JP7312415B2 - Game control method, computer and control program - Google Patents

Description

Application of Article 30, Paragraph 2 of the Patent Act February 10, 2014 to February 21, 2014 Posted on the website (http://gree.jp/?action=login&backto=http://avatar.gree.jp%2F)

The present invention relates to a game control method, computer and control program.

In recent years, servers that provide games to mobile terminals via communication networks have become widespread. Games in which a plurality of players can participate (so-called “social games”) are known as games provided by such servers. In general, social games use so-called avatar images that represent each player's face, hairstyle, clothes, accessories, and the like to represent each player.

Patent Literature 1 discloses a game system that provides games to terminals connected to a game server via a communication network. In this game system, a team composed of virtual users who progress quest parts, battle parts, etc., is organized, and images displaying the avatar images, handle names, etc. of the members of the team are displayed on each terminal.

JP 2014-104269 A

In the game system of Patent Literature 1, each user can identify members of a team by avatar images. However, in social games, it is desired to further improve communication between users.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a game control method, a computer, and a control program capable of improving communication between players.

A game control method according to the present invention is a game control method for a computer having a storage unit, wherein a first object image corresponding to a first player and a second object image corresponding to a second player related to the first player are stored in the storage unit, a third object image generated based on the first object image and the second object image is registered in an event in accordance with a request from the first player, a vote for the third object image registered in the event is received, and the first player and the second player are selected according to the result of the vote. including granting benefits to
The computer may be a mobile terminal, a stationary terminal, a server, etc., as long as it can execute the above procedure.

Further, in the game control method according to the present invention, it is preferable to generate and output voting screen display data for displaying the third object image registered according to the request from the first player and the third object image registered according to the request from the other player side by side so as to be able to vote.

Further, in the game control method according to the present invention, it is preferable that, in creating the voting screen display data, control is performed so that a specific third object image is more likely to be included in the voting screen than a third object image registered before the specific third object image.

Further, in the game control method according to the present invention, it is preferable that, in registering the third object image, the already registered third object image is updated to another third object image according to a request from the first player.

In addition, in the game control method according to the present invention, it is preferable that the privilege is granted to a plurality of players respectively corresponding to at least some of the third object images registered by the first player.

Further, in the game control method according to the present invention, it is preferable that, in granting the privilege, the privilege to be granted to the plurality of players corresponding to at least some of the third object images is changed according to the result of voting for each of the at least some of the third object images.

Preferably, the game control method according to the present invention further includes prohibiting generation of the third object image based on the object image of the second player when a request to refuse generation of the third object image is received from the second player.

Further, in the game control method according to the present invention, it is preferable to prohibit registration of the third object image based on the second player's object image when a request to refuse registration of the third object image is received from the second player in the registration of the third object image.

Further, in the game control method according to the present invention, it is preferable to prohibit acceptance of a vote for the same third object image from the same player when accepting the vote.

Also, the game control method according to the present invention preferably further includes ranking the players who have registered the third object images according to the results of voting, and creating and outputting result screen display data for displaying the third object images registered by the players in the order of ranking.

Further, in the game control method according to the present invention, it is preferable that the third object image displayed by the result screen display data is displayed in association with information for obtaining history screen display data for displaying all the third object images registered by the player who registered the third object image.

Further, in the game control method according to the present invention, it is preferable that the third object image displayed by the history screen display data is displayed in association with information for obtaining the history screen display data regarding the player corresponding to the third object image among the players related to the player who registered the third object image.

A computer according to the present invention includes a storage unit that stores a first object image corresponding to a first player and a second object image that corresponds to a second player related to the first player; a registration unit that registers in an event a third object image generated based on the first object image and the second object image in accordance with a request from the first player; a voting reception unit that receives votes for the third object image registered in the event; and an applying unit.

A control program according to the present invention is a control program for a computer having a storage unit, stores a first object image corresponding to a first player and a second object image corresponding to a second player related to the first player in the storage unit, registers a third object image generated based on the first object image and the second object image in accordance with a request from the first player, receives votes for the third object image registered in the event, and sends votes to the first player and the second player according to the result of the vote. To make a computer perform giving a privilege.

In the game control method, computer, and control program according to the present invention, benefits are given to the player and the related players according to the result of voting on the image generated based on the object image of the player and the object images of the related players, so it is possible to improve the communication between the players by using the object images.

1 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a game system 1; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a mobile terminal 2; FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a server 3; FIG. 3(a) is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of a player management table, (b) is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of an entry management table, and (c) is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of a voting management table. FIG. 3(a) is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of a material management table, (b) is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of a background management table, (c) is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of a frame management table, and (d) is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of a stamp management table. It is a schematic diagram for explaining a contest. (a) to (d) are diagrams showing an example of a display screen of the mobile terminal 2. FIG. (a) to (c) are diagrams showing an example of a display screen of the mobile terminal 2. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an operation sequence of the game system 1; FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation|movement flow of a game progress process. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation|movement flow of a game progress process. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation flow of sticker generation processing; FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation flow of entry processing; It is a figure which shows an example of the operation flow of a voting process. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation|movement flow of privilege provision processing.

Various embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. However, it should be noted that the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to those embodiments, but extends to the invention described in the claims and equivalents thereof.

1. Overview of this Embodiment In the game system of this embodiment, a player uses a portable terminal to play a game provided by a server. In this embodiment, a game is provided in which stickers are generated based on the player's avatar image and the player's friend player's avatar image, the generated sticker is registered (that is, entry) in the contest, and the entered sticker is voted for.

An avatar is an example of an object corresponding to a player, and is a character representing the player's alter ego. The avatar image is an example of an object image corresponding to the player, and is an image representing the player's avatar. The avatar image includes, for example, the avatar's face, hairstyle, clothes, accessories, and the like.

A friend player is an example of a related player related to the player, and is another player who has a friend relationship with the player. Instead of the friend player, a sticker generated based on the avatar image of a related player who rescued the player in a past battle with an enemy character, a related player who has fought in the past, and/or a related player who belongs to a group in which the player has fought in the past may be used in the contest.

A sticker is an example of an object image generated based on a player's avatar image and a friend player's avatar image, and is electronic data displaying a specific image that can be exchanged between the player and other players. A player can obtain a sticker, for example, by purchasing it. The sticker is plain at the time of purchase, and the player can enter the contest by compositing the player's avatar image, the friend player's avatar image, etc. on the sticker. Avatar images and stickers are electronic data that can be acquired, possessed, used, managed, exchanged, combined, enhanced, sold, discarded, and/or donated by the player in the game, but the manner in which the avatar images and stickers are used is not limited to those specified in this specification.

The contest is an event in which entries for stickers are received from each player and the entered players are ranked according to the results of voting for the entered stickers. In this contest, the server grants benefits to the player who entered the sticker and the friend player whose avatar image is on the sticker, according to the voting results. This makes it possible to improve communication between players using avatar images.

2. Configuration of Game System 1 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of the game system 1 .

A game system 1 includes a plurality of mobile terminals 2 and a server 3 . The mobile terminal 2 and the server 3 are connected to each other via a communication network, for example, a base station 4, a mobile communication network 5, a gateway 6, and the Internet 7. A program (for example, browsing program) executed by the mobile terminal 2 and a program (for example, a game program) executed by the server 3 communicate using a communication protocol such as Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP).

2.1. Configuration of Mobile Terminal 2 FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of the mobile terminal 2 .

The mobile terminal 2 connects to the server 3 via the base station 4 , the mobile communication network 5 , the gateway 6 and the Internet 7 and communicates with the server 3 . The mobile terminal 2 requests the server 3 to proceed with the game according to the player's operation of the operation unit 23 (such as buttons). The mobile terminal 2 also receives display data relating to the progress of the game from the server 3 and displays the data. For this purpose, the mobile terminal 2 includes a terminal communication section 21 , a terminal storage section 22 , an operation section 23 , a display section 24 and a terminal processing section 25 .

