JP7378930B2 - game program - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to a game program, a method for executing the game program, and an information processing device.

Patent Document 1 discloses an information processing device that provides benefits for a certain period all at once to users who have paid a game fee set for each certain period.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-89338 (published on June 14, 2018)

Game providers have a desire for more users to use the services provided through games. Therefore, there is a need to construct a billing system for games from the perspective of further increasing user satisfaction with billing.

One aspect of the present disclosure aims to increase user satisfaction with billing and encourage users to use services provided within a game.

A game program according to the present disclosure is executed by a computer including a processor and a memory. The game program causes the processor to receive a payment process from the user for the service provided within the contract period in which the start and end points of the contract are uniformly fixed in advance regardless of the user; a step of providing services to the user until a termination point arrives within the contract period in response to receiving payment processing from the user; A step of identifying the elapsed period that has elapsed from the start of the service contract period to the time of payment when the payment processing is accepted, and a step of determining the benefits to be granted to the user according to the length of the specified elapsed period. and a step of granting the determined benefit to the user.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to increase the user's satisfaction with billing and encourage the user to use services provided within the game.

1 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of a game system. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a user terminal and a server. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of how to determine a contract period in a monthly service provided by a game system. It is a flowchart showing the flow of processing executed in the game system based on the game program according to the present embodiment. (A) to (D) are diagrams showing an example of the data structure of benefit calculation rules. (A) and (B) are diagrams showing an example of the data structure of benefit calculation rules. (A) and (B) are diagrams showing an example of the data structure of benefit calculation rules. (A) and (B) are diagrams showing an example of the data structure of benefit calculation rules. It is a figure which shows an example of the data structure of a privilege calculation rule.

[Embodiment 1]
A game system according to the present disclosure is a system for providing a game to a plurality of users. The game system will be described below with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to these examples, but is indicated by the scope of the claims, and it is intended that all changes within the meaning and range equivalent to the scope of the claims are included in the present invention. Ru. In the following description, the same elements are given the same reference numerals in the description of the drawings, and overlapping description will not be repeated.

<Hardware configuration of game system 1>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the game system 1. As shown in FIG. As illustrated, the game system 1 includes a plurality of user terminals 100 and a server 200. Each user terminal 100 is connected to a server 200 via a network 2. The network 2 includes the Internet and various mobile communication systems constructed by wireless base stations (not shown). Examples of this mobile communication system include so-called 3G, 4G mobile communication systems, LTE (Long Term Evolution), and wireless networks (for example, Wi-Fi (registered trademark)) that can be connected to the Internet through predetermined access points. It will be done.

The server 200 (computer, information processing device) may be a general-purpose computer such as a workstation or a personal computer. The server 200 includes a processor 20, a memory 21, a storage 22, a communication IF 23, and an input/output IF 24. These components included in the server 200 are electrically connected to each other by a communication bus.

The user terminal 100 (computer, information processing device) may be a mobile terminal such as a smartphone, a feature phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), or a tablet computer. User terminal 100 may be a game device suitable for playing games. As illustrated, the user terminal 100 includes a processor 10, a memory 11, a storage 12, a communication interface (IF) 13, an input/output IF 14, a touch screen 15 (display section), a camera 17, and a distance measurement sensor 18. Equipped with. These components included in the user terminal 100 are electrically connected to each other by a communication bus. Note that, instead of or in addition to the touch screen 15, the user terminal 100 may include an input/output IF 14 to which a display (display unit) configured separately from the user terminal 100 body can be connected.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the user terminal 100 may be configured to be able to communicate with one or more controllers 1020. The controller 1020 establishes communication with the user terminal 100, for example, according to a communication standard such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). The controller 1020 may have one or more buttons or the like, and transmits an output value to the user terminal 100 based on a user's input operation on the button or the like. Further, the controller 1020 may include various sensors such as an acceleration sensor and an angular velocity sensor, and transmits output values of the various sensors to the user terminal 100.

Note that instead of or in addition to the user terminal 100 including the camera 17 and the distance measurement sensor 18, the controller 1020 may include the camera 17 and the distance measurement sensor 18.

It is desirable that the user terminal 100 allows the user using the controller 1020 to input user identification information such as the user's name or login ID via the controller 1020, for example, when starting the game. This makes it possible for the user terminal 100 to link the controller 1020 and the user, and identify which user the received output value belongs to based on the source (controller 1020) of the received output value. be able to.

When the user terminal 100 communicates with a plurality of controllers 1020, by each user holding each controller 1020, the user terminal 100 can communicate with the one user terminal 100 without communicating with other devices such as the server 200 via the network 2. Multiplayer can be realized. In addition, each user terminal 100 communicates with each other using a wireless standard such as a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) standard (communicates without going through the server 200), thereby realizing local multiplayer with multiple user terminals 100. You can also. When the above-described multiplayer is locally implemented using one user terminal 100, the user terminal 100 may further include at least some of the various functions provided by the server 200, which will be described later. Moreover, when the above-mentioned multiplayer is realized locally by a plurality of user terminals 100, the plurality of user terminals 100 may have various functions provided in the server 200, which will be described later, in a distributed manner.

Note that even when the above-described multiplayer is implemented locally, the user terminal 100 may communicate with the server 200. For example, information indicating a play result such as a score or a win or loss in a certain game and user identification information may be associated with each other and transmitted to the server 200.

Further, the controller 1020 may be configured to be detachable from the user terminal 100. In this case, a coupling portion with the controller 1020 may be provided on at least one surface of the casing of the user terminal 100. When the user terminal 100 and the controller 1020 are connected via a wire via the coupling section, the user terminal 100 and the controller 1020 transmit and receive signals via the wire.

As shown in FIG. 1, the user terminal 100 may accept attachment of a storage medium 1030 such as an external memory card via the input/output IF 14. This allows the user terminal 100 to read programs and data recorded on the storage medium 1030. The program recorded on the storage medium 1030 is, for example, a game program.

The user terminal 100 may store a game program obtained by communicating with an external device such as the server 200 in the memory 11 of the user terminal 100, or may store a game program obtained by reading from the storage medium 1030 into the memory 11. It may be stored in

As explained above, the user terminal 100 includes the communication IF 13, the input/output IF 14, the touch screen 15, the camera 17, and the distance measurement sensor 18 as an example of a mechanism for inputting information to the user terminal 100. Each of the above-mentioned units serving as an input mechanism can be regarded as an operation unit configured to accept user input operations.

For example, when the operation unit is configured with at least one of the camera 17 and the distance measurement sensor 18, the operation unit detects an object 1010 near the user terminal 100 and performs an input operation based on the detection result of the object. Identify. As an example, a user's hand, a marker with a predetermined shape, or the like is detected as the object 1010, and an input operation is specified based on the color, shape, movement, type, etc. of the object 1010 obtained as a detection result. Ru. More specifically, when the user's hand is detected from the captured image of the camera 17, the user terminal 100 converts the gesture (a series of movements of the user's hand) detected based on the captured image into the user's input operation. be identified and accepted as such. Note that the photographed image may be a still image or a moving image.

Alternatively, when the operation unit is configured with the touch screen 15, the user terminal 100 identifies and accepts the user's operation performed on the input unit 151 of the touch screen 15 as the user's input operation. Alternatively, when the operation unit is configured with the communication IF 13, the user terminal 100 identifies and receives a signal (for example, an output value) transmitted from the controller 1020 as a user's input operation. Alternatively, when the operation unit is configured with the input/output IF 14, a signal output from an input device (not shown) connected to the input/output IF 14 and different from the controller 1020 is identified and accepted as the user's input operation.

