JP2024091230A - Game program, game device, and game system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a game program capable of increasing fun.SOLUTION: A game program allows a control section 56 to function as first imparting means 564, predicting means 563, and display control means 569. The predicting means 563 determines whether to previously notice a special inhabitant character is imparted to a user before execution of a puzzle game when a puzzle game G1 is progressed until a clearing condition is satisfied. When execution of previously notice is determined by the noticing means 563, the display control means 569 displays a noticing screen for performing notice before execution of a first game. The first imparting means 564 imparts a first game medium to the user when the first game is executed after execution of noticing and a predetermined progress condition is satisfied in the first game.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a game program, a game device, and a game system.

In the game described in Patent Document 1, a user can consume a specified consumable item to make a selected character appear in a specific area within the virtual game space for a specified period of time.

JP 2019-076189 A

The game described in Patent Document 1 leaves room for improvement in terms of its entertainment value.
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a game program, a game device, and a game system that can increase interest.

A first aspect includes a computer comprising:
a first game executing means for executing a first game in a first virtual space;
a second game executing means for executing a second game in a second virtual space;
a first providing means for providing the user with a first game medium that can be placed in the second virtual space in accordance with progress of the first game;
a second providing means for providing a second game medium that can be placed in the second virtual space to a user in accordance with a progress of the second game;
a notification means for determining, before execution of the first game, whether or not to notify the user that the first game medium will be provided to the user when the first game has progressed until a predetermined progress condition is satisfied;
a display control means for displaying images of the second game medium and the first game medium in the second virtual space;
The display control means
when it is determined by said notification means to perform said notification, a notification screen for performing said notification is displayed before execution of said first game;
The first applying means is
the first game is executed after the notice is given, and if the predetermined progress condition is satisfied in the first game, the first game medium is granted to the user, whereas if the predetermined progress condition is not satisfied in the first game, the first game medium is not granted to the user;
When the first game is executed without the advance notice, the game program does not grant the first game medium to the user regardless of whether the specified progress condition has been satisfied in the first game.

In a first aspect, the notice means includes:
Counting the number of times the notice has been executed, and when the number of times the notice has been executed reaches a predetermined upper limit, determining not to execute the notice thereafter;
The first applying means is
When the first game in which the announcement was made is executed and the first game ends without the specified progress condition being satisfied, the number of times the announcement was executed can be counted as if the announcement had been executed without providing the first game medium to the user.

In a first aspect, the first game execution means comprises:
When the first game in which the notice was given is executed and the first game ends without the predetermined progress condition being satisfied in the first game, the first game in which the notice was given is resumed on the condition that the user consumes a consumable medium associated with the user;
The first applying means is
If the specified progress condition is satisfied in the first game after the first game in which the notice was made is resumed, the first game medium can be granted to the user.

In a first aspect, the notice means includes:
It is possible to determine whether or not to make the notice based on the difficulty level of the first game.
In a first aspect, the notice means includes:
It may be possible to determine whether or not to make the advance notice based on the play history of the user of the first game and the difficulty level of the first game.

In a first aspect, the notice means includes:
determining, at the time of the notice, whether or not to prompt the user to consume a consumable medium that can advantageously progress through the first game, based on at least one of a play history of the first game of the user and a difficulty level of the game;
The display control means
When the notification means determines to prompt the user to consume the consumable medium, a display for prompting the user to consume the consumable medium can be displayed on the notification screen.

In the first aspect, when the notice is a first notice and the notice screen is a first notice screen,
The notice means is
when it is determined that the first notice is to be made before execution of the first game, determining whether or not there is a first game medium that can be granted to the user when the predetermined progress condition is satisfied in the first game;
when it is determined that the first game medium does not exist, deciding to make a second notice, instead of the first notice, of granting the user a second game medium that enables the user to advantageously progress through the first game when a predetermined progress condition is satisfied in the first game;
The display control means
When the notification means determines to perform the second notification, a second notification screen for performing the second notification can be displayed before the first game is executed.

In a first aspect, the first game medium can perform an action associated with the second game medium in the second virtual space.
In a first aspect, the first game content is movably disposed in the second virtual space,
The second game medium can be fixedly positioned in the second virtual space.

A second aspect of the present invention provides a game device including: a first game execution unit that executes a first game in a first virtual space;
a second game executing unit that executes a second game in a second virtual space;
a first providing unit that provides the user with a first game medium that can be placed in the second virtual space in accordance with progress of the first game;
a second providing unit that provides a second game content that can be placed in the second virtual space to a user in accordance with a progress of the second game;
a notification unit that determines, before execution of the first game, whether or not to notify the user that the first game medium will be provided to the user when the first game has progressed until a predetermined progress condition is satisfied;
a display control unit that displays images of the second game medium and the first game medium in the second virtual space;
The display control unit is
when it is determined by the notification unit to perform the notification, a notification screen for performing the notification is displayed before execution of the first game;
The first providing unit is
the first game is executed after the notice is given, and if the predetermined progress condition is satisfied in the first game, the first game medium is granted to the user, whereas if the predetermined progress condition is not satisfied in the first game, the first game medium is not granted to the user;
If the first game is executed without the advance notice, the game device does not grant the first game medium to the user regardless of whether the specified progress condition has been satisfied in the first game.

A third aspect of the present invention provides a game device comprising: a first game execution unit that executes a first game in a first virtual space;
a second game executing unit that executes a second game in a second virtual space;
a first providing unit that provides the user with a first game medium that can be placed in the second virtual space in accordance with progress of the first game;
a second providing unit that provides a second game content that can be placed in the second virtual space to a user in accordance with a progress of the second game;
a notification unit that determines, before execution of the first game, whether or not to notify the user that the first game medium will be provided to the user when the first game has progressed until a predetermined progress condition is satisfied;
a display control unit that displays images of the second game medium and the first game medium in the second virtual space;
The display control unit is
when it is determined by the notification unit to perform the notification, a notification screen for performing the notification is displayed before execution of the first game;
The first providing unit is
the first game is executed after the notice is given, and if the predetermined progress condition is satisfied in the first game, the first game medium is granted to the user, whereas if the predetermined progress condition is not satisfied in the first game, the first game medium is not granted to the user;
If the first game is executed without the advance notice, the game system does not grant the first game medium to the user regardless of whether the specified progress condition has been satisfied in the first game.

The present disclosure provides a game program, a game device, and a game system that can increase interest.

