JP7733337B2 - Information processing device, program, and information processing method - Google Patents

Description

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

Patent document 1 discloses a server that provides a game that includes multiple stages and requires players to clear the stages in order.

Patent Publication No. 2015-198946

However, there has never been a system that updates the stages offered at a set time.

The present invention provides an information processing device, program, and information processing method that allows a user who meets certain conditions for a group of stages provided to receive a new group of stages in which some of the stages have been replaced at a predetermined timing.

An information processing device according to one aspect of the present invention is an information processing device that manages game stages and includes a stage providing unit. The stage providing unit provides a first user with a first stage group consisting of two or more stages, and, if the clearing conditions for the first stage group are met at a first timing, provides the first user with a second stage group consisting of two or more stages and having some stages that differ from those of the first stage group, instead of the first stage group.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a user who meets the clearing conditions for a group of stages provided can receive a new group of stages in which some of the stages have been replaced at a predetermined timing.

1 is a diagram showing an overview of a stage management system 1 according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the server 10 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a user terminal 20 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the server 10 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an update of a provision stage group in the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is another diagram illustrating updating of the provision stage group in the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sequential play method in the first embodiment. 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating changes in the cleared state of each stage due to switching of periods in the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an update of a group of provision stages in Modification 1 of the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a provision stage group determination in Modification 1 of the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a processing flow by the stage management system 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a server 10 according to a second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the provision of rewards in the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the relationship in size of the clear reward in one aspect of the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a reduction in the completion reward in Modification 1 of the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an overview of a stage management system 2 according to a third embodiment. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a server 10 according to a third embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between stages in which cooperative play is possible in the third embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between stages in which cooperative play is possible in a first modified example of the third embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between stages in which cooperative play is possible in a second modified example of the third embodiment.

Below, several embodiments of the present invention will be described using the drawings. The various features shown in the following embodiments can be combined with each other. Furthermore, each feature can be an independent invention.

1. First embodiment
(1-1. Stage Management System 1)
An information processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention is a server 10 that constitutes a part of a stage management system 1 as shown in FIG.

The server 10 is configured to be able to communicate with the user terminal 20 via a communication line 5. The server 10, which provides the first stage group to the first user U1, provides the second stage group to the first user U1 instead of the first stage if certain conditions are met at a certain timing, and updates the stage group to be provided. Each component is explained below.

(1-2. Hardware configuration of stage management system 1)
The hardware configuration of the stage management system 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

(1-2-1. Hardware configuration of server 10)
2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the server 10 according to this embodiment. The server 10 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a communication unit 13. The server 10 may also include an operation input unit 14 configured with a keyboard, a mouse, etc., for accepting input of various operations, and a monitor 15, such as a liquid crystal display device, for displaying various images.

The control unit 11 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), microprocessor, DSP (Digital Signal Processor), etc., and controls the overall operation of the server 10.

Part of the memory unit 12 is composed of, for example, RAM (Random Access Memory) or DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), and is used as a work area when the control unit 11 executes processes based on various programs. Furthermore, part of the memory unit 12 is, for example, non-volatile memory such as ROM (Read Only Memory) or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and stores various data and programs used in the processing of the control unit 11.

The programs stored in the memory unit 12 include, for example, an OS (Operating System) for implementing the basic functions of the server 10, drivers for controlling various hardware, programs for implementing various functions, etc., and include the computer program related to this embodiment.

The communication unit 13 is, for example, a NIC (Network Interface Controller) and has the function of connecting to the communication line 5. Instead of or in addition to the NIC, the communication unit 13 may have the function of connecting to a wireless LAN (Local Area Network), a function of connecting to a wireless WAN (Wide Area Network), a function that enables short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), and infrared communication. The server 10 is connected to other information processing devices such as user terminals 20 via the communication line 5, and can send and receive various data to and from the other information processing devices.

The control unit 11, memory unit 12, communication unit 13, operation input unit 14, and monitor 15 are electrically connected to one another via a system bus 16. Therefore, the control unit 11 can access the memory unit 12, display images on the monitor 15, grasp the operation status of the user on the operation input unit 14, and access various communication networks and other information processing devices via the communication unit 13.

(1-2-2. Hardware Configuration of User Terminal 20)
3 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a user terminal 20 according to this embodiment. The user terminal 20 is, for example, an information processing terminal such as a smartphone or tablet terminal, and includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a communication unit 23. The user terminal 20 may also include a display unit 24 such as a touch panel display that can display images and receive operations, a speaker 25 that outputs sound, a microphone 26 that inputs sound, a camera 27 that captures an image of a subject, and operation buttons 28. The following description will focus on the differences from the server 10.

