JP7617441B2 - Information processing system, information processing device, and program - Google Patents

Description

Application of Article 30, Paragraph 2 of the Patent Act (1): App Store Date of publication: September 14, 2021, September 15, 2021, September 30, 2021, October 20, 2021, November 24, 2021, December 9, 2021, December 24, 2021, January 17, 2020, February 1, 2020 , February 24, 2020, March 17, 2020, March 30, 2020, April 11, 2020, April 15, 2020, 2020 May 19, June 3, 2020, June 29, 2020, July 1, 2020, July 21, 2020 Publication address: https://apps. apple. com/jp/app/id901649419 (2): Google Play Store Publication date: September 14, 2021, September 15, 2021, September 30, 2021, October 20, 2021, November 5, 2021, December 9, 2021, December 24, 2021, January 17, 2020, February 1, 2020, February 24, 2020, March 17, 2020, March 30, 2020, April 11, 2020, April 28, 2020, May 2020 June 3, 2020, June 29, 2020, July 1, 2020, July 21, 2020 Posting address: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bij.snoopyDrops

This disclosure relates to an information processing system, an information processing device, and a program.

Patent document 1 discloses an asynchronous event in which a group is made up of multiple users, and the user can continue playing the game as long as they perform operations, even if other users in the group are not playing the game.

JP 2014-023637 A

However, there are many users who want to enjoy the atmosphere of cooperative play.

In consideration of the above circumstances, this disclosure aims to provide technology that allows players to play in a relaxed manner while creating an atmosphere of cooperative play.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an information processing system is provided. In the configuration step of this information processing system, a group including a main user and one or more sub-users matched to the main user is configured. The group includes a first group and a second group, the first group includes a first user who is a main user and a second user who is a sub-user, the second group includes the second user who is a main user, while the first user is not included in the sub-users, and in the determination step, group points associated with the group are determined based on the results of games individually played by each user included in the group, first group points associated with the first group are determined based on the results of the game played by the first user, and first group points and second group points associated with the second group are determined based on the results of the game played by the second user.

This disclosure allows players to play in a relaxed manner while still creating an atmosphere of cooperative play.

1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an information processing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of an information processing device 2 according to the present embodiment. FIG. FIG. 11 is an activity diagram showing an example of the flow of an event-related process. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of displayed group information. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another example of displayed group information. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a user who is matched with user A. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of information about users who are matching candidates. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a user who is matched with user B. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of information about users who are matching candidates. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of group points at the end of an event. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a reward notification to a user. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another example of a notification of a reward to a user. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of the contribution degree of a sub-user. 13 is a block diagram showing another example of the functional configuration of the information processing device 2. FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sub-user table. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a group change.

[Embodiment]
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Various features shown in the following embodiments can be combined with each other.

The program for realizing the software appearing in this embodiment may be provided as a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium, or may be provided so that it can be downloaded from an external server, or may be provided so that the program is started on an external computer and its functions are realized on a client terminal (so-called cloud computing).

In this embodiment, a "unit" may also include, for example, a combination of hardware resources implemented by a circuit in the broad sense and software information processing that can be specifically realized by these hardware resources. In addition, this embodiment handles various types of information, which may be represented, for example, by physical values of signal values representing voltage and current, high and low signal values as a binary bit collection consisting of 0 or 1, or quantum superposition (so-called quantum bits), and communication and calculations may be performed on a circuit in the broad sense.

In the broad sense, a circuit is a circuit realized by at least appropriately combining a circuit, circuitry, a processor, and memory. In other words, it includes application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), programmable logic devices (e.g., simple programmable logic devices (SPLDs), complex programmable logic devices (CPLDs), and field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs)), etc.

1. Description of the Game Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of an information processing system 1 according to this embodiment. In the information processing system 1 shown in Fig. 1, an information processing device 2 and a plurality of game devices 3 are communicably connected to each other via a communication network 11, and a game is executed on the game devices 3.

The game according to this embodiment is an online game executed by the information processing system 1. In this game, a user of the game device 3 causes one or more player characters to act in a virtual game space, and causes the player characters to fight against enemy characters, which are non-player characters. Furthermore, a character is an example of an object.

The above-mentioned games are played using a game device 3, which is a home game console such as PlayStation (registered trademark), a portable game console such as Nintendo Switch (registered trademark), or an electronic device such as a personal computer, smartphone, or tablet terminal.

2. Overview of Information Processing System 1 As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing system 1 is composed of an information processing device 2 and a plurality of game devices 3. The information processing device 2 stores game programs and game data, and manages the game data of the game devices 3 (for each account information described below). The information processing device 2 is composed of, for example, a server. Each of the plurality of game devices 3 has the same configuration. Note that in this embodiment, a system is composed of one or more devices or components. Therefore, for example, even the information processing device 2 or the game device 3 alone described below can be an example of the information processing system 1.

The game device 3 executes a predetermined game based on the user's operation. To this end, the game device 3 receives (specifically, downloads and installs) a game program and game data from the information processing device 2 via the communication network 11. Each user is assigned account information including identification information and a password in association with the game device 3. This account information is transmitted from the game device 3 to the information processing device 2 at the time of login, and is used for user authentication on the information processing device 2.

After user authentication, the information processing device 2 and the game device 3 are able to communicate with each other. After logging in, the game device 3 receives data necessary for game progress (data related to the game progress status) from the information processing device 2, and progresses the game while outputting game images and sounds to the display 4a and speaker 4b based on the user's operations.

2.1 Hardware Configuration Hereinafter, each hardware component of the information processing system 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

<Information processing device 2>
1, the information processing device 2 includes a communication unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a control unit 23. The communication unit 21 and the storage unit 22 are electrically connected to the control unit 23 via a communication bus 20.

The communication unit 21 is a so-called network interface that is communicatively connected to each game device 3 via a communication network 11 such as the Internet and a LAN. Main information that the information processing device 2 receives via the communication unit 21 includes game program download request information, a gacha lottery request in response to a user's operation, a quest execution request, a request to execute/end autoplay, account information, game data, etc. Main information that the information processing device 2 transmits via the communication unit 21 includes information for confirming that the game device 3 has received the game program, information about the game media obtained by gacha, etc.

