JP2024056811A - Game device, control method and control program - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] A game device etc. makes it possible to increase a user's motivation to continue a game service. [Solution] The game device is a game device that provides games to multiple users registered for a game service, and includes one or more computer processors and a storage device, and the one or more computer processors associate a first benefit with the user and store it in the storage device if the user remains registered for a predetermined period after the user is registered, and if the user is deregistered during the predetermined period and the user is reregistered before the end of the predetermined period, the first benefit is associated with the user and stored in the storage device if the user remains registered for the predetermined period after the user is reregistered. [Selected Figure] Figure 8

Description

The embodiments disclosed in this specification relate to a game device, a control method, and a control program.

Conventionally, a game system has been known in which a server device providing a game service grants a specific benefit to a terminal device of a user who has applied for the game service.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a game system in which a game device providing a game service grants a login bonus to the terminal device of a user who logs in to the game service. By paying a game fee for a certain period (for example, a monthly fee for one month or a flat rate fee for one week), the user can use the game service during the period for which the game fee was paid.

JP 2018-89338 A

However, conventional game systems did not have a mechanism for providing incentives to users who had requested the end of their game service to encourage them to start the game service again. As a result, users who had once left the game service rarely returned to the game service, creating problems with the continuity of the game service.

The disclosed game device, control method, and control program can increase a user's motivation to continue using the game service.

The game device provides games to multiple users registered with a game service, and includes one or more computer processors and a storage device. If the user remains registered for a predetermined period of time after the user is registered, the one or more computer processors associate a first benefit with the user and store it in the storage device. If the user is deregistered during the predetermined period and the user is reregistered before the end of the predetermined period, the game device associates the first benefit with the user and stores it in the storage device when the user remains registered for the predetermined period after the user is reregistered.

In addition, in the game device, the predetermined period is preferably made up of a predetermined number of consecutive first periods, and if after a user is registered, the user is deregistered during one of the predetermined number of consecutive first periods, and a registration request is received from the user during the first period immediately following the first period during which the user was deregistered, the one or more computer processors re-register the user to the game service, and, after the user is re-registered, if the user's registration continues until the last first period of the predetermined number of consecutive first periods, the first benefit is preferably associated with the user and stored in the storage device.

In addition, in the gaming device, if the user is deregistered during one first period after being registered and a registration request is received from the user during the first period during which the registration was deregistered, the one or more computer processors re-register the user to the gaming service, and preferably associate the first benefit with the user and store it in the storage device when the user's registration continues until the last first period of a predetermined number of consecutive first periods after the user is re-registered.

In addition, in the game device, it is preferable that the storage device stores information about a plurality of consecutive first periods, and when a registration request is received from a user, the one or more computer processors set a first period among the plurality of consecutive first periods that includes the time when the user is registered as a start period, associate a second benefit different from the first benefit with the user and store it in the storage device, and set a predetermined number of first periods consecutive from the start period among the plurality of consecutive first periods as the predetermined period.

In addition, in the game device, it is preferable that one or more computer processors set the last first period of a predetermined number of consecutive first periods as the bonus use period, and when the first bonus is used by the user in the game during the bonus use period, a game effect corresponding to the first bonus used occurs.

Furthermore, in the game device, it is preferable that one or more computer processors set a predetermined number of consecutive first periods starting from the first period immediately following the bonus use period as the next predetermined period, set the last first period of the next predetermined periods as the next bonus use period, and when the next first bonus corresponding to the next predetermined period is associated with the user and the next first bonus is used in the game by the user during the next bonus use period, a game effect corresponding to the first bonus used is generated.

In addition, in the game device, it is preferable that, if the user's registration is terminated during a specified period, one or more computer processors present the user with information regarding the continuation of the user's registration in order to be granted the first benefit.

In addition, it is preferable that when the game device receives a first registration request from a user, the game device registers the user as a first member to the game service, and when the game device receives a second registration request from the user, the game device registers the user as a second member to the game service, and the first benefit associated with the user who is the first member and the first benefit associated with the user who is the second member are different from each other.

In addition, in a game device, when a user is both a first member and a second member, it is preferable that in associating the first benefit, both the first benefit corresponding to the first member and the first benefit corresponding to the second member are stored in the storage device in association with the user.

In addition, in a game device, when the benefit usage period of the first benefit corresponding to the first member and the benefit usage period of the first benefit corresponding to the second member are the same period, it is preferable that the benefits corresponding to the first benefit corresponding to the first member and the first benefit corresponding to the second member are stored in the storage device in association with the user.

The control method is a control method for a game device that includes a storage device and provides games to multiple users registered in a game service, and if the user remains registered for a predetermined period of time after the user is registered, a first benefit is associated with the user and stored in the storage device, and if the user is deregistered during the predetermined period and the user is registered again before the end of the predetermined period, the first benefit is associated with the user and stored in the storage device if the user remains registered for the predetermined period after the user is reregistered.

The control program is a control program for a game device that has one or more computer processors and a storage device and provides games to multiple users registered with a game service, and executes the following: if the user remains registered for a predetermined period of time after the user is registered, the first benefit is associated with the user and stored in the storage device; if the user is deregistered during the predetermined period and the user is reregistered before the end of the predetermined period, the first benefit is associated with the user and stored in the storage device if the user remains registered for the predetermined period after the user is reregistered.

The game device, control method, and control program can increase the user's motivation to continue using the game service.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a game system 1. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an overview of a game system 1. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an overview of a game system 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a terminal device 2. 11A to 11D are diagrams showing examples of screens displayed on the display device 23 of the terminal device 2. 11A to 11D are diagrams showing examples of screens displayed on the display device 23 of the terminal device 2. 11A to 11D are diagrams showing examples of screens displayed on the display device 23 of the terminal device 2. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a server device 3. 4A to 4C are diagrams illustrating examples of data structures of various tables. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an operation sequence of the game system 1. FIG. 11 illustrates an example of an operational flow of a registration process. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another example of the operation sequence of the game system 1. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operational flow of a continuation process.

Various embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, please note that the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, but extends to the inventions described in the claims and their equivalents.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the schematic configuration of a game system 1. The game system 1 includes terminal devices 2 operated by multiple users, and a server device 3. The terminal devices 2 and the server device 3 are connected to each other via communication networks, such as a base station 4, a mobile communication network 5, a gateway 6, and the Internet 7. Communication is carried out between the terminal devices 2 and the server device 3 based on a specific communication protocol. The specific communication protocol is, for example, the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), etc.

The terminal device 2 is an information processing device such as a smartphone. The terminal device 2 may be a mobile phone, a tablet terminal, a tablet PC (Personal Computer), an e-book reader, a wearable computer, etc. The terminal device 2 may be a portable game device, a game console, a notebook PC, etc. The terminal device 2 may be an information processing device capable of displaying a game screen, a registration screen, etc. based on various data transmitted from the server device 3.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, one server device 3 is illustrated as a component of the game system 1, but the server device 3 may be a collection of multiple physically separate server devices. In this case, each of the multiple server devices may have the same functions, or each may have the functions of a single server device 3 in a distributed manner.

Figures 2 and 3 are schematic diagrams showing an example of an overview of the game system 1.

In the game system 1 of this embodiment, a user needs to be registered with a game service in order to receive the game service from the server device 3. For example, the server device 3 stores information indicating the user as a member of the game service, thereby registering the user with the game service.

In game system 1, a user may register for one or more types of membership for the game service. If game system 1 has multiple types of membership, the user may be registered with the game system as all types of membership, or may be registered with the game system as a predetermined number of types of membership (for example, if five types of membership are available, the number of types of membership that a user may simultaneously register for may be up to five, or may be up to three).

By paying a game fee corresponding to a predetermined usage period, a user can receive game services from the server device 3 as a member for that usage period. For example, a user who pays a game fee for April 2020 can receive game services for April 2020 from the server device 3 between April 1, 2020 and April 30, 2020 ((1) in FIG. 2). In this case, the game fee is paid at the earliest possible time during the usage period. For example, if the game fee is paid by credit card, the operator of the game service will invoice the credit card company on April 1, 2020 as the invoice date. The game fee may be paid at any time during the usage period.

In the game system 1, a registration bonus is given to a user who registers for a game service. In the example shown in FIG. 2 (1), the registration bonus is given to the user on April 1, 2020.

In this embodiment, the "benefit" is, for example, information indicating game media such as characters and items that can be used by the user in the game. The information indicating the game media is not limited to information indicating characters and items, but may be information indicating points, virtual currency, tickets, parameters, etc. The game media may also be level information, status information, parameter information (stamina value and attack power, etc.), and ability information (skills, abilities, spells, jobs, etc.). The game media may also be information regarding the display amount of objects or lists to be displayed in the game. The information indicating the game media may be any electronic information that can be acquired, held, used, managed, exchanged, synthesized, strengthened, sold, discarded, and/or donated by the user in the game. The usage manner of the game media is not limited to those explicitly stated in this specification. The "benefit" may also be the execution of a lottery process in which one or more game media from a predetermined group of game media are given to the user.

Different registration benefits may be given to a user depending on the type of membership the user has when registered with the game service. For example, if the registration benefit is information indicating a game medium, the higher the gaming fee the user is a member of, the more information indicating a rarer game medium is given to the user as the registration benefit. Also, if the registration benefit is the execution of a lottery process, the higher the gaming fee the user is a member of, the more game media selected from a group of rarer game media is given to the user as the registration benefit.

If a user registers for a game service during a usage period, the user can receive game services for that usage period from the time of registration to the end of the usage period by paying the game fee corresponding to that usage period. For example, if a user registers for a game service on April 10, 2020, the user can receive game services for April 2020 from the server device 3 from April 10, 2020 to April 30, 2020 by paying the game fee for April 2020 on April 10, 2020 ((2) in FIG. 2). In this case, the user will be granted a registration benefit on April 10, 2020.

When the usage period corresponding to the paid game fee ends and the next usage period begins, unless the user cancels the registration for the game service, the game fee corresponding to the next usage period will be automatically paid, and the user will be able to receive game services from the server device 3 for the next usage period. For example, if a user who is receiving game services for April 2020 from the server device 3 does not cancel the registration for the game service, the game fee for May 2020 will be automatically paid on May 1, 2020, and the user will be able to receive game services for May 2020 from the server device 3 from May 1, 2020 to May 31, 2020 ((3) in FIG. 2).

When a usage period during which a user was provided with a game service (when the user was registered with the game service) ends and the user subsequently receives the game service for the immediately following usage period by paying the game fee corresponding to the immediately following usage period (the user's registration with the game service is not cancelled in the immediately following usage period), a period benefit is granted to the user. In the example shown in (3) of FIG. 2, if a user who has received the game service for April 2020 receives the game service for May 2020, the period benefit is granted to the user on May 1, 2020, and the user can receive the game service for May from the server device 3 between May 1, 2020 and May 31, 2020. Furthermore, if this user receives the game service for June 2020 by paying the game fee for June 2020, the period benefit is granted to the user on June 1, 2020, and the user can receive the game service for June from the server device 3 between June 1, 2020 and June 30, 2020.

