JP7758482B2 - Game program, game processing method, and information processing device - Google Patents

Description

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

In online games played on terminal devices connected to a network, a type of lottery game known as "gacha" is known in which content such as characters and items that can be used in the game are provided to users by a method in which the type of content is determined by chance.

As an example of this type of gacha, Patent Document 1 describes a game system that adds a bonus to a character that is to be awarded to a user if the character that is to be awarded overlaps with a character that the user owns.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-39881

Game content has become more diverse in recent years, and each player enjoys the game in different ways. With the above-mentioned conventional technology, the bonuses added are predetermined. This means that some players may not need the bonuses, leading to players avoiding gacha in order to avoid winning characters that overlap with characters they already own.

The present invention was made in consideration of these problems, and aims to provide a game program, game processing method, and information processing device that can increase motivation to continue playing gacha.

To achieve the above object, the game program of the present invention causes an information processing device to function as a lottery execution processing unit that executes a lottery for content, an ownership determination processing unit that determines whether the player owns the content won in the lottery, an item granting processing unit that grants a first item in place of the won content if the player owns the won content, a selection request processing unit that presents multiple benefits to the player based on the consumption of the first item and requests the player to select the desired benefit, and a benefit granting processing unit that grants the selected benefit to the player.

Furthermore, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the game processing method of the present invention is a game processing method executed by an information processing device, and includes the steps of: conducting a content lottery; determining whether the content won in the lottery is owned by a player; if the player owns the won content, granting a first item in place of the won content; presenting multiple benefits to the player based on consumption of the first item and requesting the player to select the desired benefit; and granting the selected benefit to the player.

In order to achieve the above object, the information processing device of the present invention has a lottery execution processing unit that executes a lottery for content; an ownership determination processing unit that determines whether the player owns the content won in the lottery; an item granting processing unit that grants a first item in place of the won content if the player owns the won content; a selection request processing unit that presents multiple benefits to the player based on consumption of the first item and requests the player to select the desired benefit; and a benefit granting processing unit that grants the selected benefit to the player.

The game program of the present invention can increase motivation to continue playing gacha.

1 is a system configuration diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of a game system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a server device. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a gacha start screen. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a gacha result screen. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a game screen when a general-purpose item is granted by an item granting processing unit. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an exchange item selection screen by an item exchange processing unit. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an exchange number designation screen for designating the number of dedicated items to be exchanged. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a consumable item selection screen for selecting a dedicated item to be consumed to perform a limit break. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a benefit selection screen by a selection request processing unit. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another example of a benefit selection screen by the selection request processing unit. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating yet another example of a benefit selection screen displayed by the selection request processing unit. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating yet another example of a benefit selection screen displayed by the selection request processing unit. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a limit breakthrough execution screen by a benefit granting processing unit. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a result screen after a limit break is executed by a benefit granting processing unit. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure for granting a general-purpose item, which is executed by a CPU of the server device. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure related to item exchange, which is executed by a CPU of the server device. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure related to the execution of a benefit, which is executed by a CPU of the server device. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a server device.

One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

<1. Overall structure of the game system>
First, an example of the overall configuration of a game system 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 1. As shown in Figure 1, the game system 1 includes a plurality of terminal devices 3 (only one of which is shown in Figure 1) operated by players, and a server device 5. Each terminal device 3 and the server device 5 are communicatively connected via a network NW such as a LAN or the Internet. The network NW may be either wireless or wired. Furthermore, although the server device 5 in Figure 1 is configured as a single computer, it may also be configured as a plurality of computers.

The terminal device 3 may be, for example, a smartphone, tablet computer, or portable game console. However, it is not limited to these and may also be, for example, a desktop computer, notebook computer, or stationary game console. The terminal device 3 has a touch panel 7 on which various displays and various input operations are performed by the player. The player performs desired input operations by touching the touch panel 7 with a finger, pen, or the like.

The detection method of the touch panel 7 is not particularly limited, but various detection methods can be used, such as resistive film, capacitance, optical, and electromagnetic induction. In addition to the touch panel 7, the terminal device 3 may also include input devices such as buttons, switches, levers, and joysticks. It may also include an audio output device such as a speaker.

The server device 5 (an example of an information processing device) is a so-called server computer. The server device 5 accepts access via the network NW from the terminal devices 3 of each player receiving the game service, stores and manages each player's game information in a recording device, and provides each player with an online game service via the network NW.