<Hardware components of each device>
Processor 10 controls the overall operation of user terminal 100. Processor 20 controls the overall operation of server 200. Processors 10 and 20 include a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), and a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit).

The processor 10 reads a program from a storage 12, which will be described later, and expands it into a memory 11, which will be described later. The processor 20 reads a program from a storage 22, which will be described later, and expands it into a memory 21, which will be described later. Processor 10 and processor 20 execute the expanded program.

Memories 11 and 21 are main storage devices. The memories 11 and 21 are composed of storage devices such as ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory). The memory 11 provides a work area for the processor 10 by temporarily storing programs and various data that the processor 10 reads from a storage 12, which will be described later. The memory 11 also temporarily stores various data generated while the processor 10 is operating according to a program. The memory 21 provides a work area for the processor 20 by temporarily storing various programs and data that the processor 20 reads from a storage 22, which will be described later. The memory 21 also temporarily stores various data generated while the processor 20 is operating according to a program.

In this embodiment, the program may be a game program for realizing a game on the user terminal 100. Alternatively, the program may be a game program for realizing the game through cooperation between the user terminal 100 and the server 200. Note that the game realized through cooperation between the user terminal 100 and the server 200 may be, for example, a game executed on a browser started on the user terminal 100. Alternatively, the program may be a game program for realizing the game through cooperation of a plurality of user terminals 100. Further, the various data include data related to games such as user information and game information, and instructions or notifications transmitted and received between the user terminal 100 and the server 200 or between the plurality of user terminals 100.

Storages 12 and 22 are auxiliary storage devices. The storages 12 and 22 are comprised of storage devices such as flash memory or HDD (Hard Disk Drive). The storage 12 and the storage 22 store various data related to the game.

The communication IF 13 controls transmission and reception of various data in the user terminal 100. The communication IF 23 controls transmission and reception of various data in the server 200. The communication IFs 13 and 23 control, for example, communication via a wireless LAN (Local Area Network), Internet communication via a wired LAN, wireless LAN, or mobile phone network, and communication using short-range wireless communication.

The input/output IF 14 is an interface for the user terminal 100 to receive data input, and is an interface for the user terminal 100 to output data. The input/output IF 14 may input/output data via a USB (Universal Serial Bus) or the like. The input/output IF 14 may include, for example, a physical button, a camera, a microphone, or a speaker of the user terminal 100. The input/output IF 24 of the server 200 is an interface for the server 200 to receive data input, and an interface for the server 200 to output data. The input/output IF 24 may include, for example, an input section that is an information input device such as a mouse or a keyboard, and a display section that is a device that displays and outputs images.

The touch screen 15 of the user terminal 100 is an electronic component that combines an input section 151 and a display section 152. The input unit 151 is, for example, a touch-sensitive device, and includes, for example, a touch pad. The display unit 152 is configured by, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display.

The input unit 151 detects the position where the user's operation (mainly physical contact operations such as touch operation, slide operation, swipe operation, and tap operation) is input on the input screen, and inputs information indicating the position. Equipped with a function to transmit as a signal. The input unit 151 may include a touch sensing unit (not shown). The touch sensing section may employ any method such as a capacitance method or a resistive film method.

Although not shown, the user terminal 100 may include one or more sensors for identifying the holding posture of the user terminal 100. This sensor may be, for example, an acceleration sensor or an angular velocity sensor. When the user terminal 100 includes a sensor, the processor 10 can also identify the holding posture of the user terminal 100 from the output of the sensor and perform processing according to the holding posture. For example, when the user terminal 100 is held vertically, the processor 10 may display a vertically long image on the display unit 152. On the other hand, when the user terminal 100 is held horizontally, a horizontal screen display may be used in which a horizontally long image is displayed on the display unit. In this way, the processor 10 may be able to switch between vertical screen display and horizontal screen display depending on the holding posture of the user terminal 100.

The camera 17 includes an image sensor and the like, and generates a captured image by converting incident light that enters from a lens into an electrical signal.

The distance sensor 18 is a sensor that measures the distance to the object to be measured. The distance measurement sensor 18 includes, for example, a light source that emits pulse-converted light and a light receiving element that receives the light. The distance sensor 18 measures the distance to the object to be measured based on the timing of light emission from the light source and the timing of reception of reflected light generated when the light emitted from the light source hits the object and is reflected. The distance sensor 18 may include a light source that emits light with directivity.

Here, an example will be further described in which the user terminal 100 uses the camera 17 and the ranging sensor 18 to receive a detection result of detecting an object 1010 in the vicinity of the user terminal 100 as a user's input operation. The camera 17 and the ranging sensor 18 may be provided, for example, on the side surface of the housing of the user terminal 100. A distance measuring sensor 18 may be provided near the camera 17. As the camera 17, for example, an infrared camera can be used. In this case, the camera 17 may be provided with a lighting device that emits infrared rays, a filter that blocks visible light, and the like. This makes it possible to further improve the accuracy of object detection based on images captured by the camera 17, regardless of whether the object is outdoors or indoors.

The processor 10 may perform, for example, one or more of the following processes (1) to (5) on the captured image of the camera 17. (1) The processor 10 performs image recognition processing on the image taken by the camera 17 to identify whether or not the user's hand is included in the image taken. The processor 10 may use a technique such as pattern matching, for example, as an analysis technique employed in the image recognition process described above. (2) The processor 10 also detects the user's gestures from the shape of the user's hands. For example, the processor 10 identifies the number of fingers of the user (the number of extended fingers) from the shape of the user's hand detected from the photographed image. The processor 10 further identifies the gesture performed by the user from the identified number of fingers. For example, if the number of fingers is five, the processor 10 determines that the user has made a "pa" gesture. Furthermore, when the number of fingers is 0 (no fingers are detected), the processor 10 determines that the user has made a "goo" gesture. Further, if the number of fingers is two, the processor 10 determines that the user has made a "choki" gesture. (3) The processor 10 performs image recognition processing on the image captured by the camera 17 to detect whether the user's finger is in a state where only the index finger is held up or whether the user's finger is in a flicking motion. . (4) The processor 10 determines whether an object 1010 (such as a user's hand, ) and the user terminal 100 is detected. For example, the processor 10 determines whether the user's hand is close to the user terminal 100 (for example, at a distance less than a predetermined value) or far away (for example, at a distance less than a predetermined value), depending on the size of the shape of the user's hand identified from the captured image of the camera 17. or more distance). Note that when the captured image is a moving image, the processor 10 may detect whether the user's hand is approaching or moving away from the user terminal 100. (5) If it is found that the distance between the user terminal 100 and the user's hand has changed while the user's hand has been detected based on the image recognition result of the image taken by the camera 17, the processor 10 recognizes that the user is waving his hand in the photographing direction of the camera 17. When an object is detected or not detected by the ranging sensor 18, which has stronger directivity than the shooting range of the camera 17, the processor 10 detects that the user is waving his/her hand in a direction perpendicular to the shooting direction of the camera. recognize.

