JP7645951B2 - Program, system, and method for providing a game - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a program, a system, and a method for providing a game.

Conventionally, various games have been provided that progress based on the passage of real time. For example, the following Patent Document 1 discloses that in a so-called city-building game, a construction progress object is displayed in response to a player's instructions to construct a facility, and when the time required for construction has elapsed, the object changes to an object indicating the corresponding facility.

JP 2014-113249 A

However, some players may find the time-based gameplay of the conventional games described above monotonous. It is therefore desirable to improve the entertainment value of such games so that they can be enjoyed by a wider range of players.

One of the objectives of the embodiments of the present invention is to enhance the enjoyment of a game that progresses based on the passage of real time. Other objectives of the embodiments of the present invention will become apparent by reference to the entire specification.

A program according to one embodiment of the present invention is a program for providing a game, and causes a computer to execute the following processes: fluctuating the value of a parameter based at least on the passage of real time; granting the player an object that has the effect of changing the fluctuation speed, which is the fluctuation range of the parameter per unit time, according to the progress of the game; and granting the player a reward based at least on the value of the parameter.

A system according to one embodiment of the present invention is a system for providing a game, comprising one or more computer processors, the one or more computer processors executing the following in response to execution of readable instructions: a process for varying the value of a parameter based at least on the passage of real time; a process for granting the player an object that has the effect of changing the rate of fluctuation, which is the range of fluctuation of the parameter per unit time, in response to the progress of the game; and a process for granting the player a reward based at least on the value of the parameter.

A method according to one embodiment of the present invention is a method for providing a game, executed by one or more computers, comprising the steps of: varying the value of a parameter based at least on the passage of real time; providing a player with an object that has the effect of varying the rate of variation, which is the range of variation of the parameter per unit time, according to the progress of the game; and providing the player with a reward based at least on the value of the parameter.

Various embodiments of the present invention can enhance the enjoyment of games that progress based on the passage of real time.

1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a network including a game providing server 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a game period that is repeated during an event. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of information managed by a player information table 151. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of information managed by an object information table 152. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of information managed by a game progress management table 153. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of information managed by a player object management table 154. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a start screen 45. FIG. 11 is a flow diagram illustrating a process executed by the server 10 for each player who has started a game. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a game screen 50. A figure showing an example of a game screen 50 one minute after the start of a game in a first game period of a first season. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an aircraft manufacturing screen 60. FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating a process executed by the server 10 when manufacturing one aircraft. 11 is a flow diagram illustrating a process executed by the server 10 when using a transport booster. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a game screen 50 after a certain amount of time has elapsed since the start of the game. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a result screen 70.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same reference numerals may be used to denote the same or similar components.

Figure 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a network including a game providing server 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the server 10 is communicatively connected to player terminals 30 via a communication network 20 such as the Internet. Although only one player terminal 30 is shown in Figure 1, the server 10 can be communicatively connected to multiple player terminals 30. The server 10 provides a game to a user who operates the player terminal 30. The game providing server 10 is an example of a device that implements all or part of the system of the present invention.

First, the hardware configuration of the game providing server 10 will be described. The game providing server 10 is configured as a general computer, and as shown in FIG. 1, includes a computer processor 11, a main memory 12, an input/output I/F 13, a communication I/F 14, and a storage (memory device) 15, and these components are electrically connected via a bus or the like (not shown).

The computer processor 11 is configured as a CPU or GPU, etc., and loads various programs stored in the storage 15, etc., into the main memory 12 and executes various instructions contained in the programs. The main memory 12 is configured, for example, from a DRAM, etc.

The input/output I/F 13 includes various input/output devices for exchanging information with an operator, etc. The input/output I/F 13 includes, for example, information input devices such as a keyboard and a pointing device (e.g., a mouse, a touch panel, etc.), an audio input device such as a microphone, and an image input device such as a camera. The input/output I/F 13 also includes an image output device such as a display, and an audio output device such as a speaker.

The communication I/F 14 is implemented as hardware such as a network adapter, various communication software, or a combination of these, and is configured to realize wired or wireless communication via a communication network 20, etc.

The storage 15 is composed of, for example, a magnetic disk, a flash memory, etc. The storage 15 stores various programs including an operating system and various data. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the storage 15 has a player information table 151 that manages information about players of the game, an object information table 152 that manages information about specific objects used in the game, a game progress management table 153 that manages the progress of the game, and a player-specific object management table 154 that manages information about specific objects given to players in the game. In addition, for example, the storage 15 stores a server-side program 40 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The program 40 is a program that causes the game providing server 10 to function as part or all of a system for providing a game. Part or all of the server-side program 40 can be configured to be executed on the player terminal 30 side via a web browser or other application.

In this embodiment, the game providing server 10 may be configured using multiple computers, each having the hardware configuration described above. For example, the server 10 may be configured by one or multiple server devices.