In this embodiment, a multifunctional mobile phone (so-called "smartphone") is assumed as the mobile terminal 2, but the present invention is not limited to this. The mobile terminal 2 may be a mobile phone (so-called "feature phone"), a mobile information terminal (Personal Digital Assistant, PDA), a mobile game machine, a mobile music player, a tablet terminal, a tablet PC, a notebook PC, or the like.

The terminal communication unit 21 includes a communication interface circuit including an antenna whose sensitive band is a predetermined frequency band, and connects the mobile terminal 2 to a wireless communication network. The terminal communication unit 21 establishes a radio signal line using a code division multiple access (CDMA) method or the like with the base station 4 via a channel assigned by the base station 4 and communicates with the base station 4 . Then, the terminal communication section 21 transmits the data supplied from the terminal processing section 25 to the server 3 or the like. Also, the terminal communication unit 21 supplies data received from the server 3 or the like to the terminal processing unit 25 . Note that the terminal communication unit 21 may perform wireless communication with a Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) access point (not shown) according to the wireless communication method of the IEEE802.11 standard.

The terminal storage unit 22 includes, for example, a semiconductor memory device. The terminal storage unit 22 stores an operating system program, a driver program, an application program, data, etc. used for processing in the terminal processing unit 25 . For example, the terminal storage unit 22 stores, as driver programs, an input device driver program that controls the operation unit 23, an output device driver program that controls the display unit 24, and the like. The terminal storage unit 22 also stores, as application programs, a program for acquiring and displaying display data relating to the progress of the game. The computer program can be installed in the terminal storage unit 22 using a known setup program or the like from a computer-readable portable recording medium such as a CD-ROM (compact disk read only memory) or a DVD-ROM (digital versatile disk read only memory). The terminal storage unit 22 also stores, as data, a player ID that is identification information of the user of the portable terminal 2, display data relating to the progress of the game, video data, image data, and the like. Furthermore, the terminal storage unit 22 may temporarily store temporary data related to predetermined processing.

The operation unit 23 may be any device as long as it can operate the mobile terminal 2, such as a touch panel and key buttons. The player can use the operation unit 23 to input letters, numbers, symbols, and the like. When operated by the player, the operation unit 23 generates a signal corresponding to the operation. The generated signal is supplied to the terminal processing section 25 as an instruction from the player.

The display unit 24 may also be any device as long as it can display video, images, and the like, such as a liquid crystal display and an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display. The display unit 24 displays an image corresponding to the image data supplied from the terminal processing unit 25, an image corresponding to the image data, and the like.

The terminal processing unit 25 includes one or more processors and their peripheral circuits. The terminal processing unit 25 controls overall operations of the mobile terminal 2, and is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The terminal processing unit 25 controls the operation of the terminal communication unit 21, the display unit 24, etc. so that various processes of the mobile terminal 2 are executed in appropriate procedures based on the programs stored in the terminal storage unit 22, the operation of the operation unit 23, and the like. The terminal processing unit 25 executes processing based on programs (operating system program, driver program, application program, etc.) stored in the terminal storage unit 22 . Also, the terminal processing unit 25 can execute a plurality of programs (application programs, etc.) in parallel.

2.1.1. Configuration of Terminal Processing Unit 25 The terminal processing unit 25 includes at least a browsing execution unit 251 . The browsing execution unit 251 is a functional module implemented by a program executed by a processor included in the terminal processing unit 25 . Alternatively, the browsing execution unit 251 may be implemented in the mobile terminal 2 as firmware.

The viewing execution unit 251 acquires and displays display data relating to the progress of the game. In other words, the viewing execution unit 251 transmits a request for acquiring display data relating to the progress of the game to the server 3 via the terminal communication unit 21 in accordance with an instruction from the player. In addition, the viewing execution unit 251 receives corresponding display data from the server 3 via the terminal communication unit 21 . The browsing execution unit 251 creates drawing data based on the received display data. That is, the viewing execution unit 251 analyzes the received display data to specify control data and content data, lays out the specified content data based on the specified control data, and creates drawing data. The viewing execution unit 251 then outputs the created drawing data to the display unit 24 . In addition, the browsing execution unit 251 stores each information included in the display data in the terminal storage unit 22 while the communication connection with the server 3 is established.

2.2. Configuration of Server 3 FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of the server 3 .

The server 3 advances the game in response to requests from the mobile terminal 2 . The server 3 also creates display data relating to the progress of the game and transmits the created display data to the mobile terminal 2 . For this purpose, the server 3 includes a server communication section 31 , a server storage section 32 and a server processing section 33 .

The server communication unit 31 is an example of an output unit, has a communication interface circuit for connecting the server 3 to the Internet 7 , and communicates with the Internet 7 . Then, the server communication unit 31 supplies the data received from the portable terminal 2 or the like to the server processing unit 33 . The server communication unit 31 also transmits data supplied from the server processing unit 33 to the mobile terminal 2 and the like.

The server storage unit 32 includes, for example, at least one of a magnetic tape device, a magnetic disk device, or an optical disk device. The server storage unit 32 stores an operating system program, a driver program, an application program, data, etc. used for processing in the server processing unit 33 . For example, the server storage unit 32 stores, as an application program, a game program for advancing a game and creating display data related to the result. The computer program may be installed in the terminal storage unit 22 from a computer-readable portable recording medium such as CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, etc. using a known setup program or the like.

The server storage unit 32 also stores, as data, a player management table (FIG. 4(a)) for managing players, an entry management table (FIG. 4(b)) for managing players who have entered a contest, a vote management table (FIG. 4(c)) for managing votes in contests, and the like. Further, the server storage unit 32 stores a material management table (FIG. 5(a)) for managing avatar materials, a background management table (FIG. 5(b)) for managing backgrounds to be combined with stickers, a frame management table (FIG. 5(c)) for managing frames to be combined with stickers, a stamp management table (FIG. 5(d)) for managing stamps to be combined with stickers, and the like. Furthermore, the server storage unit 32 may temporarily store temporary data related to predetermined processing.

FIGS. 4A to 4C and 5A to 5D are diagrams showing examples of data structures of various management tables.

FIG. 4(a) shows a player management table. In the player management table, each player's identification number (player ID), password, name, avatar image information, identification number (material ID) of owned material (owned material), owned background (owned background) identification number (background ID), owned frame (owned frame) identification number (frame ID), owned stamp (owned stamp) identification number (stamp ID), sticker information, sticker generation permission flag, sticker entry permission flag, player ID of friend player, etc. are stored in association with each other.

The avatar image information includes material IDs of materials (used materials) such as the avatar's face, hairstyle, clothes, and accessories used in the avatar image, and the file name of the avatar image. The avatar material is distributed to the player from the game system at arbitrary timing. Players can also purchase materials for their avatars. The player can create an avatar image by combining arbitrary materials from the owned materials.

The sticker information includes an identification number (sticker ID) of the sticker, a player ID of a friend player appearing on the sticker, a background ID of the background used for the sticker (used background), a frame ID of the frame used for the sticker (used frame), a stamp ID of the stamp used for the sticker (used stamp), a file name of the sticker, an entry flag, and a generation date and time. Backgrounds of stickers, frames, stamps, and the like are distributed to players from the game system at arbitrary timings. Players can also purchase sticker backgrounds, frames, stamps, and the like. The player can create a sticker by combining the player's avatar image, the friend player's avatar image, the owned background, the owned frame, and the owned stamp. The entry flag is a flag indicating whether the seal has entered the contest or not. The date and time of creation is the date and time when the seal was created.

The seal generation permission flag is a flag indicating whether to permit or deny generation of a sticker based on the player's avatar image. The sticker generation permission flag is preset by the player, is set to refusal when a sticker generation refusal request is received from the player, and is set to permitted when a sticker generation permission request is received. The seal entry permission flag is a flag indicating whether to permit or deny entry to the contest of stickers based on the player's avatar image. The sticker entry permission flag is preset by the player, is set to refusal when a sticker registration refusal request is received from the player, and is set to permitted when a sticker registration permission request is received from the player.