In this way, the processor 10 determines whether the user is clasping his/her hands (a "goo" gesture or another gesture (for example, "paa") by image recognition of the image taken by the camera 17. ). The processor 10 also detects the shape of the user's hand and how the user moves the hand. The processor 10 also detects whether the user is moving his hand closer to or away from the user terminal 100. Such an operation can correspond to, for example, an operation using a pointing device such as a mouse or a touch panel. For example, the user terminal 100 moves the pointer on the touch screen 15 according to the movement of the user's hand, and detects the user's gesture “goo”. In this case, the user terminal 100 recognizes that the user is continuing the selection operation. Continuation of the selection operation corresponds to, for example, the mouse being clicked and kept pressed in, or the mouse being touched after a touch down operation is performed on the touch panel. Further, when the user further moves his/her hand while the user's gesture "goo" is being detected, the user terminal 100 detects a series of such gestures as an operation corresponding to a swipe operation (or drag operation). It can also be recognized. Further, when the user terminal 100 detects a gesture such as a flick of the user's finger based on the detection result of the user's hand based on the captured image of the camera 17, the user terminal 100 converts the gesture into a mouse click or a tap operation on the touch panel. It may be recognized as an operation corresponding to .

<Game Overview>
In the game system 1, a game program for executing a game (hereinafter referred to as the present game) is basically provided free of charge from the server 200 to the user terminal 100. Some of the services in this game are provided for a fee. As an example, the game executed by the game system 1 (hereinafter referred to as the present game) is a so-called item charge system game.

In this embodiment, as an example, some of the game media available within the game are provided for a fee. The game medium is, for example, digital data configured to imitate tangible objects such as cards, characters, and items in the game. Alternatively, the game medium may have intangible value, such as increments in parameters such as the characters mentioned above, stamina consumed to play stages or quests in the game, and the right to progress the game to a predetermined situation. It may be digital data configured as .

In this embodiment, as an example, the game medium provided for a fee is an item, for example, shaped like a diamond. For example, assume that in this game, diamonds are consumed in exchange for other game media that can be used within the game. In this embodiment, it is assumed that diamonds can be exchanged for an increase in the character's ability parameters, the right to perform a lottery in which the character wins, or the like.

In this embodiment, diamonds may be distributed for free when a user plays a game and meets a predetermined condition. In the game system 1, the server 200 and the user terminal 100 may or may not distinguish whether diamonds are distributed for a fee or for free.

<Functional configuration of game system 1>
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the server 200 and user terminal 100 included in the game system 1. Each of the server 200 and the user terminal 100 may include a functional configuration (not shown) necessary for functioning as a general computer and a functional configuration necessary for realizing a known function in a game.

The user terminal 100 has a function as an input device that receives input operations from a user, and a function as an output device that outputs images and sounds of the game. The user terminal 100 functions as a control unit 110 and a storage unit 120 through cooperation of the processor 10, memory 11, storage 12, communication IF 13, input/output IF 14, and the like.

The server 200 has a function of communicating with each user terminal 100 and supporting the user terminal 100 to progress the game. If the game is a multiplayer game, the server 200 may have a function of communicating with each user terminal 100 participating in the game and mediating interactions between the user terminals 100. The server 200 functions as a control unit 210 and a storage unit 220 through cooperation of the processor 20, memory 21, storage 22, communication IF 23, input/output IF 24, and the like.

Storage unit 120 and storage unit 220 store game programs, game information 132, and user information 133. The game program 131 is a game program executed by the user terminal 100. The game program 231 is a game program executed by the server 200. Game information 132 is data referenced by control unit 110 and control unit 210 when executing a game program. User information 133 is data related to a user's account. In the storage unit 220, game information 132 and user information 133 are stored for each user terminal 100.

(Functional configuration of server 200)
The control unit 210 centrally controls the server 200 by executing the game program 231 stored in the storage unit 220. For example, the control unit 210 transmits various data, programs, etc. to the user terminal 100. The control unit 210 receives part or all of the game information or user information from the user terminal 100. If the game is a multiplayer game, the control unit 210 may receive a multiplayer synchronization request from the user terminal 100 and transmit data for synchronization to the user terminal 100.

The control unit 210 functions as a progress support unit 211, a sales processing unit 212, a service provision unit 213, and a benefit provision unit 214 according to the description of the game program 231. The control unit 210 can also function as other functional blocks (not shown) in order to support the progress of the game on the user terminal 100, depending on the nature of the game to be executed.

The progress support unit 211 communicates with the user terminal 100 and provides support for the user terminal 100 to progress through various play parts included in this game. For example, depending on which of the above play parts is being executed, information to be referenced by the user terminal 100 at that time is provided as appropriate.

The sales processing unit 212 communicates with the purchase processing unit 112 of the user terminal 100 and executes sales processing. Specifically, the sales processing unit 212 accepts payment from the user to the operating organization that provides the game. Then, each unit that provides the requested service, which will be described later, is controlled so as to provide the requested service to the user.

The service providing unit 213 provides a service to the service receiving unit 113 of the user terminal 100. In this embodiment, the period during which the service is provided is predetermined as the contract period. When the sales processing unit 212 receives payment for the service from the user, the service providing unit 213 provides the service to the user terminal 100 of the user, for example, periodically during a predetermined contract period.

The benefit providing unit 214 provides the user terminal 100 of the user with a benefit based on the relationship between the time of payment, which is the time when the user paid the price, and the contract period.

Specifically, in this embodiment, the service providing unit 213 provides a fixed period service within a contract period in which the start and end points of the contract are uniformly fixed in advance regardless of the user. The sales processing unit 212 accepts payment for the fixed period service before the end of the contract period. Then, payment for the fixed period service may be accepted after the start of the contract period.

The service providing unit 213 provides the user with services corresponding to the actual contract period from the later of the start of the contract period or the payment time to the end of the contract period.

If the payment point is later than the start point, that is, if the actual contract period is shorter than the fixed contract period, the sales processing unit 212 determines that the service will not be provided between the start of the contract period and the payment point. It is determined that it is necessary to provide a benefit to the user as compensation for the fact that the user has not received a benefit.

The benefit providing unit 214 provides a benefit to the user according to the length of time that has elapsed from the start time to the payment time, according to the determination by the sales processing unit 212. The benefit providing unit 214 may provide the benefit at any timing after the sales processing unit 212 receives payment for the fixed period service. The benefit providing unit 214 may provide the benefits to be provided in multiple installments, or may provide the benefits to be provided all at once.

(Functional configuration of user terminal 100)
The control unit 110 comprehensively controls the user terminal 100 by executing the game program 131 stored in the storage unit 120. For example, the control unit 110 advances the game according to the game program 131 and the user's operations. Further, while the game is progressing, the control unit 110 communicates with the server 200 to send and receive information as necessary.

The control unit 110 functions as a game progression unit 111, a purchase processing unit 112, a service reception unit 113, and a benefit reception unit 114 according to the description of the game program 131.

Note that the control unit 110 can also function as other functional blocks (not shown) in order to advance the game depending on the nature of the game to be executed.

Furthermore, the control unit 110 also functions as an operation reception unit (not shown), a display control unit, and the like. The operation reception unit detects and accepts a user's input operation on the input unit 151. For example, the operation reception unit detects the coordinates of the input position on the input unit 151 of the above-mentioned input operation, and specifies the type of the input operation. The operation reception unit specifies, for example, a touch operation, a slide operation, a swipe operation, a tap operation, and the like. The display control unit outputs, to the display unit 152 of the touch screen 15, a game screen on which the processing results executed by each unit of the control unit 110 are reflected. The display control section may display a game screen including images generated by each section of the control section 110 on the display section 152. Further, the display control unit may draw a graphical user interface (hereinafter referred to as GUI) superimposed on the game screen.

