JP7466877B2 - Control program, control method, and computer - Google Patents

Description

Article 30, paragraph 2 of the Patent Act applies. Website address: http://gree.jp/r/62057/1 Posted on: October 21, 2016

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

Conventionally, game systems that provide battle games in which players can use game characters to battle enemy characters are known. In recent years, in such game systems, players participating in a battle game can battle enemy characters using game characters owned by other players as well as their own game characters.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a game system in which a player progresses through a game using a party made up of a main character and a sub-character. In this game system, a player can set a character owned by the player as the main character, and a character owned by another player as the sub-character. This allows a player to progress through a game using a party that includes characters owned by other players.

JP 2016-49296 A

However, in conventional game systems, a player does not receive any benefit when his/her game media, such as a character, is used by another player. This causes players to lose the motivation to let other players use the game media, and communication between players within the game system cannot be stimulated.

The present invention has been made to solve these problems, and aims to provide a control program, control method, and computer that enables a player to allow other players to use game media owned by the player, thereby stimulating communication between players within a game system.

The control program according to the present invention is a control program for a computer having a storage unit and progressing through a game, and causes the computer to store in the storage unit a first game medium associated with a first player and a second game medium associated with a second player, progress the game using the first game medium according to instructions from the first player, progress the game using the second game medium and a game medium identical to the first game medium according to instructions from the second player, and, by progressing the game according to instructions from the second player, store a first reward in the storage unit in association with the second player, and store a second reward corresponding to the first reward in the storage unit in association with the first player.

Furthermore, in the control program according to the present invention, it is preferable to further associate and store parameters with each of the first game medium and the second game medium, and in storing the second reward, determine the second reward based on the parameters associated with the first game medium.

In addition, in the control program according to the present invention, when a predetermined condition is satisfied during the progress of the game according to the instructions of the second player, it is preferable to perform control so that the second player is not allowed to use the same game medium as the first game medium.

In addition, in the control program according to the present invention, in the storage of the first game medium, the number of times that the same game medium as the first game medium has been used in a game progressing according to instructions from a second player is stored in the storage unit in association with the first player, and the predetermined condition is preferably that the number of times exceeds an upper limit.

In addition, in the control program according to the present invention, when the first player instructs the use of a specific item, it is preferable to change the number of times to an initial value.

In addition, in the control program according to the present invention, it is preferable that the number of times is changed to an initial value when the current time reaches a predetermined specific time.

In addition, in the control program according to the present invention, it is preferable that a third game medium associated with a third player is stored in a storage unit, and in progressing the game according to instructions from a second player, the first game medium and the third game medium are presented to the second player in a selectable manner, and the game is progressed using the same game medium as the game medium selected by the second player.

In addition, in the control program according to the present invention, it is preferable that, at the time when the presented first game medium or third game medium is selected by the second player, a third reward different from the second reward is stored in the memory unit in association with the player associated with the selected game medium.

In addition, in the control program according to the present invention, it is preferable to further cause the computer to store a plurality of first game media as a game media group in the memory of the first game media, progress the game using the game media group in the progression of the game according to the instructions of the first player, and present selectable first game media from the game media group that can be used by the second player according to the instructions of the first player.

The control method according to the present invention is a control method for a computer having a storage unit and progressing through a game, and includes storing a first game medium associated with a first player and a second game medium associated with a second player in the storage unit, progressing the game using the first game medium according to instructions from the first player, progressing the game using the second game medium and a game medium identical to the first game medium according to instructions from the second player, and, as the game progresses according to instructions from the second player, storing a first reward in the storage unit in association with the second player, and storing a second reward corresponding to the first reward in association with the first player in the storage unit.

The computer according to the present invention is a computer for progressing a game, and includes a storage unit that stores a first game medium associated with a first player and a second game medium associated with a second player, a game progress processing unit that progresses the game using the first game medium according to instructions from the first player, and progresses the game using the second game medium and a game medium identical to the first game medium according to instructions from the second player, and a reward processing unit that, as the game progresses according to instructions from the second player, stores a first reward in the storage unit in association with the second player, and stores a second reward corresponding to the first reward in the storage unit in association with the first player.

The control program, control method, and computer of the present invention make it possible for a player to allow other players to use game media owned by that player, thereby stimulating communication between players within the game system.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of a game provided by the game system 1. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating 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 portable terminal 2. 11A to 11D are diagrams showing examples of screens displayed on the display unit 24 of the mobile terminal 2. 13A and 13B are diagrams showing an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 24 of the mobile terminal 2. FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a server 3. 4A to 4C are diagrams illustrating examples of data structures of various tables. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an operation sequence of the game system 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an operation sequence of the game system 1.

Various embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, please note that the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, but extends to the inventions described in the claims and their equivalents.

(Outline of this embodiment)
In the game system 1 of this embodiment, a player uses a mobile terminal 2 to play a game provided by a server 3. In the game system 1 of this embodiment, the server 3 provides a web game. Note that the game provided by the game system 1 of this embodiment is not limited to a web game. For example, a mobile terminal 2 owned by a player may store an application and various data for executing a game, and directly communicate with another mobile terminal 2 to execute the game. Below, a game system 1 that provides a web game will be described as an example.

In a web game, the mobile device 2 displays various game screens based on information (such as documents written in a markup language and programs written in a scripting language) received from the server 3 via the browser. The server 3 also updates game data and transmits information to the mobile device 2 based on information sent from the mobile device 2 via the browser.

Games provided by the server 3 include a main game and other games different from the main game. The server 3 executes a quest that progresses according to a game scenario as the main game. A quest is generally also called an exploration or a mission, and has multiple stages. The server 3 executes the processing of each stage sequentially. The processing of each stage includes various games such as a battle between a player character and an enemy character, the granting of a special game medium or other benefit to a player, a so-called RAID battle in which multiple players participate, an encounter with another player and/or a battle with another player. A player character is a game medium possessed by the player, and an enemy character is a non-player character or a game medium possessed by another player.

Game media is electronic data used in the game, and includes, for example, cards, items, characters, and avatars. Furthermore, game media may be acquired, possessed, used, managed, exchanged, synthesized, strengthened, sold, discarded, and/or gifted by the player in the game as the game progresses, but the manner in which game media may be used is not limited to those explicitly stated in this specification. By completing quests, the player can develop their character and acquire items.

In this embodiment, a character card registered in the game system 1 in advance will be described as an example of a game medium. In this embodiment, a character is assigned to each card. A player character or enemy character card used in a battle has battle parameters. The battle parameters are, for example, attack power, defense power, stamina (or HP (hit points)), attribute (for example, fire, water, lightning, etc.), character level, rarity (for example, normal (N), rare (R), super rare (SR), grand rare (GR), grand great rare (GGR), etc.), skill (special effect) activation rate, attack speed (number of attacks in one turn, number of turns until attack, etc.), number of defenses in one battle, and/or job (for example, occupation, type of soldier, etc.). In addition, the card to which one character is assigned is not limited to one card, and multiple cards with different battle parameters may be assigned to each character. In addition, the character may be set separately from the card. In addition, the character may be assigned to a game medium other than a card (for example, a figure, etc.).

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of a game provided by game system 1. The game provided by game system 1 is, for example, a battle game in which each of multiple players uses cards to battle an enemy character or other players. Note that the game provided by game system 1 may be a game of a genre other than a battle game (such as a puzzle game, a racing game, or a music game). Below, a battle game, which is an example of a game provided by game system 1 of this embodiment, will be explained with reference to FIG. 1.

In the game system 1 of this embodiment, the server 3 progresses the game based on the game program and requests sent from the mobile terminal 2. The game program is an example of a control program stored by the server 3. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the game progressed by the server 3 is, for example, a battle game in which multiple players battle against predetermined enemy characters.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, player A (first player) and player B (second player) play a game provided by server 3 by operating mobile devices 2 owned by each of them. Hereinafter, the mobile device 2 owned by player A may be referred to as mobile device 2a, and the mobile device 2 owned by player B may be referred to as mobile device 2b. Note that player A and player B, who participate in the game, own cards by the server 3 storing cards in association with each of player A and player B. Hereinafter, cards owned by players may be referred to as owned cards.

