Program, game device, and game system

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a highly entertaining play experience. [Solution] A program causes a computer that executes a match game to execute acquisition processing for acquiring player information about a player, lottery game processing, granting processing for granting a privilege to a player on condition of completion of the lottery game processing, and control processing for controlling at least one of the lottery game processing and the granting processing. The lottery game processing is executed during execution of the match game, and the control processing adjusts the privilege granted to the player on the basis of the player information.

Description

Program, game device and game system

[0001] The present invention relates to a program, a game device, and a game system, and more particularly to an electronic game that progresses by manipulating game media.

[0002] There are electronic games that provide special benefits to players who use game devices during campaign periods, etc. (Patent Document 1).

[0003] Patent No. 7204966

[0004] In the game device described in Patent Document 1, when the device is used a predetermined number of times during a period, predetermined game elements are provided in order, and when the device is used thereafter, game elements selected by lottery from among the game elements that have already been provided are provided. However, with the provision method described in Patent Document 1, for example, a player who uses the device many times may repeatedly receive similar game elements, and there is a possibility that the provision of interesting elements may not work effectively for players who are particularly interested in the game.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a program, a game device, and a game system that provide a highly entertaining playing experience.

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is a program that causes a computer executing a competitive game to execute an acquisition process that acquires player information about a player, a lottery game process, an awarding process that awards a benefit to the player on the condition that the lottery game process is completed, and a control process that controls at least one of the lottery game process and the awarding process, wherein the lottery game process is executed while the competitive game is being executed, and the control process adjusts the benefit to be awarded to the player based on the player information.

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a highly entertaining playing experience.

[0008] A block diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of a game device 100 according to an embodiment and a modification of the present invention. A diagram illustrating the appearance of a game device 100 according to an embodiment and a modification of the present invention. A diagram showing an example of the data configuration of player information referenced in a fighting game and a lottery game according to an embodiment and a modification of the present invention. A diagram for explaining adjustment of the awarding of a benefit according to an embodiment and a modification of the present invention. A diagram illustrating a display presented to a player in relation to adjustment of the awarding of a benefit according to an embodiment and a modification of the present invention. A flowchart illustrating the awarding process executed in a game device 100 according to embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0009] [Embodiment 1] Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiment does not limit the invention according to the claims, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiment are necessarily essential to the invention. Two or more of the features described in the embodiment may be combined arbitrarily. Furthermore, the same reference numerals are used for the same or similar configurations, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0010] In the embodiment described below, the present invention is applied to an example of a gaming device that runs a lottery game while a player is using the device and awards a bonus to the player. However, the present invention can be applied to any device that can run a competitive game that includes an opportunity to award a bonus to a player.

[0011] <Hardware Configuration of Game Device> FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a game device 100 according to this embodiment.

[0012] The control unit 101 is a processor such as a CPU, and performs operation control of each piece of hardware included in the game device 100, and control related to the realization of various functions including the function of providing a game play experience. Specifically, the control unit 101 performs the relevant control by, for example, reading out a necessary program stored in the storage device 102, expanding it into the memory 103, and executing it.

[0013] The storage device 102 is a device capable of permanently storing information, such as a non-volatile memory or HDD. The storage device 102 stores an operating system for operating the game device 100, programs related to the game that provides the play experience, as well as parameter information required to realize various controls and various data related to the game that provides the play experience. The memory 103 is a storage device used for temporary data storage, such as a volatile memory. The memory 103 may be used not only as a development area for each program, but also as a storage area for temporarily storing data output during the operation of various hardware and various controls.

[0014] The GPU 104 is a rendering device that executes various rendering processes related to the generation of game screens and other screens and images presented during the game play experience. The GPU 104 includes a GPU memory (not shown), and develops various graphics data read from the storage device 102 and performs predetermined calculations to generate various images including screens. The screens and images generated by the GPU 104 are presented to the player by being displayed on a display device included in a presentation device 110 provided in the game device 100, for example.

[0015] The presentation device 110 is a device equipped with an information presentation function included in the game device 100. In one aspect, the presentation device 110 includes a display device such as a liquid crystal display that displays a screen generated by the GPU 104. Furthermore, the means for presenting information in the game device 100 is not limited to devices that present visual information, such as a display device or a lighting device, but may include other types of information presentation means, such as an audio output device such as a speaker that presents auditory information, or a force feedback device that presents tactile information. In this case, the information to be presented may be, for example, data read from the storage device 102 or data configured by the control unit 101 as needed.

[0016] Operation I / F 105 is a user interface provided in game device 100 that accepts operation input. When operation I / F 105 detects that an operation input has been made, it outputs a control signal corresponding to the operation input to control unit 101. In one aspect, operation I / F 105 includes operation members such as a button for entering a decision or a button for selecting an input, various sensors, etc. Furthermore, in an aspect in which presentation device 110 includes a display device capable of detecting touch input, operation I / F 105 includes a touch input detection sensor provided on the display device.

[0017] The communication I / F 106 is a communication interface with an external device provided in the game device 100. Information communication between the communication I / F 106 and the external device may be performed via a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet, or via a LAN or the like. The information communication performed by the communication I / F 106 may be performed either wired or wireless, and in the latter case, may include, for example, short-range wireless communication or proximity wireless communication.

