for the instruction icon 504, it enables the user to submit a change instruction to replace one or more trading cards in the first deck with different trading cards. Based on the user's change instruction, System 1 then creates a deck (modified deck) in which one or more trading cards in the first deck have been replaced with different trading cards. Subsequently, System 1 automatically plays a match between the modified deck and the second deck under the same match conditions as the automatic match between the first deck and the second deck. Finally, System 1 outputs the win rate and / or win / loss record from the automatic match between the first deck and the second deck to the output unit 100, making it possible to compare them. As a result, System 1 allows the user to gain insights such as which of the one or more trading cards in the first deck they constructed should be changed and how to change them to improve their win rate against the second deck. Therefore, System 1 can assist users in improving their gameplay in analog trading card games by allowing them to refer to the results of games played using digital trading cards, and can also promote / improve users' understanding of games played using analog trading cards.

[0027] The information terminal 7 is a device that can be operated by the user. The information terminal 7 may be, for example, a portable information terminal such as a mobile phone, smartphone, or tablet that is compatible with a mobile communication system. The information terminal 7 may also be, for example, a stationary personal computer (PC), laptop PC, notebook PC, portable game console, home game console (stationary game device), and / or a dedicated game console, or an information terminal / head-mounted display / AR glasses with augmented reality (AR) functionality. Furthermore, the communication network 5 is a mobile phone network and / or a communication network such as the Internet. The communication network 5 may also include communication networks such as wired LAN and wireless LAN. The details of the system 1 according to this embodiment will be described below, but it should be noted that the names and numerical values ​​in the above and below descriptions are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to these proper names and numerical values, and these proper names and numerical values ​​are not necessarily related to actual proper names and numerical values.

[0028] <Details of System 1> Figure 2 shows an example of the functional configuration of the system according to this embodiment. Figure 3 shows an example of the data configuration of the storage unit according to this embodiment.

[0029] [Overview of System 1 Configuration] The system 1 according to this embodiment includes an output unit 100 that outputs various types of information, an output control unit 101 that controls the output of information to the output unit 100, an input unit 102 that receives input of various types of information, a selection receiving unit 108 that receives instructions for selecting trading cards to make up a deck or instructions for selecting a deck, a deck determination unit 110 that determines a deck that has one or more trading cards, a system control unit 112 that controls various processes such as automatic matches between decks, a purchase receiving unit 114 that receives instructions for purchasing analog trading cards corresponding to the trading cards included in the configured deck, and a storage unit 120 that stores various types of information. The storage unit 120 has a user information storage unit 122 that stores information about the user, a card information storage unit 124 that stores information about trading cards, and a match result information storage unit 126 that stores information about the results of automatic matches. In this embodiment, as an example, the case in which a smartphone is the information terminal 7 will be mainly described.

[0030] System 1 may not only have the above-mentioned multiple components and / or multiple functions physically in the same device or location, but some of the above-mentioned multiple components and / or multiple functions may be installed in physically separate locations (which may be within Japan or outside Japan). In this case, each component may be connected by a communication network such as the Internet. For example, System 1 may have some of the functions of its components handled by an external server. System 1 may also be configured as one or more servers. In this case, System 1 is configured by combining the information terminal 7, the components of one server, and the components of other servers. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a set of predetermined components can be understood as a single "information processing device," and System 1 may be formed as a set of multiple information processing devices. The way in which the multiple functions required to realize System 1 according to this embodiment are distributed to one or more hardware can be appropriately determined in consideration of the processing capacity of each hardware and / or the specifications required for System 1. In addition, the information terminal 7 may have some or all of the configuration and functions of the object server 3 and / or the battle server 9. Furthermore, the various types of information stored in the storage unit 120 may be updated based on user instructions and information received via the input unit 102, or they may be updated as needed by obtaining predetermined information from a predetermined server located outside the system 1.

[0031] [Details of System 1 configuration] In the following description, we will use the example where the information terminal 7 has the output unit 100, the output control unit 101, and the input unit 102, and the object server 3 and / or the battle server 9 have the other components. Note that the information terminal 7 may have some or all of the configuration and / or functions of the system control unit 112 and / or storage unit 120 in the following description, or the object server 3 and / or the battle server 9 may have them. Furthermore, the information terminal 7 can connect to the object server 3, the battle server 9, other servers (not shown), and / or other information terminals (not shown) via the communication network 5 using wired and / or wireless communication, enabling bidirectional communication and the transmission and reception of predetermined data. The same applies to the object server 3 and / or the battle server 9.

[0032] (Output unit 100, output control unit 101) The output control unit 101 is controlled by the system control unit 112 and outputs various information related to the automated trading card game to the output unit 100. The output unit 100 outputs various processing results in system 1 and various information stored in the storage unit 120 in a way that is perceptible to the user. Specifically, the output control unit 101 causes the output unit 100 to output various processing results in each component and information stored in the storage unit 120 as data in a predetermined format, still images, moving images, and / or text and audio. The output control unit 101 may also cause the output unit 100 to output information received from an external server. Note that if the information terminal 7 is a smartphone or the like, the output unit 100 is the display unit of the information terminal 7. Also, if the information terminal 7 is a stationary game device, the output unit 100 may be a separate television monitor (such as an LCD monitor or an OLED display monitor) from the information terminal 7. Furthermore, the output unit 100 may include elements such as an audio output unit that outputs sound, a vibration unit that emits vibrations, and / or a light-emitting unit that emits light. In the following description, when we say that predetermined information is output, we mean that the system control unit 112 controls the output control unit 101 to output it to the output unit 100, but in order to simplify the explanation, we will omit the description of the operation of the output control unit 101.

[0033] (Input section 102) The input unit 102 receives input such as predetermined instructions or operations from the user. The input unit 102 supplies the instructions to predetermined components of the system 1. Each component that receives the instructions performs a predetermined function. For example, the input unit 102 is an input device for receiving operation input from the user (e.g., a touch panel, touchpad, pointing device such as a mouse, keyboard, motion sensor, controller, microphone, etc.). In this embodiment, an example is described in which the input unit 102 is a touch panel provided by the information terminal 7. The touch panel may be capable of multi-touch detection. Specifically, the touch panel as the input unit 102 has an input surface 104 into which user operations are input and an input control unit 106 that acquires information about the operations input to the input surface 104. The touch panel is placed on top of the display unit of the information terminal 7, and the surface of the touch panel corresponds to the input surface 104. For example, the display unit of the information terminal 7 displays an area that accepts a predetermined instruction, and the input surface 104 detects the predetermined instruction at a specified location based on the user's operation on that area of ​​the input surface 104 (e.g., touch operation, tap operation, swipe operation, etc.). The input surface 104 supplies the detected information, that is, information indicating the predetermined instruction at the detected location, to the input control unit 106. The input control unit 106 acquires the information indicating the predetermined instruction from the input surface 104 and supplies this information to a predetermined component of the system 1.

[0034] In this embodiment, unless otherwise specified, when a predetermined instruction is given by a predetermined operation / action of the user, such as "responding to user instructions," "based on user instructions," or "receiving user instructions," it refers to the instruction being acquired via the input unit 102.

