JP7668441B2 - PROGRAM, SERVER DEVICE AND GAME SYSTEM - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a program, a server device, and a game system.

Conventionally, there have been known information processing devices equipped with a so-called parental control function that allows parents to monitor and restrict the use of the information processing device by their children (see Patent Document 1). In such information processing devices, for example, parents can restrict the hours during which a game console can be used. In addition, in information processing devices equipped with a parental control function, there has been known a technology that allows parents to set restrictions on charges for children, such as the purchase of game media, by setting restrictions.

JP 2019-000532 A

Conventionally, there has been a need to allow users corresponding to accounts to experience gaming activities that involve a certain amount of charges, regardless of whether there are restrictions on charges, so that, for example, children will actively make charges such as purchasing game media when they grow up. For example, it has been thought that when any one of multiple users plays a game, a gacha gauge is increased, and when this rate reaches a predetermined value, the gaming activity of one user is given preferential treatment, and the content of the preferential treatment is determined according to the rate at which the gacha gauge is increased by the other user playing the game.

The present disclosure aims to encourage users corresponding to accounts to experience gaming activities that involve charges, regardless of whether there are restrictions on charges.

The first aspect is
A program for causing a computer to function as a receiving unit and a transmitting unit,
the receiving means receives information from a first communication terminal operated by a first user corresponding to a first account and a second communication terminal operated by a second user corresponding to a second account;
The transmission means is a program that, on condition that the reception means has received information from the first communications terminal that a third game action has been performed by the first user, or that the reception means has received information from the second communications terminal that a second game action has been performed by the second user, increases a ratio related to preferential treatment of game actions, transmits to the first communications terminal an instruction to preferentially treat the first user's subsequent first game action on condition that the ratio has reached a predetermined value, and determines the content of the preferential treatment depending on the ratio that has been increased based on the information that the second game action has been performed by the second user.

In addition, in the first aspect,
The remaining amount of virtual currency granted to the first account is shared with the second account;
The second game action may be performed by spending a remaining amount of the shared virtual currency.

In addition, in the first aspect,
granting at least a portion of the remaining amount of the virtual currency granted to the first account to the second account by transfer without sharing the remaining amount of the virtual currency granted to the first account with the second account;
The second game action may be performed by spending the transferred virtual currency.

In addition, in the first aspect,
granting the virtual currency to the second account through a new purchase by the first account without sharing the remaining amount of the virtual currency granted to the first account with the second account;
The second game action may be executed by consuming the granted virtual currency.

In addition, in the first aspect,
The computer further functions as a decision means,
The determination means may determine the content of the preferential treatment for the first game action based on a combination of the second game action and the third game action.

The second aspect is
A server device including a computer that functions as a receiving unit and a transmitting unit by executing a program,
the receiving means receives information from a first communication terminal operated by a first user corresponding to a first account and a second communication terminal operated by a second user corresponding to a second account;
The transmitting means is a server device which, on condition that the receiving means has received information from the first communications terminal that a third game action has been performed by the first user or that the receiving means has received information from the second communications terminal that a second game action has been performed by the second user, increases a ratio related to preferential treatment of game actions, transmits to the first communications terminal an instruction to preferentially treat the first user's subsequent first game action on condition that the ratio has reached a predetermined value, and determines the content of the preferential treatment according to the ratio that has been increased based on the information that the second game action has been performed by the second user.

The third aspect is:
A game system including a receiving means and a transmitting means,
the receiving means receives information from a first communication terminal operated by a first user corresponding to a first account and a second communication terminal operated by a second user corresponding to a second account;
The transmission means, on the condition that the reception means has received information from the first communications terminal that a third game action has been performed by the first user, or the reception means has received information from the second communications terminal that a second game action has been performed by the second user, increases a ratio related to preferential treatment of game actions, and, on the condition that the ratio has reached a predetermined value, transmits an instruction to the first communications terminal to preferentially treat the first user's subsequent first game action, and determines the content of the preferential treatment depending on the ratio that has increased based on the information that the second game action has been performed by the second user.This is a game system.

