JP7637753B2 - Computer system and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a computer system, etc.

Among video games, there are games in which a player character operated by a user, a player, and a support character appear.
A support character is a non-player character that supports the player character and performs various functions depending on the content of the game. For example, in an action role-playing game (RPG), a support character may act as a porter to carry the player character's equipment and assist in battle. Patent Document 1 also discloses an example of managing fields in a game and automatically generating items.

JP 2010-4944 A

The inclusion of support characters in a game is considered an important element in differentiating the game and making it more appealing. Specifically, in addition to the design of the support characters, how human-like the support characters are in their behavior is also an element in increasing the interest of the game.

The more human-like the behavior of the support character, the more the user will feel that the support character is like a comrade, companion, or beloved pet, and the more attached and attracted the game will become to them. This effect is even greater if the behavior of the support character resembles the everyday actions of a human child.

The effect of increasing the user's attachment to a character by having the character behave in a human-like manner is not limited to cases where the character is a support character subordinate to the player character. For example, the same applies to characters that are targets of training in a training game, or NPCs (non-player characters; for example, childhood friends, managers, supply officers, etc.) that appear in the game and have an extra role.

One of the enjoyable aspects of a game is the lottery that is held in connection with the game. The interest associated with the lottery is also counted as one of the important elements that differentiate and make a game more appealing. Of course, increasing interest in the lottery is an important point in providing entertainment, not just for games.

The problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide a new technology that makes the support characters seem more human to the user while also increasing the interest in the lottery.

The first invention for solving the above-mentioned problems provides a character setting means (e.g., the control board 1150 in FIG. 1, the server processing unit 200s in FIG. 9, the game management unit 210, the character setting unit 214, the support character management data 620 in FIG. 14, step S18 in FIG. 17) for setting a character (e.g., the support character 4 in FIG. 3) which is a virtual subject that executes a lottery process in association with a user;
a lottery execution setting determination means (e.g., the control board 1150 in FIG. 1, the server processing unit 200s in FIG. 9, the game management unit 210, the lottery execution setting determination unit 216 in FIG. 14, the lottery execution setting data 650 in FIG. 14, step S18 in FIG. 17) for variably determining a lottery execution setting including at least a condition setting related to the automatic execution of the lottery process based on an operation input by the user;
A lottery execution control means (e.g., the control board 1150 in FIG. 1, the server processing unit 200s in FIG. 9, the game management unit 210, the lottery execution control unit 220, the lottery management data 730 in FIG. 15, and step S60 in FIG. 18) that controls automatic execution of the lottery process based on the lottery execution setting;
a notification activation condition determination means (e.g., the control board 1150 in FIG. 1 , the server processing unit 200s in FIG. 9 , the game management unit 210, the notification activation condition determination unit 232 in FIG. 9 , the user-specified notification activation condition data 660 in FIG. 14 , step S18 in FIG. 17 ) for variably determining a given notification activation condition, which is a condition for initiating a notification of information showing the result of the lottery process executed by the lottery execution control means (e.g., the notification display 50 in FIG. 8 ), based on an operation input by the user;
A computer system comprising: a notification control means (e.g., control board 1150 in FIG. 1, server processing unit 200s in FIG. 9, game management unit 210, notification control unit 234, steps S80 to S82 in FIG. 18) that performs notification control to notify the user of information indicating the result of the lottery processing executed by the lottery execution control means when the notification activation condition is satisfied.

The "computer system" referred to here can refer to a single computer, or it can be realized by multiple computers working together.

Conventionally, a user would select an object to be drawn, input a lottery execution operation to execute the lottery process, and check the lottery results on the spot. In contrast, according to the first invention, a computer system automatically executes the lottery based on the lottery process execution settings set by the user. Then, when the notification triggering conditions set by the user are met, the computer system notifies the user of the lottery results using a character as the notification subject.

To the user, it appears as if they simply set the conditions for the lottery and leave it to run, with the character informing them of the results without them even noticing. This combination of automatic lottery execution and the character's actions makes the character seem more human to the user, adding a new level of excitement to the lottery.

The second invention is a computer system according to the first invention, in which a price per one time is set for the lottery process (e.g., price setting 573 in FIG. 12), the lottery execution setting determination means determines a total price upper limit (e.g., allowance setting 651 in FIG. 14), which is the sum of the allowable prices, by including it in the lottery execution setting, and the lottery execution control means controls automatic execution of the lottery process within the range of the total price upper limit.

According to the second invention, the computer system automatically executes the lottery process so that the total consideration does not exceed the upper limit set by the user. If the upper limit of the total consideration is set with the feeling of a monthly allowance given to the character, it will appear to the user as if the character were a human child, enjoying drawing the lottery by itself within the limits of the monthly allowance, and occasionally informing the user of the results of the lottery. This improves the effect of making the support character seem more human to the user.

The third invention is a computer system according to the first or second invention, in which the lottery process has multiple types of lottery process candidates with different lottery targets, the lottery execution setting includes preference information regarding a user's preference for selecting the lottery process candidate to be executed by the lottery execution control means from among the types of lottery process candidates, and the lottery execution control means selects and executes the lottery process to be executed based on the preference information.

The "lottery items" mentioned here refer to the items that the user can win in the lottery process. They are synonymous with payout items and discarded items. The lottery items can be, for example, items, the right to use or participate in game stages or game maps, skills that can be granted to player characters or support characters, in-game currency, etc. If the lottery process is likened to a capsule-type lottery machine, commonly known as a "gacha" or "gasha," the lottery items correspond to the capsules in the machine and their contents.

According to the third invention, the user can specify the type of lottery process candidate that he/she desires. In other words, when there are various types of lottery process candidates with different configurations of lottery objects, the computer system can reflect the user's desire in deciding which lottery process to execute.

A fourth invention is a computer system according to any one of the first to third inventions, in which there are multiple types of candidate characters for the character, and the character setting means sets a character to be associated with the user from among the multiple types of candidate characters.

According to the fourth invention, the user can select and use a character of their choice from among candidate characters.

The fifth invention is a computer system according to the fourth invention, in which parameter values related to the automatic execution of the lottery process are set for the multiple types of candidate characters (e.g., applicable personality setting data 630, allowance balance 640, lottery execution setting data 650 in FIG. 14), and the lottery execution control means controls the automatic execution of the lottery process based on the parameter values of the characters associated with the user.

According to the fifth invention, automatic execution is performed based on parameter values set for the candidate character selected by the user. This makes it possible to make the candidate character appear as if it has characteristics or properties for automatic execution of the lottery.

The sixth invention is a computer system according to the fifth invention, in which the parameter value includes a frequency tendency parameter value indicating a tendency regarding the frequency of automatic execution of the lottery process, or a timing tendency parameter value indicating a tendency regarding the timing of automatic execution of the lottery process (e.g., automatic execution tendency setting 641 in Figures 5 and 14).

According to the sixth aspect of the invention, the computer system can change the tendency of the frequency or timing of automatic execution of the lottery process depending on the type of candidate character, thereby making it appear to the user as if there are differences in personality in the desire for frequency or timing of lottery execution depending on the type of candidate character. This is expected to increase interest in the automatic execution of the lottery and encourage the user to become attached to the character.

A seventh invention is a computer system according to the fifth or sixth invention, in which the lottery process has a plurality of types of lottery process candidates with different lottery objects, the parameter value includes a selection tendency parameter value (e.g., lottery process candidate type selection tendency setting 643 in FIG. 14) indicating a tendency regarding a selection type to be selected from among the types of lottery process candidates, and the lottery execution control means selects and executes a lottery process to be executed based on the selection tendency parameter value of a character associated with the user.

According to the seventh invention, the tendency to select which type of lottery process to execute varies depending on the type of candidate character. This is expected to further increase interest in the automatic execution of the lottery and encourage the user to become attached to the character.

The eighth invention is a computer system according to any one of the fifth to seventh inventions, in which the lottery execution control means has a first lottery probability variation control means (e.g., the first lottery probability variation control unit 222 in FIG. 9) that varies the lottery probability by changing the lottery probability of the lottery object of the lottery process in accordance with the character associated with the user, and controls automatic execution of the lottery process using the lottery probability changed by the first lottery probability variation control means.

According to the eighth aspect of the invention, the computer system can change the probability of drawing a lottery object depending on the type of character associated with the user. This can further increase the interest in automatically drawing a lottery.

The ninth invention is a computer system according to the eighth invention, in which a rarity is set for the lottery objects in the lottery process, the parameter value includes a lottery probability improvement parameter value (e.g., lottery probability change setting 644 in FIG. 14) indicating a degree of improvement in the lottery probability according to the rarity, and the first lottery probability variation control means varies the lottery probability of the lottery objects in the lottery process based on the lottery probability improvement parameter value of the character associated with the user (e.g., ΔP1 based on lottery probability change setting 644 in FIG. 7), thereby varying the lottery probability.

According to the ninth aspect of the invention, the computer system can vary the probability of winning a lottery object according to the type of character associated with the user and the rarity of the lottery object. For example, by appropriately setting the lottery probability improvement parameter value, the character can be made to appear to have a personality that makes it more likely to win a lottery object of high rarity.

The tenth aspect of the present invention further includes a means for setting a user's desired lottery target among the lottery targets of the lottery processing based on an operation input by the user (for example, the user's desire setting unit 32 of FIG. 4, the lottery execution setting determination unit 216 of FIG. 9, the user's desire information 653 of FIG. 14, and step S18 of FIG. 17),
The parameter value includes a desired selection probability variation parameter value (e.g., user preference information 653 in FIG. 14 ) indicating a variation in the selection probability of the user's desired selection object,
The first lottery probability variation control means is a computer system of the 8th or 9th invention that varies the probability of drawing the lottery object desired by the user based on the desired lottery object probability variation parameter value of the character associated with the user, thereby varying the drawing probability of the lottery object in the lottery process (for example, ΔP2 based on user desired information 653 in Figure 7).

According to the tenth invention, the computer system can make the character associated with the user appear as if it has a personality (talent) that makes it easier for the user to win the lottery item desired by the user, or conversely, makes it harder for the user to win the lottery item.

An eleventh aspect of the present invention includes an evaluation receiving means (e.g., the positive evaluation input icon 61 in FIG. 8, the negative evaluation input icon 62 in FIG. 9, the evaluation reception control unit 236 in FIG. 14, the evaluation history data 662 in FIG. 14, and step S84 in FIG. 18) for receiving an evaluation on a result of the lottery process based on an operation input by the user;
The computer system of any of the fifth to tenth inventions further comprises a parameter value change control means (e.g., the parameter value change control unit 238 in FIG. 9, the applied personality setting data 630 in FIG. 14, step S86 in FIG. 18) that changes the parameter value of the character associated with the user when the evaluation accepted by the evaluation accepting means satisfies given parameter value change conditions.

According to the eleventh invention, when an evaluation is input, the computer system can change parameter values related to the lottery process for the character if the evaluation satisfies a given parameter value change condition. Thus, for example, a parent who receives occasional reports from their child about how they are spending their pocket money can provide a parenting-like user experience in which the child's personality regarding the lottery changes depending on whether they praise or scold the child.

A twelfth invention is a computer system according to any one of the fifth to eleventh inventions, in which the lottery execution control means has a second lottery possibility variation control means (e.g., the second lottery possibility variation control unit 224 in FIG. 21) that varies the lottery possibility by changing the population of lottery objects in the lottery process according to the character associated with the user, and controls automatic execution of the lottery process using the population changed by the second lottery possibility variation control means.

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the computer system can change the population of lottery objects and vary the probability of winning depending on the type of character associated with the user. This can further increase the interest in the automatic execution of the lottery.