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a game system according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic overview of a game according to an embodiment. 11 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a process executed by a notice means of the embodiment. 13A and 13B are diagrams showing an example of a lottery list of special resident characters in an embodiment. 13 is a table showing an example of a lottery list of special resident characters in an embodiment. 13 is a diagram used when a character is selected by a second game executing means of the embodiment. 13 is an example of a screen displayed on a display during a game of an embodiment. 13 is an example of a screen displayed on a display during a game of an embodiment. 13 is an example of a screen displayed on a display during a game of an embodiment. 13 is an example of a screen displayed on a display during a game of an embodiment. 13 is an example of a screen displayed on a display during a game of an embodiment. 13 is an example of a screen displayed on a display during a game of an embodiment. 13 is an example of a screen displayed on a display during a game of an embodiment. 13 is an example of a screen displayed on a display during a game of an embodiment. 13 is an example of a screen displayed on a display during a game of an embodiment. 13 is an example of a screen displayed on a display during a game of an embodiment. 13 is an example of a screen displayed on a display during a game of an embodiment. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the game system of the embodiment. 13 is an example of a screen displayed on a display during a game according to another embodiment.

[Embodiment]
An embodiment of a game system 1 according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.
<Game system explanation>
In the game system 1 shown in FIG. 1, a server device 2 and a plurality of game devices 5 are communicably connected to each other via a communication network 6, and a game is executed on the game devices 5.

The game of this embodiment is an online game executed on the game system 1, and is composed of a combination of a puzzle game in which pieces placed on a puzzle board are eliminated, and a simulation game in which a virtual game space can be developed.
Such games are played using a game device 5, which may be a home game console such as a PlayStation (registered trademark), a portable game console such as a Nintendo Switch (registered trademark), or an electronic device such as a personal computer, a smartphone, a tablet, etc. In the following, a case where the game device 5 is a smartphone will be exemplified.

<Game System Overview>
The game system 1 is made up of a server device 2 and a plurality of game devices 5. The server device 2 stores game programs and game data, and manages the game data of the game devices 5, more specifically, manages the game data for each account.

The game device 5 executes a game based on user operations. To this end, the game device 5 receives, specifically downloads and installs, a game program and game data from the server device 2 via the communication network 6. Each user is assigned account information including identification information and a password in association with the game device 5. This account information is transmitted from the game device 5 to the server device 2 at the time of login, and is used for user authentication on the server device 2.

After authenticating the user, the server device 2 and the game device 5 are able to communicate with each other. After logging in, the game device 5 receives data necessary for the game to proceed, such as data related to the game progress status, from the server device 2, and proceeds with the game while outputting game images and sounds based on the user's operations.

＜Game Overview＞
Next, an overview of the game will be described. In the game system 1 of this embodiment, the user can operate the game device 5 to select and play either the puzzle game G1 or the simulation game G2.

In the puzzle game G1, for example, a player must clear a predetermined number of pieces of the same color from a plurality of colored pieces that appear one after another on the game screen. In this embodiment, the virtual game space in which the puzzle game G1 can be played, specifically the virtual game space in which the puzzle board is displayed, corresponds to the first virtual space. A plurality of quests are prepared in advance for the puzzle game G1. Each quest has a different puzzle board and a clearing condition to be achieved on the puzzle board. The clearing condition may be, for example, a condition such as clearing a predetermined number of pieces within a predetermined time from the start of the puzzle game G1, a condition such as clearing a specific piece, or a condition such as a score of a predetermined value or more at the end of the puzzle game G1. When a user operates the game device 5 to play the puzzle game G1 corresponding to a predetermined quest and achieves the clearing condition corresponding to the quest, a predetermined reward including a game medium is given to the user. The game medium is electronic data representing elements related to the game. Hereinafter, the reward given to the user by the quest is referred to as a "quest reward." The game media included in the quest rewards include game media corresponding to the puzzle game G1 and game media corresponding to the simulation game G2.

The game media corresponding to the puzzle game G1 includes consumable media that can be used in the puzzle game G1. These consumable media are, for example, consumable items that can give an advantage in progressing through the puzzle game G1. Such consumable items include pre-game consumable items that can be selected for use before starting the puzzle game G1, and in-game consumable items that can be used while playing the puzzle game G1.

The game media corresponding to the simulation game G2 includes, for example, progress items necessary to progress through the simulation game G2 and non-player characters that can be placed in the simulation game G2.
The simulation game G2 develops the virtual game space by, for example, placing game objects such as buildings in the virtual game space and increasing the number of resident characters, which are non-player characters, in the virtual game space. Hereinafter, the virtual game space in which the simulation game G2 is executed is also referred to as the "simulation game space." In this embodiment, the simulation game space corresponds to the second virtual game space.

In the simulation game space, a resident character C10, for example as shown in FIG. 2, is placed. When the user operates the game device 5 to select a resident character C10, the user can accept a task from the resident character C10. The user can complete the tasks of the resident character C10 by consuming progress items acquired in the puzzle game G1. When the user consumes multiple progress items to complete all tasks requested by the resident character C10, a building corresponding to the resident character C10 is newly placed in the simulation game space. Furthermore, each time a new building is placed in the simulation game space, a new resident character appears in the simulation game space.

Therefore, in the game of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, players can play the puzzle game G1 to obtain progress items, and then consume those progress items in the simulation game G2 to increase the number of buildings and resident characters in the simulation game space, thereby enjoying the development of the simulation game space.

Note that a resident character given to the user as a quest reward for the puzzle game G1 described above is also placed in the simulation game space. This resident character is a special character that is given to the user as a quest reward for the puzzle game G1 with a certain probability, and therefore hereinafter this character will be referred to as a "special resident character." In contrast, a resident character that appears by placing a building in the simulation game space is a character that the user can easily obtain as the simulation game G2 progresses, and therefore hereinafter this character will be referred to as a "normal resident character." Furthermore, special resident characters and normal resident characters will be collectively referred to as "resident characters."

The simulation game space is divided into a plurality of island areas. In the simulation game G2, for example, in the initial state, only the first island area is opened, and the other island areas are not opened. In this state, when the first island area is developed to a predetermined condition by placing a plurality of buildings in the first island area or increasing the number of resident characters in the first island area to a predetermined number, the next second island area is opened. This allows the user to accept a new task from the resident character in the second island area, and by completing this task, the second island area can be further developed. By developing the opened island area, the plurality of island areas can be developed sequentially. The user can move between the plurality of opened island areas by operating the game device 5. The user can move between the opened island areas and view the buildings and resident characters placed in each world, thereby viewing the development of the simulation game space.

Users can obtain game media such as various items that can be used in the puzzle game G1 and the simulation game G2 by completing the quests described above, as well as by purchasing them for a fee or by a lottery method known as gacha.
Gacha is a method of selecting arbitrary game media such as items by lottery based on a predetermined selection ratio. The arbitrary game media selected is given to the user. Game media consumed to perform gacha include, for example, "paid stones", which are paid game media given to the user by a charging operation, and "free stones", which are free game media given to the user through gaming activities. Free stones can be obtained, for example, as a quest reward in the puzzle game G1.

