Game device and program

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a game device that provides sustained amusement. [Solution] This game device comprises: at least one first accommodation part in which first type game articles are accommodated; at least one second accommodation part in which second type game articles are accommodated; and a control means that controls supply of the game articles from the first and second accommodation parts. The control means starts supply of the game articles from the first accommodation part, and enables supply of the game articles from one of the first and second accommodation parts when a predetermined condition is satisfied after the start of the supply from the first accommodation part.

Description

Game device and program

[0001] The present invention relates to a game device and a program, and more particularly to an electronic game involving the provision of game media.

[0002] There is a gaming device in which a game is played using real cards and a card dispenser is provided in the gaming device itself, allowing a player to purchase cards from the gaming device after the game has been played (Patent Document 1).

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-100117

[0004] Game devices installed in amusement facilities, etc., need to be designed to attract users to play games over a long period of time. However, with the game device of Patent Document 1, once a player has collected a certain number of different cards, the game development becomes monotonous, which may discourage users from visiting.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a game device and program that maintains interest so that users will visit the game regularly over a long period of time to play the game.

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is a game device comprising at least one or more first storage sections for storing a first type of game item, at least one or more second storage sections for storing a second type of game item, and a control means for controlling the supply of game items from the first storage section and the second storage section, wherein the control means starts the supply of game items from the first storage section, and after the start of supply from the first storage section and when a predetermined condition is satisfied, enables the supply of game items from either the first storage section or the second storage section.

[0007] One aspect of the present invention is to cause a computer to function as a control means for controlling the supply of game items from at least one or more first storage sections in which a first type of game item is stored and at least one or more second storage sections in which a second type of game item is stored, and the control means starts the supply of game items from the first storage section, and when supply from the first storage section has started and a predetermined condition is satisfied, enables the supply of game items from either the first storage section or the second storage section.

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a game device and program that maintains interest.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a game system according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the external configuration of a game device 1 according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a game device 1 according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a supply unit according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a game element database. FIG. 6 is a table for explaining an example of supply conditions according to the present invention. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation according to the present invention. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a game device 1 according to the present invention. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation according to the present invention.

[0010] The present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. <Overall Configuration> Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the system configuration of a game system according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the game system is configured to include one or more game devices 1 and a server 2. The one or more game devices 1 and the server 2 can be connected to a communication line N and can communicate with each other. The communication line N refers to a communication path through which data communication is possible. In other words, the communication line N includes a dedicated line (dedicated cable) for direct connection, a LAN such as Ethernet (registered trademark), as well as communication networks such as telephone communication networks, cable networks, and the Internet, and the communication method can be either wired or wireless.

[0011] In the following explanation, the game device 1 will be described as an arcade game device (arcade game device), but it may also be a smartphone, a mobile phone, a portable game device, a stationary home game device, a personal computer, a tablet computer, a controller for a stationary home game device, etc.

[0012] The game device 1 is a computer capable of executing a game program. Basically, there are multiple game devices 1, each operated by a different user. For example, multiple game devices 1 are installed in a store and are operated by users visiting the store. The game devices 1 are also connected to a communication line N via a communication base station or the like, allowing users to play against each other using game devices 1 installed in the store and at other stores. Furthermore, the game device 1 can also play against non-players by connecting to a server 2 via the communication line N.

[0013] The competitive game that can be played on the game device 1 according to the present invention is a game that is executed using game items. The game items are associated with items that have physical volume. An example of a tangible item is a game card, which is an item that has physical volume (a real item). Note that the items are not limited to game cards, but are not limited to game cards as long as they are configured to identify a game element (character) associated with the item. The item may be, for example, a shaped object such as a figurine that has the appearance of a game element.

[0014] A user pays a fee to play a competitive game. When this fee is paid, one opportunity to receive a game card is guaranteed. Furthermore, for users who wish to obtain more game cards, an opportunity is provided to pay an additional fee so that they can obtain more game cards without having to play the competitive game again, and additional game cards are supplied each time payment of the additional fee is detected. In other words, when using the game device 1 once, a user can obtain two or more game cards by optionally paying an additional fee.

[0015] A fighting game that can be played on the game device 1 according to the present invention is made up of multiple seasons. A season of a fighting game progresses over time from the start of service of the fighting game, that is, each season is determined by a period of time, and each season starts simultaneously on all game devices 1. Game cards supplied from the game device 1 are categorized by season, and the types of game cards supplied increase as the season progresses, such as first type game cards, second type game cards, and so on.