The operation buttons 28 are provided on the side of the user terminal 20 and include a power button for starting or stopping the user terminal 20 and a button for adjusting the volume of the sound output by the speaker 25.

The control unit 21, memory unit 22, communication unit 23, display unit 24, speaker 25, microphone 26, camera 27, and operation buttons 28 are electrically connected to one another via a system bus 29. Therefore, the control unit 21 can access the memory unit 22, display images on the display unit 24, grasp the user's operation status on the touch panel display (display unit 24) and operation buttons 28, input sound to the microphone 26, output sound from the speaker 25, control the camera 27, and access various communication networks and other information processing devices via the communication unit 23.

(1-3. Functional configuration of server 10)
4, the control unit 11 of the server 10 includes a stage providing unit 11a. The stage providing unit 11a provides a first stage group consisting of two or more stages to the first user U1, and if the clearing conditions for the first stage group are met at a first timing, provides a second stage group consisting of two or more stages and having some stages different from those of the first stage group to the first user U1 instead of the first stage group. Details of this function will be described later.

The above-described functional configuration may be realized by software (including so-called apps) that is installed as appropriate on the server 10, or by hardware. When realized by software, the control unit 11 can realize various functions by executing the programs that make up the software.

When implemented by executing a program, the program may be stored in the memory unit 12 built into the server 10, or may be stored on a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium. It may also be implemented by reading a program stored in an external storage device and using so-called cloud computing. When implemented by hardware, it may be implemented by various circuits such as an ASIC, SOC, FPGA, or DRP. Furthermore, some of the functional configurations or functions described above may be processed by software or hardware on the user terminal 20, etc.

(1-4. Functions of the stage providing unit 11a)
The stage providing unit 11a provides a first user U1 with a first stage group consisting of two or more stages. If the clearing conditions for the first stage group are met at a first timing, the stage providing unit 11a provides the first user U1 with a second stage group consisting of two or more stages and having some stages different from those of the first stage group instead of the first stage group. With this configuration, a user who meets the clearing conditions for the provided stage group can be provided with a new stage group in which some of the stages have been replaced at a predetermined timing.

Here, a "stage group" such as the first stage group is a unit of game components made up of multiple stages in a game. A "stage" is a unit of game components in which, for example, a goal, task, or mission that a user (player) must achieve, or a scenario that a user must progress through, is set. Other game components that are larger units than a "stage group" may also include quests, etc.

As one aspect, we will explain a case where a game has a quest as a game component. A quest has multiple stages that can be provided. The stage providing unit 11a forms a stage group from two or more stages that are part of the multiple stages that can be provided, and provides this to the user. The stages included in the stage group are missions in which one or more characters controllable by the user progress while defeating multiple enemy characters, including a boss. In such a case, the control unit 11 accepts the designation of a stage and the organization of a deck (group) of one or more characters controllable by the user. The control unit 11 then begins conquering a stage by accepting a command to deploy the deck, and determines that the stage has been cleared (stage cleared) when the boss is defeated, and ends the stage conquer. The game may also end without being cleared due to a game over, etc.

The stage providing unit 11a may be configured to provide a first stage group consisting of two or more stages to the first user U1 during a first period, and to provide the first stage group or the second stage group to the first user during a second period. The second period is a period that begins after the end of the first period. With this configuration, the user can repeatedly play the provided stage group within each period.

Note that the first timing is, for example, any point after the end of the first period and before the start of provision of the second stage group. More specifically, the first timing is the end of the first period, any point between the end of the first period and the start of the second period, the start of the second period, or the start of provision of the second stage group, etc.

In the examples of Figures 5A and 5B, the first stage group consists of the first stage, second stage, and third stage selected from the stages that can be provided by the stage provider 11a. The second stage group consists of the third stage, fourth stage, and fifth stage selected from the stages that can be provided by the stage provider 11a.

Here, "clear conditions" refer to predetermined conditions that include clearing a stage. "Clear conditions" may be, for example, clearing a predetermined number of stages included in a stage group, or having a predetermined clear reward (described below) in addition to clearing a stage. In one aspect, the "clear conditions" may be clearing all stages that make up a stage group.

For example, in Figures 5A and 5B, the "clear condition" is to clear all stages of the first stage group (first stage, second stage, and third stage). In such a case, in Figure 5A, since the first stage, second stage, and third stage are all cleared at the first timing and the clear condition for the first stage group is met, the stage provider 11a provides the second stage group to the first user U1 in the second period. Note that in the second stage group, the first and second stages included in the first stage group are replaced with the fourth and fifth stages.