A thirteenth invention is a computer system according to any one of the first to twelfth inventions, in which the lottery execution control means performs automatic execution control of the lottery process based on an execution history of the lottery process (e.g., lottery history data 670 in FIG. 13).

According to the thirteenth invention, the computer system can control the automatic execution of the next lottery process based on the history of past lottery processes, i.e., the execution history. Note that the execution history referenced by the computer system may be the history of the same user or may be the history of another user.

A fourteenth invention is a computer system according to any one of the first to thirteenth inventions, in which the notification activation condition includes at least a rarity condition related to the result of the lottery process (for example, "when an S rare item is obtained" in the example of the user-specified notification activation condition data 660 in FIG. 14).

According to the fourteenth invention, the computer system can issue a notification when the rarity set in association with the lottery result satisfies a given condition, i.e., when the rarity condition is satisfied.

A fifteenth invention is a computer system according to any one of the first to fourteenth inventions, in which the lottery execution control means performs an inquiry control (e.g., step S54 in FIG. 20) in which the character takes the initiative in inquiring of the user about approval of the automatic execution of the lottery process before the automatic execution of the lottery process, and executes the lottery process when the user performs an approval operation in response to the inquiry.

According to the fifteenth invention, the computer system requests user approval to conduct the lottery, and can conduct the lottery if the user approves.

The sixteenth invention is a computer system according to any one of the first to fifteenth inventions, in which the computer system is a server system communicatively connected to the user terminals of each user.

According to the sixteenth aspect, a server system can be realized that provides the same effect as any one of the first to fifteenth aspects.

The seventeenth invention is the computer system of the sixteenth invention, in which the lottery execution control means performs automatic execution control of the lottery process based on the execution history of the lottery process for each user.

According to the seventeenth aspect of the present invention, the computer system can automatically execute the lottery process based on the execution history of the lottery process for each user.

The eighteenth invention is a program for causing a computer system to function as: a character setting means for setting a character, which is a virtual subject that executes a lottery process, in association with a user; a lottery execution setting determination means for variably determining a lottery execution setting including at least a condition setting related to the automatic execution of the lottery process based on an operational input from the user; a lottery execution control means for controlling the automatic execution of the lottery process based on the lottery execution setting; a notification activation condition determination means for variably determining a given notification activation condition, which is a condition for activating a notification of information indicating the result of the lottery process executed by the lottery execution control means, based on an operational input from the user; and a notification control means for performing notification control in which, when the notification activation condition is satisfied, the character becomes the notification subject and notifies the user of information indicating the result of the lottery process executed by the lottery execution control means.

According to the eighteenth aspect, the computer system can be made to perform the same functions as the first aspect.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a game system. FIG. 4 is a front view showing a configuration example of a user terminal. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an overview of the game services provided by the game system. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an operation input screen for setting a support character. 11A and 11B are diagrams for explaining determination of automatic execution timing of a lottery process. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining selection of a lottery process to be automatically executed. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the setting of lottery probabilities for a lottery object. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining notification of lottery results. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the server system according to the first embodiment. 5A and 5B are diagrams showing examples of programs and data stored in a server storage unit in the first embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a data configuration of candidate character initial setting data. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a data configuration of lottery process candidate initial setting data. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a data configuration of user management data. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of support character management data. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of play data. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a user terminal according to the first embodiment. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a processing flow of the server system in the first embodiment. 18 is a flowchart continuing from FIG. 17 . FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a user terminal according to the second embodiment. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a modified example of the processing flow of the server system. FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram showing a modified example of the functional configuration of the server system. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a data configuration of a modified example of lottery process candidate initial setting data.

An example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described below, but it goes without saying that the forms to which the present invention can be applied are not limited to the following embodiment.

First Embodiment
1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a game system. The game system 1000 is a computer system including a server system 1100 and a user terminal 1500 connected to each other via a network 9 so that data communication between them is possible, and provides a game provision service for providing an online game to a user 2 using the user terminal 1500, and an automatic lottery service for automatically executing a lottery process for obtaining items related to the online game. Of course, the game system 1000 may additionally provide other services.

The network 9 refers to a communication path that allows data communication. In other words, the network 9 includes a dedicated line (dedicated cable) for direct connection, a LAN (Local Area Network) such as Ethernet (registered trademark), a telephone communication network, a cable network, the Internet, and other communication networks, and the communication method can be either wired or wireless.

The server system 1100 has, for example, a keyboard 1106, a touch panel 1108, and storage 1140, and the main unit is equipped with a control board 1150.

The control board 1150 is equipped with various microprocessors such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1151, a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), and a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), various IC memories 1152 such as a VRAM, RAM, and ROM, and a communication device 1153. Note that a part or the whole of the control board 1150 may be realized by an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or a SoC (System on a Chip).

The server system 1100 realizes the function of providing a game provision service that provides online games and an automatic lottery service that automatically executes lotteries in which items related to online games can be acquired, by the control board 1150 performing calculations based on predetermined programs and data. This also includes the provision of programs that can be executed on the user terminal 1500 and various data required to execute the programs, which are related to the provision of these services.

Note that while Figure 1 shows only one user terminal 1500, in actual system operation, multiple user terminals 1500 can access the server system 1100 at the same time.

Although the server system 1100 is depicted as if it were a single server device, it may be realized by a configuration of multiple devices. For example, the server system 1100 may be configured to include multiple blade servers each sharing a function, connected to each other via an internal bus for data communication. Furthermore, the location of the hardware constituting the server system 1100 does not matter. It may be configured such that multiple independent servers installed in remote locations communicate data via the network 9, functioning as the server system 1100 as a whole.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing an example of the configuration of the user terminal 1500. As shown in FIG.
The user terminal 1500 is a computer system used by a user who has completed a registration procedure to use the game system of this embodiment, and is an electronic device (electronic device) that can access the server system 1100 via the network 9. The user terminal 1500 of this embodiment is a device called a smartphone, but it may be a wearable computer such as a smart watch or smart glasses, a portable game device, a tablet computer, a personal computer, or the like, as long as it is a computer. When multiple electronic devices, such as a combination of a smartphone and a smart watch connected to the smartphone for communication, are organically linked to perform one function, these multiple electronic devices can be considered as one user terminal 1500.

The user terminal 1500 is equipped with a directional input key 1502, button switches 1504, a touch panel 1506 that functions as an image display device and a contact position input device, an internal battery 1509, a speaker 1510, a microphone 1512, a camera 1520, a control board 1550, and a memory card reader 1542 that can read and write data from a memory card 1540, which is a computer-readable storage medium. In addition, a power button, a volume control button, etc., which are not shown, are provided. In addition, an IC card reader that can read and write data contactlessly from IC card-type credit cards and prepaid cards that can be used to pay for the use of the game system, etc., may also be provided.

The control board 1550 is equipped with (1) a CPU 1551 and various microprocessors such as a GPU and a DSP, (2) various IC memories 1552 such as a VRAM, a RAM, and a ROM, (3) a wireless communication module 1553 for wireless communication with a mobile phone base station or a wireless LAN base station connected to the network 9, and (4) an interface circuit 1557.

The interface circuit 1557 includes (1) a driver circuit for the touch panel 1506, a circuit for receiving signals from the directional input keys 1502 and the button switches 1504, (2) an output amplifier circuit for outputting audio signals to the speaker 1510, (3) an input signal generation circuit for generating a signal of the audio picked up by the microphone 1512, and (4) a signal input/output circuit for the memory card reader 1542.

These elements mounted on the control board 1550 are electrically connected via a bus circuit or the like, and are connected so that data can be read and written and signals can be sent and received. Note that part or all of the control board 1550 may be configured using an ASIC, FPGA, or SoC. The control board 1550 stores programs and various data for realizing the functions of a user terminal in the IC memory 1552.

In this embodiment, the user terminal 1500 is configured to download programs and various setting data from the server system 1100, but it may also be configured to read them from a storage medium such as a memory card 1540 obtained separately.

Figure 3 is a diagram for explaining an overview of the game service provided by the game system 1000. The game system 1000 functions as a game server for an online game using a user terminal 1500, with a user 2 who has completed the registration procedure as the player. The genre of the online game is not important, but this specification will use an action RPG as an example. Also, this specification will explain the number of support characters 4 that one user 2 can use as "1", but it may be configured so that two or more support characters 4 can be used.

In online games, the player (user 2) uses a player character 3 whose actions are controlled and determined by the player, and a support character 4 that acts as a follower of the player character 3. Both can be called player characters as they involve the player, but in that case, the former can be called the main character and the latter the sub-character or subordinate character.

The support characters 4 are so-called NPCs (non-player characters) whose actions are automatically controlled by the computer. Before starting the game, the user 2 selects and designates a support character 4 from among multiple types of candidate characters 6 (6a, 6b, ...).

For each candidate character 6 (6a, 6b, ...), initial personality setting data 522 (522a, 522b, ...) including one or more parameter values is prepared as data for presenting to user 2 the character with a different type of "personality" during automatic control of behavior.

The term "personality" here can be rephrased as tendencies or patterns of behavior, thinking, and choice orientation. "Personality" can include not only behavior patterns during combat (since the online game exemplified in this embodiment is an action RPG), but also behavior patterns outside of combat, patterns of conversation content, and patterns of character actions and facial expressions taken from time to time.
In this embodiment, "individuality" particularly includes several tendencies related to the automatic execution of the lottery process. Specifically, it includes (1) a tendency related to the frequency of the automatic execution of the lottery process, (2) a tendency related to the timing of the automatic execution of the lottery process, and (3) a tendency related to which type of lottery process to select as the execution target from among the types of lottery process candidates (all of which will be described in detail later).

When the user selects a support character 4 from among the candidate characters 6 (6a, 6b, ...), the initial personality setting data 522 of the selected candidate character 6 is copied as the applied personality setting data 630 (dedicated personality setting data) of that support character 4. The applied personality setting data 630 is automatically changed according to the results of game play. For this reason, the more the game is played, the more the personality of the support character 4 becomes subdivided and sharpened.

Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of an operation input screen for setting support character 4. When a predetermined setting start operation is input at the user terminal 1500, the server system 1100 causes the user terminal 1500 to display the operation input screen W4 and accept the setting operation.

The operation input screen W4 includes (1) a status display section 20 that shows the current state of the support character 4, (2) an equipment setting section 21 that sets equipment, (3) a behavior tendency setting section 22 that sets behavior tendencies and patterns related to game progress (in the example of FIG. 4, a general tendency of combat behavior is set), (4) an item use condition setting section 23 that inputs settings related to automatic use of items by the support character 4, (5) an initialization operation icon 24, (6) a decision operation icon 25, (7) a lottery execution setting section 30, and (8) a notification condition setting section 38.

The lottery execution setting unit 30 is a section for operating and inputting various settings related to the automatic lottery service that automatically selects and executes lottery processing with a set price per execution. The lottery execution setting unit 30 includes an allowance setting unit 31, a user preference setting unit 32, a frequency setting unit 33, and a timing tendency setting unit 34. The server system 1100 stores the settings made in the lottery execution setting unit 30 as lottery execution setting data 650 associated with the support character 4.

The allowance setting unit 31 accepts an operation to set an allowance amount that corresponds to a total allowance upper limit, which is the total allowance that the user 2 is willing to accept. In this embodiment, the total allowance upper limit is set per finite unit period (e.g., one month, two weeks, until one map is completed, until one stage is completed, etc.), but it is also possible to configure the allowance amount to have no unit period or no deadline.