In the game system 1, even if a user cancels registration for the game service during the usage period, the user can still receive the game service until the end of the usage period (the usage period including the time of cancellation of registration). For example, if a user who was registered for the game service cancels registration on April 10, 2020, during the usage period from April 1 to April 30, 2020, the user can still receive the game service until April 30, 2020 ((4) in FIG. 2). In this case, unless the user re-registers for the game service, the user will not be able to receive the game service after May 1, 2020.

In the game system 1, if a user cancels registration for a game service during a usage period and then re-registers for the game service before the end of the usage period (the usage period including the time of cancellation of registration), the user can receive the game service until the end of the usage period without paying the game fee corresponding to the usage period. For example, if a user who was registered for a game service cancels registration on April 10, 2020 during the usage period of April 2020 (the game fee payment date is April 1, 2020), and then re-registers for the game service on April 20, 2020, the user does not need to pay the game fee for April 2020 again ((5) in FIG. 2). Note that the user can receive the game service from the time of cancellation of registration until re-registration.

In this case, if the user does not cancel the registration for the game service, the game fee for May 2020 will be automatically paid on May 1, 2020, and the user will be able to receive the game service for May 2020 from the server device 3 between May 1, 2020 and May 31, 2020.

In game system 1, if a user cancels registration for a game service during a usage period and then re-registers for the game service after the usage period (the usage period including the time of cancellation) has ended, the user can receive the game service corresponding to the usage period including the time of re-registration by paying the game fee corresponding to the usage period including the time of re-registration.

If a user re-registers for the game service during the usage period immediately following the usage period that includes the time when the registration was cancelled, the user will receive the game service from the server device 3 for the usage period immediately following the usage period that includes the time when the registration was cancelled, and the user will be granted a period benefit corresponding to the immediately following usage period.

For example, if a user who was registered with a game service cancels his/her registration on April 20, 2020 during the usage period of April 2020 (the game fee payment date is April 1, 2020), and then re-registers for the game service on May 10, 2020 by paying the game fee for May 2020, the user will be granted a period benefit for May 2020 (Figure 3 (6)).

In the game system 1, when a user receives game services during a continuous usage period from the server device 3 by paying a game fee corresponding to each of the continuous usage periods (hereinafter, the "continuous usage period" may be referred to as the "continuous usage period"), a continuous benefit is granted to the user during the last usage period of the continuous usage period.

For example, if a user pays game fees for four months from April 2020 to July 2020 and receives game services from the server device 3 continuously for these four months (the user's registration for the game service is not terminated during these four months), the user can receive a continuation benefit corresponding to the continuous registration for these four months between July 1, 2020 and July 31, 2020 ((7) in FIG. 3). In the example of (7) in FIG. 3, the continuous benefit is granted to the user on July 1, 2020. Note that even if the user registered for the game service on, for example, April 15, 2020, the user can receive a continuation benefit corresponding to the continuous registration for these four months between July 1, 2020 and July 31, 2020 by paying game fees for four months from April 2020 to July 2020 and receiving game services from the server device 3 continuously for these four months. If this user continues to pay the game fee for the four months from August 2020 to November 2020 and continues to receive game services from the server device 3 for these four months, the user will be granted a continuation benefit corresponding to the continuous registration for these four months between November 1, 2020 and November 30, 2020.

In addition, if a user cancels registration for a game service and then re-registers for the game service before the end of the usage period, including the time of cancellation, this usage period may be included in the continuous usage period.

Below, an example will be described in which a four-month continuation benefit is granted from the server device 3 ((8) in FIG. 3). For example, if a user who has received game services by paying game fees for April 2020 to June 2020 (the game fee payment date is the first day of each month) cancels his/her registration on June 10, 2020, re-registers for the game service on June 20, 2020, and further pays the game fee for July 2020 on July 1, 2020, the server device 3 will grant the user a continuation benefit corresponding to the four-month (April 2020 to July 2020) continuation registration on July 1, 2020. Note that the user can receive game services from the time of cancellation of registration until re-registration.

In addition, if a user cancels registration with a game service and then re-registers with the game service before the end of the usage period immediately following the usage period that includes the time of cancellation, both usage periods may be included in the continuous usage period.

The following describes an example in which a four-month continuation benefit is granted by the server device 3 ((9) and (10) in FIG. 3). For example, if a user who has received the game service by paying game fees for April 2020 to May 2020 (the game fee payment date is the first day of each month) cancels his/her registration on May 15, 2020 (note that the user can receive the game service from the time of cancellation of registration until May 31, 2020), pays the game fee for June 2020 on June 10, 2020, re-registers for the game service, and further pays the game fee for July 2020 on July 1, 2020, the server device 3 grants the user a continuation benefit corresponding to the four-month (April 2020 to July 2020) continuation registration on July 1, 2020 ((9) in FIG. 3).

In addition, if a user who has received game services by paying game fees for April 2020 to June 2020 (the game fee payment date is the first day of each month) cancels his/her registration on June 15, 2020 (note that the user can receive game services from the time of cancellation of registration until June 30, 2020), and then re-registers for the game service by paying the game fee for July 2020 on July 10, 2020, the server device 3 will grant the user a continuation benefit corresponding to the continuous registration for four months (April 2020 to July 2020) on July 10, 2020 ((10) in Figure 3).

The continuous privilege may be a privilege granted to a user in the usage period immediately following a continuous usage period when the user receives the provision of the game service from the server device 3 in the continuous usage period without canceling the user's registration for the game service by paying the game fee corresponding to each of a predetermined number of consecutive usage periods (continuous usage periods). For example, if a user pays the game fee for four months from April 2020 to July 2020 and receives the provision of the game service from the server device 3 for these four months, the user can be granted the continuous privilege corresponding to the continuous registration for these four months between August 1, 2020 and August 31, 2020 (the usage period immediately following the four consecutive months of usage from April 1, 2020 to July 31, 2020). In this case, the user may not have received the provision of the game service for August 2020 without paying the game fee for August 2020. If this user continues to pay the game fee for the four months from August 2020 to November 2020 and continues to receive game services from the server device 3 for these four months, the user will be granted a continuation benefit corresponding to the continuous registration for these four months between December 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020.

Figure 4 shows an example of the general configuration of terminal device 2.

The terminal device 2 connects to the server device 3 via a base station 4, a mobile communication network 5, a gateway 6, and the Internet 7, and communicates with the server device 3. The terminal device 2 generates various requests and the like according to various instructions input by the user, and transmits them to the server device 3. The terminal device 2 also receives various data and the like transmitted from the server device 3, and displays various screens. To this end, the terminal device is equipped with a communication I/F 21, a storage device 22, a display device 23, an input device 24, and a processor 25.

The communication I/F 21 is implemented as hardware, firmware, or communication software such as a TCP/IP driver or a PPP driver, or a combination of these. The terminal device 2 can transmit data to other devices and receive data from other devices via the communication I/F 21.

The storage device 22 is, for example, a semiconductor memory device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) or a RAM (Random Access Memory). The storage device 22 stores an operating system program, a driver program, an application program, data, and the like used in processing in the processor 25. The driver programs stored in the storage device 22 include an output device driver program that controls the display device 23 and an input device driver program that controls the input device 24. The application programs stored in the storage device 22 include a control program that displays a game screen or a registration screen, etc., based on display data from the server device 3 and/or various data stored in the storage device 22. The data stored in the storage device 22 include identification information (e.g., a user ID (identification)) for uniquely identifying a user, display data for displaying various screens, and the like. The storage device 22 may also temporarily store data related to a predetermined process.

The display device 23 is a liquid crystal display. The display device 23 may be an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display or the like. The display device 23 displays moving images corresponding to moving image data supplied from the processor 25, still images corresponding to still image data, and the like.

The input device 24 is a pointing device such as a touch panel. The touch panel can detect various touch operations such as tapping, double tapping, and dragging by the user. The touch panel may be equipped with a capacitance-type proximity sensor and configured to be capable of detecting non-contact operations by the user. The input device 24 may be an input key or the like. The user can use the input device 24 to input letters, numbers, and symbols, or positions on the display screen of the display device 23, etc. When operated by the user, the input device 24 generates a signal corresponding to the operation. The input device 24 then supplies the generated signal to the processor 25 as an instruction from the user.

The processor 25 is a processing device that loads the operating system program, driver program, and application program stored in the storage device 22 into memory and executes the instructions contained in the loaded programs. The processor 25 is, for example, an electronic circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), MPU, DSP, or GPU, or a combination of various electronic circuits. The processor 25 may be realized by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC, PLD, FPGA, or MCU. Although the processor 25 is illustrated as a single component in FIG. 4, the processor 25 may be a collection of multiple physically separate processors.

The processor 25 functions as a display processing unit 251, a transmission unit 252, a reception unit 253, and a bonus processing unit 254 by executing various commands included in the control program.

Below, with reference to Figures 5 to 7, we will explain examples of various screens displayed on the display device 23 of the terminal device 2, as well as examples of the functions of the display processing unit 251, the transmission unit 252, the reception unit 253, and the bonus processing unit 25.

Figure 5 (a) is a diagram showing an example of a game screen 500 displayed on the display device 23 of the terminal device 2. The game screen 500 is displayed, for example, when a control program (e.g., a game application program) stored in the storage device 22 is launched in response to a start instruction input by a user operating the input device 24. The game screen 500 may be displayed when a user instructs the display of the game screen 500 in another game screen, etc. Below, an example of the display process of the game screen 500 when a game application program is launched is described.

For example, when a start icon or the like (not shown) indicating a game application program displayed on the display device 23 is designated by a user operating the input device 24, a start instruction is input from the input device 24 to the display processing unit 251. Upon receiving the start instruction from the input device 24, the display processing unit 251 reads and executes the game application program stored in the storage device 22. When the game application program is executed, the display processing unit 251 extracts data for displaying various objects stored in the storage device 22 in accordance with various commands included in the game application program, and displays the game screen 500.

The game screen 500 is a game screen that is displayed when the user selects the game screen display button described below, and is a game screen that is displayed when the user is not in a situation where the registration benefit described below can be obtained, the period benefit described below can be obtained, and the continuation benefit described below can be obtained.

As shown in FIG. 5(a), the game screen 500 includes a game start button 501 and a registration screen display command button 502.

The game start button 501 is a button object for instructing the start of the game progress. When the display area of the game start button 501 is specified in response to the user's operation of the input device 24, the display processing unit 251 ends the display of the game screen 500, and displays a game progress screen (not shown) on the display device 23 based on the display data stored in the storage device 22 and/or the display data transmitted from the server device 3. Thereafter, the server device 3 provides game services to the user via the game progress screen, and the display processing unit 251 executes various games based on the game services in accordance with various commands included in the game application program.

