JP7670107B2 - Information processing device and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing device and a program.

There is known a program for causing a computer to execute a game in which a user possesses a character as an example of content and the character possessed by the user evolves into an even stronger character (for example, Patent Document 1).

Patent No. 6044729

In such games, multiple evolved characters branching off from a common character may be prepared in advance. However, there was little benefit to having multiple evolved characters branching off from a common character. Therefore, even though multiple evolved characters are prepared in advance, users tend not to obtain many of them.
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to increase the benefits of possessing multiple evolved contents branched off from a common content.

The main invention of the present invention to solve the above problems is:
a content information storage unit that stores content information in which a plurality of evolved contents branched from a common content are set;
a user information storage unit that stores user information in which content owned by a user is set;
a privilege granting unit that grants privileges to a user who has two or more evolved contents branched from a common content;
The information processing device is characterized by comprising:
Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention and the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an example of an information processing system 1. FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram illustrating an example of a computer. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a server device 20. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of character information. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of item information. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of quest information. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of user information. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a client terminal 10. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation regarding evolution of a character in this embodiment. FIG. 5 is an image diagram showing an example of an evolution destination selection screen 500. FIG. 5 is an image diagram showing an example of an evolution screen 550. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation relating to character synthesis in this embodiment. FIG. 6 is an image diagram showing an example of a composite screen 600. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation regarding granting of a privilege in the present embodiment.

At least the following points will become apparent from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings.
That is, a content information storage unit that stores content information in which a plurality of evolved contents branched from a common content are set;
a user information storage unit that stores user information in which content owned by a user is set;
a privilege granting unit that grants privileges to a user who has two or more evolved contents branched from a common content;
The information processing device is characterized by comprising:
According to such an information processing device, a privilege is given to a user who owns two or more evolved contents branched off from a common content, which increases the merit of owning multiple evolved contents branched off from a common content.

Moreover, in such an information processing device,
The privilege granting unit may change, as a privilege for the user, parameters set for at least one of the two or more evolution contents possessed by the user to be advantageous to the user.
According to such an information processing device, a user who owns two or more pieces of evolved content branched off from a common content is given the benefit of being able to improve the parameters set for at least one of the evolved content pieces, thereby increasing the benefit of owning multiple pieces of evolved content branched off from a common content.

Moreover, in such an information processing device,
A synthesis unit that gradually increases the maximum value of each parameter of the synthesized evolution contents each time the user synthesizes the common content that is a branch source for each of the two or more evolution contents owned by the user;
Equipped with
The privilege granting unit may grant, as a privilege to the user, the more frequently the common content that is the source of branching is synthesized, the more significantly the parameters set for at least one of the two or more evolution contents possessed by the user are changed to be more advantageous to the user.
According to such an information processing device, a user who has two or more evolved contents branched off from a common content is given the advantage that the more times the common content from which each evolved content is branched is combined with the corresponding evolved content, the more advantageous the parameters set for at least one of the evolved contents become. This makes it possible to increase the advantage of having multiple evolved contents branched off from a common content.

Moreover, in such an information processing device,
The privilege granting unit may grant, as a privilege to the user, parameters set for at least two of the two or more pieces of evolution content possessed by the user to be mutually exchangeable.
According to such an information processing device, a user who owns two or more evolved contents branched off from a common content is given the advantage of being able to exchange parameters of one evolved content for parameters of the other evolved content, thereby increasing the advantage of owning multiple evolved contents branched off from a common content.

Moreover, in such an information processing device,
an evolution unit that, when an evolution condition is satisfied for a common content that is a branch source and that is owned by a user, does not allow the user to own the common content, but instead allows the user to own one of the evolution contents selected by the user from among a plurality of evolution contents branched off from the common content;
Equipped with
The likelihood of the evolution condition being met may be made different between a case in which the user already possesses at least one of the multiple evolution contents branching off from the common content and a case in which the user does not yet possess any of the multiple evolution contents branching off from the common content.
According to such an information processing device, for example, a user who owns at least one evolved content among a plurality of evolved contents branched off from a common content can more easily evolve the common content that he/she owns into the evolved content, compared to a user who does not yet own the evolved content, making it easier for the user to own two or more evolved contents branched off from the common content.

Next, the computer
a content information storage means for storing content information in which a plurality of evolved contents branched from a common content are set;
a user information storage means for storing user information in which content owned by a user is set;
A privilege granting means for granting privileges to a user who has two or more evolved contents branched from a common content;
This is a program that enables the system to function as a
According to such a program, it is possible to increase the merit of possessing a plurality of evolved contents branched off from a common content.

====Embodiment====
The following describes in detail an information processing device, a program, and an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The present invention can be widely applied to information processing devices, programs, and information processing systems that employ a game in which a user's owned content (e.g., a character) evolves into a stronger content.

<<System configuration>>
Fig. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an example of an information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment has one or more client terminals 10 and a server device 20 connected via a network N.

The client terminal 10 is a terminal device operated by a user, such as a smartphone, tablet, or PC, or a terminal device such as a dedicated gaming device for home or commercial use. The server device 20 manages and controls the game played by the user on the client terminal 10, and processes billing within the game. The network N is the Internet, etc., and includes a mobile wireless base station, etc.

In addition to the client-server type information processing system 1 shown in FIG. 1, the present invention can also be applied to a standalone game device (information processing device) by providing a separate mechanism for in-game billing processing. The information processing system 1 in FIG. 1 is only one example, and it goes without saying that there are various system configuration examples depending on the application and purpose. For example, the server device 20 in FIG. 1 may be configured to be distributed across multiple computers.

<<Hardware configuration>>
<Client terminal and server device>
Fig. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of a computer 50 according to the present embodiment. The client terminal 10 and the server device 20 according to the present embodiment are realized by, for example, a computer 50 having the hardware configuration shown in Fig. 2. The computer 50 is an example of an information processing device.

As shown in FIG. 2, the computer 50 includes a CPU 51, a RAM 52, a ROM 53, a communication interface 54, an input device 55, a display device 56, an external interface 57, and a HDD 58, all of which are interconnected by a bus line B. Note that the server device 20 may be configured such that the input device 55 and the display device 56 are connected and used when necessary.

The CPU 51 is a calculation device that realizes the control and functions of the entire computer by reading programs and data from storage devices such as the ROM 53 and HDD 58 onto the RAM 52 and executing various processes based on the read programs and data.

RAM 52 is an example of a volatile semiconductor memory (storage device) for temporarily storing programs and data, and is also used as a work area when CPU 51 executes various processes.