One form of game service provided by the server device 5 is one in which a game program (also referred to as application software) is implemented on the server device 5, and rather than running the game on the terminal device 3, the server device 5 runs the game in response to player input on the terminal device 3 and transmits the execution results to each player's terminal device 3. For example, the server device 5 may provide a so-called browser game in which the game can be played using a web browser installed on each player's terminal device 3. The server device 5 may also provide a so-called cloud game in which game footage resulting from running the game on the server device 5 is transmitted to the terminal device 3, for example, in streaming format. Alternatively, the server device 5 may provide a so-called social game executed by application software created based on an operating environment such as an API (application programming interface) that runs on a web browser in an SNS (social networking service). Note that a portion of the game program may be installed on the terminal device 3, and game processing may be partially executed not only on the server device 5 but also on the terminal device 3.

<2. Functional configuration of the server>
Next, an example of the functional configuration of the server device 5 will be described with reference to FIG. 2 and FIGS. 3 to 14. FIG.

In the following, "gacha" refers to a lottery game in which content such as characters (including character cards, etc.) and items that can be used in the game are provided to players using a method in which the type of content is determined by chance. Gacha may be implemented as a standalone game, or may be implemented in games of various genres, such as role-playing games, simulation games, and action games.

As shown in FIG. 2, the server device 5 has a content database 9, a general-purpose item database 11, a dedicated item database 13, a lottery execution processing unit 15, an ownership determination processing unit 17, an item granting processing unit 19, an item exchange processing unit 21, a selection request processing unit 23, and a bonus granting processing unit 25.

The content database 9 stores information such as the lineup of content provided in the gacha run by the server device 5 and the probability of winning. "Content" refers to game characters (including character cards, etc.) and items (e.g., weapons, armor, equipment, virtual currency, items with various effects, tools, etc.) that can be used in various games. Content may also be classified into types according to their value in the game (e.g., rarity, ability, effect value, etc.), such as "normal," "rare," or "super rare."

The content database 9 also records ownership information for each player regarding the content owned by that player. The ownership information includes, for example, the type and quantity of content. Note that owned content may include content acquired through gacha, as well as content acquired by the player performing a specified in-game action or by purchasing content for a fee. Content ownership information is updated each time a player acquires or consumes content.

The general-purpose item database 11 records, for each player, ownership information for the general-purpose items owned by that player. Ownership information includes, for example, the type and quantity of the general-purpose item. A "general-purpose item" is an item that is given to a player in place of the content won through gacha if the player already owns the content won. Note that general-purpose items may not only be acquired through gacha, but may also be acquired by, for example, purchasing them by paying a fee. They may also be acquired by performing a specified in-game action, such as clearing a mission. They may also be distributed for a fee or free of charge through campaigns, events, etc. General-purpose item ownership information is updated each time a player acquires or consumes a general-purpose item.

The dedicated item database 13 records, for each player, ownership information for the dedicated items owned by that player. Ownership information includes, for example, the type and quantity of dedicated items. The dedicated item ownership information is updated each time a player acquires or consumes a dedicated item. A "dedicated item" is an item that allows a player to obtain a specific type of benefit, and is an item that can be acquired in exchange for a predetermined number of general-purpose items. A "specific type of benefit" is, for example, a predetermined effect that is added to specific content (e.g., a specific character card) owned by the player. Dedicated items are set as dedicated items for each piece of content (e.g., each character card) to which the benefit is added.

The dedicated item database 13 also records information for each dedicated item, such as the quantity of general-purpose items required to exchange it, the maximum number that can be exchanged, and the exchange deadline. Players can obtain dedicated items by exchanging their owned general-purpose items for the required quantity set for each dedicated item using (consuming) the required number of items.

The lottery execution processing unit 15 executes a lottery (gacha) for content. The gacha may be a single gacha, or a continuous gacha, which is executed multiple times (e.g., 10 times) in a row.

Figures 3 and 4 show examples of the start screen and result screen of a gacha. In the example shown in Figures 3 and 4, a card gacha is executed, in which, for example, a character card is drawn. As shown in Figure 3, the start screen of the card gacha displays, for example, a featured content display section 27, a lineup display button 29, a confirmation message 31 for confirming whether or not to execute the card gacha, a "Yes" button 33 for instructing the execution of the card gacha, and a "No" button 35 for canceling the execution of the card gacha.

The featured content display section 27 displays the featured content from among the content provided in this gacha. In Figure 3, for example, three character cards of the "Super Rare" type, "SR-2," "SR-5," and "SR-12," are displayed as featured content.

When the player operates the lineup display button 29, the lineup of all character cards offered by the card gacha and the winning probability of each character card are displayed individually. This information is recorded in the content database 9.

The confirmation message 31 asks the player whether or not they wish to play the card gacha, and displays the amount of virtual currency required to play the card gacha (e.g., 10 coins).

If the player operates the "Yes" button 33, the lottery execution processing unit 15 executes the card gacha, and the number of coins displayed in the confirmation message 31 is consumed from the player's possession. If the player operates the "No" button 35, the execution of the card gacha is canceled.

