JP6285752B2 - Server and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a server and a program.

  Recently, a type of game in which a server distributes a game application to a user's terminal so that the server can easily play on the terminal has become popular.

  Unlike existing online games, this type of game does not require dedicated client software, can be used only with a web browser and SNS account, can be played for free, and the billing system has an item billing system. Many.

  Many of the above games are charged by consuming in-game currency when purchasing an item. In such a case, the game server cooperates with a billing server that specializes in billing, and the billing server performs a process of clearing the billing amount corresponding to the in-game currency with the user's credit card or the like. Collect the billing amount through the server.

JP 2012-235871 A

  In such a system, since it is troublesome for a user to purchase an in-game currency by accessing a billing server each time an item is purchased on the game, In many cases, items are purchased by consuming the in-game currency held in the game.

  However, when the server ends the game service, if the user does not consume the in-game currency in consideration of the end of the game service, the in-game currency that the user holds in the game remains unconsumed.

  In such a system, since the game server does not hold the user's personal information (address, credit card number, etc.), in order to refund the user's in-game currency that has not been consumed, It is necessary to provide necessary personal information. Therefore, there is a problem of how to make the user aware of the refund process by the end of the game service and to perform it without fail.

  The present invention has been made in view of the problems as described above, and the object of the present invention is to make the user aware of refund processing when ending the game service in a game that charges an item. It is to provide a server and a program that can provide a possible game.

(1) According to the present invention, user identification information for acquiring user identification information received from the terminal in a server that communicates with the terminal and executes a game that consumes the in-game currency purchased by the user and purchases an in-game item. An acquisition unit; a notification processing unit for notifying the terminal of the balance of the in-game currency of the user based on the user identification information; and a refund registration for refund of the in-game currency from the terminal; A refund registration processing unit that performs the refund registration in association with the user identification information, and the notification processing unit is not associated with the user identification information and is not associated with the user identification information and is stored in association with the user identification information. And a server for notifying the terminal of the refund registration when the in-game currency balance is present. To.

  The present invention relates to a system including the above means. The present invention relates to a program that causes a computer to function as each of the above means. The present invention also relates to an information storage medium readable by a computer and storing the program.

  The user identification information is a user ID, a terminal ID, or the like.

  The refund registration related to the refund of the in-game currency may be a registration requesting a refund of the in-game currency, or a registration that does not desire (use up) the refund of the in-game currency.

  The refund may be cash (cash registered mail) or a credit card or may be converted into another virtual currency (a virtual currency commonly used by a plurality of game servers).

  In this way, it is possible to provide a game that allows the user to thoroughly inform the user of the refund process when the service of the game is terminated in a game that charges an item.

(2) Further, in the server, system, program, and information storage medium of the present invention, when the refund registration is performed, the consumption of the in-game currency stored in association with the user identification information is limited (for example, It may further include an in-game currency consumption restriction processing unit that performs a process of prohibiting consumption.

  Restricting consumption of in-game currency may be, for example, making it impossible to use in-game currency (in-game items cannot be purchased).

  In this way, it is possible to prevent the in-game currency registered for refund from being consumed.

(3) Further, in the server, system, program, and information storage medium of the present invention, the notification processing unit, when an instruction input accompanied with consumption of the in-game currency is performed from the terminal, You may notify the possibility of consumption or the balance of the said game currency after consumption.

  Whether or not the in-game currency can be consumed is determined when the refund of the balance of the in-game currency is registered and consumption of the in-game currency is completely prohibited, or when the user designates a refund amount. The difference between the balance of the in-game currency and the return amount specified by the user (when only the amount is usable (when consumption over the predetermined amount of the in-game currency is prohibited) may be notified. Then, the user can know the reason why consumption is limited.

  In addition, the notification of the balance of the in-game currency after consumption is made when the consumption in the game currency is not restricted, or when the user specifies a refund amount, the difference between the balance of the in-game currency and the refund amount specified by the user However, you may notify when it exceeds the amount of consumption. In this way, since the item is purchased while paying attention to the balance of the in-game currency after consumption, the balance of the in-game currency can be systematically consumed by the end of the service.

(4) In the server, system, program, and information storage medium of the present invention, the refund registration processing unit registers the specified designated refund amount in association with the user identification information in relation to the refund registration. The in-game currency consumption restriction processing unit performs consumption of the in-game currency when the remaining amount of the in-game currency is less than the designated return amount by consuming the in-game currency. If the remaining amount of the in-game currency is less than the designated return amount by consuming the in-game currency, the notification processing unit may perform a process of notifying that effect.

