Program, information processing device, and information processing method

Abstract

To easily receive a log-in privilege for a fixed period.SOLUTION: An information processor includes: a user information storage part for storing user information for including information for identifying whether or not a user is a user who has paid a game charge set for a fixed period; a privilege-granting part for granting a log-in privilege when a user who has not paid the game charge for the fixed period logs in within the fixed period from among users who have paid the game charge for the fixed period and users who have not paid the game charge for the fixed period; and a privilege collective granting part for collectively granting the log-in privilege or an alternative privilege for the fixed period to a user who has paid the game charge for the fixed period from among users who have paid the game charge for the fixed period and users who have not paid the game charge for the fixed period.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and a program.

Background Art

[0002] There is known an information processing apparatus that grants a user a login privilege for having logged in (for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of Invention

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In general, this login privilege is granted to the user only once a day. For example, in order to continuously receive the login privilege for one month, the user must keep logging in every day for the entire month. While receiving the login privileges for a certain period of time step by step in this manner allows the user to obtain benefits continuously, it may on the contrary be troublesome for the user in some cases.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to allow a user to easily receive login privileges for a certain period of time.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] The main invention of the present invention for solving the above problem is: a user information storage unit that stores user information including information for identifying whether a user has paid a game fee set for each predetermined period, A reward granting section that grants login rewards to users who have paid the game fee for a certain period, and to users who have not paid the game fee for a certain period, by logging in within a certain period. A bonus granting unit that grants login bonuses or alternative bonuses for a certain period to users who have paid the game fee for a certain period, and to users who have not paid the game fee for a certain period, in a lump sum. This is an information processing device characterized by having the following features. With this type of information processing device, users can pay a game fee for a certain period and receive all the login bonuses for that period at once. This eliminates the hassle of having to keep logging in for a certain period to receive login bonuses in stages, making it easy to receive all the login bonuses for a certain period.

[0007] Furthermore, it is desirable to have a display control unit that displays a game screen offering login bonuses to users who have paid the game fee for a certain period, and to control the system so that when users who have not paid the game fee for a certain period log in within that period, the game screen is not displayed to users who have paid the game fee for a certain period log in within that period. This means that for users who have paid for a certain period of game subscriptions, the game screen displaying login bonuses will be skipped, eliminating the hassle of logging in.

[0008] Furthermore, it is desirable to have a game control unit that controls the game's progress in a way that gives an advantage to users who have paid the game fee for a certain period, and to users who have not paid the game fee for a certain period, but only within that period. This encourages users who have paid for a certain period of game subscriptions to actively play the game even within that period, rather than being satisfied with receiving all the login bonuses for that period at once.

[0009] Furthermore, it is desirable to have a game control unit that controls the game's progression so that users who have paid the game fee for a certain period of time are at an advantage only after that period has elapsed, compared to users who have not paid the game fee for a certain period of time. This encourages users who have paid for a certain period of game subscriptions to continue playing the game actively even after that period has elapsed, rather than being satisfied with receiving all the login bonuses for that period at once.

[0010] Furthermore, it is desirable to have a game control unit that controls the game's progress so that users who have paid the game fee for a certain period have an advantage during a portion of that period, compared to users who have not paid the game fee for a certain period. This means that even if a user who has paid for a certain period of gameplay interrupts the game midway through that period, they will be able to resume playing the game for a portion of that period.

[0011] Furthermore, the aforementioned unit for granting benefits in bulk is: When the user performs the necessary actions to pay for a certain period of game fees within a certain period, the remaining period until the end of that period is determined. It is desirable to grant the user the remaining portion of the login bonus or alternative bonus for a given period in a lump sum. This encourages users to take the necessary steps to pay for a certain period of game fees earlier, thereby extending the remaining time until the end of the set period. As a result, users will be more proactive in paying for the game fees for that period.

