Information processing system, control method for information processing system, server device, control method for server device, and control program for server device

Abstract

To provide an information processing system, etc. preventing an increase in a processing load or a communication load while improving the predictability of a game medium associated with a user.SOLUTION: An information processing system includes: a storage device for storing information on a plurality of first game media and information on a plurality of first groups, each of which includes a plurality of second game media; and one or a plurality of computer processors for selecting at least one first game medium designated by a user out of the plurality of first game media, selecting at least one first group designated by the user out of the plurality of first groups, including, in the selected groups as selected game media respectively, the selected first game medium and the plurality of second game media included in the selected first group, and associating at least one selected game medium with the user as an associated game medium out of the selected groups in response to a first request from the user.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0005] , , ,

[0001] The embodiments disclosed in this specification relate to an information processing system, a control method for the information processing system, a server device, a control method for the server device, and a control program for the server device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a game system that realizes a selection game according to an operation by a user has been known. In this selection game, a game medium selected according to a predetermined selection method from a group including a plurality of game media is associated with the user. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique of a selection process for associating a user with a game medium selected according to a predetermined selection method from a group designated by the user among a plurality of groups.

[0003] The game system disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a function of displaying a display object that induces the user to easily designate a specific group when the user designates a group. When the specific group is a group including a game medium desired by the user, the selection process of this game system can increase the probability that the game medium desired by the user is associated with the user.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the game system disclosed in Patent Document 1, the specific group did not necessarily include the game medium desired by the user. Therefore, in this game system, the user could not predict which game medium would be associated with the selection game until they actually played the selection game, which could reduce the user's motivation to continue playing the selection game. Furthermore, the game system disclosed in Patent Document 1 required a function to identify specific groups, which could increase the processing load or communication load of the game system.

[0006] The information processing systems disclosed herein enable the improvement of predictability of game media associated with users while preventing an increase in processing load or communication load. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The disclosed information processing system comprises one or more computer processors and a storage device that stores information about a plurality of first game media and information about a plurality of first groups, each of which includes a plurality of second game media. The one or more computer processors perform the following actions: select at least one first game media designated by the user from the plurality of first game media; select at least one first group designated by the user from the plurality of first groups; include the selected first game media and the plurality of second game media included in the selected first group as selected game media in the selection group; and, in response to a first request from the user, associate at least one selected game media from the selection group with the user as an associated game media.

[0008] Furthermore, it is preferable that in the disclosed information processing system, multiple first game media are classified based on multiple parameters, and that the user can select a number of first game media corresponding to each parameter.

[0009] Furthermore, in the disclosed information processing system, it is preferable that a plurality of first game media and a plurality of second game media are classified based on a plurality of parameters, and that the parameters of the first game media have a higher value than the parameters of the second game media.

[0010] Furthermore, in the disclosed information processing system, it is preferable that, after the selection of a first game medium and before the first request by the user, if at least one first game medium newly designated by the user is selected from a plurality of first game mediums, the first game medium already included in the selection group as a selected game medium is removed from the selection group, and the first game medium selected by the user's new designation is included in the selection group as a new selected game medium.

[0011] Furthermore, in the disclosed information processing system, it is preferable that, after the selection of a first group and before the first request by the user, if at least one first group newly designated by the user is selected from a plurality of first groups, the second game media already included in the selection group as a selected game media is removed from the selection group, and the second game media included in the first group selected by the user's new designation is added to the selection group as a new selected game media.

[0012] Furthermore, in the disclosed information processing system, it is preferable that, even after a first request by the user, if the first condition is met, one or more computer processors select at least one first game medium newly designated by the user from among a plurality of first game mediums, remove first game mediums already included in the selection group as selected game mediums from the selection group, and include the first game medium selected by the new designation by the user as a new selected game medium in the selection group.

[0013] Furthermore, in the disclosed information processing system, it is preferable that, even after a first request by the user, if the second condition is met, one or more computer processors select at least one first group newly designated by the user from among a plurality of first groups, remove second game media already included in the selection group as selected game media from the selection group, and include second game media included in the first group selected by the user's new designation as selected game media in the selection group.

[0014] Furthermore, in the disclosed information processing system, it is preferable that the first condition includes the use of a first specific game medium associated with the user in response to a second request by the user.

[0015] Furthermore, the information processing system according to claim 7, wherein the second condition is that, in response to a second request by the user, a first specific game medium associated with the user is used.

[0016] Furthermore, in the disclosed information processing system, it is preferable that the storage device stores information about a plurality of third game media, and that one or more computer processors automatically select at least one third game media from the plurality of third game media and include the selected third game media in the selection group as a selected game media.

[0017] Furthermore, in the disclosed information processing system, it is preferable that a storage device stores information about a plurality of second groups, each containing a plurality of fourth game media, and that one or more computer processors select at least one second group specified by the user from the plurality of second groups, associate information about the fourth game media included in the selected second group with the selected group, and, if the third condition regarding the association of associated game media in response to the first request by the user is met, associate at least one fourth game media associated with the selected group with the user as an associated game media.

[0018] Furthermore, in the disclosed information processing system, it is preferable that the third condition includes the number of times the associated game media has been associated in response to the first request by the user has reached a predetermined number of times.

[0019] Furthermore, in the disclosed information processing system, when including a selection game medium in a selection group, it is preferable that one or more computer processors, if the fourth condition regarding a first game medium to be included in the selection group as a selection game medium is met, do not include the first game medium that satisfies the fourth condition in the selection group as a selection game medium, but instead include the second specific game medium in the selection group as a selection game medium.

[0020] Furthermore, in the disclosed information processing system, it is preferable that the fourth condition includes the parameter associated with the first game medium being a predetermined parameter.

[0021] Furthermore, in the disclosed information processing system, it is preferable that, in response to a first request from the user, if the associated game medium associated with the user is a second specific game medium, the second specific game medium is released from the association between the user and the user in response to a third request from the user, and the first game medium that satisfies the fourth condition is associated with the user as the associated game medium.

[0022] Furthermore, in the disclosed information processing system, it is preferable that the first game medium and the second game medium are game mediums that satisfy the fifth condition.

[0023] Furthermore, in the disclosed information processing system, it is preferable that the third game medium is a game medium that does not satisfy the fifth condition.

[0024] Furthermore, in the disclosed information processing system, it is preferable that the fourth game medium is a game medium that satisfies the fifth condition.

[0025] Also, in the disclosed information processing system, the selection of the first game medium, the selection of the first group, and the association of the associated game medium can be executed within a predetermined period, and the fifth condition preferably includes the condition that the associated game medium was a selection target before the predetermined period.

[0026] A control method for an information processing system disclosed herein is a control method for an information processing system including one or more computer processors, a storage device storing information on a plurality of first game media, and information on a plurality of first groups each including a plurality of second game media. The one or more computer processors select at least one first game medium specified by a user from the plurality of first game media, select at least one first group specified by the user from the plurality of first groups, include the selected first game medium and the plurality of second game media included in the selected first group in a selection group as respective selected game media, and associate at least one selected game medium from the selection group with the user as an associated game medium in response to a first request from the user.

[0027] The disclosed server device includes one or more computer processors and a storage device storing information on a plurality of first game media and information on a plurality of first groups each including a plurality of second game media. The one or more computer processors select at least one first game medium specified by a user from the plurality of first game media, select at least one first group specified by the user from the plurality of first groups, include the selected first game medium and the plurality of second game media included in the selected first group in a selection group as respective selected game media, and associate at least one selected game medium from the selection group with the user as an associated game medium in response to a first request from the user.

[0028] The disclosed server device control method comprises one or more computer processors and a storage device that stores information about a plurality of first game media and information about a plurality of first groups, each containing a plurality of second game media, wherein one or more computer processors select at least one first game media designated by a user from the plurality of first game media, select at least one first group designated by a user from the plurality of first groups, include the selected first game media and the plurality of second game media included in the selected first group as selected game media in the selection group, and associate at least one selected game media from the selection group with the user as an associated game media in response to a first request from the user.

[0029] The disclosed server device control program comprises one or more computer processors and a storage device that stores information about a plurality of first game media and information about a plurality of first groups, each containing a plurality of second game media, and causes one or more computer processors to select at least one first game media designated by the user from the plurality of first game media, select at least one first group designated by the user from the plurality of first groups, include the selected first game media and the plurality of second game media included in the selected first group as selected game media in the selection group, and, in response to a first request from the user, associate at least one selected game media from the selection group with the user as an associated game media. [Effects of the Invention]

[0030] The disclosed information processing system makes it possible to improve the predictability of game media associated with users while preventing an increase in processing or communication load. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0031] [Figure 1]This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a game provided by the game system. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of the general configuration of the game system. [Figure 3] This is a diagram showing an example of the general configuration of a terminal device. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of a general configuration of a server device. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of the data structure of various tables. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of the data structure of various tables. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of the data structure of various tables. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of the data structure of various tables. [Figure 9] This figure shows an example of a game selection screen displayed on the terminal device's display device. [Figure 10] This figure shows an example of a settings screen displayed on the terminal device's display device. [Figure 11] This figure shows another example of a settings screen displayed on the terminal device's display device. [Figure 12] This figure shows examples of various screens displayed on the display device of a terminal device. [Figure 13] This figure shows an example of the operation sequence of a game system. [Figure 14] This figure shows an example of the data structure for the 6th game media table. [Figure 15] (a) is a diagram showing another example of a settings screen displayed on the terminal device's display unit, and (b) is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the 7th game media table. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0032] Various embodiments are described below with reference to the drawings. However, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, but extends to the invention described in the claims and its equivalents.

[0033] (Overview of the game system) The game system according to this embodiment includes, for example, a terminal device such as a multi-functional mobile phone (a so-called "smartphone") used by a user, and a server device that can be connected to the user's terminal device via a communication network. The terminal device stores a game application program (control program) transmitted from an external device such as the server device, and runs at least one type of game by executing the instructions contained in the stored game application program. The server device stores the application program (control program) and manages the progress result data of the game played by the user using the terminal device by executing the instructions contained in the stored application program.

[0034] The games that users play using a terminal device can be any type of game that can be implemented using a terminal device, such as selection games, competitive games, card games, racing games, shooting games, dance games, music games, sports simulation games, etc. Furthermore, the games that users play using a terminal device can be either multiplayer games where multiple users each operate their own terminal device to play the same game, or single-player games where each user operates their own terminal device to play the game alone. In this way, users can operate a terminal device to participate in and play various types of games.

[0035] The server device stores information about one or more game media, associated with each user. The terminal device operated by the user stores information about one or more game media associated with that user. The terminal device operated by the user may also store information about one or more game media associated with other users related to that user. "Game media" refers to electronic data used in various games, such as characters and items. "Game media" is not limited to characters and items; it may also refer to avatars or cards, for example, or points or parameter values. "Game media" can be any electronic data that can be acquired, possessed, used, managed, exchanged, synthesized, enhanced, sold, discarded, and / or gifted by the user within the game. Furthermore, the manner in which "game media" are used is not limited to those explicitly stated herein.

[0036] Information regarding the game medium includes identification information (game medium ID (identification)) and / or the name of the game medium. Information regarding the game medium may also include parameters of the game medium. These parameters may include the rarity of the game medium or the attributes of the game medium. Other parameters may include the level of the game medium, the HP (Hit Point) of the game medium, the MP (Magic Point) of the game medium, the attack power of the game medium, the defense power of the game medium, and information indicating the skills that the game medium can use.

[0037] Information regarding game media is stored in association with the user as information regarding game media owned by the user (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "owned game media"). Alternatively, for example, information regarding game media may be stored in association with the user as information regarding game media temporarily owned by the user (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "rented game media"). Furthermore, for example, game media owned by other users with a predetermined relationship to the user (e.g., "friend users") may be stored in association with the user. Hereinafter, various game media associated with a user may be referred to as "user game media."

[0038] (Game Overview) Figure 1 shows an example of the outline of a game implemented by the game system, terminal device, or server device of this embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the game system, terminal device, or server device includes a game function that associates a game medium with a user.