FIG. 4B shows an entry management table. The entry management table stores the player ID of the player who entered the contest (entry player), the sticker ID of the latest entry sticker entered by the entry player, the date and time when the entry sticker was entered (entry date and time), the number of votes obtained by the entry player through voting, the rank of the entry player, the privilege given, the entry history, etc., in association with each other. In the entry history, the sticker ID of each sticker entered in the past and the entry date and time of each sticker are associated and stored.

FIG. 4(c) shows a voting management table. In the vote management table, each player who votes in the contest (voting player) is stored in association with the player ID, voting information, the number of possible votes, and the like. All the players registered in the player management table of FIG. 4(a) are voting players. The voting information stores the player ID of the entry player voted by the voting player and the sticker ID of the entry sticker in association with each other. The possible number of votes indicates the number of times the voting player can vote. As the number of possible votes, for example, an upper limit value (for example, 10) of the number of possible votes in a day is set at a predetermined time every day, and the number of possible votes is decremented (-1) each time the voting player casts a vote.

FIG. 5(a) shows a material management table. In the material management table, material IDs, types, names, image file names, and the like are stored in association with each material of the avatar. As the type, the material is specified as a face, hairstyle, clothes, accessory, or the like.

FIG. 5B shows the background management table. In the background management table, a background ID, a name, an image file name, and the like are stored in association with each background that can be combined with a sticker.

FIG. 5(c) shows a frame management table. The frame management table stores frame IDs, names, image file names, and the like in association with each frame that can be combined with a sticker.

FIG. 5(d) shows a stamp management table. The stamp management table stores stamp IDs, names, image file names, and the like in association with each stamp that can be combined with a sticker.

The server processing unit 33 includes one or more processors and their peripheral circuits. The server processing unit 33 controls overall operations of the server 3, and is, for example, a CPU. The server processing unit 33 controls operations of the server communication unit 31 and the like so that various processes of the server 3 are executed according to appropriate procedures based on programs and the like stored in the server storage unit 32 . The server processing unit 33 executes processing based on programs (operating system programs, driver programs, application programs, etc.) stored in the server storage unit 32 . Also, the server processing unit 33 can execute a plurality of programs (application programs, etc.) in parallel.

2.2.1. Functions of Server Processing Unit 33 FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining a contest executed in the game system 1. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 6, the server 3 generates a sticker 603 by synthesizing an avatar image 601 of the entry player and an avatar image 602 of a friend player who has a friend relationship with the entry player according to a request from the entry player who enters the sticker into the contest. Furthermore, the server 3 enters the sticker 603 into the contest according to the request from the entry player. The server 3 receives votes for stickers entered in the contest from voting players who vote in the contest, and gives benefits to both the entry player and the friend player according to the results of the votes.

7 and 8 are diagrams showing examples of display screens of the mobile terminal 2 based on display data created by the server 3. FIG.

FIG. 7(a) shows a home screen 700 displayed when the game is started. Home screen 700 is displayed based on the home screen display data received from server 3 . The home screen 700 displays characters 701 indicating that a contest will be held and a period 702 during which entries can be made to the contest. Further, on the home screen 700, a list of a "seal creation" button 703, an "entry" button 704, an "entry history" button 705, a "vote" button 706, and a "result display" button 707 is displayed.

By tapping the "create sticker" button 703, the server 3 is requested via the terminal communication unit 21 that the player creates a sticker. On the other hand, by tapping the "entry" button 704, the server 3 is requested via the terminal communication unit 21 that the player enters the sticker. On the other hand, by tapping the "entry history" button 705, the server 3 is requested via the terminal communication unit 21 to display the history of stickers entered into the contest. On the other hand, by tapping the "Vote" button 706, the server 3 is requested via the terminal communication unit 21 that the player votes. On the other hand, by tapping the “display result” button 707 , the server 3 is requested to display the result of the contest via the terminal communication unit 21 . Note that the "display result" button 707 may not be displayed until the contest ends.

7(b) and (c) show sticker creation screens 710 and 720 displayed when the "Seal creation" button 703 is tapped on the home screen 700 shown in FIG. 7(a). The sticker creation screen 720 is displayed by scrolling the sticker creation screen 710 upward. The sticker creation screens 710 and 720 are displayed based on the sticker creation screen display data received from the server 3 . On the sticker creation screen 710, an entry player avatar image 711, a friend player avatar image list 712, and an entry player owned background list 713 are arranged. On the sticker creation screen 720, a list 721 of frames owned by the entry player, a list 722 of stamps owned by the entry player, a "generate sticker" button 723, and a "clear" button 724 are arranged.

The entry player's avatar image 711 is created in advance by combining materials selected from materials owned by the entry player using an avatar image creation screen (not shown). As an avatar image list 712, avatar images of all friend players of the entry player are arranged so as to be selectable by the entry player's tap or the like. As a list 713 of owned backgrounds, all owned backgrounds owned by the entry player are arranged so as to be selectable by the entry player's tap or the like. As an owned frame list 721, all owned frames owned by the entry player are arranged so as to be selectable by the entry player's tap or the like. As a owned stamp list 722, all the owned stamps owned by the entry player are arranged so as to be selectable by the entry player's tap or the like.

By tapping the "create sticker" button 723, the server 3 is requested via the terminal communication unit 21 to create a sticker by synthesizing the avatar image 711 of the entry player, the avatar image of the friend player selected by the entry player, the owned background, the owned frame, and the owned stamp. By tapping the "clear" button 724, the currently selected friend player's avatar image, owned background, owned frame, and owned stamp are deselected.

FIG. 7(d) shows an entry screen 730 displayed when the “entry” button 704 is tapped on the home screen 700 shown in FIG. 7(a) or when the “create sticker” button 723 is tapped on the sticker creation screen 720 shown in FIG. 7(c) to create a sticker. The entry screen 730 is displayed based on the entry screen display data received from the server 3 . On the entry screen 730, a sticker 731 to be entered in the contest, a date/time 732 when the sticker 731 was created, an "entry" button 733, and a "return" button 734 are arranged.

As stickers 731, among the stickers created by the entry player, stickers that have not yet been entered into the contest are displayed so as to be selectable by the entry player's tap or the like. Only one sticker 731 is displayed in FIG. 7(d), but if there are multiple stickers that have not yet been entered into the contest, multiple stickers will be displayed. By tapping the “entry” button 733 , the entry of the sticker selected by the entry player is requested to the server 3 via the terminal communication section 21 . By tapping the "back" button 734, the screen that was displayed before the entry screen 730 was displayed is redisplayed.

FIG. 8(a) shows an entry history screen 800 displayed when the "entry history" button 705 is tapped on the home screen 700 shown in FIG. 7(a). The entry history screen 800 is displayed based on the entry history screen display data received from the server 3 . On the entry history screen 800, stickers 801 currently entered in the contest and names 802 of friend players appearing on the stickers 801 are arranged in association with each other. Further, on the entry history screen 800, for each sticker entered in the past in the contest, the sticker 803 and the name 804 of the friend player appearing on the sticker 803 are arranged in association with each other. As stickers 803, all stickers that have been entered in the contest in the past are displayed. Furthermore, a “return” button 805 is arranged on the entry history screen 800 . By tapping the "return" button 805, the home screen 700 shown in FIG. 7A is displayed again.

FIG. 8(b) shows a voting screen 810 displayed when the "Vote" button 706 is tapped on the home screen 700 shown in FIG. 7(a). The voting screen 810 is displayed based on the voting screen display data received from the server 3 . On the voting screen 810, a voting instruction 811 for one of the displayed stickers, two stickers 812 and 813 to be voted, a sticker change button 814 for changing the displayed two stickers to other stickers, a voting player's possible number of votes 815, and a "return" button 816 are arranged.