[0035] (System Control Unit 112) The system control unit 112 controls various processes related to automatic game matches and the like that are executed in System 1 based on predetermined instructions from the user received via the information terminal 7, predetermined information received from the object server 3 and / or the battle server 9, and / or information stored in the storage unit 120. These various processes may include, but are not limited to, the following: • Predetermined processing based on predetermined instructions from the user received via the information terminal 7. • Outputting information about one or more trading cards (for example, information such as card image 50) and / or information about a predetermined deck to the information terminal 7. - Processing the creation of a deck consisting of one or more trading cards, and / or the determination of a deck to be used for automated battles. - Setting conditions for automatic matches (for example, setting the computer's level for the first deck, setting the computer's level for the second deck, conditions such as the number of times automatic matches should be run). • Billing process for setting the number of automatic matches to exceed a predetermined number. • Automated trading card game battle process using two decks. • Processing changes to the contents of a deck set by the user. • Processing to store the results of the automated battle into storage unit 120. • Outputting the results of the automated match to the information terminal 7. • Processing sales of specified analog objects (e.g., analog trading cards). • The process of making the first deck, as set by the user, public or private on a designated site. Data communication processing between the information terminal 7 and the object server 3 and / or the battle server 9, and between the object server 3 and the battle server 9. • Other various game processing.

[0036] For example, the system control unit 112 constructs a first deck for use in an automated digital trading card game based on card information relating to multiple digital trading cards, which may include digital trading cards corresponding to analog trading cards not owned by the user, and executes a process to determine which deck will be used for the automated game. Similarly, the system control unit 112 constructs a second deck for the opponent based on the user's instructions and executes a process to determine which deck will be used for the automated game. The system control unit 112 also executes a process to run automated games using the first and second decks multiple times without allowing the user to intervene in the automated games. Furthermore, after the automated games are run, the system control unit 112 executes a process to output the results of the multiple automated games, including information on the win rate of the first deck in those automated games, to the output unit 100.

[0037] (Storage unit 120) The storage unit 120 stores various programs executed in the information terminal 7, object server 3, and / or battle server 9, and / or various data used in those programs. Specifically, the storage unit 120 stores programs executed in system 1, various information supplied from each component of system 1, and / or various information related to automated battles executed in system 1. The storage unit 120 supplies predetermined information to predetermined components in response to requests from other components of system 1. In the various IDs described below, if one ID is associated with another ID, and yet another ID is associated with yet another ID, predetermined information can be made available by tracing the IDs.

[0038] (Storage unit 120: User information storage unit 122) The user information storage unit 122 stores user information, owned card information, and deck information related to a deck set up by the user using one or more digital trading cards, all associated with a user ID that identifies the user. However, the user information storage unit 122 does not necessarily need to store owned card information. In other words, system 1 is not required to manage the analog cards actually owned by the user.

[0039] User information includes, for example, the user's name or company name, and contact information (address, telephone number, email address, SNS account ID, etc.). Card information includes, for example, information about the analog trading card associated with the card ID that identifies the analog trading card (for example, the analog trading card itself or information displayed on the card, such as the character name and rarity).

[0040] Deck information includes, for example, information about the deck determined by the deck determination unit 110. Deck information includes a deck ID that identifies the deck, and a card ID associated with the deck ID that identifies one or more digital trading cards contained in the deck. The card ID of an analog trading card and the ID of the digital trading card corresponding to that analog trading card may be the same.

[0041] (Storage unit 120: Card information storage section 124) The card information storage unit 124 stores card information associated with a card ID that identifies an analog trading card. Examples of card information include the character name, character description, character hit points, character type, character characteristics, character techniques, character weaknesses, character resistances, and trading card rarity displayed on the analog trading card, as well as information on the surface of the analog trading card (e.g., image information), and information on the digital trading card corresponding to the analog trading card (e.g., the card ID of the digital trading card and / or the image information of the surface (card image 50), etc. However, the card ID of the analog trading card and the card ID of the digital trading card corresponding to the analog trading card may be the same). In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the card ID of the analog trading card and the card ID of the digital trading card corresponding to the analog trading card will be treated as the same. Note that card information may be a concept that includes the card ID itself.

[0042] (Storage unit 120: Match result information storage unit 126) The match result information storage unit 126 stores information related to the number of matches, match results, match details, etc. of an automated match, associated with a match ID that identifies a single automated match (for example, if an automated match is performed a number of times specified by the user, the unit of those specified number of automated matches is called "one automated match"). The system control unit 112 executes the automated match a number of times specified by the user. Therefore, that number becomes the number of matches. The match results are the results of the automated match between one deck set by the user and the other deck, and include information such as the win rate and win / loss record of one deck. The match details are the details of one or more matches executed in the automated match, and include various information indicating the content of the match between one computer performing a match using one deck and the other computer performing a match using the other deck (for example, information about the trading cards used in each of the one or more turns in a single match, and / or information about the game record, etc.).

[0043] (Selection Reception Section 108: When selecting trading cards) The selection reception unit 108 receives a selection instruction from the user via the input unit 102 for one or more trading cards required to form a deck from multiple trading cards. First, the system control unit 112 causes the output unit 100 of the information terminal 7 to output card images 50 of one or more trading cards in response to the user's instruction. For example, the system control unit 112 causes the output unit 100 to output card images 50 of one or more digital trading cards stored in the card information storage unit 124 (for example, card images 50 of one or more trading cards displayed on a predetermined site published on the internet by the object server 3). The card images 50 of trading cards output to the output unit 100 may include card images 50 of trading cards that the user does not possess. In other words, some or all of the one or more card images 50 output to the output unit 100 may be card images 50 that correspond to analog trading cards possessed by the user. The system control unit 112 may output only text information (for example, character name, character description, etc.) related to the digital trading card stored in the card information storage unit 124 to the output unit 100, instead of the card image 50 of the digital trading card. The text information of the trading card output to the output unit 100 may include text information of trading cards that the user does not possess, similar to the case where the card image 50 is output.

[0044] In this case, the system control unit 112 may output to the output unit 100 the card images of digital trading cards corresponding to the card IDs of the owned card information stored in the user information storage unit 122 and the card images of trading cards corresponding to card IDs not stored in the user information storage unit 122 but stored in the card information storage unit 124 in different forms. This allows the user to easily distinguish between digital trading cards corresponding to analog trading cards they own and digital trading cards corresponding to analog trading cards they do not own, even if they do not remember all of their multiple analog trading cards.

[0045] The selection receiving unit 108 then receives a selection instruction from the user for one or more card images 50 from the multiple card images 50 output to the output unit 100. The selection receiving unit 108 receives the selection instruction for the card images 50 as a selection instruction for the trading card corresponding to the selected card image 50. Here, the selection receiving unit 108 also receives selection instructions for the first deck and / or selection instructions for the second deck. That is, the selection receiving unit 108 receives a selection instruction from the user for the first deck and / or a selection instruction from the user for the second deck. Each of the multiple card images 50 is associated with a card ID that identifies the trading card corresponding to the card image 50. This card ID is the card ID stored in the card information storage unit 124.

[0046] The selection receiving unit 108 treats the multiple trading cards corresponding to the multiple card images 50 selected by the user as multiple trading cards belonging to one first deck or one second deck, based on the user's instructions. That is, the selection receiving unit 108 generates a deck ID that identifies the first deck or the second deck, and associates the card ID of each trading card corresponding to each of the multiple card images 50 selected by the user with the deck ID. The selection receiving unit 108 may also accept selection instructions for multiple trading cards corresponding to the multiple card images 50, for one or more first decks and / or one or more second decks, based on the user's instructions. In this case, the selection receiving unit 108 generates a deck ID for one or more first decks and / or a deck ID for one or more second decks. Each deck ID is associated with the card ID of each of the multiple trading cards belonging to the deck corresponding to each deck ID.