ROM 53 is an example of a non-volatile semiconductor memory (storage device) that can retain programs and data even when the power is turned off. ROM 53 stores programs and data such as the BIOS, OS settings, and network settings that are executed when computer 50 is started.

The communication interface 54 is an interface for connecting the computer 50 to the network N. This allows the computer 50 to perform data communication via the communication interface 54.

The input device 55 is a device used by a user or administrator to input various signals. In this embodiment, the input device 55 is, for example, an operating device such as a touch panel, operation keys or buttons, a keyboard, or a mouse.

The display device 56 is a device for displaying various information to a user or administrator. In this embodiment, the display device 56 is, for example, a liquid crystal or organic electroluminescence display.

The external interface 57 is an interface for connecting to an external device so as to enable data communication. This allows the computer 50 to read and/or write data from and to a recording medium via the external interface 57. The external device is, for example, a recording medium such as a flexible disk, a CD, a DVD, an SD memory card, or a USB memory.

HDD 58 is an example of a non-volatile storage device that stores programs and data. The programs and data stored therein include the OS, which is the basic software that controls the entire computer, and applications that provide various functions on the OS.

In addition, instead of HDD 58, a drive device that uses flash memory as a storage medium (e.g., a solid-state drive: SSD) may be used.

The client terminal 10 and server device 20 according to this embodiment can perform various processes, as described below, by executing a program on a computer 50 having the hardware configuration described above.

<<Software configuration>>
<Server device>
3 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the server device 20 according to the present embodiment. The server device 20 according to the present embodiment is realized by, for example, the functional blocks shown in FIG.

The server device 20 according to this embodiment realizes a server control unit 200, a server storage unit 220, and a server communication unit 240 by executing a program.

The server control unit 200 has the function of executing various processes in the server device 20. In this embodiment, the server control unit 200 includes a request processing unit 201 and an information management unit 202.

The request processing unit 201 receives a request from the client terminal 10, performs processing corresponding to the received request, and transmits the processing results, etc. as a response to the client terminal 10.

The information management unit 202 stores various information about users who have played the game as user information in the user information storage unit 224. The information management unit 202 also refers to and updates user information, etc. in response to a request from the request processing unit 201.

The server storage unit 220 has a function of storing various information in the server device 20. In this embodiment, the server storage unit 220 includes a character information storage unit 221, an item information storage unit 222, a quest information storage unit 223, and a user information storage unit 224.

The character information storage unit 221 is an example of a content information storage unit, and stores character information (content information) related to characters as an example of content. The character information stored in the character information storage unit 221 is composed of various data items as shown below.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing an example of character information. The character information shown in FIG. 4 has items such as a character ID, a name, a rarity, a performance parameter, a skill, an evolved character, and a lottery probability. The character ID is information for uniquely identifying various characters. The name is information indicating the character name. The rarity is information indicating the rarity (rareness value) of the character. Here, one of the multiple rarity classes is initially set. In this embodiment, five levels of rarity from "1" to "5" can be set. Note that the rarity class is not limited to five levels, and may be four or less levels, or six or more levels. The performance parameter is information indicating the ability possessed by the character. Here, the performance values such as attack, defense, and HP are initially set. The skill is information indicating the special ability (such as a special move) possessed by the character. The evolved character is information indicating an evolved character that is even stronger than the pre-evolution character. In this embodiment, an evolved character without a branch (a single evolved character) may be set, or an evolved character branched from a common pre-evolution character may be set. For example, in the case of "Character C," "Character C1" is set as an evolved character with no branching. In the case of "Character D," "Character D1" and "Character D2" are set as two evolved characters that branch off from the common "Character D." The branching of evolved characters is not limited to two, and may be three or more. The lottery probability is information that indicates the probability that a character will win the lottery game.

The item information storage unit 222 stores item information about items used in the game. The item information stored in the item information storage unit 222 is composed of the various data listed below.

Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of item information. The item information shown in Figure 5 has items such as an item ID, name, and item effect. The item ID is information for uniquely identifying various items. The name is information indicating the name of the item. The item effect is information indicating the effect exerted by using the item.

The quest information storage unit 223 stores quest information related to quests that the user can challenge. The quest information stored in the quest information storage unit 223 is composed of the various data shown below.

Figure 6 is a configuration diagram showing an example of quest information. The quest information shown in Figure 6 has items such as a quest ID, a name, required points, an enemy character, an obtainable character, and an obtainable item. The quest ID is information for uniquely identifying a quest that is a unit of play. The name is information indicating the name of the quest. The required points is information indicating the number of game points (stamina) required to play the quest. The enemy character is information indicating a character that will be an opponent that appears in the quest among the multiple characters set in the character information stored in the character information storage unit 221. The obtainable character is information indicating one or more characters that the user can obtain in the quest among the multiple characters set in the character information stored in the character information storage unit 221. The obtainable item is information indicating one or more items that the user can obtain in the quest among the multiple items set in the item information stored in the item information storage unit 222. It is also possible to include a quest that can only be challenged by users who have two or more evolved characters branched off from a common pre-evolved character.

The user information storage unit 224 stores user information about the user. The user information stored in the user information storage unit 224 is composed of the various data listed below.

7 is a configuration diagram showing an example of user information. The user information shown in FIG. 7 has items such as a user ID, a name, a character owned, a party, an item owned, points owned, and play information. The user ID is information for uniquely identifying a user. The name is information indicating a user name. The character owned is information indicating one or more characters owned by the user at the present time among the multiple characters set in the character information stored in the character information storage unit 221. Here, as shown in parentheses in the figure, various parameters (level, attack power, defense power, HP, etc.) of the character owned at the present time are also set. In this embodiment, the number of times (number of times of synthesis) that the same or the characters that are regarded as the same synthesis material have been synthesized is also set. In this embodiment, among the characters owned, the evolution parameter (current value/maximum value) is also set for the pre-evolved character. The evolution parameter is a parameter indicating a criterion for whether or not the pre-evolved character can evolve. For example, when the evolution parameter reaches the maximum value, the pre-evolved character can evolve. The current value of the evolution parameter increases by a predetermined amount each time the pre-evolved character is included in a party (also called a "deck" or "team") when the pre-evolved character is actually used in a battle. In other words, the more the user uses a pre-evolved character in a battle, the closer the current value of the evolution parameter approaches the maximum value. Also, the current value of the pre-evolved character may increase by a predetermined amount only when the quest is cleared. The party is information indicating each character constituting the user's party. In this embodiment, when the user has two or more evolved characters branched off from a common character, one of the evolved characters can be included in the party. In other words, two or more evolved characters branched off from a common character cannot be included in the same party. It is also possible to include two or more evolved characters branched off from a common character in the same party. The possessed item is information indicating one or more items currently possessed by the user among the multiple items set in the item information stored in the item information storage unit 222. The possessed points are information indicating the amount of game points currently possessed by the user. The user can play a quest by consuming his/her own game points as many as the points required for the quest.

