JP7694440B2 - PROGRAM AND INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS - Google Patents

Description

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

Conventionally, games are known in which it is possible to form groups to which multiple players belong.

Regarding such games, for example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a multiplayer battle game in which multiple players belonging to a group cooperate to battle an enemy character common to each of the multiple players. Also, for example, Patent Document 2 below discloses a game in which multiple players matched into the same group compete against each other.

JP 2019-122760 A JP 2020-025772 A

The game disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 above has the problem that even if a player takes an action that contributes to the group to which he or she belongs, the player cannot be given honor.

The present invention was made in consideration of these problems, and aims to provide a program and information processing device that can give honor to players.

The program according to the first aspect of the present invention is a program for a game in which a group can be formed to which multiple players belong, and causes a computer capable of communicating with the terminal device of the player to function as a selection means for selecting a target player from among the multiple players as an evaluation target while the game is being executed, and an output means for outputting, while the game is being executed, an evaluation of the target player selected by the selection means to the target player and to the terminal devices of other players who belong to the same group as the target player.

In the program according to the second aspect of the present invention, the selection means executes automatic selection, which selects the target player through automatic control by the computer, and/or manual selection, which selects the target player in response to a player's operation.

In the program according to the third aspect of the present invention, the selection means changes the execution ratio of the automatic selection to the manual selection during execution of the game based on a predetermined condition.

In the program according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the predetermined condition is that the degree of execution of the manual selection after the start of the game is equal to or less than a threshold value, and when the predetermined condition is satisfied, the selection means increases the execution ratio compared to when the predetermined condition is not satisfied.

In the program according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the predetermined condition is a condition based on the elapsed time after the start of the game, and the selection means increases the execution ratio when the predetermined condition is satisfied compared to when the predetermined condition is not satisfied.

In the program according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the output means outputs the evaluation to the terminal device in association with the player's playing status during execution of the game.

In the program according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the selection means further sets an output player from among the target player and other players belonging to the same group as the target player as a player who outputs the evaluation by the output means, and the output means outputs the evaluation to the terminal device of the output player set by the selection means.

In the program according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the selection means sets the output player in response to a player's operation.

The program according to the ninth aspect of the present invention further causes the computer to function as a determination means for determining the content of the evaluation, and the selection means sets the output player based on the result of the determination by the determination means.

The program according to a tenth aspect of the present invention further causes the computer to function as a reception means for receiving chat information for a destination player in response to a player's operation while the game is being executed, and a determination means for determining whether the chat information received by the reception means corresponds to an evaluation, and the selection means selects the destination player as the target player when the determination means determines that the chat information corresponds to an evaluation.

An information processing device according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention is an information processing device capable of communicating with a terminal device of a player who plays a game in which a group to which a plurality of players belong can be formed, and includes a selection means for selecting a target player from among the plurality of players as an evaluation target while the game is being played, and an output means for outputting, while the game is being played, an evaluation of the target player selected by the selection means to the terminal device of the target player and other players who belong to the same group as the target player.

The present invention allows players to be honored.

1 is a block diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a game system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the server device in FIG. 1 . FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a server device. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a process flow for outputting an evaluation by a server device in a game system. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a game execution screen displayed on a terminal device, the game execution screen including an evaluation based on automatic selection. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a game execution screen displayed on a terminal device, the game execution screen including an evaluation based on a manual selection. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a game execution screen displayed on a terminal device, the game execution screen including an evaluation based on chat information.

Below, an embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as "the present embodiment") will be described with reference to the attached drawings. To facilitate understanding of the description, the same components and steps in each drawing will be given the same reference numerals as much as possible, and duplicate descriptions will be omitted.

<Overall composition>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a game system 1 according to this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the game system 1 is a system that provides a game to one or more players. The game system 1 includes a server device 10 as an information processing device, and one or more terminal devices 12. The server device 10 and the terminal devices 12 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a communication network NT such as the Internet, an intranet, or a telephone line.

The server device 10 is an information processing device that provides a game obtained by executing the game program 14, or the game program 14 itself, to users of each terminal device 12 via the communication network NT. In this embodiment, the server device 10 executes the game program 14 and transmits and outputs the results of the execution (image data, audio data, etc.) to each terminal device 12, thereby providing a game to the users of each terminal device 12. Note that the game program 14 may be executed jointly by the terminal device 12 and the server device 10.

Each terminal device 12 is an information processing device owned by a player, and provides a game to the player by outputting the execution results of the game program 14 received from the server device 10. These terminal devices 12 include various devices such as video game machines, portable game machines, arcade game machines, mobile phones, smartphones, tablets, and personal computers. Each terminal device 12 may provide a game to the player by downloading the game program 14 from the server device 10 and executing the game program 14 itself.

<Hardware Configuration>
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the server device 10 of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the server device 10 includes a control device 20, a communication device 26, and a storage device 28. The control device 20 is mainly configured with a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 22 and a memory 24.

The control device 20 functions as various functional components by the CPU 22 executing a predetermined program stored in the memory 24 or the storage device 28, etc. The details of this mechanical configuration will be described later.

The communication device 26 is configured with a communication interface for communicating with an external device. For example, the communication device 26 transmits and receives various information to and from the terminal device 12.

The storage device 28 is composed of a hard disk or the like. This storage device 28 stores various programs and information necessary for executing processes in the control device 20, including the game program 14, as well as information on the results of the processing.

The server device 10 can be realized using an information processing device such as a dedicated or general-purpose server computer. The server device 10 may be configured from a single information processing device, or may be configured from multiple information processing devices distributed over the communication network NT.