The game progression unit 111 advances each game part that is an element constituting the present game. For example, if this game is a puzzle game and includes a puzzle part as an element constituting this game, the game progression unit 111 communicates with the progression support unit 211 of the server 200 to advance the puzzle part. let

The purchase processing unit 112 executes a purchase process for the user to pay for the service to the operating organization that provides the game. When the purchase processing unit 112 executes the purchase process, the user can pay the operating organization for the service provided within the game, and can enjoy the service. The consideration for the service may be paid in real-world currency, electronic money, virtual currency such as points, or in-game virtual currency such as diamonds, crystals, coins, and gold that have value in the game. May be paid. Here, paying a price for a service is uniformly referred to as a purchase, regardless of the nature of the distribution medium used as the price.

The service receiving unit 113 allows the user to enjoy the benefits of the service provided by the service providing unit 213 of the server 200. Since the service is a fixed period service, the service receiving unit 113 allows the user to enjoy the benefits of the fixed period service periodically, for example, during a predetermined contract period, particularly during the actual contract period.

For example, in a fixed period service, a login bonus exclusively for the contracted user who purchased the service is given each day when the contracted user logs in. Login bonuses exclusive to contract users have higher in-game value than login bonuses given to general users who have not purchased the fixed period service.

Alternatively, for example, a fixed period service grants the contracted user the right to challenge daily missions exclusive to the contracted user who purchased the service each day. The reward given when a daily mission exclusive to a contract user is completed has a higher in-game value than the daily mission achievement reward imposed on a general user who has not purchased a fixed period service.

A login bonus is an in-game value that is given to a user as a reward for logging in to the present game when the user logs in at the beginning of the day.

The daily mission is a goal that the user can achieve by playing a game part, and is imposed on the user each day. When a user plays a game part, for example, a puzzle part, and achieves a predetermined goal, a daily mission achievement reward is given to the user.

When a benefit is provided by the benefit providing section 214 of the server 200, the benefit receiving unit 114 allows the user to enjoy the benefits associated with the benefit. In this embodiment, benefits are granted according to the length of time that has elapsed from the start of the contract period to the time of payment.

The rewards, bonuses, and benefits mentioned above are provided to the user in the form of game media available within the game. The game medium may be digital data that has value within the game, and may be configured to imitate tangible objects such as cards, characters, items, virtual currency, diamonds, tickets, etc. that can be used within the game. , the right to equip characters with abilities, the right to play limited quests or stages, the right to expand the holding limit of items or cards, points that can be exchanged for various in-game values, and set for users or characters. It may also be configured as an intangible value, such as an increment of various parameters.

In this embodiment, as an example, the above-mentioned benefit may be a login bonus equivalent to the number of days that have passed from the start of the contract period to the time of payment, or an achievement reward equivalent to the number of days that have passed from the start of the contract period to the time of payment. , the right to challenge the daily mission as many times as the number of days that have elapsed.

In addition, an example of granting in-game value such as digital data such as rewards to a user is to transition the status of the in-game value, which is managed in association with the user, from unusable to usable. There may be. Alternatively, the in-game value may be stored in at least one of the memories (memory 11, memory 21) included in the game system 1 in association with user identification information or user ID. Allowing the user to "possession" and "obtaining" in-game value are synonymous with providing the above-mentioned in-game value to the user.

Here, "high in-game value" of rewards, bonuses, benefits, etc. means that the user can enjoy many in-game benefits or have few disadvantages by using them in the game. Point. For example, "high in-game value" such as rewards, bonuses, and benefits means that there is a large amount of game media available, that the game media used has a high effect on the advantageous progress of the game, and that the in-game value is high. It refers to the long validity period of the available rights, the large number of times the rights are used, and the reduction in the amount of game media consumed in progressing the game.

Note that the functions of the server 200 and the user terminal 100 shown in FIG. 2 are merely examples. The server 200 may include at least some of the functions included in the user terminal 100. Further, the user terminal 100 may include at least some of the functions provided by the server 200. Furthermore, a device other than the user terminal 100 and the server 200 may be used as a component of the game system 1, and a part of the processing in the game system 1 may be executed by the other device. That is, the computer that executes the game program in this embodiment may be any of the user terminal 100, the server 200, and other devices, or may be realized by a combination of these devices.

<About monthly service contract period>
In this embodiment, as an example, the fixed period service provided by the service providing unit 213 is a monthly service. The first fee, which is the consideration for the monthly service, is a monthly fee, and by paying the monthly fee, a monthly contract is concluded between the user and the operating organization. For contract users who have purchased monthly service, monthly service will be provided for the actual contract period from the later of the contract period start date and payment date to the end date of the contract period. Ru. For example, as in the above example, a log-in bonus exclusive to the contracted user and the right to challenge the daily mission are granted each day during the actual contract period.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of how to determine the contract period in the monthly service provided by the game system 1 according to the present embodiment.

In the present embodiment, as an example, the start and end points of the monthly contract period for the monthly service are uniformly fixed in advance, regardless of the user or the time of payment by the user. As an example, the start point of a monthly service contract period is the first day of the month, and the end point is the last day of the month. For example, the contract period for January's monthly service is from January 1st to January 31st, and the contract period for February's monthly service is from February 1st to February 28th. 29th).

In this embodiment, as an example, payment for the monthly service is accepted from before the start of the contract period to before the end of the contract period. Hereinafter, the payment for the monthly service will be referred to as a first payment.

In this embodiment, the sales processing unit 212 defines the actual contract period from the later of the start of the contract period and the payment time of receiving the first payment from the user to the end of the contract period. It is determined that The service providing unit 213 provides the user terminal 100 of the user with a monthly service corresponding to the actual contract period. Specifically, the service providing unit 213 periodically provides monthly services during the actual contract period. More specifically, the service providing unit 213 provides the user terminal 100 with a login bonus exclusively for the contracted user and the right to challenge the daily mission on each day during the actual contract period.

Specifically, if the sales processing unit 212 receives the first payment for the current month from the user at or before the start of the contract period, the service providing unit 213 receives the first payment from the user from the first day to the last day of the current month. Monthly service will be provided on each day during the period. In the illustrated example, if the sales processing unit 212 receives the "first payment (2)" for February on January 30th, the sales processing unit 212 changes the actual contract period (2) for February from February 1st to February 30th. 28th (February 29th in leap years). The service providing unit 213 provides monthly services for February each day during the actual contract period.

Or, specifically, if the sales processing unit 212 receives the first payment of the current month from the user after the start of the contract period, the service provision unit 213 Provide monthly service. In the illustrated example, if the sales processing unit 212 receives the "first payment (1)" for January on January 11, the sales processing unit 212 changes the effective contract period (1) for January from January 11 to January 1. The deadline is set as 31st. The service providing unit 213 provides a monthly service for January each day during the actual contract period.

As described above, in the monthly service according to the present embodiment, depending on the timing of the first payment, the uniformly fixed contract period may not match the actual contract period during which the monthly service is actually provided.