The server communication unit 240 has the function of communicating with the client terminal 10 via the network N.

<Client terminal>
8 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the client terminal 10 according to the present embodiment. The client terminal 10 according to the present embodiment is realized by, for example, the functional blocks shown in FIG.

The client terminal 10 according to this embodiment realizes a client control unit 100, a client storage unit 120, a client communication unit 140, an operation input reception unit 150, and a screen display unit 160 by executing a program.

The client control unit 100 has the function of executing various processes in the client terminal 10. This client control unit 100 includes a game progression unit 101, a server access unit 102, and a display control unit 103.

The game progression unit 101 controls the progress of various games. The game progression unit 101 according to this embodiment progresses a battle game, a lottery game, a synthesis game, etc., which will be described later, based on game operations received by the client terminal 10 from the user. This game progression unit 101 includes a battle unit 101A, a privilege granting unit 101B, a character granting unit 101C, an evolution unit 101D, a synthesis unit 101E, and a sale unit 101F.

The battle unit 101A controls the battle between characters who will be opponents against each other. The battle unit 101A in this embodiment determines the outcome of the battle between the characters who will be opponents against each other based on various parameters and the like possessed by each character included in the party.

The privilege granting unit 101B grants privileges to a user who has two or more evolved characters that branched off from a common character. When a user has two or more evolved characters that branched off from a common character, the privilege granting unit 101B according to this embodiment changes the parameters of at least one of the evolved characters to be advantageous to the user.

The character assigning unit 101C assigns to the user a character set in the character information stored in the character information storage unit 221. The character assigning unit 101C according to this embodiment assigns one or more characters to the user through a competitive game, a lottery game, or the like.

The evolution unit 101D evolves a character owned by the user into an even stronger character. In this embodiment, when an evolution condition is met for a pre-evolved character owned by the user, the evolution unit 101D does not allow the user to possess (does not possess) the pre-evolved character, but instead allows the user to possess the evolved character. An evolution condition in this embodiment is, for example, that the evolution parameters set for the pre-evolved character have reached their maximum value. Note that the evolution condition is not limited to this, and for example, it is also possible to obtain all of the characters that will be used as pre-set synthesis materials in a fighting game or lottery game, and synthesize all of them with the pre-evolved character (the character to be synthesized).

The synthesis unit 101E enhances one character by sacrificing (not possessing) the other character by synthesizing the other character with one of the multiple characters owned by the user. For example, the synthesis unit 101E according to the present embodiment increases the maximum value of the parameter set for the character to be the synthesis source stepwise each time the same character as the synthesis source character is synthesized as a synthesis material character. At this time, the synthesis material character becomes a character not owned by the user (i.e., is sacrificed). In addition, when the user has two or more evolved characters branched from a common character (pre-evolution character) that is the branch source, each time the user synthesizes the common character (pre-evolution character) that is the branch source with each evolved character, the maximum value of the parameters of each synthesized evolved character is increased stepwise. At this time, the common character (pre-evolution character) that is the branch source becomes a character not possessed (i.e., is sacrificed). In addition to this, when one evolved character is synthesized with another evolved character among multiple evolved characters branched from a common character, the maximum value of the parameters of the synthesized one evolved character may be increased to the next stage. At this time, other evolved characters will become characters you do not own.

The selling unit 101F sells a character owned by a user, and in exchange for not allowing the user to own the character (making it non-possessible), the selling unit 101F gives the user compensation. Each time the selling unit 101F in this embodiment sells a character, it gives the user game points as an example of compensation.

When access to the server device 20 becomes necessary during the various processes executed by the game progression unit 101, the server access unit 102 sends various processing requests to the server device 20 and receives processing results, etc. from the server device 20 as a response.

The display control unit 103 controls the screen display of the client terminal 10 according to the progress of various games. The display control unit 103 according to this embodiment controls the screen display of the client terminal 10 by generating data for various screens according to the progress of a competitive game or a lottery game controlled by the game progression unit 101, for example.

The operation input reception unit 150 receives operation input from a user operating the client terminal 10. The client storage unit 120 stores installed applications (game apps, etc.) and various programs and data required by the client terminal 10 (for example, character information, item information, quest information, user information, etc., similar to the server device 20). The client communication unit 140 communicates with the server device 20. The screen display unit 160 displays the screen of the client terminal 10 according to control from the display control unit 103.

As described above, in the information processing system 1 according to this embodiment, the game progress and display control are performed in the client terminal 10, but may also be performed by the server device 20. Specifically, at least one of the game progress unit and the display control unit may be configured not to be provided in the client control unit 100 of the client terminal 10, but to be provided in the server control unit 200 of the server device 20.

The client control unit 100 of the client terminal 10 may be of a browser type, which receives page data written in HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) or the like and scripts contained in the page data from the server device 20 and performs processing related to the game. The client control unit 100 of the client terminal 10 may be of an application type, which performs processing related to the game based on an installed application. Figure 8 shows the application type as an example.

＜＜System Overview＞＞
Here, an overview of the information processing system 1 in this embodiment will be described. The information processing system 1 in this embodiment includes at least a fighting game, a lottery game, and a combination game.

The battle game in this embodiment is a game in which an enemy character appears against a party made up of multiple characters, and each character in the party battles against the enemy character.

In this fighting game, multiple quests are set up, with the objective of defeating enemy characters, depending on the difficulty level. Users can form a party (also called "formation") using the characters they own, select one of the quests and challenge enemy characters to a battle. In that battle, the user may be given characters or items that are set to be obtainable in the selected quest.

The lottery game in this embodiment is a game in which a character to be granted to a user is determined by lottery, on the condition that the user uses (also referred to as "consuming") items such as paid items and non-paid items. In this lottery game, when a user performs a lottery operation, one of multiple characters that are lottery candidates is selected based on the lottery probability of each character, and the selected character is granted to the user.

The synthesis game in this embodiment is a game in which a user combines a character that will be the source of synthesis (a source character) from among multiple characters owned by the user with a character that will be the source of synthesis (a synthesis material character) and thereby strengthens the source character in exchange for losing the synthesis material character.