  In this way, the designated refund amount designated by the user can be refunded.

(5) Further, in the server, system, program and information storage medium of the present invention, the refund registration processing unit is configured such that the remaining amount obtained by subtracting the designated return amount from the in-game currency cannot purchase any in-game item. Or if it is certain that the remaining amount after purchasing any in-game item will be the fractional amount, registration of the designated refund amount may not be permitted.

  In this way, it is possible to prevent the game from being finished without using the fractional amount by the user.

(6) In the server, the system, the program, and the information storage medium of the present invention, the notification processing unit associates the user identification information with the user identification information when an instruction input accompanied with consumption of the in-game currency is performed. If it is determined whether a refund is registered and it is determined that the refund is registered, the balance after consumption of the in-game currency may be notified.

  In this way, since the item is purchased while paying attention to the balance of the in-game currency after consumption, the balance of the in-game currency can be systematically consumed by the end of the service.

(7) Further, in the server, system, program, and information storage medium of the present invention, a user using authentication information for authenticating the user (which may be an inquiry number issued by the system or a password registered by the user) An authentication processing unit that performs authentication may be further included, and the refund registration processing unit may perform the refund registration for the user authenticated by the authentication processing unit.

(8) In the server, system, program, and information storage medium of the present invention, the authentication processing unit generates an authentication number as the authentication information when a predetermined personal information of a user is registered. The user may be authenticated using the authentication number received from the user terminal.

  In this way, it is possible to prevent personal information from being changed by an impersonating user.

An example of the network diagram of the network system of this embodiment. The functional block diagram of the server of this embodiment. The figure which showed the time schedule until a game server closes a game. 4A and 4B show examples of game user information. An example of a screen transition diagram of a terminal at the time of refund registration. An example of the figure which shows the example of an update of refund registration information by refund registration. An example of a screen transition diagram of a terminal at the time of refund registration change. An example of a screen transition diagram of a terminal at the time of refund registration. An example of an item purchase screen. An example of an item purchase screen. The figure for demonstrating the structure containing a common management server. An example of a screen transition diagram of a terminal at the time of refund registration change. The flowchart which shows the flow of the notification process and refund registration process which a game server performs. FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of change processing for refund registration. The flowchart which shows the flow of a detailed process of the registration process of refund amount. The flowchart which shows the flow of a currency consumption restriction process in a game.

  Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described. In addition, this embodiment demonstrated below does not unduly limit the content of this invention described in the claim. In addition, all the configurations described in the present embodiment are not necessarily essential configuration requirements of the present invention.

1. Configuration 1-1. Network System FIG. 1 shows a network system 1 according to the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, the user terminal 10 (a plurality of terminals may be used), the game server 20, and the communication network such as the Internet 2 can be connected.

  The game server 20 is an information processing apparatus capable of providing a service that allows a user to play a game via the terminal 10 that is connected to the server via the Internet (an example of a network) 2. A predetermined game is provided.

  The game server 20 manages a game history information database 22 in which game user game history information is stored and a game user information database 24 in which game user user information is stored.

  The game server 20 of the present embodiment is configured to be connectable to the accounting server 30 via the network 2. The billing server 30 is a kind of electronic money of an online system (a system in which a host computer of a financial institution, a credit card company, or an electronic money service company and a payment terminal such as a retail store are connected online). Credit information related to "Credit" is managed. “Credit” can be purchased by inputting credit card information or the like at the WEB site provided by the billing server, and the billing server manages the user's credit information. The billing server 30 manages a credit information database 32 that stores game user credit information and a billing user information database 34 that stores game user account information and the like.

  The game server 20 and the billing server 30 of this embodiment have a web server function.

  The terminal 10 is a smartphone, a mobile phone, a tablet terminal, a personal computer, a game terminal, or the like, and is a device that can be connected to the server 20 via a network such as the Internet (WAN) or a LAN. The communication line between the terminal 10, the game server 20, and the billing server 30 may be wired or wireless. Display on the display unit using a communication control function for communicating with the game server 20 or the billing server 30 and data (Web data, data created in HTML format, etc.) received from the game server 20 or the billing server 30 It has a Web browser function for performing control, and performs processing for displaying a predetermined game image on the display unit of the terminal.

The game provided by the game server 20 is a game that uses an item charging system in which charging is performed by consuming in-game currency when purchasing an item. The game server 20 cooperates with a billing server 30 that specializes in billing, and the billing server 30 performs processing for clearing the billing amount corresponding to the in-game currency with a user's credit card or the like. In-game currency is given to the user according to the billing amount.