In addition, FIG. 2 shows only a portion of the main hardware configuration of the server device 10, and the server device 10 may have other configurations that are generally included in a server. In addition, the hardware configuration of the terminal device 12 may have the same configuration as the server device 10, except for including, for example, an operating means, a display device, and a sound output device.

＜Game Overview＞
The game system 1 according to the present embodiment is not particularly limited as long as it is a game in which a group to which a plurality of players belong can be formed. A specific example of the game is a multiplayer battle game in which a plurality of players belonging to a group battle an enemy character (NPC: non-player character) common to each of the plurality of players. In such a battle game, the objective is for the plurality of players belonging to the group to cooperate with each other to win against the enemy character (to defeat the enemy character). In addition, the game may be a game in which a plurality of players matched to the same group compete against each other.

The following describes an example of a multiplayer competitive game in which players connect to the server device 10 via the communications network NT and cooperate with other players in the same group to compete in a network game.

In this embodiment, the player cooperates with other players in the same group to play a battle game against a common enemy character by controlling or directing a predetermined number of player characters (hereinafter, one in this embodiment). The player character attacks the enemy character, thereby reducing the enemy character's vitality parameter (causing damage). In response, the enemy character counterattacks the player character, reducing the player character's vitality parameter. The character whose vitality parameter first reaches zero is deemed unable to fight and is considered to have lost the battle game. When the player character becomes unable to fight (is defeated), the player can consume an item that restores the player character's vitality parameter, etc., and challenge the enemy character to a battle game again. In this way, each player belonging to a group can gradually reduce the enemy character's vitality parameter and contribute to the victory of the group to which he or she belongs.

<Functional configuration>
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the server device 10. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, the server device 10 has, as its functional configuration, a storage means 40, an execution means 42, a reception means 44, a selection means 46, a determination means 48, and an output means 50.

The storage means 40 is realized by one or more storage devices 28. Functional configurations other than the storage means 40 are realized by the control device 20 executing the game program 14 stored in the storage device 28 or the like. In addition, all or part of the functional configurations of the server device 10 may be provided in the terminal device 12. For example, the execution means 42 and the output means 50 may be provided in the terminal device 12, not in the server device 10. In addition, the server device 10 only needs to be connectable to the storage means 40, and may be connected to the storage means 40 inside the server device 10 or may be connected to the storage means 40 outside the server device 10. In other words, the server device 10 itself may not have the storage means 40, and the storage means 40 may be provided in another server device or the like.

The storage means 40 stores play data 40A for each player and group information 40B for each group.

Play data 40A includes, for example, the player's identification information (player name, player ID, etc.), the identification information of the group to which the player belongs (group name, group ID, etc.), the player's owned character information (character name, character ID, character image, level, etc.), the player's owned item information (item name, item ID, number owned, expiration date, etc.), player rank, the player's game progress, game history, as well as the player's evaluation information.

The evaluation information of a player includes the content of evaluations of the player and the number of evaluations. The evaluation of the player is not particularly limited as long as it is an evaluation of the player, and may be an evaluation of the characteristics or attitude of the player himself, an evaluation of the player's past playing record, etc., or an evaluation of the player's playing situation while the game is being executed. In this embodiment, a case will be described where the evaluation of the player is an evaluation of the player's playing situation while the game is being executed. The content of the evaluation includes a high evaluation that indicates a positive meaning such as favorable or supportable, and a low evaluation that indicates a negative meaning such as unfavorable or unsupportable. Note that the content of the evaluation is not limited to a high evaluation or a low evaluation, and may include other content such as content indicating indifference, for example.

Group information 40B includes, for example, group identification information (group name, group ID, etc.), group level, group rank, group leader name (administrator name, etc.), sub-leader name, and names of players belonging to the group, as well as statistical information on the evaluations of players belonging to the group. The statistical information on player evaluations is information that indicates the statistical results of the evaluations of players belonging to the group, such as the statistical results of the content of the evaluations and the total number of evaluations.

The execution means 42 has a function of executing a game in which a group to which multiple players belong can be formed. The execution means 42 executes a game in response to the operations of each player. In this embodiment, the execution means 42 executes (progresses) a fighting game against an enemy character that is common to multiple players belonging to the group.

The reception means 44 has a function of receiving, in response to a player's operation while the game is being executed by the execution means 42, the selection of one or more players to be evaluated and an evaluation of the selected player. The information received by the reception means 44 (the selected player and the evaluation of the player) is output to the selection means 46.

For example, in a situation where the play situation is output on the game execution screen of the terminal device 12, the player can perform a selection operation to select a player to be evaluated from among the players whose play situation is output, and an input operation to input an evaluation for the player. Examples of the player selection operation include an operation to input or select the player's identification information (player name or player ID) and a tap operation on an icon indicating a player character. Examples of the evaluation input operation include an operation to input a character string indicating the content of the evaluation, an operation to select a button or the like corresponding to the content of the evaluation, and a tap operation corresponding to the content of the evaluation. In this embodiment, it is assumed that different operations are set in advance according to the content of the evaluation, such as a double tap for an operation corresponding to a high evaluation and a triple tap for an operation corresponding to a low evaluation. The reception means 44 receives the selection of a player to be evaluated and the evaluation for the player, for example, in association with the play situation output immediately before the selection operation and the input operation by the player.

The receiving means 44 also has a function of receiving chat information for a destination player in response to a player's operation while the game is being executed by the execution means 42. The chat information includes destination information indicating the destination player and message information to be sent to the destination player. The destination information is, for example, identification information (player name or player ID) of a player selected as the destination from among players belonging to the same group. The message information is, for example, a character string, an emoticon, a stamp, an image, a photograph, etc.