Note that "granting game media to a user" is synonymous with "associating the game media with identification information representing the user." Furthermore, "the user owns the game media" is synonymous with "the game media is associated with identification information representing the user." Users can acquire various game media by consuming paid stones or unpaid stones. Game media that can be acquired by consuming paid stones include the above-mentioned progress items, as well as game media that can be used in puzzle game G1 and simulation game G2. Furthermore, even if a user is unable to meet the clearing conditions when performing a quest in puzzle game G1, the user can retry the quest by consuming paid stones or unpaid stones.

<Game System Configuration>
The hardware configuration of the server device 2 and the game devices 5 will be specifically described below with reference to Fig. 1. Note that each of the game devices 5 has the same configuration.

<Configuration of Server Device 2>
1, the server device 2 includes a network interface 21, a storage unit 22, and a control unit 23. The network interface 21 and the storage unit 22 are electrically connected to the control unit 23 via a bus 29.

The network interface 21 is communicably connected to each game device 5 via a communication network 6 such as the Internet or a LAN.
The storage unit 22 is composed of a hard disk drive (HDD), a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a solid state drive (SSD), etc. The storage unit 22 stores various programs including a part of the game program of this embodiment, as well as various data such as a user data base (DB) 221 and a lottery list DB 222.

User DB221 stores, for each identification number of a user playing a game, user information, game media assigned to the user, consumable media usable in each virtual game space, and the like, in association with each other. User information includes information such as the user name. Game media assigned to the user include buildings and special resident characters that can be placed in the simulation game space. Consumable media usable in each virtual game space include consumable items that can be used in puzzle game G1 and evolution items that can be used in simulation game G2.

The control unit 23 is composed of a microcomputer having a CPU and semiconductor memory, and controls the operation of the server device 2. The control unit 23 executes various programs to function as an information processing means 231, a matching means 232, and a lottery execution means 233. These means 231 to 233 correspond to an information processing unit, a matching unit, and a lottery execution unit, respectively.

(Information Processing Means)
The information processing means 231 transmits and receives various data to and from each game device 5. Main data received by the information processing means 231 include download request information for a game program, a gacha lottery request in response to a user operation, account information, game data, etc. Main data transmitted by the information processing means 231 include information for confirming that the game device 5 has received the game program, information regarding game media obtained by gacha, etc.

(Means of verification)
The verification means 232 authenticates the user's account using the user identification information received from the game device 5 .
(Lottery execution means)
The lottery execution means 233 executes a lottery process to associate at least one game medium from among a plurality of game media to be selected with a user by lottery in response to a gacha execution request, which is a lottery request from the user. Specifically, when a user performs an operation to execute a gacha on the game device 5, a gacha execution request is transmitted from the game device 5 to the server device 2. In response to this gacha execution request, the lottery execution means 233 selects at least one game medium from among the plurality of game media to be selected by lottery based on the winning probability of each game medium from the lottery list. The lottery execution means 233 associates information about the selected game medium with identification information of the user who performed the operation that is the source of the lottery request. As a result, the user is awarded the game medium that he or she won by drawing the gacha himself or herself.

<Configuration of the Game Device>
A display 61, a speaker 62, and a touch pad 63 are externally connected or built into the game device 5. The game device 5 also has a network interface 51, a graphics processing unit 52, an audio processing unit 53, an operation unit 54, a storage unit 55, and a control unit 56. The network interface 51, the graphics processing unit 52, the audio processing unit 53, the operation unit 54, and the storage unit 55 are electrically connected to the control unit 56 via a bus 59.

The network interface 51 is communicatively connected to the communication network 6 for transmitting and receiving various data between the game device 5 and the server device 2 .
The graphics processing unit 52 renders game images in a moving image format based on game image information output from the control unit 56. The game images include characters and various objects related to the virtual game space. The graphics processing unit 52 is connected to, for example, a liquid crystal display 61, and displays the game images rendered in a moving image format on the display 61 as a game screen.

The audio processing unit 53 is connected to a speaker 62 , and reproduces and synthesizes game sounds based on instructions from the control unit 56 , and outputs the game sounds from the speaker 62 .
The operation unit 54 is connected to the touch pad 63, and transmits and receives data related to operations and inputs to and from the touch pad 63. The user can input an operation signal to the game device 5 by performing a touch operation on the touch pad 63.

The storage unit 55 is composed of an HDD, an SSD, a RAM, a ROM, etc. The storage unit 55 stores game data downloaded from the server device 2, various programs including a part of the game program, account information of the game device 5, etc.
The control unit 56 is composed of a microcomputer having a CPU and a semiconductor memory, and controls the operation of the game device 5. The control unit 56 executes various programs to function as a communication means 561, a first game execution means 562, a notice means 563, a first awarding means 564, a second game execution means 565, a second awarding means 566, a lottery reception means 567, a sound control means 568, a display control means 569, and the like. These means 561 to 569 correspond to the communication unit, the first game execution unit, the notice means, the first awarding means, the second game execution unit, the second awarding means, the lottery reception means, the sound control unit, and the display control unit, respectively.

(Means of communication)
The communication means 561 communicates with the server device 2 via the network interface 51 .
The communication means 561 generates information that the server device 2 can grasp based on various operation signals received by the operation unit 54 from the touch pad 63, and transmits the information to the server device 2. For example, the communication means 561 transmits account information, download request information for new game data, a gacha implementation request, and the like to the server device 2. The communication means 561 also receives from the server device 2 new game data transmitted from the server device 2 in response to the download request information, information on the game media selected by the lottery process, and the like.

(First game execution means)
The first game executing means 562 executes the puzzle game G1 based on the operation of the touch pad 63 by the user.
For example, when the first game executing means 562 starts the puzzle game G1 based on the user's operation of the touchpad 63, the first game executing means 562 reads data such as objects and textures of the virtual game space corresponding to the puzzle game G1, which is included in the game data, from the storage unit 55 or receives it from the server device 2. The first game executing means 562 generates two-dimensional or three-dimensional game image information while executing the game program of the puzzle game G1 using the data such as objects and textures of the virtual game space corresponding to the puzzle game G1. The game image information is processed by the graphics processing unit 52, and the processed game images are sequentially displayed on the display 61.

When the user operates the touchpad 63 to select a specific quest from among multiple quests provided in the puzzle game G1, the first game execution means 562 starts the puzzle game G1 corresponding to the specific quest. The first game execution means 562 progresses the puzzle game G1 based on the user's operation on the touchpad 63. For example, when a piece on the puzzle board meets a specific removal condition based on the user's operation on the touchpad 63, the first game execution means 562 removes the piece that meets the removal condition from the puzzle board and causes a new piece to appear on the puzzle board.