In this synthesis game, basically, each time a character identical to the original character is combined as a synthesis material character, the maximum value of the parameters set for that original character can be increased in stages. As an exception, if a user has two or more evolved characters that branch off from a common pre-evolved character, each time the user synthesizes each evolved character using the pre-evolved character that is the branch off as synthesis material, the maximum value of each of the synthesized evolved characters can be increased in stages. In other words, the pre-evolved character that is the branch off and the evolved character that is the branch off are treated as the same character. There is an upper limit to how much the maximum value can be increased. For example, the maximum value can be increased up to four stages (i.e., the maximum value can be increased until the number of synthesis times reaches a maximum of four).

In addition, the information processing system 1 in this embodiment allows users to evolve characters they own into even stronger characters, and gives privileges to users who own two or more evolved characters that branch off from a common character.

In character evolution in this embodiment, when a user possesses a pre-evolved character (pre-evolved character), the user can exchange the pre-evolved character for a stronger evolved character (evolved character). Specifically, when the evolution conditions are met for a pre-evolved character possessed by the user, the user loses the pre-evolved character but is instead able to possess an evolved character. However, in the case of multiple evolved characters that branch off from a common character, rather than an evolved character with no branching, when the evolution conditions are met for a pre-evolved character possessed by the user (i.e., the common character from which the branching originates), the user loses the pre-evolved character but is instead able to possess one of the evolved characters selected by the user from the multiple evolved characters that branch off into.

In this embodiment, the user privilege is given to a user who has two or more evolved characters branched from a common character. Specifically, when a user has two or more evolved characters branched from a common character, the user is given the right to change the parameters of at least one of the evolved characters to his/her advantage. For example, when a user has two evolved characters branched from a common character, if the user forms a party including one of the evolved characters and challenges a quest, one of the evolved characters included in the party in the quest will have increased ability parameters compared to when the privilege is not given. This allows the user to take advantage of the merit of having multiple evolved characters branched from a common character and fight advantageously in the quest. Note that if the user disposes of the remaining other evolved character by synthesis or sale (no longer possesses it), the user will no longer have two or more evolved characters branched from a common character, and will lose the privilege. Therefore, even if one of the evolved characters is included in the party, its ability parameters will not increase, and the user will no longer be able to fight advantageously in the quest.

In this way, users will actively collect many evolved characters that branch off from a common character in order to receive benefits such as being able to fight with an advantage in quests. As a result, it becomes possible to increase the benefits of owning multiple evolved characters that branch off from a common character.

<<System Operation>>
<Character Evolution>
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation related to the evolution of a character in this embodiment.

When a user performs a selection operation on the menu screen regarding character evolution, the client terminal 10 causes the screen display unit 160 to display a character screen on which characters owned by the user are arranged (step S11).

Specifically, when the user performs a selection operation on the menu screen, the evolution unit 101D of the client terminal 10 requests the server access unit 102 to execute character evolution processing. When the server access unit 102 of the client terminal 10 is requested by the evolution unit 101D to execute character evolution processing, it transmits a request regarding character evolution together with the user ID to the server device 20.

When the request processing unit 201 of the server device 20 accepts the request, it requests the information management unit 202 to execute a data acquisition process. When the information management unit 202 of the server device 20 is requested by the request processing unit 201 to execute a data acquisition process, it refers to the user information stored in the user information storage unit 224 to acquire the user information of the user corresponding to the transmitted user ID, and also acquires the character information stored in the character information storage unit 221. The request processing unit 201 transmits the user information and character information acquired by the information management unit 202 to the client terminal 10.

After that, when the evolution unit 101D of the client terminal 10 receives the information transmitted from the server device 20, it requests the display control unit 103 to execute a screen display process. When the display control unit 103 of the client terminal 10 is requested by the evolution unit 101D to execute a screen display process, it generates a possessed character screen based on the user information, etc. transmitted from the server device 20, and displays it on the screen display unit 160.

When the owned character screen is displayed on the screen display unit 160 of the client terminal 10, the user can operate the client terminal 10 to specify one of the multiple owned characters. The evolution unit 101D of the client terminal 10 determines whether or not an input specifying one of the owned characters has been received through a user operation (step S12).

If the evolution unit 101D of the client terminal 10 determines that an input specifying any of the owned characters has not yet been received (step S12: "NO"), it waits until the user inputs a designation. On the other hand, if it determines that an input specifying any of the owned characters has been received (step S12: "YES"), it proceeds to the next step S13.

Next, when the user performs an operation to designate one of the owned characters, the evolution unit 101D of the client terminal 10 determines whether the owned character designated by the user is a pre-evolved character (pre-evolved character) based on the user information and character information transmitted from the server device 20 (step S13).

If the evolution unit 101D of the client terminal 10 determines that the character is not a pre-evolved character (step S13: "NO"), it returns to the processing of step S11 described above, and since the owned character specified by the user is already an evolved character, it notifies the user of this and allows the user to specify a character on the owned character screen again. On the other hand, if it determines that the character is a pre-evolved character (step S13: "YES"), it proceeds to the next step S14.

Next, when the character designated by the user is a pre-evolved character, the evolution unit 101D of the client terminal 10 determines whether the designated pre-evolved character is a pre-evolved character of an evolved character without branching, based on the user information and character information transmitted from the server device 20 (step S14).

If the evolution unit 101D of the client terminal 10 determines that the character is not a pre-evolution character of an evolved character without branching (step S14: NO), the process proceeds to step S16 described below. On the other hand, if the evolution unit 101D determines that the character is a pre-evolution character of an evolved character without branching (step S14: YES), the process proceeds to the next step S15.

Next, if the evolution unit 101D of the client terminal 10 determines that the character is a pre-evolution character of an evolved character without branching, it determines whether the evolution conditions are met for the specified pre-evolution character (step S15).

Specifically, the evolution unit 101D of the client terminal 10 determines whether the evolution parameters of the pre-evolution character owned by the user specified by the user are maximum values based on the user information and character information sent from the server device 20. Then, if the evolution parameters of the pre-evolution character owned are maximum values, it is determined that the evolution conditions are met.

If the evolution unit 101D of the client terminal 10 determines that the evolution conditions are met for the specified pre-evolved character in possession (step S15: "YES"), the process proceeds to step S20, which will be described later. On the other hand, if the evolution unit 101D determines that the evolution conditions are not met for the specified pre-evolved character in possession (step S15: "NO"), the process for this character evolution ends.

Next, if the evolution unit 101D of the client terminal 10 determines in the processing of step S14 described above that the character is not a pre-evolution character of an evolved character with no branching (i.e., the character is a pre-evolution character of an evolved character that is a branching destination), it determines, based on the user information and character information sent from the server device 20, whether or not the user possesses at least one evolved character that is a branching destination of the specified pre-evolution character possessed (step S16).

