JP2023041129A - Entertainment system, program, server, and control method - Google Patents

Abstract

To promote use of a message transmission tool by a user participating in an event through a user terminal.SOLUTION: An entertainment system includes: a progress unit for progressing an event in which a user can participate by accessing a server though a user terminal; an acquisition unit for acquiring a message that the user transmits to the server through the user terminal; a determination unit for determining whether or not a message acquired in a predetermined period while the event is progressing of the messages acquired by the acquisition unit satisfies a predetermined condition; and a control execution unit for executing predetermined control in the event when the message is determined to satisfy the predetermined condition.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD Embodiments of the present invention relate to entertainment systems, programs, servers, and control methods.

Events in which users can participate via user terminals are known. Such events include various online events such as online games or video distribution events. A user can participate in an event as a player, a spectator, a performer, or a viewer, for example, via a user terminal. Such online events often utilize communication tools to facilitate communication between users and event providers or between users.

In a competitive game in which a plurality of game devices are connected to each other to play against each other, there has been proposed a game device provided with a tool for cheering or jeering the players during the competition so that the players watching the competitive game can also participate in the game. (See Patent Document 1, for example). In the game device of Patent Literature 1, when cheering or jeering from a spectator player, the gauge indicating the ability value of the character of the player who received the cheering or jeering increases or decreases.

Also, as a tool for users to interact with each other in an electronic game, there has been proposed a game device that allocates a user page that can be viewed by other users to each user (see, for example, Patent Document 2). The game device disclosed in Patent Literature 2 can display stamp images and comments on the user page.

JP-A-2003-175283 Japanese Patent No. 5613857

Even if an event provider spends time and money to provide communication tools, the communication tools are often not sufficiently used at the event. Further mechanisms are required to encourage users to use communication tools.

An object of the present invention is to provide an entertainment system, program, server, and control method that promote the use of message transmission tools by users participating in an event via user terminals.

In order to solve the above problems, a first aspect of the present invention is an entertainment system comprising: a promotion unit for advancing an event in which a user can participate by accessing a server via a user terminal; an acquisition unit that acquires messages to be transmitted to the server via, and a determination that determines whether or not a message acquired during a predetermined period during an event among the messages acquired by the acquisition unit satisfies a predetermined condition and a control execution unit that executes predetermined control in an event when it is determined that a predetermined condition is satisfied.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, an entertainment system executes predetermined control in an event when a message satisfying predetermined conditions is transmitted from a user terminal to a server during a predetermined period during which the event is in progress. . By using the transmission of a message that satisfies a predetermined condition as a trigger for execution of predetermined control in an event, it is possible to prompt the user to use the message transmission tool.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a technique is provided for promoting use of a message transmission tool by users participating in an event via user terminals.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of an entertainment system according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a server according to one embodiment; FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a user terminal according to one embodiment; FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example game image related to stamp transmission according to one embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating example game images associated with creating a text message according to one embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of server processing according to an embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of an adjustment table according to one embodiment; FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a temporal condition management table according to one embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a content condition management table according to one embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the details of the process related to execution of the predetermined control among the processes shown in FIG. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of an effect management table according to one embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a game image example related to predetermined control according to one embodiment. FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of message processing by a server according to one embodiment. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example game image related to message exchange according to one embodiment.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Elements that are the same as or similar to elements that have already been explained are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals, and overlapping explanations are basically omitted. For example, when there are a plurality of identical or similar elements, common reference numerals may be used to describe each element without distinction, and the common reference numerals may be used to distinguish and describe each element. In addition, branch numbers are sometimes used.

[One embodiment]
(1) Configuration (1-1) Entertainment System FIG. 1 shows an example of the overall configuration of an entertainment system 1 according to one embodiment.
The entertainment system 1 includes a plurality of user terminals 100A, 100B, 100C, . Each user terminal 100 can communicate with the server 200 via the network NW. Any number of user terminals 100 can be connected to the server 200, but for the sake of simplicity, only one user terminal 100 will be illustrated and described in detail here.

The network NW is, for example, the Internet, and includes access networks such as LAN (Local Area Network), WAN (Wide Area Network), mobile communication network, wired telephone network, FTTH (Fiber To The Home), and CATV (Cable Television) network. can contain.

User terminal 100 is an example of a user terminal according to an embodiment, and is used by a user. The user terminal 100 is, for example, a computer such as a smart phone, a tablet terminal, or a notebook personal computer. The user terminal 100 may be a stationary computer such as a desktop personal computer. The user terminal 100 may also be a terminal for playing video games, such as a commercial or home game machine. In the following, as an example, the user terminal 100 is described as being a smart phone with a touch screen.

Server 200 is an example of a server according to one embodiment, and is, for example, a computer operated and managed by an event provider. Server 200 may be a general-purpose computer such as a workstation or personal computer. For example, the server 200 receives user or user terminal identification information and various requests from the user terminal 100 via the network NW, and transmits programs, related data, and the like to the user terminal 100 via the network NW. The server 200 can transmit and receive information to and from multiple user terminals 100 at the same time. Server 200 does not have to be a single device, and may be realized by a plurality of devices capable of mutual data communication.

In one embodiment, the event is implemented as an online event with a so-called client-server system. An entertainment system according to an embodiment may be entertainment system 1 or part of entertainment system 1 . The entertainment system 1 according to one embodiment includes a promoter that advances an event in which the user can participate by accessing the server 200 via the user terminal 100, and a message that the user transmits to the server 200 via the user terminal 100. a determination unit for determining whether or not a message acquired during a predetermined period during the progress of an event among the messages acquired by the acquisition unit satisfies a predetermined condition; and a control execution unit that executes predetermined control in an event when it is determined that

(1-2) Hardware Configuration (1-2-1) Server As shown in FIG. 1, the server 200 includes hardware such as a processor 2001, a memory 2002, a storage 2003, a communication interface (communication I/F ) 2004 and an input/output interface (input/output I/F) 2005 , which are electrically connected to each other via a bus 2006 .

A processor 2001 controls the overall operation of the server 200 . The processor 2001 includes, for example, a general-purpose processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), MPU (Micro Processing Unit), GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). The processor 2001 is not limited to a general-purpose processor, and may be a dedicated processor such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array).
A memory 2002 is a main storage device and includes a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like.
The storage 2003 is an auxiliary storage device and includes non-volatile storage devices such as hard disk drives (HDD) and solid state drives (SSD). The storage 2003 stores programs executed by the processor 2001, setting data necessary for executing the programs, and the like. Part of the program may be stored in ROM.

The processor 2001 can implement the processing functions described later by reading a program from the storage 2003, expanding it in the memory 2002, and interpreting and executing the expanded program.

A communication interface (communication I/F) 2004 is a module for communicating with an external device such as the user terminal 100 via the network NW, and includes a signal processing circuit for transmission and reception, an optical connector, and the like. Communication interface 2004 may include, for example, an optical communication module.

An input/output interface (input/output I/F) 2005 captures operation data input by an operator through an input device such as a keyboard or mouse, and outputs output data to an output device such as a liquid crystal or organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display or speaker. Output.

(1-2-2) User Terminal As shown in FIG. 1, the user terminal 100 includes, as hardware, a processor 1001, a memory 1002, a storage 1003, a sensor 1004, and a communication interface (communication I/F) 1005. , an input/output interface (input/output I/F) 1006 , and a touch screen 1007 , which are electrically connected to each other via a bus 1008 .

A processor 1001 controls the overall operation of the user terminal 100 . The processor 1001 includes, for example, general-purpose processors such as CPU, MPU, and GPU. The processor 1001 is also not limited to a general-purpose processor, and may be a dedicated processor such as ASIC or FPGA.
A memory 1002 is a main storage device and includes ROM, RAM, and the like.
The storage 1003 is an auxiliary storage device and includes internal or external semiconductor memory (for example, flash memory). The storage 1003 stores programs executed by the processor 1001, setting data necessary for executing the programs, and the like. Part of the program may be stored in ROM.
The processor 1001 reads a program from the storage 1003, expands it in the memory 1002, and interprets and executes the expanded program, thereby realizing processing functions to be described later.

The sensor 1004 is, for example, an image sensor, sound sensor, acceleration sensor, angular velocity sensor, geomagnetic sensor, GPS sensor, proximity sensor, ambient light sensor, or the like. The sensor 1004 converts various sensed information into electrical signals and outputs them.

A communication interface (communication I/F) 1005 is a module for communicating with an external device such as the server 200 via the network NW, and includes a signal processing circuit for transmission/reception, an antenna, a LAN terminal, and the like. The communication interface 1005 can include a module for mobile communication, a module for wireless/wired LAN, a module for short-range wireless communication, and the like.

An input/output interface (input/output I/F) 1006 takes in input data from an external device and outputs output data to the external device. The input/output interface 1006 can include, for example, physical buttons of the user terminal 100, a speaker built into the user terminal 100, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) port, and the like.

