JP2017164127A - Game system and computer program used therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game system capable of rationally setting up a price of a game element in response to respective interests of a server-side business operator and a client-side business operator.SOLUTION: The game system including a game machine 3B, for determining a price to be charged to a user on the basis of price setup data DP recorded, with a game element and a price associated with each other: sets up a price related to a game element classified into a first classification CL1 out of a plurality of game elements on the basis of a setup operation of a manager in a parlor system 10 side; and sets up a price related to a game element classified into a second classification CL2 on the basis of the setup operation of a manager of a server system 20 side so as not to overlap with the game element classified into the first classification CL1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a game system capable of appropriately changing a consideration to be paid by a user.

  Various products and services (hereinafter sometimes referred to as game elements) such as allowing the user to play the game on condition that the user has paid the price, continue playing, or purchasing items usable in the game. As a game system for use by users, a game system is known in which the price of a game element can be set and changed by an administrator of a store where a game machine is installed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). A game system is also known in which a payment method using an alternative currency such as a cash currency or a medal or a payment method using an electronic currency can be selected for payment of the consideration (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

JP 2012-108746 A Patent Publication of Patent No. 5419628

  It is customary that the price of the game should be changed appropriately according to the location of the store where the game machine is installed, the ability to attract customers, and the like. However, if the price can be set freely for the convenience of the store side, excessive dumping is performed at a specific store, and the price difference between the stores cannot be overlooked, and the user concentrates on the specific store Inconvenience may occur. In a game system that saves user play data on a server and allows the user to continuously play the game regardless of store differences, game items can be used outside the purchase store, so the store where the user is cheap There is a risk of purchasing an item and using it at other stores. In that case, the profits of stores other than the purchase store may be impaired. Regarding payment methods, for example, in the case of payment using coins, etc., the store wants to set the price at the convenience of the store in order to bear the collection cost, while in the case of payment in electronic currency, the business that operates the server There may be a difference that a person wants to set a price taking into account a fee commensurate with the cost. In that case, if it is left to the discretion of the store side, there is a risk that the server side business operator suffers an unintended loss. If the server side operator sets the price uniformly, it becomes difficult to set a flexible price according to the situation of the store.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a game system and the like that can rationally set a price for a game element according to the convenience of a server-side business operator and a client-side business operator.

  A game system according to an aspect of the present invention includes a server unit and a plurality of client units including at least one game device capable of causing a user to play a predetermined game and connected to the server unit via a network And the game devices of the plurality of client units can cause the user to use each of the plurality of game elements associated with the predetermined game on condition that the user pays a consideration. In the game system in which each game device of the plurality of client units can be divided into a plurality of management units based on the difference in the management form, each game unit and the value for each management unit recorded in association with each other Consideration for determining for each management unit the consideration to be imposed on the user based on the consideration setting data And a compensation for the game element classified into the first category among the plurality of game elements, based on a setting operation performed for each management unit, with respect to the consideration setting data for each management unit A first consideration setting means for setting, and a consideration relating to a game element classified in the second category so as not to overlap with a game element classified in the first category among the plurality of game elements, A second price setting unit configured to set the price setting data of the management unit included in the setting range based on a setting operation performed on one or more management units included in the predetermined setting range; It is provided.

  A computer program according to an aspect of the present invention includes a server unit and a plurality of client units including at least one game device capable of causing a user to play a predetermined game and connectable to the server unit via a network And the game devices of the plurality of client units can cause the user to use each of the plurality of game elements associated with the predetermined game on condition that the user pays a consideration. A computer program applied to a game system in which each game device of the plurality of client units can be divided into a plurality of management units based on the difference in management form, and at least one included in the game system Records two computers in association with the game elements and consideration Based on the consideration setting data for each management unit, consideration determination means for determining the consideration to be imposed on the user for each management unit, and the consideration for the game elements classified into the first category among the plurality of game elements Based on a setting operation performed for each management unit, first consideration setting means for setting the compensation setting data for each management unit, and the first category among the plurality of game elements Based on a setting operation performed on one or more management units included in a predetermined setting range, the consideration relating to the game element classified in the second category so as not to overlap with the game element classified into , And configured to function as second consideration setting means for setting the compensation setting data of the management unit included in the setting range.

The figure which shows the whole structure of the game system which concerns on one form of this invention. The figure which shows the mechanism of the price setting in a game system. The functional block diagram of the principal part of the control system in a game system. The flowchart which shows the process relevant to the price setting performed between a shop system and a server system. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the price setting table creation process performed in order that the price management part of a server unit may create a price setting table. The figure which shows the modification of FIG. The figure which shows the other modification of FIG.