First, player A operates the mobile terminal 2a to select cards to be used in the game from among the cards owned by player A (1). Hereinafter, the cards to be used in the game selected by each player from among the cards owned may be referred to as cards to be used. In the example shown in FIG. 1, player A selects two cards he owns as cards to be used. The cards to be used by player A are an example of the first game medium. When instructed by player A to proceed with the game, the server 3 proceeds with the game using the cards to be used by player A. Hereinafter, the game proceeded in accordance with instructions from player A may be referred to as game A.

Next, player B also operates the mobile device 2b to select cards to be used from among the cards owned by player B (2). In the example shown in FIG. 1, player B selects two cards he owns as cards to be used. The cards to be used by player B are an example of a second game medium.

In the battle game provided by game system 1, each player participating in the game can progress through the game using cards used by the other players. In the example shown in FIG. 1, player B selects one of the cards used by player A (3).

The server 3 sets the same card as the used card of player A specified by player B as the used card of player B (4). Hereinafter, a card that is the same as the used card of another player that is set as the used card by a player may be referred to as an other player's card. When the server 3 is instructed by player B to proceed with the game, it proceeds with the game using the used cards, including the other player's card (5). Hereinafter, the game proceeded according to the instructions from player B may be referred to as game B.

Next, the server 3 grants a reward to player B as game B progresses (6). In the example shown in FIG. 1, the server 3 grants a reward to player B who has defeated an enemy character by storing a reward of 100 points in association with player B. Hereinafter, the reward granted to player B may be referred to as reward B. Note that reward B is an example of a first reward.

After awarding reward B to player B, the server 3 also awards a reward corresponding to reward B to player A (7). In the example shown in FIG. 1, the server 3 awards a reward to player A by storing 50 points, which is equivalent to 50% of reward B (100 points), in association with player A. Hereinafter, the reward awarded to player A may be referred to as reward A. Note that the ratio for calculating reward A is not limited to 50%, and may be greater than 100% or may be 0%. Note that reward A is an example of a second reward.

As described above with reference to FIG. 1, in game system 1 of this embodiment, by using cards used by player A in game B, player A can obtain reward A corresponding to reward B obtained by player B as game B progresses. Therefore, this game system 1 makes it possible for each player to increase their motivation to actively encourage other players to use cards used in the game. Furthermore, this game system 1 makes it possible to stimulate communication between players within game system 1 by increasing each player's motivation to encourage other players to use cards they own.

The above description of FIG. 1 is merely provided to deepen understanding of the contents of the present invention. The present invention is specifically embodied in the following embodiments, and may be embodied in various modified forms without substantially departing from the principles of the present invention. All such modified forms are included within the scope of the present invention and the disclosure of this specification.

(Configuration of Game System 1)
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of the game system 1. As shown in FIG.

The game system 1 includes a plurality of mobile terminals 2 operated by a plurality of players, and a server 3. The mobile terminals 2 and the server 3 are connected to each other via communication networks, such as a base station 4, a mobile communication network 5, a gateway 6, and the Internet 7. A program executed on the mobile terminal 2 (e.g., a display processing program) and a program executed on the server 3 (e.g., a game program) communicate with each other using a communication protocol such as Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP). Note that the server 3 is an example of a computer that provides a game, but the computer that provides a game is not limited to the server 3. A mobile terminal 2 having some or all of the functions of the server 3 described later may be used as the computer. Also, the game system 1 including the mobile terminal 2 and the server 3 may be used as the computer.

The mobile terminal 2 is assumed to be a multi-function mobile phone (a so-called "smartphone"), but the present invention is not limited to this. The mobile terminal 2 may be any device to which the present invention is applicable, and may be, for example, an information processing device such as a mobile phone (a so-called "feature phone"), a portable information terminal (Personal Digital Assistant, PDA), a portable game console, a portable music player, a tablet terminal, a tablet PC (Personal Computer), or a notebook PC.

(Configuration of mobile terminal 2)
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of the mobile terminal 2. As shown in FIG.

The portable terminal 2 connects to the server 3 via a base station 4, a mobile communication network 5, a gateway 6, and the Internet 7, and communicates with the server 3. The portable terminal 2 controls the progress of the game in response to the operation of an operation unit 23 (such as a touch panel) by the player. The portable terminal 2 also receives display data from the server 3 and displays various screens related to the progress of the game. To this end, the portable terminal 2 includes a device communication unit 21, a device memory unit 22, an operation unit 23, a display unit 24, and a device processing unit 25.

The terminal communication unit 21 has a communication interface circuit including an antenna sensitive to a specific frequency band, and connects the mobile terminal 2 to a wireless communication network. The terminal communication unit 21 establishes a wireless signal line using a CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) system or the like with the base station 4 via a channel assigned by the base station 4, and communicates with the base station 4. The terminal communication unit 21 then transmits data supplied from the terminal processing unit 25 to the server 3, etc. The terminal communication unit 21 also supplies data received from the server 3, etc. to the terminal processing unit 25.

The device storage unit 22 includes, for example, a semiconductor memory device. The device storage unit 22 stores application programs and data, including an operating system program, a driver program, and a game control program, which are used in processing by the device processing unit 25. For example, the device 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 device storage unit 22 also stores, as application programs, display processing programs that progress the game based on instruction data input in response to the operation of the operation unit 23 by the player and data acquired from the server 3, and display data related to the progress of the game. The device storage unit 22 stores, as data, data acquired from the server 3, display data related to the progress of the game, video data, image data, and the like. The device storage unit 22 may also temporarily store temporary data related to a predetermined process.

The operation unit 23 may be any device capable of operating the mobile terminal 2, for example a pointing device such as a touch panel. The player can input letters, numbers, symbols, etc. using the operation unit 23. When operated by the player, the operation unit 23 generates a signal corresponding to the operation. The generated signal is then supplied to the device processing unit 25 as an instruction from the player.

The display unit 24 may be any device capable of displaying video, images, etc., such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display. The display unit 24 displays video corresponding to video data supplied from the device processing unit 25, images corresponding to image data, etc.

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

The device processing unit 25 includes at least a browsing execution unit 251. The browsing execution unit 251 is a functional module that is realized by a program executed by a processor included in the device processing unit 25. Alternatively, each of these units may be implemented in the mobile device 2 as firmware.

Below, examples of various screens displayed on the display units 24 of the mobile terminals 2a and 2b are described with reference to Figures 4 and 5.

Figure 4 (a) shows an example of a home screen 400 displayed on the display unit 24 of the mobile device 2.

The home screen 400 is displayed based on the display data received from the server 3. The home screen 400 displays an edit button 401, a game progress button 402, a reward history button 403, and the like.

When the edit button 401 is selected in response to the operation of the operation unit 23 of the mobile terminal 2a of player A, an edit screen 420, which will be described later, is displayed. Also, when the edit button 401 is selected in response to the operation of the operation unit 23 of the mobile terminal 2b of player B, an edit screen 420, which will be described later, is displayed. Note that player B is the player who specifies another player's cards from among the cards used by player A.

When the game progress button 402 is selected in response to the player's operation of the operation unit 23, the game progresses and a game result screen 500, which will be described later, is displayed. In addition, when the reward history button 403 is selected in response to the player's operation of the operation unit 23, a reward history screen 510, which will be described later, is displayed.

Figure 4(b) shows an example of an editing screen 410 displayed on the display unit 24 of the mobile device 2a owned by player A.

The editing screen 410 displays display frames 411 to 414, a registration button 415, a select other person's card button 416, a back button 417, etc.

Display frames 411 to 414 are frame figures showing the display areas in which card images showing cards used by Player A are displayed. In the example shown in FIG. 4(b), Player A can specify four of his owned cards as cards to be used.

When player A operates the operation unit 23 of the mobile terminal 2a to select any of the display frames 411-414 in which no card image is displayed, a card selection screen (not shown) is displayed for selecting one card from the cards owned by player A. When player A operates the card selection screen to select one owned card, a card image showing the selected card is displayed in the display frame selected by player A. In other words, the owned card selected this time is designated as a registration candidate for player A's cards to be used.

When editing screen 410 is displayed and card images are displayed in display frames 411-414, the card corresponding to the card image is a card that has already been registered as a card to be used by player A. When player A selects a display frame in which a card image is displayed, and then operates the card selection screen to select a card from among the cards owned by player A, the card image displayed in the display frame is changed to a card image showing the card currently selected. In other words, instead of the card with the card image already displayed in the selected display frame (a registered card to be used), the card selected this time is designated as a candidate for registration of a card to be used by player A.