The touch screen 1007 includes an input unit 1071 and a display unit 1072, and has functions of receiving user input operations and displaying various images to the user.
The input unit 1071 is, for example, a capacitive or resistive touch panel. The input unit 1071 detects a contact position touched by a user's finger or a touch pen (stylus pen), and generates coordinate information of the contact position.
The display unit 1072 is, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display, and displays various images based on display data.

The user terminal 100 can also accept user operations from external input devices such as a keyboard, mouse, and controller connected via the input/output interface 1006 . User terminal 100 may acquire programs and related data from an external storage device such as a memory card connected via input/output interface 1006 . The user terminal 100 can also output display information to an external output device such as a display or speaker connected via the input/output interface 1006 . The user terminal 100 may use an external storage device such as a memory card connected via the input/output interface 1006 as the storage 1003 . User terminal 100 may also accept a signal from sensor 1004 as a user operation.

(1-3) Functional Configuration (1-3-1) Server FIG. 2 shows an example of the functional configuration of the server 200 according to one embodiment. Note that detailed illustration and description of the functional configuration of a general computer are omitted here.

The server 200 includes a control section 210 and a storage section 220 .
Storage unit 220 is mainly implemented by storage 2003 . A part of the storage unit 220 may be implemented by the memory 2002 . Storage unit 220 includes program storage unit 221 , data storage unit 222 , and predetermined control information storage unit 223 .

The program storage unit 221 stores a program for the server 200 that controls the server 200 as a whole. The program storage unit 221 can further store game programs for the user terminal 100 .

The data storage unit 222 stores various related data referred to when executing the program. The data storage unit 222 can store data for the server 200 and data for the user terminal 100 .

The predetermined control information storage unit 223 stores various information regarding predetermined control. The predetermined control information storage unit 223 stores, for example, a predetermined condition that serves as a trigger for executing predetermined control, and the content of the predetermined control that is executed when the predetermined condition is satisfied, in association with each other. Predetermined conditions and the content of predetermined controls are managed, for example, in a correspondence table. In one embodiment, the predetermined condition includes that a message sent from the user terminal 100 during a predetermined period during which the event is in progress is a message that meets the predetermined condition. Predetermined conditions may be rephrased to include temporal conditions and content conditions. In this case, the temporal condition includes that the message is transmitted from the user terminal 100 during a predetermined period during which the event is in progress, and the content condition includes that the message is a message that matches predetermined content. The predetermined control information storage unit 223 stores, for example, an adjustment table 2231, a temporal condition management table 2232, a content condition management table 2233, an effect management table 2234, etc., which will be described later.

Control unit 210 is mainly implemented by processor 2001 and memory 2002 . The control unit 210 controls the functions of the server 200 as a whole. Control unit 210 functions as event progression unit 211, message acquisition unit 212, determination unit 213, predetermined control execution unit 214, and adjustment unit 215 by executing the server program stored in program storage unit 221. obtain.

The event progressing unit 211 progresses an event that the user can participate in by accessing the server 200 via the user terminal 100 . Events may include various events. The event may be an event related to virtual space, an event related to real space, or an event related to a combination thereof. For example, the event is an online game, and the user can participate via the user terminal 100 as a competitive game or cooperative play game player or as a spectator. For example, the event progression unit 211 arranges an object that can be operated by each user in the virtual space, and advances the online game based on the program and the operation information transmitted from the user terminal 100 . The event may be a video distribution event such as live music, theater, sports, workshops, panel discussions, talks, lectures, or presentations. The event proceeding unit 211 advances the event by generating and encoding video data and audio data obtained by photographing the virtual space or the real space and distributing the data to the user terminal 100 . A user can participate in an event in various positions via the user terminal 100, for example, as a player, a performer, a spectator, a referee, a viewer, a commentator, or an evaluator. The event progression unit 211 also reads necessary programs and related data from the storage unit 220 and transmits them to the user terminal 100 in response to a request received from the user terminal 100 . The event facilitator 211 is an example of a facilitator according to one embodiment.

The message acquisition unit 212 acquires messages transmitted from the user terminal 100 . Here, "message" refers to general information that includes in some form the intention or purpose of the user who is the sender. A message may contain text (letters, numbers, symbols, etc.) or an image. Images include, for example, small images called stamps (hereinafter referred to as “stamp images” or simply “stamps”). A "stamp image" can include an object that produces sound and an object that moves, such as an animation or moving image. The images may include other images stored on user terminal 100 . Messages include e-mails, instant messages, chats, comment postings, postings on electronic bulletin boards, and the like. The message also includes information representing reactions such as "likes", tips, tips, gifts, and the like. Further, the message acquisition unit 212 processes the acquired message. For example, the message acquisition unit 212 transfers the message to its destination, notifies the destination that the message has been received, reflects it in the virtual space, reflects it in the video data, updates the electronic bulletin board, and so on. . Known techniques may be used for these processes. The message acquisition unit 212 passes the message to the determination unit 213 . The message acquirer 212 is an example of an acquirer according to one embodiment.

The determination unit 213 determines whether the message received from the message acquisition unit 212 satisfies a predetermined condition. In one embodiment, the determination unit 213 first determines whether or not the temporal condition is satisfied, and further determines whether or not the content condition is satisfied when the temporal condition is satisfied. For example, the determination unit 213 first determines whether or not the message is a message transmitted during a predetermined period during the progress of the event with respect to the time condition. The predetermined time period may be set as any time frame or period. The predetermined period may be a fixed period of time (for example, 10 seconds, 1 minute, 10 minutes) from the start of the event, or a predetermined time frame such as from 20:00 to 22:00. The predetermined period may be a cooperative battle period in which a plurality of users cooperate to fight an enemy in an online game, or a part of the cooperative battle period. During the turn of the player, during the turn of the ally, or during the turn of the enemy may be set as the predetermined period. The predetermined period may be the period of a sub-event of the online event, or the period during which the number of event participants (for example, the number of viewers) is equal to or greater than a threshold. A plurality of predetermined periods may be set within the event. If the message is a message transmitted within a predetermined period, the determination unit 213 further determines whether or not the message satisfies a content condition. Content conditions may be arbitrarily set as a wide variety of conditions. Content conditions (that the message is a message that matches predetermined contents) include, for example, that the message contains a specific phrase, that the message contains a stamp image, that the message contains a limited-time stamp, that the message or related to paid gifts, etc. Content conditions may include conditions on the number or order of messages sent in a given period of time. Content conditions may include conditions regarding senders or destinations. A plurality of content conditions may also be set. A time condition and a content condition may be set in combination, such as condition X for a message in period A and condition Y for period B. The determination unit 213 may determine only one of the temporal condition and the content condition. If it is determined that the acquired message satisfies a predetermined condition, the determination unit 213 notifies the predetermined control execution unit 214 to that effect. The determination unit 213 is an example of a determination unit according to one embodiment.

The predetermined control execution unit 214 executes predetermined control in the event when it is determined that the acquired message satisfies a predetermined condition. Predetermined control may be rephrased as control for activating a predetermined effect related to an event in the user terminal 100 . Predetermined effects include effects that are attractive to at least one user participating in the event (eg, senders of messages that meet predetermined conditions). For example, the predetermined control execution unit 214 executes control to change the parameters of the object placed in the virtual space when it is determined that the message contains a specific phrase. Object parameter changes include, for example, changes in appearance (display) of objects, changes in ability values (strength, speed, durability, etc.) of objects, addition of new objects, and the like. Objects include characters or avatars. The predetermined control execution unit 214 can change parameters such as attack power of the character, for example. The predetermined control execution unit 214 can also cause the character placed in the virtual space to perform a predetermined action when the message includes a limited-time stamp. Predetermined actions include, for example, actions such as laughing, waving, jumping, dancing, attacking, or activating special techniques.

In one embodiment, the predetermined control execution section 214 includes a notification generation section 2141 and an effect activation section 2142 . The notification generation unit 2141 performs a process of notifying at least one user terminal 100 of the fulfillment of a predetermined condition or the effect to be activated. The notification is presented to the user at the user terminal 100 before the effect is activated, during the effect is activated, or after the effect is activated. The effect activating section 2142 generates a command for activating the effect described above and transmits it to the user terminal 100 . What kind of notification and what kind of effect should be activated when a predetermined condition is satisfied is managed by a correspondence table or the like stored in the predetermined control information storage unit 223 . The notification generator 2141 may be omitted. The predetermined control execution unit 214 may only activate the effect without giving notification. The predetermined control execution unit 214 is an example of a control execution unit according to one embodiment.

