JP7850064B2 - Program and game device - Google Patents

Description

This invention relates to a program and a game device, and more particularly to an electronic game that includes providing game elements to the player.

There is an electronic game that adds game elements based on the results of a lottery process (Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2018-033864

Incidentally, if the aforementioned lottery process is implemented, for example, as a reward for achieving the victory conditions in a competitive game, the difficulty of the game will vary depending on the opponent, which can make achieving the victory conditions difficult. Therefore, depending on the opponent's matchmaking situation, the number of lottery opportunities given to a player may be reduced. On the other hand, if the probability of winning the lottery process is fixed for the sake of fairness, even if a player defeats a higher-ranked opponent, they may still be unsuccessful in the lottery process. As a result, there was a risk that players' interest in competitive games would decrease from the perspective of matchmaking and rewards.

The present invention aims to provide a program and game device that enable the incorporation of highly engaging game elements.

A program according to one aspect of the present invention causes a computer capable of providing a competitive game play experience to execute: an acquisition process for acquiring evaluation values for both the player and the opponent in a competitive game for which a play experience has been provided; an assignment process for assigning game elements to the player in response to the provision of the competitive game play experience; and a control process for controlling the assignment of game elements in the assignment process based on the results of an executed lottery process. The control process varies the winning probability of the lottery process according to the difference in evaluation values between the player and the opponent.

According to this invention, it becomes possible to add highly engaging game elements.

A diagram illustrating the system configuration of a game system according to embodiments and modified examples of the present invention. Block diagram illustrating the functional configuration of a game device 100 according to embodiments and modifications of the present invention. Block diagram illustrating the functional configuration of server 200 according to embodiments and modifications of the present invention. A diagram illustrating an example of how the probability of winning can be modified according to an embodiment of the present invention. A flowchart illustrating the grant control process executed in a game device 100 according to embodiments and modifications of the present invention. This figure illustrates a setting screen 600 related to the use of a function for changing the probability of winning, according to Modification 6 of the present invention. This figure illustrates the data structure of various types of information used in a game system according to embodiments and modifications of the present invention.

[Embodiment]
The embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention as defined in the claims, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential to the invention. Two or more of the features described in the embodiments may be combined in any way. Furthermore, identical or similar configurations will be given the same reference numeral, and redundant descriptions will be omitted.

The embodiment described below illustrates an example of applying the present invention to a game device configured to provide a competitive game experience involving multiple game devices connected via a network. However, the present invention is applicable to any device that provides a service including a competitive game experience and can provide game elements to players.

《Game System Structure》
Figure 1 is a diagram showing the system configuration of the game system according to this embodiment. As shown in the figure, the game system is configured so that the server 200 and each of the one or more game devices 100 can communicate with each other via the network 300.

In this embodiment, this system configuration enables competitive games between players using multiple game devices 100 via the server 200 and network 300. Furthermore, the games provided by the game device 100 are not limited to competitive games between players, but may include games configured for single-player use.

The game device 100 according to this embodiment has the appearance shown in the figure. The game device 100 is configured to detect payment when available, and when payment is detected, it provides the user (player) with a game play experience service, including the provision of at least one game element. Payment is detected, for example, when a predetermined amount of coins is inserted into the coin slot 141.

The game elements that the game device 100 can provide include physical game cards, which are provided when certain conditions are met during service provision. In this embodiment, it is described that at least one game card is provided for each game play experience. The game device 100 has an external access opening 142, through which the player can access a holding unit 143 located inside. The holding unit 143 holds the game card so that the player can retrieve it at any time when it is provided.

Furthermore, the game device 100 has a mounting section 144 on its exterior where predetermined cards, including game cards provided by the game device 100, can be placed. As will be described in detail later, while using the game device 100, players can place game cards on the mounting section 144 to play the game with the information attached to the game cards reflected. In addition to game cards, player cards for identifying players can also be placed on the mounting section 144. When using the game device 100, players can place their player cards on the mounting section 144 to play the game with their progress reflected. The player's progress is managed by the server 200, and when a player is identified when using the game device 100, that is, when a game experience is provided with the player's identity confirmed, the managed information for each player is updated.