The game providing server 10 configured in this manner functions as a web server and an application server, and executes various processes in response to requests from a web browser or other application (e.g., a game application, etc.) installed in the player terminal 30, and transmits screen data (e.g., HTML data) and control data, etc., according to the results of the processes, to the player terminal 30. The player terminal 30 displays a web page or other screen based on the received data.

Next, the hardware configuration of the player terminal 30 will be described. The player terminal 30 is configured as a general computer, and as shown in FIG. 1, includes a computer processor 31, a main memory 32, an input/output I/F 33, a communication I/F 34, and a storage (memory device) 35, and these components are electrically connected via a bus or the like (not shown).

The computer processor 31 is configured as a CPU or GPU, etc., and loads various programs stored in the storage 35, etc., into the main memory 32 and executes various instructions contained in the programs. The main memory 32 is configured, for example, from a DRAM, etc.

The input/output I/F 33 includes various input/output devices for exchanging information with an operator, etc. The input/output I/F 33 includes, for example, information input devices such as a keyboard and a pointing device (e.g., a mouse, a touch panel, etc.), a voice input device such as a microphone, and an image input device such as a camera. The input/output I/F 33 also includes an image output device such as a display, and an audio output device such as a speaker.

The communication I/F 34 is implemented as hardware such as a network adapter, various communication software, or a combination of these, and is configured to realize wired or wireless communication via the communication network 20, etc.

Storage 35 is composed of, for example, a magnetic disk or a flash memory. Storage 35 stores various programs including an operating system and various data. The programs stored in storage 35 can be downloaded from an application market, etc., and installed.

In this embodiment, the player terminal 30 may be configured as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a wearable device, a personal computer, a dedicated game terminal, or the like.

A user (game player) of a player terminal 30 configured in this manner can play a game provided by the server 10 by communicating with the server 10 via a web browser or other application installed in the storage 35, etc.

Next, the functions of the game providing server 10 configured in this manner will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the computer processor 11 of the server 10 is configured to function as a management function control unit 111 and a game progress control unit 112 by executing instructions contained in a program (e.g., at least a part of the server-side program 40) loaded into the main memory 12.

The management function control unit 111 is configured to execute various processes related to the control of the management functions of the game. For example, the management function control unit 111 transmits screen data and control data of various screens related to the management functions to the player terminal 30, executes various processes in response to operation input by the player via the screen displayed on the player terminal 30, and transmits screen data and control data according to the results of the processes to the player terminal 30. The management functions controlled by the management function control unit 111 include, for example, login processing (user authentication), billing control, and player account management.

The game progress control unit 112 is configured to execute various processes related to the control of the progress of the game. For example, the game progress control unit 112 transmits screen data and control data of various screens related to the game to the player terminal 30, executes various processes in response to operation input by the player via the screen displayed on the player terminal 30, and transmits screen data and control data according to the results of the processes to the player terminal 30.

In this embodiment, the game progress control unit 112 is configured to vary the value of the specific parameter based at least on the passage of real time. For example, the value of the specific parameter is controlled to vary (e.g., increase or decrease) according to a fluctuation speed (which can also be called a fluctuation rate) that is the fluctuation range of the specific parameter per unit time. The value of the specific parameter is managed, for example, in the game progress management table 153 in association with the corresponding player.

The game progress control unit 112 is also configured to grant the player a specific object that has the effect of changing the rate of change of the specific parameter in accordance with the progress of the game. For example, the specific object changes (accelerates or decelerates) the rate of change of the specific parameter in a direction advantageous to the player. For example, the game progress control unit 112 changes the rate of change of the specific parameter in response to the granting of the specific object to the player, either immediately or via an individual instruction by the player (for example, an instruction to use the specific object, etc.). The rate of change of the specific parameter is managed, for example, in the game progress management table 153. Information regarding the granted specific object is managed, for example, in the per-player object management table 154.

The game progress control unit 112 is also configured to grant the player a reward based at least on the value of the specific parameter. For example, the greater (or smaller) the value of the specific parameter (or another parameter based on the value of the specific parameter), the greater (or smaller) the value of the reward to the player.

In this way, the game providing server 10 in this embodiment provides the player with a specific object that has the effect of changing the rate of change of a specific parameter whose value changes based on the passage of real time as the game progresses, and provides the player with a reward based at least on the value of the specific parameter, thereby allowing the player to enjoy obtaining a specific object for changing the rate of change of the specific parameter, and obtaining a reward based on the value of the specific parameter. In this way, the game providing server 10 can increase the interest of a game that progresses based on the passage of real time.

