JP2024166317A - Information processing device, information processing method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a game in which users carry out a common mission cooperatively even when it is difficult to execute a common mission in one game space in a common event in which a large number of users participate.SOLUTION: An information processing device includes a first event execution unit for managing execution of a first event in which a plurality of users participate for achieving a common mission, a second event execution unit for managing the execution of a second event, which is an event executed independently of the first event, and is executed by one or more users participating in the first event, and an achievement degree determination unit for determining an achievement degree of a mission of the first event on the basis of an execution status of the second event.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

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

Games are known in which multiple players cooperate to participate in a common event in a game space and complete a mission. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a game in which multiple players fight against a common enemy character, and when the enemy character's hit points are reduced to zero and defeated, the participating players are given a special reward.

Patent No. 6148022

The game described in Patent Document 1 is a game in which multiple users participate in an event in which they battle a common enemy in a single game space. However, when a large number of users participate in an event, it is difficult for all users to carry out missions within a single game space.

The present invention aims to provide a game in which users cooperate to accomplish a common mission in a common event in which many users participate, even when it is difficult to execute the common mission within a single game space.

The information processing device according to the present invention includes a first event implementation unit that manages the implementation of a first event in which multiple users participate to accomplish a common mission, a second event implementation unit that manages the implementation of a second event that is an event implemented independently of the first event and is implemented by one or more users who participate in the first event, and an achievement level determination unit that determines the achievement level of the mission of the first event based on the implementation status of the second event.

According to the present invention, in a common event in which many users participate, even when it is difficult to execute a common mission within a single game space, it is possible to provide a game in which users work together to accomplish a common mission.

1 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of a game system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a game server and a terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a functional block configuration of a game server 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a functional block configuration of a terminal 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure performed by the game server 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a screen showing the progress of a second event according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a screen showing the progress of a first event according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a message screen for notifying a user of a benefit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
<System Configuration>
Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration of a game system 1 according to this embodiment. The game system 1 shown in Fig. 1 includes a game server 10 (information processing device) and a plurality of terminals 20. The game server 10 and the terminals 20 (user terminals) are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a communication network N such as the Internet, an intranet, a wireless LAN, or mobile communication.

The game server 10 is a device that performs some of the functions required for the terminal 20 to provide a game, such as managing various information related to the player (user) and executing some of the game processing. The game server 10 may be composed of one or more information processing devices, or may be composed of a virtual server (such as a cloud server).

The terminal 20 is an information processing device that provides a game to a player, and the player can execute the game according to this embodiment by operating the terminal 20. The terminal 20 is, for example, a computer such as a mobile phone (including a smartphone), a tablet, a personal computer, an arcade game device, or a consumer game device. The terminal 20 notifies the game server 10 of its own position detected using a GPS (Global Positioning System) or the like.

＜Game Overview＞
Next, an overview of the game provided by the game system 1 according to this embodiment will be described. In the game provided by the game system 1 (hereinafter referred to as "this game"), a player can obtain new characters and items by organizing a deck with characters selected from a plurality of characters owned and clearing (achieving) quests using the organized deck. In addition, a player can challenge quests with higher difficulty by developing a stronger character by synthesizing the plurality of characters obtained, or by strengthening the attributes of the character using an item.

Here, a quest is a term that refers to a mission that can be cleared by meeting certain predetermined conditions. A quest is also called an exploration or a task. A player who participates in a quest can clear the quest by meeting the certain conditions, and clearing a quest can give the player a bonus or progress the story of the game.

In this game, an all-player participation event (first event) in which all players participate in clearing a common quest (mission), and an individual event (second event) in which players carry out quests individually are simultaneously provided. In an all-player participation event, the degree of completion of the quest is determined based on the status of the individual events that each participating player is playing. When a quest is cleared, a bonus is given to all participating players.

