JP2023103843A - Information processing system, information processing apparatus, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an information processing system which improves convenience of a user, an information processing apparatus, and a program.SOLUTION: In a game system, a game management apparatus executes first processing based on charges when first settlement is performed by first settlement means for the charges for a charging target in a game in response to an instruction from a user, executes second processing based on charges when second settlement is performed by second settlement means for the charges for the charging target in the game in response to an instruction from the user, acquires, as an acquisition step, first information on the first settlement in a first period, and executes related processing on the second settlement on the basis of the acquired first information. The related processing includes regulation processing to regulate execution of the second settlement or change processing to change the effect of the second settlement.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

The present disclosure relates to an information processing system, an information processing device, and a program.

In Patent Document 1, since the second user manages in-game billing by the first user, the first user and the second user are linked and stored, and a billing request is sent from the first user terminal used by the first user. is disclosed, and a predetermined notification is sent to the second user terminal used by the second user based on the billing request.

Japanese Patent No. 6903207

Although it is desirable to suppress excessive charging in a game, management of charging takes time and effort.

In view of the above circumstances, the present disclosure aims to improve user convenience.

(1) According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an information processing system is provided. In the first processing step in this information processing system, when a first payment is made by a first payment means for charging a charge target for a game in accordance with a user's instruction, a first processing based on the charge is executed. . In the second processing step, when a second payment is made by the second payment means for charging a charge target for the game in accordance with the user's instruction, the second processing is executed based on the charging. The obtaining step obtains the first information regarding the first payment in the first period. In the related processing step, related processing related to the second payment is executed based on the acquired first information, and the related processing is restriction processing for restricting execution of the second payment, or changing the effect of the second payment. Includes change processing.

According to such an aspect, user convenience can be improved.

It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the game system 1 which concerns on this embodiment. 3 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of a control unit of each device; FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of billing-related processing; 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of billing determination processing; It is a figure which shows an example of the game screen regarding billing. It is a figure which shows an example of the game screen which selects a charge object. It is a figure which shows an example of the game screen which selects a settlement means. It is a figure which shows an example of the purchase screen of virtual currency. It is a figure which shows an example of the purchase screen of an item. It is a figure which shows an example of the purchase screen of virtual currency. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of an item purchase screen by in-app billing; FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a billing limit setting screen; It is a figure which shows an example of a setting change screen. It is a figure which shows an example of a status confirmation screen. It is a figure which shows an example of the quantity confirmation screen of virtual currency.

[Embodiment]
Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Various features shown in the embodiments shown below can be combined with each other.

By the way, the program for realizing the software appearing in this embodiment may be provided as a non-transitory computer-readable medium (Non-Transitory Computer-Readable Medium), or may be downloaded from an external server. It may be provided as possible, or may be provided so that the program is activated on an external computer and the function is realized on the client terminal (so-called cloud computing).

Further, in the present embodiment, the term “unit” may include, for example, a combination of hardware resources implemented by circuits in a broad sense and software information processing that can be specifically realized by these hardware resources. . In addition, various information is handled in this embodiment, and these information are, for example, physical values of signal values representing voltage and current, and signal values as binary bit aggregates composed of 0 or 1. Expressed by high and low, or quantum superposition (so-called quantum bits), communication and operations can be performed on circuits in a broad sense.

A circuit in a broad sense is a circuit realized by at least appropriately combining circuits, circuits, processors, memories, and the like. Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs); Programmable Logic Devices (e.g., Simple Programmable Logic Devices (SPLDs); Complex Programmable Logic Devices (CPLDs); and field It includes a programmable gate array (Field Programmable Gate Array: FPGA).

1. Description of Game FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a game system 1 according to this embodiment. In a game system 1 shown in FIG. 1, a game management device 2, an application distribution device 5, an EC management device 6, a plurality of game devices 3, and a plurality of user devices 7 are connected to each other via a communication network 11 so as to be able to communicate with each other. A game is executed on the device 3 , and a process of providing a service on an EC site (EC: Electronic Commerce) is executed on the user device 7 . Each device connected to the game system 1 is an information processing device, and the game system 1 is an information processing system including these information processing devices.

A game according to the present embodiment is an online game executed by the game system 1 . In this game, the user of the game device 3 activates one or more player characters in a virtual game space, or causes the player characters to fight against enemy characters that are non-player characters (NPCs). Also, a character is an example of an object.

Games such as those described above are home game machines such as PlayStation (registered trademark), portable game machines such as Nintendo Switch (registered trademark), or game devices 3 that are electronic devices such as personal computers, smartphones, and tablet terminals. is executed using

2. Overview of Game System 1 As shown in FIG. The game management device 2 stores game programs and game data, and manages game data (for each account information described below) of the game device 3 . The game management device 2 is configured by, for example, a server. Each of the plurality of game devices 3 has the same configuration as each other. It should be noted that, in this embodiment, a system consists of one or more devices or components. Therefore, for example, even a single game management device 2 or a single game device 3, which will be described later, can be an example of the game system 1. FIG.

The game device 3 executes a predetermined game based on user's operation. For this purpose, the game device 3 receives (more specifically, downloads and installs) a game program and game data from the game management device 2 via the communication network 11 . Account information including identification information and a password is assigned to each user in association with the game device 3 . This account information is transmitted from the game device 3 to the game management device 2 at the time of login, and is used for user authentication in the game management device 2 .

Mutual communication between the game management device 2 and the game device 3 becomes possible after the user authentication. After logging in, when the game device 3 receives data necessary for the progress of the game (data relating to the progress of the game) from the game management device 2, the game device 3 outputs game images and sounds to the display 4a and the speaker 4b based on the user's operation. , to advance the game. The game management device 2 is operated by a game maker A.

The application distribution device 5 is a device that distributes an application program (hereinafter referred to as "application"). A game program executed by the game device 3 is one of applications, and is distributed by the application distribution device 5 . The game device 3 runs applications on a platform such as an OS (Operating System) that provides a common operating environment. The application distribution device 5 is operated by a provider B that provides the platform. The application distribution device 5 includes payment means used for payment for applications.

The EC management device 6 is a device that manages an EC site and provides electronic commerce services through the EC site. An electronic commerce service is a service that enables commercial transactions to be conducted electronically without having a physical store. The EC management device 6 comprises payment means used for payment for electronic commerce services. The EC site provided by EC management device 6 can be used by both game device 3 and user device 7 .

Each of the plurality of user devices 7 is a device that executes information processing, and is, for example, a personal computer, a tablet terminal, or a smart phone. The user device 7 executes, for example, a browser program to display an EC site in the form of a web page, or executes a dedicated application for browsing an EC site to display an EC site, based on a user's operation.

2.1 Hardware Configuration Each hardware configuration of the game system 1 will be described below with reference to FIG.

<Game management device 2>
As shown in FIG. 1 , the game management device 2 has a communication section 21 , a storage section 22 and a control section 23 . Communication unit 21 and storage unit 22 are electrically connected to control unit 23 via communication bus 20 .

The communication unit 21 is a so-called network interface that is communicably connected to each game device 3 via the communication network 11 such as the Internet and LAN. The main information received by the game management device 2 via the communication unit 21 includes game program download request information, gacha lottery request according to the user's operation, quest execution request, auto play execution/end request, Examples include account information and game data. The main information transmitted by the game management device 2 via the communication unit 21 includes information for confirming that the game device 3 has received the game program, information regarding the game content obtained by the gacha, and the like. .

The storage unit 22 includes a HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), an SSD (Solid State Drive), and the like. The storage unit 22 stores various programs including part of the game program according to the present embodiment, various data related to the game, and the like.

Specifically, for example, the storage unit 22 stores a user DB, a lottery list, and the like. In the user DB, information such as the user name, user rank, status related to the player character operated by the user, the amount of consumable media that can be used in the virtual game space, parameters related to each user identification number who plays the game Information and the like are associated and stored. The lottery list is used for a lottery process generally called gacha, and includes a plurality of pieces of information about game media to be selected. In the lottery list, information (name, ability parameter, rarity, level, etc.) related to game media is associated with the selection ratio by lottery. The ability parameters include, for example, strength, HP, attack power, defense power, intelligence, speed, etc. when the game medium is a player character.

The control unit 23 is composed of a microcomputer including a CPU and a semiconductor memory, and controls the operation of the game management apparatus 2 itself. In particular, the control unit 23 reads a predetermined program stored in the storage unit 22 to realize various functions related to the game management apparatus 2 as its own apparatus. That is, information processing by software stored in the storage unit 22 is specifically realized by the control unit 23, which is an example of hardware, so that each function unit described later can be executed. Note that the control unit 23 is not limited to a single unit, and may be implemented to have a plurality of control units 23 for each function. A combination thereof may also be used.

