JP2024090231A - Information processing device, information processing method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To enable viewers to select the range in which posted content is displayed.
[Solution] The information processing device is provided with a first display control unit that, when a first post that does not involve the consumption of a predetermined value is received from a viewer watching a first player's play screen, displays a first object on the first player's terminal, but does not display the first object on the terminal of a second player engaging in multiplayer play with the first player, and a second display control unit that, when a second post that involves the consumption of a predetermined value is received from a viewer, displays the second object on at least the terminal of a second player that satisfies a predetermined condition.
[Selected figure] Figure 8

Description

Application for exception to loss of novelty has been filed

The present invention relates to an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program.

In online games, multiple players can participate in the game. This type of game is called a multiplayer game, and can be broadly divided into games in which players are competitive and games in which players are cooperative.

JP 2020-5244 A

While viewers can freely watch the gameplay of multiple players during multiplayer games, in an environment where viewers are allowed to post freely, there is a risk that information that players want to keep secret from other players in a competitive relationship will be leaked through viewers.
Therefore, Patent Document 1 describes a technique in which a player who is the viewer of a game control the viewer's viewing of the play screen of another player. By adopting this technique, Patent Document 1 manages the risk of information leaking to other players through the viewer's posts.
On the other hand, a system in which a viewer's viewing of other players' gameplay screens is controlled by the currently viewed player impairs the enjoyment of a viewer freely viewing multiple gameplay screens, and also excessively restricts the viewer's participation in the progress of the game.

The present invention provides a method that allows viewers to select the scope of the display of posted content.

One aspect of the present invention is an information processing device having a first display control unit that, when a first post that does not involve the consumption of a predetermined value is received from a viewer viewing a gameplay screen of a first player, displays a first object on the terminal of the first player, but does not display the first object on the terminal of a second player who is playing multiplayer with the first player, and a second display control unit that, when a second post that involves the consumption of a predetermined value is received from a viewer, displays a second object on at least the terminal of a second player that satisfies a predetermined condition.

According to one aspect of the present invention, viewers can select the scope of the display of posted content.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an information processing system according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the flow of a game assumed in the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a game space assumed in the first embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a state in which an alter-ego object stops at a spot for a certain period of time. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a play screen. 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating an example of a medium object used in a game. 1 is a diagram for explaining the acquisition of points, in which (A) shows the arrangement of the hand placement area just before all the white color cards are collected, (B) shows the arrangement of the hand placement area just after the white color cards are acquired, and (C) shows the arrangement of the hand placement area after the points are acquired. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of a server used in the first embodiment. FIG. 13 illustrates the automatic exchange of medium objects between players in the same area every 30 seconds. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating notification of the movement of the bottom card using the play screen. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a form of player participation assumed in the first embodiment. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a selection process of a display control unit that is executed during a game. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a display destination of a play screen with a message. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display on a play screen in which a posted message is displayed as a pop-up. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the difference in play screens of each player from the viewpoint of messages. 11 is a diagram for explaining the display destination of a play screen with a tipping comment, in which (A) shows a process of setting other players who belong to the same team as the posting destination player A as the display destination of a play screen with a tipping comment, and (B) shows a process of setting all other players participating in the game as the display destinations of a play screen with a tipping comment. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display of a play screen on which a posted tip comment is displayed as a pop-up. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the difference in the play screen of each player from the viewpoint of tipping comments. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the difference in the play screen of each player from the viewpoint of tipping comments. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of how a tipping comment is displayed when the comment is posted to a player who does not have other players on his/her team. 1 is a diagram illustrating a difference in the display mode of a tip comment depending on a difference in past performance regarding the content of a post, where (A) shows a display example of a tip comment posted by a viewing user with a high past performance, and (B) shows a display example of a tip comment posted by a viewing user with a low past performance. FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of a server used in embodiment 7.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
The embodiment described below is merely an example of a form for carrying out the present invention, and the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described below.
Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the following embodiments. For example, various modifications or improvements to the contents described in the embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.
The various functional units described below are realized through the execution of programs by, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), MPU (Micro Processing Unit), GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), DSP (Digital Signal Processor), or other processors.

<Terminology>
First, the terms used in the embodiments will be described.
The term "program" is used as a general term for the OS (Operating System) and application programs.
"Game" refers to a computer game. The virtual space in which a game takes place is called the "game space." The setting of a game space may be, for example, a virtual city or a virtual country.
A "player" refers to a user who plays a game by operating an information terminal.

The information terminals operated by players are classified into dedicated and general-purpose terminals.
Dedicated machines include stationary game machines installed in game arcades, for example.
General-purpose devices include, for example, smart glasses, headsets, and smartphones that can be carried or worn by players. Smart glasses are glasses-type devices equipped with a small display and a light-guiding component that focuses the image displayed on the display on the retina.

The information terminals that execute the game include not only the information terminals operated by the players (hereinafter also referred to as "player terminals"), but also servers located on the Internet or other networks.
When a game is executed on a server, the player's terminal is used as a so-called input/output device, that is, the player's terminal is used to display images related to the game and to input operations.
"Play screen" refers to the image displayed on the player's terminal. The play screen is generally a moving image. However, there is no prohibition on a still image being displayed on the play screen.

The play screen can be viewed by other users (excluding other players). In the following, other users who view the play screen are referred to as "viewing users" or "viewers." The information terminal operated by the viewing user or viewer is referred to as the "viewing user's terminal" or "viewer's terminal."
In the case of the embodiment described later, the viewing user can view only one play screen at a time. The relationship between the viewing user and the play screen (or player) being viewed is managed by the server.
In the case of the game assumed in the embodiment described below, the relationship between the viewing user and the player during the game is fixed. In other words, the viewing user cannot move between the play screens of multiple players. However, this does not prevent a game in which it is possible to move between the play screens of multiple players.

Games executed on a server include, for example, online games and social games. Social games are games that use SNS (Social Networking Service) as a platform.
The game can be played by one player alone (hereinafter also referred to as "single play"), or by multiple players who have a predetermined relationship (hereinafter also referred to as "multiplayer").
Depending on the game, it may only be possible to play single player, only multiplayer, or the option to choose between single player and multiplayer.

Multiplayer games include, for example, games in which players compete against other players (hereafter referred to as "competitive games"), games in which players compete against other players for game results (hereafter also referred to as "competitive games"), and games in which players cooperate to achieve a common goal (for example, clearing the game) (hereafter also referred to as "cooperative games"). Note that even competitive games may include competitive play against other players within the game.
Incidentally, the form of multiplayer also includes play in which multiple players cooperate to play against or compete against other players (hereinafter referred to as "cooperative play").

Although each player in a cooperative game is an independent player, they participate in the game as a team. In addition, players in a cooperative game may have a master-servant relationship or an equal relationship. A master-servant relationship is one in which one player exclusively supports the other players.
Incidentally, the other players who will be your opponents may be players who have chosen single play, or players who are participating in the game as a team.

In the embodiment assumed below, at least one of the players is a user, but at least one of the players may be represented by a processor. This form may appear as a single-player game, but it is a type of multiplayer game.
Furthermore, when distinguishing between multiple players, they are referred to as a "first player," a "second player," a "third player," and so on.
Hereinafter, a player who broadcasts a play screen is also referred to as a "broadcasting user." Furthermore, among viewing users, a player who competes in a game against the broadcasting user who is the viewing target is also referred to as a "participating user."

A "comment" refers to a post or the content of a post that a viewing user uploads to a broadcasting user. A comment is composed of a character string (text), a stamp, an icon, etc. A comment may also be called a "chat."
The "predetermined value" refers to information that can be exchanged on a network, such as electronic money, crypto assets, points, etc. In the following, a comment that consumes the predetermined value is referred to as a "tipping comment," and a comment that does not consume the predetermined value is referred to as a message.
The message post is an example of a first post, and the tip comment post is an example of a second post.

<First embodiment>
<System Configuration>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of an information processing system 1 according to the first embodiment.
The information processing system 1 shown in FIG. 1 is composed of a server 10 that runs a game, information terminals 20 (20A, 20B, 20C, 20D, 20E, 20X, 20Y) operated by players or viewing users, and a network N that connects these together so that they can communicate with each other.

1 shows player A, player B, player C, player D, player E, viewing user X, and viewing user Y as examples of players and viewing users. Five players and two viewing users are shown for convenience of explanation, and the actual number of players may be four or less or six or more. Also, the number of viewing users (i.e. viewers) may be zero, one, or three or more.
However, in the case of the single play described above, there is only one player. Also, although a player is required to execute the game, there may be zero viewing users.
In the following, when there is no distinction between players and viewing users, they will simply be referred to as users.

1, an information terminal 20A operated by player A, an information terminal 20B operated by player B, an information terminal 20C operated by player C, an information terminal 20D operated by player D, an information terminal 20E operated by player E, an information terminal 20X operated by viewing user X, and an information terminal 20Y operated by viewing user Y are connected to the server 10 via a network N. Hereinafter, the information terminals 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D, 20E, 20X, and 20Y are collectively referred to as "information terminals 20".
The network N is, for example, the Internet, a LAN (Local Area Network), or a mobile communication system such as 4G or 5G. The network N may be a wired network or a wireless network. Also, the network N may be a combination of a wired network and a wireless network.

The server 10 is composed of one or more computers. The server 10 may be an on-premise server or a cloud server. Examples of cloud servers include IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service), PaaS (Platform as a Service), and SaaS (Software as a Service). The server 10 is an example of an information processing device.
The information terminal 20 is a terminal operated by a user who uses the distribution service provided by the server 10 .
The information terminal 20 may be, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a notebook or desktop computer, a game terminal, a head-mounted terminal (a so-called headset), or a glasses-type terminal (a so-called smart glasses). The information terminal 20 has a communication function with the network N.

<Server hardware configuration>
The server 10 comprises a processor 11 that controls the overall operation of the terminal, a memory 12, an auxiliary storage device 13, and a communication interface 14. The processor 11 and each device are connected via a bus or other signal lines 15.
The processor 11 is, for example, a CPU.
The memory 12 is composed of a ROM (Read Only Memory) in which a BIOS (Basic Input Output System) and the like are stored, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) used as a work area for the processor 11 .

The auxiliary storage device 13 is, for example, a hard disk device or a semiconductor storage device. In addition to the game program, the auxiliary storage device 13 stores, for example, information on the game space, information on players participating in the game, play screens of each player, information on viewing users who are viewing the play screens, information on comments posted by viewing users, and the like.
Information on players and viewing users is linked to accounts and other information that identifies each user.
The comment information includes the content of the comment and whether or not a predetermined value has been consumed.
The communication interface 14 is a device that enables communication with an external terminal such as the information terminal 20. The communication interface 14 is required to have a function for realizing communication according to the network N used for communication.

Like the server 10, the information terminal 20 has a processor, a memory, an auxiliary storage device, and a communication interface, and further has a touch sensor, operation buttons, a display, a camera, a microphone, a speaker, and the like.
A device that integrates a touch sensor and a display is called a touch panel. The touch sensor, operation buttons, camera, and microphone make up an input device, while the display and speaker make up an output device.
The information terminal 20 in this embodiment is used as an input/output device for the server 10 .

