JP2013084028A - Game system with gift lottery function - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game system that can link a lottery function for a gift to improvement in availability of a commercial game machine.SOLUTION: The game system including a commercial game machine 2 installed in predetermined facilities and allowing a user to play games within a range corresponding to a play charge as the user pays the play charge includes lottery means 24 of drawing a lot for a gift to be given to the user among a group of gifts usable for a game on the game machine 2, and giving the gift to the user. The lottery means 24 can draw a lot for a gift as instructed by the user to a vendor device 2 installed in the same facilities with the game machine 2, and at least one gift included in the group of gifts is set as a special gift that only the user can get by drawing lots by the lottery means 24 as instructed by the user to the vendor device.

Description

  The present invention relates to a game system that gives a user a prize that can be used in a game by lottery.

  A purchase terminal installed in a store or a user terminal such as a mobile phone or a personal computer is connected to the server apparatus via a network, and the server apparatus is selected from a predetermined group of prizes based on a user instruction to the terminal. An on-line sales system has been proposed in which lottery prizes are selected and the selected prize is provided to the user (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2002-42233 A

  In conventional systems, digital contents such as music information and game software, or physical contents such as trading cards are assumed as contents. However, the prize lottery is only introduced to increase the user's willingness to purchase the prize itself. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a game system that can link a prize lottery function to an improvement in the operating rate of a commercial game machine.

  The present invention is a game system including a commercial game machine (2) which is installed in a predetermined facility (4) and allows a user to play a game within a range corresponding to the play fee in exchange for payment of the play fee. In (1), a lottery means (24; 17) for drawing a prize to be given to a user from a group of prizes that can be used in a game in the game machine and giving the prize to the user is provided. The prize can be drawn based on a user's instruction to a vendor device (2; 40) existing in the same facility as the game machine, and at least one prize included in the prize group is the vendor. It is set as a special prize (for example, item Xb) that can be acquired by the user only by a lottery executed by the lottery means based on a user instruction to the device. .

  According to the present invention, since a prize to be given to the user is drawn out from a group of prizes that can be used in a game on a commercial game machine, the motivation to play the game using the prize that has been won Can be given to the user. At least one prize is a special prize that cannot be obtained unless a user gives an instruction to the vendor apparatus to execute a lottery, and the vendor apparatus exists in the same facility as the game machine. Therefore, in order to play a game using the special prize, it is necessary for the user to go to the facility where the game machine is installed and give a lottery instruction to the vendor apparatus. Thereby, the user can be attracted to the facility where the game machine is placed, and thus the user can be motivated to play the game on the game machine. Thereby, it is possible to link the prize lottery function to the improvement of the operating rate of the game machine.

  In the present invention, the “commercial game machine” is a game machine installed for the purpose of operating a business in which the play fee paid by the user is at least part of the revenue, and as long as the game play is paid, The kind of is not ask | required. The “facility” is sufficient if it has a facility for operating a commercial game machine, and it does not matter whether the facility itself is commercial, public, or private. Whether or not they are “same facilities” can be determined from the viewpoint of whether or not the vendor apparatus exists within a range where the purpose of attracting the user to the game machine can be achieved. For example, if a vendor device exists in an area managed by a business operator who installs and operates a game machine, it can be regarded as the same facility. It is sufficient that the “prize” can be used in a game, and it does not matter whether it is provided to the user as digital data or to the user as physical content. Gives a user a prize that is output to a card or other physical medium in such a way that the game machine can read digital data such as image data and barcode data, and the digital data of the prize is read by the game machine and used in the game It may be possible.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, a game system is connected to the game machine via a network (5), and based on a request from the game machine, play data (recording information related to the user's play history) 32) is stored in association with the user identification information acquired from the game machine, and provides play data corresponding to the user identification information to the game machine based on a request from the game machine (3) may further be included. In this case, the server device is provided with a premium data storage means (21) for storing premium data (37) in which information for specifying the premium group is recorded, and the premium data is stored in the play data. The lottery group is configured to change according to the information included, and the lottery means determines the lottery based on the information included in the play data corresponding to the identification information of the user who requested the lottery and the premium data. It is also possible to identify the group of the prizes to be subject to the selection, and draw the prizes from the identified group. According to such a form, the group of prizes can be changed according to information included in the user's play data. Therefore, reflecting the user's play history, user-oriented lottery management in which a prize suitable for the user is acquired by lottery becomes possible, and the user's attraction effect on the facility where the game machine is installed can be enhanced. If the operator operating the server device is different from the operator operating the commercial game machine and the game machine revenue is to be shared between these operators, both companies will be able to improve the operating rate of the game machine. Can improve profitability.

  In the above embodiment, the server device includes the lottery means (24), the vendor device provides the user identification information to the lottery device to request the lottery, and the lottery device includes the vendor device. The group of prizes to be targeted for the lottery based on the information included in the identified play data and the prize data is obtained by acquiring the user identification information from It is good also as what identifies the prize and draws the said prize from the identified group. In this case, the user's play data is specified on the server device side, and a lottery based on information included in the play data is performed. By performing lottery on the server device side, in the environment where each game machine of a plurality of facilities is connected to the server device via a network, the lottery status regarding these facilities can be managed collectively on the server device side Is easy.

  Alternatively, the vendor apparatus (2) includes the lottery means (17), and the lottery means acquires the user identification information and provides it to the server apparatus. The information included in the play data corresponding to the identification information and the prize data are provided, and the lottery means is based on the information included in the play data provided from the server device and the prize data. It is also possible to identify the group of prizes to be selected and to draw the prize from the identified group. In this case, a lottery based on information included in the user's play data is performed on the vendor device side. Therefore, the load on the server device can be reduced by distributing the lottery processing load on the vendor device side.

  In one form of the present invention, the game machine (2) may function as the vendor device. According to this, this invention can be implemented without additional burden other than a game machine. In addition, a lottery can be started based on an instruction from the user before starting the game on the game machine or at an appropriate time after the game is started. It is possible to link the lottery flexibly.

  Alternatively, a device (40) physically different from the game machine may function as the vendor device. According to this, the exclusive use of the game machine by the user for the purpose of lottery can be avoided, and the game machine can be effectively used as a terminal for playing a game that is the original use.

  In one form of the present invention, the game machine can execute a game including a plurality of game elements whose permission or prohibition of use by a user changes according to a predetermined condition, and at least a part of the plurality of game elements For the specific element, the predetermined condition is set so that the use is not permitted unless the lottery means lottery based on the user's instruction to the vendor apparatus is passed, whereby the use of the specific element is permitted. It may be equivalent to a special prize. According to this aspect, in order to use a specific element in a game of a game machine, it is necessary for the user to go to the facility and instruct the vendor apparatus to draw a lottery. And if use of a specific element is permitted by lottery, a user will be able to play a game using the specific element. In this way, if some of the game elements that can be used on the game machine are set as specific elements that can only be used through a lottery, the linkage between the acquisition of the game elements and the lottery via the vendor device can be further enhanced. The prize lottery function can be more strongly linked to the improvement of the operating rate of the game machine.

