JP2023018004A - Program, computer system, and control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a useful technology to diversify a player's choices related to advertisement display in a game capable of collecting a play consideration by the advertisement display.

SOLUTION: A player can choose a play consideration payment method before starting a game out of "payment by virtual currency", "payment by consumption of items", and "substitution by perusal of advertisement". In the case of "substitution by perusal of advertisement", the player can further choose a display timing for displaying the advertisement out of "viewing collectively before starting the game", "automatic display on an as-needed-basis during the play", "viewing only at the progress separation points during the play", and "viewing collectively after ending the play". In the latter two cases, advertisement display feeding operation inputs are counted as display performance. If the number of advertisements scheduled to be displayed is not satisfied, data saving is limited, thereby urging perusal of the advertisements without fail.

SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

COPYRIGHT: (C)2023,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to a program and the like for causing a computer system to control advertisement display.

The revenue structure of online games can be broadly divided into a play-based type that collects a play-based value at the time of player registration or each time the player plays, an item-based type that charges for items used in the game, and sponsor advertisements and introduction of charged items. It can be roughly divided into an advertisement type that displays , and a hybrid type that combines advertisements and item charges.

From the point of view of stable earnings, the pay-to-play type is superior, but in terms of inviting new players, it is said that the advertisement type, which basically allows free play, the item charge type, and the hybrid type, are superior. However, depending on the player's temperament, the display of advertising information such as the display of advertisements and the display of recommended items in these types may have the negative effect of attracting the attention of the player who was immersed in the game and diminishing the interest in the game. It is also true that there is Of course, there are players who do not care about displaying advertisements.

In the past, based on the billing history of each player, we categorized player types based on their willingness to play games and their willingness to purchase items. , proposed a technology that encourages purchase of items so that the user can enjoy the game more while reducing the negative effects of displaying advertisement information (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2015-008988 A

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been devised to provide a useful technique for diversifying the player's choices regarding advertisement display in a game in which a play fee can be collected by displaying advertisements.

A first invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is a computer system, in the case where a payment that satisfies a given non-display price condition for hiding an advertisement display during a game is not paid to the computer system. A program for controlling advertisement display,
Display timing setting means (for example, the server processing unit 200s in FIG. 11, the game progress control unit 210, display timing setting unit 212, step S32 in FIG. 22),
Advertisement display control means for displaying the advertisement at the display timing (for example, server processing unit 200s, game progress control unit 210, advertisement display control unit 222 in FIG. 11, S40 to S42 in FIG. 22, steps S64 to S68 in FIG. 23 , steps S120 to S124 in FIG. 24, steps S142 to S144 in FIG. 25),
Display performance management means (for example, the server processing unit 200s of FIG. 11, the game progress control unit 210, the display performance management unit 224, the display performance 744 of FIG. 20, the display performance 744 of FIG. 22 step S44, FIG. 23 step S70, FIG. 24 step S124, FIG. 25 step S144),
Game progress control means for controlling the progress of the game in accordance with the results (for example, the server processing unit 200s of FIG. 11, the game progress control unit 210, the display result-based privilege provision unit 228, the penalty provision control unit 230, and the It is a program for causing the computer system to function as steps S130 to S134 and steps S150 to S152 in FIG.

According to the first invention, the progress of the game can be controlled according to the display performance of the advertisement. Therefore, it is possible to diversify the player's choices regarding advertisement display in a game in which a playing fee can be collected by advertisement display.

The second invention is a means for presenting whether or not the advertisement has been displayed (for example, the undisplayed advertisement information display unit 43 in FIG. 8, the server processing unit 200s in FIG. 11, the game progress control unit 210, the undisplayed advertisement information 22, step S70 in FIG. 23, step S124 in FIG. 24, and step S144 in FIG. 25).

According to the second invention, it is possible to present to the player whether or not an advertisement has been displayed.

A third aspect of the invention is a penalty imparting means (for example, the server processing section 200s, the game progress control section 210, the penalty It is the program of the first or second invention for further functioning the computer system as the application control unit 230 (steps S150 to S152 in FIG. 25).

According to the third invention, the player is penalized if the compensation for hiding the advertisement is not paid and the performance of displaying the advertisement is insufficient. That is, it is possible to make a promise, which can be called a kind of contract, about the payment of the playing consideration by presenting the player with a selection that substitutes for the payment of the playing consideration by displaying the advertisement. If the player does not keep the promise, the player will be punished, so the fulfillment of the promise can be ensured.

The content of the penalty can be set as appropriate.
For example, as a fourth invention, the program according to the third invention can be constructed, wherein the penalty imparting means has achievement reduction means (for example, the achievement reduction unit 232 in FIG. 11) for reducing the game achievement.

As a fifth aspect of the invention, any of the third or fourth aspect, wherein the penalty imparting means has data saving restriction means (for example, the data saving restriction section 234 in FIG. 11) that restricts part or all of the data saving. A program of the invention can also be constructed.

As a sixth aspect of the invention, the data saving restricting means may: 1) prohibit data saving itself; 2) limit the type of data to be saved; The program according to the fifth aspect of the invention may be configured such that any one of the limitations by possible limit values is set as the limitation.

A seventh aspect of the present invention is test control means (for example, server processing section 200s, game progress control section 210, test control section 226, and The program according to the fifth or sixth invention further functions the computer system as step S146) in FIG. 25, and the data saving restriction means executes the restriction depending on whether the answer is correct or not.

According to the seventh invention, it is possible to test whether or not the player properly viewed the displayed advertisement, and implement restrictions according to the test results.

An eighth invention is payment acceptance means for accepting payment of a price that does not satisfy the price condition for non-display (for example, the server processing unit 200s in FIG. 11, the play price payment control unit 204, steps S12 to S14 in FIG. 22), and the advertisement display control means changes at least one of the number of advertisements to be displayed, the duration, and the display area according to the consideration accepted by the payment acceptance means. A program according to any one of the first to seventh inventions.

According to the eighth invention, it is possible to accept a payment that does not satisfy the payment conditions for non-display. From the player's point of view, it becomes possible to choose to pay part of the price for non-display and replace the rest by browsing the advertisement.

Furthermore, a ninth invention is the program according to the eighth invention, wherein the payment receiving means receives consumption of a given item as payment for the price.

According to the ninth aspect, it is also possible to pay for the non-display value by consuming items, and the payment methods for the non-display value that can be selected by the player can be further diversified.

A tenth aspect of the invention is an item purchase means (for example, the server processing unit 200s, the game progress control unit 210, the item purchase control unit 214 in FIG. 11, the item purchase control unit 214 in FIG. S80 to S82), further functioning the computer system, wherein the advertisement display control means changes at least one of the number of advertisements to be displayed, the duration and the display area according to the purchase of the item; A program according to any one of the first to ninth inventions.

According to the tenth invention, the purchase of items can be regarded as one of the methods of paying the price for non-display, and the number, duration, and display area of advertisements to be displayed can be changed according to the performance of item purchases. Therefore, the player has more choices regarding advertisement display.

The eleventh invention provides site browsing means (for example, the server processing section 200s of FIG. 11, the game progress control section 210, the site browsing control section 216, the step S90 of FIG. 23) that browses a given website according to the player's operation input. ~ S94), further functioning the computer system, wherein the advertisement display control means changes at least one of the number of advertisements to be displayed, the time and the display area, depending on whether or not the website is browsed, A program according to any one of the first to tenth inventions.

According to the eleventh invention, viewing of a given website is regarded as one of the methods of paying the price for non-display, and the number, duration and display area of advertisements to be displayed are changed according to the performance of site viewing. can be done. Therefore, the player has more choices regarding advertisement display.

A twelfth invention is a questionnaire receiving means (for example, the server processing section 200s of FIG. 11, the game progress control section 210, the questionnaire response reception control section 218, the steps of FIG. S100 to S104), the computer system is further functioned, and the advertisement display control means changes at least one of the number of advertisements to be displayed, the time, and the display area, depending on whether or not the questionnaire is answered. A program according to any one of the first to eleventh inventions.

According to the twelfth invention, the answer to the questionnaire, that is, the provision of information, is regarded as one of the methods of paying the price for non-display, and the number, time, and display area of the advertisements to be displayed are changed according to the answer to the questionnaire. can do. Therefore, the player has more choices regarding advertisement display.

A thirteenth invention is a presenting means for presenting the number, time or display area of advertisements displayed by the advertisement display control means (for example, the undisplayed advertisement information display body 43 in FIG. 8, the server processing section 200s in FIG. 11, 22, step S70 in FIG. 23, step S124 in FIG. 24, step S144 in FIG. A program according to any one of 1 to 12th inventions.

According to the thirteenth invention, the number of advertisements scheduled to be displayed, the time and the display area can be presented to the player.

A fourteenth invention is the program according to any one of the first to thirteenth inventions, wherein the advertisement display control means selects an advertisement to be displayed based on a game play history.

According to the fourteenth invention, advertisements can be selected based on information relating to the player's past game play, and optimal advertisement display for the player can be realized.

A fifteenth aspect of the present invention is a computer system for controlling the display of advertisements when payment is not made to satisfy a given price condition for non-display to hide the display of advertisements during game progress, wherein the display of advertisements is controlled when payment is not made. ,
Display timing setting means (for example, the control board 1150 in FIG. 1, the server processing unit 200s in FIG. 11, etc.) that sets any one of before the game starts, after the game ends, and at the end of the game progress as the display timing of the advertisement with respect to the progress of the game. , game progress control unit 210, display timing setting unit 212, step S32 in FIG. 22),
Advertisement display control means for displaying the advertisement at the display timing (for example, the control board 1150 in FIG. 1, the server processing unit 200s in FIG. 11, the game progress control unit 210, the advertisement display control unit 222, S40 to S42 in FIG. 22, Steps S64 to S68 in FIG. 23, Steps S120 to S124 in FIG. 24, Steps S142 to S144 in FIG. 25);
Display performance management means (for example, control board 1150 in FIG. 1, server processing unit 200s in FIG. 11, game progress control unit 210, display performance management unit 224, FIG. 20 display results 744, step S44 in FIG. 22, step S70 in FIG. 23, step S124 in FIG. 24, step S144 in FIG.
Game progress control means (for example, control board 1150 in FIG. 1, server processing unit 200s in FIG. 11, game progress control unit 210, privilege granting unit 228 corresponding to display performance, penalty imparting 24, and steps S150 to S152 in FIG. 25).

According to the fifteenth invention, it is possible to realize a computer system having the same effect as the first invention.