For example, in a situation where a chat input field for inputting chat information is output on the game execution screen, the player can perform an operation of posting the chat information. The posting operation includes, for example, an operation of designating destination information, an operation of inputting message information, and an operation of instructing the transmission of the message information. Examples of the operation of designating destination information include an operation of inputting or selecting the identification information of the player selected as the destination in the chat input field, and an operation of dragging and dropping an icon representing the player character into the chat input field. Examples of the operation of inputting message information include an operation of inputting a character string into the chat input field, and an operation of selecting an emoticon, stamp, or the like in the chat input field. Examples of the operation of instructing the transmission of message information include an operation of pressing a send button output on the game execution screen. The accepting means 44 accepts the chat information in response to the player's operation of posting the chat information. Also, the chat information does not necessarily have to include destination information. That is, the player can post message information to the entire group without designating a destination player. For example, in response to a player inputting only message information without performing an operation to specify destination information (without specifying a destination player), the reception means 44 may receive chat information including only message information and no destination information. The chat information received by the reception means 44 may be output to the selection means 46 and the determination means 48.

The selection means 46 has a function of selecting a target player as an evaluation target from among multiple players belonging to the group while the game is being executed by the execution means 42. Information indicating the target player selected by the selection means 46 is output to the output means 50. The selection means 46 executes automatic selection of the target player by the computer and/or manual selection of the target player in response to the player's operation. Automatic selection refers to selection of the target player by automatic control by the server device 10 as a computer. In contrast, manual selection refers to selection of the target player by receiving the selection of the target player in response to the player's operation by the reception means 44.

For example, when performing automatic selection, the selection means 46 automatically selects one or more target players from among multiple players based on the playing situation, etc., and automatically determines an evaluation for the target players. For example, the selection means 46 selects a player who has played in a way that contributes to the victory of the group as the target player, and determines the evaluation for the target player as a high evaluation. The selection means 46 may select a player who has played in a way that is opposite to the way that contributes to the victory of the group (play that is disadvantageous to the group) as the target player, and determine the evaluation for the target player as a low evaluation. Furthermore, when performing manual selection, the selection means 46 selects a player whose selection is accepted by the acceptance means 44 as the target player, and determines the evaluation accepted by the acceptance means 44 as the evaluation for the target player. The evaluation determined by the selection means 46 is output to the determination means 48 and the output means 50.

The selection means 46 also changes the execution ratio of automatic selection to manual selection during game execution based on predetermined conditions. The execution ratio of automatic selection to manual selection is the ratio of the execution degree of automatic selection based on the execution degree of manual selection. The execution degree is indicated, for example, by the number of executions, the execution frequency, or the execution period. In this embodiment, the execution degree is indicated by the number of executions, and the execution ratio of automatic selection to manual selection is described as the ratio of the number of executions of manual selection in a predetermined period to the number of executions of automatic selection in the predetermined period.

The predetermined condition is, for example, that the degree to which manual selection is performed by the execution means 42 after the start of the game is equal to or less than a threshold value. Examples of this predetermined condition include that the total number of times manual selection is performed in response to operations by multiple players in the same group is 5 times or less, or that the number of times manual selection is performed in response to operations by each player in the same group is 1 time or less.

The predetermined condition is, for example, a condition based on the time elapsed since the game was started by the execution means 42. Examples of conditions based on the time elapsed since the game was started include the time elapsed since the game was started being less than a predetermined reference time, or being greater than a predetermined reference time, etc. Examples of the predetermined time include a preset time such as several minutes to several hours, or about 10% to 20% of the preset time for the game execution time.

When the specified condition is satisfied, the selection means 46 increases the execution ratio of automatic selection to manual selection compared to when the specified condition is not satisfied. That is, when the specified condition is satisfied, the selection means 46 executes more automatic selections relative to manual selections compared to when the specified condition is not satisfied. In contrast, when the specified condition is not satisfied, the selection means 46 decreases the execution ratio of automatic selection to manual selection or stops execution of automatic selection compared to when the specified condition is satisfied. That is, when the specified condition is not satisfied, the selection means 46 executes less automatic selection relative to manual selection compared to when the specified condition is satisfied, or executes only manual selection without executing automatic selection.

The selection means 46 also has a function of further setting an output player as the player who will output the evaluation, from among the target player and other players who belong to the same group as the target player.

For example, the selection means 46 sets the output player in response to a player operation. Examples of the player operation include an operation of inputting or selecting identification information of a player to be set as the output player on an output player setting screen, or a tap operation on an icon indicating the player character of the player. The player operation is accepted by, for example, the acceptance means 44. The selection means 46 sets the player selected in response to the operation as the output player.

The selection means 46 also sets the output player based on the result of the determination made by the determination means 48 regarding the content of the evaluation. For example, when the determination means 48 determines that the content of the evaluation is a high evaluation, the selection means 46 sets the target player and all other players belonging to the same group as the target player as output players. In contrast, when the determination means 48 determines that the content of the evaluation is not a high evaluation (is a low evaluation), the selection means 46 sets only the parties involved in the evaluation, i.e., the target player and the player who selected the target player, as output players. Information indicating the output player set by the selection means 46 is output to the output means 50.

The selection means 46 also has a function of selecting a destination player, which indicates the destination of the chat information, as the target player when the determination means 48 determines that the chat information corresponds to an evaluation. In this case, the selection means 46 determines the evaluation based on the message information included in the chat information. For example, the selection means 46 determines an evaluation corresponding to the evaluation result based on the result of the determination by the determination means 48 of the content of the evaluation. The evaluation corresponding to the evaluation result is, for example, a high evaluation when the determination result is a high evaluation, and a low evaluation when the determination result is a low evaluation. The selection means 46 may also determine the message information itself as the evaluation. When the reception means 44 receives chat information that does not include destination information, the selection means 46 may select the destination player determined by the determination means 48 as the target player, and determine the evaluation determined by the determination means 48 to be a high evaluation (or a low evaluation) as the evaluation for the target player.