When the evolution unit 101D of the client terminal 10 determines that the user does not yet possess an evolved character that is a branch destination of the designated pre-evolution character (step S16: NO), it determines whether the evolution condition for the designated pre-evolution character is satisfied (step S17) in the same manner as the process of step S15 described above. On the other hand, when it determines that the user possesses at least one evolved character that is a branch destination of the designated pre-evolution character (step S16: YES), it proceeds to the next step S18 without determining whether the evolution condition is satisfied.
In this way, if the user has at least one evolved character that is the branch destination of the pre-evolved character, the evolution conditions for the pre-evolved character are considered to have already been met, and the pre-evolved character can be instantly evolved into one of the evolved characters without going through a process of determining whether the evolution conditions have been met.

Next, if the user owns at least one evolved character that is a branch destination of the specified pre-evolved character owned (step S16: "YES"), or if the evolution conditions for the specified pre-evolved character owned are met (step S17: "YES"), the display control unit 103 of the client terminal 10 generates an evolution selection screen 500 for allowing the user to select an evolved character that is a branch destination of the specified pre-evolved character owned, based on the user information and character information sent from the server device 20, and displays the screen display unit 160 (step S18).

Figure 10 is an image diagram showing an example of an evolution destination selection screen 500. This evolution destination selection screen 500 includes a pre-evolution character display area 501 in which the possessed pre-evolution character specified by the user is displayed, a branch destination evolution character display area 502 in which the evolved character to which the specified possessed pre-evolution character will branch is displayed, and an operation button 503 for starting the evolution.

When the evolution destination selection screen 500 is displayed on the screen display unit 160 of the client terminal 10, the user selects one of the evolved characters from the branch destination evolved character display area 502, and then performs an operation on the client terminal 10 to select the operation button 503. When the user performs a selection operation to start evolution into one of the evolved characters, the operation input receiving unit 150 of the client terminal 10 receives an operation input based on the user's selection operation.
If the user already owns any of the evolved characters, a warning message to that effect may be displayed on the evolution destination selection screen 500 to prevent the user from accidentally evolving into the same evolved character as the one already owned (to prevent the user from choosing the wrong branch destination). Also, if the user owns all of the branch destination evolved characters, the user may be allowed to select the same evolved character as the one already owned.

Returning to FIG. 9, when the operation input receiving unit 150 receives the operation input from the user in this manner, the evolution unit 101D of the client terminal 10 determines whether or not the operation button 503 for starting the evolution on the evolution destination selection screen 500 shown in FIG. 10 has been selected by the user (step S19).

If the evolution unit 101D of the client terminal 10 determines that the operation button 503 for starting evolution has not been selected by the user (step S19: "NO"), it waits until the user makes a selection input. On the other hand, if it determines that the operation button 503 for starting evolution has been selected by the user (step S19: "YES"), it proceeds to the next step S20.

Next, when the user selects the operation button 503 for starting the evolution, the display control unit 103 of the client terminal 10 generates an evolution screen 550 for evolving the specified pre-evolved character based on the user information and character information transmitted from the server device 20, and displays it on the screen display unit 160 (step S20).

Figure 11 is an image diagram showing an example of an evolution screen 550. This evolution screen 550 displays a pre-evolution character display area 551 in which the owned character before evolution specified by the user is displayed, an evolved character display area 552 in which the evolved character of the specified pre-evolution character owned is displayed, an operation button 553 for confirming the evolution, and an operation button 554 for canceling the evolution and transitioning to the menu screen.

A user who wishes to confirm the evolution performs an operation on the client terminal 10 to select operation button 553 when evolution screen 550 is displayed on the screen display unit 160 of the client terminal 10. On the other hand, a user who wishes to cancel the evolution performs an operation on the client terminal 10 to select operation button 554 when evolution screen 550 is displayed on the screen display unit 160 of the client terminal 10. When a user performs a selection operation to confirm the evolution or a selection operation to cancel the evolution, the operation input receiving unit 150 of the client terminal 10 receives an operation input based on the user's selection operation.

Returning to FIG. 9, when the operation input receiving unit 150 receives the operation input from the user in this manner, the evolution unit 101D of the client terminal 10 determines whether or not the operation button 553 for confirming the evolution on the evolution screen 550 shown in FIG. 11 has been selected by the user (step S21).

If the evolution unit 101D of the client terminal 10 determines that the operation button 553 for confirming the evolution has not been selected by the user, that is, if the operation button 554 for canceling the evolution has been selected (step S21: "NO"), the process for this character evolution ends. On the other hand, if the evolution unit 101D of the client terminal 10 determines that the operation button 553 for confirming the evolution has been selected by the user (step S21: "YES"), the process proceeds to the next step S22.

Next, when the user selects the operation button 553 for confirming the evolution, the evolution unit 101D of the client terminal 10 evolves the pre-evolved character owned by the user, based on the user information and character information transmitted from the server device 20 (step S22).

Specifically, the evolution unit 101D of the client terminal 10 updates the user information of the user so that the user does not possess the specified pre-evolution owned character, but instead possesses an evolved character that is an evolution of the specified pre-evolution owned character. Then, when the evolution unit 101D of the client terminal 10 evolves the pre-evolution owned character specified by the user, it requests the server access unit 102 to execute a user information update process. When the server access unit 102 of the client terminal 10 is requested by the evolution unit 101D to execute a user information update process, it transmits a request for the update process to the server device 20 together with the user ID and the character ID. After that, when the request processing unit 201 of the server device 20 accepts the request, it requests the information management unit 202 to execute a data update process. When the information management unit 202 of the server device 20 is requested by the request processing unit 201 to execute a data update process, it refers to the user information stored in the user information storage unit 224, identifies the user information of the user corresponding to the transmitted user ID, and updates the user's possessed character based on the transmitted character ID.

When character evolution is performed in this manner, if the user possesses a pre-evolved character of an evolved character with no branching, and the evolution conditions for that pre-evolved character are met, the user will lose the pre-evolved character, but will instead be able to possess an evolved character with no branching. On the other hand, if the user possesses a pre-evolved character of an evolved character that is a branching destination, and the evolution conditions for that pre-evolved character are met, the user will lose the pre-evolved character, but will instead be able to possess one of the branching evolved characters that the user selected from among the multiple branching evolved characters. However, in this case, if the user possesses at least one evolved character that is a branching destination of the pre-evolution character possessed, the evolution conditions for that pre-evolved character are considered to have already been met, so there is no determination as to whether the evolution conditions are met, and the user will immediately lose the pre-evolved character, but will be able to possess one of the branching evolved characters that the user selected.