  FIG. 1 shows a game system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The game system 1 includes a store system 10 constructed for each store 2 as an example of a client unit, and a server system 20 as an example of a server unit provided in common for each store system 10. Each store 2 is configured as an amusement store including one or a plurality of game machines 3A, 3B (hereinafter, may be represented by reference numeral 3). Each game machine 3 is configured as a business game machine that allows the user to play a game on condition that the user pays a consideration. Such game machines are sometimes called arcade game machines. The game machines 3A, 3B,... Are configured to allow the user to play different types of games. In the store system 10 illustrated in FIG. 1, one game machine 3 is installed for each type of game, and as shown by a one-dot chain line in FIG. One management unit MU is formed. A plurality of game machines 3 may be installed for the same type of game.

  In each game machine 3, a price set as a consideration for using various services prepared in the game, for example, a play fee for playing one game, should be paid to continue playing the game A method of paying the continuation fee using a cash currency or an alternative currency and a method of paying using an electronic currency can be selected. However, with respect to some game elements, the payment method of the price may be limited to only a payment method using electronic currency. For example, the price of the content such as an item that can be purchased in the game may be set to be smaller than the minimum unit amount (for example, 100 yen or 50 yen) such as currency that the game machine 3 can physically accept. is there. In such a case, the game machine 3 is configured such that the consideration can be paid only by an electronic currency that can be settled in small units without being subject to physical restrictions. The payment of the value when using electronic currency is executed by a method of subtracting an amount of electronic currency equivalent to the price from the user's account stored on the server system 20 in response to a request from the game machine 3. The details are omitted here.

  Each game machine 3 of the store system 10 is connected to the Internet 5 via the router 11. The store system 10 is also provided with a store terminal 12 for the manager of the store 2 to set or browse various information. The store terminal 12 is a personal computer as an example. The store terminal 12 is also connected to the Internet 5 via the router 11. Although FIG. 1 shows details of the store system 10 corresponding to one store 2, the other stores 2 similarly have one or a plurality of game machines 3 and store terminals 12 and those games. The machine 3 and the store terminal 12 have a common configuration in that they are connected to the Internet 5.

  On the other hand, the server system 20 includes server units 21 </ b> A, 21 </ b> B (which may be represented by reference numeral 21) as a plurality of computer devices, and a router 22 that connects these server units 21 to the Internet 5. Including. When the game machine 3 and the server unit 21 are connected to each other via the Internet 5, the game machine 3 functions as a client device for the server system 20. The server system 20 may use a single server unit. Alternatively, the server system 20 may be logically constructed using cloud computing. The server system 20 is further provided with a management terminal 23. The management terminal 23 is provided as a terminal device for an administrator of the server system 20 to set various information on the server system 20 and manage the server system 20. The management terminal 23 is also a personal computer as an example. The management terminal 23 can be connected to the server unit 21.

  Next, price setting in the game system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 shows an example of setting prices (an example of consideration) of various game elements that can be used in the game machine 3B with one game machine 3B as a management unit MU. In FIG. 2, game elements are expressed as items, but the items include services such as one-time play of a game and continuation of play, and items such as items that can be purchased in the game. . Moreover, even if it is the same goods or services, items shall differ according to the payment method of consideration. In addition, the utilization regarding an item includes various acts, such as a user enjoying a service or using goods, such as an item. Hereinafter, an action in which a user pays a consideration and uses an item may be expressed as purchase of the item.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the game machine 3B holds price setting data DP as an example of the price setting data. The price setting data DP is a set of records in which items and prices available in the game machine 3B are recorded in association with each other. When the user purchases an item with the game machine 3B, a price corresponding to the item is determined based on the price setting data DP and charged to the user. In the price setting data DP, various items that can be acquired by the user in the game machine 3B are recorded separately in a price setting A table Ta, a price setting B table Tb, and a price setting C table Tc. Yes.

  The tables Ta and Tb relate to items classified into the first category CL1 that allows the manager of the store 2 to set prices using the store terminal 12. Further, the table Ta relates to items A1, A2,... An ... for which the consideration is paid in cash currency or alternative currency, and the table Tb relates to items B1, B2,. is there. For example, when a fee for playing a game once on the game machine 3B can be selectively paid in either cash currency or electronic currency, the prices Pa1, Pa2,. Are recorded in the table Ta, and prices Pb1, Pb2,... Pbn,. The tables Ta and Tb may be provided from the server system 20 side at the time of shipment or initial setting of the game machine 3B. However, after the operation is started, the tables Ta and Tb are edited (added or changed) from the server system 20 side. , Deletion, etc.) is impossible.

