JP2020095643A - In-game auction system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an in-game auction system capable of preventing users from feeling different from what they had imagined about an item usable in a game of which the users won the bid.SOLUTION: In an in-game auction system, a server used by an operator and terminals used by users are connected via a network, and users bid for a game medium which is usable for the users in the game and put up by the operator. When a bid user wins the game medium, the server associates and stores the game medium with the successful user in a storage unit, and makes the game medium available to the user. When a bid user bids for a game medium, if a predetermined condition is satisfied, the server associates and stores the game medium with the bid user in the storage unit, makes the game medium available to the bid user for a given period before a bid period ends.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

The present invention relates to an in-game auction system.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an auction system is known in which a bid is placed for a product put up by a user (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP, 2002-169992, A

The auction item can be used in the conventional auction only after the user makes a successful bid for the item and obtains the item. In this method, the user sometimes feels that the exhibit is different from what he had imagined after the successful bid and acquisition of the exhibit.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to suppress the user from feeling that the product exhibited in a successful bid game is different from what was imagined. It is to provide an in-game auction system capable of doing so.

(1) In the present invention, the server used by the operator and the terminal used by the user are connected via a network, and the user bids for the game medium that the user can use in the game and the operator puts up. In the in-game auction system, the server stores the game content in a storage unit in association with the bid user when the bidder (hereinafter referred to as the bid user) wins the game content. The first enabling unit that makes the game content available to the bid user, and if the predetermined condition is satisfied when the bid user makes a bid for the game content, the game content is enabled. A second enabling unit that stores the game content in association with the bid user in the storage unit and makes the game content available to the bid user for a given period before the end of the bidding period. A featured in-game auction system.

According to the present invention, when a user bids on a game content and a predetermined condition is satisfied, the user can use the game content before the end of the bidding period. You can solve problems that you feel are different.

(2) In the in-game auction system according to the present invention, the second enablement unit may determine that the predetermined condition is satisfied when the bid user bids the game content at the prompt decision price. ..

According to the present invention, in an in-game auction system, when a user bids on a game content at a prompt decision price, the user can use the game content before the end of the bidding period. You can solve problems that you feel are different from what you used to have.

(3) In the in-game auction system according to the present invention, the second enablement unit determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied when the bid user who has bid on the game medium is the highest bidder. You may.

According to the present invention, when the user bids on the game medium and becomes the highest bidder, the user can use the game medium before the end of the bidding period. Can solve problems that you feel are different from.

(4) In the in-game auction system according to the present invention, the game medium is set with parameters that change according to the progress of the game when used in the game, and the second enablement is enabled. The department may increase the parameter of the game content made available to the bid user according to the bid amount of the bid user.

According to the present invention, the user can try the game content with the increased parameter depending on the bid amount before the end of the bidding period.

(5) Further, in the in-game auction system according to the present invention, the game medium is set with parameters that change according to the progress of the game when used in the game, and the second enablement is enabled. When the bid user makes a successful bid for the same game content as the game content made available to the bid user, the section sets the parameters set in the enabled game content to the first enablement unit. May be set to the game content that is made available to the bid user by.

According to the present invention, when a game content that has become available before the end of the bidding period is used in the game and then the game content is successfully bid, the parameters that have changed due to being used in the game before the end of the bidding period However, since it is inherited as a parameter of the game content that has won the bid, it is possible to continue to use the game content without a feeling of discomfort even after making a successful bid.

The figure which shows the in-game auction system of this embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the functional block diagram of the server of this embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the functional block diagram of the terminal of this embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the table information which stores bid information of a user. The figure which shows an example of the table information which stores bid information of a user. The flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the in-game auction system of this embodiment.

The present embodiment will be described below. The present embodiment described below does not unreasonably limit the content of the present invention described in the claims. In addition, not all of the configurations described in the present embodiment are necessary configuration requirements of the invention.

1. Configuration FIG. 1 shows an in-game auction system (game system) of this embodiment. In the present embodiment, it is composed of a plurality of terminals 10 and a server 20 (server system). That is, as shown in FIG. 1, in the in-game auction system of this embodiment, the server 20 that provides the service and the terminals 10 (10A, 10B, 10C,...) Are configured to be connectable to the network. ..

The server 20 is an information processing device that provides an online game service in response to a request from the terminal 10. The server 20 is one or more servers (authentication server, matching server,
Game processing server, communication server, billing server, database server, etc.).