[0018] The payment device 120 is a device that accepts payment of the price for use of the game device 100. The price can be treated as having been paid, for example, when a predetermined amount of coins or an equivalent coin is inserted into an insertion slot (not shown), or when a payment process based on communication with a chip related to predetermined electronic money is completed. When the payment device 120 detects that the price has been paid, it outputs a control signal indicating this to the control unit 101. Unless otherwise specified in the following description, when the game device 100 detects that a price has been paid while in a state where it is not being used by any player (standby state), it will switch its state to a state where it can provide a game play experience and start providing services to the player.

[0019] The reader 130 is a device provided in the game device 100 that acquires information from a real object. The information acquisition method of the reader 130 can be, for example, a method of reading a code attached to the exterior of the real object using an imaging device. In another aspect, the information acquisition method of the reader 130 can be any information acquisition method, such as a method of reading information from a predetermined chip built into the real object, or a method of monitoring the input state of a predetermined switch or the conduction state of a connection terminal in the attachment portion when the real object is attached to the game device 100. The information acquired by the reader 130 is transmitted to the control unit 101 and used, for example, to control the progress of the game or the content of the services provided.

[0020] The providing device 140 is a device equipped with a function of providing real items stored in advance. The game device 100 of this embodiment is configured so that, when a predetermined condition is met, such as when service provision begins, the providing device 140 provides a predetermined number of real items under the control of the control unit 101. In one aspect, the providing device 140 can provide the real items stored in a built-in stocker in the order in which they were stored. In another aspect, the providing device 140 can provide the stored real items after performing predetermined processing. In one aspect, the real items provided by the providing device 140 can be items to which information that can be acquired by the reader 130 is attached.

[0021] In this embodiment, the hardware configuration is described as being built into the housing of the game device 100, but the implementation of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, at least one of the presentation device 110, payment device 120, reader 130, and provision device 140 may be provided outside the housing of the game device 100 and configured to be usable by being connected to the game device 100.

[0022] <Details of Presentation Device> As shown in FIG. 2 , the presentation device 110 of this embodiment includes a first display unit 111 and a second display unit 112 .

[0023] The first display unit 111 is a display device that also functions as the reader 130 and is also configured as a placement unit on which actual game items (hereinafter sometimes referred to as game media) can be placed. The first display unit 111 is a display device that presents a display screen using, for example, a rear projection method, and intermittently captures images of the game media placed on a placement surface (display surface) from behind to identify the game media, detect the placement position of the game media, and acquire information attached to the game media. The placement surface of the first display unit 111 is not only used to acquire information from the game media, but is also configured to allow game operation input by moving the game media on the placement surface. Hereinafter, the placement surface of the first display unit 111 may be simply referred to as a placement unit.

[0024] The reader 130 can acquire information attached to the game media placed on the placement unit. The game media available on the game device 100 of this embodiment are made up of cards, and include a character card associated with one character related to the fighting game, and a player card having information about the player.

[0025] The reader 130 acquires, from the character card placed on the placement unit, information (character ID) for uniquely identifying the character associated with the character card. The storage device 102 includes a character DB that manages various information (character information) about characters appearing in the fighting game executed on the game device 100, and based on the acquired character ID, the reader 130 can acquire character information corresponding to the character card from the character DB and use it in processing the fighting game. In other words, when playing the fighting game, a player can place a character card on the placement unit to have one of the characters associated with the character card appear in the fighting game as a character used by the player.

[0026] The reader 130 also acquires, from the player card placed on the placement section, information (player ID) that uniquely identifies the player. Based on the player ID, the control unit 101 can acquire player information that includes various information about the player. The player information is managed, for example, in an external server to which the game device 100 can communicate via a network (not shown), and is configured to enable acquisition of the player information at any game device 100 used by the player. Note that in this embodiment, the player information is acquired based on the player ID acquired from the player card in response to the player card being placed on the placement section. However, the implementation of the present invention is not limited to this, and the player information may be configured to be acquired directly from the player card.

[0027] Furthermore, the player card may be used not only as a game medium for obtaining a player ID, but also as a character card associated with a player-specific character that can be customized by the player. In such a case, the player information includes information such as parameters of the character in the fighting game that are specific to the player.

[0028] In this way, the game device 100 of this embodiment is configured so that by placing a character card on the first display unit 111, which is the placement unit, the character associated with the character card can appear in the playing competitive game. The reader 130 also acquires the positions on the placement unit of the game media (character cards and player cards) placed on the placement unit. The position information of each game media acquired by the reader 130 is detected as an operation by the player during the competitive game in accordance with the movement transition. In other words, by performing an operation to move a character card on the placement unit during the execution of the competitive game, the player can perform an operation input to, for example, change the position or role of a character in the competitive game, or specify a specific command.

[0029] In contrast, the second display unit 112 provided above the first display unit 111 is a display device such as an LCD. The second display unit 112 is in an inclined position so that it is not possible to place any actual game items on it, and is used only to present information.

[0030] <<Outline of the Battle Game>> The following describes a battle game in which a play experience is provided on the game device 100 of this embodiment.

[0031] The competitive game provided as a play experience on the game device 100 is a competitive game in which characters used by each player compete against other players using other game devices 100 at the same time, or against NPCs (Non-Player Characters). The characters used by each player are registered based on the game media that the player places on the placement surface of the first display unit 111. The characters registered for each player are managed as a team, and the competitive game is played between the player's team and the opponent's team.