The figure which shows an example of a structure of the game system in 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows the example of the selection screen of the payment method of the play consideration displayed before a game start. The figure which shows the example of a display of the setting screen of the display timing of advertisement. The figure which shows the example of an advertisement display at the time of setting the display timing of an advertisement to "view together before a play start." The figure which shows the example of an advertisement display screen at the time of setting the display timing of an advertisement to "automatically display at any time during a play." FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a banner advertisement type advertisement display body and a flow when the advertisement display body is touch-operated; FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a questionnaire solicitation type advertisement display body and a flow when the advertisement display body is touch-operated; The figure which shows the example of an advertisement display screen at the time of setting the display timing of an advertisement to "it is seen only at the division|delimiter of progress during a play." The figure which shows the example of an advertisement display at the time of setting the display timing of an advertisement to "see it all together after a play ends." FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a test screen for checking whether the player viewed the displayed advertisement as promised; FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a functional configuration example of a server system according to the first embodiment; FIG. 4A and 4B are diagrams showing examples of programs and data stored in a server storage unit according to the first embodiment; FIG. The figure which shows the data structural example of an advertisement database. The figure which shows the data structural example of the 1st advertisement omission definition data. The figure which shows the data structural example of the 2nd advertisement omission definition data. The figure which shows the data structural example of the 3rd advertisement omission definition data. The figure which shows the data structural example of the 4th advertisement omission definition data. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a data configuration example of data save restriction definition data; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a data configuration example of user management data; The figure which shows the data structural example of play data. 3 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a user terminal according to the first embodiment; FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing in the server system of the first embodiment; 23 is a flowchart continued from FIG. 22; 24 is a flowchart continued from FIG. 23; Flowchart continued from FIG. FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a user terminal according to the second embodiment; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of programs and data stored in a terminal storage unit of a user terminal according to the second embodiment;

[First embodiment]
As a first embodiment to which the present invention is applied, an example of executing a game in which a playing fee can be collected by displaying advertisements will be described.

In this embodiment, the game genre is exemplified as an action RPG, but any game genre is acceptable. Items such as weapons, armor, bullets, skills, and medicines that can be equipped and used by the player character are exemplified as purchasable objects in the game, but items other than items are also acceptable. For example, characters that can be used as player characters, vehicles, summoned beasts, additional abilities that can be added to player characters, opening of new game stages and maps, lottery rights, and the like may be used.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a game system according to this embodiment. The game system of this embodiment is a computer system including a server system 1100 and a user terminal 1500 which are capable of mutual data communication by connecting to the communication line 9 . In the illustrated example, one user terminal 1500 is used, but in actual operation, a plurality of user terminals 1500 for each user can be simultaneously connected to the server system 1100 for communication.

A communication line 9 means a communication path capable of data communication. That is, the communication line 9 includes a dedicated line (dedicated cable) for direct connection, a LAN (Local Area Network) such as Ethernet (registered trademark), a telephone communication network, a cable network, and a communication network such as the Internet. It does not matter whether the communication method is wired or wireless.

The server system 1100 is a computer system having a main device 1101 , a keyboard 1106 , a touch panel 1108 , and a storage 1140 , and a control board 1150 mounted on the main device 1101 .

The control board 1150 includes various microprocessors such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1151, a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), and a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), various IC memories 1152 such as VRAM, RAM, and ROM, and a communication device 1153. It is Part or all of the control board 1150 may be implemented by an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), FPGA (field-programmable gate array), or SoC (System on a Chip).

The server system 1100 performs arithmetic processing based on a predetermined program and data by the control board 1150, thereby performing 1) a user management function related to user registration, etc. and 3) an online shopping function that sells various items that can be used in the game to users online. come true. In other words, the game in this embodiment is implemented as a kind of client-server online game.

Although the server system 1100 is described as a single unit, it may have a configuration in which a plurality of blade servers sharing each function are installed and connected to each other via an internal bus so as to enable data communication. Alternatively, a configuration may be adopted in which a plurality of independent servers installed at remote locations are allowed to perform data communication via the communication line 9, thereby functioning as the server system 1100 as a whole.

The user terminal 1500 is a computer system that is individually used by a user who is a player to play a game, and is an electronic device (electronic device) that can access the server system 1100 via the communication line 9 and execute an online game. be. The user terminal 1500 of this embodiment is a device called a smartphone, but may be a portable game device, a game controller, a personal computer, a tablet computer, a wearable computer, an arcade game device, or the like.

A user terminal 1500 includes a direction input key 1502, a button switch 1504, a touch panel 1506 functioning as an image display device and a contact position input device, a speaker 1510, a built-in battery 1509, a microphone 1512, a control board 1550, and a computer. and a memory card reader 1542 capable of reading and writing data from a memory card 1540 which is a readable storage medium. In addition, a power button, a volume control button, etc., which are not shown, are provided. Also, an IC card reader or the like that can read and write data in a contactless manner with respect to an IC card type credit card or prepaid card that can be used to pay for game play may be provided.

The control board 1550 includes a CPU 1551, various microprocessors such as GPU and DSP, various IC memories 1552 such as VRAM, RAM, and ROM, and wireless communication with a mobile phone base station or a wireless LAN base station connected to the communication line 9. A wireless communication module 1553, an interface circuit 1557, and the like are mounted.

The interface circuit 1557 includes a driver circuit for the touch panel 1506, a circuit for receiving signals from the direction input key 1502 and the button switch 1504, an output amplifier circuit for outputting an audio signal to the speaker 1510, and an audio signal collected by the microphone 1512. It includes an input signal generation circuit for generating, a signal input/output circuit for the memory card reader 1542, and the like.

These elements mounted on the control board 1550 are electrically connected via a bus circuit or the like so as to be able to read/write data and transmit/receive signals. Part or all of the control board 1550 may be composed of ASIC, FPGA, or SoC. The control board 1550 stores in the IC memory 1552 a client program and various data for realizing the functions of the game user terminal of the present embodiment.

In this embodiment, the user terminal 1500 is configured to download the client program and various setting data from the server system 1100, but may be configured to read from a storage medium such as the memory card 1540 that is separately obtained.

[Description of the advertisement display mechanism]
Next, the mechanism of advertisement display in this embodiment will be described.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a selection screen for the payment method of the play consideration displayed before the start of the game. On the user terminal 1500, a payment method setting screen W2 is displayed before starting the game. In this embodiment, there are three options for payment methods: "pay with virtual currency", "pay with items", and "substitute payment by browsing advertisements". The player touches any of the check boxes 22a, 22b, and 22c corresponding to the desired payment method to check it, selects the payment method, touches the decision operation icon 28, approves the payment, and confirms the payment. can proceed to

When the check box 22a corresponding to "pay with virtual currency" is checked, the payment amount specifying section 23 becomes active, and the player can specify the payment amount of virtual currency. If the full amount for one play is not specified, an advertisement for the insufficient amount will be displayed. If a payment method such as a flat rate system or automatic withdrawal can be set at the time of user registration, the check box 22a corresponding to "pay with virtual currency" is selected by default, and the display of the payment amount designation section 23 is omitted. can do.

When the check box 22b corresponding to "pay with items" is checked, the consumable item designating section 24 and the consumption quantity designating section 25 become active, and the player can select the type of item to offer as consideration for play from among the items owned by the player. , its number and will be able to be set. Specifically, when the consumable item designating portion 24 is touch-operated, items possessing a sufficient number for payment of the play consideration are displayed in a selectable manner. Then, when one of them is selected, the required consumption quantity is displayed in the consumption quantity designating portion 25 by default. It should be noted that the number of consumption designation unit 25 can set a numerical value less than the necessary number of consumption. In that case, an advertisement corresponding to the shortfall will be displayed.

In this embodiment, the payment of play consideration is regarded as "payment of consideration that satisfies a given non-display consideration condition for hiding advertisement display". Therefore, when the play consideration is fully paid in virtual currency, or when sufficient consumption items are specified, advertisement display is not performed at any timing before, during, or after the play.

On the other hand, when "alternate payment by viewing advertisement" is selected, the advertisement is displayed because the payment condition for non-display is not satisfied. In this embodiment, the player can select/specify the timing of advertisement display (display timing).

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a display example of an advertisement display timing setting screen.
The display timing setting screen W3 is displayed when "pay with virtual currency" is selected on the previous payment method setting screen W2 but the full amount is not paid, and when "pay with items" is selected but the number of consumption is consumed. Displayed when the required number is insufficient or when "Substitute payment by viewing advertisements" is selected.

In this embodiment, as options for the timing of displaying advertisements, there are three options: "view all at once before starting play", "automatically display at any time during play", "view only at progress breaks during play", and "watch all at once after play ends". ” are available. On the display timing setting screen W3, check boxes 32a, 32b, 32c, and 32d corresponding to each option are displayed. The accept operation icon 38 can be touched to accept the setting and proceed.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an advertisement display when the advertisement display timing is set to "watch all before starting play".
The advertisement display when the advertisement display timing is set to "see all before starting play" is displayed as an advertisement display screen W4 that mainly displays advertisements on touch panel 1506 before the start of game play. The advertisement display screen W<b>4 of this embodiment includes a commentary 41 , an advertisement display body 42 , an undisplayed advertisement information display body 43 , a viewing stop operation icon 44 , and a viewing confirmation operation icon 45 .

An explanation 41 indicates that the game can be played for free if all advertisements are viewed.

The advertisement display body 42 displays the content of each advertisement. In this embodiment, only one advertisement display body 42 is displayed on the advertisement display screen W4, but a plurality of advertisement display bodies 42 may be displayed simultaneously on the advertisement display screen W4.

The undisplayed advertisement information display unit 43 displays information on how many undisplayed advertisements are left among the advertisements scheduled to be displayed. In the illustrated example, the remaining number of undisplayed advertisements is displayed, but the time required to display all the undisplayed advertisements may be displayed. Alternatively, the area required to display all undisplayed advertisements may be displayed.
In addition, as described above, when the play consideration is sufficiently paid in virtual currency or items, the advertisement is not displayed. In other words, advertisements scheduled to be displayed in the future, that is, advertisements that have not yet been displayed are set to "0". Paradoxically speaking, therefore, the undisplayed advertisement information display unit 43 indicates the satisfaction state of the consideration condition for non-display, which is the condition for not displaying the advertisement (how much the consideration condition for non-display is satisfied). It can also be said that it shows From that point of view, the undisplayed advertisement information display 43 does not display the remaining number, but displays like a bar graph showing the ratio of the advertisements that have already been displayed to the total amount of advertisements that are scheduled to be displayed. may be changed as it progresses.

The viewing stop operation icon 44 is an icon for inputting an operation to stop viewing an advertisement.