<Character Combination>
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation relating to character synthesis in this embodiment.

When a user performs a selection operation on the menu screen regarding character merging, the client terminal 10 causes the screen display unit 160 to display a character owned screen on which characters owned by the user are arranged (step S31).

Specifically, when the user performs a selection operation on the menu screen, the synthesis unit 101E of the client terminal 10 requests the server access unit 102 to execute a character synthesis process. When the server access unit 102 of the client terminal 10 is requested by the synthesis unit 101E to execute a character synthesis process, the server access unit 102 transmits a request for character synthesis together with the user ID to the server device 20.

When the request processing unit 201 of the server device 20 accepts the request, it requests the information management unit 202 to execute a data acquisition process. When the information management unit 202 of the server device 20 is requested by the request processing unit 201 to execute a data acquisition process, it refers to the user information stored in the user information storage unit 224 to acquire the user information of the user corresponding to the transmitted user ID, and also acquires the character information stored in the character information storage unit 221. The request processing unit 201 transmits the user information and character information acquired by the information management unit 202 to the client terminal 10.

Then, when the synthesis unit 101E of the client terminal 10 receives the information transmitted from the server device 20, it requests the display control unit 103 to execute a screen display process. When the display control unit 103 of the client terminal 10 is requested by the synthesis unit 101E to execute a screen display process, it generates a possessed character screen based on the user information, etc. transmitted from the server device 20, and displays it on the screen display unit 160.

When the owned character screen is displayed on the screen display unit 160 of the client terminal 10, the user can operate the client terminal 10 to specify a character (origin character) from among multiple owned characters. The synthesis unit 101E of the client terminal 10 determines whether or not an input specifying one of the origin characters has been received through a user operation (step S32).

If the synthesis unit 101E of the client terminal 10 determines that an input specifying any of the source characters has not yet been received (step S32: "NO"), it waits until the user inputs a specification. On the other hand, if it determines that an input specifying any of the owned characters has been received (step S32: "YES"), it proceeds to the next step S33.

Next, when the user performs an operation to designate one of the source characters, the synthesis unit 101E of the client terminal 10 determines, based on the user information transmitted from the server device 20, whether the number of synthesis times for the source character designated by the user has reached the maximum number of synthesis times (here, the maximum number of synthesis times is assumed to be four times) (step S33).

When the synthesis unit 101E of the client terminal 10 determines that the number of synthesis times for the specified source character has reached the maximum number of synthesis times (step S33: "YES"), it returns to the processing of step S31 described above, and since the number of synthesis times for the source character specified by the user has already reached the maximum number of synthesis times, it notifies the user of this fact and allows the user to specify a character on the owned character screen again. On the other hand, when it determines that the number of synthesis times for the source character has not yet reached the maximum number of synthesis times (step S33: "NO"), it proceeds to the next step S34.

Next, if the number of times the original character specified by the user has been synthesized has not yet reached the maximum number of times, the synthesis unit 101E of the client terminal 10 determines, based on the user information and character information transmitted from the server device 20, whether the user possesses a character (synthesis material character) that can be used as a synthesis material and is identical or can be considered to be identical to the original character specified by the user (step S34).

Specifically, the synthesis unit 101E of the client terminal 10 references the user information and character information of the user to determine whether the user possesses a character (synthesis material character) that is identical to the specified source character. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the evolved character that is the branch destination and the pre-evolved character that is the source of the branch are treated as being the same character. Therefore, for example, if the specified source character is an evolved character that is the branch destination, it is also determined whether the user possesses the pre-evolved character that is the source of the branch that can be considered to be the same.

If the synthesis unit 101E of the client terminal 10 determines that the user does not possess a synthesis material character that is identical or can be considered to be identical to the specified synthesis source character (step S34: "NO"), the process returns to the processing of step S31 described above, and since the synthesis source character cannot be synthesized, the user is notified of this fact and is prompted to specify a character on the possessed character screen again. On the other hand, if the synthesis unit 101E determines that the user possesses a synthesis material character that is identical or can be considered to be identical to the specified synthesis source character (step S34: "YES"), the process proceeds to the next step S35.

Next, if the display control unit 103 of the client terminal 10 has a synthesis material character that is identical or can be considered identical to the synthesis source character specified by the user, the display control unit 103 generates a synthesis screen 600 of the specified synthesis source character based on the user information and character information transmitted from the server device 20 and displays it on the screen display unit 160 (step S35).

Figure 13 is an image diagram showing an example of a compositing screen 600. This compositing screen 600 displays a compositing source character display area 601 in which the compositing source character specified by the user is displayed, a compositing material character display area 602 in which the compositing source character's compositing material character is displayed, an operation button 603 for confirming the compositing, and an operation button 604 for canceling the compositing and transitioning to a menu screen. Note that in this embodiment, the compositing material character display area 602 may display multiple compositing material characters for the compositing source character. In this case, the user is able to select the desired compositing material character.

A user who wishes to confirm the compositing performs an operation on the client terminal 10 to select the operation button 603 when the compositing screen 600 is displayed on the screen display unit 160 of the client terminal 10. On the other hand, a user who wishes to cancel the compositing performs an operation on the client terminal 10 to select the operation button 604 when the compositing screen 600 is displayed on the screen display unit 160 of the client terminal 10. When a selection operation for confirming the compositing or a selection operation for canceling the compositing is performed by the user, the operation input receiving unit 150 of the client terminal 10 receives an operation input based on the selection operation of the user.

Returning to FIG. 12, when the operation input receiving unit 150 receives the operation input from the user in this manner, the compositing unit 101E of the client terminal 10 determines whether the operation button 603 for confirming the compositing on the compositing screen 600 shown in FIG. 13 has been selected by the user (step S36).

If the synthesis unit 101E of the client terminal 10 determines that the operation button 603 for confirming the synthesis has not been selected by the user, that is, if the operation button 604 for canceling the synthesis has been selected (step S36: "NO"), the synthesis unit 101E ends the processing related to this character synthesis. On the other hand, if the synthesis unit 101E determines that the operation button 603 for confirming the synthesis has been selected by the user (step S36: "YES"), the processing proceeds to the next step S37.

Next, when the user selects the operation button 603 for confirming the synthesis, the synthesis unit 101E of the client terminal 10 synthesizes the source character specified by the user based on the user information and character information transmitted from the server device 20 (step S37).

Specifically, the synthesis unit 101E of the client terminal 10 updates the user information of the user so that the user does not possess a synthesis material character that is identical or can be considered identical to the specified synthesis source character, but instead possesses the specified synthesis source character as is. In addition, the maximum values of various parameters (attack, defense, HP, etc.) set for the specified synthesis source character are increased by one level.