On the other hand, as shown in Figure 5B, since the third stage has not been cleared at the first timing and the clearing conditions for the first stage group are not met, the first stage group is provided to the first user U1 during the second period as well.

In addition, while Figure 5A shows the second stage group being provided by replacing two stages from the first stage group, the number of stages to be replaced may be configured to change depending on the user's playing status. That is, the stage providing unit 11a may be configured to control the first stage group so that it is composed of a number of stages, and the second stage group so that it is composed of b number of stages, excluding the m number of stages included in the first stage group and including n number of stages not included in the first stage group, with the values of m and n being determined depending on the playing status of the first user U1. Here, a is an integer greater than or equal to 2, b is an integer greater than or equal to 2, m is an integer satisfying the relationship 1≦m≦(a-1), and n is an integer greater than or equal to 1. This configuration allows the number of stages to be replaced depending on the playing status. In other words, the degree of update of the stage group provided can be controlled to match the user's playing status.

Here, "play status" refers to the number of times a user has cleared each stage, play time, play frequency, game proficiency (calculated based on various statuses), and possession and use of game elements such as items and clear rewards (described below).

In the example of Figure 5A, a = 3, b = 3, m = 2, and n = 2, and two stages have been swapped. On the other hand, in the example of Figure 6, a = 3, b = 2, m = 2, and n = 1, and two stages have been removed from the configuration of the first stage group, and one stage has been added, resulting in a swapped configuration for the second stage group.

In one aspect, the stages constituting a stage group may be controlled so that they can be played in any order (arbitrary play method). In another aspect, a stage may be controlled so that it can be played on the condition that one or more other stages have been cleared (sequential play method). For example, in the first stage group of Figure 5A, if the second stage can be played on the condition that the first stage has been cleared, and the third stage can be played on the condition that the second stage has been cleared, the game can be controlled so that the user plays and clears the stages in the order "first stage → second stage → third stage" (Figure 7).

In the sequential play mode, when the game is set up so that stages are played and cleared in the order "1st stage → 2nd stage → 3rd stage → 4th stage → 5th stage," when changing the configuration from the 1st stage group to the 2nd stage group, the change is made by pushing out as shown in Figure 5A. Two stages are removed from the 1st stage group and two stages are added to provide the 2nd stage. In this case, the two stages removed are the 1st and 2nd stages, which are the earliest in order. The two stages added are the 4th and 5th stages, which follow the 3rd stage.

Furthermore, the stage provider 11a may be configured to be able to change the cleared state of each stage at the first timing. In an example in which the cleared state of each stage is not changed, the cleared state of the third stage in the second stage group is carried over from the first period to the second period, as shown in FIG. 8. In other words, no change is made from "cleared." On the other hand, in an example in which the cleared state of each stage is changed, as shown in FIG. 5A, the third stage was in the "cleared" state in the first stage group in the first period, but was changed to "not cleared" at the first timing when the second period begins. In other words, the stage provider 11a changes the cleared state of the third stage.

(1-5. Modification 1 of the First Embodiment)
The stage providing unit 11a may be configured to provide the first user with any one of the first, second, and third stage groups during the third period. The third stage group is a group of two or more stages, and some of the stages constituting the group are different from those of the first and second stage groups. The third period is a period that starts after the end of the second period.

Note that the second timing is, for example, any point after the end of the second period and before the start of provision of the third stage group. More specifically, the second timing is the end of the second period, any point between the end of the second period and the start of the third period, the start of the third period, or the start of provision of the third stage group, etc.

As shown in FIG. 9A, at the second timing, if the first user U1, who was provided with the second stage group during the second period, meets the clearing conditions for the second stage group, the stage providing unit 11a provides the third stage group to the first user U1 instead of the second stage group.

As shown in FIG. 9B, if the first user U1, who was provided with the second stage group during the second period, does not meet the clear conditions for the second stage group but meets the maintenance conditions for the second stage group, the stage providing unit 11a provides the second stage group to the first user U1.

As shown in FIG. 9C, if the first user U1, who was provided with the second stage group during the second period, does not meet the clear conditions for the second stage group and does not meet the maintenance conditions for the second stage group, the stage providing unit 11a provides the first stage group to the first user U1 instead of the second stage group.

Here, "maintenance conditions" refer to conditions for providing a user who has been provided with a certain stage group during a certain period with that same stage group in the next period. However, if the "clear conditions" for that stage group are met, satisfaction of the "clear conditions" takes priority. For example, as shown in Figure 10, if the clear conditions for the second stage group are met, the third stage group may be provided regardless of whether the maintenance conditions for the second stage group are met.