When the user operates the touch pad 63 to select the use of a pre-game consumable item before starting the puzzle game G1, the first game execution means 562 starts the puzzle game G1 with the consumable item appearing on the puzzle board, for example. In this case, the first game execution means 562 activates the effect of the consumable item when erasing pieces including the pre-game consumable item in this puzzle game G1. The effect that is activated at that time may be, for example, an effect of erasing all pieces in a predetermined range including the consumable item, and the predetermined range may be an effect of erasing all pieces arranged in the same row or column as the consumable item. In addition, the puzzle game G1 may be started after activating an effect of making a predetermined number of pieces of a predetermined type appear on the initial puzzle board or erasing a predetermined number of pieces of a predetermined type. In addition, the puzzle game G1 may be started after activating an effect of increasing the time limit or the number of turns, which is the number of times the user can operate the pieces.

If the conditions for clearing the quest have not been met when the puzzle game G1 ends due to the time limit or number of turns set for the quest having elapsed, the first game execution means 562 accepts an operation in which the user consumes free stones or paid stones to try again from the state when the puzzle game G1 ended, a so-called continue operation. When the user performs a continue operation, the first game execution means 562 restarts the puzzle game G1 while maintaining the same puzzle board and score state as when the puzzle game G1 ended. Note that the game state when the quest is resumed may be different depending on whether the continue operation is performed by consuming free stones or paid stones. For example, the above-mentioned consumable medium may be made to appear on the puzzle board when the puzzle game G1 ended.

(Means of Notice)
The notice means 563 determines with a predetermined probability whether or not to notify a quest reward before the puzzle game G1 is started. The quest reward to be notified includes a special resident character that appears in the simulation game G2. Hereinafter, the quest reward including the special resident character is referred to as a "special reward."

The notice means 563 determines whether or not to give a notice by executing, for example, the process shown in Fig. 3. The process shown in Fig. 3 is executed after the user selects a specific quest and before the puzzle game G1 corresponding to that quest is started.
As shown in Fig. 3, the notice means 563 first determines whether or not to make a notice by executing a lottery process or the like (step S10). If the notice means 563 determines not to make a notice (step S10: NO), it ends the process shown in Fig. 3. In this case, the puzzle game G1 is started without making a notice.

When the notification means 563 decides to make a notification (step S10: YES), it judges whether the number of times N that a notification has been made for the specified quest has reached an upper limit value Nmax (step S11). The notification means 563 counts the number of times a special reward notification has been made in association with each of multiple quests individually. The initial value of the number of times N that a notification has been made for each quest is set to "0". The upper limit value Nmax is set to "1", for example. Therefore, when making a notification for the first time, the notification means 563 makes a negative judgment in the processing of step S11 (step S11: NO) and judges whether there is a special resident character that can be given to the user as a special reward (step S12).

Specifically, the notice means 563 uses a lottery list La as shown in FIG. 4(A) to determine the special resident character to be given as the special reward. The lottery list La is stored in the memory unit 55 of the game device 5. In the lottery list La, for example, a plurality of special resident characters Cs11 to Cs14 are registered in advance as shown in FIG. 4(A). This lottery list La is used when determining the special reward for a plurality of quests Q11, Q12, Q13, etc. in the puzzle game G1. For the other quests Q21, Q22, Q23, etc. in the puzzle game G1, another lottery list Lb as shown in FIG. 4(B) is used. In the other lottery list Lb, special resident characters Cs21 to Cs24 other than the special resident characters Cs11 to Cs14 registered in the lottery list La shown in FIG. 4(A) are registered. In this way, in the puzzle game G1 of this embodiment, multiple lottery lists corresponding to special rewards are prepared in advance, and each lottery list is associated with multiple quests in the puzzle game G1.

Each lottery list may correspond to each of the multiple island areas provided in the simulation game space. For example, the special resident characters Cs11 to Cs14 registered in the lottery list La may be characters that appear only in the first island area of the simulation game space, and not in any other island areas. Furthermore, the special resident characters Cs21 to Cs24 registered in the lottery list Lb may be characters that appear only in the second island area of the simulation game space, and not in any other island areas.

When using the lottery list La shown in FIG. 4(A), for example, the notice means 563 selects one character by lottery from among the multiple special resident characters Cs11 to Cs14 registered in the lottery list La. Therefore, in this case, the probability that each of the special resident characters Cs11 to Cs14 will be selected as a special reward is 25%.

Note that because special resident characters are unique characters in the simulation game G2, once they have been granted to a user as a special reward, they will not be granted to the user thereafter. For example, if the special resident character Cs12 shown in FIG. 4(A) is granted to a user as a special reward for quest Q11, thereafter, special resident characters Cs11, Cs13, and Cs14 will be drawn from the lottery list La. In other words, the lottery list La used will be the one shown in FIG. 5, with special resident character Cs12 removed.

Whether the lottery list La in FIG. 4(A) or FIG. 5 is used, the lottery list La contains at least one special resident character, and therefore there will be a special resident character that can be granted to the user as a special reward. In this case, the notification means 563 makes a positive judgment in the processing of step S12 shown in FIG. 3 (step S12: YES), selects one special resident character from the lottery list La by lottery (step S13), and displays a notification screen on the display 61 notifying the user that a special reward including the selected special resident character will be granted to the user (step S14).

On the other hand, if the user plays multiple quests Q11, 12, Q13, ... and obtains special rewards as quest rewards, it is possible that all of the special resident characters Cs11 to Cs14 included in the lottery list La will be granted to the user. In this case, there will be no special resident characters to be drawn from the lottery list La. In such a case, the notification means 563 makes a negative judgment in the processing of step S12 shown in FIG. 3 (step S12: NO), and displays on the display 61 a notification screen notifying the user that a bonus reward will be granted to the user, instead of the special reward notification screen (step S15). The bonus reward includes a predetermined game medium instead of a special resident character. This predetermined game medium is, for example, a consumable item such as a pre-game consumable item that can advance the puzzle game G1 advantageously.

When the notice means 563 executes the process of either step S15 or step S16, it increments the value of the number of times N of the notice of the quest to be started by "1" (step S17), and then ends the process shown in FIG.
When the number of times N of the quest notice is increased by "1", even if the notice means 563 decides to make a notice when the quest is started thereafter (step S10: YES), the number of times N of the notice is made has reached the upper limit value Nmax, so the notice means 563 makes a negative determination in the processing of step S11 (step S11: NO), and no notice is made. Thus, in the game system 1 of this embodiment, if a special reward or bonus reward has been predicted even once for a specific quest, no notice will be made thereafter for that specific quest.

(First providing means)
The first granting means 564 shown in FIG. 1 grants a quest reward corresponding to a quest to the user when a clearing condition corresponding to the quest is achieved in the puzzle game G1.

For example, the first granting means 564 determines whether or not a clearing condition corresponding to a specific quest has been achieved when the puzzle game G1 corresponding to the specific quest is completed. If the clearing condition for the quest has been met when the puzzle game G1 is completed, the first granting means 564 grants the user a quest reward corresponding to that quest.