  On the other hand, the table Cc cannot be set by the manager of the store 2, and the item C1 classified into the second section CL2 in which the manager of the server system 20 can set the price using the management terminal 23. , C2,... Cn. Items recorded in the table Tc are limited to items that can be paid for only in electronic currency. Further, the items recorded in the table Tc are selected so as not to overlap with the items recorded in the tables Ta and Tb of the first section CL1. That is, in the price setting data DP, items that can be set by the manager of the store 2 and their prices are listed in the tables Ta and Tb of the first division CL1, and items that can be set by the manager of the server system 20 and their prices. The price is recorded in the table Tc of the second section CL2, and the items do not overlap between the sections CL1 and CL2. In other words, there is no item that can be priced by both the manager of the store 2 and the manager of the server system 20.

  Whether items that can be purchased by the user in the game machine 3B should be classified into the first section CL1 or the second section CL2 may be set according to various circumstances. As an example, there is a strong need for the store 2 to flexibly set the fee required for one play, the fee required for continuous play, etc., while the needs to be set uniformly on the server system 20 side are relative. Low. Moreover, if the price when paying in cash currency is set on the store 2 side and the price when paying in electronic currency is set on the server system 20 side, there is a possibility that a price difference corresponding to the payment method will occur even for the same game element. is there. Therefore, such items are classified into the first category CL1. In other words, items that can be paid only in cash currency (or alternative currency) by the game machine 3B and items that can be paid selectively in cash currency or electronic currency are classified into the first category CL1. On the other hand, for items such as items that can be purchased in the game, the price is set to a small amount compared to the game play, or an amount with a fraction that is not divisible by the smallest unit amount that can be paid by cash etc. The game machine 3 may not be able to settle unless it is electronic currency. In addition, items and the like may be brought into another store 2 and used in the same type of game machine 3B. Therefore, items that can be paid only with electronic currency are classified into the second category CL2. However, not only items that can be paid only in electronic currency, but items that are paid in electronic currency (items in table Tb) may all be classified into the second category CL2.

  The prices of the tables Ta and Tb can be edited as appropriate by the manager of the store 2 accessing the game machine 3B from the store terminal 12, calling the tables Ta and Tb, and inputting the price for each item. On the other hand, the price of the table Tc cannot be edited from the store terminal 12. For example, when calling the price setting data DP of the game machine 3B from the store terminal 12, the table Tc may be set as read-only data and its editing may be prohibited. The table Tc is recorded in the price setting data DP when the game machine 3B periodically accesses the server unit 21 and acquires the price setting C data of the table Tc suitable for the game machine 3B in the store 2. .

  The server system 20 holds price management data DM1 and store management data DM2 as information for creating price setting C data to be provided to the game machine 3B. The price management data DM1 includes a standard price table Ts in which items related to pricing C (that is, items to be recorded in the table Tc) and standard prices are recorded in association with each other, and prices recorded in the standard price table Ts. Price fluctuation information Fi1, Fi2,... (Hereinafter, may be represented by reference symbol Fi) as an example of consideration fluctuation information for temporarily changing is recorded. The standard price table Ts shows only one type in FIG. 2, but in reality, the type of game (depending on the title and version of the game), the region of the store 2, the business operator that operates the store 2, A plurality of types of standard price tables Ts are prepared according to the attributes of the store 2 and the game machine 3. The store management data DM2 is a set of various management information necessary to determine the attributes of the store 2 and the game machine 3. A plurality of types of standard price tables Ts are prepared in association with attributes specified by information recorded in the store management data DM2.

  Necessary information for determining the attributes of the store 2 and the game machine 3 such as store code and item code from the game machine 3B based on the store management data DM2 when the game machine 3B requests the price setting C data. Are also provided. The server unit 21 determines the attributes of the store 2 and the game machine 3B based on the information provided from the game machine 3B and the information recorded in the store management data DM2, and is applied to the attribute. The standard price table Ts to be specified is specified. The standard price table Ts is not applied only to the same type of game machine 3 in one store 2, and as long as the attributes match, the same price type Ts can be used regardless of the operator's difference. The present invention can be commonly applied to the game machine 3 that provides a game. That is, the standard price table Ts is a table Ts that is set collectively with all the management units MU to which the same price should be applied as a setting range.