[0032] The competitive game is initiated when the payment device 120 detects that a payment has been made. The competitive game includes a "matching stage" in which an opponent is matched with the player, and an "execution stage" in which a play experience related to the competitive game is provided (enabling the player to experience the gameplay provided for the competitive game). In the matching stage, the player can choose whether to compete against another player using the game device 100 at the same time, or against an NPC. The former is selected when the player performs an operation related to a matching request (such as a menu selection) after paying the payment, and the latter is selected when the player does not make a matching request, or when the player makes a matching request but is not matched with an opponent player.

[0033] When using the game device 100 with a player card, the player can be provided with a play experience that reflects the player information associated with that player. The player information includes the player's past use history of the game device 100 and information on elements that are open to use for the player, and by reflecting the player information, it becomes possible to use the game device 100 with continuous exciting elements related to a competitive game.

[0034] The competitive game provided by the game device 100 of this embodiment is configured so that at least one game element is provided to the player for each execution stage of game play that is performed by acquiring player information. That is, in a competitive game in which a player is identified and played, game elements are provided to the player for each execution stage that occurs during that game. Here, the process related to the competitive game in this embodiment refers to a series of processes provided in connection with a single use of the game device 100 by a player, and at least one set of a matching stage and an execution stage occurs during the execution of the process related to the competitive game. The game elements provided to the player during the competitive game are configured as electronic data, associated with player information related to the player, and can be used in subsequent game plays. In other words, the player information is provided to the player and includes information on game elements owned by the player.

[0035] From the perspective of promoting use of the game device 100, it is preferable to provide opportunities for additional game elements in addition to providing such constant game elements. The game device 100 of this embodiment is configured to be able to execute a lottery game during execution of a competitive game, and is configured to award game elements to a player in the form of a bonus upon completion of the lottery game. The lottery game process may be executed, for example, upon consumption of a "lottery ticket," which is a type of game element awarded to a player upon use of the game device 100 or the occurrence of an execution stage. Each player may hold multiple lottery tickets, and the player may consume the lottery ticket at a predetermined timing, such as during the "matching stage" of the competitive game, to perform an operation input related to starting execution of the lottery game process. Therefore, multiple lottery games may be executed during execution of the competitive game.

[0036] In the game device 100 of this embodiment, a plurality of lottery items are provided in the lottery game, and one of these is selected as a winning result as a result of the lottery game processing. Each of the lottery items is associated with a game element as a benefit to be awarded when the item is won, and the player is awarded the game element corresponding to the lottery item selected as a winning result as a benefit. In other words, the lottery game processing is completed on the condition that the winning result is confirmed, and the game element associated with the lottery item that was won is awarded to the player as a benefit and becomes in the player's possession. The game element in the possession state can be used in subsequent game plays of the competitive game by the player, just like game elements that are permanently awarded.

[0037] On the other hand, when an opportunity to acquire game elements is provided through a lottery game process, some players may not be able to enjoy the benefits associated with the opportunity, and the provision of suitable services may not be guaranteed. For example, if a player already owns the maximum number of game elements associated with a lottery item that he or she won, even if that game element is granted as a benefit through the lottery game, the player's number of game elements owned by that player cannot be increased, and as a result, the player may not be able to acquire that game element.

[0038] For this reason, in the game device 100 of this embodiment, player information is referenced when executing the lottery game process, and the processing content is controlled so as to realize the awarding of an appropriate benefit to the player. More specifically, the control unit 101 checks whether the awarding conditions of the game elements associated with each lottery item are satisfied based on the player information, and if there is a lottery item for which the awarding conditions are not satisfied, performs control to adjust the benefit to be awarded to the player by the lottery game process.

[0039] <Player Information> Here, the data structure of player information referenced in the competitive game and lottery game in the game device 100 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0040] As shown in the figure, the player information can be broadly divided into fixed parameters 300, which do not change as the fighting game is played, and serve as second information according to the present invention, and variable parameters 310, which change as the fighting game is played, and serve as first information according to the present invention. Note that in this embodiment, the former parameters are described using the term "fixed" because they do not change as the fighting game is played, but this is not intended to mean that the player is not given the means to change these parameters.

[0041] In the illustrated example, the fixed parameters 300 include name information 301 indicating the name or nickname of the player, and classification information 302 indicating the classification (attributes) of the player, such as the gender, age group, etc. Once set, all of this information is basically used without being changed when the fighting game is executed.

[0042] The variable parameters 310 are updated in response to the execution of a process related to a fighting game in a state in which the player information has been acquired. For example, at the end of the execution of the process related to the fighting game, i.e., at the end of the use of the game device 100, the variable parameters 310 can update the player information managed by the external server by changing the player information based on the result of the execution stage of the current use, etc., and sending the changed player information together with an update request to the external server that manages the player information.

[0043] In the example shown in the figure, the variable parameters 310 include possession information 311 indicating the game elements possessed by the player, grant history information 312 indicating the history of benefits granted to the player through the lottery game, evaluation information 313 indicating the player's evaluation of the competitive game, and usage history information 314 regarding the usage history of the competitive game.