[0047] Therefore, the selection receiving unit 108 will receive instructions to select trading cards in the following patterns or combinations of multiple patterns. 1) Select one or more trading cards for one first deck. In this case, the selection reception unit 108 generates one deck ID for the first deck. 2) Select one or more trading cards for one second deck. In this case, the selection reception unit 108 generates one deck ID for the second deck. 3) Select one or more trading cards for each of the multiple first decks. In this case, the selection reception unit 108 generates multiple deck IDs for each of the multiple first decks. 4) Select one or more trading cards for each of the multiple second decks. In this case, the selection reception unit 108 generates multiple deck IDs for each of the multiple second decks.

[0048] The selection reception unit 108 may perform image processing such as matching processing based on the selected card image 50 and the trading card information stored in the card information storage unit 124 to identify the card ID of the trading card corresponding to the selected card image 50. The selection reception unit 108 supplies the generated deck IDs and card IDs for one or more first decks, and / or deck IDs and card IDs for one or more second decks, to the deck determination unit 110 and the purchase reception unit 114.

[0049] (Selection reception section 108: When selecting a deck) Furthermore, the object server 3 may display information about decks composed of multiple trading cards on a predetermined site. In this case, the selection reception unit 108 may receive selection instructions for one or more decks composed of multiple trading cards from the user via the input unit 102. First, the system control unit 112 causes the output unit 100 of the information terminal 7 to output an image of the deck composed of multiple trading cards in response to the user's instructions. For example, the card information storage unit 124 may store deck information composed of multiple trading cards associated with the deck ID. The deck ID is associated with the card IDs of one or more trading cards that belong to the deck identified by that deck ID.

[0050] The system control unit 112 causes the output unit 100 to output images of multiple digital decks and information related to multiple decks (for example, images of multiple decks displayed on a predetermined site published on the internet by the object server 3 and images of the trading cards contained in each deck) stored in the card information storage unit 124. Note that the decks output to the output unit 100 may include trading cards that the user does not possess.

[0051] The selection receiving unit 108 then receives a deck selection instruction corresponding to the image of the selected deck, based on the user's deck selection instruction, from among the multiple deck images output to the output unit 100. Here, the selection receiving unit 108 receives both the selection instruction for the first deck and / or the selection instruction for the second deck. That is, the selection receiving unit 108 receives one or more deck selection instructions from the user for the first deck and / or one or more deck selection instructions from the user for the second deck. The selection receiving unit 108 supplies the deck ID, which is information about the one or more selected decks for the first deck and / or one or more second decks, to the deck determination unit 110 and the purchase receiving unit 114.

[0052] (Deck determination section 110) The deck determination unit 110 determines a first deck to be used for automated trading card battles, and / or a second deck for the opponent of the first deck, based on the information received by the selection reception unit 108. That is, when the deck determination unit 110 receives a deck ID from the selection reception unit 108, it determines the deck corresponding to that deck ID to be used in the automated battle.

[0053] Specifically, the deck determination unit 110 determines the deck for the automated battle based on one or more first deck IDs and / or one or more second deck IDs received from the selection reception unit 108, using one of the following patterns or a combination of multiple patterns. i) If a deck ID for one first deck is received. The deck identified by that single card ID is designated as the first deck for automated battles. ii) If a deck ID for a second deck is received. The deck identified by that single card ID is designated as the second deck for automated battles. iii) If multiple deck IDs for the first deck are accepted. Each of the multiple decks corresponding to each of the multiple deck IDs is designated as the first deck for automated battles. iv) If multiple deck IDs for a second deck are accepted. Each of the multiple decks corresponding to each of the multiple deck IDs is designated as a second deck for automated battles.

[0054] The deck determination unit 110 associates the deck IDs that identify the one or more first decks determined, and / or the deck IDs that identify the one or more second decks determined, with the user ID and stores them as deck information in the user information storage unit 122. The deck determination unit 110 supplies the information regarding the determined first deck and the information regarding the second deck to the system control unit 112 and the storage unit 120. The user information storage unit 122 stores the information regarding the decks determined by the deck determination unit 110 (i.e., the deck ID of the first deck and the deck ID of the second deck; each deck ID is associated with the card ID of one or more trading cards that make up the deck) in association with the user ID. The deck determination unit 110 may, based on the user's instructions or automatically, determine as the second deck a deck corresponding to a deck ID included in the deck information stored in the user information storage unit 122 that is associated with a user ID different from the user ID of the user using the information terminal 7, or a deck that has been prepared in advance by the business operator providing the object server 3 and / or the battle server 9.

[0055] (System control unit 112: Automatic matchmaking and output of match results) The system control unit 112 receives battle conditions for an automated battle from the user and executes an automated battle using the first deck and the second deck based on the received battle conditions. That is, based on the user's instruction to execute an automated battle, the system control unit 112 executes multiple automated battles of trading cards between one computer using the first deck determined by the deck determination unit 110 and the other computer using the second deck determined by the deck determination unit 110, without allowing the user to intervene in the automated battle. The system control unit 112 also determines the number of times to execute the automated battle (however, the number of times is two or more) based on the user's instruction and executes the determined number of automated battles. The system control unit 112 also receives setting instructions from the user for at least one of the levels of the computer using the first deck and the computer using the second deck in the automated battle. The system control unit 112 then executes multiple automated battles based on the received setting instructions. The levels of one computer and / or the other computer may have default levels set. In this case, if there is no user instruction regarding the level of one computer and / or the level of the other computer, the system control unit 112 may determine the default level to be used for automatic matches.

[0056] The system control unit 112 executes an automated battle based on predetermined parameters of multiple trading cards contained in the first deck and the second deck, respectively. For example, the system control unit 112 obtains information from the card information storage unit 124 regarding the first deck of one computer and the second deck of the other computer (i.e., information regarding the trading card game battle contained in each deck. This information includes, for example, the character's name, hit points, type, characteristics, skills, weaknesses, resistances, and rarity displayed on the trading card), and executes a simulation of a trading card battle using the first and second decks. The system control unit 112 then proceeds with the game by having each of the computers automatically select various actions in the battle (for example, selecting trading cards, and how to use the selected trading cards). In this way, the system control unit 112 determines the winner and loser of the automated battle.

[0057] The system control unit 112 may use a learning model obtained by machine learning, using the game progress and results of numerous game matches associated with a predetermined level as training data, to have one computer using the first deck and the other computer using the second deck perform automated match processing. The machine learning method may include, but is not limited to, deep learning, reinforcement learning, or a combination thereof. The system control unit 112 may also have the other computer using the second deck use a specific learning model obtained by machine learning, using the game progress and results of numerous game matches of a predetermined player (for example, a player who has placed highly in a trading card game tournament or a player famous in a game tournament), as training data to perform automated match processing.

[0058] The system control unit 112 generates information on the results of the automated battle after the automated battle has finished and stores this information in the battle result information storage unit 126. The system control unit 112 also causes the output unit 100 to output the results of multiple automated battles, including the win rate of the first deck in the automated battle, based on an output instruction from the user. The automated battle results may include, for example, information on how many times each of the one or more trading cards included in the first deck used in the automated battle was used in the automated battle.

[0059] Furthermore, the deck determination unit 110 can determine multiple first decks based on information obtained from the selection reception unit 108, and also determine one second deck. Then, the system control unit 112 can execute multiple automated trading card matches between one computer using each of the multiple first decks and the other computer using the one second deck, based on the user's instruction to execute an automated match, without allowing the user to intervene in the automated match. In other words, the system control unit 112 can execute automated matches using multiple first decks against a specific second deck.

[0060] Furthermore, the deck determination unit 110 can determine multiple second decks based on information obtained from the selection reception unit 108, and then determine one first deck. The system control unit 112 can also execute multiple automated trading card matches between one computer using one first deck and the other computer using the multiple second decks, based on the user's instruction to execute an automated match, without allowing the user to intervene in the automated match. In other words, the system control unit 112 can execute automated matches using multiple second decks for a specific first deck.