<Game Flow>
The flow of the game assumed in this embodiment will be described below.
2 is a diagram for explaining the flow of the game assumed in embodiment 1. Note that the symbol S shown in the diagram stands for "step."
First, before the start of the game, matching is performed for users (who are not players at this stage) who will participate in the game (step 1). There are various methods for matching. For example, there is a method in which a predetermined number of users are selected by lottery from among users who applied to participate during the application period. The player of the game assumed in this embodiment is required to bring one of his/her own character cards into the game. Of course, depending on the type of game, bringing in a character card is not required.

Once the players participating in the game have been determined and the character cards that each player will bring into the game have been determined, the game begins (step 2). When the game begins, an avatar object for each player is placed in the game space. This allows each player to move the avatar object in the game space by operating the information terminal 20. The character card is one of the items (hereinafter referred to as "medium object") used in the game.
The game is in progress when the game starts (step 3), and ends when a game ending condition is met (step 4).
In the game assumed in this embodiment, ranking is basically determined in descending order of game scores (hereinafter referred to as "scores") acquired during the game. Therefore, the score is a parameter used in determining the outcome of the game.

However, the medium objects available in the game include one bottom card. The player who holds onto the bottom card until the end will be placed at the bottom of the rankings, regardless of their score. For example, even if a player has the highest score, if they hold onto the bottom card until the end, that player will be placed at the bottom of the rankings. In this sense, the bottom card is a medium object that confers disadvantageous game effects on the player who holds it.

In addition, in the game assumed in the embodiment, after the end of the game, an opportunity is provided to accept votes from players who have held the lowest card until the end (step 5). In this vote, each player must vote for a player other than himself.
Once all players' votes have been confirmed within the time limit, the game will move on to confirming the voting results. Players who have not voted within the time limit will be considered as having not voted. In addition, the votes of players who hold the lowest card until the end will be considered as invalid votes.

As a result of the voting, those who answer correctly will be given a special reward in addition to the reward based on their ranking.
If no one answers correctly, the player who has kept the lowest card until the end will be ranked first, regardless of the score at the end of the game. This determines the final ranking (step 6). When the final ranking is determined, the player is given, for example, points, experience points, a title, special points for the attack power and HP of the character card used in the game, weapons that can be used in other games, magic and other abilities, new attributes, attribute level-ups, etc.
The games from step 2 to step 4 are what is called an in-game, and the vote in step 5 is what is called an out-game.

Incidentally, it is also possible to execute one or more "special games" before the game starts or at the start of the game after matching of users. For example, the special game is executed before the avatar objects of each player are placed in the game space.
Any type of special game may be used, but it may be a game in which the same options are presented to each player's information terminal 20 and the selection of an option by each player is accepted as a vote, for example. In the case of this type of game, the results of the vote may be displayed on each player's information terminal 20, or players who voted for an option with a large number of votes and players who voted for an option with a small number of votes may be displayed in a distinguishable manner.

For example, a player who voted for the option with the most votes may be given a bonus of a certain number of points that can be earned during the game when the game starts. In this case, the player may start playing the game with, for example, 5 points earned at the start of the game.
The benefit here is not limited to the award of points, but may also be the award of a color card or an attack card that can be used in the game. The number of cards awarded may be one or more. The benefit may also be an effect that gives an advantage in the game, such as increasing the attack power of a character card that the player has brought into the game.

On the other hand, players who voted for the option with the fewest votes may be allowed to start the game with, for example, the bottom card. If multiple players voted for the option with the fewest votes, one player selected by lottery is given the bottom card. As mentioned above, the player who holds the bottom card until the end of the game will be in last place, so a player who starts the game with the bottom card will be at a disadvantage compared to other players. Therefore, a player who starts playing with the bottom card will be at a disadvantage compared to other players. The player who will be holding the billiards may be notified to the other players at the start of the game.

In addition, a player who voted for the option with the fewest votes may be given an effect that puts them at a disadvantage in the game, such as lowering the attack power of a character card that the player brought into the game. When this type of effect is given, the disadvantageous effect may be given to all of the multiple players who voted for the option with the fewest votes.
The above-mentioned benefits and effects may be awarded for each special game, or may be awarded based on the overall ranking of multiple special games.

In this embodiment, the game is played multiple times, with the game flow shown in Fig. 2 counting as one round. Note that since the players for each round of the game are determined by the matching in step 1, the players for each round are not necessarily the same.
Hereinafter, a certain in-game will be referred to as a first game, and the next or subsequent in-game will be referred to as a second game.
However, the first game and the second game do not have to be the same type of game, that is, the first game and the second game may be different types of games.

<Game space>
Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a game space assumed in embodiment 1. The game space 100 shown in Fig. 3 is composed of three areas 101A, 101B, and 101C. In the following, when there is no need to distinguish between the areas 101A, 101B, and 101C, they will be referred to as area 101. The area 101 is, for example, a room or a country.
The number of areas 101 in Figure 3 is just an example, and depending on the game there may be one, two, or four or more. In the case of Figure 3, the three areas 101A, 101B, and 101C are each connected to the other areas by a passageway.

Although the case where the game space 100 is composed of three areas 101A, 101B, and 101C has been described with reference to FIG. 3, the game space 100 may be composed of a plurality of stages.
3, spots 102A, 102B, and 102C where medium objects to be used in the game are distributed are disposed in three areas 101A, 101B, and 101C. In the following, when there is no need to distinguish between the spots 102A, 102B, and 102C, they will be referred to as spots 102.

3, one spot 102 is arranged in one area 101, but multiple spots 102 may be arranged in one area 101, or there may be an area 101 with no spots 102 arranged therein. The form in which the spots 102 are displayed varies depending on the game. For example, a jar, a treasure chest, a shop, a church, or a swamp may be used to display the spots 102.
At least one medium object is associated with each spot 102, and a medium object selected by lottery is given to a player's avatar (i.e., an avatar) that stops near a spot 102 for a certain period of time.

4 is a diagram for explaining a state in which the ghost object stops for a certain period of time at the spot 102. In FIG. 4, parts corresponding to those in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals.
4, an avatar object 103A of player A, an avatar object 103B of player B, an avatar object 103C of player C, an avatar object 103D of player D, and an avatar object 103E of player E have been added. In the following, when there is no need to distinguish between the avatar objects 103A, 103B, 103C, 103D, and 103E, they will be referred to as avatar objects 103.

4, the position of the avatar object 103A of player A overlaps with the spot 102A in the area 101 A. If this state continues for a certain period of time or more, one of the medium objects linked to the spot 102A is given to player A.
On the other hand, the position of the avatar object 103B of player B in area 101B is far from the spot 102B in area 101B. Therefore, no medium object is given to player B from spot 102B. Similarly, no medium object is given to player C, player D, or player E.

The condition for granting a medium object is not limited to when the avatar object 103A of player A stops with its position overlapping the spot 102A for a certain period of time.
For example, a medium object may be given from the spot 102A simply by the position of the avatar object 103A of the player A overlapping with the spot 102A.
Alternatively, the condition for granting the bonus may be that the player A enters within a predetermined range (for example, within a predetermined distance) of the spot 102A. In this case, the avatar object 103A of the player A does not need to be stationary as long as the avatar object 103A enters within the predetermined range.

Furthermore, it is also possible to set a condition that the avatar object 103A of the player A enters the area 101A in which the spot 102A is located. In any case, the condition for providing the medium object can be determined for each game.
In this embodiment, the medium objects distributed at spot 102 are assumed to be the aforementioned bottom cards, "color cards," and "attack cards." Note that the aforementioned character cards are also an example of medium objects, but differ from the bottom cards distributed within the game in that they are brought into the game by the player.
The color cards assumed in this embodiment are colored in one of five colors: red, blue, yellow, white, and black. Of course, the colors are not limited to those exemplified, and the number of colors is not limited to five.

In the game assumed in this embodiment, points are awarded when the colors of the color cards held by the player match, and the awarding of points is an example of a privilege.
In this embodiment, one point is awarded each time the colors of two color cards match. The points are accumulated for each player. The accumulated points (score) are used to determine the ranking at the end of the game.
Another bonus may be that two color cards of the same color are linked to the player's acquired item area, in which case the color cards linked to the acquired item area during the game may be usable in another game played after the game is completed.
The other games may be games in which the player organizes his/her own characters to play, and may be games in which a specified game effect can be activated during the game by consuming color cards, or the color cards may be consumed as challenge tickets required to play the game.
Furthermore, the other game may be a lottery game such as a so-called "gacha," in which the lottery conditions may be made more favorable by consuming color cards, or the color cards may be consumable as a value for playing the lottery game.
In other games, the game effects that can be activated may differ depending on the type of color card.

A player who has an attack card has the right to challenge other players to a battle event using a character card, and the right to accept such a challenge, subject to the consumption of the attack card (removal from the player's hand), etc. Since it is a right, players are free to exercise it.
Therefore, even if a player has an attack card, it is possible for the player not to request the initiation of a battle event, and it is also possible for the player to choose not to consume an attack card when a battle event is requested.

In this embodiment, the player who requests the activation of a battle event and the player who is requested to do so are required to be in the same area 101. However, a battle event may be possible between players who are participating in the game.
When one of the players requests a battle event to be started, the following three scenarios are possible.

(1) If the opposing player also chooses to consume an attack card, the outcome is determined by the attack power value of the character card that each player brings into the game. The player who holds the character card with the relatively larger attack power value is the winner, and the player who holds the character card with the relatively smaller attack power value is the loser.
The winning player takes one of the color cards held in the losing player's hand.

Basically, players cannot choose the color of the color card they acquire. However, depending on the rules of the game, players may be given priority in selecting a color card that matches the color card held by the winner, or the winner may specify the desired color for the loser.
If the losing player does not have any color cards, no color cards are transferred from the losing player to the winning player, and instead, one point from the losing player may be transferred to the winning player.
Also, if the attacking powers are the same, the battle event is considered a draw and no color cards are moved. However, if the attacking powers are the same, the player who requested the battle event may win, or the player who was requested to play the battle event may win.

Note that two or more color cards may be transferred from the loser to the winner. When multiple color cards are transferred, color cards of different colors are transferred. This is because, when color cards of the same color match, they are removed from the hand, so there are no color cards of the same color in the hand. Therefore, color cards of the same color cannot be transferred from the loser to the winner.
By moving different colored cards from the losers to the winners, the chances of matching colors on the winning side are increased.

(2) If the opposing player has an attack card but does not choose to spend it, the player who requested the battle event will be the winner, and the player who was requested will be the loser. In this case, the winning player will take one of the color cards held by the losing player.

(3) If the opposing player does not have an attack card, the player who requested the battle event will be the winner, and the player who was requested will be the loser. In this case, the winning player will take one of the color cards held by the losing player.

<Play screen>
Next, the play screen displayed on the information terminal 20 of each player will be described.
The play screen is also distributed to viewing users associated with each player via the server 10. The play screen is basically distributed in real time, but accumulated distribution is also possible. For example, when the play screen is viewed in a time-shifted manner, the play screen accumulated in the server 10 is distributed to the viewing user.
On the play screen, for example, an image seen from the viewpoint of a player who controls the movement and motion of an avatar object 103 (see FIG. 4) is displayed.