Individual events include events that a player can perform alone, and events that a player can choose to perform together with other players (multiplayer). In an individual event, when a quest is cleared, a bonus is given to the player or players who played the event. An individual event (second event) is an event that is performed independently of an all-player participation event (first event). In other words, individual events do not include events that are included in an all-player participation event (part of an all-player participation event) or events that progress in conjunction with the progress of an all-player participation event. Specifically, for example, individual events include performing a mission that is different from the mission of an all-player participation event, logging into the game, etc.

When a player carries out a quest, a certain parameter that the player possesses, called "stamina," is consumed. The amount of stamina consumed differs for each quest. In addition, the upper limit of stamina is set according to the player's rank, experience points, etc. Stamina consumed by playing a quest is automatically restored over time.

<Hardware Configuration>
2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the game server 10 and the terminal 20. The game server 10 and the terminal 20 each have a processor 11 such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphical processing unit), a storage device 12 such as a memory, a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and/or an SSD (Solid State Drive), a communication IF (Interface) 13 for wired or wireless communication, an input device 14 for accepting input operations, and an output device 15 for outputting information. The input device 14 is, for example, a keyboard, a touch panel, a mouse, and/or a microphone. The output device 15 is, for example, a display, a touch panel, and/or a speaker.

<Function block configuration>
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a functional block configuration of the game server 10. The game server 10 includes a storage unit 100 and a game control unit 110. The storage unit 100 can be realized by using a storage unit 12 included in the game server 10. The game control unit 110 can be realized by the processor 11 of the game server 10 executing a program stored in the storage unit 12. The program can be stored in a storage medium. The storage medium storing the program may be a non-transitory computer readable medium. The non-transitory storage medium is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a storage medium such as a USB memory or a CD-ROM.

The storage unit 100 stores a player management DB 100a. The player management DB 100a manages game data owned by each player. The player management DB 100a stores, for example, an ID (player ID) that uniquely identifies the player, the name (nickname) of the player, an identifier of the terminal 20 used by the player, the player's level, the player's rank, and the IDs of items owned by the player. It also stores whether or not the player participated in an all-player event, the implementation status of individual events by the player, etc.

The game control unit 110 provides various functions necessary to execute the game. The game control unit 110 includes a first event implementation unit 111, a second event implementation unit 112, a user parameter management unit 113, an achievement level determination unit 114, and a bonus granting unit 115. Each of these functional blocks may be provided in the terminal 20 instead of the game server 10. The game server 10 and the terminal 20 may be referred to as a computer.

<Device>
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a functional block configuration of the terminal 20. The terminal 20 includes a storage unit 200, a communication unit 201, a UI (User Interface) unit 202, and a game control unit 203. The storage unit 200 can be realized by using the storage unit 12 provided in the terminal 20. The communication unit 201, the UI unit 202, and the game control unit 203 can be realized by the processor 11 of the terminal 20 executing a program stored in the storage unit 12. The program can be stored in a storage medium. The storage medium storing the program may be a computer-readable non-transient storage medium. The non-transient storage medium is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a storage medium such as a USB memory or a CD-ROM.

The storage unit 200 stores game data necessary for the game control unit 203 to execute the game. The game data includes character image data, game scenarios, etc.

The communication unit 201 has the function of performing various communications with the game server 10 using the communication IF 13.

The UI unit 202 has a function to receive various inputs from the player and to display various game screens on the display. The UI unit 202 also displays the game screens according to instructions from the game server 10.

The game control unit 203 provides various functions necessary to execute the game by cooperating with the game server 10. For example, the game control unit 203 provides a function to obtain various information (icon image data, text data, etc.) for drawing on the game screen from the game server 10.

Next, we will explain the procedure by which the game server 10 manages the implementation of the first event (an event in which all players participate).

Figure 5 is a flow chart showing an example of a processing procedure performed by the game server. The first event implementation unit 111 starts the first event (an all-player participation event) (step S101). Here, the first event is a game in which participating players inflict damage on enemy character C0 to reduce the HP (hit points) of enemy character C0, and the mission is cleared when the HP is reduced to a certain value (halved, zero, etc.). HP is a numerical value that represents the damage that enemy character C0 can withstand. In this embodiment, HP is reduced based on the sum of damage values determined according to the levels (parameters) of each player participating in the event.