For example, if a user possesses not only an evolved character that has branched off from a common character (pre-evolved character), but also the common character (pre-evolved character) that is the source of the branch, they can designate one of the evolved characters that is the destination of the branch as the source character and perform a synthesis, where the common character (pre-evolved character) that is the source of the branch can be used as a synthesis material. As a result of this synthesis, the maximum values of ability parameters, etc. of the evolved character that is the destination of the branch, designated as the source character, can be increased by one level.

Then, when the synthesis unit 101E of the client terminal 10 finishes synthesizing the original character specified by the user, it requests the server access unit 102 to execute a user information update process. When the server access unit 102 of the client terminal 10 is requested by the synthesis unit 101E to execute a user information update process, it transmits a request for the update process to the server device 20 together with the user ID and character ID. After that, when the request processing unit 201 of the server device 20 accepts the request, it requests the information management unit 202 to execute a data update process. When the information management unit 202 of the server device 20 is requested by the request processing unit 201 to execute a data update process, it refers to the user information stored in the user information storage unit 224, identifies the user information of the user corresponding to the transmitted user ID, and updates the user's owned character based on the transmitted character ID.

When characters are fused in this way, if the user has not only the original character but also a material character that is identical or can be considered identical to the original character, the user will lose the material character, but in exchange will be able to gradually increase the maximum values of various parameters set for the original character.

<Granting privileges>
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation regarding the granting of a privilege in this embodiment.

When user information is updated as a result of the evolution of a character specified by the user as described above, the privilege granting unit 101B of the client terminal 10 determines whether the user has a newly evolved character based on the character information (step S51).

If the privilege granting unit 101B of the client terminal 10 determines that the user does not possess a new evolved character (step S51: "NO"), it ends the processing related to granting the privilege. On the other hand, if it determines that the user possesses a new evolved character (step S51: "YES"), it proceeds to the next step S52.

Next, when the user acquires a new evolved character, the privilege granting unit 101B of the client terminal 10 determines whether the newly evolved character acquired by the user is an evolved character without branching, based on the user information and character information transmitted from the server device 20 (step S52).

If the privilege granting unit 101B of the client terminal 10 determines that the newly evolved character acquired by the user is an evolved character without branching (step S52: "YES"), the process related to granting the privilege ends. On the other hand, if the newly evolved character acquired by the user is not an evolved character without branching, that is, an evolved character that is the destination of a branch (step S52: "NO"), the process proceeds to the next step S53.

Next, if the newly evolved character acquired by the user is not an evolved character without a branch, i.e., an evolved character that is the destination of a branch, the privilege granting unit 101B of the client terminal 10 determines, based on the user information and character information transmitted from the server device 20, whether the user possesses two or more evolved characters that share the same pre-evolved character as the new evolved character that is the source of the branch (step S53).

For example, if "Character D1" and "Character D2" are set as evolved characters branched off from a common pre-evolution "Character D," and a user who previously owned "Character D1" now owns "Character D2," the user will now own two or more evolved characters that share the same pre-evolutionary character from which they branched off, and this determination process will result in a positive result.

If the privilege granting unit 101B of the client terminal 10 determines that the pre-evolved characters from the branching origin do not have two or more common evolved characters (step S53: "NO"), it ends the processing related to this privilege granting. On the other hand, if it determines that the pre-evolved characters from the branching origin have two or more common evolved characters (step S53: "YES"), it proceeds to the next step S54.

Next, the privilege granting unit 101B of the client terminal 10 grants privileges to a user if the user has two or more evolved characters that share a common pre-evolved character from which the characters branch (step S54).

Specifically, the privilege granting unit 101B of the client terminal 10 changes the parameters of at least one evolved character among two or more evolved characters that have a common pre-evolution character of the branch source to be advantageous to the user as a privilege for the user. In this embodiment, as a privilege for the user, various parameters (attack, defense, HP, etc.) set for at least one evolved character are increased (the maximum value of various parameters is increased). For example, when a user possesses two evolved characters that have a common pre-evolution character of the branch source, and forms a party including one of the evolved characters and challenges a quest, one evolved character included in the party in the quest can have increased ability parameters (attack, defense, HP, etc.) compared to when there is no privilege. Therefore, the user can take advantage of the merit of possessing multiple evolved characters branched from a common character and fight advantageously in the quest. Note that the other evolved character not included in the party may have various parameters increased in the same way as one evolved character, or may not have various parameters increased unlike one evolved character.

Then, the privilege granting unit 101B of the client terminal 10 significantly changes the parameters set for at least one of the two or more evolved characters that share a common pre-evolution character from which the branch origin is synthesized as a synthesis material (i.e., the more times the synthesis is performed), so that the parameters are more advantageous to the user. In this embodiment, the various parameters (attack, defense, HP, etc.) set for at least one evolved character are significantly increased (the maximum values of the various parameters are significantly increased). For example, if a user owns two evolved characters that share a common pre-evolution character from which the branch origin is synthesized for one of the evolved characters, the total number of synthesis times will be "two times." If the total number of combinations is "2," and the user forms a party that includes one of the evolved characters and takes on a quest, the ability parameters (attack, defense, HP, etc.) of one of the evolved characters in the party will be "1.2 times" higher than when the privilege is not granted. For example, if the total number of combinations calculated in this way is "4," the ability parameters (attack, defense, HP, etc.) of one of the evolved characters in the party will be "1.4 times" higher than when the privilege is not granted. For example, if the total number of combinations calculated in this way is "8," the ability parameters (attack, defense, HP, etc.) of one of the evolved characters in the party will be "1.8 times" higher than when the privilege is not granted.

In this way, by giving privileges to users who possess two or more evolved characters that share a common pre-evolved character as a branch, each user will be encouraged to actively collect as many evolved characters that branched off from the common pre-evolved character in order to receive benefits such as being able to fight with an advantage in quests. As a result, it is possible to increase the benefits of possessing multiple evolved characters that branched off from a common pre-evolved character.

===Other embodiments===
The above-described embodiments are provided to facilitate understanding of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention may be modified or improved without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and equivalents thereof are also included in the present invention. In particular, the following embodiments are also included in the present invention.