In this embodiment, the value of the specific parameter may vary within a predetermined period of time. For example, the game progress control unit 112 varies (updates) the value of the specific parameter associated with the player over time during the predetermined period, regardless of whether or not the player's player terminal 30 is communicating, or whether or not the player is performing an operation. In this case, the game progress control unit 112 may be configured to grant the player a reward based at least on the value of the specific parameter at the end of the predetermined period. This configuration can give the player the enjoyment of the variation in the value of the specific parameter during the predetermined period.

In addition, the game of this embodiment may be configured to repeat a number of periods during which the value of the specific parameter fluctuates. In this case, the game progress control unit 112 may be configured to grant the player a reward for each period based at least on the value of the specific parameter at the end of each period. In addition, at least one of the specific parameter (value), specific object (status of grant), and specific parameter fluctuation rate (value) during the first period may be initialized with the start of a second period following the first period (e.g., in response to the end of the first period or in response to the start of the second period). For example, the game progress control unit 112 sets the value of the specific parameter, the status of the specific object held by the player, and/or the value of the specific parameter fluctuation rate to initial values with the start of a new period. Such a configuration encourages players who start the game late to join in the middle of the game.

In this embodiment, the reward based on the value of the specific parameter includes various types of rewards. The reward includes, for example, real physical rewards or virtual and electronic rewards (items, etc.). For example, the game progress control unit 112 may be configured to grant virtual and electronic items available in a second period after the first period as a reward based at least on the value of the specific parameter at the end of the first period. Such items include, but are not limited to, items for changing the rate of change of the specific parameter (for example, changing the rate of change in the same way as the effect of the specific object, or expanding or enhancing the effect of the specific object, etc.). This configuration encourages players who start the game early to continue playing the game.

In this embodiment, the specific object that has the effect of changing the rate of change of the specific parameter includes various types of virtual and electronic objects (for example, implemented as characters, items, coins, points, etc.). In addition, multiple types of specific objects that have different degrees of change in the rate of change of the specific parameter (for example, acceleration range or deceleration range, etc.) may be prepared. For example, the game progress control unit 112 may be configured to grant one of these multiple types of specific objects to the player according to the progress of the game. For example, of the multiple types of specific objects, a specific object selected by the player or a specific object automatically selected according to a predetermined rule is granted. This configuration may give the player the fun of obtaining multiple types of specific objects.

The game progress control unit 112 may also be configured to set the degree to which the rate of change of a specific parameter, which is an effect of the specific object granted, changes in accordance with a predetermined rule when the specific object is granted. For example, the degree to which the rate of change of the rate of change is set by selecting from among a plurality of values, or by calculation using a predetermined arithmetic formula. The predetermined rule may include, for example, a rule that sets the rate of change of the rate of change of the rate of change of the rate of change of the specific parameter by a value selected by lottery (randomly) from among a plurality of values. This configuration may provide the player with the enjoyment of setting the degree to which the rate of change of the rate of change of the specific parameter.

The game progress control unit 112 may also be configured to display, upon the granting of a specific object, the granted specific object in a manner (e.g., appearance) based on the degree to which the set fluctuation speed changes. For example, the specific object granted to the player is displayed in a first manner when the degree to which the set fluctuation speed changes is within a first range, and is displayed in a second manner when the degree to which the fluctuation speed changes is within a second range. This configuration may provide the player with even more enjoyment in setting the degree to which the fluctuation speed of a specific parameter changes.

The game progress control unit 112 may be configured to grant a specific object with the consumption of a specific value held by the player. The specific value may be real value or virtual and electronic value, and may include, for example, various types of virtual and electronic objects (for example, characters, items (including diamonds or stones, etc.), coins, or points, etc.). For example, the specific value may be configured to increase according to the rate of change of a specific parameter, in which case the specific parameter may be implemented as the amount of specific value held by the player, or another parameter that increases according to the rate of change of the specific parameter may be implemented as the amount of specific value held by the player. In this case, the value of the specific parameter or the value of the other parameter may decrease (be consumed) in response to the grant of the specific object. For example, the game progress control unit 112 may grant a specific object to the player in response to an instruction from the player, and consume a corresponding amount of specific value in association with the grant of the specific object. Such a configuration may give the player the enjoyment of obtaining a specific object using the specific value.

Next, a specific example of one aspect of the game providing server 10 of this embodiment having such functions will be described. The game of this specific example is configured as a game in which the player performs a mission to transport goods, and the game goal is to transport many goods, that is, to increase the total amount of goods transported (specific parameter). As will be described in more detail later, the goods are transported by aircraft (specific objects), and the player can improve the transport capacity (variation speed), which is the amount of goods transported per unit time, by manufacturing the aircraft.

The game in this example is provided as a time-limited event (campaign) in a social card game, and in this event, multiple consecutive game periods are repeated. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the game periods repeated in the event of the game in this example. As shown in the figure, the event in this example is divided into two periods, a first period and a second period, and each period is divided into three game periods, from the first to the third periods. Each game period corresponds to one month in the real world; for example, the first period of the first period corresponds to April 2021, and the next game period, the second period of the first period, corresponds to May 2021.

