WO2023085393A1

WO2023085393A1 - Character entrusting system, character entrusting method, and character entrusting program

Info

Publication number: WO2023085393A1
Application number: PCT/JP2022/042031
Authority: WO
Inventors: 貴行新藤; 慧小川; 佑貴寺田; 要小杉; まり江首藤; 虎也中畑; 武史平井; 利之上原
Original assignee: 株式会社ポケモン
Priority date: 2021-11-11
Filing date: 2022-11-11
Publication date: 2023-05-19
Also published as: JP2023071499A

Abstract

The present invention provides a character entrusting system, a character entrusting method, and a character entrusting program that use information about a player's sleep in the real world for character growth, thereby enabling the player to enjoy the game continuously and effortlessly. A character entrusting system 1 includes: a sleep information storage unit 440 that stores sleep information; a character information storage unit 444 that stores the growth conditions of a character; a entrusting control unit 14 that maps player information to a character ID having a prescribed growth condition; a growth control unit 18 that uses at least part of the sleep information to change prescribed parameters of the character; a growth determination unit 20 that determines whether the prescribed growth condition of the character has been achieved due to the change of the prescribed parameters; and a return control unit 22 that removes the association of the character ID to the player information if the prescribed growth condition has been achieved.

Description

Character custody system, character custody method, and character custody program

The present invention relates to a character keeping system, a character keeping method, and a character keeping program. In particular, the present invention relates to a character keeping system, a character keeping method, and a character keeping program using the sleeping situation of the player in the real world.

Conventionally, a position information acquisition unit acquires position information indicating the current position by a position information acquisition device, and movement information indicating user movement is calculated from the history of the position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit and stored in a storage device. a movement information calculation unit, a movement distance calculation unit that calculates a movement distance of the user based on the movement information calculated by the movement information calculation unit and stores the movement distance in a storage device, and a virtual pet based on the movement distance calculated by the movement distance calculation unit. A pseudo-pet breeding device is known that includes a breeding control unit that controls breeding by a processing device (see, for example, Patent Document 1). According to the virtual pet breeding apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the consumed calories can be calculated based on the moving distance calculated from the position information, and the virtual pet can be trained based on the accurate amount of exercise.

JP 2008-029631 A

However, in the simulated pet breeding apparatus described in Patent Document 1, since the simulated pet is trained based on the calorie consumption, it is possible to motivate the user to exercise, but some users are not good at exercising. Therefore, it is difficult to say that the device can be used by men and women of all ages.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a character keeping system, a character keeping method, and a character that allows the player to continuously enjoy the game without difficulty by using information on the player's sleep in the real world for growth of the character. To provide a deposit program.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a character keeping system in which a player keeps a predetermined character from a client in a game, sleep information storing sleep information of the player in association with player information of the player. A storage unit, a character information storage unit that stores a growth condition using a predetermined parameter of the character in association with the character ID of the character, and a keeping control that associates the character ID having the predetermined growth condition with the player information. a growth control unit that uses at least part of the sleep information to change a predetermined parameter of the character corresponding to the character ID; and the change in the predetermined parameter achieves a predetermined growth condition of the character corresponding to the character ID. A character keeping system is provided that includes a growth determination unit that determines whether or not growth has been completed, and a return control unit that cancels the association of a character ID with player information when a predetermined growth condition is achieved.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a character keeping method in which a player keeps a predetermined character from a client in a game, and sleep information of the player is stored in association with player information of the player. a sleep information storage step for storing in the unit; a character information storage step for storing growth conditions using predetermined parameters of the character in the character information storage unit in association with the character ID of the character; A keeping control step in which a character ID having a predetermined growth condition is associated with the information, and a growth control step in which the growth control unit uses at least part of the sleep information to change a predetermined parameter of the character corresponding to the character ID. a growth determination step in which the growth determination unit determines whether or not a predetermined growth condition of the character corresponding to the character ID has been achieved due to a change in a predetermined parameter; and a return control unit determines whether the predetermined growth condition has been achieved. In this case, there is provided a character keeping method including a return control step of canceling the correspondence between the character ID and the player information.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a character keeping program for a character keeping system in which a player keeps a predetermined character from a client in a game, wherein a computer associates the character with the player's player information and stores the character in the computer. A sleep information storage function that stores the sleep information of the player in the sleep information storage unit, and a character information storage function that stores the growth condition using the predetermined parameter of the character in the character information storage unit in association with the character ID of the character. a growth control function that associates a character ID having a predetermined growth condition with player information; a growth control function that uses at least part of sleep information to change a predetermined parameter of the character corresponding to the character ID; A growth judgment function that judges whether or not a predetermined growth condition of the character corresponding to the character ID has been achieved due to changes in the parameters of the character ID, and a correspondence between the character ID and the player information when the predetermined growth condition is achieved. A character keeping program is provided that realizes a return control function that cancels.

According to the character keeping system, the character keeping method, and the character keeping program according to the present invention, the information about the player's sleep in the real world is used for the growth of the character, so that the player can continue to enjoy the game without difficulty. We can provide a character keeping system, a character keeping method, and a character keeping program.

1 is a functional configuration block diagram of a character keeping system according to this embodiment; FIG. It is a functional configuration block diagram of an information storage unit according to the present embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the data structure of the various storage parts which concern on this embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of processing of the character keeping system according to the present embodiment; FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a part of the flow of processing according to a modification of the character keeping system according to the present embodiment; FIG. 4 is a flowchart of processing of the character keeping system according to the present embodiment; FIG. 4 is a flowchart of processing of the character keeping system according to the present embodiment; FIG. 4 is a flowchart of processing of a farm part according to the present embodiment; FIG. 4 is a flowchart of processing of a feeding part and a search part according to the present embodiment; FIG. 4 is a functional configuration block diagram of a character breeding system according to another embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 11 is a functional configuration block diagram of an information storage unit of a character breeding system according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[Embodiment]
<Overview of Character Keeping System 1>
(Overview of Character Keeping System 1)
The character keeping system 1 according to the present embodiment is a system for games that can be executed on an information terminal such as a smartphone, and changes the character that appears in the game based on the sleep content such as the player's sleep time in the real world. It is a system that can do things (for example, grow and evolve). The character keeping system 1 allows the player to develop a habit of enjoying the game by changing the character and improving the player's own level in the game, and adjusts the life rhythm of the player in the real world. It is a system that can go. In addition, the character keeping system 1 can be configured so that a day in the virtual space within the system has a daytime part and a nighttime part that substantially match a day in the real world. The player's real-world behavior during the night part (i.e., sleep) without requiring the character to change during the day part based on the results of the player's real-world behavior (e.g., number of steps, distance traveled, etc.) change the character in the game during the day part and/or the night part based on

Specifically, in the character keeping system 1, first, a client in the game (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a "trainer". A trainer is a virtual trainer controlled by the character keeping system 1.) Deposit a character owned by the trainer to the player. In this case, the character entrusted to the player is associated with a predetermined condition (growth condition). Then, with the aim of having the entrusted character achieve this predetermined condition, the player himself/herself sleeps in the real world, feeds the entrusted character in the game, and feeds the entrusted character in the game. Encourage them to exercise, explore, etc.

A character entrusted to a player in the character entrusting system 1 has predetermined parameters that change based on the details of sleep taken by the player in the real world, the food the character ate during the daytime part of the system, the content of the activity, etc. . For example, a character is pre-associated with an "experience value" as a predetermined parameter, and the "experience value" determined to be acquired based on the content experienced by the character and the sleep content of the player is pre-associated. is added to the experience gained. Specifically, the character keeping system 1 provides the character with an experience value based on the content of the sleep, the food eaten, the content of the activity, and the like. Then, the character keeping system 1, when the experience value of the character has achieved a predetermined condition (for example, when it exceeds a predetermined threshold value) ), determine that the predetermined condition associated with the character has been achieved, and return the character to the trainer. The character keeping system 1 gives a predetermined reward in the game to the player who returned the character. On the other hand, when the character keeping system 1 judges that the predetermined condition is not achieved even if the experience value is given to the character, it leaves the character in the care of the player.

Here, the character custody system 1, for example, sleep time taken in the real world, the sleep time taken for a predetermined number of consecutive days, the difference between the wake-up time and the predetermined time, and/or Based on sleep quality, etc., the character's predetermined parameters and level and/or the player's level, etc. are changed. As an example, when a player sleeps for a predetermined amount of time or more, the character keeping system 1 not only gives a predetermined experience value to the character entrusted to the player, but also gives the player an experience value. can. Then, the character keeping system 1 raises the level of the character and/or raises the level of the character and/or When the cumulative value of is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the level of the player can be raised. In this embodiment, the level is a numerical value determined according to the accumulated experience value given, and is a numerical value representing the rank of the character and the player (level of proficiency in the system).

(Outline of virtual space in the system)
The character keeping system 1 is a virtual space of the system where the player keeps the character from the trainer (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "sodateya") and the place where the entrusted character is pastured (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "ranch"). ), the place where the character's food "fruit" is cultivated (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "farm"), the place where the character explores (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "exploration place"), (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a "shop") and/or a place where a predetermined pair of characters can be placed (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a "special area"). can be done. The character keeping system 1 can make at least a part of the ``sodateya'', ``ranch'', ``search place'', and ``shop'' available to the player from the start of the game, and areas other than these can be made available in the game. It can be made available to the player depending on the player's actions, etc.

(Summary of daytime part)
The character custody system 1 feeds the characters at the ranch during the daytime (for example, the characters are fed with fruits harvested at the farm), cultivates fruits at the farm, and/or requests the characters to search for search locations. etc., are executed based on the player's instructions and/or the autonomous actions of the "care character" described below. Then, the character keeping system 1 determines the experience value to be given to the character based on at least part of these actions.

(Outline of night part)
In the night part, the character keeping system 1 puts the character to sleep in accordance with the player's behavior (that is, sleeping) in the real world. That is, the character keeping system 1 can display an image or the like indicating that the character has been put to sleep in the game on the display section of the information terminal.

(Outline of care characters)
The character keeping system 1 can set a "caring character" that performs the various actions described in the outline of the daytime part on behalf of the player. The caretaker character autonomously performs feeding on the ranch, cultivating/harvesting fruit on the farm, and/or searching for a predetermined search location led by a predetermined character. Note that the character and the caretaker character may be characters of the same race/same type. However, the character and the caring character are individually identified. The race indicates a group of characters having common characteristics, and the type indicates the characteristics of the characters.

(Summary of increased items)
Also, in the character keeping system 1, the player can keep two or more characters. In this case, the character keeping system 1 can provide the player with additional items that can increase the number of characters based on the relationship between the pair of characters. In addition, when the player has two or more characters to take care of, the character keeping system 1 provides the player with additional items for increasing the number of characters to take care of based on the relationship between the pair of characters to take care of. good too.

The additional item is, for example, an "egg", and is set so that a predetermined character appears from the "egg". Here, the additional item is associated with a predetermined appearance condition of a predetermined character. Then, the character keeping system 1 associates the "sleep power" determined based on the sleep content of the player with the increase item. The appearance condition is a condition that is achieved when sleep power is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, and the character keeping system 1 causes a predetermined character to appear from additional items when sleep power is equal to or higher than a predetermined value. The character keeping system 1 sets the character that has appeared so that the player owns it (that is, associates the character that has appeared with the player). Then, the character keeping system 1 can set the appeared character as a caring character.

In the character keeping system 1 according to this embodiment, if the player does not get proper sleep in the real world, the player and the character cannot obtain many experience points in the game. As a result, the player's own level-up and character change (for example, growth and evolution) slow down in the game. Therefore, according to the character keeping system 1, the player using the character keeping system 1 can be urged to take appropriate sleep and take regular sleep for the purpose of acquiring more experience points. .

Information terminals are information communication terminals such as mobile phones, smartphones, notebook computers, tablet PCs, and desktop PCs. In addition, the character keeping system 1 may receive various types of information used within the system from an external server. In this case, the character keeping system 1 is connected to an external server via a mobile phone network and/or a communication network such as the Internet so as to be capable of two-way communication. The communication network can also include communication networks such as wired LAN and wireless LAN.

<Details of Character Keeping System 1>
FIG. 1 shows an example of a functional configuration of a character keeping system according to this embodiment, and FIG. 2 shows an example of a functional configuration of an information storage unit according to this embodiment. Also, FIG. 3 shows an example of the data structure of various storage units according to the present embodiment.

[Overview of Configuration of Character Keeping System 1]
The character keeping system 1 is a system in which a player keeps a predetermined character from a client in the game. The character keeping system 1 includes an input unit 10 that receives input from the player, a sleep information acquiring unit 12 that acquires the sleep information of the player, a keeping control unit 14 that controls leaving the character to the player, and a trainer to the player. A request setting unit 16 for setting requests, a growth control unit 18 for controlling the growth of the player, the character and/or the caretaker character, and whether or not the player, the character and/or the caretaker character satisfies predetermined growth conditions. A growth judgment unit 20 that judges, a return control unit 22 that returns the character to the trainer, a reward giving unit 24 that gives in-game rewards to the player, and information on the virtual space, the player, the character, and/or the caretaker character, etc. An output unit 26 for outputting to a display unit, a speaker, or the like of the terminal is provided.