As shown in Figure 4, the card gacha result screen displays a winning content display section 37. The winning content display section 37 displays the character card that was won as a result of running the card gacha. In the example shown in Figure 4, for example, the character card "N-59," which is a "normal" type, has been won.

Returning to Figure 2, the ownership determination processing unit 17 determines whether the player owns the content won through gacha by referencing the content ownership information recorded in the content database 9. If it is determined that the player does not own the content won, the content won is granted to the player. On the other hand, if it is determined that the player owns the content won, processing by the item granting processing unit 19, described below, is executed.

When the ownership determination processing unit 17 determines that the player owns the won content, the item granting processing unit 19 grants a general-purpose item (an example of a first item) in place of the won content. As mentioned above, general-purpose items are items that can be exchanged for various types of dedicated items when a predetermined number is collected. The number of general-purpose items granted may be a preset fixed value, or may vary depending on, for example, the in-game value of the won content (e.g., rarity, ability, efficacy value, etc.). For example, the more valuable the content of the win, the greater the number of general-purpose items granted; for example, 5 for "normal," 30 for "rare," 100 for "super rare," etc.

Figure 4 shows an example of a game screen when the ownership determination processing unit 17 determines that the player owns the content that was won. As shown in Figure 4, if the player owns the won character card "N-59," a confirmation message 39 is displayed, prompting the player to confirm whether or not to acquire a general-purpose item in place of the won character card. In the example shown in Figure 4, a "jewel," an item resembling a gem, is awarded as an example of the general-purpose item. The player can receive the general-purpose item by operating the "Yes" button 41. On the other hand, the player can also receive the won content instead of the general-purpose item by operating the "No" button 43. By allowing the player to choose whether or not to receive a general-purpose item in this way, it is possible to accommodate cases where the player wants to collect multiple pieces of content that they already own, for example.

Figure 5 shows an example of a game screen when a general-purpose item has been granted by the item granting processing unit 19. The game screen shown in Figure 5 is displayed when the "Yes" button 41 is operated on the game screen of Figure 4. In the example shown in Figure 5, the player is granted a number of jewels 44 (an example of a general-purpose item) (e.g., five) corresponding to the "Normal" type of the character card "N-59" that has been won.

Returning to FIG. 2, the item exchange processing unit 21 exchanges a predetermined number of general-purpose items for dedicated items (an example of a second item) that allow the player to obtain a specific type of benefit. "Obtaining a specific type of benefit" includes, for example, adding a benefit to specific content owned by the player. In this case, the item exchange processing unit 21 may exchange a predetermined number of general-purpose items for dedicated items that add a benefit to specific content owned by the player. The "predetermined number" is set in advance for each dedicated item as the number of general-purpose items required for exchange, and is recorded in the dedicated item database 13. Note that "obtaining a specific type of benefit" may also include, for example, increasing the player's level or rank (so-called user rank). A user rank is a grade assigned to a player based on, for example, play time, past performance, evaluation, etc.

Figure 6 shows an example of an exchange item selection screen by the item exchange processing unit 21. As shown in Figure 6, the exchange item selection screen displays an exchange item list display section 45 that displays a list of dedicated items that can be exchanged for general-purpose items. The exchange item list display section 45 displays dedicated items 47 for imparting a predetermined effect to a character card owned by the player, for example, as dedicated items for adding benefits to specific content owned by the player. Hereinafter, imparting a predetermined effect will be referred to as "limit break" as appropriate. In the example shown in Figure 6, dedicated items 47 for imparting limit breaks to character cards related to, for example, character A, character B, character C, character D, etc. are displayed.

Each dedicated item 47 displays an item icon image 49, the item's name (Limit Break Fragment for Characters A-D) 51, and item information 53, including the quantity of consumable items (general items) required for exchange, the maximum number that can be exchanged, and the exchange deadline. The maximum number that can be exchanged is the maximum number of dedicated items a player can obtain by exchanging them for general items. Each character card is set to a number of times that Limit Break can be performed (e.g., four levels). For example, if each dedicated item consumes one level of Limit Break, the maximum number of times that Limit Break can be performed is set as the maximum number that can be exchanged. The maximum number that can be exchanged is decremented by one each time a dedicated item is consumed. The maximum number that can be exchanged may be reset at regular intervals (e.g., a monthly limit of four items). The exchange deadline is the period during which a player can obtain a dedicated item by exchanging it for a general item; once that period has passed, the dedicated item can no longer be exchanged for a general item. The exchange deadline does not necessarily have to be set. The player selects one of the exclusive items 47 from the exclusive items 47 displayed in the exchange item list display section 45. Figure 6 shows the case where, for example, an exclusive item 47 relating to character A is selected (shown in a bold frame in Figure 6).