The determination means 48 has a function of determining the content of the evaluation of the target player. For example, the determination means 48 determines whether or not the content of the evaluation of the target player selected by the selection means 46 is a high evaluation. Note that in this embodiment, when the content of the evaluation is not a high evaluation, it refers to when the content of the evaluation is a low evaluation, but is not limited to this and may include, for example, content indicating indifference. The result of the determination of the content of the evaluation by the determination means 48 is output to the selection means 46.

The determination means 48 also has a function of determining whether the chat information received by the reception means 44 corresponds to an evaluation. For example, the determination means 48 determines whether the content corresponds to an evaluation based on the content of the message information included in the chat information. For example, when the message information includes an evaluation of the player, the determination means 48 determines that the message information corresponds to an evaluation. More specifically, when the message information includes an evaluation of the destination player indicated by the destination information, such as "Thanks for the help!" or "That play was not good!", the determination means 48 determines that the message information corresponds to an evaluation. In contrast, when the message information does not include an evaluation of the player, the determination means 48 determines that the message information does not correspond to an evaluation. More specifically, when the message information includes a content that is unrelated to an evaluation of the player, such as "Hello!" or "You're about to lose!", the determination means 48 determines that the message information does not correspond to an evaluation. The determination result of whether the chat information corresponds to an evaluation by the determination means 48 is output to the selection means 46.

Furthermore, when the determination means 48 determines that the content of the message information corresponds to an evaluation, it further determines whether or not the evaluation indicated by the message information is a high evaluation based on the content of the message information. For example, if the message information contains the content "Thanks for your help!", the determination means 48 determines that the evaluation is a high evaluation since it has a positive meaning for the destination player. On the other hand, if the message information contains the content "That play was not good!", the determination means 48 determines that the evaluation is not a high evaluation since it has a negative meaning for the destination player.

In addition, when the reception means 44 receives chat information including only message information and not destination information, the determination means 48 also determines to which player the message information was sent. That is, when the destination player of the message information is not specified by the player, the determination means 48 automatically determines the destination player. The determination means 48 determines the destination player of the message information, for example, based on the game play situation before and after the message information was received by the reception means 44. More specifically, when player B posts chat information including the message information "Nice!" without specifying a destination player within a certain time after player A inflicts great damage on an enemy character, the determination means 48 determines player A as the destination player of the message information. Furthermore, in this case, the determination means 48 determines that the evaluation is high based on the content of the message information.

The output means 50 has a function of outputting, during execution of the game by the execution means 42, an evaluation of the target player selected by the selection means 46 to the terminal device 12 of the target player and other players who belong to the same group as the target player. In this embodiment, output to the terminal device 12 refers to displaying on the screen of the terminal device 12, but the output may also include outputting to the terminal device 12 by sound or the like.

The output means 50 outputs the evaluation determined by the selection means 46 as the evaluation for the target player. The output means 50 displays the evaluation in a different manner according to the content of the evaluation on the screen of the terminal device 12 that outputs the evaluation for the target player. For example, when the content of the evaluation for the target player is a high evaluation, the output means 50 displays a "Like!" mark indicating a gesture of putting up a thumb or a heart mark, etc., as information indicating that the evaluation for the target player is high. On the other hand, when the content of the evaluation for the target player is a low evaluation, the output means 50 displays a "Not good!" mark indicating a gesture of putting up a thumb and pointing down, etc., as information indicating that the evaluation for the target player is low.

The output means 50 also outputs the playing status of the player during game execution to the terminal device 12, which is the output destination of the evaluation, and outputs an evaluation for the target player in association with the playing status. For example, the output means 50 displays the playing status of the target player in a predetermined display field on the game execution screen of the terminal device 12, and displays an evaluation for the target player in the display field, outputting the evaluation so that it is identifiable as an evaluation of the playing status of the target player.

The output means 50 may also display automatically selected ratings and manually selected ratings in a distinguishable manner on the game execution screen of the terminal device 12 to which the ratings are output. For example, the output means 50 may display information indicating automatically selected ratings and information indicating manually selected ratings in different colors, densities, etc. The output means 50 may also display information indicating the number of ratings in addition to the information indicating the ratings.

<Processing flow>
4 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a process for outputting an evaluation by the server device 10 in the game system 1. Note that the order or content of the following process can be changed as appropriate.

(Step SP10)
When the login authentication of the player is successful, the execution means 42 acquires the play data 40A of the player, and transmits screen data of a menu screen corresponding to the acquired play data 40A to the terminal device 12, thereby displaying the menu screen on the terminal device 12. Then, the processing proceeds to the processing of step SP12.

(Step SP12)
The execution means 42 judges whether or not a game has been started in response to the player's operation on the menu screen displayed in the processing of step SP10. For example, it judges whether or not a button for starting the game has been pressed by the player. If the judgment is affirmative, the processing proceeds to processing of step SP14. If the judgment is negative, the processing returns to processing of step SP10, and the processing of the following step SP12 is repeated, for example, until a condition for ending the game is satisfied.

(Step SP14)
The execution means 42 transmits screen data of the game execution screen to the terminal device 12, thereby causing the terminal device 12 to display the game execution screen and execute the game. Then, the process proceeds to step SP16.

(Step SP16)
The output means 50 transmits screen data of a game execution screen including the play status to the terminal device 12, thereby causing the terminal device 12 to display the game execution screen. Then, the process proceeds to step SP18.