The information processing executed by the control unit 23 includes, for example, billing settlement processing, user account authentication processing, gacha lottery selection processing, and the like. The billing settlement process is executed, for example, based on a billing request necessary for recovering a predetermined amount of game parameters. The user account authentication process is performed using the user identification information received from the game device 3, for example. The gacha lottery selection process is a process of selecting one or more game media from a lottery list by lottery based on the selection probability of each game media in response to a gacha lottery request. According to the gacha lottery selection process, the information about the selected game content and the identification information of the user who performed the operation that is the source of the lottery request are associated in the user DB. Game media won as a result of drawing gacha by yourself are given.

Here, to further supplement the above, "game media" is electronic data representing elements related to a game, including the name of a character used as a player character, items used by the player character in the virtual game space ( Weapons, armor, tools, etc.). Users can acquire game media directly by charging, by clearing quests, or by a lottery method called gacha. The acquired game media are stored and managed in the user DB in association with the identification information of the user who owns the game media. Furthermore, "gacha" is a method of selecting arbitrary game media from a lottery list by lottery in the game management device 2 based on a predetermined selection ratio. Any selected game content is provided to the user's game device 3 . "A game medium selected by a gacha is given to the user/owned by the user" is synonymous with "the game medium selected by the lottery process is associated with/associated with identification information indicating the user." be.

<Application distribution device 5, EC management device 6>
The hardware configuration of the application distribution device 5 and the EC management device 6 is basically the same as that of the game management device 2, although there are differences in specifications and performance. However, the hardware configuration corresponding to the control unit 23 of the application distribution device 5 and the EC management device 6 (referred to as the control unit 53 and the control unit 63 ) executes information processing different from that of the game management device 2 . The details of this information processing will be described later.

<Game device 3>
A display 4a, a speaker 4b, and an input device 4c are externally connected to or built into the game device 3. FIG. The game device 3 also has a communication section 31, a storage section 32, a control section 33, a graphics processing section 34a, an audio processing section 34b, and an operation section 34c. The communication unit 31 , the storage unit 32 , the graphics processing unit 34 a , the audio processing unit 34 b and the operation unit 34 c are electrically connected to the control unit 33 via the communication bus 30 .

The communication unit 31 is a so-called network interface that is communicably connected to the communication network 11 in order to transmit and receive various data between the game device 3 and the game management device 2 . The main information received by the game device 3 via the communication unit 31 includes account information, download request information for new game data, a gacha execution request, a quest execution request, and the like. The main information that the game device 3 transmits via the communication unit 31 includes new game data sent from the game management device 2 in response to the download request information, information on game media selected by lottery processing, and the like. mentioned.

The storage unit 32 is composed of an HDD, an SSD, a RAM, a ROM, and the like. The storage unit 32 stores game data downloaded from the game management apparatus 2, various programs including part of the game program, account information of the game apparatus 3 as the own apparatus, user information, and the like. The user information is at least part of the user DB stored in the storage unit 22 of the game management device 2 . The user DB manages a master of user information, and the storage unit 32 of the game apparatus 3 stores at least part of the information of this master distributed from the game management apparatus 2 .

The control unit 33 is composed of a microcomputer including a CPU and a semiconductor memory, and controls the operation of the game device 3 itself. In particular, the control unit 33 reads out a predetermined program stored in the storage unit 32 to implement various functions related to the game device 3 as its own device. That is, information processing by software stored in the storage unit 32 is specifically realized by the control unit 33, which is an example of hardware, so that each function unit described later can be executed. Note that the control unit 33 is not limited to a single unit, and may be implemented to have a plurality of control units 33 for each function. A combination thereof may also be used.

In particular, the control unit 33 is configured to execute the game according to the input by the user of the game apparatus 3, which is the own apparatus, via the input device 4c. Specifically, the control unit 33 reads data such as virtual game space objects and textures included in the game data from the storage unit 32, or uses the data received from the game management device 2 to perform two-dimensional or three-dimensional processing. game image information. As the game image information is processed by the graphics processing unit 34a, the processed game images are sequentially displayed on the display 4a. In other words, the control unit 33 is configured to perform display control of the display 4a and audio output control of the speaker 4b according to the operation of the user of the game device 3, which is the own device, when executing the game.

The graphics processing unit 34a draws game images including characters and various objects related to the virtual game space in a moving image format according to the game image information output from the control unit 33. FIG. The graphics processing unit 34a is connected to, for example, a liquid crystal display 4a, and a game image drawn in a moving image format is displayed on the display 4a as a game screen. The audio processing unit 34b is connected to the speaker 4b, reproduces and synthesizes the game sound according to the instruction of the control unit 33, and outputs it from the speaker 4b. The operation unit 34c is connected to the input device 4c, and transmits/receives data regarding operation input to/from the input device 4c. A user inputs an operation signal to the game device 3 via the input device 4c. The input device 4c is a general term for a touch panel integrated with the display 4a, an external game pad, a mouse, a keyboard, and the like.

<User Device 7>
The hardware configuration of the user device 7 is basically the same as that of the game device 3, although there are differences in specifications and performance. However, a hardware configuration (referred to as a control unit 73 ) corresponding to the control unit 33 of the user device 7 executes information processing different from that of the game device 3 . The details of this information processing will be described later.

2.2 Functional configuration This section describes the functional configuration of this embodiment. As described above, information processing by software stored in the storage unit of each device is specifically realized by the control unit, which is an example of hardware, so that each function unit included in the control unit can be executed.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of the control unit of each device. The control unit 23 of the game management device 2 includes a game progress processing unit 201, a charging object presenting unit 202, a payment means presenting unit 203, a payment requesting unit 204, a charging processing unit 205, and a payment related processing unit 206. Prepare. Control unit 53 of application distribution device 5 includes application presentation unit 501 , payment processing unit 502 , and application distribution unit 503 . The control unit 63 of the EC management device 6 includes a service presentation unit 601 , a billing object presentation unit 602 , a settlement processing unit 603 and a service processing unit 604 .

The control unit 33 of the game device 3 includes application processing units 301-1, 301-2, . . . (referred to as “application operation reception unit 302” when not distinguished). The control unit 73 of the user device 7 includes EC processing units 701-1, 701-2, . . . (referred to as “EC operation receiving unit 702” when not distinguished).

The game progress processing unit 201 of the game management device 2 executes processing related to the progress of the game (hereinafter referred to as "game progress processing"). In this embodiment, a game is played in which the entire story progresses while characters participate in quests and fight. The game progress processing unit 201 executes, for example, character-related processing, quest-related processing, battle-related processing, story progress-related processing, and the like. It should be noted that the game progress processing section 201 may include processing sections necessary for progressing the game in addition to those described here.

The billing object presenting unit 202 presents the billing object in the game to the user via the game device 3 . Chargeable objects in the game are things that can be used in the game, such as paid virtual currency, paid items, paid characters, and paid quest openings. In addition, virtual currency, items, characters, quest unlocks, etc. can be obtained free of charge as the game progresses, but there are others that can only be obtained for a fee, and obtaining them for a fee greatly increases the progress of the game. It can be shortened.

The settlement method presenting unit 203 presents to the user, via the game device 3, the settlement method used for payment for purchasing the charged object. At least two payment methods can be selected in the game system 1 . One of the two payment means is the payment means used by the EC management device 6 described above, and is hereinafter referred to as "EC payment means". The other is payment means used by the application distribution device 5, and is hereinafter referred to as "application payment means". Both the EC payment method and the application payment method can be used for payment when purchasing a chargeable object in the game, and are presented to the user by the payment method presentation unit 203 .

The payment requesting unit 204 requests the application delivery device 5 to make payment by the application payment method when the application payment method is selected for the payment for purchasing the billing target. The billing processing unit 205 executes processing related to the purchased billing object when the billing object is purchased by the application payment by the application payment means or by the EC payment by the EC payment means. The process related to the billing object is, for example, the process of assigning the billing object to the user.

The settlement-related processing unit 206 executes processing related to settlement performed in the game system 1 (hereinafter referred to as “related processing”). In this embodiment, the related processing includes restriction processing for restricting execution of payment and change processing for changing the effect of payment. Details of the restriction processing and change processing will be described later.

The application presenting unit 501 of the application distribution device 5 presents the application to be distributed to the user. The payment processing unit 502 performs payment processing for paying the price of the application from the user's deposit or the like when a charged application is presented and the user purchases the application. In addition, the settlement processing unit 502 performs similar settlement processing for the above-described game to be charged. That is, the payment processing unit 502 is an application payment means provided in the application distribution device 5 . Note that the payment processing unit 502 may execute a process of controlling a payment system external to the application distribution device 5 as an application payment means as the payment process. Application distribution unit 503 distributes the application selected by the user to game device 3 .

The service presentation unit 601 of the EC management device 6 presents to the user electronic commerce services handled by the EC site. The electronic commerce service handled by the EC site is, for example, a service for selling products such as game-related goods. However, the e-commerce service referred to here provides the user with a service that cannot be used in the game. On the other hand, the charging object presenting unit 602 presents the user with services that can be used in the game. The billing object presenting unit 602 specifically presents the billing object of the game provided by the game management device 2 .