  When playing a game provided by the game server 20 on the terminal 10, the user consumes in-game currency and purchases a specific game item, or executes a specific event (for example, a lottery event for granting an item). You can do it.

  The game provided by the game server 20 is basically a free game, and is provided on a terminal web browser, such as FLASH, CGI, PHP, shockwave, Java (registered trademark) applet, JavaScript (registered trademark), etc. Browser games (games that can be launched simply by opening the installation site with a web browser) may be used.

  The game provided by the game server 20 may be a game called a social game that is executed using an operating environment (API (application programming interface), platform, etc.) provided by the billing server 30 on the Web. A social game is an application created based on an operating environment (API or platform) that operates on a web browser by a social networking service (SNS) or the like. Unlike existing online games, it does not require dedicated client software and can be used only with a web browser and an SNS account.

  The game provided by the game server 20 is connected to a dedicated server (such as the game server 20 or the billing server 30) or another user's terminal (such as a personal computer or a game machine) via a computer network, and simultaneously online. It may be an online game where you can share your progress.

  The game processing provided by the game server 20 may be performed by the terminal 10 or may be a game realized by cloud computing.

1-2. Server Configuration FIG. 2 shows an example of a functional block diagram of the server 20 of the present embodiment. The server 20 of the present embodiment may have a configuration in which some of the components (each unit) in FIG. 2 are omitted.

  The storage unit 270 serves as a work area for the processing unit 200, the communication unit 296, and the like, and its function can be realized by a RAM (VRAM) or the like. The storage unit 270 includes a storage unit 260 (for example, a database).

  The storage unit 260 functions as a game history information database in which game history information 262 of a user who has played a predetermined game in the present embodiment is stored. The storage unit 260 functions as a game user information database in which game user information 261 of a user who has played a predetermined game in the present embodiment is stored.

As game user information, game user information 261 of each of a plurality of users participating in the network system may be stored. As the game user information, for example, a user name (user account), a user password, or the like may be stored as the game user information 261 in association with the user identification information. Also, in correspondence with the user identification information, the “destination information” of the terminal (IP address, mail address, port number, MAC address, telephone number, etc.), terminal identification information of the terminal 10 for accessing the terminal used by the user May be stored as the game user information 261.

  The information storage medium 280 (computer-readable medium) stores programs, data, and the like, and functions as an optical disk (CD, DVD), magneto-optical disk (MO), magnetic disk, hard disk, and magnetic tape. Alternatively, it can be realized by a memory (ROM). The processing unit 200 performs various processes of the present embodiment based on a program (data) stored in the information storage medium 280. That is, the information storage medium 280 stores a program for causing a computer to function as each unit of the present embodiment (a program for causing a computer to execute processing of each unit).

  The communication unit 296 performs various controls for communicating with the outside (for example, a terminal, another server, or another network system), and functions as hardware such as various processors or communication ASICs. Or by a program.

  The processing unit 200 (processor) performs processing based on a program stored in the information storage medium 280. Specifically, a service is provided in response to a request from a terminal.

  The processing unit 200 performs various processes using the main storage unit 272 in the storage unit 270 as a work area. The functions of the processing unit 200 can be realized by hardware such as various processors (CPU, DSP, etc.), ASIC (gate array, etc.), and programs.

  In particular, the processing unit 200 of the server of this embodiment includes a network setting unit 210, a communication control unit 211, a user identification information acquisition unit 212, a notification processing unit 213, a game processing unit 220, a refund registration processing unit 222, and in-game currency consumption. A restriction processing unit 223 and an authentication processing unit 224 are included. Note that some of these may be omitted.

  The network setting unit 210 receives terminal (for example, portable terminal) identification information from the terminal 10 and stores the network information of the user in the storage unit 260 in association with the received terminal identification information.

  The communication control unit 211 performs processing of transmitting / receiving data to / from other computers including the accounting server and the user terminal via the network.

  When the game processing unit 220 of the game server 20 receives an execution command request for a game program (game application) of a game from a user terminal, the game processing unit 220 performs a process of executing the game program. Various processes in the game processing unit 220 may be performed by the server 20, but some processes may be performed by the terminal. In such a case, the game server 20 transmits (installs) the game processing unit 220 program to the terminal 10.

  The user identification information acquisition unit 212 acquires user identification information received from the terminal. The notification processing unit 213 notifies the terminal of the user's in-game currency balance based on the user identification information. The refund registration processing unit 222 receives a refund registration regarding the refund of the in-game currency from the terminal, and performs the refund registration in association with the user identification information.

