JP7592145B2 - Program, terminal, and game system - Google Patents

Description

Article 30, paragraph 2 of the Patent Act applies (1) Publication date: January 31, 2019 Publication name: Card Gamer vol. 44, pages 22-23 and the appendix "Card Set" (2) Date of sale: February 19, 2019 Selling address: https://www. amazon. co. jp/%E3%83%90%E3%83%B3%E3%83%80%E3%82%A4-BANDAI-ZENONSARD-DECKCODE/dp/B07NS1BW4J (3) Date held: February 19, 2019 Meeting name: The Zenon Show (4) Posting date: March 28, 2019 Posting address: https://www. youtube. com/watch? time_continue=17&v=E79AoXSUJ6Q (5) Release date April 22, 2019 Release name: 1st Closed Beta Test Release date May 9, 2019 Release name: 2nd Closed Beta Test (6) Release date September 9, 2019 to January 20, 2020 Website address: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B07WRYC7NS https://apps.apple.com/jp/app/id1451804678 https://play.google.com/store/apps/details? id=com. bandai. zzard (7) Posting date September 10, 2019 Posting address: https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=A9rVI-4Ghd0 (8) Date held, posting date November 23, 2019 Meeting name: ZENONZARD THE 5WALLS powered by RAGE Posting address: https://www. openrec. tv/live/6oz324xq7r3 https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=o7qpGwi3Hwc https://live. nicovideo.jp/gate/lv322770047 (9) Date of publication February 5, 2019 Posting address: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRJfzX_qbEc Date of publication February 17, 2019 Posting address: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8V17_wA20uY

Application of Article 30, paragraph 2 of the Patent Act Continued from Exception 1 to Lack of Novelty: Date of publication February 17, 2019 Posting address: https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=xgT4m9xmpo4 Date of publication May 16, 2019 Posting address: https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=_NyLVRHtY2s Date of publication May 17, 2019 Posting address: https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=QFCLfSniz_w Date of publication June 21, 2019 Posting address: https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=QFCLfSniz_w com/watch? v=5jBBmkkxa3I Posted on July 9, 2019 Posted at https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=G4yFXs5MqpU Posted on July 26, 2019 Posted at https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=BHVeKlkzs8I Posted on August 21, 2019 Posted at https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=Gt8Ou43BH0Y Posted on August 30, 2019 Posted at https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=G4yFXs5MqpU Posted on July 26, 2019 Posted at https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=BHVeKlkzs8I Posted on August 21, 2019 Posted at https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=Gt8Ou43BH0Y Posted on August 30, 2019 Posted at https://www.youtube.com/watch? com/watch? v=CjpuEEWGf6I Posted on September 20, 2019 Posted at https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=t_7aMoj4dRc Posted on October 11, 2019 Posted at https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=ySyM9gqzC9c Posted on October 18, 2019 Posted at https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=Q3tqigJw15U Posted on October 23 ...t_7aMoj4dRc Posted on October 11, 2019 Posted at https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=ySyM9gqzC9c Posted on October 18, 2019 Posted at https://www.youtube.com/watch? v= youtube. com / watch? v = fBTC6FMMwLk Posted on October 29, 2019 Posted at: https://www. youtube. com / watch? v = adFVaKTkLwM Posted on November 14, 2019 Posted at: https://www. youtube. com / watch? v = c-kEJocH9TM Posted on December 6, 2019 Posted at: https://www. youtube. com / watch? v = eCh_TgLKcWc

Application of Article 30, paragraph 2 of the Patent Act Continuation of the contents of Exception 2 to Lack of Novelty: Posted on December 20, 2019 Posted at https://www. youtube. com/watch? v=dJ2UR_MXSBQ

The present invention relates to a program, a terminal, and a game system.

In recent years, games that use platforms such as smartphones and mobile phones have become popular. For example, there are games in which users are assigned virtual objects such as characters (for example, Patent Document 1).

Special table 2015-516177 publication

In games like those described above, it is necessary to provide displays that will heighten the user's interest. The problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide displays that will heighten the user's interest.

One aspect of the present invention is a program that causes a computer to execute an acquisition process for acquiring multiple game elements, a display process for displaying the multiple game elements in a first display mode in a display area, a detection process for detecting the number of operations performed on the game elements, and a change process in which the number of operations for changing the game elements from the first display mode to the second display mode is predetermined according to each attribute of the game elements, and game elements with lower attributes are changed to the second display mode before game elements with higher attributes.

One aspect of the present invention is a terminal that includes an acquisition means for acquiring multiple game elements, a display means for displaying the multiple game elements in a first display mode in a display area, a detection means for detecting the number of operations performed on the game elements, and a change means for changing the number of operations for changing the game elements from the first display mode to the second display mode, the number of operations being determined in advance according to each attribute of the game elements, and for changing game elements having a lower attribute to the second display mode before game elements having a higher attribute.

One aspect of the present invention is a game system that includes an acquisition means for acquiring a plurality of game elements, a display means for displaying the plurality of game elements in a first display mode in a display area, a detection means for detecting the number of operations performed on the game elements, and a change means for changing the number of operations for changing the game elements from the first display mode to the second display mode, the number of operations being determined in advance according to the attributes of the game elements, and for changing game elements having lower attributes to the second display mode before game elements having higher attributes.