  In the above embodiment, the lottery means updates the play data corresponding to the identification information of the user so that the use of the specific element is permitted when the user acquires the special prize. May be given to the user. When the use of the specific element is permitted through the lottery, it can be recorded in the user's play data and the lottery result can be reliably reflected in the subsequent games.

  In one form of the present invention, the lottery means may execute the lottery in exchange for payment of a predetermined lottery fee by the user. Thereby, it is possible to further improve the profit by the synergistic effect of the profit from the lottery fee and the improvement of the operation rate of the game machine.

  The lottery fee may be set smaller than a play fee necessary for playing a game on the game machine. Thus, the user's feeling of burden on the paid lottery can be suppressed, and the user can easily select a prize lottery for use in game play on the game machine. Further, in the game system, when the fee can be paid by consuming the virtual currency held by the user, the lottery fee may be paid only by the consumption of the virtual currency. In payment of a fee using cash or an alternative currency generally used in a commercial game machine, it may be relatively difficult to settle a small amount due to mechanical restrictions or the like. On the other hand, in the payment by virtual currency, the restriction of the charging unit is relatively small, and it is easy to secure the flexibility and flexibility of setting the fee, such as setting the fee less than the charge fee of a general paid game . Thereby, a rational lottery fee can be set for the lottery of prizes, and the user's sense of burden and satisfaction with the lottery fee can be enhanced.

  In addition, in the above description, in order to make an understanding of this invention easy, the reference sign of the accompanying drawing was attached in parenthesis, but this invention is not limited to the form of illustration by it.

  As described above, according to the present invention, at least one prize obtained by a lottery is not executed by a user giving an instruction to a vendor apparatus existing in the same facility as a commercial game machine. Since it is set as a special prize that can not be acquired as much as possible, it is possible to attract the user to the facility where the game machine is installed and give the user the motivation to play the game on the game machine using the special prize acquired by lottery it can. Thereby, it is possible to link the prize lottery function to the improvement of the operating rate of the game machine.

The figure which shows the whole structure of the game system which concerns on one form of this invention. The functional block diagram in the principal part of the game system which concerns on a 1st form. The figure which shows an example of a structure of item management data. The figure which shows an example of a structure of play data. The figure which shows an example of a structure of probability data. The figure which shows an example of a structure of premium data. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the prize lottery process which the control unit of a game machine and the control unit of a center server respectively perform in order to draw a prize in the 1st form. The functional block diagram in the principal part of the game system which concerns on a 2nd form. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the prize lottery process which the control unit of a game machine and the control unit of a center server respectively perform in order to draw a prize in the 2nd form. The figure which shows the whole structure of the game system which concerns on a 3rd form. The functional block diagram in the principal part of the game system which concerns on a 3rd form. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the prize lottery process which the control unit of a vendor apparatus and the control unit of a center server respectively perform in order to draw a prize in the 3rd form.

(First form)
A game system according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. This embodiment is an example of a form in which a game machine functions as a vendor device and the server device draws prizes based on a user instruction to the game machine. First, the overall configuration of the game system will be described with reference to FIG. The game system 1 includes a plurality of game machines 2 and a center server 3. Each game machine 2 is installed in a facility such as a store 4 and is configured as a commercial (business) game machine that allows a user to play a game within a range corresponding to the play fee in exchange for payment of the play fee. Yes. An appropriate number of game machines 2 are installed in each store 4. In FIG. 1, the game machine 2 is drawn without distinction, but the content of the game executed on the game machine 2 may be appropriately selected. The game may be different between the game machines 2. The game machine 2 may be configured as a dedicated machine having a physical configuration (for example, an operation unit) suitable for a specific game, or a general-purpose machine capable of playing various games by rewriting software. It may be configured as. The center server 3 is configured as a single logical server device by combining a plurality of server units 3A, 3B. However, the center server 3 may be configured by a single server unit. Alternatively, the center server 3 may be logically configured using cloud computing.

  The game machine 2 and the center server 3 are connected via a network 5 so that they can communicate with each other. The network 5 accommodates a WAN (wide area network) 5A, a LAN (local area network) 5B that is constructed for each store 4 and accommodates these game machines 2, and server units 3A, 3B,. LAN 5C for connecting these server units 3A and 3B to each other. As an example of the WAN 5A, the Internet that implements network communication using the TCP / IP protocol is used. The LANs 5B and 5C are also constructed by an intranet using the TCP / IP protocol. The LANs 5B and 5C are connected to the WAN 5A via the router 6. In addition, a local server may be installed between the game machine 2 and the router 6 of the store 4, and the game machine 2 may be connected to the center server 3 via the local server. The server units 3A, 3B... Of the center server 3 may be connected to each other by the WAN 5A instead of or in addition to the LAN 5C.

  A management PC (abbreviation of personal computer, the same shall apply hereinafter) 7 may be connected to the LAN 5B of the store 4 as well. The management PC 7 is provided for the purpose of an operator (sometimes called an operator) of the store 4 managing the game machine 2 or transmitting / receiving various information by accessing the center server 3. In the game system 1, the user terminal 8 can access the center server 3 via the network 5. The user terminal 8 may be appropriately used as long as it is a computer device that functions as a personal communication terminal device capable of network connection, such as a PC 8a or a mobile phone (including a smartphone) 8b. In the present specification, the user is a person who can be a player of the game machine 2. When the user operates the game machine 2, the user may be particularly referred to as a player. In addition, an operator that operates the center server 3 and provides various services directed to the game machine 2 or the user terminal 8 may be referred to as a service operator. The operator is a business operator who operates the game machine 2 in the store 4 and is conceptually classified as a service business operator.

  The game machine 2 and the center server 3 are assigned unique IP addresses for identifying them on the network 5. In communication between the game machines 2 or between the game machine 2 and the center server 3, a communication partner is specified using the IP address. When the WAN 5A is a public network such as the Internet, a unique fixed address on the WAN 5A is set in each router 6. In the game machine 2, a private address for uniquely identifying the game machine 2 on the network 5 is set as an IP address in combination with the fixed address. In this case, a virtual private network (VPN) is constructed between the game machine 2 and the center server 3 or between the game machines 2, and each game machine 2 is uniquely identified using a private address on the VPN. Is done. The same applies to the management PC 7. The user terminal 8 is also given a unique IP address for uniquely identifying the user terminal 8 on the network 5. The IP address may be a so-called dynamic address that changes every time it is connected to the network 5 or may be a fixed address that does not change. Hereinafter, information for identifying the game machine 2, the center server 3, the management PC 7, and the user terminal 8 on the network 5 is referred to as address information. In communication via the network 5, it is assumed that a communication partner is specified based on the address information unless otherwise specified. In the game system 1, apart from the address information described above, a unique store ID is set for each store 4 for each store 4, and a unique housing ID for each game device 2 for each game device 2. Is set. The center server 3 can uniquely identify the store 4 to which the communication partner game machine 2 belongs and the game machine 2 by receiving the store ID and the case ID from the communication partner game machine 2.