"Maintenance conditions" may be, for example, clearing a predetermined number of stages included in a stage group, clearing a specific stage, or having a predetermined clear reward (described below) in addition to clearing a stage. However, "maintenance conditions" differ from "clear conditions." For example, when comparing "clear conditions" and "maintenance conditions," "clear conditions" may be more difficult than "maintenance conditions," such as requiring a greater number of stages to be cleared.

By configuring it in this way, the user is motivated to progress through the game so that the maintenance conditions for at least the set of stages provided are met and the set of stages provided does not revert to the previous set of stages.

(1-6. Processing flow by stage management system 1)
The flow of processing by the stage management system 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

First, as shown in FIG. 11, the stage providing step S110 is executed. In S110, the stage providing unit 11a starts providing the first stage group to the first user U1 in response to a request (S210) from the user terminal 20.

S220 may be executed. In S220, the server 10 receives the play status of the first user U1, such as clearing a stage, from the user terminal 20. S220 may be executed while the first stage group is being provided, or between the end of the first period and the start of the second period, etc.

Next, S120 is executed at the first timing. In S120, the stage providing unit 11a determines whether the first user U1 meets the clearing conditions for the first stage group and determines the stage group to be provided in the second period. Thereafter, S130, S230, and S240 are executed in the same manner as S110, S210, and S220.

Next, S140 is executed at the second timing. In S140, if the second stage group was provided to the first user U1 in the second period, the stage providing unit 11a determines whether the first user U1 meets the clear conditions for the second stage group, and determines the stage group to be provided in the third period. Here, the stage providing unit 11a may also determine whether the maintenance conditions for the second stage group are met, and determine the stage group to be provided in the third period.

Note that if the first stage group was provided to the first user U1 during the second period, S140 is the same as S130.

Then, S150, S250, and S260 are executed in the same manner as S110, S210, and S220.

2. Second embodiment
(2-1. Stage Management System 1 According to the Second Embodiment)
The stage management system 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described below. The stage management system 1 according to the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it further includes a reward granting unit 11b, as shown in Fig. 12. The following description will focus on the differences.

(2-2. Functional configuration of server 10)
As shown in FIG. 12, the control unit 11 of the server 10 includes a stage providing unit 11a and a reward granting unit 11b.

(2-3. Functions of the reward granting unit 11b)
As shown in FIG. 13A , the reward granting unit 11b grants a clearing reward to the first user U1 when the first user U1 clears each stage. Here, the "clearing reward" refers to game elements such as points or in-game currency that are granted upon clearing a stage. The content of the clearing reward may be set for each stage.

Furthermore, in addition to the reward set for each stage, the clear reward may include an additional reward if certain conditions are met. For example, as shown in FIG. 13B, when all stages included in the first stage group are cleared for the first time, the reward granting unit 11b may grant a group domination reward as a clear reward in addition to the stage clear reward.

Furthermore, the reward granting unit 11b controls the clearing reward for each stage included in the second stage group but not included in the first stage group so that it is greater than any clearing reward for any stage included in the first stage group but not included in the second stage group. With this configuration, when the stage is changed to the second stage group, the clearing reward granted is replaced with a stage that is greater, thereby motivating the user to fulfill the clearing conditions for the stage group that is provided.

For example, as shown in FIG. 14, suppose the clear rewards for the first, second, and third stages that make up the first stage group are 100, 200, and 300 points, respectively. In such a case, the clear rewards for the fourth and fifth stages, which are included in the second stage group but not the first stage group, are controlled to be greater than the clear rewards for the first and second stages, which are included in the first stage group but not the second stage group. In other words, the clear rewards for the fourth and fifth stages are set to be greater than the 200 points for the second stage, which has the largest clear reward in the first stage group excluding the third stage.

Furthermore, in the sequential play mode, if the game is set to be played and cleared in the order of "first stage → second stage → third stage," the reward granting unit 11b may perform control so that the clearing reward increases in the order of "first stage → second stage → third stage," as shown in FIG. 14. This configuration can motivate the user to play the second stage rather than just playing the first stage.

(2-4. Modification 1 of the Second Embodiment)
Furthermore, the reward granting unit 11b may control the clear rewards for stages included in the second stage group but not included in the first stage group so that they are greater than any of the clear rewards for stages included in the first stage group. That is, the clear rewards for the fourth and fifth stages may be set to be greater than the 300 points of the third stage, which has the largest clear reward in the first stage group.