The two stickers 812 and 813 are extracted by the server 3 from among the entry stickers entered into the contest by each entry player, and are arranged so as to be selectable by the tap of the voting player or the like. By tapping one of the two stickers 812 and 813, a vote is cast for the tapped sticker, and the server 3 extracts two new stickers and displays the voting screen 810 again. On the other hand, when the sticker change button 814 is tapped, two stickers are newly extracted by the server 3 and the voting screen 810 is displayed again without voting for the sticker. By tapping the "return" button 816, the home screen 700 shown in FIG. 7(a) is displayed again.

Thus, a vote is made by choosing either one of the two seals extracted by the server 3 . The voting player does not have to search for a favorite sticker from among many entered stickers, and can easily select a sticker to vote for. In addition, since the voting result varies depending on the number of times the entry sticker is extracted by the server 3 and which entry sticker competes, it is possible to improve the fun of the game.

FIG. 8(c) shows a result screen 820 displayed when the "result display" button 707 is tapped on the home screen 700 shown in FIG. 7(a). The result screen 820 is displayed based on the result screen display data received from the server 3 . On the result screen 820, sticker 821 entered by each entry player, ranking 822, number of votes 823, name of entry player 824, name of friend player 825, privilege 826 to be given, etc. are arranged in relation to each other in order of ranking in the contest. As a result, each player can view what kind of seals the players with the highest rankings have entered, which can be used as a reference for the next contest.

The sticker 821 is linked to the entry history screen of the entry player who entered the sticker, and when the sticker 821 is tapped, the entry history screen of the entry player is displayed. That is, the sticker 821 is displayed in association with information for obtaining entry history screen display data for displaying all stickers entered by the player who entered the sticker. As a result, each player can view all the stickers entered by the players with the highest rankings, which can be used as a reference for the next contest.

Furthermore, each sticker displayed on the entry history screen 800 shown in FIG. 8(a) is linked to the friend player's entry history screen corresponding to the sticker, and when each sticker is tapped, the friend player's entry history screen corresponding to the sticker is displayed. That is, each sticker displayed on the entry history screen 800 is displayed in association with information for obtaining entry history screen display data relating to the friend player corresponding to the sticker. Also, the entry history screen of each player may include a button for transitioning to the detailed screen of that player, a button for building a friend relationship with that player, and the like. As a result, each player can access the screens of many players, and can communicate with many players or build friendships with them.

2.2.2. Configuration of Server Processing Unit 33 In order to realize the functions described above, the server processing unit 33 includes a control unit 331, a game progression unit 332, a display data generation unit 333, a sticker generation unit 334, a registration unit 335, a voting reception unit 336, and a privilege provision unit 337. Each of these units is a functional module implemented by a program executed by a processor included in the server processing unit 33 . Alternatively, each of these units may be implemented in the server 3 as firmware.

Processing by the control unit 331 will be described below.

The control unit 331 controls the start and progress of the game, and appropriately instructs the game progression unit 332 and the like to execute processing.

When receiving a game start request from the portable terminal 2 via the server communication unit 31, the control unit 331 passes the received game start request to a player authentication unit (not shown) and instructs execution of authentication processing. The game start request includes the player ID and password. The control unit 331 creates home screen display data when the player authentication unit successfully authenticates the player. The control unit 331 creates home screen display data for displaying, in a predetermined layout, buttons for receiving instructions such as sticker creation, sticker entry, entry history display, voting, and voting result display. Also, the control unit 331 transmits the created home screen display data to the mobile terminal 2 via the server communication unit 31 .

When receiving a game progress request from the portable terminal 2 via the server communication unit 31, the control unit 331 passes the received game progress request to the game progress unit 332 and instructs execution of game progress processing. The game progress request includes a player ID and a request type. The request type designates any one of a sticker creation screen display request, a sticker generation request, an entry screen display request, an entry request, an entry history screen display request, a voting screen display request, a voting request, a result screen display request, and the like.

When the "Seal Creation" button 703 on the home screen 700 of FIG. 7A is tapped, the request type is a sticker creation screen display request, and when the "Entry" button 704 is tapped, the request type is an entry screen display request, and when the "Entry History" button 705 is tapped, the request type is an entry history screen display request. Further, when the "Vote" button 706 is tapped, the request type is a voting screen display request, and when the "Result display" button 707 is tapped, the request type is a result screen display request.

Also, when the "create sticker" button 723 on the sticker creation screen 720 of FIG. 7(c) is tapped, the request type becomes a sticker creation request. In this case, the game progress request further includes a friend player's player ID corresponding to the selected avatar image, a background ID corresponding to the selected owned background, a frame ID corresponding to the selected owned frame, and a stamp ID corresponding to the selected owned stamp. Also, when the "entry" button 733 on the entry screen 730 of FIG. 7(d) is tapped, the request type becomes an entry request, and the game progress request further includes the sticker ID corresponding to the sticker to be entered. When one of the stickers 812 and 813 displayed on the voting screen 810 in FIG. 8B is tapped, the request type becomes a voting request, and the game progress request further includes the entry player ID corresponding to the tapped sticker.

Also, the control unit 331 transmits the display data of each screen received from the game progression unit 332 to the mobile terminal 2 via the server communication unit 31 .

Processing by the game progression unit 332 will be described below.

The game progression unit 332 controls the progress of the game and appropriately instructs the display data generation unit 333, sticker generation unit 334, registration unit 335, or vote reception unit 336 to execute display data generation processing, sticker generation processing, entry processing, or voting processing. Also, the game progression unit 332 passes the display data of each screen created by the display data creation unit 333 to the control unit 331 .

The game progress unit 332 identifies the request of the mobile terminal 2 from the request type included in the game progress request received from the control unit 331 .

When the identified request is a sticker creation screen display request, the game progression unit 332 passes the player ID included in the game progress request to the display data creation unit 333 and instructs the display data creation unit 333 to create sticker creation screen display data.

When the identified request is a sticker generation request, the game progression unit 332 passes the player ID (that is, entry player ID), friend player ID, background ID, frame ID, and stamp ID included in the game progression request to the sticker generation unit 334, and instructs the generation of the sticker.

When the identified request is an entry screen display request, the game progress section 332 passes the player ID included in the game progress request to the display data creation section 333 and instructs the display data creation section 333 to create entry screen display data.

If the specified request is an entry request, the game progression unit 332 passes the player ID (that is, the entry player ID) and sticker ID included in the game progression request to the registration unit 335, and instructs entry of the sticker to the contest.

When the identified request is an entry history screen display request, the game progress section 332 passes the player ID included in the game progress request to the display data creation section 333 and instructs the display data creation section 333 to create entry history screen display data.

If the specified request is a voting screen display request, the game progressing section 332 passes the player ID included in the game progress request to the display data creating section 333 and instructs it to create voting screen display data.

If the specified request is a voting request, the game progressing section 332 passes the player ID (that is, the voting player ID) and the entry player ID included in the game progress request to the voting accepting section 336, and instructs the voting accepting section 336 to accept the voting.

When the identified request is a result screen display request, the game progression unit 332 passes the player ID included in the game progress request to the display data generation unit 333 and instructs the display data generation unit 333 to generate result screen display data.

Processing by the display data creation unit 333 will be described below.

The display data creation unit 333 creates display data according to instructions from the game progress unit 332, the sticker generation unit 334, the registration unit 335, or the voting acceptance unit 336, and outputs the created display data to the server communication unit 31 via the game progress unit 332 and the control unit 331.

When the game progress unit 332 instructs the display data creation unit 333 to create sticker creation screen display data, the display data creation unit 333 reads the player management table, and identifies the avatar image information, the friend player ID, the owned background ID, the owned frame ID, and the owned stamp ID corresponding to the player ID included in the game progress request. Furthermore, the display data creation unit 333 identifies avatar image information corresponding to the identified friend player ID. Further, the display data creation unit 333 reads out the background management table, the frame management table, and the stamp management table, and identifies the background, frame, and stamp corresponding to the identified owned background ID, owned frame ID, and owned stamp ID, respectively. Then, the display data creation unit 333 creates sticker creation screen display data for displaying a sticker creation screen in which the specified player's avatar image, friend player's avatar image, background, frame, and stamp are arranged in a predetermined layout.