  The center server 3 provides various services via the network 5 to the game machine 2, users (players), and operators. For example, the center server 3 provides various game services to the game machine 2 or its players. As the game service, for example, a service that receives player identification information from the game machine 2 and authenticates the player, receives and stores the play data of the player from the game machine 2, or provides the game machine 2, a network 5 There is a service for updating a program or data of the game machine 2 via the network, a service for matching users when a plurality of users play a common game via the network 5, and the like. The center server 3 also provides various Web services to the user terminal 8 that is accessed via the network 5. Examples of the web service include a service such as a game information service that provides various kinds of information regarding the game to the user through the website, and a community service that provides an exchange place such as information transmission, exchange, and sharing by the user. Furthermore, the center server 3 also provides a vendor service function for the user to draw and sell prizes that can be used in games on the game machine 2.

  The center server 3 is also provided with a billing service function that charges the user as a fee for providing a paid service and collects the fee from the user. In order to realize the charging service, a virtual currency account for each user is provided on the center server 3. When a user pays a charge fee using a settlement means such as cash or a credit card, an amount of virtual currency corresponding to the charge fee is charged to the user's account. On the other hand, when a user uses a paid service, an amount of virtual currency corresponding to the usage fee is consumed from the user's account.

  In the game system 1, various hardware and software are prepared as components necessary for allowing the user to use various services. At least some of those components are transferred or loaned from the service provider to the operator. As an example, the game machine 2 is transferred from a service provider to an operator for a fee. On the other hand, so-called content such as a game program or data to be executed on the game machine 2 is lent (provided) to the operator from the service provider.

  The operator collects a play fee as a consideration when the user plays the game. On the other hand, the service provider uses the play fee paid by the user as the consideration for lending the content, in other words, the fee according to the monetary value consumed when the user plays the game as the consideration for lending the content. To charge. In other words, the game system 1 employs a mechanism in which the play fee consumed by the player in the game machine 2 is used as revenue, and the revenue is distributed between the operator of the store 4 where the game machine 2 is installed and the service provider. ing. In order to realize such a mechanism, the game machine 2 is provided with a function for providing the center server 3 with timely information necessary for specifying the actual consumption of the play fee for each content. In addition, the center server 3 identifies the consumption amount of the play fee for each store 4 based on the information provided from the game machine 2, and the service provider informs the operator of a predetermined rate for the obtained consumption amount. A function for calculating the usage fee to be charged is implemented. By providing such a function, the play fee collected from the player can be distributed between the service provider and the operator.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 2, the structure of the principal part of the control system regarding the game machine 2 and the center server 3 of the game system 1 is demonstrated. The game machine 2 is provided with a control unit 10. The control unit 10 is configured as a computer unit that combines a microprocessor and peripheral devices such as an internal storage device necessary for the operation of the microprocessor. An input device 11, an output device 12, a card reader 13, a coin authentication device 14 and a storage device 15 are connected to the control unit 10. The input device 11 receives a player (user) operation and outputs a signal corresponding to the operation content to the control unit 10. The output device 12 includes a display device that displays a game screen or the like in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 10, and a sound reproduction device that outputs musical sounds or sounds in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 10.

  The card reader 13 reads information on the card 9 possessed by the player and outputs a signal corresponding to the information to the control unit 10. The card 9 is provided with a non-volatile storage medium (not shown) such as an IC chip or a magnetic stripe, and the medium has a unique ID for each card 9 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a card ID). It is recorded. The card ID is used to call up the play data 32 stored on the center server 3. The center server 3 identifies a user (player) using a unique user ID for each user, and the play data 32 is recorded in association with the user ID on a one-to-one basis. The card ID is associated with the user ID one-to-one or many-to-one, and the center server 3 refers to the data for determining the correspondence between the card ID and the user ID, and determines the user ID of the player. Can be identified. That is, in this embodiment, both the card ID and the user ID function as user identification information. The card ID may be recorded on the card 9 in the form of a barcode or the like. Alternatively, instead of the card 9, the card ID may be recorded on a storage medium such as an IC chip mounted on a mobile phone or the like.

  The coin authentication device 14 determines the authenticity of the coin inserted by the player from the coin insertion slot of the game machine 2 and outputs a signal corresponding to the number of inserted coins to the control unit 10 if the coin is an authentic coin. The storage device 15 is a storage device capable of storing data, such as a hard disk storage device. The storage device 15 stores a game machine program to be executed by the control unit 10 and various data to be referred to by the program. Data recorded in the storage device 15 will be described later.

  Inside the control unit 10, a game control unit 16, a vendor control unit 17 and a charge management unit 18 are provided. Each of the units 16 to 18 is a logical device realized by a combination of computer hardware of the control unit 10 and predetermined software. The game control unit 16 executes various processes necessary for playing the game such as management of the start, progress, and end of the game in the game machine 2. The vendor control unit 17 cooperates with the center server 3 to execute processing for providing a vendor service to the player. The vendor service is a service in which a prize is drawn out from a group of prizes that can be used in a game and paid out to the user in exchange for payment (consumption) of a predetermined lottery fee by a user. Details of the vendor service will be described later. The charge management unit 18 executes various processes related to charge for the player. The process includes a process of recording a consumption record such as a play fee by the player and transmitting the recorded consumption record to the center server 3 in a timely manner.

  As a method for causing the player to consume a monetary value equivalent to a play fee, a method using coins and a method using the charging service function of the center server 3 described above can be selected. In the former method, when the player inserts coins lent to the player for a fee into the game machine 2, “credit” having a value corresponding to the number of inserted coins is counted as a monetary value held by the player. As an example, one credit is recorded when one 100-yen coin is inserted. When the player instructs the game machine 2 to consume 1 credit, it is determined that a monetary value equivalent to 100 yen has been consumed in the game machine 2, and game play is permitted within a range corresponding to the amount consumed. The That is, when a play fee is paid through a coin, the consumption of monetary value is counted in units of one credit. On the other hand, in the latter method, that is, when the virtual currency is consumed, the consumption amount of the monetary value by the player is counted in a unit smaller than “credit”. Assuming that the unit for counting the amount (or amount) of virtual currency is “points”, for example, one point is set equivalent to one yen. In that case, when a play fee of 100 yen is required, 100 points of virtual currency is consumed. One point does not necessarily correspond to one yen, but one point (that is, a virtual currency consumption unit) is set to correspond to a monetary value that is one digit or more smaller than one credit.