[0044] Here, the award history information 312 may manage information identifying the lottery items won in the lottery game process and the number of times the lottery items have been won, or may manage the number of times each game element associated with the lottery items as a benefit has been awarded to the player, or may manage both of these. Furthermore, the evaluation information 313 may include parameters that evaluate the player based on the play content of the executed fighting game, the player's performance, or the cumulative number of points accumulated according to the number of times the fighting game has been played. In one aspect, the evaluation information 313 may include the player rank, player rating, player skill level, number of wins, win rate, etc. in the fighting game. Furthermore, the usage history information 314 may include at least one of the number of times the player has played the fighting game and the usage period (playing time).

[0045] <Checking of Awarding Conditions> In the game device 100 of this embodiment, a check as to whether or not the awarding conditions of the game elements associated with each lottery item are satisfied is performed by referring to the variable parameters 310 of the player information. More specifically, the check of the awarding conditions is performed based on whether or not the value indicated by at least one parameter of the variable parameters 310 falls within a predetermined value range.

[0046] For example, if the player already owns a game element associated with a lottery item as a benefit, the control unit 101 determines that the condition for granting the benefit is not met if the player already owns the game element at the maximum number of times the benefit is granted, even if the benefit is granted, the player cannot own any more of the game element. Furthermore, for example, if the number of times the game element associated with a lottery item as a benefit has been granted by winning the game element reaches the maximum number of times the benefit is granted, as determined for the lottery game, the control unit 101 may use only one of these criteria as a criterion for determining the condition for granting the benefit, or may use both criteria as a criterion for determining the condition for granting the benefit.

[0047] In the battle game of this embodiment described below, it is assumed that a possession limit and an award limit are set for game elements associated with each lottery item as a benefit, and that the awarding conditions are checked based on these. That is, for a game element that is awarded to a player on the condition that the lottery game is completed, the control unit 101 (1) determines whether the player already owns the element up to the possession limit, and if not, (2) determines whether the player has reached the award limit (maximum number of wins) predetermined for the lottery game for the item that awards the game element as a benefit, thereby determining whether the awarding conditions for the game element are met.

[0048] The maximum number of awards may include an upper limit set for use of the game device 100 during a predetermined period, such as a campaign period, and an upper limit set for one use of the game device 100 (one execution of a competitive game (one game play)). The former upper limit set is used for lottery items that award game elements that are particularly attractive in campaigns (for example, limited-time items), while the latter upper limit set is used for lottery items that award game elements that can be provided on a regular basis. In this embodiment, to facilitate understanding of the invention, the upper limit set for the number of awards for benefits related to multiple lottery items is described as setting only the upper limit set for the number of awards during one execution of a competitive game.

[0049] <Prize and Probability of Winning> In the lottery game of this embodiment, the plurality of lottery items are determined as ranked prizes as shown in Fig. 4(a), and the higher the ranked prize (for example, the highest rank is the grand prize), the higher the rarity of the game element that is awarded as a bonus. In one aspect, the higher the rarity of the game element is set, the more advantageous it is in the progression of the competitive game when used in the competitive game.

[0050] In order to enhance the player's enjoyment experience or to prolong the player's interest, different winning probabilities are set for each prize in the lottery game process. Generally, the lower the prize, the higher the winning probability is set. However, it is also possible to set a higher winning probability for a prize that provides a game element that is preferably widely used by players as a benefit.

[0051] As shown in the figure, in the lottery game of this embodiment, a prize higher in rank than the last prize can be won only once during one use of the game device 100 (during one execution of the competitive game), while the last prize can be won multiple times during one use of the game device 100. In other words, if multiple lottery games are played during one use of the game device 100, an upper limit on the number of prizes that can be awarded is set so that once a prize higher in rank than the last prize has been won, the game elements associated with that prize will not be awarded to the player.

[0052] <Adjustment of awarding of bonuses> In the lottery game processing of this embodiment, in which the probability of winning each prize and the maximum number of associated bonuses that can be awarded (during one game session) are set, if there is a prize for which it is determined that the awarding conditions for the game element associated with the bonus are not met, the awarding of bonuses to players is adjusted by changing the probability of winning set for each prize.

[0053] More specifically, if a prize other than the last prize is won in a single competitive game by executing a lottery game process, the control unit 101 reduces the winning probability of the prize to 0% for subsequent lottery game processes to prevent the prize from being won multiple times. Meanwhile, since lowering the winning probability of the first prize prevents the sum of the winning probabilities of all prizes in the lottery game from being 100%, the control unit 101 controls the winning probabilities of other prizes for which the conditions for awarding a bonus are met by the reduced winning probability. In the gaming device 100 of this embodiment, in order to ensure fairness among players, the adjustment to bring the sum of the winning probabilities to 100% is performed by increasing the winning probability of the last prize. For example, if the second prize is won in the first lottery game process during a single competitive game, the winning probability is changed in the second lottery game process as shown in FIG. 4B, and the awarding of the bonus is adjusted.

[0054] To prevent the player from misunderstanding, the player is notified of such an adjustment in the awarding of the bonus via, for example, a display on the first display unit 111 or the second display unit 112. In one aspect, a list display showing the prizes provided for the lottery game and the game elements that will be awarded as bonuses if each prize is won is displayed on the second display unit 112, and the player can decide whether or not to use the lottery ticket after checking the list display. At this time, if there is a prize for which the conditions for awarding the bonus are not met, the control unit 101 controls the list display to include a notification that the game element associated with that prize as a bonus will not be awarded, as shown in FIG. 5.