The adjustment unit 215 adjusts the time condition or the content condition used by the determination unit 213 and the content of the predetermined control used by the predetermined control execution unit 214 according to the situation of the event. The adjustment target and adjustment method of the adjustment unit 215 may be set arbitrarily. For example, the adjustment unit 215 adjusts the number of times or the probability that the determination unit 213 determines that a predetermined condition is satisfied in each event falls within a predetermined range. For example, the adjustment unit 215 may adjust the length of a predetermined period or a predetermined condition (for example, the phrase or stamp in the message used for determination) according to changes in the number of sub-events or event participants that occur during the event. type). For example, the adjustment unit 215 adjusts to shorten the length of the predetermined period when the number of participants exceeds a certain number. The adjustment unit 215 may adjust the length of the predetermined period and the predetermined condition according to the type and fighting power of the enemy character that appears. For example, if the enemy character has a high fighting power, the adjustment unit 215 lengthens the “predetermined period” or simplifies the “predetermined condition” (for example, the phrase or stamp required to satisfy the condition). change type/number). The adjuster 215 is an example of a period adjuster or condition adjuster according to one embodiment. The adjustment unit 215 can also adjust the “predetermined control”. The adjustment unit 215 adjusts the effect to be activated, for example, according to changes in the number of sub-events occurring during the event or the number of event participants, or according to the types and combat power of enemy characters that appear. For example, the adjustment unit 215 adds additional points to the value of the internal parameter to be changed in the case of a specific type of enemy character, and further increases the value of the reward that can be obtained in the case of an enemy character with high combat power. You can make adjustments such as These adjustments can be performed using a correspondence table or relational expression stored in the predetermined control information storage unit 223 .

(1-3-2) User Terminal FIG. 3 shows an example of the functional configuration of the user terminal 100 according to one embodiment. Note that detailed illustration and description of the functional configuration of a general computer are omitted here.

The user terminal 100 includes a control section 110 and a storage section 120 .
The storage unit 120 is mainly implemented by the storage 1003 . A part of the storage unit 120 may be implemented by the memory 1002 . Storage unit 120 includes program storage unit 121 , data storage unit 122 , and message-related data storage unit 123 .

The program storage unit 121 stores programs for user terminals that control the user terminals 100 . A program for the user terminal can be received from the server 200 at any time, such as when creating a user account, logging in, or participating in an event.

The data storage unit 122 stores various related data referred to when executing the program. The data storage unit 122 mainly stores setting data for user terminals related to progress of events. Configuration data can also be received from the server 200 at any timing.

The message-related data storage unit 123 stores various data related to messages. For example, the message-related data storage unit 123 stores information on stamps that can be transmitted as messages.

Control unit 110 is mainly implemented by processor 1001 and memory 1002 . The control unit 110 controls the functions of the user terminal 100 as a whole. Control unit 110 functions as event processing unit 111, operation reception unit 112, message processing unit 113, predetermined control processing unit 114, and display control unit 115 by executing the game program stored in program storage unit 121. obtain.

The event processing unit 111 performs processing related to event progression in the user terminal 100 according to the program and setting data received from the server 200 . For example, if the event is an online game, the event processing unit 111 progresses the game in response to user operations while exchanging the latest data with the server 200 as needed.

The operation accepting unit 112 has a function of accepting a user's operation input via the input unit 1071 . Hereinafter, “user's operation” refers to a user's operation input via the input unit 1071 . User operations include various types of operations via the input unit 1071, such as tap operations and swipe operations. The operation reception unit 112 can detect the start of the user's operation based on detection of the contact position by the input unit 1071 . Determination of the user operation by the operation reception unit 112 may be performed by a known method. The operation reception unit 112 passes the content of the received user operation to the event processing unit 111, the message processing unit 113, or the like.

The message processing unit 113 creates a message and transmits the created message to the server 200 in response to the user's operation. The message processing unit 113 may add additional information about the message to the message, such as information that the stamp is a time-limited stamp, or includes paid items.

Predetermined control processing unit 114 receives a command related to predetermined control from server 200 and activates an effect according to the command. The predetermined control processing unit 114, for example, changes the parameters of the setting data related to the progress of the event according to the command. Further, when receiving a notification from the server 200, the predetermined control processing unit 114 presents the content of the notification in a form that the user can perceive.

The display control unit 115 generates an image or video data according to the progress of the event, and causes the display unit 1072 to display it. The display control unit 115 can further generate audio data and output it to a speaker or the like. If the event is an online game, the display control unit 115 generates a game image that depicts the game space. The display control unit 115 can also add UI (User Interface) parts and other displays to the game image. If the event is a video distribution event, the display control unit 115 decodes the encoded video data and audio data received from the server 200, for example, and outputs them to the display unit 1072 or the speaker. The display control unit 115 can add UI components and other displays to the decoded video data.

A part of the functions of the user terminal 100 may be provided in the server 200 . Conversely, some of the functions of server 200 may be provided in user terminal 100 .

(1-4) Events and Messages Events realized by the entertainment system 1 according to one embodiment include all events in which users can participate via the user terminal 100. FIG. Below, as a mere example, it is assumed that the event realized by the entertainment system 1 is an online game event (hereinafter also referred to as "game event" or simply "event") that enables cooperative play by a plurality of users. explain. For example, the server 200 uses the event progressing unit 211 to create member management units such as "rooms" and "sessions" for cooperative play, manage members of cooperative play in room units, and progress cooperative play. The game event includes a battle part in which each of one or more users operates a player character and cooperates to fight an enemy character that is an NPC (Non Player Character). Co-op members may include NPCs. A game event may also include a "lobby," which is the vestibule of the battle part. A battle part is an example of a "predetermined period during which an event is in progress".

In the entertainment system 1, the server 200 can receive and process messages from the user terminals 100 in parallel with the progress of the event. The user can create and send messages via the user terminal 100 at any time during battle parts and lobbies. For example, a user can send a message addressed to all members of a room during a battle part. Messages that a user can send are not limited to messages for each room, and may be messages addressed to all users participating in an online game, such as so-called "world chats" or electronic bulletin boards. Furthermore, in the entertainment system 1, even in game parts other than the ongoing event, the user can, for example, address specific users registered as "friends" via the server 200, or send messages to in-game communities (so-called "friends"). Guild”, etc.) can be addressed to multiple users who belong to it. Regardless of whether an event is in progress, message exchange via server 200 may be implemented in any manner, such as a chat function, mail function, bulletin board function, or the like.

FIG. 4 illustrates example game images associated with sending stamps according to one embodiment. The game image is displayed on the display unit 1072 of the user terminal 100 and constitutes a game screen.
A game image 51 on the left is an example of a game image when a battle part is in progress. In the illustrated example, the game image 51 includes a first player character 61, a second player character 62, an enemy character 91, HP gauges 71, 72, and 92, and It includes a stamp selection button 81 and a message creation button 82 as UI components.

The first player character 61 is a player character that can be operated by the user via the user terminal 100 (for example, the user terminal 100A) that displays the game image 51 . The user can cause the first player character 61 to perform an action such as attack or defense by performing an operation such as tapping a touch panel around the first player character 61 .

The second player character 62 is a player character that can be operated by another user who is a member of cooperative play. In the user terminal 100 (for example, the user terminal 100B) of the user who operates the second player character 62, for example, the first player character 61 and the second player character 62 are exchanged, and the second player character 62 is displayed larger. . The first player character 61 and the second player character 62 may be displayed side by side with similar sizes. The second player character 62 may be an NPC. The number of player characters displayed in the game image 51 may be increased or decreased according to the number of users participating in the cooperative play.

The enemy character 91 is an NPC and performs an action such as an attack on the first player character 61 or the second player character 62 .

HP gauges 71, 72 and 92 each indicate the remaining value of the associated character's maximum physical strength (HP). The HP gauge 71 is associated with the first player character 61 , the HP gauge 72 is associated with the second player character 62 , and the HP gauge 92 is associated with the enemy character 91 . When the associated character receives damage, the remaining values of HP gauges 71, 72 and 92 decrease by the amount of damage received. When the associated character uses magic or an item that restores physical strength, the remaining values of the HP gauges 71, 72 and 92 increase. When the remaining value of the HP gauge 92 of the enemy character 91 becomes zero, the player wins. When the remaining value of the HP gauge 71 of the first player character 61 or the HP gauge 72 of the second player character 62 becomes zero, the player character becomes incapable of action, and when all the player characters become incapable of action, the player loses. .

The stamp selection button 81 is a UI component that functions as an operation button for starting/ending selection of stamps to be included in a message sent by the user. For example, when the user taps the stamp selection button 81 in the game image 51, the screen transitions to a stamp selection screen, which will be described later.

The message creation button 82 is a UI component that functions as an operation button for the user to create a text message. For example, when the user taps the message creation button 82 in the game image 51, the screen transitions to a text input screen, which will be described later.

A game image 52 in the center of FIG. 4 shows a game image corresponding to the stamp selection screen displayed when the user taps the stamp selection button 81 in the game image 51, for example. In the illustrated example, the game image 52 includes a stamp selection button 81 and a stamp list 83 superimposed on an image similar to the game image 51 . The stamp selection button 81 has the same function as described with respect to the game image 51, and when the user taps the stamp selection button 81 in the game image 52, for example, the stamp selection screen is terminated.

The stamp list 83 shows a list of stamps that can be sent by the user. In the illustrated example, the stamp list 83 includes stamps 83A, 83B, 83C, 83D, . The stamp 83A contains a smiling image and a star mark, the stamp 83B contains a troubled facial expression image and a question mark, the stamp 83C contains a smiling image and the words "Do your best", and the stamp 83D contains a sad facial expression. and the text "Sorry...". The star mark here indicates to the user that the stamp is of high rarity value, such as a limited-time stamp. A stamp is created by an event provider or the like. The stamp information is stored, for example, in the message-related data storage unit 123, and read by the display control unit 115 when an image for the stamp selection screen is generated. When the user taps one of the stamps 83A, 83B, 83C, 83D, . . . , the tapped stamp is sent to the server 200 as a message. The server 200 transmits the received stamp information to the user terminals 100 of members participating in the same room (which may or may not include the user terminal 100 that is the sender).