Furthermore, the reward granting unit 11b may be configured to reduce the size of the clear reward granted when a stage is cleared depending on the number of times that stage has been cleared. By configuring it in this way, the clear reward decreases depending on the number of times the same stage has been cleared, thereby motivating the user to play the stages included in the group of stages provided in a balanced manner.

For example, as shown in Figure 15, if a stage is cleared multiple times during the same first period, the clear reward from the second time onwards is reduced based on certain conditions. In Figure 15, when the clear reward is awarded in points, the nth clear reward is calculated based on the condition [(first clear reward) - (first clear reward) x 0.1 x (n-1)] (but not less than 10% of the first clear reward). In other words, if the first clear reward for the first stage is 100 points, the second clear reward is 90 points (= 100 - 100 x 0.1 x 1). The tenth clear reward is 10 points (= 100 - 100 x 0.1 x 9), and the eleventh and subsequent clear rewards are also 10 points.

Note that the number of times a stage has been cleared during the second period may be counted again, regardless of the number of times it was cleared during the first period. However, the cumulative number of times each stage has been cleared may also be recorded in the memory unit 12 or the like in a manner that does not reflect this in the calculation of the clear reward.

(2-5. Modification 2 of the Second Embodiment)
In addition, the reward granting unit 11b may be configured to accept a request from the first user U1 to exchange the granted clear reward for other game elements based on a predetermined exchange rate, and to cause at least a portion of the clear reward granted to the first user U1 during the first period to disappear between the end of the first period and the start of the second period.

In other words, the first user U1 can exchange the clear reward (including the group domination reward, etc.) for items that can be used in the game. On the other hand, if the clear reward is not exchanged by the start of the second period, the clear reward that was granted in the first period and has not been exchanged for other game elements will be lost. In other words, the clear reward cannot be carried over from one period to the next. In one aspect, the process of losing the clear reward can be executed at the first timing.

By configuring it in this way, the clear rewards will disappear before the start of the next period, giving the user an incentive to progress through the stages within each period and earn as many clear rewards as possible in order to exchange them for other game elements such as better items.

(2-6. Flow of processing by the stage management system 1 according to the second embodiment)
The basic processing flow is the same as in the first embodiment, but differs in that a reward granting step is executed when a stage is cleared. In the reward granting step, a clearing reward is granted to the first user U1 when each stage is cleared. In addition, a reward exchange step in which the clearing reward is exchanged for game elements such as items, and a reward reset step in which the clearing reward is reset may be executed as appropriate.

3. Third Embodiment
(3-1. Stage Management System 2)
The following describes a stage management system 2 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 16, the stage management system 2 differs from the first and second embodiments in that it further includes a cooperative play control unit 11c (Fig. 17) for controlling cooperative play between a first user U1 and a second user U2. The following description will focus on the differences.

When the cooperative play control unit 11c receives a request for cooperative play between the first user U1 and the second user U2, it controls the cooperative play to be possible in stages that satisfy certain conditions. Note that the user terminal 20a used by the first user U1 and the user terminal 20b used by the second user U2 may be configured in the same way as the user terminal 20 described above.

(3-2. Functional configuration of server 10)
17, the control unit 11 of the server 10 includes a stage providing unit 11a and a cooperative play control unit 11c. The control unit 11 may further include a reward providing unit 11b.

(3-3. Functions of the stage providing unit 11a)
The stage providing unit 11a provides a first stage group consisting of two or more stages to the first user U1 during a first period. Also, the stage providing unit 11a provides a fourth stage group consisting of two or more stages to the second user U2 during the first period.

(3-4. Functions of the cooperative play control unit 11c) When the cooperative play control unit 11c receives a request for cooperative play between the first user U1 and the second user U2 from the first user U1 or the second user U2 during the first period, it controls the cooperative play to be possible on stages that overlap between the first stage group and the fourth stage group. By configuring in this way, it is possible to control the stages available for cooperative play to be limited to the stages provided to each user.

This will be explained with reference to the example shown in Figure 18. During the first period, a first user U1 is provided with a first stage group consisting of a first stage, a second stage, and a third stage. During the first period, a second user U2 is provided with a second stage group consisting of a third stage, a fourth stage, and a fifth stage.

The third stage overlaps between the first stage group and the second stage group. In such a case, the first user U1 can act as the host and invite the second user U2 to cooperative play in the third stage. The second user U2 can act as the host and invite the first user U1 to cooperative play in the third stage. In other words, if the stage groups being provided to each user have overlapping stages, either user can act as the host and request the cooperative play control unit 11c to engage in cooperative play on the overlapping stage with the other as the guest.