Figure 3 illustrates information managed by the player information table 151 in this example. The player information table 151 in this example manages information about the players of the game, and as shown in the figure, manages information such as "basic information" including account name, gender, date of birth, etc., in association with a "player account" that identifies an individual player, the "number of transport boosters owned," which is the number of transport boosters owned, which are items for improving transport capacity, and the "number of aircraft manufacturing rights owned," which is the number of aircraft manufacturing rights owned, which are items for manufacturing aircraft.

Figure 4 illustrates information managed by object information table 152 in this example. Object information table 152 in this example manages information related to the aircraft used in the game of this example, and as shown, manages information such as the "aircraft name" which is the name of the corresponding aircraft, the "initial amount of materials required at the time of manufacture" which is the initial amount of materials required when the player manufactures the corresponding aircraft, and the "transport capacity range" which is the range of transport capacity set for the corresponding aircraft, in association with a "aircraft ID" which identifies the type of individual aircraft.

In this example, the aircraft is manufactured using materials that have already been transported, and the "initial amount of materials required at the time of manufacture" is set to the initial amount of materials required when manufacturing the corresponding aircraft. As will be described in detail later, the amount of materials required at the time of manufacture increases each time a aircraft is manufactured. Also, in this example, the transport capacity of the aircraft is defined as the weight of materials that can be transported per unit time (tons/second), and the "transport capacity range" is set to the range of transport capacity (lower limit and upper limit) of the corresponding aircraft. Transport capacity can also be referred to as transport speed, transport rate, transport efficiency, etc. Thus, in this example, the amount of materials required at the time of manufacture and the transport capacity differ for each type of aircraft, and the higher the transport capacity of the type of aircraft, the larger the initial amount of materials required at the time of manufacture.

Figure 5 illustrates information managed by the game progress management table 153 in this example. The game progress management table 153 in this example manages information for managing the game progress for each player, and as shown in the figure, manages information such as the "total transported amount of materials" which is the total amount of materials transported by the corresponding player in the corresponding game period, the "actual amount of materials" which is the value (remaining number) of the amount of materials transported in the corresponding game period at that time, and the "transport capacity" which is the transport capacity of each player, in association with a combination of a "player account" which identifies an individual player and a "period ID" which identifies an individual game period. The actual amount of materials can also be said to be the total amount of materials transported minus the amount of materials consumed in the manufacture of aircraft. The transport capacity of each player is the total value of the transport capacity realized by all aircraft owned by the player.

6 illustrates information managed by the per-player object management table 154 in this example. The per-player object management table 154 in this example manages information about the aircraft owned by the player, and as shown in the figure, manages information such as the "number of aircraft owned" which is the number of aircraft of the corresponding type owned by the corresponding player in the corresponding period, the "number of rare aircraft owned" which is the number of rare aircraft among the number of aircraft owned, the "current amount of materials required at the time of manufacture" which is the value at that time of the amount of materials required to manufacture the aircraft, the "transport capacity" which is the transport capacity per type of aircraft, and the "number of transport boosters used" which is the number of transport boosters used for the aircraft, in association with a combination of a "player account" which identifies an individual player, a "period ID" which identifies an individual game period, and a "aircraft ID" which identifies an individual type of aircraft. The transport capacity per type of aircraft is the total value of the transport capacity realized by all aircraft of the same type owned by the player.

Figure 7 shows an example of a start screen 45 displayed on the player terminal 30. The screen 45 is a screen for starting a game in each game period, and as shown in the figure, displays information about the game period in which the game can be started at that time, and has a start object 451 for starting the game. The start screen 45 is displayed in response to access to a page corresponding to an event for which the game in this example is provided, when the game in the corresponding game period has not yet started, but is not displayed when the game in the corresponding game period has already started. When the start object 451 on the start screen 45 is selected, the game in the corresponding game period is started, and a corresponding record is newly created in the game progress management table 153 and the player object management table 154.

Figure 8 is a flow diagram illustrating the processes executed by the server 10 for each player who starts the game. These processes are executed regardless of whether or not the player accesses the server 10 via the player terminal 30.

First, the server 10 increases the amount of transported goods (transports goods) according to the transport capacity of each player, as shown in FIG. 8 (step S100). Specifically, the total amount of transported goods and the actual amount of goods, which are also managed in the game progress management table 153, are increased every second according to the transport capacity of each player at that time, which is also managed in the game progress management table 153. This process of increasing the amount of transported goods is repeatedly executed until the corresponding game period ends (NO in step S110). In other words, when the start object 451 on the start screen 45 is selected and the game starts, updating (addition) of the amount of transported goods begins, and this updating continues until the corresponding game period ends.