[0055] In order to ensure that the player can confirm the game elements granted by winning, the control unit 101 controls the operation of the presentation device 110 so as not to display at least the effects related to the fighting game during the execution of the lottery game process. In one aspect, during the matching stage related to the fighting game or between multiple execution stages during the execution of the fighting game, the control unit 101 executes the lottery game process and controls the display of the presentation device 110 during the period of the lottery game process.

[0056] <<Awarding Process>> The awarding process for awarding a prize related to a lottery game in the gaming device 100 of this embodiment having such a configuration will be specifically described using the flowchart in Fig. 6. The process corresponding to this flowchart can be realized by the control unit 101 reading out a corresponding processing program stored in the storage device 102, for example, and expanding and executing the program in the memory 103.

[0057] Note that this awarding process will be described as being initiated, for example, when an operation input related to the execution of a lottery game involving the consumption of a lottery ticket is detected during the execution of a competitive game. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, in the description of this awarding process, it is assumed that the GPU 104 executes a process of generating a screen to be displayed on the first display unit 111 and the second display unit 112 at predetermined intervals, and the control unit 101 controls the display of the generated screen on the first display unit 111 or the second display unit 112. Furthermore, it is assumed that player information related to the player is stored in the memory 103 prior to the execution of this awarding process.

[0058] In S601, the control unit 101 determines, based on the player information, whether or not there is a prize for which the conditions for granting a special game element are not satisfied among the multiple prizes provided for the lottery game. If the control unit 101 determines that there is a prize for which the conditions for granting a special game element are not satisfied, the control unit 101 proceeds to S602, and if it determines that there is no prize for which the conditions for granting a special game element are not satisfied, the control unit 101 proceeds to S604.

[0059] In S602, the control unit 101 changes the winning probabilities of the predetermined prizes for the lottery game. The change in this step reduces (sets to 0) the winning probability of the prize for which the conditions for granting the game element as a special benefit are not satisfied, and instead increases the winning probability of the last prize.

[0060] In S603, the control unit 101 executes the lottery game process based on the winning probability changed in S602. Then, the control unit 101 obtains information on the prize, which is the winning result, as the execution result of the lottery game process.

[0061] On the other hand, if it is determined in S601 that there is no prize for which the conditions for awarding the game element as a special benefit are not satisfied, the control unit 101 executes a lottery game process based on a predetermined probability of winning in S604. Then, the control unit 101 obtains information on the prize, which is the winning result, as a result of the execution of the lottery game process.

[0062] In S605, the control unit 101 awards the game elements associated with the winning result, that is, the first prize, as a bonus to the player. The awarding of the bonus to the player is reflected by updating the information in the possession information 311 and the award history information 312 of the variable parameters 310 of the player information. The control unit 101 also controls the presentation device 110 to present information on the winning result, that is, the first prize, and information on the game elements awarded to the player. When various processes related to the awarding of the bonus are completed, the control unit 101 completes this awarding process.

[0063] As described above, the game device of this embodiment can provide a highly entertaining playing experience.

[0064] In this embodiment, the execution of the awarding process is described as requiring the consumption of lottery tickets held by the player, but the implementation of the present invention is not limited to this. It goes without saying that the awarding process may be executed with the consumption of other game elements as a requirement, or may be executed after the end of the execution stage, for example, without requiring the consumption of game elements.

[0065] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the variable parameters 310 included in the player information have been described as including the various types of information shown in Fig. 3, but the implementation of the present invention is not limited to this. The variable parameters 310 may be configured to include at least one of the various types of information shown in Fig. 3. Similarly, the fixed parameters 300 may also be configured to include at least one of the various types of information shown in Fig. 3.

[0066] [Variation 1] In the above-described embodiment, the lottery game process is configured so that only the last prize can be won multiple times during the execution of one competitive game, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the lottery game process may be configured so that prizes lower in rank than a predetermined prize can be won multiple times, and prizes higher in rank than the predetermined prize can be won only once.

[0067] Note that the control of the number of times each prize can be won is not limited to this, and from the perspective of ensuring interest, it may be configured so that, for example, a prize higher in rank than a predetermined prize can be won fewer times than a prize lower in rank than the predetermined prize.

[0068] [Variation 2] In the above-described embodiment, the lottery game process performed during one competitive game is described as reducing the winning probability of a prize other than the last prize to 0% after the prize other than the last prize is won, and increasing the winning probability of the last prize by that amount. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The prize for which the winning probability is increased by the amount of the decrease is not limited to the last prize, but may include other prizes for which the conditions for granting the bonus game elements are satisfied. Preferably, the other prizes that are lower in rank than the won prize and for which the conditions for granting the bonus game elements are satisfied are determined as the prizes for which the winning probability is increased. In this case, multiple prizes may be included as the prizes for which the winning probability is increased.

[0069] [Embodiment 2] In the above-described embodiment, in the lottery game process executed during the execution of one competitive game, if there is a prize for which the conditions for awarding a game element that is a bonus are not satisfied, the winning probability of the prize is changed so that the bonus is not awarded. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The adjustment to prevent the award of a bonus associated with a specific prize can also be achieved by, for example, configuring the lottery game so that even if the prize is selected as a winning result, the game element associated with the last prize is awarded instead of the game element associated with the first prize as a bonus.