(3-4. Modification 1 of the third embodiment)
In addition, when the cooperative play control unit 11c receives a request from a second user U2 for cooperative play with the first user U1 for a stage that has been provided for the first user U1 but cannot be played by the first user U1 alone, the stage providing unit 11a may be configured to limit cooperative play to the second user U2 and control the stage so that it can be played by the first user U1.

The following explanation will be given with reference to the example shown in Figure 19. The first user U1 is provided with the first stage group. If the first stage group is set up so that the stages are played and cleared in the order of "first stage → second stage → third stage" using a sequential play method, the first user U1 can play the second stage alone since they have only cleared the first stage, but cannot play the third stage alone.

Meanwhile, the second user U2 is provided with the fourth stage group. The second user U2 is able to play the third stage group alone. As the host, the second user U2 can request cooperative play with the first user U1 for the third stage from the cooperative play control unit 11c. The stage providing unit 11a then controls the game so that the first user U1 can play the third stage, but only in cooperative play with the second user U2. Even if the first user U1 acts as the host and requests cooperative play with the first user U1 for the third stage from the cooperative play control unit 11c, the first user U1 will not be able to play cooperatively, and will not be able to play the third stage.

Note that, if the third stage is cleared through cooperative play with the second user U2, the stage providing unit 11a may be configured to control the game so that the first user U1 can then play the third stage alone. Furthermore, this clearing can result in the third stage being treated the same as if the first user U1 had cleared it alone.

(3-5. Modification 2 of the Third Embodiment)
The cooperative play control unit 11c may be configured to control the cooperative play to be enabled in a stage that overlaps between the first stage group or the second stage group and the fourth stage group when a request for cooperative play between the first user U1 and the second user U2 is received from the second user U2 during the second period. By configuring in this way, it is possible to control the cooperative play to be enabled in a stage that was previously provided for a guest user invited to cooperative play.

This will be explained with reference to the examples shown in Figures 20A and 20B. In Figure 20A, the stage provider 11a provides a first stage group consisting of a first stage, a second stage, and a third stage to a first user U1 during a first period. Then, the stage provider 11a provides a second stage group consisting of a third stage, a fourth stage, and a fifth stage to a first user U1 during a second period. Meanwhile, the stage provider 11a provides a fourth stage group consisting of a second stage, a third stage, and a fourth stage to a second user U2 during a second period.

In such a case, as shown in FIG. 20A, for the second stage (or third stage) provided to the first user U1 during the first period, the second user U2 can request cooperative play with the first user U1 in the second stage as the host from the cooperative play control unit 11c.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 20B, for the second stage provided to the first user U1 during the first period, the first user U1 cannot request cooperative play with the second user U2 in the second stage as the host from the cooperative play control unit 11c.

(3-6. Processing flow by stage management system 2)
The processing flow by the stage management system 2 is basically the same as that of the first embodiment, but differs mainly in that a cooperative play control step is executed.

In the stage provision step, during a first period, a first stage group consisting of two or more stages is provided to a first user U1, and further, a fourth stage group consisting of two or more stages is provided to a second user U2.

When a request for cooperative play is received from the user terminal 20a of the first user U1 or the user terminal 20b of the second user U2, a cooperative play control step is executed. In the cooperative play control step, a request for cooperative play between the first user U1 and the second user U2 is accepted from the first user U1 or the second user U2 during a first period. Then, control is performed to enable cooperative play in stages that overlap between the first stage group and the fourth stage group.

4. Other embodiments
Although the embodiment and its modifications of the present invention have been described above, the application of the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described contents.

For example, in the third embodiment, the stage providing unit 11a may further provide a fifth stage group consisting of two or more stages to a third user during the first period, and the cooperative play control unit 11c may be configured to control cooperative play to be possible in stages that overlap between the first stage group, the fourth stage group, and the fifth stage group when a request for cooperative play between the first user U1, the second user U2, and the third user is received from any of the first user, the second user, or the third user during the first period. In other words, the cooperative play control unit 11c may be configured to be able to control cooperative play between three or more users in the same way as cooperative play between two users.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the functions are mainly provided by the server 10, but some functions may be provided by the user terminal 20, or may be provided by both the server 10 and the user terminal 20.

Furthermore, information processing devices such as the server 10 may not only be physically composed of a single device, but may also include multiple devices connected to each other via wired or wireless communication and functioning essentially as a single information processing device.

Furthermore, each step described in the above embodiment as being executed by the server 10 may also be executed by the user terminal 20.