(Step SP18)
The selection means 46 executes automatic selection of a target player. For example, the selection means 46 selects a player who has played in a manner that contributes to the victory of the group as the target player based on the playing situation, and determines the evaluation of the target player as a high evaluation. Then, the process proceeds to the process of step SP20.

(Step SP20)
The output means 50 transmits screen data of the game execution screen including the automatically selected evaluation selected in the processing of step SP18 to the terminal device 12, thereby causing the terminal device 12 to display the game execution screen.

Figure 5 shows an example of a game execution screen 100A displayed on the terminal device 12, including an evaluation based on automatic selection.

As shown in FIG. 5, the game execution screen 100A includes, for example, an evaluation mark 102, a play status 104, an icon 106, an enemy character 108, a chat input field 110, and a send button 112.

The evaluation mark 102 is a "Like!" mark that indicates a high rating. The evaluation mark 102 is displayed, for example, in achromatic color (gray) to indicate that it is an automatically selected rating. In FIG. 5, the evaluation mark 102 is displayed in achromatic color by a dashed line. The evaluation mark 102 includes information indicating the number of ratings superimposed on the "Like!" mark.

The play status 104 is a message indicating the play status of each player, and is displayed in a speech bubble (display field) from the icon 106. The evaluation mark 102 is displayed in the speech bubble that displays this play status 104, so that the evaluation mark 102 is displayed in association with the play status 104.

Icon 106 is an icon such as a character image showing a player character. In FIG. 5, character images showing five player characters belonging to the same group are shown as "P1", "P2", "P3", "P4", and "P5", respectively. Hereinafter, when distinguishing between the players shown by the character images "P1", "P2", "P3", "P4", and "P5", they will be referred to as "Player P1", "Player P2", "Player P3", "Player P4", and "Player P5", respectively. Enemy character 108 is an image showing an enemy character.

The chat input field 110 is an input receiving section for players to post chat information. The send button 112 is a button for sending message information entered in the chat input field 110 to the terminal device 12 of the destination player indicated by the destination information.

Returning to FIG. 4, processing proceeds to step SP22.

(Step SP22)
The reception means 44 judges whether or not an evaluation has been received in response to a player's operation on the game execution screen 100A of FIG. 5. For example, assume that the player selects the player P1 whose play situation 104 on the game execution screen 100A is "Delivered a preemptive attack!" and double-tap the icon 106 of the player P1 in order to give a high evaluation. In this case, the reception means 44 accepts the selection of the player P1 and the evaluation (high evaluation) of the player P1, and judges the judgment to be positive. Also, assume that the player triple-tap the icon 106 of the player P3 in order to give a low evaluation of the player P3 whose play situation 104 is "Missed the attack!". In this case, the reception means 44 accepts the selection of the player P3 and the evaluation (low evaluation) of the player P3, and judges the judgment to be positive. Also, the selection means 46 selects the player whose selection has been received by the reception means 44 as the target player, and determines the evaluation received by the reception means 44 as the evaluation of the target player. Then, the process proceeds to step SP24.

In contrast, if the player does not double-tap or triple-tap the icon 106 for a predetermined period of time, the reception means 44 does not accept the evaluation and makes a negative judgment. Then, the process proceeds to step SP30.

(Step SP24)
The determination means 48 determines whether the content of the evaluation determined in the processing of step SP22 is a high evaluation. For example, if the evaluation is determined by receiving a double tap by the player, it is determined to be a high evaluation. In contrast, if the evaluation is determined by receiving a triple tap by the player, it is determined to be not a high evaluation (a low evaluation). Then, the processing proceeds to the processing of step SP26.

(Step SP26)
The selection means 46 sets an output player indicating the output destination of the evaluation based on the determination result in the processing of step SP24. For example, the output destination of the evaluation of the player P1 determined to be highly rated in the processing of step SP24 is all other players (players P2, P3, P4, and P5) belonging to the same group as the player P1, in addition to the player P1. In contrast, the output destination of the evaluation of the player P3 determined to be low rated in the processing of step SP24 is only the player who selected the player P3 by triple tapping the icon 106 of the player P3 (any of the players P1, P2, P4, and P5), in addition to the player P3. Then, the processing proceeds to the processing of step SP28.

(Step SP28)
The output means 50 transmits screen data of a game execution screen including the evaluation of the target player selected in the processing of step SP22 to the terminal device 12, thereby causing the terminal device 12 to display the game execution screen.

Figure 6 shows an example of a game execution screen 100B displayed on the terminal device 12, including an evaluation based on manual selection.

As shown in FIG. 6, the game execution screen 100B includes, for example, a play situation 104, an icon 106, an enemy character 108, a chat input field 110, and a send button 112, similar to the game execution screen 100A. In the game execution screen 100B, a play situation 104 ("I helped player P3!") indicating that player P2 has taken an action to help player P3 is newly displayed. In addition, the game execution screen 100B is an example of a screen displayed on the terminal device 12 of player P3, and indicates that player P3 has input player P2 as destination information 114 and input "Thanks for helping me!" as message information 116. In addition, the game execution screen 100B includes evaluation marks 120 and 122 instead of the evaluation mark 102. The evaluation marks 120 and 122 are also displayed in a speech bubble that displays the play situation 104, similar to the evaluation mark 102, and are therefore displayed in association with the play situation 104.

The evaluation mark 120 is a "Like!" mark indicating a high evaluation, and the evaluation mark 122 is a "Dislike!" mark indicating a low evaluation. The evaluation marks 120 and 122 are displayed, for example, in a chromatic color to indicate that the evaluation is a manual selection in addition to or instead of an automatic selection. In FIG. 6, the evaluation marks 120 and 122 are displayed in a chromatic color, as indicated by solid lines. The evaluation marks 120 and 122 include information indicating the number of evaluations superimposed on the "Like!" mark or "Dislike!" mark.