The first event implementation unit 111 updates the "Participation in all-player event" in the player management DB 100a to "Yes" for players participating in the first event (step S102). The first event implementation unit 111 determines that a player who logged in to the game between the start of the first event and the mission reaching a predetermined achievement level (for example, the HP of the enemy character C0 is halved or zero) participated in the first event at the time of login, and updates the "Participation in all-player event" to "Yes". A player who logged in to the game is registered to participate in the first event, and can carry out a mission (quest) of the second event (individual event) individually or with other players in multiplayer. The player's level (parameter) is updated according to the implementation status of the mission of the second event by the player, and this level is reflected in the achievement level of the mission of the first event.

The second events implemented by the second event implementation unit 112 include, for example, logging in to the game, implementing a specific quest, implementing multiplayer, etc. Of these, by logging in to the game, the player's level can be raised just by implementing the event. On the other hand, when implementing a specific quest, the player is eligible for leveling up once the quest is cleared, and the player's level can be raised according to the number of times it is cleared. The player's level can also be raised according to the number of times multiplayer is implemented.

Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating a screen showing the progress of the second event displayed on the player's terminal 20. As shown in Figure 6, the current level (class) is displayed in the upper left of the screen. Also shown are each mission (quest) included in the second event and their respective progress. When each mission is cleared, points (pt) are awarded, as displayed on the right, and the level increases according to the total number of points.

The second event implementation unit 112 records the implementation status of the second event by the player in the player management DB 100a. In addition, the user parameter management unit 113 records the level that is updated depending on the implementation status of the second event by the player in the player management DB 100a.

The second event implementation unit 112 may determine the content of the missions included in the second event according to parameters related to the player's proficiency. Parameters related to proficiency are, for example, the player's rank, the time elapsed since starting the game, or the playing time. The player's rank is the player's rating in the game (beginner, intermediate, advanced, etc.) and is determined based on past performance, etc. The higher the rank of the player, the higher the upper limit of "stamina." The second event implementation unit 112 sets missions of higher difficulty for players with higher ranks. In this way, missions are set according to the player's proficiency, allowing players of any rank to level up in a balanced manner.

The achievement level determination unit 114 determines the achievement level of the mission of the first event at a predetermined timing. The achievement level of the mission of the first event is determined, for example, when a screen showing the progress of the first event (FIG. 7) is displayed on the terminal 20 by the player operating the terminal 20. When the screen showing the progress of the first event is displayed on the terminal 20 (step S103: YES), the first event implementation unit 111 obtains the levels of the players participating in the first event from the player management DB 100a (step S104).

The achievement level determination unit 114 then determines the achievement level of the mission of the first event based on the acquired level of each player. The player's level is set, for example, as a number between 1 and 10. When a player logs into the game, they are set to level 1, and their level increases thereafter depending on the progress of the second event.

The achievement level determination unit 114 counts the number of players at each level (step S105). Furthermore, the total damage value is calculated by multiplying the number of players at each level by the damage value for each level and adding them up (step S106). The damage value for each level may be larger as the level is higher. For example, if there are 10 players at level 3, 5 at level 5, and 10 at level 7, and the damage values for levels 3, 5, and 7 are 3 points, 5 points, and 7 points, respectively, the total damage value is 3 x 10 + 5 x 5 + 7 x 10 = 125 points. Note that players who have not reached a specific level (e.g., level 2) may be excluded from the damage value count. This makes it possible to exclude players who log in only to receive game benefits.

Furthermore, the achievement level determination unit 114 calculates the current HP of the enemy character C0 by subtracting the total damage value from the initial HP of the enemy character C0 (step S107). If the current HP reaches a predetermined value (e.g., half the initial value, or zero) (step S108: YES), it is determined that the mission of the first event has been accomplished.