  The price fluctuation information Fi is information that specifies how and under what conditions the price of the standard price table Ts should be changed. For example, in the case where a campaign for discounting the price for a limited period is implemented for an item that can be purchased on the game machine 3B, the conditions to which the campaign should be applied (target item, period, target area, Store, store operator, etc.) and the contents of the campaign, for example, a 20% discount or the special price itself, are described in the price fluctuation information Fi. By referring to the store code information provided from the game machine 3 of the store 2 and the store management data DM2, the server unit 21 determines whether there is price fluctuation information Fi to be applied to the game machine 3B. If there is price fluctuation information Fi to be applied, the price setting in the standard price table Ts is corrected according to the price fluctuation information Fi.

  As described above, the server unit 21 creates price setting C data to be provided to the game machine 3B. The data to be created is the standard price table Ts itself, or data corrected based on the price fluctuation information Fi. By providing the data from the server system 20 to the game machine 3B, the table Tc is recorded in the price setting data DP held by the game machine 3B. The standard price table Ts and the price fluctuation information Fi can be appropriately edited by the administrator of the server system 20 using the management terminal 23.

  As described above, in the game system 1, items that can be purchased by the user in the game machine 3 are classified into the first category CL1 and the second category CL2, and the price of the item classified in the first category CL1 is the store 2 The manager on the side can appropriately set, and the price of the item classified in the second category CL2 cannot be set on the store 2 side, and is set only based on the setting operation of the administrator on the server system 20 side. Therefore, by appropriately selecting whether each item should be classified into the first division CL1 or the second division CL2, it is reasonable according to the convenience of the operator of the store 2 and the operator of the server system 20. The price can be set.

  Next, the control system of the game system 1 and its processing for realizing the price setting described above will be described in order. FIG. 3 shows a configuration of a main part particularly related to the realization of price setting in the control system of the game system 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the game machine 3 functions as a control unit 31 as a computer device that executes various arithmetic processes necessary for causing the user to play an arcade game, and as an external storage device for the control unit 31. Storage device 32 is provided. The storage device 32 is a storage means capable of storing and holding, such as a magnetic hard disk and a nonvolatile semiconductor memory, in which a game machine program PG1 and various data to be appropriately referred to by the game machine 3 are stored. Saved. The data stored in the storage device 32 includes price setting data DP. However, the price setting data PD on the storage device 32 includes only the tables Ta and Tb related to the prices of the items belonging to the first classification CL1, and does not include the table Tc.

  When the control unit 31 executes the game machine program PG1, the control unit 31 includes a game control unit 34, a price determination unit 35, and a logical device realized by a combination of computer hardware and software. A price setting unit 36 is provided. The game control unit 34 executes various arithmetic processes necessary for the progress of the arcade game in the game machine 3, and the price determination unit 35 determines the price of the item that the user intends to purchase in response to a request from the game control unit 34. Is obtained from the price setting data PD and provided to the game control unit 34. The game control unit 34 to which the price is provided executes processing according to the payment method and collects the consideration from the user, but the procedure may be the same as that of a known game machine, and the description is omitted. The price setting data DP referred to by the price determination unit 35 is data read into the internal memory of the control unit 31, and the data includes a table Tc related to items classified into the second category CL2 according to the procedure described later. ing.

  The price setting unit 36 is a logical device for editing the price setting data DP held by the price determination unit 35. That is, the price setting unit 36 operates the tables Ta and Tb held by the price determination unit 35 according to the instruction from the store terminal 12 or acquires the table Tc of the price setting C from the server system 20 and Processing such as writing to the price setting data DP is executed.

  The server unit 21 of the server system 20 is provided with a control unit 41 as a computer device and a storage device 42 that functions as an external storage device for the control unit 41. The storage device 42 is a storage means capable of storing and holding such as a magnetic hard disk and a nonvolatile semiconductor memory, in which a server program PG2 and various data to be appropriately referred to by the control unit 41 are stored. Has been. The data stored in the storage device 42 includes the above-described price management data DM1 and store management data DM2. Further, when the control unit 41 executes the server program PG2, the control unit 41 is provided with a price management unit 43 as a logical device realized by a combination of computer hardware and software. The price management unit 43 operates the price management data DM1 and the store management data DM2 in accordance with the instruction from the management terminal 23, or the data of the price setting C to be applied to the game machine 3 based on the data DM1 and DM2. Is in charge of the process of creating and providing it to the game machine 3.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing processes related to price setting among various processes performed between the store system 10 and the server system 20. When the game machine 3 is powered on and activated, the game machine 3 first reads the tables Ta and Tb related to the price settings A and B of the price setting data DP from the storage device 32 to the internal memory of the control unit 31. (Step S11). Next, a table Tc for price setting C is requested from the price setting unit 36 to the server unit 21, and in response to this, the table Tc provided from the server unit 21 is acquired by the price setting unit 36 and stored in the control unit 31. It is written in the price setting data DP on the internal memory (step S12). Thus, the price setting data DP is set, and thereafter the game is advanced under the control of the game control unit 34. Meanwhile, the price determination unit 35 determines the price of the item that the user intends to purchase based on the price setting data DP, and provides this to the game control unit 34.