Specifically, the first granting means 564 grants the user a normal reward as the quest reward when no notice has been given by the notice means 563. The normal reward includes a progress item used in the simulation game G2, etc.
The first granting means 564 grants the special reward to the user as a quest reward when the special reward has been notified by the notifying means 563. The special reward includes a special resident character that appears in the simulation game G2 in addition to the normal reward.

When the notification means 563 has notified the user of a bonus reward, the first granting means 564 grants the user a bonus reward as a quest reward. The bonus reward includes game media such as pre-game consumable items in addition to the normal reward. The bonus reward is equivalent to a special reward in which the special resident character is replaced with a specified game media.

On the other hand, if the clearing conditions for the quest have not been met when the puzzle game G1 ends, the first granting means 564 does not grant the user the quest reward corresponding to that quest. In this case, the puzzle game G1 corresponding to that quest is temporarily ended, but the user can re-attempt the puzzle game G1 corresponding to that quest by selecting the quest again. If the clearing conditions for the quest are met in the re-attempted puzzle game G1, the first granting means 564 grants the user the quest reward corresponding to that quest.

When a user plays a puzzle game G1 corresponding to a special reward, if the user is unable to satisfy the clearing conditions of a quest in the puzzle game G1, the user can resume the puzzle game G1 corresponding to the special reward by performing a continue operation, provided that the user consumes free stones or paid stones. If the clearing conditions of the quest are satisfied in this resumed puzzle game G1, the first granting means 564 grants the special reward to the user regardless of the number of times N that the quest notice has been executed. Therefore, by continuing the continue operation, the user can play the puzzle game G1 in which it is possible to obtain a special reward until the clearing conditions are satisfied.

When the clearing conditions for a quest are satisfied and either the normal reward, special reward, or bonus reward is granted to the user as a quest reward, the first granting means 564 determines that the quest is cleared. The user can also play the puzzle game G1 corresponding to the cleared quest. However, even if the clearing conditions for the quest are satisfied in the puzzle game G1 corresponding to the cleared quest, the first granting means 564 will grant the user a portion of the quest reward. The quest reward includes a first-time clearing reward and a normal clearing reward, and only the normal clearing reward is granted when a cleared quest is cleared again.

(Second Game Execution Means and Second Awarding Means)
The second game executing means 565 executes a simulation game G2 based on the operation of the touch pad 63 by the user.
For example, when the second game executing means 565 starts the simulation game G2 based on the user's operation of the touch pad 63, the second game executing means 565 reads data such as objects and textures of the virtual game space corresponding to the simulation game G2, which is included in the game data, from the storage unit 55 or receives it from the server device 2. The second game executing means 565 generates two-dimensional or three-dimensional game image information while executing the game program of the simulation game G2 using the data such as objects and textures of the virtual game space corresponding to the simulation game G2. The game image information is processed by the graphics processing unit 52, and the processed game images are sequentially displayed on the display 61.

The second game execution means 565 determines which of the multiple island areas provided in the simulation game space is to be displayed on the display 61 based on the user's operation of the touch pad 63. At that time, the second game execution means 565 displays on the display 61 multiple resident characters and buildings associated with the island area to be displayed.

The resident characters include a resident character C10 that requests a specific task. When the user operates the touchpad 63 to select this resident character C10, the second game execution means 565 determines that the user has accepted the task from the resident character C10. When the user performs an operation to consume a specific number of progress items acquired in the puzzle game G1 for this task, the second game execution means 565 determines that the task is completed. In this case, the second game execution means 565 displays a building, which is a game object corresponding to the task, in the island area of the resident character C10 that provided the task. Therefore, as the user sequentially completes the tasks of multiple resident characters that exist in a specific island area, the number of buildings that exist in the specific island area increases.

The second game execution means 565 causes a new regular resident character to appear in the specified island area each time the number of buildings in the specified island area reaches a threshold value that is set in stages, or each time a building is constructed in the specified island area. Therefore, as the number of buildings in the specified island area increases, the number of regular resident characters in the specified island area increases.

On the other hand, there is an upper limit on the number of resident characters that can appear in one island area. Therefore, if the total number of normal resident characters and special resident characters that can appear in a specified island area exceeds the upper limit, the second game execution means 565 determines by lottery which resident characters will appear in the specified island area from among those normal resident characters and special resident characters.

For example, as shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of normal resident characters Cb11-Cb19 and special resident characters Cs11-Cs14 are associated with the first island area. Of these, the normal resident characters Cb11-Cb18 and special resident characters Cs11-Cs13 shown in white in FIG. 6 indicate those that the user has acquired, and the normal resident character Cb19 and special resident character Cs14 shown with dotted hatching indicate those that the user has not acquired. In this case, the characters that can appear in the first island area are the normal resident characters Cb11-Cb18 and the special resident characters Cs11-Cs13, and the total number of these is 11. In this case, if the upper limit of the number of characters that can appear in the first island area is set to 15, for example, the second game execution means 565 causes all of the normal resident characters Cb11-Cb18 and special resident characters Cs11-Cs13 to appear in the first island area. On the other hand, if the upper limit of the number of characters that can appear in the first island area is set to eight, for example, the second game execution means 565 will select eight characters by lottery from among the normal resident characters Cb11 to Cb18 and the special resident characters Cs11 to Cs13, and cause the eight selected characters to appear in the first island area.

The second game execution means 565 may also give priority to selecting special resident characters when selecting characters to appear in a specified island area. For example, if the upper limit on the number of characters that can appear in the first island area is set to eight, it will determine that all of the special resident characters Cs11 to Cs13 will appear, and then select the remaining five from the normal resident characters Cb11 to Cb18.

(Lottery reception method)
When a user operates the touch pad 63 or the like to request the implementation of a gacha, the lottery reception means 567 transmits a notice to that effect to the server device 2. For example, when a user requests the implementation of a gacha for a player character, the lottery reception means 567 transmits a notice to that effect to the server device 2.

(Audio control means)
The audio control means 568 controls the audio output of the speaker 62 based on the user's operation on the game device 5 when the game is being played.
(Display control means)
When a game is executed, the display control means 569 controls the display output of the display 61 based on the user's operation on the game device 5. For example, the display control means 569 displays on the display 61 a play screen of the puzzle game G1, a play screen of the simulation game G2, and the like.

Next, examples of screens displayed on the display 61 by the display control means 569 will be described with reference to FIGS.
When the user starts a game, the display control means 569 causes a top screen 70 shown in Fig. 7 to be displayed on the display 61. The top screen 70 is provided with a gacha button 701, a quest button 702, and an island button 703.