[0070] As in the above-described first and second variations, when a first prize for which the conditions for awarding the bonus game element are not satisfied is selected as the winning result, the game element awarded instead does not have to be the game element associated with the lowest prize. The game element awarded instead can be, for example, a game element associated with another first prize for which the conditions for awarding the bonus game element are satisfied. Preferably, the game element awarded instead is determined from the game elements associated with another first prize that is lower in rank than the first prize selected as the winning result and for which the conditions for awarding the bonus game element are satisfied.

[0071] [Variation 3] In the above-described second embodiment, when a first prize for which the conditions for awarding the bonus game element are not satisfied are selected as a winning result, a game element associated with a prize other than the first prize is awarded to the player. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The game element awarded instead may be a different game element that is not based on the game element associated with the other prize. Such a game element may be selected from among game elements of the same type as the game element associated with the first prize selected as a winning result, so that the awarded player can easily understand the relationship between the game element and the bonus game element.

[0072] In one aspect, the game element associated with a certain prize as a bonus is a game element that activates a specific effect during a competitive game, and the game element granted in place of this may be a game element that activates the same effect, but with the effect set to a higher degree that provides an advantage in the progress of the competitive game. For example, in an aspect in which the game element associated with a certain prize as a bonus is a game skill that activates a predetermined effect on a character used by a player in a competitive game, the game element granted in place of this may be a game skill of the same type, but with the degree of effect set to be greater than that of the original bonus.

[0073] [Variation 4] In the above-described embodiment and variation, it has been described that whether or not the conditions for granting a game element that is a benefit are satisfied are determined based on the possession information 311 and grant history information 312 included in the variable parameter 310 of the player information, but the implementation of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, from another perspective, it may be determined whether or not the conditions for granting a game element that is a benefit are satisfied based on the player's usage of the game device 100, such as the evaluation information 313 and usage history information 314 of the variable parameter 310.

[0074] In this aspect, for example, at least one of the conditions for the player's evaluation range, number of plays, and usage period for winning each lottery item is set. For example, if the player's evaluation information (e.g., game rank C) is not within the evaluation range for winning the lottery item (game rank A or higher), it is determined that the condition for granting the game element associated with the lottery item is not satisfied. For example, if the player's number of plays is less than the number of plays required to win the lottery item, it is determined that the condition for granting the game element associated with the lottery item is not satisfied. For example, if the player's usage period (e.g., one season) of the game device 100 is less than the usage period (three seasons or more) required to win the lottery item, it is determined that the condition for granting the game element associated with the lottery item is not satisfied. The control unit 101 may use any one of these conditions as a criterion for determining the grant condition, or may use a combination of these conditions as a criterion for determining the grant condition.

[0075] According to this aspect, it is possible to control the granting of benefits according to the player's playing status, for example, by giving preferential treatment to players who have been playing for a long time, or by making it difficult for players whose game rank does not meet a standard to be granted high-rarity game elements that give them an extreme advantage in progressing through the game, taking into account game balance.

[0076] [Summary of the Embodiments] The above-described embodiments disclose at least the following programs, game devices, and game systems.

[0077] (1) A program that causes a computer that executes a competitive game to execute: an acquisition process that acquires player information about a player; a lottery game process; an awarding process that awards a benefit to the player on the condition that the lottery game process is completed; and a control process that controls at least one of the lottery game process and the awarding process, wherein the lottery game process is executed during execution of the competitive game; and the control process adjusts the benefit to be awarded to the player based on the player information.

[0078] (2) The program described in (1), wherein the lottery game processing is configured to select one of a plurality of lottery items as a winning result, the awarding processing awards a game element associated with the lottery item as a benefit to the winning result, the program further causes the computer to execute a judgment processing to determine, based on the player information, whether or not there is a lottery item among the plurality of lottery items for which the awarding condition of the associated game element is not satisfied, and the control processing adjusts the benefit to be awarded to the player when it is determined in the judgment processing that there is a lottery item for which the awarding condition is not satisfied.

[0079] (3) The program according to (2), wherein the player information includes first information that changes in response to execution of the competitive game and second information that does not change in response to execution of the competitive game, and the program further causes the computer to execute an update process that updates the first information of the player information in response to execution of the competitive game.

[0080] (4) The program according to (3), wherein the first information includes at least one of game elements owned by the player, a history of the awarding of benefits to the player by the awarding process, evaluation information about the competitive game associated with the player, and information about the player's usage history of the competitive game.

[0081] (5) The program according to (4), wherein the second information includes at least one of the name of the player and a classification to which the player belongs.

[0082] (6) The program described in (4) or (5), wherein the judgment process judges that the award condition is not met when at least one of the following is true for each of the plurality of lottery items: the number of game elements associated with the lottery items held by the player is equal to the maximum number that can be held; and the number of times that game elements associated with the lottery items as benefits have been awarded to the player is equal to the maximum number that can be awarded.

[0083] (7) A program described in any one of (4) to (5), wherein each of the plurality of lottery items is defined with at least one of a winning evaluation range, number of plays, and usage period, and the judgment process judges that the award conditions are not met when, for each of the plurality of lottery items, the evaluation information is not included in the winning evaluation range for the lottery item, the usage history is less than the number of plays that are sufficient to win the lottery item, and the usage history is less than the usage period that is sufficient to win the lottery item.

[0084] (8) The program described in any one of (2) to (7), wherein the plurality of lottery items are ranked prizes, and the game elements associated with each prize as a special benefit have a greater degree of advantage in the progress of the competitive game the higher the ranking of the prize.