<Functional Configuration of Game Devices>
Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the game device 100 according to this embodiment.

The control unit 101, for example, is a CPU and controls the operation of each functional block of the game device 100. Specifically, the control unit 101 reads the operation program for each functional block stored in the storage device 102, loads it into the memory 103, and executes it to realize the operation of each functional block.

The storage device 102 is a device capable of permanently retaining data, such as a non-volatile memory or HDD. The storage device 102 stores not only the operation programs for each functional block of the game device 100, but also information on parameters necessary for the operation of each functional block, and various graphics data used in the game executed by the game device 100. Memory 103 is a storage device used for temporary data storage, such as a volatile memory. Memory 103 is used not only as an area for deploying the operation programs of each block, but also as a storage area for temporarily storing data output during the operation of each block.

The payment detection unit 104 detects that payment has been made in the game device 100. Payment may be determined, for example, by detecting that a predetermined amount of coins or equivalent coins have been inserted into the input slot 141 of the game device 100, or by detecting the completion of settlement processing based on communication with a chip related to a predetermined electronic money. In this embodiment, the game device 100 is described as starting to provide services, including the experience of playing a competitive game, based on the payment of the service provision fee.

The acquisition unit 105 is an interface for acquiring information from physical cards, provided by the game device 100 of this embodiment. Specifically, the acquisition unit 105 includes a reader configured to acquire information attached to cards placed on the placement unit 144. The physical cards usable by the game device 100 (those from which the acquisition unit 105 can acquire information) are broadly classified into two types, and the placement unit 144 is configured to accommodate either type.

One type of usable card is a game card configured to be provided by the game device 100. Each of these game cards is associated with a game element (character, mount, item, effect, etc.) related to the game experience provided by the game device 100. In this embodiment, for the sake of easier understanding of the invention, the game element associated with each game card is described as a character; however, the implementation of the present invention is not limited to this. Each game card is associated with a character by attaching information for identifying the character (character ID: character identification information). The player can register the corresponding character and use it in the game (or have the character appear in the game, activate the effect associated with the character in the game, etc.) by placing the game card on the placement unit 144 and having the acquisition unit 105 acquire the information.

Another type of usable card is a player card, which contains information used to identify the player in relation to the use of the game device 100. In this embodiment, the game device 100 is configured to save the player's game progress and allow the player to resume from the saved progress the next time they use the device. For this reason, the player card is equipped with at least identification information that uniquely identifies the player (player ID: player identification information). By placing the player card on the placement unit 144 and allowing the acquisition unit 105 to acquire the information, the player can receive services that reflect their progress from past uses. Here, progress includes information on the player's evaluation values related to the game, such as experience points, level, and rank, as well as information on interest elements that are provided to the player in stages, such as function unlock status and game element provision status, which increase and expand as the player uses the game device 100 repeatedly. Progress also includes information on game elements assigned to the player. As will be described in detail later, in the game provided by the game device 100 of this embodiment, various game elements are granted to the player. These granted game elements include game elements (items and skills) that can be used in subsequent gameplay sessions, and game elements (medals) that are accumulated for exchange into such game elements.

In this embodiment, player identification is described as being performed by obtaining information from the player card. However, the method of player identification is not limited to this; information may be obtained from items other than the player card, or it may be replaced by, for example, player recognition processing via another device.

In this embodiment, the physical item from which information can be acquired by the acquisition unit 105 is described as a card, but it goes without saying that it may be a physical item other than a card.

The Character DB 106 is a database that manages information (character information) about each character appearing in the game. The character information managed for a single character includes, for example, as shown in Figure 7(a), a character ID 701 that uniquely identifies the character, and parameter information 702 that describes the character's name, attributes, parameters, and the effects activated by using the character. Parameter information 702 is referenced in the game where the character is used and is involved in controlling the game's progress.

The provision control unit 107 controls the provision of game cards to the player when using the game device 100. The provision of game cards is achieved by a provision unit 120 provided by the game device 100. The provision unit 120 is configured to accommodate multiple game cards in a storage unit (not shown), and upon receiving a character card provision instruction from the provision control unit 107, it operates to dispense one of the stored game cards. The dispensed game card is held in a holding unit 143 in a manner that allows the player to remove it.