The settlement processing unit 603 performs settlement processing in which the user uses the e-commerce service presented by the service presentation unit 601 to pay the user's deposit or the like. The settlement processing unit 603 also performs similar settlement processing for the billing object presented by the billing object presenting unit 602 . In other words, the payment processing unit 603 is an EC payment means provided in the EC management device 6 . Note that the payment processing unit 603 may execute a process of controlling a payment system external to the EC management device 6 as an EC payment means as the payment process.

The service processing unit 604 executes processing related to the used electronic commerce service when settlement processing is performed based on the use of the electronic commerce service. The processing related to the electronic commerce service is, for example, the processing of shipping the purchased product to the user.

The application processing unit 301 of the game device 3 executes processing related to the application distributed from the application distribution device 5 . For example, if the application is a game, the processing related to the application includes the progress processing of the game and the processing related to payment of billing objects provided in the game. The application operation accepting unit 302 accepts an application-related operation by the user.

The EC processing unit 701 of the user device 7 executes processing related to electronic commerce services provided by the EC management device 6 . For example, when the EC management device 6 provides a product sales service, the processing related to the service includes processing for presenting the sales target, payment processing for paying the selected sales target, and the like. The EC operation accepting unit 702 accepts, for example, an operation of selecting an object to be purchased and an operation of paying for the selected object to be purchased, etc., as an operation related to the electronic commerce service by the user.

3. Flow of Operation of Game System 1 In this section, the flow of operation of the game system 1 described above will be described. As an example of a preferred mode, a game in which a user operates a character and proceeds with a quest while acquiring items and the like will be described as an example.

3.1 Overview of Information Processing Hereinafter, the flow of information processing executed by the game system 1 will be outlined with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. FIG. 3 describes billing-related processing performed when a user playing a game purchases a billing object. The charging-related processing includes charging determination processing for determining charging. The billing determination process will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of billing-related processing. First, at A11, the game management device 2 causes the game progress processing unit 201 to execute the game progress process. The game progress processing unit 201 cooperates with the game progress processing unit 201 of the game management apparatus 2 to execute the game progress process based on the user's operation received by the application operation receiving unit 302 of the game device 3 . More specifically, the game progress processing unit 201 generates screen data representing a game screen that changes as the game progresses, and transmits the screen data to the game device 3 . The game device 3 causes the application processing unit 301 to display the game screen indicated by the received screen data. The user operates the game while looking at the displayed game screen.

As the game progresses, billing may occur for things that can be used in the game, such as virtual currency, items, or characters. In this case, the game management apparatus 2 generates screen data showing a game screen for selecting a charge target by the charge target presenting unit 202 and transmits the screen data to the game device 3 . The game device 3 causes the application processing unit 301 to display the game screen indicated by the received screen data. In this way, the billing object presenting unit 202 presents the billing object in the game that the user is playing on the screen of the game.

The game device 3 receives an operation of selecting a billing target through the application operation receiving unit 302 . Application operation reception unit 302 transmits selection result data indicating the selected billing object to game management device 2 . At A12, the game management device 2 receives the selection of the charging target indicated by the received selection result data by the charging target presentation unit 202. FIG.

Next, the game management device 2 displays a game screen for selecting either the first payment method provided by the EC management device 6 or the second payment method provided by the application distribution device 5 through the payment method presentation unit 203. Screen data is generated and transmitted to the game device 3 . The game device 3 causes the application processing unit 301 to display the game screen indicated by the received screen data. In this way, the settlement means presentation unit 203 presents the settlement means for settlement of charges in the game by the user on the screen of the game.

The game device 3 receives an operation for selecting a payment method through the application operation reception unit 302 . The application operation reception unit 302 transmits selection result data indicating the selected payment method to the game management device 2 . At A13, the game management device 2 accepts the selection of the payment method indicated by the received selection result data through the payment method presentation unit 203. FIG.

At A14, the game management device 2 causes the payment-related processing unit 206 to execute the processing of determination regarding charging as the above-described charging determination processing. Next, in A15, the game management device 2 causes the payment-related processing unit 206 to generate determination result data indicating the result of the determination regarding charging, the selected charging target, and the selected payment method. It is executed as the billing determination process described above. Details of the billing determination processing of A14 and A15 will be described later with reference to FIG.

The payment-related processing unit 206 outputs the generated determination result data to an output destination corresponding to the selected payment method. The payment-related processing unit 206 outputs determination result data to the EC management device 6 when the EC payment method is selected in A13. At A21, the EC management device 6 generates screen data showing a purchase screen regarding the purchase of the billing object indicated by the received determination result data by the billing object presenting unit 602, and transmits the generated screen data to the game device 3. The purchase screen includes a normal purchase screen and a purchase screen changed according to the determination result. Here, a case where the normal purchase screen is displayed will be described.

Game device 3 causes application processing unit 301 to display the purchase screen indicated by the transmitted screen data. The purchase screen displayed in this manner is one of the screens displayed within the EC site provided by the EC management device 6 . In the description of FIG. 3, it is assumed that the user makes an input to confirm the purchase target on the purchase screen. When the application operation receiving unit 302 receives an input from the user for determining the purchase target, the game device 3 transmits purchase data indicating the determined purchase target to the EC management device 6 .

At A22, the EC management device 6 uses the billing object presenting unit 602 to accept a settlement instruction from the user to pay for the purchase object indicated by the received purchase data. At A23, the EC management device 6 causes the payment processing unit 603 to execute payment processing for paying the purchase price from the user's deposit or the like based on the received instruction from the user. At A24, the EC management device 6 uses the payment processing unit 603 to generate notification data for notifying the details of the executed payment processing, and transmits the generated notification data to the game management device 2, thereby notifying the completion of payment.

The payment-related processing unit 206 outputs determination result data to the game progress processing unit 201 when the application payment method is selected in A13. At A31, the game management device 2 generates screen data showing a purchase screen for purchasing the charging object indicated by the received determination result data by the game progress processing unit 201, and transmits the generated screen data to the game device 3. do. Game device 3 causes application processing unit 301 to display the purchase screen indicated by the transmitted screen data. The purchase screen displayed in this way is one of the screens displayed in the game provided by the game management device 2 .

In the description of FIG. 3, it is assumed that the user makes an input to confirm the purchase target on the purchase screen. When the application operation reception unit 302 receives an operation on the displayed operation image as an input by the user for confirming the purchase object, the game device 3 transmits purchase data indicating the confirmed purchase object to the game progress processing unit 201. Send. At A32, the game management device 2 uses the game progress processing unit 201 to accept a settlement instruction from the user to pay the price of the purchase target indicated by the transmitted purchase data.

The game management device 2 generates request data requesting the instructed payment by the payment requesting unit 204 and transmits the request data to the application distribution device 5 at A33. At A34, the application distribution apparatus 5 uses the payment processing unit 502 to execute payment processing for the purchase target indicated by the transmitted request data. The settlement processing unit 502 executes settlement processing for payment for the purchase target in the same manner as settlement processing for payment for application distribution.

When the application payment processing is performed, the game progress processing unit 201 displays the same payment screen as when the payment processing unit 502 performs payment processing for payment in application distribution. This payment screen is a common screen for any application, and thus the user can pay for the game in the same manner as payment for other applications used on the game device 3 . In A35, the application distribution device 5 generates notification data for notifying the content of the executed payment processing by the payment processing unit 502, and transmits the generated notification data to the game management device 2, thereby notifying the completion of payment.

In A41, the game management device 2 stores the history of payments made for the game's billing object by means of the payment-related processing unit 206. FIG. The payment-related processing unit 206 stores the details of the payment processing indicated by the notification data transmitted from the EC management device 6 or the application distribution device 5 as a payment history. The payment history is information indicating the user who instructed the payment, the billing object for which payment was made, the payment amount, the payment date and time, the payment method, and the like. Hereinafter, the EC payment history will be referred to as "EC payment history", and the application payment history will be referred to as "application payment history".

Next, in A42, the game management device 2 causes the billing processing unit 205 to execute granting processing of granting to the user the billing target indicated by the received notification data, that is, the billing target for which the settlement process has been completed. The billing processing unit 205 assigns the billing object to the user by, for example, generating billing purchase information in which the identification information of the user who purchased the billing object and the identification information of the purchased billing object are associated with each other. The billing processing unit 205, for example, provides the user with virtual currency for a fee purchased by settlement by the EC settlement means as a billing object. The user who has been given the chargeable object can return to A11 to continue the game and use the given chargeable object as necessary.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of billing determination processing. This flowchart shows A14 (determination regarding charging) and A15 (generation of determination result data) performed after the game management apparatus 2 receives selection of a billing object at A12 shown in FIG. 3 and receives selection of a payment method at A13. details. The game management device 2 executes charging determination processing for the payment means selected in A13.

First, in A141, the game management device 2 causes the payment-related processing unit 206 to display the payment history indicating the user who selected the billing object and the selection means from the EC payment history and the application payment history stored in the game management device 2. to get These payment histories are stored in the game management device 2 at A41 every time the user executes the billing-related process shown in FIG.