The evaluation mark 120 indicates the result of outputting an evaluation (high evaluation) for player P1 or player P5 in response to a double tap on the icon 106 of player P1 or player P5 on the game execution screen 100A. On the game execution screen 100A, the number of evaluations indicated by the evaluation mark 102 for player P1 or player P5 is "1", whereas on the game execution screen 100B, the number of evaluations indicated by the evaluation mark 120 for player P1 is "2", and the number of evaluations indicated by the evaluation mark 120 for player P5 is "3". This indicates that in addition to an evaluation by automatic selection (1 time) for player P1, an evaluation by manual selection has been performed once, and in addition to an evaluation by automatic selection (1 time), an evaluation by manual selection has been performed twice for player P5. This evaluation mark 120 is displayed for all players P1, P2, P3, P4, and P5 in the same group.

The evaluation mark 122 indicates the result of an evaluation (low evaluation) being output for player P3 in response to a triple tap on the icon 106 of player P3 on the game execution screen 100A. On the game execution screen 100A, no evaluation mark is displayed for player P3, whereas on the game execution screen 100B, the number of evaluations indicated by the evaluation mark 122 for player P3 is "1". This indicates that one evaluation by manual selection has been performed for player P3, who has not been rated by automatic selection. This evaluation mark 122 is only displayed for player P3, who is the party to the evaluation, and the player who triple tapped the icon 106 of player P3.

Returning to FIG. 4, processing proceeds to step SP30.

(Step SP30)
The reception means 44 judges whether or not chat information has been received in response to the player's operation on the game execution screen 100B. For example, assume that the player drags and drops the icon 106 of the player P2 selected as the destination toward the chat input field 110 displayed on the game execution screen 100B, inputs message information 116, and presses the send button 112. In this case, the reception means 44 receives the chat information and judges the judgment to be positive. Then, the process proceeds to the process of step SP32. On the other hand, if no operation for posting chat information is performed for a predetermined period of time, the reception means 44 does not receive the chat information and judges the judgment to be negative. Then, the process proceeds to the process of step SP40.

(Step SP32)
The determination means 48 determines whether the chat information determined to be positive in the process of step SP30 corresponds to an evaluation. For example, as shown in the game execution screen 100B, when message information 116 including an evaluation of the player P2 such as "Thanks for helping me!" is input, the determination means 48 determines the determination to be positive. In this case, the selection means 46 selects the player P2 indicated by the destination information 114 as the target player, and the process proceeds to the process of step SP34. On the other hand, when the message information 116 is not related to the evaluation of the player such as "Hello!", the determination means 48 determines the determination to be negative, and the process proceeds to the process of step SP40.

(Step SP34)
The determination means 48 determines whether or not the content of the evaluation indicated by the message information is a high evaluation, based on the message information determined to correspond to the evaluation in the processing of step SP32. For example, as shown in the game execution screen 100B, if the message information 116 is "Thanks for your help!", the determination means 48 makes a positive determination. In this case, the selection means 46 determines the evaluation of the player P2 as a high evaluation. On the other hand, if the message information 116 is, for example, "That play was not good!", the determination means 48 makes a negative determination. In this case, the selection means 46 determines the evaluation of the player P2 as a low evaluation. Then, the processing proceeds to the processing of step SP36.

(Step SP36)
The selection means 46 sets the output player based on the result of the determination in the process of step SP34. The specific setting method is similar to the process of step SP26, so a description thereof will be omitted. Then, the process proceeds to the process of step SP38.

(Step SP38)
The output means 50 transmits screen data of a game execution screen including the evaluation of the target player selected in the processing of step SP32 to the terminal device 12, thereby causing the terminal device 12 to display the game execution screen.

Figure 7 shows an example of a game execution screen 100C displayed on a terminal device 12, the game execution screen 100C including an evaluation based on chat information.

As shown in FIG. 7, the game execution screen 100C includes, for example, the play status 104, an icon 106, an enemy character 108, a chat input field 110, and a send button 112, similar to the game execution screen 100B. The game execution screen 100C includes an evaluation mark 124 in addition to the evaluation marks 120 and 122. The evaluation mark 124, like the evaluation marks 120 and 122, is displayed in a speech bubble that displays the play status 104, and is thereby displayed in association with the play status 104.

The evaluation mark 124 indicates the result of outputting an evaluation (high evaluation) for player P2 indicated by destination information 114 in response to input of destination information 114 and message information 116 on game execution screen 100B and posting of chat information. While no evaluation mark is displayed for player P2 on game execution screen 100B, the number of evaluations indicated by evaluation mark 124 for player P2 on game execution screen 100C is "1". This indicates that one evaluation based on the receipt of chat information has been performed for player P2, who has not been rated by automatic selection. This evaluation mark 124 is displayed for all players in the same group, player P1, player P2, player P3, player P4, and player P5.

Returning to FIG. 4, processing proceeds to step SP40.

(Step SP40)
The selection means 46 judges whether or not the number of times manual selection has been performed during game execution is small. For example, the selection means 46 judges whether or not the total number of times manual selection has been performed in response to operations by players P1 to P5 in the same group is five or less. If the judgment is affirmative, the process proceeds to step SP18, and if the judgment is negative, the process proceeds to step SP42.

(Step SP42)
The selection means 46 stops the automatic selection, and the process proceeds to step SP44.