  The notification processing unit 213 performs the refund registration to the terminal when there is no refund registration associated with the user identification information and there is an in-game currency balance stored in association with the user identification information. An urging notice may be given.

When the refund registration is performed, the in-game currency consumption restriction processing unit 223 may perform a process of restricting (for example, prohibiting consumption) the in-game currency stored in association with the user identification information.

  The notification processing unit 213 may notify whether or not the in-game currency can be consumed or the balance of the in-game currency after the consumption when an instruction input accompanied by consumption of the in-game currency is performed from the terminal.

  The refund registration processing unit 222 performs processing for registering the specified designated refund amount in association with the user identification information in association with refund registration. The in-game currency consumption restriction processing unit 223 performs a process of prohibiting the consumption of the in-game currency when the in-game currency is consumed and the remaining amount of the in-game currency falls below the designated return amount. When the in-game currency is consumed and the remaining amount of the in-game currency falls below the designated return amount, the notification processing unit 213 may perform a process of notifying that effect.

  The refund registration processing unit 222 determines that the remaining amount obtained by subtracting the designated refund amount from the in-game currency is a fractional amount in which no in-game item can be purchased, or the remaining amount after purchasing any in-game item is the fraction. If it is certain that the amount will be an amount, registration of the designated refund amount may not be permitted.

  The notification processing unit 213 determines whether or not refund registration is performed in association with the user identification information when an instruction input accompanied with consumption of in-game currency is performed, and when it is determined that refund registration is performed. May notify the balance after consumption of the in-game currency.

  The authentication processing unit 224 performs user authentication using authentication information for authenticating the user (which may be an inquiry number issued by the system or a password registered by the user). The refund registration processing unit 222 may perform the refund registration for the user authenticated by the authentication processing unit 224.

  The authentication processing unit 224 generates an authentication number as the authentication information and provides it to the user when the user's predetermined personal information is registered, and authenticates the user using the authentication number received from the user terminal. May be.

2. 2. Method according to the present embodiment 2-1. Time Schedule Until Game Close FIG. 3 shows a time schedule until the game server 20 of the present embodiment closes the game in time series. At the date and time T1, the game server 20 announces that the service end of this game is the date and time T4 after 3 months. Then, on the date T2 one month after the date T1, the release of the in-game currency that the billing server or the game server 20 performs via the billing server 30 is stopped. Then, the game server 20 stops the distribution of the application of the game to the user's terminal at the date T3 that is two months after the date T2. Then, the game service ends at the date T4, which is the day after the date T3. Then, the application for refund registration ends at date T5 one month after date T4.

  The user can use the in-game currency on the game until the date and time T4 when the game service ends. However, after the date and time T2, the user can no longer purchase the in-game currency, and after that, items and the like are purchased within the range of the in-game currency that the user holds in the game.

  After the date and time T4 when the game service ends, the in-game currency can no longer be used, so the user can use up the in-game currency or register for refund by the date and time T4 and have the remaining in-game currency refunded. Select.

  However, since there is a possibility that the user is unaware of the refund registration, the game server 20 performs processing as described below in order to make the user aware of the refund registration.

2-2. Examples of Game User Information FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams showing examples of refund registration information 300 and refund processing personal information 340 stored as game user information. Both are stored as game user information (261 in FIG. 2) in the storage unit (260 in FIG. 2).

  As shown in FIG. 4B, as the refund processing personal information 340, the user's mail address 342, name 344, postal code 346, address 348, etc. are registered in association with the refund registration number 324.

2-3. Notification Processing and Refund Registration Processing The game server 20 notifies the user who has the in-game currency balance of the in-game currency balance at a predetermined timing, and refund registration regarding refund of the in-game currency by the user ( Refund registration processing for accepting a request for refund (registration requesting registration or registration not requiring refund) and performing the refund registration in association with the user identification information of the user is performed.

  The notification process is a process for notifying the user of refund registration when there is a balance of in-game currency that the user has registered for refund.

  After announcing the closing of the game, the game server 20 may perform refund registration processing after stopping the release of the in-game currency (between date T2 and date T5 in FIG. 3). The game server 20 may perform the notification process at a predetermined timing, for example, when the user logs into the game from the user terminal.

  An example of notification processing and refund registration processing performed by the game server 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5, 6, and 13. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a flow of notification processing and refund registration processing performed by the game server.

  When the game server 20 accesses the game site from the terminal 10, the game server 20 searches the user's game user information (refund registration information 300 in FIG. 4A) based on the received information from the terminal 10 (step S20). Information received from the terminal 10 may be, for example, a terminal ID. Since the game server 20 stores the terminal ID of the user, the game can be started with the terminal ID.