[0039] As shown in Figure 1 (1-1), information regarding game medium A is stored in the game system, terminal device, or server device. The game medium A stored in the game system, terminal device, or server device is not limited to the eight game mediums A1, A2, A3, ..., A8 shown in Figure 1 (1-1). The game medium A stored in the game system, terminal device, or server device may be seven or fewer, or nine or more. The game medium A stored in the game system, terminal device, or server device may be just one.

[0040] As shown in Figure 1 (1-2), information regarding group GB is stored in the game system, terminal device, or server device. The group GBs stored in the game system, terminal device, or server device are not limited to the three groups GB1, GB2, and GB3 shown in Figure 1 (1-2). The group GBs stored in the game system, terminal device, or server device may be two or fewer, or four or more. The group GBs stored in the game system, terminal device, or server device may be just one.

[0041] As shown in (1-2) of Figure 1, each of the groups GB1, GB2, and GB3 contains a game medium B. The number of game mediums B included in each group GB is not limited to the three shown in (1-2) of Figure 1, but may be two or fewer, or four or more. There may be just one game medium B included in each group GB. The number of game mediums B included in each group GB may be the same as the number of game mediums B included in the other groups GB, or it may be a different number from each other.

[0042] As shown in Figure 1(2), the game system, terminal device, or server device selects a game medium A7 from multiple game mediums A, which is specified by the user's operation of the terminal device. Next, as shown in Figure 1(3), the game system, terminal device, or server device selects a group GB2 from multiple groups GB, which is specified by the user's operation of the terminal device.

[0043] Next, as shown in (4) of Figure 1, each game medium selected by the user is included in the selection group GS as a selected game medium by the game system, terminal device, or server device. The selected game mediums included in the selection group GS are the selected game medium A7 and the game mediums B201, B202, B203, ... which are included in the selected group GB2.

[0044] Next, the game system, terminal device, or server device performs a selection process in response to the user's request to proceed with a selected game. The selected game may be, for example, a lottery game, but the selected game may also be one in which the game medium is automatically selected according to the result of a predetermined mini-game. In the selection process in response to the user's request to proceed, at least one selected game medium is selected as the associated game medium from the selection group GS according to a predetermined selection method. The predetermined selection method is, for example, a method in which at least one selected game medium is selected from multiple selected game mediums in the selection group GS based on a predetermined lottery probability associated with the selected game medium. Alternatively, the predetermined selection method may be a method in which at least one selected game medium is selected from multiple selected game mediums in the selection group GS according to a predetermined order for each selected game medium.

[0045] Then, when an associated game medium is selected, the game system, terminal device, or server device associates the associated game medium with the user, as shown in (5) of Figure 1. The associated game medium associated with the user is stored in the game system, terminal device, or server device as the user game medium.

[0046] As described above, the selection group GS used in the selection process performed in the game system, terminal device, or server device of this embodiment includes the game medium selected by the user. In this way, since the selection process using the selection group GS, which includes the game medium selected by the user, is performed by the user, it is possible to improve the predictability of the game medium associated with the user. Furthermore, in the game system, terminal device, or server device of this embodiment, since no game medium search process or identification process is performed in the generation of the selection group GS, it is possible to prevent an increase in processing load or communication load.

[0047] (Game System 1) Figure 2 shows an example of the schematic configuration of game system 1. Game system 1 comprises a terminal device 2 operated by the user and a server device 3. Terminal device 2 and server device 3 are interconnected via a communication network such as a base station 4, a mobile communication network 5, a gateway 6, and the internet 7. Communication between terminal device 2 and server device 3 takes place based on a predetermined communication protocol. The predetermined communication protocol is, for example, the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP).

[0048] Terminal device 2 is an information processing device such as a smartphone. Terminal device 2 may also be a mobile phone, tablet device, tablet PC (Personal Computer), e-book reader, wearable computer, etc. Terminal device 2 may also be a portable game console, game console, or notebook PC, etc. Thus, terminal device 2 is an information processing device that has at least the function of displaying a game screen, etc., based on various data transmitted from server device 3.

[0049] In Figure 2, a single server device 3 is shown as a component of the game system 1, but the server device 3 may be a collection of multiple physically separate server devices (computers). In this case, each of the multiple server devices may have the same function, or they may have the functions of a single server device 3 distributed amongst themselves.

[0050] Terminal device 2 is an example of a game device that runs a game, but the game device is not limited to terminal device 2. For example, server device 3 may be used as a game device. Alternatively, a game system 1 comprising terminal device 2 and server device 3 may be used as a game device.

[0051] (Terminal device 2) Figure 3 shows an example of the schematic configuration of terminal device 2. Terminal device 2 connects to server device 3 via base station 4, mobile communication network 5, gateway 6, and the internet 7, and communicates with server device 3. Terminal device 2 executes game applications and progresses through a predetermined game according to various instructions entered by the user. Terminal device 2 also generates various requests and other data according to various instructions entered by the user and sends them to server device 3.

[0052] Terminal device 2 receives various game data transmitted from server device 3 and displays various screens. The various game data includes image data of the game medium used for display data on the game medium. The various game data may include at least one of the following: first game medium table T1, second game medium table T2, first period table T3, third game medium table T4, fourth game medium table T5, and second period table T6, which will be described later. The various game data may also include at least one of the following: fifth game medium table T7, third period table T8, and selection group table T9, which will be described later. In addition, terminal device 2 transmits game progress information (data related to the game's progress and / or results) to server device 3 during and / or after the execution of a game. To realize these functions, terminal device 2 is equipped with a terminal communication I / F 21, a terminal storage device 22, a display device 23, an input device 24, and a terminal processing device 25.

[0053] The terminal communication interface 21 is implemented as hardware, firmware, or communication software such as a TCP / IP driver or a PPP driver, or a combination thereof. Terminal device 2 can send data to and receive data from other devices, such as server device 3, via the terminal communication interface 21.

[0054] The terminal storage device 22 is, for example, a semiconductor memory device such as ROM (Read Only Memory) or RAM (Random Access Memory). The terminal storage device 22 stores operating system programs, driver programs, application programs, and data used in processing in the terminal processing device 25. Driver programs stored in the terminal storage device 22 include output device driver programs that control the display device 23 and input device driver programs that control the input device 24. Application programs stored in the terminal storage device 22 include control programs that display various screens such as the home screen, game selection screen, settings screen, and results screen based on display data from the server device 3 and / or various data stored in the terminal storage device 22. Application programs for realizing the various functions of this embodiment may be installed in the terminal storage device 22 by executing a setup program received from an external device such as the server device 3.

[0055] The data stored in the terminal storage device 22 includes identification information for uniquely identifying a user (e.g., user ID (identification)), display data for displaying various screens, etc. The terminal storage device 22 stores at least one of the following: the first game medium table T1, the second game medium table T2, the first period table T3, the third game medium table T4, the fourth game medium table T5, and the second period table T6, which will be described later. The terminal storage device 22 also stores at least one of the following: the fifth game medium table T7, the third period table T8, and the selection group table T9. The terminal storage device 22 also stores image data of the game medium, etc. The terminal storage device 22 may also temporarily store data related to predetermined processing.

[0056] The display device 23 is a liquid crystal display. Alternatively, the display device 23 may be an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display or the like. The display device 23 displays moving images corresponding to moving image data supplied from the terminal processing device 25, and still images corresponding to still image data. Furthermore, the display device 23 does not have to be a component of the terminal device 2; in this case, the display device 23 may be a head-mounted display (HMD), a projection mapping device, a retinal projection device, or the like, capable of communicating with the terminal device 2 via wired or wireless connection.

[0057] The input device 24 is a pointing device such as a touch panel or mouse. The input device 24 may also be an input key or the like. The input device 24 may also be a game controller. The input device 24 may also be a motion sensor such as an acceleration sensor, angular velocity sensor, displacement sensor, or compass sensor, in which case various operations are detected according to the movement of the user holding the input device 24. The input device 24 may also be a tracking device that detects the movement of the user's hand and / or fingers, such as an image sensor, infrared sensor, or optical sensor. If the input device 24 is a touch panel, the input device 24 can detect various touch operations by the user, such as taps, double taps, drags, swipes, pinch-in, pinch-out, long presses, flicks, and touch-offs. The touch panel may be equipped with a capacitive proximity sensor and configured to detect non-contact operations by the user. The user can use the input device 24 to input characters, numbers, symbols, or positions on the display screen of the display device 23. When the input device 24 is operated by the user, it generates a signal corresponding to that operation. The input device 24 then supplies the generated signal to the terminal processing device 25 as a user instruction.

[0058] The terminal processing unit 25 is a processing unit that loads operating system programs, driver programs, and application programs stored in the terminal storage device 22 into memory and executes instructions contained in the loaded programs. The terminal processing unit 25 is, for example, an electronic circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), MPU (Micro Processing Unit), DSP (Digital Signal Processor), GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or a combination of various electronic circuits. The terminal processing unit 25 may also be implemented by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), PLD (Programmable Logic Device), FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or MCU (Micro Controller Unit). In Figure 3, the terminal processing unit 25 is shown as a single component, but the terminal processing unit 25 may be a collection of multiple physically separate processors.

[0059] Furthermore, the functions realized by the components disclosed herein (terminal processing unit 25 and / or server processing unit 33) may be implemented in a “Circuitry” or “Processing Circuitry” programmed to realize the functions disclosed herein. “Circuitry” or “Processing Circuitry” includes general-purpose processors, application-specific processors, integrated circuits, ASICs, CPUs, conventional circuits, and / or combinations thereof. A processor, including transistors and other circuits, is considered a “Circuitry” or “Processing Circuitry.” A processor may also be a “Programmed Processor” that executes a program stored in memory.

[0060] In this specification, “Circuitry,” “Unit,” and “Means” refer to hardware programmed to perform or executing the functions disclosed herein. Such hardware may be any hardware disclosed herein, or any hardware known to be programmed to perform or execute the functions described herein. If the hardware is a processor that is considered to be of the type “Circuitry,” then “Circuitry,” “Unit,” or “Means” refers to the combination of the hardware and the software used to constitute the hardware and / or processor.

[0061] "Processing Circuitry" may be used to control any computer-based and cloud-based control process. In the operation sequences, operation flows, and flowcharts described later, descriptions or blocks indicate modules, segments, or portions of code containing one or more executable instructions for implementing specific logical functions or steps of the control process. Alternative implementations of these are also included within the scope of the exemplary embodiments of the present advancements. For example, specific logical functions or steps of the control process may be executed in an order different from the disclosed order, for example, substantially simultaneously, or in the reverse order of the disclosed order.

[0062] "Processing Circuitry" may include a CPU that executes one or more of the control processes disclosed herein. Process data and instructions may be stored in memory. Process data and instructions may also be stored on a storage medium disk such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or portable storage medium. Process data and instructions may also be stored remotely.

[0063] The claimed advancements are not limited by the form of the computer-readable medium on which the instructions for the process of the present invention are stored. For example, the instructions may be stored on a CD, DVD, flash memory, RAM, ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, hard disk, or any other non-volatile computer-readable medium in an information processing device (such as another server device or computer) with which "Processing Circuitry" communicates. The instructions may also be stored in network-based storage, cloud-based storage, or other mobile-accessible storage, as long as they are executable by "Processing Circuitry".

[0064] The claimed advancements may be provided as utility applications, background daemons, operating system components, or combinations thereof. They may also be executed in conjunction with a CPU and an operating system, including Microsoft Windows®, UNIX®, Solaris, LINUX®, Apple MAC-OS, Apple iOS, and other systems known to those skilled in the art.

[0065] The functions and features disclosed herein may be performed by various distributed components of the game system 1. For example, one or more processors may perform these system functions, and each processor may be distributed among multiple components that can communicate within a network. Distributed components may include various human interfaces, communication devices (such as display monitors, smartphones, tablets, and personal digital assistants (PDAs)), and one or more client and server devices that share processing. Input to the game system 1 may be received as direct input from a user, or as remote input in real time or through a batch process. Furthermore, some implementations may be performed on modules or hardware that are not identical to those disclosed herein, in which case other implementations are also included in the claims.