<Conditions for granting privileges>
In the above embodiment, a case where a privilege is granted to a user who has two or more evolved characters branched from a common pre-evolution character has been described as an example, but a privilege may be granted to a user who has two or more evolved characters with different branch destinations, or a privilege may be granted to a user who has two or more evolved characters with the same branch destination. For example, when "character D1" and "character D2" are set as two evolved characters branched from a common pre-evolution "character D", a privilege may be granted to a user who has "character D1" and "character D2", which are evolved characters with different branch destinations, or a privilege may be granted to a user who has two "character D1" (or two "character D2"), which are evolved characters with the same branch destination.

In the above embodiment, an example was given of a case where privileges are granted to a user who currently possesses two or more evolved characters that branched off from a common pre-evolved character, but privileges may also be granted to a user who has possessed two or more evolved characters that branched off from a common pre-evolved character, including at some point in the past.

In the above embodiment, a case was described in which a user was granted a privilege for possessing two or more evolved characters that branched off from a common pre-evolved character, but a user may be granted a privilege not only for possessing two or more evolved characters that branched off from a common pre-evolved character, but also for including one of the evolved characters in a party to be used in a battle. A user may also be granted a privilege for including each evolved character in a party to be used in a battle.

In the above embodiment, an example was given of a case where a user is automatically granted privileges when they possess two or more evolved characters that branch off from a common pre-evolved character, but privileges may be granted only when the user performs a specified operation after possessing two or more evolved characters that branch off from a common pre-evolved character.

<Examples of privileges>
In the above-described embodiment, an example was given of a case in which the privilege granting unit 101B of the client terminal 10 grants a privilege to a user by changing the parameters of an evolved character branched off from a common pre-evolved character to the user's advantage, but the present invention is not limited to this.

For example, as a privilege given to a user by the privilege granting unit 101B of the client terminal 10, the parameters set for at least two of two or more evolved characters branched off from a common pre-evolved character may be made mutually exchangeable. Specifically, if a user to whom the privilege has been granted possesses all two evolved characters branched off from a common pre-evolved character, the ability values of one of the evolved characters can be swapped for the ability values of the other evolved character. Note that in this case, it is also possible to make the characters mutually exchangeable on the condition that the user uses a specified item.

For example, as a privilege given to a user by the privilege granting unit 101B of the client terminal 10, the character designs (e.g., outfits, hairstyles, equipment, etc.) set for at least two of two or more evolved characters branched off from a common pre-evolved character may be made mutually interchangeable. Specifically, if a user to whom the privilege has been granted owns all two evolved characters branched off from a common pre-evolved character, the user can change the outfit of one of the evolved characters with the outfit of the other evolved character. At this time, it is also possible to make the mutual exchange possible on the condition that the user uses a specified item.

For example, as a privilege given to a user by the privilege granting unit 101B of the client terminal 10, the parameters of two or more evolved characters branching off from a common pre-evolved character that are most advantageous to the user may be set as the parameters of each evolved character.

For example, it is also possible to set the amount of game points consumed when playing a quest as a privilege granted to a user by the privilege granting unit 101B of the client terminal 10 to be less than when the privilege is not available.

<Special Evolution>
In the above embodiment, when the user obtains all of the evolved characters that branch off from a common pre-evolution character, the user may be allowed to acquire a special evolved character that is further evolved from the evolved character. Although the special evolved character is prepared in advance in the character information, it may be set to a secret state in the initial setting, and may be set to an open state from the secret state when the user obtains all of the evolved characters.

<Evolution conditions>
In the above embodiment, it is also possible to make the ease of satisfying the evolution condition different between a case where the user already owns at least one evolved character among the multiple evolved characters branched off from a common pre-evolution character and a case where the user does not yet own any of the multiple evolved characters branched off from the common pre-evolution character. For example, even if the user already owns at least one evolved character among the multiple evolved characters branched off from the common pre-evolution character, if the evolution condition is that the evolution parameter of the common pre-evolution character is maximized, the maximum value may be set lower for a user who already owns one evolved character branched off from the common pre-evolution character than for a user who does not yet own any.

<Evolution from evolved characters>
In the above embodiment, it has been explained that the pre-evolved character can be evolved by the user selecting one of the multiple evolved characters branched off from a common pre-evolved character, but in case the user mistakenly selects an evolved character that he or she already owns, it may be possible to allow the user to evolve one evolved character into another evolved character by exchange. In this case, it is also possible to make the exchange possible on the condition that the user uses a specified item.

<Contents>
In the above embodiment, the content is a character set in the character information, but the content is not limited to this. For example, the content may be an item, a card, a figure, an avatar, an icon, or the like.

1 Information processing system 10 Client terminal 20 Server device 50 Computer 51 CPU
52 RAM
53 ROM
54 Communication interface 55 Input device 56 Display device 57 External interface 58 HDD
100 Client control unit 101 Game progression unit 101A Battle unit 101B Privilege granting unit 101C Character granting unit 101D Evolution unit 101E Synthesis unit 101F Selling unit 102 Server access unit 103 Display control unit 120 Client storage unit 140 Client communication unit 150 Operation input reception unit 160 Screen display unit 200 Server control unit 201 Request processing unit 202 Information management unit 220 Server storage unit 221 Character information storage unit 222 Item information storage unit 223 Quest information storage unit 224 User information storage unit 240 Server communication unit 500 Evolution destination selection screen 501 Pre-evolution character display area 502 Branch destination evolution character display area 503 Operation button 550 Evolution screen 551 Pre-evolution character display area 552 Evolution character display area 553 Operation button 554 Operation button 600 Synthesis screen 601 Synthesis source character display area 602 Composite material character display area 603 Operation button 604 Operation button B Bus line N Network

Claims (2)

a content information storage unit that stores content information in which a plurality of types of evolved content branched from a common content is set;
a user information storage unit that stores user information in which content owned by a user is set;
a privilege granting unit that determines whether or not the user has a plurality of evolved contents branched from a common content based on the content information and the user information , and grants a privilege to the user when the determination is affirmative;
Equipped with
the privilege granting unit, when the user plays a game using one of the evolution contents owned by the user as the privilege, changes a parameter set for the one evolution content to be advantageous to the user even if the one evolution content is not combined with another evolution content among the evolution contents;
23. An information processing apparatus comprising: Computer,
a content information storage means for storing content information in which a plurality of types of evolved content branched off from a common content is set;
a user information storage means for storing user information in which content owned by a user is set;
a privilege granting means for determining whether or not the user owns a plurality of evolved contents branched from a common content based on the content information and the user information, and granting a privilege to the user when the determination is affirmative;
Function as a
the privilege granting means, when the user plays a game using one of the evolution contents owned by the user as the privilege, changes a parameter set for the one evolution content to be advantageous to the user even if the one evolution content is not combined with another evolution content from the evolution contents;
A program characterized by:

Images