  If the user has already registered for refund, the refund registration flag (318 in FIG. 4) is “ON”. If the user has not yet registered for refund, the refund registration flag (318 in FIG. 4) is “OFF”. For example, in FIG. 4A, the user with the game user identification number “GY1” has not yet registered for refund, and the user with the game user identification number “GY2” has already registered for refund.

  If the user's refund registration flag (318 in FIG. 4) is ON (Y in step S30), for example, an image as shown in 510 of FIG. 5 is provided to the terminal 10 to prompt the terminal 10 to perform refund registration. Notification is performed (step S40).

If there is a refund registration request from the terminal 10 (Y in step S50), the terminal 10 is requested to perform user authentication (step S60). For example, when the user selects “Yes” 512, the game server 20 provides (displays) an image requesting a user ID and password as shown at 520 to the terminal 10.

  When the game server 20 receives the user authentication information from the terminal 10 (Y in step S70), the game server 20 performs a user authentication process (step S80). Since the user authentication information here is highly necessary to confirm the identity of the user, as shown at 520, a user ID or password (an example of authentication information for user authentication) which is information input by the user himself / herself is shown. Is used.

  When the user authentication using the user ID and password (an example of authentication information for user authentication) is successful (Y in step S90), the game server 20 provides an image such as 530 in FIG. The terminal 10 is notified of the user's in-game currency balance (see 532 in FIG. 5), prompts the user to input refund information (see 534 in FIG. 5) (step S100), and registers the refund information received from the terminal 10. Perform (step S110).

  As shown at 540 in FIG. 5, a refund amount (see 542 in FIG. 5) is notified, and an input of personal information is requested (see 544 in FIG. 5) (step S120). For example, an image as shown at 550 in FIG. 5 is provided to the terminal 10 to request input of personal information such as a mail address, name, postal code, and address.

  When the game server 20 receives the personal information from the terminal 10 (Y in step S130), the game server 20 generates a refund registration number (328 in FIG. 4), and the refund registration number (328 in FIG. 4) and the personal information (FIG. 4B). 342, 344, 346, 348, etc.) are registered as game user information (personal information 340 for refund processing in FIG. 4B). Then, as shown at 560 and 570 in FIG. 5, the terminal 10 is notified of the completion of refund registration and the refund registration number (step S140).

  FIG. 6 shows that the refund registration information 300 (an example of game user information) is displayed when the user with the game user identification number “GY1” whose refund registration flag is “OFF” performs refund registration as shown in FIG. It shows how it is updated. The game server 20 updates the refund registration flag 318 from “OFF” to “ON”, and registers the refund method “1” corresponding to the “refund with cash” selected by the user as the refund method 320.

2-4. Refund Registration Change Process The refund registration change process is performed for a user who has already made a refund registration (a user whose refund registration flag is “ON”), and is a process in the case of Y in step S30 of FIG. is there.

  An example of the refund registration changing process performed by the game server 20 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of change processing for refund registration.

  In the case of Y in step S30 of FIG. 13, the game server 20 notifies the terminal 10 whether or not the refund registration content is confirmed / corrected (step S210). For example, a confirmation image as shown at 610 in FIG. When the game server 20 receives the confirmation / correction request from the terminal 10 (step S220), the game server 20 requests the terminal 10 for a refund registration number and user authentication (step S230). Specifically, when the user selects “Yes” 612 in 610 in FIG. 7, a confirmation image as shown in 620 in FIG. 7 is provided to the user terminal 10. In the confirmation image 620, the user ID and password are requested in the same manner as the confirmation image 520 in FIG. 5, and the refund registration number 622 is also requested. This is because the refund registration number has already been given in the case of the refund registration change process, so that the refund registration number is confirmed by the refund registration number to prevent the refund destination from being changed by impersonation or the like.

  When the game server 20 receives the refund registration number and the user authentication information (Y in step S240), the game server 20 searches the game user information (refund registration information 300 in FIG. 4A) by the user ID, and uses the user ID and password. User authentication processing and refund registration number authentication processing are performed (step S250).

  When the game server 20 succeeds in the user authentication process and the refund registration number authentication process (Y in step S260), the user's refund registration information (refund registration information 300 in FIG. 4A) and refund processing personal information (see FIG. 4). Based on 4 (B) refund processing personal information 340), a refund registration image of the user as shown at 630 in FIG. 5 is generated and provided to the terminal 10 (step S270).