The game image 53 on the right side of FIG. 4 shows an example of an image displayed when the user taps the stamp 83A in the game image 52 and transmits the stamp 83A as a message to the server 200, for example. In the illustrated example, game image 53 includes message display 84 superimposed on an image similar to game image 51 .

The message display 84 includes an image of the stamp 83A sent by the user terminal 100. FIG. The message display 84 here has the appearance of a balloon coming out of the first player character 61, indicating that the user operating the first player character 61 is the sender of the message. The display on the user terminal 100 of the user who operates the second player character 62 may be changed as appropriate. For example, on the user terminal 100 of the user who operates the second player character 62, the second player character 62 is displayed large in the center, and the message display 84 is displayed near the first player character 61 displayed small on the left side. be. Other users who see the message display 84 can feel that the sender user is enjoying the cooperative play from the smiling image of the stamp. Also, the user who sees the message display 84 can know from the star mark in the stamp image that a stamp with a high rarity value has been sent. The message display 84 may disappear after a predetermined period of time has elapsed. The time from display to disappearance may be set arbitrarily, for example, 1 second, 3 seconds, or 5 seconds.

Stamps can generally be sent with a simple operation, and can intuitively indicate the sender's intentions with images and text, so they are useful for both senders and recipients, especially when they are busy with action operations, such as during cooperative battles. communication tools. Some users want to use only stamps that can be used for free, while others want to obtain attractive stamps even if they pay a price. In addition, some users want to obtain stamps with high scarcity value, such as stamps that can be used for a limited time. It is desirable to give users additional incentives to obtain and use stamps. In the entertainment system 1 according to one embodiment, for example, when a stamp is transmitted as a message during the battle part as described above, an advantageous effect for users participating in cooperative play is activated as predetermined control. This encourages communication between users and provides an incentive for users to obtain and use stamps.

FIG. 5 illustrates example game images associated with composing a text message according to one embodiment. The game image is displayed on the display unit 1072 of the user terminal 100 and constitutes a game screen.
A game image 54 on the left side of FIG. 5 is an example of a game image when a battle part is in progress, similar to the game image 51 illustrated in FIG. In the illustrated example, the game image 54 includes the first player character 61, the second player character 62, the enemy character 91, the HP gauges 71, 72, and 92, the stamp selection button 81, and the message creation buttons described with respect to the game image 51. In addition to button 82, message display 73 is further included.

The message display 73 displays a message sent by the user operating the second player character 62 . The message display 73 here includes the characters "Nice to meet you!". The message display 73 may disappear after a predetermined period of time has elapsed. If the second player character 62 is an NPC, the message display 73 includes a message created according to a program on the server 200 or the user terminal 100. FIG. Message display 73 may include a stamp image as described above.

A game image 55 in the center of FIG. 5 shows a game image corresponding to a text input screen displayed when the user taps the message creation button 82 in the game image 54, for example. The game image 55 may be rephrased as a game image corresponding to the text input screen displayed when the user taps the message creation button 82 in the game image 51 of FIG. In the illustrated example, the game image 55 includes a message creation field 85 , a send button 86 and a software keyboard 87 superimposed on the same image as the game image 54 . Here, it is assumed that the message display 73 displayed on the game image 54 has disappeared due to the passage of time.

The message creation column 85 is a UI component that displays a message being created by the user. In the illustrated example, the message creation field 85 includes the text "Do your best!".

The send button 86 is a UI component that functions as an operation button for sending the text displayed in the message creation field 85 as a message.

The software keyboard 87 is a UI component that enables text input by the user. The entered text is displayed in the message composition field 85 . Other UIs may be used instead of the software keyboard 87 . A speech recognition tool may be used for text entry. Game image 55 may further include a UI component for canceling message creation. An image may be included in the message instead of or in addition to the text. A limit may be placed on the length (maximum number of characters) of text that can be sent.

A game image 56 on the right side of FIG. 5 shows an example of an image displayed when the user taps the send button 86 in the game image 55, for example. In the illustrated example, game image 56 includes message display 88 superimposed on an image similar to game image 51 or game image 54 .

Message display 88 contains the text sent by user terminal 100 . Here, the message display 88 indicates that the user operating the first player character 61 is the sender of the message, similar to the message display 84 of the game image 53 of FIG. It has the appearance of a balloon coming out of the In the user terminal 100 of the user who operates the second player character 62, the display may be changed as appropriate. For example, on the user terminal 100 of the user who operates the second player character 62, the second player character 62 is displayed large in the center, and the message display 88 is displayed near the first player character 61 displayed small on the left side. be. Other users who see the message display 88 can perceive from the displayed text information that the source user is cheering for the other user. The message display 88 may disappear after a predetermined period of time has elapsed.

Text messages are one of the useful communication tools for both the sender and the recipient, because the sender can directly convey what the sender wants to convey by language. In the entertainment system 1 according to one embodiment, for example, when a message including a specific phrase is transmitted during the battle part as described above, an effect advantageous to the user participating in the cooperative play is activated as predetermined control. Let This encourages communication between users and encourages users to send messages containing text. In addition, in the entertainment system 1 according to one embodiment, the user can send a message even during a part other than the battle part, but the effect is not activated.

(2) Operation Next, operation of the server 200 according to the embodiment configured as described above will be described. The operation of the server 200 can be rephrased as the operation of the entertainment system 1 according to one embodiment. When referring to a "server" below, it may be appropriately read as an "entertainment system".

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing an example of processing of the server 200 . As a premise of the operation, communication between the server 200 and at least one user terminal 100 is established, and as an example of an event progressed by the entertainment system 1, a battle part of cooperative play related to a room in which at least one user participates. is assumed to have started.

In step S<b>11 , the server 200 causes the event progression unit 211 to progress the event according to a predetermined procedure. As an example, the server 200 advances the battle part for each room according to the program code related to the battle part while communicating with the user terminal 100 .

In step S12, the server 200 monitors whether or not a message is received from the user terminal 100 participating in the cooperative play by the message obtaining unit 212 while proceeding with the event. If a message has been received (YES), the process proceeds to step S13. If no message is received (NO), the process proceeds to step S19.

In step S<b>13 , the server 200 acquires the received message using the message acquisition unit 212 .

In step S<b>14 , the server 200 causes the message acquisition unit 212 to perform normal message processing on the acquired message. For example, the message acquisition unit 212 reads information indicating the source and destination of the message and transfers it to the destination. For example, if the acquired message is a message sent during the battle part, the message acquiring unit 212 determines that the message is addressed to the members of the cooperative play, and sends the message to the user terminal 100 of each member. Send the information in the message along with the identification information. Each user terminal 100 generates and displays a game image as shown in FIG. 4 or 5 based on the received information. The message acquisition unit 212 also passes the message to the determination unit 213 .

In step S15, adjustment processing by the adjustment unit 215 is performed as arbitrary processing. The adjuster 215 adjusts various conditions according to the situation of the event. The adjustment unit 215 performs adjustment according to an adjustment table 2231 arbitrarily set by the event provider or the like and stored in the predetermined control information storage unit 223, for example.

FIG. 7 shows an example of an adjustment table 2231 according to one embodiment. The adjustment table 2231 includes record identification information (adjustment 1, adjustment 2, adjustment 3, . . . ), adjustment conditions, and adjustment targets. Here, the adjustment condition indicates a trigger condition for executing adjustment, and the adjustment target indicates the content of adjustment. For "adjustment 1", the adjustment condition is "number of players>2" and the adjustment target is "half the time". When adjustment 1 is valid, the adjustment unit 215 confirms the number of players (the number of members of cooperative play) in step S15, and adjusts the time length of the time condition to half when the number of players is three or more. conduct. As an example, when the number of players is two or less, the predetermined period is set to the default setting of “20 seconds after the start of play”, and when the number of players is three or more, the adjustment unit 215 sets “10 seconds after the start of play”. ”. For "adjustment 2", the adjustment condition is "combat power of enemy character>100" and the adjustment target is "double the time". If the adjustment 2 is valid, the adjustment unit 215 checks the combat strength of the enemy character that is currently appearing or is scheduled to appear in step S15, and if the combat strength of the enemy character exceeds the threshold value of 100, the length of time of the time condition is determined. Make an adjustment to double the height. For adjustment 3, the adjustment condition is "during sub-event P" and the adjustment target is "double the effect". If adjustment 3 is valid, the adjustment unit 215 monitors the occurrence of sub-event P in step S15, and performs adjustment to double the effect while sub-event P is occurring.