  The center server 3 is provided with a control unit 20 and a storage device 21. The control unit 20 includes a microprocessor, a ROM in which a program such as an operating system to be executed by the microprocessor is recorded, and an internal storage device (not shown) such as a RAM that provides a work area for the microprocessor. A computer unit provided. Although an input device such as a keyboard and an output device such as a monitor are connected to the control unit 20, they are not shown. The storage device 21 stores a server program to be executed by the control unit 20 and various data to be referred to by the program. Data recorded in the storage device 21 will be described later.

  Inside the control unit 20, a game service management unit 22, a web service management unit 23, a vendor service management unit 24, and an account management unit 25 are provided. Each of the units 22 to 25 is a logical device that is realized by a combination of computer hardware of the control unit 20 and predetermined software. The game service management unit 22 executes processing related to the game service described above, the web service management unit 23 executes processing related to the web service described above, and the vendor service management unit 24 processes related to the vendor service described above. Execute. The account management unit 25 executes a process of consuming an amount of virtual currency corresponding to the service usage fee from the user's account in accordance with a request from the game service management unit 22, the web service management unit 23, or the vendor service management unit 24. . Further, the account management unit 25 executes a process of charging virtual currency to the user's account in accordance with a request from the Web service management unit 23. In addition to the above, the center server 3 is also equipped with a function for calculating a usage fee to be charged to the operator by the service provider based on the consumption record sent from the game machine 2. Omitted.

  Next, details of data recorded in the storage devices 15 and 21 will be described. Game data 31 and play data 32 are recorded in the storage device 15 of the game machine 2. The game data 31 is data that is appropriately referred to when the game control unit 16 of the control unit 10 executes a game according to the game program. For example, the game data 31 includes image data for drawing an image of a game screen background, characters, stages, items, and the like, and sound data for reproducing a game BGM, sound effects, and the like. The game data 31 further includes data for managing permission or prohibition of use regarding a plurality of items (a kind of game element) that can be used in the game. As an example, a case will be described in which a plurality of items are prepared in advance as game elements, and the game is configured to have an advantageous effect on the player when these items are used in the game. As an advantageous effect, for example, an aspect in which the rank of the player in the game is promoted, the experience value of the character used by the player, the improvement of parameters such as physical strength, and the character can use special techniques and weapons. There can be. In this case, the game data 31 includes data describing conditions under which each item can be acquired by the player (that is, conditions under which the player can use the item), effects of item acquisition, and the like. As an example of the data, FIG. 2 shows a state where the item management data 33 is included in a part of the game data 31.

  An example of the item management data 33 is shown in FIG. In the item management data 33 of FIG. 3, items Xa, Xb, Xc... Are described as game elements that can be used in the game executed on the game machine 2, and acquisition conditions (use permission conditions) are associated with these items. ) Is described. The acquisition conditions include, for example, that a score such as a score acquired by the player in the game is a predetermined level or higher, and that a parameter such as an experience value acquired by the player repeatedly playing the game is a predetermined level or higher. Thus, it is set in association with the game play history by the player. However, for some items, the exception is that the player cannot be obtained unless a prize lottery based on the player's instruction to the two games is passed, in other words, unless the player wins by lottery using the game machine 2. An acquisition condition may be set so that the player cannot use it. In the example of FIG. 3, the acquisition condition is set as an item that cannot be acquired unless the item Xb passes through a lottery using the game machine 2. In this case, the item Xb corresponds to a specific element of the present invention.

  The item is a game element that can be used on the game such as a tool, equipment, or weapon used by the player or a character operated by the player in the game. In addition to items, various game elements used in the game may be set as prizes. For example, game elements that improve various parameters such as experience values and ranks included in the play data 32 may be set and set as prizes. Various game elements such as characters appearing in the game, music in the music game, stage, and mode may be set as prizes. Furthermore, all or a part of the right to lift the appearance of hidden elements on the game may be set as a prize. Furthermore, the prize may be set as a point that can be used as a currency in the virtual world of the game.

  The play data 32 is data in which information related to a player's play history is recorded in association with the user ID of the player, and is stored for the purpose of causing the player to play the game from the previous game. is there. The play data is generated for each type of game (sometimes called a title or the like). In the storage device 15 of the two games, play data 32 saved by the player regarding the game provided by the game machine 2 is called from the center server 3 and saved. An example of the play data 32 is shown in FIG. The play data 32 in FIG. 4 includes a player's play log, vendor log, status, a plurality of replay information, and the like.

  The play log is information in which the player's past play contents such as the player's past play count and competition results are recorded. The vendor log is information that records a usage history of the vendor service. For example, information such as the number of times of use of the vendor service, the use date and time, and the acquired premiums are recorded in the vendor log. The status is information that records the game situation of the player. For example, information indicating the rank indicating the skill or strength index acquired by the player repeatedly playing the game, the experience value acquired by the player in the past play, the item owned by the player, etc. is recorded as the status. . As item information, for example, a unique item number, item code, etc. are recorded for each item. The replay information is information recorded to reproduce, for example, a specific play content of the player. For example, selection contents for each turn of the player and the opponent in the turn-based game, or moving image data in a specific game may be recorded as the replay information.

  Returning to FIG. 2, a group of play data 32, a group of vendor data 34, and a group of account data 35 are recorded in the storage device 21 of the center server 3. The play data 32 is created for each user ID and for each type of game, and a set of them is a group of play data 32. When a player plays a game on any of the game machines 2, the card ID that the player has recognized by the game machine 2 is provided to the center server 3, and a play corresponding to the user ID associated with the card ID. Play data 32 corresponding to the game type of the game machine 2 is provided from the center server 3 to the game machine 2 and stored in the storage device 15 of the game machine 2. As described above, the account data 35 is data in which the user ID and the amount (balance) of the virtual currency held by the user are recorded in association with each other.

  The vendor data 34 is data for managing prize lotteries by the vendor service management unit 24. Vendor data 34 is created for each type of game, and a set of them is a group of vendor data 34. The vendor data 34 includes probability data 36 illustrated in FIG. 5 and premium data 37 illustrated in FIG. The probability data 36 in FIG. 5 is a data table in which a prize prepared in association with a game and a probability that the prize should be drawn by lottery are associated and recorded. In the example of FIG. 5, probabilities Pa to Pn are set from the prize A to the prize N. The prizes A to N are groups of prizes. The prize data 37 in FIG. 6 is data describing information (prize contents) for specifying a group of prizes in association with information included in the play data 32. In the example of FIG. 6, the contents of the prize A are individually set according to the ranks Ra to Rx of the player. Among them, the prize A corresponding to the rank Rb is the item Xb, and the item Xb is a specific item (game element) that can be acquired only as a lottery prize as shown in FIG. Therefore, the item Xb can be acquired when the player of rank Rb has won the prize A by lottery. Similarly, for the prizes B to N, a group of prizes according to the rank of the player is set, and an item as a specific element is set in at least a part of the group of prizes.