When the game progression unit 332 or the sticker generation unit 334 instructs to create entry screen display data, the display data creation unit 333 reads out the player management table, and identifies the sticker ID and the creation date and time of the sticker IDs included in the sticker information corresponding to the player ID included in the game progress request. Then, the display data creating unit 333 creates entry screen display data for displaying an entry screen in which stickers corresponding to the specified sticker ID and their generation date and time are arranged in a predetermined layout.

A display data creation part 333 reads an entry management table and specifies the latest entry sticker ID corresponding to the player ID included in the game progress request as the sticker ID of the sticker currently entered in the contest when the game progression part 332 instructs to create the entry history screen display data. Further, the display data creation unit 333 identifies a sticker ID other than the latest entry sticker ID stored in the entry history corresponding to the player ID included in the game progress request as the sticker ID of the sticker entered in the past. Then, the display data creating unit 333 creates entry screen display data for displaying an entry screen in which each sticker corresponding to the specified sticker ID is arranged in a predetermined layout based on the sticker information in the player management table.

When the game progression unit 332 instructs the display data creation unit 333 to create voting screen display data, the display data creation unit 333 reads out the entry management table and extracts two stickers from the stickers currently entered in the contest. The display data creation unit 333 creates entry screen display data for displaying a voting screen in which the two extracted stickers are displayed side by side so that voting is possible. A display data creation part 333 first extracts one sticker from the stickers currently entered in the contest, then extracts other stickers currently entered in the contest, and creates entry screen display data so that the previously extracted sticker and the later extracted sticker are displayed side by side on a voting screen. Note that the display data creation unit 333 randomly extracts stickers using a predetermined random number seed or the like. Further, the display data creation unit 333 reads out the voting management table, specifies the possible number of votes corresponding to the voting player ID included in the game progress request, and creates voting screen display data so that the specified possible number of votes is further displayed on the voting screen.

Note that the display data creating unit 333 performs control so that a specific sticker is more likely to be extracted than stickers registered prior to the specific sticker, that is, to be included in the voting screen. Therefore, a sticker that has been entered for a short time to the present is more likely to be extracted, and a sticker that has been entered to the present for a longer time is less likely to be extracted. For example, the display data creating unit 333 increases the range of values of random numbers corresponding to each sticker as the time from the entry to the present is shorter, and shortens the range from the entry to the present as the time is longer. As a result, the player frequently repeats the entry so that the entered sticker is more likely to be extracted, so that the contest can be activated. Furthermore, it is possible to increase the willingness to purchase items such as stickers required for entry, materials for creating new avatar images, and items for creating new stickers.

In addition, the display data creation unit 333 may perform control so that stickers with the same number of current votes are likely to be extracted at the same time. As a result, entry players with a high number of votes or entry players with a low number of votes compete with each other, and each player always competes with a player of the same level as him/herself, so that a sense of tension can be maintained.

When the game progression unit 332 instructs the display data generation unit 333 to generate result screen display data, the display data generation unit 333 reads out the entry management table, and identifies the entry player ID, the entry sticker ID, the rank, the number of votes obtained, and the given privilege of each entry player. Furthermore, the display data creation unit 333 reads out the player management table and identifies the friend player ID corresponding to the identified entry sticker ID based on the sticker information. Then, the display data creation unit 333 creates entry screen display data for displaying an entry screen in which the sticker corresponding to the entry sticker ID, the ranking, the number of votes obtained, the name of the entry player corresponding to the entry player ID, the name of the friend player corresponding to the friend player ID, and the prize are arranged in order of the specified ranking.

Processing by the sticker generation unit 334 will be described below.

When the game proceeding section 332 instructs the sticker generation section 334 to generate a sticker, the sticker generation section 334 reads out the player management table and determines whether or not the sticker generation permission flag corresponding to the friend player ID included in the game progress request is set to permitted. When the sticker creation permission flag is set to reject, the sticker creation unit 334 prohibits creation of a sticker based on the friend player's avatar image. In this case, the sticker generation unit 334 instructs the display data creation unit 333 to create sticker generation failure screen display data for displaying a sticker generation failure screen (not shown) indicating that the generation of the sticker has failed. As a result, it is possible to prevent unauthorized use of the avatar image of a player who does not want his or her avatar image to be used by others.

On the other hand, when the sticker generation permission flag is set to permitted, the sticker generation unit 334 uses the player management table to read the avatar image of the entry player corresponding to the entry player ID and the friend player avatar image corresponding to the friend player ID included in the game progress request from the server storage unit 32. Furthermore, the sticker generation unit 334 uses the background management table to read the background corresponding to the background ID included in the game progress request from the server storage unit 32 . Further, the sticker generation unit 334 uses the frame management table to read the frame corresponding to the frame ID included in the game progress request from the server storage unit 32 . Further, the sticker generation unit 334 uses the stamp management table to read from the server storage unit 32 the stamp corresponding to the stamp ID included in the game progress request.

Then, the sticker generation unit 334 generates a sticker based on the entry player's avatar image, the friend player's avatar image, the background, the frame, and the stamp that have been read, and stores them in the server storage unit 32 . The sticker generation unit 334 generates a sticker by compositing each image by arranging each image at a specific position. The sticker generation unit 334 stores sticker information related to the generated sticker in association with the entry player ID in the player management table. Note that the entry flag of the sticker information is set to "not yet entered", and the current date and time is set as the date and time of generation. In this case, the sticker generation unit 334 instructs the display data creation unit 333 to create entry screen display data for entering the created sticker.

Processing by the registration unit 335 will be described below.

When the game progression unit 332 instructs entry of a sticker to the contest, the registration unit 335 reads out the player management table and identifies the friend player ID corresponding to the entry player ID and the sticker ID included in the game progress request based on the sticker information. Then, the registration unit 335 determines whether or not the sticker registration permission flag corresponding to the specified friend player ID is set to permitted. When the sticker registration permission flag is set to rejection, the registration unit 335 prohibits the friend player from entering the sticker contest based on the avatar image. In this case, the registration unit 335 instructs the display data creation unit 333 to create entry failure screen display data for displaying an entry failure screen (not shown) indicating that the sticker entry to the contest has failed. As a result, a sticker based on the avatar image of a player who does not want his or her avatar image to be exposed in the contest can be prevented from being entered into the contest without permission.

On the other hand, when the sticker registration permission flag is set to allow, the registration unit 335 determines whether or not the entry player has already entered the sticker. The registration unit 335 reads the entry management table, and determines whether or not the entry player has already entered the sticker based on whether or not the entry sticker ID is stored for the entry player ID included in the game progress request. If the entry player has not yet entered the sticker, the registration unit 335 newly enters the sticker into the contest. The registration unit 335 stores the player ID and the sticker ID included in the game progress request as the entry player ID and the entry sticker ID, respectively, in the entry management table, and sets the entry date and time to the current time. Furthermore, the registration unit 335 also stores the stored entry sticker ID and entry date and time in the entry history. In this case, the sticker generation unit 334 instructs the display data creation unit 333 to create entry success screen display data for displaying an entry success screen (not shown) indicating that the sticker has been successfully entered into the contest.

On the other hand, if the entry player has already entered a sticker, the registration unit 335 updates the already entered sticker to a newly entered sticker. In this case, the registration unit 335 updates the entry sticker ID corresponding to the player ID included in the game progress request to the sticker ID included in the game progress request in the entry management table, and sets the entry date and time to the current date and time. Further, the registration unit 335 adds the stored entry sticker ID and entry date and time to the entry history. In this case, the sticker generation unit 334 instructs the display data generation unit 333 to generate entry success screen display data. Since the entry player can update the entered sticker, the avatar image of each friend player and each sticker appearing thereon can be sequentially entered, and communication with a large number of friend players can be improved. An upper limit may be set for the number of times the entry player can update the entry sticker. By setting an upper limit on the number of updates, the load on the server 3 can be reduced. In addition, since the user needs to aim for a high rank in the contest in a limited number of times, the user can be more motivated to create stickers.