[0016] In the present embodiment, it will be described that a game card is associated with a game element, and that one game element appearing in a competitive game executed on the game device 1 is associated with the game card. The game element to which the game card is associated can be identified by acquiring identification information (element ID) for identifying the game element attached to the game card by a game element reading unit (described later). The identification information (element ID) may be added to the game card by, for example, printing a one-dimensional or multidimensional code obtained by converting the identification information for identifying the game element onto the game card, or by recording the identification information on a near field communication (NFC) tag or IC chip included in the game card, or by other methods.

[0017] <Configuration of Game Device 1> As shown in FIG. 2 , the game device 1 is primarily composed of a main body housing 11 and a display unit 12 provided above it. The top surface (top) of the main body housing 11 is provided with an operation input unit 13 that accepts various user operations, such as selection and confirmation, when playing a competitive game. The top surface of the main body housing 11 is also provided with an insertion slot 14 for inserting coins or other tokens as payment, and a game element reader 15 for reading element IDs from game cards. The front surface of the main body housing 11 is also provided with an outlet 16, through which a user can retrieve a game card when the game device 1 dispenses the game card. The front surface of the main body housing 11 is also configured to include an opening / closing door 17 that can be opened and closed during maintenance of the game device 1 or when replenishing dispensed game cards. The main body housing 11 houses various boards that enable game execution on the game device 1 and a card dispenser 18 that dispenses game cards.

[0018] <Functional Configuration of Game Device 1> Next, the functional configuration of the game device 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG.

[0019] The game device 1 comprises a processing unit 100, a display unit 101, a game element reading unit 102 that reads game elements from a game card held by the user, an operation input unit 103, a price detection unit 104, a sound output unit 105, a communication unit 106, a supply unit 107, and a memory unit 108.

[0020] The processing unit 100 comprehensively controls the operation of the game device 1 based on programs and data stored in the memory unit 108, operation input signals from the game element reading unit 102 and operation input unit 103, etc. The functions of the processing unit 100 can be realized by electronic components such as a microprocessor such as a CPU or GPU, an ASIC, or an IC memory. Specifically, the processing unit 100 controls the operation of each unit by reading out the operation programs of each unit recorded in the recording unit 108, for example, and expanding and executing the programs in memory. The processing unit 100 includes, as main functional units, a game element acquisition unit 110, a game execution unit 111, a display control unit 112, a supply control unit 113, and a system timer 114. These units will be described later.

[0021] The display unit 101 displays various game screens based on image signals output from the processing unit 100. The functions of the display unit 101 can be realized by a display device such as a flat panel display such as a liquid crystal display, a projector, or a head-mounted display. In FIG. 2 , the display unit 101 corresponds to the display screen 12.

[0022] The game element reader 102 is a reader that reads character information of game elements to be featured in the game from a game card held by the user. Reading of game elements from a game card is possible, for example, by reading a one-dimensional or multidimensional code obtained by converting the game card's identification information, etc., printed on the game card. Furthermore, if the game card's identification information, etc., is recorded on a near field communication (NFC) tag or IC chip included in the game card, the information is read from the tag or IC chip. The read information is output to the processing unit 100 together with a reader ID, which is identification information of the game card's own device. In FIG. 2 , the game element reader 102 corresponds to the game element reader 15.

[0023] The operation input unit 103 allows the user to input various operations related to the game, and outputs an operation input signal corresponding to the operation input to the processing unit 100. The function of the operation input unit 103 can be realized by, for example, elements that are directly operated by the user's fingers, such as a touch panel, touch operation pad, home button, button switch, joystick, or trackball, as well as elements that detect movement or posture, such as an acceleration sensor, angular velocity sensor, tilt sensor, or geomagnetic sensor. In this embodiment, this corresponds to a touch operation panel attached to the display unit 101. In FIG. 2 , the operation input unit 103 corresponds to the display screen 12 and the operation input unit 13.

[0024] The price detection unit 104 detects that a price has been paid at the game device 1. The payment of the price may be determined, for example, by detecting that a predetermined amount of coins or an equivalent coin has been inserted into the insertion slot 14 provided in the game device 1, or by detecting the completion of a settlement process based on communication with a chip related to a predetermined electronic money. In this embodiment, the game device 1 will be described as starting to provide a service, including the provision of a series of game play experiences, based on the payment of a price for starting the provision of the service. The payment of the price can also be detected after the provision of the service has started.