In the refund registration image 630 displayed on the terminal 10, the user changes the contents of the refund registration (refund method 632 and personal information 634) and instructs (changes) 636 to change the registration contents. Is transmitted to the game server 20. It can be performed.

  When the game server 20 receives the change information from the terminal 10 (Y in Step S280), based on the change information, the game server information (refund registration information 300 in FIG. 4 (A) or refund processing personal in FIG. 4 (B)). The information 340) is updated, and the refund registration completion and the refund registration number are notified (step S290).

2-5. Registration processing of designated refund amount In the embodiment described above, the present invention is not limited to the case where the user requests a full refund of the balance of the in-game currency at the time of refund registration. In the present embodiment, the user can also receive a refund by specifying a refund amount within the range of the balance of the currency in the game.

  An example of registration processing for the designated refund amount performed by the game server 20 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the detailed processing flow of the refund amount registration processing, and shows the detailed processing of “refund information registration processing” in step S110 of the refund registration processing of FIG.

  If the user authentication is successful in step S100 in FIG. 13 (Y in step S90 in FIG. 13), the game server 20 provides a refund method registration image as shown in 530 in FIG. 5, for example (step S310). The terminal 10 is notified of the user's in-game currency balance (see 532 in FIG. 5), and the refund method (see 534 in FIG. 5) is selected. In the refund method registration image as shown by 530 in FIG. 5, the user selects a refund method from “refund with cash”, “convert to system common currency”, “does not request refund”, and “notify later”. Can do.

  When the game server 20 receives the refund method from the terminal 10 (step S320), the game server 20 registers the refund method in association with the user identification information (step S330).

  When “Refund with cash” is selected in 530 of FIG. 5, the refund method “1” corresponding to “Cash with cash” is registered as the refund method 320. When “Refund with cash” is selected, cash registered mail, cash money order, gift certificate, etc. corresponding to the refund amount may be sent using the user's personal information (address, name, etc.). Moreover, when acquiring a credit card number as a user's personal information, you may repay to a user's credit card account.

  If “Cash to system common currency” is selected at 530 in FIG. 5, the refund method “2” corresponding to “Cash to system common currency” is registered as the refund method 320. “System common currency” will be described in “2-6. Conversion to system common currency”.

  In addition, when “Don't want refund” is selected in 530 of FIG. 5, the refund method “3” corresponding to “Don't want refund” is registered as the refund method 320.

  If “Now hold” is selected in 530 of FIG. 5, the refund method “4” corresponding to “Now hold” is registered as the refund method 320.

  The game server 20 provides the terminal 10 with a refund amount type registration image as shown at 650 in FIG. 8, for example (step S340).

  In the refund amount type registration image 650, “full refund of current balance”, “designate return amount”, and “refund balance at end of service” can be selected as the return amount type.

  When the game server 20 receives the return amount type from the terminal 10 (step S350), when the received return amount type is “specify return amount” (step S360), the return amount as indicated by 660 in FIG. The type designation image is provided to the terminal 10 (step S370). The user can perform a designation input 662 of the return amount without the range of the in-game currency balance.

  When the game server 20 receives the designated return amount from the terminal 10 (step S380), the remaining amount obtained by subtracting the designated return amount from the in-game currency balance is a fractional amount in which no item can be purchased or any game item. It is determined whether the remaining amount after purchase is a fractional amount (step S390). When the balance after deducting the specified return amount from the in-game currency balance is a fractional amount that no item can be purchased, for example, the in-game currency balance held by the user is 1000 rubies, and the item that can be purchased in the in-game currency is the lowest In the case of 200 ruby, the user designates the refund amount as 900 ruby. In this case, the remaining amount obtained by subtracting the designated return amount (900 ruby) from the in-game currency balance (1000 ruby) is 100 ruby, and any item in the game cannot be purchased (since the item is at least 200 ruby or more). ) It will be a fractional amount. In addition, when the remaining amount after purchasing any game item becomes a fractional amount, for example, the in-game currency balance held by the user is 1000 ruby, and the items that can be purchased in the in-game currency are 200 ruby and 2 ruby 2 This is the case where the user has specified a return amount of 700 ruby when there are only types. In this case, the remaining amount after deducting the designated return amount (700 ruby) from the in-game currency balance (1000 ruby) is 300 ruby, and when the user purchases an item of 200 ruby in the game, the balance after purchase becomes 100 ruby, It is a fractional amount (because the items are only 200 rubies and 500 rubies).