Next, in A142, the game management device 2 determines the first threshold and the second threshold by means of the settlement-related processing unit 206. FIG. Since the first threshold and the second threshold will be explained later, A142 will also be explained at the same time.

Next, in A143, the game management device 2 causes the payment-related processing unit 206 to calculate the sum of the amounts paid for the selected payment method in a predetermined period (hereinafter referred to as the "period total amount"). It is determined whether or not the first threshold value defined for is exceeded. The first threshold is a value determined as an indication of the upper limit of the amount of money that can be charged in a predetermined period for a chargeable object (virtual currency, item, character, etc.) provided in the game. The predetermined period is, for example, the period of the month that includes the date of billing (the period from July 1 to July 31 if the billing date is July 7).

In A142, the payment-related processing unit 206 first determines the value set by the user as the initial value of the first threshold. The payment-related processing unit 206 determines the first threshold value for each selected payment method. In this embodiment, the initial value is the same value (set by the user) regardless of which payment method is selected. value). For example, when 10,000 yen is set as the initial value by the user, the payment-related processing unit 206 sets 10,000 yen as the first threshold regardless of whether the EC payment method or the application payment method is selected. Determined as an initial value.

Then, the payment-related processing unit 206 determines the first threshold when the EC payment method is selected based on the initial value determined as described above and the acquired application payment history. Specifically, the payment-related processing unit 206 determines, as the first threshold, a value obtained by subtracting the total amount for the period indicated by the application payment history from the initial value of the first threshold for EC payment. For example, if the initial value of the first threshold for EC payment is 10,000 yen and the total period amount indicated by the application payment history is 3,000 yen, then 10,000 yen - 3,000 yen = 7,000 yen for EC payment 1 threshold. The payment-related processing unit 206 also determines the first threshold when the application payment method is selected by the same method, based on the period total amount indicated by the EC payment history.

If the payment-related processing unit 206 determines that the total amount for the current month exceeds the determined first threshold for the selected payment method (YES), in A151, no further charging is possible for this month. Determination result data indicating that there is a result of determination is generated.

When the settlement-related processing unit 206 determines that the period total amount for the current month does not exceed the first threshold (NO), it determines in A144 whether or not the period total amount exceeds the second threshold. The second threshold is an amount at which the effect (hereinafter referred to as "settlement effect") obtained when the billing target is settled changes when the total period amount exceeds this amount. The settlement effect is, for example, the effect of providing a bonus item or the like along with the billing object.

In A142, the payment-related processing unit 206 determines, for example, a predetermined ratio of the initial value of the first threshold as the initial value of the second threshold. For example, when the predetermined ratio is 50%, if the initial value of the first threshold is 10,000 yen, the settlement-related processing unit 206 sets 10,000 yen x 0.5 = 5,000 yen as the initial value of the second threshold. Determined as

Then, the payment-related processing unit 206 determines the second threshold when the EC payment method is selected based on the initial value determined as described above, the acquired EC payment history, and the acquired application payment history. do. Specifically, the payment-related processing unit 206 calculates the sum of the initial value of the second threshold value for the EC payment and the initial value of the second threshold value for the application payment as the total amount for the period indicated by the EC payment history and the period indicated by the application payment history. The second threshold value is determined as a value distributed in proportion to the total amount. For example, if the initial value of the second threshold for EC payment and app payment is both 5,000 yen, and the above ratio is 8:2, (5,000 yen + 5,000 yen) / 10 * 8 = 8,000 yen is determined as the second threshold for EC payment, and (5,000 yen + 5,000 yen)/10*2=2,000 yen is determined as the second threshold for application payment.

If the payment-related processing unit 206 determines that the total period amount for the current month exceeds the second threshold (YES), in A152, the payment effect for the selected payment method for the current month is changed as a result of the determination. Generate the determination result data shown. A change in settlement effect is, for example, a change in the quantity of a bonus item or the like provided together with the billing object, or a change in the type of the bonus. In this embodiment, the payment-related processing unit 206 generates determination result data indicating a reduction in the quantity of bonus items as a change in payment effect.

If the payment-related processing unit 206 determines that the total period amount for the current month does not exceed the second threshold value (NO), in A153, the determination result indicating that the settlement effect for the current month is to be maintained as it is. Generate data. The game management device 2 executes the operations from A141 to A151, A152 or A153 as the billing determination process. As described with reference to FIG. 3, the game management device 2 outputs the generated determination result data to the output destination corresponding to the selected payment method.

The chargeable object presentation unit 602 of the EC management device 6 and the chargeable object presentation unit 202 of the game management device 2 generate screen data representing a purchase screen based on the output determination result data. If the determination result data indicates that charging is not possible, charging object presenting unit 602 and charging object presenting unit 202 generate screen data of a purchase screen indicating that the selected charging object cannot be charged. In this case, since the input for confirming the purchase target cannot be accepted, the billing target cannot be purchased.

In addition, when the determination result data indicates a change in the settlement effect, the charge object presenting unit 602 and the charge object presenting unit 202 select the charge object with the changed settlement effect compared to the charge object displayed on the normal purchase screen. Generate screen data for the purchase screen shown. In this case, an input for confirming a purchase target whose bonus has changed compared to the purchase target shown on the normal purchase screen is accepted. Therefore, the effect of settlement when the chargeable object is purchased changes compared to the case where the chargeable object is purchased on the normal purchase screen.

To summarize the above, the game system 1 according to this embodiment includes the following components, namely, a first processing section, a second processing section, an acquisition section, and a related processing section. The first processing unit executes a first process based on a charge when a first payment is made by a first payment means for charging a charge target for a game in accordance with a user's instruction. In addition, the second processing unit executes the second processing based on the charge when the second payment is made by the second payment means for charging the charge target for the game in accordance with the user's instruction.

In the present embodiment, the first payment is EC payment or application payment, and the first payment means is EC payment means or application payment means. Also, the first process is a game process based on the billing for which the first payment is made, and the second process is a game process based on the billing for which the second payment is made. The game progress processing section 201 functions as a first processing section and a second processing section. For the sake of brevity, the following description assumes that the first payment is an EC payment and the second payment is an application payment.

For example, in A11 shown in FIG. 3, the game progress processing unit 201 (first processing unit) performs EC settlement ( When the first payment is made, game processing (first processing) is executed based on the billing. Similarly, at A11, the game progress processing unit 201 (second processing unit) performs application settlement (second settlement) by the application settlement means (second settlement means) to charge the charge target for the game, in accordance with the instruction of the user. ) is performed, the game processing (second processing) based on the charge is executed.

The game processing based on billing includes, for example, purchase processing of items using virtual currency, lottery processing by gacha, and the like, if the billing target is virtual currency. Also, if the billing target is an item, it is a battle process or the like using the item. Also, if the billing object is a character, it is a quest process or the like using the character.

The acquisition unit acquires first information about a first payment in a first period, and acquires second information about a second payment in the same first period. The first information indicates the first settlement amount, which is the sum of settlement amounts by the first settlement means in the first period, and the second information is the second settlement, which is the sum of settlement amounts by the second settlement means during the first period. indicate quantity.

In this embodiment, the payment-related processing unit 206 functions as an acquisition unit. The payment-related processing unit 206 (acquisition unit), for example, in A141 shown in FIG. Acquire the application payment history (second information) related to the application payment (second payment) during the period (first period). Both the EC payment history and the application payment history are information indicating the payment amount, payment date and time, and payment method. This is information that indicates the cumulative amount of payments made by payment means.

The related processing unit executes related processing related to the second payment based on the acquired first information. In this embodiment, the settlement-related processing unit 206 functions as a related processing unit. The payment-related processing unit 206 (related processing unit) sets the first threshold and the second threshold when the application payment (second payment) is selected, for example, based on the acquired EC payment history (first information). It is determined as described above, and using the determined first and second thresholds, it is determined whether or not to execute related processing related to application payment (second payment).

In this way, the payment-related processing unit 206 (related processing unit) executes related processing related to application payment (second payment) based on the acquired EC payment history (first information). Similarly, the payment-related processing unit 206 (related processing unit) executes related processing related to EC payment (first payment) based on the acquired application payment history (second information). Related processing includes restriction processing for restricting the execution of app payment and change processing for changing the effect of app payment.

In this embodiment, the restriction process is a process of generating determination result data indicating that billing is not permitted in A151 shown in FIG. By generating this determination result data, the billing object cannot be charged, and the execution of settlement is restricted. In this embodiment, the change process is a process of generating determination result data indicating changes in the settlement effect in A152 shown in FIG. By generating this determination result data, the bonus that comes with the purchase of the billing object changes, and the effect of payment changes.

Even for a user whose settlement effect has changed as described above and whose billing has been disabled, after a predetermined period of time has passed, the total amount for the period returns to 0. also return. Then, even in the next period, if the total amount for the period exceeds the second threshold for the selected payment method, the settlement effect changes, and if the total amount for the period exceeds the first threshold, charging becomes impossible. .