In addition, the registration unit 335 may restrict (reject) entries of stickers that have been generated for a certain period of time or longer. In this case, the registration unit 335 determines whether or not the generation date and time of the sticker to be entered is earlier than the current date and time for a fixed period or more based on the sticker information of the player management table, and prohibits entry of the sticker if it is earlier than the fixed period or longer. As a result, the player tries to enter the contest before the generated sticker elapses for a certain period of time or more, so that the contest can be activated.

Processing by the voting reception unit 336 will be described below.

When the game progression unit 332 instructs the vote acceptance unit 336 to accept a vote, the vote acceptance unit 336 determines whether or not the same player has voted for the same sticker. The voting reception unit 336 reads out the entry management table and identifies the entry sticker ID corresponding to the entry player ID included in the game progress request. Further, the voting reception unit 336 reads the voting management table and identifies voting information corresponding to the voting player ID included in the game progress request. The vote accepting unit 336 determines whether or not the combination of the entry player ID and the specified entry sticker ID is stored in the specified vote information. If the combination is stored in the voting information, the voting reception unit 336 determines that the same player has voted for the same sticker, and prohibits the reception of voting. In this case, the voting reception unit 336 instructs the display data creation unit 333 to create voting failure screen display data for displaying a voting failure screen (not shown) indicating that voting has failed. This makes it possible to prevent biased voting for the same sticker.

On the other hand, if the combination is not stored in the voting information, the voting reception unit 336 determines that the same player has not voted for the same sticker, and receives the voting by the voting player. The vote accepting unit 336 increments the number of votes corresponding to the entry player ID in the entry management table. Further, the voting reception unit 336 stores the combination of the entry player ID and the entry sticker ID in the voting information corresponding to the voting player ID in the voting management table, and decrements the possible number of votes. In this case, the voting reception unit 336 instructs the display data creation unit 333 to create voting screen display data for subsequent voting.

Note that the voting acceptance unit 336 may also prohibit acceptance of voting for the same entry player from the same voting player. This makes it possible to prevent biased voting for the same entry player.

Processing by the privilege granting unit 337 will be described below.

The privilege granting unit 337 determines whether or not the contest period has ended, and if the contest period has ended, reads the entry management table and totals the number of votes for each entry player. The privilege granting unit 337 ranks each entry player according to the aggregated voting results, that is, in descending order of the number of votes obtained, and stores the ranking of each entry player in the entry management table. Note that the privilege granting unit 337 may total the vote percentage of each entry player (the value obtained by dividing the number of votes obtained by the number of times the entry is displayed on the voting screen), and rank each entry player in descending order of the vote percentage.

The privilege granting unit 337 grants a privilege to the entry player and each friend player corresponding to all the stickers entered by the entry player according to the order of each entry player. The privilege granting unit 337 , for example, gives an entry player and a friend player having a predetermined rank or higher a privilege with a higher value as the rank is higher, and a score with a lower value as the rank is lower. The given privilege is, for example, a gift such as an item, and may be a face, hairstyle, clothes, or materials such as accessories for creating an avatar image, or a background, frame, stamp, or the like for creating a sticker. Based on the entry history of the entry management table and the sticker information of the player management table, the privilege granting unit 337 identifies each friend player corresponding to all the stickers entered by the entry player. The privilege granting unit 337 stores the privilege to be granted in association with the player IDs of the entry player and the friend player to be granted in the player management table, and stores the privilege to be granted in association with the entry player ID in the entry management table. A privilege granting part 337 grants a privilege to each friend player corresponding to all the stickers entered by the entry player, so that all the friend players whose avatar images are shown on the entered stickers can acquire the privilege without unfairness.

In the above description, a case has been described in which benefits are given to the entry player and each friend player corresponding to all the stickers entered by the entry player, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, benefits may be provided only to the entry player and each friend player corresponding to at least some of the stickers entered by the entry player, or the benefits provided to each friend player corresponding to at least some of the stickers may be different from the benefits provided to each friend player corresponding to other stickers. As a method of extracting at least some of the stickers, for example, friend players whose seals are recently generated or entry dates may be extracted, or friend players who have created stickers with the entry player a large number of times may be extracted.

Note that the privilege granting unit 337 may change the privilege granted to the friend player corresponding to each sticker according to the result of voting for each sticker (at least some of the stickers) entered by the entry player. The voting reception unit 336 stores the number of votes obtained for each entry sticker in the entry history of the entry management table. The privilege granting unit 337 grants a privilege of higher value to a friend player corresponding to a sticker with a higher number of votes, and a privilege of lower value to a friend player corresponding to a sticker of lower number of votes. Since a friend player who contributes greatly to the rank of the entry player can acquire a valuable privilege, it is possible to increase the motivation of each friend player to improve the avatar image.

Also, the privilege granting unit 337 may grant a privilege to a voting player who has voted for an entry player ranked higher than a predetermined rank. As a result, each player's willingness to vote can be improved, and the contest can be activated.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of an operation sequence of the game system 1. As shown in FIG. The operation sequence described below is executed mainly by the terminal processing unit 25 and the server processing unit 33 in cooperation with each element of the mobile terminal 2 and the server 3 based on programs stored in advance in the terminal storage unit 22 and the server storage unit 32.

The player uses the operation unit 23 of the mobile terminal 2 to give an instruction to start the game. The viewing execution unit 251 receives a player ID and password from the player using the operation unit 23, and transmits a game start request including the received player ID and password to the server 3 via the terminal communication unit 21 (step S101).

When receiving a game start request from the mobile terminal 2 via the server communication unit 31, the control unit 331 of the server 3 passes the player ID and password included in the received game start request to the player authentication unit, and instructs execution of authentication processing (step S102).

When the authentication by the player authentication unit is successful, the control unit 331 creates home screen display data (step S103).

The control unit 331 transmits the created home screen display data to the mobile terminal 2 via the server communication unit 31 (step S104).

When receiving the home screen display data from the server 3 via the terminal communication unit 21, the browsing execution unit 251 of the mobile terminal 2 creates drawing data based on the received home screen display data. Also, the viewing execution unit 251 outputs the created drawing data to the display unit 24 to display the home screen (step S105).

Next, in response to an instruction from the player using the operation unit 23, the viewing execution unit 251 transmits a game progress request including the request type corresponding to the instruction and the player ID of the player to the server 3 via the terminal communication unit 21 (step S106).

When receiving a game progress request from the mobile terminal 2 via the server communication unit 31, the control unit 331 passes the received game progress request to the game progress unit 332 and instructs execution of game progress processing. The game progression section 332 executes the game progression process when instructed to execute the game progression process by the control section 331 (step S107). In the game progress process, each part of the server processing unit 33 creates display data corresponding to the received game progress request, and the game progress unit 332 passes the created display data to the control unit 331 . Details of the game progress processing will be described later.

Next, the control section 331 transmits each display data received from the game progression section 332 to the portable terminal 2 via the server communication section 31 (step S108).

When each display data or the like is received from the server 3 via the terminal communication unit 21, the browsing execution unit 251 creates drawing data based on the received display data. Also, the browsing execution unit 251 outputs the created drawing data to the display unit 24 and displays the corresponding screen (step S109). After that, the processing of steps S106 to S109 is repeated.

10 and 11 are diagrams showing an example of an operation flow of game progress processing by the game progress section 332. FIG. The game progress processing shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 is executed in step S107 of FIG.

First, the game progression unit 332 identifies the request of the mobile terminal 2 from the request type included in the game progression request received from the control unit 331 (step S201).

If the specified request is a sticker creation screen display request (step S202-Yes), the game progression section 332 instructs the display data creation section 333 to create sticker creation screen display data. The display data creation unit 333 creates sticker creation screen display data, and passes the created sticker creation screen display data to the game progression unit 332 (step S203). Next, the game progression unit 332 passes the sticker creation screen display data received from the display data creation unit 333 to the control unit 331 (step S219), and ends the series of steps.

