WO2013140828A1 - Game controller, game control method, program, recording medium, and game system - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided are a game controller, a game control method, a program, a recording medium and a game system with which the curiosity or interest of users in being friends can be increased while avoiding frequent exchanges between friends. This game controller is provided with: an association means for associating users; a receiving means for receiving requests from users to participate in events within a game; an acquisition means for acquiring user selection information indicating a user who has been selected by a first user from among users associated with the first user; and a granting means for granting privileges to the first user, after the acquisition means has acquired the user selection information, when the receiving means receives a request from the first user and from the user selected by the first user to participate in the aforementioned event.

Description

GAME CONTROL DEVICE, GAME CONTROL METHOD, PROGRAM, RECORDING MEDIUM, GAME SYSTEM

The present invention relates to a technique for controlling the progress of a game by the user according to the user's operation.

In recent years, a so-called social game (Social) executed by a game application created based on an operating environment such as an API (Application Programming Interface) operating on a web browser in a social networking service (SNS) by a specific service provider. Game) is popular. It can be said that the social game is a kind of online game that is played while communicating among an unspecified number of users. If a user can connect to the Internet and has a communication terminal equipped with a web browser, the user can enjoy a social game regardless of time and place.

One of the features of the above-described social game is that it has a richer communication function for interaction between users than the conventional online game. In social games, for example, in addition to cooperative play with other users (friends), information exchange by communicating with friends such as greetings and contacts with friends, gifts of items on the game with friends or items An exchange has been made. As an example of such a social game, a digital card game (Pro Baseball Dream Nine (registered trademark)) described in Non-Patent Document 1 below is known.

The above-mentioned social game provider or operator has an advantage that the closer the friendship between users is, the more the game community can be activated and, consequently, the user's game separation can be suppressed. However, from the user's perspective, there is a tendency to avoid frequent (or excessive) exchanges with friends while having a sense of familiarity with friends, and the friendship is sufficient to activate the game community. There is a problem that it does not contribute.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described viewpoints, and a game control device, a game control method, and a method in which a user can increase interest or interest in a friend while avoiding frequent exchanges with the friend. An object is to provide a program, a recording medium, and a game system.

The first aspect of the present invention is:
An association means for relating users,
A receiving means for accepting an application for user participation in an in-game event;
Obtaining means for obtaining user selection information indicating a user selected by the first user from among users associated with the first user;
After the acquisition unit acquires the user selection information, when the reception unit receives an application for participation in the event of the first user and the user selected by the first user, A granting means for granting a privilege to the first user;
It is a game control apparatus provided with.

Here, the “event” may be, for example, a participatory game that starts regularly or irregularly in the game, or an event or event realized by an image such as a web page.

In this game control apparatus, the first user selects in advance a user who has not received an application for participation in the event and is associated with the first user (hereinafter referred to as “companion” as appropriate). Thereafter, when the first user and the selected friend receive an application for participation in the event, a privilege is granted to the first user. In other words, the first user makes a virtual promise with his / her selected peers to apply for participation in the event, and when the promise is realized, the first user has a privilege. It is a configuration to be granted. At this time, unlike the actual promise between the first user and the selected companion, there is no need for some interaction with the promise, and the selected companion selects himself as the first user. And does not recognize that a virtual promise was made. In addition, for the first user, the interest or awareness of his / her peer is increased in order to make an appropriate selection for the fellow who is a virtual promise partner and obtain a privilege. For example, in order to know friends who are highly likely to participate in the event, the consciousness of the friends is kept high on a daily basis. Therefore, according to this game control apparatus, while the user avoids frequent and direct exchanges with his / her friends through the friend selection based on the euphoria to obtain a privilege, You will be able to raise your interest.

In the above game control device, the application history of participation of past events of each user associated with the first user and / or the exchange history of the first user and each user are either You may provide the production | generation means which produces | generates the data for alerting | reporting. When the application history of participation in the past event and the exchange history with each user are informed, the information becomes the base information when selecting a friend. In the process of selecting, you will be able to have more interest in your friends. In addition, based on information on application history of participation in past events and exchange history with each user, the joy of being able to get benefits by predicting and guessing friends who are likely to participate in the event. The first user can be held.

In the above game control apparatus, after the granting unit acquires the user selection information, the accepting unit applies for participation in the event of the first user and the user selected by the first user. If accepted, a privilege may be given to the user selected by the first user. By giving a privilege to the user selected by the first user, that is, the partner of the promised partner of the virtual promise, when the virtual promise is realized, the friend becomes the promised partner. In addition to having been done, it becomes familiar with the 1st user by having obtained the unexpected privilege.

In the above game control device, the granting unit may reduce the privileges to be given to the first user as the number of users selected by the first user increases. When the number of users selected by the first user increases (that is, the number of virtual promised partners increases), there is a possibility that any of the selected users will apply for participation in the event. Probably higher. Therefore, when the number of selected users is large, the benefits when the promise is realized (that is, the application for participation in the event of the first user and one of the selected users is accepted) are reduced. By doing so, it is possible to motivate the first user to select a friend carefully instead of selecting a friend to the dark cloud.

In the game control device, the granting unit may increase the privilege as the number of users (friends) associated with the first user increases. If there are a large number of related users, one of the many populations will be selected, so the probability that the selected user will actually apply for event participation is relatively high. Lower. Therefore, the greater the number of users associated with the first user, the greater the privilege that is granted, so that regardless of the number of related users, the expected value of the privilege is increased fairly. Benefits can be granted (without changing). Further, as the number of related users increases, the burden on the first user increases in selecting the user from among them, and it is preferable to give a privilege according to the burden.

In the above-described game control device, the granting unit sends the first user and the user selected by the first user according to a time difference in acceptance time of an application for participation in the event. Both of the privilege to be granted to the user and the privilege to be given to the user selected by the first user may be changed.
For example, it can be considered that as the time difference is shorter, a virtual promise between the first user and the selected user can be realized with higher accuracy. In such a case, for example, a large privilege may be given to the first user. By adopting such a configuration, the first user becomes interested in how accurately the virtual promise made by himself / herself can be realized, and can be highly interested in the event.

The game control device may further include a limiting unit that limits the number of users selected by the first user to a predetermined number or less. If it is possible to select all the related users, there is a possibility that the user may not be interested in the individual friends, and there is a possibility that the function does not function to increase interest or interest in the friends. Thus, by limiting the number of users selected by the first user, the first user can be more careful with the user's choice and more interested in the individual user.