If the sales processing unit 212 determines that the time of payment for the monthly service of the current month is later than the start of the contract period of the current month, the benefit provision unit 214 calculates the amount of time that has elapsed from the start of the contract period to the time of payment. Provide benefits to users depending on the length.

In the illustrated example, if the sales processing unit 212 accepts the "first payment (1)" for January on January 11, the length of time that has passed from the start point to the payment point is the contract period. This is a total of 10 days from January 1st, the start of the period, to January 10th, the day before the payment date. Therefore, the benefit providing unit 214 provides the above-mentioned user with a benefit having a value corresponding to 10 days.

The benefit providing unit 214 may allow the user to retain the login bonus for 10 days from January 1st to January 10th, which the user missed the opportunity to obtain, all at once or in divided pieces. Alternatively, the benefit providing unit 214 may allow the user to retain the reward for completing the daily mission for 10 days that the user missed the opportunity to try, all at once or in parts. Alternatively, the benefit providing unit 214 may grant the user the right to challenge the daily mission 10 times, which corresponds to the 10 days during which the user missed the opportunity to challenge, all at once or in parts.

Alternatively, the benefit providing unit 214 reduces the in-game value of the login bonus for 10 days by a predetermined amount (for example, about 20%) and provides the in-game value to the user, taking into account the average login status of the user of the game. You may. In addition, the benefit providing unit 214 reduces the in-game value of the achievement reward for 10 days by a predetermined amount (for example, about 20%), taking into account the average daily mission achievement status of the users of this game. It may be provided to the user.

In another example, the benefit providing unit 214 may replace the in-game value equivalent to 10 days of login bonuses or achievement rewards with another type of game media, and provide this to the user as a benefit.

In yet another example, the service providing unit 213 may start providing the monthly service from the day after the payment date. In this case, in the illustrated example, the benefit providing unit 214 calculates the length of time that has passed from the start point to the payment point, from January 1st, which is the start point of the contract period, to January 11th, which is the payment point. It is determined that there are 11 days in total, and a benefit having a value corresponding to 11 days is provided to the above-mentioned user.

<Processing overview>
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing executed in the game system 1.

In this embodiment, the game system 1 is configured to execute the following steps based on the game program 231 or the game program 131 in order to encourage the user to use the service. Specifically, in step S101, the sales processing unit 212 calculates the price of the service provided within the contract period in which the start and end points of the contract are uniformly fixed in advance regardless of the user. Accept payment processing from users. In step S102, in response to receiving payment processing from the user, the service providing unit 213 provides the service to the user until the end point arrives within the contract period. In step S103, in response to receiving the payment process from the user, the benefit providing unit 214 determines that the amount of time that has elapsed from the start of the contract period of the service related to the payment process to the payment time when the payment process was accepted. Identify the elapsed period. In step S104, the benefit providing unit 214 determines a benefit to be given to the user according to the length of the specified elapsed period. In step S105, the benefit providing unit 214 grants the determined benefit to the user.

For example, in the above-mentioned determining step, the benefit to be given to the user may be determined such that the longer the elapsed period, the higher the value in the game. Benefits with high in-game value include, for example, a large number of benefits, a high degree of advantageous effect on game progress when the benefits are used, and the like.

At any timing from step S101 to step S102, the sales processing unit 212 determines whether the time of payment when payment processing is accepted is within the contract period of the service purchased by the payment processing or before the contract period. You may perform the determination process which determines whether it is after the period. The service providing unit 213 may omit the process of step S102 if the payment time is after the contract period. The benefit providing unit 214 may omit the processing of steps S103 to S105 if the payment time is before the contract period.

Alternatively, the sales processing unit 212 may omit the above-described determination process of determining the context between the payment point and the contract period. In this case, the benefit providing unit 214 specifies the elapsed period in step S103, regardless of the relationship between the time of payment and the contract period. If the elapsed period is zero or a negative value, that is, if the payment time is before the contract period, the benefit providing unit 214 omits the processing of steps S104 to S105. If the elapsed period is a positive value, the benefit providing unit 214 determines the benefit to be given to the user according to the length of the elapsed period.

<Data structure>
5 to 9 are diagrams showing examples of data structures of benefit calculation rules. The benefit calculation rule is information indicating a rule by which the benefit providing unit 214 calculates the benefit to be provided to the user based on the relationship between the time of payment, which is the time when the user paid the consideration, and the contract period. Specifically, the benefit calculation rule is information that indicates the correspondence between the length of time that has elapsed from the contract period to the time of payment by the user, for example, the number of elapsed days, and the benefit that is granted to the user. . As an example, the specific calculation rule may be realized by a function or calculation formula determined to calculate benefits from the number of elapsed days, or may be realized by a table that associates the number of elapsed days with benefits.

The benefit calculation rules are stored in advance in the storage unit 220 of the server 200 and are referenced by the benefit providing unit 214.

(Benefit calculation rules - first case)
(A) to (D) in FIG. 5 show examples of benefit calculation rules referenced by the benefit providing unit 214 in the first case.

In the first case, the service providing unit 213 provides a login bonus, which has a higher in-game value than that provided to general users, each day to the logged-in contract user as a monthly service. In the first case, the benefit providing unit 214 provides the user with a login bonus as a benefit according to the number of days that have passed from the start of the contract period to the time of payment, for example, the number of days from the start date to the day before the payment date. do.

In the first case, a user who was eligible to receive a login bonus during the period from the start date to the day before the payment date but has lost the opportunity to receive it will receive the login bonus itself that was missed or the login bonus that was missed. To hold another game medium having an in-game value equivalent to a bonus. This makes it possible to compensate for the loss of the login bonus that you failed to receive.

As shown in (A) of FIG. 5, the benefit calculation rule may be a function or a calculation formula. In step S104 shown in FIG. 4, the benefit providing unit 214 obtains the number of days that have passed from the start of the contract period to the time of payment for the contracted user to whom the benefit is to be provided, and calculates the number of days that have passed and (A) in FIG. Benefits are calculated based on the formula shown. For example, the benefit providing unit 214 divides the in-game value of the login bonus that a contract user who logs in every day during the contract period (for example, 30 days) is supposed to earn by the number of days in the contract period, and calculates the value per day. Calculate the in-game value of the login bonus. Then, the benefit providing unit 214 multiplies the in-game value of the daily login bonus by the number of elapsed days described above to obtain the in-game value of the benefit to be given to the user.

In another example, if the same amount of the same game content is provided each day you log in as a login bonus, the benefit providing unit 214 may provide the above-mentioned game content as a benefit based on the amount provided per day x the number of days that have passed. The quantity of game media may also be determined.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 5(B), the benefit calculation rule may be a table in which the number of elapsed days and benefits are associated. In step S104, the benefit providing unit 214 acquires the number of days that have passed for the contract user, and specifies the benefit corresponding to the acquired number of days that have passed in the table.

Alternatively, the benefit providing unit 214 may be configured to directly provide the login bonus that the user failed to receive as a benefit. In this case, as shown in FIG. 5C, the benefit providing unit 214 creates a login bonus list indicating what day of login will be given as a login bonus, and a log-in bonus list as shown in FIG. A table in which the number of days and benefits are associated is referred to as a benefit calculation rule. In step S104, the benefit providing unit 214 acquires the number of days that have passed for the contract user, and specifies the benefit corresponding to the acquired number of days that have passed in the table. In the benefit providing section 214, information indicating which day the login bonus is to be provided as a benefit is stored in the benefit column. For example, if the number of elapsed days is 7 days, the benefit providing unit 214 identifies the login bonuses that should have been received on each day from the 1st day to the 7th day from the login bonus list, and A bonus is provided to a user as a benefit.