The character keeping system 1 also includes an action selection unit 28 that selects an action in the game, a character selection unit 30 that selects a character to perform a predetermined action and/or a caring character, and various activities in the game. / A behavior control unit 32 that controls behavior, a care character control unit 34 that controls the behavior of a caring character, an additional item control unit 36 that controls generation of additional items, etc., and a special area that sets a special area in the virtual space. An area setting unit 38, an advertisement control unit 40 that controls advertisements that attract predetermined characters to the virtual space, an advice notification unit 42 that notifies the player of advice, and an information storage unit 44 that stores various information used in the system. and a compounding unit 46 that combines predetermined items to produce new items.

The information storage unit 44 includes a sleep information storage unit 440 that stores sleep information, a player information storage unit 442 that stores information about the player, a character information storage unit 444 that stores information about the character, and a client (that is, , trainer), an additional item information storage unit 448 that stores information about additional items, a care character information storage unit 450 that stores information about care characters, and information about various items. , an image storage unit 454 for storing scenes such as farms in the virtual space and images of characters, a search information storage unit 456 for storing information related to searches, and various and an audio information storage unit 458 for storing music and audio information.

The character custody system 1 may not only have the plurality of components in the same physical location, but may also have some of the plurality of components in physically separate locations. For example, the character keeping system 1 may be configured to include a player's information terminal and a server outside the information terminal, the information terminal including some of the plurality of components, and the server including the remaining components. You may employ|adopt the structure of having. In addition, various information stored in the information storage unit 44 can be acquired from player instructions received via the input unit 10 and/or predetermined information from a predetermined server that exists outside the character keeping system 1. , may be updated.

[Details of Configuration of Character Keeping System 1]
First, the character keeping system 1 is configured so as to be able to run a cycle of at least two parts that divide one day in the real world. For example, the character keeping system 1 can be configured to be able to rotate a cycle of two parts, a day part and a night part. In the daytime part, the player carries out activities in the game, such as taking care of the character, working on the farm in the virtual space, feeding the given character, and using the given character to explore the search location. On the other hand, in the night part, the player goes to bed in the real world and the character goes to bed in the game as well. It should be noted that the character keeping system 1 can also cause a caretaker character to perform some or all of the character's actions during the daytime part instead of the player. When the caretaker character performs some or all of the character's actions in the daytime part, the caretaker character may act according to the player's preset settings, or automatically under predetermined conditions regardless of the player's settings. You may perform the action of the care character.

(Input unit 10, output unit 26)
The input unit 10 receives input of various information and instructions from the player. The input unit 10 is, for example, a touch panel of an information terminal, a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, a motion sensor, or the like. The output unit 26 outputs various processing results executed in the character keeping system 1 . The output unit 26 outputs various processing results and stored information so that the player can perceive them. Specifically, the output unit 26 outputs various processing results and stored information as still images, moving images, voices, texts, and/or physical phenomena such as vibrations. For example, the output unit 26 is a display unit, a speaker, a vibration unit (a device provided in the information terminal that generates vibration by a predetermined electrical signal), a light emitting unit, and the like of the information terminal. The output unit 26 can also output information stored in the information storage unit 44 and/or information received from an external server.

(Sleep information acquisition unit 12)
The sleep information acquisition unit 12 acquires information (sleep information) regarding sleep in the real world of the player. Sleep information is information about the time of sleep and/or information about the quality of sleep when the player sleeps in the real world. Specifically, the sleep information includes sleep time, bed time or bedtime (time of going to bed), bedtime (time of actually falling asleep), awakening time (time of waking up), wake-up time (time of waking up from bed), date of sleep, location information of place of sleep, and/or information indicating quality of sleep such as depth of sleep.

Specifically, the sleep information acquisition unit 12 accepts input from the player, or various sensors that acquire environmental information (for example, light sensors, vibration sensors, sound sensors, pressure sensors, temperature sensors, humidity sensors, etc.) and Sleep information can be acquired based on information from a biosensor or the like that acquires the player's biometric information through contact/non-contact. As an example, the sleep information acquisition unit 12 acquires information such as sleep time when the input unit 10 receives an input from the player indicating that the player is going to bed, and the input unit 10 receives an input indicating that the player has woken up. In the character keeping system 1, the character and/or the caretaker character sleeps in the game while the player sleeps in the real world, and stays asleep until the player prompts the player to wake up. .

Here, details of the information storage unit 44 that stores various types of information handled by the character keeping system 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. Various storage units included in the information storage unit 44 supply stored information to predetermined components in response to actions from each component included in the character keeping system 1, and supply stored information to predetermined components. Processing results can be newly stored.

(Sleep information storage unit 440)
The sleep information storage unit 440 stores (memorizes) the sleep information of the player. Specifically, the sleep information storage unit 440 stores, as player information, sleep information based on actual sleep of the player in association with a player ID that uniquely identifies the player. That is, the sleep information storage unit 440 stores the sleep information acquired by the sleep information acquisition unit 12 in association with the player ID. The sleep information storage unit 440 may adopt any method of temporarily storing sleep information or storing it for a predetermined period. If it is not necessary to uniquely identify the player, the character keeping system 1 can represent the player with other player information. Other player information includes, for example, a player name (nickname, etc.), information about the player's avatar, and the like. In this embodiment, a case where a player ID is associated with a player will be described as an example.

(Player information storage unit 442)
The player information storage unit 442 stores information about players in association with player IDs. Specifically, the player information storage unit 442 associates the player ID with the player's level, the experience value (Exp), the character ID that uniquely identifies the character that the player is entrusted with, and the caretaker character owned by the player. care character ID that identifies the player, reward information that is information about the reward given to the player, additional item ID that uniquely identifies the additional item acquired by the player, image that uniquely identifies the image of the player's in-game avatar, etc. Stores the ID and/or other information (information about the item, personal information, etc.).

(Character information storage unit 444)
The character information storage unit 444 stores at least growth conditions using predetermined parameters of the character in association with the character ID that uniquely identifies the character. Specifically, the character information storage unit 444 stores, in association with the character ID, a client ID that uniquely identifies the client in the game who owns the character, growth conditions, initial level (initial level), experience value, Information indicating action results in the daytime part, character gender information, character state information (state information), character feature information, and/or image IDs of character images are stored. Note that the growth condition is, for example, a condition for raising the level of the character, and may be a condition for raising the level of the character when the accumulated experience value obtained by the character exceeds a predetermined value.

Here, the state information includes information indicating whether the character is hungry or full, information indicating whether the character has enough sleep time, abnormality in the character state (sleeping state, paralysis state, confusion state, etc.). This is various information indicating the physical state of the character, such as information indicating whether or not there is a state, poison state, etc.). Information indicating characteristics of a character is, for example, information indicating race/type of the character. In this embodiment, a plurality of characters of the same race/type can appear.

(Requester information storage unit 446)
The client information storage unit 446 stores information about the client (for example, name, occupation, etc.), image ID of the client's image, etc., in association with the client ID. Note that the client in this embodiment is a virtual client. Therefore, the character keeping system 1 may randomly generate information about the client each time the client appears in the game. Also, the character keeping system 1 may treat a user who actually exists as a requester. In this case, the client information storage unit 446 may store information about the actual user as information about the client.

(Increase item information storage unit 448)
The additional item information storage unit 448 stores information about the additional item in association with the additional item ID that uniquely identifies the additional item. The increase item information storage unit 448 stores, in association with the increase item ID, the character ID of the character that appears from the increase item, information on the appearance condition of the character, the value indicating the sleep power given to the increase item, and the image of the increase item. image ID, etc. For example, a boost item can be represented by an image having an "egg"-like shape. Here, the appearance condition is a condition for making a predetermined character appear from the additional item, and is defined by a predetermined value (sometimes referred to as "sleep power") determined based on sleep information. be. As an example, the appearance condition is to allow the character to appear when a predetermined sleep power is achieved (that is, when the sleep power value given to the increase item is greater than or equal to a predetermined value) be.

(Care character information storage unit 450)
The caretaker character information storage unit 450 stores information about the caretaker character in association with the caretaker character ID. The caretaker character information storage unit 450 stores the caretaker character's level, experience value, sex, state, action result, image ID of the caretaker character's image, etc. in association with the caretaker character ID. The information about the state of the caring character is information indicating whether the caring character is tired, hungry, and/or in an abnormal state. Also, the action result of the caretaker character is information associated with the caretaker character based on the result of the caretaker character's action in the daytime part.

(Item information storage unit 452)
The item information storage unit 452 stores information about items in association with item IDs that uniquely identify predetermined items. The item information storage unit 452 stores item information such as item names, types, numbers, performance, etc., image IDs of item images, etc., in association with item IDs. Items are, for example, various rewards given to the player, "fields" to be set up in the "farm", "fruits" to be planted in the "fields", "treasures" acquired by the character in the "search location" (for example , and treasures include predetermined items, coins that can be used as rewards for players, fruits, additional items, etc.), and other items that can be used in the game. Also, as a method of assigning IDs, for example, a nomenclature such as "item name + ID" can be adopted. In this case, the item information storage unit 452 stores information about the item in association with the identifier “item name+ID”. In this embodiment, when "deleting (deleting) an item ID" is described, instead of deleting the item ID, the number associated with the item ID is decreased, and the result is used to store the item information in the item information storage unit 452. may be updated.

(Image storage unit 454)
The image storage unit 454 stores image information in association with the image ID. Image information is still image information and/or moving image information. The image storage unit 454 supplies a predetermined image to other components included in the character keeping system 1 in response to requests from the other components. In this embodiment, the descriptions of "outputting an image" and "outputting an image to the output unit 26" refer to the image storage unit 454 unless otherwise specified. to acquire predetermined image information from and output the acquired image information to the output unit 26 .

A plurality of image IDs may be associated with each of the player ID, character ID, client ID, additional item ID, care character ID, item ID, and search information ID. In the character keeping system 1, for example, characters have various facial expressions depending on the time and situation. may be plural.

(Search information storage unit 456)
The search information storage unit 456 stores search-related information in association with a search information ID that uniquely identifies search content. The search information storage unit 456 stores information (search information) about the search location in the virtual space, information about various items that can be found by searching (information about the treasure), and an image being searched in association with the search information ID. The image ID and the like of the image to be represented are stored. The search information includes information such as the difficulty level of the search location and the time required for the search. In addition, the treasure information is, for example, items to keep a specific character, virtual currency that can be used in the game, items that can raise the character's level, increase items, "fruits" that cannot be harvested in the "field". ” and other information.

(Voice information storage unit 458)
The voice information storage unit 458 stores voice information in association with a voice ID that uniquely identifies the voice information. The voice information storage unit 458 supplies predetermined voice information to other components included in the character keeping system 1 in response to requests from the other components. Audio information includes, for example, BGM, sound effects, and/or character voices. The character keeping system 1 may also include an automatic reading unit that automatically reads text data, etc. In this case, the voice information storage unit 458 can also store voice information used for automatic reading.

(custody control unit 14)
The deposit control unit 14 controls the process of depositing the character owned by the client with the player (hereinafter referred to as "holding process"). Specifically, when the requester requests the player to deposit the character, the deposit control unit 14 executes a process of depositing the character for the player. That is, the keeping control unit 14 refers to the client information storage unit 446 and the character information storage unit 444, and associates the character ID of the client's character having a predetermined growth condition with the player ID. For example, the keeping control unit 14 causes the output unit 26 to output an image showing the client visiting a place where the player is present in the game (for example, "Sodateya"). When the input unit 10 receives an input from the player instructing to keep the character, the keeping control unit 14 associates the character ID with the player ID. That is, the keeping control unit 14 associates the character ID with the player ID by storing the character ID in the player information storage unit 442 or by updating the character ID. Note that the keeping control unit 14 may cause the output unit 26 to output an image showing a plurality of visitors lined up in a line as an image showing how the client visits "Sodateya".

Also, the keeping control unit 14 outputs the target character for which the keeping process has been executed to a predetermined area in the virtual space. For example, the keeping control unit 14 causes the output unit 26 to output an image showing a state in which the target character for whom the keeping process has been executed is in the "ranch" (for example, causes the display unit of the information terminal to display the image). As an example, the custody control unit 14 first outputs a state in which a ball in which a character is stored exists in a ranch. can be caused to output to the output unit 26.

(Request setting unit 16)
The request setting unit 16 sets request contents for the requester's player. Specifically, when the keeping control unit 14 executes the keeping process, the request setting unit 16 refers to the character information storage unit 444 and outputs information about growth conditions associated with the character ID to the output unit 26. Let Then, the request setting unit 16 sets a request to the player to achieve this growth condition. Here, the request setting unit 16 may set as a request that the growth condition be achieved within a predetermined time limit. That is, first, the growth condition is, for example, a condition that must be met in order for the character's level at the time the character is entrusted to reach the target level. As an example, the growth condition is a predetermined experience value required to reach the target level (for example, the experience value required to go from level X to level Y is Z, etc. However, X < Y and X, Y, and Z are positive integers). The content of the request includes, for example, making the character level reach the target level based on the growth conditions, or making the character level reach the target level within a predetermined period based on the growth conditions.