The viewing confirmation operation icon 45 is an operation icon for detecting that the player has certainly seen the currently displayed advertisement, and also serves as a feed operation input for displaying the next advertisement. For example, the viewing confirmation operation icon 45 may become active (operable) after a predetermined second from the time a new advertisement is displayed, and may not be operated until then. That is, the advertisement is reliably displayed (or seen by the player) for a predetermined number of seconds. The same applies to the subsequent browsing confirmation operation icon 45 .

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an advertisement display screen when the advertisement display timing is set to "automatically displayed at any time during play".
Advertisements will be displayed as part of the game screen when the display timing of advertisements is set to "automatically displayed at any time during play". That is, the game screen W5 has a main screen portion 51 , a character status display portion 52 , an operation icon display portion 53 and an advertisement display portion 55 .

The main screen portion 51 displays the state of the game space. Since the game of this embodiment is an action RPG in which the player operates the player character 4 to fight the enemy character 6, the main screen portion 51 displays the player character 4 (4a, 4b, . . . ) fighting the enemy character 6. will be

The character status display section 52 displays a so-called status display indicating the current state of each of the player characters 4 (4a, 4b, . . . ).

The operation icon display portion 53 displays icons for inputting various game operations. In this embodiment, an action selection icon 53a for calling the action menu 54, an equipment icon 53b for changing the equipment of the player character 4, a purchase icon 53c for calling a purchase screen for purchasing items during game play, including. Of course, icons, tabs, menu displays, etc. other than these can be appropriately included depending on the contents of the game.

In the action menu 54, a character action selection 54a for selecting and setting the action content of each player character 4 from predetermined options, a site browsing 54b for starting browsing of a designated website, and a questionnaire for answering a questionnaire. and answer 54c. Of course, items other than these can be included as appropriate.

When the browse site 54b is selected, the game play is temporarily stopped, and browsing of the specified website (for example, the sponsor site, item introduction site, play video posting site) is started. Browsing can be terminated at will, and gameplay resumes when viewing is terminated. In addition, in this embodiment, browsing of the designated website is considered to have value equivalent to payment of the play consideration, and the browsing performance at the designated site (for example, the number of pages browsed, the time browsed, the membership Ads that are scheduled to be displayed are omitted or reduced depending on whether the user has registered or purchased a product, etc.

It should be noted that the omission or reduction of advertisements in this specification means not only the omission or reduction of each advertisement, but also the reduction of the display time per advertisement, the reduction of the display time of the entire advertisement, and the display occupied by the advertisement on the game screen. It may be realized by reducing the area. The same applies hereinafter.

When the questionnaire answer 54c is selected, the game play is temporarily stopped and the questionnaire is displayed. Alternatively, browsing of a designated website for questionnaires may be used. The game play resumes when the answers to the questionnaire are finished. In addition, in this embodiment, the answer to the questionnaire is considered to have value equivalent to the payment of the play consideration, and advertisements scheduled to be displayed according to the answer record (for example, how many questions were answered) are omitted or reduced be done.

The advertisement display section 55 displays an advertisement display body 42 and an undisplayed advertisement information display body 43 .
The advertisement display body 42 of the advertisement display unit 55 is automatically switched at any time.

Various types of advertisement display bodies 42 can be set.
In the illustrated example, the item information is associated with the advertisement display 42, and the touch operation on the advertisement display 42 causes the transition to the online shopping screen (purchase screen) of the advertised item. ”. When the advertisement display body 42 of this type is touch-operated, the game play is temporarily stopped, and when the purchase is completed, the game play is resumed. In addition, in this embodiment, item purchases in the game are considered to have value corresponding to the payment of play consideration, and are scheduled to be displayed according to the purchase results (for example, number of purchases, purchase amount) of advertised items. advertisements are omitted/reduced.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, a "banner advertisement type" in which a URL is linked to an advertisement display body 42, and a touch operation on the advertisement display body 42 shifts to browsing of a website indicated by the URL. Advertising displays 42 are also possible. When the advertisement display body 42 of this type is touch-operated, the game play is temporarily stopped, and the game play is resumed when the viewing is finished. Note that, in this embodiment, viewing a website with a banner advertisement is considered to have value corresponding to the payment of the play consideration, and advertisements scheduled to be displayed are omitted or reduced according to the viewing performance.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the advertisement display 42 is associated with the questionnaire information or the URL of the questionnaire website. A "type" advertising display 42 is also possible. When the advertisement display body 42 of this type is touch-operated, the game play is temporarily stopped, and the game play is restarted when the answer to the questionnaire is finished. It should be noted that, in the present embodiment, answers to questionnaires in the game are regarded as having value corresponding to the payment of play fees, and advertisements that are scheduled to be displayed are omitted or reduced according to the answer results.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an advertisement display screen when the advertisement display timing is set to "view only at progress breaks during play".
If you set the display timing of advertisements to "During play, see only at progress breaks", advertisements will be displayed only at game progress breaks even during play.

For example, in the case of a game that progresses by clearing a plurality of stages one by one, the term "delimitation of game progress" as used herein corresponds to before the start of a stage or at the end of a stage. Also, it may be a case of reaching a specific place in the game world (for example, an inn, a base, a base, etc.). In other words, a situation where an advertisement is not distracting even if it is displayed on the screen, a situation where the game performance is not affected even if you look at the advertisement and read the contents of the advertisement for a certain period of time, ”.

In the non-break scene, the game screen W8 has a main screen portion 51, a character status display portion 52, and an operation icon display portion 53. FIG. There is no advertisement display section 55 (see FIG. 5). On the other hand, in the scene of "game progress break", the game screen W8 includes an advertisement display body 42 covering part or all of the main screen portion 51, a browsing stop operation icon 44, and a browsing confirmation screen. An operation icon 45 is displayed.

When the browsing stop operation icon 44 is touch-operated, all advertisements to be displayed are displayed, or a predetermined number of advertisements are displayed, the advertisement display body 42 and the browsing stop operation icon 44 are displayed. , and the viewing confirmation operation icon 45 are canceled, and the game screen W8 in the non-breaking scene is displayed again.

Next, an example of an advertisement display screen when the advertisement display timing is set to "see all after play ends" will be described.
Ads will not be displayed during game play if the ad display timing is set to "Watch all at once after playing". That is, the game screen during game play has a main screen portion 51, a character status display portion 52, and an operation icon display portion 53, similar to the game screen W8 in FIG. There is no display section 55 (see FIG. 5).

However, the non-displayed advertisement information display body 43 is displayed. As mentioned above, advertisements will not be displayed if the hidden price is sufficiently paid in virtual currency or items. Advertisements scheduled to be displayed in the future, that is, advertisements that have not yet been displayed are set to "0". Paradoxically speaking, therefore, the undisplayed advertisement information display unit 43 indicates the satisfaction state of the consideration condition for non-display, which is the condition for not displaying the advertisement (how much the consideration condition for non-display is satisfied). It can also be said that it shows

On the other hand, when the advertisement display timing is set to "view all at once after playing", the advertisement display screen W9, which mainly displays advertisements, is displayed after the game is finished but before the data is saved. displayed (see FIG. 9).

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of an advertisement display when the advertisement display timing is set to "see all after playing". The advertisement display screen W<b>9 of the present embodiment includes a restriction explanation 91 , an advertisement display body 42 , an undisplayed advertisement information display body 43 , a browsing stop operation icon 44 , and a browsing confirmation operation icon 45 .

The limitation explanation 91 indicates that if all the advertisements are viewed, the play results can be saved as data without being penalized. In other words, the player is warned that he will be penalized if he does not view the advertisement (in the example of FIG. 9, the play result cannot be saved as data). In other words, in the present embodiment, if the player breaks the promise to view the advertisement despite the promise to replace the payment of the play consideration by viewing the advertisement, saving the data of the game is not permitted as a penalty. This prompts advertisement viewing after the end of the play.

The viewing confirmation operation icon 45 is an operation icon for detecting that the player has certainly seen the currently displayed advertisement, and also serves as a feed operation input for displaying the next advertisement. When the icon is touch-operated after the last advertisement is displayed, the test screen is displayed.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a test screen for checking whether the player viewed the displayed advertisement as promised.
In this embodiment, when viewing an advertisement is selected as an alternative to paying the play price, a test screen W10 for testing the contents of the displayed advertisement is displayed before saving the game data. Then, the game data saving is permitted according to the correct answer rate of the test.

Specifically, the test screen W10 displays a test explanation 92, which is an explanation of the test, a question display portion 93, an answer input portion 94, and a feed operation icon 95. FIG.
The question display portion 93 displays questions that can be answered immediately by watching the advertisement. For example, the illustrated example is the content corresponding to the advertisement in FIG. Then, the player answers using the answer input section 94 and operates the feed operation icon 95 to proceed to the next question. When all the questions have been answered, the game is scored and the game data is saved.

In this embodiment, a correct answer of 80% or more is considered a pass. Then, data saving is permitted with a restriction according to the viewing record of advertisements up to that point. On the other hand, if the correct answer is less than 80%, the test is considered failed and data saving is not permitted.
In addition, "restrictions according to the viewing results of advertisements" means that the play results (for example, points, acquired experience points, acquired skills, success / failure of stage clearing, etc.) are reduced and saved, or saved. It means that some or all of the data items that should be saved cannot be saved.

It should be noted that the configuration may be such that the transition to data saving is performed without displaying the test screen.

[Description of functional configuration]
FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram showing a functional configuration example of the server system 1100 in this embodiment. The server system 1100 in this embodiment includes an operation input section 100s, a server processing section 200s, a sound output section 390s, an image display section 392s, a communication section 394s, and a server storage section 500s.

The operation input unit 100s is means for inputting various operations for server management. The keyboard 1106 in FIG. 1 corresponds to this.

The server processing unit 200s is implemented by, for example, microprocessors such as CPUs and GPUs, electronic components such as ASICs and IC memories, and inputs and outputs data to and from each functional unit including the operation input unit 100s and the server storage unit 500s. control. Based on predetermined programs and data, operation input signals from the operation input unit 100s, and data received from the user terminal 1500, various arithmetic processes are executed to comprehensively control the operation of the server system 1100.

The server processing unit 200s of the present embodiment includes a user management unit 202, a play consideration payment control unit 204, a game progress control unit 210, a timer unit 280, a sound generation unit 290s, an image generation unit 292s, and a communication control unit 294s. Of course, functional units other than these can be included as appropriate.

The user management unit 202 performs processing related to user registration procedures and storage management of data associated with accounts (user IDs). In the present embodiment, 1) account provision control, 2) virtual account setting and deposit/withdrawal control associated with the account used for in-game billing, that is, electronic payment control, and 3) login/logout management. and 4) registration and management of personal information about the user. Of course, management of data other than these can also be appropriately included.