In this embodiment, as an example, the service providing unit 213 periodically repeatedly provides login bonuses from the first day to the seventh day after the eighth day of login. Therefore, for example, if the number of days that have passed is 10, the benefit providing unit 214 specifies the login bonus that should have been received on each day from the 1st day to the 7th day, and also specifies the login bonus for the 3rd day from the 1st day. The login bonuses up to the 1st day are identified as the login bonuses that should have been received on each day from the 8th day to the 10th day. Then, the benefit providing unit 214 provides the user with a login bonus for each day specified from the first day to the tenth day as a benefit.

In another example, the benefit providing unit 214 retroactively obtains the actual number of login days of the user during a period in which the user failed to receive the login bonus exclusive to the subscriber, and provides the login bonus corresponding to the actual number of login days to the user. It may be provided to the user.

(Benefit calculation rules - second case)
(A) and (B) of FIG. 6 show an example of the benefit calculation rule referred to by the benefit providing unit 214 in the second case.

In the second case, similar to the first case, the service providing unit 213 provides a monthly service that provides logged-in contract users with a login bonus that has a higher in-game value than that provided to general users each day. I will provide a. In the second case, the benefit providing unit 214 provides an amount of in-game virtual currency corresponding to the in-game value of the login bonus according to the number of days that have passed, for example, the number of days from the start date of the contract period to the day before the payment date. For example, coins are provided to users as benefits.

In the second case, a user who was eligible to receive a login bonus during the period from the start date to the day before the payment date, but has lost the opportunity to receive it, will receive an additional account with in-game value equivalent to the login bonus that was missed. The game medium, specifically, coins, which are in-game virtual currency, are held. This makes it possible to compensate for the loss of the login bonus that you failed to receive.

As shown in (A) of FIG. 6, the benefit calculation rule may be a function or a calculation formula. In step S104 shown in FIG. 4, the benefit providing unit 214 acquires the number of days that have passed from the start of the contract period to the time of payment for the contracted user to whom the benefit is to be provided, and calculates the number of days that have passed and (A) in FIG. Benefits are calculated based on the formula shown. For example, the benefit providing unit 214 multiplies the number of coins equivalent to the in-game value of the login bonus earned in one day by the number of elapsed days described above to determine the number of coins to be given to the user as a benefit.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 6(B), the benefit calculation rule may be a table in which the number of elapsed days and benefits are associated. In step S104, the benefit providing unit 214 acquires the number of days that have passed for the contracted user, and identifies the benefit, specifically, the quantity of coins, corresponding to the acquired number of days that have passed in the table.

(Benefit calculation rules - third case)
(A) and (B) of FIG. 7 show an example of the benefit calculation rule referred to by the benefit providing unit 214 in the third case.

In the third case, the service providing unit 213 provides the contracted user with the right to play a limited stage where general users can earn points, which cannot be played by general users, a predetermined number of times each day, for example, once, as a monthly service. . As an example, the service providing unit 213 may provide a service limited to contract users, such as having contract users compete for the amount of points earned within a predetermined period, and granting a predetermined reward to the contract user who has earned the most points. You may also hold an event. In the third case, the benefit providing unit 214 provides benefits useful for collecting points according to the number of days that have passed from the start of the contract period to the time of payment, for example, the number of days from the start date to the day before the payment date. to the user. For example, the benefit providing unit 214 provides the user with the amount of points estimated to have been collected in the number of days that have passed as a benefit.

In the third case, users who participated in the event during the period from the start date to the day before the payment date and were eligible to play the limited stage mentioned above, but lost the opportunity to play, will receive the points themselves. let This makes it possible to compensate for the loss of playing opportunities.

As shown in FIG. 7(A), the benefit calculation rule may be a function or a calculation formula. In step S104 shown in FIG. 4, the benefit providing unit 214 obtains the number of days that have passed from the start of the contract period to the time of payment for the contracted user to whom the benefit is to be provided, and calculates the number of days that have passed and (A) in FIG. Benefits are calculated based on the formula shown. For example, the benefit providing unit 214 multiplies the number of points estimated to be earned in one day by the number of elapsed days described above to determine the amount of points to be given to the user as a benefit.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 7B, the benefit calculation rule may be a table in which the number of elapsed days and benefits are associated. In step S104, the benefit providing unit 214 acquires the number of elapsed days for the contract user, and specifies the benefit, specifically, the amount of points, corresponding to the acquired number of elapsed days in the table.

(Benefit calculation rules - 4th case)
(A) and (B) of FIG. 8 show an example of the benefit calculation rule referred to by the benefit providing unit 214 in the fourth case.

In the fourth case, similarly to the third case, the service providing unit 213 provides the contracted user with the right to play a limited stage where points can be earned a predetermined number of times, for example, once each day. In the fourth case, the benefit providing unit 214 provides the user with the right to play the limited stage a number of times according to the number of elapsed days, for example, from the start date of the contract period to the day before the payment date, as a benefit. .

In the fourth case, users who participated in the event during the period from the start date to the day before the payment date and were eligible to play the limited stage described above, but lost the opportunity to play, will be given the opportunity to play the limited stage. Grant the right to do so. This makes it possible to compensate for the loss of playing opportunities.

As shown in (A) of FIG. 8, the benefit calculation rule may be a function or a calculation formula. In step S104 shown in FIG. 4, the benefit providing unit 214 acquires the number of days that have passed from the start of the contract period to the time of payment for the contracted user to whom the benefit is to be provided, and calculates the number of days that have passed and (A) in FIG. Benefits are calculated based on the formula shown. For example, the benefit providing unit 214 multiplies the number of times the limited stage can be played in one day, for example once, by the number of elapsed days described above to obtain the number of times the limited stage is allowed to be played by the user as a benefit.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 8B, the benefit calculation rule may be a table in which the number of elapsed days and benefits are associated. In step S104, the benefit providing unit 214 acquires the number of elapsed days for the contracted user, and specifies the benefit corresponding to the acquired number of elapsed days in the table, specifically, the number of times the user is allowed to play the limited stage.

(Benefit calculation rules - 5th case)
FIG. 9 shows an example of a benefit calculation rule referred to by the benefit providing unit 214 in the fifth case.

In the fifth case, similar to the third and fourth cases, the service providing unit 213 grants the contracted user the right to play a limited stage where points can be earned a predetermined number of times, for example, once each day. provide. In the fifth case, the benefit providing unit 214 sets the limited stage to the third and fourth stages if the number of elapsed days, for example, the number of days from the start date of the contract period to the day before the payment date, is less than a predetermined number of days. Similar to the case, benefits effective for collecting points are provided to the user according to the number of days that have passed. On the other hand, if the number of days that have elapsed is a predetermined number or more, the benefit providing unit 214 provides the user with the right to play the limited stage any time without limit as a benefit that is more effective by collecting points.

Specifically, if the number of days elapsed is less than 20 days, similarly to the third and fourth cases, the benefit providing unit 214 provides the user with benefits useful for collecting points according to the number of days elapsed. If the number of days that have passed is 20 or more, the user is provided with the right to play the limited stage at any time without any limit.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to more fully compensate a contracted user who has entered into a contract just before the end of the contract period and is therefore at an extremely disadvantageous competition for the amount of points earned in an event.