On the other hand, if the identified request is a sticker generation request (step S202-No, step S204-Yes), the game progression section 332 instructs the sticker generation section 334 to generate a sticker, and the sticker generation section 334 executes the sticker generation process (step S205). In the sticker generation process, the sticker generation unit 334 generates a sticker, the display data creation unit 333 creates display data according to the result, and passes the created display data to the game progression unit 332 . The details of the sticker generation process will be described later. Next, the game progression unit 332 passes the display data received from the display data generation unit 333 to the control unit 331 (step S219), and ends the series of steps.

On the other hand, if the identified request is an entry screen display request (step S204-No, step S206-Yes), the game progression unit 332 instructs the display data creation unit 333 to create entry screen display data. The display data creation unit 333 creates entry screen display data, and passes the created entry screen display data to the game progression unit 332 (step S207). Next, the game progression unit 332 passes the entry screen display data received from the display data generation unit 333 to the control unit 331 (step S219), and ends the series of steps.

On the other hand, if the identified request is an entry request (step S206-No, step S208-Yes), the game progression unit 332 instructs the registration unit 335 to enter a sticker into the contest, and the registration unit 335 executes entry processing (step S209). In the entry process, the registration unit 335 enters a sticker into the contest, the display data creation unit 333 creates display data according to the result, and delivers the created display data to the game progression unit 332 . Details of the entry process will be described later. Next, the game progression unit 332 passes the display data received from the display data generation unit 333 to the control unit 331 (step S219), and ends the series of steps.

On the other hand, if the specified request is an entry history screen display request (step S208-No, step S210-Yes), the game progression unit 332 instructs the display data creation unit 333 to create entry history screen display data. The display data creating unit 333 creates entry history screen display data, and passes the created entry history screen display data to the game progression unit 332 (step S211). Next, the game progression unit 332 passes the entry history screen display data received from the display data generation unit 333 to the control unit 331 (step S219), and ends the series of steps.

On the other hand, if the identified request is a voting screen display request (step S210-No, step S212-Yes), the game progression unit 332 instructs the display data creation unit 333 to create voting screen display data. The display data creation unit 333 extracts two stickers from the stickers currently entered in the contest, creates voting screen display data, and delivers the created voting screen display data to the game progression unit 332 (step S213). Next, the game progression unit 332 passes the voting screen display data received from the display data generation unit 333 to the control unit 331 (step S219), and ends the series of steps.

On the other hand, if the specified request is a voting request (step S212-No, step S214-Yes), the game progression unit 332 instructs the voting acceptance unit 336 to accept voting, and the voting acceptance unit 336 executes voting processing (step S215). In voting processing, the voting reception unit 336 receives a vote, the display data creation unit 333 creates display data according to the result, and passes the created display data to the game progression unit 332 . Details of the voting process will be described later. Next, the game progression unit 332 passes the display data received from the display data generation unit 333 to the control unit 331 (step S219), and ends the series of steps.

On the other hand, if the identified request is a result screen display request (step S214-No, step S216-Yes), the game progression unit 332 instructs the display data creation unit 333 to create result screen display data. The display data creation unit 333 creates result screen display data, and passes the created result screen display data to the game progression unit 332 (step S217). Next, the game progression unit 332 passes the result screen display data received from the display data creation unit 333 to the control unit 331 (step S219), and ends the series of steps.

On the other hand, if the identified request is none of the above, that is, if it is a request to create home screen display data (step S216-No), the game progression section 332 instructs the control section 331 to create home screen display data. The control unit 331 creates home screen display data and passes it to the game progression unit 332 (step S218). Next, the game progression unit 332 passes the home screen display data received from the game progression unit 332 to the control unit 331 (step S219), and ends the series of steps.

FIG. 12 shows an example of the operational flow of the sticker generation process. The sticker generation process shown in FIG. 12 is performed in step S205 of FIG.

First, the sticker generation unit 334 determines whether or not the friend player's sticker generation permission flag is set to permitted (step S301). When the sticker creation permission flag is set to reject (step S301-No), the sticker creation unit 334 prohibits creation of a sticker based on the friend player's avatar image (step S302). Next, the sticker generation unit 334 instructs the display data creation unit 333 to create sticker creation failure screen display data. The display data creation unit 333 creates sticker creation failure screen display data, passes the created sticker creation failure screen display data to the game progression unit 332 (step S303), and ends the series of steps.

On the other hand, if the sticker generation permission flag is set to permitted (step S301-Yes), the sticker generation unit 334 reads out the entry player's avatar image and the friend player's avatar image from the server storage unit 32 (step S304). Next, the sticker generation unit 334 reads the background, frame and stamp from the server storage unit 32 (step S305). Next, the sticker generation unit 334 generates a sticker based on the read entry player avatar image, friend player avatar image, background, frame, and stamp, and stores the sticker in the server storage unit 32 (step S306). Next, the sticker generation unit 334 instructs the display data generation unit 333 to generate entry screen display data. The display data creation unit 333 creates entry screen display data, passes the created entry screen display data to the game progression unit 332 (step S307), and ends the series of steps.

FIG. 13 shows an example of an operation flow of entry processing. The entry process shown in FIG. 13 is executed in step S209 of FIG.

First, the registration unit 335 determines whether or not the sticker registration permission flag of the friend player is set to permitted (step S401). If the sticker registration permission flag is set to refusal (step S401-No), the sticker generation unit 334 prohibits the friend player from entering the sticker contest based on the avatar image (step S402). Next, the sticker generation unit 334 instructs the display data generation unit 333 to generate entry failure screen display data. The display data creation unit 333 creates entry failure screen display data, passes the created entry failure screen display data to the game progression unit 332 (step S403), and ends the series of steps.

On the other hand, when the sticker registration permission flag is set to allow (step S401-Yes), the registration unit 335 determines whether or not the entry player has already entered the sticker (step S404). If the entry player has not yet entered the sticker, the registration unit 335 newly enters the sticker into the contest (step S405). Next, the sticker generation unit 334 instructs the display data generation unit 333 to generate entry success screen display data. The display data creation unit 333 creates entry success screen display data, passes the created entry success screen display data to the game progression unit 332 (step S406), and ends the series of steps.

On the other hand, if the entry player has already entered a sticker, the registration unit 335 updates the already entered sticker with a newly entered sticker (step S407). Next, the sticker generation unit 334 instructs the display data generation unit 333 to generate entry success screen display data. The display data creation unit 333 creates entry success screen display data, passes the created entry success screen display data to the game progression unit 332 (step S406), and ends the series of steps.

FIG. 14 shows an example of the operation flow of voting processing. The voting process shown in FIG. 14 is performed in step S215 of FIG.

First, the voting reception unit 336 determines whether or not the same player has voted for the same sticker (step S501). If the same player has voted for the same sticker (step S501-Yes), the voting reception unit 336 prohibits the reception of voting (step S502). Next, the voting accepting unit 336 instructs the display data creating unit 333 to create voting failure screen display data. The display data creating unit 333 creates voting failure screen display data, passes the created voting failure screen display data to the game progression unit 332 (step S503), and ends the series of steps.

On the other hand, if the same player has not voted for the same sticker (step S501-No), the vote accepting unit 336 accepts the vote by the voting player and increments the number of votes obtained by the voted entry player (step S504). Next, the sticker generation unit 334 instructs the display data generation unit 333 to generate voting screen display data. A display data creation part 333 creates voting screen display data by extracting two new stickers from the stickers currently entered in the contest, passes the created voting screen display data to the game progression part 332 (step S505), and ends a series of steps.

FIG. 15 shows an example of the operation flow of privilege provision processing. The operation sequence described below is executed mainly by the server processing section 33 in cooperation with each element of the server 3 based on a program stored in advance in the server storage section 32 . The privilege granting process is periodically executed by the privilege granting unit 337 .