[0085] (9) The program according to (8), wherein different winning probabilities are set for each prize in the lottery game process.

[0086] (10) The program according to (8) or (9), wherein the adjustment by the control process includes changing the probability of winning at least some of the prizes in the lottery game process based on the judgment result in the judgment process.

[0087] (11) The program according to (10), wherein the adjustment in the control process includes reducing the probability of winning a prize for which the awarding condition is not satisfied and increasing the probability of winning a prize for which the awarding condition is satisfied.

[0088] (12) The program described in (10) or (11), wherein the lottery game process is executed multiple times during one execution of the competitive game, and the control process controls the probability of winning a prize higher in rank than a predetermined prize so that the prize is won only once during one execution of the competitive game.

[0089] (13) The program according to (12), wherein the control process controls the probability of winning a prize lower in rank than the predetermined prize so that the prize can be won multiple times during one execution of the competitive game.

[0090] (14) The program described in (8) or (9), wherein the adjustment in the control process includes changing game elements associated as benefits with at least some of the prizes in the lottery game process to other game elements based on the judgment results in the judgment process.

[0091] (15) The program described in (14), wherein the adjustment in the control process includes changing a first game element, which is a benefit associated with a prize for which the awarding condition is not satisfied, to a second game element different from the first game element.

[0092] (16) The program according to (15), wherein the second game element is a game element of the same type as the first game element.

[0093] (17) The program according to (15) or (16), wherein the second game element is a game element that provides an advantage in the progress of the competitive game compared to the first game element.

[0094] (18) The program described in (15), wherein the lottery game processing is executed multiple times during one execution of the competitive game, and the control processing controls so that the first game element is awarded only once during one execution of the competitive game for a prize higher in rank than a predetermined prize.

[0095] (19) The program according to (18), wherein the control process controls so that the first game element can be awarded multiple times for prizes lower in rank than the predetermined prize during one execution of the competitive game.

[0096] (20) The program according to (18) or (19), wherein the second game element is a game element associated with a prize that is lower in rank than the prize associated with the first game element.

[0097] (21) A program described in any one of (2) to (20) that further causes the computer to execute a display control process that causes a display device to display information related to the competitive game, and the display control process further causes the display device to display bonus game elements associated with each of the plurality of lottery items.

[0098] (22) The program described in (21) in which the display control process further causes the display device to display that for a lottery item for which the awarding conditions are not met, the game element of the benefit associated with the lottery item will not be awarded.

[0099] (23) The program according to (21) or (22), wherein the display control process does not cause the display device to display effects related to the competitive game during execution of the lottery game process.

[0100] (24) The display device includes a first screen and a second screen, and the display control process displays the presentation of the lottery game process on the first screen and the winning result of the lottery game process on the second screen. The program described in any one of (21) to (23).

[0101] (25) A game device that executes a competitive game, comprising: an acquisition means for acquiring player information about a player; an execution means for executing a lottery game; an awarding means for awarding a benefit to the player on the condition that the lottery game is completed; and a control means for controlling at least one of the execution means and the awarding means, wherein the execution means executes the lottery game during execution of the competitive game, and the control means adjusts the benefit to be awarded to the player based on the player information.

[0102] (26) A game device as described in (25), further comprising: a display device having a first screen and a second screen; and a display control means for displaying information relating to the competitive game on the display device, wherein the first screen is configured to be able to accommodate game media used in the competitive game, and the acquisition means acquires the player information associated with the game media placed on the first screen.

[0103] (27) A game system including a game device that executes a competitive game and game media used in the competitive game, wherein the game device comprises: a display device having a first screen and a second screen; a display control means for displaying a display related to the competitive game on the display device; an acquisition means for acquiring player information related to a player; an execution means for executing a lottery game; an award means for awarding a benefit to the player on the condition that the lottery game is completed; and a control means for controlling at least one of the execution means and the award means, wherein the first screen is configured to be able to place the game media used in the competitive game, the acquisition means acquires the player information associated with the game media placed on the first screen, the execution means executes the lottery game during execution of the competitive game, and the control means adjusts the benefit to be awarded to the player based on the player information.

[0104] Other Embodiments The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the gist of the invention.

[0105] 100: Game device, 101: Control unit, 102: Storage device, 103: Memory, 104: GPU, 110: Presentation device, 105: Operation I / F, 106: Communication I / F, 120: Payment device, 130: Reader, 140: Provision device

Claims

1. A program that causes a computer executing a competitive game to execute an acquisition process for acquiring player information about a player, a lottery game process, an awarding process for awarding a benefit to the player on condition that the lottery game process is completed, and a control process for controlling at least one of the lottery game process and the awarding process, wherein the lottery game process is executed during the execution of the competitive game, and the control process adjusts the benefit to be awarded to the player based on the player information.

2. The program of claim 1, wherein the lottery game process is configured to select one of a plurality of lottery target items as the winning result, the awarding process awards a game element associated with the lottery target item as a bonus, the program further causes the computer to execute a judgment process to determine whether or not there is a lottery target item among the plurality of lottery target items for which the awarding condition of the associated game element is not satisfied, based on the player information, and the control process adjusts the bonus to be awarded to the player when it is determined in the judgment process that there is a lottery target item for which the awarding condition of the associated game element is not satisfied.