In this embodiment, a game program is executed in the terminal 10, and in the server 20, the user (player) account information, the game result (competition result) of the game executed in the terminal 10, and the game medium usable in the game. Information such as (characters, items, etc.), in-game currency that can be used in the game, play history, match history, and the like are managed.

The terminal 10 is an information processing device such as a mobile terminal (smartphone, mobile phone, portable game machine, etc.), personal computer (PC), game device, image generation device, etc., and is connected via a network such as the Internet (WAN) or LAN. Device that can be connected to the server 20. The communication line between the terminal 10 and the server 20 may be wired or wireless.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a functional block diagram of the server 20 of this embodiment. Note that the server of this embodiment may have a configuration in which some of the components (sections) of FIG. 2 are omitted.

The storage unit 270 stores programs and various data for causing the computer to function as each unit of the processing unit 200, and also functions as a work area of the processing unit 200, and the function can be realized by a hard disk, a RAM, or the like. The storage unit 270 includes a storage unit 272 (for example, a database).

The storage unit 272 stores user information of each of a plurality of users who participate in the online game executed in the in-game auction system of this embodiment. For example, the storage unit 272 stores a user name (player account), a password, destination information (IP address, etc.) of the terminal 10 as user information in association with user identification information (user ID) of each of a plurality of users. To do. The storage unit 272 also stores, as user information, information for identifying another user having a friend relationship (an example of a predetermined relationship) with the user. In addition, the storage unit 272 associates the user identification information with information about the game medium (character) owned by the user, information about the items owned by the user, information about the user's battle result and the battle history, and the like. Store as.

The communication unit 296 performs various controls for performing communication with the terminal 10 and other servers, and the function thereof can be realized by hardware such as various processors or communication ASICs, programs, and the like.

The processing unit 200 (processor) performs various processes such as user information management, login/logout processing, and communication control processing based on data, programs, etc. transmitted from the terminal 10 and received via the communication unit 296. The processing unit 200 performs various processes using the storage unit 270 as a work area. The function of the processing unit 200 can be realized by hardware such as various processors (CPU, DSP, etc.), ASIC (gate array, etc.), or a program. The processing unit 200 includes an auction processing unit 210, a first enablement unit 212, and a second enablement unit 214.

The auction processing unit 210 notifies the user (the terminal 10) of the information about the game content put up by the operator and the bid period set in association with the game content, and the user for the game content during the bid period. After accepting the bid and ending the bidding period, the bid user having the highest bid price among the bid users is awarded the bid. In addition, when a prompt decision price is set for the game content put up by the operator, the bid user who bids at the prompt decision price may be awarded.

The first enabling unit 212 determines that, when a bid user wins a game content, the user (successful bidder) makes a payment (for example, depositing the successful bid amount in the game currency) within a predetermined payment period. Under the condition, the game content is stored in the storage unit 270 in association with the successful bidder, and the game content is made available to the successful bidder (registered in the user information as the game content owned by the successful bidder. ) Perform processing.

The second enabling unit 214 causes the storage unit 270 to store the game content in association with the bid user when a predetermined condition is satisfied when the bid user bids on the game content. , Make the game content available to the bid user for a given period before the end of the bid period (before the successful bid) (register in the user information as the game content temporarily held by the bid user) Perform processing. The second enabling unit 214 may determine that the predetermined condition is satisfied when the bid user bids the game content at the prompt decision price, or when the bid user is the highest bidder, It may be determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied.

In addition, the second enablement unit 214, in accordance with the bid price of the bid user, sets the parameters of the game content to be made available to the bid user (progress of the game when the game content is used in the game. A parameter that changes depending on, for example, the experience value of the character, the level, etc.) may be increased. In addition, when the same game content as the game content made available to the bid user is awarded by the bid user, the second enablement unit 214 sets the parameter set in the made available game content. The game content may be set to be available to the bid user by the first enablement unit.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a functional block diagram of the terminal 10 of this embodiment. Note that the terminal of this embodiment may have a configuration in which some of the components (sections) of FIG. 3 are omitted.

The input unit 150 is a device for inputting (detecting) input information from the user, and outputs the input information (operation input) of the user to the processing unit 100. The function of the input unit 150 can be realized by an input device such as a touch panel, a touch pad, a mouse, direction keys and buttons, and a keyboard.

The storage unit 170 stores a program and various data for causing a computer to function as each unit of the processing unit 100, and also functions as a work area of the processing unit 100, and the function can be realized by a hard disk, a RAM, or the like.