Note that the request setting unit 16 receives an instruction from the player as to whether or not the player accepts the achievement of the growth condition from the input unit 10, and receives an instruction from the player indicating the achievement of the growth condition. In this case, you may set it as a request to achieve this growth condition. Further, the request setting unit 16 may receive an instruction from the player and set to postpone the achievement of the growth condition. In that case, the request setting unit 16 sets the contents of the extended deadline for the achievement of the growth condition as a request. Furthermore, the request setting unit 16 may modify the request content on condition that the player consumes a predetermined item possessed by the player. For example, if the content of the request is to raise the level of the character to a predetermined level within a predetermined number of days, the request setting unit 16 receives an instruction from the player via the input unit 10 to consume a predetermined item. , the predetermined number of days can be extended according to the content of the item. In this case, the request setting section 16 deletes the item ID of the item stored in the player information storage section 442 .

In addition, the request setting unit 16 refers to the player information storage unit 442 and the caring character information storage unit 450, and associates the level of the player, the type of item possessed by the player (for example, "real", etc.) with the player. Depending on the race/type of the character being cared for, at least part of the request may be changed according to instructions from the player. Further, the content of the request may be content of requesting an increase in the number of predetermined characters.

(Growth controller 18)
The growth control unit 18 controls the growth of characters, players, and/or caring characters in the game. The growth control unit 18 controls growth mainly by using sleep information of the player in the real world, and also controls growth by referring to the actions of the character and/or caretaker character during the daytime part. Specifically, the growth control unit 18 controls at least part of the sleep information, the result of the player's instructions to the character during the daytime part, the action result of the caretaker character during the daytime part, and/or the action result of the character during the daytime part. etc. are used to change a predetermined parameter of the character corresponding to the character ID, a predetermined parameter of the player corresponding to the player ID, and/or a predetermined parameter of the care character corresponding to the care character ID. In this case, the growth control unit 18 can change the parameters between when the player wakes up and before the daytime part is performed. However, the growth control unit 18 may change the parameters each time the character or the like performs a predetermined action. Note that the predetermined parameter includes, for example, an empirical value.

As an example, the growth control unit 18 stores the experience value determined according to at least part of the sleep information stored in the sleep information storage unit 440 in the character information storage unit 444, so that the character already has Adds to the experience points considered to be That is, the character is already associated with an experience value of '0 (zero)' or more at the time it is entrusted to the player, and the growth control unit 18 adds the experience value acquired by the character to this experience value. Then, the growth control unit 18 updates the experience value of the character using the added result. Further, the growth control unit 18 may sequentially add the experience value obtained at a predetermined timing each time the character obtains an experience value while the character is entrusted to the player. Then, the growth control unit 18 stores the new experience value obtained by adding the experience value in the character information storage unit 444 in association with the character ID of the character. The growth control unit 18 similarly processes the player's experience value and the caring character's experience value.

It should be noted that the growth control unit 18 controls at least part of the sleep information stored in the sleep information storage unit 440, as a result of the player's instruction to the character in the daytime part, the care character stored in the care character information storage unit 450. and/or the action results of the character stored in the character information storage unit 444 in the daytime part, the experience value to be obtained by the character, the player, and the caretaker character is determined and given. can do. For example, if the player sleeps appropriately (for example, sleeps for a predetermined amount of time or more, sleeps regularly for a predetermined period of time, etc.), the growth control unit 18 determines that the player sleeps inappropriately. It is possible to determine a higher experience value than in the case of taking sleep for less than a predetermined time (for example, in the case of taking less than a predetermined amount of sleep). In addition, the growth control unit 18 executes the planting of fruits on the farm and the feeding of the character more than a predetermined number of times in the case where the character eats food appropriately during the action of the character during the daytime part, and when the caretaker character conducts the daytime part. A higher experience value may be determined for each of the character and the caretaker character when the activity is performed, compared to when these activities are not performed. Further, when the player completes a request set by the request setting unit 16 and the request has a time limit, the growth control unit 18 reduces the experience value obtained when the request is completed within the time limit by exceeding the time limit. It can also be set higher than the experience value when completing the request. In addition, even if the player, character, and/or caring character did not act at all during the daytime part, the growth control unit 18 allows the player, character, and/or caretaker character to obtain the minimum experience value due to the player's sleep. You can give it to your caring character.

In addition, the growth control unit 18 may change the predetermined parameter of the character, the predetermined parameter of the player, and/or the predetermined parameter of the caring character based on sleep information selected by the player before going to bed. That is, the growth control unit 18 accepts, via the input unit 10, from the player before going to bed a selection of at least one piece of information about the player's sleep time, wake-up time, sleep quality, and sleep location, and Based on the piece of information, the degree of change of the predetermined parameter can be changed. Specifically, for example, when one piece of information selected by the player satisfies a predetermined condition, the growth control unit 18 increases or can be reduced. For example, the growth control unit 18 determines the degree of change in the predetermined parameter when the player selects the sleep time and when the sleep time of the player is equal to or longer than the predetermined time compared to when the sleep time is less than the predetermined time. may be increased. As an example, the growth control unit 18 may increase the rate of increase for increasing the predetermined parameter value. The same is true for other sleep information.

(Growth determination unit 20)
The growth determination unit 20 determines whether or not a predetermined growth condition for the character corresponding to the character ID has been achieved by a change in a predetermined parameter. That is, the growth determination unit 20 determines whether or not the predetermined parameters (eg, experience value) of the character determined by the growth control unit 18 have achieved the standards set in the growth conditions. For example, when the growth condition of the character is achievement of a predetermined target level, the growth determination unit 20 determines that the experience value given to the character by the growth control unit 18 or the level corresponding to the accumulated experience value reaches the target level. determine whether it did. That is, after the experience value determined by the growth control unit 18 is added to the experience value already possessed by the character, the level of the character increases each time the experience value after addition exceeds a predetermined threshold. The growth determination unit 20 compares the improved level with the target level preset in the growth conditions. Then, the growth determining part 20 determines that the growth condition is achieved when the improved level reaches the target level, and determines that the growth condition is not yet achieved when the target level is not reached.

(Return control unit 22)
The return control unit 22 returns the character that has achieved the growth condition to the client when the growth determination unit 20 determines that the predetermined growth condition has been achieved. Specifically, the return control unit 22 cancels the correspondence between the character ID of the character whose growth condition has been achieved and the player ID. Then, the return control unit 22 causes the output unit 26 to output an image showing, for example, the character running away from the ranch to the client. Thereby, the return control unit 22 expresses that the character that has fulfilled the growth condition returns from the player to the client. The return control unit 22 cancels the correspondence between the character ID and the player ID, and stores information indicating the number of times the character corresponding to the character ID has been deposited and the fact that the character has been deposited in the player information storage unit 444. can be stored in In this case, when the same character is entrusted to the player again, the entrustment control unit 14 may cause the output unit 26 to output information indicating that the character was entrusted to the player in the past.

(Reward granting unit 24)
The reward granting unit 24 grants a predetermined reward to the player when the character entrusted to the player has achieved the growth conditions. That is, when the request content including the growth condition is achieved and the return control unit 22 cancels the association of the character ID with the player ID, the reward granting unit 24 associates the player ID with a predetermined reward. Predetermined rewards include virtual currency (for example, coins) that can be used in the game, predetermined items, and the like. When a reward is given to a player, the reward giving unit 24 causes the player information storage unit 442 to store information (reward information) about the given reward. This reward may be used, for example, to acquire various items (fields, fruits, etc.) used in the game.

(Action selection unit 28)
As a cycle for executing processing, the character keeping system 1 daily executes a cycle of dividing one day into a plurality of parts and sequentially executing each part in chronological order. Here, an example in which one day is divided into two parts will be described. In other words, it is assumed that one day consists of a daytime part and a nighttime part. Note that the output unit 26 can output images of various places in the virtual space, and can output different images even in the same place depending on the time of day or depending on the daytime part and the nighttime part.

The action selection unit 28 accepts selection of actions desired by the player in a predetermined part. Specifically, the action selection unit 28 accepts, via the input unit 10, selection of the action content that the player wishes to perform in the daytime part, for example. Specifically, the action selection unit 28 causes the output unit 26 to output a plurality of options, and selects the action content of the option selected by the player from among the output options as the action content to be executed by the player. The action selection unit 28 then supplies the action control unit 32 with information regarding the content of the action selected by the player.

Actions that can be selected include, for example, the farm part, the feeding part, the exploration part, and/or the optional part. The farm part is the purchase of a “field” to grow “fruit” that will be food for the character in the virtual space, the installation of the “field” in the virtual space, and the “fruit” to be planted in the “field”. This is the part that carries out purchase, planting in the "field", harvesting of "fruits" from the "field", and the like. The feeding part is the part that feeds the characters on the ranch in the virtual space with “fruit”. A search part is a part in which a party of one or more characters is organized and this party searches for a search location in the virtual space. The optional part is a part in which the caretaker character performs the farm part, the feeding part, and/or the search part instead of the player. In addition, in the search part, the caring character may lead another character. The options may also include an option to do nothing, an option to look at the character, and the like.

(Character selection unit 30)
The character selection unit 30 refers to the player information storage unit 442 and selects a character that the player has to take care of or a character to participate in the search. The character selection unit 30 selects the care character corresponding to the care character ID when one care character ID is associated with the player ID. On the other hand, when the player ID is associated with a plurality of caretaker character IDs, the character selection unit 30 selects one or more caretaker characters corresponding to one or more caretaker character IDs. Specifically, the character selection unit 30 causes the output unit 26 to output the image or name of the caretaker character owned by the player. The character selection unit 30 receives instructions from the player via the input unit 10, and selects the care character designated by the player as the care character to act in the game.

Further, when selecting one or more characters according to an instruction from the player, the character selection unit 30 refers to the player information storage unit 442 and the character information storage unit 444, and selects the characters stored in the player information storage unit 442. is output to the output unit 26 . The contents to be output are the image, name, etc. of the character. Then, the character selection unit 30 selects one or more characters according to the player's instruction.

It should be noted that there may be cases where the care character ID is not associated with the player ID, such as when the game starts (that is, the player does not own the care character). In such a case, the character selection unit 30 causes the output unit 26 to output one or more predetermined characters among the characters stored in the character information storage unit 444, and selects the character selected by the player from the output characters. You may set it as a caring character. In this case, the character selection unit 30 may limit the number of characters that the player can select to one.

In addition, the character selection unit 30 can also select a part of characters from a plurality of characters excluding the caretaker characters when it is necessary to select a part of characters from a plurality of characters in an exploration part or the like.

(Behavior control unit 32)
The action control unit 32 causes the character of the character ID associated with the player ID to perform a predetermined action in the virtual space in one part (for example, the daytime part or the nighttime part). The action control unit 32 causes the output unit 26 to output an image showing the state of the predetermined action. In addition, the action control unit 32 may cause the character to perform a predetermined action in other parts excluding one part or between one part and another part.

Specifically, the action control unit 32 controls the actions of characters in each location in the virtual space. The action control section 32 can control the action of the character according to the content of action selected by the action selection section 28 . For example, when the action selection unit 28 selects the feeding part and the character is in the "ranch", the action control unit 32 causes the character to perform a predetermined action in the "ranch" (for example, play in the ranch, eat food, etc.). (playing with a character, etc.) is executed, and an image showing the state is output to the output unit 26 . Note that the action control unit 32 can feed the character according to the player's instructions received via the input unit 10 .

Also, when the action selection unit 28 selects the search part, the action control unit 32 causes a predetermined number of characters selected by the character selection unit 30 from among the plurality of characters to search the search location in the virtual space. In this case, the action control unit 32 causes the output unit 26 to output an image showing the state of the search, causes the output unit 26 to output a state that a predetermined number of characters being searched are not in the ranch, and/or causes the output unit 26 to output a text It is possible to cause the output unit 26 to output information indicating that the user is simply searching by voice or the like.

(Care character control unit 34)
The caretaker character control unit 34 controls actions of the caretaker character that autonomously assists the character to perform a predetermined action and to perform the predetermined action on behalf of the player. That is, the care character control unit 34 causes the care character to perform a predetermined action instead of the player.

Specifically, the care character control unit 34 controls the actions of the care character according to the action content selected by the action selection unit 28 . For example, when the farm part is selected in the action selection unit 28 and there is a care character in the "farm", the care character control unit 34 causes the care character to perform a predetermined action (for example, "real" in the "farm"). planting, harvesting of "fruit", etc.), and an image showing the state is output to the output unit 26. Further, when the feeding part is selected in the action selection unit 28 and there is a character and a care character in the "ranch", the care character control unit 34 causes the character to perform a predetermined action in the "ranch" (for example, feeding the character). eating, etc.), the caring character performs a predetermined action (for example, feeding the character, etc.) in the “ranch”, and an image showing these actions is output to the output unit 26 .

Also, when the action selection unit 28 selects the search part, the care character control unit 34 causes the care character and a predetermined number of characters to search for a search location in the virtual space. In this case, the care character control unit 34 outputs an image showing the state of the search, outputs a state that the care character being searched and a predetermined number of characters are not at the ranch, and/or simply searches with text or the like. It is possible to cause the output unit 26 to output information indicating that it is being performed. Furthermore, when the action selection unit 28 selects the auto part, the care character control unit 34 causes the care character to perform the farm part, the feeding part, and/or the search part in a predetermined order, or randomly. Have the caretaker perform these parts.