Figure 7 shows an example of an exchange number designation screen for specifying the number of exclusive items to be exchanged. The exchange number designation screen in Figure 7 is a game screen that appears when, for example, exclusive item 47 (character A's limit break fragment) for character A is selected on the exchange item selection screen in Figure 6. As shown in Figure 7, the exchange number designation screen displays the selected exclusive item 47, a quantity designation section 55, a confirmation message 57 for confirming whether or not to execute the exchange, a "Yes" button 59 for executing the exchange, and a "No" button 61 for canceling the exchange.

The player can specify the number of exclusive items to exchange by operating, for example, the "+1" button or the "-1" button in the quantity specification section 55. The quantity specification section 55 displays the upper limit number 63 that can be exchanged, and the exchange number 65 that can be increased or decreased by operating the "+1" button or the "-1" button.

If the player operates the "Yes" button 59, the item exchange processing unit 21 will execute the item exchange, and the number of jewels displayed on the consumable item required for the exchange will be consumed from the player's general-purpose items (jewels). If the player operates the "No" button 61, the item exchange will be canceled.

Returning to Figure 2, the selection request processing unit 23 presents the player with multiple perks based on the consumption of a general-purpose item and requests the player to select a desired perk. "Based on the consumption of a general-purpose item" includes consuming a general-purpose item to exchange it for a dedicated item and then consuming the dedicated item obtained through the exchange. In this case, the selection request processing unit 23 may present the player with multiple perks of a specific type based on the consumption of the dedicated item and request the player to select a desired perk. "Multiple perks of a specific type" includes, for example, multiple perks that can be added to specific content owned by the player. In this case, the selection request processing unit 23 may present the player with multiple perks that can be added to specific content based on the consumption of the dedicated item and request the player to select a desired perk.

Figure 8 shows an example of a consumable item selection screen for selecting a special item to be consumed when performing a limit break. As shown in Figure 8, the consumable item selection screen displays an owned item list display section 67 that displays a list of special items owned by the player. In the example shown in Figure 8, the owned item list display section 67 displays special items 69 for performing limit breaks on cards related to characters A, B, etc. owned by the player. The player selects one of the special items 69 from the owned item list display section 67. Figure 8 shows a case where a special item 69 related to character A has been selected (shown in a thick frame in Figure 8).

Each dedicated item 69 displays an item icon image 71, the item's name (character A to B's limit break fragment) 73, the number of items owned 75, and the number of items required for the next limit break 77. In the example shown in Figure 8, for example, one dedicated item 69 is required to perform the next limit break for character A, and the player owns four, indicating that limit break is possible. Similarly, three dedicated items 69 are required to perform the next limit break for character B, and the player does not own any of them, indicating that limit break is not possible. The number of items required for the next limit break 77 may be 1 for all stages, or may vary depending on the stage, such as 1 for the first stage, 2 for the second stage, etc.

The consumable item selection screen also displays a progress display section 79 that shows the progress of the limit break of the character card related to the exclusive item 69 selected in the owned item list display section 67. The progress display section 79 displays a character icon image 81, a status 83 including the character's name and level, and the progress 85 of the limit break of the character card. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the progress display section 79 displays that, for example, a card related to character A can undergo four stages of limit break, and that the current progress is that no limit break has been performed yet and that the next stage is the first stage of limit break (shown by diagonal hatching in FIG. 8). The display also displays the benefits of each stage of limit break, such as strengthened status in the first stage, strengthened skill equipment in the second stage, lifted skill restrictions in the third stage, and unlocking additional scenarios in the fourth stage.

Figure 9 shows an example of a perk selection screen by the selection request processing unit 23. The perk selection screen shown in Figure 9 is displayed when, for example, dedicated item 69 for character A is selected on the consumable item selection screen of Figure 8. As mentioned above, character A's status is strengthened in the first stage of limit breaking. In the example shown in Figure 9, status strengthening options such as physical attack power +15%, magic attack power +15%, physical defense power +15%, or magic defense power +15% are presented, and the player can select the desired strengthening option from these.

Figure 10 shows another example of a perk selection screen by the selection request processing unit 23. The perk selection screen shown in Figure 10 is displayed when, for example, a dedicated item 69 for character A is selected on the consumable item selection screen in Figure 8, character A has been limit broken once, and the next limit break will be the second stage. As mentioned above, character A's second stage limit break strengthens the skill equipment. In the example shown in Figure 10, the contents of the skill equipment strengthening are presented as, for example, a skill slot rank increase of +1 or an increase in the number of equippable skills of +3, and the player can select the desired strengthening content from these.

Skill slots are preset ranks of equippable skills for each character card, and are set, for example, in descending order of rank, as S rank, A rank, B rank, C rank, etc. For example, a character card with a B rank skill slot can only be equipped with skills of B rank or lower (B rank and C rank), and cannot be equipped with S rank or A rank skills. By selecting "Up Rank +1" for a skill slot, the player can increase the rank of the skill slot by one rank. Furthermore, the number of equippable skills is the number of equippable skills preset for each character card, and by selecting "Number of equippable skills +3," the player can increase the number of equippable skills by three.