[0012] Furthermore, the computer is caused to, user information storage means for storing user information including information for identifying whether or not a user has paid a preset game fee for each predetermined period, among the users who have paid the game fee for the predetermined period and the users who have not paid the game fee for the predetermined period, privilege granting means for granting a login privilege to a user who has not paid the game fee for the predetermined period by logging in within the predetermined period, among the users who have paid the game fee for the predetermined period and the users who have not paid the game fee for the predetermined period, collective privilege granting means for collectively granting the login privileges for the predetermined period or alternative privileges to the users who have paid the game fee for the predetermined period, This is a program for causing a computer to function as the above units. According to such a program, it is possible to easily receive the login privileges for the predetermined period. [Brief Description of the Drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] This is a configuration diagram showing an example of the information processing system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of the computer according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a functional block diagram showing an example of the server apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a functional block diagram showing an example of the client terminal according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation related to collective granting of login bonuses in the first embodiment. [Figure 6] This is a configuration diagram showing an example of user information. [Figure 7] This is a configuration diagram showing an example of monthly fee-charging user information. [Figure 8] This is a configuration diagram showing an example of login bonus information. [Figure 9] This is an image diagram showing an example of a login bonus collective granting screen. [Figure 10] This is a flowchart illustrating an example of operation related to granting a login bonus in the first embodiment. [Figure 11] This is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of log history information. [Figure 12] This is a flowchart illustrating an example of operation related to collective granting of login bonuses and resetting of character capabilities in the second embodiment. [Figure 13] This is a diagram illustrating the valid period during which character capabilities are reset. [Figure 14] This is a diagram illustrating Modification 1 of the valid period during which character capabilities are reset. [Figure 15] This is a diagram illustrating Modification 2 of the valid period during which character capabilities are reset. [Figure 16] This is a diagram illustrating Modification 3 of the valid period during which character capabilities are reset. [Figure 17] This is a flowchart illustrating an example of operation related to collective granting of login bonuses in the second embodiment. [Figure 18] This is a diagram illustrating the number of remaining days until the last day of the current month. [Description of Embodiments]

[0014] Hereinafter, an information processing apparatus, a program, and an information processing system according to embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail. The present invention can be widely applied to information processing apparatuses, programs, information processing systems, and the like that employ games played by users who have paid a game fee for a fixed period (for example, a monthly fee for one month or a fixed fee for a number of days).

[0015] [First Embodiment] <System Configuration> Figure 1 is a configuration diagram showing an example of an information processing system 1 according to the first embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, in this embodiment, the information processing system 1 has one or more client terminals 10 and a server device 20 connected via a network N.

[0016] The client terminal 10 is a terminal device operated by a user, such as a PC, smartphone, or tablet, or a terminal device dedicated to home or business gaming. The server device 20 manages and controls the game played by the user on the client terminal 10, and handles in-game billing. The network N is the internet, etc., and includes mobile wireless base stations.

[0017] Furthermore, in addition to the client-server type information processing system 1 shown in Figure 1, the present invention can also be applied to a standalone game device by separately providing a mechanism for processing in-game charges. The information processing system 1 in Figure 1 is merely an example, and it goes without saying that there are various system configurations depending on the application and purpose. For example, the server device 20 in Figure 1 may be configured by distributing it across multiple computers.

[0018] <Hardware Configuration> Client terminals and server devices Figure 2 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of a computer 50 according to the first embodiment. The client terminal 10 and server device 20 according to this embodiment are realized by a computer 50 with the hardware configuration shown in Figure 2, for example. Note that the computer 50 is an example of an information processing device.

[0019] As shown in Figure 2, the computer 50 includes a CPU 51, RAM 52, ROM 53, communication interface 54, input device 55, display device 56, external interface 57, and HDD 58, and each is interconnected via bus line B. The input device 55 and display device 56 may be connected and used only when necessary.

[0020] The CPU 51 is a computing unit that controls and implements the functions of the entire computer by reading programs and data from storage devices such as ROM 53 and HDD 58 onto RAM 52 and executing various processes based on the read programs and data.

[0021] RAM52 is an example of volatile semiconductor memory (storage device) for temporarily holding programs and data, and is also used as a work area when the CPU51 performs various processes.

[0022] ROM53 is an example of non-volatile semiconductor memory (storage device) that can retain programs and data even when the power is turned off. ROM53 stores programs and data such as the BIOS, OS settings, and network settings that are executed when the computer 50 starts up.

[0023] The communication interface 54 is an interface for connecting the computer 50 to the network N. This allows the computer 50 to perform data communication via the communication interface 54.

[0024] The input device 55 is a device used by a user or administrator to input various signals. In this embodiment, the input device 55 is, for example, an operating device such as a touch panel, operation keys or buttons, a keyboard or mouse.

[0025] The display device 56 is a device for displaying various information on a screen to a user or administrator. In this embodiment, the display device 56 is, for example, a display such as a liquid crystal or an organic EL.

[0026] The external interface 57 is an interface for connecting to an external device in a data communication manner. This allows the computer 50 to read and / or write to a recording medium via the external interface 57. The external device is a recording medium such as a flexible disk, CD, DVD, SD memory card, or USB memory.

[0027] The HDD58 is an example of a non-volatile storage device that stores programs and data. The programs and data stored include the operating system (OS), which is the basic software that controls the entire computer, and applications that provide various functions on the OS.

[0028] Alternatively, instead of the HDD58, a drive device that uses flash memory as a storage medium (for example, a solid-state drive: SSD) may be used.

[0029] The client terminal 10 and server device 20 according to this embodiment can perform various processes as described later by executing a program on the computer 50 with the hardware configuration described above.

[0030] <Software Configuration> Server equipment Figure 3 is a functional block diagram showing an example of a server device 20 according to the first embodiment. The server device 20 according to this embodiment is realized by, for example, the functional blocks shown in Figure 3.