(Increase item control unit 36)
The additional item control unit 36 controls the appearance of additional items and the appearance of characters from the additional items. The additional item control unit 36 can generate and give to the player an additional item that can increase a predetermined character according to a predetermined condition. That is, the increase item control unit 36 can increase a predetermined character from a pair of characters (or a pair of care characters) according to a predetermined appearance condition stored in the increase item information storage unit 448. Create an item and associate the increased item ID of the increased item with the player ID. The additional item control unit 36 causes the output unit 26 to output the image of the additional item to a predetermined location (for example, a farm) in the virtual space. Note that the appearance condition may be a different appearance condition for each additional item. For example, the sleep power required for the appearance of the character may be different for each additional item.

Then, the increase item control unit 36, when determining that the appearance condition is achieved by a predetermined value (that is, sleep power) determined based on the sleep information acquired by the sleep information acquisition unit 12, associates with the increase item The character ID of a predetermined character that is stored is associated with the player ID. The increase item control section 36 stores the result of this association in the player information storage section 442 . When the additional item control unit 36 determines that the appearance condition is satisfied, the additional item control unit 36 causes the output unit 26 to output an image showing how the character appears from the additional item at a predetermined location. Subsequently, the additional item control unit 36 automatically or based on an instruction from the player received by the input unit 10, sets the character that has appeared as a caring character.

Specifically, gender is preset for characters and care characters. The additional item control unit 36 receives an instruction from the player via the input unit 10 and selects a pair of characters of different genders or a pair of care characters of different genders. After a predetermined period of time has passed since the selection, the additional item control unit 36 causes a predetermined additional item to appear in accordance with the combination of the pair of characters or the pair of care characters, based on a predetermined probability, or randomly. When using a predetermined probability, this probability depends on whether the race/type of one character of a pair of characters is the same as the race/type of the other character, whether the level of one character is the same as that of the other character, can be determined based on whether or not the character's level, experience value, etc. are within a predetermined range. For example, when the race/type of one character and the race/type of the other character are the same, the additional item control unit 36 may set the probability higher than when they are not the same. The same applies to the case of using a pair of care characters.

Next, the increase item control unit 36 calculates a predetermined value (sleep power) using the sleep information of the player. For example, sleep power is a value calculated according to the length of sleep time of the player. As an example, the increase item control unit 36 may calculate a larger sleep power as the sleep time is longer. However, the increase item control unit 36 may maximize the sleep power during a predetermined sleep time, and decrease the sleep power when the sleep time exceeds the predetermined time. The increase item control unit 36 gives the calculated sleep power to the increase item. That is, the increase item control unit 36 associates sleep power with the increase item ID, and stores the association result in the increase item information storage unit 448 . When sleep power is already associated with the increase item ID, the increase item control unit 36 adds the calculated sleep power to the already associated sleep power. The increase item control unit 36 calculates the sleep power once a day (for example, in the morning) and adds it to the sleep power associated with the increase item. Then, the increase item control unit 36, when the sleep power of the increase item has achieved the appearance condition preset for the increase item (that is, when the sleep power is equal to or greater than the power set in the appearance condition), Make a character appear from the increase item.

In addition, the additional item control unit 36 can set an additional item placing area for placing additional items in the virtual space. For example, the additional item control unit 36 receives an instruction from the player via the input unit 10 and installs an additional item placement area at a predetermined location such as a ranch in the virtual space. Then, the additional item control unit 36 receives an instruction from the player via the input unit 10, refers to the player information storage unit 442, and installs additional items already owned by the player in the additional item placing area. When an additional item is placed in the additional item placing area, the additional item control section 36 can lift the ban on giving sleep power to the additional item.

Furthermore, the increase item control unit 36 may change the predetermined value (sleep power) from the original value (for example, the value calculated only from the sleep time) based on the sleep information selected by the player before going to bed. good. That is, the additional item control unit 36 accepts, via the input unit 10, from the player before going to bed, selection of at least one of information regarding the player's sleep time, wake-up time, sleep quality, and sleep location. , sleep power can be varied based on the piece of information. The increase item control unit 36 can change the sleep power when, for example, one piece of information selected by the player before going to bed satisfies a predetermined condition, and the condition is satisfied according to the content of the piece of information. The degree of this change can be increased or decreased as compared to what it would have been without. As an example, when the player selects the wake-up time, the additional item control unit 36 calculates from the sleep time when the player's wake-up time is at or near the predetermined time (for example, ±30 minutes at the time) The sleep power may be set to a value that is larger than the original sleep power to be used. The same is true for other sleep information. In addition, in exchange for setting a value larger than the original sleep power calculated from the sleep duration, a value smaller than the original sleep power calculated from the quality of sleep may be set.

Note that the additional item control unit 36 may set multiple types of additional item placing areas. As for the additional item placement areas, there are areas that can be used regardless of the number of uses but have no special effects, areas that have a limited number of uses but can increase sleep power, and items that can be used to appear a character. Various additional item placement areas can be set, such as an area where sleep power can be reduced below the sleep power in the appearance condition. The additional item control unit 36 provides the player with an additional item placing area in exchange for using an item owned by the player (for example, virtual currency or the like).

In addition, as the additional item placement area, the area where sleep power changes by achieving a condition set based on sleep time (for example, a condition such as sleeping for a predetermined length) A region where sleep power changes by achieving set conditions (e.g., conditions such as waking up at a predetermined time), conditions set based on sleep quality (e.g., deep sleep in one sleep) conditions such as being included a predetermined number of times), conditions set based on the location information of the place where you slept (for example, whether the user slept at home or slept outside) or sleep at a predetermined sightseeing spot, etc.).

In addition, the additional item control unit 36 can set an additional item placement area desired by the player in the virtual space according to the player's selection instruction from the various additional item placement areas. By allowing the player to select their desired area for placing additional items, for example, even if the player's bedtime is later and sleep time is likely to be shorter, the player can select an area where sleep power can be increased. You can choose. In addition, when the player has an errand that requires him to wake up earlier than usual the next day, he can select a region in which sleep power changes by achieving conditions set based on the wake-up time. Therefore, the player can select an appropriate additional item placing area according to the player's sleep environment, so that the player can comfortably continue the game.

(Special area setting unit 38)
A special area setting unit 38 sets a special area in which a pair of characters or a pair of caregiving characters can be put in a predetermined place in the virtual space. The special area setting unit 38 receives a player's instruction from the input unit 10 and sets a special area. When the special area is set, the special area setting unit 38 can cause the output unit 26 to output the image of the special area. Then, when the player selects a pair of characters or a pair of care characters, the special area setting unit 38 controls the selected pair of characters or a pair of care characters to exist within the special area. For example, the special area setting unit 38 may cause the output unit 26 to output an image showing the state in which the selected pair of characters or the pair of caregiving characters are present in the special area. Then, based on the combination of the pair of characters present in the special area or the combination of the pair of caregiving characters, the additional item control unit 36 adds the additional items under a predetermined condition on the morning after the day after entering the special area. to appear accordingly.

(Advertisement control unit 40)
The advertisement control unit 40 controls the display in the virtual space of an item simulating an advertisement soliciting trainers in the game to deposit a predetermined character. The advertisement control unit 40 accepts an instruction from the player via the input unit 10 before the player goes to bed, and displays an advertisement that recruits the character race and character type desired by the player at a predetermined place in the virtual space ( For example, "Sodateya"). Then, the advertisement control unit 40 improves the probability that the client having the character recruited by the advertisement visits a predetermined place (for example, "Sodateya") in the virtual space where the keeping control unit 14 executes the keeping process. Note that the advertisement control unit 40 can also cause the output unit 26 to output the advertisement content.

(Advice notification unit 42)
The advice notification unit 42 provides sleep content necessary for the character and/or the care character to achieve predetermined growth conditions according to various activities and growth conditions of the character and/or the care character in the virtual space during the daytime part. Notify players with advice about For example, when the growth control unit 18 gives an experience value to the character and/or the character to be cared for each time a predetermined activity or action is performed, the advice notification unit 42 controls the growth of one character. The condition is compared with the current experience value of the one character, and the remaining experience value to be acquired in order to achieve the growth condition is calculated. Then, the advice notification unit 42 uses a function of the experience value given to the character according to the sleep information (for example, sleep time) (for example, the experience value given to the character = f (sleep time)), and calculates the remaining experience value Calculate the sleep time required to acquire Subsequently, the advice notification unit 42 notifies the player via the output unit 26 of how much sleep time is required to achieve the growth conditions of the character.

(Preparation section 46)
The compounding section 46 combines a plurality of items owned by the player to generate a new item. Examples of items include items possessed by the player and items discovered by the caretaker character through exploration. The compounding unit 46 selects an item to be used for compounding by referring to the player information storage unit 442 according to an instruction from the player via the input unit 10, and based on the combination of the item IDs of the items to be used for compounding, a predetermined item is selected. Creates the item corresponding to the item ID found. The compounding unit 46 associates the item ID of the generated item with the player ID, and deletes the item ID of the item used for compounding.

<Processing Flow of Character Keeping System 1>
4 to 7 show an example of the processing flow of the character keeping system according to this embodiment. However, FIG. 5 shows an example of a part of the flow of processing according to a modified example of the character keeping system according to this embodiment. Note that the flow of processing described below is merely an example, and steps may be arranged in positions different from the order described below or some of the steps may be omitted as long as there is no contradiction in the flow of processing. may Then, the processing described below will be described from the start of the game (when the player does not have a character or character to take care of).

First, the keeping control unit 14 causes the output unit 26 to output the image of the place where the player keeps the character in the virtual space and the image of the in-game client who has visited this place. The keeping control unit 14 outputs these images, for example, when it detects that the player has woken up. The keeping control unit 14 refers to the requester information storage unit 446 and selects a requester to visit (this selection is preferably executed in a manner imperceptible to the player). Then, the keeping control unit 14 executes the keeping process. That is, the deposit control unit 14 executes a process of depositing the character owned by the requester with the player, more specifically, a process of associating the character ID of the character owned by the requester with the player ID (step 10 onwards, step represented as "S"). For example, the keeping control unit 14 causes the output unit 26 to output a list of the client, the client's character, and growth conditions of the character, and then executes the keeping process. This deposit processing is preferably executed between the night part and the day part, that is, in the morning.

Next, the request setting unit 16 refers to the character ID associated with the player ID, sets the growth condition associated with the character ID as a condition that the character of the character ID must achieve, and The contents of fulfilling the conditions are set as a request (S16). The request setting unit 16 sets request contents for each character.

Here, with reference to FIG. 5, a modified example in which the player takes care of the character will be described. In the modified example, the keeping control unit 14 allows the player to select whether or not to keep the character (that is, whether or not to receive a request from the client) (S12). For example, the custody control unit 14 causes the output unit 26 to output the content of accepting an instruction as to whether or not to accept the request (for example, whether to accept the request, cancel or postpone the request), and the input unit By receiving instructions from the player via 10, it is determined whether or not to keep the character. If the player selects to receive the request (Yes in S12), the keeping control unit 14 executes setting of request content (S16).

On the other hand, if the player chooses not to receive the request (to cancel receiving the request) or to postpone receiving the request (No in S12), the keeping control unit 14 performs request cancellation/postponement processing. Execute (S14). When the request is postponed, the keeping control unit 14 associates the postponement flag with the requester whose request has been postponed, and preferentially presents the requester associated with the postponement flag to the player next time (that is, the next morning). . For example, when causing the output unit 26 to output a list of the requester and the character of the requester, the keeping control unit 14 outputs the requester associated with the postponement flag at the top. Thus, in the modified example, the player can refuse the request from the requester or postpone the request to the next day or later.

Here, the keeping control unit 14 may postpone receiving the request by accepting an instruction to provide a predetermined item from the player via the input unit 10 . In this case, the keeping control unit 14 refers to the player information storage unit 442 and deletes the item ID of the item provided for the postponement. Note that this item ID is stored in other data in the player information storage unit 442 . In addition, the keeping control unit 14 provides a "waiting place" in the place where the character in the virtual space is kept or in an area close to it for the requester whose request has been postponed, and an image showing that the requester is in the waiting place. may be output to the output unit 26 .

Next, the processing after "S16" will be explained. When the player receives the character from the client, the character can be expressed as being in a ball-like item. Therefore, after the processing in the request setting unit 16 (after S16), the keeping control unit 14 displays an image showing how the ball in which the character is stored is put into the ranch, and the state where the ball exists in the ranch. The image is output to the output unit 26 (S18). It should be noted that the output unit 26 may output the image of the ball in different forms according to the race/type, level, etc. of the character stored in the ball.

When the keeping control unit 14 detects that the player has tapped the ball via the input unit 10 (Yes in S20), the keeping control unit 14 causes the output unit 26 to output an image of a character appearing from the ball (S22). ). On the other hand, if the player does not tap the ball via the input unit 10 (No in S20), the keeping control unit 14 waits for the player's input, or if a predetermined time elapses, the character automatically Then, the output unit 26 is caused to output an image of how the ball emerges from the ball.