The unit of compensation used in the pocket money setting unit 31 may be a unit of currency or a unit of cryptocurrency, depending on the setting of the compensation for the lottery. It may also be a unit of the quantity of items consumed as compensation when purchased in advance, a unit of game points that are automatically awarded according to advance purchases, playing results, or the passage of time, etc. The initial value of the pocket money setting unit 31 can be set as appropriate. In this embodiment, it is set to "0". The game system 1000 then controls the automatic execution of the lottery process within the total compensation upper limit set in the pocket money setting unit 31.

The user preference setting unit 32 accepts the user's preference designation operation in relation to the settings for the automatically executed lottery process. In this embodiment, this designation is the designation of the category of lottery items that the user 2 desires. This is called the "priority category." Specifically, for example, categories such as attack items, recovery items, rare items, and free selection of support characters (meaning essentially no designation) can be options for the user preference setting unit 32.

Of course, the desired setting in the user preference setting unit 32 is not limited to the specification of the category of the lottery object. For example, in a configuration in which the candidates for lottery processes that can be executed, i.e., the types of lottery process candidates, and information on the configuration of the lottery objects in each lottery process candidate (for example, the name given to the lottery process candidate, "attack item lottery", a description of the lottery process candidate, etc.) are known in advance, it is also possible to configure the user preference setting unit 32 to specify the type of lottery process candidate.

The frequency setting unit 33 accepts a setting operation for the frequency of automatically executing the lottery process. For example, the setting options can be the number of times per unit period, or an in-game event that will cause automatic execution (e.g., each time a stage is cleared, each time a base or save point in a map is reached, etc.). The game system 1000 refers to the result of the setting operation in the frequency setting unit 33 and determines whether it is time to automatically execute the lottery process.

The timing tendency setting unit 34 accepts a setting operation for a tendency regarding the timing for automatically executing the lottery process. For example, the setting options can be when during a week the lottery process tends to be automatically executed (specifically, a specific day of the week, or a weekday/holiday division, etc.), or when during a day the lottery process tends to be automatically executed. Specifically, a specific time period can be specified and set, or tendencies can be set for each time period of morning, afternoon, evening, and late night, or tendencies can be set for morning, afternoon, and bedtime. The game system 1000 will refer to the result of the setting operation in the timing tendency setting unit 34 to determine whether it is the timing to automatically execute the lottery process.

The notification condition setting unit 38 sets the conditions for executing notifications and the conditions that trigger notifications regarding the results of lottery processing executed mainly by the support character 4. For example, the setting options include conditions related to the rarity set for each lottery result, conditions related to the date and time, conditions related to the pocket money balance (the amount obtained by subtracting the total amount of compensation related to the timed lottery processing from the value set in the pocket money setting unit 31), conditions related to usage, etc.

Conditions regarding rarity (rarity conditions), for example, assuming there are four levels of rarity - "S", "A", "B", and "C", could be to notify if a lottery result of "S" rarity or higher is obtained, to notify if a lottery result of "A" rarity or higher is obtained, or to notify regardless of rarity.

The condition related to the date and time (date and time condition) can be, for example, a specific date (for example, the first day of every month), a specific day of the week (for example, every Sunday), a specific time period (for example, 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.), and the like.
The conditions for the pocket money balance can be, for example, when the balance becomes zero, or when the balance becomes less than 10% of the total amount upper limit set in the pocket money setting unit 31, etc.
Of course, other conditions may also be set as appropriate.

Then, the server system 1100 stores the setting contents in the lottery execution setting unit 30 as user-specified notification activation condition data 660 associated with the support character 4.

Now, the automatic execution of the lottery process will be described in detail step by step.
5 is a diagram for explaining the determination of the automatic execution timing of the lottery process. The server system 1100 periodically determines the automatic execution timing. This automatic execution timing determination is influenced by the applied personality setting data 630, the lottery execution setting data 650, the recommended possession item estimation result 740, and the lottery history data 670, which is data on the execution history of the lottery process.

If that time (the opportunity to determine whether it is time for automatic execution) matches the applied personality setting data 630 and the lottery execution setting data 650, the server system 1100 determines that the time for automatic execution of the lottery process has arrived.

Specifically, the applied personality setting data 630 includes an automatic execution tendency setting 641. The automatic execution tendency setting 641 is data indicating a tendency setting for the frequency of automatic execution of the lottery process, and for example, a probability that a specific time, a specific date and time, or a time (current time) will be the timing for automatic execution is set according to the pocket money balance. In other words, the automatic execution tendency setting 641 is a parameter value that indicates the personality of the character regarding the lottery process, and is a frequency tendency parameter value that indicates a tendency regarding the frequency of automatic execution of the lottery process, or a timing tendency parameter value that indicates a tendency for the timing of automatic execution.

The server system 1100 first makes a primary determination as to whether it is time for automatic execution according to the settings in the automatic execution tendency settings 641. More specifically, a probability-based timing determination lottery is executed, and if the timing determination lottery is won, the result of the primary determination is deemed positive. Next, the server system 1100 refers to the lottery history data 670 of the player, and if it considers this to be the timing for automatic execution, makes a secondary determination as to whether it matches the setting related to the execution frequency specified by the user, which is included in the lottery execution setting data 650. Then, if the secondary determination is also positive, the server system 1100 determines that the automatic execution timing has arrived.

In addition, the server system 1100 executes an estimation process of recommended items to own at a given periodic timing, and when the type of item that is considered to be a recommended item to own is identified (when there are recommended items to own), it also determines that the timing for automatically executing the lottery process has arrived.

The "recommended item" referred to here is an item that is recommended for the player to possess in order to gain an advantage in playing the game.
Since the game of this embodiment is an action RPG, it is desirable for the player to always possess, for example, a recovery item. Therefore, if the player does not possess a recovery item, the recovery item becomes the recommended item to possess. Data specifying the recommended item to possess for each condition of the game progress state may be prepared in advance, and the data may be referenced.

The server system 1100 also manages game save data as data showing each player's play history up to that point. The server system 1100 can estimate the recommended items to be owned for a given player based on the play history of other players who preceded the player in the game progression.

For example, for a certain player, the play history of other players who have already succeeded in clearing a game stage that the player will attempt next in the game progression is compared with the play history of other players who have failed to clear the stage, and if there is an item that the former possesses but the latter does not, the server system 1100 estimates that the item is a recommended item to possess that will give an advantage in clearing the stage. In addition, when comparing the ability parameter values of the player's character 3 of other players who have failed to clear the stage with those of other players who have succeeded, a threshold value for the ability parameter value required to achieve a specified success rate (e.g., 70% or more) is found, and an item that can raise the ability parameter value of a certain player's character 3 to this threshold value (e.g., an attack item if attack power is insufficient) can be estimated as a recommended item to possess.

In any case, based on the standpoint that the automatic lottery could be an opportunity to obtain it, if it is estimated that there is a recommended item to own, the server system 1100 determines that the time for automatic execution has arrived.

The server system 1100 also determines the timing of automatic execution by referring to the lottery history data 670. The lottery history data 670 is an execution history of not only automatically executed lottery processing, but also manually executed lottery processing that is executed by the player himself performing a lottery execution operation as in the conventional method.

One lottery history data 670 stores, in association with each other, a unique lottery execution ID, lottery date and time, automatic/manual identification information, the user account of the user involved in the lottery, a participating support character ID for identifying the support character 4 involved in the lottery, the type of lottery process to be executed indicating what type of lottery process was executed, and the lottery result.

The server system 1100 refers to the lottery history data 670 for a certain player in which the player participated in lotteries, and determines that the automatic execution time has arrived if a lottery has not been held for a predetermined period of time or more since the last lottery was held.

The server system 1100 also refers to the lottery history data 670 for a specified period of time in the past (e.g., 3 days, 1 week, etc.), and if the number of lottery entries performed by a certain player is less than that of other players by a specified threshold or more, it infers that there is a "special lottery (e.g., a lottery with a high probability of winning a rare item, a lottery that can be executed consecutively at low cost, etc.)" that the other players are aware of but that the certain player is unaware of, and determines that the time for automatic execution has arrived.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining selection of the lottery process to be automatically executed.
When it is determined that the timing for automatic execution of the lottery process has arrived, the server system 1100 selects a lottery process to be executed from among the lottery process candidates 8 (8a, 8b, ...) based on the applied personality setting data 630, the lottery execution setting data 650, and the recommended item ownership estimation result 740.

A number of types of lottery process candidates 8 (8a, 8b, ...) with different configurations of lottery objects are prepared in advance. Specifically, some of the lottery process candidates 8 (8a, 8b, ...) have a bias in the configuration of lottery objects (synonymous with payout items, emission objects). For example, there are lottery process candidates 8 with a high ratio of attack items as lottery objects, lottery process candidates 8 with a high ratio of recovery items, and lottery process candidates 8 with a low probability of selection (synonymous with payout probability, emission probability) but a high ratio of rare items. Of course, there may be lottery process candidates 8 that include all categories of lottery objects on average.

The applied individuality setting data 630 includes a lottery process candidate type selection tendency setting 643 .
The lottery process candidate type selection tendency setting 643 stores, for each type of lottery process candidate 8 (8a, 8b, ...), a selection tendency point Pn1 indicating the strength of the tendency to select that lottery process candidate 8. It may also store the probability of selecting that lottery process candidate 8. In addition, the applicable individuality setting data 630 includes a degree of obedience 634 of the support character 4 to the player.

Note that the obedience level 634 may be named differently depending on the game genre or game content, and other parameter values may be added as appropriate. For example, if one of the game play operations involves the player character 3 giving presents to, caring for, or conversing with the support character 4, the "obedience level" may be expressed as "likability," "intimacy," "friendship level," or the like. It may also be expressed as "character level," "level of development," or the like.

On the other hand, the lottery execution setting data 650 includes user preference information 653. The user preference information 653 is information about the lottery objects desired by the user, and stores information about the category of lottery objects desired by the user as a result of operation input to the user preference setting unit 32 (see FIG. 4).

Assuming there are n types of lottery process candidates 8 (n is a natural number), when selecting an execution target from among the lottery process candidates 8, the server system 1100 sets an applicable selection probability Psn (n = 1, 2, ...; Ps1, Ps2, Ps3, ...) for each lottery process candidate 8, and selects one of the lottery process candidates 8 using that selection probability.

Specifically, the server system 1100 performs the following for the n-th lottery process candidate 8:
1) A selection tendency point Pn1 set in the lottery process candidate type selection tendency setting 643 of the applicable individuality setting data 630;
2) A value obtained by multiplying a lottery object configuration point Pn2 determined by a predetermined first function based on a ratio of lottery objects matching a user's desired category in the configuration of lottery objects of the lottery processing candidate 8 by a coefficient k based on the obedience degree 634;
3) A recommended possession item inclusion point Pn3 determined by a predetermined second function based on the ratio of the recommended possession items included in the lottery targets of the lottery process candidate 8; and
The sum Fn (=Pn1+k·Pn2+Pn3) is calculated.
Then, the sum Fn (=Pn1+k·Pn2+Pn3) thus obtained is divided by the combined value ΣF of the sums Fn for all the lottery process candidates 8 to determine the application selection probability Psn of the n-th lottery process candidate 8.

In addition, if the user preference set in the user preference setting section 32 of the operation input screen W4 (see FIG. 4) is not the category of the lottery target but the type of lottery process candidate 8, the lottery target configuration points Pn2 for the lottery process candidate 8 corresponding to that type may be added, and the lottery target configuration points Pn2 may not be added for the other lottery process candidates 8.