Alternatively, in the sixth case, similar to the third and fourth cases, the service providing unit 213 grants the contracted user the right to play a limited stage where points can be earned a predetermined number of times, for example, once each day. Provided for. In the sixth case, the benefit providing unit 214 may adjust the amount of points that the user obtains as a clear reward for clearing the limited stage, depending on the number of days that have passed. For example, in accordance with a benefit calculation rule (not shown), the benefit providing unit 214 grants points as a reward for clearing the limited stage to a contracted user for whom less than 10 days have elapsed, as specified, and for which the number of elapsed days is 10 to 10 days. For users who have been under contract for less than 25 days, we will give points equal to 1.2 times the specified amount above as a reward for clearing the limited stage, and for users who have been under contract for 25 days or more, we will give you points for clearing the limited stage. Points 1.5 times the above-mentioned prescribed amount may be given as a reward.

<Effect>
As described above, according to the above-described configuration and method, the following effects are achieved for fixed-term services provided within a contract period in which the start and end points of a contract are uniformly fixed in advance regardless of the user. .

If the consideration for such services is paid after the start of the fixed term of the contract, the period during which the fixed term service is provided shall actually extend from the point of payment at which the consideration is accepted to the term of the contract. Limited to the actual contract period up to the point of termination. However, according to the above configuration and method, benefits are provided to the user according to the length of time that has elapsed from the start of the contract to the time of payment.

As a result, it is possible to construct a billing system for fixed-term services that can compensate for the loss of users who fail to enjoy the benefits of fixed-term services because payments are made after the start of the contract. becomes.

For example, the privilege is provided to the user such that the longer the elapsed time, the higher the in-game value. More specifically, the longer the elapsed time, the greater the amount of benefits provided to the user.

This makes it possible to construct a reasonable billing system that fairly compensates for losses that increase as payments are delayed. According to such a system, even if a long time has elapsed from the start of the contract period to the present moment, the user does not hesitate to sign the contract, and when he or she wants to receive a fixed-term service, he or she can sign the contract without hesitation. can be started.

For example, if a fixed-term service is a monthly service from the first day of the month to the last day of the month, conventionally, the closer the end of the month is, the more worried the user will be about the loss of the service they are missing, and they will not sign up for the contract until the next month. Expect to wait. However, according to the billing mechanism constructed according to the present embodiment, the loss is compensated according to the length of elapsed time, that is, according to the magnitude of the loss, and no disadvantage arises due to a delay in the contract. Therefore, the user can start the contract without hesitation whenever he or she wants to start, regardless of whether it is at the end of the month.

The charging mechanism constructed according to the present embodiment has an advantageous effect on the management organization that provides the game service.

Specifically, in the case of a service that provides a contract period of a fixed length starting from the payment time for each user whose payment time varies, the contract period differs from user to user. Therefore, if the management organization tries to provide services for contracted users, some users will be able to participate in the limited-time event and others will not be able to participate due to timing, creating an unfair situation among the contracted users.

Therefore, there is a desire among operating organizations to adopt the above-mentioned fixed period service rather than a service in which the starting point of the contract period differs for each user. According to the above-described structure and method, the operating organization can provide fixed-term services so that delays in payment do not result in losses. The billing mechanism of this embodiment has a particularly advantageous effect for an operating organization that intends to provide a limited-time event as part of a fixed-period service.

Furthermore, according to the billing mechanism of this embodiment, the operating organization can uniformly set the start and end points of the contract period for all contract users, and there is no need to manage the contract period for each user. Because there is no need to do so, the effort involved in managing contracts can be significantly reduced.

In addition, the billing mechanism of this embodiment compensates for losses with benefits instead of discounting the purchase price of fixed-term services according to the length of time that has passed from the start of the contract period to the time of payment. It is something. Therefore, the operating organization can sell the fixed period service at a uniform sales amount without adjusting the sales amount depending on the relationship between the contract user's payment point and the start point of the contract period. Therefore, processing related to payments, settlements, etc. can be greatly simplified.

[Modified example]
The progress support unit 211 preferably executes a process of displaying a user interface (hereinafter referred to as UI) screen on the display unit 152 of the user terminal 100 for the user to perform an input operation to pay for the fixed period service. Specifically, the progress support unit 211 preferably provides the purchase processing unit 112 with information necessary to generate the above-mentioned UI screen.

The purchase processing unit 112 generates a UI screen based on the information received from the progress support unit 211 and displays it on the display unit 152.

The UI screen displayed on the display unit 152 includes, for example, a button for purchasing a fixed period service. Further, the UI screen may include information indicating benefits that will be given to the user if the fixed period service is purchased at the current time.

Specifically, the progress support unit 211 assumes that the time when the UI screen is displayed is the payment time, and calculates the payment time assumed from the start of the contract period set for the fixed period service currently on sale. The information on the UI screen includes information indicating a benefit to be given according to the elapsed time.

As a result, the purchase processing unit 112 of the user terminal 100 places information indicating the benefits that are scheduled to be granted if purchased at the current time on the same screen as the button for purchasing the fixed period service, and displays the details of the benefits to the user. It becomes possible to inform.

According to the above configuration, if the user purchases a fixed period service at this timing, the user can check what kind of benefits will be given as compensation for missing the service due to a delay in payment. It becomes possible to do so. Since the user can confirm that the loss will be compensated, the user can purchase the fixed-term service without hesitation at the desired time, regardless of the timing of payment.

[Example of implementation using software]
Control blocks of the control unit 210 (especially the progress support unit 211, sales processing unit 212, service provision unit 213, and benefit provision unit 214) and control blocks of the control unit 110 (particularly the game progress unit 111, the purchase processing unit 112) , service receiving unit 113 and benefit receiving unit 114) may be realized by a logic circuit (hardware) formed on an integrated circuit (IC chip) or the like, or may be realized by software using a CPU (Central Processing Unit). You may.

In the latter case, the information processing device equipped with the functions of the control unit 210, the control unit 110, or both includes a CPU that executes the instructions of a program that is software that realizes each function, and a computer (or The computer is equipped with a ROM (Read Only Memory) or a storage device (these are referred to as a "recording medium") that is readable by a CPU (CPU), and a RAM (Random Access Memory) for expanding the above program. Then, the object of the present invention is achieved by the computer (or CPU) reading the program from the recording medium and executing it. As the recording medium, a "non-temporary tangible medium" such as a tape, a disk, a card, a semiconductor memory, a programmable logic circuit, etc. can be used. Furthermore, the program may be supplied to the computer via any transmission medium (communication network, broadcast waves, etc.) that can transmit the program. Note that one aspect of the present invention can also be realized in the form of a data signal embedded in a carrier wave, in which the program is embodied by electronic transmission.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, and embodiments obtained by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in different embodiments. are also included within the technical scope of the present invention.

[Additional notes]
The contents related to one aspect of the present invention are listed below.