[0025] The sound output unit 105 is a speaker or the like for outputting sound effects and the like related to the game based on the sound signal output from the processing unit 100. The communication unit 106 is a communication interface with an external device. The communication unit 106 can connect to the external device via a communication line N (whether wired or wireless) and enable data transmission and reception. The communication unit 106 converts, for example, information input as a transmission target into data in a predetermined format and transmits it to an external device such as the server 2 via the communication line N. The communication unit 106 also receives information from the external device via, for example, the communication line N.

[0026] The supply unit 107 is a card dispenser configured to dispense game cards one by one from a storage unit configured in the supply unit 107. As shown in FIG. 4 , the supply unit 107 in this embodiment is provided with a card dispenser consisting of three cylinders (a first cylinder 107-1, a second cylinder 107-2, and a third cylinder 107-3) inside the main body housing 11, and is controlled by a supply control unit 113 (described later) to determine which cylinder to dispense a game card from. One cylinder has a storage unit configured to store game cards stacked vertically, and is equipped with a mechanism for dispensing one game card held in the lowest layer in response to a supply command issued by the supply control unit 113. The dispensed game card is guided to an accessible space via the outlet 16 and provided to the user.

[0027] The first cylinder 107-1, the second cylinder 107-2, and the third cylinder 107-3 contain a first type of game card, a second type of game card, and a third type of game card, respectively. In this embodiment, a cylinder is associated with each of the three types, but the number of types and cylinders is not limited as long as there are at least two or more.

[0028] The storage unit 108 is a recording device capable of holding data, such as a non-volatile memory, a HDD, etc. The storage unit 108 stores operation programs for each unit of the game device 1, as well as information on parameters required for the operation of each unit and various graphics data used in the fighting game executed by the game device 1.

[0029] The storage unit 108 also stores a game element database 108 (game element DB 108). The game element DB 108 is a database that manages information (element information) about each game element that appears in the game. In the game device 1 of this embodiment, a user can place a game card on the game element reading unit 15 (game element reading unit 102) during game play and have the information acquired, thereby causing the game element associated with the game card to appear in the game. As shown in FIG. 5 , the element information managed for one game element includes, for example, type information indicating a type in the game assigned to the game element, associated with an element ID (identification information) that uniquely identifies the game element; rendering information including graphics data used to generate a screen when the game element appears in the game; parameter information (character information) describing the name, attributes, etc. of the game element, as well as parameters, etc. determined for each element level of the game element; and ability information describing activation conditions, activated effects, etc. The parameter information and ability information are information that is referenced in a game in which the game elements appear, and are involved in controlling the progress of the game.

[0030] In this embodiment, the game element DB 108 stores graphics data, parameter information, ability information, etc., and the element information includes these pieces of data, but the present invention is not limited to this. The element information may also include information indicating the storage location of each piece of information.

[0031] Next, the main functional units of the processing unit 100, namely, the game element acquisition unit 110, the game execution unit 111, the display control unit 112, the supply control unit 113, and the system timer 114, will be described. The game element acquisition unit 110 acquires the element ID of a game card read by the game element reading unit 102. At this time, it also acquires a reading unit ID that identifies the game element reading unit 102 that read the element ID of the game card. The game element acquisition unit 110 acquires type information, drawing information, parameter information, and ability information associated with the element ID of the acquired game card from the game element DB 108. The game element acquisition unit 110 then associates the reading unit ID with the game element ID, type information, drawing information, parameter information, and ability information, and outputs them to the game execution unit 112.

[0032] The game execution unit 111 controls the entire game (including the display of game images) from the start to the end of the competitive game, and starts the competitive game when the payment detection unit 104 detects payment of the payment. When the user selects the competitive mode and is ready for a battle, the game execution unit 111 controls the progress of the battle in accordance with the user's operational inputs on the game elements.

[0033] The display control unit 112 includes a drawing device such as a GPU, and performs predetermined drawing processing when generating a screen to be displayed on the display unit 101. Specifically, while the game device 1 is running (during service provision or standby state), the display control unit 112 performs necessary arithmetic processing on necessary drawing objects (graphics data) based on the processing and commands performed by the processing unit 100, and draws the screen. The display control unit 112 executes control to display various information (game screens, menu screens, etc.) for the user of the game device 1 on the display unit 101.