According to the present disclosure, regardless of whether there is a charge limit, a user corresponding to an account can be encouraged to experience gaming activities that involve charges.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a game system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 13 is a screen for selecting a user's age, which is displayed on a touch panel of the communication terminal. 13 is a screen displayed on a touch panel of a second communication terminal operated by a second user, encouraging the second user to link with the first account. 13 is a screen for setting a charge limit displayed on a touch panel of a first communication terminal of a first user. 13 is a screen displayed on a touch panel of a first communication terminal of a first user after a charge limit has been set. 13 is a screen displayed on the touch panel of the second communication terminal of the second user after a charge limit has been set. 10 is a chart showing transmission and reception of information between the server device and each communication terminal when a series of operations are performed in the game system of the present embodiment. FIG. FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing a series of operational steps of the game system according to the present embodiment. 13 shows a screen displayed on a touch panel of a first communication terminal of a first user when a first game action is performed. 13 is a screen displayed on a touch panel of a second communication terminal of a second user when a second game action is performed that does not involve a charge. 11 is a table showing examples of rewards based on combinations of game actions of a first account and a second account.

[Embodiment]
A game system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

<Description of Game System 1>
1, a server device 2 (computer) and a plurality of communication terminals 5 are communicatively connected to each other via a communication network 6. The server device 2 stores a game program and game data, and transmits and receives game-related control signals to each of the plurality of communication terminals 5, thereby causing each communication terminal 5 to play a game.

Overview of Game System 1
The multiple communication terminals 5 include a first communication terminal 5A operated by a first user corresponding to a first account with no charge limit, and a second communication terminal 5B operated by a second user corresponding to a second account with charge limit. Charge limit means that there is a limit to purchasing game media or performing paid game actions to obtain game media. Details of such charge limit will be described later. On the other hand, no charge limit means that there is no limit to purchasing game media or performing paid game actions to obtain game media.

The first user corresponding to the first account with no charge restrictions is, for example, an adult, and in this embodiment, is, for example, a parent of a parent and child pair. The second user corresponding to the second account with charge restrictions is, for example, a minor, and in this embodiment, is, for example, a child of a parent and child pair.

Game media are items, cards, characters, etc. used in the game. Such game media make it possible to change the parameters of the user's player character (e.g., attack power, defense power, stamina value), change the player character, change the game environment (e.g., the background of the virtual game space or the game scenario), and cause specific game events to occur.

A user performs a game action, free of charge or for a fee, to obtain game media. A game action is a request to provide game media to the user's account. When a user performs a game action, an item, card, character, etc. is selected by lottery from among multiple items, cards, characters, etc., and the selected item, card, character, etc. is granted to the user's account. This allows the user corresponding to this account to use the granted game media, such as the item, card, character, etc., in the game.

Each communication terminal 5 is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a mobile phone, a stationary game console, a portable game console, etc. In the following, an example is given in which each communication terminal 5 is a smartphone.

The first user and the second user are assigned account information including identification information and a password in association with the communication terminal 5. This account information is transmitted from the communication terminal 5 to the server device 2 at the time of login, and is used for user authentication in the server device 2.

After user authentication, the server device 2 and the communication terminal 5 are able to communicate with each other. After logging in, the communication terminal 5 receives data necessary for the game to proceed (data related to the game progress status) from the server device 2, and then progresses the game while outputting game images and sounds to the touch panel 57 and speaker 58 based on the user's operations.

<Configuration of Game System 1>
Hereinafter, the hardware configuration of the server device 2 and each of the communication terminals 5 will be described with reference to FIG.

<Configuration of Server Device 2>
1, the server device 2 includes a network interface 21, a control unit 22, and a storage unit 23. The network interface 21 and the storage unit 23 are electrically connected to the control unit 22 via a bus 24.

The network interface 21 is communicatively connected to each communication terminal 5 via a communication network 6 such as the Internet and a LAN.

The control unit 22 is composed of a microcomputer including a CPU and semiconductor memory, and controls the operation of the server device 2.

The control unit 22 functions as a reception means 221, a transmission means 222, a linking means 223, a management means 224, and a determination means 225 by executing various programs stored in the memory unit 23 described below.

The reception means 221 receives information from a first communication terminal 5A operated by a first user corresponding to a first account with no billing restrictions, and a second communication terminal 5B operated by a second user corresponding to a second account with billing restrictions.

The transmitting means 222 transmits to the first communication terminal 5A an instruction to give preferential treatment to the first game action of the first user thereafter, on condition that the receiving means 221 receives from the second communication terminal 5B information that a second game action involving a charge has been performed by the second user. The instruction to give preferential treatment to the first game action is an instruction to give preferential treatment to the compensation or result when providing the game medium to the first account.

Providing preferential compensation when providing game media to a first account includes, for example, providing the game media to the first account free of charge or at a lower price than usual, or having the user perform gaming actions to obtain the game media free of charge or at a lower price than usual.