[0061] (Purchase reception desk 114) The purchase reception unit 114 receives purchase instructions from the user via the information terminal 7 for analog trading cards corresponding to one or more digital trading cards that make up a deck (for example, a first deck and / or a second deck) corresponding to a deck ID received from the selection reception unit 108. For example, based on the user's instructions, the purchase reception unit 114 outputs a website of a predetermined server that introduces and sells analog trading cards and analog decks consisting of multiple analog trading cards to the output unit 100, and receives purchase instructions for the analog trading cards and / or analog decks desired by the user via the website. Based on the purchase instructions, the system control unit 112 executes the sales process for the analog trading cards and / or analog decks specified by the user. Based on the user information stored in the user information storage unit 122, the system control unit 112 executes the provision process for the analog trading cards and / or analog decks whose sales have been completed to the user (for example, processing instructions for mailing the analog trading cards and / or analog decks to the user after sales have been completed to a predetermined mailing company, etc.).

[0062] [Processing flow of System 1] Figure 4 shows an example of the overview of the processing flow in the system according to this embodiment.

[0063] In the following description, various processes are executed by the system control unit 112. The results of the processes performed by the system control unit 112 are output to the output unit 100. That is, the system control unit 112 outputs the results of various processes, such as automatic match processing, to the output unit 100. The user can then understand the results of the automatic match based on the various information (e.g., image information, text information, audio information, etc.) output to the output unit 100. In addition, in the following description, the various instructions and operations that the system control unit 112 receives may be various instruction inputs received from the user via the input unit 102, unless otherwise specified.

[0064] First, the system control unit 112 outputs one or more card images 50 to the output unit 100 from among a plurality of digital trading card images 50 that may include analog trading cards that the user does not possess in the real world, based on the user's instructions. The system control unit 112 outputs one or more card images 50 to the output unit 100 based on the card information stored in the card information storage unit 124. For example, the object server 3 publishes card images 50 corresponding to one or more analog trading cards on a predetermined website on the internet, and the system control unit 112 outputs the card images 50 published on the website to the output unit 100. In this case, the object server 3 may have a card information storage unit 124. In other words, the system control unit 112 makes it possible to output some or all of the card images 50 of digital trading cards that correspond to analog trading cards that exist in the real world to the output unit 100, regardless of whether the user possesses analog trading cards in the real world or not.

[0065] The selection receiving unit 108 then accepts the selection of card images 50 of multiple trading cards that make up the first deck, based on the user's instructions. The selection receiving unit 108 also accepts the selection of card images 50 of multiple trading cards that make up the second deck of the opponent of the first deck, based on the user's instructions (step 10; hereafter, steps will be referred to as "S"). The user can select card images 50 of digital trading cards that correspond to analog trading cards that they do not possess in the real world.

[0066] For example, the system control unit 112 outputs information to the output unit 100 prompting the user to select a card image 50 for the first deck, and the selection receiving unit 108 accepts the trading card corresponding to the card image 50 selected by the user as the trading card for the first deck selected by the user during the output of the information. The selection receiving unit 108 generates a deck ID to identify the first deck and associates the card ID of the trading card selected by the user with the generated deck ID. Similarly, the system control unit 112 outputs information to the output unit 100 prompting the user to select a card image 50 for the second deck, and the selection receiving unit 108 accepts the trading card corresponding to the card image 50 selected by the user during the output of the information as the trading card for the second deck selected by the user. The selection receiving unit 108 generates a deck ID to identify the second deck and associates the card ID of the trading card selected by the user with the generated deck ID.

[0067] The selection reception unit 108 may also accept the deck ID of a pre-configured deck (pre-configured deck) having multiple trading cards from the user via the input unit 102 as the deck ID of the first deck and / or the deck ID of the second deck. The pre-configured deck may be, for example, the first deck and / or the second deck configured by the user in the past. For example, the deck ID of the first deck and / or the deck ID of the second deck may be stored in the user information storage unit 122 in association with the user ID. The selection reception unit 108 may also accept the deck ID of the first deck and / or the second deck configured based on the owned card information stored in the user information storage unit 122 in association with the user ID of the user. This deck ID may also be stored in the user information storage unit 122 in association with the user ID. Here, a deck configured based on owned card information is a deck composed of a predetermined number of digital trading cards selected from multiple digital trading cards corresponding to each of the multiple analog trading cards actually owned by the user. The selection reception unit 108 obtains the deck ID stored in the user information storage unit 122 based on the user's instructions. The pre-made deck may belong to a different user, in which case the selection reception unit 108 may obtain the deck ID stored in the user information storage unit 122 in association with the user ID of that different user, based on the user's instructions. The selection reception unit 108 then supplies the obtained deck ID to the deck determination unit 110 as the deck ID for the first deck and / or the second deck.

[0068] Then, in response to instructions from the user (for example, instructions to construct one first deck or instructions to play a match), the deck determination unit 110 determines one first deck to be used by one computer in an automated digital trading card match based on the deck ID of the first deck received from the selection reception unit 108 (S12). Furthermore, in response to instructions from the user (for example, instructions to construct one second deck or instructions to play a match), the deck determination unit 110 determines one second deck to be used by the other computer in the automated match based on the deck ID of the second deck received from the selection reception unit 108 (S14). Note that if the user does not specify a second deck, the selection reception unit 108 may randomly select a deck from another user's deck (a deck identified by the deck information stored in the user information storage unit 122 associated with the user ID of the other user) as the second deck, or a default deck may be set in advance and this default deck may be used as the second deck.

[0069] Here, the deck determination unit 110 can not only determine one first deck and one second deck, but can also determine multiple first decks and one second deck, or one first deck and multiple second decks.

[0070] For example, before the selection reception unit 108 accepts the selection of a trading card based on the user's instructions, the system control unit 112 receives from the user whether the selection is for one first deck, multiple first decks, one second deck, or multiple second decks (hereinafter, indicating which deck it is for may be referred to as "deck use"). The selection reception unit 108 then accepts the selection of a card image 50 in association with the deck use received by the system control unit 112, and associates the card ID of the trading card corresponding to the selected card image 50 with the deck ID corresponding to the deck use. If the deck use is for multiple first decks, the selection reception unit 108 generates a deck ID for each of the multiple first decks and associates the card ID of the trading card corresponding to the card image 50 selected by the user with each of the multiple deck IDs. The selection reception unit 108 performs the same process if the deck use is for multiple second decks.

[0071] Then, if the deck purpose is for multiple first decks, the deck determination unit 110 determines multiple first decks to be used for automated battles based on the multiple deck IDs (and multiple card IDs associated with each of the multiple deck IDs) generated by the selection reception unit 108. Similarly, if the deck purpose is for multiple second decks, the deck determination unit 110 determines multiple second decks to be used for automated battles based on the multiple deck IDs (and multiple card IDs associated with each of the multiple deck IDs) generated by the selection reception unit 108.

[0072] After determining the first and second decks, the system control unit 112 sets the conditions for the automatic battle based on the user's instructions (S16). The conditions for the battle are the number of times the automatic battle will be executed (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as "number of executions"), the level of the automatic battle of one computer using the first deck (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "first level"), and / or the level of the automatic battle of the other computer using the second deck (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "second level"). The system control unit 112 makes it possible to set one number of executions to be selected from multiple numbers of executions.