Figure 9 illustrates an example of a game screen 50 displayed on a player terminal 30. The screen 50 is a screen for playing the game in this example, and is displayed when the game has already started in response to access to a page corresponding to an event for which the game is provided. The game screen 50 in Figure 9 corresponds to the state immediately after the game has started in a specific game period (specifically, the first game period of the first period).

As shown in the figure, the game screen 50 has a period information display area 52 that displays information about the current (playing) game period, a progress status display area 54 that displays the game progress, an aircraft manufacturing instruction area 56 for issuing instructions to manufacture aircraft, and an item information display area 58 that displays information about items held by the player.

The period display area 52 displays information about the period of the game being played, and in the example of FIG. 9, it displays "First period, first phase, until April 29th (Thursday) 22:59." From this information, the player can also know that the end time of the game period being played (first period, first phase) is April 29th (Thursday) 22:59.

The progress display area 54 displays an image according to the progress of the game, and has a total transported goods amount display object 541 located at the top of the area and displaying the total amount of transported goods at that time, an actual goods amount display object 542 located in the lower left corner of the area and displaying the actual goods amount, which is the remaining amount of goods that have been transported at that time, and a current transport capacity display object 543 located in the lower right corner of the area and displaying the transport capacity of the player at that time. Note that these objects 541, 542, 543 display the corresponding parameter values as numerical values, but instead of or in addition to this, a figure or graph based on the corresponding parameter value may be displayed, or the numerical values may be displayed in a manner (such as a color) based on the corresponding parameter value.

In this example game, in the initial state immediately after starting the game in each game period, the player has only one type of aircraft with the smallest transport capacity (specifically, a balloon-type aircraft), and the transport capacity of this one aircraft is "10 tons/sec." In the game screen 50 of FIG. 9, the progress display area 54 displays an animation of this balloon-type aircraft moving from left to right, and the current transport capacity display object 543 displays "10 t/sec" as the transport capacity of the player.

Five aircraft objects 561 corresponding to different types of aircraft are arranged in the left-right direction in the aircraft manufacturing instruction area 56. Specifically, five aircraft objects 561 corresponding to balloon-type, helicopter-type, UFO-type, airplane-type, and rocket-type aircraft are arranged from left to right. Each aircraft object 561 displays an image of the corresponding aircraft type, the number of aircraft owned at that time, and the amount of materials required for manufacturing at that time. For example, in the aircraft manufacturing instruction area 56 of the game screen 50 in FIG. 9, the aircraft object 561 on the far left corresponds to a balloon-type aircraft, and displays the corresponding image, the number owned at that time (initial value "1"), and the amount of materials required for manufacturing at that time (initial value "100"). The number of aircraft owned and the amount of materials required for manufacturing at that time for each type of aircraft are managed in the player-specific object management table 154.

The item information display area 58 displays information about items owned by the player, specifically, the number of transport boosters and aircraft manufacturing rights owned. The numbers of these items owned are managed in the player information table 151.

For example, immediately after the start of the game in the first game period of the first stage, the transport capacity of the player is 10 tons/second, so 10 tons is added to the total transported supplies amount and actual supplies amount every second, and the display of the total transported supplies amount display object 541 and the actual supplies amount display object 542 is updated in real time.

Figure 10 shows an example of the game screen 50 one minute after the state of Figure 9 (the state immediately after the game is started). In this state of the game screen 50, as shown in the figure, the amount of transported goods has increased in accordance with the initial value of the transport capacity of 10 tons/second, and specifically, the total amount of transported goods displayed in the total amount of transported goods display object 541 and the actual amount of goods displayed in the actual amount of goods display object 542 are each 600 tons (10 x 60 = 600).

In this example game, the player can consume transported materials to manufacture a new aircraft, and by manufacturing a new aircraft, the transport capacity can be improved. An instruction to manufacture an aircraft is given via selection of an aircraft object 561 arranged in the aircraft manufacturing instruction area 56, as described above. The player selects an aircraft object 561 from the multiple aircraft objects 561 that corresponds to the type of aircraft to be newly manufactured. Note that the number of selectable aircraft objects 561 (i.e., the types of aircraft that can be manufactured) may increase as the game progresses (for example, increase in response to an increase in the total amount of transported materials).