The first event implementation unit 111 displays a screen showing the progress of the first event as shown in FIG. 7 on the player's terminal 20. As shown in FIG. 7, the initial HP (HP0) and current HP (HP1) of enemy character C0 are displayed in the center of the screen. The player can check the current decrease in HP. In addition, a breakdown (%) of the levels (L) of the participating players is displayed at the bottom of the screen.

In addition, the achievement level assessment unit 114 may also assess the mission achievement level periodically (e.g., every 10 minutes) in addition to the above timing.

Next, when a screen (FIG. 7) showing the progress of the first event is displayed on the terminal 20 and the achievement level determination unit 114 determines that the mission of the first event has been achieved (step S108: YES), the bonus granting unit 115 executes a process of granting a bonus to the participating player (step S109). The bonus granting unit 115 displays a message on the terminal 20 informing the player that a bonus will be received as shown in FIG. 8, and when the player selects the receive button, the bonus is sent to each player's message box for bonus reception or the like. The bonus may be an item that can be used in the game, digital content, or code information for applying for a prize lottery. In addition, the bonus may be made to allow the player to participate in a mission at a higher level (to open the mission). For example, when the mission of the first event is achieved, the bonus granting unit 115 may grant the player who participated in the first event the right to play a specific quest (mission) that does not meet the conditions for playing. Specifically, for example, for a quest in which the original challenge condition (qualification to play) is to possess a certain number of characters with certain abilities, the challenge condition may be relaxed for a player who participated in the first event, so that the player can challenge the quest even if he or she does not possess the certain number of characters. Here, the original challenge condition is, for example, the challenge condition set for a specific mission before the mission of the first event is completed. Note that even if the challenge condition is relaxed, it is not implemented in a so-called practice mode in which rewards and benefits for clearing a mission are eliminated, but rather only the challenge condition is relaxed while the rewards and benefits are maintained.

The bonus granting unit 115 may also grant a bonus (second bonus) according to the level of each player, in addition to the bonus (first bonus) given to all players participating in the first event as described above. The bonus according to the level of each player is granted when the player's level increases. For example, a character that can be used in the game may be granted as a bonus.

The bonus granting unit 115 may also grant the first bonus to a user whose level is equal to or exceeds a certain value when the mission of the first event is accomplished. In this case, the first event implementing unit 111 may notify a player whose level has not yet reached a certain value at which the bonus can be received when the mission of the first event is close to being accomplished. Here, the time when the mission is close to being accomplished may be the time when the achievement level reaches a predetermined value or a predetermined percentage of the achievement level is reached. For example, if the achievement of the mission is to reduce the HP of the enemy character C0 to zero, the time when the remaining HP of the enemy character C0 reaches a predetermined value (e.g., 100 HP) may be the time when the remaining HP of the enemy character C0 decreases to a predetermined percentage of the original HP (e.g., 10%).

The timing of the notification may be such that the degree of achievement is calculated when the player logs into the game, and the notification is given when the player is close to completing the mission as described above. Alternatively, the notification may be given when a screen showing the progress of the first event (FIG. 7) is displayed on the terminal 20 by the player's operation.

The content of the notification may include information on the level and number of points required to receive the benefit, as well as information on the missions of the second event by which the required points can be obtained. Furthermore, of the missions of the second event by which the required points can be obtained, the missions which offer a high number of points to be obtained may be notified preferentially. Furthermore, a confirmation screen may be displayed on the terminal 20 to ask the player whether or not to attempt the notified mission, and if the player chooses to attempt it, guidance may be provided, such as transitioning to a screen for playing that mission.

Note that even if a player's level has not yet reached a certain value, notification may not be sent to the player if it is determined that it will be difficult to grant the bonus based on the play situation of the second event or the player's level. For example, notification may not be sent to players whose level is determined to be unlikely to reach a certain value, such as players who have been playing the second event for a certain amount of time or more since they last acquired points (players whose points have not changed for a certain amount of time) or players whose points or level are lower than a certain value calculated based on the points or player level required to grant the bonus and the remaining HP of enemy character C0 (players whose current points or level do not meet certain conditions).