According to this application, it is possible to provide a display that enhances the user's interest.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a game system according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the device configuration of a smartphone, which is an example of the player terminal 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a screen display displayed on the display 11 of the player terminal 1 in the standby phase or card use preparation phase of a competitive game. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of operations in the standby phase or card use preparation phase of a competitive game displayed on the display 11 of the player terminal 1. In FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of a display mode of a card. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of the timing at which the display mode of a card changes. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the player terminal 1. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an example of player data. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an example of card data. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an example of a card display format. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of the game server 2. FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram for explaining the operation in the first embodiment. FIG. 13 is a flow diagram for explaining the card acquisition process. FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining an example of the card acquisition menu screen. FIG. 15 is a flow diagram for explaining the card providing process. FIG. 16 is a flow diagram for explaining the card display process. FIG. 17 is a flow diagram for explaining the card display process according to the second embodiment. FIG. 18 shows an example of a display screen in the second embodiment. FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining an example of a rendering in the second embodiment. FIG. 20 is a diagram for explaining an example of a rendering in the third embodiment.

[System Overview]
Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a game system according to the present invention. As shown in Fig. 1, the game system comprises a player terminal 1 prepared for each game player (A, B, ..., n (n is a natural number)), and a game server 2. The player terminal 1 and the game 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 that allows data communication. In other words, the communication line N includes a dedicated line (dedicated cable) for direct connection, a LAN such as Ethernet (registered trademark), a telephone communication network, a cable network, the Internet, and other communication networks, regardless of whether the communication method is wired or wireless.

The player terminal 1 is a computer capable of executing a game program, and is connected to a communication line N via a wireless communication base station or the like, and can perform data communication with the game server 2. The player terminal 1 is, for example, a smartphone, a mobile phone, a portable game device, a stationary home game device, an arcade game device, a personal computer, a tablet computer, a controller for a stationary home game device, etc. Basically, there are multiple player terminals 1, and each is operated by a player.

The game server 2 is a server system that includes one or more server devices, storage devices, etc. The game server 2 provides various services for operating the game of the present invention, and can manage data necessary for operating the game, and distribute game programs and data necessary for running the game on the player terminal 1, etc.

Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the device configuration of a smartphone, which is an example of the player terminal 1. As shown in Fig. 2, the player terminal 1 includes a display 11, a touch operation panel 12 that is integral with the display 11, and a speaker 13. The player terminal 1 also includes a control board, a built-in battery, a power button, a volume adjustment button, etc., which are not shown.

The control board is equipped with various microprocessors such as a CPU, GPU, and DSP, various IC memories such as an ASIC, VRAM, RAM, and ROM, and a wireless communication module for wireless communication with a mobile phone base station. The control board is also equipped with so-called I/F circuits (interface circuits), such as a driver circuit for the touch operation panel 12. Each of the elements mounted on the control board is electrically connected via a bus circuit or the like, and is connected so as to be able to read and write data and send and receive signals.

[Game Description]
To aid in understanding the present invention, a game will be described below. The game described in the present invention will be described by taking as an example a battle game using a first game element owned by a player in the game system described above.

Here, the first game element is a character, and is represented by being embodied in an image including a still image and a moving image, a virtual or real object, etc. Examples of virtual or real objects are, for example, a virtual card displayed on a computer, a real card, etc. The first game element is used as a means of attack or defense used by a player (including a non-player operated by a computer) in a battle in the game. Note that the object is not limited to a card, and is not limited to a card as long as it is configured to be able to identify a game element associated with the object. The object may be, for example, a shaped object such as a figure having the appearance of a game element. In the following description, the first game element that can be made to appear by using a card in the game to be executed is a character whose behavior is controlled based on the player's operation, and the card is described as having a pattern of the corresponding character (an image showing the appearance of the character). Furthermore, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to this, and cards for the purpose of identifying game elements of the game to be executed are not limited to those configured to be able to identify game elements such as characters, but may also identify other game elements such as items and effects to be activated.

Furthermore, in a battle game to which the present invention is applied, a second game element different from the first game element is added. The second game element is a character, but does not necessarily have to be associated with a virtual or physical item.

The second game element has the property of providing the player with operation assistance information, which is information related to the progress of the game, at least during the phase in which the player can operate during battles in the game. In other words, unlike the first game element, whose behavior is controlled based on the player's operation, the second game element can be said to provide operation assistance information autonomously or spontaneously within the game.

The operation assistance information provided by the second game element can be of any type so long as it is information related to the game, but examples include explanatory information that is information necessary for game progress, such as explanations of operation methods, operation instructions, and explanations of terminology, and tactical information that is a strategy for battle strategy, such as information on the selection or action of the first game element (advice information on card selection, opponent's card to be attacked, etc.) and information that gives an advantage in the progress of battles in the game (advice information on the types of cards that will give an advantage in the game battle results).