The registration screen display instruction button 502 is a button object for instructing the display of a registration screen 510, which will be described later. When a display area for the registration screen display instruction button 502 is specified in response to a user's operation of the input device 24, the display processing unit 251 ends the display of the game screen 500, and displays the registration screen 510 on the display device 23 based on the display data stored in the storage device 22.

Figure 5 (b) is a diagram showing an example of a registration screen 510 displayed on the display device 23 of the terminal device 2. The registration screen 510 includes first member information 511, a first member registration button 512, second member information 513, a second member registration button 514, and a game screen display instruction button 515.

The registration screen 510 shown in FIG. 5(b) is a screen for registering a user to the game service as at least one of a first member and a second member. A user registered as a first member can continue to use the game service by paying a game fee of 1,200 yen for each usage period of the game service (e.g., one month or one week), and a user registered as a second member can continue to use the game service by paying a game fee of 300 yen for each usage period of the service.

The first member information 511 is text information indicating the registration status of the user as a first member. The first member information 511 may be an image, a mark, etc. indicating the registration status of the user as a first member. In the example shown in FIG. 5(b), the first member information 511 is displayed indicating that the user is not registered with the game service as a first member.

The first member registration button 512 is a button object for sending a registration request to the server device 3 to register the user as a first member in the game service. For example, when the display area of the first member registration button 512 is specified in response to a user's operation of the input device 24, the transmission unit 252 extracts the user ID stored in the storage device 22 and creates membership type information indicating the first member. Next, the transmission unit 252 sends a registration request including the extracted user ID and the created membership type information to the server device 3 via the communication I/F 21. Note that if only one type of membership is provided in the game system 1, the registration request does not need to include membership type information.

The first member registration button 512 may be a button object for instructing the display of a payment information input screen 520, described below, for the procedure of registering the user as a first member in the game service. In this case, when the display area of the first member registration button 512 is specified in response to the user's operation of the input device 24, the display processing unit 251 displays the payment information input screen 520 on the display device 23 based on the display data stored in the storage device 22.

The second membership information 513 is text information indicating the registration status of the user as a second member. The second membership information 513 may be an image, a mark, etc. indicating the registration status of the user as a second member. In the example shown in FIG. 5(b), second membership information 513 is displayed indicating that the user is not registered with the game service as a second member.

The second member registration button 514 is a button object for sending a registration request to the server device 3 to register the user as a second member in the game service. For example, when the display area of the second member registration button 514 is specified in response to a user's operation of the input device 24, the transmission unit 252 extracts the user ID stored in the storage device 22 and creates membership type information indicating the second member. Next, the transmission unit 252 sends a registration request including the extracted user ID and the created membership type information to the server device 3 via the communication I/F 21.

The second member registration button 514 may be a button object for instructing the display of a payment information input screen 520, described below, for the procedure of registering the user as a second member in the game service. In this case, when the display area of the second member registration button 514 is specified in response to the user's operation of the input device 24, the display processing unit 251 displays the payment information input screen 520 on the display device 23 based on the display data stored in the storage device 22.

The game screen display instruction button 515 is a button object for instructing the display of the game screen 500. When a display area of the game screen display instruction button 515 is specified in response to a user's operation of the input device 24, the display processing unit 251 ends the display of the registration screen 510 and displays the game screen 500 on the display device 23 based on the display data stored in the storage device 22.

Below, we will explain an example in which the payment information input screen 520 is displayed when the first member registration button 512 or the second member registration button 514 is selected.

Figure 5 (c) is a diagram showing an example of a payment information input screen 520 displayed on the display device 23 of the terminal device 2. The payment information input screen 520 includes a credit card input object 521 and a registration request button 522.

The credit card input object 521 is an input object (text box, drop-down list, etc.) for inputting information about the user's credit card used when the user pays the game fee. The credit card input object 521 displays various information about the credit card input to the credit card input object 321 in response to the user's operation of the input device 24.

The registration request button 522 is a button object for transmitting a registration request to the server device 3 to request the user to register in the game service. For example, when the display area of the registration request button 522 is specified in response to the user's operation of the input device 24, the transmission unit 252 extracts the user ID stored in the storage device 22 and extracts various information related to the credit card input object 521. Next, when the payment information input screen 520 is displayed in response to the specification of the first membership registration button 512, the transmission unit 252 creates membership type information indicating the first membership, and when the payment information input screen 520 is displayed in response to the specification of the second membership registration button 514, the transmission unit 252 creates membership type information indicating the second membership. Then, the transmission unit 252 transmits a registration request including the extracted user ID, the created membership type information, and the extracted various information related to the credit card to the server device 3 via the communication I/F 21. Note that, when only one type of membership is prepared in the game system 1, the registration request does not need to include the membership type information.

The registration screen 510 and the payment information input screen 520 may be configured as a single registration screen. In addition, various information related to the user's credit card may be transmitted to the server device 3 in advance. In this case, the registration request does not include various information related to the credit card.

Figure 5 (d) is a diagram showing an example of a registration completion screen 530 displayed on the display device 23 of the terminal device 2. The registration completion screen 530 is a screen based on registration completion data transmitted when the user is registered for the game service in the server device 3 based on a registration request from the terminal device 2. For example, when the receiving unit 253 receives registration completion data indicating that the user has been registered for the game service from the server device 3 via the communication I/F 21, the display processing unit 251 displays the registration completion screen 530 on the display device 23 based on the display data and registration completion data stored in the storage device 22. Details of the registration process and the registration completion data by the server device 3 will be described later.

The registration completion screen 530 includes registration information 531 and a game screen display button 532. The registration information 531 is text information indicating that the user has been registered for the game service. The registration information 531 may be an image, a mark, etc. indicating that the user has been registered for the game service. In the example shown in FIG. 5(d), registration information 531 is displayed indicating that the user has been registered for the game service as a first member.

The game screen display instruction button 532 is a button object for instructing the display of a game screen 600, which will be described later. When a display area of the game screen display instruction button 532 is specified in response to a user's operation of the input device 24, the display processing unit 251 ends the display of the registration completion screen 530, and displays the game screen 600 on the display device 23 based on the display data stored in the storage device 22.

FIG. 6(a) is a diagram showing an example of a game screen 600 displayed on the display device 23 of the terminal device 2. The game screen 600 includes a game start button 501, a registration screen display instruction button 502, and a registration bonus button 601.

The game start button 501 included in the game screen 600 has the same function as the game start button 501 included in the game screen 500.

The registration screen display instruction button 502 is a button object for instructing the display of a registration screen 610, which will be described later. When a display area of the registration screen display instruction button 502 is specified in response to an operation of the input device 24 by a user who is registered with the game service as a first member, the display processing unit 251 ends the display of the game screen 600 and displays the registration screen 610 on the display device 23 based on the display data stored in the storage device 22.

The registration bonus button 601 is a button object for acquiring the registration bonus given to the user. When the display area of the registration bonus button 601 is specified in response to the user's operation of the input device 24, the bonus processing unit 254 stores the registration bonus (the registration bonus given to the user) included in the registration completion data so that the user can use it in the game. Hereinafter, the storage process of the registration bonus in response to the operation of the registration bonus button will be described. Note that the storage process of the period bonus in response to the operation of the period bonus button and the storage process of the continuation bonus in response to the operation of the continuation bonus button, which will be described later, are also executed in the same manner as the granting of the registration bonus in response to the operation of the registration bonus button. Note that the registration bonus button 601 may be a button object for causing the user to perform a predetermined action related to the granting of the registration bonus. For example, when the registration bonus button 601 is specified by the user, the bonus processing unit 254 displays a page corresponding to the predetermined link information associated with the registration bonus button 601, thereby storing the registration bonus in the storage device 22 so that the user can use it in the game.

Below, we explain an example of the process by which registration benefits are stored in the storage device 22 so that the user can use them in the game.

For example, if the registration benefit is information indicating a game medium, the benefit processing unit 254 stores information indicating the game medium granted to the user as the registration benefit (such as a game medium ID) in the storage device 22 as information usable in the game. Then, when the user operates the input device 24 to use the registration benefit when the game is executed, the information indicating the game medium granted to the user as the registration benefit is extracted from the storage device 22, and the user can use the extracted game medium in the game.

In addition, if the registration benefit is ability information (e.g., information indicating a skill), the benefit processing unit 254 stores information indicating the skill granted to the user as the registration benefit (such as a skill ID) in the storage device 22 as information that can be used in the game. Then, when the user operates the input device 24 to use the registration benefit when the game is executed, the ability information granted to the user as the registration benefit is extracted from the storage device 22, and the ability (skill, etc.) is used in the game, thereby generating a predetermined game effect.

In addition, when the registration benefit is the execution of a lottery process, the benefit processing unit 254 randomly or in a predetermined order extracts information indicating one or more game media from the multiple game media (group of game media) included in the registration completion data, and stores the information indicating the extracted one or more game media in the storage device 22 as usable in the game. Then, when the game is executed and the user operates the input device 24 regarding the use of the registration benefit, information indicating the game media that was selected by lottery and granted to the user as the registration benefit is extracted from the storage device 22, and the user can use the extracted game media in the game.

When the display area of the registration bonus button 601 is specified in response to the user's operation of the input device 24, the display of the registration bonus button 601 on the game screen 600 is terminated. This allows the user to obtain the registration bonus only once each time they register as a member of the game service.

FIG. 6(b) is a diagram showing an example of a registration screen 610 displayed on the display device 23 of the terminal device 2. The registration screen 610 includes first member information 611, a first member cancellation button 612, second member information 513, a second member registration button 514, and a game screen display instruction button 515.

Like first membership information 511, first membership information 611 is text information indicating the registration status of the user as a first member. First membership information 611 may be an image, mark, etc. indicating the registration status of the user as a first member. In the example shown in FIG. 6(b), first membership information 611 is displayed indicating that the user is registered with the game service as a first member.

The first member registration cancellation button 612 is a button object for instructing the display of a cancellation screen 620, described below, for the procedure of canceling a user who has registered with the game service as a first member. When a display area for the first member registration cancellation button 612 is specified in response to a user's operation of the input device 24, the display processing unit 251 displays the cancellation screen 620 on the display device 23 based on the display data stored in the storage device 22.

The second member information 513, second member registration button 514, and game screen display instruction button 515 included in the registration screen 610 have the same functions as the second member information 513, second member registration button 514, and game screen display instruction button 515 included in the registration screen 510. Note that when the display area of the game screen display instruction button 515 is specified in response to the user's operation of the input device 24, if a registration benefit has already been granted to the user, the game screen 500 that does not include the registration benefit button 601 is displayed.