In the case where the limiting unit is provided, the predetermined number may be a predetermined ratio with respect to the number of users associated with the first user. Regardless of the number of users associated with the first user, if the predetermined number is determined as an absolute value, the degree of freedom of user selection is reduced when the number of associated users is large. May end up. For example, when the predetermined number is “3” as an absolute value, the former can select all the friends in the first user having three friends and the first user having 30 friends. On the other hand, the latter can only be selected by 10%. Therefore, by setting the predetermined number to a predetermined ratio with respect to the number of users associated with the first user, it is possible to set the degree of freedom of user selection regardless of the number of related users. become able to.

A second aspect of the present invention is a game control method,
Steps to relate users,
Accepting an application for user participation in an in-game event;
Obtaining user selection information indicating a user selected by the first user from among users associated with the first user;
After obtaining the user selection information in the obtaining step, when the accepting step accepts an application for participation in the event of the first user and the user selected by the first user, Giving a privilege to the first user;
Is provided.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in order to control execution of a game by a user operation,
A function to relate users,
The ability to accept applications for user participation in in-game events,
A function of acquiring user selection information indicating a user selected by the first user from among users associated with the first user, and receiving the user selection information after acquiring the user selection information by the acquiring function When the function accepts an application for participation in the event of the first user and the user selected by the first user, a function of giving a privilege to the first user;
It is a program for realizing.

The computer may be, for example, a network server or a large computer. Further, this program may be stored in a computer-readable information storage medium such as a DVD-ROM or a CD-ROM. That is, a fourth aspect of the present invention is a computer-readable recording medium in which the program is recorded.

A fifth aspect of the present invention is a game system including a communication terminal operated by a user and a server configured to be accessible from the communication terminal and controlling execution of a game by the communication terminal,
An association means for relating users,
Accepting means for accepting applications for user participation in in-game events,
An acquisition means for acquiring user selection information indicating a user selected by the first user from among users associated with the first user, and the reception after the acquisition means acquires the user selection information. When each means accepts an application for participation in the event of the first user and the user selected by the first user, each of the granting means for granting a privilege to the first user Means provided in either the communication terminal or the server,
It is a game system.

The figure which shows the basic composition of the game system of embodiment. The figure which shows the example of the external appearance of the communication terminal of embodiment. The figure which shows another example of the external appearance of the communication terminal of embodiment. The block diagram which shows the structure of the communication terminal of embodiment. The block diagram which shows the structure of the game server of embodiment. The block diagram which shows the structure of the database server of embodiment. The figure which shows the structural example of the user database contained in the database server of embodiment. The figure which shows the data structural example of promise partner data. The figure which shows the data structural example of event management data. The figure which shows an example of the web page of the game of embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the web page of the game of embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the web page of the game of embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the web page of the game of embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the web page of the game of embodiment. The functional block diagram for demonstrating the function to play main roles with the game control apparatus of embodiment. The flowchart which shows an example of the process of the game control apparatus of embodiment. The flowchart which shows an example of the process of the game control apparatus of embodiment. The flowchart which shows an example of the process of the game control apparatus of embodiment. The functional block diagram for demonstrating the function which plays a main role with the game control apparatus of the modification of embodiment. The figure which shows the data structural example of log | history data. The figure which shows the modification of the web page of the game of embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the correspondence of the number of promise partners, and a privilege in the game control apparatus of the modification of embodiment. The functional block diagram for demonstrating the function which plays a main role with the game control apparatus of another modification of embodiment. The figure which shows the example of assignment between a communication terminal, a game server, and a database server about each function of the game control apparatus of embodiment. The figure which shows the example of assignment between a communication terminal, a game server, and a database server about each function of the game control apparatus of embodiment.

The present invention relates to a patent application of Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-064838 filed with the Japan Patent Office on March 22, 2012, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the game system of the present invention will be described.

(1) Configuration of Game System FIG. 1 shows a system configuration example of a game system according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the game system includes communication terminals 10a, 10b, 10c,... That can be connected to a communication network NW (network) such as the Internet, a game server 20 connected to the communication network NW, The database server 30 is configured. Each of the communication terminals 10a, 10b, 10c,... Is a terminal operated by an individual user, for example, a mobile terminal, a smartphone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a personal computer, a television having a bidirectional communication function. A communication terminal such as a John receiver (including a so-called multi-function smart TV). In the following description, when referring to the communication terminals 10a, 10b, 10c,.
In this game system, the game server 20 is configured to be able to communicate with the communication terminal 10 that is a client, and provides a gaming service to the communication terminal 10. The game server 20 is mounted with an application operable on a web browser as a game application. The database server 30 stores various information to be described later in executing the game, and is connected to the game server 20 by, for example, a wire for reading and writing the information.
The communication terminal 10 includes a web browser capable of displaying a web page provided by the game server 20, and the user operates the communication terminal 10 on the web page to execute a game.

Although not shown in FIG. 1, an authentication server for authenticating the user of each communication terminal 10 may be provided separately from the game server 20. Further, when a plurality of game servers 20 are provided in order to accept access from many communication terminals 10, a load balancer for adjusting a load between the plurality of game servers 20 may be provided. The game server 20 may be configured as a single server device, but may be configured as a plurality of server devices having distributed functions.

(2) Configuration of Communication Terminal The communication terminal 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 3.
2A and 2B are diagrams each illustrating an example of the appearance of the communication terminal 10. FIG. 2A illustrates a button input type communication terminal such as a foldable mobile terminal (mobile phone), and FIG. 2B illustrates a touch panel input type communication terminal such as a smartphone. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the communication terminal 10.
As shown in FIG. 3, the communication terminal 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, an image processing unit 14, an instruction input unit 15, a display unit 16, A communication interface unit 17 is provided, and a bus 18 for transmitting control signals or data signals between the units is provided.

The CPU 11 loads the web browser in the ROM 12 into the RAM 13 and executes it. And CPU11 is based on the appropriate designation | designated of URL (Uniform Resource Locator) input to a user by the instruction | indication input part 15 grade | etc., Data for displaying a web page from the game server 20 via the communication interface part 17, That is, data of an object such as an HTML (HyperText Markup Language) document and an image associated with the document (hereinafter collectively referred to as “HTML data” as appropriate) is acquired via the communication interface unit 17. Interpret the HTML data. The communication terminal 10 may be mounted with various plug-ins for extending the browser function of the web browser.
In acquiring the HTML data, the CPU 11 sends an access request message including a user ID (user identification information) registered in advance or a user ID input via the instruction input unit 15 via the communication interface unit 17. The game server 20 is notified.

The web browser displays the web page provided from the game server 20 on the display unit 16 based on the acquired HTML data via the image processing unit 14. When the user selects a hyperlink or menu on the web page by operating the instruction input unit 15, the web browser transmits new HTML data for displaying the web page according to the selection. (That is, update of the web page) is requested to the game server 20.