(Step SP44)
The execution means 42 judges whether or not an end condition for ending the game is satisfied in response to the operation of the player on the terminal device 12. For example, it judges whether or not a button for ending the game is pressed by the player. If the judgment is affirmative, the series of processes shown in Fig. 4 is ended, and if the judgment is negative, the process proceeds to step SP22.

<Action and effect>
As described above, in this embodiment, a program for a game in which a group to which multiple players belong can be formed causes the server device 10, which is a computer capable of communicating with the player's terminal device 12, to function as a selection means 46 that selects a target player as an evaluation target from among multiple players while the game is being executed, and an output means 50 that outputs, while the game is being executed, an evaluation of the target player selected by the selection means 46 to the target player and the terminal devices 12 of other players who belong to the same group as the target player.

According to this configuration, the evaluation of the target player is output not only to the target player but also to the terminal devices 12 of other players who belong to the same group as the target player. This allows the evaluation of the target player to be shared not only with the target player himself but also with other players, so that the target player can be honored. As a result, players are encouraged to take actions that contribute to the victory of the group to which they belong, and it is possible to suppress player actions that put the group to a disadvantage.

In addition, in this embodiment, the selection means 46 performs automatic selection, which selects a target player through automatic control by the server device 10, and/or manual selection, which selects a target player in response to a player's operation.

According to this configuration, when manual selection is performed, the player can select the target player that he/she wishes to evaluate by his/her own operation. When automatic selection is performed, even if the atmosphere is not conducive to players evaluating each other and manual selection is not performed according to the player's operation, an evaluation is output by performing automatic selection. This creates an atmosphere in which players feel comfortable evaluating each other, and encourages players to perform manual selection according to their operation.

In addition, in this embodiment, the selection means 46 changes the execution ratio of automatic selection to manual selection during game execution based on predetermined conditions.

With this configuration, the execution ratio of automatic selection by the computer to manual selection in response to player operations is changed based on a predetermined condition, so that automatic selection can be executed more frequently than manual selection, or conversely, automatic selection can be executed less frequently than manual selection, based on the predetermined condition. In this way, by changing the execution ratio of automatic selection to manual selection, it is possible to appropriately encourage the execution of manual selection at the timing required.

In addition, in this embodiment, the predetermined condition is that the degree of manual selection execution after the start of the game is equal to or less than a threshold, and when the predetermined condition is satisfied, the selection means 46 increases the execution ratio compared to when the predetermined condition is not satisfied.

According to this configuration, after the start of the game, if the degree to which the player makes a manual selection is equal to or less than a threshold, automatic selection is made more aggressively than manual selection, and the execution of the automatic selection can encourage the player to make a manual selection. In contrast, if the degree to which manual selection is made is not equal to or less than the threshold, there is no need to encourage the player to make a manual selection, and so the execution of automatic selection is suppressed or stopped. Therefore, automatic selection can be made aggressively only at times necessary to encourage manual selection, and the annoyance of excessive evaluations being output because automatic selection is made aggressively even at times when it is not necessary can be reduced.

In addition, in this embodiment, the predetermined condition is a condition based on the elapsed time after the start of the game, and the selection means 46 increases the execution ratio when the predetermined condition is met compared to when the predetermined condition is not met.

With this configuration, for example, using a predetermined time as a reference, if the time elapsed since the start of the game is below the reference value or exceeds the reference value, automatic selection can be more proactively performed in contrast to manual selection. Therefore, automatic selection can be proactively performed in contrast to manual selection at a timing according to the time elapsed since the start of the game, creating an atmosphere in which players can easily evaluate each other.

In addition, in this embodiment, the output means 50 outputs the evaluation to the terminal device 12 in association with the player's playing status during execution of the game.

With this configuration, the evaluation is output in association with the play situation, so the player can recognize what play situation the evaluation is for. This makes it easier for the player to understand what actions they should take to receive an evaluation, and actively encourages players to take actions that will contribute to the victory of the group to which they belong.

In addition, in this embodiment, the selection means 46 further sets an output player as a player from among the target player and other players belonging to the same group as the target player, for which an evaluation is to be output by the output means 50, and the output means 50 outputs the evaluation to the terminal device 12 of the output player set by the selection means 46.

With this configuration, the evaluation is output to the terminal device 12 of the set output player, so the range of players who can share the evaluation within the group can be changed depending on the setting. For example, the evaluation can be output only to the players who made the evaluation among those who belong to the same group, or the evaluation can be output to all players who belong to the same group.

In addition, in this embodiment, the selection means 46 sets the output player in response to the player's operation.

With this configuration, the range of players with whom evaluations can be shared within a group can be changed by the player's operation.

In addition, in this embodiment, the server device 10 further functions as a determination means 48 that determines the content of the evaluation, and the selection means 46 sets the output player based on the result of the determination by the determination means 48.

With this configuration, the range of players who can share the evaluation within the group can be changed based on the judgment result of the content of the evaluation. For example, if the judgment result is a high evaluation, the range can be all players in the same group, and if the judgment result is a low evaluation, the range can be only the person who made the evaluation.

In addition, in this embodiment, the server device 10 further functions as a reception means 44 that receives chat information for the destination player in response to a player's operation while the game is being executed, and a determination means 48 that determines whether the chat information received by the reception means 44 corresponds to an evaluation, and the selection means 46 selects the destination player as the target player when the determination means 48 determines that the chat information corresponds to an evaluation.

According to this configuration, if the chat information corresponds to an evaluation, the destination player is selected as the target player. Therefore, even if the player does not consciously give an evaluation, if the chat information contains a latent evaluation of the destination player, the evaluation can be output with the destination player as the target player. As a result, the latent evaluation can be made apparent, and the target player can be more proactively honored.