5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a play screen 200. The play screen 200 shown in FIG. 5 is an example immediately after the start of play. The play screen 200 is also a screen used by player B to operate the alternate self object 103B. Therefore, the alternate self object 103B is displayed near the center of the area screen 201.
5, the avatar object 103B of the player B is located in the area 101B, so the spot 102B in the area 101B is also displayed.

At the top of the play screen 200, information columns for supporting the play of player B are displayed. In the case of FIG.
The number of colors that must be matched to clear the game is displayed in the quota column 202. In the case of FIG. 5, it is "25 remaining." In other words, it is necessary to obtain at least 50 color cards from the spots 102 and match the colors of the color cards in hand.
The exchange timing notice field 203 displays the number of seconds until the next card exchange time.
The score column 204 displays the total number of points acquired in the game (i.e., the score).

The card exchange time refers to the timing at which a medium object is automatically exchanged between two or more avatar objects 103 in the game space 100 when the two or more avatar objects 103 satisfy a predetermined positional relationship. In other words, it refers to the timing at which a medium object selected without a player's operation is automatically exchanged. Hereinafter, this timing will be referred to as "automatic exchange timing."
The predetermined positional relationship may be, for example, that the distance between two or more avatar objects 103 in the game space 100 is within a predetermined distance, or that two or more avatar objects 103 are located in the same area 101 .

In this embodiment, the automatic exchange timing is executed once every 30 seconds. Therefore, in the exchange timing notice field 203, a numerical value is displayed in a countdown manner with a maximum value of 30 seconds. In the example of Fig. 5, "20 seconds until card exchange time" is displayed. Note that 30 seconds is just an example.
In the present embodiment, the medium objects to be exchanged at the automatic exchange timing are either color cards or bottom cards among the medium objects tied to the player. Therefore, attack cards and character cards are excluded from the objects to be exchanged.
Therefore, even if two or more avatar objects 103 satisfy a predetermined positional relationship at the automatic exchange timing, automatic exchange of medium objects will not be executed unless the player is holding a color card and a bottom card.

In this embodiment, the processor 11 (see FIG. 1) randomly selects one medium object to be exchanged at the automatic exchange timing.
The processor 11 may select exchange objects in order of the oldest acquisition time of the medium objects linked to each avatar object 103, or conversely, may select exchange objects in order of the newest acquisition time.
In any case, the player is not and cannot be involved in the selection of the medium object to be exchanged. In other words, the game of this embodiment does not provide a function for the player to decide through a transaction the content of the medium object to be exchanged.
By providing the opportunity for automatic exchange of media objects between players, the opportunities for matching color cards and transferring bottom cards between players are increased.

In addition, a hand card area 205 of player B is displayed at the bottom of the play screen 200. In the case of Fig. 5, only the character card C1 brought into the game space 100 by player B is placed in the hand card area 205. The play screen 200 shown in Fig. 5 is the screen immediately after the start of the game.
In the hand area 205, medium objects provided in the spot 102B, medium objects exchanged with other players, and medium objects acquired from other players as a winner of a battle event are also placed.

However, the maximum number of medium objects that can be placed in the hand area 205 is 5. As described above, since character cards are cards that player B brings into the game space 100, the maximum number of medium objects that can be obtained in the game that can be placed in the hand area 205 is 4. In Fig. 5, the positions where unobtained medium objects are placed are indicated by dashed lines.
When five medium objects are placed in the hand area 205 , even if the avatar object 103 moves to the spot 102 , a new medium object cannot be obtained from the spot 102 .

Furthermore, when five medium objects are placed in the hand area 205, a new medium object cannot be obtained even if the player wins a battle event against another player.
However, even if five medium objects are placed in the hand area 205, a forced exchange of medium objects can be executed because the number of medium objects placed in the hand area 205 does not change even if a medium object is exchanged.

6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a medium object used in a game, in which eight types of medium objects are illustrated.
The character card C1 is composed of a picture of a character (hereinafter also referred to as "character"), a value indicating the magnitude of the attack power (e.g., "Attack: 1000"), and a value indicating the magnitude of HP (e.g., "HP: 150") In addition, the character card C1 may also indicate, for example, the character's defense power, skills, and attributes.
HP, also called stamina value (parameter value), represents the vitality required to play. HP is set for each character.

"Attack power" refers to the strength of the damage inflicted on the opponent character. Therefore, a character with a high attack power value (parameter value) can inflict more damage on the opponent character than a character with a low attack power value. Conversely, a character with a low attack power value will inflict less damage on the opponent character than a character with a high attack power value.
In addition, attack power can also be evaluated based on the range of the attack (defined as two-dimensional space in the case of two dimensions, and three-dimensional space in the case of three dimensions), the time the attack lasts, the number of attacks, the hit rate, and the number of enemy characters that can be hit simultaneously.

"Defensive power" refers to the level of resistance to damage from attacks by opposing characters. For this reason, a character with a high defensive power value (parameter value) will lose less vitality than a character with a low defensive power value. Conversely, a character with a low defensive power value will lose more vitality than a character with a high defensive power value.

"Skill" refers to a special skill (ability) that provides an advantage in the game. Examples of skills include skills that nullify or reduce damage, skills that increase attack power etc. when combined with a specific attribute, skills that increase movement or movement speed when combined with a specific attribute, skills that recover or increase HP when combined with a specific attribute, and skills that stop or reduce attacks from other avatar objects 103.

An "attribute" is one piece of information that gives a character's characteristics. Attributes include, for example, fire, water, lightning, earth, and wood. One or more attributes are given to a character. Attributes may be given permanently or temporarily.
In many cases, compatibility is determined between attributes. For example, a character with a water attribute is strong against a character with a fire attribute, a character with a lightning attribute is strong against a character with a water attribute, and a character with a fire attribute is strong against a character with a wood attribute.

In addition, attributes in the broad sense also include the attack power, defense power, speed, skills, and obstacles mentioned above. For example, a character card C1 that has a defense power large enough against the attack power of another character card C1 will need to make many attacks to reduce the vitality value of the other character card C1 to "0". For this reason, this other character card C1 has poor compatibility with the certain character card C1.

Color card C2 is a red card, color card C3 is a blue card, color card C4 is a yellow card, color card C5 is a white card, and color card C6 is a black card. In Fig. 6, for convenience of explanation, the color of each card is represented by letters. In reality, the entire card may be displayed in a specific color, or the picture or letters drawn on the card may be in a specific color. Also, a specific color may be displayed in only a part of each card.
A plurality of color cards C2 to C6 are prepared in the game. For example, 40 of each color card are prepared. However, the number of cards may be unlimited.

As described above, the attack card C7 is a card used not only to request the initiation of a battle event using the character card C1 against another player, but also to select whether or not to accept the request to initiate a battle event. A plurality of attack cards C7 are prepared in the game. For example, 40 cards are prepared. The number of attack cards C7 may be unlimited.
As described above, the bottom card C8 is a card that determines the ranking of the player who has held the card until the end of the game, and only one bottom card is prepared in the game. The bottom card C8 is also used for voting to guess the player who has held the card until the end of the game.

<Earn points>
Here, a method for acquiring points that are used for ranking at the end of the game will be described.
7A and 7B are diagrams for explaining how points are acquired. (A) shows the arrangement of the hand-card area 205 immediately before the white color cards C5 are collected, (B) shows the arrangement of the hand-card area 205 immediately after the white color cards C5 are acquired, and (C) shows the arrangement of the hand-card area 205 after points are acquired.

The change in the arrangement of the hand card area 205 shown in FIG.
- When a color card is obtained from spot 102 - When the winner of a competitive event obtains a color card from the loser In the game assumed in this embodiment, when two color cards of the same color match in the hand card area 205, the two corresponding color cards are removed from the hand card area 205, and at the same time, one point is added to the player's score.

When exchanging medium objects at the automatic exchange timing, if the colors of two color cards match in the hand area 205, the two corresponding color cards are removed from the hand area 205 and one point is awarded. However, in the case of automatic exchange timing, when acquiring one medium object from the exchange partner, one medium object is passed from one's own hand area 205 to the exchange partner, so the number of cards in the hand in (B) and (C) is one less than in FIG. 7.

<Server functional configuration>
Next, the functional configuration of the server 10 will be described.
Fig. 8 is a diagram for explaining an example of the functional configuration of the server 10 used in the embodiment 1. Note that the functional configuration shown in Fig. 8 is an example of a functional unit realized through the execution of a program.
The server 10 has a message display control unit 111, a tip display control unit 112, and a memory unit 120.
Of these, the storage unit 120 is realized by the memory 12 (see FIG. 1) and the auxiliary storage device 13 (see FIG. 1).

<Information stored in the storage unit>
Prior to describing the functional units, an example of information stored in the storage unit 120 will be described.
The memory unit 120 shown in FIG. 8 stores player information 121, viewing user information 122, spatial layout information 123, spot information 124, exchange timing information 125, medium object distribution rules 126, battle event operation rules 127, voting operation rules 128, final ranking determination rules 129, etc.

The player information 121 is information about the players who play the game. In the example of FIG.
The player information 121 includes, for example, a user ID (account) that identifies the user, identification information of the team to which the user belongs, the IP address of the information terminal 20, position information of the avatar object 103 in the game space 100 (see Figure 3), information on the character card C1 (see Figure 6) brought into the game, information on the medium objects C2 to C8 placed in the hand card area 205, information on the color cards C2 to C6 that were erased from the hand card area 205 because the colors of two color cards matched (in other words, information on the items stored in the acquired item area), the time when the color cards C2 to C6 were exchanged, the total value of points acquired in the game (i.e., the score), and rewards awarded according to final ranking.

The viewing user information 122 is information on viewing users who view the play screen. In the example of FIG.
The viewing user information 122 includes, for example, a user ID (account) identifying the viewing user, an IP address of the information terminal 20, an ID identifying the play screen to be viewed, a user ID identifying the player linked to the play screen to be viewed, the content and posting time of the message or tipping comment, and a reward for posting the message or tipping comment.

The contents of the tip comment include information on the amount to be consumed, and a user ID and IP address that identify the payment destination of the specified value.
Rewards for posting may include, for example, option rights to increase the offensive and defensive powers of the media object owned by the viewing user, option rights that can be used as a player when playing other games, and items and character cards that can be used in other games.

The spatial layout information 123 is information related to the layout of the game space 100. The spatial layout information 123 is so-called map information. The spatial layout information 123 identifies the layout of the game space 100, for example, as illustrated in Fig. 3, and makes it possible to identify the position of the avatar object 103.
The spot information 124 is information such as the positions of the spots 102 arranged in the game space 100, the types and numbers of the color cards C2 to C6 linked to each spot 102, the number of attack cards C7 linked to each spot 102, and the presence or absence of a bottom card C8 linked to the spot 102. Note that, in the case where the color cards C2 to C6 and the attack cards C7 linked to each spot 102 are replenished indefinitely every time they are distributed to the avatar object 103, the spot information 124 does not need to include the types and numbers of the color cards C2 to C6 and the number of the attack cards C7.

The exchange timing information 125 is information that indicates the exchange timing that is executed periodically. Specifically, it is the count value of a counter that counts down from 30 seconds to 0 seconds. The timing specified by the exchange timing information 125 is common to all players. In other words, the same timing is applied regardless of where the player's avatar object 103 is located within the game space 100. The counter that gives the count value of the exchange timing information 125 starts at the same time as the game begins. Furthermore, when the counter's count value reaches 0, it is reset to 30 and starts counting down. This operation is executed repeatedly until the end of the game.