The play consideration payment control unit 204 accepts the selection and setting of the play consideration payment method, and executes the play consideration payment by the selected payment method. In this embodiment, there are three options for payment methods for the play price: "pay with virtual currency", "pay with items", and "view advertisements instead of payment", and "pay with virtual currency" is selected. Then, the setting of the specified payment amount is accepted, and the specified amount of virtual currency is collected. When "pay with items" is selected, a combination of the type of consumable item and the number of consumable items sufficient to pay the playing price is extracted from the player's owned items and presented to the player. Then, the consumable item and the number of consumables designated by the player are consumed, and the play value is collected. In this embodiment, this corresponds to the display related to the payment method setting screen W2 (see FIG. 2) and the storage control of the selection input result.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the payment of the play consideration is handled in the same manner as "the payment of the consideration that satisfies the given non-display consideration conditions for hiding the advertisement display", so it is substantially the play consideration payment control unit. 204 functions as a non-display value payment acceptance control unit that receives payment of value that satisfies or does not satisfy the value condition for non-display.

The game progress control unit 210 performs various processes related to game progress control and execution management. Since the game of this embodiment is a client-server type online game, the game progress control unit 210 of this embodiment performs control to provide data necessary for game play while communicating with the user terminal 1500 .

For example, if an action RPG (role-playing game) is executed, 1) a process of arranging an object such as a background in a virtual three-dimensional space to form a game field, 2) a player character, an enemy character, and a virtual camera in the game field. 3) automatic control processing of the virtual camera, 4) processing of controlling the action of the player character according to the operation input on the user terminal 1500, 5) automatic control processing of the enemy character, 6) attack hit determination and damage reflection processing, 7) game result calculation processing, and the like can be performed. Further, along with these, various data necessary for controlling the game play can be stored in the server storage unit 500s.

The game of the present embodiment is premised on single play, but if the game is to be executed in a PvP (Player versus Player) format, the game progress control unit 210 may be caused to control the matching of opponents. may be

The game progress control unit 210 of this embodiment includes a display timing setting unit 212, an item purchase control unit 214, a site browsing control unit 216, a questionnaire response reception control unit 218, and a non-displayed advertisement information presentation control unit 220. , an advertisement display control unit 222 , a display performance management unit 224 , a test control unit 226 , a display performance-based benefit provision unit 228 , a penalty provision control unit 230 , and a timer unit 280 .

The display timing setting unit 212 sets the display timing of the advertisement to any one of before the game, after the game ends, and at the end of the game progress when the non-display price condition is not satisfied before the game starts. . Only one of the three display timings of before the start of the game, after the end of the game, and at the end of the progress of the game can be set as the display timing. The timing of the option selected by the player's selection operation may be set as the display timing. In the present embodiment, this corresponds to the display related to the display timing setting screen W3 (see FIG. 3) and the storage control of the selection input result.

The item purchase control unit 214 controls the purchase of a given item that can be used in the game according to the player's operation input. That is, it is possible to display a purchase screen to display purchasable items, receive input of the items to be purchased and the quantity, collect the purchase price from the virtual currency, and give the purchased items to the player.

The site browsing control unit 216 has a function of browsing a website linked to an advertisement or a pre-specified website among websites published on the Internet during game play (function as a so-called web browser). ). In this embodiment, when the site browsing 54b is selected in the action menu 54 (see FIG. 5), and when the "banner advertisement type" advertisement display 42 is touch-operated (see FIG. 6). Applicable.

The questionnaire response acceptance control unit 218 receives responses to a given questionnaire in accordance with the player's operation input, and performs control to store the response record. In addition, in the case of a configuration in which questionnaire responses are received on a specific website, the site browsing control unit 216 may perform this function. In the present embodiment, when the questionnaire response 54c is selected in the action menu 54 (see FIG. 5), and when the "questionnaire solicitation type" advertisement display body 42 is touch-operated (see FIG. 7). Applicable.

The undisplayed advertisement information presentation control unit 220 performs control for presenting information about advertisements scheduled to be displayed in the future, such as the number of advertisements to be displayed and the time required for display, to the player. In this embodiment, display control of the non-displayed advertisement information display body 43 (see FIGS. 4, 5, 8 and 9) corresponds to this.

As described above, advertisements are not displayed if the play price (=non-display price) is sufficiently paid in virtual currency or items before the game starts. In this case, advertisements scheduled to be displayed in the future, ie, undisplayed advertisements, are set to "0", and "0" continues to be displayed on the undisplayed advertisement information display 43. FIG. Therefore, paradoxically, it can be said that the non-displayed advertisement information display body 43 indicates the satisfaction state of the non-display consideration condition (how much the non-display consideration condition is satisfied). If the non-displayed advertisement information display body 43 indicates "0", it means that the state is 100% filled, and if any numerical value is displayed, it is understood that the filled state is less than 100%. Therefore, the non-displayed advertisement information presentation control unit 220 implements control for presenting the fulfillment state of the non-displayed consideration condition to the player.

Further, in the present embodiment, a penalty of restriction of saved data is given when the display performance of the advertisement does not satisfy a given sufficient condition. Therefore, focusing on the penalty, the non-displayed advertisement information presentation control unit 220 realizes a presentation control function of whether or not the non-displayed advertisement information display body 43 is used to display an advertisement that satisfies a sufficient condition. If the undisplayed advertisement information display body 43 shows "0", the sufficient condition is satisfied, and if any numerical value is displayed, the sufficient condition is not satisfied.

The advertisement display control unit 222 detects the arrival of the display timing set by the display timing setting unit 212, and displays the advertisement at the display timing.
Specifically, the advertisement display control unit 222 changes at least one of the number of advertisements to be displayed, the duration, and the display area according to the consideration accepted in the payment control of the play consideration payment control unit 204. can be done. In addition, at least one of the number of advertisements to be displayed, the duration, and the display area can be changed according to the item purchase record, specifically, the purchase record during the current game play. In addition, at least one of the number of advertisements to be displayed, the time, and the display area can be changed depending on whether or not the website is viewed and whether or not a questionnaire is answered. The advertisement display control unit 222 can select advertisements to be displayed based on the game play history.

The display performance management unit 224 manages the performance of advertisement display. In the present embodiment, advertisement display is performed by detecting and counting the forwarding operation of the advertisement display, specifically, the touch operation on the viewing confirmation operation icon 45 (see FIGS. 4, 8, and 9), and the player manages the viewing confirmation record that has seen it.

The test control unit 226 sets a test for the displayed advertisement, accepts the answer, and stores the answer result.

The display record-based privilege granting unit 228 performs control to grant a privilege to the player as part of the game progress control according to the advertisement display record.

The penalty provision control unit 230 performs control to give a given penalty to the player when the displayed performance does not satisfy a given sufficient condition. In other words, by giving a given penalty to the player when the promise related to the selection is not fulfilled despite the player's selection of substituting the viewing of advertisements for the payment of the play consideration, Encourage fulfillment of promises, i.e. viewing of advertisements.

The penalty application control unit 230 of this embodiment has a result reduction unit 232 and a data save restriction unit 234 .

The result reduction unit 232 reduces the game result. The achievement of the game can be appropriately set according to the contents of the game. Since the game of this embodiment is an action RPG, scores, game stage clear results, experience points acquired by the player character, acquired skills, items acquired during the game by dropping enemy characters, event achievement results, etc. Included in this.

The data saving restriction unit 234 restricts part or all of the data saving according to the displayed results and the success or failure of the answers to the test. Specifically, 1) data saving itself is prohibited, 2) the type of data to be saved is limited, and 3) the limit value that can be saved among given parameter values obtained through gameplay is limited. Data save is limited by either.

The clock unit 280 clocks the current date and time, the time limit, and the like using the system clock.

The sound generation unit 290s is implemented by executing an IC or software that generates and decodes audio data, and generates or decodes audio data such as operation sounds and BGM related to system management of the server system 1100 and game play. Then, an audio signal related to system management is output to the sound output section 390s.

The sound output unit 390s emits an audio signal. In the example of FIG. 1, the main unit 1101 and the speaker (not shown) correspond to this.

The image generation unit 292s can generate an image or the like related to system management of the server system 1100 and output it to the image display unit 392s.

The image display unit 392s displays various images for system management based on the image signal input from the image generation unit 292s. For example, it can be realized by an image display device such as a flat panel display, a cathode ray tube (CRT), a projector, or a head-mounted display. In the example of FIG. 1, the touch panel 1108 corresponds.

The communication control unit 294s executes data processing related to data communication, and exchanges data with an external device via the communication unit 394s.

The communication unit 394s is connected to the communication line 9 to realize communication. For example, it is implemented by a wireless communication device, a modem, a TA (terminal adapter), a wired communication cable jack, a control circuit, or the like. In the example of FIG. 1, the communication device 1153 corresponds.

The server storage unit 500s stores programs, various data, and the like for realizing various functions for causing the server processing unit 200s to control the server system 1100 in an integrated manner. It is also used as a work area for the server processing unit 200s, and temporarily stores calculation results and the like executed by the server processing unit 200s according to various programs. This function is implemented by, for example, IC memories such as RAM and ROM, magnetic disks such as hard disks, optical disks such as CD-ROMs and DVDs, and online storage. In the example of FIG. 1, storage media such as the IC memory 1152 and hard disk mounted on the main unit 1101, and the storage 1140 correspond to this.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of programs and data stored in the server storage unit 500s in this embodiment. The server storage unit 500s of the present embodiment includes a server system program 501, a server program 503, a distribution game client program 505, game initial setting data 510, an advertisement database 520, first advertisement omission definition data 530, second advertisement omission definition data 540, third advertisement omission definition data 550, fourth advertisement omission definition data 560, data saving limit definition data 570, questionnaire definition data 580, and advertisement display results corresponding privilege setting data 590; , is memorized. In addition, user management data 600, play data 700, and current date and time 800 are stored as data that are sequentially generated and managed. In addition, information such as timers, counters, and various flags can be stored as appropriate.

The server system program 501 is a system program that is read and executed by the server processing unit 200s so that the server system 1100 implements a basic input/output function required as a computer.

The server program 503 is a program that is read and executed by the server processing unit 200 s to realize the functions of the user management unit 202 , the game progress control unit 210 , and the timer unit 280 .

The distributed game client program 505 is the original game client program provided to the user terminal 1500 .

The game initial setting data 510 stores various initial setting data for executing the game of this embodiment. For example, it stores various initial setting data relating to game stages, player characters 4, enemy characters 6, items, etc. (see FIG. 5).