The display unit 190 outputs the game image generated by the processing unit 100, and the function thereof can be realized by a display such as a touch panel, an LCD or a CRT which also functions as the input unit 150.

The sound output unit 192 outputs the sound generated by the processing unit 100, and its function can be realized by a speaker, headphones, or the like.

The communication unit 196 performs various controls for performing communication with the server 20, and the function thereof can be realized by hardware such as various processors or communication ASICs, programs, and the like.

Note that a program and various data for causing a computer to function as each unit of the processing unit 100 stored in the information storage medium included in the server 20 or the storage unit are received via the network, and the received program or data is stored in the storage unit. It may be stored in 170. A case where the terminal is made to function by receiving the program and various data in this way is also included in the scope of the present invention.

The processing unit 100 (processor) is based on input information (operation input) from the input unit 150, a program, data received via the communication unit 196, and the like, game processing, communication control processing, image generation processing, sound generation processing. , And so on. The function of the processing unit 100 can be realized by hardware such as various processors (CPU, DSP, etc.), ASIC (gate array, etc.), or a program.

The processing unit 100 transmits the information specifying the exhibited item and the information specifying the bid amount to the server 20 when there is a user's operation for instructing a bid for the exhibited item (the exhibited game content) within the bidding period. To do. In addition, when there is a user's operation for instructing the settlement of the winning bid amount within the settlement period, the processing unit 100 transmits information specifying that fact to the server 20. The processing unit 100 includes a game processing unit 110, an image generation unit 120, and a sound generation unit 130.

Based on the input information from the input unit 150, the game processing unit 110 advances a game using a game medium owned by the player (for example, a game in which the game medium appears as a character in the game), and according to the progress of the game. A process of updating (changing) the parameter of the game content is performed.

The image generation unit 120 performs drawing processing based on the results of various processing performed by the processing unit 100, thereby generating a game image and outputting the game image to the display unit 190. The image generation unit 120 may generate an image (so-called three-dimensional image) viewed from a virtual camera (given viewpoint) in the object space (game space).

The sound generation unit 130 performs sound processing based on the results of various processes performed by the processing unit 100, generates a game sound such as BGM, a sound effect, or a sound, and outputs the game sound to the sound output unit 192.

In addition, when the game is started, the processing unit 100 transmits information for notifying that the game has started to the server 20, and also receives information regarding the game medium owned by the user from the server 20, so that the game is When finished, the game result information regarding the game result and various game parameters (information regarding the game content held by the user, etc.) is transmitted to the server 20.

The in-game auction system of this embodiment may be configured as a server system. The server system can be configured by one or more servers (authentication server, matching server, game processing server, communication server, billing server, database server, etc.). In this case, the server system has an operation input (input to the input unit of the terminal) transmitted from one or more terminals (for example, a smartphone, a mobile phone, a portable game machine, etc.) connected via a network. Based on the (data), the processing of the game processing unit 110 is performed to generate image generation data for generating an image, and the generated image generation data is transmitted to each terminal. Here, the image generation data is data for displaying an image generated by the method of the present embodiment on each terminal, and may be image data itself or various data used by each terminal to generate an image. It may be data (object data, game processing result data, etc.).

2. Method of this Embodiment Next, the method of this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

The in-game auction system of the present embodiment provides an auction service in which the user bids on the game medium (exhibition) put up by the operator, and when the user makes a bid for the game medium, the predetermined condition is If satisfied, the game content is made available to the user for a given period before the end of the bidding period.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of table information that stores bid information of users. This table information is stored in the storage unit 272. The table information 300 illustrated in FIG. 4 stores a game content ID 320 of a game content that is an exhibit, a bid amount 330, and an available flag 340 in association with the user ID 310 of the user.

When the user makes a bid on the exhibited item, the ID of the game medium that is the exhibited item and the bid amount are registered in the table information 300 as the game medium ID 320 and the bid amount 330 in association with the user ID 310 of the user. .. Further, as the usable flag 340, its initial value (“No” indicating that it cannot be used) is set. In the example shown in FIG. 4, a bid is being placed on the game medium with the game medium ID “G001”, the bid amount of the user with the user ID “001” is “700”, and the bid amount of the user with the user ID “002” is The bid amount of the user with “500” and the user ID “003” is “300”.