Figure 11 shows yet another example of a perk selection screen displayed by the selection request processing unit 23. The perk selection screen shown in Figure 11 is displayed when, for example, a dedicated item 69 for character A is selected on the consumable item selection screen of Figure 8, character A has been broken through twice, and the next step is a third-stage breakthrough. As mentioned above, character A's third-stage breakthrough removes skill restrictions. In the example shown in Figure 11, skills for which restrictions will be removed are presented as recovery skills, attack support skills, or defense skills, for example, and the player can select the desired skill from these. For example, if the type of skill that can be equipped on character A's card is attack skills (recovery skills, attack support skills, defense skills, etc. are restricted), selecting recovery skills as the skill to remove the restriction will allow character A's card to be equipped with recovery skills in addition to attack skills.

Figure 12 shows yet another example of a bonus selection screen by the selection request processing unit 23. The bonus selection screen shown in Figure 12 is displayed when, for example, a dedicated item 69 for character A is selected on the consumable item selection screen of Figure 8, character A has been limit broken three times, and the next limit break will be the fourth level. As mentioned above, character A's fourth level limit break unlocks additional scenarios. In the example shown in Figure 12, unlocked additional scenarios are presented, for example, meeting friends, childhood, or dungeon adventures, and the player can select the desired additional scenario from these.

Returning to Figure 2, the bonus granting processing unit 25 grants the player the bonus selected in response to the request from the selection request processing unit 23. As mentioned above, "bonus" includes, for example, a bonus added to specific content owned by the player. In this case, the bonus granting processing unit 25 may add the selected bonus to the specific content.

Figure 13 shows an example of a limit break execution screen by the benefit granting processing unit 25. The limit break execution screen shown in Figure 13 is displayed when, for example, Physical Defense +15% is selected on the benefit selection screen shown in Figure 9. As shown in Figure 13, the limit break execution screen displays the content 87 of the selected benefit, a confirmation message 89 for confirming whether or not to execute the limit break, a "Yes" button 91 for executing the limit break, and a "No" button 93 for canceling the limit break.

If the player operates the "Yes" button 91, the bonus granting processing unit 25 executes the limit break and consumes a special item 69 (for example, a fragment of character A's limit break) owned by the player. If the player operates the "No" button 93, the execution of the limit break is canceled.

Figure 14 shows an example of a result screen after a limit break is executed by the benefit granting processing unit 25. The result screen shown in Figure 14 is displayed, for example, when the "Yes" button 91 is operated on the limit break execution screen shown in Figure 13. In the example shown in Figure 14, for example, the words "Limit Break!!" 95 indicating that a limit break has been executed, an icon image 97 of character A, and the content of the benefit 99 added to the card related to character A (physical defense increased by 15%) are displayed.

The processing in each processing unit described above is not limited to these examples of processing divisions, and may be performed by a smaller number of processing units (e.g., one processing unit), or by further subdivided processing units. The functions of each processing unit described above are implemented by a game program executed by the CPU 501 (see FIG. 18 described below), but some of them may be implemented by actual devices such as dedicated integrated circuits such as ASICs or FPGAs, or other electrical circuits. Furthermore, the processing units described above are not limited to being implemented entirely on the server device 5 side, and some or all of them may be implemented on the terminal device 3 side. When implemented on the terminal device 3 side, the terminal device 3 also serves as an example of an information processing device.

<3. Processing procedure executed by the server>
Next, an example of a processing procedure executed by the CPU 501 of the server device 5 will be described with reference to FIGS.

Figure 15 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure for granting general-purpose items. The server device 5 starts this flow when a command to start gacha is issued by the player.

In step S10, the server device 5 displays the gacha start screen via the lottery execution processing unit 15 (see Figure 3).

In step S20, the server device 5, using the lottery execution processing unit 15, determines whether or not a gacha execution instruction has been issued by the player. For example, it determines that a gacha execution instruction has been issued if the "Yes" button 33 is operated on the gacha start screen shown in Figure 3 above. This step S20 is repeated until a gacha execution instruction is issued (step S20: NO), and if a gacha execution instruction has been issued (step S20: YES), the server device 5 proceeds to the next step S30.

In step S30, the server device 5 executes the gacha using the lottery execution processing unit 15.

In step S40, the server device 5, using the ownership determination processing unit 17, determines whether the player owns the content won in the gacha executed in step S30 above. If it is determined that the player owns the content (step S40: YES), the process proceeds to the next step S50. On the other hand, if it is determined that the player does not own the content (step S40: NO), the process proceeds to step S60, which will be described later.