The media object distribution rules 126 define the rules for providing a media object to the avatar object 103 in the spot 102 .
The rules include preconditions for distribution, such as a requirement that the avatar object 103 overlaps with the spot 102 for a certain period of time or more.
The rules also include a rule for randomly selecting one of the medium objects to be assigned to the avatar object 103 that satisfies the prerequisites, specifically, the color cards C2 to C6, the attack card C7, and, if present, the bottom card C8.
This rule also includes, as an exception to distribution, a case in which the player to be awarded has five medium objects in his/her hand 205 .

The battle event operation rules 127 prescribe how to respond to a request to initiate a battle event using an attack card C7.
As already explained, there are three ways that a player who receives a challenge can respond to the challenge: by using an attack card C7 that the player holds, by choosing to lose without using an attack card C7 that the player holds, or by automatically losing the match because the player does not hold an attack card C7.

In addition, the rules stipulate that when a battle event is triggered, the outcome of the battle is determined by the character cards C1 that each player brings into the game. In this embodiment, the outcome of the battle is determined by the attack power of the character cards C1.
The rules also stipulate that one randomly selected card from the loser's color cards will be transferred to the winner. In other words, neither the winner nor the loser is involved in the selection of the color card to be transferred.
The exceptions to movement are when the loser has no color cards, or when the winner's hand already reaches the maximum number of cards.

In these cases, even if the outcome of the battle event is decided, the movement of color cards is not executed.
However, if a color card of the same color as the color card selected by the loser is present in the winner's hand area 205, the color card may be allowed to be moved and an opportunity may be provided for points to be awarded.
Furthermore, when the movement of the color card cannot be executed due to the application of the exception rule, the consumed attack card C7 may be returned to the avatar object 103 of each player.
At this time, only the winner may return the attack card C7, because it would be a great disadvantage for the winner if the attack card C7 was consumed and the winner could not obtain a color card.

However, if the winning side is the side that requested the start of the battle event and does not have a color card at the time of request, a rule may be established in which the attack card C7 is not returned as a penalty.
Also, if, at the time of applying for a battle event, either the applicant or the person being applied for does not have a color card in the hand card area 205, the application may be invalidated and the battle event may not be started. In this case, the attack card C7 is not consumed.

The voting rules 128 define the rules for an outgame in which the player who holds the lowest card C8 until the end of the game is selected.
The rules stipulate that all players are given one vote, that they must vote for the other player they think is holding the last card within the time limit, that players who do not vote within the time limit will be treated as having not voted, that the vote of a player who holds the last card C8 until the end will be invalid, that players who answer correctly will be given a special reward in addition to the reward based on their ranking, and that if no one answers correctly, the player who held the last card until the end will be ranked first.

The final ranking decision rule 129 stipulates that, in principle, the ranking of players is decided in descending order of scores at the end of the game, and if no one votes correctly, the player holding the lowest card C8 will be ranked first regardless of the score, and second place and below will be decided in descending order of scores.

Automatic exchange of media objects
9 is a diagram for explaining the automatic exchange of medium objects between players in the same area every 30 seconds. As described above, the medium objects to be automatically exchanged are color cards or color cards.
FIG. 9 illustrates an example of an automatic exchange of a medium object performed between player A and player B in area 101A.

9, the character card C1, the red color card C2, the blue color card C3, the white color card C5, and the bottom card C8 are lined up in the hand placement area 205 of player A. Meanwhile, the character card C1, the red color card C2, the blue color card C3, the white color card C5, and the black color card C6 are lined up in the hand placement area 205 of player B.
9 shows a case where the lowest card C8 and the white color card C5 are exchanged between player A and player B. Note that since the medium objects to be exchanged are selected randomly, the probability that the lowest card C8 will be selected is one in four.

In the game assumed in this embodiment, after the end of the game, an outgame is executed in which a player who has held the lowest card C8 until the end is voted for.
However, in order to guess the player who is holding the lowest card C8, information for guessing the player who is holding the lowest card C8 must be given.
For this reason, the game assumed in this embodiment is provided with a function for notifying all players of the movement of the bottom card C8.

10 is a diagram for explaining notification of the movement of the Billicard C8 using the play screen 200. In Fig. 10, parts corresponding to those in Fig. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals.
Incidentally, the avatar object 103B of player B is displayed in the center of the play screen 200 shown in Fig. 10. In other words, the play screen 200 shown in Fig. 10 is the play screen viewed by player B and his viewing users.

At the top of the play screen 200 shown in FIG. 10, a notification section 206 is displayed as a pop-up to notify the occurrence of the movement of C8 of the bottom card.
In the case of FIG. 10, the notification field 206 displays the text "The lowest card has been moved between A and C!" to notify information about the players who were involved in the exchange of the lowest card C8.
In addition, illustrations or explanatory diagrams may be used to notify the occurrence of the movement of the Billicard C8. This notification column 206 is erased from the play screen 200 several seconds after it is displayed.

Of course, with just one notification, it is not possible to know whether the player currently holding the bottom card C8 is player A or player C. However, if the next notification is "The bottom card has been moved between C and D!", it becomes possible to determine that the first move moved bottom card C8 from player A to player C, and the second move moved it from player C to player D.

However, it is difficult to keep track of the player who holds the bottom card C8 throughout the game, and the movement of the bottom card C8 may involve three or more players.
For example, if there are three or more avatar objects 103 in the same area 101 at the time of the automatic exchange timing, the exchange of medium cards is executed cyclically among the three or more players. In this case, the notification column 206 displays, for example, "The lowest card has been moved between A, C, and D!", making it difficult to track the player currently holding the lowest card C8.

On the other hand, in order to efficiently increase points, it is necessary to respond to automatic exchange of medium objects with other players.
Therefore, the information on the player currently holding the lowest card C8 affects the play of each player, specifically, the movement within the game space 100 and the selection of an exchange partner.
Therefore, in this embodiment, information about the player who is thought to be holding the lowest card C8 can be provided to the player through the comment function.

If the viewing user's guess is correct, the player who referred to the comment can efficiently increase his/her points while avoiding the bottom card C8, and can finish the game in a high ranking.
On the other hand, since the contents of the comments are merely the guesses of the viewing users, there is a possibility that the guesses of the viewing users are incorrect. Also, some viewing users may intentionally post incorrect comments.

As a result, the player is unsure whether or not to take the comments into consideration. In other words, the viewing users can affect the gameplay of the players by posting comments.
Furthermore, in the game assumed in this embodiment, the viewing user can select the range of players on which the comments are displayed. In other words, the viewing user can switch the range of players on which the viewing user's comments have an effect.

This function makes it possible to affect the game play of the player displayed on the play screen 200. In other words, the strategic nature of the game play and the entertainment value of the game are improved.
Additionally, viewers can also feel like they are indirectly participating in the game by posting comments.

<Processing Executed in Functional Unit>
Based on the above, the specific processing contents of the message display control unit 111 and the tip display control unit 112 will be described.

<Premise>
The following describes once again the situations in which the message display control unit 111 and the tipping display control unit 112 function. First, the form of player participation that is assumed by the message display control unit 111 and the tipping display control unit 112 will be described.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a form of player participation assumed in the first embodiment.
11, five players A to E are participating. Therefore, the game shown in Fig. 11 is a multiplayer game.
Player A and Player B make up Team #1. That is, Player A and Player B cooperate with each other to aim for a high ranking goal.

Player D and Player E form Team #2. That is, Player D and Player E cooperate with each other to aim for a high ranking goal.
Player C is participating in the game alone.
In the case of Fig. 11, a viewing user X is viewing the play screen 200 (see Fig. 5) of a player A. Also, a viewing user Y is viewing the play screen 200 (see Fig. 5) of a player C.

<Selection process of display control unit>
12 is a flowchart for explaining the selection process of the display control unit executed during the game. As described above, in the game assumed in this embodiment, the player who holds the lowest card C8 at the end of the game will be in the lowest position.
Therefore, the game envisaged in this embodiment employs a mechanism that allows viewing users to influence the gameplay of the player through posting of comments.
The selection process shown in FIG. 12 is used to select a display control unit according to the type of posting from this viewing user.

During the period from the start to the end of the in-game, processor 11 (see FIG. 1) determines whether or not a comment has been posted by a viewing user (e.g., viewing user X) (step 11).
If no comments are posted by viewing users, a negative result is obtained in step 11. In this case, the processor 11 repeats the determination in step 11.

On the other hand, if a comment post from a viewing user has been accepted, a positive result is obtained in step 11. In this case, processor 11 determines whether or not the player to whom the comment has been posted is engaged in cooperative play (step 12).
If the player to whom the post is made is playing cooperatively (for example, if the player to whom the post is made is player A in FIG. 11 ), a positive result is obtained in step 12. In this case, processor 11 determines whether the post is a tipping comment (step 13).
If the post is a tipping comment, a positive result is obtained in step 13. In this case, the processor 11 executes the tipping display control unit 112 (step 14).

On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step 12 (for example, if the posting destination is player C in Figure 11), or if a negative result is obtained in step 13 (for example, if the comment is a message), processor 11 executes the message display control unit 111 (step 15).
After executing step 14 or step 15, processor 11 returns to step 11 and prepares to accept a new comment. On the other hand, if the game ends during execution of step 14 or step 15, processor 11 forcibly ends a series of processes.

<Message display control section>
The message display control unit 111 (see FIG. 8) is a functional unit that is executed when a comment (i.e., a message) that does not consume a specified value is posted to players playing as a team or when the player to whom the comment is posted is playing alone.
The message display control unit 111 here is an example of a first display control unit.

In this embodiment, when a message is posted by a viewing user who is viewing a game screen 200 of a certain player, the message display control unit 111 functions to display the message on the information terminal 20 of the player to whom the message is posted, but not to display the posted message on the information terminals 20 of other players who are playing multiplayer games with the player to whom the message is posted.

FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the display destination of the play screen 200 with a message.
As shown in FIG. 13, in the case of a comment (i.e., a message) that does not consume a predetermined value, the message display control unit 111 displays the posted message only on the play screen 200 of the player who is the viewing destination.
For example, when the viewing user is viewing the content of player C, the message posted by the viewing user is displayed only on the play screen 200 of player C.

Furthermore, for example, when the viewing user is viewing player A, the message posted by the viewing user is displayed only on the play screen 200 of player A. In other words, the posted message is not displayed on the play screen 200 of player B who belongs to the same team #1 as player A.
Fig. 14 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a play screen 200 in which a posted message 207 is displayed as a pop-up. In Fig. 14, the same reference numerals are used to denote parts corresponding to those in Fig. 5. The message 207 here is an example of a first object.

The play screen 200 shown in Fig. 14 is the play screen of player C. Therefore, the play screen 200 shown in Fig. 14 can be viewed by player C and all of his viewing users.
On the other hand, the message 207 posted to player C is not displayed on the play screens 200 of the other players and on the play screens 200 being viewed by viewing users of the other players.