Furthermore, the present invention can also be realized as a program that causes a stage management system to function in order to realize the above-mentioned system.

Furthermore, the present invention can also be realized as a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium storing the above-mentioned program.

The above describes various embodiments of the present invention, but these are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments may be embodied in a variety of other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as the invention and its equivalents as set forth in the claims.

5. Features of the embodiment
The features of the embodiments of the present invention are summarized below.

A server 10 according to one aspect of the present invention is an information processing device that manages game stages and includes a stage providing unit 11a. The stage providing unit 11a provides a first stage group consisting of two or more stages to a first user U1, and if the clearing conditions for the first stage group are met at a first timing, provides the first user U1 with a second stage group consisting of two or more stages and having some stages that differ from those of the first stage group instead of the first stage group. With this configuration, a user who meets the clearing conditions for the provided stage group can be provided with a new stage group in which some of the stages have been replaced at a predetermined timing.

Furthermore, the stage providing unit 11a may be configured to control the first stage group so that it is composed of a stages, and the second stage group so that it does not include the m stages included in the first stage group, but includes n stages not included in the first stage group, and is composed of b stages, with the values of m and n being determined according to the playing situation of the first user U1. Here, a is an integer greater than or equal to 2, b is an integer greater than or equal to 2, m is an integer satisfying the relationship 1≦m≦(a-1), and n is an integer greater than or equal to 1. With this configuration, the number of stages to be replaced can be changed according to the playing situation.

The stage providing unit 11a may be configured to provide a first group of stages to the first user U1 during a first period, and to provide the first group of stages or a second group of stages to the first user U1 during a second period, the second period being a period that begins after the end of the first period. This configuration allows the user to repeatedly play the provided group of stages within each period.

The stage providing unit 11a provides one of the first, second, and third stage groups to the first user U1 during the third period, and at the second timing, if the first user U1 who was provided with the second stage group during the second period meets the clearing conditions for the second stage group, the stage providing unit 11a provides the third stage group to the first user U1 instead of the second stage group, and if the first user U1 who was provided with the second stage group during the second period does not meet the clearing conditions for the second stage group and meets the maintenance conditions for the second stage group, In this case, the second stage group is provided to the first user U1, and if the first user U1 who was provided with the second stage group during the second period does not meet the clear conditions for the second stage group and does not meet the maintenance conditions for the second stage group, the first stage group is provided to the first user U1 instead of the second stage group, the third stage group is a stage group consisting of two or more stages and some of the stages that make up the group are different from the first and second stage groups, and the third period may be configured to start after the end of the second period. This configuration provides users with an incentive to progress through the game so that they can at least meet the maintenance conditions for the provided stage group and prevent the provided stage group from reverting to the previous stage group.

The server 10 according to one aspect of the present invention further includes a reward granting unit 11b, which grants a clear reward to the first user U1 when each stage is cleared, and may be configured so that each clear reward for a stage included in the second stage group but not included in the first stage group is greater than any clear reward for a stage included in the first stage group but not included in the second stage group. With this configuration, changing to the second stage group replaces the stage with one that has a greater clear reward, thereby motivating the user to fulfill the clear conditions for the stage group being provided.

The reward granting unit 11b may be configured to reduce the size of the clear reward granted when a stage is cleared depending on the number of times that stage has been cleared. By configuring it in this way, the clear reward decreases depending on the number of times the same stage has been cleared, thereby motivating the user to play the stages included in the group of stages provided in a balanced manner.

The reward granting unit 11b may be configured to accept a request from the first user U1 to exchange the granted clear reward for other game elements based on a predetermined exchange rate, and to cause at least a portion of the clear reward granted to the first user U1 in the first period to disappear between the end of the first period and the start of the second period. This configuration motivates the user to progress through the stages within each period and earn as many clear rewards as possible in order to exchange them for other game elements, such as better items, by causing the clear reward to disappear before the start of the next period.

A server 10 according to one aspect of the present invention may further include a cooperative play control unit 11c, wherein the stage providing unit 11a provides the fourth stage group to the second user U2 during the first period, and the cooperative play control unit 11c may be configured to control cooperative play to be possible on stages that overlap between the first stage group and the fourth stage group when a request for cooperative play between the first user U1 and the second user U2 is received from the first user U1 or the second user U2 during the first period. This configuration allows control to limit the stages available for cooperative play to the stages provided to each user.

The cooperative play control unit 11c may be configured to control cooperative play to be possible in stages that overlap between the first stage group or the second stage group and the fourth stage group when a request for cooperative play between the first user U1 and the second user U2 is received from the second user U2 during the second period. This configuration allows guest users invited to cooperative play to play previously provided stages.