First, the privilege granting unit 337 determines whether or not the contest period has ended (step S601). The privilege giving unit 337 waits until the contest period ends (step S601-No), and when the contest period ends (step S601-Yes), totals the number of votes of each entry player (step S602). Next, the privilege granting unit 337 ranks each entry player according to the aggregated voting results (step S603). Next, the privilege granting unit 337 grants a privilege to the entry player and each friend player corresponding to all stickers entered by the entry player according to the ranking of each entry player (step S604), and the series of steps ends.

As described above, the server 3 enters a sticker generated based on the avatar image of the entry player and the avatar image of the friend player into the contest in accordance with a request from the entry player, accepts votes for the entered sticker, and gives benefits to both the entry player and the friend player according to the results of the voting. A friend player can obtain a privilege when an entry player enters a sticker with his/her own avatar image in the contest. On the other hand, the entry player can obtain a privilege by using the friend player's avatar image. As a result, the entry player and the friend player are encouraged to cooperate with each other, and the avatar images can be used to improve communication between the entry player and the friend player.

The server 3 causes the mobile terminal 2 to display stickers and avatar images of entry players ranked high in the contest and their friend players. Therefore, each player participates in the contest and obtains a higher ranking, thereby making his or her avatar image more visible to other players, thus making it possible to activate the contest. In addition, since each player needs to purchase a sticker, a material for creating an avatar image, or an item for creating a sticker in order to participate in the contest, it is possible to increase the player's willingness to purchase.

In addition, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, in the present embodiment, the server 3 executes sticker generation, sticker registration in a contest, and sticker voting as a game, but these processes may be executed as events in a social network or the like other than games.

Also, the number of friend player avatar images appearing on one sticker is not limited to one, and one sticker may be generated based on the avatar images of a plurality of friend players.

Also, the game system 1 may provide items such as matching clothes or accessories so that the entry player's avatar image and the friend player's avatar image can cooperate with each other. Matching items are, for example, items that are similar to each other, items that are different in color, and items that share a part (marks, patterns, etc.) in common.

Also, the game executed on the mobile terminal 2 may be a hybrid game in which the server 3 and the mobile terminal 2 each take part of the processing. In that case, for example, each screen related to the progress of the game is a web display displayed on the mobile terminal 2 based on display data generated by the server 3, and other menu screens and the like are native displays displayed by a native application installed on the mobile terminal 2.

It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, substitutions and modifications can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

1 game system 3 server 31 server communication unit 32 server storage unit 33 server processing unit 331 control unit 332 game progression unit 333 display data creation unit 334 sticker generation unit 335 registration unit 336 vote reception unit 337 privilege provision unit

Claims (12)

A control method for a computer having a storage unit and capable of communicating with respective terminals of a plurality of players,
The storage unit stores information about a plurality of materials and information indicating numerical values associated with each of the plurality of players, and information about other players among the plurality of players associated with each of the plurality of players,
the computer
storing in the storage unit, in accordance with a first request received from a terminal of one of the plurality of players, an image showing a first object composed of a material selected from among a plurality of materials associated with the player of the terminal that transmitted the first request;
storing in the storage unit an image showing a second object composed of a material selected from among a plurality of materials associated with the other player in accordance with a second request received from the terminal of the other player associated with the player of the terminal that transmitted the first request;
storing in the storage unit a composite image generated based on at least one of a background, a frame , and a stamp selected by a player of the terminal that transmitted the first request, and an image that represents the first object and the image that represents the second object, according to a third request received from the terminal that transmitted the first request;
transmitting, according to a fourth request received from a terminal of one of the plurality of players, first display data for displaying a screen including the selectable synthesized image to the terminal that transmitted the fourth request ;
when information about the composite image selected by the player of the terminal that received the first display data is received from the terminal, increasing the numerical value associated with the player of the terminal that transmitted the third request related to the generation of the selected composite image;
ranking each of the plurality of players based on the numerical value associated with each of the plurality of players ;
Control method including. the computer
Giving a first privilege according to the ranking of the player to the player of the terminal that has transmitted the third request related to the generation of the synthetic image displayed by the first display data;
The control method of claim 1, comprising: 3. The control method according to claim 2, wherein said first privilege includes information about said material. the computer
transmitting, in accordance with a fifth request received from a terminal of one of the plurality of players, second display data for displaying information indicating the ranking of each of the plurality of players to the terminal that transmitted the fifth request;
The control method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising the computer
Giving a second privilege according to the ranking to the player of the terminal that has transmitted the third request related to the generation of the synthetic image corresponding to the ranking;
The control method according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , comprising The control method according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein said screen includes an instruction object for displaying another composite image different from said plurality of composite images currently displayed on said screen. The control method according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the synthesized image is generated based on images showing a plurality of the second objects stored in response to the second request received from a plurality of different terminals of the other players. The control method according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , wherein the plurality of materials associated with the player of the terminal that transmitted the first request and the plurality of materials associated with the other player associated with the player of the terminal that transmitted the first request include mutually similar materials, materials with different colors, and/or partially common materials. the computer
displaying an operation object for setting the player of the terminal that has transmitted the second request related to the generation of the composite image as a player having a predetermined relationship with the player of the terminal that has transmitted the first request, according to a sixth request received from the terminal that has transmitted the first request;
The control method according to any one of claims 1 to 8 , comprising the computer
displaying, in accordance with a seventh request received from the terminal that transmitted the first request, an operation object for displaying a detailed screen regarding the player of the terminal that transmitted the first request;
The control method according to any one of claims 1 to 9 , comprising A computer capable of communicating with each terminal of a plurality of players,
a storage unit that stores information and numerical values related to a plurality of materials associated with each of the plurality of players, and information related to each of the plurality of players and related to other players among the plurality of players;
storing in the storage unit, in accordance with a first request received from a terminal of one of the plurality of players, an image showing a first object composed of a material selected from among a plurality of materials associated with the player of the terminal that transmitted the first request;
storing in the storage unit an image showing a second object composed of a material selected from among a plurality of materials associated with the other player in accordance with a second request received from the terminal of the other player associated with the player of the terminal that transmitted the first request;
storing , in the storage unit , a composite image generated based on at least one of a background, a frame, and a stamp selected by a player of the terminal that transmitted the first request, and at least one of a background, a frame, and a stamp selected by a player of the terminal that transmitted the first request, according to a third request received from the terminal that transmitted the first request;
transmitting, according to a fourth request received from a terminal of one of the plurality of players, first display data for displaying a screen including the selectable synthesized image to the terminal that transmitted the fourth request;
when information about the composite image selected by the player of the terminal that received the first display data is received from the terminal, increasing the numerical value associated with the player of the terminal that transmitted the third request related to the generation of the selected composite image;
a processing unit that ranks each of the plurality of players based on the numerical value associated with each of the plurality of players;
A computer comprising: A computer control program comprising a storage unit and capable of communicating with respective terminals of a plurality of players,
The storage unit stores information about a plurality of materials and information indicating numerical values associated with each of the plurality of players, and information about other players among the plurality of players associated with each of the plurality of players,
to the computer;
storing in the storage unit, in accordance with a first request received from a terminal of one of the plurality of players, an image showing a first object composed of a material selected from among a plurality of materials associated with the player of the terminal that transmitted the first request;
storing in the storage unit an image showing a second object composed of a material selected from among a plurality of materials associated with the other player in accordance with a second request received from the terminal of the other player associated with the player of the terminal that transmitted the first request;
storing, in the storage unit , a composite image generated based on at least one of a background, a frame, and a stamp selected by a player of the terminal that transmitted the first request, and at least one of a background, a frame, and a stamp selected by a player of the terminal that transmitted the first request, according to a third request received from the terminal that transmitted the first request;
transmitting, according to a fourth request received from a terminal of one of the plurality of players, first display data for displaying a screen including the selectable synthesized image to the terminal that transmitted the fourth request ;
when information about the composite image selected by the player of the terminal that received the first display data is received from the terminal, increasing the numerical value associated with the player of the terminal that transmitted the third request related to the generation of the selected composite image;
ranking each of the plurality of players based on the numerical value associated with each of the plurality of players ;
A control program for executing

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