Next, the character selection unit 30 receives an instruction from the player, refers to the player information storage unit 442, selects a caretaker character, and sets the caretaker character as a character that acts in the game instead of the player (S24). . If the player does not own a caretaker character, the character selection unit 30 refers to the character information storage unit 444, and selects one or more predetermined characters via the input unit 10. A character may be selected and set as a caring character. In this case, the character selection unit 30 associates the care character ID of the selected care character with the player ID. Also, in another modified example of the present embodiment, "S24" may be omitted, and the caring character may not be set.

Then, the character keeping system 1 runs the day part until night. First, the action selection unit 28 causes the output unit 26 to output to the player an option as to which of the plurality of parts should be executed, or whether none of the parts should be executed (S26). The action selection unit 28 receives an instruction from the player via the input unit 10 and executes a part according to the instruction. Parts include, for example, a farm part, a feeding part, and a search part. It should be noted that the start and end of the daytime part can be set in advance using the time. Then, while the daytime part continues, the action selection unit 28 may repeatedly receive an action selection instruction from the player.

Subsequently, after the daytime part ends, the advice notification unit 42 outputs predetermined advice from the output unit 26 (S28). Also, the special area setting unit 38 sets a special area within a predetermined place (for example, a ranch) in the virtual space according to an instruction from the player (S30). Then, when the character selection unit 30 receives an instruction from the player via the input unit 10 and selects a pair of characters or a pair of care characters, the special area setting unit 38 selects a pair of characters or a pair of care Put your character in a special area.

In addition, the advertisement control unit 40 posts an advertisement item for the client in a predetermined place (for example, Sodateya) in the virtual space in accordance with an instruction from the player (S32). Then, the additional item control section 36 sets the additional item placing area at a predetermined place in the virtual space (S34). When the player owns the additional item and receives an instruction from the player via the input unit 10 to set the additional item in the additional item placing area, the additional item control unit 36 receives the additional item. Set additional items in the placement area. The additional item control unit 36 can cause the output unit 26 to output an image of the additional item placement area and the additional item placement area in which the additional item is set.

Then, the character keeping system 1 executes the night part. That is, the sleep information acquisition unit 12 acquires the player's bedtime in the real world (S36). Furthermore, when the player wakes up in the real world, the sleep information acquisition unit 12 acquires the wake-up time (S38). The sleep information acquisition unit 12 acquires sleep time as sleep information from the acquired bedtime and wake-up time (S40), and stores the acquired sleep information in the sleep information storage unit 440 in association with the player ID.

In the night part, the behavior control unit 32 may cause the output unit 26 to output an image showing how the character and the caring character are sleeping when the sleep information acquisition unit 12 acquires the bedtime. . However, in this case, the output unit 26 preferably stores the output image in the image storage unit 454 . Then, the output unit 26 may prohibit the output of the image showing the sleeping state during the night part, and permit the output of the image during the day part.

Subsequently, the growth control unit 18 changes predetermined parameters of the player, character, and/or caring character based on the sleep information acquired by the sleep information acquisition unit 12 (S42). The additional item control unit 36 also calculates a predetermined parameter value based on the obtained sleep information (S42). For example, the growth control unit 18 determines the experience value to be given to the player, the experience value to be given to the character, and/or the experience value to be given to the caring character based on the sleep information. The growth control unit 18 can also update the characters stored in the character information storage unit 444 and/or the care character information storage unit 450 and/or the states of care characters. For example, the growth control unit 18 can change the state of the character and/or the caretaker character before going to bed to a hungry state if it is in a full state, or update it to a normal state if it is in an abnormal state. can. In other words, the growth control unit 18 can update the previous day's character and/or care character's state to a different state when the player sleeps. In this case, the growth control unit 18 can update the states of the character and/or the caretaker character so that they are in a normal state or a better state, except for the full/hungry state. Further, the increase item control unit 36 calculates sleep power to be given to the increase item based on the sleep information.

The growth control unit 18 stores the content (experience value, state, etc.) determined for the character in the character information storage unit 444 in association with the character ID of the character. In addition, the growth control unit 18 stores the content (experience value, state, etc.) determined for the caretaker character in the caretaker character information storage unit 450 in association with the caretaker character ID of the caretaker character. Furthermore, the growth control unit 18 stores the content (experience value, etc.) determined for the player in the player information storage unit 442 in association with the player ID. Then, the increase item control unit 36 stores the calculated sleep power in the increase item information storage unit 448 in association with the increase item ID.

In addition, when determining the experience value, the growth control unit 18 refers to the character information storage unit 444 and the care character information storage unit 450, and based on the behavior of the character in the daytime part of the previous day and the behavior of the care character. Experience points can also be determined. In this case, the growth control unit 18 uses the experience value determined based on the action content and the experience value determined based on the sleep information to determine the experience value to be given to the player, the character, and/or the caring character. .

For example, the growth control unit 18, in the case where the character acquires the experience value for “eating food” and the experience value for “participating in exploration”, is determined according to the player's sleep time and sleep quality. The sum of the experience points obtained by multiplying these experience points by a predetermined factor can be determined as the experience points earned by the character. As an example, the growth control unit 18 determines that the character eats 50 points worth of food in the daytime part, obtains 50 points through exploration, and determines that the quality of sleep of the player is good. can obtain an experience value equivalent to only 100 points, it is possible to obtain an experience value equivalent to (50+50)×2=200 points. Also, as an example, the growth control unit 18 gives 50 points for the player's sleeping time when the character eats 50 points worth of food in the daytime part and obtains 50 points by searching. and 50 points for quality of sleep, the experience value obtained by the character may simply be determined as the experience value equivalent to 200 points, which is the sum of these values.

The growth control unit 18 determines a predetermined parameter (experience value) based on an instruction to use a predetermined item received via the input unit 10 from the player before going to bed, or sets the parameter determined above. You can increase the value. Predetermined items include, for example, an item that unconditionally doubles the experience value, an item that gives a bonus to the experience value based on the amount of time the player sleeps (for example, a bonus to the experience value when the player sleeps for a predetermined length of time). items that give a bonus to experience points based on the time you wake up (e.g. items that give a bonus to experience points if you wake up at a certain time), and items that give a bonus to experience points based on the quality of your sleep. Items that receive bonuses (for example, items that give a bonus to experience points when a certain number of deep sleeps are included in one sleep), items that give bonuses based on the location information of the place where you slept (for example, if the player is at home Items that give a bonus to experience points when the player sleeps, items that give a bonus to experience points when the player sleeps outside, and bonus points to the experience points when the player sleeps at a designated sightseeing spot. , etc.) can be mentioned. The growth control unit 18 determines the experience value of the player, the character, and/or the caretaker character, or adds the value to the determined experience value, based on the above various items for which usage instructions are received from the player before going to bed. be able to.

Next, the character keeping system 1 executes the increased item processing, the growth processing, the increased item confirmation processing, and/or the advertisement processing according to the player's instructions or automatically. Note that the order of these processes is not particularly defined and may be executed in random order.

(Increase item processing)
The increase item control unit 36 gives the calculated sleep power to the increase item (S48). Then, the increase item control unit 36 determines whether or not the sleep power given to the increase item has cleared the appearance condition preset for the increase item (S50). When the additional item control unit 36 determines that the appearance condition is satisfied (Yes in S50), the character appears from the additional items (S52). The additional item control unit 36 stores the character ID of the character that has appeared in the player information storage unit 442 in association with the player ID (S54). On the other hand, when the increase item control unit 36 determines that the appearance condition is not cleared (No in S50), the increase item is maintained as it is, and the determination of whether the appearance condition is cleared is carried over to the next day or later.

(Growth processing)
The output unit 26 outputs an image of the character sleeping on the ranch in the virtual space after the player wakes up. Then, when the player performs an action (for example, an action of instructing the character or an action of tapping) to prompt the sleeping character in the output image to wake up, the input unit 10 receives the action and controls the action. The unit 32 wakes up the character (S56). For example, when the action control unit 32 receives an action prompting the player to wake up a predetermined character via the input unit 10, the action control unit 32 outputs images of a series of state changes from the sleeping state to the waking state of the character to the output unit 26. output to The action control unit 32 updates the character state information stored in the character information storage unit 444 in association with the character ID to, for example, information indicating the state in which the character is awake (waking state information). .

Then, the growth control unit 18 reflects the change in the previously determined predetermined parameter to the predetermined parameter of the player, the character, and/or the caring character (S58). That is, the growth control unit 18 gives the experience value determined for each of the player, the character, and/or the caretaker character to each of the player, the character, and/or the caretaker character. For example, the growth control unit 18 adds the determined experience value to the experience value already associated with the character ID, and associates the result with the character ID as a new experience value. Further, if the state already associated with the character ID includes an abnormal state or the like, the growth control unit 18 may update the state to a normal state. The growth control unit 18 similarly processes the player and caretaker characters.

Note that the growth control unit 18 may increase or decrease the experience value to be given according to the state of the character and/or the caretaker character. For example, the growth control unit 18 may reduce the experience value to be given when the character is hungry compared to when the character is full. In addition, the growth control unit 18, when a caring character is set, when the race/type of the caring character and the race/type of the character are characters of the same race/type, or when the same character (however, the character ID different), the experience gained by the character may be increased by a predetermined percentage. Furthermore, the growth control unit 18 may increase or decrease the experience value to be given to the character and/or the caretaker character according to the type and number of items owned by the player. For example, the growth control unit 18 receives an instruction from the player to use a predetermined item, and increases the experience value given by the character and/or the caring character. Then, the growth control unit 18 deletes the item ID of the item that the player has instructed to use from the player information storage unit 442 .

Next, the growth determination unit 20 determines whether or not the growth condition of the character entrusted to the player has a time limit (S60). When the growth determination unit 20 determines that the growth condition has a time limit (Yes in S60), it determines whether the growth condition has been achieved (S61). When the growth determining unit 20 determines that the growth condition is satisfied (Yes in S61), it determines whether the growth condition is satisfied within this time limit (S62). When the growth determination unit 20 determines that the growth conditions have been achieved within the time limit (Yes in S62), the player's evaluation can be increased (S64). For example, the player information storage unit 442 can further store the player's evaluation value in association with the player ID. The evaluation value stored in the player information storage unit 442 is updated. On the other hand, when the growth determination unit 20 determines that the growth conditions have not been achieved within the time limit (No in S62), the player's evaluation can be lowered (S66). For example, when the player's evaluation is lowered, the growth determination unit 20 decreases the player's evaluation value and updates the evaluation value stored in the player information storage unit 442 .

Then, after the player's evaluation has been determined by the growth determination unit 20, the return control unit 22 returns the character whose growth condition has been achieved to the client of the character (S70). That is, the return control unit 22 returns the character that has reached the target level, which is the growth condition, to the client. Next, the reward giving unit 24 gives a predetermined reward to the player who returned the character (S72). In addition, the content of the reward can be determined based on the request content of the returned character. If the growth determination unit 20 determines that the growth conditions have not been met (No in S61), it does not process the character for which the growth conditions have not been met, and determines whether the growth conditions have been met on the next day. carry over later. Then, the growth determination unit 20 causes the output unit 26 to output an image showing how the character whose growth conditions have been determined is pastured on a ranch (S74).

On the other hand, when the growth determination unit 20 determines that the growth condition has not set a deadline (No in S60), it determines whether the growth condition has been achieved (S68). When the growth determination unit 20 determines that the growth condition is satisfied (Yes in S68), the return control unit 22 returns the character whose growth condition has been satisfied to the client of the character (S70). Then, the reward giving unit 24 gives a predetermined reward to the player who returned the character (S72). Note that the return control unit 22 can cause the output unit 26 to output an image such as the character to be returned running up to the client.

On the other hand, if the growth determination unit 20 determines that the growth conditions have not been met (No in S68), the character whose growth conditions have not been met will not be processed, and determination of whether the growth conditions have been met will be made from the next day onwards. carry over to Then, the growth determination unit 20 causes the output unit 26 to output an image showing a state in which the character whose growth conditions have been determined is pastured on a ranch (S74).

(Added item confirmation process)
The additional item control unit 36 causes a predetermined additional item to appear at a predetermined probability or at random according to the combination of the pair of characters or the pair of care characters (S76). For example, the additional item control unit 36 causes the output unit 26 to output an image indicating that additional items are present in the farm in the virtual space. Then, the additional item control unit 36 associates the additional item ID of the increased item that appears with the player ID in response to the player's instruction to collect the additional item received via the input unit 10 (for example, a tap operation). The player is made to acquire this additional item (S78). It is preferable that the increase item control section 36 causes the increase item to appear only within a predetermined time in the morning.

(advertisement processing)
The advertisement control unit 40 causes a character corresponding to the content of the advertisement to appear with a predetermined probability determined according to the content of the advertisement (S80). For example, the advertisement control unit 40 causes the output unit 26 to output an image indicating that a client who has a character corresponding to the advertisement content has visited "Sodateya" in the virtual space together with the character. Then, the keeping control unit 14 associates the character ID of the character with the player ID (S82). In this case, the keeping control unit 14 may prioritize the character ID of the character of the client who has visited according to the content of the advertisement over the character ID of the character of the client who has visited regardless of the content of the advertisement, and associate the character ID with the player ID. good. After that, the character keeping system 1 proceeds with the processing after "S16" or after "S12" described above.