  As described above, in the game system 1, items that can be acquired only by a prize lottery executed based on a user instruction to the game machine 2 are set. Therefore, the user can be motivated to go to the store 4 and play a game. In addition, since the group of prizes changes in association with information recorded in the user's play data 32, that is, the user's play history, an appropriate prize can be provided according to the situation of each player. Thereby, user-oriented lottery management becomes possible, the user's attraction effect on the store 4 in which the game machine 2 is installed is enhanced, and the synergistic effect of the profit from the lottery fee and the improvement of the operation rate of the game machine 2 Improve profitability of service providers.

  Each of the data described above is merely an example of data recorded in the storage devices 15 and 21. In addition to the illustrated data, the storage devices 15 and 21 record various data necessary for processing such as game execution, collection of play fees, etc., and distribution of revenue between the operator and the service provider. Those explanations are omitted.

  Next, processing executed by the control unit 10 of the game machine 2 and the control unit 20 of the center server 3 in order to draw a prize will be described with reference to FIG. The processing in the game machine 2 is mainly in charge of the vendor control unit 17 of the control unit 10 and the processing in the center server 3 is mainly in charge of the vendor service management unit 24 of the control unit 20. The control units 10 and 20 will be described. 7, the card reader 13 reads the card ID of the card 9 to authenticate the player, and the user ID of the player and the play data 32 corresponding to the game of the game machine 2 are obtained from the center server 3 from the game machine 2. This process is executed after being called into the storage device 15 and stored in the storage device 15.

  When the lottery start condition for starting the lottery by the vendor service is satisfied in the game machine 2, the control unit 10 of the two games starts the prize lottery process of FIG. The lottery start condition can be set, for example, so as to be satisfied when the player instructs the lottery start via the input device 11 of the game machine 2 at an appropriate time before the game starts or after the game starts. Alternatively, the lottery start condition is satisfied when the player confirms whether or not the player wishes to draw when the information recorded in the play data satisfies a predetermined condition, and the player can confirm the lottery start instruction. It may be set as follows. For example, an opportunity for confirming whether or not there is a lottery request when the rank of the player is promoted may be provided. In any case, the lottery start condition is set to be satisfied when the player of the game machine 2 instructs the lottery start via the input device 11.

  When the control unit 10 of the two games starts the prize lottery process, it first notifies the center server 3 of the start of the lottery process in step S11. The notification includes a user ID (or a user ID for specifying the player). Card ID may be used.) And information necessary for specifying a group of prizes to be included in the lottery object. For example, when the group of prizes differs according to the type of game, information specifying the type of game is notified. However, when the center server 3 can specify the type of game to be executed by the game machine 2 using the case ID as a clue, notification of information specifying the type of game may be omitted. When the group of prizes changes according to the information included in the play data 32, the information of the play data 32 (in the example of FIG. 6 corresponds to the player rank information) is the group of prizes. It is notified as information necessary to identify However, the entire latest play data 32 recorded in the storage device 15 at the time of execution of step S11 is transmitted to the center server 3 as information included in the play data, and recorded in the storage device 21 in association with the user ID. The play data 32 that has been played may be updated with the latest play data 32.

  When the control unit 20 of the center server 3 receives the lottery start notification from the game machine 2, the control unit 20 starts the prize lottery process shown in FIG. 7, and first determines the contents of the lottery based on the information sent from the game machine 2 in step S21. Identify. Here, based on the information sent from the game machine 2, the vendor data 34 necessary for determining a group of prizes is specified. In the subsequent step S22, the control unit 20 uses the account management unit 25 to acquire, in step S21, the amount of virtual currency corresponding to the fee required for the prize lottery (sometimes referred to as a lottery fee). Attempt to consume from account data 35 corresponding to the user ID. The lottery fee is set to be smaller than the amount corresponding to one credit, which is a consumption unit when paying a play fee through coins. As an example, when a monetary value equivalent to 100 yen is consumed in one game, the lottery fee is set to a value corresponding to a monetary value of about 10 yen. Therefore, it is impossible to pay the lottery fee through coins. As long as the consumption process in step S22 is not successful, the player cannot obtain a prize.

  The lottery fee may be set to a fixed fee regardless of the type of game, or a different fee may be set for each game. Data for determining the lottery fee may be included in the vendor data 34. The lottery fee may be changed according to the status described in the play data 32 of the player, the number of plays, and the like. Even if the lottery fee is changed according to the prize lottery time, such as a relatively low fee during a quiet season or time when there are few players and a fee increases during a busy season or time when there are many players, Good. When attempting to consume the virtual currency, the game machine 2 may ask the player to confirm the collection of the lottery fee, and the consumption may be executed when the confirmation is obtained.

  In subsequent step S23, the control unit 20 notifies the game machine 2 of the result of the lottery fee consumption process. This notification includes information identifying success or failure of consumption. In the next step S24, the control unit 20 of the center server 3 determines whether or not the lottery fee has been successfully consumed. If it has failed, the prize lottery is completed. The control unit 10 of the game machine 2 receives the notification from the center server 3 in step S12, and determines whether or not the lottery fee has been successfully consumed based on the content of the notification. If the consumption has failed, the control unit 10 also finishes the prize lottery.

  If the virtual currency equivalent to the lottery fee has been successfully consumed in step S24, the control unit 20 of the center server 3 proceeds to step S25, and the prize is based on the information included in the play data 32 and the vendor data 34. The process of drawing lots is implemented. Specifically, based on the probability data 36 included in the vendor data 34 specified in step S21, one of the prizes A to N is drawn out and the contents of the selected prize are included in the play data 32. This is determined based on rank information and premium data 37. The lottery can be performed according to various known lottery processes used in a lottery process using a random number or other computers. The lottery process is performed based on the probability data 36. However, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, a process for changing the probability described in the probability data 36 may be performed. As an example, when a predetermined bonus condition is satisfied, a process of temporarily increasing the probability that a valuable prize will be allocated may be performed.

  In subsequent step S26, the control unit 20 of the center server 3 notifies the game machine 2 of the lottery result. In this case, information for identifying a prize acquired by the player (for example, information for identifying a winning item, information for designating an added value of experience values, etc.) is provided to the game machine 2. Thereafter, the control unit 20 proceeds to step S27, and updates the data to reflect the lottery result. For example, the date and time of the present prize lottery, the acquired prize, etc. are recorded in the vendor log of the play data 32 corresponding to the user ID of the storage device 21. When the player acquires an item, the play data 32 is updated so that the acquired item is added to the owned item. If the prize includes an experience value or an improvement in rank, the play data 32 is updated so that they are reflected. When the data update in step S27 is completed, the control unit 20 finishes the prize lottery in FIG. By executing the above processing, the vendor service management unit 24 of the control unit 20 functions as the lottery means of the present invention.