The storage unit 22 is composed of a hard disk drive (HDD), a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), and a solid state drive (SSD). The storage unit 22 stores various programs, including a part of the game program according to this embodiment, and various data related to the game.

Specifically, for example, the storage unit 22 stores a user DB and a lottery list. In the user DB, for each identification number of a user playing the game, information such as the user name, user rank, status information on the player character operated by the user, the amount of consumable media usable in the virtual game space, information on parameters, etc. are stored in association with each other. The lottery list is used for a lottery process generally called gacha, and includes multiple pieces of information on the game media to be selected. The lottery list associates information on the game media (name, ability parameters, rarity, level, etc.) with the selection rate by lottery. Furthermore, the ability parameters include, for example, fighting power, HP, attack power, defense power, intelligence, speed, etc., when the game medium is a player character.

The control unit 23 is composed of a microcomputer including a CPU and a semiconductor memory, and controls the operation of the information processing device 2, which is its own device. In particular, the control unit 23 realizes various functions related to the information processing device 2, which is its own device, by reading out a specific program stored in the storage unit 22. That is, information processing by the software stored in the storage unit 22 is specifically realized by the control unit 23, which is an example of hardware, and each of the functional units described below can be executed. Note that the control unit 23 is not limited to being single, and may be implemented with multiple control units 23 for each function. A combination of these may also be used.

Examples of information processing executed by the control unit 23 include a charge settlement process, a user account authentication process, and a gacha lottery selection process. The charge settlement process is executed, for example, based on a request for a charge required to restore a predetermined amount of in-game parameters. The user account authentication process is executed, for example, using the user's identification information received from the game device 3. The gacha lottery selection process is a process in which, in response to a gacha lottery request, one or more game media are selected by lottery from a lottery list based on the selection probability for each game medium. According to the gacha lottery selection process, information on the selected game media and the identification information of the user who performed the operation that is the source of the lottery request are associated in the user DB, and the user is thereby granted the game media that he or she won as a result of drawing the gacha.

To further supplement the above, "game media" refers to electronic data that represents elements related to a game, including the name of the character used as the player character, and items (weapons, armor, tools) that the player character uses in the virtual game space. Users can obtain game media by directly purchasing the game media through a fee, clearing quests, or by a lottery method called gacha. The obtained game media is stored and managed in the user DB in association with the identification information of the user who has come to own the game media. Furthermore, "gacha" is a method in which the information processing device 2 selects any game media by lottery from a lottery list based on a predetermined selection ratio. The selected game media is given to the user's game device 3. "Giving the game media selected by gacha to the user/the user owns it" is synonymous with "associating/being associated with the game media selected by the lottery process with the identification information indicating the user."

<Game Device 3>
A display 4a, a speaker 4b, and an input device 4c are externally connected or built into the game device 3. The game device 3 also has a communication unit 31, a storage unit 32, a control unit 33, a graphics processing unit 34a, an audio processing unit 34b, and an operation unit 34c. The communication unit 31, the storage unit 32, the graphics processing unit 34a, the audio processing unit 34b, and the operation unit 34c are electrically connected to the control unit 33 via a communication bus 30.

The communication unit 31 is a so-called network interface that is communicatively connected to the communication network 11 in order to transmit and receive various data between the game device 3 and the information processing device 2. Main information that the game device 3 receives via the communication unit 31 includes account information, download request information for new game data, a gacha execution request, a quest execution request, etc. Main information that the game device 3 transmits via the communication unit 31 includes new game data sent from the information processing device 2 in response to download request information, information on the game medium selected by lottery processing, etc.

The storage unit 32 is composed of a HDD, SSD, RAM, ROM, etc. The storage unit 32 stores game data downloaded from the information processing device 2, various programs including a part of the game program, account information of the game device 3 which is the device itself, user information, etc. The user information is at least a part of the information in the user DB stored in the storage unit 22 of the information processing device 2. The user DB manages the master of the user information, and at least a part of the information in this master is distributed from the information processing device 2 and stored in the storage unit 32 of the game device 3.

The control unit 33 is composed of a microcomputer including a CPU and semiconductor memory, and controls the operation of the game device 3, which is the device itself. In particular, the control unit 33 realizes various functions related to the game device 3, which is the device itself, by reading out a specific program stored in the storage unit 32. That is, information processing by the software stored in the storage unit 32 is specifically realized by the control unit 33, which is an example of hardware, and each of the functional units described below can be executed. Note that the control unit 33 is not limited to being single, and may be implemented with multiple control units 33 for each function. A combination of these may also be used.

In particular, the control unit 33 is configured to execute the game in accordance with the operation of the input device 4c by the user of the game device 3, which is the own device. Specifically, the control unit 33 reads data such as virtual game space objects and textures contained in the game data from the storage unit 32, or generates two-dimensional or three-dimensional game image information using data received from the information processing device 2. The game image information is processed by the graphics processing unit 34a, and the processed game images are displayed sequentially on the display 4a. In other words, the control unit 33 is configured to control the display of the display 4a and the audio output of the speaker 4b in accordance with the operation of the user of the game device 3, which is the own device, when executing the game.

The graphics processing unit 34a renders game images including characters and various objects related to the virtual game space in a moving image format according to game image information output from the control unit 33. The graphics processing unit 34a is connected to the display 4a, which may be a liquid crystal display, and the game images rendered in a moving image format are displayed on the display 4a as a game screen. The audio processing unit 34b is connected to the speaker 4b, and reproduces and synthesizes game sounds according to instructions from the control unit 33, and outputs the sounds from the speaker 4b. The operation unit 34c is connected to the input device 4c, and transmits and receives data related to operation inputs to and from the input device 4c. The user inputs operation signals to the game apparatus 3 by operating the input device 4c. The input device 4c is a general term for a touch panel integrated with the display 4a, an external game pad, a mouse, a keyboard, and the like.