3. The program according to claim 2, wherein the player information includes first information that changes in response to the execution of the competitive game and second information that does not change in response to the execution of the competitive game, and the program further causes the computer to execute an update process that updates the first information of the player information in response to the execution of the competitive game.

4. The program described in claim 3, wherein the first information includes at least any one of game elements owned by the player, a history of the awarding of benefits to the player by the awarding process, evaluation information regarding the competitive game associated with the player, and information regarding the player's usage history of the competitive game.

5. The program according to claim 4, wherein the second information includes at least one of the name of the player and a classification to which the player belongs.

6. The program described in claim 4, wherein the judgment process judges that the award condition is not met when at least one of the following is true: the number of game elements associated with the lottery item held by the player is equal to the maximum number that can be held, and the number of times that game elements associated with the lottery item as a benefit have been awarded to the player is equal to the maximum number that can be awarded.

7. The program of claim 4, wherein each of the plurality of lottery items is defined by at least one of a winable evaluation range, number of plays, and usage period, and the judgment process judges that the award condition is not met when, for each of the plurality of lottery items, at least one of the following applies: the evaluation information is not included in the winable evaluation range for that lottery item, the usage history is less than the number of plays required to win that lottery item, and the usage history is less than the usage period required to win that lottery item.

8. The program of claim 2, wherein the plurality of lottery items are ranked prizes, and the game elements associated with each prize as a bonus have a greater degree of advantage in the progress of the competitive game the higher the ranked prize is.

9. The program according to claim 8, wherein in said lottery game process, different winning probabilities are set for each prize.

10. The program according to claim 8, wherein the adjustment by the control process includes changing the probability of winning at least some of the prizes in the lottery game process based on the judgment result in the judgment process.

11. The program of claim 10, wherein the adjustment in the control process includes decreasing the probability of winning a prize for which the award condition is not met and increasing the probability of winning a prize for which the award condition is met.

12. The program described in claim 10, wherein the lottery game process is executed multiple times during one execution of the competitive game, and the control process controls the probability of winning a prize higher in rank than a predetermined prize so that the prize is won only once during one execution of the competitive game.

13. The program according to claim 12, wherein the control process controls the probability of winning a prize lower in rank than the predetermined prize so that the prize can be won multiple times during one execution of the competitive game.

14. The program described in claim 8, wherein the adjustment in the control process includes changing game elements associated as bonuses with at least some of the prizes in the lottery game process to other game elements based on the judgment result in the judgment process.

15. The program described in claim 14, wherein the adjustment in the control process includes changing a first game element, which is a bonus associated with a prize for which the award condition is not satisfied, to a second game element different from the first game element.

16. The program according to claim 15, wherein the second game element is a game element of the same type as the first game element.

17. The program according to claim 15, wherein the second game element is a game element that provides an advantage in the progress of the competitive game compared to the first game element.

18. The program described in claim 15, wherein the lottery game process is executed multiple times during one execution of the competitive game, and the control process controls so that the first game element is awarded only once during one execution of the competitive game for a prize higher in rank than a predetermined prize.

19. The program according to claim 18, wherein the control process controls so that the first game element can be awarded multiple times during one execution of the competitive game for prizes lower in rank than the predetermined prize.

20. The program of claim 18, wherein the second game element is a game element associated with a prize that is lower in rank than the prize associated with the first game element.

21. The program of claim 2, further causing the computer to execute a display control process that causes a display device to display information related to the competitive game, the display control process further causing the display device to display bonus game elements corresponding to each of the plurality of lottery items.

22. The program described in claim 21, wherein the display control process further causes the display device to display a message indicating that for a lottery item for which the awarding condition is not satisfied, a bonus game element corresponding to that lottery item will not be awarded.

23. The program according to claim 21, wherein the display control process does not cause the display device to display effects related to the competitive game during execution of the lottery game process.

24. The program according to claim 21, wherein the display device includes a first screen and a second screen, and the display control process causes the presentation of the lottery game process to be displayed on the first screen, and causes the winning result of the lottery game process to be displayed on the second screen.

25. A game device that executes a competitive game, comprising: an acquisition means for acquiring player information regarding a player; an execution means for executing a lottery game; an awarding means for awarding a benefit to the player on condition that the lottery game is completed; and a control means for controlling at least one of the execution means and the awarding means, wherein the execution means executes the lottery game during the execution of the competitive game, and the control means adjusts the benefit to be awarded to the player based on the player information.

26. A game device as described in claim 25, further comprising: a display device having a first screen and a second screen; and a display control means for causing the display device to display a display relating to the competitive game, wherein the first screen is configured to be able to accommodate a game medium to be used in the competitive game, and the acquisition means acquires the player information associated with the game medium placed on the first screen.

27. A game system including a game device which executes a competitive game and game media used in the competitive game, wherein the game device comprises: a display device having a first screen and a second screen; a display control means for causing the display device to display a display relating to the competitive game; an acquisition means for acquiring player information relating to a player; an execution means for executing a lottery game; an awarding means for awarding a benefit to the player on the condition that the lottery game is completed; and a control means for controlling at least one of the execution means and the awarding means, wherein the first screen is configured to be able to place the game media to be used in the competitive game on it, the acquisition means acquires the player information associated with the game media placed on the first screen, the execution means executes the lottery game during the execution of the competitive game, and the control means adjusts the benefit to be awarded to the player based on the player information.

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