In step S50, the server device 5 causes the item granting processing unit 19 to grant the player a predetermined number of general-purpose items in place of the content won through the gacha (see Figure 5). Then, this flowchart ends.

In step S60, the server device 5 grants the content won through the gacha to the player. Then, this flowchart ends.

Figure 16 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure related to item exchange. The server device 5 starts this flow when a command to start an item exchange is received from the player.

In step S110, the server device 5 causes the item exchange processing unit 21 to display an exchange item selection screen for selecting a dedicated item to exchange for the general-purpose item (see Figure 6).

In step S120, the server device 5 determines, via the item exchange processing unit 21, whether or not a dedicated item to be exchanged has been selected. For example, if any of the dedicated items 47 is selected by the player on the exchange item selection screen shown in FIG. 6 described above, it is determined that a dedicated item has been selected. This step S120 is repeated (step S120: NO) until a dedicated item is selected, and if a dedicated item is selected (step S120: YES), the process proceeds to the next step S130.

In step S130, the server device 5 determines whether the item exchange processing unit 21 has specified the number of exclusive items to be exchanged. For example, it determines that the number of exchanges has been specified if the number of exchanges is entered in the quantity specification section 55 of the exchange number specification screen shown in FIG. 7 above. This step S130 is repeated until the number of exchanges is specified (step S130: NO), and if the number of exchanges has been specified (step S130: YES), the server device 5 proceeds to the next step S140.

In step S140, the server device 5 determines via the item exchange processing unit 21 whether an instruction to execute an item exchange has been received. For example, it determines that an instruction to execute an item exchange has been received if the "Yes" button 59 is operated on the exchange quantity designation screen shown in FIG. 7 described above. If an instruction to execute an item exchange has not been received (step S140: NO), the process returns to the previous step S120 and repeats the same procedure. On the other hand, if an instruction to execute an item exchange has been received (step S140: YES), the process proceeds to the next step S150.

In step S150, the server device 5, through the item exchange processing unit 21, consumes a predetermined number of general-purpose items and exchanges them for the quantity of special-purpose items selected in step S120 and specified in step S130. This flowchart then ends.

Figure 17 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing steps involved in executing a limit break. The server device 5 starts this flow when a command to start a limit break is received from the player.

In step S210, the server device 5 displays a consumable item selection screen for selecting a dedicated item 69 to be consumed (see Figure 8), and displays a list of dedicated items 69 owned by the player in the owned item list display section 67.

In step S220, the server device 5 determines whether a dedicated item 69 to be consumed has been selected. For example, if any dedicated item 69 is selected by the player on the consumable item selection screen shown in FIG. 8 described above, it is determined that a dedicated item has been selected. This step S220 is repeated (step S220: NO) until a dedicated item is selected, and if a dedicated item is selected (step S220: YES), the server device 5 proceeds to the next step S230.

In step S230, the server device 5 causes the selection request processing unit 23 to display a list of benefits that can be obtained by consuming the dedicated item 69 selected in step S220 (see Figures 9 to 12).

In step S240, the server device 5, via the selection request processing unit 23, determines whether the player has selected any one of the multiple benefits displayed in step S230. For example, it determines that a benefit has been selected when the player selects any one of the benefits on the benefit selection screens shown in Figures 9 to 12 above. This step S240 is repeated until a benefit is selected (step S240: NO), and if a benefit is selected (step S240: YES), the server device 5 proceeds to the next step S250.

In step S250, the server device 5 determines whether or not there has been an instruction to execute a limit break (in other words, an instruction to execute a dedicated item consumption) from the player. For example, it is determined that an instruction to execute a limit break has been issued if the "Yes" button 91 is operated on the limit break execution screen shown in FIG. 13 described above. If there has been no instruction to execute a limit break (step S250: NO), the server device 5 returns to the previous step S210 and repeats the same procedure. On the other hand, if there has been an instruction to execute a limit break (step S250: YES), the server device 5 proceeds to the next step S260.

In step S260, the server device 5 executes a limit break using the bonus granting processing unit 25. That is, the dedicated item selected in step S220 above is consumed to execute the bonus selected in step S240 above. This flowchart then ends.

Note that the above-described processing procedures are merely examples, and at least some of the procedures may be deleted or modified, or procedures other than those described above may be added. Furthermore, the order of at least some of the procedures may be changed, or multiple procedures may be combined into a single procedure.

4. Effects of the embodiment
The game program of this embodiment causes the server device 5 to function as a lottery execution processing unit 15 that executes a lottery for content, an ownership determination processing unit 17 that determines whether the player owns the content won by the lottery, an item granting processing unit 19 that grants a general-purpose item in place of the won content if the player owns the won content, a selection request processing unit 23 that presents multiple benefits to the player based on the consumption of the general-purpose item and requests the player to select the desired benefit, and a benefit granting processing unit 25 that grants the selected benefit to the player.