Advertisement database 520 stores various data relating to advertisements that may be displayed in the game. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 13, one or more pieces of advertisement definition data 521 prepared for each advertisement are stored. One piece of advertisement definition data 521 includes an advertisement ID 522 that is unique identification information, advertisement content data 523, required time 524, advertisement content index 525, linking information 526, question content 527, correct answer 528, including. Of course, data other than these can be included as appropriate.

The advertisement content data 523 defines the content of the advertisement display body 42 (see FIGS. 4, 5, 8, and 9) for each type of display timing setting. There are no particular restrictions on the data format that defines the content, such as text, still images, moving images, 3D models and motion data.

Duration 524 is the time to display the advertisement. In the case of a still image advertisement, it is the time until the display of the next advertisement is automatically switched, and in the case of a video advertisement, it is the playback time.

The advertisement content index 525 is information for classifying the advertisement, and in this embodiment, it is used when selecting an advertisement to be displayed from a large number of advertisements according to the player's play history and game progress. . For example, in the case of advertisements for items, the item name, category, types of characters that can be used, information on game progress conditions that can be used (for example, after the 4th stage, etc.), player conditions suitable for display (For example, conditions such as accumulated play time, accumulated billing amount, billing frequency, etc.) may be stored.

The linking information 526 stores information linked to the advertisement. In the present embodiment, if the advertisement is of the "item advertisement type", item information such as the item name and predetermined information indicating an instruction to activate the purchase screen are stored (see FIG. 5). In the case of a "banner advertisement type" advertisement, item information such as a URL and predetermined information indicating an instruction to activate the web browser function are stored (see FIG. 6). In addition, in the case of a "questionnaire solicitation type" advertisement, a set of a questionnaire ID indicating the type of questionnaire and information indicating the activation instruction of the questionnaire display function, or the URL of the website for the questionnaire and activation of the web browser function. and a set of predetermined information meaning instructions are stored (see FIG. 7).

The question content 527 stores various data for displaying the question display portion 93 corresponding to the advertisement on the test screen W10 (see FIG. 10). Data formats such as still images and moving images do not matter.

A correct answer 528 defines a correct answer to the question content 527 .

Returning to FIG. 12, the first advertisement omission definition data 530 to the fourth advertisement omission definition data 560 define rules for omitting or reducing advertisements to be displayed.
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a data configuration example of the first advertisement abbreviated definition data 530. As shown in FIG. The first advertisement omission definition data 530 stores the consideration payment terms 531 and omission target advertisements 532 in association with each other.

The consideration payment conditions 531 include the range of the virtual currency payment amount (the amount set in the payment amount designation section 23 in FIG. 2), the type and number of items designated as the play consideration (consumable item designation section in FIG. 24 and the consumption number designation unit 25).

The advertisements to be omitted 532 define how many of which types of advertisements are selected to be omitted/deleted from the display schedule when the corresponding consideration payment conditions 531 are satisfied. For example, "omit all" to omit all of the advertisements that are currently scheduled to be displayed, "omit half" to randomly select and omit half of the advertisements, or randomly select the number calculated based on the specified amount and the number of consumption. It is possible to select and omit, or omit advertisements for which specific information (for example, categories such as recovery items) are stored in the advertisement content index 525 (see FIG. 13).

In addition, the reduction of advertisements is not limited to "reduction by advertisement unit", but by "reduction of the display time per advertisement", "reduction of the display time of the entire advertisement", and "reduction of the display area occupied by the advertisement on the game screen". can also be realized.
If "reduction by display time per advertisement", "reduction in display time of entire advertisement", and "reduction in display area occupied by advertisement on game screen" are adopted, omission target item 532 is set to "omission content". You can read it again.
Then, if "Reduction by the display time per advertisement" is adopted, the specified value for the display time per advertisement ・Time reduced from the initial setting value of the display time per advertisement ・Display time per advertisement Any of the reduction rates of the initial set values of .
If "reduction of the display time of the entire advertisement" is adopted, a designated value of the total display time required to display the entire advertisement, or a reduction time or a reduction rate from the initial setting value of the total display time may be set.
If "reduction of the display area occupied by advertisements on the game screen" is adopted, a specified value for the display area occupied by advertisements on the game screen, or the number or rate of reduction of the display area relative to the initially set value may be set.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a data configuration example of the second advertisement abbreviated definition data 540. As shown in FIG. The second advertisement omission definition data 540 stores purchase result conditions 541 and omission target advertisements 542 in association with each other.

The purchase record condition 541 is a condition such as the type and number of items purchased during the current play, the purchase amount, and the like.

The omission target advertisement 542 defines how many types of advertisements are selected to be omitted/deleted from the display schedule when the corresponding purchase performance condition 541 is satisfied. For example, "Omit all" to omit all of the advertisements that are currently scheduled to be displayed, "Omit half" to randomly select and omit half of the advertisements, or select the number calculated based on the number of items purchased or the purchase amount. It is possible to set "random omission" to select and omit at random, and to omit advertisements in which specific information (for example, categories such as recovery items) are stored in the advertisement content index 525 (see FIG. 13). can.

In addition, the reduction of advertisements is not limited to "reduction by advertisement unit", but by "reduction of the display time per advertisement", "reduction of the display time of the entire advertisement", and "reduction of the display area occupied by the advertisement on the game screen". can also be realized.
If "reduction by display time per advertisement", "reduction in display time of entire advertisement", and "reduction in display area occupied by advertisement on game screen" are adopted, omission target item 542 is set to "omission content". You can read it again.
Then, if "Reduction by the display time per advertisement" is adopted, the specified value for the display time per advertisement ・Time reduced from the initial setting value of the display time per advertisement ・Display time per advertisement Any of the reduction rates of the initial set values of .
If "reduction of the display time of the entire advertisement" is adopted, a designated value of the total display time required to display the entire advertisement, or a reduction time or a reduction rate from the initial setting value of the total display time may be set.
If "reduction of the display area occupied by advertisements on the game screen" is adopted, a specified value for the display area occupied by advertisements on the game screen, or the number or rate of reduction of the display area relative to the initially set value may be set.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a data configuration example of the third advertisement abbreviated definition data 550. As shown in FIG. The third advertisement omission definition data 550 stores a website browsing condition 551 and an omission target advertisement 552 in association with each other.

The website browsing condition 551 is a condition related to the browsing performance of the website seen during the current play. For example, viewing of a designated page, membership registration on a designated website, application for a free sample, application for a gift, answering a questionnaire, and the like are regarded as the browsing results. Specifically, for browsing, a specific URL is set. When registering as a member, applying for a free sample, applying for a gift, or answering a questionnaire, it is preferable to set the URL of a confirmation screen page that is always displayed in the course of these actions.

The omission target advertisement 552 defines how many types of advertisements are selected to be omitted/deleted from the display schedule when the corresponding website browsing condition 551 is satisfied. For example, "omit all" to omit all of the advertisements currently scheduled to be displayed, "omit half" to randomly select and omit half of the advertisements, or randomly select the number calculated based on the number of pages viewed and the viewing time. and omit advertisements for which specific information is stored in the advertisement content index 525 (see FIG. 13).

In addition, the reduction of advertisements is not limited to "reduction by advertisement unit", but by "reduction of the display time per advertisement", "reduction of the display time of the entire advertisement", and "reduction of the display area occupied by the advertisement on the game screen". can also be realized.
If "reduction by display time per advertisement", "reduction in display time of entire advertisement", and "reduction in display area occupied by advertisement on game screen" are adopted, omission target item 552 is set to "omission content". You can read it again.
Then, if "Reduction by the display time per advertisement" is adopted, the specified value for the display time per advertisement ・Time reduced from the initial setting value of the display time per advertisement ・Display time per advertisement Any of the reduction rates of the initial set values of .
If "reduction of the display time of the entire advertisement" is adopted, a designated value of the total display time required to display the entire advertisement, or a reduction time or a reduction rate from the initial setting value of the total display time may be set.
If "reduction of the display area occupied by advertisements on the game screen" is adopted, a specified value for the display area occupied by advertisements on the game screen, or the number or rate of reduction of the display area relative to the initially set value may be set.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a data configuration example of the fourth advertisement abbreviated definition data 560. As shown in FIG. The fourth advertisement omission definition data 560 stores questionnaire response conditions 561 and omission target advertisements 562 in association with each other.

The questionnaire response condition 561 is a condition regarding the response record to the questionnaire prepared in advance. For example, it can be defined by the response rate of how many questions were answered among a plurality of questions prepared in one questionnaire.

The omission target advertisement 562 defines how many types of advertisements are to be selected and omitted/deleted from the display schedule when the corresponding questionnaire response condition 561 is satisfied. For example, "omit all" to omit all of the advertisements currently scheduled to be displayed, "omit half" to randomly select half of the advertisements, or randomly select the number calculated based on the number of responses and the response rate. It is possible to select and omit advertisements, omit advertisements for which specific information is stored in the advertisement content index 525 (see FIG. 13), and the like.

In addition, the reduction of advertisements is not limited to "reduction by advertisement unit", but by "reduction of the display time per advertisement", "reduction of the display time of the entire advertisement", and "reduction of the display area occupied by the advertisement on the game screen". can also be realized.
If "reduction by display time per advertisement", "reduction in display time of entire advertisement", and "reduction in display area occupied by advertisement on game screen" are adopted, omission target item 562 is set to "omission content". You can read it again.
Then, if "Reduction by the display time per advertisement" is adopted, the specified value for the display time per advertisement ・Time reduced from the initial setting value of the display time per advertisement ・Display time per advertisement Any of the reduction rates of the initial set values of .
If "reduction of the display time of the entire advertisement" is adopted, a designated value of the total display time required to display the entire advertisement, or a reduction time or a reduction rate from the initial setting value of the total display time may be set.
If "reduction of the display area occupied by advertisements on the game screen" is adopted, a specified value for the display area occupied by advertisements on the game screen, or the number or rate of reduction of the display area relative to the initially set value may be set.

Returning to FIG. 12, the data saving limit definition data 570 defines how the play result is reduced as a penalty according to the performance of displaying advertisements, in other words, the performance of viewing advertisements by the player, and restricts data saving. define whether to Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 18, the data save restriction definition data 570 stores display performance conditions 572 and restriction details 573 in association with each other.

The display performance condition 572 indicates how many advertisements scheduled to be displayed have been displayed. In the present embodiment, when the display timing of the advertisement is set to "limited to progress breaks during play" (see FIG. 8) or "view all at once after play ends" (see FIG. 9), the viewing confirmation operation icon 45 Since the display is advanced by , the number of touch operations to the icon is used as the display result. Note that the "number of advertisements scheduled to be displayed Nad" in FIG. 18 is the total number of advertisements scheduled to be displayed at that time.