FIG. 7 is merely an example, and various adjustment conditions and adjustment targets may be set. For example, the adjustment unit 215 may adjust parameters of enemy characters (eg, level, attack power, maximum HP, etc.), parameters of room members (eg, total level, total attack power, total HP, etc.), or game stages in progress. You may adjust a time condition according to the difficulty of (for example, quest). The adjusting unit 215 may adjust the content condition without being limited to the temporal condition. For example, the adjustment unit 215 sets a content condition that either the limited-time stamp A or B is transmitted when the number of players is two or less, and the limited-time stamp A is transmitted when the number of players is three or more. may be used as a content condition. Adjuster 215 may also adjust the parameters of the effect. For example, the adjustment unit 215 triples the attack power for a certain period of time when there are three players, and doubles the attack power for a certain period of time when the number of players is two or less. good. Conversely, the adjustment unit 215 may perform adjustment to reduce the effect according to the number of players. The adjustment unit 215 may also adjust the effect according to the number of messages satisfying the content conditions sent within a predetermined time period (for example, in proportion to the number of messages). The adjustment unit 215 determines whether or not the adjustment condition is satisfied, and if the adjustment condition is satisfied, instructs the determination unit 213 or the predetermined control execution unit 214 about the details of the adjustment. Which adjustment condition is to be validated may be appropriately set by an event provider or the like. Multiple adjustment conditions may be in effect at the same time. A relational expression or the like may be set instead of the adjustment table 2231 .

Next, in step S16, the determination unit 213 of the server 200 determines whether or not the acquired message is a message transmitted during a predetermined period during which the event is in progress. The determination unit 213 reads the setting of the “predetermined period” and performs determination according to the temporal condition management table 2232 arbitrarily set by the event provider or the like and stored in the predetermined control information storage unit 223, for example. When an adjustment instruction is received from the adjustment unit 215, the determination unit 213 performs determination using the settings after adjustment.

FIG. 8 shows an example of the temporal condition management table 2232 according to one embodiment. The temporal condition management table 2232 includes record identification information (temporal conditions “T1”, “T2”, “T3” . . . ) and contents. The content of T1 is "10 seconds after the encounter with the enemy". When T1 is valid, 10 seconds after the encounter between the player character and the enemy character in the battle part is set as the predetermined period. The content of T2 is "one minute from the start of play". When T2 is valid, one minute from the start of the battle part is set as the predetermined period. The content of T3 is "one minute from the occurrence of sub-event P". When T3 is valid, one minute from the occurrence of sub-event P is set as the predetermined period. Which temporal condition is valid is arbitrarily set by the event provider or the like through, for example, an effect management table 2234 to be described later. Multiple temporal conditions may be in effect at the same time. FIG. 8 is merely an example, and various temporal conditions may be set as described above. "Predetermined period" may be a certain period of time after the start of the battle part, during your turn, during your ally's turn, or during your enemy's turn, or after winning the battle. It can be time. The "predetermined period" refers to the time when the player character is performing a special skill, when the remaining HP value of the player character is less than half of the maximum value, when the remaining HP value of the enemy character is greater than or equal to a certain value, and so on. It may be a period related to. Combinations of these temporal conditions may also be used. If it is determined in step S16 that the message has been received within the predetermined period (YES), the process proceeds to step S17. If it is determined that the message has not been received within the predetermined period (NO), the process proceeds to step S19.

In step S17, the determination unit 213 of the server 200 determines whether the acquired message satisfies the content condition. The judging unit 213 reads the setting of the content conditions according to the content condition management table 2233 arbitrarily set by the event provider or the like and stored in the predetermined control information storage unit 223, for example, and makes a judgment. When an adjustment instruction is received from the adjustment unit 215, the determination unit 213 performs determination using the settings after adjustment.

FIG. 9 shows an example of the content condition management table 2233 according to one embodiment. The content condition management table 2233 includes record identification information (content conditions “C1”, “C2”, “C3”, “C4” . . . ) and contents. The content of C1 is "limited time stamp A". When C1 is valid, the determination unit 213 determines that the message satisfies the predetermined condition when the message includes the limited-time stamp A. The content of C2 is "paid stamp B". When C2 is valid, the determination unit 213 determines that the message satisfies the predetermined condition when the message includes the charge stamp B. The content of C3 is "stamp C with message". When C3 is valid, the determination unit 213 determines that the message satisfies the predetermined condition when the message includes the stamp C with the message. An example of the message-attached stamp C is a stamp including the characters 83C or 83D in FIG. The content of C4 is "phrase D". When C4 is valid, the determination unit 213 determines that if the message (text message or stamp) includes a phrase D (for example, the characters "Do your best" as in the message display 88 of FIG. 5), the message satisfies the predetermined condition. is determined to be satisfied. Which content condition is valid is arbitrarily set by the event provider or the like through, for example, an effect management table 2234 to be described later. FIG. 9 is also only an example, and various content conditions may be set. The content condition may be that any stamp be sent as a message regardless of the type of stamp. The content condition may be any condition as long as it is a "limited-time stamp" (for example, a stamp with a star as illustrated in 83A in FIG. 4). The content condition may be transmission of a stamp containing a predetermined cheering message such as "do your best" and "don't lose" or a stamp containing an image of the player character. The content condition may be that the message (text message or stamp) contains any of a plurality of phrases (eg, phrase D, phrase E or phrase F...).

Content conditions may be conditions on the number or order of messages. For example, the content condition may be that the message is transmitted a predetermined number of times within a predetermined period of time, or that the stamp is transmitted a predetermined number of times within a predetermined period of time. A content condition may be a condition combined with a temporal condition. For example, a plurality of time-limited stamps are sent while the player character is activating a special skill, a plurality of cheering messages (for example, a message containing the phrase "do your best") are sent while an enemy character is attacking, It may be a condition such as Alternatively, the content condition may be that the attributes of the sent stamps satisfy a predetermined order. For example, the content condition may be that the stamps are sent in order of red stamp, blue stamp, yellow stamp, etc., or that the level The stamps may be sent in turn to the user who operates the player character with the lower . As the order, the order of entering the lobby (order of expressing intention to participate in cooperative play) may be considered.

If it is determined in step S17 that the acquired message satisfies the content condition (YES), the process proceeds to step S18. If it is determined that the acquired message does not satisfy the predetermined condition (NO), the process proceeds to step S19.

In step S<b>18 , the server 200 executes predetermined control by the predetermined control execution unit 214 . In one embodiment, the predetermined control includes notification to the user terminal 100 and activation of effects that cause favorable conditions for the user.

FIG. 10 shows details of the predetermined control execution process in step S18 among the processes shown in FIG.
In step S1801, the server 200 uses the notification generation unit 2141 to generate and output a notification. In one embodiment, the notification includes notification that a predetermined condition has been met. The notification may simply notify that the condition has been met (for example, a text display of "effect activated"), or may specifically notify what kind of condition has been met (for example, "limited Character display of "stamp effect activated"). Also, in one embodiment, notifications are output to the sender of the message, the recipient of the message, or both the sender and recipient. The notification may include information about what effects are or have been triggered. The process of step S1801 may be omitted. Whether or not to notify, the timing of notification, the output destination of notification, and what kind of information the notification contains may be appropriately set by the event provider or the like.

In step S<b>1802 , the server 200 causes the effect activating unit 2142 to generate a command for activating the effect and transmit it to the user terminal 100 . Effects include, for example, effects that generate advantageous situations for players of cooperative play. Effects include, for example, effects that change internal parameters related to cooperative play. The effect of changing the internal parameters is, for example, the effect of recovering the physical strength of allied characters (all player characters in the room) or a specific player character by a certain amount or the effect of fully recovering to the maximum value, the effect of allied characters or a specific player character Effect to temporarily improve attack power, defense power, or movement speed, etc., effect to make ally character invincible for a certain period of time, effect to revive ally character who has become unable to fight, increase enemy character's attack power or defense power. This includes the effect of lowering, the effect of stopping the movement of the enemy character, and the like. Such effects may also be arbitrarily set by the event provider or the like. Conditions and effects are managed as an effect management table 2234 in the server 200, for example. The predetermined control execution unit 214 reads necessary information from the effect management table 2234 stored in the predetermined control information storage unit 223 of the server 200, and generates a command for notification or effect activation. When an adjustment instruction is received from adjustment unit 215, predetermined control execution unit 214 executes predetermined control using the settings after adjustment.

FIG. 11 shows an example of the effect management table 2234 according to one embodiment. In the illustrated example, the effect management table 2234 includes identification information of each record (“condition 1”, “condition 2”, “condition 3”, “condition 4” . . . ), temporal conditions, content conditions, Contains information representing notices, effects, and restrictions. The temporal conditions and the content conditions correspond to the identification information shown in the temporal condition management table 2232 and the content condition management table 2233, respectively. A notification represents a notification target. "Room member" indicates that notification is sent to all members in the room, and "sender" indicates that notification is sent only to the sender of the message that satisfies the conditions. The notification condition may include designation of notification timing such as before the effect is activated, at the same time as the effect is activated, or after the effect is activated. The effect represents the details of the effect that is specifically activated. Condition 1 activates the effect of "recovering all ally characters' physical strength", condition 2 "revives allied characters", condition 3 "increases the attack power of allied characters for M seconds", and condition 4 " Stop the movement of the enemy character (enemy character) for N seconds" is activated. Restrictions indicate restriction information about the activation of each condition. Condition 1 is set with a limit on the number of activations of up to “L times” for a predetermined period. The restriction may be provided for each room, may be provided for each predetermined period, or may be provided for each game (event). Similarly, the number of messages considered per period of time may also be capped. For example, even if the upper limit is exceeded, messages can be sent and received, but no effect may occur. Also, for example, if the type of stamp is associated with an increasing ability (for example, sending a stamp A increases attack power), and if the ability value increases as the stamp is sent, the upper limit value of the ability may be set.