[0066] The terminal processing unit 25 functions as a display processing unit 251, a setting unit 252, a terminal transmission unit 253, and a terminal reception unit 254 by executing various instructions contained in the application program (control program) stored in the terminal storage device 22. A detailed example of the functions of the display processing unit 251, the setting unit 252, the terminal transmission unit 253, and the terminal reception unit 254 will be described later.

[0067] (Server device 3) Figure 4 shows an example of the schematic configuration of the server device 3. The server device 3 has the function of managing various information used in the game in response to instructions from the terminal device 2. The server device 3 also has the function of advancing the selected game in response to instructions from the terminal device 2. Furthermore, the server device 3 has the function of transmitting various game data used in the game to the terminal device 2. To this end, the server device 3 is equipped with a server communication interface 31, a server storage device 32, and a server processing device 33.

[0068] The server communication interface 31 is implemented as hardware, firmware, or communication software such as a TCP / IP driver or a PPP driver, or a combination thereof. Server device 3 can send data to and receive data from other devices via the server communication interface 31.

[0069] The server storage device 32 is, for example, a semiconductor memory device such as ROM or RAM. The server storage device 32 may also be, for example, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, or any other storage device capable of storing data. The server storage device 32 stores operating system programs, driver programs, application programs, and data used in processing in the server processing device 33. Computer programs stored in the server storage device 32 may be installed into the server storage device 32 using a setup program or the like from a computer-readable portable recording medium such as a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM.

[0070] The data stored in the server storage device 32 includes each user's game progress information (data related to game results, identification data to identify game stages that the user has already played and cleared, etc.). The server storage device 32 also stores various game data related to game progress. The various game data includes at least one of the first game medium table T1, the second game medium table T2, and the first period table T3. The various game data also includes at least one of the third game medium table T4, the fourth game medium table T5, and the second period table T6. The various game data also includes at least one of the fifth game medium table T7, the third period table T8, and the selection group table T9. The various game data may also include image data of the game medium, etc. The server storage device 32 may temporarily store data related to predetermined processing. That is, the server storage device 32 may be equipped with volatile memory (Random Access Memory, RAM) and store dynamic data that changes according to the progress of the game.

[0071] The server processing unit 33 is a processing unit that loads operating system programs, driver programs, and application programs stored in the server storage device 32 into memory and executes instructions contained in the loaded programs. The server processing unit 33 is, for example, an electronic circuit such as a CPU, MPU, DSP, GPU, or a combination of various electronic circuits. The server processing unit 33 may also be implemented by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC, PLD, FPGA, or MCU. In Figure 4, the server processing unit 33 is shown as a single component, but the server processing unit 33 may be a collection of multiple physically separate processors.

[0072] The server processing unit 33 functions as a server receiving unit 331, a selection unit 332, an association unit 333, and a server transmitting unit 334 by executing various instructions contained in the application program (control program) stored in the server storage device 32. A detailed example of the functions of the server receiving unit 331, the selection unit 332, the association unit 333, and the server transmitting unit 334 will be described later.

[0073] Hereinafter, with reference to Figures 5 to 8, an example of the data structure of various tables T1 to T10 stored in the terminal storage device 22 and / or server storage device 32 will be described. Various tables T1 to T9 are stored in the server storage device 32 and transmitted from the server device 3 to the terminal device 2 before the start of the game, at the start of the game, and / or during the game. The terminal receiving unit 254 of the terminal device 2 stores the various tables T1 to T9 received from the server device 3 in the terminal storage device 22. In addition, various tables T1 to T9 may be transmitted from the server device 3 to the terminal device 2 when the application program for realizing the various functions of this embodiment is installed and stored in the terminal storage device 22.

[0074] (Game 1 media table T1) Figure 5(a) shows an example of the data structure of the first game media table T1. The first game media table T1 is used to manage game media A with a rarity of "2". In the first game media table T1, for each of the multiple game media A, the game media ID, name, rarity, attributes, and image are stored in relation to each other.

[0075] Game medium A is a game medium that can be specified by the user. When specified by the user, it is included as a selected game medium in the selection group GS used in the selection process in response to the user's request to progress through the selected game. Game medium A is specified individually by the user.

[0076] The number of game media A items individually specified by a user may differ for each rarity level. For example, a user can specify only one game media A item with rarity level "2," and that one specified game media A item with rarity level "2" will be included in the selection group GS. Alternatively, a user can specify only two game media A items with rarity level "3," and those two specified game media A items with rarity level "3" will be included in the selection group GS. In this way, the higher the rarity of game media A (the higher its value due to its scarcity), the more items can be included in the selection group GS. For example, a user can specify only two game media A items with rarity level "2," and those two specified game media A items with rarity level "2" will be included in the selection group GS. In this case, the user can also specify only one game media A item with rarity level "3," and that one specified game media A item with rarity level "3" will be included in the selection group GS. In this way, the lower the rarity of game media A (the lower its value due to its scarcity), the more items can be included in the selection group GS. The value of a game medium indicates the degree to which it gives the user an advantage in progressing through the game (RPG (Role-Playing Game), sports game, etc.). For example, the higher the value of one or more predetermined parameters associated with the game medium, the higher the value of the game medium in indicating the degree to which it gives the user an advantage in progressing through the game. Conversely, the lower the value of one or more predetermined parameters associated with the game medium, the higher the value of the game medium in indicating the degree to which it gives the user an advantage in progressing through the game. Furthermore, a game medium that allows the use of a specific skill is set to have a higher value in indicating the degree to which it gives the user an advantage in progressing through the game than a game medium that does not allow the use of that specific skill. Furthermore, a game medium that allows the occurrence of a specific game effect is set to have a higher value in indicating the degree to which it gives the user an advantage in progressing through the game than a game medium that does not allow the occurrence of that specific game effect. Furthermore, a game medium that possesses a specific item is set to have a higher value in indicating the degree to which it gives the user an advantage in progressing through the game than a game medium that does not possess a specific item. In addition, the value of a game medium may also indicate the monetary value or appeal of the game medium.The value of a game medium can also be measured by its appeal to users.

[0077] The game media ID is an example of identification information used to uniquely identify game media A. The name is text information indicating the name of game media A, and the rarity is numerical information indicating the degree of rarity of game media A. The rarity may also be text information indicating the rarity of game media A. The attributes are identification information (which may be text information or numerical information) indicating the attributes of game media A.

[0078] The image associated with the game medium ID is identification information for identifying image data that represents the appearance of game medium A. The image associated with the game medium ID may also be identification information for identifying image data of an icon image that mimics the appearance of game medium A. Alternatively, the image associated with the game medium ID may also be identification information for identifying image data that represents the string of characters for the name of game medium A. Various types of image data, such as image data representing the appearance of game medium A, image data of an icon image that mimics the appearance of game medium A, and image data representing the string of characters for the name of game medium A, may be stored as images associated with the game medium ID. By displaying various image data of game medium A on the display device 23 of the terminal device 2, the user can visually identify game medium A.

[0079] Furthermore, in the first game media table T1, the same group ID is associated with and stored for all game media IDs. In the example shown in Figure 5(a), all game media A managed in the first game media table T1 are managed as game media A belonging to the group indicated by group ID "GA01-2".

[0080] (Game 2 media table T2) Figure 5(b) shows an example of the data structure of the second game medium table T2. The second game medium table T2 is used to manage game medium A with a rarity of "2". Game medium A is a game medium that can be specified by the user, and when specified by the user, it is included as a selected game medium in the selection group GS used in the selection process in response to the user's request to progress through the selected game. In the second game medium table T2, for each of the multiple game mediums A, the game medium ID, name, rarity, attributes, and image are stored in relation to each other.

[0081] In the second game media table T2, the group ID, game media ID, name, rarity, attributes, and image are the same as in the first game media table T1. In the example shown in Figure 5(b), the same group ID is associated with all game media IDs, just as in the first game media table T1. As a result, all game media A managed in the second game media table T2 are managed as game media A belonging to the group indicated by the group ID "GA02-2".

[0082] (Table T3 for Period 1) Figure 5(c) shows an example of the data structure of the first period table T3. Each group of game media A with rarity "2" has a different period during which it was provided by the administrator of game system 1 as a target for selection of the selected game. In the first period table T3, for each group of game media A, the group ID, period, total number of associations, and total number of uses are stored in relation to each other.

[0083] The period is, for example, time range information indicating the period during which game media A included in each group was provided by the administrator of game system 1 as an item to be selected for selection. The period during which one group was provided by the administrator of game system 1 as an item to be selected for selection may overlap with the period during which other groups were provided by the administrator of game system 1 as an item to be selected for selection. Also, multiple groups may be provided by the administrator of game system 1 as items to be selected for selection for a single period. Game media A with rarity "2" other than game media A managed by the first game media table T1 and the second game media table T2 are managed by different game media tables for each period. In the example shown in Figure 5(c), in addition to the first game media table T1 and the second game media table T2, a game media table is stored that manages game media A with rarity "2" included in the group with group ID "GA03-2". Also, a game media table is stored that manages game media A with rarity "2" included in the group with group ID "GA04-2".

[0084] In the example shown in Figure 5(c), the games provided by the administrator of Game System 1, etc., as selection targets for Game Medium A included in the group corresponding to each period in the first period table T3 are the selection games executed in each period. For example, Game Medium A provided by the administrator of Game System 1, etc., as selection targets for selection games executed during the period from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020, is Game Medium A included in group ID "GA01-2". In this way, during the period from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020, selection games targeting Game Medium A included in group ID "GA01-2" are executable, and the selected Game Medium A (associated Game Medium) in the selection games executed during this period is associated with the user as the user game medium. After the period from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020 has passed, selection games targeting Game Medium A included in group ID "GA01-2" are not executed.

[0085] The total number of associations is numerical information that indicates the sum of the number of times game media A included in each group was associated with one or more users through selected games played during the corresponding period. The total number of associations may also include the number of times game media A included in each group was associated with one or more users through factors other than the execution of selected games. "Association" means that a user owns an associated game media selected in a selected game. "Association" may also mean that a user temporarily owns an associated game media selected in a selected game as a rented game media. "Association" may also mean that a user acquires a game media that appears in a game other than a selected game as an owned game media. "Association" may also mean that a user temporarily acquires a game media that appears in a game other than a selected game as a rented game media. "Association" may also mean that a user acquires a game media that is granted to them by clearing a specific event or mission in a game other than a selected game as an owned game media. "Association" may also mean that a user temporarily acquires a game media that is granted to them by clearing a specific event or mission in a game other than a selected game as a rented game media. Furthermore, "association" may also refer to a user temporarily possessing a game medium owned by another user with whom they have a predetermined relationship.

[0086] The total usage count is numerical information indicating the sum of the number of times a game medium A included in each group has been "used" by one or more users in various games other than the selected game. For example, if a game medium A associated with a user is an attachment object that is attached to a character object such as an avatar representing that user, "usage" means that the attachment object has been attached to the character object. Also, for example, if a game medium A associated with a user is a ticket that the user can exchange for an item in a specific game, "usage" means that the ticket has been consumed (the association with the user has been removed) and the item corresponding to the ticket has been obtained. "Usage" must be performed within the period corresponding to each group. "Usage" may also be performed outside of the period corresponding to each group.

[0087] (Game 3 media table T4) Figure 6(a) shows an example of the data structure of the third game media table T4. The third game media table T4 is used to manage game media A with a rarity of "3". In the third game media table T4, for each of the multiple game media A, the game media ID, name, rarity, attributes, and image are stored in relation to each other.

[0088] In the third game media table T4, the group ID, game media ID, name, rarity, attributes, and image are the same as in the first game media table T1. In the example shown in Figure 6(a), the same group ID is associated with all game media IDs, just as in the first game media table T1. As a result, all game media A managed in the third game media table T4 are managed as game media A belonging to the group indicated by group ID "GA01-3".