As described above, according to this embodiment, in a game in which a first event in which multiple players participate and accomplish a common mission and a second event in which players play individually or in multiplayer with multiple players are played, the degree of accomplishment of the mission of the first event is determined based on the implementation status of the second event for each player. This makes it possible to provide a game in which players cooperate to accomplish a common mission through the second event, even if it is difficult to execute a common mission in the same game space in a first event in which many users participate.

In this embodiment, the information processing device of the present invention is a game server 10, but the information processing device is not limited to a server. For example, it may be a terminal device such as a personal computer or a mobile information terminal, or a dedicated game machine.

A part or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as follows, but the present invention is not limited to the following.
(Appendix 1)
a first event implementation unit that manages the implementation of a first event in which a plurality of users participate to accomplish a common mission;
a second event implementing unit that manages the implementation of a second event that is implemented independently of the first event and is implemented by one or more users who participate in the first event;
and an achievement level determination unit that determines an achievement level of the mission of the first event based on an implementation status of the second event.

According to the above configuration, even if it is practically difficult to execute a common mission in a single game space in a first event in which a large number of users participate, it is possible to indirectly execute a common first mission based on the implementation status of the second events that each user individually carries out.

(Appendix 2)
a user parameter management unit that manages parameters associated with each user and that are updated based on an implementation status of the second event;
The achievement level determination unit is
2. The information processing device according to claim 1, further comprising: determining a degree of completion of the mission of the first event based on the parameters of each user participating in the first event.

With the above configuration, each user can indirectly execute the common first mission using their own parameters that are determined by the implementation status of the second event that each user individually executes.

(Appendix 3)
3. The information processing device according to claim 1, further comprising a bonus granting unit that grants a bonus to a user participating in the first event when the mission of the first event reaches a predetermined level of achievement.

With the above configuration, the degree of mission achievement of the first event can be determined based on the implementation status of the second event of the participating users, and a reward can be awarded.

(Appendix 4)
The first event implementation unit,
acquiring information on parameters associated with each user when a request is made by each user to display a specific screen for the first event on a user terminal;
The achievement level determination unit is
4. The information processing device according to claim 1, further comprising: a step of determining a degree of completion of the mission at a timing when parameters of each user are acquired.

With the above configuration, the degree of completion of the mission of the first event can be determined based on the latest parameter information obtained at the time the user displays the screen for the first event, so that the latest information can be provided when the user checks the game status.

(Appendix 5)
The privilege granting unit,
The information processing device described in Appendix 3, wherein when a specific screen for the first event is displayed on the user's user terminal, if the mission has reached a predetermined level of completion, the user is granted the benefit.

With the above configuration, the bonus can be granted when the user displays the screen for the first event, so the user can be reliably notified that the bonus has been granted.

(Appendix 6)
The achievement level determination unit is
6. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the information processing device determines that the mission is accomplished when a cumulative value of values based on parameters of each user reaches a predetermined value.

The above configuration makes it possible to realize a mechanism that reflects parameters according to the implementation status of each user's second event in the achievement level of the mission of the first event.

(Appendix 7)
The user parameter management unit
increasing the value of the parameter as the implementation status of the second event progresses;
The achievement level determination unit is
The information processing device according to claim 6, wherein the larger the value of each user's parameter, the greater the impact on the achievement of the mission is evaluated.

The above configuration allows for a mechanism to be realized in which each user can increase the value of their own parameters by participating in the second event, thereby accomplishing the mission of the first event.

(Appendix 8)
The privilege granting unit,
An information processing device as described in Appendix 3, wherein when the mission of the first event reaches a predetermined level of achievement, a first benefit is granted to all users participating in the first event, and a second benefit is granted according to the value of a parameter associated with each user.

With the above configuration, a second benefit is also awarded to users who have made a high contribution to completing the mission, so that benefits can be awarded in a balanced manner to players from beginners to advanced players of the game.