If there are two payment methods that can be used to pay the charge for the game as in the present embodiment, the result of payment by these two payment methods (specifically, the above-mentioned period total amount) must be known. This is because at least one payment method may charge more than the other payment method. Moreover, as described above, the total amount for the period becomes 0 in the next period, so it is more difficult to grasp it accurately.

In the game system 1, related processing is executed based on the total period amount. For example, when the total amount for the period exceeds the first threshold value, a restriction process is executed to prevent further billing, thereby preventing excessive billing. Also, when the total amount for the period exceeds the second threshold, the change process is executed and the bonus changes. As mentioned above, if the amount of bonus is reduced, the user's willingness to pay more is dampened. As described above, according to the game system 1, even if the user does not know the result of payment by the two payment means, excessive charging is suppressed, and the user's convenience is improved compared to the case where the processing related to payment is not executed. can improve sexuality.

3.2 Details of Information Processing Details of the information processing outlined above will now be described.
<Screen transition>
First, the transition of the screen displayed by the game device 3 based on the screen data transmitted from the game management device 2 and the EC management device 6 when billing occurs will be described with reference to FIG. 5 and subsequent figures.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a game screen regarding billing. A gacha button H11 and a billing button H12 are displayed on the game screen G1 shown in FIG. When an operation of pressing these buttons is performed, a game screen for selecting an object to be charged is displayed.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a game screen for selecting a billing target. The game screen G2 shown in FIG. 6 displays a virtual currency purchase button H21, an item purchase button H22, a billing restriction button H23, and a possession quantity confirmation H24. When the purchase buttons H21 and H22 are pressed, a game screen for selecting a payment method is displayed. When the billing limit button H23 is pressed, a game screen for confirming and setting the billing limit is displayed. When the operation of pressing the confirmation of the amount of held virtual currency H24 is performed, a game screen for confirming the amount of held virtual currency that can be used in the game is displayed.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a game screen for selecting payment means. On the game screen G3 shown in FIG. 7, a payment selection button H31 by extra-app billing and a payment selection button H32 by in-app billing are displayed. The payment selection button H31 displays the guidance "*Jump to external EC site". The payment selection button H31 is a button for selecting an EC payment method provided by the EC management device 6. FIG. The payment selection button H32 is a button for selecting an application payment method provided by the application distribution device 5 .

The billing source for settlement using the EC settlement means is the person who operates the EC management device 6, and in this embodiment, it is the game maker A who provides the game. The billing source for payment using the application payment means is the platform provider B that operates the application distribution device 5 . This platform is a platform for applications distributed by the application distribution device 5 and a platform for games provided by the game system 1 . In other words, the payment for the billing object can also be executed using the application payment method used by the platform that provides the game.

The person who operates the EC management device 6 may be a person different from the platform provider B who operates the application distribution device 5. C or the like may be used.

When the application payment is executed, the game maker A is paid an amount obtained by deducting a predetermined fee from the payment amount. On the other hand, when the EC payment is made to game maker A, the amount based on the payment is paid to game maker A without deducting the predetermined commission of platform provider B from the payment amount. In addition, if the EC settlement is different from game maker A or platform provider B, if the EC settlement is executed for the person concerned, the amount after deducting the predetermined fee paid to the person concerned from the settlement amount will be the game maker paid to A. Therefore, if the commission paid to platform provider B is lower than the commission paid to platform provider B, it is advantageous to game maker A.

When the charge button H12 in FIG. 5, the virtual currency purchase button H21 in FIG. 6, and the payment selection button H31 for the first payment method in FIG. 8 shows a purchase screen displayed by the game device 3 as an EC site screen.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a virtual currency purchase screen. The purchase screen G4 shown in FIG. 8 displays a billing target K4, a bonus B4, price information L4, and a purchase button H4.

The billing target K4 indicates that the paid virtual currency "paid stones F1" can be purchased in five quantities (10, 20, 30, 40, and 50). Bonus B4 is that "Free stones D1" are provided in quantities (20, 40, 60, 80, 100) corresponding to the quantity of paid stones F1 as a bonus for each quantity of paid stones F1. indicates The price information L4 indicates the prices (100 yen, 200 yen, 300 yen, 400 yen, and 500 yen) respectively determined for the five amounts of paid stones F1.

The purchase button H4 is a button for purchasing each amount of paid stones F1. For example, it is assumed that the game device 3 receives an operation by the user on the purchase button H4 for 30 paid stones F1. In that case, on the condition that the payment of 300 yen is executed to the EC payment means provided in the EC management device 6, the billing processing unit 205 and the payment-related processing unit 206 of the game management device 2 , and 60 free stones D1 as a bonus are given to the user.

Next, when the charge button H12 in FIG. 5, the item purchase button H22 in FIG. 6, and the EC payment means payment selection button H31 in FIG. 7 are operated in order, the EC management device 6 generates FIG. 9 shows a purchase screen displayed by the game device 3 as a screen of the EC site.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of an item purchase screen. The purchase screen G5 shown in FIG. 9 displays a billing target K5, a bonus B5, price information L5, and a purchase button H5.

The chargeable object K5 indicates that "500" "paid stones F1" can be purchased as chargeable objects. Bonus B5 is a bonus for 500 Paid Stones F1. is provided. The paid stones F1 and the free stones D1 are both virtual currency, but are treated as items that can be used to purchase other items in the game on the purchase screen G5. The recovery of 200 points is a recovery item that recovers a predetermined number of points for the status values related to the user or character in the game. In this way, the billing object K5 and the bonus B5 represent a set of paid items and free items.

The price information L5 indicates the price (5000 yen) determined for the billing object indicated by the billing object K5. The purchase button H5 is a button for purchasing the billing object K5. When the game device 3 receives the user's operation on the purchase button H5, the billing processing unit of the game management device 2 is set on the condition that a settlement of 5000 yen is executed to the EC settlement means provided in the EC management device 6. 205 and payment-related processing unit 206 provide the user with the set of items shown in FIG. Thus, when the billing object K5 is purchased by the user, the billing object K5 and the bonus B5 are provided to the user.

When the charge button H12 in FIG. 5, the virtual currency purchase button H21 in FIG. 6, and the payment selection button H32 for application payment means in FIG. FIG. 10 shows a purchase screen displayed by the game device 3 as a game screen.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a virtual currency purchase screen. The purchase screen G6 shown in FIG. 10 displays a billing target K6, a bonus B6, price information L6, and a purchase button H6.

The billing object K6 indicates that the paid virtual currency "paid stones F2" can be purchased in five quantities (10, 20, 30, 40, and 50). The bonus B6 indicates that the corresponding quantity (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) of the bonus B6 called "free stone D2" is provided as a bonus for each quantity of paid stones F2. . Price information L6 indicates the price of paid stones F2. In the example of FIG. 10, the quantity and price of paid stones F2 are determined at the same quantity and price as those of paid stones F1 shown in FIG. The paid stones F1 and F2 and the free stones D1 and D2 may be used together in the game, or may be used individually. Also, the same paid stones and unpaid stones may be provided for EC payment and application payment.

The purchase button H6 is a button for purchasing each amount of paid stones F2. For example, it is assumed that the game device 3 receives the user's operation on the purchase button H6 for 30 paid stones F2. In this case, on the condition that a payment of 300 yen is made to the application payment means provided in the application distribution device 5, the billing processing unit 205 and the payment-related processing unit 206 of the game management device 2 will , and 30 free stones D2 as a bonus are given to the user.

When the charge button H12 in FIG. 5, the item purchase button H22 in FIG. 6, and the payment selection button H32 for the second payment means in FIG. FIG. 11 shows a purchase screen displayed by the game device 3 as a game screen.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of an item purchase screen through in-app billing. A bonus B7, price information L7, and a purchase button H7 are displayed on the purchase screen G7 shown in FIG.

The chargeable object K5 indicates that "500" "paid stones F2" can be purchased as chargeable objects. Bonus B7 is a bonus for 500 Paid Stones F2. is provided. In this way, the billing object K7 and the bonus B7 represent a set of paid items and free items.

The price information L5 indicates the price (5000 yen) determined for the billing object indicated by the billing object K5. The purchase button H5 is a button for purchasing the billing object K5. When the game device 3 receives the user's operation on the purchase button H5, the game management device 2 executes the payment of 5,000 yen to the application payment means provided in the application distribution device 5 as shown in FIG. gives the user the set of items shown in . Thus, when the billing object K7 is purchased by the user, the billing object K7 and the bonus B7 are provided to the user.

FIG. 12 shows a charge limit setting screen provided by the game management apparatus 2 and displayed by the game device 3 as a game screen when the charge button H12 in FIG. 5 and the charge limit button H23 in FIG. 6 are operated in order. show.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a billing limit setting screen. The setting screen G8 shown in FIG. 12 displays a first threshold default setting M8, a current setting N8, a change button H81, and a status confirmation button H82 for this month.