In this embodiment, if a player already owns the content won through gacha, a general-purpose item is awarded in place of the content won. The player can select a desired benefit from among multiple benefits based on the consumption of the general-purpose item, and the selected benefit is awarded to the player. This prevents the player from being awarded a benefit that the player does not want or need, and allows the player to obtain a benefit that the player wants or needs. This increases the player's motivation to continue playing gacha.

In addition, in this embodiment, the game program may also cause the server device 5 to function as an item exchange processing unit 21 that exchanges a predetermined number of general-purpose items for dedicated items that allow the player to obtain a specific type of benefit. In this case, the selection request processing unit 23 may present the player with multiple specific types of benefits based on the consumption of the dedicated items and request the player to select the desired benefit, and the benefit granting processing unit 25 may grant the selected benefit to the player.

In this embodiment, a predetermined number of general-purpose items are exchanged for dedicated items that allow the player to receive a specific type of benefit. In other words, dedicated items are dedicated items that are used to obtain a specific type of benefit, while general-purpose items are general-purpose items that can be exchanged for various types of dedicated items once a predetermined number of them are collected. Therefore, if a player already owns the content they have won and is granted dedicated items, for example, if the player has already obtained a specific type of benefit with the dedicated items, they will have excess dedicated items, which could discourage the player from continuing to play gacha. In contrast, according to this embodiment, if a player has already obtained a specific type of benefit, they can exchange the general-purpose items for dedicated items that allow them to obtain a different type of benefit, thereby enabling them to obtain a different type of benefit. In this way, by granting general-purpose items and making them exchangeable for dedicated items, it is possible to consume all of the general-purpose items without waste. This increases the player's motivation to continue playing gacha.

In addition, in this embodiment, the item exchange processing unit 21 exchanges a predetermined number of general-purpose items for dedicated items for adding benefits to specific content owned by the player, the selection request processing unit 23 presents the player with multiple benefits that can be added to the specific content based on the consumption of the dedicated items and requests the player to select the desired benefit, and the benefit granting processing unit 25 adds the selected benefit to the specific content.

In this embodiment, a predetermined number of general-purpose items are exchanged for dedicated items that grant bonuses to specific content owned by the player. In other words, dedicated items are dedicated items that grant bonuses to specific content, while general-purpose items are general-purpose items that can be exchanged for various types of dedicated items once a predetermined number of them are collected. Therefore, if a player already owns the content they have won, if a dedicated item were awarded, for example, if the player has already obtained a bonus for the specific content using the dedicated item, they would end up with a surplus of dedicated items, which could discourage the player from continuing to play gacha. In contrast, according to this embodiment, if a player has already obtained a bonus for the specific content, they can exchange the general-purpose items for dedicated items that grant bonuses to other content, thereby enabling them to add bonuses to other content. For example, in the case of the item exchange shown in Figure 6 above, if the player's card for character A has already been limit-broken up to the fourth stage, further limit-broken breaks cannot be performed for character A, and therefore the general-purpose item cannot be exchanged for the dedicated item 47 for character A (the upper limit for exchanges is "0 remaining"). In such cases, by exchanging the general-purpose item for a special item 47 for other characters B to D, it becomes possible to perform limit breaks on the cards for the other characters B to D. In this way, by making it possible to exchange general-purpose items for special items, it becomes possible to use up all general-purpose items. This increases the player's motivation to continue playing gacha.

In addition to what has already been described above, the methods of the above embodiments and their modifications may be combined as appropriate. Although not specifically illustrated, the above embodiments and their modifications may be implemented with various modifications within the spirit and scope of their intended use.

<5. Server hardware configuration>
18, an example of the hardware configuration of the server device 5 that realizes each processing unit implemented by the program executed by the CPU 501 described above will be described. Note that the terminal device 3 may also have a similar hardware configuration.

As shown in FIG. 18, the server device 5 includes, for example, a CPU 501, ROM 503, RAM 505, GPU 506, a dedicated integrated circuit 507 built for a specific application, such as an ASIC or FPGA, an input device 513, an output device 515, a recording device 517, a drive 519, a connection port 521, and a communication device 523. These components are connected to each other via a bus 509, an input/output interface 511, etc., so that signals can be transmitted between them.

The game program can be recorded, for example, in ROM 503, RAM 505, or a recording device 517 such as a hard disk.

The game program can also be temporarily or permanently (non-temporarily) recorded on removable recording media 525, such as a magnetic disk such as a flexible disk, various optical disks such as CDs, MO disks, and DVDs, or semiconductor memory. Such recording media 525 can also be provided as so-called packaged software. In this case, the game program recorded on these recording media 525 can be read by the drive 519 and recorded on the recording device 517 via the input/output interface 511, bus 509, etc.