[0031] In this embodiment, the server device 20 implements a server control unit 200, a server storage unit 220, and a server communication unit 240 by executing a program.

[0032] The server control unit 200 has the function of executing various game-related processes. This server control unit 200 includes a game control unit 201, a reward granting unit 202, a reward batch granting unit 203, a payment control unit 204, and a display control unit 205.

[0033] The game control unit 201 controls the progress of various games, such as competitive games and lottery games, which will be described later, based on game operations received from the user by the client terminal 10. In this embodiment, the game control unit 201 also functions as a competitive game control unit and a lottery game control unit.

[0034] The reward granting unit 202 grants login rewards to users upon login. In this embodiment, the reward granting unit 202 grants login rewards to users who have paid game fees for a certain period, and to users who have not paid game fees for a certain period, upon login within a certain period.

[0035] The bulk reward distribution unit 203 distributes login rewards for a certain period in a single batch. In this embodiment, the bulk reward distribution unit 203 distributes login rewards for a certain period in a single batch within a certain period to users who have paid the game fee for a certain period, and to users who have not paid the game fee for a certain period, specifically to users who have paid the game fee for a certain period.

[0036] The payment control unit 204 controls the payment processing for a user when the user performs an operation necessary to pay for game fees for a certain period. In this embodiment, the payment control unit 204 performs the payment processing based on the user's credit information (credit card number, etc.).

[0037] The display control unit 205 generates game screen data, for example, data for granting login bonuses when logging in, or game screen data according to the progress of a competitive game or a lottery game, and controls the screen display on the client terminal 10.

[0038] The server memory unit 220 has the function of storing information related to various games. This server memory unit 220 includes a character information memory unit 221, a user information memory unit 222, and a login bonus information memory unit 223.

[0039] The character information storage unit 221 is an example of a content information storage unit, and stores character information (content information) related to a character as an example of content. The character information stored in the character information storage unit 221 includes various characters used in competitive games and lottery games, as well as various characters used as login bonuses.

[0040] The user information storage unit 222 stores user information about the user. The user information stored in the user information storage unit 222 includes the user's rank, the various characters the user owns, and information to identify whether or not the user is a user who pays a game fee at regular intervals (monthly subscription user).

[0041] The login bonus information storage unit 223 is an example of a reward information storage unit and stores login bonus information (login reward information) related to login bonuses as an example of login rewards. The login bonus information stored in the login bonus information storage unit 223 includes the type and quantity of login bonuses that are given to users when they log in, which are set at regular intervals.

[0042] The server communication unit 240 has the function of communicating with the client terminal 10 via the network N.

[0043] 《Client terminal》 Figure 4 is a functional block diagram showing an example of a client terminal 10 according to the first embodiment. The client terminal 10 according to this embodiment is implemented, for example, by the functional blocks shown in Figure 4.

[0044] In this embodiment, the client terminal 10 implements a client control unit 100, a client storage unit 120, a client communication unit 140, an operation reception unit 150, and a screen display unit 160 by executing a program. The client control unit 100 includes a request transmission unit 101 and a response reception unit 102.

[0045] The operation reception unit 150 receives operations from the user operating the client terminal 10. The client control unit 100 processes game-related operations on the client terminal 10. The request transmission unit 101 sends a request to the server device 20 based on the content of the operation received from the user by the operation reception unit 150. The response reception unit 102 receives responses such as processing results for the requests sent by the request transmission unit 101 to the server device 20.

[0046] Furthermore, the client storage unit 120 stores information necessary for the client terminal 10. The client communication unit 140 communicates with the server device 20. The screen display unit 160 displays information on the client terminal 10 screen according to the control from the server device 20.

[0047] As mentioned above, in the information processing system 1 according to this embodiment, the server device 20 controls the game's progress and display, but this may also be done by the client terminal 10. Specifically, at least a portion of the functional parts of the server control unit 200 may be configured not to be provided in the server control unit 200 of the server device 20, while they may be provided in the client control unit 100 of the client terminal 10.

[0048] Furthermore, the client control unit 100 of the client terminal 10 is a browser type that receives page data written in HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language), scripts contained within the page data, etc., from the server device 20 and performs processing related to the game. In addition, the client control unit 100 of the client terminal 10 is an application type that performs processing related to the game based on the installed application.

[0049] <Overview> This section describes the system outline in the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the system provides the user with a competitive game and a lottery game.

[0050] The competitive game in this embodiment is a game in which an enemy character appears against a party consisting of multiple characters, and the appearing enemy character is made to fight against each character in the party.

[0051] This battle game features multiple quests of varying difficulty levels, all aimed at defeating enemy characters. Users can form a party using their own characters and select a quest to battle enemy characters. During the battle, the user may be granted characters that are available for acquisition in the selected quest.