11 illustrates an example of a machine manufacturing screen 60 displayed on the player terminal 30 in response to the selection of a machine object 561. As illustrated, the screen 60 displays information about the corresponding type of machine (e.g., image, machine name, number owned (possessed), transport capacity by type of machine, number of transport boosters used, number of rare machines owned, range of transport capacity of the newly manufactured machine, amount of materials required for manufacturing at that time, etc.), and has a single-machine manufacturing object 62 for manufacturing one machine, a 10-machine manufacturing object 64 for manufacturing 10 machines, a machine manufacturing right use object 66 for manufacturing one machine using a machine manufacturing right, and a transport booster use object 68 for using a transport booster. These objects 62, 64, 66, and 68 are selectable when the corresponding action can be executed, and are unselectable when the corresponding action cannot be executed. For example, the one-unit manufacturing object 62 becomes selectable when the amount of materials is equal to or greater than the amount of materials required for manufacturing one unit at that time, and the ten-unit manufacturing object 64 becomes selectable when the amount of materials is equal to or greater than the amount of materials required for manufacturing ten units at that time (in the example of FIG. 11, the one-unit manufacturing object 62 is selectable, while the ten-unit manufacturing object 64 is unselectable). Note that in this example, the amount of materials required for manufacturing one unit is smaller when manufacturing ten units than when manufacturing one unit, which is advantageous for the player. Also, for example, the unit manufacturing right using object 66 becomes selectable when the unit manufacturing right is held, and the transport booster using object 68 becomes selectable when the transport booster is held (in the example of FIG. 11, both the unit manufacturing right using object 66 and the transport booster using object 68 are unselectable).

When manufacturing a new aircraft, the player selects either the single-unit manufacturing object 62, the ten-unit manufacturing object 64, or the aircraft manufacturing right using object 66. FIG. 12 is a flow diagram illustrating the process executed by the server 10 when manufacturing one aircraft. In other words, the process in the flow diagram of FIG. 12 is executed once in response to the selection of the single-unit manufacturing object 62 or the aircraft manufacturing right using object 66, while it is executed ten times in response to the selection of the ten-unit manufacturing object 64.

When manufacturing one aircraft, the server 10 first determines the transport capacity of the aircraft to be manufactured this time (step S200), as shown in FIG. 12. In this example, as described above, a range of transport capacity is set in advance for each type of aircraft, and a value selected by lottery from multiple values included in the set range of transport capacity is determined as the current transport capacity.

For example, the type of aircraft "balloon type aircraft" corresponding to the aircraft manufacturing screen 60 in Figure 11 has a transport capacity range set to "10 to 15 tons/second," and a value selected by lottery (randomly) from six integer values (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15) included in the set transport capacity range is determined as the current transport capacity.

Once the current transport capacity has been determined in this way, the server 10 then updates the number of aircraft in possession (step S210). Specifically, 1 is added to the number of aircraft in possession of the corresponding record in the player-specific object management table 154. Also, in this example, if the determined transport capacity is the maximum value of the set transport capacity range (for example, 15 tons/second for the "balloon-type aircraft" in FIG. 11), it is determined that a rare aircraft has been manufactured, and 1 is added to the number of rare aircraft in possession in addition to the number of aircraft in possession. Note that in another example of this embodiment, in step S200, it is determined (for example, by lottery) whether the aircraft to be manufactured this time is a normal aircraft or a rare aircraft, and the transport capacity of each aircraft is set to a fixed value (for example, the transport capacity of a normal aircraft is "10 tons/second" and the transport capacity of a rare aircraft is "15 tons/second").

Then, the server 10 updates the transport capacity (step S220). Specifically, the determined current transport capacity is added to the transport capacity per unit type (managed in the player object management table 154) and the transport capacity per player (managed in the game progress management table 153). As will be described in detail later, if a transport booster is used for the type of unit being manufactured this time, the value after the determined current transport capacity is augmented by the transport booster is added to the transport capacity. When the player's transport capacity is updated, the amount of goods transported per second is updated according to the updated transport capacity.

If the aircraft manufacturing right has not been used (i.e., the 1-unit manufacturing object 62 or the 10-unit manufacturing object 64 has been selected) (NO in step S230), the server 10 causes the player to consume the amount of materials required at that time for the type of aircraft manufactured (step S240). The corresponding amount of materials required at the time is managed in the per-player object management table 154, and the corresponding quantity is subtracted from the actual amount of materials at that time (managed in the game progress management table 153).

The server 10 then updates the amount of materials required at the time of manufacture that corresponds to the type of aircraft manufactured (step S250). Specifically, the amount of materials required at the time of manufacture at that point in time is increased by a predetermined amount, and in this example, is increased by 10% (i.e., multiplied by 1.1). As described above, the amount of materials required at the time of manufacture by aircraft type is managed in the per-player object management table 154.

On the other hand, if the aircraft manufacturing right is being used (i.e., the aircraft manufacturing right using object 66 is selected) (YES in step S230), the server 10 causes the player to consume the aircraft manufacturing right (step S260). The number of aircraft manufacturing rights held is managed in the player information table 151, and one is subtracted from the number of aircraft manufacturing rights held.

Then, the server 10 displays the manufactured aircraft (step S270). Specifically, the newly manufactured aircraft is displayed in the progress display area 54 of the game screen 50. In this example, if the manufactured aircraft is a rare aircraft as described above, an aircraft with an appearance different from that of a normal aircraft that is not a rare aircraft is displayed.