[0034] When supplying a game card, the supply control unit 113 checks the supply conditions to determine from which cylinder, cylinder 107-1 to cylinder 107-3, the game card will be supplied. The timing for checking the supply conditions is at least one of after payment of the price for playing the game is completed, and after payment of the price for purchasing the card after the game is completed, and the payment of the price is the timing for checking the supply conditions.

[0035] The supply control unit 113 checks the supply conditions. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the supply conditions are determined for each season as supply condition information and information on additional cylinders that are to be added as supplyable cylinders when the contents of the supply condition information are satisfied. The supply condition information indicates the amount of time that has elapsed since the start of supply of the first cylinder that starts supplying. The supply control unit 113 checks the supply condition information based on the time information of the system timer 114. When the time information indicated by the system timer passes the condition set forth in the supply condition information, the supply control unit 113 adds a cylinder associated with that season to the cylinders that have already started supplying, draws lots to determine from which cylinder game cards will be supplied, and supplies game cards from the cylinder corresponding to the lottery result.

[0036] The system timer 114 outputs interval information that serves as an index for various controls performed in the game device 1. The system timer 114 starts the timer and counts the elapsed time when the supply of game cards begins in the game device 1. Although the system timer 114 is configured in the processing unit 100 in FIG. 3, it may be configured separately from the processing unit 100.

[0037] <Explanation of Operation> The operation of supplying game cards in this embodiment will be described. Figure 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of supplying game cards. In the following explanation, it is assumed that the first cylinder 107-1 contains a first type of game card, the second cylinder 107-2 contains a second type of game card, and the third cylinder 107-3 contains a third type of game card.

[0038] The price detection unit 104 detects whether the user has paid the price (S601). When the price detection unit 104 detects the payment of the price (S601: Yes), it checks whether the first game card has been supplied to the game device 1 (S602). If the first game card has been supplied to the game device 1 (S602: Yes), the system timer 114 is started (S603).

[0039] If it is not the first game card to be supplied to the game device 1 (S602: No), the supply control unit 113 acquires time information from the system timer (S604). The supply control unit 113 compares the acquired time information with the start time of each season of the supply conditions, and confirms the cylinder to be drawn (supplyable cylinder) (S605).

[0040] The supply control unit 113 determines the cylinder to be supplied by drawing lots from the confirmed cylinders (S606). If the cylinder to be supplied has been determined in S606, the game cards are supplied from the determined cylinder, or from the first cylinder if the system timer 114 was started in S603 (S607).

[0041] In the above description, one cylinder is associated with each type, but multiple cylinders may be associated with one type. In the above description, the supply condition is the amount of time that has elapsed since the first game card was supplied, but this is not limiting. For example, it may be the amount of time that has elapsed since the game device 1 was turned on, or the amount of time that has elapsed since the start of the competitive game service. Furthermore, the supply time may be the supply start date and time, in which case the system timer 114 is configured to output time information.

[0042] According to the above embodiment, it is possible to increase the types of game cards supplied from the game device 1 over time, making it possible to provide a game device that is highly entertaining over a long period of time.

[0043] <Modification 1> In the above embodiment, a configuration has been described in which each cylinder contains game cards from a different season, and the number of cylinders that can be supplied increases over time, but a configuration in which game cards are contained in each cylinder so that the seasons to which the game cards belong increase may also be used. According to this modification, the types of game cards supplied from game device 1 change over time, making it possible to provide a game device that remains interesting for a long period of time.

[0044] <Variation 2> In the above embodiment, a configuration was described in which each cylinder contained game cards from a different season. That is, the type of game cards was classified by season. However, the type may be determined by something other than season. For example, the game cards may be classified by their rarity. In this case, each cylinder contains game cards belonging to the same season but with different rarities. Note that the same season may refer to the same season in a previously released season, only the currently released season, or the entire series released to date. According to this variation, the type of game cards supplied from the game device 1 changes over time, making it possible to provide a game device that remains interesting for a long period of time.

[0045] <Modification 3> In the above embodiment, the supply control unit 113 determines which cylinder to supply by lottery from among multiple available cylinders. In this case, the lottery probability may be set so that the supply from a predetermined cylinder is greater, for example, so that the supply from the first cylinder is greater than the supply from the second cylinder.