[0052] The lottery game in this embodiment is a game in which, upon receiving an operation from the user to perform a character lottery, one of several characters is selected from among the characters that are the subject of the lottery, based on the lottery probability of each character, and the selected character is given to the user.

[0053] In this lottery game, characters with higher rarity have a lower chance of being drawn. Users can use the characters they obtain through the lottery to form their own party and participate in battle games.

[0054] Furthermore, in the system of this embodiment, users can become monthly subscribers by paying a monthly game fee (monthly fee). As a monthly subscriber, if you pay the game fee for this month, for example, you can receive benefits for the month of this month only.

[0055] For example, a user who hasn't paid their monthly game fee (a regular user) can receive a login bonus once a day if they log in to the game within the current month. To continue receiving the login bonus throughout this month, they must log in every day for the entire month. Therefore, regular users may find this gradual process of receiving login bonuses over a set period cumbersome.

[0056] In contrast, monthly subscription users who have paid their game fees for the month will be able to receive all of their login bonuses for the month at once. This eliminates the hassle of having to log in for a month to receive login bonuses in stages, making it easy for monthly subscription users to receive a certain period's worth of login bonuses.

[0057] <Operation> 《Bulk distribution of login bonuses》 Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation related to the bulk distribution of login bonuses in the first embodiment.

[0058] When the payment screen is displayed on the screen display unit 160 of the client terminal 10, the user performs the necessary operations on the client terminal 10 to pay the game fee for the current month. When such operations are performed by the user on the payment screen, the operation reception unit 150 of the client terminal 10 receives the details of the operations based on the user's actions.

[0059] The request transmission unit 101 of the client terminal 10 transmits a payment request to the server device 20 for this month's game fees, along with operation information including the user ID and password, based on the operation content received from the user by the operation reception unit 150 (step S11).

[0060] Next, when the payment control unit 204 of the server device 20 receives a payment request from the client terminal 10 for this month's game fees, it retrieves the user's credit information from the user information stored in the user information storage unit 222 according to the operation information including the user ID and password, and executes a payment process to deduct this month's game fees using the retrieved credit information (step S12).

[0061] Furthermore, in this payment process, since the necessary actions for paying this month's game fees have been taken, it is possible to reserve (or renew) the payment for this month's game fees instead of immediately deducting the fees. The payment can then be completed at the end of the month.

[0062] Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of user information. The user information shown in Figure 6 includes items such as user ID, number of items owned, owned characters, party, credit information, log history information, and monthly subscription user information. The user ID is information used to uniquely identify a user. The number of items owned indicates the number of items owned by the user. These items are consumed when playing competitive games or lottery games. The owned characters indicate the one or more characters owned by the user at the time. Here, as shown in parentheses in the figure, the ability values ​​(level, attack power, defense power, etc.) of the owned characters at the time are also set. The party indicates information about each character that makes up the user's party. Credit information is information about the credit number or account number set by the user. Log history information is information showing the user's log history. Monthly subscription user information is information about monthly subscription users.

[0063] Next, if the payment processing is successfully completed in this manner, the game control unit 201 of the server device 20 updates the monthly subscription user information set in the user information and sets the user who performed the operation on the payment screen as the monthly subscription user for this month (step S13).

[0064] Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of monthly subscription user information. The monthly subscription user information shown in Figure 7 includes items such as Payment Target, Monthly Subscription User, and Payment Date. Payment Target indicates the month for which the monthly fee is payable. Here, it is assumed that the current month is September, and it is shown that the user has finished paying the game fee for September, but has not yet paid the game fee for the previous month (August) or the following month (October). Monthly Subscription User indicates whether or not the user is a monthly subscription user for that month. Payment Date indicates the date and time the game fee for that month was paid.

[0065] Next, the batch reward distribution unit 203 of the server device 20 distributes the login bonus for this month to the monthly subscription users set in the process of step S13 above (step S14).

[0066] Specifically, the bonus distribution unit 203 of the server device 20 distributes all login bonuses set for the current month to monthly subscribers based on the login bonus information stored in the login bonus information storage unit 223. For example, if the current month is September, 30 days' worth (1 month's worth) of login bonuses will be distributed all at once.

[0067] Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of login bonus information. The login bonus information shown in Figure 8 includes items such as reward ID, provision period, and reward content. The reward ID is information used to uniquely identify the reward. The provision period indicates the period during which the login bonus can be granted. The reward content indicates the content of the login bonus granted when logging in during that provision period. In this case, items and characters are set as login bonuses, and as indicated in parentheses in the figure, the number of items or characters to be granted is also set.

[0068] Next, the batch reward distribution unit 203 of the server device 20 requests the display control unit 205 to execute screen display control so that the game screen related to the batch distribution of login bonuses is displayed on the client terminal 10. When the display control unit 205 of the server device 20 receives a request from the batch reward distribution unit 203 to execute screen display control, it performs control to display the batch login bonus distribution screen on the screen display unit 160 of the client terminal 10 (step S15).