The restriction content 573 defines which of the data items to be saved is restricted and how, paradoxically speaking, it is permitted. For example, "no restrictions" that allows saving all data items to be saved as they are, "partial restrictions" that disallows or prohibits saving of specific data items (for example, acquired skills), Set specific data items, especially data items related to game results, such as "penalty addition" that allows saving after applying a penalty to reduce the result, and "all restrictions" that disallows or prohibits data saving itself. can do.

Returning to FIG. 12, the questionnaire definition data 580 stores various data defining the contents of a series of questionnaire surveys consisting of a plurality of questions prepared in advance by the administrator of the game. One questionnaire definition data 580 includes, for example, a unique questionnaire ID 581 and a question list 582.

The advertisement display result corresponding privilege setting data 590 is definition data for game progress control according to the advertisement display performance, and defines the privilege to be given. One piece of advertisement display record corresponding benefit setting data 590 includes an application condition and provided privilege definition data. Of course, data other than these can be stored as appropriate.

The application condition is the condition of the performance of advertisement display. For example, it can be defined in terms of the number of displayed advertisements, the cumulative time of display, the remaining number of advertisements to be viewed by the player, and the like. In this embodiment, the data format is made to correspond to the data format of the display record 744 (see FIG. 20) described later.

The contents of the benefits to be granted are appropriately set according to the game content, such as items used in the game, the right to play hidden stages, the appearance ticket of hidden characters, the right to execute the lottery that is executed in relation to the game, etc. It is possible.

The user management data 600 stores various data prepared for each registered user and associated with an account, which is unique identification information. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 19, one piece of user management data 600 includes an account 601, a registration date and time 602, a virtual currency account balance 603 used for payment of charges such as item purchases, and login history data. 604, item purchase history data 605, and save data 610. Of course, data other than these can be included as appropriate.

The login history data 604 is data that describes when the game was played in the past in chronological order, and is automatically updated at the timing of login/logout.

The item purchase history data 605 is data that stores in chronological order data describing when, why and how many items were purchased in the past. Automatically updated each time you purchase an item.

Save data 610 is created for each data save. The data items stored in one save data 610 can be appropriately set according to the content of the game. In this embodiment, the date and time of creation 611, the acquired experience value 612 for each player character 4, the acquired skill 613 for each player character 4, and a plurality of abilities for various abilities such as attack power and defense power for each player character 4 are displayed. It includes a parameter value 614, an owned item list 615, a used item history 616 that is a history of items used during play, and a played stage list 617 that stores cleared stage numbers. In addition, parameter values related to game results such as score, type of defeated enemy character, etc. may be stored as appropriate.

Returning to FIG. 12, the play data 700 is prepared for each game play, and stores various data relating to game screen display such as various data describing the progress of the game, data relating to advertisement display, and control data for each character. .

One piece of play data 700 includes, for example, a player account 701, a play start date and time 702, a play consideration payment method 710, a consideration content 712, and a display timing setting 714, as shown in FIG. It also includes play stage control data 720 , player character control data 722 , enemy character control data 724 , possessed item list 726 , item purchase history data 728 , and used item history data 730 . It also includes a display-scheduled advertisement ID list 740, a display timing timer 742, a display result 744, a displayed advertisement ID list 746, a website browsing history 750, a questionnaire response history 752, and a test answer history 754. . Of course, data other than these can be included as appropriate.

The play consideration payment method 710 stores the type of play consideration payment method selected and set by the player on the payment method setting screen W2 (see FIG. 2).

The consideration content 712 stores the amount of virtual currency paid as consideration for play, or the type and number of consumption items offered by the player as consideration for play.

The display timing setting 714 stores the setting of the advertisement display timing selected and set by the player on the display timing setting screen W3 (see FIG. 3). In the present embodiment, "none" is set when the full play price is paid in virtual currency or items. In addition, the player's selection results on the display timing setting screen W3 (see FIG. 3) are as follows: "view together before start of play", "automatically at any time during play", "limit progress during play", and "view after play". ” is set.

The play stage control data 720 stores various data related to control of the played game stage (for example, control of background objects in the game space, etc.).

The player character control data 722 is prepared for each player character 4 (see FIG. 5) and stores various data describing the state of the character and various data to be saved. For example, the experience value acquired by the character, acquired skills, various ability parameter values, positional coordinates in the game space, motion control data, effect data, and the like are appropriately stored.

The enemy character control data 724 is prepared for each enemy character 6 (see FIG. 5), which is an NPC (non-player character) in this embodiment, and includes various data describing the state of the NPC and data relating to movement and display control. Store.

The owned item list 726 stores information about the types and numbers of items currently owned by the player. Renews automatically each time an item is purchased or used.

The item purchase history data 728 stores information such as the type and number of items purchased by the player during the current game play in chronological order. It will automatically renew each time you purchase an item.

The used item history data 730 stores, in chronological order, information such as the type and number of items used by the player during the current game play and the place of use. Automatically updated each time the item is used.

The display scheduled advertisement ID list 740 is a list of advertisement IDs 522 (see FIG. 13) of advertisements scheduled to be displayed during the current game play.

The display timing timer 742 is used to clock display timing.

The display performance 744 is data indicating the performance of advertisement display related to the current game play. For example, the number of advertisements displayed, the cumulative time of display, and the like. In the present embodiment, when the display timing of the advertisement is set to "limited to progress breaks during play" (see FIG. 8) or "view all at once after play ends" (see FIG. 9), the viewing confirmation operation icon 45 , the number of times the icon has been touched is stored in the display record 744 .

The displayed advertisement ID list 746 stores advertisement IDs of advertisements that have already been displayed among advertisements to be displayed.

The website browsing history 750 stores history information of websites browsed in relation to the current game play.

The questionnaire response history 752 stores the questionnaire ID 581 (see FIG. 12) of the questionnaire answered in relation to the current game play in association with the value indicating the response record in chronological order.

The test answer history 754 stores, in chronological order, test answers given in the answer input section 94 on the test screen W10 (see FIG. 10).

FIG. 21 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the user terminal 1500 in this embodiment. A user terminal 1500 of this embodiment includes an operation input unit 100 , a terminal processing unit 200 , a sound output unit 390 , an image display unit 392 , a communication unit 394 and a terminal storage unit 500 .

The operation input unit 100 outputs operation input signals to the terminal processing unit 200 according to various operation inputs made by the player. For example, it can be realized by a push switch, joystick, touch pad, trackball, acceleration sensor, gyro, CCD module, and the like. The direction input key 1502, the button switch 1504, and the touch panel 1506 in FIG. 1 correspond to this.

The terminal processing unit 200 is implemented by, for example, a microprocessor such as a CPU or GPU, or an electronic component such as an ASIC or an IC memory, and inputs and outputs data to and from each functional unit including the operation input unit 100 and the terminal storage unit 500. control. Based on predetermined programs and data, operation input signals from the operation input unit 100 , and various data received from the server system 1100 , various arithmetic processing is executed to control the operation of the user terminal 1500 . The control board 1550 in FIG. 1 corresponds to this. The terminal processing unit 200 in this embodiment includes a user terminal calculation unit 260 , a clock unit 264 , a sound generation unit 290 , an image generation unit 292 and a communication control unit 294 .

The user terminal computing section 260 includes an operation signal transmission control section 261 and a game screen display control section 262 .

The operation signal transmission control unit 261 executes processing for transmitting various data and requests to the server system 1100 according to operations performed on the operation input unit 100 .

The game screen display control section 262 performs control for displaying the game screen based on various data received from the server system 1100 . In this configuration, a game space image (for example, a 3DCG image) is generated by the server system 1100, but a configuration is also possible in which the user terminal 1500 generates the game space image. In that case, the game screen display control section 262 includes control of objects arranged in a virtual three-dimensional space for generating a 3DCG image, for example.

The sound generation unit 290 is realized by, for example, a digital signal processor (DSP), a processor such as a speech synthesis IC, an audio codec capable of reproducing an audio file, and the like, and produces an effect related to the game based on the processing result of the game screen display control unit 262. Sound signals such as sounds, BGM, and various operation sounds are generated and output to the sound output unit 390 .

The sound output unit 390 is implemented by a device that outputs sound effects, BGM, and the like based on the sound signal input from the sound generation unit 290 . The speaker 1510 in FIG. 1 corresponds to this.

The image generator 292 is implemented by, for example, a processor such as a GPU or a digital signal processor (DSP), a video signal IC, a program such as a video codec, a drawing frame IC memory such as a frame buffer, or the like.

Then, the image generation unit 292 generates one game screen image in one frame time (for example, 1/60 second) based on various data received from the server system 1100, and converts the generated game screen image signal into an image. Output to the display unit 392 .

The image display section 392 displays various game images based on the image signal input from the image generation section 292 . For example, it can be realized by an image display device such as a flat panel display, a cathode ray tube (CRT), a projector, or a head-mounted display. In this embodiment, the touch panel 1506 in FIG. 1 corresponds to this.

The communication control unit 294 executes data processing related to data communication, and exchanges data with an external device via the communication unit 394 . The communication unit 394 is connected to the communication line 9 to realize communication. For example, it is implemented by a wireless communication device, a modem, a TA (terminal adapter), a wired communication cable jack, a control circuit, and the like, and the wireless communication module 1553 in FIG. 1 corresponds to this.

The terminal storage unit 500 stores a system program for realizing various functions for causing the terminal processing unit 200 to integrally control the user terminal 1500, a program necessary for game play, various data, and the like. It is also used as a work area for the terminal processing unit 200, and temporarily stores calculation results executed by the terminal processing unit 200 according to various programs, input data input from the operation input unit 100, and the like. Such functions are realized by, for example, IC memories such as RAM and ROM, magnetic disks such as hard disks, and optical disks such as CD-ROMs and DVDs. The IC memory 1552 and the memory card 1540 mounted on the control board 1550 in FIG. 1 correspond to this.

The terminal storage unit 500 of this embodiment stores a terminal system program 502 and a game client program 504 . Of course, data other than these can also be stored as appropriate.

The terminal system program 502 is a program for realizing the basic input/output function of the user terminal 1500 as a computer.

The game client program 504 is application software that is read and executed by the terminal processing unit 200 to realize the function of the user terminal calculation unit 260, and is incorporated as part of the terminal system program 502. can be In this embodiment, it is a copy of the distribution game client program 505 (see FIG. 12) provided by the server system 1100 .

Note that the game client program 504 may be a dedicated client program according to the technical method for realizing the online game, or may be composed of a web browser program and a plug-in for realizing interactive image display.