FIG. 6(c) is a diagram showing an example of a release screen 620 displayed on the display device 23 of the terminal device 2. The release screen 620 includes bonus information 621, a release request button 622, and a game screen display command button 623.

The bonus information 621 is text information that explains the period bonus and the continuation bonus that will be granted later if the user stops canceling the registration for the game service and continues the registration. In the example shown in FIG. 6(c), the bonus information 621 is displayed that relates to information about the time until the next period bonus is granted to the user and information about the time until the next continuation bonus is granted to the user. The bonus information 621 may be an image, a mark, etc. that indicates the time until the next period bonus is granted to the user and the time until the next continuation bonus is granted to the user. Note that if the usage period during which the release screen 620 is displayed is the usage period during which the continuation bonus was granted, the bonus information 621 does not need to include information about the next continuation bonus.

The cancellation request button 622 is a button object for transmitting a cancellation request to the server device 3 to cancel the user's registration for the game service. For example, when the display area of the cancellation request button 622 is specified in response to the user's operation of the input device 24, the transmission unit 252 extracts the user ID stored in the storage device 22. Next, since the cancellation screen 620 was displayed in response to the specification of the first membership cancellation button 612, the transmission unit 252 creates membership type information indicating the first member. Then, the transmission unit 252 transmits a cancellation request including the extracted user ID and the created membership type information to the server device 3 via the communication I/F 21. Note that if only one type of membership is provided in the game system 1, the cancellation request does not need to include membership type information.

The game screen display instruction button 623 is a button object for instructing the display of one of game screens 500, 600, and game screens 700 and 710 described below. When a display area of the game screen display instruction button 623 is specified in response to a user's operation of the input device 24, the display processing unit 251 ends the display of the release screen 620 and displays the game screen on the display device 23 based on the display data stored in the storage device 22.

Figure 6 (d) is a diagram showing an example of a release completion screen 630 displayed on the display device 23 of the terminal device 2. The release completion screen 630 is a screen based on release completion data transmitted when the user's registration for the game service is released in the server device 3 based on a release request from the terminal device 2. For example, when the receiving unit 253 receives release completion data indicating that the user's registration for the game service has been released from the server device 3 via the communication I/F 21, the display processing unit 251 displays the release completion screen 630 on the display device 23 based on the display data and release completion data stored in the storage device 22.

The cancellation completion screen 630 includes cancellation information 631 and a game screen display button 632. The cancellation information 631 is text information indicating that the user's registration for the game service has been cancelled. The cancellation information 631 may be an image, a mark, etc. indicating that the user's registration for the game service has been cancelled. In the example shown in FIG. 6(d), cancellation information 631 regarding the cancellation of the user's registration is displayed.

The release information 631 describes the type of membership of the released user. The release information 631 also describes that the user can receive game services until the current usage period ends. The release information 631 also describes that if the user re-registers with the game as a member of the released type before the current usage period ends, the user does not need to pay the game fee corresponding to the current usage period. The release information 631 may also display that if the user re-registers with the game as a member of the released type after the current usage period ends, the user needs to pay the game fee corresponding to the usage period including the time of re-registration. The release information 631 may also display information regarding the time until the next period benefit is granted to the user (such as "You can earn the period benefit in xx days," "You can earn the period benefit in xx months," etc.) and/or information regarding the time until the next continuous benefit is granted to the user (such as "You can earn the continuous benefit in xx days," "You can earn the continuous benefit in xx months," etc.). The release information 631 may also display information regarding the current continuous period (such as "You have been registered as a first member for xx months since registration," etc.). In addition, information (such as the name of the benefit) on the content of the period benefit and/or the continuous benefit according to the type of membership of the cancelled user may be displayed as the cancellation information 631. In this case, the display processing unit 251 creates the cancellation information 631 based on the cancellation completion data described later. The cancellation completion data includes the membership type information included in the cancellation request and the continuous period information related to the cancelled user read from the membership table of the type of membership indicated by the membership type information. Based on the membership type information and the continuous period information included in the cancellation completion data, the display processing unit 251 displays, as the cancellation information 631, information on the type of the cancelled membership, information on various benefits corresponding to the continuous period, the continuous period information, and/or information calculated based on the continuous period information. The information calculated based on the continuous period information is, for example, information indicating the remainder ("2") when an integer value ("3") is calculated by dividing the continuous period by the continuous period indicated by the continuous period information in a case where the continuous period indicated by the continuous period information is 14 months and the continuous use period is 4 months. This information is used as the number of months until the continuation benefit is acquired. For example, the display processing unit 251 may display information such as "You will be able to acquire the continuation benefit in '2 months'" (including information calculated based on the continuation period information) as the release information 631.

The game screen display instruction button 632 is a button object for instructing the display of one of game screens 500, 600, and game screens 700 and 710 described below. When a display area of the game screen display instruction button 623 is specified in response to a user's operation of the input device 24, the display processing unit 251 ends the display of the release completion screen 630, and displays the game screen on the display device 23 based on the display data stored in the storage device 22.

FIG. 7(a) is a diagram showing an example of a game screen 700 displayed on the display device 23 of the terminal device 2. The game screen 700 includes a game start button 501, a registration screen display instruction button 502, and a period bonus button 701.

The game start button 501 and registration screen display instruction button 502 included in the game screen 700 have the same functions as the game start button 501 and registration screen display instruction button 502 included in the game screen 500.

The period bonus button 701 is a button object for acquiring a period bonus granted to the user. When the display area of the period bonus button 701 is specified in response to the user's operation of the input device 24, the bonus processing unit 254 stores the period bonus (period bonus granted to the user) included in the continued completion data in the storage device 22 so that the user can use it in the game. The period bonus button 701 may be a button object for causing the user to perform a predetermined action related to the granting of the period bonus. For example, when the period bonus button 701 is specified by the user, the bonus processing unit 254 stores the period bonus in the storage device 22 by displaying a page corresponding to predetermined link information associated with the period bonus button 701.

The game screen 700 is the game screen that is displayed when the game screen display command button is selected by the user, and is the game screen that is displayed after the time-limited benefit has been granted to the user and until the time-limited benefit is used by the user.

FIG. 7(b) is a diagram showing an example of a game screen 710 displayed on the display device 23 of the terminal device 2. The game screen 710 includes a game start button 501, a registration screen display instruction button 502, a period bonus button 701, and a continuation bonus button 711.

The game start button 501, registration screen display instruction button 502, and period bonus button 701 included in the game screen 710 have the same functions as the game start button 501, registration screen display instruction button 502, and period bonus button 701 included in the game screen 700.

The continuation bonus button 711 is a button object for acquiring the continuation bonus granted to the user. When the display area of the continuation bonus button 711 is specified in response to the user's operation of the input device 24, the bonus processing unit 254 stores the continuation bonus (the continuation bonus granted to the user) included in the continuation completion data in the storage device 22 so that the user can use it in the game. The continuation bonus button 711 may be a button object for causing the user to perform a predetermined action related to the granting of the continuation bonus. For example, when the continuation bonus button 711 is specified by the user, the bonus processing unit 254 stores the continuation bonus in the storage device 22 by displaying a page corresponding to predetermined link information associated with the continuation bonus button 711.

The game screen 710 is the game screen that is displayed when the game screen display command button is selected by the user, and is the game screen that is displayed after the registration benefit and the time period benefit are granted to the user and until the registration benefit and the time period benefit are used by the user.

Figure 7 (c) is a diagram showing an example of a registration completion screen 720 displayed on the display device 23 of the terminal device 2. The registration completion screen 720 is a screen based on registration completion data transmitted when the user is registered for the game service in the server device 3 based on a registration request from the terminal device 2. For example, when the receiving unit 253 receives registration completion data indicating that the user has been registered for the game service from the server device 3 via the communication I/F 21, the display processing unit 251 displays the registration completion screen 720 on the display device 23 based on the display data and registration completion data stored in the storage device 22.

The registration completion data used to display the registration completion screen 720 is data transmitted from the server device 3 in response to a registration request transmitted to the server device 3 by a user who has already registered as a first member operating the input device 24 to specify the display area of the second member registration button 514 included in the registration screen 510. The registration completion data used to display the registration completion screen 720 may also be data transmitted from the server device 3 in response to a registration request transmitted to the server device 3 by a user who has already registered as a first member operating the input device 24 to specify the display area of the second member registration button 514 included in the registration screen 610, and specifying the display area of the registration request button 522 included in the payment information input screen 520 displayed in response to this specification.

The registration completion screen 720 includes registration information 721 and a game screen display button 722. The registration information 721 is text information indicating that the user has been registered with the game service. The registration information 721 may be an image, a mark, etc. indicating that the user has been registered with the game service. In the example shown in FIG. 7(c), registration information 721 is displayed indicating that a user who has already been registered with the game service as a first member has further been registered with the game service as a second member.

The game screen display instruction button 722 is a button object for instructing the display of any one of game screens 500, 600, 700, and 710. When the display area of the game screen display instruction button 722 is specified in response to the user's operation of the input device 24, the display processing unit 251 ends the display of the registration completion screen 720 and displays the game screen on the display device 23 based on the display data stored in the storage device 22.

Figure 7 (d) is a diagram showing an example of a registration screen 730 displayed on the display device 23 of the terminal device 2. The registration screen 730 includes first member information 611, a first member cancellation button 612, second member information 731, a second member cancellation button 732, and a game screen display instruction button 515.

The first member information 611 is text information indicating the registration status of the user as a first member. The first member information 611 may be an image, a mark, etc. indicating the registration status of the user as a first member. In the example shown in FIG. 7(d), the first member information 611 is displayed indicating that the user is registered with the game service as a first member.

The first member cancellation button 612 is the same as the first member cancellation button 612 shown in FIG. 6(b).

The second member information 731 is text information indicating the registration status of the user as a second member. The second member information 731 may be an image, a mark, etc. indicating the registration status of the user as a second member. In the example shown in FIG. 7(d), second member information 731 is displayed indicating that the user is registered with the game service as a second member.

The second member registration cancellation button 732 is a button object for instructing the display of the cancellation screen 620 for the procedure of canceling the registration of a user who is registered in the game service as a second member. When the display area of the second member registration cancellation button 732 is specified in response to the user's operation of the input device 24, the display processing unit 251 displays the cancellation screen 620 on the display device 23 based on the display data stored in the storage device 22. In this case, when the cancellation request button 622 on the cancellation screen 620 is specified by the user, the transmission unit 252 extracts the user ID stored in the storage device 22, creates membership type information indicating the second member, and transmits a cancellation request including the extracted user ID and the created membership type information to the server device 3 via the communication I/F 21.

Figure 8 shows an example of the general configuration of the server device 3.

The server device 3 has a function of registering the user of the terminal device 2 to the game service in response to a registration request from the terminal device 2, canceling the user's registration to the game service in response to a cancellation request from the terminal device 2, and granting various benefits to the user registered to the game service. To this end, the server device 3 includes a communication unit I/F 31, a storage device 32, and a processor 33.