Note that if there is no friendly character to be revived and the effect cannot be activated, such as the effect of Condition 2 "Revive friendly character", it may be possible to replace it with another effect such as recovery of physical strength. Like the effect of Condition 4, an effect may be activated on an enemy character or a parameter in virtual space. Effects such as changing the season or time zone of the virtual space may be set. The effect activated when a specific condition is met may relate to multiple types of parameters (for example, physical strength recovery + attack power UP). Condition 4 is an effect that is activated when the message or stamp includes "phrase D" as the content condition C4, but an effect corresponding to the meaning of the phrase, such as "phrase D" being the characters for "stop". may be set. For example, if a stamp containing the words "Do your best" is sent, the physical strength of the ally character is restored, and if a stamp containing the words "Sleep" is sent, the enemy character is put to sleep for a certain period of time, etc. Effects may be set. Detailed settings of each condition and which conditions are to be activated may be arbitrarily set by an event provider or the like. Each condition may be set for each event (for example, commonly for each online game), individually for each room, or for each predetermined period of time such as every month.

The correspondence relationship between conditions and effects as shown in the effect management table 2234 may or may not be clearly shown to users who are event participants. Further interest can be brought about by having the user send a message that triggers an effect through trial and error without specifying the corresponding relationship between the condition and the effect.

Each condition, such as the temporal condition and the content condition, may be set in arbitrary combination by AND or OR. For example, the same effect may be set to be triggered when a message sent within a predetermined period of time during an event includes a predetermined phrase D or includes a predetermined stamp A. Alternatively, if at least one message containing a predetermined phrase D is sent and at least one time-limited stamp is sent within a predetermined period of time while the event is in progress, either effect will be activated. good. The condition for activating the effect may be that a plurality of limited-time stamps of different types are sent within a predetermined period of time while the event is in progress. Alternatively, the condition for activating the effect may be that a predetermined number or more of stamps including an image of a specific character are transmitted within a predetermined period of time while the event is in progress.

Each condition may further include conditions such as the number of times the message is sent or the order in which the messages are sent, as described above. For example, the condition setting may be such that if "limited time stamp A" is sent three times within a predetermined period, the special move can be used for a certain period of time. If two of "Paid Stamp B1", "Paid Stamp B2"..."Paid Stamp BX" are sent within a certain period of time, the attack parameters of allied characters will increase by 10% for a certain period of time. There may be.

If the destination of the message can be specified when sending the message, for example, if the stamp can be sent to a specific user (or player character), the effect may be activated only for that destination character. Also, when the stamp includes an image of the player character, the effect may be activated only for the character corresponding to the transmitted stamp. The effect may be activated only for the character operated by the user who sent the message (his own character).

Each condition may include a condition regarding how stamps are obtained. Stamps are set up to be available in a wide variety of ways. For example, stamps are provided by the system with default settings, stamps that can be obtained by charging gasha (paid lottery system), stamps that can be used for a limited time by purchasing a limited-time pass, and those that meet special conditions. Includes stamps with various rarity values, such as stamps that can only be purchased by users, stamps that can be obtained as rewards for clearing limited-time quests, stamps that can be obtained as hidden items in quests, and paid stamps that can be selected and purchased. obtain. As another example, the condition may include that the stamp is a limited-usage stamp, such as a stamp with a limited usage period, a stamp with a limited number of transmissions, or the like. By activating an advantageous effect when a stamp with a high rarity value is sent, it is possible to motivate the user to charge or play a game in order to obtain the stamp with a high rarity value. can. Stamps may be gifts that can be given between friend users. By activating an advantageous effect when using a stamp given by a friend, it is possible to motivate a user to present the stamp among friend users and activate communication between the users. A stamp given by a friend may have a higher effect on the friend when the friend participates in cooperative play. A stamp gifted by a friend may be configured to activate its effect only on that friend. For example, if you send a low rarity stamp provided by the system with the default settings, the health of the character you control will recover a little, but if a more expensive stamp is sent, a cheap stamp will be sent. The change value of the internal parameter may differ depending on the amount of money, such as a change in the parameter that is twice as large as when the is transmitted. As a result, the user can be urged to charge, and the event provider can increase the chances of earning.

When the mode of obtaining stamps is taken into consideration, information identifying the mode of obtaining stamps may be added to each stamp in each user terminal 100 . Each user terminal 100 stores, for example, the obtained stamp in the message-related data storage unit 123 in association with information identifying the manner of obtaining the stamp. At the time of stamp transmission, the stamp information is transmitted to the server 200 together with additional information identifying the mode of acquisition.

After step S1802, the process moves to step S19 in FIG.
In step S<b>19 , the server 200 uses the event progression unit 211 to determine whether the event should be ended. The end of the event is determined by whether or not a predetermined end condition, such as the victory of the ally character, the defeat of the ally character, or the achievement of another clear condition, is achieved. If it is determined to be terminated (YES), the event is terminated. If it is determined not to end (NO), the process returns to step S11 and the event continues.

FIG. 12 shows an example of a game image related to predetermined control according to one embodiment.
A game image 57 is an example of a game image when a battle part is in progress, similar to the game image 51 and the like. The game image 57 is an example of a game image particularly when a limited stamp is transmitted by one of the members during the battle part and an effect is activated with transmission of the limited stamp as a condition for activation. A detailed description of the configuration similar to that of the game image 51 is omitted. In the illustrated example, the game image 57 includes a notification display 89 , an HP gauge 74 and an effect display 75 .

The notification display 89 includes characters of "Limited Stamp Effect Occurred!". The notification display 89 thereby indicates that some effect is triggered by the limited stamp being sent by the user. The notification display 89 is displayed, for example, only on the user terminal 100 of the user who sent the limited stamp, or displayed on the user terminals 100 of all users participating in the cooperative play. By displaying it only to the sender, the sender knows that the stamp sent by him/herself meets the effect activation condition. This is an incentive for the sender to send stamps that meet the effect activation conditions in the same cooperative play or in another cooperative play. Or it can be an incentive for the sender to purchase new limited stamps. By displaying to all users of cooperative play, the same effect is expected for all users. Also, if a plurality of stamps have been sent in the room before the notification display 89 is displayed, the user tries to guess which stamp contributed to activation of the effect. This can also be an incentive for users to send or purchase stamps. The notification display 89 may disappear after a predetermined period of time.

The HP gauge 74 indicates a full state in which the HP (physical strength) of all allied characters is fully recovered, as an example of effect activation. The HP gauge 74 may be displayed with an effect display in which the remaining amount of the gauge increases.

The effect display 75 includes a display of glittering light around the HP gauge 74, which is the target of effect activation, as an additional effect example of effect activation. This may indicate that the HP gauge 74 has been activated. As another example of the effect display, it may be indicated that an effect is being activated for the character, such as the appearance of a glowing aura around the character. Alternatively, it may be shown as a production effect for the virtual space, such as lighting up the entire game screen. The effect display 75 may also be turned off after a predetermined period of time.

In the case of the effect of increasing the attack power or the like of the ally character, a display such as showing an upward arrow around the ally character may be used. Alternatively, the effect may be displayed in text, such as by displaying text "Increase attack power" around the ally character.

Notification display 89 is an optional display. The notification display 89 may be displayed simultaneously with the effect display 75 , may be displayed before the effect display 75 , or may be displayed after the effect display 75 . The notification display 89 may include a notification (for example, characters such as "HP recovery") suggesting what kind of effect will occur before the effect is activated. The notification display 89 may include a notification (for example, characters such as "HP recovered") indicating what kind of effect was activated after the effect was activated.

In the entertainment system 1 according to one embodiment, it is possible to send a message via the user terminal 100 at a timing other than the ongoing event. For example, a user can exchange messages at any timing with other users who have registered as friends. Also, for example, the user can exchange messages in a chat format with participating users in a chat room. In these cases as well, messages sent via the user terminal 100 are once received and processed by the server 200 . However, the server 200 does not judge messages sent from the user terminal 100 at timings other than when the event is in progress. Similarly, sending messages via user terminal 100 is also possible in the lobby, but again without determination. In one embodiment, the server 200 processes messages according to the flow shown in FIG. 6 in the battle part, and processes messages according to the flow shown in FIG. 13 in game parts other than the battle part.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing an operation example related to message processing by the server 200 . In step S<b>21 , the server 200 monitors message reception by the message acquisition unit 212 . The event may or may not be in progress. If the message is received (YES), the process proceeds to step S22. If no message is received (NO), either end the process or continue monitoring.