[Explanation of operation]
Next, the flow of processing in server system 1100 will be described. The flow of processing described here is executed by the server processing unit 200 s executing the server system program 501 and the server program 503 .

22 to 25 are flowcharts for explaining the flow of processing in the server system 1100 of this embodiment.
First, as shown in FIG. 22, the server system 1100 first executes login processing (step S2), updates the login history data 604 (see FIG. 19) of the user management data 600 of the logged-in user, and updates the login history data 604 (see FIG. 19). , new play data 700 (see FIG. 20) is prepared. The current date and time is stored in the play start date and time 702 . The player character control data 722 and possessed item list 726 are created from the login user's latest save data 610 (see FIG. 15). In other words, the past play results are inherited.

Next, the server system 1100 starts accepting the selection/setting of the payment method for the play consideration (step S10). Specifically, the payment method setting screen W2 (see FIG. 2) is displayed on the user terminal 1500, and the setting operation on the screen is accepted. The acceptance result is stored in the play consideration payment method 710 of the play data 700 (see FIG. 20).

When the check box 22a or the check box 22b is touch-operated on the payment method setting screen W2, the server system 1100 determines that the player pays the play consideration (YES in step S12), and accepts the selection of the consideration payment details. (Step S14). That is, the payment amount designating section 23, the consumption item designating section 24, and the consumption quantity designating section 25 are activated (see FIG. 2), and each setting is accepted. The acceptance result is stored in the consideration content 712 of the play data 700 (see FIG. 20).

If the play consideration has been fully paid with virtual currency or items (YES in step S16), the server system 1100 sets the advertisement display timing setting 714 (see FIG. 20) to "none" (step S18).

Note that when the check box 22c corresponding to "substitute by viewing advertisement" is touch-operated on the payment method setting screen W2 (NO in step S12), the advertisement display timing setting 714 remains undetermined. Also, when the full amount is not paid (NO in step S16), the advertisement display timing setting 714 remains undetermined.

Next, the server system 1100 sets the advertisement IDs 522 of all the advertisement definition data 521 in the advertisement database 520 (see FIG. 13) to the display-scheduled advertisement ID list 740 (see FIG. 20) (step S20). Advertisements to be displayed are selected based on the data 610 (see FIG. 19) (step S22). For example, the used item history 616 is referred to, and advertisements of frequently used item categories are selected preferentially. Then, with reference to the first advertisement omission definition data 530 (see FIG. 14), advertisements to be displayed are omitted or reduced (step S24).

Instead of adopting "reduction by advertisement unit" as a method of reducing advertisements, it is also possible to "reduce the display time per advertisement", "reduce the display time of the entire advertisement", and "reduce the display area occupied by the advertisement on the game screen". If so, this step can be omitted.

Next, server system 1100 refers to display-scheduled advertisement ID list 740, and if the number of advertisements scheduled to be displayed is not “0” (NO in step S30), user terminal 1500 displays display timing setting screen W3 (FIG. 3) is displayed, and the setting of the advertisement display timing is accepted (step S32). Along with this, the display result 744 (see FIG. 20) is initialized to "0" (step S34).

Then, in the display timing setting screen W3, when "Watch all before starting play" is selected/set (YES in step S40), the server system 1100 sets the display timing setting 714 to "Before starting play...". After setting, the advertisement display screen W4 (see FIG. 4) is displayed on the user terminal 1500, and display of all scheduled advertisements by the advertisement display body 42 is started (step S42).

In addition, when the advertisement is reduced by "reducing the display time per advertisement", the amount of time measured by the display timing timer 742 is set to the appropriate omission target item 532 (see FIG. 14), the omission target item 542 (see FIG. 15) ), the omission target item 552 (see FIG. 16), and the omission target item 562 (see FIG. 17). Then, when the display timing timer 742 completes the clocking, control is performed to activate the viewing confirmation operation icon 45 (see FIG. 4).

In addition, when the advertisement is reduced by "reducing the display time of the entire advertisement", the matching omission target item 532 (see FIG. 14), the omission target item 542 (see FIG. 15), the omission target item 552 (see FIG. 16) ), the total display time of the entire advertisement is set according to the definition of the omission target item 562 (see FIG. 17). Then, the display timing timer 742 is set for the display time per advertisement, which is obtained by dividing the total display time by the number of advertisements to be displayed. control to activate.

In addition, if the reduction of advertisements is also realized by "reducing the display area occupied by advertisements on the game screen", the display size of the advertisement display body 42 (see FIG. 4) is set to the appropriate omission target item 532 (see FIG. 14). ), omission target item 542 (see FIG. 15), omission target item 552 (see FIG. 16), and omission target item 562 (see FIG. 17) shall be applied.

Next, the server system 1100 increments the display result 744 by “1” every time the browsing confirmation operation icon 45 is touch-operated during advertisement display control, that is, each time the browsing confirmation operation input is detected. The advertisement ID list 746 is updated, and control for updating the display of the undisplayed advertisement information display body 43 is started (step S44).
Note that when an operation input to the browsing stop operation icon 44 (see FIG. 4) is detected while the advertisement is being displayed, the step is exited with the undisplayed advertisement remaining.

Moving on to FIG. 23, when the advertisement display before the start of play is completed (step S50), the server system 1100 starts game progress control. That is, game play is started (step S52). Along with this, if the advertisement display timing setting 714 is "during play, automatic at any time", the display timing timer 742 starts timing the advertisement display timing.

Further, if the advertisement display timing setting 714 is set to other than "see all before starting play" (YES in step S60), the server system 1100 sets the undisplayed advertisement information display body 43 (FIGS. 5 and 8). ) is started (step S62). Advertisement display control in this step is implemented in the same manner as in step S42.

After the start of play, if the advertisement display timing setting 714 is set to "automatically at any time during play" (YES in step S64), the server system 1100 determines whether the display timing has arrived (step S66). In the present embodiment, an affirmative determination is made when the display timing timer 742 counts the default value.

Then, when the display timing has arrived (YES in step S66), the server system 1100 causes the advertisement display unit 55 to display a predetermined number of new advertisements (one in this embodiment, but may be more than one) that remain undisplayed. Switching to advertisement (step S68), incrementing the display result 744 by "1", updating the displayed advertisement ID list 746, and updating the display of the undisplayed advertisement information display 43 (step S70). Advertisement display control in step S68 is implemented in the same manner as in step S42.

After the start of play, that is, when an item purchase operation is detected during play (YES in step S80), server system 1100 displays an item purchase screen, executes item purchase processing, and obtains possessed item list 726 and item purchase history data. 728 are updated (step S82). Then, referring to the second advertisement omission definition data 540 (see FIG. 15), the advertisement ID is deleted from the display-scheduled advertisement ID list 740 according to the latest item purchase record, and the advertisement scheduled to be displayed is omitted. Delete (step S84).

Further, when a browsing operation of a website is detected during play, specifically, when a banner advertisement type advertisement display body 42 (see FIG. 6) is touch-operated, or a site browsing 54b (see FIG. 5) is selected (YES in step S90), the server system 1100 starts browsing the designated or linked website and updates the website browsing history 750 (see FIG. 20) ( step S92).

When the web browsing ends (step S94), the server system 1100 refers to the third advertisement abbreviated definition data 550 (see FIG. 16), and selects an advertisement ID from the display schedule advertisement ID list 740 according to the current viewing record. The advertisements to be displayed are omitted or reduced by deleting them (step S96).

Moving on to FIG. 24, when a questionnaire response permission operation is detected during play, specifically, when a questionnaire solicitation type advertisement display body 42 (see FIG. 7) is touch-operated, or when a questionnaire response is performed in the action menu 54 54c (see FIG. 5) is selected (YES in step S100), the server system 1100 refers to the questionnaire definition data 580 and starts accepting input of answers to the questionnaire, or prepares data for answering the questionnaire. Browsing of the given website is started, and the questionnaire response history 752 (see FIG. 20) is updated (step S102).

Then, when the questionnaire is completed (step S104), the server system 1100 refers to the fourth advertisement abbreviated definition data 560 (see FIG. 17), and according to the questionnaire answer result/response record for this time, the display scheduled The advertisement ID is deleted from the advertisement ID list 740 to omit/reduce advertisements to be displayed (step S106).

When the breakpoint of game progress is reached during play (YES in step S120) and the display timing setting 714 is set to "during play, progress breakpoint only" (YES in step S122), the server system 1100 The advertisement display body 42 and the browsing confirmation operation icon 45 are newly displayed, and the new advertisement is displayed on the advertisement display body 42 (step S124).

Specifically, the server system 1100 causes the advertisement display body 42 to display an advertisement that is not included in the displayed advertisement ID list 746 in the display-scheduled advertisement ID list 740 , i.e., an undisplayed advertisement, and displays it on the viewing confirmation operation icon 45 . When the touch operation is detected, display switching control is performed so that the advertisement display body 42 displays the next undisplayed advertisement. Along with this, each time the viewing confirmation operation icon 45 is operated, the display record 744 is incremented by "1", the displayed advertisement ID list 746 is updated, and the display of the undisplayed advertisement information display body 43 is updated.
Note that when an operation input to the browsing stop operation icon 44 (see FIG. 8) is detected while the advertisement is being displayed, the step is exited with the undisplayed advertisement remaining.

Next, the server system 1100 notifies the player of the display results 744 (step S132) when the display timing setting 714 is set to something other than "see together at the end of play" (NO in step S130). For example, the number of advertisements displayed in the game screen may be displayed, or a gauge-like display body may be displayed to represent the displayed advertisement ID list 746 with the scheduled display advertisement ID list 740 set to 100%. Note that the display related to the notification may be displayed all the time, or may be displayed for a predetermined period of time at regular intervals.

Next, the server system 1100 provides the player with a privilege according to the display performance of the advertisement (step S134). Specifically, data matching the current display performance 744 is searched from the privilege setting data 590 corresponding to advertisement display performance (see FIG. 12), and the privilege indicated by the relevant data is given to the player. Note that one piece of privilege setting data 590 corresponding to advertisement display results is applied only once.

By giving merits to the player according to the display performance of the advertisement, the player will be motivated to view the advertisement thereafter. In other words, the player's negative mental impression of the collection of the game play fee due to the advertisement display is reduced, and the player can play the game comfortably.

25, server system 1100 repeats steps S64 (see FIG. 23) to S134 (see FIG. 24) until the game end condition is satisfied (NO in step S140).