[0089] (Game 4 media table T5) Figure 6(b) shows an example of the data structure of the fourth game media table T5. The fourth game media table T5 is used to manage game media A with a rarity of "3". In the fourth game media table T5, for each of the multiple game media A, the game media ID, name, rarity, attributes, and image are stored in relation to each other.

[0090] In the fourth game media table T5, the group ID, game media ID, name, rarity, attributes, and image are the same as in the third game media table T4. In the example shown in Figure 6(b), the same group ID is associated with all game media IDs, just as in the third game media table T4. As a result, all game media A managed in the fourth game media table T5 are managed as game media A belonging to the group indicated by group ID "GA02-3".

[0091] (Table T6 for Period 2) Figure 6(c) shows an example of the data structure of the second period table T6. Each group of game media A with rarity "3" has a different period during which it was provided by the administrator of game system 1 as a target for selection of the selected game. In the second period table T6, for each group of game media A, the group ID, period, total number of associations, and total number of uses are stored in relation to each other.

[0092] In the second period table T6, the group ID, period, total number of associations, and total number of uses are the same as in the first period table T3. Game media A with rarity "3", other than those managed by the third game media table T4 and the fourth game media table T5, are managed by different game media tables for each period. In the example shown in Figure 5(c), in addition to the third game media table T4 and the fourth game media table T5, a game media table is stored that manages game media A with rarity "3" that are included in the group with group ID "GA03-3". Also, a game media table is stored that manages game media A with rarity "3" that are included in the group with group ID "GA04-3". Hereinafter, the game media tables that manage game media A, including the first game media table T1, the second game media table T2, the third game media table T4, and the fourth game media table T5, may be collectively referred to simply as "game media tables".

[0093] Game media A with rarity levels other than "2" and "3" are managed by different game media tables (similar to the data structure of the first game media table T1) for each "rarity level" and for each "period during which they were offered as a selection target for the selected game by the administrator of game system 1, etc.". In this case, the period during which each group was offered as a selection target for the selected game by the administrator of game system 1, etc. is managed by different period tables (similar to the data structure of the first period table T3) for each "rarity level".

[0094] (Game 5 media table T7) Figure 7(a) shows an example of the data structure of the fifth game medium table T7. The fifth game medium table T7 is used to manage game medium B with a rarity of "1". The rarity of game medium B managed in the fifth game medium table T7 may be a rarity other than "1". Also, game medium B may have a lower rarity than game medium A (lower value due to low rarity), or game medium B may have a higher rarity than game medium A (higher value due to rarity).

[0095] Game medium B is a game medium that can be specified by the user. When specified by the user, it is included as a selected game medium in the selection group GS used in the selection process in response to the user's request to progress in the selected game. Unlike game medium A, game medium B is not specified individually by the user. For example, if an element group containing game medium B is specified by the user, game medium B included in the specified element group is included as a selected game medium in the selection group GS used in the selection process in response to the user's request to progress in the selected game. An example of an element group will be described later.

[0096] In the fifth game media table T7, for each of the multiple game media B, the game media ID, name, rarity, attributes, and image are stored in relation to each other. The game media ID, name, rarity, attributes, and image in the fifth game media table T7 are the same as in the first game media table T1.

[0097] In the fifth game media table T7, similar to the first game media table T1, the same group ID is associated with and stored for all game media IDs. Furthermore, in the fifth game media table T7, each game media ID is associated with and stored with the element group ID of one of several element groups.

[0098] In the example shown in Figure 7(a), all game media B managed in the fifth game media table T7 are managed as game media B included in the group indicated by group ID "GB01". Each game media B managed in the fifth game media table T7 is managed as game media B included in an element group indicated by one of the element group IDs "GB01-01", "GB01-02", ... "GB01-12". For example, game media B included in the group indicated by group ID "GB01" is game media provided by the administrator of game system 1, etc., as a target for selection of selected games to be executed from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020. In this case, game media B included in the element group indicated by element group ID "GB01-01" is game media provided by the administrator of game system 1, etc., as a target for selection of selected games to be executed from January 1, 2020 to January 31, 2020. Game medium B, included in the element group indicated by element group ID "GB01-02", is a game medium provided by the administrator of game system 1, etc., as a target for selection of selected games to be executed during the period from February 1, 2020 to February 28, 2020.

[0099] The method for classifying the game media B included in the group into element groups is not limited to the period described above. For example, the game media B included in the group may be classified into different element groups for each attribute, or the game media B included in the group may be classified into different element groups for each type of game media.

[0100] (Third period table T8) Figure 7(b) shows an example of the data structure of the third period table T8. Each group of game media B has a different period during which it was provided by the administrator of game system 1, etc., as a target for selection of the selected game. In the third period table T8, for each group of game media B, the group ID, period, total number of associations, and total number of uses are stored in relation to each other.

[0101] In the third period table T8, the group ID, period, total number of associations, and total number of uses are the same as in the first period table T3. Game media B other than those managed by the fifth game media table T7 are managed by different game media tables for each period. In the example shown in Figure 7(b), in addition to the fifth game media table T7, a game media table (with the same data structure as the fifth game media table T7) is stored to manage game media B included in the group with group ID "GB02". Also, a game media table (with the same data structure as the fifth game media table T7) is stored to manage game media B included in the group with group ID "GB03". Also, a game media table (with the same data structure as the fifth game media table T7) is stored to manage game media B included in the group with group ID "GB04". Hereafter, the game media tables that manage game media B, including the fifth game media table T7, may be collectively referred to simply as "game media tables".

[0102] (Selection group table T9) Figure 8(a) shows an example of the data structure of the selection group table T9. The selection group table T9 is used to manage the selection groups set for each user. For each user, the selection group table T9 stores the user ID and the game medium ID of the selected game medium included in the selection group, in relation to each other.

[0103] (User Table T10) Figure 8(b) shows an example of the data structure of the user table T10. The user table T10 is used to manage information about user game media associated with each user. In the user table T10, for each user, the user ID and information about user game media are stored in relation to each other. The information about user game media includes, for example, the game media ID of the user game media, the rarity of the user game media, and usage information indicating whether or not the user game media has been used, for each user game media of each user.

[0104] In the example shown in Figure 8(b), the user with user ID "U-00001" is associated with and stored information about the user's game medium indicated by game medium ID "A2-001". Furthermore, the user with user ID "U-00001" is associated with and stored information about the user's game medium indicated by game medium ID "A3-003". Additionally, the user with user ID "U-00001" is associated with and stored information about the user's game medium indicated by game medium ID "B2-001", etc.

[0105] Additionally, information regarding the user's game medium, indicated by the game medium ID "A3-002," is associated and stored for the user with user ID "U-00002." Furthermore, information regarding the user's game medium, indicated by the game medium ID "A3-005," is associated and stored for the user with user ID "U-00002."

[0106] The usage information indicating whether or not the user game medium was used includes information indicating "used" if the user has used the user game medium at least once in any game other than the selected game. The usage information indicating whether or not the user game medium was used includes information indicating "not used" if the user has never used the user game medium in any game other than the selected game.

[0107] The following describes the various screens displayed on the display device 23 of the terminal device 2, with reference to Figures 9 to 12, as well as the functions of the terminal processing device 25 of the terminal device 2 and the server processing device 33 of the server device 3.

[0108] Before explaining the various screens shown in Figures 9 to 12, an example of the startup process for a selected game implemented by the terminal device 2 and the server device 3 will be described. First, when a startup icon (not shown) indicating a game application program, displayed on the display device 23 of the terminal device 2, is specified by the user through the operation of the input device 24, a start command is input from the input device 24 to the display processing unit 251. Upon receiving the start command from the input device 24, the display processing unit 251 of the terminal device 2 reads the game application program stored in the terminal storage device 22 and executes it. Once the game application program is executed, the terminal transmission unit 253 of the terminal device 2 sends a data request to the server device 3 via the terminal communication interface 21, along with the user ID of the user stored in the terminal storage device 22. Note that the data request may also be made during the installation of the game application program.

[0109] When the server receiving unit 331 of the server device 3 receives a data request and user ID from the terminal device 2 via the server communication interface 31, it passes a transmission instruction to the server transmitting unit 334. Upon receiving the transmission instruction, the server transmitting unit 334 retrieves various tables T1 to T9 and image data of the game medium, etc., stored in the server storage device 32.

[0110] Next, the server transmission unit 334 transmits the acquired tables T1 to T9 and image data of the game medium, etc., to the user's terminal device 2, indicated by the received user ID, via the server communication interface 31. The terminal receiving unit 254 of the terminal device 2 receives the tables T1 to T9 and image data of the game medium, etc., from the server device 3 via the terminal communication interface 21, and stores the received information in the terminal storage device 22. Then, the display processing unit 251 extracts display data for displaying the various objects stored in the terminal storage device 22 according to the various instructions included in the game application program, displays the home screen, and the startup process of the selected game is completed.

[0111] The server transmission unit 334 may transmit the updated tables T1 to T9 to each terminal device 2 on which the game application program is installed at the time the tables T1 to T9 are updated, at the start of a selected game, or at periodic intervals. In addition, the server transmission unit 334 may transmit the tables T1 to T9 to the terminal device 2 that sent the update request, in response to the server reception unit 331 receiving an update request from a terminal device 2.

[0112] Next, an example of the termination process for a selection game implemented by the terminal device 2 and the server device 3 will be described. First, when a selection game executed by the game application program is terminated, the terminal transmission unit 253 transmits information about the user game medium, along with the user ID stored in the terminal storage device 22, to the server device 3 via the terminal communication interface 21. The transmission process for information about each user game medium may be performed at regular intervals, or at predetermined timings corresponding to user operations within the game. When the server receiving unit 331 of the server device 3 receives information about the user game medium and the user ID from the terminal device 2 via the server communication interface 31, the association unit 333 of the server device 3 performs a server registration process to store the received information about the user game medium in the user table T10, associating it with the received user ID, and the game termination process is completed.

[0113] (Selection game screen 900) Figure 9 shows an example of a selection game screen 900 displayed on the display device 23 of the terminal device 2. The selection game screen 900 is a screen that is displayed by the display processing unit 251 when, for example, the user instructs the display of the selection game screen 900 by operating the input device 24 on the home screen.

[0114] As shown in Figure 9, the selection game screen 900 includes a setup start object 901 and a selection game object 902. The setup start object 901 is a button object for requesting the display of the setup screen 1000, which will be described later. The selection game object 902 is a button object for requesting the progress of the selected game. The selection game screen 900 is not limited to one type of selection game for which progress can be requested. There may be two or more types of selection games for which progress can be requested. For example, if there are two types of selection games for which progress can be requested, two selection game objects 902 are included in the selection game screen 900. In this way, the selection game screen 900 includes selection game objects 902 corresponding to the number of selection games for which progress can be requested.

[0115] (Settings screen 1000) Figure 10 shows an example of a settings screen 1000 displayed on the display device 23 of the terminal device 2. The settings screen 1000 is a screen for setting the game media to be included in the selection group GS, and is displayed by the display processing unit 251 when the setting start object 901 is selected by the user through the operation of the input device 24 on the selection game screen 900.

[0116] When the user selects the setting start object 901 through operation of the input device 24, the setting screen display process is executed. When the setting screen display process starts, the setting unit 252 of the terminal device 2 refers to the first period table T3 to identify the group ID of the group that satisfies the first setting condition. The setting unit 252 also refers to the second period table T6 to identify the group ID of the group that satisfies the second setting condition. The setting unit 252 also refers to the third period table T8 to identify the group ID of the group that satisfies the third setting condition.

[0117] The first setting condition, the second setting condition, and the third setting condition may be the same condition, or they may be different conditions. Furthermore, at least two of the first, second, and third setting conditions may be the same condition. Hereinafter, the first, second, and third setting conditions may be collectively referred to simply as "setting conditions."

[0118] The setting condition could be, for example, the condition that the total number of associations is the highest. If the setting condition is the condition that the total number of associations is the highest, then the group ID "GA03-2" will be identified from the first period table T3. Alternatively, the setting condition could be the condition that the total number of usages is the highest. Alternatively, the setting condition could be the condition that the sum of the total number of associations in the first period table T3, the second period table T6, and the third period table T8 is the highest.