Also, favoring the results when providing game media to a first account includes increasing the probability that a high rarity game medium will be selected when a lottery is held as a result of the user performing free or paid gaming actions, or granting the user the right to have a high rarity game medium always selected.

The second game action includes a request made by the second user via the second communication terminal 5B to provide the game media to the second account. In this embodiment, the receiving means 221 receives this request from the second communication terminal 5B, or the result of receiving the request from the second communication terminal 5B satisfies a predetermined condition, and the transmitting means 222 transmits an instruction to the first communication terminal 5A to give preferential treatment to the first user's subsequent first game action.

When a request is received from the second communication terminal 5B, the result of the request satisfying a predetermined condition includes the second game action being performed a predetermined number of times, the charge associated with the second game action being equal to or greater than a predetermined amount, a specific game medium being acquired through the second game action, or a specific game medium not being acquired through the second game action.

The linking means 223 links the first account and the second account. Details of such linking operation will be described later. Information that the first account and the second account have been linked by the linking means 223 is stored in the memory unit 23 described later. In addition, when the reception means 221 receives information regarding the charge limit of the second account from the first communication terminal 5A corresponding to the first account linked to the second account, the transmission means 222 transmits an instruction regarding the charge limit of the second account to the second communication terminal 5B.

The charge restriction includes at least one or both of the following: a restriction on the charge amount of the second account within a specified period of time, and sharing the remaining amount of virtual currency between the first account and the second account. Virtual currency is gems and the like that can be obtained by making a charge in the game, and by spending virtual currency in the game, it is possible to obtain game media, play specific game scenarios, and trigger specific game events.

When the reception means 221 receives information related to a payment process for increasing the amount of virtual currency from the first communication terminal 5A corresponding to the first account linked to the second account, the management means 224 increases the remaining amount of virtual currency. This increases the upper limit of the charge amount for the second account within a specified period of time, or increases the remaining amount of virtual currency shared between the first account and the second account.

The determination means 225 determines the preferential treatment content of the first game action based on the second game action by the second user. Furthermore, if a third game action is performed by the first user before the first game action is performed by the first user, the determination means 225 further determines the preferential treatment content of the first game action based on the third game action by the first user. At this time, the determination means 225 determines the preferential treatment content of the first game action based on a combination of the second game action and the third game action.

The storage unit 23 is composed of a hard disk drive (HDD), a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), and a solid state drive (SSD). The storage unit 23 stores various programs including a part of the game program according to this embodiment, as well as various data such as game data.

The storage unit 23 also stores a table showing examples of rewards based on combinations of game actions of the first account and the second account, as shown in FIG. 11. Details of such a table will be described later.

<Configuration of communication terminal 5>
1 , the communication terminal 5 has a touch panel 57 and a speaker 58. The communication terminal 5 also has a network interface 51, a control unit 52, a graphic processing unit 53, an operation unit 54, an audio processing unit 55, and a storage unit 56. The network interface 51, the graphic processing unit 53, the operation unit 54, the audio processing unit 55, and the storage unit 56 are electrically connected to the control unit 52 via a bus 59.

The network interface 51 is communicatively connected to the communication network 6 in order to transmit and receive various data between the communication terminal 5 and the server device 2. The communication terminals 5 may also be communicatively connected to each other via short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark).

The graphics processing unit 53 renders game images including characters and various objects related to the virtual game space in a moving image format according to game image information output from the control unit 52, which will be described later. The graphics processing unit 53 is connected to, for example, a touch panel 57, and the game images rendered in a moving image format are displayed on the touch panel 57 as a game screen.

The operation unit 54 is connected to the touch panel 57, and transmits and receives data related to operation input to the touch panel 57 between the touch panel 57. The user inputs an operation signal to the communication terminal 5 by touching the touch panel 57.

The audio processing unit 55 is connected to the speaker 58, and plays and synthesizes game audio according to instructions from the control unit 52 (described below), and outputs the audio from the speaker 58.

The control unit 52 is composed of a microcomputer including a CPU and semiconductor memory, and controls the operation of the communication terminal 5.

The control unit 52 functions as a communication means 521, a game execution means 522, and a notification control means 523 by executing various programs stored in the memory unit 56 described below.

The communication means 521 is a function for communicating with the server device 2 via the network interface 51.