[0046] The lottery probability may be set so that the probability of receiving a game card from a cylinder associated with a series decreases in accordance with the ascending order of release of that series. In this way, the probability of receiving a game card decreases over time, i.e., rarer game cards are supplied, making it possible to provide a gaming device that will remain interesting for a long period of time.

[0047] On the other hand, the probability of receiving a game card from a cylinder associated with a series may be decreased in descending order of release of the series. By configuring it in this way, even a user who starts a game from an intermediate series has the opportunity to obtain a game card from an earlier series, making it possible to provide a highly entertaining gaming device.

[0048] <Modification 4> In the above embodiment, the types of game items were described as groups categorized by season, but they may also be categorized according to the value of the characters associated with the game cards in the competitive game. That is, each cylinder may be configured to contain game items of the same value. Note that the value of a character in the competitive game refers to the degree to which it provides an advantage in the game. With this configuration, game cards that provide an advantage in the game over time are supplied, making it possible to provide a gaming device that remains interesting for a long period of time.

[0049] <Second embodiment> In this embodiment, a configuration for displaying announcement information on the display screen 12 indicating that the types of game cards to be supplied will increase will be described. Note that the same components as those in the above embodiment are assigned the same numbers, and detailed descriptions will be omitted. The display control unit 112 controls so that announcement information is displayed when a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of supplying game cards in a new cylinder. The announcement information may be displayed in any form as long as it indicates that new game cards of the next season (type) will be supplied.

[0050] With this configuration, users will know that they have an opportunity to obtain game cards for the new season, and may return to play a competitive game again. Therefore, it is possible to provide a gaming device that will remain interesting for a long period of time. Note that, although the example in which the announcement information is displayed has been described using the elapse of a predetermined time since the start of supplying game cards to a new cylinder, the announcement information may also be displayed when a predetermined number of game cards have been supplied.

[0051] <Third Embodiment> In the above embodiment, the supply condition is the time elapsed since the first game card was supplied, but in this embodiment, the supply condition is the number of game cards.

[0052] <Configuration of Game Device 1> FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the game device 1 in this embodiment. The game device 1 includes a counter unit 109 that counts the number of game cards supplied from each of the cylinders 107-1 to 107-3. The cylinders 107-1 to 107-3 contain game cards from the same season, and the game cards contained in each cylinder have different rarities. Note that in the description of this embodiment, an example is used in which the cylinders 107-1 and 107-2 contain normal cards, and the cylinder 107-3 contains rare cards, but this is not intended to be limiting. The supply control unit 113 obtains from the counter unit 109 the number of supplied game cards in the cylinders 107-1 and 107-2 that contain normal cards. The supply control unit 113 determines whether the number of supplied normal cards obtained from the counter unit 109 has reached (exceeded) a predetermined number.

[0053] <Explanation of Operation> The operation of this embodiment will now be described. Fig. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of this embodiment. As in the first embodiment, when the price detection unit 104 detects whether the user has paid the price (S601: Yes), the counter unit 109 checks whether a regular card is being supplied from the cylinders 107-1 and 107-2 (S901). If the card is a regular card (S901: Yes), the counter unit 109 counts up the number of regular cards supplied (S902).

[0054] The supply control unit 113 determines whether the number of supplied normal cards obtained from the counter unit 109 has reached a predetermined number (S903). When the number of supplied normal cards reaches the predetermined number (S903: Yes), the supply control unit 113 adds the cylinder 107-3 containing the rare card to the list of available cylinders (S904). After S904 is completed, the same processing as S607 and S608 in the first embodiment is executed.

[0055] In the above embodiment, the explanation was given using a configuration in which the number of supplied normal cards is counted, but it may also be the total number of game cards supplied in the game device 1. Also, in the above explanation, the explanation was given using a configuration in which cylinders 107-1 to 107-3 contain game cards from the same season, but as long as the rarity differs for each cylinder, they do not have to be from the same season.

[0056] With the configuration of this embodiment, rare cards are supplied in accordance with the number of normal cards supplied, making it possible to provide a gaming device that remains interesting for a long period of time.

[0057] <Variation 5> In the above explanation, a configuration was used in which rare cards are supplied when the number of normal cards supplied to the game device 1 exceeds a predetermined number, but a configuration in which rare cards are supplied according to the number of normal cards supplied to each user may also be used. In such a configuration, for example, the game device 1 is configured to uniquely identify the user by an ID card held by the user, and the number of normal cards supplied to the user is counted in association with the user ID. This configuration makes it possible to increase the continuity of play for the user.