When the registration button 415 is selected in response to the operation of the operation unit 23 of the player A, a registration request for setting the cards corresponding to the card images displayed in each of the display frames 411 to 414 as used cards is transmitted to the server 3. When the game progress button 402 is selected in response to the operation of the operation unit 23 of the player A, the game is progressed using a card group consisting of the multiple used cards set by the display frames 411 to 414. The card group is an example of a game media group. The player may be configured to be able to create multiple card groups consisting of the used cards corresponding to each display frame on the editing screen 410. In this case, multiple display frame groups for creating each of the multiple card groups are displayed on the editing screen 410. The display frame group is at least a first display frame group consisting of the display frames 411 to 414 displayed in FIG. 4(b) and a second display frame group consisting of the display frames 421 to 424 (not shown), but the number of display frame groups may be three or more. The multiple display frame groups corresponding to each card group are not limited to those displayed simultaneously in the editing screen 410. For example, each of the multiple display frame groups may be displayed by switching between them on the editing screen 410 using a tab function or the like.

When the other player's card selection button 416 is selected in response to the operation of the operation unit 23 by player A, the other player's card selection screen 430 described below is displayed. Also, when the back button 417 is selected in response to the operation of the operation unit 23 by player A, the home screen 400 is displayed.

Figure 4 (c) shows an example of an editing screen 420 displayed on the display unit 24 of the mobile device 2b owned by player B.

Displayed on the editing screen 420 are display frames 421-424 for card images showing cards used by player B, a register button 425, an other player's card selection button 426, a back button 427, etc. The display frames 421-424 have the same functions as the display frames 411-414 displayed on the editing screen 410 shown in FIG. 4(b). The register button 425, other player's card selection button 426, and back button 427 have the same functions as the register button 415, other player's card selection button 416, and back button 417 displayed on the editing screen 410 shown in FIG. 4(b).

Figure 4(d) is a diagram showing an example of an other player's card selection screen 430 displayed on the display unit 24 of the mobile device 2b owned by player B. In other words, the other player's card selection screen 430 shown in Figure 4(d) is a screen that is displayed when player B selects the other player's card selection button 426 displayed on the editing screen 420.

The other person's card selection screen 430 displays one or more pieces of selectable card information 431 in a selectable manner and also displays a back button 432.

The selection target card information 431 displays information on the cards used by players (player A, player C, ...) other than player B among the players participating in the game. Player C is an example of a third player, and the cards used by player C are an example of a third game medium. The information on the cards used includes the card image of the cards used, the player name of the player who set and registered the cards used, parameters of the cards used, etc. The cards used corresponding to the selection target card information 431 may be cards that can be used by player B selected from the card groups of players other than player B and displayed. For example, a card set in a predetermined display frame from the card groups of players other than player B may be presented to player B as a card that can be used by player B and selectable. The predetermined display frame is, for example, the display frame located at the very top of the editing screen 410, or a display frame to which a predetermined role (e.g., leader) is assigned, etc.

When one of the displayed selection target card information 431 is selected in response to the operation of the operation unit 23 by the player B, the same card as the used card corresponding to the selected selection target card information 431 is set as the other player's card of the player B. The parameters of the other player's card of the player B are the same as the parameters of the used card corresponding to the selected selection target card information 431. In addition, when the player B is using the other player's card in the game B, the used card corresponding to the selection target card information 431 selected by the player B may be used in the game by the player who owns the used card. In other words, the used card corresponding to the selection target card information 431 selected by the player B and the other player's card of the player B can be used in the game at the same time. Note that when the back button 432 is selected in response to the operation of the operation unit 23 by the player B, the home screen 400 is displayed. Note that when the other player's card is set in response to the instruction of the player B, the game is progressed using a card group consisting of the multiple used cards and the other player's cards set by the display frames 421 to 424.

Figure 5 (a) shows an example of a game result screen 500 displayed on the display unit 24 of the mobile device 2b owned by player B.

The game result screen 500 displays a game progress result 501 and reward B 502. For example, if the game is a battle game, text and/or an image indicating a victory or defeat in a battle is displayed as the game progress result 501. Also, as reward B 502, text and/or an image indicating reward B to be granted to player B according to the progress of game B is displayed. The reward may be points for competing for ranking with other players, game media or items used in the game, an increase or increase rate of parameters of the game media, participation rights in other games or events, virtual currency, etc.

Figure 5 (b) is a diagram showing an example of a reward history screen 510 displayed on the display unit 24 of the mobile device 2a owned by player A. The reward history screen 510 displays reward history information 511 and a back button 512.

In the reward history information 511, information about reward A that has already been acquired by player A is displayed. Information about reward A includes, for example, the content of reward A, the date and time when reward A was acquired, the card image of the used card selected as an other player's card, the player name of the player who selected player A's used card as the other player's card, etc. In addition, when the back button 512 is selected in response to the operation of the operation unit 23 by player A, the home screen 400 is displayed.

In this way, by displaying the reward history screen 510 on the mobile device 2a owned by player A, it becomes possible to easily grasp information about other players who contributed to player A's acquisition of rewards, which makes it possible to stimulate communication between players.

(Configuration of Server 3)
Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of the server 3. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of various tables stored in the server storage unit 32.

The server 3 includes a server communication unit 31, a server storage unit 32, and a server processing unit 33. The server 3 progresses the game in response to a request from the mobile device 2. The server 3 also creates display data related to the progress of the game and transmits it to the mobile device 2.

The server communication unit 31 includes a communication interface circuit for connecting the server 3 to the Internet 7, and communicates with the Internet 7. The server communication unit 31 then supplies data received from the mobile 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 or 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 by the server processing unit 33. For example, the server storage unit 32 stores, as an application program, a game program that progresses a game and creates display data related to the results. The computer program may be installed in the terminal storage unit 22 from a computer-readable portable recording medium such as a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM using a known setup program, etc.

The server storage unit 32 stores the following data: a group table shown in FIG. 7(a), a player table shown in FIG. 7(b), and a card table shown in FIG. 7(c). The server storage unit 32 also stores various image data and the like related to the progress of the game. Furthermore, the server storage unit 32 may temporarily store temporary data related to a predetermined process. That is, the server storage unit 32 may include a volatile memory (Random Access Memory, RAM) and store dynamic data that changes according to the progress of the game.

Figure 7 (a) shows a group table for managing groups. In the group table, the group ID (identification), group name, affiliated players, win/loss history, etc. of each group are stored in association with each other. The group ID is an example of identification information for uniquely identifying each group. The affiliated players store the player ID of each player belonging to the group. The win/loss history is historical information of wins and losses when each group plays a so-called GvG (Guild vs Guild) game in which a match is played using cards used by players belonging to one group and cards used by players belonging to the other group.

Figure 7 (b) shows a player table for managing players. In the player table, for each player, the player's player ID, player name, owned card information, progress reward, other game reward, number of uses information, used card information, other players' card information, player level, related player information, etc. are stored in association with each other. The player ID is an example of identification information for uniquely identifying each player. In the owned card information, for each card owned by a player, identification information for managing the owned card (ownership ID) and identification information for the card (card ID), etc. are stored in association with each other.

The progress reward stores the reward (point value) given to a player when the player progresses through the game and the time when the reward was given, in association with each other. The other game reward stores the reward (point value) given to a player when another player progresses through the game by using the player's card as an other player's card, in association with each other, the time when the reward was given, and the player ID of the other player. The point value given to a player as a reward may be a point value (such as "score") for competing for rankings among players, a point value that can be used as virtual currency, or a point value that indicates the rate at which the parameters of a card are increased, etc.

The number of times used information indicates the number of times a card used by a player has been used as an other player's card. The used card information is the ownership ID of a card that is used as a used card in the battle game, among the owned cards included in the owned card information. The other player's card information stores the player ID of the other player who owns the other player's card and the ownership ID of the other player's card in association with each other player's card when the other player's used card is set as the other player's card.

Figure 7 (c) shows a card table that manages cards. In the card table, the card ID, card name, card image file name, character name, rarity, lottery probability, HP, attack power, defense power, attributes, etc. of the card are stored in association with each other. Note that rarity, lottery probability, HP, attack power, defense power, attributes, etc. are types of parameters.