  When the game server 20 receives the designated return amount from the terminal 10 (step S380), if the remaining amount obtained by subtracting the designated return amount from the in-game currency balance becomes a fractional amount (Y in step S400), the specified return amount The registration request is not accepted, and as shown at 680 in FIG. 8, the reason “cannot register the return amount because the remaining amount is a fraction” 682 is notified (step S410).

  When the remaining amount obtained by subtracting the designated return amount from the in-game currency balance is not a fractional amount (N in Step S400), the game server 20 registers the return amount type and the designated return amount in association with the user identification information (Step S400). S420).

  If the received return amount type is “specify return amount” (N in step S360), the return amount type is registered in association with the user identification information (step S430).

If “full refund of current balance” is selected in 550 of FIG. 8, the return amount type “1” corresponding to “full refund of current balance” is registered as the return amount type 322. When “specify return amount” is selected in 550 of FIG. 8, the return amount type “2” corresponding to “specify return amount” is registered as the return amount type 322. When “Refund the balance at the end of service” is selected in 550 of FIG. 8, the return amount type “3” corresponding to “Refund the balance at the end of service” is registered as the return amount type 322.

2-6. In-game currency consumption restriction process When a refund registration is made by a user, the game server 20 performs a process of restricting (for example, prohibiting consumption) the consumption of the user's in-game currency.

  For example, if the user selects “Full refund for the current balance” and registers for refund, the user cannot use the in-game currency balance from that point. In addition, when the user selects “specify refund amount” and registers for refund, the user purchases the item if the item purchase amount is larger than the remaining amount obtained by subtracting the specified return amount from the in-game currency balance. I can't. Thus, when prohibiting the use of the user's in-game currency, the use is restricted or the reason for the restriction is notified.

  An example of the in-game currency consumption restriction process performed by the game server 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the flow of the intra-game currency consumption restriction process.

When the game server 20 receives the item purchase request from the terminal 10 (Y in step S510), the game server 20 searches for user game user information based on the received information from the terminal 10 (step S520). For example, the game user information can be searched from the terminal ID (312 in FIG. 4), the user ID (314 in FIG. 4), or the like. When the user's refund registration flag ((318 in FIG. 4A)) of the game user information (FIG. 4 (A)) acquired as a search result is on (Y in step S530),
If the refund amount type is “1” (Y in step S540), the item purchase request is not accepted, and the reason is “not fully repatriated, so a new purchase cannot be made” is notified (step S550). FIG. 9 shows an item purchase screen according to the present embodiment. For example, when a user who has already registered for a full refund specifies one recovery drug (200 rubies) (see 710) and instructs the “purchase” button 720, a message notifying the reason for restriction as shown at 730 is output.

  If the return amount type is “2” (Y in step S560), the game server 20 determines whether or not item purchase amount> usable balance, and if item purchase amount> usable balance (Y in step S570). ), The item purchase request is not accepted, and the reason is that “Your available balance is XX because it is registered as a Ruby refund. Item purchase amount exceeds available balance” (step S580) ). If item purchase amount> unusable balance (N in step S570), the item purchase process is performed and an available balance change message “Your available balance has been changed to XX” is notified (step S590).

  If the return amount type is “3” or “4” (Y in step S600), if item purchase amount> in-game currency balance (Y in step S610), the item purchase request is not accepted and the reason “ Your in-game currency balance is XX. Item purchase amount exceeds in-game currency balance "(step S620). If item purchase amount> in-game currency balance is not satisfied (N in step S610), item purchase processing is performed, and as shown in 750 of FIG. 10, the in-game currency balance change message “Your in-game currency balance is XX”. Is changed ”(step S630).

2-7. In the above embodiment, the case where the in-game currency balance is changed to cash has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it can be converted into a system common currency that can be commonly used by a plurality of game servers.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a configuration including a common management server.

The common management server 50 is a server for commonly managing user information and in-game currency for a plurality of game servers 20-1, 20-2,. Therefore, the common management user information 44 managed by the common management server 50 is configured to be shared and used by the plurality of game servers 20-1, 20-2,. For example, if the user has 1000 system common currency, the game server 1 can use this 1000 cosmo and the game 2 provided by the game server 2 can use it. However, when the currency used by each game is different, it is used after being converted into the currency used for each game. For example, if the unit of currency is “ruby” in game 1 and the unit of currency is “diamond” in game 2, “Cosmo” is changed to “ruby” when used in game 1. Use "Cosmo" instead of "Diamond" when using in Game 2.

  In such a case, when the game 1 provided by the game server 1 is closed, the common management server manages the game 1 by converting the in-game currency “ruby” into the system common currency “Cosmo”. Can be exchanged for in-game currency of games provided by other game servers.