<Modification>
The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment. In other words, the above-mentioned embodiment may be modified by a person skilled in the art as appropriate, and the modifications may be included within the scope of the present invention as long as they include the features of the present invention. In addition, the elements of the above-mentioned embodiment and the modifications described below may be combined to the extent technically possible, and the combinations of these may be included within the scope of the present invention as long as they include the features of the present invention.

For example, the receiving means 44 may not accept an evaluation for the target player. In response to the receiving means 44 accepting the selection of one or more players as the evaluation targets, a predetermined evaluation for the player whose selection has been accepted may be output. The content of the evaluation does not have to include high and low evaluations, and may be only high evaluations. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the target player selection operation and the evaluation input operation for the target player are accepted by the same operation by double tapping or triple tapping the icon 106, but this is not limited thereto, and the selection operation and the input operation may be accepted by separate operations. Furthermore, the receiving means 44 may accept the selection of multiple players as the evaluation targets all at once.

In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the evaluation mark 124 corresponding to the content of the evaluation based on the message information 116 is output when the chat information corresponds to the evaluation. However, instead of or in addition to the evaluation mark 124, the message information 116 itself may be output as the evaluation. In this case, the output mode of the message information 116 as the evaluation may be different from the output mode when the message information 116 is output as normal chat information. Examples of different output modes include displaying an evaluation mark together with the message information 116, or displaying the message information 116 in an evaluation display field that displays the evaluation. In addition, the evaluation based on the chat information may be displayed in a manner that is identifiable as being different from the evaluation according to the selection operation of the target player by the player or the evaluation by the computer. In addition, the posting operation of the chat information is not limited to the above, and chat information may be posted by, for example, dragging and dropping the input message information 116 onto the icon 106 of the player to be selected as the destination.

In the above embodiment, the evaluation is output in association with the play situation 104, but the evaluation may be output in a manner that makes it identifiable that the evaluation is for the player itself, regardless of the play situation 104, for example by displaying an evaluation mark on or near the player's icon 106. The play situation 104 may not only simply explain the play situation, but also include words encouraging the evaluation, such as "Send a like!". The play situation 104 may not only be displayed on the screen, but may also be output by sound, etc. When a player selects a target player or inputs an evaluation, the receiving means 44 may receive the selection of the target player and the evaluation of the target player in association with the play situation that was output by sound immediately before the selection operation and input operation.

In addition, players and playing situations for which the number of highly rated evaluations is equal to or greater than a threshold may be determined based on the statistical results of the evaluations each player received during game execution. In this case, the output means 50 may output identification information for identifying players and playing situations determined to have a number of highly rated evaluations equal to or greater than a threshold. For example, on the game execution screen, players may be honored by displaying identification information such as a medal mark indicating that they are good players or have played well on their icons 106 and playing situations 104 for players for which the number of highly rated evaluations is equal to or greater than a threshold. This identification information may be displayed while the game is being executed, or may be displayed the next time the game is executed or later.

The selection means 46 may also be able to switch between setting the output player according to the player's operation or based on the result of the evaluation content judgment by the judgment means 48.

10: Server device (computer, information processing device), 12: Terminal device, 44: Reception means, 46: Selection means, 48: Determination means, 50: Output means

Claims (9)

A program for a game in which a group to which a plurality of players belong can be formed,
A computer capable of communicating with the terminal device of the player,
a selection means for executing, while the game is being executed, an automatic selection for selecting a target player from the plurality of players as an evaluation target by automatic control by the computer , and/or a manual selection for selecting the target player from the plurality of players in response to an operation by a player, and changing an execution ratio of the automatic selection to the manual selection during the execution of the game based on a predetermined condition;
an output means for outputting, while the game is being executed, an evaluation of the target player selected by the selection means to the terminal devices of the target player and other players belonging to the same group as the target player;
A program to function as a the predetermined condition being that a degree of execution of the manual selection after starting the game is equal to or less than a threshold;
the selection means increases the execution ratio when the predetermined condition is satisfied compared to when the predetermined condition is not satisfied.
The program according to claim 1 . the predetermined condition is a condition based on an elapsed time after the start of the game,
the selection means increases the execution ratio when the predetermined condition is satisfied compared to when the predetermined condition is not satisfied.
The program according to claim 1 . the output means outputs the evaluation to the terminal device in association with a playing situation of the player during execution of the game;
The program according to claim 1 . the selection means further sets an output player as a player who outputs the evaluation by the output means, from among the target player and other players belonging to the same group as the target player;
the output means outputs the evaluation to the terminal device of the output player selected by the selection means.
The program according to claim 1 . the selection means sets the output player in response to an operation by a player;
The program according to claim 5 . The computer,
The device further functions as a determination means for determining the content of the evaluation,
The selection means sets the output player based on a result of the determination by the determination means.
The program according to claim 5 . The computer,
a reception means for receiving chat information for a destination player in response to an operation by a player while the game is being executed;
The chat information received by the receiving means further functions as a determination means for determining whether or not the chat information corresponds to an evaluation.
the selection means selects the destination player as the target player when the determination means determines that the chat information corresponds to an evaluation.
The program according to claim 1 . An information processing device capable of communicating with a terminal device of a player who executes a game in which a group to which a plurality of players belong can be formed,
a selection means for executing, while the game is being executed, an automatic selection for selecting a target player as an evaluation target from among the plurality of players by automatic control and/or a manual selection for selecting the target player from among the plurality of players in response to an operation by a player, and changing an execution ratio of the automatic selection to the manual selection during the execution of the game based on a predetermined condition ;
an output means for outputting, while the game is being executed, an evaluation of the target player selected by the selection means to the terminal devices of the target player and other players belonging to the same group as the target player;
An information processing device comprising:

Images