2.2 Functional Configuration Next, the functional configuration of the information processing device 2 of the information processing system 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the information processing device 2 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 23 executes various programs stored in the memory unit 22, thereby functioning as a display control unit 231, a reception unit 232, a game control unit 233, a group configuration unit 234, a point determination unit 235, and a reward granting unit 236. In other words, information processing by the software stored in the memory unit 22 is specifically realized by the control unit 23, which is an example of hardware, and can be executed as each functional unit included in the control unit 23.

The display control unit 231 displays various information stored in the memory unit 22 or the memory unit 32 or screens containing the information on the display 4a of the game device 3 in a visible manner. Specifically, the display control unit 231 may generate visual information itself that is generated in a manner that is visible to humans, such as a screen, an image (e.g., a still image or a video), an icon, text, etc., or may generate rendering information for displaying the visual information on the display 4a, for example, and transmit this.

The reception unit 232 receives various data as a reception step. For example, the reception unit 232 receives user account information, game data, input from the user, etc. from the storage unit 22 of the information processing device 2 or the game device 3. In this embodiment, the various information received by the reception unit 232 is described as being stored in the storage unit 22. The game control unit 233 controls the progress of the game. In this embodiment, the game control unit 233 controls the progress of the game in which quests that can be cleared to earn points according to the play content are repeatedly played.

In a game controlled by the game control unit 233, an event may be held. In the event, a period and a predetermined goal are set, and participants in the event are provided with a reward according to the degree of achievement of the goal at the end of the period, for example. In this embodiment, the degree of achievement in the event is evaluated for each group to which multiple users belong. The group composition unit 234 functions as a composition unit that composes groups to which such multiple users belong. The group composition unit 234 composes a group including a main user and one or more sub-users matched to the main user.

The point determination unit 235 functions as a determination unit that determines group points associated with a group. In this embodiment, group points are an index that indicates the degree of achievement of a goal set in an event. The point determination unit 235 determines group points based on the results of games played individually by each user included in the group. The reward granting unit 236 grants rewards according to the group points to users belonging to the group.

3. Operation Flow of Information Processing System 1 3.1 Overview of Information Processing This section describes the flow of information processing executed by the above-described information processing system 1. Below, we will describe event-related processing that is executed when the above-described event is held.

Fig. 3 is an activity diagram showing an example of the flow of event-related processing. Fig. 3 shows information processing executed by the information processing device 2 and the game device 3. First, at A10, the information processing device 2 executes a start process for starting an event period by the game control unit 233. The game control unit 233 executes, as the start process, a process for storing, in the storage means, a flag indicating that an event period is in progress, in association with the start date and time of the event.

Now, assume that the user of the game device 3, i.e., the player of the game, performs an operation to start the game for the first time after the start of the event. The user is registered in the information processing device 2 as a player of the game, and the game device 3 stores login information such as a registered user ID and password. In A11, the game device 3 accepts the game start operation and transmits the stored login information to the information processing device 2.

At A12, the information processing device 2, when the game control unit 233 authenticates the user based on the transmitted login information, determines whether the authenticated user has already started the event, i.e., is in a participating state where the user has already participated in the event. Here, since the user has started the game for the first time after the event has started, the game control unit 233 determines that the authenticated user has not yet participated in the event, and accepts the start of the event for that user. The game control unit 233 accepts the start of the event, for example, by storing an event participation flag indicating that the user is in a participating state and the start date and time of participation in association with the authentication information.

When the information processing device 2 accepts the start of a user's event, the group composition unit 234 executes a process of forming a group with that user as the main user. First, in A13, the group composition unit 234 calculates the elapsed period from the start date and time of the event to the start date and time of the user's participation in the event. Next, in A14, the group composition unit 234 executes a matching process between the main user and sub-users belonging to the same group as the main user, using rules according to the calculated elapsed period. The rules according to the elapsed period will be explained in detail later.

In A15, the group configuration unit 234 configures a group to which the main user and sub-users matched by the matching process belong. The group configuration unit 234 transmits group information indicating each user belonging to the configured group to the game device 3. The game device 3 displays the transmitted group information. By looking at the displayed group information, the user can understand the other members of the group to which he or she belongs.

Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of displayed group information. In the example of Figure 4, the game device 3 of user A displays, on the game screen G1, a group image C10 showing the members of group A in which user A is the main user, text strings saying "The group A you will belong to has been decided" and "Earn group points and get rewards!", and an event start button B1. The group image C10 includes a main user image C11 showing user A, who is the main user, and a sub-user screen C12 showing users B, C, and X, who are sub-users.

Figure 5 is a diagram showing another example of displayed group information. In the example of Figure 5, the game device 3 of user B displays, on the game screen G2, a group image C20 showing the members of group B in which user B is the main user, character strings "The group B you will belong to has been decided" and "Earn group points and get rewards!", and an event start button B1. The group image C20 includes a main user image C21 showing user B, who is the main user, and a sub-user screen C22 showing users D, X, and Y, who are sub-users.

As described above, in the examples of Figures 4 and 5, user B belongs to group A as a sub-user and to group B as a main user. By looking at game screens G1 and G2 displayed on their game devices 3, users A and B can recognize the members of the group to which they belong as a main user and that an event in which they can earn rewards is about to begin.

When the event start button B1 is pressed, the screen changes to one in which the user can play the game while participating in the event. In this embodiment, even while participating in an event, the user continues to play the game repeatedly to clear quests in the same way as normal.

At A21, the game device 3 accepts a game play operation and transmits operation data indicating the operation content to the information processing device 2. At A22, the information processing device 2 causes the game control unit 233 to execute game processing according to the operation content indicated by the transmitted operation data. The game progresses as A21 and A22 are executed repeatedly.

Next, in A23, the information processing device 2 accumulates the game results by the game control unit 233. In this embodiment, when a quest is cleared, the game control unit 233 accumulates the points scored at the time of clearing the quest as a game result in association with the user. The game control unit 233 accumulates not only the game results of the main user, but also the game results of the sub-user when the sub-user participates in an event and plays a game.