Subsequently, the growth control unit 18, after executing the increased item processing, the growth processing, the increased item confirmation processing, and the advertisement processing, provides information regarding the player's level, etc. determined according to the player's sleep result and the experience value acquired by the player. is output to the output unit 26 (S84). For example, the growth control unit 18 outputs the player's bedtime, wake-up time, and sleep time, and outputs a level corresponding to the content of sleep. This level is, for example, a level determined according to sleep time. After that, the character keeping system 1 repeats the processing from "S10".

Note that the growth control unit 18 causes the output unit 26 to output the sleep result of the player after the player wakes up and before determining the experience value to be given to the player, the character, and/or the caretaker character. The output unit 26 may output information requesting the player to confirm the intention to use the recommended item determined according to the result. Then, the growth control unit 18 may increase the experience value given to the player, the character, and/or the caretaker character by using the recommended item selected by the player. In other words, as is clear from the fact that it is difficult for players to improve their sleep quality by themselves, and that the wake-up time that the player decides before going to bed does not always match the actual wake-up time, the bed time Except for the above, the player himself/herself cannot or cannot control the content of sleep information by himself/herself. Therefore, the growth control unit 18 changes the experience value after the player wakes up and before determining the experience value to be given to the player, the character, and/or the caretaker character. Specifically, the experience value is increased. By permitting the use of items that can be used, the player can easily incorporate the game according to the present embodiment into their daily lives.

Specifically, the growth control unit 18 causes the output unit 26 to output the sleep result of the player after the player wakes up. The contents of the sleep result are, for example, wake-up time, quality of sleep, sleep time, and the like. The growth control unit 18 calculates an experience value to be given to the player, the character, and/or the caring character according to the sleep result. Note that the growth control unit 18 may output the calculated experience value to the output unit 26 as the experience value before using the item. Next, according to the calculated experience value, the growth control unit 18 determines that the item is an item usable by the player (that is, the item is stored in the player information storage unit 442 in association with the player ID), and a predetermined condition is set. The item (recommended item) that can be used and can acquire more experience points is output to the output unit 26 when the condition is satisfied. The growth control unit 18 accepts instructions from the player via the input unit 10 and permits use of the recommended items instructed by the player. Then, the growth control unit 18 increases the previously calculated experience value by using the recommended item whose use is permitted (for example, the previously calculated experience value is added to the experience value for addition associated with the recommended item). or by multiplying the previously calculated experience value by a predetermined multiplier associated with the recommended item), the increased experience value is given to the player, the character, and/or the caretaker character. Give. The growth control unit 18 causes the output unit 26 to output the experience value obtained by the player, the character, and/or the caring character according to the result of using the recommended item.

Recommended items include, for example, an item that increases a parameter when waking up before a predetermined time (hereinafter referred to as "early rise boost"), an item that increases a parameter when a predetermined amount of sleep is taken, and the like. . As an example, the early rising boost may be an item associated with content that increases a parameter when waking up before 7:00 am. In this case, the growth control unit 18 refers to sleep information, and if the player's wake-up time is before 7:00 am (for example, 6:00 am), the output unit 26 outputs an early rise boost as a recommended item. When the growth control unit 18 receives an instruction to use the early rising boost from the player via the input unit 10, the growth control unit 18 uses the early rising boost to increase the experience value obtained by the player, the character, and/or the caretaker character. Let However, the growth control unit 18 refers to the sleep information, and if the player wakes up after 7:00 am (for example, 10:00 am), the output unit 26 does not output the early rising boost as a recommended item.

Furthermore, the growth control unit 18 can accept the intention to use items similar to the recommended items before the player goes to bed. That is, the growth control unit 18 allows the player to use items (recommended items before sleep) that can increase the experience value obtained by the player, the character, and/or the caretaker character by achieving a predetermined condition. It may be preset before (preferably immediately before). Then, when the player satisfies a predetermined condition after waking up, the growth control unit 18 uses the set recommended items before sleep to change the parameters (for example, experience value) of the player, the character, and/or the caretaker character. You can change and clear the used pre-sleep recommendations.

Specifically, the growth control unit 18 sends to the output unit 26 items (recommended items before sleep) that are items that can be used by the player and that can acquire more experience points by satisfying a predetermined condition. output. The growth control unit 18 receives instructions from the player via the input unit 10, and permits the use of recommended items before sleep indicated by the player. Then, after the player wakes up, the growth control unit 18 determines whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied. Gives the character more experience points than the experience points calculated from the player's sleep time alone. Then, the growth control unit 18 cancels the association between the item ID of the used recommended before sleep item and the player ID who used the recommended before sleep item.

Here, the predetermined condition for using the recommended items before sleep is, for example, when the user is able to wake up at a predetermined time (for example, 8:00 am) on the next day, the recommended items before sleep are actually used. Conditions such as increasing the experience value of the player, character, and/or caring character and erasing the recommended items before sleep, and not increasing the experience value and not erasing the recommended items before sleep if you cannot wake up be. Note that the growth control unit 18 can actually use the recommended before sleep item automatically or when instructed by the player when the player possesses the recommended item before sleep. That is, the growth control unit 18 automatically actually uses the recommended before sleep item without the player's instruction when a predetermined condition is satisfied, and the sleep item is instructed by the player via the input unit 10 before the player goes to bed. When the intention to use the pre-recommended item is accepted and a predetermined condition is satisfied, the pre-sleep recommended item can actually be used. This allows the player to have the same effect as using the recommended items (increase the experience points obtained by the player, the character, and/or the caretaker character) without having to select the recommended items during the busy morning hours. effect) can be obtained.

Both the recommended items and the recommended items before sleep are items that the player can use when they possess them. That is, the recommended item and the recommended item before sleep are items selected by the growth control unit 18 from items corresponding to item IDs stored in the player information storage unit 442 .

FIG. 8 shows an example of the processing flow of the farm part according to this embodiment, and FIG. 9 shows an example of the processing flow of the feeding part and the search part according to this embodiment.

(farm part)
First, when the action selection unit 28 selects the farm part according to the player's instruction, the farm part is started (S100). The action control unit 32 causes the output unit 26 to output to the player an option as to whether or not to purchase a "field" to be installed on the farm in the virtual space (S102). In this embodiment, “purchase” may be a process of using a virtual currency or a virtual item used in the game to associate a predetermined item with the player in exchange for the virtual currency or the virtual item. If the player selects "buy a field" (Yes in S102), the action control unit 32 assigns "field" to the player (S104), and proceeds to the next process. That is, the action control unit 32 treats the "field" as one type of item, and associates the "field ID" that identifies the "field" with the player ID. On the other hand, if the player selects "not to buy a field" (No in S102), the action control unit 32 proceeds to the next process. It should be noted that the more "fields" there are in the virtual space, the more "fruits" that can be harvested.

Next, the action control unit 32 causes the output unit 26 to output to the player an option as to whether or not to purchase "berries" for planting in the "field" in the virtual space (S106). If the player selects "buy fruit" (Yes in S106), the action control unit 32 gives "fruit" to the player (S108), and proceeds to the next process. That is, the action control unit 32 treats "real" as a type of item, and associates the "real ID" that identifies the "real" with the player ID. On the other hand, if the player selects not to buy fruit (No in S106), the action control unit 32 proceeds to the next process. Note that the action control unit 32 can provide a shop in the virtual space where items such as "fields" and "fruits" can be purchased. In this case, the action control unit 32 causes the output unit 26 to output the image of the shop and the information about the items that can be purchased, and gives the player a predetermined item according to the instruction from the player.

Next, the action control unit 32 causes the output unit 26 to output to the player an option as to whether or not to install a "field" in the virtual space (S110). If the player selects to "set up a field" (Yes in S110), the action control unit 32 sets up a "field" in the virtual space (S112), and proceeds to the next process. That is, the action control unit 32 installs the "field" at a predetermined position of the "farm" in the virtual space. In this case, a farm ID that identifies the farm may be set in the "farm", and the field ID is associated with this farm ID. On the other hand, if the player selects not to set up a field (No in S110), the action control unit 32 proceeds to the next process.

Furthermore, the action control unit 32 causes the output unit 26 to output to the player an option as to whether or not to plant "berries" in the "field" in the virtual space (S114). If the player selects to "plant fruit" (Yes in S114), the action control unit 32 plants "fruit" in the "field" (S116), and proceeds to the next process. That is, the action control unit 32 associates the real ID with the field ID. On the other hand, if the player selects not to plant fruit (No in S114), the action control unit 32 proceeds to the next process.

Note that when the player selects to "plant fruit", the action control unit 32 gives the player options such as "water", "fertilize", and "leave" for the "fruit". is output to the output unit 26, and the work corresponding to the option selected by the player may be executed. In this case, the action control unit 32 can cause the output unit 26 to output an image representing each work content. Then, the action control unit 32 may modify the quality of the harvested “fruit”, the time until harvesting, etc. according to the work content selected by the player. However, when a caring character is set, the action control unit 32 does not output these options to the output unit 26 and automatically executes them (that is, causes the caring character to automatically execute).

Then, the action control unit 32 causes the output unit 26 to output to the player an option as to whether or not to harvest the "fruits" of the "field" in the virtual space (S118). If the player selects to "harvest" (Yes in S118), the action control unit 32 determines whether or not a predetermined time has passed since the "fruit" was planted in the "field" (S120). ). If the predetermined time has passed (Yes in S120), the behavior control unit 32 harvests the "fruit" (S122). That is, the action control unit 32 associates the real real ID with the player ID. However, when a caring character is set, the action control unit 32 automatically executes fruit harvesting.

On the other hand, if the player selects "do not harvest" (No in S118), the action control unit 32 ends the process. If the predetermined time has not passed (No in S120), the behavior control unit 32 locks the harvest until the predetermined time has passed, with the aim of preventing the harvesting of the fruit within the predetermined period. (S124), and the process ends.

In addition, some or all of the above processing in the farm part may be performed by the caretaker character instead of the player. In this case, the caring character control unit 34 executes part or all of the above processes. However, the care character control unit 34 may set an upper limit to the number of "fields" that one care character can handle (referred to as "care field upper limit number"). If there are a plurality of "fields", the care character control unit 34 selects one care character owned by the player (or a plurality of care fields) as the number of "fields" obtained by multiplying the number of care characters by the upper limit number of care fields. character) can act autonomously, and other "fields" that exceed the upper limit can be left alone unless instructed by the player. Further, when the caretaker character acts, the caretaker character control unit 34 can change the state of the caretaker character according to the action of the caretaker character in the farm part. For example, the caring character control unit 34 can increase the fatigue level and hunger level of the caring character.

In addition, in this embodiment, "fruit" has the role of "food" for the character, and also has the role of obtaining experience points and changing the state of the character when the character eats the "fruit". There may be a plurality of types of "fruit". Then, depending on the race/type of the character, the types of "fruits" that can be eaten by characters of one race/type may be limited. Also, depending on the type of "fruit", the amount of experience points that a character can acquire may be changed.

(Feeding part)
First, when the action selection unit 28 selects the feeding part according to the player's instruction, the feeding part is started (S200). The action control unit 32 confirms the state of each of one or more characters on the ranch. The action control unit 32 checks the state of the character by referring to the character information storage unit 444 and the state information associated with the character ID. Then, the action control unit 32 confirms whether or not the character is hungry (S202). When the action control unit 32 determines that the character is hungry (Yes in S202), it feeds the character according to the player's instruction (S204).

If the player has set a character to take care of, the action control unit 32 feeds the character without instructions from the player. However, the care character control unit 34 may set an upper limit (referred to as "character upper limit number") to the number of characters that can be handled by one care character. When there are a plurality of characters, the care character control unit 34 sets the number obtained by multiplying the number of care characters by the upper limit number of characters as the upper limit of characters that the care character can autonomously take care of, and controls other characters exceeding the upper limit. Unless otherwise instructed by the player, they will not be fed and can be left alone. Therefore, when a player wishes to take care of characters exceeding the maximum number of characters that can be handled by one character to be taken care of, the player needs to own a plurality of characters to be taken care of.

The action control unit 32 sets the character's state according to the type, quantity, quality, etc. of the food given to the character (S206). That is, the action control unit 32 changes the character's state from hungry or abnormal to full or normal according to the type, amount, quality, etc. of the food given to the character, and information indicating the result of the change. is associated with the character ID, and the character information storage unit 444 is updated. On the other hand, when the action control unit 32 determines that the character is full (No in S202), the process ends and proceeds to the processes from "S26".

Note that the additional item control unit 36 may change the probability of appearing additional items according to the state of the character stored in the character information storage unit 444. For example, if one or both of the pair of characters selected by the player are in the "hungry" state, the additional item control unit 36 can reduce the probability of the additional item appearing. On the other hand, the additional item control unit 36 can increase the probability of the additional item appearing when both of the pair of characters are in the "full stomach" state. Also, the output unit 26 can output the appearance of the character according to the state of the character. For example, the output unit 26 refers to the character information storage unit 444 and the image storage unit 454, and if the character is in the “hungry” state, outputs an image indicating that the character is in the “full” state. , it outputs an image showing that the character is full.