The communication means 521 generates and transmits information that can be understood by the server device 2 in response to various operation signals received by the operation unit 54 from the touch panel 57. For example, the communication means 521 transmits account information, download request information for new game data, quest execution requests, and the like to the server device 2. The communication means 521 also receives new game data and the like sent from the server device 2 in response to download request information.

The game execution means 522 reads data such as virtual game space objects and textures included in the game data from the storage unit 56 (described later) or uses data received from the server device 2 in accordance with operation of the touch panel 57 by the user of the communication terminal 5, and generates two-dimensional or three-dimensional game image information while executing the game program. As the game image information is processed by the graphics processing unit 53, the processed game images are successively displayed on the touch panel 57.

The game execution means 522 then places a character on the game image in accordance with the operation of the user of the communication terminal 5, and controls the behavior of the character in the virtual game space in accordance with the user's operation and the progress of the game. For example, the game execution means 522 executes a quest in the game in accordance with the user's operation via the touch panel 57.

When playing the game, the notification control means 523 controls the display of the touch panel 57 and the audio output of the speaker 58 in response to operations by the user of the communication terminal 5.

The storage unit 56 is composed of an HDD, RAM, ROM, SSD, etc. The storage unit 56 stores game data downloaded from the server device 2, various programs including parts of the game program, account information for the communication terminal 5, etc.

<Game System 1 Operation Flow>

First, the operation of linking the first account and the second account by the linking means 223 will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3. Figure 2 shows a selection screen for the user's age, which is displayed on the touch panel 57 of the communication terminal 5 operated by the user, and Figure 3 shows a screen that prompts the user to link with the first account, which is displayed on the touch panel 57 of the second communication terminal 5B operated by the second user.

When the game is initially set up on the communication terminal 5, the screen shown in FIG. 2 is displayed on the touch panel 57. On the screen shown in FIG. 2, the user can select with the touch panel 57 whether the user's age is 20 years old or older, which means there is no charge limit, or under 20 years old, which means there is a charge limit. As shown in FIG. 2, if the user is under 20 years old, which means there is a charge limit, the monthly charge limit is set to, for example, 10,000 yen.

When the user's age is selected as being under 20 years old, which is the age at which charges are restricted, in other words, when a second user corresponding to a second account with charges restricted is operating the second communication terminal 5B, the screen shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the touch panel 57 of the second communication terminal 5B. The screen shown in FIG. 3 displays a selection screen for whether or not to link with the first account, along with a message urging the second user to link with the first account.

When linking with the first account is selected on the screen shown in FIG. 3, a message prompting input of the identification information of the first account (displayed as "Parent Terminal ID" in FIG. 3) is displayed on the touch panel 57. Then, when the second user inputs the identification information of the first account (the character string "OTOSAN"), the identification information of the second account corresponding to the second communication terminal 5B operated by this second user and the identification information of the first account input by the second user are transmitted from the second communication terminal 5B to the server device 2 via the communication network 6.

When the reception means 221 of the server device 2 receives the identification information of the first account and the identification information of the second account transmitted from the second communication terminal 5B, the linking means 223 links the first account and the second account based on the received identification information of the first account and the identification information of the second account. Then, information that the first account and the second account have been linked by the linking means 223 is stored in the memory unit 23.

Next, the operation of setting up billing for a second account linked to a first account corresponding to a first communication terminal 5A by a first user operating the first communication terminal 5A will be described with reference to Figs. 4 to 6. Fig. 4 shows a setting screen for billing limits displayed on the touch panel 57 of the first communication terminal 5A of the first user, and Fig. 5 shows a screen after the billing limits have been set displayed on the touch panel 57 of the first communication terminal 5A of the first user. Also, Fig. 6 shows a screen after the billing limits have been set displayed on the touch panel 57 of the second communication terminal 5B of the second user.

When the first user sets a charge limit for the second user using the first communication terminal 5A, a charge limit setting screen shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the touch panel 57 of the first communication terminal 5A. On the charge limit setting screen shown in FIG. 4, the first user can select using the touch panel 57 whether to share the remaining amount of virtual currency between the first account and the second account, or to not share the remaining amount of virtual currency with the second account and instead grant virtual currency to the second account.

In the screen shown in FIG. 4, the virtual currency is jewels. Paid stones are virtual currency acquired by paying for the game, while free stones are virtual currency acquired based on the results of playing the game without paying for the game.

When the first user selects to share the remaining amount of virtual currency between the first account and the second account on the charge limit setting screen shown in FIG. 4, the remaining amount of the shared virtual currency can be input into the touch panel 57 for both paid stones and unpaid stones.