[0073] For example, the number of executions can be "3 times," "5 times," "10 times," "50 times," "100 times," "1000 times," etc. (Note that the number of executions is not limited to these, as long as there are multiple executions.) The system control unit 112 may also allow the number of executions to be set in exchange for compensation such as in-game virtual currency or real currency. For example, the system control unit 112 may allow the number of executions to be set without requiring compensation from the user up to a predetermined number of times (for example, it may allow the number of executions to be set without requiring compensation up to "3 times"), and allow the number of executions exceeding the predetermined number to be set in exchange for a predetermined compensation (for example, if the number of executions is "10 times" or more, it may allow the number of executions to be set in exchange for compensation). Note that if the number of executions of the automated battle performed by the system control unit 112 differs, the win rate of the first deck may also fluctuate depending on the number of executions. Therefore, by allowing the user to set multiple execution counts, System 1 can execute automated matches a number of times that suits the user's objective (for example, to increase the number of automated matches in order to improve the probability of winning, or to decrease the number of automated matches in order to end the automated matches early rather than focusing on the probability of winning).

[0074] The system control unit 112 selects the number of executions specified by the user from a set of multiple execution counts and sets it as the number of executions for the automatic match. The system control unit 112 also allows the level of one computer to be set from multiple levels, and the level of the other computer to be set from multiple levels. Therefore, in system 1, it is possible to match the levels of one computer with the levels of the other computer, or to make the level of the other computer higher than the level of the first computer. This allows the user to analyze how the win rate of the first deck changes depending on the level of the other computer using the second deck, and what kind of first deck is effective against the level of the other computer using the second deck.

[0075] The system control unit 112 sets one execution count, one first level, and one second level for each automatic match between one first deck and one second deck. On the other hand, if multiple first decks and / or multiple second decks are determined by the deck determination unit 110, the system control unit 112 may also set one or more execution counts, one or more first levels, and / or one or more second levels. For example, in an automatic match between one first deck and multiple second decks, the system control unit 112 may set one execution count, one or more first levels, and one or more second levels for each automatic match between one first deck and multiple second decks. Furthermore, in an automated match between multiple first decks and one second deck, the system control unit 112 may set one execution count, one or more first levels, and one or more second levels for each automated match between multiple first decks and one second deck.

[0076] After receiving the instruction to set the battle conditions, the system control unit 112 responds to the user's instruction to execute an automatic battle (i.e., a battle start instruction) (Yes in S18) and executes an automatic battle based on the instruction to set the battle conditions (S20). The system control unit 112 executes the automatic battle a number of times determined based on the user's instructions. On the other hand, if the system control unit 112 does not receive a battle start instruction from the user (No in S18), it waits without proceeding with processing.

[0077] The system control unit 112 executes an automated battle using the first deck and the second deck a number of times set by the battle conditions (this number can be multiple times) without allowing user intervention in the automated battle. The system control unit 112 may also change the way the automated battle is conducted according to the deck usage received by the selection reception unit 108. For example, if the deck usage is for one first deck and one second deck, the system control unit 112 executes multiple automated battles between the first deck and the second deck. If the deck usage is for one first deck and multiple second decks, the system control unit 112 executes a one-to-many automated battle, that is, multiple automated battles between one first deck and each of the multiple second decks. Furthermore, if the deck usage is for multiple first decks and one second deck, the system control unit 112 executes a many-to-one automated battle, that is, multiple automated battles between each of the multiple first decks and one second deck.

[0078] Here, the system control unit 112 prohibits user intervention in the automated match. That is, the system control unit 112 allows one computer and the other computer to perform the automated match entirely, and prohibits user intervention (for example, specifying the trading cards to be used in a given turn during the match, or specifying the procedure). Furthermore, the system control unit 112 does not generate a video showing the automated match (i.e., a video showing the digital trading cards being placed in a designated area or removed from a designated area) during the automated match, or if it does generate such a video, it does not output it to the output unit 100 during the automated match. However, the system control unit 112 may display the trading card usage procedure (i.e., the game record) by one computer and the other computer as text on the output unit 100 during the automated match, but from the viewpoint of reducing the time the user has to wait until multiple automated matches are completed, it is not necessary to output the usage procedure to the output unit 100.

[0079] After the automatic match is executed, the system control unit 112 makes it possible to receive an instruction from the user to output the results of the automatic match (S22). For example, the system control unit 112 outputs an icon to the output unit 100 that accepts an instruction to output the results of the automatic match, and when it receives an instruction (output instruction) from the user via the input unit 102 (Yes in S22), it outputs the results of the automatic match to the output unit 100 (S24). On the other hand, if the system control unit 112 does not receive an output instruction from the user (No in S22), it does not output the results of the automatic match to the output unit 100 until it receives an output instruction.

[0080] Furthermore, the system control unit 112 may employ, for example, the following processing for the processing in S10 to S16. That is, the system control unit 112 causes the output unit 100 to output a predetermined input area and receives the following input from the user in that input area. • Inputting multiple trading cards that make up the first deck. • Input of multiple trading cards that make up the second deck. • Enter the match conditions for automatic matches.

[0081] Furthermore, the system control unit 112 may skip the processing of S18 and execute the processing of S20 based on the received input, and may also skip the processing of S22 and execute the processing of S24. As a result, the user can have the results of an automatic match between the first deck and the second deck output to the output unit 100 simply by inputting information specifying the first deck, information specifying the second deck, and information specifying the match conditions into the information terminal 7.

[0082] (Output of automated match results) Specifically, the system control unit 112 outputs the results of multiple automated matches, including the win rate of the first deck in automated matches, to the output unit 100 as the result of the automated matches. In addition to the win rate, the results of multiple automated matches include the number of wins and losses of the first deck in the automated matches, information on the number of times each of the one or more trading cards included in the first deck was used in the automated matches, information on the procedures / game records of one computer (i.e., the computer using the first deck) executed from the start to the end of the automated matches, and / or information on the procedures / game records of the other computer (i.e., the computer using the second deck) executed from the start to the end of the automated matches.

[0083] The system control unit 112, with respect to results other than the win rate and the win / loss record of the first deck, receives instructions from the user for a predetermined number of automated matches out of multiple automated matches and outputs the results of that predetermined number of automated matches to the output unit 100. For example, when "a" (where a is an integer of 2 or more) automated matches are performed, the system control unit 112 receives instructions from the user for outputting the results of a predetermined number of automated matches from the first automated match to the a number of automated matches and outputs the results of that match. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, results other than the win rate and win / loss record of automated matches will be output after receiving instructions from the user for outputting the results of a predetermined number of automated matches.

[0084] Furthermore, in the system 1 according to this embodiment, from the viewpoint of making it easier to inform the user of the results of the automated match, the system control unit 112 outputs the results of the automated match to the output unit 100 in the form of text information or game records. For example, the system control unit 112 outputs the win rate and win / loss count of the first deck as text information to the output unit 100. In addition, the system control unit 112 outputs the number of times each trading card constituting the first deck was used in the automated match, along with the card image of each trading card, to the output unit 100. Moreover, the system control unit 112 can output information regarding the procedures / game records of one computer executed from the start to the end of the automated match, and information regarding the procedures / game records of the other computer executed from the start to the end of the automated match, in text format to the output unit 100. For example, the system control unit 112 outputs information about the procedure / game record to the output unit 100 as a chronological text list, but does not output gameplay images (videos) such as trading card images being displayed in a designated area or removed from that area.