Then, the action control unit 32 determines the expected change values of the character's parameters according to the type, quantity, quality, etc. of the food given to the character (S208). For example, a character acquires an experience value as a parameter by eating food. Depending on the type, amount, quality, etc. of the food, the amount of experience points acquired by the character eating the food changes. The action control unit 32 determines the expected experience value to be acquired by the character based on the type of food eaten by the character. The determined empirical value is used by the growth control unit 18, for example, the next morning. Note that the growth control unit 18 may use the expected change value determined by the action control unit 32 and give an experience value to the character each time the action control unit 32 determines the experience value.

Here, the action control unit 32 counts the number of times each character has been fed. Then, the action control unit 32 determines whether or not the number of feeding times for each of the one or more characters has reached a predetermined number (S210). If the number of times a certain character has been fed has reached a predetermined number of times (Yes in S210), the action control unit 32 prohibits feeding on the day (S212), terminates the process, and proceeds to the process after "S26". move on. Both the player and the caretaker character are prohibited from feeding the character whose feeding is prohibited on the day. On the other hand, if the number of times a certain character has been fed has not reached the predetermined number of times (No in S210), the action control unit 32 terminates the process and proceeds to the processes after "S26". In this case, the character can be fed until a predetermined number of times is reached.

(exploration part)
When the action selection unit 28 selects the search part according to the player's instruction, the search part is started (S300). The action control unit 32 outputs one or more search destinations to the output unit 26 and presents them to the player. The action control unit 32 receives an instruction from the player via the input unit 10 and determines the destination of the search (S302). Note that the action control unit 32 refers to the search location information in the search information storage unit 456 and presents the destination of the search. Next, the action control unit 32 refers to the player information storage unit 442, and selects a character to participate in the search and a caring character according to the player's instruction (S304).

Note that the character keeping system 1 may associate a search difficulty level with each of a plurality of search locations. In this case, the action control unit 32 may prompt the player to select an appropriate caring character according to the difficulty of the search location and the nature of the location. For example, when the difficulty level of a search location is equal to or higher than a predetermined difficulty level, the action control unit 32 can set so that only a specific character can participate in the search for that search location. In addition, the action control unit 32 may determine the number of characters participating in the search according to the use of a predetermined item by the player, the determined destination, the player's level, the quality of the player's sleep the previous day, and the like. .

Next, the action control unit 32 sends the caretaker character selected by the player and the party consisting of one or more characters to explore (S306). After a predetermined period of time has elapsed, the party returns to the ranch (S308). The action control unit 32 can erase the images of the characters participating in the search and the characters taking care of from the ranch while the party is searching. Also, the action control section 32 may cause the output section 26 to output an image showing the search status of the party that is searching.

In addition, during exploration, the caretaker character can bring back the items found during the exploration. The action control unit 32 associates the player ID with the item ID of the item brought back by the caring character from the search, so that the player owns the item (S310). Here, the action control unit 32 may determine items to be discovered by the caretaker character according to the race/type, combination, etc. of the character heading for the search and the caretaker character. You may decide which items your caretaker character finds. The items determined by the action control unit 32 can be determined based on the treasure information stored in the search information storage unit 456 . Then, the output unit 26 can output the "treasure" found by the caring character in accordance with an instruction from the player.

In addition, when the character keeping system 1 associates each of the plurality of search locations with a difficulty level of search, a search location with a high difficulty has a rarer "treasure" than a search location with a low difficulty. may be set high.

Next, the action control unit 32 sets the states of the character who participated in the search and the caretaker character (S312). For example, the action control unit 32 can put the character participating in the search into a hungry state, a fatigued state, or an abnormal state, and/or put the caring character in a fatigued state or an abnormal state. When the character state is set, the action control unit 32 stores the set state in the character information storage unit 444 . Further, when setting the state of the caretaker character, the action control unit 32 stores the set state in the caretaker character information storage unit 450 .

Then, the action control unit 32 determines the expected change value of the character's parameter and the expected change value of the care character's parameter, according to the search content (S314). For example, the character and the caring character acquire experience values as parameters according to the search time, the content of the treasure discovered during the search, and the like. The action control unit 32 decides the experience value to be acquired by the character and the caretaker character based on the search contents executed by the character and the caretaker character. The determined empirical value is used by the growth control unit 18, for example, the next morning. Note that the growth control unit 18 may give an experience value to the character and the caring character each time the action control unit 32 determines the expected change value. The synthesizing unit 46 selects and synthesizes at least part of the discovered treasure and/or a plurality of treasures and/or items from among the items possessed by the player according to the instruction of the player, and obtains by synthesis. You may give the player an item that has

Furthermore, the behavior control unit 32 can also determine the sleep time required for the character and the character to be cared for to recover according to the set states of the character and the character to be cared for. In addition, the action control unit 32 can determine the fatigue level, hunger level, etc. of the character and/or the caretaker character in a plurality of stages. Can be set as a state. For example, when the fatigue level of the character is high, the action control unit 32 increases the sleep time required for the character to recover from fatigue (that is, the sleep time the player needs to take) longer than when the fatigue level is low. Can be set. Then, the advice notification unit 42 may cause the output unit 26 to output information regarding the sleep time required for recovering the fatigue level of the character to the player.

[Effects of Embodiment]
The character keeping system 1 according to the present embodiment can grow a character in a game or a caring character according to the player's sleep time in the real world. In other words, in the character keeping system 1, the character in the game and the caretaker character grow according to the sleep of the player himself/herself. Then, the character keeping system 1 can be set so that when the player gets proper sleep, the experience value and reward obtained by the character in the game, the caretaker character, and the player himself/herself in the game increase. Furthermore, the character keeping system 1 allows the player to acquire a caring character that the player can own from the additional items, and the player can actually acquire the additional items in the morning, so that the player looks forward to the morning. Therefore, according to the character keeping system 1, the player can enjoy the game and naturally practice appropriate lifestyle habits while continuing the game.

In addition, since the character keeping system 1 according to the present embodiment introduces a third-party perspective of the client, it makes the player feel a sense of responsibility for nurturing the character, and in conjunction with the player's sleep in the real world Since the character in the game grows, the user can feel as if the player and the character in the game are living together. In other words, the character keeping system 1 is executed in a state in which the time axis of the real world and the time axis of the game are matched, so that the game can be naturally blended into the player's life in the real world.

[Character custody program]
Each component included in the character keeping system 1 according to this embodiment shown in FIGS. It can be realized by executing, that is, processing by software. Moreover, it can also be realized by writing a program in advance in hardware such as an electronic component such as an integrated circuit (IC). Note that software and hardware can also be used together.

The character keeping program according to this embodiment can be pre-installed in an IC, ROM, or the like, for example. In addition, the character depository program is provided as a computer program by recording it in a computer-readable recording medium such as a magnetic recording medium, an optical recording medium, or a semiconductor recording medium as a file in an installable format or an executable format. can also The recording medium storing the program may be a non-transitory recording medium such as CD-ROM or DVD. Furthermore, the character keeping program can be stored in advance in a computer connected to a communication network such as the Internet, and can be provided by downloading via the communication network.

The character keeping program according to the present embodiment works on the CPU and the like, and the input unit 10, the sleep information acquiring unit 12, the keeping control unit 14, the request setting unit 16, and the character keeping program explained in FIGS. Growth control unit 18, growth determination unit 20, return control unit 22, reward giving unit 24, output unit 26, action selection unit 28, character selection unit 30, action control unit 32, caring character control unit 34, increase item control unit 36 , a special area setting unit 38 , an advertisement control unit 40 , an advice notification unit 42 , an information storage unit 44 and a compounding unit 46 .

[Other embodiments]
<Overview of character training system 2>
FIG. 10 shows an example of the functional configuration of a character breeding system according to another embodiment of the invention. Also, FIG. 11 shows an example of the functional configuration of the information storage unit of the character breeding system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Another embodiment of the present invention is a character training system 2 that trains characters in the game. The character training system 2 is a character keeping system 1, in which the player does not keep the character from the client, but the player owns a predetermined character, and the possessed character is based on the sleep content of the player in the real world. It has substantially the same function and configuration as the character keeping system 1, except that the character is trained by using the system. Note that "cultivating" means changing a predetermined parameter (experience value, etc.) of a character and/or a caretaker character to improve the level of the character and/or the caretaker character's level. Differences from the character keeping system 1 will be mainly described below, and detailed descriptions other than the differences will be omitted. In still another embodiment of the present invention, a system combining both the character keeping system 1 and the character breeding system 2 can be mentioned. In this case, the system includes some or all of the functions and configurations of the character keeping system 1 and the character breeding system 2 .

The character development system 2 is a system in which a player develops a predetermined character, and includes a sleep information storage unit 440, a character information storage unit 444, and possession control that associates a character ID having a predetermined growth condition with player information. A growth control unit 18 and a growth determination unit 20 are provided. Further, the character breeding system 2 may further include a return control unit 22 that cancels the correspondence between the character ID and the player information when a predetermined growth condition is achieved.

The character development system 2, like the character keeping system 1, can change the characters that appear in the game based on the player's sleep content such as sleep time in the real world. The character training system 2 can also adjust the player's life rhythm in the real world. Further, in the character training system 2, like the character keeping system 1, a day in the virtual space in the system can be configured to have a day part and a night part. The character in the day part and/or the night part is changed based on the player's action in the real world in the night part without changing the character in the day part based on the action result in the game.

Specifically, in the character training system 2, the player first possesses a predetermined character. In this case, the character possessed by the player is associated with a predetermined condition (growth condition). For the purpose of having the character achieve this predetermined condition, the player himself/herself sleeps in the real world, feeds the character in the game, exercises the character in the game, etc. Encourage them to search, etc.

The character owned by the player in the character development system 2 has a predetermined parameter (experience value) based on the sleep content the player took in the real world, the food the character ate during the daytime part in the system, the content of the activity, etc. changes. The method of changing this predetermined parameter is the same as in the character keeping system 1 . Then, when the experience value of the character has achieved a predetermined condition, the character training system 2 determines that the predetermined condition associated with the character has been achieved. In this case, the character breeding system 2 may allow the player to retain the character as it is, or may cause the character to depart (that is, cancel the character ID associated with the player information). The character training system 2 may give a predetermined reward in the game to the player who made the character depart. On the other hand, if the character training system 2 determines that the character has not achieved the predetermined condition even if the experience value is given to the character, the character is kept in the player's possession, even if the character cannot be set off. good.

In addition, in the character training system 2, the day part, the night part, care characters, and additional items are the same as in the character keeping system 1. In the character breeding system 2, the virtual space in the system is substantially the same as that of the character keeping system 1, but in the character breeding system 2, the place where the player keeps the character from the trainer may be omitted.

[Overview of Configuration of Character Training System 2]
The character training system 2 is a system in which a player trains a predetermined character. The character breeding system 2 includes an input unit 10, a sleep information acquisition unit 12, an ownership control unit 48 that controls processing for allowing the player to possess the character to be trained, and a training content that sets the character training content that the player should achieve. A setting unit 50, a growth control unit 18, a growth determination unit 20, a return control unit 22 that cancels the correspondence between the character ID and the player information when a predetermined growth condition is achieved, and a reward giving unit 24. , and an output unit 26 .

The character training system 2 also includes an action selection unit 28, a character selection unit 30, an action control unit 32, a caring character control unit 34, an additional item control unit 36, a special area setting unit 38, and an advertisement control unit. 40 , an advice notification unit 42 , an information storage unit 45 storing various information used in the system, and a compounding unit 46 . The information storage unit 45 includes a sleep information storage unit 440, a player information storage unit 442, a character information storage unit 444, an additional item information storage unit 448, a caring character information storage unit 450, and an item information storage unit 452. , an image storage unit 454 , a search information storage unit 456 , and an audio information storage unit 458 .

(Ownership control unit 48)
The possession control unit 48 controls the process of allowing the player to own the character to be trained (hereinafter referred to as "possession process"). Specifically, when the player selects or decides to own a predetermined character, the possession control unit 48 executes a process of causing the player to own the character. That is, the possession control unit 48 refers to the character information storage unit 444 and associates the character ID of a character having a predetermined growth condition with the player ID. For example, the possession control unit 48 causes the output unit 26 to output an image showing a state in which a predetermined character exists in the place where the player exists in the game. Then, the ownership control unit 48 associates the character ID with the player ID when the input unit 10 receives an input from the player instructing to own the character. That is, the possession control unit 48 associates the character ID with the player ID by storing the character ID in the player information storage unit 442 or by updating the character ID.

In addition, the possession control unit 48 outputs the target character for which the possession process has been executed to a predetermined area in the virtual space. For example, the possession control unit 48 causes the output unit 26 to output an image showing a state in which the target character for which possession processing has been executed is in the "ranch".

(Training content setting unit 50)
The training content setting unit 50 sets the training content of the character that the player should achieve. Specifically, when the ownership control unit 48 executes the ownership process, the training content setting unit 50 refers to the character information storage unit 444 and outputs information about the growth conditions associated with the character ID to the output unit 26. output. Then, the training content setting unit 50 sets the achievement of this growth condition as the training content that the player should cause the character to achieve. Here, the training content setting unit 50 may set, as the training content, that the growth conditions are achieved within a predetermined time limit. The training content includes, for example, making the character level reach the target level based on the growth conditions, or making the character level reach the target level within a predetermined period based on the growth conditions.