[0119] Alternatively, the setting condition may be that the sum of the total number of associations in the first period table T3, the second period table T6, and the third period table T8 is the highest. If the setting condition is that the sum of the total number of associations is the highest, the group ID "GA03-2" will be identified from the first period table T3. Alternatively, the setting condition may be that the sum of the total number of uses in the first period table T3, the second period table T6, and the third period table T8 is the highest.

[0120] Alternatively, the setting condition may be that the sum of the total number of associations and the total number of uses is the highest. For example, in the first period table T3, the sum of the total number of associations and the total number of uses for group ID "GA01-2" is 1,809,198, and the sum of the total number of associations and the total number of uses for group ID "GA02-2" is 1,552,027. The group ID of the group with the highest calculated sum is identified. Alternatively, the setting condition may be that the sum of the total number of associations and the total number of uses is the highest for each of the first period table T3, second period table T6, and third period table T8. Alternatively, the setting condition may be that the usage rate obtained by dividing the total number of uses by the total number of associations is the highest.

[0121] In this way, the setting unit 252 identifies groups of users who have had a high degree of involvement with game media in the past, that is, groups of users who have a high degree of connection with game media.

[0122] Alternatively, the setting condition may be the number of times a selection game was played by one or more users. For example, the total number of selection games played during each group's period is calculated, and the group ID of the group with the highest calculated total number is identified. Another setting condition may be the total number of users who controlled the progress of the selection game. For example, the total number of users who advanced the selection game during each group's period is calculated, and the group ID of the group with the highest calculated total number is identified.

[0123] In this way, the setting unit 252 identifies the degree to which users have been involved in the selection game in the past, that is, the group of users who have a high correlation with the selection game.

[0124] Alternatively, the setting condition may be that, among the game media A included in each group, the sum of the evaluation values ​​of the user game media is the highest when they have been associated with a user as a user game media in the past. The evaluation value of a user game media is, for example, the monetary value if that user game media were sold to another user. The evaluation value of a user game media may also be a numerical value related to the transmission of predetermined information from other users to that user game media. The numerical value related to the transmission of predetermined information may be, for example, the number of comments, the number of times information indicating high evaluation ("like", etc.) is transmitted, etc. The numerical value related to the transmission of predetermined information may also be a numerical value based on a coefficient corresponding to the degree of evaluation of the predetermined information and the number of times the predetermined information is transmitted. For example, if information with a high evaluation value (e.g., 5 stars) is transmitted, the number of times that information is transmitted is multiplied by the coefficient of the high value, and if information with a low evaluation value (e.g., 1 star) is transmitted, the number of times that information is transmitted is multiplied by the coefficient of the low value. In this case, the numerical value related to the transmission of predetermined information is the sum of each value multiplied by the coefficient.

[0125] In this way, groups based on evaluations of game media associated with a user in the past are identified by the settings unit 252.

[0126] Note that the setting conditions are not limited to the conditions described above. Furthermore, the setting conditions may be a combination of at least two of the conditions described above.

[0127] The setting unit 252 extracts the game media ID, name, or image associated with the group ID of the group that satisfies the first setting condition from various game media tables. For example, if the group ID of the group that satisfies the first setting condition is "GA01-2", the game media ID, name, or image is extracted from the first game media table T1.

[0128] The setting unit 252 extracts the game media ID, name, or image associated with the group ID of the group that satisfies the second setting condition from various game media tables. For example, if the group ID of the group that satisfies the second setting condition is "GA01-3", the game media ID, name, or image is extracted from the third game media table T4.

[0129] The setting unit 252 extracts the game media ID, name, or image associated with the group ID of the group that satisfies the third setting condition from various game media tables. For example, if the group ID of the group that satisfies the third setting condition is "GB01", the game media ID, name, or image is extracted from the fifth game media table T7.

[0130] The display processing unit 251 of terminal device 2 displays the setting screen 1000 on the display device 23 based on the display data generated from the names and / or images of each game medium extracted by the setting unit 252, and the setting screen display process ends.

[0131] Returning to the explanation of Figure 10, the settings screen 1000 includes game medium object display areas 1001a, 1002a, and 1003a, as well as selection status display areas 1001b, 1002b, and 1003b. The settings screen 1000 further includes a setting request object 1004 and a cancel object 1005.

[0132] The game media object display area 1001a is a display area for selection objects that represent game media A included in a group that satisfies the first setting condition. The selection objects representing game media A are generated by the display processing unit 251 based on the name and / or image of game media A associated with the group ID of the group that satisfies the first setting condition. For example, if there are eight game media A included in a group that satisfies the first setting condition, eight selection objects corresponding to each game media A are displayed. The selection objects in the game media object display area 1001a are displayed so that the user can specify each one individually. The selection object selected by the user becomes selected. The selection object becomes selected by a predetermined operation by the user (such as tapping the selection object). In this case, if the predetermined operation is performed again by the user on the selected selection object, the selection object becomes unselected. The selected selection object and the unselected selection object have different display modes.

[0133] The selection status display area 1001b displays information indicating the number of selected objects in the game medium object display area 1001a that have been selected by the user. In the example shown in Figure 10, information indicating the rarity of game medium A included in the group that satisfies the first setting condition, and information indicating the maximum number of selected objects that can be selected are displayed.

[0134] The game media object display area 1002a is a display area for selected objects that represent game media A, which is included in a group that satisfies the second setting condition. The selected object representing game media A is generated by the display processing unit 251 based on the name and / or image of game media A associated with the group ID of the group that satisfies the second setting condition. The selected objects within the game media object display area 1002a are displayed so that the user can specify each one individually. The selected object selected by the user then becomes selected. The number of game media object display areas that allow individual selection of a selected object corresponding to game media A is not limited to two. The setting screen 1000 may include one or more types of game media object display areas that allow individual selection of a selected object corresponding to game media A.

[0135] The selection status display area 1002b displays information indicating the number of selected objects in the game medium object display area 1002a that have been selected by the user. In the example shown in Figure 10, information indicating the rarity of game medium A, which is included in the group that satisfies the second setting condition, and information indicating the maximum number of selected objects that can be selected are displayed.

[0136] The game media object display area 1003a is a display area for selected objects that indicate element groups included in a group that satisfies the third setting condition. The selected objects indicating element groups are generated by the display processing unit 251 based on information about the element groups of the group that satisfies the third setting condition. The selected objects within the game media object display area 1003a are displayed so that the user can specify each one individually. The selected object selected by the user then becomes selected. The game media object display area that can specify selected objects corresponding to element groups is not limited to one type. The setting screen 1000 may include two or more types of game media object display areas that can individually specify selected objects corresponding to element groups.

[0137] The selection status display area 1003b displays information indicating the number of selected objects in the game medium object display area 1003a that have been selected by the user. In the example shown in Figure 10, information indicating the maximum number of selected objects that can be selected is displayed.

[0138] The setting request object 1004 is a button object for instructing a setting request, and the cancel object 1005 is a button object for canceling the setting of game media to be included in the selection group GS and ending the display of the settings screen 1000. In the example shown in Figure 10, the number of selected selection objects has not reached the predetermined setting number, so the setting request object 1004 is displayed in a way that prevents the user from selecting it.

[0139] Figure 11 shows another example of the settings screen 1000 displayed on the display device 23 of the terminal device 2. In the example shown in Figure 11, the number of selected objects in the game medium object display area 1001a, the number of selected objects in the game medium object display area 1002a, and the number of selected objects in the game medium object display area 1003a have all reached the set number. Therefore, the setting request object 1004 is displayed so that it can be selected by the user. Other selected objects (selected objects that are not selected) are displayed in a way that makes them distinguishable from selected objects.

[0140] If the number of selected objects in the game media object display area 1001a reaches a predetermined number (2 in the example shown in Figure 11), the display mode of the game media object display area 1001a may be changed by the display processing unit 251. For example, changing the display mode may involve changing the display color and / or brightness of the game media object display area 1001a. Changing the display mode may also involve displaying text information and / or image information indicating the completion of selection. If the number of selected objects in the game media object display area 1002a reaches a predetermined number (1 in the example shown in Figure 11), and if the number of selected objects in the game media object display area 1003a reaches a predetermined number (1 in the example shown in Figure 11), the display modes of the game media object display area 1002a and the game media object display area 1003a may be changed. This allows the user to easily find the object to be selected, improving usability.

[0141] If the number of selected objects in any of the game media object display areas 1001a, 1002a, and 1003a reaches a predetermined number, the display processing unit 251 may control the screen so that the display area where the selection of selected objects has not been completed is positioned at a predetermined location (such as the center of the screen) on the settings screen 1000. This allows the user to easily find the object to be selected, thereby improving usability.

[0142] The display processing unit 251 may control the screen so that the selected object in the game medium object display area 1002a becomes selectable when the number of selected objects in the game medium object display area 1001a reaches a predetermined number (2 in the example shown in Figure 11). In this case, the display processing unit 251 may control the screen so that the selected object in the game medium object display area 1003a becomes selectable when the number of selected objects in the game medium object display area 1001a reaches a predetermined number (2 in the example shown in Figure 11) AND the number of selected objects in the game medium object display area 1002a reaches a predetermined number (1 in the example shown in Figure 11). This allows the user to smoothly complete the selection by sequentially selecting the objects to be selected, thereby improving usability.

[0143] When the setting request object 1004 is selected by the user, the terminal transmission unit 253 of the terminal device 2 transmits the setting request to the server device 3 via the terminal communication interface 21. The setting request is transmitted along with the user ID of the user stored in the terminal storage device 22 and the setting information. The setting information includes the game medium ID of the game medium corresponding to the selected object selected in the game medium object display area 1001a and the game medium object display area 1002a, respectively. The setting information also includes the group ID of the element group corresponding to the selected object in the selected state in the game medium object display area 1003a.

[0144] When the server receiving unit 331 of the server device 3 receives a configuration request, configuration information, and user ID from the terminal device 2 via the server communication interface 31, it executes the configuration process for the user who sent the configuration request, which is selected as group GS.

[0145] When the configuration process begins, the server receiving unit 331 first extracts the game media ID associated with the group ID included in the configuration information by referring to the fifth game media table T7. This identifies the game media B included in the element group selected in the game media object display area 1003a.

[0146] Next, the server receiving unit 331 obtains the game media ID included in the configuration information. This identifies the selected game media A in each of the game media object display areas 1001a and 1002a.

[0147] The server receiving unit 331 then stores the game media ID included in the configuration information and the game media ID associated with the group ID included in the configuration information in the selection group table T9 as a game media ID indicating the selected game media, associating it with the user ID transmitted along with the configuration information. In this way, game media A selected by the user and game media B included in the element group selected by the user are included in the user's selection group GS as selected game media. With this, the configuration process for the user's selection group GS is completed.

[0148] When the setting request object 1004 is selected by the user, the display processing unit 251 terminates the display of the setting screen 1000 and displays the selected game screen 900. If the selected game object 902 is selected by the user through the operation of the input device 24 on the selected game screen 900, an instruction to execute the selected game is input from the input device 24 to the terminal transmission unit 253. When the terminal transmission unit 253 of the terminal device 2 receives the instruction to execute the selected game from the input device 24, it sends a request to the server device 3 via the terminal communication interface 21, along with the user ID of the user stored in the terminal storage device 22.

[0149] The server receiving unit 331 of the server device 3 receives the selection game progress request and the user's user ID, transmitted by the user's terminal device 2, via the server communication interface 31. Once the server receiving unit 331 receives the progress request and user ID, the selection unit 332 executes the selection process.

[0150] When the selection process begins, the selection unit 332 extracts the game medium ID of the selected game medium associated with the user ID received along with the progress request from the selection group table T9. Next, the selection unit 332 selects at least one game medium ID from the extracted game medium IDs of the selected game mediums as the game medium ID of the associated game medium, according to a predetermined selection method. In this way, the selection unit 332 selects at least one selected game medium from the selection group GS set by the user as the associated game medium in response to the user's request to progress the selected game. With this, the selection process is completed.