In the case of Fig. 14, the message 207 reads "Player A may have the lowest card!" Of course, this message 207 is only an example, and other wording may be used. For example, "Player A may be suspicious?", "Player A is safe!", "Player A is white!", or "I think so too!" may be used.
In the present embodiment, these messages are prepared in advance as fixed phrases for each player. A viewing user posts a message by selecting one of these candidates. However, the viewing user may be able to freely input the contents of the message.
The message 207 may be a design such as an illustration, a stamp, an icon, etc. The illustration, etc. may include text.

The message 207 displayed on the player's play screen 200 is not necessarily the exact candidate selected by the viewing user from one or more selectable candidate texts or designs presented, but may be a form in which a portion of the selected text or design has been edited or transformed. For example, the message 207 displayed on the play screen 200 may be a candidate with added decoration, or the color tone, font, etc. may be changed to a color tone, font, etc. that is highly visible on the play screen. Note that a change is one form of transformation.

FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining the difference in the play screen 200 of each player from the viewpoint of the message 207.
FIG. 15 shows a play screen 200 of an information terminal 20A corresponding to player A, a play screen 200 of an information terminal 20B corresponding to player B, a play screen 200 of an information terminal 20C corresponding to player C, a play screen 200 of an information terminal 20D corresponding to player D, and a play screen 200 of an information terminal 20E corresponding to player E.
In addition, FIG. 15 shows a case where a viewing user posts a message 207 with player A as the posting destination.
As shown in FIG. 15, the posted message 207 is displayed only on the play screen 200 of player A, who is the posting destination.

<Tips display control unit>
When a comment involving consumption of a predetermined value (i.e., a tipping comment) is posted from a viewing user, the tipping display control unit 112 (see FIG. 8 ) functions to display the tipping comment at least on the information terminals 20 of other players who satisfy a predetermined condition. The tipping display control unit 112 here is an example of a second display control unit.
Other players who satisfy the specified conditions include, for example, players belonging to the same team, all players participating in the game, players in the same area as the player to whom the post is posted, players whose distance in the game space from the player to whom the post is posted is within a threshold, and players whose distance in the game space from the player to whom the post is posted exceeds a threshold.

The predetermined conditions are determined for each game, but may be selectable by the viewing user when posting, for example.
16 is a diagram for explaining the display destination of the play screen 200 with a tipping comment. (A) shows a process of setting other players who belong to the same team as the posting destination player A as the display destination of the play screen 200 with a tipping comment, and (B) shows a process of setting all other players participating in the game as the display destination of the play screen 200 with a tipping comment.
In any case, the viewing user can switch the range of players on which the comment they post is displayed by selecting to post a tip comment that consumes a specified value or selecting to post a message that does not consume a specified value.

Fig. 17 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a play screen 200 in which a posted tipping comment 208 is displayed as a pop-up. In Fig. 17, the same reference numerals are used to denote parts corresponding to those in Fig. 14. The tipping comment 208 here is an example of a second object.
The play screen 200 shown in Fig. 17 is the play screen of player A. Therefore, the play screen 200 shown in Fig. 17 can be viewed by player A and all of his viewing users.
In the case of FIG. 17, the tip comment 208 states, "The lowest card may be in the hands of Player D!".

In addition, in the case of posting a tipping comment 208, in addition to the content of the tipping comment 208, identification information 208A of the viewing user who posted the tipping comment 208 (e.g., "From viewing user X") and a level gauge 208B indicating the posting record of the viewing user are displayed on the same screen on the play screen 200. The identification information 208A here is an example of information that can identify the viewing user.
This identification information 208A can be used to evaluate the credibility of the posted tip comment 208. For example, if the post is from a viewing user with high credibility, it is presumed that "this time may be correct as well." Conversely, if the post is from a viewing user with low credibility, it is presumed that "this time may be wrong as well."

However, even if it is possible to identify the viewing user who posted the tip comment 208, if there is no information to evaluate the credibility of the viewing user, the viewing user's identification information 208A cannot be effectively utilized.
For this reason, a level gauge 208B is also displayed on the play screen 200. The level of the level gauge 208B represents the track record of posting tip comments 208. For example, the level gauge 208B of a viewing user who posts many tip comments 208 involving the consumption of a predetermined value is large, and the level gauge 208B of a viewing user who posts few tip comments 208 involving the consumption of a predetermined value is small.

Since the tipping comment 208 involves the consumption of a predetermined value and also displays the identification information 208A, there is generally little possibility of intentionally posting incorrect content. For this reason, the reliability of the tipping comment 208 from a viewing user with a high level of the level gauge 208B is generally higher than that of the message 207 (see FIG. 14) that can be posted anonymously.
Therefore, even if a post from a viewing user cannot be judged based on the identification information 208A alone, the credibility can be evaluated by referring to the level gauge 208B.

Fig. 18 is a diagram for explaining the difference between the play screens 200 of the players in terms of the tipping comments 208. In Fig. 18, the parts corresponding to those in Fig. 15 are denoted by the same reference numerals.
FIG. 18 also shows a play screen 200 of an information terminal 20A corresponding to player A, a play screen 200 of an information terminal 20B corresponding to player B, a play screen 200 of an information terminal 20C corresponding to player C, a play screen 200 of an information terminal 20D corresponding to player D, and a play screen 200 of an information terminal 20E corresponding to player E.

The display shown in FIG. 18 represents a case where a tip comment 208 is posted to player A when a player who belongs to the same team as the player who is the posting destination is set as a predetermined condition.
For this reason, the tipping comment 208 is displayed only on the play screen of the information terminal 20A of player A and the information terminal 20B of player B, and the tipping comment 208 is not displayed on the information terminal 20C of player C, the information terminal 20D of player D, and the information terminal 20E of player E.

For reference, the play screen displayed on each player's information terminal 20 is a dedicated play screen in which the avatar object 103 operated by each player is located at the center of the screen. Therefore, the display of the play screen 200 of player B on which the tip comment 208 is displayed is different from the play screen 200 of player A shown in FIG. 17.

<Effects Obtained in the First Embodiment>
According to the control of the server 10 described in the present embodiment, the viewing user can select at his/her discretion whether to post a tipping comment that consumes a predetermined value or a message that does not consume a predetermined value when posting a comment. In other words, by using the server 10, it becomes possible to control the posting of comments by viewing users without the involvement of the player.
Furthermore, according to the control of the server 10 described in this embodiment, it becomes possible for viewing users to influence the gameplay of the players through the posting of comments.

<Embodiment 2>
In this embodiment, on the premise of the information processing system 1 (see FIG. 1) described in the first embodiment, another display example of the tipping comment 208 (see FIG. 17) will be described.
The tipping display control unit 112 used in this embodiment has a function of controlling the tipping comment 208 to be displayed on the information terminal 20A of player A, who is the destination of the tipping comment 208, and the tipping comment 208 to be displayed on the information terminals 20 of other players who satisfy predetermined conditions, in different ways.

More specifically, the tipping display control unit 112 has a function of displaying the tipping comment 208 with the identification information 208A of the viewing user who posted the tipping comment 208 on the play screen 200 of the player to whom the tipping comment 208 was posted, while displaying the tipping comment 208 without the identification information 208A of the viewing user on the play screen 200 of other players who satisfy a predetermined condition. In other words, only the tipping comment 208 is displayed on the play screen 200 of other players who satisfy the predetermined condition.
When a message 207 (see FIG. 14) that does not consume a predetermined value is posted, the posted message 207 is displayed only on the play screen 200 of the player to whom the message is posted, as in the first embodiment.

Fig. 19 is a diagram for explaining the difference between the play screens 200 of the players in terms of the tipping comments 208. In Fig. 19, the parts corresponding to those in Fig. 18 are denoted by the same reference numerals.
In the case of FIG. 19 as well, the tip comment 208 is posted to player A, and the only player who satisfies the predetermined condition is player B who belongs to the same team.
In FIG. 19, the play screen 200 displayed on the information terminal 20A of player A displays the tipping comment 208, identification information 208A of the viewing user, and a level gauge 208B of the viewing user, while the play screen 200 displayed on the information terminal 20B of player B displays only the tipping comment 208.

<Effects Obtained in the Second Embodiment>
According to the control of the server 10 described in this embodiment, it is possible to provide a difference in the manner in which the tipping comment 208 is displayed between the player to whom the tipping comment 208 is posted and another player who satisfies a predetermined condition in addition to the player to whom the tipping comment 208 is posted.
That is, the identification information 208A and the level gauge 208B of the viewing user who posted the tipping comment 208 can be displayed only to the player to whom the tipping comment 208 is posted. This allows the player to have an advantage in game play over other players who satisfy a predetermined condition. This function is suitable for supporting a specific player with the tipping comment 208.

<Third embodiment>
In this embodiment as well, on the premise of the information processing system 1 (see FIG. 1) described in the first embodiment, another display example of the tip comment 208 (see FIG. 17) will be described.
The tipping display control unit 112 used in this embodiment has a function of setting predetermined conditions depending on the game status of the player to whom the tipping comment 208 (see FIG. 17) is posted when the comment is accepted.
That is, a case will be described in which the player for whom the tipping comment 208 is displayed on the play screen 200 changes depending on the game status of the player to whom the tipping comment 208 is posted at the time the tipping comment 208 is posted.

The "game situation" here includes, for example, differences in the way the posting destination player participates in the game, differences in the posting destination player's score, differences in the provisional rankings of the posting destination player among other players, cases where the posting destination player has the lowest ranking card C8, etc.
For example, when focusing on differences in the mode of participation of the player to whom the post is made as the game situation, the tipping display control unit 112 sets other players who are in a cooperative relationship with the player to whom the post is made (i.e., who belong to the same team) as players who satisfy the “predetermined condition” as display targets for the tipping comment 208.
If there are no other players who are in a cooperative relationship with the player to whom the comment is posted (i.e., who belong to the same team), the tipping display control unit 112 displays the tipping comment 208 only on the play screen 200 of the player to whom the comment is posted, since there are no other players who satisfy the “predetermined condition.”

The play screen 200 shown in Fig. 18 and the play screen 200 shown in Fig. 19 show the difference between the play screen 200 of a player who satisfies a predetermined relationship set according to the mode of participation in the game of the posting destination player A, and the play screen 200 of a player who does not satisfy the predetermined relationship. The predetermined relationship here is belonging to the same team as the posting destination player.
20 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a tip comment 208 when the posting destination is a player C who does not have other players on his team. In FIG. 20, the same reference numerals are used to denote parts corresponding to those in FIG. 19.

20, the predetermined condition is set to other players who are in the same area 101C (see FIG. 4) as the posting destination player C. Therefore, the tip comment 208 is also displayed on the play screen 200 of player E.
However, whereas the posting user's identification information 208A and a level gauge 208B are displayed on the play screen 200 of player C, who is the posting destination, only the tip comment 208 is displayed on the play screen 200 of player E.

Therefore, the player E cannot evaluate the credibility of the viewing user who posted the tipping comment 208. As a result, even if the player pointed out in the tipping comment 208 is in the same area 101C, it is possible to confuse the player E about the content of the tipping comment 208. In other words, the player C who posted the tipping comment 208 is in a more advantageous position than other players E who are in the same area 101C.
This example of setting the predetermined condition is just one example, and it may be set as a predetermined condition according to the tipping comment 208 to player C who is not playing as a team with other players in different areas 101. In this case, the tipping comment 208 is displayed on the play screens 200 of player A, player B, and player D.