For example, when a first user inputs 300 paid stones and 100 unpaid stones as the remaining balance of the shared virtual currency using the touch panel 57, the screen shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the touch panel 57 of the first user's first communication terminal 5A as the screen after the charge limit has been set. In this case, the screen shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the touch panel 57 of the second user's second communication terminal 5B as the screen after the charge limit has been set.

On the other hand, when the first user selects on the charge limit setting screen shown in FIG. 4 not to share the remaining virtual currency with the second account and to instead grant virtual currency to the second account, the amount of virtual currency to be granted to the second account can be input into the touch panel 57 for both paid stones and free stones. In this case, the amount of virtual currency granted to the second account for both paid stones and free stones is displayed on the touch panel 57 of the second communication terminal 5B of the second user as a screen after the charge limit is set.

Such granting of virtual currency to the second account is performed by transferring part or all of the current virtual currency balance in the first account to the second account, or by granting newly acquired virtual currency to the second account through a new purchase of virtual currency. On the screen shown in FIG. 4, the first user inputs into the touch panel 57 the amount of virtual currency to be granted to the second account through a transfer, and the amount of virtual currency to be granted to the second account through a new purchase, for both paid stones and free stones.

When the first user sets a billing limit for the second user using the first communication terminal 5A, even if the billing amount for the second user within a specified period (e.g., per month) has reached the upper billing limit, the remaining virtual currency can be shared between the first account and the second account, or virtual currency can be granted to the second account.

Next, the operation when a first user performs a first game action that involves a charge after a second user performs a second game action that involves a charge will be described with reference to Figures 7 and 8.

Figure 7 is a chart showing the transmission and reception of information between the server device 2 and each communication terminal 5 when a series of operations are performed in the game system 1 of this embodiment, and Figure 8 is a flow diagram showing the flow of a series of operations in the game system 1 of this embodiment.

If the first user performs a third game action involving a charge before the second user performs a second game action involving a charge, the server device 2 accepts information from the first communication terminal 5A that the third game action involving a charge has been performed (YES in step st1). If the second user then performs a second game action involving a charge, the server device 2 accepts information from the second communication terminal 5B that the second game action involving a charge has been performed (YES in step st2).

Then, the determination means 225 determines the preferential treatment content for the first game action based on the combination of the second game action and the third game action (step st3). The transmission means 222 then transmits an instruction to the first communication terminal 5A to give preferential treatment to the first game action based on the preferential treatment content for the first game action determined by the determination means 225 (step st4). This allows the first user to receive preferential treatment when performing the first game action on the first communication terminal 5A.

On the other hand, if the first user has not performed a third game action involving a charge before the second user has performed a second game action involving a charge, the server device 2 will not have received information from the first communication terminal 5A that a third game action involving a charge has been performed (NO in step st1). In this state, if the second user performs a second game action involving a charge, the server device 2 will receive information from the second communication terminal 5B that a second game action involving a charge has been performed (YES in step st5).

Then, the determination means 225 determines the content of the preferential treatment for the first game action based on the second game action (step st6). Then, the transmission means 222 transmits an instruction to the first communication terminal 5A to give preferential treatment to the first game action based on the content of the preferential treatment for the first game action determined by the determination means 225 (step st7). This allows the first user to receive preferential treatment when performing the first game action on the first communication terminal 5A.

Next, an example of the specific content of the preferential treatment that the first user receives when performing the first game action on the first communication terminal 5A will be described with reference to FIG. 9.

When the first user performs a first game action on the first communication terminal 5A, a screen shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the touch panel 57 of the first communication terminal 5A. The screen shown in FIG. 9 allows the user to select the type of game action (whether to perform one game action by consuming 10 paid stones, or to perform 10 game actions by consuming 100 paid stones). In addition, as shown in FIG. 9, the gacha gauge and the contents of the bonus that will be awarded when the gauge is filled are displayed on the touch panel 57 of the first communication terminal 5A.

For example, in one game action, a lottery is conducted in two stages. Specifically, when game media are classified in descending order of rarity as S rarity, A rarity, and B rarity, the rarity classification is selected in the first stage of the lottery. For example, in the first stage of the lottery, the probability of winning S rarity is 10%, the probability of winning A rarity is 30%, and the probability of winning B rarity is 60%. In addition, there are featured characters as game media with a higher rarity than S rarity.