Here, when a predetermined condition is satisfied at the time of bidding by the user, the user can temporarily use (trial use) the game content that is an exhibit. For example, when the user who bid for the game content is the highest bidder at that time, it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied, and the usable flag 340 associated with the user ID of the user is usable. It is set to “Yes” indicating that, and the user can temporarily use the game content. In the example shown in FIG. 4, it is set so that the user with the user ID “001” who is the highest bidder at this time can use the game content with the game content ID “G001”. The user with the user ID “001” has a game content ID “G001” for a given period before the bidding period ends (for example, after the availability flag 340 is set to “Yes” until the bidding period ends). This game medium can be used in the game to cause the game medium (character) to appear in the game. Further, the user with the user ID “001” can use the game content after the bidding period ends by making a successful bid for the game content with the game content ID “G001” and making a payment within the payment period. Become.

Here, as shown in FIG. 5, when the user with the user ID “004” bids on the game content with the game content ID “G001” at the bid amount “1,000”, the user with the user ID “004” is assigned. The user newly becomes the highest bidder, the usable flag 340 associated with the user is set to “Yes”, and the user has the game content ID “G001” for a given period before the end of the bidding period. You will be able to use the game content. At this time, as shown in FIG. 5, the usable flag 340 associated with the user with the user ID “001” who is no longer the highest bidder is changed to “No”, and the user has the game medium ID “G001”. The game contents may be disabled. Further, without changing the usable flag 340 of the user with the user ID “001” who is no longer the highest bidder, the user continues to (until the end of the bidding period) the game medium with the game medium ID “G001”. May be used.

In addition, a prompt decision price may be set for the game medium that is an auction item, and the user who bids for the prompt decision price may win the game medium. In this case, when the user bids on the game content at the prompt decision price, it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied, and until the settlement is performed within the settlement period after the end of the bidding period after the bid is placed. The game content may be made available to the user, and when the settlement is made, the game content may be continuously used. Further, when the user bids the game content at the prompt decision price and the settlement is made within the bidding period, it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied, and the game content can be used after that point. Good.

In addition, when the user uses (consumes) a predetermined ticket after bidding on the game content, it is determined that a predetermined condition is satisfied, and a predetermined period before the end of the bidding period (for example, Until the bidding period ends after the ticket is used, a predetermined period elapses after the ticket is used, or the period corresponding to the number and type of tickets used since the ticket has passed During), the game content may be made available to the user.

Parameters (experience value and level of character) are set in the game medium. This parameter changes (increases) according to the progress of the game when the game content is used in the game. Here, when the game content is made available to the user within the bidding period, initial values of the parameters are set in the game content. The user uses the game content made available within the bid period (the game content made available by the second enablement unit 214) in the game to set the parameters of the game content from the initial values to the game progress. It is possible to increase (grow the game medium) according to. After that, when the user makes a successful bid for the game content (the same game content as the game content made available by the second enablement unit 214) and also settles the winning bid amount, the game content is used for the first use. The enabling unit 212 makes it permanently available to the user. At this time, the parameters set in the game contents made usable by the second enabling unit 214 may be set in the game contents made usable by the first enabling unit 212. For example, when the user uses the game content made available within the bid period in the game to raise the level of the game content from “10” to “100”, and then the user makes a successful bid for the game content. , Sets the level of the game content to be permanently available to the user to “100”. In this way, by transferring the parameters of the game content made available to the user within the bid period to the same game content that the user has made a successful bid for, the user can use the game content within the bid period within the game. It is possible to continue to use the game medium that has been grown by the above, even after the successful bid.

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, after the game content is made available to the user with the highest bidder user ID “001”, the new highest bidder user ID “004” If the user having the user ID “001” cannot use the game content by making the game content available to the user, the game content is set to be available to the user having the user ID “001”. The parameter that has been set may be set as the parameter of the game content that can be used by the user with the user ID “004” (take over the parameter).

Further, when the game content is made available to the user within the bid period, instead of setting the initial value as the parameter of the game content, it is set to the game content according to the bid price of the user. You may make it determine the value of a parameter. For example, the higher the bid amount of the user, the larger the value of the parameter set in the game content may be. In this way, the user can increase the bid amount on the assumption that the predetermined condition is satisfied, so that the game content in the state where the parameter is increased (the state where the parameter is grown from the beginning) is played in the game before the end of the bid period. You will be able to use it. If the user wins the same game content as the game content made available within the bid period, the parameters set in the game content made available within the bid period (increased according to the bid amount) The allowed parameter) may be passed to the winning bid game medium, or may not be taken over (the initial value of the parameter is set to the winning bid game medium).