The second game element is obtained by selecting from a plurality of second game elements. The second game element can use the first game element in the game. Using the first game element includes selecting the first game element in the game or determining the behavior of the character of the first game element. If the first game element is, for example, a card, the second game element autonomously or spontaneously (actively) determines the selection of the card or the behavior (movement) of the character of the card in the battle in the game. In other words, like the function of a non-player operated by a computer, it performs an operation similar to the selection of the first game element or the determination of the behavior of the character of the card performed by a player. However, while a conventional non-player is operated by a computer instead of a human player, the second game element is different in that it exists separately and independently from the human player and uses the first game element. And, unlike a conventional non-player, the player and the second game element form a group (pair) and play against the opposing player.

The second game element is called a buddy or codeman, and has character information. This character information is the game strength (level) and attribute information (gender, personality, etc.) of the second game element. The character information influences the autonomous or spontaneous (active) behavior of the second game element (use of the first game element). In other words, the character information is the ability of the second game element, and differences in this ability result in different autonomous or spontaneous (active) behavior of the second game element (use of the first game element). This character information changes when the second game element is selected and as the game progresses.

The autonomous or spontaneous (active) behavior of the second game element as described above is performed based on information provided by an AI function provided in the game server 2. This AI function is an AI function obtained by machine learning using the contents and results of game progress in many battle games as training data. Typical machine learning methods include, but are not limited to, deep learning, reinforcement learning, or a combination of these.

The content or timing of the autonomous or spontaneous operation assistance information of the second game element changes depending on the character information possessed by the second game element. This character information changes as the game progresses. The character information can have multiple parameters. For example, in this embodiment, the character information includes a parameter (hereinafter referred to as level) that changes depending on the experience points obtained as a result of the game, a parameter (hereinafter referred to as card understanding) that changes depending on the frequency of use of the type of first game element, a parameter (hereinafter referred to as personality) that changes depending on the proportion of use of the type of first game element, and a parameter (hereinafter referred to as synchronization level) that changes depending on a specified event.

The level represents the basic level of the second game element, and increases with experience points gained through battling. As the level increases, the thinking ability of the second game element can also increase. The higher the thinking ability, the more appropriate operation support information can be provided according to the game situation.

Card understanding is the level of understanding of the first game element (such as the level of understanding of the effect activated by the character on the card), and the higher the level of understanding, the more operational support information can be provided that appropriately informs the player of the timing to use the first game element (card).

Personality represents the attributes of the second game element, and changes depending on the proportion of the attributes of the first game element (each character has different attributes).

The synchronization level increases by achieving a specific event within the game. A specific event is logging into the game or the second game element acting together with the player within the game. As the synchronization level differs, the content of the operation support information is different. For example, the higher the synchronization level, the higher the expression of intimacy.

The AI function provided in the game server 2 has multiple AI functions according to the character information described above, and can provide operation assistance information according to the height of the character information. In other words, the higher the character information of the second game element, the more appropriate operation assistance information can be provided.

[Game Contents Overview]
An overview of the game will be explained using the display screen of the display 11 of the player terminal 1.

In the game of this embodiment, the player uses virtual game cards (hereinafter simply referred to as "cards"), which are the first game elements (game objects), in the game. Multiple types of cards are prepared, and each is distinguished by a combination of the character abilities and card attributes associated with it. The character abilities are determined by ability parameter values such as level, attack power, and HP used in play (battle) against opponents such as computer-controlled enemy characters or other players. The card attributes are determined by colors such as red or blue, numbers, etc.

When registering an account, players are given the minimum number of cards needed for battles, and can also acquire cards during the game, by purchasing them as paid items, or through a lottery known as gacha. In addition, cards can also be acquired by obtaining physical game cards (hereafter referred to as "real cards") and going through the registration procedures to make the acquired real cards usable in the game. Specifically, when a player goes through the registration procedures for a real card, they can acquire a card of the card type associated with that real card.

The player then constructs a deck using a predetermined number of cards (for example, 40) from the cards they own, and engages in a battle using the deck. The player must organize the deck before starting a battle. Decks can be organized by touching a card menu on the home screen, etc., and then using the deck organization menu that is presented as one of the options. If the player has enough cards, they can organize and set multiple decks. A battle using a deck is one in which victory or defeat against an opponent is determined using at least the ability parameter values (character information of the first game element) and the card attribute setting values set for the cards that make up the deck (deck cards).

When starting a game, a player completes account registration. When registering an account, the player selects a preferred second game element from a number of second game elements.

When preparations for battle are complete, players can begin the battle by selecting (using a touch operation) the battle menu from the home screen that appears after logging in.

Figure 3 shows an example of a battle screen of a battle game displayed on the display 11 of the player terminal 1. The screen of the display 11 has a first player area 40 in which the player's own cards and other items are set, and a second player area 41 in which the opponent player's cards and other items are set. In addition, at the boundary between the first player area 40 and the second player area 41, operation information 42 relating to operations in the ongoing battle, such as "Please select a card" and "Opponent is acting", is displayed.