The granting unit 108 controls the granting of game elements to the player for games that the game device 100 provides a play experience for. As will be described in detail later, in this embodiment, the game device 100 grants medals, which are one of the game elements related to the game provided the play experience. The granting unit 108 executes the processing related to the granting of these medals and determines whether or not to grant medals to the player and the number of medals to be granted.

The display control unit 109 controls the display of various types of information to the player via the display unit 130 in the game device 100. In this embodiment, the display unit 130, which realizes the display of information, is described as a display device capable of visual information presentation, such as a liquid crystal display, which displays images (game screen, menu screen, etc.). However, it goes without saying that the means of information presentation are not limited to this, and alternatives or additions are possible. The display unit 130 may also include, for example, a speaker that provides auditory information presentation.

In an embodiment where the display unit 130 is a display device, the display control unit 109 includes, for example, a rendering device such as a GPU, and performs predetermined rendering processing to generate a screen to be displayed on the display unit 130. Specifically, while the game device 100 is running (during service provision or standby), the display control unit 109 executes necessary calculations on necessary rendering objects (graphics data) based on the processing and commands performed by the control unit 101, and renders the screen. The generated screen is output to the display unit 130 and presented to the player by being displayed within a predetermined display area.

The operation input unit 110 is a user interface of the game device 100, such as an operating member for decision input or various sensors. When the operation input unit 110 detects that an operation input has been made to the operating member, it outputs a control signal corresponding to that operation input to the control unit 101. In this embodiment, the operation input unit 110 includes, for example, a touch input detection sensor that detects touch input made on the display screen of the presentation unit 130, i.e., contact with a part of the human body.

The communication unit 111 is a communication interface between the game device 100 and external devices. The communication unit 111 can connect to external devices via a network 300 (whether wired or wireless), which may be a communication network such as the Internet or a cable connecting devices, enabling data transmission and reception. For example, the communication unit 111 converts information input as data to be transmitted into a predetermined format and transmits it to an external device such as a server 200 via the network 300. Furthermore, when the communication unit 111 receives information from an external device via the network 300, for example, it decodes the information and stores it in the memory 103. In this embodiment, the game device 100 transmits and receives information via the communication unit 110 at least when providing services that reflect the player's progress.

<Server Configuration>
Next, the functional configuration of the server 200 according to this embodiment will be explained using the block diagram in Figure 3. In the explanation of the functional configuration of the server 200, configurations that realize the same functions as those of the game device 100 will be indicated with the prefix "server" to distinguish them from the configuration of the game device 100.

The server control unit 201 is, for example, a CPU, and controls the operation of each functional block of the server 200. Specifically, the server control unit 201 controls the operation of each functional block by, for example, reading the operation program related to each functional block recorded in the server storage device 202, loading it into the server memory 203, and executing it.

The server storage device 202 is a recording device capable of permanently retaining data, such as non-volatile memory or an HDD. The server storage device 202 records not only the operation programs related to each functional block of the server 200, but also information such as parameters necessary for the operation of each functional block. The server memory 203 is a storage device used for temporary data storage, such as volatile memory. The server memory 203 is used not only as an area for deploying the operation programs related to each functional block, but also as a storage area for temporarily storing data output during the operation of each functional block.

The Player DB 204 is a database that manages various information (player information) about each user (player) for the game provided in the game device 100 of this embodiment's game system. The player information is referenced when the game device 100 retrieves information from the player card and provides a game experience, and can be sequentially modified according to the provided game experience.

The player information may include, for example, as shown in Figure 7(b), a player ID 711 that uniquely identifies the player, along with setting information 712 including the player's display name, date of birth, avatar configuration, and other individual player settings; progress information 713 indicating the player's game progress; the number of medals held by the player 714; and an evaluation value 715 related to the player's gameplay. The player information for a single player may be registered when the player first uses the game device 100 with their player card. The information included in the setting information 712 only needs to be input into the game device 100 at the time of use.