  However, in order to convert into the system common currency, it is necessary that the user information of the user is registered in the common management user information DB of the common management server (the user is registered in the common management system).

  FIG. 11 is an example of a registered image when the money is converted into the system common currency. In 530 of FIG. 5, when the user selects “convert to system common currency” and the user is not registered as a user in the common management system, the game server 20 stores information such as 910 in FIG. An image is provided to notify that the user is not registered in the common management system (see 912), and prompt user registration in the common management system (see 914). When the user instructs “Yes”, the game server 20-1 provides a user registration image of the common management system as shown in 920, transmits user input information to the common management server 40, and user registration with the common management system is performed. Upon completion, an image as shown in the common management server 930 is provided to notify that the balance R2 of the in-game currency has been converted into the system common currency C2 Cosmo. The exchange amount of the system common currency C2 Cosmo is stored in the common management user information DB in association with the user identification information of the user's common management system.

  The present invention is not limited to that described in the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made. For example, terms cited as broad or synonymous terms in the description in the specification or drawings can be replaced with broad or synonymous terms in other descriptions in the specification or drawings.

1 network system, 2 internet, 10 terminal, 20 game server, 22 game history information database, 24 game user information database, 30 charging server, 32 credit information database, 34 charging user information database, 200
Processing unit 210 network setting unit 211 communication control unit 212 user identification information acquisition unit 213 notification processing unit 220 game processing unit 222 refund registration processing unit 223
In-game currency consumption restriction processing unit, 224 authentication processing unit, 270 storage unit, 272 main storage unit, 260 storage unit, 261 game user information, 262 game history information

Claims (9)

In a server that communicates with a terminal and executes a game that consumes in-game currency purchased by a user and purchases an in-game item,
A user identification information acquisition unit for acquiring user identification information received from the terminal;
Based on the user identification information, a notification processing unit for notifying the terminal of a balance of the in-game currency of the user;
A refund registration processing unit that accepts a refund registration related to a refund of the in-game currency from the terminal, and performs the refund registration in association with the user identification information,
The notification processing unit
When the refund registration is not made in association with the user identification information and there is a balance of the in-game currency stored in association with the user identification information, the terminal is prompted for the refund registration A server characterized by performing notification. In claim 1,
A server further including an in-game currency consumption restriction processing unit that performs a process of restricting consumption of the in-game currency stored in association with the user identification information when the refund registration is performed. In claim 2,
The notification processing unit
A server for notifying whether or not the in-game currency is consumed or a balance of the in-game currency after consumption when an instruction input accompanied by consumption of the in-game currency is performed from the terminal. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 3,
The refund registration processing unit
In connection with the refund registration, a process of registering a specified designated refund amount in association with the user identification information,
The in-game currency consumption restriction processing unit
By consuming the in-game currency, if the remaining amount of the in-game currency is less than the specified return amount, a process for prohibiting the consumption of the in-game currency is performed,
The notification processing unit
A server that performs a process of notifying that when the in-game currency is consumed and the remaining amount of the in-game currency is less than the specified return amount. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 4,
The refund registration processing unit
When the remaining amount obtained by subtracting the designated refund amount from the in-game currency is a fractional amount that cannot be purchased for any in-game item, or the remaining amount after purchasing any in-game item is surely the fractional amount. If it is, a server that does not permit registration of the designated refund amount. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 5,
The notification processing unit
When an instruction input accompanied with consumption of the in-game currency is performed, it is determined whether or not the refund registration is performed in association with the user identification information, and when it is determined that the refund registration is performed, A server that notifies the balance after consumption of in-game currency. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 6.
An authentication processing unit that performs user authentication using authentication information for authenticating the user;
The refund registration processing unit
A server that performs the refund registration for a user authenticated by the authentication processing unit. In claim 7,
The authentication processing unit
When the user's predetermined personal information is registered, an authentication number is generated and provided to the user as the authentication information,
A server that authenticates a user using the authentication number received from a user terminal. In a program for communicating with a terminal and causing a user to purchase an in-game item by consuming the in-game currency purchased by the user,
A user identification information acquisition unit for acquiring user identification information received from the terminal;
Based on the user identification information, a notification processing unit for notifying the terminal of a balance of the in-game currency of the user;
Accepting a refund registration related to the refund of the in-game currency from the terminal, causing the computer to function as a refund registration processing unit that performs the refund registration in association with the user identification information,
The notification processing unit
When the refund registration is not made in association with the user identification information and there is a balance of the in-game currency stored in association with the user identification information, the terminal is prompted for the refund registration A program characterized by performing notification.

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