The first player area 40 and the second player area 41 each have a hand area 43, a field area 44, a base area 45, and a life area 46. The areas in the first player area 40 and the second player area 42 are located symmetrically across the operation information 42. The hand area 43 in the first player area 40 and the second player area 41 is where cards (hands) acquired from the player's own deck are placed. The field area 44 in the first player area 40 and the second player area 41 is where cards selected by the player from the hand area 43 or the base area 45 are placed. The cards in the hand area 43 can be placed in the field area 44 by spending a predetermined cost. Placing a card in the field area 44 is also called summoning a character. The card placed in the field area 44 can activate the action or effect of the card. In the base area 45 of the first player area 40 and the second player area 41, cards and mana items are placed, which are consumed as a cost for placing cards in each field area 44. The life area 46 of the first player area 40 and the second player area 41 includes a player life area 47, which is an area for the player himself/herself who has a life (HP), and a force life area 48, which is an area for a first object (force) which also has a life. In the player life area 47 of the first player area 40 and the second player area 41, a game object (second object) of a second game element corresponding to the player himself/herself and the life value of the player himself/herself are displayed. In the force life area 48, the first object and the life value of the first object are displayed. The first object exerts a specific effect in the game.

A battle is played out by alternating between the player's turn and the opponent's turn. Each turn consists of multiple phases, such as a standby phase, a mana phase (a phase for preparing to use cards), and a main phase (a battle phase).

The standby phase consists of steps such as placing one card drawn from the deck in the hand area 43.

During the mana phase, players can place cards or mana items in their base area 45. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, a player can touch (select) a card in the hand area 43 with a finger and drag it to the base area 45 to move the card to the base area 45. Also, a mana item displayed at a predetermined position in the first player area 40 during the mana phase can be placed in the base area 45 by touching (selecting) it with a finger and dragging it to the base area 45. Cards and mana items placed in the base area 45 can be consumed as costs. Note that a player may end the mana phase without placing any cards or mana items in the base area 45.

In the main phase, players can decide and execute card actions such as summoning characters, attacking the opponent, activating card effects, and moving cards.

The present invention provides displays that enhance the player's interest when the player acquires cards for a game in which players play against each other using the above-mentioned operations. Here, in order to enhance understanding of the present invention, a screen that is displayed on the display 11 when the player acquires a card will be described. In the following explanation, an example will be given in which the player acquires a set of eight cards, but the number of cards is not limited to this.

The cards acquired by the player are first displayed in a display format that makes it impossible to identify the type of card. That is, a back image common to all cards is displayed in each of the predetermined positions. An example of how the back image of a card is displayed on the display 11 is shown in FIG. 5(a). The example shown in FIG. 5(a) is just one example, and other display formats may be used as long as the display format makes it impossible to identify the type of card.

To know the type of card that the player has acquired, the player performs an operation to display the image of the front of the card, which is a display format that allows the type of card to be identified. This operation is performed by inputting using the touch operation panel 12 in the area of the display 11 where the back image of the card is displayed. Examples of operations include tapping and swiping. FIG. 5(b) shows an example of swiping the area in which the back images of the cards are arranged, and FIG. 5(c) shows an example of tapping the back image of each arranged card in sequence. The examples shown in FIGS. 5(b) and (c) are merely examples, and the start and end points of the swipe and the order of the taps are not limited to these. In the following explanation, swiping is used as an example of an operation.

In the present invention, the number of operations (timing) required to display the front image of a card varies depending on the rarity of the card. The operation to display the front image of a card will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 6.

Figure 6 (a) shows an example of the display screen when a player acquires a card. The backside images of all cards are displayed, and the cards are virtually turned backside down.

The player swipes the area on the display 11 where the back image of the card is displayed. Figure 6(b) is an example of a display screen that is displayed on the display 11 when one swipe is performed. With the first swipe, the front image of the card with the lowest rarity is displayed, so in Figure 6(b), the card with the lowest rarity is shown as the front, and the other cards remain as they are.

The player again swipes the area of the display 11 where the back image of the card is displayed. Figure 6(c) is an example of a display screen displayed on the display 11 when the player has swiped twice. With the second swipe, the front side of the card with the second lowest rarity is displayed. Since the front side image of one card with the second lowest rarity is displayed, in Figure 6(c), the two cards with the first and second lowest rarity are shown as front sides, and the other two cards remain as back sides. The player repeats the swipe 1, 2, 3, ... n times (n: natural number) until the front side images of all the cards are displayed.

In this way, the higher the rarity of the card, the more times the player will swipe. In other words, the higher the rarity of the card, the longer the time the back image is displayed.

As mentioned above, the number of operations required to change the display mode of the card acquired by the player from one in which the type of card cannot be identified to one in which the type of card can be identified varies depending on the rarity of the card.

[composition]
Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the player terminal 1. As shown in Fig. 7, the player terminal 1 includes an operation input unit 50, a storage unit 51, a processing unit 52, an image display unit 53, a sound output unit 54, and a communication unit 55.

The operation input unit 50 allows the player to input various operations, and outputs an operation input signal corresponding to the operation input to the processing unit 52. The functions of the operation input unit 50 can be realized by, for example, elements that are directly operated by the player's fingers, such as a touch operation pad, a home button, a button switch, a joystick, or a trackball, as well as elements that detect movement or posture, such as an acceleration sensor, an angular velocity sensor, a tilt sensor, or a geomagnetic sensor. In FIG. 2, this corresponds to the touch operation panel 12.