(Appendix 9)
The first event implementation unit,
An information processing device as described in any one of appendices 1 to 8, wherein a user who logs in to a game in which the first event is implemented before the mission of the first event reaches a predetermined level of completion is registered as a participating user of the first event at the time of login.

The above configuration allows efficient management of registration of users participating in the first event. In addition, users can easily participate in the first event without performing any special operations.

(Appendix 10)
The second event implementation unit,
The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising: determining a content of the second event according to a rank of each user.

With the above configuration, the content of the second event can be set according to the user's level of proficiency, making it possible for any user, from beginner to advanced, to achieve results in the second event and contribute to the mission of the first event.

(Appendix 11)
The first event implementation unit,
When the degree of completion of the mission of the first event approaches the predetermined degree of completion to a certain extent, a notification is given to users who participate in the first event and whose parameter value is less than a predetermined value;
The privilege granting unit,
4. The information processing device according to claim 3, wherein, when the mission of the first event reaches the predetermined level of achievement, a privilege is granted to a user whose parameter value is equal to or greater than the predetermined value.

The above configuration can prevent users from missing out on a special benefit when they are just about to receive it. It can also encourage targeted users to complete more missions in the second event.

(Appendix 12)
The privilege granting unit,
An information processing device as described in Appendix 3, which, when the mission of the first event reaches the specified level of achievement, grants a user who participated in the first event the right to participate in a specific mission that the user would not normally meet the conditions for participation in.

The above configuration provides a mechanism that allows users to become eligible to participate in a mission by participating in the first event and completing the mission, even if the original participation conditions are difficult to fulfill. This provides users with a variety of ways to enjoy the event and encourages them to participate in the first event and complete missions in the second event.

(Appendix 13)
The computer manages the implementation of a first event in which a plurality of users participate to accomplish a common mission;
A computer manages the implementation of a second event, which is an event implemented independently of the first event and is implemented by one or more users participating in the first event;
An information processing method, comprising: a computer determining a degree of accomplishment of the mission of the first event based on an implementation status of the second event.

According to the above configuration, even if it is practically difficult to execute a common mission in a single game space in a first event in which a large number of users participate, it is possible to indirectly execute a common first mission based on the implementation status of the second events that each user individually carries out.

(Appendix 14)
Computer,
a first event implementation unit that manages the implementation of a first event in which a plurality of users participate to accomplish a common mission;
a second event implementing unit that manages the implementation of a second event that is implemented independently of the first event and is implemented by one or more users who participate in the first event;
a program that functions as an achievement level determination unit that determines the achievement level of the mission of the first event based on the implementation status of the second event.

According to the above configuration, even if it is practically difficult to execute a common mission in a single game space in a first event in which a large number of users participate, it is possible to indirectly execute a common first mission based on the implementation status of the second events that each user individually carries out.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be implemented in various other forms without departing from the scope of the present invention. For this reason, the above-described embodiment is merely illustrative in every respect, and should not be interpreted in a restrictive manner. For example, the above-described processing steps can be arbitrarily changed in order or executed in parallel as long as no inconsistency occurs in the processing content. Other steps may be added between each processing step. A step described as one step may be executed in multiple steps, and something described as being divided into multiple steps can be understood as one step.

1...game system, 10...game server, 11...processor, 12...storage device, 13...communication IF, 14...input device, 15...output device, 20...terminal, 100...storage unit, 100a...player management DB, 110...game control unit, 111...first event implementation unit, 112...second event implementation unit, 113...user parameter management unit, 114...achievement level determination unit, 115...benefit granting unit, 200...storage unit, 201...communication unit, 202...UI unit, 203...game control unit

Claims (1)

a first event implementation unit that manages the implementation of a first event in which a plurality of users participate to accomplish a common mission;
a second event implementing unit that manages the implementation of a second event that is implemented independently of the first event and is implemented by one or more users who participate in the first event;
and an achievement level determination unit that determines an achievement level of the mission of the first event based on an implementation status of the second event.

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