The image processing unit 14 displays a web page on the display unit 16 based on the display image data given from the CPU 11 as the analysis result of the HTML data. The display unit 16 is, for example, an LCD (Liquid-Cristal-Display) monitor including thin film transistors arranged in units of pixels in a matrix, and displays an image of a web page by driving the thin film transistors based on display image data. To display.

When the communication terminal 10 is a button input type communication terminal (FIG. 2A), the instruction input unit 15 includes a button group 15a including a plurality of instruction input buttons such as a direction instruction button and a decision button for accepting a user operation input. And a button group 15b including a plurality of instruction input buttons such as a numeric keypad, and includes an interface circuit for recognizing a pressing (operation) input of each button and outputting it to the CPU 11. For example, the direction instruction button is provided to instruct the CPU 11 to scroll and display the web page displayed on the display unit 16. The determination button instructs the CPU 11 that the user selects one hyperlink or menu that is actively displayed (for example, highlighted) when, for example, a plurality of hyperlinks or menus are displayed on a web page. To be provided. When the communication terminal 10 is configured by a small portable terminal, these buttons are provided on the front surface of the communication terminal 10 so that the user can easily operate (click) with the thumb while holding the communication terminal 10 with one hand. It is preferable to arrange | position. In the example shown in FIG. 2A, the button group 15b is arranged below the button group 15a and includes a plurality of instruction input buttons on which “0” to “9”, “*”, and “#” (ten keys) are written. .

When the communication terminal 10 is a touch panel input type communication terminal (FIG. 2B), the instruction input unit 15 mainly accepts touch panel type input by touching the display screen 16a with a fingertip or a pen. The touch panel input method may be a known method such as a capacitance method. As illustrated in FIG. 2B, the button group 15a may be provided even when the communication terminal 10 is a touch panel input method.

For example, when the communication terminal 10 is a portable terminal, the menu selection operation on the web page displayed on the communication terminal 10 is selected by pressing the direction instruction button and selecting by pressing the enter button. This is done by confirming the selected menu. For example, when the communication terminal 10 is a touch panel input method, the selection operation is performed by instructing (touch panel operation) a menu position on the display screen 16a on which the web page is displayed with a finger or a pen.

(3) Configuration of Game Server The configuration of the game server 20 will be described with reference to FIG.
The game server 20 manages a game website including a plurality of hierarchical web pages, for example, and provides a game web service to the communication terminal 10. As shown in FIG. 4, the game server 20 includes a CPU 21, a ROM 22, a RAM 23, a database (DB) access unit 24, and a communication interface unit 25, for transmitting control signals or data signals between the units. A bus 26 is provided. In addition, the game server 20 can take the same structure as a general-purpose web server regarding hardware.

The ROM 22 stores an application program that provides a service for displaying an object such as an HTML document or an image (displaying a web page) to the web browser of the communication terminal 10 that is a client. The ROM 22 stores various data referred to by the CPU 21 in addition to the application program.
The CPU 21 loads the game program in the ROM 22 to the RAM 23 and executes it, and performs various processes via the communication interface unit 25.

For example, the CPU 21 transmits HTML data to the communication terminal 10 via the communication interface unit 25. In addition, when the game server 20 performs the authentication process of the user of the communication terminal 10, the CPU 21 performs the authentication process.
The CPU 21 performs processing according to the hyperlink or menu selected by the user on the web page displayed on the communication terminal 10. The processing includes, for example, transmission of new HTML data, arithmetic processing in the game server 20 or data processing.
The database access unit 24 is an interface when the CPU 21 reads / writes data from / to the database server 30.

(4) Configuration of Database Server The database server 30 can be realized by a general-purpose storage such as a large-capacity hard disk device or a device such as RAID (Redundant Arrays of Inexpensive Disks). Each database in the database server 30 is configured to be able to read and write data from the CPU 21 via the database access unit 24 of the game server 20.
FIG. 5 shows an example of the configuration of the database server 30. As shown in FIG. 5, the database server 30 includes a user database 31 and a game database 32.

The type of game realized by the game server 20 of the present embodiment is not particularly limited, but in the following, as an example of a game realized by the game server 20 for convenience of description of the embodiment, a baseball digital format Pick up a card game.
A baseball-format digital card game (hereinafter simply referred to as “game of the present embodiment” as appropriate) creates a team by a user collecting player cards corresponding to baseball players, and baseball with other users' teams. Or a baseball league game for each skill level. In the game of this embodiment, a scout process for searching for a player card in order to build up his own team, a lottery process for obtaining a player card by lottery, or two or more player cards are integrated. Strengthening processing that increases the ability of a specific player card is provided.
Each function implemented in the game of this embodiment will be described later.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a user database 31 applied in the game according to this embodiment described above. In this example, the user database 31 has a user name / display image, a skill level, an action point, an operation point, an enhancement point, an ale point, the number of players, a fellow user for each user ID that is information for identifying the user. Information about each item of ID, possessed card image data, and retained card parameters is included. Information included in the user database 31 can be updated sequentially by the game server 20.

In the following description, the user ID included in the user database 31 or data for each user name (to be described later) specifying the user is generically referred to as user data. The data of each item constituting the user data is as follows.
User name / display image A user name and a display image that are displayed to identify the user on the communication terminal 10 when the game is executed. The user name is text of a predetermined length or less that is specified in advance by the user, and the display image is an avatar image that is selected in advance by the user, for example. The user name is a name that identifies the user on the network environment (or game community) provided by the game server 20.
Skill level This is data indicating the skill level of the user on the game. For example, it is a level value in a range from Lv1 (level 1) to Lv100 (level 100).
-Action point In the game of this embodiment, it is a point necessary for, for example, performing a game scout by the user. The value of the action point is reduced by scouting, and is recovered (increased) every time a predetermined time elapses.
-Management point In the game of this embodiment, for example, it is a point necessary for performing a battle on the game by the user. The value of the management point is reduced by a battle with another user or the like, and is recovered (increased) every time a predetermined time elapses.
Strengthening point In the game of the present embodiment, for example, it is a point necessary for strengthening a player card by a user. The value of the strengthening point is reduced by strengthening the player card, and is recovered (increased) every time the player wins a battle with another user or a predetermined time elapses.
-Ale point In the game of this embodiment, it is a point which a user acquires by transmitting a support message to a fellow user. In addition, as will be described later, by drawing a predetermined amount of this point, a lottery that can acquire a player card can be performed. In this lottery, player cards of various ability levels can be obtained. High-capacity rare cards that are difficult to obtain can also be acquired with a low probability.
-Number of players This is the number of player cards held by the user. The number of players is increased or decreased by the execution of scout processing and strengthening processing. The maximum number of players (for example, 60) is defined in advance.
-Associates Data of other user IDs that are associates of the target user ID.
-Image data of possession card In the case of the game of the present embodiment, the image data of the possession card is data including an image of the player card possessed by the user.
-Owned card parameter The owned card parameter includes data indicating the ability value of the player card. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, each ability value such as “batting force”, “running ability”, “defense ability”, and the like may be included as parameter items. In the example of FIG. 6, the capability value is a value in the range of 0 to 1000, and the higher the capability value is, the higher the capability is. In FIG. 6, “batting force”, “running ability”, and “defense ability” are illustrated as items as indicators of ability, but if the player is a pitcher, other items such as “ball speed”, “ball control” It is good also as "power", "stamina", etc.