The storage unit 51 stores in advance or temporarily stores each time processing is performed programs for operating the player terminal 1 and implementing the various functions of the player terminal 1, as well as data used during execution of these programs. The storage unit 51 can be realized, for example, by RAM, ROM, IC memory such as flash memory, magnetic disks such as hard disks, optical disks such as CD-ROMs and DVDs, etc.

The memory unit 51 stores a system program and a game program. The system program is a program for implementing the basic functions of the player terminal 1 as a computer. The game program is a program for causing the processing unit 52 to function as a game calculation unit 61. This program is distributed from the game server 2 or another application distribution server, etc., once the player has completed account registration.

In addition, the memory unit 51 stores player data and card data. In addition, data on items owned by the player, model data and texture data for displaying images of game elements, motion data, effect data, background images for the game screen, sound data such as sound effects, etc. are distributed as data necessary for the game and stored in the memory unit 51.

The player data stores owned card identification information and deck setting information. Figure 8 is a diagram showing an example of player data. Owned card identification information is identification information of cards acquired by the player. If a player has multiple identical cards, multiple cards with the same identification information are stored. In a battle using cards, a player constructs a deck with a predetermined number of cards (e.g., 40 cards) from the cards they own, and plays a match using the deck against an opponent. Deck setting information is information that indicates whether the player has set the card in the deck. When the player sets the card in the deck, the deck setting information is checked (turned on).

Card data is information about all cards set in the game. Figure 9 shows an example of card data. Card data stores card identification information, identification information for the image on the front of the card, character abilities, and card attributes, which are associated with one another. Figure 9 shows an example in which HP is stored as character ability information, and rarity is stored as card attribute information.

The processing unit 52 comprehensively controls the operation of the player terminal 1 based on the programs and data stored in the memory unit 51, the operation input signals from the operation input unit 50, etc. The functions of the processing unit 52 can be realized by electronic components such as a microprocessor such as a CPU or GPU, an ASIC, and an IC memory. The processing unit 52 has, as its main functional units, a game calculation unit 61, a communication control unit 62, and a detection unit 63.

The game calculation unit 61 executes various game processes in this embodiment. The game calculation unit 61 includes a card provision unit 71, a display control unit 72, a game management unit 73, and a sound control unit 74.

The card providing unit 71 performs processing related to the provision of cards. A card is provided to a player by satisfying a certain condition for card provision. The certain condition includes payment of a price (money, in-game currency, points acquired by the player by participating in a lottery event held on the Internet, etc.), exchange with a reward acquired for the player's actions in or outside the game, registration of a user account, etc. When a player operates the touch operation panel 12 of the player terminal 1 to input a request for card provision, the card providing unit 71 transmits the card provision request to the game server 2 via the communication unit 55. The card providing unit 71 receives, via the communication unit 55, the identification information of the card transmitted from the game server 2 when the card provision condition is satisfied. The card providing unit 71 adds the identification information of the received card to the user data of the memory unit 51. Based on the identification information of all the received cards, the card providing unit 71 reads the rarity values and the identification information of the card images of all the received cards from the card data. The card providing unit 71 associates the read rarity value and the identification information of the card image with the card identification information and outputs it to the display control unit 72 as acquired card rarity information.

The display control unit 72 controls the display of images of the game in general displayed on the display 11. When acquired card rarity information is output from the card providing unit 71, the display control unit 72 displays the back image of the card on the display 11 according to a card display format indicating the position for displaying each card on the display 11. Furthermore, each acquired card is assigned to each position of the card display format. Figure 10 is a diagram for explaining the card display format. The arrangement of the cards displayed on the display 11 is determined in advance, and position identification information is assigned to each position where the card is arranged. Figure 10 shows an example in which position identification information is assigned in order from 1 to 8. The display control unit 72 assigns the card identification information of the acquired card to each position identification information, and displays the front image of the card at the position of the assigned position identification information.

When the detection unit 63 detects an input operation by the player, the display control unit 72 checks the rarity values of cards whose faces are not displayed on the display 11, and reads out an image of the face of the card from the memory unit 51 based on the card image identification information of the card with the lowest rarity value among those cards. The display control unit 72 displays the read image at the position of the position identification information assigned to that card. The display control unit 72 checks the rarity values of cards whose faces are not displayed until the faces of all cards are displayed, and displays an image of the face of the card with the lowest rarity value.

The game management unit 73 manages the progress of the entire game.

The audio control unit 74 generates audio signals such as game-related sound effects and background music, audio information for operation support information, and various operation sounds, and outputs them to the audio output unit 54. The functions of the audio control unit 74 can be realized, for example, by a processor such as a digital signal processor (DSP) or a voice synthesis IC, or an audio codec capable of playing audio files.

The communication control unit 62 performs communication connection and data processing for data communication with the game server 2 via the communication unit 55 described below.

The detection unit 63 detects whether an input that matches a preset condition has been input from the operation input unit 50. In the following explanation, it detects pressing in a specific area on the display 11.