[0058] <Other Embodiments> The present 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 without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the game device according to the present invention can also be realized by a program that causes one or more computers to function as the game device. The program can be provided / distributed by being recorded on a computer-readable recording medium or via a telecommunications line.

[0059] It should be noted that the above embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention claimed, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the invention. Two or more of the features described in the embodiments may be combined arbitrarily. Some or all of the above embodiments may also be described as in the following supplementary notes, but are not limited to the following.

[0060] (Supplementary Note 1) A gaming device comprising: at least one or more first storage sections for storing a first type of game item; at least one or more second storage sections for storing a second type of game item; and control means for controlling the supply of game items from the first storage section and the second storage section, wherein the control means starts the supply of game items from the first storage section, and, after the start of supply from the first storage section, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, enables the supply of game items from either the first storage section or the second storage section.

[0061] (Supplementary Note 2) The gaming device described in Supplementary Note 1, wherein the predetermined condition is at least one of: a predetermined time has elapsed since the first storage section started to supply the game items after the first type of game items are stored in the first storage section; and a number of game items supplied from the first storage section after the first type of game items are stored in the first storage section exceeds a predetermined number of supply items.

[0062] (Supplementary Note 3) The game device according to Supplementary Note 1 or Supplementary Note 2, wherein the game is made up of a plurality of seasons, the first type of game item and the second type of game item are game items belonging to the same season, and the second type of game item is an item with a higher rarity than the first type of game item.

[0063] (Supplementary Note 4) The game device described in any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 3, wherein the game is made up of a plurality of seasons, the types of the game items are groups classified according to the seasons, and the first storage section and the second storage section store game items of the same season.

[0064] (Supplementary Note 5) The game device described in any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 4, wherein the types of game items are game items classified according to the degree to which they provide an advantage in the progress of the game, and the first storage section and the second storage section each store the same number of game items.

[0065] (Supplementary Note 6) The gaming device according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 5, wherein the control means controls the supply from the first storage unit to be greater than the supply from the second storage unit after the start of supply from the second storage unit.

[0066] (Supplementary Note 7) The gaming device according to Supplementary Note 6, wherein the control means controls the probability of supply from the first container to be higher than the probability of supply from the second container after supply from the second container starts.

[0067] (Supplementary Note 8) The game device according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 7, wherein the control means supplies the game item on condition that a price is paid.

[0068] (Supplementary Note 9) A game device described in any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 8, comprising: a display control unit that displays information indicating that a second type of game item different from the first type may be supplied after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of supply of the game item from the first storage unit.

[0069] (Supplementary Note 10) A program that causes a computer to function as a control means that controls the supply of game items from at least one or more first storage sections that store game items of a first type and at least one or more second storage sections that store game items of a second type, wherein the control means starts the supply of game items from the first storage section, and, after the start of supply from the first storage section, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, enables the supply of game items from either the first storage section or the second storage section.

[0070] (Supplementary Note 11) The program described in Supplementary Note 10, wherein the predetermined condition is at least one of: a predetermined time has elapsed since the first storage unit started to supply the game items after the first type of game items are stored in the first storage unit; and a number of game items supplied from the first storage unit after the first type of game items are stored in the first storage unit exceeds a predetermined number of supply items.

[0071] (Supplementary Note 12) The program described in Supplementary Note 10 or Supplementary Note 11, wherein the game is made up of a plurality of seasons, the first type of game item and the second type of game item are game items belonging to the same season, and the second type of game item is an item with a higher rarity than the first type of game item.

[0072] (Supplementary Note 13) The program described in any one of Supplementary Note 10 to Supplementary Note 12, wherein the game is made up of a plurality of seasons, the types of the game items are groups classified according to the seasons, and the first storage section and the second storage section store game items of the same season.

[0073] (Supplementary Note 14) The program described in any one of Supplementary Note 10 to Supplementary Note 13, wherein the types of game items are game items classified according to the degree to which they provide an advantage in progressing through the game, and the first storage section and the second storage section each store the same number of game items.

[0074] (Supplementary Note 15) The program according to any one of Supplementary Note 10 to Supplementary Note 14, wherein the control means controls the supply from the first storage unit to be greater than the supply from the second storage unit after the start of the supply from the second storage unit.

[0075] (Supplementary Note 16) The program according to Supplementary Note 15, wherein the control means controls the probability of supply from the first storage unit to be higher than the probability of supply from the second storage unit after start of supply from the second storage unit.