In step S<b>22 , the server 200 acquires the received message using the message acquisition unit 212 .

In step S23, the server 200 causes the message acquisition unit 212 to perform normal message processing on the acquired message. For example, the message acquisition unit 212 reads information indicating the source and destination of the message and transfers it to the destination.

FIG. 14 illustrates example game images associated with exchanging messages according to one embodiment. The game image 58 corresponds to the so-called "lobby" screen before the battle part, where participation in cooperative play is solicited or members are confirmed. From this screen, for example, when the host user performs some operation, the game shifts to the battle part as described above.

In the illustrated example, the game image 58 includes a lobby display 93, member displays 63A, 63B, 63C, .

The stamp selection button 81 and message creation button 82 have functions similar to those described with reference to FIG. 4 or FIG.
The lobby display 93 includes the characters "Lobby" and the characters "Room ID: XXXX" for identifying the room.

Member displays 63A, 63B, 63C, . include.
Here, the message display 94 displays the message "Nice to meet you!" sent by "Mr. A" 63A. The message display 95 displays the stamp sent by "Mr. B" 63B. At present, "Mr. C" 63C has not sent a message.

In the game image 58, the display such as the message display 94 or 95 may disappear after a certain period of time, and when a new message is transmitted, it may be superimposed and displayed. It is also possible to adopt a display in which the received messages are displayed in chronological order and the oldest messages are deleted in order. Needless to say, other message display formats may be adopted.

Thus, even in a lobby or the like, the user can communicate with other users by sending messages to the server 200 via the user terminal 100 . However, as described above, the entertainment system 1 is configured so that the determination unit 213 does not perform determination in game parts other than the battle part. Or in other words, the entertainment system 1 is configured not to perform predetermined control or activate predetermined effects in game parts other than the battle part.

(3) Effect As described in detail above, in one embodiment of the present invention, the entertainment system 1 has a progression unit that progresses an event in which the user can participate by accessing the server 200 via the user terminal 100; an acquisition unit that acquires a message to be transmitted by the user to the server 200 via the user terminal 100 during a predetermined period during the progress of the event; a determination unit that determines whether the acquired message satisfies a predetermined condition; and a control execution unit that executes predetermined control in an event when it is determined that a predetermined condition is satisfied.

In this way, by using the transmission of a message that satisfies a predetermined condition during a predetermined period during the progress of an event as a trigger for executing predetermined control, users participating in the event are encouraged to use the message transmission tool. can be encouraged. As an example, the entertainment system 1 executes predetermined control when a user who participates in the online game sends a message that satisfies predetermined conditions during a predetermined period while the online game is in progress. By appropriately setting the period, the number of messages, the type of message, etc. as predetermined conditions, it is possible to activate the effect of the event at an appropriate frequency that does not hinder the progress of the event.

As a predetermined control, the entertainment system 1 can change the parameters of the objects placed in the virtual space in the event. The entertainment system 1 can also notify the user who sent the message that a predetermined condition has been met, or output a notification regarding the predetermined control before or after the execution of the predetermined control. The user who has received the notification knows that the server 200 will execute a predetermined control triggered by the transmission of a message that satisfies a predetermined condition. Even if no notification is given, the user can perceive that a given control has been executed due to the parameter change of the object.

The entertainment system 1 may also be configured to activate, as predetermined control, an effect associated with the stamp image transmitted as the message or an effect associated with the mode of obtaining the stamp image transmitted as the message. good. This can diversify the value of the stamps and bring about the interest of obtaining stamps of higher value.

In addition, the entertainment system 1 may set, as predetermined conditions, that the transmitted message contains a specific word, that the transmitted message contains a stamp image, that the transmitted message contains a specific stamp image, and that the transmitted message contains a specific stamp image. It may be set that the message is sent a predetermined number of times in the message. Each of these predetermined conditions may be associated with conditions that are triggered when each is met. Moreover, these predetermined conditions may be combined by AND or OR and used for determination. These conditions can be arbitrarily set by developers or changed in real time by managing, for example, a table that associates conditions and control details. It is possible to respond flexibly according to the period of the event.

By notifying the user who is the sender of the message when a predetermined condition is satisfied, the user can know that the message sent by the user will have some effect. This is expected to motivate users to send messages. Furthermore, by notifying what kind of effect is activated or has been activated, it is possible to further increase the motivation to send the message. By notifying not only the user who is the sender but also the users participating in the cooperative play in the same way, it is possible to increase the motivation of the room members to send the message. Such notification also allows the user to guess which message was involved in triggering the effect without explicit correspondence between conditions and effects. Such speculation can also increase the interest of the event.

For example, in cooperative play in which a plurality of users cooperate to fight a common enemy, it is also interesting for users to communicate with each other by greeting each other, talking to each other, telling strategies, and cheering each other on during the battle. is one. However, during battle, some users concentrate on battle operations and cannot fully use the chat function. Therefore, as described above, in one embodiment, sending a message during battle activates an advantageous effect, increases motivation to use the chat function, and activates communication.

The above embodiment also has the effect of increasing the motivation of the user to obtain and use stamps with high rarity value. For example, using a stamp that can only be obtained by charging a fee may result in bragging about being the paying party, which may cause conflict. However, by allowing everyone to benefit from the use of such stamps, unnecessary friction can be mitigated. At the same time, the user is encouraged to charge, leading to an increase in revenue. Similarly, stamps available only to limited users, such as high-level users, long-playing users, and users skilled in operation, can be used without fear.

Thus, according to one embodiment, it is possible to promote the use of the message sending tool by users participating in the event via user terminals.

(Modification)
As described above, users can participate in events facilitated by the entertainment system 1 in various capacities. For example, a user who participates in an event is divided into an event executor (also referred to as an "executor user") who can input an operation to directly control the progress of the event, and an event executor who can input an operation to directly control the progress of the event. non-performing viewers (also referred to as "non-executing users"). Assuming that the entertainment system 1 progresses such an event in which at least one event executor and a plurality of viewers can participate, a modification will be described below.

The event executor is, for example, a user who plays a game through the user terminal 100 while playing the game, or a user who operates a character in the virtual space (for example, a so-called virtual YouTuber (Vtuber)). A viewer is, for example, a user who participates in an event by viewing a live game video or a Vtuber live video via the user terminal 100 and sending a message to the server 200 . Messages may include messages exchanged between viewers, messages addressed to event executors from viewers, or messages addressed to characters in virtual space (such as Vtubers) from viewers.

Also in such a modification, the server 200 can determine the message transmitted from the user terminal 100 and activate the effect in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment. For example, according to the entertainment system 1, in a situation where the event executor is playing an online game provided by the server 200 and commenting on the game, when the viewer sends a message that satisfies a predetermined condition to the server 200, It is possible to activate effects such as changing the parameters of characters appearing in the game being played, or changing the appearance of game objects. Alternatively, when a viewer sends a message, it is possible to activate an effect such that the game screen viewed by the event executor does not change, but only the screen viewed by the viewer changes. In this case, the screens viewed by all viewers may change in the same manner, or the screens may change in different manners for the viewer who sent the message and other viewers. .

Further, for example, according to the entertainment system 1, when an event executor operates a Vtuber via the server 200 and a viewer sends a comment satisfying a predetermined condition as a message to the server 200, the Vtuber responds to the comment. It is also possible to activate effects such as returning a corresponding action, changing the Vtuber's costume, and making an object appear in the virtual space.

Also, in such a modification, the event executor may be allowed to set the period, conditions, effects, or the like. For example, the server 200 accepts settings such as the message reception period, message reception start timing, users who can participate in the event, types of messages to be received, and message contents from the event executor. Settings can be stored in the predetermined control information storage unit 223 . When a viewer or the like sends a message that satisfies the set conditions, for example, benefits and points are given to the viewer, special production events appear, and benefits and points are given to the event executor. , Effects such as setting a special production event are activated.

Alternatively, the server 200 sets the period, conditions, effects, or the like according to other setting information related to the event executor (for example, the attribute of the character to be operated, the number of years of experience as the event executor, the type of the event, etc.). (Adjustment) may be performed.

Furthermore, even in such a modification, the server 200 can notify both the event executor and the viewer that a predetermined condition has been met. Notifications may include, for example, information regarding which conditions were met, the number of messages that met the conditions, the types of messages that met the conditions, or the user from whom the messages met the conditions. Notifications may be sent to all users, including event creators and viewers, or to viewers who sent messages that met the conditions, or to all viewers, or to event creators. may be

Also, the notification may be set to present a different display mode between the user terminal 100 of the event executor and the user terminal 100 of the viewer. In general, event organizers and viewers have different purposes for participating in an event and operational authority (for example, event organizers can operate game characters or Vtubers, but viewers cannot directly operate game characters or Vtubers). ). Therefore, the screen viewed through the user terminal 100 and the information required for processing may differ between the event executor and the viewer. Therefore, in the server 200, different settings can be made for the notification to be sent to the user terminal 100 of the event executor and the notification to be sent to the user terminal 100 of the viewer. Furthermore, the notification to be sent to the user terminal 100 of the viewer may be set differently for each viewer. For example, on the user terminal 100 of the event executor, the total number of messages sent from the viewers, the number of messages or messages that match the conditions set by the event executor, the effect display or notification triggered as the effect, etc. Displayed on the viewer's user terminal 100 is a display related to the viewer himself, for example, whether the message he sent matches the conditions for activating the effect, how many benefits or points are earned by the message he sent. It is possible to display information such as whether it is given or not. Needless to say, display in the same or similar manner may be employed at user terminals 100 of event executors and viewers.