Furthermore, there are multiple types of game media in each rarity category. For example, there are five types of game media in S rarity, 10 types of game media in A rarity, and 15 types of game media in B rarity. Then, in the second stage of the lottery, one type of game media is selected by lottery from among the multiple types of game media in the rarity category determined in the first stage of the lottery, and is granted to the user.

The gacha gauge is a percentage that increases from 0% to a maximum of 100% by performing a specific type of gaming action. When the percentage of the gacha gauge reaches 100%, the probability that a high rarity game medium will be selected when performing a gaming action increases, or the user is granted the right to have a high rarity game medium always selected.

When a user performs a game action by consuming virtual currency, if one game action is performed by consuming 10 paid stones, the percentage of the gacha gauge will not increase. On the other hand, if 10 game actions are performed by consuming 100 paid stones, the percentage of the gacha gauge will increase.

The percentage of the gacha gauge is the sum of the third game action performed by the first account corresponding to the first user and the second game action performed by the second account corresponding to the second user. As shown in FIG. 9, the percentage of the gacha gauge obtained by performing the third game action by the first account is displayed in blue (shown by symbol B in FIG. 9), and the percentage of the gacha gauge obtained by performing the second game action by the second account is displayed in yellow (shown by symbol Y in FIG. 9), which is a color different from blue.

In addition, when a user plays 10 game actions by spending 100 paid stones, if an S rarity game medium is selected at least once in the lottery and given to the user, the increase in the gacha gauge percentage will be small or zero. On the other hand, if only A or B rarity game media is selected in the lottery, the increase in the gacha gauge percentage will be large.

In this embodiment, the benefit when the gacha gauge percentage reaches 100% differs depending on whether there is a gacha gauge percentage that increases when the second account corresponding to the second user performs a second game action or whether there is no gacha gauge percentage that increases when the second account corresponding to the second user performs a second game action.

Specifically, when the gacha gauge percentage reaches 100%, if there is no gacha gauge percentage that can be increased by the second account corresponding to the second user performing the second game action (i.e., if there is no gacha gauge percentage displayed with symbol Y in FIG. 9), when the first user performs the first game action, the probability of winning S rarity in the first stage of the lottery will be 100%. Then, in the second stage of the lottery, one type of S rarity game medium is selected by lottery from five types of S rarity game media and granted to the first user.

On the other hand, if there is a gacha gauge percentage that increases when the second account corresponding to the second user performs a second game action when the gacha gauge percentage reaches 100%, then when the first user performs the first game action, the percentage of winning the featured character in the first stage of the lottery becomes 100%, and the first user can obtain a featured character that is rarer than an S rarity game medium.

When the second user consumes paid stones on the second communication terminal 5B to perform a second game action, the same screen as that shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the touch panel 57 of the second communication terminal 5B. The gacha gauge displayed on the touch panel 57 of the second communication terminal 5B is the same as the gacha gauge of the first account linked to the second account corresponding to this second communication terminal 5B.

When the second user consumes paid stones on the second communication terminal 5B to perform a second game action, the content of the lottery associated with the second game action differs from the content of the lottery associated with the first game action. For example, in the first stage lottery, the proportion of S rarity, A rarity, and B rarity that are won differs from the proportion in the lottery associated with the first game action by the first user.

When the second user consumes paid stones to perform a second game action, if the gacha gauge percentage reaches 100%, the second user is also granted a bonus. The bonus granted to the second user may be the same as the bonus granted to the first user, or it may be different.

When the second user performs a second game action using the second communication terminal 5B, the second account corresponding to this second user has a charge limit, so the second game action may be performed by consuming free stones instead of paid stones. Figure 10 shows a screen displayed on the touch panel 57 of the second communication terminal 5B of the second user when the second game action is performed without charge.

The screen shown in FIG. 10 also allows the second user to select the type of second game action. Specifically, the second user can select, via the touch panel 57, whether to perform one game action by consuming 10 free stones as virtual currency, or to perform 10 game actions by consuming 100 free stones. Also, it may be possible to perform one game action by consuming a total of 10 paid stones and free stones.

Also, in the screen shown in FIG. 10, the gacha gauge and the contents of the bonus when the gauge is filled are displayed on the touch panel 57 of the first communication terminal 5A. The gacha gauge displayed on the touch panel 57 of the second communication terminal 5B is the same as the gacha gauge of the first account linked to the second account corresponding to this second communication terminal 5B.