[0085] (Output of the results of the automated battle: Usage details of the trading cards that make up the first deck) The system control unit 112 can output to the output unit 100 information regarding predetermined procedures in the progress of a battle, such as the number of times each of the one or more trading cards constituting the first deck has been used in an automated battle, or separately, whether or not a technique or characteristic associated with a trading card has been used, and the number of times such technique or characteristic has been used if it has been used. This allows the user to deepen their understanding of how to play the game using the first deck and how to build a deck. For example, by having the system control unit 112 output the number of times and / or usage ratio of each of the multiple trading cards constituting the first deck in an automated battle, the user can understand how often each of those multiple trading cards has been used in an automated battle. Since the user can refer to the number of times and / or usage ratio of each of those multiple trading cards, the system 1 can give the user an opportunity to try replacing trading cards that the user perceives as having a low number of uses and / or usage ratio with other trading cards. Furthermore, the system control unit 112 can receive a user instruction to select a trading card that constitutes a first deck, and output information regarding the timing at which that trading card was used in an automated game (information indicating at what point in an automated game it was used, such as in the early, middle, or late stages) to the output unit 100.

[0086] (Output of automated match results: Comparison with past matches) In System 1, after processing S10 to S24, processing S10 can be executed again. In this S10, a modified deck can be constructed by changing one or more digital trading cards that make up the first deck to other digital trading cards different from those that made up in the previous processing S10, based on the user's instructions, or by deleting the said one or more digital trading cards, based on the user's instructions. The system control unit 112 then uses the modified deck as the new first deck and the second deck used in the previous automated battle as the second deck to execute an automated battle, and outputs the results of the previous automated battle and the current automated battle in a comparable manner.

[0087] In other words, after performing multiple automated matches between one first deck and one second deck, System 1 can output a comparison between the results of the automated matches between the first deck and the second deck (past automated match results) and the results of automated matches between other first decks and the second deck (new automated match results). That is, the system control unit 112 stores the results of automated matches between the first deck and the second deck, and then performs an automated match between a modified first deck (i.e., a combination of trading cards that make up the first deck) and the second deck, and outputs a comparison between the stored results and the results of automated matches using the modified first deck. As a result, System 1 can output how the win rate against the second deck changes when the contents of the first deck are changed.

[0088] Specifically, the system control unit 112 performs multiple automated matches between one first deck and one specific second deck according to the processes in S10 to S24, and stores the results of these automated matches in the match result information storage unit 126 as match results, associating them with match result IDs. Then, the system control unit 112 determines the modified first deck, whose contents have been changed in the processes in S10 to S12, and similarly performs multiple automated matches between the modified first deck and the specific second deck. Then, the system control unit 112 stores the results of these automated matches in the match result information storage unit 126 in the same way as the previous process. Subsequently, the system control unit 112 outputs the results of the automated matches between the first deck and the specific second deck, and the results of the automated matches between the modified first deck and the specific second deck, to the output unit 100 in response to user instructions. This allows users to, for example, gradually change the contents of their first deck and perform multiple automated matches against a specific second deck, thereby understanding changes in their win rate against that second deck and determining which modified first deck has a higher win rate against that particular second deck. In other words, in System 1, by performing automated matches between the first deck and a specific second deck each time the user changes the contents of the first deck, it is easy to understand which first deck has a better win rate against the second deck. This makes it easier for users to consider which first deck contents have a higher win rate against the second deck, that is, which trading cards that make up the first deck function effectively against the second deck.

[0089] (Output of automated match results: Comparison with automated match results from different users) The system control unit 112 can also output the results of an automated battle in a way that allows comparison with the results of automated battles of users other than the user. Specifically, the system control unit 112 outputs information about another deck used in an automated battle against a second deck determined by the deck determination unit 110, which is a deck of another user other than the user, along with the results of the automated battle. For example, the system control unit 112 refers to the deck information associated with the user ID of the other user stored in the user information storage unit 122, obtains the information about the other deck, and executes an automated battle between the other deck and the second deck determined by the deck determination unit 110 under the same battle conditions as set in S16. Then, the system control unit 112 has the output unit 100 output the results of the automated battle between the other deck and the second deck, along with the results of the automated battle between the user's first deck and the second deck. This allows the user to determine whether their first deck is superior to other decks of other third-party users.

[0090] (Output of the results of an automated battle: in the case of one first deck and multiple second decks) The system control unit 112 can output the results of an automated battle using one first deck and multiple second decks. In this case, the user can easily determine how effective their first deck is against each of the multiple second decks based on information such as win rates. For example, if multiple second decks are constructed based on various trading card combination patterns used from the past to the present, the user can gain insight into how effective their first deck is against current second decks (for example, popular decks used by many users). For example, if the win rate of the first deck against one of the multiple second decks is above a predetermined value, but the win rate of the first deck against other second decks with different contents is below a predetermined value, the user can recognize that the first deck is at a disadvantage when playing against those other second decks. This allows the user to adjust the contents of the first deck (i.e., one or more trading cards in the first deck) so that the first deck is advantageous even when playing against those other second decks.

[0091] (Output of automated battle results: in the case of multiple first decks and one second deck) The system control unit 112 can also output the results of an automated battle using multiple first decks and one second deck. In this case, the user can more easily determine, based on information such as win rates, which of the multiple first decks they have devised is effective in a game battle against the same second deck. For example, they can gain insights into how changing one or more trading cards in a first deck will improve the win rate against the second deck. This makes it easier for the user to consider which deck is more likely to win against a given second deck by constructing multiple first decks in which one or more trading cards in the first deck have been changed.

[0092] For example, if, against a given second deck, one of several first decks has a higher win rate than another first deck with a different composition, the user can compare the composition of that first deck with that of the other first decks to investigate the factors that contributed to the higher win rate. In other words, the user can gain insights such as the fact that replacing a predetermined trading card that makes up another first deck with another trading card (i.e., a trading card that makes up one of the first decks) will increase the win rate. Therefore, in System 1, since it is possible to perform automatic matches against a specific second deck while adjusting the composition of multiple first decks (i.e., by gradually replacing the trading cards that make up the first deck with other trading cards and performing automatic matches), the user can adjust the composition of the first deck (i.e., the combination of multiple trading cards) that is effective against that second deck (i.e., has a high win rate). Furthermore, in System 1, the win rate of each of the multiple First Decks against the same Second Deck is known, so the user can understand how much the win rate will differ depending on which trading cards in the deck are changed and how, as well as the role of the changed trading cards in the match. In other words, if the win rate of one First Deck differs from that of another First Deck, the user can gain insight into how the differences in the trading cards that make up one First Deck may affect the win rate by comparing the differences between the trading cards that make up the other First Decks.

[0093] The system control unit 112 can also output the results of an automated battle using multiple first decks and one second deck side by side to the output unit 100. For example, the results of an automated battle between the nth first deck and one second deck, and the results of an automated battle between the n+m first deck and one second deck can be output side by side to the output unit 100 (where n and m are integers of 1 or more). The output results of the automated battles may include, as an example, the win rate, win / loss record, and trading card images for the nth first deck and the n+m first deck. By outputting the card images of the trading cards constituting the nth first deck and the trading card images of the trading cards constituting the n+m first deck side by side, in addition to the win rate, the user can easily determine which trading card is responsible for the difference between the win rate of the nth first deck and the win rate of the n+m first deck.

[0094] (Output of automated match results: Recommended first deck from other users) The system control unit 112 may output information about a first deck used in an automatic match by a different user to the output unit 100 at the timing of outputting the results of the automatic match to the output unit 100, or after outputting the results of the automatic match. For example, the system control unit 112 may refer to the first deck determined by the deck determination unit 110 (i.e., the first deck used in the automatic match) and the first deck of a different user (hereinafter referred to as "other user's deck") included in the deck information stored in the user information storage unit 122 associated with a user ID different from the user's user ID, and if the first deck and the other user's deck are similar, it may output information about this other user's deck to the output unit 100. As an example, the system control unit 112 may compare the multiple trading cards that make up the first deck with the multiple trading cards that make up the other user's deck, and determine that the first deck and the other user's deck are similar if there are more than a predetermined number of identical trading cards or fewer than a predetermined number of different trading cards. The information regarding other players' decks includes information on each of the multiple trading cards that make up the other player's deck, and information such as the win rate and / or win / loss record when the other player's deck is used in automated battles. In the "Public or Private Status of the First Deck" section described later, if an other player's deck is set to private, the system control unit 112 will not output that other player's deck to the output unit 100, even if it is similar to the user's first deck. This allows the user to improve the combination of multiple trading cards that make up their first deck by referring to other players' decks that are similar to their own first deck.