The gacha button 701 is a button for requesting the implementation of a gacha by consuming paid stones or free stones. When a user operates the gacha button 701, paid stones or free stones associated with the user are consumed to implement a gacha.
The quest button 702 is a button for starting the puzzle game G1. When the user operates the quest button 702, the display control means 569 displays a quest selection screen 71 shown in Fig. 8 on the display 61. The quest selection screen 71 is provided with a name display area 711, a status display area 712, and challenge buttons 713a to 713c.

The name display area 711 displays the names of each of a plurality of quests that the user can play.
The status display area 712 displays the status of each quest. As shown in FIG. 8, the status of a quest may be, for example, "cleared", "retired", "first time", or "not released". The "cleared" status is a quest in which the puzzle game G1 has been cleared while the clearing conditions of the quest have been met, i.e., the quest reward has been given to the user. The "retired" status is a quest in which the puzzle game G1 for which a quest reward is given has been challenged at least once, but the clearing conditions of the quest have not yet been met, in other words, the quest reward has not been given to the user. The "first time" status is a quest in which the corresponding quest has been released, but the user has never challenged the corresponding puzzle game G1. The "not released" status is a quest in which the predetermined conditions for challenging the corresponding quest in the puzzle game G1 have not been met. Each quest is switched to the "first time" status on the condition that the corresponding release conditions are met in the puzzle game G1. Note that a quest in which the number of times the notice has been executed has reached the upper limit may be displayed in a distinguishable manner from a quest in which the number of times the notice has not been executed has not yet reached the upper limit. For example, the display mode of the challenge button 713a for cleared quest Q11, which has already reached the upper limit, and the challenge button 713b for quest Q12, which has been retired from, may be made different from that of the other challenge buttons.

The challenge buttons 713a to 713c are buttons for challenging a quest. A plurality of challenge buttons 713a to 713c are provided corresponding to each quest. When the user operates the challenge button 713c of the quest corresponding to the "first time" state among the plurality of challenge buttons 713a to 713c, if the notice means 563 determines that a special reward will not be notified, the puzzle game G1 starts as is. That is, the display control means 569 displays a game screen 73 as shown in FIG. 9 on the display 61. When the user plays the puzzle game G1 on the game screen 73 shown in FIG. 9 and meets the clearing conditions of the quest, the display control means 569 displays a reward screen 74 as shown in FIG. 10 on the display 61. As shown in FIG. 10, the reward screen 74 is provided with a reward display area 741 and a back button 742.

The contents of the acquired quest reward are displayed in the reward display area 741. In Fig. 10, the quest reward is illustrated as a case where the quest reward is a free stone A11 and a progress item A12. The reward display area 741 also displays the number of each quest reward that has been granted.
The back button 742 is a button for returning to the quest selection screen 71 shown in FIG.

On the other hand, when the user operates the challenge button 713c of the quest corresponding to the "first time" state, for example, among the multiple challenge buttons 713a to 713c on the quest selection screen 71 shown in FIG. 8, if the notification means 563 determines that a special reward will be notified, the display control means 569 displays the notification screen 75 shown in FIG. 11 on the display 61.

As shown in FIG. 11, this preview screen 75 is provided with item selection buttons 751 and 752, a start button 753, a notification area 754, and an additional reward display area 755.
The selection buttons 751 and 752 are provided to correspond to each of a plurality of pre-game consumable items. The selection buttons 751 and 752 are buttons for selecting whether or not to use the corresponding pre-game consumable item.

The start button 753 is a button for starting the puzzle game G1. When the user operates the start button 753, the puzzle game G1 starts, and the display control means 569 displays the game screen 73 as shown in FIG. 10 on the display 61. When the user plays the puzzle game G1 on the game screen 73 shown in FIG. 9 and meets the conditions for clearing the quest, the display control means 569 displays the reward screen 79 as shown in FIG. 12 on the display 61. As shown in FIG. 12, the reward screen 79 further includes an additional reward display area 791, compared to the reward screen 74 shown in FIG. 10.

Image data, name, and the like of the special resident character included in the special reward are displayed in the additional reward display area 791. By looking at the additional reward display area 791, the user can recognize that he or she has acquired the special resident character.
On the other hand, if the user fails to meet the conditions for clearing the quest when playing the puzzle game G1 corresponding to the special reward, the display control means 569 displays a continue screen 76 as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 13, the continue screen 76 is provided with a reward display area 761, a continue button 762, and an end button 763.
The reward display area 761 displays game media that cannot be acquired if the player gives up the puzzle game G1 corresponding to the special reward without continuing. In Fig. 13, a pre-game consumable item A21, which is an item that can be acquired during the progress of the puzzle game G1, and a special resident character A22 are displayed in the reward display area 761 as game media that cannot be acquired. The reward display area 761 also displays a sentence including information that makes the user aware that the reward displayed in the reward display area 761 will not be acquired if the player gives up without continuing. The information may include information that the number of times the above-mentioned notice is executed will reach an upper limit by giving up, and therefore the special resident character A22 will not be acquired even if the player challenges the quest again after giving up.

The continue button 762 is a button for continuing. When the user operates the continue button 762, free stones or paid stones are consumed and the puzzle game G1 corresponding to the special reward is resumed. Since the free stones or paid stones are displayed on the continue button 762, the user can be made aware that free stones or paid stones will be consumed in conjunction with the continue operation.

The exit button 763 is a button that is operated when giving up on the puzzle game G1 corresponding to the special reward without performing a continue operation. For example, if the upper limit of the number of special plays, which is the number of times that the puzzle game G1 corresponding to the special reward can be played, is set to one time, when the user operates the exit button 763, the special reward will not appear as a quest reward even if the same quest is executed thereafter.

On the other hand, when the user operates, for example, the challenge button 713c of the quest corresponding to the "first time" state among the multiple challenge buttons 713a to 713c on the quest selection screen 71 shown in FIG. 8, if the notification means 563 determines that a bonus reward will be notified, the display control means 569 displays the notification screen 77 shown in FIG. 14 on the display 61. As shown in FIG. 14, the notification screen 77, compared to the notification screen 75 shown in FIG. 11, has an additional reward display area 771 instead of the character display area 775. The additional reward display area 771 displays, using image data, that some game media can be acquired as a bonus reward.

When the user operates the start button 753 on the preview screen 77 and then plays the puzzle game G1 and achieves the conditions for clearing the quest, the display control means 569 displays a reward screen 78 as shown in FIG.
15, compared to the reward screen 79 shown in Fig. 12, the reward screen 78 has an item display area 781 instead of the additional reward display area 791. The item display area 781 shows game media that can be additionally obtained as a bonus reward.

The island button 703 shown in FIG. 7 is a button for starting the simulation game G2. After the user operates the island button 703 to start the simulation game G2, when the user performs an operation to select a resident character to request a task, the display control means 569 displays a task screen 80 as shown in FIG. 16 on the display 61.