Returning to FIG. 6, the server processing unit 33 includes at least a registration processing unit 331, a game progress processing unit 332, and a reward processing unit 333. Each of these units is a functional module realized 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.

Below, we will explain an example of the functions of the browsing execution unit 251 provided in the device processing unit 25 of the mobile device 2, and the registration processing unit 331, game progress processing unit 332, and reward processing unit 333 provided in the server processing unit 33 of the server 3.

(Functions of the View Execution Unit 251)
The browsing execution unit 251 acquires and displays display data related to the progress of the game. For example, first, the browsing execution unit 251 transmits an acquisition request for various display data related to the progress of the game to the server 3 via the device communication unit 21 in accordance with an instruction input by the player operating the operation unit 23. Next, the browsing execution unit 251 receives display data corresponding to the transmitted acquisition request from the server 3 via the device communication unit 21. Next, the browsing execution unit 251 creates drawing data based on the received display data, outputs the created drawing data to the display unit 24, and causes the display unit 24 to display various screens related to the progress of the game.

When creating the drawing data, for example, the viewing execution unit 251 analyzes the received display data to identify the control data and content data, lays out the identified content data based on the identified control data, and creates the drawing data.

The browsing execution unit 251 also transmits a request to start the game to the server 3 via the device communication unit 21 in accordance with the operation of the operation unit 23 by the player. In this case, when the browsing execution unit 251 receives display data transmitted from the server 3 in response to the request to start the game via the device communication unit 21, the browsing execution unit 251 creates drawing data corresponding to the received display data, outputs the drawing data to the display unit 24, and causes the home screen 400 to be displayed on the display unit 24.

When the viewing execution unit 251 detects that the player has operated the operation unit 23 to instruct the selection of the edit button 401 displayed on the home screen 400, the viewing execution unit 251 transmits an edit screen request to the server 3 via the device communication unit 21. The edit screen request includes the player's player ID. When the viewing execution unit 251 receives display data transmitted from the server 3 in response to the edit screen request via the device communication unit 21, the viewing execution unit 251 creates drawing data corresponding to the received display data, outputs it to the display unit 24, and causes the display unit 24 to display the edit screens 410, 420.

When the viewing execution unit 251 detects that the player has operated the operation unit 23 to instruct the selection of the other player's card selection buttons 416, 426 displayed on the editing screens 410, 420, the viewing execution unit 251 transmits a request for an other player's card selection screen to the server 3 via the device communication unit 21. The other player's card selection screen request includes the player's player ID. When the viewing execution unit 251 receives display data transmitted from the server 3 in response to the other player's card selection screen request via the device communication unit 21, the viewing execution unit 251 creates drawing data corresponding to the received display data, outputs it to the display unit 24, and displays the other player's card selection screen 430 on the display unit 24. Each selection target card information 431 displayed on the other player's card selection screen 430 is associated with the ownership ID of the used card corresponding to the selection target card information 431 and the player ID of the player who owns the used card.

When the viewing execution unit 251 detects that the player has operated the operation unit 23 to instruct the selection of the selection target card information 431 displayed on the other player's card selection screen 430, the viewing execution unit 251 stores the ownership ID and player ID of the used card corresponding to the selected selection target card information 431 in the device storage unit 22 as the ownership ID and player ID of the other player's card. Then, the viewing execution unit 251 ends the display of the other player's card selection screen 430 and redisplays the editing screens 410 and 420. Note that when the editing screens 410 and 420 are redisplayed, the viewing execution unit 251 may display a card image corresponding to the ownership ID of the other player's card stored in the terminal storage unit 22 on the editing screens 410 and 420. Note that the card image corresponding to the ownership ID of the other player's card may be transmitted to the server 3 by the viewing execution unit 251 requesting the server 3.

When the viewing execution unit 251 detects that the player has operated the operation unit 23 to select the registration button 415 displayed on the editing screen 410, 420, the viewing execution unit 251 transmits a registration request to the server 3 via the device communication unit 21. The registration request includes the ownership ID and player ID of the used card corresponding to the card image displayed in each of the display frames 411-414, 421-424. Note that if the ownership ID and player ID of the other player's card are stored in the device storage unit 22, the registration request further includes the ownership ID and player ID of the other player's card.

When the viewing execution unit 251 detects that the player has operated the operation unit 23 to select the game progress button 402 displayed on the home screen 400, the viewing execution unit 251 transmits a game progress request to the server 3 via the device communication unit 21. The game progress request also includes the player's player ID. When the viewing execution unit 251 receives display data transmitted from the server 3 in response to the game progress request via the device communication unit 21, the viewing execution unit 251 creates drawing data corresponding to the received display data, outputs it to the display unit 24, and causes the display unit 24 to display the game result screen 500.

When the browsing execution unit 251 detects that the player has operated the operation unit 23 to instruct the selection of the reward history button 403 displayed on the home screen 400, the browsing execution unit 251 sends a reward history screen request to the server 3 via the device communication unit 21. The reward history screen request also includes the player's player ID. When the browsing execution unit 251 receives display data sent from the server 3 in response to the reward history screen request via the device communication unit 21, the browsing execution unit 251 creates drawing data corresponding to the received display data, outputs it to the display unit 24, and causes the display unit 24 to display the reward history screen 510.

(Functions of the registration processing unit 331)
When the registration processing unit 331 receives an edit screen request transmitted from the portable terminal 2 via the server communication unit 31, the registration processing unit 331 creates display data for displaying the edit screen 410, 420. First, the registration processing unit 331 extracts a player ID included in the received edit screen request. Next, the registration processing unit 331 refers to the player table, specifies the ownership ID of the used card information associated with the extracted player ID, and specifies a card ID corresponding to the ownership ID. Then, the registration processing unit 331 refers to the card table, extracts a card image associated with the specified card ID, and creates display data for displaying the edit screen 410, 420 including a display frame in which the extracted card image is displayed. Note that, if the ownership ID of the used card information associated with the extracted player ID is not stored in the player table, the registration processing unit 331 creates display data for displaying the edit screen 410, 420 including a display frame in which no card image is displayed.

The registration processing unit 331 also transmits display data for displaying the created editing screens 410, 420 to the mobile device 2 owned by the player indicated in the player ID included in the editing screen request via the server communication unit 31.

In addition, when the registration processing unit 331 receives an other player's card selection screen request transmitted from the mobile terminal 2 via the server communication unit 31, it creates display data for displaying the other player's card selection screen 430. First, the registration processing unit 331 extracts the player ID included in the received other player's card selection screen request. Next, the registration processing unit 331 refers to the group table and identifies the player IDs of other players included in the group to which the player indicated by the extracted player ID belongs. Next, the registration processing unit 331 refers to the player table and extracts a specific ownership ID from the used card information associated with the identified player ID. Note that the extracted specific ownership ID is, for example, the first ownership ID stored in the used card information for each player ID. Note that the extracted specific ownership ID may be an ownership ID randomly extracted from the used card information for each player ID, and the number of extracted specific ownership IDs may be multiple. Next, the registration processing unit 331 refers to the player table and identifies the card ID and player name associated with the extracted specific ownership ID. Next, the registration processing unit 331 refers to the card table and extracts the card image and parameters associated with the identified card ID. Then, the registration processing unit 331 creates display data for displaying an other player's card selection screen 430 including selection target card information 431 such as the identified player name, the extracted card image and parameters, etc. Note that the selection target card information 431 is associated with the identified owner ID and player ID.

The registration processing unit 331 also transmits display data for displaying the created other player's card selection screen 430 to the mobile device 2 owned by the player indicated by the player ID included in the other player's card selection screen request via the server communication unit 31.

In addition, when the registration processing unit 331 receives a registration request transmitted from the mobile terminal 2 via the server communication unit 31, it executes a registration process. In the registration process, first, the registration processing unit 331 identifies the ownership ID and player ID included in the registration request, and changes the used card information associated with the identified player ID in the player table to the identified ownership ID. Next, the registration processing unit 331 stores the changed player table in the server storage unit 32. Next, the registration processing unit 331 determines whether the registration request transmitted from the mobile terminal 2 includes an ownership ID and a player ID related to an other person's card. If the registration processing unit 331 determines that the registration request includes an ownership ID and a player ID related to an other person's card, it changes the other person's card information associated with the identified player ID in the player table to the player ID and ownership ID related to the other person's card included in the registration request. Next, the registration processing unit 331 adds one to the number of times of use information associated with the player ID related to the other person's card included in the registration request in the player table. The registration processing unit 331 then stores the changed player table in the server storage unit 32.