In the information processing device 2, at A24, the point determination unit 235 determines the group points of the group based on the game results of the users belonging to the group thus accumulated, i.e., the main user and sub-users. The point determination unit 235 stores the determined group points in association with the group, the main user, and the sub-user. For example, when the main user performs an operation to display the group points, the point determination unit 235 displays the group points stored in association with the main user, allowing the group points to be checked at any time.

Next, assume that the game device 3 accepts a game start operation by a user who is participating in the event at A31. As in A11, the game device 3 accepts the game start operation and transmits the stored login information to the information processing device 2. At A32, the information processing device 2 determines, by the game control unit 233, whether or not the event is continuing. If the game control unit 233 determines that the event is continuing, it accepts the user's request to resume the event. The game control unit 233 accepts the event resumption by, for example, storing the event resumption date and time in association with the above-mentioned event participation flag and authentication information.

Next, in A41 and A42, similar to A21 and A22 described above, the game device 3 accepts game play operations and the game control unit 233 performs game processing, and the game progresses. Then, in A43, the game control unit 233 accumulates game results, similar to A23, and in A44, the point determination unit 235 determines group points, similar to A24. While the event is ongoing, the processes from A31 to A44 are repeatedly executed, and group points are added up according to the user's play results.

When the event period has elapsed, in A32, the game control unit 233 determines that the event has ended. In this case, in A51, the information processing device 2 determines a reward for the main user belonging to the group according to the group points determined for that group by the reward granting unit 236. The reward granting unit 236 transmits notification data notifying the content of the determined reward to the game device 3. In A52, the game device 3 displays the reward content indicated by the transmitted notification data. Furthermore, in A53, the reward granting unit 236 grants the determined reward to the main user. The reward granting unit 236 grants a reward to the main user, for example, by executing a process of granting a reward that can be used in the game (such as in-game currency) to the character used by the main user.

In summary, the information processing system 1 includes the following components: The group configuration unit 234 configures a group including a main user and one or more sub-users matched to the main user. The groups configured by the group configuration unit 234 include a first group (group A shown in FIG. 4 in this embodiment) and a second group (group B shown in FIG. 5 in this embodiment). The first group includes a first user who is a main user (user A shown in FIG. 4 in this embodiment) and a second user who is a sub-user (user B shown in FIG. 5 in this embodiment). The second group (group B) includes a second user (user B) who is a main user, but does not include the first user (user A) as a sub-user.

The point determination unit 235 determines group points to be associated with a group based on the results of a game played individually by each user included in the group. For example, the point determination unit 235 determines first group points to be associated with a first group (group A) based on the results of a game played by a first user (user A). In addition, the point determination unit 235 determines second group points to be associated with a second group (group B) in which the second user (user B) is the main user based on the results of a game played by a second user (user B), and also determines first group points to be associated with a first group (group A) in which the second user (user B) is a sub-user.

In this manner, the results of one's play affect the group points of the group to which one belongs, creating an atmosphere of cooperative play with other users who belong to the same group. On the other hand, sub-members of a group in which one is the main member each have their own group in which they are the main member and can earn group points there, allowing them to play at ease without feeling excessive responsibility for increasing group points.

3.2 Details of Information Processing The details of the information processing outlined above will be explained using the drawings.

<Group composition>
The rules for the matching process performed by the group forming unit 234 will be described with reference to FIGS.
Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of users matched with user A. In the example of Fig. 6, the right-facing arrow indicates the flow of time, and shows the start date and time t10 of the event itself, the start date and time t11 of the event of user A who is the main user, and the dates and times t12, t13, t14, t15, t16, and t17 of the last logins of users X, Y, C, Z, B, and E at the time when user A started the event. The start date and time t11 is the newest, followed by dates and times t12 and t13, which are the oldest dates and times, with date and time t17 being the oldest.

In the game provided by information processing system 1, users are able to follow other users. When a user is followed, the game play status and other information of the followed user can be displayed by performing a specified operation. Users B, C, and E are following users that user A follows in the game. Users X, Y, and Z are other users that user A does not follow in the game.

The start date and time t11 of user A's event is a date and time included in the initial period T1 immediately following the start date and time t10 of the event. The initial period T1 is, for example, a fixed period indicating the beginning of the event. For users who start the event in the initial period T1 in this way, the group composition unit 234 performs matching processing using the first rule described below. Note that, hereinafter, the date and time when the main user starts the event is referred to as the "first participation date and time."

<First Rule>
(1) The number of people in a group is within the limit (four people in this embodiment).
(2) Select following users who have logged in within a specific period T11 from the first participation date and time. (3) If the number of users in (2) is greater than the capacity, select users whose login dates and times are closest to the first participation date and time. (4) If the number of users in (2) is less than the capacity, select users who have logged in within the period T12 closest to the first participation date and time in order of priority of a specified condition (hereinafter referred to as the "selection condition").

Since there are generally more other users than following users, the most recent period T12 is set to be shorter than the specific period T11. In addition, in (4) of the first rule, the group composition unit 234 determines that the higher the score obtained in the most recent quest, the more advantageous the selection condition is (this is referred to as "Condition 1"). In addition, when users are ranked based on achievements such as the number of quests cleared, the selection condition may include a condition that the user is close in rank to the main user (for example, only the same rank or the difference in rank is one or less) (this is referred to as "Condition 2"). In addition, the selection condition may include a condition that the user is close in game progress to the main user (for example, the number of quests cleared, etc.) (this is referred to as "Condition 3"). Below, a case where Condition 1 is used as a selection condition in (4) of the first rule will be described.

Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example of information about matching candidate users. In the example of Figure 7, various information about users A, B, C, E, X, Y, and Z is shown. The various information includes the score of the most recent quest, points at the start of the event, points when user A participated, the most recent login time when user A participated (login date and time of each user shown in Figure 6), and points at the end of the event.

When user A is the main user, the group forming unit 234 first selects users B and C who have logged in during the specific period T11 shown in FIG. 6 from among users B, C, and E who are following users, according to the first rule (2). At the time of this selection, the group forming unit 234 selects the remaining user according to the first rule (4) because the number of members of the group is three (users A, B, and C), which is less than the maximum number of four. Specifically, the group forming unit 234 selects user X, who has a high score (100 for user X and 90 for user Y) in the most recent quest, from among other users (users X and Y) who have logged in during the most recent period T12, as a user who satisfies the selection condition. In this way, when the main user is user A, the group forming unit 234 forms group A including users A, B, C, and X, as shown in FIG. 4.