The communication I/F 31 is implemented as hardware, firmware, or communication software such as a TCP/IP driver or a PPP driver, or a combination of these. The server device 3 can transmit data to other devices and receive data from other devices via the communication I/F 31.

The storage device 32 is, for example, a semiconductor memory device such as a ROM or a RAM. The storage device 32 may be, for example, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, or any other storage device capable of storing data. The storage device 32 stores an operating system program, a driver program, an application program, data, etc. used for processing in the processor 33. The storage device 32 stores, as data, information on registration benefits, information on period benefits, and information on continuing benefits. The storage device 32 also stores a user table T1, a first member table T2, and a second member table T3, which will be described later.

The processor 33 is a processing device that loads the operating system program, driver program, and application program stored in the storage device 32 into memory and executes the instructions contained in the loaded programs. The processor 33 is, for example, an electronic circuit such as a CPU, MPU, DSP, or GPU, or a combination of various electronic circuits. The processor 33 may be realized by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC, PLD, FPGA, or MCU. Although the processor 33 is illustrated as a single component in FIG. 8, the processor 33 may be a collection of multiple physically separate processors.

The processor 33 executes various commands contained in the application program (control program) stored in the storage device 32, thereby functioning as a server receiving unit 331, a server transmitting unit 332, a registration processing unit 333, a release processing unit 334, a continuation processing unit 335, and a bonus granting unit 336.

Below, an example of the data structure of the various tables stored in the server storage unit 32 is explained using Figure 9.

Figure 9 (a) shows a user table T1 that manages various data related to users registered with the game service. In the user table T1, the user ID, name, card information, etc. are stored for each user in association with each other.

The user ID is an example of identification data for uniquely identifying each user. The name is an example of data indicating the name of each user. The card information includes various information related to a credit card registered in advance by the user or various information related to a credit card entered by the user on the payment information input screen 520. The various information related to a credit card is, for example, information indicating the card brand, information indicating the card number, information indicating the expiration date, and information indicating the security code of the credit card used by the user to pay game fees.

Figure 9 (b) shows a first member table T2 that manages various data related to the membership registration of users who have registered with the game service as first members. In the first member table T2, the user ID, first registration time, first duration period, first release time, etc. are stored for each user in association with each other.

The first registration time is information relating to the time when the server device 3 received a registration request including membership type information indicating the first member from the user's terminal device 2. For example, the first registration time is information indicating the date on which the registration request including membership type information indicating the first member was received. The first registration time may be information indicating the date and time on which the registration request including membership type information indicating the first member was received.

The first number of continuous periods is information indicating the number of usage periods during which the game service has been continuously provided from the usage period including the time when the registration request including the membership type information indicating the first member was received. For example, if the usage period is in monthly units, the first number of continuous periods is the number of continuous months. In addition, if the usage period is in monthly units, the first number of continuous periods may be an integrated value of the number of continuous days. For example, if the game service is provided during the usage period including the time when the registration request was received and the next usage period, the first number of continuous periods is "2". The first number of continuous periods may be changed to "0" by the cancellation processing unit 334 described later when the next usage period of the usage period at the time when the cancellation request including the membership type information indicating the first member was received ends. In addition, the timing at which the first number of continuous periods is changed to "0" is not limited to the time when the next usage period of the usage period at the time when the cancellation request was received ends. The timing at which the first number of continuous periods is changed to "0" may be any time from the end of the next usage period of the usage period at the time when the cancellation request was received until the user re-registers as the first member.

The first release time is information relating to the time when the server device 3 received a release request including membership type information indicating the first member from the user's terminal device 2. For example, the first release time is information indicating the date on which the release request including membership type information indicating the first member was received. The first release time may be information indicating the date and time on which the release request including membership type information indicating the first member was received.

Figure 9 (c) shows the second member table T3, which manages various data related to the membership registration of users who have registered with the game service as second members. In the second member table T3, the user ID, second registration time, second duration period, second release time, etc. are stored for each user in association with each other.

The second registration time is information relating to the time when the server device 3 received a registration request including membership type information indicating the second member from the user's terminal device 2. For example, the second registration time is information indicating the date on which the registration request including membership type information indicating the second member was received. The second registration time may be information indicating the date and time on which the registration request including membership type information indicating the second member was received.

The second number of continuous periods is information indicating the number of usage periods during which the game service has been continuously provided from the usage period including the time when the registration request including the membership type information indicating the second membership was received. For example, if the usage period is in monthly units, the second number of continuous periods is the number of continuous months. In addition, if the usage period is in monthly units, the second number of continuous periods may be an accumulated value of the number of continuous days. The second number of continuous periods may be changed to "0" by the cancellation processing unit 334 described later when the usage period following the usage period at the time when the cancellation request including the membership type information indicating the second membership was received ends. In addition, the timing at which the second number of continuous periods is changed to "0" is not limited to the time when the usage period following the usage period at the time when the cancellation request was received ends. The timing at which the second number of continuous periods is changed to "0" may be any time from the end of the usage period following the usage period at the time when the cancellation request was received until the user re-registers as a second member.

The second release time is information regarding the time when the server device 3 received a release request including membership type information indicating the second member from the user's terminal device 2. For example, the second release time is information indicating the date on which the release request including membership type information indicating the second member was received. The second release time may be information indicating the date and time on which the release request including membership type information indicating the second member was received.

The functions of the server receiving unit 331, the server transmitting unit 332, the registration processing unit 333, the cancellation processing unit 334, the continuation processing unit 335, and the bonus granting unit 336 are described below.

The server receiving unit 331 receives registration requests and cancellation requests sent from the terminal device 2 via the communication I/F 31.

The server transmission unit 332 transmits the registration completion data, the cancellation completion data indicating that the cancellation process has been executed by the cancellation processing unit 333, and the continuation completion data to the terminal device 2 via the communication I/F 31. Note that the registration completion data may include information on the registration privilege granted to the user by the privilege granting unit 336, information on the period privilege, or information on the period privilege and the continuation privilege. Also, the continuation completion data includes information on the period privilege granted to the user by the privilege granting unit 336, or information on the period privilege and the continuation privilege.

The registration processing unit 333 acquires the registration request received by the server receiving unit 331 and extracts the user ID, membership type information, and various information related to the credit card included in the registration request. If the extracted membership type information indicates a first member, the registration processing unit 333 reads out the first member table T2 stored in the storage device 32, and if the extracted membership type information indicates a second member, the registration processing unit 333 reads out the second member table T3 stored in the storage device 32.

Below, we will explain an example of the function of the registration processing unit 333 when the extracted membership type information indicates a first member.

If the first registration time corresponding to the extracted user ID is not stored in the read first member table T2 (in the case of a new registration), the registration processing unit 333 stores the date (or date and time) when the registration request was received as the first registration time in the first member table T2 in association with the extracted user ID. Next, the registration processing unit 333 stores "1" as the first continuous period number in the first member table T2 in association with the extracted user ID. Then, the registration processing unit 333 instructs the benefit granting unit 336 to grant the registration benefit to the user.

If the time when the registration request was received is within the usage period that includes the first release time associated with the extracted user ID in the read first member table T2, the registration processing unit 333 deletes the information stored as the first release time.

If, in the read first member table T2, the time when the registration request was received is within the usage period immediately following the usage period including the first release time associated with the extracted user ID, the registration processing unit 333 deletes the information stored as the first release time associated with the extracted user ID. Next, the registration processing unit 333 adds "1" to the number of first continuous periods associated with the user's user ID stored in the first member table T2, and stores the first continuous period number after the increment in the first member table T2 in association with the user's user ID. Then, the registration processing unit 333 instructs the benefit granting unit 336 to grant the period benefit and the continuous benefit to the user.

If the time when the registration request is received is after the usage period immediately following the usage period including the first release time associated with the extracted user ID, the registration processing unit 333 deletes the information stored as the first release time associated with the extracted user ID. Next, the registration processing unit 333 stores the date (or date and time) when the registration request was received as the first registration time in the first member table T2 in association with the extracted user ID. Next, the registration processing unit 333 stores "1" as the first continuous period number in the first member table T2 in association with the extracted user ID. Then, the registration processing unit 333 instructs the benefit granting unit 336 to grant the registration benefit to the user.

The release processing unit 334 executes the release process when the release request is received by the server receiving unit 331. An example of the release process will be described below. First, the release processing unit 334 acquires the release request from the server receiving unit 331 and extracts the user ID and membership type information contained in the release request. If the extracted membership type information indicates a first member, the release processing unit 334 reads out the first member table T2 stored in the storage device 32, and if the extracted membership type information indicates a second member, the release processing unit 334 reads out the second member table T3 stored in the storage device 32. If the extracted membership type information indicates a first member, the release processing unit 334 stores the date (or date and time) on which the release request was received as the first release time in the first member table T2 in association with the extracted user ID, and ends the release process. Furthermore, if the extracted membership type information indicates a second member, the cancellation processing unit 334 stores the date (or date and time) when the cancellation request was received as the second cancellation time in the second member table T3 in association with the extracted user ID, and ends the cancellation process.

The continuation processing unit 335 executes the continuation processing each time the usage period ends. An example of the continuation processing is described below. First, the continuation processing unit 335 reads the first member table T2 and the second member table T3 to determine whether the user is registered as a first member and whether the user is registered as a second member.

The continuation processing unit 335 determines that the user is registered as a first member if the first release time is not stored in association with the user's user ID in the first member table T2, and determines that the user is not registered as a first member if the first release time is stored in association with the user's user ID.

If the second release time is not stored in association with the user's user ID in the second member table T3, the continuation processing unit 335 determines that the user is registered as a second member, and if the second release time is stored in association with the user's user ID, the continuation processing unit 335 determines that the user is not registered as a second member.

When the continuation processing unit 335 determines that the user is registered as a first member, it adds "1" to the number of first continuous periods associated with the user's user ID stored in the first member table T2, and stores the incremented number of first continuous periods in the first member table T2 in association with the user's user ID. Next, the continuation processing unit 335 executes a process of billing a credit company or the like for the game fee of the user's first membership corresponding to the next usage period after the ended usage period based on various information related to the credit card. The continuation processing unit 335 then instructs the bonus granting unit 336 to execute a process of granting a period bonus and a continuation bonus, and ends the continuation process.

When the continuation processing unit 335 determines that the user is registered as a second member, it adds "1" to the number of second continuous periods associated with the user's user ID stored in the second member table T3, and stores the incremented number of second continuous periods in the second member table T3 in association with the user's user ID. Next, the continuation processing unit 335 executes a process of billing a credit company or the like for the game fee for the user's second membership corresponding to the next usage period after the ended usage period based on various information related to the credit card. The continuation processing unit 335 then instructs the bonus granting unit 336 to execute a process of granting a period bonus and a continuation bonus, and ends the continuation process.