(Functions of the Game Progression Processing Unit 332)
When the game progress processing unit 332 receives a game progress request transmitted from the portable terminal 2b via the server communication unit 31, the game progress processing unit 332 executes a game progress processing and passes result information of the game progress processing to the reward processing unit 333 of the server 3. The game progress processing is a progress processing of a battle game or the like using cards or the like related to the used card information stored in the player table. In the game progress processing, for example, the game progress processing unit 332 refers to the player table and specifies the used card information associated with the player ID included in the game progress request. In addition, when the player ID included in the game progress request is stored in association with other player's card information in the player table, the game progress processing unit 332 specifies the other player's card information associated with the player ID. Then, the game progress processing unit 332 executes a battle game using the specified used card information and other player's card information. The result information of the game progress processing may be, for example, information indicating whether or not the group to which the player belongs has defeated an enemy character, or information indicating whether or not the group to which the player belongs has defeated another group. In addition, the result information of the game progress processing may be the amount of attack given by the player to the enemy character. It should be noted that the game progression processing unit 332 may update the player level in the player table depending on the result.

(Functions of the Reward Processing Unit 333)
The reward processing unit 333 determines a reward based on the result information of the game progress processing received from the game progress processing unit 332, and stores the determined reward together with the current time in association with the player as a progress reward in the player table. The progress reward based on the result information of the game progress processing is, for example, a point value according to the amount of attack inflicted by the player on an enemy character, or a fixed amount of point value given when the player wins against an enemy character.

In addition, when the other player's card information is stored in association with the player ID included in the game progress request, the reward processing unit 333 determines a reward according to the progress reward based on the result information of the game progress processing, and stores the determined reward, the current time, and the player ID included in the game progress request as the other game reward associated with the player ID included in the other player's card information. For example, the progress reward associated with the player ID of player B is determined based on the result information of the game progress processing based on player B's game progress request, and the other game reward according to the determined progress reward is stored in association with the player ID of player A included in the other player's card information. Note that when the progress reward based on the result information of the game progress processing is a point value, the other game reward is, for example, a point value calculated by multiplying the progress reward by a predetermined ratio.

The reward processing unit 333 also creates display data for displaying a game result screen 500 including text and/or images indicating a reward according to the result information of the game progress processing. For example, the reward processing unit 333 refers to the player table, extracts a progress reward corresponding to the game progress processing according to the game progress request received from the game progress processing unit 332, and creates display data for displaying a game result screen 500 including text and/or images indicating the extracted progress reward. The reward processing unit 333 then transmits the created display data via the server communication unit 31 to the mobile device 2 owned by the player identified by the player ID included in the game progress request.

When the reward processing unit 333 receives a reward history screen request sent from the mobile device 2 via the server communication unit 31, the reward processing unit 333 creates display data for displaying the reward history screen 510. First, the reward processing unit 333 refers to the player table and extracts a predetermined number of other game rewards associated with the player ID included in the reward history screen request. Next, the reward processing unit 333 identifies the player ID included in the extracted other game reward, and refers to the player table to extract the player name associated with the identified player ID. Next, the reward processing unit 333 creates display data for displaying the reward history screen 510 including the reward history information 511 displaying the reward and time included in the extracted other game reward, and the extracted player name. Note that the reward history information 511 includes the identified player ID and the card ID of the other player's card associated with the identified player ID. Then, the reward processing unit 333 transmits the created display data via the server communication unit 31 to the mobile device 2 owned by the player corresponding to the player ID included in the reward history screen request.

(Operation sequence of game system 1)
8 is a diagram showing an example of an operation sequence of the game system 1. This operation sequence is executed mainly by the device processing unit 25 and the server processing unit 33 in cooperation with each element of the portable device 2 and the server 3, based on programs stored in advance in the device storage unit 22 and the server storage unit 32.

First, when the browsing execution unit 251 of the mobile device 2 detects that the player has operated the operation unit 23 to select the edit button 401 displayed on the home screen 400, the browsing execution unit 251 transmits an edit screen request to the server 3 via the device communication unit 21 (step S101).

Next, when the registration processing unit 331 of the server 3 receives the edit screen request sent from the mobile device 2 via the server communication unit 31, it creates display data for displaying the edit screens 410, 420 (step S102).

Next, the registration processing unit 331 transmits display data for displaying the created editing screens 410, 420 to the mobile device 2 that sent the editing screen request via the server communication unit 31 (step S103).

Next, when the viewing execution unit 251 of the mobile device 2 receives the display data transmitted from the server 3 via the device communication unit 21, it displays the editing screens 410, 420 on the display unit 24 based on the display data (step S104).

Next, when the viewing execution unit 251 of the mobile device 2 detects that the player has operated the operation unit 23 to select the other player's card selection buttons 416, 426 displayed on the editing screens 410, 420, the viewing execution unit 251 sends a request for the other player's card selection screen to the server 3 via the device communication unit 21 (step S105).

Next, when the registration processing unit 331 of the server 3 receives the other person's card selection screen request sent from the mobile device 2 via the server communication unit 31, it creates display data for displaying the other person's card selection screen 430 (step S106).

Next, the registration processing unit 331 transmits display data for displaying the created other person's card selection screen 430 to the mobile device 2 that transmitted the other person's card selection screen request via the server communication unit 31 (step S107).

Next, when the viewing execution unit 251 of the mobile device 2 receives the display data transmitted from the server 3 via the device communication unit 21, it displays the other player's card selection screen 430 on the display unit 24 based on the display data (step S108). When the viewing execution unit 251 detects that the player has operated the operation unit 23 to instruct the selection of the selection target card information 431 displayed on the other player's card selection screen 430, it stores the ownership ID and player ID of the other player's card corresponding to the selected selection target card information 431 in the device storage unit 22. Then, the viewing execution unit 251 ends the display of the other player's card selection screen 430, and displays the editing screens 410, 420 based on the display data received in step S104.

Next, when the viewing execution unit 251 detects that the player has operated the operation unit 23 to select the registration button 415 displayed on the editing screen 410, 420, the viewing execution unit 251 transmits a registration request to the server 3 via the device communication unit 21 (step S109). The registration request includes the ownership ID and player ID of the used card corresponding to the card image displayed in each of the display frames 411-414, 421-424. Note that if the ownership ID and player ID of the other player's card are stored in the device storage unit 22, the registration request further includes the ownership ID and player ID of the other player's card.

Then, when the registration processing unit 331 of the server 3 receives the registration request sent from the mobile device 2 via the server communication unit 31, it executes the registration process (step S110).

(Operation sequence of game system 1)
Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of an operation sequence of the game system 1. This operation sequence is executed mainly by the device 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 a program previously stored in the device storage unit 22 and the server storage unit 32. Note that in the operation sequence shown in Fig. 9, the mobile terminal 2a is owned by player A, and the mobile terminal 2b is owned by player B. Below, a case will be described where player A has not set an other player's card, and player B has set the card used by player A as the other player's card.

First, when the browsing execution unit 251 of Player A's mobile device 2a detects that Player A has operated the operation unit 23 to select the game progress button 402 displayed on the home screen 400, the browsing execution unit 251 transmits a game progress request to the server 3 via the device communication unit 21 (step S201).

Next, when the game progress processing unit 332 of the server 3 receives the game progress request transmitted from the mobile device 2a via the server communication unit 31, the game progress processing unit 332 executes game progress processing (step S207). Then, the game progress processing unit 332 passes result information of the game progress processing to the reward processing unit 333 of the server 3.

Next, the reward processing unit 333 determines a reward C according to the result information of the game progress processing received from the game progress processing unit 332, and associates the determined reward C with player A and stores it as a progress reward in the player table (step S203).

Next, the reward processing unit 333 creates display data for displaying a game result screen 500 including text and/or an image indicating the reward C determined in step S203, and transmits the created display data to the mobile device 2a that sent the game progress request via the server communication unit 31 (step S204).

Next, when the viewing execution unit 251 of the mobile device 2a receives the display data transmitted from the server 3 via the device communication unit 21, it displays the game result screen 500 on the display unit 24 based on the display data (step S205).