Returning to FIG. 5, the game database 32 stores and updates information on game settings executed by the game server 20 and information on game results based on access from the game server 20. Information related to game results may include various information depending on the nature of the game. Taking the case of the game of the present embodiment as an example, information on game results includes results of battles between different user IDs (scores, etc.), results of league battles between a plurality of user IDs of specific skill levels (scores) , Ranking, etc.).

As will be described later, the game according to the present embodiment is configured so that the user can make a virtual promise with his / her friend about applying for participation in the event. In order to do so, the game database 32 stores promised partner data and event management data. Data configuration examples of the promised partner data and the event management data are shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, respectively. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the promised partner data is data in which a target event and a friend (promise partner) who has virtually promised the event are described in association with each user. As shown in FIG. 8, the event management data includes, for each event, the user ID of the user who applied for participation in the event, the date and time of participation application, and the event result (for example, the event of the corresponding user). Data indicating the game results such as results).

(5) Game of this embodiment Next, the game of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 13 are diagrams showing examples of a series of web pages displayed on the user's communication terminal 10 during the execution of the game.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a web page P1 which is the top page of the game. This web page P1 is configured for each individual user ID. The top page illustrated in FIG. 9 includes a user data display area, a player image display area, a menu display area, and a limited-time event guide area in addition to the user name (KNM in FIG. 9).

In the user data display area, skill level, action point, management point, strengthening point, yell point, number of players, and data of each item of fellows included in the user data of the target user ID (see FIG. 6) are displayed. Area. It should be noted that in the items displayed in the user data display area, the point or number written in the X / Y format is that X is the point or number held by the user, and Y is the maximum value of the point or number. Indicates that there is. For example, if the number of players is written as “40/60”, it indicates that the number of player cards held by the user is 40 and the maximum number of player cards that can be held is 60.

The player image display area is an area in which image data of a player card previously selected by the user is displayed.
The menu display area is a menu corresponding to a plurality of processes (scout process, strengthening process, game process, lottery process, order process) provided in the game of the present embodiment, as “scout”, “enhancement”, “game”, This is the area where the “lottery” and “order” menus m1 to m5 are displayed. That is, a plurality of menus to which a plurality of processes executed in the game are assigned are respectively arranged at predetermined positions on the web page displayed on the communication terminal 10. Note that the order process is a process of executing an exchange of player card orders, replacement with a reserved player card, or the like under the instruction of the user.

The outline of the processing of each menu is as follows.
・ Scout processing:
This is a process of searching for player cards in order to build up their own team. Executing a scout consumes action points, but increases reinforcement points. Each time a predetermined menu is selected and operated, a player card is excavated with a predetermined or random probability, and the player card is given to the user.
・ Strengthening process:
It is a process of increasing the parameters of a specific player card by consuming two points and integrating two or more player cards.
・ Game processing:
This is a process of playing a baseball game with another user's team. Management points are consumed by playing the game, but if the game is won, the reinforcement points increase by a certain amount, for example.
・ Lottery processing:
This is a process of consuming a certain amount of Yale points or obtaining a player card by lottery using a lottery ticket as an item on the game.
・ Order processing:
This is a process for the user to change the order of a player card, to replace a player card with a copy, and the like.

The limited-time event guide area is an area that is provided in advance for providing guidance for limited-time events that are held irregularly. In the limited-time event guide area, text for guiding the limited-time event (in FIG. 9, the text “Notice: Limited time”) and a menu m10 labeled “Promise with friends” are displayed.
This game is configured so that the user can select his / her friend and make a virtual promise with the friend for an event before the start (in the example of FIG. 9, a limited time event IV20). A user makes a virtual promise unilaterally, and therefore, a fellow user who is a virtual promise partner does not recognize that he is a promise partner. The menu m10 is displayed until the target limited-time event IV20 is started.

When the menu m10 for making a virtual promise is selected and operated, the web page is updated as shown at P2 in FIG. A list of friends is displayed on the web page P2 in order to select a promise partner. Although only some of the friends are displayed on the web page P2 in FIG. 10, all of the user's friends can be browsed by a scroll operation by the user, and can be selected. In the web page P2, for example, when the user performs an operation of selecting a user with a user name: GIP, the web page is updated as shown in P3. On the web page P3, a menu m11 for making a virtual appointment with another friend is displayed together with text indicating that a virtual promise has been made with the friend selected on the web page P2.

When the limited event IV20 is started, the display in the limited event guide area on the top page is updated as shown in the web page P4 in FIG. That is, in the limited time event guide area, the menu m20 described as “join event IV20” is displayed. When the menu m20 is selected and operated on the web page P4, for example, as shown at P5 in FIG. In the present embodiment, the content of the event is not particularly limited, but in the example shown on the web page P5, the event IV20 causes the user to execute a “baseball quiz” and gives a predetermined benefit (FIG. 12 is an event configured to give “10 times lottery ticket”). In this baseball quiz example, the quiz questions Q1, Q2,... Are alternatives in which the user selects and operates either the menu ma denoted by “a” or the menu mb denoted by “b”. A format problem is assumed.

Again, returning to the top page (P6 in FIG. 13), the user: the user who is the promised partner of KNM: GIP applied for participation in the same event IV20 (that is, the promised partner also performed the selection operation of the menu m20) In this case, a predetermined privilege (a certain amount of ale points in the example of FIG. 13) is given to the user: KNM on the assumption that the virtual promise has been kept (realized). That is, when another user (GIP in the example in the figure) with whom the user (KNM in the figure) is a friend is selected and a virtual promise is made in a specific event, the user: KNM and the user: GIP However, when applying for participation in the specific event, a predetermined privilege is given to the user: KNM as if the virtual promise was kept.

(6) Overview of Functions in Game Control Device In the present embodiment, the game control device is configured by the game server 20 and the database server 30. Below, the function implement | achieved with the game control apparatus of this embodiment is demonstrated with reference to FIG. 14 for the case where the game of this embodiment mentioned above is applied as an example. FIG. 14 is a functional block diagram for explaining functions that play a main role in the game control apparatus of the present embodiment.
In the functional block diagram of FIG. 14, the association means 52, the reception means 54, the acquisition means 55, and the privilege grant means 56 correspond to the main configuration of the present invention. Other means are not necessarily indispensable structures, but they are structures for making the present invention more preferable.
In the following description, menus, marks and the like displayed on the web page displayed on the communication terminal 10 are arranged at desired positions on the web page, and are menus visually recognized on the communication terminal 10. The position on the display screen of the mark and the like can be changed by scrolling the web page by the user's direction instruction button or touch panel operation.