  The manager of the store 2 can edit the tables Ta and Tb of the price settings A and B by operating the store terminal 12 at an appropriate timing (step S21). When the editing operation is performed, the editing content is acquired by the price setting unit 36 of the game machine 3, and the tables Ta and Tb of the price setting data DP held in the internal memory of the control unit 31 are updated (step S13). ). Along with the update, the price determination unit 35 stores the updated tables Ta and Tb of the price setting data DP in the storage device 32.

  On the other hand, when a price setting C table Tc is requested from the price setting unit 36 of the game machine 3, the price management unit 43 of the server unit 21 uses the price setting C table Tc to be applied to the game machine 3. It is created and provided to the game machine 3 (step S31). The procedure for creating the table Tc will be described later. Further, the administrator of the server system 20 can edit the price management data DM1 using the management terminal 23 at an appropriate timing (step S41). For example, the administrator of the server system 20 can perform operations such as editing the standard price table Ts, changing, adding, deleting a part of the contents, or adding new price fluctuation information Fi. When an editing operation is performed on the management terminal 23, the price management unit 43 updates the price management data DM1 stored in the storage device 42 (step S32).

  The price setting unit 36 of the game machine 3 periodically accesses the server unit 21 and acquires a table Tc of price setting C (step S14). Each time a request from the game machine 3 is received, the price management unit 43 of the server unit 21 creates a table Tc of price setting C based on the latest price management data DM1 and provides it to the game machine 3 (step S33).

  Through the above processing, the game machine 3 has the latest tables Ta and Tb related to the price settings A and B set by operating the store terminal 12 and the latest price management data DM1 set by operating the management terminal 23. The table Tc of the price setting C based on is taken in a timely manner, and the collection of the price based on the latest price setting is realized.

  FIG. 5 shows the procedure of the price setting table creation process executed by the price management unit 43 of the server unit 21 to create the price setting C table Tc. In this process, the price management unit 43 first acquires information necessary for price determination such as a store code and an item code from the game machine 3 (step S101), and searches the store management data DM2 based on the information. The attribute of the game machine 3 is determined (step S102). Next, the price management unit 43 acquires the standard price table Ts associated with the determined attribute from the price management data DM1 (step S103). For example, the type of game played on the game machine 3 is specified based on the item code, and the standard price table Ts suitable for the game is acquired. For a game of the same type, when there are a plurality of tables Ts according to the attributes of the store 2 such as the area where the store 2 is installed and the business operator of the store 2, the attribute specified based on the store code or the like is further added. The table Ts is selected in consideration.

  Subsequently, the price management unit 43 searches the price management data DM1 from the viewpoint of whether there is price fluctuation information Fi that the game machine 3 satisfies the application condition (step S104). In the price fluctuation information Fi, since the target item, the period, the area to be applied, the store, the store operator, etc. are described as the conditions to which the price fluctuation should be applied, it is acquired in step S101, Alternatively, price fluctuation information Fi that satisfies the application conditions may be extracted using the attribute determined in step S102 as a clue. Next, the price management unit 43 determines whether or not price fluctuation information Fi that satisfies the application conditions has been extracted (step S105). If it has been extracted, the price fluctuation contents described in the price fluctuation information Fi are extracted. Accordingly, the price setting of the standard price table Ts is corrected (step S106). When multiple types of price fluctuation information Fi are extracted, for example, the price fluctuation information Fi may be selected according to a predetermined rule, such as applying the latest information Fi. Alternatively, when there is no contradiction between the price fluctuation information Fi, the table Ts may be corrected based on a plurality of types of price fluctuation information Fi.

  Thereafter, the price management unit 43 determines the corrected table as the price setting C table Tc to be applied to the game machine 3 (step S107), and thereafter ends the processing of FIG. If it is determined in step S105 that the price fluctuation information Fi has not been extracted, the price management unit 43 skips step S106 and uses the standard price table Ts acquired in step S103 for the price setting C to be applied to the game machine 3. The table Tc is determined.

  In the above embodiment, the price determination unit 35 functions as an example of the price determination unit, and the price setting unit 36 functions as an example of the first price setting unit by executing the process of step S13 in FIG. The unit 43 functions as an example of a second value setting unit by executing steps S31 to S33 in FIG. 4 and steps S101 to S107 in FIG.