Note that the breeding content setting unit 50 receives an instruction from the player as to whether or not the player accepts the achievement of the growth condition from the input unit 10, and receives an instruction from the player indicating that the growth condition is to be achieved. In this case, achieving this growth condition may be set as training content. Further, the breeding content setting unit 50 may receive an instruction from the player and set to postpone the achievement of the growth condition. In this case, the breeding content setting unit 50 sets the content of the extended deadline for the achievement of the growth condition as the breeding content. Furthermore, the training content setting unit 50 may modify the training content on condition that the player consumes a predetermined item possessed by the player. For example, if the training content is to raise the level of the character to a predetermined level within a predetermined number of days, the training content setting unit 50 asks the player, via the input unit 10, to consume a predetermined item. Upon receiving the instruction, this predetermined number of days can be extended according to the content of the item. In this case, the breeding content setting unit 50 deletes the item ID of the item stored in the player information storage unit 442 .

In addition, the training content setting unit 50 refers to the player information storage unit 442 and the care character information storage unit 450 to determine the level of the player, the type of items possessed by the player, and the race of the care character associated with the player. / Depending on the type, at least part of the training content may be changed according to instructions from the player. Also, the training content may be content for instructing an increase in a predetermined number of characters. Furthermore, the training contents may include a plurality of training contents, or may be training contents that are achieved step by step.

(Return control unit 22)
When the growth determination unit 20 determines that a predetermined growth condition has been achieved, the return control unit 22 can cancel the association of the character that has achieved the growth condition with the player information. Specifically, the return control unit 22 can cancel the correspondence between the character ID of the character whose growth condition has been achieved and the player ID. Then, the return control unit 22 may cause the output unit 26 to output, for example, an image showing how the character departs from the ranch to the outside of the ranch. The return control unit 22 cancels the correspondence between the character ID and the player ID, and stores information indicating the number of times the character corresponding to the character ID has been trained and the fact that the character has been trained in the player information storage unit 444. can be stored in In this case, when the player possesses the same character again, the possession control unit 48 outputs information indicating that the character was once trained by the player (for example, a comment such as “Long time no see”) from the output unit 26. You can output.

Note that even when the growth determination unit 20 determines that the predetermined growth condition has been achieved, the return control unit 22 receives an instruction from the player from the input unit 10, and returns the character ID of the character to the player ID. You don't have to cancel the association. In this case, the character will be further trained by the player in the game. In addition, when the character possessed by the player meets the growth condition of the character at the start of the game or at the time when the player owns the character, the possession control unit 48 cancels the association of the character with the player. Whether or not (for example, whether or not to set the character on a journey) may be accepted. The possession control unit 48 may accept such acceptance at any time.

<Processing Flow of Character Training System 2>
The processing flow of the character breeding system 2 has substantially the same flow as the processing flow of the character keeping system 1 . Only differences will be described below, and detailed description will be omitted.

First, instead of "S10" in the character keeping system 1, the possession control unit 48 executes a process in which the player possesses a predetermined character in the virtual space. For example, the possession control unit 48 causes the output unit 26 to output an image indicating that one or more predetermined characters are present in the virtual space. The possession control unit 48 outputs these images, for example, when it detects that the player has woken up. The possession control unit 48 refers to the character information storage unit 444 and selects a character to be output (this selection is preferably made imperceptibly to the player). Then, the possession control unit 48 executes the possession process. That is, the possession control unit 48 executes a process of allowing the player to own the output character, specifically, a process of associating the character ID of the character designated by the player via the input unit 10 with the player ID. For example, the ownership control unit 48 outputs a list of characters and growth conditions of the characters to the output unit 26, and then executes the ownership process. This holding process is preferably executed between the night part and the day part, that is, in the morning.

Subsequently, instead of "S16" in the character keeping system 1, the training content setting unit 50 refers to the character ID associated with the player ID, and sets the growth conditions associated with the character ID to Conditions that must be met by the ID character are set, and content that achieves such conditions is set as training content. When there are a plurality of characters, the training content setting unit 50 sets the training content for each character.

Here, we will explain a modified example when the player owns the character. In a modified example, the possession control unit 48 allows the player to select whether or not to possess a character instead of "S12" in the character keeping system 1. FIG. For example, the holding control unit 48 causes the output unit 26 to output the content of accepting an instruction as to whether to hold (for example, whether to hold, cancel, or postpone holding), and via the input unit 10 It decides whether or not to own a character by accepting instructions from the player. When the player selects to own a character, the possession control unit 48 executes setting of training contents.

On the other hand, if the player does not own the character (cancels possession) or chooses to postpone possession, the possession control unit 48 executes possession cancellation/postponement processing. When possession is postponed, the possession control unit 48 may associate a postponement flag with the character whose possession is postponed, and preferentially present the character associated with the postponement flag to the player next time (that is, the next morning). .

Here, the possession control unit 48 may postpone possession by accepting an instruction to use a predetermined item from the player via the input unit 10 . In this case, the possession control unit 48 refers to the player information storage unit 442 and deletes the item ID of the item designated for postponement. In addition, the possession control unit 48 provides a "waiting place" in the virtual space where the character is held or in the vicinity thereof for the character whose possession has been postponed, and outputs an image showing the character in the waiting place. You may make it output to the part 26. FIG.

Next, when the player owns the character, the character can be expressed as being in a ball-like item. Therefore, after processing in the breeding content setting unit 50, the possession control unit 48 outputs an image showing how the ball in which the character is stored is put into the ranch and an image showing how the ball exists in the ranch. 26 to output.

When the possession control unit 48 detects that the player has tapped the ball via the input unit 10, the possession control unit 48 causes the output unit 26 to output an image of a character appearing from the ball. On the other hand, if the player does not tap the ball via the input unit 10, the possession control unit 48 waits for the player's input, or the character automatically appears from the ball after a predetermined time has passed. The output unit 26 is caused to output an image of the state of the movement.

Subsequent processing (processing after "S24" in the character keeping system 1, namely, increased item processing, growth processing, increased item confirmation processing, advertisement processing, farm part, feeding part, search part, etc.) Since it is the same, it is omitted.

However, in the growth process, the growth determination unit 20 executes the growth process for the character possessed by the player. , the character whose relationship with the player has been canceled can output an image such as leaving the "ranch" etc., the advertisement control unit 40 responds to the instruction from the player, The advertisement control unit 40 posts an advertisement item containing content that the predetermined character likes, and the advertisement control unit 40 displays the advertisement content in a predetermined area of the virtual space. It is different from the character keeping system 1 in that the image of the corresponding character is output to the output unit 26 and the like.

[Character development program]
Each component provided in the character training system 2 according to another embodiment shown in FIGS. It can be realized by It can also be realized by writing a program in advance in hardware such as an electronic component such as an IC. Note that software and hardware can also be used together.

A character training program according to another embodiment can be pre-installed in an IC, ROM, or the like, for example. In addition, the character development program is recorded in a computer-readable recording medium such as a magnetic recording medium, an optical recording medium, a semiconductor recording medium, etc. in an installable format or an executable format file, and provided as a computer program. can also The recording medium storing the program may be a non-transitory recording medium such as CD-ROM or DVD. Furthermore, the character breeding program can be stored in advance in a computer connected to a communication network such as the Internet, and can be provided by downloading via the communication network.

The character training program according to another embodiment works on the CPU and the like, and the character training program is performed by the input unit 10, the sleep information acquisition unit 12, the growth control unit 18, and the growth determination unit 20 described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. , return control unit 22, reward giving unit 24, output unit 26, action selection unit 28, character selection unit 30, action control unit 32, caring character control unit 34, increase item control unit 36, special area setting unit 38, advertisement control It functions as a unit 40 , an advice notification unit 42 , an information storage unit 45 , a compounding unit 46 , a holding control unit 48 , and a breeding content setting unit 50 .

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the embodiment described above does not limit the invention according to the scope of claims. Also, it should be noted that not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential to the means for solving the problems of the invention. Furthermore, the technical elements of the above embodiments may be applied singly or may be applied after being divided into a plurality of parts such as program parts and hardware parts.

1 character custody system 2 character training system 10 input unit 12 sleep information acquisition unit 14 custody control unit 16 request setting unit 18 growth control unit 20 growth determination unit 22 return control unit 24 reward provision unit 26 output unit 28 action selection unit 30 character selection Section 32 Behavior Control Section 34 Care Character Control Section 36 Increase Item Control Section 38 Special Area Setting Section 40 Advertisement Control Section 42 Advice Notification Section 44 Information Storage Section 45 Information Storage Section 46 Preparation Section 48 Possession Control Section 50 Training Content Setting Section 440 Sleep Information storage unit 442 Player information storage unit 444 Character information storage unit 446 Client information storage unit 448 Additional item information storage unit 450 Care character information storage unit 452 Item information storage unit 454 Image storage unit 456 Search information storage unit 458 Voice information storage unit

Claims

A character keeping system in which a player keeps a predetermined character from a client in a game,
A sleep information storage unit that stores the sleep information of the player in association with the player information of the player;
a character information storage unit that stores growth conditions using predetermined parameters of the character in association with the character ID of the character;
a keeping control unit that associates the character ID having a predetermined growth condition with the player information;
A growth control unit that uses at least part of the sleep information to change the predetermined parameter of the character corresponding to the character ID;
a growth determination unit that determines whether or not the predetermined growth condition of the character corresponding to the character ID has been achieved due to the change in the predetermined parameter;
A character keeping system comprising a return control unit that cancels association of the character ID with the player information when the predetermined growth condition is achieved.
2. The character custody system according to claim 1, further comprising a reward giving unit that associates a predetermined reward with the player information when the association of the character ID with the player information is canceled by the return control unit.
wherein the character care system has a cycle with at least two parts dividing a day in the real world;
In one part, further comprising an action control unit that causes the character corresponding to the character ID associated with the player information to perform a predetermined action,
3. The character keeping system according to claim 1, wherein the growth control unit changes the predetermined parameter based on the result of the predetermined action that the action control unit causes the character to perform.
4. The character care system according to claim 3, further comprising a care character control section for controlling actions of the care character autonomously assisting the character to perform the predetermined action.
An additional item control unit that generates an additional item that can increase a predetermined character according to a predetermined condition, and associates an additional item ID of the additional item with the player information,
The increased item is associated with a predetermined appearance condition defined by a predetermined value determined based on the sleep information, which is a condition for causing the predetermined character to appear from the increased item,
wherein said increase item control unit associates a character ID of said predetermined character of said increase item with said player information when said appearance condition is achieved by said predetermined value determined based on said sleep information. The character keeping system according to any one of 1 to 4.
wherein the sleep information includes at least one of information regarding sleep time, wake-up time, wake-up time, sleep quality, and sleep location of the player;
2. The character keeping system according to claim 1, wherein the growth control unit changes the degree of change of the predetermined parameter based on the at least one piece of information selected by the player before going to bed.
The character care system according to claim 1, wherein the growth control unit changes the degree of change of the predetermined parameter based on the player's selection operation after waking up.
wherein the sleep information includes at least one of information regarding sleep time, wake-up time, wake-up time, sleep quality, and sleep location of the player;
6. The character keeping system according to claim 5, wherein the additional item control unit changes the predetermined value based on the at least one piece of information selected by the player before going to bed.
The character keeping system according to claim 1, wherein the additional item control unit changes the degree of change of the predetermined parameter based on the player's selection operation after waking up.
A character keeping method in which a player keeps a predetermined character from a client in a game,
A sleep information storage step of storing the sleep information of the player in a sleep information storage unit in association with the player information of the player;
a character information storage step of storing growth conditions using predetermined parameters of the character in a character information storage unit in association with the character ID of the character;
a keeping control step in which a keeping control unit associates the character ID having a predetermined growth condition with the player information;
A growth control step in which a growth control unit uses at least part of the sleep information to change the predetermined parameter of the character corresponding to the character ID;
a growth determination step in which the growth determination unit determines whether or not the predetermined growth condition of the character corresponding to the character ID has been achieved due to the change in the predetermined parameter;
and a return control step in which a return control unit cancels association of the character ID with the player information when the predetermined growth condition is achieved.
A character custody program for a character custody system in which a player keeps a predetermined character from a client in a game,
to the computer,
A sleep information storage function that stores the sleep information of the player in a sleep information storage unit in association with the player information of the player;
a character information storage function for storing, in a character information storage unit, a growth condition using a predetermined parameter of the character in association with the character ID of the character;
a keeping control function that associates the character ID having a predetermined growth condition with the player information;
A growth control function that changes the predetermined parameter of the character corresponding to the character ID using at least part of the sleep information;
a growth determination function for determining whether or not the predetermined growth condition of the character corresponding to the character ID has been achieved based on the change in the predetermined parameter;
and a return control function for canceling the association of the character ID with the player information when the predetermined growth condition is achieved.
A character training system in which a player trains a predetermined character in a game,
A sleep information storage unit that stores the sleep information of the player in association with the player information of the player;
a character information storage unit that stores growth conditions using predetermined parameters of the character in association with the character ID of the character;
a possession control unit that associates the character ID having a predetermined growth condition with the player information;
A growth control unit that uses at least part of the sleep information to change the predetermined parameter of the character corresponding to the character ID;
A character development system comprising: a growth determination unit that determines whether or not the predetermined growth condition of the character corresponding to the character ID is achieved based on a change in the predetermined parameter.