For example, the registration unit 51 has a function of recognizing a user registration request based on an appropriate operation input to the communication terminal 10 on a web page provided to the communication terminal 10 and performing a registration process. This registration process is executed when the user performs user registration for the game of the present embodiment.
The function of the registration means 51 is implement | achieved as follows, for example. The CPU 21 of the game server 20 receives a registration request message from the communication terminal 10 via the communication interface unit 25. The registration request message is automatically generated by a predetermined operation on the communication terminal 10 on the web page provided from the game server 20 (for example, a predetermined menu selection operation or a text input such as a user ID or password specified by the user). Web pages may be configured to be generated automatically. The registration request message may include information for identifying the communication terminal 10 of the transmission source (for example, individual identification information of a terminal such as a UID (Unique Identifier), a mail address, or the like) If another game by the same service provider is used, the user ID may be included.
When the CPU 21 receives the registration request message and the registration request message does not include the user ID, the CPU 21 issues a new user ID and performs registration processing of the user ID, and then the registration processing is completed. Is sent to the communication terminal 10. When the CPU 21 receives the registration request message and the registration request message includes a user ID, the CPU 21 performs registration processing of the user ID, and then transmits a registration completion message indicating that the registration processing is completed to the communication terminal. 10 to send.
When the registration is completed, the CPU 21 generates user data corresponding to the user ID and stores it in the user database 31. When the registration is completed, the user can execute the game of the present embodiment.

The association unit 52 has a function of relating different users. That is, the association unit 52 records the user ID in association with another user ID, for example, triggered by an application based on the user ID. That is, the associating unit 52 records other user IDs (that is, other users) as “companies” triggered by an application based on the user ID.
The function of the correlation means 52 is implement | achieved as follows, for example. The CPU 21 of the game server 20 specifies, via the communication interface unit 25, an application message (a friend application) that specifies a user ID (or a corresponding user name) that the user wants to be a friend from the communication terminal 10 of the user corresponding to a user ID. Accept. The transmission of the application message may be set in advance as a function of a web page provided to the user's communication terminal 10.
When receiving the application message, the CPU 21 approves an application based on another user ID to the communication terminal 10 corresponding to the user ID at the timing when the access is based on the user ID included in the application message. HTML data for displaying a web page requesting the return of the message is transmitted. If it is replied that the application is approved, the CPU 21 registers both as friends. Specifically, the CPU 21 writes the data (the other party's user ID) in the location (see FIG. 6) of the “mate user ID” of the user data of the corresponding two user IDs in the user database 31. In addition, CPU21 may register both as a friend triggered by predetermined operation by the user who is performing the game, when approval of the user of a friend application destination is unnecessary.

Moreover, the conditions which relate users may register the user who performs the stage or area on the same game, and the users who played the game as friends. Alternatively, users who transmit a predetermined number of greeting messages may be automatically registered as friends, and if there is a game mode in which a battle (battle) is performed between users, a battle is performed more than a predetermined number of times. You may automatically register the users who went and the users who cooperated with the enemy character as friends.
In this embodiment, although the example which implement | achieves by registering data in the user database 31 by registering the friendship relationship between users was shown, it is not restricted to this example. The data regarding the friendship may be written in an external storage device on the network accessible from the game server 20.

The game progress means 53 has a function of executing an authentication process at the time of user login when the user executes the game of the present embodiment.
The function of this game progress means 53 is implement | achieved as follows. When receiving the HTTP request from the communication terminal 10 of each user, the CPU 21 of the game server 20 acquires the individual identification information or the user ID and password from the HTTP request, and acquires the individual identification information or the user ID and password. For example, the authentication process is performed by collating with data recorded in the user database 31.

The game advancing means 53 has a function of advancing the game by transmitting HTML data for sequentially updating web pages displayed on the communication terminal 10 in response to a user operation on the communication terminal 10.
In realizing the game progress means 53, as shown in FIG. 9, the CPU 21 of the game server 20 assigns, in advance, any process for progressing the game to each menu displayed on the web page. To generate HTML data. At this time, the CPU 21 accesses the user database 31 via the database access unit 24 and reads out data of each item included in the user data display area and image data of the player card to be displayed in the player image display area.
When the menu on the web page (any one of menus m1 to m5) is selected in the communication terminal 10, the CPU 21 receives information about the selected menu from the communication terminal 10, and based on the received information, The process assigned to the selected menu is executed. Specifically, the CPU 21 executes scout processing, reinforcement processing, game processing, lottery processing, and order processing corresponding to the menus m1 to m5, respectively. Preferably, when each process is executed, each process is executed hierarchically such that a new web page including a plurality of menus subdivided for each process is displayed.

・ Scout processing:
Whenever the CPU 21 recognizes that a predetermined menu on the web page has been selected and operated, the CPU 21 performs a scout process of finding a player card with a predetermined or random probability and giving the player card to the user. CPU21 accesses user data by performing a scout process, decreases the action point used as object, and increases a reinforcement | strengthening point. Note that scouting is not executed when the user does not have a sufficient amount of action points. The CPU 21 increases (recovers) the action points every time a certain time elapses.

・ Strengthening process:
For example, the CPU 21 consumes a certain amount of strengthening points to perform a process of increasing the parameters of a specific player card by integrating two or more player cards. At this time, for example, a process of adding parameters of two or more player cards or adding with a predetermined weight is performed.

・ Game processing:
For example, the CPU 21 executes the game process in response to a user operation that desires to execute the game process. The game process includes a transmission process of HTML data for displaying a web page that allows the user to select an opponent, and a battle process between users based on the selection result of the opponent. In accordance with the execution of the game process, the CPU 21 decreases the management point of the user who has performed the operation of the game process by a certain amount, but increases the strengthening point, for example, by a certain amount if the game is won. Note that the winning / losing of the game or the probability of winning / losing may be determined, for example, according to the integrated value of the parameters of a certain number of player cards (player cards in the team) held by the opponent users.

・ Lottery processing:
The CPU 21 uses a lottery to draw a player card by using a lottery ticket as an item on the game held by the user, or by consuming a certain amount of ale points for the user upon a predetermined selection operation by the user. The lottery process to get the. The lottery process is preferably executed through an effect of taking out (drawing) one player card from the lottery box. The player cards that appear by lottery are basically random, but the probability that a player card with a high degree of rareness will appear by lottery is set very low.