A computer program according to one aspect of the present invention is a computer program that causes a computer to manage game stages, and executes a stage providing step in which a first stage group consisting of two or more stages is provided to a first user U1, and if the clearing conditions for the first stage group are met at a first timing, a second stage group consisting of two or more stages and having some stages that differ from those of the first stage group is provided to the first user U1 instead of the first stage group.

An information processing method according to one aspect of the present invention is an information processing method for managing game stages, and includes a stage providing step, in which a first stage group consisting of two or more stages is provided to a first user U1, and if the clearing conditions for the first stage group are met at a first timing, a second stage group consisting of two or more stages and having some stages different from those of the first stage group is provided to the first user U1 instead of the first stage group.

1, 2: Stage Management System, 5: Communication Line, 10: Server, 11: Control Unit, 11a: Stage Provider, 11b: Reward Granter, 11c: Cooperative Play Control Unit, 12: Memory Unit, 13: Communication Unit, 14: Operation Input Unit, 15: Monitor, 16: System Bus, 20, 20a, 20b: User Terminal, 21: Control Unit, 22: Memory Unit, 23: Communication Unit, 24: Display Unit, 25: Speaker, 26: Microphone, 27: Camera, 28: Operation Buttons, 29: System Bus, U1: First User, U2: Second User, WAN: Wireless

Claims (4)

a processor, the processor comprising:
During a first period, a first stage group consisting of two or more stages is provided to the user;
providing the first stage group or the second stage group to the user during a second period;
If the play situation of the first stage group satisfies a predetermined condition at any time after the end of the first period and before the start of a second period, a second stage group is provided that includes one or more stages included in the first stage group and replaces one or more stages included in the first stage group with one or more stages not included in the first stage group;
If the play status of the second stage group satisfies a predetermined condition at a predetermined timing after the end of the second period, a stage group including one or more stages included in the second stage group and replacing one or more stages included in the second stage group with one or more stages not included in the second stage group is provided as a third stage group, and if the play status of the second stage group does not satisfy the predetermined condition, the first stage group or the second stage group is provided in a third period.
Information processing device. the processor provides a first stage group consisting of two or more stages to a user during a first period;
the processor provides the first set of stages or the second set of stages to the user during a second time period;
If the play status of the first stage group satisfies a predetermined condition at any timing after the end of the first period and before the start of a second period, the processor provides a second stage group that includes one or more stages included in the first stage group and that replaces one or more stages included in the first stage group with one or more stages not included in the first stage group;
If the playing status of the second stage group satisfies a predetermined condition at a predetermined timing after the end of the second period, the processor provides a stage group as a third stage group that includes one or more stages included in the second stage group and replaces one or more stages included in the second stage group with one or more stages not included in the second stage group, and if the playing status of the second stage group does not satisfy the predetermined condition, the processor provides the first stage group or the second stage group in a third period.
method. causing the processor to provide a first stage group consisting of two or more stages to a user during a first period;
causing the processor to provide the first set of stages or the second set of stages to the user during a second time period;
causing the processor to provide, when the play situation of the first stage group satisfies a predetermined condition at any timing after the end of the first period and before the start of a second period, a stage group that includes one or more stages included in the first stage group and in which one or more stages included in the first stage group are replaced with one or more stages not included in the first stage group, as a second stage group;
cause the processor to provide, if the play status of the second stage group satisfies a predetermined condition at a predetermined timing after the end of the second period, a stage group that includes one or more stages included in the second stage group and in which one or more stages included in the second stage group are replaced with one or more stages not included in the second stage group, as a third stage group; and, if the play status of the second stage group does not satisfy the predetermined condition, cause the processor to provide the first stage group or the second stage group in a third period.
program. A system including an information processing device that communicates with a terminal via a network,
The information processing device includes:
During a first period, a first stage group consisting of two or more stages is provided to the user;
providing the first stage group or the second stage group to the user during a second period;
If the play situation of the first stage group satisfies a predetermined condition at any time after the end of the first period and before the start of a second period, a second stage group is provided that includes one or more stages included in the first stage group and replaces one or more stages included in the first stage group with one or more stages not included in the first stage group;
If the play status of the second stage group satisfies a predetermined condition at a predetermined timing after the end of the second period, a stage group including one or more stages included in the second stage group and replacing one or more stages included in the second stage group with one or more stages not included in the second stage group is provided as a third stage group, and if the play status of the second stage group does not satisfy the predetermined condition, the first stage group or the second stage group is provided in a third period.
system.