Figure 8 is a diagram showing an example of users who are matched with user B. The example in Figure 8 shows the start date and time t10 of an event, the start date and time t21 of an event for user B, who is the main user, and the last login dates and times t22, t23, t24, t25, t26, and t27 of users Z, D, X, Y, F, and G at the time when user B started the event. The start date and time t21 is the newest, followed by dates and times t22 and t23, which are the oldest dates and times, with date and time t27 being the oldest.

Users D, F, and G are following users that user B is following in the game. Users X, Y, and Z are other users that user B is not following in the game. The event period is divided into an initial period T1 after the start of the event described in FIG. 6, a medium period T2 that follows the initial period T1, and a final period T3 that follows the medium period T2 and before the end of the event. User B's event start date and time t21 (first participation date and time) is included in the final period T3. For users who started the event in the medium period T2 and final period T3, the group composition unit 234 performs matching processing using the second and third rules described below, respectively.

<Second rule>
(1) The number of people in a group is within the limit (four people in this embodiment).
(2) Select following users who have logged in within a specific period T11 from the first participation date and time. (3) If (2) is more than the capacity, select users whose login date and time are closest to the first participation date and time. (4) If (2) is less than the capacity, select a predetermined number of users from among users whose total points earned individually in the event up to the first participation date and time is equal to or greater than P1, and select users from among the selected users in order of priority under a predetermined condition. (5) If (2) + (4) is less than the capacity, select users from among other users who have logged in within the period T12 closest to the first participation date and time in order of priority under a predetermined condition.

<Third rule>
(1) The number of people in a group is within the limit (four people in this embodiment).
(2) Select following users who have logged in within a specific period T11 from the first participation date and time. (3) If (2) is more than the capacity, select users whose login date and time are closest to the first participation date and time. (4) If (2) is less than the capacity, select a certain number of users from among users whose total points earned individually in the event up to the first participation date and time is equal to or greater than P2 (P2 > P1), and select users from among the selected users in order of priority under a certain condition. (5) If (2) + (4) is less than the capacity, select users from among other users who have logged in within the period T12 closest to the first participation date and time in order of priority under a certain condition.

Figure 9 is a diagram showing an example of information about matching candidate users. In the example of Figure 9, various information about users B, D, F, G, X, Y, and Z is shown. The various information includes the score of the most recent quest, points at the start of the event, points when user B participates, the most recent login time when user B participates (login date and time of each user shown in Figure 8), and points at the end of the event.

When user B is the main user, the group forming unit 234 first selects user D, who has logged in during the specific period T11 shown in FIG. 8, from among users D, F, and G who are following users, in accordance with (2) of the third rule. At the time of this selection, the group forming unit 234 selects the remaining two users up to the maximum number of four members, in accordance with (4) of the third rule, because there are two members in the group (users B and D). Specifically, the group forming unit 234 selects a predetermined number of users from among users whose total points earned individually in events up to the date and time of user B's first participation is equal to or greater than point P2.

In the example of FIG. 9, for example, if score P2 is 500 points, the individual scores of other users X, Y, and Z who are not followed by user B are 700 points, 750 points, and 600 points, respectively, so users X, Y, and Z are all selected. Then, of users X, Y, and Z, the group forming unit 234 selects users X and Y who have the highest scores in their most recent quests (user X: 120, user Y: 105, and user Z: 70) as users who satisfy the selection condition. In this way, when the main user is user B, the group forming unit 234 forms group B including users B, D, X, and Y, as shown in FIG. 5.

As described above, in the second and third rules (4), unlike the first rule, the group forming unit 234 selects a user who has personally earned the greatest total number of points in an event, regardless of the time of their most recent login. In this way, the group forming unit 234 forms a group by matching sub-users based on the main user starting a game, and determines the rule for matching sub-users based on the timing when the main user started a game.

Furthermore, the group forming unit 234 determines as a sub-user the user who has better game results the shorter the remaining game period at the time the main user starts the game, by making the score P2 used in the third rule larger than the score P1 used in the second rule. When a user who has a large total of points earned individually in the event, i.e. a heavy user who is actively participating in the event, is added to a group, the group points that can be expected to be earned in the remaining event period will be large. Furthermore, in the case of this embodiment, the group points at the time the group is formed will also be large, as described below.

In this way, according to the above aspect, it is possible to adjust the advantages and disadvantages based on the time of participation, and specifically, it is possible to make it easier to earn group points even if you first join late.

<Group point determination>
The point determination unit 235 determines group points based on the game results during the event period of the main user and sub-users belonging to the group configured as described above. More specifically, the point determination unit 235 determines group points based on the game results of the main user, and in this embodiment, the game results of the sub-users before the main user started the game (i.e., the first participation date and time) and the game results of the sub-users after the main user started the game.

In the example of FIG. 7, the point determination unit 235 calculates the group points for group A by adding the personal points (100 points) of the sub-user (user X) at the time of the main user, user A's, first participation. In the example of FIG. 9, the point determination unit 235 calculates the group points for group B by adding the personal points (700 points, 750 points) of the sub-users (users X and Y) at the time of the main user, user B's, first participation. In this way, by being able to piggyback on the game results of the sub-users in the event before the main user's participation, it is possible to encourage participation in the game even towards the end of the event period.

<Granting rewards>
The reward granting unit 236 determines a reward for the main user according to the group points determined as described above. More specifically, in this embodiment, the reward granting unit 236 functions as a first granting unit that grants a reward according to the group points to the main user included in the group associated with the group points, but does not grant the reward to any sub users.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of group points at the end of an event. In the example of FIG. 10, it is shown that the points at the end of the event for group A (main user is user A, and sub users are users B, C, and X) are 1400 points, and the points at the end of the event for group B (main user is user B, and sub users are users D, X, and Y) are 1950 points. In this embodiment, the reward granting unit 236 grants a reward corresponding to the group points of group A, which is 1400 points, to user A, who is the main user, but does not grant it to users B, C, and X, who are sub users. In this embodiment, the reward granting unit 236 grants a reward corresponding to the group points of group B, which is 1950 points, to user B, who is the main user, but does not grant it to users D, X, and Y, who are sub users.