When the server receiving unit 331 receives a registration request including membership type information indicating a first member, and "1" is stored as the first continuous period number corresponding to the user ID in the first member table T2, the privilege granting unit 336 grants the user the registration privilege of a first member by storing information about the registration privilege as a first member in the storage device 32 in association with the user ID of the user who is the first member, in accordance with the instructions of the registration processing unit 333.

When the server receiving unit 331 receives a registration request including membership type information indicating a second membership, and "1" is stored as the second continuous period number corresponding to the user ID in the second member table T3, the privilege granting unit 336 grants the user the registration privilege of a second membership by storing information about the registration privilege as a second member in the storage device 32 in association with the user ID of the user who is a second member, in accordance with the instructions of the registration processing unit 333.

When the server receiving unit 331 receives a registration request including membership type information indicating a first member, and the time when the registration request is received is after the usage period immediately following the usage period including the first release time associated with the user ID of the user who is the first member, the privilege granting unit 336 grants the user the registration privilege of a first member to the user by storing information about the registration privilege as a first member in the storage device 32 in association with the user ID, in accordance with the instructions of the registration processing unit 333.

When the server receiving unit 331 receives a registration request including membership type information indicating a second membership, and the time when the registration request is received is after the usage period immediately following the usage period including the second release time associated with the user ID of the user who is the second member, the privilege granting unit 336 grants the user the registration privilege of a second membership to the user by storing information regarding the registration privilege as a second member in the storage device 32 in association with the user ID in accordance with instructions from the registration processing unit 333.

When the server receiving unit 331 receives a registration request including member type information indicating the first member, and the time when the registration request is received is within the usage period immediately following the usage period including the first release time associated with the user ID of the user who is the first member, the privilege granting unit 336 grants the user the period privilege of the first member by storing information about the period privilege as the first member in the storage device 32 in association with the user ID according to the instruction of the registration processing unit 333. In this case, when the continuous privilege condition is satisfied, the user is granted the continuous privilege of the first member by storing information about the continuous privilege as the first member in the storage device 32 in association with the user ID. The continuous privilege condition is that the first continuous period number is "kn" (k is a natural number equal to or greater than 2, and n is a natural number). For example, when k=4, the continuous privilege condition is that the first continuous period number is 4, 8, 12, .... Also, when k=6, the continuous privilege condition is that the first continuous period number is 6, 12, 18, ....

When the server receiving unit 331 receives a registration request including membership type information indicating the second member, and the time when the registration request is received is within the usage period immediately following the usage period including the second release time associated with the user ID of the user who is the second member, the privilege granting unit 336 grants the second member's period privilege to the user by storing information about the second member's period privilege in the storage device 32 in association with the user ID of the user according to the instruction of the registration processing unit 333. In this case, when the continuous privilege condition is satisfied, the user is granted the second member's continuous privilege by storing information about the second member's continuous privilege in the storage device 32 in association with the user ID of the user. The continuous privilege condition is that the second continuous period number is "kn" (k is a natural number equal to or greater than 2, and n is a natural number). For example, when k=4, the continuous privilege condition is that the second continuous period number is 4, 8, 12, .... When k=6, the continuous privilege condition is that the second continuous period number is 6, 12, 18, ....

When the benefit granting unit 336 receives an instruction from the continuation processing unit 335 to perform the process of granting period benefits and continuation benefits, it grants the period benefits of the first membership to the user by storing information about the period benefits as a first member in the storage device 32 in association with the user ID of the user who is a first member. In this case, when the continuation benefit conditions are met, it grants the user the continuation benefits of the first membership to the user by storing information about the continuation benefits as a first member in association with the user ID in the storage device 32.

When the benefit granting unit 336 receives an instruction from the continuation processing unit 335 to perform the process of granting period benefits and continuation benefits, it grants the period benefits of the second membership to the user by storing information about the period benefits as a second member in the storage device 32 in association with the user ID of the user who is a second member. In this case, when the continuation benefit conditions are met, it grants the user the continuation benefits of the second membership to the user by storing information about the continuation benefits as a second member in the storage device 32 in association with the user ID.

Figure 10 is a diagram showing an example of an operation sequence of the game system 1. This operation sequence is executed mainly by the processors 25 and 33 in cooperation with each element of the terminal device 2 and the server device 3, based on programs previously stored in the storage devices 22 and 32.

First, when the user operates the input device 24 to select the registration request button 522, the transmission unit 252 of the terminal device 2 transmits a registration request to the server device 3 via the communication I/F 21 (step S101).

Next, the server receiving unit 331 of the server device 3 receives the registration request sent from the terminal device 2 via the communication I/F 31. Next, the registration processing unit 333 and the benefit granting unit 336 execute the registration process (step S102). The details of the registration process will be described later.

Next, the server transmission unit 332 transmits registration completion data, including information regarding the registration benefits granted to the user in the registration process, to the terminal device 2 via the communication I/F 31 (step S103).

Next, the receiving unit 253 of the terminal device 2 receives the registration completion data transmitted from the server device 3 via the communication I/F. Then, the display processing unit 251 displays the registration completion screen 530 on the display device 23 based on the display data stored in the storage device 22 and the registration completion data received by the receiving unit 253 (step S104).

Next, when the user selects the release request button 622 in response to operation of the input device 24, the transmission unit 252 of the terminal device 2 transmits a release request to the server device 3 via the communication I/F 21 (step S105).

Next, the server receiving unit 331 of the server device 3 receives the release request sent from the terminal device 2 via the communication I/F 31. Next, the registration processing unit 333 executes the release process (step S106).

Next, the server transmission unit 332 transmits cancellation completion data, including membership type information indicating the type of membership cancelled in the cancellation process, to the terminal device 2 via the communication I/F 31 (step S107).

Next, the receiving unit 253 of the terminal device 2 receives the release completion data transmitted from the server device 3 via the communication I/F. Then, the display processing unit 251 displays the release completion screen 630 on the display device 23 based on the display data stored in the storage device 22 and the release completion data received by the receiving unit 253 (step S108).

First, when the registration request button 522 is selected again in response to a user's operation of the input device 24, the transmission unit 252 of the terminal device 2 transmits a registration request to the server device 3 via the communication I/F 21 (step S109).

Next, the server receiving unit 331 of the server device 3 receives the registration request sent from the terminal device 2 via the communication I/F 31. Next, the registration processing unit 333 and the benefit granting unit 336 execute the registration process (step S110). The details of the registration process will be described later.

Next, the server transmission unit 332 transmits the registration completion data to the terminal device 2 via the communication I/F 31 (step S111). Note that the registration completion data may include information about the registration benefits, information about the period benefits, or information about the period benefits and the continuing benefits that were granted to the user in the registration process.

Next, the receiving unit 253 of the terminal device 2 receives the registration completion data transmitted from the server device 3 via the communication I/F. Then, the display processing unit 251 displays the registration completion screen 530 on the display device 23 based on the display data stored in the storage device 22 and the registration completion data received by the receiving unit 253 (step S112).

Figure 11 is a diagram showing an example of the operation flow of the registration process by the registration processing unit 333 and the bonus granting unit 336 of the server device 3. The registration process shown in Figure 11 is executed in steps S102 and S110 of Figure 10.

First, the registration processing unit 333 obtains the registration request received by the server receiving unit 331, and extracts the user ID, membership type information, and various information related to the credit card included in the registration request (step S201). Hereinafter, the first member table T2 and the second member table T3 are collectively referred to as the member tables, the first registration time and the second registration time are collectively referred to as the registration time, the first number of continuous periods and the second number of continuous periods are collectively referred to as the number of continuous periods, and the first release time and the second release time are collectively referred to as the release time. In addition, the registration processing unit 333 uses a member table according to the extracted membership type information.

Next, the registration processing unit 333 determines whether the user is a new user (whether the registration time corresponding to the extracted user ID is stored in the member table) (step S202).

If it is determined that the user is a new user (step S202-Yes), the registration processing unit 333 proceeds to step S206. If it is determined that the user is not a new user (step S202-No), the registration processing unit 333 deletes the information stored as the cancellation time from the member table (step S203).

Next, the registration processing unit 333 determines whether the time when the registration request was received by the server receiving unit 331 is within the usage period that includes the release time deleted in step S203 (step S204).

If it is determined that the time when the registration request was received is within the usage period including the cancellation time (step S204-Yes), the registration process ends.

If it is determined that the time when the registration request was received is not within the usage period including the release time (step S204-No), the registration processing unit 333 determines whether the time when the registration request was received by the server receiving unit 331 is within the usage period immediately following the usage period including the release time deleted in step S203 (step S205).

If it is determined in step S205 that the time when the registration request was received is not within the usage period immediately following the usage period including the release time (the time when the registration request was received is after the usage period immediately following the usage period including the release time) (step S205-No), the registration processing unit 333 stores the time when the registration request was received (date, or date and time) in the member table as the registration time, in association with the extracted user ID (step S206).

Next, the registration processing unit 333 associates the extracted user ID with "1" as the number of continuing periods in the member table (step S207).

Next, the benefit granting unit 336 stores information regarding the registration benefit corresponding to the extracted membership type information in association with the extracted user ID in the storage device 32 (step S208), and the registration process ends.

In step S205, if it is determined that the time when the registration request was received is within the usage period immediately following the usage period including the cancellation time (step S205-Yes), the registration processing unit 333 adds "1" to the number of continuous periods associated with the extracted user ID stored in the member table, and stores the number of continuous periods after the increment in the member table in association with the extracted user ID (step S209).

Next, the benefit granting unit 336 stores information regarding the period benefit corresponding to the extracted membership type information in the storage device 32 in association with the extracted user ID (step S210).

Next, the bonus granting unit 336 determines whether the continuation bonus conditions are met (step S211).

If the privilege granting unit 336 determines that the continuation privilege condition is not satisfied (step S211-No), the registration process ends. If the privilege granting unit 336 determines that the continuation privilege condition is satisfied (step S211-Yes), the privilege granting unit 336 stores information about the continuation privilege corresponding to the extracted membership type information in association with the extracted user ID in the storage device 32 (step S212), and the registration process ends.

Figure 12 is a diagram showing another example of an operation sequence of the game system 1. This operation sequence is executed mainly by the processors 25 and 33 in cooperation with the elements of the terminal device 2 and the server device 3, based on programs previously stored in the storage devices 22 and 32.

The operation sequence shown in FIG. 12 is executed in parallel with the operation sequence shown in FIG. 10.

First, the continuation processing unit 335 and the bonus granting unit 336 of the server device 3 execute the continuation processing (step S301). The details of the continuation processing will be described later.

Next, the server transmission unit 332 transmits the continuation completion data to the terminal device 2 via the communication I/F 31 (step S302). Note that the continuation completion data may include information about the periodic benefit granted to the user in the continuation process, or information about the periodic benefit and the continuation benefit.