Thus, in this example, the transport capacity of the player is increased by manufacturing a new aircraft. Also, in this example, the transport capacity is increased by using a transport booster. Specifically, the transport capacity of the aircraft type that uses a transport booster is increased, and in this example, the transport capacity is multiplied by 1.1 each time a transport booster is used.

Figure 13 is a flow diagram illustrating the processing executed by the server 10 when using a transport booster. In other words, the processing in the flow diagram of Figure 13 is executed once in response to the selection of the transport booster use object 68 on the aircraft manufacturing screen 60.

The server 10 first updates the transport capacity as shown in FIG. 13 (step S300). Specifically, the transport capacity per aircraft type at that time (managed in the player object management table 154) is multiplied by 1.1, and the increase in the transport capacity per aircraft type is added to the transport capacity per player (managed in the game progress management table 153). When the transport capacity per player is updated, the amount of goods already transported is updated according to the updated transport capacity.

Then, the server 10 has the player consume the transport booster (step S310). The number of transport boosters owned is managed in the player information table 151, and the number of transport boosters owned is decremented by one.

Figure 14 shows an example of the game screen 50 after a certain amount of time has passed since the start of the game. In this state, the game screen 50 displays an animation in the progress display area 54 of multiple manufactured aircraft moving from left to right, as shown, and the displays of the total transported supplies display object 541, current supplies display object 542, and current transport capacity display object 543 have also been updated. Additionally, the displays of the number of aircraft of the corresponding type currently held and the amount of supplies required for production have been updated for each aircraft object 561 in the aircraft manufacturing instruction area 56.

Returning to the flow diagram of FIG. 8, when the game period being played ends (YES in step S110), the server 10 grants the player a reward based on the total amount of transported materials. Specifically, if the game period that ended is a game period corresponding to the first or second phase, items that can be used in the next game period (transport boosters and aircraft manufacturing rights) are granted as rewards. The greater the value of the total amount of transported materials, the higher the value of the granted items will be for the player, for example, the greater the number of items granted. Also, if the game period that ended is a game period corresponding to the third phase (i.e., the last game period of the phase), cards that can be used in the social card game are granted. The greater the value of the total amount of transported materials, the higher the value of the granted cards will be for the player, for example, the higher the rarity of the cards. Note that these rewards are merely examples, and in other examples of this embodiment, various rewards (including real physical rewards, as well as virtual and electronic rewards) other than the rewards exemplified here may be granted to the player. Additionally, rewards may be awarded based on the actual amount of goods transported instead of the total amount of goods transported.

When that time comes to a new game period, the start screen 45 corresponding to that game period is displayed again, and the player can start the game in the new game period via that screen 45. When the game in the new game period starts, new corresponding records are created in the game progress management table 153 and the player object management table 154. In other words, in this example, with the start of the game in the new game period, the amount of materials transported in the previous game period (total amount of transported materials and actual amount of materials), transport capacity, and aircraft ownership status are initialized.

Figure 15 shows an example of a results screen 70. The screen 70 displays the results of the game for each game period in the form of a "materials transport mission report." Specifically, the screen 70 is configured to allow an individual game period (period and next combination) to be selected via the period selection area 72, and displays the total amount of transported materials, final transport capacity (transport capacity per player at the end of the game period), number of aircraft manufactured (total number manufactured by aircraft type (number owned at the end), transport capacity, number of rare aircraft, etc.) as the game results for the selected period. In addition, when "Settlement" is selected via the period selection area 72, the total value of the total amount of transported materials, etc. for all players for the entire period (1st to 3rd) is displayed.

Although the game in the above example is configured so that multiple game periods corresponding to one real-life month are repeated, in other examples of this embodiment, such game periods are not set. For example, in other examples of this embodiment, the game ends when other conditions (e.g., the sum of the total amount of transported materials by all players reaches a predetermined value) are met, and a reward based on the total amount of transported materials at the end of the game may be given to the player. In addition, when a new game period begins, the amount of transported materials, transport capacity, and aircraft ownership status are initialized, but at least some of these may not be initialized.

In the above example, a type of aircraft selected by the player from among multiple types of aircraft with mutually different transport capacities is manufactured, but this is not limited to this form, and in other examples of this embodiment, for example, a type of aircraft selected by lottery from among multiple types of aircraft may be manufactured, or a single type of aircraft may be manufactured. Furthermore, when manufacturing a new aircraft, a value selected by lottery from among multiple values included in the range of transport capacity is determined as the current transport capacity, but this method of determining transport capacity is merely an example, and other methods may be used to determine the capacity. For example, a fixed transport capacity may be set for each type of aircraft.

In the above example, the aircraft is manufactured by consuming transported materials, but the aircraft may also be manufactured by consuming items other than transported materials. Furthermore, the aircraft may be given to the player as a reward for other events in the social card game (including quests, battles, etc.).