・ Order processing:
In response to a predetermined instruction operation by the user, the CPU 21 executes, for example, replacement of a team order when performing a game process or replacement with a reserved player card based on a player card held by the user.

The accepting means 54 has a function of accepting an application for user participation in an event in the game. The function of the accepting unit 54 is realized as follows. When the CPU 21 of the game server 20 recognizes that the user has selected a menu for applying to participate in an event in the game (for example, the menu m20 in the web page P4 in FIG. 11), the game database 32 is selected. And the user ID of the user and the date and time of participation application (that is, the time when the selection operation of the menu for application for participation is recognized) are written in the event data to be applied for the event management data.

The obtaining unit 55 has a function of obtaining user selection information indicating a user selected by the first user from among users associated with the first user. In other words, the function of the acquisition unit 55 is a function of acquiring information for identifying a friend who makes a virtual promise to participate in a specific event. The function of the acquisition means 55 is implement | achieved as follows. The CPU 21 of the game server 20 performs an appropriate operation of a user who makes a virtual promise with a friend for an event in the game (for example, an operation for selecting the menus m10 and m11 on the web pages P1 and P3 in FIGS. 9 and 10). And an HTTP request including information on the selected promised partner as user selection information. When the CPU 21 receives the HTTP request, the CPU 21 accesses the game database 32 and adds the target event and the data of the promised partner (user name or data) to the data of the user ID of the user who makes a virtual promise of the promised partner data. User ID, etc.) are written in association with each other.

The privilege granting means 56 is a user (referred to as “first user”) for which the accepting means 54 has made a virtual promise for a specific event after the obtaining means 55 obtains the user selection information, and the first. When an application for participation in the event of the first user's companion selected by the user is accepted, a function of giving a privilege to the first user is provided.
The function of the privilege provision means 56 is implement | achieved as follows. The CPU 21 of the game server 20 accesses the game database 32, and for the target event, the first user (for example, the user name: KNM user in FIG. 7) and the information on the promised partner (for example, in FIG. 7, For the event IV20, the user name: GIP, SEL user) is read as a pair. That is, (KNM, GIP) and (KNM, SEL) are read as a set of users as user names. Next, the CPU 21 refers to the event management data and checks whether or not the set of read users are both applied for participation in the target event (event IV20 in this example). For example, in the case of a set of users (KNM, GIP), the CPU 21 checks whether the user ID corresponding to the user name: KNM and the user name: GIP are both written as the user ID of the event management data of the event IV20. As a result, when a pair of users are participating in the target event, the user who made a virtual promise (first user; in the example of FIG. 7, the user name is a user of KNM) The process which provides a privilege is performed.

In addition, when there are a plurality of promised partners of a specific user (user name: KNM user in the example of FIG. 7), it is assumed that there are a plurality of promised partners for whom the promise is realized. The privilege given in such a case may be constant regardless of the number of promised partners for whom the promise is realized, or may be varied according to the number.

Privileges granted may be anything such as points available on the game (for example, ale points) or items on the game. For example, when an ale point is given to a user as a privilege, the CPU 21 accesses the user's user data and performs a process of adding the amount of the given ale point to the value of the ale point. In addition, as another variation of the privilege, it is possible to take a configuration in which the probability that a player card with a high degree of rarity can be obtained is increased for a predetermined period when a player card is drawn by consuming an ale point.

(7) Flow of Main Processes of Game Control Device of Present Embodiment Hereinafter, main processes of the game control device of the present embodiment will be described with reference to flowcharts of FIGS. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a promise process for making a virtual promise. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing participation application processing for an event. FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a privilege grant process for granting a privilege to a user who has realized a virtual promise. As the processing in the flowcharts of FIGS. 15 to 17 is executed, HTML data for displaying the web pages P1 to P6 is transmitted from the game server 20 to the communication terminal 10 as appropriate. In order to avoid this, the HTML data transmission process is not described in the flowchart. In the flowchart, the timings at which the web pages P1 to P6 are displayed are indicated by symbols P1 to P6.

First, the promise process shown in FIG. 15 is executed at a timing when the target event has not yet started. First, when the CPU 21 of the game server 20 recognizes that, on the web page P1 (FIG. 9), the menu m10 for making a virtual promise with a friend at a specific event (for example, event IV20) is selected and operated (step S100). : YES), referring to the user data of the target user, the user ID of the user's associate is read, and HTML data for displaying the web page P2 including the list of associates is transmitted to the communication terminal 10 ( Step S102). When the CPU 21 recognizes the selection operation of any friend on the web page P2 (Step S104: YES), the CPU 21 updates the promised partner data included in the game database 32 based on the information about the selected friend (Step S104). S106). For example, when the user to be processed is the user name: KNM and the partner of the promised partner is the user name: GIP, the promised partner data is written as illustrated in FIG. Thereafter, the web page displayed on the communication terminal 10 is updated to a web page for confirming the selected promised partner as shown in P3. When the CPU 21 recognizes that the menu m11 has been selected on the web page P3 (step S108: YES), the CPU 21 sends HTML data for displaying the web page P2 for selecting a new promise partner to the communication terminal 10. Send to. When a plurality of promised partners are selected, the process returns from step S108 to step S102 each time, whereby the web page is switched and displayed as P2-> P3-> P2-> P3->. Are updated sequentially.

The participation application process for the event shown in FIG. 16 is executed at a timing after the target event is started. First, when the CPU 21 of the game server 20 recognizes that the menu m20 for applying to participate in a specific event (for example, event IV20) is selected on the web page P4 (FIG. 11) (step S200: YES). The user ID of the user who applied for participation in the event and the date and time of participation application are recorded in the event management data in the game database 32 (step S202).

The privilege grant process shown in FIG. 17 is executed at a timing after the target event is started. First, the CPU 21 of the game server 20 accesses the game database 32 and refers to the promised partner data of the target user (for example, the user name: KNM user in FIG. 7) for the target event. If it is determined whether or not there is a promised partner (step S300: YES), a set of users among the promised partners is sequentially read (step S302). In the example shown in FIG. 7, the user (user name: KNM) to be processed has at least two fellow promised partners (user names: GIP, SEL users) for the specific event IV20. Reads out one set of users (KNM, GIP) and (KNM, SEL) in order from the promised partner data. It is determined with reference to the event management data whether or not these one set of users have both applied for the event (step S304). Then, when any one set of users has already applied for participation in the event (step S304: YES), the CPU 21 responds to the processing target user (for example, the user name: KNM in FIG. 7). Then, a process of giving a predetermined privilege is performed (step S306).