Next, when the browsing execution unit 251 of Player B's mobile device 2b detects that Player B has operated the operation unit 23 to select the game progress button 402 displayed on the home screen 400, the browsing execution unit 251 transmits a game progress request to the server 3 via the device communication unit 21 (step S206).

Next, when the game progress processing unit 332 of the server 3 receives the game progress request transmitted from the mobile device 2b via the server communication unit 31, the game progress processing unit 332 executes game progress processing (step S207). Then, the game progress processing unit 332 passes result information of the game progress processing to the reward processing unit 333 of the server 3.

Next, the reward processing unit 333 determines reward B according to the result information of the game progress processing received from the game progress processing unit 332, and associates the determined reward B with player B and stores it as a progress reward in the player table (step S208).

Next, the reward processing unit 333 determines reward A according to the determined reward B, associates the determined reward A with player A, and stores it as an other game reward in the player table (step S209).

Next, the reward processing unit 333 creates display data for displaying a game result screen 500 including text and/or an image indicating reward B determined in step S208, and transmits the created display data via the server communication unit 31 to the mobile device 2b that sent the game progress request (step S210).

Next, when the viewing execution unit 251 of the mobile device 2b receives the display data transmitted from the server 3 via the device communication unit 21, it displays the game result screen 500 on the display unit 24 based on the display data (step S211).

When the browsing execution unit 251 of Player A's mobile device 2a detects that Player A has operated the operation unit 23 to select the reward history button 403 displayed on the home screen 400, the browsing execution unit 251 sends a reward history screen request to the server 3 via the device communication unit 21 (step S212).

Next, when the reward processing unit 333 of the server 3 receives the reward history screen request sent from the mobile device 2a via the server communication unit 31, it creates display data for displaying the reward history screen 510, and transmits the created display data to the mobile device 2a that sent the reward history screen request via the server communication unit 31 (step S213).

Then, when the viewing execution unit 251 of the mobile device 2a receives the display data transmitted from the server 3 via the device communication unit 21, it displays the reward history screen 510 on the display unit 24 based on the display data (step S214).

As described above in detail, in the game system 1, the cards used by a player can be used by other players in the game, and the player who owns the cards used by the other players in the game can obtain rewards according to the rewards the other players have acquired as the game progresses. This allows the game system 1 to increase the motivation of the players to let other players use their owned cards, and to activate communication between players in the game system 1. In addition, the game system 1 can increase the variety of ways to use cards, and can improve the strategic nature of the game provided by the game system 1 and the continuation rate of players in the game. In addition, when the game provided by the game system 1 is a game in which a player competes with other players, the player may be motivated to prevent other players from acquiring points and items granted in the game, and may hesitate to let other players use powerful cards owned by the player. However, with game system 1, when a player allows another player to use a card that the player owns, the player can also receive a reward, which can increase players' motivation to allow other players to use powerful cards that they own, and can stimulate communication between players within game system 1.

(Variation 1)
In addition, when the progress reward based on the result information of the game progress processing is a point value, a ratio determined by a predetermined ratio determination condition may be used as the predetermined ratio for calculating the other game reward, in addition to the ratio set in advance. In the following, an example will be described in which player B sets the used card of player A as the other player's card and progresses through the game.

For example, the ratio determination condition may be a condition such as whether or not the parameter of the other player's card is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. For example, if the condition that the rarity of the other player's card is equal to or greater than a first rarity (e.g., "GR") is satisfied, the reward processing unit 333 determines the predetermined ratio to be 100%. Also, if the condition that the rarity of the other player's card is equal to or greater than a second rarity (e.g., "R") and less than the first rarity is satisfied, the reward processing unit 333 determines the predetermined ratio to be 50%. Note that the parameter for determining the predetermined ratio is not limited to rarity, and may be character level, HP, attack power, defense power, attributes, etc. As a result, for example, in a case where a higher predetermined ratio is determined for an other player's card with a higher parameter, the player's desire to have other players use the card with the higher parameter is further increased, and communication between players within the game system 1 can be further activated.

The ratio determination condition may also be a condition such as whether or not a specific action has been performed during the game progression process. For example, if an action is performed in the course of the game to defeat an enemy character in one blow using the used card or another player's card, or if an action is performed to defeat an enemy character in a predetermined number of turns or less using the used card or another player's card, the reward processing unit 333 may increase the predetermined ratio by 20%. This further increases the player's desire to have other players use cards that are likely to perform a specific action, rather than simply cards with high parameters, and makes it possible to further stimulate communication between players within the game system 1.

The ratio determination condition may also be a condition such as whether or not the game involvement level of player A or player B is equal to or greater than a predetermined involvement level. For example, the reward processing unit 333 may determine the predetermined ratio to be 50% if the level of player A or player B is equal to or greater than a predetermined level, and may determine the predetermined ratio to be 100% if the level of player A or player B is less than the predetermined level. Note that the game involvement level is not limited to the player's level, and may also be the number of days the player has played the game. In this way, the predetermined ratio is determined according to the game involvement level. Therefore, even a player with a low game involvement level may be able to obtain a reward by having other players use their cards, which can increase the player's game participation rate.

The ratio determination condition may also be a condition such as whether the game involvement degree of the other player's card is equal to or greater than a predetermined involvement degree. The game involvement degree may be determined based on the parameters (level, etc.) of the other player's card, or based on a comparison of the parameters of the other player's card and the used card. For example, the reward processing unit 333 may determine the predetermined ratio to be 50% when the level of the other player's card is equal to or greater than a predetermined level, and may determine the predetermined ratio to be 100% when the level of the other player's card is less than the predetermined level. The game involvement degree may also be determined based on the difference between the parameters of the other player's card and the parameters of the used card of the player who uses the other player's card. In this case, for example, the reward processing unit 333 may determine the predetermined ratio to be 100% when the level of the other player's card is 10 or more lower than the level of the used card or the average level of the multiple used cards, set the predetermined ratio to 50% when the difference between the level of the other player's card and the level of the used card or the average level of the multiple used cards is less than 10, and may determine the predetermined ratio to be 0% when the level of the other player's card is 10 or more higher than the level of the used card or the average level of the multiple used cards. The degree of game involvement may be determined not only by the parameters of the other player's card, but also by points or the like, which are values related to the progress of the game contributed by the other player's card. For example, the degree of game involvement may be determined by the amount of damage inflicted by the other player's card on an enemy character. The degree of game involvement may also be determined by the ratio of the number of points related to the progress of the game contributed by the other player's card and the card used by the player who uses the other player's card. In this case, for example, the degree of game involvement may be determined by the ratio of the contribution of the other player's card to the outcome of the game compared to other cards used (for example, a ratio according to the number of points determined according to the abilities or actions of the card). In this way, since the predetermined ratio is determined according to the degree of game involvement, it is possible to increase the variety of ways to use the cards, and it is possible to improve the strategic nature of the game provided by the game system 1 and the continuation rate of players of the game.

The ratio determination condition may be a condition as to whether or not the relationship between the other player's card used by player B and the other card used by player A that is different from the same card used by player A is a predetermined relationship. The predetermined relationship between cards may be, for example, a fateful relationship, a lineage relationship, a trust relationship, etc. In this case, the card table stores the card ID of the other card having the predetermined relationship for each card. Then, the reward processing unit 333 may increase the predetermined ratio by 20% when the relationship between the other player's card used by player B and the other card used by player A that is different from the same card used by player A is a predetermined relationship. This requires the player to select the card to be used by the other player in consideration of the relationship with the card used by the player, rather than simply allowing the other player to use a card with a high parameter, and it becomes possible to provide the player with a highly strategic game.

The ratio determination condition may be a condition such as whether or not the frequency of use of the same card as the other player's card used by player B is equal to or higher than a predetermined frequency. For example, if the time or number of times that player A uses the same card as the other player's card used by player B is equal to or less than a predetermined time or number of times, the reward processing unit 333 may increase the predetermined ratio by 20%. This requires player A to consider the number of times and the time of use of the card in the progress of the game, and it is possible to provide the player with a highly strategic game. In addition, if the predetermined ratio increases as the frequency of use of the card used as the other player's card increases, it is possible to further encourage other players to use the card used frequently by the player. In addition, if the predetermined ratio increases as the frequency of use of the card used as the other player's card decreases, it is possible to further encourage other players to use the card used less frequently and seldom. As described above, by diversifying the characteristics of each card, it is possible to increase the variety of ways in which players use cards.