When the matching unit 205 receives a request to play a competitive game from the game device 100, it identifies other game devices 100 that have also received similar requests and facilitates competitive games between these game devices 100. Specifically, the matching unit 205 detects players who desire to play a competitive game at the same time and determines that two of these players will participate in a single competitive game.

In the following description, the game provided to players by the game device 100 of this embodiment is assumed to be a competitive game played between players using a predetermined number of game devices 100 connected via the network 300 and server 200. In the competitive game, one or more characters registered by acquiring information from game cards appear as characters controlled by each player, and the progress of the competitive game is controlled based on the inputs made by each player during the game and the parameter information of each character.

The server communication unit 206 is a communication interface between the server 200 and external devices. The server communication unit 206 can connect to external devices via a network 300 (whether wired or wireless), which may be a communication network such as the Internet or a cable connecting devices, enabling data transmission and reception. For example, the server communication unit 206 converts information input as data to be transmitted into a predetermined format and transmits it to an external device such as a game device 100 via the network 300. Furthermore, when the server communication unit 206 receives information from an external device via the network 300, for example, it decodes the information and stores it in the server memory 203.

《Overview of Medal Awards》
The following outlines how medals are awarded to players in the game system of this embodiment.

In this embodiment, the game system provides a competitive game experience for two players. Furthermore, a lottery process for medal distribution is executed for players who defeat their opponents in the competitive game, and medals are awarded based on the results of this lottery. In this embodiment, if the lottery result is a win, the player is awarded a predetermined number of medals (1 medal). In other words, a player can get a chance to participate in the lottery if they win the game, and if they win the lottery, they can acquire medals; if they lose, they cannot acquire medals.

The medals are configured to be retained beyond the duration of a single game session using the game machine 100. More specifically, information on points awarded to a player is reflected in the player database 204 of the server 200, for example, at the time of the end of the game machine 100's use, in the number of medals held by that player (714). Then, when the same player retrieves their player card information and uses the game machine 100 again, the service is provided with the player information carried over, thus enabling medal accumulation. Therefore, medal awarding is conditional on the game machine 100 being used while the player is identified.

The accumulated medals may be configured to be exchangeable for other game elements (items or skills) that, when used during gameplay, activate effects that adjust the game's progress in a favorable direction, for example, after a predetermined number of medals have been consumed. These other game elements may be of a different type than the characters registered based on the game cards, and may have usage limits to ensure fairness.

As mentioned above, the matchmaking process is not always ideal, as the number of players requesting matches simultaneously can fluctuate depending on factors such as the time of day, day of the week, and the region where Server 200 is located. In other words, differences in player skill and character abilities can occur, potentially leading to matchmaking that favors one player over the other. Such matchmaking can reduce the disadvantaged player's motivation to play the game, potentially leading to a decrease in their overall interest in the game. Furthermore, if the disadvantaged player abandons the game midway, the game's progress will be delayed, potentially causing a decrease in the opponent's (the advantageous player's) interest in the game.

Therefore, in the game system of this embodiment, when there is a difference in skill between players, the lottery process executed when the disadvantaged player wins is controlled to increase the probability of winning. That is, by making it easier for that player to be awarded medals, the player's motivation for the game increases, making it easier to maintain their interest in the game. Furthermore, by increasing the likelihood of medal awarding, opportunities to provide game elements that give such players an advantage in the game increase, and as a result, it is possible to guide the game toward achieving fairness in subsequent competitive games.

The control of medal distribution is achieved by deriving an evaluation value for each player based on their game skill and the performance of the character they use (the character possessing the corresponding game card). When a competitive game takes place, the probability of winning a draw is differentiated based on the difference in evaluation values among the players participating in the game. To simplify the invention, the game play skill and character performance of each player will be simply referred to as the player's "ability," and each player's evaluation value will be derived by quantifying this ability using a predetermined method. The player's evaluation value may be, for example, a rate determined by the outcome of a competitive game, a cumulative score that increases or decreases depending on the number of wins, or a value determined based on the cumulative number of medals awarded. In other words, the player's evaluation value is a numerical representation of the degree to which that player can gain an advantage in a competitive game. Furthermore, the evaluation value derived in this way for each player is included and managed as an evaluation value 715 in the player information related to that player.