  On the other hand, if the control unit 10 of the game machine 2 determines that the consumption is successful in step S12, the process proceeds to step S13, waits for a notice of the lottery result from the center server 3, and acquires this if there is a notice. In subsequent step S14, the control unit 10 executes processing according to the lottery result. For example, when the latest play data 32 is stored in the center server 3 at the time of lottery execution, the play data 32 updated in step S27 is received from the center server 3, and the play data 32 of the storage device 15 is received by the play data 32. Replace 32. Alternatively, the vendor log and other information may be updated so that the current lottery result is reflected in the play data 32 held in the storage device 15. Subsequently, the control unit 10 of the game machine 2 proceeds to step S <b> 15 and displays on the screen of the game machine 2 a state in which a prize is drawn. As an example, an image of a lottery mechanism is displayed on the screen of the game machine 2, and a moving picture depicting a state in which the lottery mechanism operates and one prize is selected from a number of prizes is displayed. When the lottery display in step S15 ends, the control unit 10 finishes the prize lottery in FIG. If it is determined in step S12 that the consumption is successful, the vendor control unit 17 of the control unit 10 provides the consumption record to the charge management unit 18, and the charge management unit 18 records the consumption record in the storage device 15. . The recorded consumption record is aggregated at an appropriate timing and provided to the center server 3, and the control unit 20 of the center server 3 calculates the amount billed to the operator for the use of the vendor service based on the aggregate value of the consumption record. To do.

(Second form)
Next, a game system according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, this form is an example of the form in which a game machine functions as a vendor device, and the game machine draws prizes based on a user instruction to the game machine. The overall configuration of the game system is the same as that of the game system 1 of FIG. In the following description, the same reference numerals are used for parts common to the first embodiment, and the differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

  FIG. 8 shows the configuration of the main part of the control system related to the game machine 2 and the center server 3 of the game system 1 according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, in this embodiment, in addition to the game data 31 and play data 32, vendor data 34 corresponding to the type of game to be executed on the game machine 2 is stored in the storage device 15 of the game machine 2. It is recorded. The vendor data 34 is distributed from the center server 3 at an appropriate timing, and is synchronized with the vendor data 34 corresponding to the same game recorded in the storage device 21. The vendor control unit 17 provided in the control unit 10 of the game machine 2 functions as lottery means of the present invention by lottering prizes based on the vendor data 34 and the play data 32 recorded in the storage device 15. .

  FIG. 9 shows processes executed by the control unit 10 of the game machine 2 and the control unit 20 of the center server 3 in order to draw a prize in the game system 1 according to the second embodiment. The processing in the game machine 2 is mainly in charge of the vendor control unit 17 of the control unit 10 and the processing in the center server 3 is in charge of the vendor service management unit 24 of the control unit 20. The units 10 and 20 will be described. 9, the card reader 13 reads the card ID of the card 9 to authenticate the player, and the play data 32 corresponding to the user ID of the player and the game of the game machine 2 is the same as the process of FIG. Is a process executed after being called from the center server 3 to the game machine 2 and stored in the storage device 15. Hereinafter, the same processing as in FIG. 7 will be described using the same reference numerals as in FIG. 7 and focusing on the differences from the processing in FIG.

  The control unit 10 of the game machine 2 starts the prize lottery process of FIG. 9 when the predetermined lottery start condition (which may be the same as that in the first embodiment) is satisfied, and sequentially executes steps S11 and S12. Further, the center server 3 starts the prize lottery process of FIG. 9 in response to the notification from the game machine 2 in step S11 and sequentially executes the processes of steps S21 to S24. If it is determined in step S12 that the virtual currency corresponding to the lottery fee has been successfully consumed, the control unit 10 of the game machine 2 proceeds to step S13A and performs a process of lottering prizes. Specifically, on the basis of the probability data 36 of the vendor data 34 recorded in the storage device 15, one of the prizes A to N is lottery as a prize to be paid out to the player, and the contents of the selected prize are It is determined based on rank information and premium data 37 included in the play data 32 of the storage device 15. The lottery can be performed according to various known lottery processes used in a lottery process using a random number or other computers. Also in this case, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, a process for changing the probability described in the probability data 36 may be performed.

  In subsequent step S13B, the control unit 10 notifies the center server 3 of the lottery result. In this case, information for identifying a prize acquired by the player (for example, information for identifying a winning item, information for designating an added value of experience values, etc.) is provided to the center server 3. Thereafter, the control unit 10 sequentially executes the processes of steps S14 and S15 to finish the present prize lottery. On the other hand, the control unit 20 of the center server 3 acquires a notification of the lottery result from the game machine 2 in step S26A, and updates the data to reflect the lottery result in the subsequent step S27. When the data update is completed, the control unit 20 finishes the present prize lottery.

(Third form)
Next, a game system according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The present embodiment is the same as the first embodiment in that the server device draws prizes, but is an example in which the store-side configuration regarding the vendor device is different from the first embodiment. However, the overall configuration of the game system is similar to the game system 1 of FIG. In the following description, the same reference numerals are used for parts common to the first embodiment, and the differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

  As shown in FIG. 10, in the game system 1 of this embodiment, a vendor apparatus 40 is installed in the store 4 as a computer terminal apparatus physically different from the game machine 2. The vendor apparatus 40 is installed as a dedicated terminal used for lottering prizes based on instructions from the user. The vendor device 40 is also accommodated in the LAN 5 </ b> B like the game machine 2. Similar to the game machine 2, unique address information on the network 5 is set in the vendor device 40. The vendor device 40 is also set with a unique vendor ID for each terminal. By receiving the store ID and the vendor ID from the communication partner vendor device 40, the center server 3 can uniquely identify the store 4 in which the communication partner vendor device 40 is installed and the vendor device 40.

  FIG. 11 shows the configuration of the main part of the control system related to the vendor apparatus 40 and the center server 3 of the game system 1 in this embodiment. Illustration regarding the game machine 2 is omitted. The center server 3 is the same as that shown in FIG. The vendor device 40 is provided with a control unit 41. The control unit 41 is configured as a computer unit that combines a microprocessor and peripheral devices such as an internal storage device necessary for the operation of the microprocessor. An input device 42, an output device 43, a card reader 44, and a storage device 45 are connected to the control unit 41. The input device 42 includes input units such as operation buttons and a touch panel, receives user operations on the input units, and outputs a signal corresponding to the operation content to the control unit 41. The output device 43 includes a display device that displays a lottery guidance screen or the like in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 41, an audio reproduction device that outputs guidance voice in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 41, and the like.