The game program can also be stored, for example, on a download site, another computer, or another storage device (not shown). In this case, the game program is transferred via a network NW such as a LAN or the Internet, and the communication device 523 receives the program. The program received by the communication device 523 may then be recorded on the storage device 517 via the input/output interface 511, bus 509, etc.

The game program can also be recorded, for example, on an appropriate externally connected device 527. In this case, the game program may be transferred via an appropriate connection port 521 and recorded on the recording device 517 via the input/output interface 511, bus 509, etc.

The CPU 501 then executes various processes in accordance with the programs recorded on the recording device 517, thereby realizing the processes of the lottery execution processing unit 15, ownership determination processing unit 17, item granting processing unit 19, item exchange processing unit 21, selection request processing unit 23, bonus granting processing unit 25, etc. described above. At this time, the CPU 501 may, for example, read and execute the programs directly from the recording device 517, or may first load the programs into RAM 505 and then execute them. Furthermore, when the CPU 501 receives a program via the communication device 523, drive 519, or connection port 521, for example, the CPU 501 may execute the received program directly without recording it on the recording device 517.

In addition to signals input from the touch panel 7 of each terminal device 3 via the network NW, the CPU 501 may also perform various processes based on signals and information input from an input device 513, such as a mouse, keyboard, or microphone, as necessary.

The GPU 506 performs image display processing, such as rendering processing, in response to instructions from the CPU 501.

The CPU 501 and GPU 506 then output the results of the above processing to the touch panel 7 of each terminal device 3 via the network NW, and, if necessary, output them from the output device 515, which may include an audio output unit (not shown), such as a speaker or headphones. Furthermore, the CPU 501 and GPU 506 may transmit the processing results via the communication device 523 or connection port 521, if necessary, or may record them on the recording device 517 or recording medium 525.

3. Terminal device (information processing device)
5. Server device (information processing device)
15 Lottery execution processing unit 17 Possession determination processing unit 19 Item granting processing unit 21 Item exchange processing unit 23 Selection request processing unit 25 Benefit granting processing unit 44 Jewel (first item)
47 Special Item (Second Item)
69 Special Item (Second Item)

Claims (4)

An information processing device
a lottery execution processing unit that executes a lottery for content;
an ownership determination processing unit that determines whether or not the player owns the content selected by the lottery;
an item granting processing unit that grants a first item in place of the content that has been won, when the player owns the content that has been won;
an item exchange processing unit that exchanges a predetermined number of the first items with second items that allow the player to gradually obtain a specific type of benefit;
a selection request processing unit that presents a plurality of specific types of benefits to the player in stages based on consumption of the second item, and requests the player to select a desired benefit;
a reward granting processing unit that grants the selected reward to the player;
a display processing unit that displays a selection screen for selecting the second item to be consumed;
It functions as
The display processing unit
displaying, on the selection screen, a progress status indicating to what stage the player has progressed in acquiring the benefit and the types of the benefit included in each stage;
Game program. The item exchange processing unit:
exchanging the predetermined number of first items for the second items for gradually adding a plurality of types of the benefits to specific content owned by the player;
The selection request processing unit
presenting the plurality of benefits that can be added to the specific content to the player based on consumption of the second item selected on the selection screen, and requesting the player to select a desired benefit;
The benefit granting processing unit
Adding the selected benefit to the specific content;
The game program according to claim 1 . A game processing method executed by an information processing device, comprising:
conducting a content lottery;
determining whether or not the player owns the content selected by the lottery;
If the player owns the content selected by the prize, granting the player a first item in place of the content selected by the prize;
exchanging a predetermined number of the first items for second items that allow the player to gradually obtain a specific type of benefit;
a step of gradually presenting a plurality of benefits of the specific type to the player based on consumption of the second item and requesting the player to select a desired benefit;
awarding the selected benefit to the player;
displaying a selection screen for selecting the second item to be consumed;
and
The step of displaying the selection screen includes:
A game processing method in which the selection screen displays a progress status indicating to what stage the player has progressed in acquiring the benefit, and the types of the benefit included in each stage . a lottery execution processing unit that executes a lottery for content;
an ownership determination processing unit that determines whether or not the player owns the content selected by the lottery;
an item granting processing unit that grants a first item in place of the content that has been won, when the player owns the content that has been won;
an item exchange processing unit that exchanges a predetermined number of the first items with second items that allow the player to gradually obtain a specific type of benefit;
a selection request processing unit that presents a plurality of specific types of benefits to the player in stages based on consumption of the second item, and requests the player to select a desired benefit;
a reward awarding processing unit that awards the selected reward to the player;
a display processing unit that displays a selection screen for selecting the second item to be consumed;
and
The display processing unit
The information processing device displays, on the selection screen, a progress status indicating to what stage the player has progressed in acquiring the benefit, and the types of the benefit included in each stage .