[0095] Furthermore, the system control unit 112 may not perform a similarity / dissimilarity determination between the first deck and the other player's deck, and may instead consider the deck that is popular at the time of outputting the results of the automatic battle as the other player's deck. A "popular deck" may, for example, be a deck that has been used by a predetermined number of users or more times or more during a predetermined period from that time to a predetermined time prior to that time.

[0096] (The first deck is either made public or kept secret) The system control unit 112 can also decide, at any time after S12, to make the first deck public or private on a predetermined site based on the user's instructions. The system control unit 112 stores information indicating whether the first deck can be made public or not in the user information storage unit 122, associating it with deck information including information about the first deck (for example, information such as the deck ID and the card IDs of each of the multiple trading cards that make up the first deck). Then, the system control unit 112 makes the information about the first deck that has been decided to be made public based on the user's instructions public on the predetermined site. The predetermined site is, for example, a site provided on the internet by the object server 3 or the battle server 9, and is accessible from the user's information terminal 7 and the information terminals of other users. Specifically, when the system control unit 112 receives an instruction from the user to make the first deck public, it refers to the deck information stored in the user information storage unit 122 associating it with the user's user ID, and makes information about one or more of the user's decks (for example, information such as the card images 50 of the multiple trading cards that make up one deck) public on the predetermined site. The system control unit 112 can similarly make the first deck of another user publicly available on a predetermined site based on a public access instruction from that other user.

[0097] The system control unit 112 makes information about a user's or another user's first deck, which has been made public, available for use as a second deck. For example, in S10, the system control unit 112 outputs information about a user's and / or another user's first deck, either together with or separately from card images 50 of one or more trading cards. The system control unit 112 retrieves information about a first deck stored in the user information storage unit 122, to which information indicating that it is publicly available is associated, and outputs the retrieved information to the output unit 100. The selection reception unit 108 then receives the user's selection instruction regarding the outputted information about the user's or another user's first deck. The deck determination unit 110 can decide to use the first deck as a second deck in response to the user's instruction. As a result, in system 1, a user can make their own constructed first deck public, and other users can use that first deck as a second deck when they perform an automated battle, or other users can use that first deck as a template for a first deck they themselves construct. Of course, users can also use another user's first deck, which they have made public, as a template for their own second or first deck when running automated battles. By using another user's first deck as a template and replacing the trading cards that make up the template's first deck with trading cards that the user owns or is considering owning, and then running automated battles, users can obtain more useful information such as win rates in battles.

[0098] Furthermore, the system control unit 112 can set information about the first deck constructed by the user to be private, in response to the user's instructions. This allows the user to prevent third parties from knowing the contents of the first deck they have constructed, for example, before a trading card tournament. The system control unit 112 may also set the timing for disclosing information about the first deck constructed by the user, in response to the user's instructions. This allows the user to more easily attract the interest of third parties by disclosing information about the first deck they have constructed at a time of their choosing.

[0099] [program] Each component of System 1 according to this embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 to 4, can be realized by having a processing unit (processor), such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU), execute a program; in other words, by software processing. Alternatively, it can be realized by pre-writing a program to hardware, such as an integrated circuit (IC), which is an electronic component. A processor is hardware for executing the instruction set described in a program, and is composed of arithmetic units, registers, peripheral circuits, etc. Furthermore, software and hardware can be used in combination.

[0100] In other words, the program according to this embodiment is a program to be executed by a computer equipped with a processor and memory. The program according to this embodiment can be pre-installed in, for example, an IC or ROM. The program can also be provided as a computer program by recording it on a computer-readable recording medium such as a magnetic recording medium, optical recording medium, or semiconductor recording medium in an installable or executable file format. The recording medium storing the program may be a non-transient recording medium such as a CD-ROM or DVD. Furthermore, the program can be pre-stored on a computer connected to a communication network such as the Internet, and made available for download via the communication network. The program according to this embodiment can be configured to include a predetermined game engine and can also be provided as an application to assist users in improving their gameplay in games using analog trading cards.

[0101] The program according to this embodiment interacts with the CPU and the like to cause the program to function as the output unit 100, output control unit 101, input unit 102, input surface 104, input control unit 106, selection reception unit 108, deck determination unit 110, system control unit 112, purchase reception unit 114, storage unit 120, etc., as described in Figures 1 to 4.

[0102] [Effects of the embodiment] System 1 according to this embodiment can construct a game deck (first deck) using not only digital trading cards corresponding to analog trading cards owned by the user, but also digital trading cards corresponding to analog trading cards not owned by the user, and can perform multiple automated game matches between the constructed first deck and a predetermined second deck. After the automated matches are completed, System 1 can output various results from the automated matches of the first deck to the output unit 100.

[0103] Here, System 1 does not allow user intervention in the automated matches, and the matches are performed entirely automatically by the computer. Since System 1 performs multiple automated matches, by not allowing user intervention, the automated matches can be completed more quickly compared to when user intervention is permitted. Furthermore, unlike conventional autoplay, System 1 can calculate the win rate by having the user's first deck and second deck play against each other multiple times. Moreover, because the user does not intervene in the automated matches, System 1 can output only the results of multiple automated matches without outputting the intermediate results of the automated matches to the output unit 100. Therefore, the user can refer only to the results and process, including the win rate of the automated matches when using the first deck, and by confirming the effectiveness of the first deck against the second deck, it becomes easier to consider a first deck that may have a higher win rate.

[0104] Furthermore, by referring to the results of the automated battle in System 1, users can consider whether or not they should actually acquire analog trading cards corresponding to one or more trading cards in the first deck, taking into account various results and processes, including the win rate of the first deck in the automated battle. As a result, System 1 makes it easier for users to feel motivated to play a real-world game using analog trading cards (for example, paper trading cards) corresponding to the digital trading cards used in the automated battle, and to feel motivated to actually acquire analog trading cards.

[0105] In System 1, decks containing digital trading cards corresponding to analog trading cards that the user does not possess are automatically played against each other. From the results of the automatic matches, the user can refer to the win rate of one deck (e.g., Deck 1) against the other deck (e.g., Deck 2), as well as how the trading cards were used during the automatic matches of one deck and / or the other deck (i.e., game records, etc.). This allows the user to understand how to select and move each trading card that makes up one deck and / or the other deck (e.g., the timing of playing them), in other words, how the game progresses, before playing the game against another person in the real world. Moreover, since System 1 performs multiple automatic matches, the user can understand various patterns of game progression. Therefore, even if the user is a beginner who has just started playing trading card games, System 1 allows the user to easily acquire knowledge about how to play trading card games by referring to the results of the automatic matches, and can also foster the desire to play against other people or reduce the fear of playing against other people. In other words, System 1 can lower the barrier for users to participate in player-versus-player games.