As described above, according to the in-game auction system of the present embodiment, when the user bids on the game content and the predetermined condition is satisfied, the user can use the game content in the game before the end of the bidding period. Therefore, it is possible to solve the problem that the user feels that the auctioned item is different from what was imagined. In addition, the user can determine whether to aim for the successful bid of the game content or not by using the game content in the game before the end of the bidding period. In addition, it is possible to prevent a situation in which an undesired game content is sold at a high price. In addition, by using the game content, which is an exhibit, in the game prior to other users within the bidding period, it may be possible to favorably advance the game, so that the bid can be promoted.

3. Processing Next, an example of processing of the in-game auction system (server 20) of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, the auction processing unit 210 determines whether request information for bidding on the game content has been received from the terminal 10 (step S10). When the request information is received (Y in step S10), the auction processing unit 210 processes a bid by the user of the terminal 10 and associates the user ID of the user with the game content of the game content that is an exhibit. The ID, the bid amount, etc. are registered in the bid information (table information 300) (step S11). Next, the second enablement unit 214 determines whether or not the bid for the game content by the user satisfies a predetermined condition (step S12), and the predetermined condition is satisfied (the user determines the game content as a prompt decision price). If the user has made a bid with or the user is the highest bidder at this time) (Y in step S12), the usable flag 340 associated with the user in the table information 300 is changed to “Yes”. Then, the game content is made available to the user for a given period before the end of the bidding period (step S13). Here, the second enablement unit 214 may increase the parameter set for the usable game content according to the bid amount of the user. Next, the auction processing unit 210 determines whether it is within the bid period (step S14), and when it is within the bid period (Y of step S14), moves to step S10.

When the bidding period ends (N in step S14), the auction processing unit 210 refers to the bid information, determines the bid user with the highest bid amount as the successful bidder, and the terminal of the user who is determined as the successful bidder. The notification information to that effect is transmitted to 10 (step S15). Next, the auction processing unit 210 performs a settlement process for the winning bidder (step S16). Next, the first enablement unit 212 registers the game content, which is an exhibit, in the user information in association with the user who is determined to be the winning bidder, and makes the game content available to the user (step). S17). If the user who has enabled the game content in step S13 is the winning bidder of the game content, the parameters set in the game content enabled in step S13 are enabled in step S17. You may make it set to the game content used.

The present invention is not limited to the one described in the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made. For example, terms referred to as broad or synonymous terms in the description or drawings can be replaced with broad or synonymous terms in other descriptions in the specification or drawings.

10... Terminal, 20... Server, 100... Processing unit, 110... Game processing unit, 120... Image generating unit, 130... Sound generating unit, 150... Input unit, 170... Storage unit, 190... Display unit, 192... Sound output Section, 196... communication section, 200... processing section, 210... auction processing section, 212... first enabling section, 214... second enabling section, 270... storage section, 272... storage section, 296... communication section

Claims (5)

An in-game auction system in which a server used by the operator and a terminal used by the user are connected via a network, the user can use in a game, and the user bids for a game medium put up by the operator. hand,
The server is
When a user who bids (hereinafter referred to as a bid user) wins a game content, the game content is associated with the bid user and stored in the storage unit, and the game content is made available to the bid user. A first enablement unit,
When a bid user makes a bid on a game content and a predetermined condition is satisfied, the game content is stored in the storage unit in association with the bid user, and the given content before the end of the bidding period is stored. An in-game auction system comprising: a second enablement unit that enables the game content to the bid user during the period. In claim 1,
The second enabling unit is
An in-game auction system, characterized in that when a bid user bids on a game content at a prompt decision price, it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied. In claim 1 or 2,
The second enabling unit is
An in-game auction system, wherein the predetermined condition is determined to be satisfied when the bid user who has bid on the game medium is the highest bidder. In any one of Claim 1 thru|or 3,
In the game medium, parameters that change according to the progress of the game when used in the game are set,
The second enabling unit is
An in-game auction system characterized by increasing a parameter of a game medium made available to a bid user according to a bid price of the bid user. In any one of Claim 1 thru|or 4,
In the game medium, parameters that change according to the progress of the game when used in the game are set,
The second enabling unit is
When the same game content as the game content made available to the bid user is awarded by the bid user, the bid set by the first enablement unit is set to the parameter set in the made game content. An in-game auction system characterized by setting a game content that can be used by a user.

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