In this embodiment, the mechanism for changing the winning probability is configured such that the larger the difference in evaluation values between the player and their opponent, the greater the increase in the winning probability, as shown in Figure 4, for example. That is, if a player with a lower evaluation value than their opponent wins the game, the winning probability in the lottery process executed after the game is increased by the amount of the difference in evaluation values compared to when a player wins against an opponent with an equivalent evaluation value.

Furthermore, information regarding the mechanism that increases the probability of winning the lottery process when a player wins a game against a player with a higher evaluation score (a higher-ranked player) can be made known, for example, by being displayed via the display unit 130 during the standby time of the game device 100, during the execution of the game, or during the execution of the lottery process, or by being included on a game explanation panel attached to the exterior of the game device 100. Note that, for the smooth progress of the game, the evaluation scores of each player participating in the game should not be displayed, at least during the provision of the gameplay experience. However, in order to appropriately stimulate the player's desire to win medals, information suggesting differences in evaluation scores between players, such as that the opponent is a higher-ranked player or that the game is one in which the probability of winning the lottery process increases upon victory, may be displayed.

《Granting Control Processing》
In the game device 100 of this embodiment, which has the above configuration, the medal awarding control process performed in relation to awarding medals will be explained using the flowchart in Figure 5. The process corresponding to the flowchart can be realized by the control unit 101 reading the corresponding processing program stored in the storage device 102, for example, loading it into the memory 103 and executing it.

This grant control process is described as starting, for example, when the provision of the play experience related to the executed competitive game is completed and the match result is determined. Prior to the execution of this grant control process, information related to the player using the game device 100 (hereinafter referred to as the target player) is obtained from the player card. The game device 100 receives the player information managed for that player from the server 200 and stores it, for example, in memory 103. Furthermore, for the executed competitive game, information on the evaluation value of at least the opposing player is also received and stored in memory 103.

In S501, the control unit 101 determines whether the result of the executed game was a victory or defeat. If the control unit 101 determines that the result was a victory, it proceeds to S502. If the control unit 101 determines that the result was not a victory, i.e., a defeat, it completes this medal awarding control process, deciding not to award any medals.

In S502, the control unit 101 determines whether the opponent's evaluation value is higher than the target player's evaluation value. If the control unit 101 determines that the opponent's evaluation value is higher than the target player's evaluation value, it moves the process to S504; otherwise, it moves the process to S503.

In S503, the control unit 101 determines the probability of winning the lottery process related to medal distribution. The probability of winning determined in this step is a fixed probability predetermined for the lottery process.

On the other hand, if in S502 the control unit 101 determines that the opponent's evaluation value is higher than the target player's evaluation value, in S504 the control unit 101 determines the probability of winning the medal award lottery based on the evaluation values of the target player and the opponent. The probability of winning determined in this step is higher than the fixed probability (a higher probability of winning). Specifically, the control unit 101 determines the probability of winning the lottery by increasing the fixed probability by a rate proportional to the difference between the target player's evaluation value and the opponent's evaluation value. In other words, the probability of winning determined in this step is determined to be higher the greater the difference between the evaluation values of the target player and the opponent.

In S505, the control unit 101 executes the lottery process using the determined winning probability. That is, the lottery process performed in this step is conducted with a winning probability higher than the fixed probability by the difference in evaluation values if the opponent's evaluation value is higher than the target player's evaluation value, and with a fixed probability if the opponent's evaluation value is not higher than the target player's evaluation value.

In S506, the control unit 101 determines whether the lottery result executed in S505 was a win or a loss. If the lottery result was a win, the control unit 101 moves the process to S507; if it was a loss, it completes the medal awarding control process by not awarding any medals.

In S507, the awarding unit 108, under the control of the control unit 101, awards medals to the target player, completing the awarding control process. The medal awarding is performed by increasing the number of medals held (714) in the player information of the target player, which is acquired from the server 200 for the use of the game device 100 and stored in memory 103, by 1. The changed player information is then transmitted to the server 200 along with an update request and used to update the corresponding player information in the player database 204 (the player information of the target player stored in the player database 204 is updated to reflect the change in the number of medals held (714)). As a result, the state in which medals are awarded to the player is achieved.