The default setting M8 is set to "no limit" if the user is 18 years old or older, "10,000 yen/month" if the user is 6 years old or older and younger than 18 years old, and "no billing" if the user is younger than 6 years old. Indicates that it is defined as a setting. The current setting N8 indicates setting items and current settings for the player playing the game. The example of FIG. 12 shows that the first threshold is set to "10,000 yen," the inter-PF cooperation is set to "yes," and the second threshold is set to "yes."

Inter-PF cooperation is inter-platform cooperation, and in the game system 1, it represents information cooperation between a platform provided with EC payment means and a platform provided with application payment means. In this embodiment, the linked information is the EC payment information and the application payment information, and as a result of linking these, the above-described period total amount is calculated.

When the change button H81 is pressed on the setting screen G8, a setting change screen for changing the current settings is displayed.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a setting change screen. The setting change screen G9 shown in FIG. 13 includes a first threshold setting input field P91, an inter-PF cooperation setting input field P92, a second threshold setting input field P93, an OK button H91, and a Cancel button H92. is represented.

An amount to be set as the first threshold is entered in the setting input field P91. In the setting input field P92, "yes" is entered when inter-PF cooperation is to be performed, and "no" is entered when not. In the setting input field P93, "yes" is entered when changing processing (processing for changing the settlement effect) using the second threshold value is performed, and "no" is entered when not performing. When the confirm button H91 is pressed, the settings entered in the respective setting input fields are confirmed. When the cancel button H92 is pressed, the settings entered in each setting entry field are invalidated.

When the status confirmation button H82 is pressed on the setting screen G8, a status confirmation screen is displayed for confirming the payment status for the current month's billing object in the game the player is playing.
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a situation confirmation screen. A total purchase amount N11, a first threshold N12, and a second threshold N13 are displayed on the situation confirmation screen G10 shown in FIG. The total purchase amount N11 includes the purchase amount N111 (1,000 yen in the example of FIG. 14) and the purchase amount N112 (2,000 yen in the example of FIG. 14) through the EC payment, which are the breakdown of the total purchase amount, and The total purchase amount N113 (3,000 yen in the example of FIG. 14) is shown.

The situation confirmation screen G10 is a screen displayed by the game device 3 based on the screen data generated by the game progress processing unit 201. FIG. In this way, the game progress processing unit 201 determines the total amount charged by the user during a predetermined period (first period) based on the EC payment history (first information) and the application payment history (second information). 3,000 yen in the example), and the breakdown of the total amount including the first settlement amount (thousand yen in the example of FIG. 14) and the second settlement amount (2,000 yen in the example of FIG. 14). ing. According to such an aspect, it is possible for the user to grasp his/her billing status.

The first threshold N12 represents the first threshold N121 (10,000 yen in the example of FIG. 14) for EC payment and the first threshold N122 (10,000 yen in the example of FIG. 14) for app payment. there is The second threshold N13 represents the second threshold N131 for EC payment (5,000 yen in the example of FIG. 14) and the second threshold N132 for application payment (5,000 yen in the example of FIG. 14). there is In the situation shown in FIG. 14, the total period amount (1,000 yen + 2,000 yen = 3,000 yen) for both EC payment and application payment does not exceed the first threshold nor the second threshold. is also not executed.

The settlement-related processing unit 206 executes restriction processing and change processing according to the setting of the first threshold, inter-PF cooperation, and second threshold. In this embodiment, the first threshold is set to 10,000 yen, inter-PF cooperation is set to "yes", and the second threshold is set to "yes". Restriction processing and change processing when processing is executed will be described in more detail.

First, change processing will be described. As described above, the game progress processing section 201 executes the game process based on the billing as the first process or the second process. The first processing based on the EC payment includes a first main processing executed in response to the payment of the charge, and a first sub-processing executed along with the first main processing. The second processing based on application payment includes a second main processing that is executed in response to payment of charges, and a second sub-processing that is executed in association with the second main processing. In this embodiment, each main process is a process of giving the user charged stones, and each sub-process is a process of giving the user free stones as a bonus.

On the other hand, the application payment method (second payment method) is set with a first threshold and a second threshold. The first and second thresholds are determined at A142 shown in FIG. 4, as described above. Then, the payment-related processing unit 206 performs a second Change processing is executed for the sub-processing.

The payment-related processing unit 206 executes, as change processing, a process of decreasing the quantity of bonus free stones given by the second sub-process when the application payment amount exceeds the second threshold. For example, when the item set shown in FIG. 9 is purchased through app payment, 700 free stones are provided as a bonus until the app payment amount exceeds 5,000 yen. Then, when the application payment amount exceeds 5,000 yen, change processing is executed so that the number of free stones given as a bonus is reduced to, for example, 100. According to this aspect, since the user thinks that the billing exceeding the second threshold is wasteful and intends to make the purchase by the application settlement in the next month, compared to the case where the change process is not executed, the number of applications exceeding the second threshold is reduced. Billing due to payment can be suppressed.

Further, as described above, the payment-related processing unit 206 executes the process of changing the effect of the second sub-process as the change process, so that even if the change process is executed, the effect of the second sub-process changes. , the effect of the second main process (the effect of giving 500 paid stones in the example of FIG. 9) does not change. According to such an aspect, the settlement amount can be suppressed without affecting the main processing.

In addition, as described in the explanation of A142 shown in FIG. 4, the payment-related processing unit 206, regarding the application payment method, sets the EC payment amount ( The second threshold used for purchase by app payment is changed based on the first payment amount). According to such an aspect, the sum of the first payment and the second payment can be suppressed compared to the case where the second threshold is fixed.

Next, restriction processing will be described. The payment-related processing unit 206 executes restriction processing when the EC payment amount (first payment amount) exceeds the first threshold. In the above example, when the EC payment amount exceeds the first threshold of 10,000 yen, the payment-related processing unit 206 executes restriction processing to restrict further EC payments. According to this aspect, it is possible to prevent excessive charging due to the second payment.

In addition, as described in the explanation of A142 shown in FIG. 4, the payment-related processing unit 206, regarding the application payment method, sets the EC payment amount ( The first threshold used for purchase by app payment is changed based on the first payment amount). According to such an aspect, the sum of the first payment and the second payment can be suppressed compared to the case where the first threshold is fixed.

When the charge button H12 in FIG. 5 and the owned quantity confirmation H24 in FIG. FIG. 15 shows a virtual currency quantity confirmation screen to be displayed.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a virtual currency quantity confirmation screen. The amount confirmation screen G11 shown in FIG. 15 shows the current holding amount Q1 of the virtual currency and the acquisition amount Q2 of the current month. The current owned quantity Q1 includes the current owned paid stone quantity Q11 and the current free stone owned quantity Q12. This month's acquisition quantity Q2 includes this month's paid stone acquisition quantity Q21 and this month's free stone acquisition quantity Q22.

Paid gems are game media whose holding quantity increases as they are acquired through charging, and whose holding quantity decreases according to consumption behavior in the game. The free stones are game media that increase in the number of possessions by acquisition as a bonus when purchasing a chargeable object or acquisition behavior in the game, and decrease in the number of possessions by consumption behavior in the game. Consumption behavior is behavior such as gacha and continue. Acquisition actions include victory in battle, clearing of quests, and the like. In this way, the game progress processing unit 201 displays the total number of game contents obtained during a predetermined period (first period). According to such an aspect, it is possible to grasp the scale of billing in a predetermined period.

[others]
In the embodiment, the first threshold and the second threshold used in the predetermined period are changed based on the settlement amount in the predetermined period (first period), but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the payment-related processing unit 206 changes the first threshold in the second period after the first period based on the application payment amount (first payment amount) with respect to the EC payment method (second payment method). good too.

The second period after the first period is, for example, the month following the month (first period) including the day on which billing is performed, or the month after that. The second period may be a period spanning multiple months. In other words, the payment-related processing unit 206 changes the first threshold value used in a predetermined period based on the application payment amount in the period before that (the previous month or the month before that, etc.). According to this aspect, since the first threshold used in the predetermined period is determined at the beginning of the period, it is possible to eliminate the need to acquire the first information each time payment is made by the second payment means.

Similarly, the payment-related processing unit 206 changes the second threshold in the second period after the first period based on the application payment amount (first payment amount) with respect to the EC payment method (second payment method). may In other words, the payment-related processing unit 206 may also change the second threshold value used in the predetermined period based on the application payment amount in the period before that. According to this aspect, since the second threshold used in the predetermined period is determined at the beginning of the period, it is possible to eliminate the need to acquire the first information each time payment is made by the second payment means.

In the embodiment, the payment-related processing unit 206 determines the first threshold and the second threshold based on the first information, and determines whether or not the first threshold and the second threshold are exceeded based on the second information. rice field. That is, the payment-related processing unit 206 executed related processing regarding the second payment based on both the first information and the second information. Thus, the method based on both the first information and the second information to perform related processing is not limited to this. For example, the payment-related processing unit 206 may execute related processing based on the total value of the first payment amount indicated by the first information and the second payment amount indicated by the second information.