[0076] (Supplementary Note 17) The program according to any one of Supplementary Note 10 to Supplementary Note 16, wherein the control means supplies the game item on the condition that a price is paid.

[0077] (Supplementary Note 18) A program described in any one of Supplementary Note 10 to Supplementary Note 17, which functions as a display control unit that displays information indicating that a second type of game item different from the first type may be supplied when a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of supply of the game item from the first storage unit.

[0078] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Game device 2 Server 100 Processing section 101 Display section 102 Game element reading section 103 Operation input section 104 Price detection section 105 Sound output section 106 Communication section 107 Supply section 107-1 First cylinder 107-2 Second cylinder 107-3 Third cylinder 108 Memory section 110 Game element acquisition section 111 Game execution section 112 Display control section 113 Supply control section 114 System timer

Claims

1. A game device, comprising: at least one or more first storage units for storing game items of a first type; at least one or more second storage units for storing game items of a second type; and control means for controlling the supply of game items from the first storage unit and the second storage unit, wherein the control means starts the supply of game items from the first storage unit, and after the start of the supply from the first storage unit, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, enables the supply of game items from either the first storage unit or the second storage unit.

2. The predetermined condition is at least one of: after storing the game items of the first type in the first storage unit, a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the supply of the game items from the first storage unit; and after storing the game items of the first type in the first storage unit, the number of supplied game items from the first storage unit exceeds a predetermined number of supplied items. The game device according to claim 1.

3. The game is composed of a plurality of seasons, the game items of the first type and the game items of the second type are game items belonging to the same season, and the game items of the second type are items with a higher rarity than the game items of the first type. The game device according to claim 1 or claim 2.

4. The game is composed of a plurality of seasons, the types of the game items are groups classified by the season, and the first storage unit and the second storage unit store game items of the same season. The game device according to claim 1 or claim 2.

5. The types of the game items are game items classified according to the degree of advantage in the progress of the game, and the first storage unit and the second storage unit store game items with the same degree respectively. The game device according to claim 1 or claim 2.

6. The control means controls the supply from the first storage unit to be more than the supply from the second storage unit after the start of the supply from the second storage unit. The game device according to claim 1 or claim 2.

7. The control means controls the supply probability from the first storage unit to be higher than the supply probability from the second storage unit after the start of the supply from the second storage unit. The game device according to claim 6.

8. The game device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the control means supplies the game article on condition that a cost is paid.

9. The game device according to claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising a display control unit that displays information indicating that a game article of a second type different from the first type can be supplied when a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the supply of the game article from the first storage unit.

10. A program that causes a computer to function as control means for controlling the supply of game articles from at least one or more first storage units that store game articles of a first type and at least one or more second storage units that store game articles of a second type, wherein the control means starts the supply of game articles from the first storage unit, and enables the supply of game articles from either the first storage unit or the second storage unit when a predetermined condition is satisfied after the start of the supply from the first storage unit.

11. The program according to claim 10, wherein the predetermined condition is at least one of: elapse of a predetermined time since the start of the supply of the game article from the first storage unit after the first type of game article is stored in the first storage unit; and the number of game articles supplied from the first storage unit exceeding a predetermined supply number after the first type of game article is stored in the first storage unit.

12. The program according to claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the game is composed of a plurality of seasons, the game articles of the first type and the game articles of the second type belong to the same season, and the game articles of the second type are more rare than the game articles of the first type.

13. The program according to claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the game is composed of a plurality of seasons, the types of the game articles are groups classified by the season, and the first storage unit and the second storage unit store game articles of the same season.

14. The program according to claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the types of the game articles are game articles classified by the degree of advantage in the progress of the game, and the first storage unit and the second storage unit store game articles of the same degree.

15. The control means controls the supply from the first storage unit to be greater than the supply from the second storage unit after the start of supply from the second storage unit. The program according to claim 10 or claim 11.

16. The control means controls the supply probability from the first storage unit to be higher than the supply probability from the second storage unit after the start of supply from the second storage unit. The program according to claim 15.

17. The control means supplies the game item on condition that a cost is paid. The program according to claim 10 or claim 11.

18. A display control unit that functions to display information indicating that a game item of the second type different from the first type can be supplied when a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of supply of the game item from the first storage unit. The program according to claim 10 or claim 11.

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