The task screen 80 is provided with a character display area 81, reward display areas 82a and 82b, and execution buttons 83a and 83b.
In the character display area 81, image data of the resident character requesting a task is displayed.

The reward display areas 82a, 82b each display image data of buildings that can be placed in an area of the simulation game G2 by completing the tasks of the resident character.
The execution buttons 83a and 83b are buttons for completing a task corresponding to each building. The execution buttons 83a and 83b display images of progress items required to complete the task and the required number of progress items. For example, when the user operates the execution button 83b, the number of progress items displayed on the execution button 83b is consumed. Then, the display control means 569 displays the building corresponding to the execution button 83b in the area of the simulation game G2 as shown in FIG. 17. The display control means 569 also displays an effect in which the resident character related to the task and other resident characters praise the user for progressing the simulation game G2 by placing the building.

<Operational Flow of Game System 1>
Next, the flow of operations of the game system 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 18, in the game system 1 of this embodiment, when any of the multiple challenge buttons 713 is operated on the quest selection screen 71 shown in FIG. 8, it is determined whether or not to notify the user of the special reward (step S20). If it is determined not to notify (step S20: NO), the puzzle game starts as is (step S21). Then, when the puzzle game G1 ends, it is determined whether or not the clearing condition of the quest has been achieved (step S22), and if the clearing condition of the quest has been achieved (step S22: YES), the user is given a normal reward (step S23), and the screen returns to the quest selection screen 71 (step S24). If the clearing condition of the quest has not been achieved (step S22: NO), the user is not given a reward and the screen returns to the quest selection screen 71 (step S24).

On the other hand, if it is decided to announce the special reward (step S20: YES), the special reward or bonus reward is announced (step S25). Specifically, if there is a special resident character that can be given to the user and the number of times the announcement has been made has not reached the upper limit Nmax, the special reward is announced. On the other hand, if there is no special resident character that can be given to the user, or if the number of times the announcement has been made has reached the upper limit Nmax, the bonus reward is announced. After the special reward or bonus reward is announced, the puzzle game G1 is started (step S26). Then, when the puzzle game G1 ends, it is determined whether the clearing conditions for the quest have been met (step S27), and if the clearing conditions for the quest have been met (step S27: YES), the special reward or bonus reward is given to the user (step S28), and the screen returns to the quest selection screen 71 (step S24).

On the other hand, if the conditions for clearing the quest have not been met (step S26: NO), a continue screen 76 is displayed on the display 61 of the game device 5 (step S29). It is determined whether the user has selected to continue on this continue screen 76 (step S30), and if the user has selected to continue (step S30: YES), the puzzle game G1 is resumed (step S26). If the user has not selected to continue (step S30: NO), no reward is given to the user, and the screen returns to the quest selection screen 71 (step S24).

To summarise, in the game system 1 of this embodiment, the control unit 56 (computer) of the game device 5 functions as a first game execution means 562, a first granting means 564, a notice means 563, a second game execution means 565, a second granting means 566, and a display control means 569. The first game execution means 562 executes a puzzle game G1 (first game) in a virtual game space (first virtual space). The second game execution means 565 executes a simulation game G2 (second game) in a simulation game space (second virtual space). The first granting means 564 grants the user a special resident character (first game medium) that can be placed in the simulation game G2 in accordance with the progress of the puzzle game G1. The second granting means 566 grants the user a building (second game medium) that can be placed in the simulation game space in accordance with the progress of the simulation game G2. The notice means 563 determines whether to give a notice that a special resident character will be given to the user when the puzzle game G1 progresses until a clearing condition (a predetermined progress condition) is satisfied, before the execution of the puzzle game G1. The display control means 569 displays images of the building and the special resident character in the simulation game space. When the notice means 563 determines to give a notice, the display control means 569 displays a notice screen 75 (first notice screen) giving a notice of a special reward (first notice) before the execution of the puzzle game G1. The first giving means 564 gives a special resident character to the user when the puzzle game G1 is executed after the notice of the special reward and the clearing condition is satisfied in the puzzle game G1, but does not give a special resident character to the user when the clearing condition is not satisfied in the puzzle game G1. If the puzzle game G1 is executed without advance notice of the special reward, specifically if the puzzle game G1 is executed in which the quest reward is set to the normal reward, the first granting means 564 does not grant the special resident character to the user regardless of whether the clearing conditions are met in the puzzle game G1.

＜Effects＞
According to the configuration of the game system 1 of the embodiment described above, when a user plays the puzzle game G1, there are cases where a special resident character is given as a quest reward and cases where a special resident character is not given, so that the user can be motivated to play the puzzle game G1, and therefore the interest of the game can be improved.

In the game system 1 of the above embodiment, the notification means 563 counts the number of times a special reward has been notified, and when the number of times N of the special reward notification has been made reaches a predetermined upper limit value Nmax, it decides not to make any more notifications. When a puzzle game G1 in which a special reward has been notified is executed and the puzzle game G1 ends without the clearing conditions being met in the puzzle game G1, the first granting means 564 counts the number of times N of the notification as if a special reward had been notified, without granting a special resident character to the user.

According to this configuration, a limit can be placed on the number of times that the puzzle game G1 in which a special reward has been announced can be played, thereby further increasing the user's motivation to play the puzzle game G1 when a special reward has been announced.
The first game executing means 562 resumes the puzzle game G1 in which the special reward has been announced, on condition that the user consumes the consumable medium associated with the user, when the puzzle game G1 in which the special reward has been announced is executed and the puzzle game G1 ends without the clearing condition being satisfied in the puzzle game G1. The first granting means 564 grants the special resident character to the user, when the clearing condition is satisfied in the puzzle game G1 in which the special reward has been announced after the puzzle game G1 in which the special reward has been started.

With this configuration, even if the user fails to meet the clearing conditions for the puzzle game G1 in which a special reward has been announced, the user can be given the opportunity to resume the puzzle game G1. This increases the opportunities for the user to obtain a special reward.

When the notification means 563 determines that a special reward is to be notified before the puzzle game G1 is executed, it determines whether or not there is a special resident character in the puzzle game G1 that can be granted to the user when the clearing conditions are met. When the notification means 563 determines that there is no special resident character, it decides to notify a bonus reward (second notification) instead of notifying a special reward. The bonus reward notification notifies the user that a pre-game consumable item (second game medium) that can advance the puzzle game G1 advantageously will be granted to the user. When the notification means 563 determines that a bonus reward is to be notified, the display control means 569 displays a notification screen 77 (second notification screen) notifying the bonus reward.

According to this configuration, even if there is no special resident character that can be awarded to the user, a bonus reward is awarded to the user as a reward in place of the special reward, thereby improving user satisfaction.
<First Modification>
Next, a first modified example of the game system 1 of the first embodiment will be described.