The image display unit 53 displays various game screens based on image signals input from the display control unit 71. The functions of the image display unit 53 can be realized by a display device such as a flat panel display, a cathode ray tube (CRT), a projector, or a head-mounted display. In FIG. 2, the image display unit 62 corresponds to the display 11.

The audio output unit 54 is for outputting sound effects and the like related to the game based on the audio signal input from the audio control unit 74. In FIG. 2, the audio output unit 54 corresponds to the speaker 13.

The communication unit 55 realizes communication by connecting to the communication line N. The functions of the communication unit 55 can be realized, for example, by a wireless communication device, a modem, a TA (terminal adapter), a jack for a wired communication cable, a control circuit, etc.

The configuration of the game server 2 will be described. Figure 11 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the game server 2.

The game server 2 includes a processing unit 91, a communication unit 92, and a memory unit 93.

The processing unit 91 includes a player management unit 101, a game management unit 102, and a card to be offered determination unit 103.

The player management unit 101 uses user information data to manage accounts, game progress, etc. for each connected player terminal 1.

The game management unit 102 receives card setting information, information about the game match, etc. from the player terminal 1, and performs match processing using the card setting information, information about the game match, and card data.

The card to be provided determination unit 103 receives a card provision request from the player terminal 1 via the communication unit 93 and determines whether the conditions for providing a card are met. If the conditions for providing a card are met, the card to be provided determination unit 103 transmits identification information of the card to be provided to the player to the player terminal 1 via the communication unit 93. The identification information of the card to be provided to the player is determined according to a condition (acquisition probability) that is preset according to the rarity of each card.

The communication unit 92 connects to the communication line N to realize communication.

The memory unit 93 stores a system program and a game program. The system program is a program for implementing the basic functions of the game server 2 as a computer. The game program is a program for causing the processing unit 91 to function as a player management unit 101, a game management unit 102, and a provided card determination unit 103.

Furthermore, the recording unit 92 stores user information data and card data.

The user information data is basic data about the players participating in the game, and records the user information data for each player. The user information data includes identification information of cards held by the user. The card data is the same data as the card data held by the player terminal 1.

[Action]
The operation of this embodiment will be described below with reference to Fig. 12, which is a sequence diagram for explaining the operation of this embodiment.

The player operates the player terminal 1 to request a card (step 1).

When the player terminal 1 accepts a request to acquire a card from a player, it executes a card acquisition process (step 2).

When the game server 2 receives a card acquisition request from the player terminal 1, it executes a card provision process (step 3).

When the player terminal 1 receives the cards from the game server 2, the player terminal 1 executes a card display process (step 4). The card display process includes a process in which the player operates the touch operation panel 12 of the player terminal 1 to input information while the card display process is being executed (step 5).

Next, the details of the card acquisition process (step 2) executed on the player terminal 1 will be explained using the flow diagram in Figure 13.

The image display unit 53 displays a card acquisition menu as shown in FIG. 14 on the display 11 (step 21). The player operates the touch operation panel 12 of the player terminal 1 to request acquisition of a card. The example shown in FIG. 13 indicates that the player has operated the touch operation panel 12 to select "Card Pack 1."

The detection unit 63 detects the content input by the player by operating the touch operation panel 12, in this case the selection of "Card Pack 1," and notifies the card provision unit 71 that "Card Pack 1" has been selected (step 22).

The card providing unit 71 generates a request to acquire card pack 1 and transmits it to the game server 2 via the communication unit 55 (step 23).

Next, the details of the card provision process (step 3) executed by the game server 2 will be explained using the flow diagram in Figure 15.

The communication unit 93 of the game server 2 receives the card acquisition request sent from the player terminal 1 (step 31).

When a card acquisition request is received, the card to be provided determination unit 103 determines whether the conditions for providing the card, such as payment of a price, are met (step 32). If the conditions for providing the card are not met (step 32: No), notification information is sent to the player terminal 1 so that a notification that the conditions for providing the card are not met is displayed on the display 11 of the player terminal 1 (step 33).

If the provision conditions are met (step 32: Yes), the card identification information is transmitted to the player terminal 1 via the communication unit 93 (step 34).

Next, the details of the card display process (step 4) executed on the player terminal 1 will be explained using the flow diagram in FIG. 16. Note that in the following explanation, an example will be given in which the player performs an operation of swiping the arranged cards as shown in FIG. 5(b).

The communication unit 55 receives the card identification information sent by the game server 2 (step 41).

The card providing unit 71 reads out the rarity values and card image identification information of all the received cards based on the received card identification information (step 42). The card providing unit 71 associates the read out rarity values and card image identification information with the card identification information, and outputs the result as acquired card rarity information (step 43).

When the display control unit 72 receives the acquired card rarity information output by the card providing unit 71, it assigns card identification information to each position in the card display format and determines the display position of each card (step 44).

The display control unit 72 reads the back image from the memory unit 51 and displays it on the display 11 according to the card display format (step 45).