When the second user performs a second game action by consuming free stones on the second communication terminal 5B, the content of the lottery associated with the game action differs from the content of the lottery associated with the second game action performed by consuming paid stones. For example, when the second game action is performed by consuming free stones, the probability of winning S rarity, A rarity, and B rarity in the first stage lottery differs from the percentage in the lottery associated with the second game action performed by consuming paid stones.

In addition, when the second user consumes free stones to perform the second game action, a bonus is also granted to the second user when the gacha gauge percentage reaches 100%. The bonus granted to the second user when the second user consumes free stones to perform the second game action may be the same as or different from the bonus granted to the second user when the second user consumes paid stones to perform the second game action.

In addition, the percentage of the gacha gauge that increases when the second user consumes free stones to perform the second game action is smaller than the percentage of the gacha gauge that increases when the second user consumes paid stones to perform the second game action.

In addition, when the percentage of the gacha gauge reaches 100%, if the percentage of the gacha gauge obtained by the second account corresponding to the second user performing a second game action reaches a certain value, various other types of benefits are granted to the user based on the combination of game actions of the first account and the second account. Specifically, game media may be granted to at least one of the first account and the second account, or a game event may occur in at least one of the first account and the second account.

Figure 11 is a table showing examples of rewards based on combinations of gaming activities of a first account and a second account.

For example, when the percentage of the gacha gauge reaches 100%, if the percentage of the gacha gauge that increases due to the second game action by the second user (the percentage of the gacha gauge indicated by the symbol Y in Figures 9 and 10) is 30% or more, 50% or more, or 70% or more, respectively, items X, Y, and Z will be granted as game media to both the first account and the second account, respectively.

In addition, if a featured character is granted to the first account as a result of a game action by the first user, and the percentage of the gacha gauge that increases by a second game action by the second user is 10% or more when the percentage of the gacha gauge reaches 100%, game event 1 occurs in both the first account and the second account.

In addition, when quest 1 is cleared by playing the game by the first user and the gacha gauge percentage reaches 100%, if the gacha gauge percentage increased by the second game action by the second user is 10% or more, game event 2 occurs in both the first account and the second account.

In addition, if the first user purchases 1,000 or more units of paid virtual currency through a payment and the percentage of the gacha gauge increases to 100% when the percentage of the gacha gauge increases by 30% or more due to the second game action by the second user, game event 3 occurs in both the first account and the second account.

In summary, the program causes the computer to function as a receiving means 221 and a transmitting means 222. The receiving means 221 receives information from a first communication terminal 5A operated by a first user corresponding to a first account with no charging restrictions, and a second communication terminal 5B operated by a second user corresponding to a second account with charging restrictions. The transmitting means 222 transmits an instruction to the first communication terminal 5A to give preferential treatment to the first user's subsequent first game action, on condition that the receiving means 221 receives information from the second communication terminal 5B that a second game action involving charging has been performed by the second user.

＜Effects＞
According to this embodiment, on condition that the receiving means 221 receives information from the second communication terminal 5B that a second game action involving a charge has been performed by the second user, an instruction to give preferential treatment to the first user's subsequent first game action is sent to the first communication terminal 5A, thereby encouraging the second user corresponding to the second account for which charges are restricted to experience game actions involving a charge.

Other Embodiments
The various control means and processing procedures described in the above embodiment are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, its applications, or its uses. The various control means and processing procedures can be appropriately modified in design without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

For example, the first user and the second user may operate a common communication terminal 5 at different times. In other words, the first communication terminal 5A operated by the first user and the second communication terminal 5B operated by the second user may be the same. Even in this case, by the user selecting either the first account or the second account on the common communication terminal 5, the first user can perform a first game action with the first account that has no charging restrictions, and the second user can perform a second game action with the second account that has charging restrictions.

In addition, even if a third game action involving a charge has been performed by the first user prior to the first game action being performed by the first user, the determination means 225 may determine the preferential treatment content of the first game content based only on the second game action involving a charge by the second user.

In addition, even if the receiving means 221 receives information from the second communication terminal 5B that the second user has performed a second game action that does not involve a charge, the transmitting means 222 may transmit to the first communication terminal 5A an instruction to give preferential treatment to the first user's subsequent first game action. Specifically, when the second user performs a second game action by consuming free stones and the proportion of the gacha gauge increases, the first user's subsequent first game action may be given preferential treatment.

In addition, the third game action by the first user is not limited to one that involves a charge. Even if the first user performs a third game action that does not involve a charge, specifically, even if the first user performs the third game action by consuming free stones, the determination means 225 may determine the content of the preferential treatment for the first game action based on a combination of the second game action and the third game action.