Of course, the method of determining the applicable selection probability Psn is not limited to this. For example, a base selection probability for each lottery process candidate 8 is set in the lottery process candidate type selection tendency setting 643. Then, this base selection probability is primarily modified so that the selection probability increases the greater the proportion of lottery objects that match the priority category set in the lottery execution setting data 650 and the higher the obedience level 634. Furthermore, the primarily modified selection probability may be secondarily modified so that the selection probability increases the greater the proportion of lottery objects that match the recommended items to be owned in the configuration of lottery objects for that lottery process candidate 8, thereby determining the applicable selection probability Psn.

Then, the server system 1100 applies the applied selection probability Psn (n = 1, 2, ...) to each lottery process candidate 8 to select the lottery process candidate 8 to be executed.

In relation to the selection of the lottery process candidate 8 to be executed, the server system 1100 causes the support character 4 to perform a selection action 40, creating an effect that makes it appear as if the support character 4 has independently selected the lottery process candidate 8.

The applicable selection probability Psn is determined based on the applicable personality setting data 630 of the support character 4, so even in the same situation, the lottery process candidate 8 selected as the execution target is configured to differ depending on the personality of the support character 4. This, combined with the selection action, improves the effect of making the user 2 see that the support character 4 is using his or her pocket money to select the lottery.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the setting of the selection probability of the selection object.
When executing the lottery process, the lottery probability (synonymous with the payout probability or the discharge probability) applied to the lottery objects (meaning the payout items, the discharged items, and the items provided by the lottery) is referred to as the applied lottery probability Pa.

Before executing the lottery process, the server system 1100 determines the applicable lottery probability Pa for each lottery target of the lottery process. The applicable lottery probability Pa is determined by adding the probability change amount ΔP to the initial lottery probability Pd.

The initial lottery probability Pd is a lottery probability for each lottery target that is pre-set in association with the lottery process candidate 8 selected as the execution target, and is set appropriately by the operator of the game system 1000.

The probability change amount ΔP is determined based on the applied personality setting data 630, the lottery execution setting data 650, and the estimated results 740 of the recommended items to own.

Specifically, the applicable individuality setting data 630 includes a lottery probability change setting 644. The lottery probability change setting 644 stores a first probability change amount ΔP1 that relatively changes the initial lottery probability Pd in association with the type of lottery object. The first probability change amount ΔP1 may be stored in association with the category or rarity of the lottery object, rather than the type of lottery object. For example, when associated with rarity, if the first probability change amount ΔP1 is set to improve the lottery probability for higher rarity, it is possible to express the individuality (talent) of a character that is more likely to draw a lottery object of high rarity. Conversely, if the first probability change amount ΔP1 is set to decrease the lottery probability for higher rarity, it is possible to express an individuality that is less likely to draw a lottery object of high rarity.

The first probability change amount ΔP1 is a relative value between the lottery objects, and is therefore set to "0" overall. The method of determining the first probability change amount ΔP1 is not limited to this. For example, the first probability change amount ΔP1 may be determined randomly for each type of lottery object. The first probability change amount ΔP1 may be set by category, rather than by type of lottery object.

Next, the server system 1100 determines the second probability change amount ΔP2 so as to relatively increase the lottery probability for the lottery object corresponding to the user-desired category set in the user-desired information 653 of the lottery execution setting data 650. In this case, for example, the second probability change amount ΔP2 may be determined so as to increase the lottery probability (or decrease the lottery probability) the higher a predetermined parameter value (e.g., obedience) related to the personality of the support character 4 is.

Next, the server system 1100 determines a third probability change amount ΔP3 so that the probability of winning a lottery item that matches the recommended possession item is relatively increased.

Then, the server system 1100 determines a fourth probability change amount ΔP4 based on the first lottery probability change pattern definition data 591, a fifth probability change amount ΔP5 based on the second lottery probability change pattern definition data 592, and a sixth probability change amount ΔP6 based on the third lottery probability change pattern definition data 593.

The first lottery probability change pattern definition data 591 is data that defines the influence that the applied personality setting data 630 of the support character 4 has on the lottery probability, and is prepared for each lottery probability change pattern that is the condition for causing a change to the content of the applied personality setting data 630.
A single first lottery probability change pattern definition data 591 stores, in association with one another, the change occurrence condition, the change target condition for determining the target of the change, and the change content indicating how the lottery probability is to be changed, i.e., the fourth probability change amount ΔP4.

For example, the change occurrence condition is set to "when the obedience level exceeds a predetermined threshold value," the change target condition is set to "become a lottery target in the priority category," and the change content (fourth probability change amount ΔP4) is set to a positive value. In this case, when the support character 4 grows and the obedience level reaches the threshold value, the application lottery probability Pa (see Figure 7) of being a lottery target in the category desired by the player becomes higher than when the threshold value is not reached. This makes it possible for the user to feel as if the support character 4 has gained the power to obtain the item that the player desires.

For example, if the change occurrence condition is set to "bias on attack power parameter value," the lottery target condition is set to "defensive item," and the fourth probability change amount ΔP4 is set to a positive value, the player can be given the impression that the support character 4 has proactively drawn the lottery in order to acquire an item that will improve the situation of being biased towards attack power.

The second lottery probability change pattern definition data 592 is data that defines the effect that the lottery execution setting data 650 specified by the user has on the lottery probability, and is prepared for each lottery probability change pattern that is the change occurrence condition related to the content of the lottery execution setting data 650. One piece of second lottery probability change pattern definition data 592 stores, in association with each other, the change occurrence condition, the change target condition for determining the target of the change, and the change content (fifth probability change amount ΔP5) that indicates how the lottery probability is changed.

The change occurrence conditions in the first lottery probability change pattern definition data 591 and the second lottery probability change pattern definition data 592 may also include other content in the condition description, such as the game progress status (for example, clearing a specific game stage, the combination of support characters 4 when there are multiple support characters 4, the balance of ability parameter values of the player character 3, etc.). In addition, the lottery target condition is not limited to the category of lottery targets, and can also be the type of lottery target.

The third lottery probability change pattern definition data 593 is data that defines the effect that the presence of a recommended item to own has on the lottery probability, and is prepared for each lottery probability change pattern in which the type of recommended item to own is the change occurrence condition. One piece of third lottery probability change pattern definition data 593 has the type of recommended item to own as the change occurrence condition, and is stored in association with the change content of the lottery probability of that item (sixth probability change amount ΔP6).

Then, the server system 1100 determines the sum of the first probability change amount ΔP1 to the sixth probability change amount ΔP6 as the probability change amount ΔP for the lottery object, and adds this to the initial lottery probability Pd to determine the applicable lottery probability Pa for the lottery object.

By configuring the first probability change amount ΔP1, the second probability change amount ΔP2, and the fourth probability change amount ΔP4 to be influenced by the personality settings of the support character 4, a dramatic effect is created that makes the player believe that the support character 4 has some kind of influence that makes it easier for the character to win a certain type of lottery object.

When executing the lottery process by applying the applied lottery probability Pa, the server system 1100 controls the display of a lottery operation action 41 that makes it appear as if the support character 4 is operating a virtual lottery machine (a capsule-type lottery machine commonly known as "gasha" or "gacha"), making it appear to the user as if the support character 4 is voluntarily playing gacha using his or her pocket money. Of course, the display control of the lottery operation action 41 is not essential and can be omitted as appropriate, or whether or not to control the display can be selected randomly.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining notification of the lottery result.
As is clear from the above description, in this embodiment, the user does not operate the lottery to execute the lottery, but the server system 1100 can automatically execute the lottery process. In particular, the support character 4 is made to voluntarily execute the lottery using his/her pocket money. For example, it is similar to a parent giving his/her child pocket money and letting him/her use it freely. There is no mechanism for the user 2 to monitor the automatic execution of the lottery process step by step. Instead, the server system 1100 notifies the user 2 through the support character 4 when the lottery result satisfies a given notification triggering condition. Using the previous example of the parent and child, it is like a child occasionally reporting to the parent how he/she spent his/her pocket money.

Specifically, when the server system 1100 automatically executes the lottery process, it grants the lottery object paid out as the lottery result to the user 2 who uses the support character 4. At this time, basically, no notification is given about the granting, and the paid out lottery object is automatically added to, for example, item storage, etc.

The server system 1100 stores and manages the results of the lottery process as lottery history data 670 (see FIG. 5) linked to the support character 4 and the user 2 who uses the support character 4. If the content of the lottery history data 670 satisfies the notification activation condition, the server system 1100 controls the display to notify the support character 4 as the main notification. In addition, the server system 1100 controls the display of the notification display 50 not only for the lottery history data 670 but also for other content such as pocket money balance if the notification activation condition is satisfied.

To determine whether or not to activate a notification, both notification activation conditions that are preset according to the character type of the support character 4 and notification activation conditions specified by the user 2 and stored in the user-specified notification activation condition data 660 (see Figure 4) are used.

The server system 1100 controls the display of the notification action 42 of the support character 4, the lottery result explanation text 54, and the lottery result image 55, which is an image of the lottery result given to the user, as the notification display 50 (see FIG. 8). Depending on the notification content, the lottery result image 55 may be omitted. The lottery result image 55 is naturally information showing the lottery result, i.e., the lottery result information 56, but the lottery result explanation text 54 also serves as the lottery result information 56 when displaying the name and explanation text of the lottery result.

In the automatically executed lottery process in this embodiment, the lottery results are not notified one by one after each automatic execution. This is because there is a concern that this may be bothersome to the user 2. By having the support character 4 be the notification subject and only notifying the user when the notification triggering conditions are met, not only is it not bothersome to the user 2, but it is also possible to provide a user experience similar to that of receiving occasional reports from a child about how they are spending their pocket money.

Then, when the notification is made, the server system 1100 accepts the operational input of the player 2's evaluation of the notified content (lottery result). Specifically, a positive evaluation input icon 61 and a negative evaluation input icon 62 are displayed on the player terminal 1500, and the player 2 is prompted to input either of the evaluations of the notified content. In the example of FIG. 8, there are two types of evaluation, but the evaluation content may be selected and input in more detail, such as a five-point scale.

When an evaluation is input, the server system 1100 changes the applicable personality setting data 630 of the support character 4 in accordance with the result. Specifically, when a positive evaluation input icon 61 is operated and input, the server system 1100 changes the automatic execution tendency setting 641 to increase the execution frequency, and changes the lottery probability change setting 644 to increase the winning probability of the lottery object indicated in the lottery result information 56. Conversely, when a negative evaluation input icon 62 is operated and input, the server system 1100 changes the automatic execution tendency setting 641 to decrease the execution frequency, and changes the lottery probability change setting 644 to decrease the winning probability of the lottery object indicated in the lottery result information 56.

However, such changes will only be made if the received evaluation satisfies given parameter value change conditions. The parameter value change conditions can be set by a combination of the type of evaluation and the number or frequency of evaluations, or by the degree of evaluation, such as "the positive evaluation input icon 61 appears three times in a row," "the positive evaluation input icon 61 appears three times in one week," or "a score of four or higher on a five-point scale."

In this way, by accepting the player 2's evaluation of the notification content (lottery result) from the support character 4 and changing the parameter values related to the support character 4's lottery, it is possible to provide a user experience similar to that of a parent receiving occasional reports from their child about how they have spent their pocket money, in which the child's personality regarding the lottery changes depending on whether they praise or scold the child.

FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the server system 1100.
The server system 1100 includes an operation input unit 100s, a server processing unit 200s, a sound output unit 390s, an image display unit 392s, a communication unit 394s, and a server storage unit 500s.

The operation input unit 100s is a means for inputting various operations for managing the server. This corresponds to the keyboard 1106 in FIG. 1.