When the back images of all cards are displayed on the display 11, the detection unit 63 starts detecting a swipe by the player on the area where the cards are displayed on the touch operation panel 12 (step 46). When the detection unit 63 detects a swipe operation, it notifies the display control unit 72 of that fact (step 46: Yes). The display control unit 72 checks the rarity values of cards whose front faces are not displayed on the display 11, reads out the image of the front of the card from the memory unit 51 based on the card image identification information of the card with the lowest rarity value among those cards, and displays it in the display position assigned to that card (step 47).

The display control unit 72 checks whether the fronts of all cards are displayed (step 48). If the fronts of all cards are not displayed (step 48: No), the process returns to step 7. If the fronts of all cards are displayed (step 48: Yes), the process ends.

In the above embodiment, a configuration has been described in which card data for all cards is pre-stored in the player terminal 1, but this configuration is not limited to this. For example, when the conditions for providing a card are met, the card providing determination unit 103 may be configured to transmit card identification information, card image, character HP, and rarity, and the card providing unit 71 and display control unit 72 may be configured to perform operations similar to those described above using the received card identification information, card image, character HP, and rarity.

According to the present invention described above, the image of the back of the card that the player has acquired is displayed, and when the player touches the image of the back of the card on the touch panel, the image of the front of the card is displayed in order from low rarity to high rarity according to the number of times the player touches it, so the player can perform the next action with a sense of anticipation. This increases the player's interest.

Second Embodiment
In the above embodiment, an example of a display mode in which the card is displayed on its back side has been described as an example of a display mode in which the card cannot be identified. In the present embodiment, an example in which the card is virtually contained in a package will be described as an example of a display mode in which the card cannot be identified. Note that the same components as those in the above embodiment are given the same numbers, and detailed descriptions will be omitted.

The detection unit 63 detects an operation of the touch operation panel 12 by the player. In this embodiment, a case where an area where a package image is displayed is tapped will be described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this.

When the detection unit 63 detects an input operation by the player, the display control unit 72 checks the rarity values of cards whose faces are not displayed on the display 11, and reads out an image of the face of the card from the memory unit 51 based on the card image identification information of the card with the lowest rarity value among those cards. The display control unit 72 displays the read image at the position of the position identification information assigned to that card.

The display control unit 72 checks the rarity values of cards whose faces are not displayed until the faces of all cards are displayed, and displays an image of the face of the card with the lowest rarity value.

[Action]
The operation of this embodiment will be described. Fig. 17 is a sequence diagram for explaining the operation of this embodiment. In the following explanation, the operation up to step 43 where the card providing unit 71 outputs the acquired card rarity information is the same as that of the above embodiment, so the explanation will be omitted.

The display control unit 72 reads out the package image from the storage unit 51 and displays it on the display 11 (step 51). An example of the display screen displayed on the display 11 at this time is shown in FIG. 18(a).

When the package image is displayed on the display 11, the detection unit 63 starts detecting a tap operation from the player on the area where the package image is displayed (step 52). When a tap operation is detected (step 52: Yes), the detection is notified to the display control unit 72.

The display control unit 72 checks the rarity of cards whose faces are not displayed on the display 11 using the rarity information of the acquired cards, and acquires identification information for the card image of the card with the lowest rarity among the cards (step 53). The display control unit 72 reads out the image of the face of the card from the memory unit 51 based on the acquired identification information of the card image, and displays the image in the display position to which the card is assigned (step 54). An example of a display screen displayed by a single tap operation is shown in FIG. 18(b), and an example of a display screen displayed by two tap operations is shown in FIG. 18(c).

The display control unit 72 checks whether the fronts of all cards are displayed (step 55). If the fronts of all cards are not displayed (step 55: No), the process returns to step 52. If the fronts of all cards are displayed (step 55: Yes), the process ends.

In the above explanation, the display control unit 72 displays the read image directly in the position to which the card is assigned, but effects may be added before the front of the card is displayed. For example, as in the example shown in Figures 19(a) and (b), adding an effect in which the front of the card is displayed after an image or video of a card virtually emerging from a package is displayed provides a visual stimulus to the player, increasing interest.

According to the present invention as described above, an image of a package in which the card acquired by the player is virtually placed is displayed, and when the player touches the package image on the touch panel, images of the fronts of the cards are displayed in order from low to high rarity depending on the number of times the player touches it, allowing the player to perform the next action with a sense of anticipation. This increases the player's interest.

<Third embodiment>
In this embodiment, a configuration is described in which, when the fronts of all cards are not displayed, a message is displayed on the display 11 indicating that further input operations are required. Note that the same components as those in the above embodiment are given the same numbers, and detailed descriptions are omitted. In addition, the configuration applied to the first embodiment is used for the description, but it may also be applied to the second embodiment.

The display control unit 72 checks whether the fronts of all cards are displayed, and if the fronts of all cards are not displayed, displays a message urging the player to perform a swipe operation. That is, when the detection unit 63 starts detecting a swipe operation by the player, a message is displayed urging the player to perform a swipe operation.

Figure 20 shows an example of a presentation image that displays "Please swipe" in the form of a speech bubble as the buddy's lines, which are the second game element, to encourage further touch operations. It may also be configured to simply display the text string "Please swipe" on the display.