Figure 11 is a diagram showing an example of a reward notification to a user. In the example of Figure 11, the game device 3 displays a game screen G3 notifying user A, who is the main user of group A, of a reward. The game screen G3 displays the text "The event has ended!" and "Congratulations on winning the reward!", as well as a reward image C30. The reward image C30 includes a main user image C31 showing user A, who is the main user, a point image C32 showing the group points of group A (1,400 points), and a reward image C33 showing the reward for user A (280 gems).

Figure 12 is a diagram showing another example of notifying a user of a reward. In the example of Figure 12, the game device 3 displays a game screen G4 notifying user B, who is the main user of group B, of a reward. The game screen G4 displays the same character string as game screen G3 and a reward image C40. The reward image C40 includes a main user image C41 indicating user B, who is the main user, a point image C42 indicating group points (1,950 points) for group B, and a reward image C43 indicating a reward for user B (390 gems).

In the examples of Figures 11 and 12, the reward granting unit 236 grants the main user a number of in-game currency (gems in Figure 11, etc.) equal to a certain percentage of the group points (5% in Figure 11, etc.) as a reward (1,400 points x 5% = 280 pieces if the main user is user A, and 1,950 points x 5% = 390 pieces if the main user is user B).

As described above, users who participate in an event can create an atmosphere of cooperative play with other users by having their game results reflected in group points. On the other hand, since rewards for the group to which they belong as a sub-user are not given to the user, they do not need to be overly conscious of contributing to the group points of that group. In this way, according to this embodiment, sub-users can play more casually than if they were also given rewards according to group points.

[others]
The information processing method according to the above embodiment may be modified as follows.

<Granting rewards>
In the embodiment, the reward granting unit 236 does not grant a reward according to group points to the sub-user, but may function as a second granting unit that also grants a reward to the sub-user. For example, the reward granting unit 236 grants the same reward as that granted to the main user to the sub-user who belongs to the same group as the main user. Furthermore, the reward granting unit 236 may grant a reward different from that granted to the main user to the sub-user who belongs to the same group as the main user.

For example, the reward granting unit 236 may grant a reward according to group points to a main user included in a group associated with the group points, and grant a reward to a sub-user according to the sub-user's contribution to the group points based on the game results.

Figure 13 is a diagram showing an example of the contribution of sub-users. Figure 13 shows the contribution of each sub-user (users B, C, and X) to group A's group points of 1400 points. Each contribution is shown as a percentage of the individual points the sub-user earned during the event to the group points. User B's individual points are 50 points, so his contribution is 50÷1400=3.6%, User C's individual points are 250 points, so his contribution is 250÷1400=17.9%, and User X's individual points are 800 points, so his contribution is 800÷1400=57.1%.

The reward granting unit 236, for example, grants the above-mentioned proportion of the 280 gems that are the reward for the main user to the sub-users as a reward. In other words, the reward granting unit 236 grants a reward of 280 gems x 3.6% = 10 gems to user B, 280 gems x 17.9% = 50 gems to user C, and 280 gems x 57.1% = 160 gems to user B. Note that with this method, the reward for sub-users will be less if they are in a group in which the main user was active, because the contribution of the main user is not excluded. Therefore, the reward granting unit 236 may grant rewards according to a proportion that compares only the contribution of the sub-users, excluding the contribution of the main user, so that the total reward for the sub-users is equal to the reward for the main user.

The degree of contribution is not limited to the above ratio. For example, the degree of contribution may be expressed according to the absolute value of the individual score (less than 500 points is a "small" contribution, 500 points or more is a "medium" contribution, 1000 points or more is a "large" contribution, etc.). In addition, some users may belong to many groups and contribute to the rewards in each group. In this case, the reward granting unit 236 may grant the sub-user a reward according to the degree of contribution (for example, an amount of in-game currency obtained by multiplying the degree of contribution by a predetermined coefficient) based on the number of groups to which the sub-user belongs as the degree of contribution. In addition, the reward granting unit 236 may grant a reward according to the overall degree of contribution, which is a combination of the number of groups to which the sub-user belongs and the degree of contribution in each group. According to this embodiment, the sub-user can also receive a reward, so that the motivation to earn points (individual score) can be increased compared to the case where the sub-user is not granted a reward.

<Group point determination>
In the embodiment, the point determination unit 235 determines the group points based on the results of games played by sub-users before the main user's first participation date and time, but the group points may be determined not based on the results of these games, but only based on the results of games played by sub-users after the main user's first participation date and time. In this case, it is possible to eliminate a sense of unfairness between users who participate in the event from the beginning and users who join towards the end.

When determining group points based on game results in a first period and a second period following the first period, the point determination unit 235 may determine group points so as to favor group points based on game results in the first period. For example, the point determination unit 235 determines group points by setting the initial period T1 shown in FIG. 8 as the first period, and the middle period T2 and the final period T3 as the second period.

In this case, the point determination unit 235 determines the group points to be, for example, the sum of the score obtained by multiplying the individual score in the initial period T1 by N (N>1) and the individual scores in the middle period T2 and the final period T3. Note that the first and second periods are not limited to the above periods. The initial period T1 and the middle period T2 may be the first period and the final period T3 may be the second period, or, for example, the initial period T1, the middle period T2, and the final period T3 may each be further divided into two periods, and these periods may be the first period and the subsequent second period. Also, periods different from the initial period T1, the middle period T2, and the final period T3 may be the first period and the second period. In either case, the point determination unit 235 may determine the group points so as to favor the group points based on the game results in the first period over the second period.