The server processing unit 200s is realized by electronic components such as processors that are arithmetic circuits, such as a CPU, GPU, ASIC, FPGA, etc., as well as IC memory, and controls the input and output of data between each functional unit, including the operation input unit 100s and the server storage unit 500s. It performs various types of arithmetic processing based on predetermined programs and data, operation input signals from the operation input unit 100s, data received from the user terminal 1500, etc., and performs integrated control of the operation of the server system 1100.

The server processing unit 200s includes a user management unit 202, a game management unit 210, a timing unit 280s, a sound generation unit 290s, an image generation unit 292s, and a communication control unit 294s. Of course, other functional units may also be included as appropriate.

The user management unit 202 performs processing related to user registration procedures and stores and manages various information linked to user accounts. The user management unit 202 includes an electronic payment information management unit 204. The "electronic payment information" referred to here is information used to pay for services provided by the game system 1000 by electronic payment. For example, in a configuration that employs electronic payment using a credit card, playpaid card, or membership card, this corresponds to the card number, PIN, etc. Also, in a configuration that employs payment by consuming virtual currency, virtual items, or game points that the user has registered in advance through a purchase procedure, this corresponds to the balance of the virtual currency, virtual items, or game points.

The game management unit 210 executes various controls related to the online game. For example, the game management unit 210 has a game progress control unit 212, a character setting unit 214, a lottery execution setting determination unit 216, a recommended item to own estimation unit 218, a lottery execution control unit 220, an action control unit 228, a lottery history management unit 230, a notification activation condition determination unit 232, a notification control unit 234, an evaluation reception control unit 236, and a parameter value change control unit 238. Of course, other functional units may also be included as appropriate.

The character setting unit 214 sets a character (support character 4) that is a virtual subject that executes the lottery process in association with the user. Specifically, there are multiple types of candidate characters that can be the virtual subject that executes the lottery process, and the character setting unit 214 sets a character to be associated with the user from among the multiple types of candidate characters.

In addition, the character setting unit 214 sets personalities based on personality settings that differ depending on the type of candidate character, with (1) a tendency regarding the frequency of automatic execution of the lottery process, (2) a tendency regarding the type of selection to be made from the types of lottery process candidates, and (3) a tendency to execute lottery processes consecutively.

The lottery execution setting determination unit 216 variably determines lottery execution settings including at least condition settings related to automatic execution of the lottery process based on the user's operational input.
Specifically, the lottery execution setting determination unit 216 sets the lottery execution setting to include (1) a total price upper limit, which is the total amount acceptable as payment for the lottery processing, and (2) preference information regarding the user's preference regarding the selection of a lottery processing candidate to be executed by the lottery execution control unit 220 from multiple types of lottery processing candidates with different lottery targets.

The recommended possession item estimation unit 218 performs the process of estimating the recommended possession items.

The lottery execution control unit 220 controls the automatic execution of the lottery process based on the lottery execution settings.
Specifically, the lottery execution control unit 220 judges the automatic execution timing (see FIG. 5), selects a lottery process candidate 8 to be executed from among the lottery process candidates 8 (see FIG. 6), determines the applicable lottery probability Pa (see FIG. 7), and automatically executes the lottery process of the lottery process candidate 8 to be executed. In this process, the lottery execution control unit 220 controls the automatic execution of the lottery process within the range of the total consideration upper limit, selects and executes a lottery process to be executed based on desired information, and variably controls the frequency of automatic execution of the lottery process based on the personality settings of the character associated with the user.

The lottery execution control unit 220 has a first lottery possibility variation control unit 222 .
The first lottery probability variation control unit 222 varies the lottery probability by changing the lottery probability of the lottery object in the lottery process according to the character associated with the user. Specifically, the first lottery probability variation control unit 222 changes the lottery probability based on the setting contents of the lottery execution setting and whether the lottery object satisfies a given recommendation condition. The lottery execution control unit 220 controls the automatic execution of the lottery process using the lottery probability changed by the first lottery probability variation control unit 222.

The action control unit 228 generates (1) a given selection action 40 (see FIG. 6 ) that makes it appear as if the character is actively selecting one of a plurality of types of lottery process candidates 8 as an execution target, (2) a given lottery operation action 41 (see FIG. 7 ) that makes it appear as if the character is performing a lottery start operation, and (3) a notification action 42 (see FIG. 8 ) related to a notification display 50.
The control unit 10 controls the support character 4 to perform the above.

The lottery history management unit 230 controls the storage and management of information related to the lottery as lottery history data 670 each time the lottery process is executed.

The notification activation condition determination unit 232 variably determines, based on the user's operational input, a given notification activation condition that is a condition for activating a notification of information indicating the result of the lottery process executed by the lottery execution control unit 220. Specifically, the notification activation condition determination unit 232 sets the notification activation condition to include at least one of (1) a condition regarding the relationship between the total consideration upper limit and the total consideration related to the executed lottery processes, and (2) a rarity condition related to the result of the lottery process.

When the notification activation condition is met, the notification control unit 234 performs notification control in which a character (support character 4) becomes the notification subject and notifies the user of information indicating the result of the lottery processing executed by the lottery execution control unit 220. For example, the notification control unit 234 performs notification control by having the character perform a given action.

The evaluation reception control unit 236 controls the reception of evaluations of the evaluation results notified by the notification control based on the user's operational input. Specifically, this corresponds to the display control of the positive evaluation input icon 61 and the negative evaluation input icon 62, as well as the control related to the reception of operational inputs to these input icons (see FIG. 8).

The parameter value change control unit 238 changes the parameter values of the character associated with the user when the evaluation received by the evaluation reception control unit 236 satisfies given parameter value change conditions. Specifically, it changes the applied personality setting data 630 (see FIG. 8).

The timing unit 280s uses the system clock to measure the current date and time, time limit, etc.

The sound generation unit 290s is realized by executing an IC or software that generates or decodes audio data, and generates or decodes audio data such as operation sounds, sound effects, and background music related to system management and games of the server system 1100. The audio signals related to system management are then output to the sound output unit 390s.

The sound output unit 390s emits an audio signal. In the example of FIG. 1, this corresponds to a speaker (not shown) provided on the main device or touch panel 1108.

The image generation unit 292s generates images, synthesizes images, and outputs image signals to display them on the image display unit 392s. In this embodiment, it is responsible for part of the function of generating images such as images related to system management of the server system 1100 and game images (or data for displaying game images on the user terminal 1500).

The image display unit 392s is realized by a device that displays images, such as a flat panel display, a head-mounted display, or a projector. In the example of FIG. 1, this corresponds to the touch panel 1108.

The communication control unit 294s executes data processing related to data communication and realizes data exchange with external devices via the communication unit 394s.

The communication unit 394s connects to the network 9 to realize communication. For example, it is realized by a wireless communication device, a modem, a TA (terminal adapter), a jack for a wired communication cable, a control circuit, etc. In the example of FIG. 1, it corresponds to the communication device 1153.

The server storage unit 500s stores programs and various data for implementing various functions for the server processing unit 200s to comprehensively control the server system 1100. It is also used as a working area for the server processing unit 200s, and temporarily stores the results of calculations executed by the server processing unit 200s according to various programs. This function is implemented, for example, by IC memory such as RAM or ROM, magnetic disks such as hard disks, optical disks such as CD-ROMs or DVDs, online storage, etc. In the example of Figure 1, this corresponds to storage media such as IC memory 1152 and hard disks mounted on the main unit, and storage 1140.

Figure 10 is a diagram showing examples of programs and data stored in the server storage unit 500s in this embodiment. The server storage unit 500s in this embodiment stores a server program 501, a distribution client program 503, and game initial setting data 510. The server storage unit 500s also stores user management data 600, play data 700, and current date and time 800 as data that is generated and managed sequentially. The server storage unit 500s also stores other programs and data (e.g. timers, counters, various flags, etc.) as appropriate.

The server program 501 is a program for realizing the functions of the user management unit 202 and the game management unit 210 by being read and executed by the server processing unit 200s.
The delivery client program 503 is an original client program provided to the user terminal 1500 .

The game initial setting data 510 includes various initial setting data necessary for controlling the execution of the game. The game initial setting data 510 includes, for example, candidate character initial setting data 520, individuality setting change pattern definition data 550, lottery process candidate initial setting data 570, first lottery probability change pattern definition data 591, second lottery probability change pattern definition data 592, and third lottery probability change pattern definition data 593. Of course, data other than these may also be included as appropriate. For example, initial setting data for the game stage, initial setting data for the player character 3, initial setting data for various items, and the like may also be included as appropriate.

The candidate character initial setting data 520 is prepared for each type of candidate character 6 (see FIG. 3) that can be selected as a support character 4, and stores various initial setting data for that type. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, for example, it includes a unique character type 521, initial personality setting data 522, selection action definition data 538, lottery operation action definition data 539, and notification initial setting data 540. Of course, data other than these can also be included as appropriate.

The initial personality setting data 522 stores the initial values of various parameter values indicating the personality set for the candidate character 6 of that type. Specifically, the initial personality setting data 522 includes ability parameter value initial setting data 523, obedience level initial value 524, execution frequency tendency initial value 531, consecutive execution frequency initial value 532, lottery process candidate type selection tendency initial setting 533, and probability change amount initial setting 534. Of course, data other than these can also be stored as appropriate.

The ability parameter value initial setting data 523 is a first data group that indicates the individuality of the candidate character related to actions and abilities in game play, and stores the initial values of parameter values of abilities in game play (for example, since the game of this embodiment is an action RPG, durability, basic attack power, basic defense power, etc.).

The obedience initial value 524 indicates the degree of obedience to the player. The higher the obedience, the higher the probability that the character will follow the settings specified by the player/user. Specifically, the higher the obedience, the more the server system 1100 will prioritize the settings in the lottery execution setting data 650 (see FIG. 4) when automatically executing the lottery process, and the lower the obedience, the more the server system 1100 will prioritize the settings in the candidate character initial setting data 520, which are part of the character's personality, when automatically executing the lottery process.

The term "automatically executing the lottery process as a priority" is specifically realized by determining the weighting of the probability based on the setting of the lottery execution setting data 650 when determining the application selection probability Psn (see FIG. 6) of the lottery process candidate 8 to be executed, based on the value of the obedience level. In this embodiment, the weighting is performed by multiplying the lottery target configuration point P2 by a coefficient k that is higher the higher the obedience level. Note that the coefficient k is not limited to a positive value, and can be "0" or a negative value.

The execution frequency tendency initial value 531 defines the tendency regarding the frequency of automatic execution of the lottery process. For example, the probability that the timing for automatic execution will be at a specific time, a specific date and time, and the allowance balance is set.

As mentioned above, the support character 4 is designed to appear as if it is an active entity that selects and executes the lottery process on behalf of the user. Therefore, depending on the setting of the execution frequency tendency initial value 531, the candidate character can be assigned a personality such as one that likes to enter lotteries frequently, one that likes to enter lotteries only occasionally, or one that likes to enter lotteries on Sundays.

The initial value 532 of the consecutive execution frequency defines how often the lottery process is executed consecutively when one automatic execution timing occurs. For example, it is defined as a probability list for each number of consecutive executions. When the opportunity to execute the lottery process arises, the server system 1100 performs a probability calculation according to each probability based on this probability list, and determines how many consecutive executions (number of lotteries) should be performed for this lottery process.

The initial selection tendency setting 533 for the lottery process candidate type is data that defines the selection tendency for selecting an execution target from among the lottery process candidates 8 when the candidate character is set as a support character 4. Specifically, it is a list of selection tendency points Pn1 (see FIG. 6) for each type of lottery process candidate 8.

As mentioned above, the support character 4 is made to look as if it is the main actor in the automatic execution of the lottery. Therefore, depending on the setting, it is possible to determine the characteristics of which type of lottery processing candidate 8 the candidate character is likely to select.