As explained above, the game device of this embodiment can increase the benefits enjoyed by the disadvantaged player (the one with the lower evaluation score) when they win, even if the matchmaking in a competitive game is not in a favorable manner, thereby realizing the addition of highly engaging game elements.

[Variation 1]
In the embodiments described above, the number of medals awarded in the lottery process is assumed to be a fixed number (1 medal), but the implementation of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in order to increase the benefits enjoyed by a disadvantaged player when they win, the number of medals awarded upon winning may be configured to increase according to the difference in evaluation values between the player and their opponent.

[Modified example 2]
In the embodiments and modifications described above, a modification was described in which the probability of winning in the lottery process when the disadvantaged player wins is increased according to the difference in evaluation value with the opponent, but the implementation of the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the difference in evaluation value that increases the probability of winning may be determined in stages by a plurality of thresholds, and the system may be configured so that the winning probability set for a stage in which the difference in evaluation value is classified is adopted. In this embodiment, the winning probability adopted when the difference in evaluation value is classified into a stage greater than a predetermined threshold will be higher than the winning probability adopted when the difference in evaluation value is classified into a stage less than a predetermined threshold.

Furthermore, in this embodiment as well, similar to Modification 1, the number of medals awarded upon winning may be configured to increase as the difference in evaluation values is greater. That is, the number of medals awarded when the evaluation value difference is greater than a predetermined threshold may be greater than the number of medals awarded when the evaluation value difference is smaller than a predetermined threshold.

[Modification 3]
In the embodiments and modifications described above, when the opponent's evaluation value is higher than the target player's evaluation value, the probability of winning the lottery process is set to a value higher than the fixed probability; that is, when the target player's evaluation value is the same as or smaller than the opponent's evaluation value, a fixed probability is adopted. However, the implementation of the present invention is not limited to this. Depending on the method for deriving the evaluation value, it may be difficult to assign the same evaluation value to players with equivalent skill levels, and in a specification where the probability of winning changes with only a small difference in evaluation values, it is conceivable that fairness between players may not be guaranteed. Therefore, the system may be configured to adopt a fixed probability when the target player and the opponent have equivalent skill levels. For example, if the difference between the target player's evaluation value and the opponent's evaluation value falls within a predetermined range for determining similar skill levels, the system may be configured to adopt a fixed probability without changing the probability of winning according to the difference in evaluation values.

[Modification 4]
In the above-described embodiment of the medal awarding control process, a mechanism was described in which a lottery process is executed with a fixed probability when the opponent's evaluation value is higher than the target player's evaluation value, and medals are awarded if the winner is selected. However, the implementation of the present invention is not limited to this. Awarding medals increases the possibility that a player will acquire game elements that give them an advantage in the game. Therefore, awarding medals to the player with the advantage when an unfavorable match is made may widen the skill gap between players. For this reason, the lottery process may be configured not to be executed if the opponent's evaluation value is lower than or equal to the target player's evaluation value.

[Modified example 5]
In the embodiments and modifications described above, the lottery process is performed on the condition that the target player has won the competitive game, but the implementation of the present invention is not limited thereto. The lottery process may be performed, for example, in response to the provision of the competitive game play experience, regardless of the match result. In this case, the number of medals awarded for winning the lottery process when the match result is a loss may be set to be less (of lower value) than the number of medals awarded for winning the lottery process when the competitive game is won, for example, 1/5 of a medal (five of the same can be exchanged for one medal).

[Modification 6]
Incidentally, the game elements awarded through the lottery process after a match do not necessarily have to correspond to virtual items usable within the game, such as the medals shown in the embodiments and modifications described above. For example, actual items such as game cards or cards for other purposes may be awarded as game elements upon winning.

On the other hand, if the game elements awarded upon winning are physical items, the number of wins may exceed the expected rate of awarding, potentially leading to a depletion of the physical item inventory. This could result in a situation where players win but are unable to receive the game elements. Therefore, the function that changes the winning probability of the lottery process based on the difference in evaluation values between players participating in the competitive game may be configured to allow for arbitrary switching on or off.