(Variation 2)
Furthermore, the reward processing unit 333 may grant reward D, which is different from reward A, to player A at the timing when player B selects player A's used card as an other player's card. In this case, when the other player's card is set by the instruction of player B, reward D is stored in the player table as a selection-time reward in association with player A at the time when player B instructs to select the register button 415 and the used card and the other player's card are stored in the player table. Note that the selection-time reward is an example of a third reward. This allows player A to receive an advance reward before the other player's card is used in the game, which further increases the motivation of player A to have other players use the used card.

(Variation 3)
Furthermore, when the other-player card use prohibition condition is satisfied, the server 3 may control so that the cards owned by player A are not used as other-player cards by other players (such as player B). For example, when the other-player card use prohibition condition is satisfied for player A, the registration processing unit 331 creates display data for displaying the other-player card selection screen 430 that does not include cards used by player A. The other-player card use prohibition condition is an example of a predetermined condition.

For example, the condition for prohibiting the use of other players' cards may be that the number of times of use information associated with a player exceeds a predetermined upper limit (e.g., "three times"). In this way, since the number of times that other players' cards can be used is determined for each player, it is possible to control the selection of other players' cards so that they are not concentrated on players who own cards that other players (e.g., player B) desire to use.

In the case where the number of uses information is stored in association with each player's card or with the parameters of each player's card, the condition for prohibiting the use of other players' cards may be that the number of uses information associated with each player's card or with the parameters of each player's card exceeds a predetermined upper limit. The parameters associated with the number of uses information may be, for example, rarity or attributes, but may be other parameters. This allows a player to allow other players to use other cards even if they are unable to use a specific card owned by the player, thereby increasing the player's motivation to continue playing the game. It also increases the opportunities for players to use a wide variety of cards, making it possible to provide a game that requires more strategy.

Furthermore, when a predetermined reset condition is met, the registration processing unit 331 may decrement the number of times used or change the number of times used to an initial value (e.g., "0 times"). For example, the predetermined reset condition may be that the current time reaches a predetermined specific time, that a predetermined period of time has passed, or that player A has instructed to use a specific item. The specific time may be midnight when the date changes, or one hour before the end of the event in which the game is played. This makes it possible to allow another player to use the card again depending on the reset condition, even if the number of times used information exceeds the predetermined upper limit, making it possible to prevent a decrease in motivation to continue playing the game.

Furthermore, when the registration processing unit 331 determines that the usage count information associated with player A exceeds a predetermined upper limit (e.g., 10 times) or exceeds a threshold value (e.g., 8 times) lower than the predetermined upper limit (e.g., 10 times), the registration processing unit 331 may send a notification to player A's mobile device 2a indicating that player A's usage count information has exceeded the predetermined upper limit or will soon reach the predetermined upper limit. This allows player A, who sees the notification displayed on the mobile device 2a, to perform an operation in a timely manner to satisfy the predetermined reset condition, making it possible to prevent a decrease in the player's desire to continue playing the game.

(Variation 4)
Furthermore, when a card owned by player A and the same other person's card set by player B are used in the game by player A, the game progress processing unit 332 may perform control so that player B cannot use the other person's card. This prevents players A and B from using the same card at the same time, even if player B sets player A's card as the other person's card, so that player B, who sets player A's card as the other person's card, needs to take care not to select a frequently used card, making it possible to provide a highly strategic game.

The server 3 may also limit the number of players who can use each of the player's cards as an other-party card at the same time. For example, a card owned by player A may be controlled so that it cannot be set as an other-party card by player D while being set as an other-party card by players B and C at the same time. The number of players who can use a card as an other-party card at the same time is not limited to two, but may be one, three or more. This prevents a certain number of other players from using a powerful card owned by player A as an other-party card at the same time, even if the powerful card owned by player A can be set as an other-party card. This makes it possible to prevent a large number of powerful cards from existing simultaneously in the game, and to maintain an appropriate game balance.

(Variation 5)
In addition, when multiple display frame groups for creating multiple card groups are displayed on editing screens 410, 420, the cards included in each of the multiple card groups may be allowed to be used by other players as other player cards.

For example, if a first card group and a second card group can be created, a used card included in the first card group can be used by another player as a first other player's card, and a used card included in the second card group can be used by another player as a second other player's card.

In this case, the number of times that the first other's card can be selected and the number of times that the second other's card can be selected may be stored in the server storage unit 32. Hereinafter, an example will be described in which 0 to 2 times are stored as the number of times that the first other's card can be selected and 3 to 5 times are stored as the number of times that the second other's card can be selected. In the player table, if any of 0 to 2 times is stored as the number of times of use information associated with player A, the first other's card is displayed as the other's card of player A on the other's card selection screen 430 of players other than player A. In addition, in the player table, if 3 to 5 times is stored as the number of times of use information associated with player A, the second other's card is displayed as the other's card of player A on the other's card selection screen 430 of players other than player A. This requires player A to consider which card group to belong to the card to be used that is set as the other's card, making it possible to provide a highly strategic game.

(Variation 6)
Furthermore, the server 3 may execute a predetermined process related to a player included in the reward history information 511 displayed on the reward history screen 510 in response to an operation of the operation unit 23 of the mobile device 2a by the player A. The player included in the reward history information 511 is a player who selected a card used by the player A as an other player's card. Below, an example will be described in which the player included in the reward history information 511 is player B.

When the reward history information 511 related to player B displayed on the reward history screen 510 is selected by the operation of the operation unit 23 of the mobile device 2a of player A, for example, a process of associating player A with player B displayed in the selected reward history information 511 may be executed in the server 3. In the association process, first, when the reward history information 511 related to player B is selected by player A, the browsing execution unit 251 of the mobile device 2a creates an association request including the player ID of player A and the player ID of player B included in the reward history information 511. Next, the browsing execution unit 251 transmits the created association request to the server 3. Then, when the registration processing unit 331 of the server 3 receives the association request transmitted from the mobile device 2a, the registration processing unit 331 stores the player table by including the player ID of player B in the associated player information associated with the player ID of player A in the player table and including the player ID of player A in the associated player information associated with the player ID of player B.

In addition, when reward history information 511 related to player B displayed on the reward history screen 510 is selected by operating the operation unit 23 of the mobile device 2a of player A, the registration processing unit 331 of the server 3 may execute a process of sending an association application from player A to the mobile device 2b of player B displayed in the selected reward history information 511. The association application is a request from one player to the other player to register both players as related players, and when the other player accepts the association application, both players are registered as related players.

In addition, when reward history information 511 relating to player B displayed on the reward history screen 510 is selected by operating the operation unit 23 of player A's mobile device 2a, the registration processing unit 331 of the server 3 may execute a process of registering the player ID of player B displayed in the selected reward history information 511 as reference player information for player A. Reference player information is information relating to so-called favorite players, etc. When a menu or the like displaying reference player information is displayed on various screens, information relating to the player included in the reference player information may be displayed by operating the menu or the like by the player.

In addition, when the reward history information 511 relating to player B displayed on the reward history screen 510 is selected by the operation unit 23 of the mobile device 2a of player A, the registration processing unit 331 of the server 3 may execute a process of displaying information relating to player B displayed in the selected reward history information 511 on the mobile device 2a. In the display process of information relating to player B, first, when the reward history information 511 relating to player B is selected by player A, the browsing execution unit 251 of the mobile device 2a creates a player information display request including the player ID of player A and the player ID of player B included in the reward history information 511. Next, the browsing execution unit 251 transmits the created player information display request to the server 3. Next, when the registration processing unit 331 of the server 3 receives the player information display request transmitted from the mobile device 2a, it transmits information such as the player name and player level associated with the player ID of player B in the player table to the mobile device 2a of player A. The viewing execution unit 251 of the mobile device 2a then displays the received information, such as the player name and player level, associated with the player ID of player B.