  This invention is not limited to the form mentioned above, It is possible to implement with the form to which the appropriate deformation | transformation and change were given. For example, in the above embodiment, one game machine 3 in one store 2 forms one management unit MU. However, as long as the price setting on the store 2 side can be shared, there are a plurality of one management unit MU. A single game machine 3 may be included. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, when a plurality of game machines 3B that provide the same type of game are provided in one store 2, price setting data DP to be applied to those game machines 3B is stored. In a form in which each game machine 3B is determined on the in-store server 13 and the price is determined by referring to the price setting data DP of the in-store server 13, a plurality of game machines 3B are accommodated in one management unit MU. Then, the operations of the price setting A and B tables Ta and Tb using the store terminal 12 may be performed collectively between the game machines 3B. Instead of the in-store server 13, any one game machine 3B may function as an in-store server.

  In the form of FIG. 1 or FIG. 6, the management unit is set within the range of one store system 10 as an example of the client unit, but the management unit is set across a plurality of store systems 10. Also good. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, each of the game machines 3B that provide the same type of game installed in each of the plurality of store systems 10 is included in one management unit MU and applied to the management unit MU. The price setting data DP to be performed may be held in the database DB in the server system 20. In this case, the table Ta and Tb of the price setting data DP corresponding to the management unit MU may be edited by operating the store terminal 12, while the table Tc of the price setting data DP may be set by operating the management terminal 23. The form of FIG. 7 can be adapted to an application in which, for example, the price setting is shared between affiliated stores with the same operator.

  As is clear from the above example, the management unit can be appropriately classified as a unit for managing the price setting in common by the administrator on the client side. The price setting for each management unit is not limited to the example realized by the operation of the store terminal 12, and the administrator on the client unit side may set the price using the game machine 3.

  In the above embodiment, the price set by the administrator on the server system 20 side can be commonly applied to the game machines 3B within the setting range including a plurality of management units MU. The setting range to which the price set by the administrator of the manager is to be applied may be set so as to include only the game machine 3 of a specific management unit MU. For example, if the price fluctuation information Fi is configured so that price fluctuation is applied only to the management unit MU targeting only one or a plurality of game machines 3 installed at a specific event venue, the price As a result, the table Tc modified based on the variation information Fi is applied only to the game machine 3 of a single management unit MU.

  In the above form, the price when the user purchases an item as a game element can be regarded as a consideration, and the price setting can be set separately for the administrator on the store system 10 side and the administrator on the server system 20 side However, when points or other game value or monetary value is returned to the user in accordance with the purchase, the set amount of the value to be returned or the return rate is set with the manager on the store system 10 side and the server system. The administrator on the 20th side may be set according to game elements. In other words, the value means the game value or monetary value that should be consumed by the user in exchange for the use of the game element. When the above-described return is performed, the amount of return and the return rate are set. As a result, the setting of the value is changed.

  Various aspects of the present invention derived from each of the above-described embodiments and modifications will be described below. In the following description, in order to facilitate understanding of each aspect of the present invention, corresponding members illustrated in the accompanying drawings are added in parentheses, but the present invention is thereby limited to the illustrated embodiments. It is not a thing.

  A game system (1) according to an aspect of the present invention includes a server unit (20) and at least one game device (3A, 3B, 3C) capable of causing a user to play a predetermined game and the server. And a plurality of client units (10) connectable via a network (5), and each game device of the plurality of client units includes the predetermined game on condition that the user pays a price. Each of the plurality of game elements associated with the user can be used by the user, and each game device of the plurality of client units is divided into a plurality of management units (MUs) based on the difference in management form. In a possible game system, based on the consideration setting data (DP) for each management unit recorded in association with the game element and the consideration. And a consideration determining means (35) for determining a consideration to be imposed on the user for each management unit, and a consideration relating to a game element classified into a first category (CL1) among the plurality of game elements. Based on a setting operation performed for each unit, first consideration setting means (36, S13) for setting the compensation setting data for each management unit, and the first of the plurality of game elements. Setting that is performed for one or more management units included in a predetermined setting range, with respect to the game element classified in the second category (CL2) so as not to overlap with the game element classified in the category Second compensation setting means (43, S31 to S33, S101 to 107) for setting the compensation setting data of the management unit included in the setting range based on the operation. It is.