  Similarly to the card reader 13 of the game machine 2, the card reader 44 reads the card ID recorded on the card 9 and notifies the control unit 41 of it. The storage device 45 is a storage device capable of storing data, such as a hard disk storage device. The storage device 45 stores a terminal program necessary for the control unit 41 to execute a prize lottery process and various data to be referred to by the program. When the control unit 41 reads and executes the program recorded in the storage device 45, a vendor control unit 46 and a charge management unit 47 are provided inside the control unit 41. Each of the units 46 and 47 is a logical device realized by a combination of computer hardware of the control unit 41 and predetermined software. The vendor control unit 46 is a logical device similar to the vendor control unit 17 of the game machine 2 in the first embodiment, and executes terminal-side processing necessary for prize lottery. The charge management unit 47 executes various processes related to the charge of the lottery fee for the user. The process includes a process of recording a lottery fee consumption record by the user and transmitting the recorded consumption record to the center server 3 in a timely manner.

  FIG. 12 shows processing executed by the control unit 41 of the vendor apparatus 40 and the control unit 20 of the center server 3 in order to draw a prize in the game system 1 according to the third embodiment. The processing in the vendor apparatus 40 is mainly handled by the vendor control unit 46 of the control unit 41, and the processing in the center server 3 is handled by the vendor service management unit 24 of the control unit 20, but in the following, the execution subject of each processing is controlled. The units 41 and 20 will be described. In the process of FIG. 12, the prize lottery process on the center server 3 side is the same as the process of FIG. Therefore, in FIG. 12, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 7 are used for the same processes as in FIG. 7, and the description below will focus on differences from the processes in FIG. 7.

  When the user instructs the vendor apparatus 40 to start lottery, the control unit 41 of the vendor apparatus 40 starts the prize lottery process of FIG. First, the control unit 41 requests the user to set the card 9 in the card reader 44 in step S31, reads the card ID from the card 9 set accordingly, and notifies the center server 3 as user identification information. To do. Upon receiving the notification, the center server 3 starts the prize lottery process shown in FIG. 12. First, in step S 41, the play data 32 corresponding to the card ID notified from the vendor device 40 is specified and included in the play data 32. The information necessary for the lottery of the prize is provided to the vendor apparatus 40 as player information. The play data 32 itself may be provided to the vendor device 40 as player information.

  The control unit 41 of the vendor apparatus 40 acquires player information provided from the center server 3 in step S32, and in the subsequent step S33, sets the lottery content with reference to the player information and instructions from the user. For example, when different groups of prizes are set depending on the game type, it is determined whether the play data 32 stored in association with the user's card ID is the play data 32 corresponding to which game type. It is specified based on information from the server 3. When there are a plurality of types of game play data 32 corresponding to the card ID, the user is asked to select the type of game that the user wishes to draw. Note that the processing up to this point requires that the vendor device 40 selectively respond to lotteries associated with multiple types of games, and that the play data 32 exists in the vendor device 40 at the start of the prize lottery process. This process is necessary because it is not possible to determine which game should be selected for the lottery. When the lottery content is set in step S33, the control unit 41 proceeds to step S34 and notifies the center server 3 of the start of the lottery. The notification includes information necessary for specifying the lottery content set in step S33. When the center server 3 receives the notification, the center server 3 starts processing from step S21. The subsequent processing is the same as in the first embodiment except that the notification destination in steps S23 and S26 is the vendor apparatus 40. Therefore, in this embodiment, the vendor service management unit 24 of the center server 3 functions as the lottery means of the present invention.

  The control unit 41 of the vendor apparatus 40 proceeds to step S35 after the notification in step S34, and determines whether or not the lottery fee has been successfully consumed based on the result of the lottery fee consumption process notified from the center server 3. If the consumption has failed, the prize lottery is finished. If successful, the control unit 41 proceeds to step S36 and waits for a notification of the lottery result from the center server 3, and acquires this if there is a notification. In subsequent step S <b> 37, the control unit 41 displays on the screen of the vendor apparatus 40 a state in which a prize is lottery. The display may be performed in the same manner as step S15 in FIG. Thereafter, the control unit 41 finishes the prize lottery in FIG. Since the vendor apparatus 40 is not a terminal for executing a game, even if the vendor apparatus 40 has acquired the play data 32, data update on the vendor apparatus 40 is not necessary. Since the lottery result is recorded in the play data 32 of the center server 3, when the user subsequently plays the game on the game machine 2, the game can be started with the lottery result reflected. When it is determined in step S35 that the consumption has been successful, the vendor control unit 46 of the control unit 41 provides the consumption record to the charge management unit 47, and the charge management unit 47 records the consumption record in the storage device 45. . The recorded consumption record is totaled at an appropriate timing and provided to the center server 3, and the control unit 20 of the center server 3 calculates the amount billed to the operator regarding the vendor service based on the total value of the consumption record.

  A modification to the third embodiment will be described. First, the vendor device 40 is not limited to the example installed in the store 4 as a dedicated terminal. A personal computer may be installed in the store 4 and the personal computer may function as a vendor apparatus. Alternatively, only when a wireless access point is installed in the LAN 5B in the store 4 and the user terminal 8 brought into the store 4 by the user is connected to the router 6 of the store 4 via the wireless access point, the user The terminal 8 may function as a vendor device. However, in that case, while the user terminal 8 is connected to the router 6 of the store 4, it is necessary to notify the center server 3 of the actual consumption of virtual currency equivalent to the lottery fee. As a modification of the third embodiment, as in the second embodiment, the play data 32 and the vendor data 34 are provided from the center server 3 to the vendor device 40 and stored in the storage device 45, and the data is referred to. Then, the vendor control unit 46 of the vendor device 40 may function as a lottery means by performing the lottery.

  In the first to third embodiments described above, the center server 3 may notify the user terminal 8 that a special prize can be obtained by performing a lottery using a vendor device at the store 4. Thereby, the user's attraction effect to the store 4 can be enhanced. Further, the prize lottery may be performed using the user terminal 8 from outside the store 4 in addition to the example implemented based on the instruction from the vendor apparatus. However, in the lottery performed using the user terminal 8 from outside the store 4, it is necessary to exclude the special prize from the group of prizes.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and its modifications, and can be implemented in various forms. For example, it is sufficient that the prize can be used in a game, and the present invention is not limited to the example given to the user in the form of digital data. For example, it may be given to the user as physical content. In that case, a device for physically paying out prizes according to the lottery result may be added to the vendor device. Digital data, such as image data and barcode data, can be used in games by giving out premiums that are output to a card or other physical medium in a manner that can be read by a game machine, and reading the digital data of the prizes with a game machine. It is good. The lottery means may be configured to operate a physical lottery mechanism to perform the lottery. For example, when paying out physical content as a prize, a physical lottery mechanism is installed in a facility such as a store, and the lottery mechanism is used on a part of a group of prizes that can be drawn on the game machine of the store. Possible prizes may be included. Even when the lottery means is provided on the server device side, a part of the lottery means may be configured by a physical lottery mechanism, and the lottery mechanism may notify the vendor device of the prize drawn by the lottery mechanism. Good.