In addition, when a predetermined process for player B included in the reward history information 511 displayed on the reward history screen 510 is executed in response to the operation of player A, a priority process for player B may be executed. The priority process is, for example, a priority display process of the selection target card information 431 for player B when the other player's card selection screen 430 is displayed on the display unit 24 of the mobile terminal 2a. The priority display of the selection target card information 431 for player B is, for example, displaying the selection target card information 431 for player B at a higher display position or in the front row compared to the other selection target card information 431, or displaying the selection target card information 431 for player B in a color, saturation, brightness, or size different from the other selection target card information 431. Note that the display of the selection target card information 431 for player B may be displayed in any display mode as long as it is distinguishable from the other selection target card information 431. For example, the selection target card information 431 of player B may be displayed in a display mode different from the selection target card information 431 by changing multiple display conditions among color, saturation, brightness, and size, or may be displayed in a display mode such as blinking display or dynamic display. The priority process may be a process of changing the number of uses information or the upper limit of the number of uses information. For example, the priority process may be a process of changing the number of uses information or the upper limit of the number of uses in at least one of the cases where player A uses the card used by player B as the other player's card and where player B uses the card used by player A as the other player's card. For example, the priority process may be a process of decreasing the number of uses information and/or increasing the upper limit of the number of uses in response to a predetermined process by at least one of player A and player B. The priority process may be a process of increasing the upper limit of the number of uses when a predetermined upper limit of the number of uses is set in the number of uses information.

As described above, when a predetermined process related to player B contained in the reward history information 511 displayed on the reward history screen 510 is executed in response to an operation by player A, player A can easily obtain various information related to player B, which can stimulate communication between the players. Furthermore, priority processing encourages players to use each other's cards, which can improve relationships between the players.

(Variation 7)
Furthermore, the reward processing unit 333 may execute a historical reward granting process for each player included in the reward history information 511 displayed on the reward history screen 510. The historical rewards granted to each player by the historical reward granting process include points for competing with other players for ranking, game media or items used in a game, an increase value or an increase rate of a parameter of a game media, a right to participate in another game or event, or virtual currency.

In the historical reward granting process, first, the reward processing unit 333 refers to the player table and extracts other game rewards associated with each player. Next, the reward processing unit 333 calculates the total value of the rewards associated with each player ID included in the extracted other game rewards. Then, the reward processing unit 333 associates and stores the historical reward with each player ID according to the calculated total value. Note that the reward processing unit 333 may associate and store the historical reward with a player ID whose calculated total value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. In addition, the reward processing unit 333 may display an evaluation screen in which the names of the players whose player IDs are listed in order of the highest calculated total value, and may associate and store the historical reward with the player IDs of players who are ranked at or above a predetermined rank (for example, 1st to 10th place) among the players displayed on the evaluation screen.

(Variation 8)
Furthermore, each function of the server processing unit 33 described above may be executed by the device processing unit 25 of the mobile terminal 2. In this case, if various tables are stored in the device storage unit 22, it is not necessary to communicate with the server 3 every time processing is performed, and it is possible to realize the above functions by the mobile terminal 2 alone. Furthermore, the game executed on the mobile terminal 2 may be a hybrid game in which the server 3 and the mobile terminal 2 each perform part of the processing. In that case, for example, each game screen related to the progress of the game is displayed as 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 displayed as native displays by a native app installed on the mobile terminal 2.

(Variation 9)
The game system 1 may also be configured to include only a plurality of portable terminals 2 operated by a plurality of players. Each of the plurality of portable terminals 2 performs wireless communication with the other portable terminals 2 by a wireless communication method conforming to the IEEE 802.11 standard, and an ad-hoc network is formed by the plurality of portable terminals 2. In this case, a specific portable terminal 2 among the plurality of portable terminals 2 functions as a host and executes each function of the server 3 described above. A portable terminal 2 other than the specific portable terminal 2 among the plurality of portable terminals 2 communicates with the specific portable terminal 2 that executes each function of the server 3, thereby executing the above-mentioned game. Note that the specific portable terminal 2 that functions as a host executes both the functions of the server 3 and the functions of the portable 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.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Game system 2 Mobile terminal 21 Terminal communication unit 22 Terminal storage unit 23 Operation unit 24 Display unit 25 Terminal processing unit 251 Browsing execution unit 3 Server 31 Server communication unit 32 Server storage unit 33 Server processing unit 331 Registration processing unit 332 Game progress processing unit 333 Reward processing unit

Claims (12)

A control program for a computer having a storage unit and for progressing a game,
The computer includes:
storing in the storage unit a first game medium associated with each of a plurality of first players and a second game medium associated with each of a plurality of second players;
presenting a first screen including a plurality of selectable first game contents to the second player;
progressing the game using the second game medium and a game medium identical to the first game medium selected by the second player from the first screen in accordance with an instruction from the second player;
when the game proceeding according to an instruction from the second player is ended, a first reward associated with the first player and associated with the first game medium that is the same as the game medium used in the ended game is stored in the storage unit;
presenting to the first player with whom the first reward is associated a second screen including information indicating the second players who have instructed progress of the game , and the first reward associated with the first player in the game that has progressed in accordance with the instructions of each of the second players ;
Run the command,
The computer includes:
executing a predetermined process related to the second player selected by the first player from the second screen;
A control program comprising: The control program according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined process is a process of associating the selected second player with the first player and storing them in the storage unit. The control program according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the predetermined process is a process of presenting to the selected second player an application for association between the selected second player and the first player. The control program according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the predetermined process is a process of storing the selected second player in the storage unit as a specific player of the first player. The control program according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the predetermined process is a process of presenting information about the selected second player to the first player. the predetermined process is a process of presenting a new first screen to the first player,
A control program according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, in the new first screen, the first game medium associated with the selected second player is preferentially displayed among the plurality of selectable first game media. The computer includes:
storing in the storage unit a third game medium determined in response to an instruction from a third player from among a plurality of third game media used in a game that progresses in accordance with an instruction from the third player;
presenting the first game medium and the determined third game medium to the second player in a selectable manner;
progressing a game that progresses in accordance with an instruction from the second player, using the second game medium and a game medium that is the same as a game medium selected by the second player from the first game medium and the third game medium presented in the selectable manner;
The control program according to any one of claims 1 to 6, The computer includes:
storing a second reward in the storage unit in association with the second player in the game that progresses in accordance with a progress instruction of the second player;
Run the command,
The control program according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first reward associated with the first player is a reward according to the second reward and parameters of the same game medium. The computer includes:
storing a third reward, which is different from the first and second rewards, in the storage unit in association with a player associated with the selected game medium, when the second player selects one of the first game medium and the third game medium presented in the selectable manner;
The control program according to claim 7, which causes the program to execute the following: When the parameter of the same game medium is a parameter indicating a rarity, a character level, HP, an attack power, a defense power, or an attribute of the same game medium, and the first reward and the second reward are point values,
The control program according to claim 8 , wherein the first reward is a reward calculated by multiplying the second reward by a ratio corresponding to the parameter. A method for controlling a computer that includes a storage unit and progresses a game, comprising:
The computer,
storing in the storage unit a first game medium associated with each of a plurality of first players and a second game medium associated with each of a plurality of second players;
presenting a first screen including a plurality of selectable first game contents to the second player;
progressing the game using the second game medium and a game medium identical to the first game medium selected by the second player from the first screen in accordance with an instruction from the second player;
when the game proceeding according to an instruction from the second player is ended, a first reward associated with the first player and associated with the first game medium that is the same as the game medium used in the ended game is stored in the storage unit;
presenting to the first player with whom the first reward is associated a second screen including information indicating the second players who have instructed progress of the game , and the first reward associated with the first player in the game that has progressed in accordance with the instructions of each of the second players ;
Including,
The computer,
executing a predetermined process for the second player selected by the first player from the second screen;
A control method comprising: A computer including a storage unit and for progressing a game,
storing in the storage unit a first game medium associated with each of a plurality of first players and a second game medium associated with each of a plurality of second players;
presenting a first screen including a plurality of selectable first game contents to the second player;
progressing the game using the second game medium and a game medium identical to the first game medium selected by the second player from the first screen in accordance with an instruction from the second player;
when the game proceeding according to an instruction from the second player is ended, a first reward associated with the first player and associated with the first game medium that is the same as the game medium used in the ended game is stored in the storage unit;
a processing unit that presents, to the first player with whom the first reward is associated, a second screen including information indicating the second players who have instructed the progress of the game , and the first reward associated with the first player in the game that has progressed in accordance with the instructions of each of the second players ;
Equipped with
The processing unit includes:
executing a predetermined process for the second player selected by the first player from the second screen;
1. A computer comprising:

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