  A computer program (PG1, PG2) according to an aspect of the present invention includes a server unit (20) and at least one game device (3A, 3B, 3C) capable of causing a user to play a predetermined game; A plurality of client units (10) connectable to the server unit via a network (5), and each game device of the plurality of client units has the predetermined condition on condition that payment of the consideration by the user Each of the plurality of game elements associated with the game can be used by the user, and each of the game devices of the plurality of client units has a plurality of management units (MU) based on the difference in management form. A computer program applied to a game system (1) that can be divided into two types, and is included in the game system Based on the consideration setting data (DP) for each management unit in which the game element and the consideration are recorded in association with each other, at least one computer (31, 41) determines the compensation to be imposed on the user for each management unit. A consideration determining means (35) for determining a consideration relating to a game element classified into the first category (CL1) among the plurality of game elements, based on a setting operation performed for each management unit. The first consideration setting means (36, S13) set for the consideration setting data and the game elements classified in the first category among the plurality of game elements are not duplicated. Based on a setting operation performed on one or more management units included in a predetermined setting range, the value related to the game elements classified in the two categories (CL2) The second consideration setting means for setting relative consideration setting data management unit contained in the set range (43, S31~S33, S101~107), those that are configured to function as a.

  According to the game system and the computer program of the above aspect, the game elements that can be used by the user in the game device are classified into the first classification and the second classification, and the consideration of the game elements classified in the first classification is the client part. The manager on the side can appropriately set, and the consideration for the items classified in the second category can be appropriately set by the manager on the server unit side. Accordingly, by appropriately selecting whether each game element should be classified into the first category or the second category, the consideration of each game element is determined according to the convenience of the server side operator and the client side operator. Can be set reasonably.

  Note that the computer program according to one embodiment of the present invention may be provided in a state of being stored in a storage medium. By using this storage medium, for example, by installing and executing the computer program according to the present invention in a computer, the game system of the present invention can be realized using the computer. The storage medium storing the computer program may be a non-transitory storage medium such as a CDROM.

  In the above aspect, the first consideration setting means may set a consideration relating to the game elements classified into the first category based on a setting operation by an administrator on the client unit side. According to this, the administrator of the client unit side can appropriately set the consideration for the game elements classified in the first category.

  Further, a setting operation by an administrator on the client unit side may be performed on the client unit. According to this, when the administrator performs the setting operation on the client unit side, the consideration regarding the game element of the first division in the client unit can be appropriately set.

  In the above aspect, the second consideration setting means may set a consideration relating to game elements classified into the second category based on a setting operation by an administrator on the server unit side. According to this, the administrator of the client unit side can appropriately set the value of the game element classified in the first category and reflect this in the value setting data of the management unit included in the setting range. .

  In the above aspect, the consideration setting data is held on the client unit side, and the first consideration setting unit is assigned to the first section based on a setting operation in the client unit by an administrator on the client unit side. The consideration setting data stored in the client unit is operated so that the consideration relating to the game element to be classified is set, and the second consideration setting unit is configured based on the setting operation of the administrator on the server unit side. Consideration for the game elements classified in the second category is determined (S101 to S107), and information on the determined consideration is provided from the server unit to the client unit corresponding to the management unit included in the setting range. Consideration for game elements classified in the second category by reflecting in the consideration setting data of the client part (S31, S33) It may be set. According to this, the consideration of the game element classified into the first category among the game elements recorded in the consideration setting data can be appropriately set according to the setting operation of the administrator in each client unit. The consideration of the game elements classified into the categories is determined as appropriate based on the setting operation of the administrator in the server unit, and the determined consideration is provided from the server unit to the client unit and set in the consideration setting data of the management unit. The Therefore, reasonable price setting can be realized by sharing and setting the consideration setting data held in the client part by the administrator of the client part and the administrator of the server part.

  In the above aspect, consideration fluctuation information (Fi1, Fi2,...) For fluctuating consideration relating to the game elements classified in the second category is held in the server unit in a state where application conditions are determined, and the second consideration setting is performed. When the consideration fluctuation information that satisfies the application condition exists for the management unit (Yes in S105), the means converts the consideration to be applied to the consideration setting data of the management unit to the consideration fluctuation information that satisfies the application condition. It may be corrected based on (S106), and the corrected price may be set in the price setting data of the management unit. According to this, the compensation setting information regarding the compensation of the game element classified in the second category is stored in the server unit with an appropriate application condition, so that the compensation setting of the management unit within the setting range is performed. The consideration to be applied to the data can be varied as appropriate. Since it is possible to manage when the price fluctuation is executed according to the application conditions, it is possible to apply a temporary price fluctuation operation or the like according to the convenience of the server side operator within an appropriate range.

  Furthermore, the application condition may be set in association with at least one of a time or a management unit attribute. As a result, the prices of game elements classified into the second category by implementing campaigns and events limited to the game device of a management unit having a specific attribute for a certain period of time according to the convenience of the server side operator. Can be varied.