  The present invention is not limited to an example configured as a game system in which a game machine and a server device are connected via a network. A game including a game machine set as a so-called stand-alone machine in a facility such as a store without using a server apparatus, and a vendor apparatus that draws one of prizes from a group of prizes usable on the game machine It is also possible to configure as a system. Even in this case, the game machine may function as a vendor apparatus, or a vendor apparatus that is physically different from the game machine may be provided. Further, from the viewpoint of attracting the user to the facility where the game machine is installed, the prize lottery may be performed without paying the lottery fee. Even if payment of the lottery fee is required, the lottery fee may be collected together with the play fee at the start of game play, in other words, it may be included in the play fee in appearance. A lottery fee may be collected at an appropriate timing during the play. The lottery fee does not necessarily have to be paid in virtual currency. It may be possible to pay the lottery fee using cash, alternative currency, credit card and other various settlement means. Even when the lottery fee is collected by consumption of the virtual currency, the consumption process is not limited to the form performed by the server device. For example, a lottery fee may be collected by charging a virtual currency in advance to a card or other medium possessed by the user, and causing the vendor device to consume a virtual currency equivalent to the lottery fee from the balance on the medium. Further, in the above embodiment, a prepaid type system in which virtual currency is charged in advance on an account managed by the server device and virtual currency is consumed from the account is premised, but virtual currency is consumed by a postpay type system. May be.

1 game system 2 game machine (vendor device)
3 Center server (server device)
4 stores (facility)
5 Network 17 Vendor control section (lottery means)
21 Storage device (Premium data storage means)
24 Vendor Service Management Department (lottery means)
32 Play data 36 Probability data 37 Premium data 40 Vendor device

The present invention is located at a predetermined facility (4), in exchange for payment of play charge, the game viewing including commercial game machines for playing (2) to a range corresponding to the play charge for the user, A lottery means (24; 17) for drawing a prize to be given to a user from a group of prizes that can be used in a game in the game machine and giving the prize to the user, the lottery means including the game machine and The prize lottery can be executed based on a user's instruction to a vendor apparatus (2; 40) existing in the same facility, and at least one prize included in the group of prizes is instructed by the user to the vendor apparatus. in user can acquire special prizes (e.g. item Xb) is set as a game system (1) only by drawing said drawing means is executed based on, The game machine connected to the game machine via the network (5), and based on a request from the game machine, the play data (32) in which information related to the play history of the user is recorded is acquired from the game machine. The server device (3) may further include a server device (3) stored in association with the identification information and providing play data corresponding to the user identification information to the game machine based on a request from the game machine. In this case, the server device is provided with a premium data storage means (21) for storing premium data (37) in which information for specifying the premium group is recorded, and the premium data is stored in the play data. The lottery group is configured to change according to the information included, and the lottery means determines the lottery based on the information included in the play data corresponding to the identification information of the user who requested the lottery and the premium data. The group of the prizes to be the subject of the identification is specified, and the prizes are drawn by lottery from the specified group.

In particular , according to the present invention , a group of prizes can be changed according to information included in user play data. Therefore, reflecting the user's play history, user-oriented lottery management in which a prize suitable for the user is acquired by lottery becomes possible, and the user's attraction effect on the facility where the game machine is installed can be enhanced. If the operator operating the server device is different from the operator operating the commercial game machine and the game machine revenue is to be shared between these operators, both companies will be able to improve the operating rate of the game machine. Can improve profitability.

Claims (11)

In a game system including a commercial game machine that is installed in a predetermined facility and allows a user to play a game in a range corresponding to the play fee in exchange for payment of a play fee,
A lottery means for randomly drawing a prize to be given to a user from a group of prizes that can be used in a game in the game machine and giving the prize to the user;
The lottery means can execute the lottery of the prize based on a user instruction to a vendor apparatus existing in the same facility as the game machine,
At least one prize included in the group of prizes is set as a special prize that a user can acquire only by a lottery executed by the lottery unit based on a user instruction to the vendor device.
Game system. Based on a request from the game machine and connected to the game machine via a network, the play data recording information related to the user's play history is associated with the user identification information acquired from the game machine. A server device for storing and providing play data corresponding to the user identification information to the game machine based on a request from the game machine;
The server device is provided with premium data storage means for storing premium data in which information for specifying the premium group is recorded.
The prize data is configured such that a group of prizes changes according to information included in the play data,
The lottery means specifies the group of the prizes to be the lottery target based on the information included in the play data corresponding to the identification information of the user who requested the lottery and the prize data, and the specified The game system according to claim 1, wherein the prize is drawn by lot from a group.   The server device includes the lottery unit, the vendor device provides the user identification information to the lottery unit to request the lottery, and the lottery unit acquires the user identification information from the vendor device. The play data corresponding to the identification information is identified, the prize group to be the lottery target is identified based on the information included in the identified play data and the prize data, and the identified group The game system according to claim 2, wherein the prize is selected by lottery.   The vendor apparatus includes the lottery means, and the lottery means obtains the identification information of the user and provides it to the server apparatus. The server apparatus adds play data corresponding to the identification information to the lottery means. The information included and the prize data are provided, and the lottery means selects the prize group to be a target of the lottery based on the information included in the play data provided from the server device and the prize data. The game system according to claim 2, wherein the game system is specified, and the prize is drawn out from the specified group.   The game system according to claim 1, wherein the game machine functions as the vendor device.   The game system according to claim 1, wherein a device physically different from the game machine functions as the vendor device. The game machine can execute a game including a plurality of game elements in which permission or prohibition of use by a user changes according to a predetermined condition,
With respect to at least some of the plurality of game elements, the predetermined condition is set so that use is not permitted unless lottery of the lottery means based on a user instruction to the vendor device is performed, The game system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein permission to use the specific element corresponds to the special prize.   The lottery means grants the special prize to the user by updating the play data corresponding to the identification information of the user so that the use of the specific element is permitted when the special prize is acquired by the user. The game system according to claim 7.   The game system according to claim 1, wherein the lottery unit executes the lottery in exchange for payment of a predetermined lottery fee by the user.   The game system according to claim 9, wherein the lottery fee is set to be smaller than a play fee necessary for playing a game on the game machine.   The game system according to claim 9 or 10, wherein a fee can be paid by consuming virtual currency held by a user, and the lottery fee can be paid only by consumption of the virtual currency.

Images