[0151] When the selection process is complete, the server transmission unit 334 of the server device 3 transmits the result data of the selected game to the terminal device 2 of the user with the user ID received along with the progress request, via the server communication interface 31. For example, the result data of the selected game is the game medium ID of the associated game medium selected during the selection process. The terminal reception unit 254 of the terminal device 2 receives the game medium ID of the associated game medium transmitted by the server device 3 via the terminal communication interface 21.

[0152] The terminal receiving unit 254 stores the game media ID of the received associated game media in the terminal storage device 22 as the game media ID of the user game media. The terminal receiving unit 254 extracts the rarity associated with the stored game media ID of the user game media from the various game media tables stored in the terminal storage device 22. The terminal receiving unit 254 associates the extracted rarity, usage information, and the game media ID of the user game media with each other and stores it in the terminal storage device 22 as information about the user game media. Then, the display processing unit 251 displays the result screen 1100 of the selected game, which includes information indicating the newly stored user game media.

[0153] (Result screen 1100) Figure 12(a) shows an example of a results screen 1100 displayed on the display device 23 of the terminal device 2. The results screen 1100 includes information 1101 indicating a newly stored user game medium and a return object 1102. The information 1101 indicating the user game medium is displayed by the display processing unit 251 based on the name and / or image associated with the game medium ID of the stored user game medium, from the various game medium tables stored in the terminal storage device 22. The return object 1102 is a button object that terminates the display of the results screen 1100 and displays the selected game screen 900.

[0154] After the user's selection group GS setting process is completed, the setting screen display process is re-executed on the selection game screen 900 in response to the user's operation of the input device 24 to select the setting start object 901. When the setting screen display process is re-executed, the displayed setting screen 1000 displays the selected objects from the previously selected state in a way that is distinguishable from the unselected selected objects, similar to the screen shown in Figure 11.

[0155] If the settings screen display process is re-executed, each selection object on the displayed settings screen 1000 can be reconfigured, provided that a selection game using the configured selection group GS has not been executed. In this case, as shown in Figure 12(b), the setting request object 1006 is displayed so that it can be re-selected by the user. Thus, after the configuration of the selection group GS and before the request to proceed with the selection game, the user can remove game medium A, which was selected in the configuration of the selection group GS, from the selection group GS and include the newly selected game medium A in the selection group GS. Also, after the configuration of the selection group GS and before the request to proceed with the selection game, the user can remove game medium B, which is included in the element group selected in the configuration of the selection group GS, from the selection group GS and include the newly selected game medium B, which is included in the element group, in the selection group GS.

[0156] If the settings screen display process is re-executed, each selection object on the displayed settings screen 1000 will be displayed in a way that prevents it from being re-selected when a selection game using the configured selection group GS is executed. In this case, as shown in Figure 12(c), a non-configurable object 1007 that cannot be selected by the user is displayed instead of the setting request object 1004.

[0157] Even if the non-configurable object 1007 is displayed on the settings screen 1000, the selected group GS may be reconfigured if the reconfiguration conditions are met. The reconfiguration conditions may be, for example, that the first specific game medium has been used in accordance with a user request. The first specific game medium may include game medium A and / or game medium B. Alternatively, the reconfiguration conditions may be that the number of times the selected game medium has been played by the user has reached a predetermined number. Alternatively, the reconfiguration conditions may be that the current time falls within a predetermined period. Alternatively, the reconfiguration conditions may be that a predetermined time has elapsed since the setting process was executed. The predetermined time may be set to be shorter as the number of selected games played after the setting process increases. When the selected group GS becomes reconfigurable, only one of the following may be possible: re-specifying game medium A, or re-specifying element games including game medium B. If it becomes possible to reset the selection group GS, the reset conditions that allow the resetting of game medium A and the reset conditions that allow the resetting of element games including game medium B may be different from each other.

[0158] Thus, even after setting up the selection group GS and after requesting the progress of the selected game, if the first reset condition is met, the user can remove game medium A, which was selected in setting up the selection group GS, from the selection group GS and include game medium A, which is re-selected, in the selection group GS. Furthermore, even after setting up the selection group GS and after requesting the progress of the selected game, if the second reset condition is met, the user can remove game medium B, which is included in the element group selected in setting up the selection group GS, from the selection group GS and include game medium B, which is included in the element group, which is re-selected, in the selection group GS.

[0159] (Game System 1 Operation Sequence) Figure 13 shows an example of the operation sequence of the game system 1. This operation sequence is executed mainly by the terminal processing unit 25 and the server processing unit 33 in cooperation with each element of the terminal device 2 and the server device 3, based on control programs that are pre-stored in the terminal storage device 22 and the server storage device 32, respectively.

[0160] First, when the game application program is executed in response to user instructions, the terminal transmission unit 253 of terminal device 2 sends a data request to server device 3 via terminal communication I / F 21 (step S101). The data request is sent along with the user ID of the user stored in terminal storage device 22.

[0161] Next, the server receiving unit 331 of the server device 3 receives a data request and user ID from the terminal device 2 via the server communication interface 31 and passes a transmission instruction to the server transmitting unit 334. Upon receiving the transmission instruction, the server transmitting unit 334 retrieves various tables T1 to T9 and image data of the game medium, etc., stored in the server storage device 32. Next, the server transmitting unit 334 transmits the retrieved various tables T1 to T9 and image data of the game medium, etc., via the server communication interface 31 to the terminal device 2 of the user indicated by the user ID received along with the data request (step S102).

[0162] On the home screen, if the user instructs the display of the selected game screen 900 by operating the input device 24, the display processing unit 251 executes a selected game screen display process to display the selected game screen 900 (step S103). Next, on the selected game screen 900, if the user selects the setting start object 901 by operating the input device 24, the display processing unit 251 executes a setting screen display process to display the setting screen 1000 on the display device 23 (step S104).

[0163] When the user selects the configuration request object 1004, the terminal transmission unit 253 of the terminal device 2 transmits the configuration request to the server device 3 via the terminal communication interface 21 (step S105). The configuration request is transmitted along with the user ID of the user stored in the terminal storage device 22 and the configuration information.

[0164] When the server receiving unit 331 of the server device 3 receives a configuration request, configuration information, and user ID from the terminal device 2 via the server communication interface 31, it executes the configuration process for the user who sent the configuration request (step S106).

[0165] When the setting request object 1004 is selected by the user, the display processing unit 251 terminates the display of the setting screen 1000 and displays the selected game screen 900 (step S107). If the selected game object 902 is selected by the user through the operation of the input device 24 on the selected game screen 900, an instruction to execute the selected game is input from the input device 24 to the terminal transmission unit 253. When the terminal transmission unit 253 of the terminal device 2 receives the instruction to execute the selected game from the input device 24, it sends a request to proceed with the selected game to the server device 3 via the terminal communication interface 21, along with the user ID of the user stored in the terminal storage device 22 (step S108).

[0166] The server receiving unit 331 of the server device 3 receives the selection game progress request and the user's user ID transmitted by the user's terminal device 2 via the server communication interface 31. When the server receiving unit 331 receives the progress request and user ID, the selection unit 332 executes the selection process (step S109). The selection process is, for example, a process in which at least one selection game medium is selected from a plurality of selection game mediums in the selection group GS based on a predetermined lottery probability associated with the selection game medium. Alternatively, the selection process may be a process in which at least one selection game medium is selected from a plurality of selection game mediums in the selection group GS in a predetermined order for each selection game medium.

[0167] Once the selection process is complete, the server transmission unit 334 of the server device 3 transmits the result data of the selected game to the terminal device 2 of the user with the user ID received along with the progress request via the server communication interface 31 (step S110). For example, the result data of the selected game is the game medium ID of the associated game medium selected in the selection process.

[0168] The terminal receiving unit 254 stores the game media ID of the received associated game media as the game media ID of the user game media in the terminal storage device 22. Then, the display processing unit 251 executes a result screen display process that displays the result screen 1100 of the selected game, which includes information indicating the newly stored user game media (step S111).

[0169] Furthermore, in the processing procedure shown in Figure 13, it is possible to omit some of the steps that constitute the processing procedure, and / or to add steps that are not explicitly stated as steps that constitute the processing procedure. Also, in the processing procedure shown in Figure 13, the order of the steps that constitute the processing procedure may be changed. Such processing procedures in which at least one of the following is performed—omission of steps, addition of steps, and change of the order of steps—are also included in the scope of the present invention, as long as they do not depart from the spirit of the present invention.

[0170] In information processing other than the processing procedure shown in Figure 13, it is possible to omit a part of each step that constitutes each information processing, and / or to add steps that are not explicitly stated as components of each information processing. Furthermore, the order of each step that constitutes each information processing may be changed. Information processing in which at least one of the following is performed—omission of steps, addition of steps, and change of the order of steps—is also included in the scope of the present invention, as long as it does not depart from the spirit of the invention.

[0171] As detailed above, in the game system 1 of this embodiment, the selection group used in the selection process in the selection game includes the game medium selected by the user. In this way, since the selection process using the selection group that includes the game medium selected by the user is performed by the user, it is possible to improve the predictability of the game medium associated with the user. Furthermore, in the game system 1 of this embodiment, since no search process or identification process for the game medium is performed when generating the selection group, it is possible to prevent an increase in processing load or communication load.

[0172] Furthermore, in the game system 1 of this embodiment, a method can be adopted in which the user specifies an element group containing multiple game media B to be included in the selection group, as a method for setting the game media to be included in the selection group. As a result, in the game system 1 of this embodiment, the user can include multiple game media B included in the selection group GS simply by specifying an element group, without having to specify each game media B individually. Therefore, the game system 1 of this embodiment improves usability while not requiring the execution of any new processing, thus preventing an increase in processing load or communication load.

[0173] (Variation 1) It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, in game media tables such as the first game media table T1 and the second game media table T2, game media may be managed based on a parameter other than rarity among the parameters of game media. For example, if levels are set for game media, game media may be managed by different game media tables for each level. In this case, for example, a first game media table T1 that manages only level "1" game media, a first game media table T1 that manages only level "2" game media, and so on may be used.

[0174] (Modification 2) Game medium C, which is automatically associated with a user based on the number of times the user has played a selected game, may also be associated with the selected group GS through a user-specified operation. Figure 14 shows an example of the data structure of the sixth game medium table T11. The sixth game medium table T11 is used to manage game medium C. The rarity of game medium C managed in the sixth game medium table T11 is "1", but the rarity of game medium C may be a rarity other than "1". In the example shown in Figure 14, game medium C has a lower rarity than game medium A (lower value due to low rarity), but game medium C may also have a higher rarity than game medium A (higher value due to rarity).

[0175] Game medium C is a game medium that is automatically associated with a user based on the number of times the user has played a selected game, and when specified by the user, it is included in the selection group GS as an automatically selected game medium. Similar to game medium B, when the element group containing game medium C is specified by the user, game medium C included in the specified element group is associated with the selection group GS as an automatically selected game medium.

[0176] Returning to Figure 14, the data structure of the sixth game medium table T11 is similar to that of the fifth game medium table T7, but the number of times is further associated with the game medium ID. In the example shown in Figure 14, all game mediums C managed in the sixth game medium table T11 are managed as game mediums C belonging to the group indicated by the group ID "GC01". Each game medium C managed in the sixth game medium table T11 is managed as a game medium C belonging to an element group indicated by one of the element group IDs "GC01-01", "GC01-02", ... "GC01-12". For example, the game mediums C belonging to the group indicated by the group ID "GC01" are game mediums provided by the administrator of game system 1, etc., as selection targets for selected games to be executed during the period from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020. In this case, the game media C included in the element group indicated by element group ID "GC01-01" is the game media provided by the administrator of game system 1, etc., as a target for selection of selected games to be executed during the period from January 1, 2020 to January 31, 2020. The game media C included in the element group indicated by element group ID "GC01-02" is the game media provided by the administrator of game system 1, etc., as a target for selection of selected games to be executed during the period from February 1, 2020 to February 28, 2020. The game media C included in each group indicated by group ID "GC02", "GC03", etc., may be managed by each game media table with a data structure similar to the 6th game media table T11. In this case, the game media C included in each group indicated by group ID "GC01", "GC02", "GC03", etc., is the game media provided by the administrator of game system 1, etc., as a target for selection of selected games to be executed during a different period than the other groups.