[0069] Figure 9 is an illustrative image showing an example of a screen where login bonuses are granted all at once. This login bonus grant screen 500 shows that the login bonuses for September have been granted all at once, and that daily login bonuses cannot be received during the month of September.

[0070] In this way, monthly subscription users who have paid their game fees for the month can view this login bonus bulk grant screen on client terminal 10 to confirm that their login bonuses for the month have been granted all at once.

[0071] Login bonus will be awarded. Figure 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation related to the granting of login bonuses in the first embodiment.

[0072] When the login screen for the competitive game is displayed on the screen display unit 160 of the client terminal 10, the user performs a login operation on the client terminal 10 to log in to the competitive game. When the user performs a login operation on this login screen, the operation reception unit 150 of the client terminal 10 receives the operation details based on the user's login operation.

[0073] The request transmission unit 101 of the client terminal 10 transmits a login request for the competitive game to the server device 20, including login operation information such as user ID and password, based on the operation content received from the user by the operation reception unit 150 (step S21).

[0074] Next, when the game control unit 201 of the server device 20 receives a login request for a competitive game from the client terminal 10, it executes the login process for that competitive game according to the login operation information, including the user ID and password (step S22).

[0075] Specifically, the game control unit 201 of the server device 20 performs user authentication by referring to the user information stored in the user information storage unit 222 based on the user ID and other information associated with the login request. If the game control unit 201 of the server device 20 successfully authenticates the user, it updates the log history information set in that user information and adds the login date and time for that game.

[0076] Figure 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of log history information. The log history information shown in Figure 11 includes items such as log ID, login date and time, and logout date and time. The log ID is information used to uniquely identify log data. The login date and time indicates the date and time when the user logged into the game. The logout date and time indicates the date and time when the user logged out.

[0077] Next, when the login process for the competitive game is completed in this manner, the game control unit 201 of the server device 20 retrieves monthly subscription user information from the user information stored in the user information storage unit 222, and by referring to the retrieved monthly subscription user information, determines whether the logged-in user is a monthly subscription user who has paid the game fee for this month (step S23).

[0078] If the result of this determination determines that the user is a monthly subscriber who has paid for this month's game fees, the process proceeds to step S26 described below. On the other hand, if the result determines that the user is not a monthly subscriber who has paid for this month's game fees, the process proceeds to the next step, S24.

[0079] Next, if the server device 20 determines that the user is not a monthly subscription user who has paid the game fee for this month (step S23: NO), the login bonus information storage unit 223 stores login bonus information and grants today's login bonus from this month's login bonus to the regular user who has not paid the game fee for this month (step S24).

[0080] Specifically, the reward granting unit 202 of the server device 20 grants the login bonus set for that day only when the user logs in for the first time that day, based on the login bonus information stored in the login bonus information storage unit 223. In other words, the login bonus is granted only once a day.

[0081] Please note that for monthly subscription users who have already paid their game fees for this month, this month's login bonus has already been granted in a lump sum, so today's login bonus will not be granted again.

[0082] Next, the reward granting unit 202 of the server device 20 grants today's login bonus to regular users who have not paid their game fees for this month, and then requests the display control unit 205 to execute screen display control so that a game screen related to the granting of the login bonus is displayed on the client terminal 10. When the display control unit 205 of the server device 20 receives a request from the reward granting unit 202 to execute screen display control, it performs control to display the login bonus granting screen on the screen display unit 160 of the client terminal 10 (step S25).

[0083] In this embodiment, the login bonus granting screen will be displayed to regular users who have not paid their monthly game fee, but it will be omitted for monthly subscription users who have paid their monthly game fee. Therefore, the inconvenience of logging in is eliminated.

[0084] Next, the display control unit 205 of the server device 20 controls the transition from the login bonus granting screen to displaying the menu screen on the screen display unit 160 of the client terminal 10 (step S26).

[0085] As described above, according to the information processing system 1 of the first embodiment, by paying the game fee for the current month, users can become monthly subscription users and receive the login bonus for the current month all at once as a reward for paying the game fee for the current month. This eliminates the hassle of having to log in every day for a month in order to receive the login bonus in stages, making it easy to receive the login bonus for the current month.

[0086] [Second Embodiment] Next, the information processing system 1 according to the second embodiment will be described. The configuration of the information processing system 1 according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the information processing system 1 according to the first embodiment described above.

[0087] In the first embodiment described above, monthly subscription users who have paid their game fees for the current month are able to receive their login bonuses for the current month all at once as a reward for paying their game fees for the current month.