The method of giving preferential treatment to game results is not limited to this. The point determination unit 235 may correct the individual points in the first period to a larger value by multiplying them by N1 (1<N1), and may correct the individual points in the second period to a smaller value by multiplying them by N2 (0<N2<1). The point determination unit 235 may also determine two types of points with different rewards as group points. For example, the point determination unit 235 may determine first group points based on the results of the game in the first period, and determine second group points based on the results of the game in the second period. For example, the first group points may be given a reward of 10% of the in-game virtual currency, and the second group points may be given a reward of 5% of the in-game virtual currency, so that the group points in the first period are given a preferential reward.

The point determination unit 235 may also determine the first points based on the personal score of the main user alone, and determine the second points based on the personal scores of all users in the group. In this case, the reward granting unit 236 grants the main user a reward (personal prize) according to the first points and a reward (group prize) according to the second points. In this case, for example, a user who first participates in the final period T3 can aim for a high-level group prize because the sub-user's personal scores can be added, but it is difficult to aim for a high-level individual prize with only his or her own personal score. Therefore, in order to aim for a high-level individual prize, it is necessary to participate from the beginning of the event. By giving preferential treatment to points as described above, it is possible to promote play during the specific period, that is, the first period.

<Change user>
The users belonging to the group may be changed during the event.
Fig. 14 is a block diagram showing another example of the functional configuration of the information processing device 2. In Fig. 14, the control unit 23 includes a user change unit 237 in addition to the units shown in Fig. 2. The user change unit 237 functions as a change unit that changes the users included in the group based on the group points during the period in which the game is held. Hereinafter, the timing during the event when the user is changed is referred to as "change timing". The change timing is, for example, the timing when the event enters the end period T3 shown in Fig. 8.

The user change unit 237 determines a sub-user based on the better game results of the main user, for example, when the change timing is reached. The user change unit 237 determines a sub-user based on a sub-user table that associates the range of the main user's contribution to the group points with the range of the sub-user's personal points, for example.

Figure 15 is a diagram showing an example of a sub-user table. In Figure 15, the ranges of the main user's contribution level, "less than Th1", "Th1 or more and less than Th2", and "Th2 or more" (Th1<Th2), are associated with the ranges of the sub-user's personal scores, "PT1 or more", "PT2 or more", and "PT3 or more". For example, when the event change timing occurs and the main user's contribution level to the group points is Th2 or more, the user change unit 237 selects a sub-user from among users with personal scores of PT3 or more and adds them to the group. As a result, the higher the main user's contribution level, the more likely it is that a user with a high personal score will be selected as a sub-user.

Figure 16 is a diagram showing an example of a group change. Figure 16 shows the individual scores, group points, and contribution level of group H, in which the main user is user H and the sub-users are users J, K, and X. In Figure 16 (a), user H's contribution level is 47.3% and his group points are 1,480 points. In this case, the user change unit 237 selects the sub-user to be changed (user W with an individual score of 650 points in the example of Figure 16) based on, for example, the third rule (4) described above.

For example, as shown in FIG. 16(a), the user change unit 237 replaces user J (contribution rate 2.0%) with the lowest contribution level and adds user W to group H. In that case, as shown in FIG. 16(a), the group points increase from 1480 points to 2100 points. In addition, the user change unit 237 may increase the group capacity by one person and add user W to group H, as shown in FIG. 16(b). In that case, as shown in FIG. 16(b), the group points increase from 1480 points to 2130 points. In this way, by making the main user's contribution level a condition for changing a sub-user, the main user can increase his/her expectation of a reward through his/her own efforts, even if a sub-user with poor game results in an event is in the same group.

Note that the degree of contribution may be represented by, for example, the individual score itself, as in the above example. The number of sub-users to be changed is not limited to one, and may be two or more. The user change unit 237 may change the sub-user not based on the degree of contribution of the main user, but for example, when the main user's individual score is greater than a predetermined score or when the group points are less than a predetermined point. The user change unit 237 may set the condition for changing the sub-user as being that the main user first participated in an event at a predetermined time (for example, the initial period T1 shown in FIG. 8). In either case, by changing the sub-user, it is possible to increase the expectation of a reward even if the sub-user belongs to a group with poor game results.

<Matching rule>
The rules for matching main users and sub-users are not limited to those described in Fig. 6 etc. For example, the capacity may be different from the above rules, or the capacity may vary depending on the time of participation etc. In that case, the group forming unit 234 sets the capacity when the main user first participates in the initial period T1, the middle period T2, and the final period T3 to N4 people, N5 people, and N6 people (N4<N5<N6), respectively, and forms groups that tend to have larger capacity and larger group points as the event draws to a close.

The group composition unit 234 may select a sub-user from all followed users or other users regardless of a specific period or the most recent period, or may select a sub-user using the same rules regardless of whether the sub-user is a followed user or other user. The group composition unit 234 may select a sub-user based on, for example, the game result (individual score, etc.) at the time of the main user's first participation, regardless of the login date and time. The group composition unit 234 may use the above-mentioned selection conditions (conditions 1, 2, and 3) individually or in combination. The group composition unit 234 may use, for example, the game play time or the number of times played as a selection condition other than conditions 1, 2, and 3.

<Other>
The group may be called a team, a party, friends, a squad, or other names. The game is not limited to the above-mentioned quest-clearing type game, but may be a battle type game or a branching type game. The genre of the game may be an action game, a puzzle game, a role-playing game, a simulation game, an adventure game, a shooting game, a racing game, a music game, or the like. The reward is not limited to an in-game currency. For example, a specific item, a specific character, the unlocking of a specific quest, or progress in a specific game may be given as a reward.

Furthermore, game results are not limited to individual scores. For example, game results may be play time, number of plays, or number of quests cleared. Furthermore, in a game in which players defeat monsters and collect items, game results may be the number of monsters defeated, the number of monsters of a predetermined level or above defeated, or the number of predetermined items collected. In short, game results may be, for example, results that indicate the degree of progress in the game, or results that indicate the strength of the player character regardless of game progress.

Furthermore, for example, the information processing device 2 may be distributed across two or more devices, or may be replaced by a cloud computing system. Furthermore, the functional configurations shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 14 are also examples, and are not limited to these. For example, the functions of the information processing device 2 may be realized by being distributed across two or more devices. Furthermore, the operation performed by one function may be performed by two or more functions in a distributed manner, or two or more functions may be integrated into one function. In short, as long as each of the functions shown in FIG. 2 is realized in the entire information processing system 1, the devices that realize those functions may have any configuration.