Next, the receiving unit 253 of the terminal device 2 receives the continuation completion data transmitted from the server device 3 via the communication I/F. Then, the display processing unit 251 displays the game screen 700 or the game screen 710, etc. on the display device 23 based on the display data stored in the storage device 22 and the continuation completion data received by the receiving unit 253 (step S303).

Figure 13 is a diagram showing an example of the operation flow of the continuation process by the continuation processing unit 335 and the bonus granting unit 336 of the server device 3. The continuation process shown in Figure 13 is executed in step S301 of Figure 12.

First, the continuation processing unit 335 determines whether the usage period has ended (step S401).

If it is determined that the usage period has not ended (step S401-No), the continuation processing unit 335 waits until the usage period ends.

If the continuation processing unit 335 determines that the usage period has ended (step S401-Yes), the continuation processing unit 335 reads the membership table and determines whether the user is registered as a member of the game service (whether the cancellation time is stored in association with the user's user ID in the membership table) (step S402).

If the continuation processing unit 335 determines that the user is not registered as a member of the game service (the cancellation time is stored in association with the user's user ID in the membership table) (step S402-No), the continuation processing ends.

When it is determined that the user is registered as a member of the game service (the cancellation time is not stored in association with the user's user ID in the member table) (step S402-Yes), the continuation processing unit 335 adds "1" to the number of continuation periods associated with the user's user ID stored in the member table, and stores the number of continuation periods after the increment in association with the user's user ID in the member table (step S403).

Next, the continuation processing unit 335 executes the process of billing the game fee (step S404).

Next, the benefit granting unit 336 stores information regarding the period benefit corresponding to the membership type information of the user in association with the user's user ID in the storage device 32 (step S405).

Next, the bonus granting unit 336 determines whether the continuation bonus conditions are met (step S406).

If the benefit provision unit 336 determines that the continuation benefit conditions are not met (step S406-No), the continuation process ends. If the benefit provision unit 336 determines that the continuation benefit conditions are met (step S406-Yes), the benefit provision unit 336 stores information about the continuation benefit corresponding to the extracted membership type information in association with the extracted user ID in the storage device 32 (step S407), and the continuation process ends.

As described above in detail, in the game system 1 of this embodiment, a user who has registered with a game service and then subsequently unregistered from the game service is provided with the benefit of re-registering with the game service. This game system 1 makes it possible to increase the motivation of users who have registered with a game service to continue using the game service.

(Variation 1)
However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, if a user is registered with a game service as both a first member and a second member, and the usage period during which the first member's continuous privilege is granted to the user is the same as the usage period during which the second member's continuous privilege is granted to the user, a combined privilege based on the first member's continuous privilege and the second member's continuous privilege may be granted to the user instead of the first member's continuous privilege and the second member's continuous privilege.

If the first member's continuing privilege and the second member's continuing privilege are a predetermined number of occurrences of the game effect, the combined privilege may be the sum of the predetermined number of occurrences of the first member's continuing privilege and the predetermined number of occurrences of the second member's continuing privilege. For example, if the first member's continuing privilege is the ability to execute a lottery process for granting one or more game media from a predetermined group of game media to the user eight times, and the second member's continuing privilege is the ability to execute a lottery process for granting one or more game media from a predetermined group of game media to the user two times, and if the usage period during which the first member's continuing privilege is granted to the user and the usage period during which the second member's continuing privilege is granted to the user are the same, the user may be granted a privilege of executing a lottery process for granting one or more game media from a predetermined group of game media ten times in place of the first member's continuing privilege and the second member's continuing privilege. Furthermore, if the first member's renewal benefit and the second member's renewal benefit are the number of times the user performs actions and/or skills in the game, the combined number of times (actions and/or skills, etc.) the number of times the user performs the first member's renewal benefit and the number of times the user performs the second member's renewal benefit may be added to the user's number of times of execution or set as the user's number of times as a combined benefit, or the combined number of times (actions and/or skills, etc.) the number of times the user performs the first member's renewal benefit plus a predetermined number, or the combined number of times (actions and/or skills, etc.) the number of times the user performs the second member's renewal benefit plus a predetermined number.

In addition, if the first member's continuing benefits and the second member's continuing benefits are increments relative to the various upper limits set in the game, the combined benefit may be the sum of the increments related to the first member's continuing benefits and the increments related to the second member's continuing benefits (relative to the various upper limits). In addition, if the first member's continuing benefits and the second member's continuing benefits are new upper limits replacing the various upper limits set in the game, the combined benefit may be the new upper limit (replacing the various upper limits) adding up the new upper limits related to the first member's continuing benefits and the new upper limits related to the second member's continuing benefits. The various upper limits set in the game include the display upper limit number of display objects (e.g., comments from other users, etc.) displayed on the game progress screen, the acquisition upper limit number of game media that a user can acquire in an event, the acquisition upper limit number of game media that a user can acquire by lottery, the use upper limit number of game media that a user can use in battle, the use upper limit number of game media that a user can use in an event, the possession upper limit number of game media that a user can possess in the game, etc. For example, if the first member's continuing privilege is to set the upper limit of the number of display objects (e.g., comments from other users) displayed on the game progress screen to 40, and the second member's continuing privilege is to set the upper limit of the number of display objects displayed on the game progress screen to 10, and if the usage period during which the first member's continuing privilege is granted to the user is the same as the usage period during which the second member's continuing privilege is granted to the user, the user may be granted a combined privilege of setting the upper limit of the number of display objects displayed on the game progress screen to 50 in place of the first member's continuing privilege and the second member's continuing privilege.

In addition, if the first member's continuing privilege and the second member's continuing privilege are increased values for various set values set in the game, the combined privilege may be an increased value (for various set values) obtained by adding together the increased value for the first member's continuing privilege and the increased value for the second member's continuing privilege. In addition, if the first member's continuing privilege and the second member's continuing privilege are new set values that replace the various set values set in the game, the combined privilege may be a new set value (that replaces the various set values) obtained by adding together the new set value for the first member's continuing privilege and the new set value for the second member's continuing privilege. The various set values set in the game include a value indicating the rarity of the obtainable game medium, the experience value of the user or the user's character, the user's parameter value (HP (Hit Point), etc.), etc. For example, if the first member's renewal benefit is a game medium with a predetermined rarity of 4 and the second member's renewal benefit is a game medium with a predetermined rarity of 1, and the usage period during which the first member's renewal benefit is granted to the user is the same as the usage period during which the second member's renewal benefit is granted to the user, a game medium with a predetermined rarity of 5 may be granted to the user as a combined benefit in place of the first member's renewal benefit and the second member's renewal benefit.

In addition, if the usage period for which the first membership renewal benefit is granted to the user is the same as the usage period for which the second membership renewal benefit is granted to the user, the user may be granted another benefit in addition to the first membership renewal benefit and the second membership renewal benefit.

In addition, if a user is simultaneously registered in the game system as three or more types of members and the usage period during which the continued benefits of the three or more types of memberships are granted to the user is the same, the user may be granted a combined benefit based on the continued benefits of the three or more types of memberships instead of the continued benefits of the three or more types of memberships.

As described above, when a user is granted a different benefit from a single member registration by combining multiple types of members registered by the user, the user can select to use a more flexible and diverse membership service according to the situation, compared to when the user does not combine multiple types of members registered by the user. That is, the number of types of benefits provided to the user by combining n types of members is (2 ⁿ -1) (for example, if the types of members are three types, A member, B member, and C member, the number of benefits is seven types: A member's benefit, B member's benefit, C member's benefit, benefit of the combination of A member and B member, benefit of the combination of A member and C member, benefit of the combination of B member and C member, and benefit of the combination of A member, B member, and C member). As described above, by configuring the system so that a combination benefit of a combination of multiple types of members is granted to the user, it is possible to provide the user with (2 ⁿ -1) types of benefits simply by setting n types of members, which makes it possible to reduce the management burden of the multiple types of members registered by the user, and to prevent the storage capacity from becoming congested due to the registration information and/or the information processing of the server device 3 from becoming complicated.

(Variation 2)
The first member's renewal benefit and the second member's renewal benefit may be different benefits. For example, if the first member's renewal benefit is the ability to execute a first lottery process to grant the user one or more game media from a predetermined group of game media including a first rarity level, the second member's renewal benefit may be the ability to execute a second lottery process to grant the user one or more game media from a predetermined group of game media including a second rarity level lower than the first rarity level.

The continuing privilege of the second member may be a part of the continuing privilege of the first member. For example, if the continuing privilege of the first member is the ability to execute the above-mentioned first lottery process and the above-mentioned second lottery process, the continuing privilege of the second member is the ability to execute the above-mentioned second lottery process. The continuing privilege of the first member may be a part of the continuing privilege of the second member.

(Variation 3)
The continuation benefit and the period benefit may be different benefits from each other, and the period benefit may be a part of the continuation benefit. For example, if the continuation benefit is the ability to execute a lottery process eight times to grant one or more game media from a predetermined game media group to the user, the period benefit is the ability to execute a lottery process two times to grant one or more game media from a predetermined game media group. If the continuation benefit is the ability to execute a lottery process to grant one or more game media from a predetermined game media group including a first rarity and the ability to execute a lottery process to grant one or more game media from a predetermined game media group including a second rarity lower than the first rarity, the period benefit is the ability to execute a lottery process to grant one or more game media from a predetermined game media group including the second rarity to the user.

(Variation 4)
The continuation benefit and the registration benefit may be different benefits from each other, and the registration benefit may be a part of the continuation benefit. For example, if the continuation benefit is the ability to execute a lottery process for granting one or more game media from a predetermined game media group to a user eight times, the registration benefit is the ability to execute a lottery process for granting one or more game media from a predetermined game media group four times. If the continuation benefit is the ability to execute a lottery process for granting one or more game media from a predetermined game media group including a first rarity and the ability to execute a lottery process for granting one or more game media from a predetermined game media group including a second rarity lower than the first rarity, the registration benefit is the ability to execute a lottery process for granting one or more game media from a predetermined game media group including the second rarity to a user. The continuation benefit may be a part of the registration benefit.

(Variation 5)
When the first membership cancellation button 612 is selected by a user, if the user is not registered with the game service as a second member, the cancellation screen 620 may include a second membership registration button 514 as shown in FIG. 6(b).

For example, in the example shown in FIG. 6(b), to register with the game service as a first member, a game fee of 1,200 yen must be paid for each usage period, and to register with the game service as a second member, a game fee of 300 yen must be paid for each usage period. In this way, the first member is a member that is four times more valuable than the second member.

In this case, for example, a user who registered with the game service as a first member in April 2020 can be considered to have registered with the game service as a second member from April 2020 to July 2020. For this reason, for example, when a specified membership type change condition is met, the cancellation screen 620 may include a second membership registration button 514, and may also include information indicating that the user will be registered with the game service as a second member free of charge for a specified number of usage periods including the applicable usage period.