[0177] The method for classifying game media C into element groups is not limited to the period described above. For example, one or more game media C may be classified into different element groups for each attribute, or one or more game media C may be classified into different element groups for each type of game media.

[0178] To associate game media C with the selection group GS as an automatically selected game media, the settings screen 1000 includes a game media object display area 1009a and a selection status display area 1009b, as shown in Figure 15(a). The game media object display area 1009a is a display area for selection objects that indicate an element group containing one or more game media C. The selection objects within the game media object display area 1009a are displayed so that the user can specify each one individually. The selection object selected by the user then becomes selected.

[0179] The selection status display area 1009b displays information indicating the number of selected objects in the game medium object display area 1009a that have been selected by the user. In the example shown in Figure 15(a), information indicating the maximum number of selected objects that can be selected is displayed.

[0180] Through the setup process, game media C included in the element group corresponding to the selection object selected by the user is associated with the selection group GS. Note that the game media C associated with the selection group GS is not the object of selection in the selected game. When the number of times the selected game is executed reaches the number of times it has been associated with game media C, the game media ID representing that game media C is automatically associated with the user and stored as the user game media. For example, when the number of times the selected game is executed reaches the number of times it has been associated with game media C due to a user's progress request, the game media ID of the game media C associated with that number, along with the result data corresponding to the progress request, is sent to the user's terminal device 2. The terminal device 2 then stores the received game media ID of game media C as the user game media. Note that the process of automatically associating the game media ID representing game media C with the user and storing it as the user game media may also be executed when it is determined that the associated game media selected in the selected game is a game media of a predetermined rarity. In this case, the game media C automatically associated with the user may be randomly selected from the game media C included in the element group, or it may be randomly selected from those not yet associated with the user.

[0181] In the modified game system 1, the diversity of selectable games can be improved by associating game media C with the selection group GS. Furthermore, in the modified game system 1, while the selectable games are diverse, the search or identification process for game media is not performed during the generation of the selection group, thus preventing an increase in processing load or communication load.

[0182] (Variation 3) In game system 1, if game media A included in selection group GS satisfies the exchange conditions, setting unit 252 may remove the game media ID of game media A that satisfies the exchange conditions from selection group GS and instead include the game media ID of a second specific game media in selection group GS. Alternatively, in game system 1, if game media A to be included in selection group GS satisfies the exchange conditions, setting unit 252 may not include the game media ID of game media A that satisfies the exchange conditions in selection group GS, and instead include the game media ID of a second specific game media in selection group GS. The exchange conditions are, for example, conditions relating to the parameters of the associated game media. The conditions relating to the parameters of the associated game media are, for example, the condition that the rarity of the associated game media is a predetermined rarity, or the condition that its value is higher than the predetermined rarity. The conditions relating to the parameters of the associated game media may also be the condition that the rarity of the associated game media is lower than the predetermined rarity. The exchange conditions may also be, for example, conditions relating to the use of the associated game media. The conditions for using associated game media include, for example, that the same game media as the associated game media has never been selected as a target for selection in the past. The conditions for using associated game media may also be that the number of times it has been selected in the past as a target for selection is above a certain number of times or below a certain number of times.

[0183] The second specified game medium is a game medium that can be exchanged for game medium A, which has been removed from the selection group GS, during a predetermined event in the progress of another game different from the selected game. For example, in response to a user exchange request, the display processing unit 251 deletes the game medium ID of the second specified game medium, which is stored as the game medium ID of the user game medium based on the result of the selected game, and stores the game medium ID of game medium A, which corresponds to the second game medium, as the game medium ID of the user game medium.

[0184] In game system 1, by including a second specific game medium that is interchangeable with the selected game medium in the selection group GS, it is possible to improve the diversity of selectable games. Furthermore, in this modified version of game system 1, while the selectable games are diverse, the search or identification process for game mediums is not performed when generating the selection group, thus preventing an increase in processing load or communication load.

[0185] (Modification 4) If the associated game medium selected in the selected game provided by game system 1 satisfies the exchange conditions, a second specific game medium may be associated with the user as the user game medium and stored in place of the selected associated game medium. For example, if a game medium that satisfies the exchange conditions is selected as a result of the selected game being executed in response to a user's progress request, the game medium ID of the second specific game medium is sent to the user's terminal device 2 as result data corresponding to the progress request. The terminal device 2 then stores the received game medium ID of the second specific game medium as the user game medium.

[0186] In game system 1, by configuring the system to associate a second specific game medium, which is interchangeable with the game medium, with the user instead of the game medium associated with the user, it is possible to improve the diversity of selectable games. Furthermore, in this modified version of game system 1, while the selectable games are diverse, the search or identification process for game mediums is not performed when generating the selection group, thus preventing an increase in processing load or communication load.

[0187] (Variation 5) The selection group GS may include not only the game media selected by the user (game media A, game media B), but also game media D which may be automatically selected. Figure 15(b) shows an example of the data structure of the seventh game media table T12. The seventh game media table T12 is used to manage game media D. In the seventh game media table T12, for each of the multiple game media D, the game media ID, name, rarity, attributes, and image are stored in relation to each other.

[0188] During the configuration process, the server receiving unit 331 identifies game media A and B, and extracts the game media ID of at least one game media D from the seventh game media table T12. The server receiving unit 331 then stores the extracted game media ID in the selection group table T9, associating it with the user ID as the game media ID of the selected game media. Game media D is a game media that has not been provided by the administrator of game system 1 or the like as a target for selection of the selected game.

[0189] In game system 1, by configuring the system to include not only game media selected by the user but also automatically selected game media in the selection group, it is possible to improve the diversity of selectable games. Furthermore, in this modified version of game system 1, while the selectable games are diverse, the search or identification process for game media is not performed when generating the selection group, thus preventing an increase in processing load or communication load.

[0190] (Experimental variation 6) At least a portion of the functions of the setting unit 252 of the terminal device 2 may be implemented by the server processing unit 33 of the server device 3. For example, the server processing unit 33 may function as the setting unit 252 by executing setting processing based on various tables stored in the server storage device 32 of the server device 3.

[0191] Although this embodiment and its variations have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to any particular embodiment. Furthermore, various changes, substitutions, and modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from its scope.

[0192] In the above description of the embodiments, terms such as "first," "second," "third," etc., are used, but these terms do not indicate order. "First" as described in the description of the embodiments may be replaced with other terms (e.g., "second," "third," etc.) in the claims. Similarly, terms such as "second," "third," etc., as described in the description of the embodiments may be replaced with other terms in the claims. For example, if "first table" is specified in the claims, this "first table" is not interpreted as being limited to the "first game medium table" in the description of the embodiments. In this case, "first table" may be specified in the claims as a concept including the "second game medium table," or as a concept including the "third game medium table." Similarly, if “First Condition,” “Second Condition,” and “Third Condition” are specified in the claims, these “First Condition,” “Second Condition,” and “Third Condition” should not be interpreted as being limited to the “First Setting Condition,” “Second Setting Condition,” and “Third Setting Condition” in the description of the embodiments. In other words, terms including “First,” “Second,” “Third,” etc., in the claims should be understood in accordance with a reasonable interpretation of the claims, specification, and drawings. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0193] 1. Game System 2 Terminal devices 21 Terminal Communication Interface 22 Terminal Storage Devices 23 Display device 24 Input devices 25 Terminal Processing Units 251 Display Processing Unit 252 Settings Section 253 Terminal transmission unit 254 Terminal receiving unit 3 Server equipment 31 Server Communication Interface 32 Server Storage Devices 33 Server Processing Units 331 Server receiving unit 332 Selection Section 333 Association section 334 Server Transmission Unit 4 base station 5. Mobile communication network 6 Gateways 7. Internet

Claims

1. One or more computer processors, A memory device that stores information about multiple first game media and information about multiple first groups, each of which includes multiple second game media. Equipped with, One or more of the computer processors are Regardless of user specification, information regarding the first group that satisfies predetermined setting conditions is stored in the storage device. From a plurality of first game media, select at least one first game media designated by the user, The system accepts the user's designation for the selection object corresponding to each of the first groups, and selects at least one of the first groups designated by the user from among the plurality of first groups. The selected first game medium and the plurality of second game mediums included in the selected first group are each included in the selection group as selected game mediums. In response to the first request from the user, at least one of the selected game media from the selection group is associated with the user as the associated game media. An information processing system characterized by performing the following.

2. Multiple first game media are classified based on multiple parameters, The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the user can select a number of the first game media corresponding to each of the parameters.

3. Multiple first game media and multiple second game media are classified based on multiple parameters, The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the parameter of the first game medium has a higher value than the parameter of the second game medium.

4. One or more of the computer processors are If, after the selection of the first game medium and before the first request by the user, at least one first game medium newly designated by the user is selected from a plurality of first game mediums, the first game medium already included in the selection group as a selected game medium is removed from the selection group, and the first game medium selected by the user's new designation is included in the selection group as a new selected game medium. The information processing system according to claim 1, which performs the following.

5. One or more of the computer processors are If, after the selection of the first group and before the first request by the user, at least one of the first groups newly designated by the user is selected from a plurality of the first groups, the second game media already included in the selection group as the selected game media are removed from the selection group, and the second game media included in the first group selected by the user's new designation are added to the selection group as the new selected game media. An information processing system according to claim 1 or 4, which performs the following:

6. One or more of the computer processors are Even after the first request by the user, if the first condition is met, select at least one of the first game media newly designated by the user from among the plurality of first game media, To remove the first game medium that is already included in the selection group as a selected game medium from the selection group, and to include the first game medium selected by the user's new designation as a new selected game medium in the selection group. The information processing system according to claim 1, which performs the following.

7. One or more of the computer processors are Even after the first request by the user, if the second condition is met, select at least one of the first groups newly designated by the user from among the multiple first groups, The second game medium, which is already included in the selection group as a selected game medium, is removed from the selection group, and the second game medium, which is included in the first group selected by the user's new designation, is included in the selection group as a selected game medium. An information processing system according to claim 1 or 6, which performs the following:

8. The information processing system according to claim 6, wherein the first condition includes that a first specific game medium associated with the user was used in response to a second request by the user.

9. The information processing system according to claim 7, wherein the second condition includes that a first specific game medium associated with the user was used in response to a second request by the user.

10. The memory device stores information about multiple third game media, One or more of the computer processors are Automatically select at least one of the multiple third game media, To include the selected third game medium in the selection group as the selected game medium, An information processing system according to claim 1, which causes the following to be performed.

11. One or more computer processors, A memory device that stores information about multiple first game media and information about multiple first groups, each of which includes multiple second game media. Equipped with, One or more of the computer processors are From a plurality of the first game media, select at least one of the first game media specified by the user, From a plurality of the above first groups, select at least one of the above first groups specified by the user, The selected first game medium and the plurality of second game mediums included in the selected first group are each included in the selection group as selected game mediums. In response to the first request from the user, at least one of the selected game media from the selection group is associated with the user as the associated game media. In addition to executing, Each of the memory devices stores information about a plurality of second groups, each including a plurality of fourth game media. One or more of the aforementioned computer processors further, From a plurality of the above second groups, select at least one of the above second groups specified by the user, The information relating to the fourth game medium included in the selected second group is associated with the selected group. If the third condition regarding the association of the associated game media in response to the first request by the user is met, then at least one of the fourth game media associated with the selection group shall be associated with the user as the associated game media. An information processing system that executes [this action].

12. The information processing system according to claim 11, wherein the third condition includes the number of times the associated game media has been associated in response to the first request by the user has reached a predetermined number of times.