In addition, when the receiving means 221 receives information from the second communication terminal 5B that a second game action has been performed by the second user, the transmitting means 222 may transmit instructions to the first communication terminal 5A to change the difficulty of a game quest by making the player's own character stronger or the enemy character weaker when the first user plays the game, to cause a specific game event to occur, to increase the reward when the game is cleared, or to favor the development of a game character.

The determination means 225 may also determine the content of the preferential treatment for the first game action based on a combination of the charge amount of the first account corresponding to the first user and the charge amount of the second account corresponding to the second user. Specifically, based on the total amount of the charge amount of the first account corresponding to the first user and the charge amount of the second account corresponding to the second user, a specific game medium may be granted to at least one of the first account and the second account, a specific game event may be generated, the game difficulty level may be changed, or virtual currency may be granted.

In this case, specific game media may be granted to at least one of the first account and the second account, a specific game event may be triggered, the game difficulty level may be changed, or virtual currency may be granted, only if the ratio of the charge amount of the second account corresponding to the second user to the total charge amount of the first account corresponding to the first user and the second account corresponding to the second user is smaller than a predetermined value.

1 Game system 2 Server device (computer)
5A First communication terminal 5B Second communication terminal 221 Accepting means 222 Sending means 224 Managing means 225 Determining means

Claims (8)

A program for causing a computer to function as a receiving unit and a transmitting unit,
the receiving means receives information from a first communication terminal operated by a first user corresponding to a first account with no charging limit, and a second communication terminal operated by a second user corresponding to a second account with charging limit,
The transmission means, on the condition that the reception means has received information from the first communications terminal that a third game action has been performed by the first user, or the reception means has received information from the second communications terminal that a second game action has been performed by the second user, increases a ratio related to preferential treatment of game actions, and, on the condition that the ratio has reached a predetermined value, transmits to the first communications terminal an instruction to preferentially treat the first user's subsequent first game action, and determines the content of the preferential treatment depending on the ratio that has been increased based on the information that the second game action has been performed by the second user. The computer further functions as a decision means,
2 . The program according to claim 1 , wherein the determining means determines the content of the preferential treatment for the first game action based on a combination of the second game action and the third game action. The remaining amount of virtual currency granted to the first account is shared with the second account;
The program according to claim 1 , wherein the second game action is executed by consuming a remaining amount of the shared virtual currency. granting at least a portion of the remaining amount of the virtual currency granted to the first account to the second account by transfer without sharing the remaining amount of the virtual currency granted to the first account with the second account;
The program according to claim 1 , wherein the second game action is executed by consuming the transferred virtual currency. granting the virtual currency to the second account through a new purchase by the first account without sharing the remaining amount of the virtual currency granted to the first account with the second account;
The program according to claim 1 , wherein the second game action is executed by consuming the granted virtual currency. The computer further functions as a decision means,
The program according to claim 3 , wherein the determining means determines the content of the preferential treatment for the first game action based on a combination of the second game action and the third game action. A server device including a computer that functions as a receiving unit and a transmitting unit by executing a program,
the receiving means receives information from a first communication terminal operated by a first user corresponding to a first account with no charging limit , and a second communication terminal operated by a second user corresponding to a second account with charging limit ,
The transmission means, on the condition that the reception means has received information from the first communications terminal that a third game action has been performed by the first user, or the reception means has received information from the second communications terminal that a second game action has been performed by the second user, increases a ratio related to preferential treatment of game actions, and, on the condition that the ratio has reached a predetermined value , transmits an instruction to the first communications terminal to give preferential treatment to the first user's subsequent first game action, and determines the content of the preferential treatment depending on the ratio that has been increased based on the information that the second game action has been performed by the second user. A game system including a receiving means and a transmitting means,
the receiving means receives information from a first communication terminal operated by a first user corresponding to a first account with no charging limit , and a second communication terminal operated by a second user corresponding to a second account with charging limit ,
The transmission means, on condition that the reception means has received information from the first communications terminal that a third game action has been performed by the first user, or the reception means has received information from the second communications terminal that a second game action has been performed by the second user, increases a ratio related to preferential treatment of game actions, and, on condition that the ratio has reached a predetermined amount, transmits an instruction to the first communications terminal to preferentially treat the first user's subsequent first game action, and determines the content of the preferential treatment depending on the ratio that has increased based on the information that the second game action has been performed by the second user.

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