As described above, according to the game control device, after the user (first user) selects a friend who has not yet accepted an application for participation in the event, the first user and the friend are selected. When an application for participation in the event is accepted, a privilege is granted to the first user. In other words, the first user makes a virtual promise with his / her selected peers to apply for participation in the event, and when the promise is realized, the first user has a privilege. It is a configuration to be granted. At this time, unlike the actual promise between the first user and the selected companion, there is no need for some interaction with the promise, and the selected companion selects himself as the first user. And does not recognize that a virtual promise was made. In addition, for the first user, interest or awareness of his / her peers is increased in order to make an appropriate selection for the fellow who is a virtual promise partner and to obtain a privilege. For example, in order to know friends who are highly likely to participate in the event, the consciousness of the friends is kept high on a daily basis. Therefore, according to this game control apparatus, while the user avoids frequent and direct exchanges with his / her friends through the friend selection based on the euphoria to obtain a privilege, You will be able to raise your interest.

(8) Modification Hereinafter, a modification of the above-described embodiment will be described.

(8-1) Modification 1
A functional block diagram of this modification is shown in FIG. The functional block diagram shown in FIG. 18 differs from that shown in FIG. 14 in that a generation unit 57 is added.
The generation means 57 is data for informing the application history of the past event participation of each user of the user (first user) and / or the exchange history of the first user and each friend. The function to generate. When the application history of past event participation and the exchange history with each friend of the first user are notified, the information becomes the base information for selecting the friend, so the first user On the other hand, in the process of selecting a companion, it becomes possible to further increase interest in the companion. In addition, based on information about application history of participation in past events and exchange history with each fellow, we expect to receive benefits by predicting and guessing fellows who are likely to participate in the event. The first user can be held.

The function of the generating means 57 can be realized as follows. The game database 32 includes history data for recording past application participation history of past events and exchange history with friends for each user. FIG. 19 shows a data configuration example of history data. The history data illustrated in FIG. 19 includes a code for identifying an event (for example, IV1 etc.) and a result of a user event (for example, a user's result in an event, a game result, etc.) as past application participation history of the event. As an exchange history, the frequency of yelling between friends (frequency of sending and receiving cheering messages), the number of presents (number of times gifts were handed over between friends), the number of matches (number of matches played between friends) and including. Whenever each user participates in the event, the CPU 21 accesses the history data and writes the event and the result of the event. CPU21 updates the data of the exchange history item (ale frequency etc.) of history data, when exchange is performed between friends.

In the present modification, when the CPU 21 recognizes that the menu m10 has been selected and operated on the web page P1 of FIG. 9, it generates HTML data for displaying the web page P2a shown in FIG. 20 instead of the web page P2. And transmitted to the communication terminal 10. In generating the HTML data, the CPU 21 refers to the history data in the game database 32, and applies the past event participation application history for the fellow of the target user (first user) or the first Read the exchange history with each friend of the user. In the web page P2a, the content of the read AC history is displayed for each friend of the first user. In the exchange history of the web page P2a, the yale frequency symbol (A, B, etc.) is a symbol that classifies the magnitude (level) of the frequency according to a certain standard. In addition, although the example which displays both the application history and exchange history of past event participation was shown in web page P2a, either one may be displayed.

(8-2) Modification 2
In the game control device of the above embodiment, after the acquisition unit 55 acquires the friend selection result (user selection information) by the user (first user), the privilege grant unit 56 receives the first user. And when the application of participation with respect to the event of the friend selected by the 1st user is received, a privilege may be provided with respect to the friend selected by the 1st user. By giving a privilege to the friend selected by the first user, that is, the partner of the promised partner of the virtual promise, when the promise was realized, the friend was made the promised partner. In addition, since the unexpected privilege is obtained, the first user has an affinity.
This modification can be realized in the same manner as the privilege granting means 56 grants a privilege to the first user. In other words, when a set of users read from the promised partner data are both participating in the target event, the user selected by the user (first user) who made the virtual promise The process of granting a privilege is performed. The privilege to be given may be anything such as a point that can be used on the game (for example, an ale point) or an item on the game. For example, when an ale point is given to a friend selected as a privilege, the CPU 21 accesses user data of the selected friend and adds the amount of the given ale point to the value of the ale point. I do.

(8-3) Modification 3
In the game control device of the above-described embodiment, the privilege granting unit 56 may reduce the privilege granted to the first user as the number of friends selected by the user (first user) increases. . If the number of friends selected by the first user increases (that is, the number of virtual promised friends increases), there is a possibility that one of the selected friends will apply for the event. Probably higher. Therefore, when the number of selected friends is large, by reducing the benefits when a virtual promise is realized, the first user is carefully selected instead of making a dark cloud selection. You can motivate to choose.
This modification can be realized as follows. For example, correspondence data indicating the relationship between the number of associates (promise partners) with whom the first user has virtually promised and the benefits is stored in advance in, for example, the ROM 22. Then, the CPU 21 determines the privilege, the number of fellow user IDs described in the user data (that is, the number of fellows), the number of promised partners obtained by referring to the promised partner data, and the ROM 22 The benefit is determined with reference to the corresponding data. For example, when giving an ale point as an example, when the number of promised opponents is 1, 2, 3, 4, the privilege to be granted (aile point) is 4000 pt, 3000 pt, 2000 pt, 1000 pt (pt: points), respectively. In other words, the corresponding data is configured so as to have an inversely proportional relationship.

(8-4) Modification 4
In the game control device of the above-described embodiment, the privilege grant unit 56 may increase the privilege as the number of users (first users) associates increases. When the number of friends is large, one of the friends is selected from many populations, so the probability that the selected friend actually applies for event participation is relatively low. Therefore, as the number of first user associates increases, the benefit granted is increased so that the benefit is granted fairly (or so that the expected value of the benefit does not change significantly) regardless of the number of associates. Will be able to. Moreover, since there is a greater burden on the first user in selecting a friend from among them as the number of friends increases, it is preferable to give a privilege according to the burden.
This modification can be realized as follows, for example. For example, the correspondence data indicating the relationship between the number of first user companions, the number of companions (promise partners) with whom the first user has made a virtual promise, and the benefits is stored in advance in, for example, the ROM 22. deep. Then, when determining the privilege, the CPU 21 determines the privilege with reference to the number of fellow user IDs described in the user data (that is, the number of peers) and the corresponding data in the ROM 22. For example, FIG. 21 shows a configuration example of correspondence data of this modification. As shown in FIG. 21, the correspondence data is configured such that as the number of friends increases, the benefits increase if the number of promised partners is the same. FIG. 21 is an example of correspondence data obtained by combining the third modification and the fourth modification, but only the relationship between the number of friends and the benefits may be defined.