[0088] In contrast, in the second embodiment, monthly subscription users who have paid the game fee for the current month can receive the login bonus for the current month all at once as a reward for paying the game fee for the current month, and are also given an advantage in competitive games for the entire month.

[0089] <Operation> [Bulk distribution of login bonuses and changes to character abilities] Figure 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation related to the batch distribution of login bonuses and the resetting of character abilities in the second embodiment. Figure 13 is a diagram illustrating the validity period during which character abilities are reset.

[0090] In Figure 13, we assume that the current month is "September" and the next month is "October," and that the user becomes a monthly subscription user upon payment of the game fee for September. Furthermore, the processes of steps S31 to S33 and steps S35 to S36 in the flowchart shown in Figure 12 are the same as in the first embodiment and are the same as the processes of steps S11 to S15 in the flowchart shown in Figure 5. Therefore, the process of step S34 will be explained below.

[0091] As shown in Figure 12, when the game control unit 201 of the server device 20 is set as a monthly paying user for this month by paying the game fee for this month in step S33, it sets the character abilities so that the user can play competitive games advantageously for the month (step S34).

[0092] Specifically, the game control unit 201 of the server device 20 retrieves the characters owned by the monthly subscription user from the user information stored in the user information storage unit 222. Then, the game control unit 201 of the server device 20 resets the current ability values ​​of the retrieved owned characters. Here, as shown in Figure 13, the current ability values ​​(level, attack power, etc.) of the owned characters are increased so that the user can gain an advantage in competitive games, but only for the current month.

[0093] This is expected to encourage monthly subscribers who have paid their game fees for the month to actively play the game throughout the month, rather than being satisfied with receiving all of their login bonuses at once.

[0094] 《Example 1》 Figure 14 illustrates a modified example 1 of the validity period during which character abilities are reset.

[0095] In the second embodiment, it is possible not only to set the game so that players can gain an advantage during the one-month period of this month, as described above, but also to set it so that players can gain an advantage even after the one-month period of this month has passed.

[0096] In other words, when the game control unit 201 of the server device 20 resets the current ability values ​​of the acquired character, as shown in Figure 14, it is also possible to increase the current ability values ​​of the character so that it can play competitive games at an advantage for a limited period of one month in the following month.

[0097] This is expected to encourage monthly subscribers who have paid their game fees for the month to continue playing the game even after the month has passed, rather than being satisfied with receiving their login bonuses all at once.

[0098] 《Modified Example 2》 Figure 15 illustrates a variation 2 of the validity period during which character abilities are reset.

[0099] In the second embodiment, in addition to setting the game to be advantageous for the entire month as described above, it is also possible to set the game to be advantageous for a portion of the month.

[0100] In other words, when the game control unit 201 of the server device 20 resets the current ability values ​​of the acquired character, as shown in Figure 15, it is also possible to increase the current ability values ​​(level, attack power, etc.) of the character so that, for example, only during the latter half of this month, the player can have an advantage in competitive games.

[0101] This means that monthly subscribers who have paid their game fees for the month are more likely to resume playing the game in the second half of the month, even if they interrupt their gameplay during the first half of the month.

[0102] Variation 3 Figure 16 illustrates variation 3 of the validity period during which character abilities are reset.

[0103] In the second embodiment, instead of setting a partial period only once within the month as in the modified example 2, it is also possible to set multiple partial periods.

[0104] In other words, when the game control unit 201 of the server device 20 resets the current ability values ​​of the acquired character, as shown in Figure 16, it is possible to set two predetermined periods within this month, for example, and increase the current ability values ​​of the acquired character so that the player can compete more advantageously in the game during each predetermined period.

[0105] This means that monthly subscribers who have paid their game fees for this month will have a greater chance of returning to the game even if they interrupted their gameplay during the month, which is expected to encourage them to play more actively again.

[0106] [Third Embodiment] Next, the information processing system 1 according to the third embodiment will be described. The configuration of the information processing system 1 according to the third embodiment is the same as that of the information processing system 1 according to the first embodiment described above.

[0107] In the first embodiment described above, if the necessary actions to pay the game fee for the current month are performed within the current month, users will be able to receive the login bonus for the current month all at once as a reward for paying the game fee for the current month.

[0108] In contrast, in the second embodiment, if the necessary operations to pay the game fee for the current month are performed within the current month, the login bonus for the remaining period until the end of the current month will be received in a lump sum.

[0109] <Operation> 《Bulk distribution of login bonuses》 Figure 17 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation related to the bulk distribution of login bonuses in the second embodiment.

[0110] The processes in steps S41 to S43 and S46 in the flowchart shown in Figure 17 are the same as in the first embodiment and are the same as the processes in steps S11 to S13 and S15 in the flowchart shown in Figure 5. Therefore, the processes in steps S44 to S45 will be described below.