If the game end condition is satisfied (YES in step S140) and the display timing setting 714 is set to "watch together at the end of play" (YES in step S142), the server system 1100 causes the user terminal 1500 to The display screen W9 (see FIG. 9) is displayed, and the advertisements registered in the display-scheduled advertisement ID list 740 are controlled to be displayed one after another each time the viewing confirmation operation icon 45 is operated (step S144). Along with this, each time the viewing confirmation operation icon 45 is operated, the display record 744 is incremented by "1", the displayed advertisement ID list 746 is updated, and the display of the undisplayed advertisement information display body 43 is updated.
Note that when an operation input to the browsing stop operation icon 44 (see FIG. 9) is detected while the advertisement is being displayed, the step is exited with the undisplayed advertisement remaining.

Next, the server system 1100 causes the user terminal 1500 to display the test screen W10 (see FIG. 10) and accepts input of test answers (step S146). At this time, in the question display section 93, the question contents 527 of the advertisement definition data 521 (see FIG. 13) of advertisement IDs selected at random from the displayed advertisement ID list 746 are displayed one after another.

Then, if the test is passed (YES in step S150), the server system 1100 refers to the data save limit definition data 570 (see FIG. 18) to match the display result condition 572 to which the current display result 744 is satisfied. Data is saved by applying the corresponding restriction content 573 (step S152). As a result, new save data 610 is created in the user management data 600 of the player. At this time, the results of the current game play are reflected in the data items that were not restricted, and the contents of the most recent past save data 610 are copied in the restricted data items. Accordingly, it is preferable to notify the player of the restricted data items. The server system 1100 then ends the series of processes.

If the test is not passed (NO in step S150), the server system 1100 notifies that the data cannot be saved (step S154), and terminates the series of processes without saving the data.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to diversify the player's choices regarding advertisement display in a game in which a play fee can be collected through advertisement display.

In other words, the player pays for the play by consuming virtual currency or owned items before starting the game, and can play the game without displaying advertisements during the game play. In addition, viewing of advertisements can be substituted for the payment of play fees. In this case, the advertisement display timing can be selected from four options: "Before the start of play", "Automatically at any time during play", "Limited to divisions during play", and "After play".

Furthermore, the number of advertisements scheduled to be displayed can be reduced by browsing designated websites or websites linked to advertisements during play. You can also reduce the number of ads that are scheduled to be displayed by purchasing items or answering questionnaires while playing.

From the player's point of view, the mode of advertisement display can be set and adjusted to their liking much more than before, while from the game operator's point of view, the player will not be uncomfortable with the advertisement display. earnings can be stabilized.

[Second embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the invention will be described.
This embodiment is basically implemented in the same manner as the first embodiment, but differs in that the user terminal 1500 is the subject of game progress control. Hereinafter, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and the same reference numerals will be assigned to the same components as in the first embodiment, and description thereof will be omitted.

The game system in this embodiment is the same as in the first embodiment.

FIG. 26 is a functional block diagram showing a functional configuration example of the user terminal 1500B in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the game progress control unit 210 is omitted from the server system 1100 in this embodiment. Instead, the user terminal 1500B of this embodiment has the game progress control unit 210, and the game screen display control unit 262 is Omitted. That is, in the present embodiment, the user terminal 1500B is a computer system that executes arithmetic processing related to game progress and generates a game space image by itself.

As shown in FIG. 27, the terminal storage unit 500 of the user terminal 1500B in this embodiment stores a terminal system program 502 and a game program 506. FIG. Then, as the game progress control unit 210 is processed by the user terminal 1500B, except for the user management data 600, the game initial setting data 510, the advertisement database 520, the first advertisement omission definition data 530, second advertisement omission definition data 540, third advertisement omission definition data 550, fourth advertisement omission definition data 560, data saving limit definition data 570, questionnaire definition data 580, and advertisement display results corresponding privilege setting data 590; , play data 700 and current date and time 800 are stored in the terminal storage unit 500 .

The game program 506 is a program for realizing the user terminal calculation unit 260, the game progress control unit 210, and the timer unit 264 of this embodiment in the terminal processing unit 200. FIG.

The flow of processing in this embodiment is basically the same as the flow of processing in the server system 1100 in the first embodiment (see FIGS. 22 to 24), and the game progress control unit 210 is executed in the user terminal 1500B. Accordingly, the executing entity of each step may be appropriately read as the server system 1100 or the user terminal 1500B. It should be noted that when a process such as login that requires reference to the user management data 600 is executed on the user terminal 1500B, it is necessary to request the server system 1100 to provide the necessary data and collate it, or to request the process itself. shall be dealt with.

According to this embodiment, effects similar to those of the first embodiment can be obtained.
It should be noted that the user terminal 1500B may not be responsible for all of the game progress control section 210, but may be configured to be limited to a part thereof.

[Modification]
An example of an embodiment to which the present invention is applied has been described above, but the form to which the present invention can be applied is not limited to the above-described form, and constituent elements can be added, omitted, or changed as appropriate.

[Part 1]
For example, in the above embodiment, an example of realizing an online game in a client-server game system was given, but it may be realized in a game system in which a plurality of user terminals 1500 are connected peer-to-peer. In that case, one of the user terminals 1500 is made to serve as the server system 1100 of the first embodiment. Alternatively, the functions of the game progress control unit 210 may be shared by a plurality of user terminals 1500 .

[Part 2]
Furthermore, although an online game has been exemplified in the above embodiment, the present invention can be similarly applied to a game run by the user terminal 1500 as a stand-alone, in other words, a game run by a computer system consisting of a single computer. In this case, basically, the functional configurations shown in FIGS. 11 and 21 can be read as those realized by the user terminal 1500 alone.

22a, 22b, 22c...Check box 23...Payment amount designating part 24...Consumable item designating part 25...Consumption quantity designating part 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d...Checkbox 42...Advertisement display body 43...Undisplayed advertisement information display body 44 Browsing stop operation icon 45 Browsing confirmation operation icon 54 Action menu 54 b Site browsing 54 c Questionnaire answer 55 Advertisement display unit 56 Ad display body 91 Restriction explanation 92 Test explanation 93 Question display unit 94 Answer input Part 200s... Server processing part 202... User management part 204... Play consideration payment control part 210... Game progress control part 212... Display timing setting part 214... Item purchase control part 216... Site browsing control part 218... Questionnaire answer reception control part 220 ... Undisplayed advertisement information presentation control section 222 ... Advertisement display control section 224 ... Display performance management section 226 ... Test control section 228 ... Display performance corresponding privilege provision section 230 ... Penalty provision control section 232 ... Result reduction section 234 ... Data saving restriction section 260 User terminal calculation unit 261 Operation signal transmission control unit 262 Game screen display control unit 500s Server storage unit 503 Server program 510 Game initial setting data 520 Advertisement database 521 Advertisement definition data 523 Advertisement content data 525 Ad content index 526 Linking information 530 First advertisement omission definition data 540 Second advertisement omission definition data 550 Third advertisement omission definition data 560 Fourth advertisement omission definition data 570 Data saving restriction definition data 572 Display performance conditions 573 Restrictions 600 User management data 610 Save data 700 Play data 710 Play consideration payment method 712 Consideration content 714 Display timing setting 740 Advertisement ID list to be displayed 742 Display timing timer 744 Display Results 746...Displayed advertisement ID list 750...Website browsing history 752...Questionnaire answer history 754...Test answer history 1100...Server system 1150...Control board 1500...User terminal 1550...Control board W2...Payment method setting screen W3...Display timing Setting screen W4...Advertisement display screen W5...Game screen W8...Game screen W9...Advertisement display screen W10...Test screen

Claims (15)

A program for causing a computer system to control the display of advertisements in the event that a payment that satisfies a given compensation condition for non-display is not made for hiding the display of advertisements during game progress, comprising:
display timing setting means for setting one of before the game starts, after the game ends, and at the end of the game progress, as the display timing of the advertisement for the progress of the game;
Advertisement display control means for displaying the advertisement at the display timing;
Display performance management means for managing the performance of advertisement display by the advertisement display control means;
game progress control means for controlling the progress of the game according to the achievement;
A program for causing the computer system to function as a computer. means for presenting whether or not the advertisement has been displayed;
2. A program according to claim 1, for further causing said computer system to function as a program. Penalty applying means for giving a given penalty to the player when the achievement does not satisfy a given sufficient condition;
3. The program according to claim 1 or 2, for further causing said computer system to function as a program. The penalty imparting means has an outcome reduction means for reducing the outcome of the game,
4. A program according to claim 3. The penalty imparting means has data saving restriction means for restricting part or all of data saving,
5. A program according to claim 3 or 4. The data save limiting means has the following functions: 1) prohibiting data saving itself, 2) limiting the types of data to be saved, and 3) limiting the saveable limit values among given parameter values acquired through game play. any of the above limits,
6. A program according to claim 5. test control means for setting a test for the advertisement displayed by the advertisement display control means and receiving an answer;
further functioning the computer system as
The data saving restriction means executes the restriction according to whether the answer is correct or not.
7. A program according to claim 5 or 6. payment acceptance means for accepting payment of consideration that does not satisfy the consideration conditions for non-display;
further functioning the computer system as
The advertisement display control means changes at least one of the number of advertisements to be displayed, the duration and the display area according to the consideration accepted by the payment acceptance means.
A program according to any one of claims 1-7. the payment acceptance means accepts consumption of a given item as payment for the consideration;
9. A program according to claim 8. Item purchase means for purchasing a given item of the game according to the player's operation input;
further functioning the computer system as
The advertisement display control means changes at least one of the number of advertisements to be displayed, the duration and the display area according to the purchase of the item.
A program according to any one of claims 1-9. site browsing means for browsing a given website according to the player's operation input;
further functioning the computer system as
The advertisement display control means changes at least one of the number of advertisements to be displayed, the duration, and the display area, depending on whether or not the website is viewed.
A program according to any one of claims 1-10. questionnaire accepting means for accepting responses to a given questionnaire in accordance with player's operation input;
further functioning the computer system as
The advertisement display control means changes at least one of the number of advertisements to be displayed, the duration, and the display area, depending on whether or not the questionnaire is answered.
A program according to any one of claims 1-11. presenting means for presenting the number, time or display area of advertisements displayed by the advertisement display control means;
13. The program according to any one of claims 1 to 12, for further causing said computer to function as a program. The advertisement display control means selects an advertisement to be displayed based on a game play history.
A program according to any one of claims 1-13. 1. A computer system for controlling display of advertisements in the event that a payment that satisfies a given price condition for non-display is not made for hiding advertisements during game progress, comprising:
display timing setting means for setting one of before the game starts, after the game ends, and at the end of the game progress, as the display timing of the advertisement for the progress of the game;
Advertisement display control means for displaying the advertisement at the display timing;
Display performance management means for managing the performance of advertisement display by the advertisement display control means;
game progress control means for controlling the progress of the game according to the achievement;
A computer system with

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