[0106] Furthermore, System 1 allows users to verify the effectiveness of their self-designed first deck in trading card game battles before actually purchasing analog trading cards. Therefore, System 1 makes it easier for users to actually purchase analog trading cards corresponding to some or all of the multiple trading cards that make up their first deck, after verifying the effectiveness of their self-designed first deck and the trading cards that make up the first deck. Moreover, System 1 allows users to set a deck belonging to a different user as a second deck and run an automated battle between their first deck and the second deck. This allows users to consider whether their first deck is effective against other users' decks.

[0107] [Modified examples of the embodiment] System 2, a modified version, determines a first deck and a second deck based on user instructions and performs multiple automated matches using the first and second decks. It has the same configuration and / or functions as System 1, except that it completely eliminates user intervention during automated matches (i.e., intervention such as interrupting an automated match at the user's instruction and allowing the user to play the game manually). Therefore, detailed explanations are omitted except for the differences.

[0108] In System 2, the System Control Unit 112 completely eliminates user intervention in automated matches. In other words, if user input (for example, the user selecting a trading card of their own volition instead of one selected by the System Control Unit 112 in a given turn during an automated match) were allowed, the game could be played in a state that eliminates any connection to analog cards, like a game using only digital trading cards (i.e., the meaning of playing the game with analog trading cards is negated). However, both System 1 and System 2 according to this embodiment are systems that help improve the user's understanding of games using analog trading cards, reduce user resistance to playing games with analog trading cards (i.e., playing against another person), or help improve the user's ability to play games with analog trading cards, by enabling the user to understand how effective a deck they have considered is in a game match and what the probability of winning is. Therefore, in System 2, the System Control Unit 112 completely prohibits user intervention in automated matches, ensuring that no game matches exist in which users can intervene.

[0109] Specifically, in the process of S20 as described in Figure 4, the system control unit 112 executes an automated battle using the first deck and the second deck, but only in a battle format that does not allow user intervention in the automated battle. For example, during an automated battle, the system control unit 112 prohibits the acceptance of various instructions for the automated battle from the user via the input unit 102. In this case, the system control unit 112 outputs text information such as "Automated battle in progress" to the output unit 100, does not output the content of the automated battle, and prohibits the acceptance of instructions for the automated battle from the user. As a result, system 2 can eliminate user intervention in the automated battle.

[0110] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the embodiments described above do not limit the invention as defined in the claims. Furthermore, it should be noted that not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential for solving the problem of the invention. Moreover, the technical elements of the embodiments described above may be applied individually or divided into multiple parts, such as program components and hardware components, and applied accordingly.

[0111] Furthermore, the functions realized by the components described herein may be implemented in a circuit or processing circuitry, including general-purpose processors, application-specific processors, integrated circuits, Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), a Central Processing Unit (CPU), conventional circuits, and / or combinations thereof, programmed to realize the described functions. A processor, including transistors and other circuits, is considered a circuit or processing circuitry. A processor may be a programmed processor that executes a program stored in memory. In this specification, circuitry, unit, and means are hardware programmed to realize or perform the described functions. Such hardware may be any hardware disclosed herein, or any hardware known to be programmed to realize or perform the described functions. If such hardware is a processor that is considered a type of circuitry, then such circuitry, means, or unit is a combination of hardware and software used to constitute such hardware and / or processor.

[0112] Furthermore, the program according to this embodiment may also be referred to in the following supplementary information, which should not be confused with the claims.

[0113] (Additional note 1) A program to be executed on a computer having a processor and memory, The program is provided to the processor: The steps include constructing a deck of a predetermined number of digital trading cards selected from multiple digital trading cards based on user instructions, and The steps include: executing the automated match between one computer and the other computer based on the user's instructions, by having the one computer use the deck; The step of outputting the results of the automated match A program that executes the command. (Additional note 2) A program to be run on a computer comprising a processor and memory, which facilitates a user's understanding of analog trading cards, The program is provided to the processor: A step of determining a first deck to be used for an automated digital trading card game based on card information relating to multiple digital trading cards that may include multiple analog trading cards that the user does not actually possess, The steps include determining the opponent's second deck based on the user's battle instructions, The steps include: performing the automated battle using the first deck and the second deck multiple times without allowing the user to intervene in the automated battle; A step of outputting the results of the multiple automated battles, including information on the win rate of the first deck in the automated battles; A program that executes the command. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0114] 1, 2 Systems 3 Object Servers 5. Communication Network 7. Information terminals 9 Battle Servers 50 card images 100 Output section 101 Output Control Unit 102 Input section 104 Input surface 106 Input Control Unit 108 Selection Reception Section 110 Deck Selection Section 112 System Control Unit 114 Purchase Reception Department 120 Storage Unit 122 User Information Storage Unit 124 Card Information Storage Unit 126 Match Result Information Storage Unit Labels 200, 202, 204 300, 302, 304 Selection Tabs 350 Run icon 400 titles 402 Win rate display 404 Win / loss display 500, 502, 504 instruction icons

Claims

1. A program to be run on a computer equipped with a processor and memory, which assists in improving a user's gameplay in a game using analog trading cards, The program is provided to the processor: The steps include determining a first deck by selecting cards to be used in an automated digital trading card game based on card information relating to multiple digital trading cards that may include multiple analog trading cards that the user does not actually possess, according to the user's instructions, and The steps include: determining the second deck by selecting cards to be used in the opponent's second deck based on the user's battle instructions, and performing the automated battle using the first deck and the second deck multiple times without the user intervening in the automated battle; The steps include outputting information including the win rate of the first deck in the automated battles, based on the combination of the first deck and the second deck, as a result of the multiple automated battles performed based on the user's battle instructions. A program that executes the command.

2. The step of determining the first deck involves determining a plurality of the first decks, The program according to claim 1, wherein the step of performing the above multiple times is to perform the automated battle multiple times using each of the multiple first decks and the second deck.

3. The program according to claim 1, wherein the step of performing the above multiple times determines a plurality of second decks and performs the automated battle multiple times using each of the plurality of second decks and the first deck.

4. The program according to claim 1, wherein the step of being executed multiple times determines the number of times the automatic match is executed based on the user's instructions.

5. The program according to claim 1, wherein the result of the automated battle includes information on how many times each of the one or more trading cards included in the first deck was used in the automated battle.

6. The program according to claim 1, wherein the step of outputting the results of the automated battle is to output information about the other deck used in the automated battle against the second deck, which is a different deck of another user from the user, along with the results of the automated battle.

7. A step of deciding whether to make the first deck public or private at a predetermined site based on the user's instructions. The program according to claim 1, which further executes the following.

8. The program according to claim 1, which, after receiving a user setting instruction regarding at least one of the levels of one computer using the first deck and the other computer using the second deck in the automated battle, executes the automated battle based on the setting instruction.

9. A system comprising means for performing all steps performed in the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. An information processing apparatus comprising a control unit and a storage unit, wherein the control unit performs all steps performed in the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

11. A server comprising a control unit and a storage unit, wherein the control unit performs all steps performed in the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

12. A method to be performed on a computer having a processor and memory, A method by which the processor performs all the steps performed in the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

13. A method for generating information performed on a computer, comprising a processor and memory, which assists in improving a user's gameplay in a game using analog trading cards, The aforementioned processor, The steps include determining a first deck by selecting cards to be used in an automated digital trading card game based on card information relating to multiple digital trading cards that may include multiple analog trading cards that the user does not actually possess, according to the user's instructions, and The steps include: determining the second deck by selecting cards to be used in the opponent's second deck based on the user's battle instructions, and performing the automated battle using the first deck and the second deck multiple times without the user intervening in the automated battle; The steps include generating information, including information on the win rate of the first deck in the automated battles, based on the combination of the first deck and the second deck, as a result of the multiple automated battles performed based on the user's battle instructions, and A method for generating information to perform this task.

Images