[0111] As shown in Figure 17, the batch benefit granting unit 203 of the server device 20, when set as a monthly billing user for this month by paying the game fee for this month in step S43, calculates the number of days remaining from the day the monthly billing user performs the operation necessary to pay the game fee for this month until the end of the month (step S44).

[0112] Next, the bonus granting unit 203 of the server device 20, once the number of remaining days until the end of the month is determined in step S44 above, grants login bonuses for the remaining days in a single batch (step S45).

[0113] Specifically, the bonus granting unit 203 of the server device 20 grants the remaining login bonuses set for each day of the month to the monthly subscriber, based on the login bonus information stored in the login bonus information storage unit 223, out of all the login bonuses set for the month, all by the end of the month.

[0114] Figure 18 illustrates the remaining number of days until the end of the current month. In Figure 18, it is assumed that the current month is "September," and that the user becomes a monthly subscription user upon payment of the September game fee.

[0115] For example, if a user performs the necessary action to pay for this month's game fee on September 10th, the number of days remaining until the end of the month on September 30th will be 20. Therefore, 20 days' worth of login bonuses (i.e., all the login bonuses set from September 11th to September 30th) will be awarded all at once.

[0116] For example, if a user performs the necessary actions to pay for this month's game fees on September 20th, the remaining days until the end of the month on September 30th will be 10 days. Therefore, 10 days' worth of login bonuses (i.e., all the login bonuses set from September 21st to September 30th) will be awarded all at once.

[0117] This means that the more days remaining until the end of the month, the more login bonuses users will receive, encouraging them to take action to pay their monthly game fees earlier. As a result, monthly game fees will be paid more proactively.

[0118] [Other embodiments] The embodiments described above are for the purpose of facilitating understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit its interpretation. The present invention can be modified and improved without departing from its spirit, and equivalents thereof are also included. In particular, embodiments described below are also included in the present invention.

[0119] <Alternative benefits> In the embodiment described above, the bulk reward granting unit 203 may grant alternative rewards for a certain period in a single batch, rather than login rewards for a certain period.

[0120] For example, let's assume this month is "September," and that paying the game fee for September makes the user a monthly subscriber. The login bonus rewards for September 1st to September 15th have been determined, but the rewards for September 16th to September 30th have not yet been determined. In this case, since the rewards for all 30 days (one month) of the login bonus have not yet been determined, it would be impossible to grant the September login bonus all at once. Therefore, alternative items are set for each day from September 16th to September 30th as the login bonus for which the rewards have not yet been determined. Then, when granting the September login bonus all at once, the 30 days' worth of login bonuses (one month's worth), including the 15 days' worth of alternative items, are granted in a single batch.

[0121] For example, when awarding login bonuses for September all at once, instead of awarding all the login bonuses set for September 1st to September 30th at once, it is also acceptable to award a more valuable alternative reward equivalent to 30 days (1 month) of bonuses all at once.

[0122] <Steps required to pay this month's game fees> In the above-described embodiment, as an operation required to pay the game fee for the current month, the login bonus for the current month can be received in a lump sum by performing a payment operation to pay the game fee for the current month. Alternatively, as an operation required to pay the game fee for the current month, it is also possible to receive the login bonus for the current month in a lump sum by performing a reservation operation to promise payment, which is a preliminary step before paying the game fee for the current month. Furthermore, if paying the game fee for the current month following the game fee for the previous month, it is also possible to receive the login bonus for the current month in a lump sum by performing an update reservation operation to promise update, which is a preliminary step before updating to pay the game fee for the current month.

[0123] Furthermore, among multiple monthly subscription users who have renewed their subscriptions to pay for this month's game fees following last month's payment, it is possible to match users who renewed their subscriptions around the same time and set them up to play the same game. Similarly, it is also possible to match users who reserved their renewals around the same time. This allows for efficient matching of monthly subscription users who continue to play the game. Furthermore, it is possible to grant renewal bonuses to monthly subscribers who renew their subscription to pay for this month's game fee, in addition to the login bonus given as a lump sum for the current month. In this case, the earlier the renewal is performed during the current month, the more valuable the renewal bonus can be.

[0124] <Game Fees> In the embodiment described above, instead of setting a uniform game fee for the current month, it is also possible to set a game fee based on the number of days remaining from the day the user performs the necessary actions to pay the game fee until the end of the month. For example, the game fee could be set at 1500 yen if there are 30 days remaining, 1000 yen if there are 20 days remaining, and 500 yen if there are 10 days remaining. In addition, users could be allowed to select a game fee based on the number of days remaining until the end of the month, and login bonuses for the selected number of remaining days could be granted to the user in a lump sum.

[0125] Furthermore, game fees may be set according to a predetermined number of days from the day of payment or the following day. In this case, the login bonus granted to the user in a lump sum is not limited to the current month. For example, a full month's worth of login bonuses may be granted in a lump sum, spanning across months, based on the user's action to pay the game fee.