[Other embodiments]
In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment. For example, game events may be events related to a wide variety of games. For example, game events include action games, action role-playing games (action RPGs), puzzle games, quiz games, adventure games, shooting games, simulation games, breeding games, shooting games, sports games, casino games, and a wide variety of other games. may be an event related to Also, as described above, events conducted by the entertainment system 1 are not limited to game events, and may include a wide variety of online events.

Messages that trigger a given effect when sent during a given period of time during an event are not limited to chats or emails between users. The message may be a message that the user intends to send to the event provider (for example, system administrator, server operator, game developer, video distributor, organizer, virtual character, etc.) good. Examples of such messages include a so-called "money tip" and a tap operation of a "Like" button. Such a declaration of intention may be displayed only on the user terminal 100 of the user who sent the message, or may be displayed on the user terminals 100 of other users participating in the event. For example, if a certain amount or more of tips or a certain number of “likes” are sent within a predetermined period of time while an event is in progress, the appearance of the character placed in the virtual space changes, or the character performs a predetermined action. A new object will appear in the virtual space, flowers will bloom in the background of the virtual space or the distributed video, fireworks will go off, the event provider will have the effect of giving a tip, etc. be able to. The above embodiments are also applicable when the event is a single-player game event. For example, when the user sends a stamp to the server 200 with the intention of cheering for a favorite character or appealing a favorite game scene during a single play, the message is judged and the effect is obtained. can be triggered.

A message that triggers a predetermined effect may be a message sent by a spectator of the game, a viewer of the event, or the like. For example, when a spectator or viewer comments to an event provider or a chat between spectators or viewers satisfies a predetermined condition, a predetermined effect may be activated.

The adjustment of the predetermined period, the adjustment of the predetermined condition, or the adjustment of the predetermined control by the adjustment unit 215 may be performed by various adjustment methods according to the situation of the event. In addition to the content and time of sub-events that occurred during the event, changes in the number of event participants, etc., the status of the event includes information on the user who performed the event, information on users who did not perform (viewers, etc.), and cumulative participation in the event. It may include the number of people, message transmission status (type of messages transmitted, number of messages transmitted, etc.) by participants up to the start of the event, and the like. The information of the user may include, for example, the accumulated login time of the user who participates in the event, the level, the accumulated number of times of cooperative play, the money in the game, or the items owned.

In the embodiment, each functional unit included in the server 200 may be distributed to a plurality of devices, and these devices may cooperate with each other to perform processing. Also, each functional unit may be realized by using a circuit. A circuit may be a dedicated circuit that implements a specific function, or it may be a general-purpose circuit such as a processor.

Furthermore, the flow of each process described above is not limited to the described procedures, and the order of some steps may be changed, and some steps may be performed in parallel. . Also, the series of processes described above need not be executed consecutively in terms of time, and each step may be executed at any timing. A part of the operation of the server 200 may be performed on the user terminal 100 .

The method described above can be executed by a computer (computer) as a program (software means), such as a magnetic disk (floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, etc.), an optical disk (CD-ROM, DVD, MO, etc.) , semiconductor memory (ROM, RAM, flash memory, etc.) or other recording medium (storage medium), or can be transmitted and distributed via a communication medium. The programs stored on the medium also include a setting program for configuring software means (including not only execution programs but also tables and data structures) to be executed by the computer. A computer that implements the above apparatus reads a program recorded on a recording medium, and in some cases, constructs software means by a setting program, and executes the above-described processes by controlling the operation of the software means. The term "recording medium" as used herein is not limited to those for distribution, and includes storage media such as magnetic disks, semiconductor memories, etc. provided in computers or devices connected via a network.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made in the implementation stage without departing from the gist of the invention. Further, each embodiment may be implemented in combination as appropriate, in which case the combined effect can be obtained. Furthermore, various inventions are included in the above embodiments, and various inventions can be extracted by combinations selected from a plurality of disclosed constituent elements. For example, even if some constituent elements are deleted from all the constituent elements shown in the embodiments, if the problem can be solved and effects can be obtained, the configuration with the constituent elements deleted can be extracted as an invention.

1 entertainment system 100 user terminal 200 server 1001 processor 1002 memory 1003 storage 1004 sensor 1005 communication interface 1006 input/output interface 1007 touch screen 1071 input unit , 1072... Display unit 1008... Bus 2001... Processor 2002... Memory 2003... Storage 2004... Communication interface 2005... Input/output interface 2006... Bus 110... Control unit 111... Event processing unit 112... Operation reception unit 113 Message processing unit 114 Predetermined control processing unit 115 Display control unit 120 Storage unit 121 Program storage unit 122 Data storage unit 123 Message related data storage unit 210 Control unit 211 Event progression unit 212 Message acquisition unit 213 Judgment unit 214 Predetermined control execution 2141 Notification generation unit 2142 Effect activation unit 215 Adjustment unit 220 Storage unit 221 Program storage unit 222 Data storage unit 223 Predetermined control information storage unit.

Claims (17)

a progress unit that progresses an event in which a user can participate by accessing a server via a user terminal;
an acquisition unit that acquires a message that the user transmits to the server via the user terminal;
a determination unit that determines whether or not a message acquired during a predetermined period during the progress of the event among the messages acquired by the acquisition unit satisfies a predetermined condition;
and a control execution unit that executes predetermined control in the event when it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied. 2. The entertainment system according to claim 1, wherein said control execution unit changes a parameter of an object placed in a virtual space in said event as said predetermined control. 3. The entertainment system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said control executor further notifies a source user of said message that said predetermined condition has been met. 4. The entertainment system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said control execution unit executes, as said predetermined control, activation of an effect related to said event and output of notification regarding activation of said effect. the predetermined condition includes that the message is a message containing a predetermined stamp image;
The predetermined control includes activating a predetermined effect previously associated with the stamp image,
5. Entertainment system according to any of claims 1-4. The predetermined effect is determined based on how the stamp image is obtained by the user who sent the message,
6. Entertainment system according to claim 5. 2. The entertainment system of claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition includes messages being sent a predetermined number of times by users participating in the event within the predetermined time period. The predetermined condition includes that, when a game in which a plurality of users can participate is in progress as the event, users who participate in the game send a message a predetermined number of times in a predetermined part of the game. ,
The predetermined control includes changing a parameter of the character in the game,
8. Entertainment system according to claim 7. The determination unit determines whether or not a message acquired by the acquisition unit at a timing other than during the event or at a timing other than the predetermined period satisfies the predetermined condition. do not
9. Entertainment system according to any one of the preceding claims. The progression unit includes at least one performer user who can input an operation to directly control the progress of the event, a plurality of non-executor users who cannot input an operation to directly control the progress of the event, proceed with events that can be attended by
The acquisition unit acquires a message transmitted by the non-executing user to the server via the user terminal,
The determination unit uses information set in relation to the executor user as the predetermined period or the predetermined condition.
10. Entertainment system according to any one of the preceding claims. The control execution unit further notifies the executor user and the non-executor user that the predetermined condition is satisfied;
11. Entertainment system according to claim 10. The control execution unit sets the notification so that the user terminal of the executor user and the user terminal of the non-executor user have different display modes.
12. Entertainment system according to claim 11. 13. The entertainment system according to any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising a period adjuster that adjusts the length of the predetermined period according to the status of the event. 14. The entertainment system according to any one of claims 1 to 13, further comprising a condition adjustment unit that adjusts said predetermined condition according to the situation of said event. on a server computer that can communicate with multiple user terminals,
advancing an event in which a user can participate via a user terminal;
obtaining a message sent by the user to the server via the user terminal;
Determining whether or not a message among the messages acquired during a predetermined period during which the event is in progress satisfies a predetermined condition;
and executing a predetermined control in the event when it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied. A server capable of communicating with a plurality of user terminals,
a progress unit that progresses an event in which a user can participate via a user terminal;
an acquisition unit that acquires a message that the user transmits to the server via the user terminal;
a determination unit that determines whether or not a message acquired during a predetermined period during the progress of the event among the messages acquired by the acquisition unit satisfies a predetermined condition;
and a control execution unit that executes predetermined control in the event when it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied. A control method executed by a server computer capable of communicating with a plurality of user terminals,
advancing an event in which a user can participate via a user terminal;
obtaining a message sent by the user to the server via the user terminal;
Determining whether or not a message among the messages acquired during a predetermined period during which the event is in progress satisfies a predetermined condition;
and executing a predetermined control in the event when it is determined that the predetermined condition is satisfied.

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