(8-5) Modification 5
In the game control device of the above embodiment, the privilege granting means 56 is a first according to the time difference between the acceptance times of application for participation in the event of the user (first user) and the fellow selected by the first user. Both the privilege granted to the user and the privilege granted to the friend selected by the first user may be changed.
For example, as the time difference is shorter, it can be considered that a virtual promise between the first user and the selected friend can be realized with higher accuracy. In such a case, for example, a large privilege may be given to the first user. By adopting such a configuration, the first user becomes interested in how accurately the virtual promise made by himself / herself can be realized, and can be highly interested in the event.
In this modification, for example, the time difference can be measured by a timer built in the CPU 21, for example. For example, correspondence data between a time difference and a privilege is set in the ROM 22. CPU21 performs the process which reads the privilege according to the measured time difference with reference to the corresponding | compatible data. Or the function which shows the relationship between a time difference and the magnitude | size of a privilege may be defined previously, and CPU21 performs the process which calculates a privilege based on the measured time difference in that case.

(8-6) Modification 6
A functional block diagram of this modification is shown in FIG. The functional block diagram shown in FIG. 22 differs from that shown in FIG. 14 in that a limiting means 58 is added.
The limiting unit 58 has a function of limiting the number of friends selected by the user (first user) to a predetermined number or less. If the first user can select all the friends, there is a possibility that the first user may not be interested in the individual friends, and may not function to increase interest or interest in the friends. . Therefore, by limiting the number of companions selected by the first user, the first user can be more careful with the user's selection and more interested in the individual user.
This modification can be realized as follows, for example. The CPU 21 of the game server 20 performs a process of incrementing the counter every time it recognizes that the menu m11 on the web page P3 in FIG. 10 has been selected and operated. Then, the CPU 21 sequentially refers to the count value of the counter, and when it is determined that the number of the selected friends has reached a predetermined number, the virtual promise with the new friends is prohibited. For example, if the predetermined number is 5, the HTML data that contains the text such as “You have made 5 promised partners. You cannot promise with more friends” and does not contain menu m11 is the first. It is transmitted to the user's communication terminal 10.

(8-7) Modification 7
As shown in the modified example 6, when the limiting means 58 is provided, the predetermined number for limiting the number of promised partners may be a predetermined ratio with respect to the number of first user companions. Regardless of the number of friends of the first user, if the predetermined number is determined as an absolute value, if the number of friends is large, the degree of freedom of user selection may be reduced. For example, when the predetermined number is “3” as an absolute value, the former can select all the friends in the first user having three friends and the first user having 30 friends. On the other hand, the latter can only be selected by 10%. Therefore, by setting the predetermined number to a predetermined ratio with respect to the number of first user companions, it becomes possible to set the degree of freedom of user selection regardless of the number of companions.
In this modification, CPU21 calculates the number of associates by the number of associate user IDs of the user data of the first user, and is a predetermined for limiting the number of promised partners by a predetermined ratio of the number of associates. Determine the number. The processing after the counter value reaches a predetermined number is the same as in the sixth modification.

As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described in detail, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment. In addition, it goes without saying that each embodiment may be variously improved and changed without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, the technical matters described in the above-described embodiment and each modification may be combined as appropriate.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a social game has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in a so-called online game system in which a server device placed on a network and a home online game machine are connected, it goes without saying that the progress of the game by each user can be controlled as in the above-described embodiment.

In the above-described embodiment, the association server 52, the game progress unit 53, the reception unit 54, the acquisition unit 55, the privilege grant unit 56, the generation unit 57, and the restriction unit 58 are connected by the game server 20 and the database server 30 on the network. Although it is configured to realize each function, it is not limited to this configuration. All these means may be realized by the communication terminal 10, or at least a part of the means may be realized by the communication terminal 10. Since the communication terminal 10 and the game server 20 can have substantially the same hardware configuration, each function can be realized by the communication terminal 10 as described in the above embodiment. In the embodiment described above, the promised party data and the event management data are stored in the database server 30 (game database 32), but may be stored in the communication terminal 10. In that case, it is good also as a structure memorize | stored in RAM13 in the communication terminal 10, mass storage devices, such as HDD (Hard Disk Drive) which is not shown in figure. FIG. 23A and FIG. 23B show a sharing example between the communication terminal 10, the game server 20, and the database server 30 for each function (each function shown in FIG. 14) of the game control apparatus of the present embodiment.

Claims (12)

1. An association means for relating users,
   A receiving means for accepting an application for user participation in an in-game event;
   Obtaining means for obtaining user selection information indicating a user selected by the first user from among users associated with the first user;
   After the acquisition unit acquires the user selection information, when the reception unit receives an application for participation in the event of the first user and the user selected by the first user, A granting means for granting a privilege to the first user;
   A game control device comprising:
2. Data for notifying either or both of the application history of the past event participation of each user associated with the first user and the exchange history of the first user and each user Generating means for generating, characterized in that
   The game control apparatus according to claim 1.
3. When the accepting means accepts an application for participation in the event of the first user and the user selected by the first user, after the obtaining means acquires the user selection information, A privilege is given to the user selected by the first user,
   The game control apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.
4. The granting means reduces the privilege to be given to the first user as the number of users selected by the first user increases.
   The game control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
5. The grant means increases the privilege as the number of users associated with the first user increases.
   The game control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
6. The granting means is a privilege to be given to the first user according to a time difference in acceptance time of an application for participation in the event of the first user and the user selected by the first user, And either or both of the privileges granted to the user selected by the first user are changed,
   The game control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
7. Limiting means for limiting the number of users selected by the first user to a predetermined number or less,
   The game control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.
8. The predetermined number is a predetermined ratio with respect to the number of users associated with the first user,
   The game control apparatus according to claim 7.
9. Steps to relate users,
   Accepting an application for user participation in an in-game event;
   Obtaining user selection information indicating a user selected by the first user from among users associated with the first user;
   After obtaining the user selection information in the obtaining step, when the accepting step accepts an application for participation in the event of the first user and the user selected by the first user, Giving a privilege to the first user;
   A game control method comprising:
10. In order to control the execution of the game by the user's operation,
    A function to relate users,
    The ability to accept applications for user participation in in-game events,
    A function of acquiring user selection information indicating a user selected by the first user from among users associated with the first user, and receiving the user selection information after acquiring the user selection information by the acquiring function When the function accepts an application for participation in the event of the first user and the user selected by the first user, a function of giving a privilege to the first user;
    A program to realize
11. A computer-readable recording medium in which the program according to claim 10 is recorded.
12. A game system including a communication terminal operated by a user and a server configured to be accessible from the communication terminal and controlling execution of a game by the communication terminal,
    An association means for relating users,
    Accepting means for accepting applications for user participation in in-game events,
    An acquisition means for acquiring user selection information indicating a user selected by the first user from among users associated with the first user, and the reception after the acquisition means acquires the user selection information. When each means accepts an application for participation in the event of the first user and the user selected by the first user, each of the granting means for granting a privilege to the first user Means provided in either the communication terminal or the server,
    Game system.

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