Therefore, the game device 100 in this modified version is configured to operate by switching between two operating modes: a "business mode" that can provide a competitive game play experience as the first mode according to the present invention and allows use by players, and a "maintenance mode" that cannot provide a competitive game play experience as the second mode and does not allow use by players. Since the setting of whether or not to use the function related to changing the winning probability is a setting related to the operation of the store or other establishment where the game device 100 is installed, it is undesirable to allow players to change it. Therefore, the setting of whether or not to use the function related to changing the winning probability can only be performed when the game device 100 is operating in maintenance mode.

Switching to maintenance mode is triggered, for example, by an operation input to a special switch (not shown) during the restart of the game device 100. Employees of the installation location can set whether or not to use the function related to changing the winning probability on a settings screen 600, such as the one shown in Figure 6, which is displayed after the game device 100 has been switched to maintenance mode and operated. In the example shown, the settings screen 600 includes a setting item 601 indicating the use of the function related to changing the winning probability, and a setting item 602 indicating the use of the same function. The image shows the state where setting item 601 is selected, i.e., the use of the function related to changing the winning probability is enabled.

The settings screen 600 also includes a display of winning probabilities 603 based on the difference in evaluation values between players. In the example shown in Figure 6, the winning probabilities 603 are displayed for three levels of evaluation value differences. The winning probabilities for each level can be changed using the increase/decrease buttons 604, allowing employees to adjust the winning probabilities for each difference in evaluation values.

The settings information made on the settings screen 600 is stored, for example, in the storage device 102. When the control unit 101 performs the granting control process, it processes the information reflecting these settings, allowing the granting of game elements upon winning to be modified according to operational policies, etc., and the service to be provided accordingly.

[Variation 7]
The embodiments and modifications described above describe a manner in which a lottery process is performed in response to the provision of a competitive game play experience, and game elements (medals) are awarded. However, the implementation of the present invention is not limited thereto. The award control process that realizes the awarding of such game elements may be limited to a subset of the multiple types of competitive games that the game device 100 can provide a play experience for. For example, differences in the length of time (experience time) spent using the game device 100 can lead to significant differences in player skill, making it difficult for the disadvantaged player to compensate for this difference and win. For this reason, the types of competitive games for which the award control process is performed can be limited, for example, to competitive games with regulations that restrict the types of game cards that players can use (only game cards that were available from the game device 100 during a specific period can be used). This allows for a balance between fairness among players and the entertainment value related to the awarding of game elements. Accordingly, the system may be configured to control whether or not the award control process is performed, that is, whether or not the lottery process is performed and game elements are awarded based on the lottery results, depending on the type of competitive game selected by the player to play.

[Variation 8]
In the embodiments and modifications described above, the opponent in the competitive game was described as another player using another game device 100, but the implementation of the present invention is not limited to this. The opponent in the competitive game may be a virtual player (NPC: Non-Player Character) realized by executing a predetermined thinking program, and it goes without saying that the above-described assignment control processing may be performed using evaluation values corresponding to the abilities (skills) defined for the virtual player, such as the depth of their thinking and the probability of adopting highly effective actions.

[Other Embodiments]
The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the invention.

100: Game device, 101: Control unit, 102: Storage device, 103: Memory, 104: Payment detection unit, 105: Acquisition unit, 106: Character DB, 107: Provision control unit, 108: Assignment unit, 109: Presentation control unit, 110: Operation input unit, 111: Communication unit, 120: Provision unit, 130: Presentation unit, 200: Server, 201: Server control unit, 202: Server storage device, 203: Server memory, 204: Player DB, 205: Matching unit, 206: Server communication unit, 300: Network

Claims (12)