The probability change amount initial setting 534 is data that defines the effect on the selection probability of the applicable lottery probability Pa of the lottery object when the candidate character is set as the support character 4. Specifically, it stores the first probability change amount ΔP1 (see FIG. 7) by type (or category) of the lottery object.

The selection action definition data 538 defines a selection action 40 that makes it appear as if the candidate character, as a support character 4, is actively selecting a lottery process candidate 8 to be executed (see FIG. 6).

The lottery operation action definition data 539 defines a lottery operation action 41 that makes it appear as if the candidate character is actively performing the lottery process as a support character 4 (see Figure 7).

The notification initial setting data 540 includes character-dependent notification activation conditions 541 that are applied when the candidate character is set as the support character 4, and notification action definition data 542.

The character-dependent notification activation condition 541 constitutes part of the personality related to the notification that is expressed when the candidate character is made the support character 4. One notification activation condition stores a unique condition type and condition definition data that indicates the content of the condition of that type.

The notification action definition data 542 is prepared for each type of notification activation condition, and is stored in association with action execution data that defines a notification action that displays the support character 4 as the notification subject in the notification display 50 (see Figure 8) when the notification activation condition of that type is satisfied.

The types of notification triggering conditions for which the notification action definition data 542 is prepared also include notification triggering conditions that can be specified by the user in the notification condition setting unit 38 (see FIG. 4).

Returning to FIG. 10, the personality setting change pattern definition data 550 is prepared for each pattern for changing the personality setting of the support character 4, and stores the change occurrence conditions, the type of parameter to be changed, and the change content in association with each other. In this embodiment, the change occurrence conditions are described as a case in which the game progress status or play results satisfy given conditions.

The lottery process candidate initial setting data 570 is prepared for each type of lottery process candidate 8, and stores various data that defines the initial configuration of the lottery process candidate 8 of that type. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, one lottery process candidate initial setting data 570 includes (1) a unique lottery process ID 571, (2) a fee setting 573 indicating the fee paid by the user per execution, (3) a consecutive number 575 indicating the number of lotteries to be executed consecutively at one automatic execution timing, (4) a lottery process candidate type 577 classified based on the configuration of the lottery object and the consecutive number 575, and (5) lottery object configuration definition data 580. Of course, data other than these may also be included as appropriate.

The lottery object configuration definition data 580 is data that defines the configuration of the lottery object in the lottery processing candidate, in other words, the contents of the lottery. This data includes lottery object definition data 582 prepared for each type of lottery object, and a list of initial selection probabilities by type of lottery object 584. Of course, data other than these may also be included as appropriate.

One piece of lottery object definition data 582 includes the lottery object type, name, rarity, specifications, a notification image serving as a lottery result image 55 (see FIG. 8), and notification text displayed as lottery result explanation text 54 (see FIG. 8).

Returning to FIG. 10, user management data 600 is prepared for each user 2 who has completed a prescribed registration procedure, and stores various data related to that user. As shown in FIG. 13, for example, one piece of user management data 600 includes a unique user account 601, electronic payment information 603, game save data 610, lottery history data 670, and notification history data 672. Of course, data other than these may also be included as appropriate.

The game save data 610 includes progress status data 611, which stores various data describing the progress of the game at the time of saving, player character management data 613, which describes the state of the player character 3 at the time of saving, owned item management data 615, and support character management data 620.

The support character management data 620 is prepared for each support character 4, and stores various data describing the state of that character at the time of saving.
14, one piece of support character management data 620 includes, for example, (1) a unique support character ID 621, (2) a character type 622, (3) a character level 623 that is automatically set according to the play result, (4) a combat behavior tendency setting 625, (5) an item use condition setting 626, (6) applicable personality setting data 630, (7) pocket money balance 640, (8) lottery execution setting data 650, (9) user-specified notification activation condition data 660, and (10) evaluation history data 662. Of course, data other than these may also be included as appropriate.

The applied personality setting data 630 stores various data indicating the latest personality setting status of the support character 4. Specifically, the data configuration of the applied personality setting data 630 corresponds one-to-one to the data configuration of the initial personality setting data 522, and includes ability parameter value setting data 633, obedience 634, automatic execution tendency setting 641, consecutive execution frequency 642, lottery process candidate type selection tendency setting 643, and lottery probability change setting 644. Of course, data other than these can also be included as appropriate.

When a support character 4 is initially set, the initial personality setting data 522 (see FIG. 11) of the candidate character 6 selected as the support character 4 is copied as a base. Then, the personality setting change pattern definition data 550 (see FIG. 10) is changed according to the progress of the game, etc.

The lottery execution setting data 650 includes, for example, pocket money setting 651, user preference information 653, automatic execution frequency designation data 655, and timing tendency designation data 656. That is, the lottery execution setting data 650 stores settings designated by operation input to the lottery execution setting unit 30 (see FIG. 4). For example, the pocket money setting 651 stores the result of the designated operation input to the pocket money setting unit 31, the user preference information 653 stores the result of the designated operation input to the user preference setting unit 32, the automatic execution frequency designation data 655 stores the result of the designated operation input to the frequency setting unit 33, and the timing tendency designation data 656 stores the result of the designated operation input to the timing tendency setting unit 34.

The user-specified notification activation condition data 660 stores the results of the specification operation to the notification condition setting unit 38 (see FIG. 4).

The evaluation history data 662 is a history of Player 2's evaluation of the evaluation results displayed in the notification display 50 (see FIG. 8).

Returning to FIG. 13, the lottery history data 670 is history data of lottery processes involving the user or the support character 4 used by the user as a player, and is created each time the lottery process is executed.

Notification history data 672 is created each time a notification is made about the result of a lottery process related to the user. One piece of notification history data 672 includes, for example, the notification date and time, and a list of lottery execution IDs to be notified. When executing notification control, by referring to the notification history data 672, it is possible to determine whether or not a notification has been made about the lottery result of which lottery history data 670.

Returning to FIG. 10, play data 700 is created for each game play, and various data describing the latest situation in that game play is stored. As shown in FIG. 15, for example, one piece of play data 700 includes a player account 701, which is the user account of the user who will be the player, game management data 710, lottery management data 730, and recommended item ownership estimation results 740. Of course, data other than these can also be included as appropriate.

Game management data 710 stores various data necessary for controlling the game progress and various characters that appear in the game. For example, the data structure of game management data 710 is similar to that of game save data 610 (see FIG. 13), and includes, for example, progress data 711, player character management data 713, owned item management data 715, and support character management data 720.

The data configuration of the supporting character management data 720 is the same as the supporting character management data 620 in the game save data 610.
When a player plays the game for the first time, each data item in the game management data 710 is set to an initial value. However, when the player plays the game for the second time or later, the game save data 610 is read and copied from the user management data 600 of the player. When the game ends, the contents of the game management data 710 are copied to the game save data 610, and the game is saved.

The lottery management data 730 is created each time the lottery process is automatically executed. The lottery management data 730 includes, for example, (1) a participating user account 731 indicating a user involved in the lottery process of the managed object, (2) a participating support character ID 732 indicating a support character 4 involved in the lottery process of the managed object, (3) action control data 733 for controlling the action of the participating support character 4, (4) an applied selection probability list 734, (5) a lottery process ID 735 to be executed, (6) an applied lottery probability list 736, (7) an applied consecutive execution count 737, and (8) a consecutive count counter 738. Of course, data other than these may also be included as appropriate.

The applied selection probability list 734 stores the applied selection probability Psn (see FIG. 6) used when selecting the lottery process candidate 8 to be executed, in association with the type of lottery process candidate 8.

The applicable lottery probability list 736 stores the applicable lottery probability Pa (see FIG. 7) for each lottery object of the lottery process to be executed, in association with the lottery object.

The applied consecutive execution count 737 indicates the consecutive execution count of the lottery process to be managed, determined according to the setting of the consecutive execution frequency 642 of the applied personality setting data 630 (see FIG. 14) of the involved support character 4.

The possession recommended item estimation result 740 stores the result of the estimation process of items that satisfy the given recommendation conditions. The initial value is a value indicating "none", but if the possession recommended item is determined to be the estimated "recommended item present", the item type of the possession recommended item is stored.

FIG. 16 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a user terminal 1500 in this embodiment. The user terminal 1500 includes an operation input unit 100, a device processing unit 200, a sound output unit 390, an image display unit 392, a communication unit 394, and a device storage unit 500.

The operation input unit 100 outputs operation input signals corresponding to various operation inputs made by the user to the device processing unit 200. For example, this can be realized by a push switch, joystick, touch pad, track ball, acceleration sensor, gyro, CCD module, etc. Examples of this include the directional input key 1502, button switch 1504, and touch panel 1506 in FIG. 2.

The voice input unit 102 collects the voice of the user 2 and outputs a voice signal to the device processing unit 200. This corresponds to the microphone 1512 in FIG. 2.

The device processing unit 200 is realized by electronic components such as a microprocessor such as a CPU or GPU, and an IC memory, and controls the input and output of data between each functional unit including the operation input unit 100 and the terminal storage unit 500. It controls the operation of the user terminal 1500 by executing various arithmetic processing based on predetermined programs and data, operation input signals from the operation input unit 100, and various data received from the server system 1100. This corresponds to the control board 1550 in Figure 2.

The device processing unit 200 in this embodiment has a user terminal calculation unit 260, a timing unit 280, a sound generation unit 290, and a communication control unit 294.

The user terminal calculation unit 260 controls the user terminal 1500 to function as a client device that communicates with the server system 1100. Specifically, the user terminal calculation unit 260 includes an operation signal transmission control unit 261 and an image display control unit 262.

The operation signal transmission control unit 261 executes processing to transmit various data and requests to the server system 1100 in response to operations performed on the operation input unit 100.

The image display control unit 262 performs control to display game screens, various operation screens, etc. based on various data received from the server system 1100. It then outputs the generation and output of image signals for displaying these images to the image display unit 392.

The image display unit 392 displays various images based on the image signal input from the image display control unit 262. For example, it can be realized by an image display device such as a flat panel display, a projector, or a head-mounted display. In this embodiment, this corresponds to the touch panel 1506 in FIG. 2.

In this embodiment, images of the game screen and various operation screens are generated by the server system 1100, but they can also be generated by the user terminal 1500. In that case, the image display control unit 262 will execute various controls for generating the screens, such as controlling objects placed in a virtual three-dimensional space for generating 3DCG.

The timing unit 280 uses the system clock to measure the current date and time, time limits, etc.

The sound generation unit 290 is realized by, for example, a digital signal processor (DSP), a processor such as a voice synthesis IC, an audio codec capable of playing audio files, etc., and generates sound signals for music, sound effects, and various operation sounds, and outputs them to the sound output unit 390.

The sound output unit 390 is realized by a device that outputs (emits) sound based on the sound signal input from the sound generation unit 290. This corresponds to the speaker 1510 in FIG. 2.

The communication control unit 294 executes data processing related to data communication and realizes data exchange with external devices via the communication unit 394.

The communication unit 394 connects to the network 9 to realize communication. For example, this is realized by a wireless communication device, a modem, a TA (terminal adapter), a jack for a wired communication cable, a control circuit, etc., and corresponds to the wireless communication module 1553 in FIG. 2.

The device storage unit 500 stores programs for implementing given functions in the device processing unit 200, various data, etc. It is also used as a working area for the device processing unit 200, and temporarily stores the results of calculations executed by the device processing unit 200 according to various programs, input data input from the operation input unit 100, etc. These functions are implemented, for example, by IC memory such as RAM or ROM, magnetic disks such as hard disks, optical disks such as CD-ROMs and DVDs, etc. This corresponds to the IC memory 1552 and memory card 1540 mounted on the control board 1550 in Figure 2. A configuration using online storage is also possible.