The above-mentioned example games are merely examples of games in this embodiment, and the games in this embodiment are not limited to these.

For example, in another example game of this embodiment, the time remaining until a treasure chest opens as a specific parameter decreases based on the passage of real-world time, an item as a specific object has the effect of accelerating the rate at which the remaining time decreases, and when the remaining time value reaches zero, the item in the treasure chest is given to the player as a reward.

In another example game of this embodiment, a specific parameter such as a character's mood or favorability rating decreases based on the passage of real-world time, and a specific object such as an item has the effect of slowing down the rate at which the character's mood or favorability rating decreases, and when the character's mood or favorability rating recovers to a predetermined value, a reward (such as an item or an improvement in the character's parameters) is given to the player.

In another example game of this embodiment, the remaining time until the completion of a building as a specific parameter decreases based on the passage of real time, and an item as a specific object has the effect of accelerating the rate at which the remaining time decreases, and when the remaining time value reaches 0, the building is completed as a reward and is given to the player.

The game providing server 10 according to the present embodiment described above provides the player with specific objects (e.g., aircraft) that have the effect of changing the rate of change (e.g., transport capacity) of a specific parameter (e.g., total amount of transported goods) whose value changes based on the passage of real time as the game progresses, and provides the player with rewards (e.g., items and cards) based at least on the value of the specific parameter, allowing the player to enjoy obtaining specific objects for changing the rate of change of the specific parameter and obtaining rewards based on the value of the specific parameter. In this way, the game providing server 10 can increase the interest of a game that progresses based on the passage of real time.

In other embodiments of the present invention, some or all of the functions of the game providing server 10 in the above-described embodiment may be realized by cooperation between the game providing server 10 and the player terminal 30, or may be realized by the player terminal 30. For example, some or all of the functions of the server-side program 40 may be realized by a game application or the like executed on the player terminal 30.

The processes and procedures described in this specification may be realized by software, hardware, or any combination thereof, other than those explicitly described. For example, the processes and procedures described in this specification may be realized by implementing logic equivalent to the processes and procedures in a medium such as an integrated circuit, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, or a magnetic disk. In addition, the processes and procedures described in this specification may be implemented as a computer program equivalent to the processes and procedures, and executed by various computers.

Although the processes and procedures described herein are described as being performed by a single device, software, component, or module, such processes or procedures may be performed by multiple devices, multiple software, multiple components, and/or multiple modules. Also, the software and hardware elements described herein may be realized by integrating them into fewer components or breaking them down into more components.

In this specification, even if a component of the invention is described as either singular or plural, or described without being limited to either singular or plural, the component may be either singular or plural unless the context requires otherwise.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Game providing server 11 Computer processor 111 Management function control unit 112 Game progress control unit 15 Storage 151 Player information table 152 Object information table 153 Game progress management table 154 Player-specific object management table 30 Player terminal 40 Server-side program 45 Start screen 50 Game screen 60 Machine manufacturing screen 70 Result screen

Claims (6)

A program for providing a game, comprising:
a process of granting to the player an object of a type selected by the player from among a plurality of types of objects, with consumption of a predetermined parameter associated with the player;
a process of setting a capability value of the object to be given to the player by lottery from among a plurality of values;
executing a process of managing , for each type of object, the number of the objects given to the player during a predetermined period of time , the number of specific objects having a specific ability value among the objects given to the player, and a value based on the ability value set for the object ;
program. causing the computer to further execute a process of increasing the ability value in response to consumption of a specific item by the player;
The program of claim 1. the process of granting the objects includes granting the player a number of the objects selected by the player, and the greater the number of the objects granted, the less the consumption amount of the predetermined parameter per one of the objects;
The program of claim 1. The computer further comprises:
A process of increasing a value of the predetermined parameter based on an increase amount of the predetermined parameter per unit time;
and granting a reward to the player based on the value of the predetermined parameter at the end of a predetermined period.
The program of claim 1. 1. A system for providing a game, comprising one or more computer processors, the one or more computer processors, in response to execution of readable instructions:
a process of granting to the player an object of a type selected by the player from among a plurality of types of objects, with consumption of a predetermined parameter associated with the player;
a process of setting a capability value of the object to be given to the player by lottery from among a plurality of values;
executing a process of managing , for each type of object, the number of the objects given to the player during a predetermined period of time , the number of specific objects having a specific ability value among the objects given to the player, and a value based on the ability value set for the object ;
system. 1. A method for providing a game, executed by one or more computers, comprising:
granting to the player an object of a type selected by the player from among a plurality of types of objects, with consumption of a predetermined parameter associated with the player;
setting a capability value of the object to be given to the player by lottery from among a plurality of values;
and managing, for each type of object, the number of the objects given to the player during a predetermined period of time , the number of specific objects having a specific ability value among the objects given to the player, and a value based on the ability value set for the object ,
method.