13. One or more computer processors, A memory device that stores information about multiple first game media and information about multiple first groups, each of which includes multiple second game media. Equipped with, One or more of the computer processors are From a plurality of the first game media, select at least one of the first game media specified by the user, From a plurality of the above first groups, select at least one of the above first groups specified by the user, The selected first game medium and the plurality of second game mediums included in the selected first group are each included in the selection group as selected game mediums. In response to the first request from the user, at least one of the selected game media from the selection group is associated with the user as the associated game media. In addition to executing, In including the aforementioned selected game medium in the selection group, one or more computer processors An information processing system in which, if the fourth condition relating to the first game medium to be included in the selection group as the selected game medium is met, the first game medium that satisfies the fourth condition is not included in the selection group as the selected game medium, and the second specific game medium is included in the selection group as the selected game medium.

14. The information processing system according to claim 13, wherein the fourth condition is that the parameter associated with the first game medium is a predetermined parameter.

15. One or more of the computer processors are The information processing system according to claim 13 or 14, which, in response to a first request by the user, determines that the associated game medium associated with the user is the second specific game medium, and in response to a third request by the user, performs the following actions: disassociate the second specific game medium from the user, and associate the first game medium, which satisfies the fourth condition, with the user as the associated game medium.

16. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the first game medium and the second game medium are game mediums that satisfy the fifth condition.

17. The information processing system according to claim 10, wherein the third game medium is a game medium that does not satisfy the fifth condition.

18. The information processing system according to claim 11, wherein the fourth game medium is a game medium that satisfies the fifth condition.

19. The selection of the first game medium, the selection of the first group, and the association of the associated game mediums can be performed within a predetermined period of time. The information processing system according to any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the fifth condition includes the condition that the associated game medium was selected prior to the predetermined period.

20. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the setting condition is that the value relating to the total number of associations associated with the first group is the largest, and the total number of associations represents the sum of the number of times the second game medium included in the first group has been associated with one or more users.

21. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the setting condition is that the total number of uses associated with the first group is the highest, and the total number of uses represents the sum of the number of times the second game medium included in the first group has been used since it was associated with one or more users.

22. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the setting condition is that the number of times the selected game in which the second game medium included in the first group is used is the highest.

23. A control method for an information processing system comprising one or more computer processors, a storage device that stores information about a plurality of first game media, and information about a plurality of first groups, each of which includes a plurality of second game media, One or more of the computer processors are Regardless of user specification, information regarding the first group that satisfies predetermined setting conditions is stored in the storage device. From a plurality of first game media, select at least one first game media designated by the user, The system accepts the user's designation for the selection object corresponding to each of the first groups, and selects at least one of the first groups designated by the user from among the plurality of first groups. The selected first game medium and the plurality of second game mediums included in the selected first group are each included in the selection group as selected game mediums. In response to the first request from the user, at least one of the selected game media from the selection group is associated with the user as the associated game media. A control method characterized by including

24. One or more computer processors, A memory device that stores information about multiple first game media and information about multiple first groups, each of which includes multiple second game media. Equipped with, One or more of the computer processors are Regardless of user specification, information regarding the first group that satisfies predetermined setting conditions is stored in the storage device. The system accepts the user's designation for each of the first groups, and selects at least one of the first game media designated by the user from a plurality of first game media. From a plurality of the above first groups, select at least one of the above first groups specified by the user, The selected first game medium and the plurality of second game mediums included in the selected first group are each included in the selection group as selected game mediums. In response to the first request from the user, at least one of the selected game media from the selection group is associated with the user as the associated game media. A server device characterized by performing the following actions.

25. A control method for a server device comprising one or more computer processors, a storage device that stores information relating to a plurality of first game media, and information relating to a plurality of first groups, each including a plurality of second game media, One or more of the computer processors are Regardless of user specification, information regarding the first group that satisfies predetermined setting conditions is stored in the storage device. From a plurality of first game media, select at least one first game media designated by the user, The system accepts the user's designation for the selection object corresponding to each of the first groups, and selects at least one of the first groups designated by the user from among the plurality of first groups. The selected first game medium and the plurality of second game mediums included in the selected first group are each included in the selection group as selected game mediums. In response to the first request from the user, at least one of the selected game media from the selection group is associated with the user as the associated game media. A control method characterized by including

26. A control program for a server device comprising one or more computer processors, a storage device that stores information about a plurality of first game media, and information about a plurality of first groups, each containing a plurality of second game media, One or more of the aforementioned computer processors Regardless of user specification, information regarding the first group that satisfies predetermined setting conditions is stored in the storage device. From a plurality of first game media, select at least one first game media designated by the user, The system accepts the user's designation for the selection object corresponding to each of the first groups, and selects at least one of the first groups designated by the user from among the plurality of first groups. The selected first game medium and the plurality of second game mediums included in the selected first group are each included in the selection group as selected game mediums. In response to the first request from the user, at least one of the selected game media from the selection group is associated with the user as the associated game media. A control program that executes the command.

27. ​​A control method for an information processing system comprising one or more computer processors, a storage device that stores information relating to a plurality of first game media, and information relating to a plurality of first groups, each including a plurality of second game media, One or more of the computer processors are From a plurality of the first game media, select at least one of the first game media specified by the user, From a plurality of the above first groups, select at least one of the above first groups specified by the user, The selected first game medium and the plurality of second game mediums included in the selected first group are each included in the selection group as selected game mediums. In response to the first request from the user, at least one of the selected game media from the selection group is associated with the user as the associated game media. In addition to executing, Each of the memory devices stores information about a plurality of second groups, each including a plurality of fourth game media. One or more of the aforementioned computer processors further, From a plurality of the above second groups, select at least one of the above second groups specified by the user, The information relating to the fourth game medium included in the selected second group is associated with the selected group. A control method characterized by, when a third condition relating to the association of the associated game media in response to the first request by the user is met, associating at least one of the fourth game media associated with the selection group with the user as the associated game media.

28. One or more computer processors, A memory device that stores information about multiple first game media and information about multiple first groups, each of which includes multiple second game media. Equipped with, One or more of the computer processors are From a plurality of the first game media, select at least one of the first game media specified by the user, From a plurality of the above first groups, select at least one of the above first groups specified by the user, The selected first game medium and the plurality of second game mediums included in the selected first group are each included in the selection group as selected game mediums. In response to the first request from the user, at least one of the selected game media from the selection group is associated with the user as the associated game media. In addition to executing, Each of the memory devices stores information about a plurality of second groups, each including a plurality of fourth game media. One or more of the aforementioned computer processors further, From a plurality of the above second groups, select at least one of the above second groups specified by the user, The information relating to the fourth game medium included in the selected second group is associated with the selected group. A server device that, when the third condition regarding the association of the associated game media in response to the first request by the user is met, associates at least one of the fourth game media associated with the selection group with the user as the associated game media.

29. A control method for a server device comprising one or more computer processors, a storage device that stores information relating to a plurality of first game media, and information relating to a plurality of first groups, each including a plurality of second game media, One or more of the computer processors are From a plurality of the first game media, select at least one of the first game media specified by the user, From a plurality of the above first groups, select at least one of the above first groups specified by the user, The selected first game medium and the plurality of second game mediums included in the selected first group are each included in the selection group as selected game mediums. In response to the first request from the user, at least one of the selected game media from the selection group is associated with the user as the associated game media. In addition to executing, Each of the memory devices stores information about a plurality of second groups, each including a plurality of fourth game media. One or more of the aforementioned computer processors further, From a plurality of the above second groups, select at least one of the above second groups specified by the user, The information relating to the fourth game medium included in the selected second group is associated with the selected group. A control method characterized by, when a third condition relating to the association of the associated game media in response to the first request by the user is met, associating at least one of the fourth game media associated with the selection group with the user as the associated game media.

30. A control program for a server device comprising one or more computer processors, a storage device that stores information relating to a plurality of first game media, and information relating to a plurality of first groups, each including a plurality of second game media, One or more of the aforementioned computer processors From a plurality of the first game media, select at least one of the first game media specified by the user, From a plurality of the above first groups, select at least one of the above first groups specified by the user, The selected first game medium and the plurality of second game mediums included in the selected first group are each included in the selection group as selected game mediums. In response to the first request from the user, at least one of the selected game media from the selection group is associated with the user as the associated game media. In order to execute, The aforementioned storage device stores information about multiple second groups, each of which includes multiple fourth game media. One or more of the aforementioned computer processors further include, From a plurality of the above second groups, select at least one of the above second groups specified by the user, The information relating to the fourth game medium included in the selected second group is associated with the selected group. A control program that, when the third condition relating to the association of the associated game media in response to the first request by the user is met, causes the program to associate at least one of the fourth game media associated with the selection group with the user as the associated game media.

31. A control method for an information processing system comprising one or more computer processors, a storage device that stores information relating to a plurality of first game media, and information relating to a plurality of first groups, each including a plurality of second game media, One or more of the computer processors are From a plurality of the first game media, select at least one of the first game media specified by the user, From a plurality of the above first groups, select at least one of the above first groups specified by the user, The selected first game medium and the plurality of second game mediums included in the selected first group are each included in the selection group as selected game mediums. In response to the first request from the user, at least one of the selected game media from the selection group is associated with the user as the associated game media. In addition to executing, In including the aforementioned selected game medium in the selection group, one or more computer processors A control method characterized in that, if the fourth condition relating to the first game medium to be included in the selection group as the selected game medium is met, the first game medium that satisfies the fourth condition is not included in the selection group as the selected game medium, and the second specific game medium is included in the selection group as the selected game medium.

32. One or more computer processors, A memory device that stores information about multiple first game media and information about multiple first groups, each of which includes multiple second game media. Equipped with, One or more of the computer processors are From a plurality of the first game media, select at least one of the first game media specified by the user, From a plurality of the above first groups, select at least one of the above first groups specified by the user, The selected first game medium and the plurality of second game mediums included in the selected first group are each included in the selection group as selected game mediums. In response to the first request from the user, at least one of the selected game media from the selection group is associated with the user as the associated game media. In addition to executing, In including the aforementioned selected game medium in the selection group, one or more computer processors A server device characterized in that, if the fourth condition relating to the first game medium to be included in the selection group as the selected game medium is met, the first game medium that satisfies the fourth condition is not included in the selection group as the selected game medium, and the second specific game medium is included in the selection group as the selected game medium.

33. A control method for a server device comprising one or more computer processors, a storage device that stores information relating to a plurality of first game media, and information relating to a plurality of first groups, each including a plurality of second game media, One or more of the computer processors are From a plurality of the first game media, select at least one of the first game media specified by the user, From a plurality of the above first groups, select at least one of the above first groups specified by the user, The selected first game medium and the plurality of second game mediums included in the selected first group are each included in the selection group as selected game mediums. In response to the first request from the user, at least one of the selected game media from the selection group is associated with the user as the associated game media. In addition to executing, In including the aforementioned selected game medium in the selection group, one or more computer processors A control method characterized in that, if the fourth condition relating to the first game medium to be included in the selection group as the selected game medium is met, the first game medium that satisfies the fourth condition is not included in the selection group as the selected game medium, and the second specific game medium is included in the selection group as the selected game medium.

34. A control program for a server device comprising one or more computer processors, a storage device that stores information relating to a plurality of first game media, and information relating to a plurality of first groups, each including a plurality of second game media, One or more of the aforementioned computer processors From a plurality of the first game media, select at least one of the first game media specified by the user, From a plurality of the above first groups, select at least one of the above first groups specified by the user, The selected first game medium and the plurality of second game mediums included in the selected first group are each included in the selection group as selected game mediums. In response to the first request from the user, at least one of the selected game media from the selection group is associated with the user as the associated game media. In order to execute, In including the aforementioned selection game medium in the selection group, one or more computer processors, A control program that, if the fourth condition relating to the first game medium to be included in the selection group as the selected game medium is met, causes the program to not include the first game medium that satisfies the fourth condition in the selection group as the selected game medium, and instead includes the second specific game medium in the selection group as the selected game medium.

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