For example, when focusing on the difference in score of the player to whom the post is posted as the game situation, the tipping display control unit 112 sets other players whose scores differ greatly from those of the player to whom the post is posted (for example, the player with the highest score) as other players who satisfy the “predetermined condition” as the display targets for the tipping comment 208.
This specified condition is based on the expectation that even if a tipping comment 208 with correct content is displayed on the play screen 200 of another player whose score is significantly different from that of the player A to whom the comment was posted, it will have little effect on the ranking of the player A to whom the comment was posted, and that if the content of the tipping comment 208 is incorrect, there is a high possibility that the bottom card C8 will be transferred to another player.

In addition, when focusing on the difference in provisional ranking between players of the posting destination player as the game situation, other players whose provisional ranking is higher than the posting destination player may be set as the "predetermined condition."
Furthermore, when the game status indicates that the posting destination player has a tip card C8, the tip display control unit 112 sets all players except the posting destination player to a "predetermined condition."

A tipping comment 208 posted to a player holding the lowest card C8 is highly likely to contain intentionally incorrect content on the part of the player holding the lowest card C8. This is because the viewing user who posted the comment knows, through viewing the play screen 200, that the player to whom the comment was posted is holding the lowest card C8. In this case, it is advisable to confuse the judgment of other players by displaying a tipping comment 208 with intentionally incorrect content on the play screen 200 of the other players.

In addition, the game situation may include a case where the player posting the game has a high score or a high provisional ranking. In these cases, the predetermined condition may be, for example, a player with a low score or a low provisional ranking.
In addition, the game situation may be just after the start of the game or just before the end of the game. For example, all players are set as the "predetermined condition" just after the start of the game, and a player with a higher ranking than the player who posted the message is set as the "predetermined condition" just before the end of the game.

<Effects Obtained in the Third Embodiment>
According to the control of the server 10 described in this embodiment, by setting a predetermined condition according to the game status of the player to whom the tip comment 208 is posted, it becomes possible to adaptively change the player to whom the tip comment 208 is displayed.
In other words, the player that the viewing user can influence can be switched depending on the situation of the game to which the tipping comment 208 is posted. That is, the posting destination of the tipping comment 208 can be changed so that the game situation of the posting destination player is favorable.

<Fourth embodiment>
In this embodiment as well, on the premise of the information processing system 1 (see FIG. 1) described in the first embodiment, another display example of the tip comment 208 (see FIG. 17) will be described.
The tipping display control unit 112 used in this embodiment has a function of displaying the tipping comment 208 only to the player designated by the viewing user.
In this embodiment, the posting destination of the tipping comment 208 and the display destination of the tipping comment 208 are treated independently. Therefore, it is possible that the display destination of the tipping comment 208 does not include the posting destination of the tipping comment 208.

However, in this embodiment, the tip comment 208 is always displayed on the play screen 200 of the player who posted the comment.
The display destination of the tipping comment 208 is selectably displayed on a screen on which the viewing user posts the tipping comment 208. When the content and display destination of the tipping comment 208 are selected and a post button is operated after inputting the amount of a predetermined value to be consumed, the tipping comment 208 is displayed on the play screen 200 of the player selected as the display destination.
For example, the tipping comment 208 can be displayed only on the play screen 200 of other players who belong to the same team as the player to whom the tipping comment 208 is posted.
Also, for example, the tipping comment 208 can be displayed only on the play screen 200 of other players who belong to a team different from that of the player to whom the tipping comment 208 is posted.

Also, for example, the tip comment 208 can be displayed only on the play screen 200 of a specific player (excluding the posting destination).
It is also possible not to select players other than the posting destination as the display destination. In this case, the tipping comment 208 is displayed only on the play screen 200 of the player to whom the tipping comment 208 is posted.
Incidentally, the tip display control unit 112 may be provided with a function of controlling the number and range of selectable display destinations (i.e., players) according to the amount of a predetermined value consumed when posting a tip comment 208.

For example, if the specified value consumed when posting a tip comment 208 is less than 500 points, the number of players that can be specified may be 1, if it is between 500 points and less than 1000 points, the number of players that can be specified may be 2, if it is between 1000 points and less than 2000 points, the number of players that can be specified may be 3, and if it is 2000 points or more, the number of players that can be specified may be 4.

For example, when the specified value consumed when posting a tip comment 208 is less than 500 points, the number of teams that can be specified may be one, when it is between 500 points and less than 1000 points, the number of teams that can be specified may be two, when it is between 1000 points and less than 2000 points, the number of teams that can be specified may be three, and when it is 2000 points or more, the number of teams that can be specified may be four.
Note that a player playing alone, such as player C, is treated as belonging to a single team with no other players on the same team.

Also, for example, when the specified value consumed when posting the tip comment 208 is less than 500 points, the team that can be specified may be the same team as the player to whom the comment is posted, and when the specified value is 500 points or more, the team that can be specified may be a team different from the player to whom the comment is posted.
Note that the number and range of selectable display destinations (i.e., players) may be controlled according to the length of time that the viewing user who posted the tip comment 208 has watched the game, instead of the amount of the predetermined value consumed when posting the tip comment 208. For example, the number and range of selectable display destinations may be increased for a viewing user with a cumulative viewing time of 200 hours compared to a viewing user with a cumulative viewing time of less than 100 hours.

In addition, when there is a player whose playing state is superior to that of the player who posted the tip, the tip display control unit 112 may display the player as a candidate for a player who can be designated by a viewing user. Incidentally, a superior playing state may mean a higher score (higher provisional ranking), a larger attack power of a character card C1 used in a battle event, etc.
For example, if the provisional ranking of the player to whom the comment is posted is third, the tipping display control unit 112 may display the provisionally ranked first and second players as selectable display candidates to the viewing user who posts the tipping comment 208.

<Effects Obtained in the Fourth Embodiment>
According to the control of the server 10 described in this embodiment, a viewing user who posts a tipping comment 208 can specify a player on which the tipping comment 208 is to be displayed.
That is, the viewing user can specify the number and range of players that he/she wishes to influence on the game play.

<Fifth embodiment>
In this embodiment as well, on the premise of the information processing system 1 (see FIG. 1) described in the first embodiment, another display example of the tip comment 208 (see FIG. 17) will be described.
The tipping display control unit 112 used in this embodiment has a function of controlling the number or range of players for which the tipping comment 208 is displayed depending on the amount of a predetermined value consumed in posting the tipping comment 208.

In the above-mentioned fourth embodiment, a case was described in which the viewing user specifies the player on which the tip comment 208 is to be displayed within the number and range of players that change according to the amount of the predetermined value consumed in posting the tip comment 208. In this embodiment, however, the tip display control unit 112 controls the display destination of the tip comment 208 within the number or range of players that is determined according to the amount of the predetermined value consumed.

For example, if the predetermined value consumed when posting the tip comment 208 is less than 500 points, the tip display control unit 112 displays the tip comment 208 only on the play screen 200 of the player to whom the comment was posted; if it is between 500 points and less than 1000 points, the tip display control unit 112 displays the tip comment 208 on the play screen 200 of the player to whom the comment was posted and players who belong to the same team as the player; if it is between 1000 points and less than 2000 points, the tip display control unit 112 displays the tip comment 208 on the play screen 200 of players other than the player to whom the comment was posted (but who are on a different team than the player to whom the comment was posted).

The tipping display control unit 112 may control the number or range of players on which the tipping comment 208 is displayed depending on the attributes of the viewing user who posted the tipping comment 208. The attributes of the viewing user here include, for example, the membership information of the viewing user. For example, if the viewing user who posted the tipping comment is a regular member or a guest, the tipping comment 208 may be displayed only on the play screen 200 of the player to whom the comment was posted, and if the viewing user who posted the tipping comment is a premium member who has paid value as a membership fee, the tipping comment 208 may be displayed on the play screen 200 of a player other than the player to whom the comment was posted (however, of a different team than the player to whom the comment was posted).

<Effects Obtained in Fifth Embodiment>
According to the control of the server 10 described in this embodiment, the player on which the tipping comment 208 is displayed can be automatically changed depending on the amount of a predetermined value consumed by the viewing user who posted the tipping comment 208 and the attributes of the viewing user.
For example, when determining the number or range of players to which the tipping comment 208 is displayed according to the amount of a predetermined value consumed by the viewing user, the viewing user can influence the destination to which the tipping comment 208 is displayed by selecting the amount of the predetermined value to be consumed.
For example, when determining the number or range of players to whom the tipping comment 208 is displayed according to the attributes of the viewing user, the viewing user can influence the display destination of the tipping comment 208 through the selection of his/her membership attributes.

<Sixth embodiment>
In this embodiment as well, on the premise of the information processing system 1 (see FIG. 1) described in the first embodiment, another display example of the tip comment 208 (see FIG. 17) will be described.
The tipping display control unit 112 used in this embodiment has a function of controlling the display mode of the tipping comment 208 depending on the past performance of the viewing user regarding the content of the post.

Here, the "content of the post" refers to, for example, the content of a post that points out a player who is holding the bottom card C8. More specifically, it is a post that specifies whether or not a particular player is holding the bottom card C8. For example, this type of post is "Player A has the bottom card." This type of post also includes, for example, "Player A is safe" and "Player A doesn't have the bottom card." Note that posts expressing agreement with "Player A has the bottom card," such as "I think so too," may also be included in posts that specify whether or not a particular player is holding the bottom card C8.

In addition, the "past performance" is, for example, the performance of the posted content being correct or incorrect. If the posted content is correct (i.e., if the player holding the bottom card C8 is guessed), a positive point is given, and if the posted content is incorrect (i.e., if the player holding the bottom card C8 is not guessed), a negative point is given.
Alternatively, a correct answer may be awarded 5 points, and an incorrect answer may be awarded 1 point.
Also, points may be awarded only if the answer is correct.

The posts that are the subject of the track record may include both the tipping comments 208 and the messages 207, or may only include the tipping comments 208.
It should be noted that the comments posted for which points are awarded as past achievements may be limited to those posted just before the end of the game, or may include all posts made during the game.

21 is a diagram illustrating differences in the display mode of a tip comment 208 depending on differences in past performance regarding the content of the post. (A) shows a display example of a tip comment 208 posted by a viewing user with a high past performance, and (B) shows a display example of a tip comment 208 posted by a viewing user with a low past performance.
A high performance refers to a case where the total value of points awarded to a viewing user is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, and a low performance refers to a case where the total value of points awarded to a viewing user is less than a predetermined threshold.

In the case of Figure 21, the display of tip comments 208 posted by viewing users with a high track record (see Figure 21 (A)) is shown in a thick double frame, and the display of tip comments 208 posted by viewing users with a low track record (see Figure 21 (B)) is shown in a thin frame.
Needless to say, this difference in display mode is just an example. For example, the tipping comment 208 posted by a viewing user with a high track record may be displayed with high brightness, and the tipping comment 208 posted by a viewing user with a low track record may be displayed with low brightness. Also, the display frame of the tipping comment 208 posted by a viewing user with a high track record may be blinked, while the tipping comment 208 posted by a viewing user with a low track record may not be blinked.

In addition, the display frame of the tipping comment 208 posted by a viewing user with a high track record may be displayed in red, and the tipping comment 208 posted by a viewing user with a low track record may be displayed in black.
In other words, the display of the tipping comment 208 posted by a viewing user with a high track record is made more noticeable than the display of the tipping comment 208 posted by a viewing user with a low track record.