Specifically, the terminal storage unit 500 records a client program 502 for causing the terminal processing unit 200 to function as the user terminal computing unit 260, operation input data 690, and the current date and time 800. Of course, data other than these can also be stored as appropriate.

Next, the operation of the game system 1000 of this embodiment will be described.
17 and 18 are flowcharts for explaining the flow of processing in the server system 1100 in the first embodiment. The flow of processing explained here is realized by a user terminal 1500, on which a client program 502 is executed, connecting for communication to the server system 1100, on which a server program 501 is executed. When a user 2 operates the user terminal 1500, the operation input is transmitted to the server system 1100.

The server system 1100 first executes a login process (step S10). If the user has not yet been registered (NO in step S12), the server system 1100 creates new user management data 600 and executes a registration process for the new user (step S14).

Then, the server system 1100 accepts the settings of the player character 3 used by the user as a player, and performs initial settings of the player character 3 (step S16).
The server system 1100 also displays the operation input screen W4 (see FIG. 4) on the user terminal 1500 to accept the setting of the support character 4 and perform initial setting of the support character 4 (step S18). Accordingly, the lottery execution setting data 650 and the user-specified notification activation condition data 660 are created.
That is, the initial settings of the player character 3 and the support character 4 are saved as game save data 610 (step S20).

Specifically, when setting a support character 4, the server system 1100 presents candidate characters 6 to the user, accepts the selection of a predetermined number (one in this embodiment), and creates new support character management data 620 (see FIG. 14). At this time, the applied personality setting data 630 is copied from the initial personality setting data 522 of the candidate character initial setting data 520 (see FIG. 11) of the selected candidate character 6.

Next, the server system 1100 displays the operation input screen W4 on the user terminal 1500 (see FIG. 4). Depending on the operation input result on the operation input screen, the pocket money balance 640, lottery execution setting data 650, user-specified notification activation condition data 660, etc. (see FIG. 14) are each initialized.

If the user targeted for login processing is a registered user, steps S14 to S20 are basically skipped. However, even if the user is already registered, if a setting change operation for a specific support character 4 is input on the user terminal 1500 after logging in, the server system 1100 will display the operation input screen W4 to accept the setting change operation and change the contents of the support character management data 620 as appropriate (not shown).

Next, the server system 1100 prepares the play data 700, loads the game save data 610 (step S30), and starts game play (step S32).
Then, when the game starts, the server system 1100 starts automatic change control of the applied individuality setting data 630 (see FIG. 14) based on the individuality setting change pattern definition data 550 (see FIG. 10) (step S34).

In addition, after the game play starts, the server system 1100 executes an estimation process of recommended items to own at a given timing (step S40) and executes an automatic execution timing determination process (step S42; see Figure 5).

When the server system 1100 determines that the automatic execution timing has arrived as a result of the automatic execution timing determination (YES in step S44), it executes an execution target selection process to select one lottery process candidate 8 to be executed at the current automatic execution timing from among the multiple lottery process candidates 8 (step S46; see FIG. 6). The selection result is stored as the execution target lottery process ID 735 in the lottery management data 730 (see FIG. 15).

Next, the server system 1100 sets the applied lottery probability Pa for each lottery target of the lottery process candidate 8 selected as the execution target (step S48; see FIG. 7). The setting result is stored as the applied lottery probability list 736 of the lottery management data 730 (see FIG. 15).

Next, the server system 1100 determines the applicable consecutive execution count 737, which indicates how many times the lottery process to be executed will be executed consecutively at the current automatic execution timing, based on the consecutive execution frequency 642 (see FIG. 14) in the applicable personality setting data 630 of the support character 4 (step S50; see FIG. 15).

Moving on to the flowchart of FIG. 18, the server system 1100 executes display control of the selection action 40 (see FIG. 6) by the support character 4 (step S52). This makes it appear to the user 2 that the support character 4 is voluntarily selecting something from the lottery device.

Next, the server system 1100 automatically executes a lottery process (step S60), and stores the lottery history data 670 according to the lottery result (step S62; see FIG. 13).
Specifically, the server system 1100 allocates random numbers and types of lottery objects within a range of values that can be generated as random numbers so as to realize the applicable lottery probability Pa. Then, the lottery object of the allocation to which the generated random number corresponds is determined as the lottery result.

Once the lottery result has been determined, the server system 1100 executes display control of the lottery operation action 41 (see FIG. 7) by the support character 4, making it appear to the user 2 as if the support character 4 itself is performing the lottery operation (step S64), and gives the user the lottery object that is the lottery result (step S66).

If it is not determined that the automatic execution timing has arrived (NO in step S44; see FIG. 17), steps S46 to S66 are skipped.

After play has started, the server system 1100 periodically executes a process for determining whether the notification activation conditions are met. When making the determination, the character-dependent notification activation conditions 541 (see FIG. 11) in the notification initial setting data 540 set for the candidate character 6 designated as the support character 4, and the user-specified notification activation condition data 660 (see FIG. 14) associated with the support character 4 are referenced. In addition, as the target of the notification, the history data in the lottery history data 670 (see FIG. 13) that is not recorded as a notification target in the notification history data 672 is referenced.

If the notification activation condition is met (YES in step S80), the server system 1100 executes display control of the notification display 50 (step S82). In this process, the server system 1100 controls the support character 4 to perform a notification action according to the notification activation condition that has been met, making it appear as if it is the notification subject.

Next, the server system 1100 accepts the input of the evaluation by the player 2 to the notification display 50 on the player terminal 1500 (step S84). Specifically, the server system 1100 displays a positive evaluation input icon 61 and a negative evaluation input icon 62 and accepts the selection input of either one (see FIG. 8). The accepted result is stored in the evaluation history data 662.

Then, the server system 1100 refers to the evaluation history data 662 and changes the applicable personality setting data 630 of the support character 4 if a given parameter value change condition is met (step S86; see Figure 8).

When a predetermined logout operation is input (YES in step S90), the server system 1100 updates the game save data 610 based on the play data 700 (step S92), executes the logout process (step S94), and ends the series of processes. If a logout operation is not input (NO in step S83), the process proceeds to step S40.

As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to make the support character 4 seem more human to the user 2, while increasing the interest in the lottery. In other words, by automatically executing the lottery process, controlling the display of the actions of the support character 4 that are executed in conjunction with the lottery process, and notifying the user of the lottery results only under limited conditions, it is possible to make the user feel as if the support character 4 is voluntarily selecting which of the lottery process candidates 8 to execute and drawing the lottery.

Moreover, which lottery process candidate 8 is selected depends on the type and personality settings of the support character 4, so the user will likely feel that the support character 4 is like a human or animal with a unique personality.

Furthermore, even if the same lottery process candidate 8 is selected as the execution target, the personality of the support character 4 and other factors affect the lottery probability of the lottery target and the subsequent notification, so there is a great deal of variety between the time the lottery process is automatically executed and the time the user obtains the lottery result and receives the notification. This not only prevents the game from becoming stale, but also reduces the feeling that the lottery is just a game specification, and enhances the effect of making the user feel that the support character 4 is a human or animal with a unique personality.

Second Embodiment
Next, a second embodiment will be described. Comparing the second embodiment with the first embodiment, the difference is that in the first embodiment, the user management function and the game management function are realized by the server system 1100, but in the second embodiment, these functions are realized by the user terminal 1500. In the following, the differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and the same components as in the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment, and duplicated explanations will be omitted.

Figure 19 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a user terminal 1500 in this embodiment. The user terminal 1500 in this embodiment has a game management unit 210 and an image generation unit 292 instead of the user terminal calculation unit 260 in the first embodiment.

The image generation unit 292 generates images, synthesizes images, and outputs image signals to display them on the image display unit 392s. In this embodiment, it generates images such as the operation input screen W4 and game images (or data for displaying game images on the user terminal 1500).

In addition, the terminal storage unit 500 of this embodiment stores a game program 504 for implementing the functions of the user management unit 202 and the game management unit 210, game initial setting data 510, and play data 700, and the client program 502 and operation input data 690 of the first embodiment are omitted.

The game initial setting data 510 may be referenced each time by the user terminal 1500 accessing the server system 1100, or may be downloaded from the server system 1100 at a given time and a copy may be stored in the terminal memory unit 500 for reference.

The processing flow of the user terminal 1500 in this embodiment is the same as the flowcharts shown in Figures 17 and 18. That is, in the flowcharts of Figures 17 and 18, the execution subject of various processes and controls should be replaced by the user terminal 1500 instead of the server system 1100. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to obtain the same effects as the first embodiment.

[Modifications]
Although the embodiment to which the present invention is applied has been described above, the forms to which the present invention can be applied are not limited to the above-described forms, and constituent elements can be added, omitted, or modified as appropriate.

(Variation 1)
For example, in the first embodiment, an example was given in which the game system 1000 was realized in a client-server type computer system, but the server system 1100 may be omitted and the game system may be realized in a computer system in which multiple user terminals 1500 are connected in a peer-to-peer manner. In that case, one of the user terminals 1500 is made to function as the server system 1100 of the first embodiment. Alternatively, the function of the game management unit 210 may be shared among multiple user terminals 1500.

Similarly, from the perspective of sharing the functions of the game management unit 210, it is also possible to configure the user terminal 1500 to realize and share some of the functions of the game management unit 210 based on the first embodiment.

(Variation 2)
In the above embodiment, the computer is configured to automatically execute the lottery process from the execution timing, execution target, to notification. In other words, from the user's point of view, the lottery process is left to its own devices and is fully automatic. However, a user approval process can be included as appropriate.

Specifically, the lottery execution control unit 220 can be configured to perform inquiry control in which the support character 4 takes the initiative in inquiring of the user about approval of the automatic execution of the lottery process before the lottery process is automatically executed, and to execute the lottery process when the user performs an approval operation in response to the inquiry.

Figure 20 is a flowchart for explaining the process flow in this configuration, and corresponds to the part of the flowchart shown in Figure 18. In this configuration, the server system 1100 receives user approval for the lottery execution before step S60 (step S54). At that time, it is preferable to present the user with information such as the type of lottery process candidate 8 to be executed and the planned number of consecutive executions.

If user approval is obtained (YES in step S56), the server system 1100 proceeds to step S60, and if user approval is not obtained (NO in step S56), the server system 1100 executes display control so that the support character 4 reacts 43 to the fact that approval was not obtained (step S58).

Note that this modified example can also be applied to the second embodiment if the execution subject in the flowchart in FIG. 20 is replaced with the user terminal 1500.

(Variation 3)
In the above embodiment, the method of changing the selection probability of the selection object is to change the selection probability set for each type of selection object, but this is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 21, based on the first embodiment, the first selection probability change control unit 222 may be replaced with the second selection probability change control unit 224.

The second lottery probability variation control unit 224 varies the lottery probability by changing the population of lottery objects in the lottery process (the population defined by the lottery object configuration definition data 580; see FIG. 12) according to the character associated with the user.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 22, lottery object configuration definition data 580 in lottery process candidate initial setting data 570 is replaced with initial population data 581. In initial population data 581, the number of lottery object types that constitute the population is listed, and the lottery process is realized by randomly selecting one from the population. Therefore, depending on the lottery process candidate 8, the number of lottery objects of the same type contained in the population may be set to multiple, not just one. And the more lottery objects contained, the more likely they are to be paid out.