(Item 1) The game program (131, 231) was explained. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a game program is executed by a computer (at least one of user terminal 100 and server 200) including a processor (10, 20) and memory (11, 21). The game program requires the processor to pay the price for the service (fixed period service, monthly service) provided within the contract period whose start and end points are uniformly fixed in advance regardless of the user. a step of accepting a payment process from a user (S101); a step of providing a service to the user until the end point arrives within the contract period in response to receiving a payment process from the user (S102); a step (S103) of specifying the elapsed period that has elapsed from the start of the contract period of the service related to the payment process to the payment time when the payment process is accepted; Depending on the length of the period, a step of determining a benefit to be given to the user (S104) and a step of granting the determined benefit to the user (S105) are executed. According to the above configuration, the user is provided with benefits depending on the length of time that has elapsed from the start of the contract to the time of payment. This makes it possible to build a billing system that can compensate for the loss of users who fail to enjoy the benefits of services with a fixed period because their payments are made after the start of the contract. Become. As a result, this has the effect of increasing the user's satisfaction with billing and encouraging the user to use the services provided within the game.

(Item 2) In (Item 1), in the determining step, the benefit to be given to the user may be determined such that the longer the elapsed period, the higher the value in the game.

(Item 3) In (Item 2), in the determining step, the longer the elapsed period, the greater the amount of benefits to be given to the user.

(Item 4) In (Item 2) or (Item 3), the step of providing provides, as a service, game media that can be used in the game to the user on each day until the end point arrives within the contract period. In the determining step, the game content corresponding to the number of days that have elapsed from the start time to the payment time, or another game content having an in-game value equivalent to the number of elapsed days worth of game content, is given to the user as a benefit. You may decide. As a result, it is possible to compensate for the loss incurred by a user who was entitled to receive the game content for the period from the start point to the payment point but did not have the opportunity to receive it.

(Item 5) In (Item 4), in the step of determining, an amount of virtual currency that can be used within the game and that corresponds to the number of elapsed days may be determined as a benefit to be given to the user.

(Item 6) In any one item from (Item 2) to (Item 5), the step of providing the service is to set a stage where points can be earned each day within the contract period until the end point arrives. In the step of providing and determining the right to play a number of times to the user, the privilege to be given to the user may be determined such that the more days elapsed from the start point to the payment point, the more beneficial it is for collecting points. As a result, it is possible to compensate for the loss incurred by a user who was eligible to play the limited stage during the period from the start time to the payment time but did not have the opportunity to play it.

(Item 7) In (Item 6), in the determining step, the amount of points to be given to the user as a benefit may be determined according to the number of days that have passed.

(Item 8) In (Item 6), in the determining step, the more days that have passed, the more privileges may be determined to give the user the right to play the stage more times than a predetermined number of times.

(Item 9) In (Item 6), in the determining step, if the number of elapsed days exceeds a predetermined number of days, the right to play the stage an unlimited number of times may be determined as a privilege to be granted to the user. This makes it possible to more fully compensate contracted users who are at an extreme disadvantage in collecting points because they signed a contract just before the end of their contract period.

(Item 10) In any one of (Item 1) to (Item 9), the game program provides a user interface (hereinafter referred to as UI) for the user to perform an input operation to pay the price for the service to the processor. Displaying the screen on a display section of the above-mentioned computer (user terminal 100) operated by the user or another computer (user terminal 100) operated by the user that communicates with the above-mentioned computer (server 200). In the step of executing and displaying, the UI screen may display benefits that are given according to the length of time that has passed, assuming that the time when the UI screen is displayed is the time of payment. While considering the purchase of a service by displaying the UI screen, the user can confirm through the UI screen that the loss will be compensated, so he or she can purchase a service with a fixed period without hesitation at the desired time. I can do it.

(Item 11) Explained how to run a game program. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a game program is executed by a computer including a processor and a memory. This method is a method in which a processor executes each step described in (Item 1). The method according to (Item 11) has the same effect as the game program according to (Item 1).

(Item 12) Information processing equipment was explained. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the information processing device includes a memory (memory 11, storage unit 120, memory 21, storage unit 220) that stores the game program according to (item 1), and a memory that stores the game program according to item 1. The information processing apparatus includes a processor (processor 10, control unit 110, processor 20, control unit 210) that controls the operation of the information processing device (user terminal 100, server 200). The information processing device according to (Item 12) has the same effect as the game program according to (Item 1).

1 Game system, 2 Network, 10, 20 Processor, 11, 21 Memory, 12, 22 Storage, 13, 23 Communication IF (operation unit), 14, 24 Input/output IF (operation unit), 15 Touch screen (display unit, operation unit), 17 camera (operation unit), 18 ranging sensor (operation unit), 100 user terminal (information processing device), 110, 210 control unit, 111 game progress unit, 112 purchase processing unit, 113 service receiving unit, 114 Benefit receiving unit, 120, 220 Storage unit, 131, 231 Game program, 132 Game information, 133 User information, 151 Input unit (operation unit), 152 Display unit, 200 Server, 211 Progress support unit, 212 Sales processing unit, 213 Service Providing Department, 214 Benefit Providing Department, 1010 Object, 1020 Controller (Operation Unit), 1030 Storage Medium

Claims (9)

A game program executed by a computer,
The game program causes the computer to
A reception means for accepting payment processing from a user for a service provided within a contract period in which the start and end points of the contract are uniformly fixed in advance regardless of the user;
providing means for providing the service to the user until the end point arrives within the contract period in response to receiving the payment process from the user;
Within the contract period after the start time, in response to receiving the payment process from the user, from the start time of the contract period for the service related to the payment process to the payment time when the payment process is accepted. identification means for identifying the elapsed period of time;
determining means that determines a benefit available in the game to be given to the user according to the specified length of the elapsed period;
functioning as a granting means for granting the determined benefit to the user ;
The determining means determines the privilege to be given to the user such that the longer the elapsed period, the higher the value in the game. The game program according to claim 1 , wherein the determining means increases the amount of the privilege to be given to the user as the elapsed period becomes longer. The providing means provides the user with game media that can be used in the game on each day as the service until the end point arrives within the contract period,
The determining means provides the user with the game medium for the number of days that have passed from the start point to the payment point, or another game medium that has an in-game value equivalent to the game medium for the number of days that have passed. The game program according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the game program is determined as the benefit. 4. The game program according to claim 3 , wherein the determining means determines an amount of virtual currency that can be used in the game and that corresponds to the number of days that have passed as the benefit to be given to the user. The providing means provides the user with the right to play a stage for which points can be earned a predetermined number of times each day until the end point arrives within the contract period as the service;
Any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the determining means determines the benefit to be given to the user so that the more days that have passed from the start time to the payment time, the more beneficial it is to collecting the points. The game program described in item 1. 6. The game program according to claim 5 , wherein the determining means determines the amount of the points to be given to the user as the benefit according to the number of days that have passed. 6. The game program according to claim 5 , wherein the determining means determines as the privilege that grants the user the right to play the stage more times than the predetermined number of times as the number of elapsed days increases. Any one of claims 5 to 7 , wherein the determining means determines, as the privilege to be granted to the user, the right to play the stage an unlimited number of times when the number of elapsed days exceeds a predetermined number of days. The game program described in item 1. The game program is installed on the computer,
The computer operated by the user, or another computer operated by the user that communicates with the computer, on which the user operates a user interface (hereinafter referred to as UI) screen for the user to perform input operations for paying for the service. displayed on the display section provided with the
9. Any one of claims 1 to 8 , wherein the UI screen displays a benefit that is given according to the length of the elapsed period when the time point at which the UI screen is displayed is the payment time point. The game program described in .

Images