The specified number of changes is the value obtained by dividing the "game fee for the first member" by the "game fee for the second member" (if this value is not an integer, the integer value is obtained by rounding down the decimal point). The condition for changing the membership type is, for example, that the user has not used any of the various benefits granted during the usage period that includes the time when the first membership cancellation button 612 was specified by the user (the user has not selected any of the registration benefits button, period benefits button, or continuation benefits button).

In this case, when the second member registration button 514 included in the release screen 620 is selected by the user, the user's registration as a first member is released, and the user is registered in the game service as a second member for a predetermined number of use periods without requiring a game fee. The user will no longer be able to use various benefits as a first member. For example, when the second member registration button 514 is selected by the user, the transmission unit 252 of the terminal device 2 transmits to the server device 3 a release request including the user ID and membership type information indicating the first member, and a registration request including at least the user ID and membership type information indicating the second member. When the release request and the registration request are received by the server receiving unit 331, the release processing unit 334 of the server device 3 reads out the first member table T2 related to the first member included in the release request. The release processing unit 334 stores the date (or date and time) on which the release request was received as the first release time in the first member table T2 in association with the user ID included in the release request. The registration processes (1) to (3) will be described below. (1) When the second registration time corresponding to the user ID included in the registration request is not stored in the second member table T3 (in the case of new registration), the registration processing unit 333 stores the date (or date and time) when the registration request is received as the first registration time in the second member table T3 in association with the user ID included in the registration request. In this case, the registration processing unit 333 stores "1" as the second continuous period number in association with the user ID included in the registration request in the second member table T3. Then, the registration processing unit 333 instructs the benefit granting unit 336 to grant a registration benefit to the user related to the user ID included in the registration request. (2) When the time when the registration request is received is within the usage period including the second release time associated with the user ID included in the registration request in the read second member table T3, the registration processing unit 333 deletes the information stored as the second release time. In addition, the registration processing unit 333 deletes the information stored in the second member table T3 as the second release time associated with the user ID included in the registration request when the time when the registration request is received is within the usage period immediately following the usage period including the second release time associated with the user ID included in the registration request. After deleting the information stored as the second release time, the registration processing unit 333 adds "1" to the number of second continuous periods associated with the user ID included in the registration request stored in the second member table T3, and stores the number of second continuous periods after the addition in the second member table T3 in association with the user ID of the user. Then, the registration processing unit 333 instructs the privilege granting unit 336 to grant a period privilege and/or a continuous privilege to the user related to the user ID included in the registration request. (3) In the case when the time when the registration request is received is past the usage period immediately following the usage period including the second release time associated with the user ID included in the registration request, the registration processing unit 333 deletes the information stored as the second release time associated with the extracted user ID. Next, the date (or date and time) when the registration request was received is stored in the second member table T3 as the second registration time in association with the extracted user ID. Next, the registration processing unit 333 stores "1" in the second member table T3 as the second continuous period number in association with the extracted user ID. The registration processing unit 333 then instructs the reward granting unit 336 to grant a registration reward to the user associated with the user ID included in the registration request.

Even if the membership type change conditions are not met, the cancellation screen 620 may include a second membership registration button 514. In this case, the cancellation screen 620 may include information indicating that the game service can be provided as a second membership for a specified number of usage periods at the game fee of the first membership. When the second membership registration button 514 included in this cancellation screen 620 is selected by the user, the user's registration as a first member is cancelled, and by paying the game fee for the second membership, the user is registered for the game service as a second member.

(Variation 6)
In addition, some of the functions of the server processing unit 33 described above may be realized by the terminal processing unit 25 of the terminal device 2. In this case, if various tables are stored in the terminal storage unit 22, it is not necessary to communicate with the server device 3 every time processing is performed, and the above functions can be realized by the terminal device 2 alone. In addition, the game executed in the terminal device 2 may be a hybrid game in which the server device 3 and the terminal device 2 each perform part of the processing. In that case, for example, each game screen related to the progress of the game is displayed as a web display displayed on the terminal device 2 based on display data generated by the server device 3, and other menu screens and the like are displayed as native displays displayed by a native application installed in the terminal device 2. This reduces the load of information processing on the server device 3, and prevents communication between the server device 3 and the terminal device 2 from becoming unstable. In addition, in the game system 1, it is possible to prevent malfunctions in the multiplayer game and encourage players to continue participating in the game.

(Variation 7)
The game system 1 may also be configured to include only a plurality of terminal devices 2 operated by a plurality of players. Each of the plurality of terminal devices 2 performs wireless communication with the other terminal devices 2 by a wireless communication method conforming to the IEEE 802.11 standard, and an ad-hoc network is formed by the plurality of terminal devices 2. In this case, a specific terminal device 2 among the plurality of terminal devices 2 functions as a host and executes each function of the server device 3 described above. The terminal devices 2 other than the specific terminal device 2 among the plurality of terminal devices 2 communicate with the specific terminal device 2 that executes each function of the server device 3, thereby executing the above-mentioned game. Note that the specific terminal device 2 that functions as a host executes both the functions of the server device 3 and the functions of the terminal device 2.

1 Game system 2 Terminal device 21 Communication I/F
22 Storage device 23 Display device 24 Input device 25 Processor 251 Display processing unit 252 Transmission unit 253 Reception unit 254 Special offer processing unit 3 Server device 31 Communication I/F
32 Storage device 33 Processor 331 Server receiving unit 332 Server transmitting unit 333 Registration processing unit 334 Cancellation processing unit 335 Continuation processing unit 336 Benefit granting unit 4 Base station 5 Mobile communication network 6 Gateway 7 Internet

However, in the conventional game system , there was no mechanism for providing flexible and diverse membership services to the user regarding the game service. Therefore, once a user leaves a game service, they rarely return to the game service, which causes a problem in the continuity of the game service.

As described above in detail, in the game system 1 of the present embodiment, a user who has registered for a game service and then cancelled the registration therefor is provided with the advantage of re-registering for the game service. In conventional game systems, there was no mechanism for providing an incentive to a user who has applied to end the provision of a game service to make the user want to start the game service again. For this reason, users who once left a game service rarely returned to the game service, which caused problems with the continuity of the game service. The game system 1 of the present embodiment makes it possible to increase the motivation of users who have registered for a game service to continue the game service.

Claims (11)

A game device that provides games to a plurality of users registered for a game service, comprising:
one or more computer processors;
A storage device;
Equipped with
the one or more computer processors:
registering the user as a first member to the game service when a first registration request is received from the user;
if a second registration request is received from the user, registering the user as a second member in the game service;
if the user is deregistered during a predetermined period after the user is registered and the user is reregistered before the end of the predetermined period, if the user continues to be registered during the predetermined period after the user is reregistered, a first benefit is associated with the user and stored in the storage device;
A gaming device, characterized in that the first benefit associated with the user who is the first member and the first benefit associated with the user who is the second member are different from each other. the predetermined period is constituted by a predetermined number of consecutive first periods,
If, after the user is registered, the user is deregistered during one first period of the predetermined number of consecutive first periods, and a registration request is received from the user during a first period immediately following the first period in which the user was deregistered, of the predetermined number of consecutive first periods, the one or more computer processors:
re-enrolling the user in the gaming service;
The gaming device of claim 1 , wherein when the user is registered again and the user continues to be registered until the last first period of the predetermined number of consecutive first periods, the first benefit is associated with the user and stored in the storage device. If the user is deregistered during the one first period after being registered, and the registration request is received from the user during the first period during which the user was deregistered, the one or more computer processors:
re-enrolling the user in the gaming service;
The gaming device of claim 2, wherein when the user is registered again and the user continues to be registered until the last first period of the predetermined number of consecutive first periods, the first benefit is associated with the user and stored in the storage device. the storage device stores information relating to a plurality of successive first periods;
the one or more computer processors:
When the registration request from the user is received, a first period including a time point at which the user is registered among the plurality of consecutive first periods is set as a start period, and a second benefit different from the first benefit is associated with the user and stored in the storage device;
4. The game device according to claim 2, wherein a predetermined number of first periods consecutive from the start period among the plurality of consecutive first periods are set as the predetermined period. The one or more computer processors set the last first period of the predetermined number of consecutive first periods as a privilege use period;
The gaming device according to claim 4 , wherein, when the first benefit is used in the game by the user during the benefit use period, a game effect corresponding to the first benefit used occurs. the one or more computer processors:
setting a predetermined number of first periods consecutive from the first period immediately following the privilege use period as a next predetermined period;
A first period that is the last of the next predetermined periods is set as a next privilege use period;
A gaming device as described in claim 5, wherein a next first benefit corresponding to the next specified period is associated with the user by continuing the user's registration during the next specified period, and when the next first benefit is used in the game by the user during the next benefit usage period, a game effect corresponding to the next first benefit used occurs. The game device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the one or more computer processors present to the user, if the user's registration is cancelled during the specified period, information regarding the continuation of the user's registration in order to be granted the first benefit. The game device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, when the user is both the first member and the second member, in the association of the first benefit, both the first benefit corresponding to the first member and the first benefit corresponding to the second member are stored in the storage device in association with the user. the predetermined period is composed of a predetermined number of consecutive first periods, and the last first period among the predetermined number of consecutive first periods constituting the predetermined period is a privilege use period;
A game device as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein when the benefit usage period of the first benefit corresponding to the first member and the benefit usage period of the first benefit corresponding to the second member are the same period, benefits corresponding to the first benefit corresponding to the first member and the first benefit corresponding to the second member are stored in the memory device in association with the user. A method for controlling a game device that includes a storage device and provides games to a plurality of users registered in a game service, comprising the steps of:
The game device,
registering the user as a first member to the game service when a first registration request is received from the user;
if a second registration request is received from the user, registering the user as a second member in the game service;
if the user is deregistered during a predetermined period after the user is registered and the user is reregistered before the end of the predetermined period, storing a first benefit in the storage device in association with the user if the user continues to be registered during the predetermined period after the user is reregistered;
Including,
The control method, wherein the first benefit associated with the user who is the first member and the first benefit associated with the user who is the second member are different from each other. A control program for a game device that includes one or more computer processors and a storage device and provides games to a plurality of users registered in a game service, the control program comprising:
the one or more computer processors;
registering the user as a first member to the game service when a first registration request is received from the user;
if a second registration request is received from the user, registering the user as a second member in the game service;
if the user is deregistered during a predetermined period after the user is registered and the user is reregistered before the end of the predetermined period, storing a first benefit in the storage device in association with the user if the user continues to be registered during the predetermined period after the user is reregistered;
Run the command,
the first benefit associated with the user who is the first member and the first benefit associated with the user who is the second member are different from each other.

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