[0126] <Gain an advantage in competitive games> In the second embodiment described above, an example was given in which the ability values ​​set for the characters owned by monthly paying users were increased in order to allow them to progress through the competitive game more advantageously for the current month. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is also possible to rent special weapons or items in order to allow users to progress through the competitive game more advantageously for the current month. Alternatively, for example, it is also possible to reduce the number of items consumed when playing the competitive game in order to allow users to progress through the competitive game more advantageously for the current month.

[0127] <Payment Control Department> In the embodiment described above, the case in which the server device 20 is equipped with a payment control unit 204 was used as an example, but it is also possible to control the payment process by providing the payment control unit 204 in another server device. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0128] 1. Information Processing System 10 client terminals 20 Server Devices 50 Computers 51 CPU 52 RAM 53 ROM 54 Communication Interfaces 55 Input device 56 Display device 57 External Interfaces 58 HDD 100 Client Control Unit 101 Request transmission unit 102 Response receiving unit 120 Client Storage Unit 140 Client Communications Department 150 Operation reception unit 160 Screen display section 200 Server Control Unit 201 Game Control Unit 202 Special Offer Department 203. Department for Granting Benefits in a Bulk. 204 Payment Control Unit 205 Display Control Unit 220 Server Storage Units 221 Character Information Storage Unit 222 User Information Storage Unit 223 Login Bonus Information Storage Unit 240 Server Communications Department Screen for granting 500 login bonuses in bulk. B Bus Line N Network

Claims

1. Computers, A first method that allows users to play the game regardless of whether they are paying users who have paid the prescribed amount for a set period or non-paying users who have not, and that allows paying users to progress through the game more advantageously than non-paying users. For non-paying users, even if they do not log in every unit period within a predetermined period, the login benefits set for the period in which they are logged in will be granted on a per-login basis, and if they log in every unit period within the predetermined period, the login benefits set for the predetermined period will be granted on a per-login basis. A third means for granting login benefits set for a predetermined period to paying users, even if they do not log in at each unit period within a predetermined period, A program that makes it function as such.

2. Computers, The first method is to allow users to play the game regardless of whether they are paying users who have paid a monthly subscription fee or non-paying users who have not, and to allow paying users to progress through the game more advantageously than non-paying users. For non-paying users, even if they do not log in daily within a month, the login bonus for the day they log in from the login bonus set for that month will be granted on a daily basis, and if they log in daily within a month, the login bonus set for that month will be granted on a daily basis, the login bonus set for that month will be granted on a daily basis, the login bonus set for that month. A third method for granting login benefits set for a given month to paying users on a monthly basis, even if they do not log in every day during that month. A program that makes it function as such.

3. A first method that allows users to play the game regardless of whether they are paying users who have paid the prescribed amount for a set period or non-paying users who have not, and that allows paying users to progress through the game more advantageously than non-paying users, A second means provides non-paying users with login benefits set for the login period, even if they do not log in every unit period within a predetermined period, and provides the login benefits set for the login period if they log in every unit period within the predetermined period, and provides the login benefits set for the predetermined period on a per-login-period basis. A third means for granting login benefits set for a predetermined period to paying users, even if they do not log in at each unit period within a predetermined period, An information processing device equipped with the following features.

4. The first method allows users to play the game regardless of whether they are paying users who have paid a monthly subscription fee or non-paying users who have not, and enables paying users to progress through the game more advantageously than non-paying users. A second method provides non-paying users with the following benefits: Even if they do not log in daily within a month, they will receive the login benefits set for that month on a daily basis; and if they log in daily within a month, they will receive the login benefits set for that month on a daily basis. A third method for granting paying users the login benefits set for a given month, even if they do not log in daily during that month, on a monthly basis. An information processing device equipped with the following features.

5. Computers The game will be playable regardless of whether the user is a paying user who has paid the prescribed amount for a set period or a non-paying user who has not, and paying users will be able to progress through the game more advantageously than non-paying users. For non-paying users, even if they do not log in every unit period within a predetermined period, the login benefits set for the period they are logged in will be granted on a per-login basis. If they log in every unit period within the predetermined period, the login benefits set for the predetermined period will be granted on a per-login basis. For paying users, even if they do not log in every unit period within a predetermined period, the login benefits set for that predetermined period will be granted in units of that predetermined period. Information processing methods including

6. Computers The game will be playable regardless of whether the user is a paying user who has paid the monthly subscription fee or a non-paying user who has not, and paying users will have an advantage over non-paying users in the game. For non-paying users, even if they do not log in daily within a month, the login bonus for the day they log in will be granted on a daily basis, and if they log in daily within a month, the login bonus for the day they log in will be granted on a daily basis, as set for that month. For paying users, even if they do not log in every day during that month, the login benefits set for that month will be granted on a monthly basis. Information processing methods including

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