  In the above aspect, at least some of the plurality of game elements include game elements that can be paid only by a payment method using electronic currency, and the game elements are classified into the second category. May be. When paying the value in cash currency or alternative currency, the minimum unit amount that can be paid is often set higher than the minimum unit amount of the currency due to physical restrictions of the game device. On the other hand, in the payment method using the electronic currency, payment can be made in small units without being physically restricted by the game apparatus. That is, even if the payment method using cash or the like is a small amount that cannot be paid, or even a price with a fraction, if it is an electronic currency, it can be easily paid without being physically restricted by the game apparatus. Taking advantage of such features, content such as items that can be used in a game may be prepared as a game element that can only be paid for by electronic currency. By classifying these game elements into the second category, the value of that type of game element is commonly set according to the convenience of the server-side business operator, so that items purchased at one store at low prices It is possible to prevent inconveniences such as being used in a store.

1 game system 2 store 3A, 3B, 3C game machine (game device)
5 Internet (network)
10 Store system (client part)
12 store terminal 13 server in store 20 server system (server part)
21A, 21B Server unit 23 Management terminal 31 Control unit (computer)
35 Price Determination Department (Compensation Method)
36 Price setting section (first price setting means)
41 Control unit (computer)
43 Price Management Department

Claims (9)

A server unit, and a plurality of client units including at least one game device capable of causing a user to play a predetermined game and connectable to the server unit via a network, In each game device, it is possible to allow the user to use each of the plurality of game elements associated with the predetermined game on condition that the user pays the consideration, and each of the plurality of client units In a game system in which a game device can be divided into a plurality of management units based on the difference in management form,
Price determination means for determining the price to be imposed on the user for each management unit based on the price setting data for each management unit recorded in association with the game element and the price;
A value for the game element classified into the first category among the plurality of game elements is set for the value setting data for each management unit based on a setting operation performed for each management unit. Compensation setting means,
Among the plurality of game elements, one or more compensation values included in a predetermined setting range are included in a predetermined setting range with respect to a game element classified in the second category so as not to overlap with a game element classified in the first category A game system comprising: a second value setting unit configured to set the value setting data of the management unit included in the setting range based on a setting operation performed on the management unit.   2. The game system according to claim 1, wherein the first value setting unit sets a value related to a game element classified into the first category based on a setting operation of an administrator on the client unit side.   The game system according to claim 2, wherein a setting operation of an administrator on the client unit side is performed on the client unit.   The said 2nd consideration setting means sets the compensation regarding the game element classified into the said 2nd division based on the setting operation of the administrator at the said server part side. Game system. The consideration setting data is held on the client unit side,
The first consideration setting means is configured to set a compensation for a game element classified in the first category based on a setting operation in the client unit by an administrator on the client unit side. Manipulate the stored value setting data,
The second price setting means determines a price related to the game element classified in the second category based on a setting operation by the administrator on the server side, and determines the information of the determined price from the server section. The compensation for the game elements classified in the second category is set by providing it to the client unit corresponding to the management unit included in the setting range and reflecting it in the compensation setting data of the client unit. The described game system. Price fluctuation information for changing the price related to the game element classified in the second category is held in the server unit in a state where an application condition is defined,
The second price setting means, when there is price fluctuation information that satisfies the application condition for the management unit, the price fluctuation information that satisfies the application condition is determined as the price to be applied to the price setting data of the management unit. The game system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the game system is modified based on the value and the value after the modification is set in the value setting data of the management unit.   The game system according to claim 6, wherein the application condition is set in association with at least one of a time and an attribute of a management unit.   The game element that can be paid only by a payment method using electronic currency is included in at least a part of the plurality of game elements, and the game element is classified into the second category. The game system according to any one of 1 to 7. A server unit, and a plurality of client units including at least one game device capable of causing a user to play a predetermined game and connectable to the server unit via a network, In each game device, it is possible to allow the user to use each of the plurality of game elements associated with the predetermined game on condition that the user pays the consideration, and each of the plurality of client units A game apparatus is a computer program applied to a game system that can be divided into a plurality of management units based on differences in management form, and at least one computer included in the game system includes:
Consideration determining means for determining for each management unit a consideration to be imposed on the user based on the consideration setting data for each management unit recorded in association with the game element and the consideration;
A value for the game element classified into the first category among the plurality of game elements is set for the value setting data for each management unit based on a setting operation performed for each management unit. A consideration setting means, and a consideration regarding a game element classified in the second category so as not to overlap with a game element classified in the first category among the plurality of game elements, a predetermined setting range Second compensation setting means for setting the compensation setting data of the management unit included in the setting range based on a setting operation performed on one or more management units included in
A computer program for a game system configured to function as a computer program.

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