In the above description, a case has been described in which when the detection unit 63 starts to detect a swipe operation by the player, a display is displayed to prompt the player to perform a swipe operation, but other cases are also possible. For example, when a swipe operation is not detected for a predetermined period of time, a display may be displayed to prompt the player to perform a swipe operation.

In the above description, a performance image is displayed, but other performance methods may be used. For example, instead of a performance image, a performance sound may be prepared in advance and the performance sound may be output from the sound output unit 52. Alternatively, instead of a performance image, a performance may be performed by a performance vibration. In the present invention, a performance image, a performance sound, and a performance vibration may be combined.

In this embodiment, by displaying an effect image that prompts the player to perform further operations, the player is informed that the acquired cards include a high rarity card, which increases the player's interest.

Preferred embodiments and examples have been described above. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the above embodiments and examples, and can be modified and implemented in various ways within the scope of its technical concept.

A part or all of the above embodiments may be described as follows, but are not limited to the following:

(Appendix 1)
A terminal for executing a game using a first game element,
A memory in which executable instructions are stored and a processor,
The processor, in response to the execution instructions,
An acquisition process for acquiring game elements;
A detection process for detecting an operation on the display unit by a player;
A terminal that executes a display control process in which, when the detection means detects an operation on at least one of the game elements displayed in a first display mode on the display unit, game elements having a first rarity assigned to them are displayed in a second display mode, and game elements having a rarity other than the first rarity are displayed while maintaining the first display mode.

(Appendix 2)
A memory in which executable instructions are stored and a processor,
The processor, in response to the execution instructions,
An acquisition process for acquiring game elements;
A detection process for detecting an operation on the display unit by a player;
A terminal that executes a display control process in which, when the detection means detects an operation on at least one of the game elements displayed in a first display mode on the display unit, game elements whose rarity is assigned to the game elements of a first rarity are displayed in a second display mode, and game elements whose rarity is assigned to a rarity other than the first rarity are displayed while maintaining the first display mode.

(Appendix 3)
A game management server capable of communicating with a terminal that executes a game using game elements,
A memory in which executable instructions are stored and a processor,
The processor, in response to the execution instructions,
An acquisition process for acquiring game elements;
A detection process for detecting an operation on the display unit by a player;
When the detection means detects an operation on at least one of the game elements displayed in a first display mode on the display unit, the game management server executes a display control process which displays game elements whose rarity is a first rarity in a second display mode, and displays game elements whose rarity is other than the first rarity while maintaining the first display mode.

(Appendix 4)
A memory in which executable instructions are stored and a processor,
The processor, in response to the execution instructions,
A process of acquiring game elements;
A process of displaying the acquired game element in a first display mode;
A process of detecting an operation on a game element displayed in a first display manner;
When the rarity of the game element for which an operation is detected is a first rarity, a process of displaying the operated game element in a second display mode;
A program that causes a computer to execute the following.

1 Player terminal 2 Game server 11 Display 12 Touch panel 13 Speaker

Claims (10)

an acquisition process for acquiring a plurality of game elements;
a display process for displaying the plurality of game elements in a display area in a first display mode;
a detection process for detecting the number of operations on the game element;
a change process in which the number of operations for changing the game elements from the first display mode to the second display mode is predetermined according to each attribute of the game elements, and a game element having a lower attribute is changed to the second display mode earlier than a game element having a higher attribute;
A program that causes a computer to execute the following. the acquisition process is performed by satisfying a condition for paying a price for the acquisition of the game element;
The program according to claim 1. 3. The program according to claim 1, wherein the higher the attribute of the game element, the longer the display time of the first display mode. the number of operations for changing the game element from the first display mode to the second display mode increases as the attribute of the game element becomes higher;
The program according to any one of claims 1 to 3. executing a process of displaying information prompting a further operation when at least one of the game elements is displayed in the first display mode;
The program according to any one of claims 1 to 4. the information prompting the player to perform a further operation is displayed using a second game element different from the game element.
The program according to claim 5. the first display mode is a mode in which the game element cannot be identified, and the second display mode is a mode in which the game element can be identified;
The program according to any one of claims 1 to 6. the first display mode is a mode in which an attribute of the game element cannot be identified, and the second display mode is a mode in which an attribute of the game element can be identified;
The program according to any one of claims 1 to 7. An acquisition means for acquiring a plurality of game elements;
a display means for displaying the plurality of game elements in a display area in a first display manner;
a detection means for detecting the number of operations on the game element;
a change means for changing the game elements from the first display mode to the second display mode, the number of operations for changing the game elements from the first display mode to the second display mode being determined in advance according to each attribute of the game elements, and for changing a game element having a lower attribute to the second display mode prior to a game element having a higher attribute;
A terminal comprising: An acquisition means for acquiring a plurality of game elements;
a display means for displaying the plurality of game elements in a display area in a first display manner;
a detection means for detecting the number of operations on the game element;
a change means for changing the game elements from the first display mode to the second display mode, the number of operations for changing the game elements from the first display mode to the second display mode being determined in advance according to each attribute of the game elements, and for changing a game element having a lower attribute to the second display mode prior to a game element having a higher attribute;
A game system comprising:

Images