<Effects Obtained in the Sixth Embodiment>
According to the control of the server 10 described in this embodiment, the credibility of the posted content can be specifically determined based on differences in the display mode of the tip comment 208.

<Seventh embodiment>
In this embodiment, too, a mechanism for encouraging the posting of correct tipping comments 208 will be described on the premise of the information processing system 1 (see FIG. 1) described in the first embodiment. Specifically, a reward is given to a viewing user whose posted comment matches the multiplay situation.

As described above, the viewing users can influence the gameplay of the players by posting comments pointing out the player who is holding the lowest card C8. However, if the number of posts containing erroneous content increases too much, the players will no longer be influenced by the posts of the viewing users. In other words, even if the posted comments are displayed on the play screen 200, the players will no longer refer to the content of the comments.
Therefore, in this embodiment, in order to encourage viewers to post comments that match the situation of the multiplay, a reward is given to viewing users who post comments that match the situation of the multiplay.

<Server functional configuration>
Fig. 22 is a diagram for explaining an example of the functional configuration of the server 10 used in the seventh embodiment. In Fig. 22, parts corresponding to those in Fig. 8 are denoted by the same reference numerals.
The server 10 shown in Fig. 22 has, as functional units realized through the execution of a program, a message display control unit 111, a tip display control unit 112, and a reward providing unit 113. That is, the server 10 shown in Fig. 22 differs from the server 10 shown in Fig. 8 in that the reward providing unit 113 is newly provided.

Moreover, the storage unit 120 of the server 10 used in this embodiment stores privilege granting rules 130 .
The reward giving rule 130 prescribes rules for giving a reward to a viewing user who has posted a tipping comment 208. The reward giving rule 130 prescribes that a reward is given to a viewing user whose content posted as a tipping comment 208 matches the multiplay situation at the time of posting, and that a reward is not given to a viewing user whose content posted as a tipping comment 208 does not match the multiplay situation at the time of posting.

The benefits here include, for example, one or more of the following: a predetermined value, points, an increase in the attack power, defense power, or HP of the character card C1 owned by the viewing user.
It is also possible to award a character card C1 according to the accumulated value of points awarded as a bonus.
Also, an option right that can be used when the viewer player plays another game may be given.
On the other hand, it is also possible to penalize viewing users whose posted content does not match the multiplayer situation at the time of posting.

<Processing by the Benefit Granting Department>
Each time a tip comment 208 is received, the reward giving unit 113 controls whether or not to give a reward to the viewing user who posted the comment, based on the reward giving rules 130.
In other words, the bonus granting unit 113 determines whether the content of the posted tip comment 208 matches the multiplayer situation at the time the tip comment 208 was posted, and controls the granting of bonuses according to the determination result.

If the posted content matches the multiplay situation at the time of posting, the reward giving unit 113 gives a reward to the viewing user who posted the content. Note that the content of the reward to be given is predetermined depending on the game.
On the other hand, if the posted content does not match the multiplay situation at the time of posting, the reward giving unit 113 does not give a reward to the viewing user who posted the content.

<Effects Obtained in the Seventh Embodiment>
According to the control of the server 10 described in this embodiment, it is possible to increase the number of tipping comments 208 whose content matches the situation of the multiplayer game at the time of posting. As a result, players will refer to the content of the tipping comments 208 posted by viewing users, and the viewing users will be able to influence the play of the players.

In this embodiment, all tipping comments 208 that consume a predetermined value when posted are eligible for bonuses, but the amount and quality of the bonuses to be awarded may be changed depending on the amount of the predetermined value consumed. The amount of the bonus may vary, for example, in terms of the number of points awarded. The quality of the bonus may vary, for example, in terms of the type of bonus awarded. Specifically, points may be awarded to viewing users who consume a small amount of predetermined value, and a special character card C1 may be awarded to viewing users who consume a large amount of predetermined value.
In addition, in this embodiment, the granting of a bonus is limited to the posting of a tip comment 208, but the bonus may be granted depending on whether or not the content of the message 207 matches the multiplayer situation at the time of posting.

<Other embodiments>
The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, the elements of the embodiments can be appropriately combined.
(1) In the above-described embodiment, three types of medium objects were given as examples to be distributed within the game: "color cards,""attackcards," and "billicards." However, the objects may also be currency used within the game, items traded within the game, monsters and other characters, equipment or abilities equipped to avatar objects or character cards, or so-called playing cards with numbers and pictures drawn on them.

(2) In the above embodiment, points are awarded to the player when the color of one of the color cards C2 to C6 newly associated with the hand card area 205 matches the color of any one of the color cards C2 to C6 already placed in the hand card area 205 (i.e., when two cards match in color), but points may be awarded on the condition that three or more cards match in color.

(3) In the above-described embodiment, the maximum number of medium objects C that can be placed in the hand area 205 is set to five, but the maximum number may be six or more, or the limit on the maximum number may be eliminated.

(4) In the above embodiment, when a second position condition is satisfied, such as the avatar object 103 operated by the player being located at the spot 102 for a certain period of time or more, one medium object selected from among the medium objects C2 to C8 linked to the target spot 102 is associated with the player's hand area 205 corresponding to the avatar object 103. However, the number of medium objects C that can be granted or obtained at one time at the spot 102 may be two or more.

(5) In the above embodiment, when a second position condition is satisfied, such as the avatar object 103 operated by the player being located at the spot 102 for a certain period of time or more, one selected from the medium objects C2 to C8 linked to the target spot 102 is associated with the player's hand area 205 corresponding to the avatar object 103. However, the number of medium objects C granted or obtainable at the spot 102 may be determined randomly each time. For example, it may be 0 or 2.

(6) In the above embodiment, points are awarded when the colors of color cards available in the game are matched, but a specified game effect may also be awarded as a bonus.
For example, an effect of increasing the attack power of the character card C1 brought into the player's hand may be imparted. The period during which the game effect is activated may be limited to, for example, 30 seconds.
For example, the probability that the medium object distributed to spot 102 will match the color of the cards in one's hand may be increased.
For example, the possibility of matching colors may be increased in the case of automatic exchange with another player.

(7) In the above embodiment, the Biri card C8 was given as an example of a specific object that gives a disadvantageous game effect to the player, but other types of medium objects may be used. For example, a medium object with various roles such as a joker in a card game may be used. In addition, the specific object may be a special color, number, etc.

(8) In the above embodiment, a game effect disadvantageous to a player is activated at the end of a game. However, the game effect may be activated during the game.
For example, a player who holds a specific object may be at a disadvantage in the random selection of medium objects at spot 102 for a certain period of time, may be skipped one or more times from the periodically executed automatic exchange, may be at a disadvantage in medium objects received from other players in the periodically executed automatic exchange, may have a slower in-game movement speed, or may be at a disadvantage in competitive events against other players.

(9) In the above embodiment, the automatic exchange of specific cards between players is described as being performed every 30 seconds, but the automatic exchange of specific cards between players may also be performed irregularly.

(10) In the above embodiment, a case has been described in which a player brings into the game one of the character cards C1 that he or she possesses, but the player may bring in multiple cards. On the other hand, in a game in which the character card C1 is not used, the player may not need to bring in a character card C1.

(11) In the above embodiment, a case was described in which a player who held the bottom card C8 at the end of the game received an unfavorable game effect, but unfavorable game effects may also be given until the end of the game. For example, the speed of movement of the avatar object 103 within the game space may be slowed down. Furthermore, when acquiring a medium object C at spot 102, it may be difficult for a player holding the bottom card to match the color of a color card in the hand area 205. Furthermore, when exchanging specific cards, it may be difficult for a player holding the bottom card to match the color of a color card in the hand area 205. Furthermore, in a battle event, the attack power of the character card C1 may be reduced.

(12) In the above embodiment, the bottom card C8 was described as an example of a specific object that gives an unfavorable game effect, but this is not limited to a medium object that puts the player at the bottom of the ranking at the end of the game. For example, it may be a specific number or picture card on a playing card.

(13) In the above embodiment, a card-shaped object was given as an example of a medium object used in the game, but it may also be an object representing a character, item, etc. used in the game.

(14) In the above-mentioned embodiment 6, an example was described in which the display mode of the tip comment 208 was controlled depending on the past performance of the viewing user regarding the content of the post. However, the display mode of the tip comment 208 may also be controlled depending on the attributes of the viewing user. For example, if the viewing user is a premium member, the display mode of the tip comment 208 may be displayed in a conspicuous manner as illustrated in FIG. 21(A), and if the viewing user is a regular member or a guest, the display mode of the tip comment 208 may be displayed in an inconspicuous manner as illustrated in FIG. 21(B).

(15) In the above-described embodiment, the level gauge 208B (see FIG. 17 ) represents the posting record of the viewing user, and an example is described in which the posting record reflects the number of times tip comments have been posted. However, the level gauge 208B may represent other information.
For example, the level gauge 208B may represent the cumulative value of a parameter called a "support level" that is given to the player to whom a tip comment is posted each time a tip comment is posted.
The support level is a parameter accumulated on a player-by-player basis, and a player with a higher support level means that the player has received a greater number of tip comments and received a greater total amount of the predetermined value. When the support level reaches the maximum value of the level gauge, the player's level is raised to the next higher level. For example, the support level of "Level 1" is raised to "Level 2," and the support level of "Level 2" is raised to "Level 3."

This support level appears as a difference in the buff effect (score-increasing effect) given to the score (i.e., the accumulated points) at the end of the game. For example, the buff effect is 1x when the support level is "Level 1," and 1.2x when the support level is "Level 2." In this case, the higher the support level, the higher the score and the easier it is to move up the ranking.
When the level gauge 208B indicates the current value of the player's "support level," the viewing user can check on the screen the increase in the level gauge due to the posting of his/her own tipping comment 208. Furthermore, the viewing user and the player can easily check the difference between the current value and the maximum value of the level gauge from the display of the level gauge 208B.

(16) In the above embodiment, as an example of another benefit, a case was described in which a color card acquired during a game can be used in another game. However, the scores acquired by each player in a game can be accumulated across multiple games, and the accumulated scores (hereinafter referred to as "accumulated scores") can be used to provide a buff effect to the player himself or the viewing destination. For example, if a viewing user has a large accumulated score, a buff effect (e.g., an effect of increasing the score or an effect of supporting the player to play advantageously) can be provided to the other players who are viewing the game. Examples of support here include guiding the player to an advantageous location, increasing the opportunities to earn points, and increasing attacking or defensive power.

<Summary>
The main features of the information processing device, the information processing method, and the program described in the embodiments will be described below.
[General-purpose Project]
One of the objectives of the present invention is to provide a mechanism that allows viewers to control postings to multiple players without the involvement of the players.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism that allows a viewer to select the range of players on which the viewer's posts are displayed.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism for viewers to influence the gameplay of players.

Problems associated with [Supplementary Note 1] One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a method that allows a viewer to select the range of display of posted content.
[Supplementary Note 1] An information processing device having a first display control unit that, when a first post that does not involve the consumption of a predetermined value is received from a viewer watching a gameplay screen of a first player, displays a first object on the terminal of the first player, but does not display the first object on the terminal of a second player engaging in multiplayer play with the first player, and a second display control unit that, when a second post that involves the consumption of a predetermined value is received from a viewer, displays a second object on at least the terminal of a second player that satisfies a predetermined condition.
This information processing device can provide a method that allows a viewer to select the range over which the posted content is displayed.