Although the aspects of the above-mentioned embodiment are an information processing device such as the information processing device 2, or an information processing system such as the information processing system 1 including the information processing device 2, they may also be an information processing method. The information processing method includes each processing step executed by the information processing system. Furthermore, the aspects of the above-mentioned embodiment may also be a program. The program causes a computer to execute each step of the information processing system.

Furthermore, it may be provided in the following forms:

(1) An information processing system, in which a configuration step configures a group including a main user and one or more sub-users matched to the main user, where the group includes a first group and a second group, the first group includes a first user who is the main user and a second user who is the sub-user, and the second group includes the second user who is the main user, while the first user is not included in the sub-users, and in a determination step, group points associated with the group are determined based on the results of a game played individually by each user included in the group, first group points associated with the first group are determined based on the results of the game of the first user, and the first group points and second group points associated with the second group are determined based on the results of the game of the second user.

This approach allows players to play in a relaxed manner while still creating an atmosphere of cooperative play.

(2) In the information processing system described in (1) above, in the first granting step, a reward according to the group points is granted to the main user included in the group associated with the group points, but is not granted to the sub-user.

This allows the second user to play more comfortably.

(3) In the information processing system described in (1) above, in the second granting step, a reward according to the group points is granted to the main user included in the group associated with the group points, and a reward is granted to the sub-user according to the contribution of the sub-user to the group points based on the result of the game.

This aspect can increase motivation to earn points.

(4) In the information processing system described in any one of (1) to (3) above, in the determination step, the group points are determined based on the results of the game in a first period and a second period following the first period, and the group points are determined so as to favor the group points based on the results of the game in the first period.

This aspect can encourage play during specific periods.

(5) In the information processing system described in any one of (1) to (4) above, in the configuration step, the group is configured by matching the sub-users based on the main user starting the game, and a rule for matching the sub-users is determined based on the timing when the main user starts the game.

This aspect allows you to adjust the advantages and disadvantages of participation timing.

(6) In the information processing system described in (5) above, in the configuration step, the sub-user is determined to be a user who has a better result in the game when the main user starts the game, the shorter the remaining time of the game's duration is.

This approach makes it easier to earn group points even if you join late for the first time.

(7) In the information processing system described in (6) above, in the determination step, the group points are determined based on the results of the game played by the sub-user before the main user starts the game and the results of the game played by the sub-user after the main user starts the game.

This aspect can encourage participation in the game even towards the end of a specified period.

(8) In the information processing system described in any one of (1) to (7) above, the change step changes the sub-users included in the group based on the group points during the period in which the game is held.

This aspect makes it possible to increase the expectation of a reward even if the player belongs to a group that has poor game results.

(9) In the information processing system described in (8) above, in the change step, the higher the main user's contribution to the group points, the more the sub-user is determined to be a user who has a better result in the game.

In this way, individuals can increase their expectation of receiving a reward through their efforts.

(10) An information processing device configured to execute each step of the information processing system described in any one of (1) to (9) above.

(11) A program that causes a computer to execute each step of the information processing system described in any one of (1) to (9) above.
Of course, this is not the case.

Finally, various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described, but these are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. The novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the disclosure. The embodiments and modifications thereof are within the scope and gist of the disclosure, and are included in the disclosure and its equivalents as set forth in the claims.

1: Information processing system 2: Information processing device 3: Game device 23: Control unit 33: Control unit 231: Display control unit 232: Reception unit 233: Game control unit 234: Group configuration unit 235: Point determination unit 236: Reward granting unit 237: User change unit

Claims (11)

An information processing system including one or more processors ,
The processor,
In the matching step, a matching process is executed to match a main user with one or more sub-users belonging to the same group as the main user;
In the configuration step, a group is configured including the main user and the one or more sub- users matched by the matching process , wherein the group includes a first group and a second group, the first group includes a first user who is the main user and a second user who is the sub-user, the second group includes the second user who is the main user, while the first user is not included in the sub-users,
In the determination step, an information processing system determines group points associated with the formed group based on the result of the game, determines first group points associated with the first group based on the result of the game of the first user, and determines the first group points and second group points associated with the second group based on the result of the game of the second user . 2. The information processing system according to claim 1,
The processor,
In a first granting step, a reward corresponding to the determined group points is granted to the main user included in the group associated with the group points, but is not granted to the sub-user, in an information processing system . 2. The information processing system according to claim 1,
The processor,
In a second granting step, a reward corresponding to the determined group points is granted to the main user included in the group associated with the group points, and a reward is granted to the sub-user according to the sub-user's contribution to the group points based on the result of the game, in an information processing system . 2. The information processing system according to claim 1,
The processor,
In the determination step, the group points are determined based on the results of the game in a first period and a second period following the first period, and the group points are determined so as to favor the group points based on the results of the game in the first period. 2. The information processing system according to claim 1,
The processor,
In the configuration step, the information processing system configures the group by matching the sub-users based on the main user starting the game, and determines rules for matching the sub-users based on the timing when the main user starts the game. 6. The information processing system according to claim 5,
The processor,
In the configuration step, an information processing system determines as the sub-user a user who has better results in the game when the remaining period of the game at the time the main user starts the game is shorter. 7. The information processing system according to claim 6,
The processor,
In the determination step, the information processing system determines the group points based on the result of the game played by the sub-user before the main user starts the game and the result of the game played by the sub-user after the main user starts the game. 2. The information processing system according to claim 1,
The processor,
In the change step, the sub-users included in the group are changed based on the determined group points during the period in which the game is held, in the information processing system . 9. The information processing system according to claim 8,
The processor,
In the change step, an information processing system determines a user who has a better result in the game to be the sub-user when the main user's contribution to the group points is higher. An information processing device including one or more processors ,
The processor,
An information processing device configured to execute each step of the information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 9. A program,
A program for causing a computer to execute each step of the information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 9.