A computer capable of providing a competitive gameplay experience,
Regarding the aforementioned competitive game for which a play experience was provided, the process involves obtaining evaluation values for both the player and the opponent,
In response to providing the aforementioned competitive game play experience, a granting process is performed to grant game elements to the player,
A control process that controls the granting of game elements in the granting process based on the lottery result of the executed lottery process ,
A program that executes ,
During the gameplay experience of the aforementioned competitive game, the opponent's rating is not displayed.
The aforementioned control process is
The lottery process is executed on the condition that the player wins against the opponent in the aforementioned game.
A program that increases the probability of winning the lottery process according to the difference in evaluation values between the player and the opponent, when the opponent's evaluation value is higher than the player's evaluation value. A computer capable of providing a competitive gameplay experience,
Regarding the aforementioned competitive game for which a play experience was provided, the process involves obtaining evaluation values for both the player and the opponent,
In response to providing the aforementioned competitive game play experience, a granting process is performed to grant game elements to the player,
A control process that controls the granting of game elements in the granting process based on the lottery result of the executed lottery process,
A program that executes,
The aforementioned control process is
The lottery process is executed on the condition that the player wins against the opponent in the aforementioned game.
If the opponent's evaluation value is higher than the player's evaluation value, the probability of winning the lottery process is increased according to the difference in evaluation values between the player and the opponent .
The aforementioned competitive games include a first type of competitive game and a second type of competitive game that is different from the first type.
The aforementioned control process is
When providing the first type of competitive game play experience, the addition of game elements based on the lottery results of the lottery process is not performed in the addition process,
A program that, when providing the second type of competitive game play experience, assigns game elements based on the results of the lottery process during the assignment process. The program according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control process increases the probability of winning the lottery process when the difference in evaluation values between the player and the opponent is greater than the threshold, compared to when the difference in evaluation values between the player and the opponent is less than the threshold. The program according to claim 3, wherein the control process controls the number of game elements assigned in the assignment process when the lottery result is a win, such that the number of game elements assigned in the assignment process is greater when the difference in evaluation values between the player and the opponent is greater than the difference in evaluation values between the player and the opponent is greater than the difference in evaluation values between the player and the opponent is less than the threshold . The control process is a program according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the greater the difference in evaluation values between the player and the opponent, the higher the probability of winning the lottery process. The program according to claim 5 , wherein the control process, when the lottery result is a win, increases the number of game elements assigned in the assignment process as the difference in evaluation values between the player and the opponent increases. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the control process does not execute the lottery process if the opponent's evaluation value is less than or equal to the player's evaluation value. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the control process does not execute the lottery process if the opponent's evaluation value is lower than the player's evaluation value. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 8 , wherein the evaluation value of the player is determined based on the number of wins in the competitive game. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 9 , wherein the progress of the battle game is controlled based on character information obtained from actual items. A game device capable of providing a competitive gameplay experience,
Regarding the aforementioned competitive game for which a play experience was provided, the means for obtaining evaluation values for both the player and the opponent,
In response to providing the player experience of the aforementioned competitive game, the means for providing game elements to the player,
A control means that controls the granting of game elements by the granting means based on the lottery result of the executed lottery process ,
Equipped with ,
During the gameplay experience of the aforementioned competitive game, the opponent's rating is not displayed.
The control means is
The lottery process is executed on the condition that the player wins against the opponent in the aforementioned game.
A game device that, when the opponent's evaluation value is higher than the player's evaluation value, increases the probability of winning the lottery process according to the difference in evaluation values between the player and the opponent. A game device capable of providing a competitive gameplay experience,
Regarding the aforementioned competitive game for which a play experience was provided, the means for obtaining evaluation values for both the player and the opponent,
In response to providing the aforementioned competitive game play experience, the means for providing game elements to the player,
A control means that controls the granting of game elements by the granting means based on the lottery result of the executed lottery process,
Equipped with,
The control means is
The lottery process is executed on the condition that the player wins against the opponent in the aforementioned game.
If the opponent's evaluation value is higher than the player's evaluation value, the probability of winning the lottery process is increased according to the difference in evaluation values between the player and the opponent.
The aforementioned competitive games include a first type of competitive game and a second type of competitive game that is different from the first type.
The control means is
When providing the first type of competitive game play experience, the granting means is not allowed to grant game elements based on the lottery results of the lottery process,
A game device that, when providing the second type of competitive game play experience, causes the assigning means to assign game elements based on the results of the lottery process.