In this case, the payment-related processing unit 206 calculates the total amount of the EC payment period total amount indicated by the EC payment history and the application payment period total amount indicated by the application payment history. Then, when the settlement-related processing unit 206 determines that the calculated total value exceeds the first threshold value in A143 shown in FIG. Then, for example, if the first threshold is 10,000 yen, the payment-related processing unit 206 executes restriction processing when the total value of the period total amounts for both the EC payment and the application payment exceeds 10,000 yen. According to this aspect, it is possible to suppress the total settlement amount compared to the case where the total value is not used.

In the embodiment, the first processing based on EC payment includes the first main processing and first sub-processing, and the second processing based on application payment includes the second main processing and second sub-processing. In the first main process, the game progress processing unit 201 provides the user with the first game content of the first quantity according to the payment of the first settlement amount. The first game content is, for example, paid stones. In the example of FIG. 9, 500 (first quantity) paid stones F1 (first game media) are given to the user in response to payment of 5,000 yen (first payment amount) by EC payment.

In the second main process, the game progress processing unit 201 provides the user with the second game contents corresponding to the second quantity of the first game contents in response to the payment of the second settlement amount. In the example of FIG. 11, 500 (second quantity) paid stones F2 (second game media) are given to the user in response to the payment of 5,000 yen (second payment amount) through application payment.

Here, the payment-related processing unit 206 acquires, as the first information, information indicating the first billing unit price obtained by dividing the first payment amount by the first quantity. In the example of FIG. 9, the first information indicating 5,000 yen (first payment amount)/500 pieces (first quantity)=10 yen as the first billing unit price is acquired. The payment-related processing unit 206 also acquires second information indicating the second charging unit price obtained by dividing the second payment amount by the first quantity. In the example of FIG. 11, the second information indicating 5,000 yen (second payment amount)/500 pieces (second quantity)=10 yen as the second billing unit price is acquired.

Then, the settlement-related processing unit 206 executes a process of changing the effect of the second sub-process based on the first billing unit price and the second billing unit price as a change process. For example, the settlement-related processing unit 206 determines a second threshold that is proportional to the billing unit price. For example, if there is a charged stone whose first billing unit price is 10 yen when paying by EC payment, and where the second billing unit price when paying by app payment is 40 yen, which is four times the first billing unit price, payment-related processing The unit 206 determines a second threshold value of 2,000 yen for EC payment, and a second threshold value of 8,000 yen for application payment. Here, the sum of the two second thresholds is determined to be, for example, the first threshold (10,000 yen in this case).

If the second threshold is determined based on the past settlement amount, it is possible that a large amount of settlement will be made before the change process is executed. For example, when the first threshold is 10,000 yen and the second threshold is 5,000 yen, if 10,000 yen is billed at once, 10,000 yen worth of extra money is purchased before the change process is executed. will be On the other hand, since the charging unit price is predetermined even if the game content is not purchased, the second threshold can be determined from the start of the predetermined period. Note that the game media whose unit prices are compared as described above are not limited to virtual currency, and may be items such as recovery medicine, characters, and the like. According to such an aspect, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the change processing is not done in time.

In the embodiment, the payment-related processing unit 206 executes change processing to decrease the quantity of bonus items, but is not limited to this, and may conversely execute change processing to increase the quantity of bonus items. . For example, it is assumed that an item set with 100 free stones is provided as a billing object by changing the bonus of the item set shown in FIG. In that case, the payment-related processing unit 206 does not perform change processing until the application payment amount exceeds the second threshold. Perform change processing to increase.

When increasing the number of items in change processing, limit processing is also executed. For example, if the first threshold is 10,000 yen and the second threshold is 5,000 yen, the user will be charged up to 5,000 yen with one payment method because the bonus will increase. do. After that, if the EC payment method charges up to 10,000 yen, the EC payment will not be possible due to the restriction process, so the application payment method will be used next time. At this time, the once-increased bonus returns to the original small bonus, and the user's willingness to charge is reduced. In this way, when the quantity of items is increased in the change process, it is possible to suppress billing exceeding the first threshold.

In the embodiment, the setting of the second threshold is set to "yes" on the setting change screen G9 shown in FIG. 13, but it may be "no". Even in that case, the limit processing is executed when the settlement amount exceeds the first threshold value, so excessive charging can be prevented.

In the embodiment, the first threshold is set to "10,000 yen" on the setting change screen G9 shown in FIG. 13, but may be "0 yen" or "none". Even in that case, when the settlement amount exceeds the second threshold value, the change processing is executed to change the settlement effect, so that excessive charging can be suppressed as compared with the case where the settlement effect is fixed.

In the embodiment, inter-PF cooperation is set to "yes" on the setting change screen G9, but it may be "no". In that case, for example, for both the EC payment method and the application payment method, the first threshold is fixed at a value set by the user, and the second threshold is fixed at a value corresponding to the first threshold. Then, the payment-related processing unit 206 executes change processing when the EC payment amount exceeds the second threshold, and executes restriction processing when the EC payment amount exceeds the first threshold. In addition, the payment-related processing unit 206 executes change processing when the application payment amount exceeds the second threshold, and executes restriction processing when the application payment amount exceeds the first threshold. Even in this case, excessive billing can be prevented by the restriction process, and excessive billing can be suppressed by the change process.

In the embodiment, related processing (restriction processing and change processing) is executed for both the EC payment method and the application payment method, but the related processing is not limited to this, and only one of them may execute the related processing. For example, when the related process is executed only for the EC payment method, the EC payment amount is suppressed from increasing beyond the second threshold, and the EC payment amount is prevented from increasing beyond the first threshold. In addition, when the restriction processing and change processing are executed only for the application payment method, the increase in the application payment amount exceeding the second threshold is suppressed, and the increase in the application payment amount exceeding the first threshold is prevented. be done.

In the above embodiment, the payment-related processing unit 206 executes processing for decreasing or increasing the quantity of bonus free stones as change processing, but the processing is not limited to this. The payment-related processing unit 206 performs, for example, processing to change the quantity of bonus items other than virtual currency, processing to change the effect of the item (recovery value of recovery medicine, etc.), or processing to change the type and rarity of bonus items. may be executed as change processing. In either case, it is desirable that further billing be suppressed by executing the change process.

Although the payment-related processing unit 206 executes the process of disabling payment as a restriction process in the embodiment, it is not limited to this. The settlement-related processing unit 206 may execute, as restriction processing, for example, a process of restricting the chargeable period to only a specific time slot, or a process of restricting the chargeable user based on age or the like. In either case, it is preferable that the restriction processing is performed to suppress the billing more than the change processing is performed.

Although two payment methods were used in the embodiment, three or more payment methods may be used. In that case, the payment method presenting unit 203 presents three or more payment methods on the game screen for selecting the payment method, and the game progress processing unit 201 performs game processing regarding the billing object settled with the selected payment method. to run. Then, the game progress processing unit 201 performs different game processing when payment is made by the first payment means than when payment is made by a payment means other than the first payment means (considered as a second payment means). Execute. This aspect also makes it possible to make the first payment method more likely to be used than the second payment method.

Also, the first payment method and the second payment method are not limited to the EC payment method and the application payment method. For example, when the same game is provided on two or more platforms, the in-app payment means provided on each platform may be the first payment means and the second payment means. For example, the in-app payment means of the platform that provides the game on smartphones may be the first payment means, and the in-app payment means of the platform that provides the game on personal computers may be the second payment means.

In that case, for example, the game management device 2 for smartphones and the game management device 2 for personal computers each include a payment-related processing unit 206, and these payment-related processing units 206 communicate with each other to exchange payment histories and the like. and realizes the same function as the payment-related processing unit 206 in the embodiment. By having each payment-related processing unit 206 cooperate to execute the restriction process and the change process, it is possible to improve the user's convenience when suppressing the amount of payment.

In the embodiment, both the first payment means and the second payment means are payment means that can be used to pay the billing object for the same game. Any available payment means may be used. Also, not limited to games, for example, a first payment means that can be used for games and a second payment means that can be used for payments in electronic commerce services unrelated to games may be used. In any case, by executing the above-described related processing, it is possible to reduce the trouble of grasping the payment status of a plurality of payment methods, thereby improving the user's convenience.

The overall configuration shown in FIG. 1 is an example, and is not limited to this. For example, the game management device 2, the application distribution device 5, and the EC management device 6 may be integrated into one or two devices, or distributed over four or more devices. Also, these devices may be replaced by a cloud computing system.

Moreover, the functional configuration shown in FIG. 2 is also an example, and is not limited to this. For example, the functions of the game management device 2 and the EC management device 6 may be realized by one device, or conversely, the functions of the game management device 2 may be distributed and realized by two or more devices. Also, two functions may be integrated into one function, or one function may be decomposed into two or more functions. In short, as long as the game system 1 as a whole implements functions corresponding to the functions shown in FIG. 2, any configuration may be adopted.