The second lottery probability variation control unit 224 creates a copy of the initial population data 581 in the lottery management data 730, and sets this as the "applicable population data." When making a change to increase the lottery probability of a certain lottery object, the second lottery probability variation control unit 224 increases the number of inclusions in the population described in the applicable population data of the certain lottery object, and when making a change to decrease the lottery probability, decreases the number of inclusions.

In addition, if there is a recommended item to own (a lottery object that satisfies given recommendation conditions), the number of that item contained in the lottery processing candidate 8 is changed, or the recommended item to own is newly added to the applicable population data as a lottery object.
Then, the lottery execution control unit 220 controls the automatic execution of the lottery process using the applicable population data changed by the second lottery possibility variation control unit 224.

It is also possible for the lottery execution control unit 220 to be configured to include both the first lottery possibility change control unit 222 and the second lottery possibility change control unit 224.

(Variation 4)
Further, in the above embodiment, the support character 4 is described as an NPC that appears in a certain game, but it may also be a character that appears across multiple different games that can be played using the same user account.

4...Support character 6...Candidate character 8...Lottery process candidate 30...Lottery execution setting unit 31...Pocket money setting unit 32...User preference setting unit 33...Frequency setting unit 38...Notification condition setting unit 40...Selection action 41...Lottery operation action 42...Notification action 43...Reaction 50...Notification display 54...Lottery result explanation text 55...Lottery result image 56...Lottery result information 200s...Server processing unit 210...Game management unit 212...Game progress control unit 214...Character setting unit 216...Lottery execution setting determination unit 218...Recommended possession item estimation unit 220...Lottery execution control unit 222...First lottery possibility change control unit 224...Second lottery possibility change control unit 228...Action control unit 230...Lottery history management unit 232...Notification activation condition determination unit 234...Notification control unit 500s...Server memory unit 501...Server program 510...Game initial setting data 520...Candidate character initial setting data 522...Initial personality setting data 531...Execution frequency tendency initial value 532...Continuous execution frequency initial value 533...Lottery processing candidate type selection tendency initial setting 534...Probability change amount initial setting 538...Selection action definition data 539...Lottery operation action definition data 540...Notification initial setting data 541...Character-dependent notification activation condition 542...Notification action definition data 550...Personality setting change pattern definition data 570...Lottery processing candidate initial setting data 573...Compensation setting 577...Lottery processing candidate type 580...Lottery object configuration definition data 581...Initial population data 582...Lottery object definition data 584...Initial selection probability list by lottery object type 591...First lottery probability change pattern definition data 592...Second lottery probability change pattern definition data 593: Third lottery probability change pattern definition data 600: User management data 615: Owned item management data 620: Support character management data 630: Applied personality setting data 640: Pocket money balance 641: Automatic execution tendency setting 642: Continuous execution frequency 650: Lottery execution setting data 651: Pocket money setting (total consideration upper limit)
653...User desired information 655...Automatic execution frequency designation data 660...User designated notification activation condition data 670...Lottery history data 700...Play data 730...Lottery management data 733...Action control data 734...Applied selection probability list 736...Applied lottery probability list 740...Recommended possession item estimation result 1000...Game system 1100...Server system 1150...Control board 1500...User terminal Pa...Applied lottery probability Pd...Initial lottery probability Pn1...Selection tendency points Pn2...Lottery target configuration points Pn3...Recommended possession item content points Psn...Applied selection probability W4...Operation input screen

Claims (22)

a character setting means for setting a character, which is a virtual subject that performs an action under automatic control including execution of a lottery process (hereinafter referred to as "automatic action") , in association with a user;
a lottery execution control means for controlling automatic execution of the lottery process performed by a character associated with the user as one of the automatic actions ;
A computer system comprising: a parameter value related to automatic execution of the lottery process is set for the character;
the lottery execution control means controls automatic execution of the lottery process based on the parameter value of the character associated with the user.
2. The computer system of claim 1. a character setting means for setting, in association with a user, a character that is a virtual subject that executes a lottery process, and for which parameter values including a frequency tendency parameter value indicating a tendency regarding an automatic execution frequency of the lottery process or a timing tendency parameter value indicating a tendency regarding an automatic execution timing of the lottery process are determined;
a lottery execution control means for controlling automatic execution of the lottery process based on the parameter value of the character associated with the user;
A computer system comprising: a character setting means for setting a character, which is a virtual subject that executes a lottery process, in association with a user, the character having a parameter value related to automatic execution of the lottery process being determined ;
a lottery execution control means for controlling automatic execution of the lottery process based on the parameter value of the character associated with the user;
Equipped with
The lottery process includes a plurality of types of lottery process candidates each having a different lottery target,
the parameter value includes a selection tendency parameter value indicating a tendency regarding a selection type to be selected from the types of the lottery process candidates,
the lottery execution control means selects and executes a lottery process to be executed based on the selection tendency parameter value of the character associated with the user.
Computer system. The lottery execution control means
a first selection probability variation control means for varying a selection probability of a selection object in the selection process according to a character associated with the user, thereby varying a selection probability;
and controlling automatic execution of the lottery process using the lottery probability changed by the first lottery possibility variation control means.
A computer system according to any one of claims 2 to 4. A rarity is set for the lottery object in the lottery process,
the parameter value includes a lottery probability improvement parameter value indicating a degree of improvement in the lottery probability according to the rarity,
the first selection probability variation control means varies a selection probability of a selection object of the selection process based on the selection probability improvement parameter value of a character associated with the user, thereby varying the selection probability;
6. The computer system of claim 5. a character setting means for setting a character, which is a virtual subject that executes a lottery process, in association with a user, the character having a parameter value related to automatic execution of the lottery process being determined ;
a lottery execution control means for controlling automatic execution of the lottery process based on the parameter value of the character associated with the user;
a means for setting a user's desired selection target among the selection targets of the selection process based on an operation input by the user;
Equipped with
the parameter value includes a desired selection probability fluctuation parameter value indicating a fluctuation in the selection probability of the user's desired selection object,
The lottery execution control means
a first selection probability variation control means for varying a selection probability of the user's desired selection object based on a desired selection object probability variation parameter value of a character associated with the user, thereby varying a selection probability of the selection object of the selection process;
and controlling automatic execution of the lottery process using the lottery probability changed by the first lottery possibility variation control means.
Computer system. a character setting means for setting a character, which is a virtual subject that executes a lottery process, in association with a user, the character having a parameter value related to automatic execution of the lottery process being determined ;
a lottery execution control means for controlling automatic execution of the lottery process based on the parameter value of the character associated with the user;
an evaluation receiving means for receiving an evaluation on a result of the lottery process based on an operation input by the user;
a parameter value change control means for changing the parameter value of the character associated with the user when the evaluation received by the evaluation receiving means satisfies a given parameter value change condition;
A computer system comprising: The lottery execution control means
a second selection probability variation control means for varying a selection probability by changing a population of selection objects in the selection process in accordance with a character associated with the user;
and controlling automatic execution of the lottery process using the population changed by the second lottery possibility variation control means.
A computer system according to any one of claims 2 to 8. a lottery execution setting determination means for variably determining a lottery execution setting including at least a condition setting related to automatic execution of the lottery process based on an operation input by the user;
Further comprising:
the lottery execution control means controls automatic execution of the lottery process based on the lottery execution setting;
A computer system according to any one of claims 1 to 9 . A price per one lottery process is set,
The lottery execution setting determination means determines a total consideration upper limit, which is a sum of the allowable considerations, by including it in the lottery execution setting;
The lottery execution control means controls automatic execution of the lottery process within the range of the total consideration upper limit.
11. The computer system of claim 10 . The lottery process includes a plurality of types of lottery process candidates each having a different lottery target,
the lottery execution setting includes preference information on a user's preference regarding selection of the lottery process candidate to be executed by the lottery execution control means, among the types of the lottery process candidate,
the lottery execution control means selects and executes a lottery process to be executed based on the desired information.
12. A computer system according to claim 10 or 11 . The lottery execution control means performs automatic execution control of the lottery processing based on an execution history of the lottery processing.
A computer system according to any one of claims 1 to 12 . a character setting means for setting a character, which is a virtual subject that executes the lottery process, in association with a user;
a lottery execution control means for controlling automatic execution of the lottery process based on a character associated with the user , the lottery execution control means performing an inquiry control for inquiring of the user regarding approval of automatic execution of the lottery process, mainly performed by the character, before automatic execution of the lottery process, and executing the lottery process when an approval operation is performed by the user in response to the inquiry;
A computer system comprising: The computer system is a server system communicatively connected to a user terminal of each user.
A computer system according to any one of claims 1 to 14 . the lottery execution control means performs automatic execution control of the lottery process based on an automatic execution history of the lottery process related to each user.
16. The computer system of claim 15 . A computer system
a character setting means for setting a character, which is a virtual subject that performs an action under automatic control including execution of a lottery process (hereinafter referred to as "automatic action"), in association with a user;
a lottery execution control means for controlling automatic execution of the lottery process performed by a character associated with the user as one of the automatic actions ;
A program to function as a A computer system
a character setting means for setting, in association with a user, a character which is a virtual subject for executing a lottery process, and for which parameter values including a frequency tendency parameter value indicating a tendency regarding the frequency of automatic execution of the lottery process or a timing tendency parameter value indicating a tendency regarding the timing of automatic execution of the lottery process are determined;
a lottery execution control means for controlling automatic execution of the lottery process based on the parameter value of the character associated with the user;
A program to function as a A computer system
a character setting means for setting a character, which is a virtual subject that executes the lottery process, in association with a user, the character having a parameter value related to automatic execution of the lottery process being determined ;
a lottery execution control means for controlling automatic execution of the lottery process based on the parameter value of the character associated with the user;
Function as a
The lottery process includes a plurality of types of lottery process candidates each having a different lottery target,
the parameter value includes a selection tendency parameter value indicating a tendency regarding a selection type to be selected from the types of the lottery process candidates,
the lottery execution control means selects and executes a lottery process to be executed based on the selection tendency parameter value of the character associated with the user.
program. A computer system
a character setting means for setting a character, which is a virtual subject that executes the lottery process, in association with a user, the character having a parameter value related to automatic execution of the lottery process being determined ;
a lottery execution control means for controlling automatic execution of the lottery process based on the parameter value of the character associated with the user;
a means for setting a user's desired selection target among the selection targets of the selection process based on an operation input by the user;
Function as a
the parameter value includes a desired selection probability fluctuation parameter value indicating a fluctuation in the selection probability of the user's desired selection object,
The lottery execution control means
a first selection probability variation control means for varying the selection probability of the user's desired selection object based on the desired selection object probability variation parameter value of a character associated with the user, thereby varying the selection probability of the selection object of the selection process;
and controlling automatic execution of the lottery process using the lottery probability changed by the first lottery possibility variation control means.
program. A computer system
a character setting means for setting a character, which is a virtual subject that executes the lottery process, in association with a user, the character having a parameter value related to automatic execution of the lottery process being determined ;
a lottery execution control means for controlling automatic execution of the lottery process based on the parameter value of the character associated with the user;
an evaluation receiving means for receiving an evaluation on a result of the lottery process based on an operation input by the user;
a parameter value change control means for changing the parameter value of the character associated with the user when the evaluation accepted by the evaluation acceptance means satisfies a given parameter value change condition;
A program to function as a A computer system
a character setting means for setting a character, which is a virtual subject that executes the lottery process, in association with the user;
a lottery execution control means for controlling automatic execution of the lottery process based on a character associated with the user , the lottery execution control means performing an inquiry control in which the character takes the initiative in inquiring of the user about approval of automatic execution of the lottery process before the automatic execution of the lottery process, and executing the lottery process when the user performs an approval operation in response to the inquiry;
A program to function as a

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