Issues corresponding to [Supplementary Note 2] One of the objectives of the present invention is to express the difference between a player who is the posting destination and a player who is not the posting destination by the difference in the manner in which the second post is displayed.
[Appendix 2] The information processing device described in Appendix 1, wherein the second display control unit, when receiving a second post from a viewer, displays the second object on the terminal of the first player in a manner different from the second object displayed on the terminal of the second player.
This makes it possible to express the difference between the player who is the posting destination and the player who is not the posting destination by the difference in the manner in which the second post is displayed.

Issues corresponding to [Supplementary Note 3] One of the objectives of the present invention is to give preferential treatment in the information displayed to a player who is the posting destination compared to information displayed to a player who is not the posting destination.
[Appendix 3] An information processing device described in Appendix 2, wherein the second display control unit displays the second object on the terminal of the first player with information that can identify the viewer, and displays the second object on the terminal of the second player without information that can identify the viewer.
This allows the information displayed to the player who is the posting destination to be given preferential treatment over information displayed to players who are not the posting destination.

Issues associated with [Supplementary Note 4] One of the objectives of the present invention is to enable a viewer to select appropriate posted content in accordance with the player who is viewing the content.
[Appendix 4] The information processing device described in Appendix 1, wherein the second display control unit displays as the second object an object determined based on the viewer's specification from among one or more candidates presented to the viewer depending on the first player that the viewer is watching.
This allows the viewer to select appropriate posted content according to the player they are viewing.

Issues corresponding to [Supplementary Note 5] One of the objectives of the present invention is to provide a mechanism for setting the range of players to which a viewer's second post is displayed based on the game situation of the player to whom the post is made.
[Supplementary Note 5] The information processing device according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the second display control unit sets a predetermined condition depending on the state of the game of the first player when the second post is accepted.
This provides a mechanism for setting the range of players to which a viewer's second post is displayed depending on the game situation of the player to whom the post is sent.

Issues corresponding to [Supplementary Note 6] One of the objectives of the present invention is to realize the display of a second post limited to players who are in a cooperative relationship with the player to whom the post is posted and the player to whom the post is posted.
[Appendix 6] The information processing device described in Appendix 5, wherein the second display control unit, when there is a second player who is in a cooperative relationship with the first player, displays a second object on the terminals of the second player and the first player.
This makes it possible to display the second post limited to players who are in a cooperative relationship with the player to whom the post is posted and the player to whom the post is posted.

Issues corresponding to [Supplementary Note 7] One of the objectives of the present invention is to provide a mechanism for automatically controlling the player to whom a second post is displayed, based on the difference in game score between the player to whom the post is posted.
[Supplementary Note 7] The information processing device according to Supplementary Note 5, wherein the second display control unit displays a second object on a terminal of a second player determined based on a difference in game score with the first player.
This makes it possible to provide a mechanism for automatically controlling the player to whom the second post is displayed based on the difference in game score between the player to whom the second post is posted and the player to whom the post is sent.

Issues corresponding to [Supplementary Note 8] One of the objectives of the present invention is to provide a mechanism that allows a viewer to select the range of players on which the viewer's posts are displayed.
[Appendix 8] The information processing device described in Appendix 1, wherein the second display control unit displays the second object on a terminal of a player identified by instructions from a viewer, among the first player and a player engaged in multiplayer play with the first player.
This provides a mechanism that allows viewers to select the range of players in which their posts are displayed.

Problems associated with [Supplementary Note 9] One of the objectives of the present invention is to enable a viewer to control the range of selection that can be made depending on the amount of a predetermined value consumed upon posting.
[Appendix 9] An information processing device described in Appendix 8, wherein the second display control unit controls candidates for players that a viewer can designate as players to display the second object, depending on the amount of a predetermined value consumed in the second post.
This makes it possible to control the range of selections that can be made by the viewer according to the amount of the predetermined value consumed when posting.

Issues corresponding to [Supplementary Note 10] One of the objectives of the present invention is to limit the range of selections that can be made by a viewer to players whose playing state is more advantageous than that of the player who is the posting destination.
[Supplementary Note 10] The information processing device described in Supplementary Note 8, wherein the second display control unit, when there is a player whose playing state is more advantageous than that of the first player, displays the player as a candidate for a player that can be designated by the viewer.
This makes it possible to limit the range of selections that can be made by the viewer to players whose playing state is more advantageous than that of the player who is the posting destination.

Problems corresponding to [Supplementary Note 11] One of the objectives of the present invention is to automatically control the number or range of players to whom a second object is displayed according to the amount of a predetermined value consumed upon posting.
[Supplementary Note 11] The information processing device described in Supplementary Note 1, wherein the second display control unit controls the number or range of players for which the second object is displayed depending on the amount of the predetermined value consumed in the second post.
This makes it possible to automatically control the number or range of players to whom the second object is displayed in accordance with the amount of the predetermined value consumed upon posting.

Problems corresponding to [Supplementary Note 12] One of the objectives of the present invention is to make it possible to change the display manner of a second object displayed on a player's terminal depending on the past performance of the viewer's posted content.
[Supplementary Note 12] The information processing device according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the second display control unit controls the manner in which the second object is displayed depending on past performance regarding the content of the viewer's posts.
This makes it possible to vary the display mode of the second object displayed on the player's terminal depending on the past performance of the content posted by the viewer.

Issues corresponding to [Supplementary Note 13] One of the objectives of the present invention is to provide a mechanism for encouraging users to post content that matches the situation of a multiplayer game.
[Supplementary Note 13] The information processing device described in Supplementary Note 1, further comprising a bonus granting unit that grants a bonus to a viewer when the content indicated by the second object matches the multiplayer situation at the time of the second posting.
This provides a mechanism for encouraging users to post content that matches the multiplayer situation.

Problems associated with [Supplementary Note 14] One of the objectives of the present invention is to provide a method that allows a viewer to select the range of display of posted content.
[Appendix 14] An information processing method which executes a process in which, when a first posting that does not involve the consumption of a predetermined value is received from a viewer watching a play screen of a first player, the processor displays a first object on the terminal of the first player, while not displaying the first object on the terminal of a second player engaging in multiplayer play with the first player, and a process in which, when a second posting that involves the consumption of a predetermined value is received from a viewer, the processor displays a second object on at least the terminal of a second player that satisfies a predetermined condition.
This information processing method can provide a method that allows a viewer to select the scope of the display of posted content.

Problems associated with [Supplementary Note 15] One of the objectives of the present invention is to provide a method that allows a viewer to select the range of display of posted content.
[Appendix 15] A program that causes a processor to execute processing such that, when a first posting that does not involve the consumption of a predetermined value is received from a viewer watching a first player's play screen, a first object is displayed on the terminal of the first player, while the first object is not displayed on the terminal of a second player engaging in multiplayer play with the first player, and, when a second posting that involves the consumption of a predetermined value is received from a viewer, the processor displays the second object on at least the terminal of the second player that satisfies a predetermined condition.
The program provides a method for viewers to select the extent to which their posts are visible.

1...information processing system, 10...server, 11...processor, 12...memory, 13...auxiliary storage device, 14...communication interface, 20, 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D, 20E, 20X, 20Y...information terminal, 100...game space, 101, 101A, 101B, 101C...area, 102, 102A, 102B, 102C...spot, 103, 103A, 103B, 103C, 103D, 103E...alter ego object, 111...message display control unit, 112...tipping display control unit, 113...benefit granting unit, 120...storage unit, 121...player information, 122...viewer information, 123...spatial layout information, 124...spot information, 125...exchange timing information, 126...medium object distribution rules, 127...battle event operation rules, 128...voting operation rules, 129...final ranking determination rules, 130...benefit granting rules, 200...play screen, 201...area screen, 202...quota column, 203...exchange timing notice column, 204...score column, 205...hand placement area

Claims (15)

a first display control unit that, when receiving a first posting not involving consumption of a predetermined value from a viewer viewing a play screen of a first player, displays a first object on a terminal of the first player, but does not display the first object on a terminal of a second player engaging in a multiplay with the first player;
a second display control unit that, when a second posting involving consumption of a predetermined value is received from the viewer, causes at least a second object to be displayed on a terminal of the second player that satisfies a predetermined condition;
An information processing device having the above configuration. when the second display control unit receives the second posting from the viewer, causes the terminal of the first player to display the second object in a manner different from the second object to be displayed on the terminal of the second player;
The information processing device according to claim 1 . the second display control unit causes a terminal of the first player to display the second object with information capable of identifying the viewer, and causes a terminal of the second player to display the second object without information capable of identifying the viewer;
The information processing device according to claim 2 . the second display control unit displays, as the second object, an object determined based on a designation by the viewer from among one or more candidates presented to the viewer in accordance with the first player that is the viewing destination of the viewer;
The information processing device according to claim 1 . the second display control unit sets the predetermined condition depending on a state of the game of the first player at the time when the second posting is received;
The information processing device according to claim 1 . the second display control unit, when there is the second player who is in a cooperative relationship with the first player, causes the second object to be displayed on terminals of the second player and the first player;
The information processing device according to claim 5 . the second display control unit causes the second object to be displayed on a terminal of the second player determined based on a difference in game score between the second player and the first player;
The information processing device according to claim 5 . the second display control unit displays the second object on a terminal of a player specified by an instruction from the viewer out of the first player and a player playing a multiplay game with the first player;
The information processing device according to claim 1 . the second display control unit controls candidates of players that the viewer can designate as players for which the second object is to be displayed, in accordance with the amount of the predetermined value consumed in the second posting;
The information processing device according to claim 8. the second display control unit, when there is a player whose playing state is more advantageous than that of the first player, displays the player as a candidate of a player that can be designated by the viewer;
The information processing device according to claim 8. the second display control unit controls the number or range of players for which the second object is to be displayed in accordance with the amount of the predetermined value consumed in the second post;
The information processing device according to claim 1 . The second display control unit controls a manner of displaying the second object in accordance with a past performance of the content posted by the viewer.
The information processing device according to claim 1 . and a reward giving unit that gives a reward to the viewer when the content indicated by the second object matches the multiplay situation at the time of the second posting.
The information processing device according to claim 1 . a process in which, when a first posting not involving consumption of a predetermined value is received from a viewer viewing a play screen of a first player, the processor causes a first object to be displayed on a terminal of the first player, while not causing the first object to be displayed on a terminal of a second player who is playing a multiplayer game with the first player;
When a second posting involving consumption of a predetermined value is received from the viewer, a processor causes at least a second object to be displayed on a terminal of the second player that satisfies a predetermined condition;
An information processing method for performing the above. when a first posting not involving consumption of a predetermined value is received from a viewer viewing a play screen of a first player, the processor causes a first object to be displayed on a terminal of the first player, while not causing the first object to be displayed on a terminal of a second player engaging in a multiplay with the first player;
When a second posting involving consumption of a predetermined value is received from the viewer, the processor causes at least a second object to be displayed on a terminal of the second player that satisfies a predetermined condition.
A program that executes a process.