An aspect of the embodiments described above may be an information processing apparatus. The information processing device includes parts of an information processing system such as the game system 1 . Moreover, the aspect of the embodiment described above may be an information processing method. The information processing method comprises parts of a similar information processing system. Also, the aspect of the above-described embodiment may be a program. The program causes the computer to perform each step of the information processing system.

<Appendix>
Furthermore, it may be provided in each aspect described below.

(2) In the information processing system, the first information indicates a first settlement amount that is a sum of settlement amounts by the first settlement means during the first period, and in the acquiring step, the Acquiring second information related to a second payment, wherein the second information indicates a second payment amount that is a cumulative amount of payments made by the second payment means in the first period, and in the related processing step, the first and executing the related processing based on the total value of the settlement amount and the second settlement amount.

According to such an aspect, the total settlement amount can be suppressed.

(3) In the information processing system, a first threshold value is set for the second payment method, and in the related processing step, when the second payment amount exceeds the first threshold value, the restriction processing is performed. Things to do.

According to this aspect, it is possible to prevent excessive charging due to the second payment.

(4) In the information processing system, the second payment means changes the first threshold based on the first payment amount.

According to such an aspect, it is possible to suppress the sum of the first payment and the second payment.

(5) In the information processing system, the second payment means changes the first threshold in a second period after the first period based on the first payment amount.

According to this aspect, it is possible to eliminate the need to acquire the first information each time payment is made by the second payment means.

(6) In the information processing system, the second process includes a second main process executed in response to payment of the charge and a second sub-process executed in association with the second main process. and executing a process of changing the effect of the second sub-process as the change process in the related process step.

According to such an aspect, the settlement amount can be suppressed without affecting the main processing.

(7) In the information processing system, the first information indicates a first settlement amount, which is a sum of settlement amounts by the first settlement means in the first period.

According to such an aspect, it is possible to suppress the sum of the first payment and the second payment.

(8) In the information processing system, the first process includes a first main process executed in response to the payment of the charge, and a first sub-process executed in association with the first main process. wherein, in the first main processing, a first quantity of first game content is given to the user in accordance with payment of the first payment amount; and in the second processing, in the second main processing, the second payment amount is paid A second game content corresponding to a second quantity of the first game content is given to the user in accordance with the payment, and the first information is a first billing unit price obtained by dividing the first payment amount by the first quantity. the acquiring step acquires second information indicating a second billing unit price obtained by dividing the second payment amount by the second quantity; and the related processing step acquires the first billing unit price and the second billing unit price. and executing a process for changing the effect of the second sub-process as the change process.

According to such an aspect, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the change processing is not done in time.

(9) In the information processing system, a second threshold value is set for the second payment means, and in the related processing step, a second payment, which is a sum of settlement amounts by the second payment means in the first period, is performed. performing said change process for said second sub-process if the quantity exceeds said second threshold.

According to such an aspect, it is possible to suppress the billing due to the second payment exceeding the second threshold.

(10) In the information processing system, the second payment means changes the second threshold value based on a first payment amount, which is the total amount of payments made by the first payment means in the first period. .

According to such an aspect, it is possible to suppress the sum of the first payment and the second payment.

(11) In the information processing system, the second payment means calculates a second payment amount after the first period based on a first payment amount, which is a cumulative amount of payments made by the first payment means during the first period. Varying said second threshold in time period.

According to this aspect, it is possible to eliminate the need to acquire the first information each time payment is made by the second payment means.

(12) In the information processing system, the first information indicates a first settlement amount that is a cumulative amount of settlements by the first settlement means in the first period, and in the obtaining step, the first settlement amount in the first period 2 Acquiring second information related to settlement, wherein the second information is second information indicating a second settlement amount that is the sum of settlement amounts by the second settlement means in the first period; and in the displaying step, Based on the first information and the second information, a total billing amount of the user in the first period and a breakdown of the total amount including the first payment amount and the second payment amount are displayed.

According to such an aspect, it is possible for the user to grasp his/her billing status.

(13) In the information processing system, the billing target is a game medium whose possession quantity is increased by the acquisition by the billing and whose possession quantity is decreased by consumption behavior in the game, and in the displaying step, the first Displaying the amount of the game media acquired during the period as the total amount.

According to such an aspect, it is possible to grasp the scale of billing in the first period.

(14) An information processing device configured to execute each step of the information processing system.

(15) A program that causes a computer to execute each step of the information processing system.
Of course, this is not the only case.
Also, the above-described embodiments and modifications may be arbitrarily combined for implementation.

Finally, while various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described, these are provided by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. The novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the disclosure. Embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the disclosure, and are included in the disclosure described in the claims and the scope of equivalents thereof.

1 : game system 2 : game management device 3 : game device 5 : application distribution device 6 : EC management device 7 : user device 11 : communication network 201 : game progress processing unit 202 : billing object presentation unit 203 : payment method presentation unit 204 : Payment request unit 205 : Billing processing unit 206 : Payment related processing unit 301 : Application processing unit 302 : Application operation reception unit 501 : Application presentation unit 502 : Payment processing unit 503 : Application distribution unit 601 : Service presentation unit 602 : Billing target Presentation unit 603 : Settlement processing unit 604 : Service processing unit 701 : EC processing unit 702 : EC operation reception unit

Claims (15)

An information processing system,
In a first processing step, when a first settlement is made by a first settlement means for charging a charge target for a game in accordance with a user's instruction, a first processing is executed based on the charge;
In a second processing step, when a second payment is made by a second payment means for charging a charge target for the game in accordance with an instruction from the user, a second processing is executed based on the charge;
The obtaining step obtains first information about the first payment in the first period,
In the related processing step, related processing related to the second payment is executed based on the acquired first information, and the related processing is restriction processing for restricting execution of the second payment, or the second payment. Anything that includes change processing that changes the effect of . In the information processing system according to claim 1,
The first information indicates a first settlement amount, which is the sum of settlement amounts by the first settlement means in the first period;
In the obtaining step, second information relating to the second payment in the first period is obtained, and the second information is a second payment amount, which is the cumulative amount of payments made by the second payment means in the first period. indicate,
In the related processing step, the related processing is executed based on the total value of the first settlement amount and the second settlement amount. In the information processing system according to claim 2,
A first threshold is set for the second payment means,
In the related processing step, when the second settlement amount exceeds the first threshold value, the restriction processing is executed. In the information processing system according to claim 3,
The second payment means changes the first threshold based on the first payment amount. In the information processing system according to claim 4,
The second settlement means changes the first threshold in a second period after the first period based on the first settlement amount. In the information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The second process includes a second main process executed in response to payment of the charge, and a second sub-process executed in association with the second main process,
In the related processing step, processing for changing the effect of the second sub-processing is executed as the changing processing. In the information processing system according to claim 6,
The first information indicates a first settlement amount, which is a sum of settlement amounts by the first settlement means in the first period. In the information processing system according to claim 6 or claim 7,
The first process includes a first main process executed in response to payment of the charge, and a first sub-process executed in association with the first main process, wherein the first main process comprises: granting a first amount of first game media to the user in accordance with the payment of the first settlement amount;
wherein, in the second main process, a second amount of second game contents corresponding to the first game contents is given to the user in response to payment of a second settlement amount;
the first information indicates a first billing unit price obtained by dividing the first payment amount by the first quantity;
the acquiring step acquires second information indicating a second billing unit price obtained by dividing the second payment amount by the second quantity;
In the related processing step, processing for changing the effect of the second sub-processing is executed as the change processing based on the first billing unit price and the second billing unit price. In the information processing system according to any one of claims 6 to 8,
A second threshold is set for the second payment means,
In the related processing step, when a second settlement amount, which is a sum of settlement amounts by the second settlement means during the first period, exceeds the second threshold, the change processing is executed for the second sub-processing. ,thing. In the information processing system according to claim 9,
The second payment means changes the second threshold value based on a first payment amount, which is the total amount of payments made by the first payment means in the first period. In the information processing system according to claim 9,
The second payment means changes the second threshold in a second period after the first period, based on a first payment amount that is the sum of settlement amounts by the first payment means in the first period. ,thing. In the information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
The first information indicates a first settlement amount, which is the sum of settlement amounts by the first settlement means in a first period;
In the obtaining step, second information relating to the second payment in the first period is obtained, and the second information is a second payment amount, which is the cumulative amount of payments made by the second payment means in the first period. obtain second information indicating
In the displaying step, based on the first information and the second information, a total amount of charges for the user during the first period and a breakdown of the total amount including the first payment amount and the second payment amount are displayed. Let's do something. In the information processing system according to claim 12,
The billing target is a game medium whose holding quantity increases due to the acquisition by the billing and whose holding quantity decreases due to consumption behavior in the game,
In the displaying step, the quantity of the game media acquired during the first period is displayed as the total quantity. An information processing device,
Arranged to perform the steps of an information processing system according to any one of claims 1-13. a program,
A computer that executes each step of the information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 13.