The notice means 563 of this modified example further determines, in the processing of step S10 shown in FIG. 3, whether or not to notify of a special reward based on the difficulty level of the puzzle game G1 being played by the user.
For example, assume that the difficulty of the conditions for clearing the quests increases in the order of quests Q11, Q12, Q13, and Q14 displayed on the quest selection screen 71 shown in Fig. 8. In this case, the advance notice means 563 may increase the probability of announcing a special reward as the difficulty of the conditions for clearing the quest increases. For example, the advance notice means 563 may increase the probability of announcing a special reward when starting quest Q14 compared to when starting quest Q11. In this case, a probability of announcing a special reward may be set for each quest.

According to this configuration, the frequency with which special rewards are announced varies depending on the difficulty of the quest, which can further increase interest.
It should be noted that the notice means 563 may lower the probability of notifying the special reward as the difficulty of the conditions for clearing the quest increases.

<Second Modification>
Next, a second modified example of the game system 1 of the first embodiment will be described.
The notification means 563 of this modified example further determines, in the processing of step S10 shown in Figure 3, whether or not to notify of a special reward based on the difficulty level of the puzzle game G1 being played by the user and the user's play history of the puzzle game G1.

Specifically, a difficulty level that quantifies the difficulty of each quest in the puzzle game G1 is preset. Meanwhile, the notification means 563 appropriately calculates a proficiency level that quantifies the user's skill in the puzzle game G1 based on the user's past play history of the puzzle game G1. The user's proficiency level value and the difficulty level value of the quest are mutually comparable. For example, if the user's proficiency level value is "5", the user has the skill to clear a quest with a difficulty level of "5". Meanwhile, a quest with a difficulty level of "1" is too easy for the user. Also, a quest with a difficulty level of "10" is too difficult for the user.

When the user plays the puzzle game G1 with a specific quest, the notification means 563 compares the value of the difficulty level of the specific quest with the value of the user's proficiency level to determine whether or not the user is likely to continue when attempting the quest. For example, the notification means 563 determines that the user is likely to continue if the value obtained by subtracting the value of the user's proficiency level from the value of the difficulty level of the quest is greater than "2". If the notification means 563 determines that the user is likely to continue, it increases the probability of notifying the user of a special reward. Alternatively, the notification means 563 increases the probability of notifying the user of a special reward the greater the value obtained by subtracting the value of the user's proficiency level from the value of the difficulty level of the quest.

With this configuration, when the user attempts a more difficult quest, the possibility of a special reward being announced increases, further increasing the user's interest.
<Third Modification>
Next, a second modified example of the game system 1 of the first embodiment will be described.

In this modified example, the notification means 563 determines whether or not to prompt the user to consume pre-game consumable items that can advance the puzzle game G1 advantageously when notifying the user of a special reward. For example, when it is decided to notify the user of a special reward, the notification means 563 prompts the user to consume pre-game consumable items in the notification based on the difficulty level of the quest. Furthermore, as in the second modified example, the notification means 563 may also prompt the user to consume pre-game consumable items in the notification based on the user's skill level. For example, when the value obtained by subtracting the user's skill level from the quest difficulty level is greater than "2", it is determined that the notification prompts the user to consume pre-game consumable items.

On the other hand, when the notification means 563 determines that the user should be prompted to consume a pre-game consumable item, the display control means 569 displays a notification screen that prompts the user to consume the pre-game consumable item. For example, the display control means 569 displays a notification screen 75 having a notice area 756 as shown in FIG. 19.

According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the game from ending without the user fulfilling the clearing conditions, thereby increasing the possibility that the user will be able to obtain a special reward.
[Other embodiments]
The various control means and processing procedures described in the above embodiment are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, its applications, or its uses. The various control means and processing procedures can be appropriately modified in design without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

The special resident character may perform actions associated with a building in the simulation game space. For example, if a cafe building is installed in the simulation game space, the special resident character may be a fixed resident character that appears only around the cafe building, or a fixed resident character that appears inside the cafe. Note that "fixed" here means that the character acts in association with the building, and does not mean that the character does not move at all within the simulation game space. In other words, the fixed resident character may move around or inside the corresponding building in the simulation game space.

When a character associated with a building is used as the special resident character, the special resident character may be granted to the user as a special reward on the condition that a cafe building is installed in the simulation game space. For example, in the lottery list La shown in FIG. 4(A), if special resident character Cs12 is granted to the user and a building corresponding to special resident character Cs13 is not installed in the simulation game space, the notification means 563 determines the special resident character using the lottery list La from which the special resident characters Cs12 and Cs13 have been removed.

It should be noted that the special resident character is not limited to one that operates in association with a building, but may be one that is placed so as to be able to move freely within the simulation game space.
In the above embodiment, the game device 5 is a smartphone. However, the game device 5 may be an amusement machine provided in a game center or the like.

The above games may be action games, shooting games, role-playing games, simulation games, board games, puzzle games, etc., and can be applied to various types of games.
In the above embodiment, the object is a player character, but the object is not limited to this. For example, the object may be a card or an item (weapon, armor, or other equipment) used in the virtual game space.

In the above embodiment, the server device 2 and multiple game devices 5 function together to make the game program work, but this is not limiting. All of the means of the game program may be provided in the server device 2 alone, in the game device 5 alone, in a communication terminal separate from the server device 2 and the game devices 5, or in two of these devices that can be combined (e.g., distributed processing in the server device 2 and the game devices 5). Furthermore, when the server device 2, the game devices 5, and the communication terminals function together, it is possible to appropriately change which means are to be made to function in which device.

Even when these other embodiments are adopted, the effects of this embodiment are achieved. In addition, this embodiment can be combined with other embodiments, and other embodiments can be combined with each other as appropriate.

56: Control unit (computer), 562: First game execution means, 563: Notification means, 564: First granting means, 565: Second game execution means, 566: Second granting means, 569: Display control means.

Claims (1)

Computer,
a first game executing means for executing a first game in a first virtual space;
a second game executing means for executing a second game in a second virtual space;
a first providing means for providing a first game content that can be placed in the second virtual space to a user in accordance with progress of the first game;
a second providing means for providing the user with second game content that can be placed in the second virtual space in accordance with progress of the second game;
a notification means for determining, before execution of the first game, whether or not to notify the user that the first game medium will be provided to the user when the first game has progressed until a predetermined progress condition is satisfied;
a display control means for displaying images of the second game medium and the first game medium in the second virtual space;
The display control means
when it is determined by said notification means to perform said notification, a notification screen for performing said notification is displayed before execution of said first game;
The first applying means is
the first game is executed after the notice is given, and if the predetermined progress condition is satisfied in the first game, the first game medium is granted to the user, whereas if the predetermined progress condition is not satisfied in the first game, the first game medium is not granted to the user;
When the first game is executed without the advance notice, the first game medium is not granted to the user regardless of whether the predetermined progress condition is satisfied in the first game.

Images